One nation under God,” is what our founders said, But something happened on the way. They now say God is dead. I know our God lives on. He stands at heaven’s gate. And He will bring our nation back from greed, and lies and hate.
Under our pow’r alone, we cannot run the race. He sent His dear Son, Jesus, to die and take our place. Because He is our God, He’ll never let us stray. He holds our hands and leads us into His holy way.
In this new day and age, we strive to do what’s right, We try not to offend; we try with all our might, But when the road is paved with misery and fears, Our hearts must stay with Jesus, to overcome the tears.
God is not dead at all. He lives in you and me, If we remain in Him our conscience will be free, So join your hand with Jesus throughout this earthly life, He’ll give you strength and hope. He’ll take away your strife.
When we turn back to God, His arms are open wide. He doesn’t look at our mistakes, instead He looks inside. So let’s get back to basics and remember who we are. Though life may change, our God remains, He’s carried us this far. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
We’re surrounded on all sides by danger. It seems to be our constant companion these days. If we go beyond our homes and venture into the unknown, if we take a step out of our comfort zone, if we let our fears over take us, we’re suddenly submitting to the dark side.
So what’s the solution to this constant cloud that hangs over us? We could hold ourselves captive by confining ourselves to the safety of our homes. It would seem the smart thing to do, but if you’re my age and have issues moving with ease, you could fall and injure yourself or simply spend your life in the peace and quiet of the couch – which you could easily fall off of and wind up with a broken limb.
Danger doesn’t have any limits. It can seek us out where ever we are and in a blink of an eye our situation is changed. I’ve had a few dangerous situations in my life. There was the time I was faced with a gun pointing at my head as two thieves robbed the place I worked. I gone into shock during a routine surgery and had an out of body experience. I’ve experienced danger every day of my existence, but knowing that I’ve been covered with God’s protection has given me the armor I need to survive.
That doesn’t mean I will throw caution to the wind or live foolishly. Although I’ve often done that too and am met with even more dangerous situations. My husband was once on a painting adventure in a thickly wooded area on the Mississippi River. He was approached from behind by a vagrant. He turned to face the man. The fellow looked at his face. It was apparent that he saw something more than an elderly man. He ran off in great fear. Paul says he would like to see what that man saw, but he knows that his guardian angel is fierce.
We do have protecting angels and I know from personal experience that mine must look like a mess by now. Those dear angels have had an arduous journey as my protectors, but not only are there the few that look after me, but a whole army of them have been placed around each one of us. Plus we have access to God through our prayers. I call that the greatest defense against danger anyone can have.
Psalm 34:4 ESV “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”
I’ve been doing this blogging thing for six years now. I started the process of writing a daily article about my walk through life, my faith, aging, humor, politics, opinion, more humor, art and poetry and again more humor. Through this platform, I’ve created a sort of journal of things I face on a daily basis and hopefully my experiences and thoughts can help someone to get through their lives a little easier.
Along the way, I’ve made some very close friends – friend I’ve never met, but feel totally connected to them. Kindred spirits, you might call them, but they’ve become more than that. I consider many as part of my extended family. There’s Julie at Cookie crumbs to live by. Julie is like my younger sister. I love her ability to teach me new things about history and world events. She’s not only smart, but a passionate follower of Christ, a loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother. There’s Mark Rackley at Hatrack4 who is a story teller par excellence. His stories always lead back to his faith in God. The movie producer, Mitch Teemley has shown us his gift as a writer, a performer, humorist, movie maker, husband and father. Insanity Bytes is a favorite too with her feisty opinions and common sense answers for what’s happening in our world. David Kitz and his wonderful interpretation of the Psalms, gives daily comfort. Lady Quixote/Linda and her husband both suffer from PTSD and overcome anxiety with their relationship to God. Oneta Hayes gives us so much wisdom through her life experiences and Citizen Tom is a great resource for political information.
