A New Heart

Resolutions for the New Year are swirling through my head. For me, it is important to make sure that my resolutions count and will be followed. Don't want to hurriedly make ones that will drop by the wayside in a few weeks. My resolutions need to center on improving my heart to see life as it really should be seen, through God's heart.

Lord, please give Me a Heart to See
▸ a light in the darkness
▸ laughter from deep within an anguished cry
▸ a smile upon a face blanketed by a frown
▸ innocence upon the sheets of evil doing
▸ a twinkle in the eyes of blindness
▸ genuine prayer kneeling before an atheistic altar
▸ truth’s cancellation of deceit’s documents
▸ exquisite packages wrapped in newsprint and tied with string
▸ You Lord, even when my faith wavers and the way is rough

Please Lord, in 2013, give Me a HEART that sees the Desires of Your Heart.

Happy 13th Birthday

Happy Birthday to our new teen, grandson Preston
No. 13 fits you well
Love you to the moon and back

Goal(s) Setting 2013

2013 is on the horizon

What Goal(s) Are You Setting for Yourself?

In Memory of Our Son

Happy Birthday Mark.
We Miss You Always!

Our Wish to You

Merry CHRISTmas
and a
Happy New Year

To Be Like the Christmas Candle

A Christmas candle is a lovely thing;
It makes no noise at all, But softly gives itself away;
While quite unselfish, it grows small.
- Eva K. Logue

Dog's Christmas Rules

1. Be especially patient with your humans at this time as they may appear to be more stressed-out than usual.

2. When they come home with large bags of things called gifts, do not assume all the gifts are for you.

3. Be tolerant if your humans put decorations on you as they get pleasure out of seeing how you look with fake antlers.

4. They may bring a large tree home, set it up, and cover it with lights and decorations. Bizarre as it may seem, it is an important human ritual, so you need to know: (a) don't go to bathroom on the tree, (b) don't drink water in the container holding the tree, (c) control your tail when near tree, (d) if there are packages under the tree, even ones that smell interesting or have your name on them, don't rip them open, and (e) don't chew on the cord running from the hole in the wall to the tree.

5. Your humans may occasionally invite strangers to come visit during this season. The parties can be fun, but call for some discretion by you: (a) not all strangers appreciate kisses, (b) don't eat off the buffet table, (c) beg subtly for goodies, (d) be pleasant, even when strangers sit on your sofa, and (e) don't drink out of glasses left sitting around.

6. Likewise, your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be important: (a) observe all the rules in #4 for trees, with #4a particularly important, (b) respect animals and their territory in the house you are visiting, (c) tolerate children, and (d) turn on your charm big time.

7. A chubby man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night, DON'T BITE HIM!!

Proverb of the Bird

You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from
flying over your head, but you can prevent them
from building nests in your hair.
- Chinese Proverb

The Original, for sure

This Christmas, give the GPS that lasts a lifetime!

Got Room?

Do you have room for Him
this Christmas season?

Loving The Word

The Bible isn’t an answer book. 
It isn’t a self-help book. 
It isn’t a science or history textbook. 
It isn’t even a single book – but rather a collection of
letters and laws, prophecies and proverbs,
stories and songs, spanning thousands of years and
written in languages and cultures
far removed from my own.

Love the Bible for what it is,
not what you want it to be.

Church Parking Only

Personally, I'd prefer solution #2

When Alone

Beauty can be observed when we walk alone
and in such quiet surroundings,
we can find restoration for our soul.

Do It Right the First TIme

Not all of our mistakes
can easily be corrected.

So let's watch what we say and what we write!

Say It Isn't So!

I'm losing all faith in this guy!

Reindeer Performance

Wishing you PRE-Christmas fun with the

Sounds of Christmas Reindeer choir/orchestra

conducted by Old St. Nick.

Just click on "Sounds of Christmas" above,

and be sure to adjust your volume for listening.

Montgomery Ward Icon

Guess my mind is running wild this week on things that are a part of Christmas tradition (in a few days I will focus on the real reason for the season but still being a child at heart, please allow me the liberties to rant). I got to thinking of that little deer that heads Santa's "flying unit". Cute little guy who has never completely grown up (kinda like me).

I love Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer. Many people probably aren't aware that "Rudy" only goes back to the early-to-mid 20th century. His character began as an attempt to promote a chain of department stores. In fact, he was born the same year that I was (oh no, just revealed my age! Come to think of it, he's just a baby, not old at all. lol). His birth year: 1939.

The large department store chain, Montgomery Ward, had been giving away coloring books every Christmas for years, and decided it was time to produce its promotional give-away inhouse. Robert L. May, who worked at Ward's as an advertising copywriter, was commissioned to write a story for young readers - the result: Rudolph. Robert May's character was a result of his own childhood experiences; the story of a picked-on kid who made good, prospering as a result of the very attribute the others made fun of.

