Old blog posts from 3 1/2 years ago

How often are people asked to give the ultimate sacrifice?

All the time. It is required of people to give their lives

or the lives of loved ones for this that and the other

thing.

One thing that usually requires this sacrifice is freedom.

Freedom for whom? Always for someone else,

and not for the one being sacrificed.

Is it reasonable or right to make this sort

of demand on another person if we

are not willing to make that sacrifice ourselves?

Not really, but still it is acceptable to our

society to sacrifice others for personal convenience.

If a problem exists and someone complains about it

it is easier to sacrifice the complainer than

to correct the problem.

We constantly see sacrificing of public figures

by the twisting and mangling of their reputations

through media manipulation until they cannot find a

place to work anymore because so much hatred has been

stirred up against them.

The more people love their leaders, the greater the hatred for

them if they are caught in some very human action or weakness that

disappoints the people.

I could say that physical assault and battery to the point of death

are better actions than taking away someone's good name.

I won't really say that though, because while there is life, there is still hope.

It is unfortunate that our world will not let the dead rest, but will revive

the gossip spread about them even to this very day.

Marie Antoinette will always be remembered for her unfortunate

remark about letting people eat cake instead of loyalty to her husband to death.

Who ever talks about the good things people do or say anymore?

What does it mean to be human?

Why is garbage popular?

Why do people listen to, read, watch, buy, reach for garbage?

Garbage-Bad food, bad behavior, bad food, bad clothes, bad images,

anything that is not wholesome and inspirational?

There is something wrong with a world of people that sacrifices

others for the sake of their own conveniences or for entertainment.

Yuck.

I have read a few forums.

Many are full of scorn and oppressive attitudes.

Why anyone would want to interact with

predatory people who bash the ideals and opinions

of others is beyond me.

Undoubtedly these are people whose minds are closed to possibilities.

These are not great minds.

The great minds of the past were open to possibilities.

Many of the people attached to these minds had

very odd personal habits that "normal" people

considered unacceptable.

Beethoven was reputedly evicted by his landlady for

being a messy guy with a foul temper and other bad habits.

Archimedes was so excited about an idea that

popped into his mind one day that he jumped from his

bathtub and ran through the streets of his town

completely unclothed shouting "Eureka".

Many of the astronomers, mathematicians, and other

curious fellows of the past did their experiments

secretly for fear of being discovered by people

who would not approve of their activities and

would punish them.

Reading the forums convinced me to look

elsewhere for great minds.

Many of the posts I examined seemed to be people

who feel so secure in their knowledge

that they refuse to explore the perspectives of other people.

They would prefer to use their tiny smattering

of information to batter down the opinions of others

to prove them wrong!!!

What a huge waste of time and effort!

Of course I wasted time reading those posts.

Isn't that an exercise in hypocrisy?

This blog will not last long.

Nearly everything comes to an end

eventually.

I will give warning before I delete

my blog.

It is only opinions.

It is only expression .

It is only an exercise in freedom of speech

like the many other creations

in this internet place.

Not flashy. Not necessary.

Not the hottest items in the news

or the scandal magazines here.

Only musings about this, that and the other

things I concern myself with.

Mostly about life in general and issues that

spark some sort of regret, or inspirations

or perhaps some moral issue that I struggle

with.

MySpace really isn't the place for that.

I should really seek out the forums with my

chosen topics and argue my points with those

who consider themslves experts on those subjects.

I just don't do it because I don't like flaming

posts and anyone with an opinion is bound to get

flamed by some sarcastic individual

bound and determined to change that

particular point of view.

Cynicism has its place and time like everything else,

but so does idealism.

I prefer idealism. There is room for

expansion in a world with hope.

With ideals there is hope.

Without them, there is none.

If I could pick something to delete from the world
rudeness would probably be the first thing I
would think of.

Mainly because rude words and actions cause so
much grief in the world.

Of course doing away with rudeness is not likely
to cure all of the evils of the world.
It would not stop greed or negative feelings.
It would only suppress somebody's freedom somewhere
I suppose.

There seem to be lots of people who enjoy rudeness
by the look of the blogs, and bulletin boards and other
forms of communication out now.
Still, doing away with rudeness would be wonderful.

It would be hard to cheat someone politely.
It would be hard to murder someone, beat them,
or compete with them if politeness and courtesy
and respect were involved in every exchange.
Maybe road rage would go away.
Maybe neighbors would smile and talk to one another more.
Maybe the world would be a happier place
if rudeness were done away?
I like to imagine, but I couldn't say for sure.

Good spirit=good mood
Bad spirit=bad mood

Mood backwards spells doom.
Doom =Consequence

Good consequences usually come from positive actions.
Bad consequences usually come from negative actions.

Occasionally bad stuff happens no matter what
a person does.

Good stuff is more likely to happen to a person who
is actively trying to be good than to a person who is actively
involved in being bad.

Badness is like an oil spill, it spreads faster than the cleanup action can handle, and causes irreparable damage while it spreads.
I would suppose it is for this reason that the Bible teaches intolerance for badness.

Mistakes will be made.
There has to be allowances made for mistakes.
Mistakes do spread badness.
But repentance, making amends, and forgiveness
take most of the badness away caused by mistakes.
The only thing it can't wipe away are
the memories of those who remember badness...

Jesus died for all people willing to admit their mistakes
and make amends.
It seems most people these days aren't willing to do that.
Most people down through history have not been willing to do that.
Hence, the negative history of the world civilizations.
Each civilization has passed out of existence due to
people willing to do badness getting into positions
of high responsibility and authority.
These people then abused the power given them
and left the consequences of their decisions on the people
they were paid to serve.

