HAPPY NEW YEAR

Sometimes it is difficult to find much to be thankful for. This year may be one of those times. However, if you are in this predicament, the search for good can be revealing and fulfilling.  Consider some of the following  events you may have celebrated since last Thanksgiving:

1.      A new baby or grandchild was born.

2.      Your loved one returned safely from Afghanistan.

3.      Your daughter graduated from college and got a job.

4.      Your son married a wonderful young woman.

5.      The x-rays proved that your mother’s fall resulted in only a bruised hip.

6.      Your husband or wife still has a job.

7.      The breast test came back negative.

8.      You celebrated fifty years of marriage.

9.      You lost 15 pounds

10.   Your oldest child started kindergarten.

11.  Your pet loves you.

12.   You have a sense of humor.

13.  You can gaze at the sunset, or the tide rolling in, or the snow on the mountains.

14.  You give and receive love.

15.  Your child gave you a homemade Mother’s Day card.

16.   You received sufficient rainfall for your crops.

17.   Your roses bloomed all summer.

18.   Your son escaped without a scratch when he totaled his car.

19.   Your husband gave you a surprise party.

20.   Your neighbor shared his zucchini with you. J

             Give thanks for our servicemen, police, and firemen who risk their lives to keep

              us safe.

A major blessing is our Bill of Rights. No other country has a much individual    freedom as we do. Give thanks for the freedom of the press, religion, assembly, to bear arms, to vote, trial by our peers, unreasonable search and seizure. Give thanks for our unique Constitution.  

This is a short list. I’m sure you can think of many more. Some may appear frivolous, but think about it – they are each a blessing.

The Bible says laughter is good medicine. A positive attitude puts a spring in your step and is contagious. All those around you benefit. Remember, some things are like the weather, you can’t do anything about it. So, as the old adage says, “When you’re dealt a lemon, make lemonade.”

Most importantly, remember your heavenly Father is still on His throne and in control.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Celebrate. Have a happy and blessed New Year.       

Wise saying

"Character is what God and the angels think of us; reputation is what men and women think of us." Horace Mann

SOCIAL SOUP

SOCIAL SOUP

An Author wrote a mystery, and

A Biologist found an aerie.

A Chef was smothered in flour, and

A Despot regained power.

An Educator wrote a book, and

A Fireman caught a crook.

A Governor went to jail, and

An Historian posted bail.

An Inventor went back in time, and

A Jurist committed a crime.

A Kleptomaniac stole a Ming, and

A Librarian had a fling.

A Mechanic fell in a bucket of grease, and

A Nutritionist became obese.

An Optician fell in the creek, and

A Politician could only squeak.

A Queen spilled her champagne, and

A Radiologist irradiated his brain.

A Senator was misstated, and

A Teacher was x-rated.

A Union Boss lost his job, and

A waiter dropped the shish kabob.

A writer became a postman, and

A Xenophobe married a Martian.

A Yachtsman was lost at sea, and

A Zoologist got stung by a bee.

But NO ONE noticed; they were busy taking selfies!

Canine Perception

Many people judge others on their appearance. The fat lady is honored only in opera. The short man is considered sissified. Some folks reject those of different skin color, a limp, lack of so-called style in dress, the job they pursue, their education, their ancestry, or where they live.

 

Our canine friends are wiser. Dogs sense the real person and instinctively recognize a person’s personality. They relate to kindness, generosity, even the interior happiness. They shy away from shallowness, egotism, “me first” self-serving persons. They respond to sincerity and turn away from hypocrisy. Is it any wonder some people prefer their dog to their neighbors? 

Imagination Gone Amok

I rarely have trouble falling asleep at night. Usually, I read five or six pages of a novel, turn out the light, say my prayers and go to sleep within minutes.

 

On the rare occasion I cannot drop off, I silently recite a few Bible verses or the lyrics to a hymn, and drift into dreamland.

 

A few weeks ago, after praying, my thoughts ran rampant in my head and I could not nod off. I switched position and recited a few more verses. No luck.

 

Then imagination took over. I had always heard of counting sheep jumping over a fence as a sleep inducement, but had never tried it. Hmm. I wonder if it works.

 

I closed my eyes and imagined a little wooly white lamb jumping over a low fence and running off. A second little sheep followed—three—four…ten, eleven… twelve.  The next lamb had a red face.

 

I opened my eyes and frowned, rolled over on my side and tried again. Two more little red-faces leaped over and disappeared. I settled more comfortable. Then, the next lamb had a lime green face, then a sky blue one, a neon yellow one. I smiled. This was fun.

 

To my surprise, the following two had normal white face. Then, in quick order: a lamb with pink polka-dotted wool, one with purple stripes, followed by one with green and blue plaid wool.

 

I sat up in bed and rubbed my eyes. What next? I wondered.

 

I decided to go downstairs and have a cup of hot milk. I had never tried that either, but how could my imagination possibly mess up a cup of milk?

God's Hand

GOD’S HAND

God has His hand on the universe,

The stars and comets follow His direction;

He sets the paths they traverse.

Planets and moons orbit in perfection.

He knows their names.

The seasons obey His timing;

They rotate at His command.

Sowing, growing and harvesting,

Are set to befriend the land.

God has His hand on you.

He knit your bones, and substance.

He knows your thoughts and stance.

All you are, He foreknew.

He knows your name.

Arlene J. Warner

Http://www.ArleneJWarner.com

DISCOVERING THANKSGIVING

Sometimes it is difficult to find much to be thankful for. This year may be one of those times. However, if you are in this predicament, the search for good can be revealing and fulfilling.  Consider some of the following  events you may have celebrated since last Thanksgiving:

1.      A new baby or grandchild was born.

2.      Your loved one returned safely from Afghanistan.

3.      Your daughter graduated from college and got a job.

4.      Your son married a wonderful young woman.

5.      The x-rays proved that your mother’s fall resulted in only a bruised hip.

6.      Your husband or wife still has a job.

7.      The breast test came back negative.

8.      You celebrated fifty years of marriage.

9.      You lost 15 pounds

10.  Your oldest child started kindergarten.

11.  Your pet loves you.

12.  You have a sense of humor.

13.  You can gaze at the sunset, or the tide rolling in, or the snow on the mountains.

14.  You give and receive love.

15.  Your child gave you a homemade Mother’s Day card.

16.  You received sufficient rainfall for your crops.

17.  Your roses bloomed all summer.

18.  Your son escaped without a scratch when he totaled his car.

19.  Your husband gave you a surprise party.

20.  Your neighbor shared his zucchini with you. J

             Give thanks for our servicemen, police, and firemen who risk their lives to keep

              us safe.

A major blessing is our Bill of Rights. No other country has a much individual    freedom as we do. Give thanks for the freedom of the press, religion, assembly, to bear arms, to vote, trial by our peers, unreasonable search and seizure. Give thanks for our unique Constitution.  

This is a short list. I’m sure you can think of many more. Some may appear frivolous, but think about it – they are each a blessing.

The Bible says laughter is good medicine. A positive attitude puts a spring in your step and is contagious. All those around you benefit. Remember, some things are like the weather, you can’t do anything about it. So, as the old adage says, “When you’re dealt a lemon, make lemonade.”

Most importantly, remember your heavenly Father is still on His throne and in control.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Celebrate. Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving.