This poem was written
by a terminally ill young girl
in a New York Hospital.
It was sent by
a medical doctor -
SLOW DANCE
Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Do you run through each dayOn the fly?
When you ask How are you?
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time To call and say,'Hi'
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.
"Where Friends Send Friends"
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants .....
Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907.
'In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American....There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language.. And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.' -- Theodore Roosevelt 1907
'In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American....There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language.. And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.' -- Theodore Roosevelt 1907
Saturday, May 1, 2010
.......... Got a question? The Bible "Yellow Pages" of course .........
.......... Got a question? The Bible "Yellow Pages" of course .........
"Yellow Pages"
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
"Yellow Pages"
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life ....
It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Just like that it's May!
Just like that it's May!
Make it a great weekend!
* My 2nd grade Junior Achievement class at St. John School ..........
Friday, April 30, 2010
Going Public .....
Read Galatians 6:1-10, Psalm10
April 30
Going Public
“Today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse! You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today.” Deuteronomy 11:26, 27 NLT
Small companies that grow into big ones usually go public by selling stock to raise money for further expansion or to accumulate wealth for the owners and employees.
Many people are enjoying the benefits of having invested in companies like Microsoft and Yahoo when they first went public and have watched the value of their stock increase.
There seems to be a lot of going public with what God says is sinful and not enough going public about what God tells us to go public.
Public immorality is at an all time high. People who indulge in what God calls abominations are going public demanding respectability and rights previously reserved for those who seek to abide by God’s standard of conduct and morality.
An aggressive vocal minority has gotten a lot of power and control over the courts who are now taking control of our country by rewriting laws instead of enforcing them, because they have lifetime appointments and no accountability at all to the majority who are supposed to be in control.
The situation in many instances has gotten so bad that those who dare go public with their Christian beliefs, that represent the values and beliefs of a vast majority, are persecuted, ridiculed, and shouted down by the vocal minority.
Unless more and more Christians live out the great commandment and obey the great commission by going public with their faith and letting God work through them to change values and conduct by changing hearts, the history of God’s chosen ones falling into captivity and bondage to pagans is going to repeat itself.
Father, give me the strength and courage to go public with my faith and help me to uphold Your standards. In Jesus' name, Amen
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
April 30
Going Public
“Today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse! You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today.” Deuteronomy 11:26, 27 NLT
Small companies that grow into big ones usually go public by selling stock to raise money for further expansion or to accumulate wealth for the owners and employees.
Many people are enjoying the benefits of having invested in companies like Microsoft and Yahoo when they first went public and have watched the value of their stock increase.
There seems to be a lot of going public with what God says is sinful and not enough going public about what God tells us to go public.
Public immorality is at an all time high. People who indulge in what God calls abominations are going public demanding respectability and rights previously reserved for those who seek to abide by God’s standard of conduct and morality.
An aggressive vocal minority has gotten a lot of power and control over the courts who are now taking control of our country by rewriting laws instead of enforcing them, because they have lifetime appointments and no accountability at all to the majority who are supposed to be in control.
The situation in many instances has gotten so bad that those who dare go public with their Christian beliefs, that represent the values and beliefs of a vast majority, are persecuted, ridiculed, and shouted down by the vocal minority.
Unless more and more Christians live out the great commandment and obey the great commission by going public with their faith and letting God work through them to change values and conduct by changing hearts, the history of God’s chosen ones falling into captivity and bondage to pagans is going to repeat itself.
Father, give me the strength and courage to go public with my faith and help me to uphold Your standards. In Jesus' name, Amen
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
...... become a student of excellence ........
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Whatever your discipline, become a student of excellence in all things. Take every opportunity to observe people who manifest the qualities of mastery. These models of excellence will inspire you and guide you toward the fulfillment of your highest potential. -- Michael Gelb
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears in Ocala Florida!
Whatever your discipline, become a student of excellence in all things. Take every opportunity to observe people who manifest the qualities of mastery. These models of excellence will inspire you and guide you toward the fulfillment of your highest potential. -- Michael Gelb
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears in Ocala Florida!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
When Your Hut's On Fire ..........
When Your Hut's On Fire
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?'Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied.
The Moral of This Story: It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering.
Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.
Chris at Prestige Auto Sales
P.S. Consider passing this on, because you never know who feels as if their hut is on fire today..
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?'Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied.
The Moral of This Story: It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering.
Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.
Chris at Prestige Auto Sales
P.S. Consider passing this on, because you never know who feels as if their hut is on fire today..
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day ..........
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths. —Etty Hillesum (1914-1943); writer
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths. —Etty Hillesum (1914-1943); writer
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Monday, April 19, 2010
Chris Spears at Prestige Auto Sales in Ocala!
Monday, April 19, 2010
In work, the greatest satisfaction lies in stretching yourself, using your abilities and making them expand, and knowing that you have accomplished something that could have been done only by your unique talents.
This is really the center of life, and those who never orient themselves in this direction are missing more than they ever know.
-- Kenneth Alsop (1920-1973)
Make it a great week!
Chris Spears at Prestige Auto Sales in Ocala
In work, the greatest satisfaction lies in stretching yourself, using your abilities and making them expand, and knowing that you have accomplished something that could have been done only by your unique talents.
This is really the center of life, and those who never orient themselves in this direction are missing more than they ever know.
-- Kenneth Alsop (1920-1973)
Make it a great week!
Chris Spears at Prestige Auto Sales in Ocala
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thoughts lead on to purposes ..........
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thoughts lead on to purposes; purposes go forth in action; actions form habits; habits decide character; and character fixes our destiny. -- Tyron Edwards (1809-1894); theologian
Make it a great weekend!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Thoughts lead on to purposes; purposes go forth in action; actions form habits; habits decide character; and character fixes our destiny. -- Tyron Edwards (1809-1894); theologian
Make it a great weekend!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Thursday, April 15, 2010
If you really want to do something ...........
