Evening Thoughts

You know, I have been sitting here for about an hour, trying to organize my very scattered thoughts. I have so much I would love to write about, and yet in the same moment, I have nothing to say. I enjoyed the ministry this past weekend very much, so real, so powerful, and relaxing. Yes, this conference was most relaxing. I suppose this seems strange, are not conferences to stir the audience? I was stirred, no doubt about that, but well, strengthened perhaps? Calmed?

I am enjoying having so much to think about again!

I am pasting the link to the ministry online. Do check it out! http://www.starkrdgospelhall.com/media/?p=archive&cat=2010_conference

(The chronological order of messages begins at the bottom of the page.)

I Need You More Today

Lately, on my early morning drive to work, I have been listening to the Christian radio station on Sirius Radio (67). I love the 7-8 am hour because the selection is more like old records & "christian country". This particular song is one of my favorites. I added a few pictures to create a movie since I was unable to find a music video. (You can turn the blog back ground music off by clicking the large pause button on the right hand side, halfway down the page.)

Vaults of Knowledge

I have been recently going through my old book collection. Once upon a time, I read constantly. I have been thinking that I should read more often. So many of the old books hold secrets are long since forgotten by the general public. These are a few summaries of my favorite books, although these are brief summaries.

L. M. Montgomery & Lousia May Alcott ~

Frankly, I won't expand. These books are readily available and have been

reprinted many a time. My favorites are Blue Castle (L.M.L.) and Rose In Bloom (L.M.A).

I need not expound, just read them, you will see, although you may want to read Eight Cousins before you read Rose In Bloom (Its a sequel).

Gene Stratton Porter ~

For more detail refer to my other post on her. But my favorites are The Harvestor, Keeper of the Bees, and Laddie.

(Laddie is not about a dog, but rather a little girl and how she perceives her family. I laugh everytime I read it. )

Amy Le Feuvre ~

Oh, this author is genius when it comes to the mind and eyes of little children.

If you want to understand how I can play with children for hours, read her books.

Every book is both hilarious and serious. Amy Le Feuvre is a decidedly Christian author.

My favorites are Me And Nobbles, Probable Sons, and Christina And the Boys.

Me and Nobbles is about a little boy who is raised by his aunts and who doesn't really find much love. He has one good friend --a stick with a carved head names Nobbles. The adventures! ... ah, but you must read it for yourself.

I could expand on many many more, but my favorite is:

TheWay of An Eagle by E.M. Dell

--a British soldier in India who no one understands and whom all think strange saves the day.

(and the lady).

What can I say? Again, you just have to read it.

The Measure of A Man

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments

of comfort and convenience, but where he stands

at times of challenge and controversy."

~

I am not sure what originally brought the phrase to mind, but the phrase has haunted my mind for a few days now. The measure of a man. Was it a verse? Was it a quote? Where had I heard it? Why do I know there is more to the phrase? Thus it had been haunting me.

After pondering the phrase for quite awhile, I finally dropped it into google. (When in doubt --google, right?) Well, I really shouldn't have bothered with googling it. For the random selection from our favorite search engine was mind boggling and wasted much of my time. Of course, I strayed wayyyy off track. I did find one good quote (not the quote I seeking.)

The quote , attributed to Martin Luther King Jr., I have pasted above. I like this quote-- holds a lot of significance to it, especially, in view of who spoke the words. However, the part that struck me most was the phrase "at times of challenge".

I started to wonder on the "challenge". Specifically, challenge as in when one person's ideas are specifically challenged. I am not interested in "taking of a challenge", "the mountain hike was a challenge", or " I challenge you to a dual." I am merely interested in the following concept.

How do you react when who you are and your ideas are challenged?

Martin Luther King Jr declared the measure of a man to be where he stands at times of challenge. Perhaps, he is right. However, I was still not satisfied in my search. I think I would like to know the true "measure of a man." I think the concept would vary from person to person, or country to country. The media seems to portray the measure of a man by his strength or perhaps courage. Of course, in many aspects this appeals to us, and that is why the concept works so well for propaganda. But, no, not getting into propaganda at this point.

