"Forgetting the things which are behind." Phil. 3:13
"Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee." Deut. 8:2
Forgetting ills behind me, the sorrows past and gone,
Forgetting all my wanderings, too sad to swell upon,
Remembering God's great goodness, in times of stress and strain,
Remembering His restorings, I praise my God again.
We stand together at the gateway of another year. It may be a year of many blessed experiences. Follow Him who goes before - the One who went before His people of old - a guiding light, a constant protection, an unfailing Friend and Counselor, an almighty Saviour.
When shadows deepen, and fear rides on the moaning wind; when sorrow comes, and we wander in the misty vale of grief; when joy beckons, and our way is sunlit - "remember" His past leading and know that all is well. When spectres rise hauntingly from the past, when old heartaches and sorrows seem to weigh us down and blot out the sunshine forget "those things which are behind" and reach forward to the joys before us. Paul says, "I press toward the mark" - here is the urgency, and nothing must be allowed to hamper the runner's progress.
We make our own hindrances many times - our Master has done all He can to free us from every weight, giving us forgiveness for the past, help in the present, and assurance for the future. So, dear pilgrim, as we face the coming days of a new year, knowing that each one brings our Master's return nearer, let us "lay aside every weight . . . and press toward the mark," with singleness of heart "looking unto Jesus."
Forgetting all my doubtings, which dimmed faith's vision bright,
Forgetting all the earth-clouds, the darkness, gloom and night,
Remembering God's bright sunshine, and radiance of His face,
Remembering His long patience, I praise my God for grace.
Forgetting all unkindness which friends and foes have shown,
Forgetting and forgiving the wrongs that I have known,
Remembering God provided, unsought, each faithful friend,
Remembering love's devotion, I'll praise Him to the end.
Forgetting my repinings when disappointments come,
Forgetting all the murmurings, which filled my soul with shame,
Remembering God was ever true to His Holy Word,
Remembering He was faithful, I praise my sovereign Lord.
A.G.
Compiled by Mrs. Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert Volume 2"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Genesis 4-7
Old and New Testaments Together: Genesis 4-6 & Matthew 2
Historical: Genesis 4-7
Chronological: Genesis 4-7
Blended: Genesis 4-6 & Romans 2
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Showing posts with label Streams in the Desert Volume 2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Streams in the Desert Volume 2. Show all posts
Friday, January 02, 2009
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Unto You
"Unto you," yes, even you, O weary heart and worn,
Unto you whose feet are tired, whose trembling hands are torn;
"Unto you," this sacred morn, come tidings from above
Which whisper of a Saviour born, and speaks His tones of love.
"Unto you," yes, even you, is Jesus born today,
If you will meekly give Him room, and bid your sweet Guest stay;
Though all the world may have their share, yet He is all for you,
He'll rest His head within your heart, and shed His love to true.
He does not ask for palace rare, to make His royal home,
He does not seek for costly fare, but love's sweet bidding, "Come";
He seeks a subject fond and true to yield to His blest sway,
To let the brightness of His smile light up your weary way.
"Unto you," though least of all His little ones today.
The star of Bethlehem doth shine, with gladness in its ray;
"Unto you," though small your strength, and weak the praise you bring,
"Unto you," dear trembling one, He comes your Lord and King.
"Unto you," this Christmas-tide; with your longing heart
The angels sing their song again, with all their heavenly art,
Nay, sweeter far than their sweet song, the Spirit from above
Small bring the tidings of your King, and whisper of His love.
Carry Judd Montgomery
Unto you whose feet are tired, whose trembling hands are torn;
"Unto you," this sacred morn, come tidings from above
Which whisper of a Saviour born, and speaks His tones of love.
"Unto you," yes, even you, is Jesus born today,
If you will meekly give Him room, and bid your sweet Guest stay;
Though all the world may have their share, yet He is all for you,
He'll rest His head within your heart, and shed His love to true.
He does not ask for palace rare, to make His royal home,
He does not seek for costly fare, but love's sweet bidding, "Come";
He seeks a subject fond and true to yield to His blest sway,
To let the brightness of His smile light up your weary way.
"Unto you," though least of all His little ones today.
The star of Bethlehem doth shine, with gladness in its ray;
"Unto you," though small your strength, and weak the praise you bring,
"Unto you," dear trembling one, He comes your Lord and King.
"Unto you," this Christmas-tide; with your longing heart
The angels sing their song again, with all their heavenly art,
Nay, sweeter far than their sweet song, the Spirit from above
Small bring the tidings of your King, and whisper of His love.
Carry Judd Montgomery
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Eve
". . . shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night" Luke 2:8
Jesus said: I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep" John 10:11
It was Christmas Eve, 1875. Ira D. Sankey was traveling by steamboat up the Delaware River. It was a calm, starlight evening, and there were many passengers gathered on deck. Mr Sankey was asked to sing. He stood leaning against one of the great funnels of the boat, and his eyes were raised to the starry heavens in quiet prayer. It was his intention to sing a Christmas song, but he was driven almost against his will to sing 'Saviour Like a Shepherd Leads Us.'
"There was a deep stillness. Words and melody, welling forth from the singer's soul, floated out over the deck and the quiet river. Every heart was touched.
"After the song ended, a man with a rough, weather-beaten face came up to Mr. Stankey and said, 'Did you ever serve in the Union army?'
"'Yes,' answered Mr. Sankey, 'in the spring of 1860.'
"'Can you remember if you were doing picket duty on a bright, moonlight night in 1862?'
"'yes,' answered Mr. Sankey, very much surprised.
