Matching the daily verse with a unique image is the main distinctive of the Daily Psalm and Spurgeon Daily quotes apps.
When I started working on the basic concept of the daily Psalm app on the iPhone two years ago, There were two issues that concerned me. First, was there enough space to store over 365 images, and second, was the screen resolution high enough to render a quality image? I was pleasantly surprised that the answer to both was yes! There was more than enough space, and the images were stunning, even on the small iPhone screen.
Reading through the Psalms for quotes was a joy. From there I needed hundreds of images to work with, and to keep the cost down, I needed images in the public domain. I found that government websites were loaded with quality images. The credits with each application give a list of the websites if you are interested.
Each image is from some nature setting, and none of them show people or human objects such as roads, fences or houses. The one exception are a few images of the pyramids when the psalm mentions Egypt.
Matching an image with each quote was the next challenge. Images were matched through some keyword, thought or concept whenever possible. The result was that the image gives the verse more meaning. In some cases, the combination is quite stunning. If you go to the product pages, you can see some sample screen shots to fully comprehend what this means.
When the verse mentions “under the shadow of his wings” the images I found, include eagles with outstretched wings, or a small bird in a nest covering her young with her wings. When the verse mentions wine, an image of a grape vine might be used. In some cases the images give a bit of humor when it seems that an animal seems to be talking or gesturing. Beavers, otters, and penguins are some of my favorites.
I hope you enjoy the verses and images each day. Drop me a line and let me know what you think. Rating the application will let other know you have been blessed by the app.
Watch the Federal Reserve! That’s the message from Will Rogers in 1929. We’re still watching today, and things haven’t changed much.
Mix the Federal Reserve manipulation of interest rates with Democrat meddling in the mortgage banking industry, and what do you get? Forclosures! Over 1 million Americans seen losing homes in 2011.
The Democrat solution is, of course, more government involvement and programs to clean up the mess they created in the first place. It’s like putting a polecat in charge of a perfume factory. It doesn’t make scents [sorry, couldn’t resist the pun]!
It’s time for the Republicans to show some good old fashioned common sense when it comes to economics. Even so, keep an eye on the Federal Reserve!
Image Information: Today’s image is of Will and Betty Rogers in their later years of marriage. She was the love of his life. Will said: “The day I roped Betty Blake was the best catch of my life.” Biographers agree that the strong marriage, fidelity, loyal friendship and trust between Will and Betty Rogers were the keystones of Will Rogers’ incredible career and life success.
The image was taken directly from pictures at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum archive. I apologize for the quality of the image, but this is exactly what the 1920s photo looked like when I scanned it. In the hundreds of images contained in this iPhone application, I wanted to share as many different Will Rogers photos as possible from as wide a variety of times and situations – movies, cowboy, vaudeville, with famous people, and family scenes.
Will Rogers is a man worth remembering, and quoting. His wit, humor and insight into life will amaze and astonish you. His life will inspire you. Watch for new blog posts from my Will Rogers quotes collection.
I hope you have enjoyed this quote from Will Rogers and the accompanying image taken from the Will Rogers iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that might enjoy a bit of wisdom from Will Rogers.
The Daily Psalms ESV application update 1.1 was just approved by Apple and is available at the iTunes Store.
I mentioned in an earlier post that I had the honor of meeting a former US Navy SEAL, while waiting for a flight at DFW recently. As we looked through the images in the iPhone App, we came across the one pictured here. He showed me a special emblem on his watch band and told me he was a jump master.
All SEALs know how to handle a parachute, but a jump master has even more jumps and skills when it comes to jumping out of airplanes or helicopters. But the jump master doesn’t just keep the skill to himself. All SEALs are tasked with conveying their special skill to other members of their team.
Watching the movie, “Act of Valor”, I began to consider that it’s not just a single act of valor that makes these Navy SEALs who they are. It’s hundreds of acts of valor. These men risk their lives with each dive, jump and mission. They do it for their country, their comrades in arms, their families, and for each of us. For this, we should thank God each day.
I’ll never jump out of an airplane, but I want to know that God has “set me secure on the heights,” as it says in Psalm 18:33. I need the confidence of a jump master. I need to know that God is my rock, and he has equipped me with strength. The confidence won’t come through one “act of faith.” With God’s help, will come through hundreds of individual acts of faith.
