April 22, 2008

life and death

"It is not death that a man should fear,

but he should fear never beginning to live."

- Marcus Aurelius

"And in the end,

it's not the years in your life that count.

It's the life in your years."

- Abraham Lincoln

"As far as we can discern,

the sole purpose of human existence

is to kindle a light of meaning

in the darkness of mere being."

- Carl Jung

And when physical death finally occurs...

"Has this world been so kind to you

that you should leave with regret?

There are better things ahead

than any we leave behind."

- C.S. Lewis

"Brothers, we do not want you

to be ignorant about those who fall asleep,

or to grieve like the rest of men,

who have no hope.

We believe that Jesus died and rose again

and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus

those who have fallen asleep in him."

- 1 Thessalonians 4:13,14 NIV

"'I will ransom them from the power of the grave;

I will redeem them from death.'"

- Hosea 13:14 NIV

"But your dead will live;

their bodies will rise.

You who dwell in the dust,

wake up and shout for joy."

- Isaiah 26:19 NIV

"'Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?'"

- 1 Corinthians 15:55 NIV

April 21, 2008

diligence to seek Thee

"If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship,

he would keep it in port forever"

- St. Thomas Aquinas

"Grant me, I beseech Thee,
Almighty and most Merciful God,
fervently to desire,
wisely to search out,
and perfectly to fulfill,
all that is well-pleasing unto Thee.

Order Thou my worldly condition
to the glory of Thy name;
and of all that Thou requirest me to do,
grant me the knowledge,
the desire, and the ability,
that I may so fulfill it as I ought,
and may my path to Thee, I pray,
be safe, straightforward,
and perfect to the end.

Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart,
which no unworthy affection
may drag downwards;
give me an unconquered heart,
which no tribulation can wear out;
give me an upright heart,
which no unworthy purpose
may tempt aside.

Bestow upon me also,

O Lord my God,

understanding to know Thee,

diligence to seek Thee,

wisdom to find Thee,

and a faithfulness

that may finally embrace Thee.

Amen."

- St. Thomas Aquinas

(1225-1274)

April 20, 2008

marvelous in our eyes

"... the LORD has done this,

and it is marvelous in our eyes.

This is the day the LORD has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it."

- Psalm 118: 23,24 NIV

April 19, 2008

Pow'r and glory unto the Lord belong.

"You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.

O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever."

- Psalm 30:11,12 NIV

Praise Him! Praise Him

"Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim!

Hail Him! hail Him! highest archangels in glory;

Strength and honor give to His holy Name!

Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children,

In His arms He carries them all day long:

Refrain

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Tell of His excellent greatness.

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Ever in joyful song!

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

For our sins He suffered, and bled, and died.

He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,

Hail Him! hail Him! Jesus the Crucified.

Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows,

Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong.

Refrain

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

Heav'nly portals loud with hosannas ring!

Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever.

Crown Him! Crown Him! Prophet, and Priest, and King!

Christ is coming! over the world victorious,

Pow'r and glory unto the Lord belong."

- Music by: Frances Jane (Fanny) Crosby, 1869

- Words: Chester G. Allen (1838-1878)

April 18, 2008

Floral Tribute
by Laura Madeira Reinhold

If God thought this earth a canvas
To display His works of art,
Flowers are sure revelation
Of His joyful heart;

Whether sown and gardened
Or growing wild and free,
How cheerless this whole world would seem
Without their melody;

They are lovely compensation
For life's dullness, pain and thorns,
And early spring blooms herald
The hope of life reborn;

Some flowers are flamboyant,
Some are more serene,
They can celebrate joyous occasions,
Or show deepest sympathy;

They are glimpse and scent of heaven,
They furnish honey's sweet delight,
More beautifully robed than Solomon,
Too quickly gone from sight;

Yet in brief flourishing then dying
They attain their destination,
Bringing color and joy and sweet fragrance to life,
Leaving seed for the next generation.