"'So did I,' said the stranger, 'but I was serving in the Confederate army. When I saw you standing at your post I said to myself, 'That fellow will never get away from her alive.' I raised my musket and took aim. I was standing in the shadow, completely concealed, while the full light of the moon was falling upon you. At that instant, just as a moment ago, your raised your eyes to Heaven and began to sing. music especially song, has always had a wonderful power over me, and I took my finger off the trigger.'
"'Let him sing his song to the end.' I said to myself. 'I can shoot him afterwards. He's my victim at all events, and my bullet cannot miss him.' But the song you san then was the song you sang just now. I heard the words perfectly:
We are Thine, do Thou befriend us,
Be the guardian of our way.
"'When you had finished your song it was impossible for me to take aim at you again. I thought, 'The Lord, who is able to save that man from certain death, must surely be great and mighty,' and my arm of its own accord dropped limp at my side.'
"Since that time I have wondered about, far and wide, but when I just now saw you standing there praying as on that other occasion, I recognized you. Then my heat was wounded by your wong. Now I ask that you hep me find a cure for my sick soul.'
"Deeply moved, Mr. Sankey threw his arms about the man who in the days of the war had been his enemy. And that night the stranger found the Good Shepherd as his Saviour.' - (from "It Happened on Christmas Eve")
Compiled by Mrs. Charles Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert Vol. 2"
Jesus said: I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep" John 10:11
It was Christmas Eve, 1875. Ira D. Sankey was traveling by steamboat up the Delaware River. It was a calm, starlight evening, and there were many passengers gathered on deck. Mr Sankey was asked to sing. He stood leaning against one of the great funnels of the boat, and his eyes were raised to the starry heavens in quiet prayer. It was his intention to sing a Christmas song, but he was driven almost against his will to sing 'Saviour Like a Shepherd Leads Us.'
"There was a deep stillness. Words and melody, welling forth from the singer's soul, floated out over the deck and the quiet river. Every heart was touched.
"After the song ended, a man with a rough, weather-beaten face came up to Mr. Stankey and said, 'Did you ever serve in the Union army?'
"'Yes,' answered Mr. Sankey, 'in the spring of 1860.'
"'Can you remember if you were doing picket duty on a bright, moonlight night in 1862?'
"'yes,' answered Mr. Sankey, very much surprised.
"'So did I,' said the stranger, 'but I was serving in the Confederate army. When I saw you standing at your post I said to myself, 'That fellow will never get away from her alive.' I raised my musket and took aim. I was standing in the shadow, completely concealed, while the full light of the moon was falling upon you. At that instant, just as a moment ago, your raised your eyes to Heaven and began to sing. music especially song, has always had a wonderful power over me, and I took my finger off the trigger.'
"'Let him sing his song to the end.' I said to myself. 'I can shoot him afterwards. He's my victim at all events, and my bullet cannot miss him.' But the song you san then was the song you sang just now. I heard the words perfectly:
We are Thine, do Thou befriend us,
Be the guardian of our way.
"'When you had finished your song it was impossible for me to take aim at you again. I thought, 'The Lord, who is able to save that man from certain death, must surely be great and mighty,' and my arm of its own accord dropped limp at my side.'
"Since that time I have wondered about, far and wide, but when I just now saw you standing there praying as on that other occasion, I recognized you. Then my heat was wounded by your wong. Now I ask that you hep me find a cure for my sick soul.'
"Deeply moved, Mr. Sankey threw his arms about the man who in the days of the war had been his enemy. And that night the stranger found the Good Shepherd as his Saviour.' - (from "It Happened on Christmas Eve")
Compiled by Mrs. Charles Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert Vol. 2"
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
A Lovely Flower
"Who art thou that judgest another?" James 4:12
One Christmas someone sent Mr. Whittier a gentian flower pressed between two panes of glass. Seen from one side it appeared only a blurred mass of something without beauty. But seen from the other side of the glass the exquisite beauty of the flower appeared, in all its delicate loveliness. Whether the gift was lovely or not to the view depended on the side from which one looked at it. The poet hung the gift on the window pane, putting the blurred side out and the lovely flower side toward his room. Those who passed by without looking up, marked only a 'gray disk of clouded glass' seeing no beauty; but the poet, sitting within, looked at the token, and saw outlined against the winter sky all the exquisite loveliness of the flower;
They cannot from their outlook see
The perfect grace it hath for me;
For there the flower, whose fringes through
The frosty breath of autumn blew,
Turns from without its face of bloom
To the warm tropic of my room.
As fair as when beside its brook
The hue of bending skies it took.
But deeper meanings come to me,
My half-immortal flower, from thee;
Man judges from a partial view,
None ever yet his brother knew;
The Eternal Eye that sees the whole
May better read the darkened soul,
And find, to outward sense denied,
The flower upon its inmost side.
- John Greenleaf Whittier
"Too often we look upon the blurred side of actions - yes, of people too. We do not see the loveliness that there is on the other side. We are all continually misinterpreting others. There is a flower side in many an act which we condemn because we see only the blurred side. Let us train ourselves to believe the best always of people and of actions, and find some beauty in everything" - J.R. Miller (from Thoughts for the Thoughtful).
Compiled by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert, Vol. 2"
One Christmas someone sent Mr. Whittier a gentian flower pressed between two panes of glass. Seen from one side it appeared only a blurred mass of something without beauty. But seen from the other side of the glass the exquisite beauty of the flower appeared, in all its delicate loveliness. Whether the gift was lovely or not to the view depended on the side from which one looked at it. The poet hung the gift on the window pane, putting the blurred side out and the lovely flower side toward his room. Those who passed by without looking up, marked only a 'gray disk of clouded glass' seeing no beauty; but the poet, sitting within, looked at the token, and saw outlined against the winter sky all the exquisite loveliness of the flower;
They cannot from their outlook see
The perfect grace it hath for me;
For there the flower, whose fringes through
The frosty breath of autumn blew,
Turns from without its face of bloom
To the warm tropic of my room.