Thus Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer became an icon among Christmas traditions. I LOVE RUDOLPH, don't you?

Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
had a very shiny nose
and if you ever saw it
you would even say it glows.
All of the other reindeer
used to laugh and call him names
they never let poor Rudolph
join in any reindeer games.

Then one foggy Christmas eve
Santa came to say:
"Rudolph with your nose so bright
won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"

Then how the reindeer loved him
as they shouted out with glee
"Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
you'll go down in history."

Christmas Star

Poinsettias are such beautiful accessories for the holiday season. I always find myself filling my home with these beauties, which is most appropriate because poinsettias are called "Christmas Stars" by many.

These flowery shrubs (yes, they were originally known as shrubs) began association with Christmas in 16th century Mexico. Legend tells of a young girl who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus' birthday. An angel came to the child and encouraged her to gather weeds from the roadside, then place them in front of the church altar. Miraculously, crimson "blossoms" sprouted from the weeds, turning into beautiful poinsettias. 17th century Franciscan monks in Mexico started including the plants in their Christmas celebrations. Today, we just can't do without a few "Christmas stars" in our holiday decor. It's called Celebrating Jesus, just as it happened centuries ago.

Prayer

Lord, teach me to pray!

A Place to Unwind

Find a place where stress does not exist..
away from the crowds and pressures of life.
SERIOUSLY,
is excess worry and stress really worth
what you are feeling?
Give way to relaxation
in a setting of God's tranquility.

Beware! Elderly on the Loose

Blow Wind...Upon Us

Of all the forces of nature,
the wind contains the largest amount
of motivational power;
that is, power to move things.

...so dear Lord,
Move on us
that we may have the power
to make change.

Personally, I'd Prefer the PRAYER

"Thanks" Giving should never end after the
day set aside to celebrate it
but should continue in our hearts and in our lives
every day that the Lord gives us.

eliminate unwanted "THANKS" giving

Blessings to All!

Thanksgiving Blessings!
from our house to yours

That's Right...Wait Your Turn!

Thankful

Give Thanks in Everything!
A thankful heart will, in every hour
and in every circumstance,
find some blessing.

Have a Thankful Heart

Remember that not everyone
has had the advantages you have.
Be Thankful!

Close Relationship

"My sheep listen to my voice;
I know them, and they follow me."- John 10:27

In HIS Hands

Why Do You Judge Me?

If you've never walked in my shoes,
or been down the path that I walk,
Please don't judge me!

You were not there to see me stumble.
You were not there to see me fall.
You were not there to pick me up.
You were not there at all.

Why Do You Judge Me?

- Sam Bristow

Not Everything Is As It First Seems

No way will this frog
ever turn into Prince Charming.
Just take a look at his kisser.

Lesson to be learned?
Not everything is as it first seems.
Be sure to take a second look
before jumping (i.e., hopping, leaping)
into something you wished
you’d never taken part in.

Sweet 16

Happy Sweet 16
Your lively spirit enchants us all.
You are one talented, beautiful young lady.
So along with getting your driver's license,
unwrap gifts of love and laughter each and every day.
Love you Madi!

The Pot & the Kettle

When seeing this picture of teakettles in Death Valley,
my thought went to the idiom of the teakettle and the pot
(i.e., "the pot calling the kettle black").
Seems the pot is mocking the kettle for a little soot,
when the pot itself is thoroughly covered in the same.

"Oho!" said the pot to the kettle;
"You are dirty and ugly and black!
Sure no one would think you were metal,
Except when you're given a crack."

"Not so! not so!" kettle said to the pot;
"'Tis your own dirty image you see;
For I am so clean – without blemish or blot –
That your blackness is mirrored in me."
- Maxwell's Elementary Grammar, copyright 1904

Could it be that we humans need to worry less about fixing others,

and spend more time taking care of ourselves and fixing our actions?
Just saying!

Seek His Path

The path to our destination is not always a straight one.
We go down the wrong road, we get lost, we turn back.
Maybe it doesn't matter which road we embark on.
Maybe what matters is that we embark.
- Barbara Hall

Why, oh why, do we feel the need to take charge of every aspect of our life? Why can''t we allow HIM to guide us, to lead us in our pathway through life. Remember HE never gets lost, we do!

 

Make Today Count!

Thinking isn't agreeing or disagreeing. That's voting.
- Robert Frost

One's Destination

“One’s destination is never a place,
but a new way of seeing things.”
- Henry Miller

When Serenity Meets Nature

Observe nature. It soothes. It heals.
And it puts our senses in order.

