When faced with life's challenges,
it is Important to Remember
that although Daniel was saved from the lions,
he was not saved from the Lion's Den.


Monday, July 29, 2013

My Spirit Hungered


I love this picture.  The earnestness in the woman's face as she looked up into the eyes of the Savior.  Her willingness to listen.  Her desire to learn.  All of this is something that I need to seek after and find myself. Everything in the gospel teaches us that we can change if we need to, that we can be helped if we truly want it, that we can be made whole, whatever the problems of the past.  Whatever the sins we have done.  What is hiding in our hearts.  

Matthew 5:2-12
And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
According to the dictionary, the word blessed means “enjoying happiness,” “enjoying the bliss of heaven,” “bringing pleasure or contentment.” Yet there is an apparent contradiction between the blessings we seek in today’s success-oriented world and the blessings the Savior refers to in the Beatitudes, which open the great Sermon on the Mount.
How many of us strive for higher spiritual levels as though we hungered and thirsted for them? To hunger and thirst for something involves struggling through it, working in spite of it, and sacrificing our time, talents and energy to achieve it. I am trying harder to really strive for higher spiritual levels.  Now that I have a new calling with the young women, I need to make sure that I am an example.  I need to make sure that they see the good things I do.  I want them to feel that their thirst is being quenched and their emptiness is being filled.
The blessings of hungering and thirsting are immeasurable.  Remember the story of the woman of Samaria at the well.  It is one of my favorite stories.  You see, she was not a jew.  She was not like the rest.  But she is the one that the Savior told, "whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

President George Q. Cannon said once:
“No matter how serious the trial, how deep the distress, how great the affliction, [God] will never desert us. He never has, and He never will. He cannot do it. It is [against] His character [to do so]. He is an unchangeable being. … He will stand by us. We may pass through the fiery furnace; we may pass through deep waters; but we shall not be consumed nor overwhelmed. We shall emerge from all these trials and difficulties the better and the purer for them, if we only trust in our God and keep His commandments.”
I am learning that part of hungering and thirsting is also learning to trust.  The more I study and learn, the more I see that I need to trust that He is there and that He knows what I need.  We will emerge from our trials with His help and His love.  He will meet us at our own wells and He will give us the water that makes us never thirst.  We have only to ask and He is there.

Friday, July 26, 2013

Five Minute Friday - Broken

Today is Friday once again with just a little twist.  The website at Lisa Jo's has had problems this week and so we are meeting over on facebook, (just look up Lisa Jo Baker) to share our thoughts.  I hope you choose to join us there for a very special Five Minute Friday on:



BROKEN.....



Broken Things To Mend
By Patricia A Pitterle

They bring me toys and broken bits
And hope that I can mend
The little things that mean a lot
But now, the pieces bend.

She brings her favorite dolly, ripped,
And thinks that I can sew
The leg that’s off and now needs fixed
She wants her dolly whole.

He brings his trains and broken trucks,
The wheels once round are gone.
He wants me to make brand new ones,
With wood and glue and brawn.

She brings the dress she loves to wear,
What once was large is tight
And so I cut and gather now
And make her a dress that’s right.

He lost his Lego blocks it seems,
You know they are so small,
They could be anywhere I guess
But looking finds them all.
  
There is someone who understands.
He takes my broken self to mend.
He heals my wounds and comforts me,
And His great love He sends.

He wants to show me I am loved,
And have been from the start.
He suffered for my worldly sins,
He calms my weary heart.

He is not far away from me
He hears me when I call
He reaches out to grasp my hand
To catch me when I fall. 

A chance to prove that I can be 
What'ere He needs of me
a choice I make to do His will
And serve on bended knee.  

I seek His path along my way
And grasp His iron rod,
I kneel to find Him always there
My Savior and my God.  