April 17, 2008

blossom

"We should so live and labor in our times
that what came to us as seed
may go to the next generation as blossom,
and what came to us as blossom
may go to them as fruit.
This expresses the true spirit in the love of mankind.”
- Henry Ward Beecher

"The blossom cannot tell what becomes of its odor;
and no man can tell what becomes of his influence."
- Henry Ward Beecher

"Bloom where you are planted."
- Proverb

April 16, 2008

standing firm

"Integrity and firmness are all I can promise:

these, be the voyage long or short,

shall never forsake me,

although I may be deserted by all men."

- George Washington

(four weeks prior to his Presidency)

"Permanence, perseverance, and persistence

in spite of all obstacles, discouragements, and impossibilities:

It is this that in all things

distinguishes the strong soul from the weak."

- Sir Frances Drake

"... but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."

- Matthew 10:22 NIV

April 15, 2008

still a beautiful world
photo by David Keller
(trip to Peru)

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight."
- Proverbs 3:5,6 NIV

"I will instruct you and teach you
in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you."
- Psalm 32:8 NIV

"Therefore be at peace with your god,
whatever you conceive him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations
in the noisy confusion of life.
Keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world."
- Max Ehr

April 14, 2008

glory above the heavens

"Father, I have much to be grateful for tonight,

and I thank you,

I have much to regret and I ask your forgiveness.

But even as I ask your forgiveness

I know that I receive it,

and a deep peace fills my heart.

Help me to sleep well tonight

and to wake ready for that daily,

yet greatest of gifts,

a fresh start."

- Avery Brooke

"Grant unto me your servant:

To my God a heart of flame

To my fellow men a heart of love;

To myself a heart of steel."

- Augustine

"Praise the LORD.

Praise, O servants of the LORD,

praise the name of the LORD.

Let the name of the LORD be praised,

both now and forevermore.

From the rising of the sun

to the place where it sets,

the name of the LORD is to be praised.

The LORD is exalted over all the nations,

his glory above the heavens.

Who is like the LORD our God,

the One who sits enthroned on high,

who stoops down to look on

the heavens and the earth?"

- Psalm 113:2-6 NIV

April 13, 2008

watching over you

Life can come at you fast.
(a lightning strike)

This building, newly built,

was hit by lightning and a fire ensued.

Fortunately,

no one was hurt and the fire damage was minimal

due to the fast response of several fire companies.

Nevertheless, the third floor loft was gutted

and some damage occured to the floor below

and the townhouse next to it.

We never know when adversity will strike.

"Adversity is always unexpected and unwelcomed.

It is an intruder and a thief,

and yet in the hands of God,

adversity becomes the means through which

His supernatural power is demonstrated."

- Charles Stanley

"Life's not fair,

but let's not mix up life with God.

God is not the source of injustice.

God is fair. God is good."

- Robert H. Schuller

"The LORD will keep you from all harm—

he will watch over your life;

the LORD will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore."

- Psalm 121:7,8 NIV

April 12, 2008

all my hope

"0 Thou, who by the light of nature

increases in us the desire for the light of Thy mercy

in order to be led by this to Thy glory,

to Thee I offer thanks, Creator, God,

because Thou hast given me pleasure

in what Thou hast created

and I rejoice in Thy handiwork."

- Johannes Kepler

(Harmonice mundi)

"If I have been allured into brashness

by the wonderful beauty of thy works,

or if I have loved my own glory among men,

while advancing in work destined for thy glory,

gently and mercifully pardon me:

and finally, deign graciously to cause

that these demonstrations may lead to thy glory

and to the salvation of souls,

and nowhere be an obstacle to that. Amen."

- Johannes Kepler

(Harmonice mundi)

"Only the merits of our saviour Jesus Christ.

It is in Him, as I steadfastly testify,

that there rest all my retreat,

all my consolation, all my hope."

- Johannes Kepler

(his dying words)

April 11, 2008

persevere
photo by David Keller
(trip to Peru)

Discouraged, disheartened, downcast?
So much to do, so little time?
Unappreciated?

Wondering if it is all worth the effort?

