Monday April 24 2017  WHERE YOUR STORY BEGINS

 

WE EACH HAVE A STORY

Kathleen Martens

April 24, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

We each have a story; the story of our life.

It begins before birth, and blooms through birth’s strife.

So much unremembered before our memory takes hold,

Later memory repositioned when they make your heart grow cold.

 

Just exactly what is your account of that which others see?

Is it truth or is it jest; are you truly living your best “ME”?

Who are you deep down inside, and what are your dreams?

Is your story true to others, or have you latent screams?

 

It is so easy to bury deeply the pains along your road

Until a trigger surfaces, exposing memories left untold.

In order to tell the complete story, thought must be given,

Are you truly surrendered to the life you were born to be living?

 

The story of each one unique, future decided by decisions,

Choose to live in purity so that later there is no derision.

Choose to live in truth while speaking kindly toward all others.

And in the end of your years, you’ll discover you’ve lived your druthers.

 

Speak the legacy of your past, teaching others by your mistakes,

Help others peel off their baggage so their life is not lived fake.

Share wisdom with those who want to see, and love to those who hate

That you might be the very one who opens their love-gate.

 

Stories come and stories go, some forever buried unknown.

Share with others your very own, and allow your love be shown.

The journey of life is short, but seems forever before it will end.

In case you live to be very old, be sure to make younger friends.

 

And in no matter, judge another, their view is not your own.

“Judge not or likewise you will be judged” is the edict from God’s throne.

Show compassion when it is needed and be the helping hands.

Most importantly in your story, choose Jesus with whom to stand!

 

The above poem was inspired by the following “THOUGHT FOR THE DAY” sent to me by my friend Marilyn:

“HOME IS WHERE YOUR STORY BEGINS.”  Author unknown.

The thought above caused a myriad of memories to scuttle through my brain.  I did some digging in two old briefcases that contain stacks of pages written in the past which related to the thought that my story began at home.  A plethora of memories, images, letters, experiences, and even pain, surfaced.  I read through several pages of what I wrote in the past when I was in a different place and time of my life’s journey.  It was a time of deep emotional suffering caused by past memories that surfaced with which still needed to be dealt. 

This one little “THOUGHT FOR THE DAY” gave me reason to read and remember so many healings I have had in my past.  I find that statement so true.  Though there is much I could share with you today in this blog I choose not to do so.  My past has long since been healed but there are those I love who have not gone through this same healing and I choose not to open old pains.  We each deal with pain in our own way.  

What I can share however is that I know without a doubt that God heals even the emotional sorrows of our past.  He heals by taking all the lies that the devil feeds into our memory bank and speaks His truth into our lives.  When we feel we are unworthy Jesus speaks truth to our hearts and lets us know that in His eyes we are worthy.  When we feel as if we are unforgivable, again Jesus speaks truth to our hearts and forgives us completely.  When we carry fear with us Jesus speaks to us from His Word “Perfect love casts out all fear” and instills His everlasting truth in us.  And all we must do in order to be healed is first desire to be healed, open our hearts to hear His truths and then to accept and believe His truths. 

Many years ago I went through this healing process and the truth that I learned was that when Jesus speaks truth to us our healing is permanent.  I no longer carry the baggage of my past with me.  Yes, I can still remember the situations that caused my pain, but I no longer feel pain when I remember them.   I no longer have hatred toward those who hurt me, anger toward situations I had no control over, or even sorrow or regret for what happened in my past.  I am who I am today because God was with me as I lived my story.  He took the pain and ashes of my past and breathed forgiveness and beauty into my life.  He instilled a desire within me to help others be healed of the same sorrows.  God has taken my regrets and buried them in His love and salvation. 

And what God has done for me He can do for you. 

 

Thank You God that You have been with me all my life, even through my pain and suffering.

Thank You God for complete healing of my past.

Thank You Lord that I have the promise of the mansion You are building for me in heaven.

Thank You Jesus that someday I will see Your face for You are the gift of heaven.

 

GOD BLESS YOU!

Sunday Sabbath April 23 2017  AN INTERESTING DAY

 

AN INTERESTING DAY

Kathleen Martens

August 23, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Today was such an interesting day

Not really work, but not quite play.

Door to door I peddled my ware,

And at first I had a few stares.

 

Some did not answer my knock at their door

So I always knocked a little bit more.

Heard dogs bark in frenzied pitch.

As if I was the big bad witch.

 

All persons receptive when I began to speak

I gave them flyers they could keep

About ordering vegetables left in my garage,

Explaining really and truly they were not a mirage.

 

Boxes of produce will be delivered to me

As the subscribers soon will see.

Met a husband whose name was Gary,

And his lovely wife; her name was Sherrie.

 

And I also met a nice young Ben

Whose beautiful wife’s name was Jen.

And oh the sights I did behold

And not one person’s shoulder was cold.

 

For so many it was an outdoor day

With lots of work and not much play.

Families with children, some retired.

And all their dogs were inspired.

 

I offered to those who like to eat

A weekly box, filled with vegetable treats.

All they had to do was pay to receive

Farm fresh produce with dirt on their leaves.

 

I had a wonderful Sunday Sabbath today passing out information for the farm produce that will be delivered to our home one day a week throughout the growing season.  The people I spoke with were all so friendly and I so enjoyed talking to each one.  Each conversation was fresh and invigorating; especially when they shared bits of their life story.  I do so enjoying hearing new stories and meeting new people.  I could write a three or four page blog after this day.  But, since Sunday is only a poem day I will settle for this teaser poem and write more about this day on a later date.

 

Thank You God for all the wonderful people I met today.

Thank You God for this absolutely stupendously beautiful awesome day!

 

Good night and God bless you.

Saturday April 22 2017  THE JOURNEY

 

I PLAN TO EMBARK ON SUCH A JOURNEY

Kathleen Martens

April 22, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

I wonder why I write

When there are so many books to read.

If I were not on the computer

Upon others books I would feed.

 

Food for my brain

Languidly awaits my greedy hands.

And oh the stories I long to devour,

But other tasks my time demands.

 

Shelves and shelves sit burdened

Two rows deep once again.

I could only part with but a few

Because they are my waiting friends.

 

Some I know personally,

Some I just know by touch.

Others are still strangers

Singled out upon my hutch.

 

If I could live my heart’s desire

As far as my books are concerned,

I would sit and read each one,

Every story to be learned.

 

They would take me many places

And my imagination would soar.

And one thing for certain

I would never, ever be bored.

 

I would go across the ocean

And travel the eons of time.

And so many emotions I would experience

And my thoughts never confined.

 

Oh to read until my heart is content

Would be the gift that God would give.

Because reading His Word is my favorite

And it would teach me how to live.

 

So in my dreams and imagination

I plan to embark on such a journey,

And hopefully read to my heart’s content

Until I’m carried out on a gurney.

 

All the boxes and bags of books that I moved to the new library space are now unpacked.  There are boxes of books to donate and a couple of boxes set aside that I want to give to specific people.  I have two other boxes of books set aside and their destiny is yet undetermined. Unfortunately I still have about 10 boxes of sundry items I need to go through and sort.  I do not particularly look forward to that.  I will just tackle one box a day.  I will take little bites and make big inroads.  Much of it will probably be shredded and the rest filed.  I have stacks of typed poems that need to be put in three ring binders.  Someday I hope to have a collection of all of my handwritten poems typed in date order as well.  I already have stacks of printed poetry in three ringed binders.  Plus I have boxes of hand written poetry from my younger years that are yet to be sorted and hopefully edited and typed.  I wonder if anyone will want such a burden of words I will be leaving behind.

