ive-wondered-why-famous-congregate-with-each-other-perhaps-its-to-assure-each-other-that-they-really-are-as-important-as-they-think-they-are-richard-paul-evans
the-kids-who-speak-well-are-articulate-intelligent-are-all-readers-richard-paul-evans
We humans are born egocentric. The sky thunders and children believe that God is mad at them for something they've done - parents divorce and children believe it's their fault for not being good enough. Growing up means putting aside our egocentricity for truth. Still, some people cling to this childish mind-set. As painful as their self-flagellation may be, they'd rather believe their crises are their fault so they can believe they have control. In doing so they make fools and false gods of themselves.
Richard Paul Evans
we-humans-are-born-egocentric-the-sky-thunders-children-believe-that-god-is-mad-at-them-for-something-theyve-done-parents-divorce-children-believe-richard-paul-evans
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life-is-soil-our-choices-actions-sun-rain-but-our-dreams-are-seeds-richard-paul-evans
life-is-what-happens-to-us-while-were-planning-something-else-richard-paul-evans
life-is-not-sprint-it-was-never-meant-to-be-it-is-just-step-faith-after-another-richard-paul-evans
harboring-emotion-as-powerful-as-gratitude-has-power-its-own-richard-paul-evans
Like all living things, love, too, struggles against hardship, and in the process sheds its fatuous skin to expose one composed of more than just a storm of emotion-one of loyalty and divine friendship. And though it may be temporarily blinded by adversity, it never gives in or up, holding tight to lofty ideals that transcend this earth and time- while its counterfeit simply concludes it was mistaken and quickly runs off to find the next real thing.
Richard Paul Evans
like-all-living-things-love-too-struggles-against-hardship-in-process-sheds-its-fatuous-skin-to-expose-one-composed-more-than-just-storm-richard-paul-evans
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the-sweetness-reunion-is-joy-heaven-richard-paul-evans
youre-type-who-thinks-glass-as-being-half-full-instead-half-empty-no-she-said-im-just-grateful-for-glass-richard-paul-evans
the-idea-being-novelist-is-really-romantic-but-its-kind-same-as-being-president-united-states-its-not-gonna-happen-richard-paul-evans
the-most-important-story-well-ever-write-in-life-is-our-ownnot-with-ink-but-with-our-daily-choices-richard-paul-evans
so-often-pain-our-life-is-no-more-than-reminder-to-take-our-hand-off-stove-richard-paul-evans
i-think-secret-to-hoppy-life-is-selective-memory-remember-what-you-are-most-grateful-for-quickly-forget-what-your-not-richard-paul-evans
that-which-we-expect-life-is-indeed-all-that-it-ever-can-be-richard-paul-evans
.)
ive-come-to-know-that-what-we-want-in-life-is-greatest-indication-who-we-really-are-p-331-richard-paul-evans
We carry around in our heads these pictures of what our lives are supposed to look like, painted by the brush of out intentions. It's the great, deep secret of humanity that in the end none of our lives look the way we thought they would. As much as we wish to believe otherwise, most of life is a reaction to circumstances.
Richard Paul Evans
we-carry-around-in-our-heads-these-pictures-what-our-lives-are-supposed-to-look-like-painted-by-brush-out-intentions-its-great-deep-secret-richard-paul-evans
the-thing-is-only-real-sign-life-is-growth-and-growth-requires-pain-so-to-choose-life-is-to-accept-pain-richard-paul-evans
it-is-better-to-be-loved-by-one-person-who-knows-your-soul-than-millions-who-dont-even-know-your-phone-number-richard-paul-evans
As we walk our individual life journeys, we pick up resentments and hurts, which attach themselves to our souls like burrs clinging to a hiker's socks. These stowaways may seem insignificant at first, but, over time, if we do not occasionally stop and shake them free, the accumulation becomes a burden to our souls.
Richard Paul Evans
as-we-walk-our-individual-life-journeys-we-pick-up-resentments-hurts-which-attach-themselves-to-our-souls-like-burrs-clinging-to-hikers-socks-these-richard-paul-evans
walk quotesindividual quoteslife quotesjourneys quotespick quotesresentments quoteshurts quotesattach quotessouls quotesburrs quotesclinging quoteshikers quotessocks quotesstowaways quotesinsignificant quotestime quotesoccasionally quotesstop quotesshake quotesfree quotesaccumulation quotesburden quotessouls quotes
It is often during the worst of times that we see the best of humanity""awakening within the most ordinary of us that which is most sublime. I do not believe that it is circumstance that produces such greatness any more than it is the canvas that makes the artist. Adversity merely presents the surface on which we render our souls' most exacting likeness. It is in the darkest skies that stars are best seen.
