Jacobs Thoughts and Doings

This is the time of the year when bluebirds visit our feeder and water.  There are about 6 in the group, often appear on cold winter days.  This male beauty gave us much delight. 

But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.”  My times are in your hands.

Psalm 31:14, 15

A personal note.  On Tuesday Anna Ruth and I had our first appointment with a doctor who specializes on the blood.  We were referred to him by our Dr. Nicolas Buckwalter who is concerned that for at least three years now my red and white corpuscles are diminishing.  So we had our first interview.  They took more blood and began a search into why my counts go down.  Both red and white corpuscles, as I understand, are controlled by bone marrow.  That is all a mystery to us.  God knows.

This is a new adventure for us.  I had my bouts with skin cancers, this is the first that has to do with the blood itself. We have a follow up in two months.

We would appreciate it if you stand with us in prayer that God’s gracious will be done.

Ari Beiler loves to can so we got some of the benefit of her are for Christmas.  Those peaches look especially delicious!  Apple sauce is next and beets next.  All quite traditional!

One thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal.

Philippians 3: 13 – 14

One thing!!!  I do a hundred things, each with some meaning for me, some to help others.

In the mist of it all I am drawn up short by Paul’s personal testimony – he boiled it all down to one thing, pressing on to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.  He uses the metaphor of a runner heading toward the finish line, straining every nerve to “get there.”

I used to run some.  As I recall, running took concentration.  Runners do not spend much time looking around or even looking at other runners, they just get on with it, heading toward the goal.

I hope to begin my ninth decade of living this Summer, God willing.  Good.  It seems like advancing age does help sort things out – concentrating on the one thing.  

Lord Jesus, help me to concentrate on that one thing!

The sun caught this elaborate frost arrangement on our dining room window.  I took my breath away.  In an hour or so I think it will be gone.  I am learning to grasp the beauty of the moment!  A good way to welcome 2018!

1 Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
does its successive journeys run,
his kingdom stretch from shore to shore,

3 People and realms of every tongue
dwell on his love with sweetest song,
and infant voices shall proclaim
their early blessings on his name.

5 Let every creature rise and bring
the highest honors to our King,
angels descend with songs again,
and earth repeat the loud amen. 

Isaac Watts

As we come to the end of 2017 and enter 2018 we lift our eyes to see what God is doing in our world.  This is what he is doing – he is releasing the prisoners of Satan to burst free and embrace Jesus Christ, their Savior and Lord with all their hearts.

The Gospel is penetrating the corners of our earth, a grand movement of the Spirit.  As we welcome a new year we welcome men and women from groups we never even heard of into the circle of believers that rises above tribe and nation.

Our news services seldom even look at this phenomenon that rejoices heaven!  That which rejoices heaven I want to be my song of praise and thanksgiving.  I need to tune my ear to hear that music, muted to the unbeliever.  The song arises, louder and louder in volume as the choir grows.

Let us conclude this year with songs of thanksgiving that God is building his Kingdom on the earth – the true Kingdom that will endure forever and ever.  And praise Him that he welcomes us into this unbelievably precious assembly.  AMEN

Isn’t she beautiful?!  The Palmers left yesterday.  We miss them already.

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.  You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Luke 7:44 – 48

The year is coming to a close.  Important thoughts fill the heart and mind.  I am convinced that one of the greatest is the words Jesus spoke to the woman who kept washing his feet, kissing them, pouring sweet-smelling oil on them, then drying them with her hair!   “Your sins are forgiven.”

Simon Peter had no time for her.  Jesus did.  What Simon was doing is not even mentioned, while we look right into the heart of this loving woman.  The contrast between Simon and the unnamed woman is striking. Everyone knew she was a sinner, even Peter who would disown Christ with a curse in a few days. She needed forgiveness, Simon needed forgiveness.  Both received it, eventually.  Is this not what brings all of us believers together?

We are sinners, saved by the precious work of Jesus Christ.  May we never, ever forget that!

Paul and Tammy blessed us with this anniversary bouquet.  There is something solid and beautiful in rose blossoms in the dead of Winter!  Precious.  We are now in our 69th year of marriage!  How about that?

 Praise the Lord, all you nations;
    extol him, all you peoples.
 For great is his love toward us,
    and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Praise the Lord

Psalm 117

In our men’s prayer group this morning we pondered the shortest Psalm, number 117.  Here it is in full.

Praise!  That marks our walk with God.  Every prayer should begin with praise.  That turns our thought and heart Godward.

All nations.  Jesus paid for the salvation of all mankind, not just the Jews.  I love that, all Nations.

For what should we praise God?  His love that knows no bounds.  His faithfulness that endures forever.

Amen and a Happy New Year with our Lord Jesus.