November Joy and Calling Back

I loved coming up and over a hill and spotting this field of yellow 

surrounded by fall color in Allens Mills.

It's time for all of us to be reminded of "November Joy." Who are you thankful for?

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.

It might be a phone call, a visit, a gift of food or an item you make, even an email message. Anything to say, "Thank you for being in my life!"

I can see myself sitting on a rock enjoying the sound of the water

and loving the beautiful color all around me!

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.

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.

A smooth pond reflecting all the beauty!

I've always liked the words of this poem Edgar A. Guest wrote:

"If you have gone a little way ahead of me, call back.

Twill cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track;

And if, perchance, Faith's light is dim, because the oil is low,

Your call will guide my lagging course as wearily I go.

"Call back, and tell me that He went with you into the storm;

Call back, and say He kept you when the forests roots were torn;

That, when the heavens thundered and the earthquake shook the hill,

He bore you up and held you where the very air was still.

"Oh, friend, call back, and tell me for I cannot see your face,

They say it glows with triumph, and your feet bound in the race;

But there are mists between us and my spirit eyes are dim,

And I cannot see the glory, though I long for word of Him.

"But if you say He heard you when your prayer was but a cry,

And if you'll say He saw you through the night's sin-darkened sky

If you have gone a little way ahead, oh, friend, call back--

'Twill cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track."

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.

This is the perfect season to share your thankfulness, HOPE and stories.

I love driving roads surrounded with color!

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.

Loved seeing this deer as I looked down this lane on Roseville Sigel Road.

By His Grace . . .

Snowcapped!

"But for you who revere My Name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays."

Malachi 4:2a

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:

"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." 

Calm and resting on a fall afternoon, with just a hint of color in the background.

A mighty Alp! Living for Jesus! Dare I say it's a description most of us would like said about us?

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. 

The VERY BEST thing you can still do is PRAY!

The leaves themselves are bright and beautiful!

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. 

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.

Continuing, Charles Spurgeon said: "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."

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!

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."

Elisabeth Elliot

"Is not wisdom found among the aged?

Does not long life bring understanding?

Job 12:12

By His Grace . . .

It Has Everything!

 "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my Words shall not pass away."

Matthew 24:35

Priscilla Howe wrote these words about the Word of God:

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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."

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. 

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.

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.

We are blessed to have God's complete Book to guide us every day. It is available to all of us.

The Bible redirects my will, cleanses my emotions, enlightens my mind,

and quickens my total being."

E. Stanley Jones, 1884-1973

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 BETTER. Make time for it. It has everything you need. 

By His Grace . . . 

More Love

"Love is the fairest bloom in God's garden."

Unknown

 

It's walking on leaves time . . . a royal carpet!

The other day I finished a hymn study on the beautiful hymn "More Love to Thee, O Christ." The hymn was written by Elizabeth Prentiss, who wrote the bestselling book, "Stepping Heavenward." 

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?

It's clear in Scripture: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength, Deuteronomy 6:5."  It's not part of the Ten Commandments. It's in the next chapter. But it's very clear.

To love God is written throughout the Scriptures. Mark 12:33 says it this way: "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."

A fall sunrise.

I got stuck on Prentiss words: "More love to Thee." 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.

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, “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!”

You may be familiar with the first verse:

"More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee!

Hear Thou the prayer I make on bended knee;

This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ to Thee;

More love to Thee, more love to Thee!"

I bought and read her book "Stepping Heavenward" 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.

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.

By His Grace . . .

An Embarrassment and God's Cathedral

Beauty to come. Driving through the woods on a beautiful fall day.

I was at the writer's conference this past Saturday that I spoke about in the other week's post. The conference center was surrounded by woods. 

The conference didn't start out well. My confession: Sometimes I don't understand simple words, meanings and pronunciation. This has been a lifelong disadvantage. I've concluded that my brain just isn't able to remember words and meanings that I don't use often. That can be a disadvantage and an embarrassment.

The first session in the conference we had a simple assignment of a simile exercise. I couldn't remember what simile means. My written response was: "I have absolutely no idea what to write about. My imagination doesn't even come close to doing what I've been asked to do. I can't even remember what a simile is. Sometimes I feel stupid that I can't grasp what other people seem to have no problem doing. I just accept that these are my limitations and there is nothing I can do about it so why get upset. I know what I am able to do, so I will concentrate on doing that and be happy with my accomplishments. I have acceptance within myself and that is a good thing." Thankfully, we did not have to turn in our assignment.

My friend, Kim, from the Chambersburg area, joined me at the conference. It always makes things easier when you are with a friend you know and enjoy. 

I managed to get through the morning exercises. I was most interested in hearing advice and tips for writing. I tried not to let the exercises bother me.

The afternoon assignment was outside. We were to walk in the woods, choose an object and observe sounds, smells, textures, colors, shade and surfaces, writing about what it brought to mind. It didn't interest me. The only thing I could think about as I stood before the entrance to the woods was God.

"That's what I will write about," I decided. As I walked into the woods my first thought was, "I'm walking into God's cathedral. He is here, all around me." 

First, I heard the chirping of insects. I basked in the sound. The noise was smooth as a stone as they sang their song. I stood in one place, turning a quarter of the way around, looking and listening. Then I would turn another quarter around, until the circle was made. 

The third turn brought bright light shining down upon me. A break in the treetops let the sunshine through completely covering me, enveloping me in God's warmth. He came down from heaven for me. 

"How mighty He is," I thought. Strong as a rock and bold as a lion; gentle as a lamb. "How magnificent is His glory." I was standing in His sanctuary filled unashamedly with gratitude and thankfulness.

As I turned to my original position, color caught my eye, I looked up. Bright yellow and orange at the top of the trees shown through. Brilliant blue in the sky was behind the fall color. That's when I snapped the picture below.

 

The "Black Bear Trail."

I stood there for some time admiring God's creation. Smiling, I turned and walked out of the woods, my heart full and my mind at rest. I had completed the assignment in my own way and met God in the process.

The confusion and embarrassment of the morning evaporated for I had stood in God's cathedral and felt His presence. What a glorious experience! God shared His glory with me and encouraged my heart.

We all have our limitations and feelings of embarrassment and disappointment. Our God doesn't leave us there. If we just look and listen, we can hear His voice and see His splendor. Aren't you thankful for that!

. . . and hopefully see a deer or two!

By His Grace . . .