For the Glory of Your Name

A visitor at a school for the deaf was writing questions on the board for the children. Soon he wrote this sentence: “Why has God made me able to hear and speak, and made you deaf?”

The shocking sentence hit the children like a cruel slap on the face. They sat paralyzed, pondering the dreadful word “Why?” And then a little girl arose.

With her lip trembling and her eyes swimming with tears, she walked straight to the board. Picking up the chalk, she wrote with a steady hand these precious words: “Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure” (Matthew 11:26). What a reply! It reaches up and claims an eternal truth upon which the most mature believer, and even the youngest child of God, may securely rest–the truth that God is your Father.

Can you state that truth with full assurance and faith? Once you do, your dove of faith will no longer wander the skies in restless flight but will settle forever in its eternal resting place of peace: your Father!

I still believe that a day of understanding will come for each of us, however far away it may be. We will understand as we see the tragedies that today darken and dampen the presence of heaven for us take their proper place in God’s great plan–a plan so overwhelming, magnificent, and joyful, we will laugh with wonder and delight. 

~ Arthur Christopher Bacon


Chance has not brought this ill to me;

It’s God’s own hand, so let it be,

For He sees what I cannot see.

There is a purpose for each pain,

And He one day will make it plain

That earthly loss is heavenly gain.

Like as a piece of tapestry

Viewed from the back appears to be

Only threads tangled hopelessly;

But in the front a picture fair

Rewards the worker for his care,

Proving his skill and patience rare.

You are the Workman, I the frame.

Lord, for the glory of Your Name,

Perfect You image on the same.

~ Author Unknown


Photo Credit: Liane Metzler

Step Into the River

As soon as the priests…set foot in the Jordan, its waters…will be cut off.

~ Joshua 3:13

The Israelites were not to wait in the camp until the Jordan was opened but to “walk by faith” (2 Cor. 5:7). They were to break camp, pack up their belongings, form a marching line, and actually step into the river before it would be opened.

If they had come down to the riverbank and then stopped, waiting for the water to divide before stepping into it, they would have waited in vain. They were told to “set foot in the Jordan” before “its waters…will be cut off.”

We must learn to take God at His word and walk straight ahead in obedience, even when we can see no way to go forward. The reason we are so often sidetracked by difficulties is that we expect to see barriers removed before we even try to pass through.

If we would only move straight ahead in faith, the path would be opened for us. But we stand still, waiting for the obstacle to be removed, when we ought to go forward as if there were no obstacles at all.

from Evening Thoughts


Photo Credit: Unknown

The Joy Dare – Three Times I Saw Someone Smile

The dare for today was actually “Three Times You Heard Laughter,” but I read the prompt this morning, went about my day, and I guess it somehow got translated into being on the lookout for people smiling. *SMILE* Hey, it’s still an awesome thing to look for, right? 😀

  1. My Own Smile Regarding News Received – I wrote an email to someone last week containing questions about my desire to start a small business. This person had been very helpful already, but I knew that she was busy…and I tried to wait patiently. However, last night I sent a follow-up email to her – just to say that I hoped I hadn’t scared her away with all of my questions. 🙂 She graciously replied to my emails today with all of the information that I needed, and I think that it will help me to make a decision about moving forward.
  2. The Smile of a Friend after Receiving a Gift – After my doctor’s appointment today I stopped by Target to get a free (SCORE!) drink from Starbucks, and to pick up a few items for dinner. While getting my Cafe Mocha, I was able to talk to a friend who worked at the Starbucks. She was discouraged about some things that were going on, and it made me sad. So I ran back into Target, picked out a card and a small gift, and brought it back to her. Thankfully, it made her smile! I was so glad that I could help to make her feel a little better, that it made ME smile. I guess smiles truly are contagious! 🙂
  3. A Smile from My Hubby for a Tasty Dinner – Roy was hungry after a long day at work, so I said I’d make him meatloaf for dinner. We also had sweet potatoes and a side of corn, and washed it down with iced green tea. As you can see in the featured picture for this post, it put a smile on the hubby’s face. 🙂 Hey, I’ll take it!

Praise God for Three Times I Saw Someone Smile!