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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) |
He preached of Christ throughout his days from when Salvation touched his heart. He could not let the subject lay, until he knew he'd done his part. He took me to the church the week, that I was born and drew my first breath. He wanted me this Christ to seek, and be blessed through Life's Door of Death. "For God so loved this whole wide world, that gave He did His Only Son, that whoso trusted this flag, unfurled, would never die, but that soul'd be won." "For Jesus loves me. This I know. The Blessed Bible tells me so." The little ones now sing this song to learn the Truth, and shun the wrong. Dad taught me, that John 3:16 could point to Christ, Who'd save my soul, and "Jesus Loves Me" filled my heart's screen. I'd sing its words, by Him made whole. He'd preach the Truth each Sunday same, and live each day to teach The Word. When six years old the Savior came to harvest Truth so often heard. He worked assorted other jobs a teacher, and a salesman, too, but though he turned these other knobs Salvation's message burned still true. His focus was forever far, "The souls of Earth must know this Christ." The day, he died with life on par 'twas known he'd spoke of saving's price. This deed was learned some days, then hence, as my brother comforted our Mom. A funeral dress was needed whence, they shopped, and tidings they spoke there some. The clerk, who helped Mom find her dress was wife to the man Dad preached his last for in their home, he'd hoped to bless the man the Gift, then gone the past. He preached to me throughout our lives from my first cry, 'til his last breath. Now, preaching is my daily drive, until I close my eyes in death. I did not learn much about cars, but fishing, and to mow the yard, these things he taught, and those by far, that living life 'twouldn't be so hard. Dad showed me Life is breathed and gone. Eternity is where we live. What matters are the lives Christ won through the seeds we've sown in the words we give. To preach it now is the baton he passed. For souls, I pray, "Become redeemed." This Truth received will ever last. His Life is salvation more than we dreamed. Prompt 2: Do you know what kinds of jobs your ancestors did? Were they rich or poor? Were they descended from royalty and born into luxury, or did they struggle to make a living? Did this career pass from father to son, from generation to generation? Are you still doing it now? by Jay O’Toole on June 22nd, 2022 |
This golf is not a rowdy game where teenage boys can run and play, while other boys, they do the same projecting balls, that do dismay. This golf is such a thinking feat, where math, and strength, and focus meet. To land a drive is joy replete. To putt, and drop we'd oft repeat. Yet, in my youth the football field became our driving range one day. It joy and mirth, but danger yield with foolishness on full display. One group went first, while watched I rapt. Some moments later wood met ball, then off I ran, its sight I kept when hairs-on-end my attention called. Apparently, a boy had found the ball he drove and drove from there. The narrow miss God's Grace abound. Today, I live without that care. Great wisdom need we when we play with golf ball flying through the air. Address it well, and live a new day. Make golfer, watcher, all aware. Prepare to swing, and cry thee, "Fore!" when errant souls thy fairway tred. For mirthful boy might live no more with a golf ball smacked upside his head. by Jay O’Toole on June 21st, 2022 |
The passages of Time, replete, are filled with wondrous joys to live with hopeful moment gifts to give as friendship's loving, daily treat, the passages of Time, replete. Some coffee or tea and food to thrive make comforting moments blest, we strive. This living with friends each day, repeat, These passages are of Time, replete. To give our all the depths we dive the betterment of Man, our drive. Each need of others dare to meet the passages of Time, replete. In twists and turns, we dance and jive, our tetrazzini mixed with chive. All hopeful morns we smile to greet the passages of Time, replete. Quite trippingly ev'ry tongue's alive the faux pas of life we must forgive. How wondrous a party on the street The passages are of Time, replete. Each jaunty toe will Sad deprive. Each heart with wonder we'll revive. Each cup of tea will be most sweet with passages of Time, replete. by Jay O’Toole on June 20th, 2022 |
salad for the deer must be watered when asleep returned not this year by Jay O’Toole on June 17th, 2022 |
scurry through the night tiny friends, their lives still live eyesight quite acute by Jay O’Toole on June 16th, 2022 |
air is fully damp animals and plants must rest hard to breathe for all by Jay O’Toole on June 15th, 2022 |
Take a moment. Listen full. Notice daily sounds. Freedom from Life's often pull, seeing Grace abounds. Take a moment. Rest your mind. See what God has made. Know His gifts are always kind. Blessings all are laid. Take a moment. God is good. Read what He has said. Hearts oft know, that this is food, daily, wondrous bread. by Jay O’Toole on June 14th, 2022 |
filling up the yard shining through the trees with joy wiping 'way the dark by Jay O’Toole on June 13th, 2022 |
In life, we find some hearts are knit as stitch by stitch, and day by day. Sometimes we find, that ev'ry whit is tendered long at last to stay. The knitting of our hearts is slow to cause, that ev'ry stitch is firm. All threads entwined will help us know, that Life's secured by the rais-ed berm. The gifted scarf, that costs us naught may just be tossed into a drawer, but when it's treasured by the thought the oftener the gift be wore. One heart with pains may daily stitch. Another heart may live its own, until a gift so very rich doth blossom full, and be made known. So, live deliberate with each love, and love each heart in the words they speak, until we stand with God Above, and treasure e'er the thing we seek. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Dedicated to Dr. Gary Chapman with regard to his book, The Five Love Languages. These languages are quite real. Every person, who feels loved has someone in his or her life, who consistently speaks the love language of that heart. https://5lovelanguages.com/learn ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ by Jay O’Toole on June 10th, 2022 |