Mark's Views, Perhaps — from behind my eyeballs
Maybe your man Trump will win and Hillary the Evil Empress will lose. Maybe your woman Clinton will win and Donald the Perverted Pied Piper will lose. Whatever your view of the candidates and whatever the result of the Presidential election, the state of your heart matters far more. Read it all
Early this morning, I sat in the kitchen, propped — elbow on table, chin in cupped hand. I stared, unfocused, out the window. Thinking. Remembering yesterday…
Late yesterday afternoon. Barely Wednesday in the week. Rocking news upon shocking news.
A friend in our congregation left this life. A friend to our congregation fell backward into a service pit, breaking his hip and fracturing his back. A third friend in our congregation learned of his brother’s terminal brain tumors. A fourth friend, just recently of our congregation, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Four cases! Far more than that many friends! All since early Monday morning!
An overwhelming sense of creeping sadness. Of deep ache.
And my wife and I struggling with our own health issues.
So now it was early this morning. I had just read the first 11 verses of Psalm 34. Here, read them… Read it all
Flowers in memory of these friends:
Flowers for their children and grandchildren who mourn James’ abrupt departure for the Land where Joan dwells.
Flowers for Orpha too. Perhaps some day you also will see this picture. Your Creator alone knows. We trust Him to do what is best for you at this time. Read it all
Sources: me, God (Proverbs 18:17)
Hold good in your heart.
Treasure that which is good.
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh” (Luke 6:45).
My heart still aches, Father; night is not past;
But in the cold and in the void I hear Your voice at last:
Is there any way that you could trust My love,
My life in you, My promise from above,
That joy comes in the morning, that beauty comes from pain?
Can you hold on one moment longer? Is there any way?
RISE OF ARAB ARMY
I saw that headline on the Drudge Report early this morning. He linked it to an LA Times story that includes this quote:
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Sisi endorsed the creation of a joint military force to defend Arab nations.
Sisi said the Arab world was at a critical crossroads and facing unprecedented difficulties.
If Israel’s Arab neighbors get a “good thing going” with their joint military efforts in Yemen…
And if Israel’s Arab neighbors see the American Administration’s growing hostility toward Israel…
And if Israel’s Arab neighbors perceive American weakness in relation to Iran…
And if Israel’s neighbors imagine a shift in America’s long-standing commitment to Israel, her secrets, and her security…
And if Israel’s neighbors take literally the American threat to abandon Israel at the United Nations… Read it all