In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Thought for the day...

Discussion in 'Everything Else (off topic)' started by T.Jeff Veal, Oct 31, 2018.

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  1. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    My grandfather always said that living is like licking honey off a thorn. Louis Adamic

    Storms make oaks take deeper root.

    As one caterpillar said to another as they were watching a butterfly, “You’ll never get me up in one of those things.”

    The idea of daylight savings time came from an old Indian chief who cut off one end of his blanket and had it sewn to the other end to make the blanket longer.

    Could you call a chicken on the go, Poultry in motion?

    If the birds be silent, expect thunder.

    If fowls roll in the sand, rain is at hand.
     
    Backwoods Savage, Sep 20, 2019
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  2. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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    Verse of the Day
    May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
    2 Thessalonians 3:5
     
    T.Jeff Veal, Sep 21, 2019
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  3. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT WAS SAVED BY A PIGEON

    The idea of a lasting memorial to George Washington took hold as early as 1783, but political wrangling, money raising, and design hassles held up construction until 1848. In the next six years, the monument rose to a height of over 150 feet. Then donations began to dwindle, and work stopped. Throughout the Civil War, the unfinished “stump,” at it was generally called, remained an eyesore on the Washington scene.

    As the nation’s centennial celebration approached in 1876, the project was resumed. But when the engineers arrived on the scene, they discovered that all the scaffolding and ropes within the unfinished tower of blocks had rotted beyond use. There seemed to be no way of getting up the 153 feet of completed wall to the top. (The final plan called for a 550 foot height.)

    So here’s where one solitary pigeon comes into the story to save the day - and the monument. Following an on-the-spot plan put forth by one of the engineers, the construction workers managed to capture a pigeon and attach several hundred feet of threadlike wire to one of it’s legs. The bird was then taken inside the base of the monument and, after all the entrances were blocked, released. As soon as it began to fly, a pistol was fired, which so startled the bird that it soared upward and out of the open top of the shaft. Once outside, it was immediately shot down by an engineer. The wire attached to its let was recovered, to be used to haul progressively heavier ropes, until a thick cable was in place on which scaffolding could be mounted. Thereafter, the work proceeded continuously until it was completed, and in February, 1885, the monument was finally dedicated.
     
    Backwoods Savage, Sep 21, 2019
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  4. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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    Verse of the Day
    Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
    1 Peter 1:3 NIV
     
    T.Jeff Veal, Sep 22, 2019
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  5. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    Do you remember when:

    Houses had cellars instead of basements - and they were full of home-canned produce.
    A camper was a person.
    When the temperature was given for the city, not for the airport.
    Anyone who would go to a psychiatrist should have his head examined.

    Days are for resting, nights are for sleeping. John Phillip Sousa’s father

    Skepticism is a good watchdog if you know when to take the leash off.

    Trusting to chance makes a lottery of life.

    The mark of a true professional is giving more than you get.
     
    Backwoods Savage, Sep 22, 2019
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  6. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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    September 23, 2019
    Verse of the Day
    he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
    Psalms 23:3
     
    T.Jeff Veal, Sep 23, 2019
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  7. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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    God works; we work
    By Pastor Mark Jeske
    What causes things to happen?

    Does that sound like a dumb question? Seriously—has God ordained everything and we are just going through the motions, or is he just watching as we act out human history? How do you fit into the scheme of the universe? Are your deeds your free choice, or is God controlling everything? Do you have marionette strings attached to your hands and feet? Or are you on your own?

    The answer is yes to all of the above. There is a double causality to everything that happens, and we do not have the vantage point or ability to navigate time and eternity to keep them apart. Both God and we interact in earth’s history. Here’s an example: “When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of them. He put garrisons in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to him and brought him tribute. The LORD gave David victory wherever he went” (1 Chronicles 18:5,6).

    So—did David win the victory or did God win the victory? The answer is yes. David’s courage and military skill and God’s sovereign will and almighty power were all at work. Can you abide this paradox? God is at work in your life, leading and guiding and protecting and nudging and compelling. You are an independent agent in your life. Your words and deeds matter. Your choices have real consequences.

