Listen to Grammie

Heart Song

2012-01-14T11:56:00.012-05:00

Once upon A time there was a great man who married the woman of his dreams.

With their love, they created a little girl.

She was a bright and cheerful little girl and the great man loved her very much.

When she was very little, he would pick he up, hum a tune and dance with her around the room, and he would tell her, "I love you, little girl."

When the little girl was growing up, the great man would hug her and tell her, "I love you, little girl."

The little girl would pout and say, "I'm not a little girl anymore." Then the man would laugh and say, "But to me, you'll always be my little girl."

The little girl who-was-not-little-anymore left her home and went into the world. As she learned more about herself, she learned more about the man. She saw that he truly was great and strong, for now she recognized his strengths. One of his strengths was his ability to express his love to his family. It didn't matter where she went in the world, the man would call her and say, "I love you, little girl."

The day came when the little girl who-was-not-little-anymore received a phone call. The great man was damaged. He had had a stroke. He was aphasic, they explained to the girl. He couldn't talk, anymore and they weren't sure that he could understand the words spoken to him. He could no longer smile, laugh, walk, hug, dance or tell the little girl who-was-not-little-anymore that he loved her.

And so she went to the side of the great man.

When she walked into the room and saw him, he looked small and not strong at all. He looked at her and tried to speak, but he could not.

The little girl did the only thing she could do. She climbed up on the bed next to the great man.

Tears ran from both of their eyes and she drew her arms around the useless shoulders of her father. Her head on his chest, she thought of many things. She remembered the wonderful times together and how she had always felt protected and cherished by the great man. She felt grief for the loss she was to endure, the words of love that had comforted her.

And then she heard from within the man, the beat of his heart. The heart where the music and the words had always lived. The heart beat on, steadily unconcerned about the damage to the rest of the body. And while she rested there, the magic happened.

She heard what she needed to hear.

His heart beat out the words that his mouth could no longer say.....

I love you

Little girl

And she was comforted

Patty Hansen

All posters

Blessings, Mimi

The Gift

2012-01-11T06:53:00.001-05:00

Bennet Cerf relates this touching story

about a bus that was bumping along

a back road in the south.

In one seat a wispy old man sat holding a bunch of fresh flowers.

Across the aisle was a young girl whose eyes came back again and again to the man's flowers.

The time came for the old man to get off.

Impulsively he thrust the flowers into the girl's lap. "I can see you love the flowers," he explained, "and I think my wife would like for you to have them. I'll tell her I gave them to you."

The girl accepted the flowers, then watched the old man get off the bus and walk through the gate of a small cemetery

chicken soup for the soul

all posters

MIMI

The Hands

2012-01-09T06:48:00.000-05:00

The Hands that made the world and gave the sun and moon their light

Are the tiny Hands of a baby born one cold December night

The Hands that stilled the wind and tamed the fury of the sea
Are the calloused Hands of a carpenter who lived in Poverty.
The Hands that held the poser to break the binding chains of sin
Are the gentle Hands that washed the feet of tired and dusty men.

The Hands that cleansed the leper, healed the blind and raised the dead

Are the praying Hands of one who cried, "Not My will, but Thine instead."

The Hands that shaped the universe and flung the stars in space

Are nail-pierced Hands of a dying man who suffered in our place.

The Hands of our Creator, Lord and King of Heaven above,

Are the Savior's Hands, forever reaching out to us in love.

B.J.Hoff

allposters

Blessings,

Mimi

Begin with Yourself

2012-01-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

The following words were written on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop in the Crypts of Westminister Abbey:

When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world.

As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.

But it, too seemed immovable.

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.

And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed my self first, then by example I would have changed my family.

From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.

Anonymous

Allposters

Encouragement

2012-01-04T07:44:00.003-05:00

Some of the greatest success stories of history have followed a word of encouragement or an act of confidence by a love one or a trusting friend.

Had it not been for a confident wife, Sophia, we might not have listed among the great names of literature, the name of Nathaniel Hawthorne.

When Nathaniel, a heartbroken man, went home to tell his wife that he was a failure and had been fired from his job in a customhouse, she surprised him with an exclamation of joy.

"Now," she said triumphantly, "you can write your book!"

"Yes," replied the man, with sagging confidence, "and what shall we live on while I am writing it?"

To his amazement, she opened a drawer and pulled out a substantial amount of money.

"Where on earth did you get that?" he exclaimed.

"I have always known you were a man of genius," she told him. "I knew that someday you would write a masterpiece. So every week, out of the money you gave me for housekeeping, I saved a little bit. So here is enough to last us for one whole year."

From her trust and confidence came one of the greatest novels of American literature, The Scarlet Letter

Nido Qubein

Allposters

Lesson Well Learned, Mimi

Who You Are Makes A Difference

2012-01-03T06:00:00.002-05:00

A teacher in New York decided to honor each of her seniors in high school by telling them the difference they each made. Using a process

developed by Helice Bridges of Del Mar,

California, she called each student to the front of the class, one at a time.

First she told them how the student made a difference to her and the class. Then she presented each of them with a blue ribbon imprinted with gold letters which read, "Who I Am Makes a Difference."

Afterwards the teacher decided to do a class project to see what kind of impact recognition would have on a community.

She gave each of the students three more ribbons and instructed them to go out and spread this acknowledgment ceremony.
Then they were to follow up on the results, see who honored whom and report back to the class in about a week.

One of the boys in the class went to a junior executive in a nearby company and honored him for helping him with his career planning. He gave him a blue ribbon and put it on his shirt.

Then he gave him two extra ribbons, and said, "We're doing a class project on recognition, and we'd like you to go out, find somebody to honor, give them a blue ribbon, then give them the extra blue ribbon so they can acknowledge a third person to keep this acknowledgment ceremony going.
Then please report back to me and tell me what happened."

Later that day the junior executive went in to see his boss, who had been noted, by the way, as being kind of a grouchy fellow.

He sat his boss down and he told him that he deeply admired him for being a creative genius. The boss seemed very surprised. The junior executive asked him if he would accept the gift of the blue ribbon and would he give him permission to put it on him. His surprised boss said, "Well, sure."

The junior executive took the blue ribbon and placed it right on his boss's jacket above his heart.

As he gave him the last extra ribbon, he said, "Would you do me a favor? Would you take this extra ribbon and pass it on by honoring somebody else?
The young boy who first gave me the ribbons is doing a project in school and we want to keep this recognition ceremony going and find out how it affects people."

That night the boss came home to his 14-year-old son and sat him down.

He said, "The most incredible thing happened to me today. I was in my office and one of the junior executives came in and told me he admired me and gave me a blue ribbon for being a creative genius.
Imagine. He thinks I'm a creative genius. Then he put this blue ribbon that says "Who I Am Makes A Difference' on my jacket above my heart.

He gave me an extra ribbon and asked me to find somebody else to honor.

As I was driving home tonight, I started thinking about whom I would honor with this ribbon and I thought about you. I want to honor you.

"My days are really hectic and when I come home I don't pay a lot of attention to you. Sometimes I scream at you for not getting good enough grades in school and for your bedroom being a mess, but somehow tonight, I just wanted to sit here and, well, just let you know that you do make a difference to me. Besides your mother, you are the most important person in my life. You're a great kid and I love you!"

The startled boy started to sob and sob, and he couldn't stop crying. His whole body shook. He looked up at his father and said through his tears, "I was planning on committing suicide tomorrow, Dad, because I didn't think you loved me. Now I don't need to."

Helice Bridges

allposters

You each mean a great deal to me,

Love,

Mimi

Who are those "OLD" people who have moved in with us?

2011-12-30T14:42:00.009-05:00

We were young (19 and 25 years)

Both had dark hair...full of energy...loved life and had lots of fun together.

Hair got a little thinner...face a little fuller...but all in all...looked about the same

(at least we thought we did...)

Then we turned around...looked in the mirror...and looking back at us were our parents!!!

when did these two old people move in with us???

Happy New Year! Love, Mimi

God Is With Us... In Our Daily Walk

2011-12-28T10:32:00.008-05:00

I was walking along the beach with my Lord...

A close walk with the Lord is an important part of a believer's life...

"God will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths. (Isaiah 2:3)

"May God turn our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep the commands, decrees and regulations he gave our fathers". (1 Kings 8:58)

"Your love is ever before me, Lord, and I walk continually in your truth". (Psalm 26:3)

"Walk in the way of understanding". (Proverbs 9:6)

" Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." (Isaiah 30:21)

The Bible tells us that maintaining a close walk with God is a command we must obey, not merely a suggestion we may want to consider.

"What does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 10:12

Mimi

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2011-12-27T17:58:00.003-05:00

Sit by the fireside and enjoy a nice cup of hot chocolate and some home made cookies.

sorry I haven't been blogging in such a long time... I have taken on several additional responsibilities, and do not seem to have the time any more..but I just sat down and looked at many of your blogs... and it brought back such sweet memories of my visits with you...

please don't forget me...I'll be back some day...

Love to all of you

Mimi

100th Birthday Party

2011-01-10T19:26:00.015-05:00

My Darling little Lady to whom I read until I began Counseling full time at the Bay Area Pregnancy Center (www.mybapc.com) celebrated her 100th Birthday with a Church Wide Birthday Party on Saturday

Mary Arriving at the Party
Looking like a real Queen

Mary receiving her Tiara
(which read Happy 100th Birthday)

Let the Celebration Begin !!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Quartet (Me, Joe (My Husband), Don, and Donna (two of our friends)
sang two of Mary's favorite songs

"Walk With Me", and "When all God's Singers get Home"

Then Billy (our Choir Director) sang her very favorite of all songs
"The Lighthouse"

And of course many, many people told stories about how much she means to them!

We all shared her favorite meal with Barbecued Ribs and Fried Cat Fish
and everyone brought a vegetable or salad

and for Dessert...

And of course we all sang "Happy Birthday" at the top of our lungs!

when it was all over she said

"Honey, we'll do this in another 100 years"!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET MARY

Mimi

Victory Over Death!

2010-04-03T05:14:00.000-04:00

We have a Saviour who is victorious over death.
He "ever liveth."

On the third day the tomb was empty! The grave-clothes were all in order. Jesus had risen from the dead, but not as others had done. When Lazarus came forth, he was bound in his grave-clothes. He came out in his natural body. But when Jesus came forth His natural body was changed to a spiritual body. The changed body came right out of its linen wrappings and left them. ( John 20:6-8)

Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away. Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept she saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn't recognize him until He spoke to her and called her by name.

"Mary!" Jesus said.

She turned to him and cried out "Rabboni!" (which is Hebrew for, "Teacher.")

Jesus' appearances, ten in all, after His resurrection, helped His disciples to believe that He was God. Jesus wanted every doubt to be removed from each one of His disciples.
They must carry out His great commission and bear the Gospel into all the world (John 20:21)
Jesus gave Peter (the disciple who denied Him three times) an opportunity of confessing Him three times. He restored him to full privileges of service again.

Christ only wants those who love Him to serve Him. If you love Him, you must serve Him. No one who loves Christ can help but serve.

Jesus words to each of us is "Follow thou Me".

May we all follow Him in loving obedience
"till He come"!

Survey of the Bible
Henrietta C. Mears
All posters

Mimi

Mission Completed

2010-03-31T08:40:00.008-04:00

Jesus has come to the supreme, crowning act of His life on earth.
It was not a crisis, but a climax.
He came to earth to give his life a ransom for many.

Finally the make-believe trials are over.
It is morning at last, and yet it seems like night.
It is the world's blackest hour.
The courtyard is deserted.
The fire at which Peter warmed himself is only gray ashes.
The soldiers' jeers and Herod's sneers and Pilate's vacillation are over.

The brief interval between Peter's denial and Jesus' climbing the hill to Golgotha was crowded with incidents. The night trial before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin probably preceded the last denial of Peter.
Then came the awful treatment up to the morning session of the Sanhedrin.

Often the cruel scourging of the Romans was so severe that prisoners died under the torturing blows.

The crown of thorns, which was thrust upon His holy brow, was only another act of cruel torture. When He comes again He will bring many crowns (Rev. 19:12)

Finally Pilate led Him forth and said, Behold the Man! What a sight! To see the Creator of this universe, the Light and Life of the world, the Holy One treated so! But Satan energized the rulers of the Jews, and they cried, Crucify Him!... he made himself the Son of God!

At the cross we have hate's record at its worst,
and love's record at its best.
Man so hated that he put Christ to death.
God so loved that He gave men life.

Our Saviour has done all on the cross. He bore our sins and when He gave up His life, He said, "It is finished!"

This was the shout of a conqueror. He had finished man's redemption. Nothing was left for man to do.

Jesus was crucified on Golgotha, "place of a skull."
He is crucified there today-- in men's minds.
They crucify Him afresh and put Him to an open shame.

Salvation is costly.
Christ died for our sins (1 cor. 15:3)
It cost Him His life.

Survey of the Bible ( Henrietta C. Mears)

All Posters images

Mimi

The Last Evening Together

2010-03-30T07:39:00.011-04:00

Last words are always important.

Jesus is leaving His disciples,

and is giving them His last instructions.

The Jews had rejected Jesus completely.

Now He gathered His own around Him, in an upper room, and told them many secrets before He departed from them. he wanted to comfort His disciples, for He knew how hard it would be for them when He was gone. They would be sheep without a shepherd.

