Recognizing the Need for Charity

Recognizing the need for charity is perhaps the springboard for giving. I know very few people who would knowingly be stingy if they knew that a person of their acquaintance was in need. However, many fail to stop and think about whether another is doing without because even in difficult times most are truly are blessed and have more than enough.

This is one of the quotes about charity that best illustrates my point:

Nothing is so hard for those who are surrounded by riches than to conceive how others can be in need.



The problem is that many proud families or individuals are not going to wave flags announcing their needs to the world. How do we identify who is in need? First of all, there are many charitable organizations run by fine people that make recognizing the need for charity their life's work. You can take your pick from a list of charities that would appreciate anything you have to offer including financial assistance in your area. Or if you would prefer a more personal approach to giving, you might take a moment and think of the friends or family members in your own neighborhood that have lost jobs and fallen on hard times that might appreciate a carefully offered helping hand.

Return to Motivational Inspirational Posters Poems and Quotes to find more ways that we can offer comfort and kindness after recognizing the need for charity.

KEEPING KINDNESS in CHRISTMAS

It's always important to focus on keeping kindness in Christmas, but in these difficult times it's crucial that we take time to see and help with the needs of others less fortunate. And yes, no matter how tight our budgets are pinched or how lean our cupboards the search for someone who could use some assistance will sadly not end far from our door.

Even if money is tight it would be helpful to go through your closet and find some warm clothes to take to a shelter. A coat or a jacket would mean everything to a person who may have none.

Another way of keeping kindness in Christmas is to offer your services at no charge. The elderly would appreciate a little help with yard work or a lift to an appointment would be a luxury compared to public transportation.

Young parents with children often lack trustworthy babysitters. Volunteer to keep the little ones for a few hours while they do a little last minute shopping or just to enjoy each other's company.

Try it, you might be amazed at how these simple acts of kindness may enrich your own holiday season. Please come back to Motivational Inspirational Posters Poems and Quotes and share with us how you found ways of helping others and keeping kindness in Christmas.

EXPRESSING GRATITUDE

My favorite gratitude quotes teach us that expressing gratitude to God is not only necessary but uplifting!

1 Chronicles 16:8
O give thanks unto Jehovah, call upon his name; Make known his doings among the peoples.

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

A POEM ABOUT GRATITUDE

THE GIFT OF GRATITUDE

Perhaps the best gift that you can give to yourself
Is to have gratitude in your heart
When others complain that life is a strain
Remember a prayer of thanks is a better start

Say a prayer of thanks for the day ahead
The safe night that just has been
Be comforted that no matter what comes next
You will have victory in the end.

This poem about gratitude and hope that was shared with me by one of my visitors. If you have written inspirational or motivational poem, I would be happy to feature it here.

Perhaps since I grew up in a home that provided the bare essentials of life, expressing gratitude comes easily to me. When I see all of the blessings that surround me I am virtually amazed at the richness of my life but I am so thankful that I didn’t get so much early on that I am ungrateful. Today’s kids are being cheated by their parents because they have so much they don’t know how to be thankful.

As an example, a month or two ago I was in a clothing store that doesn’t carry designer clothes but stocks good clothes for an affordable price. I was behind a mother in line with an eight year old (or thereabouts) child. The sour, disgruntled attitude was pouring off the child because his mom had not taken him to a more exclusive store to buy his school uniforms. He was disrespectful, unpleasant and by no means did he have an attitude of gratitude. This child was by no means thankful or appreciative that his mother was spending her hard earned money on his needs rather than her own.

I can well remember getting excited about school starting in the fall because that meant that we would get new clothes and shoes. Once the clothes were bought, we were told which items were for everyday wear and which ones would be saved for church on Sunday and special occasions. I remember one of my sisters conveniently losing her everyday shoes once in hopes that she would be allowed to wear her best shoes to school one day. Mother, merely told her she would stay home from school to search until she found her school shoes. And in those days, staying home meant doing "special" work for mom if you weren’t sick and unable to get out of bed. Amazingly my sister located her missing loafers within the next few minutes.

Some might look at such an upbringing as being deprived and I suppose in some ways they are right. But what I see is a lesson in expressing gratitude. When you have done without and learned to make do you learn to be grateful for things that you might otherwise take for granted.

Take this opportunity to reflect on whether we fully appreciate gifts from our Heavenly Father. Are we grateful for His sacrifice of the greatest gift ever bestowed upon us – the gift of everlasting life? Are we thankful that we woke this morning in good health surrounded by His love? Do we feel the need to express our gratitude to Him who gave us the give of love, peace and grace?

