“The Amish have learned to live with limits. Indeed, they would argue that setting and respecting limits on almost everything is one of the foundations of wisdom. Limits, for the Amish, are a necessary requirement for human happiness. Without limits, the Amish believe, individuals become arrogant, conceited, and self-destructive. To be sure, restraints diminish individual freedom, personal choices, and various forms of self-expression. At the same time, some would say, they grant greater dignity and security to the individual than the endless choices afforded by modern life. To the Amish way of thinking, a respect for limits builds community, brings a sense of belonging, and shapes identity – three important keys to human satisfaction and happiness.”
Not without design does God write the music of our lives. Be it ours to learn the tune, and not be dismayed at the "rests." They are not to be slurred over, not to be omitted, not to destroy the melody, not to change the keynote. If we look up, God Himself will beat the time for us. With the eye on Him, we shall strike the next note full and clear.
January 22
Streams in the Desert
By Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman
"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." January 19I thought this morning’s devotion was very apropos in light of my sock knitting project. It makes me wonder: Do I put as much energy into my prayer life as I do into my knitting life? Do I seek the same level of perfection in my worship as I seek in my knits and purls? This will be some good food for thought while enjoying a second cup of coffee.
Streams in the Desert
By Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman
Rubenstein, the great musician, once said, "If I omit practice one day, I notice it; if two days, my friends notice it; if three days, the public notice it." It is the old doctrine, "Practice makes perfect." We must continue believing, continue praying, continue doing His will. Suppose along any line of art, one should cease practicing, we know what the result would be. If we would only use the same quality of common sense in our religion that we use in our everyday life, we should go on to perfection.”
I gather worries faster than Lucy and Ethel grabbed chocolates. As fast as my little fists can fly I grab at any little concern that comes down the line. When my hands are full, I stuff them (the worries) in my pockets (hate to run out!). It’s an instinctive reaction. Yet I know that it isn’t necessary. I know that I can let those little worries just pass on by; that God is waiting beyond me to gather them up and take care of them in his own loving way. He doesn’t need my help. My job is to simply trust Him to do it.
Therefore since you have received enough and become rich, you have no other commandment than to serve Christ and render obedience to him. Direct your works that they may be of benefit to your neighbor, just as the works of Christ are of benefit to you. For this reason Jesus said at the Last Supper: "This is my commandment that ye love one another; even as I have loved you." Here it is seen that he loved us and did everything for our benefit, in order that we may do the same, not to him, for he needs it not, but to our neighbor. This is his commandment, and this is our obedience. Christ helps us so we in return help our neighbor, and all have enough. ~Martin Luther
January 7
“They who are God’s without reserve, are in every state content; for they will only what He wills and desire to do for Him whatever He desires them to do; they strip themselves of everything and in this nakedness find all things restored a hundred-fold.”
Streams in the DesertBy Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman
“Happiness is not a sign that we are right with God; happiness is a sign of satisfaction and the majority of us can be satisfied on too low a level. Jesus Christ disturbs every kind of satisfaction that is less than delight in God.”Oswald ChambersIf Thou wilt Be Perfect
"One of the blessings of the old-time Sabbath was its calm, its restfulness, its holy peace. There is a strange strength conceived in solitude. Crows go in flocks and wolves in packs, but the lion and the eagle are solitaires."
"The one thing needed above all others today is that we shall go apart with our Lord, and sit at His feet in the sacred privacy of His blessed presence. Oh, for the lost art of meditation! Oh, for the culture of the secret place! Oh, for the tonic of waiting upon God!" –Selected
Streams in the DesertMrs. Chas. E. Cowman
