Thanksgiving

"And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat." (Gen. 1:29)

"Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen." (Rev. 7:12)

(Image from La Boqueria, Barcelona)

Perspective 2

Perspective makes a big difference.  Can you really be sure whether Nelson is above or below me in this frame?  The Proverbs make reference three times to the need for a "multitude of counselors."  I'm thinking the repetition is especially necessary given our tendency not to see--by definition, really--the perspectives of others. 

While we must consider our own vantage point as valid and legitimate in order to function, we can never see it as complete and still find the "safety" Solomon promises.  And further, our plans will be thwarted if we only keep our own counsel.

"Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established." (Prov. 15:22)

Weep for the City?

What's the first thing you think of when you hear the word "city?"  Is it positive?  When I was growing up, there was a huge migration out of the city. It seemed that everyone wanted to live in the suburbs or beyond.  Being a "city slicker" wasn't a kind or endearing label. 

Today's young people seem to look more favorably towards cities.  For whatever reason.

What does God see when He thinks of the city?  We don't have to guess at that.

"And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it," (Luke 19:41)

He wept with desire that the lost of the city would be gathered unto Him.  So I wonder how He wants me to think when I think of the city?

When I Consider

 A cursory review of this blog will illuminate my love for this subject and Psalm 8:3&4.  When I posted this to Facebook recently, a friend commented, "God's Thumbnail!"

Just how big is God, anyway?

For me, though, it's the "what is man?" question and the praise in "that thou visitest him" that is truly humbling and awe-inspiring.  Surely the "heavens declare!"

Faith's Victory

Some dear friends from Connecticut are saying goodbye to this precious soul, "Gram Webb" to them, this week.  We rejoice in victory won.  What a delight to have known her!

The soldier won the battle, (She's) in gloryland somewhere.
The soldier won the battle, no more aging there.
Living now with Jesus, waiting 'til I come
Busy for the Master, forever always young.

"Soldier Won the Battle" (unknown)

Christ, The Foundation

"I now have found the firm foundation
Where evermore my anchor grounds!
It lay there ere the world's creation,
Where else, but in my Saviour's wounds?
Foundation which un-mov'd shall stay,
When earth and heaven pass away."

Truth is, most foundations aren't seen.  Only what we build upon them can be observed.  I was drawn to this wall by its being made of slate.  So much variation yet a wall nevertheless.  And obviously built on top of something sturdy.

"On this foundation I, unshrinking,
Will stand, while I on earth remain;
This shall engage my acting, thinking,
While I the breath of life retain.
Then I will sing eternally
Unfathomed Mercy, still of Thee!"

(Zion's Harp #221, v. 1, 6)

Ryan & Sarah 8.18.13

"Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth." (Prov. 5:18)

We continue to marvel at God's goodness to us.  So blessed to find love multiplied, not divided, as we welcome our daughter Sarah.

On the Rocks

Sometime in some national park somewhere we heard a ranger say, "Annie Algae and Freddie Fungus took a lichen to each other but now their relationship is on the rocks!"

Cue the teenage groan.  Works every time on any trail anywhere.  Most recently in Vermont, climbing Mt. Pico.  Abundant rain made for lush ferns and all kinds of things growing on the rocks and trees.

"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." (Col. 1:17-18).

Self-Correcting Tree

So reads the sign along the trail by this interesting specimen. I suppose it's true as far as it goes but I suspect the location of the sun was more than a little influential in the so called 'correcting'.  This is probably similar to the "train" in "train up a child" (Prov. 22:6).  Herein is great hope for we who start out parallel to the ground, seemingly making no progress. Then the strong influence of the source of light and growth reveals that the Master was there all along, drawing unto Himself.

"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:" (John 6:44).

More Ryan & Sarah

I'm not sure engagement pictures ever look "natural".  But it seems as if our second session with these two yielded better results than the first.  Or maybe the dad/photographer was more relaxed.

In any case, it's been a joy watching these two begin to blend their lives together.  And in that blending, we have again been blessed to "gain a daughter" whose life is now blending with our family as well.

"For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;" (Mark 10:7)