heart

Comfort

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Blessed by the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of mercies and God of all
comfort,
who comforts us in all our
affliction so that we will be able to
comfort those who are in any affliction
with the comfort with
which we ourselves are comforted
by God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Heavenly Father,
Comfort those in mourning,
whose loved ones’ hearts beat on
in memories joy and pain filled
during lonely nights and dawns.

Comfort minds lost and broken,
those who cannot rest. Bring
them caregivers gentle, angels
heaven sent.

Comfort broken limbs and burned
skin, arms and legs no longer there,
that still send messages of pain,
phantoms in the air.

Comfort First Responders, who see
more than they should, who go when
others stay, who do more than others
could.

Comfort enforcers of law,
the ones who wear the vest,
who put our safety first
while making their arrests.

Comfort the military,
our red line around
the world, the ones who
often run into harms way
with our flag unfurled.

Comfort the healers,
who administer best aid
for our ills small or
grievous, their dedication
never wains.

Comfort for the Pastors,
who count everyone their
flock, whose hearts might
stretch out of their chests
while they point the way
to the walk.

Lord, if we can’t give comfort,
at least let us not add pain.
Let us, like all the other helpers,
be there for those in need
when sorrow rains.

More Than Just Contentment

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More than just contentment stole my heart that Summer day
when He took hold of all of me and settled in.
The certainty of being in
right time and place and will,
made it easy to surrender mine to Him.

You’re the notes for the song I’m singing, Jesus.
You’re the rhythm, You’re the key, and You’re the rhyme.
You’re the anchor that I hold onto, new colors when I’m feeling blue,
I welcome You this morning like the first time.

Although my world swings
out of orbit sometimes.
I’m not always sure
of what’s around the bend.
When my mailbox is full of bills,
my head is spinning and I’m ill,
I count on what dear Savior
You will send.

You’re the notes for the song I’m singing, Jesus.
You’re the rhythm, You’re the key, and You’re the rhyme.
You’re the anchor that I hold onto, new colors when I’m feeling blue,
I welcome you this morning like the first time.

It’s never mattered how frightening the storm,
never mattered how frightening the storm,
Jesus you are bigger than my storms!

You’re the notes for the song I’m singing, Jesus
You’re the rhythm, You’re the key, and You’re the rhyme
You’re the anchor that I hold onto, new colors when I’m feeling blue,
I welcome You this morning like the first time.
Like the first time.

“Do not let your heart be troubled;”

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”

In the shadow of the cross you were
and yet you said, “don’t let your heart
be troubled.”

You took the time to prepare us on earth
and let us know there would be brighter days.

I believe.
I believe you went there for me.
I believe.
I believe in brighter days.
I believe.
You’ve already gone there for me.
There’s a place with my name on it.
Heaven’s ready glory days.

Pursue Your Passion

When I began my University studies, all incoming students were required to complete an English essay. This was basically done to judge our creative writing skills and to ensure we would be able to handle the courses and their writing requirements. Sometime later, the scores were posted outside. Although I worked hard, I was not normally an A student, so when I found my score near the top of the hundreds of students, I was surprised. Later on, I wondered whether I should have pursued a degree focused on Creative Writing instead of Journalism. Although I’ve always been grateful for the writing discipline my degree taught me, there have been times when I wished I had pursued something less “practical.”

Now, years later, I have dropped any pretense of being practical, and I’m doing the kind of writing I love, knowing that whether I succeed or not, I will have gone after my passion. I really can’t see any downside to that, no matter what your age. I believe at the end of our lives, we will have infinitely greater regrets over those dreams we failed to chase than the ones we went after. The recipe for success is different for every person, but I believe the efforts to pursue what most brings us alive are always worth it. God plants those desires in us for a reason, after all.

I and U

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I
a
door
U

the
1
eye
most
trust
in
side

U
reached
4th
with
2
hands

With
U
eye
doughnut
knead
2
Hyde

In
sail
or
swim
or
sink

with
U
air’s
know
missing
link

No
matter
how
ruff
the
see

I
a
door
U

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
Revelation 3:20

Right Relationship

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There was a time in my life when the first place I would visit in any bookstore was the “Self Help” section. Later, when I worked in bookstores, I would joke with customers and tell them that I could show them where self help was, but after that they were on their own. Sorry ma’am, it’s self help, your first step towards wellness is finding the books by yourself. Of course, I’m kidding, but I think that if I ever said that, it would have been to someone who knew me and my sense of humor very well. Knowing what kind of relationship you have with people is important. You can let your hair down with friends and family and know you’ll be understood. But while it’s essential to have close healthy relationships with the people in our lives who matter most, the one we should be closest to often gets the leftovers. “God, when I have time I’ll sit down and it will be just you and me; I promise.” But our actions speak louder than anything we ever say.

So what kind of relationship are you cultivating with God? The bible says the church is the Bride of Christ.

Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
Revelation 19:7-9

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
Ephesians 5:25-27

If we want that close and open relationship with Jesus, and want to know everything about Him, where do we start? The Word is the best place to go.
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.
Isaiah 40:8
We can trust that He wants the best for us and has great plans for our lives if we will submit and trust Him.
“For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11

So how would you characterize your relationship with the Lord? Do you spend quality time getting to know each other or do you just occasionally throw Him a “like” on Facebook? Don’t get me wrong, I’m writing this for myself as much as for you. I do think it’s a good question to ask ourselves, though. Good relationships take effort.