It is wonderful that Jesus should have selected and loved men like these. They seem to be a collection of "nobodies," with the exception of Peter and John. But they were "His own," and He loved them.

One of Jesus' specialties is to make "somebodies" out of "nobodies." This is what He did with His first group of followers, and this is what He has continued to do, down through the centuries.

In John 13:1-11:

Jesus, the Son of God, is girded with a towel, a basin of water in His blessed hands, washing His disciples' feet!

He wanted us to serve in the same spirit. He taught us that greatness is always measured by service.
There is no loving others, without living for others.

Christ said, "He that is greatest among you shall be your servant."
The biggest merchant in the city is the one who serves the greatest public.

Jesus fortells His betrayal by Judas in John 13:18-30, and Judas goes out into the night.

It was night in Judas' heart, too. Fellowship brings light. Sin brings darkness.

What a pitiable picture Judas is. His opportunities of knowing Jesus were unsurpassed, but he rejected the Lord.

This is what unbelief can do. Belief means life; unbelief means death.

After announcing His going, the Lord gives His disciples "a new commandment," that they love one another. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples."

Discipleship is tested not by the creed you recite; not by the hymns you sing; not by the ritual you observe, but by the fact that you love one another.

The measure in which Christians love one another is the measure in which the world believes in them or their Christ.

It is the final test of discipleship.

images courtesy of all posters

Mimi

The Touch of Jesus

2010-02-01T14:47:00.013-05:00

What kind of people did Jesus associate with?

Whom did He consider important enough to touch?

Here are many of the people Jesus came to know.
Some reached 0ut to Him; He reached out to them all.

Regardless of how great or unknown, rich or poor,
young or old, sinner or saint--Jesus cares equally for all.

Jesus talked with ........

A despised tax collector .....Matthew 9:9
An insane hermit ...............Mark 5: 1-15
The Roman Governor ..... Mark 15: 1-15
A young boy ......................Mark 9: 17-27
A Prominent religious leader...John 3: 1-21
A Homemaker .................Luke 10: 38-42
An expert in religious law ..Matthew 22:35
A criminal .......................... Luke 23: 40-43
A synagogue leader ........ Mark 5:22
Fishermen ...................... Matthew 4: 18-20
A King ............................ Luke 23: 7-11
A poor widow ............. Luke 7: 11-17; 21: 1-4
A Roman Captain ..... Luke 7: 1-10
A group of Children .. Mark 10: 13-16
A prophet .................. Matthew 3
An adulterous woman .. John 8: 1-11
The Jewish high council .. Luke 22: 66-71
A sick woman ................ Mark 5: 25-34
A rich man .................... Mark 10: 17-23
A blind beggar ............ Mark 10: 46
Jewish political leaders .. Mark 12: 13
A group of women ... Luke 8: 2, 3
The High Priest ...... Matthew 26: 62-68
An outcast with leprosy .. Luke 17: 11-19
A government official ... John 4: 46-53
A young girl .................. Mark 5: 41, 42
A traitor ................. John 13: 1-3, 27
A helpless and paralyzed man .. Mark 2: 1-12
An angry mob of soldiers and guards ... John 18: 3-9
A woman from a foreign land .. Mark 7: 25-30
A doubting follower .. John 20: 24-29
An enemy who hated him .. Acts 9: 1-9
A Samaritan woman .. John 4: 1-26

NO PERSON IS BEYOND THE LOVING TOUCH OF JESUS!!

References; The Bible
Images courtesy of Allposters

Mimi

Matthew the Disciple

2010-01-29T12:34:00.010-05:00

More than any other disciple, Matthew had a clear idea of how much it would cost to follow Jesus, yet he did not hesitate a moment.

When he left his tax-collecting booth, he guaranteed himself unemployment.

For several of the other disciples, there was always fishing to return to, but for Matthew, there was no turning back.

Two things happened to Matthew
when he decided to follow Jesus.

First, Jesus gave him a new life. He not only belonged to a new group; he belonged to the Son of God. He was not just accepting a different way of life; he was now an accepted person. For a despised tax collector, that change must have been wonderful!

Second, Jesus gave Matthew a new purpose for his skills. When he followed Jesus, the only tool from his past job that he carried with him was his pen. From the beginning, God had made him a record keeper. Jesus' call eventually allowed him to put his skills to their finest work. Matthew was a keen observer, and he undoubtedly recorded what he saw going on around him. The Gospel that bears his name came as a result.

Matthew's experience points out that each of us, from the beginning, is one of God's works in progress. Much of what God has for us he gives long before we are able to consciously respond to Him. He trusts us with skills and abilities ahead of schedule. He has made each of us capable of being his servant. When we trust Him with what He has given us, we begin a life of real adventure.

Matthew couldn't have known that God would use the very skills he had sharpened as a tax collector to record the greatest story ever lived.

And God has no less meaningful a purpose for each one of us.

Have you recognized Jesus saying to you,

"Follow Me"?

What has been your response?

The Bible
images courtesy of All Posters

Mimi

Our Christmas and New Year Holidays

2010-01-12T10:38:00.019-05:00

Our Holidays were spent very quietly!

It was discovered in early December, 2009 that my husband had a Macular Hole in his left eye.
The retinal specialist determined that he could repair it by performing a Vitrectomy.

So on December 16, 2009 My husband had Vitrectomy Surgery.

In this surgery the retinal specialist removes the vitreous gel to stop it from pulling on the retina. Then he inserts a mixture of Air and gas into the space once occupied by the vitreous.

This bubble of air and gas puts pressure on the edges of the macular hole, allowing it to heal.

While the bubble is in the eye, y0u must remain face down for 22-24 hours a day so that the bubble stays in the right place in the eye, sometimes for as long as two to three weeks!

We were able to obtain this special chair in order for him to live a reasonably normal life while remaining face down.

Although it can be very boring and obnoxious to stay this way for so long, this approach is absolutely necessary for you to achieve the best vision after surgery.

The gas bubble gradually goes away over time, and natural eye fluids take its place while the hole is healing.

After surgery for a macular hole using a gas bubble, you won't be able to travel by air for several months, because the gas can expand with pressure changes, causing eye damage.

He ate on this tray...I could sit on the floor and visit with him...

As you can see by the remote on his tray that he watched lots and lots of T.V. with the use of a two way reflective mirror (which if you look very closely you can see sitting on the tray)

At night (for sleeping) the top part of the head rest had a long section that slid between the mattress and box springs of the bed...and we slept sideways in the bed with his head hanging off and resting in the headrest with his arms resting on the tray...

After 10 days he was able to sit up...but at night he must sleep on his right side with his nose facing the bed...

Today is January 12, 2010, the gas bubble is 60 % dissipated...he can see well over the top of the bubble... but the portion of sight through the bubble looks like he is looking through a fish tank...

The doctor assures us that the gas bubble will eventually be completely dissipated and he will have complete vision...

It is amazing what can be done through medicine and surgery now...
progress is wonderful...

Love Mimi

Pride cometh before the fall

2010-01-11T11:49:00.006-05:00

For good or evil, families have lasting and powerful influence on their children.
Traits and qualities are passed on to the next generation, and often with the mistakes and sins of the parents being repeated by the children.

Four generations of the Herod family are mentioned in the Bible.
Each leader left his evil mark.

Herod the Great murdered Bethlehem's baby boys;
Herod Antipas was involved in Jesus' trial and John the Baptist's execution;

(daughter of Herodias
was asking for head of John the Baptist)

Herod Agrippa I murdered the apostle James;

and

(Paul appears before Herod Agrippa)

Herod Agrippa II was one of Paul's judges.

Herod Agrippa I related fairly well to his Jewish subjects.
He had a Jewish grandmother of royal blood (Mariamne),
which allowed the people to accept him -- though grudgingly.
As a youth, Agrippa I had been temporarily imprisoned by the emperor Tiberias, but he was now trusted by Rome and got along well with the emperors Caligula and Claudius.

An unexpected opportunity for Herod to gain new favor with the Jews was created by the Christian movement. Gentiles began to be accepted into the church in large numbers. Many Jews had been tolerating this new movement as a sect within Judaism, but its rapid growth alarmed them.
Persecution of Christians was revived, and even the apostles were not spared.
James was killed, and Peter was thrown into prison.

But soon Harod made a fatal error. During a visit to Caesarea, the people called him a god, and he accepted their praise.
Harod was immediately struck with a painful disease, and he died within a week.

Like his grandfather and uncle before him, and his son after him, Herod Agrippa I came close to the truth but missed it. Because religion was important only as an aspect of politics, he had no reverence and no qualms about taking praise that only God should receive.

His mistake is a common one. Whenever we become proud of our own abilities and accomplishments, not recognizing them as gifts from God, we repeat Herod's sin.

Herod Agrippa I's story is told in Acts 12:1-23

The prayers of the group of believers were answered, even as they prayed.
But when the answer arrived at the door, they didn't believe it.

We should be people of faith who believe that God answers the prayers of those who seek his will.

When you pray, believe you'll get an answer.
And when the answer comes, don't be surprised;
be thankful!

Bible Acts. 12:1-23
Christian Clip Art

Love Mimi

On a Tuft of Grass

2010-01-02T15:32:00.012-05:00

Weak, slender blades of tender green,
With little fragrance, little sheen,
What maketh ye so dear to all?
Nor bud, nor flower, nor fruit have ye,
So tiny, it can only be
'Mongst fairies ye are counted tall.

No beauty is in this,--ah, yea,
E'en as I gaze on you today,
Your hue and fragrance bear me back
Into the green, wide fields of old,
With clear, blue air, and manifold
Bright buds and flowers in blossoming track.

All bent one way like flickering flame,
Each blade caught sunlight as it came,
Then rising, saddened into shade;
A changeful, wavy, harmless sea,
Whose billows none could bitterly
Reproach with wrecks that they had made.

No gold ever was buried there
More rich, more precious, or more fair
Than buttercups with yellow gloss.

No ships of mighty forest trees
E'er foundered in these guiltless seas
Of grassy waves and tender moss.

Ah, no! no! not guiltless still,
Green waves on meadow and on hill,
Not wholly innocent are ye;

For what dead hopes and loves, what graves,
Lie underneath your placid waves,
While breezes kiss them lovingly!
Calm sleepers with sealed eyes lie there;
They see not, neither feel nor care
If over them the grass be green.
And some sleep here who ne'er knew rest,
Until the grass grew o'er their breast,
And stilled the aching pain within.

Not all the sorrow man hath known,
Not all the evil he hath done,
Have ever cast thereon a stain.
It groweth green and fresh and light,
As in the olden garden bright,
Beneath the feet of Eve and Cain.

It flutters, bows, and bends, and quivers,
And creeps through forests and by rivers,
Each blade with dewy brightness wet,

So soft, so quiet, and so fair,
We almost dream of sleeping there,
Without or sorrow or regret.

Emma Lazarus (1867, 1871)

Emma Lazarus, daughter of Moses and Esther Lazarus, was born in New York City on 22 July 1849, of Portuguese Jewish descent. Privately tutored, she began writing at age fourteen and at seventeen printed and circulated her Poems and Translations (1867). Emerson read this work and appointed himself her mentor, encouraging her to look to nature. Her poems "Links" and "On a Tuft of Grass" indicate that she followed his advice. She dedicated some of her poems to him.

Mimi

Do You Know Who You Are?

2009-11-27T18:53:00.001-05:00

THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven.. I am significant (Phil 3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom.. 8:31 -34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil.. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven ( Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
Who you are!?

Wondrous Night

2009-11-27T11:29:00.005-05:00

Down in adoration falling,
Lo, the angels guard the Child.
Faithful shepherds caught in wonder
Where the Babe lay undefiled.

Angels singing in the heavens,
O'er the stable filled with hay.
Star of wonder hovering over,
Manger where the Christ Child lay.

Wise Men came from distant places,

Led there by the holy star.
Kings with gifts of gold and incense,
Traveled from their homes afar.

Oh this holy night so joyous,
Angelic Host God deemed to send,
Brought good tidings and a message
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

Shirley Hile Powell
All Posters image

Our National Flag

2009-10-15T13:20:00.007-04:00

Whenever I see our national flag, bright against the summer sky, two things come into my mind: a memory and a question.

The memory goes back to a little ceremony that took place every Fourth of July around the flagpole in my grandparents' front yard on Long Island, when I was a little girl of five or six or so.

Their house was right across the street from ours, so at the crack of dawn I'd dress hurriedly and race over to ring their doorbell. Fortunately, Grandpa was an early riser. Out he'd come carrying the neatly folded flag over his arm. At the pole, he'd untie ropes and fumble with different catches and pulley while I'd jump up and down, eager for what I considered the BIG moment.

Grandpa would give the rope a couple of test tugs. Then, with a nod in my direction, he'd begin to raise the flag.

"Oh, Columbia, the gem of the ocean," I'd sing out in my high, piping, child's voice, "the home of the brave and the free...."

Grandpa always joined in the chorus: "Three cheers for the red, white and blue," while a warm breeze gently blew the flag, now flying high at the top of the pole.

After that Grandpa and I would go into his kitchen where we'd eat cereal smothered with blueberries and cream while he told me stories about life in his native Germany and how he came to the United States when he was a young boy of 14. "I'm so grateful to God," Grandpa would say, "for the privilege of living in such a wonderful country. Always remember, Eleanor, how lucky you are..."

