May 12, 2008

splash of happiness

photo by Patrick Frey

"Christ wants us to share His happiness,

to live happily ever after.

Until then, He gives us a sudden

splash of happiness

here and there so we can wet our toes

in what we'll be swimming in for all of eternity!"

- Beth Moore

May 11, 2008

grow

"Don't go through life, grow through life."

- Eric Butterworth

"When we love - we grow"

- Author Unknown

"Learn and grow all you can;

serve and befriend all you can;

enrich and inspire all you can."

- William Arthur Ward

May 10, 2008

walk in grace
photo by Bob Johnson

"Don’t buy the lie
that cultivating condemnation and wallowing in your shame
is somehow pleasing to God,
or that a constant, low-grade guilt
will somehow promote holiness and spiritual maturity.
It’s just the opposite!
God is glorified when we believe with all our hearts
that those who trust in Christ can never be condemned.
It’s only when we receive his free gift of grace
and live in the good of total forgiveness
that we’re able to turn from old, sinful ways of living
and walk in grace-motivated obedience."
- C.J. Mahaney

May 09, 2008

turn around
photo by Bob Johnson

"Even if you find yourself out on a limb,
and you move slowly,
it is imperative that you are headed in the right direction."

It's not always a good idea to follow the crowd.

"Start where you are."
- Edgar Cayce

"Where you are headed is more important
than how fast you are going.
Rather than always focusing on what's urgent,
learn to focus on what is really important."
- Author Unknown

May 08, 2008

The dandelion.

A beautiful sunburst of flowering color with a very deep tap root.
Despite being a common weed that home owners detest in their yards
this plant is very useful in several ways.
No one can deny its ability to survive and propagate itself far and wide.

"The happiness which brings enduring worth to life
is not the superficial happiness
that is dependent on circumstances.
It is the happiness and contentment that fills the soul
even in the midst of the most distressing circumstances
and the most bitter environment.
It is the kind of happiness that grins
when things go wrong and smiles through the tears.
The happiness for which our souls ache
is one undisturbed by success or failure,
one which will root deeply inside us
and give inward relaxation, peace, and contentment,
no matter what the surface problems may be.
That kind of happiness stands in need of no outward stimulus."
- Billy Graham

May 07, 2008

get ready to spread your wings

photo by Bob Johnson

"It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird:

it would be a jolly sight harder

for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg.

We are like eggs at present.

And you cannot go on indefinitely

being just an ordinary, decent egg.

We must be hatched or go bad."

- C.S. Lewis

"The reason birds can fly and we can't

is simply that they have perfect faith,

for to have faith is to have wings."

- James Matthew Barrie
(Peter Pan)

"In almost everything that touches

our everyday life on earth,

God is pleased when we're pleased.

He wills that we be as free as birds to soar

and sing our maker's praise without anxiety."

- A. W. Tozer

"No one can prepare you for what heights you will soar

until you spread your wings."

- Author Unknown

May 06, 2008

We, as Christians,

need to grow "together".

Each of us can provide valuable insight,
our own unique perspective,
as it relates to our faith.
Our experiences are as different and as unique
as we are from each other.
The Body of Christ is all of us...
each a part of the whole.

Sharing together our experiences,
our hopes, our prayers, and our praise...
helping, supporting,
and encouraging one another...
this is what forms the brotherhood/sisterhood
of Christian believers...
this is what enables us to grow...
this is what we are expected to do
as per the Lord's command to love one another.
"A new command I give you:
Love one another.

As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples,
if you love one another."
- John 13:34,35 NIV

And what is love as found in the dictionary?

"A deep, tender, ineffable feeling
of affection and solicitude toward a person,
such as that arising from kinship,
recognition of attractive qualities,
or a sense of underlying oneness."
- Dictionary.com

How is love defined in the Bible?

"Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres."
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV

Do not be so shy, so reserved (reticent)
that you cannot (or will not)share your faith,
your own unique insight,
your experiences (testimony),
your support, your encouragement,
yes... your love for each other.

May 05, 2008

dig up the soil

"He who knows no hardships will know no hardihood.
He who faces no calamity will need no courage.
Mysterious though it is,
the characteristics in human nature which we love best
grow in a soil with a strong mixture of troubles."
- Harry Emerson Fosdick
(American clergyman)

"In this you greatly rejoice,
though now for a little while
you may have had to suffer grief
in all kinds of trials.
These have come so that your faith...
may be proved genuine
and may result in praise, glory and honor
when Jesus Christ is revealed."
- 1 Peter 1:6,7 NIV

"Trials teach us what we are;
they dig up the soil,
and let us see what we are made of;
they just turn up some of the ill weeds
on to the surface."
- Charles H. Spurgeon
(British Reformed Baptist preacher)

