Nana’s Book of Four P’s

A Book of Poetry, Prose, & Personal Philosophy

LINDA J. STIPE

Copyright © 2019 by Linda J. Stipe.

ISBN: Softcover 978-1-7960-7299-0 eBook 978-1-7960-7298-3

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only. Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 11/21/2019

Xlibris 1-888-795-4274 www.Xlibris.com

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This is the author’s second book of poetry. If she had created a ‘bucket list’, this would have been on it. Her love of poetry began at an early age. She was required to learn different poems in elementary school, and by the seventh grade, began to write her own poems. Many of her poems have come to her at night when she has retired for the night, so she keeps a pen and tablet close by to capture the words on paper. Her love for her Savior, Jesus Christ, shows in many of her poems, along with her love for her fellow man. There are some poems that are just for fun and to put a smile on the reader’s face.

Her hope and desire ae that if just one person is touched by her poems and finds themselves seeking ‘The Way’, then her poems are doing their job and she will have succeeded in her goal.

Contents

A Little Boy And His Toy

Jeramiah’s Plea

I Trust You Lord

Woes Of A Teenager

A Prayer For You

One Beautiful Flower

Count To Ten

A Hopeless Journey

Nuggets Of Joy

Walk On

A Cry From Within

The House

Silence

The Potter

Dinner Guest

Ode To The Bat

Who Am i?

Take The Time

Evolution Vs Creation

Clothes Fads

Outlook On Life

About the Author

A Little Boy And His Toy

Once there was a little boy Who had a special toy. And when a friend would ask with it to play, The little boy always had the same thing to say. “No! It’s mine” he’d reply in a selfish tone. “You go get one of your own!” One by one his friends would leave, And the little boy began to believe That he was very very smart, And with his toys, he did not part. Over time, the little boy noticed with sorrow, That his friends were always “coming to play tomorrow’. It did not take the little boy long To realize that he’d been wrong. His toys were meant to be shared And played with by his friends who cared. He stopped his selfish unkind ways And now has many friends who come and play Enjoying the laughter and all the noise Of all those caring little boys.

The moral of this little rhyme is this: Sharing brings lots of joy and bliss, Where selfishness tends to be Only room for the lonely. Share your time, your ‘toys’ and joy And your life will be filled with happy friends and lots of noise.

Jeramiah’s Plea

Jeremiah was a prophet Chosen by God Almighty To warn Israel of her destiny If her God, she did not seek.

He foretold of the things to come To each and every one, But he gave them all a way out. One that left no room for doubt.

Turn to their God. Seek His face And accept His love and grace; Or to the enemy they’d be given, And from their Holy land they’d be driven.

Jeremiah pleaded with them daily, Warning of their future gravely. Turn from their idol worship And only service to God from their lips.

God didn’t want their daily ritual Service that was just habitual. Yet Israel continued her adulteress ways. Jeremiah’s warnings? They had not Israel fazed.

And God turned His face that day. Four hundred years of silence was their fate Exiled in a land on foreign soil, Their days were spent unending toil.

Just as Jeremiah pleaded with Israel long ago, And their desolate future was foretold, We, His adopted children, by His grace Must also continue to seek His face.

I Trust You Lord

I trust you Lord to keep me through the night And wake me with the morning light. Bring us through another day As we follow Jesus along the way.

I trust you Lord to keep us through the storm And keep us from such great harm As it tosses to and fro I’ll still follow Jesus where ere He goes.

I trust you Lord to keep us through the pain And shelter us from its reign As it drenches us with its various stages. I’ll still follow Jesus as those of long-ago ages.

I trust you Lord to keep us through the trials That befall us each step or mile. I may have to travel through some trials today, Yet still I will follow Jesus all the way.

I trust you Lord to keep us up the hills And down the valleys we may travel still. I will follow Jesus along life’s ups and downs, And at journeys end will offer Him my crowns.

I’ve trusted you Lord. I trust you still. I trust you Lord. I always will, Until you call me Home where you stand with open arms. I trust you Lord that then there will be no more harms.