If you really want to do something, you'll find a way, if you don't, you'll find an excuse
Make it a good day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Make it a good day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee..........
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.
— Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.
— Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions...............
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold -- but so does a hard-boiled egg. -- Anonymous
Make it a great day!
Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold -- but so does a hard-boiled egg. -- Anonymous
Make it a great day!
Gods Gifts ..............
Monday, April 12, 2010
There is a destiny that makes us brothers .........
Monday, April 12, 2010
There is a destiny that makes us brothers, No one goes his way alone;
All that we send into the lives of others, Comes back into our own.
—Edwin Markham
Make it a great week!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
There is a destiny that makes us brothers, No one goes his way alone;
All that we send into the lives of others, Comes back into our own.
—Edwin Markham
Make it a great week!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Saturday, April 3, 2010
GOOD FRIDAY WEBCAST .........
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
A man can fail many times, but ..........
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame someone else. -- John Burroughs
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Prestige Auto Sales
Ocala Florida
A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame someone else. -- John Burroughs
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Prestige Auto Sales
Ocala Florida
Friday, March 26, 2010
If you're burning out because ..........
March 25th 2010
If you're burning out because you have to work additional hours or days to make a decent paycheck, you're choosing a miserable way to make a living. Working longer is often the result of not working smart in the first place. Focus on what brings you results then throw the entire weight of your personal resources behind those activities. It's just as important for you to know what not to do and what to stop doing as it is for you to know what to do on a daily basis.
Have a Great Day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
If you're burning out because you have to work additional hours or days to make a decent paycheck, you're choosing a miserable way to make a living. Working longer is often the result of not working smart in the first place. Focus on what brings you results then throw the entire weight of your personal resources behind those activities. It's just as important for you to know what not to do and what to stop doing as it is for you to know what to do on a daily basis.
Have a Great Day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Who will tell whether one happy moment of love or .......
Thursday, March 24, 2010
Who will tell whether one happy moment of love or the joy of breathing or walking on a bright morning and smelling the fresh air, is not worth all the suffering and effort which life implies. — Erich Seligmann Fromm
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Who will tell whether one happy moment of love or the joy of breathing or walking on a bright morning and smelling the fresh air, is not worth all the suffering and effort which life implies. — Erich Seligmann Fromm
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Each time a man stands up for an ideal ..........
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope... and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance. — Robert F. Kennedy
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Our Two Angels .. Saylor & Savannah!
Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope... and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance. — Robert F. Kennedy
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Our Two Angels .. Saylor & Savannah!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
In times of change ..........
Thursday, March 18, 2010
In times of change, learners inherit the Earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists. -- Eric Hoffer
Have a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
In times of change, learners inherit the Earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists. -- Eric Hoffer
Have a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
It is easy to be pleasant when life flows by like a song, but the man worth while is the one who will smile when everything goes dead wrong. For the test of the heart is trouble, and it always comes with years, and the smile that is worth the praises of earth is the smile that shines through the tears. Irish saying
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
It is easy to be pleasant when life flows by like a song, but the man worth while is the one who will smile when everything goes dead wrong. For the test of the heart is trouble, and it always comes with years, and the smile that is worth the praises of earth is the smile that shines through the tears. Irish saying
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
When you come to the end of your rope ...........
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Monday, March 15, 2010
He who wishes to ........
Monday, March 15, 2010
He who wishes to secure the good of others, has already secured his own. —Confucius
Make it a great week!
Chris Spears Ocala Florida
He who wishes to secure the good of others, has already secured his own. —Confucius
Make it a great week!
Chris Spears Ocala Florida
Friday, March 12, 2010
Don't say you don't have enough time. .............
Friday, March 12, 2010
Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Louis Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein. - H. Jackson Brown Jr.
Make it a great weekend!
Chris Spears' Prestige Auto Sales Ocala Florida
Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Louis Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein. - H. Jackson Brown Jr.
Make it a great weekend!
Chris Spears' Prestige Auto Sales Ocala Florida
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Some people try to turn back their odometers ..........
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know why I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved. -- Will Rogers
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Prestige Auto Sales
Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know why I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved. -- Will Rogers
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Prestige Auto Sales
Monday, March 8, 2010
I think of life as a .......
I think of life as a good book. The further you get into it, the more it begins to make sense. -- Harold S. Kushner
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Prestige Auto Sales
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Prestige Auto Sales
Thursday, March 4, 2010
An idea can turn to ...........
Thursday, March 4, 2010
An idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs against it.
-- Bill Bernbach
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Prestige Auto Sales
Ocala Florida
#352-694-1234
An idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs against it.
-- Bill Bernbach
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Prestige Auto Sales
Ocala Florida
#352-694-1234
Friday, February 12, 2010
If successful people ...........
Friday, February 12, 2010
If successful people have one common trait, it's an utter lack of cynicism. The world owes them nothing. They go out and find what they need without asking for permission; they're driven, talented, and work through negatives by focusing on the positives. -- Mike Zimmerman
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears' Prestige Auto Sales in Ocala Florida
If successful people have one common trait, it's an utter lack of cynicism. The world owes them nothing. They go out and find what they need without asking for permission; they're driven, talented, and work through negatives by focusing on the positives. -- Mike Zimmerman
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears' Prestige Auto Sales in Ocala Florida
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Eating words has never ............
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Eating words has never given me indigestion. -- Winston Churchill
Make it a great day!
Prestige Auto Sales Ocala Florida
Eating words has never given me indigestion. -- Winston Churchill
Make it a great day!
Prestige Auto Sales Ocala Florida
** Saylor Beth Spears - "One of God's Best"
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
It always seems impossible ............
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
It always seems impossible until it’s done. —Nelson Mandela
Make it a great day!