    God works. We work
     
    T.Jeff Veal, Sep 23, 2019
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  8. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    Civilization is a stream with banks. The stream is sometimes filled with blood from people killing, stealing, shouting and doing things historians usually record, while on the banks, unnoticed, people build homes, make love, raise children, sing songs, write poetry. The story of civilization is the story of what happened on the banks. Historians are pessimists because they ignore the banks for the river. Will Durant

    Heaven is only three feet above your head. Chinese proverb

    One of the greatest things about hunting is that even if you come home with nothing, you’ve still wasted the whole day, and enjoyed it to the utmost.

    No two men are alike, and both of them are happy for it.

    Noah was the greatest financier in the Bible. He floated his stock while the whole world was in liquidation.

    HOLE TRUTH

    There were 8 Indians down in a hole,
    Stuck like ants in a slippery bowl.
    One climbed, but slid back down the wall,
    One stretched high, but wasn’t that tall.
    One flapped his arms, but couldn’t fly,
    One jumped, but couldn’t get that high.
    One said magic, but not the right word,
    One screamed for help but no one heard.
    One tore his clothes and braided a rope,
    But it didn’t reach, leaving no hope.
    You’re the 8th, it’s now up to you,
    To save all 8, what would you do?

    Answer: To save oneself, work together. The whole truth: Help one Another
     
    Backwoods Savage, Sep 23, 2019
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  9. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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    September 24, 2019
    Verse of the Day
    Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
    Matthew 7:17-20 NIV
     
    T.Jeff Veal, Sep 24, 2019
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  10. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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    Have some peace when it makes no sense
    By Jason Nelson
    I’m starting to get how this blessing works: “The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). Because I’m a Christian, I’ve been expecting some peace. But I still have trouble sleeping. I still don’t have everything done. I’m still concerned about so much violence in our world. I still bounce my foot up and down constantly. But I see this blessing isn’t about the peace of Jason. It’s about the peace of God. It’s about God remaining perfectly calm as he deals with things that cause our innards to roil because they are out of our control. The apostle could have said, “Here you go. Have some peace when it makes no sense.”

    God never gets rattled. He is Jehovah Adonai. He has always been here and always will be. He has seen it all, sees what’s coming, and is unmatched in directing how it will play out. Even when hell breaks loose, he doesn’t get rattled. He is El Shaddai. He shatters satanic revolts against his authority with his power. He is the wonderful Counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, and the Prince of shalom. Nobody gives peace like he does. No matter what, he guards our hearts and minds through faith in Jesus Christ. Because God says, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14), we can have some peace when it is what it is.
     
    T.Jeff Veal, Sep 24, 2019
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  11. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    No man is useless who has a friend.

    We are all sentenced to capital punishment for the crime of living!

    Practical politics consists in ignoring facts.

    Make a great flower of life, even if it is only a cactus.

    There’s a fine line between fishing and standing on the bank like an idiot.

    Terminal Inertia: 1. The tendency of a body at rest to remain at rest.

    2. The tendency of a body in motion to wish it were at rest.

    About the only exercise some people get is to exercise caution.
     
    Backwoods Savage, Sep 24, 2019
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  12. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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    Verse of the Day
    And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
    2 John 1:6 NIV
     
    T.Jeff Veal, Sep 25, 2019
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  13. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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    September 26, 2019
    Verse of the Day
    But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
    Jude 1:20-21 NIV
     
    T.Jeff Veal, Sep 26, 2019
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  14. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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    Having hope
    By Pastor Matt Ewart
    Job suffered in a way that I can’t imagine.

    He lost everything in a matter of minutes. His livestock. His livelihood. His house. His family. Everything was gone. Then he lost his health as painful boils covered his body.

    When Job’s friends looked at the method and timing of his misfortune, they determined that Job did something so evil that God had to immediately bring down violent judgment on him.

    Job knew better. He knew that God was not punishing him for something, but at the same time, he couldn’t prove it. In that moment, Job said this: “[God] is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court. If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together” (Job 9:32,33).

    In those words, Job expressed an expectant hope that yearned to be fulfilled.

    He hoped for one who could bridge the gap between himself and God. He hoped for one who could prove that God was not punishing him. He hoped for one who could vouch for him while representing the interests of God.

    The One Job hoped for has come. His name is Jesus Christ.

