Fulfill Your Dreams!

Dare to dream the impossible.



This is an inspiring story based on the Wright Brothers. Armed with nothing more than a high school education, they rose above all obstacles and achieved the impossible.

I've added several inspirational videos at Oldmanblurts YouTube.

Wordless Wednesday 30 Dec 09

Time for Renewal

Two Quotes for Tuesday

God specializes in things fresh and firsthand.
His plans for you this year may outshine
those of the past. He's prepared to fill your
days with reasons to give Him praise.

Joni Eareckson Tada


Moreover, I will give you a new heart
and put a new spirit within you;
and I will remove the heart of stone
from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36:26

The Path to Peace

Perfect Peace
Author Unknown

There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The King looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked and he had to choose between them.

One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains were all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.

The other picture had mountains too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell, in which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.

But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest ... perfect peace.

Which picture do you think won the prize?

The King chose the second picture.

Do you know why?

"Because," explained the King, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace."

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Mary, Did You Know?

Sunday Song of Celebration

"Mary, Did You Know?" By Mark Lowry

Christmas Prayer

This has always been one of my favorite Christmas prayers. I hope you enjoy it.


Christmas Prayer
by Robert Louis Stevenson

"Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.

Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clean hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake, Amen!"

Photograph provided by my loving friend Paula from Paula's Place to Ponder.

Christmas Inspirational Videos

Twas The Night Before Christmas



The First Christmas Gift



Visit Oldmanblurts YouTube for more Christmas and other inspirational videos.

Wordless Wednesday 23 Dec 09

Follow Him

Two Quotes for Tuesday


You who suffer take heart.
Christ is the answer to sorrow.

Billy Graham


Then Jesus said to His disciples,
"If anyone wishes to come after Me,
he must deny himself,
and take up his cross and follow Me.
"For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it;
but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Matthew 16:24-25

The First Christmas was a simple scene

Jesus' Birth in Bethlehem
Luke 2:1-20

1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.

2This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

3And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.

4Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,

5in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

6While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

7And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.

9And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;

11for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

12"This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

15When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us."

16So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.

17When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.

18And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

19But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

20The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

What Child Is This (Greensleeves)

~ Sunday Song of Celebration ~

What Child Is This (Greensleeves)

Allison Crowe live

Allison Crowe performs her jazz arrangement of What Child Is This (Greensleeves). This live performance is part of the annual Canadian television broadcast of Crowe's "Tidings" Christmas special of seasonal and all-season songs of spirituality, redemption, and release.

Joy and peace to all.

What Child Is This (Greensleeves)

Words: William C. Dix (1837-1898), The Manger Throne, 1865
Music: Greensleeves, 16th Century English melody
Arranged and performed by Allison Crowe

What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

http://www.allisoncrowe.com

The Stranger

I like the message of this Christmas poem.


The Stranger
Author Unknown

At Christmas time there was a man who looked so out of place
as people rushed about him at a hurried sort of pace.
He stared at all the Christmas lights, the tinsel everywhere,
the shopping center Santa Claus with children gathered near.

The mall was packed with shoppers who were going to and fro,
some with smiles and some with frowns and some too tired to go.
They rested on the benches or they hurried on their way
to fight the crowd for purchases to carry home that day.

The music from a stereo was playing loud and clear
of Santa Claus and snowmen and a funny nosed reindeer.
He heard the people talk about the good times on the way
of parties, fun and good galore, and gifts exchanged that day.

I'd like to know what's going on, the man was heard to say.
There seems to be some sort of celebration on the way.
And would you tell me who this is, all dressed in red and white?
And why are children asking him about a special night?

The answer came in disbelief, "I can't believe my ear!
I can't believe you do not know that Christmas time is here.
The time when Santa comes around with gifts for girls and boys.
When they're asleep on Christmas Eve, he leaves them books and toys.

The man you see in red and white is Santa Claus, so sly.
The children love his joyful laugh and twinkle in his eye.
His gift-packed sleigh is pulled along by very small reindeer
as he flies quickly through the air, while darting there and here.

The children learn of Santa Claus while they are still quite small.
When Christmas comes he is the most important one of all.
The stranger hung His head in shame, He closed a nail-pierced hand.
His body shook in disbelief, He did not understand.
A shadow crossed His stricken face, His voice was low but clear,
"After ALL these years, they STILL don't know." And Jesus shed a tear.

THE DIME

I am happy to welcome Paula from Paula's Place to Ponder on today's FOCUS Friday. She sent me the heart touching story below. Be sure to get the tissues ready. She writes a very inspirational blog, be sure to stop by and leave her a comment and follow her.

Just as we have struggled in times past and received the help we needed,
so must we repay the favor and extend our hands towards those who are in
need of our help. We should always be conscious to the needs of those
around us and make ourselves available to be the answer to their prayers.
It is a very simple thing to bless someone in need.

THE DIME

Bobby was getting cold sitting out in his back yard in the snow. Bobby
didn't wear boots; he didn't like them and anyway he didn't own any. The
thin sneakers he wore had a few holes in them and they did a poor job of
keeping out the cold. Bobby had been in his backyard for about an hour
already. And, try as he might, he could not come up with an idea for his
mother's Christmas gift. He shook his head as he thought, “This is useless,
even if I do come up with an idea, I don't have any money to spend.”

Ever since his father had passed away three years ago, the family of five
had struggled. It wasn't because his mother didn't care, or try, there
just never seemed to be enough. She worked nights at the hospital, but the
small wage that she was earning could only be stretched so far.

What the family lacked in money and material things, they more than made
up for in love and family unity. Bobby had two older sisters and one
younger sister, who ran the house hold in their mother's absence. All
three of his sisters had already made beautiful gifts for their mother.
Somehow it just wasn't fair. Here it was Christmas Eve already, and he had
nothing.

Wiping a tear from his eye, Bobby kicked the snow and started to walk down
to the street where the shops and stores were. It wasn't easy being six
without a father, especially when he needed a man to talk to. Bobby walked
from shop to shop, looking into each decorated window. Everything seemed
so beautiful and so out of reach.

It was starting to get dark and Bobby reluctantly turned to walk home when
suddenly his eyes caught the glimmer of the setting sun's rays reflecting
off of something along the curb. He reached down and discovered a shiny
dime. Never before has anyone felt so wealthy as Bobby felt at that
moment. As he held his new found treasure, a warmth spread throughout his
entire body and he walked into the first store he saw. His excitement
quickly turned cold when the salesperson told him that he couldn't buy
anything with only a dime.

He saw a flower shop and went inside to wait in line. When the shop owner
asked if he could help him, Bobby presented the dime and asked if he could
buy one flower for his mother's Christmas gift. The shop owner looked at
Bobby and his ten cent offering. Then he put his hand on Bobby's shoulder
and said to him, “You just wait here and I'll see what I can do for you.”
As Bobby waited, he looked at the beautiful flowers and even though he was
a boy, he could see why mothers and girls liked flowers. The sound of the
door closing as the last customer left jolted Bobby back to reality. All
alone in the shop, Bobby began to feel alone and afraid.

Suddenly the shop owner came out and moved to the counter. There, before
Bobby's eyes, lay twelve long stem, red roses, with leaves of green and
tiny white flowers all tied together with a big silver bow. Bobby's heart
sank as the owner picked them up and placed them gently into a long white
box. “That will be ten cents young man.” the shop owner said reaching out
his hand for the dime.

Slowly, Bobby moved his hand to give the man his dime. Could this be true?
No one else would give him a thing for his dime! Sensing the boy's
reluctance, the shop owner added, “I just happened to have some roses on
sale for ten cents a dozen. Would you like them?” This time Bobby did not
hesitate, and when the man placed the long box into his hands, he knew it
was true. Walking out the door that the owner was holding for Bobby, he
heard the shop keeper say, “Merry Christmas, son.”

As he returned inside, the shop keeper's wife walked out. “Who were you
talking to back there and where are the roses you were fixing?”