As fair as when beside its brook
The hue of bending skies it took.
But deeper meanings come to me,
My half-immortal flower, from thee;
Man judges from a partial view,
None ever yet his brother knew;
The Eternal Eye that sees the whole
May better read the darkened soul,
And find, to outward sense denied,
The flower upon its inmost side.
- John Greenleaf Whittier
"Too often we look upon the blurred side of actions - yes, of people too. We do not see the loveliness that there is on the other side. We are all continually misinterpreting others. There is a flower side in many an act which we condemn because we see only the blurred side. Let us train ourselves to believe the best always of people and of actions, and find some beauty in everything" - J.R. Miller (from Thoughts for the Thoughtful).
Compiled by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert, Vol. 2"
Monday, December 22, 2008
Fear Not!
"And the angel said unto them. Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." Luke 2:10
What a beautiful message spoken by the angels to the humble shepherds as they watched over their flocks that night! HOw startled they must have been when out from the heavens there burst upon them the strains of sweetest music! Little wonder that they trembled at this unusual happening and were "sore afraid." How tender and assuring must have been the voice that bade them, "Far not." And thus the angel's announcement was made on that night of all nights; that holy nights; and Bethlehem's manager cradled a King! Your King! My King! The wide world's King! The God-sent King, from "out of the ivory palaces, into a wold of woe" - because "God so love!"
A number of years ago Dr. Cortland Myers, then pastor of Tremont Temple, Boston, when preaching from the text, Fear Not!" made several never-to-be-forgotten remarks, so applicable to this strange hour in the history of our stricken world. He said: "The two words, 'Fear Not' are the thrush-notes of the Bible! The thrush songs in the depths of the forest; a bit of music like that which occurs nowhere else in all the bird-world. It is marvelously sweet. It is unique, and absolutely alone. There is nothing else like it - and man's genius has many times tried to capture it and thrust it within the bars of music, and always failed in the attempt. It seems almost as if this is the note that was dropped out of the angel's music. Maybe they left it in the world the night they sang at Bethlehem; for, they had it in the Christmas anthem. Maybe they forgot it and let it here! It is a part of the angel's music. But is it a part of real life? Does it belong in reality, to every man's life and to all conditions of life? Is it a certainty? Something substantial? It is a positive reality! It is a part of the music of life; one of the high notes of music! 'Fear Not!'"
By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert Vol. 2
What a beautiful message spoken by the angels to the humble shepherds as they watched over their flocks that night! HOw startled they must have been when out from the heavens there burst upon them the strains of sweetest music! Little wonder that they trembled at this unusual happening and were "sore afraid." How tender and assuring must have been the voice that bade them, "Far not." And thus the angel's announcement was made on that night of all nights; that holy nights; and Bethlehem's manager cradled a King! Your King! My King! The wide world's King! The God-sent King, from "out of the ivory palaces, into a wold of woe" - because "God so love!"
A number of years ago Dr. Cortland Myers, then pastor of Tremont Temple, Boston, when preaching from the text, Fear Not!" made several never-to-be-forgotten remarks, so applicable to this strange hour in the history of our stricken world. He said: "The two words, 'Fear Not' are the thrush-notes of the Bible! The thrush songs in the depths of the forest; a bit of music like that which occurs nowhere else in all the bird-world. It is marvelously sweet. It is unique, and absolutely alone. There is nothing else like it - and man's genius has many times tried to capture it and thrust it within the bars of music, and always failed in the attempt. It seems almost as if this is the note that was dropped out of the angel's music. Maybe they left it in the world the night they sang at Bethlehem; for, they had it in the Christmas anthem. Maybe they forgot it and let it here! It is a part of the angel's music. But is it a part of real life? Does it belong in reality, to every man's life and to all conditions of life? Is it a certainty? Something substantial? It is a positive reality! It is a part of the music of life; one of the high notes of music! 'Fear Not!'"
By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert Vol. 2
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving Day
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits." Psalm 103:2
Harvest is ended. There is a son in the air - a song of joy-filled hearts and thanksgiving. Goodness and mercy have followed throughout every day of the year. We have been loaded, yea, overloaded with His benefits and manifold tokens of His love and mercy. "He careth for us." Our testings and trials have been buried beneath is mercies which outnumber the waves of the sea. We praise God that He saw us through the tempests we thought would pull us under. He is our own God; we are the flock of His pasture and the people of His hand. "Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him." Psalm 67:5-7
Thanksgiving Day is a sacred day for retrospection - a day also for spiritual inventory - a day for family reunions, fellowship with old friends and neighbors, sharing our bounties with those less favored. If throughout the past year earthborn clouds have blotted out the sunshine of your spiritual sky, may there be a rift in the clouds today so that you can see through to the land of pure delight where saints immortal reign.
This story is told or Sir Michael Costa. He was holding a rehearsal one night with is vast array of musicians and hundreds of voices. The mighty chorus rang out with thunder of organ, sounding of horns and clashing of cymbals. Far back in the orchestra one who played the piccolo said to himself, "In all this din it matters not what I do." Suddenly, all was still! The great conductor had stopped. Someone had failed to take his part! The sweet note of the piccolo had been missed.
"Let all the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise Thee. Then shall the at yield her increase and God, even our own God shall bless us." Try thanksgiving! Let this Thanksgiving Day mark the beginning of a new life of victory, the "praise life!"
