God's Minute

February 3

My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O Lord: in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up.--Psalm 5:3

IN the arms of Thy loving care, O Lord, hast Thou upheld us during the night. While we lay wrapped in slumber and unconscious of ourselves, Thy sleepless eye kept vigil. We praise Thee that Thy mercies are new every morining. How comforting it is to know that day and night are alike to Thee! The light can reveal nothing to Thee. Thus we may trust Thee at all times and in all circumstances, knowing that no real harm can befall us. Most heartily do we thank Thee for the refreshing rest of the night and for the light of a new day with its blessed priviledges and uplifting opportunities. Grant us Thy grace throughout this day, O Lord. May none of our work be secular in the sense of being sinful, but may we do all things with a truly religious purpose and for the honor of Thy name. Help us also to serve Thee by serving our fellowmen, who are Thy children. Our trust for salvation is in Jesus Christ alone. May no darkness of pride and self-righteousness cast its shadow over our motives. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the atoning blood of the Lamb of God Who died that we might live. Our petitions are made only in His Name.

Amen.

Leander S. Keyser, D. D.,
Springfield, Ohio

It appears from my search that Leander S. Keyser was both a theologian and a scientist, as well as an illustrator of birds.

• Professor Leander S. Keyser made this statement, "To my mind, there are enough counts against the theory of evolution to make it impossible to accept it as a scientific truth or even as a reasonable hypothesis."

Books and more books

Most book lovers are also library, bookstore, and antiquarian bookshop lovers, too.  I love bookstores! This is a photo of a bookstore we like to go to near Minocqua, WI.  A whole big, old barn full of books.

If you like this, wait until you see these twenty really AMAZING bookstores!

Ground Hog's Day

First D.J.: Rise and shine, campers, and don't forget your booties 'cause it's cooooold out there today.

Second D.J.: It's cold out there every day. What is this, Miami Beach?
First D.J.: Not hardly. So the big question on everybody's lips.
Second D.J.: On their chapped lips
First D.J.: their chapped lips is, does Phil feel lucky? Punksatawney Phil, thats right wood chuck chuckers its
[in unison]
First D.J.: GROUND HOG DAY
Second D.J.: GROUND HOG DAY

God's Minute

Pray and make supplication.--2 Chronicles 6:24

O LORD Our God, we thank Thee for Thy Fatherhood, and that Thou hast revealed Thyself unto us thrugh Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who is our Saviour. We thank Thee for Thy loving care of us through another day--for life and health and all the comforts we enjoy. Bless us as parents and children to be faithful in our work, thoughtful of each other, kind and considerate and helpful to all. Watch over us through th night. If it please Thee, give us sleep, and bring us in safety and comfort to another day. May every day bring us a more perfect trust in Thee, so that with our days we may learn how better to walk in Thy ways, and to do Thy Holy Will, and to become more like Him Who has taught us to pray, saying:

"Our Father Who Art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory forever."

Amen.

Charles H. Robinson, D.D.,
Wheeling, West Virginina

February Status Report

Status Report, February

Sitting...in my comfy leather chair

Wishing...my house was clean and my grocery shopping done

Hoping...I can keep all the balls in the air

Baking...nothing today but I did make some wicked good biscuits for dinner last night.

Realizing...that a full work schedule is a mixed blessing--I'm excited for the work and love doing it, but the house still needs cleaned, the laundry and shopping still needs to be done (washed, dried, folded AND put away!), and studying and family time can't slide.  Finding the time for it all sometimes feels like a highwire act.

Glancing...at the dust on the coffee table and thinking someone should invent a device that continually sucks the dust out of the air before it has a chance to settle on every flat surface.

Reading...The Shallows:  What the internet is doing to our brains by Nicholas Carr.  Listening to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.  I'm bogging down at the Ministry of Magic/Deatheaters/Voldemort shows up section.  I think Jo needed a editor at that point in the story.  Thinking of skipping to Dumbledore's arrival at the ministry. . .

Enjoying...learning a new, flourishy, ornate font:  Belluccia

Thinking...that I need to get off the computer and back to work!

Looking...forward to Prayer meeting tonight and dinner with my nephew and niece-in-law and their friend tomorrow night.  Groundhog Day Dinner party--sounds fun, eh?

Heading...back to the vacuum and swiffers.  Begone foul dust!

HT:  my friend, Lisa, at Lisa Writes

God's Minute

February 1

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual widkedness in high places.--Ephesians 6:10-12

OUR Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for the rest of the night, and the light of this new day. We also thank Thee for food and raiment and for every other blessing which inThy goodness and wisdom Thou hast provided for our need and comfort.