Staring out the window, and blinking the tears from his own eyes, he
replied, “A strange thing happened to me this morning. While I was setting
up things to open the shop, I thought I heard a voice telling me to set
aside a dozen of my best roses for a special gift. I wasn't sure at the
time whether I had lost my mind or what, but I set them aside anyway. Then
just a few minutes ago, a little boy came into the shop and wanted to buy
a flower for his mother with one small dime. When I looked at him, I saw
myself, many years ago. I too, was a poor boy with nothing to buy my
mother a Christmas gift. A bearded man, whom I never knew, stopped me on
the street and told me that he wanted to give me ten dollars. When I saw
that little boy tonight, I knew who that voice was, and I put together a
dozen of my very best roses.”

The shop owner and his wife hugged each other tightly, and as they stepped
out into the bitter cold air, they somehow didn't feel cold at all..

May this story instill the spirit of Christmas in you enough to pass this
loving act along.

Have a Joyous and Peace-filled season.

Author Unknown

Read and meditate on this scripture: Romans 12:15-17 “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”

Be Still and Know that I am God

God is with us



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Wordless Wednesday 16 Dec 09

C is for the Christ Child born upon this day

H is for herald angels in the night

R means Our Redeemer

I means Isreal

S is for the Star the shone so bright

T is for Three Wise Men, They who traveled far

M is for the Manger where He laid

A is for All He stands for

S means Shepards came

and that's why there's a

C H R I S T M A S
D A Y

These kids were so cute!

I know there is not
supposed to be any words on
Wordless Wednesday,

but I felt the lyrics to this song
went well with this
picture of me as Santa Clause.

You can click on the pic
to see more pics of me as Santa.

Get Busy

When will you be penciling in time for God's work?


Two Quotes for Tuesday


God has lots of folks who intend to go to work
for Him "some day." What He needs is more
people who are willing to
work for Him this day.

Marie T. Freeman


Whatever you do, do your work heartily,
as for the Lord rather than for men.

Colossians 3:23

Visit Oldman's Poetry Corner for a poem

written by my daughter

When Someone Needs You ...

Just Stay
Author Unknown

A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside.
'Your son is here,' she said to the old man.

She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened..

Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack,

he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside

the oxygen tent.

He reached out his hand.

The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's

limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.

The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit

beside the bed.

All through the night the young Marine sat there

in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand

and offering him words of love and strength

Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine

move away and rest awhile.

He refused.

Whenever the nurse came into the ward,

the Marine was oblivious of her

and of the night noises of the hospital -

the clanking of the oxygen tank,

the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings,

the cries and moans of the other patients.

Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.

Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse.

While she did what she had to do, he waited.

Finally, she returned.

She started to offer words of sympathy,

but the Marine interrupted her.


'Who was that man?' he asked.
The nurse was startled,

'He was your father,' she answered.

'No, he wasn't,' the Marine replied..

'I never saw him before in my life.'

'Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?'

'I knew right away there had been a mistake,
but I also knew he needed his son, and his
son just wasn't here.
When I realized that he was too sick to tell
whether or not I was his son,
knowing how much he needed me, I stayed.'

The next time someone needs you ... just be there. Stay.

**************

WE ARE NOT HUMAN BEINGS GOING THROUGH A
TEMPORARY SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE.


WE ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS

GOING THROUGH A TEMPORARY HUMAN EXPERIENCE.

Sunday Song of Celebration 13 Dec 09

Josh Groban ~ O Holy Night



O Holy Night ~ Lyrics

O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining.
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh hear the angel voices!
Oh night divine! Oh night when Christ was born!
Oh night divine! Oh night! Oh night divine!

Chains shall he break for the slave is our brother,
and in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we;
Let all within us praise his holy name.
Christ is the lord, that ever, ever praise we.
Noel! Noel! Oh night;oh night divine!
Noel! Noel! Oh night; oh night divine!
Noel! Noel! Oh night; oh night divine!

Every Day Is Christmas

This short poem is inspiring. I only pray I could live my life with these thoughts in mind.


Every Day Is Christmas
Author Unknown

Every day is Christmas when you have the kind of mind,
That stores up all the goodness and the sweetness it can find.
When you don't need an occasion, to spread a bit of cheer,
But just keep on a-giving, of yourself throughout the year.

