REST THE SPIRT THAT IT MAY SOAR

No shopping .  No work today.  No washing laundry.  But I was busy anyway. I was out for most of the afternoon.  Now I'm tired.  And yawning.  Although it isn't all that late, it is time for me to crawl into my bed, lay down my head and drift away into good and prayfull dreams.

I did drop off a small bag at the Salvation Army as I went about my way.  It was an accumulation of plastic bags that can be used over or recycled.  That was my work of the day.

Yesterday I came home from church and cooked some roast beef and onions.  I already had macaroni and seafood salad, so my meals are cooked for a couple of days and ready to heat and eat.  So, tomorrow I can start some more "work" and the grass needs to be cut...if it doesn't rain.  And so it goes.

COME, BLESS THE LORD,

ALL YOU SERVANTS

OF THE LORD;

PRAISE YOU SERVANTS

OF THE LORD,

WHO STAND IN THE HOUSE

OF THE LORD

DURING THE HOURS

OF NIGHT.

LIFT UP YOUR HANDS

TO THE SANCTUARY,

AND BLESS THE LORD.

Psalm 133: 1-3

Do you get tired of praising the Lord, giving thanks for all the blessings we receive, bearing witness or testimony to the Word or the presence God?  I know I get weary of it at times, especially if I think that no one reads or hears the Word of God as written by the Apostles and the saints.  And I often wonder if there are any great prophets or saints for OUR times.  I persist in my little evangelism here, tired or not.  What I have to say or share is of no great importance.  I hope it might steer one or two in the right direction, that they may take up their own quest and follow Christ.  There is an expression: "Heavy is the head that bears the crown."  You might transfer that famous quote and say, "Heavy was the head that bore the crown of thorns"...or "Heavy was the cross that was born for us"..."Heavy the heart that shed His blood for His sheep."  All an any of that, and more.

Yes, we tire.  I am tired  But I will refresh my soul in Christ, my Lord, and rest...and then pick myself up when I awake and try again.  You can, too.  All Praise, Honor and Glory is Yours, now and forever.  So be it.  So we do pray.

END

 

Watch over me

I've been out shopping a little, did a return on some clothing, and finally found the shoe polish that I have been looking for.  Now I can start my little project and hope it turns out the way I have in mind.

I got up pretty early and just did some little things such as wash some things that I pulled out of the closet and did a little vacuuming in said closet.  A long way to go and a little at a time will get the job done.

I bought a half of an apple pie and ate half of the half which was pretty good and was made with Splenda.  Half of a half of an apple pie is about equal to a nice piece of pie.  I can not remember when I last had a piece of pie.  Dieting is a deprivation of the senses!

I will not write much tonight as I am tired.  I don't want to wake up so early, but sometimes I do.  So...if I am awake I might as well get up and start the day, even before the birds do.

DO NOT GIVE IN TO SADNESS,

TORMENT NOT YOURSELF

WITH BROODING;

GLADNESS OF THE HEART

IS THE VERY LIFE

OF MAN.

CHEERFULNESS

PROLONGS HIS DAYS.

Sirach 30: 21-22

Here is a passage in the Bible worth reading as it continues on.  It seems to me that often the most successful people are happy people, and when they are not, they climb up from their bended knees and carry on with a smile and a graceful continence.  While is isn't humanly possible to be cheerful and smiley all the time, the passage goes on to tell us to distract ourselves, be courageous, renew ourselves and kick old resentments and bad feelings to hell and back.  Yes, a good, swift kick to the Devil's interference in our lives and mores, and The Arch Angel Micheal will help you do and terrific punt.

I am not happy all the time.  There are days when I would just rather stay in bed and not be bothered by the every day trivial events of my journey, but I do get up and I do face the day. We can lift ourselves up in the Spirit and carry on.  And I enjoy the day and each breath I take.  I love the sun and the nature of the Son, for it is given to us and is there for us to bask in.  You know: Basking in the Son's sun. While I am not an expert on happiness and good cheer, for the most part, I accept what and who I am.  You should, too.  In many senses I generalize because I know that not all the people in our small world are far from free to be happy and without worry. and carry heavy burdens, but the joy of the Lord is internal...of the heart.  When you lift up your eyes to the Lord, you lift up your spirit and love to God.  And He sees you. He hears you.  He loves you in return.  And He smiles down upon you for the fruit of the Spirit is JOY.

I always say I'm not going to write much and then I get wound up and carried away.  Sorry...sort of.

END

OLIVE OIL VS. BABY OIL AND MUSIC

Olive Oil...yup, olive oil.  A week or so ago the TV carried a segment touting all the greatness of using Olive Oil on your face to enhance skin tone, repair damage, moisturizer the skin and all kinds of attributes.  While all that may be true...or nearly so, Olive Oil is a fairly expensive for the beautification of one's self.  Oh, but you may say, "I'm worth it."  Good, I hope you, your id and vanity stay on good terms and wrinkle free.

I, on the other hand, tout the benefits of simple Baby Oil which is far less expensive and will do everything that Olive Oil is said to do, and you won't walk around smelling like a yummy pizza.  I like pizza and a good salad oil, but not on my face or wearing it.  If you like Baby Oil..and I do...you will have a very nice fragrance and soft skin that almost glows, lighting up your natural tones.  It is easy to massage in right after a shower when your are still damp and you do not have that greasy feel.  I even do a hair/scalp treatment with Baby Oil and am pleased with that "new baby" fragrance.  Yup, I will keep my Baby Oil and the rest of the world can use the Olive Oil.  I will use my Olive Oil for cooking.

