tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65053282024-03-07T00:23:03.236-06:00Frankly SpeakingWritings and commentary of Frank CarpenterFrank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.comBlogger407125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-23833561563890497102022-07-09T13:22:00.000-05:002022-07-09T13:22:57.574-05:00Countless, Worthless, Priceless Treasures<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have the good fortune to be married to a
woman who understand the intrinsic value of things. She sees the beauty and
wonder that God scatters upon the path in front of her, and takes the time to
stop and enjoy it, living so much more in the moment than me. One of her
favorite pastimes is looking for sea glass and shells when we’re walking on the
beach. To her, a piece of polished sea glass is a precious stone. Precious is,
after all, in the eye of the beholder. Consequently, we have quite a collection
of various detritus from a host of favorite shorelines. That’s just fine with
me, because she gets more joy from a rare and perfect piece of sea glass than
many other people seem to derive from diamonds or emeralds. I’m not saying that
she doesn’t deserve those as well, yet her perspective provides a commentary on
how we assign value to the other things in our lives. The richest people aren’t
necessarily the ones with the biggest jewels. Rather, they are the ones with
beautiful memories and various keepsakes that remind them of those memories.
That’s what sea glass is to us. Not so much precious stones as touch stones.
This also begs the question of what we fill our lives with … and why? In the
meantime, I’ll keep hauling home the pockets full of sandy treasure that my
beloved finds joy in collecting. After all, it’s not just about the glass. I
think she’s actually collecting joy … and that is a treasure indeed. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Countless,
Worthless, Priceless Treasures</span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Wherever the water kisses</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The sand, you’ll find her there</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Wandering happily down the shore<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Wet feet and windblown hair<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Oblivious to tide and time<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As the lazy hours pass<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">She scours the shore for shiny stones<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And odd pieces of sea glass<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Tucking the treasures in her pocket<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Whenever they appear<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And wandering down the sunlit shore<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As she has throughout the years<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">So we have a vast collection<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Of such trinkets from the shore<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Countless, worthless, priceless treasures<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">That she collects and she adores<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And why not, we know so many folks<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Who pay a fortune for the things<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">That they think will make them happy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yet no greater pleasure bring<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Perhaps the wisest of us all<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Is she who wanders happily<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And finds her joy in simple treasures<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">From the Great Lakes and the sea<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>By Frank Carpenter ©</i></span></p>Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-88964812806164927402022-05-29T21:09:00.004-05:002023-11-17T12:56:05.585-06:00A Rock and a Hard Place<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Last week I was just walking from my car to my
office when</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGQk7HAKdJeDOhVN1LSksUzIRp_rNpplgJvh8ns4eySbuzoRkWBYYMcINSI_RUbdYbR5PEBbkZJrj8HpiyPlSv4EEaXEmb7XvLQroRkxVFv0bbuDxgmcfzEBtDx1E3Vjb9QwwgQlLk9bYabK80DzaEMRGSbTXu-7vC6zdoy-gL5OqZL6sS4A" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGQk7HAKdJeDOhVN1LSksUzIRp_rNpplgJvh8ns4eySbuzoRkWBYYMcINSI_RUbdYbR5PEBbkZJrj8HpiyPlSv4EEaXEmb7XvLQroRkxVFv0bbuDxgmcfzEBtDx1E3Vjb9QwwgQlLk9bYabK80DzaEMRGSbTXu-7vC6zdoy-gL5OqZL6sS4A=w240-h320" width="240" /></a></div>a small yellow flower caught my eye. It was really just a little weed
which had contrived sprout between the asphalt of the parking lot and the
cement of the curb. Yet, the instant I saw it and a common phrase leapt into my
mind: “Stuck between a rock and a hard place.” How many times have we heard
that in reference to people who find themselves in difficult situations? Here
was the personification of that phrase blooming just underfoot. I took the
attached photo of that brave little plant with the idea that I’d return to the
subject and explore it later. I eventually wrote this poem to accompany the
photo and I take the liberty to share it with you today. You might ask why I
even care about such an undignified little weed, clinging to such and unlikely
spot. Well, truth be told, I have several people in my life right now who resemble
that flower. The circumstances of life have left them felling like they’re
stuck between a rock and a hard place, and they are just trying to find a way
to bloom in the midst of difficult situations. Have you ever felt that way, or
are you feeling that way even now? Sometimes it seems like life is literally squeezing
the life out of us. It could be health or financial issues, family or marriage
problems or a host of other things. If you’re there, or know someone who is, I
know things can feel pretty overwhelming. I’ve certainly been there myself and
I clearly don’t have all the answers, but I do have one answer. Jesus. By all
means listen to the doctors, see a financial advisor, confide in wise friends
and be willing to seek professional counseling if it’s warranted … and maybe
think about praying. It sounds so cliché, but Jesus really does love you. Whoever
we are and wherever we gotten ourselves, He’s ready to meet us right where we
are and help us through life. Are you stuck between a rock and a hard place?
Good news … Jesus knows just what that feels like, and he’s no stranger to that
address. So, once again, maybe think about praying. Those first words can be a
little awkward, but they open up your heart to the comfort and strength of a
loving God. Feel free to reach out to me as well. My email is <a href="mailto:fcarpenter505@gmail.com">fcarpenter505@gmail.com</a> . Don’t give
up hope, and remember that little flower in the desolation of the parking lot
by my office. Even if you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, you can
still find a way to bloom. <o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A Rock
and a Hard Place</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sometimes it seems we’re out of options<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Like the tide is rising over us<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When we’re overwhelmed and feeling hopeless<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It shakes our faith and makes it hard to trust<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When we find our backs are up against a wall<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Drained of joy and peace and even grace<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And we can’t see a path to a solution<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Stuck between a rock and a hard place<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In that moment when we’re lost and desperate<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And we can’t imagine there is a way out<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus meets us right where we are stranded<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To melt away our brokenness and doubt<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He bears the burden of the broken hearted<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Forgives what seemed so unforgivable<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Loves us with a love beyond conception<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And pours himself into us till we’re full<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">If you feel between a rock and hard place<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Take heart, friend, and take the time to pray<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">God will meet you right where you are standing<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And walk with you each step along the way<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <i>By Frank Carpenter ©<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><div><br /></div>Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-43616093055080394972022-04-08T08:57:00.008-05:002022-04-14T11:44:39.399-05:00Into the Night<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-slM7_6qilEbgai_UL92Rp38WZ9oLAAWGZIiWGozmXbSyDL_xp3VqZX2oGz7GObOF3T9ULq0CgU0C0fV6CwPWD6l0vDue3D8Phx5k_Mx3CZHFx5jYsOnHydTQ1zd4ApmSE9uKGyAyPlE983oHWkJKiB1nqTBe1s9df656fJzoIVe3ulfig/s4032/1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-slM7_6qilEbgai_UL92Rp38WZ9oLAAWGZIiWGozmXbSyDL_xp3VqZX2oGz7GObOF3T9ULq0CgU0C0fV6CwPWD6l0vDue3D8Phx5k_Mx3CZHFx5jYsOnHydTQ1zd4ApmSE9uKGyAyPlE983oHWkJKiB1nqTBe1s9df656fJzoIVe3ulfig/w200-h150/1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Earlier this week I had a night to myself and
ended up taking a long walk on one of my favorite beaches. The tide was low so
there was lots of beach to enjoy. And it happened to time so that I got to
experience the whole transition from the bright of day to the dark of night. It
turned out to be one of those perfect moments when everything aligns and you’re
just glad to be alive, and be there to enjoy it. Just beautiful. Part way up
the trail back to the car I paused to record the moment in the below poem, which
I feel speaks for itself. While driving home I reflected upon the experience
and was stuck by<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnLEGqI9R2vS-GAmUZZ6E8tDudIBE29mlYnKhc9yrFd_HgMY2f4JFwmPRWFc8IMwCy9pTqqTYae_Vd00q-GweDKKmFuZ5b-KexqSuseu2KT9KWuO-S0M1cECZcUR9bBuogiBis4By_8glfD-2W1CjFovyp6U8KjSotRhZc6BC3THmLIX1Sg/s4032/2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnLEGqI9R2vS-GAmUZZ6E8tDudIBE29mlYnKhc9yrFd_HgMY2f4JFwmPRWFc8IMwCy9pTqqTYae_Vd00q-GweDKKmFuZ5b-KexqSuseu2KT9KWuO-S0M1cECZcUR9bBuogiBis4By_8glfD-2W1CjFovyp6U8KjSotRhZc6BC3THmLIX1Sg/w200-h150/2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> the fact that I could have sat in front of a computer screen, or
worked in the garage or watched TV for the evening. Instead, I got out and did
what I love … and was rewarded with, literally, perfection. In truth, the rest
of this week has been a whirlwind of work and meetings and obligations. Yet,
because I paused for a few hours on Monday night, everything has been
different. I have been different. It’s a reminder that sometimes we get too
busy with life to actually stop and live. So this is my reminder to take a
