If you stop to be kind, you must swerve often from your path.
Saddle your dreams before you ride them.
Mary Webb (1881-1927) was an English romance novelist and poet.
Mary Webb Quotes
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Monday Memories: Never Alone
I keep a daily journal of “take-aways” from my devotional readings. This poem was crafted from some of my February entries.
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Sitting alone and hopeless
Faith’s shadow, covered in rust
God awakens mind and soul
In His Spirit, words bring trust
Turning to God, always there
His footprints walking ahead
Through life’s hefty challenges
Our Lord brings our daily bread
Reading from His Holy Word
Always giving thanks and praise
Marvelous things, God has done
Our hope alive and ablaze
Growing in faith, from our woes
Therefore, pray . . . listen . . . follow
Righteous life following Christ
Savior’s hope, never hollow
Facing temptation each day
Alignment with Son of God
Blood and body shed for us
Boldly fleeing evil’s fraud
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From Galatians 6:1-2: “My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Originally published May, 2020.
From My Journal (12/18)
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From Big Sky Buckeye
Our Father continually sees life’s Big Picture, which our tiny lens can never fully appreciate.
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 or adding so much to my journal.
(Updated December 18)
John Gibson Paton Quote
Nothing so clears the vision and lifts up the life, as a decision to move forward in what you know to be entirely the will of the Lord.
From Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”
John Gibson Paton (1824-1907) was a Scottish-born Christian missionary who lived and served the Lord in the South Pacific.
Bethlehem’s Joy (Third Sunday of Advent)
From Philippians 4:4-6: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Offering God’s promises
Distant joy asking, who’s yet to come?
Echoing in wilderness
Voices no longer numb
Faithful witnesses of peace
Salvation’s Messiah now descends
Mercy’s joy-filled tenderness
Lasting goodness shall extend
Holy Spirit rejoices
Promised deliverance emerges
Virgin’s heart flowing with love
Angels praise as joy surges
Rejoice always, now rejoice
Eternity’s spring of love endures
Mankind’s hope shall be transformed
Filling joy from grace, so pure
Each believer investing
Ripples of God’s blessed love invite
Messiah opening gates
Outlook’s joy forever bright
Bethlehem’s joy in shining star
Gentleness in spirit, blessings come
Long-awaited Prince of Peace
Each knee bends, to heaven’s drum
Advent Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we remember and reflect upon this Advent season, assist us in turning our hearts toward You as we approach the birth of Your blessed Son. Encourage us to celebrate the gifts received from that very first Christmas: hope, peace, joy, and love. Amen.
German hymnwriter, Laurentius Laurenti (1660-1722), wrote a reverent hymn which works well with the expectations of the Advent season, but it also looks ahead to the return of Jesus Christ. Here is “Rejoice! Rejoice Believers.”
From My Journal (12/17)
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From Big Sky Buckeye
When we humble our imperfect thoughts before God, He will open another page of joy.
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 or adding so much to my journal.
(Updated December 17)
Charles Swindoll Quote
Rather than trying hard to grope our way through the maze of man-made ideas and opinions, through Christ we find ourselves empowered by the tragedy and triumph of the cross.
From Romans 5:10: “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life.”
Trivia’s Facts and More (12/16)
This informative post will be published on Saturday in place of my regular one. You are invited to participate with the opening question.
Brain Teaser Question
What word contains 26 letters but only has three syllables?
(answer found at the end of this post)
Featured Facts
Many of America’s animals have cousins who are found in other parts of the world. This is the case with the badger.
Here are some interesting facts about the American badger:
- Height/Weight: at the shoulder, 12 inches (30 cm), 15-30 pounds
- Lifespan: around 10 years
- Habitat: open plains, prairies, and grasslands
- Diet: small mammals (such as mice, gophers, rabbits), earthworms, insects, roots, grasses, and fruit
A badger’s appearance is characterized by stripped faces and thick bodies. The length of an adult is usually between 2 and 3 feet (.6 to .9 m). A group of them is called a clan or cete. The youngsters are named cubs or pups, while the adult males are called boars and females as sows.
Badgers are known for their fierce bite. Their lower jaw has the ability to clamp down securely and tightly. Designed for digging, their front paws feature long, sharp claws, which can dig quickly when searching for prey hiding underground.
A badger’s home consists of underground burrows (called setts or dens). The tunnels may run up to 10 feet below the ground’s surface, and some may exceed 30 feet in length. There is room for sleeping, storing food, and giving birth.
Badgers are nocturnal hunters, and they generally live as solitary creatures. They face a variety of predators, such as wolves, coyotes, mountain lions, foxes, and even eagles and hawks. Most will prey upon their small cubs in open areas, away from the much safer den. In addition, man has bred his own predator–the Dachshund. Used particularly in Europe, their name translates from the German language as “badger dog.”
starting left and clockwise: at the den’s entrance, a badger defends it against several dachshunds. a single badger surveying the scene from his den. a pair of badgers. (photographs courtesy of pinterest.)
Answer to Brain Teaser Question
The alphabet
From My Journal (12/16)
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From Big Sky Buckeye
Spending time outdoors with nature’s harmony makes life seem more comfortable when we just go with its flow.
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 or adding so much to my journal.
(Updated December 16)
Jane Addams Quotes
Things that make us alike are finer and stronger than the things that make us different.
The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life.
American activist Jane Addams (1860-1935) was the second woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931. Her accomplishments are many as she labored as a reformer, social worker, and author. She was a timeless voice for world peace and women’s suffrage.
Big Sky Buckeye 