Woes Of A Teenager

Oh, the woes of a teenager and their insecurities, Always seeking the move from teenager to adult maturity. Yet still as fragile in their emotions. Anything against their style is considered shuns. They cling to their misplaced ideas of personal affronts, Not seeing the loving and caring concerns of their dangerous stunts. So, they stand with wounded pride and restrain their voice To those who love them and are concerned for their choice, Immediately cutting off wisdom’s source; Who’s only goal is guidance in their life’s course. Awaken! Young ones lingering between the two stages And listen to those who have made it through the ages From the tender and fragile emotions of tweens And the volatile emotions of the young adult still in their teens. God put the older, wiser people in your path for a reason. They have the wisdom experiences you need through this season Of your life fraught with emotions filled with unneeded strife. Listen young one to their voice of experience, having suffered the same life. Learn to grow with the remarks concerning your choices. Listen to their words with love instead of rebellious voices.

Mistakes are made along life’s walk that help you grow, But only if they listen to the learned wisdom as they go. Then they, in turn, will one day too Offer words of wisdom to those insecure teens so new.

A Prayer For You

A prayer I said for you today As you travel along life’s highway Filled with potholes of despair Trying to pull you there.

A prayer for strength so that you may Avoid the dangers lurking there today One to guide you with each step you take And confidence in the decisions you make.

A prayer for joy and peace and love Sent to you with the Master’s glove His hand covered with grace So as not to harm your face,

As he gently guides you toward your goal Filled with riches and wealth untold. A prayer that you will heed His warning And make it through ‘til you see morning.

I said a prayer for you today As you travel along life’s highway And know this my precious friend, In me, you have my prayers until my end.

One Beautiful Flower

One beautiful Flower in the garden of life Has been plucked with love by the gentle Hand of Christ.

Her work here on earth has come to an end. The work to continue now by you, my friend.

Her journey through Life as we know it here, Has earned rewards to lay before her Savior dear.

She lived each day as a gift from God, Letting His love shine on this earth she trod.

Her children called her Mama, her husband, his dear wife. Her friends all claimed she brought a smile to their life.

So, although she’s gone from this earthly place, We know we will again see her beautiful face

When one by one the family Flowers Will be gently plucked by God’s loving power.

Yes, one beautiful Flower in the garden of life Has been plucked with love by the gentle hand of Christ

(In loving memory of Mama, Louise Jarrell 5-21-1929 to 1-11-2011)

Count To Ten

To Tristan with love, Nana

One, two, three, The Devil’s after me!

Four, five, six, I’ve heard about his tricks

Seven, eight, nine, Me? I’ll be just fine.

Ten! ‘Cause with Jesus I will win!

A Hopeless Journey

Theirs was a road that never really began. Oh, they tried to do all the “grownup” things expected of their age, but once on Life’s journey things were quite different than perceived in youth. For a short while, the path was smooth, their love anchoring the way; but then reality hit full force and they realized they could not just “play at marriage”. It required a lot of work! There were many of their elders their advice they could have sought, but, no, they decided to handle it themselves, and look where that got them? DIVORCED.

Here’s some advice they could have been given, had they sought it:

1. Pray about getting married to the person 2. Take time to really get to know them 3. No sex before marriage! 4. Once you commit to marriage, work it out 5. It takes 100% of your time and effort to make a successful marriage. 6. Don’t hold a grudge. 7. Don’t try to change the other person after you are married, It doesn’t work! 8. Marriage should be FOREVER…DIVORCE NOT AN OPTION!

Nuggets Of Joy

The golden rays of the morning’s sunrise can fill one with such peace.

Hearing from a friend of yours can renew the simple things of life.

Watching a baby as they learn to crawl, sit, stand and walk bring back the magic of all things new.

Getting recognition for something one has accomplished warms the heart and says, “well done!”.

Having someone tell you — not meaning to affect you – that when they first looked in your direction, it was your mother (or dad) they saw.

Playing back old phone messages and hearing your sweet mother or dad’s voice will at once, fill you with tears overflowing and your heart with joy!

On a “blue mood” day, getting a call from someone asking for a get together for lunch can lift the spirits of even the loneliest person.

Seeing a rainbow after a rain, fills the soul with the promise from God and the hint of more promises to come.

Looking into your Love’s eyes and seeing their love returned fills the mind with

possibilities of what the future holds.

Looking into those same eyes forty to fifty years later and still seeing that future continuing in the present as in the past.

Holding your precious newborn baby safely in your arms will bring plans and labors of love to make sure they will go far in life.

To be held by your mate and still feel the thrill of your first time together as newlyweds brings smile to you face, even after a lifetime together.

Asking a simple prayer to the Father God of Heaven, knowing He has heard it and will answer reminds you that He is in control, not to worry.

Seeing your enemy fallen and hurt and by offering them a helping hand often turns them into a special friend.

