Enjoy Creation

The creation of God is available for us to enjoy.

Quite often, we're too busy to slow down to appreciate and enjoy the beauties which God has made.

We need to learn to take minute vacations - of slowing down to look at a flower, to talk to a friend or family member, to smile at others, to pat a dog, to read a good book, to express our thanks for the wander of God's goodness to us.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad


"Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. "
(1Chronicles 16:29)

Contentment

"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." (Philippians 4:11-12)


"Because He is God, he has given us His grace instead of His wrath; His love instead of His enmity; His mercy instead of His justice; joy unspeakable in glory instead of torment in hell for perpetuity. Because He is God, I have no right to myself. Because He is God, I must walk in love, and love others, as Christ loved me and gave Himself for me. Because He is God, I must be willing to forgive as God in Christ has forgiven me. Because He is God, we love the brethren. Because He is God, I cannot harbor anger, wrath, clamor, bitterness, and malice in my heart toward another. Because He is God, I must turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, and give someone my cloak if they want my coat too. Because He is God, I must be willing to suffer the loss of all things, to gain everything. Because He is God, I can rest in the surety that He is orchestrating all things for our good and His glory. Because He is God, I cannot repay evil for evil, wrong for wrong, hurt for hurt. Because He is God, we may rejoice when our hearts are breaking and our world has been shaken. Because He is God, our trials are blessings-invited guests and not strangers." excerpt from Camponthis for Wednesday, April 29.

Also read Mary's Song .

Go on Green

The light changes to green and the cars start to go.

Life is full of green lights. We must continue to progress. Always be ready when the light changes.

A secret of success is for a person to be ready for opportunities when they come.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad


It was a discouraged and ill-equipped Continental Army in December 1776 that stood along the banks of the Delaware River...

The year had not gone well for Washington as he suffered many defeats and loses of troops and supplies. The morale of the army was low and the men were looking forward to the end of their service on December 31. Washington knew that the fight for Independence would soon be lost if circumstances did not improve.

As they approached the Delaware River in Trenton, New Jersey, Washington ordered all available watercraft to be gathered. They forged a plan to cross the Delaware on the eve of Christmas day and to attack the British and Hussein armies by surprise. As December 25 approached, the morale improved somewhat by the arrival of some reinforcements and the publication of Thomas Paine's "The American Crisis."

The armies were to cross the Delaware by midnight and make the nine mile track to attack the enemy before daybreak. The projected crossing of 2400 troops, 18 cannons, baggage, and 50-75 horses was hampered by a winter storm full of sleet and freezing rain. The pelted army was forced to cross the Delaware in large ice flows and flood-like conditions, which resulted in a time-costly endeavor. All of Washington's troops were on the New Jersey side of the river by 4 am, without some much needed artillery and other support troops.

Washington led his battered troops along the nine mile hike to Trenton, losing their cover of darkness along the way. At 6 am, Washington divided his troops for a two-prong attack, which occurred flawlessly. The Hessians fell to the Continental Army losing 900 of their troops, while the Patriots lost only four troops. The surprise attack was a success and was the turning point of the Revolutionary War. It invigorated and encouraged the troops to new heights, as well as that of the Congress and Revolutionaries all across the great land. It was this turn of events that caused British General Cornwallis to concede at the end of the War that "Washington won his highest laurels along the banks of the Delaware."

Set the Pace

Starting another week! Often times the first day of the week sets the pace for the remaining days. Get started right! What will this week hold for you? Some smooth traveling and I'm sure some bumps along the way.

