Our Garden Path

My Friend - a poem by S Shultz

2008-08-10T17:57:00.002-04:00

With everyones' life being so hectic and time being so precious, I would like to remind you to take the time to send a note or an email to all of your friends today. Before you know it, time will have passed and it may not make it to your to-do list. Here is one
of my favorite poems - in honor of my dearest friends...

My Friend

- by Susan Polis Schutz

You are always my friend
when I am happy
or when I am sad
when I am all alone
or when I am with people.

You are always my friend
if I see you today
or if I see you a year from now
if I talk to you today
or if I talk to you a year from now

You are always my friend
and though through the years
we will change
it doesn't matter what I do
or it doesn't matter what you do
Throughout our lifetime
you are always my friend

Our Garden Path

Whisper Jesus - Angela Murray

2008-07-18T18:16:00.001-04:00

This poem has meant so much to me and I find when someone suddenly and strongly pops into your mind, it may mean they need a prayer or two. This is a wonderful, inspirational poem to send to a friend going through a rough time ...

Whisper Jesus

Today I got a burden,
And I felt that I should pray
For God's spirit seemed to tell me,
That you were having a bad day.

I don't know what the problem is,
But I sure do know the cure
And if you'll only let Him
God will keep you safe and secure.

In life there's always problems
Cropping up to spoil our day
But my friend you know the answer
All you have to do is pray.

If you still feel you're defeated
And you want to run and hide
Just reach out and I'll be there
Standing right there by your side.

So remember, Whisper Jesus,
For He's just a prayer away,
He's so close that you can touch Him
All you have to do is pray.

~ Angela Murray

Our Garden Path

Freezing whole Tomatoes - Fast and easy

2008-06-10T19:33:00.000-04:00

Freezing Whole Tomatoes -
Quick and Easy

Fresh Tomatoes
cookie sheet
gallon freezer bags

Wash tomatoes and remove stem end
Place whole tomatoes on cookie sheet,
making sure they are not touching.
Place cookie sheet in the freezer.

When tomatoes are frozen solid,
remove tomatoes one by one and place in gallon freezer bags.

Freezing this way, you can remove as many or as few as you need. They will Not thaw well for sandwiches, but are perfect to use in stews, sauces, soups, italian dishes, chilis, etc.

variations;
if you prefer, you may also blanch tomatoes and remove the skin before freezing.

Our Garden Path

Potato Chips - inspirational story

2008-04-30T18:22:00.000-04:00

Potato Chips
~author unknown

A little boy wanted to meet God.
He knew it was a long trip to where God
lived, so he packed his suitcase with a bag of potato
chips and a six-pack of root beer
and started his journey.

When he had gone about three blocks,
he met an old woman. She was sitting in
the park, just staring at some pigeons.

The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase.
He was about to take a drink from
his root beer when he noticed that the old lady
looked hungry, so he offered her some chips.
She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him.

Her smile was so pretty that the
boy wanted to see it again, so he
offered her a root beer. Again,
she smiled at him. The boy was
delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating
and smiling, but they never said a word.

As twilight approached, the boy realized
how tired he was and he got up
to leave; but before he had gone
more than a few steps, he turned
around, ran back to the old woman,
and gave her a hug.
She gave him her biggest smile ever.

When the boy opened the door to his
own house a short time later, his
mother was surprised by the look
of joy on his face

She asked him,
"What did you do today that made you so
happy?" He replied,
"I had lunch with God."
But before his mother could
respond, he added,
"You know what? She's got the most beautiful
smile I've ever seen!"

Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant
with joy, returned to her home.
Her son was stunned by the look
of peace on her face and he asked,
"Mother, what did you do today
that made you so happy?"
She replied,
"I ate chips in the park with God."
However, before her son responded,
she added,
"You know, he's much
younger than I expected."

Too often we underestimate the power
of a touch, a smile, a kind word,
a listening ear, an honest compliment,
or the smallest act of caring, all
of which have the potential to turn a
life around. People come into
our lives for a reason, a season, or
a lifetime. Embrace all equally!

