Happy Mother's Day

Mothers Are Lovers

Mother: Source of beginnings, provider of love, provider of wisdom and provider of protection.

Always there, always share and will always care.

All mothers may not be 'biological'. But all mothers are blessed with faith, ability to love, nuture, provide, protect, instruct, discipline, share and to care for those whom they have been given opportunity of responsibility. No thing can replace the joy and power of 'motherhood'. 'Motherhood' is the 'will' of the Lord to sustain the beauty and strength of the family...a divine reflection of 'love'.

God has given mothers mounds of strength, wisdom, knowledge and understanding. They're creative, loving, kind, compassionate, longsuffering and forgiving. They're always willing to go that extra mile. Mothers will keep secrets, edify, encourage and exhort. Mothers are 'Lovers'.

Yes, this is our day,

We've made it here to celebrate

God's blessings as we pray;

We honor and glorify our Lord

for lending our children to us,

Just a few days to nurture

As we learn, in Him to trust;

One day you'll be all grown up

with children of your own,

I plan to stay around and see,

how many grands you'll give to me;

Enjoy your precious time with them...

for soon they'll be off and gone.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

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HE AROSE!!!

"He arose." An all too familiar saying, and especially on Easter Sunday,

And is often fogotten by the following Monday;

I ponder why this holds true,

Among so many who claim, "I know He arose for me too;"

Our Heavenly Father who sent His 'only' begotten Son,

Who gave His life so our battles in this world can be won;

Now, He's sitting high and watching as we live our lives in open shame,

As we walk the paths of darkness denying our Savior's name;

Oh! dear sisters, brothers, fathers, and mothers,

Come and stay with our Lord who has given us so much,

His love for us is 'real'... there is none other;

Our Savior is always near... we can reach out and touch;

After His death and His burial, the stone was rolled away,

He arose to bring us into His presence each and every day;

So, let us remember how much we're truly loved,

And, that He's waiting for us to join Him in our home above.

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Supporting Scriptures: Luke 24:1-8

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This Day

This beautiful day of two-thousand eleven,

Unfolded gracefully as the new dawning scrolled from Heaven;

Another day our Lord has made...so His children can rejoice and be glad in it,

The moon moved over...and the darkness faded...now the amazing sky is brightly lit;

We're blessed to witness this wondrous day,

More time to share our love, more time to worship our Lord and more time to pray.

STOP: REFLECT!

Give thought to what you've read in God's Word. Did you wait to hear what God was saying to you? Do you understand God's message to your heart? Do you realize that God speaks to us through His Word? Sometimes we(Christians) speed-read through passages we've read many times before. In so doing, we miss what God is meaning to show us. When we do this, we fail to learn anything new from that passage. Like physical food, spiritual food needs chewing.

So, let's not come to the Bible as if we're going to an express buffet. By chewing(meditating) on God's Word we will get the most value for our spiritual growth.

Reading the Bible without reflecting is like eating without chewing.

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Ref: C.P. Hia, Our Daily Bread 2/2011.

Photo: My lovely daughter, Karen(r), my lovely granddaughter, Deborah(m) and my lovely granddaughter, Estelle(l).

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Love: "I Do"

" Love" as defined by Webster: affection based on admiration or benevolence; a warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion; unselfish concern that freely accepts another in loyalty and seeks his good; the fatherly concern of God for man; and man's adoration of God.

"Love" as described by the Holy Scriptures: first commandment(Matt.22:37,38); with all the heart (Matt. 22:37); sign of true faith (John 8:42); manifested in obedience (John 14:15, 21, 23). Second command (Matt. 22:37-39); commanded by Christ (John 13:34); in detail (ICor. 13:1-13).

February 14th, Valentine's Day; the date our society uses to express, in a special way, how we feel about spouses, children, relatives, friends and co-workers. We send well selected cards, favorite candy, lovely flowers/roses, go out together for a delicious dinner and/or make plans to attend some special event. We have many ways to express our 'love' one to another. Also, there're times we even reach out to others in effort to show our 'love.'

