tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048980186202341612024-03-28T09:56:32.273-04:00 .NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.comBlogger710125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-45219025955624649442024-03-26T04:33:00.001-04:002024-03-26T04:33:58.439-04:00Let's Hear It!<div style="text-align: center;"> <b style="font-family: "Dancing Script"; font-size: x-large;">Easter is God's miracle message of risen hope for every believing heart.</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDcezELJti_8Z2eqJeqMw_uN7ezy2-PxCbvod3UOS2EUy8Wr_TNW_vB3rOD577jIEJ2fCkJIZomTaNMAW8X5YkcVIKdd__2_cdEpOxxV78kEDjSd6VxNK6MeAWIfCV_aqJHSeohThyTJsL2-Kw3S4jOFhPQaiLONCkWDnlMmndtvY1btOB8cWsoIeSAU/s604/Hope9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDcezELJti_8Z2eqJeqMw_uN7ezy2-PxCbvod3UOS2EUy8Wr_TNW_vB3rOD577jIEJ2fCkJIZomTaNMAW8X5YkcVIKdd__2_cdEpOxxV78kEDjSd6VxNK6MeAWIfCV_aqJHSeohThyTJsL2-Kw3S4jOFhPQaiLONCkWDnlMmndtvY1btOB8cWsoIeSAU/w310-h400/Hope9.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I love Magnolia trees! I had one in my back yard in Maryland. When we moved to PA we planted three Magnolia trees in our yard. I found out real quick that the weather in PA doesn't provide well for the Magnolia tree in April. I always get buds and opening flowers, but the cold returns to quickly and ends the beauty. So thankful to have pictures to enjoy of earlier years.</i></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The wonder of it all. Perfect description of the week of Easter. A time of celebration, joy, hope and thankfulness. The wonder of it all!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The following post was shared in April 2013. I think it's time to read it again!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>"When was the last time you heard a good, loud "amen" in church? I can't think of a time when anyone has shouted me down in holy agreement with the Word. We clap at the end of our songs and when someone shares a testimony, but when's the last time you heard someone clap after the reading of the Scripture or during the offering</em>" Michael Catt, <em>The Power of Surrender</em><br /><br />A couple of months ago a couple visited are church and we were in for a pleasant surprise. He "a<em>mened ... that's right ... preach ...</em>" us through the sermon. Pastor Larry and his wife, Felecia, joined with our fellowship a few weeks ago and my heart has been lifted with his boisterous agreement during the sermon.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGT9eJljZJFQ_mUKpEZTOILsRaYImtJwo145XwN4YfBwLOF3z-FgA5X2zeKiCTxXDnuspKNYAFKU5VRpJ0e2b1LFBcDbQf5fdjKDm3WJbYaQXzucUGTVFWZuqYCd0drTvMx1EoKcBYlvOBjiWvAdNQf8hHKNcsEyBMfWMoVSkKyW_n2eTR5Oc9d7s34Uk/s4000/Magnolia5a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGT9eJljZJFQ_mUKpEZTOILsRaYImtJwo145XwN4YfBwLOF3z-FgA5X2zeKiCTxXDnuspKNYAFKU5VRpJ0e2b1LFBcDbQf5fdjKDm3WJbYaQXzucUGTVFWZuqYCd0drTvMx1EoKcBYlvOBjiWvAdNQf8hHKNcsEyBMfWMoVSkKyW_n2eTR5Oc9d7s34Uk/w300-h400/Magnolia5a.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-color: initial; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-style: none; border-top: medium none; border-width: medium;">At my home church, 30 years ago, there would occasionally be amens, but few of the other churches we've attended added this affirmation during the sermon. Fred Luter, pastor in New Orleans, was invited to a conference at my home church many years ago and WOW did I hear the excitement from the audience. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-color: initial; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-style: none; border-top: medium none; border-width: medium;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-color: initial; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-style: none; border-top: medium none; border-width: medium;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-color: initial; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-style: none; border-top: medium none; border-width: medium;">Now, once again, a fellow worshipper holds nothing back as he agrees with God's message on Sunday mornings. Last week I even heard a few others verbally affirm words spoken by our pastor. You know, I think our pastor has even found new excitement as he preaches because of voiceful agreement in the congregation!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-color: initial; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-style: none; border-top: medium none; border-width: medium;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0I8AEfzOZsxIaGS5hjqAjVuFpUNYOO1VELeAWsHsP9kb7o6BiLfTDpuNLg-SgF4Zie9cPBeoAx9Ipl0EeMlUFLzi90kNsnmojjCV1FaHS15kOm6AwP2Kg176Mejw9GRU4DLi31ekFshr8mU7-O0B9pTDPgHewUSz_M-FtHmiNSMUIooHHStbRHAL9Bw/s1588/RoyThomasMagnoliaTree04%202020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1181" data-original-width="1588" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0I8AEfzOZsxIaGS5hjqAjVuFpUNYOO1VELeAWsHsP9kb7o6BiLfTDpuNLg-SgF4Zie9cPBeoAx9Ipl0EeMlUFLzi90kNsnmojjCV1FaHS15kOm6AwP2Kg176Mejw9GRU4DLi31ekFshr8mU7-O0B9pTDPgHewUSz_M-FtHmiNSMUIooHHStbRHAL9Bw/w640-h475/RoyThomasMagnoliaTree04%202020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This is one of the largest and fullest Magnolia trees I have ever see. My friend, Roy, found this a few years ago, and I'm thankful he posted it on his Page.</i></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-color: initial; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-style: none; border-top: medium none; border-width: medium; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-color: initial; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-style: none; border-top: medium none; border-width: medium;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-color: initial; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-style: none; border-top: medium none; border-width: medium;">Might I say there is great power in voicing our agreement in the preached Word! Will this quiet listener rise to the occasion. I don't know, but my heart sure does! The next time Pastor Larry stands up and claps I may just shout Amen!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-color: initial; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-style: none; border-top: medium none; border-width: medium;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-color: initial; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-style: none; border-top: medium none; border-width: medium;">Do I hear an Amen!</div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6y9Fy397oJ0qna00CaswuUfAJcoKuoiwjkgvcyElSmkDpGIQiKAjD-E7t8ZWWNyoc7Vwe-j4O-uydoV50EZXA9agYDYXia8_UnMoa3oQd-rFyguVrHb1gKRgyaoObYuhnvaOMI2j9k4JDaKzJcbgGQAgwGsk860kKMTyYpXBUqEvd7bkUWd8p3Ea7xTE/s4000/Magnolia6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6y9Fy397oJ0qna00CaswuUfAJcoKuoiwjkgvcyElSmkDpGIQiKAjD-E7t8ZWWNyoc7Vwe-j4O-uydoV50EZXA9agYDYXia8_UnMoa3oQd-rFyguVrHb1gKRgyaoObYuhnvaOMI2j9k4JDaKzJcbgGQAgwGsk860kKMTyYpXBUqEvd7bkUWd8p3Ea7xTE/w300-h400/Magnolia6.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;"><b>Because He lives, may you enjoy a praise-filled Easter,</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;"><b>a joy-filled spring, and a hope-filled heart!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>By His Grace . . .</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-80597479501828593602024-03-19T04:34:00.000-04:002024-03-19T04:34:46.004-04:00Rest Easy<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyBFjnVtrUAaFc44pStlZC42vzGkg0hFmpu5vPmzDIo92Vm2yyQ7USbIFCN7VppqWYJM3v2vCLc26DZheWFpVhclzcdVSrIFzuxKmlgUPv-UHE-Yx6t5R0ksajOKD22-Bo1YLufkkFSyNq8lu5948DFssip7Xg3PXf69zZq6Oq4VC5Hg8SVfMZWyodKs/s843/MindfulChristianity.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="843" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyBFjnVtrUAaFc44pStlZC42vzGkg0hFmpu5vPmzDIo92Vm2yyQ7USbIFCN7VppqWYJM3v2vCLc26DZheWFpVhclzcdVSrIFzuxKmlgUPv-UHE-Yx6t5R0ksajOKD22-Bo1YLufkkFSyNq8lu5948DFssip7Xg3PXf69zZq6Oq4VC5Hg8SVfMZWyodKs/w400-h400/MindfulChristianity.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A friend put this graphic up on her Facebook page the other day, and I was drawn to it. Quotes have a way of doing that. That's why my journals are filled with quotes from saints of God all around the world that have caused me to stop and ponder.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b>Blanket of Hope</b>.</i> What a lovely thought. Always being covered by God's gift of Grace helps you through all things. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;"><br /></div></div>Grace is such an inclusive word. God's grace touches every area of our life. No matter what the situation is, concern is, happiness is, the word Grace, God's Grace, transforms your mind bringing you hope.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I wrote these words back in March 2022 for my church's newsletter:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>"We’ve all been given the gift of Grace. We have a choice. We
can receive it, or we can deny it. The decision is up to us.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>"God gives this gift freely because He loves us. Not because
we’re entitled to it. Not because we are good. Not because we won it. He freely
gives it. We just have to accept it.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>"The gift of grace is a deep well. We know the simple
definition: “God gives us what we don’t deserve.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In reality He gives us so much more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grace affects everything we do as we live our
life for Him.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><i>"We’re saved because of His Grace. We’re
justified because of His Grace. We can approach God’s Throne because of
Grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His Grace is all we need to live
a complete life in Christ.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><i>"We are gifted to serve because of His
Grace. We can be confident in our calling because He has given us everything we
need to serve Him through His Grace."</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>I like the thought of <i><b>"Blanket of Hope</b>."</i> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrIZNhN9cGiTlo36GK1T9We0E5RM2vf4IJzhU_WUFi1gWZRnLDCxwpVN9tMT4V8CODmHIeqL8OCJzqEDUpfK7Frk1MqQgJgTnOjTbgmSqO6xneYF8CHWu4jQxgbkmpA97R28xdSXjK5BnbGTdXodBJLNd6yVS01J1tnc-QDl_bCJOZP7uVqf_RNBWEvk/s360/Blanket6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrIZNhN9cGiTlo36GK1T9We0E5RM2vf4IJzhU_WUFi1gWZRnLDCxwpVN9tMT4V8CODmHIeqL8OCJzqEDUpfK7Frk1MqQgJgTnOjTbgmSqO6xneYF8CHWu4jQxgbkmpA97R28xdSXjK5BnbGTdXodBJLNd6yVS01J1tnc-QDl_bCJOZP7uVqf_RNBWEvk/w400-h400/Blanket6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Sing with me: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Wonderful Grace of Jesus</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Wonderful grace of Jesus, greater than all my sin;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>How shall my tongue describe it, where shall its praise begin?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Taking away my burden, setting my spirit free,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Refrain:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus, deeper than the mighty rolling sea,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Higher than the mountain, sparkling like a fountain, all sufficient grace for even me;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Broader than the scope of my transgressions, Greater far than all my grief and shame,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Oh magnify the precious Name of Jesus</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Praise His Name!"</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And a new worship hymn "<b>Grace Flows Down" </b>by Christy Nockels says in the refrain:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Amazing grace how sweet the sound,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Amazing love, now flowing down,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>From hands and feet that were nailed to the tree,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>As grace flows down and covers me."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"It covers me,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It covers me,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And covers me."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>By His Grace . . .</b></span></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-32506920070191789382024-03-06T07:09:00.110-05:002024-03-12T04:34:55.685-04:00Busted<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2ASORBPIOBZOpL9K0BSRRBRfmu3d1xiFzH9mD74MbAmKnr94j0ELtgZ61vETX-RJVFHlCWLfvr3tgE2tq5OKFhcl7O0F33slWhB3whYztH-Vf2U4imOzz0t9V0g6fS7dPuFYHFw171G3vwFU5fg8PvnUc-4hE0jLId053-MWuUCgYfLD3IBDF8oirzJc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="960" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2ASORBPIOBZOpL9K0BSRRBRfmu3d1xiFzH9mD74MbAmKnr94j0ELtgZ61vETX-RJVFHlCWLfvr3tgE2tq5OKFhcl7O0F33slWhB3whYztH-Vf2U4imOzz0t9V0g6fS7dPuFYHFw171G3vwFU5fg8PvnUc-4hE0jLId053-MWuUCgYfLD3IBDF8oirzJc=w400-h342" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Prayer. Your prayer life. Have you grown in your prayer life or bottomed out? Do you pray? How do you pray?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For over 40 years I've lacked in prayer. I pray every day. Short prayers. And I've improved. I finally got a small spiral ruled notebook, and I write down names and concerns. But I don't always pick it up and use it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, I was busted. Royally. Jerry and I visited an older couple, yes, even older than us. We got to talking about prayer. The women pulled out her prayer notebook and show it to me. It was astonishing. I felt small. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">God wants us to pray all the time. He wants us to talk with Him. Cry with Him. Laugh with Him. He wants a relationship with us. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was amazed at the pages filled with names and concerns in her prayer notebook "<i>This is a prayer warrior,</i>" I knew. "<i>This is somebody who spends a lot of time talking with God. This is a woman who knows He answers prayer.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As I get older, I can see myself spending more time in prayer. The simple fact that one slows down and can't move as they did in younger years provides the opportunity to pray more.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Seeing what this woman does each day made an impression on me. I may be a Christian of over 40 years, and I may be up in age, but I still have a lot to learn.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Because my eyes were opened by a true prayer warrior, I am making some changes to help me become a better person of prayer. I now have a designate time in the afternoon when I will turn to my prayer notebook. I've already started. This one change has made my morning devotion time richer. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Busted. I'm so glad I was.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><i>"Prayer does not enable us to do a great work for God. Prayer is a greater work for God."</i></div><div>Thomas Chalmers, 1780-1847</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KZMZ3hsynA4DrGmRu1P2ATmW1mIpoI0_MDKKI0oS8a3SR8YOju5GnpUUf5bQ2lBv32JZgpkctMpN_vljqi48McXbEDrjCwItUxtWuQrBKSa9vW9kWizdnLdlV4O2DOFitqQgt_I1pB7kO5ox56JnfHKiGUfXOQCgxHdZhJ3JUBi6xZ4r9vSQCjx3g8g/s673/BabyLambSleeping.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="673" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KZMZ3hsynA4DrGmRu1P2ATmW1mIpoI0_MDKKI0oS8a3SR8YOju5GnpUUf5bQ2lBv32JZgpkctMpN_vljqi48McXbEDrjCwItUxtWuQrBKSa9vW9kWizdnLdlV4O2DOFitqQgt_I1pB7kO5ox56JnfHKiGUfXOQCgxHdZhJ3JUBi6xZ4r9vSQCjx3g8g/w400-h279/BabyLambSleeping.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i>It just kind of quiets your heart!</i><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">There is a prayer in the book "<i>The Light of His Presence"</i> by Anne Graham Lotz, that caught my attention a few years ago. It's a prayer for our country. Since reading that prayer, I read it every Sunday morning to do my part in praying for our country. I have repeated it below to help you pray for the United States of America, our country, that needs the help only God can give us.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Most Holy God,</span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p><i>"In a world of famine, floods, and fire; a world of disease, death, and the disruption of our everyday activities, I choose to look up from my knees. I see You seated on the throne of glory, in control of all things. <b>All things</b>. I know that You are a God of mercy, grace, faithfulness, and loving-kindness. So I reject fear and its impact on my life, and I place my faith in You. You have said that Your ears are open to the cry of Your people, that Your eyes are upon us, and that Your arms are long enough to reach us and strong enough to hold us. Hold me now. Quiet my racing heart. Breathe Your Spirit of peace into me to calm the fear and turmoil.</i></p><p><i>"Even as I pray for Your peace, I wonder if the disasters erupting in our nation could be the spark that ignites a spiritual awakening. Are You trying to get our attention. I know that, when it comes to our relationship with You, we desperately need to wake up.</i></p><p><i>"We have legalized defiance against Your institution of marriage; we celebrate relationships that contradict Your instructions; we exterminate life that You created and that bears Your image--for our own convenience, we have become so secularized we don't even acknowledge that You exist, much less reverence or obey You.</i></p><p><i>"You have my attention. Therefore, like the prophet Daniel of old, I turn to You in humility and shame as I confess on behalf of America some of the national sins that come to mind . . .</i></p><p><i>"I confess national addiction to sex. To money. To pleasure. To entertainment. To pornography. To technology. To popularity. To ourselves.</i></p><p><i>"I confess our foolishness in denying You as the one true, living God, our Creator to whom we are accountable, living as though our lives are a cosmic accident with no eternal significance, purpose, or meaning.</i></p><p><i>"I confess our greed that has run up trillions of dollars of national debt.</i></p><p><i>"I confess our arrogance and pride that has led us to think we are sufficient in ourselves.</i></p><p><i>"I confess to believing that our nation's prosperity comes from our own greatness, while refusing to acknowledge that all blessings come from Your hand.</i></p><p><i>"I confess that we depend on our military might and our weapons systems to protect us from harm and danger while we deny, defy, and ignore You.</i></p><p><i>"I confess that we have succumbed to the pressure of pluralism in our desire to be inclusive, honoring other gods as though You are just one of many.