When I leave this world I suppose the gift of my poetry has served its purpose for me.  My poems tell my story.  And when my story ends perhaps my words will lend comfort, joy, and smiles as other continue living their stories.  I hope you enjoy reading the poems I publish because I certainly enjoy writing them.

 

Thank You God for all the poetry You place in my heart.

Thank You for all the wonderful words which others have written that sit upon my shelves waiting to be read.

Thank You for the abundance of gifted authors who study to know You better and then share their insights with others through their books.

And thank You Lord that I am so fortunate to have so many books.

 

GOD BLESS YOU!

Friday April 21 2017  CAN YOU PASS THIS TEST?

The following test is copied from a forward that was sent to me recently. 

Currently we have a plethora of information at our fingertips.  But, do we have it in our personal knowledge bank?   Is it necessary to have it relegated to memory since we can look it up any time we may need it?  Is the information even necessary to teach anymore?  In my opinion it seems perhaps the young people of today are not taught some of the basic fundamentals that we were taught years ago.  I know I wasn’t taught a lot of what was in this test.  And I remember when my kids were growing up there were gaps in what they were being taught from that which I was taught.  I read some of their curriculum in late middle school and high school and so much of the American history I was taught was no longer in our children’s school books.  I wonder what is being left out in today’s classrooms.  For one, I know that some schools are no longer teaching cursive penmanship.

I found this test to be quite interesting due to the versatility of questions asked and wondered how 8^th graders could pass such a test.  I don’t think an 8^th grader in today’s school system could do it.  Come to think of it I don’t think many college age students could pass it today.  I know I couldn’t.  I even had to look up some of the terminology used in the questions.  Many of the words were not available in Microsoft Word’s synonym finder so I resorted to a PAPER DICTIONARY!

One hundred years ago it was not unusual to stop attending school after the 8^th grade.  Lifestyles were different, farming was different, and many of the children were needed to work in order to help provide for their families or work on the farm.  If this was the 8^th grade test then I would be interested in reading the test that was given when one graduated from High School!

I cheated and looked up some of the questions online.  Read through the following questions and see how many you can answer.  Don’t cheat like I did!  I’d just like to know if it is actually possible for the average adult to know all the answers.

Go ahead, give it a try!

 

Following is the copied text:

“This is the eighth-grade final exam from 1895 in Salina, Kansas, USA. These questions were taken from the original examination on file at the Smokey Valley Genealogical Society and Library in Salina, Kansas. Take the test and see if you would have graduated with the eighth grade class in 1895.

GRAMMAR (Time, one hour)
1. Give nine rules for the use of capital letters.
2. Name the parts of speech and define those that have no modifications
3. Define verse, stanza and paragraph.
4. What are the principal parts of a verb? Give principal parts of ‘lie,’ ‘play,’ and ‘run’
5. Define case; illustrate each case.
6 What is punctuation? Give rules for principal marks of punctuation.
7 – 10. Write a composition of about 150 words and show therein that you understand the practical use of the rules of grammar.

 

ARITHMETIC (Time, one hour 15 minutes)
1. Name and define the Fundamental Rules of Arithmetic.
2. A wagon box is 2 ft. Deep, 10 feet Long, and 3 ft. Wide. How many bushels of wheat will it hold?
3. If a load of wheat weighs 3,942 lbs, what is it worth at 50cts/bushel, deducting 1,050 lbs for tare?
4. District No 33 has a valuation of $35,000. What is the necessary levy to carry on a school seven months at $50 per month, and have $104 for incidentals?
5. Find the cost of 6,720 lbs. coal at $6.00 per ton.
6. Find the interest of $512.60 for 8 months and 18 days at 7 percent per annum.
7. What is the cost of 40 boards 12 inches wide and 16 ft long at $20 per metre?
8… Find bank discount on $300 for 90 days (no grace) at 10 percent.
9. What is the cost of a square farm at $15 per acre, the distance of which is 640 rods?
10. Write a Bank Check, a Promissory Note, and a Receipt.

 

U.S. HISTORY (Time, 45 minutes)
1. Give the epochs into which U.S. History is divided
2. Give an account of the discovery of America by Columbus .
3. Relate the causes and results of the Revolutionary War.
4. Show the territorial growth of the United States …
5. Tell what you can of the history of Kansas
6. Describe three of the most prominent battles of the Rebellion.
7. Who were the following: Morse, Whitney, Fulton, Bell, Lincoln, Penn, and Howe?
8. Name events connected with the following dates: 1607, 1620, 1800, 1849, 1865.

 

ORTHOGRAPHY (Time, one hour) * Do you even know what this is?
1. What is meant by the following: alphabet, phonetic, orthography, etymology, and syllabication?
2. What are elementary sounds? How classified?
3. What are the following, and give examples of each: digraph, sub vocals, diphthong, cognate letters, linguals?
4. Give four substitutes for caret ‘u’.
5. Give two rules for spelling words with final ‘e.’ Name two exceptions under each rule.
6. Give two uses of silent letters in spelling. Illustrate each.
7 Define the following prefixes and use in connection with a word: bi, dis, pre, semi, post, non, inter, mono, sup.
8. Mark diacritically and divide into syllables the following, and name the sign that indicates the sound: card, ball, mercy, sir, odd, cell, rise, blood, fare, last.
9. Use the following correctly in sentences: cite, site, sight, fane, fain, feign, vane, vain, vein, raze, raise, rays.
10. Write 10 words frequently mispronounced and indicate pronunciation by use of diacritical marks and by syllabication.

 

GEOGRAPHY (Time, one hour)
1 What is climate? Upon what does climate depend?
2. How do you account for the extremes of climate in Kansas?
3. Of what use are rivers? Of what use is the ocean?
4. Describe the mountains of North America.
5. Name and describe the following: Monrovia, Odessa, Denver, Manitoba, Hecla, Yukon, St., Helena, Juan Fernandez, Aspinwall and Orinoco .
6. Name and locate the principal trade centers of the U.S. Name all the republics of Europe and give the capital of each.
8. Why is the Atlantic Coast colder than the Pacific in the same latitude?
9. Describe the process by which the water of the ocean returns to the sources of rivers.
10. Describe the movements of the earth. Give the inclination of the earth.

How did you do? This test is an eye opening example of how education has evolved over the years.  Sounds to me like it could be going backwards.  I’m sure glad I didn’t have to take that test.

 

I’M VERY CONTENT

Kathleen Martens

April 21, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

If I could but hold

All I have learned.

Surely many diplomas

I would have earned.

 

My brain has acquired

Such a great deal

Over the course of my life

With such great zeal.

 

I have my thoughts

But I truly think

That now my brain

Possibly leaks.

 

And when I search

Thoughts play hide and seek,

And when I least expect it

Memory suddenly peaks.

 

Though thoughts may roam

Free in my head.

I’m very content!

Because I am not dead!