There are so many more in this vast family of writers. Those who share their stories and bring so much to the table. A veritable feast awaits for those who can find time to read all of them. Like our own families, each one is unique. Each one has a special flavor to add to he recipe. Each one has difficulties in their lives and yet they have a positive influence on our lives.
Our church family is like that too. Each one is different. We all have our special gifts and things we can offer to serve our Lord. Some fall away for a time. Some are zealous and show great joy when they worship while others choose to be humble and quiet. Like the human body, we’re made up of all different kinds of parts, working together for a common goal.
If our world began to think that way, I believe we’d be less angry, hateful, negative and be able to solve problems without so much violence. When we realize that each person God has brought into this world is an important part of the whole picture, our vision should become clearer. I hate the phrase, “We’re all in this together,” but we are all bound together by the Creator of the universe. He has a great plan for this family of His. Even in times of chaos, we can count on that.
Robbie’s been in the hospital. She went in to the emergency room late Tuesday night after not feeling well for several weeks. They were going to do emergency surgery. However, they weren’t able to get it scheduled, so it was done Wednesday. She had an incarcerated Ventral Abdominal Wall Hernia. This results when a portion […]
Times haven’t really changed much in the world’s short existence. Since the fall of man there has been a love of self that far surpasses a love for God. We are a selfish people. Not only that, we don’t like people telling us what to do. Maybe that’s why our relationship with God suffers. God’s Word is a reminder of our sin, but isn’t that a necessary element to our salvation.? Surely we don’t deserve His mercy, but He gives it to us anyway with no cost to us.
When history tends to repeat itself, we should learn from it rather than erasing it from the books or tearing down reminders of those events. King Solomon had everything a man could want. He was wealthy beyond compare. He could live the lifestyle he chose. He had many wives, many servants and an abundance of everything his heart desired, but still he felt there was something missing. None of it meant a thing without a hope for the future.
When we look at the world today, we can see many similarities to historical events that covered the sands of time. Each generation has been witness to injustice, lack of freedom, intolerance, wars and rumors of wars, riots, looting, protests and unrest. The destruction caused by severe weather and that created by man’s foolishness and hatred are equally difficult to handle. We haven’t changed much since the world began, but we still have hope for what’s to come when we die.
For the believer there is confidence of a new place, where tears no longer fall and pain doesn’t exist – where there is no hate, no fear, no destruction.
Times change, but they just take on a different face. What was old becomes new again and Solomon’s wisdom regarding this is apparent in his writing in Ecclesiastes. We can’t change the course of human events, but we can determine where we will be once our lives come to an end. God’s kingdom is not of this world. It’s a perfect place that we can look forward to in eternity.
I’m a sucker for musical theatre. There’s nothing like someone bursting into song and dance for no particular reason. Music can ease some of the pain we face each day – whether it be physical or mental. Old Testament, David, was able to soothe King Saul’s troubled mind and body with the sound of the harp. We receive comfort from the old hymns we sing at funerals. Patriotic songs stir feelings within our heart for our country – no matter what’s going on in this horrible year. Songs inspire – excite – calm – bring out our emotional side and give us hope.
Rodgers and Hammerstein created the musical “Oklahoma,” when I was just a young girl of thirteen. It’s been a mainstay at many high school and community theatres for years. Like many other musicals, it’s been done to death, but you simply can’t forget some of the beautiful music that’s come from it. When Gordon MacRae road his horse across the prairie and through the corn, I fell in love for the first time.
Some days we wake to a cloud covered sky, filled with grey and gloomy thoughts. There are times when fog fills the air and it’s hard to see for more than a block or two. When blizzards, tornadoes, hurricanes and other destructive storms take lives and destroy property, we cry for all of it. When the sun is shining and the air is fresh and clean, it seems like nothing can get in the way of our enjoyment.
This year has been filled with all of the above days. We’ve been plummeted with snow, endured high dew points and come through some terrible storms. We’ve been isolated, scared, placed in harms way, seen destruction from the weather along with a movement that believes violence and hate are the only ways to solve their grievances.