</i></p><p><i>"I confess that we have allowed the material blessings You have given us to deceive us into thinking we don't need You.</i></p><p><i>I confess that we have valued our foolish pursuit of happiness through wealth and prosperity rather than treasuring our relationship with You. I confess that we have marginalized truth and main-streamed lies.</i></p><p><i>"I confess that we have become one nation under many gods, divided and polarized, with license to sin and justice that no longer follows the rule of law.</i></p><p><i>"Holy Spirit of the living God, convict us of the need to turn from our sin and get right with You.</i></p><p><i>"Lord God, have mercy on us. As we repent of our sin and return to You, return to us. There is no one like You to help the powerless against our mighty enemies, be they visible or invisible. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on You.</i></p><p><i>"I hold You to the promise you gave to King Solomon. You said, "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land, or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers."</i></p><p><i>"I hold You to Your word as I plead with You. Hear my prayer. Forgive our sin. Heal our land. I am standing in the gap for our nation.</i></p><p><i>"I pray in the name of the One who is our Deliverer. Our beautiful and only Savior. Lord of the nations. Son of God and Son of man. The living, reigning, soon-to-return Lord of lords and King of kings, Jesus Christ.</i></p><p><i>"In His Name and for His glory, I pray. Amen."</i></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKDDxAldb_fT9-hDCsV9tE705BfWIOHYibyaePLtR8bleFZG9bOquEWqdhXmhMl7Nwb-wAsnzDKM6l4ltTJGLm760hDZuW1XBRSGutAXnV4Izko6f4qkcLS7VDIb896P1PGVvtSwDdlFKZXjMizgUmEmLvZXgoiqnzEPkYACN2XpaEkot8KZwhx6Vcig/s1564/MainStreet1%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKDDxAldb_fT9-hDCsV9tE705BfWIOHYibyaePLtR8bleFZG9bOquEWqdhXmhMl7Nwb-wAsnzDKM6l4ltTJGLm760hDZuW1XBRSGutAXnV4Izko6f4qkcLS7VDIb896P1PGVvtSwDdlFKZXjMizgUmEmLvZXgoiqnzEPkYACN2XpaEkot8KZwhx6Vcig/w324-h400/MainStreet1%20copy.jpg" width="324" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>By His Grace . . . </b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-26414589439882478952024-03-05T04:41:00.000-05:002024-03-05T04:41:52.990-05:00The Barnyard<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzSy0mmWN70CYKJ_f-62f3FkhogmtwidiM8otuvKUzw10LlgeAbm0VbPUfh_qjosmb6wpV6vuQnBpsHQcxpQhFtCL5OcToMNmMTrDnGIlzfog6NGTAqO-Kk9v3XK08UwBlBz0gxTdcENH7yyUC6L0QtetrjG1hiVJGNMQhna5OyEpdbddwDUx76JHitDw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3635" data-original-width="2517" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzSy0mmWN70CYKJ_f-62f3FkhogmtwidiM8otuvKUzw10LlgeAbm0VbPUfh_qjosmb6wpV6vuQnBpsHQcxpQhFtCL5OcToMNmMTrDnGIlzfog6NGTAqO-Kk9v3XK08UwBlBz0gxTdcENH7yyUC6L0QtetrjG1hiVJGNMQhna5OyEpdbddwDUx76JHitDw=w443-h640" width="443" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When I turn the calendar over to March I begin thinking about baby lamb. I visited my first barnyard at 52 years old. A friend from church knew a family that had a sheep farm, and they let me come and take pictures. It was a delightful afternoon!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A city girl visiting a barnyard. Since that time, I've visited two other barnyards and had just as good a time as the first one. Below are some of the pictures I took that day. It still thrills my heart!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhys6Hv_ZZLmZ90ekCKpcV59buZU0kYPrJSp3-wVC6qL6R8x45YqsLlhLFjpTDPo7jcOhTwpAxeJSJxVekMSGLr6gVH_l-l4z0bTZDaNsjDmbMM7ehRImoXx1lRG-gQ4J6vJghy_BlV5kOgPCSGfqWEqKLUzTP04AkSWw5ZSghicXI5kYrfog0Ky1n4qNg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhys6Hv_ZZLmZ90ekCKpcV59buZU0kYPrJSp3-wVC6qL6R8x45YqsLlhLFjpTDPo7jcOhTwpAxeJSJxVekMSGLr6gVH_l-l4z0bTZDaNsjDmbMM7ehRImoXx1lRG-gQ4J6vJghy_BlV5kOgPCSGfqWEqKLUzTP04AkSWw5ZSghicXI5kYrfog0Ky1n4qNg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tender times.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZNvNEJx8VgZVI7geSPHEM1VQ5Lx-c_3frEiyC5VSROJDpOt1RPTMROd_bCxOpQrYSXojqQ9fTG6o4Sw1e1OOR9N6lUa4Lbz5qUxC0C6-W9G2YjdKhzya2rge0Jq-MyWLBunMJrwGY392bhOmAyKmX75IJQzXlPFbD_KToikk-QEtR6dEGn3cJ8-U1vWI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="599" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZNvNEJx8VgZVI7geSPHEM1VQ5Lx-c_3frEiyC5VSROJDpOt1RPTMROd_bCxOpQrYSXojqQ9fTG6o4Sw1e1OOR9N6lUa4Lbz5qUxC0C6-W9G2YjdKhzya2rge0Jq-MyWLBunMJrwGY392bhOmAyKmX75IJQzXlPFbD_KToikk-QEtR6dEGn3cJ8-U1vWI=w640-h450" width="640" /></a></div>Lady in waiting.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilHVsg43bPOrlJq3KburxB6UBOS_ArABBU35jeiwn2rHP6XiNW5MwI01AaWM4G18RYfuTiD-CvMaTxupeVvFLFDI0JPPxhR3FxsPMBE3P9nsy5uY8kjZ8tGMfZ_Qv7k77r6zdK5gRRvDI24o-LqdWBuWW08jbEXZBfxj4pZO_E6GLFBXizJgBu9HkGhCA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilHVsg43bPOrlJq3KburxB6UBOS_ArABBU35jeiwn2rHP6XiNW5MwI01AaWM4G18RYfuTiD-CvMaTxupeVvFLFDI0JPPxhR3FxsPMBE3P9nsy5uY8kjZ8tGMfZ_Qv7k77r6zdK5gRRvDI24o-LqdWBuWW08jbEXZBfxj4pZO_E6GLFBXizJgBu9HkGhCA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>The door into fun!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVSw68SPBOvlWIxIVQ0kIhc5pup7KHM55IDaMP4V8c63zIU0m9JxUrFT1qo-Ri-kaH5QKKFh7LiWAHPF2BgLUnTtq2C5RN5Q3oxmM4OfyBMD-YQvKU14W9YCrtR0wtnhfBHGyJIDyWneztmQ73AMQ1UhRUt2Tvxiig_6U1RO7HDTQjdTj_0UeyKq-iK-Y" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="509" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVSw68SPBOvlWIxIVQ0kIhc5pup7KHM55IDaMP4V8c63zIU0m9JxUrFT1qo-Ri-kaH5QKKFh7LiWAHPF2BgLUnTtq2C5RN5Q3oxmM4OfyBMD-YQvKU14W9YCrtR0wtnhfBHGyJIDyWneztmQ73AMQ1UhRUt2Tvxiig_6U1RO7HDTQjdTj_0UeyKq-iK-Y=w640-h456" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A happy girl!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUZMFDzEw3ztx-vKulfRGbFTTQaYsq3Ia6B4qasWOrZL770jVQSAktXQ7xWDbk2ax7y5g4xkUlyvUHfHd_I6iDRIte2Y2_TjYhDJ6RKbLb-gguIeJyyAn4eTf9Q9nSvFGvqe8wq8NWpHbyM3spJS68IObeROv4aUOwEDYam4AktOJF01KtAU6-8esEwxA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUZMFDzEw3ztx-vKulfRGbFTTQaYsq3Ia6B4qasWOrZL770jVQSAktXQ7xWDbk2ax7y5g4xkUlyvUHfHd_I6iDRIte2Y2_TjYhDJ6RKbLb-gguIeJyyAn4eTf9Q9nSvFGvqe8wq8NWpHbyM3spJS68IObeROv4aUOwEDYam4AktOJF01KtAU6-8esEwxA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguJpR0drOMXuqEbVZ52GyftkvYyTNfxVFI4h1Rxh1Kt01oWZOoO-QfvRrsoInFaong_j0BKRxH7MiAchfUuY3ouWqVasZrU4gIF-l4uqjLFLJ2pRDkA7g9eMRIAXSSjrGBXg-3wVwsNbATdEXDcSM8FG2cJd4yy34G860OmvneyZ2U0YRC8g66rq0r-Q0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguJpR0drOMXuqEbVZ52GyftkvYyTNfxVFI4h1Rxh1Kt01oWZOoO-QfvRrsoInFaong_j0BKRxH7MiAchfUuY3ouWqVasZrU4gIF-l4uqjLFLJ2pRDkA7g9eMRIAXSSjrGBXg-3wVwsNbATdEXDcSM8FG2cJd4yy34G860OmvneyZ2U0YRC8g66rq0r-Q0=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWRASYAGU_LDGc7e1QI76I_DfnZV3YfhgNdU2evTxU4xOHCH1hO_AWpNgQZemgVfCTRBkrGNSFXkOFKxGjFKY6cGAAH7uOx7N-4T1fzy7ghWGRko5fntFCdqu-PXYE2yI-UeDqlKRLvGNGSofSkJDT_y1XSo0GJ2cg98u7WFjZ8xwE4hux7hwsZxMm3Tc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWRASYAGU_LDGc7e1QI76I_DfnZV3YfhgNdU2evTxU4xOHCH1hO_AWpNgQZemgVfCTRBkrGNSFXkOFKxGjFKY6cGAAH7uOx7N-4T1fzy7ghWGRko5fntFCdqu-PXYE2yI-UeDqlKRLvGNGSofSkJDT_y1XSo0GJ2cg98u7WFjZ8xwE4hux7hwsZxMm3Tc=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>Ah . . . there must be something good inside there!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhH_QWgDK-sd6CX1lW13p3qshROZcaiqpNVZigCmWBp4w3QNqLanfRT1iowhPzbpUbQeKs2Xo9RiMpjkGufPGWez4aIe4SS3OzWIVx6fWg93XZbGZiSjPpJSqq5QM13AQN9ZEo_dfpNoFLmsJuBsb55zQiMn8hdO7r7yEWEw-avJVJuys4bHpRY48K1so8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2838" data-original-width="2007" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhH_QWgDK-sd6CX1lW13p3qshROZcaiqpNVZigCmWBp4w3QNqLanfRT1iowhPzbpUbQeKs2Xo9RiMpjkGufPGWez4aIe4SS3OzWIVx6fWg93XZbGZiSjPpJSqq5QM13AQN9ZEo_dfpNoFLmsJuBsb55zQiMn8hdO7r7yEWEw-avJVJuys4bHpRY48K1so8=w453-h640" width="453" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Resting on a spring afternoon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For me, it was an exciting, happy day! A wonderful way to welcome March. You country girls have a lot over this city girl. I've been to two barnyards here in PA. I'm ready to go again!</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>By His Grace . . .</b></span></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-87475634487789501832024-02-27T04:33:00.002-05:002024-02-27T04:33:56.926-05:00Dew Drops<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hosea 14:5</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUrj27wvpOmc-HoHAKDL92wUBoVhXGqJWCwnFJ75FHLiYL9lbpyRWmatxw5rRY8XOj9Rr-eBRLg4FTuYM98-vyXXANfGwu4qPQOzW7rMJpScmeu-3eqfQnXWpvgtGs8DUQpQQRQFo9_glIjCo7nJvhmkFQCbSuvEmYhUzBhPlvjM5Bl0Ix3_kkijp8zk/s4000/Magnolia1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUrj27wvpOmc-HoHAKDL92wUBoVhXGqJWCwnFJ75FHLiYL9lbpyRWmatxw5rRY8XOj9Rr-eBRLg4FTuYM98-vyXXANfGwu4qPQOzW7rMJpScmeu-3eqfQnXWpvgtGs8DUQpQQRQFo9_glIjCo7nJvhmkFQCbSuvEmYhUzBhPlvjM5Bl0Ix3_kkijp8zk/w480-h640/Magnolia1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Dew. A word we don't think upon often or talk about. Dew might not be as flashy as rain or snow, but it quietly supports life in our natural world.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, when I read the title "<i>I Will Be Like The Dew</i>" in the devotion book "<i>Healing Water for the Soul</i>" by Mrs. L. B. Cowman, it caused me to stop and consider. What did the Scripture verse mean?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The internet said: <i>"Dew, those delicate beads of moisture that grace our mornings, might seem inconspicuous, but they play a vital role in our ecosystems. "</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, the dew of a fresh morning is a delight. You've noticed it if you've walked through a garden in the early morning. Fresh. Will God do that for us?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_JGwIVRA_FtXUKBXfNY2i6MGflXJkkNw-vVBNFRZLyLnvf5_7akArhoYH59wPb55hunGCVQdZchGlA60v1DFM2O8uLkbr5FR5WijRbT6bUx9eBlxDew8AI1ynXF4q-sj8tVxHWWojCKI8jlbnRFqYABHVlkgYGvp8bm2WWW42_YugUbDcl6Go9VEs64/s4000/MyPeonies27.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_JGwIVRA_FtXUKBXfNY2i6MGflXJkkNw-vVBNFRZLyLnvf5_7akArhoYH59wPb55hunGCVQdZchGlA60v1DFM2O8uLkbr5FR5WijRbT6bUx9eBlxDew8AI1ynXF4q-sj8tVxHWWojCKI8jlbnRFqYABHVlkgYGvp8bm2WWW42_YugUbDcl6Go9VEs64/w480-h640/MyPeonies27.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I got out my trusty commentaries and found these words:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">From Clarke's Commentary on Studylight.org, observations of Lowth: "<i>These verses contain gracious promises of God's favor and blessings upon Israel's conversion . . . if we consider all the beauty of the oriental lilies, the fragrance of the cedars . . . the beauteous appearance which the spreading olive trees afforded, the exhilarating coolness caused by the shade of such trees . . .what a glorious prophecy! . . . The promises are not for Israel; they are for all the people of God."</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On Biblestudytools.com it says: <i>"The dew which comes from heaven is a great blessing of God, very refreshing and fruitful to the earth; and the Lord is that unto His people; it is not only the cause of quickening dead sinners, but of reviving, cheering, and refreshing the drooping spirits of His people; and its abundance, never fails, but always continues . . .and so He is in the blessings of His grace . . in great abundance, cheering and exhilarating, as forgiveness of sin, a justifying righteousness. These are of God, and come down from heaven, seem little in themselves, but of great importance to the conversion of sinners, and comfort of saints; bring many blessings in them, and cause great joy and fruitfulness."</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, I like the sound of that! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Fresh, sweet dew. Another little thing God does for us that mostly goes unnoticed. Not thought about but means so much.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HD-g143Mu4eHCiwsYzLCjcsOLm4rCzdpEIL8g_auLH6fOj76myb5YLUTqcpWcF3inyjacu5a4xIADzhErK-KoLm1chA6yoB-TuSNQCjgqfNKcvRjU1WaDjxH7Lt3ULs6HkHITmQ7w4Fn1MtRYrSvD6nmdAUHnSrcRgs5lMZFJ6-fBauYCl4ZEl5fND4/s470/Fall2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="331" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HD-g143Mu4eHCiwsYzLCjcsOLm4rCzdpEIL8g_auLH6fOj76myb5YLUTqcpWcF3inyjacu5a4xIADzhErK-KoLm1chA6yoB-TuSNQCjgqfNKcvRjU1WaDjxH7Lt3ULs6HkHITmQ7w4Fn1MtRYrSvD6nmdAUHnSrcRgs5lMZFJ6-fBauYCl4ZEl5fND4/w450-h640/Fall2.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"And the refreshing dew from heaven that is so beautifully
promised to revive Israel is equally God's promise to the Church, for we have
already been showered with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms, in
Christ. For we were called and chosen from the pit of sin, cleansed and clothed
in His robe of righteousness, saved and redeemed, sanctified and glorified, in
Christ Jesus, our Lord."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dailyverse.knowing-Jesus.com</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>By His Grace . . .</b></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-6720079235670112792024-02-20T04:28:00.000-05:002024-02-20T04:28:39.988-05:00Nature Is The Answer<div style="text-align: center;"> “<i>Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens; who created
all these?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He who brings out the starry host by one and calls forth each of
them by name</i>.” </div><div style="text-align: center;">Isaiah 40:26</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmBZn7_n3-LSRAvis6QbqvsHQwdvd2W6-NvYc-x2kKGhzzHG2tl_0ShRvsgqlgRV144API7YtVOr7jSE3JfwJzewlin3tohUnBAfHarlH6EdWn4q8QoXL00RBBslz3NaxQbMrRBQv2J26AxrYacd4zCDyBGRdUs2yzQ6v6mNqfPyTT-iPeUI-PMzJmGY/s1695/ThreeDeeerInSnow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1695" data-original-width="1184" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmBZn7_n3-LSRAvis6QbqvsHQwdvd2W6-NvYc-x2kKGhzzHG2tl_0ShRvsgqlgRV144API7YtVOr7jSE3JfwJzewlin3tohUnBAfHarlH6EdWn4q8QoXL00RBBslz3NaxQbMrRBQv2J26AxrYacd4zCDyBGRdUs2yzQ6v6mNqfPyTT-iPeUI-PMzJmGY/w448-h640/ThreeDeeerInSnow.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">In Oswald Chambers book <i>“My Utmost for His Highest,”</i>
the modern classic edition, the title of a devotion caught my eyes. “<i>Is Your
Imagination of God Starved?”</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Just like words, titles can spur us to ponder and take action
after reading them. I thought, <i>“What does he mean is my imagination of God
starved</i>?” I liked the answer: nature. In my words, do I see God in all
of nature?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AUFqEe7tSaWw_kugCu7GYJQI1rdgszulPjATfMX0e2eYIw8g0PaBq1dBQH0RBae0PXj43SpQbZ3k2EBUZmgeU277DIGo4iWQuT6bvIDZFpfCKYYyM2WMYmJmJ2-ZBprv1XDwDUwA56ncDIcE4CVvDKOjowlZnHM879O3dDeXuUePWn3BPZ03vNnICM4/s4000/Snow%2012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AUFqEe7tSaWw_kugCu7GYJQI1rdgszulPjATfMX0e2eYIw8g0PaBq1dBQH0RBae0PXj43SpQbZ3k2EBUZmgeU277DIGo4iWQuT6bvIDZFpfCKYYyM2WMYmJmJ2-ZBprv1XDwDUwA56ncDIcE4CVvDKOjowlZnHM879O3dDeXuUePWn3BPZ03vNnICM4/w480-h640/Snow%2012.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i>“Nature to a child of God is sacramental. In every wind
that blows, in every night and every day, in every sign of the sky, in every
blossoming and withering of the earth, there is a real coming of God to us, if
we will only use our starved imagination to realize it. If we learn to
associate ideas worthy of God with all that happens in nature—with the sunrises
and the sunsets, with the moon and the stars, with the changing seasons—our
imaginations will never be at the mercy of our impulses but will always be at
His service” </i>(Chambers)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We complain so much about every kind of weather, and yet God
is the maker of all weather. If we look close enough . . . if we listen . . . <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>if we consider the spring morning, the summer
heat, the fall wind and the winter chill as gifts from a loving God, might we
sit back and admire His creation?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The weather might postpone an outing, disappoint an
expectation and cancel plans. Yet, in later years, sitting back and watching
all kinds of weather becomes simpler and is an enjoyable activity.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8x6wlO63WOZpkalp65eM2-wabKiEWElG5YkoX40o__rBe_fXr5jPnwlk6nyh00NUGEx7an1N2jT3JqkoIJsn-eDRfFqJgrT-OvXuFbBpj82VXIWDjb_K2bA69-uKFtfIPvK6VvkLCSnti6h82bxh_m2ZcWCjCQZwYp5NGg_47hUiCsjbpyWRjphmPX-U/s3209/Snow%2013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3209" data-original-width="2286" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8x6wlO63WOZpkalp65eM2-wabKiEWElG5YkoX40o__rBe_fXr5jPnwlk6nyh00NUGEx7an1N2jT3JqkoIJsn-eDRfFqJgrT-OvXuFbBpj82VXIWDjb_K2bA69-uKFtfIPvK6VvkLCSnti6h82bxh_m2ZcWCjCQZwYp5NGg_47hUiCsjbpyWRjphmPX-U/w456-h640/Snow%2013.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">On Enduringword.com, David Guzik said this about Isaiah
40:26: “<i>Isaiah can’t believe that anyone could doubt the greatness of God
when they see the glory of God’s creation. First, He sits above all creation.
(It is He who sits above the circle of the earth.) Second, He created it all.
(Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain.)</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Isaiah’s amazement is well placed. How can anyone look
at the glory and design evident in creation, and fail to understand that there
must be a Glorious Designer behind it all . . . Isaiah uses an interesting
phrase when he describes God as the One who sits above the circle of the
earth. How could Isaiah possibly know that the earth’s shape was a circle? He
probably didn’t know, but the LORD who spoke through Isaiah did know. . . God’s
mastery over all creation is shown by the fact that He can bring out all the
stars by number, and then He calls them all by name. With the
billions and billions of stars in the universe, it is staggering to know that
God can number and name them all</i>.” (Chambers)<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-F98p5Befh2mHRmxIBXXARpXbQf2NnVjxKdyL_2wYH4lbEnywyt7AAJYDewOjk3SmM2pJvopB0HQFKQdqw4QuuhlvoomaUNusmVgsMN0Csnq9nr7cJeQTx3h1aftyzONMYRcfr238w2P-xECjHJ60apP17kW0ZfGy6tk1mVG5v_oVAtYi4sql9-JBCU/s4000/SnowDeer25.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-F98p5Befh2mHRmxIBXXARpXbQf2NnVjxKdyL_2wYH4lbEnywyt7AAJYDewOjk3SmM2pJvopB0HQFKQdqw4QuuhlvoomaUNusmVgsMN0Csnq9nr7cJeQTx3h1aftyzONMYRcfr238w2P-xECjHJ60apP17kW0ZfGy6tk1mVG5v_oVAtYi4sql9-JBCU/w640-h480/SnowDeer25.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I loved it when we fed deer. I had my own little wildlife reserve in my backyard. But soon the bags of corn got too heavy, and the bucket to carry the corn out got too heavy. But the memories I have are delightful!</i></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Is your imagination of God starved? The remedy is simple.
