Crossing Faith

You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.
Christopher Columbus

The Glory of Christ

The Christian Gospel is about 'the

 glory of Christ', not about me.

And when it is- in some measure- about me, it is not about my being made much of by God, but about God mercifully enabling me to enjoy making much of Him forever.

John Piper, Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ, p. 16

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Colossians 3:14

Photo credit:  Susan Dixon Photography, LLC

Blend my Will with Thine

“And shall I pray Thee change Thy will, my Father, 

Until it be according unto mine? 

But, no, Lord, no, that never shall be, rather 

I pray Thee blend my human will with Thine.

I pray Thee hush the hurrying, eager longing, 

I pray Thee soothe the pangs of keen desire— 

See in my quiet places, wishes thronging— 

Forbid them, Lord, purge, though it be with fire. 

And work in me to will and do Thy pleasure.

  

Let all within me, peaceful, reconciled, 

Tarry content  my Well beloved's leisure,

 

At last, at last, even as a weaned child.”

Amy Carmichael

These Strange Ashes

 

But these strange ashes, Lord, this nothingness,

This baffling sense of loss?

Son, was the anguish of my stripping less

Upon the torturing cross? 

Was I not brought into the dust of death,

A worm and no man, I;

Yea, turned to ashes by the vehement breath

of fire, on Calvary?

O Son, beloved, this is thy heart's desire:

This, and no other thing

Follows the fall of Consuming Fire

On the burnt offering.

Go on and taste the joy set high, afar-

No joy like that to thee;

See how it lights the way like some great star.

Come now, and follow Me.

Amy Carmichael

Poppy, We Love You and Miss You!! ❤️

Thomas Earl Cleland passed from this life on August 3, 2020, at the age of 89 years trusting in his salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. He was born October 10, 1930, in Nahunta, Brantley County, Georgia. He was the son of William Alfred Cleland, Jr. and Maude Alma Harris Cleland. Both parents were of Generational South Georgia lineage and American Revolutionary War Patriots.

He had been a member of the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida since 1969 and ad served as a Baptist Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and leader in various capacities for over 50 years.

He attended elementary school in Waycross, Georgia, and graduated from Nahunta High School at the age of 16. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from Bellevue University in Nebraska after studying with the Universities of Maryland at overseas locations and Nebraska at Omaha, Nebraska. As 20 year U.S. Air Force veteran, he served during the Cold War immediately following WWII which included the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts. In the 1950's and 60's, he was involved with the Strategic Air Command (SAC) in deploying nuclear equipped bombers to NATO and Pacific locations as a deterrent against the Soviet Union. After Completing three months of intense training in NATO cryptography protocol near London, England in 1954, he served the remaining of four years at the Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers in Europe, Paris France (SHAPE). This job provided cryptography security for SAC and U.S. Armed Forces located on NATO bases. His overseas service also included three years in Anchorage, Alaska during the Korean Conflict, relaying Top Secret information via cryptography methods between General Douglas MacArthur in Tokyo and the War Department in Washington D. C.. His service also included four years in Newfoundland supporting the SAC aerial refueling forces which, in event of war, would have topped-off fuel tanks of nuclear equipped bombers destined for the Soviet Union. After completion of his four year tour in Newfoundland, he was invited to complete his 20 year Air Force career at Headquarters, SAC, Omaha, Nebraska. At Headquarters SAC, Omaha, Nebraska, he worked with the SAC Base Reduction and Closure Team (BRAC), and closed/transferred bases where he had been previously assigned. Following his 20 year career with the Air Force and the completion of his College Degree, he was employed for 25 years with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBS) as a Planning/consultant in the Data Systems Division. After retirement from BCBS, he organized the Brantley County Historical Society and spearheaded publication of his home county's very first history book as well as numerous genealogical books. He also authored his autobiography, “Seeking the Narrow Way of Life” as defined by Matthew 7:14, and a historical book titled, “World War II Era in Brantley County, Georgia”.

He is survived by his wife, Sylvia Lenene Boren Cleland, two sons, Thomas Earl, Jr. (Mary), and Mark William (Pamela); a daughter, Karen Anne Gray (Mark); all of Jacksonville, Florida; Nine grandchildren, Casey Melinda Cleland Stallard (Riley), Mark Stephen Gray, Jr. (Caroline), Mark William Cleland, Jr. (Hannah), Matthew Clayton Gray, (Grace), David Enoch Cleland, Timothy Ethan Cleland, Katherine Hannah Gray, Joanna Elisabeth Cleland, John Todd Harris Gray and 6 great grand children, Maryella Grace Stallard, Andrew William Stallard, Joseph Jeremiah Stallard, Renn Alethea Cleland, Liam True Cleland and Felicity Jane Gray; all of Jacksonville, Florida;

Services will be 1:00PM Sunday, August 9 at the Hardage-Giddens Legacy Lodge 4801 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida. All family, extended family and close friends are invited. Due to concerns about the Covid Virus, face masks and social distancing will be required. There will be limited seating. Live stream of the service will be available at either https://youtu.be/ZQTATa1n-xg or https://youtu.be/qYF4DpOh-Pw

Audience of One

General Charles Gordon, peerless military strategist, legendary commander, and mostly all-conquering victor, lived so closely before the Audience of One that when his time came he had only a short step home. Like all for whom God’s call is decisive, it could be said of him, “I live before the Audience of One. Before others I have nothing to prove, nothing to gain, nothing to lose.”
“The Audience of One,” excerpt from “The Call” by Os Guinness.