What Love Means

[Judy Harder]

A CHRISTMAS PRAYER

Loving Father,
help us to remember
the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in
the song of the angels,
the gladness of the
shepherds, and the
worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate
and open the door of love
all over the world.
Let kindness come with
every gift and good desires
with every greeting.

Deliver us from evil by the
blessing which Christ brings,
And teach us to be
merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make
us happy to be Thy children,
And the Christmas evening
bring us to our beds with
grateful thoughts, forgiving
and forgiven, for Jesus' sake.
Amen !

written by Robert Louis Stevenson
(1850-1894)

~**~
Luke 2:7 (KJV)
And she brought forth her firstborn son,
and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,
and laid him in a manger;
because there was no room
for them in the inn.

May Love, Joy, Peace and goodwill
be your gift at Christmas
and may God shower you with blessings
all the New Year through !

Merry CHRISTmas

[Judy Harder]

At Christmas, every time we choose a gift
Would it be to remember the love
God chose to give
Through His own precious Son

While we quietly wrap, may we think
How He enfolded the world in that love
When, only to die
He came from above

In the fastening with tape, could we ponder
How secure now we are
Held forever
In the love of His heart

By the tying of ribbon, might it remind how
Covered we are by His sacrifice
When spreading His arms wide
He gave us His life

Then, in the topping of the gift
With the prettiest bow
Our hearts would but overflow in thanks
For the love of the Savior we know

Jesus, the gift of all gifts
At Christmas and always God loves to give



~**~


Soft Christmas Whispers from
Derry's Heart Poems ©2007
heartwhispers@iinet.net.au
Poetry from the Heart


~**~


"God Gave The World"
God gave the world the Word made flesh
The tiny babe the silent creche.
God gave the world on this dark night
His only Son, His glorious light
God gave the world
The perfect gift
God gave the world what none could give
His child to die, that we might live

May God bless you with a wonderful
CHRISTmas
filled with the warmth of His presence
in the giving of gifts in your home



Merry CHRISTmas

[Judy Harder]

WINTER GRACES CHRISTIAN WINTER

Flakes falling,
Fields blanketed in snow,
Trees donned in white,
The world aglow,

Such is the scene
Before my own eyes.
Winter graces us
With a snowfall surprise.

In the blooms of Spring
God's kiss is clear to see;
Yet also in the snow
I see His love for me.

Countless flakes dance
In winds of winter air,
In their sweet celebration
My heart does share.

The humbled tree,
Stripped of her leaves,
Is cloaked now in white
As each snowflake weaves.

Grass slumbers now,
No longer to grow,
Yet white the fields shine
In the carpet of snow.

Jesus is our hope,
Our light and salvation;
Praise Him in the snow,
Praise Him, all creation.

For in the flakes falling,
In fields blanketed in snow,
The love of our Lord
Does radiantly glow.

~*~

Caroline Gavin ©Dec2012
Purposeful Pathway

Revelation 7:9
After this I looked, and behold,
a great multitude that no one
could number, from every nation,
from all tribes and peoples
and languages, standing before
the throne and before the Lamb,
clothed in white robes,
with palm branches
in their hands

[Judy Harder]

I've got a pocket full of wishes
I want to share with you
Wishes that will make you smile
I have more than just a few.

I'll reach right in and pull one out
There's plenty more, don't fear
It says, "I wish you blessings
Throughout the coming year."



Another wish I give to you
Is a year full of love
"May angels always surround you
From Heaven up above."

And here's one I have in my hand
"May you have joy throughout your life
No troublesome days to furrow your brow
And may your days be free of strife."



I'm giving you all these wishes sweetie
To start your New Year off right
I've emptied my pockets of these wishes
So your days will be sunny and bright.

Chee Chee Martin ©2008
Whisperings Of The Mind And Soul
Whispered Words

Psalm 16:2 (KJV)
O my soul,
thou hast said unto the Lord,
Thou art my Lord:
my goodness extendeth not to thee;.

~**~

Happy New Year!

