This will take some getting used to. . .

The new camera arrived yesterday and I loaded the software this afternoon and took a couple of test pictures.

Here is a picture of an autumn arrangement I have in my dining room. A little fuzzy, but not too bad for a first attempt. Allyson! What am I doing wrong?

Short Biographical Sketch

I did a quick Google search and found some interesting information about Rev. Lawrence Keister here.

Lawrence W. Keister, 1907-1912
Lawrence Keister helped bring stability back to Lebanon Valley College. He renovated the landscape of campus adding over 1,000 feet of walkways. Keister renovated the buildings on campus and equipped the labs with the latest materials. He denied athletic scholarships because he wanted academics to be the primary focus of the College. Keister's major accomplishment was balancing the debt.

I wonder if Rev. Keister ever enjoyed playing football on a crisp autumn day. . . I suspect that even with his emphasis on academics and away from sports he might have enjoyed a quick pick up game of football--if he could find anyone on campus who would still play with him!

The Shining Pathway

This is the second poem from Rev. Lawrence Keister.

Falling Leaves

Which the leaf that falleth next?
You can never tell.
Which the one that seekest place
Where the others fell?

Frost has touched them all alike,
And the rising sun;
Gentle breezes had their part,
Then attraction won.

Lifeless there upon the turf
Lie the forest leaves,
Mission ended, work all done--
Nature never grieves.

"Thousand summers kiss the lea,
Only one the leaf,"
Yet how great a task is done
In a life so brief.

Friendly little alchemists
Working day and night,
Building maples, elms and oaks,
Trees of girth and height.

Storms of summer you withstood,
Holding on with might;
Now with sudden impulse fall
Careless where you light.

Some sad news

Please join me in remembering a great icon of the
entertainment community.

The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast
infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes
in the belly. He was 71. Doughboy was buried in a
lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned
out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth,
Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker,
the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. The grave
site was piled high with flours.

Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly
described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he
was kneaded.

Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later
life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered
a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on
half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at
times he still was a crusty old man and was considered
a roll model for millions.

Doughboy is survived by his wife Play Dough, two
children, John Dough and Jane Dough, plus they had one
in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly
father, Pop Tart. The funeral was held at 3:50 for
about 20 minutes.

Habitual Contentment?

Habitual contentment and constant longing seem to be mutually exclusive, don't they?

While the longing of the Christian heart for Christ and for heaven is something that is born in the heart at conversion, contentment is something that must be learned:

Paul said:

"I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

In my life I have learned that my own level of contentment is directly related to my reliance upon Christ "who strengthens me." O, to desire Christ above all things and to trust Him in all circumstances--to be strengthened by Him each day! I am reminded of these lyrics from "Before the Throne of God Above”

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the wrong within,
Upward I look and see Him there;
Who made an end to all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died;
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God, the Just, is satisfied;
To look on Him and pardon me,
To look on Him and pardon me.

Sometimes, when I am frustrated and dissatisfied with my circumstances, I am tempted to despair, not so much at the circumstances but in my own lack of faith. I desire a life that pleases God, a life of contentment -- habitual contentment; but it seems elusive, and at times impossible. And yet Christ is there, ever ready to forgive and restore, offering rest. Rest in Christ is what brings the desired contentment. Like Paul, I need to learn in whatever situation I am in to be content.