THANKFUL and GRATEFUL

After the lovely day I had yesterday, I can honestly say that I am both thankful and grateful. The meal that was prepared was beautifully prepared and the love around the table was warm and comforting, completely unlike the so-called family shows we see on television.

One of my favorite family quotes is this one, "The family is one of nature's masterpieces." Which is attributed to George Santayana and I agree with this quotation wholeheartedly.

How sad that our children are being taught that all families are filled with angst and to be "trapped" in the house with them for a day is tantamount to torture. Even the film reviews that I read listing the picks and pans of holiday movies offer their choices up as excellent opportunities to escape from family over Thanksgiving weekend.

Parents have their jobs cut out for them in battling the messages sent to their kids that are brainwashing them into believing that the people who love them most are at best ridiculous and laughable and at worst, downright intolerable. Why do we as consumers allow paid advertising and television programming to diminish the importance of family?

All we can do is to reinforce the belief that family is something to be both grateful and thankful for and that if someone tries to tell them otherwise then THEY are laughable and pathetic NOT our family members.

Return to Motivational Inspirational Posters Poems and Quotes to find my thoughts and quotes on being both thankful and grateful.

Mind Your Own Business Quotes and Sayings

Since I made my first post on this subject some of the mind your own business quotes and sayings that have been posted as comments have literally cracked me up! I'm relatively certain that the circumstances in which these statements were delivered were less than humorous but one or two of them were hilarious.

"If it's not your tail don't be wagging it."


This saying that I would like to focus on today has to do with breaking the bad habit of gossiping. So many people say the peace and productivity in their workplace was totally destroyed by office gossip. It only takes one worker with a loose tongue and a mean spirit to reduce a team into utter turmoil. It's the brave soul who is willing to nip malicious gossip around the water cooler in the bud by sharing a few mind your own business quotes and sayings before things get completely out of hand.

Bad news travels fast but juicy gossip knows no limits. Consider that your affairs may be the next topic of discussion the next time you are tempted to stir the pot or better yet, gently advise a co-worker that gossiping is never a good idea.

Minding Your Own Business

Minding your own business should be at the top of any list of health tips. In my humble opinion, breaking the habit of being nosy may be just as beneficial to your body as diet and exercise.

How many times have you been guilty of "sticking your nose in a hornet's nest" only to have it backfire on you? Meddling with the natural order of things can be harmful to you as well as those whose lives you are tampering with.

The temptation to fix things for other people can be very strong. Seeing our loved ones suffer the consequences of their unwise actions is never pleasant but it's best to turn them over to the care and wisdom of a loving God than to become involved in situations where we may not see the whole picture.

After trying to be a "fixer" you may find that minding your own business gives you freedom to work on your own problems that are truly within your power to fix. God expects us to focus on our own individual spiritual and physical health not to run around trying to do his job for him.

Here is a joke that proves that not minding your own business can be very painful.


A man was taking a stroll past a fenced yard the other day when he heard a group of people shouting, '13....13....13.'

Intrigued, he wanted to take a peek, but the fence was too high for him to look over. His curiosity was growing but there was no ladder to use to see over that fence and then he happened to see a small gap between the boards of the fence so he ran over and put his eye to the hole so that he could see what all the shouting was about....and then... somebody poked him right in the eye with a stick!

At that point the shouting became '14....14....14'...


Consider this a silly reminder to mind your own business!

Return to Motivational Inspirational Posters Poems and Quotes or subscribe to our feed to see more tips on behavior modification that may enrich our daily lives.

The Family of God

Even the most devout Christians sometimes overlook the importance of belonging to the family of God. To be children of our Lord means that we are members of a holy family and will receive all the benefits and privileges belonging to this group right here and now.

There's no need to wait until we arrive in Heaven to enjoy the peace, love and hope that are the special attributes of the family of God. We are by rights the heirs with Christ Jesus of an inheritance devine beyond imagination but with that blessing comes the responsibility of conducting ourselves in such a manner as behooves children of God.

Consider the words of

1 John 3:1
"Hear what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God;and that is what we are."

Further confirmation is found in

1 John 3:2, "Beloved, we are God's children now..."

No wonder that there are so many beautiful poems and songs celebrating the Family of God!

What an honor and joy it is to obey and serve God. All should consider this to be a privilege and a pleasure to live in love and obedience according to His will. However, there are times when we want to enjoy the benefits of this relationship without shouldering the responsibilities.

Obedience to God is one of such responsibilities. But what a small price to pay for the blessing that are bestowed upon the children of God!

Return to Motivational Inspirational Posters Poems and Quotes for more thoughts on what it means to be a child of God.

Christian Homeschool Curriculum

The benefits of choosing the best Christian homeschool curriculum available are far reaching long past the days spent in the classroom. The subject matter and how it is presented to young minds is to prepare them for the complex and confusing world that lies beyond the security of the family home.