So that's the memory. And the question? It's this:

Does a person have to come from someplace else to appreciate... really appreciate... all that our country's flag stand for, all that it means?

I hope not.. I pray not.

Eleanor V. Sass

God of our fathers, give unto us, Thy servants, a true appreciation of our heritage, of great men and great deeds in the past, but let us not be intimidated by feelings of our own inadequacy for this troubled hour.

Remind us that the God they worshiped, and by whose help they laid the foundations of our Nation, is still able to help us uphold what they bequeathed and to give it new meanings.

Remind us that we are not called to fill the places of those who have gone, but to fill our own places, to do the work Thou hast laid before us, to do the right as Thou has given us to see the right, always to do the very best we can, and to leave the rest to Thee.

Peter Marshall

images courtesy of all posters

One Nation, "Under God"

2009-09-23T14:33:00.005-04:00

One day a 6 year old girl was sitting in a classroom.
The teacher was going to explain evolution to the children.

The teacher asked a little boy: "Tommy do you see the tree outside?"
Tommy said: "Yes"
Teacher: "Tommy, do you see the grass outside?"
Tommy: "Yes".
Teacher: "Go outside and look up and see if you can see the sky."
Tommy: "Okay. (He returned a few minutes later), "Yes, I saw the sky."
Teacher: "Did you see God?"
Tommy: "No."
Teacher: "That's my point. We can't see God because he isn't there. He just doesn't exist."

A little girl spoke up and wanted to ask the boy some questions.

The teacher agreed and the little girl asked the boy:"Tommy, do you see the tree outside?"
Tommy: "Yes"
Little Girl: "Tommy do you see the grass outside?"
Tommy: "Yesssssss!"
Little Girl: "Did you see the sky?"
Tommy: "Yesssss!"
Little Girl: "Tommy, do you see the teacher?"
Tommy: "Yes"
Little Girl: "Do you see her brain?"
Tommy: "No"

Little Girl: "Then according to what we were taught today in school, she must not have one!"

"For We Walk By Faith, Not By Sight"
(IICorinthians 5:7)

Shoes of Discipleship

2009-08-24T10:00:00.001-04:00

I want to be thy disciple, Lord,
and walk with thee.
I'm ready with shoes
for every occasion of our journey:

Dainty heels for
walking down cathedral aisles,

Rain boots for stormy weather,

Sturdy shoes for stony paths,

Sandals for happy, joyous ways.

These will not do, you say?
I'm cumbered with too many?
What must I carry then?

The single pair of shoes for
Christian discipleship is Love?

Then fit them to my feet, Lord Jesus,

and teach me how to walk

in love everywhere.

Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us (Eph. 5:2)

Carolyn Rhea
images courtesy of
all posters

"You Without Sin"

2009-08-19T04:12:00.001-04:00

Jesus lifted up himself, and said unto them,

"He that is without sin among you,
let him first cast a stone at her."

...And they which heard it,
being convicted by their own conscience,
went out one by one, beginning at the eldest,
even unto the last; and Jesus was left alone,
and the woman standing in the midst.

When Jesus looked up he saw none but the woman,
he said unto her, "Woman, where are those thine accusers?"
"Hath no man condemned thee?"

She said, "No man, Lord."

And Jesus said unto her,
"Neither do I condemn thee:
Go and sin no more"

(John 8:7-11)

I Hear America Singing

2009-08-17T05:37:00.000-04:00

I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,

Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong.

The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,

The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work.

The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck.

The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands.

The wood-cutter's song, the ploughboy's on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown,

The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing,
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,

The day what belongs to the day -- at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,

Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.

Walt Whitman (1819-1892)

Whitman was the conscious author of avowedly American writings, and established an expansive style that is one of the most distinctive in the nation's literature

THOMAS...who still doubted Him

2009-08-15T05:49:00.003-04:00

....I want to Believe!...(John 20:24-29)

Thomas was always asking questions. This may have been bothersome to the other disciples.
But Thomas was not all bad, and he was not all doubter. he was just very human. He is like us in more than just doubts.
The other disciples also had their doubts...
We are not talking about wholesome questioning. We speak of the resurrection experience in which Thomas shared the difficulty of believing with the other disciples.

The women who went to the tomb in the early morning came back saying: "We have seen the Lord! He is risen!"

It was the consensus among the disciples (Luke 24) that the women's words seemed as idle talk. There was still doubt in their minds.

John's gospel gives three experiences which show Thomas' dilemma of doubt.
All three times he was asking questions.

Doubting Thomas, he was... He was slow to act, and belief did not come easy for him.
When conviction came, he grasped it. He wanted to know.
He wanted proof, and that's not a bad trait.

In the upper room Jesus was trying to tell his disciples that he was actually going to die. Thomas could believe they were all going to get killed, but he didn't want Jesus to die!
He didn't mind going anywhere with Jesus. He didn't really mind dying with Jesus. But he had come to the place in his courageous devotion that he did not want to live without Jesus.

When you sense the joy and wonder of God's presence, then if the skies turn dark and you can no longer hear the voice of God, you feel there is little reason for living.
Life hold nothing...until you return to Him who is the answer to all questions.

In a way, Thomas was asking our questions.

Jesus didn't seem to consider Thomas an interrupter.
Our Lord, who knew all things, listened to him patiently and understood that Thomas needed his doubts removed.

"I am the way," Jesus said, "the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)
"Ye believe in God, believe also in me." "In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, And if I go and prepare a place for you. I will come again." (John 14:1-2)

They were given consolation and comfort in the hope of the return of Christ.
Thomas' questions were the same kind of questions we ask on a dark night, in a closed room, when nobody but God is listening.

When doubt is cleared up, it leads to renewed confession.

The evening of Christ's resurrection the disciples gathered behind closed doors. The rumors had been strange and confusing.
They certainly were not expecting Jesus.

Formerly, in their togetherness had been strength, so they come together in hope that somebody had seen and heard something of Jesus that would give them encouragement.

Quite unexpectedly, the risen Jesus appeared in their midst.

"But Thomas... was not with them when Jesus came." (John 20:24)

Therefore he was deprived of the blessing of the Lord's presence.
The news got back to Thomas that Jesus had appeared to the others. He had missed it!
Thomas began to feel pressure. he envied the fact that they had seen and felt something that he had not.

"Except I shall see... the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe" (John 20:25)

A week later Jesus confronted him.
As soon as Thomas saw Jesus, he was no longer anxious to put his finger into Jesus' side.
He fell on his face and exclaimed, "My Lord and my God!"
He made the good confession!... the leap of faith.

Jesus said to him and to us, "Because thou hast seen me, thou has believed; blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29)

Persons of the Passion
R. Earl Allen
All Posters

Teach Me to Be Silent

2009-08-13T19:44:00.008-04:00

O Lord Jesus, your words to your Father were born out of your silence. Lead me into this silence, so that my words may be spoken in your name and thus be fruitful.

It is so hard to be silent, silent with my mouth, but even more, silent with my heart.

There is so much talking going on within me. It seems that I am always involved in inner debates with myself, my friends, my enemies, my supporters, my opponents, my colleagues, and my rivals.

But this inner debate reveals how far my heart is from you.

If I were simply to rest at your feet and realize that I belong to you and you alone, I would easily stop arguing with all the real and imagined people around me.

These arguments show my insecurity, my fear, my apprehensions, and my need for being recognized and receiving attention.

You, O Lord, will give me all the attention I need if I would simply stop talking and start listening to you.

I know that in the silence of my heart you will speak to me and show me your love.

Give me, O Lord, that silence. Let me be patient and grow slowly into this silence in which I can be with you.

Amen

Henri J. M. Nouwen

Well known for such books as Out of Solitude, In the Name of Jesus, and The Way of the Desert, Henri Nouwen is a priest, a professor, and a writer. Born in the Netherlands, he has taught at the university of Notre Dame, Yale Divinity School, and Harvard Divinity School. most recently he makes his home in L'Arche Community in Canada.

"Beginning of Wisdom"
Edited by Thomas Bechnell

and Mary Ellen Ashcroft

Mimi

Orchard

2009-08-07T08:22:00.009-04:00

Lord, as a Christian,
am I just a single tree
struggling alone in me little plot?

You foresaw Orchards of fruit-bearing Christians

growing together,
nourished and disciplined
by thy loving care,
To more effectively feed
this spiritually starving world?

Thy church, O Lord,
Is that orchard of fruit-bearing Christians?

Then I shall plant my life there too.

Carolyn Rhea
All Posters

Mimi

When Our Confidence is Shaken

2009-08-04T14:41:00.006-04:00

When our confidence is shaken
In beliefs we thought secure,
When the spirit in its sickness
Seeks but cannot find a cure,
God is active in the tensions
Of a faith not yet mature.

Solar systems, void of meaning,
Freeze the spirit into stone'
Always our researches lead us
To the ultimate unknown.

Faith must die, or come full circle
To its source in God along.
In the discipline of praying,
When it's hardest to believe;

In the drudgery of caring,
When it's not enough to grieve;
Faith, maturing, learns acceptance
Of the insight we receive.

God is love, and thus redeems us
In the Christ we crucify;
This is God's eternal answer
To the world's eternal why.

May we in this faith maturing
Be content to live and die!

Fred Pratt Green

images courtesy of all posters

Fred Pratt Green, A Methodist pastor, started writing plays and poetry when he was in college, publishing three collections of poems. He started writing hymns in his mid-sixties, many of which have been collected in The Hymns and Ballads of Fred Pratt Green.

Mimi

The Touch of Your Hand

2009-07-20T14:35:00.011-04:00

I dare not ask your very all: I only ask a part. Bring me, when dancers leave the hall, Your aching heart. Give other friends your lighted face, The laughter of the years: I come to crave a greater grace: Bring me your tears!

The world hungers for love, sympathy, and understanding,
and if there has ever been a time in history for these characteristics,
it is now.

One day a young minister got off a train in Cleveland and saw a blind, crippled soldier, carrying a heave suitcase. He immediately offered to carry the suitcase, but the soldier wouldn't let him.

"Then may I guide you up the stairs to the station?" Asked the minister.

"Yes, if you will," replied the soldier.

When they got to the top of the stairs the minister said, "Now, where do you want to go?"

"To the information desk, please," he replied.

The young preacher took a firm and rather possessive hold on the soldier's arm. Much to his surprise the blind, crippled war hero jerked his arm away and said abruptly: "Don't take possession of me, pal, and don't shove me. All I want is just the touch of your hand on my shoulder."

There are plenty of people in this troubled world who need help, but they don't want to be considered helpless. They don't want to be babied. All they want is just a touch of your hand on their shoulders and to know that you understand.

James P. Wesberry
(Meditations for Happy Christians)
images courtesy of All Posters

Mimi

Four Little Foxes

2009-07-13T05:33:00.001-04:00

Speak gently, Spring, and make no sudden sound;
For in my windy valley yesterday I found
New-born foxes squirming on the ground--
Speak Gently.

Walk softly, March, forbear the bitter blow;
Her feet within a trap, her blood upon the snow,
The four little foxes saw their mother go--
Walk softly.

Go lightly, Spring, Oh give them no alarm;
When I covered them with boughs to shelter them from harm,
The thin blue foxes suckled at my arm--
Go lightly.

Step softly, March, with your rampant hurricane;
Nuzzling one another, and whimpering with pain,
The new little foxes are shivering in the rain--
Step softly.

Lew Sarett
all posters

God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens

2009-07-11T10:35:00.008-04:00

God, who stretched the spangled heavens,
Infinite in time and place,
Flung the suns in burning radiance
Through the silent fields of space,
We your children, in your likeness,
Share inventive powers with you.
Great Creator, still creating,
Show us what we yet may do.

Proudly rise our modern cities,
Stately buildings, row on row;
Yet their windows, blank, unfeeling,
Stare on canyoned streets below,
Where the lonely drift unnoticed
In the city's ebb and flow,
Lost to purpose and to meaning,
Scarcely caring where they go.

As each far horizon beckons
May it challenge us anew.
Children of creative purpose,
Serving others, honoring you.
May our dreams prove rich with promise,
Each endeavor well begun.
Great Creator, give us guidance
Till our goals and yours are one.

Catherine Cameron
Hope Publishing Co.
All Posters (pictures)

Born in New Brunswick, Canada, Catherine Cameron studied English Literature at MacMaster's University. She received her graduate degrees from the University of Southern California. Dr. Cameron is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of La Verne.

Mimi

a Servant's Heart

2009-07-01T14:25:00.005-04:00

A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient
(2 Timothy 2:24)

George Washington Carver is well known as an African-American scientist who developed scores of products from the peanut.
Dr Carver was also a humble servant of God who took every opportunity to speak to others about the Savior he loved and served.

During the 1920's, members of the YMCA and the Commission on Interracial Cooperation asked Carver to address white student audiences at colleges and universities in the South. Carver spoke about the wonders of the natural world and the loving God who created the earth and all people.

As his goal, Carver wanted the students to find Jesus and make Him a daily, hourly, and moment-by-moment part of their lives.

"I want them to see the Great Creator in the smallest and apparently the most insignificant things about them."

Dr Carver sought to follow the words of Paul: "A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth: (2 Timothy 2:24-25)

That approach underscores the power of the gospel and the winsome appeal of a servant's heart.

