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Archive for March, 2023

On the Increase

Posted in Blessing, Faith, God Thoughts, Grace, Hymns, tagged , , on March 19, 2023| Leave a Comment »

The hymn that I have been enjoying recently, “Complete in Thee” (see last entry), keeps me considering how God has done “far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). Many thoughts and many of my best thoughts arise soon after I awake. The tune to “Complete in Thee” is catchy, so I composed another verse this morning before I even opened my eyes. I think that I would make it the last verse of “my version” of the song. Then awhile later I was reading my Bible when I came across Jacob responding to God’s call to return to Bethel (“House of God”): “…let us arise and go up to Bethel, and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.” (Genesis 35:3) God then blesses Him and “makes official” the angel (possibly pre-incarnate Christ) renaming Jacob Israel (Genesis 32:28). Two phrases grabbed me: “my distress” and “has been with me”. From that another verse to the song began forming. Perhaps I am not a very good hymn writer, but I cherish opportunities to give praise to God for all of His benefits (Psalm 103:2) delivered through His “manifold grace”. (I Peter 4:10)

My joy and peace ever increase
My praise of Him will never cease
All pure in heart His face I’ll see
Before His throne, complete in Thee

He answered me in my distress
And through the years and now does bless
Grace manifold He gives to me
My cup o’erflows, complete in Thee

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Complete in Christ

Posted in Assurance, Blessing, Forgiveness, God Thoughts, Hymns, Poem, tagged , , , on March 18, 2023| 1 Comment »

Recently I have learned a new hymn, which is really not new having been published in 1850 by Aaron R. Wolfe. It so affected me that I sang it at home several times and began to add words. You may listen to the hymn at Complete in Thee and read about it at Hymnary.org. Following are the words that I added:

The tempter oft does me accuse
By Christ’s great strength I may refuse
The tempter’s snare and rather see
Christ’s victory, complete in Thee

When hardship causes me to fear
Inadequacies* then appear
No condemnation now I see
Christ all in all, complete in Thee

No longer now a slave to sin
Over the flesh and world I win
Your sacrifice has set me free
Fully absolved, complete in Thee

Understanding and accepting my inadequacies, without allowing them to define me, keeps me humble and focused on God’s all sufficient grace, my only hope. I want to triumph through Him and by His grace to His glory. Do use the links above to learn this good hymn.

*In the second line of the second verse, “Inadequacies” is just the term that explains my go to reaction, but it doesn’t sing well. So, for the sake of singing, “My failures frequently” serves as a decent substitute.

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Coolest Cave

Posted in Family, General, Grandchildren, Hike, Nature, Outdoors, Photo, Travel, tagged , , , , , on March 16, 2023| Leave a Comment »

It was in the low 20’s with a stiff little breeze. I was looking forward to going into a warm cave (usually 59 degrees at our latitude). From the moment I stepped inside I thought that it felt colder than outside. It turns out that among the many entrances are two large ones, one a collapsed chamber at the top of the hill and the other one where the creek exits, plenty large enough to walk in upright. This arrangement makes for a nice chimney with a good draw of very cold air on this particular morning. At one point the guide was saying that a narrowing in the passage has been measured to have lower barometric pressure and “they” don’t know why. It was too simple. I explained Bernoulli’s Principle and how the narrow section of passage acts as a venturi in a carburetor. The faster the wind, the lower the pressure. It is also interesting that the seven species of bats (five of which are endangered) in this cave are not being decimated by the White Nose Fungal outbreak among bats. The regular exchange of fresh air is probably the reason. The cave also sits at a transition zone where sedimentary and igneous rock are interlayered. Of the several dozen caves that I have been in, it seems to be the most geologically diverse. I enjoyed the tour with my daughter and two grandchildren. It was supposed to be a 45 minute tour, but between Mr. G’s* enthusiasm and knowledge of the cave and our curiosity and general knowledge, the tour was more like 1:45. We as well as he professed to having learned a lot. Check out my pictures at AC Underground and then check out the Appalachian Caverns Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/appalachian.caverns)

*If you want to ask for a tour guide whose name begins with G, then I would recommend him. I don’t name people on my blog.

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Overflows from the Heart

"But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart…" Matthew 15:18

CreatorWorship

Pointing to the One who made, saved, and sustains