All of the great civilizations down through history
oppressed their own people
All of the great civilizations through history used life in a disrespectful manner.
The great civilizations began with lofty goals and ideals that
disintegrated into self interest and self service.
No civilization has yet treated all beings as though they were equals.

Competition for resources will eventually burn
out a friendship, a family, a civilization, a world.

Who wants to be around for the next world war?
Didn't we learn anything from the last ones?

Good spirit=good mood
Bad spirit=bad mood

Mood affects attitude.
The attitude of one person can affect the whole world,
especially if that person happens to be
the leader of a nation.

When voting for someone,
try to vote for the one with the better attitude.
Whoever is making decisions is sure to affect YOU.

September 7, 2007 - Friday

What are memories worth?
While we are young we are able to absorb massive
amounts of information and process them
quickly.

As we get older, our ability to handle large quantities
of information begins to recede, and we
only wish to simplify and take it in smaller doses.
We are still needing to process that which is
hiding in the recesses of our minds, and
the feelings clinging to it.

Memories are information waiting to be relived.
Memories are friends, sweethearts, enemies
or events that made a strong impression at the time.

Ah, how easy it is for the young to pull up a clear
sharp memory.
Old people find the details of memory slipping
away from them. Without the memories
they become lonely empty shells needing to be
loved, needing fulfillment.

What is a memory worth?

To some the memories are meaningless.
To others, memories are priceless.

Who of us will remember today
when it turns into yesterday?
Don't throw the memories away.

Autumn is here, maybe not officially by the date
but here nonetheless.

Why are people homeless?
People are homeless because someone wants more money
than the basic price he or she paid for the home they
moved into, or as a commission for themselves when they
find a buyer for someone else.
Predominantly, people are homeless because someone
is considering his or her own needs before someone else's.
It isn't because there is no room for the homeless.

Why are animals homeless?
Animals have no money, and no legal rights to use
money even if they had it.
Therefore, they are considered to have less
or no rights at all.
Therefore, displacing them is of little concern
to those who do have money and the right to use it.

People with no money are generally put at the same level
as the animals.
They are not really regarded as human, merely as nuisances
to be shuffled off, ignored, neglected, run over, dealt
with as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Their lives and their memories, their belongings
are considered of little worth to most of those who must
deal with them.
They are unwelcome to those who feel they have conducted
their lives with honor.

While there are roaming strays in the world with no place to be
and no resources, there is no honor.
While there are people with too many resources to manage by
themselves there is no honor.
There is only imbalance without compensation.

Who brings a child into this world hoping they will grow up
to be a person without money, clothes, food, shelter,
someone to love, or other good things of life?

There are many people with resources who do share.
There are even more who don't.  
There are empty houses everywhere, there are homeless
people and animals everywhere.
Many children grow up without stable homes these days.

Life is the world's greatest resource.
Wasting life is a terrible thing, yet, isn't that what is happening?

Who knows what Heaven is really like?
Everyone has their own ideas about that.
To many people, Heaven is the ultimate positive place
where all who live in it are happy.
Why wouldn't anyone want to go to such a
place?

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies;

Thou anointest my head with oil;
My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the House of the Lord
forever.

-- KJV

Sometimes when inspiration and spiritual uplift is needed
quiet natural places are the best places to go.
There are so few places in the cities for inspiration.
It is no wonder they become dirty and covered with graffiti
after a while.

The greatest purpose any human being can have is to uplift
and inspire others to greater spiritual growth.
Greater spirituality benefits everyone.
It is a goal worth pursuing.

Here is another e-mail forwarded to me by someone who loves me enough to send me only uplifting chain mail.

??????????????????????????????

 A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this. He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill.He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the handswere up in the air. Well, he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. "Now, who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air. My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you. The worth of our " lives comes not in what we do or who we know,but by WHO WE ARE and WHOSE WE ARE. You are specialDon't EVER forget it." Count your blessings, not your problems. "And remember: amateurs built the ark .. professionals built the Titanic. If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it.  August 30, 2007 - Thursday 

Relevance=Range of influence 

Range of influence=Social Position 

Prestige or notoriety influence social positions. Either prestige or notoriety attract like-minded people who will praise and admire. Prestige and notoriety will also attract criticism and competition. Responsibility is not generally prestigious or notorious. Doing your duty usually will not attract much praise, but criticism abounds everywhere. In the end, duty will bring lasting saitsfaction because doing your duty without praise or reward of any kind is the hardest thing of all. Therefore, duty is most worthy of praise because it is honorable action.

Sep 21, 2007

Expectations are demands. We are demanding people absolutely convinced that others should meet our expectations. If our expectations are not met, we tantrum, we whine, we take each other to court. We force our expectations on others, and then we still expect others to like and respect us. This does not even make sense. Where expectations exist, we will always find hopelessness and disappointment and despair. It would be nice to live in a world where our expectations could be met. That, however, is impossible in an imperfect world like ours. Images of perfection encourage the illusion that those expectations are reachable. We who enclose ourselves in boxes and surround ourselves with pretty pictures are not prepared to face the ugliness of the outside world. Expectations create hopelessness, but hope itself is the only antidote. Don't give up. Don't lose hope. Don't feel bad if you can't live up to someone's expectations. You are not useless, or worthless, or even a total failure. Even if you aren't as productive as you think you should be just do what you can to make life better. Expectations did not bring you into existence, they are only standards by which we measure ourselves. They are quite unrealistic most of the time. No one in their right mind requires a newborn baby to stand up and run. There are limits to what a person can do. One limit is time. One limit is strength. One limit is knowledge. One limit is resources. When lacking any of these essentials, expectations cannot be met. No one has any right to expect you to do so. Be realistic. Shake off the illusion. Trade in your expectations for hopefulness and live as you were meant to live. Be yourself.

