God's Minute

December 2

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up iwth wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

OUR dear Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for the rest, refreshment and safety of another night and for the light of another day. Thou art the giver of every good and perfect gift, and we give Thee our thanks for health preserved and life continued, and for another day with its opportunity of service. Give us stronger faith and confidence that we may go day by day, relying only on Thy sustaining strength and guidance.

Preserve us from temptation and sin, and grant that something of good may be accomplished by us during the hours of light, and that we may then find, as the day closes, that there have been some victories won and some development in our spiritual experience; and we do most humbly pray Thee that we may so spend all the days and nights of our earthly lives that when Thou dost call us hence, we may go into Thy presence shining and without shame, trusting only in the merit of Thy dear Son, our Lord, and this we pray for Jesus' sake.

Amen.

Walter Duncan Buchanan, D.D.,
New York City

A view from my porch

If you look closely, you can see my neighbors--two of them--across the street with snowblowers. Notice, too, that our sidewalks are already done. Well, they were a half hour ago. We went out about 5:30 to work on the driveway and sidewalks. It was dark then. Over two hours later we finished up and we could probably start all over again.

Still snowing! I think I'm going to get plenty of practice with the snowblower today.

But isn't it lovely?

God's Minute

December 1

I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee.--Isaiah 48:17

O GOD and Father of all the families of the earth, Thou art worthy of our daily love and constant gratitude. Thou knowest we can never be other than children crying to Thee for food, raiment, and shelter for our sustenance and protection. We stretch our hands toward Thee to be lead through paths we cannot know, beside which temptations lurk and snares are set. Deliver us, we beseech Thee, from the evil one.

Help us to appreciate our earthly family relations, established and wondrously blssed by Thee. Grant that our home may be kept in peace and goodwill among all of its members by that love for one another which casts out suspicion and fear. We consecrate it with all its interests to Thy care and service, that the yearning of our hearts for Thy approval and indwelling may bring to us godliness with contentment.

Today, in our family worship, we confess our sins that He Who is faithful may forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. As we go forth to our individual tasks, give us courage, strength, patience and that wisdom which cometh down from above, which is first gentle, peaceable, easily to be entreated, full of good works. All of these blessings we ask in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord.

Amen.

President I.N. McCash, LL.D.,
Spokane, Washington

God's Minute

November 30

I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever--John 6:51

WE render Thee grateful thanks, Thou source of every blessing, for the rest of the past night under the mighty shadow of Thy wings, for the daily bread of Thy providing, and for new opportunities of welcome service, each in our appointed calling.  We thank Thee for Thy revelation in Jesus Christ and for "the bread of life" so abundantly provided in Thy Holy Word for our spiritual sustenance.  O make us truly mindful of all Thy many blessings, and let our lives show forth Thy praise.  We pray Thee for grace to employ the hours of this day aright.  Grant us strength of body, mind and soul to perform our tasks acceptably in Thy sight.  Shield us from harm and give us victory in the hour of temptation.  Sanctify our homes and make them nurseries of Thy kingdom.  May Thy Spirit rest upon all institutions of learning.  Remember in mercy the laborers in the harvest fields abroad.  Let Thy name be hallowed and Thy will be done in our homeland.  Breathe Thy quickening Spirit upon Thy Church.  Grant each of us grace to bear faithful testimony in word and deed to the saving power of the cross.  And when we have finished our allotted task here below, receive us into that perfect world above with Thee and the innumerable multitude of those who have come out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  We ask it all in the name of our blessed Redeemer.

Amen.

