Impossible Flowers

"For with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37).

Far up in the Alpine hollows, year by year God works one of His marvels. The snow-patches lie there, frozen with ice at their edge from the strife of sunny days and frosty nights; and through that ice-crust come, unscathed, flowers that bloom.

Back in the days of the by-gone summer, the little soldanelle plant spread its leaves wide and flat on the ground, to drink in the sun-rays, and it kept them stored in the root through the winter. Then spring came, and stirred the pulses even below the snow-shroud, and as it sprouted, warmth was given out in such strange measure that it thawed a little dome in the snow above its head.

Higher and higher it grew and always above it rose the bell of air, till the flower-bud formed safely within it: and at last the icy covering of the air-bell gave way and let the blossom through into the sunshine, the crystalline texture of its mauve petals sparkling like snow itself as if it bore the traces of the flight through which it had come.

And the fragile thing rings an echo in our hearts that none of the jewel-like flowers nestled in the warm turf on the slopes below could waken. We love to see the impossible done. And so does God.

Face it out to the end, cast away every shadow of hope on the human side as an absolute hindrance to the Divine, heap up all the difficulties together recklessly, and pile as many more on as you can find; you cannot get beyond the blessed climax of impossibility. Let faith swing out to Him. He is the God of the impossible. --Selected

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Streams in the Desert"

Fear of Trying

"Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left." DEUTERONOMY 5:32

NO duty, however hard and perilous, should be feared one-half so much as failure in the duty. People sometimes shrink from responsibility, saying they dare not accept it because it is so great. But in shrinking from duty they are really encountering a far more serious condition than that which they evade. It is a great deal easier to do that which God gives us to do, no matter how hard it is, than to face the responsibility of not doing it. We have abundant assurance that we shall receive all the strength we need to perform any duty God allots to us; but if we fall out of the line of obedience, and refuse to do anything which we ought to do, we find ourselves at once out of harmony with God's law and God's providence, and cannot escape the consequences of our failure. - J. R. MILLER

KNOWLEDGE is a call to action; an insight into the way of perfection is a call to perfection. - J. H. NEWMAN

By Mary Wilder Tileston taken from "Joy and Strength"

Strong to the End

"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." 1 CORINTHIANS 16:13

STAND then in His great might,
With all His strength endued;
But take, to arm you for the fight,
The panoply of God.
Leave no unguarded place,
No weakness of the soul;
Take every virtue, every grace,
And fortify the whole.
- CHARLES WESLEY

LET every one consider what his weak point is; in that is his trial. His trial is not in those things which are easy to him, but in that one thing, in those several things, whatever they are, in which to do his duty is against his nature. Never think yourself safe because you do your duty in ninety-nine points; it is the hundredth which is to be the ground of your self-denial. It is with reference to this you must watch and pray; pray continually for God's grace to help you, and watch with fear and trembling lest you fall. Oh that you may (as it were) sweep the house diligently to discover what you lack of the full measure of obedience! for, be quite sure, that this apparently small defect will influence your whole spirit and judgment in all things. - JOHN HENRY NEWMAN

By Mary Wilder Tileston taken from "Joy and Strength"

Resting

"Come apart with me, and rest awhile." Mark 6:31

There is one pause in music of which the untrained singer does not know the value - the pause: it is not the cessation of the music; it is a part of it.

Before the tide ebbs or flows there is always a time of poise when it is neither ebbing nor flowing.

In a Christian life that is to be effective, there will always be the pause and the poise.

The desert has been God's training-school for many of His prophets - Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Paul. But not all who come from Arabia are prophets; and God has other schools. Before the years of witness, there were the years of stillness. Every witness with a great message has these years. Let not the saints shrink from the discipline and training! The sightless days will mean a grander vision; the silent years, the sweeter song. If the Lord puts you in the dark, it is but to strengthen your eyes to bear the glory that He is preparing for you; if he bids you be silent, it is but to turn your tongue to His praise. Remember that the pause is part of the music.

The great Composer writes the thee
And gives us each a part to play;
To some a sweet and flowing air,
Smooth and unbroken all the way;

They pour their full heart's gladness out
in notes of joy and service blent;
But some He gives long bares of "rests."
With idle voice and instrument.

He who directs the singing spheres,
The music of the morning stars,
Needs, for His full creation's hymn,
The quiet of the soundless bars.

Be silent unto God, my soul,
If this the score He writes for thee,
And "hold the rest," play no false note
To mar His perfect harmony.

Yet be thou watchful for thy turn,
Strike on the instant, true and clear,
Lest from the grand, melodious whole
Thy note be missing to His ear.

Annie Johnson Flint

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Springs in the Valley"

A Hope and A Future

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

The love of God a perfect plan
Is planning now for thee,
It holds "a future and a hope,"
Which yet thou canst not see.

Though for a season, in the dark,
He asks thy perfect trust,k
E'en that thou in surrender "lay
Thy treasure in the dust."

Yet He is planning all the while,
Unerringly He guides
The life of him, who holds His will
More dear than all besides.

Trust were not trust if thou couldest see
The ending of the way,
nor couldst thou learn His songs by night,
Were life one radiant day.

Amid the shadows here He works
The plan designed above,
"A future and a hope" for thee
In His exceeding love.

"A future" - of abiding fruit,
With loving kindness crowned;
"A hope" - which shall thine own transcend,
A Heaven the earth around.

Though veiled as yet, one day thine eyes
Shall see His plan unfold,
And clouds that darkened once the path
Shall shine with Heaven's gold.

Enriched to all eternity
The steadfast should shall stand,
That "unoffended," trusted Him
Who all life's pathway planned.

Freda Hambury Allen

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Springs in the Valley"

The Rope

"O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man . . . to direct his steps." Jeremiah 10:23

We were at the foot of Mount Blanc in the village of Chamouni. A sad thing had happened the day before. A young physician had determined to reach the heights of Mt. Blanc. He accomplished the feat and the little village was illuminated in his honor; on the mountain-side a flag was floating that told of his victory.

After he had ascended, and descended as far as the hut, he wanted to be released form his guide; he wanted to be free form the rope, and insisted on going on alone.

The guide remonstrated with him, telling him it was not safe; but he was tired of the rope, and declared that he would be free. The guide was compelled to yield. The young man had gone only a short distance when his foot slipped on the ice and he could not stop himself from sliding down the icy steeps. The rope was gone, so the guide could not hold him nor pull him back. Out on the shelving ice lay the body of the young physician.

The bells had been run, the village had been illuminated in honor of his success; but alas, in a fatal moment he refused to be guided; he was tired of the rope.

Do you get tired of the rope? God's providences hold us, restrain us, and we get tired sometimes. We need a guide, and shall until the dangerous paths are over. Never get disengaged from your Guide. Let your prayer be, "Lead Thou me on," and sometime the bells of heaven will ring that you are safe at home! - C. H. Spurgeon

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Springs in the Valley"

Surrender

I'm giving you my heart, and all that is within
I lay it all down for the sake of you my King
I'm giving you my dreams, I'm laying down my rights
I'm giving up my pride for the promise of new life

And I surrender all to you, all to you
And I surrender all to you, all to you

I'm singing You this song, I'm waiting at the cross
And all the world holds dear, I count it all as loss
For the sake of knowing You for the glory of Your name
To know the lasting joy, even sharing in Your pain

Surrender - Words and Music by Marc James

This song was sung during our worship service on Sunday. It's a great song and one I get lost in. Yet, when I step out of the emotions it brings forth and read the words I find that I'm ashamed of myself. I'm ashamed because I've often failed to surrender all to the Lord. Do you find yourself singing these words yet start out Monday morning not thinking twice about them? Do you give your all to the Lord or just when it suites your needs and purpose? Is He your last resort when all around you is falling apart? I ask these questions because they're questions I ask myself. I've been pondering what it means to surrender.

How do we surrender to God? I would think you would do this by getting to know Him. Know that He loves you and you are safe with Him. That way you can feel like you can surrender all to Him. The key is KNOWING Him. Part of surrendering your all to God is taking the time to be with Him in His word (the Bible) and in prayer. To fellowship with a body of Believers. To be involved in some type of study with someone else or a group. I agree that it's time consuming and we live in a society that doesn't allow us to slow down. But we have to slow down and go against the flow in order to know God. If we don't we completely miss the whole purpose for what life is all about.

What is your life about? Why are you here? Do you just go through the motions of living but wonder what's the point? Jesus says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16. If you don’t know Jesus pick up a Bible and read the book of John. Find someone who knows Him and ask questions. God sent His son Jesus to die on the cross for you, to save you and give you eternal life. If you are a Believer your roll in life is to reach out to those who don’t know Him. To share the joy and peace you have because He is in your life. Are you ready to surrender to Him?

