Child of Indifference

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Child of indifference
Please open up your eyes.
The eternal now awaits you.
So many different flowers shout in colors,
Sing in silence, touch in fragrance.
Child of bitterness
Please open up your ears
To hear the cries of morning as each new day appears.
So many different love songs are waiting to be heard,
From the cooing of a white dove,
To the thunder of a storm,
From the laughing of a young child who feels both safe and warm.
Child of many sorrows
Please open up your heart,
For only you can understand what part in life you play.
Child of tomorrow, let’s work for you today.

http://www.lds.org/friend/2018/03/heavenly-father-listens?lang=eng

Memories

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Waves of reflection play upon our souls,
Like children free and laughing. Too soon we have to grow.
Like footprints on a sandy shore that fade then wash away.
Some memories, like singing birds, can brighten up our day.
Memories of lives shared through sweetness and despair.
True friendships are forever. Life teaches us to care.
To trust and love each other, unto a better day,
Then truth becomes our brother, and love becomes our way.

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2017-01-009-a-good-samaritan?lang=eng&_r=1

Dreams

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It’s been a week of feeling old…I finally admitted to myself that I should get my hearing checked, and I was told that I have hearing loss, which is no big surprise because that’s why I went in. By the time I got done, I felt stupid for going in at all, and dismayed at the costliness of hearing aids, and their apparent short life. Accepting limitations is a tricky road to walk.

When the distance behind is greater than ahead.
And we measure that which might have been,
Against the clock of hours left,
And find we face an unkind choice of holding on
To dreams we know will never fly as we had hoped,
Or sweeping them from our view–under carpets–forgotten,
Until the day the house is cleaned,
When remembrances will prick the heart,
Where fragments of forgotten loves,
Have lain dormant for too many seasons,
And now have lost the strength to grow and flourish,
Never to match the youthful vision
That so powered mind and body in days gone by.


http://www.lds.org/ensign/2018/03/i-still-have-something-to-give?lang=eng
The link above is an article about feeling old and useless. I loved the lines from the poem by Leonard Cohen.

Paranoia

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The over-riding topic of recent days has been the school shooting in Florida. There is an overwhelming frustration and exasperation with the seeming inability to be able to predict and/or stop them from their ever increasing occurance. I read a blog this morning that rings true to me. The solution lies in all of us noticing and reaching out to individuals who are found on that downward spiral of isolation. Engaging them and reaching out can be, and usually is most terribly uncomfortable, and, hence, rarely done. Perhaps we could all widen our scope a little. We can be a little braver; we can all care just a little more.

Within our circle of friends
We feel both safe and sure.
We share our love with those most dear
Each and every morn.
But when we leave our own friends and family,
We find a world of strangers
All clad in mystery.
And in a world of swollen fears
And cold reality,
A mother holds her baby near
In anxiety.
For who knows where the danger lies;
The seen or the unseen?
What monster hides behind the eyes
Of someone’s twisted schemes?
And I refrain from talking to
A child I find alone.
For paranoia touches all;
The babe to the full grown.
How can I control my fear
When hate appears so strong?
I’d sing a fearful song
And life would be too long.

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2018-01-0030-become?cid=HP_TH_15-2-2018_dPFD_fMLIB_xLIDyL1-C_&lang=eng

Let’s talk about this. Let’s have a civil conversation about a difficult subject. Talk to me.

The Lower Lights

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Last week’s post spoke of the lighthouse. They have always been so symbolic to me….lights shining in the darkness, guiding lost and storm tossed souls. There is a hymn in the LDS Hymnbook, #335, entitiled “Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy”.

Apparently, to mariners who depend upon lighthouses to find their way, there are lower lights upon the shore that help to direct ships into a proper channel to reach the shore safely. Without them, there is just the lighthouse, the final destination, but of no real help to navigate the reefs and shoals that may lie near a safe harbor.

The first verse reads as follows:

Brightly beams our Father’s mercy
From the lighthouse evermore,
But to us he gives the keeping
Of the lights along the shore.
Let the lower lights be burning;
Send a gleam across the wave.
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman
You may rescue, you may save.