*** Savannah Spears .............
Friday, February 5, 2010
Excuses, Excuses ..........
Excuses, Excuses
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,” Romans 1:20
There is one “factory” that has been operating since the beginning of time at full capacity with no shut downs or work stoppages. Its products have been used throughout the world, and thanks to continuous upgrades and innovations, its products continue to be the all time best sellers. Welcome to the excuse factory!
Adam invented this product when he said the woman made him do it, and to this day, blaming others has been the excuse of choice by zillions of people for zillions of mistakes and shortcomings.
Psychiatrists will blame parents for emotionally scarring us, spouses will blame each other for causing the divorce, and parents will blame teachers as the cause of their “little darlings’” misbehavior. We blame our bosses, our coaches, our neighbors, our pastors, and even our best friends.
Books have been written about the excuses given traffic cops as excuses for speeding. “Hurrying to get to a rest room” and “trying to get to a gas station before I run out of gas” are a couple of my favorites.
God says that we are without excuse for not knowing Him and entering into a saving relationship with Him by receiving Jesus Christ.
God does not want our excuses. He wants a broken spirit and a contrite heart. Only when we confess and take ownership of our sins, instead of trying to excuse them, can we find that forgiveness that brings salvation that gives us an excuse for heaven.
We need to remember that God’s excuse window is closed, but His forgiveness counter is always open on the avenue of true sorrow and repentance.
Father, help me to quit hiding behind excuses and walk in the light of Your love. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Chris at Prestige Auto Sales in Ocala Florida
** Message provided by Homilygrits.com
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,” Romans 1:20
There is one “factory” that has been operating since the beginning of time at full capacity with no shut downs or work stoppages. Its products have been used throughout the world, and thanks to continuous upgrades and innovations, its products continue to be the all time best sellers. Welcome to the excuse factory!
Adam invented this product when he said the woman made him do it, and to this day, blaming others has been the excuse of choice by zillions of people for zillions of mistakes and shortcomings.
Psychiatrists will blame parents for emotionally scarring us, spouses will blame each other for causing the divorce, and parents will blame teachers as the cause of their “little darlings’” misbehavior. We blame our bosses, our coaches, our neighbors, our pastors, and even our best friends.
Books have been written about the excuses given traffic cops as excuses for speeding. “Hurrying to get to a rest room” and “trying to get to a gas station before I run out of gas” are a couple of my favorites.
God says that we are without excuse for not knowing Him and entering into a saving relationship with Him by receiving Jesus Christ.
God does not want our excuses. He wants a broken spirit and a contrite heart. Only when we confess and take ownership of our sins, instead of trying to excuse them, can we find that forgiveness that brings salvation that gives us an excuse for heaven.
We need to remember that God’s excuse window is closed, but His forgiveness counter is always open on the avenue of true sorrow and repentance.
Father, help me to quit hiding behind excuses and walk in the light of Your love. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Chris at Prestige Auto Sales in Ocala Florida
** Message provided by Homilygrits.com
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
If we did all the things that ........
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
If we did all the things that we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves. -- Thomas Edison
Chris Spears Ocala Florida
If we did all the things that we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves. -- Thomas Edison
Chris Spears Ocala Florida
Monday, January 25, 2010
Happiness cannot come from ..........
Happy Jeep Customer At Prestige
Happiness cannot come from without. It must come from within. It is not what we see and touch or that which others do for us which makes us happy; it is that which we think and feel and do, first for the other fellow and then for ourselves. -- Helen Keller
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Happiness cannot come from without. It must come from within. It is not what we see and touch or that which others do for us which makes us happy; it is that which we think and feel and do, first for the other fellow and then for ourselves. -- Helen Keller
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Friday, January 15, 2010
Prestige Auto Sales in Ocala ............
Friday, January 15, 2010
I believe with all my heart that civilization has produced nothing finer than a man or woman who thinks and practices true tolerance. -- Frank Knox
Make it a “tolerant” and great weekend!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
I believe with all my heart that civilization has produced nothing finer than a man or woman who thinks and practices true tolerance. -- Frank Knox
Make it a “tolerant” and great weekend!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Monday, January 11, 2010
The void created by a lack .............
Monday, January 11, 2010
The void created by a lack of information will surely be filled with negative imagination!
--Unknown
Make it a great week!
Chris Spears Ocala Florida
The void created by a lack of information will surely be filled with negative imagination!
--Unknown
Make it a great week!
Chris Spears Ocala Florida
Friday, January 8, 2010
Trials, temptations, disappointments ............
Friday, January 8, 2010
Trials, temptations, disappointments -- they not only test the fiber of character but strengthen it... every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before. —James Buckham
Make it a great weekend!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Trials, temptations, disappointments -- they not only test the fiber of character but strengthen it... every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before. —James Buckham
Make it a great weekend!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Friday, December 25, 2009
Blessed is the season .....
Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.
Hamilton Wright Mabie
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Fla.
Hamilton Wright Mabie
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Fla.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
A Different Kind of Christmas Poem .......
A Different Kind of Christmas Poem
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,Transforming the yard to a winter delight.The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,And I crept to the door just to see who was near.Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.To the window that danced with a warm fire's lightThen he sighed and he said "It’s really all right,I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night." "It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,That separates you from the darkest of times.No one had to ask or beg or implore me,I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at Pearl on a day in December,"Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile. Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,The red, white, and blue... an American flag.I can live through the cold and the being alone,Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.I can carry the weight of killing another,Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.
Who stand at the front against any and all,To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.""So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?It seems all too little for all that you've done,For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.To fight for our rights back home while we're gone,To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,To know you remember we fought and we bled.Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
Monday, December 21, 2009
Today, give a stranger ..........
Monday, December 21, 2009
Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day!
Make it a great week!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day!
Make it a great week!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Friday, December 18, 2009
When faced with difficult decisions .......