Take a walk outside and remember who made everything, even you.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>By His Grace . . .</b></span></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-3482785356543404552024-02-13T04:17:00.000-05:002024-02-13T04:17:56.161-05:00A Special Love for Valentine's Day<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhfnBhGwuBiQpBeygiF0-vjOjGydO7GlvBqMoMDtV8seyEG4NO1k6hAcGKAn2WNaSfmwUdUggR7wuX48FqgQ8YOPsW4NJ1CHRx3wD19mcY_CLjhN9GIO6PdBQf2gFAqRBzhbfadMLpPr2EWIbPZDldJ_kim3gBlUIQewZ61DZSRSxdMMVSwP_R2I2-MU/s577/PreciousOne.bmp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhfnBhGwuBiQpBeygiF0-vjOjGydO7GlvBqMoMDtV8seyEG4NO1k6hAcGKAn2WNaSfmwUdUggR7wuX48FqgQ8YOPsW4NJ1CHRx3wD19mcY_CLjhN9GIO6PdBQf2gFAqRBzhbfadMLpPr2EWIbPZDldJ_kim3gBlUIQewZ61DZSRSxdMMVSwP_R2I2-MU/w500-h640/PreciousOne.bmp" width="500" /></a></div><i>Graphic created by my friend, Karla Dornacher, artist and author.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The following article was published in my church's newsletter in July, 2023. With Valentine's Day tomorrow, I just want to shine my love, my hope and my thanks to my God. He is Almighty . . . Yahweh . . . Everlasting . . . Father . . . Good Shepherd . . . Immanuel . . . King Eternal . . . Mighty One . . . Prince of Peace . . . Physician . . . Redeemer . . . Righteous One . . . the Rose of Sharon. Read and rejoice about the Glory of God.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What does the “<i>Glory of God</i>” mean to you? Does it
mean His splendor, His greatness? His power?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>God’s Glory</i> means all of the above and so much
more. Scripture is full of verses that
speak of <i>God’s Glory. </i>See 2 Corinthians 4:6, Ephesians 1:24, Hebrews 1:3.<i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">No dictionary definition could do justice in trying to
describe the word glory, when we refer to <i>God’s Glory</i>. No understanding
that we may have could ever describe <i>God’s Glory.</i> It’s beyond our
comprehension. It will take all eternity to fully understand and experience the
wonder of <i>God’s Glory</i>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We’re told Jesus is the radiance of <i>God’s Glory</i> and
the exact representation of His Being. Everything we’ve learned and know about
Jesus is exactly who our God is. Hebrews 1:3<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>God’s Glory</i> has multiple meanings in Scripture. The
display of His magnificence, the praise and honor showered upon His great Name,
and awesome splendor.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God’s Glory is important because we see His power and
majestic beauty. When we praise God it reminds us of how good He is. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One of the major displays
of <i>God’s Glory</i> today is one not often discussed, or thought about. It is
the work He does in ordinary people like you and me. When we remember the
person we were before we were saved and recognize all God has done in us since
that time, we can only shake our heads in wonderment. I sometimes say to
myself, <i>“Who am I?</i>” when I think of all God has done in my life.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How do you take the One who
is omnipotent, omniscient,
omnipresent, eternal, holy, glorious, and try to wrap all that glory into an answer?
It is hard to do.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why is His Glory so important? Seeing <i>God’s Glory</i> in
the heavens and the earth points to how amazing and wonderful He is. We see His
power and majestic beauty.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Moses wanted to see His Glory, but God put him in the cleft
of the rock and covered him until He passed by. Today God’s presence dwells
within us. As we surrender to the Holy Spirit, <i>God’s Glory</i> within will
radiate to those around us.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“<i>And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His Glory</i>.’” Isaiah 6:3<span face=""Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3chuaXMrHdoViF2JWUQF09wF1Grogzq-yYZ5Uzb96j3uUGkOFytS7VSAMDRgwxnR8BJm8UDypiXgqH_OVjQ6272BJ7b79iZu-ra4i8rcUvlSkZv24NWVneY-GMSsSnzuCiBzL-KBliHl5O2MXiPfvY3Lo_5pCEMzzew9V4wijCV9ewib-pdylokHOYA/s2251/Me.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2251" data-original-width="1618" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3chuaXMrHdoViF2JWUQF09wF1Grogzq-yYZ5Uzb96j3uUGkOFytS7VSAMDRgwxnR8BJm8UDypiXgqH_OVjQ6272BJ7b79iZu-ra4i8rcUvlSkZv24NWVneY-GMSsSnzuCiBzL-KBliHl5O2MXiPfvY3Lo_5pCEMzzew9V4wijCV9ewib-pdylokHOYA/s320/Me.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: "Dancing Script"; font-size: xx-large;">By His Grace . . .</b></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-54656654584040563782024-02-06T04:33:00.000-05:002024-02-06T04:33:27.066-05:00Them There Words Again<div style="text-align: center;"><i> "Words--so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary, </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>how potent for good and evil they become, in the hands of one</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> who knows how to combine them!"</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Nathaniel Hawthorne1804-1864</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWuxXGdQELQ7vfbT75McArx-z6g5s0T7f32iDUSjGX0s59Q8pQ9A8f3NqLHYiJSJwB1HIRs-0MIw0wRJzR1_BR26k1D2YRV_aygu0KFWu7ws_mM2Pj7oWTDxtlXiDYGrQVOrlNRJBbYF13XpPq3DN_62qGlm7RKfeu7YHQsqJj2IUeba8JqA8Fe5vUsA/s820/K2sSnowWindow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="526" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWuxXGdQELQ7vfbT75McArx-z6g5s0T7f32iDUSjGX0s59Q8pQ9A8f3NqLHYiJSJwB1HIRs-0MIw0wRJzR1_BR26k1D2YRV_aygu0KFWu7ws_mM2Pj7oWTDxtlXiDYGrQVOrlNRJBbYF13XpPq3DN_62qGlm7RKfeu7YHQsqJj2IUeba8JqA8Fe5vUsA/w410-h640/K2sSnowWindow.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This winter wonderland window display was created by my friend, Kathy.</i></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">On my Facebook feed last week was an ad for a book by Anne Graham Lotz. The words in the introduction stopped me. They were beautiful.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's the way of words. They can bring joy to your heart and thrill your soul. They have the ability to stop you and cause you to ponder. I knew I would write those words in my journal. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv90DD_Jsi7vDkGzjRWBPxOI4eyQK8HSqJy8cKQXTqW8rk3PfG-T3b9nxdRsWPEFz21QAlmlbBLXzMoVqddo0SBAoljkd205su2GkzaA30WUmWBJXyGXlxe-tgWU9sW0He-e0fGj_Ao2lybL3NuMDFg_mXdTjdXjigDjrVju7EwOkXaH3j8swbipiNcVU/s2048/KathyKDec2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv90DD_Jsi7vDkGzjRWBPxOI4eyQK8HSqJy8cKQXTqW8rk3PfG-T3b9nxdRsWPEFz21QAlmlbBLXzMoVqddo0SBAoljkd205su2GkzaA30WUmWBJXyGXlxe-tgWU9sW0He-e0fGj_Ao2lybL3NuMDFg_mXdTjdXjigDjrVju7EwOkXaH3j8swbipiNcVU/w480-h640/KathyKDec2023.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Another lovely winer window from my friend, Kathy.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love reading words by gifted writers. Especially when the words speak directly to my heart and how I feel. It thrills my heart reading words that express in a new way something I love. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The title of Anne's book is "<i>The Joy of My Heart.</i>" These are the words she wrote:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"He is . . . the Wind beneath my wings, the Treasure that I seek, the Foundation on which I build,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the Song in my heart, the Object of my desire, the Breath of my life--He is my All in all!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And His Word is the joy of my heart!"</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think most of us can say "<i>that's how I feel.</i>" A true statement for all those who love and live their life for God.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">These are some words that always make me pause and ponder:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Hope</i></b> . . . the very thought that I am His and He is mine. Forever.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Snow </i></b>. . . He washes me as white as snow.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Refresh</i></b> . . . my soul is thrilled when I think on God and all He has done for me.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Glorious</i></b> . . . only God holds that thought in my mind.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Everlasting arms</i></b> . . . I'm held by and forever in my God's arms.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Joy</i></b> . . . the sweetness God brings to your life.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSiCD9UfiVbq6px6wgkrFvZ_7ZqhAHyeLisn-H-zf_WgsKXvJF6iMZ8RUAoLGzviprVMHkVlRA18Gb7UJH2brevrbkhI9yjcYiXocgw63Sm73iUF-3PvNKnI80sYFiChWxwqCfuYQp7cfSuTOJSyqpSIp1VZhs0XdQSk5g8OC7BWlZlzzfmGbZHjqJx8k/s1500/He%20IS%207a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1500" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSiCD9UfiVbq6px6wgkrFvZ_7ZqhAHyeLisn-H-zf_WgsKXvJF6iMZ8RUAoLGzviprVMHkVlRA18Gb7UJH2brevrbkhI9yjcYiXocgw63Sm73iUF-3PvNKnI80sYFiChWxwqCfuYQp7cfSuTOJSyqpSIp1VZhs0XdQSk5g8OC7BWlZlzzfmGbZHjqJx8k/w640-h462/He%20IS%207a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Words. You can't get away from them. We use them all day long. And then there are WORDS. Those words put together to bring happiness to your heart. Those words about God.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"<i>Little keys can open big locks. Simple words can express great thoughts</i>."</div><div style="text-align: center;">William Arthur Ward</div><div style="text-align: center;">1812-1882</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Them there words again.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>By His Grace . . .</b></span></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-44602275668188552012024-01-30T04:34:00.000-05:002024-01-30T04:34:49.381-05:00The Enriched Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0YpwtGlRkUDoTwESoDVF-Nkz6KuUgyfM_2rvoJadC6PlfU2TpyBF463Q0gnrjuY91YMYsS-wzMgHzRIzVnzYOyObJuo7CR7xpC49fSnd5U9-8ZnkqETxr4hAuh4_2OWW7qGWEXowzF10CF4FAVrB5NlIMrqfBw_b-wIY7k9dWyytGI31a_uj5bQOvxQ/s3725/Cotton.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2824" data-original-width="3725" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0YpwtGlRkUDoTwESoDVF-Nkz6KuUgyfM_2rvoJadC6PlfU2TpyBF463Q0gnrjuY91YMYsS-wzMgHzRIzVnzYOyObJuo7CR7xpC49fSnd5U9-8ZnkqETxr4hAuh4_2OWW7qGWEXowzF10CF4FAVrB5NlIMrqfBw_b-wIY7k9dWyytGI31a_uj5bQOvxQ/w400-h304/Cotton.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I've always loved this picture. I bought it a few years ago at a fair in Cook Forest.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The scene is made in cotton.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Back in January 2016, I made a list of ways God enriches my life after reading David Jeremiah's book: <i>The Upward Call</i>. They still ring true today!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">He refreshes me! He's steadfast and true.</div><div style="text-align: left;">He provides peace and brings rest.<br />He enables me to do good things.<br />He helps me to do my best.<br />My worry's are limited because I know He's in control of all things.<br />He brings joy, rich and full joy.<br />He talks to me through His Word.<br />He thrills my soul when I hear others speak of Him and trust Him.<br />He guides my way, confirming choices and opening doors.<br />He cheers me when I'm scared and assures me He loves me.<br />He's always with me. I can always turn to Him when I'm in need. I'm never alone.<br />He provides a family for me to be a part of so I know I belong somewhere.<br />He is trustworthy and true. He never lies.<br />His creation is glorious and majestic. It brings laughter, fun and satisfaction.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What more can you add to this list? How does God enrich your life?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlE2MUuGA9Q4NmTgIULZmeYewuf2wDckjC1_HjOUoqszczwA4xQdVCVa80y7FOKDSMMASdQ6-XlxzNEPcupgdux7d2aKUQi2aVlRWEjiUkf7V0-aOv3WTy5oX_tJqooKwN2gz9BI8yqZ-tr9pUu0ykT2AJWqi2xxUCmoKUhwCiSZ57z_SI_8qJ8Swpmc/s2048/ShenandoahSnowflakeMacro.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlE2MUuGA9Q4NmTgIULZmeYewuf2wDckjC1_HjOUoqszczwA4xQdVCVa80y7FOKDSMMASdQ6-XlxzNEPcupgdux7d2aKUQi2aVlRWEjiUkf7V0-aOv3WTy5oX_tJqooKwN2gz9BI8yqZ-tr9pUu0ykT2AJWqi2xxUCmoKUhwCiSZ57z_SI_8qJ8Swpmc/w400-h266/ShenandoahSnowflakeMacro.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The beauty of a snowflake. Photographer unknown.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Psalm 119 is a favorite psalm. I like what Johannes Paulus Palanterius, from the 1600s, said about it:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>"This Psalm is called the Alphabet of Divine Love, the Paradise of all the Doctrines, the Storehouse of the Holy Spirit, the School of Truth, also the deep mystery of the Scriptures, where the whole moral discipline of all the virtues shines brightly. And as all moral instruction is delightsome, therefore this Psalm, because excelling in this kind of instruction, should be called delightsome, inasmuch as it surpasses the rest. The other Psalms, truly, as lesser stars shine somewhat; but this burns with the meridian heat of its full brightness and is wholly resplendent with moral loveliness."</em> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Spurgeon says the 119th psalm is known among the Germans as "<i>The Christians' golden A B C of the praise, love, power, and use of the Word of God." </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUbVS_6iuUe-K5jUsalLRmFGFTsNfJqFrY8NdziUkUd4uGLsBGL3SwhEnEqTo-CyiUg78uvJ7U-bMBUMxNvsX-u_vhjCLpL0w0I-goRwHuqDEyGaHcy45_Y89jX-kCIYnirfmlNUhu0KLDvAift56ltMfI7I_f4NExqhVxfJ1qatAIp5ex5cTDh6X8Ck/s960/MarjoleinBastin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUbVS_6iuUe-K5jUsalLRmFGFTsNfJqFrY8NdziUkUd4uGLsBGL3SwhEnEqTo-CyiUg78uvJ7U-bMBUMxNvsX-u_vhjCLpL0w0I-goRwHuqDEyGaHcy45_Y89jX-kCIYnirfmlNUhu0KLDvAift56ltMfI7I_f4NExqhVxfJ1qatAIp5ex5cTDh6X8Ck/w400-h400/MarjoleinBastin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Marjolein Bastin Art<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">And on another topic . . . I recommend the DVD<i> The Star of Bethlehem." </i>Our Sunday School teacher recommended it a few years ago, and we purchased it. It is a documentary on "the star of Bethlehem" and is a presentation exploring the truth of Scripture and reveals the evidence for God's existence as seen in the stars above. It is fascinating to see.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzIKvc8wPqKP23IlUz9yd2fo1MQUsPwl3Gtlt1pX7mliMqka6oj2A3BxOEv1Hl8bKMSPxkqZQSbrb9jMCtf93NuSJcpizdCOfSo6zhcnUR9bK7RshB54jGnoMMewhyphenhyphenag-yG_3_kAqsS7NRW7wpPN0vHPVOWZerEUzawvAejGxo6a9r0TI_c3XjEqYN6A/s320/star2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzIKvc8wPqKP23IlUz9yd2fo1MQUsPwl3Gtlt1pX7mliMqka6oj2A3BxOEv1Hl8bKMSPxkqZQSbrb9jMCtf93NuSJcpizdCOfSo6zhcnUR9bK7RshB54jGnoMMewhyphenhyphenag-yG_3_kAqsS7NRW7wpPN0vHPVOWZerEUzawvAejGxo6a9r0TI_c3XjEqYN6A/w320-h320/star2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Enrich: improve or enhance the quality or value of. God certainly does that! Have you thought of ways God has enriched your life?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>By His Grace . . .</b></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-53331012785763004532024-01-23T04:34:00.000-05:002024-01-23T04:34:23.098-05:00Just a Few Words Back . . .<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"His mercies are new every morning; Great is His faithfulness."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lamentations 3:22 </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqooC1h3r97rY5H5rUQnW4-Q2w-DNfW_9pxMSdy8hXSvNWKW-QVULRVBxX-LfH7sNXynJZ-etsZnT9PttYxbCp-Qz0xwTXuwde_V1g0BuJMMuwBMFjPMS7n5dF9e4_MlzLm5DcL7AqkPryGIj_pgFg_lIHe_0MwAMD4rv_G5pzHtsL0RmupnqHZAd8Ko/s3598/Cardinal2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2599" data-original-width="3598" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqooC1h3r97rY5H5rUQnW4-Q2w-DNfW_9pxMSdy8hXSvNWKW-QVULRVBxX-LfH7sNXynJZ-etsZnT9PttYxbCp-Qz0xwTXuwde_V1g0BuJMMuwBMFjPMS7n5dF9e4_MlzLm5DcL7AqkPryGIj_pgFg_lIHe_0MwAMD4rv_G5pzHtsL0RmupnqHZAd8Ko/w400-h289/Cardinal2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We are all familiar with the above Scripture verse and have said it or heard it said hundreds of times. It is well quoted and brings calm and comfort to all that hear it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But just a few words back are words that go with this verse but are rarely spoken of. I was introduced to these words early last Sunday morning, and as I read them, I had to stop and ponder: "<i>This I call to mind; therefore I have hope."</i> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNguQn40b9jEncG5HOX0qTJld2DF8wmXT-bnmF0uoWkRDLw_oYSsqGmOlU9rw-anpUacdY0ncuGhv4Q1YN5bVkdYfauw-JhRUbQjzdY4g15gpJKsDbDytsBP1sEb24wEKd9uYdJsMZnM3n1LuOmZH6N3Ke2ltN7o4riilPVBw51xUMtwDDjON212mW9mE/s1500/HOPE4.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1086" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNguQn40b9jEncG5HOX0qTJld2DF8wmXT-bnmF0uoWkRDLw_oYSsqGmOlU9rw-anpUacdY0ncuGhv4Q1YN5bVkdYfauw-JhRUbQjzdY4g15gpJKsDbDytsBP1sEb24wEKd9uYdJsMZnM3n1LuOmZH6N3Ke2ltN7o4riilPVBw51xUMtwDDjON212mW9mE/w232-h320/HOPE4.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I was reading a devotion in the little book</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>"</i><i>The Prayer </i><i>Jar Devotional: HOPE" </i>by Wanda Brunstetter. The title of the devotion is "<i>Daring to Hope.</i>"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Reading those few words before the well-known verse adds a special touch. HOPE. We can hope because His mercies never fail. We can hope because they are new to us every morning.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">HOPE is a big, beautiful word! It's the reason we can go on living each day because of all God does for us. I can be </div><div style="text-align: left;">calm and be comforted because of God's hope. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Recalling the faithfulness of God in your life makes it possible to be thankful for new mercies each morning. It reminds us of all God has done for us before. We can trust Him each day to be faithful.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Dare to HOPE that God will oversee all</div><div style="text-align: left;">that each minute brings to your life. Take hold of the mercies that never cease. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Remember to recall: "<i>This I call to mind; therefore I have hope."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7jLEdGYnxS5xpnOTxD-VVI9YKs2YcZpBbqantpZESjjMeu51JEbal3E_fms_nnCMI6lVz2CTLVIbqEJPl8g9Tyb7r2XxP78SDtETBkHFda9hU0mQ0ws9HCGS-XCsz1DqoHDka7NPdryD8UQRUQcG6_JIqktf3EWpQSF8IMb3UFRhFS9SWyXXYbNAVEI/s640/Cardinal.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="640" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7jLEdGYnxS5xpnOTxD-VVI9YKs2YcZpBbqantpZESjjMeu51JEbal3E_fms_nnCMI6lVz2CTLVIbqEJPl8g9Tyb7r2XxP78SDtETBkHFda9hU0mQ0ws9HCGS-XCsz1DqoHDka7NPdryD8UQRUQcG6_JIqktf3EWpQSF8IMb3UFRhFS9SWyXXYbNAVEI/w400-h299/Cardinal.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>By His Grace . . .</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><o:p></o:p></i><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: "Dancing Script"; font-size: xx-large;">By His Grace . . .</b></p></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-44441179908018249002024-01-16T04:28:00.001-05:002024-01-16T04:29:30.819-05:00Contentment in Being a Heartsease<div style="text-align: center;"><i>“I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be