Richard Paul Evans
it-is-often-during-worst-times-that-we-see-best-humanityawakening-within-most-ordinary-us-that-which-is-most-sublime-i-do-not-believe-that-it-is-richard-paul-evans
worst quotestimes quoteshumanityawakening quotesordinary quotessublime quotescircumstance quotesproduces quotesgreatness quotescanvas quotesmakes quotesartist quotesadversity quotespresents quotessurface quotesrender quotessouls quotesexacting quoteslikeness quotesdarkest quotesskies quotesstars quotes
nothing-heals-soul-like-chocolate-its-gods-apology-for-broccoli-richard-paul-evans
The human life cycle no less than evolves around the box; from the open-topped box called a bassinet, to the pine box we call a coffin, the box is our past and, just as assuredly, our future. It should not surprise us then that the lowly box plays such a significant role in the first Christmas story. For Christmas began in a humble, hay-filled box of splintered wood. The Magi, wise men who had traveled far to see the infant king, laid treasure-filled boxes at the feet of that holy child. And in the end, when He had ransomed our sins with His blood, the Lord of Christmas was laid down in a box of stone. How fitting that each Christmas season brightly wrapped boxes skirt the pine boughs of Christmas trees around the world.
Richard Paul Evans
the-human-life-cycle-no-less-than-evolves-around-box-from-opentopped-box-called-bassinet-to-pine-box-we-call-coffin-box-is-our-past-just-as-assuredly-our-future-it-should-not-sur
human quoteslife quotescycle quotesevolves quotesbox quotesopentopped quotesbox quotescalled quotesbassinet quotespine quotescall quotescoffin quotespast quotesassuredly quotesfuture quotessurprise quoteslowly quotesplays quotessignificant quotesrole quoteschristmas quotesstory quotesbegan quoteshumble quoteshayfilled quotessplintered quoteswood quotesmagi quoteswise quotesmen quotestraveled quotesinfant quotesking quoteslaid quotestreasurefilled quotesboxes quotesfeet quotesholy quoteschild quotesend quotesransomed quotessins quotesblood quoteslord quotesstone quotesfitting quotesseason quotesbrightly quoteswrapped quotesskirt quotesboughs quotestrees quotesworld quotes
in-end-we-all-lose-it-remember-that-in-end-we-own-nothing-richard-paul-evans
ive-come-to-know-that-what-we-want-in-life-is-greatest-indication-who-we-really-are-richard-paul-evans
life-has-taught-me-that-to-fly-you-must-first-accept-possibility-falling-richard-paul-evans
a-mans-worth-isnt-measured-by-bank-register-diploma-its-about-integrity-richard-paul-evans
fate-is-excuse-for-people-who-are-too-stupid-too-weak-to-make-their-own-future-he-said-richard-paul-evans
i-dont-want-to-go-to-peru-how-do-you-know-youve-never-been-there-ive-never-been-to-hell-either-im-pretty-sure-i-dont-want-to-go-there-richard-paul-evans
my-mom-used-to-say-that-faith-fear-cant-exist-simultaneously-in-mind-any-more-than-light-dark-can-exist-simultaneously-in-same-room-richard-paul-evans
as-one-who-would-rather-light-candle-than-curse-darkness-richard-paul-evans
sunsets-like-childhood-are-viewed-with-wonder-not-just-because-they-are-beautiful-but-because-they-are-fleeting-richard-paul-evans
the-smells-christmas-are-smells-childhood-richard-paul-evans
Believe. Believe in your destiny and the star from which it shines. Believe you have been sent from God as an arrow shot from His own bow. It is the single universal trait that the great of this earth have all shared, while the shadows are fraught with ghosts who roam the winds with mournful wails of regret on their lips. Believe as if your life depended on it... for indeed it does.