By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, taken from, "Streams in the Desert" Vol. 2
Harvest is ended. There is a son in the air - a song of joy-filled hearts and thanksgiving. Goodness and mercy have followed throughout every day of the year. We have been loaded, yea, overloaded with His benefits and manifold tokens of His love and mercy. "He careth for us." Our testings and trials have been buried beneath is mercies which outnumber the waves of the sea. We praise God that He saw us through the tempests we thought would pull us under. He is our own God; we are the flock of His pasture and the people of His hand. "Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him." Psalm 67:5-7
Thanksgiving Day is a sacred day for retrospection - a day also for spiritual inventory - a day for family reunions, fellowship with old friends and neighbors, sharing our bounties with those less favored. If throughout the past year earthborn clouds have blotted out the sunshine of your spiritual sky, may there be a rift in the clouds today so that you can see through to the land of pure delight where saints immortal reign.
This story is told or Sir Michael Costa. He was holding a rehearsal one night with is vast array of musicians and hundreds of voices. The mighty chorus rang out with thunder of organ, sounding of horns and clashing of cymbals. Far back in the orchestra one who played the piccolo said to himself, "In all this din it matters not what I do." Suddenly, all was still! The great conductor had stopped. Someone had failed to take his part! The sweet note of the piccolo had been missed.
"Let all the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise Thee. Then shall the at yield her increase and God, even our own God shall bless us." Try thanksgiving! Let this Thanksgiving Day mark the beginning of a new life of victory, the "praise life!"
By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, taken from, "Streams in the Desert" Vol. 2
Monday, November 03, 2008
Fade as a Leaf
. . . and we all do fade as a leaf; . . ." Isaiah 64:6
The air is full of hints of grief,
Strange voices touched with pain,
the pathos of the falling leaf,
The rustling of the rain. - Anonymous
the burden of every sound we hear, the moral of every sight we see, is the old, old truth, which finds a ready response in every human bosom. Numerous have been the times we have heard these words quoted from the pulpit, but from one with a doleful tone in his voice, leaving us with a feeling of sadness when the leaves begin to fall and the summer roses fade. "We all do fade as a leaf."
That is the great commonplace of the world. It is so trite and true that it has lost in a great measure the power of truth; and therefore God is annually illuminating it to us by the many colored lights of autumn, and investing it, by the aid of Nature's touching pictures, with new power and impressiveness. Every year, at the fall of the leaf, He is spreading before us a great parable, in which our decay and death are represented." - Hugh Macmillan (from Thoughts for the Thoughtful).
But how does the leave in autumn fade? It is true that certain trees renew in their autumn foliage the same color that marked them in their budding time of spring, but with fuller, brighter hues. Nature does not die drably! She puts on her most gorgeous roes in autumn and dies gloriously. She goes down with her gay banners waving, smiles back at us as she leaves us. God speaks to His own comforting messages at all season and at all times.
Why should we have a dread of the transition? God has made the "valley of the shadow" as beautiful as the daybreak. In Charles Kingsley's last hour he was heard to whisper, "How beautiful is God."
If peace be in the heart
The wildest winter storm is filled with beauty
The very trees and stones, all catch a ray of glory
If peace be in the heart.
He gave us the secret of victory. It is the peace of God passing all understanding that makes all the way long a good journey. "My peace I give to you." - Mrs. Charles E Cowman
Compiled by Mrs. Charles E Cowman, taken from, "Springs in the Valley Volume 2"
The air is full of hints of grief,
Strange voices touched with pain,
the pathos of the falling leaf,
The rustling of the rain. - Anonymous
the burden of every sound we hear, the moral of every sight we see, is the old, old truth, which finds a ready response in every human bosom. Numerous have been the times we have heard these words quoted from the pulpit, but from one with a doleful tone in his voice, leaving us with a feeling of sadness when the leaves begin to fall and the summer roses fade. "We all do fade as a leaf."
That is the great commonplace of the world. It is so trite and true that it has lost in a great measure the power of truth; and therefore God is annually illuminating it to us by the many colored lights of autumn, and investing it, by the aid of Nature's touching pictures, with new power and impressiveness. Every year, at the fall of the leaf, He is spreading before us a great parable, in which our decay and death are represented." - Hugh Macmillan (from Thoughts for the Thoughtful).
But how does the leave in autumn fade? It is true that certain trees renew in their autumn foliage the same color that marked them in their budding time of spring, but with fuller, brighter hues. Nature does not die drably! She puts on her most gorgeous roes in autumn and dies gloriously. She goes down with her gay banners waving, smiles back at us as she leaves us. God speaks to His own comforting messages at all season and at all times.
Why should we have a dread of the transition? God has made the "valley of the shadow" as beautiful as the daybreak. In Charles Kingsley's last hour he was heard to whisper, "How beautiful is God."
If peace be in the heart
The wildest winter storm is filled with beauty
The very trees and stones, all catch a ray of glory
If peace be in the heart.
He gave us the secret of victory. It is the peace of God passing all understanding that makes all the way long a good journey. "My peace I give to you." - Mrs. Charles E Cowman
Compiled by Mrs. Charles E Cowman, taken from, "Springs in the Valley Volume 2"
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
A Close Friend
"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24
"The only way to have a friend is to be one." - R. W. Emerson
A Blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend; one human soul whom we can trust utterly; who knows the best and the worst of us, and who loves us, in spite of our faults: who will speak the honest truth to us, while the world flatters us to our faces, and laughs at us behind our backs; who will give us counsel and reproof in the day of prosperity and self conceit; but who, again will comfort and encourage us in the day of difficulty and sorrow, when the world leaves us alone to fight our own battles as we can.
