Friday September 30 2016  IT IS ALMOST CHRISTMAS!

As far as I am concerned when the calendar turns over to the month of September it means it is almost Christmas.  The older I become the faster time speeds by.  And since tomorrow will be October 1^st it is time to think about getting the Christmas tree set up.  I kid you not!  We already have it on our calendar next week to do just that.  Now, I’m not saying how quickly it will be done, but it will be started none-the-less.  So what if guests come over and see the tree up in October or November; they might think I am dorky but that won’t bother me in the least.  I already know I’m dorky!  When everything is trimmed, the lights are working, the Christmas packages wrapped and stowed away before Thanksgiving, it will be us who will be free to go to all Christmas event that pop up in December.  So many things always happen in December and if we are not ready with all our preparations we sometimes can’t participate in the fun stuff.

My goal is to be totally ready for Christmas by December 1^st (and hopefully before the week of Thanksgiving).  Now just to set the record straight, for the past several years we have just not done anything that had to do with a tree, decorations, hosting parties, or even buying many presents.  This year we want to do it differently.  We once again want the grand kids to see a tree at Gramma’s and Grandpa’s house.  We want them to have at least one memory of a Christmas celebration here at our house.  Oh, they usually come over each Christmas week but the house doesn’t look much different than it usually does. 

But then again, on the other hand they still may not see a Christmas tree here for Christmas.  As you know our goal is to downsize our belongings and one thing that we would like to downsize is the stash of Christmas paraphernalia that resides in our upstairs hall closet.  You got it!  THE CHRISTMAS TREE!  We own a beautiful artificial tree with a billion beautiful ornaments.  Actually it was on clearance at a local hardware store, completely decorated, and still looks like a million bucks.  The ornaments are beautiful and there is a plethora of them.  We thought perhaps we’d decorate the tree and see if our children were interested in having the whole shebang.  If they are not interested we plan to market it on Craig’s list right after Thanksgiving and sell it.  Perhaps someone will buy it, ornaments and all.  But in the mean time, the kids can enjoy it in October and November and then tell the story at our funeral about how we sold the Christmas tree.

Truth be told, we’ll see how it all works out.  But, I am serious about getting everything out next week and starting to decorate.  We celebrate Christmas with few gifts but lots of time together.  The memories we make while being together far outlast the memory of what we received for Christmas last year.  Who knows, if the tree DOESN’T disappear before Christmas perhaps we’ll have a party.  Once up on a time we threw some big shindigs; who knows, perhaps we have one more left in us.  Besides, I love parties!

I hope that this year Christmas day will not end with a flood at our house like it did last year.  It took about five months to get that mess ironed out and the bathroom rebuilt. 

 

WHAT A JOYOUS TIME TO COMMEMORATE

Kathleen Martens

September 30, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

It is always best to be prepared

For what is yet to come.

Even if it is way too soon

To begin having such fun.

 

Christmas comes but once a year

Yet it seems to come so fast.

All the busyness of Christmas month,

And the special day seems not to last.

 

So much planning is always done,

And everything must be just so.

Always searching desperately for the right gift

Makes it necessary to be on the go.

 

I want everything done before the month

Of celebrating Christ’s Holy birth,

So I can participate in festive events

Rejoicing about His coming to earth.

 

My one goal is to be free

For the entire month of December.

And then it will be the family times

Which will be remembered!

 

What a joyous time to commemorate,

Lord, I thank You for coming to earth.

Thank You God for Your wonderful plan

Of salvation, through Your Son’s birth.

 

GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU THIS DAY.

AS WE ENTER THE HOLIDAY SEASON MAY YOUR JOY IN THE LORD BE COMPLETE.

 

P.S.  Just a reminder that I will be writing my blogs on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday beginning in October.  I do hope to publish a poem daily.  I hope you will still check in on my blog-free days.  I absolutely love the challenge of coming up with something to write about each day but due to all that I must accomplish in the next few months I am hoping my daily schedule will allow more time for me to finish up the projects I am currently working on.  I enjoy hearing from my readers so please check in occasionally.  Sincerely, Kathleen

 

 

Thursday September 29 2016  THE AMAZING HUMAN BODY

As I age I have become more aware of my body.  Perhaps it is because my body is talking louder than it used to.  Anyway, I can hear it better.

There was a time when I hardly had to think about what I was doing, could do, how difficult would it be to do, or the fact that I would become fatigued.  My body just did what I wanted it to do without me needing to really think about it at all.  It’s not that way anymore.  I take no part of my body for granted.  In order to work or play or sleep efficiently my body requires purposeful and attentive care.  I am so thankful that I can do as much as I can do. 

But never have I been more thankful for my body than I was yesterday when my right knee was hurting.  I just looked up to heaven and said to God, “God, thank You that I feel the pain in my right knee because I am so thankful that I have a knee in which to feel the pain.”  And I meant it from the bottom of my heart!

Before I got out of bed yesterday I was perusing my iPhone and came across a topic that said “Torso Man”.  My curiosity got the best of me and I clicked on that story.  That is something I almost never do!  I don’t normally “surf” the web for anything.  My heart was so saddened by what I saw.  It was a handsome young man, about 28 years old, who had been born without arms or legs; absolutely no part of either.  His parents had relinquished him to foster care as an infant.  An older woman took him in.  She was about 52 years old at the time and is now 75 years old. 

This young man is brilliant, charming, college educated, and can do absolutely nothing for himself.  He does have a wheelchair that can be maneuvered by his mouth.  He can move his head up and down and from side to side and that is it.  He must be placed in a seat specifically fitted to the contours of his body which allows him to be propped upright.  His spirit is amazing.

When he was about 3 or 4 years old he said to his “mom”, “I’ll have arms and legs when I get older, right?”  She told him no.  He then said, “I’ll have arms and legs when I get to be old like “PaPa”?  She told him, “No; you’ll never have arms or legs.”  He asked why.  She told him that God had made him that way because through his life he would bless others and God made him for a purpose.  A few other things were spoken which made me realize that this woman was a godly woman and was raising her “son” as a godly young man. 

Later as I was thinking about this man the thought came into my mind that when he arrives in heaven he will then have arms and legs.  I gave praise to God for the godly teaching this young man has received in his life and heard that still quiet voice inside me say, “It was no accident”.  And I knew in my heart that someday I really will see him in heaven.  It was God who provided just the right caretaker for that little precious baby who was given away because it was just too heartbreaking for his parents to keep him.  I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for them too.  But God’s plan was perfect.  Perhaps just hearing about his story will bless you as it did me.  And perhaps it will cause you to not take for granted all you can do, but instead to be grateful for EVERYTHING that you can do.

After viewing that U-tube story it has given me an even greater appreciation for my body.  My body is getting older and a bit more decrepit.  However, if I have the blessing of living a few more years it may fail me altogether.  Even then, I will give praise and thanks to God for what I can do, what I have been able to do, and I will try my very best to not take for granted the freedom of whatever movement I have.

EVERYDAY IS A MIRACLE

Kathleen Martens

September 29, 2016

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Every day is a miracle

When I set my feet on the floor,

When I can brush my teeth,

Or walk out the door.

 

When I have the freedom

To get in my car and go

I hope to never take it for granted,

Even as I age and get so slow.

 

I hope I remember to never complain

About the pains I feel here and there,

Instead I desire to be thankful

That my feet are a matching pair.

 

And so thankful I have two arms

And two hands that still work,

So when there are things to do

My tasks I will not shirk.

 

Oh Lord, let us never forget

That regardless of our dearth,

You have a purpose for our life!

 And a reason for everyone on earth!

 

Oh God, I am so grateful for having arms and legs my entire life.

Thank You Lord that I have two knees.

Thank You for Your love that You have for each one of Your children, and that each one is perfect in Your eyes, because You created them for a purpose.

 

A little story I once heard.

There was a large room of people who all carried a cumbersome bag.  This parcel they carried represented their life story and all the burdens they had in the world.  Hearts were weighed down by what they carried in their bags.  God was also in the room.  He spoke to everyone and told them to go and lay down their baggage over by the wall.  They all did so.  Then God spoke and told them that they could each go over and pick up any bag they wanted.  The group silently pondered a moment, looked around at the others, and then each went over to the wall and picked up their own bag and silently left.