content.”</i> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Philippian 4:11</div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbp1NdZM3kxmnNqvrnJTDq4cT9LoywsF1P0HRVBTJEQWNvijryySjR9HOedNBlvsT8ax0g-vDiCulFJ5iWSbQ_0arqv0ilcFOiHWKg38aFnIVxqPUZV6FFGie2ppuShdvDuBXGYM90uOP48_0Qvo3x0RoUDzfDMpWpVmw1Tnk9jryL2Qe562zarShpPg/s1000/Heartsease.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1000" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbp1NdZM3kxmnNqvrnJTDq4cT9LoywsF1P0HRVBTJEQWNvijryySjR9HOedNBlvsT8ax0g-vDiCulFJ5iWSbQ_0arqv0ilcFOiHWKg38aFnIVxqPUZV6FFGie2ppuShdvDuBXGYM90uOP48_0Qvo3x0RoUDzfDMpWpVmw1Tnk9jryL2Qe562zarShpPg/w400-h270/Heartsease.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>The beauty of the little Heartsease</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I was a new Christian, I sang in the choir at my home
church. I sat next to a friendly, older lady who took me under her wings. One
Christmas she gave me a copy of the devotion book, <i>Streams in The Desert</i>,
Volume One.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I read that book for a number of years. It helped me understand
the Christian life as a new Christian.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I recently picked the book up again and was reminded of a
story I used to share when I spoke about note writing. Note writing seems like
such a little thing, but this story helped show that nothing done for God is
little. Whatever God has given you to do; whatever gifts He has given you, remember
that every gift is big in God’s eyes.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“A story is told of a king who went into his garden one morning
and found everything withered and dying. He asked the oak that stood near the
gate what the trouble was. He found it was sick of life and determined to die
because it was not tall and beautiful like the pine. The pine was all out of
heart because it could not bear grapes, like the vine. The vine was going to
throw its life away because it could not stand erect and have as fine fruit as
the peach tree. The geranium was fretting because it was not tall and fragrant
like the lilac; and so on all through the garden. Coming to a heartsease, he
found its bright face lifted as cheery as ever. “Well, heartsease, I’m glad,
amidst all this discouragement, to find one brave little flower. You do not
seem to be the least disheartened.” “No, I am not of much account, but I
thought that if you wanted an oak, or a pine, or a peach tree, or a lilac, you
would have planted one; but as I knew you wanted a heartsease, I am determined
to be the best little heartsease that I can.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>“Others may do a
greater work, But you have your part to do; and no one in all God’s heritage
Can do it so well as you.”</i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjgU9a4ILpUAreI0YJhRy0-lhDSWHvQ9iKTwsOrOtbxxM0vGVOR06Rf7CxDjlVKh419HlnX307sQXLa3RoA64HTRAAYQa0OsptsEvI8LpmBuTTHBZ7Isd-T-U-JgwWNuq9qGTmVZnv8UBa7NXgIr5zo7KxXuRQlCcjyY3iWbSiRiGC6T8KNxTRoPifXM/s1236/Make%20a%20Mailbox%20Happycloseup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1236" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjgU9a4ILpUAreI0YJhRy0-lhDSWHvQ9iKTwsOrOtbxxM0vGVOR06Rf7CxDjlVKh419HlnX307sQXLa3RoA64HTRAAYQa0OsptsEvI8LpmBuTTHBZ7Isd-T-U-JgwWNuq9qGTmVZnv8UBa7NXgIr5zo7KxXuRQlCcjyY3iWbSiRiGC6T8KNxTRoPifXM/w400-h183/Make%20a%20Mailbox%20Happycloseup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A graphic that encouraged me many years ago.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>This little story and others like it helped me to believe I was doing something important for God in writing encouraging notes. What are you doing that doesn't seem to be important in God's kingdom? Do you <b>just </b>put tables up and take them down for a fellowship? Do you <b>just</b> cut out things for a Sunday School teacher? Do you <b>just</b> pray at home. Do you <b>just</b> cook soup for the elderly? Do you <b>just</b> drive people to appointments? Do you <b>just</b> take care of your grandchildren? <b>Just. Just. Just.</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">If what you do is for God's glory, and you use the gifts He has given you, it's a BIG thing in His service.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Hck_RhVB9ctKGX3PvUnUlueEF7X5RSkM6aJLNBoVdAmJh8vI2bbMMNzHPs1cnoneJTGnYnUgx3clQuZEr5vXfj7SDyK4TzwtKRdXVQr0Z0GX5dCopLnEKTicr0hsROcl3KcQg0o7_ABbNgGKbdIgpUYXuanc8BBiafq7sZ_tqfRwT4h63gHYM4w7Fxk/s1170/BeStillAndKnowthatIAmGodZenShin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1167" data-original-width="1170" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Hck_RhVB9ctKGX3PvUnUlueEF7X5RSkM6aJLNBoVdAmJh8vI2bbMMNzHPs1cnoneJTGnYnUgx3clQuZEr5vXfj7SDyK4TzwtKRdXVQr0Z0GX5dCopLnEKTicr0hsROcl3KcQg0o7_ABbNgGKbdIgpUYXuanc8BBiafq7sZ_tqfRwT4h63gHYM4w7Fxk/w400-h399/BeStillAndKnowthatIAmGodZenShin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Be the best little heartsease you can be, for yourself. and
for your brothers and sisters in Christ. You will bring a smile to the gardener
of your soul.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>By His Grace . . .</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-70751863940665228072024-01-09T04:35:00.001-05:002024-01-13T17:18:53.192-05:00Girlfriends<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXw9f29VsgZpSZ7GDxPhARD2n_LzTifO2CUQjamopmzM9EMlin9069AOSIhcXAJQVVbLh42ZEA1eT93bOk4WOc7YoN0qZ4zby3mMfZcV-hj78yedNjMRwPJy7gyxdqLwVq72C8Uq2HRfE3pveT5jdX9P_QZ-23_ehT_8cC_Qwlw_r90ziMbtmyOpaWPU/s1674/Necklace.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1674" data-original-width="1236" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXw9f29VsgZpSZ7GDxPhARD2n_LzTifO2CUQjamopmzM9EMlin9069AOSIhcXAJQVVbLh42ZEA1eT93bOk4WOc7YoN0qZ4zby3mMfZcV-hj78yedNjMRwPJy7gyxdqLwVq72C8Uq2HRfE3pveT5jdX9P_QZ-23_ehT_8cC_Qwlw_r90ziMbtmyOpaWPU/w295-h400/Necklace.jpg" width="295" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This is the charm bracket I had made into a necklace in celebration of my 75 years of life which I spoke about in my last post. I will wear it all this year as a reminder and thank you to God for the gift of salvation He has given me and all the good things He continues to give to all those who live for Jesus. I also thank Him for the work He has given me to do for His glory, by His grace, as I live for Him. </i></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;">I
was browsing through my list of things to write about and came across the following words below. I don’t remember where I read them or who wrote them, but with <i>Valentine’s Day</i> just a few weeks away, I decided this would be a good word to pass along.</span></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;">As
many of you know, girlfriends have been my lifeline all through my years. I
have been helped in all situations of my life by their guidance, wisdom and
cheer. Think of your girlfriends as you read the following:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;">"<i>Years
ago, I was at the beach with my family when I noticed a group of ladies nearby
who appeared to be in their 50s. </i></span><i><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;">With
a quick glance, I knew they were on a girls’ weekend. All the signs were there
— coolers, beach bags with romance novels, straw hats, umbrellas
in the sand — but most telling of all was their </span><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;">laughter</span><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;">. Lots and lots of
laughter, the kind that draws attention and curiosity from anyone in earshot.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVdSs2GD_CYQI1ZzwiSiclqf9310xu0c0rPjaiPYCD_L9K9wXsduFVhYOKDTlbOGcMk_yY2502OmbWMDl9akciW5Tw3FOvNP1Xk5Hxl-KTjjsjfJBdqj3Zbj6NM0Wx7fvdzLigo2zR340XcvLjTzRC5KVAmlZqHOv8-0hAW8L18VBLdUIkge6nXuVjFE/s1026/Refreshes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1026" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVdSs2GD_CYQI1ZzwiSiclqf9310xu0c0rPjaiPYCD_L9K9wXsduFVhYOKDTlbOGcMk_yY2502OmbWMDl9akciW5Tw3FOvNP1Xk5Hxl-KTjjsjfJBdqj3Zbj6NM0Wx7fvdzLigo2zR340XcvLjTzRC5KVAmlZqHOv8-0hAW8L18VBLdUIkge6nXuVjFE/w400-h379/Refreshes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>My friend, Karla Dornacher, created this piece, a magnet.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I always had a few available when I gave my note writing talks. </i></div></div><p><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;">"<i>I
loved watching these women enjoy each other’s company. Although they were older
than me, and well past my season of life in having babies, I could imagine
being in their shoes one day, basking in the glow of old friends who still made
me feel young again. <o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"><i>"That
afternoon, I saw two of them in the elevator. When I commented on how much fun
they seemed to have, they smiled and nodded. One replied, 'Oh, we do have fun.
We’ve kept this beach trip going for 20 years and have been through everything
— divorce, death, cancer, unemployment. Don’t ever lose touch with your
girlfriends, sweetheart. The older you get, the more you’ll need them.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"><i>"The
conversation left an impression on me. While I’d always treasured my
girlfriends, I’d never thought about needing them more with age. And if I’m
being honest, it’s only been in the last year or so that I’ve taken their words
to heart.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"><i>"Because
now that I’m in my 40s, I’m seeing how real divorce, death, cancer,
unemployment and other major life problems are. I understand what they meant
when they emphasized the importance of</i> <i>girlfriends, as my age group faces
hardships we couldn’t imagine when we were young and carefree."</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQazflvK-DmA1iQb0_m9EPLc0ddz9sYu9sdRD8AJ7-PDc6iyrbS4an_ogMiiCRxPghQH5CRzq_8Rdl9wck3hvR94_E4_C_RPxqUP8HfGsGXf_vZZPx8tJO5bAJYVNXNYlLadPZ0GdT082pNxobHN7ci8ySmNR8fkf8zoxOf8wLfsL5FKrzdAovCSSUlE/s1105/RefreshedAgain.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="1105" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQazflvK-DmA1iQb0_m9EPLc0ddz9sYu9sdRD8AJ7-PDc6iyrbS4an_ogMiiCRxPghQH5CRzq_8Rdl9wck3hvR94_E4_C_RPxqUP8HfGsGXf_vZZPx8tJO5bAJYVNXNYlLadPZ0GdT082pNxobHN7ci8ySmNR8fkf8zoxOf8wLfsL5FKrzdAovCSSUlE/w400-h333/RefreshedAgain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Another piece of art my friend, Karla, created. With her permission</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I created a Valentine card for my girlfriends with it one year.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;">Interesting words. Our girlfriends can't save us, for only God can do that, but girlfriends can help make a tragedy bearable. They can read our mind and emotions, intuitively recognize</span><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"> what needs to be done -- then do it. They can listen, empathize and show compassion. They can be used by God to comfort us and provide a timely shoulder to cry on.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;">Don't lose touch with your girlfriends. The older you get, the more you'll need them. Having great friends is largely a matter of being a great friend. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-T_ptrEWqB_DsK-ziSxVnFqJMCWRdJun2l3BnyuPltFY5jHs9zoGTxTmK7OnFLKMs35B2Wk5dde-X_Tj-xp38Pfl0WNm8v2ZG5KeJ4z4Bbm7tn2sLLR5rHcCPo8uMY1H-SaQnf0r7jpXfPGgAFv4Kg6tKbBgQ0pcGgIaJqIC0QcM3hzd0yKCvuKiuKA/s1758/CelebrationOfFriends.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1182" data-original-width="1758" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-T_ptrEWqB_DsK-ziSxVnFqJMCWRdJun2l3BnyuPltFY5jHs9zoGTxTmK7OnFLKMs35B2Wk5dde-X_Tj-xp38Pfl0WNm8v2ZG5KeJ4z4Bbm7tn2sLLR5rHcCPo8uMY1H-SaQnf0r7jpXfPGgAFv4Kg6tKbBgQ0pcGgIaJqIC0QcM3hzd0yKCvuKiuKA/w400-h269/CelebrationOfFriends.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"><i>My "Celebration of Friends" party! My special girlfriends</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"><i>from elementary school up to that time in my life.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;">My friend, Kathy, recently reminded me of the party I had on my 50th birthday: a "<i>Celebration of Friends</i>" party to honor those girlfriends that have been with me through my life. It's one of the best things I have ever done.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;">We sang a special song that day (Sister's Keeper) because we share a special bond:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"><i>"It's not just accidental that our paths have crossed this way,</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"><i>I believe Divine appointment has brought us here today.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"><i>We all need each other, and we all need a hand,</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"><i>Together we can make it, together we will stand."</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"><i>"I will be my sister's keeper, If you fall I'll lift you up,</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"><i>While we walk this road together, He will keep us in His love."</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;">Words and music by Twila McBridge LaBar and Anita Renfroe</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;">Sung by: Kim Hopper</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;">Remember your girlfriends. Valentine's Day will be here soon. A special note or call or card or text from a friend sharing your love and appreciation will not only make your girlfriends smile but</span><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"> will put a smile in your heart. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-2rnDC9yXJgq7Zw200LSHgGxLMB3BgAT-OLJWZI-uGTeC0wMYDntkgNg86Kl5Gg-xuVoLBvUKw8syL_tdN6EFkG9T9jpy-DE8Bc08I7dTKlu7Gh4MPQi9pPa6-14kW4te4LpObbkXeaAGc3vGKc1FnzX7fyA3_Pt-My1ow2EkyTuhWRcOu5yuDi3uRo/s475/Kate&Molly2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="475" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-2rnDC9yXJgq7Zw200LSHgGxLMB3BgAT-OLJWZI-uGTeC0wMYDntkgNg86Kl5Gg-xuVoLBvUKw8syL_tdN6EFkG9T9jpy-DE8Bc08I7dTKlu7Gh4MPQi9pPa6-14kW4te4LpObbkXeaAGc3vGKc1FnzX7fyA3_Pt-My1ow2EkyTuhWRcOu5yuDi3uRo/w400-h396/Kate&Molly2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i>Lang created a figurine of Molly and Kate which has special meaning for me.</i><br /><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNova;">Girlfriends. Yes, I love my girlfriends. God has made us unique. We need each other. Don't forget yours!</span></div>
<p><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>By His Grace . . .</b></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-2924870769748110962024-01-02T04:47:00.000-05:002024-01-02T04:47:00.327-05:00The Party Begins!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>"Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>He named it Ebenezer, saying,</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>'Thus far the Lord has helped us.'"</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 Samuel 7:12</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"<i>Then will come old age, sickness, disease, and death, but will this be the end? No! We will awaken to much more -- the likeness of Jesus, thrones, harps, sons, psalms, robes of righteousness, the face of Jesus, the fellowship of the saints, the glory of God, infinite happiness, and the fullness of eternity."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Charles Spurgeon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfx_my8GkuKMoRfoKKQ3F-_f8yEdquFV9VGbPdXrs5zoQFK6PzayM5z8XRSb7hFddxd-1d-ug56YC1S-YuUXuJR4PNfwa4ejAz4wYGl-Kw3yVWZJk3Rt6dmREWf_oZL30tiYBQromNe4JURQadcaMHshfdqLxNq7oFBqSov4rY8_mExnquu_U0KaV__s/s900/APotpourriOfLikes4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="582" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfx_my8GkuKMoRfoKKQ3F-_f8yEdquFV9VGbPdXrs5zoQFK6PzayM5z8XRSb7hFddxd-1d-ug56YC1S-YuUXuJR4PNfwa4ejAz4wYGl-Kw3yVWZJk3Rt6dmREWf_oZL30tiYBQromNe4JURQadcaMHshfdqLxNq7oFBqSov4rY8_mExnquu_U0KaV__s/w414-h640/APotpourriOfLikes4.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2024. A new year. A significant year. A meaningful year. I
turn 75.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In March, on my favorite number of 14, I turn 75. I’m going
to celebrate!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I turned 50, I decided it was time to celebrate all
month. Celebrations give us something to be thankful for. It’s time to
celebrate all year!<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I’ve learned through the years when you don’t have any
family to celebrate with you have to make an effort to celebrate! So, I decided God has done so much for me that it's time to celebrate! Celebrating
special times or accomplishments are important to encourage us all and inspire
us to continue on.</div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I lived in Maryland, I had lifelong friends I could
celebrate with. Since moving to Pennsylvania, where I knew no one, my number of
friends has increased slowly. So, I have made an effort to remember to
celebrate and be happy with small or large accomplishments. Turning 75 is a
large accomplishment! (Of course, partying at 75 is a lot different than partying in my younger years!)<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUF4QpA3uACMdaoVY7ID6PLWQYDF-TkMsMng9NO3egcTm_YZF51RPiAoRuOyOGyuyS0qMGL-JSfmCvrGRtD2co2HQU6hDBvkQ9rfVS_MGSdCqer7DU0jLfOdXnwG409TtJBUz7pNsodfhaKlAlov1D2v9gDhfXB407AOi5lNLO9VpJXGU2123cNW5hp5c/s627/EmpathicPerspectives.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUF4QpA3uACMdaoVY7ID6PLWQYDF-TkMsMng9NO3egcTm_YZF51RPiAoRuOyOGyuyS0qMGL-JSfmCvrGRtD2co2HQU6hDBvkQ9rfVS_MGSdCqer7DU0jLfOdXnwG409TtJBUz7pNsodfhaKlAlov1D2v9gDhfXB407AOi5lNLO9VpJXGU2123cNW5hp5c/w460-h640/EmpathicPerspectives.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Ten years ago I found my lost charm bracelet when we were
cleaning out my mother’s home. I was given the charm bracelet by my parents
when I was in the 10<sup>th</sup> grade.
