Thankful Tuesdays!

      I apologize for not posting last Tuesday.  We returned from our bi-monthly trip to London, had a quick dinner and headed out for our writers group, so by the time we got home, I was very tired. I had to be up the next morning for 5:30 as I have been loaned out to another Wal-mart undergoing renovations, (this one in another city) so have drive to my store, punch in for 7:00am and be at the other store for 7:30 am. So I went to bed early, and had a good sleep.

     So what am I thankful for today?  I am thankful for Sunshine!  Although I loved winter as a child, it is not so wonderful for me now.  With my arthritis, the cold gets right into my bones, and I feel like I will never warm up.  This year, spring has been unseasonably cold, so I dubbed it SPRINTER.... (spring + winter).  I am so over seeing snow, dirty snow, and SNIRT (snow mixed with sand/salt/dirt) piles.

     I am thanking God for sunshine, wamth, and the renewal spring brings with it.  New flowers, blossoms on the trees, singing birds, kids on bikes, light jackets, barbeques, picnics in the park, walks on the beach, and all the new baby animals, that are wonderful to photograph.

What are you thankful for?  Leave a comment and share what you are grateful for!

May Christ Guide you Through the Storm,

Kitty

Thankful Tuesdays!

     Today, on this Thankful Tuesday, I am thankful for the Bible. 

      I am thankful that I can turn to the good book, and find encouragement, comfort, wisdom, and spiritual food for my hungry soul. 

     I learned in church today , that Tuesday May 2, (2011) was the 400th anniversary of the publishing of the first Bible (King James Version). The Bible is the MOST  read book in the world.  People all over the world Hunger for the spiritual food we find on a daily basis in the Bible.

     So, to celebrate this wonderful anniversary, a few of my favourite verses......

Psalm 23:  The Lord is my Shepherd...

Psalm 86: 1 - 13  Bow down thine ear, O Lord and hear me....

Isaiah 40: 8  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our GOD shall stand FOREVER

Ephesians 2: 8  For by grace are you saved through faith....

Philippians 4: 13  I can do all things through Christ which streneneth me.

Titus 2: 12,  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and wordly lusts, we should live soberly righteously, and Godly, IN THIS PRESENT WORLD.

Titus 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity....


Gary's Poem "What Is?"  asks some of those troubling questions that we all struggle with, and answers it with one reply  "GOD"S LOVE

What Is?

What is this slow pain upon the grace?

Of light and Love of the human race?

What is this death that lingers in and out?

What is this new life and what is it all about?

What happens to the beauty that begins to fade?

For it is the Love of God, of which we were made.

What is this darkness that falls upon light?

What are these visions that are very bright?

What are this pain and sorrow of Love?

As we embrace life that comes from Above.

What is this condemnation that brings upon us sorrow?

What is this hope that prays for tomorrow?

What is this joy that comes and goes?

And what of this mind that always knows?

What is this world that spins around?

What is this light that makes no sound?

What is this rain that nourishes the earth?

And what is this Miracle of love and new birth?

What of these children that die of disease?

What of these lives that brings us to our knees?

What of these children which dance with joy?

And what is which determines a girl and a boy?

What of this new life that our hearts treasure?

What of this sacrifice we never measure?

What of this dream of Love and Fate?

What is the destiny that makes us wonder?

What is this heart beating much like thunder?

What is this mystery formed as lightning?

And what of this death that some find frightening?

What of this heaven we seem to ponder?

What of this blue sky so far asunder?

What is this magnificent Creation upon us all?

Death and new life thought from a call.

What is this feeling of immortality?

What is this allusion of this reality?

What is this gift of silence and peace?

And when is destruction and war to cease?

What is this voice that guides and weeps?

What is this Love we claim for keeps?

What is this history we have searched and found?

And what is this thought that makes no sound?

What is this life that makes us laugh and cry?

What of this Love that makes us sigh?

What is this God we fear and hide?

And what of this God always by our side?

What of this darkness we feel and repent?

What of this Love that is Heaven sent?

What of this temptation that leads us astray?

And what of this dawn that begins our new day?

What is this Love that we must admit?

And what is that that makes us question it?

What is that, what is?

For it IS the Love of God that we were made,

As we embrace life that comes from above.

©2000, Gary B. Roy

Thankful Tuesdays!

     Today I am thankful for my job.  Even though it is not in my chosen field, I am grateful to be working, to be out there, to be a shining light for Christ.  It provides Gary and I with a few extra dollars, that we would not otherwise have.  My discount card, helps to stretch that dollar just a little bit farther.  My job is just that, a job, and my Mother taught us all, no matter if you dig ditches,

clean toilets,

sweep floors, 

or have an office job,

do your best, and be proud of the work you do,

 knowing

where ever You are, whatever You do, You are a beacon for Christ,

and your actions at work, should show just that. 

Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,

1 Thessalonians 4:11
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you,

2 Thessalonians 3:8
nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

2 Thessalonians 3:10
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."

2 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

1 Corinthians 15:58 (New International Version, ©2011)

 ⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.



Thankful Tuesdays!

Today I continue in the theme of freedom.  I have spoken of how I am thankful for our fundemental freedoms, how I am grateful to be free of worshipping at the alter of the almighty dollar, and today I am grateful for personal freedom.

I was in an abusive marriage as a young woman, and with God's help was freed from it almost 30 years ago.

Is there something that is holding you back from a full relationship with Christ? 

Reachout to him, and he will help you! 

SHACKLES

The shackles no longer held her down,

 The chains, forever gone.

Her life for the first time in years, was now all her own.

Three small lives, scared and unsure, now looked up to her

The shattered dreams, spirit and heart, with the wind had flown.

Picking up the pieces, to begin again,

To face the world anew and try to hide the pain

Heavy was her load, Carrying those she loved,

She prayed daily to the heavens, for guidance from above

Making it through, day by day,

Mending her heart in so many ways.

The years flew by, so very fast,

The children grown at last

The distance traveled, immense it seemed

Could never replaced once shattered dreams

Not alone but lonely, in her world so sad

Only a dream to share, All the love she never knew she had

Their paths had been the same Those paths had not yet crossed.

God’s will was yet to be done

Soon two hearts would become one.

©Kitty N Roy  1990

One Year

1.         Perhaps today I love you and the world.

            Yet Tomorrow I shall love only you.

2.         Jealousy – a clouded heart - to a darker clouded sky.

3.         What are the clouds but a mist flourishing from our hearts?

4.         They painted you black; however all I see is sunshine.

5.         Justice: We are judged, some condemned, some guilty, you sleep in shadowed consciousness and dark guilelessness.

6.         The pleasant greeting: We meet and stand together.  I gaze into a mirror and see my image, and you are gone.

7.         Take naught for granted: For it will take from itself.

8.         What’s mysterious about the moon?  One side is light and one side is dark; yet all its observers are all dark.

9.         The vexed and unvexed heart: both laugh and both cries.

10.       Our slumber is our dream; our awakening a memory.

11.       Puzzling: Some question their own love, the same question others.

12.       The closer I look at you, the closer I see myself.

©1998, Gary B. Roy

Thankful Tuesdays!

This Thankful Tuesday:

I am thankful that I do not worship at the alter of the almighty dollar.

Yes I know, we need some money, just to survive, but we don't need to go chasing dollars simply to "keep up with the Joneses."

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
                                                                                                            Philippians 4:19 KJV

Gary and I don't have a lot of money, yet we feel vey rich indeed.  We have God in our lives, we have each other, our families, a roof over our heads, a bed in which to rest, and food to eat. Ours is indeed a blessed life.

Gary's Poem, "BUT GOD, BUT GOLD" speaks to this very issue. 

But God, But Gold

But God, but gold,

Since the times of old,

Children do not cry, but gold is just a lie.

Images of glory, wars fought to the death.

Survival to share warmth from the hearth,

But God, why be it no one listens?

Yet comes Christmas, oh how it glistens.

Comfort the beggar’s needs so dear.

For the rich Man gives with contempt looking in the mirror.

Forgive me; forgive them, ones with hope.

Those so dear shall learn to cope.

Desert sands, thirsty only for a while,

Quenching our thirst first walked the Nile.

Amazing grace, echoes throughout the years,

Each time passes, as well as the tears.

Pray for those with and without,

Knowing and remembering without a doubt,

Nations of the world, have gathered all but God,

For when we are called we bring all but gold.

© 2002, Gary B. Roy

Thankful Tuesdays!

On this Thankful Tuesday, I am thankful for Freedom....

OUR FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS.
Everyone in Canada (as well as many other Democratic countries) has the following fundamental freedoms:

(a) freedom of conscience and religion;

(b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;

(c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and

(d) freedom of association.

In a world where people are fighting and dying on a daily basis, for basic freedoms, I am so grateful for my freedoms as guarenteed by our constitution(s).

But more than this, I am grateful for the freedom granted me as one of God's Children. 

"Oh Lord you have freed me from my chains!"  Psalm 16:16

What a wonderful Gift... to free us from the chains!

He gave us free will, the ability to make our own choices.  He frees us of worry, knowing we can take all our burdens to him. What greater freedom could one want?  I am so honoured to be a Child of God.

Kitty

NB:  Some believed that I wrote this piece after September 11, 2001.  It was written 7 months prior.  GBR

Paradise Lost To A Darkness

Paradise lost to a darkness, darker than night,

Only to be found again, by the light of day.

Where within a breathe which lay upon

The multitudes of the vast and distant seas.

Then there was light.

Nations, thou shalt not kill,

Love foremost, His Almighty will,

Darkness, darker afflicted each heart

Paradise lost, tear drops tempest to start.

