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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 (Philippians 2:13, KJV) https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/2876959.Charles_Haddon_Spurgeon    |
A year of many ups and downs, a year of questions many, a year of varied hopes and frowns, a year of less and plenty. A year, that makes me wipe my face from pressures, that cause sweat. A year of wonders, and of Grace, of Joy about no Debt. Goodbye to you, Dear Twenty-two. Hello, your next of kin. I pray, that when his months are through the better days will win, but when all days are passed away, and Time is nevermore, you'll bow before the Christ, and say, "You are The Lasting Door." This New Year's Eve remember Truth, accept the Daystar Lord. The greatest Word you've heard from youth is He, Who is The Word. by Jay O’Toole on December 31st, 2022 |
To be a sinner t'ward my good is hellish fear, and lasting dread. To live my life by ev'ry "should" won't help me now, nor when I'm dead, But when I look t'ward Jesus' cross, now empty, Sin's eraser tool, He bore my debt, transformed my loss, endured my Justice, died so cruel. Then past the Sabbath up He rose, since Death could ne'ermore hold its prey. The Saving Lord by Father chose to give my damned soul sweet, new Day. This Jesus Christ the Father's Dove is loved beyond all words to speak. So clothed in Christ, the Father's Love is for me. "Roam no more, nor seek." "Accepted in the Beloved," Christ, I live no more to self and shame. The Blessed One paid my full price, I need not e'ermore feel the blame. "Accepted in the Beloved's" all I need now see, this Banner fly. For He's beloved, the Father calls me, "Be in Christ, to me you're nigh." "In Christ" is all my hope and stay. "In Christ" I'm loved forever and now. "In Christ" I rest as blest and Yay. "In Christ" forever thankful bow. by Jay O’Toole on December 30th, 2022 |
Little fears are crouching there, demanding to be heard. "From hopeful days we now will spare. Your sight will now be blurred." "Behind the door, Security will keep you from all harm for in the world, it's horribly the nights of all alarm." "O, Jesus, Savior, pilot me from Life's great rough and fearful sea. When naught of goodness can I hear break through with Thy Dear Voice so clear." These little fears, so monstrous big, when I do focus on each face, but they become each little twig when focusing on Saving Grace. My fears may seem so small to you, and yours to me a pittance, but Jesus will save us all through, and makes them be a riddance. The fears, though small, may crouch, again when stormy waves do grab our eyes. "Dear Lord, please save me from these sins, and help me see You when I cry." These little crouching fears of Now will no more worry us for aye. The knee before His Sweet Face bow, unharmed in The Eternal Day. This poem is being inspired by last year's (2021) Christian movie, The Girl Behind the Door. If we're honest, it describes most, if not all of us at some point in our lives, even during the Christian walk. We are forced to leave the workplace and/or the world at large for one or another reason, sickness, child-rearing, attempts to strike out on our own business, or do something adventurous, but then Someone calls us back into a place of service out in the world. Fears tempt us to stay "behind the door" because we are afraid we no longer have what it takes to succeed in what the Lord is calling us to do. I have to confess, "I can't do it, but 'I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me.' (Philippians 4:13, KJV)" by Jay O’Toole on December 29th, 2022 |
Christmas music went away just two days ago. That's not bad for what they play. I play what I know. Christmas music ministers when carols are made of hymns. What they play in particular are love songs just for them. Christmas music honoring Christ will last beyond this age. Christmas music pays a price when only made for the stage. Christmas music will return when there's money to be made, but truest worship will not burn at His Judgment Seat displayed. So worship Jesus Christ Alone with Christmas songs and hymns for He returns to take His Throne. Believers' Joy will brim. by Jay O’Toole on December 28th, 2022 |
The days of joyful gatherings become the day-to-day. Christmas carols choirs sing become good words to say. Last week's job is over, now, and this week's job I learn. Emotions must all serve and bow as New I must discern. It makes no diff'rence if the place of business is the same, I must give training its own place as that first day, I came. The usefulness of my old skills must take a step behind as leadership and teamful wills bid new skills I must find. One day retirement will be mine, but even in that day my blossoming upon the vine fulfills each prayer I pray. My daily trek is one more step t'ward Christ's Eternity. "Dear Lord, please give me vim and pep. Your honored Name they see." These daily days become much less of my own strength and skill. I bow before Thy Name to bless, to do Thy Loving Will. by Jay O’Toole on December 27th, 2022 |