My comment:  MORAL OF THE STORY:  The known MUST be better than what is unknown.  

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

Wednesday September 28 2016  I KNOW WHO I AM

I am so grateful for the people God brings into my life, one of which is a recent acquaintance named Marilyn.  We’ve not spent much time together but share via email, an occasional phone call, and riding to church together a couple of weeks ago.  What attracts me to her is the peace of God’s glory that hovers about her wherever she goes.  I was drawn to that presence the first time I met her at Aldi’s grocery store.  She has already touched my life in so many ways.  God is so good to me through the people he allows me to meet.  It’s as if I can just feel the love God pours into me for those He brings into my life.  I have had this happen on a few other occasions during my life and it is always for a reason. 

Marilyn has written a column for a small town newspaper for many years.  She now sends me what she writes.  Whenever I read her morning thoughts or her column, my heart smiles; I see Marilyn as a kindred spirit.  To have a kindred spirit is a precious gift.  I have always felt different from others and somewhat of an outcast when I venture to talk about how I view God as a close friend and how I see the beauty of His creation around me.  As close as I am to my husband, he does not view the world as I do.  It must become very boring for others to be around me when all I want to talk about is the grandeur of God’s beauty that is living and pulsating, and breathing around about me.  And for Marilyn I am grateful.  I am grateful because she shares a bit of her heart each day as she sends a message of hope, or love, or of good sense to those on her email list.  And my heart can identify with what she says, how she says it, and all the beauty she sees in the world from an artist’s eye that is filled with a heart of gratitude and joy for God’s creation around her.  And I see it too; through her words.  It gives me joy to know that there are others who are just as comfortable and attentive to the presence of God’s mighty majesty that surrounds us.  Thank you Marilyn for sharing those glimpses into your spirit; in you I see a walking, talking, Jesus. 

Jesus came into the world and the world did not receive Him.  And when we love the Lord I believe the world sometimes does not (or refuses to) recognize who we are. 

But, who are we?  Do we even recognize exactly who we are?  I heard a Christian speaker recently say that until we know God we will never actually know who we really are.  I cannot quote him on the following in his exact words but this is what I wrote down as he spoke quickly.  I may have written it incorrectly but it made sense to me.

‘EVERYBODY IS TRYING TO BE SOMEBODY.

SOMEBODY IS NOBODY TO EVERYBODY.

SOMEBODY IS EVERYTHING TO SOMEBODY.’

“I AM SOMEBODY.

BECAUSE GOD SAYS I’M SOMEBODY!

I AM A CHILD OF GOD

I know WHOSE I am…

And I know WHO I am!

I AM A CHILD OF GOD!”  (Quote from Richard Ellis)

 

“John 1: 9-14

⁹ The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but His own did not receive him. ¹² Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

 

It is always such a joy to meet a kindred spirit of heart, but an even greater joy to meet another precious CHILD OF GOD! 

 

BECAUSE I KNOW

By Kathleen Martens

September 28, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Lord, thank You for those

You bring into my life

That my spirit is calmed

With less strife.

 

Thank you for the love

That flows from another,

From a heart full of joy

For sisters and brothers.

 

Thank You for family

That come together on earth

Because we are the children

Of a God of such worth.

 

Thank You that I know

Just WHOSE I am

A beloved child

Of the GREAT I AM.

 

You came to give light

To EVERYONE in the world

Yet the truth

Away was hurled

 

And was not received.

You suffered and bled as you died

And You were not recognized

As You were crucified.

 

Thank You Father

For such an awesome gift,

My heart is so grateful

As Your praise I lift.

 

Thank You for friends

With hearts full of love!

It will be so awesome

To know each other above.

 

Because I know

Just WHO I am!

I am the beloved child

Of the GREAT I AM!

 

My thank you list is in my poem.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU THIS DAY!

Tuesday September 27 2016  THE WORK IS IN THE AIR

Cool nights and mild days of autumn signal the time for lots of work.  The cold nights quickly bring color to the trees and we know that lots of work awaits us.  As I sat down to write the sentence which my husband said to me a few moments ago, I realized that sentence was the first line of my poem for today, as well as the title for this publication.  So as I write this blog my poem about autumn is already written.  Usually I write the blog and THEN compose the poem.

In Wisconsin the seasons are very succinct when it comes time to change.  It’s just too bad that some seasons sometime arrive early and then, end up like unwanted guests, as you can’t seem to get rid of them; especially winter.  On the calendar the seasons are SUPPOSE TO START AND END ON CERTAIN DATES.  Rarely does that happen in Wisconsin.  Sometimes a season will begin on time but, some of them (like winter), long overstay their welcome.  

Autumn has made her debut right on time this year.  Some of our gardens are in demise and others will bloom profusely until the first frost.  And quickly the temperature begins to fall.  Beautiful warmish days as the night temperatures begin to plummet.  And another quilt is added to my side of the bed.  Perhaps that is because I sleep closer to the open window that allows the fresh cool night air to mingle with our breaths.  I so enjoy the brisk, invigorating night air.  And all too soon more quilts are again piled on, the window slit becomes smaller, and we have our first frost.  And Mr. Frost is coming soon because I had to wear socks to bed last night for the first time since spring.

Cleaning up a yard as large as ours is truly an endeavor.  Dave works diligently each day doing what needs to be done as our yard is put to bed.  He works and works getting everything cleaned up…and then…the leaves will fall.  When the leaves fall we know that winter is just around the corner.  And since we live in an extremely wooded area we have lots and lots of leaves.  Fortunately many of the leaves are used as mulch and are raked onto beds of ferns, hostas, and flower gardens.  We try to remove the flowers in bloom before the first frost hits.  They are easier to pull up by the roots rather than having piles of soggy black leaves everywhere.  We sometimes change our annual flower beds from year to year so we don’t like having all the seeds left behind which then encroach on next spring’s flower selection.

And now is the time when we feel the cooler temperatures and know that lots and lots of work is brewing in the air.  We love living here, but we pay dearly with back labor, especially Dave.  Someday we may move from this place.  If we do, it will only be because of the yard, not because of the house.  We love living right where we have been planted for the past 30 years.  Our roots go deep and it will probably take a lot of pruning in our lives to get us to the place of moving.  I do think it will happen.  God has been so gracious to allow me to live in such a wonderland of beauty and I will enjoy it to the fullest every day that I am here.  God never ceases to amaze me when I view the glory of his creation.

 

THE WORK IS IN THE AIR

By Kathleen Martens

September 27, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

The nights are colder,

The work is in the air.

I can see it in the trees,

I see it everywhere!

 

Now is the time

To put the yard to bed,

Snipping and cutting

The branches that are dead.

 

Pruning and hauling

Debris to curb;

Their beautiful purpose

Has graciously been served.

 

God’s magnificent creation

Starts with a seed.

And then marches on

As if an army to feed.

 

Transplanting and thinning

Gardens gone wild,

Now is the time

While temperatures are mild.

 

The trees are yet green

Holding the promise of work

Over the next few weeks,

Which cannot be shirked.

 

Since nights are colder

The color will come,

And the leaves will fall

And we’ll call our son.

 

And the heaps will grow

As we rake the miles,

And the grandsons will enjoy

Jumping into the piles.

 

Autumn’s work creates

A celebration of life!

At the end of a season

So early is night.

 

And the world will sleep

Under mounds of snow,

And we then bundle up

When outside we go.

 

Yes, the season of work

Can be felt in the air.

As the garden is tucked

Into bed with such care.

 

And as the earth rests,

So gratefully shall we.

Short days and long nights

Make me happy as can be.

 

But first we must complete

All the chores we face

Before we can snuggle,

Into our warm cozy space.

 

Stop and take time to glory in the creation around you, WHEREVER YOU MAY LIVE.  After all, we can’t all live in the most beautiful state of the Union!  But isn’t it wonderful that God’s beautiful creation can be enjoyed wherever you are; if you but stop to partake.

 

Lord I give You praise for the beauty You have created around me.

Thank You God for the seasons that You have created.

Thank You God for the seasons of life which You have given me.

Thank You for every birthday celebration I have.

Thank You that I am Your child.

 

I HOPE YOUR DAY IS WONDERFUL!

GOD BLESS YOU!

