Stop permitting two strong tendencies–selfishness and conceit–to control you! Replace them with “humility of mind.” But how? By regarding others as more important than yourself.
From Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.”
Beauty without words
Stirring each silent chorus—
Morning’s sunrise beams
Chilly summer night
Hint of early autumn dreams—
Calendar page turns
Woven together
Composing her melodies—
Harmony praising
Make a difference about something other than yourselves.
If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, you must be the one to write it.
Ohio-born Toni Morrison (1931-2019) experienced the ultimate tributes given any novelist when she received the Pulitzer Prize in 1988 for her ground-breaking novel BELOVED and the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993. Her many awards and published works were a testament to her gifts as a writer.
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The teenage boy has been battling an aggressive form of brain cancer for months. Mark has shown the unwavering courage of a young man who follows God without flinching.
His pastor, Wayne, visits Mark one afternoon. The teen has been at the hospital for several days as he is undergoing another round of treatments to battle his cancer. Wayne wants to share some of God’s Word with this courageous teenager.
Mark’s hair is gone. His slender frame looks even thinner than Wayne remembers. His young body is marshalling all of its resources to battle the foe within.
Mark’s bubbling smiles lights up when Wayne walks into his room. He is thrilled to have a visitor stopping by.
To prevent transmitting any germs or infections, Wayne is gowned up. He looks more like a skilled doctor than a pastor.
After several minutes of conversation, Mark surprises his pastor by sharing a verse from Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.”
The fourteen year-old’s faith under such harsh circumstances is truly remarkable.
At the end of his visit, Wayne asks if he can pray over Mark. Mark quietly says, “Certainly!” The two of them share a few moments in prayer.
Walking down the hallway after leaving Mark’s room, Wayne thinks to himself, “I feel like Mark has ministered to me. I come to bolster his spirits, yet he is the one who reminds me to always trust in God.”
Published in March, 2020, this story was based on a true life experience of a fourteen year-old boy. An entire community rallied around him as he continued to battle cancer. He shared the verse from Proverbs in a video which was shared with many believers. His witness to his Lord was inspiring indeed. Sadly, Mark lost his long battle with cancer, but his courageous spirit will live on.
A church is not a church when the passion for souls is gone.
From Matthew 10:28: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, fear the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Lee Roberson (1909-2007) was an American pastor, evangelist, and Christian author.
From Isaiah 55:3: “Incline your ear, and come to Me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, My steadfast, sure love for David.”
Searching, still searching
Wanting something more
Living unfulfilled
Looking past life’s door
Listening to heart
Searching deep within
Thirsting for mercy
Crashing, life’s tailspin
Surrounding darkness
Running from its lies
Escaping away
Searching in His eyes
Inclining each ear
Hearing hope-filled voice
Kneeling at one cross
Searching, now rejoice
Satisfying peace
Feeling much stronger
Finding Jesus Christ
Searching no longer
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “If your soul feels depleted, make unhurried time with Jesus a priority.”
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
From Romans 5:3-5: “And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”
Another morning walk
Nature’s invitation
Waiting sanctuary
Metro Park’s elation
Whether walking the Ridge
Or exploring the Woods
Life always tastes better
Forest feels like Sherwood’s
Courtly summer flowers
Moving with gentle breeze
Collection of colors
Inviting honeybees
Majestic trees shadow
Fertile landscape beneath
Time desires to stand still
Yet stirring underneath
Creation’s design breathes
Filling with fresh, new life
Tender, young trees sprouting
Praising newborn wildlife
Two of my most favorite places to walk in the early morning are found about 10 minutes from my home. Central Ohio is blessed with many scenic metro parks, and two of the best are Chestnut Ridge and Walnut Woods.
This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing. Please note that the format has changed, and you are encouraged to participate with the opening question.
Make one word from these jumbled letters:
o r e n o d w(answer found at the end of this post)
The bobcat is the most abundant and wide-ranging wildcat in the United States. Its name is derived from its stumpy (bobbed) tail. Being primarily a nocturnal animal, males may roam up to 20 miles in a night.
Believe it or not, the alma mater of Big Sky Buckeye is Montana State University where the prized “Bobcat” is the school’s mascot.
Better to die fighting for freedom than to be a prisoner all the days of your life.
Judge not, before you judge yourself.
Bob Marley (1945-1981) was a Jamaican-born singer, songwriter, and musician. His unique and pioneering musical talents shared many inspiring songs.
Big Sky Buckeye 