little time out and do what you enjoy.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUfgyKAUGtnQR6hTxZGNGOgh-csuTsPkaSn6buSgEzUQ1iHPY0G_8CEUE6VHCBWEs-kXysk3zCupHil8zEYKUdGXv9K0TmMdxQTmBRLU2gCwygwoOzIzzjwzy81wfRTiN8wAkzKU7swXCikKpwxrG2BDsIkswW46hNPC69PMehRjKYiiBjQ/s4032/3.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUfgyKAUGtnQR6hTxZGNGOgh-csuTsPkaSn6buSgEzUQ1iHPY0G_8CEUE6VHCBWEs-kXysk3zCupHil8zEYKUdGXv9K0TmMdxQTmBRLU2gCwygwoOzIzzjwzy81wfRTiN8wAkzKU7swXCikKpwxrG2BDsIkswW46hNPC69PMehRjKYiiBjQ/w200-h150/3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> You won’t regret it.<div><br /></div><div><b><u>Into the Night</u></b></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">The sun is slipping below the sea</span></div><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As I wander along the shore<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Traversing familiar beaches<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As I have so often before</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8mkLPtzArbtU6Vi4_j6D8CXUTcevajeghSQPIWT6nX14s_flt_npe8Zz-5GZHIXJ6Jp0Hqt1-fdMUbvOdFpjpwlYoYH1FJFo3rNagVpAaWl5Dn6fsOxJ7LUWyh3Imxk3im6ZB-MMS3_ezgpH_HCNoIhEp7VRZpCYXAAfv33BVuB52aidQQ/s4032/4.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8mkLPtzArbtU6Vi4_j6D8CXUTcevajeghSQPIWT6nX14s_flt_npe8Zz-5GZHIXJ6Jp0Hqt1-fdMUbvOdFpjpwlYoYH1FJFo3rNagVpAaWl5Dn6fsOxJ7LUWyh3Imxk3im6ZB-MMS3_ezgpH_HCNoIhEp7VRZpCYXAAfv33BVuB52aidQQ/w200-h150/4.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The light fades on the horizon</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">As nighttime smothers the day</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But my steps are sure upon the path<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For my heart knows the way<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I pause a while upon the trail</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbKBLAQbLXdqwPvsN6jZ4SpBXtRwKFWr-mA5pBil1est9KzpEYhxXnhsRqitDfnqWTbJ4UkfyOtxtFb6pNziALvl8eIrSpJVYVOmOYko7ny6-AJtTdr-cCTLPxdY5fme2SgVuixzP0ml7ShtFovFgjoGCyluHzjl48io3lLI0YHyro_2JNw/s4032/5.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbKBLAQbLXdqwPvsN6jZ4SpBXtRwKFWr-mA5pBil1est9KzpEYhxXnhsRqitDfnqWTbJ4UkfyOtxtFb6pNziALvl8eIrSpJVYVOmOYko7ny6-AJtTdr-cCTLPxdY5fme2SgVuixzP0ml7ShtFovFgjoGCyluHzjl48io3lLI0YHyro_2JNw/w200-h150/5.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Which climbs from the beach below<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To etch this moment in my mind<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">These touchstones I love and know<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Just enough orange left in the west<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To silhouette the island I love</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIGqLnqyUWBFOJd1Tw9z9FIO6-C6R_x50QDDalXfvnoe9-tKkqQOAJI0jduDS2oKJ6820NJWo7Do1T8tsP0us5OqWb_glPWrMAJiXiU0af7T3xuw-y85UYrRa7m0GUdnCzUOUswdL2C0sTxOR6dvEsaFww3qlEvIBRvWNEElOS2DTLikUuA/s4032/6.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIGqLnqyUWBFOJd1Tw9z9FIO6-C6R_x50QDDalXfvnoe9-tKkqQOAJI0jduDS2oKJ6820NJWo7Do1T8tsP0us5OqWb_glPWrMAJiXiU0af7T3xuw-y85UYrRa7m0GUdnCzUOUswdL2C0sTxOR6dvEsaFww3qlEvIBRvWNEElOS2DTLikUuA/w200-h150/6.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Just enough thumbnail moon to light<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The pale ocean from above<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A couple of sailboats creep along<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Gliding back to the harbor tonight <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Where the bell buoy beckons</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSYU-GhrAgI9ZfjU7C_06mIN5su5VA91IjFw-aPldFlcX9LD3aQ9y-SKIBIUIgyRR_AVTUCJZDWy1SktP5QGOOliSfHgPOSEKcK7eA85AbP5iVhWbGTFMShOjWLFsn-RoNFe9QmrrUPLpGUPF2SOwqljYBf4vMTXUtmd3dS0WBZLRTfp0og/s4032/8.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSYU-GhrAgI9ZfjU7C_06mIN5su5VA91IjFw-aPldFlcX9LD3aQ9y-SKIBIUIgyRR_AVTUCJZDWy1SktP5QGOOliSfHgPOSEKcK7eA85AbP5iVhWbGTFMShOjWLFsn-RoNFe9QmrrUPLpGUPF2SOwqljYBf4vMTXUtmd3dS0WBZLRTfp0og/w200-h150/8.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">With its gong and flashing light<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The darkness comes, enveloping me<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A chill seeps into the air<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The waves roll in contentedly<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Washing away all my cares</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzR6CmDv0q9hBmEwCyny1v7gdvn27LF_i7L-iDNBPduIFK2QpeAOOaHX2lbG05bYDqZN_Jhih4iN2AXQcqebhqwdPaESlwYEQ4ccTx2ezLfAHZR5ZZ5g51q07XiMcTA7j9_AGvlsy-I-Z6iHZNE-RbOtxn7qvjFvULZmj6hZ6aBrKB39QeGw/s4032/10.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzR6CmDv0q9hBmEwCyny1v7gdvn27LF_i7L-iDNBPduIFK2QpeAOOaHX2lbG05bYDqZN_Jhih4iN2AXQcqebhqwdPaESlwYEQ4ccTx2ezLfAHZR5ZZ5g51q07XiMcTA7j9_AGvlsy-I-Z6iHZNE-RbOtxn7qvjFvULZmj6hZ6aBrKB39QeGw/w200-h150/10.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">At last I turn and make my way<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Up the path, away from the sea<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As the song of the waves begins to fade</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A peace descends upon me <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> By Frank Carpenter ©<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" /></span></p><p> </p><div><br /></div></div>Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-71279726249227758632021-12-04T09:39:00.001-06:002022-04-08T14:31:51.314-05:00Dads, Grandads and Crawdads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnSUCvJuEpaWDBjVFjPgv0OgFuq0x39QpHDoOOnZdBc3s1kvCKOdaJlxnwLA3GAqF1hd7G1yNyV9clgKi2sqoeSC_GGNd4ge1DP9pOCLTrzMgo84yYS-2mbRuXmiWJJ92uJu6/s2016/b0fb7c25-1bbf-4a91-bef7-4dd9ec04de92.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnSUCvJuEpaWDBjVFjPgv0OgFuq0x39QpHDoOOnZdBc3s1kvCKOdaJlxnwLA3GAqF1hd7G1yNyV9clgKi2sqoeSC_GGNd4ge1DP9pOCLTrzMgo84yYS-2mbRuXmiWJJ92uJu6/w240-h320/b0fb7c25-1bbf-4a91-bef7-4dd9ec04de92.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div>During the summer I went on a little field trip with my son and grandson. It was to a familiar little ravine near my childhood home that I hadn’t visited for 50 years. Just a trickle of a waterfall into a muddy pool that time had forgotten, but when I viewed it once again, through my grandson’s eyes, the wonder of my own youthful memories came flooding back. My adult son had been visiting this spot with his kids for a couple of years, coming to catch crawdads with bits of bacon tied to fishing line, and that’s what we did as well. It was pretty darn fun. We filled a bucket with the fascinating creatures, played with them for a while, and then let the whole lot go again before we left. It was strictly catch and release, since it wasn’t the kind of water you would want to dine from. Nonetheless, it was the good old fashioned Tom Sawyer kind of fun that I’m not sure people get enough of these days … the kind of fun that grandpas should have. My son is the master of planning this kind of little adventure that creates fun times, don’t cost a dime and makes awesome memories. I was reminded of how often I’m too busy or distracted to pursue such simple pleasures in life.</div><div><br /></div><div>And there’s another whole essay to write about how the stubborn crawdads latch onto the bait and let themselves be captured and destined for ruin because they’re too greedy to let go. That has all kinds of application to our modern lives of comfort and distraction. But that can wait for another day. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqxvTvC2hyphenhyphenF-GkeOpyt5I6vfhRjwNI4TX7kZd0qen74QBXh6HUxttnoN9v_tDxLOyhzvnJGSbSvhPBT-dWqnGKYQZ0Pt3oPypSVkuAxxnnECoe5eWUcjTv6J93UOg-D-nEW4o/s2048/81a3c33d-b7c3-4984-8be9-756ec357c5bd.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqxvTvC2hyphenhyphenF-GkeOpyt5I6vfhRjwNI4TX7kZd0qen74QBXh6HUxttnoN9v_tDxLOyhzvnJGSbSvhPBT-dWqnGKYQZ0Pt3oPypSVkuAxxnnECoe5eWUcjTv6J93UOg-D-nEW4o/w200-h150/81a3c33d-b7c3-4984-8be9-756ec357c5bd.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /></div><div>In the meantime, let me encourage all of us to step out of our routines and seek out the simple activities that can bring so much joy with so little cost or trouble. We’re always striving for the big, shiny experience that seems to promise the greatest reward. However it’s the little things, the simple things, which often matter so much more in the big picture of life. When I think about such experiences, it’s pretty hard to do better than the classic mix of dads, granddads and crawdads. Besides the fact that it’s just fun to say, there’s pure magic in such a recipe for fun. </div><div><br /></div>Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-27029393142255397432021-11-02T08:54:00.001-06:002022-04-12T15:08:11.121-05:00The Coral Street Pier - Revisited<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">My first date with the love of my life was in
June of 1980, an evening that ended with our dancing on a pier in Newport Harbor.
Somewhere along the way I wrote a poem about that evening and eventually posted
it here in 2004. More recently, I revisited the focal point of that first
date once again and took a few moments to reflect on the past 40 years since then.
The following poem is what happened while I was there. It’s a reminder that my
poetry not only tells the story of my life, but also serves as a touchstone to
important memories which have helped to defined me. This gift also helps me to
celebrate those moments while preserving them for posterity.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Some moments are truly worth remembering, and
that evening all those years ago is one of them. It was my last first date, and
that is something worth celebrating … and remembering. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Coral Street Pier, Revisited</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I don’t speak of it very often, but</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I wander back here time and again<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To this touch stone of all our blessings<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Or, perhaps, to remember when<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Since what happened on that night<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">By this ancient, familiar shore<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Changed the trajectory of my life<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And is etched in my heart evermore<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I couldn’t say it was love at first sight<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For we were only friends, after all<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But something took root that evening<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Even though it may have been small<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A movie, a dance, a little starlight<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Some providence, or destiny<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And that tiny seed we planted<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Has grown into a beautiful tree<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I have never forgotten that moment<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Nor has it faded with passing years<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">That first date, when long ago<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We danced on the Coral Street Pier<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By Frank Carpenter ©<o:p></o:p></span></p>Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-15446941482171992712021-10-21T23:01:00.002-05:002021-10-21T23:01:34.138-05:00Let Me Hear Your Voice<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Earlier this week, I took a night off to step
away from my usual routine and spend a few quiet hours alone. Even though that
was in character for me, it was actually a homework assignment from the Convene
business group that I am a part of. A month ago, we had reviewed some content
together</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6KmOE8qflHDt0NdsbVxNP-2vuEeLJ3-eb3kdChxWW6TLokvDejI0n_ws41MV6LcMRAGSYRkrnvdK9qWUYx60GdxImqb8PfkIwN4Z4AkCvWOnPwPE1B_aZ0hPDf6q-Q1p8GBo/s275/time+alone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6KmOE8qflHDt0NdsbVxNP-2vuEeLJ3-eb3kdChxWW6TLokvDejI0n_ws41MV6LcMRAGSYRkrnvdK9qWUYx60GdxImqb8PfkIwN4Z4AkCvWOnPwPE1B_aZ0hPDf6q-Q1p8GBo/w200-h133/time+alone.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> regarding self-care, and one of the takeaways was that folks need to occasionally
step away from their normal distractions and take time to reflect. That was our
challenge, but it was loosely framed, allowing the group to explore what worked
for each of us. Often, when I think about being alone for a few hours, I
gravitate towards the beach or some other scenic place to walk because nature
and the outdoors have a calming influence on me. Yet, for a variety of reasons,
I wanted to be indoors that night and I ended up at a nearby mall. That may
sound strange, but I truly enjoy the comfortable anonymity of public spaces so
long as they offer a comfortable place to sit. And other than just showing up
to reflect I didn’t really have an agenda.<p></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">For how empty the mall was on a Monday night,
there turned out to be a surprising amount of ambient noise; people talking,
music playing, pots and pans banging somewhere in a nearby restaurant. All of
that got me thinking about how many distractions we are bombarded by in the
course of our daily lives. I also reflected on how the quiet voice of God is so
easily drowned out by all the other things clamoring for our attention. It occurred
to me that perhaps the secret to connecting with God might not be hiking to a
mountain top or cloistering ourselves in a monastery. Maybe we just need to be
better at filtering the distractions in order to concentrate on listening to Him
… wherever we are. Why force the God of the universe to meet us only in the rare
quiet corners of our lives which are so difficult to carve out. Sometimes I
feel like we relegate our time with Jesus to the equivalent of Maxwell Smart’s
proverbial cone of silence. No, God is everywhere, so we need to develop ways
to focus on Him wherever we are. I actually like the white noise of life, and sometimes
find myself more distracted by a single soft sound that can barely be heard.