 

Thank You God that I can still recover information in my brain when I need it!

Thank You God that I can think.

Thank You God that I still have enough sense to be thankful for all You do for me and for all You provide for me.

GOOD NIGHT!

GOD BLESS YOU!

Thursday April 20 2017  SAYING GOODBYE TO FRIENDS

 

SAYING GOODBYE TO FRIENDS

Kathleen Martens

April 20, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

I can hardly pull myself away

From the fray

Of my books of yesterday.

 

Boxes and boxes of beloved friends,

Sorting never ends

Until my back no longer bends.

 

Memories flooding in such galore

Permeate from the floor,

And it seems there’s always more.

 

Just one more book I must peek

A whole box then I seek

And my back begins to freak.

 

Simple pleasure of such worth

A new story always birthed

Happy knowing there is no dearth.

 

Happy thoughts amidst the pain

I know it’s time to refrain

But my space I must regain.

 

Every book I cannot keep

But somehow, to me speaks

And together we silently weep.

 

I have spent the morning sorting which books to keep and which to give away.  I feel as if I am saying goodbye to long-time friends.  Realistically, my shelves are already full and I have only gone through less than a third of my books.  I still have about as many books left in my library as I have already shelved.  Not to mention that I have about 25 more boxes I’ve yet to go though in the main room.  My library closet is still full and behind my library door the books are stacked up to my mid-chest area (several rows of them).  Those should be easier for me to get rid of because they are mostly novels which I purchased at library book sales, garage sales, and second hand shops. 

The books I am keeping are my reference and spiritual study books, collections of Bibles, angel stories, short stories, poetry, Christmas stories, writer’s guides, and non-fiction books by Christian authors.  Oh yes, I mustn’t forget my collection of word books such as several different kinds of dictionaries, thesaurus’, and word finders.  I have a biographical dictionary, geographical dictionary, medical dictionary, rhyming dictionary, synonym dictionary, and several other kinds I can’t remember at present.  Some of them are over one hundred years old and have words in them that you can no longer find in modern dictionaries.  And of course, a lot of the definitions of the way words were used long ago no longer pertain to the meanings of today.  I love the old dictionaries and sometimes use them as a reference for the definition of a long lost word I want to use in my writings.

I have found out quite a lot about myself as I have sorted through these books.  I realize I have books that I have forgotten about and books that I wished I owned, I actually do own.  I think when one peruses another’s library much can be deciphered about the individual.  A personal library tells the inside scoop of what another feeds their heart.  I would definitely not be considered a scholar.  I think my library speaks of a softer, gentler world than of that which we live in today.  I also believe it shows I am a tender hearted woman who lives a bit in the past.  I love old books, old stories, and the way people wrote a hundred years ago.  I own no crime or horror novels.  I like to read non-fiction more than fiction.  If my books tell my story then it says I love spiritual growth books, history, biographies, cooking, poetry, Bibles, quotes, health books, and anything to do with angels and Christmas.  I own many true life books filled with short stories that show the miracles of God.  And my library also speaks in capital letters: this is a person who loves words, the study of words, and dictionaries. 

My books are well used, well marked, and some are falling apart from age or excessive use. Some I use over and over again year after year, other’s I refer to periodically and want them available at a moment’s notice.  I am starting out with all the books on shelves.  Give me one year and there will be spill-over around my study chair with books available within arm’s reach.  Messes to someone else; to me a little bit of heaven in arms reach.

For this to be a NO-BLOG day I guess I became a bit wordy. 

 

Thank You God for the bounty of all the books I own.

Thank You God that I am literate.

Thank You God that my eyes can still read with the help of glasses.

Thank You God for the book shelves I don’t own yet but need desperately.

Thank You God that words still make sense to me even if my words don’t necessarily make sense to others!

 

GOD BLESS YOU!

I am including Proverbs, chapter 4 from the New International Version. It is about a father speaking  to his son about wisdom. If you do not read the entire chapter PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF VERSE 23.  This is the verse I think of when I pick up something to read.

 

Proverbs 4 New International Version (NIV)

“Get Wisdom at Any Cost

Wednesday April 19 2017  TO LIVE AND SACRIFICE FOR THE GOOD OF ALL

Sorting books from my vast collection can become quite tedious.  However, to be truthful, I am enjoying it immensely.   Though I should probably be rushing through everything I am doing I have chosen to take my time and give consideration to each item I touch.  I sort for short periods of time and seem to tolerate the physical labor of bending and stooping by doing it this way.  I read every title, put like subjects together, and just keep building my stacks as I shelve and continue to sort. 

I have run across so many books that I hope to read some day (you know, when I get finished with all my work and have nothing else to do).  Today I came across the book “Elson-Gray Basic Readers, Book Six”, by William H. Elson and William S. Gray and Christine M. Keck, published in 1931.  It was obviously a curriculum book for the sixth grade class with 465 pages of small print and an occasional small hand-drawn illustration.  It had a book mark in it and I couldn’t help but turn to the page and read where the marker was. 

I thought it excellent reading and doubted if such a page could be found in a 6^th grade (or any other grade for that matter) reader in today’s current curriculum.  I decided to share it with you verbatim.

 

“Part Four

Young American Citizens

 

TRUE CITIZENS

(by) MARY E. MCDOWELL

God hath made all the nations of men, and we are His children, brothers and sisters all.  We are citizens of these United States and we believe our flag stands for self-sacrifice for the good of all the people.  We wish, therefore, to be true citizens of our great country, and will show our love for her by our works.

Our country asks us to live for her good; so to live and so to act that her government may be pure, her officers honest, and that every home within her boundaries shall be a place fit to grow the best kind of men and women to rule over her.”

My first impression was WOW! 

Now fast forward to present day.  Just recently the students of a certain college voted to no longer fly the American flag over their events.  Their reason, the flag offends them.  I suppose they no longer believe that our flag stands for “self-sacrifice for the good of all the people”.  The faculty left it up to the students to decide what they wanted to do.

God’s name is not to be mentioned in school settings, much less to declare that we are “His children…”  I don’t think there are any text books of today that would declare that statement.  After all, you never know who you might offend.

Other than private religious schools, who now teaches us to “be true citizens of our great country…”?  This statement gave me pause to wonder how many parents even discuss with their children the need to be “true citizens”?  I think it would be safe to say that I doubt if students are taught today “ to act that her government may be pure, her officers honest, and every home within her boundaries shall be a place fit to grow the best kind of men and women…”  So many children in our society today do not live in a “place fit to  grow the best kind of men and women…” so how would they even understand that concept?

I think we are lacking in each area discussed  regarding “TRUE CITIZENS”.  So many homes no longer fulfill the “traditional” ideology of a two parent home, self supporting, god fearing, and with each accepting responsibility for their own actions.  I will venture to go so far as to say not all parents guide their children to show “our love for her (our country) by our works”.  

The way I perceive it, somewhere along the way we have become a lost nation and it appears we are losing our children in the process.  And “lost children” will raise more lost children.

 

TO LIVE AND SACRIFICE FOR THE GOOD OF ALL

Kathleen Martens

April 19, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

It is so true that God is our Father

But so many don’t even bother

To know the Creator who made all,

And therefore never think on His name to call.