It has been a year to erase from the calendar. Many would like to forget it completely, but as bad as it’s been, we have so many positives to take away from it. We’ve seen neighbors helping neighbors rebuild. We’ve seen innovative ways of offering classes to young and old alike. This year has set the medical field on a quest to find a cure for COVID19. Families have grown closer because of the quarantines. We’ve found a different method of worship – which seems foreign to most of us, but we are still able to worship. Out of chaos will come order.
Today, it’s a beautiful morning. The sky is blue, the air is clean and I’m going to spend it outside. When God allows us to sleep through the night and wake to another day, it’s a blessing. Make the most of each one of them.
My first memory of singing in church is a hymn which has stayed with me throughout my life. Every time I sing or hear this hymn, it gives me confidence for the future. The words indicate that I’m just passing through this thing called life. I have a physical place to life, to be nurtured, to love and have compassion for others, but my real home is beyond my years here on earth. Without that conviction, I would be lost. My permanent address is heaven and there are days when I simply can’t wait to get there.
I have trudged through this journey called life for close to eight decades. The voyage has been cluttered with obstacles, bumps in the road, giant roadblocks and danger all around. There were times when I’ve been bruised, cut to the core, insulted, misunderstood and more. As I staggered into unknown territory, my heart raced with excitement. Each breath inhaled was either exhilarating or left me gasping. Never knowing – always searching – bracing for more.
The sands of time embraced me and I grew old, but my heart still longs for the next waiting road.
It will be like nothing I’ve ever experienced in this lifetime. It will take my breath away. There will be no tears, no pain, no anxiety, no fear, no temptation, and no want – only perfection.
The weathered and leathered skin will again be supple and firm. The aching joints will regain their strength and last forever. Any disease that has infected my body will be eliminated. I will appear guiltless before my Judge.
I don’t expect to be floating on a cloud and playing a harp. I’m sure God will still have work for me to do, but everything about it will stir my imagination, give me satisfaction and glorify the one who created me. What an awe inspiring adventure awaits me.
I suppose Albert Einstein did a lot of experimentation before discovering his theory of relativity. This brilliant physicist broke ground in areas never before considered. He was the guy with the goofy hair – the typical mad scientist – a man of many talents.
The quote above speaks to what we’re facing in the world today. We seem likely to follow the same track our forefathers did, not really learning from their mistakes. We’re living in a country of innovative thinkers – those working hard to achieve their goals – being willing to battle against those who would try to change the core values often sticking to old habits over and over again.
We’re also living in a time of extreme change. Our lives have been upended by a germ – a fancy little bacteria that moves like lightening through unsuspecting recipients. We’ve become depressed, lonely, frightened, abandoned and lost. We take chances by going out the door. This isn’t the America we used to know. We want to go back to normal, but no one seems to know what that is.
We’ve also adapted to new ways of communicating. We’re willing to do so in order to retain our sanity and our connection to one another. We’re even growing accustomed to violence in our streets and destruction of other people’s property and livelihood. The bad guys have become the vigilantes, seeking justice, while those in charge of enforcing the law have become the enemy.
Last night my husband was awakened several times by the sound of sirens speeding towards Minneapolis. When we woke this morning there was news of another uprising in the downtown area. All of the details of the event have not yet been released, but the event resulted in more looting and violence in a city that’s trying desperately to rebound from past events of this nature.
Change is good and often necessary. I don’t believe in breaking the law to accomplish those changes. I’m afraid that we’re returning to the old west way of living. Our heads are swimming with unrest and discontent.. We’re in the midst of a mudslinger political scene. We aren’t sure what tomorrow will bring. Our hope in the future seems to be taking a hike. What do we do?
I’ve said this before and sometimes, like the rest of you, I wonder where God is in all this. It seems that He’s deserted us and yet He is there. We must never lose sight of that fact. He is always there and He never changes. Everything that happens to us has already been planned out and it’s all for our good. Keep your eyes focused on Him.
