Lessons from the Birch Trees

Stand tall.

Stand in your place.

Lean over to help your neighbor.

Grow together.

Stand near to the Rock.

Enjoy the Son.

photo taken in Russell, MA

The Savior Will Let Me In

The mistakes of my life have been many,

The sins of my heart have been more,
and I scarce can see for weeping,

But I’ll knock at the open door

I know I am weak and sinful,
it comes to me more and more;
But when the dear Savior shall bid me come in,
I’ll enter the open door.

I am lowest of those who love Him,
I am weakest of those who pray;
But I come as He has bidden,
And He will not say me nay.

My mistakes His free grace will cover,
My sins He will wash away,
And the feet that can shrink and falter
Shall walk thro’ the gates of day.

The mistakes of my life have been many,
And my spirit is sick with sin,
And I scarce can see for weeping,

But the Savior will let me in.

--Hymn by Urania Bailey, 1871

photo taken in Westfield, MA

Following Christ into the Wilderness

"If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road,

I don't want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all"

 - David Livingstone

photo taken in White Sands, New Mexico

I Have Chosen You in the Furnace of Affliction

Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.


For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.

Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.


(Isaiah 48:10-12)


photo taken in Granville, MA

Discerning the Signs of the Times

When it is evening, you say, It will be fair weather for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be
foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowring: O hyprocrites, you can discern the face of
the sky, but can you not discern the signs of the times?

Matthew 16: 2-4


I was running after an incredible sunset but could not get beyond the row of trees to capture it straight-on.
I looked back and caught these incredible clouds reflecting the sunset. Beautiful and eerie.  Notice in the left cloud, if you look closely,  a little man is resting lazily on his elbow, reclining, not discerning the "signs of the times." :)

photo taken in Feeding Hills, MA

Our Lives Matter

The humblest individual exerts some influence, either for good or evil, upon others.



--Henry Ward Beecher



photo taken in Mount Pleasant, PA

Pray for Young People

There is a rising generation in this country who do not know God because of a general decay of true religion.



--Arthur Middleton, signer of the Declaration of Independence

I wonder where that leaves us more than 200 years later?


photo taken in Mt. Pleasant, PA