We live much of life amid unique choices. Joy is anchored in The One beyond our life. |
“There are times when solitude is better than society, and silence is wiser than speech. We should be better Christians if we were more alone, waiting upon God, and gathering through meditation on His Word spiritual strength for labour in his service. We ought to muse upon the things of God, because we thus get the real nutriment out of them. . . . Why is it that some Christians, although they hear many sermons, make but slow advances in the divine life? Because they neglect their closets, and do not thoughtfully meditate on God's Word. They love the wheat, but they do not grind it; they would have the corn, but they will not go forth into the fields to gather it; the fruit hangs upon the tree, but they will not pluck it; the water flows at their feet, but they will not stoop to drink it. From such folly deliver us, O Lord. . . .” ― Charles Spurgeon “Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths.” ― C. H. Spurgeon “Hope itself is like a star- not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity.” ― Charles Haddon Spurgeon “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.” ― Charles Spurgeon “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” ― Charles Spurgeon “Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.” ― Charles Spurgeon “When your will is God's will, you will have your will.” ― Charles Spurgeon https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/2876959.Charles_Haddon_Spurgeon (Philippians 2:13, KJV) |
The light of eve was long, then dim, until the dark consumed. The day of play was gone from them, but suppertime perfumed. What wondrous memories brought from youth foretell the end of days when Darkness hides the light of Truth by humor's shtick displays. We played for hours 'til she called, "Come home. It's time to eat." We loved to run as trees were sticks, outlined by Sunglow treat. But when she called we knew, "It's time!" Or sweet be turned to wrath. If she called, again, the tongue would be primed for lashing. Do the math! In truth, the supper was always good, the tastebuds' lovely feast. For sweet tea added to the food of chicken or roast beast. What wonders lay in store for those, who strain to hear the sound of trumpet call for ones He chose, whose lasting state abounds. The Dayspring shines his final rays. The Spirit's Presence "lets," until the end of Gentiles' days in dark'ning silhouettes. "It's Supper Time!" the Groom will call. The Bride, now, ready-made will share the feast with Him and all, so bidden and displayed. ------------------------------------------------------------------ "7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God." (Revelation 19:7-9, KJV) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:44, KJV) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- by Jay O’Toole on August 21st, 2023 |
The following quotes are from The Last Battle, which is Book #7 in The Chronicles of Narnia series by C. S. Lewis. The point of these quotes and this piece of poetry is to highlight to each of us that self-centeredness loses the Self and all it holds dear. Looking outward toward The Savior gains what we could never grasp in this life and in Eternity. “That’s right,” said the other Dwarfs. “We’re on our own now. No more Aslan, no more Kings, no more silly stories about other worlds. The Dwarfs are for the Dwarfs.” “They will not let us help them. They have chosen cunning instead of belief. Their prison is only in their own minds, yet they are in that prison; and so afraid of being taken in that they cannot be taken out.” There is the possibility of real loss." https://churchlifejournal.nd.edu/articles/the-last-battle-the-end-of-the-beginni... ----------------------------------------------------- "I said, Lord, 'Thou knowest how much I understand. But I said also (for the truth constrained me), Yet I have been seeking Tash all my days.' "'Beloved,' said the Glorious One, 'unless thy desire had been for me thou wouldst not have sought so long and so truly. For all find what they truly seek.'” https://bookroo.com/quotes/the-chronicles-of-narnia-the-last-battle --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These small-hearted souls are only for themselves, and bound to self they are, but those, who seek God's Glory, true, will shine like living stars. (Daniel 12:3, KJV) The silly dwarfs in losing faith no God, no king, no way to see. No hope beyond themselves of grace, "The dwarfs are for the dwarfs." Just me. As Aslan speaks in saddest Truth, "They will not let us help them," now. "They choose their minds, not hope of youth in the prison of their minds they bow. "They're so afraid of being taken in, they cannot be taken out," and freed "In that state, they can never win, the possibility of real loss, indeed." But those, who seek through hopeless days, so driven by desire at last in Truth desire may lead them to The Higher. The fearful soul with heart so rent confesses, "Lord You know, that I have for the false been spent, the goal, down here, below. "'Beloved,' says the Glorious One, 'Desire is thine for me. Thou soughtest long and truly, son. I've drawn you here to free." (John 6:37,44, KJV) "For all find what they truly seek, and I am truly sought. At last I've made thee ever meek, a possession I have bought." To grasp within we lose the best. We claw and grab in vain. To reach for Christ through ev'ry test, we're healed in earthly pain. To seek within salvation rare we find, that we are lost, but when we hope in Jesus' Care we find He's paid the cost. by Jay O’Toole on August 18th, 2023 |