It is crucial to give our children the security early on in their faith and beliefs so that when controversial ideas that they will come in contact with will not leave them feeling confused and unsure of which direction they should take in life. The start of building this solid foundation is a well constructed Christian homeschool curriculum and a healthy, happy Christian home.

When shopping a program, remember that you should never judge a book by its cover. Make a proper assessment of your child’s skill level and study goals and dig into the material on your own before forming opinions. Dig deeply into the lessons to be sure that it will be mentally challenging without being so much so that your student becomes frustrated and defeated.

Once you narrow the possible selections, it would not hurt to involve your child in the process. This will help you to identify his or her areas of interest and to form a partnership in the learning process which is the ultimate goal in homeschooling.

Finding a workable Christian homeschool curriculum is just the beginning and possibly the easiest part of teaching your children at home. But the rewards are such that you never have to worry that prayer is denied or that wrong ideas are being presented as the "cool thing to do".

An inspirational Bible verse that is tailor made for Christian homeschooling parents is found in Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

GENUINE CHRISTIAN BELIEFS and PRACTICES

There are many who profess to have and to follow genuine Christian beliefs and practices that are merely going through the motions at best or at worst are knowingly pretending to be true believers. Theirs is a false pretense even though some are so polished and practiced in this behavior that no man on earth will ever be the wiser.

But the Bible teaches us that man’s opinion is not the one that counts. Someday they will face God and be judged phony. Jesus tells us that God will separate the real Christian from the phony Christian and that on this day there will be no hiding what is in your heart. Separation will be according to the individual’s spiritual relationship with God through his son, Jesus Christ and their genuine Christian beliefs and practices, not how good they were at fooling their fellow man.

We are taught that a list of good works, affiliation with a particular religious denomination and reputation are not important and that while these things may be evidence of a relationship with God, they are just evidence. You can read on how the Lord will separate the believers from the non-believers in the book of Matthew 25: 31-46.

Now is the time to examine your own relationship with God and if you feel there is room for improvement a good place to work on it is in the church of your choosing and by discussing your feelings with your spiritual guide. One day, when it counts you will be ever so happy that you did.

Return to Motivational Inspirational Posters Poems and Quotes to join us in our own journey towards a relationship with God through Christ our Savior.

SCRIPTURE for a BROKEN HEART

I had a phone call from a dear friend that prompted me to search for some scripture for a broken heart after my early morning devotional. I immediately recalled a comforting Bible verse that gave me peace in the past after receiving devastating news and picked up my Bible to read these words to her in hopes that they would have the same effect on her that they did for me and that she could get some much needed rest from her troubles.




Psalm 34:18-19

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

As we know, even the most dedicated Christians can have a bad day but we know exactly where to go for comfort and guidance, the word of our Lord in the Bible. He in all his wisdom and glory provides to the faithful, scripture for a broken heart, knowing that His followers will have times of sadness and suffering.

Young people more commonly search for comfort relationships fail and breakups follow and older people search for peace during times of bad health or after the passing of a loved one. And then there are those times when we simply have a bad day and need reassurance that the Lord is always with us. Bible verses can heal a broken heart as well as guide us toward salvation.

Return to Motivational Inspirational Posters Poems and Quotes to find more comforting scripture for a broken heart.

COMFORTING BIBLE VERSES

As a kid, memorizing comforting Bible verses were not what I considered fun on a sunny afternoon. I must confess that I was less than enthusiastic about learning my Bible memory verses on any day but was especially reluctant when I could hear the kids from less religious households outside playing.

As an adult I am now very thankful that the Holy Spirit (and my determined Christian parents) encouraged me to devote some time each and every day to committing some scripture to memory. Back then I felt very sad and put upon that I might miss playing basketball, jumping rope or anything that didn't involve sitting in my room reading God's word. However, once I matured and had a few years of experience I came to realize that the benefits of missing a few hours of playtime would no doubt last me a lifetime.

When I feel weak and feel the need to be in the company of Jesus, to feel better and more assured all I have to do is recite the words that I memorized so long ago from John 11:25-26 where Jesus stated to Martha "I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."

During times of trouble or loss comforting Bible verses such as this one reassure us that our troubles are temporary but that through our belief in Jesus Christ we shall never die.

Return to Motivational Inspirational Posters Poems and Quotes to find more scripture that offers comfort during times of sorrow and grief.

SCRIPTURES ON DEALING WITH THE DEVIL

Scriptures on dealing with the devil not only reinforce what we know about his true nature and his capabilities for evil, but give us the tools to defeat him. Any soldier will tell you that it’s very important to know your enemy.

