Oldman's Cantankerous Point of View™: Oldman's Pumpkin Carving

Oldman's Cantankerous Point of View™: Oldman's Pumpkin Carving

Precious Gifts ~ An Inspirational Poem

Many of our children

Will play pretend today.

So I went out and found this poem

It has a lot to say

It is not very long

From Inspiration Peak

A very nifty website

For guidance we all seek

I hope you like my intro poem

To another I find keen

This old man just wanted to say

Happy Halloween

Precious Gifts

Author Unknown

Yesterday a butterfly

Came floating gently through the sky.

He soared up through the atmosphere

Then drifted close enough to hear.

I said, "I'd love to fly with you

And sail around the way you do.

It looks like it would be such fun

To fly up toward the summer sun.

But I have not your graceful charm.

I haven't wings, just these two arms.

I've been designed to walk around.

My human feet must touch the ground.

Then magically he spoke to me

and told me what his wish would be.

He said, "What I'd love most to do

Is walk upon God's Earth with you,

To squish its mud between my toes

Or touch my finger to my nose.

I'd love just once to walk around

With human feet to touch the ground,

But I have not two legs that swing,

I haven't arms, just these two wings."

And so we went our separate ways

In wonder and surprise.

For we'd both seen God's precious gifts

Through someone else's eyes.

You Improve Your Writing Skills, You Will Improve Your Business

Today on FOCUS Friday, I am proud to welcome Rebecca Emrich at Living a Life of Writing as today's guest writer.


You Improve Your Writing Skills, You Will Improve Your Business

We all love to write, and some of us have a better writing ability than others, but there is something that we all should take note of. Should (and this applies to everyone) you improve your writing skills, you will improve your business. If your blog is meant for anyone other than you and five friends and is closed to all others, then this little saying is true.

It's like writing letters to the general public. Okay, a bit of a stretch but it is true. I'm improved my writing skills over the years, and this has helped me more often than I care to admit. What would you do to improve your writing skills?

There is always reading another's blog, you can glean a lot from someone else. You can also learn the talents that you have and improve your writing skills this way. I know my editing skills aren't the greatest but thanks to all for not pointing that out. ( Excepting Rachel, but as my editor she's allowed!)
Next there are the hundreds of writing courses that one can take to improve your writing skills. Now, by doing this how does that improve your business? Well for example, you are a writer, this will give you plenty more ideas on new stories and novels, and a better way to sell them. This will improve your business, as a writer, by making you more credible.

This taking of the writing course, will not only improve your writing skills, but also encourage you to write a better blog What it boils down to is this: We all need to improve our writing skills, and we all need to, if we are serious as writers improve our business. We want to be published, and our blogs are published by us. Shouldn't you give your blog the care it needs?

There are even courses on how to improve your writing skills in the areas of query letters, to writing a marketing plan, to writing a better blog, and a better book. Yes, all this will improve your writing skills, but also improve your chances of being published, which will improve your business, of being a writer.

My Question for you today is this: What would you do to improve your writing skills and by extension improve your business ( That of being a writer?)


This article is reprinted with permission; originally published at Living a Life of Writing on October 24, 2009.

Are you a Writer? A Blogger? An Author? A Poet? Submit your article today and be featured on the Next FOCUS Friday. Click here for complete details and to learn how you can receive 2 Free eBooks.

Thursday Theater Presents: The Don't Quit Poem

Enjoy today's inspiring video on Oldman's Thursday Theater.



To learn more about this poem visit The Don't Quit Poem website.

Wordless Wednesday 28 Oct 09

Announcing FOCUS Friday!

Coming this Friday on this blog! A new segment, FOCUS Friday, will begin!

FOCUS Friday will include motivational, inspirational, informational, and/or educational articles on an individual subject.

Authors and bloggers like yourself, are encouraged to submit articles which either are inspirational or educational in a subject which helps others. This can include articles on Health, Writing, Environment, Conservation, Arts, Sciences, Christianity, Education, Poetry, Inspiration, or just ask and I can tell you if I believe it would be appropriate.

What do you get?

- You get a copy of two FREE ebooks in PDF format written by Dominic Milner.

