Sunshine in a Dark Place


Although the world looks dark at the moment with all the closures, social distancing, dying, frustration, anxiety, etc., when I think of my family and friends and the closeness we can still share via social media it brings a smile to my face and hope to my heart. This little image is for all of you who light up my life.

IF


We are living in a time of “if’s” right now and my Pastor reminded me of Rudyard Kipling’s poem which I am going to share with you today because we need to keep our heads, we need to meet with triumph and disaster; we need the Will that keeps us holding on. I’ll just alter the final line a bit…”and – which is more- our battle will be won”.

Rudyard KiplingBy Rudyard Kipling More Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build’em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings – nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And – which is more – you’ll be a Man, my son!

 

Out of the Equation


Like so many venues, churches and other places of religion have been closed due to Covid-19. That doesn’t mean that faith is out of the equation while the world waits for a new normal.

Now, more than ever, prayers are needed, faith is foremost, and good judgement is crucial to world well-being.

We don’t need a religious building to nurture our spiritual lives, but we do need to remember to nurture every day in every way to ensure our faith is never out of the equation. Happy Sunday.

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A Prayer for Covid-19


My scripture reading yesterday was Psalm 80 and within that Psalm was this plea, “Restore us O God; make your face shine upon us that we may be saved.” It was repeated four times referring to the problem of the day. How wonderful that we can make it our prayer today. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NIV. Happy Saturday.

Image result for the same yesterday today and forever images

The Three R’s


We once knew the three r’s as reading, (w)riting and (a)rithmatic. Today they stand for rest, relaxation, and renewal.

In bygone days we were admonished to practice the three r’s, and so today, with all that is going on in our world it is prudent to practice the three r’s of this day and age.

“Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest…” Matthew 11:28

“Be still (relax) and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 (parenthesis mine)

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” Romans 12:2

If we close our eyes for a moment we are apt to see these new three r’s on the blackboard of our minds and renew ourselves with rest and relaxation.

A Hymn for Health and Peace of Mind


All over the world people are coping one way or another with Covid-19. Some people have managed to escape it, some have a mild case and others have succumbed to it. The media is top heavy with this news, making life quite uncomfortable in many respects.  Today’s hymn is meant to bring some peace of mind. I pray it works for you. Happy Sunday.

Stay Well


The world is in a precarious place right now and we are warned to take all the precautions available to protect ourselves from Covid-19.  It is understood pets are also susceptible. This teen and his dog are accepting their responsibility to stay well. Happy Saturday.

Don’t Worry Be Happy


This song by Bobby McFerrin won Song of the Year and Record of the Year at the 1989 Grammy Awards. It is a wonderful antidote for worry, and a huge pick-me-up when life sometimes gets us down. It always makes me smile. I posted it in 2018 as released by Bob Marley but apparently that is incorrect. Relax and enjoy the experience (again).

Send Me


In the summer of 1999 I heard the hymn. I the Lord of Sea and Sky. I’m sure I had heard it many times before , but this particular time it touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. I had just retired from business and wondered, ‘what next’. It didn’t happen overnight but gradually my life became that of caregiver, prayer giver, Elder, and whatever else God laid on my heart to do. It is 2020 and I am still holding His people in my heart. TYG. Happy Sunday.

Favorite Songs


One of my many favorite songs is Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. One of my favorite performers of this song is k.d. lang.  She performs Hallelujah with such feeling, the audience appreciation is palpable.  Note the passion she puts into her performance, especially at the end. The song took Cohen two years to write and was released in 1984. Happy Saturday.