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 |    We live much of life amid unique choices. Joy is anchored in The One beyond our life. |
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“There are times when solitude is better than society, and silence is wiser than speech. We should be better Christians if we were more alone, waiting upon God, and gathering through meditation on His Word spiritual strength for labour in his service. We ought to muse upon the things of God, because we thus get the real nutriment out of them. . . . Why is it that some Christians, although they hear many sermons, make but slow advances in the divine life? Because they neglect their closets, and do not thoughtfully meditate on God's Word. They love the wheat, but they do not grind it; they would have the corn, but they will not go forth into the fields to gather it; the fruit hangs upon the tree, but they will not pluck it; the water flows at their feet, but they will not stoop to drink it. From such folly deliver us, O Lord. . . .” ― Charles Spurgeon “Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths.” ― C. H. Spurgeon “Hope itself is like a star- not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity.” ― Charles Haddon Spurgeon “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.” ― Charles Spurgeon “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” ― Charles Spurgeon “Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.” ― Charles Spurgeon “When your will is God's will, you will have your will.” ― Charles Spurgeon https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/2876959.Charles_Haddon_Spurgeon (Philippians 2:13, KJV)    |
Walking through the whitened wood among the fluffy flakes, I think, that life is very good as the darkened past He takes. The cold may bite at supple skin. I dare not tread without the warmth of cloth, that covers men, and Christ, Who covers doubt. But clothed with Hope I live in light of snowy purity. The landscape, now, is wondrous bright to help all parts of me. It seems a lonely way to walk, yet joyous solitude for there I have some time to talk with One, Who holds my mood. The righteous flakes of covering snow enfold each subject still. It causes flagging peace to grow inside its Master's Will. Each evergreen, attention firm, is white with covering shroud. They make beside the stream a berm to humble all the proud. The leaves of yellow, orange, red, now wrapped in whitest coat return to the soil as buried, dead, becoming springtime's note. Walking through the snowy wood, though cold, now warm my heart for God's unknown ways come to good, restoring what He starts. by Jay O'Toole on December 21st, 2019 |
Maybe this is just what happens when you start to getting along in years, but the minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years are starting to spin for me. Maybe it was because my ability to move quickly was, actually faster when I was in my twenties, but I find it so difficult to keep pace these days with everything, that needs to be done. The Christmas Season is no different. With the years spinning by at breakneck speed, I find, that I enjoy the last half of the year, even more than the first. Maybe that's why I'm starting to tear up tonight. With Christmas less than one week away, I'm having to "brace for impact" because the world is about "to throw out Christmas, like a hamburger wrapper." Pragmatically, that's all that Christmas is for the stores. "Make the sales!" Black Friday means that the stores are finally able to turn a profit after recouping all the investment capital for operating costs, products, and taxes for the year. I have no doubt, that that is the very reason why Christmas sales are pushed so early in the year. We find Christmas items in stores as early as August for the general merchandise corporations, and as early as June in the hobby/craft-related stores. It's a great marriage for me. I'm a big fan of Hobby Lobby. That's why I enjoy June through December. I can enjoy Christmas for a long time in this store. However, in recent years it has been more difficult to shop there during the week before Christmas, since the spring product is already in that store, making my brain and heart go, "TILT!" Tonight I watched, again, the Jim Carrey version of How The Grinch Stole Christmas. In this movie one song always makes me tear up and cry. "Where Are You, Christmas?" sung by Cindy Lou Who, brings back the memory of when I first realized, that Santa Claus was not real in the sense of everything we attribute to his ability to bring gifts to all of the children of the world in one night. There is something significant about the breaking of the childlike heart. No more hopes. No more belief in something beyond oneself. No more imagination. No