Looking in the mirror ad realizing that you are often the only JESUS some will see, has us lifting our hearts toward Heaven and praying: “Lord, let your light always shine through me.”

Walk On

(A Song)

Verse 1: Walk on through the wind. Walk on through the rain, Let your heart sing through the joy you have gained. Your days may be filled with sorrow and strife, But continue your journey though you may stumble in life.

Verse 2: Walk on through the hurt, walk on through the pain, Let your heart sing through the joy you have gained. He may lead you through valleys filled with heartache and grief, Or place you on a mountain top full of joy and relief.

Verse 3: Walk on through the darkness, walk on in the light Let your heart fly to the Savior’s delight. The Savior’s strong hands will lift you up high, And gently wipe all the tears from your eyes.

CHORUS: The Jesus of old still reigns true today, And He will stay with you all the way. Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart, Let your soul sing with the peace He imparts. Walk on. Walk On.

A Cry From Within

I can feel the dark fringes of depression slowly curling their way around my mind. Try as I might, nothing I do is effective in loosening their grip on my emotions. I know that God loves me and doesn’t want this for me, yet I’m still ensnared in their power. I have the feeling of being in a vacuum and nothing really touches me emotionally. I just don’t care. Sometimes when a in group or a crowd, I feel like I’ve been sapped of all my energy and the effort of listening is just too much. It’s like I tune everyone out and just close my mind. Have I forgotten how to laugh? I mean a deep-down gut laugh. Oh, Lord! Draw me close to You. Bend your ear to me and hear my plea for help and answer it. I know that You want good for me. You give peace and love. This depression is from the evil one. Lord, I look to tomorrow with hope.

The House

Once filled with love and warmth, family laughter and life, the tender care given to keep it clean made the house feel alive. Now deserted, left in disrepair by uncaring and disrespect, the house is slowly dying. No one to breathe love into it’s walls. No one to keep it clean and inviting. The house thrived on family life. The daily chatter, the smells of food cooking, love and care of its walls and floors long forgotten, now lays in silence. The life of the house disappearing day by day shows in the dirty clutter of forgotten items, sagging floors and stale air. The house still longing for life to breathe into it, sits silently weeping, waiting for someone to love it again before all hope is gone with no chance to live again.

Silence

The voice once filled with love and joy Has slowly become like a broken toy, Put away, no longer to be used, The words once freely given are now refused. The frequent calls have ceased all together. A callousness has begun to gather Around that precious loving heart, deadening the emotions, While deepening wounds of the one left behind have begun, Is the anger still simmering there? Or the uncertainty of reception unable to bear? The tears continue to flow. The doubt begins to grow. Was there ever real love and respect, Or was it all the things you could get? The questions come without warning. The doubts assail each morning. Attempts to reconcile ignored, turned aside. A hidden thought surfaces in waves like the tide. Will you miss me when I’m gone? Regret the silence of word and phone?

Silence your sting has broken this one. Silence, you have won!

The Potter

His hands are gently caressing the mound of clay, pushing slightly here and there, changing the shape of the clay that way. The rhythmic motion causes the growing vessel before the Potter to begin to take on a shape. Now begins the delicate task. Creating his misshapen vessel into a useful vessel with a purpose. A bowl, a pot, a vase? Today the Potter is in a peaceful mood and makes all three. He sets them inside the kiln to begin the drying stage. Yet the Potter doesn’t stop working. He has other vessels that need the next stage for those who have been through the fire, paints to show their beauty and usefulness in the Potter’s plan. He places each one out on display for all to see, and then their beauty shines through. One by one each vessel is purchased and cherished by the buyer, who filled with joy, places his possession lovingly for all his friends to see. This reminds me of another One who took clay and masterfully and loving formed it into His own image and called him man. This One has many names. One of His names is the Potter. With painstaking care, He has formed each, man, woman and child into their unique vessel know as our body. Just as the man uses a potter wheel and water and clay to form shapes for useful objects or simply things of beauty, Our Potter, however, has the amazing love and power to give His unique creations the “breath of life”. Amazing! Not only is each one of His creations alive, but able to think, speak, walk, learn and grow: The Potter then gives each one the choice to love Him or Not. Can you imagine the love that went into that thought process: Just as the love that comes from a man and a woman married produces a child or children, we are filled with love so deep, we would willing die for them if it became necessary without hesitation. Yet I don’t think I could do that for everyone. However, our Creator loves each of us with all our flaws (sin), so much so that He sent His only Son to walk among us to show us by example God’s love for us and that He was willing to offer His only Son as a sacrifice to be crucified for all of mankind. He took our rightful punishment for ALL our SIN, even though He was perfect, with none of the garbage our vessels have. The Potter’s Son became the “cleanser” of our SIN. The sacrificial Lamb, who took on ALL our sin to Himself and let Himself be hung on a cross and gave up His life for all mankind: you, me, then, now and the future, so we could have eternal life, because of the Son’s victory over Hell, Death and the Grave. We have the free will choice of sharing fellowship with the Potter eternally in His

