From Death Comes Life

Winter has released its icy grip. Migratory birds in new plumage pass through heading North. There are a multitude of ravenous raptors bringing joy on their wings at the feeders. Their enthusiasm can only breed encouragement to those who will observe. Rain replaces ice. Trees bud. Flowers bloom.

The vegetable garden flourishes in the warm sunshine. Color replaces stark, barren branches.

As the celebration of our Lord’s Resurrection subsides, I too feel a simultaneous renewing of spirit. Past love’s fade into cherished memories but, if allowed, I am reminded that with tender care new love can flourish.

From death comes life. Spring has arrived. Not only on the calendar, but also in my heart.

“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”  1 Thessalonians 4:14

Blog Swan Song

And I do too.

I do apologize for not posting more often of late.

Ok, I know everyone is tired of hearing this, [not as tired as I am of thinking about it] but I just can't shake the sadness that seems to envelope my very being since Maxie died.

She was "just a dog" to everyone else. Maxie was my little buddy. We where like peas and carrots, little Fuzzy Britches and me.

Sometimes I still catch what I think is a glimpse of her little grey body bouncing around in the corner of my eye.

Or I think I hear her whine for that cotton pickin' ball, she couldn't live without!

And I'll catch myself starting to call her to get a "cookie".

But ... she's ... not ... there. And never will be again. And the silent tears stain my cheeks for the 10,000th time.

"Maybe I can will her back to me again," I muse. Or perhaps a clone?

Nahhhh, it's only wishful thinking.

Alas, I haven't that gift.

To compound the agony of eternal separation from my beloved best friend, our last "vacation" to Florida left me drained, miserable, forlorn, beaten. My once favorite sister-in-law, that I thought really cared for me, went out of her way to make me feel small. It was so awful I thought she was channeling her evil step-mother! Dang!

Now, I can't get into writing or commenting much anymore.

After a heart wrenching decision I've decided that after 6+ years of pouring my heart out to a network of virtual strangers who have become closer than family, I want to "retire".

This is possibly my blog's Swan Song.

Or I may be a total diva and return if there's enough clamoring. *lol*

Rather than just disappear, and since it fits into my always present desire to always leave things neatly finished, I thought I'd share that it's been a real pleasure to meet all of you. Some fellow bloggers have disappeared mysteriously. Others we've parted ways amicably. But most of you have become real true blue friends. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for letting me into your hearts, homes, and thoughts. I will still continue to pray for you all, as I also continue to pray for this once great Nation to turn back to our Judeo-Christian principles.

Please do e-mail or tweet or call if so desired. I'll still be on the 'net.

And if you see me on the road, be sure to smile and wave.

God bless and stay well out there.

Forever Yours.

Ride Safe,

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ Why God's Children Suffer

Why God's Children Suffer 

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Berean Bible Society

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Contrary to common belief, the Bible does not teach that all men are the children of God. Our Lord said to the religious leaders of His day: “Ye are of your father the devil” (John 8:44), but to the Christian believers at Galatia St. Paul wrote: “Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:26).

As the children of Adam, it is not strange that we should have to bear suffering; for sorrow, sickness and death entered the world through sin (Rom. 5:12). But some people wonder why God’s children, whose greatest desire is to please Him, should have to suffer along with others.

There are several reasons for this. In the case of Job, God allowed His servant to suffer to prove to Satan that Job did not live a godly life for personal gain — and Job was richly rewarded later for all he had borne.

Further, God’s people could not be of much spiritual help to others if they were exempt from the sufferings which others have to bear. In such a case the unsaved would say: “Yes, you can talk! You don’t know what it is to suffer disappointments, sickness and pain, as we do.”

Then too, it must be remembered that even the most godly saint is not perfect and must at times be disciplined, “for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth” (Heb. 12:6). This is done for our good, to keep us from sin and its consequences.

Finally, suffering and adversity tend to make God’s children pray more and lean harder on Him, and herein lies their spiritual strength and blessing. St. Paul said: “I take pleasure in infirmities… for when I am weak, then am I strong” (II Cor. 12:10).

But there is a great twofold advantage which the suffering Christian has over others. First, his sufferings are only temporary and, second, they earn eternal glory for him.

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (II Cor. 4:17).

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To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:

"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."

To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

Blood-less Moon

There was a male Tom caterwallin' somewhere close by and it woke us up at 5 am. We had planned to get up early anyway to watch the "Blood Moon" lunar eclipse. This just put us to an earlier than anticipated start.

Not too bad a photo for our

handheld point and shoot, ey?

This is the first such lunar eclipse for both of us. It was pretty, in person, but there was nothing "bloody" about it nor was it very spectacular but I'm still glad we made the effort.

Did anyone else witness the eclipse?

Ride Safe,