Continue on by working hard and remembering to do what is proper.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad


"'Blessed is he that watcheth' Revelation 16:15

'We die daily,' said the apostle. This was the life of the early Christians; they went everywhere with their lives in their hands. We are not in this day called to pass through the same fearful persecutions; if we were, the Lord would give us grace to bear the test; but the tests of Christian life, at the present moment, though outwardly not so terrible, are yet more likely to overcome us than even those of the fiery age. We have to bear the sneer of the world-that is little; its blandishments, its soft words, its oily speeches, its fawning, its hypocrisy, are far worse. Our danger is lest we grow rich and become proud, lest we give ourselves up to the fashions of this present evil world, and lose our faith. Or if wealth be not the trial, worldly care is quite as mischievous. If we cannot be torn in pieces by the roaring lion, if we may be hugged to death by the bear, the devil little cares which it is, so long as he destroys our love to Christ, and our confidence in Him. I fear me that the Christian church is far more likely to lose her integrity in these soft and silken days than in those rougher times. We must be awake now, for we traverse the enchanted ground, and are most likely to fall asleep to our own undoing, unless our faith in Jesus be a reality, and our love to Jesus a vehement flame. Many in these days of easy profession are likely to prove tares, and not wheat; hypocrites with fair masks on their faces, but not the true-born children of the living God. Christian, do not think that these are times in which you can dispense with watchfulness or with holy ardour; you need these things more than ever, and may God the eternal Spirit display His omnipotence in you, that you may be able to say, in all these softer things, as well as in the rougher, 'We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.'" from Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, April 26

Good Things

Time to get away and enjoy a period of rest and relaxation. I hope you have a good spring break.

It has been said that we are in actions and behavior what we habitually think. The old adage, "garbage in, garbage out" is true. Also true, "success in, success out." If we become what we think then it would be good to think on good things.

The apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8 says to think on these things:

* whatever things are true
* whatever things are honest
* whatever things are just
* whatever things are pure
* whatever things are lovely
* whatever things are of good report

Remember these things not only next week in Florida, but continually think on them. It will do you good.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

John Newton's View

A portion of this letter was posted on another blog the other day and I felt compelled to share it here as well. John Newton (written April, 1766) has such a clear view into the soul of man.


"And in this view—how vain is man! what a contradiction is a believer to himself! He is called a Believer emphatically, because he cordially assents to the Word of God; but, alas! how often unworthy of the name!

If I were to describe him from the Scriptural portrait—I would say that he is one whose heart is athirst for God, for His glory, and for His presence; that his affections are fixed upon an unseen Savior; that his treasures, and consequently his thoughts, are on eternal realities, far beyond the bounds of sense. Having experienced much God's forgiveness, he is full of mercy and forgiveness to all around. Having been often deceived by his own heart, he dares trust it no more—but lives by faith in the Son of God, for wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification, and derives from Him grace upon grace; sensible that without Him he has not sufficiency even to think a good thought! In short—he is dead to the world, to sin, to self; but alive to God, and lively in His service. Prayer is his breath, the Word of God his food, and the ordinances more precious to him than the light of the sun. Such is a believer—in his judgment and prevailing desires.

But was I to describe him from his actual experience, especially at some times—how different would the picture be! Though he knows that communion with God is his highest privilege, he too seldom finds it so; on the contrary, if duty, conscience, and necessity did not compel him—he would leave the throne of grace unvisited from day to day! He takes up the Bible, conscious that it is the fountain of life and true comfort; yet perhaps, while he is making the reflection, he feels a secret distaste, which prompts him to lay it down, and give his preference to a newspaper! He needs not to be told of the vanity and uncertainty of the world, and all beneath the sun; and yet is almost as much elated or cast down by a trifle—as those who have their only portion in this world! He believes that all things shall work together for his good, and that the most high God appoints, adjusts, and overrules all his concerns; yet he feels the risings of fear, anxiety, and displeasure, as though the contrary was true! He owns himself to be ignorant, and liable to be deceived by a thousand fallacies; yet he is easily betrayed into flattering views of himself, and self-conceit! He feels himself to be an unprofitable, unfaithful, unthankful servant, and therefore blushes to harbor a thought of desiring the esteem and commendations of men—yet he cannot suppress it! Finally (for I must observe some bounds), on account of these and many other inconsistencies, he is struck dumb before the Lord, stripped of every hope and plea, but what is provided in the free grace of God—and yet his heart is continually leaning and returning to a covenant of works.

...By these exercises of sin and grace, the Lord teaches us more truly to know and feel the utter depravity and corruption of our whole nature, that we are indeed defiled in every part! His method of salvation is likewise hereby exceedingly endeared to us! We see that it is and must be of grace, wholly of grace; and that the Lord Jesus Christ, and his perfect righteousness, is and must be our all in all."