Monday September 26 2016  ONE DAY AT A TIME

In last Friday’s blog I shared an email I received regarding “WHAT YOUR BODY DOES IN A DAY”.  Friday’s topic was in regards to your brain.  It stated that the brain does not stop working.  Well there is something else in your body (actually many things) that you better hope won’t stop working either; primarily, your heart!

“Your heart pumps approximately 2,000 gallons (7571 liters) of blood through its chambers every single day.  It beats more than 100,000 times each day to achieve this incredible feat.”

As I age I have become aware of several aspects of aging.  One such thing was realizing my heart was intermittently beating 180 to 230 beats per minute!   Those “aging aspects” sneak up on you and sometimes catch you by surprise.  And then it is even more surprising when you discover it is not happening due to aging, but due to neglecting what your body needs.

The body is such an incredible creation and everything thing in it has a purpose and is necessary.  For the most part we usually go through the entire day unaware, without even giving a second thought, as to what the body is doing to keep us healthy and alive.  It is actually incomprehensible to me when I think of all the body does every single day without us needing to consciously tell it what to do.  And most of its functions are run by our internal computer, our amazing brain.

We tend to take our bodies for granted.  Perhaps if we became more aware of exactly what our bodies are doing and accomplishing inside of us on a daily basis we would become more aware of what we put into our bodies, or what we don’t put into our bodies.  I believe there are many people who live their entire life without realizing they need to be aware of what is going on inside their human body.  Seek out knowledge that will educate you as to how to treat such an amazing vessel that houses your very existence upon this earth.  A lot of people are more particular about the fuel they put into their cars than they are about what fuel they are feeding to their living machine; the one vehicle that houses their very existence, the amazing human body!

And I’m guilty of all of the above.  And my body suffered for it.  I was extremely obese, had a chronic heart condition which caused me to need several cardio versions in the ER on different occasions.  I was sick with pneumonia, viruses, skin conditions, heart disease, experienced pain when walking, and lacked energy.  I could go on and on.  And then with the scare of having multiple sclerosis I had a wake-up call.   Three and a half years ago things changed.  I began to listen to the alarms going off in my incredible machine.  I knew I had so much I still desired to accomplish in my life and felt that God was instructing me that if I didn’t do something to clean up my lifestyle I would not have the energy for the calling He had on my life. 

So, I did an about face.  I began an exercise program, cleaned up my eating habits, and focused on the Lord and His direction for my life.  One hour at a time, one day at a time, one workout session at a time and the excess weight came off, my skin healed, I had no more colds or infections, the pneumonia did not come back, my headaches disappeared, and my energy and stamina returned.  I HAD FORGOTTEN HOW GOOD IT FELT TO FEEL GOOD.  And then I fell.  I have battled some injuries due to my fall two months ago but I am slowing recuperating from those.  I have no sign of M.S. on my last brain scan, and my energy can usually outlast those much younger than myself. 

I didn’t write the above so as to brag.  There are no bragging rights in order here.  I believe it was only though God’s help when I surrendered to His calling, as well as my perseverance to eat healthy and exercise, one day at a time.  There was no looking ahead long term.  I just tackled one day at a time!  I also listened to my body!  I felt the nuances of not eating the right foods, or going without the needed liquids I would forget to drink. 

We have an incredible machine that houses our spirit.  And in the scriptures our body is referred to as the temple of the Holy Spirit.  Treat it as such and experience the benefits that your body will yield.  It is amazing!

“1 Corinthians 6:19-20 

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

And oh by the way, when Dave decided to do the same, HE WAS ABLE TO BECOME DIABETIC FREE IN JUST SEVEN MONTHS!  Perfect blood sugars every single day!  And how did he do it; by changing his diet and exercising!  He had diabetes for many years before deciding to read the book “The End of Diabetes” and follow the course.  The book gives instructions for a vegan diet but he accomplished his end results eating minimal beef, as well as chicken and fish on a regular basis.  And it still worked.  And for that, we thank God!

Oh, I also have not had one cardio version since I changed my lifestyle.  Everything we did was worth it, one day at a time!

 

ONE DAY AT A TIME

Kathleen Martens

September 26, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

One day at a time

Is a small bite to chew,

Do not look ahead

And dread what’s in view.

 

Only for today

Are the choices you make,

Because each day adds up

For your body’s sake.

 

Choose for this hour

What is best to do,

Because there is no end

What is in store for you.

 

You are not on a diet,

It is a lifestyle choice.

Let your ensuing results

Be your silent voice.

 

And give thanks daily

For your body is incredible!

But always realize

It is not indelible.

 

It houses our spirit

While upon this earth,

Treat it accordingly

For it is of great worth.

 

It has a purpose

For the calling of God.

And you’ll no longer need it

When you depart this sod.

 

So treat your body well,

The temple of God’s spirit.

That it serve you long,

As this life you merit.

 

Thank You God for the wonderful human machine that You created.

Thank You God that You have placed Your image in human form.

Thank You Lord for all the healing I have had over the past years.

Thank You God for Dave’s return to health.

Thank You Lord for our aging years for they are our gift from You.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

 

 

 

September 25 2016  SUNDAY SABBATH POEM

 

Sabbath Evening

Kathleen Martens

September 25, 2016

 

Evening hue of yellow-gold.

Whispering sound yet untold

The rush of wind through the leaves

Sounds like water if it breathed.

 

The hoot of an owl in melody sweet

Poignantly seeking it’s mate to meet.

And wispy rustling of dying flowers

Sing their song by the hour.

 

The distant humming sounds of life

In no way a cause for strife.

All is peaceful as night falls

I turn to God and on him call.

 

Silent songs well up inside

As I commune with He who abides

Within my heart each and every hour.

God is my strength and my strong tower.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU ON THIS SUNDAY SABBATH.

 

 

 

Saturday September 24 2016  THE PASSAGE OF TIME

It seemed like a long ways away a few months ago when I agreed to assist at the wedding taking place today.  And in the snap of a finger, summer is over, and the wedding date has arrived.  I report to the photographer’s home, pack my gear in her car and she is in charge from there.  We’ve worked together for years and we always have a wonderful time being together as friends as well as working together.  Next week we will do the same thing again; another wedding, different bride and groom, different location.  And the Saturday after that; you guessed it, another event.  The only thing about that third event is that I am the primary and only photographer for a celebration of 35 years of marriage.  I will leave that celebration and high tail it to another photography event.  So, the next few Saturdays are fully booked. 

It is always easy to commit to events way ahead because the calendar looks so clear at the time.  But, by the time the date arrives the calendar has somehow filled up and must be shuffled to make everything fit in.  However, the photography sessions for weddings are not one of those events that get shuffled. 

AND THEN…since I retired I decided to no longer photograph schools due to the all the post production time needed to create the packets of photos for the students.  Remember, I am a one woman operation and must do it all.  I know it sounds simple with “digital” photography, but believe me, when I changed to digital photography years ago it increased my workload by 100 fold (yes, seriously).  Due to the expense of buying the needed equipment it takes to finish the end product, it is financially astronomical for the photographer.  The cost is in expensive cameras, computer equipment, programs which will run the digital RAW photos, to the finished proofs being sent to a lab for printing.  Overall, it takes longer, costs more, and the end product is not nearly as beautiful as film prints.

Even though I am no longer photographing schools I have committed to help my friend through her first year’s session with a school I referred to her.  It is a big shoot, a big endeavor, and takes lots of extra setting up of equipment.  One of the photos I do has about 100 students in one photo.  Lighting and staging takes a lot of extra time and work.  I agreed to go because I actually have that day available by shuffling some things around.  I am leaving on a trip with a girlfriend early the following morning and I had planned to prepare food all that day for our four days away.  I will need to back up my plans in order to make certain I am prepared for the early departure the next day.  But you know what the good thing is?  I will be leaving all the post production work behind!  YEAH!!!

It is so fun to be retired!  When I am employed by another photographer all I do is hand the digital camera card to the primary photographer, go home, and I am done.  The business owners have the pleasure of using their hours to do the editing, corrections, proofing, special effects, orders, all the sorting, packaging, and whatever else needs to be done.  It is so nice to no longer have every evening scheduled with possible bookings for next year’s weddings, and then staying up until 2:00 a.m. each night to finish the post production work.  My daytime would be taken up with studio sessions and location events such as high school seniors and family portraits.