I Peter 5:8-9

We do not fight or wrestle against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of wickedness.

This quote tells us what we need to know about our opponent he seeks to infect your very spirit with ugliness and evil.

HIS NAME :
What he is called may or may not be of importance as the Prince of Darkness is known by many names such as Lucifer, Satan, the wicked one and perhaps the most profound; EVIL!

HIS PERSONALITY :
He is a trickster and a liar. He knows exactly how to present the bait so that the weak and those who are unaware will fall into his trap.

HIS ACTIONS :
He is a master deceiver that has taken control of too many souls. He is constantly on the prowl searching for more to do his bidding.

HOW TO WIN the BATTLE :
The best strategy for beating and defeating the devil is to arm ourselves with our faith. My favorite scripture telling how to deal with the devil is

Ephesians 6:10

We are to buckle our loins with the truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, cove our feet with the Gospel of Peace, wear the helmet of salvation and have with us the shield of faith.

Then we take the Word of our Savior which is in reality the sword of the Spirit and offer up much prayer. And there is another weapon we may use against him which is resistance. If you are able to resist his temptations he will run from you in his failure.

I’m certain that there are many more scriptures on dealing with the devil but in my mind this Bible verse in Ephesians tells me everything I need to know about how to deal with and defeat the devil when he comes calling.

Return to Motivational Inspirational Posters Quotes and Scriptures on Dealing with the Devil
to see more discussion on how to resist the temptations that are placed in our path.

Keep Your Eye on Eternity

One of my favorite quotes about eternity is that it seems like a long time coming but once it arrives you hope that you don't want it to end quickly. Ponder this quotation and you will undoubted see the urgency to keep ourselves focused on eternity rather than the endless pursuit of things that are meant to get the message across to our neighbor that we are big wheels and a roaring success financially.

Our Lord knows that we have to be industrious in order to obtain the many needs of our families. But I have to believe that His plan for us was to be content with the basics. I'm sure that he didn't mean for us to spend so much of our lives fighting to have huge homes and endless amounts of stuff that we don't really need or SHOULDN'T need in order to feel truly bless and contented.

There is a scripture about this that states, "Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you," and there is another that tells us "Contentment is great gain."
I take these statements to mean that we should spend more time thinking about how we might honor His name, be helpful to those in need and eternity will be paradise.

I hope that on your next visit to Motivational Inspirational Posters Poems and Quotes about Eternity that you can share something that you did for your fellow man or tell us what you donated that you had no need for and that you are more contented.

MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS QUOTES

If I threw out a few mind your own business quotes today would you think I was being a smart aleck and be insulted? Can such a harsh statement possibly be motivational? This depends on whether or not you are willing to realize the benefits of minding your own affairs. If you are you will see that there is indeed an inspirational message in these words even though they are often delivered in a somewhat less than motivational manner.

You might be wondering how somebody telling you to mind your own business could be anything OTHER than insulting. Certainly, the circumstances and delivery of the message is the key. For instance, I’m not about to try and convince you that when your teenage son or daughter catches you listening in on their private telephone conversations and gives you a piece of his or her mind that you should be inspired.
However, when a caring friend after seeing you in an emotional state because of something that someone did that was completely out of your control tosses out some “mind your own business” quotes, how could you fail to see the benefits?

Trying to control another person’s actions, no matter how well meaning your intentions may be, is an exercise in futility that is only going to leave you at best frustrated and defeated and at worst a candidate for depression. Minding your own business is the best way to lift the weight of taking personal responsibility for another’s actions off your shoulders. It takes practice, but once you experience the freedom that comes from being responsible for your own life alone I have doubts that you will want to return to a codependent existence.

One of my favorite mind your own business quotes is "Clean your own backyard" which basically reminds us that we are only meant to control our own lives. It is a good idea to listen to our loved ones when they have problems and offer advice carefully when asked. I’m sure that you will find that if you truly tend to your own business you will have very little time to meddle in the affairs and privacy of others and see just how liberating that will be.

QUOTES ABOUT CHANGE

Quotes about change are important and would you like to know my opinion on why this is so? If you are still logged in and reading beyond the question mark punctuating the opening line to this paragraph I must assume that you are indeed slightly curious. Perhaps you are even interested to the point of intrigue as to what my thoughts might be on the underlying importance of powerful quotes about social changes.

I won’t keep you hanging and in suspense any longer; the reason that quotes about change are so uplifting and significant is because they give us hope for the future. Was that a huge letdown or did you already guess what I was going to say? If so, you already have felt the lift in your mood when an important political leader or spiritual leader preached on the need for change in our less than perfect behavior and the ways of the world.