Click here to read the entire letter by John Newton.

Dark Hour

Sometimes our journey of life will lead us through some dark days. We often become people of disappointment and frustrations.

"It's not fair." I remember hearing these words often from two young children. My word of reply was often, "Life's not fair" or "Who said that life has to be fair."

Whatever comes our way that causes the darkness of travel, remember:

"The darkest hour is but 60 minutes."

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad


All the Way My Savior Leads Me
(Fanny Crosby, 1820-1915)

All the way my Savior leads me; What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy, Who thro' life has been my guide?
Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know whate'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know whate'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me; Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me peace for ev'ry trial, Feeds me with the living bread;
Tho' my weary steps may falter, And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! a spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! a spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me; Oh, the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised in my Father's house above:
When my spirit, clothed immortal, Wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song thro' endless ages: Jesus led me all the way;
This my song thro' endless ages: Jesus led me all the way.


An excerpt from the book "Then Sings My Soul" regarding the writing of this hymn:

"'...that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.' Colossians 1:9

When Fanny Crosby wrote, 'All the way my Savior leads me,/What have I to ask beside?' she was expressing her own testimony of God's guidance. Even her blindness, she realized, was part of His plan.
When Fanny was about six weeks old, her parents had realized with alarm that something was wrong with her eyes. The local doctor was away, but the Crosbys found a man-no one afterward recalled his name-who claimed to be a physician. He put hot poultice on the baby's inflamed eyes, insisting it would draw out the infection. The infection did clear up, but white scars appeared, and in the months that followed the baby registered no response to objects held before her. As it turned out, Fanny was not totally blind. Even in old age she could discern day from night. But her vision was gone.
Yet this stimulated other gifts, such as her phenomenal memory. As a child, Fanny memorized whole sections of the Bible, including most of the Pentateuch, the four gospels, all of Proverbs, and vast portions of other books. Whenever she wanted to 'read' a passage, she just turned there in her mental 'Bible' and read it verbatim. 'This Holy Book,' she said when eighty-five, 'has nurtured my entire life.'
Years later, Fanny viewed her blindness as a special gift from God, believing He had given her a particular 'soul-vision' which equipped her for a special work. 'It was the best thing that could have happened to me,' she declared, 'How in the world could I have lived such a helpful life had I not been blind?'
'Don't blame the doctor,' Fanny said on another occasion. 'He is probably dead by this time. But if I could meet him, I would tell him that he unwittingly did me the greatest favor in the world.'

Though this hymn expressed Fanny Crosby's lifelong testimony, it was prompted by a specific incident in 1874. One day she didn't have enough money to pay her rent. Just as she committed the matter to God in prayer, a stranger appeared at her door and pressed a ten-dollar bill in her hand before disappearing. It was the very amount needed. That night, she wrote the words to 'All the Way My Savior Leads Me.''

Wrong or Right

Often times in life's journey, we are confronted with decisions which can lead us to joy or sorrow, happiness or heartaches.

Many times, it is quite clear what direction we should go. While at other times, it is questionable.

What's wrong or what's right?

Just remember, "Wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it."

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad


Hear, my sons, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding: For I give you good doctrine; Forsake ye not my law. For I was a son unto my father, Tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. And he taught me, and said unto me: Let thy heart retain my words; Keep my commandments, and live; Get wisdom, get understanding; Forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth; Forsake her not, and she will preserve thee; Love her, and she will keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; Yea, with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote thee; She will bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her. She will give to thy head a chaplet of grace; A crown of beauty will she deliver to thee. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; And the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in paths of uprightness. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; And if thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: Keep her; for she is thy life. Enter not into the path of the wicked, And walk not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it; Turn from it, and pass on. For they sleep not, except they do evil; And their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence. But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: They know not at what they stumble. My son, attend to my words; Incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep them in the midst of thy heart. For they are life unto those that find them, And health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a wayward mouth, And perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, And let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Make level the path of thy feet, And let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: Remove thy foot from evil. (Pro 4:1-27)

