Card #14 of a COVID-19 Card-a-Day Series

Verse for the Day

Psalm 91:1-4 KJV “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”

Song for the Day

Beneath His Wings

There is a safe and secret place,
Beneath the wings Divine,
Reserved for all the heirs of grace;
O be that refuge mine!

Chorus:

He that dwelleth in the secret place,

In the secret place of the Most High,

Shall abide in the shadow,

In the shadow of His wings.

The least and feeblest there may bide,
Uninjured and unawed;
While thousands fall on every side
He rests secure in God.

He feeds in pastures, large and fair,
Of love and truth Divine;
O child of God, O glory's heir,
How rich a lot is thine.

A hand almighty to defend,
An ear for every call,
An honored life, a peaceful end,
And heaven to crown it all!

~ Henry F. Lyte

Song Suggestion: When I was a child, I learned this hymn from singing it at church, using the Church Hymnal songbook. If you have access to that hymnal, turn to song #484 and sing it from the book. (And while you’re at it, show some little people in your life how they can place a paper over the front cover of the Church Hymnal and use a pencil to rub over the center embossment there and end up with a neat picture of a harp in a circle.)

COVID-19 Prayer Focus

The Makers of Equipment (to help battle COVID)

If you’re like I am, you’ve been hearing about companies that are donating items and/or services for aiding the medical community in their fight against the coronavirus. Housebound individuals are sewing caps, gowns, and masks to donate to medical workers on the front lines. There are many more examples of people who are putting in long hours making much-needed equipment during this pandemic. Let’s pray for them.

God is to be adored for: His All-sufficiency  

Pic from Then

There’s something about a bright, dandelion-studded, apple-blossomed spring day that lures the littles out of doors. Looks like Rolin was pulling for his younger brother in their play on this particular day.

Pic from Now

I haven’t yet mastered the skill of taking selfies, but I gave it my best shot this morning. I wanted to portray my delight in hanging up laundry outside for the first time this year.

     

 Activity Idea

When you see the color green today, think of something that Jesus is growing in you (hope or patience, for example?) or maybe something that you wish for Him to grow in you, and talk to Him about it.

What is it?

Today’s mystery photo:

Answer to yesterday’s photo: Mortar between bricks.

Card #13 of a COVID-19 Card-a-Day Series

Verse for the Day

Psalm 103:13 & 14 ESV “As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.”

Song for the Day

God Will Take Care of You

Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath his wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.

Refrain:
God will take care of you,
Through ev'ry day,
O’er all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.

Through days of toil when heart does fail,
God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you. [Refrain]

All you may need he will provide,
God will take care of you;
Nothing you ask will be denied,
God will take care of you. [Refrain]

No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon his breast,
God will take care of you. [Refrain]

~ Civilla Martin

Song Suggestion: Go to a quiet corner or a place that gives you a picture of being under God’s wings of love and go over this song in your mind, allowing it to sink in that God has you in His care. Later, sing the song aloud as you go about your work or play.

COVID-19 Prayer Focus

The Lonely

Days of isolation tend to underscore the loneliness in our lives. Let’s remember in prayer those who may be feeling their loneliness very keenly at this time. I’ll list some whom I thought of; you’ll be able to think of others, I’m sure.

            Those who live alone

            Missionaries abroad who have decided to stay in the country where they are stationed

            Those who are physically handicapped

            Single parents

            Patients in hospitals/residents in nursing homes       

God is to be adored for: Being our Father

Pic from Then

In this photo my girls are traveling, I believe. They have packed themselves, their babies, their bags of gear, and their smiles into their van and are headed to some exciting destination, probably camping or cottaging.

For those of you that knew my Mom-Eva, can you see her at all in Kayleen’s expression? (the gal on the right)

Pic from Now

I’m always amazed at the beauty that can be found in an old, dried-up weed. Here the seed pod of a milkweed plant has blossomed into an elegant flower. I discovered this when I went on a walk to the pond and the woods yesterday.

     

 Activity Idea

Think about a food that you loved eating when you were a child. No, don’t even consider that you could actually make that particular dish…

What is it?

Today’s mystery photo:

Answer to yesterday’s photo: Egg carton in the fridge.

Card #12 of a COVID-19 Card-a-Day Series

Verse for the Day

John 14:26,27 NKJV “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Song for the Day

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

~ Isaac Watts

Song Suggestion: I associate this song with Communion. Perhaps you do, too. As you sing it, picture Jesus offering Himself to you in Communion. Don’t be surprised at sudden tears; let them come.