Have lunch with God........bring chips.

Our Garden Path

Friendship Quote - Donna Roberts

2008-03-20T18:11:00.000-04:00

another one of my favorite quotes -

---oOo---

"A friend knows the
song in my heart
and sings it to me
when my memory fails."

~Donna Roberts

Our Garden Path

Friendship Quote -angels

2008-01-10T18:08:00.000-05:00

"Friends are quiet angels
who lift us to our feet
when our wings have
trouble remembering
how to fly."

~author unknown

Our Garden Path

inspirational quote

2007-11-17T00:30:00.001-05:00

Inspirational Quote of the month

"We can see how many seeds are in an apple,
only God knows how many apples are in a seed."

~author unknown

Our Garden Path

God on the Mountain lyrics

2007-08-12T23:04:00.000-04:00

God on the Mountain
~no author listed

Life is easy
when your up on the mountain
And you’ve got peace of mind
like you’ve never known
But then things change and you’re down in the valley
Don’t lose faith for you’re never alone

For the God of the mountain is still God in the valley
When things go wrong, He’ll make them right
And the God of the good time is still God in the bad times
The God of the day is still God in the night

You talk of faith when you’re up on the mountain
But the talk comes easy when life’s at it’s best
But it is down in the valley of trials and temptation
That’s when faith is really put to the test

For the God of the mountain is still God in the valley
When things go wrong, He’ll make them right
And the God of the good time is still God in the bad times
The God of the day is still God in the night

The God of the day is still God in the night

Our Garden Path

May you always have...inspirational poem

2007-04-16T22:25:00.000-04:00

May you always have...

May you always have an angel by your side
Watching out for you in all the things you do
Reminding you to keep believing in brighter days
Finding ways for your wishes and dreams
To take you to beautiful places

Giving you hope that is as certain as the sun
Giving you the strength of serenity as your guide
May you always have love and comfort and courage
And may you always have an angel by your side

May you always have an angel by your side
Someone there to catch you if you fall
Encouraging your dreams
Inspiring your happiness
Holding your hand and helping you through it all

In all of our days, our lives are always changing
Tears come along as well as smiles
Along the roads you travel,
May the miles be a thousand times more lovely than lonely,
May they give you the kind of gifts that never, ever end:

Someone wonderful to love
And a dear friend in whom you can confide
May you have rainbows after every storm
May you have hopes to keep you warm
And may you always have an angel
By your side...

~Emilia Larson

Our Garden Path

TRUE LOVE at CHRISTMAS - a poem

2006-12-25T22:32:00.000-05:00

TRUE LOVE at CHRISTMAS
~ original author unknown

If I decorate my house perfectly with Holiday bows,
strands of twinkling lights and shiny bells,
But do not show love to my family and friends,
I'm just another decorator.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss your sweetheart.

If I slave away in the kitchen,
baking dozens of Christmas cookies,
preparing gourmet meals and arranging a
beautifully adorned table at mealtime,
But do not show love to my family and friends,
I'm just another cook.

Love stops the cooking to share a hug.

If I trim the tree with shimmering angels
and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of
Holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata
But do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love is kind, though some times harried and tired.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return -
but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love never fails.
Video games and toys will break,
jewelry may be lost,
golf clubs and other 'things' will rust in time.
But giving the gift of love - will endure.

Love bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.

Our Garden Path

Friends Are Like Angels

2006-11-24T22:45:00.000-05:00

Friends Are Like Angels
author unknown

Our friends are like angels,
Who brighten our days.
In all kinds of wonderful,
Magical ways.

Their thoughtfulness comes,
As a gift from above.
And we feel we're surrounded,
By warm, caring love.

Like upside-down rainbows,
Their smiles bring the sun.
And they fill ho-hum moments,
With laughter and fun.

Friends are like angels,
Without any wings.
Blessing our lives,
With the most precious things!

