%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
 We live much of life amid unique choices. Joy is anchored in The One beyond our life. |
|
“There are times when solitude is better than society, and silence is wiser than speech. We should be better Christians if we were more alone, waiting upon God, and gathering through meditation on His Word spiritual strength for labour in his service. We ought to muse upon the things of God, because we thus get the real nutriment out of them. . . . Why is it that some Christians, although they hear many sermons, make but slow advances in the divine life? Because they neglect their closets, and do not thoughtfully meditate on God's Word. They love the wheat, but they do not grind it; they would have the corn, but they will not go forth into the fields to gather it; the fruit hangs upon the tree, but they will not pluck it; the water flows at their feet, but they will not stoop to drink it. From such folly deliver us, O Lord. . . .” ― Charles Spurgeon “Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths.” ― C. H. Spurgeon “Hope itself is like a star- not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity.” ― Charles Haddon Spurgeon “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.” ― Charles Spurgeon “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” ― Charles Spurgeon “Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.” ― Charles Spurgeon “When your will is God's will, you will have your will.” ― Charles Spurgeon https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/2876959.Charles_Haddon_Spurgeon (Philippians 2:13, KJV)    |
The last of day this live-long year will slip beyond the Earth. For when the sun is newly clear the year will have new birth. A slate to write without a mark that's like the new fall'n snow. The newest thoughts to light each spark to help us writers grow. The yellow's low to make the trees these latest silhouettes. The pink-streak "bird" will light to free these passengers it has met. The light gray sky with hints of pink floats past the fading green of pine trees and mimosa sticks, but soon this year's not seen. The days of 2025 have seen so many things. Their hopes may yet remain and thrive as human hearts still sing. "Goodbye, Dear Rays of Sunlight fair. Your blessings will be missed, but when the light we see o'er there, The Son we'll ever kiss." The light ekes through the tulgey wood, the last of fire doused, but God's provision's always good. They're in His Good Heart housed. by Jay O’Toole on December 31st, 2025    |
The sun still shines. The cold wind blows. The new year comes apace. Each meaning mined of what we know shows lasting depth of Grace. The sun shines bright, though skies are dark when clouds prevent our sight. The seasons change, new life embarks, the Lord is ever right. The sun still burns of fuel unspent through millennia of time. It flies through space on course unbent with planet ties, that bind. The sun still shines. The wind will warm. The flowers of spring will come. The Lord Alone can save from harm, the parts and all the sum. by Jay O’Toole on December 30th, 2025 |
The fabric of our lives seems stretched. Elastically, we're thin. The worry on our faces etched. The heart is made of tin. The Christmas season now is past. We wonder what to do, awaiting Judgment, Sin has cast when this short life is through. "A Christmas Moment" means great peace at least for me I'd say. These quiet minutes bring release at ending of the day. To hear this nothing, then the cars, while sitting in the cold is gentle 'fore we see the stars as last light beams are told. But when the Dark forever falls on those, who have no hope, they no more hear the Master's Calls. Thus past, can't help them cope. The Christmas Moments presently known are here when Life is giv'n. Embraced the Gift, that once was sown can evermore be livin'. The Master calls the ones He chose, who now can come received. The children of that Christ are those, who no more need be grieved. Once peace with God is throughly weaved the peace of God we know, These Christmas Moments simmer, steeped, while times of JOY can grow. We sense these Christmas Moments oft throughout each coming year to lift our hearts to the highest loft, protecting us from fear. A Christmas Moment needs one thing, and that is focused time, alone with He, Who makes hearts sing, Whose Presence is Sublime. by Jay O’Toole on December 29th, 2025 |
| My Dad was born those years ago, but died some twenty-three. Though gone, I'm blest his life to know, and like him still to be. Dad loved to laugh. He cared for souls. He knew Christ as his Lord. He lived his days with many goals. He focused on The Word. My Dad has showed me how to live a life, that honors God. He served us all, his best to give. His memory I applaud. Dad served his world in faithfulness. He worked, until he died. He walked the way in gratefulness. His lessons learned applied. My Dad has rested from these deeds of life on Planet Earth, but now he lives and ever heeds The One, Who gave new birth. by Jay O’Toole on December 28th, 2025 |
| 'Twas cold a number of days 'fore the Eve, but nearly hot on Christmas Day. The cold returns without reprieve, no matter what we all could say. This up and down seems by design. The Lord doth show us right as rain. This world is off, though we think it's fine. Salvation's near. God's Word is plain. The days of life are very short, though a century we may yet live. Eternity's last, and worst retort will bind the lost in pain it gives. But broken hearts, confessing sin will find their bliss forever new. That Christ, the Lord, Whose lasting win stays ever best for me and you. by Jay O’Toole on December 27th, 2025 |
