HOLY VISUALS!
Today’s Reading: Psalms 101-102
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Church of the Holy Apostles in Athens, Greece, is often covered with birds that fly over the ruins of the ancient agora (close-up photo below). Today’s reading tells us of “A sparrow alone on the housetop.” These Athenian pigeons are not lonely birds.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Psalms 101:3a, 102:27
I will set nothing wicked before my eyes…
But You are the same and Your years will have no end.
It seems impossible to avoid seeing vile images. We do, however, have a choice of what we view. When we watch some TV programs, we are just asking for trouble. Whatever we feed our minds, particularly through the eyegate, if it is not positive and good, will inevitably pollute our thoughts and sometimes our actions in a way displeasing to our holy God! The opposite, good thoughts and actions, can happen from watching 100 Huntley Street and other productions which please God! Psalm 101 was written by King David. It’s possible that Bathsheba knew exactly what she was doing when she took a bath on her rooftop in full view of David’s balcony, which was located just up the hill above her home. David, when he wrote the words of this Psalm, may have been thinking of the great damage he caused because he gave in to visual temptation and committed adultery (2 Samuel 11). We must repent of our carelessness, guarding our hearts and minds, keeping our eyes and minds on the Lord and His Word to us.
In Psalm 102 we find a writer who feels very much alone, as is evident from the metaphors of the birds. The writer of the New Testament book of Hebrews quotes from this Psalm and refers to Jesus (Hebrews 1:10-12). We can be encouraged because Hebrews 13:8 tells us that “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever!” I find myself singing softly, so as to not wake up Norma-Jean, the beautiful prayer hymn, “Abide With Me.”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, thank You that the words of the hymn are true: “Change and decay in all around I see; O Thou who changes not, abide with me” (click here for a rendition of “Abide With Me”). This is my prayer, O Lord! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I find that the sight of a bird all alone is sad. Two birds together (many kinds mate for life) or a flock of birds is a joyful scene, like the birds on the church roof in today’s photos. Norma-Jean and I watch for people who appear lonely and try to include them in our lives in some way. I’ve often heard my wife say something like, “She looks lonely, let’s invite her for a coffee.” Sometimes through the years, she has brought people home for a meal and for fellowship. The 100 Huntley Street television ministry gives the amazing opportunity of visiting right there in the homes of our viewers. It really is the next best thing to a personal visit!
Over 500,000,000 tablets and iPads have been sold around the world. That figure would not include laptop computers and smart phones. There are several billion visual devices in use around the world. Think of the potential for seeing vile and evil things! Crossroads is doing its best to fill those screens with the opposite…beautiful words and visuals. Norma-Jean and I do our best to support all the God-given visions of Crossroads, as well as several other ministries. I urge everyone to do the same! Crossroads has a vision to be “Media Missionaries” and provide positive and holy viewing alternatives, in order to “OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD!!! (Romans 12:21b).
Yours for viewing, reading, and hearing good, holy, uplifting things!
David
Birds on the Church of the Holy Apostles in Athens Greece. Because of strong and good teaching, the Greeks did not give in to islamic conversions during approximately 300 years of moslem rule. The church is an integral component in the every day life of the Greek people.
Thank you for your post yesterday, Anne. I can relate to it because I am in my second year of widowhood and am finding it harder than the first. Your testimony gives me hope for an brighter tomorrow
Blessings on all!
Dear Luisa and everyone who walks our journey….
I wrote 1 Chron 28-20-23 some years ago now in my diary….
Take charge, take heart, don’t be anxious or discouraged
God my God is with you in this, He will not walk off and leave
you in the lurch!
(The Message Bible)
The journey of grief takes courage, it is Jesus who gives us that courage and strength to keep going.
In my journey He didn’t suddenly leaviate my pain and loneliness but little by little I started to become more aware of HIS companionship and warmth and even HIS sense of humour.
My future that felt bleak and dark and black without my husband started to have little bits of colour again….little hues of oranges and purples and yellows started to dance into my thoughts at times, these vibrant colours would sometimes invade my deep lonely moments and I’d be almost afraid to feel hope and happiness again..but I did!!!!
Grief cannot be rushed, I believe Jesus knows this better than anyone, what a wonderful Saviour and Friend He is!
May God Bless all bloggers today, I am so grateful for David Mainse’s
example of trusting in our Heavenly Father
Thank you again Anne, and Luisa, today.
My friend took great comfort in your writing yesterday, Anne, so I forwarded today, as well.
Thank you again, Anne. Everything you said is true. The feelings of loneliness and aloneness….We may be in a room full of people and yet feel alone.
God has been and continues to be so gracious and merciful to me. I draw my strength and courage from Him. He is my constant, faithful helper. I look forward to the day when the pain will be less intense. Thank you for taking the time to write an encouraging word for me and all who are facing the same situation. God bless you!
Thinking of you 3 ladies and praising the Lord for how he has helped you through the lost of your husband. I know that time will come for me too. Edward is going through a bad time with his leukemia and I can see him failing a lot.
May God continue to bless each of you and all who are going through tough times.
Eleanor M.
Dear Eleanor, thank you for your prayers.
I am sorry to hear that Edward is not doing well. I pray for God to give you much strength as you walk alongside him in this difficult journey. May His peace and courage be your constant companions
Luisa, Amen to your prayer for Eleanor M and
her husband Edward.
May our Lord God bless and keep you both
in His Care always, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Amen to the prayers above
This coming January 2024 my bestest girlfriend and dearest friend went to be with Jesus it will be going on for years and I miss her deeply but I’m so thankful that we have the blessed hope that one day in heaven we will meet again
Even though it’s going on for years there’s still moments where it feels like only yesterday of her passing
I miss greatly what we did together
I know it’s not the same as losing a spouse
But the pain of loss is still the same
But my prayers and my thoughts are with you
May our blessed Jesus comfort you May our blessed Jesus comfort you and strengthen you this is my prayer amen ✝️🙏
From Michael Youssef today:
“Father, sometimes it is difficult for me to grasp that I am a child of God Almighty. Thank You that I can run to Your arms any time of day or night and know that Your arms will always be outstretched to me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).”