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Chasing Two Rabbits


“Any task in life is easier if we approach it with the one at a time attitude. ... 
To cite a whimsical saying; 'If you chase two rabbits, both of them will escape.' 
No one is adequate to do everything all at once. We have to select what is important, what is possible, and begin where we are, with what we have. And if we begin and if we keep going the weight, the worry, the doubt, the depression will begin to lift .... 
We can't do everything always, but we can do something now, 
and doing something will help to lift the weight and lessen the worry, 
'The beginning,' said Plato, 'is the most important part.”
― Richard L. Evans

I am so guilty of this one.  I try and chase way too many rabbits and they all escape!  Then I get frustrated because I think I should be able to get everything accomplished.  There is a part of me that really thinks I should be able to do every good thing.  The Lord gave each of us different talents and different callings.  He never planned for us to succeed all by ourselves.  He planned that we could succeed with the help of each other.
I may never understand why I can't do everything that my heart and my head tell me to do, but I am so grateful that He knows my limitations and that He will help me through it all.  So, I will begin now to change.  I will begin now to keep all the negative out of my life.  I will start with small and simple things and move forward.  One breath, one moment, one tiny step at a time.  And that will be exactly enough.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Wordless Wednesday - Summer Storm

This Moment


A single photo – no words –
capturing a moment from our lives.
A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment
I want to pause, savor and remember.

A moment
that brings a smile to my lips,
and joy to my heart.

Monday, July 22, 2013

Fear and Freedom

Expose yourself to your deepest fear; 
after that, fear has no power, 
and the fear of freedom 
shrinks and vanishes. You are free. 
~Jim Morrison~

I had to read this a couple of times, and then I loved it.  You see, a long time ago, I was terrified of heights.  I didn't know what to do or how to overcome it.  I couldn't go up on high edges because I imagined myself falling off.  
I had some friends who believed that the best way to treat my problem was with a healthy dose of rock climbing.  I learned to climb.  Small heights at first, and finally larger ones.  I have climbed in Las Vegas, Colorado, Utah and California, as well as all around the state of Arizona. I have climbed in the Grand Canyon, and Yosemite.   I have stood at Toroweap and looked down to the river far below.  I learned to overcome my fear until it had no power to control me.  
I can't say that I am completely over my worries of heights, but they don't stop me from doing what I enjoy anymore.  I am more willing to hike and be outdoors.  I am more willing to look over the top of a canyon.  I still worry about the kids falling, but I have stopped worrying about falling myself.  
I have had some amazing experiences all while overcoming my greatest fear.  I have seen beautiful places, and beautiful things.  I have had moments that I will cherish for the rest of my life.  Sunrises and Sunsets, Vistas and views all within my reach as I struggled and learned and overcame.  
The fear is gone and I am truly free.  

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Five Minute Friday - Belong

Oh, Yes!  It is my favorite time of the week again.  So, set your timer, clear your head, for five minutes of free writing without worrying about getting it right.
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back over at Lisa Jo's place and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..
OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on:::

BELONG



START

I used to dream of fitting in.  Of belonging somewhere, someplace and to someone.  I used to want to have someone to love me just as I am, unconditionally with hands outstretched in understanding and acceptance.  I never really understood what it was like to belong.  To be part of a group or a family or an organization.  I was the kid everyone made fun of.  The one who tried to make good grades, who couldn't hit a softball, and was always selected last for any team activity.  It was a good day when I was next to last.  I was the one who didn't have many friends and kept to myself.  I was the one who felt alone and lonely.  
I graduated, go married, had children and learned that belonging is a lot of work.  I washed sticky fingers and dirty faces for years.  I had no time to join groups or to "find myself".  As I have gotten older, I have learned that belonging is not just something that happens.  It is something you learn through service and love.  Now I belong to friends I have met online and to friends I have met by my home.  I belong to a loving family who care for me and accept me.  I am not perfect.  I make lots of mistakes, but I am loved inspite of them.  I have learned that belonging is, at least partly, up to me.  
When I start to feel alone, I look for places to serve, I look for people who need me, I look for someone who needs a friend.  And I find, I belong once again.  

STOP       

Now it is your turn.  What can you write in just five minutes?  Don't forget to go over to Lisa Jo's and join the rest of us!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Kindness is all about the view


Kindness in words creates confidence.
Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.
Kindness in giving creates love.

Isn't it amazing how everythings starts with a little kindness.  A simple word, a thought, and choice.  It snowballs into something even bigger than we know.  I have many experiences in my own life that have helped me to appreciate the kindness of those around me.  The people who have taken the time to get to know me.  The friends who listen and support me.  The kindness of my children once they are grown and gone.  The love and compassion shown by those who know when I am struggling.  All of these things start with kindness.  A willingness of others to care and listen and love.  Kindness can change literally everything.  
I am learning that one of the easiest ways to feel more kindness toward others is to think about ways to be kinder.  To focus on the positive around me and to put aside the negative thoughts.  The more I focus on the negative, the more unkind I am.  The more I find positive, the more my heart yearns to help others.  Sometimes, we just need to be willing to stop looking at the bad and start looking for the good.  It is there, if we are just willing to find it.  Kindness can change the way we view anyone.  

Being Kind isn't always easy or convenient, 
but it has the potential to change everything.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Wordless Wednesday- Beautiful Sky

This Moment


A single photo – no words –
capturing a moment from our lives.
A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment
I want to pause, savor and remember.

A moment
that brings a smile to my lips,
and joy to my heart.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Bad Moods and Bad Words


Don't mix bad words with a bad mood.  
You will have many opportunities to change your mood, 
but you will never get the opportunity 
to change the words you spoke. 

In my own life, I wish I would have found this one thought sooner.  I have learned that you can regret so easily the words you speak in anger, but you will never regret the words you don't speak when you are angry.  I don't like to speak in anger.  The tone of my voice is not kind, the way I say the words is not kind, the words I speak escalate my feelings into even more anger. For me it is better to be silent.  It is better to wait and speak when the anger is gone.  It is better to think first and speak later.  
Many years ago, I used to be a "yeller", the only way that I thought I could get the attention of my children was to yell at them.  Granted, I had never in my life been taught differently, but there is not a day that goes by that I don't wish those words were unsaid.  I never called them names, but I did not speak to them as I would speak to my Heavenly Father.  They were His children long before they were mine.  I wish I could have gained just a little wisdom earlier in my life.
Today, I don't yell very often.  Mostly I ask, sometimes I tell, sometimes I give a choice.  But I have learned to watch my words and the way that I say them.  I am a better mother now that I don't yell.  I am a better wife.  I have changed my mood, but I really wish I could go back and change all the words.  

Monday, July 15, 2013

You Are Not Nothing



You Are Not Nothing
by Patricia A Pitterle

I am nothing, and I know it,
In this dark place, I'm alone.
The walls close themselves around me
And the light I knew is gone.

I can't see how I came here.
I can't find the pathway out.
Darkness is all I know now,
I breathe it in and breathe it out.

In my mind I see more clearly,
And I recognize my sins
I turn my thoughts toward Jesus
And my heart invites Him in.

Into my soul that's aching,
Into my troubled mind,
Into the past that holds me
Into chains that tightly bind.

The past that holds me captive
To the person I have been
And whispers I'm not good enough
To return, once more, to Him.

A light pierces the darkness
It chases night away from me,
Reminds me I'm a child of God
A light that sets me free.  

His grace is there before me
And His redeeming love,
He pulls me from the darkness
His spirit like a dove.

He reminds me I am holy.
He reminds me I have worth.
He reminds me He has died for sin
So when I leave this earth,

I will see His glory.
I will see His face.
I will walk beside Him,
As He leads me from this place.

The past is now behind me.
I have repented of my sins.
I've changed my life for Jesus.
Opened my heart and let Him in.

He cast out all the darkness.
He changed my night to day.
His path is one of mercy, 
As I follow in His ways.

Now, I look up in times of trial,
I am searching for His light.
I know He removes the darkness
And restores eternal sight.

When the darkness falls too quickly
And you don't know what to do,
Invite Him right into your heart
And He will make you new.

New in faith and understanding,
New in hope and strength from above,
New in His tender mercies,
New in His eternal love. 

So, now you know, you are not nothing
You are a child of royal birth.
He welcomes you into His arms
And reminds you of your worth.  



