Pithy phrases catch my attention. The Bible is the source of the wisest ones, of course, with the enduring advice of Proverbs. For example, “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” A quote from the 1880s, which could have been spoken in 2013, shows us foolish thought is still alive. Swami Vivekananda said, “You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself.”

May we think about what is true and commendable in 2013. To celebrate the new year, I compiled and composed some wise and humorous pithy phrases that I hope will be relevant to ministry.

(Referring to God) You are good and do good. (Psalm 119:68a)

Obedience is an excellent way of commenting on the Bible. (Thomas Watson)

Faith. Elementary, my dear Christian.

Sometimes you need to take a nap and get over it. (Maura Stuard, age 8)

There are many of us that are willing to do great things for the Lord, but few of us are willing to do little things. (DL Moody)

Rejoice with those who rejoice. (Romans 12:15 a)

Life’s Messy. Clean it Up. (Bissell Company)

Not all who wander are pastors’ kids.

God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called. (Michael Beckwith)

He who rejects reproof leads others astray. (Proverbs 10:17b)

If God loved you as much as you loved Him, where would we be? (Anon.)

Few things really require a minister at midnight. (Larry Kunter)

God will not forget your work and your continuing service to the saints. (based on Hebrews 6:10)

Happy New Year!
Keep calm and minister on

Patsy Evans has a B.A. in Journalism from Penn State University. She is married to Brad Evans who is the long-term pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Coventry (PCA) in Coventry, CT. Patsy blogs, along with her daughter, at Sunday Women where this article first appeared; it is used with permission.