Christmas is Coming Again

Christmas is coming again;

Here’s another celebration!

Realize you can prioritize;

Isn’t that an inspiration?

Stop the seasonal frustration, 

Take time for contemplation,

Make a memorable situation,

Allow for joyous appreciation;

See anew God’s love! 

By Elaine Hardt ©2004 

Giving Thanks

        “Shout for joy to the LORD all the earth.

Worship the LORD with gladness

Come before Him with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is God.

It is He who made us, and we are His;

We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving

And His courts with praise

Give thanks to Him and 

Praise His name.

For the LORD is good

And His love endures forever,

His faithfulness continues

Through all generations.

Psalm 100 NIV

Photo by Peter or Carlene Hardt ©2012  (Click on photo to enlarge it.) 

Lamb is Otis, 11 lb at birth. Born 11-13-12 at Peter’s farm. 

Mother is Sunny,   Father is Strider

Thankful for the LORD's blessings.

Thankful for you. 

A Birthday Letter to God

DEAR GOD,  I want to thank You that I was born to my mama.  I didn’t know anything at the time, except that I had been disturbed.  I didn’t know Your whole world was waiting for me.

It’s been little by little for me to see and experience and find out about this place where mama and daddy had been living for more than 20 years before I came.  They told me a little about You for my curiosity. 

Now, I want to thank You for letting me live on Your earth for this long.  There has been a lot for me to learn, and even before I appreciated You being our Creator, You have been taking care of me.

I found out that some things I did were not good for me, not nice to do to my later siblings,  and not kind to do to my hard-working parents. You are the most patient One I have ever heard about.  Later, I found out that I should apologize to You, so I did.  And, how nice that You forgive me for being careless, clumsy, and crabby.  

Veterans' Day 2012

On Veterans Day we pray for peace;

we know we need the LORD's blessing.

Let each of us speak honestly to our Maker right now.

Pray protection for the veterans and those in the military services.

Pray for healing for the wounded.

Pray courage and comfort for their families.

My Prayer Was Not Answered

LORD, You didn’t answer my prayer;

My earnest request You did not heed,

Still, I cannot doubt that You care,

Yet, You did not give the help I need.

I tried to speak each honest word

With logic and intensity;

People question if You even heard,

Now I ask, am I praying carelessly?

The Hardware Store and YOU

Ah, the candy store for grownups . . . the hardware store.  What a huge assortment of useful stuff.  “They’ve got everything from those metallic twisty-pointy-things to those adorable sets of dessert plates!” exclaimed Patty.  

You knew that was a woman speaking?  

For a man, his education is not complete until he knows the names of each of the tools, accessories, the parts and pieces, stuff in bottles, jars, and cans that make a home, or a farm, or a building.  From start to finish, from maintenance to improvements, the hardware store offers more than what you need; they offer what you didn’t realize that you’d like to have.  

        Walk in on Saturday and smell the free popcorn at the door.