Our Garden Path

What is a Soul Mate - Emily Matthews

2006-10-27T22:59:00.000-04:00

What is a Soul Mate?

If you have found a smile
that is the sweetest one you've known,
If you have heard, within a voice,
the echoes of your own,
If you have felt a touch
that stirs the longings of your heart,
And still can feel that closeness
in the moments you're apart,
If you have filled with wonder
at the way two lives can blend
To weave a perfect pattern
that is seamless, end to end,
If you believe some things in life
are simply meant to be,
Then you have found your soul mate,
your heart's own destiny.

~Emily Matthews

Our Garden Path

Do you have time ? - inspirational poem

2006-09-25T23:04:00.000-04:00

Do You Have Time?

I knelt to pray but not for long,
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.

So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.

All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer.
No time to speak of Christ to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.

No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.

I went before the Lord,
I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
For in his hands God held a book;
It was the book of life.

God looked into his book and said
"Your name I cannot find.
I once was going to write it down...

But never found the time"

~author unknown~

Our Garden Path

Got Your Back - inspirational poem

2006-08-18T23:13:00.000-04:00

Got Your Back

I am a small and precious child,
my dad's been sent to fight...
The only place I'll see his face,
is in my dreams at night.

He will be gone too many days
For my young mind to keep track.
I may be sad, but I am proud.
My daddy's got your back.

I am a caring mother.
My son has gone to war...
My mind is filled with worries
that I've never known before.

Everyday I try to keep
my thoughts from turning black.
I may be scared, but I am proud.
My son has got your back.

I am a strong and loving wife,
my husband's soon to go.
There are times I'm terrified
in ways most never know.

I bite my lip, and force a smile,
I watch my husband pack...
My heart may break, but I am proud.
My husband's got your back...

I am the soldier who's been sent
Serving Proudly, standing tall.
I fight for freedom, yours and mine
by answering this call.

I do my job while knowing
the thanks it sometimes lacks.
Say a prayer that I'll come home.
It's me who's got your back.

~author unknown~

Our Garden Path

DAWNING OF A NEW DAY - A poem

2006-07-27T15:05:00.000-04:00

DAWNING OF A NEW DAY

Sometimes when I'm weary
And feel I can't go on,
I sneak off to my "special place "
In the light of early dawn.

My place is deep in woodlands;
"God's Country " it's called by some.
When my burden gets too heavy,
I hear my place call, "Come ".

I go there when I'm saddened,
And my heart is aching so;
The beauty and serenity
Help to ease my pain, I know.

It's there that I find comfort;
Sometimes I need solitude.
I feel so much closer to God,
And He gently lifts my mood.

I don't know if it's my special place,
Or the Lord above, Himself;
But somehow when I leave there,
I feel that I have wealth.

Perhaps it's just my being there;
Or maybe it's God's own way,
Of telling me to try again;
It's the dawning of a new day.

~Author Unknown~

Our Garden Path

God's Garden Must be Beautiful

2006-02-14T23:20:00.000-05:00

God's Garden Must Be Beautiful

God saw you getting tired,
When a cure was not to be.
So He wrapped His arms around you,
And whispered, "Come to Me".

You didn't deserve what you went through,
So He gave you rest.
God's garden must be beautiful,
He only picks the best.

And when I saw you sleeping,
So peaceful and free from pain,
I could not wish you back
To suffer that again.

Author Unknown

dedicated to my mom and daddy...

Our Garden Path

FIRST STEP - INSPIRATIONAL

2006-01-12T19:05:00.000-05:00

FIRST STEP

Beginnings
are sometimes foggy.
The path is not always clear.

The end of one begets another.
To begin, put one foot
in front of the other.

Your foot knows where to land,
the one that moves forward first.
Forget about the best foot.
Just put it out there.

Stop traffic if you have to.
Go home if that is where it leads you.
Go back to work
if that is where your foot falls.

You don't have to
go anywhere
Just rest.

After you step,
take another.

