Tag Archives: life

Procrastinators Club

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From 2 Corinthians 9:6:  “The point is this:  the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”

man planting plant

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Hey you, yes you!

Sitting there alone

Life without a view

 

Lack of efficient action

Reaping fear and doubt

Living without traction

 

Being a loyal member

Procrastinators Club

Ever since November

 

Life’s emotional quicksand

Robbing your life rewards

Time to join a new band

 

Do you really desire?

To find true happiness

Without life’s misfires

 

Seeking God’s advice

He’ll always support you

His Grace pays the price

 

Spending little attention

With overwhelming fears

Can’t relax without tension

 

Take courage, now believe

Jesus conquers the world

Time for your life to achieve

 

Released from gloom

Fleeing this quagmire

Life ready to bloom

 

King’s Solomon’s words implant

Whoever watches the wind

Will never attempt to plant

 

Time to change is now

Adopt new life patterns

Sowing with a new plow

 

Here’s some simple advice

Now follow this amazing tip

Better than throwing dice

 

Do first things—first!

Better sooner, than later

Darkest clouds now burst

 

Each challenge, take it on

Looking fear in the face

Reaping rewards, feeling strong

 

Handling life, forever free

Tearing up my membership

Procrastinator, no longer me

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From American writer and lecturer, Dale Carnegie:  “Action breeds confidence and courage.  If you want to conquer fear, do not sit at home and think about it.  Go out and get busy.”

 

 

Summer Hammock

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pair of red and white low top sneakers

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Under the shade of a massive oak tree, Fred relaxes in his backyard hammock while enjoying a perfect summer afternoon.

A slight, friendly breeze helps to keep the bugs away, and Fred always thinks better when he spends time in his comfortable hammock.  He looks up into the canopy of branches in the tree above, and his eyes begin following an intensely busy squirrel which is scurrying back and forth . . . back and forth.

Fred’s thoughts begin to wander as he imagines his own creation of the “perfect” treadmill.  While his model will have the usual cup holder, he will add a necessary tray for his pepperoni pizza.

Thinking . . . How can a person calculate how much wood a woodchuck could chuck, if he could really chuck wood?

Worried about an upcoming family reunion, he recalls telling his close friend, Wally, “How will I remember all of their names?”

Wally confidently replies, “Easy, just call everyone ‘cousin.’”

Remembering his granddaughter’s wedding reception last summer, he asks his wife, Doris, to dance.  He tells her, “They’re playing our favorite song.”

It takes the couple a little longer to arrive on the dance floor, and the song is nearly half over.  Fred calls out to the DJ, “Play it again Sam!”

Several minutes go by.  The “always in a hurry” squirrel pauses and thinks to himself, “What is that noise?”

Looking down, he spies Fred blissfully sleeping and dreaming, and his loud snoring serenades the entire backyard with . . . well, almost charming tunes.

Haiku Series #62 (Life)

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Imagine

Imagine a world

As seen through a baby’s eyes—

Always innocent

laughing baby wearing white shirt

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Vacation

Leaving winter cold

Ice fishing and ice skating—

Ice avoiding . . . Beach!

beach coast coconut trees holiday

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Cozy

Early morning time

Fireplace blazes and welcomes—

Warming us with love

ignited fire pit

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Monday Memories: Morning Walk

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Waking from my sleep on a dark, chilly day

Preparing for another early morning to play

 

Pulling on my warm jacket and stocking cap

Heading out the door without need of a map

 

Making this early morning journey once again

Walking down a street where many have been

 

Moving hurriedly while struggling with numbing, frigid air

Searching a pocket to discover my gloves are not a pair

 

Being discovered, a nervous rabbit hops away

Seeing me, he certainly doesn’t desire to play

 

Crossing the street, a black cat stares back

Slithering away, she doesn’t cross my path

 

Freezing my face, the frosty air feels bitterly cold

Hurrying along with a pace that is rapid and bold

 

If I Was a . . .