 

We are his children, Sisters and Brothers,

Fathers and Sons, Daughters and Mothers.

Regardless our color, background, or place

We should love one another, with a smile on our face.

 

And as such citizens of such a great nation

We should bond tightly together with elation.

We should stand in support, under one flag

Through turmoil and peace, both the good and the bad.

 

To live and sacrifice for the good of all,

To uphold our government so it will not fall.

To live pure and honest in a fallen world

Instead of insults constantly being hurled.

 

But in its place the world is full of hate and sin

Our doors must be locked so others can’t get in.

What should we expect when we don’t open our heart’s door

To accept God’s love, and so much more?

 

Thank You God that my life has not always been lived in a time of such political turmoil.

Thank You God that I am confident in Your love.

Thank You God that you have taken all anger and hatred from my heart.

Thank You God for blessing our country for so many years.

 

GOD BLESS YOU!

Tuesday April 18 2017  THE ODYSSEY

 

THE ODYSSEY

Kathleen Martens

April 18, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

A tiny tooth

Lost in a drain.

A FRONT TOOTH!

All the more strain.

 

Brushing my teeth

Minding P’s and Q’s,

There went my crown

Spiraling down the tube.

 

I couldn’t catch it

Or hold it back

Eye/hand coordination

I guess I lack.

 

No plumber available

At 10:00 P.M.

Even though

I went after him.

 

So alas

What’s a lady to do?

I got on the floor

And unscrewed the screw.

 

I separated the trap

And dumped it out

And in my amazement

I gave a great shout!

 

There was my crown

More priceless than gold

Salvaged from the muck

Of that dark hole.

 

With a gap in my grin

I proudly displayed

The mucky crown

Released from its grave.

 

And the next day was Easter

And I sat all alone.

Pride got the best of me

My smile so forlorn.

 

When Monday came

I called bright and early

And got an appointment

That made me quite squirrely.

 

So off to the dentist

I flew like a flash

With crown in tow,

In my purse stashed.

 

And what to my wondering

Ears should I hear

But the awesome words

That my repair was near.

 

With a twinkle in his eye

The Dentist went to work.

Everything looked good,

My crown would not shirk.

 

And soon it was sterile

And put back in place

And such a great joy

To have a smile on my face.

 

My twinkle was back

No longer a gap

My self esteem

No longer lacked.

 

All’s well that ends well

I left whistling a tune

And hoping I wouldn’t

Be coming back soon.

 

So that is in part the story of my Easter Day and my Monday morning. 

 

Thank You Lord that my crown was not damaged and that I was able to get it out of the trap below the sink.

Thank You that my smile is all in place. 

Thank You for modern dentistry; a service we take for such granted until we need a miracle.

Thank You for this day ahead.

 

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY! 

I have a bright smile on my face, how about you?

 

Sunday April 16 2017  EASTER SUNDAY, A DAY OF THANKS

 

EASTER’S GIFT

Kathleen Martens

April 16, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Thank  You Holy Spirit

That You beckon me to come.

It is you who draws me close

To Jesus, God’s only Son.

 

Thank You Jesus that your spirit calls

And draws me close to You,

For no one has access to the Father

Except it be through you.

 

Thank You God of infinite mercy

That You offered Your only begotten.

A blameless sacrifice for my sins

And for that I’ve never forgotten.

 

Thank You that You are a God of love

And eternal life to me You give

That in heaven some distant day

With you forever I’ll live.

 

GOD BLESS YOU ON THIS BEAUTIFUL EASTER SUNDAY.

 

 

 

 

Saturday April 15 2017  I WAS THERE

“Were you there when they crucified our Lord” are lyrics from a famous song about the crucifixion of Christ.   I listened to the song a few moments ago and an interesting thought crossed my mind.  Yes, I suppose I was there when our Lord was crucified.  He died for my sins, His spilled blood made it possible for me to enter into His presence for eternity.  He took the sins and world upon His shoulders as he hung from the cross.  It was because of my sin that He died.  If my sin caused His death, then yes, I was there and just like you, we all contributed to the fact that Christ died so that all man could come unto him.  Even if you have not repented or accepted Him into your life He still died for you to make eternal life possible for you too.

When I partake of the sacraments as a reminder that Christ’s body was broken for me and that His blood was spilled for my cleansing, I am again transported to that fateful hour when in agony Jesus called out to God saying,

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me”.  Matthew 27:46b 

“And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He gave up His spirit.  At that moment the the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  The earth shook and the rocks split”. Matthew 27:50-51

When the curtain, also referred to as the veil, split in two the the doorway of heaven opened.  And it was once again possible that man could be reunited with the One who created all men.  It was possible to again live in His presence for eternity.  Each communion is a reminder of His death and suffering.  And each Easter Sunday is the proclamation once again that HE IS RISEN!  My sins were there with Christ when He was nailed to the tree.  My heart of thanksgiving and gratitude is forever with Him as I rejoice in my salvation.

 

WAS I THERE?

Kathleen Martens

April 15, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Was I there when they crucified our Lord?

Was I there to witness His pain?

Though I was yet to be born

My sins on Him were lain.

 

Was I there when the day turned dark,

And in agony’s ninth hour

Christ cried out in anguish to His Father,

Though God held back His power?

 

Was I there when Christ was taken away

And laid in a borrowed tomb?

With walls of rock, closed by a stone

So no one could enter “the room”.

 

Was I there those three days

When Christ was called on a mission

Was I there on the third day

When He once again was risen?

 

My sin was nailed to the cross,

Though my innocence not yet born.

Only God knew of my hour to come

When my sin would add to His scorn.

 

But all was ransomed in that moment

When Christ no longer breathed.

I was planned, therefore I had a part

Because He died for me.

 

Thank You God that my sins were hung on that cross that you bore for me.

 

GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU REJOICE IN THE CELEBRATION “THAT CHRIST IS RISEN, RISEN INDEED!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday April 14 2017  GOOD FRIDAY WAKE UP CALL

Good Friday, the day we hold dear because it reminds us of the suffering that Jesus did on the cross for our sins.  It is the day He died and was laid to rest in a borrowed tomb.  His body was broken, His blood was shed, and He who was without sin became the sin offering that we would have a bridge to the Holy Father and could spend eternity in His presence.  And we go about our business as usual.

We picked up our two grandsons about 10:00 a.m. and headed out to Amish country.  As we all know the Amish are staunch believers of God and the Bible.  Their society revolves around religion, church, and rules.  We drove all the way out to the Amish store so our grandsons could pick out freshly ground peanut butter and choose the flavor.  Peanut butter with swirls of chocolate would be my favorite if I could eat chocolate.  But I can’t so I always settle for honey roasted peanuts for my freshly ground delectable treat.  When we arrived the first thing I noticed was that there were no vehicles in the parking lot.  No cars; no horse and buggies.  And then it dawned on us.  IT IS GOOD FRIDAY!

What were we thinking?  This is the second time we’ve driven all the way out there (more than an hour away from out house) only to find the store closed for the day.  They have no telephone so one can never call to see if they are open.  Oh well, we had a good time in the car listening to Xander sing us songs.  Some, I even learned.  And…to be truthful, I sang songs to him as well.  Zach was engrossed in his book the entire time and was rather quiet.  The quiet part is rather new to us and I guess we must learn to get use to it as he has a veracious appetite for books.  I’m glad he does.

