Memorial Day on Monday

Memorial Day to honor our men and women 

who died serving the USA 

They gave their lives, some here and some so very far away.

Thousands served, too, 

but made it through. 

Sometimes we forget to honor those still remaining.

And let’s remember those who did all that training;

For each of these good people let’s now pray,

"LORD, help us all to help each other," we will say.  

by Elaine Hardt ©2020

Today is a Special Day

President Donald Trump has proclaimed Memorial Day, May 28th, 2018,
as a Day for Prayer for Permanent Peace. He called on all Americans,
saying, “On this day, let us also unite in prayer for lasting peace
in our troubled world so that future generations will enjoy the blessings
of liberty and independence.”

Both Congress and the president recognize
the day of prayer to honor and
“to remember the selfless service members
who have been laid to rest in flag-draped coffins
and their families who have suffered
the greatest loss.”

-- from The Daily Prayer Briefing of the Presidential Prayer Team. 

www.presidentialprayerteam.org  

Today is a Holiday

Today’s a holiday!  

They named it Labor Day,

so what do we say?

How thankful each of us can be;

each of us has talents, can you see?

One person’s ideas sparks others to

do stuff that by yourself you can’t do.

Like parts, all those parts inside a car,

without each other we wouldn’t go far,

and today we can pause . . . 

and be thankful because . . . 

We each can do and we each can learn!

For some of this some wages we earn,

but consider the attitude of your heart

and pray for each other, that’s a start! 

by Elaine Hardt ©2016

What Can I Celebrate Today?

What can I celebrate today?

We just finished Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday.  Now it’s on to Advent, the Twelve Days of Christmas, then Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, Groundhog Day, etc.

There’s some websites that list well-known holidays, along with strange and funny days that someone proclaimed to be worth celebration.  

Of course, you can always celebrate YOU Day.  That’s the day you appreciate the fact you were born, you’ve learned and achieved a lot, and you deserve recognition.  You’ve survived a lot of near-calls,  probably some illness, and a few days of being ignored or teased or even ridiculed.

You are a special person, know that? 

Today's the Day

       The flag is flying and the weather is nice.  There's lots of people going places, and TV specials coming. It's a day to celebrate . . . something. 
        Stop for a minute and think about where you are right now.  Anything to be thankful for?  
        Of course, the day's news will have some bad things to report.  Anything to pray about?  
        Make your own personal quiet time of reflection . . . 

Important Message to Friends, and You, Too

Happy Birthday today!
What more can I say?
The date I don’t know;
Not to fret, now and so 
I send my greetings to you.
Hope that this poem will do!

And while we’re at it, this too:
Happy All Holidays to you;
Let your calendar say
If it’s a special day.
Remember, I think you’re nice,
So perhaps celebrate twice.

We pray for friends every day
That many blessings come your way,
So until we see you sometime
Be encouraged by this rhyme.
Happy All Holidays to you!  
Celebrate them all, not just a few!  

by Elaine Hardt ©2015

More Than Fireworks!

        Remember this important holiday,  Fourth of July.  Yes, it’s more thanfireworks!  It’s more than decorations and sales at the stores.

       Here’s four sites to view.  You’ll find more . . . 

       And pray for our nation; these are serious times and there’s concern about the future.  

       The Capitol Fourth celebration. http://www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth/home/   

       The story behind the Star Spangled Banner History. http://storiesofusa.com/category/4th-of-july/

       Famous Patriotic Quotes about America.  http://storiesofusa.com/famous-patriotic-quotes-about-america/

       Pray for our nation.  http://billygraham.org/story/franklin-graham-praying-for-the-next-great-awakening/  

Today is Flag Day

We fly the flag on Flag Day
To show belonging, respect, and caring.
We speak of the founders of our nation,
Their insight, belief, and daring.

We, too, are called to be patriotic,
But there’s another message, too;
We pray for all who live in this country,
We pray for leaders to be dedicated, strong, true. 

There’s national problems to pray about,
Determination meets opportunity, what will we do?
We must honor, respect and obey the LORD,
He alone can bring us through.

by Elaine Hardt ©2014 

Christmas Coming? Haven't We Been There Before?

Yes, and it’s time to plan for Christmas again.

This time, turn on your imagination and see what’s there!

• Where would you go, if you could holiday anywhere for a week?
• What would you buy for yourself, if you could buy anything?
• Who would you like to spend the day with, if that person invited you over?
• What would you like for dinner, if there were no restrictions at all?  
• See, our first stretch of the imagination is about me-me-me. Let’s try that again, a different way.