It is easy to be so tired, so discouraged. Problems are so prevalent around us, and our meager efforts seem so futile. Perhaps it would do us well to reflect upon times when we have been in need of encouragement; when our souls have been sinking, and then we have been rescued by some small act of love–maybe just a hug, or a phone call, or a listening ear. Let us not let our lower lights dim. Keep them shining, keep them bright, and, be assured, someone is going to see and be rescued.

When Trials Come

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Seems that I am always trying to say something profound, especially to my children and grand children…something that is definite and final, that which tips the scale and as a result they are able to make good choices and avoid all that is out there; and there is a lot out there to run from: drugs, alcohol, gangs and all that comes with that, peer pressure, and those who have evil intentions but wear sheep’s clothing and are able to deceive so many of our youth, and adults as well. But, alas, I’m still writing. I’m sure that my life will run out before I can accomplish the influential things I desire.

This poem is written to youth, and dedicated to light houses everywhere; those beacons, not unlike our own porch light that remains lit until the last have entered in for the night. A light house says, “Come Home!”…and when you are there, you are warm and safe.

When trials come upon us, they come in many ways.
We each face many choices through dark uncharted haze.
We each can pray for guidance to help us through life’s storms.
The Holy Ghost will guide us and keep us safe and warm.

And when we near the harbor, look for the lights on shore.
They’ll guide us to the channel, safe from the oceans’ roar.
The light house calls to us and shines pure, straight and true.
Through all our hardest trials, Christ’s love will see us through.

Now, child, you sail through waters where we have never gone.
We pray that Christ will bless you and your family will grow strong.
God gives to each of us weakness to teach us humility.
Remember to turn to Christ and His strength will set us free.

Pray for the strength to do the things that you’re inspired to do.
Don’t run faster than the spirit’s voice, or you won’t hear what’s true.
Take time to serve in sacred things and God will guide your way…
Like prayers, church and God’s holy house, and you will reach the bay.

Now, children, you know we love you from the bottom of our hearts.
We strive and pray for you and hope you’ll do your part.
We sense the heavy burdens that you are called to carry through.
Our prayers, hope & faith call for our Lord to comfort you.

This is a painting I created after our 2014 Oregon Coast trip. It is a composite of seascapes from Bandon, Cape Blanco, and even from a previous vacation to Pigeon Point in California.

The following message (about 2 minutes) speaks of light houses and youth:

http://www.lds.org/youth/video/this-way-to-safety?lang=eng

Words of Love

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We have all witnessed the miraculous power words of love can have on others. A few months ago my daughter collected 70 quotes from friends and family that answered her question to them, “Why we love Jeanne”. Then, in celebration of my 70th birthday, she presented me with a large framed collection of 70 quotes. Each one is simple, and yet reaches down into my heart, and are never to be forgotten. On the other hand, all of us have been at the receiving end of hateful words that often leave scars we carry for a lifetime.

It’s not what goeth in the mouth that defileth a soul
But what cometh out the mouth; kind words can make us whole.
I wish that I could find,
A tool, like an eraser,
To erase each hurt-filled line
Of all those words of anger
That leave my world-stained mind,
And pierce the hearts of loved ones,
So tender and so kind.
For words of love do strengthen
And lift each troubled soul.
Yes, words that lift the fallen
Will help each child to grow.
So I will try to master
That tongue within my head,
For one day, I’ll account for
The words that I have said.
It’s not what goeth in the mouth
That defileth the soul,
But what cometh out the mouth,
Kind words can make us whole.

Matthew 15:11

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2017-06-0001-love-grows-at-home?category=social-media-shareable-videos&lang=eng

Love Unafraid

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Overcome space and we’re faced with a place we call “here”.
Overcome time and we’re left with the hour of now.
Live while the rivers still flow and the sun lights today.
Tomorrow’s too late and we’re faced wrong to see yesterday.
The moment we’re in is alive if we live it right now.
It withers and dies if we set it aside for tomorrow.
Look at me now and hear what my song has to say:
Now is the time, here is the place for living today.

