Spring has officially sprung! My little niece McKenzie (with a bit of help) picked the first golden daffodil from our yard today--a sure sign that the glorious season has arrived:) As today is the official first day of spring, I thought it only fitting to dedicate a post to that splendid season... I have collected a few of my favorite quotes and poems on the subject of spring. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I do!
Fancies (L. M. Montgomery)
Surely the flowers of a hundred springs Are simply the souls of beautiful things! The poppies aflame with gold and red Were the kisses of lovers in days that are fled. The purple pansies with dew-drops pearled Were the rainbow dreams of a youngling world. The lily,whiteas a star apart, Was the first pure prayer of a virgin heart. The daisies that dance and twinkle so Were the laughter of children in long ago. The sweetness of all true friendship yet Lives in the breath of the mignonette.
To the white narcissus there must belong The very delight of a maiden's song. And the rose, all flowers of the earth above, Was a perfect, rapturous thought of love. Oh! Surely the flowers of all the springs Must be the souls of beautiful things.
Time to Rise (Robert Louis Stevenson, from A Child's Garden of Verses) A birdie with a yellow bill Hopped upon the window-sill, Cocked his shining eye and said: "Ain't you 'shamed, you sleepy-head!"
"That is one good thing about this world...there are always sure to be more springs." ~L. M. Montgomery
Flowers spring to blossom where she walks The careful ways of duty, Our hard, stiff lines of life with her Are flowing curves of beauty. ~John Greenleaf Whittier
"...And in green underwood and cover Blossom by blossom the spring begins." ~A. C. Swinburne
God spoke and from the arid scene Sprang rich and verdant bowers, Till all the earth was soft with green,-- He smiled, and there were flowers. ~Mary McNeil Fenollaba
"...God's in His heaven; all's right with the world." ~Robert Browning
"To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heaven." ~Ecclesiastes 3:1
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up on wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
When I began reading Catherine Marshall's book A Man Called Peter earlier this year, I was not prepared for the emotional and spiritual journey on which it would lead me. It is the true story of Catherine's beloved husband, Peter Marshall, a young Scottish immigrant who became chaplain of the U.S. Senate. Within the pages of this book, I came to know and love this devout man of God, his wife, and later, their little boy Peter John, whom his father called his "wee laddie."
Peter Marshall died of a heart attack when he was only 46, but his amazing story has been passed down from generation to generation. Peter and Catherine Marshall's inspiring testimony has impacted countless lives throughout the years. They determined to be completely devoted to Christ; as a result, He blessed them and used them greatly. Dr. Marshall's story is an amazing example of how God can transform a common man into a strong, Christ-like leader. It illustrates what God can accomplish, not only in Peter Marshall, but in all men and women who truly desire His will in their lives.
The 1955 movie adaptation of A Man Called Peter is a wonderful, but heartwrenching film. In my opinion, every one should read the book and see the movie; both left me sobbing for hours (literally). When I read this book, it truly drew me closer to God, and that is a wonderful thing. Peter was a nearly-perfect example of a strong and hard-working, but tender and humble man who loved his family and his Lord with his whole heart.
For Christmas last year, I gave copies of the book A Man Called Peter to my dad and to both of my sisters...I wanted to share the incredible story I had discovered. I hope and pray that when I grow up, I will be so worthy and blessed as to marry a man so devoted to God as Peter Marshall. He was wholly devoted to the work and will of his Lord. This is, in my opinion, why Dr. Marshall is a true hero. (Another excellent book by Catherine Marshall is Christy, the true story of her mother, a schoolteacher in Cutter Gap, North Carolina, in the early 1900s.)
In tonight's teen service at church, our youth pastor, who also happens to be my brother-in-law:), delivered a powerful message on being persecuted for Christ's sake...I just wanted to give my own little take on that topic...
Matthew 5: 10-12 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
John 15: 18-19 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
In the Bible, Jesus tells us that if we are living for Him and truly striving to follow Him, we will be persecuted. He also says that we are to rejoice in that persecution. We are to count it a privilege to be persecuted for His sake. The Lord Himself, the Master of the universe, was persecuted as a man on earth. Jesus tells us not to be weary in the journey.
Hebrews 12: 2-3 Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith; whofor the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself,lest ye be weary and faint in your minds.
When we are criticized for our faith in God, we must remember that millions of Christians are arrested, tortured, and even killed for their faith all around the world every day. We must remember that Jesus Christ was persecuted, rejected, and crucified for standing up for the truth. He loves us, and He will take care of us. He is with us every moment of every day. And if we will ask Him, He will strengthen us. We must remember that we have a Defender and Protector, and that He is more powerful than any evil the world throws our way.
Today, let us thank the Lord for His protection and guidance, and ask Him to make us strong and courageous, that we may defend Him, our precious Savior, to the very death.
Two excellent books which have inspired me to be more bold for Christ are Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris and The Prayer of Jabez for Teens by Bruce Wilkinson.
