WHO’S WHO IN GOD’S BOOKS!
Today’s Reading: Psalms 119:1-72
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A woman takes time to meditate on the cityscape of Athens from the Acropolis. In Athens, the Apostle Paul quoted, “certain of your own poets.” He was a well-educated man with a brilliant mind. Paul’s next stop was Corinth, where history tells us there were at least 5,000 prostitutes who served thousands of sailors who spent about a week each in Corinth. To the people of Corinth Paul wrote, “I determined to know nothing among you except Christ Jesus, and Him crucified!” (1 Corinthians 2:2). Paul spent three years there and eventually Corinth was transformed. It’s this message that has transformed the native communities of Northern Quebec (I’ll tell that story below). The Cree people own the airline, “Air Creebec,” and so they can police and destroy the source of much trouble…alcohol consumption…which has been reduced to almost zero. A statement I’ve made often here on this blog is, “Jesus changes everything!”
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Psalm 119:9, 50
How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word.
…This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life.
Here we go into the Bible’s longest chapter, 176 verses, three days for the blog!
It is a perfect acrostic, having 22 stanzas of 8 verses each,1 stanza for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Amazing! Every verse with the exception of verses 90 and 122 mentions the Word of God or one of its ten synonyms. e.g. precepts, statutes, etc. The message here for us is unmistakeable! What we are doing in our two-year journey in this blog is of ultimate importance!!!
The question asked in our key verse about cleansing our ways is answered by the Scriptures. Psalm 119:11 assures us that if we hide God’s Word in our hearts (not just our heads) we will be kept from sinning against God! A New Testament statement in this regard is Ephesians 5:25-27 where we are told that we are cleansed by the “washing of water by the Word!” We are having our daily heart, soul and spirit bath right now as we read the “Word of God” here on 100words.ca. Amen!!!
Tomorrow, God willing, we will consider the way President Abraham Lincoln applied the Psalms to his life and presidency.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
O God, You have provided for washing in the pure water of the artesian spring of Your Word. I pray for the grace to be consistent in having a daily shower in the living water of Your testimonies, Your ordinances, Your judgments, Your law, Your precepts, Your statutes, YOUR WORD!!! I ask these blessings in the Name of the One who, in Himself, is “the Living Word,” Christ Jesus!!! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Ancient Athens is known as the intellectual, educational centre of the ancient world. I’ve discovered that during the first centuries, many Greek philosophers studied the Hebrew writers and discovered ultimate truth through God’s Word. I’ve often made the statement, “Never confuse education with intelligence.” Here is a story of Grand Chief Billy Diamond of the northern Quebec Cree Nation (photo below).
He did not have a long formal education (he attended one of the infamous residential schools), but the former Minister of Indian Affairs, Labour, and Health, the Hon. John C. Munroe, told me that in governmental negotiations, Billy Diamond was the most intelligent man he had ever met! I took John with me to Northern Quebec after he had left politics, and here’s what happened. This former Indian Affairs Minister walked around the town of Waskagenish in astonishment. He said, “The last time I was here, this was a totally disfunctional community because of the abuse of alcohol. At 30 below zero there were blankets stuffed in where windows had once been, the children were outside without proper clothing.” He asked, “What has happened here? Now, every home is properly cared for and there are many new homes, beautifully painted. The children are dressed warmly (it was early March). There are shiny snowmobiles.” John’s jaw dropped open several times. I showed him the new factory where they were making the large fibre glass Hudson Bay Canoes which they sold to the Japanese fishermen for their ocean voyages, etc., etc. That night I took this former 1960’s, 70’s and early 80’s government Minister to Church. When Billy Diamond made the call to receive Jesus as Saviour and make Him Lord, the first one at the altar was the Hon. John Munroe. John was struggling with difficult issues in his own life at the time. All the members of the Band Council gathered around him, laying their hands on him and welcoming him into the new life in Christ, which had transformed their lives and the entire community.
I was the preacher at John’s funeral several years ago now. “Who’s Who” of the Liberal Party filled the front pews. I told this story! Prime Minister Jean Chretien honoured John by naming the Hamilton, Ontario, airport “The John C. Monroe International Airport.” Grand Chief Diamond acknowledged boldly everywhere he went that “Jesus is my Chief!” Billy would call me regularly. He always had a quote for me from “the Word of God,” the source of his wisdom! I’m confident that John and Billy are there now in the immediate presence of the God they served and loved.
Yours for the glory of the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Billy and John! Some of those in God’s Who’s Who books!
David
P.S. Sorry… I couldn’t begin to tell that story in 100 words…
Billy Diamond was the Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees in Quebec from 1974-1984. He also was Founder of Air Creebec. He went to be with his Lord on September 30, 2010.