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you;
he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
- Deuterononomy 31:8 NIV

"Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest
if we do not give up."
- Galatians 6:9 NIV

"Don't be afraid to give your best
to what seemingly are small jobs.
Every time you conquer one
it makes you that much stronger.
If you do the little jobs well,
the big ones will tend to take care of themselves."
- Dale Carnegie

"Consider the postage stamp:
its usefulness consists in the ability
to stick to one thing till it gets there."
- Josh Billings

"Many of the great achievements of the world
were accomplished by tired and discouraged men
who kept on working."
- Author Unknown

"Stay the course, light a star,
Change the world where'er you are."
- Richard Le Gallienne

"Try and fail, but don't fail to try."
- Stephen Kaggwa

"I may not be there yet,
but I'm closer than I was yesterday.
- Author Unknown

"By perseverance the snail reached the ark."
- Charles H. Spurgeon

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
- Philippians 4:13 KJV

April 10, 2008

some thoughts about poverty
photo by David Keller
(trip to Peru)

"Empty pockets never held anyone back.
Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that."
- Norman Vincent Peale

"We have grown literally afraid to be poor.
We despise anyone who elects to be poor
in order to simplify and save his inner life.
If he does not join the general scramble
and pant with the money-making street,
we deem him spiritless and lacking in ambition."
- William James

"We think sometimes that poverty is only being
hungry, naked and homeless.
The poverty of being unwanted,
unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty.
We must start in our own homes
to remedy this kind of poverty."
- Mother Teresa

"It is poverty to decide that a child must die
so that you may live as you wish."
- Mother Teresa

"No man can tell whether he is rich or poor
by turning to his ledger.
It is the heart that makes a man rich.
He is rich or poor according to what he is,
not according to what he has."
- Henry Ward Beecher

April 09, 2008

God loves them.
photo by Elaine

"Our Father, while before Thee In prayer we humbly bow,
Wilt Thou look down from heaven, And bless Thy children now."
- from: A Prayer

"God loves the little children, Much more than bird or brook,
Or sweetest scented flowers, However fair they look;
He sent His Son to save us, With His most precious blood,
That we might be forever The best loved works of God."
- from : God Loves Them

April 08, 2008

Inner Harmony
by Laura Madeira Reinhold

Early in the morning before thoughts are fully formed,
Spirit-praises waken me, greeting the new morn;

Lovely, wonderous melodies, new songs every day
for new mercies and new blessings Jesus sends my way;

Driving to work or anywhere, or doing chores at home,
I sing in spirit and in understanding, knowing I'm never alone;

My lullabies were favorite hymns, now my children love to sing -
Songs of faith and freedom from fear and doubt and sin;

Harmony with neighbors, Spirit-peace within,
How can I not wear a smile while giving praise to Him?

Every lovely thing I see - birds and flowers, mountains, sea
Cause anthems of Creator praise to bubble up in me;

While going shopping, paying bills, and at mealtimes I'm reminded
How thankful I am for health and strength with all my needs provided;

And when bad news comes my way, when sorrows and trials abound,
I remember God's past faithfulness and reach praise's higher ground;

I count my blessings before I sleep, and should I wake before dawn's light,
I pray and praise God without fear, for He gives songs throughout the night;

Oh, that the world would realize salvation's earthly paradise!
Without Christ life is without song - with Him's harmony all life long;

And when this life on earth is over, with millions of angels above,
I'll sing in that fantastic, heavenly choir - Chorus of grace and love!

April 07, 2008

Perfect Peace

the great reward

photo by Patrick Frey
(Half Dome sunset)

"To be at one with God is to be at peace ...

peace is to be found only within,

and unless one finds it there

he will never find it at all.

Peace lies not in the external world.

It lies within one's own soul."

- Ralph Waldo Trine

"You will keep him in perfect peace,

Whose mind is stayed on You,

Because he trusts in You.

Trust in the LORD forever..."

- Isaiah 26:3,4 NKJV

April 06, 2008

inflamed

"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,

my soul shall be joyful in my God;

for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation,

he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments,

and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

For as the earth bringeth forth her bud,

and as the garden causeth the things

that are sown in it to spring forth;

so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and

praise to spring forth before all the nations."

- Isaiah 61:10,11 KJV

"Blessed are they which do hunger

and thirst after righteousness:

for they shall be filled."

- Matthew 5:6 KJV

"I am inflamed, I am kindled by your gift;

and am carried upwards;

I glow inwardly, and go forwards.

