By David Ettinger
It was a jaw-jarring 37 degrees this morning here in Orlando, Florida. Not quite what our Chamber of Commerce would prefer. However, it was also a gorgeous, sun-drenched, cloudless day which would give me no peace until I went out and walked in it.
Which I did — for an hour!
Along the way, I came to a cluster of majestic trees draped with Spanish Moss. I immediately thought of the verse: “For you will go out with joy and be led in peace; the mountains and the hills will break into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands” (Isaiah 55:12).
This verse is a promise to the remnant of the nation of Israel, and will be fulfilled in God’s future Millennial Kingdom over which our Lord Jesus Christ will reign for 1,000 years.
And though that day will indeed be glorious, I am still reminded how the Lord — even in these ever-darkening times — continues to cause “His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45).
Nothing deep here, just a reminder that God’s beauty is still all around us, and that despite the chaos, His love and graciousness are deep and abundant.
As His children in the Lord Jesus, let us forever be praising Him!
Ryan Callahan
January 10, 2021
Amen, David, beautiful thoughts! It is very cold here in Port Charlotte too! Feels like Colorado! ๐ God bless!
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dettinger47
January 10, 2021
God bless you as well, Ryan!
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ken riddles
January 10, 2021
Thank God for the beauty and His voice in the midst of chaos…๐๐ผ
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dettinger47
January 10, 2021
Amen. Thank you, Ken.
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jarilissima
January 10, 2021
Another lovely post that glorifies the Lord and cheers the spirit ๐ And that photo of Spanish Moss takes me back to my days growing up in a small town in Florida.
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dettinger47
January 10, 2021
Thank you. Yep if you once lived in Florida, that Spanish Moss will rekindle memories every time!
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Blue Collar Theologian
January 10, 2021
Praise God that we never walk alone in the chaos. We have our Triune God and each other! Love and blessings, David!
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dettinger47
January 10, 2021
Great thoughts, Mandy. Thank you!
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mrsmariposa2014
January 10, 2021
Such wonderful thoughts and such a beautiful picture! Thank you! Oh, and welcome to the cold weather. ๐
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dettinger47
January 10, 2021
Hah! Thanks, Marisa.
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Tom
January 11, 2021
37 degrees? David, are you sure you’re not living in Western New York??? Your short post reminds me that the Lord instructs to live one day at a time and enjoy Him and the blessings He provides rather than getting sucked into vortexes of fear, anxiety, and anger.
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dettinger47
January 11, 2021
So long as it’s 37 degrees, I’ll remain entrenched in my fear, anxiety, and anger. Hey wait, it’s 74 out right now. Oh well, never mind!!!! ๐๐๐
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Tom
January 11, 2021
74? Ach! Too hot! I’m happy in our comfortable and brisk 37F here in WNY. ๐ฅถ
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dettinger47
January 11, 2021
74 today … hopefully 80 tomorrow!
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Tom
January 11, 2021
You have my heartfelt sympathy. ๐ฅถ One of my greatest joys for the next three months will be running the car engine for ten minutes prior to leaving for work at 5:30 a.m. so I can ride in comfort. You Southerners don’t get to experience the joy of riding in a warm car through snow and blistering cold! ๐ฅถ Living in the Sunshine State is like eating a bologni sandwich for lunch every single day.
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dettinger47
January 11, 2021
I like baloney sandwiches. Besides, I spent the first 21 years of my life in New York; in fact, tomorrow will mark my 42-year anniversary of the day I left it for the beautiful sunshine of New Mexico. A great day indeed!
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Tom
January 11, 2021
Three of my sisters live together in Naples but stay inside in the AC because of the heat. But I’m glad that you are happy. Once again, NY led the nation in people relocating elsewhere because of the cold weather and the high taxes that continue the economic decline.
RE: bologni sandwiches
Two weeks ago I was passing the deli section at the grocery and I spotted olive loaf cold cuts. I hadn’t had olive loaf in probably forty years. I bought a pound of it and another pound last week. There’s not a better combo than bologni and olives.
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dettinger47
January 11, 2021
Glad you indulged yourself!
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bigskybuckeye
January 12, 2021
Despite the noise we hear, God is at work. Stop, pause, and listen!
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dawnfanshawe
January 13, 2021
Indeed there is so much to praise Him for and we don’t need to go far to see the fingerprints of the Creator. I’ve not seen Spanish Moss before. Quite a spectacle!
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dettinger47
January 13, 2021
It is indeed! I’m still hoping to make it “over the Pond” to the U.K., which has its own unique beauty!
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dawnfanshawe
January 13, 2021
it sure does! Let your friends here know and we’ll play host.
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dettinger47
January 13, 2021
Will do!
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