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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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"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    |
Some things exist, but some do not. Each step will take us farther down the road. Some hopes remain with some forgot. The weighty things of mind become a load. The life at twenty-one is gone. It nevermore shall come, and be again, but when this life is fin'lly done, we'll know missed possibilities aren't sins. The things we've done, and things we've left most certainly are Wisdom from the Lord. The hinder look will make bereft the hearts, that need the blessings of His Word. There must be hope, that still remains. So, what's to do when senior years arrive? Research your life to see what's plain, and follow gifts, that on the vine survive. Some books we write, and shelve for days, or months or years or more 'til they be dim, still we must light the fire and pray with those, who stand with us and give us vim. Can music be reality? The tuba was my friend for many years. The spinet has more notes to free. The voice can choral sing, bring eyes to tears. My knitting's new, my painting was, photography has long since shuttered closed, but scarves are made for needs because so much of art is thought, not simply posed. The possibilities are gifts from God, Who made us with so much to do. Each joyful deed the world can lift right now, and when our breathing life is through. by Jay O’Toole on January 11th, 2023 |
The place I lived when I was born was Fort Worth, Texas, y'all. The mem'ries I these years have worn are from my small recall. You wonder why that could be so. It was because we left when my Dad's job, it made us go. Uprootment was quite deft. I was just five when we went north to Rochester, N-Y, but six months later returned us forth to say another "goodbye." I've been away near sixty years. Those mem'ries linger on. Apartment "pictures" are still clear, and school 'til he was done. But not much else can my mind see, I'd like to visit soon, if money and the time could free, more mem'ries there to boon. A cowboy's blood I've always had, but a mount to ride I've not. A Western life can't be half-bad, but the Southern life I've got. A hardy bunch we've always been a-mucking cattle plop. Last night the doggies' bully sin caused something similar to drop. Back to work all cowboys, now with shovels at your side, 'cause what they left to take a bow is naught but puppy pride. We've smelled like poo before last night. We muck the stalls so clean. The future still can be quite bright. Just trailer all their mean. We're Texans. We live really big. We stand when they do beat. Next time we'll tug of our own swig with UGA's in defeat. Let this be your best training cry, "Remember the Alamo and Daniel Boone." Defeats we can't deny, but vict'ries will come soon. What bullies may forget at first, will keep us soldiering on! For victories in our lives we thirst, until with God, we're gone. by Jay O’Toole on January 10th, 2023 |
Tonight's the night. It's nearly here. It's time to play some ball. For 'frogs or dogs, 'twill soon be clear the ones, who win it all. For me, I'd like to think I know the way it needs must end, but "toss-up" action makes good show for those, whose hopes can blend. The bulk of life for me's been lived in Texas and in GA. That TCU has now arrived, their winning's my best draw, but Georgia knows 'bout half my life. The dogs are really strong. So, if they win without much strife, tomorrow's work's a song. Yet, I was born in "Cattle Town," Fort Worth, if you don't know. I hope the Horned Frogs wear the crown. How far we've seen them grow! Right now it's time to watch the game. I pray the hope will last for newbies, who'll no more be the same. A win would be a blast. The time is now. The game must start, a victor will be crowned. I pray for peace within my heart. Adrenaline will abound. by Jay O’Toole on January 9th, 2023 |
Daily life: Again we wake. Newness, always seen. Not one thing from us can take the wonders, that have been. New Year's Life: The Lord hath given. Find in Him all peace. First month's grace we now are livin' t'ward Hope's new release. Eight days in the number's plain. New life meaneth this, "Seven is completest gain. Eight beginning's kiss." In 23 we've 12 month's scroll to write new hopes and goals. New life can live within the soul. It's Christ's blest gifted whole. In Him our old, dead things are past. In Him the new has come. Salvation Joy forever lasts in ev'ry part, and sum. by Jay O’Toole on January 8th, 2023 |
