We live much of life amid unique choices. Joy is anchored in The One beyond our life. |
“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) |
up and down they roll grassy-covered, hopeful place wonders never cease by Jay O'Toole on August 11th, 2019 |
Ofttimes the way our lives may go is neither good nor bad. The days of sameness ebb to flow while the heart's not glad nor sad. We do the tasks of ev'ry day. We drink and eat and bathe. We put our work upon display, but no one's there to rave. The farmer throws the seeds around and waits for food to grow. Some years the crops are rich, abound. Some years the ground says, "No!" But even in the years of good, there are months of same old days when growing things apart from their mood just grow without the praise. The Joys are not for each new morn, though joy can still be found. We know successes first are born in dark and loamy ground. Sometimes the trudging weighs me down. Sometimes the fog is bleak. The days of sameness make me frown. The waiting makes me seek. Each talent grows through same old years of grunting out through joy and tears, unhelped by hope, ignoring fears, still striving past all looks and jeers. The Lord has made this earth His own, and we through sin it broke. They march through the years and wait alone, a by-word and a joke, but when all Time is fin'lly o'er, we'll the sameness of the Lord explore. They'll always be as they were before in strength, that never breaks the store. If God can wait six thousand years to prove, that He has won, then I can wait through the sameness dear as His obedient son. by Jay O'Toole on August 10th, 2019 |
Striving t'ward the goal ahead, past all sweaty souls, "Finish first!" is the nisus sort of thing to do. by Jay O'Toole on August 9th, 2019 |
hot, hotter, muggy humidity is the king canis major's pounce by Jay O'Toole on August 8th, 2019 |
Each day we're on the go to learn at school and more. New places to explore, state parks to show. We play. New friends and old in joy enjoy relationship. Together we equip gifts to employ. Life sends. At church each group will teach, embrace in love each soul. In fellowship we're whole we join outreach to search. To see the calendar may be the same for both can ease the speed of growth, make it slower. To be. Each year new things we learn, the child is growing still, enflaming her own will. A light to burn so clear. by Jay O'Toole on August 7th, 2019 |
The axiom, "To have a friend, you must be friendly, first" would make our world a better place to be. by Jay O'Toole on August 6th, 2019 |
floating through the air many waters from above wondrous joyful play by Jay O'Toole on August 5th, 2019 |
light or heavy gift lightning bright and thunder's roar respite for the plants by Jay O'Toole on August 4th, 2019 |
sun has made it glow morning lights a bulb inside joy has shared its peace by Jay O'Toole on August 3rd, 2019 |
color in the leaves heat will melt and cool will come brisk the days of joy by Jay O'Toole on August 2nd, 2019 |