Liebster Award

Oh my goodness. Time once again to drag the tux out of mothballs. Do people use mothballs anymore? The ever generous Emily Anne http://unkilleddarlings.wordpress.com has seen fit to nominate my blog for the Liebster Award. Although the award is intended to go to blogs with less than 200 followers, I think it’s important to honor the spirit of the award, if not the letter. Truth to tell, although I know how many followers I have, I can’t tell how many the blogs I nominated have. Also, although a followers number is
posted on my cover page, it’s clear that’s counting my Facebook friends. I’m sure someone will set me straight, and that will only be the beginning of the grand jury investigation.

liebster

Here be da rules:

1. Thank the Liebster Blog presenter who nominated you and link back to their blog. Thank you very much, Emily Anne. You’ve been a great supporter!

2. Post 11 facts about yourself, answer the 11 questions you were asked and create 11 questions for your nominees.

3. Nominate 11 blogs of 200 followers or less who you feel deserve to be noticed and leave a comment on their blog letting them know they have been chosen.

4. Display the Liebster Award logo.

Eleven facts about me:
(Please note… Only ten facts exist, so I lied about one of ’em)

1) I loved American Bandstand when I was very young and would practice the dance moves in front of a mirror. Unfortunately this did not translate into the ability to learn choreography when I grew up.

2) I used to give speeches to large groups of the neighbor’s cows. I mistook their rapt attention for interest in my topics. It’s likely they believed I would eventually feed them.

3) My wife and I met at the height of the disco craze. No, once again, choreography did not matter. Yes, we looked awesome.

4) I have been married to the same wonderful woman for over 30 years, all of them in a row.

4) This fact is sort of about me: I’ve come to the conclusion that if you love your cat, it is doomed. If you actively dislike your cat, it will probably see you through your retirement years.

5) I have shoes older than you.

6) I finally decided there is a life beyond having a clean and tidy car.

7) My faith, band and choir got me through high school.

8) God continues to get me through all the other phases of life.

9) Chunky peanut butter, but if you prefer creamy, I can be swayed.

10) Les Miserables is my favorite musical. Even though I’m sure the motion picture is wonderful, I’m not going out of my way to see it.

11) I relate more to John Boy from The Waltons now than I did when it was still on the air.

Questions:

1. Apples or oranges?
Oranges. They’re juicier.
2. Dogs or cats?
They both have their place, but unless you have a really bad rodent problem,
I just don’t see the point of cats.
3. Coke or Pepsi?
Sorry, I don’t like either one.

4. Psych or The Mentalist?
I actually haven’t seen The Mentalist, but I love Psych. I’m impressed with the writing. Very funny.

5. Mac or PC?
I think it’s all about what system you’re used to. I’m a PC guy because that’s what I’ve always used.

6. If you were to have your ashes scattered post-death, where would you like to be scattered?
I suppose the ocean, if you could guarantee the person scattering wasn’t facing into the wind.
I just don’t want to be responsible for that.

7. If you could miniaturize one person, real or imaginary, and carry them around in your pocket–who would that person be? Billy Graham.

8. Floss before or after brushing your teeth?
Eww! After!

9. If you could do one thing with no consequences, what would it be?
Floss after brushing my teeth.

10. Ever watch Workaholics? If not, you should.
I can’t. I’m working that day.

11. What’s your life motto?
Be more concerned with caring than being cared for.

My questions:

1) Favorite actor?

2) Favorite song?

3) Chunky or creamy peanut butter.

4) Shoes or bare feet?

5) Do you know what toe jam football is? Would you explain it to me?
Don’t google it. I didn’t.
6) Favorite bible verse

7) Exercise you would choose to do just because you love it.
Don’t cheat and say, sex.

8) What drives you to a fit of nostalgia?

9) Assuming you could sing, who would you serenade? What would you sing?

10) What is your greatest frustration?

11) What was your most embarrassing moment?

Here are my nominees:

http://parentingandstuff.wordpress.com/

http://bowlingchef.wordpress.com/

http://mercy4brokenhearts.com/

http://scvincent.com/

http://journeythrugrace.wordpress.com/

http://meggiesfervor.wordpress.com

http://topshelfself.wordpress.com

http://lesplaisirssimplesdelavie.wordpress.com/

http://shrinksarentcheap.wordpress.com/

http://justafterwords.com

http://jordandkay.wordpress.com

Use Your Words

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Use your words child when you cry I know that
something
is wrong I just don’t know exactly
what
that
could
be

It’s terribly
frust-er-ating when you carry on
so
must I tell you how I tear my hair out
yell-
ing bloody murder ain’t
en-light-en-
ing me to the cause of all this conster-
nation
Give me patience Lord I haven’t asked you for much
in the
last
five
minutes

Use your words child no not the ones daddy said the other day remem-
ber
he told you those are not nice
It’s just that daddy was kind of angry
oh I get it
yeah you’re right daddies misbehave sometimes too
let’s start ov-
er

We’ll use “our” words
did I tell you how you’re the answer to the prayer your mommy and I prayed
let’s find some pictures of your mommy when she was little like you
see
how much alike the two of you are
Sure we can read some stories
as
many
as
you
want

We’ll read some words
maybe we’ll learn some togeth-
er
that would be fun
My favorite word
that would
be
your
name

Yes

When all is weighed
at the end
of
the night
or your light
would you
rather
have said
more no’s
or
yes’s?
I would much rather collapse
running
for a heavenly flight
than make busy
with trivial
messes.