home, or spending eternity with the fallen angel – Lucifer (also know as Satan, the Devil). It will be one place or the other. Imagine! Had our fate been left up a human potter, each one of us would have been broken and discarded as useless, but the Master Potter wants each of us to make our own mind up, to choose to love Him because He first loved us. We can accept His Son as our Savior and His Grace and Mercy or live in utter darkness forever! Me? I chose to accept the Master Potter’s gift – Jesus Christ, to save me from the punishment I deserve (it was my sin he bore on that cross) and by His redeeming love live for Him. You? That’s your choice my friend. There are only two choices. Yes, I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior or No, I don’t believe in Him. Yes, I chose a life with God and His Son and the Holy Spirit to live throughout eternity with them. If you haven’t chosen “Yes”, then you have already chosen “No”. This will leave you in a place of utter darkness, never ending pain and torture…the pits of Hell where there is no relief from the punishment set for Satan…a lake of fire. Friend, because I love you also, please don’t be deceived into think you have plenty of time to say “Yes”. You are never guaranteed your next breath. The time is NOW! Please don’t fall for Satan’s lies. He wants to take you away from the Potter. He knows his fate. He LOSES! He just wants to hurt God (the Potter) and take ALL he can to suffer his fate. He doesn’t love you. He only loves himself! He really hates you because God loves you and he wants to hurt Him. Don’t let him win your soul!

Dinner Guest

I went to see a Friend today. They said He wasn’t there. He had left quite early A place for a guest to prepare. I could not understand. You see, I thought His guest was me! But then confusion began to reign As one by one more guest came! Was this some kind of cruel joke? We thought our Friend was nearly broke, So, what funds would pay For all of us this day? Some of those guests were just interested in a free ride, And began to leave before a collection of money was tried. Others, like me, had traveled far too far to go. So, we waited, sure our host would return, And hopefully with preparation for most. The hours grew long, and time seemed to slow As we waited, still fretting about what to do. He was our Friend and we trusted His word was true.

We spent our time preparing a place for Him to rest Once He returned from His long quest. We kept ourselves active and ready, Ever watching for a sign of His return, Our hearts grew stronger, knowing the yearn In our hearts would be filled. Satisfied beyond measure As our Friend came back with His bountiful treasure. Age has caught up with many of us and our bodies show their age. Yet those who have waited patiently for our Friend still expect to Be a dinner guest at our Friend’s table and ignore the rage Of those who laugh and mock and sometimes hurt or kill us. They just don’t understand that time is not the issue here, But trust and faith in our Friends word – that it is our hope, our cheer. His table will be covered with a banquet fit for a king! His secret room that He is preparing for His guest Will be nothing but the best! Our Friend, you see, is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. His return, not to His place of abode in our earthly body/vessel, Will be to take us home with Him to that special place. Home! To finally see Him face to face, Hear Him say “Come, me at My table and enjoy

The place I’ve prepared for you. Your wait earns your reward.”

Ode To The Bat

Oh, what a fateful day! It was his turn at play. He steps up to the plate, Impatient at the Pitcher’s delay. The ball, here it comes! Whack went the bat! The ball went South, and half of the bat ed it! The remaining half flew into the pit. Heads were ducking so they would not be hit. first base the bat did travel. The ball all but forgotten as the scene begins to unravel. The crowd is on its feet cheering at such a funny treat. The pitcher is jumping up and down. The coach is running all around. Get the ball and throw it fast! The runner has begun to move at last. Still all the eyes were on the bat. The game was called and that was that. What became of the bat you say? Well, it was thrown away!

