QUOTES FOR REFLECTION

“The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be.”

~Marcel Pagnol (1895-1974), French novelist, playwright, and filmmaker

“Whatever controls us is our lord. The person who seeks power is controlled by power. The person who seeks acceptance is controlled by the people he or she wants to please. We do not control ourselves. We are controlled by the lord of our lives.”

~Rebecca Pippert, author and speaker

“My faith is very important to me. The values that guide my work, they are very important to me. For me it is important not just to go out there and talk but that my talk is matched with the action. I don’t think I would be where I am if I didn’t have my faith in God.”

~Leymah Gbowee, Liberian peace activist, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and 2016 Dartmouth Commencement Speaker

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”

~Attributed to Confucius (c. 551-c.479 BC)

“I do not pray for success. I ask for faithfulness.”

~Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu, aka, “Mother Teresa” (1910-1997), Albanian-Indian nun

“What happens is not as important as how you react to what happens.”

~Ellen Glasgow (1873-1945) novelist and Pulitzer Prize winner

“You are a sinner, a great, desperate sinner; now come, as the sinner you are, to the God who loves you. He wants you as you are; He does not want anything from you, a sacrifice, a work; He wants you alone.”

~Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945), Life Together

SERMON PASSAGE

Selected Passages from Proverbs

Proverbs 11:30 (ESV)

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,

and whoever captures souls is wise.

Proverbs 22:29 (ESV)

Do you see a man skillful in his work?

He will stand before kings;

he will not stand before obscure men.

Proverbs 3 (ESV)

1 My son, do not forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep my commandments,

2 for length of days and years of life

and peace they will add to you.

Proverbs 3 (ESV)

13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,

and the one who gets understanding,

14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver

and her profit better than gold.

15 She is more precious than jewels,

and nothing you desire can compare with her.

16 Long life is in her right hand;

in her left hand are riches and honor.

17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

and all her paths are peace.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG)

“Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart;

don’t try to figure out everything on your own.

Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;

He’s the one who will keep you on track.”

Proverbs 3:9 (MSG)

Honor GOD with everything you own;

give him the first and the best.

Your barns will burst,

your wine vats will brim over.

Proverbs 15:22 (MSG)

“Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail;

take good counsel and watch them succeed.”

Proverbs 16:10-16 (MSG)

“A good leader motivates,

doesn’t mislead, doesn’t exploit.

GOD cares about honesty in the workplace;

your business is his business.

Good leaders abhor wrongdoing of all kinds;

sound leadership has a moral foundation.

Good leaders cultivate honest speech;

they love advisors who tell them the truth.

An intemperate leader wreaks havoc in lives;

you’re smart to stay clear of someone like that.

Good-tempered leaders invigorate lives;

they’re like spring rain and sunshine.

Get wisdom—it’s worth more than money;

choose insight over income every time.”