Either way, my experiment in public solitude was a success and I was able to reflect,
pray and even write a little poetry, which is how I often respond to emotional
and spiritual moments.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">So I offer the follow poem, which I wrote
during the aforementioned evening. Poetry is how I work things out. Rhyme and
meter help me to make sense of complicated issues and then capture how I really
feel. Others will respond in different ways. When we want to be alone, we all
gravitate to various sorts of places and respond to different stimuli, or the
lack thereof. Your experience would likely look completely different than mine.
Yet, I would challenge you to block out a few hours and go someplace, anyplace,
to be alone for a while. It can be anyplace that allows you to disconnect and
give your mind the opportunity to wander. There is something in us that responds
to moments of peace, and I believe there is great value in just pausing to
listen. We can listen to ourselves, to the wind in the trees or the surf upon
the shore, to city noises or the soft whispering of a garden. In those moments
I also listen for God to whisper something as well. He rarely speaks audibly,
but His quiet voice can still be heard throughout creation. One thing is for
sure. If you want to hear something, anything, the first step is to listen. And
sometimes that requires a little effort. You’ve heard about my experiment. I encourage
you to try one of your own. At the very least you can relax a little … but you
never know what might happen.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Let Me Hear Your Voice</span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Oh Lord, let me hear your voice<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In the midst of everything<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Part the seas of distraction<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Which are always clamoring<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Let your peace descend on me<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When it seems that there is none<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">May my eyes pierce through the haze<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To alight upon your Son<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Show me how to walk the path<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When so many others call<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To filter the cacophony<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To hear your voice, still and small<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Lord, show me how to trust you<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When doubt and fear are sown<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Even where I least expect it<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">May I be yours and yours alone<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When this world would woo me<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">May my heart and mind be true<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For I know you are a jealous God<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And I would serve none but You<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A thousand other voices beckon<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">They whisper, laugh and tease and sing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But let me hear your voice, oh Lord<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In the midst of everything<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">By Frank Carpenter ©<o:p></o:p></span></p>Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-42299557439004035432021-03-21T21:27:00.006-06:002021-03-21T21:36:02.722-06:00The Journey to Hope<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqHgkiaHMixvN6nmtIG91WV0oUMPXwDw99kWOqz6djaInO7B2lHEW-x6pacdJ8QYzQzvAPU16SThaYGUfS7fnNuS1EhqMUcJDIAR_RYzb1EQfNxSOdRKbYHP_ZM8DzHhHgjk7/s318/Hope.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqHgkiaHMixvN6nmtIG91WV0oUMPXwDw99kWOqz6djaInO7B2lHEW-x6pacdJ8QYzQzvAPU16SThaYGUfS7fnNuS1EhqMUcJDIAR_RYzb1EQfNxSOdRKbYHP_ZM8DzHhHgjk7/s0/Hope.jpg" /></a>I’m going to try something a little different
today. It’s not uncommon, especially in the more difficult seasons, for me to
write a group of poems that document the journey through a season. I often use
poetry to work things out in my heart and mind, to deal with issues. This
sometimes leaves me with a suite of poems which belong together, because they
journal a spectrum of emotions through the passing of time. So I take the
liberty of sharing the following suite of ten poems which were written over
roughly that many days. They detail my emotional journey last year from the
confirmation that out new grandson would be born with Down Syndrome through my
reconciliation of that fact with God. When we get many kinds of news it can
seem like the worst news in the world until you become accustomed to it. Those
seasons are like experiencing the different stages of grief. And because I’m a
person of faith, part of that process involves working out the details with
Jesus and trusting Him with them completely.</p><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’d like to brag that I always see things with
an eternal perspective. Yet life is rarely that simple. Sometimes all we have
to begin with is a cry for help, or what soldiers refer to as a foxhole prayer.
Then, at least in my case, I often have to ease into a total trust that God is
actually in control and He’s somehow going to work things out … and maybe even
turn them into something beautiful. In this particular instance I’m choosing to
call my process “the journey to hope.” Either way, I’m laying my emotions bare
here so you can see how Jesus works in my life and heart at least. The
difference with me is that sometimes we end up with a written record of the
process like this batch of poetry.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The most important thing is that there is hope,
that Jesus does love us and care for us, that we are never truly alone. Whether
you’re facing good news or bad news, or walking through those things with
others, there is hope beyond the emotions and situations that threaten to
overwhelm us. That hope is there, like a life ring, waiting for us to take hold
of it. Some of us may do that slowly. So to all of you I offer my personal
journey to hope.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Help Me,
Jesus</span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Help me Jesus, help me Jesus<br /><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I’m not sure how to feel<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We have to wait upon the tests<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Before we know what’s real<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It’s like I’ve walked into quicksand<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And I’m slowly sinking down<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sliding, imperceptibly<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Until I feel as if I’ll drown<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I was confident and in control<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And fine, then suddenly<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I stepped from solid ground into<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This mire of uncertainty<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There is a shadow closing in<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Which I’m unaccustomed to<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Help me Jesus, help me Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">My only hope is you<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">By Frank Carpenter ©<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Spiraling</span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yesterday my life was perfect<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Everything was going fine<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Work, faith, friends and family<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Counting my blessings all the time<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Suddenly, joy has eroded<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And toppled from my pedestal<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I’m spiraling into darkness<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The weight of fear upon my soul<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Help me, Lord, have mercy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Your servant, whom you have blessed<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Is now awash in waves of grief<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Lost in an ocean of distress<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Maybe this will be alright<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Maybe the medical tests<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Will show we needn’t worry<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And things will work out for the best<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But for now I’m lost in limbo<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Mired in despair and pain<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Hoping for miraculous test results<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Praying that joy may come again<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Help me, Lord, have mercy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shine your light through darkness here<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Draw me into your arms of comfort<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And help me to know you are here<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">By Frank Carpenter ©</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Your
Will</span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I don’t pretend to know your will<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Nor the fullness of your mind<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I know that I should trust you<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yet in this season now I find<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I’m struggling with where we are<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Along this path of sovereignty<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Because the weight of this week<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Feels as if it’s crushing me<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Lord, I want to trust You<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Trust the wisdom of your plan<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But it’s too much, Lord, it’s too much<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And I’m not sure how I can<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">My heart is filled to bursting<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">With the weight of what we face<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In the coming weeks and months<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In this new and grief-filled place<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Lord, forgive my faithlessness<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In this season of despair<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Have mercy on your servant<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And hear this unworthy prayer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Reach down into the darkness<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Where we find ourselves today<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Pierce this veil of helplessness<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And help us find our way<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I beg you, Jesus, intervene<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amidst our brokenness and pain<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Give me faith and wisdom<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To fully trust in You again</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I can’t understand your purposes<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For all we’re going through<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Have mercy on us in this hour<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And help us to trust in You<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">By Frank
Carpenter © <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I Need
Someone to Tell Me</span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I need someone to tell me<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">That everything will be alright<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">So I can look my family in the eye<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And say that to them tonight<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I need to know there is a light<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Still shining somewhere up ahead<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">That hope and joy exist somewhere<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Beyond this pain and dread<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I need a vision of the future<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I can still look forward to <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Some way to quench the helplessness<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Where there is nothing I can do<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Another wave of pain has broken<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And washed over me tonight<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And I need someone to tell me<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">That everything will be alright<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">By Frank Carpenter ©</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Unshakeable<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">God, today more than ever<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I need to believe the bible is true<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I need to believe in everything<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I’ve come to know about you<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I’m clinging to You desperately<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Nowhere else to turn today<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Need your strength and steadfastness<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To hold me on the narrow way<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I need to know you will be there<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Whenever, wherever I go<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I need to trust in You and your word<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Because he bible tells me so<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Lord, at this moment I’m shaken<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To the very depths of my soul<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">So I cling to your power and mercy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Because only you are unshakeable<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">By Frank
Carpenter ©<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Every
Step Along the Way<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There is nothing you could do<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">No choice that you could make<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Which could diminish my approval<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Or I would label a mistake<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I am always for you<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I am always on your side<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I have only love for you<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Nor could you wound my pride<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I am praying for you<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Through ever hour of the day<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Asking God for peace and wisdom<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And His light upon your way<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I believe in both of you<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And I trust you implicitly<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I will encourage and support you<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Wherever you may be<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Wherever you may find yourselves<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Along this journey you are in<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Though you feel lost in darkness<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Though your faith is wearing thin<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">If your heart if broken<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Then my heart is broken too<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Your joy and pain are mine as well<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And I will be there for you<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I am walking with you<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Every step along the way<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yours are my love and my blessing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Both now, and every day<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">By Frank
Carpenter ©<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He Will
Find a Way<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In this moment of your life<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It’s difficult to understand<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">How God allows such things to happen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Or where is His mighty hand<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We know we have a loving God<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Who deeply cares for us<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A God all-knowing and all-powerful<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In whom we should place our trust<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But where oh where, in all of this<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Could our loving Savior be?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When we’re crying out in our distress<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It can be difficult to see<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">His hand in what befalls us<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In this broken world we share<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We have only faith to cling to<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And the promise that He cares<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But God knows things that we don’t<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He sees what we can’t see<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">His plan is bigger than our pain<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And He still holds eternity<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Whatever we are going through<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Though it shakes us to the core<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">God can use it for His glory<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In ways we’d never guess before<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">God can use the deepest pain<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He can redeem the darkest hours<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Spin the chaff of sorrow into gold<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Through His creative power<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We may feel as if the sun<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">May never shine again today<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But God is with us, God is working<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And He will find a way<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">By Frank
