Blog Archives

ALL FOR THE BEST

12/30/2021

  ALL FOR THE BEST

Wrote Robert Browning...

"I have lived, seen God's hand
through a lifetime, and all was
for the best."

Browning's philosophy is easy to accept
when our path is smooth and there are
no stones in our shoes.
But, what of the tough times? During
traumas filled with sorrow and pain?
Does Browning's affirmation still ring true?

We believe it does, especially if we accept
the scriptural truth..."All things work for good
to those who love God." (Romans 8:28)

God constantly reaches out for the hand of
every person. Some of us have been drawn
closer to Him in times of happiness and joy,
But, we suspect many more have come to
know him best in times of trials and stress.

It is in the most difficult of times, the very
worst of times, that we may witness God's
best. For the deeper we search for him. the
closer he comes toward us. And we are
  comforted still.

(First published on December 4, 2014,
Revisions made on December 30,2021)

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE (12.2021)?

12/29/2021

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE (12.2021)?

That's the question millions of us in America,
and around the globe, are asking. Will 2022
be any different, or any better than the last
two years of this Covid-19 pandemic. Will
2022 be more to our liking, our satisfaction?

How high are our hopes, our dreams, our
ambitions? Do we simply give up, or may
we re-energize, push ahead, with new hope,
renewed faith, that the God who made us,
will again sustain us and see us through?

Answers are not always simple or easy to obtain.
We hope, for you, and for us, that the light will
brightly shine and the new year will be filled with
God's goodness and sacredness. The Lord willing.

(Written and published on December 29, 2021)

OUT OF THE TUNNEL 163

12/18/2021

  OUT OF THE TUNNEL 163

An unknown writer has written...
"Some of us may enter the light
sooner than others. But we are
all moving toward it"

  A train in a tunnel does not bring each passenger
out of the tunnel, out of the darkness, into the light
of day, at the same time

Those in the front part of the train are
the first to see a glimmer of light.

They leave the tunnel behind while many
of their fellow passengers are still in the dark.

Even so, while the train is still in the tunnel
all are moving towards the light.

So, all who have started on the journey
towards health of body and soul may
reach their destination as long as they
continue toward the light.

Out of the tunnel
Into the light
Hello to sunshine
Goodbye to the night
Farewell to wrongdoing
If we cling to the right
Victory is ours
If we'll stay in the fight

(First published on May 4, 1976) with revisions made on December 18, 2021)

GO FORWARD 696

12/18/2021

GO FORWARD 696

"The business of life," wrote
  Samuel Johnson is to go forward"

Through failures or successes,
go forward
Through rough times or smooth,
go forward
Through the heart aches
and the tears,
The victories and the cheers,
go forward,
Be not overly affected by
the happenings of this day
This day shall pass away and
And another one most likely
will take its place
The sun still comes up
in the morning
Press on

      (First published on November 15, 1979,
with revisions made on November 3, 2021)

LUKE 2:1-20 THE CHRISTMAS STORY

12/14/2021

  LUKE 2:1-20 THE CHRISTMAS STORY

      And it came to pass in those days,
that there went out a decree from Cæsar
   Augustus, that all the world  should be taxed,

And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius
was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed,
every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city
of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which
is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and
linage of David--to be taxed with Mary his espoused
wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days
were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him
in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because
there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding
in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,
and the glory of the Lord shone round about them,
   and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for, behold,
I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be
to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David,
a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a a sign unto you: ye shall find
the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude
   of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace
good will toward men.

    And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away
from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another,
Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing
which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known
unto us.

     And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph,
and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad
the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things
   which were told them by the shepherds.

But, Mary kept all these things, and pondered them
in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God
for all the things that they had heard and seen as it was
told unto them.

CHRISTMAS (2012)

12/14/2021

CHRISTMAS (2012)

Christ Jesus was born for you and me
His name shall be called Wonderful,
Risen now, with healing in his wings
Into His courts we shall come with praise
Son of Mary, Son of God, the begotten one
The Prince of Peace, our Lord on high
May God bless you with his love
Amid the chaos, the baby Jesus sleeps
Silently, Bethlehem lies, quiet and deep

CHRISTMAS 2021

12/11/2021

CHRISTMAS 2021

Snow all around
floating toward the ground

  Sunday bells are ringing really love the sound

Old Dobbin to the shay what a day to play

Sing Christmas hymns
with loud accord

Pick up the plow
drop the sword

Christ was born
to save us all

Shall we not
heed his call

Bless the Lord
with all our might

Banish all darkness
with His light

He'll always treat us
as His friend

And travel with us
'till the very end

(Written on December 11, 2021
and published on December 12,
2021)

FURTURE CONCERNS

12/4/2021

   FURTURE CONCERNS

   "We should all be concerned," wrote Charles Kettering,
   "about the future because we will have to spend the rest
   of our lives there."

Perhaps the reason most of us may wind
                                        up being ill equipped to live in the future is
                                        that we spend too much time squandering
                                        the present and fretting about the past.

                                        Can we not see that our present thoughts
                                        quite often determine our future actions.
                                        And, we cannot escape our future any more
                                        than we can ignore the present or deny the past.

                                        We would speak well of the past, for it is by
                                        remembering the past that we become educated.
                                        We would applaud the present moment, for only
                                        in the present moment does any action take place.
                                        We would extol the virtues of the future, for the
                                        future permits us to dream, to envision, to hope
                                        and to plan.
                                        Without the future, there could be no past and
                                        our present would be shallow indeed.

  (First published on December 29, 2012)

PSALM 100:1-5

12/3/2021

   PSALM 100:1-5

Make a joyful noise
unto the Lord
all ye lands
Serve the Lord with gladness
Come before his presence
with singing

Know ye
that the Lord
he is God

It is he
that hath made us
and not we ourselves

We
are his people
and the sheep
of his pasture

Enter into his gates
with thanksgiving
and
into his courts
with praise

Be thankful
unto him
and bless his name

For the Lord is good
His mercy is everlasting
And his truth endureth
to all generations

(First published on November 26, 2014)

THE MASTER CRAFTSMAN

12/3/2021

THE MASTER CRAFTSMAN

Near the close of summer, we are did a bit
of remodeling in our home, patching ceilings
filling cracks, and painting walls,
of remodeling in our home, patching ceilings
filling cracks, and painting walls,

At first, it seemed as though we would never
finish. And yet, as each day progressed, we
could see further progress, and this gave us
hope that we might eventually finish our tasks,
which after a few weeks we actually did.

That's the way it is in our personal lives. At
some point in our lives we realize that we
need a refurbishing.

Damage to our soul, due to lack of concern
  and care, had taken its toll through the years,
   and the task of renovating called for the skills
of the Master Craftsman. We needed to have
Him restore our soul. It was obvious that we
badly needed Him to be our interior decorator.

We were greatly in need of repairs. Because of
the material he has had to work with, progress
has been slower than we would have desired.

We often become impatient with Him. We
We so often have wanted immediate results. We
have wanted the job done yesterday.
But, we are learning to be still and trust and
have faith in Him.

  we are confident that the results shall one
day be grand. They always are when the builder's
tools are wielded by the hand of the Master
Craftsman.

(First published on November 15, 2012,
with revisions mad on December 3, 2021)