Free In Him, Praise The LORD! Image courtesy/Pinterest
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
break forth-let your cry ring out, and sing praises!
Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre,
in melodious song with the harp.
With trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn
shout for joy before the LORD, the King.
Let the sea resound, and all that fills it,
the world, and all who dwell in it.
Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy
before the LORD,
for He comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness
and the people with equity.
Psalm 98
"A song of praise for redeeming love is a new song, a mystery hidden from ages and generations. Converts sing a new song, very different from what they had sung. If the grace of God put a new heart into our breasts, it will put a new song into our mouths. Let this new song be sung to the praise of God, in consideration of the wonders He has wrought.
The Redeemer has overcome all difficulties in the way of our redemption, and was not discouraged by the services or sufferings appointed Him. Let us praise Him for the discoveries made to the world of the work of redemption; His salvation and His righteousness fulfilling the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament.
In pursuance for this design, God raised up His Son Jesus to be not only a Light to lighten the Gentiles, but the glory of His people, Israel. Surely, it behooves us to inquire whether His holy arm hath gotten the victory in our hearts, over the power of Satan, unbelief, and sin? If this be our happy case, we shall exchange all light songs of vanity for songs of joy and thanksgiving; Our lives will celebrate the Redeemer's praise.
Gracious host Rivki and chef David from the Lev Haolam kitchen prepare a crunchy and colorful cabbage salad that is naturally vegan, gluten-free, easy on the budget, and simply delicious!
Israeli Cabbage Salad: The Side Dish On Every Table In Israel Lev Haolam (August 13, 2026)
It will be thirty-six years ago this August that I visited the region of New York State known as the Thousand Islands and saw Boldt Castle for the first time. Located on a small island in the St. Lawrence River not far from the US-Canadian border in Alexandria Bay, New York, the story behind this replica Rhineland fairytale palace is both sad and intriguing.
Built on the appropriately named, Heart Island, the building of the castle was conceived by a man named George Boldt Sr. a Prussian-born immigrant who arrived on these shores in 1864, nearly penniless, but none the less, through determination and hard work he sought to live the American dream. And he did!
He eventually became a very successful and wealthy hotelier, managing the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York as well as his own Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia.
Bellevue-Stratford Hotel Philadelphia, PA Image courtesy/Wikipedia
"A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value." (Proverbs 31:10-11)
George and Louise Boldt Image courtesy/Miles Geek
In 1877, George married the love of his life, a young woman named Louise Augusta Kehrer. Her father was the steward of Philadelphia's famous Clover Club, where she had met George a few years earlier after he had been hired by her father to work there, managing the kitchen and dining services.
Despite the 11 year difference in their ages, the couple was very happy together and later had two children: a son, George Charles Jr., born in 1879 and a daughter, Louise Clover, born in 1884.
In the early 1890's with the help of some wealthy patrons from the Clover Club, George Boldt opened his own first hotel, the Bellevue, in Philadelphia. Although smaller than most at that time, the Bellevue became a very popular place to stay especially with those in the upper crust of society.
Louise was George's most helpful assistant in this endeavor, making sure the amenities offered at the hotel were both attractive and socially acceptable, especially with affluent women who came to stay there with their husbands.
George Boldt later commissioned the building of the more prestigious Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Center City Philadelphia. Completed in 1904, it was said to have been the largest hotel ever built in the City of Brotherly Love at the time.
According to George and Louise's granddaughter, Clover Boldt Baird, her grandfather once temporarily gave up the apartment he and her grandmother lived in at the Bellevue after New York hotelier William Waldorf Astor arrived unexpectedly at the hotel and found there were no available rooms.
Her grandfather's resourcefulness in handling the situation so impressed Mr. Astor that he later invited George Boldt to manage his Waldorf Hotel in New York City, which later became the world-famous Waldorf-Astoria.
During the summer months, the Boldts often vacationed in the Thousand Islands, where George eventually purchased Heart Island for $100. Not long afterwards, George, Louise, and their two children moved into a cottage on the island and George began planning the dream castle he would build there for his beloved wife.