How to Eat Healthy on a Budget

even if your family is on the lowest of salaries.

AND

How to Set Up the Perfect Family Budget

Of Course you also get:

- Full credit for the article
- Link(s) to your blog included in the post
- Your Blog or Website Included in My Blog Roll


What You Need to do:

1) Submit an article to my email address oldmanblurts@yahoo.com

- Please no attachments. Just copy and paste directly into the email.
- It is okay to email me or tweet me with any questions you may have.
- Articles can be a new article or an old article you have written.

2) Link back to at least one of my blogs from your blog.

3) Leave a comment on at least one of my blogs and/or Follow at least one of my blogs.


Rules and Regulations:

- All articles must meet the specifications above concerning content.
No Political Articles Please.

- Inappropriate material will not be considered for publication.
i.e. Pornography, Racism, Profanity, etc.

- All articles will be approved before publication. Though, even if your article is not published, all who fulfill the three requirements above will receive the two free ebooks.

- I reserve the right to publish all articles submitted even if any of the other requirements are not met by you. In this case, I will still link the article back to your blog or website.

- You acknowledge by submitting an article that it is an original article written by you and does not violate any copyright laws.

- I will include a statement in the article which gives you credit for the article, links back to your blog or website and was published or republished with your permission.

- In order to be included and remain on my Blog Roll, Content on your blog Must not be a blog where inappropriate material is published.
i.e. Pornography, Profanity, Racism, etc.

Two Quotes for Tuesday 27 Oct 09

Having the Right Kind of Attitude

We are either the masters or the victims of our attitudes.

It is a matter of personal choice. Who we are today is the

result of choices we made yesterday. Tomorrow, we will become

what we choose today. To change means to choose to change.

John Maxwell

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity,

but of power and love and discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7

That's Not My Problem

Many times in our lives we tend to ignore the problems of others thinking their problems have no effect in our lives. This tale I found on Spiritual-Short-Stories.com emphasizes to me the importance of our call to help others.

That's Not My Problem
Author Unknown

A mouse looked through a crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife opening a package; what food might it contain?

He was aghast to discover that it was a mouse trap!

Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning, "There is a mouse trap in the house, there is a mouse trap in the house."

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Mr. Mouse, I can tell you this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me; I cannot be bothered by it.

"The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mouse trap in the house."

"I am so very sorry Mr. Mouse," sympathized the pig, "but there is nothing I can do about it but pray; be assured that you are in my prayers.

"The mouse turned to the cow, who replied, "Like wow, Mr. Mouse, a mouse trap; am I in grave danger, Duh?"

So the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected to face the farmer's mouse trap alone.

That very night a sound was heard throughout the house, like the sound of a mouse trap catching its prey. The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught.

In the darkness, she did not see that it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught.

The snake bit the farmer's wife.

The farmer rushed her to the hospital.

She returned home with a fever. Now everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient.

His wife's sickness continued so that friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.

The farmer's wife did not get well, in fact, she died, and so many people came for her funeral the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide meat for all of them to eat.

So the next time you hear that someone is facing a problem and think that it does not concern you, remember that when the least of us is threatened, we are all at risk.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

Sunday Song of Celebration 25 Oct 09

Enjoy the celebration with this music video.

Procrastination

Truthfully, I must say the fine art of Procrastination has taken hold of my very soul at times and held me back from being all I can be. This post is as much, if not more, for me as it is for you. It is easy to avoid those many tasks we have to do in our lives. Some of these tasks are important, needing our immediate attention, yet we put them off just the same. Other tasks are not as critical but when we put them off we just make our lives more complicated then they need to be. The habit of procrastination charges us double at the toll booth of life. First, those important tasks are left undone, and second, our valuable energy is wasted from all of the effort we use in the process of putting those things off that remain undone.

Life keeps on moving and doesn't procrastinate and neither should we. If you suffer from this habit I am sure you would agree that God has created a world which punishes procrastinators and rewards those who don't put things off and "do it now." If you suffer from procrastination here are a few things you can do.

