Category Archives: Holy Spirit

The Eagle Lectern

The symbolism of the eagle derived from the belief that the bird was capable of staring into the sun and that Christians similarly were able to gaze unflinchingly at the revelation of the divine word. Alternatively, the eagle was believed to be the bird that flew highest in the sky and was therefore closest to heaven, and symbolized the carrying of the word of God to the four corners of the world.
The eagle is the symbol used to depict John the Apostle, whose writing most clearly witnesses the light and divinity of Christ. In art, John, as the author of the Gospel, is often depicted with an eagle, which symbolizes the height to which he rose in the first chapter of his gospel. The eagle came to represent the inspiration of the gospels.
Eagle Lectern at Glasgow Cathedral
Balliol College, Oxford.

THE FLYING eagle is the symbol of John the Evangelist (see Revelation, ch 4, v 7) who proclaimed Christ as ‘the Word of God’ at the beginning of his Gospel. The flying eagle is thus a suitable emblem from which God’s word is read, reaching to the ends of the earth.

St. Mary Magdalene Church in Woodstock

Broadway Day 7 034

St. Michael and All Angels Church in Broadway (Cotswolds)

We were intrigued with these ornate Eagle lecterns that we saw in most of the churches and cathedrals we visited in England. That is why I researched to see the significance of this design.

The lectern stands as the location from which Christian Biblical lessons are given. Lecterns hold the Bible in place as the church leader reads various passages from it. Lecterns in the shape of an eagle hold special value within churches.

Eagle lecterns date back to early church history. Some of the earliest examples of church lecterns that are still in existence date back to the 13th century, such as the lectern located within All Saints’ Parish Church in Bedfordshire, England.

The eagle is the symbol used to depict John the Apostle, whose writing is said to most clearly witness the light and divinity of Christ.

Another reason for eagle-shaped lecterns lies in its symbolizing the word of God being read from the lectern and soaring its way to the ears of the churchgoers.

Oxford

York Minster

What a blessing it has been to be able to visit so many of these beautiful chapels and cathedrals and learn the history and inspiration behind the Eagle Lectern. But how much more amazing is it that we can hold the Word of God in our hands and read it and learn from it and grow in wisdom and grace.

Psalm 19:7-11

The law of the Lord is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.

I’m adding a quote from one of my favorite pastors who inspired me to love God’s Word because of His love for all of God’s Word and his faithful preaching of the Word.

“It is the power of the Word that saves. It is the power of the Word that sanctifies. It provides doctrine. It reproves error and sin. It sets upright and then trains in the path of righteousness.” ~John MacArthur

Truth for Today #156

Thursday August 7th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you! 

Isaiah 61:10-11

I will rejoice greatly in the Lord,
My soul will exult in my God;
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,
He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,
And as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up,
So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
To spring up before all the nations.

From Vera:

Joel‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.”

From Nikkipolani:

James 1:21

Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

From Leonard:

Jeremiah 31:3-4

…“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. I will build you up again, and you will be rebuilt. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful.”

From Karen:

Psalm 73:28

But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

From Marilyn:

Matthew 1:24

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him.

‭‭From Dianna:

“For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.” Psalm 149:4

Whate’er My God Ordains is Right ~Hymn

Whate’er My God Ordains is Right

Whate’er my God or­dains is right:
His ho­ly will abid­eth;
I will be still what­e’er He doth;
And fol­low where He guid­eth;
He is my God; though dark my road,
He holds me that I shall not fall:
Wherefore to Him I leave it all.

Whate’er my God or­dains is right:
He nev­er will de­ceive me;
He leads me by the pro­per path:
I know He will not leave me.
I take, con­tent, what He hath sent;
His hand can turn my griefs away,
And pa­tient­ly I wait His day.

Whate’er my God or­dains is right:
His lov­ing thought at­tends me;
No poi­son can be in the cup
That my phy­si­cian sends me.
My God is true; each morn anew
I’ll trust His grace un­end­ing,
My life to Him com­mend­ing.

Whate’er my God or­dains is right:
He is my friend and Fa­ther;
He suf­fers naught to do me harm,
Though many storms may ga­ther,
Now I may know both joy and woe,
Some day I shall see clear­ly
That He hath loved me dear­ly.

Whate’er my God or­dains is right:
Though now this cup, in drink­ing,
May bit­ter seem to my faint heart,
I take it, all un­shrink­ing.
My God is true; each morn anew
Sweet com­fort yet shall fill my heart,
And pain and sor­row shall de­part.

