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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    |
Days of life have jobs to do, some are bliss, and some get through. When we honor all that's ours, giftings shine as blooming flow'rs. At the end of life, we see done responsibility. Dry as shucks, and dusty hay when we live and Christ obey? Hardly. In each waking thought live we Truth in grace as taught. Oft it is a sweaty work, but our duty ne'er we'll shirk. Stay at Post when storms do rage Live for God through earthly age. Give Him praise in all you do, 'til your job is fully through. "This eternal Day," He said, "is your Joy when Time is dead." Lives we've touched, and helped to live will the lasting Joy He give. 'Sponsibility's a gift. Serve we God, and others lift. Hang your head not once at all. Service is our blessed call. by Jay O’Toole on April 30th, 2021 |
A doodle is quite fun to draw, but it has meaning still. The days of life by God's Own Law conform to His Own Will. I move, and run, and sleep, and wake to draw my doodle line, and when that's done new steps I take to show God's Gift is kind. Around, around, and round, again, I'm running with each breath. My hope to live without my sin won't happen, 'til my death, But daily life marks on the page with blue lines and some red, until the canvas and the stage are fully marked and fed. I pray my acts and will are blest so led by God Above, that when I've faced each daily test the end result is Love. (Philippians 2:13) by Jay O’Toole on April 29th, 2021 |
"Prompt #1 Easter: Sunday, April 4, 2021 Free Write about Easter." ------------------------------------------------ Christmas comes throughout the year for those with eyes to see it. Jesus left His stable Home in Heaven to enter a stable home on Earth. Jesus's Heavenly Father is responsible for everything, that has been created. Jesus' Earthly father was a carpenter, making many things from wood. Did Joseph make the manger in which Jesus was laid? In the Trinity and from Eternity Jesus has always been wrapped in Light. In the manger, Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes. Jesus lived away from human eyes in Eternity for many Earth-years before being laid in a cave as a little Baby. Jesus lived away from the public eye in Nazareth for many years before being laid in a tomb, that was a cave, as a punished criminal. Jesus lived His earthly years as the supposedly illegitimate son of Mary, Joseph's wife. Jesus was crucified as the supposedly illegitimate messiah of the nation of Israel. Being born in a nondescript stable was an ignominious beginning, but the lowest strata of human society, the shepherds welcomed Him and brought Him praise. Being laid in a nondescript tomb was an ignominious ending to the life of a humble, itinerate, homeless rabbi, but a couple of women welcomed His resurrection on the third day with belief. The leaders of the days of His earthly sojourn hated Him so badly, that they violated many of their own laws to get Him crucified. They didn't care. They were done. In an interesting turn of events, the notorious criminal, Barabbas (aka "Son of the Father") was pardoned in order for Jesus, the Son of Father God, to take his place in crucifixion. Jesus took Barabbas' place, and Barabbas was pardoned. Jesus took the place of everyone, who has ever been pardoned through eternal Salvation. Jesus is the Only Human to ever live the life of perfection, but He died at the hands of imperfect humans by the cruelest of all human methods of capital punishment. Jesus bore our sin because since He had no sin of His own, He was the Only One, Who could bear our sin. Jesus provided the garment of perfection to receptive humans, who had no perfection of their own. The Lord of Glory, Who is clothed in Light, had to die the death of shame without clothes. Almighty God died the death of the cross as the Man, Who gave other men the power to make Him appear to be powerless. Some may consider the expression, "rise on the third day" to be indicative of death for 72 hours. I do not subscribe to that view. 1. Jesus died around 3:00 PM on that Friday. He was buried before sundown. By Jewish number designation, that was "death on the first day." 2. Jesus' body laid in the tomb throughout the Sabbath, which ended at sundown on that Saturday. That was "death on the second day." 3. Jesus rose from the dead around 6:00 AM (aka sunrise) on Sunday, the first day of the week. That was resurrection on the third day. In my humble opinion, Jesus was only dead for approximately 39 hours, which is roughly half of the expected time. 3:00 PM on Friday to 6:00 AM on Sunday makes 39 hours. I'm sure that number is significant. I simply need to study and