We beseech Thee, grant us grace for the temptations of the day, and strength for every duty that may lie in our pathway. Help us truly to represent Thee today, and to this end may we hide "The Word" in our hearts, that we may not sin against Thee or our fellow men. Grant us the guidance and help of Thy good Spirit. Do Thou protect and defend us from all harm and danger, and when the day's work is done, bing us all again in safety to this, our home.

These things we ask in the Name of and for the sake of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

James. M. S. Isenburg, D.D.,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Want to see what I've been up to?

I've been updating my work blog, Scriptorium, tonight and since it's been a while since I've shared any of my work, I thought I'd share a link, just in case you want to have a peek.

God's Minute

January 31

With thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.--Philippians 4:6

OUR Father in Heaven, we praise Thee for the mercy-seat to which we can come, and before which Thou art so pleased to have us bow. Help us to approach it with pure hearts and with sincere motives. Teach us our need of Thee. Show us how dangerous it it to live without the consciousness of Thy presence. Walk with us as Jesus walked with His two companions to Emmaus. Help us to commune with Thee as friend with friend. Prevent us from willful sin. Subdue our heart's rebellion, and keep us at peace with Thee.

Help us to be patient and sympathetic with all who may need our help. If we have wronged anyone, give us the grace of repentance and confession. If any have injured us, enable us to forgive and forget.

Bless our home, and all who are dear to us by the ties of kinship and friendship. Inspire and strengthen us so that we will be able to glorify Thee in home, in school, in the factory, or shop. Forgive us wherein we may in any way have grieved Thee, and aid us in our efforts to avoid the mistakes of yesterday. Our prayer is in the name of Him Who loved us, and gave His life to save us.

Amen.

H. W. Crews, D.D.,

Woodstock, Ont., Canada

A Series on Studying the Bible

May I recommend to you a new series of posts from my friend, Kim, of The Upward Call?  Today's post, Training in Righteousness, engages us in this important topic.

I'm looking forward to the rest of the study!

God' Minute

January 30

Ask cousel, we pray thee, of God.--Judges 18:15

OUR Heavenly Father: Thou hast made us for Thyself. We are the tender objects of Thy solicitude and care; Thou art more thoughtful of us and ours than we ourselves are.

We are conscious of our weakness. Temptations assail us. Our lives are often in the shadows, and we are inclined from the right. Awaken in us, O Lord, a sincere desire for Thee, for Thy house, and for Thy welcome. Help us to feel that we can never satisy our souls until we satisfy them in Thee.

We feel deep within us the call ofGod to do our best. Do not permit us to rest in false security, in pleasant sins, or in popular falsehoods of whatever kinds. When we are satisfied with what we have done, show us the danger of losing our ideals of perfetion. And when the way seems hard, and the by-paths pleasant and enticing, give us Thy gracious help. Hear us, our Father, in the forgiveness of our sins. May Thy Kingdom come in power, that all men everywhere may know Thee as Lord and Master. May Thy will be done in our lives, and in the world, near and far, as it is in Heaven. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Bishop Lawrence H. Seager, D.D.,
Naperville, Illinois

Sunday Hymn: The Spirit breathes upon the Word

Original Trinity Hymnal, #258

The Spirit breathes upon the Word,
And brings the truth to sight;
Precepts and promises afford
A sanctifying light.

A glory gilds the sacred page,
Majestic, like the sun:
It gives a light to ev'ry age;
It gives, but borrows none.

The Hand that gave it still supplies
The gracious light and heat:
His truths upon the nations rise;
They rise, but never set.

Let everlasting thanks be thine
For such a bright display
As makes a world of darkness shine
With beams of heav'nly day.

My soul rejoices to pursue
The steps of him I love.
Till glory break upon my view
In brighter worlds above.

God's Minute

January 29

I was glad when they said to me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within Thy gates, O Jerusalem. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they prosper that love Thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek Thy good.--Psalm 122:1-2;6;9 

For Sunday Morning

O LORD, Jesus Christ, Who on this day didst arise from the grave, send forth Thy quickening Spirit, we beseech Thee, upon Thy people, that they may rise to newness of life. Drive away worldly cares, lift up our minds to high and noble thoughts, and to spiritual desires. 