David McCasland
picture courtesy of All Posters

Witnessing isn't just a job to be done,
it's a life to be lived

Our daily Bread (Feb.1, 2006)

Mimi

The Skater of Ghost Lake

2009-06-27T14:24:00.018-04:00

Ghost Lake's a dark lake, a deep lake and cold:
Ice black as ebony, frostily scrolled;
Far in its shadows a faint sound whirrs;
Steep stand the sentineled deep, dark firs.

A brisk sound, a swift sound, a ring-tinkle-ring;
Flit-flit,-- a shadow, with a stoop and a swing,
Flies from a shadow through the crackling cold.
Ghost Lake's a deep lake, a dark lake and old!

Leaning and leaning with a stride and a stride,
Hands locked behind him, scarf blowing wide,
Jeremy Randall skates, skates late,
Star for a candle, moon for a mate.

Black is the clear glass now that he glides,
Crisp is the whisper of long lean strides,
Swift is his swaying -- but pricked ears hark.
None comes to Ghost Lake late after dark!

Cecily only -- yes, it is she!
Stealing to Ghost Lake, tree after tree,
Kneeling in snow by the still lake side,
Rising with feet winged, gleaming, to glide.

Dust of the ice swirls. Here is his hand.
Brilliant his eyes burn. Now, as we planned,
Arm across arm twined, laced to his side,
Out on the dark lake lightly they glide.

Dance of the dim moon, a rhythmical reel,
A swaying, a swift tune -- skurr of the steel;
Moon for a candle, maid for a mate,
Jeremy Randall skates, skates late.

Black as if lacquered the wide lake lies;
Breath as a frost-fume, eyes seek eyes;
Souls are a sword-edge tasting the cold.
Ghost Lake's a deep lake, a dark lake and old!

Far in the shadows hear faintly begin
Like a string pluck-plucked of a violin,
Muffled in mist on the lake's far bound,
Swifter and swifter, a low singing sound!

Far in the shadows and faint on the verge
Of blue cloudy moonlight, see it emerge,
Flit-flit -- a phantom, with a stoop and a swing...
Ah, it's a night bird, burdened of wing!

Pressed close to Jeremy, laced to his side,
Cecily Culver, dizzy you glide.
Jeremy Randall sweepingly veers
out on the dark ice far from the piers.

"Jeremy!" "Sweetheart?" "What do you fear?"
"Nothing, my darling,--nothing is here!"
"Jeremy?" "Sweetheart?" "What do you flee?"
"Something--I know not; something I see!"

Swayed to a swift stride, brisker of pace,
Leaning and leaning, they race and they race;
Ever that whirring, that crisp sound thin
Like a string pluck-plucked of a violin;

Ever that swifter and low singing sound
Sweeping behind them, winding them round;
Gasp of their breath now that chill flakes fret;
Ice black as ebony--blacker--like jet!

Ice shooting fangs forth--sudden--like spears!
Crackling of lightning--a roar in their ears!
Shadowy, a phantom swerves off from its prey ...
No, it's a night bird flit-flits away!

Low-winging moth-owl, home to your sleep!
Ghost Lake's a still lake, a cold lake and deep.
Faint in its shadows a far sound whirrs.
Black stand the ranks of its sentinel firs.

William Rose Ben'et
photos courtesy of all posters

This is a narrative poem. It tells a story in more detail than does a ballad, and it was not intended to be sung. It has many of the qualities of a good ghost story.

When you think you have a plausible explanation of what happened at Ghost Lake, and when it happened, reread the poem to see how skillfully the poet involved you in the story.
S0...what happened on Ghost Lake?

Mimi

Great God of All Wisdom

2009-06-23T20:54:00.012-04:00

Great God of all wisdom, of science and art,
O grant us the wisdom that comes from the heart.
Technology, learning, philosophy, youth --
All leave us still yearning for your word of truth.

Where people are starving, where wars devastate
A future we're carving of anguish and hate.
God, turn us around and invade all our lives
Till justice is found and your righteousness thrives.

Call us to a new day of promise and trust
That outlines a new way of life that is just.
Call us to build bridges, deep chasms to clear,
Mark trails over ridges of bias and fear.

Creator of visions as well as of stars,
O mend our divisions and heal all our scars.
You reign over history, both present and past,
Most challenging mystery from first to the last.

Jane Parker Huber

pictures courtesy of all posters

Born in Tsinan, China, Jane Parker Huber was educated at Northfield School for girls, Wellesley College, and Hanover Collete. Many of her hymns have been composed for the United Presbyterian Women. She lives in Ind

Mimi

The Spider

2009-06-12T10:38:00.008-04:00

With six small diamonds for his eyes
He walks upon the summer skies,
Drawing from his silken blouse
The lacework of his dwelling house.

He lays his staircase as he goes
Under his eight thoughtful toes
And grows with the concentric flower
Of his shadowless, thin bower.

His back legs are a pair of hands,
They can spindle out the strands
Of a thread that is so small
It stops the sunlight not at all.

He spins himself to threads of dew
Which will harden soon into
Lines that cut like slender knives
Across the insects' airy lives.

He makes no notion but is right,
He spreads out his appetite
Into a network, twist on twist,
This little ancient scientist.

He does not know he is unkind,
He has a jewel for a mind
And logic deadly as dry bone,
This small son of Euclid's Own.

Robert P. Tristram Coffin
All Posters

No two spiders are exactly alike, any more than two people are.
When do spiders normally spin their webs? (note the words "threads of dew")The purpose of this poem was certainly to create a colorful word picture of the spider. you will note that this picture is different from the one described or pictured in the dictionary or encyclopedia.

just something to think about
while you are enjoying
the early morning dew on the flowers
Mimi

Lovely Rooms

2009-06-09T12:18:00.006-04:00

A Friend loveth at all times (Prov. 17:17)

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. (Prov. 18:24)

Friends, you are the keys
with which God has unlocked
lovely rooms within me.

They might have remained
closed off forever
Had you not quietly turned the knob
and stepped inside.

Through admiring your discoveries there,
You have deepened my sense
of personal worth.

We took sweet counsel together and walked unto the house of God in company (Ps. 55:14)

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13)

Thank you for overlooking
the ugly, cluttered closets
in my life
And for opening up my finer self.

Glimpses of God's presence
(Carolyn Rhea)
All Posters

Mimi

Somebody's Mother

2009-05-10T15:20:00.006-04:00

The woman was old, and ragged and gray
And bent with the chill of the winter day;
The street was wet with the recent snow,
And the woman's feet were aged and slow.

Pedestrians Crossing Slushy Intersection at Wall Street
She stood at the crossing and waited long,
Alone, uncared-for, amid the throng
Of human beings that passed her by,
not heeding the glance of her anxious eye.

Down the street with laugh and shout,
Glad in the freedom of "school let out,"

School Children Walking to School with Book Bags on their Backs, East Germany
Came the boys like a flock of sheep,
Finding the snow piled white and deep.

Past the old woman, so old and gray,
Hastened the children on their way,
Nor offering a helping hand to her,
So meek, so timid, afraid to stir,

Bustling View of Fulton St, with Rows of Shops and Horse Drawn Carriages

Lest the carriage wheels or the horses' feet
Should crowd her down in the slippery street;
At last came out of the merry troop
The gayest laddie of all the group.

He paused beside her and whispered low,

"I'll help you across, if you wish to go."

Her aged hand on his strong young arm
She placed, and without hurt or harm

He guided the trembling feet along,
Proud that his own were firm and strong;
Then back again to his friends he went,
His young heart happy and well content.

"She's somebody's mother, boys, you know,
For all she's aged, and poor, and slow,
And I hope some follow will lend a hand,
To help my mother, you understand,

A Mother Walks Her Children to School in Old Havana, Cuba
"If ever she's poor and old and gray,
When her own dear boy is fay away!"

And somebody's mother bowed her head
In her home that night, and the prayer she said
Was, "God be kind to that noble boy
Who was somebody's son, and pride, and joy."

Author unknown
Allposters

Happy Mother's Day
Mimi

Boy On The Beach

2009-05-04T19:30:00.004-04:00

Children Playing at the Seashore
All along the beach and up and over the sand dunes rose squeals of joy and playful threats.

A flock of gulls splash in the cold Arctic waters
The seagulls dipped and bounced about in the currents, bumping and rising and flapping around like kites in a strong March wind.

Fishermen in a Dory on the Grand Banks Off Newfoundland, c.1880
The fishermen clung to their rods as giant waves hurled against the rocks and spit their spray all around.

Deserted Beach on the South Coast, South West National Park, Tasmania, Australia
A beachcomber followed his stick and, head down, wobbled from sandhill to sandhill.

At the Beach
A little boy with smooth, dark hair and olive skin, a yellow swimsuit and chubby legs stood forlornly with back toward gaiety and sobbed out his misery and heartbreak.

How hard it was to understand the jerk on his arm and the slap in his face when sternly reprimanded for his excitement, his lack of caution, his rushing headlong away.

His father stormed away and screaming still, returned to the truck for gear that no longer held any pleasure for the tragic boy.

At The Seashore

My fellowman and I...
what insufficiency lies within our breasts.
What tender joys we wrest away from little ones whose innocence is so fleeting... so precious.
How miserably we manage those tiny bits of potential.

How completely we fail to understand the privilege of loving.

Christ Blessing the Children

"Let the little children come to me, and forbid them not.
For of such is the kingdom of heaven."

Children of Photographer with Eugene Smith Walking Hand in Hand in Woods Behind His Home

What an awesome responsibility...
To rear the inhabitants of the kingdom of God.

Blessings for Blah Days by Kathryn Griffin
photos courtesy of all posters

Mimi

Those Who Passed By

2009-04-04T19:26:00.007-04:00

Those who passed by blasphemed Him.

Mark 15:29

Crucifixion at "Way of the Cross Procession"
Consider the people who callously passed by the Savior as He hung on the cross.
How heartless they were!
But before we rush to judge them,
let's remember that many are still doing it today.

Those who want a cross without Christ.

Processional Cross, Marked Noe M.Guenca, circa 1575-1600
(Silver Parcel Gilt on a Wooden Base)

It's possible to revere a symbol without the Savior.
Some may clasp in their hand a miniature cross made of wood or gold,
but that emblem will never atone for even one sin.
It is Christ alone who redeems our souls with His precious blood.

Those who want a Christ without a cross.

Christ At Thirty Three
They want a conqueror, not a dying Lamb.
They would cry, "Come down from the Cross!"(Mark 15:30).

Many desire a good example, or a great teacher, or a triumphant king.
Their gospel is one of works. They despise the gospel that declares
we are justified by faith in One who shed His blood on the cross.

Those who want neither Christ nor His cross.

The Gamblers

They are untouched by His sorrow,
unmoved by His suffering,
and unrepentant of their sins that He bore.
Never have they exclaimed as did the songwriter John M. Moore,
"All my iniquities on His were laid--
He nailed them all to the tree.
Jesus the debt of my sin fully paid--
He paid the ransom for me.
--Paul Van Gorder

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood--
Sealed my pardon with His blood:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
-- Bliss

True Love

Jesus took our place that we might have His peace

references:
Our daily bread
all posters

Have A Blessed Palm Sunday
Mimi

I am a "Mimi" Again!!!!!

2009-03-31T20:10:00.003-04:00

Megan Grace Deputy

Born 8:20 P.M. Monday March 30, 2009

A Sweet Little Bundle of Pure Joy!!!

Morning Prayer

2009-03-17T05:00:00.000-04:00

Lord, Thou art the water of life,

Water Pitcher

As this day begins, I am an empty pitcher before Thee.

Fill me, O Lord.

Thou art the light of the world.

Red candle with smoke curling up from the wick after being blown out

As this day begins, I am an unlit candle.
Thy light can never shine through me to others unless
Thou dost shine in my heart.
Thou art the true light that lightest everyone
That cometh into the world.

Light me, O Lord.

Thou art the true vine.

A Close View of a Cluster of Green Grapes on a Vine in Colorado
Unless I dwell in Thee this day,
I can bring forth no fruit.
My leaves turn brown, shrivel, blow away and I die.

Let Thy life always flow into me, Thy branch, O Lord.

Elaine Sommers Rich
allposters

Elaine Sommers Rich is a free-lance writer and teacher living in Bluffton, Ohio.
She and her husband, Dr. Ronald Rich, spent ten years at the International Christian University in Tokyo.
She is a longtime columnist for the Mennonite Weekly Review and author of Prayers for Everyday.

Mimi

MY ALL FOR CHRIST

2009-03-16T08:36:00.006-04:00

My Hands

Woman's Hands Holding Globe, Death Valley National Park, California

"I will therefore that men pray... lifting up holy hands."
1 Timothy 2:8

My Feet

The Boot-Shod Feet of a Hiker Dangle over the Side of a Cliff

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringest good tidings."
Isaiah 52:7

My Eyes

Close-up of Woman's Eye

"Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest."
John 4:35

My Ears

HS Senior Judy Krug Laughs Into Friend's Ear
shows Why She Was Considered Most Talkative in School

"And He taught them many things!... and said...
He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."
Mark 4:2-9

My Mouth

Close-Up of Woman's Mouth

My Heart

Love for All

"Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our God."
I Kings 8:61

My Mind

The Door Into Someone's Mind

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,
and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength,
and with all thy mind."
Luke 10:27

FEAR GOD, and keep His commandments:
for this is the whole duty of man.

