Noteworthy Headlines

Gathering a few thoughts from recent newspaper headlines, these hidden gems share some notable treasures.  Let’s celebrate in the praises of everyday life.

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Infiltrating households and lonely hearts

Pets changing lives, with nurturing restarts

 

Treehouse fulfills wish, dreams really come true

Living monument, to boy’s health breakthrough

 

Retiring first-ever diet soft drink

TaB’s pop culture fades, no longer in sync

 

Gardening preserves one’s health, endless ways

Cultivate positive rewards each day

 

German icebreaker fulfills yearlong quest

Surveys the Arctic, climate change addressed

 

Sharing rock star’s reflections and insight

Peter Frampton, from ashes to twilight

 

Collectors flocking to Halloween gear

Vintage toys and costumes, from yesteryear

 

Small farms encompass lasting myths and dreams

Stewardship’s green space, sowing nature’s seams

 

Creating backyard bird-filled habitat

Places to perch, inviting welcome mat

 

Babysit grandson, brings grandpa a break

Takes little red wagon, loving keepsake

 

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Faith and Grace (Elfchen Series #34)

Believe 

River

Mighty waters

Life paddles on

Trusting in God’s Spirit

Faith

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Faithful Walk

Choices

Sowing seeds

Pleasing to God

Following footsteps of Christ

Blessed

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Messiah

Lost

In darkness

Grace comes calling

Accepting through faith, Jesus

Salvation

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Special Repost: Friday, the 13th!

This poem was originally written for another Friday, the 13th, back in December, 2019.  Today seems like an appropriate time to publish it again.  Of course, I am usually not too superstitious.  Hmm, where are my lucky socks?

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Does Friday, the 13th, bring on bad luck?

Breaking a mirror, let’s not make a scene

Crossing paths with a black cat, now fear struck

This Friday’s trying hard, to make us scream

 

Let’s focus on a different number

Twelve delivers a comforting meaning

Twelve Days of Christmas, never to shudder

Twelve Tribes of Israel, never demeaning

 

For some people, “thirteen” seems unlucky

Not really sure why others whine and fuss

Heading out the door with my dog Lucky

Snow flurries in June, now that’s treasonous!

 

So, what’s the big deal about the 13th?

Just change the calendar to the 14th

 

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Charles Stanley Quote

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Christ, however, entered heaven itself and presented His life to the Father as the perfect atoning sacrifice.  This means that the work of forgiveness is done.  If you are in Christ, then His sacrifice has already paid for your sin.

From Hebrews 7:21-22:  “But this one became a priest with an oath, because of the one who said to Him, ‘The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, You are a priest forever’–accordingly  Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant.”

Keep It Simple

From Proverbs 15:15:  “All the days of the poor are hard, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.”

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Life draining, more exhausted each day

Skies and mind, filling with darkest gray

 

Feet feeling locked, stuck in deepest mud

Fear turns on its spigot, now a flood

 

Advice shouts from all comers, all sides

Inner soul overwhelmed, faith divides

 

Daily walk, no longer stunning bright

Chaos reigns, becoming lasting night

 

Seasoned man, parked at Main Street’s corner

Life hits pause, who is this foreigner?

 

His thoughts and words, simple in their task

Holy Spirit reaches, to unmask

 

Keep it simple, fill your life with love

God’s peace, bringing comfort from above

 

In an instant, the wise sage departs

Night transforms to day, love fills this heart

 

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From 1 John 5:3-4:  “ For the love of God is this, that we obey His commandments.  And His commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world.  And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith.”

Oswald Chambers Quotes

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God has to hide from us what He does until by personal character we get to the place where He can reveal it.

From Revelation 4:1:  “After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open!  And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.'”

Crying Out

From Psalm 23:4:  “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.”

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Darkness shields life’s guiding light

Causing worries to take flight

 

Life’s trials, too much to bear

Ask, who really seems to care?

 

World seems to be crashing down

Running dry, emptiness drowns

 

Words and actions, meek and weak

Ask, who shall one run to seek?

 

Vacant wilderness, so dark

Crying out, life’s question mark

 

Heart and soul, feeling hollow

Ask, what voice shall one follow?

 

Voice answers, restoring hopes

Searching from distant slopes

 

Good Shepherd, looking for one

Saving His flock, one by one

 

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From John 10:14-16:  “I am the good shepherd.  I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.  And I lay down my life for the sheep.  I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.  I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.  So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”

Veterans Day Quotes

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General Omar Bradley

Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared to death.

Reverend Billy Graham

Courage is contagious.  When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened.

Singer Bob Dylan

A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.

Actor Christopher Reeve

A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.

Source:  Guideposts.org

Life’s Blessed Gifts (Haiku Series #106)

Welcoming Sound

Hearing little feet

Lasting gifts of family—

Blessed grandchildren

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Maturity

Impatient in youth

Tempered by life’s long journey—

With age comes patience

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Blessing 

Quiet morning hour

Quality productive time—

Confidence and peace

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