"If we have had the good fortune to win such a friend, let us do anything rather than lose him. We must give and forgive; live and let live. If our friends have faults we must bear with them. We must hope all things, believe all things, endure all things rather than lose that most precious of all earthly possessions - a trusty friend. And a friend once won, need never be lose, if we will only be trusty and true ourselves." - Charles Kingsley.
There is a Friend, a Friend who sympathizes,
And in each sorrow, dries the falling tears;
His is the love, unchanging it remaineth,
Our lives to bless, to brighten, and to cheer.
F.B. (Ambassador Verse Cards. No. 1, G. F. Vallance, Publisher of Christian Literature, Goodmayes, Essex.)
By Mrs. Charles Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Dessert" Vol. 2
"The only way to have a friend is to be one." - R. W. Emerson
A Blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend; one human soul whom we can trust utterly; who knows the best and the worst of us, and who loves us, in spite of our faults: who will speak the honest truth to us, while the world flatters us to our faces, and laughs at us behind our backs; who will give us counsel and reproof in the day of prosperity and self conceit; but who, again will comfort and encourage us in the day of difficulty and sorrow, when the world leaves us alone to fight our own battles as we can.
"If we have had the good fortune to win such a friend, let us do anything rather than lose him. We must give and forgive; live and let live. If our friends have faults we must bear with them. We must hope all things, believe all things, endure all things rather than lose that most precious of all earthly possessions - a trusty friend. And a friend once won, need never be lose, if we will only be trusty and true ourselves." - Charles Kingsley.
There is a Friend, a Friend who sympathizes,
And in each sorrow, dries the falling tears;
His is the love, unchanging it remaineth,
Our lives to bless, to brighten, and to cheer.
F.B. (Ambassador Verse Cards. No. 1, G. F. Vallance, Publisher of Christian Literature, Goodmayes, Essex.)
By Mrs. Charles Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Dessert" Vol. 2
Friday, April 04, 2008
The Unanswered Prayer
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16
The Lord's answers to prayer are infinitely perfect, and they will show that often when we were asking for a stone that looked like bread. He was giving us bread that to our short-sightdness looked like stone." - J. Southley.
The Unanswered Prayer
She asked to be made like her Saviour;
He took her right then at her word.
And sent her a heart-crushing burden
Till the depths of her soul were stirred.
She wanted a meek, lowly spirit -
the work He gave answered that cry,
Till some who had once been companions,
With a pitying smile passed her by.
She asked to lean hard on her Saviour,
He took human props quite away,
Till no earthly friend could give comfort,
And she cold do nothing put pray.
She had prayed to be made like the Saviour,
and the burdens He gave her to bear
had been but the great Sculptor's teaching:
To help answer her earnest prayer.
- Publisher Unknown
"The life of fellowship with god cannot be built up in a day. It begins with the habitual reference of all to him, hour by hour. It then moves on to more and longer periods of communion; and it finds its consummation and bliss in days and nights of intercession and waiting." - F. B. Meyer
By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert Volume 2"
The Lord's answers to prayer are infinitely perfect, and they will show that often when we were asking for a stone that looked like bread. He was giving us bread that to our short-sightdness looked like stone." - J. Southley.
The Unanswered Prayer
She asked to be made like her Saviour;
He took her right then at her word.
And sent her a heart-crushing burden
Till the depths of her soul were stirred.
She wanted a meek, lowly spirit -
the work He gave answered that cry,
Till some who had once been companions,
With a pitying smile passed her by.
She asked to lean hard on her Saviour,
He took human props quite away,
Till no earthly friend could give comfort,
And she cold do nothing put pray.
She had prayed to be made like the Saviour,
and the burdens He gave her to bear
had been but the great Sculptor's teaching:
To help answer her earnest prayer.
- Publisher Unknown
"The life of fellowship with god cannot be built up in a day. It begins with the habitual reference of all to him, hour by hour. It then moves on to more and longer periods of communion; and it finds its consummation and bliss in days and nights of intercession and waiting." - F. B. Meyer
By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert Volume 2"
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
"Lord, carest Thou not that we perish?"
"He is a refuge in desperate hours." Psalm 9:9
A well-known business man would drop into our office every few days. His visits were ever times of spiritual refreshing. His face was always wreathed in smiles. He had an elastic tread. He radiated victory. A few minutes in his presence and one felt a lifting tides of God, for victory acts as a contagion. The old prophets knew this secret when they wrote of the carpenter encouraging the goldsmith, and the goldsmith encouraging those that beat out the tongs, etc.
Recently this same man shuffled into our office, sank down in a chair, buried his face between his hands, and burst into tears. What had happened to this child of God? He had fainted in the day of adversity. He experienced a great calamity which swept away his home, his business, his money. Then he began to worry, and, in consequence, he lost his health and is now a physical wreak. Here was Satan's opportunity, and he was not slow to avail himself of it. He came with the insidious question, "How are you going to face the world!" He led this once triumphant Christian to the very edge of the precipice, and told him to cast himself down. Everything was dark, pitch dark.
The Father cares when He sees His children in the teeth of a blinding storm, but He knows that faith grows in the tempest. He will hold our hands bidding us not to try to see the next step we are to take. He who knows the paths of a hundred million stars, knows the way through the whirlwind and the storm, and his promised, "I will never, never let go your hand!"
There is unquestionably a grave danger of many becoming spiritually paralyzed by depression. the forces of darkness are so imminent, the magnitude of the crisis is so great that many are being tempted to cry out with the disciples, "Lord, carest Thou not that we perish?" Yet He who may appear to be "asleep upon a pillow" is riding upon the storm in all His Divine majesty. The great need is for more faith in the omnipotent God.