    Jesus’ empty tomb is evidence that the punishment for your sin was paid in full on the cross. God already inflicted punishment for your sin once, and he will not do it again. Jesus now sits in heaven to guarantee the work he did for you. You have what Job hoped for
     
    T.Jeff Veal, Sep 26, 2019
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  15. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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    September 27, 2019
    Verse of the Day
    The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
    Romans 8:6 NIV
     
    T.Jeff Veal, Sep 27, 2019
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  16. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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    Chariots of fire
    By Pastor Mark Jeske
    Gehazi, servant to the prophet Elisha, had no difficulty seeing his problems. Ben-Hadad II, the evil king of Aram, had sent an entire company of infantry with chariot support to surround the town of Dothan and seize Elisha, whom he blamed for passing military secrets.

    As Gehazi looked out early that morning, he must have assumed that it would be the day of his death. “‘Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?’ the servant asked. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:15-17).

    Classic military strategy is to isolate and overwhelm the enemy with vastly superior numbers. Satan and his demons knew that strategy long before military textbooks were written. He whispers to us that we are alone and friendless, that no one must know of all our problems and failures, that resistance is futile, that his forces rule the universe, and that no one will ever come to help.

    In fact, those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Your faith in Christ connects you to the might, wisdom, and compassion of the Almighty God himself. You cannot see the legions of angels at work for you behind the scenes.

    But Satan can.
     
    T.Jeff Veal, Sep 27, 2019
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  17. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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    Yesterday, we looked at how being a slave to busyness can sap us of energy and restfulness. But we’re not merely busy. We’re also hopelessly distracted.

    We’re a generation that’s so plugged into our gadgets that we wander around in a state of “device delirium” – a state of being where everything and everyone else is perceived through a haze of sorts.

    A 2016 New York Times article says that the average Facebook user spends 1 hour a day on social media. One hour a day of the time we’re awake is a whopping 1/16th of our waking hours.

    It’s not just sucking up our time, social media is actually causing us to question our worth. It’s reinforcing that we matter only when others say we do.

    The culture tells us we don’t really count till we wear as many hats as possible and wear ourselves down in the process.

    We think that multitasking is the modus operandi today. But consider Ephesians where it says God has prepared good works in advance for us to do. He doesn’t want us to put our finger in every possible pie. He wants us to be intentional about following Him in the work He has appointed and prepared for us to do. In that calling, we find purpose and freedom.

    Jesus doesn’t place demands on us. He comes alongside us. All He wants is for us to abide in Him.

    Lean In

    Father, let me not function blindly under the false assumption that I have to multitask and be all things to all people in order to matter. Help me quieten my heart so I can hear Your voice saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” Help me thrive in the fullness of life You have for me. Help me not to confuse that with a full life. Amen
     
    T.Jeff Veal, Sep 27, 2019
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  18. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    The fear of death keeps many from living, not from dying.

    How we spend our days is how we spend our lives.

    Did you hear about the old foolosopher whose hourglass was slow, so he added some quicksand?

    I am for a government rigorously frugal and simple. Thomas Jefferson

    Were we directed from Washington when to sow and when to reap, we should soon want bread.
    Thomas Jefferson

    It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself. Thomas Jefferson

    A person is always startled when he hears himself seriously called an old man for the first time.
     
    Backwoods Savage, Sep 27, 2019
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  19. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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    September 28, 2019
    Verse of the Day
    For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,
    1 Peter 1:24 NIV
     
    T.Jeff Veal, Sep 28, 2019
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  20. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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    On God’s side
    By Linda Buxa
    During the Civil War, one of President Lincoln’s advisors said he was grateful God was on the Union’s side. Lincoln told him, “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.”

    Joshua, the leader of the Israelite army, was about to battle Jericho, and he fell into the same trap as Lincoln’s advisor. “He looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, ‘Are you for us or for our enemies?’ ‘Neither,’ he replied, ‘but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.’ Then Joshua fell face down to the ground in reverence, and asked him, ‘What message does my LORD have for his servant?’” (Joshua 5:13,14).

    We could use the same reality check. Sometimes we’re surprised that our plans just don’t seem to be working out for us. “Why isn’t God blessing me the way I thought he would?” Maybe it’s because we made our decisions all wrong. We came up with our plans without consulting God—and yet we still expected him to fall in line with our ideas.

    It goes a whole lot better for us when we first fall facedown and ask, “What message do you have for me?” That’s when his goals become our goals and our plans and priorities become a whole lot clearer.

    Make it your greatest concern to be on God’s side, for God is always right.
     
    T.Jeff Veal, Sep 28, 2019
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