Edward Bickersteth, Jr.
(1825-1906)
Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?
To do the will of Jesus, this is rest. [continue reading…]
Isaac Watts
(1674-1748)
There is a land of pure delight,
Where saints immortal reign;
Infinite day excludes the night,
And pleasures banish pain.1
There everlasting Spring abides,
And never-withering flowers;
Death, like a narrow sea, divides [continue reading…]
Peter Bilhorn
(1865-1936)
There comes to my heart one sweet strain,
A glad and a joyous refrain,
I sing it again and again:
Sweet peace, the gift of God’s love.
Chorus:
Peace, peace, sweet peace,
Wonderful gift [continue reading…]
22 August 2019
Crown Him the Lord of years,
The Potentate of time,
Creator of the rolling spheres,
Ineffably sublime.1
The Eternal One has His appointed times!2Since the last newsletter, I celebrated the 51st anniversary of giving my life to Jesus. In the scope of eternity, 51 years isn’t even a blip on the radar scope. But such milestones provide a moment for reflection and thanksgiving for the goodness of God, and sober us when we consider the end of earthly life is approaching faster than we realized.
Part of preparing for eternity, as well as serving in the “now,” is in reviewing the things He has taught us. One thing I’ve learned in 51 years is that knowing the will of God for any given situation isn’t nearly as challenging as knowing God’s timing. It’s God’s marvelous timing I’d like to share about this month.
My times are in Your hand.
— Psalm 31:15 NASB — [continue reading…]
Edward Plumptre
(1821-1891)
Rejoice ye pure in heart,
Rejoice, give thanks, and sing!
Your glorious banner wave on high,
The cross of Christ your King.
Refrain:
Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,
Give thanks and sing!
Bright youth and snow-crowned age,
Strong men and maidens meek,
Raise high your free, exultant song, [continue reading…]
16 July 2019
Normally I’d feel more than a bit frustrated getting this “June” newsletter out so late. Instead, with all the health challenges I’ve faced since returning from Perú, I’m very thankful to send this off at last! There’s at least one blessing in the delay: The “lost” time has afforded the opportunity to step back and get a better perspective of God’s artistry in bringing together so many different threads to make a rather intriguing Peruvian tapestry.
Daniel Roberts
(1841–1907)
Thy love divine hath led us in the past,
In this free land by Thee our [continue reading…]
28 May 2019
I can't quite remember how many birthdays I've spent while teaching in Guatemala!I’m dashing this off during a layover in the Atlanta airport. I’ve just finished 11 days of ministry in Guatemala and I’m spending this, my 67th birthday, on a 20-hour marathon journey, flying a “dog leg” flight path (via Atlanta) from Guatemala City to Lima, Perú. (It’s cheaper to go “the long way,” and we’re all about being good stewards.)
Anyway, the verse that best sums up what the Lord has done in the last month — the days leading up to departure, the teaching, and the interactions in Guate — seem best summed up by one of my favorite verses about Jesus: “He has done all things well” (Mark 7:37a).
William Bathurst
(1796-1877)
O for a faith that will not shrink,
Though pressed by many a foe,
That will not tremble on the brink
Of any earthly woe,
That will not murmur nor complain
Beneath [continue reading…]
Copyright © 2014
by
A. David Armstrong III,
Commander U.S. Navy (ret)
Have you read the Captain’s standing orders?1I offer the following thoughts learned through many years of military service, and through many years as a soldier in the army of my God. God in His infinite wisdom often uses that with which we are most familiar to instruct us. Since the principles of warfare are deeply ingrained in me after many years as a Navy officer, God has utilized that experience to give me insight into spiritual warfare. God also has made us [continue reading…]
George Atkins
(19th Century)
Despite what it says on the bucket —
“What did you say? I can't hear you over the fan noise!”2If “April showers bring May flowers,” what do April leaks bring? Squishy carpets and domestic discombobulation, that’s what!
This is the “April” newsletter, but the deadline, um, leaked into May. This late edition got a bit waterlogged, so to speak! Apparently, just a few hours after we left for a granddaughter’s birthday and some ministry in Florida on April 10th, we had an upstairs pipe start leaking. Water has this God-given nature of wanting to flow downhill. In our case, “downhill” meant through the wall, and through our downstairs ceiling, into our entryway, living room, and dining room. The situation would have been worse, but our Christian neighbor, Donna C., caught the problem before it gave Noah’s Flood a run for its money.
Such fun to come home to! After our carpet was cut out and trashed, and the bathroom floorings and cabinets were removed, 11 noisy fans and 2 large de-humifiers ran for four days to dry the place out. Much of our living space consists now of bare concrete floors, and [continue reading…]
Fanny Crosby
(1820-1915)
Praise Him! Praise Him—Jesus, our blessèd Redeemer!
Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail Him! Hail Him! Highest archangels in glory;
Strength and honor give to His holy Name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children,
In His arms [continue reading…]
John of Damascus
(8th Century A.D.)
translated by
John Neale
(1818-1866)
The day of resurrection!
Earth, tell it out abroad;
The Passover of gladness,
The Passover of God.
From death to life eternal,
From earth unto the sky,
Our Christ hath brought us over,
With hymns of victory.
Our hearts be [continue reading…]
This tapestry? Tourist stuff!