• Who would you like to go and help, if you could be of assistance to them?
• Who would you like to give money to, if the cost was no limitation to you?
• Who would you like to have a meeting with, if they’d allow it?  
• When would you have liked to live, if you could have been their hero? 
•  Hmmmmm.  You’re thinking now . . .  Possibilities or impossibilities

• If you knew you could not fail, what huge thing would you attempt?
• If you could succeed in writing a famous book, what would its topic be?
• If you could be featured on any TV show, what program would that be?
• If you could be elected to any office, what position would you choose? 
• Now, with your imagination totally involved, stretch even farther! No one else is listening, it’s just you and your honest replies.

• If you knew you’d die in your own bed tonight what would you do now?
• If you knew you had to tackle some disease before you die, what    strategic response would you make to prolong your life?
• If you knew you’d live strong and healthy for another 20 years, what would you do now? 

Consider Your Own Memories

Spring brings some holidays — and holidays bring memories.  

To get you into the mood, the stores have been selling toys, cards, and decor weeks ahead, so you’ll part with some money, but smile as you shop.

Families celebrate spring holidays in different ways.  How far back can you recall the fun, as well as moments of solemnity of such days as Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter, Passover.  How did celebrations change as the children grew up?

Have you taken time to jot down some of your treasured memories from springtime in your household? You will enjoy doing it, and others will enjoy reading it.  Just one hour will give you a grand start to such a good project. 

The Christmas Worry

        I need to tell someone.  Maybe you’d consider this?

         It’s almost Christmas!  People are going to send out some Christmas cards.  It’s an outreach to some relatives and some friends; it’s not just to provide jobs for the postoffice.  These people (that’s you . . . ) need to be encouraged to write — in their own words — about God’s magnificent love that we each desperately need to personally accept.  

        "Aaaack," some will frown or declare or yell.  “I don’t want my relatives and friends to label me a Religious Nut.”  

        (Please be patient and read on.  This is only 654 words long.  You can do it?)

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 

You Are the Only One Who Can Do THIS.

Glancing at the calendar, yes, there will be a Valentine’s Day this year. Merchants of all types have been clamoring for attention for weeks already. Buy this, buy that, etc. But, whoa down. There is one gift that is totally irreplaceable for that special kid, or sweetie-pie, or friend. You are the only one who can do it and give it. And it doesn’t cost any money. Read on, because you are the only one who can do THIS.

The Missing Shipment of Perfection

        “When will Perfection arrive?” I asked the man at the counter.
        “Lady, you’re asking me something that I don’t know.”
        We both shrugged our shoulders, and with a sigh I walked away. What a Father’s Day this was going to be. No Perfection could be had, any place, at any price. I knew it would be a perfect present, but now frustration mounted.
        Practically any man wants Perfection, I reminded myself. My own dad worked for years at strenuous jobs, preferring to be his own boss, even though that meant more planning, details, complications, and predictable stress. Growing up, there was no Perfection to be found on Northview Avenue, but we kids did try to make dad’s life easier by behaving ourselves.

Flag Day, 4th of July, etc.

The calendar calls for a patriotic theme!
Some will reminisce with grateful emotions;
Others choose to spend another holiday
occupied with ordinary commotions.

On Memorial Day, We Remember

Proud of our servicemen and women who
Step up to the call of the red, white, and blue;
Duty and honor, hard work, concentration,
Distinguishing themselves and serving our nation.

Mother's Day, Again

Seems only last year there was mention made of Mother’s Day,
We sorted through the old closets of memory to find
Treasured recollections, some dusty, some new,
A necessary exercise or a tedious task for some,
But it does each heart good to recall
the woman who gave us birth.
We face the facts of life and death,
And ponder why we are here!

Men in Bathrobes, Wearing Beards

Why, you ask, are those men wearing bathrobes in church? Why the fake beards and long hair?

The church is not the holding an Original Amateur Hour; these ordinary guys haven’t gotten the urge to expose their repressed acting talents. Nor have they made bets on who will and who won’t follow through.

This is the first annual Easter Play. These men have invested about thirty hours in practice, not to mention submitting to makeup thickly applied. Before the performance began there was some teasing behind stage, but now everyone is serious.

Missing You

Of course, we’ll be missing you.
Another holiday season, another celebration
And we are so far away.