Sunday, October 18, 2009
Today's Prayer
Lord, grant us sweet reasonableness in our dealings with one another; and grant that living in the brightness of Thy presence we may bring Thy sunshine into cloudy places.
Friday, October 16, 2009
In All ThingsThank God
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
In happy moments, praise God.
In difficult moments, seek God.
In quiet moments, worship God.
In painful moments, trust God.
In every moment, thank God.
The above was part of a "Forward" that was sent to me not too long ago.There are Forwards, and then there are Forwards. Some are funny, some are light hearted and uplifting, some have useful information, some are distortions of fact, some are inflammatory, some should be called opinions, and some have spiritual truths. In this particular Forward I firmly believe in the affirmation of the first line. I also believe the next five lines give good advice to the Christian.
Here's to spiritual upliftment.
In happy moments, praise God.
In difficult moments, seek God.
In quiet moments, worship God.
In painful moments, trust God.
In every moment, thank God.
The above was part of a "Forward" that was sent to me not too long ago.There are Forwards, and then there are Forwards. Some are funny, some are light hearted and uplifting, some have useful information, some are distortions of fact, some are inflammatory, some should be called opinions, and some have spiritual truths. In this particular Forward I firmly believe in the affirmation of the first line. I also believe the next five lines give good advice to the Christian.
Here's to spiritual upliftment.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Personal Candle Power
"The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord." Proverbs 20:27 Let your life so shine.
How bright or dim is our candle power? Do our words and actions match-- both giving off the same brightness? Does the wick need trimmed?
Do we give off the same vibes in what we say and what we do in relation to others? How does the Bible tell us, as Christians, to behave towards others? Are we perhaps too judgmental at times? If so, how do we pray? Do we pray for those who "spitefully use us?" Towards what end should we pray: For ourselves? For others?
This is simply a "Think About It" that I pose for my reflection and yours.
How bright or dim is our candle power? Do our words and actions match-- both giving off the same brightness? Does the wick need trimmed?
Do we give off the same vibes in what we say and what we do in relation to others? How does the Bible tell us, as Christians, to behave towards others? Are we perhaps too judgmental at times? If so, how do we pray? Do we pray for those who "spitefully use us?" Towards what end should we pray: For ourselves? For others?
This is simply a "Think About It" that I pose for my reflection and yours.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
On Becoming a Parent
Two people made a significant impact on the raising of my children. One was their pediatrician. The other was a child guidance columnist.
When my life as a parent was just beginning, my confidence in being able to raise a child was pretty low on the scale, after the death of our first little girl at the age of just two months. On the plus side of actual physical care, I was fortunate to have as a pediatrician, Dr. Peter G. Danis [I was told the pronunciation sounded like donny]. I felt I knew next to nothing about child care, and I needed to know so many things.
When I asked my mother about any particular concern, she brusquely said, “Use your own common sense.” My reply was, “But, Mother, where children are concerned I have no common sense.” I had no way to relate child care to anything I had yet experienced in my young life.
But, Dr. Danis to the rescue: He had a pre-printed list, taking up an 8-1/2” x 14” page, with explicit directions as to what to do in specific situations. Then at the bottom of the page, he added, “If you still don’t know what to do; do nothing at all. Call the Doctor.” [The beginning of that sentence may have been worded a bit differently, but the rest of it sticks with me.] That page of detailed instructions to a young parent, and knowing I could reach out for more help if I needed to was a God send to me. I did develop some common sense after I learned enough to have something to base it on.
During my young adult years while raising my family, and for as long as the columns were available, there were a few columnists which I read regularly. One that I found enormously helpful in child guidance was written by Dr. Angelo Patri, educator and author. His column on advice to parents, which I no longer remember any specifically, except for one particular bit of advice. “Don’t tell a child no unless you really mean it. And once having said it, stick to it.”
Perhaps present day child guidance counselors would agree with some of Dr. Patri’s teachings and perhaps disagree with others. I have not read any of his works for many years, but it seems the basics he recommended were to deal with children with love, kindness, firmness and guidance. Think about what you wanted to teach them, or what you wanted them to do, and once having taken a stand, be consistent.
Dr. Danis saved my life in a manner of speaking when I was an apprehensive young mother, frightened that I might lose another child. I was determined to do everything I could to prevent that happening. Not that I neglected my first child, but I think every parent might feel there must have been something I could have done differently, or better, in such a situation. Learning what I could about child care was like leaving no stone unturned to have the best chance at survival.
When my life as a parent was just beginning, my confidence in being able to raise a child was pretty low on the scale, after the death of our first little girl at the age of just two months. On the plus side of actual physical care, I was fortunate to have as a pediatrician, Dr. Peter G. Danis [I was told the pronunciation sounded like donny]. I felt I knew next to nothing about child care, and I needed to know so many things.
When I asked my mother about any particular concern, she brusquely said, “Use your own common sense.” My reply was, “But, Mother, where children are concerned I have no common sense.” I had no way to relate child care to anything I had yet experienced in my young life.
But, Dr. Danis to the rescue: He had a pre-printed list, taking up an 8-1/2” x 14” page, with explicit directions as to what to do in specific situations. Then at the bottom of the page, he added, “If you still don’t know what to do; do nothing at all. Call the Doctor.” [The beginning of that sentence may have been worded a bit differently, but the rest of it sticks with me.] That page of detailed instructions to a young parent, and knowing I could reach out for more help if I needed to was a God send to me. I did develop some common sense after I learned enough to have something to base it on.
During my young adult years while raising my family, and for as long as the columns were available, there were a few columnists which I read regularly. One that I found enormously helpful in child guidance was written by Dr. Angelo Patri, educator and author. His column on advice to parents, which I no longer remember any specifically, except for one particular bit of advice. “Don’t tell a child no unless you really mean it. And once having said it, stick to it.”