COVID-19 Prayer Focus

Those Grieving

Prayer requests for people the world over who are mourning the loss of:

            Family members/loved ones who have succumbed to the virus

            Rest in body, soul and spirit

            Normalcy in so many areas

            A job and income

            Security and privacy  

God is to be adored for: His Comfort

Pic from Then

I’m quite sure the inspiration for this kitchen activity involving Rolin and Ricky was an anniversary happening the following day. Ken & I were about to celebrate 8 years of marriage. One of our yearly traditions has been to replicate our wedding meal sometime around our anniversary and share it with our family. Looks like I got the boys interested in helping me with decorating the cake for the meal in 1996. The baby in the infant seat on the table is Kayleen, only a few weeks old at the time.

Pic from Now

If one can hardly bring oneself to eat food with a face in it, does it mean one has too much imagination to be healthy?

     

 Activity Idea

Use these sentence starters to get a fun and funny game going with some people you love:

            If I could take three things with me to the moon…

            George Washington shook the rain off his hat and said, “Good…

            The businessman’s keys fell through the storm sewer grate and…

            With a flick of its tail, the tiny bird…

            The first thing we’ll do when the pandemic…

What is it?

Today’s mystery photo:

Answer to yesterday’s photo: Soccer ball.

Card #11 of a COVID-19 Card-a-Day Series

Verse for the Day

Verses from Psalm 46 KJV “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore, will not we fear…Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”

Song for the Day

How Firm a Foundation

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said—
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

“Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee thy trouble to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not harm thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

“The soul that on Jesus doth lean for repose,
I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”

~ “K”, in Rippon’s Selection of Hymns

Song Suggestion: Deepen your understanding of this hymn by finding where “in His excellent Word” the quotations come from.

COVID-19 Prayer Focus

Parents

Many moms and dads have extra responsibilities and pressures during these days of social distancing. Let’s remember them to the Father in a special way today. Here are some suggestions for prayer requests:

            Patience with themselves and with those in their care

            Rest in body, soul and spirit

            Creative teaching tools and activity ideas

            Trust in God

            Compassion for the vulnerable in their sphere of influence  

God is to be adored for: His guidance  

Pic from Then

The postures and expressions in this photo speak to me of family togetherness, love of reading, the joy of being on holidays (a trip to Florida in this case), favorite dolls and “blankies”, and a dad who loves his children.

Pic from Now

Another sure sign of spring around here is the beginning of orchard work. The first thing to be done on the apple trees is pruning. This pic shows evidence of pruning happening currently in a neighbor’s yard. No one has begun pruning the orchard here on our farm yet, because of a delay in the arrival of our offshore workers, but hopefully it will begin soon.

     

 Activity Idea

Think of one thing that delighted you about your day, and tell someone else about it. If you’re with a group of people, go around the circle and have everyone share what they liked about the day.

What is it?

Today’s mystery photo:

Answer to yesterday’s photo: Thread take up lever on a Singer sewing machine.

Card #10 in a COVID-19 Card-a-Day Series

Verse for the Day

II Corinthians 4:18 ESV “We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

Song for the Day

Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life

Where cross the crowded ways of life,
Where sound the cries of race and clan,
Above the noise of selfish strife,
We hear Thy voice, O Son of Man.

In haunts of wretchedness and need,
On shadowed thresholds dark with fears,
From paths where hide the lures of greed,
We catch the vision of Thy tears.

From tender childhood's helplessness,
From woman's grief, man's burdened toil,
From famished souls, from sorrow's stress,
Thy heart has never known recoil.

The cup of water given for Thee
Still holds the freshness of Thy grace;
Yet long these multitudes to see
The sweet compassion of Thy face.

O Master, from the mountain side,
Make haste to heal these hearts of pain;
Among these restless throngs abide,
O tread the city's streets again;

Till sons of men shall learn Thy love,
And follow where Thy feet have trod;
Till glorious from Thy heaven above,
Shall come the city of our God.

~ Frank Mason North

Song Suggestion: Stand facing the street or road nearest you to sing this song.

COVID-19 Prayer Focus

The Homeless

Ask God to provide for the needs of those living on the streets or elsewhere because they have no place to call their home. Some suggestions of ways to pray for them:

            For physical health and a robust immune system to ward off the coronavirus

            That the deepest longings of their heart will draw them to Jesus

            For them to have sufficient food and warmth each day

            For gratitude and hope to spring up in them when they receive unexpected gifts

            That people will befriend them, even if it’s from two meters away 

God is to be adored for: Being our Home  

Pic from Then

I don’t remember where the little red sponge balls came from, but I do remember the laughs that they brought to our family when the children put them on as clown noses. This pic still makes me chuckle. (I dare you to look at it and not crack at least a slight grin!)

