Doesn't it feel so good to praise Him?

SEE, WALK, THINK, TRUST & KNOW

I Am, HE does, and You are

 

Who says?

WHO SAYS YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE A LOVER TO SHARE YOUR LOVE?

THIS VALENTINES DAY DON'T HOLD BACK! 

TELL THOSE YOU CARE FOR HOW YOU FEEL.

BUT IF YOU FIND YOURSELF ALONE (TEAR), PERHAPS

YOU CAN GET WASTED!

OR SING YOURSELF INTO A HAPPY MOOD!

OR MAKE A NEW FRIEND!

JUST ALWAYS , ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT EVERYBODY NEEDS LOVE!

pathways / roadways to ponder

My Friend Henry - A different kind of love story

MY FRIEND HENRY (by Geri L. Phillips)


He stood outside our house wearing grey pants that were held up by suspenders, and on his head, an old grey hat. In his hand he held a stick that had a nail on the end of it, used for picking up trash. He had grey whiskers, and he was very tall and dark. A scary sight for me, that is until he became my friend.

"Henry! Hi Henry!" I would call from the back doorway of our house.

"Hi Geri Lynn" he would answer, not even pronouncing my name correctly.

I didn't mind how he pronounced my name, in fact, I even liked it.

"I'll be right out" I would say. He just smiled big and his deep and dark eyes seemed to sparkle. I would spend every day with my friend Henry. I followed him everywhere, helping him pick up trash or raking the leaves. In my grandmother's West End Grocery store I would sit and visit with him while he took his breaks. We talked about anything that I wanted to talk about. Sometimes he sat on a bench inside the store resting. I was right by his side absorbing all the attention I could get from him. Often he would reach into his pants pocket and retrieve a quarter and give it to me. This was usually followed by a request to fetch him a grape soda.

When Henry wasn't working he sat with me and we visited. I entertained him by riding my tricycle or hula-hooping. His laughter and the joy in his tired eyes indicated that he seemed to enjoy my company just as much as I enjoyed his.

Henry's wife, ironically named Henrietta, was inside making beds or washing dishes and I always knew how to find her.

"Henrieeeeeeeta" I hollered.

"Yoooohoooooo" she answered in that pretty tune of hers.

One day while working outside in the heat, Henry became ill. I saw him at a distance by the warehouse as he collapsed while trying to sit down on the steps. I ran to him in a panic to find out what was wrong. He did not look so good, so I ran inside the store to get my mother and big brother. They brought him inside the store where it was much cooler. I stayed with my friend, wiping his face with a cool rag and helping him drink his water until he was all better.

Once I went to Henry's house, which was an old shack down the road. They had chickens and a pin in the back with turkeys. Inside there was an old wood burning stove to keep them warm in the winter and to cook their food on. I noticed that they did not have a restroom like ours, it was and outhouse. I had never seen such poverty before and I wondered how those to could always be so happy.

As I grew older, so did Henry. My mother told me one day that he died. Sometimes I think about Henry and Henrietta. I hope they knew my love for them. It didn't matter the color of their skin and it didn't matter that they lived in an old shack. What matters most is the love that we shared. In fact, they were not poor, they were the richest people I knew, for they had the love of each other, the nature to love others, and the love of the Lord.

My friend Henry, you taught me that the greatest gift from God is the gift of love!

© copyright 1999 written by Geri L. Phillips

Little Reminders  (by Geri L. Phillips)


When I’m a little defeated, and inadequent feelings are lurking around
I am reminded to stop a moment and know that in You, I am found.

At times I feel like talking and there just isn’t a friend in which to confide;
Just then you remind me that You are there to listen and You listen with Your arms open wide.

When in my disappointments, hurts and silent tears;
It is You that reminds me that you are my friend throughout my years.

Yet, still these feelings come and I begin to feel a little blue;
I reach out for help, help that I can only get from You.

Then there it is in a gentle breeze or a butterfly passing by;
Or a ladybug that lands on my cheek, or a beautiful sunrise in the sky;

Or in the melody of a bird singing high on a rooftop,
As if he were singing just for me, and as if he will never stop.

These are just some of the little reminders that make me stop in awe;
To know that I am loved and cared for and that you will catch me when I fall.

Thank you Lord for loving me and for the little reminders!

It is that time of year again when the red breasted robins  gather in their happy go lucky ways!

CLOSE YOUR EYES AND SMILE

SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO
CLOSE YOUR EYES,
HANG ON TO YOUR BUDDIES
AND
SMILE AND COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!

CS Lewis Song

http://youtu.be/qT-sso5AhmA

"If a soul has any beauty, it is because Christ has endowed that soul with His own, for in ourselves we are deformed and defiled! There is no beauty in any of us but what our Lord has worked in us."