And just some inside information between you and me, I think all these sessions have solidified the fact that I think I will sell my equipment and keep one camera for personal use.  No equipment equals NO JOBS!   Hmmm….

 

IF I COULD SING IT FROM THE ROOFTOP

Kathleen Martens

September 24, 2016

 

If I could sing it from the rooftop

I would let the world know

How much I love being retired,

And how free I am to go.

 

Calendar stands quite empty

Of appointments galore,

And all that I love to do,

I can now do so much more.

 

Nothing makes me happier

Than seeing a blank page,

My calendar now so docile

And no longer in a rage.

 

Lines are empty with promise

Of what is yet to come,

And I’m much more available

To go and have some fun.

 

Yet my days are busy

But it is me who decides,

What and when, where and who

And how my day divides.

 

My promises are commitments

And some take lots of time.

But I create the timetable

As to how my day will climb.

 

And I have also gained insight

Which took many years to learn,

Purposefully, I can now say “NO”,

And precious hours are my return.

 

And so, I SING IT FROM THE ROOFTOP

Which is actually my office chair!

I have more hours to create,

Which means, I have more words to share!

 

It is 9:37 A.M. as I conclude my poem (approximately another half hour before I will be published).  In the scheme of my day that is actually quite impressive to me.  I may even have time to go watch a movie with Dave before I leave.

 

Thank You God for the lovely day that awaits me.

Thank You Lord that I am healed enough to actually handle another nine hour work day.

Thank You Lord for Your love today.

Thank You for the joy You have placed in my heart.

Thank You that I am alive!

 

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY FOLKS!

GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU!

Friday September 23 2016  YOUR BRAIN DOESN’T STOP WORKING

I received an email today which included facts about how hard our bodies work each day while we go about our business.  One of the tidbits related in the email forwarded to me is as follows:

“Your brain doesn’t stop working.  It’s estimated that about 50,000 thoughts pass through it each day on average, although some scientists put the figure closer to 60,000.  That is a whopping 35-48 thoughts every minute”

Well, if that is the case, why then am I ever at a loss when it comes to finding a topic to write about?  I will agree with one stated supposition on the above statement, though I can’t count the thoughts that fleet through my mind, I definitely know that my mind is always full!  The negative part is that it seems I forget so many of the thoughts that run so quickly through my head, especially if it is something I want to say to someone in the next breath.  I guess the thoughts are so fleeting I can’t grab them.

So today, I guess I have a topic to talk about; thoughts.  The thoughts we think are one of the most important building blocks of our lives.  We become what we think.  Thoughts come from three sources.  First, our own random thoughts come.  They are often the result of where we are, what we believe, what we see, who we are with, and they come indiscriminately.  Secondly, thoughts come from God.  God puts thoughts in our minds to guide us, steer us away from danger, alert us to the evils that surround us, and at times to comfort us and to tell us how much He loves us.  And lastly, but not necessarily least, are the thoughts that the devil and his demons are constantly throwing our way.  And it is easier and easier in our society to be filled with evil thoughts via television, books, ads, billboards, movies, online pornography, as well as with alcohol and drug abuse.

The scripture addresses our thought-life throughout the Bible.  My recall for scripture references is not what I’d like it to be but I do remember one such passage in Philippians, chapter 4.  This passage had a great affect on me when I was going through a difficult time with my thought life many years ago.  I was bothered by thoughts and memories that hounded me and was distressed because of them.  When I read Philippians chapter 4, I decided to do just what it said.  When the ugly thoughts would hound me I would take out my list of things written in the scriptures that I was to think about instead.  Over the course of a few months I realized I was no longer bothered by all the daytime nightmarish thoughts I used to have.  If my thoughts wander to places I don’t believe they should go, I pull out that scripture and just do a refresher course.  It is amazing how you can take your own thoughts captive and not just allow 50,000 or 60,000 random thoughts to flit through your brain on a daily basis.  The scripture says we CAN TAKE CONTROL OF OUR THOUGHTS!  More than not, I INTENTIONALLY decide on what to think.  I do that before I go to sleep and find that I am not bothered by horrific nightmares that once plagued me years ago.

Choose what you want to think, enjoy your time inside your brain when you have quiet moments to yourself so that you will be refreshed to meet the challenges of your day.  One of my favorite things to do is to actually set aside time each day to simply think!  And thousands of those thoughts are in volumes of journals.

“Philippians 4:4- 9

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

 

I have written a poem about Philippians chapter 4 but I cannot remember the title so I am unable to pull it up.  When I come across it I’ll publish it for you.

 

UNREMEMBERED TITLES

Kathleen Martens

September 23, 2016

 

So today

I cannot find

What was once

In my mind.

 

Sometimes my poems

I don’t recall.

And the title names,

I can’t remember all.

 

There are thousands

In pen and ink

In stacks and volumes

With no computer link.

 

Slowing transcribing

The poetry written,

But it takes forever

To copy words smitten.

 

And even the ones

In computer files

Titles fail me

After a while.

 

So I will go through

Adding code words

To catalog easier

So poems can be heard.

 

Thank You God for all the words You give me.

Thank You too that my brain is still functioning.

Thank You Lord for Your Word that has taught me so much.

Thank You Lord for the thoughts You bring me each day.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

 

P.S.  Tomorrow I am the second photographer for a wedding so if by some reason a blog does not get published please do not be concerned.  I will be home late and no matter how much I beg and plead, Dave will not write a blog for me.  He did that once and it was like pulling teeth without anesthesia.

 

 

Thursday September 22 2016  EVERY HOME IS A SCHOOL

While recently driving home from our son’s house we passed the school where our grandson attends.  On a signboard that faces both directions of traffic were these words:

 

“EVERY HOME IS A SCHOOL.

  WHAT ARE YOU TEACHING?”

 

Those few words hit a cord in me.  It is an absolutely 100% TRUE AND VALID STATEMENT!

When I read the newspapers, listen to the news, or drive down the streets of our cities, it seems that not everyone treats “home” as a learning ground.  So many crimes, such bizarre behaviors, unruly children in the classrooms, belligerent children in public places all attest to the fact that perhaps not everyone’s home is a teaching place.  Perhaps we assume if the home was a school that only good things would be taught.  But that is so far from the truth.  The home IS the teaching place; it is up to the parent as to what they teach.

It would be a misnomer to insinuate that just because a child grows up, follows the crowds, gets involved with drugs, alcohol, and crime it is the result of parents who have not taught their children right from wrong.  Some homes, absolutely, other homes that have painstakingly taught strong moral principles and have given excellent parental guidance, still result in offspring who go against the teachings in the home.  Each child eventually separates from the parent and must be held accountable for their own actions.

But the statement that a home IS A SCHOOL is absolutely correct.  The question is: “WHAT ARE YOU TEACHING”?  Are you actually spending time with your children instead of allowing them to immerse themselves in all the electronics available in today’s world?  Do you turn off the TV?  Do you eat together?  Do you listen to one another?  Ask yourself the question, “WHAT AM I TEACHING THEM?”

Over 30 years ago when our children were young I overheard a TV show the children were viewing that was geared for young adolescents.  My heart was clenched.  I heard nothing but words that were disrespectful toward their parents and behavior that was going against their parent’s rules.  That night Dave and I had a conversation.  The next day was the first day of our children’s lives without television.  It was a difficult weaning but they made it through.  Television was no longer the center idol in our family room.  We chose what came into our home, from television, video games, and internet.  The week after our son moved out of our home to get married was the week I signed up for the internet.  When children are not TV watchers you have totally different children living at your house.  It was awesome.

Perhaps my measures seem harsh to some but we know our children benefited far more from the teaching and instruction we provided for them than allowing the world, and all the temptations that are made available through television and internet, to entice our young and impressionable children.  And believe me, that day when we turned off the TV was a turning point that guided our home school in a whole new direction.  The children still attended public schools but we were able to do more, experience more of life, have more conversations, and much less stress about wanting everything that was advertised on the TV.   The benefits of turning off the television were endless.

Look at your family life.  Where can you improve the value of your schooling?  Considering the high cost of children, isn’t the value of their education worth it.  And when I used the word “education” I am referring to that which they receive at home.  There is no education that is more valuable than that.