I continue to clean out my walk-in-closet and took a big bag of old uniforms and even big snow boots to the Salvation Army, for drop-off.  I will take another bag tomorrow or Monday.  I guess I will keep my old uniform tops because they are cool when working in the yard.  I am finding a few things that I forgot I had, but I said that, didn't I. It sounds like I have a lot of stuff, but what I have is a lot of useless accumulation and I say to myself, "Why did I ever save this junk?"  Out...most of goes and as this has been an ongoing process, I wonder if I will ever get it finished.

I asked my big sister if she would ask her husband to see about setting a couple of my poems to music...just simple music would be nice.  I only have a couple of those home grown poems that might lend themselves to music.  I am not very musical, but I can find middle C on a piano or organ, but not much more!  Stu, make some music!  You sing in the choir: make a joyful noise!

 

SING JOYFULLY TO GOD,

OUR STRENGTH;

ACCLAIM THE GOD

OF JACOB.

TAKE UP A MELODY,

AND SOUND THE TIMBREL,

THE PLEASANT HARP

AND THE LYRE.

Psalm 80: 1-3

Because I have been busy most of the afternoon I did stop and get a hamburger, coke and salad when I went to the Salvation Army.  It's been so long since I had a greasy hamburger...oh yum..oh joy..oh cholesterol!

END

HELLOS AND TIME

Yes, that is my 1976 Centennial Wall Clock  with my fishing pole sticking up behind it.  The clock works...if I wind it.  And the fishing pole?  Well, maybe I'll catch a whale...or not.

Hello to all my Russian friends and to all the other readers from other countries that come and visit me here.  I am always glad to see who comes to read my little blog.  Occ. I get a surprise from a country that I am not familiar with or from someone in a land that is under the gun.  One nation that has never visited here is China.  I am pretty certain that they are really under a watchful eye.  One country that probably will never have a citizen visit here, is N. Korea.  Where ever you may be and whatever your situation,  may you be blessed and protected by the gathering of Angels of the Lord who made us.  God loves us all.

The bean soup turned out well and I did get my hair cut this afternoon.  It is a little shorter than I like it to be, esp. around the ears.  The beautician gets a little carried away with her scissors.  The nice thing about it is that it is bound to grow back and in a couple of weeks it won't be too noticeable...I hope.

I stopped at the $1.00 store and got some candy for the residents at the home.  I may shop a little tomorrow, but I did have to come home and shorten my time out.

We had a thunder storm during the night and the hail hitting the side of the house woke me up.  I got up for a few minutes, but really didn't pay that much attention to the storm.  I am one of those people that believes that "what will be, will be."  As it says in the gospels, some will be taken and some will be left behind, but we will not know when or the hour, so why worry about what I can not change.  I was told once that I was a person that did not care or sanguine.  Actually, I care very much, but also know that I am a child of God and therefore subject to His will.  Therefore, within reason and with good sense, I try to put fear aside.  That doesn't mean that the events of life do not concern me or effect my thoughts or deeds, because I also try to face reality and deal with it.  Sometimes...often, I fail, but I stumble without fear because I know that I am loved...just as I am.  Hmm, I said that last evening, didn't I.  

It is hard to keep up with the calender.  We are on the backside of Thursday and at the tail end of April.  We certainly get pummeled by wagging tail of the passage of time banging us in the head.  As time is really only a concept that helps keep society ticking and moving along in some orderly fashion, I think it would be nice if we could just slow it down a little and shift our gears into a lower speed.  We are in such a rush to meet and greet our maker!  Lets all forget to wind our clocks and enjoy the days that are gifted to us.  Note that I say gifted and not given.  Life and liberty are a gift and not just randomly given to us...even to the least..the poorest and the forgotten among us.  We...are a gift within the Holy Spirit, and of the Holy Spirit, and the Creator of all.

PSALM 4:

I WILL BOTH

LAY ME DOWN

IN PEACE,

,AND SLEEP;

FOR THOUGH,

LORD,

ONLY MAKES ME

DWELL IN SAFETY.

+++

JOHN 14: 26

BUT THE COMFORTER,

WHICH IS THE

HOLY GHOST,

WHOM THE FATHER

WILL SEND

IN MY NAME,

HE SHALL TEACH

YOU ALL THINGS,

AND BRING ALL THINGS

TO YOUR REMEMBRANCES:

BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER,

I HAVE OVERCOME

THE WORLD.

END

GOOD BEAN SOUP AND POOR POETRY!

Bean Soup!  The crock pot is bubbling away and making good stuff.  It smells ever so good!  Today I was rummaging through the freezer and found a 10 pound box of bacon that I had forgotten about.  So there is bacon in the bean soup, plus a few leftovers that needed to be used up.  I'm pretty sure that it will all bend well and taste as good as it smells.  Did I tell you that I like Split Pea soup and Bean soup?

As I consider this I am aware that bacon has become pretty expensive, anywhere from $3.98 to almost $5.00 a package.  So coming across the bacon was a happy treasure find while freezer hunting.  I have a lot to use up because I want to get rid of that old freezer as it leaks and doesn't look so lovable anymore.  Using up what I have will save me money in the short term, and I do want to save money!  Who doesn't!

Gas was $3.55 for about two days.  Now it has jumped again because all the "checks" are coming out.  I am so sick of being manipulated by the government, big oil, and big business, that I wish I could just head for the hills and be independent of this farce of "global economy."