What voices do you listen to? What words or sounds do you hear? Most people are selective listeners. They only heed what they want to hear. They listen to the influences that coincide best with their own beliefs. God is no respecter of persons, and yet God is not disrespectful. He esteems no flesh above another. We come into this world completely dependent on others. It is by their mercy we live. We are all dependent on God's mercy for our lives. Even God's worst enemies want what He has, so they will mimic Him as closely as possible. In God's world all is just, all is righteous, all is glorious. In God's world there are places for all living things. In God's world, life is precious and is not taken for granted. Wouldn't I love to live in God's world.

How often are the most beautiful and plain things passed by. How many things we take for granted as though they are nothing. There are places worth saving that are being cleared by bulldozers. The people who wish to save them have no power. The people with the power to bulldoze do not have power to restore what they destroy. Thus the general population loses its greatest treasures forever. Where is the sense in endless waste? Who wants to live in a world with no fresh air? The world has become a pretty bad smelling place. Asphalt and concrete don't smell as nice as fresh earth or grass, or water. They aren't any better at dust control. They don't contribute to the oxygen content of the atmosphere. They arent' permanent, and cost plenty to maintain. Isn't there some biologically compatible alternative to concrete and asphalt?

People have destroyed one another with words since the world began. Who is innocent of this type of hate crime? Not one person that I know of. Freedom of speech is legal and lawful, but slander is never right. Yes, we have the right to free speech, but shouldn't we all have the right to fair speech as well? I don't think I know any perfect people. I think the competetive nature of our people is literally making the world a horrible place to live. Give us the right to fair speech. Let every man, woman and child willing to offer information about other people be willing to offer an equal amount of information about themselves. Only then will freedom of speech be fair. We all have unpleasant things about ourselves we wish we could hide or rid ourselves of completely. Who among us should cast verbal stones at others? Who among us is without sin? Not even one.

Only the ignorant make jokes out of others' misfortunes. It is a world of fools who will laugh at the pain of even one person,even one living creature. May the Lord have mercy on us all. We have all been fools at one time or another.

August 9, 2007 - Thursday

Stand ye in holy places, and when ye cannot let holiness be where you are...

Attraction brings people together. Love keeps them together. Loving someone means caring for them even when their beauty, their health, their sanity, their money, their nice clothes are gone. If they lose their eyes, you will see for them. If they lose their ears you will hear for them. If they are sick you will care for them the best that you can. If they are without legs you will fetch things for them or carry them where they need to go. If they are thirsty you will get them water. If they are hungry you will get them food. If they are tired, you will find a place for them to rest. If their minds are occupied with fear, you will find whatever you can that will give them ease from their troubled thoughts. When they are old, you will not desert them. You will cherish their memory. Love is not only a physical act between man and woman. Love is about respecting all that is around you and maintaining whatever that is. If you yourself are filled with love, you have all the love you need.

In this world you will find many who despise you. People look for your weaknesses and faults. Those who discover your strengths and your talents usually want to use them to benefit themselves. The person who will love and appreciate you for yourself is rare. It is an irresponsible world, a world full of people looking for someone else to take the blame. The world of people has often been that way. People make messes and want someone else to clean them up. For many people, the "J" in Jesus name is for "Janitor" We are a whole world of people waiting for Jesus to clean up the mess we have made. Why don't we do it? It is right to be responsible. It is right to give credit where credit is due, and be responsible for our actions. It is not right to criticize and grind others down. Jesus was killed by criticism, not by the law. The whole world is dying from the criticism that slashes people down without letting them make amends. In the end, on Judgment Day, the critics among us will not be held blameless. Not the critics, not the gossips, not those who used their freedom of speech and expression to break down other human beings and spread evil in the world. Only we can save us from ourselves. There are things wrong in this world. The problems are everywhere. They need to be put on a list and analyzed, then dealt with in a rational and merciful manner. The messes can be cleaned up. The world can be saved and made beautiful and innocent. Then happiness will be for everyone, not reserved for a few privileged people. Wouldn't the world be so great if everyone were happy? August 8, 2007 - Wednesday

This particular post is a forwarded e-mail I received. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- THIS IS A POWERFUL MESSAGE. PLEASE READ ALL OF IT. I AM PASSING IT ON BECAUSE I AM CERTAINLY NOT ASHAMED TO DO SO. In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke, it is'nt funny, it's intended to get you thinking.............. Dart Test... A young lady named Sally , relates an experience she had in a seminary class, given by her teacher, Dr. Smith. She says thatDr. Smithwas known for his elaborate object lessons. One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for a fun day. Dr. Smithtold the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's icture. Sally's friend drew a picture of who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face. Sally was pleased with the overall effect she had achieved. The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students threw their darts withsuch force that their targets were ripping apart.Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats. As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target. Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall. Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced. Dr. Smith said only these words.... 'In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me.' /B> Matthew 25:40. No other words were necessary;tears filled eyes of the students focused only on the picture of Christ. This is an easy test; you score 100or zero. It's your choice. If you aren't ashamed to do this, please follow the directions. Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you, before My Father.' Isn't it funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell Isn't it funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Isn't it funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided they do not have to believe, think, say, or do anything the Bible says. Or is it scary? Isn't it funny how someone can say 'I believe in God' but still follow Satan (who, by the way, also 'believes' in God! ). Isn't it funny how you can send a thousand jokes through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Isn't it funny how the lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but the public discussion of Jesus is suppressed in the school and workplace. Isn't it funny how someone can be so fired up for Christ on Sunday, but be an invisible Christian the rest of the week. Are you laughing? Isn't it funny how when you go to forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it to them. Isn't it funny how I can be more worried about what other people think of me than what God thinks of me. Will YOU pass this on? ... I did