Forget about the weather.

Step ~

Step again.

~Robin Heerens Lysne

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ROBERT FROST STOPPING BY WOODS ON A SNOWY EVENING

2006-01-10T19:49:00.000-05:00

"A poem begins with a lump in the throat;
a home-sickness or a love-sickness.
It is a reaching-out toward expression;
an effort to find fulfillment."

"A complete poem is one where
an emotion has found its thought
and the thought has found the words."

Robert Frost

STOPPING BY WOODS
ON A SNOWY EVENING
Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

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MANSION OVER THE HILLTOP LYRICS

2006-01-03T00:21:00.000-05:00

MANSION OVER THE HILLTOP

~Ira Stamphill

I'm satisfied with just a cottage below
A little silver and a little gold
But in that city where the ransomed will shine
I want a gold one that's silver lined

I've got a mansion just over the hilltop
In that bright land where we'll never grow old
And some day yonder we will never more wander
But walk on streets that are purest gold

Don't think me poor or deserted or lonely
I'm not discouraged I'm heaven bound
I'm but a pilgrim in search of the city
I want a mansion, a harp and a crown

I've got a mansion just over the hilltop
In that bright land where we'll never grow old
And some day yonder we will never more wander
But walk on streets that are purest gold.

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FAITH TO MOVE MOUNTAINS

2005-12-30T16:47:00.000-05:00

FAITH TO MOVE MOUNTAINS

Faith Can move mountains,
no matter how steep.
Faith can calm troubled souls,
no matter how deep.
Mountains are whatever
is bothering you.
Mountains are whatever
makes you blue.

Check out a mountain
and see what it's made of.
The mystery of your problems
this will solve.

A mountain is made up of
one small grain at a time.
Your mountains are made up
with just the same kind.

The smallest problem
that bothers you the least
is the one that you quickly
bring down to defeat.

Each problem you do away with
brings this mountain down to size.
Mountains of problems
are satan's masterpiece of disguise.

Faith is reaching out to God
and knowing He is near.
Faith is holding on to God
and let Him wipe away every fear.

~~By Sharon Lambkin.~~

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DON'T PUT IT OFF

2005-12-28T21:30:00.000-05:00

DON'T PUT IT OFF
~author unknown

Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they haven't
thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming or
are too rigid to depart from their routine.

I got to thinking one day about all those women on the Titanic who passed up
dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back.

From then on, I've tried to be a little more flexible.

How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest
going out to dinner until after something had been thawed?
Does the word "refrigeration" mean nothing to you?

How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat in silence while you watched
'Jeopardy' on television?

I cannot count the times I called my sister and said,
"How about going to lunch in a half hour?"
She would gasp and stammer,
"I can't. I have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday, I had a late breakfast, It looks like rain." And my personal favorite "It's Monday."

She died a few years ago.
We never did have lunch together.

Because Americans cram so much into their lives, we tend to schedule our
headaches. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all
the conditions are perfect!

We'll go back and visit the grandparents when
we get Stevie toilet-trained.

We'll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet.

We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college.

Life has a way of accelerating as we get older.
The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer.

One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of
"I'm going to", "I plan on" , and "Someday, when things are settled down a bit."

When anyone calls my 'seize the moment' friend, she is open to adventure and
available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for
life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're ready to
trade your bad feet for a pair of Roller blades and skip an elevator for a
bungee cord.

My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It's
just that I might as well apply it directly to my stomach with a spatula and
eliminate the digestive process. The other day, I stopped the car and bought a
triple-decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home,
I would have died happy.

Now...
go on and have a nice day.
Do something you WANT to...
not something on your SHOULD DO list.

If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make,
who would you call and what would you say?

And why are you waiting?

Make sure you read this to the end;
you will understand why I sent this to you.

Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round
or listened to the rain
lapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight
or gazed at
the sun into the fading night?

Do you run through each day on the fly?
When you ask "How are you?"
Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed
with the next hundred chores
running through your head?

