God's Minute 2/4

February 4

For this cause also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God: strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.--Colossians 1:9-12

OUR Father! worthy of all honor and praise, and Whom we desire to worship in spirit and in truth, help us humbly come to Thee in prayer in this quiet hour.

May Thy hand, that hovered over us during the past night with protecting care, and measured to us the rich blessings of peaceful slumber and refreshing rest, now guide our feet to the duties of the day, and there shield us from harm. There give us Thy spirit of love and tenderness, Thy grace to sustain us in temptation and trial, Thy presence by Thy Spirit, to help us in all we may do.

Dwell in this home ever. Lead us on to glorify Thee in all things, until at last, life's duties finished, receive us to Thyself above.

Amen.

Rev. P.H. Balsbaugh,
Columbia, Pennsylvania

God's Minute 2/3

February 3

My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O Lord: in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up.--Psalm 5:3

IN the arms of Thy loving care, O Lord, hast Thou upheld us during the night. While we lay wrapped in slumber and unconscious of ourselves, Thy sleepless eye kept vigil. We praise Thee that Thy mercies are new every morining. How comforting it is to know that day and night are alike to Thee! The light can reveal nothing to Thee. Thus we may trust Thee at all times and in all circumstances, knowing that no real harm can befall us. Most heartily do we thank Thee for the refreshing rest of the night and for the light of a new day with its blessed priviledges and uplifting opportunities. Grant us Thy grace throughout this day, O Lord. May none of our work be secular in the sense of being sinful, but may we do all things with a truly religious purpose and for the honor of Thy name. Help us also to serve Thee by serving our fellowmen, who are Thy children. Our trust for salvation is in Jesus Christ alone. May no darkness of pride and self-righteousness cast its shadow over our motives. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the atoning blood of the Lamb of God Who died that we might live. Our petitions are made only in His Name.

Amen.

Leander S. Keyser, D. D.,
Springfield, Ohio

It appears from my search that Leander S. Keyser was both a theologian and a scientist, as well as an illustrator of birds.

• Professor Leander S. Keyser made this statement, "To my mind, there are enough counts against the theory of evolution to make it impossible to accept it as a scientific truth or even as a reasonable hypothesis."

Ecosystem Schmecosystem

I learned tonight, to my chagrin, that I am an insignificant "insignificant microbe". I am, in fact, so insignificant that I decided not to wait until the page finished loading to see just how really insignificant I really am.

But as I told Carol, who needs them? I prefer to think of myself as a sub-atomic particle--an electron, to be exact. After all, I am in constant motion, I'm a really good sharer, I can hop over and visit other electrons, and I am full of energy.

So there, ecosystem!

Happy Ground Hog Day

First D.J.: Rise and shine, campers, and don't forget your booties 'cause it's cooooold out there today.
Second D.J.: It's cold out there every day. What is this, Miami Beach?
First D.J.: Not hardly. So the big question on everybody's lips.
Second D.J.: On their chapped lips
First D.J.: their chapped lips is, does Phil feel lucky? Punksatawney Phil, thats right wood chuck chuckers its
[in unison]
First D.J.: GROUND HOG DAY
Second D.J.: GROUND HOG DAY

Move over Punxsutawney Phil! Around these parts we look to Woodstock Willie as our springtime prognosticator!

The movie, Groundhog Day, was filmed in Woodstock, Illinois, not far from where I live. This was the year I told myself I might get up early and go see what's going on in the square this morning, but I hate crowds and I told myself the same thing I've told myself every year we've lived here: "maybe next year." I have visited the square, had coffee and pie in the restaurant, and seen the spot where Needlenose Ned Ryerson accosts Phil. I have seen the spot where Phil steps into the puddle. But I have never yet experienced Groundhog day on the square. I'm not sure why, other than perhaps a fear that once begun, I will be hooked and Groundhog Day will be a recurring event for me.

Today is gloomy with heavy cloudcover. I can't imagine that Woodstock Willie could have seen his shadow. If I hear anything, I'll let you know.

[update] Just heard from a reliable source (my husband) that Willie did not see his shadow. Maybe Donna can tell us whether Jimmy the Groundhog in Wisconsin saw his shadow.

[update 2] My source was reliable. Read all about it.

[update 3] My friend from "Down Under" has seen the movie but just doesn't understand why we Americans celebrate Groundhog Day. Here's a link explaining how it came to be. I learned something new!

God's Minute 2/2

February 2

Pray and make supplication.--2 Chronicles 6:24

O LORD Our God, we thank Thee for Thy Fatherhood, and that Thou hast revealed Thyself unto us thrugh Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who is our Saviour. We thank Thee for Thy loving care of us through another day--for life and health and all the comforts we enjoy. Bless us as parents and children to be faithful in our work, thoughtful of each other, kind and considerate and helpful to all. Watch over us through th night. If it please Thee, give us sleep, and bring us in safety and comfort to another day. May every day bring us a more perfect trust in Thee, so that with our days we may learn how better to walk in Thy ways, and to do Thy Holy Will, and to become more like Him Who has taught us to pray, saying:

"Our Father Who Art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory forever."

Amen.

Charles H. Robinson, D.D.,
Wheeling, West Virginina