Prayer of A Clown

A little bit different prayer ...

As I stumble through this life,

help me to create more laughter than tears,

dispense more cheer than gloom,

spread more cheer than despair.

Never let me become so indifferent,

that I will fail to see

the wonders in the eyes of a child,

or the twinkle in the eyes of the aged.

Never let me forget that my total effort is to cheer people,

make them happy,

and forget momentarily,

all the unpleasantness in their lives.

And in my final moment,

may I hear You whisper:

"When you made My people smile,

you made Me smile."

-Anonymous-

Have a blessed evening everyone! Tim

Vacation!

Melissa, the kids and I are packed and ready to go on a mini vacation to Portland, Oregon! We've been looking forward to this for a few weeks! We will be checking out the Escher exhibit at the Portland Art Museum and also the Zoo on Monday. (Hannah is head over heels about the latter!) We'll be back late Tuesday evening. I said mini vacation after all. See you then!

Tim

St Anselm Returns!

O Lord my God,

Teach my heart this day where and how to see you,

Where and how to find you.

You have made me and remade me,

And you have bestowed on me

All the good things I possess,

And still I do not know you.

I have not yet done that

For which I was made.

Teach me to seek you,

For I cannot seek you

Unless you teach me,

Or find you

Unless you show yourself to me.

Let me seek you in my desire,

Let me desire you in my seeking.

Let me find you by loving you,

Let me love you when I find you.

St. Anselm

Amen! Have a blessed evening everyone! Tim

Cell Phone Vent!

A mini vent ... Almost had a car accident yesterday ... Somebody with a cellphone meandered into my lane. If you are emotionally and physically unable to talk and the phone and pay attention to the traffic around you, do not use the phone! I am talking even if you have a head set or hands free capability. I am talking about those in-duh-viduals ... Do this test. Go to an empty parking lot, set up orange cones. Get on the phone and start talking then weave in and out of cones and if you can do it without knocking over a single cone, then feel free to use your cell phone when driving.

Thank you! Tim

I have just the present moment ...

Something to share which has more meaning for me since the heart attack last April ....

I may never see tomorrow ; there's no written guarantee,

And things that happened yesterday belong to history,

I cannot predict the future, I cannot change the past,

I have just the present moment, I must treat it as my last.

I must use this moment wisely for it soon will pass away,

and be lost to me forever as part of yesterday,

I must exercise compassion, help the fallen to their feet,

Be a friend unto the friendless, make an empty life complete.

The unkind things I do today may never be undone,

And friendships that I fail to win may nevermore be won,

I may not have another chance on bended knee to pray,

And thank God with humble heart for giving me this day.

Author Unknown

The Duggars Rolling Out #19!!!

Make That 19 Kids and Counting: Duggars Expecting Another Child

Reality show mega-family The Duggars just announced on 'Today' that they are adding a new face to the family, their 19th child.

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, who along with their brood star on TLC's '18 Kids and Counting,' appeared on the NBC morning show with their whole family to deliver the news. They told Meredith Vieira they're "so excited about our new arrival." Michelle, 42, is 3 months along in the pregnancy.

In a fun set of circumstances, the new baby will have a niece that is OLDER than him or her. Oldest son Joshua James and his wife Anna are expecting a daughter, to be named Mackynzie Renee, in October.

The eight girls and ten boys all have names starting with "J" >>

Joshua James, 21 -- expecting a daughter with his wife. Jane Marie, 19 John-David, 19 Jill Michelle, 18 Jessa Lauren, 16 Jinger Nicole, 15 Joseph Garrett, 14 Josiah Matthew, 13 Joy-Anna, 11 Jedidiah Robert, 10 Jeremiah Robert, 10 Jason Michael, 9 James Andrew, 8 Justin Samuel, 6 Jackson Levi, 5 Johanna Faith, 3 Jennifer Danielle, 2 Jordyn-Grace, 8 months

http://www.popeater.com/2009/09/01/duggars-baby-news/


Not that anyone asked me ... It seems to me that they might consider adopting children instead of just making more at this point. They have some kids of their own to pass on their family name and genetic line. Here in Arkansas where I live, there are lots of kids in foster care and/or state custody that need either a temporary home or a permanent family. If the Duggars still have extra time, money, love, and guidance that they want to share with more little ones, why not share it with ones that are already in the world and in need of a family?

Lord, Make me more like my dog!

I'm not all that big of a dog man really, but I've been finding doggie things all over the place of late. Maybe God is telling me something ... hmmmmmm

Anyways, had to share this one.

Tim

Wagging his tail and waving his paws

With squeaky ball held in his jaws

With no thought of what's gone before

My puppy greets me at the door.

As I get home from night shift job

I'm bothered by this little slob

Who steals my socks and eats my shoes

Ignoring all his rawhide chews.

Yet for all the scolding, training,

Short nights sleep and entertaining

And all the trouble he gets in

he doesn't care, it's not a sin!

As many times as I've scolded him

Or smacked his behind for being dim

The puppy loves me anyway

He doesn't care, he's here to stay.

Someday I hope to be worthy you see,

Of the faith that my dog has in me.

I wonder sometimes if I were him

Would I be a good puppy?

Sometimes I think that God gave us dogs

As a lesson in attitude, because they're always there

We people can be crabby, ungrateful, or rude

But if you have a dog, odds are he doesn't care.

Some days I wonder, when I'm bored

If Jesus did walk through my door

Would I take the time to notice during my busy day?

I know my dog would, He'd probably wanna play.

Lord I ask with this humble prayer

As I watch my Schnauzer sleep on the chair

With all the faith that the world is right

Now that I'm home from working tonight

Lord, Make me more like my dog

More loyal, more loving, more fun to be

More accepting of neighbors, whoever they be.

More willing to forgive, have faith, be free.

I think there's a reason that "Dog" is "God" spelled backwards, you see.

~The Ever Present Author Unknown