Carpenter ©</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Nonetheless<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">However the medical tests turn out<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">At the end of the wretched day<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Whatever the future has in store<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I shall not turn away<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">However You deal with my prayers<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Whatever may yet befall<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Though it shakes me to the core<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I shall call you Lord of all<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Whatever sorrow or sacrifice<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Though the darkness is complete<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I shall worship with my dying breath<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Praise You with my last heartbeat<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Crush me, I shall serve You still<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Blear the narrow way with tears<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I shall choose it nonetheless<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To tread for all my years<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Lord, I’m begging for a miracle<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">That may turn darkness into light<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But if your will is otherwise<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Give me strength to fight the fight<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">By Frank
Carpenter ©</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This Day<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Not sure if we’ll find out anything new<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We heard what the doctors had to say<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But we’re waiting for that final test<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To come back to us today<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The path ahead is shrouded<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In a fog of uncertainty<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But give us ears to listen, Lord<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Give us eyes to see<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Whatever you are saying<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In this season of distress<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And show us how you’ll use it<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To encourage and to bless<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We still beg for grace, Lord<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In all we’re going through<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">So we lay this day before your feet<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And trust our hearts to you<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">By Frank
Carpenter ©</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Hope<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I was walking in a darkness<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For a week, or maybe two<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As we processed all the news<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And heard all you were going through<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We were overwhelmed with sorrow<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And disappointed to the core<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shattered pieces of our broken dreams<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Strewn underfoot upon the floor<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But Jesus wrapped His arms around us<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As we came to Him in prayer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Enfolded us with tender mercies<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In His arms of love and care<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And as our tears began to dry<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Through the course of weary days<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus cultivated joy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And shone light upon a way<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Which we never would have chosen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Or imagined as our own<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A path of blessings to be gathered<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Where the seeds of pain were sown<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We must never underestimate<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">What God may choose to do<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In the midst of all the trials<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We find ourselves going through<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Even when the tide of hopelessness<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Seems to well up all around<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus whispers quiet words of hope<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Which could not otherwise be found<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He showed us how our brokenness<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Becomes the fertile soil that He<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">May use to lift us up<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And guide us to eternity<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For those who wait upon the Lord<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Who lay their burdens on His Son<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Know peace that passes understanding<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And find hope where there seemed none<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">By Frank
Carpenter ©</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-90024972070480140492020-11-17T00:05:00.000-06:002020-11-17T00:05:00.621-06:00A Historical Perspective<p> I have just finished reading a
biography entitled “We Were the Lucky Ones,” which traced the experiences of
single Jewish family in Poland through the Second World War. And while it
specifically told the story of an individual family, it also recounted the
atrocities they lived through. Prior to this book, I read another family story
related to the atrocities perpetrated in China during that same time period.
While I write from the isolated comfort of my middle class, seaside home in 21<sup>st</sup>
century America, I at least have the benefit of hindsight and historical
perspective and countless reams of documentation regarding those conflicts.</p><p> My first and foremost
observation is that Germany, Japan and their allies were responsible for the
deaths of as many as eighty million people during the 1930s and 1940s. I’m also
very clear that some of the atrocities those nations committed are unthinkable,
and arguably unforgiveable. Untold people from many countries were conquered,
oppressed and slaughtered based upon principles of ethnic, cultural and
military superiority, not to mention pride, greed and hate. If there were true
“eye for an eye” justice in the world those two aggressor nations, and probably
a few others, should have been utterly depopulated and wiped off the face of
the earth. Fortunately, our better angels prevailed and the world chose only to
directly punish the worst leaders and offenders.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m an American, and before I
spout too much about our being the good guys who entered the war in order to
save the day for everyone else, I acknowledge our own history also has to be
considered. Our experiment with the atrocities of slavery and the four hundred
years we spent dispossessing the North American continent of its previous
inhabitants is no less ignoble. Both chapters in our own history were based
upon those same principles of ethnic and military superiority. Having
acknowledged that fact, I return to my previous discourse by paraphrasing
legendary Arthurian ethics and reminding us all that the historical perspective
continues to show us that might doesn’t actually make right.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I remember growing up in the
1960s and 1970 being so proud of my German heritage. And, in my defense, all of
my German relatives immigrated here long before World War II. Nonetheless, even
my relatives who fought against Germany in the 1940s instilled that cultural
pride. Cultural pride is a good thing, but with the wisdom of hindsight I now know
that those lessons of cultural pride needed to be tempered with some wisdom
regarding the sins of the previous generations. No one ever told me what the Germans
did to Europe in the previous decades. No one in my family ever inferred
anything negative about others who were Jewish. I was just told to be proud of
being German.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">From
that standpoint, I was a cultural innocent. However, with a blissful and in
some ways a blissful ignorance as well. Perhaps time heals all wounds, and
historical grace has its place in preventing inherited hate, but we sometimes
forget too quickly. We clearly need to forgive, but it’s dangerous to forget entirely
… and one generation is not enough time to forget such devastation and
atrocity. We need to own our past. We need to talk about our past. We need to
do so in order to inform our future. You can’t just extinguish eighty million
lives and chalk them up to the collateral damage of history. We owe it to their
memories that they shall not have died in vain. We owe it to their children and
grandchildren, to our children and grandchildren, to learn from our past in
order build a better future. Only then, will we be prepared to meet the
societal challenges of the future.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">My
challenge to you is to speak with the oldest members of your family and capture
their memories of World War II before they are lost forever. We owe it to our
future to reconcile the past we all share. If we don’t, then we are destined to
repeat it. <o:p></o:p></p>Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-24691890053184284842020-09-20T23:53:00.001-05:002022-04-08T14:33:01.476-05:00To Accomplish Nothing<p>A few weeks ago I just needed a little time by myself. Life had gotten a bit hectic and I felt like it was time to totally disengage for a few hours. It seems like a small thing, and perhaps others are better at unwinding than I am. Either way, I drove down to Balboa Island, purposely locked my cell phone and Fitbit in the car, took a short ferry ride … and then proceeded to wander aimlessly in my favorite wandering grounds for a few hours. My goal, for once, was to simply accomplish nothing. I did write a few poems, including this one, which is a true story. And yes, arguably, that could be categorized as accomplishing something. But if I hadn’t, then you wouldn’t be reading this right now. So enough of my rationalization. I’ll let the story tell itself. However, before I lapse into verse, I would challenge you to take an evening or a day off. Call it “me time.” Call it Sabbath. Call it whatever you like, but sometimes it can be a beautiful thing to step off the treadmill and see where your feet and your heart lead you. And if you end up accomplishing nothing? Well that’s alright. </p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>To Accomplish Nothing</u></b><br />Seems like I’m always on a mission<br />Lists to check and things to do<br />From one task to another<br />And my work is never through<br />Always something to accomplish<br />We just can’t let up the pace<br />When we’re not at work we exercise<br />So even leisure is a race<br />I needed to break the cycle<br />And climb off the old treadmill<br />So I made an evening of it<br />Since I had some hours to kill<br />I set out to accomplish<br />Hardly anything at all<br />To wander randomly about<br />As these were my hours, after all<br />It’s strange how walking changes<br />When you don’t have a goal to meet<br />Without counting steps or minutes<br />And you can turn down any street<br />Try out every park bench<br />Follow a cat or butterfly<br />Stop and talk with strangers<br />Stare at the water or the sky<br />I jotted down some verses<br />For a poem or maybe two<br />Sat a while with my eyes closed<br />Just to listen for something new<br />In short, I lived a life of leisure<br />In its purest form of ease<br />If only for an hour or two<br />Just as carefree as you please<br />I set out to accomplish nothing<br />Which is a good place to begin<br />Hoisted the sails of happenstance<br />And drifted on the wind<br />Was it an evening wasted?<br />You be the judge, my friend<br />But here I am at peace and happy<br />At my random evening’s end</div><div style="text-align: left;"> By Frank Carpenter ©</div><div><br /></div>Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-59361760976009565272020-06-01T23:45:00.000-05:002020-06-01T23:45:24.997-05:00Southern Cross<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqFKSCTcEQ8E1BbQdlUoFCbDyqPK0cVqSEsRZrVB824OEm8-YwoWyUcXYGC-WhgJmihqC9CZsF19fksqCOuBpjuHBMcP0dAFbnAwXsUfM4WTrY9tqNT8V1srf6A3fgo7LqycA/s1600/Southern+Cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="241" data-original-width="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqFKSCTcEQ8E1BbQdlUoFCbDyqPK0cVqSEsRZrVB824OEm8-YwoWyUcXYGC-WhgJmihqC9CZsF19fksqCOuBpjuHBMcP0dAFbnAwXsUfM4WTrY9tqNT8V1srf6A3fgo7LqycA/s1600/Southern+Cross.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Perhaps
one more poem about some special stars. We’ve already established that I love
to gaze up at the heavens, and often find some meaning there. I have a long
relationship with Polaris, the North Star, which features prominently in the
sky … and in my thoughts. In the northern hemisphere it’s the pole star, remaining
roughly in the same position while the Big Dipper, Cassiopeia and the rest of
the constellations dance slowly around it. For this reason, it’s been a friend
to navigators for thousands of years. And it just happens to be the first thing
I see when I walk out my front door in the evening, a reliable companion in a
seemingly ever-changing world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When
we began traveling to visit our daughter’s family in New Zealand some years ago
we had to leave the North Star behind because it’s only visible from the
northern hemisphere. Yet we were also introduced to the Southern Cross, which
is only visible in the southern hemisphere and features prominently in the
culture there. It even graces the flag of New Zealand. I Immediately struck up
a friendship with this new constellation, and as a sailor and navigator it had
a particular meaning for me as well. Throughout my life I’d frequently relied
upon the North Star to find my way or get my bearings. However, it was clear
that I needed to point my daughter towards the appropriate celestial companion
to take her own bearings on. She has her own family and her own life, and her
own broad expanse of sky … and she needed different stars to point the way to
her chosen home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Back
here in north America, with Polaris looking over my shoulder, I’m unable to
view the Southern Cross. Yet, I know where to find it. Broad oceans may
separate us, but the Southern Cross is etched indelibly upon my heart and I
know it’s watching over those whom I hold so dear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Southern
Cross<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As I
walk out of my front door<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Each
night I’m greeted by<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">My
old friend, the North Star<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Hanging
ever in the sky<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But
down under it is different<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">My
North Star is out of view<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">So I
must trust the Southern Cross<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To
keep watch each night on you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">You
can find it in the south<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To
the left of your driveway<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And
it can be a beacon for you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When
you lose the light of day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Even
though the Southern Cross<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Dwells
below where I can see<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It
will always be there for you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And
I hope you’ll think of me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Our
horizons may be different<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And
six thousand miles and more<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Of
empty blue Pacific<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">May
separate our shores<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But
you are always on my mind<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And
we won’t feel far apart<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">If
you look up at the Southern Cross<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And
know I hold you in my heart<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>By Frank Carpenter </i>©</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-20477338435268439662020-04-26T13:01:00.000-05:002020-04-26T13:01:59.604-05:00Shooting Star<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpvGWLqanxLWaPUr3hOPlYGqrvgv6KvqLnm02kYP86WDDPsGkEIatr1AI1Upp2Q5-fFFQHzZ-NA3SCO99SnRUwHh00Ij5g9wdsqr4sF7_wNUeRbFlFJNr7rK7i6S3DnjRUY2T/s1600/shooting+star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpvGWLqanxLWaPUr3hOPlYGqrvgv6KvqLnm02kYP86WDDPsGkEIatr1AI1Upp2Q5-fFFQHzZ-NA3SCO99SnRUwHh00Ij5g9wdsqr4sF7_wNUeRbFlFJNr7rK7i6S3DnjRUY2T/s1600/shooting+star.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A couple of nights ago I rose at 04:00 AM and
set up a chair in the driveway to watch the Lyrid meteor shower. There several
such events each year and when I happen to read about one it’s not unusual for
me to find myself staring up at the sky at some odd hour of the night. I have a
soft spot for (very) amateur astronomy and it’s a common occurrence for the
late night dog walking neighbors to catch me just standing in the driveway and
gazing up into space. The stars simply fascinate me. They always have. Even
though I can only identify a handful of stars and constellations, they hold a
certain </span>explainable<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> wonder that I’ve carried with me since childhood. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Which brings us back to the other night. It was
supposed to be the best of several nights of viewing the Lyrid meteor shower
and the popular websites promised as many as 10-15 shooting starts per hour at
its peak. So there I was, bundled up and sitting forlornly in the driveway …
probably looking like my wife had kicked me out of the house. But I was there
on purpose. However, the promised celestial show just wasn’t happening and
after an hour or so of shivering in the dark I was just about to close up shop
and hit the shower. But suddenly I was rewarded with an awesome shooting start
that was both bright and right where I was looking. And here’s the thing, I was
completely satisfied. So often in life I feel like people want to be wowed by
abundance. They want to be grandly entertained, and then stack their stack
their piles of memories like so much firewood stacked on the side of the house.
