Will Rogers on “Elect the Liars?”

Will RogersThe “bog hole of financial misery” a couple of years ago was at an unemployment rate one half of what it is now. After the election, people were asking the former candidate for new kitchens, jobs, chickens in every pot and better healthcare. Farmer Jones wanted a new barn and more hogs to slop.Will Rogers might have called someone who promised so much a liar, but my mama told me to never call names. Maybe the candidate exaggerated the truth a bit, making so many promises. A lot of people believed him and voted for him.

It’s been a couple of years now and the economy has been stimulated to death. We’ve been looking for “shovel-ready jobs,” but we can’t even find out where the shovels are. I heard Farmer Jones had to lay off the hired hands and eat the hogs. His son got a temporary job from the government counting chickens in Seed-tick County for the chicken census.

People round here don’t take kindly to lying. We like to believe that folks abide by their promises. A few years ago we followed politicians’ promises like hogs called to dinner, but right now that bog hole deeper than a hogwaller.

I think we got even with ’em a couple of years ago in the elections according to Will Rogers – we elected ’em. Now what do we do with ’em?

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.

Will Rogers

Spurgeon on “Our Prayers are Filed in Heaven” ~ 2 Minute Devotional

God remembers our prayers! He knows our needs. He cares about His children. What great comfort we can take in this knowledge.

The heavens are vast, as shown in this NASA photograph. Just as the Lord remembers each and every star, he can remember our prayers and fulfill them to our delight, as Spurgeon says.

Yet despair and discouragement always seem to be close at hand as we wait. When our faith is tried, it is important to realize that is when our faith grows. Continue in “earnest supplication,” persevere, hang on, dear child of God!

As we have seen in other Psalms, we need to look back and remember what God has done for us, how He has answered prayers and blessed us, even when we don’t deserve it. God knows our future as we see our past. It is all for His glory.

Dear Lord, Let me glorify you and enjoy you forever. As I pray, help my faith to grow each day, even through discouragement and hard times. Help me to always engage in earnest supplication. 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.

Navy Psalm 109:30 on “Give Thanks to the Lord” ESV 2 Minute Devotional

Wouldn’t it make you proud to see a procession of young men and women who are all dedicated to the service of their country.  Each uniform is perfectly pressed and worn with pride. Row upon row, they march in unison. Each step is directed by the leader’s commands. For love and defense of country, some may even be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice.

So marches the Church, down through the ages. Each Christian in the procession is clothed with the perfect robe of salvation, given by our Savior, Jesus. He has saved us from condemnation. He was at our right hand when we needed help. We can only praise and give thanks to the Lord in the midst of the great throng of believers.

Dear Lord, grant me your salvation, that I may praise you each day, even in the midst of the throng! Amen.

Psalm 109:30 With my mouth I will give great thanks to the LORD; I will praise him in the midst of the throng. 31 For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.
Image info: PHILADELPHIA (Dec. 12, 2009) Midshipmen take the field during the march on at the 110th Army-Navy college football game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (U.S. Navy photo by Damon J. Moritz/Released)

I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 109:30 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.

Will Rogers on “Are we Cuckoo?”

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.

Will Rogers

Exalt the Lord – Psalm 99 NIV 2 Minute Devotional

In this wonderfully uplifting Psalm, we find our two themes of praise and remembrance again. It seems that when I get focused on myself and my problems, that I forget to praise God and remember his blessings.

We also find in verse 8 the remarkable thought that God is a forgiving God, though he punished Israel’s misdeeds. If a parent doesn’t punish and correct their child, they don’t truly love the child. The same is true with God. Because he cares for us, he chastens us, but there is also forgiveness and mercy. At this, the Psalmist proclaims in verse 9: “Exalt the Lord our God!”

The cross of Christ goes even further. Jesus bore our sins and received our punishment. He received the chastisement and wrath of God in our place. Even if we received no other blessing from God, we should remember this. And for this blessing of forgiveness and salvation, we need to “Exalt the Lord our God!”

Dear Lord, If I have never known your forgiveness, and if I have never exalted you, help me to begin now. I receive Jesus into my heart. Let me always remember this moment, and exalt you this day and forever. Amen.

