Head-dibs

Of all that I’ve forgotten, I sometimes wish I could forget my first dream (the first I actually remember) as it truly was a nightmare. I must have been only 7 or 8 years old and for some reason, I was truly terrorized in my dream--I can still see the images vividly. Years later, 1986 came and went, sort of just slipped by as if a dream (more like a nightmare) and like most dreams I have presently, I certainly don’t remember most of it—and of course, the parts I do remember I wish I could forget. The Wilson Sisters and their band “Heart” gave many of us a sound-track for the year with their pop hit, “These Dreams” in which some were the princesses and others the prince (whatever that meant to our drug-induced, hormone-driven, sin-pattern behavior). As time passed we learned our sleepy thoughts, images and emotions had to become goals or purpose for living—for those that lived to tell. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream, and I am not talking about the one he had to rule the world. His dre...

When the cowboy applied for health insurance, the agent asked his routine questions about previous accidents--had he had any? The cowboy replied, "No, sir. Last year I was bitten by a rattlesnake, and a horse kicked me in the ribs. That laid me up for a while." The agent said, "Weren't those accidents?" "Nope," replied the cowboy. "They did it on purpose." The cowboy knew, perhaps, that where God is in control, there are no such thing as "accidents."

By Steve Cornell When natural disasters strike, some lose their lives; others lose all but their lives; still others are (as we say) miraculously spared. But how does God’s protection relate to natural disaster? When hurricanes pound islands and mainlands–churning out devastating tornadoes and floods, is God in control? Does God control the weather? Who sends the wind and rain? Why does one part of the world endure unbearable drought while another is devastated by floods? Why do some people get all the so-called “nice” weather? Is this simply “Mother Nature” randomly unleashing her powers? Or, is the Creator himself even in charge of the bad weather? Read the rest here .

I greet Thee, who my sure Redeemer art, My only trust and Savior of my heart, Who pain didst undergo for my poor sake; I pray Thee from our hearts all cares to take. Thou art the King of mercy and of grace, Reigning omnipotent in every place; So come, O King, and our whole being sway; Shine on us with the light of Thy pure day. Thou art the life, by which alone we live, And all our substance and our strength receive; Sustain us by Thy faith and by Thy power, And give us strength in every trying hour. Thou hast the true and perfect gentleness, No harshness hast Thou and no bitterness; O grant to us the grace we find in Thee, That we may dwell in perfect unity. Our hope is in no other save in Thee; Our faith is built upon Thy promise free; Lord, give us peace, and make us calm and sure, That in Thy strength we evermore endure. (attributed to Jean Calvin)