May 04, 2008

blushing for shame

Legend of the dogwood

"At the time of Crucifixion
the dogwood had been the size of the oakand other forest trees.
So firm and strong was the tree
that it was chosen as the timber for the cross.
To be used thus for such a cruel purpose
greatly distressed the tree,
and Jesus nailed upon it, sensed this.
In His gentle pity for all sorrow and suffering
Jesus said to the tree:
'Because of your regret and pity for My suffering,
never again shall the dogwood tree
grow large enough to be used as a cross.
Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted
and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross
--two long and two short petals.
And in the center of the outer edge of each petal
there will be nail prints,
brown with rust and stained with red,
and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns,
and all who see it will remember.'

The pink dogwood is said to be blushing
for shame because of the cruel purpose
which it served in the Crucifixion.

The weeping dogwood further symbolized the sorrow.

The red dogwood, called the Cherokee, bears
the color to remind us of the blood shed by our Savior."
- Author Unknown

May 03, 2008

quiet courage, patient hope,

and unshaken trust

"Grant unto us, Almighty God,

in all time of sore distress,

the comfort of the forgiveness of our sins.

In time of darkness

give us blessed hope,

in time of sickness of body

give us quiet courage;

and when the heart is bowed down,

and the soul is very heavy,

and life is a burden,

and pleasure a weariness,

and the sun is too bright,

and life too mirthful,

then may that Spirit,

the Spirit of the Comforter,

come upon us,

and after our darkness

may there be the clear shining

of the heavenly light;

that so, being uplifted again by Thy mercy,

we may pass on through this our mortal life

with quiet courage, patient hope, and unshaken trust,

hoping through Thy loving-kindness and tender mercy

to be delivered from death

into the large life of the eternal years.

Hear us of Thy mercy,

through Jesus Christ our LordAmen."

- George Dawson

May 02, 2008

tune in to nature

"The best remedy for those who are afraid,

lonely or unhappy is to go outside,

somewhere where they can be quiet,

alone with the heavens, nature and God.

Because only then does one feel

that all is as it should be

and that God wishes to see people happy,

amidst the simple beauty of nature."

- Anne Frank

"God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone,

but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars."

- Martin Luther

"I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station,

through which God speaks to us every hour,

if we will only tune in."

- George Washington Carver

May 01, 2008

bleeding heart

O for a Heart to Praise My God

O for a heart to praise my God,
A heart from sin set free,
A heart that always feels Thy blood
So freely shed for me.

A heart resigned, submissive, meek,
My great Redeemer's throne,
Where only Christ is heard to speak,
Where Jesus reigns alone.

A humble, lowly, contrite, heart,
Believing, true and clean,
Which neither life nor death can part
From Christ who dwells within.

A heart in every thought renewed
And full of love divine,
Perfect and right and pure and good,
A copy, Lord, of Thine.

My heart, Thou know'st, can never rest
Till Thou create my peace;
Till of mine Eden repossest,
From self, and sin, I cease.

Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart;
Come quickly from above;
Write Thy new name upon my heart,
Thy new, best name of Love.

- Music by: Thomas Haweis (1792)
- Words by: Charles Wesley (1742)

April 30, 2008

plain and simple

When I was younger and throughout much of my young life,
I had a wish list a mile long.
As I got older I remember thinking...
if only I had the money I spent on something
I had to have,
I would have that money now to get
something else I really wanted.
Albeit a small difference,
it was a bit of growth.

Now when I go into the mall (or is that maw)
seeing all of those "things" there
has little to no appeal anymore.
I never go to the mall myself
unless looking for a gift for someone else.
I do, on occasion go along with my wife
and most often,
spend most of my time sitting on a bench
reading a good book.
It appears that I have grown even more.

To be honest, looking at all the choices...
like different kinds of cereal in a grocery store...
gives me a headache...
now that is simply old age. LOL.

Live a simpler, more fulfilling life.

"A visible simplicity of life,
Embracing unpretentious ways,
And small self-interest
And poverty of coveting."
- Lao-Tzu

(6th century B.C.)

"The wealthiest man among us is the best:
No grandeur now in nature or in book
Delights us.
Rapine, avarice, expense,
This is idolatry;
and these we adore:
Plain living and high thinking are no more."
- William Wordsworth

(1770-1850)

"We are made spiritually lethargic
by a steady diet of materialism."
- Mary Morrison Suggs
(as far as I know... alive today
age unknown)

Regarding materialism and earthy desires,
things haven't changed much
(as indicated by the author's time period above)
down through the years, have they?

April 29, 2008

set an example for believers

having a childlike (not childish) faith

"Never tell a young person that anything cannot be done.