1. Set goals and priorities in accordance with those goals. Know your long-term and short-term goals. Make sure your short-term goals will help you achieve your long-term goals and then set your priorities accordingly.


2. Those tasks you really hate to do, do them immediately. Start off your day by accomplishing those tasks and get them out of the way even if it is a low-priority task, if it can be done quickly you will have it done and over with. By getting these unpleasant tasks out of the way you will be happier most of the day and not waste your day away dreading the task, beating yourself up for not doing it, and fighting with yourself about accomplishing this activity.


3. We are human and not perfect. Be willing to do your best and be satisfied with the results and avoid the trap of perfectionism.


4. Use a daily planning calendar which fits your needs. It doesn't matter if you use a monthly calendar on the wall or a detailed day planner, whichever works best for you. Personally, I use the calendar on my computer to keep track of events and my daily schedule.


5. Start everyday with a "to-do" list. Prioritize the list in the morning making sure to include any unfinished tasks from the day before. In the middle of the day or at lunch take a moment to revisit your list and if needed prioritize the tasks again for the remainder of the day. Keep this list handy so you can cross things off and help you stay focused.

I sincerely hope this advice helps both of us.

Not now becomes never. ~ Martin Luther

If you do nothing in a difficult time, your strength is limited. ~ Proverbs 24:10

Drop a Pebble in the Water

I hope you enjoy this inspirational poetry by James W. Foley.

Drop a Pebble in the Water

Drop a pebble in the water: just a splash, and it is gone;

But there's half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,

Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea.

And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.

Drop a pebble in the water: in a minute you forget,

But there's little waves a-flowing, and there's ripples circling yet,

And those little waves a-flowing to a great big wave have grown;

You've disturbed a mighty river just by dropping in a stone.

Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute it is gone;

But there's half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on.

They keep spreading, spreading, spreading from the center as they go,

And there is no way to stop them, once you've started them to flow.

Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute you forget;

But there's little waves a-flowing, and there's ripples circling yet,

And perhaps in some sad heart a mighty wave of tears you've stirred,

And disturbed a life was happy ere you dropped that unkind word.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness: just a flash and it is gone;

But there's half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,

Bearing hope and joy and comfort on each splashing, dashing wave

Till you wouldn't believe the volume of the one kind word you gave.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness: in a minute you forget;

But there's gladness still a-swelling, and there's joy a-circling yet,

And you've rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music can be heard

Over miles and miles of water just by dropping one kind word.

Big Impact

This is a powerful short Christian video.

Wordless Wednesday 21 Oct 09

This Photo was taken in Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks by my nephew.

Two Quotes for Tuesday 20 Oct 09

No Problems are Too Large for the Lord

Is anything too difficult for the LORD?

Genesis 18:14

Trial and triumph are what God uses to scribble

all over the pages of our lives.

They are signs that

He is using us, loving us,

shaping us to His image,

enjoying our companionship,

delivering us from evil,

and writing eternity into our hearts.

Barbara Johnson

The Light Of Friendship

This bit of poetry makes me think of the truly important things in my life, my friends and family. I have been blessed by having good friends in my life which love me and accept me unconditionally for who I am. Thank you Lord for my friends and for my family.

The Light Of Friendship

Author Unknown

I've seen the light

And it's in you,

In everything you are

And in everything you do.

It's a perfect light

That shines for all to see.

It radiates from you

And has pierced the heart of me.

The light is from a friend.

It's a light that keeps me warm.

It lets me know how loved I am,

And keeps me safe from harm.

To you my friend I am thankful,

In each and every way.

For you lift my spirits up,

With every passing day.

To know that you are there for me,

It makes me feel alive.

Because it is your friendship's light,

Upon which my love thrives.

So thank you isn't good enough,

They are the only words I know.

It is your light of friendship,

That gives my world it's glow.

Thanks for sharing your light with me.

For it is the simple things in life that

Are truly unforgettable.

Sunday Song of Celebration 18 Oct 09

Sit back, relax, sing along and enjoy this music video.

In Tough Times, He Protects Us

Have you ever felt helpless in the face of difficult circumstances? Have you faced big problems which despite your efforts you simply could not resolve? Thankfully, even when there is nowhere else to turn you can turn your thoughts and prayers to God and He will respond.

