Why does God lead us through desert places? That He might humble us, that He might test us, and that the true condition of our hearts might be revealed. There’s nothing like the desert to help you discover the real you.
From Ephesians 4:21-24: “For surely you have heard about Him and were taught in Him, as truth is in Jesus, to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Do no harm and leave the world a better place than you found it.
Serenity comes from knowing what you can and can’t change.
Patricia Cornwell (born 1956) is an American novelist. Many of her stories revolve around solving fictional crimes through the eyes of medical examiner Kay Scarpetta.
Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.
From Romans 8:28: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.”
Desmond Tutu (1931-2021) was a South African Anglican bishop and Christian theologian. He was perhaps best known for his efforts as a human rights activist in dismantling his nation’s system of apartheid.
Mercy is His gift. You shine with His divine light every time you are merciful and forgive someone.
From Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.”
Martha Williamson is a television producer, who is best known for her contributions as the head writer and executive producer of the award-winning television series, “Touched by an Angel.”
From 1939, a scene of downtown Billings, Montana. This is the eventual home for a young couple moving to Billings about three years earlier. (courtesy of Pinterest)
Grandparents Jim and Marge experienced a love story that began in their teenage years. Little did they know where life planned to take them in the years to come.
In 1911, Jim was born in the tiny town of Marmarth, North Dakota. The small community of about 800 was founded as a railroad town along the Milwaukee Road line. The transcontinental railroad traveled from Chicago, Illinois to Seattle, Washington.
When Jim was an infant, his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio. He excelled academically and athletically during his school years.
Born in 1912, Marge already lived in Ohio when Jim moved there. Eventually their lives intersected during junior high school. Her father was a Cleveland native while her mother was born in Belfast, Ireland.
With their love blossoming, Jim and Marge were married in 1928. Jim pursued his career goal of becoming an engineer with his studies at the University of Akron.
Sadly, the arrival of the Great Depression crushed Jim’s pursuit of a college degree. With money very tight, Jim needed to pursue a different career.
In 1936, Jim, Marge, and their first-born son traveled to Billings, Montana. Jim had been hired to work for a wholesale and produce grocer. Working for the Gamble-Robinson Company for 40 years, Jim eventually became the general manager of its Billings office.
When World War II arrived, Jim accepted his responsibility and served with distinction in the U.S. Army until being honorably discharged at the war’s end. Meanwhile his young family endured without him being at home.
Marge and her three young children managed to make life as pleasant as possible during Jim’s wartime absence. Unable to drive a car, Marge used other means for transportation. Rationing of vital commodities during the war made for useful transactions because Marge traded her gasoline ration cards for other ones.
Billings was growing, but it still had the feel of a smaller, close-knit community. Neighbors helped out each other. Church was a center of worship and fellowship for the young family as well.
When Jim returned home, the family continued to live in Billings at the same home. As childhood sweethearts, Jim and Marge experienced quite a life journey, which took them from their former homes in Ohio to a lasting one in Montana.
Two views of the front of the family home on Beverly Hill Blvd. Both taken long after the house had been sold. (courtesy of Pinterest and Google Maps)
This story recalled the start of my mother’s family. Being the middle child and only daughter (born in 1938), Martha started a family of her own with the birth of her first child in 1956 (Richard). Eventually the family would number five sons and one daughter.
This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing. You are invited to participate with the opening question.
Brain Teaser Question
A knight wants to marry a princess and she wants to marry him. However, the king demands that the knight draw one of two slips of paper from a box. The king says one will say “Death” and the other “Marriage.” The princess whispers to her suitor that both slips say “Death.” What could the knight do to wed the princess?
(answer found at the end of this post)
Featured Facts
One of the most curious of all insects is the praying mantis. It’s distinctive shape and color may sometimes be difficult to find because these predatory creatures are experts at ambushing their prey.
Some characteristics about the praying mantis include:
Body length of about 1-4 inches.
Primary habitat in the foliage of meadows and fields.
Diet includes live insects and spiders.
Many know that its name comes from its “prayer-like” stance. Mantis means “prophet.” Its name is mistakenly spelled as “preying” mantis because it fiercely preys upon other insects. Yes, the mantis is a “good” bug to have around.
If one ever has a chance to watch this stealth predator at work, pay close attention. Staying perfectly motionless and blending in with the green foliage, the praying mantis will suddenly strike and grab its victim.
Images courtesy of Pinterest.
Answer to Brain Teaser Question
Before a crowd of witnesses, the knight could choose a paper, look at it, proclaim that it says “Marriage,” and promptly swallow it. As proof, he would ask the king to reveal the remaining paper, which would say “Death.” All would presume that the swallowed paper indeed must have said “Marriage”–thus beating the king at his own game.
Big Sky Buckeye 