So, what else is new?  I went for a haircut, but as the S.S. checks are in the banks, everyone else wanted to get a hair cut, too.  I could see that the beautician was swamped, so I told her I would come back tomorrow, Which may be just as bad as today.  I went shopping instead and spent all of seven dollars.  I do need to get a few more items, but not many.  I continue to look for shoe polish, of all things!  Don't they make the stuff anymore?  The one and only place that I did find it had it priced at almost $5.00 per can.  Remember the size of the can?  They are not big enough for a project I have in mind.

++++

I HAVE IT

ON GOOD

AUTHORITY

THAT JESUS

LOVES ME...

JUST AS I AM,

WITH ALL MY

FAULTS AND

 WEAKNESSES...

JUST AS I AM,

AS ONLY A GOOD

SHEPHERD

LOOKS UPON HIS

LAMB.

IT'S NOT THAT

HE DOESN'T

WANT ME

TO DO BETTER

EVERY DAY

 AND HE WALKS

THE PATH

BESIDE ME

TO GUIDE ME

ON THE WAY.

NEVER, EVER DOUBT

IT

THAT JESUS

LOVES YOU, TOO

HE WILL AND

CAN FORGIVE US

FOR ALL THE SINS

WE DO.

YES, JESUS IS

THE SHEPHERD

OF WE, THE FOOLISH

SHEEP

AND AS A

LOVING FATHER

FOLDS US IN HIS

KEEP...

JUST AS WE ARE..

JUST AS I AM..

By Me

END

Oh, I guess I'll never be much of a poet.  It's a good thing my livelihood never depended on my attempts at prose and poetry.

HUMBLE YOURSELVES

IN THE SIGHT OF GOD,

AND HE SHALL LIFT YOU UP.

James 4:10

END

THY WILL BE DONE...

I've been rooting around in the closet, in boxes, under the sink and under the bathroom vanity, looking for things to use up and I wouldn't need to buy.  I found plenty.  I found lots of lotions, hair spray, rubbing alcohol and a variety of odds and ends that I can make good use of and save money.  Right now I have cloths in the washing machine that I know that I will never wear again, let alone get into them.  They will go to The Salvation Army, a little dated for some of them, but clean.  As I consider all these material goods I wonder how I ever managed to accumulate all of it.  No wonder my closet looks like the tornadoes that struck in Missouri not so long ago.

Secondly, all of these items and cloths are gathering dust and cobwebs, making me, a little on the asthmatic side, hard to breath, cough and have continual sinus problems.  Go dust, spiders and cobwebs.  As the light in the big walk-in closet was not working, the visitors that made my closet look like a haunted house, were not readily noticeable.  I fixed the light yesterday and let a little light shine into the small disaster area.  Yips!  A small flashlight just didn't reveal a whole lot, now it is very apparent!  Nope, but the fixed light did and is making me feel very negligent in all it's shinning glory.  "Now I can see clearly!" Yips again!  However, I am making progress and more progress will follow, esp. now that I can see what I am doing and what I have missed.  Yes, I really should have fixed the light before, but I now have a fear of falling and my arm just doesn't reach up and over my head as well as it used to.  Ah, excuses, excuses, you say.  Don't say it too load...I might hear you!

I found the following translation of the "OUR FATHER" in the new American Bible.  It really isn't so new as I have had this Bible for a long time.  I usually go to my really "old" Bible which I have had for a really, really long time, of the 1957 vintage.  Here it is in the "newer" translation of 1970.

FATHER

HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME 

YOUR KINGDOM COME

GIVE US EACH DAY

OUR DAILY BREAD

FORGIVE US OUR SINS

FOR WE TOO FORGIVE

WHO DO US WRONG

AND SUBJECT US

NOT TO THE TRIAL.

I copied this version straight from the "Book."  It doesn't feel right.  It doesn't flow right. There is a certain richness in the original text or translation, that just isn't there in the new version, and even the whole line of "thy will be done...on earth as it is in heaven," is not there to compliment the prayer as we learned and know it.  Call me old fashioned or a conservative, but I will stick with the old "OUR FATHER."

END







Pray for America and religious freedom....

OK.  It's Monday again.  It rolls around quickly.  I never have much to write about on a

Monday, but that's all right.  I need time to give my thoughts a little R&R...rest.

At present I am trying to clean and re-arrange the closet.  I have everything pulled out again and sitting in the middle of the room.  That's hazardous to my gen. well being and health, to say the least.

I am finding things that I think will go to the Salvation Army or out in the trash.  The more I get rid of, the easier it is to clean.  Plus it makes more room for more...junk?  No, no, no!

I am getting ready to make some home made bean soup in the crock pot.  The Split Pea Soup was so good.  I have just a little left and will probably finish it tomorrow.  You know that when you make your own soup, you know what goes into the pot, and it is less expensive, too.  There is less trash to put out for pick up and more vitamins and minerals in what you cook from scratch.  And now everyone knows that I love to eat good food.  One of these days I will get real ambititious an put up a recipe or two.

You know, we need good, nutritious food for survival and well being.  We need to stoke the fires that keep us going, productive and active.  And along with nourishment for the body we also need food for the soul to keep our inner divinity alive and growing.  Yes, I do believe we have an inner divinity and that we need to feed this gift...grace...spiritual hunger, on a daily, or at the very least, on a frequent basis.  What we consume we must give back in the essence of Love to the One who makes all things possible. 

When America was a prayerful, reverent, God committed nation, we were a great nation.  As the moral turpitude and spiritual strengths of America diminish, so does the greatness of this country.  Help lift this country up from the mud to her knees, to the up-rightiousness and moral staunchness of what America used to be and can be again.  Say a prayer or two for religious freedom, the honor and liberty, that the Founding Fathers designed in 17176.

 BUT AS FOR YOU, BELOVED,

BUILD UP FOR YOURSELVES

UPON YOUR MOST HOLY FAITH,

PRAYING IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.

KEEP YOURSELVES

IN THE LOVE OF GOD,

LOOKING FOR THE MERCY

OF OUR LORD

JESUS CHRIST

UNTO LIFE EVERLASTING.

Jude 1: 20-21

END



P.S.  My computer wanted to do allingments and type size without me, so I let it.

JOHN...THE DESCIPLE JESUS LOVED

 I've been trying to get a stain(s)out of a white, embroidered blouse for several days now.  I am not having much luck.  I have tried just about everything I know, but to no avail.  I don't even know how the stains got into the fabric or what kind of stains they are.  I'll keep working on it.  As the stain is a bit lighter, in time it may come out.
I spent the day in the house keeping warm.  It is supposed to drop down into the 30's tomorrow night and early morning.  I did have to turn the heat on again.  Maybe the weather will settle out soon.

As I have stayed in avoiding the cooler temperatures, I don't have much to say.  I did cook a couple of steaks and a couple of sweet potatoes this late afternoon.  The sweet potatoes have "vanished," but I still have one steak left of tomorrow afternoon or evening.  Yes, I should cook more and stay at home for meals.  My cooking is usually better, anyway.

I didn't seep well last night so I intend to go to bed early so that I can get up early.  I suppose I will take an Ibuprofen for the meanness of aging.  Then I will sleep better than I did last night.  Someone told me to never get old, but forgot to tell me how to avoid it.  Free advice with no solution!  Isn't that the way it always works!

The gospel of John is not really not overly long and most of can read it in a half hour to 45 minutes, or so...an hour at the most.  Do read it.  John wrote the gospel to bear witness so the we might believe.  And guess what:  My father was a John, his father as a John before him, my brother was a John as was a host of cousins and relatives.  No, not the kind of "Johns" you read about in the news or hear about on TV, but of the Biblical name of John.

HE WHO COMES

FROM ABOVE

IS OVER ALL.

HE WHO IS

FROM THE EARTH

BELONGS TO THE

EARTH,

AND OF THE EARTH

HE SPEAKS.

HE WHO COMES

FROM HEAVEN

IS OVER ALL.

John 3:31

You may wish to read more of the verses that follow 3:31 and absorb the richness of John's witness.  It won't take long.

END

PRAY ALWAYS...OUR FATHER...

I took the day off.  This was a sit-down-day.  I planned nothing.  The sky was dark.  It was windy.  It became cold.  The temperature dropped over 30 degrees in short order.  It was good that I got things done yesterday. Today I simply sat on the back porch drinking my hot tea and watching the birds.  Later in the afternoon I went out and looked at a picnic table for the back porch.  I didn't get one yet, but probably will. That's how the day went. Everyone needs a day off now and then.

"Amen, Amen. I say unto you..."  Most of us know that short phrase.  I always thought "Amen"  meant "So be it."  And it does in a way.  It turns out that it actually means "May it be as prayed" in Hebrew.  Much of Christianity is founded on the tradition and history of the Catholic church, which in turn is founded upon the Jewish religion.  Like it or not, and some won't, most modern religions are the offspring of the Old Testament and of the Torah....onless you happen to be a snake handler from eastren Ky. and are trying to tempt or test God.  Don't do that.

Get used to the idea that you are something of an evolved Jew.  If you have a Christian Bible you also have the Old Testament  If you go to church you probably hear many of the Psalms incorporated into and sung in the liturgy.  The liturgy is the prayer of the church and is encouraged to be read, prayed or sung.  While keeping with the historical traditions of the first churches, the present churches are evolving.  And as a Christian you are or should be evolving, too.  As God's creations we are changing every day, as we are meant to do so, without giving up the precepts of the church.  There is an old adage that goes like this: "Better and better every day, better and better in every way."

We are exhorted to pray without ceasing.  We can and do, often and only, give worship, lip service, and appearing to be in prayer or meditation.  It is not easy to pray or meditate all the time.  I know that I can not do it.  I do try.  Often I wake up in prayer.  I also wake up laughing sometimes because I have had a funny dream.  If I could remember and write down the funny dreams, I guess I could write a best seller.  I would rather remember the prayer that I wake up to, write it down or bottle it, and  save it for next time, or as needed.  No, it wouldn't be a best seller in today's world of materialism, but it would sooth my soul and make me happy throughout the day.  Got a prayer on your lips or in your soul?

As a side note:  Now that Lent is over church attendance seems to have fallen off.  I suppose I should be glad of that in some evil way because now I can find a place to park.  However, parking is not what it all about, is it?

END

TO RUSSIA WITH LOVE

I knew the homemade Split Pea Soup would never make it to the canner.  It is just so good.  It  won't last long.  It is in the fridge and I have polished off quiet a bit already.  Soo good.

Again I was out working in the yard and it looks nice.  I need to do some more work, but as they say, "The spirit is willing, but the body is not." Nature is at work and I need to take an Ibuprofen.  Thanks to the makers of Ibuprofen.