Michtam of David. Preserve me, O God; for in thee do I take refuge. O my soul, thou hast said unto Jehovah, Thou art my Lord: I have no good beyond thee. As for the saints that are in the earth, They are the excellent in whom is all my delight. Their sorrows shall be multiplied that give gifts for another god: Their drink-offerings of blood will I not offer, Nor take their names upon my lips. Jehovah is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; Yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless Jehovah, who hath given me counsel; Yea, my heart instructeth me in the night seasons. I have set Jehovah always before me: Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth; My flesh also shall dwell in safety. For thou wilt not leave my soul to Sheol; Neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; In thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psa 16:1-11)

Stop

Sometimes it is good to stop! Everyday activities become tiring. We need time to relax and rest. You've had a busy week as you've traveled on your individual course of life.

After today, you'll get to stop for the weekend. Don't stop too early. Make it through the day.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

Relatives

"We have careful thoughts for the stranger
And smiles for the visiting guest;
But oft for 'our own'
The bitter tone,
Though we love 'our own' the best."

Why is it that we have the harshest words for our immediate family? We find ourselves being the cruelest toward those that we say we love!

Wouldn't it be better if we put forth our best display of patience, love, understanding and gentleness to those that are our relatives?

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

Do Unto Others

We are always confronted with new relationships - new friends, new classmates and new associates.

Be friendly with all people. Open up your heart!

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." We have committed the Golden rule to memory, now let us commit it to life.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad


There are so many examples in the Bible and throughout history where people did unto others as they would want to have done unto them. There are also examples where people were cruel and violent towards others without any evidence of love. The key to how we treat others is love. Do we prefer others over ourselves? Do we love others and show others kindness, even if they do not do the same? I try to teach these lessons to my children on a daily basis (even though I do not always practice them myself).

Joseph was sold by his brothers into Egyptian slavery. But Jehovah was with Joseph and blessed him abundantly to the high rank of second to the Pharoah (Joseph, a Hebrew!). When Joseph's brothers begged of him for food during the famine, he loved them and welcomed them back into his life as opposed to hurting them or denying them.

In 1 Samuel, we see where David would not hurt King Saul because he was the annointed, chosen king of Jehovah. Yet, King Saul, knowing that David was the chosen successor by Jehovah, was full of anger and jealousy towards David. He searched and searched to kill him, but David was always a step ahead. David had ample opportunity to kill Saul, but never did.

In Acts, Saul persecuted and killed followers of Christ. He had a hand in the stoning death of Stephen. Saul saw the light of Christ on the road to Damascus and became the Apostle Paul, and never forgave himself the violent sins he had committed against God's saints, even though Christ had forgiven him. The first apostles could have avenged the death of so many of their brethren by killing Paul, but they loved him instead.

My family knew a man whose young adult daughter was abducted from her job, raped and murdered. The man was arrested and found guilty of his crime. Instead of being angry and resentful towards this man who took the life of his daughter, Mr. Miller showed love and kindness towards him. Mr. Miller would visit the man in prison (located a good distance from his home) and share the love of Christ with him. Could you do that?

The key to showing love to others is to be filled with the love of Christ. Open your heart today! Be filled with Christ, wear it! and share it with others!

Calvary

"'The place which is called Calvary' Luke 23:33

The hill of comfort is the hill of Calvary; the house of consolation is built with the wood of the cross; the temple of heavenly blessing is founded upon the riven rock-riven by the spear which pierced His side. No scene in sacred history ever gladdens the soul like Calvary's tragedy.

'It is not strange, the darkest hour
That ever dawned on sinful earth,
Should touch the heart with softer power,
For comfort, than an angel's mirth?
That to the Cross the mourner's eye should turn,
Sooner than where the stars of Bethlehem burn?'

