Thursday, November 30, 2006

Do You Hear What I Hear

Do You Hear What I Hear
Said the night wind to the little lamb,
do you see what I see
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
do you see what I see
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,
do you hear what I hear
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,
do you hear what I hear
A song, a song, high above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,
do you know what I know
In your palace warm, mighty king,
do you know what I know
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Let us bring Him silver and gold

Said the king to the people everywhere,
listen to what I say
Pray for peace, people everywhere!
listen to what I say
The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

A Christmas Poem To Share

Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land, Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
See the PC Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.

The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a "Holiday".

Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say

Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!

I'll Be Home For Christmas -Song of the Day

I really miss Johnna and Sandy and thier families.

I'll Be Home For Christmas
Kim Gannon, Walter Kent (c) 1943

I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
and presents on the tree

Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams

Mid Week Epistole -How to Strengthen Your Heart by Jim Massey

HOW TO STRENGTHEN YOUR HEART!
I once read an article that described a major cause of heart disease among individuals today. It was not one of the familiar ones that we have heard so much about, but it was an emotion that dwells deep in the heart of many people. Here is a part of the article: “Hopelessness is hard on the heart, according to a four-year study of 942 middle-aged men who were asked to measure their feelings of hopelessness (defined as feeling like a failure or having an uncertain future). Those reporting high levels of hopelessness had a 20 percent greater incident of arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which often sets the stage for heart attacks.” (“Taking Care” Vol. 19 - Issue 12 Dec. 1997)
Hopelessness - can you imagine the chance of heart attack among the disciples at times as they were walking with Jesus and things were not going the way they wanted? Then the Master would calm their frazzled nerves and call them to look with their hearts in another direction - always to God, always to the Kingdom, always toward one another. That was His challenge to them. It was the only cure then and it is the only cure now for hopelessness.
The strength of the heart is the assurance of the Savior. He can walk the paths of this world and still see an answer to our despair. He still has compassion for all the people, and not just for the ones that are close and easy to see, but the ones that are outcast and quiet, standing along the road as the parade of churches and Christians go by, longing for relief from a heart that is breaking with hopelessness.
Will you offer the Christ to others? Will you relieve the pain and suffering that others feel when they are caught up in the sights and sounds of a troubled world by taking the time to pray, touch, and offer the great hope of God? I wonder if we would do this, if there would be fewer heart attacks in this world today?

Almighty God, just as you touched our lives, may we touch and calm the lives of others this day. We ask this in the blessed name of Jesus the Holy Christ. Amen.

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

O Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.


For Christ is born of Mary,
And gathered all above,
While mortlas sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth!
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to men on earth.


How silently, how silently,
The wondrous gift is giv'n!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heav'n.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him, still
The dear Christ enters in.


O holy Child of Bethlehem!
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Immanuel.

Monday, November 27, 2006

Prayer Request -- Kristin

My sister Kristin is having surgery early next week. She had a tumor on her wrist 2 years ago. And they removed it and eventually she regained the use of her right hand. Last years check up was fine, but this years was not.

She has several tumors on her lungs. She is being operated on to remove them and to test them. She is so young, just 23. Please, please keep her in your prayers. She is a wonderful, smart and beautiful young lady. Please, please keep her in your prayers.

We Need A Little Christmas

Check here for a Christmas song hopefully everyday until Christmas.

This is one of my favorites. When we were kids, Johnna sang this song in a Christmas Program at school when she was in 6th Grade. I love music....but I will never forget this song is associated with my little sister I love so much.

WE NEED A LITTLE
CHRISTMAS


Haul out the holly;
Put up the tree before
My spirit falls again.
Fill up the stockings,
I may be rushing things,
But deck the halls again now.
For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute,
Candles in the window,
Carols at the spinet.
Yes, we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute.
It hasn't snowed a single flurry,
But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry;
So climb down the chimney;
Turn on the brightest string of lights
I've ever seen.
Slice up the fruitcake;
It's time we hung some tinsel
On that evergreen bough.
For I've grown a little leaner,
Grown a little colder,
Grown a little sadder,
Grown a little older,
And I need a little angel
Sitting on my shoulder,
Need a little Christmas now.

For we need a little music,
Need a little laughter,
Need a little singing
Ringing through the rafter,
And we need a little snappy
"Happy ever after"
Need a little Christmas now.
We need a little Christmas now!

© Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman


Sunday, November 26, 2006

Some People Change

Montgomery Gentry is my favorite group. This is the lyrics to thier new song. I love this song. It is a really good song. Just wanted to share it here.



Some People Change by Montgomery Gentry (Michael Dulaney/Jason Sellers/Neil Thrasher)

1st Verse

His old man was a rebel yeller
Bad boy to the bone
He'd say, 'Can't trust that other feller'
He'd judge 'em by the tone of their skin

2nd Verse

He was raised to think like his Dad
Narrow mind full 'a hate
On the road to nowhere fast
'Til the grace of God got in the way

Pre Chorus

Then he saw the light and hit his knees
And cried and said a prayer
Rose up a brand new man
Left the old one right there

Chorus

(Some people change)
Here's to the strong
Thanks to the brave
Don't give up hope
Some people change
Against all odds
Against the grain
Love finds a way
Some people change (hey)
(Some people change)

3rd Verse

She was born with her mother's habit
You could say it's in her blood
She hates that she's gotta have it
As she fills her glass up

Pre Chorus

She'd love to kill that bottle
But all she can think about
Is a better life, a second chance
And everyone she's letting down
She throws that bottle down

(Repeat Chorus)

Bridge

Thank God for those who make it
Let them be the light
Let them be the light

(Repeat Chorus)

Friday, November 24, 2006

Mid Week Epistole by Jim Massey

Assurance of Thanksgiving Dinner Count
As Thanksgiving approaches, I have heard many people saying that their children are coming. They are not sure if all of them will get here on time, but perhaps in the next day or two afterward if the are not busy.
I once read a unique way of being sure of the dinner count.
An elderly man in Phoenix calls his son in New York and says, "I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; 45 years of misery is enough."
"Pop, what are you talking about?" the son screams.
"We can't stand the sight of each other any longer," the old man says. "We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Chicago and tell her." Then he hangs up.
Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. "Like heck they're getting divorced," she shouts, "I'll take care of this." She calls Phoenix immediately, and screams at the old man, "You are NOT getting divorced. Don't do a single thing until I get there. I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don't do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?"
The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. "Okay," he says, "They're coming for Thanksgiving and paying their own fares."
I am glad that God does not offer such an invitation to His dinners aren't you. He said, "Come unto me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." It is truly in the promise of the heavenly banquet that the price is paid by God and the invitation sealed by the death of His Son. What a Thanksgiving celebration that is.

Father, as our families and friends gather this Thanksgiving Day, let us truly offer thanks for the saving grace that comes from knowing Your Son Jesus Christ. It is in the Scriptures that we feast and celebrate the love that offers happiness to all. Let us be sure that the first thanks that we give as our families gather is the one that is for Your Holy Salvation Love. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

This has been Rev. Jim Massey. May you truly be blessed this Thanksgiving and join me next week for another Mid-week Epistle.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

THE OPENED MOUTH - Mid Week Epistole by Jim Massey

THE OPENED MOUTH

Do you have trouble opening your mouth at the wrong time? Have you ever been in a conversation and before you know it you have volunteered to do something or take on some responsibility after you had promised you wouldn’t?

Then listen to the fable of the frog who wanted to go South with geese.

One morning the geese were discussing the wonderful southern climate and the fall migration. A frog became obsessed with wanting to go after listening to the wonderful images that were presented. Now the geese liked him and wanted him to join them, but his abilities as a frog simply didn’t include flying. So, they put the burden on him by saying, “If you can figure out a way to go, we’d be delighted to have you go down there with us.”

The frog put on his thinking cap and eventually came up with a plan. He talked two of the large birds into holding a stick between them in their bills. He clamped his mouth on the middle of the stick and they took off. It worked!

They began flying south, and they were doing great; but several other geese flew by and one observed, “My, isn’t that a clever idea? I wonder whose idea it was?” And with that, the frog told them -- and landed in the ocean.

Does that remind you of the words of Job: “Though I am innocent, my own mouth would condemn me.” (Job 9:20).

This should also serve as words of warning to those who try to fly higher than they should, they could croak.

Eternal God, the words that come from our mouths at times may give us a false sense of security. Remind us of the words of another prayer: “Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer.” Amen.

This has been Rev. Jim Massey. Next week we will see if we can find creative ways to be sure of our Thanksgiving company.

Mona Lisa Smile

Last night, I could not sleep and lay in bed watching this movie. A million thoughts were going through my head.