God’s hand uplifts us when we turn our hearts and prayers to Him. Consider yourself blessed for His grace and mercy are never ending. When you do, you can live courageously and joyfully, knowing that “this too will pass,” and God’s love will always be there for you. You can draw on the strength in this knowledge that you are His marvelous creation, loved, protected, and uplifted by the ever-present hand of God.

All we need to do is open up our hearts to God. St Augustine said, “God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.” Can you believe it? Do you have faith in these simple words? Do you seek to have an intimate, one on one relationship with your Heavenly Father, or do you keep Him at a safe distance?

Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of our daily tasks, God may seem far away, but He isn’t. He carries us through the troublesome times in our lives. God is everywhere we have been, everywhere we will go in the future and He is with us now in the present. He is like a parent who stands besides us night and day when we are in the hospital. He knows our thoughts and our prayers. He is here, waiting patiently for us to reach out to Him. All we have to do is seek Him earnestly and we shall find Him.

He is waiting. Do you hear His call? Just reach out and hug your Lord with all of your heart. His love is here, always. Accept it now and be blessed.

Prayer for Today

Lord, sometimes my life is difficult. Sometimes, I am worried, weary, or heartbroken. Sometimes, I encounter powerful temptations to disobey Your word and Your commandments. But, when I lift my eyes and my heart to You, Father, You strengthen me. When I am weak, You lift me up. Today, I will turn to You for strength, for hope, for direction, and for deliverance. Thank You Father for always sending me Your love. Amen.

Though I dwell in darkness, the LORD is a light for me. Micah 7:8

The Road He Chose For Me

I ran across this inspirational bit of poetry and it brought a tear to my eye. I hope you enjoy it.

The Road He Chose For Me
by Connie Faust

Once I traveled on a well-worn road,

where many led the way;

I simply had to follow on,

as night will follow day.

If I had only known the lack,

the need I had within --

I may have turned another way

and followed only "Him."

Instead, I blithely traveled on,

not knowing of my loss,

until some sign posts pointed me

to the foot of a rugged cross.

Oh, I knew a lot about Jesus Christ,

the God-man on that "tree;"

I believed He died to open the gate

of heaven for you and me.

And since that time, I'd always heard,

we each must pass the test.

If I wanted to go to Heaven some day,

I must try to do my best.

But, Friends, I want to tell you now,

please listen to my story:

No matter how good your life may be,

it will not take you to glory!

As I began to read the Bible,

which is God's written word,

the things I learned amazed me,

and I marveled as I heard

that Jesus'death upon the cross

was all I need to claim

and heaven would be my destiny

if I trusted in His Name.

What mattered was what God said,

nothing less and nothing more.

The teachings I'd relied on,

the good things I'd done before;

the beauty of the sanctuary,

traditions from ages past --

When measured by God's own Word,

not one of these would last.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith,

and that not of yourselves;

It is a gift of God,

not of works,

lest any man should boast."*

At last I knew that Jesus'death

had paid for all my sin;

The only thing for me to do

was simply "invite Him In.

"It seemed too easy to be true,

but I dared not deny His word.

I prayed, accepting His free gift;

and I know that Jesus heard.

When I asked Him to be my Saviour

and thanked Him for His love,

my soul was flooded with peace and joy --

assurance from above.

My struggles and fears were all for nought;

His gift has set me free.

Now I travel the road my Saviour chose,

and He walks along with me

*For by grace you have been saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9

'True Colors' ~ Inspirational Video

This video touched my heart. The song, True Colors, is by Chaya.

Chaya is an amazing Christian Inspirational artist from the California Central Valley. Her music is amazing and very uplifting. Click here for Chaya's website.



Here are the lyrics to the song.