Taste the joy that tea can bring. Savor alone or with a friend. by Jay O’Toole on August 17th, 2023 |
"God is not a man, that He should lie, nor the son of man, that He should repenting turn away. Hath He not said by it to stand? "Hath He not said, and shall He not it to do? Or hath He not spoken, and shall He not make it good for you? (Numbers 23:19, KJV) Now Paul is writing in this place about the Gospel Truth. Christ in Mercy and His Grace died and rose in youth. "For I delivered unto you, that first of all, which I received, how Christ that died for our sins, according to the scriptures reprieved "And that He was buried and rose again, according to the scriptures' words." By the Gospel, you believe today your spirit man, now cinch and gird. (I Corinthians 15:3-4, KJV) "No man can come to me, except the Father which sent me draw his heart, and I will raise him up as kept at the last day, and then no more to part." "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me in blessed time; and him that cometh unto me I will not cast out, nor decline." (John 6:44 & John 6:37, KJV) "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, the life. No man can come to the Father then, but by me, redeemed from sinful strife." (John 14:6, KJV) The Truth is Jesus, One and the Same. Divine in ev'ry part is He. To Savior be is why He came, redeeming some in Victory! "But those refusing all their lives, God hath no pleasure when they're gone. He would see all return and thrive, becoming each a blessed son." (Ezekiel 18:23, KJV) by Jay O’Toole on August 16th, 2023 |
hottest summer day water find for all that live shade makes hopeful peace by Jay O’Toole on August 15th, 2023 |
Micah is a three-year-old. He's really quite a boy. I wish I had a gift for him, a wondrous little toy. This is what I'll do for him. I'll write a little verse to tell him what he means to me, as does his aunt, the nurse. Three, these years ago, it's true blest Micah came to be, a boy among a fam'ly blest, a treasured son is he. Breath of fresh air he has been, redeeming a year so ill, and now the future has a win, like Dad's and Grand's best will. The ladies of the fam'ly, four are doting on this child with hugs and kisses. That, no doubt, and from his first day, Smiled. Young Micah, now you walk and talk, and do that very well. One day, I'm sure, you'll know The One, Whose Story you will tell. Jesus loves us. Can you sing about the little Boy, Who came at Christmas in some hay to give our hearts His Joy? "For God, He loved the whole wide world." His Boy became a Man, Who lived, and died, and rose, again. His perfect Saving Plan. Micah is the birthday boy. He's learning number three for that's how old he is today. He's growing as we see. Micah has so much to do. He plays, and eats, and grows. When I was three, my gift came late, a grandpa, that you know. by Jay O’Toole on August 14th, 2023 |
"Parting is such sweet sorrow." Hairless he may see 'morrow. "But, soft, what light through yonder window breaks?" A lantern in a flying fit it takes. "O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?" Gone homeo, homeo. Thy fam'ly 'bides homeo. "That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet." O, thorny life, thy perfume so light with its ending pointed treat. https://www.rsc.org.uk/romeo-and-juliet/about-the-play/famous-quotes "Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man." A lying down comedian no encore takes by plan. https://www.enotes.com/topics/romeo-and-juliet/questions/what-does-mercutio-mean... "Lord, what fools these mortals be!" See the Truth or blind, don't see. https://www.enotes.com/shakespeare-quotes/lord-what-fools-these-mortals by Jay O’Toole on August 11th, 2023 |
“I have come home at last!" I rest from sinful past. "This is my real country!" Beyond the first affront'ry. "I belong here." Peace so free, clear. "This is the land I have been looking for all my life." So many are the struggles, burdens of each worn strife. "This is the land,...though I never knew it till now." Redeemed, a citizen, before His Feet, I bow. "Come further up, come further in!" In Jesus' Name we aye do win! “I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now...Come further up, come further in!” ― C.S. Lewis, The Last Battle https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/57437-i-have-come-home-at-last-this-is-my-real#...! by Jay O’Toole on August 10th, 2023 |
Spinning days, and rushing years Childhood yesterday Future thoughts with many fears Needed rest for aye. Christmas lights and hot cocoa flipping past the eyes, Year by year these wonders know, memories shrinking size. Days of Grace are flying fast Soon Eternity When it's over die is cast, are we lasting free? Younger years were trudging long. Senior years make blur. Honor those in childlike song. Honor these 'til myrrh. Time's a Gift from the loving Lord. Living, treasured days, Harken to the lasting Word. HIStory obeys. by Jay O’Toole on August 9th, 2023 |