"When faced with difficult decisions, many seek the advice of other people. God's ears are always open: when you face decision time, call on God and hold counsel with Him. He's the one who will give you the right answer."
There are those who ....
There are those who work all day, those who dream all day and those who spend an hour dreaming before setting to work to fulfill those dreams. Go into the third category because there's virtually no competition. -- Steven J Ross
Make it a great weekend!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Make it a great weekend!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Don't wish it were easier .......
Don't wish it were easier, wish you were better. Don't wish for fewer problems, wish for more skills. Don't wish for less challenges, wish for more wisdom. -- Earl Shoaf
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Thursday, December 10, 2009
shape up or ship out .............
This venerable and much honored WW II vet is well known in Hawaii for his seventy-plus years of service to patriotic organizations and causes all over the country. A humble man without a political bone in his body, he has never spoken out before about a government official, until now. He dictated this letter to a friend, signed it and mailed it to the president.
Dear President Obama,
My name is Harold Estes, approaching 95 on December 13 of this year. People meeting me for the first time don't believe my age because I remain wrinkle free and pretty much mentally alert.
I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1934 and served proudly before, during and after WW II retiring as a Master Chief Bos'n Mate. Now I live in a "rest home" located on the western end of Pearl Harbor, allowing me to keep alive the memories of 23 years of service to my country.
One of the benefits of my age, perhaps the only one, is to speak my mind, blunt and direct even to the head man. So here goes.. I am amazed, angry and determined not to see my country die before I do, but you seem hell bent not to grant me that wish.
I can't figure out what country you are the president of. You fly around the world telling our friends and enemies despicable lies like:
" We're no longer a Christian nation"
" America is arrogant" - (Your wife even announced to the world,"America is mean- spirited. " Please tell her to try preaching that nonsense to 23 generations of our war dead buried all over the globe who died for no other reason than to free a whole lot of strangers from tyranny and hopelessness.)
I'd say shame on the both of you, but I don't think you like America, nor do I see an ounce of gratefulness in anything you do, for the obvious gifts this country has given you. To be without shame or gratefulness is a dangerous thing for a man sitting in the White House.
After 9/11 you said," America hasn't lived up to her ideals." Which ones did you mean? Was it the notion of personal liberty that 11,000 farmers and shopkeepers died for to win independence from the British? Or maybe the ideal that no man should be a slave to another man, that 500,000 men died for in the Civil War? I hope you didn't mean the ideal 470,000 fathers, brothers, husbands, and a lot of fellas I knew personally died for in WWII, because we felt real strongly about not letting any nation push us around, because we stand for freedom.
I don't think you mean the ideal that says equality is better than discrimination. You know the one that a whole lot of white people understood when they helped to get you elected.
Take a little advice from a very old geezer, young man. Shape up and start acting like an American. If you don't, I'll do what I can to see you get shipped out of that fancy rental on Pennsylvania Avenue. You were elected to lead not to bow, apologize and kiss the hands of murderers and corrupt leaders who still treat their people like slaves.
And just who do you think you are telling the American people not to jump to conclusions and condemn that Muslim major who killed 13 of his fellow soldiers and wounded dozens more.. You mean you don't want us to do what you did when that white cop used force to subdue that black college professor in Massachusetts, who was putting up a fight? You don't mind offending the police calling them stupid but you don't want us to offend Muslim fanatics by calling them what they are, terrorists.
One more thing. I realize you never served in the military and never had to defend your country with your life, but you're the Commander-in-Chief now, son. Do your job. When your battle-hardened field General asks you for 40,000 more troops to complete the mission, give them to him. But if you're not in this fight to win, then get out. The life of one American soldier is not worth the best political strategy you're thinking of.
You could be our greatest president because you face the greatest challenge ever presented to any president. You're not going to restore American greatness by bringing back our bloated economy. That's not our greatest threat. Losing the heart and soul of who we are as Americans is our big fight now. And I sure as hell don't want to think my president is the enemy in this final battle.
Sincerely,
Harold B. Estes
When a 95 year old hero of the "the Greatest Generation" stands up and speaks out like this, I think we owe it to him to send his words to as many Americans as we can. Please pass it on.
Dear President Obama,
My name is Harold Estes, approaching 95 on December 13 of this year. People meeting me for the first time don't believe my age because I remain wrinkle free and pretty much mentally alert.
I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1934 and served proudly before, during and after WW II retiring as a Master Chief Bos'n Mate. Now I live in a "rest home" located on the western end of Pearl Harbor, allowing me to keep alive the memories of 23 years of service to my country.
One of the benefits of my age, perhaps the only one, is to speak my mind, blunt and direct even to the head man. So here goes.. I am amazed, angry and determined not to see my country die before I do, but you seem hell bent not to grant me that wish.
I can't figure out what country you are the president of. You fly around the world telling our friends and enemies despicable lies like:
" We're no longer a Christian nation"
" America is arrogant" - (Your wife even announced to the world,"America is mean- spirited. " Please tell her to try preaching that nonsense to 23 generations of our war dead buried all over the globe who died for no other reason than to free a whole lot of strangers from tyranny and hopelessness.)
I'd say shame on the both of you, but I don't think you like America, nor do I see an ounce of gratefulness in anything you do, for the obvious gifts this country has given you. To be without shame or gratefulness is a dangerous thing for a man sitting in the White House.
After 9/11 you said," America hasn't lived up to her ideals." Which ones did you mean? Was it the notion of personal liberty that 11,000 farmers and shopkeepers died for to win independence from the British? Or maybe the ideal that no man should be a slave to another man, that 500,000 men died for in the Civil War? I hope you didn't mean the ideal 470,000 fathers, brothers, husbands, and a lot of fellas I knew personally died for in WWII, because we felt real strongly about not letting any nation push us around, because we stand for freedom.
