Praise and Gratitude

From Psalm 92:1-2:  “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.”

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Filling every day with praises

Praying daily, words of gratitude

Hailing heavenly Father’s mercy

Fueling our continued fortitude

 

Declaring steadfast love of Father

Remembering lasting faithfulness

Thanking Him for eternal goodness

Rescuing from evil’s dark abscess

 

Hearing angelic music above

Singing with steady, heartfelt voices

Trusting Father’s spiritual message

Inspiring life with better choices

 

Proclaiming with praise and gratitude

Flourishing with Father’s thanksgiving

Producing blessed fruit in His name

Pointing toward Calvary, forgiving

 

Refreshing moment with our Father

Trumpeting His everlasting name

Scaling summit of faith’s righteous rock

Lighting up grace, heaven’s brightest flame

 

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From Psalm 92:14-15:  “In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, showing that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”

Matthew Henry Quote

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Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins, but sometimes the trial of extraordinary grace.

From James 4:5-6:  “Or do you suppose that it is for nothing that the scripture says, ‘God yearns jealously for the spirit that He has made to dwell in us’?  But he gives all the more grace; therefore it says.”

Lasting Impressions (Haiku Series #176)

New Day

Morning’s warmth arrives

Night’s darkness evaporates—

Brilliant sunrise greets

Sunrise greets Maryland’s Choptank River.

Wrong Address

Spring’s mixed-up signals

Heavy snow covers landscape—

Misguided showers

Snow blankets central Ohio.

Endless Harmony

Nature’s precious gifts

Infinite diversity—

Unified as one

Spring flowers meet fresh shoots of grass.

Monday Memories: Humbling Conversation

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The other day, grandpa had a conversation with his very confident (and all knowing) six-year old grandson.  Let’s drop in on the conversation for a moment or two.

Grandpa states, “Does your television wake up each morning at 6:00 with a color bar display on the screen?”

His grandson replies, “Nope.  Remember Grandpa, I am not as old as you.  Besides, didn’t you only watch shows on black and white TVs?”

Grandpa proudly recalls the American space program and tells his young protégé, “I was there in 1969 watching Neil Armstrong walk on the moon.”

His eager grandson answers back, “I really don’t think you were on the moon with Neil Armstrong because Buzz Aldrin was there instead.  You know, landing on the moon isn’t such a big deal.  I plan to visit Mars.”

Grandpa pauses for a moment, thinking to himself . . . This young fella has an answer for everything!

Grandpa wanders over to his desk and pulls out a miniature plastic card.  He holds up the 3.5-inch floppy disk and tells his grandson, “We used to save our computer data on disks such as this.  Pretty amazing, don’t you think?”

His grandson eagerly says, “Wow Grandpa!  Now we store information on a cloud.”

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His grandson pipes up and asks, “Grandpa, do you have anything else you want to share with me before I go?”

“Why sure!”  Grandpa says with a grin.  “I remember when the Ford Mustang came out in 1964.  It was the hottest and fastest ride.”

“Sounds amazing, but I am looking forward to owning and driving a Corvette when I am a whole lot older.  It leaves the Mustang in the dust.”  His smiling grandson adds with a cute, little smile (with two missing front teeth).

Grandpa scratches his head, and then he laments with a heavy heart, “I’ve been a Cleveland Browns football fan for all of my life.  You should have seen them play back in the 60s.”

His football prognosticator grandson quickly answers back, “Yup, and you’re still waiting for them to play in their first Super Bowl.  Go Steelers!”

“I have an old bicycle sitting in the garage.  Perhaps we can go for a bike ride this weekend.”  Grandpa sighs (he is nearly exhausted).

“Why sure Grandpa.  But, do you think your old three-speed bike can keep up with my brand new 15-speed?”  The first-grader replies, with a wink.

Later in the day, Grandpa is sitting in his reliable, comfortable rocking chair in the living room.  He ponders a thought . . . I don’t know what I am going to do when my grandson becomes a fifth grader.  I’ll never be as smart as a fifth grader!

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Bob Marley Quotes

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One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.

Don’t gain the world and lose your soul; wisdom is better than silver and gold.

Bob Marley (1945-1981) was a Jamaican-born singer, songwriter, and musician.  His unique and pioneering musical talents shared many inspiring songs.

Savior Lives

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Conquering darkness

Empty tomb declares

Risen Savior lives

Grace pours out, God cares

 

Mourning no longer

Calvary’s cross bends

Righteous Savior lives

Love pays dividends

 

Looking to heavens

Evil crawls away

Faithful Savior lives

God’s Word, final say

 

Walking in His light

God’s design sustains

Steadfast Savior lives

Never changing lanes

 

Singing hymns of praise

God’s glory beyond

Blessed Savior lives

Mercy’s lasting bond

 

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Charles Swindoll Quote

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Listen carefully!  Jesus Christ opens the gate, gently looks at you, and says:  “Come to Me, all you who labor and are over burdened, and I will cause you to rest.”  Just come.  His provision is profound, attainable, and right.

From Psalm 32:7:  “You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.”

Writer’s Magic

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Galaxy of words

Waiting to be tapped

Crafting from stardust

Pleasantly gift-wrapped

 

Visionary words

Stirring with brilliance

Enchanting journey

Story’s resilience

 

Wizardry of words

Taking center stage

Spellbinding verses

Poetry’s new age

 

Writer’s gifted words

Singing with passion

Finding fresh magic

Vocal compassion

 

Endless cache of words

Weaving life’s heartbeat

Drafting each new page

Adventure’s front seat

  

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