C.J. Sodergren, A.M., D.D.,
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Give us this day our daily Bread

For the last two years I have subscribed to daily email readings from the Bible through Bible Reading Plans. There are many different reading plans available, but the one I have been reading is the "read the New Testament in one year" subscription. Every morning when I retrieve my email messages, a chapter of the New Testament is waiting there. This morning I read the book of Jude. Tomorrow starts the Revelation. I'll admit that unless I am doing a study on end times or eschatology, I rarely poke my nose into the Book of Revelation. This system forces me to attend to every part of the New Testament at least once a year. I realize it isn't a substitute for the deliberate study of God's Word, but it serves another purpose--to fill my mind with the Word of God first thing in the morning and to cause my heart and mind to become more aware of God's Word and its impact in my life. Beginning in the new year, I am going to subscribe to reading the Old Testament in two years (one chapter per day on weekdays and two chapters per day on weekends) and either the Words of Jesus four times in the year or the New Testament Letters three times in the year. I am thankful for this daily reminder that God's Word is my daily bread and I heartily recommend this to my readers.

God's Minute

November Twenty-ninth

He ever liveth to make intercession for them.--Hebrews 7:25

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, because of Thy good hand upon us in mercy, we have been spared during another night.  Help us to trust in Thee, to have no will but Thy will, and to desire to be only what Thou wouldst have us be.  We pray that Thou wilt show us how large is Thy pity, how great is Thy love, and how infinite is Thy goodness; give us to feel that Thou hast called us with a holy calling; that Thou hast put us here to do Thy pleasure, and hereafter to enjoy Thee forever.  Breathe into us the spirit of prayer and teachableness, and enable us to give earnest heed to the truths taught in Thy Word.  We thank Thee for Thy holy Word, for Thy Church, and for all the ordinances of Thy house, and for the way of salvation through Christ.  We bless Thee, our Heavenly Father, for all Thy gifts, but above all for Thine unspeakable gift, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.  We rejoice in the assurance that He is now interceding for us.  May the weary and heavy-laden come unto Thee and find rest for their souls.  We pray that Thou wilt send forth laborers into Thy harvest.  Be Thou to all Thine own as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.  Speedily fill the whole earth with Thy glory.  Make us all, O Christ, joyful in hope, patient in suffering, active in service and abounding in love.  We ask all these blessings in the name of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Saviour.

Amen.

Robert Stuart MacArthur, D.D.,
Boston, Massachusetts

God's Minute

November 28

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. . . For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.--Hebrews 11:8,10

OUR Father, Who art in Heaven, we thank Thee for Thy presence in our hearts and in our home, for Thy loving kindness and Thy tender mercies.   We desire to give Thee the largest possible place in our life, that Thine ideals for us may be realized and that we may fulfill our little part in Thy great plan.  So humbly pray Thee to pardon anything in our lives that hinders our fellowship with Thee or our usefulness to our fellow men, and correct in our characters whatever is not Christlike.  Teach us to trust Thee for all our needs, both of soul and body.

Defend us in the time of temptation, and help us to realize that we are citizens of the spiritual kingdom.  Bless all our fellow-disciples the world around.  Empower Thy Church that she may win great victories over evil, and at last receive us to be with Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Rev. W.O. Rogers,
Terre Haute, Indiana

Decorating with memories

The Tale of the Three Trees
written by Angela Elwell Hunt
illustrated by Tim Jonke

Santa Mouse
written by Michael Brown
illustrated by Elfreida De Witt

The Christmas Box (not really a children's book, given to me by my sister in law)
written by Michael Brown

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss

The Christmas Tree that God Made (a toddler book)
written and illustrated by Deborah Reinhart

A Cup of Christmas Tea
written by Tom Hegg

Merry Christmas Mom and Dad (the boys LOVED this one!)
written and illustrated by Mercer Mayer

The Story of the Nativity
written by Elizabeth Winthrop
illustrated byRuth Sanderson

Our Star of Bethlehem
written by Stephen Wagner
illustrated by Pat Stewart

The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy (another favorite when the boys were little)
written by Jane Thayer
illustrated by Lisa McCue

Miracle in a Shoebox (based on Operation Christmas Child--a project from Samaritan's Purse)
written by Franklin Graham with Estelle Condra
illustrated by Dilleen Marsh