Hear the prayers of all that are offered in public and in private, for themselves and for their brethren. Grant that all who can may attend the public worship of Thy church, and approach Thee with reverence and confidence. Bless the ministrations of Thy Word and Sacraments. Inspire those who speak and act in Thy name, with the spirit of truth, and love, and power.

Meet the varied needs and fulfil the desires of Thy people. Bind us in fellowship one with another, as with Thy self. Enable us to go forth from the worship and instruction of Thy holy day with renewed strength and courage to perform the duties and bear the trials which are appointed for us.

Grant this, and all our petitions, for Thy Holy Name's sake.

Amen.

Bishop Arthur C. A. Hale,
Burlington, Vermont

God's Minute

January 28

If My people pray, I will forgive their sin.--2 Chronicles 7:14

Help us now, O Lord, to draw near to Thee as a family. Incline our hearts to seek Thy face, and graciously withdraw the veil that we may be conscious of Thy presence.

We ask Thee graciously to forgive all that Thou hast seen amiss, and to cleanse our hearts by the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love Thee and worthily magnify Thy Holy Name. Help us, who have had much forgiven, to forgive others, even to seventy times seven. Keep us from envy and jealousy, from pride and passion, and from every thing that would grieve Thy Holy Spirit. May we indeed be dead unto sin, and alive unto righteousness, through Jesus Christ.

Bless those whom we love. Comfort and help them in whatever circumstances they may be placed; and may they and we be finally gathered to the house of many mansions. Have mercy on all men, and bring them to the knowledge of the truth. These and all other petitions we offer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, and pray Thee to do for us exceeding abundantly beyond all we ask or think, for Thy mercies' sake.

Amen.

Reverand F.B. Meyers, B.A.,
London, England

God's Minute

January 27

I love the Lord because He hath heard my voice.--Psalm 116:1

O THOU Who art the light of all who must walk alone in the path of shadows, teach us to so trust Thee that fear may no longer beset us. We confess that we hve often faltered when we have put our own thoughts and imaginings in the place of Thine omniscience. We lament our constant reckoning with human weakness when Thou hast promised the joy of the Lord which shall be our strength.

Teach us more of the power of purity, and forgive our sin of distrust of Thy love. If we cannot see beyond the turn of the road, may we yet be conscious of a companionship that leads us in confidence toward each new experience. Grant us the peace of Christ to quiet our feverish hearts, and lend courage for life's daily test of faith and discipleship. We covet the refreshing of Thy grace to lend strength for each new duty, and to enlarge our hearts to receive the fulness of Thy blessing. Lead us, we pray, into the green pastures and beside the still waters, that our spirits may be renewed at the fountains of Infinite Love--shall we be heartened, and enabled to serve Thee more worthily in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Amen.

Charles Gorman Richards, D.D.,
Auburn, New York

God's Minute

January 26

Bless thou the Lord, O my soul.--Psalm 104:35

OUR HEAVENLY Father, we are Thy children, and we come to Thee, bringing our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Thou hast made us, and Thy love of us is unceasing. Thy love is the light of our life and Thy grace the strength of our hearts. Save us from forgetting Thee and Thy claims upon us. May we welcome our common duties and discharge them as in Thy sight; rejoice in the ties of kinship which bind us to one another, and never forget them; courageously face our difficulties and carefully redeem the time, seeing that the days are evil. Help us to resist every temptation and especially those that assail our thoughts and stain our imagination. Give us power to hush the tumults of the flesh, and fortitude to bear the burdens of life cheerfully. Deliver us from anxiety about the future, and strengthen in us the conviction that all things work together for good to those that love Thee. Enable us to profit by Thy patient and loving discipline. Fill us with the mind of Jesus, and make us ready for any sacrifice for Thy Kingdom of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Quicken us, O Lord, that we may seek first Thy Kingdom and Thy righteousness, and calmly wait Thy will, in the assurance that whatever else is best will be given us. In the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

John Clifford, D.D.,
London, England

God's Minute

January 25

The righteousness which is of faith.--Romans 9:30

HOLY FATHER, we thank Thee for the sweetness and goodness of Thy love. Thou hast sheltered our home, daily bearing our burdens, carrying our sorrows, and supplying all our needs.

We thank Thee for Jesus our Saviour, for the Holy Bible, and for the Church. We praise Thy Name for the Gospel, and for all who are making known the goodness of salvation.

We pray that Christian brethren may dwell together in unity, and put on love which is the bond of perfectness. May Thy righteous and peaceful Kingdom come, till all men everywhere may hear and know of Jesus, and learn to live as He lived, and love as He loved.