But the sky isn’t like that. The sky is big and beautiful and miraculous, but
pretty slow from the standpoint of pleasing a pleasure seeking crowd. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">So much of life is like that as well. It’s less
like an action movie and more like the night sky. If you expect to be constantly
entertained you find yourself just feeling bored or disappointed. Yet, if you understand
that life is beautiful and amazing all time, punctuated by occasional moments
of perfection, then you’re much better oriented to fully enjoy the show. That’s
just how I felt a few nights ago when I was finally rewarded with that single
perfect shooting star. And it was enough. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">One
Perfect Shooting Star<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I rose in the dark of the morning<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Donned my coat and hat and gloves<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Dragged a camp chair out to the driveway<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And directed my eyes above<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I was up for the meteor shower<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Of which I had read about<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Wrapped in a blanket against the cold<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Of a night with no moon out<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I was welcomed by a starry sky<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And as I waited patiently<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A pair of satellites came and went<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But shooting stars eluded me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Then, just as I was giving up<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A single blaze filled the sky<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And the shooting star I’d waited for<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Greeting my wondering eyes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I had hoped for more last night<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yet, as I pondered upon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">That fleeting moment of perfecting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Which had so quickly come and gone<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I realized I found joy enough<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In the wonder that was mine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">At observing stardust set afire<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For even so brief a time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For who indeed could ask for more<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As we gaze at the heavens afar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Than to start their day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">With the priceless gift<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Of a single perfect shooting star<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">
By Frank Carpenter © <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-89805747490217291952019-11-13T09:42:00.003-06:002019-11-13T09:42:29.248-06:00Beyond the Whale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvte_7E9BV5CqhA2vuAxRX8zLysbElpN1Zy7mwrenWxEqDNUz8O3iSvHgEaEhVwA7WBeZAd5nYZJutlvZ7rFu3FndQski6Eeg_RxBgbahRC_u4ZaqCoA1uPVfO7xcPcWgDwIX/s1600/Jonah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvte_7E9BV5CqhA2vuAxRX8zLysbElpN1Zy7mwrenWxEqDNUz8O3iSvHgEaEhVwA7WBeZAd5nYZJutlvZ7rFu3FndQski6Eeg_RxBgbahRC_u4ZaqCoA1uPVfO7xcPcWgDwIX/s1600/Jonah.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Our
church has been studying the book of Jonah lately and that story touches on so
many issues. Jonah is clearly a reluctant prophet, and one of the themes is
what God can and will do in spite of our response to him. It’s about God’s love
and compassion for people and cities, even when they have turned against him
and are deserving of judgement. It’s also about how God’s will may be done and
how he finds a way to accomplish it. There’s a personal story about Jonah’s hardened
heart and disobedience and how God still chooses to use him. One of the themes
I appreciate today is how God continues to surprise us even when we think our
story is over. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jonah
runs from God, ends up in a terrible storm, is thrown overboard and is
swallowed by a large fish. Let me pause say that it doesn’t matter whether it
was a fish or a whale or a shark (which is technically neither). The story is
miraculous regardless of what noun you swap into it. The point is that Jonah is
utterly lost and should have died, which is what he wanted and expected. No
air, no light, no hope … no Jonah. But God had other plans for him, so God
intervened in a miraculous way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And
I think that’s the message for our lives. So many of us feel lost, and like we’re
sinking into an unquenchable darkness. We may be depressed, or alone, or broken
… or feel utterly lost like Jonah. But here’s the thing. God meets each of us
right where we are and He almost always has another story in mind for us. God
loves us and has compassion for us and He’s right there beside us even when we
think we may have sunk beyond all hope of rescue. The fact is that God does
some of His best work in those situations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And
what I want to tell you today is that your story isn’t over, it isn’t defined by
what is overwhelming you right now. God has something better in store for you.
Say that first awkward prayer, then reach out your hand and let him pull you
out of the depths. The darkness you’re drifting through at this moment isn’t
your final destination, and it may in fact be the very thing which prepares and
qualifies to you to serve others in a way you may have never even imagined. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">So
look up, take heart and keep swimming. Because there’s a light at the end of
the tunnel … and that light is God. And He still has something amazing for you
beyond the whale. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Beyond
the Whale<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">So
often we are in darkness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Lost
in the depths of the sea<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Thinking
our story is over<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And
that was our destiny<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And
in that moment it’s tempting <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To
sink into despair and regret<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But
as long as there’s breath within us<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">God
isn’t done with us yet <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He
meets each of us where we are<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">No
matter how deep we have gone<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He
draws us from the murky depths <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And
offers us grace to carry on<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Our
God is a light in the darkness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">No
matter how black it may be<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And
He can redeem any story<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">If
we turn to Him wholeheartedly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He’s
reaching into the depths right now<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Extending
His hand to you <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Ready
to pull you out of the water <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">If
you will only ask Him to<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Like
Jonah, you may be sinking<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But
that need not be your tale<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">God
has something amazing in store<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For
you ... beyond the whale<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <i>By
Frank Carpenter </i></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i>©</i></span>Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-80638916075460356482019-09-02T11:33:00.003-05:002019-09-02T11:33:45.640-05:00The Height of Vanity<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We live in a society which is slowly becoming more progressive and
humanistic. Whether you call it postmodernism, or subjectivism or relativism,
we continue to elevate the self-importance of human existence, accomplishment
and thinking. Yet, we are mere specks in the broad expanse of the universe,
mere blips in the endless march of time, and little more than a tiny footnote
in the history of this beloved sphere. Whether created, transplanted, or the
fortunate winners of an evolutionary lottery, we humans seem to have a
constantly eroding layer of communal humility in light of our brief tenure here
on earth. We have convinced ourselves that we are, at least figuratively, at
the center of the universe … as if it was our destiny not only to exist, but to
rule this planet. This haughty approach to our tenuous toehold on this little
rock in the abyss of time and space should be a bit embarrassing. Because
whatever your world view may be, we humans are just plain lucky to be here at
all, let alone to be blessed with all that this world has to offer our species.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now it would be disingenuous not to disclose that I’m one of those
supposed narrow-minded, fundamentalist religious people who actually believe
there is a God who had a hand brining about this world and continues not only
to take an interest in our existence, but to actively interact with us lowly
humans. How crazy is that? I would argue about as crazy as thinking some
combination of warm, murky water and chemicals could swirl together into a
functioning life form and eventually grow into us. Is the idea of God creating
man from dirt really any more far-fetched than nothing creating man from dirt?