Krista Jones
11.21.06

Giving Thanks

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." - Psalm 100

Our Leaders

"All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of thy mouth." Psalm 138:4

Wouldn't it be wonderful if all the leaders on earth suddenly found their hearts filled with love, and compassion, and justice? What would happen if they all decided that top priority would be to take care of others first? Perhaps then we would have a taste of what God originally intended. We want to believe that our leaders are listening for the voice of God as they make their difficult decisions, but often we can only wonder. Perhaps one day all the kings of earth will stop their quarreling long enough to hear the gentle urgings of God. Until then, it is the responsibility of every Christian to pray for the leaders and ask God that He might work for good in spite of them, when it is impossible to work with or through them.

Prayer: Amidst the chaos of our world, Lord, You are the center of sanity and reason. Inspire our leaders to work together for the greatest good . Help them to do what is pleasing in Your sight. Amen.

Wisdom from the Psalms
www.crosswalk.com

Unanswered?

"Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily" (Luke 18:6, 7).

God's seasons are not at your beck. If the first stroke of the flint doth not bring forth the fire, you must strike again. God will hear prayer, but He may not answer it at the time which we in our minds have appointed; He will reveal Himself to our seeking hearts, but not just when and where we have settled in our own expectations. Hence the need of perseverance and importunity in supplication.

In the days of flint and steel and brimstone matches we had to strike and strike again, dozens of times, before we could get a spark to live in the tinder; and we were thankful enough if we succeeded at last.

Shall we not be as persevering and hopeful as to heavenly things? We have more certainty of success in this business than we had with our flint and steel, for we have God's promises at our back.

Never let us despair. God's time for mercy will come; yea, it has come, if our time for believing has arrived. Ask in faith nothing wavering; but never cease from petitioning because the King delays to reply. Strike the steel again. Make the sparks fly and have your tinder ready; you will get a light before long.
--C. H. Spurgeon

I do not believe that there is such a thing in the history of God's kingdom as a right prayer offered in a right spirit that is forever left unanswered. --Theodore L. Cuyler

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Streams in the Desert"

Be at Peace

Be at peace. Do not fear the changes of life. Rather look to them with full hope as they arise. God, whose very own you are, will deliver you out of them. He has kept you hitherto, and He will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it, God will bury you in His arms. Do not be afraid of what may happen tomorrow, the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you then and everyday. He will either shield you from suffering, or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.

St. Framncios de Sales

God's Love

"The love of Christ which passeth knowledge." Ephesians 3:19

We do not really see the ocean. To do that is beyond our power. Through that vista we glimpse a bit of blue water as though God has painted a picture and framed it with hills and trees. But southward and northward on distance-hidden shores stretch waters we have never seen. Bays lie placid by sunlit rocks, and long surges roll in soothing rhythm on smoothly sloping sands. Inlets ripple under tropic moons, and warming currents bear springtime's promise to frozen arctic reefs. Beyond that curved blue line that limits our sight, there rolls an open plain of waters to realms where we have never been, leaving the strands of palmy islands of which we do not know. And this is but the surface! Beneath are miles of depth, fathomless and mysteries beyond the thoughts of men.

God's measureless love is like the ocean. Through the windows of earthly life we catch a gleam. From the valleys of trouble we glimpse, wave on wave. From the headlands of faith we view a broader tide to the line that blends eternity with time. Our happiest days are islands set in its boundless breadth. Yet, as with the ocean, we have never seen it all! Even Eternity cannot reveal its greatness to the wondering hosts of heaven, nor all the universe exhaust the fountains whence it flows.

"We can only see a little of the ocean,
Just a few miles distant from the rocky shore,
But out there-far beyond our eyes' horizon,
There's more-immeasurably more.

"We can only see a little of God's loving -
A few rich treasures from His mighty store;
But out there-far beyond our eye's horizon,
There's more-immeasurably more."

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Springs in the Valley"

Falling

"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy." Jude 24

Take that word keep and hold it close to your heart tonight and tomorrow. It is one of the great and magnificent messages of the Gospel - "He is able to keep you from falling." Put into the word you all the weakness, all the unworthiness, all the sinfulness which belongs to man since the fall; yet, He is able to keep you. He does not underrate the disadvantage of its being you when He bids His messengers say He is "able to keep you from falling." It would be impossible, utterly impossible were it not undertaken by Infinite love. Look out, and up, then. Look up "from the depth" - the vast depth of your weakness, perhaps of your mysteriously inherited weakness. Look out of your failure under some temptation, inward or outward, inherited so to speak from yourself, from your own unfaithfulness in the past. Look up, out of your ruined purposes - unto Himself.

Being what He is, Keeper of Israel, God of the promises, Lord of the Sacrifice, Prince of life, present Saviour, indwelling Power, He is able to keep you, that your feet shall not totter. They shall stand "in a large room;" they shall hold on straight, until at last they enter, step by step - for it is one step at a time even then - "through the gates into the city."

"He shall never give thy feet to tottering." - Rev. H.C.G. Moule, D.D.

We may step firmly down up on the temptation which other has crushed for us, and we are conquerors in Him.

"Behind the dim unknown
Standeth God within the shadows
Keeping watch above His own."

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Springs in the Valley"

Born Again

"Jesus replied, "I assure you, unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of God." "What do you mean?" exclaimed Nicodemus." John 3:3-4

When you have a question, don't you think your teacher should have the answer? Nicodemus was a teacher for all of Israel. But when Jesus said, "You have to be born again," Nicodemus didn't know what this meant. Jesus told him that it is difficult to explain. It is like trying to follow the wind. We can hear and feel the wind, but we don't know where it comes from or where it is going.

By believing in Jesus, a person has a second birth. This is sometimes called the new birth. When it happens, that person is born again. To see this new birth in a person's life, you must look carefully. It's like the wind - very hard to see.

Have you ever seen fruit hanging from a tree? Sometimes it is hard to see because the leaves hide it. A person who is born again has special fruit in his or her life. Look carefully and you may see love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. That is how you know if a person is born again.

Dear God. I want to please You - help me to grow all of Your good fruit in my life. Amen.

By Daniel Partner taken from "Bible Devotions for Bedtime"

Bread of Life

"Then the Devil came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, change these stones into loaves of bread." But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, 'People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God." Matthew 4:3-4

Two things we cannot live without are food and water. Even Jesus got hungry. But He knew that people needed two kinds of food. There is food for the body and food for the soul. Everyone knows about the food for out body. Jesus came to teach us about the other food. In fact, it was one of the first things He talked about. "People need more than bread for their life," Jesus said. "They must feed on every word of God."

One day Jesus was out in the countryside. Thousands of people came there to see and hear Him. When it came time to eat, no one had any food. With five loaves of bread and two fish, Jesus fed them all. The same people crowded around Jesus the next day. He told them, "You only came here because I fed you yesterday. But God give you the true bread from heaven."

"Please, give us this bread," they begged.

Jesus answered them, "I am the bread of life. Come to me and you will never be hungry."

No one can go without food. No one should go without knowing that Jesus is their real food.

Dear God. Help me to remember that Jesus is the real Bread of Life.

By Daniel Partner taken from "Bible Devotions for Bedtime"

Our Basic Needs

"For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." Psalm 107:9

Every individual is a beautiful and unique creation, complete with needs and desires specific to his or her own life. Some needs, however, are “universal.” That is, all people experience them their lives.

The first is a sense of belonging. Everyone feels the need to “fit in” somewhere. The joy you feel when surrounded by intimate friends and family is powerful evidence of this truth. The discomfort associated with moving to a job or home where no one knows you also reveals how powerful this need is in our lives.

Another universal need is a sense of worth. It’s important for all of us to be able to say, “I matter.” Yet, many people are not convinced this is true. They’re overcome by a horribly disfigured self-image that’s stealing the joy of the Lord from their lives.

A third universal need is a sense of competence. We need to know for certain that we can accomplish what God puts before us. A lack of confidence in His power and provision in our lives can be devastating.

God responded to every one of these universal needs at the cross. We belong because our heavenly Father called us into His holy family. We have worth because Jesus paid such a great price for our salvation. And, we are competent because God has sent His Holy Spirit to indwell and empower us. A breakdown in any one of these areas will have a tremendous impact on your spiritual growth.

Are you struggling with any of these universal needs? If so, lay them before the Lord today. Then, trust Him to make you the complete person He created you to be.

By Dr. Charles Stanley taken from "In Touch Daily Devotional"

Nothing is Too Hard

"Is there anything too hard for Jehovah?" (Gen. 18:14).

Here is God's loving challenge to you and to me today. He wants us to think of the deepest, highest, worthiest desire and longing of our hearts, something which perhaps was our desire for ourselves or for someone dear to us, yet which has been so long unfulfilled that we have looked upon it as only a lost desire, that which might have been but now cannot be, and so have given up hope of seeing it fulfilled in this life.

That thing, if it is in line with what we know to be His expressed will (as a son to Abraham and Sarah was), God intends to do for us, even if we know that it is of such utter impossibility that we only laugh at the absurdity of anyone's supposing it could ever now come to pass. That thing God intends to do for us, if we will let Him.

"Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Not when we believe in Him enough to go forward and do His will, and let Him do the impossible for us. Even Abraham and Sarah could have blocked God's plan if they had continued to disbelieve.