Who Am i?

i’ve often pondered this very question and over time, have come to this conclusion: i first and foremost realize that i am not worthy of even consideration or thought. i am a creation of the Master Potter, a simple earthly vessel whose sole purpose is to love my Master with all my heart and do His will. Through Him, i am a daughter to my parents, a granddaughter of their parents, a sister to my brother and sister, a wife to my husband, daughter-in-law to his parents, sister-in-law to his siblings and mine through marriages, an aunt to their children. i am a mother to our three beautiful daughters (‘Gifts” from God!). i am now a mother-in-law to our ‘sons’ gained through our daughter’s marriages. i am a grandmother (Nana) to our two wonderful grandchildren (a granddaughter and grandson), who are more ‘Gifts’ from God! i am also a friend. But more importantly, through my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, i am a daughter of the King! i am an heir to the kingdom of Heaven and i am looking for my Father to call me home any day. What a glorious promise! i am NOTHING without my Lord.

Take The Time

How often do we walk though the day without really enjoying all the beauty around us? From the first rays of the morning sunrise, to the birds singing their songs of praise, we simply do not pause enough to really enjoy our day. With all the frantic hustle of getting ourselves and family dressed, fed and prepared for the workday ahead, we might miss (or simply ignore) those little things that might change our entire outlook for the day! Along with singing of the birds, the chatter of the squirrels, we’re blindsided, missing the sweet smile of our child’s delight when they see a plump furry caterpillar crawl across the windowsill; or even a thank you look from the elderly person when you politely hold a door for them. Sometimes we are rushed, we fail to see the elephant, bear or some other shape in the white, fluffy clouds in the perfectly blue sky. How often do we take for granted the simple pleasures of seeing and hearing or walking, when there are many who have no concept of what sights and/or sounds they are unable to enjoy? Sometimes a smile is all it takes to make that one person, unable to go on, feel the whispered hope that all is not lost, that they were being noticed. All things we take as our ‘due’, to some less fortunate, would mean the world…a shelter over our heads, a comfortable bed, food on our tables and most important, a friend to share our burdens and laugh and cry with us. What about the lights, etc. we use every day? Do you ever stop to think how far we have come from the first settlers, those who shared this world with us? They never would have begun to imagine the ‘magic’ of riding in a covered contraption that would get them from one place to the next in total comfort and so quickly! The automobiles of the present will soon be obsolete, and we will be able to use a quicker mode of transport to get where we need to be. They already warn us when we stray off the road, get too close to the vehicle in front, park themselves (I’ve yet to try!). A tiny baby’s smile, or one tiny hand wrapped around a finger can mean more than all the money in the world to the brand new, first-time (and not so new) parent holding that precious gift of life in their arms. Does it still affect us this way now? What about the soldiers who willingly serve our country in the armed forces just so we can live in peace and freedom? How often do we stop and think just how much all we have and enjoy cost? Not the monetary value, but the blood, sweat, tears and yes, lives of those who have made America a place of haven for those

come seeking the freedom we have. Have you taken the time or had one of the most horrific thoughts that should be on all our minds…we are all headed to one place in time, our physical death? Horrific because we caused an innocent person to die a death so degrading, so awful that even His own Father turned His back on Him! Yet, He withstood all the humiliation, the pain and anguish heaped upon Him by our faults (our SINS), when He willingly took our place for this punishment. How can we ever repay Him for this? The strange thing is He, nor His Father doesn’t ask for retribution. No! He only asks us to accept this His Son died for us, paid the price for our punishment (death – separation from Him), arose from the grave, freeing us and giving us salvation. Yes, God only asks us to take the gift He freely offers… Jesus Christ, His Son, and live a righteous and redeemed life for Him. He is the ‘Key’ that will get us a victorious life in eternity with God. But we must reach out and grasp that ‘Key’, holding on to His Word, and following His example. Or we can simply do nothing, turn our backs on the ‘Gift’ and fall into utter darkness and torment, never to share in the Light of the World. Our destination would be that of others who have fallen. Those whose eternal home will be an everlasting place of torment darkness and anguish – for all eternity…our host, Satan himself. We have the choice of seeing and hearing the “Good News” heralded long ago to man and trusting what we learn from it, or turning our backs, never knowing how much we are truly loved and wanted by the One who created us and sacrificed for us. The choice is ours. He will not force us. It’s called ‘free will’. The decision is up to us. I choose life with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who had me in His heart and on His mind when he hung on the cross. Do any of us realize that either choice we make is sometimes the only thing that others see? They watch our lives and how we act Monday through Saturday to see if we truly are what we claim to be. Each day we will either point a lost soul toward Jesus or will drive them farther away towards Hell. STOP! Take the time to really consider what you say each day with your actions. Sometimes you are the only thing that will keep someone out of Hell…or push them closer. I am a daughter to the King of kings and Lord of lords! I am one of the richest people in the world, although not with money or wealth by human standards; but with His promise that I will be with Him in Heaven forever, adopted into the family of God through Jesus Christ. I know how my life’s story begins and ends!

The beginning was when I accepted Jesus as my Savior. My journey is not yet complete, my purpose here on earth still being fulfilled daily. My end is secure whenever it occurs. I will be called home to meet my Savior face to face. The One who made me whole, saving me from my sin’s punishment of eternal damnation in Hell, and will live forever with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! What a day that will be! A great family reunion. Amen and Amen!

Evolution Vs Creation

I am not a brilliant professor or scientist of any sort, just a simple high school graduate (with about 50 plus years of Life experiences added on!). That doesn’t stop me from questioning things that are accepted by many in this day and age. EVOLUTION, though many stand firm in this, is one that I have really thought about and questioned. Okay, let’s look at evolution from a COMMONSENSE frame of mind. Life, according to Darwin (1859 publication) is to have evolved from a single cell amoeba, which finally developed into a creature that crawled from the water onto land? Then this creature evolved into an ape (man’s ancestor?) and finally into man, which I understand took millions of years. By the way, have they ever found the “missing link”??? Hmmmmm. Well, let’s look a little further (or should I say ‘think’ a little further?)? I reading about this when I was in school. Wasn’t impressed then… ‘ain’t’ now! Let’s look at CREATION from the same frame of mind. Man is to have been created by an all-powerful being – God, which took only one day to create him. Genesis 1:27 KJV. Hard to believe, huh? If man evolved eventually from an ape, why are there still apes? Shouldn’t they still be evolving into man, instead of dying and becoming an endangered species? Seems to me that if man did indeed evolve from an ape, that he too, would evolve into something else? I mean this seems to be a reasonable assumption…commonsense wise. What decides when the evolving would stop??? Hmmmmm. If man was created by God, who is also to have created everything else in the other five days (Genesis 1:1-26 KJV), then there is no need for evolving. Man was told to multiply and fill the earth (which they seem to have done quite well!). Genesis 1:28 KJV The creator of man, in this case, God, made male and female. What caused the single cell to eventually become male and female?? Commonsense tells me that there is something or someone who is in control of everything…the placement of the planets and their connection to each other, the sun, moon and stars, the waters of the air, the seas, oceans, rivers, lakes ponds, etc., that plant and animal world and all its wonders of reproduction, the air we breathe, the workings of our unique physical bodies and so on and so on. How can these, with commonsense, be explained, if not by an all-powerful being –

God? Saying all these things happened by some “big Bang” theory just doesn’t cut it. Nuh uh! Don’t see it. For example: Just think about our planet (earth) that we are living on. Do you ever stop to think about the fact that we are actually standing on something that is not as it appears to us (unless we look at it from space) as flat or with hills or mountains: It is a sphere! I in my simple reasoning I imagine a ball (‘though this may not quite be accurate, but close enough). I am in my home sitting at my computer writing/typing, and all around me the view is that everything is right side up. But is it?? At the time of my thoughts on this, my niece and her family were living in Sol, Korea; and I’m sure her view appears the same to her as mine. A person living in Australia will have the same perception of their surroundings. Need I go on? We can’t all be right, can we? But if not, how are we all staying on this sphere without falling off, except something or someone is controlling everything? Now do go off the handle. I understand about gravity caused by the rotation of the earth in context with the other planets and their coexistence. But how do we explain that there is just enough gravity so as to not crush even the tiniest living organism, the smallest infant or the heaviest human, animal or structure? No more, no less, but just enough. It might make sense if all the planets had the same qualities and gravities, but nope, it’s not that way! I could go on and on about this concept, especially when it involves rain, snow, etc. Interesting to think about really. I picture (here I go again!) the shape of a ball again and picture rain (or snow, etc.) coming at it from all angles at the same or different times. Wow! Can you just see that in your mind? Someone living on the left (or West) side of the ball (earth) getting rain, etc. yet to them it appears to be coming down, from all appearances. While at the same time, another person living at the top (North), right (East) and bottom (South) areas of this earth may be getting rain, etc. and it all appears to be coming straight down! “Big Bang”, Evolution or planned, Creation? I know for some accepting there is a God who created everything, including man, from just saying it, is like some huge fairy tale. But come on! Too much of this “fairy tale”, as many would call it and believes it to be just that, has been proven as FACT by brilliant scientists and historians. Many, Atheist, who were trying to disprove everything in this Creation theory, recorded in the Holy Bible, by the way, which came to man thousands of years or more before Darwin decided to write his own theory of how man came about. Which, again, has yet to find the ‘missing link’ to connect the ape to man. Hmmmmm?

