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 |    We live much of life amid unique choices. Joy is anchored in The One beyond our life. |
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“There are times when solitude is better than society, and silence is wiser than speech. We should be better Christians if we were more alone, waiting upon God, and gathering through meditation on His Word spiritual strength for labour in his service. We ought to muse upon the things of God, because we thus get the real nutriment out of them. . . . Why is it that some Christians, although they hear many sermons, make but slow advances in the divine life? Because they neglect their closets, and do not thoughtfully meditate on God's Word. They love the wheat, but they do not grind it; they would have the corn, but they will not go forth into the fields to gather it; the fruit hangs upon the tree, but they will not pluck it; the water flows at their feet, but they will not stoop to drink it. From such folly deliver us, O Lord. . . .” ― Charles Spurgeon “Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths.” ― C. H. Spurgeon “Hope itself is like a star- not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity.” ― Charles Haddon Spurgeon “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.” ― Charles Spurgeon “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” ― Charles Spurgeon “Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.” ― Charles Spurgeon “When your will is God's will, you will have your will.” ― Charles Spurgeon https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/2876959.Charles_Haddon_Spurgeon (Philippians 2:13, KJV)    |
| As I sit to update this blog, I'm taking stock of my surroundings. I'm sitting in a Starbucks, enjoying free Wifi. 1. To my right, two ladies of college and/or career age are in a vigorous and joy-filled conversation. 2. The Muzak (aka in-house music remix) plays some loud music of the Big Band era. 3. I attempt to combat the raucous cacophony by wearing earbuds, playing my peaceful instrumental Christmas music. 4. Two men ahead of me are having a slightly softer conversation, but express themselves with hand and facial gestures, that appear to be unintentionally drawing me into the conversation from across the room. 5. To my left, the kitchen area is humming with coffee-makers and smoothie-makers expressing the pleasant sounds of refreshments on the way to their owners. 6. Cars drive by on the four-lane outside the bay windows with their visual "noise." As a man, who has always had to deal with AD/HD, though I've not always been able to identify it as such, one wonders how I am able to write any sort of a coherent blog post. However, as someone, who, also, finds complete silence to be almost deafening, this backdrop of quasi-white noise creates a unique peace, that is all its own. I often need some sort of music or the whir of a fan to provide me a background sound for focus, while I'm indoors. While outdoors I often give up on writing anything at all and just enjoy the symphony of chirping crickets, singing mockingbirds, and cars and semis as they groan and whoosh down the road. Some people like to listen to music as they walk or run on their daily work-outs. However, for me, the sounds of nature and people enthrall my creative heart as I exercise to the largest wall-sized screen in the world. You've heard of surround-sound. This television is surround-everything: sound, visuals, smells, etc. Enjoy your peace today in the midst of the often quite noisy world. by Jay O'Toole on April 29th, 2019 |
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