Principles of Life

Scanning down my saved posts on bloglines from Inward/Outward I came across this one at the bottom of the list. It was originally posted in August 2006. Don't say I don't keep up to date with my saved posts.

Anyway, it struck me then. It strikes me today. So I share it.

It would be impossible for all my ‘life principles’ - what I believe and act from in my life - to be named in a list, but here are some that play a big part in how I live. I hope they might inspire you to share some of the principles that guide the way you live.

1. I might not be able to control what comes into my life, but I can control how I respond to what comes.

2. I am a product of my past, but not a prisoner of it.

3. I never saw a hearse with a baggage rack. When I pass to glory, all I’m taking with me is love, love, love.

4. What’s down in the well comes up in the bucket.

5. The key to happiness is forgiveness.

6. The image I am learning to have of myself is the image that God has of me. When I ask God, “What are you thinking about me as a person?” God answers, “I think you are a beautiful, loving person.” And I answer, “Yes, I am, because you made me that way!”

7. A little bit of fragrance always clings to my hand when I give you roses.

8. I try to keep my 8’s in balance: 8 hours of ministry, 8 hours of being ministered to by others, and 8 hours of rest. These are not in strict pockets of my life but roll in and out of my 24 hour day. However, if they’re out of balance, I will not be the minister God has called me to be. The workaholic is a person whose 8’s are out of balance.

9. All that I give to you, I also give to myself.

10. What keeps me unwell are my secrets.

11. Joy is the echo of God’s life in us.

12. Two hallmarks that God is alive and well in me: joy and peace.

13. As Nietzsche said, I could only believe in a God that knew how to dance.

14. Be still … and let God love you.

15. The moment I die, there’s going to be a great big roar of laughter in heaven and a big hug from Jesus.

16. All my interruptions turned out to be my ministry.

17. I fall seven times, get up eight. (From a Japanese proverb.)

18. We are a community of cripples, helping each other up the road.

Brother Francis Delvaux is a member of the Holy Cross Brothers and a job counselor at Jubilee Jobs.