I s'pose we all aspire to be amazing in our own right, but very few the world can see by talents, that are so bright. For most of us it's daily lives. We eat, and sleep, and work jobs. Our rest, peace, joy are all fives of outside, inside doorknobs. We nameless, faceless human souls brought Jesus down to search for. For we are not a number goal He died and rose His church for. Humanity may just see ants when most look at our faces, but He sees "cans" redeemed from "can'ts" when He paid sins to grace us. Though Christmas Day is gone this year, Eternity is lasting. His Purpose is forever clear, "Salvation needs no fasting." by Jay O’Toole on December 26th, 2022 |
Suspenseful waiting is no more. The presents open are revealed. Our love expressed is from the core. The gifts are tokens. The true is sealed. We read accounts of Jesus' birth. We sang Him, "Happy Birthday," too. Nothing on Earth can match the worth of the Joy, He brings to me and you. The wrapping paper must be stored. The boxes, all now empty, placed. Each card received, up on a board. The turkey breast we cook and baste. All hearts prepare to start, again, to live our lives of normal fare. The holidays with kith and kin are days unique, and truly rare. To pause before the new days start, reflecting on hushed moments' bliss, we wipe a tear to leave and part from this good celebration's kiss. by Jay O’Toole on December 25th, 2022 |
This Christmas Eve we wait anew for old Saint Nicholas, a great man, who had much to do with many souls to bless. He loved the Lord with all his heart, and lived to glory bring to Christ, the Lord Salvation's Start and End to make us sing. Each gift surrounding ev'ry tree is testimony of the death, and rest, and Life to free in Christ's eternal Love. We savor ev'ry moment, now, 'til gifts present the choice. Will we receive, before Him bow or follow our own voice? How can one man leave a gift for all the humans on this Earth, unless He be the Lord, Whose Call leads to everlasting birth. (John 6:37,44; John 14:6) by Jay O’Toole on December 24th, 2022 |
Carbo-loading reindeer team, pressing Santa's jolly suit, stuffing bears, and sowing seams, testing horns, that loudly toot. "Santa's trip is almost here! Shine up Rudolph's glowing nose! Compute the route, that's free and clear! Smooth the treads before he goes!" Toys are packed, but still, there's more working elves around the clock. Bits and pieces line the floor. The spelling elves, now sign each sock. His frequent flyer miles are full, 'til Christmas 3095, but Mama Claus still has some pull to keep him home their Joy to thrive. "But that must wait. Tomorrow night is on the schedule as you know. Yet, when I'm back by morning light, we'll snuggle on the couch I trow." "Let's snuggle, now. The wind, it bites throughout all North America. Just hold me close. Yes, really tight, and take me soon to Florida." The final task is supper time to tighten his wide, rugged belt, then final sleep in thoughts sublime. His looks to her, her heart still melts. by Jay O’Toole on December 23rd, 2022 |
The Serenity Prayer: "God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can & the Wisdom to know the difference." ----------------------------------------------------- A white and cold Christmas comes to blanket all the continent. We're looking at the snowy sums to find a place to compliment. "But it's not like that mostly, Friends. The snow is just an afterthought. This frigid cold quite truly rends all peaceful travel tickets bought." That's Ryan Hall, the shade-tree coach of all things weather related. He says the coldest sure approach must not be lost, nor understated. "Dear God, I ask You grant me true the Wisdom to see truth each day. I'd like to change what I can do, accepting what I can't, I pray." The difference between making change, and waiting for God's Hand to work is wisdom known to rearrange the hopes of peace from words of "shirk." "Dear God, we pray for a peaceful end to this great storm, that tempts us fear. Please, keep our loved ones safe and send Your angels making our way clear. "Please, help us do the things we can to bundle up and eat some food. Please, help us save by greatest plan our pets and elders for their good. "But what the weather does is Yours. We rest upon Your Ancient Grace. Each life, that's hid in You endures down here or in Your Lasting Place. "For Wisdom's Peace in You is best. You work through us to our best task. You show us, that in ev'ry test in Hope to rest. It's all we ask. In Your Great Name, amen." God keep you, Dear Friends, further north as we endure what is to come. The other side may He lead forth, restoring Life's abundant sum. by Jay O’Toole on December 22nd, 2022 |
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So beautifully written.