God's Minute 3/7

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.--Matthew 6:33

OUR Father in Heaven, we bless Thee that Thou art near at hand, and not afar off. We thank Thee for Thy protecting care and Thy sustaining grace. We rejoice in our material comforts and our social joys. We recognize Thy Hand in all the good of life.

Forgive us our sins that are past through the mercy and forbearance of God. Make us pure and strong and true this day. Bless us and ours, and all mankind. May Thy Kingdom come! May righteousness and peace and good will preveail in all the relationships of mankind.

May we go forth to our tasks today in the fear of God, and with a rejoicing sense of Thy presence with us, and when the evening shadows gather may we go to rest with the assurance that He Who keepeth us doth not slumber or sleep. May we do our work well through life, nad when the day of life is over, when our work is done and the night comes on, at eventide may it still be light unto us. In Jesus' Name.

Amen.

Rev. A.S. Tuttle, M.A.,
Medicine Hat, Alta, Canada

Dürer Animals

Three Studies of a Bullfinch

Young Hare 1502
(my favorite)

Squirrels

Rhinoceros 1515
(MissM's favorite)

Little Owl 1506

Lion

My Old Eldredge Sewing Machine

Last week, Rebecca inspired me to do a bit of research into my old Singer Sewing machine. In very short order I was able to quickly learn just about everything I could ever want to know about my Singer.

The Eldredge Sewing Machine, however, has been a challenge. It took a lot of Googling to come up with a just little bit of information, but what I did find is interesting.

I've had it since '83 or '84 when bought it at a friend's garage sale in Findlay, Ohio. I came home that day with the sewing machine, an antique copper boiler and a very old woman's sewing chair and ottoman for the $25 I had spent. (I still have all these finds.)

I can't find a serial number on it, but I did find out that the Eldredge Sewing Machine Company only operated from 1869-1890, so it's well over 100 years old.

If you're interested in sewing machines, you can read about the history of the Eldredge Sewing Machine Company here.

Here are some pictures of my machine.

Good-bye Rocky

When we had to put our Yorkie down in '98, I swore I would never get another dog. Never. Truth was, I didn't really want another dog. I missed Maxi--we all did--but missing her did not translate into wanting another dog in the family.

We thought we were "cat people." We had two spoiled beloved kitty-boys and that was enough. . .until we met Rocky.

Rocky was an amazing dog. He was beautiful, loving, patient, loving, smart, loving, well-mannered, loving. Did you get the idea he was a loving dog? Rocky loved everyone and everyone loved Rocky. He was one of a kind.

Today my dear friends, Chad and Allyson, had to make a very hard decision. They made it because their faithful friend was failing and hurting. And now they are hurting.

Chad and Allyson, I am hurting with you. I will miss Rocky. I will never forget him. I will always be thankful that he awakened that latent "doggy desire" in our family; so much so that we now have our two beloved dogs.

Good bye, Rocky. You were quite a dog.

God's Minute 3/6

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.--1 Thessalonians 1:2-5

ETERNAL GOD, our Father! Ere we go out into the world to meet its trails and temptations, we come to Thee for strength to fortify our spirits. Give us Thine own armor--Truth in our thoughts and motives, our words and actions; a sense of obligation in our work and in all our relationships; courage to face difficulty, because we know we are true and therefore have the Father with us. May our daily tasks, whether commonplace or exalted, be glorified in the consciousness that we are doing our Father's bidding. Give us patience with the shortcomings of others, and wisdom in the discipling of our characters. May no evil blight this day, and mar the finished structure of our lives, but may we keep ourselves unspotted from the world. And as we go our several ways, wilt Thou watch between us while we are absent one from another. Grant us this prayer in Christ's name.

Amen.

Charles A. Eaton, M.A., D.D.,
New York City, New York