Sunshine lifts the fainting heart, feeling rather blue, wond'ring how to make to part this mourning, that seems new. "Whence did come, thee, darkened cloud? Why so large thy ling'ring shroud? Relief, please, come for each new day to help me joy, and learn to play." Sunshine nourishes the skin, relieving much fatigue. The benefits can cause to win a team from any league. "Dear Light of Sun, bid all be light to live your joyous gift, that when we lose our strength and might our hearts in brightness lift." "I thank Thee, Lord, Creator Blest, for shining sunlight, now. This Smile can help through ev'ry test. Salvation: 'Joyful bow.'" by Jay O’Toole on January 7th, 2023 |
Crisp the air, that ends the day, Dimming sun for ambiance, Silhouettes stand on display. Resisting night in its advance. Two orbs of light hang in their place to guide the way for some to walk. The color lights of Christmas Grace explode in Joy, that posts can talk. The World has left the Christmas town, That lives inside each childlike heart, but there our blessings aye abound, that make the dancing always start. I think some wonder why exult we day by day ‘neath Christmas rain, while playful things do catapult the ones we were when childful sane. “Oh, give us bliss this 23, that Christmas spirit lives anon to make us from all burdens free, and kiss the child within each one.” A coffee shop I soon would start to be a playground for the young. We’ll decorate in whole and part as lights illumine, songs are sung. Fear not, adults, who cannot see the treasured moments, Christmas play. We’ll have some rooms to coffee thee with couch and sofa ev’ry day. A Cup of Santa, joyful bliss, that causes us to find respite within a room we solace this to find us Christmas for a night. We may not need on ev’ry day the Kringle Cup, Good Santa’s Joe, but it would be there as I say, “A fine retreat, a place to go.” ‘Tis but a thought, a lifetime dream, a peaceful place, that offers rest for those for whom Christ’s loving beams bring rescue from each daily test. by Jay O’Toole on January 6th, 2023 |
longer days approach colder temps keep plants dormant this new year has come by Jay O’Toole on January 5th, 2023 |
Rippled, rolling thunder sounds, often BOOM alarms. Rainy falls on the porch abound, carried by His Arms. Thunder in the heart of man, shaken by distress. Watching, waiting, shattered plan, "Help" from a lifelike mess. Thunderstorms seem harsh at first. The noisy sounds break peace, but earthly plants are quenched of thirst. Emotions find release. What can the God of all, that's made be doing in this clash 'tween what's not seen, and what's displayed when Hope's a pile of ash? The newest forests of the West were seeded in great heat when old things burned in a firey test when new things beauty meet. E'en thunderstorms their hopes do give to those who wait, and watch, releasing grace, and ways to live, 'neath Wings to peaceful lodge. (Psalm 91:1-4, KJV) The storm will last for but a time. The benefits increase. His ways with Man are true, sublime. His lasting gift is peace. (John 6:37,44, KJV) by Jay O’Toole on January 4th, 2023 |
The geese above my house do fly. They form a "V," while flying past. Their conversations none deny. They honk their calls in loudest blast. So much we learn as God has planned through His dear creatures, small and great. "Just live your lives throughout the land, and let the Lord fill up your plate." The daily task of back and forth may seem mundane, and fruitless, too, but when we live as we are worth, we'll find great value when its through. by Jay O’Toole on January 3rd, 2023 |
Standing in this great porch view, the misty hills I see. So tinged with orange or with blue, this new day calls to me. Will talents of the past be used? Will new gifts joyful show? Will mundane life become amused? Can an older man still grow? A new year offers many things to all, who stop to look. The hopeful heart lifts joy, and sings, its words, a published book. But even if the moments wait, before the new begins, the peaceful breaths do work that's great, preparing us for wins. Sometimes the valley seems so dark of rainbow's shady hues, but when it's time to leave, embark, you'll see you've paid your dues. The highest heights, that God has planned, oft start with muddy trudge. The firmest plots of Beulah land are after Despond's sludge. The honor we so long to know at God's Own Gracious Hand is found in patience through the Slow, the way, that He has planned. by Jay O’Toole on January 2nd, 2023 |
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