"His grace is strength and life, His love is bloom and flower"

-Yellowstone FB*

"Do not fret because of evil men 

or be envious of those who do wrong."  

 Psalm 37:1

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Never become extremely upset over your circumstances. If worry were justified, it would have been during the circumstances surrounding the writing of this Psalm...

..."Do not fret." Never get unduly upset! Stay cool! Even for a good reason, worrying will not help you. It only heats up the bearings but does not generate any steam. It does not help the locomotive for its axles to become hot; their heat is only a hinderance. The axles become heated because of unnecessary friction. Dry surfaces are grinding against each other instead of working in smooth cooperation, aided by a thin cushion of oil.

Isn't it interesting how similar the words "fret" and "friction" are? 

Friction caused by fretting is an indication of the absence of the anointing oil of the grace of God. 

When we worry, a little bit of sand gets into the bearings. It may be some slight disappointment, ungratefulness, or discourtesy we have experienced---suddenly our life is no longer running smoothly. 

Friction leads to heat, and heat can lead to very dangerous conditions.

Do not allow your bearings to be heated. 

Let the oil of the Lord keep you cool so that an unholy heat will not cause you to be regarded as one of the "evil men".

-from  The Silver Lining

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Dear restless heart, be still; don't fret and worry so;

God has a thousand ways His love and help to show;

Just trust, and trust, and trust, until His will you know.

Dear restless heart, be still, for peace is God's own smile,

His love can every wrong and sorrow reconcile;

Just love, and love, and love, and calmly wait awhile.

Dear restless heart, be brave; don't moan and sorrow so,

He has a meaning kind in chilly winds that blow;

Just hope, and hope, and hope, until you braver grow.

Dear restless heart, recline upon His breast this hour,

His grace is strength and life, His love is bloom and flower;

Just rest, and rest, and rest, within His tender power.

Dear restless heart, be still! Don't struggle to be free;

God's life is in your life, from Him you may not flee;

Just pray, and pray, and pray, till you have faith to see.

-Edith Linn

2/15 Streams in the desert

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-Yellowstone FB: Winter Survival of Bison

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The LORD comforts us so we can comfort others.

     There was a scar on yonder mountainside,

Gashed out where once the cruel storm had trod,

A barren, desolate chasm, reaching wide

Across the soft green sod.

But years crept by beneath the purple pines,

And veiled the scar with grass and moss once more,

And left it fairer now with flowers and vines

Then it had been before.

There was a wound once in a gentle heart,

From which life's sweetness seemed to ebb and die;

And love's confiding changed to bitter smart,

While slow, sad years went by.

Yet as they passed, unseen an angel stole

and laid a balm of healing on the pain,

Till love grew purer in the heart made whole,

And peace came back again.

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True Comfort

Wolves in Sheep Clothing

 

What a graphic thought this is from Jesus.

There are always people acting and looking like "sheep" when, in fact,  they are actually dangerous "ravenous wolves".

These people do not have to have a degree in theology, they can be seemingly normal, but be careful what you learn and believe. The World is a dangerous place. 

There is one person who is safe. He is the Savior, Jesus Christ, Messiah, of the Bible. 

Matthew 7:13-20 

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 

For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

You will know them by their fruits. 

Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 

So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.

A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

So then, you will know them by their fruits."

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Be careful out there.