By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Dessert" Volume 2
A well-known business man would drop into our office every few days. His visits were ever times of spiritual refreshing. His face was always wreathed in smiles. He had an elastic tread. He radiated victory. A few minutes in his presence and one felt a lifting tides of God, for victory acts as a contagion. The old prophets knew this secret when they wrote of the carpenter encouraging the goldsmith, and the goldsmith encouraging those that beat out the tongs, etc.
Recently this same man shuffled into our office, sank down in a chair, buried his face between his hands, and burst into tears. What had happened to this child of God? He had fainted in the day of adversity. He experienced a great calamity which swept away his home, his business, his money. Then he began to worry, and, in consequence, he lost his health and is now a physical wreak. Here was Satan's opportunity, and he was not slow to avail himself of it. He came with the insidious question, "How are you going to face the world!" He led this once triumphant Christian to the very edge of the precipice, and told him to cast himself down. Everything was dark, pitch dark.
The Father cares when He sees His children in the teeth of a blinding storm, but He knows that faith grows in the tempest. He will hold our hands bidding us not to try to see the next step we are to take. He who knows the paths of a hundred million stars, knows the way through the whirlwind and the storm, and his promised, "I will never, never let go your hand!"
There is unquestionably a grave danger of many becoming spiritually paralyzed by depression. the forces of darkness are so imminent, the magnitude of the crisis is so great that many are being tempted to cry out with the disciples, "Lord, carest Thou not that we perish?" Yet He who may appear to be "asleep upon a pillow" is riding upon the storm in all His Divine majesty. The great need is for more faith in the omnipotent God.
By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Dessert" Volume 2
Friday, February 15, 2008
What is a Saint?
. . . called to be saints: . . . (Romans 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2)
Why were the Saints, Saints?
It is quite simple.
Because they were "Cheerful" when it was difficult to be Cheerful.
Because they were "Patient" when it was difficult to be Patient.
Because they pushed on when they wanted to stand still.
Because they kept silent when they wanted to talk.
Because they were agreeable when they wanted to be disagreeable.
That was all! - Selected.
What is a Saint?
A Jewel in disguise
A Prince in peasant's garbs.
An immortal Life in dying flesh.
An Ambassador of the King Eternal, detained on foreign soil.
A Monarch at the foot of the throne, waiting for his crown.
A Royal Slave in a prison of clay, preparing for a mansion.
A Traveler on a rocky road, bound for the streets of gold.
A Watchman on the midnight hills, to greet the everlasting Day.
A Diamond in the rough, being polished to shine as the stars.
A Nugget of gold in the crucible, to be refined from its dross.
A Pearl in the oyster, to be delivered from the body of flesh.
A Lamp in a dark, dark night, soon to blaze forth with everlasting light.
A Stranger in the midst of enemies, hurrying on to live in everlasting fellowship.
A Flower in a garden, soon to unfold its petals where the Rose of Sharon blooms.
- Unknown
Compiled by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert Volume Two"
Why were the Saints, Saints?
It is quite simple.
Because they were "Cheerful" when it was difficult to be Cheerful.
Because they were "Patient" when it was difficult to be Patient.
Because they pushed on when they wanted to stand still.
Because they kept silent when they wanted to talk.
Because they were agreeable when they wanted to be disagreeable.
That was all! - Selected.
What is a Saint?
A Jewel in disguise
A Prince in peasant's garbs.
An immortal Life in dying flesh.
An Ambassador of the King Eternal, detained on foreign soil.
A Monarch at the foot of the throne, waiting for his crown.
A Royal Slave in a prison of clay, preparing for a mansion.
A Traveler on a rocky road, bound for the streets of gold.
A Watchman on the midnight hills, to greet the everlasting Day.
A Diamond in the rough, being polished to shine as the stars.
A Nugget of gold in the crucible, to be refined from its dross.
A Pearl in the oyster, to be delivered from the body of flesh.
A Lamp in a dark, dark night, soon to blaze forth with everlasting light.
A Stranger in the midst of enemies, hurrying on to live in everlasting fellowship.
A Flower in a garden, soon to unfold its petals where the Rose of Sharon blooms.
- Unknown
Compiled by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert Volume Two"
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Slow me down, Lord!
"The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him . . ." (Lam. 3:25)
"Wait on the Lord: . . . He shall strengthen thine heart." (Psalm 27:14)
"Wait on the Lord . . . and He shall exalt thee . . . " (Psalm 37:34)
Slow me down, Lord! Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind. Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time. Give me, amidst the confusion of my day, the calmness of the everlasting hills. Break the tensions of my nerves and muscles with the smoothing music of the singing streams that live in my memory. Help me to know the magical, restoring power of sleep. Teach me the art of taking minute vacations . . . of slowing down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend, to pat a dog, to read a few lines from a good book. Remind me each day of the fable of the hare and the tortoise that I may know that the race is not always to the swift; that there is more to live than increasing its speed. Let me look upward into the branches of the towering oak and know that it grew great and strong because it grew slowly and well. Slow me down, Lord, and inspire me to send my roots deep into the soil of life's enduring values that I may grow toward the stars of my greater destiny. In Jesus' name, Amen." - Unknown
We must learn to wait. When we do not know what to do we must simply do nothing. Wait till the fog clears away. Do not force a half-open door; a closed door may be providential. Ability to hold steady under pressure gives god unlimited sway. A hurried spirit is always from beneath (and out of breath.) "He that believeth shall not make haste."
