“Twas the day of the Friendship dinner, when all through the church,
Setup crews were busy with details, sand and nails were in search;
The tents were up in the parking lot with care,
In hopes that guests soon would be there;
The children were dressed in yellow, blue and red,
While visions of fun and games danced in their heads;
And teachers dressed in casual wear, and I in my cap,
We had just settled down with a Sunday school map.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the chair to see what was the matter.
Away to the windows we flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The sun on the breast of the new-fallen dew
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects anew,
When, what to our wondering eyes should appear,
But basketballs goals, and five moon bouncers set up here,
Our Pastor excited, so lively and quick,
Bro. Kenny has grills, and wood by the rick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
“Now, Todd! Now, Cosme! Now, Will and Andy!
On, Charles! On, Eddie! On, Mark and Randy!
Fill up the parking lot to the back wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, look to the sky,
So up to the platform the musicians they flew,
With the children’s choir, and Sis Carmen too.
And then, in a moment, I heard them sing
The children’s melodious voices begin to ring.
As I drew in my breath, and was turning around,
Across the platform Bro. Elms came with a bound.
He was dressed in casual clothes from his head to his toe,
And his clothes were disheveled but hardly did show;
A mic in one hand, and took one step back,
And he greeted the visitors without any slack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He opened his Bible and read a short verse,
The teachings of God must come first;
Makeovers are like caterpillars that eat the leaves away,
Miracles are beautiful butterflies that will come your way.
The lesson was short, anticipation filled the air,
Everyone was ready for hamburgers, hotdogs and the social affair.
We had bouncers for the young and old,
And everyone had a blast,
Preparation was far-reaching, time shall unfold,
Pictures, slideshows, and memories will be a thing of the past.
There was even an “old fashion game,” called jump rope,
Some jumped fast, double Dutch, high stepping and others just loped.
The young people were busy as little elves
And I laughed when I saw them, in spite of myself.
Cleanup crews sprang to the kitchen and the parking lot,
There was plenty of work for everyone who sought.
We had a “Grand Ole Time,” which was just right,
“Thank you to all, and to all a good-night.”
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Monday, April 30, 2007
The 5 Senses
Touch someone's heart whenever you can.
Taste all that life has to offer.
Smell the roses.
Hear the nice things that others have to say.
See the beauty inside everyone.
--Author Unknown
Taste all that life has to offer.
Smell the roses.
Hear the nice things that others have to say.
See the beauty inside everyone.
--Author Unknown
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Star-Spangled Banner
A recent poll found that two out of three American adults don't know all of the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner"--and many don't even know which song is our National Anthem or why it is written. Where did the people who do know the words say they learned "The Star-Spangled Banner" and other Patriotic music? At school!
Let me tell you a little bit in a short story about the history of our flag and the Star-Spangled Banner which was written by Francis Scott Key, after he witnessed a British attack during the war.
An eerie silence fell across the early morning darkness on the morning of Sept. 14, 1814, and it was the first time in more than 18 hours that things had been quiet. The previous day more than 1,800 bombs, cannonballs, and the new Congreve rockets had lit the sky. and shattered the peaceful harbor. From the deck of his sloop behind the enemy fleet a young man breathed a sigh of relief. "Did you see it still there?" he may have asked his friends.
His friends knew to what Francis Key was referring. The men had strained their eyes through the darkness of night for the last several hours to get a glimpse of the American flag that flew from Fort McHenry. The flag was 30 feet high and 40 feet wide. But as darkness had fallen, the only time the flag could be seen was during those seconds when it was momentarily lit by bombs the enemy hurled at the small fort. As long as the men and their companion Colonel John Skinner could see the flag flying, they knew there was still hope that their Nation had survived.
The invasion by the British soldiers continued, and it did not look promising for the 16 United States of America. The British ground troops afforded the opportunity to position themselves for one final, crushing assault. Now and then a brief flicker of light from an exploding rocket would reveal what Mr. Key thought might be that hugh flag still flying proudly over Fort McHenry. Maybe he even caught himself anticipating, even hoping for another billiant flash of light from the enemy rockets. He stopped himself, realizing that the same explosions that lit the skies to reveal the flag and allay his fears, rained death on the men who fought to keep that flag flying.