Even the most basic bacteria, despite its simplicity, still contains a highly
developed cell structure with a variety of interactive parts which are required
for it to exist as a legitimate life form. No matter how much you cook or swirl
chemicals together, or bombard them with cosmic rays, you just can’t get the
kind of amino acids or building blocks of life to actually build life from what
is lifeless; let alone the intricate, interdependent biological processes which
support life as we know it. However, we simply refuse to accept that maybe,
just maybe, a God might be involved. But never fear, scientists are still working
around the clock all over the world with hopes of proving that God wasn’t
necessary and, therefore, God doesn’t exist. To date, however, the theory that
there is no God is still supported by less evidence than the theory that there
is a God. If you like, we could just agree that the jury is still out. Or do
you believe that your theory is absolutely and unequivocally right and that we
shouldn’t even allow any conversation about a God or creation. If so, I believe
that would make you a narrow-minded fundamentalist as well. Funny how that
actually works both ways. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: right 7.5in;">
But all that being said, even if we merely
evolved and boot-strapped ourselves to the top of the food pyramid, that would
only make us the smartest animals so far. Or to quote Lilly Tomlin, “Even you
win the rat race, you’re still just a rat.” We might be the best rats invented
to date, but that would be all we’re qualified to brag about. In fact, based
upon the theory of evolution, better rats will eventually evolve who may
supplant us as rulers of the earth. Better rats who would out-compete us or
out-produce us or out-think us, and who might even eat us. For to assume that
we are the pinnacle and purpose of evolution, or that we have any kind of
divine right to remain on the throne of nature indefinitely runs counter to the
vaunted principals of natural selection. Any discussion of rights or purpose,
or even meaning, would bring us back to some kind of truth that might point to
a God or higher power. If we cling to evolution, then we have to toss art and
science and philosophy and morality and music and literature out the window
because our sole reason for existing is to pass the genetic baton onto the
next, and hopefully better, generation so that they can do the same. That’s all
there is. Evolution says that you’re only the king if you have bigger teeth or
a bigger brain, and that another king will eventually eat you and take your
place. If you don’t believe that, you may need to believe in God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: right 7.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: right 7.5in;">
Either way, it’s still the height of vanity to
assume that we’re actually something special … unless we were created in God’s
image and that counted for something. But even then we’d be wise to remain
humble in the face of eternity. Let’s keep these conversations going, because
there’s much to talk about and discover. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The
Height of Vanity<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In this postmodern world we share<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Every effort has been made<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To remove the Lord from everything<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We think and do each day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We’ve driven him from government<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">From schools and conversation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">From intellectual gatherings<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In every corner of our nation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We’ve blotted out the name of God<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Wherever it was found<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">From every corner of our culture<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Where once it did abound<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For political correctness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For fairness and tolerance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We think that Jesus and the church<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Must be hemmed in behind a fence<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Of philosophical obscurity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Where subversive thoughts are sent<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">So that science may reign supreme<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Throughout the social establishment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Then we wonder why there is unrest<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Hate and violence and divorce<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We ask what’s wrong with this world<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And how things have taken course<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But no wonder if we’re spiraling<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Into darkness and decay<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">If the world is getting worse<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Year by year and day by day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Can we remove the earth’s Creator<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Who understands all things unknown<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Can we dethrone the King of heaven<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Who placed each continent and stone<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Can we eradicate eternal truth<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Or the source of morality<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And make everything subjective<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To the whim of humanity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It’s madness to assume that we<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Could cast God from the world he made<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And place ourselves upon the throne<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Which was before creation laid<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We simply can’t un-God this world<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And it’s the height of vanity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For man to claim the crown of God<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And supplant his majesty<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By Frank Carpenter</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> © <br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-64589176490964107952019-08-30T11:39:00.000-05:002019-08-30T11:39:07.230-05:0040th Spiritual Birthday<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
August 5, 2019</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
My 40<sup>th</sup> Spiritual Birthday<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Dear Friends, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I’m writing to you because I’d like you to share an important milestone
with me. Forty years ago today, on August 5th, 1979, I asked Jesus into my
heart and gave my life to Him. It happened without much fanfare. Although it
was a Sunday morning, I was lying in bed just thinking when, suddenly, it all
made sense. That moment was the culmination of a three year journey of
attending high school and college groups at Mariners Church, many conversations
with caring and patient friends, reading the bible, God’s strategic placement
of spiritual mentors in my life, a lot of people praying for me, and countless
nights sitting on the cliffs above Big Corona just staring at the ocean. It was
just a simple and probably awkward little prayer, but it altered the course of
my life … quite literally forever. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 1.4in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So many of the blessings in my life have come as a result of the
spiritual journey that began that day. Obviously, that decision was the pathway
to reconciliation with God, forgiveness of my sin, and the promise of an
eternity in heaven. As a bonus I also met Nancie through church and we truly
believe that the faith we share is at the core of our nearly four decades of
happiness and successful marriage. Chris and Cassie also both accepted the Lord
through church and their faiths are still going strong today, along with being
shared with believing spouses. That legacy of faith and hope is now something
I'm praying for in the lives of our grandchildren, Aubree, Kasen, and Olivia. We
have made many life-long friends through church and bible studies as well who
are still walking this path with us, even decades later, and the community they
represent continues to be a comfort, a joy, and a source of strength for us.
We're looking forward to growing old (as slowly as possible) with all of those
friends. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And while I certainly want to look back and celebrate the life and
relationships faith has brought us thus far, I would be remiss not to look
forward as well. We have a promise of eternal life, but that's not just
something that happens when we die. For those who believe, eternal life has
already begun. In short, it's right here and right now, and we need to live
accordingly. Especially in our affluent southern California it's easy to become
complacent and comfortable. But God wants so much more for us, and from us. In
my heart of hearts, I feel like one of the reasons that God put me on this
earth is to remind folks of that; to remind us that God has uniquely gifted
each of us to serve him, and that He has a plan and a calling for each one of
us. I hope that you will be praying about this and listening for His response. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I'm 58 and I've been at this Christian thing for forty years now. And
while I do foresee a time of vocational retirement, there doesn't seem to be
any biblical mandate for spiritual retirement. So I hope that you’ll continue
on this journey with me for many years to come. And I hope and pray that we
will all hold one another accountable to keep walking the walk and living the life
we are called to. Or as Paul wrote in Ephesians 4, "I urge you to live a
life worthy of the calling you have received." Let's all stay in the game
and keep making a difference in this world where we were called to be both salt
and light. Sometimes it's surprising to remember that God's secret weapon to
change the world ... is actually us. So we cannot, we must not, shy away from
that calling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you're receiving this it's because I consider you a friend and I
want to thank you for sharing your part of this journey with me. It's also my
fondest hope that I've had some impact on your life as well. We're all works in
progress, but it's so obvious to me how God has used the people in my life to
bring blessing and help me become who I am today ... and I know he'll continue
to do so. Thank you for being a part of God's work in me, and thank you for
sharing my journey in some way so far. It has meant more than you could know.
If you’re on this list, you are also on my radar to be challenged and
encouraged, and held accountable. And I hope I’m on your radar as well because
we’re all in this together. Whether we are seven or seventy-seven, God is not
done with us yet. Absolutely not. In fact, he has a “next” agenda item for each
of us, and I pray that each of us will be open to what that is. And whether we
are around until next week or until we’re a hundred and twelve, I sincerely
hope that we will keep living for God every day. That we will keep sharing
about Jesus, and striving every day to hold open the door of heaven and invite
everyone around us to share in a saving faith and an eternal life with our
Lord. Let that be our over-arching purpose because in the end everything else
is mere chaff. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I'm looking forward to another forty years of following Jesus and I
plan to be "all in" until my last breath. Are you with me? Let me
know if you are, and feel free to pass this on as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
As iron sharpens iron, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frank<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
fcarpenter505@gmail.com / 949-812-1145<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
www.frankcarpenter.blogspot.com / @frankpoet <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
PS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have received this
and you don't believe in Jesus, or don't call yourself a Christian ... to you I
just want to say that God loves you and He sent His son Jesus to bridge the gap
between you and reconcile you to Him. God is real and available and He's waiting
for you to respond to his invitation. And eternal hope is just one prayer away
from you. If you’d like to talk about that subject I am always available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-75384007557279465752019-07-23T20:43:00.000-05:002019-07-23T20:49:27.133-05:00Driving Around<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">This past weekend, in a very real sense, I had
the opportunity to take a little drive down memory lane. There was a season
thirty-five years ago when we sometimes had trouble getting our recently born
son, Christopher, to fall asleep. As parents, you have to use all of the tools
available and we realized pretty quickly that Chris was an outstanding car
sleeper. So a few times a week we’d end up buckling his car seat into our 1984
Nissan Stanza and going for a drive around bedtime. For some reason, it became
our custom to listen to George Winston’s December album while we drove … on a
cassette tape, of course. And we even fell into a routine route that ended up
at a park with a view of the lights on the bay. In time that sleep-stage
passed, but we often think fondly of that season and the peace those quiet
drives brought to our burgeoning family. And certainly George Winston music
bring back memories as well.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fast forward three and a half decades, and we
had a dear friend and her baby staying with us this weekend. Her baby, Olivia
Grace (same name as our granddaughter), was fighting sleep and when she dozed
off in the car we decided to ride that wave and let sleeping babies lie, so to
speak. I dropped Nancie off at the house and went for a drive. Feeling
nostalgic, I put played some George Winston music to complete the experience.
