A Beautiful Day

God gave us an absolutely gorgeous day today. It was about 75 degrees and sunny all day. We took the opportunity to take the Harleys out for what might be our last ride until spring. It had been early September since the last time we’d ridden so it was really great to hit the road for a bit.

We were blessed with a safe and enjoyable time out. He saw fit to let us see the last of the beautiful fall foliage before next weeks weather brings down the little that remains. And we were gifted a colorful fall sky to wind up our day. It was like watching the Master Painter work right before our eyes.

What a wonderful blessing these small things are to me. I love to see God’s creation and view the wonders He has made. It awes me to think how almighty He really is and yet so loving, too. Indeed we serve a wonderful God!

Daily light

An excerpt from Daily Light for the Daily Path:

Now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations.

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.–The exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him. –Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.–For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.–God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able.

1Pe 1:6 4:12,13 Heb 12:5,11 4:15 2:18 1Co 10:13

One Year Ago

One year ago today I found out that I was going to be a grandfather. It wasn’t exactly welcome news at the time: unplanned pregnancy, unmarried couple, way too young, etc. Today I have an entirely different outlook on that day though.

Not long before that, about six months or so, I has no desire to be a grandparent. My nerves didn’t handle little ones well, my patience wasn’t what it once was, and honestly I was sort of looking forward to maybe being an empty nester soon. Then God introduced me to a little girl at church.

This sweet little, well-mannered child melted my heart from the get go. We kind of bonded from the start to my great surprise. Soon I considered her my surrogate granddaughter. My wife later reflected that she was an angel that God used to soften my heart. I can’t agree more.

Fast forward a year: I now have three surrogate granddaughters, have taught a youth leather craft VBS class and loved every minute and every kid, and now have a grandson that I love more than I’d ever thought possible. Oh how wonderful and mysterious His ways are!

If We Get Out of the Way

I have been blessed to see the Lord work in a mighty and powerful way in my life and my family’s live over the last few weeks. And I have learned a lesson that I already knew: God works best when we get out of the way.

As hard as it is at times, we have to back away from what we think ought to be done and just be obedient to His way and time. It will ne perfect if we will do that, as His ways and times always are. Scripture says that obedience is better than sacrifice. Sometimes we still need to make the sacrifice but we need to do it on His terms and times for Him to bless it, thus being obedient before sacrifice.

A Heavenly Conversation

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A Heavenly Conversation | Relijournal.

I believe that from time to time we all need a reminder of what power we have through the Spirit that lives in each of us. And also a prompt to (I do a least) do that which God wants us to do. The piece, published on Relijournal,  is a “dialog” between the Trinity exhorting us to press on, “enduring to the end.

The 7-Ups

1. Wake Up !!

Decide to have a good day.
‘This is the day the Lord hath made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.’Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up !!

The best way to dress up is to put on a smile.
A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
‘The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.
Man looks at outward appearance,
but the Lord looks at the heart.’
I Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up!!
Say nice things and learn to listen.
God gave us two ears and one mouth,
so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking.

‘He who guards his lips guards his soul.’
Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!!

 

. . . for what you believe in.
Stand for something or you will fall for anything.
‘Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time,
we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good…’
Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up !!
. . to the Lord.
‘I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me’.
Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up !!
. . for something higher.
‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not unto your own understanding.
In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.’
Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up !!
. . your Prayers.
‘Do not worry about anything; instead
PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING.’
Philippians 4:6

And always remember…God answers knee-mail!

Apple ButterDay

The past two days have been preperation for apple butter making day, today. Due to other obligations, I’ve not been able to help thus far. And it saddens me because I know the fellowship I’m missing out on.

The kettles have been on the fire for hours by now and I’ve yet to make my way over to the church. Honestly though, there’s nothing I can do today up till closer to finishing time anyhow. But I’m getting ready to head on over in just a bit. I can be moral support for the laborers and then already there when time come that I can help.

If you’ve never taken part in an old fashioned apple butter making you are missing out on a lot of work, fun and fellowship. I encourage you/ if you get the opportunity, to give it a try and see if I’m right.

What Now?

An excerpt from the introduction to an article published today on Relijournal:

Life is full of decisions. Some are big and important, other are small, even insignificant. How we go about making those decisions, big or small, should be something we give lots of thought to and seek guidance on.

What Now? | Relijournal.

Now I Remember Why

I now remember why we had children at a young age, early in our lives and marriage: We were more able to care for them then!

This past week, every day except today, I had the privilege of babysitting my grandson.  He truly is a pure joy to me.  But, being 40+ now and physically limited in what I can do, he is also much work for me!  Again, I am not complaining; I enjoyed every minute I spent with him.  However, I realize that raising children is for the young, not the, well, old-er (to be kind to my ego).

He is a bt spoiled already; he’s used to being held and rocked off to sleep.  That was something I warned my son and daughter-in-law about but to no avail.  And he fusses and “gripes” the whole time, fighting sleep gum-and-nail (since he has no teeth yet).  Well, that rocking business is not very easy for a fellow with most of his lumbar spine surgically altered; the motion just doesn’t work for me anymore.  So, Papaw has retrained the little one in a new routine.

Now I lay him in his little bed-thing, place him comfortably on his side, insert his scream-plug (also known as a pacifier) and pat his bottom as I sing to him.  Before the week was half over he was happily into his new routine.  Depending on how tired he is, he generally makes it through three songs, though at times he is off to dreamland before I finish Amazing Grace.  He also likes The Old Ship of Zion and Victory in Jesus, in case you were wondering.

My wife told me he is now spoiled by me!  No one else can get him to sleep the way I can, she professes.  I don’t know if it’s true but I certainly enjoy that thought.  She surmised this after she couldn’t seem to get him to sleep without Papaw’s help.  And I am informed that last night my daughter-in-law had quite the time getting him off to la-la land, too.  Yes indeed, this Papaw-stuff is right up my alley.  To say that I am enjoying it would be the biggest understatement of the week at least!

Trees

One of my devotionals was published online today. I hope you enjoy it: Trees

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