Day 274: "The Voice Of The Lord God Walking In The Garden In The Cool Of The Day."
Read: Genesis 3:8
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. As I was preparing myself for
today's effort, I came across as undoubtedly you have as well, the story
of the 19 Fire Fighters who have lost heir lives fighting the forest
fire in Arizona. I read where the average age of the unit was only
22 years of age and members of an elite Fire Fighting team "The Hot
Shotters." Only 22 years old on the average, an age of 'mature
innocence' if you will. My spirit was just stunned into submission. I
cannot fathom such a level of loss. I sit here in my dining area. I am
crying and I feel at such a great loss for words. For today, I will let
the Lord speak to each of you as we lift up in prayer those young MEN.
"MY soul, now that the cool of the day has come, retire awhile and
hearken to the voice of thy God. He is always ready to speak with thee
when thou art prepared to hear. If there be any slowness to commune it
is not on His part, but altogether on thine own, for He stands at the
door and knocks, and if His people will but open He rejoices to enter.
But in what state is my heart, which is my Lord's garden?
May I
venture to hope that it is well trimmed and watered, and is bringing
forth fruit fit for Him? If not, He will have much to reprove, but still
I pray Him to come unto me, for nothing can so certainly bring my heart
into a right condition as the presence of the Sun of Righteousness, who
brings healing in His wings. Come, therefore, O Lord, my God, my soul
invites Thee earnestly, and waits for Thee eagerly. Come to me, O Jesus,
my well-beloved, and plant fresh flowers in my garden, such as I see
blooming in such perfection in Thy matchless character! Come, O my
Father, who art the Husbandman, and deal with me in Thy tenderness and
prudence!
Come, O Holy Spirit, and bedew my whole nature, as
the herbs are now moistened with the evening dews. O that God would
speak to me. Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth! O that He would walk
with me; I am ready to give up my whole heart and mind to Him, and every
other thought is hushed. I am only asking what He delights to give. I
am sure that He will condescend to have fellowship with me, for He has
given me His Holy Spirit to abide with me for ever.
Sweet is
the cool twilight, when every star seems like the eye of heaven, and the
cool wind is as the breath of celestial love. My Father, my elder
Brother, my sweet Comforter, speak now in lovingkindness, for Thou hast
opened mine ear and I am not rebellious."
The Reverend Charles Haddon
Spurgeon
A Firefighter's Pledge:
I promise concern for others.
A willingness to help all those in need.
Promise courage - courage to face and conquer my fears.
Courage to share and endure the ordeal of those who need me.
I promise strength - strength of heart to bear
whatever burdens might be placed upon me.
Strength of body to deliver to safety
all those placed within my care.
I promise the wisdom to lead,
the compassion to comfort,
and the love to serve unselfishly
whenever I am called.
Let Us Pray:
Fallen
Rest now my fallen brother
Lay soft your suffering back
Rest well and forever
Your memory shall not lack
Rest your tired hands
Wipe clean your weary brow
Rest with St. Florian
Your spirit now endowed
Rest here your breaking heart
We know you gave your all
Rest easy, you’ve done your part
You’ve answered your last call
Rest knowing that in God we sought
Oh Lord, watch over another who just fell
Rest assured your troubled thought
As we ring the final bell.
Submitted by R. Hoffman, SSgt. USAF/MOANG,
Firefighter, Rosecrans Airport, St. Joseph, Missouri
http://www.youtube.com/
Read: Genesis 3:8
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. As I was preparing myself for today's effort, I came across as undoubtedly you have as well, the story of the 19 Fire Fighters who have lost heir lives fighting the forest fire in Arizona. I read where the average age of the unit was only 22 years of age and members of an elite Fire Fighting team "The Hot Shotters." Only 22 years old on the average, an age of 'mature innocence' if you will. My spirit was just stunned into submission. I cannot fathom such a level of loss. I sit here in my dining area. I am crying and I feel at such a great loss for words. For today, I will let the Lord speak to each of you as we lift up in prayer those young MEN.
"MY soul, now that the cool of the day has come, retire awhile and hearken to the voice of thy God. He is always ready to speak with thee when thou art prepared to hear. If there be any slowness to commune it is not on His part, but altogether on thine own, for He stands at the door and knocks, and if His people will but open He rejoices to enter. But in what state is my heart, which is my Lord's garden?
May I venture to hope that it is well trimmed and watered, and is bringing forth fruit fit for Him? If not, He will have much to reprove, but still I pray Him to come unto me, for nothing can so certainly bring my heart into a right condition as the presence of the Sun of Righteousness, who brings healing in His wings. Come, therefore, O Lord, my God, my soul invites Thee earnestly, and waits for Thee eagerly. Come to me, O Jesus, my well-beloved, and plant fresh flowers in my garden, such as I see blooming in such perfection in Thy matchless character! Come, O my Father, who art the Husbandman, and deal with me in Thy tenderness and prudence!
Come, O Holy Spirit, and bedew my whole nature, as the herbs are now moistened with the evening dews. O that God would speak to me. Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth! O that He would walk with me; I am ready to give up my whole heart and mind to Him, and every other thought is hushed. I am only asking what He delights to give. I am sure that He will condescend to have fellowship with me, for He has given me His Holy Spirit to abide with me for ever.
Sweet is the cool twilight, when every star seems like the eye of heaven, and the cool wind is as the breath of celestial love. My Father, my elder Brother, my sweet Comforter, speak now in lovingkindness, for Thou hast opened mine ear and I am not rebellious."
A Firefighter's Pledge:
I promise concern for others.
A willingness to help all those in need.
Promise courage - courage to face and conquer my fears.
Courage to share and endure the ordeal of those who need me.
I promise strength - strength of heart to bear
whatever burdens might be placed upon me.
Strength of body to deliver to safety
all those placed within my care.
I promise the wisdom to lead,
the compassion to comfort,
and the love to serve unselfishly
whenever I am called.
Let Us Pray:
Fallen
Rest now my fallen brother
Lay soft your suffering back
Rest well and forever
Your memory shall not lack
Rest your tired hands
Wipe clean your weary brow
Rest with St. Florian
Your spirit now endowed
Rest here your breaking heart
We know you gave your all
Rest easy, you’ve done your part
You’ve answered your last call
Rest knowing that in God we sought
Oh Lord, watch over another who just fell
Rest assured your troubled thought
As we ring the final bell.
Submitted by R. Hoffman, SSgt. USAF/MOANG,
Firefighter, Rosecrans Airport, St. Joseph, Missouri
http://www.youtube.com/
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