We had a delicious lunch at Subway, came home and worked on crafts.  And I want to point out that BOTH grandsons are quite creative (a grandmother speaking)!  Xander told me that I have the best craft room in the world.  If the amount of the “stuff” I have in the room makes for the “best” craft room, then he is probably right on.  I enjoy being able to encourage the creative side of who they are.  I too always loved to work with my hands in a myriad of crafts throughout my life. I neverever was great at any one craft but I sure had fun trying new things.  I suppose if photography can be considered a craft I did okay, but was never truly the master; though I sure had fun doing it.  And the best part was that I got paid for something I loved doing!

Now to focus my attention back to Good Friday; this is an important day in history.  And yet, so many in the world do not celebrate this event.  There are many who probably don’t even know why Christians celebrate this day.  That is ever sadder still.  We have discussed with the boys the importance of what this day means in regards to our eternity.  They will attend service with us this evening to share in this time of commemorating such an event.  They are young and impressionable and have experienced accepting Jesus into their hearts.  Do they understand every single detail; probably not.  But I do remember that at the age of five I was totally in love with Jesus and as I look back now I realize that I truly did have a relationship with God in my own child-like way.  And God has said that unless we become like little children we will not have a place in His kingdom.  Children have a deep, true, faith.   Never underestimate the sincerity of a young child’s love for God who is the creator of all; and never underestimate how important it is that young children be trained up in the way of the Lord so that when they are old they will not depart from their faith.

We will go back later for our peanut butter!  My hat is off to the Amish for closing all their businesses to commemorate what this day means for our forever.

 

WHAT THIS DAY MEANS IN THE HISTORY OF ETERNITY

Kathleen Martens

April 14, 2017

www.visionsofportry.com

 

Thank You Father for the gift of Your son.

Your only begotten.  Your unblemished one.

Who willingly gave His life for mine.

He broke the shackles of death and time.

 

Guiltless He suffered agony and pain

And died on Calvary’s tree.

He bridged the gap between God and man

As He opened the door to eternity.

 

No longer separated because of sin and shame

I am filled with hope, joy, and love.

Because of what happened so long ago

The doors of heaven have been opened above.

 

 

Thank You Father for the gift of Your Son.

Thank You Jesus for GIVING Your life.

 

GOD BLESS YOU ON THIS SPECIAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

Thursday April 13 2017  GOD’S TIMING IS ALWAYS PERFECT

 

GOD’S TIMING IS ALWAYS PERFECT

Kathleen Martens

April 13, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Questions asked, questions answered

Though some shrouded in mystery.

The answers someday complete

But only when “the now” is history.

 

So I ask; God’s will be done

Regardless my wants and desires.

I so long to have the issue settled

So I know what will transpire.

 

But only God knows our heart

And He has a plan for where He leads.

So I will pray and listen intently

As on His Word I feed.

 

And I speak words of gratitude

Before His solution is known.

I know at just the right time

The correct result will be shown.

 

 

Thank You God for that the faith You measure out to us is enough.

Thank You God for opportunities that knock at our door.

Thank You Lord for directing our paths toward the right direction.

Thank You Father that Your timing is always perfect!

 

GOD BLESS YOU!

Wednesday April 12 2017  RUTHLESSLY ELIMINATE RUSHING

I could care less about having a cell phone available at all times.  I rarely answer my phone and very rarely ever call out on it.  However, I do have a great benefit by owning my smart phone.  It is a tool I use frequently throughout the day.  One feature that I rely on is the timer.  The timer helps me to stay on task.  I use the voice activated timer to buzz me when I am supposed to do something. 

When I am engaged in a project time does not exist.  I simply become so engrossed in what I am doing that all care and concern for anything else just evaporates.  Every once in awhile I need a reality check; a reminder to check the food in the oven, to return a call at a certain time, get ready to leave for an appointment, to start dinner, or even close up shop and go to bed.  In essence, every day is different.  It seems no matter how disciplined I try to be the days have a wayward attitude.

When I was working in photography I literally lost my life.  That is not a comfortable place to be.  I was rushing and pushing myself to the extreme.  I was up early and tried to be in bed by 2:00 a.m.  I remember so wanting to stop at a garage sale on a Friday or Saturday but knew I didn’t have even one moment to get sidetracked because of all the deadlines that were piled up on my desk.  Photos to take, books to design, appointments to keep, location shots for which I needed to prep, calls to return, and the list went on and on.  I loved the shoots but the after work became tedious and time consuming, especially when I transferred from film shooting to digital cameras.

I remember that during those hectic days when I lost contact with all friends, and practically family, saying to myself that when I retired I promised myself I would do everything in my power to give up rushing.  I was always rushing and doing everything on the fly.  Even cooking and taking something to Prime Time Dinners was out of the question.  I resorted to Sam’s and Costco to supply their double rich chocolate fudge cake or the like.  My health went down the tubes, my weight sky rocketed, connection with friends was put on hold, and I lived in a world that was driven by the hands on the clock.  I was constantly attuned to the time.  I was very aware that it always escaped too rapidly.  I was always rushing!

Now, life is different.  And during the past few weeks I have purposely tried more consistently to nurture those differences.  Some of the “have to’s” and “want to’s” I’ve discussed in past blogs are even being denounced.  Instead I choose to be a bit more lenient on myself.  When commitments to others are involved, discipline becomes a necessity.  When the commitment is only to myself I now feel I have free choice to enjoy the freedoms I have so long looked forward to; the freedom of not beating myself up because I don’t reach unrealistic self imposed goals.  I now feel so much less pressure.  If truth be told I have decided not to put the demands on myself in the first place.

I have recently felt the tug of the Lord upon my heart encouraging me to un-busy myself so I can spend more time in God’s Word and communing with Him.  And that translates and underlines to me the need to ruthlessly eliminate rushing!  And so that is my new ploy as I go forward in discovering and experiencing fully the fine art of being retired.

Yes, there are still some situations that must be taken care of on a timely basis.  So I plan differently now that I have more time to call my own.  I am ready to walk out the door when my timer jingles to let me know I must leave for the dentist, or whatever the appointment is.  I plan ahead as to what we will eat so I know that when my timer interrupts my absorbtion on whatever project I am working on I still have time to fulfill my commitment to company or husband with a timely meal.  

Retirement does mean freedom in so many ways but it is how we handle that freedom that allows us even more freedom.  And my little Iphone helps tremendously.  I am learning to be prepared ahead of time so when the bell rings, I’m ready.  That alone gives me more freedom from being a clock watcher.  I tremendously enjoy whatever I am doing knowing I will be prompted when it is time for the next segment of my day.

Many times over I have discovered that the past does not have to define my future.  I gave up wearing a watch a long time ago!  A new horizon awaits me!

 

A NEW HORIZON AWAITS

Kathleen Martens

April 12, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

As I walk through this journey called life

I’ve shucked away sorrow, agony, and strife.

I want to be happy to be the best be I can be,

To be content in my skin because then I am free.

 

I must release shackles that have bound my past

Which caused me to rush and work so fast.

I’m in a new world because now I’m retired.

New horizons to explore and for which to re-fire.

