woman embracing thornbush

The Story of a Mother

A fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen "Young woman embracing a thorn bush"Kay Rasmus Nielsen (March 12, 1886 – June 21, 1957)Denmark A mother sat by her little child; she was very sad, for she feared it would die. It was quite pale, and its little eyes were closed, and sometimes it drew a heavy deep …

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bald eagle

From a Secret Place

I am very pleased and thankful that a revised version of my blog post "Four" (originally published October 3, 2016) has been included in the June 2021 “Gardens” issue of ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal. It is our first summer without him, an astonishingly beautiful day, and a Sunday, which makes it worse. I step …

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The Ministry of Sorrow | Tim Challies

"We should not long to suffer, but we should be willing to. We should not desire loss, but we should consent to bow the head, to bow the heart, to bow the knee, and to be a blessing to God’s people in whatever sorrows God ordains for us. When we surrender ourselves to God, we …

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Enabled to Praise Him

He has enabled me to reply, "Blessed be the name of the Lord." Artwork by Noah Nolywaika | http://www.noahnolywaika.com Another comforting gem to add to the Grace Gems collection. (Letters of William Romaine, 1714-1795)My good Friend, I never was more obliged to you than for your Christian sympathy with us in this time of need. …

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Depression and the Child of God

There is no getting around the fact that losing a loved one is a painful experience and a legitimate reason for being sad. Sometimes, (especially when we have been hurting for what seems like a very long time), we, or someone who cares about us, may wonder if we are OK. I am not a …

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Cherish the Moment

Mothers, you will never regret time spent with your children. Don't forget to cherish the moment. "Think ahead to a timeWhen your little boy’s a manAnd you’d give anythingJust to hold him again."-Ron Hamilton Cherish the Moment CD Words and music by Ron Hamilton, Arr. by Shelly Hamilton Thank you, Lord for the time you …

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‘Walking With Jesus’ by Mary Winslow (Excerpts)

"We must sit at His feet, and believe that He does all things well. What we don’t know now, we shall know hereafter. The Judge of all the earth must do right." "Letters of Mary Winslow" 1774-1854 My heart feels for you, my dear friend, in your deep, deep trial. This present world is a …

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Re-Post: “What If?”

Excerpt: In the aftermath of catastrophic loss, it is natural to speculate, to retrace the preceding events, to root around in the morass known as, What if? What if I had called or texted her an hour earlier?What if I had not left him alone?What if the doctor had not been negligent?What if I had …

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A Father’s Care

It is a Father's care which He exercises. It is a wise, holy, tender, and constant care. Therefore all will be well with you, only trust Him.

Safe in His Hand

Sovereign Ruler of the skies,Ever gracious, ever wise,All my times are in Your hand,All events at Your command! His decree, who formed the earth,Fixed my first and second birth;Parents, native place, and time,All appointed were by Him. He who formed me in the womb,He shall guide me to the tomb.All my times shall ever be,Ordered …

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Patient Waiting

The objects of our hope are . . . all future, all good, and all promised. This present world is a land of hope. Heaven is a land of fruition. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Romans 8:25 The highest object of our hope …

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The Rest

James Smith, "The Rest!" 1865 We shall consider these words as referring to HEAVENLY rest: our Father's house, our Savior's home, and our eternal dwelling-place! To the weary and way-worn, there is something delightful in the thought of REST. They love to think of Heaven as the place where they shall "rest from their labors." …

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Thoughts for a Young Man on His Last Night on Earth

In my flesh shall I see God. Job 19:26 "Take realizing views of heaven’s bliss; think what it will be to you. 'Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty.' All earthly brightness fades and darkens as we gaze upon it, but here is a brightness which can never dim, a glory which can …

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The Diamonds of Heaven: Charles Spurgeon

Do not think that your prayers, however weak or trembling, will be unregarded. Our God not only hears prayers, but also loves to hear them. "He does not forget the cry of the humble."