| The Joys of Christmas Day are done. Return we now to a new year's tasks. The childheart still inside had fun. A moment's peace in sunlight basks. The Christmas music playing faint as jobs to do, now drive us on. His soon Day coming cheers the saint, still looking for God's Only Son. We live in lands of faith, that fades. Yet, what He promised He will do. Our sainthood is not based on grades, but transformation through and through. We enter days of Christ, unknown. Nativity is oft for show, but Christmas lives in hearts, full-grown, that want the Savior more to know. We carry Christmas in the heart for Christ is our best earthly thought. From dark to light, Salvation's start envelopes all by Jesus bought. by Jay O’Toole on December 26th, 2025 |
| To feel the lack, but know He's great is truly of this world. To open presents, box and sack reveals some JOY unfurled. To hope that this is all that's best diminishes the sight of some new Day, which gives real Hope, relieves us from our plight. The world is so much faster, now. We'll blink, and once again the Christmas cards of fam'ly, friend will beckon us to send. If gifts received make lasting peace, then something is amiss for days of life do flee away. We bury loved one's kiss. This lack we feel weighs down our hearts for now we work and live to buy the things of earthly times. We stop, that love we give. Some empty chair, that none can fill when we say table's grace. The silent night where once were words makes house a larger place. The Joy we once of Christmas cheers remember in our lack. The hope of time when all's restored makes us request to pack. "Dear Jesus, help us in our need. We thank You for this Day. For those, who grieve, we for us plead. Still grant us to obey. "The tasks you have for us to do, please help us with great JOY to serve our loved ones as to You. Your Gift of strength employ. "Please, cherish tears we shed, right now with hoped-for JOY in grief, that when before You we do bow, we'll know Your Great Relief." "On Christmas Day forevermore, the Gift of Jesus known, we'll have no lack for what's in store is blessings always sown. "Now, thank we all, Dear Blessed Lord, for Jesus' Saving Power. The Promises of Your Dear Word, we'll live through that sweet Hour." by Jay O’Toole on December 25th, 2025 |
| We go to church to sing the songs, and thank the Lord to Earth He came. We know He came to right all wrongs, restoring what He made the same. But if we're honest, we still see a weary Earth in dying throes. Convulsive weather changes be. Some now are hot from recent snows. The wars around the Earth bring pain. Emotions feel so much or numb. Can Someone put it right again? Can Victory from somewhere come? The Day of Joy we're sure to know when He from manger, cross hath sped to ride the steed, His Kingship show to lead the ones for Whom He bled. Now, sing we all for God, Most Wise, to light the candle, Life that shines. He comes in strength of lasting size to set right all, that still repines. The night before His Birthday bliss. The night some will seek Santa Claus. We must now bow, the Son to kiss, before He opens books and laws. Do we now well this festive night? Do we seek for His Glory blest? Are souls yet saved, and freed from plight? Speak we, The Gospel, through each test? "Come we that love the Lord" to honor His Great Birth tonight. Now, cherish all His Living Word, which transforms dark souls to the Light. https://hymnary.org/text/come_we_that_love_the_lord_and_let_our#google_vignette by Jay O’Toole on December 24th, 2025 |
| The Christmas journey quickly ends as back to "normal" life we fly. Through Christmas feeding the stomach bends as on the quilt-filled couch we lie. For two long months some shopped and shopped to form sweet Christmas once again. "The money's gone!" but few then stopped. Our childhood Joy must always win. The 25th, the finish line of this commercial whirlwind feast. The 26th, we'll say, "I'm fine!" for then the weary dance will cease. But what we seek is more than toys, that young and old expend in days. We need the peace, that God employs through Calvary as His Word says. by Jay O’Toole on December 23rd, 2025 |
| Christmas time will come and go, but Christ is always near the heart of ev'ry child He brings to know Salvation, and His new life's start. Is Christmas something we express in trees with presents piled quite high? Is Christmas something we confess with warmish, color lights so nigh? Is Christmas something we must shun, since pagans worship darkest night? The battle of the gods was won when Light was used to show their plight. "The unknown God you worship, friends, is Jesus Christ, the One, Who saves." For when He doth our hearts attend, transforms as new from all our graves. If winter solstice is quite all, that Christmas means with its gifts that fade, then we must on the Savior call, and to believe, His Work obeyed. But if blest Christmas means much more, the virgin birth we hold all year, The One, Whose Birthday we adore, to sing hymn/carols, loud and clear, then Christmas can be loved and cheered, not just one day, but all year round. The Child returns as One, most feared. The Lord has freed His saved ones, bound. by Jay O’Toole on December 22nd, 2025 Image #2273458 over display limit. -?- Image #2291665 over display limit. -?- Image #2333342 over display limit. -?- |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
Puzzle Hub
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