T'was the Night Before Christmas
written by Clement Clarke Moore
illustrated by unknown

*When I took the picture today, I didn't notice that in all of Ivy's rambunctious excitement, she must've knocked down one of the books. I found A Baby's Christmas by Lucy Rigg behind a couch cushion.*

Those are as many as I could fit on the window sill. My boys are too old to crawl up into my lap to be read to now, but it makes me happy to see the beloved books displayed each year and it's fun to remember the days when we snuggled together reading, and chubby little fingers pointed to the pictures and later, to the words. It's fun, too, to think ahead to the day when a little granddaughter or grandson will climb up on the couch and pull down a favorite book from the window sill and say, "Grandma, will you read this one again?"

A Christmas Story House: take two

I was contacted this morning in the comments of my other post by a gentleman from Cleveland who had the good fortune of visiting the Christmas Story house on opening day.  He posted the pictures he took on Flickr and between those wonderful pictures and his account of his visit to the "Christmas Story House," I almost feel as though I was there myself!

If you like this movie and are curious about the house, I heartily recommend to you the links above.  The photos of the vintage pieces in the kitchen are worth the visit!

Thanks, Chuck!

God's Minute

November 27

He ever liveth to make intercession for them.--Hebrews 7:25

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, because of Thy good hand upon us in mercy, we have been spared during another night.  Help us to trust in Thee, to have no will but Thy will and to desire to be only what Thou wouldst have us be.  We pray that Thou wilt show us how large is Thy pity, how great is Thy love, and how infinite is Thy goodness; give us to feel that Thou hast called us with a holy calling; that Thou hast put us here to do Thy pleasure, and hereafter to enjoy Thee forever.  Breathe into us the spirit of prayer and teachableness, and enable us to give earnest heed to the truths taught in Thy Word.  We thank Thee for Thy holy Word, for Thy Church and for all the ordinances of Thy house, and for the way of salvation through Christ.  We bless Thee, our Heavenly Father, for all Thy gifts, but above all for Thine unspeakable gift, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.  We rejoice in the assurance that He is now interceding for us.  May the weary and heavy-laden come unto Thee and find rest unto their souls.  We pray that Thou wilt send forth laborers into Thy harvest.  Be Thou to all Thine own as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.  Speedily fill the whole earth with Thy glory.  Make us all, O Christ, joyful in hope, patient in suffering, active in service and abounding in love.  We ask all these blessings in the name of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Saviour.

Amen.

Robert Stewart MacArthur, D.D.,
Boston, Massachusetts

What Kind of Reader are YOU?

What Kind of Reader Are You? Your Result: Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm You're probably in the final stages of a Ph.D. or otherwise finding a way to make your living out of reading. You are one of the literati. Other people's grammatical mistakes make you insane.
Dedicated Reader
Literate Good Citizen
Book Snob
Non-Reader
Fad Reader
What Kind of Reader Are You? Create Your Own Quiz

Making a living out of reading? Now, that's an idea!!! (I also thought it was fun to run across this meme just now since I have a quote from Seneca in the sidebar this week:

Otium sine litteris mors est et hominis vivi sepultra.

Leisure without literature is death, or rather the burial of a living man.--Seneca

HT: My literary friend, MissM, who is also an obsessive-compulsive bookworm

God's Minute

November 26

I will, therefore, that men pray everywhere.--1 Timothy 2:8

OUR Father, we are Thy children by faith in the Redeemer.  We are Thy children when we are obedient and Thou art pleased; we are Thy children when we are wayward and in grief Thou dost chasten us.  We know that our sins are wholly displeasing to Thee, and they are painful to us.  For Jesus' sake, forgive our sins.

Accept our deepest gratitude for Thy tender mercies in all our past, for the promise of Thy grace in all our needs, for the assurance of Thy presence always.