So, when will we see this dramatic turnaround that is going to benefit all of mankind? The answer to that question is right in front of our faces. It does not start with President Obama’s inspirational quotes about change and it didn’t start with your minister’s sermon last Sunday morning. Change begins within the heart of each individual. If you find the President’s speeches about change or your preacher’s more Biblical approach to the subject motivational the world as a whole will reap the rewards. Each and every individual who experiences an awakening of the spirit and makes the decision to approach his fellow man in a more positive and loving way brings us nearer to a better existence as a whole.

Johann Von Goethe Quotes

I wish there Johann Von Goethe quotes and posters from seemed to be a very young visitor. I couldn't help but wonder which of the many quotations that are credited to this polymath from long ago had proven to be inspiring to this young person and began to sort through the many profound sayings that have been recorded for posterity and I must say that most were short and to the point while being loaded with good, common sense.

Others were more flowery, but nonetheless still firmly based in the tenets of wisdom while offering practical advice for living one's life to the fullest. In fact, many of Johann Von Goethe's quotes carried advice for getting the most out of life and following your dreams. What I can appreciate is that he didn't sugarcoat what it might take to bring one's dreams and ambitions to fruition. Rather, in perhaps his best known Motivational Inspirational Posters Poems and Quotes that is often titled "How to Live Your Dreams" he states that dedication and commitment are key to avoid the risk of killing excellent plans and ideas. To put it in plain language, don't dilly dally around with your dreams, be bold, dedicated and above all; get started before it is too late to carry them out.

Here is the Johann von Goethe quote in its entirety that states "Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now" and if it motivates you to have it printed on a poster, t-shirt or simply hand written on a piece of paper taped to your refrigerator by all means do so. You might also search in some of the excellent online stores maintained by individuals for inspirational Johann Von Goethe quotes on posters or printed on items that you can use to decorate your home.

DRUG ADDICTION POEMS

After posting on contemporary inspirational poems about addiction I failed to mention that drug addiction poems were not by any means based on or restricted to the problems in this area that we face in modern times. Unfortunately, addicts and their issues are hardly a new phenomenon. Before the meth addict, there was the drunk and the Laudanum and opium addict. And let’s not forget to mention the addict that until recent years that was thought to only be causing physical damage only to himself without harming others, the smoker. (Of course, we know now that second hand smoke is very dangerous to anyone who shares breathing space with a smoking cigarette but for years we thought this was a problem for the smoker only.)

At times it makes us feel a little better to know that we are not the only ones who are dealing with the problem of addiction, thus the success of both AA and Al-Anon, so I dredged up some very interesting and inspirational drug addiction poems that were written long before the methamphetamine addiction epidemic or the problem of prescription drug abuse.

I found an excellent and highly sought after book that offers some drug addiction poems that were written more than a few years ago. In fact, the two hundred poems contained in the book were written across a span of seven centuries reflecting a virtual smorgasbord of mental states many of which are common to both addicts and the people who are connected to them.
Some people argue that addiction and mental illness are one and the same. It’s true that both serve up symptoms of despondency, despair and melancholia as well as manic episodes or as some believe, existence in a state of heightened perception of the world and life as we know it.

Whether or not you find this book of poems of drug addiction and quotes inspiring depends on where you are in your recovery as well as your mindset at the time of reading and whether you are prone to depression. I did find the book depressing but a marvel of creativity with the likes of Sylvia Plath, George Herbert, John Clare, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, John Berryman, Ann Sexton, Weldon Kees, Lucille Clifton, Jane Kenyon and other poets worthy of not. This book, A Mind Apart by Bauer, is most appreciated by those who are suffering from addiction, mental illness or those who simply appreciate poetry written by those who have experienced the heights and depths of the human spirit.

INSPIRATIONAL ADDICTION POEMS

A number of inspirational addiction poems have been submitted by visitors to this blog recently and of all the quotes and poetry that I have read in my lifetime none could compare with the emotional outpouring that I felt when reading the words of the authors.

Some of the stories were written in rhyme and others in a gentle, calming rhythm that belied the torment that the authors were obviously feeling. Having many friends in Al-Anon, I found it relatively easy to spot the poetry that was written by loved ones and family members that had found peace and contentment by working the 12 Step Program as recommended by that life saving organization. Much of the literature produced by Al-Anon focuses on bringing the individuals surrounded by alcoholism and addiction back to a normal, sane life no matter what the choices made by the addict in their lives.

The inspirational addiction poems and quotes submitted by those who are successful in following this line of thought are uplifting and filled with peace, hope and understanding. It's as if the poetry was specifically written as a soothing balm for troubled souls who have not yet found support.

