April is national poetry month

 Greetings!

I have rediscovered this lost treasure that I hope to nurture and grow again.

Today, all I have to share is the poster celebrating April as National Poetry Month

https://poets.org/sites/default/files/2024-01/2024%20NPM%20Poster_final.pdf

and an excerpt from Lucille Clifton's poem Blessing the Boats:

    and may you

        in your innocence

            sail

                through

                        this

                            to

                                that.

Mr. and Mrs.Wilson

Marriage is such an old institution

Some days it feels so outdated and contrived

Yet you lay next to your loved one, wondering its the value

Until you turn over and they are gone

Feeling adrift and bereft-- like you have lost a part of your soul....

The Day before you Die

The Best Listener...

I am Blessed Every day...

Friday Blessing

Strong People

Your Lifeguard

Trust in God

Strong People

A Minister passing through his church

In the middle of the day,
Decided to pause by the altar
To see who come to pray.
Just then the back door opened,
And a man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw the man
Hadn't shaved in a while.
His shirt was torn and shabby,
And his coat was worn and frayed,
The man knelt down and bowed his head,
Then rose and walked away.
.

In the days that followed at precisely noon,
The preacher saw this chap,
Each time he knelt just for a moment,
A lunch pail in his lap.
Well, the minister's suspicions grew,
With robbery a main fear,
.

He decided to stop and ask the man,
'What are you doing here?'
The old man said he was a factory worker
And lunch was half an hour
Lunchtime was his prayer time,
For finding strength and power.
I stay only a moment
Because the factory's far away;
As I kneel here talking to the Lord,
This is kinda what I say:

.

'I JUST CAME BY TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS BEN,
JUST CHECKING IN TODAY.'

.
The minister feeling foolish,
Told Ben that it was fine.
He told the man that he was welcome
To pray there anytime.
'It's time to go, and thanks,' Ben said
As he hurried to the door.
Then the minister knelt there at the altar,
Which he'd never done before.
His cold heart melted, warmed with love,
As he met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed down his cheeks,
He repeated old Ben's prayer:

.

'I JUST CAME by TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME,
JUST CHECKING IN TODAY.'
.

Past noon one day, the minister noticed
That old Ben hadn't come.
As more days passed and still no Ben,
He began to worry some.
At the factory, he asked about him,
Learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried,
But he'd given them a thrill.
.

The week that Ben was with them,
Brought changes in the ward.
His smiles and joy contagious.
Changed people were his reward.
The head nurse couldn't understand
Why Ben could be so glad,
When no flowers, calls or cards came,
Not a visitor he had.
.

The minister stayed by his bed,
He voiced the nurse's concern:
No friends had come to show they cared.
He had nowhere to turn.
Looking surprised, old Ben spoke up
And with a winsome smile;
'The nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
He's been here all the while.'
Everyday at noon He comes here,
A dear friend of mine, you see,
He sits right down and takes my hand,
Leans over and says to me:
.

'I JUST CAME BY TO TELL YOU, BEN,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP,
AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN .
I THINK ABOUT YOU ALWAYS
AND I LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,
AND SO BEN, THIS IS JESUS,
JUST CHECKING IN TODAY .'
.

If this blesses you, pass it on. Many people
will walk in and out of your life, but only
true friends will leave footprints in your
heart
.

May God hold you in the palm of His hand
And Angels watch over you..
Please pass this page on to your friends
& loved ones. If you aren't ashamed.
Jesus said, ' If you are ashamed of me,'
I will be ashamed Of you before my Father.'
.

If you are not ashamed, pass this on.
So, FRIEND, this is ME ...
"Just Checking In Today"

Time is like a river...

Hello arlenewilson

Hi arlenewilson


http://angelamichanitzi.com/impossible.php?party=1sx16gcr6fksfw4r



Many thanks
atwilson

On this day of your life

 

On this day of your life,

I believe George  wants you to know...    

...that the tiniest gesture -- a smile, a gentle look, a simple
pat on the arm, a soft word -- can change a person's life.

Before this very day is out, you are going to have a chance
to live in that possibility. Look. Watch.
See what this day brings you. And be ready.  
 
If you believe I am exaggerating about this, please know
that I am not. Someone is waiting for that smile, that look,
that gesture from you right now.
 
Why do you suppose you just read this? Do you think this is
a coincidence?