I don't think you mean the ideal that says equality is better than discrimination. You know the one that a whole lot of white people understood when they helped to get you elected.
Take a little advice from a very old geezer, young man. Shape up and start acting like an American. If you don't, I'll do what I can to see you get shipped out of that fancy rental on Pennsylvania Avenue. You were elected to lead not to bow, apologize and kiss the hands of murderers and corrupt leaders who still treat their people like slaves.
And just who do you think you are telling the American people not to jump to conclusions and condemn that Muslim major who killed 13 of his fellow soldiers and wounded dozens more.. You mean you don't want us to do what you did when that white cop used force to subdue that black college professor in Massachusetts, who was putting up a fight? You don't mind offending the police calling them stupid but you don't want us to offend Muslim fanatics by calling them what they are, terrorists.
One more thing. I realize you never served in the military and never had to defend your country with your life, but you're the Commander-in-Chief now, son. Do your job. When your battle-hardened field General asks you for 40,000 more troops to complete the mission, give them to him. But if you're not in this fight to win, then get out. The life of one American soldier is not worth the best political strategy you're thinking of.
You could be our greatest president because you face the greatest challenge ever presented to any president. You're not going to restore American greatness by bringing back our bloated economy. That's not our greatest threat. Losing the heart and soul of who we are as Americans is our big fight now. And I sure as hell don't want to think my president is the enemy in this final battle.
Sincerely,
Harold B. Estes
When a 95 year old hero of the "the Greatest Generation" stands up and speaks out like this, I think we owe it to him to send his words to as many Americans as we can. Please pass it on.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Forgiveness liberates the soul.............
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Forgiveness liberates the soul. That's why it's such a powerful weapon.
- Nelson Mandela
Make it a great day!
Forgiveness liberates the soul. That's why it's such a powerful weapon.
- Nelson Mandela
Make it a great day!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
God’s Thanksgiving Love ...........
Read Philippians 4:1-9, Psalm 28
God’s Thanksgiving Love
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 John 1:12
It is very easy to be filled with overflowing joy and thankfulness at Thanksgiving when we are surrounded by loved ones enjoying a bountiful feast and thinking about all the good things we have to enjoy.
This is a good thing and a wonderful feeling, especially when we realize that God is the source of every good thing and of all our blessings.
There are millions of people who find it very hard if not impossible to find any thing to be thankful for on Thanksgiving or any other day. The overwhelming grief over departed loved ones, health issues, divorce, relational strife, and financial problems make depression the main course of the holiday meal for many.
The absence of problems like these should give all great cause to rejoice and praise God that they have been spared such sorrows.
On the other hand, all who are hurting in any way can experience the thanksgiving love of God when they rejoice and give thanks to God in their distress.
When we see Paul and Silas rejoicing and praising God when they were imprisoned, we see why Paul can say with all certainty that God’s peace will guard our minds and our hearts, and that His all sufficient grace will supply our every need.
God, thank You for the special blessings you promise when we go through the hard times with thanksgiving and praise to You.In Jesus’ name, Amen
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
This great thought by Homilygrits
God’s Thanksgiving Love
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 John 1:12
It is very easy to be filled with overflowing joy and thankfulness at Thanksgiving when we are surrounded by loved ones enjoying a bountiful feast and thinking about all the good things we have to enjoy.
This is a good thing and a wonderful feeling, especially when we realize that God is the source of every good thing and of all our blessings.
There are millions of people who find it very hard if not impossible to find any thing to be thankful for on Thanksgiving or any other day. The overwhelming grief over departed loved ones, health issues, divorce, relational strife, and financial problems make depression the main course of the holiday meal for many.
The absence of problems like these should give all great cause to rejoice and praise God that they have been spared such sorrows.
On the other hand, all who are hurting in any way can experience the thanksgiving love of God when they rejoice and give thanks to God in their distress.
When we see Paul and Silas rejoicing and praising God when they were imprisoned, we see why Paul can say with all certainty that God’s peace will guard our minds and our hearts, and that His all sufficient grace will supply our every need.
God, thank You for the special blessings you promise when we go through the hard times with thanksgiving and praise to You.In Jesus’ name, Amen
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
This great thought by Homilygrits
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Long before Thanksgiving Day was proclaimed ...
Read Colossians 3:12-17, 1 Chronicles 16:7-36
The Way of Thanksgiving
“There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD your God has blessed you.” Deuteronomy 12:7 NIV
Long before Thanksgiving Day was proclaimed a national holiday in 1941, God had ordained a thank offering as a means of worship for His people.
Among the many things for which people of the Old Testament were exhorted to give thanks, “His love endures forever” is one of the most oft mentioned and repeated reasons for thanksgiving.
Scripture also encourages thanking God for salvation, His goodness, His unfailing love, wonderful deeds, righteousness, and for being our strength and our shield.
The thanksgiving “way” is the daily “thanks living” of our lives in response to God’s love in sending Jesus Christ to die that we might live, and to show us how to live life to the fullest in Him.
One day is not enough time to count all of the physical, material, relational and spiritual blessings of our past, present, and future lives.
Our Lord realized the importance of giving thanks. Before the feeding of the 5,000, at the last supper before partaking of both the bread and the wine, and for God answering His prayer for raising Lazarus as they took away the stone, Jesus gave thanks to the Father.
Thanksgiving is a holiday for the heart. May Thanksgiving Day be just one of 365 opportunities for living the thanksgiving way as we grow into the fullness of Christ.
Father, thank You! In Jesus’ name, Amen
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
**Read more like this at www.Homliygrits.com **
The Way of Thanksgiving
“There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD your God has blessed you.” Deuteronomy 12:7 NIV
Long before Thanksgiving Day was proclaimed a national holiday in 1941, God had ordained a thank offering as a means of worship for His people.