Richard Paul Evans
believe-believe-in-your-destiny-star-from-which-it-shines-believe-you-have-been-sent-from-god-as-arrow-shot-from-his-own-bow-it-is-single-universal-trait-that-great-this-earth-ha
destiny quotesstar quotesshines quotesgod quotesarrow quotesshot quotesbow quotessingle quotesuniversal quotestrait quotesgreat quotesearth quotesshared quotesshadows quotesfraught quotesghosts quotesroam quoteswinds quotesmournful quoteswails quotesregret quoteslips quoteslife quotesdepended quotes
i-am-facing-most-difficult-thing-my-life-my-own-greatest-failure-richard-paul-evans
fear-doesnt-listen-to-reason-it-takes-it-own-counsel-richard-paul-evans
)
simply-stated-earth-is-school-divine-educational-process-customfit-to-each-us-richard-paul-evans
it-is-in-dark-times-that-light-friendship-shines-brightest-the-walk-chapter-19-page-122-richard-paul-evans
I am not a believer in love at first sight. For love, in its truest form, is not the thing of starry-eyed or star-crossed lovers, it is far more organic, requiring nurturing and time to fully bloom, and, as such, seen best not in its callow youth but in its wrinkled maturity. Like all living things, love, too, struggles against hardship, and in the process sheds its fatuous skin to expose one composed of more than just a storm of emotion-one of loyalty and divine friendship. Agape. And though it may be temporarily blinded by adversity, it never gives in or up, holding tight to lofty ideals that transcend this earth and time-while its counterfeit simply concludes it was mistaken and quickly runs off to find the next real thing.
Richard Paul Evans
i-am-not-believer-in-love-at-first-sight-for-love-in-its-truest-form-is-not-thing-starryeyed-starcrossed-lovers-it-is-far-more-organic-requiring-nurturing-time-to-fully-bloom-as-
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feelings-can-be-like-wild-animalswe-underrate-how-fierce-they-are-until-weve-opened-their-cage-richard-paul-evans
Dance. Dance for the joy and breath of childhood. Dance for all children, including that child who is still somewhere entombed beneath the responsibility and skepticism of adulthood. Embrace the moment before it escapes from our grasp. For the only promise of childhood, of any childhood, is that it will someday end. And in the end, we must ask ourselves what we have given our children to take its place. And is it enough?
Richard Paul Evans
dance-dance-for-joy-breath-childhood-dance-for-all-children-including-that-child-who-is-still-somewhere-entombed-beneath-responsibility-skepticism-adulthood-embrace-moment-before
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i-have-learned-that-real-angels-dont-have-gossamer-white-robes-cherubic-skin-they-have-calloused-hands-smell-days-sweat-richard-paul-evans
often-times-greatest-peace-comes-surrender-richard-paul-evans
the-truest-grace-is-not-to-forgive-but-to-have-never-found-fault-richard-paul-evans
forgiveness-is-key-to-hearts-shackles-richard-paul-evans
i-hope-you-can-someday-forgive-me-i-forgive-you-now-richard-paul-evans
to-forgive-is-to-unlock-cage-anothers-folly-to-set-ourselves-free-richard-paul-evans
everyone-can-open-book-not-everyone-can-appreciate-beauty-writing-richard-paul-evans
I once read that love is like a rose: we fixate on the blossom, but it's the thorny stem that keeps it alive and aloft. I think marriage is like that. Like my father said, the things of greatest value are the things we fight for. And in the end, if we do it right, we value the stem far more than the blossom
Richard Paul Evans
i-once-read-that-love-is-like-rose-we-fixate-on-blossom-but-its-thorny-stem-that-keeps-it-alive-aloft-i-think-marriage-is-like-that-like-my-father-said-things-greatest-value-are-
the-sound-kiss-is-not-as-strong-as-that-cannon-but-its-echo-endures-much-longer-richard-paul-evans
all-thats-required-for-triumph-evil-is-for-good-people-to-do-nothing-richard-paul-evans
i-am-lonely-i-am-lonely-i-am-lonely-i-am-lonely-i-am-lonely-how-appropriate-that-i-write-this-to-myself-richard-paul-evans
what-culture-we-live-in-we-are-swimming-in-ocean-information-drowning-in-ignorance-richard-paul-evans
sometimes-its-not-strength-but-gentleness-that-cracks-hardest-shells-richard-paul-evans
and every native has a story of winter - stories that usually begin, You call this a storm? And grow in the telling like battle tales shared by graying war veterans. It's a peculiar character flaw to those of us from cold climates that we feel superior to those who have the sense to live elsewhere.
