Brisk again, and that makes walking in the early morning a refreshing experience. Haven’t been doing it? I trust you get some moving around in other ways then. And it struck me, I sure missed a lot of things when I was growing up, but being active wasn’t one of them. We had chores to do, we walked to school, we played at recess time, we were expected to run errands, look after the growing garden, feed the chickens, clean the barn, help with the weekly wash. No time to sit at a computer for hours looking at a screen. We did not have computers, our generation invented them, as President Reagan used to say.
But I do not remember feeling deprived. I believe we simply lived life as it came our way. I do recall twice during my grade school days I served as a pall bearer for a schoolmate, one was a cousin. It was a confusing and solemn time. We had been playing on the school yard just last week. How could this be?
So the Undertaker gave us grey gloves to wear, and he told us in hushed tones when we were finished at the graveside we would throw the gloves on the casket. I do remember after each of the funerals, the mother came to us, tears glistening in her eyes, shook each of us by the hand, and thanked us for doing this for her little one. It touched us that she would take the time and remember to speak a word to us.
And after the funeral, back to school, where our teacher spoke about death, and what the Resurrection of Jesus Christ meant for us who believed in Him. The passage he quoted was from the raising of Lazarus. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in Me, will never die.” John ll,25.26.
I’m nearing the end of the walk. The yellow boxes are busy gathering their precious cargo, and I am ready to stop a bit and rest. May your day be rich with blessing.
GPD 1/15/08
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom 1/11/08
Brisk this morning, and now its sunny, and they predict a bit warmer this afternoon. So the day seems normal for this time of year, though a bit on the dry side.
Well, does your email contain all kinds of stuff about this person running, or that one? I checked some of that out, and quite often it is not true at all.
I do want to warn one and all about such things. We live in two Kingdoms, of power and of grace. Keep that in mind. And it means “best construction” thinking always.
I know all of us wonder where things are going. All of are praying that the Lord will send wise and dedicated leadership to this country for such a time as this. And it is really hard to see a person who will prove to be statesman and a blessing to right the wrongs, and to bring the ship into safe harbor.
But there is no need to panic. I am a child of God by holy baptism. I read Psalm 125, one of the ascending Psalms sung as they made their pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and its truths are there for us.
Like most people, I have my ups and downs, times when I wonder whether the pain will ever leave, and things will be bright again? But in the life of the Christian there is always serenity and confidence. The Christian is in a secure fortress. That’s what the psalm 125 tells us. Listen.
So learn that, “the fist of the wicked will never violate what is due the righteous”.
The word refers to ‘cancel’. What God offers us is secure. It is safe.
This is true, not because of the way we feel, but because GOD SAYS SO.
The present upheaval and angst is quite normal for sinful mankind. Yet this is sure, “The LORD knows those that are His.”
May God give you such serenity ever.
GPD 1/11/08
Well, does your email contain all kinds of stuff about this person running, or that one? I checked some of that out, and quite often it is not true at all.
I do want to warn one and all about such things. We live in two Kingdoms, of power and of grace. Keep that in mind. And it means “best construction” thinking always.
I know all of us wonder where things are going. All of are praying that the Lord will send wise and dedicated leadership to this country for such a time as this. And it is really hard to see a person who will prove to be statesman and a blessing to right the wrongs, and to bring the ship into safe harbor.
But there is no need to panic. I am a child of God by holy baptism. I read Psalm 125, one of the ascending Psalms sung as they made their pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and its truths are there for us.
Like most people, I have my ups and downs, times when I wonder whether the pain will ever leave, and things will be bright again? But in the life of the Christian there is always serenity and confidence. The Christian is in a secure fortress. That’s what the psalm 125 tells us. Listen.
“Those who trust in God are like Zion Mountain.
Nothing can move it. A rock-solid mountain,
You can always depend on.
Mountains encircle Jerusalem, and God encircles His people.
Always has, and always will”. Ps. 125, 1 ff.
Nothing can move it. A rock-solid mountain,
You can always depend on.
Mountains encircle Jerusalem, and God encircles His people.
Always has, and always will”. Ps. 125, 1 ff.
So learn that, “the fist of the wicked will never violate what is due the righteous”.
The word refers to ‘cancel’. What God offers us is secure. It is safe.
This is true, not because of the way we feel, but because GOD SAYS SO.
The present upheaval and angst is quite normal for sinful mankind. Yet this is sure, “The LORD knows those that are His.”
May God give you such serenity ever.
GPD 1/11/08
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom Musings on Epiphany 1/6/08
The Church celebrates the coming of the wise men from the East, and rejoices that The Christ is born for “All Men”. Christ is not exclusive, Christ is inclusive.
