Monday, June 09, 2008

Springs in the Valley

i think everyone's library should have a copy of "springs in the valley" ... by mrs. charles e. cowman ... here is a picture of my copy ... which i've had for over 30 years ...
as you can see ... the pages have been turned a few times ... yet the blessings have been new with each reading ... it's a devotional inspired by God ... and the cowman's personal story is just as inspiring ...
here is a portion taken from june 9th's reading ... may it bless your heart ... as you begin a new week filled with challenges!!!

June 9th ... from Spring in the Valley

"They shall mount up with wings as eagles." (Isaiah 40:30)

Those we wait upon the Lord shall obtain a marvelous addition to their resources: they shall obtain wings! They become endowed with power to rise above things. Men who do not soar always have small views of things. Wings are required for breadth of view. The wing-life is characterized by a sense of proportion. To see things aright we must get away from them. An affliction looked at from the lowlands may be stupendous; looked at from the heights, it may appear little or nothing. This "light afflication, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." What a breadth of view!

And here is another great quotation: "The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." This is a bird's-eye view. It sees life as a whole. How mighty the bird from which the picture is taken! "As eagles!" What strength of wing! Such is to be ours if we wait upon the Lord. We shall be able to soar above disappointment - no matter how great - and to wing our way into the very presence of God. Let us live the wing-life!

12 comments:

Mari said...

That looks like a well used book. Sounds like it would be worthwhile to pick up.

Mimi said...

what a wonderful devotion for this day...
and taken from a well worn book used for many years...
thank you Saija..
{{Hugs}}
Mimi

Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess said...

Books..sometimes are best friends!! This one I am sure is one of your best friends. Great advice!! Look down at your problems and see them as small. Right!! Sandy

Maggie Ann said...

Oh, I like that! I had a devotional by her years ago. I wondor what happened to it.

Felisol said...

Dear Saija,
I've never heard of Mrs. Charles E. Cowman before, but I did like the chapter for today. Maybe you could post more when you feel like it.

I think that the great pleasure I have standing on a mountain top may be compared to the ones who've got wings. The perspective becomes quite different, everyday worries become small.
We are indeed lucky who have a father who sees things from above.
Have a flying week.
From Felisol

Sita said...

Saija,
How I love to 'chew' on these classics..thank you for sharing...I'm just opening my heart to Him as the waves are rising around me...He is teaching His child..thank you, again..
Love, Sita

Amrita said...

Oh I love this book. Mine also is falling apart. It belonged to my Father.

Cindy Swanson said...

I also love "Streams in the Desert," which I believe was also edited by Mrs. Cowman. It's full of amazing treasures.

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed your chosen excerpt from "springs" too and thought you might like to read this little story that was forwarded to me by my nephew in Winnipeg. It has to do with sufferings now for benefits later and Gods great love for us - because why would he bother with the process (WORK) if he didn't Love us.
Jackie

> Malachi 3:3 says:
> "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver."
>
> This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this
> statement meant about the character and nature of God.
>
> One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get
> back to the group at their next Bible Study.
>
> That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch
> him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest
> beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
>
> As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and
> let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold
> the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to
> burn away all the impurities.
>
> The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought
> again about the verse that says:
> "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver."
>
> She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front
> of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.
>
> The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver,
> but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the
> fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be
> destroyed.
>
> The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do
> you know when the silver is fully refined?"
>
> He smiled at her and answered,
> "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it."
>
> If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye
> on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
>
> Pass this on right now. This very moment, someone needs to know that God is
> watching over them. And whatever they're going through, they'll be a better
> person in the end.
>
> "Life is a coin. You can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend
> it once.

Cathy said...

That is beautiful, Saija, I will have to look for that book. Thanks ~

Fred said...

Wow...that's a book that's been used! How cool that something so old can be something so new.

Saija said...

dear blog buds ... you guys always bless my heart & encourage me as i read your comments ... you are my church at times - and i thank God for each of you ...

remember, if you leave your e-mail in the comments part that asks for it, i will be able to e-mail you back ... and the e-mail address remains anon to other viewers ...

blessings on your day!