Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.
From Job 36:11: “If they listen and serve Him, they complete their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness.”
Candlelight reaches into darkness
Lasting symbol of perseverance
Winter’s persistent cold approaches
Gallant and stalwart hearts warm within
Interrupted basic needs of life
Power, heat, and water sometimes dwindle
Daily tension builds, never leaving
Terror rains down from harsh sky above
Civilians facing frequent attacks
Resilience shadows endless fear
Taking nothing today for granted
Blessed gratitude for another day
Nation’s spirit remains vigilant
Looking ahead to final breakthrough
Coldest darkness shall be overcome
Determined faces tell the world so
Always looking toward tomorrow
Morning’s light, never cast away
Everlasting dreams of victory
Proud people keep freedom’s fire glowing
Calling out to fellow world nations
Never forget lessons we teach you
The journey of a vicious and unforgiving war in Ukraine has touched countless people in profound ways. May a compassionate world continue to pray for this nation. The spirit of freedom and self-determination survives each and every day.
This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing. You are invited to participate with the opening question.
Put these statements in the right order:
(A) The ship stopped to anchor in Commander Bay
(B) A boy awoke and saw a sea lion
(C) A boy went ashore and napped in a meadow
(D) A boy did not tell what he had seen
(E) A boy got a job on a ship
(answer found at the end of this post)
The bald eagle is one of the largest birds in the United States. It is the only eagle unique to the continent of North America. Since 1782, the bald eagle has been the National Bird and Emblem of the United States.
Here are a few interesting facts about the bald eagle:
Facing near extinction in the 1960s from the use of the pesticide DDT, conservation efforts and federal protection of the eagles has led to a dramatic increase in its numbers. Estimated known nesting pairs have increased from a low of 417 in 1963 to more than 71,000 in 2020.
E, A, C, B, D
Human suffering anywhere concerns men and women everywhere.
There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.
Elie Wiesel (1928-2016) was a Romanian-born writer and professor. As a Holocaust survivor, he later lived in France and the United States. He recounted his experiences from the Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps when he wrote NIGHT in 1960. In 1986, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Witnessing
God’s truth
Feeding faith’s hunger
Mercy saving another soul
Jesus
Hope’s
Emptiness fading
Nourished with mercy
Living Water quenches thirst
Jesus
Father’s
Righteous expectations
Swallowed by sin
Mercy arrives at Calvary
Jesus
We do not always feel joyful, but we are always to count it joy.
From James 1:2-3: “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”
A. B. (Albert Benjamin) Simpson (1843-1919) was a Canadian-born pastor, theologian, and Christian author. He founded the Christian and Missionary Alliance.
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “Many voices compete for our attention, but abundant life comes when we listen to our Good Shepherd.”
Good Shepherd’s voice
Searching for sheep
Finding lost ones
Mercy won’t sleep
Recognizing
True Shepherd’s Word
His voice shares grace
Forever heard
Good Shepherd’s faith
Persistence heeds
Calling His sheep
Voice gently leads
Shepherd holding
Salvation’s keys
Closed gate opens
God’s voice agrees
As faithful sheep
Hearing His voice
Safely at home
Always rejoice
Coming to Christ
Believers walk
Trusting His voice
Hope’s solid rock
From John 10:3-5: “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.”
Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness.
From Psalm 32:5: “Then I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and You forgave the guilt of my sin.”
August Wilson (1945-2005) was an American playwright, who was honored to receive the Pulitzer Prize in Drama twice in 1987 and 1990. He has been referred to as the “theater’s poet of Black America.”
From 2 Timothy 13-14: “Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.”
Grateful to Father
Clear conscience worships free
Prayers seek encouragement
Always knowing thee
Heart filling with joy
Trust growing, day by day
God’s Word leading each journey
Molding us like clay
Surrounded by truth
Self-discipline stands fast
Spirit of resolve and love
Lord’s grace built to last
Saved by Christ’s mercy
Hallowed be His power
Called to always follow Him
With each passing hour
Light conquers darkness
Faith in Christ, living free
Guided by Holy Spirit
Always knowing thee
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “The Bible is our protection against deception.”
Now the true soldiers of Christ must always be prepared to do battle for the truth, and must never, so far as lies with them, allow false convictions to creep in.
From Ephesians 6:13-15: “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on the evil day and, having prevailed against everything, to stand firm. Stand, therefore, and belt your waist with truth and put on the breastplate of righteousness and lace up your sandals in preparation for the gospel of peace.”
Origen of Alexandria (c. 185 – c. 253) was also known as Origen Adamantius. He was a Christian scholar and theologian who spent the first half of his life in Alexandria (Egypt).
Big Sky Buckeye 