Monday Memories: Morning Coffee

Hello readers, here is a new weekly feature on Big Sky Buckeye.  I will repost a previously published poem every  Monday.  Today’s post was one of the first poem’s written by yours truly.  Enjoy a newly edited version about “Morning Coffee.” 

white ceramic mugs

Photo by Bryan Schneider on Pexels.com

Smelling the rich aroma on another early morn

Anticipating the initial taste, like being reborn

 

Certainly one cup will not be enough today

A second cup causes worries to fade away

 

As Dolly Parton sings, “Pour myself a cup of ambition”

Coffee will definitely be my regular morning addiction

 

Waking up on a chilly, frosty, dark day

Jumping out of bed to be on one’s way

 

Hurrying down to the kitchen, what is this?

No coffee?  An empty morning without bliss!

 

 

Jonathan Edwards Quote

boy in blue and white shirt playing near on body of water with boy in red shirt

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Nothing sets a person so much out of the devil’s reach as humility.

From Philippians 2:3:  “Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.”

Experiencing Contentment

Living in Christ brings believers true and faithful contentment.  Apostle Paul writes much about experiencing content with our faith and remaining true to God’s calling.  His writings inspire this poem.

brown and silver cross table decor

Photo by Michael Morse on Pexels.com

Encourage others as God encourages each of us

Be forgiving toward others, adding to life’s plus

 

Give thanks for all of Father’s grace

Be His prayer warrior at every place

 

Allow Christ to shine through in all we do

Be filled with the Spirit, faithful and true

 

Hold dear to our hearts, all that is good

Be thankful to God, as we always should

 

Fiery ordeals and daily trials will always challenge all

Be an eyewitness to Christ’s sufferings, never to fall

 

God is sovereign and forever in control of it all

Be aware, all things work together, forever tall

 

When God’s glory is finally revealed on that day

Be shouting with amazing grace, sing as we may

 

We bring nothing into this world we live

Be content with little, the rest God gives

 

The love of money brings evil times

Be taking nothing, not even a dime

 

Bring together godliness with contentment

Be willing to follow every Commandment

 

Despite our weaknesses, Christ dwells within thee

Be content with calamities and hardships we see

 

God’s Grace is sufficient for everyone

Be thankful for the sacrifice of His Son

 

Christ resides in our hearts, He yearns to save

Be strengthened with blood and body He gave

 

Always rely on God’s strength and mighty clout

Be content, following His Word, never in doubt

 

Love of Christ surpasses all that we ever see

Be grateful and shower blessings, take a knee

How does God’s Word bring you contentment?  Does a special verse of Scripture sing out to you?

 

Diabetic Shadow Persists

Here is the second part of the discussion about my diabetic shadow.  I appreciated the many comments from readers after posting the initial discussion.  In case you missed the first part, here is the link to it: 

Diabetic Shadow Arrives

addiction chemistry close up colors

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

In the previous discussion about my struggle with Type 2 Diabetes, I really was not committed to taking charge of my health and making the necessary adjustments in my lifestyle.  Once again, here are my previous lab results:

Date Cholesterol HDL LDL A1C
2014 218 42 154 NA
2015 222 41 162 6.4
Feb, 2016 249 42 179 7.5

After my February, 2016 test results, my doctor began prescribing a cocktail of medications to address my condition.  He was concerned that future complications could carry the risk of a major life-changing event.

My medications included:

  • Metformin (500 mg): Control blood glucose
  • Atorvastatin (20 mg): Control cholesterol
  • Lisinopril (5 mg): Control blood pressure

I was dedicated to taking these medications as prescribed.  However, the rest of my lifestyle wasn’t making other necessary changes.

I was missing two key elements in following a much healthier lifestyle.

  • Proper exercise
  • Healthy eating

I was making adjustments in my eating plan, but I wasn’t “all in” with what I needed to be doing.  I was still consuming too much sugar as well as not significantly cutting down on my level of carbohydrates.  Exercise continued to be pretty much the same as before—little or nothing.

My new lab results over the next 12 months showed some improvement, but not the breakthrough my doctor and I were looking for.  As he told me,  “sugar is poison” in your body.

Date Cholesterol HDL LDL A1C
Aug, 2016 173 46 112 6.6
Feb, 2017 155 38 105 7.4

While my overall cholesterol was improving significantly, the other numbers told a different story.  The most glaring disappointment in these numbers was the drop in my good cholesterol (HDL) and the increase in my A1C.

The coming months were going to require a change in attitude about bringing my diabetic condition under control.  In an upcoming final post, I will address how these numbers would change for the better.

C. S. Lewis Quote

photo of person holding a bible

Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com

There is but one good; that is God.  Everything else is good when it looks to Him and bad when it turns from Him.

From Psalm 112:7:  “They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord.”

Heavenly Tranquility

The inspiration for this poem comes from a recent post from Leola who is an inspiring Christian writer and photographer.  Please visit her “Road Trip to Montreal” by way of the link below.  I thank her so much for allowing me to match her garden photography with my poetic words.

via Road Trip To Montreal #4 — mycreatorscreation

Enjoy an image from Montreal’s Botanical Garden, courtesy of mycreatorscreation.

Life sometimes motors along much too fast

Leaving us hungry for something that lasts

 

A journey to a big city, feeling so alone

Thinking I should have stayed at home

 

I am not used to being in the big city, yes

Realizing my Lord has put me to this test

 

The final morning arrives, thank goodness

Dreaming of any place, filled with fullness

 

My morning walk takes me to a hidden place

Parking itself near a stadium, comes a taste

 

A botanical garden erupts with vibrant color

Blossoming the landscape, like none other

 

Colors of every imaginable shade and hue

Beholding God’s brilliance, eternally true

 

My eyes capture incredible memories that last

Experiencing heavenly tranquility, what a blast

 

God brought me here today for a special reason

Planning to share His love, no matter the season

 

 

 

 

 

Diabetic Shadow Arrives

person holding black tube

Photo by PhotoMIX Ltd. on Pexels.com

Being diagnosed (officially) with Type 2 Diabetes back in 2016, I was not really committed to improving my health.

When the outset of diabetes showed up at my doorstep, my weight was not an issue.  Exercise had become a forgotten word in my daily life.  I was teaching and very active in the classroom so I sort of figured that my constant activity should count as some type of exercise.

My eating habits were generally healthy except for a passion to eat certain sweets, breads, and pasta.  Honestly, I can remember buying a whole pumpkin pie or a dozen donuts to scarf down in a couple of days.

Why worry, my health had been generally great (“boring” as my doctor told me).  My cholesterol levels had been borderline for many years, but I was facing few complications from it.

Early in 2016, distressing news finally showed up at my doorstep.  My health numbers were elevating to much higher and detrimental levels.  With cholesterol levels going higher than ever before, my doctor took more tests, and A1C became my new score to worry about.

Here are my lab results from 2014, 2015, and the first half of 2016.  Remember now that HDL is the “good” cholesterol component and LDL is the “bad” one.

Date Cholesterol HDL LDL A1C
Feb, 2014 218 42 154 NA
Feb, 2015 222 41 162 6.4
Feb, 2016 249 42 179 7.5

As the above numbers indicate, my numbers were going in the wrong direction as of February, 2016.  In an upcoming post, I will discuss more of this journey with my diabetic shadow.

Charles Spurgeon Quote

backlit beach christian dawn

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

A tried Christian grows rich by his loses, he rises by his falls, he lives by dying, and he becomes full by being emptied.

From James 1:2-4:  “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.”