Interesting thoughts about the life of Thomas Jefferson. Pride must be handled with proper control.

The life of the believer is to be enjoyed. Laughter and valuing family is just a couple of the ways for us to help ourselves enjoy living our lives.

Giving is a fundamental principle in the scriptures. Giving of one’s money, one’s time, one’s abilities – giving of one’s self, you could say. Always remember that little kindnesses don’t cost us much and they go a long way.

This world is a sinful place. Self-absorbed people are everywhere and in desperate need of The Light of the World. In other words, the very thing we are called to be.

Getting ourselves out of the way – losing one’s self – is necessary in order to truly find ones’ purpose.

The historical relationship between President Abraham Lincoln and Edwin Stanton serves as a good reminder of Christ’s command to us in Luke.

A periodic self-check is a good thing to do. The “usual” isn’t to be taken for granted.

How many stories like Johnny’s are repeated throughout our society? Is it any wonder that society has continually moved away from the things of God?

There is a law of seed, time of harvest. The golden rule tells us to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. If your harvest is bad, it’s probably because you have sown bad seed.

The facts we choose to omit from any given situation may cause the people who are dependent on the information we give. Withholding our help when it’s within our power to be helpful causes the flaws in our character to become starkly visible.

Unfortunately, our deeds very often fail to reflect our words. We must live-out the words we so readily hold others to and do so with integrity. Otherwise, our own words condemn us.

There is nothing basically wrong in criticism, it can actually be very good for us. How we do the criticizing and our motives in it are the factors that will make it constructive or destructive.

If we don’t spend time in God’s Word God’s ways will be foreign to us, making us no better than fools.

Those who take their responsibilities seriously know the meaning of duty. It’s a shame that more people don’t know the meaning of duty any longer.

God is concerned about each person personally. He surprises us at times with His nearness as He stoops to hear and help and save.

The Bible says we are all sheep who have gone astray. When we live as a “lone sheep” we are at risk from the intent of the predators of this world and the enemy who roams looking for whom he may devour, but the way “home” is always available when we go to the cross.

Even the smallest sin will leave a scar on the soul of a person. While the sin is forgiven by our Heavenly Father, the scar or consequences of the sin often have to be dealt with.

“We’ve always done it, this way”. The last words of a dying institution cannot hold up under the scrutiny of rational thought. Many traditions that we cherish so greatly are silly and will be seen as such when brought under the magnifying glass of truth.

Some people are determined to be miserable, no matter what happens in life. We can be stingy and complain about their lives or we can appreciate the people and love that we are given in our lives.

In this fable we can see the truth that the dreams of children more often than not don’t come true. That is, they are not fulfilled as we foresee them, but in life there is a plan and a Planner who works in all.