If you love someone, you will not invade them. You will not destroy them. You will not betray them. You will take "no" for an answer. For everyone who will not take "no" for an answer, there is someone who must. If you love someone, you will not do things that are bad for them. If you love yourself, you will not do things that are bad for you. Love yourself. Love everyone. Don't be the cause of pain to yourself or others. Leave behind a legacy of goodwill when you die. We only live once. August 7, 2007 - Tuesday

I have taken what I cannot give back. I have lost what I cannot retrieve. Integrity is the one greatest virtue to achieve and the most fleeting of all. Who among us is infallible and who does not make mistakes? Who never feels sorrow or pain? Who never feels at all?We can all be hurt. By hurting others, we are hurting ourselves. The horrors of this world were once kept secret and covered by pretty pictures. They are now openly displayed and easily accessible to those with the appetites for them. We are destroyed by giving in to those appetites. Who can save us? Only we can. Only through self denial can we keep from overeating, overworking, living excessively. Sharing with others is a saving practice. We cannot eat food we do not have. Taking an appropriate amount of time off work allows rejuvenation and other people a chance to prove their worth. Living a maintainable lifestyle reduces stress. Respect and responsibility take time and effort. Anything worth doing or worth keeping does.A picture is worth a thousand words. We are surrounded by negative images worth thousands of words apiece. If we put positive pictures in our minds and let them remain there we can bypass the ugly ones that continually batter our senses. All feelings and desires can't be catered to. To do so is to give up our free will to whatever would please us. When we give up our right to choose, after a while there will be no more choices. Then freedom is gone...

Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam, Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home; A charm from the sky seems to hallow us there, Which, seek through the world, is ne'er met with elsewhere. Home, home, sweet, sweet home! There's no place like home, oh, there's no place like home!------------------------------------------------------------------ Thursday 03/05/2007 Dreaming Sometimes in sleep I dream I have a million dollars and all night long I think of things I'd do If I had that million dollars free to spend, that million dollars I could make so many dreams come true I'd have my debts and bills all paid my house would be my own Buy my family things they long for and require I could enjoy my waking hours sleep so peacefully at night and this would be my heart's desire... But I'm probably better off living in the dream. A million dollars couldn't be as great as it seems I'm only seeing good things and not the other side The hurting, dark and bad things that dreams often hide I'm tired of castles in the air I have a dream I want the world to share and castle walls just lead me to despair... (Don McClean)01:57 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday 10/05/2007 Prayer of the children... Can you hear the prayer of the children on bended knee, in the shadow of an unknown room? Empty eyes with no more tears to cry, turning heavenward toward the light. Cryin' Jesus help me to see the mornin' light of one more day, but if I should die before I wake, I pray my soul to take. 02:26 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- What a friend we have in Jesus... What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry, everything to God in Prayer. O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry, everything to God in Prayer. Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer. Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? take it to the Lord in prayer; in his arms He'll take and shield thee, thou wilt find a solace there.07:37 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- One Friend I always thought you were the best I guess I always will I always felt that we were blessed And I feel that way still Sometimes we took the hard road But we always saw it through If I had only one friend left I'd want it to be you07:29 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated: Jun 19, 2007 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Jesus loves me... Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong they are weak but He is strong.03:26 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Someone else's prayer... ... Where do shadows fal lwhen there's only light Why'd you follow me halfway 'round the world tonight What I'd give right now not to even care And then this could be someone else's prayer ... Just as close as lips brush against a cheek It's your voice I hear and it's your name I speak But when I look around there's no one there How I wish you were someone else's prayer And now the twilight comes as a silent guest And of all its gifts I like stillness best... ... I would always be just a stranger there And now you're free to be someone else's prayer...03:08 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Questions What is the worth of a soul? What is the worth of a human soul? Has any human ever created life from raw materials, or from nothing at all? If we cannot create life, do we have any right to destroy life? To whom then is given the right to own life and the raw materials of which it is made? Who owns our bodies after we die? Who owns the people we love? Who own the basic materials of which we are made? Who owns the food we eat? Who owns the clothes we wear? Who owns the air we breathe? Who owns the water we drink? Who dictates the terms of our our existence? Why are so many houses standing empty, while so many people need someplace to live? What is our purpose for existing? What is the most worthwhile reason to live?02:24 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Who is thy neighbor... The world is parched and dry for want of love. Who is thy neighbor?There is a child on most playgrounds whom no one will play with. There are always other children who will make this child a target for teasing and other acts of cruelty.There are people in the world whom no one will interact with. These become targets for people who will kick, maim, cheat and even kill.There are dogs people consider too worthless to own, or even pet. These become targets for kicking and killing, the venting of hatred and petty frustrations.After a while the child who isn't played with ceases to expect anyone to play with him or her. People who are excluded from the good things of life, eventually expect to be excluded. Dogs who are kicked, expect kicks.Those subjected to these sort of experiences tend to become anti-social.Some will voluntarily take their own lives to save others the inconvenience. Some will lash out, becoming predators to escape being prey. Some will exclude themselves from contact with others.They are the unloved of the world. They are the unwanted. Their hearts die inside them. Without a heart, who can live?They believe only that no one loves them. They also believe that no one can love them. Who can blame them? They have no reason to believe otherwise.Who is thy neighbor?Everyone. Even the loners, the misfits, the cast-offs and the strays.--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Where is love? Does it fall from skies above? Is it underneath the willow tree That I've been dreaming of?... . .. Must I travel far and wide? 'Til I am beside the someone who I can mean something to. Where, Where is love? (From the musical, "Oliver") 02:19 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday 09/05/2007 In Flanders fields... In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. (John McRae)10:59 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday 08/05/2007 Peace... Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me...14:01 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Silence is golden... Let us share a moment of silence, for those who care for those who die for those who speak for the weak and helpless for those who fight for the desperate and hopeless. For those who cry for the voices that will never be heard...Silence is golden.13:58 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunday 06/05/2007 Digging for dirt... Those who dig for dirt shall surely find it. Those who dig for gold may or may not find it, but are likely to find plenty of dirt while searching. Those who search for gold may discover counterfeits that look like the real thing. Everything that glitters is not gold. Those who find gold might not appreciate it, or might love it too much. Plants don't grow in gold Gold cannot be eaten, doesn't warm or shelter us, it is just rare. Plants give food and oxygen. Dirt feeds them. Dirt is despised because it is plentiful. Not all dirt is good. Good dirt nourishes plants. Bad dirt kills them. A discerning eye can tell the difference between bad and good dirt. A critical eye identifies dirt, but doesn't discern. These eyes see all dirt as bad. Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment. Judge not lest ye be judged. Use judgment wisely. If you look for the bad things in others, you will surely find them. Nobody is perfectly good.. If you look for the good in others, you can surely find something. Nobody is perfectly bad. Like plants, goodness and badness will each grow with nourishment and encouragement. Plants left to themselves will often shrivel and die. Some weeds shrivel and die, but some hang in there forever. One person's weed is another's medicine.Before there was money, there were people. Before there were people there were plants. Plants make it possible for people to survive.The people closest to us are the ones most able to hurt us. Familiarity often breeds contempt and not congeniality. Someone who knows you well, accepts, and even defends you is the greatest treasure of all. If you treasure dirt, feel free to treat people like dirt. If you treasure gold, treat people like gold. The most important thing is to treat people like treasure.If you look for dirt you are sure to find it. Flowers cannot grow without it. Dirt is a necessity of life.16:53 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday 05/05/2007 The Golden Rule... "as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise" Sunday 01/07/2007 Things I am grateful for... Clean water Hot showers Food Clean clothes Modest clothes Someplace to live Good weather People who let me care about them. Family Neighbors FriendsTemples Churches Teeth to chew with Days or nights without pain23:35 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ... On the outside a plain brown wrapper On the inside solid gold But the inside's all that matters And the outside's just for show... (Gary Morris)This is the way I wish people would feel.22:35 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ... Give her thorns and she'll find roses give her sand and she'll find the sea give her rain and she'll find rainbows Just see the love she found in me...This is the kind of person I wish I could be...Gary Morris-The love she found in me22:24 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Monday 18/06/2007 Opinions... Everyone has one.17:07 - ------------------------------------------------------------- ... Stand ye in holy places...16:12 - -------------------------------------------------------------------- Parts of Matthew 24 Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the beast, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. ... Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ... Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. ... Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing. ... But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth His coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.04:38 - -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday 14/06/2007 Mockers Are you one of the judges of Jesus? Are you one of the mockers who would stand in the crowd and call out rude things at Jesus aloud?How many times have you seen someone who did things you didn't like? How many times have you decided something wasn't right?Would you gather the thorns to wound His head? Would you scourge Him for the things He said? What was so wrong with the way He behaved? The things He taught, the words He said?23:54 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lead kindly light... Lead kindly light amid the encircling gloom. Lead thou me on. The night is dark and I am far from home. Lead thou me on. 23:51 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday 12/06/2007 Intolerance Intolerance is defined as the lack of ability or willingness to tolerate something. Tolerance is a word that is nearly synonymous with endurance.Matthew 24:13 states: "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."Another viewRomans 12: 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Intolerance could be viewed as a type of revenge and often is by those it affects.07:32 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- All in one day...Gift quote from LH I've learned that the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?06:39 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ Choose the right...Gift quote from LH Elder James B. McDonald asked his four year old grandson: What does CTR mean? The little boy responded: "Choose the Right. If you turn left there is too much traffic." Lakeridge Stake Conference 6 Jan 200706:36 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday 02/06/2007 Friends & Neighbors passed away... Maria Francisca Severna M---- 18--Kristina Brigitta Bocker 1792LeAnne Elwood Walker 1986John Sheldon SkinnerCarlRaymond David RiggsBenjamin DeSpainBrenda

16:28 - -------------------------------------------------------------------- Friends...

Friends, I will remember you think of you, pray for you and when another day is through I'll still be friends with you... (Bill Danoff)

17:24 - --------------------------------------------------------------------

Jun 19, 2007 Tuesday 29/05/2007

Heart Gifts-Gift quote from LH

It's not the things that can be bought that are life's richest treasures It's just the little "heart gifts" that money cannot measure.

A cheerful smile, a friendly word, a sympathetic nod are priceless treasures from the storehouse of our God.

They are the things that can't be bought with silver or with gold, for thoughtfulmess and kindness and love are never sold

They are the priceless things in life for which no one can pay and the giver finds rich recompense in giving them away. (Helen Steiner Rice)

18:48 - Judging...

Judge not lest ye be judged. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. What will be, will be. Vengeance is mine saith the Lord. People will think what they want to. People will say what they want to. People will do what they want to. By their actions they shall be known.

