Along with my daily Bible reading I have been reading through a tiny book called “God’s Little Instruction Book on Character”.  I bought the book years ago and read it during our family devotional times with our son. The book is laid out very simply with a Bible verse and a quote on character on each page. Here are my ‘top picks’ of quotes on character:

“Life is a grindstone. Whether it grinds you down or polishes you up depends on what you are made of.”

“Character isn’t inherited. One builds it daily by the way one thinks and acts, thought by thought, action by action.”

“If all the gold in the world were melted down into a solid cube it would be about the size of an eight-room house. If a man got possession of all that gold – billions of dollars worth, he could not buy a friend, character, peace of mind, clear conscience, or a sense of eternity.”

“The best index to a person’s character is (a) how he treats people who can’t do him any good, and (b) how he treats people who can’t fight back.”

“Character: When you have the same ailments as the other person but refrain from mentioning it.”

“Character is not made in crisis – it is only exhibited.”

“Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.”

“Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.”

“It is the character of very few people to honor without envy a friend who has prospered.”

“Character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones.”

There you have it; my top picks. Take one or two of these quotes that stood out to you, write them down and put them somewhere where you can read them every day for the next week. And parents why not take this list and read it to your family around the dinner table? You may be encouraged with the discussion that follows.

Tim

This morning in my quiet time I came to Jesus’ words recorded in Matthew 6:25-34 about worry. I have read these words dozens of times, but each time the simple truth continues to bring a soothing calm to my heart and mind. Perhaps you could use Jesus’ words today as well. And after you have read Jesus’ words, click on the link below for some great quotes on worry.

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Check out this list of quotes about worry!

Tim

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.” – Albert Einstein.

When I think of someone who had a ‘holy curiosity’, I think of King Solomon. In 1 Kings 4:32-33, “He spoke three thousand provers and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish.”

I wonder if too many of us have stopped asking questions and stopped being inquisitive. Perhaps its time to take up a new hobby, read a book about the natural sciences, dust off the telescope, or just take a walk in nature and do some personal observations. Curiosity isn’t just for small children, its of all of God’s children!

Tim