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 really like the “Bambi” images because they fit well with a number of Psalms. The iPhone screen shot below shows the fawn with Psalm 18:35 (NIV). I thought this fit well with the contrast between humility and greatness mentioned in the Psalm. The screen shot comes from the Daily Psalms NIV product.
What a glorious Psalm about God’s goodness. To ponder such great goodness, brings about praise as the Psalmist says: “Your saints will extol you.” Not only is God good now, but His goodness extends through all generations and beyond.
Sometimes I struggle with why so many bad things happen to me. Bad things are all around me, death of loved ones, job loss, family strife, natural disasters and so much more. How can God be good if that is the case?
In this fallen world, the real miracle is that anything good can happen at all! The good we see in this life is a glimpse of God’s goodness and love toward us. It is the undoing of the curse of sin. Many times we find that something good comes out of a seemingly bad situation. Even for this we can praise God.
If you look at the life of Jesus, you see the undoing of the effects of sin through healings, mastery over wind and waves, changed hearts and lives, and many other miracles. For the good things Jesus did, what was his reward? He was crucified by evil men.
All the evil in this world could not overcome the goodness of God however. After the crucifixion came the resurrection.
Dear Lord, Show me your goodness, that I might praise you. Save me from this sinful world through the work of Jesus on the cross. Raise me from the dead and give me new life. Amen.
I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 145 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 RogersHere’s a story for you.
Farmer Jones down the road is a strange bird. Somewhere he got the idea that spending all his money and borrowing like there’s no tomorrow is a way to improve his farm.
Papa always taught me to be thrifty and Mama would tan my hide if I wasted a nickel. I save my money and don’t spend more than I make. Farmer Jones is mighty educated though, so maybe he knows what he’s doin’.
Lately though, there’s been more people gathered at the Jones farm and activity than slopped hogs at the trough. New tools arrive by the truckload, new buildings, electric tractors and animals.
But there seems to be a problem. I’ve loaned him all the money I can and he’s emptied his silos to buy expensive cattle scanners. He’s been begging me for more, but I just don’t have any more to lend. He promised that even if he can’t pay me back his kids and grandkids can handle it.
With all that money you would think the Jones place would be going gangbusters. Funny thing is that half of his farm hands have been laid off, because the shovels weren’t ready. The building projects kept people busy for a short time, but they ran out of money half way through. I also noticed that the people managing his projects were the same ones that ran his campaign for Commissioner of Bug-tussle County. Sometimes I see ’em walkin’ down the road with suitcases full of money.
The other day I asked Farmer Jones if he hoped things would change for the better. He said that he was thinking that this was the new normal. Then he asked me: “Brother, can you spare a dime?”
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.
Have you ever been excited about something? I just received my new iPhone 4 in the mail the other day, and the anticipation of opening the package and using my new phone got my heart racing. Only a geek would understand!
All of us have our passions – things that set our hearts to racing in anticipation. Spurgeon reminds us in this quote that our love for God should excite us as well, and it should impact everything we do.
The beautiful image of frost on the trees in winter fits well with Spurgeon’s final thought. We should make God our only object – we need to focus on Him so that our zeal would not grow cold. I’ve got a long way to go, but I thank God for the help of His Spirit.
I hope you have been blessed by this quote from Charles Spurgeon 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.
Those of you that follow this blog know how special the Psalms are and the blessing they can have on your life. Recently, the Sons of Korah held a concert at our church here in Upland, Indiana. They have put the Psalms to music, which adds a new dimension to the impact they can have on your life. Below are links and samples of cuts from the Rain album.
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| Rain – Sons of Korah |  |
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| Psalm 139 – Rain Album | |
| Psalm 84 – Rain Album | |
| Psalm 99 – Rain Album | |
| Psalm 116b – Rain Album | |
| Psalm 42b – Rain Album | |
| Psalm 103:1-5 – Rain Album | |
| Psalm 42a – Rain Album | |
| Psalm 114 – Rain Album | |
| Psalm 3 – Rain Album | |
| Psalm 14a – Rain Album | |
| Psalm 14b – Rain Album | |
| Essence – Rain Album | |
I’m trying to think of times when I was excited about going somewhere. Perhaps a graduation ceremony for one of my kids. I enjoy going to ball games and concerts. A weekend campout is lots of fun.
