Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.
A day of worry is more exhausting than a week of work.
Englishman John Lubbock (1834-1913) spent much of his life in the family banking enterprises. However, he is well-known for his contributions to politics, science and philanthropic efforts.
From Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Forgettable years adding up
Spiritual health needs checkup
Winter’s never-ending season
Now asking, “What is life’s reason?”
Empty heart filling with sorrow
God not waiting for tomorrow
Lost on dusty shelf, answer speaks
Holy Bible verses now seek
God’s guiding hands open each page
Grace unlocking life’s gloomy cage
Gospels speak of Messiah’s love
Son journeys to earth from above
Jesus speaks truth with conviction
Mercy’s faith heals each affliction
Son of God tells of one to come
Spirit beating hope’s steady drum
Lord’s Advocate, incessant voice
Each day fills with His divine choice
Trust and obey our Triune God
Righteousness shatters sin’s facade
Unforgettable years beaming
Spiritual health now gleaming
From 2 Corinthians 13:13: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.”
Only He can guide you to invest your life in worthwhile ways. The guidance will come as you “walk” with Him and listen to Him.
From Psalm 37:23-24: “Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when He delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand.”
Nothing ever small
Dreaming, another novel—
Writing with bigness
Pick baseball or golf
Swinging for fences or greens—
Which swing shall I use?
Congress at impasse
Where’s spirit to compromise?
Buried long ago
Too bad all the people who know how to run this country are busy running taxicabs or cutting hair.
I look to the future because that’s where I’m going to spend the rest of my life.
American comedian and actor George Burns (1896-1996) was one of the few entertainers to successfully navigate from vaudeville to radio, and then to film and television. One of the joys of his life was his marriage to fellow comedian, Gracie Allen.
Morning arrives, but not really too sure
Mysterious blanket stretches overnight
Thick, silent fog covers, dense and pure
It’s no wonder, not a single soul in sight
Tree tops arise above this soupy fog
Creek bottoms with clouds, so dense
While the sun waits, taking a long jog
Waiting on nature, makes huge sense
School delays pop up on the morning news
Students appreciate an extra hour of sleep
Busses wait, roads totally hidden from view
Headaches for parents, their day in a heap
Calmness and stillness thrive without wind
Street lights linger awhile, as if it is night
Damp, low clouds bring their mist to send
Out of focus, a hazy light ponders flight
Nearby airports close, everyone “socked in”
On the big lake, a lighthouse shines bright
Sky’s ceiling drops lower, gloominess within
Warning all of danger, fog covers the light
Small town’s main street, deserted to all
Pair of tiny car lights, puncture through
Darkness filling with gloom, as it crawls
Local police look out, very little to view
Deciding to wait awhile to do his chores
There is time for another cup of brew
A rancher returns for coffee and more
His wife’s cinnamon rolls, ready on cue
Morning waits, fog thicker than momma’s soup
Better the early birds, hang out in their coop
My father once told me that anyone who worked for three dollars an hour owed it to himself to put in four dollars’ worth of work.
Learning is a daily experience and a lifetime mission. I truly believe in the saying, “We work to become, not to acquire.”
Bill Russell (born 1934) is a former professional basketball player in the United States. Before he embarked on a highly successful career in the NBA, he played on teams which won two national collegiate championships as well as an Olympic gold medal. As a professional player, he played on 11 championship teams with the Boston Celtics.
From Isaiah 11:1-2: “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”
Fragmented prayers lack faith
Hope’s seeds lost, now scattered
World filled with endless despair
Dazed, bruised, and battered
Hope conceived, chosen virgin
God preparing love’s way
Nothing impossible for Him
Holy Spirit holds sway
Bethlehem’s star shines at night
God’s love lights hope’s beacon
Future sparkles from His grace
Mercy never weakens
Heavens prepare peace and joy
Darkness brightens, rejoice!
God plants Holy seed of hope
Angels sing with His choice
Father’s goodness overflows
His everlasting gift
Living water promises
Hope transforms faith’s gearshift
You are invited to join in prayer: Lord God, your love and mercy promise hope, joy, and peace. During this season of Advent, open our hearts in preparation to receive our Savior. Amen.
Originally written in Latin during the 8th or 9th century, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is a frequently chosen song during the season of Advent.
The Lord wants us to lay down our ways of figuring things out and instead to walk by faith.
From 2 Corinthians 5:6-7: “So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord—for we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Mema scurries around the house. She’s looking for something very important on this Game Day. Her beloved Ohio State Buckeyes are facing that team up north (aka Michigan Wolverines) in the “Big Game.”
Kick-off is about 20 minutes away, and she needs to be holding on to her lucky pigskin. She calls out, “Has anyone seen my football?”
No one responds. Her husband is in the kitchen cooking up some game time snacks, and her two young grandchildren are playing in the backyard.
Hearing a commotion coming from the yard, Mema looks out to see a quick improvisation of the “Big Game.” Some of the neighborhood kids are dressed in the Buckeyes’ scarlet and gray. A few others are decked out in their Wolverines’ blue and maize.
As her eyes scan the game field, she notices her beloved pigskin. For right now, it is “the” game ball for this sandlot contest.
Kick-off for the real “Big Game” is just minutes away, and this backyard, gridiron classic needs to wrap up its final play . . . pronto!
With time running out, Mema steps out into the yard. She huddles up with her tandem of receivers (grandson and granddaughter). Few know that she possesses a pretty darn good arm herself.
In the huddle, Mema is holding her precious football. She diagrams the final play with two simple, dynamic words . . . “Go Long!”
Big Sky Buckeye 