The Intricate Things in Our World...

from the smallest to the largest were created by God.

Matthew 6:25-34

 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. 

Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 

Are you not worth much more than they? 

And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?

And why are you worried about clothing? 

Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? 

You of little faith!

Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’

For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

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Remember these things as today turns into tomorrow.

His Wonderful Amazing Grace!

Another graveside service on a cold snowy day for the Piper and his wife. 

The graveyard is beautifully set on rolling hillsides, full of many trees, lovely memorial stones with an incredible view across the valley to the next ridge. 

This graveyard was organized way over a hundred years ago. For me it was full of history. The history of normal people who came here as settlers and raised up their families - who raised up their families...

The LORD knows all of this. He sees time from the beginning to the end of this world because He is outside of time. He knows which people loved Him and who didn't. 

In our reality - making a decision for Christ is paramount although many people think they have all the time in the world. Life is short if you live for a handful of years to a hundred years. It is important to discern, think on these things, and search the scriptures often! Don't wait too long!  Get busy!

I watched today's people drive up, get out of their cars, and walk to the graveside. From the way they interacted they all seemed like they were family members.

The Piper played Nearer My God to Thee and Abide with Me as the family carried the casket to the graveside. After the short memorial the casket was lowered while the Piper played Amazing Grace.

The song and the tune of Amazing Grace has been a classic for Christians. It speaks of Salvation for those who cry out to the LORD in His truth. It speaks of fears, and fears relieved, real Hope and safety, and blindness to God's Truth, but after accepting Him, true sight, and, of course, His Amazing Grace!

At any funeral it is normal when the Piper begins to play Amazing Grace for many, many people begin to cry, or tear up.  Today it was the same. How many of them truly know the LORD and His salvation in Christ? And how many only cry or have tears for the emotion tune it is. How many cry with joy mixed in their sadness for the Saint who now is now with Christ! and how many who are lost cry just in sadness?

May we who are saved be faithful 

to share our Hope in Jesus with others!

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Amazing Grace

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound


That saved a wretch like me!


I once was lost, but now am found;


Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,


And grace my fears relieved;


How precious did that grace appear


The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,


I have already come;


’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,


And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,


His Word my hope secures;


He will my Shield and Portion be,


As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,


And mortal life shall cease,


I shall possess, within the veil,


A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,


The sun forbear to shine;


But God, who called me here below,


Will be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,


Bright shining as the sun,


We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise


Than when we’d first begun.

-John Newton, 1779

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God's Creation: Up Close and Personal

 

My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness

Of the Father's love begotten,

Ere the worlds began to be,

He is Alpha and Omega,

He the source, the ending He,

Of the things that are, that have been,

And that future years shall see,

Evermore and evermore!

At His Word the worlds were framed;

He commanded; it was done:

Heaven and earth and depths of ocean

In their threefold order one;

All that grows beneath the shining

Of the moon and burning sun,

Evermore and evermore!

He is found in human fashion,

Death and sorrow here to know,

That the race of Adam's children

Doomed by law to endless woe,

May not henceforth die and perish

In the dreadful gulf below,

Evermore and evermore!

O that birth forever blessed,

When the Virgin, full of grace,

By the Holy Ghost conceiving,

Bare the Savior of our race;

And the Babe, the world's Redeemer,

First revealed His sacred face,

Evermore and evermore!

This is He Whom seers in old time

Chanted of with one accord;

Whom the voices of the prophets

Promised in their faithful word;

Now He shines, the long expected,

Let creation praise its Lord,

Evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heaven adore Him;

Angel hosts, His praises sing;

Powers, dominions, bow before Him,

And extol our God and King!

Let no tongue on earth be silent,

Every voice in concert sing,

Evermore and evermore!

Righteous judge of souls departed,

Righteous King of them that live,

On the Father's throne exalted

None in might with Thee may strive;

Who at last in vengeance coming

Sinners from Thy face shalt drive,

Evermore and evermore!

Thee let old men, thee let young men,

Thee let boys in chorus sing;

Matrons, virgins, little maidens,

With glad voices answering:

Let their guileless songs re-echo,

And the heart its music bring,

Evermore and evermore!

Christ, to Thee with God the Father,

And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,

Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving,

And unwearied praises be:

Honor, glory, and dominion,

And eternal victory,

Evermore and evermore!

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What a Beautiful Sign!

 

God's Creation: Rainbow promise   

Genesis 9:12-17

"God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations; I have set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall serve as a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. 

It shall come about, when I make a cloud appear over the earth, that the rainbow will be seen in the cloud, and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. 

When the rainbow is in the cloud, then I will look at it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 

And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

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We live by two lakes, two rivers, and one natural slough which is practically in our back yard. We have enjoyed the wildlife very much through the years and the many, many rainbows which cross our open skies.

This week the weather turned warmish for a couple of days and I suppose this may have had something to do with the very large amounts of Canada Geese in flight, swirling low above us along with their wonderful honking. 

At first I was use to it and went about my business. After a while I realized that this was something spectacular happening. I decided to sit and just enjoy the "air show".  Even the kitties were in wonder at it all. At first they crouched and hid, and then they came out looking up with me.

It was quite a show while sitting to watch comfortably with the warm breezes. Watching this beautiful sight brought back such beautiful, sweet memories. We had lived for quite a while in the Chicago area where there were many a retention pond for Canada Geese to stay the winter throughout that huge area.

Although the LORD was lifting my head, this day my heart was homesick for our far away home with all the honking of the Geese. Comfort was there, and seemingly its warm safety. 

I thought about these memories for a while with my sorrows turning into great agony.  Soon enough reality set in while I was allowing the LORD to hold me tightly, safely, comfortingly even in my sorrows and long ago happy memories!

We live far away from those days of big cities, honking geese, and happy memories. The LORD was with us then and He is still mighty in our life here. He is even more  to us now than ever before.  So much growing up in Him! What Joy! 

I sat and knew that THIS is NOT our home! What child of His could stand to live here when we could be with Him in His mighty Kingdom for eternity! Looking forward to His return!

This World is NOT my Home!!!

John 15:18-19

...“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 

If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you."...

John 18:36

"...Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. 

If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” ...

Hebrews 13:7-14

..."Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their way of life, imitate their faith.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever.

Do not be misled by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.

We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the Holy Place by the high priest as an offering for sin are burned outside the camp.

Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the gate, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood.

So then, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come."...

1Peter 2:11-17

..."Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul.

Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God on the day of visitation.

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.

For such is the will of God, that by doing right you silence the ignorance of foolish people.

Act as free people, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond-servants of God.

Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king."...

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Hope to see you, dear reader, there!

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