 

SCHOOL IS THE PLACE

Kathleen Martens

September 22, 2016

 

School is the place

Where we send our kids.

The world’s values taught

Without putting on the skids.

 

School is the place

Where you have to fit in,

And dress to a standard

So you can have a friend.

 

School is the place

Where you can’t say God’s name,

But must be tolerant to all others

Or it’s you who is to blame

 

School is the place

Where deviant behavior taught,

But one must keep silent

About spiritual thoughts.

 

But school should be the place

That starts in the crib,

Where love is nurtured

And you are taught how to live.

 

School is the mother’s arms

That cuddle and nurture her young.

Where peace and joy are taught

Through lullaby’s gentle song.

 

School is a home

That teaches love and prayers,

Where children learn kindness,

As well as compassionate care.

 

School is the clock

That forever runs

When parenting young children,

Precious daughters and sons.

 

And school is the setting,

The course of a child’s life.

A journey of joy and contentment

Instead of competition and strife.

 

SCHOOL IS THE HOME

And so remember well

That the parents are the teachers!

And NEVER is there a bell.

 

And little children are watching

Who someday, tall will stand.

Give them the tools they need

And the greatest, are God’s commands,

 

That they will be strong and true,

That good decisions will be made.

If home is where the teaching begins

Perhaps their values will not fade.

 

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

 

Thank You Father for all the parents who truly do see home as a place to teach their children.

Thank You Lord for the protection of our children’s minds as they are taught values that differ from the Biblical view.

Thank You Lord for our two children and our two grandsons.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU THROUGHOUT THIS DAY!

Wednesday September 21 2016  THE LAST

The last day of summer has passed for yet another year; and autumn begins.  Dave made a comment at the breakfast table this morning that set my mind thinking about all the “lasts” that we go through in life.  Some are final, some are seasonal, and others are cyclical.  We know that some of our lasts are final lasts and that other lasts show up unexpectedly.

We know when the last day of school is, or when the last Sunday of September will be.  We know when the last day of a presidential term will end, and we know when we scoop out the last bit of peanut butter from the jar.  But some lasts we are unprepared for; others we do not expect to happen and we may be caught off guard.

When we say goodbye to a friend, a parent or a child, do we ever stop and think it could be our last goodbye?  On a day to day basis I doubt if we dwell on it.  However, as I have gained years and experience I find that I never take life for granted.  Dave and I always give each other a hello when coming home and a goodbye when we leave to go someplace separately.  I ALWAYS say to him, “I love you” because I realize that it could be our last goodbye someday.  And I cherish those words each and every time he says them to me as I close the door behind me.  I never take them for granted.  And likewise, we always tell our children and grandchildren the same.  I hope when my last day comes the words my loved ones hear echoing in our final departure will be, “Remember, I love you”

Pause for moment and think of all the different kinds of “lasts” you have experienced, more than likely some were bad, but I hope more were good.  Think of the lasts you have yet to look forward to.  The list could go on and on as long as we are living.  I remember when I turned 60 years old and my family doctor sat me down and informed me that I was entering a time when I would be facing losses as I moved forward in life.  A few I have encountered, more are yet to come.  Am I afraid?  No.  Am I ready?  Probably not, but as the losses (or “lasts” in this case) happen I will go forward expectantly because I know when I get to the end of my road, breathe my last breath, and I am no longer living on earth, there will be no more lasts.  It will be a new beginning as I see Jesus face to face.  There will be so many new firsts to look forward to.

Someday each of us will experience our last day on earth.  The question to ask is not when, but the question is: are you ready to meet the Lord when it does happen?  Don’t wait until it is too late and your LAST opportunity to ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior is no more. 

 

HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED

Kathleen Martens

September 21, 2016

 

Each day is an opportunity

To be loved while loving back.

To give encouragement to another

And show your kindness does not lack.

 

Today is an opportunity

To give to those in need,

Whether it be gentle words

Or a meal on which they feed.

 

When someone greets you with a smile

It is a gift from their heart.

Pass it forward to the next

For your smile will never part.

 

Every day is unknown

And what will happen not yet done,

Many awaken on this day

Unaware it’s their last one.

 

So live each day as if you have forever,

But also live it as if it’s your last.

Because every single one of us

Will someday be in the past.

 

So ask yourself the question,

Before you meet your maker above,

How do you want to be remembered?

As for me, I hope it’s for my love.

 

Thank You God for each day I have on earth to love those around me.

Thank You for the gift of your love.

THANK YOU THAT I HAVE THE ASSURANCE THROUGH YOUR WORD THAT MY LAST DAY ON EARTH WILL BE THE REASON I WAS GIVEN LIFE.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

 

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY! 

MAY GOD BLESS YOU RICHLY WITH HIS LOVE AND GRACE

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.

Author Unknown

Above quote sent to me by my friend Marilyn.

 

Tuesday September 20 2016  FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOPS

What an incredible storm we had last evening and into the night.  Yesterday as I was working on the photo album for my sister I looked out the window and noticed how late it had become.  It was totally dark.  I wondered how I had been in my craft room for so long and had not realized it was getting so late.  I didn’t have long to wonder.  All of a sudden the sounds that came from outside made me realize that something more than nightfall was going on.  It wasn’t night at all, but rather a dark storm.  I peeked into the darkness and I could see and hear the pounding of rain as I watched the torturous twisting of the large limbs of the oak tree right outside the window.  It was fierce!  I later told my husband, “I was really praying”.  One thump on the roof from either a broken limb or the bowing of a branch knocking against the roof was all it took to focus my attention on the storm.  The rain came down in torrents.  Dave was not home and I knew I was all alone, that is except for God!  He is a great companion during times of storms. 

And God has been that companion to me through life storms as well.  When things are going well and you feel as if you are on the mountain top of life, and the view of your life stands comfortingly before you, it is often easy to disregard God.  When not in stress or dire circumstances why do you need to turn to God?  It’s becomes ever so easy to take off on our own path and forget that God wants to be your friend every day.  And only when the path leads back down to the valley, and the fog of life blocks out your view and you don’t know which way to turn, do you then turn once more to the God who so desires to walk hand in hand with you.  And so quickly our circumstances can change.

When I looked out the kitchen window this morning there was a shroud of fog that blanketed the entire view from our house.  We live on the downside of the hill.  When I look out the kitchen window I am looking uphill.  It was foggy all the way up with beautiful shards of light permeating the fog and shining across our driveway and lawn.  It was etheral.  I hopped in my car and drove up the hill through the wooded acres all around me.  I traveled about ¼ mile to the stop sign and turned left onto a two lane country road.  I was greeted with clear blue sky, picturesque corn fields laid out before me in pristine light, and not a cloud in the sky.  My little Kia Soul climbed to the top of the “mountain peak” (actually just a higher hill) and the vista was so awesome it took my breath away.  From the advantage point of my “mountain peak” I could see the farmlands rolling off to my right with the lower hills covered in magnificent forests.  I could see the highway about two miles away and all along the ridge of the highway (another two lane country road) was a mass of fog that had settled all along its edges.  Even further out the fog turned to a brown covering shrouding everything from view.

I was on top of everything and visibility was clear.  Life was beautiful.  The sunshine was brilliant.  As I descended into the valley and looked off at the lowlands on my left side, the mist of fog eerily masked the crops; as if God had spread an iridescent veil on top of everything.  The road was clear and sun was still shining on me but I wouldn’t have wanted to have been lost in the shroud of murkiness off to my left.  And again I saw the parallel between the beautiful scenery, and life.  When we follow God it may be dark and dank around us but He will keep our path clear and visible when we trust in him.

Personally, I enjoyed the visual contrast of the beautiful creation around me.  I see the world as a masterful creation of God.  I take it very personally because sometimes I really do think He makes some moments so awesome because He knows that I will be coming by at exactly that time.  Perhaps that sounds selfish and prideful.  I mean neither.  But I do believe His handiwork is in all of creation and I will enjoy every moment and every experience possible to me; and take great pleasure in it.  God is known to me in all His creation.

“Psalms 19:1-4

¹ The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
² Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.
³ They have no speech, they use no words;
    no sound is heard from them.
⁴ Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.”