The only thing too hard for Jehovah is deliberate, continued disbelief in His love and power, and our final rejection of His plans for us. Nothing is too hard for Jehovah to do for them that trust Him --Messages for the Morning Watch

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Streams in the Desert"

Singing

"Break forth into singing." Isaiah 49:13

There is a beautiful story which tells of song birds being brought over the sea. There were thirty-six thousand, mostly canaries. The sea was very calm when the ship first sailed, and the little birds were silent. They kept their little heads under their wings and not a note was heard. But the third day out at sea, the ship struck a furious gale. The passengers were terrified. Children wept. Then a strange thing happened. As the tempest reached it's height, the birds began to sing, first one, then another, until the thirty-six thousand were singing as if their little throats would burst.

When the storm rises in its fury, do we then begin to sing? Should not our song break forth in tenfold joy when the tempest begins?

"I can hear the songbirds singing their refrain
It is morning in my heart;
And I know that life for me begins again,
It is morning in my heart.

"It is morning, it is morning in my heart,
Jesus made the gloomy shadows all depart;
Songs of gladness now I sing,
For since Jesus is my King,
It is morning, it is morning in my heart."

Oh God, wilt Thou teach us to begin the music of heaven! Grant us grace to have many rehearsals of eternal Hallelujahs! "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy Name!"

Try singing! Singing in the storm!

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Springs in the Valley"

Promises

"Therefore it is of faith; . . . to the end the promise might be sure." Romans 4:16

The great devotional teacher of the past century, Dr. Andrew Murray, said, "When you get a promise from God it is worth just as much as fulfillment. A promise brings you into direct contact with God. Honor Him by trusting the promise and obeying Him." Worth just as much as fulfillment. Do we grasp that truth often? Are we not frequently in the state of trying to believe, instead of realizing that these promises bring us into contact with God? "God's promise is as good as His presence." To believe and accept the promise of God is not to engage in some mental gymnastics where we reach down into our imaginations and begin a process of auto-suggestion, or produce a notional faith in which we argue with ourselves in an endeavor to believe God. It is absolute confidence in and reliance upon God through His Word.

By a naked faith in a naked promise I do not mean a bare assent that God is faithful, and that such a promise in the Book of God is faithful, and that such as promise in the Book of God may be fulfilled in me, but a bold, hearty, steady venturing of my soul, body and spirit upon the truth of the promise with an appropriating act. - Fletcher

"The faith that will shut the mouths of lions must be more than a pious hope that they will note bite."

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Springs in the Valley"

Step out on the Waves

Step out on the waves
That would crush you!
Step out in the storm
That would hush you!
And you will find,
As you touch the crest
You feared so much,
And walk on its breast,
There was One walking there,
The whole night through,
Walking, watching,
Waiting – FOR YOU!

By Mrs. Charles E Cowman taken from "Springs in the Valley"

Out in the Sea

"Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters." Psalm 77:19

God's path is in the sea - just where you would not expect it to be! So when He leads us out by unexpected ways, off the strong solid land, out upon the changing sea, then we may expect to see His ways. We are with One who finds a path as He goes. That is better than having a path already traced out, for it makes us perfectly independent of circumstances.

There is an infinite variety in the paths God makes, and He can make them anywhere! Think you not that He, who made the spider able to drop anywhere and to spin its own path as it goes, is not able to spin a path for you through every blank, or perplexity, or depression? God is never lost among our mysteries. He sees the road, "the end from the beginning."

Mystery and uncertainty are only to prepare us for deeper discipline. Had we no stormy sea we should remain weaklings to the end of our days. God takes us out into the deeps; but He knows the track! He knows the heaven! and we shall arrive.

"And with Jesus Through the trackless deep move on!" - Rev. C.A. Fox

O fathomless abyss of God's rich bounty, of His wisdom, of His knowledge! Who can explore His decisions? Who can track out his paths? - Romans 11:33

Trials

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trials, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12

Trials are something we all go through. Although it is not easy to experience trials it is essential to our growth as Believers and individuals. Over the weekend I went to my church's women's retreat. This one was unlike any other retreat I've attended. Like past retreats I stayed up too late and ate way too much junk food. But this one was different in the fact that I heard two testimonies that were given from the heart. They were given from deep down where the hurts lie buried and were exposed bare for all to hear. I was touched by how Jesus drew these two women out of their painful past experiences to become the women I know them to be today. Their stories made this retreat real. For that morning the surface Christianity we all see was gone and true faith was shown. I don't think there was a dry eye in the room as we all related to something being said.

Why do we experience trials? It's a painful question we often ask ourselves as we experience them. I personally have been through a fair amount of trails. During each trial I was alone, hurting, angry and scared. Why was God putting me through this now? Didn't He love me enough? If He loved me He would save me from this painful experience.

Why? Because the things we experience make us who we are. They give us a testimony that can be used to reach out to others going through their own trials. Because through trials we learn to trust in God more and grow to know just how much He cares for us. Why did I experience all I did? Because it has trained me to be who I am today and for the future trials I'll experience. Helen Keller said, "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trail and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved." If you know anything about Helen Keller, you'll know that she achieved much despite being unable to hear or see. She was one who knew what suffering and trials were all about and yet, she never let them destroy who she was. She allowed them to teacher her who she could be and gave her a voice to help others.

If you are going through a trial at the moment, DON'T GIVE UP! Cling to what you know is true. When you feel like you are alone remember that Jesus loves you and is with you. Turn to someone to help see you through this moment in time. If you've experienced painful trials in the past be more willing to open up to others and help them. How can we help others not feel like we did if we don't open ourselves to them? Imagine what life would be like if we didn't always go around saying we're fine and started to be real? There is someone out there who has been through what you're going through. Now take it a step further and realize that even Jesus understands because He experienced everything before you did. That's why He knows what you're going through. I encourage you to read His testimony in the Gospel of John to see for yourself.

You are NEVER ALONE.

Krista Jones
11.1.06

Amazing Love, How Can It Be?

When Christianity says that God loves man, it means that God loves man: not that He has some 'disinterested', because really indifferent, concern for our welfare, but hat in awful and surprising truth, we are the objects of His love, You asked for a loving God: you have one. The great spirit you so lightly invoked, the 'lord of terrible aspect', is present: not a senile benevolence that drowsily wishes you to be happy in your own way, not the cold philanthropy of a conscientious magistrate, nor the care of a host who feels responsible for the comfort of his guests, but the consuming fire Himself, the love that made the worlds, persistent as the artist's love for his work and despotic as a man's love for a dog, provident and venerable as a father's love for a child, jealous, inexorable, exacting as love between the sexes. How this should be, I do not know: it passes reason to explain why and creatures, not to say creatures such as we, should have a value so prodigious in their Creator's eyes. It is certainly a burden of glory not only beyond our deserts but also, expect in rare moments of grace, beyond our desiring; we are included, like the maidens in the old play, deprecate the love of Zeus. But the fact seems unquestionable.

C.S. Lewis taken from "The Problem of Pain"

Facts vs. Feelings

"We walk by faith, not by appearance" (2 Cor. 5:7, RV).

By faith, not appearance; God never wants us to look at our feelings. Self may want us to; and Satan may want us to. But God wants us to face facts, not feelings; the facts of Christ and of His finished and perfect work for us.

When we face these precious facts, and believe them because God says they are facts, God will take care of our feelings.

God never gives feeling to enable us to trust Him; God never gives feeling to encourage us to trust Him; God never gives feeling to show that we have already and utterly trusted Him.

God gives feeling only when He sees that we trust Him apart from all feeling, resting on His own Word, and on His own faithfulness to His promise.

Never until then can the feeling (which is from God) possibly come; and God will give the feeling in such a measure and at such a time as His love sees best for the individual case.

We must choose between facing toward our feelings and facing toward God's facts. Our feelings may be as uncertain as the sea or the shifting sands. God's facts are as certain as the Rock of Ages, even Christ Himself, who is the same yesterday, today and forever.

"When darkness veils His lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil."

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Streams in the Desert"

Being Our Best

“But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them just as he wanted them to be.” I Corinthians 12:18

for most of life, i think we fight God. we keep trying to show him what we were made for. we keep giving him better ideas. we keep working for something bigger & greater than anything he seems to have in mind. for many of us, by the time we are in mid-life, we feel we somehow have missed out on some of the great things we were born for. we fight with God over this.

God made me with special ideas in mind, but i wish i could have been in on the planning. my skin would have been more olive-colored, & flawless. my hair more coarse, with some curl in it. my shoulders broader. my eyes wider-spaced. i would have completely removed the lazy part in me that i have to fight with all the time.

i come to you, however, knowing God made me not to impress you. not to be one book covers. not to be an authority. not to be perfect or a genius. not to make a million dollars!

God made me to be uncomplicated in my faith. to watch children & kites & sunsets & rainbows & enjoy them. to take your hand regardless of who you are or how you look. to listen to you. to accept you right where you are. to love you unconditionally.