Sunday, July 14, 2013

Sabbath Day Scribblings - Pioneers



"Times change, but truth persists. When we fail to profit from the experiences of the past, we are doomed to repeat them with all their heartache, suffering, and anguish. Haven’t we the wisdom to obey Him who knows the beginning from the end—our Lord, who designed the plan of salvation—rather than that serpent, who despised its beauty?

A dictionary defines a pioneer as “one who goes before to prepare or open up the way for others to follow.”  Can we somehow muster the courage and steadfastness of purpose that characterized the pioneers of a former generation? Can you and I, in actual fact, be pioneers?

I know we can be. Oh, how the world needs pioneers today!"

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Five Minute Friday - Present

Oh, Yes!  It is my favorite time of the week again.  So, set your timer, clear your head, for five minutes of free writing without worrying about getting it right.
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back over at Lisa Jo's place and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..
OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on:::


Present…

START

"Yesterday is history, 
tomorrow is a mystery, 
but today is a gift from God, 
that is why we call it the present!"

One of my very favorite quotes, and probably because I never manage to fully live in the present.  I have spent so much of my life worrying.  I worry about the future and the past.  I live in the "what if" type of world.  What if the worst thing happens?  What if no one likes my child?  What if things get worse?  I am also good at looking at my own past mistakes.  I have a hard time letting go of the things that I have done wrong.  I sometimes feel that there is no hope for me, I feel like I am not good enough, I find myself lacking in all the ways that seem to count the most.
I completely forget about His grace for my present.  I forgot how He forgave the Pharisees. I forget how much He loved the sick and the lame and the poor and the hopeless.  I forget that He taught us not to worry.  He has said that He will bear our burdens.  That not a sparrow falls from the sky that is not noticed.  He reminds us through the Scriptures that we are loved and blessed.  When I worry, I forget that He has Atoned not only for my sins, but also for my hurts and my sufferings.  I forget that I never walk alone.  Not in my past, not in my future, and most of all, not in my present.

STOP

Now it is your turn.  What can you write about your present in just five minutes?  Don't forget to join us over at Lisa Jo's with your own link.

I AM


I Am, 
two of the most powerful words, 
for what you put after them 
shapes your reality.

I love this simple quote.  It really says everything.  So, what I am,

I am a survivor.
I am strong.
I am able to endure.
I am a singer.
I am loving.
I am happy.
I am complicated.  
I am a wife.
I am a mother.
I am needed.
I am loved.

See, whatever you put after them shapes what you believe in yourself.  So, write a few things.  Find someone that you want to be and write down the words.  Identify yourself with the positives.  Let go of the things that hurt you.  You are not the things that hurt you.  You are all the things that helped you survive.  You are made up of the things you learned.  You are better than you ever imagined.  

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Trouble Ahead


"Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life and repeat to yourself, 
the most comforting world of all, 
this too shall pass".  
Ann Landers

Trouble comes and goes in my life.  Indeed, I can pretty much say that it shadows me constantly.  As soon as I get one problem taken care of, two or three more pop up to say "hello".  I have a hard time accepting trouble as inevitable.  I really have been guilty of thinking if I was only a better person than I would not have so many trials.  If I only made better decisions or if I didn't make so many mistakes, everything would work out better.  
This is especially true when my problems involve my kids (grown or not).  This weekend, we had family time.  Many members of my family came up the mountain to have a wild and crazy time with their mom and grandma for my birthday.  I worry constantly about my children.  Especially when they make choices that can cause them harm.  It can be very hard for me to "stay out of their business".  Yet, they love me, even when I tease them unmercifully and try and get them to go back to church, they still love me.  We have had some amazing times together.  
I can honestly say that I would not go back and change anything.  Well, I would try and spend more time with them, but otherwise, the troubles are what brought us so very close together.  The years throwing papers and taking pictures.  All the traveling and stopping at, Every.  Single.  Monument.  Along the way.  
I might not like the problems, but I love the memories.  I know that the good times pass and so do the bad ones.  Sometimes I get so focused on the moment I am currently in,  that I forget that the moment will pass.  I forget that the bad things will also pass.  Time will go by and I will learn what I need to know.   Eternity beacons me onward.  It is comforting to know that the difficulties will pass away.  They will not last longer than I can bear.  Joy, yes joy, cometh in the morning.    