meditate on it more. Easter Sunday morning is the first day of the first week of Salvation. Easter Sunday morning designates the New Day of human HIStory. Easter Sunday morning is Resurrection Day. Resurrection Day is Secret Christmas because "The Best Present of Christmas was opened on Resurrection Sunday morning." May we always remember, that Christmas without Easter would be meaningless, but Easter without Christmas would be impossible. Ultimately, Christmas is the first step to the Resurrection of Jesus and it is the first step to the Salvation of believers. That makes Christmas, Easter's Foreshadow, and that makes Easter, Second Christmas (or Secret Christmas.) Years ago, I started a blog on WordPress with the name, Secret Christmas. https://secret777christmas.wordpress.com/ It's no longer a secret to you, but for many humans, the Greatest Christmas, which is Easter, is still a secret. Let's tell them the secret, too. Let's help their hearts to be truly blessed. by Jay O’Toole on April 28th, 2021 |
restoration salvation renew kept Collector's choice by Jay O’Toole on April 27th, 2021 |
| Friendships, that will last throughout our earthly days, are based on mutual love and mutual respect. We may not look alike, but we most certainly love alike. Unconditionally. That's what that is. We may not think alike, but we most certainly dovetail our differences. It's like walking. When you're ahead, I'm behind. When I'm ahead, you're behind. It's like standing. We're in one place side-by-side. Our friendship has different looks for different purposes. We stand together as equals when it's time to rest, to reflect, to think, to converse, but we can move from place to place, only when we lead by changing place in rhythm. Leading in a relationship doesn't make the leader the better, nor the follower the lesser. Leading and following is a function of getting things done. The muscles of our arms and legs are set in pairs. One contracts. One relaxes. Tandem pairs of muscles make us stronger as humans in physical bodies. Tandem pairs of muscles in friendships make us stronger as friends. Canadian Geese show us how to use this principle to make us stronger as groups of friends. These wondrous birds fly in a "V" to increase efficiency, and to allow for periods of rest. We, humans, talk about "taking point" or leading on a given day. The goose, who flies at the point of the "V" must be the strongest in leadership. Headwinds create drag on the leading goose. The goose to the right or to the left bear nearly as much force, but it is still less. And so it goes, until the last goose on either extremity bears the least amount of headwind. This small flock of geese can cover many miles in this formation. The leading goose flies point, until it can't. Loud honking alerts the rest of the flock, "It's time for a change. I need to rest." Then, in a moment as though by military precision. the point "man" falls back to the position of one of the extremities to rest and to rejuvenate. It's easiest there. Again, with military precision the next goose, right or left in turn, "takes point," and the flock flies on to accomplish its great distance. Friendships are based on the understanding, that we help each other. The stronger of the two helps the friend, who is experiencing a time of being weaker. Woe be us if we are both weak at the same time. Of course, that may be the time to prepare a cup of coffee or tea, then we sit down under a fleece blanket, either separately or jointly, depending on our snuggle-meter, sharing the warmth of body, heart, or both. Some friendships have to touch, nearly constantly. Some friendships rarely if ever touch, based on mutual love, respect, and understanding. Lasting friendships start in the youth of life. We do so much together. We eat. We drink hot drinks. We talk, while we run. We talk, until we sleep, then we talk, again, when we wake. Lasting friendships share all of the important moments of life. First dates. Driver's license. The wedding. The reception, and hopefully the spouse is welcomed into the circle of friendship, even if not all of the long hours of conversation. Children, pets, life's work, and hobbies. God. Lasting friendships age like fine wine. The bouquet mellows, even when the taste in the cup fades a little. Lasting friendships survive the days of Earth, maintaining Joy forever in the Presence of the Lord. Open Prompt: Write a poem over 30 lines, Structured or Free Verse, on the topic of your choosing. Written for "The Whatever Contest."  "The Whatever Contest -- Closed for Now"  Word Count: 583 Line Count: 56 Verses Count: 11 Style: Free Verse by Jay O’Toole on April 26th, 2021 |
vines throughout a bush weaving in and taking space stays for quite a while by Jay O’Toole on April 23rd, 2021 |