Eccles. 12:13

references:
The Bible,
All Posters

Mimi

LUCKY NUMBER SEVEN!!

2009-03-14T11:16:00.007-04:00

Joshua Caleb Deputy is seven years old today!!!

Josh is a very good helper for his mom and dad

He is a very special Big Brother for Jon...
He shows him the moon eclipse
(and of course explains it all to him in great detail)

And isn't he an angel when he is sleeping...

I wonder what he is dreaming about?

Happy Birthday Josh,
We love you,
Mimi and Papaw

Spliting Our Love of God From Man

2009-03-03T15:43:00.005-05:00

One of our fatal maladies is that we tend to split our love of God from our love of men.

Many religionists can talk in glowing terms of their love for God, while expressing hate toward men.

On the other hand, many humanists can speak of their love for man, but have no place for love of God.

Throughout the New Testament the love of God and love of man are inseparable. John causes us to face up to the fact that we cannot love God while hating our brother.
"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar" (1 John 4:20).

You see, love of God and love of man are not two separate things, but one and the same fact. Genuine love of God must issue in love of men. If it doesn't, then we are worshiping a God other than that revealed by Jesus Christ.

John is saying to us that this love of men really is the testing of our love of God.

We can recognize that one may have deep and searching emotions as he worships in the house of God, and yet go out to treat his fellow human beings with shabby disdain.

If we really love the God who is made known in Jesus Christ, we should cherish the image of him who is stamped on every human soul.

It is in the face of another human being that there is most clearly revealed the image and character of our God.

This is the reason Jesus says: "Inasmuch as you did it unto one of the least of these my brethern, you did it unto me."

We know that Christ always identifies himself with those in need.

It is Christ who is crushed by the divisions of our social system. It is Christ who is slighted and insulted when those who have ignore those who have not.

It is Christ who suffers in the degradation of the drunkard and wanderer.

Elderly Hobo, with Bundle Strapped to His Back, Walking Along Train Tracks

It is Christ who weeps when little children do not have enough to eat and live in homes unfit for rats.

Small Dirty Child Living in the Migratory Camp

It is Christ who feels the shame when some of his children are called "second rate" and inferior.

If only we could understand that Christ is in that mother, that father, that child, that employer, that employee, -- what a difference it would make in our treatment of each other.

Has our love of God issued in our love of men?---This is the test of love.

Major Hugging a Little Girl Waiting Evacuation

Are we innocent or are we guilty?

references:

j. Herbert Gilmore, Jr
all posters

Mimi

The Amazing Grace of God

2009-03-02T19:35:00.003-05:00

Heavens Gateway
I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights, or it's decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp.

The thieves, the Liars, the Sinners,
The alcoholics, and the trash.

There sat the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money!...Twice.

Portrait of a Teenage Boy Sitting and Wearing Inline Skates

Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.

Old Man with Red Star, Cuba

Herb, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, "What's the deal?
I would love to hear your take.

How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must have made a mistake."

And why's everyone so quiet,
So somber - give me a clue."

'Hush, child,' He said, 'They're all in shock.

No one thought they'd be seeing you!

author unknown

Five Years

2009-02-19T04:30:00.001-05:00

Five years ago today was a day like all days......

EXCEPT

Mr. and Mrs Deputy had an appointment with the hospital...

they were going to have a wonderful baby boy...

Mimi, Brian, Brittany, Bridget, And Josh waited at home while this little boy was being born...

AND

As soon as he was born Mr. Deputy (whom we all call Daddy) called us and we all flew to the hospital to see this new little boy...

He was smiling, and squirming, and wiggling,
Mommy was sleeping, and smiling, and resting.
Daddy was smiling, and beaming, and bragging.

And Mimi, Brian, Brittany, Bridget and Josh were all smiling, and grinning, and watching this new little beautiful baby boy, as he looked back at us and wondered..

"Wow, is this really all the people I heard talking, and singing to me while I was in mommy's tummy waiting to be born...

I think I recognize Josh's voice...He liked to sing to me and tell me he loved me"

I am going to love being in this family!

Of course that was five years ago...

What do you think he would say today? Does he still think that Josh can sing good?

I am sure that he knows that they all love him!!

(Including Mimi and Papaw)

Happy Birthday Jon!!!

Love, Mimi and Papaw

Jesse James

2009-02-17T09:00:00.001-05:00

Outlaw Jesse James Portrait Photograph
It was on a Wednesday night, the moon was shining bright,
They robbed the Glendale train.
And the people they did say, for many miles away,
'Twas the outlaws Frank and Jesse James.

Staged Train Robbery

Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life,
Three children, they were brave;
But the dirty little coward who shot Mister Howard
Has laid Jesse James in his grave.

It was Robert Ford, the dirty little coward,
I wonder how he does feel,
For he ate of Jesse's bread and he slept in Jesse's bed,
Then he laid Jesse James in his grave.

Jesse was a man, a friend to the poor,
He'd never see a man suffer pain,
And with his brother Frank he robbed the Gallatin bank

And stopped the Glendale train.

They went to the crossing not very far from there,
And there they did the same;
And the agent on his knees he delivered up the keys
To the outlaws Frank and Jesse James.

It was on a Saturday night, Jesse was at home
Talking to his family brave,

Home of Outlaw Jess James Photograph

When the thief and the coward, little Robert Ford,
Laid Jesse James in his grave.

The people held their breath when they heard of Jesse's death,
And wondered how he ever came to die.
'Twas one of the gang, dirty Robert Ford,
That shot Jesse James on the sly.

Jesse went to his rest with his hand on his breast.
The devil will be upon his knee.

Dead Body of Outlaw Jesse James Photograph

He was born one day in the county of Clay,
And he came from a solitary race.

--Author Unknown

Literature lesson questions:

1. from what you are told about Jesse James in this ballad, what kind of person would you say he was?
2. How did "the people" referred to in the poem feel about his criminal activities and his death?

3. Whoever made up this poem did not hesitate to condemn Robert Ford.

4. Since every account of Jesse James is different both in fact and opinion, you might see what historians have to say about him. Then compare the facts they give with what is stated or suggested in this unknown poet's account.

Ok Deputy's put your thinking caps on!!!

Love, Mimi

"They That Go Down..."

2009-02-10T15:01:00.004-05:00

Night Mists
They that go down to the sea in ships,
that do business in great waters;
these see the works of the Lord,
and his wonders in the deep.

For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind,
which lifteth up the waves thereof.
they mount up to heaven,
they go down again to the depths:
their soul is melted because of trouble.

Scene Two: The Sailing Vessel Runs into Rough Seas
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man,
and are at their wits' end.

Then they cry unto the lord in their trouble,
and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

He maketh the storm a calm,
so that the waves thereof are still;

Peaceful Harbor

Then they are glad because they be quiet;
so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness,
and for His wonderful works to the children of men!

---The Bible
Psalm CVII:23-31

Blessings,
Mimi

The Goodness of God

2009-02-07T16:00:00.001-05:00

Holocaust

Corrie Ten Boom once remarked about the goodness of God, saying
"God is good when He sends good weather, but God was also good when He allowed my sister, Betsie,to starve to death in a German concentration camp."

She remember when she was discouraged and told her sister that she felt God had forgotten them.

"No, Corrie," said Betsie,
"He has not forgotten us. Remember His Word: "For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him."
(Psalm 103:11)

In that moment, Betsie taught Corrie about the reverential reflection of God's goodness, even in her darkest hour.

Often, we mistakenly believe that our circumstances reflect God's goodness and that if times are tough, God has turned away from us, but scripture tells us that He"..is the same yesterday, today and forever' (Hebrews 13:8);

His goodness is certainly no exception.

Whether you are struggling through a low point in life or experiencing showers of blessing, take time to meditate on Scripture that tells of His goodness and love, for it will surely strengthen and sustain you.

Half Dome, Yosemite Valley
Let your joyful heart praise and magnify so good and glorious a Creator.

William Law
David Jeremiah

Love,
Mimi

AT DAYS END

2009-01-26T15:42:00.001-05:00

Is anybody happier because you passed his way?
Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?

Sunset over Gulf of Mexico, Naples, FL

The day is almost over, and its toiling time is through;
Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you?

Can you say tonight, in parting with the day that's slipping fast,
That you helped a single brother of the many that you passed?

Is a single heart rejoicing over what
you did or said;
Does the man whose hopes were fading,
now with courage look ahead?

A full moon shines on winters leafless branches

Did you waste the day, or lose it? Was
it well or sorely spent?
Did you leave a trail of kindness, or a
scar of discontent?

As you close your eyes in slumber, do
you think God will say,

"You have earned one more tomorrow
by the work you did today"?
John Hall

Bag of Cement

2009-01-17T08:54:00.005-05:00

Car and Dump Truck in Tunnel
As a man was driving down a road he spotted a bag of cement that had apparently fallen out of the back of a truck.

Not wishing to see a perfectly good bag of cement go to waste, he stopped to pick it up believing he could get some use out of it.

But when he reached down to pick up the bag, it was surprisingly heavier than he expected due to the fact that it had solidified into an immovable piece of cement.

The bag of cement was created to be used for a specific purpose, but because it never reached its intended destination, it became a useless rock.

Just like that bag of cement, many people appear to be useable on the outside; but when God tries to draw near to them, they have hardened their hearts to his love and purpose.

Fortunately for us, it is never too late to listen to the voice of God. He can soften our hearts through His saving grace.

Of all the pursuits open to men, the search for wisdom is most perfect, more sublime, more profitable and more full of joy.

Thomas Aquinas
David Jerimiah
All Posters

I pray that your heart has been softened through His saving Grace
Mimi

Hubby Tag

2009-01-15T04:30:00.000-05:00

I read this on Midnight Musings and thought it would be a fun way to tell you a little more about my life...

1. Who is your man? Joe

2. How long have you been together? Married 48 years

3. How long dated? 2 years

4. How old is your man? 73 years young {he is much older than I am :0) }

5. Who eats more? He eats all the time!!!

6. Who said “I love you” first? He did

7. Who is taller? He is taller

8. Who sings better? He sings better!!! (He also plays the guitar)

9. Who is smarter? I am!!!

10. Whose temper is worse? HIS!!

11. Who does the laundry? Both of us (He does His clothes and the bed linens & towels)
I do my clothes and the doggie's towels/linens)

12. Who takes out the garbage? I pull and tie the bags...he takes them to the outside cans..

13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does

14. Who pays the bills? I do... I am much tighter with the money...(actually I can pinch a penny until it squeals)

15. Who is better with the computer? Me...

16. Who mows the lawn? He does ... but I wish we could find a good (and cheap) lawn service

17. Who cooks dinner? He does on the days I work...I do the other days (I work 2 days a week)

18. Who drives when you are together? He does ...He still thinks I can't drive well...

19. Who pays when you go out? He does

20. Who is most stubborn? I am quietly digging in my heals.. while he is very outspoken with his opinions.

21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? I am... he never admits he is wrong!!!

22. Whose parents do you see the most? Neither...they are all in Heaven (We are the old folks now)

23. Who kissed who first? He kissed me first

24. Who asked who out? Actually neither!!!

25. Who proposed? He did...

26. Who is more sensitive? We are both pretty sensitive...but he shows it more...

27. Who has more friends? He does...He never meets a stranger!!!

28. Who has more siblings? I do...

29. Who wears the pants in the family? Definitely him (just ask our daughters and son-in-laws)

30. How did you meet? On a blind date...

Time for Jesus

2009-01-13T05:28:00.005-05:00

Bus at a Bus Stop, Placa Espana, Barcelona, Spain

I knelt to pray but not for long,
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.

So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,

And jumped up off my knees.
My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.....

All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer
No time to speak of Christ to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.

No time, no time, too much to do,

That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.

I went before the Lord,
I came, I stood with downcast eyes.

For in his hands God! held a book;
It was the book of life.

God looked into his book and said

"Your name I cannot find
I once was going to write it down...
But never found the time"

Author unknown

Book of Life

Take Time for God
Mimi

On Your Anniversary

2009-01-11T04:35:00.001-05:00

Sunset Beach

Wishing you some quiet time
to embrace the slow,
sweet movement of years,
to look back on where you've been,
and appreciate where you are...
Totether!

Curve in Road of Highway 32, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

Wishing you some quiet time
to honor every step
of the journey you've taken,
every turn in the road
that has led you here...
Together!

Two Adirondack chairs on a scenic overlook
Wishing you some quiet time
to look ahead and anticipate
all the wonderful years to come
and the ways you'll share them....
Together!

Happy Anniversary Jodi and JR

Love Mom and Dad

Pride And Discouragement

2009-01-10T05:03:00.012-05:00

We try to keep it inside,
but it's something we can't hide,
it's our foolish pride.

Who are we to stake claim
to what we don't own,
to get credit for what God has shown.
Through our minds and our hands,
He empowers all our plans.

Give God the credit and glory,
for the success story,
and the contract signed,
according to His deadline.

Correct people when they give you the praise,
tell them it's God's hand they should clasp and raise.
When they place you on the throne,
let them know that you've done nothing alone.
Through Him, He makes a way
for our triumphs every day.

Proverbs 29:23
A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.

Getting rid of Pride; Sometimes when you look at a word, you see
another contained within the word. In this case, you can see the
word rid right in the middle of the word pride.
Maybe you've never noticed it before.