Overcome fear and all that we’re left with is free.
Overcome blindness to create reality.
Open your eyes and see all the real that is there.
Set your mind free to be yours and to be aware.
Life’s not a game, but there’s rules to direct destiny.
We’re bound by our fears locked inside, now set them free.
You can put peace in your mind if you reach out unafraid,
To discover a world full of truths God, with nature, has made.

Overcome pride and you’ll find in it’s place there is love.
Overcome hatred and feel what true peace is made of.
First be your own friend then give of your friendship and share.
You and your brother can learn understanding through care.
It never was meant that your ship is to be sailed alone.
Find a seaworthy crew and together is better than one.
Now is the time to tear down the walls we have made,
To be everyone’s brother, to share, and to love unafraid.

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Doctrine & Covenants 67:10 “And again I say unto you…that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears…the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am…”

http:///www.lds.org/media-library/video/2017-01-0004-live-by-faith-not-by-fear?lang=eng

Tolerance Builds Patience

Jeanne 1 Comment

Last week we were editing some of our poems and had a discussion about the wording of one poem. As luck would have it, I can’t find that poem today, but, in essence it was talking about loving our enemies. We know that the New Testament speaks of Jesus’ words about that: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you…” Matthew 5:43-44. In our poem, Bob had written words something like, “To your enemies, be a host..” The first hearing of that leaves you questioning that advice. In the context of our modern world, it seems very out-of-place, but, in the context of the New Testament, it actually does hold validity. We came to the conclusion that loving enemies is a difficult request. We don’t even really love our friends as much as we should!

Perhaps that’s a good challenge for 2018. Bring yourself more peace by eliminating hate. Here is a verse from a poem that is NOT the one I was looking for:

Let us seek patience when hate tempts to make anger our attack
As we strive to douse hate’s fire, with soft words and gentle tact.
As our tolerance build our patience, peace flows from perfect love,
Through the Holy Ghost’s sweet spirit, like to cooing of a dove.

I found this applicable message on facebook:

True Courage

Jeanne Leave a comment

So, the New Year is upon us…another page, another day.. I really disliked New Year’s Day as a youth. It was the last day of Christmas vacation; back to school the next day, and, worse than that was that I had usually done NONE of the assignments due, which meant that I’d have to spend the entire evening racing to get them done, and mentally beating myself up because I’d let this happen again this year! And, we took out the beloved Christmas tree and accompanying decorations. I think that it is sometimes hard to face a new year because we drag so much baggage with us from last year; all of our failures and disappointments, and we beat ourselves up by telling ourselves that we never change, we never keep resolutions, and the new year does not really symbolize any form of HOPE. But, it should. We need to have the courage to have faith, which breeds hope. That’s what this poem is about:

True courage is found beyond our fear and our worries in this life.
Hope builds true courage to do what’s right in our times of strife.
Real courage is not thrill-seeking found in foolish vanity.
With hope, courage stands for the right, against inhumanity.

True courage is to speak up when we feel something is unfair.
True hope gathers allies, if we seek in sincere prayer.
The Holy Ghost will help us to grow strong, firm and true.
If we have faith in Jesus, His light will see us through.

True courage comes with knowing we are in the right.
When we stand for righteous goals, we will win the fight.
Let us gain true courage through each humble prayer
And we will have hope, when hate fills the air.

We choose true hope and courage; it heals each troubled soul.
As we give our fears to God, He helps us to grow.
He gives us strength to stand against hate, sin and insanity
And gives true courage to us to help save humanity.

We read in the Book of Mormon (Ether 12:4) that, “whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world…which hope cometh of faith…which would make them sure and steadfast..”

The Bible (2 Timothy:7)…”For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

And, finally, Elder Neal Maxwell, a former apostle stated, “Hope stiffens, not slackens, the spiritual spine.”

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-12-21-new-years-look-not-behind-thee?lang=eng

May you all find joy and love in 2018!!!