 

I want to ruthlessly eliminate all forms of rushing

And remove expectations that appear to be crushing.

Life never stops as long as I have breath

And with the Lord in my life there is life after death.

 

So I’ve nothing to fear, and no baggage to name,

My past is behind me, new horizons I claim.

I am both parent and child, all rolled into one,

The parent now lenient, the child will have fun!

 

Lord, thank You for being patient with me and teaching me new insights in my old age that I probably should have learned many years ago.

Thank You God for never giving up on me.

Thank You for the gift of life that comes from You.

Thank You that I have lived to enjoy retirement.

 

MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU THIS DAY!

Tuesday April 11 2017  I AM WHERE I BELONG

 

SPRING ONCE AGAIN WILL TELL HER STORY

Kathleen Martens

April 11, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

I looked out the window from the ground floor

“And what to my wondering eyes did I see?”

But countless trees and bushes galore

With green little buds appearing back at me!

 

I was so astonished as I beheld

A sight so inviting I could barely contain

My thoughts that Spring has finally sprung

And winter no longer remains!

 

Sparkling sun on exquisite fresh growth

With delicate leaves curled from their womb,

And the world is alive with new life

As we celebrate Jesus coming forth from the tomb.

 

The mystery of life hidden in plain sight

Lavishes us with its grace.

Miracles abound when we but take time

To inspect fronds as delicate as lace.

 

Spring is so lively and its smile is felt

As it greets each dawn in orchestrated song.

New life begins with each kiss from the sun,

And I believe I am where I belong.

 

Surrounded by the splendor and majesty of God

As Spring’s grandeur burst forth in glory.

Singing praise for the sequence of seasons

That Spring once again will tell her story.

 

So listen carefully as the rustling breeze

Creates melody transporting Spring fragrance.

Bouquets of perfume set free by currents

Without rhyme or reason like a vagrant.

 

Take not for granted even one hour

For they so quickly turn into days.

And the months will pass and Summer’s heat

Will set aside spring’s magical ways.

 

So enjoy each moment because so soon

Summer sun will take over the light,

If we but listen we’ll hear Spring exclaim

I’ll be back NEXT YEAR! On this very same flight!

 

 

Thank You God for the beautiful snapshot of Spring I viewed so unexpectedly.

Thank You for the warmth I feel in the air.

Thank You God for this precious day. 

Father I thank you for all the glory of Your creation that abounds around about me. 

Thank You for all the miracles You display so graciously each day.

And special thanks Lord for placing in me an insatiable desire for the beauty of Your creation!

 

GOD BLESS YOU!

Monday April 10 2017  EACH MIND, HIS OWN

Who can know the mind of another?  No one except God, who is all Omniscient, Omnipresent, and Omnipotent, knows the thoughts of another.  Personally I know no one who is an accurate mind-reader.  Some people are more open and “speak their mind” more often than others.  But even then, do you really know and understand what takes place in another’s thoughts?

My answer to the above question would be a resounding “NO”.  Dave and I have been married for 44 years in June.  Do our thoughts in certain situations align occasionally?  Yes, that happens, but I can never become too comfortable believing that he always interprets what I say to align with what I mean, and vice versa.  We each think differently, comprehend differently, and interpret from our own experience and knowledge.  

If the people I know and love and have lived with for years do not know my thoughts, then how can I expect an outsider looking in to know what is going on in my heart and mind?  When we meet someone we don’t know we immediately form our own thoughts about them; how they look, what are their characteristics, how they present themselves, what is their age bracket, why do they have a scowl on their face, why do they talk so much, etc…And when we spend time getting to know them we often discover that our first assumptions and “judgments” take on a different slant.

What I have learned over the years is that I truly can’t judge a book by its cover.  Sometimes what we see is just a surprise package for what lies between the pages.  And those pages of people are called life.  Experiences, both positive and negative affect each individual in different ways.  Thus, we each respond differently as far as what impact the outcome of like circumstances will be manifested in the way we think.

I have also learned, sometimes many times over, not to judge others.  At least I try to not make judgments about another and do a pretty good job of it until it happens again.  Then, when I know the reasons and truth behind the circumstances I am again chagrined at my narrow, judgmental attitude.  And so I ask for forgiveness for that judgmental attitude.  And God forgives me and I learn something from each of my blunders. 

As the old saying goes, “Unless we walk in another’s shoes we do not know what they are going through”.  So I choose, once again, to not criticize.  Instead I choose to ask if there is anything I can do to help their situation.  However, sometimes I blow it by jumping in too fast with remedies, and suggestions, on how to do it differently.  And most times that is not what is needed.  I have found that what is sometimes needed more is for another to know that someone else cares, is listening, and perhaps doesn’t have all the answers either.  At times we must simply stand back, and allow others to make their own mistakes and learn from their own consequences. 

Living and learning; that is my best teacher.  I am so clueless of so many things and sometimes speak (or write) what might best be left unsaid.  I just want everyone to know that I’m working on that “failing”.  Am I there yet?  Definitely not!  Will I ever arrive at that level of maturity?  Only God knows.  It is never my intention to write or say anything that is hurtful.  I speak with good intentions in my heart.  I bare my soul (as others have informed me), and sometimes it comes back to haunt me.  Daily I learn.  The words of a song from my childhood years have come back to remind me: “Be careful little mouth what you say, Be careful little mouth what you say, There’s a Father up above looking down with tender love, be careful little mouth what you say.”  And so I’m trying.  The power of words is sometimes stronger than I intend it to be! 

Yes, we each have a mind of our own.  And that is our biggest problem.  Once we have given our heart to the Lord we are then instructed to have the mind of Christ.  As we walk with the Lord He renews our mind and it is continually renewed.  Our mind then belongs to God.

Romans 12:1-2

“Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-which is your spiritual worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

 

TO CONGREGATE AT HIS THRONE

Kathleen Martens

April 10, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

I am so content

That God is the Judge

And that deep in my heart

I need carry no grudge.

 

I need not be judgmental

Against my fellow man,

But look only inward

And do the best I can.

 

And I need not flounder

On this journey I tread

Because I have a manual

Which daily is read.

 

God loves EVERY ONE

And all He’s created!

And when we eat at His table

We are more than sated.

 

He offers peace and joy

And changes hearts of stone

So all can be transformed

To congregate at His throne.

 

Matthew 7:1-5

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.  Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, ‘let me take the speck out of your eye’, when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

 

Matthew 7:7-8

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”

 

My prayer for today:

Lord, thank You for Your ever present Spirit within me.  Thank You for opening my eyes to so many things.  Lord, I pray that You would remove from my heart any judgmental thoughts I have toward another. Teach me to see others through Your eyes.  Forgive me of all judgmental thoughts and cleanse my heart and mind from such thinking. 

Thank You God that it is You, the Creator of the universe, WHO IS THE ONE AND ONLY JUDGE OF ALL MANKIND.

Thank You Lord that when I ask, I receive.  Thank You Lord that when I seek I will find.  And especially thank You that when I knock You always open Your door and allow me to come into Your presence.  Thank You for Your forgiveness.

GOD BLESS YOU ON THIS GLORIOUS SPRING DAY!

 

P.S. The following thought was sent to me yesterday and I thought it worth passing on.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

“Today recall some of the people who have profoundly influenced your life.”  Helen Steiner Rice.