However, when you see it, you see it for a reason.
God may be showing it to you to make a point.
If your pride springs from anything other than Christ's saving
work in your life, then it's probably time you thought about getting
rid of your pride.

As you fill with pride, your faith in God deflates.
Remember that all things are made possible by God
who works through you.

When you are Discourged

Morning Prayer

Most honorable Father, prayerfully I ask for a spirit of mindfulness today
of all that you have done for me. Regardless of what I face today, Lord,
I pray that I will keep my eyes, mind, and spirit uplifted and focused
on your goodness. Lord, thank you for keeping me looking up.

Amen

REMAIN ENCOURAGED BY TAKING THE "DIS" OUT OF DISCOURAGE.

Seek comfort with God. Let Him handle your battles, troubles,
and conflicts. Remember that in the midst of life's problems,
He never forsook Paul and David, Peter and Abraham, Stephen and Moses.
He will be just as faithful in your own life.

You may think you have tried your hardest, but until you call upon God,
your burden will remain. Stop struggling with things that only
the strength of God can overcome.

With every challenge, you have the opportunity to experience greater
growth in your faith and your walk with God. God uses the most painful
trials to keep you reliant and faithful.

His love does not keep you from challenges,
but sees you through them clearly.

Don't let problems get you down-- let them remind you to look up.
Count your blessings, see the ones around you now,
and get away from your depressed thoughts

There is no problem too big for God to handle,

but He can't help if you don't hand it over to Him.

Psalm 42:11

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 55:22

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;

he will never let the righteous fall.

Psalm 62: 5-8

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress,

I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God;

he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people;

pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Mimi

Understanding Shingles

2009-01-07T20:33:00.002-05:00

Shingles is caused by a reactivation of the "varicella Zoster Virus" which is the same virus that causes Chicken Pox (a painful rash). The words "Shingles" and "Zoster" both translate into the word "belt" which describes the pattern of the rash of blisters as they appear on the body -- generally a band on one side of the body.

After you've had chickenpox the virus lies dormant in your nerve cells next to your spinal cord, sometimes for decades. Years later, the virus may reactivate as "Shingles. When it becomes active, it travels down the nerve fibers that extend to your skin, and a rash develops.

Unfortunately, it isn't yet known exactly what causes the virus to become active again. An important factor, though, is the immune system, which helps keep viruses at bay. Shingles tends to appear when your immune system is weakened. For example, the chances of getting shingles are higher as we get older. But other things can also weaken, or suppress, the immune system's ability to fight infection, such as HIV, anticancer and transplant drugs, stress, and depression.

You cannot catch shingles from someone who has it. However, the rash that occurs with shingles sheds the same varicella zoster virus that causes chicken pox and may be contagious. So, if you have not had chicken pox or have not been vaccinated against the virus, you can develop chicken pox (not shingles) if you come in contact with someone who has shingles. People with shingles can transmit the virus only if the Blisters have broken and the virus is transmitted when skin- to- skin contact with broken blisters occurs.

An outbreak of shingles usually lasts about a month. However, sometimes the pain of shingles does not go away as quickly, or disappears for a short time and then returns. This pain may last for months, and even years. This pain after the shingles rash has healed is a condition called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)

PHN is the most common complication of shingles, and the pain of PHN can be long-lasting and debilitating. Often the pain of PHN is accompanied by intense emotional feelings such as frustration, depression , and irritability.

Early treatment can help shorten a shingles infection and reduce the risk of complications, so consult your doctor as soon as you notice signs or symptoms of shingles. Pain medication, antidepressants or anticonvulsant medications may help provide relief until the pain subsides.

The Signs and symptoms of shingles may include:

Pain, burning, tingling, itching, numbness or extreme sensitivity in a certain part of the body.

A red rash with fluid-filled blisters that begins a few days after the pain.

Fever
Headache
Chills
Upset stomach

Typically, the shingles rash occurs on only one side of the body. It often appears as a band of blisters that wraps from the middle of your back around one side of your chest to your breastbone, following the path of the nerve where the virus had been dormant.

Sometimes, the shingles rash occurs around one eye or on one side of the neck or face. Treatment is especially important when a rash develops near your eyes. An untreated rash in this area could lead to an infection of your cornea, which may cause temporary or permanent blindness.

Although the shingles rash may resemble chickenpox, the virus typically causes more pain and less itching the second time around.

Until the shingles blister scab over, avoid physical contact with:

Anyone who's never had chickenpox.

Anyone who has a weak immune system

Newborns

Pregnant women (A chickenpox infection can be dangerous for a developing baby.)

If you develop shingles, take good care of yourself: Keep the affected area clean. Apply cool, wet compresses to relieve pain. Get plenty of rest.

info courtesy of Mayo Clinic.com and Novartis website

This is a re-post done especially for someone I love

Mimi

Working Women

2009-01-05T04:56:00.001-05:00

The Ideal work (Job) for a woman is to be a Home Maker, and a "stay at home" mom. But life does not always turn out in such a way to make that possible. In my own life I have had to work in a job outside the home most of my married life...

I have two very wise daughters and one of them gave me a little book of "Encouragement for the Workplace" back in 1998 when I was feeling somewhat overwhelmed with the position I had (working with a Nursing Home Chain) at that time. Through the years since that time I have referred many times to the little book when I needed encouragement.

It reminds me that God is the real "Corporate Giant." He is also the perfect boss because He is always available, He listens, He gives direction, and He supplies all of our needs. So, before we try to take on the corporation all by ourselves, consult with the Boss on High.

MORNING

PRAYER

I come to You this morning, Father in the name of Jesus, to thank You first for the job that You have provided. I pray that I will do my work diligently because that is what gives You joy. I anxiously await the tasks before me today with a disire to perform them well.

Amen

When we perform the work God has given us, it is rewarding to us and others in ways we don't often see.

There is no need to feel inadequate for the work God has given you because He has given you the strength and power you need to complete the task.

Your attitude toward work will dictate your productivity and feelings. Have the attitude of a fruitful servant ready to produce good work.

Approach every task as if God Himself asked you personally to do the job.

No matter how small or large the project, approach it with the same level of importance. Everything we do is seen by God. Don't let Him see laziness, half-hearted efforts, and sloppiness.

When you feel that there is just not enough time to do what you have to do, let God's love and power move through you to renew and strengthen you.

For every task, someone has to do it-- what makes you above doing any task? Even when the work appears unappealing, know that God is with you and do it to please Him.

Remember, He sent that task for you to handle.

Don't you suppose that the women were the ones who gathered the Manna that God provided each morning during the years the children of Isreal wondered in the desert?

Whether we are working in the home or in the workplace, God expects us to do our best and work with a willing heart.

My prayer is that I can please God in all that I do, all that I say, and all that I think

imaages courtesy of all posters

I Looked

2009-01-02T05:00:00.002-05:00

I looked upon a farm one day,
That once I used to own;
The barn had fallen to the ground,
The fields were overgrown.
the house in which my children grew,
Where we lived for years-

I turned to see it broken down,
And brushed aside the tears.

Abandoned, Overgrown House

I looked upon my soul one day,
To find it too had grown
With thorns and nettles everywhere,
The seeds neglect had sown.

Hand over Brush
The years had passed while I had cared
For things of lesser worth:

The things of Heaven I let go
While minding things of earth.

To Christ I turned with bitter tears,
And cried, "O Lord, forgive!

Elderly woman sitting alone by open window

I haven't much time left for Thee,
not many years to live."

The wasted years forever gone,
The days I can't recall;

Christ Showing the Way

If I could live those days again,

I'd make Him Lord of all.

Theodore W. Brennan

images:
courtesy of all posters

Make Him Lord of Your Life
Mimi

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T04:47:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year, Waking up the Moon

As we ring out the old year and ring in the New
I pray that each and every one of you
have a wonderful year 2009!

Many of us have some real challenges facing us in the coming year...

But we can know that God will be with us and will walk with us and hold our hand
through each obstacle and challenge that we may face during the year
2009

For I, the Lord thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. (Isaiah 41:13)

Happy New Year!!

Mimi

Looking Back......Looking Ahead

2008-12-30T15:06:00.001-05:00

Fork in Road

How easy it is to live with You, Oh Lord.
How easy to believe in You.
When my spirit is overwhelmed within me,
When even the keenest see no further than the night,
And know not what to do tomorrow,
You bestow on me the certitude
That You exist and are mindful of me,
That all the paths of righteousness are not barred.

As I ascend into the hill of earthly glory,
I turn back and gaze, astonished, on the road
That led me here beyond despair,
'Where I too may reflect your radiance upon mankind.

All that I may reflect, You shall accord me,
And appoint others where I shall fail.

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Born in 1918, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn received his training in science. Drafted into the Soviet Red Army in 1941, he was arrested and sent to prison in Siberia in 1945 for criticizing Stalin in a letter to a friend. He became internationally known in 1962 for his novel, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich.
In 1970, he won the Nobel Prize for literature, but the Soviet government refused to allow him to accept it. Forced into exile four years later, he lived in seclusion in the United States. The collapse of the Soviet Union eventually made it possible for him to return to Russia in 1994.

Blessings, Mimi

image allposters

A Gift of Obedience

2008-12-26T05:30:00.001-05:00

Children Laugh as They Lay in Wrapping Paper from Christmas PresentsJesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching." (John 14:23)

There was a family who decided one year to start a tradition of their own at Christmastime.

After all the shiny paper had been ripped off of the new toys, jewelry, and clothes, they would sit down as a family and begin the most important part of the day--sharing with each other what gift they would give to Jesus.

The process of deciding what to offer the Lord began several days before Christmas so that each family member could reflect on the past year and determine what they thought needed to be laid at God's feet.

When it came time to reveal their individual gifts to the Lord, they realized all the gifts had one thing in common; whether they offered their time, talents, money, or love, everything was a gift of obedience.

This tradition quickly became the most precious part of the season to them.

Christmas Day may be over, but it's not too late to give a gift to Jesus. Take a moment to reflect on your life and ask God of there is something He would have you give over to Him.

No matter what you are led to lay down, you will be giving God the gift of your obedience.

Heavenly Father, my gift to You doesn't come wrapped in a bow; it is out of obedience and not out of show.

Turning point by Dr. Jeremiah

all posters

For This I Have Jesus

2008-12-22T05:30:00.002-05:00

Flag Iris in Bloom at Rue Point Near Ruins of Coastguard Station, Rathin Island, Northern Ireland

Many years ago in a small church in Ireland a message was given in which the minister said that Jesus' words
"Abide in me, and I in you,"

mean to simply say in every circumstance,

"For this I Have Jesus,"
and Jesus will say, "For This You Have Me."

While he was speaking, a telegram was delivered to the young pianist. It read:
"Mother very ill, take first train home."

At the conclusion of the message she shared the telegram , and she added:

"I have never traveled alone, but, 'For This I Have Jesus.'
I must take a midnight train, but, 'For This I Have Jesus.'
I must cross the channel and make connections on the other side, but, 'For This I Have Jesus.' Then I take a long train trip to the south of England, but 'For This,' and all the suspense along the way, "I Have Jesus'."

As she spoke these words, one could see the Light of Heaven upon her face.

Several weeks later a letter came from her which was a song of praise. She wrote, "As I traveled that long sorrowful journey, I continued to say, 'For This I Have Jesus,' and He answered, 'For This You Have Me.'

"As I reached home my sister fell sobbing on my shoulder saying, 'Oh, if you had come ten minutes sooner you would have seen Mother who so longed to see you.' Instantly I looked up and said, 'For This I Have Jesus,' and He came between me and my sorrow, and vain regrets had no power over me.

We had never had a death or funeral in our family, and they all depended on me for every decision. Acknowledging my ignorance I said softly, 'For This I Have Jesus', and He gave me His wisdom for every detail. There was also His perfect peace for all legal matters that needed attention.

"Now life has become joyous and victorious as in every circumstance I continue to say, 'For This I have Jesus'."

What is the circumstance in your life today that is beyond your control?

Is it sorrow, sickness, suffering, fear, unsaved relatives, disappointment, discouragement, guidance, finances, misunderstand, or another trial?

You, also, can look into His face and say, "For This I Have Jesus," and He will say, "For This You Have Me."

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? (Luke 12:27, 28)

all posters image

Gifts I'd Leave You

2008-12-20T11:59:00.005-05:00

The Christmas Tree

The gifts I'd leave beneath your tree
Aren't those that you can touch nor see,
not wrapped in Christmas tissue gay,
But gifts to bless you every day.

The gift of friendship, warm and true,
Is one that I would leave for you.
Good health and happiness and cheer
To keep you smiling through the year.

The gift of peace that comes from God,
With prayer to guide each path you trod,
And when you heart has lost its song,
The gift of hope to cheer you on.

The are the gifts I'd leave for you'
To bring you joy your whole life through.

Kay Hoffman

Georgia's Porch Swing

All the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.
(Numbers 14:21)

Merry Christmas
Love, Mimi

The Burro

2008-12-17T15:09:00.005-05:00

Silhouetted Man Leads a Donkey Bearing a Pregnant Woman,
Reminiscent of Joseph and Mary, Israel

Did the little burro know
He carried a Prince unborn?

The town was far away --
The road was dusty and worn.
The little burro was patient;
His burden was not light.

Joseph led the way
'Til Bethlehem was in sight.