Bless us in the duties to which we have been called.  Deliver us from the fear of man.   Keep us from measuring our duties by the conduct of others, and help us to be great in Thy sight.  Let us remember that there are but twelve hours in the day, and the night cometh.  Help us to see that the great questions are issues of eternity, and may we be kept in the love of God.

Guide, O Jehovah, in the affairs of state; bless all movements and men that promote our Redeemer's Kingdom; and give Thy holy benediction upon the homes wherein our loved ones dwell.  In Jesus' name.

Amen.

Rev. J.M. Dawson,
Waco, Texas

God's Minute

November 25 

Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us.--Ephesians 5:2 

OUR Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for having mercifully kept us in health and strength, and for filling our lives with so much of comfort and happiness.

We pray for each one of those near and dear to us, and we beseech that Thou wilt keep them, and defend them from all evil. Enrich them with the blessing of Thy Holy Spirit.

Likewise we pray for all Thy disciples of every creed, wherever they may be, and that Thou wilt bring all those now separated from Thee to a vital knowledge of Thy goodness to them, and to a desire to become Thy humble followers.

As we pray "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," so, O Lord, may we daily strive by all our acts to do all that we can for the upbuilding and extension of Thy kingdom on earth, and may our lives show to all men that we are Thine.

May we honor Thee by striving to obey Thy command to do unto others as we would have that they should do unto us, and so bring men to acknowledge Thee as their Lord and Saviour.

Amen.

Duds

Of all our many, many strings of lights only one strand of thirty-five lights works. That includes all of the lights that are woven in and around decorative items like my wooden Christmas tree.

Duds; all duds!

No Shopping Zone

The day after Thanksgiving is the traditional opening day for Christmas shopping.  All this week the television commercials were alerting saavy shoppers to the opening sales, some starting as early as 5 o' clock in the morning!

I will not be shopping with the hoardes of bargain hunters today.  Not that I don't like to get a bargain.  I do.  However, the thought of leaving my cozy house before dark to face the mobs so I can compete for one of a limited number of ridiculously priced sale items leaves me cold.

I have my own day-after-Thanksgiving tradition.  Today is the day that the boxes come down from the attic and I begin decorating for Christmas!  That is infinitely more satisfying for me.  The fridge is full of leftovers so the family won't go hungry if I don't cook today.  Tom always has the day after Thanksgiving off, so I have a helper to bring the boxes down from the attic and move the furniture.

Hopefully, if all goes as planned, this evening Tom and I will be sitting in the dark in the sunroom in front of a  sparkling Christmas tree.  I can't wait!

Let the fun begin!

Christmas fun began last night; after the Thanksgiving feast was cleaned up and the leftovers were stowed away, our family sat down and watched one of our favorite Christmas movies--Elf.)

God's Minute

November 24

Evening and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice.  Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee:  He shall never suffer the righteous be be moved.--Psalm 55:17

OUR Father in Heaven, look upon us, we beseech Thee, in Thine infinite love and compassion.  Dwell Thou with us, that being molded by Thy good Spirit, we may have fellowship with Thee as Thy children.  Help us at all times to trust Thee.  Appoint for us what Thou willest, and make us ready to receive with thankfulness whatsoever seemeth good to Thee concerning us.  Go with us in every mission on which Thou art pleased to send us, and in Thy service we may find rest.

Lighten our darkness, we entreat Thee, that we may behold Thy face, and in Thy tender mercy, do Thou temper the storm lest our weak faith fail.  Forgive our sins, and day by day deliver us from their power.  We commit all our loved ones to Thy keeping.  Do Thou watch over them and bless them.  And as Thou givest us a taste of Thy joy in loving our friends, lead us into the fullness of the joy of loving all whom Thou lovest, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