Dear Lord, Help me to acknowledge you in all things, even in the little acts of faith that may seem insignificant. Through the gospels, you performed many miracles that changed peoples lives. It all led to Jesus’ final ultimate act of valor on the cross for all believers. Let it change my life. Amen.
Psalm 18:31 For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?— 32 the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. 33 He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights.
Image info: Soldiers from the First Battalion of First Special Operations Airborne unit on Torii Station, Okinawa, Japan, perform High Altitude, Low Opening (HALO) jumps out of a CH-46E assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron Two Six Two (HMM-262). HMM-262 is assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, Japan. – Official US Navy photo by PH3 (NAC) Kaitlyn Rae Vargo.
I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 18 and the accompanying image taken from the Navy Psalm Daily Quotes ESV iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.
I was talking to my wife the other day, lamenting the fact that our flower beds are pretty much finished for the year. I remember, however, the beautiful flowers from seasons gone by. Things of beauty seem to imprint themselves on our memory.
This passage in Psalm 119 directs us to the beautiful and wondrous things in scripture. It asks God to open my eyes, and to not hide His commandments from me. Let that be my prayer as well.
The image of this beautiful flower is a delight to our eyes. I hope that I can also delight in God’s word. That it’s beauty can be imprinted on my memory, and be my counselor in times of need.
I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 119 and the accompanying image taken from the Psalm Daily Quotes ESV iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.
![O redemption, how wondrously resplendent dost thou shine when we think how black we are! O Holy Spirit, give us henceforth the hearing ear, the understanding heart! E12-16</p> <p>[resplendent – Splendid or dazzling in appearance; brilliant.]](https://systemsofmerritt.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/spur015i.jpg "Spurgeon Daily Quote")
In today’s world, redemption seems so bland and colorless. The reason is because sin is only seen as a light shade of gray. It is barely mentioned these days, even from the pulpit. Sin is rationalized, in order to avoid personal responsibility. Sin is made comfortable in order not to offend the sinner. It is our very nature to avoid dealing with sin in our lives.
Now consider the difference between turning on a light in the middle of the day, verses turning on the same light in the blackness of the night. In one case there is little or no effect from the light, but at night we have to shade our eyes and turn our head from the brilliance of the light.
Only when we begin to understand the deep blackness of our sin can we fully understand the “resplendent” redemption of God. We must shade our eyes, turn our head and give deep heart-felt praise to God for such great grace.
Dear Lord, As I consider the terrible suffering of Christ on the cross, help me understand that it was because of my terrible sins. It is then that my redemption does resplendently shine. Amen.
I hope you have been blessed by this quote and the accompanying image taken from the Spurgeon Daily Quotes iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.
President Reagan, Will Rogers Shared Common Gifts, Careers
By Joe Carter
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Ronald Reagan was a 24-year-old aspiring actor when Will Rogers was Hollywood’s towering star. While the two icons were never personally acquainted, their lives spiraled similarly.
In 1941, six years following Rogers’ death, an unsigned memorandum at Warner Brother Pictures in California read: “Why not try to test Ronald Reagan for the part of Will Rogers? He is droll homely humorous and an all around good actor.” That memo prefaces the definitive 1993 Ben Yagoda book now sold by the University of Oklahoma Press entitled: “Will Rogers: A Biography.” Yagoda opined: “Ronald Reagan didn’t get to play Will Rogers in the movie biography (Will Rogers Jr., got the part) but who with his “well” ’s and shrugs, his just-folks bonhomie, managed a pretty impressive Rogers impersonation in the White House.”
In 1990, Oklahoma’s Will Rogers Memorial Commission awarded its first “Will Rogers Communicator Award” to the former President. The late Jim Rogers, Will Rogers’ son, presented the plaque designed by Paul Lefebvre of Oklahoma City. During the private exchange in Beverly Hills, Reagan told Jim Rogers: “Will Rogers always was my hero.” I was present and heard the warm exchange. Ronald Reagan’s retirement home was near the sprawling Will Rogers Historical Park with its glamorous polo field at Pacific Palisades, California. Before he was stricken ten years ago by Alzheimer ’s disease, the former President often would casually attend polo matches at the park cheering the horsemen.
Like Will Rogers, Ronald Reagan rode. Both were proud to be called a “cowboy.” There was a quarter century difference in their ages. Will Rogers was born on an Oklahoma ranch in 1879 and Reagan was born in Illinois in 1911. At age 55, Will Rogers was killed in a 1935 air crash in Alaska. Ronald Reagan died at 93.