So intense was the final bombardment that the early morning dawn was filled with smoke, and the odor of burned gunpowder. So thick was the curtain of smoke, even the morning sunshine could not reveal whether or not the flag still waved. The quiet returned. The men watched as the British ships began to withdraw. Had the fort, badly weakened by the enemy bombardment finally fallen to the British ground troops?
The sloop(ship) alone in the bay, the men look fearfully towards the shoreline. A breeze began to move across the water's surface and the smoke of the battle began to shift ever so slightly to reveal patches of blue sky. In the distant blue there appeared new colors--red, white, and blue. What a welcome site, hearts swelled with hope, and pride in the men who so valiantly fought through the night to keep that flag flying.
Reaching into his pocket Francis Scott Key withdrew an envelope, and began to write:
"O, say! can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?"
"And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O, say! does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"
Mr. Key never knew that his poem would later be our National Anthem. It was not officially recognized as such until 1931.
Let me tell you a little bit in a short story about the history of our flag and the Star-Spangled Banner which was written by Francis Scott Key, after he witnessed a British attack during the war.
An eerie silence fell across the early morning darkness on the morning of Sept. 14, 1814, and it was the first time in more than 18 hours that things had been quiet. The previous day more than 1,800 bombs, cannonballs, and the new Congreve rockets had lit the sky. and shattered the peaceful harbor. From the deck of his sloop behind the enemy fleet a young man breathed a sigh of relief. "Did you see it still there?" he may have asked his friends.
His friends knew to what Francis Key was referring. The men had strained their eyes through the darkness of night for the last several hours to get a glimpse of the American flag that flew from Fort McHenry. The flag was 30 feet high and 40 feet wide. But as darkness had fallen, the only time the flag could be seen was during those seconds when it was momentarily lit by bombs the enemy hurled at the small fort. As long as the men and their companion Colonel John Skinner could see the flag flying, they knew there was still hope that their Nation had survived.
The invasion by the British soldiers continued, and it did not look promising for the 16 United States of America. The British ground troops afforded the opportunity to position themselves for one final, crushing assault. Now and then a brief flicker of light from an exploding rocket would reveal what Mr. Key thought might be that hugh flag still flying proudly over Fort McHenry. Maybe he even caught himself anticipating, even hoping for another billiant flash of light from the enemy rockets. He stopped himself, realizing that the same explosions that lit the skies to reveal the flag and allay his fears, rained death on the men who fought to keep that flag flying.
So intense was the final bombardment that the early morning dawn was filled with smoke, and the odor of burned gunpowder. So thick was the curtain of smoke, even the morning sunshine could not reveal whether or not the flag still waved. The quiet returned. The men watched as the British ships began to withdraw. Had the fort, badly weakened by the enemy bombardment finally fallen to the British ground troops?
The sloop(ship) alone in the bay, the men look fearfully towards the shoreline. A breeze began to move across the water's surface and the smoke of the battle began to shift ever so slightly to reveal patches of blue sky. In the distant blue there appeared new colors--red, white, and blue. What a welcome site, hearts swelled with hope, and pride in the men who so valiantly fought through the night to keep that flag flying.
Reaching into his pocket Francis Scott Key withdrew an envelope, and began to write:
"O, say! can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?"
"And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O, say! does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"
Mr. Key never knew that his poem would later be our National Anthem. It was not officially recognized as such until 1931.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Friends/Friendship
What is friendship? Friendship is the evidence you portray in what kind of friend you really are. Friendship is a term used to denote co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more humans. Friends will welcome each other's company and exhibit loyalty towards each other, often to the point of altruism. (Altruism is selfless concern for the welfare of others.) Their tastes will usually be similar and may converge, they will share enjoyable activities. Friends will engage in mutually helping behavior, such as exchange of advice and the sharing of hardship. A friend is someone who may often demonstrate reciprocating and reflective behaviors. Friendship is nothing more than the trust that someone or something will not harm them. Value that is found in friendships is often the result a friend demonstrating the desire what is best for the other, sympathy and empathy, honesty, in situations where it may be difficult for others to speak the truth, and mutual understanding.
