The darkest defeat turns to triumph if you trust in God’s wisdom and will.
From John 1:5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.”
Helen Steiner Rice (1900-1981) was an American writer who specialized in Christian and inspirational poetry.
This informative post will be published on Saturday in place of my regular one. You are invited to participate with the opening question.
Which of the following must will result in a positive answer.
(A) The product of 2 positive numbers
(B) The product of a positive and a negative number
(C) The sum of 2 negative numbers
(D) The product of 2 negative numbers
(answer found at the end of this post)
In many parts of North America as well as the rest of the world, the mating sounds of the cicadas fill the air during late spring and early summer.
Here are a few quick facts about the cicadas in the United States:
Two major groups of cicadas are found in the United States. The annual species is found in much of the world while the periodical species live in the eastern region of the country and parts of the Midwest.
Cicadas resemble beetle-like creatures with very short antennae. Being herbivores, the nymphs suck on tree-root sap while the adults do not eat.
Adult cicadas are large, flying insects with bulging eyes and veined wings. Nymphs appear as stocky and grublike with legs. After reaching adulthood, the average lifespan of a cicada is 3-4 weeks.
The life cycle of a cicada begins when a female makes a slit in a tree branch. She wedges her eggs inside the branch. Hatched nymphs drop from the branch to the ground where they burrow into soil to reach the juicy, nutritious tree roots.
In late spring and early summer, adult cicadas emerge from the warming soil, which has sustained them as nymphs. They scale a nearby tree to finish their final transformation. During the molting stage, they will acquire wings. Depending upon the species, they may emerge every three years (“dogday” cicadas) or after 13-17 years (periodical cicadas).
As the mature adults begin their short lifespan, males begin their mating ritual with their loud clacking or buzzing songs. The life cycle begins all over once again.
A and D
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Using personal experiences, a short story writer uses fiction with a dose of reality thrown in. Creating a character to carry the story forward adds to the vision of any writer.
Do you write a daily journal? This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts. Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.
(Updated November 16)
People who read are a lot more tolerant than people who don’t.
Passion is a rare commodity. When you find it, treasure it and never give it up.
David Baldacci (born 1960) is an American novelist.
Sowed
God’s love
Ready to bloom
Nourished with His patience
Grace
Endowed
With grace
Shared with others
Offering of love’s kindness
Generosity
Cherished
Simple life
Accepting faith’s grace
Blessed with daily hope
Harvest
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With another sunrise, we witness a blessed opportunity to journey with our Savior’s grace and peace.
Do you write a daily journal? This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts. Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.
(Updated November 15)
We can’t avoid darkness or pain in this life. But we can go to the Lord in our weakness, knowing that In Him we are made stronger.
From 2 Corinthians 3:17-18: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.”
Running away to nowhere
Sky absent of any joy
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry arrives to destroy
Driving along road’s darkness
Sky absent of moonbeam’s light
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry invades every night
Fleeing from life’s harsh outcomes
Sky absent of any peace
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry refuses to cease
Navigating stormy seas
Sky absent of any stars
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry bleeds from every scar
Wasting each forgotten day
Sky absent of all sunlight
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry forever in flight
Indeed . . . there is a faithful and forgiving Light, filled with unseen hope, as found in these verses of Scripture:
Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
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May we treasure today without grumbling about yesterday or worrying about tomorrow.
Do you write a daily journal? This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts. Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.
(Updated November 14)
Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.
Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.
Brene Brown (born 1965) is an American researcher and author. Much of her work has studied courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy.
Big Sky Buckeye 