3 July - Quotidian Quotations

Here's one for all those who are concerned about noticing increasing numbers of gray hairs:

"Gray hair is a mark of distinction,
   the award for a God-loyal life."

- the Bible (Proverbs 16:31)

May we grow older gracefully, not denying our age by trying obsessively to get rid of the gray and wrinkles, but rather being convinced of God's intervention and care on our behalf, and thankful for the wisdom and other blessings he's brought to us over the years.

2 July - Quotidian Quotations

"Life is an adventure, dare it."

- Mother Theresa

30 June - Quotidian Quotations

We saw the quote below in action, when we went to Guatemala on a trip with a child sponsorship organization. It became remarkably easy to tell which families had caring, thoughtful parents and which ones did not, even before we met them.

Every time we drove into a family's yard, we observed the animals (and there were always some). If the adults and children ignored them or treated them carelessly, we could expect the same behaviour with other people. However, if the family obviously cared for the animals as pets, showing them affection and considering them as creatures with their own, God-given dignity, then we could expect them to treat people in such a way, too.

Here's today's quote, from the Bible's wisdom literature:

"Good people are good to their animals;
the "good-hearted" bad people kick and abuse them."

- Proverbs 12:10

25 June - Quotidian Quotations

"Oh that the desert were my dwelling-place!"

- Lord Byron, poet

For me, there is nothing as beautiful as an arid landscape.

Since visiting several deserts over the past few years - the Sonoran in Arizona, the Mojave in California and Nevada, the badlands in the Dakotas and the Dead Sea region in Israel - I have fallen in love with their stark, expansive beauty.

In my opinion, though, none can approach the combination of parched dryness and surprisingly lush vegetation that is found in little-known Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Located in the least-visited state of the USA, North Dakota, this gem of a landscape allows hikers to share trails with wild horses, bison and rattlesnakes. There are dangers - not the least of which is the intense plains sun - but getting right down into the towering, multicoloured badland dunes, sighting a far-off bison herd, walking right through the middle of a prairie dog colony's antics, and stopping to see a delicate yet brilliantly coloured desert flower are all well worth the watchfulness and slightly heightened anxiety of the journey.

We all have arid times in life, too, when we find ourselves in the desert. It's dry and may appear barren or even dangerous, making us want to turn back. Instead, may we don our wide-brimmed hats of God's protection from the sun's intensity, pick up our water bottles of God's Word for sustenance, and trust our guide - God himself - to lead us through the dangers. Then we'll have the peace of mind to enjoy the view. Even in the desert.

- J

23 June - Quotidian Quotations

"I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything."

- Jesus, in the Bible (Mark 11)

21 June - Quotidian Quotations

^1-2 I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains?
No, my strength comes from God,
who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.

^3-4 He won't let you stumble,
your Guardian God won't fall asleep.
Not on your life! Israel's
Guardian will never doze or sleep.

^5-6 God's your Guardian,
right at your side to protect you—
Shielding you from sunstroke,
sheltering you from moonstroke.

^7-8 God guards you from every evil,
he guards your very life.
He guards you when you leave and when you return,
he guards you now, he guards you always.

- Psalm 121 from The Message

20 June - Quotidian Quotations

Repentance "is the turning point marking the transition from a dreamy nostalgia for a better life to a rugged pilgrimage of discipleship in faith."

- Eugene Peterson in A Long Obedience in the Same Direction