Work began on the castle in 1900. George Boldt hired only the finest craftsmen, including stonemasons, carpenters and artists to fashion the six story, 120 room castle and surrounding grounds, which included tunnels, a powerhouse, Italian gardens, a drawbridge, a children's playhouse, and a dove cote.
Not a single expense was spared in this gift for his precious "Princess Louise".
Then, in January, 1904 Louise Boldt died suddenly at the age of 42. Various sources claim she had been in delicate health for some time.
After a telegram arrived ordering all work on the castle to stop, the crew of 300 workmen dropped their tools and left Heart Island, never to return to work there again.
The elaborate sculptures, Italian carrara marble, imported tapestries, fine furniture and other materials George Boldt had ordered for the castle were also left behind, still inside their shipping crates.
Although George Boldt continued taking summer vacations in the Thousand Islands after the death of his wife, he never returned to Heart Island. He never remarried.
George Bolt died after suffering a heart attack on December 5, 1916.
Over time, the derelict castle and grounds on Heart Island were ravished by the weather and acts of vandalism. The crates of expensive building materials left there also disappeared.
Then in 1977, the Thousand Island Bridge Authority acquired Heart Island, and decided to restore the castle and the grounds.
I can recall wandering through the echoing, empty halls of the castle and the grounds, trying to imagine what it would have been like to live there.
I am glad that the years of dedication and hard work by the Bridge Authority have finally paid off, and this once abandoned dream, an act of one man's steadfast devotion for his wife, has been restored, and is now a major tourist attraction in the Thousand Islands.
Today this beautiful castle stands in recognition, not only as a testimony of the rags-to-riches life story and selfless generosity of the enterprising George Boldt, but, as a reminder of the luxury and elegance of a by-gone era in America's past.
Bolt Castle: The Abandoned Mansion With a Heartbreaking Love Story Lesser Known Adventures (January 1, 2023)
The heavens will be putting on a show free for viewing as the spectacular Perseids Meteor Shower reaches it's peak tonight.
This annual celestial event of August will produce one of the most impressive meteor showers of the year.
According to Space.com, this year's display occurs on the night of the new moon, leaving skies free from bright moonlight that can wash out fainter meteors. Also, according to the website, the Perseids can produce meteors throughout the night, however, the best recommended viewing time begins around 11:00 pm, with activity increasing after midnight and continuing into the wee hours of the morning, with the highest rates of meteors just before dawn.
I'm not sure we will be able to see any meteors this year due to weather conditions producing high clouds, however, I am praying it will clear off tonight!
🌠Hope the skies are clear where you are fellow sky watchers!ðŸŒ
Perseids Meteor Shower Image courtesy/Pinterest
Coinciding with tonight's meteor shower is today's total solar eclipse!
During a solar eclipse, the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun completely blocking the Sun. This spectacular event will be visible primarily in the Northern Hemisphere, in northern parts of Russia, along a narrow strip of Greenland, western Iceland, in northern Spain, and a small section of Portugal. .
Meanwhile, a partial eclipse will be visible in parts of North America, across Europe, and in northern Africa. Please remember to never look directly at a solar eclipse without protecting your eyes.
Personally, I believe it is best to avoid looking at the sun at all during an eclipse.
"For God to forgive sinners without the full penalty being paid would contradict His justice and make Him our partner in evil. Christ fully paid that penalty for our sins, but the pardon must be willingly and gladly received. God will not force anyone into heaven." -Dave Hunt
Image courtesy/The Berean Call
Speaking at the F.A.C.T. Conference held in Great Britain in 2003, Christian apologist, author, and founder of The Berean Call Ministries Dave Hunt (1926-2013) provides ample evidence from the Holy Scriptures proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
Proving Jesus Is The Messiah 2003 F.A.C.T. Conference (2003) Uploaded by Koinonia House (September 26, 2021)
"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this." (Isaiah 9:6-7)
"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid." (John 14:26-27)