Perhaps present day child guidance counselors would agree with some of Dr. Patri’s teachings and perhaps disagree with others. I have not read any of his works for many years, but it seems the basics he recommended were to deal with children with love, kindness, firmness and guidance. Think about what you wanted to teach them, or what you wanted them to do, and once having taken a stand, be consistent.
Dr. Danis saved my life in a manner of speaking when I was an apprehensive young mother, frightened that I might lose another child. I was determined to do everything I could to prevent that happening. Not that I neglected my first child, but I think every parent might feel there must have been something I could have done differently, or better, in such a situation. Learning what I could about child care was like leaving no stone unturned to have the best chance at survival.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Today's Thought
"Wisdom is knowing what to do. Skill is knowing how to do it. Virtue is in doing it well."
Think about it. How was the wisdom acquired? Through formal education? Life Experience? I'm sure you've heard of "The School of Hard Knocks."
How did you acquire skill? Someone taught you: formally or informally? Did you practice, as in practice makes perfect? That only applies if you practice the right things; if your desire is a good, or better product. You could practice forever and come out with an imperfect product or solution, unless you started with a good pattern, or plan. If there is a flaw in the pattern, practice won't help, unless changes are made.
So, you have the wisdom behind you, to use the skill you have acquired, which you use to the best of your ability. And knowing you have done something well, not only helps whatever product or situation is involved, but adds to your sense of well-being because you've done your best.
Think about it. How was the wisdom acquired? Through formal education? Life Experience? I'm sure you've heard of "The School of Hard Knocks."
How did you acquire skill? Someone taught you: formally or informally? Did you practice, as in practice makes perfect? That only applies if you practice the right things; if your desire is a good, or better product. You could practice forever and come out with an imperfect product or solution, unless you started with a good pattern, or plan. If there is a flaw in the pattern, practice won't help, unless changes are made.
So, you have the wisdom behind you, to use the skill you have acquired, which you use to the best of your ability. And knowing you have done something well, not only helps whatever product or situation is involved, but adds to your sense of well-being because you've done your best.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Hold Fast the Dream
Hold fast the Dream!
Though it may seem
that shining star
is much too far
beyond your grasp,
that you will never clasp
one small beam.
Even though,
don’t let go.
Hold fast the dream!
This was what I taught my children: That if there was something they wanted to do, which might seem beyond the possibilities they could envision,if it was a worthwhile thing, there was almost always a way to be found, but you had to look for it. And if in the striving, there seemed to be a diversion, perhaps this was just a step along the way; and also, perhaps might lead to a new perspective on what they might want to do. The above is what I want them and their children, and those that follow to remember.
Though it may seem
that shining star
is much too far
beyond your grasp,
that you will never clasp
one small beam.
Even though,
don’t let go.
Hold fast the dream!
This was what I taught my children: That if there was something they wanted to do, which might seem beyond the possibilities they could envision,if it was a worthwhile thing, there was almost always a way to be found, but you had to look for it. And if in the striving, there seemed to be a diversion, perhaps this was just a step along the way; and also, perhaps might lead to a new perspective on what they might want to do. The above is what I want them and their children, and those that follow to remember.
Friday, September 18, 2009
On-by - Keeping On
I found this, "On-by is a command to keep going, to ignore the thing distracting you," in "The Letters." A novel by Luanne Rice and Joseph Monninger.
The book is a collection of letters, written to each other, by the two main characters in the book. The couple had lost their young adult son, their only child, in a tragic plane crash in Alaska; when starting on a new phase of his teaching carrer.
Sam and Hadley were having trouble keeping on, in adjusting to this most difficult occurrence in a formerly happy life. They couldn't seem to deal together with what they both felt, and a division crept in; with a separation as the result.
The father felt compelled to visit the place where his son had died. To reach the crash site, it was necessary to make part of the trip by dog sled. The above command, he learned, was one given to the sled dogs to keep them going without stopping.
The mother, an artist, left home too. She moved to a rather remote village in Maine, where she once again took up painting. The letters allowed them to put their thoughts and feelings into words that sometimes hurt, provoked thoughtfulness, brought back glimpses of a happier time, and in the end produced a good result.
I like the idea of this command: On-by, or keeping on is something we all have to do in circumstances we can't change. We may, or may not do that well; and sometimes, less well than others.
In other, less drastic circumstances, where you are trying to reach a particular objective; I think this command would be a good thing to bear in mind in holding possible distractions at bay.
The book is a collection of letters, written to each other, by the two main characters in the book. The couple had lost their young adult son, their only child, in a tragic plane crash in Alaska; when starting on a new phase of his teaching carrer.
Sam and Hadley were having trouble keeping on, in adjusting to this most difficult occurrence in a formerly happy life. They couldn't seem to deal together with what they both felt, and a division crept in; with a separation as the result.
The father felt compelled to visit the place where his son had died. To reach the crash site, it was necessary to make part of the trip by dog sled. The above command, he learned, was one given to the sled dogs to keep them going without stopping.
The mother, an artist, left home too. She moved to a rather remote village in Maine, where she once again took up painting. The letters allowed them to put their thoughts and feelings into words that sometimes hurt, provoked thoughtfulness, brought back glimpses of a happier time, and in the end produced a good result.
I like the idea of this command: On-by, or keeping on is something we all have to do in circumstances we can't change. We may, or may not do that well; and sometimes, less well than others.
In other, less drastic circumstances, where you are trying to reach a particular objective; I think this command would be a good thing to bear in mind in holding possible distractions at bay.
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