October

 Humble dazzle

Of autumn:

These leaves 

On the ground - 

Each one a page

In the Book, 

A poem that says

I lived.

        I was

A small part

Of the whole

Story - this

Is my song, 

This is my glory.

Rosalie Kuyvenhoven

Felt weakness

Do you ever feel weak?

This is what J.I. Packer said, " God uses chronic pain and weakness along with other afflictions as His chisel for sculpting our lives. Felt weakness deepens dependence on Christ for strength each day, The weaker we feel, the harden  we learn."

What do you think? Do you agree?  

Wendell. God, thank you for the gift of Wendell.

 "The atmosphere, the earth, the water, and the water cycle - those things are good gifts. The ecosystems, the ecospheres, those are good gifts. We have to regard them as gifts because we couldn't  make them. We have to regard them as good gifts, because we couldn't live without them. "

Wendell Erdman  Berry 

August 15, 1934  - August 31, 2026

An American novelist, poet,  essayist, environmental activist, cultural critic, and farmer

Welcome September ...

...

"September days are here,

By  all these lovely tokens,  September days are here.

With summer's best of weather,

 And autumn's best of cheer.

But none of all this beauty 

Which floods the earth and air

Is unto me the secret

Which make September fair.

"T is a thing which I remember;

To name it thrills me yet:

One day of one September

I never can forget."  

Helen Hunt Jackson 

Originally printed in Poems (Robert Brothers, 1892)

This poem is in the public domain

Monday Musings... August

In a few short hours this month of August will end. Some days I remember  simply going from  one moment to  the next moment. Rather than becoming overwhelmed, I pray.

 I walk by faith and trust God. 

Monday Musings... Book Clubs

 Are you in a book club? In my circle of friends and acquaintances. I know several individuals who are in at least one book club. I have been a member of  one book club for over twenty years.  Reading and discussing books has given me thousands hours  of joys.  We linger over conversations, enjoy meals, and every once in a while, we travel to distance cities for  over night gatherings. 

What do I do with all those books ?  Years ago, at the encouragement  of my son, I set up an online bookstore.  That online bookstore was successful.  I was able to sell books and downsize my library. It was enjoyable to sell books that had provided me hours of entertainment.

According to my research assistant, (Alexa) today there are nearly 500,000 book clubs in the United States. I think that number is drastically, underestimated. Why? 

In some ways, each week, millions of people gather in living rooms, kitchens, Zoom meetings, old and new buildings, storefront businesses, and in ancient cathedrals to discuss books from the Bible. It is here that many people from all over the world, meet to discuss the  ancient  and life changing words from the Bible. 

In my opinion, the world's largest Book Club is the Bible. 

August ...

"Isn't it nice to think

 that  tomorrow 

is a new day with 

no mistakes in it yet?'

L.M. Montgomery

What is more wonderful ... is the forgiveness of our failings, shortcomings and sin. because 

Jesus loves and forgives.