Unfortunately not all addiction poems are composed by those whose minds and thoughts are peaceful. Those who are still in agony over watching a spouse, a son or daughter or perhaps a parent being sucked into the black hole of addiction and death are often compelled by the overwhelming sadness to put their feelings about the disease of addiction into words.

I want to thank everyone who visits here for sharing their inspirational addiction poems and to offer prayers to those who are still suffering. For the next few days, I will be posting some of the poetry that has been shared through the comment form on this blog.

If you have inspirational addiction poems or quotes that might help others or if you have not found the path to a better life and it would help you to relieve some of the pressure to share some thoughts you are welcome to send them to us as well.

POEMS ABOUT OLD HOUSES

I was reading some poems about old houses recently and found them to be very thought provoking. I am not such a huge fan of architecture that the sight of an old building makes me want to take up pen and paper and compose inspiring poems voicing my admiration for attractive piles of wood, bricks and stone that were constructed long ago.

But when I recently visited the site of the old family homestead where I had spent so many wonderful holidays and summers in my early years the longing to see those much loved faces that are now gone was enough to make me ache and take a few minutes to write about how being there alone made me feel.



I dropped by the old home place.
Where I spent summers for years.
But there in the quiet empty rooms.
I failed to control the tears.

I looked forward to returning for a visit.
Thinking it would be like before.
Where the minute the car door closed
There would be family waiting at the door.

But the windows were dark and empty
For my loved ones have passed on
I only have my memories
Of happy times in their home.

My memories walked with me from room to room
Remembering when beloved feet there trod
And in the afternoon’s darkening light
I took comfort knowing they are now with God

Even after I returned home the memories of small details like how warm a really fresh egg can be, how sweet a baby calf’s face is and best of all the joy of being in the presence of my grandparents. Where classic architecture failed to inspire me to write, the sight of an empty, old farm house where I had once enjoyed being surround with affection makes me rethink the inspirational qualities of poems about old houses.

Do you have a poem about old houses that you would like for me to post on Motivational Inspirational Posters Poems and Quotes? If so, please use the comment form to submit your poetry about old houses that inspired you and I'll be happy to post it with credit.

QUOTES ABOUT MONEY, NET WORTH and LIFE

In most quotes about money you will find a mention of good health like this one credited to Izaak Walton:

Look to your health; and if you have it, give praise to God, and value it next to a good conscience; for health is the second blessing that we mortals are capable of; a blessing that all the money in the world can’t buy.

That's a good one but one of my favorite quotes about money and belongings comes from the Bible, Matthew 6:19. In this verse Jesus tells us that our treasures should be stored in heaven where we never have to worry about theft or decrease in value.

Of all the money quotes I have ever read, this one is the most profound. To put it simply, we are not meant to worry ourselves with building great empires of wealth in this world.

Today I got the news that a person I knew had committed suicide. Mentally sorting all the reasons why people commit suicide I couldn’t see where this person fit into any of the categories. He was not mentally or physically ill. He didn’t have family problems. I couldn’t identify any of the factors that were mentioned of a medical or social nature.

Then I spoke with a person who was much closer to the deceased than I and he told me that our friend had suffered catastrophic financial losses and a tremendous decrease in net worth in the recent economical downturn.

Pardon me if I take offense when I hear "net worth" given as a valid reason to take a life. This is a commonly used phrase in quotes about money, financial discussions that encompasses a sum of your total property; investments, land, your home and any number of other assets.

However, I can’t help but with that the financial gurus would come up with another term because in my mind, personal net worth is something altogether different. And we can rest assured and be secure in the knowledge that even with respected banking institutions crashing around our ears that our true net worth the one that is truly meaningful is secure and intact.

Your true net worth is the value given to you by a loving God who redeems and sustains you. There is no manmade device that can be used to measure it because it is incalculable as well as inviolable.

Return to Motivational and Inspirational Poems, Money Quotes and Posters for more quotes about money and life.

PATIENCE QUOTES - The Virtue of Patience

One of my favorite patience quotes from the Bible is taken from Psalm 27:14.


"Wait on the Lord and be of good courage, and he shall strengthen the heart."


Young people seem to always be in such a rush to meet deadlines, accomplish goals and get to where they want to be. In all that hurrying and scurrying they seem to lose sight of where they are are going or what they are going to do once they arrive.

A young married couple may be ready to start a family and is having difficulty getting pregnant. Maybe a college graduate is ready to kick off the career of a lifetime. There's nothing at all wrong with enthusiasm, but when it becomes a problem we need some inspiration and guidance on how to control ourselves and remain upbeat and focused rather than to give up out of frustration.

