Mark's Views, Perhaps — from behind my eyeballs
“I. Hate. Failure.”
That’s how I planned to start my short devotional talk last Sunday evening before our monthly Moments in Missions.
Someone far closer to the front of the auditorium “captured” the podium before I took even one step into the auditorium! Chalk that one up to befuddled communication. 😆
So my talk will need to wait. But in the interest of trying to encourage you, let me give you the verses I thought to use. Read it all
The problem with going down fighting is… Read it all
All around us we face opportunities to fear.
And many of those constitute legitimate cause for a fearful response.
But we also have a genuine alternative for fear.
First, though, four questions to introduce the alternative:Read it all
As the worn-out, used-up year sets and the brand-new, never-been-used year dawns, HOPE.
And a reminder: “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.” (Or wanted to, but we turned.)
May you find peace and hope and confidence and faith in this reading:Read it all
I stood at the bottom of the giant oak (or was it an elm?!) down in the canyon.
I tipped by head way back to stare at yellowed leaves up high. Stared, so I could track movement in my periphery.
Soon I saw it wave for my attention. Drifting down through the windstill air. Read it all
Sometimes the wait seems…
…so long.
…and fruitless.
…and pointless.
…and well-deserved.
So I keep on waiting.
What else am I to do?
He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.
He brought me up . . . out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. —You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world. We all had our conversation in times past in the lusts our flesh.
Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed. —Out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. —We went through fire and through water: thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee.
—PSA. 18:16. —Psa. 40:2. -Eph. 2:1,3.Psa. 61:1,2. -Jon. 2:2,3. -Psa. 66:12.Isa. 43:2.
Source: Daily Light on the Daily Path
Ruby pointed these out to me yesterday morning.
Just right for us.
Here are two pieces (click the images for the full view):
I am thankful.