There is grace supplied for the one who waits. The Psalmist knew this secret. He experienced this grace. "I wait for the Lord," he declared in Psalm 130:5. Waiting is a great part of life's discipline and therefore God often exercises the grace of waiting in the anxious hurrying person. "Waiting has four purposes," says Dr. james Vaughan. "It practices the patience of faith. It gives time for preparation for the coming gift. It makes the blessing the sweeter when it arrives. It shows the sovereignty of God - to give just when and as He pleases."
By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert Volume 2"
"Wait on the Lord: . . . He shall strengthen thine heart." (Psalm 27:14)
"Wait on the Lord . . . and He shall exalt thee . . . " (Psalm 37:34)
Slow me down, Lord! Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind. Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time. Give me, amidst the confusion of my day, the calmness of the everlasting hills. Break the tensions of my nerves and muscles with the smoothing music of the singing streams that live in my memory. Help me to know the magical, restoring power of sleep. Teach me the art of taking minute vacations . . . of slowing down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend, to pat a dog, to read a few lines from a good book. Remind me each day of the fable of the hare and the tortoise that I may know that the race is not always to the swift; that there is more to live than increasing its speed. Let me look upward into the branches of the towering oak and know that it grew great and strong because it grew slowly and well. Slow me down, Lord, and inspire me to send my roots deep into the soil of life's enduring values that I may grow toward the stars of my greater destiny. In Jesus' name, Amen." - Unknown
We must learn to wait. When we do not know what to do we must simply do nothing. Wait till the fog clears away. Do not force a half-open door; a closed door may be providential. Ability to hold steady under pressure gives god unlimited sway. A hurried spirit is always from beneath (and out of breath.) "He that believeth shall not make haste."
There is grace supplied for the one who waits. The Psalmist knew this secret. He experienced this grace. "I wait for the Lord," he declared in Psalm 130:5. Waiting is a great part of life's discipline and therefore God often exercises the grace of waiting in the anxious hurrying person. "Waiting has four purposes," says Dr. james Vaughan. "It practices the patience of faith. It gives time for preparation for the coming gift. It makes the blessing the sweeter when it arrives. It shows the sovereignty of God - to give just when and as He pleases."
By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert Volume 2"
Thursday, January 24, 2008
The Precious Words of Promise
"And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; For my strength is made perfect in weakness . . . II Cor. 12:9a
. . . Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me." II Cor. 12:9B
God hath not promised
Skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways
All our lives through;
God hath not promised
Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.
But God hath promised
Strength for the day
Rest for the labor,
Light for the way,
Grace for all trails,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love.
Annie Johnson Flint
We never prize the precious words of promise," said Mr. Spurgeon, " 'til we are placed in condition in which their suitability and sweetness are manifested." We all of us value those golden words: "When thou walkest through fire thou shalt not be burned neither shall the flame kindle upon thee," but few, if any of us, have read them with the delight of Martyr Binney. To him this passage was a stay while he was in prison awaiting burning at the stake. His Bible, still preserved in the library of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, has the passage marked with a pen in the margin.
Doubtless if all were known, every promise in the Bible has borne a special message to some one Christian, and so the whole volume might be scored in the margin with momentoes of Christian experience, every one appropriate to the very letter.
Every promise in the Book is mine;
Every chapter, every verse, every line.
"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises." II Peter 1:14
"The promises of God are certain, but they do not all mature in ninety days." - A. J. Gordon
By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert Volume Two"
. . . Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me." II Cor. 12:9B
God hath not promised
Skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways
All our lives through;
God hath not promised
Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.
But God hath promised
Strength for the day
Rest for the labor,
Light for the way,
Grace for all trails,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love.
Annie Johnson Flint
We never prize the precious words of promise," said Mr. Spurgeon, " 'til we are placed in condition in which their suitability and sweetness are manifested." We all of us value those golden words: "When thou walkest through fire thou shalt not be burned neither shall the flame kindle upon thee," but few, if any of us, have read them with the delight of Martyr Binney. To him this passage was a stay while he was in prison awaiting burning at the stake. His Bible, still preserved in the library of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, has the passage marked with a pen in the margin.
Doubtless if all were known, every promise in the Bible has borne a special message to some one Christian, and so the whole volume might be scored in the margin with momentoes of Christian experience, every one appropriate to the very letter.
Every promise in the Book is mine;
Every chapter, every verse, every line.
"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises." II Peter 1:14
"The promises of God are certain, but they do not all mature in ninety days." - A. J. Gordon
By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert Volume Two"
Thursday, January 17, 2008
God's Mountain
""the Lord shall guide thee continually . . ." Isaiah 58:11
". . . and He will make my feet like hind's feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places." Hab. 3:19
Advance into this new year on your knees. Faith does not concern itself with the entire journey. One step is enough. That fist step is all that is needed. Breathe a prayer for courage to fill your legs as well as your heart as you face the unknown, the unexpected. What matters that you know not your destination? Put your hand into the hand of God. he gives the calmness and serenity of heart and soul. As He endures, you too, can endure and climb over sharp rocks and crags. Climb with Him to the end of the year - yea, even to the end of life's trial. "The peak that is nearest the storm-cloud is nearer the stars of light." He gives the courage for which you pray to rise above the valley. Heed the Master's voice and press bravely on to the fulfillment of your task. You have a whole year to scale.
"A Voice said 'CLIMB.' And he said, 'How shall I climb?
The mountains are so steep that I cannot climb.'
"The Voice said, 'CLIMB' or DIE.'
"He said, 'But how? I see no way up those steep ascents.
This that is asked of me is too hard for me.'
"The Voice said, 'CLIMB or PERISH, soul and body of thee,
mind and spirit of thee. There is no second choice for
any son of man. CLIMB or DIE.'"
Some of the bravest of mountaineers have related incredible tales of concerning their climbs up the hills of earth. Sometimes they were aware of the presence of a Companion who was not among the earthly party of climbers on the mountains.