01:53 - Somewhere...

Somewhere in some other place behind another someone's face there's another human mind thinking thoughts a lot like mine.

Somewhere else in someone's dreams someone else is listening someone else sees what I see. someone else in reverie.

I listen, searching hopefully sift the passing memories On the way hoping to find friendly thoughts in other minds.

06:36 - -------------------------------------------------------------------- Optimism...

Optimism is a virtue that allows us to see God's loving hand in the details of our life.

Gift quote from LH
Elder Anthony D. Perkins

06:24 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ four year old...

The following is a four year old's response to the question "What is love?"

"God could have said magic words to make the nails fall off the cross, but He didn't. That is love." Gift quote from LH. Elder James B. McDonald

06:14 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Monday 28/05/2007

Gift Quote from LH-Prayer

Heavenly Father always listens When I kneel and pray. I know He pays attention To everything I say.

He doesn't always answer In ways that I can see But I just know that what He does is what is best for me. (Lafond Hall)

21:43 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sunday 27/05/2007

Gift Quote from LH-Romans 8:16-17

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if childrem, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ....

17:13 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Holding on, letting go...

Sometimes, holding on means letting go. Loved ones sometimes need their space. Sometimes holding onto sanity means letting go of the insanity all around us. Sometimes old memories must be purged before new ones can be made. Sometimes feelings must be evaluated for their effect on one's actions. It is all a matter of values, and what one treasures most When one is wounded by a splinter of glass it is necessary to remove the glass before healing can begin.

Holding onto pain and reliving it does more harm than good. History cannnot be relived, nor changed, only amends made.

Sometimes there is no amending. There is only ending.

Sometimes holding on means letting go. Sometimes letting go means holding on.

07:12 - -------------------------------------------------------------------

Earth sheltered houses are not a new idea...

Pioneers called them dugouts...

When animals build them, they are called burrows...

06:29 - ---------------------------------------------------------------- Cabins

Cabins have changed a lot since pioneer times. Any of the modern recreational dwellings referred to as "cabins" now would have probably been luxurious living by the pioneers standards. Even windows were luxuries to pioneers. Very hard to make.

06:13 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday 26/05/2007

17:12 - Malcolm Wells... Malcolm Wells writes articles promoting green living: earth sheltered homes, solar energy, energy efficiency etc.

http://www.malcolmwells.com/index.html

Malcolm Wells

16:22 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday 25/05/2007

If ye love me...

John 14: 15, 21 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. � � � 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

01:01 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Last Updated: Jun 19, 2007 Friday 25/05/2007

Personal cleansing

Ps. 19: 12 12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Ps. 51: 2 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Ps. 73: 13 13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. Ps. 119: 9 9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Ps. 51: 7, 10 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. � � � 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

11:27 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------- We share...

We share our name We share our fame We share our blame We share our shame

We are Family.

08:26 - -------------------------------------------------------------- Don't...

Don't destroy yourself. Don't destroy others. Don't let yourself be destroyed by others.

08:20 - ------------------------------------------------------------- Be...

Be respectful. Be respectable. Be responsible. Be reverent.

08:19 - Not a princess...

Sure signs that a woman is not a princess-

*No bruises show up after sleeping on lumpy food items such as garden peas *Kissing a prince turns him into a toad *Kiss a toad, and he remains a toad. *Kiss a toad and he turns into a wolf... *Refuses to remain in the tower waiting for potential rescuers

08:13 - Wednesday 23/05/2007

Ephesians 6:10-17 The whole armor of God...

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

18:20 - Guy in the glass...

You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years, And get pats on the back as you pass, But your final reward will be heartaches and tears If you've cheated the guy in the glass.

guy in the glass (Dale Wimbrow)

18:04 - Saturday 19/05/2007

Malachi's promise...

For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts. Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

16:30 - Temples

Many temples are visible symbols of faith and the hope of better worlds to come... A world without temples is a hopeless place... 07:49 -

----------------------------------------------------- The grave...

The grave that they dug him had flowers Gathered from the hillsides in bright summer colours, And the brown earth bleached white at the edge of his gravestone. He's gone. But Eternity knows him, and knows what we've done...

(Don McLean)

07:08 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday 17/05/2007

Beauty tips...

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm, as you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

(Audrey Hepburn)

22:26 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Entering Heaven...

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

22:18 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Communication, Matthew 5:34-37...

But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

11:04 -

09:27 - Gardens...

If I had a place to grow flowers I would.

If I had a place to grow food, I would.

06:14 -

17:24 - Mistakes...

Somewhere in a dream exists the me I might have been Someone good and kind great of heart, and bright of mind

Somebody I hoped I'd be but when I look back I can see only things I've not done right endless sins as black as night

Living with regrets. Living in despair. Not trying to forget, just longing to repair

The damage caused in this world wanting to spare my boys and girls from mistakes made later on... inevitably as life goes on...

17:15 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life...

In life, as in all other things we're bound within restrictions. We succeed or fail by living our convictions.

17:12 - -------------------------------------------------------------------- August 9, 2007 - Thursday

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful... For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

------------------------------------------------------------------------ Job answered the Lord and said: "Hear I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore, I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes. Monday 23/04/2007

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting: The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star, Hath had elsewhere its setting, And cometh from afar: Not in entire forgetfulness, And not in utter nakedness, But trailing clouds of glory do we come From God, who is our home. (Wordsworth)

10:31 - Fount of every blessing

Come, thou fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above. Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it, Mount of thy redeeming love.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; Here's my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for thy courts above.