God may have been waiting centuries

for someone ignorant enough of the impossible

to do that very thing."

- G. M. Trevelyan

"You are as young as your faith,

as old as your doubt;

as young as your self-confidence,

as old as your fear;

as young as your hope,

as old as your despair"

- Author Unknown

"May you grow up to be righteous,

may you grow up to be true.

May you always know the truth

and see the lights surrounding you.

May you always be courageous,

stand upright and be strong.

May you stay forever young."

- Bob Dylan

"He called a little child and had him stand among them.

And he said:

'I tell you the truth,

unless you change and become like little children,

you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Therefore, whoever humbles himself

like this child

is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'"

- Jesus

(Matthew 18:2-4 NIV)

April 28, 2008

honey from a weed

While young,
and in particular
when a colony is in full bloom,
it is beautiful:a soft pink-purple carpet.
But being weak,
it's easily mangled and
unfortunately grows ugly by summertime.
Neither a serious pest nor notably useful,
this Dead-Nettle is merely a weed.

Happy in partial or even deep shade
and in fairly poor soil
this is a good source of nectar for bees.

We should all consider ourselves
beautiful when young and in full bloom
but we are all weak,
easily misled and tempted,
and some grow ugly
and eventually dead in spirit
as their hearts become hardened.

By the world's standards
most of us could be considered
neither a serious pest
nor notably useful.

However the Lord knows our potential
and we all have unique gifts/talents
that when used for and by the Lord
blossom more beautifully as we age
and produce an abundant harvest
of good fruit.

What are considered by some to be weeds
are by others considered
to be gorgeous wildflowers.

"They whom truth and wisdom lead,
can gather honey from a weed."
- William Cowper

April 27, 2008

what you really need
has already been provided
for you through
The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

I have heard a lot lately about
the idea that Christians need not to deny themselves
but that God wants the very best for us
so having a lot of money and a lot of things is not just OK,
but it is God's will.

When the Lord said that He wants the very best for us
He was not talking to us about what the world has to offer.

"Then Jesus said to his disciples,
"If anyone would come after me,
he must deny himself and
take up his cross and follow me.
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for me will find it.
What good will it be for a man
if he gains the whole world,
yet forfeits his soul?
Or what can a man give
in exchange for his soul?"
- Matthew 16:24-26 NIV

And, some say, as long as you put Him first,
you can have anything your heart desires.

There are very, very few men and women,
if any,
that can serve the Lord
while they enjoy the world's pleasures
as if it is their divine right.

"'No servant can serve two masters.
Either he will hate the one
and love the other,
or he will be devoted to the one
and despise the other.
You cannot serve both God and Money.
'The Pharisees, who loved money,
heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.
He said to them,
'You are the ones who
justify yourselves in the eyes of men,
but God knows your hearts.
What is highly valued among men
is detestable in God's sight.'"
- Luke 16: 13-15 NIV

"But, dear friends,
remember what the apostles
of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.
They said to you,
'In the last times there will be scoffers
who will follow their own ungodly desires.
"These are the men who divide you,
who follow mere natural instincts
and do not have the Spirit.'"
- Jude 1:17-19 NIV

"Each of us will one day
be judged by our standard of life --
not by our standard of living;
by our measure of giving --
not by our measure of wealth;
by our simple goodness --
not by our seeming greatness."
- William Arthur Ward

"The ability to simplify means
to eliminate the unnecessary
so that the necessary may speak."
- Hans Hofmann
(Introduction to the Bootstrap, 1993)

"Frugality is one of the most beautiful and
joyful words in the English language,
and yet one that we are culturally cut off from
understanding and enjoying.
The consumption society has made us feel
that happiness lies in having things,
and has failed to teach us
the happiness of not having things."
- Elise Boulding

"Our affluent society contains those of talent and insight
who are driven to prefer poverty,
to choose it,
rather than submit to
the desolation of an empty abundance.
- Michael Harrington

"You have succeeded in life
when all you really want
is only what you really need."
- Vernon Howard

April 26, 2008

growing together

"How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!"

- Psalm 133:1 NIV

"Be united with other Christians.

A wall with loose bricks is not good.

The bricks must be cemented together."

- Corrie ten Boom

"In Christ there is no East or West,
In Him no South or North;
But one great fellowship of love
Throughout the whole wide earth.

In Him shall true hearts everywhere
Their high communion find;
His service is the golden cord,
Close binding humankind.

Join hands, then, members of the faith,
Whatever your race may be!
Who serves my Father as His child
Is surely kin to me.

In Christ now meet both East and West,
In Him meet North and South;
All Christly souls are one in Him
Throughout the whole wide earth."
- IN CHRIST THERE IS NO EAST OR WEST
- words by William Dunkerley

"For where two or three

come together in my name,

there am I with them."