How much more positive is the presence of the Heavenly Guide as God's mountaineers climb the high places of the Spirit!
God's mountain climbers are created to walk in precarious places, not on the easy levels of life.
Do not limit the Limitless God! With Him face the new trail and follow on unafraid, for you walk not alone!
By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert Volume 2"
". . . and He will make my feet like hind's feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places." Hab. 3:19
Advance into this new year on your knees. Faith does not concern itself with the entire journey. One step is enough. That fist step is all that is needed. Breathe a prayer for courage to fill your legs as well as your heart as you face the unknown, the unexpected. What matters that you know not your destination? Put your hand into the hand of God. he gives the calmness and serenity of heart and soul. As He endures, you too, can endure and climb over sharp rocks and crags. Climb with Him to the end of the year - yea, even to the end of life's trial. "The peak that is nearest the storm-cloud is nearer the stars of light." He gives the courage for which you pray to rise above the valley. Heed the Master's voice and press bravely on to the fulfillment of your task. You have a whole year to scale.
"A Voice said 'CLIMB.' And he said, 'How shall I climb?
The mountains are so steep that I cannot climb.'
"The Voice said, 'CLIMB' or DIE.'
"He said, 'But how? I see no way up those steep ascents.
This that is asked of me is too hard for me.'
"The Voice said, 'CLIMB or PERISH, soul and body of thee,
mind and spirit of thee. There is no second choice for
any son of man. CLIMB or DIE.'"
Some of the bravest of mountaineers have related incredible tales of concerning their climbs up the hills of earth. Sometimes they were aware of the presence of a Companion who was not among the earthly party of climbers on the mountains.
How much more positive is the presence of the Heavenly Guide as God's mountaineers climb the high places of the Spirit!
God's mountain climbers are created to walk in precarious places, not on the easy levels of life.
Do not limit the Limitless God! With Him face the new trail and follow on unafraid, for you walk not alone!
By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert Volume 2"
Friday, January 11, 2008
The New Year
"Forgetting the past . . . I press onward." Phil. 3:13-14
One of god's glorious gifts to mankind is to bestow upon him the dawn of a new year. New opportunities and challenges are before him. A chance to try again, to make another endeavor to successfully accomplish the ambitions which were perhaps cast aside with discouragement in the year past. Life is full of beginnings. As one stands at the gate and with doubtful hand draws aside the curtain and peers into the unknown, he begins today by taking his first step across the threshold of the new year. It is already a beautiful year because it is another year of Our Lord.
Gazing at the far horizons and half wondering what the coming months will bring, pause but a moment to reflect over the old volume of three hundred and sixty-five days just ended. The pages may have been marred by mistakes and torn by intentions, but a few more miles have been covered on the upward climb, pressing toward the mark.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
We have already come,
'Twas grace that brought us safe thus far,
And grace will lead us Home.
It has not been our own achievement. Great has been our Father's faithfulness; new every morning have been His mercies. He faileth never!
It is part of our nature to want to live in the yesterdays of life, in "the days that come not back again." We would rather relive the strifes, the bad habits, the heartaches, and stumbling steps than to face the uncertain. With tenacity the past does cling, and like barnacles, would hinder us from pushing out from the shore and launching into the deep.
Old Past, let go, and drop in the sea!
Till fathomless waters cover thee;
For I am living, but thou art dead;
Thou drawest back, I strive ahead
The Day to find.
Thy shells unbind! Night comes behind,
I needs must hurry with the wind
And trim me best for sailing.
Standing at the parting of the ways, there is a choice to make, some road to take, we much consider which. How is it that we intend to live? Will it be repetitious of the past?
"I do not see my way: I do not care to; but I know that He sees His way, and that I see Him." Shining destinies are ahead! We must keep our eyes upon Jesus as we now face the Dawn.
By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert Volume 2"
One of god's glorious gifts to mankind is to bestow upon him the dawn of a new year. New opportunities and challenges are before him. A chance to try again, to make another endeavor to successfully accomplish the ambitions which were perhaps cast aside with discouragement in the year past. Life is full of beginnings. As one stands at the gate and with doubtful hand draws aside the curtain and peers into the unknown, he begins today by taking his first step across the threshold of the new year. It is already a beautiful year because it is another year of Our Lord.
Gazing at the far horizons and half wondering what the coming months will bring, pause but a moment to reflect over the old volume of three hundred and sixty-five days just ended. The pages may have been marred by mistakes and torn by intentions, but a few more miles have been covered on the upward climb, pressing toward the mark.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
We have already come,
'Twas grace that brought us safe thus far,
And grace will lead us Home.
It has not been our own achievement. Great has been our Father's faithfulness; new every morning have been His mercies. He faileth never!
It is part of our nature to want to live in the yesterdays of life, in "the days that come not back again." We would rather relive the strifes, the bad habits, the heartaches, and stumbling steps than to face the uncertain. With tenacity the past does cling, and like barnacles, would hinder us from pushing out from the shore and launching into the deep.
Old Past, let go, and drop in the sea!
Till fathomless waters cover thee;
For I am living, but thou art dead;
Thou drawest back, I strive ahead
The Day to find.
Thy shells unbind! Night comes behind,
I needs must hurry with the wind
And trim me best for sailing.
Standing at the parting of the ways, there is a choice to make, some road to take, we much consider which. How is it that we intend to live? Will it be repetitious of the past?
"I do not see my way: I do not care to; but I know that He sees His way, and that I see Him." Shining destinies are ahead! We must keep our eyes upon Jesus as we now face the Dawn.
By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert Volume 2"
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