09:25 - Sweet and low, sweet and low, Wind of the western sea, Low, low, breathe and blow, Wind of the western sea! Over the rolling waters go, Come from the dying moon, and blow, Blow him again to me; While my little one, while my pretty one, sleeps.

Sleep and rest, sleep and rest, Father will come to thee soon; Rest, rest, on mother's breast, Father will come to thee soon; Father will come to his babe in the nest, Silver sails all out of the west Under the silver moon: Sleep, my little one, sleep, my pretty one, sleep. (Alfred, Lord Tennyson)

09:19 - Sunday 22/04/2007

Lord, who shall dwell in Thy tabernacle, and abide in Thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor. In whose eyes a vile person is condemned but he honoreth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. 

01:36 - Tuesday 24/04/2007

God's spirit dwells not in wood or stone, 

but dwells in living hearts alone.

 

Was in the merry month of May 

When green buds all were swelling, 

Sweet William on his death bed lay 

For love of Barbara Allen.

He sent his servant to the town 

To the place where she was dwelling, 

Said you must come, to my master dear 

If your name be Barbara Allen.

So slowly, slowly she got up 

And slowly she drew nigh him, 

And the only words to him did say 

Young man I think you're dying.

He turned his face unto the wall 

When we were in the tavern, 

Good-bye, good-bye, to my friends all 

Be good to Barbara Allen.

When he was dead and laid in grave 

She heard the death bells melling 

And every stroke to her did say 

Hard hearted Barbara Allen.

Oh mother, oh mother go dig my grave 

Make it both long and narrow,

Sweet William died of love for me 

And I will die of sorrow.

And father, oh father, go dig my grave 

Make it both long and narrow, 

Sweet William died on yesterday 

And I will die tomorrow.

Barbara Allen was buried in the old churchyard

Sweet William was buried beside her, 

Out of sweet William's heart, there grew a rose 

From Barbara's a green briar.

They grew and grew in the old churchyard Till they could grow no higher At the end they formed, a true lover's knot And the rose grew round the briar.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Down in the valley valley so low Hang your head over hear the wind blow Hear the wind blow dear hear the wind blow Hang your head over hear the wind blow.

Roses love sunshine violets love dew Angels in heaven know I loved you Know I loved you dear know I loved you Angels in heaven know I loved you.

If you don't love me love whom you please... ------------------------------------------- 13:33 - Amazing grace , how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me.... I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught... my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved. How precious did that Grace appear... the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares... we have already come. T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far... and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me... His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be... as long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years... bright shining as the sun. We've no less days to sing God's praise... then when we've first begun.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me.... I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now, I see.

10:40 - 

I am a poor wayfaring stranger 

traveling through this world of woe. 

Yet there's no sickness, toil nor danger 

In that bright world to which I go. 

I'm going there to see my Father; 

I'm going there no more to roam.

I'm only going over Jordan, 

I'm only going over home.

I know dark clouds will gather round me; 

I know my way is rough and steep. 

But golden fields lie out before me 

Where God's redeemed shall ever sleep.

I'm going there to see my mother, 

She said she'd meet me when I come.

I'll soon be free from every trial, 

My body sleep in the churchyard;

I'll drop the cross of self denial 

And enter on my great reward.

I'm going there to see my Savior, 

To sing His praise forevermore.

Dantes' prayer

When the dark wood fell before me 

And all the paths were overgrown 

When the priests of pride say there is no other way

I tilled the sorrows of stone

I did not believe because I could not see 

Though you came to me in the night 

When the dawn seemed forever lost 

You showed me your love in the light of the stars

Cast your eyes on the ocean 

Cast your soul to the sea 

When the dark night seems endless 

Please remember me

Then the mountain rose before me 

By the deep well of desire 

From the fountain of forgiveness 

Beyond the ice and the fire

Though we share this humble path, alone 

How fragile is the heart 

Oh give these clay feet wings to fly 

To touch the face of the stars

Breathe life into this feeble heart

Lift this mortal veil of fear 

Take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears 

We'll rise above these earthly cares

Please remember me Please remember me

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling 

From glen to glen, and down the mountain side 

The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying 

'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide. 

And if you come, when all the flowers are dying 

And I am dead, as dead I well may be 

You'll come and find the place where I am lying 

And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me. 

And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me 

And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be 

If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me 

I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.

---------------------------------------------------------- 

Ere you left your room this morning, 

Did you think to pray? 

In the name of Christ our Savior, 

Did you sue for loving favor, 

As a shield today?

Oh, how praying rests the weary! 

Prayer will change the night to day; 

So when life seems dark and dreary, 

Don't forget to pray.

When sore trials came upon you, 

Did you think to pray? 

When your soul was bowed in sorrow, 

Balm of Gilead did you borrow 

At the gates of day? 

------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

God grant me the serenity to 

accept the things I cannot change; 

Courage to change the things I can; 

and the wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time;

accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, 

not as I would have it:

Trusting that He will make all things right 

if I surrender to His Will; 

that I may be reasonably happy in this life and 

supremely happy with Him forever in the next. Amen 

11:03 - Thursday 26/04/2007

There was a little railroad train with loads and loads of toys, all starting out to find a home with little girls and boys... The little engine moaned and groaned and huffed and puffed away, but halfway to the top it gave just gave up and seemed to say I can't go on, I can't go on, I'm weary as can be. I can't go on, I can't go on, this job is not for me.

