God's Minute

October 14

Pray without ceasing.--1 Thessalonians 5:17

OUR blessed Saviour, Who dost dwell in our hearts by faith, grant us such a clear consciousness of Thine indwelling that each may be able to say, "I live, and yet no longer I, but Christ liveth in me." Show us that our interests and Thine are one. Enable us so to surrender ourselves to Thee that Thou mayest work in us both to will and to work for Thy good pleasure. Establish Thy rule over every part of our nature. Subdue our passions and energies to Thy Will. In Thy light may we see our faults and failures, and, as they are revealed, do Thou remove them, and finish in us the work Thou hast begun. Grant us grace today to let Christ live out His lfe in us. May He so possess our spirits and so govern our lives, that men, beholding us, may think of Him; listening to us, may hear His message; and in fellowship with us, may feel the influence of His Spirit. Keep up from stifling the voice within. Keep us from becoming so engrossed with our worldly pursuits that we lose sight of the Christ Who reigns in our souls, and Who is our very life. Lord Jesus, make us Thine instruments, prepare us for Thy service, and use us as Thou wilt for the fulfilment of Thy purposes. Then grant us the joy of Thine approval. For Thine own Name's sake.

Amen.

George C. Pidgeon, D. D.,
Toronto, Canada.

Gone Visiting

We live in a neighborhood with lots of dogs. I know their names, I know their owners. So when I saw this cute little white dog running down the street without a leash, without an owner, and apparently without a care in the world, I knew she was out of her home territory. I called her over and she came running up, all licks and wiggles and wagging tail. I hooked her up to Ivy’s lead and called her family. They were relieved that she was safe. Apparently she’s an unrepentant escape artist, so I may see her again sometime. I hope so, she’s a sweetie.

Ninth Grade Algebra blues

As some of you know, I home school my youngest son, Sam. We're doing DVD school this year; math has never been my strong suit so I am taking the lessons right along with Sam. (Hence the DVD school now that we're in high school) Sam tends to catch on very quickly to new concepts. I take a little more time but I can usually catch on without a lot of trouble. Until today, that is. We've been working with negative numbers in algebraic equations. I can add them, I can multiply and divide them, but when it comes to subtraction, that's where the trouble starts. Today during our class work we had to do 4 problems. Sam got them all right. I got them all wrong. Sam patiently showed me what I had done wrong and gave me some words of encouragement that sounded strangely familiar. The teacher became the student today and found she has a very understanding teacher.

Camera practice

Here's an extreme close up of a tree in my yard. What do you think, Allyson? Any better?

God's Minute

October 13

1 John 5:8

If we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us.

With gratitude for Thy protection during the night watches, we begin, O Lord, the new life of a new day. Our paths will be the busy thoroughfares--walk Thou with us unseen. Our thoughts will be of our business--let not our hearts cleave to these things, but through the sweet influence of Thy Spirit, incline us to seek things that endure. We shall be tempted today, we may be drawn to the verge of some awful mistake--in the swift moment of danger, when we cannot withdraw to our closet of prayer, give us to know the right, and the power to do it.

Let not trifles ruffle our temper, not disappointments unman us; let not exacting duties make us selfish and churlish; give us rather a sunshiny face, a forthright hand, and the joy of a word fitly spoken to some timid, discouraged soul.

Strength for the day's service give us in such measure as Thou willest; pass by our sins of omission; and when the shadows fall, bring us again, unsullied by thought, or word, or deed, to sweet refreshing sleep. For Christ's sake.

Amen.

Hon. John Stites,
Louisville, KY