Have you ever told your child, "We'll do it tomorrow."
And in your haste, not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die?
Just call to say "Hi"?

When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away
Life is not a race.
Take it slower.
Hear the music
...before the song is over.

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STEADFAST HEART INSPIRATIONAL POEM

2005-12-19T23:23:00.000-05:00

STEADFAST HEART
Author Unknown

I've dreamed many dreams that never came true
I've seen them vanish at dawn,
But I've realized enough of my dreams, Thank God,
To make me want to dream on.

I've prayed many prayers when no answer came
Though I waited patient and long,
But answers have come to enough of my prayers
To make me keep praying on.

I've trusted many a friend that failed
And left me to weep alone,
But I've found enough of my friends true blue,
To make me keep trusting on.

I've sown many seeds that fell by the way
For the birds to feed upon,
But I've held enough golden sheaves in my hand
To make me keep sowing on.

I've drained the cup of disappointment and pain
And gone many days without song,
But I've sipped enough nectar from the roses of life
To make me want to live on.

~~

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THE PENNY A POEM

2005-12-19T01:03:00.000-05:00

Alan Redpath wrote:

"There is nothing...no circumstance, no trouble, no testing...that can ever touch me until, first of all, it has gone past God and past Christ, right through to me. If it has come that far, it has come with a great purpose, which I may not understand at the moment! But as I refuse to become panicky, and as I lift up my eyes to him and accept it as coming from the throne of God for some great purpose of blessing to my own heart, then no sorrow will ever disturb me, no trial will ever disarm me, no circumstance will cause me to fret, for I shall rest in the joy of what my Lord is."

The Penny
-author unknown

I found a penny today
Just laying on the ground.
But it's not just a penny,
this little coin I've found.

Found pennies come from heaven,
that's what my Grandpa told me.
He said Angels toss them down.
Oh, how I loved that story.

He said when an Angel misses you,
they toss a penny down.
Sometimes just to cheer you up,
to make a smile out of your frown.

So, don't pass by that penny,
when you're feeling blue.
It may be a penny from heaven,
that an Angel's tossed to you.

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Journey A poem by Tom Coyne

2005-12-18T00:56:00.000-05:00

JOURNEY

Have you walked the lonely miles,
on the road that's called pain
Until you reached the saddest point,
where you questioned if you're sane.

Have you felt the ice steel grip of fear,
squeezing your heart so tight
That all your days were dark,
as a moonless night.

Have you lacked the inner strength or will
to make it through the day
And all thoughts of tomorrow,
were nothing but dismay.

Have you gone late into the night,
silently praying for sleep
Drowning in the sorrow,
amid the tears that you weep.

Have you screamed loudly at your God,
for being so unfair
And felt bitterness towards the world,
because it didn't seem to care.
Well that was yesterday,
and your healing starts this day
For us to grow,
sometimes pain is the only way.

Pain is the elixir,
that makes us look deep inside
To face our dreaded demons,
for within,
there is no place to hide.

But your demons are but shadows,
that fade in the light
When you accept the power of your source,
and all of his might.
It may not be easy,
your struggle may be hard and long
But have faith in yourself,
regardless,
your path is not wrong.
All roads have their landmarks,
and on life's journey pain is just one sign
Remember,
happiness is life's destination,
don't ever resign.

~ Author :Tom Coyne ~

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Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

2005-12-16T18:39:00.000-05:00

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
from the film Meet Me In St. Louis
Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane 1943

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on,
our troubles will be miles away.

Here we are as in olden days,
happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
gather near to us once more.

Through the years we all will be together
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

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LETTER FROM JESUS, DEAR RUTH

2005-12-15T23:51:00.001-05:00

LETTER FROM JESUS

Ruth went to her mail box and there was only one letter.
She picked it up and looked at it before opening,
but then she looked at the envelope again.

There was no stamp,
no postmark, only her name and address.
She read the letter:

Dear Ruth,

I'm going to be in your neighborhood Saturday
afternoon and I would like to visit.

