Daily prayer: Father, Your Word tells us to do everything without complaining and arguing so that we may become blameless and pure in a crooked and depraved generation. Instead of spreading negativity from our words and actions we are to shine like stars in the universe so that the divine light of Christ may be evident in the way we interact with our peers. Would You raise us above the fray of life as we determine to have an attitude of thanksgiving and praise to Him who doeth all things well!  Amen.


Additional note to today’s prayer: In reflecting upon Philippians 2:14,15 (which is the basis of my prayer) I consider the analogy Paul makes of believers shining like the stars of the universe. When we go outside after darkness has fallen it’s inevitable that our eyes are drawn upward because we’re naturally drawn to light.  Our focus is not on the darkness that surrounds us, but rather the numerous stars that we often find ourselves counting or trying to find certain patterns. I wonder if what Paul is trying to convey through his analogy is that having a pleasant disposition and grateful heart in the midst of trying circumstances draws others to the light of Christ that indwells us rather than the darkness that surrounds us?

Toward the end of our evening walk about 8:00 pm we saw the moon in the far distance above the acres of corn. If you enlarge you'll see the "banana" in the air. If often remember, when viewing the moon at night, when Ester was about three years old. It was a Wednesday evening in St. Marys, PA and I walked out with Ester to the parking lot. The night was pitch black but the moon was brilliantly bright that night. Ester looked up, pointed to the moon and asked me, "Mommy, will you get me a ladder so I can climb to the moon?" Well, I chuckled inside but about that time Tom Neizmik, one of our deacons walked by, so I asked him, "Tom, could you get me a ladder long enough for Ester to climb to the moon tonight?" Like many requests people make in a church setting, the deacon didn't have the resources or know-how to give us what we really wanted at that time. He just kind of shrugged his shoulders and tenderly let her know he couldn't find a ladder big enough. That was the beginning of my awareness that Ester loves to watch the moon at night and often takes photographs that we occasionally post.

As Brooksyne sat on our front porch having her devotions she looked out, picked up her phone and photographed this peaceful view. We only have it a few months of the year so she is out there in it as much as possible before the cold winds move back to our area.

(Click on photo the enlarge)

Early this morning Stephen went for a bike ride through our rural neighborhood and got a photo of the beautiful horses on Trout Run Road.

(Click on photo the enlarge)