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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) |
To rest upon His mighty arms we give this charge to all, "The safest place from all alarms is where He bids by call." We help all those, who list to hear the wisdom of the Lord, but those, who fall prey to a fear we nourish from His Word. The daily servants of the soul may find their way too strait. Corrections make some lost ones whole, although sometimes too late. To rest in Jesus as we pray for those, who we cannot save brings awful sadness, naught to say, embrace the empty grave. A rest for us may never be for some, but some in time. Redemption comes as Hope to see as pulled from pit and grime. by Jay O’Toole on February 23rd, 2022 |
Trials and tribulations keep us looking up to God. Hopeful thoughts, and hope to reap are things we can applaud. Someday when we're living in the sweet, sweet By and By we'll see just what He came to win beyond this Earth and sky. Trials can weigh the burdened heart, and make us wear a cloud, but looking up to Jesus starts the ship to turn about. The sadness of our tribulating life is not a joy. Yet, Grace, and all its peace persuading, strength it will employ. by Jay O’Toole on February 22nd, 2022 |
ten degrees warmer hope abounds on ev'ry side spring, the joyous gift by Jay O’Toole on January 31st, 2022 |
Sometimes life can be too much of life's responsibilities. The resting hours of softest touch can change the stress by large degrees. The gapless life is wall to wall with many things to say and do, but margins often give us call to stop awhile, restore us new. A band director in my youth, once quoth these words to our whole team, "To play the rests is as much truth as notes, that shine like sunny beams." His actual words, a bit more terse, commanded silence when we played for he was naught, if not averse to sounds when rests must be obeyed. So, take a break, Dear Trudging Soul, when life your spirit, thus weighs down, and soon, again, you'll be made whole. A smile will flip your low'ring frown. by Jay O’Toole on January 28th, 2022 |
Days beyond the tests we face will shine in richer hues for we will learn our lasting place as when we've paid our dues. Days beyond confusion's gray will see the sun to rise. Victory can't say Him, "nay," returning to its size. Days beyond all falling tears will see the smile to break through all the lasting little fears, to solace greatly take. Days beyond Hope's latest test when danger is removed, we'll settle in His bless-ed rest, and live as those reproved. ------------------------------------------ "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10, KJV) ------------------------------------------- by Jay O’Toole on January 27th, 2022 |
crisp and blue the roof chilly low'rs the tem'prature clearly waits for spring by Jay O’Toole on January 26th, 2022 |
The twenty-fifth, one month before, was Christmas Day in loving joy. The future holds so much in store, that peace and patience we employ. The reindeer stayed last night in ward, and Santa warmed his chocolate drink in two strong hands by hearth, that roared a-sitting back to rest, and think. The bustle, now, so long 'tis through. The truths of Christmas better known. These peaceful days of year so new. Sweet restful days for hearts, that groan. Each present opened on this day cannot be found, 'neath boughs of green. The gift of friendship, grace to say, and hope to share as life we preen. May Jesus Christ we seek to know in new year's days as at the last. His lasting Gift I loving trow is first in hearts of clean-ed pasts. by Jay O’Toole on January 25th, 2022 |
barren limbs now etch life now hides within the ground waiting for the spring by Jay O’Toole on January 24th, 2022 |
That discipline is often rough, we find it daily true for practice is the daily stuff that's growing me and you. The Lord will never leave His son, nor daughter yet untrained. His Truth in every victory won, His Wisdom ever plain. No discipline will comfort give, while daily in the way, but through each test, a new can live to teach us to obey. First Peter 5, and in verse 10, we find a salient Truth, "We suffer some to perfect win, to make a settled youth." "The Lord will chastise every love, and scourge each son received." His discipline is from Above, each lamb of His retrieved. --------------------------------------------------- “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” (Hebrews12:6, KJV) ----------------------------------- by Jay O’Toole on January 21st, 2022 |
Frigid days of deepening roots may seem like naught at all, but in the time of blossoming fruit, we're walking very tall. When walking in our growth, it rains, and then we need to dry, but thirsty plants make thankful gains, and fruitfulness is nigh. Though darkness comes on growing walks, the sun will shine, again. The Lord may speak in heartfelt talks to free us from our sin. Though growth may oft begin in pain, that causes us to fear. The testing will not e'er be vain, settling us as dear. by Jay O’Toole on January 20th, 2022 |