The Flag is Flying

Maybe you've seen this flag photo.  It reminds us to appreciate our nation and God's blessings. Photo explanation: www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/c/cross-flag.htm  

Memorial Day 2012

       The calendar announces what we should know,

       Memorial Day will very soon arrive; 

       Distracted by the clamor of entertainment

       By performers and politicians with pride,

       But thoughtful Americans will rightly

       Lay such confusions temporarily aside.

       Men and women have served, are serving our nation!

       We will give honor, to whom honor is due,

       Freedom comes with a heavy price to be paid;

       We must remember the battles, that’s true!

       Dictators and evil forces are always a threat;

       We must be alert, aware, prepared — me and you!  

       Remember our patriotic holidays!  

       Many have died that we might live free;

       Pray for the wounded and their survivors, 

       Pray for our leaders to act responsibly.

       We’ve made many sinful choices and must repent;

       Pray for our nation and its morality.

       America stands at decisive crossroads,

       No matter what the careless people say;

       Each of us must honor and obey the LORD,

       Thank God for His blessings every day.

       Live as if it really matters, and it does!

       So we remember our heroes again today!

By Elaine Hardt ©2012 

The View From Here, Today

       Oh, the places we’ve been and the people we knew,

       The lessons we learned and things we got to do !

       In God’s wisdom He gave parents, siblings, spouse, then kids; 

       Finding a life-time sweetheart: best thing we ever did.

       Growing up, growing older, looking back to count the years,

       We’re weaker now, but stronger; we’ve seen smiles and survived tears.

       Seen what does and what doesn’t work, practiced patience, used logic’s view;

       People are an interesting bunch!  We learned lots of words, me and you.

       Crossed lakes and two big oceans, mountains, hills and rivers, a few;

       Saw cities, rainbows, and sunsets, and bugs and animals, too. 

What Can I Tell You About Life?

          Life is down-right daily,
          mostly a lot of chores, needin’ repeatin’
          but it frees the mind for thinkin’

          Life is full-a waitin’
          but I finally up and decided
          to be thankful for the pauses

          Life is full-a decisions,
          some little spur-of-the-moment
          impulsive and superficial,
          and some heart-throbbin'
          big and scary
          life-changin' decisions —
          the prayin'-over kind

First: A Sensational, Stunning, Surprising Machine!

An amazingly complicated, powerful machine,

Microscopically fine, a unique design not before seen;

With incredible, intricate pieces and parts,

Astounding, thought-provoking: it stops and it starts!

Next: A Concerned, Questioning, Thinking Person!

We’ve just discussed a most remarkable, unusual machine

Beyond any person’s most amazing, incredible dream;

Turns out, it was the human body described for our view,

A concerned and thinking person ponders this miracle anew.

The 14 Benefits of Disagreement

What can you achieve by disagreement?
    Have you had a good disagreement lately?
        What else can you add to this list of benefits?

Disagreement can lead to learning.
Disagreement puts your attitude into the spotlight.
Disagreement needs boundaries, do you agree on that?
Disagreement calls for discussion with mature behavior.
Disagreement gives you opportunity to practice patience.
Disagreement means you should polish up on your logic.
Disagreement could be how you grow in examining evidence.

Do You Recognize a Challenge When You See It?

A challenge a day keeps the cobwebs away!

There’s something to do

That can best be done by YOU.

Helping someone, you can show them how,

But that’s no guarantee they’ll thank you now.

Go ahead, be helpful anyhow. 

Challenges come to help us grow,

Expect some frustration, but don’t let it show.

You can do more -- and better -- than before,

Encouraging you is what THIS is for. 

Choices to make

Help might be hidden

Assess any applicable resources

Learn from earlier problems and failures

Listen cautiously to advice

Expect to learn more

Never forget to pray for wisdom

Go on with good judgment

Expect the right solution 

by Elaine Hardt ©2012