Creating, collecting, and sharing thoughts and ideas. And learning along the way.
“I love to ride with you, Momma!”
“Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.”
I suppose this is a desirable thing for everyone — to meet a testing challenge head-on and to “stick it out.” Sometimes we do, and sometimes we don’t. But even when we don’t, God’s love for us is not diminished. It is important that we remember this truth.
When I was a boy at my father’s knee, the pride and joy of my mother, He would sit me down and drill me: “Take this to heart. Do what I tell you—live! Sell everything and buy Wisdom! Forage for Understanding! Don’t forget one word! Don’t deviate an inch! Never walk away from Wisdom—she guards your life; love her—she keeps her eye on you. Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom! Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding! Throw your arms around her—believe me, you won’t regret it; never let her go—she’ll make your life glorious. She’ll garland your life with grace, she’ll festoon your days with beauty.”
It takes effort, it takes initiative. This business of looking for wisdom, and seeking out understanding. I suppose the point of note here is that one cannot expect to wake up one day and discover that one is endowed with these qualities. Nay, one must actively and proactively make a conscious effort to seek out the good and right thing, and to then act upon it. This is, however, not an exercise that may be accomplished in one’s own might. It is, rather, only with humility that one may beseech the Almighty for these qualities. May it be that you and I are swift to do the same.
Even a Gray Sky Cannot Mar the Beauty of You
Turning Your Gaze: Lovely Things Await You
“The person who knows my commandments and keeps them, that’s who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and make myself plain to him.”
So, here’s the thing, people: if you claim you love someone — anyone — you’ll do what they wish; you’ll do what they say; you’ll do what they ask. That is the litmus test of love, you see. So, if you claim to love God, then you’ll do as he says. And what exactly does God say? He very clearly says to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. If you’re doing this, then you can surely claim to love God. But if you’re simply paying lip service, then perhaps you ought to stop and think. Where do you stand?
Lonesome Pine: In the Heart of God’s Own Country
Western Skies in the Northern Hemisphere