 

GOD IS KNOWN TO ME IN ALL HIS CREATION

By Kathleen Martens

September 20, 2016

 

God is known to me

In all His creation.

I view His masterpiece

With exhilaration.

 

What I see

Each day in my view

Is always unique,

Created anew.

 

Fresh flowers bloom,

New clouds appear.

New songs are sung

By birds in the air.

 

The beauty of light

A paintbrush in action

Illustrate new hues

With deep satisfaction.

 

Overjoyed by splendor

That alights my vision

To enjoy God’s creation

My daily mission.

 

To feel the freshness

After a night of rain

Giving praise to God,

How can I refrain?

 

I see Gods workmanship

In the sunset glow,

And in sparkling loveliness

As lightening bugs show.

 

From the mightiest waterfall

To the drip of rain,

To savor each moment

Is for my gain.

 

When I experience creation

It’s God’s love I see.

I know He designed it

For both you and for me.

 

Thank You God for the beautiful afternoon drive today.

Thank You for creating the world with such beauty.

Thank You Lord that You love me.

Thank You for my vision.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU. 

“Romans 1:20 NIV

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

Monday September 19 2016  I CRIED SOME TEARS

Crying in front of people is not what I like to do.  And crying alone is even worse.  Actually I just don’t like to cry.  It is messy, causes my eyes to get red and puffy, and plugs up my nose.  Well, today I had no choice.  It’s one thing when tears swell up in your eyes and spill slowly down your cheeks.  It’s quite another when they come by the bucketful and you can’t stop them no matter hard you try.  Well, for me it was the later.

Today was a turning point for me.  There was so much build-up of garden produce in my refrigerator and I had to do something to make some of it disappear.  I did part of the job on Saturday by making a huge pot of soup.  Dave did a lot of the prep work for me and all went well.  Today another pot of soup was on the agenda but Dave wasn’t.  So I had to peel lots and lots of onions, all kinds, and all were SMALL!  And these were powerful onions!  My tears started and I could not stop them.  I peeled and peeled and peeled and I cried and cried and cried.  I cannot remember my eyes ever burning so.  The really bad part was that even after I finished I couldn’t stop crying.  Oh, by the way, the soup turned out excellent!

My refrigerator looks better (most of the soup is already in the freezer), though it is still overcrowded it is manageable.  Another box of food comes Thursday.  Maybe I should buy my onions from the store bins because they do not make my eyes burn as much as all these odd little onions did that came fresh from the garden.  But, they sure are good tasting onions.  Actually it is so unbelievable how much better everything tastes because of it being so fresh.

Once the onions were sauteed and in the pot the tears stopped.  And life sometimes happens the same way.  At times there are things we must go through, suffer through, and cry tears as well.  Yet, once we get past the hard part, and look at the bigger picture of the “recipe of our life”, we can look back and see that those tears were necessary and ended up being a good thing.  Just like I talked about in the Friday September 16^th blog regarding the tears I shed over a lost love, I had no choice but to cry because of the sorrow I felt.  I eventually stopped, and later when I looked back I could see how needed it was for me to do what I did in order to allow my recipe for life to blend into the future that God had waiting for me.  Though breaking up with the man I loved was difficult God had something (SOMEONE) even better waiting for me.  Was it fun to peel those onions?  A great resounding NO; but it sure was necessary to make that recipe taste so good.

When you are in a sorrowful time, go ahead and cry.  And then pray and put your life in God’s hands.  Pick yourself up and dust yourself off.  God will supply the strength you need.  And when you go forward, do so with your hand in God’s hand.  He has a plan for you and it is good.

Philippians 1:6 

^” being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”

 

WE HAVE A LOVING GOD

By Kathleen Martens

September 19, 2016

 

We have a loving God

Who keeps us in His sight.

Regardless how precarious,

Or the chaos our soul fights.

 

When we are discouraged

And sometimes tearfully sad,

It is okay to cry out to God

For He makes good from the bad.

 

Cast your cares upon Him,

Because He really cares for you.

Forever yield to His presence

And He will get you through.

 

Lord, thank You for ALWAYS being available.

Lord thank You for sending Your Comforter to be with me at all times.

Thank You Father for hearing my prayers.

Thank You for Your ever watchful eye.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

P.S.  Be sure and scroll down and check out some of the soup I made today.  It was worth the tears!

 

Saturday September 17 2016  THE EVAPORATING DAY

 

AND IT IS GOOD

By Kathleen Martens

September 17, 2016

 

Sorry friends

My day got away

There will be

No blog today.

 

Just so you know

It must be understood

That all that’s happening

Is very good.

 

It involves guests

And lots of fun,

But to be ready

I must run.

 

The pots are boiling

The kitchen is needed

For those who will eat

And be well feeded. (My new made up word)

 

Dave is showering

And I must go dress,

Somewhat spur of the moment

I must confess.

 

So have a great weekend

And I’ll be back.

For a Monday blog

I will not lack.

 

Thank You God for this day!

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

 

 

Friday September 16 2016  GOD’S TIMING IS ALWAYS PERFECT

As I look back over my life I sometimes marvel at the synchronicity and timing of how life circumstances seem to be divinely appointed.  As an example; I believe I met Dave due to my visit to my cousin about 500 miles from where I lived.  Because I visited her I met her dorm roommate at college.  Her roommate and I hit it off and she elicited a promise from me that if she ever got married I would promise to attend her wedding.  I gave her my solemn promise, all the while thinking that she would probably never get married!  My cousin married the following summer and her roommate was an attendant at her wedding.  Once again I promised this gal that I would attend her wedding.  Little did I know she had something up her sleeve.  A couple of months later I received her invitation to attend her wedding which was about 500 miles from where I lived.

I attended that wedding.  And that’s where I first laid eyes on Dave.  But I only met him because of a prompting in his heart to attend the Bridal Party dinner that was exclusively for those who were in the wedding.  I did not have a car, and since I came as my cousin’s guest I too was invited.  I know I have told this story from the “love story” slant, but this rendition is for a different reason.  Dave left to go home because he was disappointed he had not met that “new girl” at the reception. A very insistent voice inside of him told him to turn around and go back to the wedding dinner.  He finally did just that.  We met, he asked me out, I accepted, and then he found out I lived 500 miles away.  And he showed up two weeks later at my door.  All of this happened because I kept a promise to someone I barely knew, who I had only met on two occasions, who happened to be the roommate of my cousin, who happened to be a student at So. California College and I had visited her there.  God’s perfect timing!

And then, as I think back, I remember a few months previously when I broke off a relationship with a man I loved because I knew he didn’t love me the same way I loved him.  I remember crying on my bed, saying to God, “That’s it!  I am no longer dating.  If you want me to get married you are going to have to point the man out to me”.  I kid you not.  In my heart I was serious.  That happened in July 1972 before I met Dave.  Now, fast forward to October 28, 1972.  As I was listening to the wedding vows I heard a voice inside me (almost audible it was so forceful) say, “That is who you are going to marry”.  Needless to say, I took a second glance at him.  There was no doubt in my mind which of the 8 guys standing up with the groom was singled out.  I just knew!  Imagine how disappointed I was when he didn’t show up at the dinner with the rest of the wedding party.

As I look back now I realize how necessary it had been for me to break off the relationship with Dave #1 before I would be ready to meet the man God had picked out for me.  I had done a lot of healing in the past four months and I was ready for God’s timing.  My heart leapt for joy when I saw Dave #2 enter the room about a half hour late.  And he has been the #1 guy in my life now for almost 44 years!

Look back over your own life and think of a situation where something happened which made a great impact on your life because of split second timing in circumstances.  It seems everyone has such a story to tell.  Sometimes I wonder if most people just go through life not realizing the small details of events and how they turn out.  Often, the big event (such as marrying Dave) is due to all of the amazing little events that happen in a precise order for the final big event to take place.  I’ve read books where these events are referred to as “God Winks”; and sometimes it is the little things that lead up to the big things.  Put your life in God’s hands and you’ll find out that it happens more than you might think.

 

GOD TURNS THE BAD TO GOOD

By Kathleen Martens

September 16, 2016

 

When I think of little things

That I desire to do.

I usually don’t even suspect

That they will happen too.

 

But it seems as if God hears

The thoughts deep in my heart,

And His timing goes into gear

And circumstances rev and start.