View of Bethlehem,

The burro followed the lantern
As the innkeeper showed the way.

The little animal lay to rest
Near Mary in the hay.

The burro closed his eyes
Until he heard a cry --
'Twas a joyous sound of glory
From angels in the sky.

What secret was the burro's
As he trudged on tired and worn?

He knew he carried salvation
In the Prince of Peace unborn.

Bertha Latta Treling
All Posters

Mimi

The Perfect Gift!

2008-12-13T08:37:00.004-05:00

Christmas Gift with Gold Ribbon and Pinecones
You would like to receive The Perfect Gift...
You would like to give The Perfect Gift..

You read the ads; you page through the catalogs.
Unfortunately, there is no perfect gift--at least not in any store.

There is a gift that gives more happiness than any other gift.
It is a gift that endures through the worst of times.
It is a gift that has meaning for every age and in every situation.

This gift is a personal relationship with Jesus, the only Son of God.

This gift is free because Jesus paid the price to offer us this relationship.

Isaiah 53:5 says of Jesus: "He was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed."

This gift is the reason Christmas is celebrated.

If you know Jesus, telling others about Him is the greatest gift you can give them.

If you do not know Jesus, take a few minutes in this busy season to think about the perfect gift -- a personal relationship with Jesus.

Jesus loves you and cares about you. "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

Leo Tolstoy the Russian Novelist Embracing Jesus

Jesus wants a personal relationship with you.
You can have this relationship by confessing your sins, turning from your selfish way and asking Jesus to come into your life.

He never turns away those who seek him.

But don't stop with knowing about Jesus. Ask him into your life.

Tell others about Him..He is the perfect gift.

Pictures courtesy of all posters

Mimi

May the Star You Wish Upon

2008-12-09T18:18:00.005-05:00

Peace on Earth, Star

May the star you wish upon tonight
Lead to Bethlehem,
Where pilgrims throughout the ages
Have come to worship Him.

Although the manger's empty now,
We celebrate His birth,
For Christ was the greatest gift
Ever given on earth!

May the star you wish upon tonight
Fill your heart with love
And shower you with blessings
From Heaven high above.

May He whose birth we celebrate
Draw near to you tonight
As you gather with your loved ones
And sing by candlelight.

View of Candles and a Christmas Tree Through a Window

May the star you wish upon tonight
Bring the peace you desire
As you retell the Christmas story
Beside an open fire.

May every heart prepare Him room
And pause to worship Him...

May the star you wish upon tonight
Lead you to Bethlehem!

Clay Harrison

Shepherds Watch Their Flocks Under the Light from a Distant Star near Bethlehem, Israel

Merry Christmas
Mimi

CHRISTMAS

2008-12-08T05:44:00.000-05:00

Plum Pudding Served for a Frontier Family's Christmas Dinner, 1800s

There's nothing quite like Christmas!
The fragrance, sights and sounds,
Where love for friends and neighbors
Just ev'rywhere abounds.
There's cookies in the oven--
Cranberries and the turkey,
With pudding, pie and more!
The tinsel and the garland's
Reflecting in the light,
And brightly ribboned presents
Are keeping secrets tight.
The flicker of the candles
makes shadows on the wall
Where distant fam'ly members
Will gather, one and all.

Neighbors Celebrating Christmas Eve with a Sleigh Ride, 1800s
An echo of the sleigh bells
Just seems to fill the air;
The sparkle of the snowflakes
Is one of beauty rare.

There's mistletoe and holly
And Christmas angels, too,
The village church is open...
Its bell is calling you.
Christ really is the reason
We celebrate today...
We enter in to worship
In our own quiet way.

Church in the Snow at Christmas

The singing of the carols
Brings joy to ev'ry heart...
Majestically, the organ
Chimes in to do its part.
That warm and special feeling
When Christmastime is here,
Should be a part of living
Each day throughout the year!

Anna M. Matthews
all posters

Merry Christmas
Love, Mimi

For a Very Special Granddaughter

2008-12-06T01:00:00.000-05:00

"What Joy it brings
to know
the caring touch
of a granddaughter's
hand...
The happy smile
on a granddaughter's
face....
The gentle love
in a granddaughter's
heart."

Granddaughters are meant
for grandparents to love,
To think about often,
and feel so proud of---

That's why this brings love
and warm wishes to you
For a wonderful day
and a happy year, too!

this is the big number 13!!!

Happy Birthday Brittany
Love, Mimi and Papaw

This Most Special Night

2008-12-04T19:03:00.000-05:00

Soft is the sound of a donkey's hoofed-feet
As slowly it's led down a Bethlehem street,
For the burden it bears is a young, pregnant wife
Who carries within her the glorious life
Of a Child to be born this most special night,
And a great star is casting its radiant light
To brighten their way to a neighboring inn
Where the voices of guests can be heard from within!

Joseph Leading Mary on Donkey

But the innkeeper says he must turn them away,
Suggesting a stable as a place they can stay,
So Mary and Joseph wait there in the gloom
'Til Jesus is born in this cold, rustic room...
And laid in a manger, surrounded by sheep
Who are puzzled, no doubt, by the company they keep;

Arrival of Shepherds to See the Baby Jesus in the Stable

And it seems such a poor, inappropriate thing--
This manger that cradles a newly-born King!

Yet tonight the whole earth becomes His birthplace,
For the billowing seas foam to pillows of lace;
The valleys and meadows His cradle enfold
And the hillsides form coverlets, emerald and gold!

Starry Night

The murmuring streams sing His sweet lullabies
And His robes are white clouds and the blue velvet skies;
While the angels rejoice in the heavens above

Heilige Nacht

As the Father smiles down on His Son with love!

John C. Bonser

pictures courtesy of all posters

The Runaway

2008-12-02T06:37:00.000-05:00

A special post for "Inquiring Minds"

Once when the snow of the year was beginning to fall,
We stopped by a mountain pasture to say, "Whose colt?"

Colt

A little Morgan had one forefoot on the wall,
The other curled at his breast. He dipped his head
And snorted at us. And then he had to bolt.

We heard the miniature thunder where he fled,
And we saw him, or thought we saw him, dim and grey
Like a shadow against the curtain of falling flakes.
"I think the little fellow's afraid of the snow.

Running Through Snow

He isn't winter-broken. It isn't play
With the little fellow at all. He's running away.
I doubt if even his mother could tell hem, 'Sakes,
It's only weather.' He'd think she didn't know!

Where is his mother? He can't be out alone."
And now he comes again with clatter of stone,
And mounts the wall again with whited eyes
And all his tail that isn't hair up straight.

Brown Mare and Fowl

He shudders his coat as if to throw off flies.
"Whoever it is that leaves him out so late,
When other creatures have gone to stall and bin,
Ought to be told to come and take him in."

--Robert Frost

Thoughts for the Inquiring Minds:

Why was the colt running away?

What kind of horse is a Morgan?

Where did the name come from?

Morgan Horse, Running Montana

Exercise your brain
Love Mimi

The Spirit of Thanksgiving

2008-11-24T05:00:00.000-05:00

Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
(Matthew 6:8)

Half the Pilgrims died during their first winter at Plymouth.

Pilgrims at Plymouth The onset of spring found them wondering if any of them would survive, but that's when a miracle of God's providence occurred. On a Friday in March, as the men gathered for military training, a cry went up: "Indian coming!" Everyone gathered around the young man.

Suddenly he boomed in near-perfect English, "Welcome!" His name was Samoset.

Samoset, the Indian Visitor, from "Harper's Monthly," 1857

Shortly thereafter, Samoset introduced the Pilgrims to another Indian, Squanto, who was a godsend for the settlers.

Squanto taught them how to catch eels, plant corn in the Indian way, and survive in the wilderness by stalking deer, refining maple syrup, using herbs for medicine, and trading beaver pelts. Without him, Plymouth Colony might not have survived; and that's why, at the end of the growing season, the Pilgrims and Indians celebrated Thanksgiving.

The heavenly Father knows our needs before we ask; and at unexpected moments, He sends just the right person or provision to help us. That's why every day is Thanksgiving for Christians.

Just when I need Him, Jesus is near.... Ready to help me,. ready to cheer.(William Poole)

Turning point by Dr. David Jeremiah
images courtesy of All Posters

With Love,
Mimi

The Indian's Welcome to the Pilgrim Fathers

2008-11-21T19:00:00.001-05:00

Above them spread a stranger sky;
Around, the sterile plain;
The rock-bound coast rose frowning nigh;
Beyond, -- the wrathful main:
Chill remnants of a wintry snow
Still chok'd the encumbered soil,
Yet forth those Pilgrim Fathers go
To mark their future toil.

The Landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, Massachusetts, December 22nd 1620 by Currier & Ives
'Mid yonder vale their corn must rise
In Summer's ripening pride,
And there the church-spire woo the skies
Its sister-school beside.
Perchance 'mid England's velvet greet
Some tender thought repos'd
Though nought upon their stoic mien
Such soft regret disclos'd
Abandoned School House in the Palouse, Washington, USA
When sudden from the forest wide
A red-browed chieftain came,
With towering form, and haughty stride,
And eye like kindling flame:
No wrath he breath'd, no conflict sought,
To no dark ambush drew,
But simply to the Old World brought
The welcome of the New.

Eyes of the Blackfoot

That welcome was a blast and ban
Upon thy race unborn.
Was there no seer, thou fated Man!
Thy lavish Zeal to warn?
Thou in thy fearless faith didst hail
A weak, invading band,
But who shall heed thy children's wail
Swept from their native land?

Thou gav'st the riches of thy streams,
The lordship o'er thy waves,
The region of thine infant dreams
And of thy fathers' graves,
But who to you proud mansions piled
With wealth of earth and sea,
Poor outcast from thy forest wild,
Say, who shall welcome thee?

Valley View of El Capitan, Cathedral Rock, Merced River in Yosemite National Park, California, USA

Lydia Huntley Sigourney (1835)

Lydia Huntley Sigourney 1791-1865) As the first and most popular woman poet of the early nineteenth century, Lydia Huntley Sigourney had, in her time, the single greatest influence on the craft of women poets and their image as artists. Sigourney was born Sept. 1, 1791 in Norwich, Connecticut. Although the daughter of a poor gardener--she knew genteel poverty as did many early nineteenth-century women poets--Sigourney received an education and introduction to poetry from the wife of her father's employer. Developing an early interest in history, she offered a traditional male curriculum at a Hartford women's school that she began in 1814 and ran for four years. Her first book, Moral Pieces, in Prose and Verse (1815), came out under her name; thereafter, she published anonymously at her husband's insistence until his banking and hardware business declined. Taking over the family finances, Sigourney began publishing in her own name again in 1833. Her 1834 Poems, cited by Emily Stipes Watts as her best collection, had many reprintings. While Sigourney fulfilled the stereotype of the profuse, amateurish woman writer, she also earned the stature of a serious artist. In 1849, her Illustrated Poems appeared in a series that included Longfellow and Bryant. Writing for a half century, Sigourney produced fifty-six volumes of poetry and prose and some two thousand articles that made her ubiquitous in the magazines of the day. She died on June 10, 1865 in Hartford, Connecticut, one of the most well-known writers in America.

images courtesy of All Posters

(P.S. this was originally posted last November...and I just re-cycled it!!!)

I WISH FOR YOU ALL A VERY BLESSED AND PEACEFUL THANKSGIVING WITH YOUR FAMILIES!!!
MIMI

The Secret Compartment

2008-11-19T06:51:00.006-05:00

James Monroe

In 1794, James Monroe, who later would become America's fifth president, purchased a Louis XVI desk containing a secret compartment that no one but the owner knew about.

Louis XV Writing Desk

Many years later, in 1906, one of Monroe's descendants (a child) damaged the desk. It was taken to a cabinetmaker, and the secret compartment was discovered.

It contained priceless documents, including letters from

Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.

In one of the letters, Jefferson had written: "How little do my countrymen know what precious blessing they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy."

That's a secret that also resides in the secret compartment of the Christian's heart.
Every day our cups overflow.
Every day we're recipients of one blessing after another.
Every morning we see new mercies and rediscover God's great faithfulness.

Cornucopia

Don't keep thanksgiving a secret.
Find opportunities today to be grateful.
Take the most optimistic view of things.
Look up with a smile and trust Almighty God and His Word.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

"For these blessings we owe Almighty God, from whom we derive them, and with profound reverence, our most grateful and unceasing acknowledgments."

James Monroe

The Lord lives!... Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles and sing praises to your name. (2 Samuel 22:45, 50)

courtesy of:'
all posters,
Dr. David Jeremiah

Happy Thanksgiving
Mimi

Down But Not Out

2008-11-18T05:29:00.005-05:00

In handling our failures it is necessary that we recognize that failures can prepare the way for true success.

No life illustrates this better than Abraham Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of The United States of America

A list of Lincoln's failures and disappointments reads:

Lost his job -- 1832
Defeated for legislature -- 1832
Failed in business -- 1833
Elected to Legislature -- 1834
Sweetheart died -- 1835
Had nervous breakdown -- 1836
Defeated for Speaker -- 1838
Defeated for nomination for Congress -- 1843
Elected to Congress -- 1846
Lost Renomination -- 1848
Rejected for Land Officer -- 1849
Defeated for Senate -- 1854
Defeated for Nomination for Vice President -- 1856
Again defeated for Senate -- 1858
Elected President -- 1860

In the light of this listing of failures it is apparent that the saving and redemptive feature of Lincoln's live was his unswerving faith that God had something or him to do.

