God's Minute

October 25

He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.--Micah 6:8

ALMIGHTY GOD, Whom truly to know is everlasting life, we draw near to Thee at the beginning of this day, desiring to know Thee as the Father of our spirits, and to refresh our spirits in Thy eternal goodness. As we draw near to Thee in worship, we pray that Thou wilt draw near to us in blessing and in inspiration. Grant us, we beseech Thee, the things of which Thou seest our need. We ask for health, for opportunity, and for a willing mind that finds delight in fruitful labor. Grant us the consciousness of sin forgiven, that in our labors and undertakings there may be no sad friction of remorse and shame.

Grant us the blessing of friendship greatly widened. We would not think of ourselves as too good to mingle with the humblest. We would not live apart from others in hope and sympathy. Rather do we seek from Thee the gladness of the common life of all Thy children, and the sweetness of its universal hope. Thou Who hast made us of one blood, help us to toil and hope and suffer and rejoice as brethren, that in our common life Thy purpose may be glorified throught Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Rev. Howard Chandler Robbins
New York City, N. Y.

A Hard Day's Night

This has been a tough day for our family. While Eve was off having puppies, she developed a growth on her lower muzzle. It was pretty bad looking when she came home last week, so I set up an appointment to have it checked today. All weekend long it continued to grow and began to bleed. This morning I couldn't get the bleeding stopped so I took her in early. The vet took one look at her and said, "That's coming off now!" and called his assistant in to take her to be prepped for laser surgery. When I picked her up at 5:30 I learned that the tumor had a "deep base" and was much more involved than he thought. We brought her home with a big plastic collar and she's taking a nap on the couch now. We'll find out later this week what we're dealing with.

I tried to get a picture of her with the collar, but Eve is one of those dogs that looks deep into your eyes and so I couldn't get a picture of her without glowing eyes. However, I was able to get a couple of "Ivy on patrol." Ivy has been taking care of Eve. If she stirs, Ivy is right there, licking her and checking on her. Then she runs to me with her ears down and her tail down and a face that says, "Help her."

We're all pretty devastated with this news so if you think of us, say a prayer for our Eve.

A Faithful Friend, A Friend of Faith

Some friends are just special. They are fun to be with, they don’t forget you when you move away, they listen with all they’ve got when you need a listening ear, and--most importantly--they encourage, challenge, and yes, correct you from the Word of God. I’ve been blessed with more than my share of such godly friends, and for that I am deeply grateful.

Ann Marie is one of those friends. We spent the day together on Friday. Our time together was short but we managed to pack a whole lot of “catching up” into the time we had. We had lunch together at my favorite local Italian restaurant and just talked.

Ann Marie is an ultrasound technician and works for a pregnancy center in NE Ohio. Works isn’t the right word. She serves young, frightened and confused women and their unborn babies. She ministers to them; body, soul, and spirit. Most ultrasound technicians work in hospitals or doctors offices, but Ann Marie ministers in a mobile ultrasound unit. (Not only does she administer the ultrasounds—she drives the unit!)

To say that Ann Marie loves her job, well, that would be an understatement. She daily gets to use her skills, talents, and gifts in the service of women, babies, and the Lord Jesus Christ. She brought along a 15 minute DVD that showed not only the wonderful mobile facility, but also some of the women that were being loved and cared for through this ministry. I watched it twice. I got teary both times. It was so moving to get a glimpse into Ann Marie’s life and ministry.

The video showed her talking with a 16 year old girl named Crystal. All the grown ups in her life were encouraging her to have an abortion. She didn’t want to do it, but when you’re young and pregnant and scared, the pressures brought to bear can feel overwhelming. She ran away from home at one point and one of her friend’s mothers called the clinic and asked them to pray for this young runaway. They prayed for her for four weeks and even though they did not know her name, when she showed up unannounced at the clinic and began to tell her story—they knew her immediately. She is carrying her baby to term because God providentially brought her to the mobile clinic through the prayers of His people and then used Ann Marie to share the Gospel with her. Crystal is due to have her little boy, who she has named Brett, in the first week of November.

If anyone reading this is involved in a Pregnancy Center and would like to learn more about the ICU, I know that Ann Marie and the rest of the staff would be more than happy to help. You can contact them via the website.

God's Minute

October 24

And make confession to Him.--Johsua 7:19

OUR Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for keeping guard over us during the night. We laid us down and slept; we awakened because Thou didst sustain us. Thou hast opened to us the gateway of this new day and set before us open doors of fresh opportunity and privilege. As we go forth to new duties and responsibilities, we pray for Thy presence to go with us. Strengthen us in our weakness, guide us in our ignorance, and inspire us both to will and to do according to Thy good pleasure. Enable us to present our bodies a living sacrifice, wholly acceptable unto Thee, which is our reasonable service. We commit to Thee all our loved ones, and beseech Thee that Thy Spirit may so control their hearts and guide their lives as to save them from forgetfulness of Thee, and from neglect of Thy claims. Remember those in authority over us. Put Thy fear in their hearts, that they may faithfully discharge their responsible duties. May Thy Spirit rest on all our people, causing us to lead peaceable, quiet and orderly lives. Hasten the triumphs of Thy Kingdom, until all hearts shall be brought under the rule of Christ, and the whole family of man shall constitute a brotherhood bound together by a bond of Christian love. These blessings we ask, with the forgiveness of our sins, in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

R. C. Reed, D. D.,
Columbia, S.C.

There is a brief mention of Rev. R. C. Reed in the Southern Presbyterian Review, Volume 32, 1881. He wrote an article for that issue entitled, "The Church and Temperance." The article is not available online.

God's Minute

October 23

Save Thy People and bless Thine inheritance.--Psalm 28:9

OUR gracious and kind Heavenly Father! We lift our hearts to Thee at dawn, though we painfully recognize and feel our unworthiness of Thy uncounted mercies which are new every morning and fresh every evening. We throw ourselves upon Thy clemency. Put Thy protecting hand, with its tender touch, upon our drooping heads, and though we venture not to look up, may we hear Thy reassuring and forgiving voice. Here we are grouped together at the foot of Thy cross, because we know Thou hast room for us all in Thy great yearning heart. We long for Thy tender caress and Thy smile of forgiveness. Put about us Thy everlasting mighty arms, and carry us safely through this day. As we take up life's business afresh and hasten out into the wild hurry of the world, be Thou ever near us. Be Thou our traveling companion. We need Thy presence every passing moment. For the gift of Thy Son, our adorable Christ, we thank Thee, O God. He brought eternal calm to our surging hearts, and made our sin-tattered lives to rejoice. Give us a new vision of Him as we toil this day. May we see the rift in the clouds as we look up to behold Him. Soften our hearts, direct our thoughts, steady our step, and shelter us by Thy care until our traveling days are done, we humbly ask in Jesus' name.

Amen.

Rev. F. W. Mueller,
Cleveland, Ohio