Among the many things for which people of the Old Testament were exhorted to give thanks, “His love endures forever” is one of the most oft mentioned and repeated reasons for thanksgiving.
Scripture also encourages thanking God for salvation, His goodness, His unfailing love, wonderful deeds, righteousness, and for being our strength and our shield.
The thanksgiving “way” is the daily “thanks living” of our lives in response to God’s love in sending Jesus Christ to die that we might live, and to show us how to live life to the fullest in Him.
One day is not enough time to count all of the physical, material, relational and spiritual blessings of our past, present, and future lives.
Our Lord realized the importance of giving thanks. Before the feeding of the 5,000, at the last supper before partaking of both the bread and the wine, and for God answering His prayer for raising Lazarus as they took away the stone, Jesus gave thanks to the Father.
Thanksgiving is a holiday for the heart. May Thanksgiving Day be just one of 365 opportunities for living the thanksgiving way as we grow into the fullness of Christ.
Father, thank You! In Jesus’ name, Amen
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
**Read more like this at www.Homliygrits.com **
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Words We Love to Hear ......
Words We Love to Hear
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:9 NIV
Of all the words we love to hear, words of love top the list. “I love you,” ”God loves you,” ”I forgive you,” and ”Jesus loves me” are terms of affirmation that we need on a daily basis.
We can’t tell our spouses that we love them often enough. Letting God tell of His love for us through His Word is music to our ears. It literally sets our hearts to dancing as we respond by praising God and telling Him how much we love Him.
We all love to hear words of good news and appreciation. “Thank you,” ”great job,” ”your application has been approved,” and ”you’re invited” are music to our ears.
We don’t always like to hear a lot of words spoken in love, but in time, we usually will recognize how helpful, important and necessary these have been as God uses His Word and the words of others to help us confront our sins and deal with them with confession and repentance.
We need always to make sure we are hearing truth, and not just what we want to hear. We need the gift of spiritual discernment as we filter what we hear through God’s Word to make sure we are not hearing something that merely pleases our vanity and egos, without any validation from God’s Word.
I personally can think of no sweeter words that we should love to hear more than “well done, good and faithful servant,” when we meet our Savior face to face and give an account of our stewardship of life.
Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, help us to lead lives fully pleasing to You and fruitful in every good work. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
**Message from Homilygrits ministries**
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:9 NIV
Of all the words we love to hear, words of love top the list. “I love you,” ”God loves you,” ”I forgive you,” and ”Jesus loves me” are terms of affirmation that we need on a daily basis.
We can’t tell our spouses that we love them often enough. Letting God tell of His love for us through His Word is music to our ears. It literally sets our hearts to dancing as we respond by praising God and telling Him how much we love Him.
We all love to hear words of good news and appreciation. “Thank you,” ”great job,” ”your application has been approved,” and ”you’re invited” are music to our ears.
We don’t always like to hear a lot of words spoken in love, but in time, we usually will recognize how helpful, important and necessary these have been as God uses His Word and the words of others to help us confront our sins and deal with them with confession and repentance.
We need always to make sure we are hearing truth, and not just what we want to hear. We need the gift of spiritual discernment as we filter what we hear through God’s Word to make sure we are not hearing something that merely pleases our vanity and egos, without any validation from God’s Word.
I personally can think of no sweeter words that we should love to hear more than “well done, good and faithful servant,” when we meet our Savior face to face and give an account of our stewardship of life.
Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, help us to lead lives fully pleasing to You and fruitful in every good work. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
**Message from Homilygrits ministries**
Monday, November 23, 2009
Interior Decorating 101 .....
Read Luke 19:11-26, Psalm 94
Interior Decorating 101
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9b NIV
When we receive Jesus Christ as Savior, we receive the keys to the kingdom of eternal life in heaven in a brand new home. Actually, we are promised a mansion. This is our gift by the grace of God, through faith. We do nothing to earn it.
As wonderful as heaven will be, it is not the end of anything except sin. It is the beginning of everything in a new life for all eternity.
Since the sins of pride, envy and jealousy will be banished, there will be no concept of rank or anyone being any better than any one else.
There is much Scripture referring to rewards in heaven, treasures in heaven, and even ruler-ship in heaven. The faithful stewards who managed the lives they had been given were promised the responsibility managing cities in heaven.
We receive a great deal of love and satisfaction in responding to God’s love on this earth by loving God and others and glorifying Him. What joy there will be when Jesus says, “well done, good and faithful servant,” and proceeds to reward us with the privilege and joy of serving and glorifying Him in His heavenly kingdom!
Thank God we are not going to have to move into our new mansions with the baggage of our sins. Thank God we are going to have the rewards of our good works decorating our mansions in heaven with even greater opportunities to show our love for Him by serving Him and enjoying Him forever.
Father, help me to decorate my life with the good works you created me for here, that I might enjoy serving and glorifying You to the fullest in heaven. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Interior Decorating 101
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9b NIV
When we receive Jesus Christ as Savior, we receive the keys to the kingdom of eternal life in heaven in a brand new home. Actually, we are promised a mansion. This is our gift by the grace of God, through faith. We do nothing to earn it.
As wonderful as heaven will be, it is not the end of anything except sin. It is the beginning of everything in a new life for all eternity.
Since the sins of pride, envy and jealousy will be banished, there will be no concept of rank or anyone being any better than any one else.
There is much Scripture referring to rewards in heaven, treasures in heaven, and even ruler-ship in heaven. The faithful stewards who managed the lives they had been given were promised the responsibility managing cities in heaven.
We receive a great deal of love and satisfaction in responding to God’s love on this earth by loving God and others and glorifying Him. What joy there will be when Jesus says, “well done, good and faithful servant,” and proceeds to reward us with the privilege and joy of serving and glorifying Him in His heavenly kingdom!