Some days passed before I searched the phrase in e-sword. (E-sword is an amazing program, if you are not familiar with the program, I heartily advise you to download it. Providing you have a relatively newer computer with enough memory space.)

Well, E-sword was successful. One verse. Correct number of beats/syllables. (I could only remember the rhythm.) And this was the verse:

And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits,

according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

Rev 21:17

And what does it mean? I laughed when the realization dawned on me that all this pondering lead to a rather off beat little verse that was merely describing the length of a wall! Yes, technically, I understand what the verse is saying. But what I am still wondering is --why?

Why does God specify that the measurement was according to man's measurement system, then clarifying that in reference to the angel? Why the play on words, accidental, coincidence?

I suppose it's simple, if He had said "normal measurement", we's have asked what is normal? If He had said "according to the angel's measuring stick", we'd have said we don't have an angel measuring stick. If He had said according to a man's standard measurement, we have imperial and metric arguments.

Or would we? Maybe we wouldn't even notice.

God took the time to write it, I wonder why?

~

The "All Things of Psalms"

I stumbled upon the second verse in this list last Thursday or Friday.

I never noticed it before, but its rather neat. :) So, tonight I decided to look up other times the Psalms mentoned "all things". I did not look up the Hebrew this time, the hour is late.

Psalm 8:6

Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands;

thou hast put all things under his feet:

Psalm 57:2

I will cry unto God most high;

unto God that performeth all things for me.

Psalm 119:128

Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right;

and I hate every false way.

One of My Favorite Songs

You should never under-estimate the effect your actions have on your little child.

Whenever I sat on my daddy's knee as a baby/toddler, he would sing to me.

I wasn't very old because I can remember sitting in his hand, leaning in the crook of his arm.

He would sit and rock me in the Squeaky rocking chair. His voice would radiate outwards, I have never felt so warm , so safe in my life as when Dad would sing to me. I know from events that I was less than two years old. He would sing many songs (hymns), but two he sang more often than the rest: "Heaven Came Down" and "Open My Eyes". To this day these are my favorite.

I know them almost by heart. Funny thing is, even though I have tried to memorize these hymns completely, I always pull a blank at the same parts where he would forget the words. How I loved it when he sang and rocked me. The squeak always sang along. Because I always felt so warm and safe, whenever I am in need of warm safety I sing these songs. Here is "Heaven came down"

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O what a wonderful, wonderful day, day I will never forget;

After I'd wandered in darkness away, Jesus my Savior I met.

O what a tender, compassionate friend, He met the need of my heart;

Shadows dispelling, with joy I am telling, He made all the darkness depart.

Chorus

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul, (filled my soul)

When at the cross the Savior made me whole; (made me whole)

My sins were washed away and my night was turned to day,

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul! (filled my soul)

Born of the Spirit with life from above into God's family divine,

Justified fully thru Calvary's love, O what a standing is mine!

And the transaction so quickly was made, when as a sinner I came,

Took of the offer, of grace He did proffer, He saved me, O praise His dear name!

Now I've a hope that will surely endure after the passing of time;

I have a future in heaven for sure there in those mansions sublime.

And it's because of that wonderful day, when at the cross I believed;

Riches eternal and blessings supernal, from His precious hand I received.

No One Understands Like Jesus

No one understands like Jesus;

He's a Friend beyond compare.

Meet Him at the throne of mercy;

He is waiting for You there.

No one under-stands like Jesus

When the days are dark and grim.

No one is so near, so dear as Jesus;

Cast Your every care on Him.

No understands like Jesus;

Every woe He sees and feels.

Tenderly He whispers comfort,

And the broken heart He heals.

No one understands like Jesus

When the foes of life assail.

You should never be discouraged;

Jesus cares and will not fail.

No one understands like Jesus

When you falter on the way.

Though you fail Him, sadly fail Him,

He will pardon You today.