But it is a warm day. And my mind runs to mundane problems.
I just upgraded my WordsearchBible program. It offers some neat stuff, like being able to place several translations on the same page at once, and other features. The only trouble is I need to take the time to work with it and find the way to do it. In short, I need gumption.
It’s a word my mother had in her vocabulary when we sort of dragged into a job we disliked, like weeding the garden. And the problem from our point of view was that she had us under her eye when we were working the kitchen garden. So now and then she would appear at the back door and remind us to show some gumption.
It’s a word I haven’t heard much lately.
And reading Isaiah 66,12 brought another word to mind, it’s dandle. You know, grandma used to ‘dandle’ her grandchildren on her knees. Some translated this word ‘bounce’, some said ‘cuddled’. Luther used the term “freundlich halten”. That’s good enough for me.
The Big News is still Epiphany. The light is come. And I leave you with that news, for this same Christ has come for you, and for me.
GPD 1/6/08
But it is a warm day. And my mind runs to mundane problems.
I just upgraded my WordsearchBible program. It offers some neat stuff, like being able to place several translations on the same page at once, and other features. The only trouble is I need to take the time to work with it and find the way to do it. In short, I need gumption.
It’s a word my mother had in her vocabulary when we sort of dragged into a job we disliked, like weeding the garden. And the problem from our point of view was that she had us under her eye when we were working the kitchen garden. So now and then she would appear at the back door and remind us to show some gumption.
It’s a word I haven’t heard much lately.
And reading Isaiah 66,12 brought another word to mind, it’s dandle. You know, grandma used to ‘dandle’ her grandchildren on her knees. Some translated this word ‘bounce’, some said ‘cuddled’. Luther used the term “freundlich halten”. That’s good enough for me.
The Big News is still Epiphany. The light is come. And I leave you with that news, for this same Christ has come for you, and for me.
“As with gladness men of old, did the guiding star behold. . .
So most gracious Lord, may we, evermore be led to Thee.”
So most gracious Lord, may we, evermore be led to Thee.”
GPD 1/6/08
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom 1/3/08
Talked with my brother yesterday. It was his birthday. He told me of 20 inches of snow and weather in the teens, so I don’t feel quite so cold now, though I do miss that fur hat!
I have a confession to make. I have kept one New Year’s resolution all these years. I have always paid my taxes on time, and never once waited for the interest to kick in. That’s a lesson my father drilled into us because, he said, “That interest can kill you, and it’s your own fault then”.
No, they didn’t write that song for me. You know, the one that starts “Oh, it’s hard to be humble, when you‘re perfect in every way”. You’ll have to type that line into your net, I’m just too humble to write it here.
So the year offers fresh starts. The news is filled with articles and stories about uncluttering your life and living a simpler life style.
May I offer something for you to consider? It’s really quite simple, and gets to the basics. It is to listen and do what the bible teaches. No debates, no arguments, no “But this is 2008”. Just do it.
It sounds easy, but its hard to do simply because we are sinners, born that way. We have the example of Adam and Eve, who ended up blaming God for their disobedience. Excuses. And sinful man has been too ready with excuses ever since. I am not chiding you, but I do ask you to consider, pray, and live to honor God in your life.
GPD 1/3/08
I have a confession to make. I have kept one New Year’s resolution all these years. I have always paid my taxes on time, and never once waited for the interest to kick in. That’s a lesson my father drilled into us because, he said, “That interest can kill you, and it’s your own fault then”.
No, they didn’t write that song for me. You know, the one that starts “Oh, it’s hard to be humble, when you‘re perfect in every way”. You’ll have to type that line into your net, I’m just too humble to write it here.
So the year offers fresh starts. The news is filled with articles and stories about uncluttering your life and living a simpler life style.
May I offer something for you to consider? It’s really quite simple, and gets to the basics. It is to listen and do what the bible teaches. No debates, no arguments, no “But this is 2008”. Just do it.
It sounds easy, but its hard to do simply because we are sinners, born that way. We have the example of Adam and Eve, who ended up blaming God for their disobedience. Excuses. And sinful man has been too ready with excuses ever since. I am not chiding you, but I do ask you to consider, pray, and live to honor God in your life.
GPD 1/3/08
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom 1/1/08
I do wish you a Happy New year. May it be filled with many blessings, a fine year for you and yours, one long to recall fondly and cherish in memory.
Beyond that, it’s the same old, same old. Walking this morning made me long for that Cossack- style fur hat I had in Detroit. It was warm, and I left it there. (Well, people told me it was warm on the gulf coast.)
