Month: August 2020

A Chance of a Lifetime

While on my morning walk with my dogs recently, I noticed some caterpillars in a bush besides our creek. After several days, I realized they were eating the leaves on this bush. Several days later the caterpillars where gone. I saw several chyrsalises (cocoons). About ten days later, I experienced the chance of a lifetime. I witnessed a female tiger swallowtail butterfly that had only recently emerged from her chrysalis. Her wings were sill moist. She was trying to dry them, so she could make her first flight. These butterflies spend most of their lives as caterpillars and unfortunately only live one to two weeks as butterflies.

The transformation of this caterpillar into a butterfly reminded me of the Bible verse, Romans 12:2. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by a renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (NKJV). When I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior, I was transformed with a new life.

caterpillars on the bush
The green chrysalis between the flower and the leaves
the butterfly after just emerging from the chrysalis

Mercy, Compassion, Grace, Humility, Justly

I have been a Sunday school teacher for elementary school-aged kids and in the past I taught many years for Girls in Action (GAs). One thing that I have learned is that you have to teach these kids on their own level.

Words such as mercy, compassion, grace, and humility are very common words in found in memory verses. When teaching the memory verse, I try to explain the definition of the words so the kids will understand what they are memorizing.

Mercy- compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.

Compassion – Sympathetic pity or concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others and shows kindness, caring, and willingness to help others.

Grace- A gift from God, given through Jesus Christ, enabling power and spiritual healing offered though mercy and the love of Jesus. It is a free gift. It can’t be earned.

God’s Mercy – God not punishing us as our sins deserve, deliverance from judgement.

God’s Grace – God’s blessing us despite the fact that we don’t deserve it. Extending kindness to the unworthy.

Humility – Modest, without and excess of pride. Appreciate others. If someone does something better than you do, compliment them for their work. Being humble is the opposite of pride.

Justly – Acting morally good.

God oppresses the proud, but shows favor with the humble..

Micah 6:8 says, “The Lord asks us to do three things, act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with the Lord.”

Excerpts from Ecclesiastes 12

“Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor Him in your youth before you grow old and say, ” Life is not pleasant anymore.” Remember Him before the light of sun, moon, and stars is dim in your old eyes, and rain clouds continue to darken your sky. Remember Him before your legs – the guards of your house – start to tremble; and before your shoulders – the strong strong men – stoop. Remember Him before your teeth – your few remaining servants- stop grinding; and before your eyes – the women looking through the windows -see dimly.

Remember Him before the door closes to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds; but then all their sounds grow faint.

Remember Him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember Him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral. ” (vv 1-5. NLT)


“That’s the whole story. Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey His commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.” (vv13-14, NLT)

Excerpts from Lamentations 3

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; his mercies begin fresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him! The Lord is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of His discipline: Let them sit alone in silence beneath the Lord’s demands. (Lamentations 3: vv. 22-27, NLT)

“For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though He brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness o His unfailing love. For He does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow. ” (Lamentations vv. 31-33, NLT)

“Who can command things to happen without the Lord’s permission? Does not the Most High send both calamity and good? Then why should we, as mere humans, complain when we are punished for our sins? Instead, let us examine our ways. Let us turn back to the Lord.” (Lamentations 3: vv. 37-40, NLT)

Excerpts from Ecclesiastes 5 and 6


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“Even so, I have noticed one thing, ast least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink , and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life – this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.” Ecc. 5, vv. 18-20, NLT

“Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless – like chasing the wind. Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there’s not use arguing with God about your destiny.” Ecc. 6, vv 9-10, NLT

Excerpts from Proverbs 28

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“When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But the wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.” (v. 2, NLT)

“Evil people don’t understand justice, but those who follow the Lord understand completely. Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich.

Young people who obey the law are wise; those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.” (vv. 5-7, NLT)

“Those who lead good people along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the honest will inherit good things.” (v 10, NLT)

“When godly succeed, everyone is glad. When the wicket take charge, people go into hiding.

People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.

A wicked ruler is dangerous to the poor as a lion attacking a bear.

A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people, but one who hates corruption will have a long life.” (vv. 12-16, NLT)

“Greed causes fighting; trusting the Lord leads to properity.

Those who trust in their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.” (vv25-26, NLT)

“When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding. When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish.” (v. 28, NLT)

Excerpts from Proverbs 21, 24, 27

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“Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.” Proverbs 21:23, NLT

“Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.” For God understands all hearts, and He sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew.. He will repay all people as their actions deserve.” Proverbes 24:12, NLT

“Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring. Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth – a stranger, not your own lips.” Proverbs 27:1-2, NLT

“A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. A simplon goes blindly on an suffers the consequences.” Proverbs 27:12, NLT

“As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.” Proverbs 27:19, NLT

Excerpts from Proverbs 19

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“Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes.
People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry with the Lord.

Wealth makes many “friends”; poverty drives them away.
A false witness will not go unpunished, nor will a liar escape.” (vv. 2-,NLT)

“Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.” (v. 11, NLT)

“Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives.
Hot-tempered people must pay the penalty. If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again.

Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.

You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” ( vv. 18-21. NLT)

Excerpts from Proverbs 17

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“Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.” (v.6, NLT)

“Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.” (v.9, NLT)

“Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out.” (v. 14, NLT)

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” (v.22, NLT)

“A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.” (v. 27, NLT)

Excerpts from Proverbs 16

“We can make our own plans, but the Lord give the right answer.

People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.

The Lord has made everything for His own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.” (vv. 1-4, NLT)

“When people’s lives please Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them.

Better to have a little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. We can make our own plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” (vv. 7-9, NLT)

“The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe.

Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

It is better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.

Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.” (vv. 18-20, NLT)

“Kind words are like honey- sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” (vv. 24-25, NLT)

“Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.

Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.” (vv 31-33, NLT)