Making wise the simple

This precious face gives credence to Dallas Willard's contention that "Children cannot control their face."  One of their countless endearing qualities.  Their sweet guileless expressions speak volumes.  

before

after

Benefits of heeding the Lord's law

They are many.  The benefits of reading and listening and learning and obeying the Lord's Good Law are rich, deep and life-sustaining.
The Creator, after all, does know how the human soul flourishes.

"The law of the LORD is perfect; reviving the soul;
the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple; (And who doesn't want to be wise)
the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; (tickled pink?  I'm in.)
the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes; (so we can see where we are going)
the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is your servant warned; (and who doesn't want to be warned of danger?)

The range of benefits reach from the impervious

In keeping them there is great reward." Psalm 19:7-11

to the up close and very personal.

The "great reward" of heeding God's peaceable instruction includes a renewed soul, wisdom, joy, enlightened insight, priceless treasure, sweetness and safety.  Is there a better path?  

The heavens are speaking

The heavens are telling the glory of GOD;
and the firmament proclaims His handiwork.

Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.

Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
Psalm 19

God is speaking.  Continually through what He has made.  Are we listening?  Are we observing?  His Voice cannot be extinguished.  His fingerprints upon His creation can, temporarily, be ignored.  But the rising and setting sun, the clinging of a newborn's fingertips, and a thousand other testaments give concrete evidence that the Father is near.  Creating.  Always creating.  

"The world itself pours out on us wordless speech about GOD.  In our wordy, busy lives we can learn a lot  by listening more closely to creation's voices." The Life With God Bible

If we hear the Creator's Whisperings through nature,

we will worship.  

More dear than words can say.

Eternal Wisdom to feed the soul

The great thing is to be found at one’s post as a child of God, living each day as though it were our last, but planning as though our world might last a hundred years.  C.S. Lewis

"It is difficult for men in high office to avoid the malady of self-delusion. They are always surrounded by worshippers. They are constantly, and for the most part sincerely, assured of their greatness.

They live in an artificial atmosphere of adulation and exaltation which sooner or later impairs their judgment. They are in grave danger of becoming careless and arrogant."

Calvin Coolidge in his short autobiography explaining why he said, "I choose not to run" for reelection in 1928.

O'Reilly on America's Race Problem | CNS News

O'Reilly on America's Race Problem | CNS News



Bill O'Reilly on a rant.  A truthful rant that would bear good fruit if heeded.  I still maintain it is more loving to speak the truth than mindlessly applaud while an entire race goes off the abyss.  Or remains on the plantation.  "Let my people go!"

Peace of God.

Kid President's Pep Talk to Teachers and Students!

Speaking of wisdom

In every generation wisdom passes into holy souls
and makes them friends of God, and prophets; 
Wisdom of Solomon, apocrypha 

Is this dear or what?

Samuel Michael with his daddy

Celebrating Children's Day

Isn't every day "Children's Day?"
How beautiful are they?

Blessed be the good

Charles William Eliot
was the longest serving president of Harvard College,
40 years, 1869-1909 

Harvard President Charles Eliot once famously decried the sport of baseball for its deceptive practices.

“Well, this year I’m told the team did well because one pitcher had a fine curveball. I understand that a curveball is thrown with a deliberate attempt to deceive,” he said. “Surely this is not an ability we should want to foster at Harvard.”

For the good ol' days, when good was known and celebrated.  

Thomas Sowell: Is Thinking Obsolete?

Thomas Sowell: Is Thinking Obsolete?

Things I love

Our whole family together in church.
(My pensive look is not because I have recently returned from two tenures in Afghanistan.
The somber countenance reflects deep joy and rest.)

Beautiful JoyFul in her summer-love hammock.  

Elissa's blast-from-the-past Rules to Live By.
(Wish it was larger because it really is powerfully practical and right-on.)

                                                                                       

A timely encouraging email sent to Danielley by Kim Strassel, Wallstreet Journal

Contributor and occasional TV pundit who hails from Loudoun County, Virginia. Kim reads Danielle's education articles in Leesburg Today and sometimes comments.  

And I say that as a journalist, not even as a parent! Really nicely
reported and organized and written. You have an easy way with words.
Thanks for spending some time with me on the phone and for staying
interested in the charter/Hillsboro story. It means a lot to so many
families and kids.

Best, Kim  

Breaking news

As Elissa says, "It's that time again."
Samuel Michael has been with his family one month.
Let the monthly countdown begin!

PS:  This family has the best names on the Great Green Globe!
Samuel means, "Asked of God" or "His name is GOD."
The Biblical character trait is Integrity,
and the Scripture is Proverbs 21:3:
To practice righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Godly man of integrity!  Now that is a namesake worthy of aim.

Samuel Michael MacMurchy

Welcome to the family, Samuel Michael.
We love you already.
12 June 2014

Hillary's hypocrisy

Give-'em-hell-Hill channeling her inner street urchin.
Pathetic!

The importance of simple gratitude

Jesus - the smartest wisest and most righteous man who ever lived - asked the rhetorical question:  "Who by willful thought can add one inch to his stature?"  
Many things - height, number of toes and fingers and gender - are to be graciously accepted as gifts given by GOD.  Not to be tampered with by willful rebellion.  (Although I know a wee lad who was born with 6 fingers and the extra was surgically removed.  That seems like a wise tampering decision.)

George Weigel concludes (regarding sexual identity plasticity), “It is hard to imagine a more explicit expression of personal willfulness overpowering natural givenness.”

Reality be damned

http://www.americanthinker.com/2014/06/denying_reality_the_gnostic_left.html

Places In the Heart Final Scene

This is the final scene of one of my favorite movies.  It is simply a picture of forgiveness, reconciliation and redemption from another realm.  Jesus blood atones for my sins and every single person's.  The first red drop is now a swelling life flood that I receive and offer to other ransomed children.  The red flow of forgiveness reaches to all who are thirsty.

Context:  Sally Field's husband was accidentally shot by a young black boy when he was wielding a gun intoxicated.  The sheriff, Sally's husband, was trying to help him, but the boy shot him.  The boy was hung for his crime.

The crescendo moment is when the sheriff takes the cup during communion and passes it to the boy.  "Peace of God."