more Joy. No more wonder. Maybe it's just me, but we seem to spend the rest of our lives seeking to rekindle the wonder in the heart of that little child, that lives inside of each one of us. "But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.'” (Matthew 19:14, NKJV) This is the very reason why I talk about Jesus so much. Since He created me, He's the only One, Who truly knows the depths of my little child's heart, encouraging me to come to Him in that way small children come to loving parents...with abandon. The years, that followed my discovery about Santa Claus made the afternoon of Christmas the saddest time of the year for me. The Christmas Story had been read. The presents had been given, opened, and become "old hat," just that quickly. The Christmas decorations had been enjoyed, and soon they would be put away, again. There is a spirit of kindness, joy, and peace, that seems to be prevalent during the Christmas season, that is rarer throughout the rest of the year. The lack thereof creates a sadness, that is palpable. In recent years I have come to realize, that the very One, Who came at Christmas time is with me throughout the year in a very real way, that I cannot fully express. I need His nearness. I need the Joy of knowing, that He came to Earth because He loves me. I need to be reminded every day, that His Birth is the start of Everlasting Hope. Therefore, though I must "soldier on" throughout the year, alone, "Keeping Christmas in my heart" as quoth Scrooge, this soldier can get alone with His Lord in the enjoyment of the Christmas carols, in hopping up into His lap like a little child, in thanking Him for everything, that He had to endure, during His Earthly sojourn, in looking at the twinkling lights in my craft area to remind me, that He is the Light of the world. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. "I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust." (Psalm 91:1-2, KJV) These verses are a warm hug to me. Jesus wraps me in His arms. That's where I want to stay. Where are you, Christmas? Right in the arms of Jesus. What's next? Secret Christmas on Resurrection Sunday morning "when the greatest gift of Christmas is opened," never to be covered, again. Let me finish this tome of a free verse with the video version of this song, that I love the best. by Jay O'Toole on December 20th, 2019 |
Quiet is loud. Ringing in my ears. Silence is golden, glowing away my fears. Peace has a place, right throughout my heart. Hope is the floor, where all good things start. Christ is my joy, filling all my days. God ever near, drawing out my praise. How loud this quiet is, shouting to my soul! Enter into rest. Be forever whole. (Hebrews 4:9) by Jay O'Toole on December 19th, 2019 |
| The days of earthly arduous trek may seem a thankless, weary chore, but daily when we stick the neck out like the souls in days of yore, we find the task is at our beck, obeying efforts, that we pour. Each wayworn, tiresome, toiling trudge may bode as last, the good days gone, but when its o'er just One will judge, in Eden's resurrected Dawn. Detractors may the good name smudge, but Grace will look and stretch and yawn. How innocent we reach this loam, then grown we seek the days gone by. Those child-hope days our very home, escape from the present, hidden cry. The dash of life to us a tome, a wisp of breath in the bye and bye. Written after the pattern of Lord Byron's poem, "She Walks in Beauty" by Jay O'Toole on December 18th, 2019 |
Christmas tea with orange notes, cinnamon to bless. Quiet moments lead to quotes, removing hints of stress. Christmas tea in peace-filled room. Time may seem to crawl. Silent places made to groom the writer for his call. Christmas tea in season's days bring joy to childlike hearts. Repast will end, but Hope, it stays, repairing inward parts. by Jay O'Toole on December 17th, 2019 |
| Wishing the world, "Merry Christmas" is a joy, that comes with age. Youth may dance with laughing bliss, while seniors smile with wisdom sage. The turkey's slathered with rosemary, salt, pepper, and the rest. Sealing juices in the smoke, slow cooking, all noses are blest. Trees are merry with the pouches of orange, cinnamon, and strong scents of pine. Bouquets of cheery aromas fill the snifters of aged wine. Pumpkin pie and piping apple cider tinged with cloves so fine, candy canes of peppermint, smiling faces now set the stage for Santa Claus to fly through snow on his present yearly quest. The frankincense wisely brought to Jesus by the bright star's shine. by Jay O'Toole on December 16th, 2019 |
long gray tail and snout waiting for something to eat wobbles to a dish by Jay O'Toole on December 15th, 2019 |