 

And sometimes there are sad things

That we face and overcome.

And God turns them into good

Before His plans are done.

 

And so I put my full trust

Into the hands of God my King.

And when I least expect His grace

Over me His angels sing.

 

And when He sings out his love,

He reveals to me His awesome plans

As He turns the bad to good,

While in His presence I joyfully stand.

 

Thank You Lord for all the details You work out in my life.

Thank You Father for having a plan for my life.

Thank You Lord that I know You and feel Your presence daily.

Thank You for my unending joy that comes from knowing you.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

 

 

Thursday September 15 2016  THE RHETORICAL QUESTION

 

The rhetorical question I am about to ask is addressed to all who read my blog, EXCEPT for my sister VFM.  This question would be an affront to her if I included her in such a question.  When it comes to my sister I already know the answer.

Okay, here goes: 

Do you ever set an item down someplace in your house knowing you are going to do something with it, and then it just sits in its little lonely spot for who knows how long?  Well, I must confess, clutter doesn’t just accumulate by itself; it has to have an instigator.  And that would describe how it happened to me.  But I am trying to get better (sounds like some sort of illness).  My intentions are always right on, I know exactly what I plan to do, and know I will do so when I get a “round tuit”.  The problem is I have only come across one “round tuit” in my life time.  I bought it, gave it to Uncle Horace, and could never find another one for myself.  I just knew it was the answer to my dilemma.  In case you have never seen one it resembles a Frisbee in shape and size.  The difference is that it has the logo “ROUND TUIT” emblazed on one side.  It promised to be the end-all of getting everything done.  I wonder if it worked for Uncle Horace.  He used to show me all the projects he would do if he ever got around to it.  So I gave him one.

As I de-clutter I am reminded of all my good intentions; sort of like having my albums and craft paper sitting on my craft table for the past six years.  I guess I was still looking for that precious “ROUND TUIT”.  However, the album will be finished after all.  I am no longer looking “at it”; I am actually “working on it”.  I experience a good feeling of accomplishment as each layout if finished and neatly tucked away.  It is not a little project but it is progressing more quickly than I thought it would.  It is actually spurring me on and motivating me to get other projects accomplished.  It is quite easy for me to sit and write and let the day get away from me, but I have decided to challenge myself to become a better steward of my time; doing everything thing from resting when I need to, going to bed on time, as well as limiting my writing time.  I currently have several matters that are time sensitive which need my attention.  In other words, I am reorganizing my time by making cuts here and there.  One such cut will be to write shorter blogs and shorter poems.

 

WHEN I GET A ROUND TO IT

By Kathleen Martens

September 15, 2016

 

A new question

I ask myself,

Does this go in a closet

Or upon a shelf?

 

Everything I touch

Must have a place

I mustn’t set it aside

But return to its space.

 

And if I buy it

Will it be used?

Or shuffled around,

Ignored and abused?

 

So careful am I

What I bring in,

Almost as if

New thing are sin.

 

Everything has its place

Or it’s going out,

And that is what

My mission is about.

 

A thing is but a thing,

No longer do I woo it.

Even when I don’t have

My own “ROUND TUIT.”

 

God, thank You for allowing me to live long enough to get my life cleaned up.

Thank You Lord that I can now let go of “things”.

Thank You Lord for inner healing.

Thank You Lord for opening my eyes to so many things I didn’t see or understand when I was younger.

And most of all, thank You Father for instilling in me the wonder and beauty of life.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

 

 

Wednesday September 14 2016  THE WRONG DATES

It seems the month of September is the month my brain does not want to acknowledge.  Perhaps it is because the year has gone by too quickly.  I either start writing “Ju”…or “Aug”…before I realize NO!  IT IS SEPTEMBER!  So I then correct my slip up, thinking that by tomorrow I will realize that it truly is September.  Somehow it feels as if I just miss part of life each year because I can’t slow the calendar down enough to do all the exciting things I can think of to do!

And today was very exciting; at least to me!  I was up bright and early and decided I was going to clear a bench off in the basement (now remember our basement is like another entire house in the sense that it opens up to the outside world on three sides and is completely finished except for the laundry room and shop).  I cleared the bench and then one thing after the other beckoned for my attention.  I have wanted to organize the excess from the garage sale as well as the boxes from the shop that Dave brought into the house in June.  Well, I tackled it.  Piece by piece, box by box, pile by pile, I sorted, rearranged, and organized.  The best part is the fact that I actually now know what is in the basement family room.

One large pile is going to Good Will, a few of Dave’s coats I plan to sell on Craig’s list, and everything else is now awaiting my attention as to their final demise.  To my delight I found a treasure.  It is only my treasure and probably wouldn’t mean a great lot to someone else.  I found a full box of my writings and poetry dating from 1965 to the early 1980’s.  And of course I had to stop and read some of it.  What I read brought back a lot of memories, some joyful, some painful.  It was also an eye opener for me to read some papers and diary pieces I wrote that emphasizes that I still make all the same grammatical inconsistencies that I did as far back as 1965.  My style of writing is the same now as it was then.  I actually think I wrote better poetry then than now.  I have one poem I may share with you in a few days, but chances are if I do, the poem will be the entire blog with a short prelim, plus the poem I write for the day.  It is a long poem and describes both sorrow and joy, but more of that later.

Hunger finally called me back upstairs and I snacked my way through lunch as I spent the next three hours preparing recipes so I could use up food from the refrigerator.  I will be receiving a food box tomorrow and I will need the space.  I used a lot out of the fridge, but had to put it all back in.  Mostly fresh vegetable dishes.  But at least we have lots of food prepared for the next several days and everything is stacked neatly instead of in shapes of vegetables.  I always enjoy that.

My evening is too short.  I spent way too much time cleaning up emails on the computer and I would still like to have a hot EPSOM SALT SOAK in our claw foot bathtub.  The bathtub is calling me!  That bathtub fits the contours of my height perfectly.  I actually had a bathroom designed around installing that tub!  I bought the tub from a private party right after we moved into this house.  I think it sat in the laundry room for 15 to 20 years before we remodeled the bathroom.  And oh my goodness; was it ever difficult for 4 strong grown men to carry it down the hallway for installation.  I guess that bathtub stays with the house.  It is made out of cast iron.  But it sure is comfortable for a good soak!

 

I’M ALREADY DREAMING

By Kathleen Martens

September 14, 2016

 

I’m already dreaming

Of a good hot soak.

Liquid caressing,

Soft as a cloak.

 

I can imagine the water

Soothing and calm.

With  Epsom salts,

A relaxing balm.

 

A time of rest;

A gentle peace.

Tranquility in silence;

Fulfills my needs.

 

My soul is quiet…

Time settles down.

My hushed spirit

Then is found.

 

Whispering thoughts

In stillness climb

Gently to the surface

Of my silent mind.

 

A lullaby…

Ever so sweet,

Sings so softly…

As I retreat.

 

Lord, thank You for this day.

Thank You God for all the food in my refrigerator.

Thank You Lord for water.

Thank You too for a hot water heater.

Thank You for my bathtub.

 

My prayer

Lord, never let me take for granted the amenities that we have in this country.  I pray I am never ungrateful for all that You provide.  Thank You for every morsel of food in this house.  Lord, open the eyes of my heart to see those who are hurting and hungry around me so I can help them.  Thank You for loving each and every person on this earth.  Direct me as to how I can show Your love to others so their heart will be turned toward you.  I love You Father.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

 

Tuesday September 13 2016  GOD’S PLAN IS IN MOTION

 I am in the process of transcribing several years of poetry from my journals to the computer.  I came across this poem from six years ago and it is as pertinent today as it was back then.  It actually resurfaced at an appropriate time because I think it goes along with the poem I wrote yesterday.  Poetry to me is about life and what is going on around me at any given time.  I enjoy capturing sermons in poetry form because when I re-read them I am reminded of the points of that sermon so many months or years ago.  My poetry is cathartic for me to write, but sometimes more difficult to read because of the topics.  I pass this poem on for the Glory of God.  Though my poems are not masterpieces, nor renowned, I pray that someone, somewhere, someday, will be refreshed and enlightened, and will search further to have a personal relationship with Jesus.  May God bless you through this poem and open your eyes to what the Word of God speaks in regards to Israel. 

