Sunny Saturday

Everything was glittering with ice in the morning sun, but by afternoon, snow and ice were melted away. There were birds flitting about, and seagulls circling over the lake. I was ready for a sunshiney day and a nice walk!

Oh, Lord God, you made the skies and the earth with your very great power. There is nothing too hard for you to do.
Jeremiah 32:17

Comforter

O spread the tidings ’round, 

wherever man is found,

Wherever human hearts 

and human woes abound;

Let every Christian tongue 

proclaim the joyful sound:

The Comforter has come!

by Frank Bottoms, 1890

Comforter: Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby, Holy Spirit

Interesting fact: This hymn was a favorite at the Azusa Street Revival  in Los Angeles 1906-1909

Divine Appointment

When I have an important appointment, I can hardly sleep the night before with anticipation. I try not to let anything prevent me for being where I am supposed to be.

Isn't it amazing to think about how God thought of you and me before he ever created the world. He wrote our names in His appointment book for this time in history?

"In spite of escalating turmoil in our world, there remains one last, great outpouring of mercy during the end times. This supernatural season of grace has been predetermined. It is an 'appointed time' of the Lord."
Francis Frangipane

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14

It shall be said in that day, Behold our God upon Whom we have waited and hoped, that He might save us! This is the Lord, we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation. Isaiah 25:9

Heavenly Father,
In spite of the troubles around us, help us to focus on Your mercy and grace, knowing that Your are ears are open to our prayers. Thank You for the privilege of having a front row seat as we behold Your glory.

Prayer for Iraq

Listening to David Brymer worshiping this morning and praying for Iraq, for persecuted Christians around the world, and for the salvation of those who don't yet know our precious Savior.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39 NIV

The Shoe Repair Shop

In the 1950's, up Main Street from my grandparents' house was a shoe repair shop. It was a tiny building with a coal heater. The retired men would gather there in winter and talk about the latest news or tales of days gone by.

Grandmother would send me up to the shoe shop to fetch Grandpa when she had dinner ready. "Dinner-time" was exactly noon every single day, but Grandpa needed a reminder to tear himself away from the lively talk at the shoe shop.

I remember how the wooden floor would creak under my feet, the smells of leather and shoe polish, the warmth of the fire, the row of shoes lined up on the shelf, and the row of men crowded onto a wooden bench.

Looking back, I am amazed at how the owner welcomed so many guests as he was busy working. He didn't just fix an old pair of shoes; he would clean and shine them and until they looked like new. He greeted young and old as if they were his most important customer.

I am so thankful that in our Heavenly Father's eyes, all are welcome and He treats each of us is His favorite