J. C. Ryle
People fall in private, long before they fall in public.
Coffee Break – 02.22.2016
On this day in history: In 1819, the U.S. acquires Spanish Florida, which had been held by Spain since 1565. In 1879, in Utica, NY, Frank W. Woolworth opened his first 5 and 10-cent store. And in 1885, the Washington Monument was officially dedicated in Washington, DC. It opened to the public in 1889.
How Water Quality Affects Coffee Taste – The statement is true: Your coffee is only as good as your water. Here is a pretty good explanation of that.
Rock ‘N’ Roll Neighborhood – As a fan of classic rock, I found this pretty amusing. Go ahead and laugh.
Books Vs. eBooks – In the never-ending debate about which format is better, here is an interesting perspective from Michael Hyatt. It seems as if he has switched sides in this discussion.
The Harmony Of Fall – It’s winter, and a dull winter it is around here. So here are a few fall colors to brighten things up.
If you will bear the cross, it will bear you.
Robert Murray M’Cheyne
Dealing With Spiritual Dryness
What To Do When You Feel Like You’re In A Desert
One of the more difficult times we experience in our spiritual lives are those moments when we feel spiritually dry and drained. It almost feels like we are in a desert.
Spiritual dryness can be overwhelming at times. It can lead to feeling down and almost feel like depression. And we all experience it. It’s a fact of our spiritual lives. We enjoy the mountaintop experiences. But what do we do when we hit the lower places, the valleys, the deserts?
Sometimes, life just throws us a curve ball, and our lives take a pretty strong hit. A couple of years ago, my wife fell and broke an ankle while pregnant. Soon after, I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, followed by a diagnosis of cancer. It seemed like our world was turned upside down overnight, and we didn’t know what to do.
I felt like that time was one of the driest spiritual stretches I have ever encountered, and yet it was also a period of time where I experienced the most spiritual growth. It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, I know. But looking back on that time, and the weeks and months following it, my journal is filled with ways that I can see God molding me into more of the person he wants me to be.
Coffee Break – 02.15.2016
Your Monday Dose Of Inspiration
On this day in history: In 1758, mustard was advertised for the first time in America. In 1764, the city of St. Louis was established. And in 1903, the first Teddy Bear goes on sale, named after President Theodore Roosevelt.
The Best Websites For Coffee Education – I have learned much of what I know from those who have learned it before and chose to share it with others. This list is a pretty good start to learning about coffee.
25 Facts About Missouri – This is my home state, and there are many unique things about it. Here is a list of several that most Missourians know, but others may not.
Relatively Recent Timeline Of History – I found this pretty interesting. And the more I looked at it, the more I found that intrigued me.
How To Calm A Crying Baby – With seven kids, we have tried several ways to comfort them when they cried. This method seems to be very effective. I wish we had seen this before.
Memorize Scripture: Philippians 4:10-11
As Paul moves into the final section of his letter to the Philippians, he brings up the topic of giving, and provides some excellent instruction for us to follow.
Read this passage for yourself in Philippians 4:10-11:
The Philippian believers had given Paul some much needed financial assistance, which was especially helpful during his time in the Roman prison. As Paul expresses his gratitude for this gift, he gives some beneficial principles concerning giving.
In these final paragraphs of the letter, Paul expresses two main thoughts. First, he appreciates their concern for him while he is in chains. Second, he is confident that God will give him the ability to be content, no matter what circumstances befall him.
Paul rejoices greatly, using again the word “rejoice,” for which this letter is so well known. This time, his joy stems from the fact that the Philippians have renewed their concern for him. The term “renewed” is used only here in the New Testament, and provides a gardening metaphor. This word describes a tree or a bush budding out in the spring, being renewed after a dormant period of winter. Such is the concern of the Philippians.
They had been concerned for Paul, but had no opportunity to show it until now. Just why they had no opportunity is not known. It could have been as simple as the fact that Paul was imprisoned hundreds of miles away, and they had no way of providing support, or even any encouragement. Perhaps they had nothing to give for a period of time, or no messenger to send it to Paul.
God is not wanting you to make sacrifices. He wants you to be a sacrifice.
Derek Thomas