Monday, March 3, 2025

Perseverance Conquers or “perseverado vincit!”

"Rock of Ages" sung by Chosen Generation Gospel Choir

       This is an old motto that has stood the test of centuries. “Perseverance conquers.” Yes, to keep pace with the progress that is now going on along every line of activity, requires not a little energy. Nothing short of a struggle is necessary if we are to master the many problems before us as individuals, as a community, as a nation, and also as a church of God. It has been so in the past. Kingdoms and empires were reared, often out of a state of chaos. The Church, also, was harassed and rent by schisms within and vicious attacks from without. Yet it stands to-day firmly resting on its imperishable foundation, the “Rock of Ages,” Jesus Christ. But to weather all these storms, both in church and state, there was need of much perseverance. Indeed, from the beginning to the present day, it has been a case of “Perseverando vincit.”
      Even in our church work here we have need of a great amount of this trait. The fruits of our labors are not so readily forthcoming as we would wish. Some people, in their utter blindness to all that pertians to their moral and spiritual welfare, will, in spite of our best efforts to enlighten them, prefer to spend their time, their money, and in themselves, for instance, “nickelodeons” and other “five-cent” demoralizing institutions, rather than take active part in Christian work. So cheaply do they value their souls!
      Hence, we have need of much perseverance. But let us not forget that in this case, as well as all others, with the help of God, “perseverado vincit!” Sermon by Rev. Carl J. Segerhammer.

    "Love Your Neighbor" coloring page

    Description of Coloring Page: text, appears in Bible in Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22:37-39, and Mark 12:29-31, butterfly coloring page by kathy grimm

    Don't forget to drag the png. or jpg into a Word Document and enlarge the image as much as possible before printing it folks. If you have a question about this coloring page, just type into the comment box located directly below this post and I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can.

    Sunday, March 2, 2025

    Death An Angel of Light

            Are we then immortal? Oh! then, we are "blessed" indeed! Death is not the frightful monster which he is so constantly represented to be; he is an angel of light and mercy, veiling his resplendent glories under the shadowy drapery of the tomb, lest the saints should become so much enamored with his loveliness, as to hasten at once to leave this erring, darkened world, to dwell in his radiant dominion, and thus deprive the earth of the salt which has so long preserved it from destruction. His exit, through the frowning portals of the grave, is but to prevent those who are "in the Lord," from crowding, with hasty, willing steps, the pathway to his mysterious dwelling place, so delightful and glorious, as soon as the gloomy exterior is passed! Can it be, that this body, soon to become inanimate, and waste to dust, can, and will, revive and live ? that the eye, though dimmed with the film of death, will rebrighten, and sparkle with looks of recognition and love? That this lifeless body, once so loved, and embraced with the fondest affection and delight, but now so loathsome that it is looked upon with horror, and we bear it from our sight, and conceal it from view in the dark earth, will come forth more perfect and glorious than ever? Yea, saith the Spirit; from henceforth, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord;" for "It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." Then shall death be swallowed up in victory. Oh! are they not "blessed" who die only to live forever, in a state so infinitely above the most perfect condition of humanity, that it is " not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Rev. Sidney Dyer, D. D.

    WHAT IS DEATH?
    " What is the soul? The seminal principle from the loins of destiny,
    This world is the womb: the body, its enveloping membrane :
    The bitterness of dissolution, dame Fortune's pangs of childbirth.
    What is death? To be born again, an angel of eternity."
    Buzurgi. {The Persian Poet)

    Praise and Worship from 1980s and 1990s

    Influence Of The Dead...

           Oh, tell me not that they are dead - that generous host, that airy army of invisible heroes! They hover as a cloud of witnesses above this nation. Are they dead that yet speak louder than we can speak, and a more universal language? Are they dead that yet act? Are they dead that yet move upon society, and inspire the people with nobler motives and more heroic patriotism? Every mountain and hill shall have its treasured name, every river shall keep some solemn title, every valley and every lake shall cherish its honored register; and, till the mountains are worn out, and the rivers forget to flow, till the clouds are weary of replenishing springs, and the springs forget to gush, and the rills to sing, shall their names be kept fresh with reverent honors which are inscribed upon the book of national remembrance. Henry Ward Beecher

    "The Most Famous Man in America" Henry Ward Beecher

    The Dead Live Beyond

     The Dead Live Beyond

    His is not dead, but only lieth sleeping
    In the sweet refuge of his Master's breast,
    And far away from sorrow, toil, and weeping
    He is not dead, but only taking rest.

    What tho the highest hopes he dearly cherished
    All faded gently as the setting sun;
    What tho our own fond expectations perished
    Ere yet life's noblest labors seemed begun.

    What tho he standeth at no earthly altar,
    Yet in white raiment, on the golden floor,
    Where love is perfect, and no step can falter,
    He serveth as a priest for evermore!

    O glorious end of life's short day of sadness,
    O blessed course so well and nobly run!
    O home of true and everlasting gladness,
    O crown unfading! and so early won!

    Tho tears will fall we bless thee, O our Father,
    For the dear one forever with the blest, 
    And wait the Easter dawn when thou shalt gather
    Thine own, long parted, to their endless rest.

    "Take my hand and lead me" hymn