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Happiness


"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude".

When my children were small, we used to drive every year for vacation.  We never had alot of money, so we would drive and visit others.  I am sure we made an interesting picture as we drove along on the highway.  Remember, this was back when we didn't need to wear seatbelts and keeping your kids contained was never easy.  We had a large station wagon that was maroon in color.  The kids would open the windows and hang their hands out, their legs out, and even their heads if I didn't catch them at it quick enough.
They fought over the air conditioner, and when they wanted something, they would climb right over the seats to get it.  We would load whatever luggage did not fit into the station wagon, onto the top rack.  The seats were loaded with children, blankets, pillows, food and anything else that they might "need".  In the front seat, I would be listening to the radio to try and drown out the noise and try and calm the fighting taking place in the back seats as well as negotiate through the traffic and find the right turn offs. It was obviously vacation time for our family and everyone on the road could tell.  I had a bumper sticker on the back which read, “Are we having fun yet?”

I laugh about this scene whenever I recall it. Now that I am not living in that moment, I don't remember all the frustration and chaos, I remember the blessings of being together as a family.  I also remember how much fun we really did have together.  Some people pursue happiness, always looking for the next best thing, looking to have more "fun".  Their entire lives are spent in the largely unfulfilled pursuit of "happiness".  How sad is it that so many of us are looking somewhere else for the rare gift of happiness, when we have it right within our reach.  All we have to do is to see the evidence that the source of all happiness is right within ourselves.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Stay Thou Nearby


One of my favorite hymns of all time is I need thee every hour.  I especially love the second verse.  It is a plea to the Lord to "Stay Thou nearby".  That means that we are asking Him to be with us, to not leave us alone.  


I Need Thee Every Hour

I need thee ev'ry hour,
Most gracious Lord.
No tender voice like thine
Can peace afford.

(Chorus)
I need thee, oh, I need thee;
Ev'ry hour I need thee!
Oh, bless me now, my Savior;
I come to thee!

I need thee ev'ry hour;
Stay thou nearby.
Temptations lose their pow'r
When thou art nigh.

I need thee ev'ry hour,
In joy or pain.
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.

I need thee ev'ry hour,
Most holy One.
Oh, make me thine indeed,
Thou blessed Son!

Stay thou nearby!  Oh how I need Him to stay near me.  To walk with me, to protect me, to Love me.  I need to know he listens and answers my prayers.  I need to know that, no matter what my past has been, my future in Him is what matters most of all.  And so, I sing this hymn, and I feel His spirit near.  I really want to do what is right.  I want to make wise choices.  I want to believe that, with His Love, it will all be enough.  
Some days, my past comes back to haunt me with a vengeance, and the adversary whispers in my heart that I have sinned too much to ever be forgiven.  
I sing to remember that I am loved that He has a plan for me and that He has already atoned for my sins and my pain.  I sing to remind myself to become truly HIS.  

Monday, July 8, 2013

In Thy Way


In Thy Way
by Patricia A. Pitterle

Lord, stay thou nearby
The world is closing in,
My heart is anguished,
My life filled with sin.

I seek thy mercy,
I plead for thy Grace,
Reach out thy hand
Lift me from this place.

Thou hast atoned
For my worldly sins, 
Enter into my heart,
Cleanse me once again.

Change thou my soul,
Bring me to thee.
Open thou mine eyes,
Help me to see,

Repentance is possible
Even for me.
Make me more holy
As I look to thee.  

Thy Grace rich in mercy
Thy love with me stays
Oh, how my heart sings
As I follow in Thy way.


