Sweet Autumn

We are in for a spell 

of perfect weather now, 

every day luminous, 

every night brimmed with stars.  

Picnics at noon, 

supper by the applewood fire at night, 

a walk in the cool moonlight before bed.

Gladys Taber

New Fallen Snow

Calvin and Hobbs
by Bill Watterson

Psalm 46

Relax, God Is with You
by Paul Tautges with thanks.

“Be still, and know that I am God” 

Psalm 46:10, ESV

“Cease striving and know that I am God” 

Psalm 46:10, NAS

The marginal notes in the New American Standard Bible says “Cease striving” means “let it go, relax.” 

How do we let it go? 

How do we relax? 

How do we rest in the Lord?

According to Psalm 46, we rest in the Lord by beholding His works (v.8), by reminding ourselves of who He is for us now the hymn writer’s words are our personal reality, “I am His and He is mine.” 

What does Psalm 46 teach us about resting in the Lord? 

What reasons do we have to relax, to trust Him? 

Go get your Bible and walk through this soul-strengthening Psalm.

1. God is. God has always been; He is now; He always will be. 
    Jesus was, is, and is to come (v. 1)

2.God is our refuge, our hiding place, our security, our protection and 
    our Protector (v. 1).

3. God is our strength, our power to rest (v. 1).

4. God is very present (v. 1).

5. God is very present in times of trouble (v. 1).

6. God is our help, a very present help, and our Helper (v. 1).

7. God is stable, unchanging in an ever-changing world (vv. 2-3).

8. Peace and security are found only in His presence (vv. 4-5).

9. Though the nations roar against Him, 
    God will melt the earth with His voice (v. 6).

10. God is with us (v. 7).

11. God is our stronghold, our fort (v. 7).

12. God is the Judge of all, the King of the earth (vv. 8-9).

13. God will one-day occupy His rightful place 
      as King of the nations (v. 10).

14. God has an innumerable host of angels to discharge 
      at His will (v. 11).

15. God is our stronghold, our fort (v. 11).

A graceful wreath

When I was a little girl,

I always wanted to be in the kitchen,

because it was warm,

and that’s where my mother was. 

--Dolly Parton

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Hear, my son, your father’s instruction
And do not forsake your mother’s teaching;
Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head
And ornaments about your neck.
Proverbs 1:8-9

You are always a role model to somebody #5

Let the wise listen

and add to their learning,

and let the discerning get guidance---

Proverbs 1:5

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Gentle and Humble

The Strength of Gentleness 

by Joni Eareckson Tada, 1998

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30

Every once in awhile I daydream about my childhood. I remember going on a long hike with my dad and his friends. I don't know how old I was, probably five or six. I scrambled to keep up with the adults, but my little legs could only carry me for so long. I became weary and burdened.

Tired from the long distance, I remember thinking how thankful I was that my dad and his friends were such big, strong adults. They would have no trouble carrying a little tyke like me on their broad shoulders. I breathed a sigh of relief when my dad reached down and slung me on his back. I had no cause for worry. He was strong enough to take my burdens. 

Contrast that image with the Scripture for today. Does something strike you as odd?

Jesus doesn't say, "Look how big and strong I am. Look how powerful and robust. Lean on me." 

Instead, Jesus says, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened...for I am gentle and humble in heart."

God's Word reminds us that humility, gentleness, patience, long-suffering, kindness, and goodness are character qualities that tower heads above being strong, aggressive, or unwavering. 

The humble and gentle people are the ones we find ourselves drawn to when we feel burdened or weary. Somehow we know these are the people who genuinely care, who actually pray, and who, in fact, take our load upon them.
___________________________________

Are you weary or heavy laden? 

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" 
1 Peter 5:7

Gentle Jesus, please relieve me of my load today. Enable me to hand it over to You rather than trying to stumble on with it. I'm so grateful You care.


taken from More Precious Than Silver, by Joni

Jesus is my balm

There is balm in Gilead,

To make the wounded whole ;

There's power enough in heaven,

To cure a sin-sick soul.

Some times I feel discouraged,

And think my work’s in vain,

But then the Holy Spirit

Revives my soul again.

There is balm in Gilead,

To make the wounded whole ;

There's power enough in heaven,

To cure a sin-sick soul.

If you cannot sing like angels,

If you can’t preach like Paul,

You can tell the love of Jesus,

And say He died for all.

There is balm in Gilead,

To make the wounded whole ;

There's power enough in heaven,

To cure a sin-sick soul.

Don't ever feel discouraged,

'Cause Jesus is your friend,

And if you lack for knowledge,

He'll never fail to lend.

This is a well-known traditional Black-American spiritual. 

          The "balm in Gilead" is a reference from the Old Testament, 
           but the lyrics of this spiritual refer to 
           the New Testament and salvation through Jesus Christ.


Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:29b

You are always a role model to somebody #4

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Hear, my son, your father's instruction
and do not forsake your mother's teaching:
Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head
and ornaments about your neck.
Proverbs 1:8-9

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The Real Deal

It is the sweet, 

simple things of life 

which are 

the real ones after all. 

Laura Ingalls Wilder

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You are always a role model to somebody #3

 

You have put gladness in my heart.

Psalm 4:7a

 

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Special Medicine

 

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Psalm 34:18

 

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

I know that sounds harsh and old-school, but....

Check out Given Breath, with "FYI (if you're a teen girl)" post, written by Mrs. Hall concerning her family---3 sons, one daughter, and the social media and who they let into their lives.

Samplings:

...I have some information that might interest you. Last night, as we sometimes do, our family sat around the dining-room table and looked through your social media photos.

...So, here’s the bit that I think is important for you to realize. 