Richard Paul Evans
every-native-has-story-winter-stories-that-usually-begin-you-call-this-storm-and-grow-in-telling-like-battle-tales-shared-by-graying-war-veterans-its-peculiar-character-flaw-to-t
native quotesstory quoteswinter quotesstories quotesbegin quotescall quotesstorm quotesgrow quotestelling quotesbattle quotestales quotesshared quotesgraying quoteswar quotesveterans quotespeculiar quotescharacter quotesflaw quotescold quotesclimates quotesfeel quotessuperior quotessense quoteslive quotes
the-warrior-who-goes-off-to-battle-should-not-boast-as-one-who-returns-from-it-richard-paul-evans
My Dear Son, I am so very proud of you. Now, as you embark on a new journey, I'd like to share this one piece of advice. Always, always remember that - adversity is not a detour. It is part of the path. You will encounter obstacles. You will make mistakes. Be grateful for both. Your obstacles and mistakes will be your greatest teachers. And the only way to not make mistakes in this life is to do nothing, which is the biggest mistake of all. Your challenges, if you let them, will become your greatest allies. Mountains can crush or raise you, depending on which side of the mountain you choose to stand on. All history bears out that the great, those who have changed the world, have all suffered great challenges. And, more times than not it's precisely those challenges that, in God's time, lead to triumph. Abhor victimhood. Denounce entitlement. Neither are gifts, rather cages to damn the soul. Everyone who has walked this earth is a victim of injustice. Everyone. Most of all, do not be too quick to denounce your sufferings. The difficult road you are called to walk may, in fact be your only path to success.
Richard Paul Evans
my-dear-son-i-am-proud-you-now-as-you-embark-on-new-journey-id-like-to-share-this-one-piece-advice-always-always-remember-that-adversity-is-not-detour-it-is-part-path-you-will-en
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i-love-when-i-can-reboot-people-when-they-are-being-mean-to-others-richard-paul-evans
chocolate-is-gods-apology-for-brocolli-richard-paul-evans
For most of my life I have thought of grace as a hope of a bright tomorrow in spite of the darkness of today-and this is true. In this way we are all like Pamela, walking a road to grace-hoping for mercy. What we fail to realize is that grace is more than our destination, it is the journey itself, manifested in each breath and with each step we take. Grace surrounds us, whirls about us like the wind, falls on us like rain. Grace sustains us on our journeys, no matter how perilous they may be and, make no mistake, they are all perilous. We need not hope for grace, we merely need to open our eyes to its abundance. Grace is all around us, not just in the hopeful future but in the miracle of now.
Richard Paul Evans
for-most-my-life-i-have-thought-grace-as-hope-bright-tomorrow-in-spite-darkness-today-this-is-true-in-this-way-we-are-all-like-pamela-walking-road-to-gracehoping-for-mercy-what-w
life quotesthought quotesgrace quoteshope quotesbright quotestomorrow quotesspite quotesdarkness quotestodayand quotestrue quotespamela quoteswalking quotesroad quotesgracehoping quotesmercy quotesfail quotesrealize quotesdestination quotesjourney quotesmanifested quotesbreath quotesstep quotesgrace quotessurrounds quoteswhirls quoteswind quotesfalls quotesrain quotessustains quotesjourneys quotesmatter quotesperilous quotesmake quotesmistake quotesperilous quotesgrace quotesopen quoteseyes quotesabundance quoteshopeful quotesfuture quotesmiracle quotes
suffering-ceases-to-be-suffering-when-we-form-clear-picture-it-richard-paul-evans
under-right-circumstances-tiny-spark-can-grow-into-inferno-that-can-overcome-entire-city-so-can-idea-richard-paul-evans
truth-is-patient-it-can-afford-to-be-for-eventually-it-will-have-its-way-richard-paul-evans
when-we-hate-someone-we-make-them-more-powerfull-than-they-are-richard-paul-evans
theres-no-hurt-great-that-love-cant-heal-it-richard-paul-evans
In college I took a social psychology course, something I thought useful for a career in advertising. Psychologists tested the story of the Good Samaritan. What they learned gives us reason to pause. The greatest determinant of who stopped to help the stranger in need was not compassion, morality, or religious creed. It was those who had the time. Makes me wonder if I have time to do good. Apparently, Angel does.