Intensely interested in politics, both boasted careers in radio, movies and public speaking. Will Rogers became a major newspaper columnist, author and stage actor.
Both men scored in cinema. Reagan debuted in “Love in on the Air” in 1937. Will Rogers, beginning in 1918, starred in 71 features. Neither actor won an Oscar.
Both were actively outspoken in collective bargaining for actors’ wages and working conditions. Rogers was more behind the scenes. Reagan in 1947 was elected president of the Screen Actors Guild.
Reagan was a Democrat who switched parties in 1962. Will Rogers said: “I’m not a member of any organized party, I’m a Democrat.” Will Rogers was playfully nominated by Life Magazine in 1928 as a prank candidate for President of the United States and declared “if elected I’ll resign.” “Another big reason I should be nominated is I am not a Democrat,” Will Rogers wrote. “Another bigger reason why I should be nominated is I am not a Republican. I am just progressive enough to suit the dissatisfied. And lazy enough to be a Stand Patter.”
Ronald Reagan was more earnest in politics. After supporting Eisenhower and Nixon for president as a Democrat, he became a Republican who twice won the governorship of California and the American presidency.
(Note: Joe Carter is a Will Rogers biographer and former director of the Will Rogers Memorial Commission of Claremore, Oklahoma.)
Click for original post: President Reagan, Will Rogers Shared Common Gifts, Careers
Praising God is special. For who he is, for what He does, for good or bad, in any circumstance, we can praise God.
Praising God in the congregation with song is, to me, even more special. I don’t sing very good, but when the congregation sings together, I can lift my voice as well. There’s a majesty, loveliness and peace about it, just like the swan in the picture.
One day soon, we’ll stand with the multitude in heaven praising God. “I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven crying out, Hallelujah!” Rev 19:1
I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 135 and the accompanying image taken from the Psalm Daily Quotes NASB iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.
Every day, in so many ways, God displays His wonders and power. They are all about us, in nature, in relationships, in events, protection, blessings, etc.
The wonders of nature are always stunning, if we take a moment to ponder them. From atomic structure to distant stars, as pictured in this beautiful NASA photograph. We can touch, smell, see, taste and hear these wonders of God. All our senses can be used to observe and delight in God’s glory.
Scientists spend entire careers examining just one tiny facet of creation. Collecting all the brilliant scientific minds in the world doesn’t even begin to answer all the questions, or explain natural phenomena. Like a drop in the ocean, compared to the vastness of creation.
Yet as insignificant as we may be, “He heals the brokenhearted” according to the Psalmist in this quote. He binds up our wounds. The great creator cares about His people. He even cares about me.
Jesus stepped across His created stars, He entered the realm of time, to become one of us. To feel the joys and suffering of life on earth, he truly understands our needs. As creator, he can truly bind our wounds.
We can only respond with the Psalmist: “Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!”
I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 147 and the accompanying image taken from the Psalm Daily Quotes NIV iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.
Will RogersOn March 1, 1933 Will Rogers wrote this quote in his syndicated Daily Telegram column. If we knew where the current administration stood on anything today it would be considered a major breakthrough!
These days it seems we elect politicians on the basis of personality and promises. Knowing where they stand on important policy issues, or scrutinizing their history of voting doesn’t seem to be of much importance. Honesty seems to have gone by the wayside as well.
The irony of all this is that as a society we rely on the honesty of others to function. We have to trust the salesperson, the pastor, the businessperson and their promises. When that trust is broken we look elsewhere for fellowship, products and services.
If a politician changes their stand on an issue and breaks that trust with their constituents, the voters might just take their votes elsewhere on election day. I hope that a good statesman wouldn’t be just a curiosity.
Image Inforamtion: The image of Rogers is from his 1921 silent film Guile of Women. Rogers plays a Swede named Yal who travels with a friend to America to seek his fortune. After misfortunes in love and business, his girlfriend finally arrives from Sweden.
I hope you have enjoyed this quote from Will Rogers and the accompanying image taken from the Will Rogers iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that might enjoy a bit of wisdom from Will Rogers.
I can’t sing very well, or keep a rhythm. It’s even hard for me to clap and sing at the same time. But there’s just something about worshiping together in the congregation. As I lift my feeble voice with others, perhaps I sense a little glimpse of heaven.