God made me to be real. to be honest. to be open. to never compare myself to you, but to strive to become my own best person. to have character & dignity.

-- ann kiemel anderson

Additional Reading: Job 5:6-9; Psalm 8:4; Psalm 139: I Peter 1:22-25

Women’s Devotional Bible 1

Handwriting

God's Handwriting

What does God's handwriting look like?

The tablets were the work of God; the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets. (Ex. 32:16)

Moses held in his hands the prescription for the spiritual and physical health of the whole nation. It was flawless. God himself engraved the front and back of the tablets of stone with detailed instructions for life. It was as if God the Father wrote a list to the baby sitter explaining how to care for his children. As Moses headed down the mountain he must have found strength in holding this tangible proof of God’s voice. Surely the miracle of God's own handwriting would hush the chaotic crowd.

When Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned and he threw the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of the mountain. (Ex. 32:19) The broken pieces of stone, the broken promises of Israel and the broken heart of God, all paint the tragic scene. Why on earth would God go to such work and detail when he knew the tablets would be shattered? Why would God extend his hand again especially with something so personal and divine?

Consider Jesus, the most precious gift of all. One would think that with man’s history of rejection, God would begin to hold back from the world. But he does just the opposite. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. He continues to write his message of love and redemption upon human hearts all over the world. What has he written on your heart?

You show that you are a letter from Christ-- written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (2 Cor. 3:3)

- How do you see God’s handwriting in your life?

- What message do you want your life to say to the world around you?

- What message do you want your life to say to God?

By Sherri Youngward

Hardships

No matter what suffering or hardship awaits us in this life, we are headed toward hilarity - another home where God has triumphed forever over darkness. Our response to Christ is to hold fast to his example of "for the joy set before him," that is, to eagerly look forward to that day. It is also glimpsing - and savoring - the tiny splinters of that glory in the now, even during our darkest moments.

By Joy Sawyer, Dancing to the Heartbeat of Redemption

There is the Lamb of God

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29

Everyone knows that Jesus wasn't really a lamb. He was a man. For His whole life, He wasn't like a lamb at all. He was strong and bold until the end. Then He became like a lamb. The bible says that when Jesus died, "He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth."

In the times of the Old Testament, people made sacrifices to God for their sins. These sacrifices were usually lambs. year after year, people made these sacrifices. Then Jesus came. He was the last sacrifice for sin. No one had to kill a little lamb again because of sin. Jesus is the Lamb of God whose death took away the sin off the world. "For God so loved the world that he gave hs only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16).

By Daniel Partner taken from "Taken from Bible Devotions for Bedtime"

The Morning

“When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” Psalm 56:3

October 24, 2000 is a date written in my Bible next to the above verse. I was up rather late mulling over what the next day would bring. I was not looking forward to it and didn’t want it to come. I feared and resented it. It would bring to me something I didn’t want to do. Yet, without it I could possibly die. The morning would bring chemotherapy into my life. After years of taking care of myself I was being forced to put toxins into my body in order to rid myself of the cancer that chose to invade it. My body had betrayed me and I was angry at it. I didn’t want to be sick. I didn’t want to have to go through chemo. It just wasn’t fair. I was deeply afraid of the unknown that would be upon me as soon as the night faded away and the morning dawned.

As I flipped through my Bible I came across this simple verse that impacted my life that night. I was very much afraid to do what I had to do. I can only imagine what Jesus felt the night he was praying in the garden of Gethsemane. He knew what He had to face the next morning. He knew the painful road that lay ahead of Him and yet He had to face it. Did He fear the morning? Did He resent it? Did He think it wasn’t fair that He had to die? Did He want to run away and not face it? Maybe. Yet, the morning did come and He did face the cross. He had to be our sacrifice so that we would be free and He willingly endured it for us.

It’s been 6 years ago this day that I carried that verse with me throughout the night, into the morning, on my way to the treatment room and as I watched the red medicine drip into my vein. It was a small price to pay for my life. But Jesus paid an even bigger price to give us life.

If you are like I was that night and resisting the morning because of fear, loneliness, sadness, regret or any number of things, remember that you are not alone. Jesus faced the same things you face this very moment. He wants to carry your burdens because He understands what you're going through. You don’t have to face the morning alone. When you are afraid turn your eyes heavenward and call out to Jesus. He will hear you as He heard me that one lonely night when I was afraid to face the morning.

Krista Jones
10.24.06

"I Stand and Sing"

"I'm standing, Lord.
There is a mist that blinds my sight.
Steep jagged rocks, front, left and right,
Lower, dim, gigantic, in the night,.
Where is the way?

"I'm standing, Lord.
The black rock hems me in behind.
Above my head a moaning wind
Chills and oppresses heart and mind.
I am afraid!

"I'm standing , Lord.
The rock is hard beneath my feet.
I nearly slipped, Lord, on the sleet.
So weary, Lord, and where a seat?
Still must I stand?

He answered me, and on His face
A look ineffable of grace,
Of perfect, understanding love,
Which all my murmuring did remove.

"I'm standing, Lord.
Since Thou hast spoken, Lord, I see
Thou hast beset; these rocks are Thee;
And since Thy love encloses me,
I stand and sing!"

Betty Stam, Martyred in China

Love

"The greatest of these is love." I Corinthians 13:13

"I'll master it!" said the axe; and his blows fell heavily on the iron. And every blow made the edge more blunt till he ceased to strike.

"Leave it to me!" said the saw; and with his relentless teeth he worked backward and forward on its surface till his teeth were worn down and broken, and he fell aside.

"Ha, ha!" said the hammer. "I knew you wouldn't succeed! I'll show you the way!" But at the first fierce stroke off flew his head, and the iron remained as before.

"Shall I try?" asked the still, small flame.

They all despised the flame, but he curled gently around the iron and embraced it, and never left it till it melted under his irresistible influence.

Hard indeed is the heart that can resist love.

"And now abideth faith, hope, love...the greatest of these is love."

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Springs in the Valley"

The Wind

"For he spoke and stirred up a tempest and lifted high the waves." Psalm 107:25

Stormy wind fulfilling His word. By the time the wind blows upon us it is His wind for us. We have nothing to do with what first of all stirred up that wind. It could not ruffle a leaf on the smallest tree in the forest had He not opened the way for it to blow through the fields of air. He commandeth even the winds, and they obey Him. The the winds as to His servants He saith to one, "Go," and it goeth; and to another, "Come," and it cometh; and to another, "Do this," and it doeth it. So, whatever wind blows on us it is His wind for us, His wind fulfilling His word.

God's winds do effectual work. They shake loose from us the things that can be shaken, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain, those eternal things which belong to the Kingdom which cannot be moved. They have their part to play in stripping us and strengthening us so that we may be the more ready for the uses of Eternal Love, Then can we refuse to welcome them?

Art thou indeed willing for any wind at any time? - Gold by Moonlight

Be like the pine on the hill-top,
Alone in the wind for God.

There is a curious comfort in remembering that the Father depends upon HIs child not to give way. It is inspiring to be trusted with a hard thing. You never asked for summer breezes to blow upon your tree. It is enough that you are not alone upon the hill.

"And let the storm that does Thy work
Deal with me as it may"

By Mrs. Charles E Cowman taken from "Springs in the Valley"

In Me

"In me . . . peace" (John 16:33).

There is a vast difference between happiness and blessedness. Paul had imprisonments and pains, sacrifice and suffering up to the very limit; but in the midst of it all, he was blessed. All the beatitudes came into his heart and life in the midst of those very conditions.

Paganini, the great violinist, came out before his audience one day and made the discovery just as they ended their applause that there was something wrong with his violin. He looked at it a second and then saw that it was not his famous and valuable one.

He felt paralyzed for a moment, then turned to his audience and told them there had been some mistake and he did not have his own violin. He stepped back behind the curtain thinking that it was still where he had left it, but discovered that some one had stolen his and left that old second-hand one in its place. He remained back of the curtain a moment, then came out before his audience and said:

"Ladies and Gentlemen: I will show you that the music is not in the instrument, but in the soul." And he played as he had never played before; and out of that second-hand instrument, the music poured forth until the audience was enraptured with enthusiasm and the applause almost lifted the ceiling of the building, because the man had revealed to them that music was not in the machine but in his own soul.

It is your mission, tested and tried one, to walk out on the stage of this world and reveal to all earth and Heaven that the music is not in conditions, not in the things, not in externals, but the music of life is in your own soul.

If peace be in the heart,
The wildest winter storm is full of solemn beauty,
The midnight flash but shows the path of duty,
Each living creature tells some new and joyous story,
The very trees and stones all catch a ray of glory,
If peace be in the heart.
--Charles Francis Richardson

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Streams in the Desert"

Long Hours

"I will give myself unto prayer" (Ps. 109:4).

We are often in a religious hurry in our devotions. How much time do we spend in them daily? Can it not be easily reckoned in minutes? Who ever knew an eminently holy man who did not spend much of his time in prayer? Did ever a man exhibit much of the spirit of prayer, who did not devote much time in his closet?

