Resting in Christ

My great uncle left this life early Wednesday morning. He had lived 88 years married to a wonderful woman and has beautiful grandchildren from his son and daughter-in-law. He was a quiet man who's trust in the Lord was inspiring. Except for the three years he served as a sailor during World War II in the Pacific theatre, Uncle had always lived in our community I was amazed he returned from war with such gentleness. The Lord granted him grace when he began young to apply the qualities God requires in our lives.

In 2 Peter 1: 2-11 it is written, "Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue; whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in that world by lust. Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in your virtue knowledge; and in your knowledge self-control; and in your self-control patience; and in your patience godliness; and in your godliness brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he that lack these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble: for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." A.S.V.

My great uncle was not a complainer. His patience and self-control exhibited exceeding faithfulness in our Saviour. Daily nurses heard him reply "I am fine" when his family knew he was truly in much pain and difficulty. He would laugh and joke giving you his best appearance for the day. Could his agricultural background have given him with his faith in God this wonderful attitude that he was just "fine?"

I would say with confidence his experiences being the child of a widow on a farm during the depression with a large Christian community as a background would help attribute to his faith in our Lord and God. A godly wife with the same values and standards attributed to his being able to reflect on God daily. Oh, I would we all had the same standards and remained true to God in all we do. It is wonderful each of his sisters and brother also appear to have the same steadfastness in their lives.

Pictures: US Naval Shield, Aerial Clark Salyer Refuge--Photograph by James P. Blair

Singing Praises to Yeshua

I just spent a week in Abilene at the Singing School at Abilene Christian University. It was the most awesome, spiritual reviving of my soul. The joint purpose of sculpturing your voice to focus in on a true harmony with other singers and praising the Lord is so calming to my spirit. Singing for an hour twice a day and then focusing on the fundamentals of music, sight reading with shape notes, singers workshop and the history of singing/songs in the church wrapped my mind toward God.

Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." KJV

The word of Christ dwelling in me richly in all wisdom is most vital in my daily life. So singing the word links me by spirit to God closely. Singing hymns and psalms with a spiritual purpose continually is a wonderful way to keep a smile on your face and meet the day or work with a God-like attitude.

The grace of God dwelling in my soul appears when I allow my body to sing praises to him and Yeshua.

Hebrews 2:12 "saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee." KJV

I would recommend this Singing School at Abilene Christian University to any man or woman who loves to sing and wants to improve their voice in song to bring praises to God. http://www.singingschool.org/ The Singing School's next years date is July 10th.

I will always have issues with women leading singing in a congregation, however, learning to pitch your voice and blending in with a group of believers to sing praises to the Lord is wonderful.

I looked outside the window this morning listening to the cicada’s noise in the hackberry trees lining the yard. Their noise was peaceful and calming with a light and cool breeze. It didn’t appear to be an early July morning. God was surrounding me with the beautiful sounds of his creation. I looked down and there in the soil was a cicada. He was still as if when he landed it was the last thing he did during the early morning light. I marveled at how perfect he was and the shape of his form. A broad-headed insect with 3 camouflage markings like eyes in the middle of his head. I could see the shimmer of reflecting light and colors of the trees and grass in dark wings. His wings gracefully folded behind him blended in with the black soil. I couldn’t help to leave the house and see him closer. As I positioned the camera to snap his image, he shocked me by taking flight to a safer area of the yard.

We sometimes are so alike this beloved creature who makes our summer days wonderful with his music. We will be loud with our July celebration and forget to be open in our praise to God for the wonderful mercy and grace in allowing the freedom to worship him. We have the blessed privilege of worship to God and would rather celebrate earthly freedoms first and letting them become our worship. I would rather be like the David who left us his songs and writings in the glory he shared with our heavenly Father.

“Let all the earth fear Jehovah: Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake and it was done: He commanded and it stood fast.“ “Blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah, The people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. Jehovah looketh from heaven.” Psalms 33: 8-9, 12-13 ASV

He is the author of our freedoms, not men. Praise the Lord our God.