And I add my own thought to Helen Steiner Rice’s statement:

“If you still have contact with the people who profoundly influenced your life for the positive why not write a little note to them and let them know how much you cherish the positive input that their life had on yours.”  Kathleen Martens

 

 

Sunday Sabbath April 9 2017  TOO BUSY?

 

TOO BUSY?

Kathleen Martens

April 9, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

When I become too busy

I sometimes do not hear God’s voice.

I am the one that must decide

How I used my time is choice.

 

When I focus on accomplishments

More accolades are sought.

But God instructs think not of self

More highly than we ought.

 

But think of self with sober judgment

And with faith, which God measures.

For it is given from our Father

As a precious gift we should treasure.

 

Step back and take a closer look

As to how we use our hours.

Do we have time to commune with God?

Who is our source of strength and power?

 

Or do we go about our days

In a maze of hurried “do”?

Always seeking something more

Of which we can ensue?

 

Stop and look where you are going.

How will you finish your race?

Sometimes it’s not just how we begin,

But we must end in first place!

 

First place in God’s eyes

Is not your accomplishment’s score.

Too busy to worship?  Too busy to obey?

He’d rather you “BE”, instead of doing more.

 

To BE silent in His presence

So He can speak to your heart.

“Be still and know that He is God”

Would be a great place to start!

 

Read His word and follow His plans.

Go where He wants you to go.

Live according to His will

And His power through you will flow.

 

Thank You God for opening my eyes to the busy schedule I put upon myself.

 

My Sunday Sabbath Prayer:

Lord, I do not want to be so scheduled that I have no time to spend in Your presence.  I lay my busyness at your feet and ask that you would give me wisdom as I schedule my hours according to Your desired plan for my day.  Thank You Father for the words of Pastor Derrick which opened my eyes to the truths taught in His message. 

Forgive me for the busyness I have allowed to take over my life which has created a prideful heart within me.  Allow me to walk in the sweet stillness of your presence as I go about my day, that it would honor You. 

I thank You Lord for Your continued mercy and grace that covers me.  Thank You for Your love that never fails.  Thank You for forgiving me over and over as I stumble and falter.  Thank You for giving me a clear vision of seeing myself in the prideful way I go. Thank You for Your Scriptures that speak truth to my spirit.

 

Romans 12:3

“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you:  Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”

John 14:15

“If you love me you will obey my commands.”

I Peter 5:5

“…Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

 

GOD BLESS YOU ON THIS SABBATH SUNDAY

Saturday April 8 2017  WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WAY

“Rode hard and put away wet”; when I said that today in the presence of a High School Junior she looked a bit perplexed.  I asked her if she had ever heard that idiom before.  She answered that she had not. I gave a short history lesson about a rider and his horse.  Horses, “way back when” were often the only means of transportation available to a man.  Just as we take care of our cars in today’s society, so the rider’s first concern, when he finished riding, was to take into consideration the condition of his horse.  If the horse had been ridden fast and long the horse would work up a sweat.  A caring and conscientious rider would always take care of his animal’s needs even before his own.  The saddle came off and the animal then needed to be walked a spell to cool down.  The horse then needed to be wiped and rubbed down and perhaps walked a few more minutes.  Only then would the rider feed, water, and bed the animal in its stall or paddock.  The rider was then free to take care of his own needs.

If the above considerations were overlooked there were often dire consequences for the horse; sometimes the horse would cripple or die.  So, when a person is tired and looks weary and worn-out, the above idiom was also used to describe the way that person looked and felt.  Not a good condition to be in. 

Well, that is how I felt after today’s event came to a close.

Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin called us this past week and offered to provide a volunteer group of students to come and help Dave and I prepare our yard for spring.  That was a timely offer we could not refuse.  We were expecting seven people.  They showed up with a carload of young women!  Their time was limited but believe me it wasn’t wasted.  What a crew.  And then another carload came about 10 minutes later with 5 strapping high school lads and one male adult.  All total we had 13 workers.  They were here approximately 2 hours and Dave and I were task masters; Dave behind the scenes doing, Kathleen up front and personal.

We had lists written down of all we hoped to accomplish.  Double the crew was a bonus for us!  Our time was less than anticipated but with the extra hands it was well worth the two hours they were here.  Sticks were picked up, grass area of both front and back yards were raked, the pine needles down the driveway were raked, piles and piles of debris was bagged, branches piled by the street-edge for pickup next week, patio and terrace furniture was unpacked from the shop and set in place, the patio table was assembled and is now in place, the front and back door screens were installed after the storm door glass panels were removed, huge sheets of plastic were folded in neat squares for summer storage, and some pruning was also accomplished. 

Dave felt better today and contributed too much of his energy to the endeavor.  Nothing I could say or do would make him sit down.  If others are working, then he is working too.  I did my fair share of raking and giving instructions to those students that seemed at a loss as what to do.  Believe me that was a task in itself, and was a full time job.  But in all fairness, every one of the students that showed up worked hard.  We were their third destination for today.  Come to think of it, they looked as if “they had been rode hard and put away wet”!

Even so, it was a pleasure to be outdoors with so many young people.  They were fun-loving, had great attitudes, and actually knew how to converse with adults.  There was a lot of music, some singing, and just acting silly.  But over all, they took this volunteer day seriously and they made a big difference in our life!  I asked them how they enjoyed being an answer to prayer.  They seemed to like the idea that that they were the answer to someone else’s prayers.  I like that idea too!

 

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WAY

Kathleen Martens

April 8, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Thank You God

For the young.

Full of life

As well as song.

 

A heart of giving

On a special day.

Much work accomplished

In an attitude of play.

 

No surly glances

When asked to work.

Whatever the task

They did not shirk.

 

So overwhelmed

With such awesome “kids”!

Their willingness to help

Put on my skids!’

 

I thank each one

From my heart.

What a beautiful way

For spring to start

Thank You God for the phone call that came from Abundant Life Christian School.

Thank You for all the wonderful young men and women that surrounded us today.

Thank You God for loving each student.

Thank You God for being such a good, good, Father; even when we are old.

And thank You God for the best weather we’ve had so far this season.

 

Have a great day!

 

GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU!

Friday April 7 2017  MEANDERING

I thoroughly enjoy having synonym check on my old Microsoft 7 Word.  I didn’t upgrade to Microsoft 10 when it was free because I was told it did not have the synonym check feature.  And now I am paying for it.  Seven is no longer supported by Microsoft so some parts of it are weak and failing.  Rather aggravating to think that I will need to upgrade.  The worst part is I will need to pay for it. 

But let’s go back to the synonym check feature.  I looked up “meandering” thinking it was a pleasant word to use to describe what I do.  I had the assumption that since I enjoy meandering, the word must mean something positive.

Meandering synonyms: “roundabout, indirect, twisty, winding, TORTUROUS, and oblique.”

I had to think about how that word “torturous” came to be in the list.  After a moment of thought I had a memory of my trip two years ago when I was driving on dangerous winding roads high in the mountains.  I realize they were dangerous, and probably rather torturous to those who had a mission to get where they were going quickly.  Meandering’s synonym “torturous” was an apt description according to the synonyms.  But I didn’t see the mountains in similar view.  I wanted to go slowly (I was probably the reason for other’s torture), because I wanted to “meander” in the truest sense, according to my definition.  My definition is: knowing where you want to end up but taking the longest, most leisurely way to get there and enjoying the journey.  Be it a mountain road or to the other end of my house.

