Friday February 10 2017  RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTETH A NATION

This is the second full day of being at home since returning from Corpus Christi and I am still flying high. 

When we left Madison we left one day ahead of our original departure date so we could circumvent the snowstorm forecast for the following day.  We missed most of the storm but it caught up with us the last 30 minutes of our drive to the Des Moines, Iowa area.  We stayed at an Airbnb and it was as if God picked the very place we needed to be.  The family was so kind and helpful the entire time we were there.  What a story they have to tell.  Let me just say, they are amazing people!

On our return trip home Marilyn and I had accommodations at the same Airbnb.  This time we had a snowstorm all night and on the early morning of our departure.  We left for home a bit later in the day than we planned so we would miss another snow storm.  By re-routing we were able to have clear roads all the way home.  After all the excitement of the trip and how quickly everything took place I still haven’t returned to my reality.  I’ve stayed up until midnight or beyond the past two nights.  I just had too much energy to go to bed. 

And I am beginning to feel it.  Perhaps tonight I will be able to decompress and perhaps sit down and do absolutely nothing so my mind can empty and allow my body to become still.  The problem is, I have so much I would like to write about if I but had the time and chance to do so.  Though I can’t write all I would like to, there is one story I’d like to share with you.

On the first night of our travels when we arrived at the Airbnb I became intrigued when I peeked into the home office of the place we stayed. The room was directly across the hall from our bedroom.  The office was amazing.  I asked if I could enter.  I so wanted to view all the artwork on the walls.  The man was a photographer (right up my alley) and his images were incredible.  They were taken all over the world as he traveled.  I think they were so interesting to me because the photos were not snapshots, but rather works of art with incredible perspective and angles.  While in the library I spied a small old book.  I asked if I could pick it up and open it.  It was a “New Testament”.  I opened the worn cover and was surprised by what greeted me.  On the inside cover was a drawing of the United States Flag.  Written under the flag was the following verse from the Bible.  

Proverbs 14:34:  

“Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people.”

(On the first page facing the flag were the following words:)

“THE WHITE HOUSE

               WASHINGTON

                      January 25, 1941

         As Commander-in-Chief I take

pleasure in commending the reading

of the Bible to all who serve in the

armed forces of the United States.

Throughout the centuries men of many

faiths and diverse origins have

found in the Sacred Book words of

wisdom, counsel and inspiration.

It is a fountain of strength and

now, as always, an aid in attaining

the highest aspirations of the

human soul.

                     Very sincerely yours,

(A signature was on this line with the name typed below)

                     FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT.”

I snapped the picture that follows on my cell phone and my phone did not allow me to take any more photos because I had no more space.  So one photo was all I was able to get.  I did go to an Apple Store and had new memory added but when we came back through Des Moines on our way home and stopped at the same Airbnb I did not think about taking additional shots. 

The words typed on this cover page absolutely astounded me.  In today’s world I’m sure there would be a great uproar if a president had those words inscribed in a Holy Bible and issued to each service man and woman.  I was told by our host that each military man was issued a testament, such as the one I photographed, when they were sent overseas during World War II.  I sure wish I could find a copy of one to buy.  I THINK THE WORDS ARE AWESOME! 

A LITTLE BOOK

Kathleen Martens

February 10, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

A little book

With great big words.

The story of life

On its pages heard.

How awesome

That once upon a time

That little book

Was considered sublime.

And to many

It still lives,

And is ever so true

As life it gives.

The Living Word

Is a book to treasure.

No other compares,

Or to it measures.

For truth is found

Upon its pages

And against sin

It forever wages.

By many forsaken

Unknown they are lost,

That Jesus died for their sin

Upon a rugged cross.

Thank You God for the knowledge You impart in Your Living Word.

Thank You God that I so love Your Word.

That You too that at one time our servicemen were given the gift of Your Word in tangible form.

GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU AND MAY HIS FACE SHINE UPON YOU.  JUST REMEMBER…YOU ARE LOVED.  And how do I know that?  Because Jesus tells me so in that LITTLE BOOK.