- Matthew 18:20 NIV

Where Christians gather together in His name

for the purpose of following His will

because they love Him and want to serve Him...

anywhere that this takes place

is the perfect place for imperfect people.

April 25, 2008

an example

"Not the cry,

but the flight of the wild duck,

leads the flock to fly and follow."

- Proverb

"Setting an example

is not the main means

of influencing another,

it is the only means."

- Albert Einstein

"Preach the Gospel at all times

and when necessary use words."

- St. Francis of Assisi

"A good example is the best sermon."

- Benjamin Franklin

April 24, 2008

bloodroot

This pure white flower has a rhizome (underground stem)
that contains a reddish orange sap.
If you break open the rhizome (mistakenly called a root)
a blood like fluid oozes out... hence the name bloodroot.

The flowers appear over clasping (enveloping) leaves while blooming.

It is the life giving blood of Jesus
and His enveloping presence
that produces a faith in us
that is pure and radiantly white.

The center of that faith shines like the Son.

"Just as the body cannot exist without blood,

so the soul needs the matchless and

pure strength of faith."

- Mahatma Gandhi

"Faith is the strength

by which a shattered world

shall emerge into the light."

- Helen Keller

"In him we have redemption through his blood,

the forgiveness of sins,

in accordance with the riches of God's grace

that he lavished on us

with all wisdom and understanding."

- Ephesians 1:7,8 NIV

April 23, 2008

love each other

(another biology lesson)

Eastern skunk cabbage

Breaking or tearing a leaf produces a pungent odor.

(not considered an attractive trait

and may discourage some from approaching it)

however...

This property lends itself to the 'skunk'

in the common name.

While not considered edible,

the plant is not poisonous to the touch.

Though unpleasant, the smell is not harmful.

in fact...

The foul odor attracts its pollinators,

scavenging flies, stoneflies, and bees.

Those that are necessary for producing fruit.

The odor in the leaves may also serve to

discourage large animals from disturbing

or damaging this plant

which grows in soft wetland soils.

Helps to keep the predators away, as well,

that would lead to the destruction of the plant

as it tries to grow in soil not usually considered

optimal for most growth.

Skunk cabbage is notable for its ability

to produce heat of up to 15-35° C above air temperature

by cyanide resistant cellular respiration

in order to melt its way through frozen ground,

placing it among a small group of plants exhibiting thermogenesis.

Although flowering whilst there is

still snow and ice on the ground

it is successfully pollinated by early insects

that also emerge at this time.

Some studies suggest that beyond

allowing the plant to grow in icy soil,

the heat it produces may help to spread its odor in the air.

Carrion-feeding insects that are attracted by the scent

may be doubly encouraged to enter the spathe

because it is warmer than the surrounding air,

fueling pollination.

The heat that this plant generates

crying out for help

allows it's cry to be more clearly heard

and to be recognized

by those searching early for such an opportunity

while many rest and wait until conditions

are just right (or at least) more convenient.

Eastern Skunk Cabbage has contractile roots

which contract after growing into the earth.

This pulls the stem of the plant deeper into the mud,

so that the plant in effect grows downward,

not upward.

Each year, the plant grows deeper into the earth,

so that older plants are practically impossible to dig up.

By growing... the plant more firmly anchors itself

into whatever it feels is necessary

for it's continued growth,

reproduction, and seed bearing fruit.

They reproduce by hard, pea-sized seeds

which fall in the mud

and are carried away by

animals or by floods.

This fruit, once formed,

produces very hard (weather resistant) tough seeds

that will be spread throughout their environment

by others or by surrounding conditions.

- taken from Wikipedia

(the bold, italicized print is mine)

Brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus...

There are a lot of people in the world

living in a prison (many not of their own making)

that are crying out for help

and that are potentially

some of the greatest (and staunchest) witnesses

for spreading the faith (the good fruit) of the Word.

Are you someone who recognizes their need early

and have the desire to help,

going out of your comfort zone

(not waiting until what others feel is the "right"

... more convenient... time)

to act?

"If I speak in the tongues

of men and of angels,

but have not love,

I am only a resounding gong

or a clanging cymbal.

If I have the gift of prophecy

and can fathom all mysteries

and all knowledge,

and if I have a faith

that can move mountains,

but have not love,

I am nothing.

If I give all I possess to the poor

and surrender my body to the flames,

but have not love,

I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy,

it does not boast,

it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered,

it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil

but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts,

always hopes, always perseveres."

- 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 NIV

"Now about brotherly love

we do not need to write to you,

for you yourselves

have been taught by God

to love each other."

- 1 Thessalonians 4:9 NIV

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