Then, at 6:30 this morning, still dark, I met a FedEx truck. Inside light on, nearly empty of packages, sweeping around the corner as if he knew where he was going. Was he lost, merely running kind of late, or starting early. I didn’t ask, just waved, and he waved back with a grin.
I don’t know what the year has in store for you. But here’s a bit of advice from a New Testament writer whose name is James. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways .“
The hymn sums it all up so:
May God richly bless your way in 2008, and be your guide.
GPD 1/1/08
Beyond that, it’s the same old, same old. Walking this morning made me long for that Cossack- style fur hat I had in Detroit. It was warm, and I left it there. (Well, people told me it was warm on the gulf coast.)
Then, at 6:30 this morning, still dark, I met a FedEx truck. Inside light on, nearly empty of packages, sweeping around the corner as if he knew where he was going. Was he lost, merely running kind of late, or starting early. I didn’t ask, just waved, and he waved back with a grin.
I don’t know what the year has in store for you. But here’s a bit of advice from a New Testament writer whose name is James. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways .“
The hymn sums it all up so:
“Jesus, lead Thou on, till our rest is won;
And although the way be cheerless, we will follow, calm and fearless.
Guide us by Thy hand, to our fatherland”. 718 v.1
And although the way be cheerless, we will follow, calm and fearless.
Guide us by Thy hand, to our fatherland”. 718 v.1
May God richly bless your way in 2008, and be your guide.
GPD 1/1/08
Monday, December 31, 2007
Shade Tree Wisdom at the End of the Year 12/31/07
The year You gave us, Lord, is ending
A year of plans, and work, and strife,
Your wisdom guided wayward tending,
You kept us sheltered in our life.
In mercy, Lord, forgive our sinning,
Here Satan offers great temptation,
In Jesus’ Name we plead forgiveness,
And seek eternal peace with Thee.
O Lord keep us all the day long of this tempestuous year, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work is done.
Then, in thy mercy, grant us safe harbor and quiet rest, and peace at the last, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, we pray this. Amen
Then, in thy mercy, grant us safe harbor and quiet rest, and peace at the last, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, we pray this. Amen
So we end the year, as we began it. Ruth and I, under God’s eternal, loving care. Our names written on the palms of His hands. Washed white by the blood of the lamb shed for us, we pray this for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Day is done
Gone the sun
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky
All is well, safely rest
God is nigh.
At year end 2007
GPD 12/31/07
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Shade Tree Wisdom 12/30/07
“I care for every bird in the hills,
And everything stirring in the field is present before Me.” Ps. 50,11
For l08 years the National Audubon Society has held its Christmas bird count, not only in this country, but in Canada, Mexico, and other parts of the world as well. Areas are broken in areas roughly 15 miles in diameter, and volunteers count what birds they hear and see, and how many. The count in this area was done by the Piney Woods Wildlife Society on Saturday. Last year they counted more than 9,200 birds representing 90 species.
The National Society counts the totals to see what birds are affected by encroaching developments, are flight patterns changing, is migration different, or which may be in danger of extinction, and what, if anything, may be done to make bird life easier.
An interesting sidelight. The Andean Condor does not start to lay eggs till its 12th year, and then only lays one egg every 3 years! The Condor is the world’s largest bird. It was endangered because farmers used to shoot them because they thought they killed cattle. They only eat carrion.
Through it all, our God says, “I care for every bird in the hills, and everything stirring in the field is present before me”.
So, as we near the end of the year, let us give thanks that there are many, perhaps you are one, who help in the national effort.
GPS 12/30/07
And everything stirring in the field is present before Me.” Ps. 50,11
For l08 years the National Audubon Society has held its Christmas bird count, not only in this country, but in Canada, Mexico, and other parts of the world as well. Areas are broken in areas roughly 15 miles in diameter, and volunteers count what birds they hear and see, and how many. The count in this area was done by the Piney Woods Wildlife Society on Saturday. Last year they counted more than 9,200 birds representing 90 species.
The National Society counts the totals to see what birds are affected by encroaching developments, are flight patterns changing, is migration different, or which may be in danger of extinction, and what, if anything, may be done to make bird life easier.
An interesting sidelight. The Andean Condor does not start to lay eggs till its 12th year, and then only lays one egg every 3 years! The Condor is the world’s largest bird. It was endangered because farmers used to shoot them because they thought they killed cattle. They only eat carrion.
Through it all, our God says, “I care for every bird in the hills, and everything stirring in the field is present before me”.
So, as we near the end of the year, let us give thanks that there are many, perhaps you are one, who help in the national effort.
GPS 12/30/07
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