The toys got out to push, but all in vain alas, alack. And then a great big engine came a-whistling down the track. They asked if it would kindly pull them up the mountainside, but with a high and mighty sneer, it scornfully replied don't bother me, don't bother me to pull the likes of you, don't bother me, don't bother me, I've better things to do.

The toys all started crying cause that engine was so mean. And then there came another one, the smallest ever seen. And though it seemed that she could hardly pull herself along, she hitched on to the front and as she pulled and sang this song, I think I can, I think I can, I think I have a plan, and I can do most anything if I only think I can

Then up that great big mountain with the cars all full of toys, and soon they reached the waiting arms of little girls and boys. And though that ends the story, it will do you lots of good to take a lesson from the little engine that could. Just think you can, just think you can, just have that understood and pretty soon you'll start to say, "I always knew I could" ------------------------------------------------------------------ 

All things bright and beautiful, 

All creatures great and small, 

All things wise and wonderful: 

The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens, 

Each little bird that sings, 

He made their glowing colors, 

He made their tiny wings.

07:19 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ When you walk the streets you'll have no cares 

If you walk the lines and not the squares 

As you go through life make this your goal 

Watch the donut, not the hole.

07:56 - ----------------------------------------------------------------- 

Lollipop Tree

One fine day in early spring I played a funny trick 

right in the yard behind our house I planted a lollipop stick 

then every day I watered it well and watched it carefully 

I hoped someday that stick would grow to be a lollipop tree. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, 

And sorry I could not travel both 

And being one traveler, long I stood 

And looked down one as far as I could 

To where it bent in the undergrowth; 

Then took the other...

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I

I took the one less traveled by, 

And that has made all the difference. (Robert Frost) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, 

and remember what peace there may be in silence...

Be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. 

And whatever your labours and aspirations 

in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. 

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; 

it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. 

Strive to be happy.

11:12 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Treasure in Heaven

When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, 

consider diligently what is before thee. 

Be not desirous of his dainties for they are deceitful meat. 

Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 

Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, 

neither desire thou his dainty meats. 

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.

Speak not in the ears of a fool, 

he will despise the wisdom of your words. 

Remove not the old landmark, 

enter not into the fields of the fatherless. 

Apply thine heart unto instruction, 

and thine ears to the words of knowledge. 

Withhold not correction from the child.

Neither cast ye your pearls before swine 

lest they turn again and rend you.

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 

where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, 

and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 

For where your treasure is, 

there will your heart be also

The light of the body is the eye: 

if therefore thine eye be single, 

thy whole body shall be full of light. 

But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body 

shall be full of darkness. 

If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, 

how great is that darkness! 

06:11 - 05:53 - Monday 30/04/2007

Relevance

Some play music some dance some sit against the wall. 

Positions prove our relevance or lack of after all.

08:19 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

As a man thinketh... 

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: 

for they shall be filled.

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 

...whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. ...whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

As a man thinketh, so is he. 

As a woman thinketh, so is she.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: 

for they shall be filled.

22:31 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lemon Tree

When I was just a lad of ten, my father said to me 

Come here and take a lesson from the lovely lemon tree 

Don't put your faith in love, my boy, my father said to me 

I fear you'll find that love is like the lovely lemon tree

Lemon tree, very pretty, and the lemon flower is sweet 

But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat 

August 3, 2007 - Friday

Jesus our Brother, kind and good 

was humbly born in a stable rude, 

the friendly beasts around Him stood. 

Jesus our brother, kind and good. 

I, said the donkey, shaggy and brown 

I carried His mother up hill and down 

I carried her safely to Bethlehem town 

I, said the donkey, shaggy and brown. 

I, said the dove from the rafters high 

I cooed Him to sleep so He would not cry 

We cooed Him to sleep my mate and I 

I, said the dove from the rafters high 

Emmanuel, Emmanuel 

The friendly beasts were glad to tell.

Saturday 21/04/2007 Trees 

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree. 

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest 

Against the sweet earth's flowing breast; 

A tree that looks at God all day, 

And lifts her leafy arms to pray; 

A tree that may in summer wear 

A nest of robins in her hair; 

Upon whose bosom snow has lain; 

Who intimately lives with rain. 

Poems are made by fools like me, 

But only God can make a tree.

(Kilmer)

21:23 - Wisdom

Buy the truth and sell it not, also wisdom, and instruction and understanding. 

He that begetteth a wise child shall have joy in him. 

There is gold and a multitude of rubies, 

but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. 

Bread of deceit is sweet to a man, 

but afterward his mouth shall be filled with gravel. 

Judgments are prepared for scorners, 

and stripes for the backs of fools. 

The just man walketh in his integrity; 

his children are blessed after him. 

Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, 

but a man of understanding will draw it out. 

Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness; 

but a faithful man, who can find?

19:15 - Seasons

To every thing there is a season, 

and a time to every purpose under the heavens...

Labor is a gift from God.

13:37 - Pray for our leaders

Supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks should be made for all men, for kings, and for all that are in authority. That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God, our Savior. 13:22 - 

Friday 20/04/2007 Kind thoughts

Kind hearts are the gardens, 

Kind thoughts are the roots. 

Kind words are the flowers 

Kind deeds are the fruits.

Take care of your garden, 

and keep out the weeds. 

Fill it up with sunshine, 

kind words and kind deeds. (Longfellow)

23:04 - Eyes

The eyes are the windows to the soul. 

The spirit is the light of the body. 

As a man thinketh, so is he. 

We are judged by our actions. 

Thoughts precede actions. 

Good thoughts motivate good actions. 

Bad thoughts motivate bad actions. 

People make mistakes. 

Judge not lest ye be judged.

22:54 -

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice sake,  for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.