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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    |
The sun was shining wondrous bright. The pansies needed homes. The work required was far from light. I tousled up the loam. A three-pronged claw released the roots. My hands grabbed clods of grass, and throwing them past my big boots, I finished a big task. Garden soil, now, fully bare, I brought the cedar mulch, and smoothed the cover from here to there aroma to divulge. Well thought-out placement, flower faces found their homes in front of the greenhouse "castle," and it's graces, like a cake of loamy bundt. This joy, now done needs water's spray to quench the thirst of all, to settle roots in newest day, protection from God call. Such beauty blessed, I pray their safety now from cold and fauna, that they might e'er live. The frost tonight could make them freeze and bow, but hope in tact, I'll wait them time to give. The pansies last beyond the hardened freeze, but deer can be another thing, indeed. The ice can come and go on all of these, but "salad" brings them low of faunish greed. By grace we'll see the pansies soon, and joy at ev'ry sight. Tonight the cold may be a boon for springtime's joy, delight. by Jay O’Toole on January 27th, 2023 |
Work, it comes so often now, to grab my mind and eyes, and brow the briskest pace elicits, "WOW! Do we have time to rest?" The job is often just the same as yesterday when then we came. Consistency we bless, not blame as making comfort's nest. At work, we run, while dripping sweat to pay our bills, and keep from debt, ensuring goals are daily met to bring us smiles when done. My prayer is that when life is o'er my work will pass the fire before, existing in God's ready store as blessings ever won. by Jay O’Toole on January 26th, 2023 |
Finding strength to move ahead is in the Hands of God. Following now when once we led seems hard to thank, applaud. "My Grace is all, that you will need," so says the Mighty Lord, "Your weakness becomes strength, indeed," when resting on The Word. Then Paul enjoins, that "gladness comes" when "weak days are embraced, for then," says he, "Christ's gladdest sums of Power can rest in Grace." Now, finding strength to truly live is gifted from Above. No works from me are left to give, receiving blessed Love. ------------------------------------------------ 2 Corinthians 12:9, KJV, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- by Jay O’Toole on January 25th, 2023 |
To say the things I'd like to say is always my first goal, but thoughts expressed of the day to day may end up not quite whole. Why do the things, that mean the most within the heart of me become some sad words, often toast when I speak them liberally? Why do my tries to share the Truth so often just fall flat? Why does the zeal from my own youth seem best when under my hat? Confused our speech the Lord, He did when Man built to the stars. Improper worship must be rid. So, language met with scars. Communication fractures much when views are not the same. We speak with strength all hearts to touch, but hearing is to blame. by Jay O’Toole on January 24th, 2023 |
chilly, wet, and cold blowing strong as winter’s kept flora, fauna rest by Jay O’Toole on January 23th, 2023 |
A quiet day to quiet minds, before we walk anew the streets of town, new places find to live, and play, and do. A quiet day is what we seek to help the days so loud. Unsettled hearts throughout the week need a break from the days of crowds. A quiet day is where we start to seek the Face of God, Who comes with us to office, mart, where we seem weak and flawed. "A quiet day" may be too few upon this soil and loam, with piles of things we need to do before we're fin'lly Home. A quiet day needs be within, all Fearings now to quell, until we live beyond all sin, and fear is bound to Hell. A quiet day is sheltered here "within Christ's boundless wings." (Psalm 91:1-4, KJV) The way, we see, is free and clear. His Spirit makes us sing. A quiet Day is evermore in Jesus' strong, blest arms for He Alone knows what's in store for those He frees from harms. ("Fearings" is a reference to the family of Fearings,who are characters in Hannah Hurnard's great book, Hinds Feet on High Places. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/821056.Hinds_Feet_on_High_Places) by Jay O’Toole on January 20th, 2023 |
Do you think of what you've done, and wonder why you did it? Do you think you could have won, if you could just have hid it? Do you wonder why your thoughts so easily remember the sinful things you were not taught, but caught on fire as tinder? Do you wish to start, again, to do these things, never? Do you wish the pain would end for you have not been clever? He saved your life when you first came. He saves it ev'ry day, and will. Your life can never be the same. Your heart is blest, forgiven, thrilled. "I can't forget what I have done!" "I can't remember it at all." "I feel I've lost and never won!" "I saved you when my name you called." (John 6:37,44) "As far as the East is from the West, so far He moves our sins away." (Psalm 103:12, KJV) My future's evermore been blest. With Him in Christ, I'll ever stay. Forgiven, my new title fair, Forgiven, saved by Christ Alone, Forgiven life down here and there, Forgiven, hopes are blest and grown. "But I have messed up in my life." "My life redeemed your mess for aye." "How do I know it's gone, my strife?" "My Word's on it. Take what I say." The things we cannot e'er forget the Lord can never bring to mind. Emotion's default is our debt. Our debt, His Payment can ne'er find. The Accuser of our brethren taunts, "You're never good enough for Him." The Lord, He died for us and wants each heart with peace be filled to the brim. Forgiven: "Jesus works, and I do not." Forgiven: "Hope in Christ, and debt forgot." Forgiven: "Life forever from His tomb." Forgiven: "Saved by Grace, the Spirit's Womb." Forgiven: "Standing 'fore His Father Great." Forgiven: "Life in Christ, the perfect state." Forgiven: "All of Jesus, and none of me." Forgiven: "Evermore in Him we're free." by Jay O’Toole on January 19th, 2023 |
Each job has times of fast and slow when tough and rest compete, but work is done, and we can go. The home, again, we greet. When working hard the pace is fast, and breaks are often short. Yet, tough times will not always last for those in Jesus' Court. The goal for all our earthly days is hearing these great words, "Well done, my child, your life's displays are founded on your Lord." We do not work for Heaven's Bliss. We work for clothes and meat. Our hearts are filled with thanks for this, "Salvation is replete." by Jay O’Toole on January 18th, 2023 |
This year we have a month of days, that challenges the mind. Some parts have cold of great displays, some parts are gentle, kind. The deep freeze harmed my tender plants, and I must wait 'til spring to see their life by God, Who grants great hope, and tongues, that sing. Yet, many days have seen the sun. We thank Him for His Smile, the saving Grace His Son has won, His rest beyond each trial. Seven years ago it was quite warm the first months of 2016. They were quite mild without alarm. The yard was early green, But now it's up and down, again. It causes wonderment, but one day soon the spring will win, and life-filled days be lent. by Jay O’Toole on January 17th, 2023 |
The little corner is my room, where I have stored some things. These Christmas treasures, weaver's loom, that help my heart to sing. I'll store away this poem, too, since it's no doubt too late to bless the reader as most may do for Christmas words now grate. The little corner music plays of Christmas hopes and bliss. Our chilly morn reminds of days we stopped to moments kiss. Green, and red, and blue, and gold, the lights create a place, while whitest lights of Christmas told do comfort hearts with grace. The crafts, and plaques, and ornaments remind of years gone by with those half-done experiments, that on the shelves do lie. Christmas wrapping, boxes, bags, with garlands draped around help Christmas presents, and new tags to keep the gift from being found. Eleven months we now must wait, before the world's onboard with Christmas joy, and wonders great to hear each choir's blessed chord. Yet, nothing stops a heart so filled with Christ, Who came, and for us lived to pay our debt He once was killed, and rose Salvation's Gift to give. by Jay O’Toole on January 16th, 2023 |
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