It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway into
thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.

… Read the rest

The post Praying appeared first on Mark Conner.

To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a grade.
To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.
To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.… Read the rest

The post The Value of Time appeared first on Mark Conner.

Here’s an old poem by Edgar Guest that's worth reflecting on, especially for all of us who teach and preach others …

A Sermon

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day;

I’d rather one should walk with me than merely show the way.… Read the rest

The post A Great Sermon appeared first on Mark Conner.

The apostle Paul finished his letter to the church at Corinth, which was facing many challenges at the time, both internally and externally …

"So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless." … Read the rest

The post A Call to Courage appeared first on Mark Conner.

The last of the Olympic marathon runners were being assisted away to first-aid stations. Over an hour earlier, Mamo Waldi of Ethiopia had charged across the finish line, winning the 26-mile, 385-yard race looking as strong and as vigorous as when he'd started.… Read the rest

The post God Sent You to Finish the Race appeared first on Mark Conner.

… Read the rest

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The post Bringing Out the Best in Others appeared first on Mark Conner.

Born into poverty, Abraham Lincoln was faced with defeat throughout his life. He lost eight elections, twice failed in business and suffered a nervous breakdown.

He was known to have said:

“Success is going from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.”… Read the rest

The post Abraham Lincoln on Failure appeared first on Mark Conner.

Michael Jordan was one of the greatest basketball players ever to play the game, leading the Chicago Bulls to 6 NBA championships and winning 5 MVP awards.

Near the end of his career, he said this:

"I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career.… Read the rest

The post Failure – Michael Jordan appeared first on Mark Conner.

Here is a special prayer of blessing for you today: 

Romans 15:13. I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.… Read the rest

The post Confident Hope appeared first on Mark Conner.

Professor Howard G. Hendricks (1924-2013) influenced a lot of people. Here is a collection of some of his more well-known quotes:

• You can impress from a distance, but you can only impact up close.
• You teach what you know, but you reproduce what you are.

… Read the rest

The post Insightful Quotes by Howard G Hendricks appeared first on Mark Conner.

"There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."

Jesus – John 15:13. NLT… Read the rest

The post The Greatest Love of All appeared first on Mark Conner.

“We can’t all do great things but we can do small things with great love.” 

Mother Teresa… Read the rest

The post Great Love appeared first on Mark Conner.

"If you don't want to slip, don't go where it's slippery!"

Alcoholics Anonymous Maxim… Read the rest

The post Temptation appeared first on Mark Conner.

Check out Artsy’s Michelangelo page.… Read the rest

The post Imagination appeared first on Mark Conner.