I came downstairs to retrieve a phone that had been left off the charger for the past couple of days.  I knew where it was and didn’t want to forget hanging it back on its charger upstairs so I went to retrieve the phone immediately so I wouldn’t forget to do it.  My original intention was to fix breakfast, eat, and then come down to write my blog.  But instead I came down first to retrieve the phone (which is still positioned right beside me on the desk) and instead did a little “meandering” by looking at my emails.  Then I deleted most, printed one, and sent a card of encouragement to someone else.  All the while I still have not eaten, my phone is still not on the charger, and my blog is almost written.  And what a precious word “meandering” is; it even gave me a topic to write about.  See how easy it is to come up with ideas when you just let your mind meander a bit too.

My day will happen.  It will unfold gently as I live without hurry.  I will do what must be done, and be where I am to be tonight (good Lord willing) and I will have enjoyed this meandering day.  Now that is a taste of retirement!  And after I write my poem I’ll even hang up the phone and get to eat breakfast.

 

MEANDERING

Kathleen Martens

April 7, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

I never know how long it will take

To get from here to there.

Once I decide to go someplace

There are so many other “where(s)”.

 

Attention deficit disorder

Holds no candle to me.

For me this behavior is normal,

As normal as I can be!

 

Whatever captures my interest,

Be it butterfly, bug, or dirt,

Eventually I’ll make my destination,

Though roundabout I may skirt.

 

Just like the “FAMILY CIRCUS”

From here to there never straight.

When there are interesting things to explore

The twisty way becomes my fate.

 

To those who wait it may be torturous,

But I never mean to cause grief.

To be alone in my meandering

IS FOR OTHERS A GREAT RELIEF!

 

Meandering is a bit like life:

Indirect, twisty, and winding.

To some it’s torturous and oblique

But I enjoy all my findings!

 

Thank You God for filling me with wonder.

Thank You God that my blog is written and now I can go and eat.

 

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

GOD BLESS YOU!

 

P.S.  I just put the phone in my pocket so I won’t forget to take it upstairs and hang it up!

Thursday April 6 2017  A BLANK SHEET OF PAPER

 

I SET THE PACE FOR MY RACE

Kathleen Martens

April 6, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Hmm…what to write

Seems my plight

Rushed morning time

Not quite prime.

 

I must think

Before I sink

All hours booked

All minutes hooked.

 

My timer set

Lest I forget

That I must go

Combat my foe.

 

And what I see

My foe is me.

I set the pace

For my race.

 

Penchant to ram

What I can.

So other days

At home I stay.

 

It is a busy day ahead.  Regardless of how rushed my poem makes it sound, I do enjoy going and doing what I schedule.  It just seems when it rains it pours.  And what makes my day so crowded is that often times I squeeze other stops in because I am in the vicinity of where I need to pick something up or drop something off. 

And so it is today.  Dave reminded me of another item I need to buy before we can get our shelves situated in their permanent locations.  The shelves are not easy to move and we must have the correct electrical plugs with the right cord lengths fed through the back of the shelves before they are flush to the wall.

So, I am off and running.  Dave has been ill the last few days with a digestive tract flue.  Once he was emptied out he has been housebound due to weakness and fatigue. He is better after almost 12 hours in bed last night.  He slept soundly all night.  I have not wanted to be too far out of earshot for him.  He feels confident he is on the mend and he actually ate a little food this morning.  We’ll see how that goes.  He must be attentive to his blood sugars.

 

Thank You God for bodies that heal.

Thank You for Your provision.

Thank You for my husband.

Thank You for Your perfect peace

 

GOD BLESS YOUR DAY!

 

Wednesday April 5 2017  BE READY TO RECEIVE

“When you ask to receive, ask with an attitude of gratefulness, and then accept what you receive.”

Quote by: Kathleen Martens

 

A recent update on my back injury from about a month ago:

I strained my back at the gym while working out too vigorously.  After three weeks of chiropractic appointments I felt as if I was recovering because I had less pain.  This past Friday I again became too exuberant (at the time I didn’t realize it), because a short while later my back “gave out” on me.  I felt a sudden loss of strength in my right side and I realized I had probably stretched passed my limit.  By this time I was home and was standing in the driveway talking to a neighbor before I went inside.  I almost grabbed her but thought better of pulling her down if I went down.  Fortunately I was able to recapture my balance and stay upright.

I immediately iced my back, took it a bit easier, and suffered with the severe pain that shot across my back right below my waistline.  I suffered Saturday night in bed and it was difficult to move or change position.  Going to church did not seem like such a great idea but I decided to go regardless the discomfort.  After walking around a bit it was tolerable.  During the service the pain was constant and at certain times shot across in sharp stabbing reminders that I had really crossed the line for this aging body.

After service I was in the sanctuary talking with several others.  My back, still aggravated, sent out ragged pain depleting me of energy and stamina.  Most of the prayer warriors up front were gone.  Pastor Tom was still praying for his line but Susan and Moji were still waiting for anyone who would like to come forward for prayer.  I immediately knew I was to go and ask for prayer.  So I did.

Moji laid her hand on my right lower back area; Susan laid her hand on my right area.  I held my hands in a receiving posture and spoke out loud to the Lord, “Lord I am ready to receive this healing”.  I continually prayed and thanked God for His healing touch.  I believed that the healing would come as I again expressed the fact that I was ready to receive His healing.  After the three or four minute prayer I felt a pop in my right back/hip area.  The pop was quiet and subtle, but I immediately felt a release of pain. 

When the prayer was over I gave testimony to the ladies as to what happened.  Moji looked at me and said the pop was in your right hip, right?  I said yes.  She said she felt it when it happened.  I bent forward to test out my range of motions and then felt another pop, this time on my left side; and all pain was absent.  It was amazing.  We thanked God for His miraculous healing. 

I am still in an attitude of receiving.  I am so grateful to be absent of the disabling pain.  I have even worked out twice at the gym since then and the pain has not returned.  I give God the praise, and I verbally lift my praise for His continued gift of healing.  

I do believe that when we ask, we should be in a posture of receiving and not be surprised when healing takes place. When Jesus healed the lepers only one leper came back to give Him thanks.  Well, I find that my heart wants to continually “come back” to give God thanks for His healing touch.

 

THE COST WAS GREAT BECAUSE OF ME

Kathleen Martens

April 5, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Lord, thank You for your healing touch

When I ask in prayer.

By Your stripes I am healed

All because You care.

 

You cared enough to die for me

Upon the rugged cross.

Giving up Your life’s blood

Because You counted the cost.

 

The cost was great because of me.

 Yet, You call me to be Your own

That with Our Father we’ll always be

Together in worship around His throne.

 

Thank You Jesus that You gave up Your life to give me as a gift to our Father in Heaven, that where He is I will also be.

Thank You for the continued healing in my back.

Thank You for Your nail scarred hands and feet.

Thank You Lord that You are always with me.

Thank You Lord for faithful prayer warriors who week after week pray for our church body.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!