To live and run and work and love through moving, daily days. To finish for the prize Above is how His Name we praise. For nine long months a life of ease in Utero's swimming pool created hope myself would please, and others, my own tool. But with one smack the doctor broke idyllic fantasy to make me just another bloke, who runs this race for free. To eat and lie in smelliness, to live a life of sleep, exploring wonder, heart to bless, and learning e'er more deep. To walk upon these wobbly legs, to fall and bounce on bum, experience of scrambled eggs, and milk upon me some. To ride around with Mom and Dad in something really big became a joy so often glad, I fain would dance a jig. But one day when a-riding, we did stop and all got out to leave me in a strange house, See? My dance became a pout. "A nursery school for playing, Son. Goodbye. We'll see you soon." "But I don't know them. Not a one. I have not one balloon." "Just trust us. It will all be fine. Great fun throughout your day." "The spinach was not very kind, and Teacher caused dismay." In first-grade I saw fuzzy blobs upon the big blackboard, which learning they would daily rob to be most untoward. But Teacher figured out my case, "Some glasses he must have." Then, to the doctor at some place, we tested in his lab. "He's near of sight. He needs some specs, and life will better be." He gave me glasses with respect, but the glasses were not free. Twelve years of school, primarily. My courses were superb, but high school girlfriends weren't for me as often was observed. I finished school at the top of my class, yet leadership was small, but Captain of my band to pass impressive in that hall. The college years were really great in them I met my wife. Two years, almost, we spent in dates, then married we for life. The working years are varied still. A teacher, I, and salesman, too, announcing radio to fill my joy remembered, that I do. For many years no child had we, but then one day she came, for now, that anniversary, and years of her the same. A dancer, and a singing star, an actor on the stage of these gifts we see she'll go far to turn adult's new page. The days beyond her home wrought years will visit all too soon. "God, grant us strength to roll our fears upon Thy shoulders strewn. "And turn our fears to confidence in all You will create. Remold our hearts in spices minced for Everlasting's Date." In twenty years or thirty, (more?) we'll land on Heaven's hill, expansive Grace to e'er explore, and better live His will. These days of Earth are just a taste of that, which e'er will be. Salvation's Hope by heart embraced to make that Day so FREE. "Please, grant me, Lord, to see the faces of my earthly loves, surrounding You in lasting graces in Your Home Above." Open Prompt: Write a poem over 30 lines, Structured or Free Verse, on the topic of your choosing. Written for "The Whatever Contest." "The Whatever Contest -- Closed for Now" Word Count: 523 Line Count: 92 Verses Count: 23 quatrains Style: Iambic Quatrains with the occasional anapestic foot or two by Jay O’Toole on April 21st, 2021 |
trim the bushes back prune and snip, remove the old make room for the new by Jay O’Toole on April 21st, 2021 |
Hungry plants need rain to grow, and sufficient sun. Pray because this One you know has every victory won. Hungry hearts need living rain, refreshing parch-ed man. Saving Truth must be made plain, redeeming souls by plan. Servant hearts, the sons of God have just what lost ones need. "Give me souls, Your Name applaud," these ministers all plead. "Know the Source. Provide them Grace, and Mercy by the Book." Jesus' Goodness in their place in just one feeble look. (Numbers 21:1-9, KJV; Key verse: #9) "Know the Source. Salvation, now. The Son, now, lives, again." No gift I bring. Before Him bow, Redeemer of lost men. https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/1058 "Rock of Ages" by Jay O’Toole on April 20th, 2021 |
At times, God seems so silent, cold, uncaring for our pain. Yet, He is always speaking bold in ways, that are quite plain. So, why do we with straining ears cry out to hear His Voice when His Arms reach to take our fears, to help our hearts rejoice? The winds of life in blustery roar may cause the child to fall, and roll upon the mud some more, and scream at God and call, but God in Voice so still and small stands near as gentle breath to wipe each brow, to smile, and call, preventing us from death. So, silent God is not at all. He's speaking all the time. "Please tune our ears to hear Your Call to hear each rhythm, rhyme." by Jay O’Toole on April 19th, 2021 |
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So beautifully written.