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.

EXTRA!

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

Spurgeon on “True Humility and God’s Glory” ~ 2 Minute Devotional

I’m proud to be humble pretty much summarizes my belief that I can grow spiritually through my own efforts. Because I say it, means it is so.

Spurgeon’s quote helps me realize that all that I do, and all that I am is because of God, not me. Not that I am a bystander, but because God has given me abilities and gifts, plus God directs the outcome for His glory. This is true humility, giving God credit for everything.

For a clear picture of true humility, I think of Daniel and King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2. The king had asked his wise men to interpret a dream. This wouldn’t have been a problem, except King Nebuchadnezzar wouldn’t tell them what the dream was, or perhaps he didn’t remember. If the dream couldn’t be interpreted by the wise men (including Daniel) of Babylon, the king would put them all to death.

Daniel and his friends prayed for God’s help, and in this passage, God reveals Nebuchadnezzar’s dream to Daniel, along with the interpretation in a “night vision.” Daniel’s first response was a psalm of praise, found in verses 20-23.

Daniel’s meeting with King Nebuchadnezzar must be one of the most dramatic moments in all of history. When asked if he could tell the dream and its interpretation, Daniel acknowledged that no person could do such a thing, except “…there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries…” Daniel even goes on to say that “…this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have…” This is true humility before God and man.

The beautiful flower in the picture points to the glory of it’s Creator. When we look at it, we know it didn’t create itself, and the flower contains no power in itself, except what was given to it by God. May we always direct others to our great savior and creator.

Dear Lord, Help me to acknowledge you first and always, in all that I am, and in all that I do. 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.

Love Righteousness – Psalm 45 ESV 2 Minute Devotional

It’s a struggle, isn’t it – loving righteousness? As the hymn says, I am “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love.” Yet the Psalmist indicates there is great reward.

When I am caught in sin, my tendency is to draw away from God and from his chastening. Have you noticed it with your kids. When the little ones are corrected, they push away when you try to hug them. The correction was for their good, and you do it because you love them, but their instinct is to push away.

In Romans 7 Paul talks about this war within us, the war between our desire to obey the law, and the law of sin and death in our members. Who will deliver us from this struggle? Paul gives us the answer in Ro 7:25: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

I think my sea otter friend in the picture is reminding me of a passage in “The Valley of Vision” that always helps me put things in perspective. It says: “My trials have been fewer than my sins, and when I have kissed the rod it has fallen from thy hands.”

Dear Lord, help me to love righteousness, and when I am chastened let me kiss the rod of correction – don’t let me pull away – let me fall into your arms of love. Amen.

I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 45 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 Rogers on “Public Speakers”

Have you ever listened to a political speech and wondered what in the world was that guy talking about? Perhaps you fell asleep during a speech and woke up to find out you didn’t miss anything.

Will Rogers had heard his share of political speeches. He regularly attended the conventions of both parties and reported the results to his readers with his characteristic humor.

Image Information. Will was a skilled horseman and he loved to ride.  When he first started his own stage act, a live horse was part of the act as he demonstrated his skill with the lasso. He even had a polo field built at his California ranch.

The equestrian statue at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum is a fitting tribute to Will, since horses were such an important part of his life. I took this picture at sunset, and you can see some of the glow in the clouds as they passed over this magnificent statue. It is the focal point of the beautiful walkway and gardens at the museum.

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.

Spurgeon on “Lessons from the Whale” ~ 2 Minute Devotional

When I read about Jonah, or the Israelites in the wilderness, my first instinct is to think: “What a bunch of stubborn boneheads! Don’t they ever learn?”

Just about the time I start to congratulate myself on what a fine example of obedience I demonstrate, compared to others, the Lord sees fit to humble me. It’s me, Frank, in the belly of the whale taking another dip under the water, just like the image on the left. It’s me, Frank, walking through the wilderness, until I learn my lessons.

When I am deposited on the beach, I’ll brush the seaweed out of my hair, preach the gospel to the (stunned) fishermen, and ask directions to Nineveh!

Dear Lord, Let me yield myself to you rather than strive against you. Help me to humble myself, so that I may serve you without delay. 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.