Waiting for anything to happen or taking their time drives people crazy. What is actually a few minutes they treat as if it were an eternity. People become so impatient and irritable mentally drumming their fingers and patting their feet in a fretful fashion. Their attitude is that things should be hopping all the time; that life is moving on without them and that they are wasting time when they need to be out there in the mix of things.

Older folks are more relaxed because they have "been there" and "done that" but even they are guilty of not remembering the patience quotes that their elders shared with them. Patience and tolerance is a virtue that is difficult to attain in today's world. All we can do is pay attention to what the Bible says about patience and trust in God's wisdom while we are devoping patience of our own.

There are a few funny quotes on patience. My favorite involves a pair of buzzards sitting in a tree pondering on killing something rather than to use prudence and wait for a carcass to be served up to them.

The best inspirational quote on patience that I have found is this one: Patience is wisdom in waiting.

An ancient proverb on patience that is worthy of mention is: A misty morning does not mean that it will be a cloudy day.

There are many patience quotations or sayings from the Bible, but here's a good one:
A man's wisdom gives patience. Proverbs 19-11


If you read carefully there is a common thread in patience quotes; wisdom. This tells us that it is a wise person who practices prudence and learns the virtue of patience. So, how do we start to build wisdom and start to practice patience rather than to live in a state of anxiety and frustration? The best advice that I can offer is when you find yourself in too much of a hurry take a few breaths and remember that God tells us to wait.

Return to Motivational Inspirational Posters Poems and Quotes to find more sayings and words of wisdom from the Bible.

BIBLE VERSES for ENCOURAGEMENT

The best Bible verses for encouragement may not offer quick and easy solutions for eliminating the trouble, sadness or grief in our lives. But they do give us the tools to weather the storm and get through whatever it is that is bringing us sorrow.

The scriptures don't abandon us and leave us to flounder spiritually but Christians looking for a quick fix might experience some disappointment because God doesn't make the promise that if we follow him that all our problems will be solved. Instead He reminds us that the rain will fall equally on the just as well as the unjust.

Troubleshooting the messes that humans make of their lives and the world is not God's job. Rather, He gives us the advice that during troubling moments, we should turn to Bible verses for encouragement, comfort and a reinforcement of faith not to look for a remedy for our car not starting, not having enough money in our bank account or fixing a relationship gone bad.

His promise is that our faith will deflect the darts launched in our direction not to prevent them. Here's one of my favorite inspirational Bible verses for encouragement that explains the need to carefully foster our faith.


Ephesians 6:16
"Above all, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one."

Return to Motivational Inspirational Posters Poems and Quotes to find more Bible verses for comfort and encouragement.

DEEP SAD POEMS

Strangely enough sad poems often have the ability of comforting us rather than to drag us down into the mood of the author. In theory, when we are feeling loss of a loved one through death or a breakup, to hunker down with a tissue and a book filled with sad and touching poems might be the worst possible therapy. The thoughts on this are that such material would pull us further into the deep mire of grief and add fuel to the fire of misery rather than to lift us up and help us to move on.

If this is the case, why do we pull together just enough energy after a devasting moment in life to drag ourselves out of bed or our favorite chair to dress and shuffle down to the neighborhood book store to find a book filled with deep, sad poems? Are we as human beings that self-destructive by nature?

I had pondered this behavior for awhile. Whenever a friend called after a death in their family or a relationship went bad, I did my best to steer them away from sad poems on death and dying or loss of love. This was my way of helping them to heal and wallowing in their despair.

Recently, I needed some comforting myself. A death of a loved one at any time is bad, but a loss during the holidays has to be the worst of all. In my efforts to heal myself, I made the decision to devote some time to home organization. Cleaning out shelves and drawers was my way of busying my mind as well as making sense of the world.

In the process, I came across a book of poetry that I had seen my loved one reading from time to time. The need for a connection compelled me to take a break, sit for a minute and read a few lines. If it had been obvious that there were sad poems in the mix, I might never have allowed myself to open the book. But there was no indication that the poetry was written on the subject of sadness.

When I started to turn the pages, a piece of paper with familiar handwriting fell into my lap. It was a sad poem that was written during a rough patch in my friend's life. She had lost a husband almost immediately after she got the news that she was expecting their child and wrote this touching poem of sadness. Somehow I knew that writing her feelings made her feel better. I know that it changed my opinion in regards to the healing properties of poetry.




I miss you in the morning
When at first I wake
Your voice and smile are with me
With every move I make

We’d been a pair forever
It seems since the first breath I took
Now I find myself alone yet not alone
A leaf floating in the brook

I find solace, however
In memories of time together
Keeping them close in my heart of hearts
Will comfort me forever


Even though the Lord has called you
And you are at home above
You haven’t left me cold and alone
For I’m carrying your love


You can rest easy in your reward
Knowing that your love will go on
What we learned together will be shared with others
In the light that shines within me long after you’ve gone.


