HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!

James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Brenda, (our daughter who is responsible for the smooth operation of this site) informed us today that we are now about to begin our second year of operation. We give thanks to our God for all the many blessings we have received this past year as we have heard from so many of you.

I had already been reflecting on the inexorable passage of time, since during the past two months we have observed our 58th wedding anniversary and both Edie's and my birthdays. Also each time I opened this home page I was greeted with the harsh reality of the present due to the current photo. All this has prompted me to change the picture to one that reflects the 'perceived perfection' of the past.

Then, as I contemplated this, I was reminded that while we have seen many changes over the years, the most important things of all have not and will not change.
Psa 119:89 LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
1 Pet 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
1 Pet 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

The truths which were so precious when I first learned them almost 60 years ago are still as fresh and strong as they were to me then. The Lord's promises are not only still precious, but are becoming even more so each day as I come nearer to their final fulfillment.
Rom 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

Because of these things, even as we look back and fondly remember the past, we look forward in eager anticipation of blessings in days ahead. We pray that more souls will be saved and more lives will be blessed next year than last. Perhaps the Lord will come and/or call us home. Whatever happens, He has promised that He will bless His Word.
Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. And so, with this assurance, we confidently say with David in Psa 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Hoping to hear from each of you in days ahead; until we meet around His throne, I remain, freddie

MY OFFERING

Upon your altar, day by day,
Let me give my Self to thee,
And hour by hour, before thee lay
My life, because you died for me.

Though I know not what tomorrow brings,
Sufficient, always, is your grace,
And so, my heart, within me sings,
As on your altar, my Self, I place.

Unworthy sinner, though I be,
I stand before thy mercy seat
And give my Self, my all to Thee;
Yet in Christ alone thy assessment meet.

I bring this offering, not to win
Salvation; That, His blood has bought.
But that my life might show to men,
The life within that grace has wrought.

Take, I pray, this fleeting life,
And in your service, make it pay;
Keep it free from sin and strife -
On your altar, Lord, my Self, I lay.

fcc