extra sky

imagine getting some extra sky today. 


imagine waking up and there was extra love, extra sky and even extra pizza for all!


imagine if it was up to us to imagine that


imagine if we did


then our imaginations would be reality

innocence of children

the moments of enjoyment spent watching a family of robins grow and develop

where the highlight of the day is checking the nest to see what is new and exciting

where time has no meaning, but the moment of time of which you spend


this is what matters most

compliments of haagen dazs V Bean Espresso

riding out to the "wa" at 10 PM on a weeknight to procure ice cream. Hmmmmmm....... Ben & Jerry's flavors seem unattractive and even the pickings of Haagen seem unlikely and my selfishness kicks in and I choose what I know will be all mine - something with coffee in it. 
Limited Edition Haagen Dazs Vanilla Bean Espressooooooooooooo


and, yes, the thought crossed my mind. does this have caffeine in it?


nah I thought.....spooning myself into delirium. 


well....let's just say it is ACTUALLY 4:23 AM 
1) read several chapters of Treasure Island
2) watched two episodes of American Pickers
3) laid in bed in vain wondering why I couldn't sleep
4) strolled the garden (twice)
5) drawn two pictures
6) not FB'd for fear of the time, but certainly perused
7) now- blogging




the spoils of selfishness once again


good night, 8 AM comes shortly


(tis a beautiful breezy night anyway...umm I mean morning)

4 rules of speaking

Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.


One of my counselors....yes, one. Wrote this down for me 
about 18 months ago...it is finally sinking in.


four excellent rules of speaking
1 - before you speak...is it necessary?
2 - before you speak is what you are about to say helpful?
3 - does what you are going to say edify?
4 - is what you are going to say being said in loving kindness?


I have a long way to go with this, but slowly and by practice it is working and I like the results.


(a special thanks to Margaret and my children for putting up with my speaking the longest and also a few key others indicating I really needed a filter)

words.to.live.by

If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.



Whenever I read verses like this, I cannot deny God and His existence. Who can argue this? For what is there really to gain in this world...I watch my daughter and see that she "gets this" much better then I do. I watch my boys and see the same. 


They have that "love" and it is in this I am satisfied. 


...and it is then that I say to myself; "self, define love...???" and where else can you go, but to here - 


love is patient


love is kind


love does not envy


love does not boast


love is not arrogant


love is not rude


love does not insist on it's own way


love is not irritable


love is not resentful


love does not rejoice in wrongdoing


love rejoices with truth


love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.


love never ends


and again...if I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, i.gain.nothing.

grace...she takes the blame

"grace finds goodness in everything"

there's this song by U2 -  Grace 

It's a slow and fluid song

the way it is put together just transcends me

"grace finds beauty in everything"

"finds goodness in everything"

"it's a name for a girl and also a thought that changed the world"

"she covers the shame, removes the stain"

This thought of "grace", the beauty of "grace" the desire to have and give "grace"  is beauty

"and when she goes to work you can hear the strings"

((just listen and you can hear))

grace

bonnaroo life lessons

a) appreciate everyone always

b) acceptance of one's self is a step in accepting others

c) don't judge

d) I love Taylor (my son) and was overjoyed that we experienced this event together

e) people love to share

f) when this many people make this many sacrifices to gather for music, the music becomes more special

g) it's really not hard to show love and kindness and happiness to other people no matter the circumstances

((hope to be there next year))

friend

Dear Friend,

I hope you read and are inspired. I hope you visit again. I like you. I have always liked you. I am sorry if I hurt you. Please forgive me. If you really want to change---God offers that change, not me. God transforms people.That is my prayer.

There are no coincidences.

Love,

Tate

God's work has no payback

When you decide, that is if you decide, to do the work of God, the living and almighty God, you must understand that there is no payback; not in this lifetime. 


God has promised us eternal life ((Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever)) Psalms


But, in this life, here today and now, the payback is not to be seen or found. IN FACT "blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" Matthew


I admit, I am a hypocrite such a hypocrite that I got the spelling right, but again, it is by the grace of God that I and all other professed believers in the faith go before you. 


Walking in the light of God is such a joy, such a peace and yet my earthly/manly instincts fight for control of me- over and over and over....never ceasing, but it is by the grace of God I go before you. 


I want so badly to be a better man. A man after God's own heart and herein lies my struggle. 
I am selfish
I think unkind things
I want things
I can be mean
I can show anger


but it is by the grace of God I go before you. 


I hurt people
I am for me


It has been said that God loves me.....and you......ALL OF YOU. EVERYONE OF YOU. and this is where I strive, strive to love like He did, knowing full well I cannot compare, but yet PUSHING and WORKING towards that love, that love without return, that giving without return until, until, until He calls me home. 


Till then may I show you and you and you and you, the grace that has been apportioned for me.


for it is by the grace of God I can stand before you.