[Judy Harder]

 
Dear Abby's
New Year Resolutions

Just for today, I will live through this day only, and not set
far-reaching goals to try to overcome all my problems at once.
I know I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me
if I thought I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

Just for today, I will be happy. Abraham Lincoln
said, "Most folks are about as happy as they make
up their minds to be". He was right. I will not
dwell on thoughts that depress me. I will chase
them out of my mind and replace them with happy thoughts.

Just for today, I will adjust myself to what is.
I will face reality. I will correct those things
that I can correct and accept those I cannot.

Just for today, I will improve my mind. I will not
be a mental loafer. I will force myself to read
something that requires effort, thought, and concentration.

Just for today, I will do something positive to
improve my health. If I'm a smoker, I'll make
an honest effort to quit. If I'm overweight,
I'll eat nothing I know to be fattening and
I'll force myself to exercise ~ even if it's
only walking around the block or using the
stairs instead of the elevator.

Just for today, I will make a conscious effort
to be agreeable. I will look as good as I can,
dress becomingly, speak softly, act courteously,
and not interrupt when someone else is talking.

Just for today, I'll try not to improve anybody
except myself. We know so much more about nutrition
and how much exercise and sensible living can extend
life and make it more enjoyable; so just for today,
I'll take good care of my body so I can celebrate
many more happy new years.

Just for today, I will have a program. I may not
follow it exactly, but I will have it, thereby
saving myself from two pests: hurry and indecision.

Just for today, I will gather the courage to do what
is right and take the responsibility for my own actions.

[Judy Harder]

Dear Lord, I'd like to thank you
For helping us through this year
Guiding us through the many trials
The struggles and the fear.

Thank you for your blessings
For our families and each friend
Just one more short message
To you I'd like to send.

You have blessed each one of us
As each day slipped slowly by
Given us times of laughter
Been with us when we cry.

Thank you Heavenly Father
For your love and tender care
May the New Year bring more blessings
That each of us can share.

© 2006 Ginny Bryant
Ginny's Gift Of Love

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV
Therefore if any man be in Christ,
he is a new creature:
old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new.

~**~



Wishing you and your loved ones
peace, good health, happiness and
prosperity in the coming New Year.

[Judy Harder]

Snowflakes falling,
Wide fields of white,
A wintry world,
Behold the sight:

Fields once green
Now covered with snow,
Blankets of white
Where flowers did grow.

Dark are the days,
Gray are the skies,
Barren are the trees
Before my eyes.

A year is ending,
A new year awaits,
I think of You, Jesus,
Behind Heavenly gates.

In the year ahead
May I be more like You;
Take my heart, my mind,
My entire life too.

Sweet renewal I find
When all to You I give;
So for You, my Jesus,
I choose to live.

In my heart
Melt the blankets of snow;
Allow the flame of love
In my heart to grow.

Plant flowers of virtue,
Trees of grace too;
Shine in my soul
With light pure and true.

And as snowflakes falling,
Make my soul white;
You make all things new
In

Your perfect Sonlight.
Caroline Gavin ©Dec 2012
Purposeful Pathway

Revelation 21:5
He who was seated on the throne said,
"I am making everything new!"
Then he said, "Write this down,
for these words are
trustworthy and true."

***

We pray that the coming year
will bring you joy,
peace, good health
and prosperity.

God's Blessings to You!
Happy New Year!

[Judy Harder]

daddy's Poem

Her hair was up in a pony tail,
Her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
And she couldn't wait to go.


But her mommy tried to tell her,
That she probably should stay home;
Why the kids might not understand,
If she went to school alone.


But she was not afraid;
She knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates
Of why he wasn't there today.


But still her mother worried,
For her to face this day alone.
And that was why, once again,
She tried to keep her daughter home.
But the little girl went to school  ,
Eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees, a dad
Who never calls.


There were daddies along the wall in 
Back, for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,
Anxious in their seat.


One by one the teacher called
On a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy,
As seconds slowly passed.


At last the teacher called her name,
Every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,
A man who wasn't there.


"Where's her daddy at?"
She heard a boy call out.
"She probably doesn't have one,"
Another student dared to shout.


And from somewhere near the back,
She heard a daddy say,
"Looks like another deadbeat dad,
Too busy to waste his day."


