Tuesday, January 3, 2017

CONSIDER THE YEARS

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 32

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).

 

An elderly man ponders Scripture while in the courtyard of the Western Wall next to the Temple Mount. He may be meditating on the words of Moses.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 32:7

Remember the days of old,
Consider the years of many generations.
Ask your father, and he will show you;
Your elders, and they will tell you…

 

The song of Moses, poetry in the Hebrew language, is a spectacular way to present his last words. We have no idea of the tune he sang. It was no doubt in the minor key. It’s a sad sounding melody. According to available information, the scale for the major key arrived at some point as a more joyous sound in early Christianity. What a dramatic impact Moses made with his message. Ever since, it has been impossible for Jewish people to forget Moses.

Our key verse tells sons and daughters, as well as the following generations, to “ask your father.” How should a father answer? Deuteronomy 32:6 gives fathers, and mothers too, their instructions…”Set your hearts!” In Matthew 12:34b Jesus is quoted as saying, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Let us fill our minds with God’s Word and meditate on it. It will surely soak down into the very core of our beings, and the right words will flow out when we speak.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to move the content of this two-year daily blog into my heart. May the thoughts expressed here faithfully communicate Your thoughts. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

During the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, I’ve had wonderful opportunities to follow Moses’ instructions. I’ve preached a bit to my children, my grandchildren, and my great-grandchildren. I didn’t preach a long sermon. Often it was just a sentence or two. Like Moses, I even sang a verse or two of a song.

One of my heroes is my uncle, Rev. Manley Pritchard, 21 years older than his sister, my mother (see photo below). My father was away during WW2 years, and my uncle filled in as a father sometimes. I can remember stern warnings, as well as good stories from him. He would be 138 years old if he was still here with us. His words still sound in my memories. He compiled a book which, in my opinion, should be back in print. It’s called, Pebbles From The Brink — “the brink” being the shore of the river of death (here is a link to an online version of the book…click the arrow to turn the pages). The last words of dying people are often startling. Of course, Uncle Manley also included in his book the last words of Jesus, which were, according to John, who was there, “It is finished” (John 19:30). As a 12-year-old boy, I heard my dying mother’s last word. She laboured to say my name, “David.” I went to her side, kissed her and said through my sobs, “Mother, I’ll meet you in Heaven.” My dad reminded me several times that I added the words, “I will, I will.” I know I can have this assurance because Jesus “FINISHED” the work He came to earth to accomplish. His Cross is the bridge from this side of the river of death to the shores of Heaven.

Yours for wisdom to find the right words to say to our loved ones,

David

P.S. My sister Willa recently came across the photo below of our mother as a young girl with her parents and siblings (taken around the turn of the century). Mother is the precious little girl in the front (born Norma Hazel Pritchard). The man in the back is my Uncle Manley, whom I referred to above.

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11 thoughts on “Tuesday, January 3, 2017

  1. Dear David, Thank you for a very interesting little book — Pebbles……
    Thank you for your time and effort in preparing our daily100 Words
    Thank you Jesus for working through David.
    God bless, Sincerely, Ruth

  2. Your words to your Mother are very moving David. You knew what was very important to your Mom as she was about to leave this world. What a wonderful saint she was and also your uncle. Haven’t read the book yet. Have been spending much time removing snow and raking roofs from the ground the last couple days. NB is being hit this year with snow. God bless you all.

  3. What a spectacular photo of the man meditating on the Word of God!!

    How special to have a photo of your Mother…your Uncle…your heritage!!
    Thank you for sharing you heart with us…your words of promise to your Mother at her departure!!!a

    Once again, your words of wisdom…much appreciated!!

    Blessings and love to all in this New Year and always!!

  4. Such poetic scripture, today, in Deuteronomy 32. Thanks for the family photo, its history, and link to the book, Pebbles from the Brink, David. I just ordered a copy for 1 cent on-line and recently, Total Forgiveness by R. T. Kendall, on my Kobo as well as a hard copy for a friend; thoroughly enjoying the read. Wishing all saints a blessed evening, in the Lord.

    And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15 NKJV

    Voice of Truth, Casting Crowns
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKnBcCdnXyg

  5. What an awesome picture! If I read it right, your mother’s Name was Norma Hazel and you married a lovely lady named Norma Jean! that’s also very awesome!
    I liked the clothes of that day!
    The Word of God is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow unto ALL generations! Incredible!

    Blessings to everyone…..

  6. started practice with a commun ity choir! WOW! singing Southern Gospel music! I can’t do morning concerts but can do late afternoon and evenings!

    • oops! Got cut off! just wanted to say it was so nice to be together with a Christian group who all like singing praises to God! What a joy!

  7. Thanks for sharing meaningful stories from your family’s past. It helps us realize the impact we can have on furure generations

  8. Thank you for the wonderful memories of our mutual family. We’do love to get copies of these pictures posted. Pebbles from the Brink has a place of honour in my collection.
    Your blog continues to be much appreciated.
    Be blessed in Jesus name
    Brian

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