It is our best work that God wants, not the dregs of our exhaustion. I think He must prefer quality to quantity.
From Proverbs 6:6-9: “Go to the ant, you lazybones; consider its ways and be wise. Without having any chief or officer or ruler, it prepares its food in summer and gathers its sustenance in harvest. How long will you lie there, O lazybones? When will you rise from your sleep?”
George MacDonald (1824-1905) was a Scottish pastor and writer.
From Matthew 14:22-24: “Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them.”
Life’s storms intensify
Overcoming with fear
Facing each hostile sea
Darkness, nothing seems clear
Spiritual squalls come
Turning world upside down
Battered by strongest gales
Fearing each wave’s knockdown
Christ’s love intercedes
Praying hands, clay’s potter
Mountains to heavens
Walking on calm water
Jesus never leaves us
Storms quietly subside
His blessed protection
Lasting, sovereign guide
Fear not, faith’s spark ablaze
Christ’s true light boldly seeds
Following Son of God
Hope ripens from His deeds
From Matthew 14:25-27: “And early in the morning He came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'”
Originally published December, 2020.
Whatever God did and was able to do and willing to do at any time, God is able and willing to do again, within the framework of His will.
From Psalm 29:3-4: “The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.”
Aiden Wilson (A. W.) Tozer (1897-1963) was an American pastor and Christian author. He served as spiritual mentor for many Christians.
Living for Christ is the most exciting adventure in the world.
From Titus 3:4-5: “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
Charles Swindoll (born 1934) is an American pastor and Christian author.
There cannot be any peace where there is uncertainty.
From Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
D. L. Moody (1837-1899), also known as Dwight Lyman Moody, was an American evangelist and Christian teacher. He is frequently credited with inspiring modern mass revivalism.
God carries your picture in His wallet.
From Psalm 32:10: “Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.”
Tony Campolo (1935-2024) was an American sociologist, pastor, and Christian author.
Our calling is to be faithful in the demanding tasks, whether that is our education, our marriage, our occupation, of just the daily grind of life.
From Isaiah 50:10: “Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant, who walks in darkness and has no light, yet trusts in the name of the Lord and relies upon his God?”
Charles Swindoll (born 1934) is an American pastor and Christian author.
You think my life is dull.
Your judgement has been made.
You haven’t given me a chance.
You’ve cast the part I’ve played.
But listen, friend.
Comprehend.
It’s far from the end when you give yourself to Christ.
New life will just begin!
We have fun too.
Life is not a drag.
We love to smile and laugh,
when things begin to lag.
Each day is a new adventure.
Each day is a joyful song.
Each day is a bright beginning,
laughing, loving, growing strong!
You think I have no friends.
That’s where you’re really wrong
Because the friends I have are true.
They last a lifetime long.
So, listen now.
Find out how.
You can see right now if you give your life to Christ.
New life will just begin!
We have fun too.
Life is not a drag.
We love to smile and laugh,
when things begin to lag.
Each day is a new adventure.
Each day is a joyful song.
Each day is a bright beginning,
laughing, loving, growing strong!
Today’s poem was written by my wife, Colleen. It is another selection from her recently published book, BITS ‘N’ PIECES OF MY HEART.
Her work has been accepted to become part of a local bookstore’s Christian and Family collection. Her own words describe the book:
BITS ‘N’ PIECES OF MY HEART contains stories, devotions and poetry for the adults, activities to do with your children, and fun little songs. The devotions and poetry will strongly open up your faith walk to more of God’s light. Doing the fun activities and singing little songs with your children will bring smiles to everyone’s heart.
Christ is the aperture through which the immensity and magnificence of God can be seen.
From John 14:6-7: “ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you know Me, you will know My Father also. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.'”
J. B. (John Bertram) Phillips (1906-1982) was an English Bible translator, Christian author, and Anglican pastor.
From Proverbs 23:23: “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”
Philosophy breathes steady, faith’s living truths
Waiting with wisdom, long missing from our youth
Life’s daily chase may not be worth small treasure
Reading God’s Word, bringing life’s honest measure
Plan on giving more to others than ourselves
Blessing us with far more than dusty bookshelves
Jesus teaches us to treat others with love
Harnessing our Lord’s grace and peace from above
Trust lives as hope’s virtue, never to be lost
Securing it tightly, at ultimate cost
Our daily comfort zone brings false sense of peace
Rising up with Christ, offering life’s new lease
Failure teaches toughest lessons of living
Earning later success, praise with thanksgiving
Mankind’s world spins daily, filled with too much change
Praying to God, calms life with daily exchange
From James 1:17-18: “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of His own purpose He gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of His creatures.”
Originally published December, 2020.
Big Sky Buckeye 