(It always puzzles me how so many of the gigantic birds are able to lift their heavy bodies to the skies. Even when their mouths are filled with breakfast and the aerodynamics seem impossible, they find the current in the wind and are lifted to heights unknown. What a great Creator God we have.)
This place that we have loved, this lonely withered space,
Has faltered with the winter snows and cannot rise again,
Without that inner life, that comes from heaven’s place,
Our lives will be diminished and scorned as dead terrain,
Within the ashen colors, inside the lifeless trees,
The damage has been sown, there is no longer gain,
Tempests are replaced with a quiet gentle breeze,
Though life has been drained from it, the fight will not be lost,
The battles will remain, but victory has a cost,
The precious blood of Jesus has paid for every sin,
And wrapped us with the will to live and new life to begin.
Our loss in life will be our gain, when to the end we come,
When we decrease we will increase, God’s plan than will be done.
When I was in elementary school, my underwear had the day of the week printed on it.
2020 will be remembered as the year of the mask when it comes to going back to school. Those “first day pictures” are already showing up on social media. The typical photo of our child or children in their first day of school clothes, standing in front of the house will now have an additional component – the mask.
It should be interesting to see how long kids will comply with this latest of mandates. They’ll probably do a lot better than their aging counterparts – grandparents and parents. While we complain about not being able to breathe, they will be coming up with new ways to add logos and creative colors and designs to impress their friends. It will become the back to school trend of the century.
I believe our kids are resilient and they will adapt to this new normal. They’re eager to get back to the routine of school and the structure it demands. Whether they’re learning in person or online, they will have a schedule to keep them on track. The social aspect of this ritual is also much needed.
The first day of school is always filled with anticipation. New clothes and shoes are purchased and worn for the first time. School supplies are packed into waiting backpacks. Familiar faces will now take a while to identify, but they will be so glad to see each other. Tales of quarantined vacations will flourish and how they got to know their parents, might be the topic of their first essay of the year. When they look back on this time at the age of 70 something, they’ll have a lot of memories to share with their grandkids.
Each day should be like the first day of school in my opinion. We should look at it with optimism, hope, anticipation and joy. Consider it another opportunity for us to learn, to share, to help someone, to serve, to encourage, to enjoy and to praise God. There is still time for us to do those same things even when the school days are long gone. Making every day a new beginning should be a requirement for all of us. Just think of how delightful each day would be if everyone in it felt the same way.
As old as I am, I still remember the days when I was led to the corner to think about my actions. Today they call it a time out. In Biblical times, they called it 40 days and 40 nights. Now they might even call it child abuse. The fact is, we all need time to reflect – to ponder our actions and realize how we can improve.
We are currently in one of the longest time outs on record. Social distancing and masking are important components to this time of contemplation. Still there are times when we forget the rules and can’t help but hug someone we love or forget to cover our faces when we’re in a group setting. These restrictions are unnatural for us and even painful at times. Not only are we restricted physically, but risks are being taken on a daily basis and there’s really not a thing we can do about it.
We’re led to believe that opening schools will set off another wave of new cases of this dreaded disease, as we’re also told that if we don’t set our fears aside, our economy will collapse and we’re all going to die anyway. In addition,, our news media is filled with negativity – politicians try to convince us that they’re the only ones to believe – people are tired of being cooped up and throw caution to the wind. There are also those who are simply tired of complying with all the changes in their routine. It’s been more than forty days and we’re entitled to complain. The Israelites groveled, protested and grumbled after all.
So what are we to do during this “time out? Will we learn anything? Will we benefit from a time of contemplation? Will others gain from our fears? Probably all of those questions can be answered with a resounding yes. Time outs are designed to make us think, from which will come creative solutions, innovation in how we communicate, new ways of overcoming obstacles. We might even learn how to talk with God again.
Summertime and the living is easy. At least it used to be. Well, maybe it never was easy, but I have some wonderful memories of summer vacations with my family. There were the road trips, where we’d all pile into a car or van and fill the air with songs that had no particular importance. Camp songs – old songs – new songs – songs that stirred the heart – nonsensical songs about a dog named Bingo or a number of bottles on the wall.