I started putting charms on it that reflected my life. A graduation cap
was one of the first charms placed on it. A sewing machine charm was next. And
my life story began.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Lady friends. Did you have
a charm bracelet when you were growing up? They've been around a long, long
time. The web placed them in the Neolithic era, 4,000 to 3500 B.C. They’ve
shown up in the Roman Empire, Knights and Middle Ages, early 20th century
through the Greatest Generation. By the 1950s, the charm bracelet was a
must-have accessory for girls and women.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">In Jacki Lyden's book "<i>Charmed
Bracelets"</i> she says: <i>" . . . the most irresistible and alluring
thing about a charm bracelet is its ability to tell a story unique to its
owner . . . Truly, to wear one is to wear your history upon your sleeve."</i>
Jacki also said: <i>"Charm bracelets express who a woman is in a subtle
way, simultaneously giving a whimsical little nod to her style while also
serving as a record of remembrance of her life."</i></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnmST_Swlcq4t2FRhvZryRPFuza9YflmbyekI8CG8RdC0jDkra93lrd_YxcEX1H2tsDcUPXkd9Kk9I7XCXQqgTIWWKHnNITq50NNaN9dmTx9JQX9LdbBUvqX-Cy1o-ZC7Ojht6WAX4u2wMyU7cT_NbYKTsV39O-NuQVDaGbZ4QQFq2hjQGX2_wJGjrHM/s1200/PoetryLoversJRRTolkien.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="675" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnmST_Swlcq4t2FRhvZryRPFuza9YflmbyekI8CG8RdC0jDkra93lrd_YxcEX1H2tsDcUPXkd9Kk9I7XCXQqgTIWWKHnNITq50NNaN9dmTx9JQX9LdbBUvqX-Cy1o-ZC7Ojht6WAX4u2wMyU7cT_NbYKTsV39O-NuQVDaGbZ4QQFq2hjQGX2_wJGjrHM/w360-h640/PoetryLoversJRRTolkien.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When I found my charm bracelet I added and deleted a few
charms to bring it current to that time in my life. I mounted it in a
shadowbox, and it has been sitting in the writing room for me to see. As I
began to think about my 75<sup>th</sup> birthday I wanted to do something
special with it.</div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">I’m making it into a
necklace for me to wear this year. My life story. My history. What God has done
in my life and what He has given me to do for Him. I want to thank Him each
time I wear it for the years He’s given me through all the joys and fun, and all
the heartbreak and sadness. I want to remember.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To my astonishment there are 14 charms on the bracelet! I
had not thought to count them before. The number 14 comes up everywhere in my
life. It’s just right!</p><p class="MsoNormal">The bracelet tells my story . . . a Graduation cap for my High
School graduation; a sewing machine for making my own clothes; a piano for lessons I took in my childhood, a telephone for working at the Telephone
Company for 21 years; a typewriter for the type of work I did and continue to do.</p><p class="MsoNormal">A child charm for my
daughter, Sandy; a Volkswagen Beetle for my favorite car in my 20s; a friend's charm
for my lifelong and new friends; a Bible for my faith; a HOPE charm for my
Savior; an anniversary charm for my marriage; a camera for my hobby; an
envelope for my note writing years and article writings; a watering can for the gardens I created when
I retired.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPPWq_wya4PGdX_QNNGTqX-viQUtE09eA2DggiMEjYqa_vquh5mS_jPwgBYI5lnW0m2sPodqcg8tIAOWsGlQCI014K6ead_m5Pq5I2D9Lpr-sKuc25SS7NNB83CMmqLRhAhBeeEvUhyphenhyphenyen6wpYQKAlMmzeeEcNPFvNcl8NSgPvTrATDEh0imbZazAu5c/s960/TheSimplicityHabit3MelodyBeattie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPPWq_wya4PGdX_QNNGTqX-viQUtE09eA2DggiMEjYqa_vquh5mS_jPwgBYI5lnW0m2sPodqcg8tIAOWsGlQCI014K6ead_m5Pq5I2D9Lpr-sKuc25SS7NNB83CMmqLRhAhBeeEvUhyphenhyphenyen6wpYQKAlMmzeeEcNPFvNcl8NSgPvTrATDEh0imbZazAu5c/w512-h640/TheSimplicityHabit3MelodyBeattie.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">We all have enough bad
memories. It's nice to be reminded of good times in your own life. Memories that warm your heart, especially in the winter of your life. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm celebrating God's Hand in my life. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">God isn’t finished with me yet. I want to thank Him for all He's done for me and continues to do in this, my 75th year. It's time to Party!</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhko3eqEkLPVb2GanE5tPMwte2pmGFgl3EXZLhckHtYG0-Y39avrGazhVEvh_g-KzqRml-wy0hSo-F1Lrz9s_6XJ5zbf0S1u6woOJIBJQGC0_93he5YzSpJnwHij5tQxiC2NA8CjK-TRkxqEMWXmNSZ62E8v-DwuLztnhad9lwcsCJekRUozpAuBvLFqww/s1243/Hope30.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1020" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhko3eqEkLPVb2GanE5tPMwte2pmGFgl3EXZLhckHtYG0-Y39avrGazhVEvh_g-KzqRml-wy0hSo-F1Lrz9s_6XJ5zbf0S1u6woOJIBJQGC0_93he5YzSpJnwHij5tQxiC2NA8CjK-TRkxqEMWXmNSZ62E8v-DwuLztnhad9lwcsCJekRUozpAuBvLFqww/w526-h640/Hope30.jpg" width="526" /></a></div><b style="font-family: "Dancing Script"; text-align: left;"><div style="font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: 400;">"<i>The Lord who 'thus far' has helped you</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "Dancing Script"; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><i>Will help you all your journey through."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">John Newton, 1723-1807</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">By His Grace . . .</span></b><p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-1467210305129227612023-12-26T04:40:00.000-05:002023-12-26T04:40:17.737-05:00Power for the New Year<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTN_kze2Rx6V7l7kDC1wB52HLnf6Ve75f8In9TJSQ_rEWbwQ1ENWhknUDrCz_64-Hgur7MnQn3KPWzLCVko3Mv78NhrpvR70xWZxKGF8C_hr9Gi-0haZOvRoORWDJYp_MXAZWT2wjMDPhLSkhqbDHXajMpFv7_Bt6YtQit0HF_ZCwqnveE7EFgIf9NIw0/s700/LightOfTheWorld2_edited-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="557" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTN_kze2Rx6V7l7kDC1wB52HLnf6Ve75f8In9TJSQ_rEWbwQ1ENWhknUDrCz_64-Hgur7MnQn3KPWzLCVko3Mv78NhrpvR70xWZxKGF8C_hr9Gi-0haZOvRoORWDJYp_MXAZWT2wjMDPhLSkhqbDHXajMpFv7_Bt6YtQit0HF_ZCwqnveE7EFgIf9NIw0/w510-h640/LightOfTheWorld2_edited-1.jpg" width="510" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Painting by Randy Burns</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was reminded of a special strength while reading one of Charles Spurgeon's devotions, and it encouraged my heart. Here we are, ready to begin a new year, and some of us our tired.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>" . . . a Christian pilgrim continuously receives fresh supplies of grace and is as vigorous after many years of toilsome travel and difficulties as when he first began. He may not appear as zealous or as spontaneous in his zeal as he once was, but he is much stronger in the things that constitute true power, and although he may travel more slowly, he travels far more steadily."</em> </div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">Charles Spurgeon, Look Unto Me</div><em></em><br />True words to cheer our hearts. Those of us who have walked many years with our Lord have access to great strength and power. And it is, indeed, there!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em style="text-align: left;"> </em></div><em>"One of the be</em><em>autiful aspects of the Christian life is that we never have to rely on our own strength."</em> God will always give us the strength we need to walk through each day and live through the burden we must bear.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Romans 15:13</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEdaLvUAtpUNVbQCYv6k9XnLEMOA9TOUF5Kl1TPFqVO5IIXxmjJY4CCkanlBNvxrOWvF1L6Xy7v9UeklNrDZUAoe42mlYYXQdl5sM3wvGz4-3pZpjqvm0CQQ5wNfF2OnSlbUZXhLRyRU0vIn041PwV-cIkVJ_3cXHXqn2T7qGQPFACdQjg-McM90L2uw/s720/APotpourriOfLikes3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="720" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEdaLvUAtpUNVbQCYv6k9XnLEMOA9TOUF5Kl1TPFqVO5IIXxmjJY4CCkanlBNvxrOWvF1L6Xy7v9UeklNrDZUAoe42mlYYXQdl5sM3wvGz4-3pZpjqvm0CQQ5wNfF2OnSlbUZXhLRyRU0vIn041PwV-cIkVJ_3cXHXqn2T7qGQPFACdQjg-McM90L2uw/w640-h468/APotpourriOfLikes3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yes, we're definitely slower, no doubt about that! But we are stronger and powerful because our faith through the years has taught us that we serve a God that is faithful and true.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>"When a man has no strength, if he leans on God, he becomes powerful."</em> </div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dwight Lyman Moody (1837-1899)<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As this year ends I suggest we all . . . </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2aoB2ikzc6s-WFFinX17DM3YTgaPRfWW9reeMyotSs0BfXtvElAg6LD9Qt8QJ8SbSTvJc_v8mKh2vYeXLQSh_EI2XZh2OCPRFTVSiA59eydZeOT7LNvIkUe6BqUfU0bt-k26omxEdhVok7hELuW_KoliCQzsKtug2irkOWhhxBCOVvB9DxhCuAGANxM/s2816/TurnYourEyesUponJesus2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2816" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2aoB2ikzc6s-WFFinX17DM3YTgaPRfWW9reeMyotSs0BfXtvElAg6LD9Qt8QJ8SbSTvJc_v8mKh2vYeXLQSh_EI2XZh2OCPRFTVSiA59eydZeOT7LNvIkUe6BqUfU0bt-k26omxEdhVok7hELuW_KoliCQzsKtug2irkOWhhxBCOVvB9DxhCuAGANxM/w640-h480/TurnYourEyesUponJesus2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>By His Grace . . .</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-72415199307919052842023-12-19T04:32:00.000-05:002023-12-19T04:32:11.822-05:00Believe It or Not<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkOS0zYjiTfIzUIJmVc6GAX4k0RV3hRRsFcbhUgY2n_cdUALxMsM69Xw7JNTphvAhLU3DVbMhOO0zqVf8RhDLkHVkJBz5ME6OSuj6TZRfglmDWwjAg88VvVou9pB2Oip90W40d8SRnfTp401VELCLQDMRi34GdEzhAXLfy9ElVCyDW1RF-6roxQ6xLGw/s526/InTheGardenOfFaithHopeandLove2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="526" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkOS0zYjiTfIzUIJmVc6GAX4k0RV3hRRsFcbhUgY2n_cdUALxMsM69Xw7JNTphvAhLU3DVbMhOO0zqVf8RhDLkHVkJBz5ME6OSuj6TZRfglmDWwjAg88VvVou9pB2Oip90W40d8SRnfTp401VELCLQDMRi34GdEzhAXLfy9ElVCyDW1RF-6roxQ6xLGw/w640-h640/InTheGardenOfFaithHopeandLove2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Christmas. A time of joy. A time of celebration. A time of pondering God's gift to man. A time of believing in Jesus and His birth.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Is this your heart's desire? If not, don't go away before I can share a word I heard a long time ago about believing God and accepting Jesus as the Saviour of the world. I don't know who wrote or said this.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"<i>If I'm wrong, and there is no God, and His Word doesn't matter--it's all just lies. Well, I guess it won't make any difference for me when I die. I've lived my life in what I believed to be true and how I believe God would have me to live it. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>"But, if I'm right, and there is a God, and His Word is true, and Jesus is the Saviour of the world . . . and you don't believe it or live by His Word, it matters greatly, because you will live an eternity without God."</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I plead with anyone who doesn't believe or live by God's Word to search for Jesus and let Him fill your heart and mind with the truth. His Will for our life is far better than what we can choose. If you've never read the Bible and have made your choice on heresay and what your friends believe, I challenge you to learn about Jesus yourself. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Where meek souls will receive Him, still The dear Christ enters in."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">O Little Town of Bethlehem</div><div style="text-align: center;">Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893</div><div style="text-align: center;">Third verse</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We celebrate Christmas because of Jesus, that He was born, that He lived, He died, and He lives again. There isn't any other reason to celebrate Christmas other than Jesus.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Celebrate Christmas for the real reason. Don't be denied the truth, which has been proven over and over again throughout all the years, that it is true. There is too much to lose, and so much to gain. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">May your Christmas be blessed and your heart full because of the Saviour of the world . . . Jesus.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GynS35TK6m_k0kTLdjpYgmL5XbwHJET2jEWMRnRpOupHXB4zYKERCOd_e8sqfgKNuOve8Hm-FbWhhYl7aNYF4qjNS0hD2r0mMgmHJFhwD0Pw_b_MJlxEE17kdC1E5SfsMezFrEPfW5FcJ5UIoAQGuPc5cGScZgiWCKypZqYPUbqNyZ_4xvAKl9VFplI/s4000/Sunrise2.psd" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GynS35TK6m_k0kTLdjpYgmL5XbwHJET2jEWMRnRpOupHXB4zYKERCOd_e8sqfgKNuOve8Hm-FbWhhYl7aNYF4qjNS0hD2r0mMgmHJFhwD0Pw_b_MJlxEE17kdC1E5SfsMezFrEPfW5FcJ5UIoAQGuPc5cGScZgiWCKypZqYPUbqNyZ_4xvAKl9VFplI/w640-h426/Sunrise2.psd" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>By His Grace . . .</b></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-63666810648012715592023-12-12T04:33:00.000-05:002023-12-12T04:33:38.292-05:00Festival of Trees<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-3YbFa5HGT9Lm1ScOBjzrA-aU7e0f42oUBT6iE0v8R8SKQ_UJ-rU0QQX6AsrhrDt150gKj4yXHJblHoizAPnw_7LTPoFKb2M4BjDfbYuLUkKWE2aNiMV3u26Bt8tzgk6VGtBQuQg1LA/s1600/Entrance.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-3YbFa5HGT9Lm1ScOBjzrA-aU7e0f42oUBT6iE0v8R8SKQ_UJ-rU0QQX6AsrhrDt150gKj4yXHJblHoizAPnw_7LTPoFKb2M4BjDfbYuLUkKWE2aNiMV3u26Bt8tzgk6VGtBQuQg1LA/s1600/Entrance.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>A few years ago in Maryland I enjoyed walking through the <em>Festival of Trees</em> in the Westminster Town Mall. It was the eighth year for this Yuletide fundraiser for <em>The Shepherd's Staff</em>. You can bid on the trees, or like me, just enjoy them by taking pictures.<br /><br />The proceeds from the auction go toward <em>The Shepherd's Staff's</em> emergency financial assistance programs, which focuses on helping working families who do not qualify for assistance from government agencies.</div><div><br />I hope you enjoy the walk through! Step right inside and enjoy some of my favorite trees!</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnks4-rQhZKMjZjOIj3u_IqMAK7acrBirB8C79nI_8T5cPRflj_PHAMH5HFuAhyphenhyphenpRbdIxVhzApwrVrz9s4Oaw9UTqpGiJ0V0PS2NapmNlQEaKg8McI1lkytdEFl1IvP5_Ju83MXFe0iozdHMSBowfWzYtyEZpWlMPogmRvQRkg2qGFUCi1BdRetAnfhU/s4000/Angel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnks4-rQhZKMjZjOIj3u_IqMAK7acrBirB8C79nI_8T5cPRflj_PHAMH5HFuAhyphenhyphenpRbdIxVhzApwrVrz9s4Oaw9UTqpGiJ0V0PS2NapmNlQEaKg8McI1lkytdEFl1IvP5_Ju83MXFe0iozdHMSBowfWzYtyEZpWlMPogmRvQRkg2qGFUCi1BdRetAnfhU/w480-h640/Angel.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><i>Hark the Herald Angels Sing</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Q8Ljc4m0sKfk7sfK1xZUg2VmSN8gEMJF8o5BrmgQ7dAK_ivUiIuobN7jsrpCi7n1hQD4U3h9qvOaoQY-TqgMH_tQED5alpLWHQZyErCemna2h8rKBF1tXApkCnQrdepd_I0KFt7GX4VyIFIfxDnhkCQ2o24Bsjrf5Fvfc28V4xlEbK68XpnDIgkp4M0/s3420/Bears.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3420" data-original-width="2423" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Q8Ljc4m0sKfk7sfK1xZUg2VmSN8gEMJF8o5BrmgQ7dAK_ivUiIuobN7jsrpCi7n1hQD4U3h9qvOaoQY-TqgMH_tQED5alpLWHQZyErCemna2h8rKBF1tXApkCnQrdepd_I0KFt7GX4VyIFIfxDnhkCQ2o24Bsjrf5Fvfc28V4xlEbK68XpnDIgkp4M0/w454-h640/Bears.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><i>Beary Merry Christmas</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXIglb1mjOjKQX4dybq1aMMTO6B4FUPM71AsQppqMT6tTLEX1qRI8r3wUGr4wNlsmsum36hl2FsicSCgBHBXwqXnMydl5sshj0BhP9q2L9CwNPOcSDYtR7zq5yvp-avPdrP1DoxIW37E_UGrajk5aINX5CM13bwXP5f4Eo7Bde0kN22gCHcOvXl4hsPM/s4000/BirdHouse.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXIglb1mjOjKQX4dybq1aMMTO6B4FUPM71AsQppqMT6tTLEX1qRI8r3wUGr4wNlsmsum36hl2FsicSCgBHBXwqXnMydl5sshj0BhP9q2L9CwNPOcSDYtR7zq5yvp-avPdrP1DoxIW37E_UGrajk5aINX5CM13bwXP5f4Eo7Bde0kN22gCHcOvXl4hsPM/w480-h640/BirdHouse.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Through the Woods With a Tune</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mWfgVfIE0O0wSS-nlvzYnG1TgMxwszg7_O75aVhhUiY2R6eC_t8ZnJ0gf0t9Y_6L_Z080MfLCYEvtDrF1QICpdxnsiAq9TRZT6dKMbX7-bUjyhiovZPaGVfMHaV_jZg3O-52Zi1Kgm9YA_-7Ozt5zZKVimTcWtVQu4UJhMgbv8Fek_rggFOGbds6Fdg/s4000/Cats.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mWfgVfIE0O0wSS-nlvzYnG1TgMxwszg7_O75aVhhUiY2R6eC_t8ZnJ0gf0t9Y_6L_Z080MfLCYEvtDrF1QICpdxnsiAq9TRZT6dKMbX7-bUjyhiovZPaGVfMHaV_jZg3O-52Zi1Kgm9YA_-7Ozt5zZKVimTcWtVQu4UJhMgbv8Fek_rggFOGbds6Fdg/w480-h640/Cats.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Purrfectly Lovely</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseHLDiS2JBdYRgUoYHvvSfHeLzH0Z9RHp7kQo-07PZebLls_PNDbk2skcHIrt7Y3IFfKmEuFM4GhXwEn7JUCs52OPgm3ALwTiYIiDjvOZE7CCM2ims8p9HJAgRCRxnFOOPkC173a2ukGvrXoJuajr3D5W5YLXrM5NjPZsAE0pZuIFDtqCLRlFEyYBRkI/s1368/PeppermintTwist%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="884" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseHLDiS2JBdYRgUoYHvvSfHeLzH0Z9RHp7kQo-07PZebLls_PNDbk2skcHIrt7Y3IFfKmEuFM4GhXwEn7JUCs52OPgm3ALwTiYIiDjvOZE7CCM2ims8p9HJAgRCRxnFOOPkC173a2ukGvrXoJuajr3D5W5YLXrM5NjPZsAE0pZuIFDtqCLRlFEyYBRkI/w414-h640/PeppermintTwist%20copy.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Peppermint Twist</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYApzyMX6DZQyar9_wfSt1jE0b4YveZn0nGCd0NHwGHJbAX3HmaX4K_NFjwML286S_iwlErLSgQ8DVTgNOVOEkJ8FCIO4UhC6cApi8fZ35zTThqMoKTjfDEVCw5pb2SrNoxYv_PDNM4bbdoxuLmlYzCBDt2a-esvq_NCifwmXzkyA4u-JhD7OHcDK5J8I/s4000/Lantern.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYApzyMX6DZQyar9_wfSt1jE0b4YveZn0nGCd0NHwGHJbAX3HmaX4K_NFjwML286S_iwlErLSgQ8DVTgNOVOEkJ8FCIO4UhC6cApi8fZ35zTThqMoKTjfDEVCw5pb2SrNoxYv_PDNM4bbdoxuLmlYzCBDt2a-esvq_NCifwmXzkyA4u-JhD7OHcDK5J8I/w480-h640/Lantern.