I did NOT go to Wellsley, But I did go to an all womens college...rooted deep in the history of the education of women. My choice school was a small all Women's college in Maryland. Our brother school was the United States Naval Academy. College was one of the happiest times of my life, but I look back now and see that it was not about just getting an education.

That movie showed traditions as though they were a bad thing. And yes, many of those traditions held women back. But they were what I sought comfort in while a student. I was not like many of my classmates. They were the daughters of privilage, and I was one of 4 students in the whole school with as much finacial need as I got. I earned that help and the right to go thier through academic and community achievements. But still, I knew I did not belong among the rest. And yet, the chance to partake in those traditions...It was a dream come true.

It was so hard, and yet, I still feel like I squandered away this gift I was given. I often refer to these types of schools as "pressure cooker's". Because there is drive to be perfect. To compete against the brightest and to always succeed. You will be a success if you can get through. Drop out and Fail out rates sky rocket. I have friends who failed out of this school and went on to have 4.0 at state universities. But with a class size norm of 10, every class is discussion. Every test is an essay. Every paper is read and reread. They are preparing leaders.

When I was young, one of my favorite quotes was "Lead, Follow or Get out of the Way." That was my life. I was destined for greatness, to overcome all that I had failed to have. I was the one who was going to have it better. I was going to buy my mom a house; so, she never had to work again. She had worked so hard her whole life to provide. And I wanted to give her that. What I wanted, and what she wanted for me were different things. But I never let on that they were so different. Maybe I should of told her. Maybe I should of told her that was not my dream. And yet, that is where I was suppose to be. Would I have gotten more out of it? Would it have been less of a pressure cooker?

When she died, Law School... it was a dream I had been fighting forever. She wanted me to make money...so first I chosen enviromental law....then..I switched majors from biochemistry to history with a sociology minor and wanted to choose family law. She worked 3 jobs, the idea of making money and being successful...I was suppose to save everyone. To bring it back to my community...to them. And I failed in that way, because it was not my dream.

I wanted to be a senator, and this school was the way to get to that dream. But I can hear her words too, "You are too honest to be a politician." I met such powerful people through getting that chance to go there. I remember the first field trip into Washington DC. You should of seen me. I was alive talking about it a month later at Thanksgiving. I sparkled. My mom's "bosses" and friends said, it made me alive. By the time I was a senior and sat in a Senators office and watched him sell out the people from his state by agreeing to vote against an issue he ran on that would be good for the state...I had lost my sparkle. The illusion of wealth and power had become a bit less shiney.

Maybe by then I had just realized, I did not belong. That I was still standing at the window looking in. I did what I was suppose to...only the men I picked... While they would one day be very successful, were like me. The ones looking in. Make no mistake, I dated too the ones who were on the inside, but I never found enough in commen with them to have a lasting relationship. Every Hood Girl Dates a middie, my longest relationship was with a son of migrant workers from Mexico.

And yet, I look back and wonder now what I could have done different. I had this one professor who influenced me so much. My senior year, he said, that I had lost that light. When I had him as a freshman, I remember the light. The day I laid into an african-american student who was going to sit there and tell me about growing up "poor" when her father made over a million dollars a year. My tution was more in a year, then my mother made working 3 jobs. By my senior year, I had lost that "light"...and the desire to go to law school...to do anything that would make me a success.

I love being a mom, I do. But part of me always remembers I was marked for greatness. I often wonder what it is that is missing. There is a shame associated with that failure to succeed. To be one of the few given a chance to overcome, and to be....well, Just a mom. I guess, I just feel like I let so many people down. Even that professor who time after time, had marked me for greatness as well.

Was it ever my dream? Did I fail to reach my dream, or Did I just fail to reach everyone elses for me?

Monday, November 13, 2006

Life

This year has just been so long. A year ago, I had pretty much returned from My grandma's funeral. I am in this funk lately and cant seem to break out of it. Dorkboy is going out of town today for work. One more "wonderful" thing to add to life right now. blah blah blah and a bit more blah.

I really miss my family. I want to go home so bad. I am so tired. So tired. Brian's folks come back this weekend coming up. The "boy" has his championship football game this weekend. They lost last weekend..so they play the 2nd best team in the "toy bowl" from the other town. "the oldest girl" is all caught back up in school now...well almost. I just want a vacation from life...or at least for Brian to get a job back in my hometown so we can go home. I just want my family. I want to be surrounded by them, and drove crazy by them, and want them interfearing in my life...and me in thiers. I want to be able to see them with my own eyes, hold them in my arms and hug them and smother them with love until they beg for me to stop.