Maybe one has to be smarter than a simple person like me to fall for (oops!), grasp the concept of evolution at face value and not question the ‘why aren’t we still evolving’ thought that I have. I’m just saying… Me? I’ll continue the way I am. I have heard and been taught in school about how man evolved, and I have read (and still read) the Holy Bible. Personally, I have never like the idea that my ancestor was an ape! No thank you! I can’t explain the Bible like more knowledgeable people can, but I can, through my own searching and seeking, tell you the Bible is TRUE! I dare you to prove me wrong on the information in the Holy Bible. No one can take another person’s word for this. It has to be searched, and while searching, seeking the TRUTH. If this is done sincerely, a person will find his answers and Creator and what a wonderful journey it is from there! Note: I said ‘wonderful’. I did not say perfect. No, there will be many trials and some tests from the Savior (to help you grow) and some lies and temptations from Satan, the great Deceiver and Father of Lies, to lead you straight to his destination… Hell. Many times, there is ridicule, persecution and even death from others for the belief (or Faith) in the Creation Theory. Through it all, though, you will have the one thing that evolutionists, atheists, etc. don’t have…peace in your soul and joy in your heart knowing in the end it will all be worth it. Creation over Evolution? Please don’t take my words or thoughts here on Creation vs Evolution except as they were presented: Questions and my personal thoughts on the theories. Search things out for yourself. May you have a wonderful and enlightening journey also!

Clothes Fads

Well, here I go again…thinking and questioning things! Why do we let someone – usually overseas – decide what we should wear each season? And the color! Do they know each of us personally to decide what will be look best on us and combine all the accessories that go with it?? Or do they just come up with “off the wall” ideas and see just how far people will go to be in the ‘in crowd’? I, personally, have never liked the idea of someone unknown to me telling me what to wear. I am not one that likes to follow the ‘fads’ of the season or year, although it’s very hard to find clothes I do like sometimes! If I find something that I like and looks reasonably well on me (in other words, it es my girls’ approvals), I buy it and wear it. It may not be the in style of the moment but it’s MY style, thank you very much! Of course, that’s getting harder and harder to do, because I guess I’m a throw back to the sixties. You could at least find some ‘normal’ looking clothes with simple lines that looked good on almost everyone (in my very inexpert opinion!). Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad there are clothes designers in this world to create beautiful clothes for us to wear. But come on, some of the designs that are so acclaimed by society are just a bit weird! And have you noticed when modeled, the clothes ae worn by girls/women that are almost emaciated in their appearances? How many of us look like that, huh? I for one would not like to have to go through what these models do just to stay in their line of work! I enjoy eating too much, thank you very much! And colors! What if the ‘fad’ colors of the season are not one of your best colors? It’s awfully hard to find just the right color for you anywhere you go, when all you see is the main ‘fad’ color flowing like an undulating river throughout the department stores. Can you guess? I’m just an old-fashioned gal at heart. Give me the simple design styles. No wild psychedelic styles for me! I get dizzy just looking at some of them! Of course, most of the styles nowadays are for the young people. Us middle aged and senior citizens have to just do the best we can to find something that doesn’t make us look like we are trying to get back in to our ‘teen years’! Wonder what would happen if all of us suddenly decided that we were no longer going to allow these people to tell us what to wear each season? Nope, won’t happen, I know. Too many of us think we have to be in that ‘in crowd’ group. But there again, wouldn’t it be boring if everyone felt like me? That’s what makes living in this world until I go to my eternal home such a joy and challenge

at times. Here’s hoping that you have enjoyed “listening” to my crazy thought questions again. Until the next pondering question pops up, wear what you want because you like it the way it makes you look not because it’s what everyone else is wearing. Never could figure out who “everyone else” was anyway. Until next time…