Light springs from the midday-midnight of Golgotha, and every herb of the field blooms sweetly beneath the shadow of the once accursed tree. In that place of thirst, grace hath dug a fountain which ever gusheth with waters pure as crystal, each drop capable of alleviating the woes of mankind. You who have had your seasons of conflict, will confess that it was not at Olivet that you ever found comfort, not on the hill of Sinai, nor on Tabor; but Gethsemane, Gabbatha, and Golgotha have been a means of comfort to you. The bitter herbs of Gethsemane have often taken away the bitters of your life; the scourge of Gabbatha has often scourged away your cares, and the groans of Calvary have put all other groans to flight. Thus Calvary yields us comfort rare and rich. We never should have known Christ's love in all its heights and depths if He had not died; nor could we guess the Father's deep affection if He had not given His Son to die. The common mercies we enjoy all sing of love, just as the sea-shell, when we put it to our ears, whispers of the deep sea whence it came; but if we desire to hear the ocean itself, we must not look at everyday blessings, but at the transactions of the crucifixion. He who would know love, let him retire to Calvary and see the Man of sorrows die."
from Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, April 10.


Before the Day Star Knew Its Place - Don Fortner

Before the sun in heav’n was placed,
Or angel’s voice could sound,
God’s saints in bonds of sov’reign grace,
Were one with Jesus found.

In all Christ Jesus did on earth,
His chosen did in Him; —
From the obedience of His birth,
Through death in darkness grim!

For His elect He tasted death;
All glory to his name!
Triumphant in His dying breath,
With Him we overcame!

With Christ our Savior on the tree
We met the law’s demands;
“I am in them. They are in me.”
And thus our union stands!

Since Jesus slept among the dead,
He saved us from death’s fear;
For with our suff’ring gracious Head,
We’ve been triumphant there.

When from the tomb we see Him rise,
Triumphant o’er our foes,
He bore His members to the skies,
And with Him we arose!

This union cannot be dissolved,
By which all things are ours,
Long as eternal years revolve,
Or Deity endures!

Faith in the Valley

Life is such that we can never completely stop!

As we travel on life's journey, we should be progressing and making advances.

One of life's greatest risk is to do nothing.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad


Sometimes our progress may feel like we're doing "nothing" and therein lies the advancement. Waiting upon God's providence to work out what He has for us. We know that we are the clay and He is the potter. He molds us and shapes us. It is not always comfortable. Job experienced this. In his lowest, he had no family, no friends, no wealth, poor health and thought he had been utterly foresaken. Yet, his faith remained. So in his doing "nothing," he was being faithful in relying upon God's grace and mercy. And upon this reliance, Job saw the Lord at His greatest. He delivered him and blessed him abundantly. Today, as you are working towards your goal, remember to rely on the grace and mercy of Jehovah Jirah (Lord our Provider).

The Valley of Vision

Lord, High and Holy, Meek and Lowly,
Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;
hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox
that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,
and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;
Let me find thy light in my darkness,
thy life in my death,
thy joy in my sorrow,
thy grace in my sin,
thy riches in my poverty
thy glory in my valley.

(from The Valley of Vision)

Stardom

During the 15 years [now 30 years] that I have been in the insurance business, I have seen several individuals get into the business only to leave shortly thereafter.

* Many individuals have the God-given talent to be successful in the athletic field, and yet they never reach stardom.

* Many have potential, yet few have production!

* Reach your greatest!
*Apply yourself.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

Happy Birthday, Dad!

In my senior English class, we were studying the concept of altruism (I do not remember for what reason). We were given an assignment to write about someone we believed to be truly altruistic. The way I remember is that there was a pyramid whereby someone was found to be truly altruistic at the top. We were to give supporting arguments along each step of the gradation as to why we believed this person had achieved the highest honor of being considered truly altruistic. I'm sure many of the students picked presidents, civil rights leaders, athletes and others. I chose my father. The teacher tried to convince me that you have to be "great" to be truly altruistic and no mere man could fit all the criteria to reach the top of the pyramid. However, I was able to write a convincing argument to the contrary. Websters defines altruism as the unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others. Anyone who knows my father, knows that he is certainly altruistic. And he is no "mere man." But more than his unselfish regard to his fellow man, is his supreme devotion to his God and his King!


Spurgeon's Morning and Evening for today describes Dad's devotion pretty well.

