Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Posts tagged ‘living’

Nut Cracker

When my dear daddy, Sal,

Left behind his earthly pain

He took with him some items

But left behind the main.

He took his smile and chuckle,

His twinkle and his hugs,

But he left behind his calendars

And the fancy cut glass mugs.

He took his constant excuses,

Like “I missed that day in school,”

But he left his love of convertibles

(Our son thinks they’re pretty cool).

He took his love of walnuts

But the nuts he left behind;

They’re his daughters, Jan & Sally,

-And we’ve got his nutcracker, too-

(We knew he wouldn’t mind!)

Happy Father’s Day and Happy Crackin’ to all the nutty dads out there!

Living in One Accord

(Notes from a sermon based on Romans 8:12-17 delivered by Rev. Jean Johnson. Many of you know, to listen more intently, I take notes on Sunday mornings while listening to the message from the pulpit. Sometimes they are recorded in poetry. Last Sunday was one of those times.)

We all are God’s children.

Some call God, “Our Father.”

But, some folks choose to ignore Him.

They balk and say, “Why bother?”

God speaks to us in Romans,

To us who’ve already heard.

It’s not for the unknowing

Who think the Gospel’s absurd.

Those led by God’s Spirit

Are children of our Lord.

We show our Love and faith

By living in One Accord.

To live in One Accord with God,

We worship, study, love, and pray.

Our witness shows The Spirit

At work in us each day.

We’re living out the reality

Of what already is in us.

Be who you already are

Without works or trouble or fuss.

We used to belong to sin,

But Jesus came to the rescue.

We have reason for joy and acceptance.

Isn’t this Good News to you?

We have assurance of this reality –

This adoption is done, signed and sealed.

We sing praises to God, our Father.

Our case clearly has been appealed.

Knowing God as Father is possible

By Christ’s life, His Word, His death.

That evidence is proof enough;

We affirm it with every breath.

I believe in God, The Father,

In Jesus Christ, my loving Lord.

Thank You for Your Saving Grace.

Now, let us live in One Accord.

Amen?

New Life

… the strength of His — ?

How would you finish that?

Here are my notes from Easter Sunday’s sermon.

What does this message say about God’s strength?

When you die, your body is buried.

Life’s circumstances can bury us, too.

But God comes and unburies us.

That’s the Easter story – true.

God grants us peace in Truth.

He promises to save our souls.

He removes the stone that

Seals us from our goals.

I cannot roll the stones away;

They’re too heavy for me to lift.

But Jesus, in His death & resurrection

Opens the sealed. What a gift!

In His death of pain and suffering,

Jesus took our stones of grief.

He opened The Way to joyful life –

He cleared the Path. What a relief!

Life unburied is a new creation.

Christ took the old – rolled it away.

Christ is risen – your old life’s buried.

What will you do with New Life today?

Outsiders

Jesus on the Cross

Jesus – simple, yet complex

Outsiders

A prophet is known
by the company he keeps.
If Jesus were a true prophet,
the right people would be His sheep.

But baaaaad people hung out
with Jesus – sinners of the worst sort.
Jesus scandalously kept company
with tax collectors, folks report.

His circle included prostitutes.
He dined with people of ill repute.
How did He respond to complainers?
Did He have a good word of refute?

No, He told the story of the lost –
Lost coins, lost sheep, lost kids.
Find the coin, search for lambs,
Be relentless finding others, Jesus bids.

But, though we’re concerned,
We have our limits, right?
Do we seek unending until we find?
No, it’s not about us and our plight.

It’s about God who searches.
It’s about our Lord who actively calls.
He needs us all …  you and me.
Invite the outsiders. Break down walls.

Amen?

My Daily Life

As I go about my daily life,
I’m conscious of God’s presence..
I know God lives within me;
God’s light is my existence.

As I choose the things to do each day,
I reflect on His Will in prayer.
I know that wherever I am,
The Holy Spirit also is there.

If I frown and drag my feet each day,
If I begrudge my work and grumble,
My attitude will become contagious
And I’ll cause those near me to stumble.

But if I smile and do my work with joy,
Then God’s love will shine right through.
That’s my prayer for my daily life –
May God’s love and peace rub off on you!

Amen?

One-of-a-Kind Gem

One-of-a-Kind Gem

If I measure me against me,

I could be six foot three.

If I measure me against YOU,

I’m not even two foot two!

So, who do I use?

What feet do I choose?

Who carries my blues?

Who walks in my shoes?

“No one,” You say?

God took His soft clay

And molded a shape –

Unique! Full of play!

God gifted your soul

Full of treasure untold.

Then He threw out the mold.

You’re more precious than gold.

Who do I measure myself against then?

Do I look at my friends, compare me with them?

“No one,” God smiles.  “I’ll say it again,

You’re a unique,  one-of-a-kind gem!”

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

The Path of Life

Seldom straight or smooth

The Path of Life

Sitting in my sanctuary
Preparing for my day,
I listen to the clock’s tick
And contemplate Your Way.

I open up my Bible,
Read words profound and wise,
Reflect on applications
That flash before my eyes.

You make the path of life
A rocky, twisted trail;
Not promising a smooth
Road where I can’t fail.

You tell me rocks that trip me
Are lessons to be learned:
The ruts and hills – inevitable  –
The weeds, the fires, the burns.

I long for all the pleasures
You promise to bestow.
You tell me to be patient –
There’s so much I must know.

I stumble at the road’s forks.
I don’t know left from right.
I take wrong and U-turns
‘Til you come back in sight.

You will show me the path,
The joyful one that’s best –
But I must put my hand in Yours
And TRUST. You’ll do the rest.

Amen?

Love Your Neighbor

Life is all about LOVE. Love your neighbor as yourself. That’s the greatest commandment. On this blog I will record each day at least one thing I do to demonstrate how I remember to “Love My Neighbor” AND something I do to “Love Myself.” Today I begin with a healthy lunch: lettuce, a small bit of smoked salmon, 1/4 of a sliced cucumber, a little goat cheese and some tasty basil flavored olive oil from Olivelle (my favorite Bozeman, MT store). Now I am headed to go be a Senior Companion to a client who has difficulty getting around. I’ll sweep and mop her little apartment – and cheer her with a few quotes from my latest book, “Aging with Attitude” – subtitle: “Better than Dying with Dignity.” I’m off to provide a little help, a lotta cheer, and a hug or two. See ya tomorrow, my friends.