Monday Memories: Start Bailin’

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Milt and I push his small rowboat into the lake’s calm waters on a sunny, early morning.  Fishin’ is absolutely on our minds.

Milt’s boat has stood the test of time, and she definitely looks it.  There are patches here and there, scrapped and worn paint, and even some mismatched planking on the floor.

Rowing the boat far from shore, we arrive at the very best place to fish the lake.  The deep water covers the territory with the biggest fish around.

We both become quite involved with our fishin’ as we cast again and again, hoping to catch the big one.  We fail to notice the threatening skies above.  A mother-of-all thunderstorms appear heading for the lake, and we sit directly in the crosshairs of its vicious aim.

Before we can even think about rowing back to the safety of the shore, Milt and I feel the tiny craft being engulfed by the torrents of rain and the white caps of the charging waves.

Our clothes and fishin’ tackle become soaking wet in a few short minutes, and then the boat begins to list to the starboard side.  She’s taking on water much too quickly.

Looking more anxious by the second, Milt shouts out, “Start bailin’ now!”

Watching my tackle box floating away, I yell back, “With what?”

 

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Lord of Glory

From Isaiah 6:3:  “And one called to another and said:  ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory.'”

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Darkness, evil abound

Our Champion arrives

Freeing chained hearts with praise

Faith growing in our lives

 

Graced by shed blood of Christ

Facing every hour

Wisdom, courage unite

Strongest bonds of power

 

Standing as God’s people

Walking as peacemakers

Sowing seeds from His faith

Harvest Glory’s acres

 

Christ’s journey lights His way

Centered on His people

Calling us, step forward

Blessed Cross, our steeple

 

Jesus’ pierced hands of change

Steady feet meet life’s quest

Lasting voice for justice

Renewing lives, each test

 

Glory fills God’s Kingdom

From His Heaven above

Nothing stops living grace

Salvation’s gift, free love

 

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You are invited to sing or follow the lyrics of this blessed hymn, “God of Grace and God of Glory.”

Oswald Chambers Quote

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The greatest note of triumph ever sounded in the ears of a startled universe was that sounded on the Cross of Christ–“it is finished!”

From John 19:30:  “When Jesus had received the wine, He said, ‘It is finished.’  Then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”

Meeting at Last

From Luke 1:27-27:  “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.  The virgin’s name was Mary.”

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When shall we ever meet?

Longing to meet my Lord

His lamp, lighting the way

Filled with love, now on board

 

Life’s laboring turmoil

Enchained by sin’s shackles

Christ offers lasting Grace

Freed from darkest jackals

 

Heaven’s gifts come to earth

Filled with unselfish love

Each dawn brings liberty

Embracing newfound love

 

Rejoice, again rejoice!

No more trembling in fear

Appearing like day’s sun

Safely home, Jesus steers

 

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From Luke 24:50-53:  “Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up His hands, He blessed them.  While He was blessing them, He withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.  And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.”

Growing in God (Elfchen Series #44)

Faithful Tutor

Goodness

And uprightness

Stands the Lord

Steadfast love and faithfulness

Teaching

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Serving God

Called

By Christ

Servants to all

Graced as loving witnesses

Christ-like

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Holy Fortress

Waiting

For God

Resting with quietness

Lord’s refuge and strength

Patience

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John Quincy Adams Quote

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Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.

From Romans 5:3-5:  “And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”

Guest Post from Mrs. Buckeye: “A Very Special Day”

I recently enjoyed my birthday, and my wife blessed me with the gift of this delightful and loving poem.  She is an incredible writer in her own right.  As I read this poem, I definitely feel 65 years young.

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It was a very special day.

The family and the world were so blessed.

It’s still a very special day.

We need to celebrate it to the best!

 

The Father gave a precious boy,

to grow and learn, and become a young man.

He was meant to bring precious joy,

as God teaches us daily that we can!

 

This precious boy became that man.

From God, and parents, and his teachers too,

he learned and grew to have a plan,

showing young minds too, all that they could do!

 

A proud and successful career,

as a teacher, coach, and sports A D, too.

He served boldly then forty years,

guiding his students on as they pursued!

 

Not only did his work stand out,

but, he helped raise his three beautiful girls,

to ladies of faith, there’s no doubt.

His example shines out into the world!

 

He is a very special man,

son and brother, husband, dad and grandpa,

A teacher who loves Jesus, and

a man who worships our God with much awe!

 

It was a very special day,

when our precious Father gave him his birth.

We celebrate this special day.

God’s gift of life filled with His Holy worth!

Charles Stanley Quote

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When the odds are not in your favor, that doesn’t mean God has abandoned you.  Stand your ground and keep your eyes on Him.

From Judges 7:7:  “Then the Lord said to Gideon, ‘With the three hundred that lapped I will deliver you, and give the Midianites into your hand.  Let all the others go to their homes.'”