Whate’er my God or­dains is right:
Here shall my stand be taken;
Though sor­row, need, or death be mine,
Yet I am not for­sak­en.
My Fa­ther’s care is round me there;
He holds me that I shall not fall:
And so to Him I leave it all.

Words: Samuel Rodigast, 1676.

Truth for Today #155

Thursday July 31st

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you! 

1 Timothy 6:11-16

11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

From Dianna:

John 1:12-13 NASB

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who are born, not of blood nor the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, but of God.”

From Vera:

‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬-‭21‬

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

From Leonard:

Isaiah 41:10

“Do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am you God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

From Karen:

Isaiah 1:18.

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they hall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

‭

Goodbye July Hodgepodge

Here we are at the end of July but before it’s over we have one more July Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you, Joyce from This Side of the Pond.

1. On July 29th 1957 The Tonite Show premiered with Jack Parr as it’s host. This marked the beginning of the modern day talk show. Do you watch any daytime or late night talk shows today? Do you have any thoughts on the hubbub surrounding the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, or are you more in the camp of ‘who is Stephen Colbert? 

“Leave politics to the politicians and just get on with being entertaining. That’s the advice iconic late-night talk show host Jay Leno gave.”

I’m in the ‘who is yada yada’ camp. When supposed comedians and movie producers and sports teams become political it’s a shame and their demise is their own fault.

2. What’s the best part of your day? 

I have to say it’s the peace and quiet of the morning. My cup of coffee time and time in the Word of God starts the day off in a pleasant subtle life changing way. It plays a part in my Sanctification that has been ongoing since God called me to be one of His own through the door Jesus opened through His sacrifice for sin on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. The words of this song from Chris Tomlin speak to this life changing Faith. One God, One Savior, One Way to peace with God.

There is a savior for the sinnerHe is my friend and my forgiverThere is new mercy that flows like riversIt washes me, it washes me
~
I believe in JesusHe is the Son of GodHe died and rose to save my soulI confess that He is Lord
~
There is a cross that reminds meThere’s only one who is worthyAnd there is a grave forever emptyOh, I believe
Yes, I believe, oh
~
I believe in JesusHe is the Son of GodHe died and rose to save my soulI confess that He is Lord
~
You are LordYou are LordYou are LordI confess, You are Lord
My salvation, my rewardYou are all I’m living forYou are LordYou are LordI confess, You are Lord
Every knee will bow beforeJesus Christ forevermore
~
I believe in JesusHe is the Son of GodHe died and rose to save my soulI confess that He is LordOh, I believe in JesusHe is the Son of God(He died) He died (and rose) and rose to save my soulI confess that He is Lord
~
He died and rose to save my soulI confess that He is Lord
~

3. What’s something your generation does that you actually dislike?

I’m tweaking this question a little by changing does to did. My generation was a smoking generation and that is something I dislike/disliked. There was cigarette smoke everywhere including restaurants, offices I worked in, airplanes, and in many homes. What a relief it was when smoking was not allowed in contained public spaces anymore, especially in restaurants and airplanes. ‘Smoking sections’ were such a joke but we put up with them for years.

4. When you cook do you clean as you go, or clean it all up once you’re finished cooking? What’s the last thing you cooked/baked in your own kitchen? 

It varies on whether I clean as I go or after I’m finished. It really depends on how complicated a recipe or method is and if I need the same space to complete the recipe.

On Tuesday, I baked a cake for my youngest brother who is visiting us with his son. It was his birthday. Tuesday dinner was a true taco Tuesday here. I browned the meat, fried the taco shells and made guac and pica de gallo, etc. etc. It was a mess. Today, Wednesday, we are taking them to the airport in Spokane for their flight back to Dallas, Texas.

As I hurry this morning to finish this post my dear husband is washing up some of the pans from our taco meal prep from our dinner last night and also bringing me my morning cuppa. He’s a keeper, y’all!

5. Sum up your July in ten words or less. 

July a mix of celebration, organization, grief, sorrow ending with joy.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I’m coming in late because we have been busy with my brother and our nephew. Lots to share on another day. I’d like to clarify that this iconic view that our family loves is from our kids’ driveway, not ours. We usually are inspired to take a photo here on our way home from their house.

I’ll be coming around late to visit, Hodgepodgers!

I Once Was a Stranger ~ Hymn

Je­ho­vah Tsid­ke­nu is He­brew for The Lord Our Right­eous­ness.