Christmas, Christmas, Joyous Christmas! Wondrous time of year! Christmas, making all of us children through each day of cheer. Christmas, Christmas, Joyous Christmas! Heaven-sent fore'er! Christmas, time of family nearness 'til we're over there. Christmas, Christmas, Joyous Christmas! Happy Birthday, Lord! Gift of life from the heart of love, the Son and surest Word. Christmas, Christmas, Joyous Christmas! Santa comes to kneel at the manger. Christ before him. Human love made real. Bridge: Christmas, day that gives us hope. Christmas of eternal Light, Christmas no more need we grope for desire, that cleans us white. Tag: Christmas, Christmas, Joyous Christmas! Joyous Christmas evermore! by Jay O'Toole on December 14th, 2019 |
Christmas. The mere word creates emotions, both good and bad. Some of the happiest times of childhood are at Christmastime for some. Some of the most distressing times of childhood are at Christmastime for others. Why has Christmas become this annual big event? What do musical pageants in churches and schools have to do with life, during the other eleven months of the year? Christmas is December. December is Christmas. Joyful gifts. Gifts of joy. Songs. Sweets. Aromas. Dancing children at play. Christmas. Is it just for Christians? Do others of the world find benefit? How could one event of such an inauspicious beginning have such a lasting impact on the world for over two thousand years? How could a homeless man in ancient Israel have created a modern timeline, that counts the days from his birth? How could a little boy born in a smelly stable create the sweetness of peace, that has potential benefit for all of Mankind? How could a carpenter with rough hands build a church with the lasting gentleness of peace? Christmas means Peace. Peace means Christmas. Hope exists within its arms. It's arms bring Hope to all. Jesus, Joshua, Osee, Hosea, Oshea, Yeshua, all have the same root meaning. The name means Salvation. When someone is in charge, when enemies are kept at bay, when strength of character, purity of heart, and everlasting Truth (John 14:6) are found in the One, Who has created everything, (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1) then Peace has the opportunity to flourish in the heart and in the world at large. The opposite of Jesus is chaos. (Genesis 1:2) One wonders how a man, who, arguably, never owned a home of His own on Earth is the heir to the everlasting Home in Heaven. One wonders how this homeless man with twelve disciples, (one of whom betrayed him to death,) has had His message of Hope and Peace to fill the entire Earth in two thousand years when He Himself lived on Earth just scant months past His thirty-third birthday. Jesus did so little, that is revered as being the necessary things for creating fame in modern life, yet people around the world reverence or at least respect His name, even if they do not embrace His message. What an upside-down Kingdom! Become famous by serving others. Give your life away in order to draw others to Life Everlasting. The true spirit of Christmas lives every day of the year. For this we can agree with the immortal words of Charles Dickens, through the mouth of his amazing character, Ebenezer Scrooge, “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!” https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/494832-i-will-honour-christmas-in-my-heart-and-... Scrooge gives me hope, that even the most self-absorbed, angry hearts can be redeemed by Jesus, the Prince of Peace. by Jay O'Toole on December 13th, 2019 |
A play, a concert, party music, too. The party's for assisted folks. These seniors need great care, that's long and true with fresh air under massive oaks. It's true we need to help the young and old, but self sometimes is needing rest. Responsibility is painted bold, if humans "would be truly blest." I wonder if the safety tip we're taught, before we taxi out to leave the ground, would help the weary, who are burden fraught. "Put on your mask, and then you look around to find the other souls, you've lately brought." Such airplane flights can teach us how to serve. "Take care of you to give much better care to those you love and all your lives preserve." It seems unkind, yet really it's most fair. First save yourself, then other needs observe. The need for time to daily "come apart" shows truest care, responsibility. For going on a weary, heavy heart will burden others, that you need to free. The saying is "Just come apart and rest or you may find yourself to come apart." The bed prepares you for each daily test. The "midnight oil" can overwhelm the heart. I'm kind to others when I'm kind to me. I'm helping others when I find repose. I'm happiest just with a day to be. I warm my core by Time I've often froze. by Jay O'Toole on December 12th, 2019 |
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