IN TIMES PAST

GOD SPOKE

IN PARTIAL AND

VARIOUS WAYS,

TO OUR ANCESTORS

THROUGH

THE PROPHETS;

IN THESE LAST DAYS

HE SPOKE TO US

THROUGH A SON,

WHOM HE MADE HEIR

TO ALL THINGS

AND THROUGH WHOM

HE CREATED

THE UNIVERSE.

Hebrews 1: 1-2

Does God still speak to us?  Are there any "modern prophets" about?  And if there are, would we, could we listen to them?

We are a pretty sceptical people that roam God's tumultious earth.  Chances are we would not listen to a prophet in these days any better than they were taken very seriously in the reign of Herod, or by the High Priest of the Synogog.  Oh, I take that back;  they were afraid of the prophet John and terriified by the coming of The King of the Jews. 

What about you and I?  What do we do to evangelize in these trying times as the churches...all churches, are being attacked and diminished from all quarters.  There is an old song entitled What Would You Do...if Jesus came to your house to spend some time with you?  You can still find this old gospel song on the Internet or on Utube, sung by Red Sovine(Sp) and others.  Well, that is the question...would you evangelize, teach or preach as a prophet or pull your neck in deeply, within it's shell?

As I ask this question, I ask myself the same question.  This small, poor blog is my little way to evangelize, but I don't really know what I would do if push were to come to shove.  I think we are in for a lot of shoving.

On another note: a lot of the readers of this poor missive come from Russia.  I don't know what they find in it.  I wish once in a while someone from Russia would post a comment.  Thank you, even if you don't or can not.

END



PRAY ALWAYS

What a glorious day this has been and tomorrow is to be much the same.  Yes, I got out and did a fair amount of yard work and hope to finish it tomorrow.  Then comes the rain on Friday.  It is just about time for a few flowers and a few tomato plants in about a week or so.  It is so funny to watch the birds as I mow because they are just waiting for me to get out of their way so they can get to all the newly revealed bugs and worms.  They also enjoy the freshly cut clover and grass.  A little salad to go with their main meal of protein . Some of the longer grasses and weeds are picked up and flown off with, I suppose to decorate or create House Beautiful.

I have a crock pot going and am making Split Pea Soup.  It smells really good.  I may can some it tomorrow..if I don't eat half of it first.  It is always good to have ready made meals on hand...the kind that the Army does not make.  Homemade is always better and we know what goes into the canning jars and what does not.

I am watching my diet again.  I was a little lax after Lent and picked up about three pounds.  Now  I am trying the Apple Diet.  You have an apple before meals and then in about 30 minutes eat your regular meal.  Your just not as hungry as you would be if you hadn't consumed that apple.  There is more to the Apple diet, but it is pretty simple and you can find it online just by typing in Apple Diet in your search box.  It's good for you and you do not starve.

WITH ALL PRAYER

AND SUPPLICATION

PRAY AT ALL TIMES

IN THE SPIRIT,

AND THEREIN

BE VIGILANT

IN ALL

PERSEVERANCE

AND SUPPLICATION

FOR ALL THE SAINTS

Ephesians 3: 18

Have you ever tried to pray at all times?   Is it possible for us

to do so?  Some of the great saints and mystics have done so.    If you think it is not possible, you can at least aim for it and maybe surprise yourself by achieving it or the near total immersion of prayer. No one can tell you how to pray or provide you with a mystical  formuala because the prayer life and union with God is a personal journey.  What is praying at all times anyway, other than giving yourself and love to God.  No, that was not a question because with God all things are possible.

END

TRUDGING ALONG-NO MARATHON RUNNER

"Look Ma, No cavities!"  Remember that ad or slogan?  The dentist told me that he isn't making any money from me...too bad.  I try to take good care of my teeth because your general health depends on your healthy teeth and gums.  Now if I could just grow more hair.

It is a little late and I am just now running some dark cloths through the washing machine.  Tomorrow it will be whites and lites.  Not big loads, but they need to be done.

I was going to go back out and get a few things from the store, but decided that once I was in, I was in, and the gas gauge is just about on empty.  So I guess I will take care of that on Wed.

There really isn't much to write about and I don't even have a piece of home made poetry.  For that...you should be glad.

You know, God lets us fail and often we fall flat on our faces, bruising our egos and vanities.  We learn who and what we are, through our various ups and downs, successes, weaknesses and strengths.  Often we don't like what we see in ourselves and run away and hide from God and the reality of our human foibles.   I know that I have my share of trials
and lack of graces.  Sometimes I think...no, I am sure, I will never learn some of the basics of claiming to be...and being a good Christian.  You would think that at my age I would have picked up a few good graces here and there!  Since God loves me just as I am, there is always hope.  I hope!

James says in 4:10 that we should humble ourselves in the sight of God and He will lift us up.  Then Peter goes on to say in 5:10, that the God of all grace, who has called us into His eternal glory by Jesus Christ, after you have suffered awhile, made you perfect, stable, strengthened and settled you.  This is slightly paraphrased so don't look for a precise word for word quote, but it is pretty close.  These verses and many others, tell me I have a long way to go and the way is never easy...but I am willing to trudge along. 

END

JUST RANDOM WRITING

Yes, I definitely need to go back and "fix" or polish the last poem I posted.  It's what comes out when you are at the end of a day and tired.  I will go back and edit it, but not tonight.

Mondays are always slow "think" days for me.  That means my brain needs a little jolt or recharging.  It also means that I didn't get a lot done today.

I did a small amount of shopping.  I did get a gallon of milk whereas I usually only get a half gallon.  If I get a full gallon, then I won't need to go back to the store as often.  I use a lot of milk so a half gallon just doesn't last.

