God's Minute

January 12

The faithful God, which keepeth covenant.--Deuteronomy 7:9

OUR Heavenly Father, we come to thank Thee for Thy many mercies, and to invoke Thy protection and guidance for all the way of life. We rejoice that we may know Thee and love Thee and serve Thee and be like Thee. Grant us grace to please Thee in all that we think and plan and do. Help us to live in such fellowship with Thee that Thou canst not only dwell in us, but work through us. Help us to share our blessings with others, and to find in our privileges an obligaion to minister to those who need what we have. Bestow upon us strength for our daily tasks; courage in the face of fears; comfort in sorrow; quiet in the midst of tumult; hope in the presence of uncertainty; high motives for humble as well as high deeds; self-control in the hour of provocation; gentleness and forgiveness when tempted to revenge; and the peace which passeth all understanding. Hold in Thy holy care all our loved ones, and keep guard over our interests in life. Give us to see the speedy coming of Thy Kingdom among all men, and let us have an increasing share in its establishment. Fill our hearts with songs of expectation, and flood our faces with morning light, and when the day is done, let the weariness of work make welcome the rest of home, we beg in our Redeemer's name.

Amen.

James I. Vance, D.D.,
Nashville, Tennessee

2

I've been tagged by Marlene at Home Maker for the "2 meme". (If you never have before, go visit Marlene--she has a great blog. If you have already, go say "hi" for me!)

2 names you go by:
1. Mom
2. Honey

2 parts of your heritage:
1. Irish
2. Welsh

2 things that scare you:
1. driving around Chicago/Gary IN.
2. when a loved one is late getting home

2 of your everyday essentials:
1. reading
2. praying

2 things you are wearing right now:
1. my old green Eddie Bauer sweatshirt sweater
2. my new earrings :)

2 things you want in a relationship (other than real love):
1. laughter
2. integrity

2 truths:
1. this world is not my home
2. Christ in me, the hope of glory

2 physical things that appeal to you (in the opposite sex):
1. my husband's smile
2. my husband's eyes

2 of your favorite hobbies:
1. cooking
2. decorating

2 things you want really badly:
1. my unsaved loved ones to come to Christ
2. To be conformed to the likeness of Christ

2 places you want to go on vacation:
1. Ireland
2. Fort Morgan Beach

2 things you want to do before you die:
1. teach my (future) grandaughters to cook
2. visit Ireland

2 ways that you are stereotypically a chick:
1. I hate my hair
2. I like to "make it all better"

2 things you are thinking about now:
1. I really should be making supper.
2. I wonder if there's any salad leftover from last night.

2 stores you shop at:
1. Kohls
2. World Market

I would like to tag some bloggers that I've just recently met; Carmen at Full Contact Christ-Centric living and "Created" at Created for HIS Glory

Dogs are like toddlers. . .

...when the weather is gloomy and yucky and they can't go outside, they get rowdy.

Today the girls have been playing an extended version of an old game. Run and chase. When one goes outside to go potty, the other one stands at the door. . .waiting. As soon as the one comes in, off they go!

They wrestle and run, they leap and skitter, they growl and pant. Most especially they wag their tails.

Today, I'm glad they can entertain themselves. Say a prayer for my hardwood floors because they're at it again!

Carnival of Beauty

Carol at She Lives is hosting this week's Carnival of Beauty:

From snowflakes to fires, from the young to the old, from depression to joy, from warm to cold, from serious to hillarious, winter's beauty threads its way through this week's carnival.

Go visit Carol and experience the Beauty of Winter through the eyes of some beautiful women.

It was You who set all the boundaries of the earth; You made both summer and winter. Psalm 74:17

God's Minute

January 11

And as thy days, so shall thy strength be.--Deuteronomy 33:25

O LORD, our ever loving Father, we thank Thee for Thy watchful providence in the past and for the promise of Thy guidance in the days to come. As dew unto the withered flower and rain unto the parched grass, so is the knowledge of Thy presence and the assurance of Thy blessing to the weary human heart. Help us to begin the morning hours with the knowledge and this assurance so that we may be strong and courageous for whatever conflicts of the spirit it may be ours to wage today. May Thy kingdom come more perfectly in our own hearts and throughout the world this day. As we grow in years, may we grow in the beauty of holiness and may the approving smile of God atone for the passing of years. In the days of prosperity may we not forget Thee, and in the days of affliction we know that Thou wilt not forget us. Grant us grace to live the life of the righteous that we may be well assured our last end shall be like His. And when Thou dost call us home; be it in the morning, in the noon-day, or beneath the rays of the setting sun of old age, may Thy hand sustain us and comfort us and lead us through the valley of the shadow until we awaken in the splendor of Thine own everlasting morning beyond the grave. And Thine shall be the praise and the glory through Christ our Lord.

Amen

Rev. Fredrick D. Kershner,
Des Moines, Iowa