I ascend your ways that are in my heart..."

- Augustine

April 05, 2008

digest the Word

Taking the time to compose your own daily devotional

can be a great blessing to you and to others.

It is possible to reflect on something,

organize and compose it within your mind

and still not fully clarifythe meaning

of your thoughts.

Unless you have a very organized mind,

you may be surprised to find that your thoughts

have not been organized into any plausible conclusion at all.

We can easily deceive ourself into thinking

that we have arrived at a valid, truthful,

or even reasonable conclusion.

Ask yourself why do I believe as I do

on a particular subject? Try to figure it out in your mind,

then write down your thoughts.

Be your own critic... read carefully what you wrote.

Is something missing...

is there something you may not have considered

prior to writing it down?

Don't forget to share it with those whose opinion you value and trust.

Listen closely to their comments.

You can learn from each other.

As a teacher,

I learned the best way to learn something was to teach it.

Spend time reading His word and other authors of inspiration...

with a discerning mind and guided by the Holy Spirit.

Reflect on what you have read, pray about it,

and then write down what you have learned.

Keep a journal.

As you continue to grow, re-read
what you have written and modify as you feel led.

Growing in the spirit requires more than just reading the Word.

You have to digest it.

April 04, 2008

placed here for each other
photo by David Keller
(trip to Peru)

"Great opportunities to help others seldom come,
but small ones surround us daily."
- Sally Koch

It is our pride that keeps us concentrating on ourselves.
By concentrating on God and Jesus Christ
and allowing the Holy Spirit to work within us,
we will continue to grow and we will become sensitive
to those around us.

If we concentrate on self...
our needs, our desires, our self-righteousness
we will not see the need of others.

Even simple things,
like being aware of others in front of us,
or behind us, as we enter a door...
those in need of a word of encouragement
attempting to accomplish a task,
or upon the completetion of a job well done...
simpling listening to what others have to say
instead of thinking what we can say next.

Let us show a little of the kindness,
patience, love, and grace
that is given by the Father to us...
the grace that He shows us, His creation...
even though we remain disobedient and sinful.

"If someone listens, or stretches out a hand,
or whispers a kind word of encouragement,
or attempts to understand a lonely person,
extraordinary things begin to happen."
- Loretta Girzartis

"We are not put on this earth for ourselves,
but are placed here for each other.
If you are there always for others,
then in time of need,
someone will be there for you."
- Jeff Warner

April 03, 2008

Monkey see, monkey do.

You are your child's role model.

Be a good example.

"Every father should remember that one day

his son will follow his example

instead of his advice."

- Author Unknown

"Example is the school of mankind,

and they will learn at no other."

- Edmund Burke

"Let us preach you, Dear Jesus, without preaching,

not by words, but by our example..."

- Mother Teresa

"...be an example to the believers in word,

in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

- 1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV

April 02, 2008

the discipline that endures

"Whatever it is you're facing, stand strong.

Walk in quiet confidence, not veiled pride.

Be sure without being stubborn...

firm without being unteachable...

enduring but not discourteous...

full of truth balanced with grace."

- Charles Swindoll

(Christian pastor, author, educator)

"To be torn unmercifully by external forces,

and still to preserve one's inward integrity,

is to know the discipline that endures."

- V. Raymond Edman

(associate professor of political science

at Wheaton College,

was named fourth president of the College,

serving from 1940 to 1965)

"So do not throw away your confidence;

it will be richly rewarded.

You need to persevere

so that when you have done the will of God,

you will receive what he has promised."

- Hebrews 10:35,36 NIV

April 01, 2008

droopy dafs

Even daffodils look a bit droopy,

discouraged, and depressed

on a damp, dismal day.

But when they experience

even the shimmer of sunlight

they stand up and shine.

When we are supressed

by shadowed sorrows

we too can stand up and shine.

So shine forth the sunny satisfaction of salvation

strengthen yourself in the stronghold of the Son.

"The LORD is my light and my salvation—

whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life—

of whom shall I be afraid?"

- Psalm 27:1 NIV

March 31, 2008

The empty nest

"Adolescence is perhaps nature's way

of preparing parents to welcome the empty nest."

