57 thoughts on “Winter”

  21. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

    Giving Without a Whisper

    But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in, secret himself shall reward thee openly. – Matt 6:3-4

    No promise is made to those who give to the poor to be seen of men. They have their reward at once and cannot expect to be paid twice.

    Let us hide away our charity — yes, hide it even from ourselves. Give so often and so much as a matter of course that you no more take note that you have helped the poor than that you have eaten your regular meals. Do your alms without even whispering to yourself, How generous I am! Do not thus attempt to reward yourself. Leave the matter with God, who never fails to see, to record, and to reward. Blessed is the man who is busy in secret with his kindness: he finds a special joy in his unknown benevolences. This is the bread, which eaten by stealth, is sweeter than the banquets of kings. How can I indulge myself today with this delightful luxury? Let me have a real feast of tenderness and Row of soul.

    Here and hereafter the Lord Himself will personally see to the rewarding of the secret giver of alms. This will be in His own way and time; and He will choose the very best. How much this promise means it will need eternity to reveal.

    Blessed be ye of the Lord, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul. – 2 Sam 2:5

    We must remember how Saul had treated David, hunting him among the hills as if he had been a wild beast. Yet David never showed any resentment. Twice, at least, he had spared Saul’s life, when the king was in his power. Through all those days of bitter experience, David’s heart remained loving, free from resentment and bitterness.

    When Saul died, David’s grief expressed itself in an elegy full of tender feeling. Now, when he learned of the honor shown by the people of Jabesh–gilead to Saul’s body, his heart was gladdened, and he was deeply grateful.

    All this is evidence of a magnanimous spirit. It is the very spirit which Jesus commended, a thousand years later, as that which belongs to the kingdom of heaven.

    The problem of true living is to keep the heart always sweet, and always to have warmth within, whatever the weather without. “Always keep sweet and go on shining,” is a good motto.

    But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee. – Matt 6:6

    Nature never says one thing, Wisdom another.

    By all means, use some times to be alone;
    Salute thyself—see what thy soul doth wear;
    Dare to look in thy chest, for ’tis thine own,
    And tumble up and down what thou findest there.

    Lonesomeness is part of the cost of power. The higher you climb, the less can you hope for companionship. The heavier and the more immediate the responsibility, the less can a man delegate his tasks or escape his own mistakes.

    Prayer
    My Father, I pray that thou wilt take care of my thoughts when I am alone and tired, and keep them strong and clean. Grant that while I commune with thee I may yield to my needs and be restored with keener energy for worthier deeds. May I ask of thy wisdom every day. Amen.

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