Tomorrow I go to the dentist to have my teeth cleaned.  When our earthly demise comes there is very little that we can "take with us," but I intend to take my teeth with me.  I don't want to leave my pearly whites behind soaking in a cup somewhere.  Nope, they are going where I go, up down or wherever.  So there.

My neighbor boat a boat...a big boat...a really big boat.  It would be right at home on any of Great Lakes or the deepest waters of the Ohio.  Right now it sits in the street.  I think it is just a matter of time before some kid decides to climb aboard and become a pirate captain looking for a wayward vessel on the open sea-or on the open road. Just wait until my neighbor has to  bury his money into repairs and upkeep.  Right now I am sure it is a treasure ship to him.  It is an older boat, sits on a trailer and could easily roll down the street or with the frolicking waves of  an errant wind.  Wow!  I hope not and that they secure the thing.

A CHILDS' PRAYER

A LITTLE LAMB, O LORD BEHOLD,

AND MAKE ME ONE OF JESUS' FOLD

AND MAY I FROM THIS DAY BEGIN

TO LOVE YOUR WAYS AND FLEE

FROM SIN

Writer unknown.

The above little poem I do not have to "fix."  Some one else wrote it.  I think I have posted it before, but you know, the brain still needs a jolt of "thinker's juice".

END

God's good people

If you know anything of the history of Israel and their Roman conquers, then you know that Jesus lived in a pretty cruel, unforgiving, violent world.  Even many leaders and high priest of the Jews , who were given the judgements and authority over their own people, didn't recognize their own sins or hypocrisies, and passed "the dirty work" on to Pilate, who was not such a nice guy, either.  That is the way of the world, then and now.  We have not changed a lot in the last 2.000 years or so And Israel is still under the hammer, so to speak, fearful of domination or worse, annihilation.  In the passage of time, we as a civilization, have not learned a whole lot.  Will we ever?  And do you ever wonder how one man so changed the world?

I NEVER SHOULD BE TIRED

OR SHED A SALTY TEAR

NEVER KNOW THE HEART ACHE

OF LIVING LIFE IN FEAR

I AM BLESSED BY

CHRIST,  PURE AND HOLY

AND LIVE WITHIN HIS SIGHT

AND ALL ATTENDING ANGELS

PRAISE HIM DAY AND NIGHT

I KNOW I'M WEAK AND

 SINFUL

IN MUCH I SAY AND DO

I KNOW THE LORD

 FORGIVES ME

FOR IN HIM I PLACE

MY TRUST

MANY OF GOD'S PEOPLE

HAVE FELL ALONG THE WAY

THE PATH IS STREWN 

WITH SUFFERING

 AND FAILURES OF EACH DAY

BUT WITH HIS LOVING KINDNESS

HE TAKES US IN HIS HEART

WE TRY AGAIN

WE PRAY AGAIN

THAT WE SHALL NEVER

PART

END

All right, then.  I'm tired and this poem isn't very good.  I can "polish" it on a later date.  Saturday sort of sneaked up on me and it seems like time is going a lot faster than I am.  Tomorrow, "my day off, so I will go to church(a good place for all us sinners)then sleep the rest of the afternoon away.

END



THE GOOD SHEPHERD

So.  Contrary to what I had planned to do and did get done, I really have nothing in mind tonight.  I did finish of the yard work ahead of the rain.  I came in cleaned up, changed and went shopping.  Then it was off to the Golden Corral.  Some one from the past came to my table, sat down and talked my ear off...well, actually I still have both of them.  My coffee went cold and my ice cream became chocolate soup.  But it is all OK.  I didn't really need chocolate soup and it was an interesting encounter.  So. In not getting to what I needed to do; your are going to get another piece of home made poetry.

MY SHEPHERD

If I DIDN'T HAVE A SHEPHERD

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'D DO

I GUESS THAT I WOULD FLOUNDER

UPON A ROCKY SLEW

THE OCEAN'S DEEP AND CHOPPY

THE WINDS ARE EVERMORE

AND DRIVES MY FRAIL

EMBARKMENT
TO THE FALLEN ONES'
DARK DOOR

THAT DOOR DOES
OPEN INWARD
I SEE IT PLAIN AS DAY
A HOUSE EVER DARKENED
WITHOUT GOD'S LIGHTING RAYS

I SEEK MY HOLY MASTER
TO LEAN UPON HIS STAFF
AND GAZE ON BRILLIANT SON-SHINE
THAT LIGHTS HIS SAVING PATH

IF I DIDN'T HAVE MY SHEPHERD
TO GUIDE ME EVERY DAY
THERE IS NO DOUBT WITHIN ME
MY SOUL WOULD GO ASTRAY

CALL HIM THE GOOD SHEPHERD
OR MASTER OF MY SHIP
HE IS MY LOVING CAPTAIN
AND STEERS ME ON THIS TRIP

THE SEA, THOUGH GRAY AND LONELY
WITH SHOALS WITHIN THE BAY 
SIMPLY, NOW AND ALWAYS
CALLS FOR ME TO PRAY.

 END

This also, I wrote some time ago.  And again, I changed a couple of words here and there, but not many.  I know that this poem is in conflict with itself because of the analogy of sea and land, sail and path, and/or the need of a staff.  but isn't that how we poor humans are; always bumping into things and ourselves, needing something to lean on on for strength and balance? 

I am not great poet, but I give a try now and then.

