Focus on clarifying what is being observed, felt, and needed rather than diagnosing and judging.
The more we talk about the past, the less we heal from it.
Marshall Rosenberg (1934-2015) was an American psychologist, author, and teacher. Much of his work was framed around the development of supporting partnerships and resolving conflicts.
From Psalm 118:26: “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord.”
Rejoice with this new day
God sharing precious love
Blessed Word guides our way
Behold gifts from above
Extend love to others
Family and friends shine
Each sister and brother
Feeling God’s love, divine
Christ sheds blood, out of love
Building faith’s cornerstone
Treasured, caring, proud of
Never feeling alone
Remembering God’s saints
Memories still alive
Cherished thoughts now repaint
Holding tight each archive
Lord is God, brings His light
Giving thanks for His grace
Blessed angels take flight
Precious love shall embrace
From Psalm 118:1: “O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!”
Originally published March, 2021.
From Psalm 103:2-4: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all His benefits—who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.”
Gracious Father’s mercy
Abounding depth of love
Steadfast, unconditional
Foresight received from above
Heavenly redemption
Healing each hardened heart
Grace flowing with forgiveness
Savior’s light confirms hope’s start
Father’s witness bears truth
Fulfilling righteous norms
Always love one another
Armor of light now transforms
Christ’s clearest instructions
Building love’s exercise
Works of darkness laid aside
Messiah’s trusted franchise
Called to forgive others
Shedding blindness through light
Love’s faithful fabric now sown
Relationship’s comfort bright
From Romans 13:10: “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.”
Transplanted
Children’s transfusion
Grace opens heart to transmit—
Love flowing outward
Committed
Trust joining twin hearts
Husband shares love with his bride—
Both rising with peace
Fulfilled
Love’s innocence shines
Decades can never erase—
Hearts forged together
From James 4:6: “But He gives all the more grace; therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'”
Our Creator’s divine plan
Offers fullest, living grace
Giving patience, just in case
When running life’s anxious race
Our Lord shares forgiveness
Relationships need healing
Forgiving sin, just in case
When each day seems freewheeling
Heaven’s Father, sharing peace
Imperfect lives needing change
Trimming each branch, just in case
When roaming lost on God’s range
God shares His timely wisdom
From Heaven, He sees us fall
Touching our hand, just in case
When we need His hope-filled call
From John 15:1-2: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit He prunes to make it bear more fruit.”
Originally published January, 2021.
I send out a message every Saturday morning that is meaningful, hopefully it’s a spiritual message. It gives me an opportunity to stay in touch with many of those people I was fortunate to know and play with through the years.
Jerry Lucas (born 1940) lives in Gallipolis, which is located in southeastern Ohio.
The person who talks a lot or talks over people misses out because they weren’t listening.
I learned to listen and listen very well. It helped me athletically and in the classroom as well.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee (both 1962) is an American track and field athlete. Her prowess has been recognized by her excellence in the heptathlon and long jump. Competing in four different summer Olympiads, she received three gold, one silver, and two bronze medals.
Obstacles ahead
Shading vision from darkness—
Coming into light
Bumpy road jumps up
Watch out . . . another crater—
Changing tire again
“Things” lose their luster
Instead, heart swells with people—
Living simple life
You can teach to a wall, but when you help someone learn, you have to get involved with the whole person.
Every adult needs a child to teach; that’s the way adults learn.
Guy Rice Doud (born 1953) is an American author and speaker. He is a former National Teacher of the Year.
I always prefer to believe the best of everybody, it saves so much trouble.
I keep six honest serving men (they taught me all I know); their names are What and Why and When and How and Where and Who.
Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was an English writer, poet, and journalist. He was born in British India, which inspired many of his works.