The anticipation of going somewhere special is a great feeling, isn’t it? When you get there, you are among other people that are as excited as you. Like the penguins in the picture, everyone is headed in the same direction, moving toward the event.
In Psalm 122, the Psalmist expresses gladness in anticipation of going to the house of the Lord. Is it because of the great music, special programs or preaching? Actually, it’s a time to draw near to God as a group of believers. It’s a time to grow more secure in our faith.
Dear Lord, help me to anticipate with gladness the time when I will go to the house of the Lord. Let my visits be frequent, and let my love for you grow as I worship you in the congregation. Amen.
I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 122 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.
We don’t think much about the importance of rivers today, as we drive comfortably across bridges in air conditioned cars sipping from a bottle of clean water. To folks in the 19th century and earlier, rivers were their source of life-giving water.
To have convenient access to a clean, clear, abundant supply of river water was a great blessing to ancient people. The psalmist tells us that in heaven there will be a “river whose streams will make glad the city of God.”
As a fallen person in a fallen world, I don’t deserve such a blessing as a place beside life-giving waters. I will never find such a place under my own strength or efforts. What can I do?
It is God’s undeserved saving grace through the work and sacrifice of his son Jesus that makes such blessings possible. Come to the river and enjoy the blessings of the water.
Dear Lord, I am thirsty for your water. I need your grace. Lead me, Jesus, to the river that gives life, both in this world and in heaven. Amen.
I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 46 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.
There’s a lot of gloom these days. Uncertainty over the future of our country in a dangerous world. We are concerned about crime. Leaders don’t seems to have common sense answers.
Psalm 99 helps us to put things in perspective: “The Lord reigns!” It seems so simple – but it’s true. All through the Scriptures we see God is in control of the nations and He is always glorified.
Recall that the Lord reigns even when it may not seem like it from our point of view. To be honest, people have survived worse times than we are faced with today. Recall Vietnam, the Cold War, WWII, WWI and the Civil War to name a few. Many suffered and some paid with their lives, yet we must understand that the Lord reigns.
The nation of Israel survived the Egyptian captivity, and later exile in Babylon. Even in those dark days God had His purpose and plan. If there was ever a clear picture of this it is in Daniel, chapter 3, where Daniel is given the meaning of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the golden statue. In the dream, God reveals His plan for the course of nations.
In Daniel 4:26 we find out why these things happen. It is so that we may understand that “heaven rules.” As we understand this truth our hearts should turn to praise. As the Psalmist says: “Let them praise your great and awesome name.”
Dear Lord, When the nations are in turmoil, let me understand that you reign over all things. Let me learn to praise your great and awesome name, for you are holy. Amen.
Look below for an extra blessing! The Sons of Korah have put Psalm 99 to music. You can listen to the sample and then purchase your own copy at the iTunes store.
I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 99 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.
Below is an extra treat! The Sons of Korah have put Psalm 99 to music. Listen to a sample below and purchase your own copy at the iTunes store by clicking on the button.
| Psalm 99 – Rain Album | |
Will RogersAfter reading this Will Rogers quote, I suddenly realized why there has been so much confusion and controversy over where all of the “shovel-ready” jobs have gone. With the extension of unemployment benefits, nobody wants a shovel-ready job when they are offered a putter-ready vacation.
Actually that’s only half the problem. Our Vice President puts it this way: “Just becaust the Recovery Act was a monumental failure, does not mean that it is not working.” The solution, according to the administration is that not enough stimulus has been injected into the economy. More is needed!?
While the administration has been “stimulating the economy” the president has systematically crippled a number of sectors of the economy such as: tourism (Las Vegas and Gulf Coast), oil drilling and production, insurance, private aircraft, commercial air travel, and others. Nobody knows where they will strike next.
In summary, the government reduces the incentive for people to work with extended unemployment benefits, while at the same time destroying jobs. All I can say is I wanted a shovel-ready job, but all I got was this lousy putter.
I don’t get paid for writing this blog, but the government will pay me for not working! Well, I’ve got to go now, tee time is at 2pm.
The image was taken directly from movie stills 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.
What has God done in your life? Anything? If we understand the Bible, everything has purpose and is for God’s glory. Even what we might see as bad things have purpose. God is with us through it all.
In order to truly understand Psalm 52, and praise God as the Psalmist does, we must know God. Jesus made that possible for us. We can know God through his Son!