Of course, now it was a Pandora station instead of a cassette tape, but the
effect was the same. So I took a few loops around the Back Bay Road and
otherwise wandered aimlessly for a while. And I couldn’t help musing that it
was now thirty-five years down the road, both literally and figuratively. And
that thought ma<span id="goog_1566656593"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1566656594"></span>de me happy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Life has a way of circling around on us, and
there is a certain comfort in embracing those cherished moments that you get to
revisit. I was also reminded of the old fashioned joy of just going for a
drive. Whether you have a baby in the back seat, or a loved one by your side,
or just feel like spending some time alone, there’s nothing quite like taking a
little drive to enjoy the scenery, and maybe some favorite some music as well. And
if it helps the baby to sleep … all the better. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Take a drive. And here's a link to our official baby driving album:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://youtu.be/V54VYA2s8FQ">George Winston - December</a></span></div>
Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-6639560095515971102019-05-19T19:05:00.001-05:002019-07-23T17:04:55.362-05:00Lucky Day<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
Recently I found a sand dollar while I was
snorkeling, which was kind of interesting because it was the first I had ever
come across in the water. For fun, I texted a photo of it to my kids with the
caption that I was one dollar richer. To that, my daughter replied that it must
be my lucky day. And that got me thinking. The fact is that I actually feel
lucky almost all the time, but I think that is more of an attitude or a choice
that I make. So many folks seem overwhelmed by the issues in their lives. They
worry and complain about what they don't have, which often indicates a lack of
gratitude for what they do have. I could ramble on about this. Instead I'll
just let today's poem speak for itself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
Have a lucky day!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 409.8pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Lucky Day</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I found a sand dollar
down at the beach</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">
Someone said it was my lucky day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">
As I reflect comes the pleasant surprise</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">
Just how often I feel that way</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">
Perhaps I was born lucky, or so it feels</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">
For mine could be called a charmed life</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">
I live in a beautiful town by the sea</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">
Blessed with amazing children and wife</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">
I have all the things which matter most</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">
Home, faith, family, work and friends</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Whatever I lack I can live without</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">
So I thank God again and again</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">
For this life I have the good fortune to live</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">
Where so many good things come my way</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">
This morning's reminder just reaffirms</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">
That it's my lucky day ... every day!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><i>By Frank Carpenter ©</i></span><br />
<br />Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-32487262598882152822019-05-11T15:23:00.004-05:002019-05-11T15:23:25.237-05:00Monkeys in My TreeI came across this ancient poem last night, written long ago when two of my nephews were climbing the tree in our front yard. That was nearly twenty-five years ago and now they are more like … well, gorillas. However, these dusty old words bring back that moment so vividly to my mind’s eye. We had so much family fun together when they were growing up. This poem also serves as a reminder of simpler times and youthful adventure. When was the last time I climbed a tree? Far too long ago. And now there are actually grandchildren playing in the trees around our house. Life seems to cycle like that, and perhaps the only thing that changes is me. Maybe we should climb some trees this weekend.<br />
<br />
<b>Monkeys in My Tree</b><br />
Today, our game is climbing trees<br />
A couple of monkeys and I<br />
Just like a pair of chimpanzees<br />
Under the blue May sky<br />
How the branches quake and bend<br />
As up the monkeys go<br />
I wish that it should never end<br />
As I watch from the grass below<br />
What better on Saturday afternoon<br />
Just as happy as you please<br />
Alas, they grow up far too soon<br />
Those monkeys in my trees<br />
<i> By Frank Carpenter ©</i><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-56231261566311108842018-09-03T00:58:00.001-05:002018-09-03T01:08:55.462-05:00Jon & Bradley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Just had a couples wedding shower for Jon & Bradley tonight. A wonderful evening of <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
fellowship, fun and community. Here is the blessing poem I wrote for them, and we wish them every happiness!<br />
Frank<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1Mh1gbJygFbgXM-HSAIUUfDriEOn8wZrybPI52wnrAPET5mG_yQ5DsMQnyi-QoWmoJ1pbn2L0saKzZkU2ULITiDGt4sCkUJ-U0JgrqECIvXi1ex64MWzegOAiuazPDnSP5wH/s1600/fly+me+to+the+moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1Mh1gbJygFbgXM-HSAIUUfDriEOn8wZrybPI52wnrAPET5mG_yQ5DsMQnyi-QoWmoJ1pbn2L0saKzZkU2ULITiDGt4sCkUJ-U0JgrqECIvXi1ex64MWzegOAiuazPDnSP5wH/s1600/fly+me+to+the+moon.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Jon & Bradley</b><br />
Bradley and Jon, we're gathered today<br />
With family and friends, both old and new<br />
To celebrate your coming nuptial<br />
And perhaps ... open a present of two<br />
But mostly we want to welcome Bradley<br />
Into this, our extended family<br />
Of loved ones who have shared Jon's life<br />
As the Weissberg's tribe and community<br />
We've walked with them and prayed for Jon<br />
All his life, each step of the way<br />
And those prayers and hopes all culminate<br />
In the wedding season we launch today<br />
And as we look forward together<br />
Towards the future that you will share<br />
We ask God's blessing upon you<br />
That you may walk in His tender care<br />
That your love and faith and commitment<br />
May be a bastion through trial and strife<br />
And a beacon of hope to others<br />
Through all the days of your life<br />
May God grant you wisdom and patience<br />
With rich harvests of happiness<br />
And throughout the seasons which lie ahead<br />
May your marriage and home be blessed<br />
<i> By Frank Carpenter ©</i><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-71295016357236948112018-03-11T07:47:00.001-06:002018-03-11T07:47:09.206-06:00Agree to Disagree<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Let’s face it, we don’t all see eye to eye. But that’s
OK. I wouldn’t want to live in a vanilla world where each of us thought exactly
the same thing. And, in truth, we need each other’s opinions in order to
evaluate and sharpen our own. Sometimes I’m dead wrong and can’t even see it.
That’s when the insight of others is so helpful. It’s also true that we
formulate many of our opinions and arguments based upon our own world views. I
believe in a God. You might not. You come from a certain type of family or
educational background. I have had different life experiences. Each of these
things shapes our perspectives. And often we draw lines in the sand that divide
relationships, cultures, and even nations. So there are many times, especially among people we care about, where we have to agree to disagree. When that happens, we
can continue to have productive and provocative discussions across a broad
range of subjects. I have strong opinions, but I also want to honor
relationships. So this goes out to those whom I might not agree with, but whom
I still love and respect. Let’s keep talking.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Agree to
Disagree<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Although we love each other<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">There are areas, it’s true<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Where we don’t see quite eye to eye<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">And I must disagree with you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">We’re entitled to opinions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">So at least philosophically<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">We diverge on several issues<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">And so you disagree with me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">But I like that we can talk about<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Whatever’s on our hearts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">And discuss a host of issues<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">That seem to tear some folks apart<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">I respect how you feel and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Think you do the same for me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">We live somewhere in the middle<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">As we agree to disagree<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">So I say let’s keep talking<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Let’s keep wrestling with things<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">So we can challenge one another<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Embracing what perspective brings<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Wisdom never flourishes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Within a vacuum, it is true<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">And I relish the exchanges <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">That I have with each of you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>By
Frank Carpenter</i></span></div>
Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-70349166191809269072018-03-04T10:41:00.001-06:002018-03-04T10:43:56.415-06:00A Marriage Blessing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmhAkUgr62G3W1MJ9onUd7DsrCGrBTT8erBpgMeFfYKQWAw_F532hTo0QhlfpJQLoDE4zxCyXlpIg-_NI5NJI2FIj-zIquaPvxsqpdicElarFf5q9gtYK3qTlVH_BRu4c8FsY/s1600/rings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="210" data-original-width="240" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmhAkUgr62G3W1MJ9onUd7DsrCGrBTT8erBpgMeFfYKQWAw_F532hTo0QhlfpJQLoDE4zxCyXlpIg-_NI5NJI2FIj-zIquaPvxsqpdicElarFf5q9gtYK3qTlVH_BRu4c8FsY/s200/rings.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s another wedding season and as I prepare for
Austin and Jenice’s ceremony I spend a lot of time thinking about them
and praying for them. With my heart leaning in that direction, I paused to
write the below wedding blessing to recite over them while we are together this
weekend. These words are kind of the culmination of what I’ve been praying over them in recent weeks, and when my heart is focused in that way, it often ends up
as a poem. So, Austin and Jenice, this is for you. Be happy forever!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Frank<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>A Marriage Blessing</b><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">May God bless and keep you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Through the passing of the years<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">May you feel His arms about you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the triumph and the tears<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">May you celebrate together<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The joy of simple things<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And learn to find the beauty<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In whatever this life brings<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">May God grant you wisdom <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When you need it on your way<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Love and patience in full measure<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Along with countless happy days<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Filled with faith enough to trust Him<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And trust one another too<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even when you may not want to<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then, most of all, may you be true<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">May your home be a haven<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Of encouragement and rest<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So that you, and all who visit <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Feel welcome there, and blessed <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">May God bless your union<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And may you strive to understand <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The mystery of faith together<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As you face life hand in hand<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">May God gently guide you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And draw you ever near<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">May He bless your life together <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">From day to day, and year to year</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"> <i> By Frank Carpenter</i> ©</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-88649086905588856462017-11-21T19:24:00.004-06:002017-11-21T19:24:53.268-06:00The Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28vNPo81_UoPKsoxYEVrDyJteO5usdo3-Xlyul1eh2rtSNb89VWSVyS8Hx4k3kXa4BSRIJYRCdTm3fMjfIvds2L6MtJT3YSCvq1jKvVMv08BkZJKtZStZtnW2k42nNyESYkQq/s1600/story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28vNPo81_UoPKsoxYEVrDyJteO5usdo3-Xlyul1eh2rtSNb89VWSVyS8Hx4k3kXa4BSRIJYRCdTm3fMjfIvds2L6MtJT3YSCvq1jKvVMv08BkZJKtZStZtnW2k42nNyESYkQq/s1600/story.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Most of us don't consider ourselves to be writers. However, each of us is actually writing his
or her life story every day. Perhaps not with pen and ink, or even with a
keyboard, but we are still writing all the time ... with our lives. We don't
have to write it down. We don't even have to open our mouths. But we are still
communicating constantly. Whether we are
making big choices about careers or relationships or causes, or seemingly small
choices like changing lanes on the freeway, calculating the tip at a restaurant
or when an how we'll return a phone call, every choice tells something about
who we are, and often affects other people. Are you cheap person, the late
person, the thoughtful person? Do you take time to listen and make other people
feel valued? Are you the one who drives fast and cuts everyone off because your
time and schedule are more important, or because you made poor time management choices
earlier that caused you to be late? Are you the spouse, parent, sibling, child
or friend who blesses others or who makes their lives more complicated? Are you
the nice boss or the mean boss, the gossiper or the encourager, the mom or dad
who could never get to family commitments? Do you have a temper or a knack for
making hurtful remarks? Think of the last thing you said to each of the
important people in your lives. Would you want that to be your final words to
them, the words they would be left with if you were suddenly gone? Have we
succeeded in work or earned other accolades at the expense of letting down our
families or friends or coworkers? And what about our faith? Have we truly lived
out what we believe? Or is there a gap between our professions and our actions