'Love' encourages, strengthens and satisfies;

even when denied and pushed aside;

It bears up those who're broken,

distraught, criticized,

victimized, ostracized

and often cried;

It suffers long,

seeks not its own;

'Love' reaches out to those who're left alone,

with no one to call their own;

It rescues those who're in despair,

expresses concern, and brotherly care,

any day, any time, and anywhere;

'Love' the most powerful passion mankind can share.

Ask me, "do I love you ?"

You bet your love for me, I do!

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THE HEART THAT BLEEDS

I live from day to day with a bleeding heart as I witness how we, professing and born-again Christians appear to not be spiritually conscious...and fail to trust our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to take care of us during our time of tests and/or trials.

There's no doubt that our physical heart can suffer damage. The body learns to make adjustments and to survive with medical attention and proper care.

On the other hand our human spirit suffer emotional damage...often referred to as "broken-heart." We become saddened, depressed, hurt, and experience lonliness. We also become angry, unpleasant, defensive and arrogant.

When our heart is broken we often seek comfort and/or attention from different trusted or familiar sources; friends, relatives, counselors, the clergy and co-workers. Also, alcohol consumption, drugs, and illicit sex.

A broken-heart demands attention. We learn to pretend day to day; we learn to hide our true feelings and to act happy while really hurting.

Our heart-break may result from different areas; but every heart-break is painful. We don't choose our tests and/or trials. No one will ask for a broken heart...in life things happen. While traveling through life we make bad choices and sow seeds that result in pain. We will experience disappointments, deceit, abuse,disrespect, and rejection; just to mention a few...but all has purpose and works together for our good. There is light at the end of the tunnel and we only need to focus on the light that will lead us through.

I've decided that every day I will remember that I'm a born-again Sprit-filled Christian, I'm a woman, a mother, a daughter(parents deceased) a sister and a friend. I live in a physical body and experience emotions. I'm not a lone ranger...there are many of us in God's family. Every day of victory produces a stronger 'will' to stand and give God the glory. I realize that my 'faith' is increased and my desire to obey the Lord becomes more intense. I learn with every bleeding heart-beat that all the praise and glory belongs to God;that my purpose is to let my life reflect the love of God and to share this love with others. Sure, no one wants to suffer...but must become willing to remain faithful and to trust the Lord for deliverance.

I survive heart-break by remembering that God is concerned about everything that concerns me and that He is faithful to keep His promises. His grace is sufficient for me. The joy of knowing this gives me strength to stay focused. What a testimony to share with others; our overcoming heart-break experience.

We'll never grow in 'faith' without learning what it means to trust the Lord.

Our deliverance is found in accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, believing and obeying the word of God.

Humility before honor(Proverbs 18:12).

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Martin Luther King- SWEET DREAMS

Marching was his method of receiving attention and of being heard,

As he spoke edifying and encouraging words;

Reaching the heart and mind of most people,

...depending on guidance and courage of his Keeper;

Thoughtful of the impressions he'd leave behind,

In concerned hearts and open minds;

Never seeming to let his tiredness show,

...as he spoke and traveled to and fro;

Letting his love and understanding freely flow,

...and caring for those whom he didn't know;

Unselfishly seeking ways to make the Black, the poor and oppressed free,

The way he knew God meant it to be;

...though many times falsely accused,

and ridiculed;

His dream still lives within us today,

...and gives us all hope for a better tomorrow,

Erasing memories of sadness, many tears and much sorrow;

Reaching high to accomplish goals appointed to him,

...there were times success looked hopeless and dim;

Enjoyment and the folly of life didn't corrupt his mind,

...as he left his beloved family behind;

He respected opinions and decisions of his fellowman,

...when some would disagree or fail to understand;

His focus was justice and peace for ALL mankind,

...he knew would come in its season and time;

Kindness shone all over his being,

In his mode of living, in his willingness to suffer, and in the power emanating from his voice as he shouted,

"Let freedom ring!!" "Let freedom ring!!"

Not discouraged by other's doubt,

...he knew that his dream for equality would be carried out;

Gone now from our daily reach,

...but his methods we shall continue to teach;

REVERAND MARTIN LUTHER KING, the Black man who had THE dream.

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This poem was selected for revision from a previous submission. ***********************************************************************************