"'Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp' Hebrews 13:13
Jesus, bearing His cross, went forth to suffer without the gate. The Christian's reason for leaving the camp of the world's sin and religion is not because he loves to be singular, but because Jesus did so, and the disciple must follow his Master. Christ was 'not of the world:' His life and His testimony were a constant protest against conformity with the world. Never was such overflowing affection for men as you find in Him; but still He was separate from sinners. In like manner Christ's people must 'go forth unto Him.' They must take their position 'without the camp,' as witness-bearers for the truth. They must be prepared to tread the straight and narrow path. They must have bold, unflinching, lion-like hearts, loving Christ first, and His truth next, and Christ and His truth beyond all the world. Jesus would have His people 'go forth without the camp' for the own sanctification. You cannot grow in grace to any high degree while you are conformed to the world. The life of separation may be a path of sorrow, but it is the highway of safety; and though the separated life may cost you many pangs, and make every day a battle, yet it is a happy life after all. No joy can excel that of the soldier of Christ: Jesus reveals Himself so graciously, and gives such sweet refreshment, that the warrior feels more calm and peace in his daily strife than others in their hours of rest. The highway of holiness is the highway of communion. It is thus we shall hope to win the crown if we are enabled by divine grace faithfully to follow Christ 'without the camp.' The crown of glory will follow the cross of separation. A moment's shame will be well recompensed by eternal honour; a little while of witness-bearing will seem nothing when we are 'forever with the Lord.'"

Thanks, Dad, for teaching me so many things. I recall one Sunday morning in church that you were putting your offering into the offering plate before services started and I looked at the amount on the check. Astonished, I asked you why in the world would you give so much money to the church (I think it was only about $50)!! You proclaimed, "The Lord has blessed me with this money. It is my honor and my duty to return it to Him for the work to be done on this earth for His eternal kingdom."

I can only say that you're the best! I consider it to be one of the greatest blessings that the good Lord has bestowed upon me to have a man like you as my first teacher, my lifelong supporter, my daily joy and my eternal brother! I pray for the Lord's richest blessings on you today and for many days to come! Happy Birthday! I love you!

Commitment

I heard a very interesting statistic the other day that got me thinking--maybe it will do the same for you.

"Over 80% of the Presidents and CEOs of America's largest companies are regular attendees of church. They also are married and have never been divorced."

The financial and business leaders are committed to their business, family and God. The spark plugs and go-getters of America's economy understand the importance of worship, relationships and devotions.

What about you? Is our relationship to God and one another important? Examine.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad


"Things Needful

Thou Eternal Source,
Author of all created being and happiness, I adore thee for making man capable of religion, that he may be taught to say:
'Where is God, my Maker, who giveth songs in the night?'
But degeneracy has spread over our human race, turning glory into shame, rendering us forgetful of thee.
We know it is thy power alone that can recall wondering children, can impress on them a sense of divine things, and can render that sense lasting and effectual;
From thee proceed all good purposes and desires, and the diffusing of piety and happiness.
Thou hast knowledge of my soul's secret principles, and art aware of my desire to spread the gospel.
Make me an almoner to give thy bounties to the indigent, comfort to the mentally ill, restoration to the sin-diseased, hope to the despairing, joy to the sorrowing, love to the prodigals.
Blow away the ashes of unbelief by thy Spirit's breath and give me light, fire, and warmth of love.
I need spiritual comforts that are gentle, peaceful, mild, refreshing, that will melt me into conscious lowliness before thee, that will make me feel and rest in thee as my All.
Fill the garden of my soul with the wind of love, that the scents of the Christian life may be wafted to others; then come and gather fruits to thy glory.
So shall I fulfil the great end of my being - to glorify thee and be a blessing to men." from Valley of Vision


"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." Teddy Roosevelt, 1858-1919

Be Little

Never be guilty of looking down on others. It is so easy to laugh and make fun of other individuals. In doing so, we think it increases our status. Not so!

"To belittle others is to be little."

Look for the good in others. If there is to be any belittling, let it be toward ourselves. The Bible continually speaks of humility.

"He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30)

"Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble." (1Peter 5:5)

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad