Small Town

Peaceful in a small town, golden leaves falling down
Blowing to and fro, where happiness abounds
Driving past the Craftsman houses, beautiful and standing strong
Families live in harmony, love that lasts ever so long

Many tall, stately trees, line the streets like spectators
Who watch the constant parade, of townspeople and visitors
Children playing in the yard, barking dog fetches a ball
Rolling hills of parks display both bright and muted shades of fall

A man and woman with bags of groceries, waiting for the bus
As we drive by and notice them, they smile and wave at us
We pass the cemetery, place of rest for our dear dead
Flowers, flags and stones adorn the ground on which we tread

The green, green grass of golf courses, the blue river, it flows
Along the edge of town, where the weeping willows grow
Apple cider, popcorn balls, Thanksgiving turkey, tastes of autumn
Curl up near the fireplace, smoky, and so toasty warm

A biting chill in the air, warns of winter coming
The sky will soon be filled with sparkling snowflakes falling
Seasons mark the time, our lives are passing by
Enjoy each moment, relax and have a piece of pumpkin pie

Small towns are the best, like a little slice of Heaven
Sunday, see the churches fill with those who love the Lord
The small town experience is just impossible to beat
A small town is the place where I will always choose to be

-Liz
11/14/13

Rely not Deny

For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Cor 13:12

I know thy works: behold I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it; for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
Rev 3:8

The Holy Spirit is what I rely on

There is no way for me to deny it

I can’t deny the witness I’ve gotten

I won’t deny the Father who loves me

The prayers I’ve had answered

The guidance I’ve followed

The path I’ve been shown

I can say I know
 

I know who I am

I know where I came from

I know what I’m doing

I know where I’m going

 

A place full of beauty

Where we’ll live in peace

With unconditional love

From our family above
 

A Father who loves us

A family tree

Rejoicing in goodness

Living for service

The knowledge of this

Fills me with peace

I travel with surety

And strive for purity

Sin is forgotten

Pain is no longer

Hard work is light

Because it is right 

Heaven is as real

As the love that we feel

Faith is the evidence

For which we are blessed

 

Christ is the Shepherd

And we are the sheep

Not following blindly

Just promises to keep

 

With strength and with knowledge

And testing the process

The payoff is there

Try if you dare

 

Search in your heart

It was there from the start

But time can erase

What once was in place

The Holy Spirit is what I rely on

I know it and so I cannot deny it

I can’t deny the answers I’ve gotten

I won’t deny the Father who guides me

 

-Liz

11/11/13

 

Faith, Trials & The 10 Commandments

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb 11:1

Fear brings in bad things, while faith brings good.

In order to know who someone really is deep down inside, they must be caught by surprise.  They will either be selfish or selfless. The selfless find each other, the selfish stay by themselves, not trusting anyone.  People seek their own kind, matching minds and souls.

Our real selves do not come out until we are tried and tested.  We may not even know ourselves, what we are made of, until we are faced with trials so severe that we are either broken or strengthened by the event.  We grow more from pain and hardship, than when things are easy.

The only way to make it through troubled times is not to worry about yourself.  Devote your thoughts and energy to others.

There are many people who have used childhood hardships as a springboard for tremendous adult spiritual strength.

We are all children of God, and being his children is our common denominator.  Many different faiths have a lot of truth.  The very fact of arguing, fighting and warring over religion is in direct opposition to Christ's teachings.  He asks us to love one another, to treat each other with kindness, whether we are scholars of scriptures or just learning how to pray.  There may be more truth in some churches than others, but you have to understand that some people are not ready for the more advanced teachings.  Living the ten commandments is hard for a lot of people, so they need simpler laws.  As long as they desire to draw closer to Christ, then their hearts are in the right place.  There should be no discrimination in people's hearts, no boasting, no selfishness, only words of kindness, encouragement, humor, and love.

- S. Freeman

10 Commandments:
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy
5. Honor thy father and thy mother
6. Thou shalt not kill
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery
8. Thou shalt not steal
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's possessions

Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law?  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Matt. 22: 36-40