 

Fwd: At McDonalds (MUST READ)

Breakfast  at McDonald's

This is  a good story and is true, please read it all the  way through
until the end! (After the St or y,  there are some very interesting  facts!):
    
I am a  mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have  recently completed my
college  degree.

The last  class I had to take was  Sociology.

The  teacher was absolutely inspiring with the  qualities that I wish every
human being had been  graced  with.

Her last  project of the term was called,  'Smile.'

The  class was asked to go out and smile at three  people and document
their  reactions.

I am a  very friendly person and always smile at  everyone and say hello
anyway. So, I thought  this would be a piece of  cake,

Literally.

Soon  after we were assigned the project, my husband,  youngest son, and I
went out to McDonald's one  crisp March  morning.

It was  just our way of sharing special playtime with  our  son.

We were  standing in line, waiting to be served, when all  of a sudden
everyone around us began to back  away, and then
Even my  husband  did.

I did  not move an inch... An overwhelming feeling of  panic welled up
inside of me as I turned to see  why they had  moved.

As I  turned around I smelled a horrible 'dirty body'  smell, and there
standing behind me were two  poor homeless  men.

As I  looked down at the short gentleman, close to me,  he was  'smiling'

His  beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light  as he searched f or  
acceptance....

He said,  'Good day' as he counted the few coins he had  been  clutching..

The  second man fumbled with his hands as he stood  behind his friend. I
realized the second man was  mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman  
was his  salvation.

I held  my tears as I stood there with  them.

The  young lady at the counter asked him what they  wanted.

He said,  'Coffee is all Miss' because that was all they  could afford. (If
they wanted to sit in the  restaurant and warm up, they had to buy  
something. He just wanted to be  warm).

Then I  really felt it - the compulsion was so great I  almost reached out
and embraced the little man  with the blue eyes..

That is when I noticed  all eyes in the Restaurant were set on  me, judging
My every  action.

I smiled  and asked the young lady behind the counter to  give me two more
breakfast meals on a separate  tray.

I then  walked around the corner to the table that the  men had chosen as a
resting spot. I put the tray  on the table and laid my hand on the
blue-eyed  gentleman's cold  hand.

He  looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and  said, 'Thank  you.'

I leaned  over, began to pat his hand and said, 'I did not  do this for
you.. God is here working through me  to give you  hope.'

I  started to cry as I walked away to join my  husband and son.... When I
sat down my husband  smiled at me and said, 'That is why God gave you  to me,
Honey, to give me  hope..'

We held  hands for a moment and at that time, we knew  that only because of
the Grace that we had been  given were we able to  give.

We are  not church goers, but we are  believers.

That day  showed me the pure Light of God's sweet  love.

I  returned to college, on the last evening of  class, with this story in  
hand.

I turned  in 'my project' and the instructor read  it.

Then she  looked up at me and said, 'Can I share  this?'

I slowly  nodded as she got the attention of the  class.

She  began to read and that is when I knew that we as  human beings and
being part of God share this  need to heal people and to be  healed.

In my  own way I had touched the people at McDonald's,  my son, the
instructor, and every soul that  shared the classroom on the last night I spent  as
a college  student.

I  graduated with one of the biggest lessons I  would ever  learn:

UNCONDITIONAL  ACCEPTANCE.

Much  love and compassion is sent to each and every  person who may read
this and learn how to  

LOVE PEOPLE AND USE  THINGS -
NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE  PEOPLE.

There is  an Angel sent to watch over  you.

In order  for her to work, you must pass this on to the  people you want
watched  over.

An Angel  wrote:

Many  people will walk in and out of your life, but  only true friends will
leave footprints in your  heart

To  handle yourself, use your head..

To  handle others, use your  heart.

God  Gives every bird it's food, but He does not  throw it into its  nest.

Send it  back, you'll see why!

A box of  gold

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

With a  secret inside

that has  never been  told

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

This box  is priceless

but as I  see

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The  treasure inside is precious  to me

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Today I  share this treasure  with  thee

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It's the  treasure of

friendship  you've given  me.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

If this  comes back to you

then  you'll have a  friend

for life  but, if this

becomes  deleted, you are

not a  friend.

Send  this to everyone  you consider  a  friend!

It will  grant you one wish and only one  wish,

that is,  if you decide to send this to others. You can  wish for  
anything.