Love Always,
Jesus

Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table.
"Why would the Lord want to visit me? I'm nobody special.
I don't have anything to offer."
With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets.
"Oh my goodness, I really don't have anything to offer.
I'll have to run down to the store and buy something for dinner."

She reached for her purse and counted out it's contents.
Five dollars and forty cents.
"Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least."

She threw on her coat and hurried out the door.
A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey,
and a carton of milk...
leaving Ruth with grand total of twelve cents
to last her until Monday.

Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home,
her meager offerings tucked under her arm.

"Hey lady, can you help us, lady?"

Ruth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans,
she hadn't even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway. A
man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags.

"Look lady, I ain't got a job, 'ya know, and my wife and I have
been living out here on the street, and, well, it's getting cold and we're
getting 'kinda hungry and, well, if you could help us, lady, we'd really appreciate it."

Ruth looked at them both.
They were dirty, they smelled bad and frankly,
she was certain that they could get some kind of work
if they really wanted to.

"Sir, I'd like to help you, but I'm a poor woman myself.
All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread,
and I'm having an important guest for dinner tonight
and I was planning on serving that to Him."

Yeah, well, okay lady, I understand. Thanks anyway."

The man put his arm around the woman's shoulders,
turned and he headed back into the alley.
As she watched them leave,
Ruth felt a familiar twinge in her heart.

"Sir, wait!"

The couple stopped and turned as she ran
down the alley after them.
"Look, why don't you take this food.
I'll figure out something else to serve my guest."

She handed the man her grocery bag.

"Thank you lady. Thank you very much!"
"Yes, thank you!" It was the man's wife,
and Ruth could see now that she was shivering.

"You know, I've got another coat at home.
Here, why don't you take this one."
Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman's shoulders.
Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the street...
without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest.

"Thank you lady! Thank you very much!"

Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front door,
and worried too.
The Lord was coming to visit and she
didn't have anything to offer Him.

She fumbled through her purse for the door key.
But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox.
"That's odd. The mailman doesn't usually come twice in one day."
She took the envelope out of the box and opened it.

Dear Ruth,

It was so good to see you again.
Thank you for the lovely meal.
And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat.
Love Always,
Jesus

The air was still cold,
but even without her coat, Ruth no longer noticed.

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Twas the Night Before Jesus Came

2005-12-14T14:59:00.000-05:00

Twas the Night Before Jesus Came

Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.

Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.

And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
When I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here!

With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! Returning, just like He had said.

And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand,
Was written the name of every saved man.

He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said, "it's not here", my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above

With those who were ready He rose without a sound
While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.

I stood and I cried as they rode out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.

There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after all!

author unknown
***
"If not today--when?"

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HOW TO SAY I LOVE YOU

2005-12-13T18:43:00.000-05:00

What does Love mean?

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4- to 8-year-olds,
"What does love mean?"
The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined.
See what you think:

"When my grandmother got arthritis,
she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore.
So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even
when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."
Rebecca- age 8

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."
Billy - age 4

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne
and they go out and smell each other."
Karl - age 5

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."
Terri - age 4

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip
before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK."
Danny - age 7

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening
presents and listen."
Bobby - age 7

"If you want to learn to love better,
you should start with a friend who you hate,"
Nikka - age 6

"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt,
then he wears it everyday."
Noelle - age 7

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still
friends even after they know each other so well."
Tommy - age 6

"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked
at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was
the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore."
Cindy - age 8

"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing
me to sleep at night."
Clare - age 6

"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken."
Elaine-age 5

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is
handsomer than Robert Redford."
Chris - age 7

"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone
all day."
Mary Ann - age 4

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old
clothes and has to go out and buy new ones."
Lauren - age 4

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you
mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."
Jessica - age 8

And the final one -- Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked
about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find
the most caring child.

