A Time by Donna (Ensign) Woods

TIME.......Too much of it, we become bored and restless

Not enough....We panic and stress.

There is a TIME to be born...a TIME to die

As we live and laugh and cry.

A TIME to plant and to pull up

As God refills our empty cup.

A TIME to kill and to heal

In the arms of God we know and feel.

A TIME to tear down and to re-build

...Trusting what God had willed.

A TIME for weeping and for laughter

Knowing what we are searching after.

A TIME to mourn and A TIME for dancing

Creating memories and romancing.

A TIME to scatter

And then to gather.

A TIME to embrace and refrain

Finding joy amidst the pain.

A TIME to search....and never give up

To move forward...or to back up

A TIME to keep pieces of the past

...Or trade them in for something to last.

A TIME to tear or to mend

There is no TIME to pretend

A TIME to be silent and still

As God teaches us to climb each hill.

A TIME to speak

...And encourage the weak.

A TIME to love.....

Being blessed from above.

A TIME to hate....

Making crooked way straight.

A TIME for peace...and for war,

As we journey through each new door.

Trusting God, each moment of our day

....Guiding our hearts along the way.

Great Video

A friend sent this video to me and I thought it exemplified just what Susan's article is talking about. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Make sure your sound is on so you can enjoy the music. Theresa

I Didn't Thank Him by Donna Ensign Woods

The alarm sounded and I quickly started my day,
I only took a moment to half-heartedly pray.

I didn't thank Him for my physical health,
Or for my job, that gives me comfortable wealth.

I sang no song of worship and praise.
I just walked through the day, in my own selfish ways.

I didn't thank Him for my children today,
And for the wonderous joy they bring my way.

I barely noticed the blue Summer sky,
Or the magnificent wings of a butterfly.

I didn't thank Him for my nice, safe home,
Or for the beautiful sunshine that brightly shone.

No heart-felt words for family and friends,
Or gratitude for the blessings He sends.

I didn't thank Him for the gift of sight...
Or for standing guard over me as I slept last night.

I ate my breakfast and headed for the door
...mumbling, "Why couldn't I work less, and have more ??"

...........On my way to work, I saw a cross on a steeple....
And was reminded of the price, paid for God's people.

He took the punishment, for my failure and sin
...He died for me !!!...and I didn't thank Him !!!!!

Tidbits by Julie Short

I think that’s one of the best things about being older (past 40) is that I gained some wisdom. I gained most of it by making bad choices at the school of hard knocks.
Some of the tidbits of wisdom I have gained are:
· The only sure thing is God and His word (The Bible.)
· Acceptance leads to peace.(I don’t like the word accept because it is a challenge and takes hard work and time, However it is sometimes the only way to peace.)
· Never is a very short time and always isn’t true.
· Relationships are what really matter.
· We get to grow in the Lord until we die.
· We all have purpose
· God loves us
· Guilt that helps us follow God’s word and make good choices is good to have.(Toxic guilt – The kind that we use to continually constantly beat ourselves up with , the kind that just zaps our energy, and keeps us from going forward is important to say no to and let go of, because it serves no useful purpose.)
· We can change from negative people to more positive people.
· Children will do what we do.
· God does lead us through things we never thought we’d survive.
· Choosing to live in denial indefinitely has consequences.
· “It is what it is” now what are we going to do with it. We can give it to God and allow Him to make something beautiful or purposeful from it or we can become angry and bitter.
· If it tastes really good then it’s probably not good for you.
· Check for toilet paper in the stall before you sit down.
· The reason my pants are shorter isn’t because I’ve grown in height.
· Cell phones do leap out of pockets and into toilets
· The foot does fit in the mouth.
· Old is in the eye of the beholder

· God is an Awesome God!

No Greater Friend by Donna (Ensign) Woods

Father...Savior...Friend...
No beginning...No end
His touch will heal my pain
...As He dances with me in the rain.
Building sand castles on the beach
...To renew and gently teach.
Carrying me...when I can no longer stand,
...When life doesn't go as I had planned.
He refreshes me in the early morning light,
After standing guard over me all night.
Quietly walking along side of me
...Speaking to my heart, so I can see.
Laughing with me...sharing my joy
Protecting...when Satan comes to destroy.
Always there to comfort and cheer,
...As He dries my every tear.
Supplying courage, in challenges I face.
Running with me...in the daily race.
Constant companion...love without end
My Father...Savior...Friend.
He laid down His life for me...
...No greater friend could ever be.

Discernment?? by Joyce Schafer

I have to be honest—this is a word I really didn’t know so I looked it up in the dictionary: Discernment—act or power of discerning, judgment, sagacity. Huh? I’m more confused than ever. I have no idea what sagacity is. I don’t think I have ever heard that word before—so it’s back to my trusty dictionary. Sagacity —quickness of discernment, shrewdness, high intelligence. High intelligence, well, that explains why I have never had occasion to use this word. It also made me feel like I was going in circles.

My life feels like that sometimes. I get up every morning with high expectations that I am going to do exactly what God wants me to do today and then Life happens.

I go to take clothes out of the dryer only to discover that I forgot to put them in the dryer last night. I go to put milk on my cereal (or worse yet have it on my cereal) only to discover it’s bad.
I go to work and some customer yells at me because he overdrew his checking account. Then some coworker is complaining loudly and giving me a headache.

In the evening as I go over my day and pray, I realize I am always apologizing and asking for forgiveness for the same things day after day. I also give thanks that God has the discernment (judgment) and sagacity (high intelligence) to forgive me time and time again.