I want my children to have what I feel like they are missing out on...and mostly...i want to leave this town. Our life has been one nightmare after another since we got here. I just want Brian to come home saftely at the end of the week...everything else...we will go from there.

Sunday, November 12, 2006

What Child Is This?

The other day in Wally World I heard my favorite Christmas Hymn. I wondered, boy...it is awful early. But ...is ever too early to celebrate the expectation of the Light? That is what Christmas is about to me...expecting the Light.

I wish it could be Christmas everyday...and it can be. If you and I make it so. If everyday, we wait and expect the Light of Jesus Christ to come into our lives and prepare a space for Him in our hearts. A manager for the tiny baby, and an opening for the man who died on the cross on a hill to save us from ourselves.

Last year, we sang this song for choir...this song about is this the Child who would bear the nails for me? Is this the tiny Child who would carry away my sin? How can such a small Child bear all the weight of the world? Every day, I have to ask...What Child is this?

What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

A time for Everything

A further study in not needing to always understand God's plan. For everything there is a reason, it is not our reason to understand at that moment.


Ecclesiastes 3
A Time for Everything
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. 13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.

15 Whatever is has already been,
and what will be has been before;
and God will call the past to account. [a]

16 And I saw something else under the sun:
In the place of judgment—wickedness was there,
in the place of justice—wickedness was there.

17 I thought in my heart,
"God will bring to judgment
both the righteous and the wicked,
for there will be a time for every activity,
a time for every deed."

18 I also thought, "As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. 19 Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath [b] ; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. 20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. 21 Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal [c] goes down into the earth?"

22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?

The Road Less Traveled

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference

...Robert Frost

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Kenny Rogers - Buy Me A Rose Lyrics

Kenny Rogers - Buy Me A Rose Lyrics

Lyrics:
He works hard to give her all he thinks she wants
A three car garage, her own credit cards
He pulls in late to wake her up with a kiss good night
If he could only read her mind, she'd say:

Buy me a rose, call me from work
Open a door for me, what would it hurt
Show me you love me by the look in your eyes
These are the little things I need the most in my life

Now the days have grown to years of feeling all alone
And she can't help but wonder what she's doing wrong
Cause lately she'd try anything to turn his head
Would it make a difference if she said:

Buy me a rose, call me from work
Open a door for me, what would it hurt
Show me you love me by the look in your eyes
These are the little things I need the most in my life

And the more that he lives the less that he tries
To show her the love that he hold inside
And the more that she gives the more that he sees
This is a story of you and me

So I bought you a rose on the way home from work
Opened the door to a heart that I hurt
And I hope you notice this look in my eyes
Cause I'm gonna make things right
I'm gonna hold you tonight
Do all those little things
For the rest of your life.

Monday, November 06, 2006

Believing God -God is Always With Us

Many times in life, We struggle to believe God. Not believing in God, but rather...believing God will do what He said. One of the things we talked about yesterday in sunday school, was the rollar coaster ride of Christianity. The ups and downs of faiths. The riding high one minute and finding peace the next. And how when we believe God, then we will ride at a semi-normal speed minus the humps of faith. Because believing in God, means having the peace to know that He will do what He says.

When God's word tells us, Genesis 28:15 “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” God is telling us, we are His. He will not dessert us. He will not leave us. He will not forsake us. God is with us through all things. There are many words that tell us of this comfort. That God will not leave us, even when we feel most without God. Isaiah 41:10 “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed; for I am Your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Believing God means we trust that He is there.

In is easy for us though to forget, God's ever hand in our lives...when we pray..we pray for thy will for our lives. But when we get God's answers, we do not always like them. They are not the answer we want...or even what we prayed for. That does not mean God did not hear our prayer, or even that He was not there. It only means that we did not like the answer. Matthew 6:10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. When we pray for God's will in our lives, Why do we let the world get us up and down in faith, because we do not Believe God? Believing God means finding acceptance for all of God's answers. Not just the ones we like. Because if God is always with us, it means God answers prayers. It does not mean we will get the result we want, but rather...we will get the answer we need. But first, we must Believe God. And that is harder to do then just Believing in God.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Our Soldiers Need Our Prayers



Our Soldiers Need Our Prayers, not made fun of and cut on for political gain.

Sending up prayers for these troops and all of those who do what others dont and wont do. Protect everything that America Stands for!

Come Home soon!