The view of Athens from the Acropolis towards the southwest. The Saronic Gulf of the Mediterranean Sea can be seen in the distance. Under the shadow of the Acropolis where the ruins of the Parthenon sits, the Apostle Paul spoke on Mars Hill. There he declared to the Athenian parliamentarians the same Jesus that transformed a Northern Quebec community, its leaders, and also the heart of a former federal Minister of Indian Affairs. Read Acts 17:16-34.
NOVEMBER
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
by John Greenleaf Whittier, 1872
“Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
Forgive our foolish ways!
Reclothe us in our rightful mind,
In purer lives Thy service find,
In deeper reverence, praise.
In simple trust like theirs who heard
Beside the Syrian sea
The gracious calling of the Lord,
Let us, like them, without a word
Rise up and follow Thee.
O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
Where Jesus knelt to share with Thee
The silence of eternity
Interpreted by love!
With that deep hush subduing all
Our words and works that drown
The tender whisper of Thy call,
As noiseless let Thy blessing fall
As fell Thy manna down.
Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.
Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm.”
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqOnjmr9Ah0
Written in 1872, “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind” is a hymn with words taken from a longer poem, “The Brewing of Soma” by American Quaker poet John Greenleaf Whittier. He was born on December 17, 1807 in Haverhill, Massachusetts and died on September 7, 1892 in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire.He was an American Quaker editor, poet and advocate of the abolition of slavery in the United States. Frequently listed as one of the fireside poets, he was influenced by the Scottish poet Robert Burns. Whittier is remembered particularly for his anti-slavery writings, as well as his 1866 book Snow-Bound.
Elizabeth Hussey Whittier (December 7, 1815 – September 3, 1864) was an American poet and abolitionist, who founded the Female Anti-Slavery Society in Boston in 1833. Alongside her mother, she is credited with encouraging her brother John Greenleaf Whittier’s interests in literature and poetry, and was his close companion and collaborator until her death.
The full Biography of John Greenleaf Whittier is well worth the read: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Greenleaf_Whittier
Thank you Beverlee for sharing this information and for the Hymn as well. It is so nice to hear the background stories.
I have been wondering if you are still writing your book. I am sure it would be a great read.
Praying that you will get your back operation soon.
Blessings Eleanor M.
Thanks Eleanor. I enjoy the history, too. The book is not finished; not much time writing with all my medical stuff going on. Though I am trying to get my focus back to it as testifying will be the next leg of my journey. The back surgery is on hold as I deal with the myositis autoimmune disorder (lupus) and suspected distal muscular dystrophy. They cannot do the surgery with the CK levels so high. A lot of pain from the pinched nerves but there is nothing I can do about it. Lots of tests and procedures; took 7 weeks for the incision to close, swelling and infection from biopsy surgery to heal. But on a good note, trying a new medication for the lupus and I have hopes it will help. Today has been a rough day so I thank you for the chat as it reminds me we are family on the blog. God bless your day, Eleanor. ❤️
Thanks for sharing all that you have been going through. I will continue to pray for you and hope the medication will ease the constant pain. You are a strong woman and don’t often complain. God Bless you and keep you in His care. Eleanor M.
Thank You, Father, for Your Word, and for those who believe and trust You. You are the Living Word, dear Jesus, so help us take You deep in our hearts so we will not sin against You. Forgive us, Lord, for our selfish sins, and help us live to honour and exalt You, as David Mainse and Billy Diamond did, and as many do.
Remember all Your children, Lord, whatever they are at, and help each one to find their strength in You, in Jesus’s name, amen
P.S. I had to look up the word “verdure”. I confused it with a word meaning manure.
Amen Rob
Doreen: It was a great story of Billy Diamond and John Monroe. I am sure you were honoured to met Mr Diamond
Hope your friend has settled in her new home and have made some friends. Bless you.
Eleanor M.
Amen, Beverlee and Rob.
Such wisdom & worship in this Psalm. I met Billy Diamond when I took my Ojibway son to the exhibit in Toronto of Native businesses years ago. We saw an airplane with the name on it. I also have a friend who grew up on Billiy’s reserve. She has just returned to N Quebec to be close to the reserve & family. I miss her greatly. Blessings all.
That would have been amazing to meet Billy, Doreen. God bless your day.
Blessings Beverlee blessings. I didn’t realize the extent of your health issues. May our Father be especially close to you. Knowing that His thoughts toward you are only for good, is definitely comforting. He will use us anywhere, He opens doors. May His greatest blessings be yours, Beverlee. Relieve the pain, Lord, in Jesus Name and guide treatments with Your Wisdom. Amen
Thank you sister Doreen. Very kind of you. ❤️