...And so, in our house, there are no second chances, ladies. If you want to stay friendly with the Hall men, you’ll have to keep your clothes on, and your posts decent.  

...I know that sounds harsh and old-school, but that’s just the way it is under this roof for a while. We hope to raise men with a strong moral compass, and men of integrity don’t linger over pictures of scantily clad high-school girls.

...Every day I pray for the women my boys will love.  I hope they will be drawn to real beauties, the kind of women who will leave them better people in the end. I also pray that my sons will be worthy of this kind of woman, that they will be patient – and act honorably – while they wait for her.

...Will you trust me? There are boys out there waiting and hoping for women of character. Some young men are fighting the daily uphill battle to keep their minds pure, and their thoughts praiseworthy.

Keeping you and your family safe in this dangerous, evil world is worth it--- so work at it.

Once in a Blue Moon

 It's kind of a rare sight: Blue Moons occur somewhat infrequently. After today's full moon, another Blue Moon will not occur again until 2015. The idiom "once in a Blue Moon" signifies a rare event because scientists had trouble predicting when the distinctive full moon would happen during any given year.

There are two definitions for Blue Moon: The term Blue Moon was originally assigned to the third full moon in a four moon season, but after a mix up in "Sky & Telescope" magazine in 1946, the term took on a different meaning. An article in the magazine incorrectly defined a blue moon as the second full moon in a single month, but the definition stuck. This particular blue moon is a technical Blue Moon, but does not meet the criteria for the second definition. The third full moon in a four-full-moon season rule was detailed in a 1937 edition of the now defunct Maine Farmers' Almanac.

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We went out to watch the stars last night.  Instead we discovered it was a "Blue Moon" which meant that it was so bright out there that we could barely see any stars at all.  We stayed outside anyways, and tried to take pictures.

It was a beautiful night, with a light, rustling breeze as we sat and enjoyed the sky.  While my Beloved was taking pictures, I was praising God and then praying for a myriad of situations.  Meanwhile the moon was just so bright, seemingly brighter than a normal full moon, and I began to contemplate how the moon only reflects the sun's light. Without the sun we would not see our moon.

As we live our lives for the LORD, our own lives are to be a reflection of His.  As we do normal things in life, our lives should shine because of Him.  There should be a beautiful difference in us when we are His child that others can see without us even preaching the gospel.  This difference is because of our new life in Him and it should be normal and natural for us to live and shine His reflection.  

Galatians 5:22-25

... the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 

Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

We are to live our lives in such a way that, unlike "a blue moon" which only comes once in a while, we will always shine brightly for Him.  Don't be a "once in a blue moon" child of God.

1 Peter 2:9-12

...you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.  

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.

Born again to a living hope!

Don't know how it is You looked at me
And saw the person that I could be
Awakening my heart
Breaking through the dark
Suddenly Your grace

Like sunlight burning at midnight
Making my life something so
Beautiful, beautiful
Mercy reaching to save me
All that I need
You are so
Beautiful, beautiful

Now there's a joy inside I can't contain
But even perfect days can end in rain
And though it's pouring down
I see You through the clouds
Shining on my face

by Battistelli, etc

1 Peter 1:3-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
who according to His great mercy has caused us to be  
born again to a living hope through the resurrection 
of Jesus Christ from the dead, 
to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable 
and undefiled and will not fade away, 
reserved in heaven for you, 
who are protected by the power of God through faith 
for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 

In this you greatly rejoice, 
even though now for a little while, if necessary, 
you have been distressed by various trials, 
so that the proof of your faith, 
being more precious than gold which is perishable, 
even though tested by fire, 
may be found to result in praise and glory and honor 
at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 
and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, 
and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, 
you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible andfull of glory, 
obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

Your intuition is your superpower

...#15... "Strive to be the best YOU, 

not a copy of the person next to you. 

Know your strengths. 

Don't belittle your weaknesses."

See the 20 Things I Wish Someone Told Me at 20, 
by Dr. Karin L. Smithson

...#20...Listen to your still, small voice. 

God gave you a spirit that speaks to you from that spot deep in your core. 

You can feel it give you a stinging "bzzzz" when you should not be somewhere, 

and a feel-good "lalalala!"when you are in a very good place. 

Trust those GUT feelings. 

Your intuition is your superpower -- 

use it and you will diminish your chance for regret ... 

and increase your chance for wonderfulness.

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Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Proverbs 4:23

You two must really be in love

 

Picture from 1977

Recently we stopped in at a fast food shop as we traveled home -- restroom and in line for a snack and drink.  As we ordered one large drink, the cashier asked if I wanted one for myself.  

We both replied that we always shared.

The other young woman employee behind the counter heard our conversation and commented, 

"Oh, my -- you two must really be in love!"  

and then, "I've NEVER shared with anyone!"

Our advice to anyone who desires to be truly loved, is to patiently wait for the One.

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“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine"

Song of Solomon 6:3a

This scripture means more to us as every day passes by -- now almost 4 decades.

The LORD knows my path when I am overwhelmed

Psalm 142 ---written by David when he was afraid as he hid in the cave

I cry aloud with my voice to the Lord;
I make supplication with my voice to the Lord.
I pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare my trouble before Him.

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,
You knew my path.

In the way where I walk
They have hidden a trap for me.
Look to the right and see;
For there is no one who regards me;
There is no escape for me;
No one cares for my soul.

I cried out to You, O Lord;
I said, “You are my refuge,
My portion in the land of the living.
“Give heed to my cry,
For I am brought very low;
Deliver me from my persecutors,
For they are too strong for me.

“Bring my soul out of prison,
So that I may give thanks to Your name;
The righteous will surround me,
For You will deal bountifully with me.”