Here's a lovely prayer we might want to memorize:

O eternal and everlasting God, increase my faith in the sweet promises of the gospel; give me repentance from dead works; pardon my wanderings, and direct my thoughts unto thyself, the God of my salvation; teach me how to live in thy fear, labor in they service, and ever to run in the ways of thy commandments; make me always watchful over my heart, that neither the terrors of conscience, the loathing of holy duties, the love of sin, nor an unwillingness to depart this life, may cast me into a spiritual slumber; but daily frame me more and more into the likeness of thy son Jesus Christ, that living in thy fear, and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time attain the resurrection of the just unto eternal life. Bless my family, friends, and kindred. --George Washington

I just love that, it covers a lot of bases, and, of course, I am a huge fan of George Washington and am happy he is not around to see the mess the USA is in today. On the other hand, I wish he were around. I love the hymn, Rise Up, O Men of God. O men of God, arise! We could use a new contingent of God-loving and faithful, courageous men to lead this country. There are some in office, thankfully. And there are others everywhere doing good works, but somehow the majority in Washington, DC, have not the best interests of the people at heart, nor do they fear God -- no, not really. Actually, we could pray Washington's prayer not only for ourselves, but for those in authority, the Bible tells us to pray for rulers. That's my opinion, what's your?

And . . .

The life that conquers is the life that moves with a steady resolution and persistence toward a predetermined goal. Those who succeed are those who have thoroughly learned the immense importance of a plan in life. --W. J. Davison

Davison's quote is my new motto for 2010. It makes sense, doesn't it?

Hope you all have a wonderful first day of the week.

KEM