Many of the hymns we sing, especially the “traditional” hymns are filled with scripture. It helps us remember God’s statutes. If you’ve ever gotten a “tune stuck in your head,” let it be a “hymn tune” and not a “sin tune.”
Perhaps that is what helped the Psalmist to “remember Your name in the night.” The bird in the image on the left seems to be peacefully standing watch in the night. Perhaps if God’s “statutes have been my songs” it will help bring me remember God’s name in the night and keep God’s law as the Psalmist says.
Dear Lord, help me to sing, and serve, and remember your word day and night.
I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 119 and the accompanying image taken from the Psalm Daily Quotes NIV iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.
When I am ill, or under some sort of affliction, it’s not really a time that I would normally think of as a faith-building experience. My instinct is to focus on myself and complain to anyone who will listen.
In Judges 14 we find the story of Samson that Spurgeon mentions in the quote. One day while Samson is walking along the road, a young lion “came toward him roaring.” Then is says that the Spirit of the Lord came upon him and, with his bare hands, he tore the lion apart in pieces.
Later Samson returned to the place to find a swarm of bees in the carcass of the lion, and Samson scraped the honey out with his hands and ate it, and gave some to his mother and father.
From the account of Scripture, we know that Samson was a strong guy, but notice that the Spirit of the Lord came upon him as the lion came toward him. God was with Samson during this deadly confrontation. I have trouble carving a turkey with a knife, but Samson tore apart a lion with his bare hands!
From this story, we find out that God was with Samson during the trial, and saved his life, plus sweet honey grew out of the aftermath. So it should be with us if we rightly consider our situation as Spurgeon says.
Dear Lord, Help me to acknowledge your presence during trials, so that my faith may grow stronger. I praise you for the honey that grows out of the adversity, the sweet taste after the bitter trial. Amen.
I hope you have been blessed by this quote and the accompanying image taken from the Spurgeon Daily Quotes iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.
Will RogersIt’s very important for a charity, such as a church, that receives gifts to make sure the donor understands the tax requirements. With the donation receipt a statement must be included such as “With this gift, you did not receive any goods or services in exchange for your donation other than religious benefits.”
With Democrat pastoral leadership, from various high profile Reverends, rallies and meetings take on the air of revival, complete with fainting, screaming and chanting. So, why not toss a few dollars in the collection plate for all the religious benefits? Of course, it’s clear that no goods or services were exchanged for the donation, unless you happened to be the Governor of Illinois.
Now, things got a little confusing and disorganized over time, because people were expecting more than just religious benefits. They were expecting new kitchens, more unemployment benefits, cheaper health care, lower taxes, transparent government, and so on. People that took Will Rogers’ advice and “charged off” Democrat charitable campaign contributions got into trouble with the IRS.
The Democrat campaign is in trouble now. Charitable contributions are down. It’s a classic case of “over promise, and under deliver.” It looks like the only religious benefit left, is unemployed Democrat politicians praying for a job.
Image Information: This pictures shows the Rogers family in a Model A Ford. Pictured are Will Rogers, Jim, Mary, Will Jr., and Betty.
The image was taken directly from photographs at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum archive. I apologize for the quality of the image, but this is exactly what the 1920s photo looked like when I scanned it. In the hundreds of images contained in this iPhone application, I wanted to share as many different Will Rogers photos as possible from as wide a variety of times and situations – movies, cowboy, vaudeville, with famous people, and family scenes.
Will Rogers is a man worth remembering, and quoting. His wit, humor and insight into life will amaze and astonish you. His life will inspire you. Watch for new blog posts from my Will Rogers quotes collection.
I hope you have enjoyed this quote from Will Rogers and the accompanying image taken from the Will Rogers iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that might enjoy a bit of wisdom from Will Rogers.
In this quote, Spurgeon compares us, the “jewel in the rough,” with Jesus, “the polished gem.” Looking to the example of Christ, and applying it to any situation we might face, is the best type of encouragement we can ever find.
Spurgeon mentions hoping that worldly people (worldlings [I love how Spurgeon uses these arcane words]) will admire us, will bring us no comfort. Beyond that we will find no comfort in our own strength, thoughts or things of this world.
Whenever I am confronted with a troubling situation or relationship, I ponder the life of Christ, because I know he experienced my feelings and pain. Christ’s experience was both physical and emotional, just like my experience or trial. He was fully man, and we shouldn’t forget, fully God.
