Words to Live By
Timeless Truth
If the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me . . .
Genesis 31:42 NIV
Thoughtful Wisdom
“Fear imprisons, faith liberates; fear paralyzes, faith empowers; fear disheartens, faith encourages; fear sickens, faith heals; fear makes useless, faith makes serviceable–and, most of all, fear puts hopelessness at the heart of life, while faith rejoices in its God.” – Harry Emerson Fosdick
Overheard in an Orchard
“Said the Robin to the Sparrow:
‘I should really like to know
Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and worry so.’
“Said the Sparrow to the Robin:
‘Friend, I think that it must be
That they have no heavenly Father
Such as cares for you and me.'”
– Elizabeth Cheney
“Teach me, O God, not to torture myself, not to make a martyr out of myself through stifling reflection, but rather teach me to breathe deeply in faith.” – Soren Kierkegaard
Treasured Gifts
* The encouraging God of Abraham with you in your moving, the awe-inspiring God of Isaac with you in your laughing, the protecting God of Jacob with you in your struggling
* Heaven’s promise that ferocious death, mysterious life, sinister demons, current fears, future worries, hellish forces, precarious locations, and deep despair cannot overpower you
* God’s love that holds you together
Today’s Affirmation
Knowing I could never make it on my own, and glad I don’t have to, I will not stay in the subjunctive mood but will rejoice in the unfailing care of God.
Pastor (retired) Johnny R. Almond