A Duck Revelation

“If it walks like a duck,
quacks like a duck,
looks like a duck, it must be a duck”

- Proverb Quote

I know this post doesn't mean much but
today I don't know much.
Ever had one of those days?

Is "Oranger" a Word?

Is it true that pumpkins are always oranger
on the other side of the patch?

Why, oh why, do we humans always think that the person
next to us has it better than we do? That's not necessarily true...
perhaps they just hide their discouragements better...keeping
their life "oranger." We don't have a clue what's going on
in their little patch of humanity. Just saying!

Acts of Caring..

Caring is letting things matter to us, including other people,
by valuing their well-being and being attentive to their needs.
When we care about someone, we are conscious of
what can harm them or what will make them flourish.

Acts of kindness let others know that we care.

No BRAINers!

“Many complain of their looks,
but none of their brains”
- Yiddish Proverb

The Shepherd & His Sheep

"I am the good Shepherd; and I know My sheep,
and am known by My own."
John 10:14

"To Him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear His voice;
and He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out.
And when He brings out His own sheep, He goes before them;
and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice."
John 10:3-4

I AM SO THANKFUL THAT
WE KNOW HIS VOICE!

 

A Tale of the Talebearers

I love fairy tales. Yes, I know they aren't true but there is something about the stories that make one connect them to real life. (Probably being an only child prompted my thinking this way). Well, I got to thinking (again) of what it would be like to read a modern-day tale, so thought I'd try my hand at writing one. Remember it won't be magical like the oldies (unfortunately we don't have much "magic" going on nowadays).

The Five Stepsisters

A Tale of the Talebearers

according to Karen Hopper

Once upon a time, there were five horribly insensitive stepsisters who regularly attended a church where the Spirit of God desired to freely move in the midst of its people. These sisters didn't seem to relish being in His presence and focused more on their own agenda, being carried away by jealousy and merciless tale bearing; therefore they found fault in the people whose only desire was to serve the King as best they could.

Due to the idleness of these sisters’ days, and the time spent on the telephone (yes, in this story there is a phone; remember this is a modern-day tale), the sisters and their “birds of a feather” friends’ imaginations would conjure up fabricated stories on the unsuspecting. It is said that they did it in order to blind themselves of their shortcomings. Unfortunately, these treacherous ones would visit with one another on a regular, almost daily, basis – looking to find the slightest thing that would allow the thought of something bad or unseemly. Even the littlest thing would turn into a tidbit that would allow them to go about their tattle-bearing and backbiting ways. In many circles, it was called gossip.

Fortunately, the Lord’s people were able to distinguish the marks of these tale bearing sisters, and distanced themselves. Just in case you aren't aware: What were the distinctive marks labeling these five?

One sister had Big Eyes, which allowed her to search around looking for possible flaws in others, and then magnify each into a major offense against an unsuspecting soul. (It was usually her flaw but she couldn't see it, and would pass it on hoping that it would be moved from her so not to have to deal with it.)

Another sister was known for her Big Ears - ears to hear vile words that acted as a destroyer of a soul; never considering that what she heard may not be true but relishing it as a truth anyway. (And what if it was truth, should judgment be made by mortals under any circumstances? Isn't there only one designated to judge?)

Sister #3 had a Big Mouth to spread untruths, spewing out hateful words while pretending to be genuinely concerned about someone’s salvation and well being. (Wouldn't you think genuine concern would get Big Mouth on her knees to ask God to help that person who's struggling?)

Then there was Big Feet who always ran around spreading malicious tones as quickly as possible. Time reporting was always of the essence. God forbid that she would allow juicy gossip to get cold (Talebearer's motto: Be the first to report the fragility of another whether it be true or false.)

And never could the four other sisters have survived without their elder sister, Cold Heart. She was the kindred spirit that held them together through it all, and she was the one that they needed most. CH served as their leader well, and a reflection of the condition of her soul and that of her sisters.

Life continued on. Each day, the five went about their business, never desiring anything more than affix themselves on others impurities, or thought-to-be impurities. Never once did they feel what they were saying was wrong, always feeling justified in proclaiming the inadequacies in others. Poor stepsisters! They continued to toil at tattling, tale bearing, deceiving, backbiting and lying until it was their time to have presence with the King. Excitedly, they received invitation to go to the Kingdom, where they expected to be rewarded for the labors they had amassed. Why, they had cleaned up the messes that the pastors hadn't taken care of. My, how could a Man of God be so blinded not to know the shortcomings of so many, the sisters thought. It was their duty to take care of the business at hand and do what they did best. The King would be proud of them, giving them honor.

The day came when the sisters entered into the presence of the King - and each was rewarded according to their deeds - living UNHAPPILY ever after in a place reserved for their kind.

THE END!

pictures: Disney copyrights