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A Christmas Carol</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6z8zuHdCX3TgMbvaWjrdxSXxLfm59XvWsGjYlknyBb77eAnial-HAO8m6UxKMvJG_4MLuxVJxJHTnLYZqm4GgYPHGDnj0yyrhtmjp_lLVgZE3-HfEg9gCuXLru9GBRLKh8SIRWrY41rdsSxU6HRlPZ8FguMH9TtQfT0ypz1EvmqI5bbXzFwLRbIHzIo/s3227/Brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3227" data-original-width="2286" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6z8zuHdCX3TgMbvaWjrdxSXxLfm59XvWsGjYlknyBb77eAnial-HAO8m6UxKMvJG_4MLuxVJxJHTnLYZqm4GgYPHGDnj0yyrhtmjp_lLVgZE3-HfEg9gCuXLru9GBRLKh8SIRWrY41rdsSxU6HRlPZ8FguMH9TtQfT0ypz1EvmqI5bbXzFwLRbIHzIo/w454-h640/Brown.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><i>Cocoa </i><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Comfy</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubAOvMQaS2uaDauxUQBFO4KtQPQkN6qQexc7cdzd3eUGWpMMw_Yv5kQvK_XvyjVM7s0WQ0npSaAnzR5FjQPH2CF_7hWUcPleGhn-408_CYoHOMf5eZSkkUqCzcs8Bj9Or5qqZAlbYipAVlDkvyPLqEjnpeQjkubRwxQUgoBnab0xHErGnZDZCeVFHyBY/s1139/PolarBear%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="668" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubAOvMQaS2uaDauxUQBFO4KtQPQkN6qQexc7cdzd3eUGWpMMw_Yv5kQvK_XvyjVM7s0WQ0npSaAnzR5FjQPH2CF_7hWUcPleGhn-408_CYoHOMf5eZSkkUqCzcs8Bj9Or5qqZAlbYipAVlDkvyPLqEjnpeQjkubRwxQUgoBnab0xHErGnZDZCeVFHyBY/w376-h640/PolarBear%20copy.jpg" width="376" /></a></div><i>Polar Bear Express</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And last, but definitely a favorite . . . Sweet Tree</i></div><i><br /></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisATZTYoIdoNd6NZeuIVc80vQihDWTe8T3ZTjNWky0CFa8s4HzBsVsQlUeYdc4tDUajm-I6xVpKG4nCaQ0syVaFCaiO0gM99YIzZlofhcxPXRD54W8lwIkc2hDIokfwIvIgu7GOatcEWrEV1r6fhnfVTTmC452gSnUlTaSA2OaZp_jSUWeUGlUoCPr3p4/s4000/SweetTree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisATZTYoIdoNd6NZeuIVc80vQihDWTe8T3ZTjNWky0CFa8s4HzBsVsQlUeYdc4tDUajm-I6xVpKG4nCaQ0syVaFCaiO0gM99YIzZlofhcxPXRD54W8lwIkc2hDIokfwIvIgu7GOatcEWrEV1r6fhnfVTTmC452gSnUlTaSA2OaZp_jSUWeUGlUoCPr3p4/w480-h640/SweetTree.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>By His Grace . . .</b></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-32305422229595876702023-12-05T04:32:00.000-05:002023-12-05T04:32:22.069-05:00Christmas Singing!<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqSK6T5TWTdq_wu-dEsOjgzgYxAHTAPCrl8OrBPqCzOEM5abiO9bZEuMXorlvzl_ZBEpV0FaXXOwe-h7OJaN1VT6Edd9KLTiCJbk8lyuijgCtFfljzOQxSI3sl8swklgWUSwWL4bfZWU9CaEctzERJuTGNmbA4khIuQ4C_RfNIcA2TPe-bXQfGqCOaP8/s4000/Christmas2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqSK6T5TWTdq_wu-dEsOjgzgYxAHTAPCrl8OrBPqCzOEM5abiO9bZEuMXorlvzl_ZBEpV0FaXXOwe-h7OJaN1VT6Edd9KLTiCJbk8lyuijgCtFfljzOQxSI3sl8swklgWUSwWL4bfZWU9CaEctzERJuTGNmbA4khIuQ4C_RfNIcA2TPe-bXQfGqCOaP8/w480-h640/Christmas2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Don't you wish we sang Christmas Carols all year! For only one month we tune in to these lovely and inspiring carols about our Savior. It's much too short a time for me!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There are many Christmas Carols that I'm not familiar with. Let's think about those carols today!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>Emily Elliott, niece of Charlotte Elliott, writer of "<i>Just As I Am</i>" worked with children and wanted to use the Christmas season to teach them about the entire life and mission of the Savior. She wrote: <i>"Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne." </i>The third verse, which I especially like, describes the life as an itinerate preacher. You may be familiar with the last line:</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest In the shade of the forest tree;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God, In the deserts of Galilee,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>O come to my heart, Lord Jesus There is room in my heart for thee."</i></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"<i>From Heaven Above to Earth I Come</i>" was written by Martin Luther, who wrote the majestic and mighty hymn "<i>A Mighty Fortress is Our God.</i>" Luther wrote this Christmas hymn for his son and called it a "<i>Christmas Child's Song Concerning the Child Jesus.</i>" Each year during the Christmas Eve festivities at Luther's home it was sung. This is the first verse:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"<i>From Heav'n above to earth I come, to bear good news to every home;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Glad tidings of great joy I bring, Where of I now will say and sing.</i>"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bWl_VP4b9ywV5OZPbadmDAo5sRQ9UKUirbN_EEg7KQj88va7igxl-rE-9sp0XIk_mS3MzG0eMkmRBcfPR3iKizmPVhIb4Cgax85fGL5uNb6PblHSux8964ubXqTGcOjnkceTjOBl8_h1W_49J7gqnEFO7JYVrqmeqUmrXNp1JI6nnq_7cNZu04j6TDM/s4000/Dhristmas.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bWl_VP4b9ywV5OZPbadmDAo5sRQ9UKUirbN_EEg7KQj88va7igxl-rE-9sp0XIk_mS3MzG0eMkmRBcfPR3iKizmPVhIb4Cgax85fGL5uNb6PblHSux8964ubXqTGcOjnkceTjOBl8_h1W_49J7gqnEFO7JYVrqmeqUmrXNp1JI6nnq_7cNZu04j6TDM/w480-h640/Dhristmas.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">"<i>We Sing, Emmanuel, Thy Praise</i>" was written by Paul Gerhardt, who was a prolific hymnist, who might be called the "<i>Charles Wesley of Germany.</i>" During his time of tutoring children in Berlin, he began writing hymns. This is the 4th verse:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"But I, Thy servant, Lord, today Confess My love and freely say,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I love Thee truly, but I would That I might love Thee as I should. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Hallelujah!"</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Cecil F. Alexander wrote "<i>Once in Royal David's City</i>" inspired by the Apostle's' Creed which begins: "<i>I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.</i>" From the words "<i>Maker of heaven and earth</i>," the creative teacher wrote the famous song "<i>All Things Bright and Beautiful."</i> The fourth verse says:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"And our eyes at last shall see Him, Through His own redeeming love,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>For that Child so dear and gentle Is our Lord in Heaven above,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And He leads His children on To the place where He is gone."</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">St. Augustine, one of the greatest heroes in the history of Christian theology, was converted under the preaching of Ambrose of Milan. Ambrose wrote the hymn, "<i>Come, Thou Redeemer of the Earth.</i>" Ambrose was a great preacher and a defender of true doctrine. These are the words of the third verse:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"The virgin womb that burden gained With virgin honor all unstained;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The banners there of virtue glow; God in His temple dwells below."</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Josiah G. Holland wrote this song that may be familiar to you, "There's<i> a Song in the Air." </i>Holland published the first major biography of Abraham Lincoln after his assassination and presented Lincoln as a "<i>true-hearted Christian.</i>" This song became popular after Karl P. Harrington put the words to music after the death of Holland. These are the first and last verses:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"There's a song in the air! There's a star in the sky!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>There's a mother's deep prayer, And a baby's low cry!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>for the manger of Bethlehem, cradles a King!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>We rejoice in the light, And we echo the song</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>That comes down through the night From the heavenly throng.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Ay! we shout to the lovely Evangel they bring,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>As we greet in His cradle our Savior and King!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIZzBAPxxa_BPJi4WrGMbxr5noS-8GmFfyBcq9zg9ZsylKVHio6-RVANod4ZBVPL1B0nQU99Me-3bWbksqBKPEdIXegm3Uu77I3ebuiOJuKoslnVLpCkjsKc_xqKWG0lYSxMvH_BZlvWzei3B59iDoF7ff-vhGggvXjgXnB7ECZe49c3zdm27_5WwxrY/s1561/FriendsChistmas.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1561" data-original-width="1101" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIZzBAPxxa_BPJi4WrGMbxr5noS-8GmFfyBcq9zg9ZsylKVHio6-RVANod4ZBVPL1B0nQU99Me-3bWbksqBKPEdIXegm3Uu77I3ebuiOJuKoslnVLpCkjsKc_xqKWG0lYSxMvH_BZlvWzei3B59iDoF7ff-vhGggvXjgXnB7ECZe49c3zdm27_5WwxrY/w452-h640/FriendsChistmas.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As you sing the well-known Christmas songs, you may enjoy discovering a few other Christmas songs that aren't as well-known. Two websites to review are: <i>www.classicfm.com </i>and <i>www.today.com. </i>Or pick up a hymnal and see how many carols you've not heard before. </div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Christmas is a time to sing! There is much to celebrate during this wonderful season! What do you think? Should we sing Christmas Carols all year?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>By His Grace . . .</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-18087074333975600632023-11-28T04:39:00.002-05:002023-11-28T04:40:12.565-05:00Let the Cheering Begin!<div style="text-align: center;"> <i>"The angels are the dispensers and administrators of the divine beneficence toward us;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>they regard our safety, undertake our defense, direct our ways,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and exercise a constant solicitude that no evil befall us."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">John Calvin, 1509-1564</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5u1hUb0N8u6GQbjRO4qI3OXK3r7rA31wPmYhyzqVehEclpqrYH7olNUm1HlIPOlG9gl6af9xtjgvjmDJEcS49QehPub3RALom0I57pgTyGmj2EGBzmtjff2cIj6NwN2ME1KWy9TCKQUz2tFXT0_wnkfUK1QgodQbPV0WMMGdpxizNG5WDtlrEJSQjcE/s474/Angels2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="474" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5u1hUb0N8u6GQbjRO4qI3OXK3r7rA31wPmYhyzqVehEclpqrYH7olNUm1HlIPOlG9gl6af9xtjgvjmDJEcS49QehPub3RALom0I57pgTyGmj2EGBzmtjff2cIj6NwN2ME1KWy9TCKQUz2tFXT0_wnkfUK1QgodQbPV0WMMGdpxizNG5WDtlrEJSQjcE/w640-h638/Angels2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In Billy Graham's November 14th devotion in the book "<i>Unto The Hills</i>" he wrote about God's angels watching the drama of this age. The angels have witnessed all the ages, and they are interested spectators.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I like the words he shared: "<i>We know they are watching, but in the heat of the battle, I have thought how wonderful it would be if we could hear them cheering</i>."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, we all need cheer leaders. I know I do! Those folks who stand by you when the going gets rough, encouraging you on and letting you know you're not alone.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujsq3hxsO3CcA641gv1YKKhgl3MyU881bpMK5zYwEILenN_kUPdh5RAa66oqXn8ZAm-oR6sv_A68R1jFr928kOwGD28A4KLTr7oQvnTExuFCm8nIhrJrtgwxMtcOelEzV-LV9D89gb5mXJBtl2WP00KWLQXJ55PQf4bXRbA0DJU_yNYVlcUPOJdJFp3Y/s400/Angels3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujsq3hxsO3CcA641gv1YKKhgl3MyU881bpMK5zYwEILenN_kUPdh5RAa66oqXn8ZAm-oR6sv_A68R1jFr928kOwGD28A4KLTr7oQvnTExuFCm8nIhrJrtgwxMtcOelEzV-LV9D89gb5mXJBtl2WP00KWLQXJ55PQf4bXRbA0DJU_yNYVlcUPOJdJFp3Y/w640-h640/Angels3.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">But what would it be like if we heard angel's cheering? Just the thought brings tears to my eyes. What a phenomenon that would be! Talking about a sign from God!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As I pondered this thought, one way I can "hear" the angels cheering for me is reciting Scripture: "<i>Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation</i>?" Hebrews 1:14. And, "<i>For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.</i>" Psalm 91:11. They are serving and guarding me. That makes me cheer!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Another way is to sing this simple melody: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"<i>All day, all night, angels watching over me, my Lord. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>All night, all day, angels watching over me."</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mr. Graham also wrote: "<i>If God were to open our spiritual eyes, we would see 'horses and chariots of fire'</i> (2 Kings 6:17) <i>surrounding the servants of the Lord, for we are encircled by 'Thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly' </i>(Hebrew 12:22) <i>sent to protect His royal seed.</i>"</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">One day I'll see those angels, and I can ask when they cheered for me. Until then, I have a few angels here on earth that I can turn to who always cheer my heart!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpij5fz0ZyensxoUPmoW0PYvEkTN-LIf3lH72Z3vEpH_-UsT4vltVucJwYbussM66thyYKgM1LEP8LlGNsyUQmLcq0S_DyuRlr_SKjGlbB-Qv8hh4e6fn_QdF4086u-MUqgIGqMIspkIrw2VNGwGidH4OMLn67e2ugmYhDWHZ-HG55AZTEInWi0qhot6c/s474/Angel1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="474" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpij5fz0ZyensxoUPmoW0PYvEkTN-LIf3lH72Z3vEpH_-UsT4vltVucJwYbussM66thyYKgM1LEP8LlGNsyUQmLcq0S_DyuRlr_SKjGlbB-Qv8hh4e6fn_QdF4086u-MUqgIGqMIspkIrw2VNGwGidH4OMLn67e2ugmYhDWHZ-HG55AZTEInWi0qhot6c/w640-h640/Angel1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">"<i>All day, all night, angels watching over me, my Lord. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>All night, all day, angels watching over me."</i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: "Dancing Script"; font-size: xx-large;">By His Grace . . .</b></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-48999214995002095302023-11-21T04:32:00.000-05:002023-11-21T04:32:25.705-05:00The Beauty of Words<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqNzsGD3J5jHhv_sjlcWASje5FxeR8fJM_CIBg7JXUfc_RonplrpQdEnKJ2OPcar1rbCAFq077kOyw7pEO2DDG9IUzm5phO6_RoxIHijqLD41xJWLSgxH48dgrDadtI7yJi38PnmukqeRCGARdzTnK5q46Rykiup6E5AcQKvVeeFMobIamAb3mjGIqE8/s1462/GasLight2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1462" data-original-width="974" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqNzsGD3J5jHhv_sjlcWASje5FxeR8fJM_CIBg7JXUfc_RonplrpQdEnKJ2OPcar1rbCAFq077kOyw7pEO2DDG9IUzm5phO6_RoxIHijqLD41xJWLSgxH48dgrDadtI7yJi38PnmukqeRCGARdzTnK5q46Rykiup6E5AcQKvVeeFMobIamAb3mjGIqE8/w426-h640/GasLight2.jpg" width="426" /></a><br /><i>I've always liked this picture that was taken in Gettysburg one year. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The lantern flame, the flowers in the window and the beautiful stone home.</i></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">When I read a hymn in my hymnal, I often highlight a verse,
or a line in a verse, that touches me. There is such beauty in the words of
hymns. This is one of the verses I’ve highlighted from the hymn “<i>God, Who Touches
Earth With Beauty.”</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"></div></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;">“</span><i style="text-align: center;">Like
the arching of the heavens, Lift my thoughts above;</i></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>Turn my dreams to noble action, Ministries of love."</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Verse
4</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">This is a hymn I’d never heard of before. That’s one of the
beauties of reading hymnals. You find many hymns of beauty, with words to
thrill your soul, that you will never hear sung. You will find verses, and lines
in verses, that touch your soul and inspire your spirit.</div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyA1QgHCBhjzYCLZRACOEdEr5eTRkfpW9DwBun4YJX-ZtOPr4Xh7fA-RjwsTvY2WtMapEFJcUzCHSPSGWfucvBnzUfVkz1An1T5SscKQa1_u1F_M_9tWHz6m_OhdfIJZ85FtHQSN4AVzdnWlQO5pC9Cv-TcglXbPaexPdD3XSoo0EjvBhaTRRwKPdp9VY/s2138/MumPicture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="2138" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyA1QgHCBhjzYCLZRACOEdEr5eTRkfpW9DwBun4YJX-ZtOPr4Xh7fA-RjwsTvY2WtMapEFJcUzCHSPSGWfucvBnzUfVkz1An1T5SscKQa1_u1F_M_9tWHz6m_OhdfIJZ85FtHQSN4AVzdnWlQO5pC9Cv-TcglXbPaexPdD3XSoo0EjvBhaTRRwKPdp9VY/w640-h638/MumPicture.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I purchased this canvas picture last Fall to add to my collection.</i></div></i> <p></p><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="text-align: left;">Mary S. Edgar wrote this hymn. The other verses are just as
lovely. </div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>“God
who touches earth with beauty, make my heart anew.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>With
your Spirit recreate me pure and strong and true.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>“Like
your springs and running water, make me crystal pure.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>Like
your rocks of tow’ring grandeur, make me strong and sure.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>“Like
your dancing waves in sunlight, make me glad and free.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>Like
the straightness of the pine trees, let me upright be.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>“God
who touches earth with beauty, make my heart anew.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>Keep
me ever, by your Spirit, pure and strong and true.”</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">We are equipped to serve God. To encourage people, to
comfort people, to help people, to teach people. Are we doing it? Are we doing
it with love?</div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="text-align: left;">You can’t do it if you’re not reading God’s Word. That’s
where we find the inspiration to serve others. That’s where we are encouraged