that causes others to stumble or question what we actually believe. The list
goes on and on. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
You see, our story isn't just what we might put in our resumes or our
memoirs. How would other people write our stories? What about the people at
home and at work and at church, and at clubs or parties? And would all their
stories match up, or would some of them be asking, "Hey, are we talking
about the same person?" The point
is that each of us is writing a story with their lives, a story as distinctive
as a fingerprint. What's your story? Did you leave a tangible trail of joy and
kindness and generosity, or something else. What choices are you going to make
to change your story for the better today? It’s never too late to change your
story. And the most amazing, exciting, encouraging thing in all the world is
the blank page of life that God give us each day to write our stories upon. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><u>The Story<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Every life tells a story<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Regardless of what we intend<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The kind of life we choose to live<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Will be our testament in the end<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Whatever may be our intentions<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Whatever our lofty words<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Our choices will be set in stone<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And their story will be heard<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Our triumphs and our failures<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And our apparent priorities<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The way we treated other people<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This are our legacy<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So each day we write the story<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
That others will read someday<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Each day shows who we really are<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So we must guard what our lives say<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Yes, each life tells a story<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Will we live poorly, or well<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
For each of us must choose each day<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The story we want our lives to tell<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>By Frank Carpenter ©</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<i><o:p></o:p></i>Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-59802013314475870292017-11-03T22:54:00.000-06:002017-11-03T22:54:00.333-06:00Gone But Not Forgotten<div>
Some thoughts today on the cherished memories of some men who have departed my life during years past. We all deal with loss and pain in different ways and my system for processing complicated emotions is to write about them. This works for me because I am a slow thinker of sorts and use the retrospective tool of creative writing to wander through my memories and thoughts and make sense of them at my own speed and in my own time. Part of that process is the revisiting of specific themes and events to repaint them through the dearly bought wisdom of hindsight. Since my thoughts eventually congeal into the written word it has also been rewarding to discover that many others have used my writings to help sort out and communicate their own experiences as well. In a sense, it’s a gift that keeps on giving.<br />
<br />
To that end, I offer today’s poem which I wrote some years ago on the anniversary of the passing of a dear friend’s father whom I was close to as well. Incidentally, he passed away during his stay at a convalescent home where my own father had lived for some time as well. Yes, it’s a true story and I really did write the poem while sitting in the little patio at that facility. I hope some of you may find some relevant solace or wisdom in my words or pass this on to others who may have need of it. I also encourage readers to call, write or visit those in their own lives who may be in just such a situation. Folk in convalescent homes live for your calls and visits. And remember that you are the owner, caretaker, and defender of your memories ... and sometimes they need a little maintenance as well.<br />
<br />
<strong>Gone, But Not Forgotten</strong><br />
I stopped by the convalescent home for a little while today<br />
Where I paused to sit and think a spell, since it was on my way<br />
I’ve had no one to visit here, these past twelve months or so<br />
But that doesn’t seem to matter like it did a year ago<br />
Because I still cherish memories of those who once dwelt here<br />
Which I intend to honor with the passing of the years<br />
I must confess their tenure here was bittersweet at best<br />
As a final, unforgiving stop before they were laid to rest<br />
Restless they, and sick those men who once resided here<br />
When I came to visit them in hopes of offering some cheer<br />
And while the passing time diminishes the acuteness of their loss<br />
Each week brings some small memory to remind me of the cost<br />
Associated with their passing, in wisdom or camaraderie<br />
Or wealth of anecdotal wisdom, wrapped up in my own history<br />
For when we lose a friend or father or some special relative<br />
We lose a puzzle piece of life which only they could give<br />
Time tends to heal the pain of loss and sweeten cherished memories<br />
Yet sometimes we need to ponder them as I have through this reverie<br />
Which brings me back to this place, where old friends have passed away<br />
Gone, but not forgotten … as I’m reminded here today<br />
<em>By Frank Carpenter ©</em></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-65481184284096981462017-10-20T08:47:00.001-05:002017-10-20T08:47:42.256-05:00Hope<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumULcb408yPGdQDObduRNc-cBpklkX3nweH3ULhyjZZ8BJsFmV3eg3x4qy5QPOKw4kpC18r0tf5XCUFglm16r9A5OMXQBdK4ZHUpdjGJwepzibs3D1iEBtQCmOMzsyeXyRHxw/s1600/Hope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="500" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumULcb408yPGdQDObduRNc-cBpklkX3nweH3ULhyjZZ8BJsFmV3eg3x4qy5QPOKw4kpC18r0tf5XCUFglm16r9A5OMXQBdK4ZHUpdjGJwepzibs3D1iEBtQCmOMzsyeXyRHxw/s320/Hope.jpg" width="320" /></a>The concept of hope is an interesting one. In its simplest form it
represents the fulfillment of our desires. I could say, for instance, “Gosh, I
hope I win the lottery” or “I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow.” However, real hope
can also have a deeper meaning, one which speaks of a future or of things that
we hope in. That is my context for today.
So I want to ask us all the question, “what do we hope in?” That may
actually be the biggest question of all. And the second thing to consider is
whether the object of our is truly worthy of our hope. It’s one thing to hope our
team will win or hope there won’t be much traffic this morning, but what about
the big hopes? What are we betting our lives on? Is it the hope that if I have
enough money I’ll be comfortable. Or the hope that if I’m a good person I’ll go
to heaven? Or, as a last resort, the default hope that everything will just be
OK if I don’t think about it. But can we really afford to roll the eternal dice
on outcomes that we can be sure of? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I’m betting my life on Jesus. When I hope for the future, my hope is in
the future that He promised in the bible of eternal life with him in heaven. I’ve
looked around, and it’s clear to me that trusting in Jesus is our best and only
hope. It requires a step of faith, but anything that we hope in or trust in requires
a step of faith. Again, the question is always, “Is the object of our hope worthy
of that hope?” When it comes to Jesus, I answer yes. If you’re not sure what
you hope in, let’s talk about it. Most importantly, don’t just hope that
everything will be OK. Your forever is too important. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b>The Hope<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
“Of course my hope is in Jesus”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I’m always so quick to say<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
That’s the right Sunday school answer<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
But do we really live that way?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What do I really hope in?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sadly, my life betrays<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I hope in savings, work and approval<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And that’s how I live each day<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
For far too often I place my trust<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the things that can never last<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Investing time and my talents in chaff
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
That fades when this life has passed<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Yet I dare not hope in the temporal<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And the false security<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This world continues to proffer<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
For those things shall fail me<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Only a hope in Jesus<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Will stand the test of time<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Far beyond all the other things<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I’ve clung to and called mine<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This world will surely disappoint<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
No matter what we may do<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Oh Lord, You are my only hope<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
May I place my trust in You<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<i>By Frank Carpenter</i> ©</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
</div>
Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-14342653626617165182015-05-30T13:22:00.000-05:002015-05-30T13:25:59.285-05:00Change the World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluAHaoRlolYr6rqFT7T1aLktonk9KRUfRukZAi9ByOjOUJ-G1a4yS_I5Jog8xM_ObygO_G87G00oDYi0SJuA9m3pzShyphenhyphenisoH-UxrPTXoE66VJ2u3mvwwRlJXq7mozdFzEKRmP/s1600/Be+the+change.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluAHaoRlolYr6rqFT7T1aLktonk9KRUfRukZAi9ByOjOUJ-G1a4yS_I5Jog8xM_ObygO_G87G00oDYi0SJuA9m3pzShyphenhyphenisoH-UxrPTXoE66VJ2u3mvwwRlJXq7mozdFzEKRmP/s320/Be+the+change.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We all long for lives of significance. Most of us want to change the world, in one way or another. And as a Christian that desire goes far beyond merely making my mark in business or leaving some meaningful body of art behind for posterity. It’s actually about affecting the eternal destiny of my fellow men …. quite literally, for heaven’s sake. My particular calling and giftedness tends lie along the lines of encouraging and inspiring others. However, as in any movement, I can hardly ask more of others than I expect of myself. For what do my words of encouragement mean if they are not supported by the life I lead and the condition of my own heart. So, in a very real sense, I must embrace the change that I desire in others. I must be the change. This truly raises the bar in my personal journey. And while I talk about myself here I also shout out to my fellow believers. The revolution begins right here, within our own hearts and minds and souls. And if we aren’t changing the world then the first place to look is in the mirror. Who are we? What do we believe? Do our lives actually support our lofty words? These are the fundamental questions to ask in any movement. And once we answer them it’s time to start having a greater impact. It’s time to unleash the full power of God through us. Are you ready? Then let’s change the world! And let it not just begin, let it begin with me.<br />
<br />
<b>To Change the World</b><br />
Lord, I want to change the world<br />
To lead a revolution<br />
And such rhetoric comes easily<br />
But when it comes to execution<br />
I have a nagging feeling<br />
That in order to succeed<br />
The change I long to bring about<br />
Must be brought about in me<br />
For I cannot ask of others<br />
What I will not take to heart<br />
So if I pray for transformation<br />
My life is where it starts<br />
If I would place a yoke or burden<br />
Or some other expectation<br />
On another I must make myself<br />
The root of the equation<br />
Lord, I want to change the world<br />
But now I clearly see<br />
That if the world is to be changed<br />
It must begin with me<br />
By Frank Carpenter ©<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505328.post-6205828545991570932015-04-01T09:10:00.000-06:002015-04-01T09:10:06.052-06:00Well, if you’re into religious holidays, this is certainly a red letter week. We have Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Passover, Good Friday, Easter ... not to mention International Tatting Day, Bunsen Burner Day, National Clam on the Half Shell Day and, of course, today is April Fools Day. Religious holidays, while good reminders of the truth, can often cloud it as well. We are so easily distracted by the food, the fun, the ritual and social aspects of any holiday that it is easy to leave God out of such a day - even if it's a religious event. All celebrating, church services, egg dying and palm waving aside, I would like to redirect our focus to the person of Jesus Christ, whom we truly celebrate this week. This is the week that dozens of prophetic scriptures were fulfilled through His triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), his eating of the Passover, His betrayal, His mock trial, His death on the cross, and finally His resurrection. We must remember, amidst all the other hoopla, that Jesus is the Son of God, that He actually lived, actually died for our sins, and actually rose from the dead. If any of those facts are untrue, then everything else we celebrate this week is pointless and we might as well sing our hymns to the Easter Bunny. If we do not accept Jesus as our Savior and Messiah, then we are all April Fools and that is the only relevant holiday. So let us come back to the person of Jesus Christ. A lot of dramatic and public things happened during this, the last week of His life. However, I am most deeply moved by that quiet moment after the Last Supper when He knelt in the garden of Gethsemane and prayed. In that scene of anguish and compassion I most clearly see the Son of God choosing to suffer and die for me personally. Easter is a time to celebrate God’s victory over death, but the foundation of that victory is His great mercy and the sacrifice of His only Son on behalf of an undeserving world. Have a Good Friday and a happy Easter, but don’t be an April Fool.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Gethsemane </u></b><br />
Jesus knew his time was drawing near<br />
On the eve of that final day<br />
With the weight of the world upon his heart<br />
He came to the garden to pray<br />
He alone knew His Father’s will<br />
And understood His redemption plan<br />
And though He was truly God incarnate<br />
Still, He was fully a man<br />
He knew that pain and suffering<br />
And betrayal were moments away<br />
As He pleaded with God and wept He knew<br />
There simply was no other way<br />
There, in the garden, that fateful night<br />
With the lights of the city in view<br />
Jesus, the Son of God, considered<br />
All that He must go through<br />
The tears of His sorrow freely flowed<br />
That night in Gethsemane<br />
For He understood his path must lead<br />
To the cross at Calvary<br />
He was Christ, the Lord, the King of Kings<br />
Yet, He knelt upon human knees<br />
And willingly chose that night to die<br />
Because of His love for you and me.<br />
By Frank Carpenter ©<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Frank Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16457455788201599997noreply@blogger.com0