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This poem is inspired by a song which has been sung by many artists.  Bobby Darin and later Johnny Cash and June Carter recorded their versions of “If I Were a Carpenter.”   The song was written by Tim Hardin, and other artists have recorded and performed the song as well.  Here is Bobby Darin’s version:  “If I Were a Carpenter.”

woman writing on dry erase board

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If I was a teacher

Bringing energy, passion, and patience

Transforming all into knowledge seekers

 

If I was a firefighter

Serving with unselfish duty and pride

Protecting all, making worries lighter

 

If I was an architect

Designing buildings for many uses

Looking ahead to challenging projects

 

If I was a farmer

Rising at dawn, working until sundown

Bringing a nation food, as God’s armor

 

If I was a nurse

Sharing with patient, compassionate care

Filling lives with hope, never for the worse

 

If I was a writer

Crafting words into stories and much more

Witnessing through eyes, open and brighter

 

If I was a musician

Creating good vibes through words and music

Bringing pleasure across generations

 

If I was a preacher

Instilling God’s Word with a church’s flock

Encouraged to be one of God’s teachers

 

If I was a soldier

Preserving peace and freedom in the world

Band of brothers, stand shoulder to shoulder

 

If I was a young tyke

Looking up to these inspiring adults

Growing up, each day feeling more alike

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Trusting in the Lord

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The teenage boy has been battling an aggressive form of brain cancer for months.  Mark has shown the unwavering courage of a young man who follows God without flinching.

His pastor, Wayne, visits Mark one afternoon.  The teen has been at the hospital for several days as he is undergoing another round of treatments to battle his cancer.  Wayne wants to share some of God’s Word with this courageous teenager.

Mark’s hair is gone.  His slender frame looks even thinner than Wayne remembers.  His young body is marshalling all of its resources to battle the foe within.

Mark’s bubbling smiles lights up when Wayne walks into his room.  He is thrilled to have a visitor stopping by.

To prevent transmitting any germs or infections, Wayne is gowned up.  He looks more like a skilled doctor than a pastor.

After several minutes of conversation, Mark surprises his pastor by sharing a verse from Proverbs 3:5:  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.”

The fourteen year-old’s faith under such harsh circumstances is truly remarkable.

At the end of his visit, Wayne asks if he can pray over Mark.  Mark quietly says, “Certainly!”  The two of them share a few moments in prayer.

Walking down the hallway after leaving Mark’s room, Wayne thinks to himself, “I feel like Mark has ministered to me.  I come to bolster his spirits, yet he is the one who reminds me to always trust in God.”

This story is based on a true life experience of a fourteen year-old boy.  An entire community has rallied around him as he continues to battle cancer.  He recently shared the verse from Proverbs in a video which has been shared with many believers.  His witness to his Lord is inspiring indeed.  God’s peace.  

Haiku Series #60 (Life)

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Teacher

Pausing to listen

Forget teaching to the test—

Showing compassion

man in suit jacket standing beside projector screen

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Good Morning

Morning sun rises

Another wonderful day—

Feeling peace and joy

white house beside grass field

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Sit a Spell

Coffeeology!

Studying behind each cup—

Life stirs with each sip

woman holding gray ceramic mug

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Monday Memories: Season’s Final Match

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man in black pants playing soccer during daytime

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An early morning wind blows glacial-like air on this day

One final match these soccer boys have come to play

 

An adamant, northwest onslaught delivers an icy, Arctic blast

Will the team harness enough stamina and energy to last?

 

Players dressed warmly in layers, gloves, and stocking hats

In their final match, they look ready to conquer this and that

 

Looking more like Eskimos, parents and families huddle near

Hoping to see the resilient boys score goals without any fear

 

The spectators cheer the boys to play hard and to be bold

But they agonize and confirm—“Oh my, it’s way too cold!”

 

Sheltered beneath layers of blankets, the crowd surveys the field

The opposing team advances the ball, but the boys form a shield

 

No goals will be scored against them on this day

The boys’ defense hustles and continues to play

 

Halftime arrives with the team playing tough

Will the season end well in weather so rough?

 

The second half continues under adverse conditions

The team finishes with a season filled with tradition

 

While the rest of the players hustle to stay warm

The talented goalie stands all alone as ice forms

 

A woman’s hot coffee has transformed into cold slush

She clasps tightly to a heavy blanket, deep and plush

 

The match marches to its finish with winter as its final foe

Frozen spectators ask, “How many minutes are left to go?”

 

Icy faces, shivering bodies, and numb fingers

Plus ice blocks for feet—all continue to linger

 

Spirited boys ignore cold and continue to play

Their five goals will deliver last and final say

 

At match’s end, players and families hurry to their warm cars

All wondering how they survived the cold and made it this far

 

For two grandparents who were amazingly fearless and bold

Tomorrow morning, will be glad there is no soccer in the cold

woman winter fur hood

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This season-ending soccer match was played in November, 2018, by one of my grandsons.  The wind chill temperature was 10 degrees Fahrenheit.  He and his teammates completed a remarkable season with an unblemished record.