Our God is the God of the second chance.
God never writes us off when, with honest obedience,
we seek to live our lives.
There is no such thing to the obedient Christian as being
"down and out."

It is helpful to note that our Lord himself failed.

He did not win Judas.

He did not dissuade the judges.

He had few friends.

But look at the issue today.

At the time our Lord lived the most objective historian would have judged him an abject failure. But today, wherever the sun rises and sets, there are millions of people who call Jesus Lord.

Jesus
A person needs spiritual eyesight so as not to judge success and failure by the appearance of the moment.

Rather, let the person be true to the principles, to the teachings and way of the living Christ. And, if by such faithfulness at a given moment, it appears that failure is the verdict, let our faith stabilize us by reminding us that no man who is good, no man who is obedient to Christ, ever fails.

Let us so think, so work, and so act that no matter what the human verdict may be,
we may have ringing in our ears the words of our Lord Jesus Christ,

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

Homecoming
courtesy of all posters
j.herbert Gilmore, jr
Devotions for the home

Mimi

From Prison to Paradise

2008-11-15T18:11:00.005-05:00

You may or may not be on death row,
but there is something you need to know.

Window with Prison Bars in Brick Wall

Jesus was on death row once--for about an hour.
The authorities didn't put him in prison first....
they just brought him from judge to execution.

No gas chamber or lethal injection.
Instead, a beating that ripped the flesh off his back.

Then they forced him to carry his own cross to the town dump.

Jesus Alone on the Cross

After hammering nails through his wrists and feet, they hung him on a post till he was dead.
It took about 3 hours.

They crucified two other prisoners that day.
Both were thieves.
One, angry and hostile, mocked Jesus.

The other, repentant, saw that Jesus hadn't deserved this horrid death.

He told the other prisoner:

"We deserve this--He doesn't."

and turning to Jesus he said: "Please remember me..."

No time for making things right.
No time to go back and fix up the lives he messed up.
No time to visit church, or get baptized --
just simple belief in Jesus: "Jesus remember me."

Than Jesus did an amazing thing.

He forgave the repentant prisoner and welcomed him into heaven and eternal life.
Jesus said to him: "Today, you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)

Jesus has a word for you today!

"For God so loved the world
that he gave his only begotten Son
that whoever believes in Him
should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

Jesus paved the road for you to connect with God.

The Way Home
He offers forgiveness and new life no matter where you've been --
or what you've done --
or where you are.

You can make Jesus Christ Savior and Lord of your life
by simply praying a simple prayer:

"I'm sorry for my past life. Jesus, remember me."

courtesy of all posters,
the tract league

Mimi

Adventures of Isabel

2008-11-11T11:29:00.005-05:00

Isabel met an enormous bear;
Isabel, Isabel, didn't care.

The bear was hungry, the bear was ravenous,
The bear's big mouth was cruel and cavernous.
The bear said, "Isabel, glad to meet you,
How do, Isabel, now I'll eat you"!
Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry;
Isabel didn't scream or scurry.
She washed her hands and she straightened her hair up,
Then Isabel quietly ate the bear up.

Once on a night as black as pitch
Isabel met a wicked old witch.

The witch's face was cross and wrinkled,
The witch's gums with teeth were sprinkled.
Ho, ho, Isabel! the old witch crowed,
I'll turn you into an ugly toad!
Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry;
Isabel didn't scream or scurry.
She showed no rage and she showed no rancor,
But she turned the witch into milk and drank her.

Isabel met a hideous giant,
Isabel continued self-reliant.

The giant was hairy, the giant was horrid,
He had one eye in the middle of his forehead.
"Good morning, Isabel," the giant said,
"I'll grind your bones to make my bread."
Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry;
Isabel didn't scream or scurry.
She Nibbled the zwieback that she always fed off,
And when it was gone, she cut the giant's head off.

Isabel met a troublesome doctor,
He punched and poked till he really shocked her.

The doctor's talk was of coughs and chills,
And the doctor's satchel bulged with pills.
The doctor said unto Isabel,
Swallow this, it will make you well.
Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry;
Isabel didn't scream or scurry.
She took those pills from the pill-concocter,
And Isabel calmly cured the doctor.

--Ogden Nash

Where do you think Isabel's adventures took place? Was it in her neighborhood, in her imagination, or in the poet's mind? Can you recall making up gruesome stories as a child? From the nature of her adventures, what three well-known children's stories do you think Isabel, or the poet, may have read?

pictures courtesy of all posters.

lesson for the day,
Mimi

Top Ten Predictions for 2009

2008-11-02T08:20:00.006-05:00

No matter who wins the Election

1. The bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still work.

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost.

ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS STILL IN CONTROL!!!

Mimi

What is That in Your Hand?

2008-10-21T06:28:00.002-04:00

Moses didn't have much--a handful of sheep on the slopes of a blistered mountain.

He also had eighty years of memories, some of them sad and regretful. He had some clothes, a family, a wise father-in-law, a tent in the desert.
That's about it.

O yes, he had a staff.

Moses Forbids the People to Follow Him
So the Lord said to him, "What is that in your hand?"

He said, "A rod."

He'd probably found a broken branch from some sturdy tree, maybe six or seven feet long and reasonably straight. He'd seasoned and smoothed it to become his walking cane; plus it was useful in herding sheep and warding off predators. But it was quite ordinary -- just a rod.

On rugged Mount Horeb that day, as Moses argued with the Lord about his inadequacies, for the mission being assigned him, God asked a simple question:

"What is that in your hand?"

It was a broken branch, a piece of dead wood, a rod. But the lord wanted it, and the Lord touched it, and the Lord used it to baffle the magicians of Egypt, to turn the Nile to blood, to part the waters of the Red Sea,

Moses Crossing the Red Sea
create streams in the desert, and to deliver His people again and again.

Moses in the Wilderness

What is that in your hand?

Reading an Old Bible During a Service

Little is much if God is in it.

Barbara Fairchild
Dr. David Jeremiah
all posters

Can God use what is in your hand?
Mimi

Religion and Doctrine

2008-10-14T18:00:00.006-04:00

The Great Sanhedrin
He stood before the Sanhedrin;
The scowling rabbis gazed at him.
He recked not of their praise or blame;
There was no fear, there was no shame,
For one upon whose dazzled eyes
The whole world poured its vast surprise,
The oped heaven was far too near,
His first day's light too sweet and clear,
To let him waste his new-gained ken
On the hate-clouded face of men.

But still they questioned, Who are thou?
What hast thou been? What art thou now?
Thou art not he who yesterday
Sat here and begged beside the way;
For he was blind.

--And I am he; For I was blind, but now I see.

He told the story o'er and O'er;
it was his full heart's only lore:
A prophet on the Sabbath-day
Had touched his sightless eyes with clay,
And made him see who had been blind.
Their words passed by him like the wind,
Which raves and howls, but cannot shock
The hundred-fathom-rooted rock.

Their threats and fury all went wide;
They could not touch his Hebrew pride.
Their sneers at Jesus and His band,
Nameless and homeless in the land,
Their boasts of Moses and his Lord,
All could not change him by one word.

I know not what this man may be,
Sinner or saint; but as for me,
One thing I know,--that I am he
Who once was blind, and now I see.

They were all doctors of renown,
The great men of a famous town,
With deep brows, wrinkled, broad, and wise,
Beneath their wide phylacteries;
The wisdom of the East was theirs,
And honor crowned their silver hairs.
The man they jeered and laughed to scorn
Was unlearned, poor, and humbly born;
But he knew better far than they
What came to him that Sabbath-day;
and what the Christ had done for him
He knew, and not the Sanhedrin.

John Hay (1890)

Sanhedrin were members of the highest judicial and ecclesiastical council of the ancient Jewish nation. That council was composed of from seventy to seventy-two members.

Lighthouse in the Night

2008-10-10T04:30:00.001-04:00

The sky a black sphere,
the sea a black disk.

The lighthouse opens
its solar fan on the coast.

Spinning endlessly at night,
whom is it searching for

when the mortal heart
looks for me in my chest?

Look at the black rock
where it is nailed down.

A crow digs endlessly
but no longer bleeds.

Alfonsina Storni

Alfonsina Storni (1891-1938) was born in Sala Capriasca, Switzerland, of Italian-Swiss parents. She lived in Argentina from the age of four. After the death of her father, she held various jobs to help support her family, and worked as an actress, touring Argentina for a year. She received a teacher's diploma in 1910 and taught elementary school in San Juan, Argentina. During this year she published her first poems, and at the end of the school term, moved to Buenos Aires. In 1912 her illegitimate son was born. She supported herself and her son in Buenos Aires as a journalist and held teaching positions in state schools. She was awarded various prized and in 1923 was named professor of literature at the Normal School of Modern Languages.

In 1935 she underwent cancer surgery for a breast tumor. In 1938 the cancer recurred and on October 25 Alfonsina Storni drowned herself in the ocean at Mar del Plata.

Mimi

A Grandson Is So Many Things

2008-10-08T05:00:00.001-04:00

A grandson, when he's little,
is a whirlwind of delight,
with endless energy all day
and trusting prayers at night.

That's only the beginning
as he makes the world his own
with personality and style
that's his and his alone.

The knowledge he acquires,
the lessons that he learns,
the faith that he embraces,
the deep respect he earns--

all these are lifelong values
for whatever he may face,
a source of inspiration
and expressions of God's grace

Happy Birthday to Reid

Who has created so many happy memories
and so much hope for the future.

We Love You,
Grammie and Papaw

Sharing A Life

2008-10-06T05:30:00.001-04:00

Sharing a life sounds easy,

But it means

sharing everything else, too.....

The good with the bad,

The bitter with the sweet....

L O V E

That's Life.........That's Love..........That's the two of you

Happy Anniversary
Pam And Dave

Grandma's Hands

2008-10-02T06:00:00.004-04:00

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench.

She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.

When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my
presence, and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her,
but wanting to check on her at the same time.
I asked her if she was OK.
She raised her head and looked at me and smiled.
"Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking."
she said in a clear strong voice.

"I didn't mean to disturb you, Grandma,
but you were just sitting here staring at your hands
and I wanted to make sure you were OK."
I explained to her.

"Have you ever looked at your hands?"
she asked.
"I mean really looked at your hands?"

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them.
I turned them over, palms up and then palms down.
No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands,
as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story:

"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have,
how they have served you well throughout your years.
These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak
have been the tools I have used all my life
to reach out and grab and embrace life.

They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed
upon the floor.
They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back.

As a child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer.
They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots.

They held my husband and wiped my tears, when he went off to war.
They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent.
They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn daughter.

Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I
was married and loved someone special

They wrote my letters to him
and trembled and shook, when I buried my parents and spouse.

They have held my children and grandchildren,
consoled neighbors, shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.

They have covered my face, combed my hair,
and washed and cleansed the rest of my body.

They have been sticky and wet,
bent and broken, dried and raw.
And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well,
these hands hold me up, lay me down,
and again continue to fold in prayer.

These hands are the mark of where I've been
and the ruggedness of life.

But more importantly it will be these hands
that God will reach out and take when he leads me home.

And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ."

I will never look at my hands the same again.
God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home.

When my hands are hurt or sore, or when I stroke the face of my children and husband, I think of Grandma. I know she has been held by the hands of God.

And I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.

Hand of God

pictures
courtesy of all posters

The Warrior

2008-09-29T06:00:00.001-04:00

This morning my thoughts traveled along
to a place in my life where days have long since gone
beholding an image of what I used to be
as visions were stirred, and God spoke to me.

He showed me a warrior, a soldier in place
positioned by Heaven, yet I saw not the face.

Achilles Triumphant

I watched as the warrior fought enemies
that came from the darkness with destruction for me.

I saw as the warrior would dry away tears
as all of heaven's Angels hovered so near.

Huge Host of Angels Descend Through the Clouds in Paradise

I saw many wounds on the warrior's face
yet weapons of warfare were firmly in place.

I felt my heart weeping, my eyes held so much
As God let me feel the warrior's prayer touched.
I thought "how familiar" the words that were prayed
The prayers were like lightning that never would fade.

I said to God,"please, the Warrior's name"
He gave no reply, He chose to refrain.

I asked, "Lord, who is broken that they need such prayer?"
He showed me an image of myself standing there.

Bound by confusion, lost and alone
I felt prayers of the Warrior carry me home
I asked "Please show me Lord, this Warrior so true"

I watched and I wept,

Silhouette of Woman Praying

for Mother...the Warrior -- was you!

Larry S. Clark

Were You There?

2008-09-25T06:00:00.001-04:00

I Was There when they nailed Him to the tree

Jesus Alone on the Cross

Crucifixion was a common means of execution in our day. It was chosen for the worst of criminals because of the slow agonizing death it brought to the victims.

In fact there were two others crucified at the same time as Jesus. I even heard Jesus say to one of these criminals..."Today thou shalt be with me in paradise."

such tender compassion......

and coming from one who was about to die.

Crucifixion at "Way of the Cross Procession"

Yes...... I was there when they nailed Him to the tree...

And I saw the Pain on the countenance of Jesus...

As each heavy nail spike was driven through his hands and feet.

Nailing the Feet

pictures courtesy of all posters