END





THE ROSARY RE-VISITED

THE ROSARY

I LOVE THE ROSARY

I LOVE PRAYING THE ROSARY

IT IS NOT REQUIRED

IT S NOT AN OBLIGATION

IT IS NOT A SACRAMENT

I AM COMPELLED

TO PRAY THE ROSARY

IT IS A GIFT OF PRAYER

IT IS A GIFT OF GRACE

IT IS A MEDITATION

IT ANOINTS MY SPIRIT

THEREFORE, TO ME

IT IS AN INNER SACRAMENT

NO MAN, PRIEST OR BISHOP

CAN BESTOW THIS INNER

SACRAMENTAL ESSENCE UPON ME

FOR IT IS GOD GIVEN  

IT IS AN INTERNAL SPIRITAL GRACE

THAT WAS GIVEN TO ME

A SEED PLANTED, NOURISHED

AND EVER GROWING

IT GIVES ME PEACE

I wrote this some time ago and posted it about one year ago.  I have changed a couple words, but it essentially as I wrote it.  If you use it or copy it, remember to attribute it to this blog or author-me.  I hope you enjoy it and love the rosary as I do.

END

KEEP IN MIND...

Keep in mind that Jesus Christ, has died for us, and has risen the dead.  He is our saving Lord.  He is joy for all ages.

I enjoy good music and this is one of my many favorites.  Too bad that I can't sing!  Most of my CDs are classical with a few exceptions.  I would like to have more spiritual or religious music, but consider buying very many CDs a little out of my price range.  I have decided, however, that I might buy a new CD of something inspiring about ounce per month and stay within my budget.  Hm...do I have a budget?  With the price of gas...I better have one!

If you look at the lyrics, (there are more)they tell you everything about the coming, the giving grace for man, and the sacrifice of our Lord.  The music itself is easy to follow and sing with.  Even I can do that...even with sinus problems and a voice that wants to fade in and out.  That's what I like: simple and easy songs to sing or sing with.  I just hope that no one ever hears me or is subject to my painful renditions.  Plug your ears, everyone!

The Rosary is similar in that it tells the story of the coming of Christ, His life, His death, His resurrection, and the honor given to His Holy Mother.  If you can pray all 15 decades of the rosary, you are in essence "reading the gospel."  The rosary became the Bible of the poor, when the common man of the middle ages was uneducated and couldn't read or have access to the Bible itself.  It was and is, easy to learn, recite, remember and pray.  It is also considered a meditative or contemplative prayer.  You may think that only Catholics pray the rosary, but that isn't totally correct.  Others of different faiths, also see the value in this simple, yet complex prayer.  And as I have said, I have a special devotion to Mary and to the rosary.  Ask me about it...go ahead...just ask me!

Then, referring back to sacred music; it is said that to sing praise to the Lord is a prayer said twice.  I think Peter may have said something along that line in one of the epistles, but I don't remember and tonight I am just too lazy to look it up.

As it was cool this morning I stayed in my "warmies" and kept the heat on.  In the past I have turned the heat off by April 1, but this year has been so unpredictable, I just turned it down, but left it on.  A good thing, too.  It is supposed to drop down into the low 30's and have a good frost.  See...I told everyone it was, and is, a bit early for most gardens. 

END

Reading and Meditating in quiet peacefulness

I guess I won't post much tonight.  I am reading a book by Thomas Keating entitled INTIMACY WITH GOD.  It isn't a really big book and it's been around for awhile, but well worth reading.  It helps us(me) understand the prayer life and the meditations that should coincide with spirituality.  It is a down to earth, easy to read book, full of gems.  As I am a simple minded person, it is easy for even me to understand.  Once I have the time to read a good book, the world comes to a standstill.

I also found a CD that I have been looking for and have been playing that off and on today.  It is quite meditative and beautiful.  It also has been around for awhile.  It is the soundtrack for VIA DOLOROSA by Daywind and made popular by Sandi Patty.  I like it so well that I got a second copy for someone at the nursing home.  I just wish I had found it before the end of Lent, but it still inspirational all year long.

I AM THE RESURRECTION,

AND THE LIFE:

HE THAT BELIEVES IN ME,

THOUGH HE WERE DEAD,

YET SHALL HE LIVE.

AND WHOSOEVER LIVES

AND BELIEVES IN ME

SHALL NEVER DIE.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN ME?

John 11: 25-26

END



A NEW ME OR AND OLD ME?

We have started a new week and Lent is over...or the concept and practice of reflection, penance and spiritual growth is now a memory...or is it.  We are supposed to come away from 40 days of prayers and reflections with a stronger spirituality, understanding and steadfastness in our relationship with the Lord and remember that God is indwelling and always with and part of us.

I have learned a lot with this recent Lenten endeavor.  Some things about myself I don't like or care to admit to.  When I am tired I am apt to put my foot in my mouth or become judgemental.  With some effort I have become a little stronger and or a better person, but continually need improvement.  I will not mention my many weakness or few strong points that may exist, here.  The point is: I know them.  I admit to them.  I will work to improve and become a better person.  It is a lifetime job and perhaps an occ. small achievement will occur, in the quest for a "better me" for the Glory of God.  All things are for God. 

In the days of Holy Week I forgot to take some books back to the library.  Of course, they were slightly overdue.  Of course, I had to pay a fine.  I don't mind paying a small fine
because all fines go toward buying new books and I really enjoy making use of the library.  Everyone should have access to a good library and the knowledge therein.