Teach us to be kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving. Give to us patience, meekness, gentleness, goodness, faith. May we have the blessedness of the pure in heart, and of the merciful. Fill us with the light of Thy presence, and lead us forth to do good unto all men. Keep Thou our going out and our coming in, from this time forth, and for evermore. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Rev. Robert E. Elmore,
Cincinnati, Ohio

God's Minute

January 24

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

GRACIOUS GOD, our Father in Heaven, we bless Thee that hour by hour our lives have been enriched with the knowledge of Him who graciously interpreted the Infinite to our minds, and Who in reconciling love and saving mercy, brought us near to our Father in Heaven.

Remembering our sinfulness of heart and proneness to sin, we would humble ourselves before Thee. Though, indeed, we have sought to do Thy holy will, yet have we fallen short in many things. We now confess our sins: "forgive us our trespasses."

Once again, we ask that by the Holy Spirit given unto us, we may find our delight in the ways of God, and so be enabled in our daily walk to commend the Gospel of Christ to those among whom we move.

Further, we beseech Thee to hear us on behalf of loved ones far and near, that they may share the blessings which we now ask for ourselves. And may Thy Kingdom come, and Thy will be done on earth as it is done in Heaven.

These and other favors we beg in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

James. W. Thirtle, D.D., LL.D.,
London, England

God's Minute

January 23

Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust.--Psalm 40:4

ALMIGHTY GOD, our Father, we come to Thee in the early morning hour to give thanks for that loving care which has kept us during the night, to renew our strength, and to seek preparation for the work and responsibilities of the new day. In our blindness we cannot see what is before us, but Thou knowest; so we place our hands in Thine, that we may be led in a way that will glorify Thee, and make better and more fruitful our own lives. Share Thy richest morning blessings with our dear ones wherever they may be, and put about them Thy everlasting arms. Graciously manifest Thyself to the needy and distressed, to the sick and dying, and to all who look for salvation from sin. May the Holy Spirit of promise and power minifest Himself to all hearts and homes, and thus energize and make effective the agencies ordained for the saving of the whole world. Pardon our sins. May great peace fill our souls, enabling us to constantly walk in the quiet of Thy presence. At the close of the day may we possess consciences void of offense toward Thee, and toward all men, and realize that we have made another day's journey toward the heavenly home. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive riches, and wisdom, and glory, and dominion, forever and ever.

Amen.

Bishop William H. Weekley, D.D.,
Parkersburg, West Virginia

God's Minute

January 22

"Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.--2 Cor. 6:17,18

OUR Father, help us to be true today; help us to be faithful; help us to be kind. May Thy presence go with us and watch over us so that no evil may surprise us. Keep us from falling, keep us from stumbling. If temptation assails us, may we be given strength to resist it; if trouble awaits us, may we go forth courageously to meet it and may Thy grace be sufficient for us in the hour of our need.

Especially we pray Thee that sin may have no dominion over us; save us from becoming hardened by its deceitfulness, or softened by its false soothing flattery.

Make us generous in our judgments, tender-hearted in our feelings, sweet spirited and loving in all our dealings. Preserve us from being impatient and irritable.

Implant within our hearts a genuine hatred for every form of defilement, and a sincere love for what is pure and Christ-like. Whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely, may we think on these things today. For Christ's sake.

Amen.

Malcom James MacLeod, D.D.,
New York City, New York

God's Minute

January 21

Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory upon their children. And let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us.--Psalm 90:16,17

LORD GOD, our heavenly Father, we Thy children come before Thee to thank Thee and to praise Thee. We thank Thee for the gift of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and that Thou hast kindled faith and love in our hearts through Thy Holy Spirit. We thank Thee for peace of soul through the forgiveness of our sins and for the blessed hope of eternal life. We thank Thee also for the opportunity to labor in our earthly calling and thereby to render service to Thee, to our dear ones, and to our fellowmen in general.

Bless us, heavenly Father, as individuals, that we may have the strength always to do our duty as it is made clear to us. Bless us as a nation, a Christian people, that the high hopes placed in us by peoples in distress may not be shattered. Bless Thy Church that it may have the power always to witness for Christ wherever we go, and help us gladly to share our temporal blessings with those who are in physical want. Lead us through the hours of the day, and watch over us through the night. And when Thou art done with us here on earth, take us to Thyself in glory. We ask it in the name of Jesus, our blessed Redeemer.

Amen.

Carl J. Bengston, D.D.,
Rock Island, Illinois