The winds and gales the earth to shake

Starlight glistening upon the moon to make.

This garden enriched, a voice to ponder

Love for each other, visions to touch, to wonder.

Nations, thou shalt no see,

This darkness to end the flight of humanity

Spirits ascend, spirits descend upon His stool

Prophets and Saints, modern Man, the fool

Oh and woe to mechanisms of wheels of fortune,

Being darker than night for the sun to be gone

Wings of Love flutter in and around the song

For Paradise Lost in all hearts is wrong.

Nations, thou shalt join hands,

Below the earth the corpse below the sands.

Trumpet sounds, stars fall upon the sea,

Spirits joyously sing, angles much like we.

Weep not, fear naught, less must we hide,

For modern Man weeping, weighing gold at his side.

Free me, free them who must you save

Hand in hand, first from the grave.

Nations, thou shalt fade away,

To one land, on King for the unending day.

Clouds floating mist amidst the deep blue sky,

Children laughing and playing never asking why.

Paradise found amidst the decay and rubble

For nothing is lost to a world without trouble.

Praise and Glory to all with in sight,

And then there was light…

©2001, Gary B. Roy

Thankful Tuesdays!

On This Thankful Tuesday, I am thankful for Family.  No matter how far apart you are, or how close you are, family is always there.  I grew up in a large family, 4 brothers, 3sisters, and later in life we aquired a step sister, when Mom remarried.  Our home life was always interesting, to say the least, and today I share with you a story I remember from my young days.  I hope you enjoy.

Buffalo Meat

The baby was still sleeping but 14 year old Joost didn’t care.  It was “HIS” baby, his job to take care of him.  So when Joost returned from school each day, he always ran to the baby’s crib to get the baby.

The baby’s crib was in Mom’s room, across from the bathroom.  Joost walked in, and plucked the baby out of the crib.  Baby Greg woke immediately and started to coo at his big brother.  Mom however, was not quite as forgiving.  She had just gotten Greg to sleep as he had been up most of the day, fussing because of the new tooth he had just started cutting.

Mom had asked Joost again and again, not to just run in when he came home from school, and pick up the baby, to ask first.  Those requests had fallen on deaf ears, for when it came to Greg, nothing would deter Joost from, as he would say, “taking care of my little brother.”  Mom thought to herself she would have to take a different tactic to get Joost to understand.

Having 7 kids, and working part time as a registered nurse, since Greg had been born, was often frustrating.  She was a good mom, and usually very patient.  When she did lose her patience, her temper was more often laced with silly humour than with actual fear.  She would tell us, “I am going to trade you to the Indians, for buffalo meat.”  This was a threat we all took quite seriously, for one day after loosing her temper with Wilma, (the oldest) she packed us all up the in Chevy station wagon and drove us out to the Indian reservation.  We then had dinner with Dan George, and his family.  (We didn’t know then, that Mom had been friends with them for over 5 years)  Following dinner, they offered Mom some buffalo meat to take home, and we all quaked in fear, wondering which of us she would trade to him for it.  We collectively let out a huge sigh of relief when each of us was allowed back into the station wagon to come home. 

Mom knew she must be creative in getting Joost to understand about asking permission to get the baby up if he was sleeping, following his return from school. 

The following day, just before school let out, she took the baby buggy, and placed it in the front hallway closet.  As kids we were not allowed to use the front door, we had to enter through the side door, so she knew Joost would not notice the buggy in the front hall closet.  Then she placed Greg in the buggy for his nap.  After one more chore, she sat and waited for Joost to come home from school.

As usual Joost came storming in, stripped off his coat and shoes and ran to the baby’s crib to get Greg.  When he got there, the crib was empty.  Thinking Mom had Greg in the living room, Joost ran there, and stopped short when he saw Mom on the couch reading the newspaper. 

“Where’s Greg?” Joost asked.

“Oh I sold him to the Indians for buffalo meat this afternoon,” Mom replied coolly.

“You did not.  Where is he?”  Joost did not believe she would sell the baby.

Handing Joost the key to the deep freeze, Mom said, “Here is the key to the deep freezer, you go look for yourself.”

Grabbing the key, Joost ran down the back stairs to the basement, and opened the deep freeze.  There lying right on top, was what Joost thought was the hind quarter of a buffalo .  He screamed!  Mom had wrapped her fake fur coat, which was brown and had very long hair on it, in a drycleaners bag, and then placed the wrapped coat in the deep freezer, in the basement. 

His scream of course awakened Greg who had slept obliviously through all the commotion.  Joost found him in the front hall closet.  Mom then told him that he was NOT to run to the baby’s crib and pluck him out without permission any more. 

From that day forward Joost always asked if he could get the baby.

PS:  This is a true story from my youth.  I hope you enjoyed reading it as much I enjoy the memory. KNR

©2010 Kitty N Roy