and comforted so that we can encourage and comfort others.</div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5742s0FATEBXSlUv1I_g-j4VbnCsi9axDT3_XdguAfBFKkSFuXd1DtIrY5QWcikyI8_C6n8m91Wtl9gGDwJeS72NGWN3B6-XwHXHI7_OHbRMze36QyBFIow43FFTdkQoTb_ZVXYpcHD-eY2XbUUfOD3b07qh45l867MN-ItwLQmfe6jyL2Vk7m739Jt8/s4000/AsTheDeer2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5742s0FATEBXSlUv1I_g-j4VbnCsi9axDT3_XdguAfBFKkSFuXd1DtIrY5QWcikyI8_C6n8m91Wtl9gGDwJeS72NGWN3B6-XwHXHI7_OHbRMze36QyBFIow43FFTdkQoTb_ZVXYpcHD-eY2XbUUfOD3b07qh45l867MN-ItwLQmfe6jyL2Vk7m739Jt8/w640-h480/AsTheDeer2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Another favorite picture of this beautiful buck in the field. I added the hymn lyrics of</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"As The Deer."</i></div><p></p><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">I’m certain you’d like to have “<i>Ministries of Love</i>.” Words
inspire you. If you don’t have a hymnal at home, I recommend purchasing one. Start
reading from the beginning, one hymn each day. You will be amazed at the
inspiration you receive. And don’t forget to sing it if you know the melody.</div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="text-align: left;">The beauty of words. Let your spirit be carried away by
inspiring words that God has gifted others to write. And have “Ministries of Love!”</div></div></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">
</div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>By His Grace . . .</b></span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-53136556279487216662023-11-14T04:26:00.001-05:002023-11-14T04:28:22.552-05:00Unimaginable Joy!<div style="text-align: center;"> <i>"Joy is the deep settled confidence that God is in control of every area of my life."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Paul Sailhamer</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2QNlhH6_eQbNJhW9Pqb5ee24Bd4o6jor-SBOXQy-kNOlgJr3E7qOCWtEx1W5f_QJ-v5aEf9rQ4Z76gmCN2EAB8p39kZ8xcEAuslnC2Ijx4DSwCxKC3c672jSpkmA9hCneXCuO8lXtM692c3VXeCNR_NtD1BF_BFjGFnhBnGGy3QD4RHlnPZaspLhVqw/s3648/BlogJoy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2432" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2QNlhH6_eQbNJhW9Pqb5ee24Bd4o6jor-SBOXQy-kNOlgJr3E7qOCWtEx1W5f_QJ-v5aEf9rQ4Z76gmCN2EAB8p39kZ8xcEAuslnC2Ijx4DSwCxKC3c672jSpkmA9hCneXCuO8lXtM692c3VXeCNR_NtD1BF_BFjGFnhBnGGy3QD4RHlnPZaspLhVqw/w426-h640/BlogJoy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">November 14. A very important date for me. It was the day I was
saved. The day I found new life in Christ. The day I started living for God.</div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="text-align: left;">It was way back in 1978 that I first stepped into <i>Montrose
Baptist Church</i> in Rockville, Maryland, and heard the gospel message. Just
my daughter and me. The church was next to the apartments we lived in. A short
walk through a few trees and there I was.</div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="text-align: left;">That began a new life for the rest of my life. It brought the
joy of the Lord into my life!</div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="text-align: left;">Lisa Guests said, in her book, "<i>100 Favorite Bible Verses:</i>" “<i>The joy of the Lord – that <b>God-given
gladness</b> found when we are in communion with God.</i>” It, indeed, is God-given. It's hard to explain. It's just there. It never leaves. It fills your heart and soul at all times.</div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;">This joy helps you get through rough times, times of sadness, times of grief. It's there during the good times when your heart overflows with happiness! It never leaves you. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's what happened to me on November 14, 1978. Forty-five years ago. Joy came into my life. I thank God for His Faithfulness; I thank Christ for dying for me, and I thank the Holy Spirit for dwelling inside me.</div><p class="MsoNormal">Thinking of my last post and the question, "<i>What if this is as good as it gets</i>?" I believe I have the best I can possibly have! I'm celebrating!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>Sing with me!</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IdVw98AfifyAHhMY5tiVFzUcqweKS2YCBmREqNn93pstrUKahzkQd7xs5XZtfvBATJ4TQbGwTf3YJeDp1mPlQNHG2zVvCnwPz2d-8Ya-O0e2nNRfINu_2Qs1DcSFvyg2V4s6ewqQjhpXS4boXwS0HI3SC5HKh3IoiECJwkhqOMJ8TXK3kW2NHpO1qs0/s616/joy%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="423" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IdVw98AfifyAHhMY5tiVFzUcqweKS2YCBmREqNn93pstrUKahzkQd7xs5XZtfvBATJ4TQbGwTf3YJeDp1mPlQNHG2zVvCnwPz2d-8Ya-O0e2nNRfINu_2Qs1DcSFvyg2V4s6ewqQjhpXS4boXwS0HI3SC5HKh3IoiECJwkhqOMJ8TXK3kW2NHpO1qs0/w440-h640/joy%20copy.jpg" width="440" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cR0NpYTZMOhv0jgiYiXl1zDO1Ct9lfddSG_P5jC_qAtsR3RD6UU9fIgDhq12pfsg22EJen6L1d7NdXm_VrbD9ae-bGxSGx1XkzaEvQ_LMc7letP4yhvDBEEzUgM62XL_lvaFJH31Dgy7E2wpcxtWEz6ayCtV_18C3ykcHd8iIhYlQiH1UfMsCIXCgcg/s539/JoyChorus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="539" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cR0NpYTZMOhv0jgiYiXl1zDO1Ct9lfddSG_P5jC_qAtsR3RD6UU9fIgDhq12pfsg22EJen6L1d7NdXm_VrbD9ae-bGxSGx1XkzaEvQ_LMc7letP4yhvDBEEzUgM62XL_lvaFJH31Dgy7E2wpcxtWEz6ayCtV_18C3ykcHd8iIhYlQiH1UfMsCIXCgcg/s320/JoyChorus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God."</i></p><div style="text-align: center;">Leon Henri Bloy, 1846-1917</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>By His Grace . . .</b></span></div></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-86575965686677575322023-11-07T04:20:00.000-05:002023-11-07T04:20:50.297-05:00What A Question?<div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhx3GxjG8eKGr5LadH_ow9GsC4vmoGQgjBlvXpWHrQfgqphIU6IfylHS-SaKvB3w7QdUSE2f13TOfzGE9yhrlrKuw7_Ow4FO2dLtJB_6voCHKbE5KUQYGKTln7y7dkXUZhSoLRjy_3pd8uk5ocL6ZRhF_7n0s23QFy9S0Z8LN7L-HKqH-Tl_Vxk3k3-A/s4000/Fall39.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhx3GxjG8eKGr5LadH_ow9GsC4vmoGQgjBlvXpWHrQfgqphIU6IfylHS-SaKvB3w7QdUSE2f13TOfzGE9yhrlrKuw7_Ow4FO2dLtJB_6voCHKbE5KUQYGKTln7y7dkXUZhSoLRjy_3pd8uk5ocL6ZRhF_7n0s23QFy9S0Z8LN7L-HKqH-Tl_Vxk3k3-A/w480-h640/Fall39.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This blog post is from November 19, 2014. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A good title catches your eye. A good song lyric stays in your head. A good caption speaks volumes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And that's what happened to me as I was reading through the November issues of <i>Home Life</i> and <i>Mature Living</i>. "<i>What if This is as Good as it Gets</i>?" caught my eye as well as "<i>When the Rain Falls . . . Things Begin to Grow."</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As a writer I was trained to create catchy titles because that's what draws the eye. Some of the titles I've created that were published are: "A<i>re You Afraid of a Divorced Person?</i>" "<i>A Life Changing Truck,</i>" "<i>My Melody of Words,</i>" "<i>Out of Tune</i>" and "<i>Is the Answer Reverence.</i>" Titles get you thinking, and that's just what I did with "<i>What if This is as Good as it Gets</i>?"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Am I okay with that? Here we are two weeks before Thanksgiving, a time of giving thanks for God's blessings. Am I truly thankful for my life and all the joy and sadness I've been through? Wow. That's a doozy of a question.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1bUy7xH6b67HAfjI5610TU7y_Z90CSsIkdGzhVdij-cFFwN6pRM3V3U2r8ZWxAhlwYvghdcHLfjYqcgvCAOfYG8QWvCG7p2aAeRc3g0eGDKcb4zrpoSz_KUod8pjK_ydA68LsegRKJy-22v2wcpnxtA_iaq8pWSxg42CWLutInOp_RqGmBphJNRirK0/s4000/FallLeaves.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1bUy7xH6b67HAfjI5610TU7y_Z90CSsIkdGzhVdij-cFFwN6pRM3V3U2r8ZWxAhlwYvghdcHLfjYqcgvCAOfYG8QWvCG7p2aAeRc3g0eGDKcb4zrpoSz_KUod8pjK_ydA68LsegRKJy-22v2wcpnxtA_iaq8pWSxg42CWLutInOp_RqGmBphJNRirK0/w480-h640/FallLeaves.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The truth is, we all have our stories of life . . . the joys, the disappointments, the happy times and sad times. There's always something we wish we could rewrite to have a happy ending. Many times I voice David's words in Psalm 55:6: "<i>Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.</i>" Unfortunately, I don't have wings.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Accepting all that has happened to me doesn't mean I like everything, or I'm happy about everything. It means I've accepted my life and trust God. Whether it's good or bad, God picks up the pieces and continues to work in my life. He continues to work. He continues to work. <b>Thankfully, He continues to work.</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">All that my life is, God has provided and directed, and I trust Him to bring me safely home to Him.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZMMUKqw0JDJQVcXKueSV64puJc4HUfeXGQG1eGDG80jdZ36eiOl9fLdIpsATZEmLCqrHlwfMldOsJMVVnTp1VuGpm8C2ngClZ8MWdAeeTCgiPBgL5-Bb5Vx5F21O9bpD-8auPR7a-DSE5HsPjg-WvY2ODW21f5rX2LPx5XZFYHF4JEa0sbv97GKyFfE/s3354/13%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3354" data-original-width="2377" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZMMUKqw0JDJQVcXKueSV64puJc4HUfeXGQG1eGDG80jdZ36eiOl9fLdIpsATZEmLCqrHlwfMldOsJMVVnTp1VuGpm8C2ngClZ8MWdAeeTCgiPBgL5-Bb5Vx5F21O9bpD-8auPR7a-DSE5HsPjg-WvY2ODW21f5rX2LPx5XZFYHF4JEa0sbv97GKyFfE/w454-h640/13%20(1).jpg" width="454" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"<i>When the Rain Falls . . . Things Begin to Grow."</i> When I accept God's control over all the things that happen in my life, patience grows, understanding grows, humility grows, compassion grows, acceptance grows. Of course, if I don't accept God's control, bitterness grows, anger grows, indifference grows, hate grows, dissatisfaction grows.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Life sure is a journey. As I age, accepting God's control in my life and letting Him work, gets easier. It sure helps my day-to-day living when I accept His way. But I'm not perfect yet and still have a ways to go before my growing season is up.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bUGuvn7GQmmf1gOIvv_FfuTQrjFRwQbhtl88kklDscmTbCoG2lyI4XssMnQ78Ch-ml8ib2yxlAPYlIvLhxD2pEm1kHmtYiP5ybartLsqsD9iIeCvMvjIoTP5uNLyJBlh5QUqww6jtobmXrxvPCOzBY3wbNeOSGdIpgCmc-v8vt3_32dTwwZEIJCtvjE/s4000/2019Fall%20156.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bUGuvn7GQmmf1gOIvv_FfuTQrjFRwQbhtl88kklDscmTbCoG2lyI4XssMnQ78Ch-ml8ib2yxlAPYlIvLhxD2pEm1kHmtYiP5ybartLsqsD9iIeCvMvjIoTP5uNLyJBlh5QUqww6jtobmXrxvPCOzBY3wbNeOSGdIpgCmc-v8vt3_32dTwwZEIJCtvjE/w480-h640/2019Fall%20156.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Words by Melody Beattie on gratitude:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It turns what we have into enough, and more.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and confusion into clarity. It turns a meal into a feast,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Gratitude makes sense out of our past,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB64IkP-zProy7ZB0HZWWDXcDmpCpwOjHOD1gagJLPMN7NiFcq6o9mMXdhl-XhzKNAqzUK2vIadltpSnFu2IztztMjaS12D1608PZU6vzKdGbJgWG4cuvccT-hVXOsmUbQJWhL1GFRy6xEib6EuPwciaW1JiHI6stFUyRdiVdqlg52J1Sng_cLkmqQ-fg/s3461/Sugarloaf12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3461" data-original-width="2465" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB64IkP-zProy7ZB0HZWWDXcDmpCpwOjHOD1gagJLPMN7NiFcq6o9mMXdhl-XhzKNAqzUK2vIadltpSnFu2IztztMjaS12D1608PZU6vzKdGbJgWG4cuvccT-hVXOsmUbQJWhL1GFRy6xEib6EuPwciaW1JiHI6stFUyRdiVdqlg52J1Sng_cLkmqQ-fg/w456-h640/Sugarloaf12.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">I believe I have accepted the course of my life, definitely not liking everything, but I can say: "<i>Yes, I'm okay with it as long as God is in control.</i>" Father down in Psalm 55, my heart is expressed completely: "<i>But as for me, I call to God</i>." And that's definitely a reason to celebrate this Thanksgiving!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Two little titles brought quite a discussion in my mind. What about you? What if this is as good as it gets? Are you okay with it? I think it's worth your time to consider as you prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgOge6T3F4GhQ5t5Le88fXP2N8a3wAHiztBIuLHPsXCKQ7fP4Ta599LoXpSWqkwyKCLlS8glMP5Yw_g5xUzspatRL9RA_sB5WcBBVlFGKLjuBYTkHaNZ-zuJvwmcNBGBrYJdlmdidtWGeEtsLv86A8by_3ed0ErMGG2yIx7pH5fSQK3jK530hUI4PduI/s3648/Barn4c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="3648" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgOge6T3F4GhQ5t5Le88fXP2N8a3wAHiztBIuLHPsXCKQ7fP4Ta599LoXpSWqkwyKCLlS8glMP5Yw_g5xUzspatRL9RA_sB5WcBBVlFGKLjuBYTkHaNZ-zuJvwmcNBGBrYJdlmdidtWGeEtsLv86A8by_3ed0ErMGG2yIx7pH5fSQK3jK530hUI4PduI/w640-h426/Barn4c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">God is the giver of all good things. "<i>Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together." </i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Psalm 34:3</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>By His Grace . . . </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-52455598665593841402023-10-31T04:30:00.001-04:002023-10-31T04:30:40.210-04:00November Joy and Calling Back<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiGoJd2gFKYoLH1V3ChefZHkcUzA0Mwyqd1gp9wRgN21e_ZxaoLwVIu0F5HOwUvMOkBde4B6o0iybNSb05PGLrGmDufnZBFZBZPtzzxN5rosWYGr0Eeo9hMKulJEt_FI12BPf7AmPDkOxZ4gacbfQOAwc62OP22vOGZm01yR4mZlaBd6rht8c3T2PDoE/s3194/YellowField%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2223" data-original-width="3194" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiGoJd2gFKYoLH1V3ChefZHkcUzA0Mwyqd1gp9wRgN21e_ZxaoLwVIu0F5HOwUvMOkBde4B6o0iybNSb05PGLrGmDufnZBFZBZPtzzxN5rosWYGr0Eeo9hMKulJEt_FI12BPf7AmPDkOxZ4gacbfQOAwc62OP22vOGZm01yR4mZlaBd6rht8c3T2PDoE/w640-h446/YellowField%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i>I loved coming up and over a hill and spotting this field of yellow </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>surrounded by fall color in Allens Mills.</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's time for all of us to be reminded of "<i>November Joy.</i>" Who are you thankful for?</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The HOPE we have is meant to be shared. I encourage you to expand your celebrations and show gratitude to those folks who've brought a smile, helped in a time of need or just made you feel special.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It might be a phone call, a visit, a gift of food or an item you make, even an email message. Anything to say, "<i>Thank you for being in my life!</i>"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LD3qZ4hRsiY4mLH4uQNu8TwI6vBBPqZCD7NZ0B-Jf4Yj7udaAtKubeNSrvQDIehrmt_9fk294l-stV99nhDPo9dWzFXlBynUtJUdKy-XCPyDYYufqY5Se2cohfsAMA0YGVmVyEd9RHbY_n6OCGto2kceP_LoNecMpkJimyzE_QgCziPX8LOUfzE4D7w/s1600/Fall6a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LD3qZ4hRsiY4mLH4uQNu8TwI6vBBPqZCD7NZ0B-Jf4Yj7udaAtKubeNSrvQDIehrmt_9fk294l-stV99nhDPo9dWzFXlBynUtJUdKy-XCPyDYYufqY5Se2cohfsAMA0YGVmVyEd9RHbY_n6OCGto2kceP_LoNecMpkJimyzE_QgCziPX8LOUfzE4D7w/w480-h640/Fall6a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I can see myself sitting on a rock enjoying the sound of the water</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and loving the beautiful color all around me!</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Why not use the first two weeks of November to remember and encourage someone. God's Word tells us that we will be refreshed as we refresh others. (Proverbs 11:25) Giving joy to another person makes your heart smile and helps you as you go through your daily life.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">HOPE is a BIG word, a miraculous word. It is a word that instills courage and refreshment in our minds. We all have stories to tell about how God brought us through difficult times. Your story may just be the words someone needs at this special time of the year to help get them through.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23GSi7yPPRujq2rizpiBw38oq_4c7dMaaZOmWcNPzYdjnOiT_Zf-AnZ1fAMPGgtw0Bn3CCPbSlZxqLJsl5g69JW6JEk0gR2k_KiP1HE9mcNG_VMqwMV0IamtUoONjRulOQxQOO0iXOi8phf0419UlOH-4pgBpWwB0ivshszqdBJ4uDgNhBwX55lxElus/s3585/Fall47.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2585" data-original-width="3585" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23GSi7yPPRujq2rizpiBw38oq_4c7dMaaZOmWcNPzYdjnOiT_Zf-AnZ1fAMPGgtw0Bn3CCPbSlZxqLJsl5g69JW6JEk0gR2k_KiP1HE9mcNG_VMqwMV0IamtUoONjRulOQxQOO0iXOi8phf0419UlOH-4pgBpWwB0ivshszqdBJ4uDgNhBwX55lxElus/w640-h462/Fall47.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A smooth pond reflecting all the beauty!</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've always liked the words of this poem Edgar A. Guest wrote:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"If you have gone a little way ahead of me, call back.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Twill cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And if, perchance, Faith's light is dim, because the oil is low,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Your call will guide my lagging course as wearily I go.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Call back, and tell me that He went with you into the storm;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Call back, and say He kept you when the forests roots were torn;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>That, when the heavens thundered and the earthquake shook the hill,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He bore you up and held you where the very air was still.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Oh, friend, call back, and tell me for I cannot see your face,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>They say it glows with triumph, and your feet bound in the race;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>But there are mists between us and my spirit eyes are dim,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And I cannot see the glory, though I long for word of Him.