Charles Spurgeon


(Source: unworthyofhisgrace, via ohsplendidlife)

Deepest desires

The Caterpillar

I Am A Caterpillar


(A story of a journey of faith, by Geri L. Phillips)

One day, while sitting in the warm sunshine, I spotted a caterpillar making his journey from the grass to the concrete of the patio. I sat there and watched him for the longest time.

He seemed to be moving at a steady pace, when suddenly, he stumbled. His back end twisted and turned over, but his front end stayed in place. Struggling to continue his journey, he managed to straighten out his back end. On he went toward his destination, when shortly after, he stumbled again. Continuing this routine, he finally made it across the patio. A dark shadow covered him as a cloud covered the sun.

I did not watch him any longer, though he had not finished his journey. I did not know his destination, but he did. Suddenly I realized that his ultimate destination was to get to a place where he would transform into a beautiful butterfly.

I am like the caterpillar, traveling through this life, stumbling along the way and fighting the darkness of sin. Do I know my destination? The answer is yes, and alas, when I get there I will become that beautiful butterfly that God wants me to be!

Great Soul

The Dash

"The Dash Poem"by Josh Schmidt



I read of a man who stood to speak, at the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on this tombstone from beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came his date of birth and spoke the following with tears. But he said what mattered most of all, was the dash in between those years.

For the dash represents, all the time he spent alive on earth.

And how only those who loved him know what that little line is worth.



For it matters not, how much we own; the cars, the house, the cash, what matters most is how we live and love and how we spend our dash… So think about this long and hard. Are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left, that can still be rearranged. If we could just slow down enough, to consider what is true and real.

And always try to understand, the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more,

and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile…

Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s actions to rehash would you be proud of the things they say and how your spent your dash?


(By Linda Ellis)

road less traveled

Thank You God!

There is power in prayer!

On a country road

I Am

I am your mother but I can't tell you how to have a great relationship with your father; but I can show you how my relationships are nurtured.

I am your wife but I can't tell you how to have a great relationship with your sons; but I can only suggest to choose love over anger.

I am your daughter but I can not tell you to cheer up when you can no longer do the things that you so enjoyed doing; but I can sit and laugh with you and cry with you.

I am your friend but I can't tell you how to be a good friend; but I can only show my loving friendship to you.

I am your sister but  I can not fix your heartaches and pains; but I can show you my love and say a prayer for you.

I am a child of the God of Abraham, the mighty One.  I put my trust in Him because He CAN do all things! But I can not choose for you to trust Him, however you can.

Geri L. Phillips

HOPE

I Love You More

I love you mommy" he said. "I love you more" said I.


So on we challenged with love and game, and on did the years go by.



Toddler became an adolescent and adolescent became the teen.

Patience, understanding and sacrifice were harder than it had seemed.



But what a special blessing each year that brought some pain;

along with that came lessons not only to him, but to myself did gain.



I learned a lot about myself, that I had never known.

I learned that I had convictions and that I had seeds to sow.



In keeping with my convinctions I found myself on rocky a turrain,

That is with him who did not understand the reasonings and believed all I said was lame.



But I will be strong in my convictions and my voice shall continue to be heard;

no matter if he thinks unfair, wild, crazy or absurd.



Because the truth of the matter, and this is indeed the score...

The truth is I will be there if you fall, and as always, I love you more!



written by Geri L. Phillips

The Beauty Within

I wish you could see the beauty within,

I wish you could see what God does, my friend;

Inside you heart where the Spirit dwells,
Has been covered by lies that the enemy tells;

Lies of who you are and who God designed you to be;
Yes lies that you believe. How I wish you could see!

Before you speak lowly of yourself,
Do me a favor. Put that enemy on the shelf!

Put in its place, the light of the Lord;
Do not live another day by the sword.

Careful the words that you say,
For they have much power much to your dismay.

Be kind to yourself and to others you meet;
Delight yourself in the Lord and soon you will see.

Be obedient in God and forgiving, you see;
For this is truly what allows you to be set free.

On this journey that we call life,
There will always be some trouble and strife.

But take comfort in knowing that even though we all have sinned;
That God’s promises are true, and the Light shone the beauty within!


Written by Geri L. Phillips; March 23, 2011



Live like God intends and like everyday is your last!

What do you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4HH9qQEHtI

In One God I Entrust

I thank Thee for this day.
I know that whatever may come my way,
I will entrust those things that matter most
to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

All my worries and woes are heard on high;
It is Your precious love I can not deny.

In one God I will entrust my family and friends;
and I will thank him for forgiving my sins.

Yes, I entrust all those that are so dear
to the One God who is always near.

I trust you Oh God with the things that matter most
and I give them to You dear Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Copywritten Geri L. Phillips