Tag Archives: courage

Fear Quotes

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Who of us hasn’t known fear at some point in our lives? Some fears can be paralyzing while others can prompt us to take action. Sometimes it’s helpful to know another’s take on fear as we will read in the following quotes on the subject. Happy Saturday.

The only thing we have to fear is…fear itself…Franklin D. Roosevelt

Do the thing you fear, and the death of fear is certain. Mark Twain

He who overcomes his fears will truly be free. Aristotle

Don’t be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try. Michael Jordan

He who fears he will suffer, already suffers because he fears. Michel De Montaigne

For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me…Job 3:25

Courage is fear that has said its prayers. Dorothy Bernard

Dying With Dignity

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Sadly, another one of our church members has died after a very long illness.

It never ceases to amaze me how these dear people deal with end of life issues when they get their prognosis.

Diana told me, “I am supposed to be dying but I don’t know what dying feels like.”

Recently Sue told one of our Pastors that she realized that she had to wait in line in order to “go home!”

These ladies have been an inspiration to many, many people as they courageously met life’s final task of dying.

We will miss their courage and inspiring ways along with their presence in our midst over years gone by and in years to come.

It will always stay with me how, after living full, rich lives, the way that both of these ladies accepted their end days and their final accomplishment was dying with dignity.

Reassurance

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Who of us doesn’t need some reassurance at this time that everything is going to be alright. How many of us need to know that though we may be alone and have to keep a distance between ourselves and all others outside our homes, we have the assurance that we are never really alone. Take heart; as Joshua 1;9 says, Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Happy Sunday.

 

 

Prayers for the People

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Dear God

Help us to overcome the obstacles that prevent us from enjoying a closer relationship with you.

Grant us the patience of Job, the wisdom of Solomon and the faith of Mary.

Help us to remember that the cross is the crux of our Christianity.

When we are unsure, help us to take the action we feel is right for the good of all and rely on Spirit to make any necessary adjustments along the way.

Grant us the courage and boldness to speak the truth of your word to our families and friends and may your Holy Spirit open their hearts and draw them to you. Thank You, Lord.'Praying Hands' by Albrecht Durer Painting Print on Wrapped Canvas

Happy Sunday.

 

 

 

The Face of Courage

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A few weeks ago a friend was diagnosed with stage four cancer. She was devastated to hear this news and became sad and depressed.

After many more tests and appointments, she began to hope that with the right treatment, perhaps it wouldn’t be as bad as it sounded.

And then the other shoe dropped. Terminal. The prognosis is a few weeks, perhaps months.

This lady picked up the pieces of what life she has left and began preparing to die. Her affairs are in order and her family, while being heartbroken, is comfortingly close and supportive.

In conversation with her, I am overwhelmed by a sense of respect, admiration, and inspiration.

Her family, friends and church family are praying earnestly for a miracle.

As she faces her second chemo treatment today, which will hopefully prolong her life beyond the prognosis, I am praying for her, and hope whoever reads this, wherever in the world, will also offer prayer for this courageous lady.

 

 

 

 

 

How Much is Too Much?

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My attention has been drawn back to the year 2007 when I was in a hospital emergency room experiencing heart attack symptoms. While there I met an eighty-four old grandmother who confided in me that it didn’t matter if she lived or died at this point in her life. As she poured out her sorrows to me my heart broke even more.

This wonderful woman had lost two adult children…one to cancer and the other in a car accident. If that wasn’t bad enough one of her grandchildren, at eighteen months, had died of meningitis.

I believe we met at that particular time because I needed her strength and courage to lean on. I had had lung cancer surgery two years prior to this heart episode, and my husband, now in the final stages of Alzheimer’s disease, was dying.

How much is too much? Only God knows.

 

God Took Her Soul

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She was stunningly beautiful with a healthy body, luxurious hair, a quick smile, and gentle, friendly manner. She worked where I did in 2005 and was always a pleasure to be around.

Then, in 2008, cancer struck. As it so often does, it played havoc with her life. A bony body, hairless head, and quietude were the new norm. It was almost as hard on those of us who worked with her as it was on her family to see this dramatic change in such a short time.

And then she died…at the tender age of fifty years. This vibrant, vivacious young woman was no longer with us. Her bright smile and happy face were now only a memory…a haunting, lovely memory.

My only consolation was that though cancer took her beautiful hair and body, God took her soul.

 

Hold Your Head High

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Standing for what you believe in regardless of the odds against you and the pressure that tears at your resistance…is Courage

Keeping a smile on your face for the sake of supporting others when inside you feel like dying…is Strength

Stopping at nothing and doing what’s in your heart that you know is right…is Determination

Doing more than is expected to make another’s life a little more bearable, without uttering a single complaint…is Compassion

Helping a friend in need to the best of your ability, no matter the time or effort…is Loyalty

Holding your head high and being the best you know you can be when life seems to fall apart at your feet, facing each difficulty with the confidence that time will bring you better tomorrows, and never giving up…is Confidence

Hold you head high and make your life better every day.

This was a 2002 Internet message which I had copied into one of my journals, and came across yesterday. It is good to know that what touches our hearts and opens our minds, is good for passing on, no matter how old the message.

Doing the Right Thing

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A few weeks ago there was program on TV that promoted doing the right thing, and it has been on my mind to blog about ever since. It’s why I researched and found the following quotes on the subject:

I follow three rules: Do the right thing, do the best you can, and always show people you care. - Lou Holtz

Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity. W. Clement Stone

Initiative is doing the right thing without being told. - Victor Hugo

That old law about ‘an eye for an eye’ leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing. Martin Luther King, Jr.