Blog Archives

A TIME OF QUIETNESS

7/30/2015

A TIME OF QUIETNESS

The other evening at about seven, we stepped
outside our study into the warm, encouraging,
summer air to go to our car for some papers.

The sun had set but it was not yet dark.
There was a gentle stillness in the air.

And in the distance, we hear the chiming
of a carillon. As the bells rang, this thought
came into our mind...

"Go peacefully into the night."

Every town should have a time of quietness...
a time when the chimes of a single carillon
might be heard throughout the land.

HAMSTERS IN THE BANK

7/30/2015

HAMSTERS IN THE BANK

Recently, while trying to illustrate the
disparity between the ceiling placed on strategic
nuclear weapons and the Soviet's actual reduction,
Jody Powell, the President's Press Secretary,
resorted to the analogy of an adequate supply of
hamsters versus an over-abundance of hamsters.

Finally, somebody in government circles is
talking in a language we can readily understand.
(Although, quite frankly, we used apples and
oranges when we were learning basic math in
grammar school.)

We don't know if the Russians were paying any
attention or not.

But, we want you to know, Jody, that we're
with you one-hundred percent. Every time
our wife asks us for some shopping money now,
we just simply reply...

"I'm sorry honey, we just don't have enough
hamsters in the bank."

(Written in 1977)

PSALM 72:11,12,13,17,19

7/30/2015

PSALM 72:11,12,13,17,19

Yea, all kings shall fall down
before him
All nations shall serve him

He shall spare the poor and needy
and shall save the souls of the needy
He shall redeem their soul from deceit
and violence and precious
shall their blood be
in his sight

His name shall endure forever
His name shall be continued
As long as the sun and men
shall be blessed in him
All nations shall call him blessed
and blessed be his glorious name
forever

And let the whole earth
be filled
with his glory
Amen and Amen

PSALM 71:1,3,5,9,12,23

7/23/2015

PSALM 71:1,3,5,9,12,23

In thee O Lord, do I put my trust
Let me never be put to confusion

Be thou my strong habitation
Whereunto I may constantly resort
Thou hast given commandment
To save me
For thou art my rock
And my fortress
For thou art my hope, O Lord God
Thou art my trust from my youth

Cast me not off
In the time of old age
Forsake me not
When my strength faileth

O God, be not far from me
O my God, make haste for my help

My lips
Shall greatly rejoice
When I sing unto thee
and my soul
which thou hast redeemed

THEY GLORIFIED THEIR GOD

7/23/2015

THEY GLORIFIED THEIR GOD

Every tree
Every shrub
Every blade of grass
Is God's.

Every brook
Every river
Every molecule of water
Is God's.

Every lamb
Every lion
Every beast of the field
Is God's.

Every man
Every woman
Every child
Is God's.

And the people
Took pride in nothing
But instead
They glorified their God
And wisdom and peace flourished
Throughout the land

PUP-PUP

7/23/2015

PUP-PUP

"You are going to do what, dear?"

"We've decided its tome to write an
article about Pup-Pup."

"Boy, you must really be desperate for
an article, to write one about our dog."

"Well, this will be the first article
we've written about her. And besides, we've
written about all our other children."

"Pup-Pup is not one of 'our' children.
She may be 'your' child, but she's not 'ours'."

"Aw, honey you know she is one of the sweetest,
most affectionate lovable animals you've ever
met and she has the prettiest limped-pool,
brown eyes you've ever seen."

"All right, go ahead, write about her,
but I demand equal space for 'my' cat."

"Well, I'll be...doggone."

(This article was written in 1978)

PSALM 70:1,4,5

7/16/2015

PSALM 70:1,4,5

Make haste, O God
to deliver me
Make haste to help me

Let all those that seek thee
and be glad in thee and
Let such as love thy salvation
say continually
Let God be magnified

I am poor and needy
Make haste unto me, O God
Thou art my help
and my deliverer
O Lord
Make no tarrying

AT GOD'S PACE

7/16/2015

AT GOD'S PACE

"We can outrun the wind and the storm,"
wrote John Burroughs, "but we cannot
outrun the demon of hurry."

As we read the the New Testament, we discover
one facet, among many, that stands out concerning
the behavior of Jesus Christ...

Jesus was never in a hurry.

He understood the importance of not getting
ahead of behind the will of His Father.

We cannot outrun our destinies nor can we
catch up to them by hurrying.

Let today be our only destiny. Let this day
be one in which there is purposeful planning
and peacefulness produced at our own pace
and at God's Pace.

THE LAST STRAW

7/16/2015

   THE LAST STRAW

  The other evening John and I were sitting
in the living room while our wives, Bea and
Donna were in the Kitchen.

Asked John, "How do you handle the question
of authority in your home?"

"Well," we replied, "It all flows from me...
I'm the straw that stirs the drink around here."

"What do you want to drink with your sandwich...
Straw Man?...Hey kids, come kiss your fodder
goodnight?"

"Listen, John, don't take her too seriously.
You see it's a matter of presence. I'm a leader
and I can't lie down."

"I don't know why you say that," exclaimed our
wife as she entered the living room.

"There's a comfortable bed in our guest room
that's just right for you."

"Don't pay any attention to her, John. She
often reminds me that she'll never enter into
matrimony again."

"You're right honey. When it comes to thinking
about marrying again, believe me, you're...
the last straw."

PSALM 69:15,16,17,30,33

7/7/2015

PSALM 69:15,16,17,30,33

Let not the waterflood overflow me
Neither let the deep swallow me up
And let not the pit shut her mouth upon me

Hear me, O Lord
For thy lovingkindness is good
Turn unto me according
To the multitude
Of thy tender mercies

And hide not thy face
from thy servant
for I am in trouble
Hear me speedily

I will praise the name of the God
with a song
and will magnify him
with thanksgiving

For the Lord heareth the poor
and despiseth not his prisoners