Blackberry on the edge

 

Every good bull deserves favor

 

Yet thou not know me?

Have I been so long time with you and yet hast thou not known me?
John xiv.9
A great many believers walk upon the promises at God's call in the way to heaven, even as a child upon weak ice, which they are afraid will crack under them and leave them in the depth.
McCheyne

It was another long walk around the perimeter dike of Alligator Lake Park more in meditation than concentrating upon photography. Again I walked upon the thin ice of not trusting in the promise of God to sustain us, to provide. 
Since 2009 when Melanie suffered the near loss of her life with H1N1 and ARD's, with the loss of our jobs, the Lord has sustained us. Yet, after all the clinging to the very hem of Christ's garment in the storm ceased, again I returned to tip-toeing, fearing a fall into the depths.
My current job with FPL reading meters is due to end at the end of the month. Melanie, who continues to struggle with her health four years hence, is the primary bread winner.
This greatly troubles me and my daily prayer is for a reversal of this situation, allowing her some time for ministry she so loves and caring for loved ones.
They say another freeze is on the way. Perhaps the weak ice under me will freeze a little thicker.

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.