Im gasping for air now inside of these waters
I feel the tide pulling me so far down
I thought maybe someday Id have it together
But I learned the hard way never to trust myself
I look picture perfect till I let my hair down
And then you will see how far Ive gone away

Well maybe disaster is all that describes me
But my mama told me hopes never out of reach
So Im reaching out
Lord I need you now
Cause lately I stick to the small talk and breathe conversation
So none of my colors ever will slip out

Cause God forbid they see its hard enough for me
Just knowing that you see everything
Yet you love me
True colors and all

Cause you died for me
In spite of me
And you know this pain that comes along with loving me
And all my flaws cannot erase a love like this
Well Im only happy when I know youre with me
What make it so hard to get this through my head

Cause Ive never felt a love like this
To wait on you is better than a kiss
And the finest wine cannot compare
To the way I feel just knowing that youre there
I know youre there

And this pain Ive had is worth it all
Cause without the pain I wonder if I would know you at all
So its worth it all

Wordless Wednesday 14 Oct 09

Two Quotes for Tuesday 13 Oct 09

Make Peace with the Past

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet;

but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind

and reaching forward to what lies ahead,

I press on toward the goal for the prize

of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14

If you are God's child, you are no longer bound

to your past or to what you were.

You are a brand new creature in Christ Jesus.

Kay Arthur

It Only Takes One

Just One

Author Unknown

ONE song can spark a moment,

ONE flower can wake the dream.

ONE tree can start a forest,

ONE bird can herald the spring.

ONE smile begins a friendship,

ONE handclasp lifts a soul.

ONE star can guide a ship at sea,

ONE word can frame the goal.

ONE vote can change a nation,

ONE sunbeam lights a room.

ONE candle wipes out darkness,

ONE laugh will conquer gloom.

ONE step must start each journey,

ONE word must start each prayer.

ONE hope will raise our spirits,

ONE touch can show you care.

ONE voice can speak with wisdom,

ONE heart can know what's true.

ONE life can make the difference,

You see, it's up to YOU!

Sunday Song of Celebration 11 Oct 09

I hope you enjoy this music video. Feel free to sing along.

Control Your Thoughts

Is the glass half full or half empty? We have all heard this analogy many times. Are you an optimist or a pessimist? Are you an enthusiastic, optimistic, hopeful Christian? As a Christian and a believer, you have every reason to be all of those things when it comes to your life here on earth and your eternal life. William Ralph Inge stated, “No Christian should be a pessimist, for Christianity is a system of radical optimism.” Though his words may ring true, sometimes we are pulled down by hard times. If you’re discouraged, tired, exhausted, overwhelmed, or all of these things, it is time to ask why. What is bothering you? Why do you feel the way you do?

If you are concerned and worried about the everyday challenges of living, think about what God has done for you. The ultimate battle was won on the cross. If your life has been transformed by Christ’s sacrifice, then you, as you receive God’s grace, have every reason to live courageously. God’s grace does not turn itself on and off as you go through the trials and tribulations of your everyday life, it is like a waterfall which is constantly flowing forever. We must choose to accept this gift and let it flow upon our lives and not stand on the banks of the stream observing; but we must jump with both feet into the stream and let it fall down upon us.

As A.W. Tozer observed, “Attitude is all-important. Let the soul take a quiet attitude of faith and love toward God, and from there on, the responsibility is God’s. He will make good on His commitments.” He emphasizes that even when our daily lives are challenged and seem daunting, God remains steadfast. You should make that leap of faith and make a promise to yourself to be optimistic and a hope-filled Christian. Try thinking positively optimistic about your life, family, career, future, goals, and your basic purpose for living. Trust in your hopes and not in your fears. Take the time out to smell the roses and enjoy God’s paradise on earth. Once you have filled your life with happiness and joy share it with others and pass it around. You will bring joy and love into their lives and by doing so you will be rewarding yourself and spreading back to yourself.

Your thoughts are the determining factor as to whose mold you are conformed to. Control your thoughts and you control the direction of your life.

Charles Stanley

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable – if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise – dwell on these things.

Philippians 4:8

If ~ by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated, don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master,

If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breath a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)

The Other Three R's: Rest, Relax, and Rejuvenate

A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked, "how heavy is this glass of water?" Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g.

The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it. "If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."

He continued, "And that's the way it is with stress management.
If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on." "As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden. "

So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can. Relax; pick them up later after you've rested."

You can apply this positive tip to both your personal and professional
life...