In this fallen world, the true miracle is that good things can happen to fallen people. In Romans 5:3 it says that “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” The curse of Genesis is reversed, one sinner at a time!
If we have that relationship with Christ we can begin to flourish. We can begin to trust in God’s unfailing love for ever. We can praise him for all he has done for us.
If you want to seek a relationship with God, may I suggest you read the gospel of John in the Bible. Observe how Jesus brings hope to a fallen world, and ask him to bring hope to you as well.
Dear Lord, Help me to know you, that I may flourish in your love. Help me to understand the gospel, the good news of hope that you bring to the world. Amen.
I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 52 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.
My grandmother was well into her 90s when we gathered around her. It would be the last time I would see her in this life. She looked up at me, smiling, her blue eyes twinkling, and said: “I’m ready to go.” I’ll never forget that moment.
My uncle told me that the short time she had been in the nursing facility she had been a blessing and encouragement to everyone there, staff and patients. Her confident faith and cheerful attitude were an inspiration to all.
My grandmother had served the Lord all her life. As the Psalmist says in this passage, she had walked “before the Lord in the land of the living,” she had known suffering and affliction in her life, she had fulfilled her vows “to the Lord in the presence of all his people.” She knew the love of her savior, Jesus, and shared that love with her family, friends and all she came into contact with.
The image shows a beautiful, peaceful sunset. May the Lord help me to grow in my faith so that as my life comes to a close, as my sun sets, I will be ready to go, like my grandmother; with confidence and faith.
Dear Lord, It’s never too late to turn to you as savior. Help us to know your love and grow in faith to the end of our days. When we are called home, let us be ready to confidently say, “I’m ready to go.”
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” I love you grandma.
I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 116 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.
Below is an extra treat! The Sons of Korah have put Psalm 116 to music. Listen to a sample below and purchase your own copy at the iTunes store by clicking on the button.
| Psalm 116b – Rain Album | |
In younger days I was a surfer, and I can tell you that waves can be powerful. Riding across the face of a wave is one of the most exciting things in the world, but when the wave comes crashing down on you all you can do is hold you breath, hang on, and wait until it passes. You can feel the concussion of the crashing water and hear the roar in your ears.
The Psalm 89 excerpt in this quote reminds us that God rules all the power of the sea. He can also still the waters as we know from Mark 4:39. It is a good thing to worship an all-powerful God!
I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 89 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.
Will RogersHave you noticed that Congress seems to live in the land of “good intentions?” Some call it an “alternate universe.” It’s a place of love, happiness and prosperity.
How many times have you heard our legislators proudly proclaim that their legislation will bring world peace, end poverty, end hunger, end unemployment, put a chicken in every pot, cure cancer, clean up the environment, stop terrorism, and leave no child behind.
Noble goals indeed, but without fail there are always unintended consequences which create the opposite effect. The “War on Poverty” hasn’t ended poverty despite spending untold billions of dollars. Treaties never seem to bring peace, extending unemployment benefits seems to correlate with more unemployment, and cleaning up the environment seems to mean that nobody can live, work on, or enjoy the land any more.
The fact that the programs don’t accomplish their original goal, by any measurement, and cause more trouble that good, doesn’t seem to make any difference. In fact, the more colossal the failure, the more money is demanded to finish the work. Just the other day a high administration official remarked that the stimulus spending did what it was supposed to, and that we needed even more money to finish the job!
Will Rogers was concerned about an ineffective gathering of “our boys [and girls]” in Congress in 1931. I’m even more concerned about them gathering today! Not only are they ineffective, they are killing us with “good intentions,” because people are still hungry and unemployed.
Well, the Capitol grounds may be a place of love, happiness and prosperity, but if you wander down the wrong street a couple of miles away, you better be packin’ heat and be wearing a bullet-proof vest.
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.
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 contact Frank option allows the user to easily compose and send an email directly to the developer.
The information section has some additional useful options. If you want to know were the images came from touch the credit option. The share option is a great way to share the quote and image to a friend. If you enjoy the application, please use the rate this app option so that others will know. The option takes you to the iTunes store where you can add your ratings and comments to the app page.
Finally, there is a products option that will list all of the Systems of Merritt products. If you enjoy this product, you might also enjoy on of our other fine products.
Are there some more features you would really like to see? Let us know with a quick note from the email the developer option. We love to hear from our users!
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