Friendship is considered to be closer than acquaintanceship, although there is a range of degrees in both friendship and acquaintances.
David and Jonathan were heroic figures of the Kingdom of Israel, whose friendship was recorded favorably in the Old Testament in the books of Samuel.
Friendship can be mistaken for comradeship. Comradeship is the feeling of affinity that draws people together in time of war. In wartime comradeship, is confused with friendship. Wartime always brings with it this comradeship, which is the opposite of friendship. As a war ends, enemy recedes, comrades return to being strangers, who lack friendship and have little in common.
"Fair weather friend" is a friend who supports others only when it is easy and convenient to do so.
"True friend" supports their own friends through emotional difficulties. The true friend often sacrifices something of his or her own (usually their time and resources) in order to help the friend in need. True friends are known to be very rare. A true friend may not be your best friend but someone who you know will be there for you.
"Best friends" is a friend to whom one feels closest. Best friend relationship can often be complex.
--Patti Hallford
There are 49 verses found in the Bible.
A friend loveth at all times... Prov. 17:17
A man that hath friends must show himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Prov. 18:24
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.John 15:13
Friendship is considered to be closer than acquaintanceship, although there is a range of degrees in both friendship and acquaintances.
David and Jonathan were heroic figures of the Kingdom of Israel, whose friendship was recorded favorably in the Old Testament in the books of Samuel.
Friendship can be mistaken for comradeship. Comradeship is the feeling of affinity that draws people together in time of war. In wartime comradeship, is confused with friendship. Wartime always brings with it this comradeship, which is the opposite of friendship. As a war ends, enemy recedes, comrades return to being strangers, who lack friendship and have little in common.
"Fair weather friend" is a friend who supports others only when it is easy and convenient to do so.
"True friend" supports their own friends through emotional difficulties. The true friend often sacrifices something of his or her own (usually their time and resources) in order to help the friend in need. True friends are known to be very rare. A true friend may not be your best friend but someone who you know will be there for you.
"Best friends" is a friend to whom one feels closest. Best friend relationship can often be complex.
--Patti Hallford
There are 49 verses found in the Bible.
A friend loveth at all times... Prov. 17:17
A man that hath friends must show himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Prov. 18:24
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.John 15:13
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Un-cut glory
I Cor.11:3-16
This article was sent to me and I would like to share it.
Bill and I went to church in Alexandria, LA last weekend and I saw a young lady and her husband that I have known for a couple years.
Her name is Rachel and I forgot her husband's name, but the testimony he shared with me touched me so much. This is how I remember the testimony:
Rachel's husband was diagnosed with a degenerative nerve disease that is ultimately fatal, no cure. All his tests initially were positive for this disease. This disease was very painful, it began in his feet. I remember being in Jackson, Mississippi at Thanksgiving time, when I first heard the awful news. Well, I asked him how he was doing, and I told him the reason I was asking is because he looked great. And I will give you his answer as closely as I can remember.
Rachel got up one morning after the diagnosis was given to them, she took her long, uncut hair down and laid it over her husband's feet. She said, "Lord, I made a covenant with you not to cut my hair. My hair is a veil of protection for me and my family. My hair is my glory and power with the angels. And as I lay my hair before you, uncut in obedience to your Word, I am asking you to heal and protect my husband from this disease that has been diagnosed." By this time tears are just rolling down both of our faces, how powerful is that!! Well, he went back to the doctor over the next few weeks and months and every test that they did was negative, and the doctor's only explanation was that the machines must have not been working correctly. But we know that God deserves the glory for his healing.
I just wanted to share this powerful testimony with all the ladies. Your long, uncut hair us your glory, your power with the angels, and a covenant between you and the ONE that will supply all your needs. It is worthy of repeating and our Pentecostal ladies need to hear it. God is faithful.
Nancy Mikesell
This article was sent to me and I would like to share it.
Bill and I went to church in Alexandria, LA last weekend and I saw a young lady and her husband that I have known for a couple years.