Richard Paul Evans
in-college-i-took-social-psychology-course-something-i-thought-useful-for-career-in-advertising-psychologists-tested-story-good-samaritan-what-they-learned-gives-us-reason-to-pau
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helping-others-carries-its-own-rewards-first-which-is-return-to-humanity-richard-paul-evans
i-dont-know-what-is-behind-curtain-only-that-i-need-to-find-out-richard-paul-evans
So I've been thinking. Do you believe there's a hell?" "Sure. Doesn't everybody?" "Well, what if this is hell, but we just don't know it?" "That's crazy. Hell is like lakes of fire, and there are devils with horns and pitchforks. here's none of those around here." "But what if hell's not really like that?" Grace asked. "Everyone says it's that way, " I said. "I don't think Jesus every talked about fire and brimstone." "Then why do they teach us that at church?" "To scare us." "Why would they want to scare us?" "I don't know. I just don't think God wants us to do good things because we're scared. I think he wants us to do good things because we're good.
Richard Paul Evans
so-ive-been-thinking-do-you-believe-theres-hell-sure-doesnt-everybody-well-what-if-this-is-hell-but-we-just-dont-know-it-thats-crazy-hell-is-like-lakes-fire-there-are-devils-with
thinking quoteshell quoteshell quotescrazy quoteshell quoteslakes quotesfire quotesdevils quoteshorns quotespitchforks quoteshells quotesgrace quotesasked quotesjesus quotestalked quotesfire quotesbrimstone quotesteach quoteschurch quotesscare quotesgod quotesgood quotesthings quotesscared quotesgood quotes
there-are-people-who-come-into-our-lives-as-welcome-as-cool-breeze-in-summer-last-about-as-long-richard-paul-evans
Just like our story, the original Christmas tales were stories of searching, not so much for the lost, as for the familiar. Mary and Joseph sought in Bethlehem- the home of their familial ancestry- a place to start their own family; the three kings from the East journeyed beneath the sentinel star to find the King of Kings; and the shepherds sought a child in a place most familiar to them: a manger.
Richard Paul Evans
just-like-our-story-original-christmas-tales-were-stories-searching-not-much-for-lost-as-for-familiar-mary-joseph-sought-in-bethlehem-home-their-familial-ancestry-place-to-start-
story quotesoriginal quoteschristmas quotestales quotesstories quotessearching quoteslost quotesfamiliar quotesmary quotesjoseph quotessought quotesbethlehem quoteshome quotesfamilial quotesancestry quotesplace quotesstart quotesfamily quoteskings quoteseast quotesjourneyed quotesbeneath quotessentinel quotesstar quotesfind quotesking quoteskings quotesshepherds quoteschild quotesfamiliar quotesmanger quotes
the-truist-indication-gratitude-is-to-return-what-you-are-grateful-for-richard-paul-evans
i-dont-think-it-is-as-much-human-foible-as-it-is-human-curse-that-we-cannot-understand-beauty-thing-until-it-is-gone-richard-paul-evans
even-most-horribl-e-nightmares-is-laced-with-promise-dawn-richard-paul-evans
I see people getting so caught up in celebrating diversity that they are neglecting their commonality. I don't see this as a good thing. The Chinese culture has survived for more than five thousand years in part because the Chinese have embraced the same language and culture. I hope I am wrong about this, and that the flame is still on beneath the great American melting pot. Americans need each other, and a house divided, no matter the color of its occupants, is still divided. And divided we all fall.
Richard Paul Evans
i-see-people-getting-caught-up-in-celebrating-diversity-that-they-are-neglecting-their-commonality-i-dont-see-this-as-good-thing-the-chinese-culture-richard-paul-evans
people quotescaught quotescelebrating quotesdiversity quotesneglecting quotescommonality quotesgood quotesthing quoteschinese quotesculture quotessurvived quotesthousand quotesyears quotespart quotesembraced quoteslanguage quotesculture quoteshope quoteswrong quotesflame quotesbeneath quotesgreat quotesamerican quotesmelting quotespot quotesamericans quoteshouse quotesdivided quotesmatter quotescolor quotesoccupants quotesdivided quotesdivided quotesfall quotes
joy-isnt-natural-response-to-blessings-joy-is-what-comes-from-acknowledging-them-richard-paul-evans
to-deny-our-pasts-is-to-burn-bridge-we-must-cross-to-selfunderstanding-richard-paul-evans