Whitefield says, "Whole days and weeks have I spent prostrate on the ground, in silent or vocal prayer." "Fall upon your knees and grow there," is the language of another, who knew whereof he affirmed.

It has been said that no great work in literature or science was ever wrought by a man who did not love solitude. We may lay it down as an elemental principle of religion, that no large growth in holiness was ever gained by one who did not take time to be often, and long, alone with God.
--The Still Hour

"'Come, come,' He saith, 'O soul oppressed and weary,
Come to the shadows of my desert rest;
Come walk with Me far from life's babbling discords,
And peace shall breathe like music in thy breast.'"

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Streams in the Desert"

Alone In The Desert

"And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place" (Luke 9:10).

In order to grow in grace, we must be much alone. It is not in society that the soul grows most vigorously. In one single quiet hour of prayer it will often make more progress than in days of company with others. It is in the desert that the dew falls freshest and the air is purest.--Andrew Bonar

"Come ye yourselves apart and rest awhile,
Weary, I know it, of the press and throng,
Wipe from your brow the sweat and dust of toil,
And in My quiet strength again be strong.

"Come ye aside from all the world holds dear,
For converse which the world has never known,
Alone with Me, and with My Father here,
With Me and with My Father not alone.

"Come, tell Me all that ye have said and done,
Your victories and failures, hopes and fears.
I know how hardly souls are wooed and won:
My choicest wreaths are always wet with tears.

"Come ye and rest; the journey is too great,
And ye will faint beside the way and sink;
The bread of life is here for you to eat,
And here for you the wine of love to drink.

"Then fresh from converse with your Lord return,
And work till, daylight softens into even:
The brief hours are not lost in which ye learn
More of your Master and His rest in Heaven."

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Streams in the Desert"

Through the Fire

"So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning" (Job 42:12).

Through his griefs Job came to his heritage. He was tried that his godliness might be confirmed. Are not my troubles intended to deepen my character and to robe me in graces I had little of before? I come to my glory through eclipses, tears, death. My ripest fruit grows against the roughest wall. Job's afflictions left him with higher conceptions of God and lowlier thoughts of himself. "Now," he cried, "mine eye seeth thee.

And if, through pain and loss, I feel God so near in His majesty that I bend low before Him and pray, "Thy will be done," I gain very much. God gave Job glimpses of the future glory. In those wearisome days and nights, he penetrated within the veil, and could say, "I know that my Redeemer liveth." Surely the latter end of Job was more blessed than the beginning.--In the Hour of Silence

"Trouble never comes to a man unless she brings a nugget of gold in her hand."

Apparent adversity will finally turn out to be the advantage of the right if we are only willing to keep on working and to wait patiently. How steadfastly the great victor souls have kept at their work, dauntless and unafraid! There are blessings which we cannot obtain if we cannot accept and endure suffering. There are joys that can come to us only through sorrow. There are revealings of Divine truth which we can get only when earth's lights have gone out. There are harvests which can grow only after the plowshare has done its work.--Selected

Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seamed with scars; martyrs have put on their coronation robes glittering with fire, and through their tears have the sorrowful first seen the gates of Heaven. --Chapin

I shall know by the gleam and glitter
Of the golden chain you wear,
By your heart's calm strength in loving,
Of the fire you have had to bear.
Beat on, true heart, forever;
Shine bright, strong golden chain;
And bless the cleansing fire
And the furnace of living pain!
--Adelaide Proctor

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Streams in the Desert"

Moonless Trust

Some of you are perhaps feeling that you are voyaging just now on a moonless sea. Uncertainty surrounds you. There seem to be no signs to follow. Perhaps you feel about to be engulfed by loneliness. There is no one to whom you can speak of your need.

Amy Carmichael wrote of such a feeling when, as a missionary of twenty-six, she had to leave Japan because of poor health, then travel to China for recuperation, but then realized God was telling her to go to Ceylon. (All this preceded her going to India, where she stayed for fifty-three years.) I have on my desk her original handwritten letter of August 25, 1894, as she was en route to Colombo. "All along, let us remember, we are not asked to understand, but simply to obey.... On July 28, Saturday, I sailed. We had to come on board on Friday night, and just as the tender (a small boat) where were the dear friends who had come to say goodbye was moving off, and the chill of loneliness shivered through me, like a warm love-clasp came the long-loved lines--'And only Heaven is better than to walk with Christ at midnight, over moonless seas.' I couldn't feel frightened then. Praise Him for the moonless seas--all the better the opportunity for proving Him to be indeed the El Shaddai, 'the God who is Enough."'

Let me add my own word of witness to hers and to that of the tens of thousands who have learned that He is indeed Enough. He is not all we would ask for (if we were honest), but it is precisely when we do not have what we would ask for, and only then, that we can clearly perceive His all-sufficiency. It is when the sea is moonless that the Lord has become my Light.

By Elisabeth Elliot taken from "Keep A Quiet Heart"

The Silversmith

"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." Malachi 3:3

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it"

Comfort in the Depths

"Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee. . .who passing through the valley of weeping, make it a well" (Ps. 84:5, 6).

Comfort does not come to the light-hearted and merry. We must go down into "depths" if we would experience this most precious of God's gifts--comfort, and thus be prepared to be co-workers together with Him.

When night--needful night--gathers over the garden of our souls, when the leaves close up, and the flowers no longer hold any sunlight within their folded petals, there shall never be wanting, even in the thickest darkness, drops of heavenly dew--dew which falls only when the sun has gone.

"I have been through the valley of weeping, The valley of sorrow and pain;
But the 'God of all comfort' was with me, At hand to uphold and sustain.

"As the earth needs the clouds and sunshine, Our souls need both sorrow and joy;
So He places us oft in the furnace, The dross from the gold to destroy.

"When he leads thro' some valley of trouble His omnipotent hand we trace;
For the trials and sorrows He sends us, Are part of His lessons in grace.

"Oft we shrink from the purging and pruning, Forgetting the Husbandman knows
That the deeper the cutting and paring, The richer the cluster that grows.

"Well He knows that affliction is needed; He has a wise purpose in view,
And in the dark valley He whispers, 'Hereafter Thou'lt know what I do.'

"As we travel thro' life's shadow'd valley, Fresh springs of His love ever rise;
And we learn that our sorrows and losses, Are blessings just sent in disguise.

"So we'll follow wherever He leadeth, Let the path be dreary or bright;
For we've proved that our God can give comfort; Our God can give songs in the night."

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Streams in the Desert"

The Twenty-Third Psalm

"The Lord is my Shepherd." Psalm 23:1

The great Father above is a Shepherd Chief. I am his and with him. I want not. He throws out to me a rope, and the name of the rope is love, and he draws me to where the grass is green and the water is not dangerous.

Sometimes my heart is very weak, and falls down, but he lifts it up again and draws me into a good road.

Sometimes, it may be very soon, it may be longer, it may be a long, long time, he will draw me into a place between mountains. It is dark there, but I'll draw back not. I'll be afraid not, for it is in there between the mountains that the Shepherd Chief will meet me, and the hunger I have felt in my heart all through this life will be satisfied. Sometimes he makes the love rope into a whip, but afterwards he gives me a staff to lean on.

He spreads a table before me with all kinds of food. He puts his hands upon my head, and all the "tired" is gone.

My cup he fills, till it runs over.

What I tell you is true, I lie not. The roads that are "away ahead" will stay with me through this life, and afterward I will go to live in the "Big Tepee" and sit down with the Shepherd Chief forever. - An American Indian's Version of the Twenty-third Psalm.

Fear not, little flock, He goeth ahead,
Your Shepherd selecteth the path you must tread;
The waters of Marah He'll sweeten for thee,
He drank all the bitter in Gethsemane.
Fear not, little flock, whatever your lot,
He enters all rooms, "the doors being shut;"
He never forsakes; He never is gone,
So count on His presence in darkness and dawn.

Paul Rader

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Springs in the Valley"

Deep Roots

"He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in the year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:8

The Lord provides deep roots when there are to be wide spreading branches.

Forgiveness Week

"Even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." Colossians 3:13

A custom way out in the African bush which has no equivalent in this part of the world is "Forgiveness Week." Fixed in the dry season, when the weather itself is smiling, this is a week when every man and woman pledges himself or herself to forgive any neighbor any wrong real or fancied, that may be a cause for misunderstanding, coldness or quarrel between the parities.

It is, of course, a part of our religion that a man should forgive his brother. But among recent converts, and even older brethren, this great tenet is, perhaps naturally, apt to be forgotten or overlooked in the heat and burden of work. "Forgiveness Week' brings it forcibly to mind. The week itself terminates with a festival of happiness and rejoicing among the native Christians.

It is too much to suggest that in this supposedly more civilized portion of the world a similar week might be instituted?

"Nothing between, Lord - nothing between;
Shine with unclouded ray,
Chasing each mist away,
O'er my whole heart hold sway -
Nothing between."

Let grudges die "like cloudspots in the dawn!" When God forgives, He forgets!