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

A special thanks to a friend of mine who sent this story to me in an email.
I added the title and Bible verse.

Wordless Wednesday 7 Oct 09

Two Quotes for Tuesday: Living Courageously

Then David said to his son Solomon, "Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, my God, is with you He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.

1 Chronicles 28:20


Faith not only can help you through a crisis,
it can help you to approach life after
the hard times with a whole new perspective.
It can help you adopt an outlook of hope and
courage through faith to face reality.

John Maxwell

Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned

Author Unknown

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.

They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?”

“It was great, Dad.”

“Did you see how poor people live?” the father asked.

“Oh yeah,” said the son.

“So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father.

The son answered: “I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.

“We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.

“We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs.

“We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.”

The boy’s father was speechless.

Then his son added, “Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.”

Sunday Song of Celebration 4 Oct 09

Hope you enjoy this music video. The photographs are phenomenal.

From One Pumpkin to Another

From one pumpkin to another!!!!!!!

A woman was asked by a coworker, "What is it like to be a Christian?"

The coworker replied, "It is like being a pumpkin.

God picks you from the patch, brings you in,

and washes all the dirt off of you.

Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff.

He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed.

Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts

His light inside of you to shine

for all the world to see."

Announcement: Today, I have started a new blog called, Oldman's Poetry Corner. I will be publishing all of my poems on it. Please stop by and take a look. Hope you enjoy.

Joy of my Soul

Joy of my soul, Joy of my heart,

You've given me love from the very start;

In you I live, I move and I breathe ~

To you my whole being does cleave.

Joy of my soul, Joy of my spirit,

Of goodness ~ may I be drawn near it

And to all that is holy, right and true,

May I ever be totally committed to you.

Joy of my soul, Joy of my life,

You are the Rock during all the strife.

Many are the benefits you freely give;

Because of you, I have the will to live.

Joy of my soul, Joy of my heart,

Let's assure one another, we'll never part.

You are my Lord, my God, my All;

I obey your statutes, I love your Law.

Joy of my soul, Joy of my spirit

Absence from you, I surely would fear it.

Never permit me to ever stray

Protect me ever and always, I pray.

Joy of my soul, Joy of my life,

Sin pierces your heart ~ like a knife.

You are The Lord of Lords and The King of Kings,

O the JOY your Salvation brings.

The battle for good and evil still wages,

But You, O Lord, are JOY for all ages.

Judgement day will soon arrive;

The goats'll die and the sheep'll thrive.

Please God ~ your faithful ones'll be alive.

O Jesus, as Groom, you'll come for your Bride

You'll draw her very close to your side

Embrace her with your arms open wide

And together in Heaven forever abide.

You, O Lord, are JOY for all ages.

JOY, JOY, JOY!

YOU are JOY for All Ages! ! !

August 20,2006

Mel (Carmela) Patterson

Forgiveness Heals the Soul

Life is an exercise in forgiveness. Forgiveness is an important step in battling hard times in our lives. However, sometimes forgiveness is difficult. Christ showed His understanding of forgiveness when He said, "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." Matthew 5:44

It is easy when someone hurts us or embarrasses us to feel the urge of revenge and want to strike back. But Christ teaches us forgiveness is God's way and mercy is part of God's plan for our lives. We are taught to weave the thread of forgiveness into the fabric of our lives.

If you feel ill will toward someone, harbor bad feelings toward another, feel anger, envy, bitterness, or regret, or just seem not to be able to let go of the past then it is time for you to seriously start thinking about forgiveness.

Really it is important for you to move on with your life. By not forgiving you become a prisoner to your bad feelings. You must make it a priority in your life and pray for the ability, courage and strength to forgive. Pray for the person that you hold these bad feelings for in your heart.

Many of us don't spend time thinking about forgiveness but instead worry and dwell on the pain and injustice we have experienced, and the people which caused our infliction. God wants us to live in the present not in the past and He knows for us to move forward in our lives we must learn to forgive.

The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger,

and his glory is to overlook a transgression.

Proverbs 19:11

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor,

and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.

And be kind to one another, tender-hearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:31-32