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I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2"  : "Evening Flight" When my parents retired about 30 years ago, I thought I would be able to see them more often. FOOLED YOU! They were going at a much faster pace. Now, I know why. I retired in September of 2025. "Katie, bar the door!" WOW! Hope this poem is relatable. Blessings Always, Everyone.      |
| "Rock of Ages" is one of my favorite hymns. One of my favorite couplets in this hymn is the first one of verse #3, and I have hinted at it in my poem, tonight. "Nothing in my hands I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress, Helpless, look to Thee for grace: Foul, I to the fountain fly, Wash me, Savior, or I die." This is one of the most encouraging verses in all of hymnody. By confessing my abject poverty, spiritually, in am given the Grace to move from self-hopelessness to Christ-hopefulness. This echoes the words of Ephesians 2:8-10, KJV, that I can do nothing to save myself. I can only believe with the faith given to me by the Lord. "8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." The poem is a prayer from the heart. I pray you can relate. Bottom Line: Salvation is all Gift. Salvation is all Grace. Jay O'Toole |
| Thanks for posting this hymn with the lyrics in the video. It's been a while since I looked at the words. Very inspiring. |
ReplyI've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "Evening Respite" A warm cup of Joe and a quiet place to sit brings a much-needed rest to the soul. Blessings, All. Jay O'Toole |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "Rally Much Witts" Today's poem started out as an exploration of that "book", that Jim  referenced a couple of days ago with his Snoopy graphic, but since today I edited one of my novel chapters from this past November, the rest of my poem (verses 2-6) became an exploration of my main character's state of mind in the initiating challenge, which was one of the worst set-backs of his life. Isn't it interesting how we can think we are creating characters out of thin air, but their stories have bits and pieces of Truth to teach the author, and that the Lord, Who created all things can slide messages for our own lives in through the events of the characters we are writing? That sounds rather convoluted, but there is wisdom in there somewhere. Blessings Always, Everyone. |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "Falling Toward the Goal" Anyone, who has ever completed a marathon, understands the importance of carrying agony all the way to the finish line. I've completed two marathons, and ran 20 miles in the other one, which was my first attempt. Writing a book is, for me at least, much like running a marathon. I think some people are created to run marathons with ease. I think some people are created to write books with an innate talent. I think some people are created to play the piano with great flair without much practice. But for the rest of us, all of these feats require much practice, much effort, and much determination as a lifelong profession or at least avocation. I started learning to play the piano at age six. I'm an excellent sight-reader, but no matter how much pratice I put into my playing, I've always seemed to have a ceiling to my skill, that I can't quite push past, but still I have played for many of my 65 years. As a runner, at my best, I was consistently in the fastest 30% of the field. I never had the strength and speed to run with the leaders, but still I ran and trained consistently to do what I was capable of doing. As a writer I have loved and written poetry, since age 13, and in 2017, I entered my first NaNoWriMo, completing my first 50,000+ word novel, but it is not finished because I have things to learn about how to finish a novel. Determination is the point of this message. I play the piano imperfectly, but with effort, I play. I walk at least a mile and a half most days, but with effort, I walk. I write poetry and novels, imperfectly, but with effort, I write. If you feel challenged in any way, then come, and join the rest of us, who feel challenged, but by the Grace of God, we do it, anyway. You can insert any of a number of poems at this point in my message, including The Little Engine That Could. https://www.printmag.com/design-books/watty-pipers-1930-the-little-engine-that-c... However, before I rely solely on my own strength, let me hasten to remind all of us of the real Source of my strength. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13, KJV) Jay O'Toole |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "26 Paychecks" Public Service Announcement: Considering the lethargy of the past six weeks of public life at the Writing.Com website and beyond, Management would like to inform the writing public of a uniquely new way of restoring strength to the atrophied muscles not at all used, during the Christmas (and other Holidays) Season.