The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an
elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.
Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard,
climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.
When his Mother asked what he had said to the
neighbor, the little boy said,
"Nothing, I just helped him cry"

How to Say "I Love You"

Here is how you can say "I love you" in eight
different Native American Languages.

Cheyenne: Nemehotatse
Chickasaw: Chiholloli
Hawaiian: Aloha I'a Au Oe
Hopi: Nu' umi unangwa'ta
Mohawk: Konoronhkwa
Navaho: Ayor anosh'ni
Ojibway: Gi zah gin
Zuni: Tom ho' ichema

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A CHRISTMAS PRAYER BY ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

2005-12-12T20:52:00.000-05:00

***

A Christmas Prayer

by Robert Louis Stevenson

Loving Father,
Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate
and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift
and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing
which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning
make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds
with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven,
for Jesus' sake.

Amen.

***

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LOOKING OUT MY WINDOW

2005-12-11T19:50:00.000-05:00

"A strong tree does not grow with ease.
The harder the wind blows
the stronger the roots and branches"

Looking out my window
~unknown author

Outside my frosted window pane,
I've watched the snowfall, and the rain.
I've seen the seasons come and go.
And watched the breezes softly blow.

I've seen God's creatures scurrying by,
And watched the eagles soar on high.
I've heard the raindrops kiss the leaves,
And felt God's whisper in the breeze.

I see God's hand as seasons pass,
And watch in awe from behind the glass.
From autumn's brilliant red and gold,
To winter nights of freezing cold.

When snow white flakes cover the ground,
No brighter diamonds can be found.
The trees and bushes seem to wear,
Crystal white jewels upon their hair.

And all the land is clean and white,
Now in God's world, all seems so right.
Then winter soon gives way to spring,
With new found life, and birds that sing.

Then through the earth, the flowers come,
To point their leaves up to the sun.
They grow, and bud, and soon will bear,
Fragrant flowers everywhere.

Then through my open window sill,
The flower's fragrance comes at will.
The smell of springtime fills the air.
The touch of God, beyond compare.

How great our Lord, my eyes can see,
Each Blessing that He gives to me.
For summertime is now at hand,
Beside my windowsill, I stand.

I stand and look out through the glass,
At all the changes that have past.
From winter's chilly, freezing days,
To springtime flowers, and summer's haze.

From autumn's colors, bold and bright,
To quiet days and peaceful nights.
The touch of God is everywhere,
As through my windowpane, I stare.

Thank you for visiting...

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COVER YOU WITH FEATHERS INSPIRATIONAL

2005-12-10T16:34:00.000-05:00

"Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail"
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have read this story many times,
it touches me each and every time...

COVER YOU WITH FEATHERS

*An article in National Geographic several years ago
provided an interesting picture of God's wings.
After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park,
forest rangers began their trek up a
mountain to assess the inferno's damage.

One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes,
perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree.
Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight,
he knocked over the bird with a stick.
When he gently struck it,
three tiny chicks scurried from under their
dead mother's wings.

The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster,
had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and
had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing
that the toxic smoke would rise.
She could have flown to safety but
had refused to abandon her babies.

Then the blaze had arrived and the heat
had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast.
Because she had been willing to die,
so those under the cover of her wings would live.

"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will
find refuge." (Psalm 91:4)

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WELCOME TO OUR GARDEN PATH

2005-12-09T21:43:00.000-05:00

W E L C O M E

Words I try to live by on my Path in life...

"If you planted hope today
In any hopeless heart.
If someone's burden was lighter
Because you did your part."

"If you caused a laugh
That chased some tears away.
If tonight your name is named
When someone kneels to pray.
Then your day has been well spent."

~AuthorUnknown~

An old Cherokee was talking to his Grandson:

"A fight is going on inside me,"
he said to the boy.
"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.
One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed,
arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies,
false pride, superiority, and ego...
The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity,
humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth,
compassion, and faith. This same fight is going on inside you
- and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute
and then asked his grandfather,

"Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee simply replied,

"The one you feed."

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