Every day is Christmas, with a gaily wrapped surprise,
When you've learned to see the friendship, in someone else's eyes.
When you try a little harder, and complain a little less,
Holding fast to all the fervor of the faith that you possess.

Every day is Christmas, when you've found that you can be
More concerned with words like "you" and less with "I" and "me."
When it's fun to do a favor, and to lend a helping hand,
When being understood means less, than when you understand.

Every day is Christmas, with a beauty deeply cast,
When you find it doesn't matter, if you're first or if you're last.
When you can face your conscience, and be glad of what you are,
Then every day is Christmas, with a stable and a star.

God's Chisel - The Skit Guys

This is one of my favorite inspirational videos of all. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

God's Chisel - The Skit Guys

Wordless Wednesday 9 Dec 09

Ask Him

God's grace and love is ever flowing like water down upon us.

Two Quotes for Tuesday

"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you;
seek, and you will find;
knock, and it will be opened to you."

Luke 11:9


Some people think God does not like to be troubled
with our constant asking. But, the way to
trouble God is not to come at all.

D.L. Moody

Pearl Harbor Day

At 7:55 on the sunny morning of Sunday, December 7, 1941, 183 Japanese warplanes swooped out of a cloudless sky and demolished the US Pacific fleet docked at Pearl Harbor. It was this single catastrophic event, not the invasion of Poland, the Battle of Britain or the persecution of the Jews, that finally dragged the United States into World War II.

Today on Pearl Harbor Day I offer this prayer for our nation, our leadership, and for all veterans and their families. This prayer was written shortly after the 9/11 tragedy however I think it relates to those who experienced the tragedy of war at Pearl Harbor in 1941. I also feel it is fitting to the current events in Afghanistan and Iraq.

NATIONAL PRAYER
Author Unknown

Lord, we come to You on bended knee,
heads bowed and our hearts filled to overflowing
with so much grief for the many people who have
been injured and killed in our National crisis.

We ask you Lord, to give courage
and strength to those who so bravely
go to their aid. And though their hearts will
be heavy and filled with sorrow we ask Lord
that You give them the endurance needed
to help them through this difficult task.

Please give us the strength Lord,
to get through each difficult and devastating
day that faces each of us and our country.
Protect and guide our Military that
are now being called to duty.

We ask Lord, that You guide the leaders
of our great country in their hour of decision.
The burden that has been placed on their
shoulders during this crisis is overwhelming.
We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You
guide them gently to the right decisions.

And lastly Lord, we ask that You
allow us all to come together as a Nation,
to stand tall and united, so that we might
help each other in our hour of need.

Amen

Sunday Song of Celebration 6 Dec 09

Christmas Music: "O Come All Ye Faithful", Nat King Cole

Death in the Family

To all of my friends and family,

My dear Uncle Jerry has died. He was a great man. He served with The United States Postal Service all of his working career. He was a proud man who loved God dearly and his loving wife, my Aunt Dorothy. He was a Great American who supported our troops and this country for all of his life. When I was just a babe he was the one who taught me to speak French; unfortunately I did not retain much and wish I had continued to learn this beautiful language, never too late, huh? He was a member of the American Legion and was always sure to keep my membership up in the Sons of The American Legion. This is a card I proudly carry in my wallet. As you are probably can tell, I am and have always loved and have been proud of my Uncle. Please offer your prayers for my Aunt and my family. I am happy to know he and my Grandmother are now together in heaven; they loved each other dearly and I remember sitting as a child and listening to them talk for hours.

I will return to posting on my blogs and responding to emails in a few days. Thank you for your prayers for my Uncle and my family.

May God be with all of you,


Brian, the old man

Wordless Wednesday 2 Dec 09

Two Quotes for Tuesday 1 Dec 09

God's Plan and Your Uncertain Times

When terrible things happen, there are
two choices, and only two: We can trust God,
or we can defy Him. We believe that God is
God, He's still got the whole world in His hands
and knows exactly what He's doing, or we must
believe that He is not God and that we are
at the awful mercy of mere chance.

Elisabeth Elliot


"For I know the plans that I have for you,"
declares the LORD,
"plans for welfare and not for calamity
to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11