Our Consolation

Our consolation, aboundeth by Christ
2 Cor.i.5.

Consolation is the dropping of a gentle dew from heaven on desert hearts beneath; it is one of the choicest gifts of divine mercy.
Spurgeon.

To have  the honorable title as Barnabas, Paul's traveling companion did, the son of consolation(Acts4:36)
As we are daily consoled by the Spirit, let it be our daily ministry of consolation to the body of Christ.
Pray the Spirit lays upon your heart to discern to whom you can offer consolation. The widow, the neighbor, the minister, the family member, the brother who was once in unity, but has grown bitter.
Many are the opportunities to mourn with those who mourn, to rejoice with those who rejoice.

Upon Triple Run

 

 

 

Blowing Fuses

 

Seek, that ye may excel.

Seek, that ye may excel.
I Corin. xiv.12

"An almost command; yet it is addressed to "all in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord", therefore unmistakably to ourselves."
Frances R.Havergal.

When the toddler and the father play hide and seek, the father hides just within reach in order that the toddler easily finds the father.
When the child and the father play hide and seek, the child strays further and it takes longer to find the child.
When the teen and the father play hide and seek, the father searches and searches, often not finding the teen.
And thus it is with our heavenly Father. As newborn converts we so desire the sincere milk of His love, His presence.
As we grow in grace, at the same time, we tend, as Jeshurun,, to wax fat and go astray, thinking, the milk shall sustain, I do not need to exercise this faith, lightly esteeming the Rock of our salvation.
Soon, we are hiding in the thicket at the far end of the field, far from the loving presence of the Father, who remembers the little toddler hiding just out of arms reach.
Become again as a child Oh grown and thick one.

A Light Push

With every unfelt push
My prayer sends you toward the light
For by faith I must
Because you swing back with all your might
And I push
Pergrace that light consumes
As the burning bush
Little firebush in full bloom.

Into a Waning Moon

It was at least in the twenties today at Alligator Lake with the wind chill factor. I had three layers on with ear muffs but forgot the gloves. The Audubon Society had about five members out birding, including my old running friend Russell Plummer.

Flight of the White Heron

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
As I stood watching the wrens flit about in the brush and bush beside the lake, this great white heron flew overhead. I quickly pointed to him and got off these seven shots. 

Marvelous Morning for a Moon Soaring

 

 

 

 

There are diversities

There are diversities of gifts.
I Corin. xii.4

There are diversities of gifts, but none without any. Every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner and another after that.
Frances R.Havergal.
  Sunday, March 3rd marks the official kick-off of Christ's Fellowship meeting in the Westside Community Center on Birley Road in Lake City, Florida at 10:30AM, with Sunday School for the children led by Melanie at 9:00AM. Christ's Fellowship began at Westside Baptist, then Grace Covenant, then Grace Church to where it is today, with only Gary Byerly's family and my family  remaining from the original Westside Baptist, a missionary church from Parkview Baptist.
In thinking on each person's gifts, the other Sunday, Dennis was absent from the early morning set up group. Now you would think, no big deal, but you never realize how much Dennis does quietly without fanfare until he is absent.
The same with Gary, I do not know how the Grace Life Church will run the radio station Gary so tirelessly worked to secure with all the permits,etc.,  but I do believe at some point Grace Life should acknowledge, Gary for this tremendous gift he was instrumental in securing.
So from the least to the greatest in our estimation, everyone has his part, his place and is highly valued.
Like Dan Clark who led the music at Westside, when he drowned in the Gulf of Mexico, we just could not image going on, replacing him. Yet from his death was born the 7 Days Worship Band, and thus the gifts Dan offered, continue on in Lani and Tim, his offspring, and the other members of the group, Tyler,Scott,Tony,Gary,Stacy,Breya and Ken.
So today the remnant will gather under Russell and Christina Taylor at Christ's Fellowship and a remnant will gather at Grace Life under Brandon and Jori Elixson and so exercise our gifts we trust to the Glory of God and the advancing of His Kingdom Come.

There is a gap

Yesterday I went out to Moore Road North of town to get a meter reading. I found that the Falling Creek Bridge was being rebuilt, so I was unable to get the order. While there, I took a few moments to stop at the Falling Creek Falls. The old Corn Crib on the grounds I noticed due to vandals or curious folks seeking to see what is inside, had a board torn. At the moment Leonard Cohen's song Anthem was playing on Pandora and I thought of his words, "there is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in". And not only the light, but the rats and bats and squirrels and curious eyes. Also, the water has risen to the level of the boardwalk, with no falls. That is high indeed.

Six Upon Gum Swamp

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the morning

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out and departed into a solitary place and there prayed.
Mark 1:35.

"We see how Jesus would rise a great while before day, or spend the whole night, that He might find time for heavenly communion. Let none say he is too busy.
George Muller
One of the good things that shall come from this one year job I had reading meters, it was the rising early, with time for reading scripture and praying. I have been reading the YouVersion ESV Study Bible One Year plan and as of today, I am on day 349 out of 365 in getting through.
The other good thing has been getting out and about the countryside in many solitary places, spending most of the day in a constant underlying prayer.
I feign the thought of returning to an inside job, under supervisors with set times. I am now
thinking that perhaps a paper route may be a good fit.
We shall see come April what develops.
In the meantime, I shall continue to rise early and seek the Lord.