 (blink, blink) Thee has two weeks forthwith to sign thyself for hire at the "26 Paychecks " group page at the behest of this inscrutable message, that doth pick at thy funny bone, and tickle thy mind. If thee needs plain text clarification of this awfully askew wording, then listen carefully for "I am not one to go around repeating gossip. So, you better be sure, and listen close the first time." (Thank you, Hee Haw.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrMsiMbd0xQ&t=24s "You got two weeks to sign up at "26 Paychecks " . DO IT!" |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "Weaving Christmas Moments into the Fabric of Life" Christmas time comprised some of the greatest seasons of peace during my childhood. I'm sure I must have mentioned that before. Yet, I am well aware that this was not the case for many others, during the past century. Bottom Line: Peace with God is required, before anyone can really know peace of heart. (Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 3:3,16; John 6:37,44; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Philippians 2:13) I pray the Lord draws you to Himself, now, if never before, that together we may begin to weave peaceful Christmas Moments into the fabric of our lives by His Grace. Be truly blessed, Everyone. |
Lazy Writer est 4/24/2008  - Thank you. I must confess, that I have never heard of this series of books. So, I did a search, and read a blurb about the first book as well as the bio of the author. Interesting concept. |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "Last Light of 2025" The light of 2025 is being put to bed on the East Coast of the United States. Faint pinks and a dot or two of orange still squeeze their way through the silhouettes of pine trees between my house and the sun. All that remains is about six hours of dark, until we proclaim 2026, the NEW YEAR. For years, there has been something significant, regarding the sunset of the important days in my life. Somewhere I have pictures of the sky on the day my Dad died as I stood out in the backyard of his house. Surely I have a sunset photo, but that part of the memory is not as clear. Many times I've been sitting under my carport, watching the sun's rays make a hasty retreat, but for about a half-hour I get inspirational thoughts for my poems of those days. All that remains now is the lightest of blues, and gray, that darkens as we speak. That one place, that was orange a few minutes ago is, I guess, the only place not actually blue, but a little bit pink. Merely minutes from now, we'll be engulfed in the dark, turning our attention to what can be done in the artificial light, awaiting the Hope of the light of a new year. I think the days are getting longer. It's more than a quarter past six, and I can still see silhouettes of the trees. Be truly blessed, Everyone. Happy New Year 2026! |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "The Sun Still Shines" These days before the new year, I pause to reflect about what I know is sure. The sun is shining today through rather cold temperatures. Yet, when the skies are gray, the sun is still shining, prevented from our seeing by the clouds. We can't yet see into the new year of 2026. Will there be sunny days? Will the days be dark? Will cold rule? Will the heat come again? No doubt, "Yes" will be the answer on all counts. The future of Eternity is not seeable, yet, either, but some things we can know. The Lord controls these days, maintaining life on Earth. He is consistent in every way. His Character can be trusted to be "the same yesterday, today, and for ever." If we know Him by His Grace, we can rest in the shadow of His Wings. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8, KJV) "1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler." (Psalm 91:1-4, KJV) Be truly blessed, Everyone. |
| I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "97 Years Ago" Today, my brother and I spent time remembering our Dad as we had supper together in my home. Our Dad was born 97 years ago, today, "a Christmas present, three days late" as he loved to put it. March 29th, 2026 Dad will have been gone 24 years, but his impact on the lives of his two sons remains ever strong all these many years later. He wasn't perfect, even he knew that, but I think he was perfectly the Dad we needed. The importance of The Gospel of Jesus Christ never fades in either of our hearts. (I Corinthians 15:3-4) I pray, that you have been blest with just as good a Dad. If you haven't, then I pray the Lord will make himself the Dad you never knew you needed. "14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." (Romans 8:14-15, KJV) Be truly blessed, Everyone. |
I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "Christmas Upside Down" Cold, then hot, and cold, again. The weather is one thing. Eternal salvation is totally another. I pray our Eternity is cool, not HOT. Be truly blessed, Everyone. |
I've added a new entry to my book, "These Are My JOTtings, Part #2" : "Carry Christmas in the Heart" It's the day after Christmas with the season of Christ's Birth fading fast. Much to come. A new year to begin. May the Lord grant us to keep the Joy of Jesus' Birth in our hearts throughout the year. The Lord is coming soon, too, Everyone. True. He has been "coming soon" for 2000 years. Therefore, today it is a great deal sooner from our perspective than when Jesus left, ascending back to The Father. However, from His Perspective, He only left a couple of days ago. “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (II Peter 3:8, KJV) Be truly blessed, Everyone. |
| Joyous Day! Grateful to the Lord for all of His Loving Kindnesses! I'm, also, feeling bittersweet at the loss of loved ones. Wonderful memories, along with an absence, that can be felt. I am especially feeling that with reference to Sister ruwth  and her friend, Sandy, right now. This new poem is dedicated to them, and to all, who must deal with grief, during this wonderfully festive season. Sometimes, I pray in poetry form. Thus, it is this day. Joyous Christmases past. Lacking Christmases present. Encouraging Christmases to come. I hope I wrote that well, ruwth . I respect your beliefs about this day, but I didn't know how else to write it to get my meaning across. That is still one of those lacks. I Corinthians 13:12, KJV says it best, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." Honored Christmas, All! Honored Remembrance for many, if not most! May the Lord's Greatest Gift be yours this Christmas! (John 3:3,16; John 6:37,44; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Romans 9:15-16; Romans 10:9-10,13; Acts 16:30-31) Jay O'Toole |
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