The words did not offend her,
As she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher, who 
Told her to go on..


And with hands behind her back,
Slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child,
Came words incredibly unique.


"My Daddy couldn't be here,
Because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,
Since this is such a special day.


And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know
All about my daddy,
And how much he loves me so.


He loved to tell me stories,
He taught me to ride my bike;
He surprised me with pink roses,
And taught me to fly a kite.


We used to share fudge sundaes,
And ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him.
I'm not standing here alone.


'Cause my daddy's always with me,
Even though we are apart;
I know because he told me,
He'll forever be in my heart"


With that, her little hand reached up, 
And lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,
Beneath her favorite dress. 
And from somewhere there in the crowd of dads, 
Her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,
Who was wise beyond her years.


For she stood up for the love
Of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,
Doing what was a right.


And when she dropped her hand back 
Down, staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft,
But its message clear and loud. 


"I love my daddy very much,
he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,
But heaven's just too far. 


You see he is an American Soldier
And he died just this past year, ,
When a roadside bomb hit his convoy 
And taught Americans to fear. 


But sometimes when I close my eyes, 
it's like he never went away."
And then she closed her eyes,
And saw him there that day.


And to her mother's amazement,
She witnessed with surprise,
A room full of daddies and children,
All starting to close their eyes.


Who knows what they saw before them; 
Who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,
They saw him at her side.


"I know you're with me Daddy," 
to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,
of those once filled with doubt.


Not one in that room could explain it, 
for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,
was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.


And a child was blessed, if only for 
a moment, by the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing,
that heaven is never too far.


They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.


Send this to the people you'll never forget and remember to send it also to the person that sent it to you. It's a short message to let them know that you'll never forget them.


If you don't send it to anyone, it means you're in a hurry and that you've forgotten your friends.


Take the time....to live and love. 


Until eternity


God Bless


There must be many children in the same boat as this little girl, thanks to our servicemen and their families for the sacrifice they are making to keep our country free.
The ULTIMATE sacrifice is being left behind. Don't forget them. 
PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS!!!

[Judy Harder]

HAND PRINTS IN THE SNOW


The beauty of a winter day
And radiance of new fallen snow
The sun shining softly from above
Touches my heart with a special glow.

God gives us so much beauty
As far as the eye can see
Beautiful hand prints of Jesus
Thats what is so precious to me.

His hand prints are everywhere you go
No matter the day or time
They are imprinted on every season
And all of them are mine.

Give your love to your Master
Praise Him where ever you go
Show Him your appreciation
See His hand prints in a new fallen snow.

His touch gives us beauty beyond compare
Each gesture a perfection to see
Watch as He paints his masterpiece
Then give it to you and me.

©2006 Ginny Bryant
Ginny's Gift Of Love

Job 37:9-10 (KJV)
Out of the south cometh the whirlwind:
and cold out of the north.
By the breath of God frost is given:
and the breadth of the waters is straitened.

[Judy Harder]

Wherever You go, Lord
Grant that I may go too
For my greatest desire
Is to be always with You

If You travel the mountains
Let me climb them by your side
If You sail seas and oceans
Let me remain through each tide



If into the heavens You fly
Lord, may I reach this great height
If into the dark valleys You go
Lord, remain always in my sight

Through joy and through tears
Through darkness and light
Grant that I may be with You
Through each day and each night



For who knows me like You do?
Who loves me with a love so sweet?
Who gives everything to me
As You have since we did meet?

To the Love and Life You give
Nothing will ever compare
So my every moment with You
Lord, I do long to share



Glorious it is to be Your daughter
Sweet to be one whom You love
You share with me every moment now
Just as You will when I live Above

Rejoice in Your Name I will always
Sing to you sweet songs of praise
How can I contain my joy for Jesus?
His love continually does amaze



So wherever You go, dear Lord
Please grant that I may go too
For my greatest desire is
To be always with You

~**~

© Caroline Gavin
Purposeful Pathway

Matthew 16:24 (KJV)
Then said Jesus unto his disciples,
If any man will come after me,
let him deny himself,
and take up his cross, and follow me.