God's Minute

October 21

The fruit of the Spirit is live, joy, faith. --Galatians 5:22

OUR Heavenly Father, we turn to Thee in gratitude for Thy goodness, and in loving dependence upon Thy grace. Thou art our shield, our strength, our guide. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Thou dost forgive our sins. We trust in Thee alone. Our feeble strength can give no security in temptation, nor firmness in trial. We humbly pray for Thy sustaining grace today. May Thy companionship transform our daily tasks and make our weakness strong.

Grant to us hearts of compassion for the sorrowing, tempted, hopeless ones whose lives shall touch ours today. May we follow our Saviour in helpful ministry, and may His Spirit got out from us to lead men unto Him Who alone can bless.

May Thy Holy Spirit enable us to set ourseves firmly against the evils which destroy the souls of men, and do our part of the work that is needed for the coming of Thy Kingdom. Help us to be faithful and true in thought, word and deed, that we may not add to the sum of the world's evil, but my purify and enlighten all the life about us

These things we ask in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Robert E. Vinson, D.D.,
Austin, Texas

School Days Revisited

This is my friend, Jack. I got to walk Jack to kindergarten today. We looked at the changing leaves, and compared the colors of the various trees, and talked. Jack is quite a talker. It brought back such wonderful memories of when my boys were that age. They were talkers, too.

God's Minute

October 20

Believe ye that I am able to do this? -- Matthew 9:28

O GOD, our Heavenly Father, we give Thee thanks for all that makes Thee known to us, and for all the good things that Thou hast given us. We praise Thee that our household has once more been preserved to meet in health and to join in common thanksgiving unto Thee, the Most Holy God, the Eternal Providence.

We pray Thee to forgive all our sins, and to cleanse our hearts by the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit. Accompany us into the duties of each day, and give us strength for every need.

Preserve us from all danger, defend us from all error of heart, deliver us out of every temptation, save us from murmuring against our lot or grieving over our losses, save us from envy and pride, from hate and untruth, from waste of time and excessive pleasure, and from all worldliness. May we be diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving Thee, our Lord. We pray Thee in behalf of our neighbors and friends. May both we and they be blest in our mutual intercourse. Bless the poor and needy, the sick and desolate and defenseless, and bring back the lost ones to Thy home and heart.

We ask it all in the name of Thy dear Son, our Saviour and Lord.

Amen.

W. T. G. Brown, B.A., B.D.,
Toronto, Canada

(You'll have to scroll down and dig deep to find our reference to W.T.G. Brown in the link provided. But if you're like me--and perhaps some of my Canadian readers-- you'll read the first paragraph and get hooked.)

Eve's Homecoming

Our Eve is home again, at last! The puppies are going to their new homes and Eve is so glad to be home! It was such fun to watch the dogs greeting each other! Eve investigated the whole house with Ivy jumping and leaping and wagging right beside her. They're still running and playing. Hopefully, they'll wear each other out soon and I can post a picture of them curled up together.

(Eve is the one with the blue collar; Ivy's is green, of course!)

God's Minute

October 19

The God of love and peace shall be with you. --2 Corinthians 13:11

OUR Father in Heaven, Thou Who carest for all the families of the earth, grant to this family a consciousness of Thy presence and love. May we be ever careful lest by word or deed we bring dishonor to Thy matchless name. Follow us as we go to the tasks of today. May we be strong in Thy strength; courageous because of Thy promises; and humble, in view of our constant dependence upon Thee.

May the Angel of the Lord encamp round about the absent ones; guard them from evil, and inspire them for service. Give us all hearts of pity for those who are in need, sympathy for the weak, and willingness to lift up the fallen. Forbid that we should be content with our own plenty, or proud in our own accomplishments, but as children may we ever be anxious for the glory of our Father's name, and thankful for His care. Forgive us for that wherein we have failed; forgive us for willfulness and downright sin.

When the great homecoming takes place, and we are in the Father's house, may every member of this family be among "the multitude that no man can number," serving Thee as we cannot here. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy Son and our Saviour.

Amen.

Reverand J. R. Webb,
Peterborough, Ont., Canada