Blazing Flambeau

This excerpt from Spurgeon's Treasury of David was posted yesterday on Camponthis. I found it to be very fitting to 3M Highway, so I am sharing it here as well. Enjoy!


"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." -Psalm 119:105

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet. We are walkers through the city of this world, and we are often called to go out into its darkness; let us never venture there without the light giving word, lest we slip with our feet. Each man should use the word of God personally, practically, and habitually, that he may see his way and see what lies in it. When darkness settles down upon all around me, the word of the Lord, like a flaming torch, reveals my way. Having no fixed lamps in eastern towns, in old time each passenger carried a lantern with him that he might not fall into the open sewer, or stumble over the heaps of ordure which defiled the road. This is a true picture of our path through this dark world: we should not know the way, or how to walk in it, if Scripture, like a blazing flambeau, did not reveal it. One of the most practical benefits of Holy Writ is guidance in the acts of daily life: it is not sent to astound us with its brilliance, but to guide us by its instruction. It is true the head needs illumination, but even more the feet need direction, else head and feet may both fall into a ditch. Happy is the man who personally appropriates God's word, and practically uses it as his comfort and counsellor, -- a lamp to his own feet.

And a light unto my path. It is a lamp by night, a light by day, and a delight at all times. David guided his own steps by it, and also saw the difficulties of his road by its beams. He who walks in darkness is sure, sooner or later, to stumble; while he who walks by the light of day, or by the lamp of night, stumbleth not, but keeps his uprightness. Ignorance is painful upon practical subjects; it breeds indecision and suspense, and these are uncomfortable: the word of God, by imparting heavenly knowledge, leads to decision, and when that is followed by determined resolution, as in this case, it brings with it great restfulness of heart. This verse converses with God in adoring and yet familiar tones.

Immutable, Unchangeable

Your teachers have the responsibility of encouraging good study habits and instructing in the textbook and material. Styles in teaching change, material studied changes, and textbooks become obsolete.

There is but one book that changes not and is as much benefit today as it was hundreds of years ago.


II Timothy 3:16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness..."




In it, you'll find all the instruction you need on the journey of life.

Have a good day -
Love,
Dad


Holy Bible, Book Divine
(John Burton, Sr., 1773-1822)

Holy Bible, Book Divine,
Precious Treasure, Thou art mine:
Mine to tell me whence I came;
Mine to teach me what I am.

Mine to chide me when I rove,
Mine to show a Savior's love;
Mine thou art to guide and guard;
Mine to punish or reward.

Mine to comfort in distress,
Suff'ring in this wilderness;
Mine to show, by living faith,
We can triumph over death.

Mine to tell of joys to come,
And the rebel sinner's doom:
O thou holy Book divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine.

Which Way?

Which way? North, South, East or West?

If you select one direction, it means that you're going away from the other. Is your choice the right one?

There are 8 roads leading to and from Danville. Routes that upon traveling will get you to other communities.

What about life? Which direction will you choose? Often our selection will affect us throughout our lifetime, while others are minor and result in small means.

Where to turn? What road to travel? Which direction? There is but one sure way that is always right - Jesus. John 14:6, "Jesus said, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life...'"

I urge you to follow Him.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

Today is the first day...

The following is an excerpt from a longer letter written on the first day.

As your father, who though doesn't show it much, loves you, I want you to know that you're not on this journey alone. You're going to have mountain top experiences and valley low times. Laughter and sorrow! Good times and not so good times. Remember that each day offers a new opportunity, yesterday is gone forever, but learn from your mistakes and build upon your successes. Tomorrow never gets here, but always live with the thought of making tomorrow better for you and those around you. That leaves today...make each day count. Enjoy the blessings given to you daily. Take advantage of every opportunity to better yourself.

How can you do that?

1. Be honest with yourself and all with whom you are in contact.

2. Be worthy of who you are! You are Michelle Dawn Campbell - Be proud of that and be careful not to destroy yourself.

3. Be helpful - give a helping hand to those in need. There is always someone who can use some help. Don't close yourself up to only yourself.

4. Be cheerful. Happiness goes a long way. Happy people are healthy people. Cheerfulness shows contentment and satisfaction with what God has given us.

5. Be understanding with those who become or currently are part of your life. You'll have differences of opinions and differences of ideas, especially with your mother and me. Try to see from the other person's side.

6. Be thrifty - not only with your money, but also with your time. Make the best of each day. Use your time wisely. Once it is gone, it is gone forever. Redeem the time. Set aside some moments each day to reflect on the goodness of God.

7. Be courteous - This shows respect for others.

8. Be patient - God didn't give us the mighty Oak trees at once! They are growing! Everything cannot be done at once. Patience is the doing what we can while waiting upon God, without any complaints or murmuring.

This does not complete the list of betterment ideas but if we work on these, what better lives we'll have.

Just like an individual who makes plans to go on a trip that the destination is entirely new, so will you need some help. The traveler must seek advice from someone who has knowledge of the proper route or go to a road map. Using the road map, you'll have to be able to transfer from paper to the road signs to go in the proper direction. The best and most accurate map to follow throughout your lifetime is God's word. Psalm 119:105, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." You can never go wrong if you pattern yourself after the principles of the Bible. There will never be any direction going in the wrong way, missing the proper exit. But, instead, a most happy and fulfilled life awaits for those who walk accordingly.

I hope that you have a good year.

Love, Dad

3M Highway

This blog begins as a tribute to my father who, as a servant of Christ, lives his life daily in humble submission to our Heavenly Father for His honor and glory. The words contained in this blog are a reproduction of letters from my father to me when I was a senior in high school. He wrote these "life lessons" to me every school day and presented them to me as a collection upon graduation. There were days at the age of 18 that I did not care for the lessons my dad had for me, but am now in a state of joyful anticipation for how these words will be used in my life and yours.

The title of the blog, "3M Highway," is the title my dad gave his letters. He used "3M" to represent the first letter in the names of my mom, my brother and myself. "Highway" is a metaphor for the road we travel along through our lives and is the general theme running throughout all the letters. As this journey begins, I trust that these letters will be edifying to all its readers, including myself, sixteen years later.