 This poem was inspired by a sermon given by John Ruck on August 1, 2010 at City Church, entitled:

 “GOD IS DOING SOMETHING GREATER, CAN YOU SEE IT?”

 Isaiah 43: 18-19

“Do not remember the former things
Nor consider the things of old.
¹⁹ Behold, I will do a new thing
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?”

 

GOD’S PLAN IS IN MOTION

By Kathleen Martens

August 1, 2010

 

The heart of God is Jerusalem

God asks us to pray.

Look to Israel

To measure the day.

 

A country surrounded by such hate,

Only the Lord knows her fate.

In this time of deception when none show care

This is the time to be in prayer.

 

Economics in chaos, disasters happen each day,

Wars and rumor of wars executed today.

Nations failing, disregarding law,

Creating wounds, painful and raw.

 

Religion and hatred go hand in hand,

Gang together their evil band.

The world is in an hour only God knows,

No accident in timing for His plan to go.

 

Is there a reason Israel must be destroyed?

In God’s planning nothing goes void.

The devil in control of the world and hell

And he is ever aware of his death knell.

 

So satan is fighting over Israel’s sod,

Yet the One in control—is only God.

We should not be ignorant or walk in fear,

Nor be complacent, for God is near.

 

Countries try to take over the world,

How do we stop catastrophes as they unfurl?

How will others affect the promised land?

Israel shall not be destroyed!  In victory they’ll stand!

 

God has laid out the signs of the times,

Study the word “infidel”, read between the lines.

To the Muslim we are an infidel, and so to them it’s okay

To kill and destroy us, if we do not believe their way.

 

You must pray for discernment to not be blind

To the spiritual world of satan and his kind.

Knowledge is power, ignorance IS NOT bliss,

Open your spiritual eyes, so God’s signs you won’t miss.

 

Christians will be challenged in times to come,

Be sensitive to what God is doing through His Son.

Be ready; be wise, for the coming of the bride,

God gives instructions, through His Word He confides.

 

Jesus tells us the story, the puzzles we’ve heard,

But we must be prepared, knowing His Word.

God’s plan is in the making, be on His path,

He gives us mercy, not His wrath.

 

A one world government is in God’s hands,

A world-wide mess, part of His plan.

It’s will happen because it’s in the book,

We should not live in fear, but to God look.

 

There is but one God, accessed through Christ,

Because of that truth there are so many fights.

So many choices for man to believe,

But what matters is…that Christ you receive.

 

Christ’s plan is in motion, He displaces worry.

Since the end times are here, there is no need to hurry.

Just lean on Jesus for His promises fulfilled,

He loves us enough that His blood He spilled.

 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

Wisdom from God not attained through college.

So walk with God as His plans come true,

Be ready to stand before Him, when He calls for you!

 

Perhaps if you are not familiar with the prophesies of the Old Testament and the fulfillment of some  of those prophesies of the New Testament, as well as with the Book of Revelation, you may not understand what this poem is all about.  It may well be worth your research to find out what Israel’s part is in regards to the end times of which the Bible speaks.

I have a wonderful new friend named Marilyn.  We spent part of this morning together at her place listening to this past Sunday’s Sermon about “Gnats and Camels”.  It was an awesome message and I thought she would enjoy it.  Check it out if you like at http://www.citychurchonline.org/media. The message was Sunday September 11, 2016. 

Two weeks previous on August 28, 2016 our lead Pastor’s message was titled “Thinking Right About Civil Authority”.  It too was amazing.  It was actually a political message without taking sides.  Rather, the Pastor covered the topic from a Biblical perspective.  Dave and I were both amazed as to how our Pastor covered such a volatile topic from the pulpit.  

 

FLEETING MOMENTS MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD

By Kathleen Martens

September 13, 2016

 

So many topics to know about

So little time in which to learn.

So I collect the extra moments

So that knowledge I can earn.

 

When I do my morning brushing,

And wash the sleep out of my eyes,

My ears are working well and fine,

So on those moments I do rely.

 

I listen to a sermon,

And then listen to it twice,

Because once is not enough

To absorb God’s wonderful advice.

 

And when I go to work out

I have hours in which to spend,

I listen to topics on my phone

From beginning to the end.

 

And while working in the kitchen

My phone is by my side.

I click on the message I desire to hear

And use time which God provides.

 

Thank You Lord for little pieces

Of time throughout my day.

When I can learn more about You

And have moments in which to pray.

 

Lord, thank You for all the audio learning tools that are now available to us.

Thank You God that You have given me the desire to learn.

Thank You for Your Living Word.

Thank You for men of God who search Your scriptures and teach Your truths.

Thank You for the moments I have to listen.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

 

Monday September 12 2016  LOOKING BACK AT THE HISTORY OF CIVILIZATION AND INTO THE FUTURE

My greatest sources for learning are reading God’s word, listening to sermons, and being aware of the social environment of today via news, morays, laws, and changes that are taking place in our local society and the world.  Today I will briefly touch on a topic I find quite interesting in our changing world.  My source once again was through a sermon from www.southlandchristian.org

The speaker, Jon Weece, was teaching about the history of Christians in past centuries.  As we read in the news and see on television, in many parts of the world Christians are currently being persecuted.  The atmosphere of the Christian is even changing in our own country, a country that was founded for (NOT FROM) religious freedom.  It seems that so many other faiths can be discussed in schools but if it has to do with Jesus, it is taboo.  The speaker went back over history and traced what researchers have found to be true; there are certain things that take place in societies before the persecuting begins. I won’t go into detail of the civilizations he spoke about but each one went through the same steps before arriving at the persecution level.  Those steps are in this order; stereotyping, vilifying, marginalizing, criminalizing, and the end result is persecuting.  It was easy for me to identify many of these steps in relationship to what is  going on in the United States.  It is even more vivid when reading the world news.  I sometimes wonder how long it will take when persecuting Christians in the United States becomes more prevalent and “in vogue”.  It has already happened on a small scale.

We who believe in Jesus as the Son of God and our Savior must stand fast and strong in our faith.  We must stand firm and not compromise our beliefs because someone else does not agree with us.  The Scripture instructs us to pray for our enemies.  And we must be aware that Scripture does say persecution will happen and that God will supply us with the strength and courage to face what we must.  Just be aware that you must to be grounded in your faith, and know that you can stand strong because our hope is in the Lord, and this world is not our home. 

 

REGARDLESS WHAT COMES

By Kathleen Martens

September 12, 2016

 

Regardless what comes

God has provided a way

To help us stay strong

Every single day.

 

Study His word,

Be diligent in truth.

Be immersed in faith

That you will never lose.

 

Already our freedoms

Are being compromised.

Our belief in God

Protect from demise.

 

Evil shields evil, and

Mows down what is good.

And speech is thwarted,

Truth misunderstood.

 

God is so good

Yet expelled from school,

The true Word of God

No longer a tool.

 

Once was a time

When children would look

As they learned how to read

From God’s good Book.

 

But not only the words

Did they learn how to read,

But on the lessons of goodness

They daily did feed.

 

Our country was grounded

On the Ten Commandments,

Not on what one could receive

By making demand(ments).

 

People shared what they had

No matter how little.

The government did not need

To get in the middle.

 

People worked hard

And learned to do right.

They were good to their neighbors

And less prone to fight.

 

But now there is chaos,

More murder and hate,

No prayer in school

Had a cruel, cruel fate.

 

And as babies are aborted

There came changing views.

Life was no longer precious,

Nor God’s joy ensued.

 

And soon Jesus was left out.

His name banned from being spoken.

And now I see so clearly

All the lives that are broken.

 

But there is still hope

For spiritual health.

When you accept Christ

You receive spiritual wealth.

 

You will be filled with joy,

Your eternity secured.

And the goodness of your life

Once again can occur.

 

A personal decision for Christ

May cause you to be shunned,

But you will be filled with peace

When you receive God’s Son!

 

THANK YOU GOD THAT I CAN STILL SPEAK YOUR NAME ON THE STREETS OF OUR CITIES.

Thank You Lord for Your Church that blankets the earth.

Thank You Lord for Your truth.

Thank You Lord for Your love.

Thank You for the strength You provide daily.

 

Have a great day friends!

GOD BLESS YOU!