Bring back and revive
New life bring forth
That which had fled
Return and repair
Once grown faded
Now refreshed
Rejoined uplifted
Accepted made right
As one dew-touched
Breathe life
Restore
From “My Words to Live By” c-a allen
People
Thoughts and reflections on us as people with much in common.
Try
To meet the goal
That’s true and good
A big commitment
But I’ll try
What challenge is this?
The need is great
Working together
Let’s try
That first new step
It looks so daunting!
And what if I fail?
Only try
To fall and rise
Now once again
Discovering new things
Because I tried
Opportunities come
So be encouraged
If you say that I can
Then I’ll try
One foot one hand
A step a reach
How will you know
Unless you try?
World changers that
Both big and small
Not giving up
Just try!
Free to Be
The car’s packed and we’re heading down the road to new adventures! …I remember my anticipation as a teen going off to college. Along with some normal anxiety, I looked forward to having my own schedule and being able to make my own decisions. I was free to strike out on my own. Free to be me… Rather a scary thought as I look back on that, but my parents and others had prepared me well and my faith in God was real and strong. Growing and maturing is an important step in life.
Free to be. Free to make choices. Free to consider future and present actions… But isn’t it also easy during that pursuit to become too self-focused, missing out on the richness and satisfaction of reaching outward in service and in working with others? We’ve all heard the clamor of the world. “He said…” “She did…” “That’s a lie…” “You deserve…” Perhaps I am just more aware as I’ve gotten older, but selfishness often seems to be encouraged. Talking at once seems to be the norm. People loudly espouse their agenda, poisonous words tearing others apart, hurting and demeaning everyone.
As I discovered during my college days, along with freedom comes new responsibility, greater accountability and consideration of others. As Paul wrote in his letter to the Corinthians, “’I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but not everything is constructive.” * In our freedom, I pray that we will remember the element of respect, building up and caring for others, rather than tearing down and destroying.
Of encouragement to me is the observation that when we face common challenges or tragedies, we begin to gain a sense of our shared humanity. When we take time to notice and acknowledge people as important and valued, then differing perspectives, needs, or goals no longer seem as significant. When we reconsider harsh words, there are fewer times to regret. When we choose positive actions, then growth and reconciliation are made possible. When we allow change in our own thinking and perspective, we discover room for compassion.
*1 Corinthians 10:23
Reflections on Mountains
- We hike along life’s steep trails.
- Cliffs and crags can appear daunting
- We find shelter and rest in quiet coves
- Struggles and death come as dark valleys
- We flee and hide within when there is danger
- Understanding comes when light casts its rays over the peaks
- Gazing over broad vistas improves our perspective
- Improved perspective brings communion
- One step at a time to achieve the goal
- Rocks can assist our climb
Prayer
To speak and to listen
With heart and mind
Daily companionship
With a close friend
Oh, faithful hearer
When I doubt
My strong supporter
Strength and guide
Through every moment
God’s presence here
Prayer
From “My Words to Live By” c-a allen
ABOUT
Regarding this
Concerning that
What is it about?
We need to know
Please check it out
Searching the “abouts”
About page
About me
About this and that!
Information please
Now tell me clearly…
That’s rather ‘round about
It took two minutes
How horrendous!
Tell me all about it
Working hard
To get it done
…It’s about time
Rest Stop
Blink, flash… rumble-rumble. I paused to watch the display in the night sky. Cool air, smelling of rain, drove away the last of the day’s heat. Watching from a distance provided a larger perspective and I considered the power of the storm and the wideness of the heavens. As the storm drew further away, I drew a deep breath and the rain-washed quiet began to draw from mind and body the day’s lingering roar. It was good to stop and rest.
When I find myself caught up in the rush and stress of life, taking time to pause helps both mentally and physically. Can’t you just imagine that “ahh” as you sink into a favorite chair, slide into bed, or arrive home after a long and busy day?! Wherever our “comfort spot” may be, it is a place to rest our soul and calm our spirit for a time.
When the crowd was pressing around Jesus, he too needed a time of rest. For those who wanted to follow him, Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” * Like us in our daily lives, He too had to seek those special times and places alone and in prayer with his Father, God… places of rest and places where daily needs could be met. The book of Mark tells us that the apostles, the followers or disciples of Jesus, had the same challenge and had to be intentional about taking time to rest. After they had shared with Jesus all that they had been doing and teaching, he reminded them of the importance of ‘stepping out of the stream’ for a while. “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while,” Jesus said, “For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So, they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.” *
I think sometimes we don’t give ourselves permission to step aside and rest. We are driven by so many things… I pray for you “rest stops” along life’s way. Times of comfort with friends and family. Quiet reflection with God who loves you. A welcome place to pause, stretch your legs, and relax before continuing on.
*Matthew 8:20 & Luke 9:58; Mark 6:31-32
Reflections on Roads
• Roads are paths of decisions
• Those decisions lead to many destinations
• Consider all that you encounter along the way
• Some ways are direct and easy to traverse
• Sometimes things ahead are stormy
• It’s hard to see beauty when moving through our storms
• Potholes and cracks develop from stressful situations
• Remembering our origination can help us persevere
• Roadside stops are helpful to the traveler
• Moving along accustomed routes may give a sense of stability
• Sometimes we get stuck or lost and miss the alternate routes
• Whether through wilderness or quiet streets… we seek clear ways
Open
Open heart now do we heed
Understanding gain
A treasure box with gifts to share
Revealing many things
Open mouth what do we speak
In kindness wisdom not in folly
Careful words produced with thought
Teaching truth and life
Open ears what do we hear
To know the words just spoken
Among the mad uproar and chaos
Listening and discerning
Open eyes what do we see
Wondrous things and tragedy
Hold outheld hands to offer aid
Touching hurt and bringing healing
Open doors we knock in faith
Pass through gates of life
Walking leaping now made right
Prisoners no more
Open
From “My Words to Live By” c-a allen
Southern Rhythms
Anna Grace and Joseph Lee
Mary Jane and Patrick James
Polly Sue and Charles Thomas
Southern names with long traditions
Folks and family and ties that bind
…Echoes too of days gone by
Celebrations and building community
Proudly looking to new tomorrows
Trading stories and raising kids
Long warm summers and cooling days
Hard-working lives and close-knit ways
Country folks and city slickers
Local grills and jawing guys
Department store sales to catch the eye
Lazy times and long day’s work
Fishing and farming
Reunions and schooling
Parades and speeches for passers-by
Sunday worship and Christmas plays
Small hometowns and storefront displays
Dusty roads and rain-filled skies
Life’s rhythm like swaying trees
Flowing creeks and drifting clouds
Voices echo… fade and grow