When something bad happens to us, our natural instinct is to ask: ” Why is this happening to me?” The real question we should learn to ask is: “Why did this type of thing happen to Jesus?”
Do you think that your situation, as bad or difficult as it may be, was not experienced by Jesus? Honestly search the New Testament to find the answer. In Isaiah 53:3 Scripture tells us: “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief…”
Are you acquainted with grief? Have you suffered betrayal by a close friend? Have your friends abandoned you? Are you poor? Have you suffered from hunger, or great physical pain. On the other side of things, Jesus was acquainted with happiness and joy that that came from sharing God’s love with his disciples and all he met.
Only if Christ experienced the full range of the human condition, my human condition, can he claim to be a savior, my savior. Worldlings won’t admire you. They won’t understand you, a jewel in the rough, just like they didn’t understand Jesus, the polished gem.
Dear Lord, Help me to look to you in any situation. Let me develop confidence that you understand, and that you can save, deliver and forgive me. Amen.
I hope you have been blessed by this quote and the accompanying image taken from the Spurgeon Daily Quotes iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.
The first phrase of Psalm 31 is quoted by Jesus on the cross. In fact “Into your hands I commit my spirit,” are the last words Jesus spoke before he died. They were uttered with his last breath. These words are the final act of faith as he leaves his earthly life.
When I was very young, I had complete confidence that my parents would take care of all my needs. They fed me, clothed me, protected me and loved me. If I was sick, they watched over me.
For some reason, it seems difficult to have such complete confidence in God. Probably because God isn’t flesh and blood like my parents. I can’t touch Him or see Him.
But I have God’s word, the Bible. I know that Jesus was flesh and blood. I know about Jesus life, death and resurrection. I know of his love for sinners, like me. I also know of his forgiveness and redemption of sinners. The Psalmist says God knows about my affliction and anguish of my soul.
Can I commit my spirit into God’s hands? Yes! Can I have complete confidence that God will take care of all my needs? Confidence will grow as your faith grows. Your faith will grow as you draw closer to God by reading the Bible, seek fellowship with other believers and listen to the preaching of God’s Word.
Dear Lord, Help my faith to grow so that when the end comes I can say, “Into your hands I commit my spirit. Amen.
I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 31 and the accompanying image taken from the Psalm Daily Quotes NIV iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.
The image matched with this quote certainly shows what look like “giant walls” which fits nicely with Spurgeon’s quote. The word munitions normally implies materials used in war, but a second more general meaning is “material or equipment for carrying on any undertaking.” Lord, help us to be secure in whatever task you have planned …
I’m not a singer. When someone asks me what key I sing in, I tell them “the skeleton key.” When it comes to praise, however, there’s just something special about singing. I love to worship in the congregation, adding my feeble voice, to sing of the lovingkindness and faithfulness of Jehovah. When I think of …
Here’s another great Rogers quote for the day. If we have to live cheap, as Rogers says, why can’t the government learn to live cheap? This was written in Will Rogers Daily Telegram syndicated newspaper article in 1932! The image is from one of Rogers’ many movies. In the early 1930s he was one of …
Rogers is right on target as usual with this quote. How many times do we read in the papers that the experts are “surprised” by the latest economic news? This quote comes from the Will Rogers Daily Quotes iPhone app. Each quote is coupled with an image of Will, and the image information is included …
This quote is from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotional. The code M12-19 means that it is from the Morning reading on December 19. The sparrow image was chosen to match the quote and really helps to emphasize God’s care for the least of His created creatures and how he truly cares for each of us. …
I love these little penguins because they symbolize patience in the extreme as they care for the eggs. They are also cute. It seemed to beautifully fit Psalm 27:14 as shown in the image. This verse is from the Psalm Daily Quotes NASB app. Each day of the year the app shows a different daily …
Will Rogers delivers another zinger with this quote. He had a genius for teasing politicians without offending. We also find Rogers’ quotes as relevant today as they were in the 1930s. I don’t like to fish myself, but I’m sure that if I did it would keep me out of trouble! I took this picture …
Systems of Merritt, Inc. has added some great new features to its line of iPhone applications. The help and tips options give the user lots of information on how to use the program. The splash screen option simply shows the splash screen. Staying in touch with customers is important to Systems of Merritt, and the …
Apple just approved the Daily Psalm KJV (King James Version) upgrade. iTunes store link Product Page link
Apple just approved the Daily Psalm ASV (American Standard Version) upgrade. iTunes store link Product Page link
