The Perfect Gift

Sometimes the perfect gift is a cheery smile...

 I thank God for the way He made you, distinct, special and 
     unique.  You were not made from a common mold.                                                                          - Erwin W. Lutzer    

it's snowing today, and my friends, the birds,

come closer....here is Mrs. Cardinal, eating

her favorite sunflower seeds.  She sings a happy

little songs when she finds them. 

On the Journey with Jesus!

The boat on the sea is one of the earliest Christian symbols for the church in its journey through the world. Just as the boat is tossed about by the waves so is the church pounded from all sides by worldly and spiritual forces hostile to the kingdom of God. In the midst of crises, Jesus comes to restore peace and harmony in His church. But He comes in a form and manner in which He is easily mistaken for the enemy. He comes in a way that makes many well-meaning Christians cry out in fear “It is a ghost!” (Matthew 14:26) as they try to keep Him out. But if we listen carefully we shall hear through the storm His soft, gentle voice whispering in the wind, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid” (verse 27). ....

May the Lord increase our little faith so that in all the storms of life we shall have our eyes and our trust constantly fixed on Jesus and His power and not on ourselves and our weaknesses

--Fr Munachi E. Ezeogu, CSSP (A Holy Ghost Father)

photo taken at the Abby Church of St. Edmunds, Bury St. Edmund, UK  

They Also Serve Who Only Stand and Wait

When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
And that one Talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest He returning chide,
"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts. Who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly: thousands at his bidding speed,
And post o'er land and ocean without rest;


They also serve who only stand and wait."

--John Milton

this poem, called "On his blindness" written when Milton lost his sight and therefore,

felt himself somewhat, if not entirely useless,  reveals the profound

truth that it is not our gifting and how we use them that matters

but that we wait, before and for, God--(even if it makes you

feel like a potted plant.) :)

For some reason it always makes me cry.

You can hear it read, here:

http://www.sonnets.org/milton.htm#002

photo taken in St. Ives, UK

For the sake of
Your sorrowful passion,


Have mercy on us,
and on the whole world.


























photo taken at the Chapel of Corpus Christi College,
Cambridge, UK

I Drift Along in the Peace of God

I drift along, in the peace of God, knowing that I am His, and that He is, gloriously, mine.
I drift along, in the peace, in the deep peace of God.   


photo taken in St. Ives, UK

Enduring the Heat of Adversity

When it is hot in the kitchen of your life, and you don't feel you can eat what you are being
served. then endure the heat of adversity so  you will be able to say  "When He has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).




photo taken in Granville, MA
"fresh organic chilies" :)

Each gift, however different, is equally beautiful and equally needed

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.  (Romans 11:4-8)


photo taken in Bury St. Edmunds, UK 

Enter Ye In At the Narrow Gate

Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many be they that enter in thereby (Matthew 7:13)

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,.... And so, difficult to enter in at; and when entered, the way is unpleasant to the flesh to walk in, being hedged up on each side with afflictions and tribulations; and moreover, is like the "narrow place", or , "the strait place", as the Septuagint in Numbers 22:26 render it; in which the angel that met Balaam stood; and in which there was no turning to the right hand or the left; and such is the way to eternal happiness. The great encouragement to walk on in it is, because it is that way

which leadeth unto life: unto eternal life: it certainly leads thither; it never fails of bringing persons to it; believers in Christ, all that walk in Christ the way, though they are said to be "scarcely" saved, by reason of their afflictions and trials, they meet with in their way to the kingdom; yet they are, and shall be certainly saved: they shall be safely brought to glory; which will be an abundant recompense for all the troubles and sorrows that have attended them in their journey.

And few there be that find it; the way, and so consequently the life it leads to. "The gate is strait"; small and little, and so unobserved: there is but one way to heaven, and the generality of men neglect it. "The way is narrow", and so disagreeable; the company few, and not engaging. Men choose large gates, broad ways, and much company. The flesh loves to walk at liberty, unconfined, and uncontrolled, and with a multitude to do evil: hence, Zion's ways are thin of passengers; a small number, comparatively speaking, walk thereto, and will be saved; a remnant, a little flock, a little city, and few men in it. (Gill's Commentary on the
Whole Bible)


photo taken in Southington, CT

Jonathan Edwards: I Know Not How to Express...

This I know not how to express otherwise than by a calm, sweet abstraction of soul from all the concerns of this world; and sometimes a kind of vision, or fixed ideas and imaginations, of being alone in the mountains, or some solitary wilderness, far from all mankind, sweetly conversing with Christ, and wrapt and swallowed up in God. The sense I had of divine things would often of a sudden kindle up, as it were, a sweet burning in my heart; an ardor of soul, that I know not how to express.
... I walked abroad alone, in a solitary place in my father’s pasture, for contemplation. And as I was walking there, and looking upon the sky and clouds, there came into my mind so sweet a sense of the glorious majesty and grace of God, as I know not how to express. I seemed to see them both in a sweet conjunction; majesty and meekness joined together: it was a sweet, and gentle, and holy majesty; and also a majestic meekness; an awful sweetness; a high, and great, and holy gentleness.



photo taken on the far side of Pike's Peak...
near the Florrisant Fossil Beds,
Colorado

Where faith is there is courage, there is fortitude, there is steadfastness and strength. . . . Faith bestows that sublime courage that rises superior to the troubles and disappointments of life, that acknowledges no defeat except as a step to victory; that is strong to endure, patient to wait, and energetic to struggle. . . . Light up, then, the lamp of faith in your heart. . . . It will lead you safely through the mists of doubt and the black darkness of despair; along the narrow, thorny ways of sickness and sorrow, and over the treacherous places of temptation and uncertainty.


James Lane Allen



photo taken in Malvern, England

Be Still My Soul...We Rest on Thee, Our Shield and Defender

The Christian hymn, We Rest on Thee, was written by Edith G. Cherry around 1895 . This hymn is probably most well known as it was the last hymn sung by the Jim Elliot and the missionaries involved in Operation Auca before their deaths. From thence came the title of  Elisabeth Elliot's book about that incident, Through Gates of Splendor.:


We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender;

We go not forth alone against the foe;
Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender.
We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.
Yea, in Thy Name, O Captain of salvation!
In Thy dear Name, all other names above;
Jesus our Righteousness, our sure Foundation,
Our Prince of glory and our King of love.

We go in faith, our own great weakness feeling,
And needing more each day Thy grace to know:
Yet from our hearts a song of triumph pealing;
We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.
We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender:
Thine is the battle, Thine shall be the praise
When reigning in the Kingdom of Thy splendor;
Victors, we rest with Thee, through endless days.



this song is sung to the tune of a hymn we know
as "Be Still My Soul"

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.


Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.



 photo taken of Marci's beloved Barney,
in Wilmington, Delaware