The flame of testimony burns brightly when fed with the oil of grace.
From Psalm 23:5-6: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Harry Ironside (1876-1951) was a Canadian-born pastor, theologian, and Christian author. This renowned Bible teacher wrote over 100 books, booklets, and pamphlets.
Buying up houses
Trading for largest hotel—
Monopoly’s wealth
Bandit on the run
Car’s battery fails to start—
Police bringing charges
Old shoes in tatters
Needing firmer foundation—
Meeting new solemate
A bright light at the end of a tunnel can seem warm and inviting, or it can seem mysterious and terrifying.
All good research–whether for science or for a book–is a form of obsession.
Mary Roach (born 1959) is an American author who specializes in writing with themes about science and humor.
Psalm 106:1: “Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever.”
Photo by Pedro Sandrini on Pexels.com
Life’s journey hurries along
Blessing with joy and her song
Remembering His blessings each day
Our mighty God molds us like clay
God crafts His creation with love
Offering His blessings from above
Rising from cold, darkened tomb
Christ restores light to every room
Filling with Spirit, no more strife
Savior extends His bread of life
Hiding, dark enemy ready to harm and take
Christ’s way conquers, with love He makes
Son of Man submits to our Holy Lord
Paying for sin’s ransom, so climb aboard
Being gracious for everything that shines
God, Savior, family, home, and love so fine
Life’s possessions are meager, they are
Blessings from God will carry us, truly far
Pause and consider, dropping to knees and bow
Praising God for infinite blessings, do it now
Psalm 29:11: May the Lord give strength to His people! May the Lord bless His people with peace.”
Originally published August, 2019 with revisions December, 2022.
It is not the ship in the water but the water in the ship that sinks it. So it is not the Christian in the world but the world in the Christian that constitutes the danger.
From Galatians 5:16-17: “Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want.”
American-born John Wilbur Chapman (1859-1918) was a Christian evangelist who traveled much of the United States and the world. He was influenced by the preaching of D. L. Moody as well as the ministry of Billy Sunday.
From Micah 5:3-5: “Therefore He shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of His kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And He shall stand and feed His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. And they shall live secure, for now He shall be great to the ends of the earth, and He shall be the one of peace.”
From root of Jesse
Rises spirit of man’s hope
Filling believers with peace
Climbing up faith’s slope
Called to one body
Newborn King shall share His peace
Extending bridges to God
Writing hope’s new lease
As children of God
Blessed be His peacemakers
Filled with Father’s righteous peace
Hope’s new groundbreakers
Future hope muffled
Reconciled through Father’s grace
Reclaiming merciful peace
Bethlehem’s birthplace
Hope’s light filled with peace
Easing burdens of others
Shattering sinful darkness
For every brother
Creation’s spirit
Promise of restoration
Foretaste of peace yet to come
Hope’s new foundation
Another beloved Advent hymn is “What Child is This.” The lyrics were crafted by English hymn writer and poet, William Chatterton Dix, in 1865. In 1871, the tune of a traditional English song, “Greensleeves,” was added to the lyrics. This hymn shares the spirit of peace, forever witnessed in the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior.
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.
Big Sky Buckeye 