Her name is Rachel and I forgot her husband's name, but the testimony he shared with me touched me so much. This is how I remember the testimony:
Rachel's husband was diagnosed with a degenerative nerve disease that is ultimately fatal, no cure. All his tests initially were positive for this disease. This disease was very painful, it began in his feet. I remember being in Jackson, Mississippi at Thanksgiving time, when I first heard the awful news. Well, I asked him how he was doing, and I told him the reason I was asking is because he looked great. And I will give you his answer as closely as I can remember.
Rachel got up one morning after the diagnosis was given to them, she took her long, uncut hair down and laid it over her husband's feet. She said, "Lord, I made a covenant with you not to cut my hair. My hair is a veil of protection for me and my family. My hair is my glory and power with the angels. And as I lay my hair before you, uncut in obedience to your Word, I am asking you to heal and protect my husband from this disease that has been diagnosed." By this time tears are just rolling down both of our faces, how powerful is that!! Well, he went back to the doctor over the next few weeks and months and every test that they did was negative, and the doctor's only explanation was that the machines must have not been working correctly. But we know that God deserves the glory for his healing.
I just wanted to share this powerful testimony with all the ladies. Your long, uncut hair us your glory, your power with the angels, and a covenant between you and the ONE that will supply all your needs. It is worthy of repeating and our Pentecostal ladies need to hear it. God is faithful.
Nancy Mikesell
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
What is Beauty?
Beauty is a quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind. An "object of beauty" is anything that reveals or resonates with personal meaning. Religious and moral teachings focus on the "divinity" and "virtue" of beauty, and natural beauty as an aspect of spiritually and truth.
The opposite of beauty is "ugliness," the lack of beauty, which stimulates displeasure and engenders a deeply negative perception.
What is your idea of beauty? What would you change about yourself if you could? The logic of most people (especially women and girls) is that to be successful you must first be beautiful. Hollywood is leaving the wrong impression on young girls about being beautiful. It is a dangerous thought-pattern, because you are placing your self-esteem in the hands of others and what they think of you.
What is Beauty? It is not the physical appearance. It's what is found on the inside, what is in your heart. Humility is beauty. Security and self-esteem are beautiful. And knowing God brings beauty, and because He loves you and accepts you it brings security and self-esteem to your life.
--Patti Hallford
There are 49 verses found in the Bible on Beauty.
Ps. 27:4
... to behold the beauty of the Lord...
"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." Ps. 29:2
Quotes
"Beauty is only skin deep." Proverb
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Merchant of Venice
"Beauty is in the heart of the beholder." Al Berstein
"A thing of beauty is a joy forever: Its loveliness increases, it will never pass into nothingness." John Keats
"Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it." Confucius
"Many eyes go through the meadow, but few see the flowers in it."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched... but are felt in the heart." Helen Keller
The opposite of beauty is "ugliness," the lack of beauty, which stimulates displeasure and engenders a deeply negative perception.
What is your idea of beauty? What would you change about yourself if you could? The logic of most people (especially women and girls) is that to be successful you must first be beautiful. Hollywood is leaving the wrong impression on young girls about being beautiful. It is a dangerous thought-pattern, because you are placing your self-esteem in the hands of others and what they think of you.
What is Beauty? It is not the physical appearance. It's what is found on the inside, what is in your heart. Humility is beauty. Security and self-esteem are beautiful. And knowing God brings beauty, and because He loves you and accepts you it brings security and self-esteem to your life.
--Patti Hallford
There are 49 verses found in the Bible on Beauty.
Ps. 27:4
... to behold the beauty of the Lord...
"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." Ps. 29:2
Quotes
"Beauty is only skin deep." Proverb
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Merchant of Venice
"Beauty is in the heart of the beholder." Al Berstein
"A thing of beauty is a joy forever: Its loveliness increases, it will never pass into nothingness." John Keats
"Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it." Confucius
"Many eyes go through the meadow, but few see the flowers in it."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched... but are felt in the heart." Helen Keller
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
"Quotes"
"Courage is the discovery that you may not win, and trying when you know you can lose."
"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow."
"Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength."
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."
"Man can live 40 days without food, about 3 days without water, about 8 minutes without air, but only for 1 second without hope."
"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow."
"Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength."
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."
"Man can live 40 days without food, about 3 days without water, about 8 minutes without air, but only for 1 second without hope."
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