Pic from Now

Years ago, I received this little shelf of verse cards as a gift from a friend. I promptly set it on my kitchen window sill and there it still abides. The verses are meaningful for any time, but often they seem to connect with current circumstances in a special way. I thought that this verse spoke to the isolation times we are in. God’s blessings are on us as we come in and as we go out and I’m sure we could include as we stay at home!

     

 Activity Idea

Go outside and shout something. (Maybe I will hear it. 😊)

What is it?

Today’s mystery photo:

Answer to yesterday’s photo: Handle of a (Stanley) screwdriver.

Card #9 in a COVID-19 Card-a-Day Series

Verse for the Day

Psalm 36:9 & 10 KJV “For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. O, continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.”

Song for the Day

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my Buckler*, my Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tow’r:
Raise Thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

*battle shield

~ Eleanor Hull

Song Suggestion: Sketch out the various objects or ideas that come to your mind as you encounter words like “Vision”, “Sword”, and Treasure” in the song.

COVID-19 Prayer Focus

Those impacted by COVID in some way – which means all of us!

Perhaps today we could simply take some time to reflect on the ways that COVID-19 is affecting us personally, and to bring those situations to our Father in heaven. May He keep us teachable and trusting in this crucial time. A pattern for our prayer today:

                       

God is to be adored for: His Trustworthiness  

Pic from Then

Playing with homemade playdough was on my Top Ten list for favorite children’s activities when my crew was young. It’s so versatile and creativity-inducing! Of course, there are some things to consider when you combine youngsters and sticky-when-fresh/crusty-when-leftout substances. The age of the children, the place where they play, and how many dishes/utensils and surfaces you feel like washing up after the playtime are a few that come to mind. I’d say the hours my girls spent designing and baking playdough goods in my kitchen were times well-worth any sacrifices made on my part.

Pic from Now

Yesterday Ken and I explored another trail that we’ve never hiked on before. Geo Time Trail is part of the Westside Trails network on the western edge of Waterloo. We loved tromping on paths winding over the leaf-covered forest floor as well as skirting the edges of fields and residential areas in the city. I snapped a pic of some lovely pussy willows, and later when I looked at the photo more closely, I saw that the pussy willows are hanging almost upside down. I think it looks like three people are traipsing down along that branch, invisible except for their feet in soft, fuzzy slippers.

     

 Activity Idea

Today, say or send 10 (or more) kind words to someone who is younger than you and 20 (or less) to someone who is older than you. Consider doing this for people you don’t know very well.

What is it?

Today’s mystery photo:

Answer to yesterday’s photo: Handle of a teacup.

Card #8 in a COVID-19 Card-a-Day Series

Verse for the Day

I Peter 5:10 KJV “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

Song for the Day

Breathe on me, Breath of God

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love,
And do what Thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Until my heart is pure,
Until with Thee I will one will,
To do and to endure.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Till I am wholly Thine,
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with Thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
So shall I never die,
But live with Thee the perfect life
Of Thine eternity.

~ Edwin Hatch

Song Suggestion: Sing this song prayerfully, and if you’re not too cautious about moving your body while you sing, find some sort of motion to express breathing.

COVID-19 Prayer Focus

Those in government and leadership who are making important decisions

Some ideas for people to pray for in today’s category:

World Health Organization

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, President Donald Trump, and other world leaders

Those leading in making decisions for your church family

Those on health and education boards

Officials in the county or region where you live                   

God is to be adored for: His Wisdom

Pic from Then

This pic was taken around the same time of year which we are currently in. Some things haven’t changed – the brown lawn waiting for its green signal, the fruit farmer out checking his trees (or pruning?) in the orchard, the youngsters eager to play outdoors at the earliest hint of spring warmth, the seemingly endless wind on some days. 

Both boys had a hand on the string; can you tell which lad had an eye on the kite? I love this pic of my little kite-fliers!

Pic from Now

Our neighbors have a large maple syrup operation which is in full swing this time of year. When I get a whiff of the boiling sap, its cloying scent takes me right back to my childhood days when our family tapped a couple hundred maple trees right in our own yard and surrounding woods. We hung buckets on the hooks of the taps (or spiles) poked into the trees, and the buckets needed to be emptied by hand in the sap collection. Now many of the maple syrup producers use pipelines for gathering the sap. I don’t think it looks as pretty or as authentic, somehow, but it is waaay more efficient!  

     

Activity Idea

Figure out a way to get some thanks to a worker who is in an essential service. Note shoved in under a door, muffin in a mailbox, maybe?

What is it?

Today’s mystery photo:

Answer to yesterday’s photo: Leaves of a succulent plant.