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"But if you say He heard you when your prayer was but a cry,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And if you'll say He saw you through the night's sin-darkened sky</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>If you have gone a little way ahead, oh, friend, call back--</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>'Twill cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our individual stories can help others going through similar difficulties. We can cheer the heart, inspire courage and encourage individuals to stay the line as they suffer through their particular seasons of life.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is the perfect season to share your thankfulness, HOPE and stories.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4hHEz2t14_3RyF_zztl18C3OiZiuV1pGDFNBDsENwYxQ5tky0Kyx368KtO2i4QkiKW9FgMt6xgJN4fCBrYwqFq1CHiGa_OCxeUfRU6ehtj6o7sKLYbM8MqaogRzpoJSmMMfayrNnPIgEPGTvkCIk9G1J2X7H4KUv1ArbYHx-Xor9VqmM4CKwKov0wxY/s3385/FallTree9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="3385" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4hHEz2t14_3RyF_zztl18C3OiZiuV1pGDFNBDsENwYxQ5tky0Kyx368KtO2i4QkiKW9FgMt6xgJN4fCBrYwqFq1CHiGa_OCxeUfRU6ehtj6o7sKLYbM8MqaogRzpoJSmMMfayrNnPIgEPGTvkCIk9G1J2X7H4KUv1ArbYHx-Xor9VqmM4CKwKov0wxY/w640-h460/FallTree9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I love driving roads surrounded with color!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Who are you thankful for? Tell them. Show them. Share God's HOPE You will find this ritual will bring added joy to your heart during this special season of the year.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggglYrnGMwQSBdSeUCMyYe26cma8r4cV5kLxBeGwpCsU7QT2ftjrY_iI_nil_7S3szRh4QW56zYePWiZCuKpx9AFJqrba4-shoXMtAbpDh6BkZaArHJmbRQkPGCxnZWeIEAosGfU1UbtoeoxQzxmiiw1tkhAy3Dws-ONRzTeGboR01CnXb-taEv4d-6lo/s3402/Autumn7c_edited-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3402" data-original-width="2400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggglYrnGMwQSBdSeUCMyYe26cma8r4cV5kLxBeGwpCsU7QT2ftjrY_iI_nil_7S3szRh4QW56zYePWiZCuKpx9AFJqrba4-shoXMtAbpDh6BkZaArHJmbRQkPGCxnZWeIEAosGfU1UbtoeoxQzxmiiw1tkhAy3Dws-ONRzTeGboR01CnXb-taEv4d-6lo/w452-h640/Autumn7c_edited-1.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Loved seeing this deer as I looked down this lane on Roseville Sigel Road.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>By His Grace . . .</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-74133243141823227102023-10-24T04:33:00.000-04:002023-10-24T04:33:02.929-04:00Snowcapped!<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"But for you who revere My Name, <b>the sun of righteousness</b> will rise with healing in its rays."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Malachi 4:2a</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBenfH20SSYLwGmXmkcbZR2tgb8GcAQ1lRUCeYbWKqVxiKJ3Cz275aGhylJBb6CqOydxjVVYP4zsTv2dTJeDSH1-3ujIEYoZcT5UJ2iXO03Z6rkB2r3EZcDeHv9rRjIRKaMpk-V_dGxdtqWBA7bN4iCDY-18GLDSJsZfHw7Si5JhyqHjmA2agzNRkrL28/s4000/Mountain4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBenfH20SSYLwGmXmkcbZR2tgb8GcAQ1lRUCeYbWKqVxiKJ3Cz275aGhylJBb6CqOydxjVVYP4zsTv2dTJeDSH1-3ujIEYoZcT5UJ2iXO03Z6rkB2r3EZcDeHv9rRjIRKaMpk-V_dGxdtqWBA7bN4iCDY-18GLDSJsZfHw7Si5JhyqHjmA2agzNRkrL28/w640-h426/Mountain4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We may not want to admit to it, but most of my lifelong friends, and many of my friends on Facebook are snowcapped. It's what happens when you reach the age of 60 and above. I like what Charles Spurgeon said:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"<i>What a glorious sight to watch a saint mature to the point of becoming like a mighty Alp--snowcapped, chosen of God, and magnificently reflecting the bright rays of 'the sun of righteousness' and His radiance, lifting Christ up for all to see the glory of His Father who is in heaven.</i>" </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKefcNj69co_dTMsCgHJ-VmZK5Yb1xgE0jUNvsJE5t1P-6YsOihivRtyvc3WLsEbiQXYixfjk2un_MFe5wjoNB22-r5d5wzWe7xEkwHcZiUYD_QgrDz5izQLMSkgjbiseWrWPpIxktzIgBK3_3lfSRVR_KmU5xKbSp5a_VEKF47nRQQn8g3xozqylsrK0/s3648/Horse.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="3648" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKefcNj69co_dTMsCgHJ-VmZK5Yb1xgE0jUNvsJE5t1P-6YsOihivRtyvc3WLsEbiQXYixfjk2un_MFe5wjoNB22-r5d5wzWe7xEkwHcZiUYD_QgrDz5izQLMSkgjbiseWrWPpIxktzIgBK3_3lfSRVR_KmU5xKbSp5a_VEKF47nRQQn8g3xozqylsrK0/w640-h426/Horse.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Calm and resting on a fall afternoon, with just a hint of color in the background.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A mighty Alp! Living for Jesus! Dare I say it's a description most of us would like said about us?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You say you can't do much of anything anymore? You can be an influence of good to every person you come in contact with. You can sing the hymns and songs that have made a difference in your life while you're out and about. You can talk on the phone giving encouragement, laughter and offering godly advice to a listening ear. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The VERY BEST thing you can <b>still do is PRAY!</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7u2YZhz2G40O_c4nb5YkG6xN2LQa35ao93CYzv2jKk0jdHrQnSMNNA5PPvN6aj2f_A-B6MA0IcnhymVI24VFfy2QYraxsRbqG89nbOKU2NKvrbiFAhhKRMvbNlgTqe-HUYR7cXYyQ-qQ6ciCq-pOdifsZ_C-a14H1cfGokfG535PF20yBkKpdUCnj9E/s4000/Leaves.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7u2YZhz2G40O_c4nb5YkG6xN2LQa35ao93CYzv2jKk0jdHrQnSMNNA5PPvN6aj2f_A-B6MA0IcnhymVI24VFfy2QYraxsRbqG89nbOKU2NKvrbiFAhhKRMvbNlgTqe-HUYR7cXYyQ-qQ6ciCq-pOdifsZ_C-a14H1cfGokfG535PF20yBkKpdUCnj9E/w640-h426/Leaves.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The leaves themselves are bright and beautiful!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There is still so much for us to do. It's not small stuff. It's great and important stuff. It's what lives are made of. We can exhibit all we have been taught through the years, making a shining example for others to see. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Even the sad and rough periods of our lives have much to offer others. We made it through because of God's love and care of us. That means so much to those who are struggling, hurt and lost hope. We have the great HOPE to share. Jesus, our living HOPE. It's all because of Him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRecK4Twrpqm-3R6-pTy7S9WzIgSSQLEFWU-__RLj4WJmFa5Fro6nUaLPFEXqFJ9xvnBQs_hthKj6pud3UJTXFOYs6YYzFqGJ5BpIkkHxjr4zO_HPe3DC9WluQonY0nZfASwDAt9NM2WOGAN35odoY5fUEYV8SJfIDUGolMnNYYc7uAALF45HYdsxH0Ps/s4000/Sheep2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRecK4Twrpqm-3R6-pTy7S9WzIgSSQLEFWU-__RLj4WJmFa5Fro6nUaLPFEXqFJ9xvnBQs_hthKj6pud3UJTXFOYs6YYzFqGJ5BpIkkHxjr4zO_HPe3DC9WluQonY0nZfASwDAt9NM2WOGAN35odoY5fUEYV8SJfIDUGolMnNYYc7uAALF45HYdsxH0Ps/w640-h480/Sheep2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Continuing, Charles Spurgeon said: "<i>If we truly desire to 'ripen' in grace, we must be close to Jesus, living in His presence, and becoming ripened in the sunshine of His smiles . . . Only then will we find ourselves advancing in holiness, love, faith, and hope -- indeed, in every precious gift."</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQVnwJSVXtp-qFa7enOeWHDFbWQO_8sh-8ddCjz6ounde-VlIls_3EBUvKNPfIGNi7iqQ2yzqdtvsHtkpkZKBm7jiOoptNsy8C8K5qJvArsFag7Z5Ga4ut4MYk2eo_qbDGBuGRgJTQl7BF1utxYuIb9kJhlNUBNNqWO9rIgvA18YiAJb1urwJUyFW-Mc/s4000/Cows5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQVnwJSVXtp-qFa7enOeWHDFbWQO_8sh-8ddCjz6ounde-VlIls_3EBUvKNPfIGNi7iqQ2yzqdtvsHtkpkZKBm7jiOoptNsy8C8K5qJvArsFag7Z5Ga4ut4MYk2eo_qbDGBuGRgJTQl7BF1utxYuIb9kJhlNUBNNqWO9rIgvA18YiAJb1urwJUyFW-Mc/w640-h426/Cows5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, we are snowcapped, chosen and living for our great God. Be thankful He has allowed you to continue to live. Snowcapped or not, you are still usable!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2kVcL1kN8k2wQyExf0fJBncLtCRyg0sAVbN6UzIALpiQfV4CeQiIQHdR0gKEHR5dmqnvtGKDwg0ESdjtQSg7DkeE0hOWWB3xNc-tKKHYAZJBO2jHxEWyNA-Lmn_4c6rpycwsuV61kFTiWGxBs9uCFAQeLOhDTF2MrGqnJLUSeA2W0QiPFtXCjZNTX20/s3186/Barn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="3186" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2kVcL1kN8k2wQyExf0fJBncLtCRyg0sAVbN6UzIALpiQfV4CeQiIQHdR0gKEHR5dmqnvtGKDwg0ESdjtQSg7DkeE0hOWWB3xNc-tKKHYAZJBO2jHxEWyNA-Lmn_4c6rpycwsuV61kFTiWGxBs9uCFAQeLOhDTF2MrGqnJLUSeA2W0QiPFtXCjZNTX20/w640-h422/Barn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>We have so much to look forward to if we love God. if we put our trust in Him. So accept the gift of old age with open hands and say, Thank you, Lord. Make me a godly man or a godly woman in my old age."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Elisabeth Elliot</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">"<i>Is not wisdom found among the aged?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Does not long life bring understanding?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Job 12:12</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>By His Grace . . .</b></span></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-72997065019781027892023-10-16T06:14:00.000-04:002023-10-16T06:14:54.011-04:00It Has Everything!<div style="text-align: center;"> <i>"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my Words shall not pass away."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Matthew 24:35</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaZoZQDX-KbjiVtKYcg5-QN67c4Yw7Kesltrxyz_vU23y8L0l5e9hN-Tx17jgqlENAHCl6m9Wy0lq9-p8W34rShzT_eQxLL1CW6he_0TEgju41820cG9RbosspGmrnb25pqgtXvUbpkJ-M50_zqWBYKM-9jI0plNl7VAjbRS0zMpQLj6bhVtQCIljK9o/s4000/2019Fall%2026_edited-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaZoZQDX-KbjiVtKYcg5-QN67c4Yw7Kesltrxyz_vU23y8L0l5e9hN-Tx17jgqlENAHCl6m9Wy0lq9-p8W34rShzT_eQxLL1CW6he_0TEgju41820cG9RbosspGmrnb25pqgtXvUbpkJ-M50_zqWBYKM-9jI0plNl7VAjbRS0zMpQLj6bhVtQCIljK9o/w480-h640/2019Fall%2026_edited-1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Priscilla Howe wrote these words about the Word of God:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>"The Word of God contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Therefore, how can it ever fade from the grasp of man? Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>"It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>"Christ is its grand object, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>"It is given you in life, will be opened in the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred content."</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8rpmRZXKOXAo2SCYDihw0qCz-WvhnPzIBVjeVTzBKiFByOlGaxISCGXXsEBSD4MLDxZkj4bVix-rNPVlIZwYQtK572fCbV91tzS7_xeAZDOqpjS3WVDepzRf23xQxNGvmb43r2pvC4iq1HqJ2bbXR995gsPCRXnuOn9JkOKxZBPmwrrsq4pZahg506c/s5184/Autumn42.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3888" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8rpmRZXKOXAo2SCYDihw0qCz-WvhnPzIBVjeVTzBKiFByOlGaxISCGXXsEBSD4MLDxZkj4bVix-rNPVlIZwYQtK572fCbV91tzS7_xeAZDOqpjS3WVDepzRf23xQxNGvmb43r2pvC4iq1HqJ2bbXR995gsPCRXnuOn9JkOKxZBPmwrrsq4pZahg506c/w480-h640/Autumn42.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Those words just about say it all. What a complete and accurate description of the Bible. And it's right at our fingertips. All we have to do is open the Book, or pull it up on our phone, or listen to it via recordings. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We don't have to search for it. We don't have to have a college degree to understand it, especially with the help of easy to read commentaries. We just have to make time to use it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love the Word of God. I read it. I use other books written by saints of God to help me when I get to a difficult part or need more understanding. An answer can always be found.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We are blessed to have God's complete Book to guide us every day. It is available to all of us.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyR3lYvlcxP0Iboo7PbwDIp2rFUQIEaRgTVBayZ0-2sAls9cXEUVbciPJrT9q_fbx2n43IP8Yn_YqhsDibLoVh8VDA6_2eOjChfSvaWdlNAMt86Mx4dwzlzZVIsy8hX8eoyYbEbt95cGMSDHvJxwd0w-k6MxbAhon5nl7n0aeohX16XngO6M8zkxD5ho/s4000/Fall60.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyR3lYvlcxP0Iboo7PbwDIp2rFUQIEaRgTVBayZ0-2sAls9cXEUVbciPJrT9q_fbx2n43IP8Yn_YqhsDibLoVh8VDA6_2eOjChfSvaWdlNAMt86Mx4dwzlzZVIsy8hX8eoyYbEbt95cGMSDHvJxwd0w-k6MxbAhon5nl7n0aeohX16XngO6M8zkxD5ho/w480-h640/Fall60.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Bible redirects my will, cleanses my emotions, enlightens my mind,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and quickens my total being."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">E. Stanley Jones, 1884-1973</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What are you reading these days? Biographies are good. Nonfiction is good. Fiction is good. Recipes are good. Instruction manuals are good. Travel books are good. The Bible is <b>BETTER</b>. Make time for it. It has everything you need. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>By His Grace . . . </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604898018620234161.post-84659761792719707982023-10-10T04:41:00.001-04:002023-10-10T04:42:34.865-04:00More Love<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Love is the fairest bloom in God's garden."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Unknown</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRXaLJNWj7mJ8fDZiIQjOHhFoTKviROTaI9eHVsRst5Nf3mT1FxiBFwX53tQKzqVKM0EZJ3irJgK0oEyx26tUk0z-iZaO-YkPUYuFkJe5aFBV8j-8KZGf-m9-FRC3iGSFRapy5JMVX0zaNh_D-EC3owioeSaVJOoeZMlCK-mtWpXPOMSE5j95naWbkeQ/s4700/Autumn32.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4700" data-original-width="3349" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRXaLJNWj7mJ8fDZiIQjOHhFoTKviROTaI9eHVsRst5Nf3mT1FxiBFwX53tQKzqVKM0EZJ3irJgK0oEyx26tUk0z-iZaO-YkPUYuFkJe5aFBV8j-8KZGf-m9-FRC3iGSFRapy5JMVX0zaNh_D-EC3owioeSaVJOoeZMlCK-mtWpXPOMSE5j95naWbkeQ/w456-h640/Autumn32.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><i>It's walking on leaves time . . . a royal carpet!</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">The other day I finished a hymn study on the beautiful hymn "<i>More Love to Thee, O Christ</i>." The hymn was written by Elizabeth Prentiss, who wrote the bestselling book, <i>"Stepping Heavenward.</i>" </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">More love to Thee. It's really very simple. We are to give more love to Christ. Every day. But is it simple to do?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's clear in Scripture: "<i>Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength</i>, Deuteronomy 6:5." It's not part of the Ten Commandments. It's in the next chapter. But it's very clear.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">To love God is written throughout the Scriptures. Mark 12:33 says it this way: "<i>To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifice."</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EyfDfDiUEAC3NwrJgvlzO0ajSLcCZDWKUl-oZIsXkRV5AC27En8DJxPeYIEDCi4zRaukbNkh8wESsln8gmjrMpvT0gmhViLrXCSDQFBxlmsovXAWR_UjEVoMq_kISM74pinS3qr7Qfbk7V7lAXajSD4ovT_aByXuOcMzgNSC6v8CKbf6DiKbOzx5pZI/s3562/Sunrise1%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2561" data-original-width="3562" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EyfDfDiUEAC3NwrJgvlzO0ajSLcCZDWKUl-oZIsXkRV5AC27En8DJxPeYIEDCi4zRaukbNkh8wESsln8gmjrMpvT0gmhViLrXCSDQFBxlmsovXAWR_UjEVoMq_kISM74pinS3qr7Qfbk7V7lAXajSD4ovT_aByXuOcMzgNSC6v8CKbf6DiKbOzx5pZI/w640-h460/Sunrise1%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A fall sunrise.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">I got stuck on Prentiss words: "<i>More love to Thee.</i>" Not because I didn't want to do that or didn't believe it. But because it truly touched my soul. I think I'm loving Christ more now in my older years. When I was younger there was so much drama, heartbreak and hurt that my main focus was turning to Christ for help and comfort. Now that most of the drama is gone, I am focusing more on Christ for who He is and not what He can do for me.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Elizabeth's Prentiss' life was a life of poor health and sorrow. She lived with pain. She lost two children early in their lives. She wrote, “<i>To love Christ more is the deepest need,
the constant cry of the soul . . . out in the woods, and on my bed, and out
driving, when I am happy and busy, and when I am sad and idle, the whisper
keeps going up for more love, more love, more love</i>!”</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You may be familiar with the first verse:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Hear Thou the prayer I make on bended knee;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ to Thee;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>More love to Thee, more love to Thee!"</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">I bought and read her book "<i>Stepping Heavenward" </i>many years ago. I think it was a little deep in my earlier years of being a Christian. I'll have to go through my books and see if I still have it. I think I may be more open to her words at this point in my Christian life.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, it's very clear. More love to Christ. Giving more love to Christ, He supernaturally fills us with more love for others. Fill me with more love.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimj15djAcwPLWwL30LfWlJ8H7U_bApU5eOgqnCnFn-O7G0giiJoZtUxeli8UQZX06iyT4REq_zEghCP-oKioARyIBjO5ZpdJxWpHf8Dy4VlETV31t5wAKK0D8HrOmcu2MFvgwI4N_fprFwunYP0AP6zgZCqVP-6Z7GDXrGlVQyeRbwEkYL-PGFTHG4yOs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="381" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimj15djAcwPLWwL30LfWlJ8H7U_bApU5eOgqnCnFn-O7G0giiJoZtUxeli8UQZX06iyT4REq_zEghCP-oKioARyIBjO5ZpdJxWpHf8Dy4VlETV31t5wAKK0D8HrOmcu2MFvgwI4N_fprFwunYP0AP6zgZCqVP-6Z7GDXrGlVQyeRbwEkYL-PGFTHG4yOs=w491-h640" width="491" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>By His Grace . . .</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>NOTEworthy for Godhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17660737093184468756noreply@blogger.com0