William Farquharson, D.D.,
Agincourt, Ontario, Canada

God's Minute

November 23

Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.--John 16:24

O GOD, our Father!  We worship Thy name, and bless Thee for Thyself.  We acknowledge Thee to be the source and stay of our lives.  We are Thy creatures.  Thou wilt not leave us to suffer eternal want; Thou wilt not leave us to lack for daily bread.  We are Thy children; we believe ourselves descended from Thee.  O Grant that we may not plead Thy Fatherhood in vain!  Let us not stand either as aliens or orphans, but as the heirs of God through promise.  Give us, we beseech Thee, Thy Holy Spirit, that He may perfectly reveal to us Jesus Christ the Son.  Give us to know Him, that we may abide in Him, and that His Word may abide in us.  May neither prosperity nor the enticements of the world wean our thoughts and faith from Him.  Pardon our sins and cleanse our hearts, that we may become a habitation of God through the Spirit; that Christ may dwell in us and we in Him.  Guide and direct us in our intercourse with men.  May our words and influence become a savor of life unto life.  Show us how we may help to bring Thy Kingdom upon the earth.  Admonish us in the days of health, nor forsake us in sickness and the hour of death.  When our change shall come, give us to dwell forever in the house of Thy Fatherhood in Heaven, through the merit and grace of Jesus Christ Thy Son.

Amen.

Horace M. DuBose, D.D.,
Nashville, Tennessee

A Thanksgiving Proclamation

THANKSGIVING     DAY 1789

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - A PROCLAMATION

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor - and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness." Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be – That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks – for his kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation – for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war –for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed –  for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us. And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions – to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually – to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed – to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord – To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and Us – and generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

GEORGE  WASHINGTON.

Thanksgiving Recipe 2006

Last Thanksgiving I shared my recipe for Cranberry Salad. This year I am sharing a recipe for one of Jake and Sam's favorites: Pumpkin Marble Cheesecake.

PUMPKIN MARBLE CHEESECAKE

1 1/2 c Gingersnap Crumbs

1/2 c Finely Chopped Pecans

1/3 c Margarine, Melted

16 oz Cream Cheese, Softened

3/4 c Sugar

1 ts Vanilla

3 ea Eggs

1 c Canned Pumpkin

3/4 ts Cinnamon

1/4 ts Ground Nutmeg

Combine crumbs, pecans and margarine; press onto
bottom and 1 1/2-inches up sides of 9-inch springform
pan. Bake at 350 degrees F., 10 minutes. Combine
cream cheese, 1/2 c sugar and vanilla, mixing at
medium speed on electric mixer until well blended.
Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each
addition. Reserve 1 c batter, chill. Add remaining
sugar, pumpkin and spices to remaining batter; mix
well. Alternately layer pumpkin and cream cheese
batters over crust. Cut through batters with knife
several times for marble effect. Bake at 350 degrees
F., 55 minutes. Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool
before removing rim of pan. Chill.

God's Minute

November 22

Ye that fear the Lord, praise Him.--Psalm 22:23

HELP us, O God, this day to recognize ourselves as Thy children. May we call to mind and refresh ourselves with the teachings of Thy servant who declared that our birth is a forgetting; that "the soul that rises with us, our life's star, hath had elsewhere its setting, and cometh from afar." May we remember that we come from God, who is our home, and may we mourn the fact that we have forgotten the Imperial Palace whence we come and the glories we have known. May it be in our hearts to thank Thee, O Lord, that there is something in each of us which the weights and the frosts of earth cannot suppress, with lives as the embers of primeval fires; those high instincts, those first affections--shadowy recollections which are the master light of all our seeing; a primal sympathy, a faith that looks through death.

We thank Thee, O Lord, for the seasons of calm weather, when we have sight of that immortal sea over which we voyaged to this world, and back over which again, when the work of life is done, we shall travel to our eternal home. In full knowledge of Thy way, Thy truth, Thy life, as declared through Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, may we live to serve Thee every day of our lives.

Amen.

James W. Lee, D.D.,
St. Louis, Missouri