It has cooled off and there may be a local frost.  I keep telling people that it is too early to put out much of a garden...and I don't think I will put out a garden this year.  A good garden is a lot of hard work and needful of attention.  My body does not like the attention that IT is needful of, either.  So, I will basically watch the grass grow.  Or a few flowers.

I did go and shop a little.  I wanted to buy some shoe polish in the can-the wax kind-and stain a few boards.  I thought that I might need several cans, but at $5.79 each, I left them on the shelf.  Maybe I can find shoe polish a little cheaper somewhere else.  But...but I did get some yummy stuff so my shopping trip was not without a few good things.. 

Generally, I do not post much on a Monday.  Because I went to church Saturday eve. I fulfilled my obligation and was honored to do so.  So, on Sunday I was able to sleep late...very late, and enjoy a very quiet, peaceful day.  It is amazing what a good rest can do.  We all need to re-charge our batteries once in a while.  To that end I would like to go on a retreat sometime this year and keep up the internal flow.  Sometime.... 

END

DON'T BLINK

Have you ever heard your eyes blink?  I have.  When the house is very quiet, nothing is running, the outdoor noise is not violating my senses and I am very silent inside or within myself, I can hear my eyes blink.  I wouldn't want to have this happen very often because it is a very disquieting sensation. At first you don't know what you are hearing and then wonder of the mystery of your body.  Sometimes I can hear my blood rushing through my veins, but that is another story.  I call that high blood pressure and has very little to do with inner quietude.  Still, both are sensations of the biological mechanics working away within.  I have decided that I don't want to listen to the engine of the body.  It is very distracting.  If I were subject to such silence very often, it would probably have detrimental effects on my phycolgical stability.  Yes, "hearing" one's heart beat, eyes blink, and blood coursing along is very strange and odd to say the lest.

Yet, aren't we supposed to be seeking inner silence, quietness and a sense of peace?  Supposedly so, but I do need a bit noise and healthy disruptions now and then.  Give me a few distractions to balance the flow.  Christ on the cross certainly had more than a few. All the great mystics sought inner peace and silence, but also had a few worldly encounters with the mundane daily life of humanity.  Give me some peace and harmony and even a little silence.  I just don't want to hear my eyes blink.

Tomorrow evening is Holy Saturday.  I do not plan on posting because I don't know what time I will get home.  It will probably be sometime after 10 p. m and I know that I will be tired.  Don't look for me here. 

SET YOUR AFFLICTION

ON THINGS ABOVE,

NOT ON THINGS

OF THE EARTH.

FOR YOU ARE DEAD,

AND YOUR LIFE

IS HID WITH CHRIST

IN GOD.

Colossians 3: 2-3

May you have a happy,

holy Easter...

and find lots of eggs!

END

THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN

I did say I was tired, didn't I.  I slept late  and then went out to do some errands, came home and took a long nap.  I did say I was tired.

I have a few things to do tomorrow, Friday.  I don't intend to do too much.  Just lazy, I guess.

This is intended to be short...like me. 

FOR THIS REASON

I BEND MY KNEES

TO THE FATHER

OF OUR LORD

JESUS CHRIST.

Ephesians. 4: 15

There is more to this verse.  It continues on.  It is an affirmation that we believe in something...someone..far greater than mortal man, flesh and bone, accidental happening or the random conjunction of chemicals, DNA or Genomes.  It is an unsolvable mystery.  You really should read it on your own as it is a rich text.  Besides, you may have a different view or slant on this particular reading.

END





"WERE YOU THERE..."

"WHERE YOU THERE WHEN THEY NAILED HIM TO A TREE?" (SPIRITUAL)

Do I feel like doing a post tonight?  No, I don't.  I have done over 1000 postings and I'm tired.

Am I a perfect person?  No, did you expect me to be?
Do I say things that you don't like?  Yes, I do.  No one agrees with every one all the time.

Do I put my foot in my mouth?  I must like the taste of my toes because I frequently have a meal of toasted tootsies.  Yum.  Pretty good, esp. with a little salt.  So no, I don't feel like posting, but I will as I made a pact with myself that I would post each day except on Sunday.

LET ALL BITTERNESS,

AND WRATH

AND INDIGNATION

AND CLAMOR,

AND REVILING

BE REMOVED

FROM YOU

ALONG WITH ALL

MALICE.

ON THE CONTRAY,

BE KIND

TO ONE ANOTHER,

AND MERCIFUL,

GENERIOUSLY

FORGIVING

ONE ANOTHER

AS ALSO

GOD IN CHRIST

HAS GENEROUSLY

FORGIVEN YOU.

Eph. 4: 31-32

We don't follow that perscripton easily or all that often, do we.  If we did the world would be a better, more stable place.

This was in the reading of the eve. prayers of the Liturgy of the Hours.  Yes, it struck me...right where I live.  We all expect to be forgiven of our transgressons and therefore we should return the same grace of forgiveness to others.  Right?  Well, does it work that way?  Christ gave up His Life on the tree, that we be forgiven.  He shed His blood, sweat and tears for OUR sins...trangressions...not His.  We should be willing to do some kind of penence, however small, even as small as the Widow's Mite, for our own forgiveness or the forgiveness of others.  The penence of confession bigins as..."Foregive me Father, for I have sinned."

It is Holy Week.  I do not plan to be home on Holy Saturday eve.  With that assumption I finished off the yard this afternoon, before the rains came down.  Hopefuly, the rain has washed down and out, some of the pollen that they say is too high to count.  Maybe my sinuses will clear up.

END