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We live much of life amid unique choices. Joy is anchored in The One beyond our life. |
"Failures, repeated failures, are finger posts on the road to achievement. One fails forward toward success." C. S. Lewis "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." C. S. Lewis “I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now... Come further up, come further in!” ― C.S. Lewis, The Last Battle https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1059917-the-last-battle “The Road goes ever on and on Down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the Road has gone, And I must follow, if I can, Pursuing it with eager feet, Until it joins some larger way Where many paths and errands meet. And whither then? I cannot say.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” J.R.R. Tolkien |
heating hours fewer sooner night means temps are less respite for the day by Jay O’Toole on August 10th, 2022 |
Gentle light in place to craft, peaceful moments fair, smile upon the face, that laughed, lifting daily care. Place to craft in gentle space, knitting hopeful heart, stop to rest, enjoying grace, watch Him peace impart. Place to craft as Life is stilled, joy and wonders made, hopeful land, we're blessed and filled, each gift of hand displayed. by Jay O’Toole on August 9th, 2022 |
Sitting quietly in the eve, watching, waiting, while it's now. Wanting ne'er this time to leave, hopeful moments, honor's bow. Sitting quietly, wile away the breaths of peace, that gentle hearts. Life continues through today, until God calls, "This world depart." Sitting quietly ever blest. God's great Gift has saved the soul. "Come to Him. Eschew the test. Know His Hand doth make thee whole." by Jay O’Toole on August 8th, 2022 |
The school year, now, is underway, but I stand by and watch, no more to teach from day to day, historic color swatch. These days I have new things to do to keep myself amused. I exercise my body new. I walked when the rain refused. For on the side of the road, I splashed as torrents poured on down I stood erect as peltings lashed my body, toe to crown. I walked, and trudged, and walked some more without a sheltered space. Upon the roadside drenched before I reached my truck cab's grace. Unruffled as a mad, wet hen, I made the best of it. 'Twas like I swam. 'Twas not a sin. I could not wetter get. Arriving home I could assess my situation, full. My driver's seat was wet to bless, not dry as was the rule. My socks were soaked. I wrung them out, and pealed 'way ev'ry cloth, that clung to me without a doubt as flames draw ev'ry moth. On the side of the road, I learned a Truth, "God rains on ev'ry man. The good days and the bad of youth are by His lasting Plan." Some days He gives us shelter quick. We find it if we hear. Some days the drops are really thick, and glasses are not clear. But in the end The One, Who made, and saves us by His Son, transforms this all for good displayed, His lasting Victory won. by Jay O’Toole on August 5th, 2022 |
Finding a new day's dawn, chapter closed, and something new must fill its place. Foundation to step on, question posed, "Do you need fame, or living grace?" The past is gone. Now's new. This fog clouds. Each reason's gone for all I did. Life remains. It's not through. Lift the shroud to find the prize, and place the bid. Parenting: gift to prize She's new grown. Life for me is open, wide, vast. Time for hope to arise. Seeds are sown. Harvest time for seeds of the past. by Jay O’Toole on August 4th, 2022 |
Each Christmas is about our peace, eternally from Time. The days of joy can all increase in Jesus' Love sublime. That Jesus came to save lost souls we love His Birth to know. Each Christmas day our yearly goals revolve 'round seeds we sow. The twinkly lights, and carol songs, and gifts of ev'ry kind are great, but in each heart it longs to know His Tie, that binds. Each Christmas is the place to rest our soul's deep weary weight. Because He came we can be blest. Forever no more late. The greatest Christmas Present came three days beyond the cross. His Substitution took our blame. His Goodness, no more loss. I talk of Christmas all the time, since Jesus' lasting Grace doth tune the heart to ever chime the hymns, that show His Face. Each Christmas 'bout His Peace, that glows is on each sav-ed tongue. How blest fore'er a heart, that knows Salvation's hymn is sung. by Jay O’Toole on August 3rd, 2022 |
quiet evening, still crickets gently bow a tune hopeful Earth awaits by Jay O’Toole on August 2nd, 2022 |
36, these wondrous years, I've lived with my best friend. Through great joys and many tears, we've cared to shoulders lend. 36 years are made of days to think, create, and grow. Some are gifts of great displays. Some are those we know. 36 wonderful blissful times, that God has given to us. Days of grace and truth sublime, and days requiring trust. 36, these years now past, we pray for many more. The good times, may their memories last, the bad be Wisdom's store. 36, these wondrous years. A man, I'm honored much. My wife's become so greatly dear. A lifetime love can touch. by Jay O’Toole on August 1st, 2022 |
So many days and nights they trudged to give a lasting place to stay to future fam'lies, friends, who judged the lives they lived in book display. They had a simple task to do, to shoot down foes or be shot down. The lives they took, they seldom knew, except when Christmas hopes abound. In 1914 truce was made 'tween soldiers known as "them and us." When over, arms they new displayed, and many lay in silent dust. In life they marched as rank and file, took orders from the ones, who led. In death their rows remain awhile 'neath stones, that mark the ones, who bled. The ones still standing mark each year. On Veterans Day we bless those lives. Memorial Day with sadness dear, supporting all that love survives. My granddad joined up very young. He was sent home with age found out. He ran away, 'twas soon among his soldier peers in strong redoubt. My dad in sub was Jonah's friend. He ran from God, Who called him, "Go." On floor of sea three days heart rend, he told God, "Yes," pulpit to know. The ones of us, who cherish all each freedom's bliss for many years, "Please, help us, God, to answer call to keep each footprint sown in tears." Though foreign fields I have not marched, my duty, "Vote, and jury serve." I pray I'm wise for they were parched. "God, stand me fast to never swerve." O, blessed soldiers, ever hailed are beacons in the growing night. Your lives held fast, though oft assailed. With tears for home, you stood to fight. by Jay O’Toole on July 29th, 2022 |
O, what's in a name? A person? A Place? A life or a wonderful day? A name may recall uniquely a face, or a friendship so easy to say. O, what's in a name? A long-cherished book? Or a wonderful holiday joy? A mountainous park, that would cause me to look with no words, I have left to employ? With her "face, that could launch a thousand ships," her name is remembered the best. This Helen of Troy, that graced all the lips. In honor most faced ev'ry test. O, what's in a name? Salvation from sin, and life everlasting in Bliss? Jesus Christ, wondrous Lord without equal among men. His Name I do bow down to kiss. by Jay O’Toole on July 28th, 2022 |