Thank God we are not going to have to move into our new mansions with the baggage of our sins. Thank God we are going to have the rewards of our good works decorating our mansions in heaven with even greater opportunities to show our love for Him by serving Him and enjoying Him forever.
Father, help me to decorate my life with the good works you created me for here, that I might enjoy serving and glorifying You to the fullest in heaven. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Are You Well Spent?
Are You Well Spent?
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV
Almost everyone is value conscious and strives to see that their money, time and talents are well spent. To some, anything spent in pursuit of pleasure and gratification of any kind is well spent. Many find the time spent in developing their talents is too demanding and they find other things that they would rather be doing, much to their sorrow later. When it’s furnace stoking time in glory we are all going to find out
Almost everyone will agree that time spent with family is time well spent. When we invest in our children’s future by spending time with them when they are young, we will most likely be rewarded with their love and good character when they are older.
Time spent studying is time well spent at exam time, or, as in the case of studying the Word of God, when testing comes. Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Our heavenly home is assured. But there is coming a day when we are going to be called to give an account of how we have spent our lives.
The idea that we will be rewarded beyond salvation for well spent lives is an idea full of conjecture; but Scripture does mention rewards and blessings that we will receive at the resurrection of the just.
how well spent our lives have been. When all of the trivial pursuits and chasing after the wind endeavors have burned away, what’s left is going to define whether we have lived well spent lives. May we all seek to live lives well spent and fully pleasing to God. Father, keep me ever mindful that my life is not my own, that You created me for Your good purposes and for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Have a Blessed Day!
Chris Spears
** Today's message from www.homilygrits.com **
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV
Almost everyone is value conscious and strives to see that their money, time and talents are well spent. To some, anything spent in pursuit of pleasure and gratification of any kind is well spent. Many find the time spent in developing their talents is too demanding and they find other things that they would rather be doing, much to their sorrow later. When it’s furnace stoking time in glory we are all going to find out
Almost everyone will agree that time spent with family is time well spent. When we invest in our children’s future by spending time with them when they are young, we will most likely be rewarded with their love and good character when they are older.
Time spent studying is time well spent at exam time, or, as in the case of studying the Word of God, when testing comes. Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Our heavenly home is assured. But there is coming a day when we are going to be called to give an account of how we have spent our lives.
The idea that we will be rewarded beyond salvation for well spent lives is an idea full of conjecture; but Scripture does mention rewards and blessings that we will receive at the resurrection of the just.
how well spent our lives have been. When all of the trivial pursuits and chasing after the wind endeavors have burned away, what’s left is going to define whether we have lived well spent lives. May we all seek to live lives well spent and fully pleasing to God. Father, keep me ever mindful that my life is not my own, that You created me for Your good purposes and for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Have a Blessed Day!
Chris Spears
** Today's message from www.homilygrits.com **
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
I think the purpose of life is ..........
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be honorable, to be compassionate. It is, after all, to matter: to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all. -- Leo C. Rosten
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Prestige Auto Sales
I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be honorable, to be compassionate. It is, after all, to matter: to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all. -- Leo C. Rosten
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Prestige Auto Sales
Monday, November 16, 2009
When it is obvious that .......
Monday, November 16, 2009
When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps. -- Confucius
Make it a great week!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps. -- Confucius
Make it a great week!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Friday, November 13, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that the setbacks and grief’s which we endure help us in our marching onward. --Henry Ford
Make it a great weekend!
Chris Spears
Prestige Auto Sales
Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that the setbacks and grief’s which we endure help us in our marching onward. --Henry Ford
Make it a great weekend!
Chris Spears
Prestige Auto Sales
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Many of our fears are .........
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Many of our fears are tissue paper thin, and a single courageous step would carry us clear through them. -- Brendan Francis
Make it a great day!
Many of our fears are tissue paper thin, and a single courageous step would carry us clear through them. -- Brendan Francis
Make it a great day!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Security is not ..........
Security is not the meaning of my life. Great opportunities are worth the risk. —Shirley Hufstedler
We are not what we know…. but rather what we are willing to learn. —Mary Catherine
Bateson Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary. —Margaret Cousins
The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible -- and achieve it, generation after generation. -- Pearl S. Buck
Chris Spears Ocala Florida
We are not what we know…. but rather what we are willing to learn. —Mary Catherine
Bateson Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary. —Margaret Cousins
The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible -- and achieve it, generation after generation. -- Pearl S. Buck
Chris Spears Ocala Florida
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Socialism is .........
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." - Winston Churchill -
Have a great day and may you enjoy all the success you are willing to work for!
Prestige Auto Sales
Have a great day and may you enjoy all the success you are willing to work for!
Prestige Auto Sales
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Silence is ........
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Silence is a source of great strength.
Lao Tzu
When to be silent is wisdom.
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Prestige Auto Sales
Silence is a source of great strength.
Lao Tzu
When to be silent is wisdom.
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Prestige Auto Sales
Thursday, September 24, 2009
The whole idea of motivation is a trap. ......
Thursday, September 24, 2009
The whole idea of motivation is a trap. Forget motivation. Just do it. Exercise, lose weight, test your blood sugar, or whatever. Do it without motivation. And then, guess what?After you start doing the thing, that’s when the motivation comes and makes it easy for you to keep on doing it.
-- John C. Maxwell
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
The whole idea of motivation is a trap. Forget motivation. Just do it. Exercise, lose weight, test your blood sugar, or whatever. Do it without motivation. And then, guess what?After you start doing the thing, that’s when the motivation comes and makes it easy for you to keep on doing it.
-- John C. Maxwell
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Monday, September 21, 2009
Quality means ........
Monday, September 21, 2009
Quality means doing it right when no one is looking. --Henry Ford
Make it a quality week!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Quality means doing it right when no one is looking. --Henry Ford
Make it a quality week!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Friday, September 18, 2009
He who finds diamonds must .......