I Once Was a Stranger

I once was a strang­er to grace and to God,
I knew not my dan­ger, and felt not my load;
Though friends spoke in rap­ture of Christ on the tree,
Jehovah Tsid­ke­nu was no­thing to me.

I oft read with plea­sure, to sooth or en­gage,
Isaiah’s wild mea­sure and John’s sim­ple page;
But e’en when they pic­tured the blood sprink­led tree
Jehovah Tsid­ke­nu seemed no­thing to me.

Like tears from the daugh­ters of Zi­on that roll,
I wept when the wa­ters went ov­er His soul;
Yet thought not that my sins had nailed to the tree
Jehovah Tsid­ke­nu—’twas no­thing to me.

When free grace awoke me, by light from on high,
Then le­gal fears shook me, I trem­bled to die;
No re­fuge, no safe­ty in self could I see—
Jehovah Tsid­ke­nu my Sav­ior must be.

My ter­rors all van­ished be­fore the sweet name;
My guil­ty fears ban­ished, with bold­ness I came
To drink at the fount­ain, life giv­ing and free—
Jehovah Tsid­ke­nu is all things to me.

Jehovah Tsid­ke­nu! my trea­sure and boast,
Jehovah Tsid­ke­nu! I ne’er can be lost;
In thee I shall con­quer by flood and by field,
My ca­ble, my an­chor, my breast-plate and shield!

Even tread­ing the val­ley, the sha­dow of death,
This watch­word shall ral­ly my fal­ter­ing breath;
For while from life’s fev­er my God sets me free,
Jehovah Tsid­ke­nu, my death song shall be.

Words: Robert M. McCheyne, (1813-1843)

Truth for Today #154

Thursday July 24th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you! 

Psalm 25:4-5

Make me know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.

Psalm 56:8-11

You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?

From Dianna:

Psalm 112:5

It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.

From Vera:

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭22‬-‭26‬ ‭ESV‬‬

From Karen:

John 8:36

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

From Cheryl:

“It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.” ~ I Samuel 3:18

Chosen Not for Good in Me ~ Hymn

Chosen Not for Good in Me

Chosen not for good in me,
Waked from com­ing wrath to flee,
Hidden in the Sav­ior’s side,
By the Spir­it sanc­ti­fied—
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show
By my love, how much I owe.

Oft I walk be­neath the cloud,
Dark as mid­night’s gloo­my shroud:
But, when fear is at the height,
Jesus comes, and all is light;
Blessèd Je­sus! bid me show
Doubting saints how much I owe.

Oft the nights of sor­row reign—
Weeping, sick­ness, sigh­ing, pain;
But a night Thine an­ger burns—
Morning comes, and joy re­turns:
God of com­forts! bid me show
To Thy poor how much I owe.

When in flow­ery paths I tread,
Oft by sin I’m cap­tive led;
Oft I fall, but still arise—
Jesus comes—the tempt­er flies;
Blessèd Je­sus! bid me show
Weary sin­ners all I owe.

Words: Robert M. McCheyne, (1813-1843)

Truth for Today #153

Thursday July 17th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you! 

2 Timothy 4:1-8

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
~
From Vera:
~
“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭63‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬
~
From Dianna:
~
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16 ESV
~
From Karen:
~
Psalms 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Praises to Him Who Built the Hills ~ Hymn

Praises to Him Who Built the Hills

Praises to Him who built the hills;
Praises to Him the streams who fills;
Praises to Him who lights each star
That spark­les in the blue afar.

Praises to Him who makes the morn,
And bids it glow with beams new-born;
Who draws the sha­dows of the night,
Like cur­tains, o’er our wea­ried sight.

Praises to Him whose love has giv­en,
In Christ His Son, the Life of Heav­en;
Who for our dark­ness gives us light,
And turns to day our deep­est night.

Praises to Him, in grace who came,
To bear our woe, and sin, and shame;
Who lived to die, who died to rise,
The God-ac­cept­ed sac­ri­fice.

Praises to Him the chain who broke,
Opened the pri­son, burst the yoke,
Sent forth its cap­tives, glad and free,
Heirs of an end­less li­ber­ty.

Praises to Him who sheds abroad
Within our hearts the love of God;
The Spir­it of all truth and peace,
Fountain of joy and ho­li­ness!

The Fa­ther, Son, and Spir­it, now
The hands we lift, the knees we bow;
To Jah-Je­ho­vah thus we raise
The sin­ner’s song of end­less praise

Words: Horatius Bonar, 1861.