Thursday, August 19, 2021

Conductor's Instruments


Does God know about our personal struggles, our family struggles, our social struggles, and are they of any concern to Him? Yes, He cares about our every need, and for this, we can be very thankful!

A flower once said to God, "I think I would rather have big red petals than these little purple ones." 

God answered the flower saying, "But I made you this way so you can attract the honey bees with your pollen. The honey bees will use your pollen to make honey. Then my people will taste the sweet honey and thank me for making such beautiful purple flowers, and for making the hard working honey bees with such sweet tasting honey, all from your pollen. And for this, you will be greatly admired."

An oak tree once said to God, "I think I would grow better if I wasn't so crowded in by these other trees in the forest." 

God answered the oak tree. "But I have great plans for you. Plans to prosper you and have you in a very special place. I need you to be cramped in for now so you will reach up for the sunlight and grow very tall and straight. When you are finished, you will be used as a great and sturdy beam to hold up the roof of a fine church building where many people will gather to worship. You will be admired for your strength and your beauty. Until then, you can endure the crowded forest because you know I have great plans for you."

A woman I knew very well asked God, "Why me, Lord? Why do I have to die from brain cancer?"

God answered the woman.

Romans 8:28-29

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Philippians 4

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 

5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 

9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 

11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 

12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 

13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.


Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Peace Like A River

David, of the Old Testament, would likely say one purpose of music is to bring the body, the soul, and the spirit together in unified communion with God, in praise and to celebrate His Holiness and His love for us. 

With music, we are able express our deepest thoughts and emotions, and as the Holy Spirit leads, reveal the character of God to those who He will. Such compositions are far greater than the sum of their parts. Some examples of this effect are found in some of the old hymns. Expressing astoundingly succinct doctrinal truths, songs such as It Is Well With My Soul truly speak volumes to me in times like this.

When peace like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul
It is well
With my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come
Let this blest assurance control
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate
And hath shed His own blood for my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul!
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul

Present Moment Awareness

Moving forward in life without Nancy - my wife, companion, best friend, lover, mother of my children, confidant, the one with whom God paired me to hold hands with through life - I find myself in an almost constant dialogue with God. 

As I pour out my heart to Him, He speaks to me through His Word, through friends, through His creation, and through music. So many scriptures, so many songs, so many words of wisdom from men and women of God, and the peace and confidence of the ever-present, indwelling Holy Spirit guiding me to keep my eyes on my Lord, the Son of God, Christ Jesus. He knows my every need, and He knows best how to care for me. 

Matthew 6:25-34 tells us to seek Him first, and He will provide for all our needs. That's a fact. Taste and see, He is good! Oh, the wonderful Cross!

Wildflowers Nancy and I planted by the mailbox for all to enjoy. Beautiful!

Biking the Interurban Trail from Cedar Grove to Port Washington for lunch with Sarah and Tim.


I grilled two bacon wrapped pork cuts and some green beans.
These were pretty good, but I'll have to find Nancy's recipe for grilled green beans. Her's are the best!

I made some of Betty C's peanut butter cookies, but they're not even close to Nancy's "famous" recipe!

Camping without Nancy at Hartman Creek State Park brought many tears, but my life goes on. Praise the Lord!

I'm really good at making coffee and toasting cinnamon raisin English muffins! Praise the Lord!

This guy does not appear to be anxious about anything. Lesson learned. Praise the Lord!

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

45 Days


When only 45 days seems like forever, Jesus reminds us that all we need to deal with is today.

Aslan, by Kendall Payne

Don't stop your crying on my account
A frightening lion, no doubt
He's not safe, no He's not safe
Are you tempted now to run away?
The King above all Kings is coming down

But He won't say the words you wish that He would
Oh, He don't do the deeds you know that He could
He won't think the thoughts you think He should
But He is good, He is good

I know you're thirsty, the water is free
But I should warn you, it costs everything
Well, He's not fair, no He's not fair
When He fixes what's beyond repair
And graces everyone that don't deserve

But He won't say the words you wish that He would
Oh, He don't do the deeds you know that He could
He won't think the thoughts you think He should
But He is good, He is good

No one knows Him whom eyes never seen
No, I don't know Him but He knows me
He knows me, He knows me

Lay down your layers, shed off your skin
But without His incision, you can't enter in
He cuts deep, yeah He cuts deep
When the risk is great and the talk is cheap
But never leaves a wounded one behind

But He won't say the words you wish that He would
Oh, He don't do the deeds you know that He could
He won't think the thoughts you think He should
But He is good, He is good


Pray, by Kendall Payne

I will pray for you now, for you have been my faithful friends
While the road we walk is difficult indeed
I couldn't not ask for more than what you've already been
Only that you would say these prayers for me

May your heart break enough that compassion enters in
May your strength all be spent upon the weak
All the castles and crowns you build and place upon your head
May they all fall, come crashing down around your feet

May you find every step to be harder than the last
So your character grows greater each stride
May your company be of humble insignificance
May your weakness be your only source of pride

What you do unto others may it all be done to you
May you meet the One who made us
And see Him smile when life is through

May your blessings be many but not what you hoped they'd be
And when you look upon the broken
May mercy show you what you could not see

May you never be sure of any plans you desire
But you'd learn to trust the plan He has for you
May your passions be tried and tested in the holy fire
May you fight with all your life for what is true

I have prayed for you now all my dear and faithful friends
But what I wish is more than I could ever speak
As the way wanders on I'll long to see you once again
Until then, would you pray these prayers for me?
Oh, that you would pray for me