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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)    |
looking through the drops future haze and now is blurred walk in steps of faith by Jay O'Toole on December 31st, 2018 |
ending the cycle seeds expressed for future hope life potential growth by Jay O'Toole on December 30th, 2018 |
hot or cold and wet rainy, dry or snowy white the body feels all by Jay O'Toole on December 29th, 2018 |
Ninety years ago today a Christmas present came our way. Three days late what can we say? A bouncing baby boy. The first of four that Heaven sent. Not boys, but children's what I meant. This oldest child's the only gent. He milked for his employ. Those early mornings in the dark, he traipsed toward the barn, 'neath his cow to park at Kitty Tom, he made his mark to satisfy a need. His daddy died, when he was twelve the father's nearness he would shelve years later in the Navy delve, until the Call, he'd heed. This Jonah no more ran away. He preached and served each living day, until God called him far away to live in His Blessed Home. Daddy, I love you even still! I want to do The Lord's good Will! To hug, again, will be a thrill no more to ever roam. But now I serve Him through my days in grateful Joy and shouts of praise. Salvation's Gift doth still amaze me to my living core! by Jay O'Toole on December 28th, 2018, my Dad's 90th Birthday in Heaven |
The coming days will bring us joy, a new year filled with hope. A childlike thrill we now employ to months full washed with soap. The days behind are tutors best for souls inclined to learn. The good or bad in each day's test experience did earn. The Lord with a tender, guiding hand still leads to greater heights. He knows each step of His dear Plan to show us brighter lights. His smiling face in love's embrace will lead through the daily maze, 'til safely Home through His great grace we give Him lasting praise. by Jay O'Toole on December 27th, 2018 |
The Day of Christmas comes each year to bring great joy and load with cheer. The hope of Christmas ever lives within the heart and life, it gives. Excitement now we store away to cherish for another day. The sweet music of the season soothes the hearts of aging little youths. The gift of Christmas childlike bliss we tuck in hearts to never miss a moment with the loving Lord. so says he always in His Word. "Just come to me as a little child." He's caring and so meek and mild. The child may grow and look quite old, but waif inside He'll always hold. by Jay O'Toole on December 26th, 2018 |
Merry Christmas! (English) Feliz Navidad! (Spanish) Fröhliche Weihnachten! (German) Buon Natale! (Italian) Joyeux Noël! (French) счастливого Рождества! Schastlivogo Rozhdestva! (Russian) Hyvää Joulua! (Finnish) God Jul! (Swedish) Gleðileg jól! (Icelandic) Maligayang Pasko! (Tagalog) 圣诞快乐 (Mandarin Chinese) Feliz Natal! (Portuguese) There are so many languages in the world. There are so many countries, that celebrate Christmas the world over. I have chosen a dozen of the languages to represent some of the countries, that are famous for Christmas throughout history. Some of these languages cover the bulk of continents. Some continents are covered by two or three of these languages, but with the current total of languages in the world standing at approximately 6500 my attempt to wish Merry Christmas to the citizens of the various countries of the world is woefully limited. There is a place that would be the trip of a lifetime for me in one of the Scandinavian countries. It makes the bold statement, "You can meet Santa Claus and cross the magical Arctic Circle every day at the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland." Christmas every day is my kind of place. What a lovely thought! https://santaclausvillage.info/ --------------------------------------------------------------- It's Christmas Day, Everyone! It has been Christmas Day for over twelve hours already for Samberine Everose  . Merry Christmas, Sam! --------------------------------------------------------------- The day of everlasting youth is Christmas of the heart. I want to live its joyful truth each daily loving start. Please, find some hope and lasting peace today and ev'ry day. May Christmas season never cease as childlike hearts all play. Embrace this life and hope of next in Babe of Bethlehem. Send letters, emails or a text to lift each human friend. A Day of Joy may all receive as humans needing love. Let deepest hopes between hearts weave to heal and rise above. I pray you know this Jesus fair, Whose condescend to come shows deepest love and greatest care to all, not just to some. by Jay O'Toole on December 25th, 2018 MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE! |
| The secret to experiencing peace is to find a solid foundation and to continue to stand there throughout the entirety of this life and beyond. The expression that I've heard all of my life is to "own your own stuff." The negative way of saying it was "Don't be wishy-washy!" Standing on a belief without wavering can be tough in this contemporary social environment. "Don't you know that not everybody believes the way you believe?" is the leading line of my detractors throughout life. "That's wonderful!" is my consistent response. "If we are all of the same opinion or viewpoint, then one of us is unnecessary." What an oppressive world this would become if it ever turns into Borg Prime! Matters of the heart, matters of faith, matters of personal perspective all seem to drive the personal identification factor off-the-charts. Areas of religious belief seem to be so personal that if there is disagreement anywhere, then it feels like a personal rejection rather than a different experience of life as is often the case. It's interesting that we humans are willing to allow differences in other areas of life, where we all "own our own stuff." When you identify your country of origin, then there is an understanding of your uniqueness and your ownership of a wonderful culture, that is shared by many countrymen. When you cheer for your country's or city's football team, then you share Joy in victory and sadness in defeat. When you work for a company in a competitive industry, then there is an unwritten rule, that you will only purchase products produced by the company, that signs your paycheck. To do otherwise is considered disloyal and it is frowned upon highly. For instance, if the President of the Coca-Cola company was seen drinking a Pepsi, especially in public, then we would all have the right to question his or her fitness for running Coca-Cola. As a Christian, I express great JOY and LOVE for "my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." If I were to express similar admiration for some other religious leader, then my commitment to Christ should be equally questioned. If I am ever proven to be wrong, then I will say, "I am wrong," but until that day, I want to maintain an unwavering belief in and commitment to The One, Who occupies the vast reaches and alcoves of my heart. "Don't you know that Jesus probably wasn't born on December 25th of any year?" The detractors continue. "That's great, too!" is my first response. I certainly wouldn't have wanted The Savior to be born in freezing conditions in a drafty barn or cave. The point is that years ago I became convinced that Jesus was born a sight closer to what we call Easter, which is truly wonderful on so many levels. I will try to get around to some of those levels as I have time and ability. "Why do you celebrate Jesus' birthday on December 25th, then?" "I celebrate December 25th as one of the 365 days, that I celebrate Jesus' birthday every year. I figure that by celebrating Christmas 24-7-365, I am bound to get it right at least once a year, even if I never know that I did. The ultimate point of this whole piece is not the question of "Do I have it right, regarding the day on which Jesus was born as a human into the realm of HIStory?" but rather it is the question of "Do I have it right, regarding the new birth of Jesus into the cave of my own heart, Now & Forever?" Christmas celebrates the fact that The Light of the World came into the world during the darkest days of HIStory to correct the great wrong of Original Sin. Christmas and Secret Christmas are probably scant days apart in God's Holy Calendar since both are eternally and inextricably linked. Secret Christmas is Resurrection Sunday Morning since the Greatest Gift of Christmas is the Hope of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Experience of Secret Christmas in the believing heart ties that human forever to the Heart of God. This tie can never be severed. May The Lord's richest Blessing be yours this Christmas and always! Merry Christmas! by Jay O'Toole on December 24th, 2018 |
wondrous flowers bloom stems look like a chain of leaves joyful pots of praise by Jay O'Toole on December 23rd, 2018 |
tall and straight it grows few could climb without a rope limbs are way up high by Jay O'Toole on December 22nd, 2018 |
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