Chapter One: Can You Identify With This Man?

        “Local news sources today bring you continuous coverage on a local man, Noah. On the scene here’s our reporter, Rash D. Confusion, giving you an unbiased look at a most unusual citizen.”

Chapter Two: What Went Wrong?

        Picture the party. Noah and his family have loaded a weird assortment of animals onto the huge wooden thing he’s built, called it an ark. Now the big door was closed. The townspeople had walked out to the site and gawked. Would something really bad happen now? Was there some sort of judgment really going to come all across the land?
        How long did they stand there in silence before riotous laughter broke out? Back-slapping punctuated with profanities emerged, and the jubilant men and women, boys and girls headed back into town for the biggest celebration ever.

The Goats Got Out!

         Glen’s goats got out, escaping to a dangerous freedom out of the lush, but small pasture. Hilda’s house cat bolted for the door and ran out of doors, barely making it across the street as a car approached. Even Tom’s Teddy, a lovable big dog took advantage of a door left ajar and ran away.
        What is it with these animals? Why, with good provision and safety inside do they have an urge to run away outside? Why is what’s forbidden so attractive?

Family Portrait

Left to right: Sirius, Lady, Rigel, Bellatrix, Pollux, Jewel, Castor, Lollie, Strider, Iris
Double click to enlarge the photo.

Family portrait, “Everyone look this way!

Show us how big, how attractive you are;

Hold still for this wonderful moment.”

Each face posed in quiet contentment,

Togetherness is something to behold;

Fun and games to resume quite soon.

The photo, ink on paper shows a stillness,

A brief moment before action springs to view;

If you were there you held your breath

For this composed family portrait,

Knowing that life will resume very quickly.

Let the fun and games begin!

By Elaine Hardt ©2011
Photo by Peter Hardt ©2011

Are YOU Taking Good Care of Yourself?

Sometimes we are so drawn into the problems -- and needs -- and wants of others that we neglect God’s Temple. “What!” you exclaim. “I’ve got to . . . “ and you rattle off a list of important demands on your time and energy.

        What does the Bible say? “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, Whom you have from God, and you are not your own?”             1 Corinthians 6:19.

        “But, I need to -- I want to -- .” Yes, it’s easy to listen to your own inner taskmaster, but is that your ego speaking?

Hear the Heartbeat of the Little Lamb

Two days old, the lamb so small and vulnerable

Yet alive! A miracle of conception and birth,

A newcomer to life and its mysteries,

Blessed to have the hand of an understanding man

providing shelter, feeding, watching, caring.

The lamb, so like you and so like me,

Seeing so little of all the rest of the world,

Knowing so little of all there is of life,

Thriving in the care of the Good Shepherd

Who provides, feeds, and watches over us.

Here our comparison fades, as we see anew

How complicated our relationships are.

We must yield our stubborn assertions,

Content to let God’s Son teach us truth

And lead us to His eternal dwelling place.

by Elaine Hardt ©2011

Photo by Carlene Hardt ©2011

Double click to enlarge photo. 

Amazing, Scientific Thinking

Look up in the sky, everything just happened!
Scientific thinking is just dandy;
There’s no Divine Intelligence, no Creator,
Our philosophy is just handy.

With no one to credit, then no one to obey
Naturally we can do as we please;
Life comes and goes, and somehow we’re related
To primeval slime, and birds and bees.

But some call for respect and greater care
To honor Gaia, Mother Earth,
From ancient times until today
We decide upon everything’s worth.