Cover My Sins – Psalm 32 NIV 2 Minute Devotional

Sin is so repulsive to us that we try to cover it any way we can. We rationalize it, hide it, laugh at it, or try to balance it with good works. None of this actually works in the long run because we still have a sense of shame. We know instinctively that something is wrong and needs to be addressed.

If you believe the Bible, the problem of sin is as old as the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve tried to hide from God, and covered themselves with leaves to further mask their shame.

If you don’t believe the Bible, I have a simple question for you. Why do you wear clothes? It’s not just because of the weather, is it? Covering specific parts of your body is as old as the Garden of Eden.

Covering our sin is as important as covering our body. The shame of having no covering is to painful to bear. But, while covering our body is simple, covering our sin is not. In fact, it is impossible to cover our sin without God’s help. There’s simply too much of it, and even if part of it can be hidden, other sins become visible.

The Psalmist says in this passage, “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” In the Bible, we find that it was Jesus who bore OUR sins upon the cross. The beaten and bloody body of Christ was hung on the cross, naked, for all to see. The ugliness and shame were real, personal, deep, painful. Jesus did that for me, for you, that our sins might be covered if we believe.

Dear Lord, Please cover my sins. I ask for your forgiveness and your help. Take my shame, and give me life. Amen.

I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 32 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.

God’s Mighty Power – Psalm 89 ESV 2 Minute Devotional

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.

Keep my Feet from Falling – Psalm 56 ESV 2 Minute Devotional

When I am in a high place, looking over the edge, I am seized with fear. I’ve been in tall buildings, on the edge of the Grand Canyon, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and many other high places. Some people are completely paralyzed with a fear of high places, and others, like steel workers, can work on beams 20 stories off the ground. I’m somewhere in between.

As I approach the edge, the fear grows, but I have to remind myself that I can put my trust in the glass window, or the railing to keep me from falling.

The Psalmist says that with trust in God, he will not be afraid. I think this takes time as we deal with our fears. We have to remind ourselves that that we can trust God when it looks like we are coming to the edge.

Some day perhaps we can be as confident at the mountain goat in the image. They live and thrive in the high places. They play and skip and jump from ledge to ledge.

Dear Lord, Let my trust in you grow day by day, that I may not be afraid of what comes my way. Please keep my feet from falling that I may walk before you, even skip and jump in the “light of life.” Amen.

I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 56 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 Rogers and Definition of “Lame Duck Congress”

We’re going to hear a whole bunch of lame ducks quacking real soon! The congressional pond will be alive with flapping and splashing.

Rogers’ definition of “lame duck Congress” is dead on! The bums that were thrown out for not doing their job get one last chance to do some damage. Let’s pray that they don’t “burn the house down!”

Image Information: This image is from a Will Rogers’ silent movie called An Unwilling Hero, released in 1921. Rogers plays Whistling Dick, a hobo who loves life and classical music. He loves just about everything except work.

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.

As the Deer Pants – Psalm 42 NIV 2 Minute Devotional

There is perhaps no more beautiful expression of a desire to seek God than “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” Once the image is in your mind, you can never forget it. Musicians have crafted it into their melodies (see Sons of Korah below) so we can sing it in the congregation or hum it to ourselves.

Yet the Psalmist, just like all of us, struggles with the question “Where is your God?” We pour out our hearts with tears as doubts creep in and our desire to seek God grows chill. What can I do?

I can remember happier days. Days when my heart was on fire, days when worship excited my soul. Those memories of God’s blessings can help carry us through the times of doubt, but why do we have to go through the valleys? Perhaps, because during time in the valley, my faith can grow even stronger. As my soul begins to thirst after better days I can “pant for streams of water.” I can be drawn toward Christ, the living water (John 4:10).

Dear Lord, Let me thirst for you. Let the dry times increase my desire for you, not diminish it. Let me remember past blessings and praise you for all you have done for me. Let me drink of the living water. Amen.

I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 42 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.

EXTRA!

Below is an extra treat! The Sons of Korah have put Psalm 42 to music. Listen to a sample below and purchase your own copy at the iTunes store by clicking on the button.

Psalm 42a – Rain Album