By Mrs. Charles E Cowman taken from "Springs in the Valley"

What do you seek?

"I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." Philippians 3:8

The Swedish Nightingale, Jennie Lind, won great success as an operatic singer, and money poured into her purse. Yet she left the stage while she was singing her best, and never returned to it. She must have missed the money, the fame, and the applause of thousands, but she was content to live in privacy.

Once an English friend found her sitting on the steps of a bathing machine on the sea sands with a Bible on her knee, looking out into the glory of a sunset. They talked, and the conversation drew near to the inevitable question: "Oh, Madame Goldschmidt, how is it that you come to abandon the stage at the very height of your success?"

"When every day," was the quiet answer, "it made me think less of this (laying a finger on the Bible) and nothing at all of that (pointing to the sunset), what else could I do?"

May I not covet the wold's greatness! It will cost me the crown of life!

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Springs in the Valley"

Take the Chance

Last month my husband’s fellow officer was killed in the line of duty. It wasn’t by a bullet but a senseless struggle with someone that need not have happened.

I know the chance my husband takes every time he puts on a uniform. We both know that being a police officer is not the safest job. They deal with many people who just don’t get it. These people can’t seem to make their way out of the mess they’ve allowed themselves to be in. I hear stories and wonder why they continue to live like they do. Then I think about how my husband goes to work and protects these people from themselves. He’s putting his life on the line for people who don’t get it. Am I truly willing to sacrifice my husband for them?

As I think of these things, I am reminded of the sacrifice Jesus made for me. And I’m reminded of the many times I don’t get it and yet Jesus still loves me. How often have I hurt Him to the point of grieving? How often have my actions hurt His Kingdom? Am I truly any better then those my husband has taken an oath to serve and protect? No, I’m not. I am in the same boat as they are. Yet my high almighty attitude is allowing them to jump overboard thinking they’re going for a fun swim. But in all reality, they are swimming in shark-infested water while I’m sitting comfortably on a cushion unwilling to throw them a life preserver.

Just as my husband puts his life on the line for those in the city where he works, Jesus put His life on the line and was willing to die for EVERYONE. Jesus loves us no matter how good or bad we are. If you think that you can get to heaven on the merit of your goodness you are missing the boat all together. I know by saying this I’m going against the warm fuzzy religions of today and will cause some waves. But the truth is, Jesus is the only way. If I don’t tell you straight up then I’m still sitting in the boat watching you take a joy ride with sharks thinking to yourselves that you can’t get hurt. But I know how deadly the next bite can be. The life preserver is being thrown out..........

Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6). Please understand this and think hard about what Jesus did for us all. Christ's death on the cross and his resurrection changed the course of history. We can’t pretend it didn’t happen and we need to make a choice. We can choose to live without Him and continue to not get it. Or we can turn to Him and see the beauty behind the painful death He endured for us. Take the chance and grasp onto the life preserver He’s throwing at you right now. Ask Him to be a part of your life today.

Krista Jones
10.1.06

Sacrifice

"Having loved his own . . . he loved them unto the end." John 13:1

Sadhu Sundar Singh passed a crowd of people putting out a jungle fire at the foot of the Himalayas. Several men, however, were standing gazing at a tree, the branches of which were already alight.

"What are you looking at?" he asked. They pointed to a nest of young birds in the tree. Above it a bird was flying wildly to and fro in great distress. The men said, 'We wish we could save that tree, but the fire prevents us from getting near to it."

A few minutes later the nest caught fire. The Sadhu thought the mother bird would fly way. But no! she flew down, spread her wings over the young ones, and in a few minutes was burned to ashes with them.

"Such love, such wondrous love,
Such love, such wondrous love,
That God should love a sinner such as I,
How wonderful is love like this!"

Let us have love heated to the point of sacrifice.

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Springs in the Valley"

A Royal Princess

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you ot of darkness into his wonderful light.” I Peter 2:9

While every woman’s life story is unique, there are longings of the heart that seem to be universal: the desire to find true love, the desire that someone will affirm our inherent value regardless of our situation, the hope that we can change. In this regard, we each need a Cinderella story of our own. God finds each of us in the cinders of a less than perfect world, held back from the life we dream of living. He longs to raise us up to a high position, transform us and grant us his power, so he seeks us out, inviting each of us to dance with him. And yet each of us needs someone to affirm our inherent value and encourage our transformation. We each need a Cinderella story of our own. Each woman’s relationship with God is such that he finds her in the ashes, held back from the life she dreams of living. He seeks her, invites her to dance with him, transforms her by revealing the beauty hidden beneath the ashes, then confers on her his power and position.

Dancing in ten arms of God is a relationship between you and God that is based on love and mutual respect. The two of you communicate in a close, intimate setting. He holds you, but his embrace is the embrace of a lover, not the restraint of an oppressor. As partners in this dance, God leads, and you let him, moving with the flow of his leading. You are not enveloped in God, losing your identity as a unique person; you are who you are, retaining your freedom and individuality at every turn.

By Connie Neal taken from "Woman’s Devotional Bible 2"

Faith

"Will give you . . . as he hath promised." Exodus 12:25

God is to be trusted for what He is, and not for what He is not. We may confidently expect Him to act according to His nature, but never contrary to it. To dream that God will do this and that because we wish that He would is not faith, but fanaticism. Faith can only stand upon trust. We may be sure that God will so act as to honor His own justice, mercy, wisdom, power - in a word, so as to be Himself. Beyond all doubt. He will fulfill His promises; and when faith grasps a promise she is on sure ground. To believe that God will give us what He has never promised to give is mere dreaming. Faith without a promise revealed or implied is folly. Yea, though our trust should cry itself hoarse in prayer, it should be none the less a vain dotard if is had no word o God to warrant it. Happily, the promises and unveilings of Scripture are ample for every real emergency; but when unrestrained credence catches at every whim of is own crazy imagination and thinks to see it realized, the disappointment is not to be wondered at.

It is ours to believe the sure things of God's revelation, but we are not to waste a grain of precious reliance upon anything outside of that circle. -- Rev. C. H. Spurgeon

"Faith does not mean that we are tying to believe something that is not so; it just means that we are taking God at His Word."

Faith is a thread
Slender and frail,
Easy to tear;

Yet it can life
The weight of a soul
Up form despair.

- Matthew Biller

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Springs in the Valley"

The Flame

"When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned." Isaiah 43:2

In giving a lecture on flame a scientist once made a most interesting experiment. He wanted to show that in the center of each flame there is a hollow - a place of entire stillness - around which its fire is a mere wall. To prove this he introduced into the midst of the flame a minute and carefully shielded charge of explosive powder. The protection was then carefully removed and no explosion followed. A second time the experiment was tried, and by the slight agitation of the hand the central security was lost and an immediate explosion was the result.

Our safety, then, is only in stillness of soul. If we are affrighted and exchange the principle of faith for that of fear, or if we are rebellious and restless, we shall be hurt by the flames and anguish and disappointment will do the result.

Moreover, God will be disappointed in us if we break down. Testing is the proof of His love and confidence, and who can tell what pleasure our steadfastness and stillness give to Him? If He allowed us to go without testing it would not be complimentary to our spiritual experience. Much trial and suffering mean, therefore, that God has confidence in us; that He believes we are strong enough to endure; that we shall be true to Him even when He has left us without outward evidence of His care and seemingly at the mercy of His adversaries. If He increase the trials instead of diminishing them it is an expression of confidence in us up to the present, and a further proof that He is looking to us to glorify Him in yet hotter fires through which He is calling us to pass. Let us not be afraid! We shall be delivered from the transitory and the outward and drawn into closer fellowship with God Himself!

O God, make us children of quietness! - An Ancient Liturgy.

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Springs in the Valley"

The Future

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past." Isaiah 43:18

God is more interested in your future than He is in your past.

Yesterday

"You shall not go out with haste,...for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Isreal will be your rear guard" Isaiah 52:12

Security from Yesterday. "...God requires an account of what is past" (Ecclesiastes 3:15). At the end of the year we turn with eagerness to all that God has for the future, and yet anxiety is apt to arise when we remember our yesterdays. Our present enjoyment of God's grace tends to be lessened by the memory of yesterday's sins and blunders. But God is the God of our yesterdays, and He allows the memory of them to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual growth for our future. God reminds us of the past to protect us from a very shallow security in the present.

Security for Tomorrow. "...the Lord will go before you..." This is a gracious revelation - that God will send His forces out where we have failed to do so. He will keep watch so that we will not be tripped up again by the same failures, as would undoubtedly happen if He were not our "rear guard." And God's hand reaches back to the past, settling all the claims against our conscience.

Security for Today. "You shall not go out with haste..." As we go forth into the coming year, let it not be in the haste of impetuous, forgetful delight, nor with the quickness of impulsive thoughtlessness. But let us go out with the patient power of knowing that the God of Isreal will go before us. Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ.

Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.