Return to Motivational Inspirational, Posters, Deep Sad Poems and Quotes to find more poetry that may help you to cope with a loss.

Feelings of Sadness and Sorrow

There are as many reasons to feel sad as there are people who are experiencing feelings of sadness and sorrow. Pain and anger are strong emotions that are direct results to negative experiences that unfortunately are a part of modern life. I’m sure you have heard the old saying that tells us that nobody gets out of this world alive and that is so true.

It is also a fact as we are told in the Bible, that the rain falls on the just as well as the unjust. In fact, scripture tells us that living is often more difficult for those with faith than those who indulge in sinful ways. Is there any wonder that we have such strong feelings of sadness and sorrow when we see innocent children in pain from illnesses or that are victims of abuse while criminals wallow in luxury free as birds or are taken care of with three meals a day and a warm bed albeit within prison walls? How can we help but be confused with such an enigma?

There are excellent inspirational poems and quotes on feelings of sadness and sorrow in the Bible as well as motivational books written by our fellow sufferers that offer practical and spiritual advice on how to handle them. Our faith doesn’t promise a life with no sorrow, but it provides comfort and a promise of hope to those who believe.

Friends of mine tell me that when they find themselves in a dark place filled with depression that they have certain verses in the Bible bookmarked to help them cope. Once they allow the comforting words to infiltrate their minds, they are able to once again pick up their daily lives with a clear head and a hopeful spirit.

Once of my favorite non-Biblical quotes about sadness reinforces what the Bible says, which says to let it go. Send it up in prayer and let God’s plan for us take the pressure out of our feelings of sadness. Because as the quote states, if we build walls around ourselves to keep the grief and despair out of our lives you also build a wall that keeps out the joy and love that life has to offer. We have to take the good with the bad and trust God’s word to tell us how to make it through.

Return to Motivational Inspirational Posters Poems and Quotes for more sayings and poems that may lift your spirits and inspire you.

INSPIRATIONAL BIBLE QUOTES that APPLY TO EVERYDAY LIFE

Inspirational Bible Quotes have a way of giving us direction, peace and confidence in our relationships with our beloved spouses, friends and family members. And at times scripture can guide us to make the right decisions in not only our own lives, but give us the tools to comfort others.

How many times has a troubled friend called you on the telephone or contacted you with a letter asking your opinions and seeking relationship advice and you felt that you didn’t have the right words to give them comfort? It’s very hard to know what to say that will help them make a decision whether to stay or leave, whether to continue to try or to throw in the towel.

Quotes from the Bible about love are plentiful, but I found this inspirational Bible quote to be the most helpful in a recent conversation that I had with a friend who was beginning to suspect her fiancé of being unfaithful. She expressed little faith in him by doubting his fidelity and on the other hand she was very upset because she was in love and didn’t want to end the engagement.

I advised her to seek premarital counseling and to turn to the Word of God for guidance. The best Bible quote I could think of to address her feelings at the moment was 1 John 4:18.

The quote from 1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear" tells me that the right kind of love will give you strength, build character and self esteem. The wrong kind of love will only break a person down and take them down paths that are destructive and dead end. This quotation gives the advice that my friend was seeking if she would only open her heart. If the love she had for her intended was producing fear, perhaps it was not the right kind of love that God intends for a husband and wife to have for each other.


Before you offer your own advice to friends, remember there are inspirational Bible quotes that offer divine guidance that can improve or eliminate most of the problems that we face in life.

Return to Motivational Inspirational Bible Quotes, Poems and Posters to find more thoughts on how man should look to the Good Book for solutions to life's problems.

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE ABOUT GOSSIP

"Another privilege of talking is to misquote"

Can there be an inspirational quote about gossip? To some of us who have managed to dodge the rumor mill such inspiration may be considered unnecessary. However, those who have been the subject of misquotes and misinformation may need some motivational words to help them develop thicker skins or maybe to apply a little emotional water proofing so that incorrect facts or downright dirty lies will roll over and off of them like water off a ducks back.

Conversation and the sharing of local news are entertaining. But often in the repeating of tidbits of news the stories start to take on a life of their own and the facts get embroidered and decorated so that they will attract a larger audience and be even more interesting than they were in the beginning.

Those who are the victims of this mode of misguided entertainment should take heart and know that even the most positive kind of fame rarely lasts more than 15 minutes or so I'm told. So, our quote about gossip tells us that talking is so common that even the juiciest of rumors won't stay on the tongues of nosy people long enough to worry with.

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