Outlook On Life

Throughout my years, I have noticed that there are two main perspectives on life and two extremes. (Please note these are only my personal opinions, not proven facts) One of the main perspectives you find is those who look at a glass and see it half full, while the from the other perspective, the same glass is seen as half empty. Those who look at life with the ‘half full’ attitude seem to go farther and achieve more because of their positive outlook on life in general. However, those who have the ‘half empty’ attitude are far less likely to achieve much because of their negative outlook on life. These attitudes are even found in children who imitate their parents, peers or older siblings. For example, say you have two boys ready to play marbles (I know - a thing of the past!). One looks at his bag of marbles and thinks his bag is half full of marbles. He has a chance of winning and completely filling his bag up. On the other hand, the other boy views his bag as only half empty. Therefore, he doesn’t have enough confidence to take a chance and win as he should, and will more than likely end up losing part, if not all, of his marbles. It’s all in the attitude. Adults are same way. They look at what they have and depending on their positive or negative outlook, will either count everything they have and be thankful for what they have and not dwell on what they don’t have. This leads to the other side of the coin, so to speak. The other adults are not satisfied with what they have, blaming circumstances for their lot in life. These will never be happy or satisfied with life in general. But will most likely fail to attempt to get more, thus creating a vicious cycle of dissatisfaction and unhappiness. It’s all in the way one looks at life: being grateful for what they have, usually through good old-fashioned hard work; or disgruntled and unhappy because someone else has more. These usually don’t want the way of hard work to obtain more. This, in many cases, leads to a life of crime - taking what they want the easy way (stealing) and always looking over their shoulder to make sure no one sees them. This life is futile because no matter what one does, there is always One who sees what is done in secret and will one day bring all the actions to light for judgment. The only way one can escape that judgment of God is to be covered in the precious saving blood of Jesus Christ, God’s only Son. Then those who are saved by His grace will only face Jesus and those sins are forgiven and forgotten.

As Christians, we will only have to give an for what we have or have not done before Jesus, not God the Father. Now, back to the other two outlooks on life. There are always a few who see everything through ‘rose colored’ glasses. They blithely go through life as it is for them, never seeing what they could do to help improve the situation for themselves or others. They are not in touch with reality. On the other end of this axis is the one who sees nothing good or right with life in general and usually ends up alone or surrounding by those just like them, each feeding off the other’s misery. Such a way to live! It would only take a second for them to start counting their blessings and turn their life around. Yet they are too busy seeing what they don’t have. My prayer is that I always to count my blessings and thank God for each and everyone of them. I pray that throughout my walk here on this earth I will be a shining light for the One who gives me everything I have and remove the darkness in my corner – hopefully pointing others to the true Light. The only Light that will uncover and remove the darkness (sin). I hope that each who reads this will try this little experiment for yourselves to show you what your life could be like with Jesus in your life. EXPERIMENT: Go into a dark room, like a closet, where there is no light and light a match, or turn on a flashlight. This will show you just how important one person, shining for their Savior, Jesus Christ, will make the darkness flee! If each of us who are His children do our part and let His glory and love shine through us, there would be less places for the darkness (sin) to abide. It only takes that one small step, letting Him direct our paths in life (the positive outlook) counting our blessings to show others a better way of life, thereby increasing the Light (Jesus) and removing he darkness (sin) through our planting a seed of hope. This seed of hope will then be given to others that Jesus will have been ‘watering’ and nurturing for Him to eventually ‘harvest’. So, I beg you – count your blessings, name them one by one, so all whom you encounter throughout your life will want the peace and joy you have and will seek the Way, the Truth and the Light of the world for themselves. Counting my blessings daily and praising God.

About the Author

Linda J. Stipe published her first book MY MOMENTS OF INSPIRATION, a book of poetry in 2010 and her second book NANA’S FRONT PORCH PHOTOGRAPHY, an unusual book of bird pictures that are given captions under each picture to give them life and give the readers a chuckle or two. This is her second book of poetry and her third published book. Not only does she write poetry, but she has also written a couple of articles for her local newspaper, The Baxley News Banner; is an amateur photographer, loves to crochet, sketches/draws, does floral arrangements, loves crafting, reading and spending time with her family. She has three daughters, Tracy, Ann and Bethany; two sons-in-law, Tim and Michael; and two grandchildren, Amber and Tristan. She is a member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church and Encouragers Sunday School Class in Baxley, Georgia. She is also the sole owner of Stipe Oil Company, Inc. and Sparkle ‘N’ Shine Carwash and Gasoline Key Pump System since husband of 49 years ed in 2017. She loves her family and friends, you, her readers and most of all, her Savior, Jesus Christ. She would love to hear from you about your comments on her books and can be reached at [email protected], and will respond to each one.