By Oswald Chambers taken from "My Utmost for His Highest"

Lost

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." Luke 19:10

Have you ever been lost? I have. It happened when I was 7 years old. That was the year we moved and I had to go to Summer school because I had missed a few weeks of school. While my parents finished working on our new home I would be going to school. They would pick me up where the bus dropped me off down the street from our new home. It seemed like a simple plan.

On the first day of school I somehow got on the wrong bus going home. As the bus trip wound down to the last stop I ended up being the last kid on it. We were sitting at the last drop off wondering where I lived and I couldn't tell the bus driver because I didn't recognize the area. He ended up taking me to the bus station and eventually contacting my parents. My poor parents were frantic. I can only imagine how frightened they were not knowing where I was and not being familiar with the area. As it turned out the last bus stop was close to my new house but I didn't know it. I was lost but so close to home that I really didn't have to be lost if I had only known my way home.

Do you realize that we are all close to home? God has a wonderful home waiting for us and it's so close that it's only a prayer away. A prayer and accepting Him into your life away! He doesn't want you to be lost and is seeking you out like my parents were seeking me out. All you have to do is talk to Him. He will help you find your way. I urge you to realize how much He loves you. He made you to know Him. Yes, you have a special place in your heart that only He can fill. It's the place in your heart that you seek to fill but may not know you're seeking to fill it with God.

Jesus died on a cross for me and YOU. He was crucified so that we would be free. I like what Max Lucado says about the crucifixion in his book, "No Wonder They Call Him the Savior": "every witness either step toward it or away from it. It simultaneously compelled or repelled. And today, two thousand years later, the same is true. It's the watershed. It's the Continental Divide. It's Normandy. And you are either on one side or the other. A choice is demanded. We can do what we want with the cross. We can examine it's history. We can study it's theology. We can reflect upon its prophecies. Yet the one thing we can't do is walk away in neutral. No fence sitting is permitted." (Pg. 62-63). You have a choice and no one can force you to believe. But I pray that you at least give Jesus the chance. Don't look at me because I've already failed many people. Don't look at the church who failed you in some way or the family member who hurt you while claiming to be a Christian. Take a look at Jesus, His life and what He did for you. Take a look at the Bible in the book of John and see for yourself. Then decide what side of the fence you're going to be on.

Krista Jones
9.20.06

A Flower From a Thorn

“These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” I Peter i:7

Here it is - in the gorse blossoming from thorns, in the harvest of wheat from the solitary grain - the gospel, the Good News of life out of death, a gospel for every individual, every need, every hopeless and helpless situation.

“It’ll never work for mine,” someone is tempted to say. Are you sure that your problems baffle the one who since the world began has been bringing flower from thorns? Your thorns are a different story, ar they? You have been brought to a place of self-despair, nothingness. It is hard even to think of any good reason for going on. You live in most unfavorable conditions, with intractable people, you are up against impossible odds. Is this something new? The people of Israel were up against impossible odds when they found themselves between the chariots of Egypt and the Read Sea. Their God is our God. The God of Israel . . . looks down on us with love and says, “Nothing has happened to you which is not common to all. I can manage it. Trust me.”

He wants to transform every form of human suffering into something glorious. He can redeem it. He can bring life out of death. Every event of our lives provides opportunity to learn the deepest lesson anyone can learn on earth: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galations 2:20). When our souls lie barren in a winter which seems hopeless and endless, God has not abandoned us. His work goes on. He asks our acceptance of the painful process and our trust that he will indeed give resurrection life.

By Elisabeth Elliot taken from "Woman’s Devotional Bible 2"

How Do You React?

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these vitrues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14

Pascal says: "One-half of the ills of life come because men are unwilling to sit down for thirty minutes to think through all the possible consequences of their acts."

I've been thinking about a lot of things I've done over the past year. To be honest with you, some of what I've said and done hasn't been done in a loving manner. I came across this quote in a devotional today and wanted to share it with you. I know there are times in our lives when we get hurt, scared and angry over what has been done or said to us. I have been caught red handed in being selfish in how I handled a few situations over the year. Instead of being loving I was horrible and unkind and even to this day still am. I love this quote. Just imagine if we all took some quiet time to sit and think before we acted? How would doing this simple act change the course of our lives?

I know I wish I would have taken the time to think before I acted. If I'd reacted with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience I may be in a different position then I am today. I encourage you to take the time to breathe, turn away from whatever hurt that is being thrown your way and take the time to think before you react. We can not get through life without disagreements or confrontations but we are in control of how we react to them. May we reflect Jesus instead of ourselves.

Krista Jones
9.19.06

Tithing

"Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not keep them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the Lord Almighty. "But you ask, 'How are we to return?' "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "in tithes and offerings........Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Malachi 3: 7, 8 & 10

The date of October 16, 2001 is marked next to these verses in my Bible with a note beside it saying, "Time for us to stop robbing God of His money. Take a leap in faith."

The previous year was the year we had Emily, I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkinds Lymphoma, went through 6 months of treatment and Eric got laid off of his job of 5 years. In 2001 we were trying to make ends meet on $900.00 a month from unemployment. VISA, car, house, health, auto insurance payments, other living expenses and unforeseen expenses had to come out of this money. It seemed impossible to meet all our needs.

One day during a sermon on tithing these verses were brought to our attention. We were never good at tithing and always made it the last check of the month to write out. Pastor Steve challenged us to tithe every month even if we didn't have the money to do so. To take that leap of faith and see how God would take care of our needs. We decided to take up the challenge.

Our needs were great and the unemployment check didn't even cover our house payment let alone everything else. We did have many wonderful people help us along the way which really did keep us going and for which we're so thankful for. But writing out the first check of the month to tithing before paying the bills was a scary thing to do. It didn't make sense on paper. Yet, God stretched our $900.00 so that we were able to pay every bill and stay afloat for 14 months. Twice we were blessed with $1,000 in cash in the mail that was the exact amount we needed. Who gave us $2,000 is still a mystery but God moved them to bless us with it.

You may think tithing is a way for the church to get your money and, yes, through tithing the staff is paid, the building is paid for and kept up and other ministries are supported. But in all reality, what we are given is from God and what He asks back is an act of obedience and a leap of faith. In doing so, He is showing us that He cares for us and does watch over ALL of our needs and we grow in ways we never expected.

To this day I can't tell you how we ended up in a better position then before Eric lost his job. I have no clue how God worked it all out and I give Him all the glory for blessing us in so many ways. God cares for us and wants us to live the life He intended for us to live. Take the leap of faith in turning to Him, in following His leading or if you are a Believer and part of a Church body, in tithing.

Krista Jones
9.18.06

Made in the Shade

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up... (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

As we begin to understand who we are in God's eyes, to truly see ourselves the way God sees us, he gives us the awesome responsibility of giving that same SIGHT to others. The Bible tells us that we should build up the self-esteem of others, so that they too can see themselves in the light of God's love for them. And putting on the right "shades" is the key to really seeing both ourselves and others from God's perspective. With spiritually-filtered lenses on our minds and hearts, God gives us special S-I-G-H-T to be able to build others up in Christ.

S-upport the Uniqueness of Others: Instead of trying to remake others into your mold, encourage their unique personalities, skills, and talents. (1 Corinthians 13:5, NLT)

I-nspire Others with Responsibility: When you trust others with responsibility, it will put wind in their sails and give them confidence to accomplish even greater things. (John 20:21)

G-ive Correction and Criticism Carefully: "Carefully" is the keyword. The purpose of correcting someone is for their growth, so criticism should be given in love, to help and not hurt them. (Ephesians 4:29)

H-ear the Messages of Others: Listening, really listening, to someone can be one of the biggest boosters to their self-esteem. Your eye-contact and interest in what they have to say communicates love and respect. (James 1:19)

T-ouch their Hearts: When you give integrity-laden, meaningful touch to the significant others in your life, you are communicating just how significant they really are.

Ed Young Ministries
www.crosswalk.com

Your Attitude

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change the past...we cannot change that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes."

Love Song For A Savior

In open fields of wild flowers, she breathes the air and flies away. She thanks
her Jesus for the daisies and the roses in no simple language. Someday she'll
understand the meaning of it all.

He's more than the laughter or the stars in the heaven. As close as a heartbeat
or a song on her lips. Someday she'll trust Him and learn how to see HIm.
Someday He'll call her and she will come running and fall in His arms and the
tear will fall down and she'll pray,

"I want to fall in love with You"

Sitting silent wearing Sunday best. The sermon echoes through the walls. A great
salvation through it calls to the people who stare, into nowhere and can't feel
the chains on their souls.

It seems too easy to call you 'Savior'. Not close enough to call you 'God'. So
as I sit and think of words I can mention to show my devotion

"I want to fall in love with You"

He's more than the laughter or the stars in the heaven. As close as a heartbeat
or a son on our lips. Someday we'll trust Him and learn how to see Him. Someday
He'll call us and we will come running and fall in His arms and the tears will
fall down and we'll pray,

"I want to fall in love with You, my heart beats for You."

Song by Jars of Clay

Close the Door When You Leave

I never asked you to visit-
at least I don't believe I did.
Maybe, I don't know-
it's so confusing.