I still sing in my car, but now I sing alone. My trips are fewer and less distant, but exercising my vocal chords is something I still enjoy doing. When I was performing in theatre, I would often speak my lines out loud or sing a show tune or two, as those driving beside me wondered what in the world was going on inside my car. The beauty of singing alone is that you don’t have anyone to answer to. You can sing your lungs out and no one will criticize your performance.
As I’m well beyond my prime singing voice, I still love belting out a song while I’m driving. You can always tell when someone else is doing the same thing in their car. The imaginary hand held microphone is a must. The facial expression is critical. The look of passion, pain or angst are all a part of it. Nowadays, I need closed captioning to tell me what the words are. Not because of my memory, but because I can’t hear nor understand what’s being sung. Too bad the car radio doesn’t come with that feature. Maybe it will someday.
Singing, like laughter, has healing effects. It’s like all the tension we hold onto, can come out in one giant guffaw or the lyrics to one of the songs from “Hamilton.” All of it is a cleansing of sorts – sweeping the cobwebs out – cutting loose – freeing the spirit.
Remember John Candy in “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” singing the Flintstone’s theme song with other passengers on the bus? His counterpart, Steve Martin, had less of an audience with his rendition of “Three Coins in the Fountain.” Think about all the Broadway musicals, where normal everyday folks, suddenly give way to singing at just the right moment. Music has charms to soothe the savage beast. So next time you’re on the road, open up those pipes and sing. It can do wonders for all of us. Especially when we’re alone – or in my case, necessarily when we’re alone.
This has been a week, Lord. I know that everything is in your hands and I have confidence that you will bring order from chaos, but it seems when it rains it pours. So I come to you again and ask that you heal our land and watch over those I love.
I thank you for providing this country of ours – a land where we can still worship you and give thanks for all your mercies – a land that, even though division abounds, we are united in common goals – a land that allows us to follow our dreams in spite of a deadly disease. Sometimes I think I forget what a blessing America is. I tend to look at all the ugly things that happen in this land. Maybe because they are so far from the things you want from us. Maybe because I know what it’s like to be patriotic – to honor the flag – to respect the law and those who enforce it. Maybe because corruption in all areas of life are brazenly stealing our joy.
I praise you for your consistency. You never change. You’re the same today as you were yesterday and will be tomorrow. Even when we’re drawn to the negative rather than the gifts you’ve given us.
Be with us as a nation. Heal our land and bring us together again. We need your guiding hand to hold us, to direct and to protect us. We need your Word to show us exactly how we should live. We need your forgiveness and your salvation for making such a mess of all the good things you’ve given us.
Protect my family as they endure difficult health issues. Protect my husband and give him the strength to do the work he’s committed to do. Be with all those I love and help them through this time of insecurity and change. You are greatly to be praised. Your mercy endures forever.
The small river cities that line the Mississippi River are so charming. They are nestled into the bluffs and overlook the mighty river. So many stories are held there. This painting was done in Stockholm, Wisconsin, a few years back.
Another time, another place, a world so far gone by, Where streets were paved with cobblestones, under an azure sky, Where people took the time to share a word or more with you, Where moments pass without distress or without much ado.
A place that’s gone, but still exists in small towns everywhere, Away from all the ugliness that meets us here and there, To capture just a little time, to hold it in our hearts, To dream our dreams with hope and love, before this life departs.
When I was just a girl of seventeen, I received a valentine from a young man who had been a best friend since beginning high school. It included a handwritten version of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s famous love sonnet. At the time, I had no knowledge of her authoring this beautiful poem, and assumed the boy giving it to me was the writer. Of course I was swept away by the beautiful words, believing they came straight from his heart. He finally admitted to his plagiarism, but it didn’t matter. He had taken the time to write the wods down on paper, in beautiful cursive handwriting and I knew then and there that he was the man for me.
The rest is history. This boy had been my friend since we were 13 years old.Â
I still love him with a passion that has never died. A passion that comes from years of growing together as one person. The kind of love that develops from trial, maturity, pain and suffering, endurance, perseverance, common goals and a mutual faith.
