Let There Be Light!

I can't stand a naked light bulb,
any more than I can a rude remark or a vulgar action.
Tennessee Williams

FINALLY, My Announcement!

Without a Hedge
Glimpses into My Life’s Garden
by Karen J. Hopper

Without a Hedge is the product of a dream planted in 1998, which now has bloomed. I realize I'm a little premature in making my announcement but I'm so excited that I couldn't wait any longer. Yes, I have stepped out by faith to author and publish my first book. The date of its release is not scheduled until late May to mid-June. More information will be forthcoming in the weeks to follow.

Without a Hedge is a story of the joys and challenges of life, using illustrations from my world. It doesn’t have the “wow” that impacts most books nor is it filled with flowery words to impress. Family and friends will understand that it is just me, sharing the various seasons from my life’s garden, a life that has taken me and my family down many paths. But even with detours of heartache and pain, I cannot complain - for in every season, my garden is filled with beauty.
 

“We come from the earth;
we return to the earth
and in-between we garden.”
Unknown

PS: the photo above is not the one on the book's cover.

Today Must Be a Day Filled with Your Dreams

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Eleanor Roosevelt

Life Is Sometimes Hard

Today is God's Day!

FOR HE IS GOOD!

The Caterpillar will be a Butterfly

Should Be Our Commitment to God

But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God" Ruth 1:16

picture: Naomi & Ruth

All Things Connect

Humankind has not woven the web of life.
We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All things are bound together. All things connect.

- Chief Seattle

Listen for Love

Love speaks softly, without words, sometimes.

Take Time!

Be sure to take time in your day to smell the flowers
for
"Where flowers bloom so does hope."
- Lady Bird Johnson

What More Can Be Said?

Easter Blessings!

Wishing you and yours a Blessed Easter

A Long Way to Go

I’ve got a long way to go. . .to be like the Lord.

I’ve got a long way to go. . .to be like Him.

I’ve got to be merciful, dutiful. . .faithful and true,

Kind and just. . .in all that I do.

I’ve got a long way to go. . .to be like the Lord.

I don’t remember trudging

Up a rugged hill,

With a cross upon my back.

I don’t recall a thorny crown

Thrust upon my brow,

Now, as I look back,

I’ve never been spat upon,

Ridiculed, wounded

In my side,

Life’s no bed of roses,

But still I can’t deny,

I’ve got a long way to go. . .to be like the Lord.

Traveling onward, upward,

Daily, Lord, am I

On my way to victory.

And when I reach my Calvary,

Someday by and by,

Lord, remember me.

I want You to strengthen me,

Encourage me, deliver me I pray.

For I know my weakness,

And that is why I say,

I’ve got a long way to go. . .to be like the Lord.

His Name is Jesus

Lord, Is It?

Judas Iscariot, 1891 German painting

It is Easter time and what better time to reflect on our walk with the Lord. Are we true disciples in the purest sense, or are we as Judas, a face with an impure heart? I pray my poem speaks my heart - because in my living as a "disciple of Christ", I must know more than ever before that I have totally given Him what is most important – MY VERY ALL!!!

Absolutely not!
No, not I,
Never would I the Lord deny!

Definitely a mistake!!
There’s no truth to the claim,
That I would to the Lord bring shame!!

Truly absurd!!!
No, I never could,
Nail the Lord to a gnarled place of wood!!!

Completely false!!?
Why, He’s the center of all my needs,
Even though I don’t answer all His pleads!!?

You don’t make sense!?
You’ve unquestionably lost all reason,
I plan on giving Him my all in proper season!?

No, surely not?
Could I ever deny?
Oh no, dear Lord, truly is it I? 

- K.J.Hopper

Beware of Identity Theft!

BEWARE OF IDENTITY THEFT THIS EASTER!!!

Not in the Ears or the Eggs!

Remember that Easter is about much more
than bunnies with big ears
and baskets of colored eggs.

Apostles of Hope

.

Tradition has it that white lilies (often called "white-robed apostles of hope) were found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane where drops of Christ's sweat fell to the ground in his final hours of sorrow and deep distress

Each time we see an Easter Lily, may we think on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope He has given us through life everlasting..

Celebrate Jesus!

Don't celebrate this day being a "you know what"
but celebrate it by being in God's House.