- Karen Savage and Patricia Adams

(The Good Stepmother)

Coping with the Empty nest

1. Re-invest in your marriage.

As many joys as they bring...

children can sometimes be hard on a marriage...

now you have the time to spend with your mate.

Do things together again.

2. Pursue an interest.

Learn something new that you have been

wanting to do but never had the time before

or renew an old interest.

Go back to school,

pick up a part-time job,

do volunteer work,

get more involved with your church,

concentrate on your spirtual life

and spend more quality time with God.

3. Go places and see things

that you had always talked about.

Travel... as long as you are able,

get out and see the world...

see some of God's glorious creation.

It need not be far from home.

Get a camera (digital cameras help make things

easier and more cost efficient),

photograph and record a journal/scrapbook

if you feel so inclined.

Some of these same ideas can be applied
to someone entering retirement.

Your life's journey is not over.

March 30, 2008

Northern Mockingbird

photo by Bob Johnson

(courageous bird at defending its nest and its territory)

"They're certainly entitled to think that,

and they're entitled to full respect for their opinions...

but before I can live with other folks

I've got to live with myself.

The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule

is a person's conscience."

- Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird,

Chapter 11,

spoken by the character Atticus

"Through pride we are ever deceiving ourselves.

But deep down

below the surface of the average conscience

a still, small voice says to us,

'Something is out of tune.'"

- Carl Jung

"To sin by silence when they should protest

makes cowards of men."

- Abraham Lincoln

"Last, but by no means least,

courage—moral courage,

the courage of one's convictions,

the courage to see things through.

The world is in a constant conspiracy against the brave.

It's the age-old struggle...

the roar of the crowd on one side

and the voice of your conscience on the other.

- Douglas MacArthur

March 29, 2008

reconstruct and use

"After this I will return,
and will build again the tabernacle of David,
which is fallen down;
and I will build again the ruins thereof,
and I will set it up."
- Acts 15:16,17 KJV

"God's expertise is reconstruction.
After all, Christ was a carpenter by trade.
Nothing has ever been allowed to crumble
in a Christian's life or heritage
that God can't reconstruct and use."
- Beth Moore

March 28, 2008

wholly lean on Jesus' name
original photo by Jack Moyer

"My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand, I stand.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
Tho’ all around is sinking sand,
On the solid Rock I stand."
from: The Solid Rock

March 27, 2008

What's out there?

"The important thing is not to stop questioning.
Curiosity has its own reason for existing.
One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates
the mysteries of eternity, of life,
of the marvelous structure of reality.
It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend
a littleof this mystery every day.
Never lose a holy curiosity."
- Albert Einstein

"Curiosity is the very basis of education
and if you tell me that curiosity killed the cat,
I say only the cat died nobly."
- Arnold Edinborough

March 26, 2008

growing and productive

"A rolling stone gathers no moss."
- Publilius Syrus(100 BC)

An interesting quote we have all heard, but what does it mean?

The original meaning of the quote was to imply
that people always moving, with no roots in one place,
avoid responsibilities and cares.

Another, more modern interpretation is that a person
always on the move
develops a certain "polish" becoming wise in the ways of the world.

From a biblical point of view
it is actually a combination of the two.

If we want to have a solid "rooted" faith in the Lord (the rock)
we must be still, accept our responsibility as His servant
and thus become productive...bearing fruit.

If we are a rolling stone, polished in the "ways of the world",
we will bear no productive fruit
and our life will be spent smashing into things.
Eventually we will end upbroken apart.

"I don't know what to say, because it hurts to know the truth,
there, there's a darkness inside, but I don't want to know...
I'm confusing myself, I don't know where to go."
- Artist: Severd lyrics
Album: Other Song Lyrics
Title: Broken Apart

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace..."
- 1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV

March 25, 2008

Is it clean yet?
photo by Bob Johnson

Have you done any spring house cleaning?

It's always time to do some spring house cleaning

and never a better time to clean up your act.

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

- Psalm 51:10 NIV

"...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles...

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,

...so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

- Hebrews 12:1,2,3 NIV