Sunday, July 7, 2013

Sabbath Day Scribblings - Family


"We need to make our homes a place of refuge from the storm, which is increasing in intensity all about us. Even if the smallest openings are left unattended, negative influences can penetrate the very walls of our homes.  May it be our resolve this year to build a gospel-centered home, a safe harbor from the storms of the adversary.  Let us again remember the promises and instructions from the Lord to His children:
“The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.
“Light and truth forsake that evil one. …
“And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers.
“But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth."
.  L. Tom Perry

Friday, July 5, 2013

Five Minute Friday - Beautiful

We love to just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. For five minutes flat. All on the same topic.
Here’s how we do it:
1. Write for 5 minutes flat with no editing, tweaking or self critiquing.
2. Link back over at Lisa Jo's Place and invite others to join in.
3. Go and tell the person who linked up before you what their words meant to you.  Every writer longs to feel heard.

OK, are you ready? Give us your best five minutes for the prompt:



Beautiful…

START
“The power of finding beauty in the humblest things 
makes home happy and life lovely.” 
~ Louisa May Alcott ~
I love this chance to write about beauty today.  For me, beauty surrounds me.  I see it in the faces of my children, the gentleness of their father.  I see it in the flowers and the trees and that rain that finally washes away the dust upon my mountain.  Beauty is found everywhere I look, but I have to decide to see it.  I have to really pay attention.  Sometimes, it is only there for a fleeting moment, sometimes it stays in my heart forever, but it surrounds me if I will only open my eyes to find it.  I am learning that often, I spend too much time focusing on tomorrow, or on yesterday.  I don't see the beauty in today because I can't find it in the midst of my worries.  When we want to find beauty, we have to focus on this moment.  We have to see the positive potential.  I have daylilies in my garden.  They are beautiful, but the blossoms only last for that one day.  I have different blooms every single morning.  Some are red, some are yellow and some are purple.  They are all beautiful, but if I only focus on one, all the rest would be invisible to me for the next few weeks that they are blooming.  What a shame that would be.  For me, finding beauty is all about leaving the past behind, letting the future take care of itself and focusing on this one simple and beautiful minute.  This moment that God has given to me is a gift, a glory, a beauty.  I just need to open my heart and let it in.

STOP

Now it is your turn, don't forget to link back over at Lisa Jo's with the rest of it.  I can't wait to see you there!

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Talking about our problems

Positive Focus
I saw this one and really needed it today (and probably for awhile now).  I think that I have been in a rut lately.  I have been so focused on the problems that I am having that I have not even paid attention to all the joys that my Heavenly Father continues to give me.  Looking at our problems all the time brings only the problems to the front of our minds.  It is, indeed, my greatest addiction.  It can be so overwhelming to me, that when someone I care about is having great problems, I feel them as if they were my own.  I worry about them, I can't sleep.  They consume me.
This is not healthy.  I don't want to feel like everything is my responsibility and my worry.  I need to let go of some of it because it is just too heavy for me to carry on my own.  So, this is my time to break the habit of talking only about problems.  This is my moment to discover joy again.  To feel it in my heart, to discover it as a new friend.  This is my chance to change my habits and find my joy.
I want my heart to know and appreciate the good things around me.  I am most richly blessed.


...but behold, my joy is full, 
yea, my heart is brim with joy, 
and I will rejoice in my God.  
(Alma 26:11)

Monday, July 1, 2013

A Choice To Remember


A Choice To Remember
by Patricia A. Pitterle

My head is bowed,
My heart is full,
My thoughts are turned to thee.

The bread is passed
Thy body spent
Thy life thou gave for me.

Then we drink 
The water clear
Thy blood for us was given

That we, through love
And mercy's gift
Might come again to heaven.

I have sinned again
I am not pure
What once was white is red.

But Jesus gave 
His life for me
And suffered as He pled.

He asked that justice 
might be served
Even though, through life we sin.

The law of mercy filled
Through loving sacrifice,
A second chance was freely given.

A chance to become
As He once lived,
A chance to walk His Ways.

A chance to learn
To know His Grace
As we follow Him each day.
We choose to remember
His blessings,
and to walk His way in Love.

We have a choice to change
A chance to choose
Our sins to be free of.
He loves us
in our weakness,
He leads us in His ways.

He asks us 
to live as he did
In all we do and say.