Friday, September 18, 2009
He who finds diamonds must grapple in mud and mire because diamonds are not found in polished stones. They are made. -- Henry B. Wilson
Make it a great weekend!
Chris Spears in Ocala Florida
He who finds diamonds must grapple in mud and mire because diamonds are not found in polished stones. They are made. -- Henry B. Wilson
Make it a great weekend!
Chris Spears in Ocala Florida
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Customer Service is not ..........
Wednesday, September 9. 2009
Customer Service is not a department…. It’s an attitude!
-- anonymous
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Customer Service is not a department…. It’s an attitude!
-- anonymous
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Life is what we make it .........
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be. -- Grandma Moses
Make it a great week!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be. -- Grandma Moses
Make it a great week!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Friday, September 4, 2009
Lord, Teach Me Patience & Please Hurry ...........
Lord, Teach Me Patience & Please Hurry
“Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12 NLT
Have a Blessed & Patient Day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
“Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12 NLT
Have a Blessed & Patient Day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Monday, August 31, 2009
#45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. 17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
Its estimated 93% won't forward this. If you are one of the 7% who will, forward this with the title '7%'.
I'm in the 7%.
Remember that I will always share my spoon with you! Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves.
Have a Blessed Day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. 17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
Its estimated 93% won't forward this. If you are one of the 7% who will, forward this with the title '7%'.
I'm in the 7%.
Remember that I will always share my spoon with you! Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves.
Have a Blessed Day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Thursday, August 27, 2009
What can we find for you today?
If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.
-- Charlotte Bronte
Make it a great day all!
-- Charlotte Bronte
Make it a great day all!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
True happiness is not ........
True happiness is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose. -- Helen Keller
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Monday, August 24, 2009
I can accept failure ......
I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying.
-- Michael Jordan
Make it a great week!!!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
-- Michael Jordan
Make it a great week!!!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Thursday, August 13, 2009
To say yes, you have to sweat .....
Thursday, August 13, 2009
To say yes, you have to sweat and roll up your sleeves and plunge both hands into life up to the elbows. - Jean Anouilh
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
To say yes, you have to sweat and roll up your sleeves and plunge both hands into life up to the elbows. - Jean Anouilh
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
You didn’t have enough faith ...........
“You didn’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I assure you, even if you had faith as small as a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”Matthew 17:20 NLT
Big-time problems require big-time problem solvers. This is why we need to appropriate by faith the full resources available through our big-time God! God showed up big-time to part the waters of the Red Sea to save the children of Israel. He showed up biggest of all as Jesus Christ – Immanuel (God with us)-to break the bondage of sin and to reconcile man to God.
We have a tendency to put limits on God and His ability to empower us to do all things through Christ and His strength. As we grow into the fullness of Christ we will stop limiting God by our unbelief, unforgiveness, ungodly living, and failure to “ask, seek, and knock.”
When we get to know God through intimacy with Christ, God shows up big-time in our lives. The faith to move mountains of sin, illness, worry, depression, or doubt, is the birth right of all who receive the new birth in Christ.
As we trust and obey God, we receive the promised blessings of answered God- glorifying prayers, friendship with God through Christ, awareness of the love of God and of others, and Jesus’ joy. God is not only big-time; He is always on time to show up in exactly the right place, in the right way, and at the right time.
Father, thank you for your unfailing love and promises that are mine by faith; give me the faith to enjoy them now and forever.
In Jesus' name, Amen
Have a blessed day!
Chris Spears
**Like the message? go to www.homilygrits.com
Big-time problems require big-time problem solvers. This is why we need to appropriate by faith the full resources available through our big-time God! God showed up big-time to part the waters of the Red Sea to save the children of Israel. He showed up biggest of all as Jesus Christ – Immanuel (God with us)-to break the bondage of sin and to reconcile man to God.
We have a tendency to put limits on God and His ability to empower us to do all things through Christ and His strength. As we grow into the fullness of Christ we will stop limiting God by our unbelief, unforgiveness, ungodly living, and failure to “ask, seek, and knock.”
When we get to know God through intimacy with Christ, God shows up big-time in our lives. The faith to move mountains of sin, illness, worry, depression, or doubt, is the birth right of all who receive the new birth in Christ.
As we trust and obey God, we receive the promised blessings of answered God- glorifying prayers, friendship with God through Christ, awareness of the love of God and of others, and Jesus’ joy. God is not only big-time; He is always on time to show up in exactly the right place, in the right way, and at the right time.
Father, thank you for your unfailing love and promises that are mine by faith; give me the faith to enjoy them now and forever.
In Jesus' name, Amen
Have a blessed day!
Chris Spears
**Like the message? go to www.homilygrits.com
Monday, August 3, 2009
The sign of .........
Monday, August 3, 2009
The sign of intelligent people is their ability to control emotions by the application of reason.
-- Marya Mannes
Make it a great week all!
The sign of intelligent people is their ability to control emotions by the application of reason.
-- Marya Mannes
Make it a great week all!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Ability is ........
Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you will do it. -- Raymond Chandler
Make it a great Wednesday!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Make it a great Wednesday!
Chris Spears
Ocala Florida
Thursday, July 23, 2009
............ with your life than with your lips
Thursday, July 23, 2009
You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips.
-- Oliver Goldsmith
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Prestige Auto Sales
U-Can-2-Ocala-Dot-Com
You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips.
-- Oliver Goldsmith
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Prestige Auto Sales
U-Can-2-Ocala-Dot-Com
Monday, July 20, 2009
You don't understand anything ........
You don't understand anything until you learn it more than one way.
-- Marvin Minsky
Make it a great day!
-- Marvin Minsky
Make it a great day!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
........ you are right!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right.
-- Henry Ford
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Fla
Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right.
-- Henry Ford
Make it a great day!
Chris Spears
Ocala Fla
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