At any rate, you're a rude guest.
You take my energy, rob my sleep,
and with a stick, swirl and distort my dreams.

All right, you're here- for now.
But understand, there are two places that are forever off limits-
You may not tread on my spirit.
You may not occupy my soul.

I have heard of your visits to others-
I know the damage you leave in your path;
the wanton disregard for innocence, value, and fairness.

I also hear that laughter confuses you;
that good food makes you feel bad,
and that nothing causes you more distress than an autumn sunset, a summer sky, or the unconditional radiance of a childs' smile.

Listen and understand-
you might pilfer my closets,
empty all the drawers, and trash my house...
but there are two places forever off limits.

You may not tread on my spirit.
You may not occupy my soul.

Do not mistake my nausea, weakness, and pain as signs of your victory.
They are simiply small dents in the armor I wear to fight you.
Instead, look deeply into my eyes-
they will once again remind you that there are two places forever off limits.

You may not tread on my spirit.
You may not occupy my soul.

Poem about cancer taken from Stop Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Message Board from Neptune

A Life of Pure and Holy Sacrifice

He who believes in Me . . . out of his heart will flow . . . —John 7:38

Jesus did not say, "He who believes in Me will realize all the blessings of the fullness of God," but, in essence, "He who believes in Me will have everything he receives escape out of him." Our Lord’s teaching was always anti-self-realization. His purpose is not the development of a person— His purpose is to make a person exactly like Himself, and the Son of God is characterized by self-expenditure. If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain but what He pours through us that really counts. God’s purpose is not simply to make us beautiful, plump grapes, but to make us grapes so that He may squeeze the sweetness out of us. Our spiritual life cannot be measured by success as the world measures it, but only by what God pours through us— and we cannot measure that at all.

When Mary of Bethany "broke the flask . . . of very costly oil . . . and poured it on [Jesus’] head," it was an act for which no one else saw any special occasion; in fact, ". . . there were some who . . . said, ’Why was this fragrant oil wasted?’ " (Mark 14:3-4 ). But Jesus commended Mary for her extravagant act of devotion, and said, ". . . wherever this gospel is preached . . . what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her" ( Mark 14:9 ). Our Lord is filled with overflowing joy whenever He sees any of us doing what Mary did— not being bound by a particular set of rules, but being totally surrendered to Him. God poured out the life of His Son "that the world through Him might be saved" ( John 3:17 ). Are we prepared to pour out our lives for Him?

"He who believes in Me . . . out of his heart will flow rivers of living water"— and hundreds of other lives will be continually refreshed. Now is the time for us to break "the flask" of our lives, to stop seeking our own satisfaction, and to pour out our lives before Him. Our Lord is asking who of us will do it for Him?

Oswald Chambers - "My Utmost For His Highest"

Hope For Morning

When the orange glow of the sky turns from sunset to city light / And the moon slowly rises through the trees / When the clenched hands of the day have released the stars to play /And night rides on a gentle breeze /

Hold my hand and whisper my name / I promise you that I will always love you the same / Close your eyes and look for nothing more / Let my gentle spirit give you the wind to soar /

On the wings of angels we will go lifted higher by the dawns glow / I heard a voice say “follow me for I have led the way.” / Reach for me embrace your heart where today has ended we will once again start / Tomorrow together for the rest of our days /

If you wake in the middle of the night to a small burning light / Feel its warmth and then realize / That it is lit to keep you safe until the sun has been seen through daybreak / By your soul seen through child eyes

Song by Christopher Williams
One Man Service Station
www.christopherw.com

God's Workmanship

"He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hide me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver." Isaiah 49:2

Rarest gems bear hardest grinding - God's own workmanship are we.

The Potter

"But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him." Jeremiah 18:4

There is no type of failure that He has not taken hold of and re-made.

In The Clouds

"If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth" (Eccles. 11:3).

Why, then, do we dread the clouds which now darken our sky? True, for a while they hide the sun, but the sun is not quenched; he will be out again before long. Meanwhile those black clouds are filled with rain; and the blacker they are, the more likely they will yield plentiful showers.

How can we have rain without clouds? Our troubles have always brought us blessings, and they always will. They are the dark chariots of bright grace. These clouds will empty themselves before long, and every tender herb will be gladder for the shower. Our God may drench us with grief, but He will refresh us with mercy. Our Lord's love-letters often come to us in black-edged envelopes. His wagons rumble, but they are loaded with benefits. His rod blossoms with sweet flowers and nourishing fruits. Let us not worry about the clouds, but sing because May flowers are brought to us through the April clouds and showers.

O Lord, the clouds are the dust of Thy feet! How near Thou art in the cloudy and dark day! Love beholds Thee, and is glad. Faith sees the clouds emptying themselves and making the little hills rejoice on every side.--C H. Spurgeon

"What seems so dark to thy dim sight
May be a shadow, seen aright
Making some brightness doubly bright.

"The flash that struck thy tree--no more
To shelter thee--lets heaven's blue floor
Shine where it never shone before.

"The cry wrung from thy spirit's pain
May echo on some far-off plain,
And guide a wanderer home again."

"The blue of heaven is larger than the clouds."

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Streams in the Desert"

Roots, then Roses

"He cometh forth like a flower." Job 14:2

The lotus flower (the spiritual symbol of the East) is rooted in the mud. It is quite as much indebted to the mud and water for it's beauty as to the air and the sunshine in which it blooms.

We must not scorn the study of root culture, no neglect it in enthusiasm for the beauties of the orchid: for though that exquisite flower is an air plant, it needs to attach itself to the sturdier growth that is rooted in the ground and draws its nourishment from the soil to feed both itself and its parasite. The tree will outlive many seasons of orchids!

"Some time ago in the late autumn," says a writer, "I was in the hot-house of one of our florists. We were in the cellar, and in the dimly lighted place one could see arranged in regular file long rows of flower pots. The florist explained that in these pots had been planted the bulbs for their winter flowers. It was best for them, he said, that they be rooted in the dark. Not in the glaring sunlight, but in the subdued shadows their life-giving roots were putting forth. They would be ready for the open day a little later. Then their gray colors would cheer many hearts; then their sweet perfume would laden the winter air.

Rooted in the shadows to bloom in the light! Roots, then roses.

By Mrs. Charles E Cowman, taken from "Springs in the Valley"

Forgetting the Past

"I am pressing on . . . forgetting everything which is past." - Philippians 3:12, 13

In the very depths of yourself, dig a grave. Let it be like some forgotten spot to which no path leads; and there, in the eternal silence, bury the wrongs that you have suffered. Your heart will feel as if a weight had fallen from it, and a divine peace come to abide with you. - Charles Wagner.

To be misunderstood even by those whom one loves is the cross of bitterness of life. It is the secret of that sad and melancholy smile on the lips of great men which so few understand. It is what must have oftenset wrung the heart of the Son of man. - Amiel.

Blasted rock and broken stone,
Ordinary earth,
Rolled and rammed and trampled on,
Forgotten, nothing worth,
And blamed, but used day after day;
An open road - the king's highway.

Often left outside the door,
Sometimes in the rain,
Always lying on the floor,
And made for mud and stain:
Men wipe their feet, and tread it flat,
And beat it clean - the master's mat.

Thou wast broken, left alone,
Thou wast blamed, and worse,
Thou wast scourged and spat upon,
Thou didst become my curse -
Lord Jesus, as I think of that
I pray, make me Thy road, Thy mat.

- Gold Cord.

"The power to help others depends upon the acceptance of a trampled life."

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Springs in the Valley"

Out of Wounding

"Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22.).

The best things of life come out of wounding. Wheat is crushed before it becomes bread. Incense must be cast upon the fire before its odors are set free. The ground must be broken with the sharp plough before it is ready to receive the seed. It is the broken heart that pleases God. The sweetest joys in life are the fruits of sorrow. Human nature seems to need suffering to fit it for being a blessing to the world.

"Beside my cottage door it grows,
The loveliest, daintiest flower that blows,
A sweetbriar rose.

"At dewy morn or twilight's close,
The rarest perfume from it flows,
This strange wild rose.

"But when the rain-drops on it beat,
Ah, then, its odors grow more sweet,
About my feet.

"Ofttimes with loving tenderness,
Its soft green leaves I gently press,
In sweet caress.

"A still more wondrous fragrance flows
The more my fingers close
And crush the rose.

"Dear Lord, oh, let my life be so
Its perfume when tempests blow,
The sweeter flow.

"And should it be Thy blessed will,
With crushing grief my soul to fill,
Press harder still.

"And while its dying fragrance flows
I'll whisper low, 'He loves and knows
His crushed briar rose.'"

If you aspire to be a son of consolation; if you would partake of the priestly gift of sympathy; if you would pour something beyond commonplace consolation into a tempted heart; if you would pass through the intercourse of daily life with the delicate tact that never inflicts pain; you must be content to pay the price of a costly education--like Him, you must suffer.--F. W. Robertson

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman taken from "Streams in the Desert"