I’ve known this man for 65 years and each day I discover something new about him. That’s 569,400 hours. You wouldn’t think anything would be new in that amount of time, but every day is packed full of surprises.
Back in the 70’s there was a movie called, “Love Story.” A modern day “Romeo and Juliet,” with a twist. One of the memorable quotes from that movie was, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” Let me tell you, loves means saying you’re sorry over and over again. When you truly love someone, you never want to disappoint or hurt them. When your love is bound by God, you’re joined by the One who forgives all wrongs when we come with repentance hearts. Our love for each other should mirror that forgiving nature.
Love doesn’t just happen. It takes time to grow and be nurtured along the way. If your life is guided by God’s love and you place your complete trust in His path for your life, you will be blessed in more ways than can ever be counted.
It won’t be long and all the kiddos will finally return from spring break. It’s been the longest one in history, but they are so ready to be back. Many schools are opting for the hybrid plan – which allows two days of in school learning and three days online.
This virus has us all up in arms – more than a little afraid – unsure of the unknown and wondering if we will ever go back to the old way of doing things. We’re told on one hand that we must open things up again in order to restore order and a sense of stability. We’re also told we must wear masks, social distance and isolate as much as possible.
For the past few months, we’ve lived in a sanitized, purified, germ resistant environment. We’ve been placed in a prison of sorts with only occasional trips to the grocery store. Emotions are at an all time high and each of them is playing on us both mentally and physically. Those of us who want to follow the rules, wear our masks, make our shopping trips short and sweet, and stay home, while others think nothing of putting others at risk. The roads are filled more than the usual amount of crazy drivers. None of them is me however. Protests and riots continue, spreading more and more anger and hate.
My oldest grandson returned to South Korea last weekend to continue teaching there. He will need to stay in quarantine for two weeks before he can begin working again. My second grandson is settling into an apartment for his senior year of college, and my granddaughter will begin her senior year in high school in a few weeks.
The roller coaster ride has us feeling hopeful one day and in the toilet the next. I am one who tends to hold her emotions inside and then explode at some point to release them. You don’t want to be around me on those days.
The political rhetoric is nasty, slanderous and hateful. Tempers and patience run thin. People are being mask shamed. Can you imagine the bullying which might occur on our playgrounds – if they ever open up again?
Fear of the unknown surrounds us all right now. Will we have a job tomorrow? How can an artist survive this social distancing? The elderly among us are concerned for the younger generation while the kids often seem to have no fear. This is a difficult time for all of us. The “all in this together,” mantra seems ridiculous. We aren’t united anymore. In fact, I fear we’ve grown further and further apart.
However, as Americans, we are adaptable. We have an inner purpose that drives us. We can overcome obstacles without the use of a super hero cape. We can accept the fact that what we’re living today is the ‘new normal.’
So buck up! Pull up your bootstraps!! We can do this!!! We can survive whatever is thrown at us, because that’s who we are. I’m thinking of creating a mask with an image of the person wearing it, so we don’t forget what we look like. Yankee ingenuity is still alive and well and we will overcome.
As I reach the end of my years, I find I have a lot of good information stored up in this old decrepit mind of mine. If I don't write it all down, it may vanish and no one will have the advantage of my thoughts. This is why this blog exists. I love the Lord, Jesus with all my heart and soul. I know I'm undeserving of all He's done for me, but I also know that His love is beyond my comprehension.
I've always wanted to write. I never kept diaries, but tucked my thoughts in my head for future reference. I use them now in creating stories, plays, poetry and my blog.
I continue to learn every day. I believe the compilation of our time spent with God will have huge affect on the way we live. I know I'm a sinner and I need a Savior. I have One through Jesus, Christ.
My book, "Stages - a memoir," is about the seven stages of life from the perspective of a woman. It addresses all the things girls and women go through in life as they travel it with Jesus, and it is available on Amazon.com.
