devil’s tricks

The devil tried to compromise the Living Word (Christ)

                              – when he couldn’t he crucified Him.

 

The devil tried to destroy the Written Word (Bible)

                     – when he couldn’t he diluted It. – 2/28/09

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Gideon

Seems Gideon had a big band,

They could’ve thought victory at hand,

God reduced it down twice,

Gave him “good sound” advice,

Broken pitchers; lit up the land. – eab, – 3/3/05, Jud 7.16

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John Knox – birth, Feb. 28, 1513

As for the fear of danger that may come to me let no man be solicitous, for my life is in the custody of Him whose glory I seek, and therefore I cannot so fear their boast or tyranny that I cease from doing my duty, when of His mercy He offereth me the occasion.

                – Wm. Taylor, John Knox, (NY: A C Armstrong & Son, 1885), 124. 

 

I am in the place where I am demanded of my conscience to speak the truth; and therefore the truth I speak; impugn it who so list.

                – Wm. Taylor, John Knox, (NY: A C Armstrong & Son, 1885), 177. 

 

Go tell your master that sentence is pronounced against him; that the Divine vengeance shall never depart from him or from his house, except they repent; but that his name shall remain an execration to posterity, and none proceeding from his loins shall enjoy his kingdom in peace.  

                – Wm. Taylor, John Knox, (NY: A C Armstrong & Son, 1885), 196. 

 

“Without [sc. outside] the preaching place Madam I think few have occasion to be offended at me; but there Madam I am not master of myself but maun [sc. must] obey Him who command me to speak plain and to flatter no flesh upon the face of the earth.” 

                                                            – John Knox (to Mary Queen of Scots)

  – John R W Stott, Between Two Worlds (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publ., 1982), 304.

John Knox was born this date (2/28/1513) in Giffordgate, Scotland.  He was a strong voice for right in his day.

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God vs man

Man fails – God prevails

 

God never fails – man never (ultimately) prevails.

                                                                                     – eab, 2/27/09

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Stand Up and Sing!

Stanza 1

What appears to man to be,

A defeat on rugged tree.

Was the triumph of all time and space.

He died that’s to be sure,

But arose to ever endure,

Thus saving the whole human race.  – eab, 2/27/05

 

Written while pastoring the Pilgrim Holiness Church of Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

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Henry Wadsworth Longfellow – birth, Feb. 27, 1807

“A Psalm of Life”

 

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
        Life is but an empty dream ! —
   For the soul is dead that slumbers,
        And things are not what they seem.

 

    Life is real !   Life is earnest!
        And the grave is not its goal ;
    Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
        Was not spoken of the soul.

 

    Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
        Is our destined end or way ;
    But to act, that each to-morrow
        Find us farther than to-day.

 

    Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
        And our hearts, though stout and brave,
    Still, like muffled drums, are beating
        Funeral marches to the grave.

 

    In the world’s broad field of battle,
        In the bivouac of Life,
    Be not like dumb, driven cattle !
        Be a hero in the strife !

 

    Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant !
        Let the dead Past bury its dead !
    Act,— act in the living Present !
        Heart within, and God o’erhead !

 

    Lives of great men all remind us
        We can make our lives sublime,
    And, departing, leave behind us
        Footprints on the sands of time ;

 

    Footprints, that perhaps another,
        Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,
    A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
        Seeing, shall take heart again.

 

    Let us, then, be up and doing,
        With a heart for any fate ;
    Still achieving, still pursuing,
        Learn to labor and to wait.

 

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born this date (2/27/1807) in Port­land, Maine.

He was one of the greatest poets of America.  See also his “Oh, How Blest Are Ye Whose Toils Are Ended” And his well known Christmas Carol “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”  He died 3/24/1882.

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Frown

Make sure that everything which bears God’s frown

 

                              also bears your frown.  –eab, 2/19/09

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Joesph

Young “Joe” had a dream – make that two,

They seemed to come “out of the blue.”

Though often “let down,”

He eventually found,

His leadership dreams all came true. – eab, 3/3/05 Gen 37.9 

Written in Kingston, Ontario, Canada 

 

 

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George C Stebbins – birth, Feb. 26, 1846

“Holiness” (tune name)

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

George Coles Stebbins was born this date (2/26/1846) in Carlton, NY.  He is credited with composing some 1500 song tunes among which are such well-known sounds as: “I’ve Found a Friend” “Take Time to Be Holy” (above)  “Have Thine Own Way, Lord” “Jesus is Tenderly Calling Thee Home” “Jesus I Come” and “Saved by Grace” 

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A Maze

                             Life is a maze

 

That’s why grace has to be amazing!  – eab, 2/22/09

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