Repeat  your wish until you have stopped scrolling. Make  it  count!

FOR YOUR  WISH TO COME TRUE YOU HAVE TO SEND IT  TO:

3 PEOPLE  - YOUR WISH WILL COME TRUE  EVENTUALLY

5 PEOPLE  - YOUR WISH WILL COME TRUE IN 3  MONTHS

10  PEOPLE - YOUR WISH WILL COME TRUE IN 5  WEEKS

15  PEOPLE - YOUR WISH WILL COME TRUE IN 1  WEEK

CAN'T  WAIT A WEEK???

22  People-Your Wish Will

Come  True In 1  Day!

******  **********REMEMBER**************

THIS  MUST BE SENT OUT THE

DAY YOU  READ IT FOR

YOU TO GET YOUR  WISH

'In  God We Trust'  
Life  is short, Bend the rules,
Forgive  quickly, Kiss slowly,
Love  truly, Laugh uncontrollably,
And  never regret anything that made you smile.

 

 

 

On this day of your life

 

On this day of your life,

 I believe George  wants you to know...    

...that you have something important to contribute
to your world today.

Every day, George sends you one person for whom
you hold a gift in your hand. You will not know
what it is until that person greets you, but you
will then know it immediately.
 
The only questions remaining will be: Will you give
your gift? Right then and there? Fully and completely?
 
By the end of this day you will know why you
received this message just now.

 

On this day of your life

On this day of your life,

I believe George wants you to know...    

...that life begins now -- right now -- not tomorrow or
the next day or the next.

Every minute of every hour of every day, life begins
anew. That means everything can change in an instant.
It also means you can have a new beginning
whenever you want.
 
Why put off for one day that decision you've been
pondering...aren't you just putting life itself on hold?
 
You will not have to think but a second to know
exactly why you received this message today.

 

Daily Prayer

O Lord, I ask for wisdom and courage.


http://itunes.apple.com/app/id436691957?mt=8


Sent from my iPad

God's Love Gives Us Confidence

 

God's Love Gives Us Confidence

 

Read:  1 John 4:7-17

In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the Day of Judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world.

- 1 John 4:17

 

Audio:  1 John 4

 

Bible in One Year: Leviticus 14; Matthew 26:51-75

 

No matter how we feel, we magnify God above all else and step out in faith to do whatever He asks us to do.  We never have to be afraid of God. We should have reverential fear, meaning a respectful awe, of Him, but He does not want us to lack confidence when we face Him.

 

The Bible tells us to come "fearlessly and confidently and boldly" to the throne of grace and make our requests known (Heb. 4:16). We cannot operate in boldness and fear at the same time. We may "feel" fear, but we must not bow down or give in to it; we can approach God with confidence.

 

In our society today we have an epidemic of insecurity. The world is full of people who lack confidence. Our confidence is to be placed in Christ alone and in His love for us. We are to put no confidence in the flesh, but to be bold and courageous in Christ. Begin to believe today that from now on you will step out in faith to do whatever He asks you to do. Don't draw back in fear and timidity, but go all the way through to the finish of each task.

 

Love God Today: "Father, deliver me from insecurity and a lack of confidence. Help me be bold and courageous."

 

 

The Desire to Please Him

 

The Desire to Please Him

 

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

 

"For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him"

(Philippians 2:13, NLT)

 

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

 

Do you desire to please Him? When you become a believer by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, God begins working in you. He changes your desires from self-seeking to God-seeking. When you make a wrong choice or do something that displeases Him, most times, you know it immediately. There's uneasiness on the inside of you. You might even feel a little sick to your stomach. That's because the desire to please God is built inside of you. That "feeling" is the Spirit's gentle conviction that keeps us on the path He has for us.

 

But notice He didn't just give you the desire to please Him; He gave you the power to please Him, too. He didn't just call you; He equipped you! Follow that inner prompting so that your actions will line up with your heart's desire. And remember, even when you make a mistake, even when you have a setback, God is always ready to help you. He loves you so much, and He wants the best for you. He wants you to continue growing spiritually. His plans and purposes for your life are good. And when you are submitted to Him, nothing can stop the Almighty God from accomplishing great things in and through you!

 

 

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

 

Father in heaven, thank You for filling me with the desire to please You. I know that as I follow Your promptings, You are leading me in the path of life. I love You and bless Your holy Name. In Jesus' Name. Amen.