Give us grace, O Lord, to work while it is day, fulfilling diligently and patiently whatever duty Thou appointest us; doing small things in the day of small things, and great labors if Thou summon us to any…Go with me, and I will go; but if Thou go not with me, send me not; let [...]

When I was growing up, Spam was something that we Tennesseeans fried and ate on a sandwich or with eggs and potatoes. I guess it’s still around, though I haven’t eaten it in decades. Anyway, now spam has entered this blog rather visciously, so you may have to wait a bit for your comments to [...]

“Keep a Quiet Heart” is one of my favorite books by Elisabeth Elliot. In it she includes a short poem that she wrote while a student at Wheaton College:
Lord, give to me a quiet heart
That does not ask to understand
But confident step forward in
The darkness guided by Thy hand.
She continues, “This was my heart’s desire [...]

I’ve been re-reading Faithful Women & Their Extraordinary God by Noel Piper. It was interesting to read in her introduction that she wanted to call the book “Ordinary Women and Their Extraordinary God,” but apparently it would not have been appealing to women because many of us don’t like to be thought of as ordinary, [...]

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness [...]

Here’s a contribution to Rebecca Writes‘ month of children’s poetry. I thought it rather fitting, in light of this post of a week ago.
The Swing
by Robert Louis Stevenson
How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!
Up in the [...]

“Vigilance is the mark of the followers of Jesus. They know that “the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction” (Matt. 7:13). They are serious about life. Heaven and hell are at stake. Therefore, they are seriously joyful. The Son of God has rescued them from the guilt and power [...]

In this promise, God gives His people everything. “I will never leave you.” Then no attribute of God can cease to be engaged for us. Is He mighty? He will show Himself strong on behalf of them that trust Him. Is He love? Then with loving-kindness will He have mercy upon us. Whatever attributes may [...]

I read a couple of posts yesterday about two families who are in the throes of sorrow. One is from the death of a baby at the end of a long illness, the other from a young mother who is, unless God intervenes, at the end of her battle with leukemia. I know what it’s [...]

The Kitchen
I love the sunshine in the kitchen,
The glory of the light awakens
All the familiar textures of pot and china.
This is the home of the house,
The center of its warmth
The articulation of its love.
In the rise of bread, the crust of pie,
And the richness of gravy.
It is the place of your caring.
Fleshed out in the [...]