Here’s something that’s kind of fun and not too expensive. Click on the following link, and see what you think: Photo Stamps
Entry #16: Christmas Eve Poem With A Wish For The New Year
(In honor of the church’s
world-wide missionary force)
A Poem for a Christmas Eve
Gordon McVey, alone with himself,
lost in thought on the side of his bed,
Fingered the letters and pictures from home
and was glad for the news he had read.
A porcelain tree and a creche he had made
were set out on his bureau of drawers,
And wreaths made of straw with a ribbon and bow
had been hung from the thatched mission doors.
Presents from Mother, from Dad and from Sis,
plus gifts from each one on the team
Were waiting for morning when all would be warmed
by their promised real coffee and cream.
A service that night had been held in the church,
and soon all the workers would meet
For popcorn and carols, remembrance and games,
for prayers and for fellowship sweet.
His Bible in hand, Gordon left for the hall
but paused ‘neath the stars–and a tear
Just moistened his eye as he heaved a deep sigh,
“O Lord, send revival this year.”
Entry #15: For the Married Ladies of the Blog
A Poem for a Christmas Eve
The smell of the cookies now packed in the jar
still hung in the fir scented air,
And weary Amanda, with time to herself,
sat slumped in her favorite arm chair.
The children were scrubbed and all safe in their beds,
awaiting first glow of the day;
Their sleep undisturbed by the drumming of hooves
and by Santa unloading his sleigh.
Her husband had added a coat of red paint
to the rocking horse out in the shed,
And waving his hand as he climbed up the stairs
he was saying, “I’m going to bed.”
The last of the presents were wrapped ‘neath the tree,
the stockings were stuffed to the top.
The dishes from supper still drained in the sink,
and water still dripped from the mop.
The jello was setting, the turkey was thawed,
the apples were peeled for the pie,
And cards she had written were hanging in homes
of her friends far away and near-by.
And flickering ’round without making a sound
in the darkness were lights from the tree.
There resting among all the branches a card
to her husband read, “Dearest, From Me.”
The windows were shut to the winter outside,
the doors were all locked for the night.
And just for a moment Amanda remained
to reflect in the Christmas tree light.
For this was her moment alone to herself,
her time at the end of the day;
A chance to sort out all her feelings and thoughts-
to express what she wanted to say.
She rubbed and massaged, at the back of her neck,
closed her eyes, and sought to record
The things of her heart on that late Christmas Eve,
and whispered, “I love You, Lord.”
Entry #14: Edward Sims
We went to Candy Cane Lane last night and saw all the bright lights and the big houses finely decorated and aglow. I initially felt a happiness and blurted out, “Oh, THESE PEOPLE have the spirit.” In my heart, though, I felt more of a sadness because I KNEW there were others who could not enjoy the Christmas revelry. I felt saddened for the less fortunate (and I’m even crying as I’m writing this—Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance, the heart is made better). I came across this poem. It’s kind of long, but I liked it’s meaning. See what you think (when you have the time):
Edward Sims
Edward Sims walked past the church
Weighed down with gifts and worry
His wife had sent him with a list
And said, “Now Edward, HURRY!”
The grandkids all will come tonite
And on their grandma’s knee
I want to point to all that’s theirs
Beneath the Christmas tree
Perhaps ‘twas age that made him stoop
And shuffle down the street
But this besides kept Edward Sims
From hailing those he’d meet
The stable in his heart was bare
The stalls were all swept clean
No hay was in the manger there
No lamb, no child was seen
Old Father Edmunton by chance
Looked out the church just then
And eyes well trained by priestly care
Saw “Ed” among the men
He read the story on his face
Of joy and hope gone cold
Of how the effort to maintain
A faith had made him old
Hold on MY FRIEND the Father called
And through the window waved
Then out the door he hurried
With a loaf of bread he’d saved
From the several he’d been given
By the ladies in his flock
But he had to run to catch ED SIMS
Who’d shuffled down the block
Those sacks of yours look heavy, friend
If I may be so bold
Perhaps you’d let a nosy priest
Attempt to ease your load
Ed’s footsteps quickened at the voice
But something made him stop
The Father picked the largest sack
And laid his bread on top
It isn’t always by bright lights
By trumpets, choirs, and drums
For EDWARD SIMS discovered then
How CHRIST and CHRISTMAS comes!
– Barry Joe Tate
It was a tradition with Pastor Barry Joe Tate to write a poem for the annual Christmas Eve candle-light communion service while he was pastor at the Chillum Community Church in Chillum, Maryland. ThIS IS ONE of those poems and IS shared here with a prayer that you will once again, “fear not,” as your hear the “glad tidings:” “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” May you receive those glad tidings with “great joy.”
Entry #13 My New Presentation Look
Hope you like my new presentation look. I’m going to have to fine tune some of this, because with the new look came also new formatting on some of the entries. I was especially wary of this with the Burma Shave slogans, so I’ll try to fix things, and hopefully all will be well. Tell me what you think.
Entry #12: The Essence of Christmas
I’ve been reading a lot of blog entries on Christmas (and so many have been so good), but I really feel that my sister Karen this time has captured the ESSENCE of Christmas (whenever the exact birth of Christ was) in her blog entry called, CHRISTMAS IS A PROMISE. Here is the site for that. Just click on it: http://kikikaria.wordpress.com/2006/12/12/christmas-is-a-promise-kept/ and as my sister Carol mentioned in one of her comments, “There’s no place like ‘Keek’s’ for Christmas.” (Keek is the nickname for my sister Karen.) Keek’s husband (my brother-in-law, Mike) totally decorates the living room and family room with “old-time village decor,” decorates the outside with lights & sights, and Keek makes her coveted LASAGNE (second, of course, to Carol’s florentine [but Carol–you’re behind Aunt Mer’s authentic italian–LOL]) among other delectables. We “got it good” with this family. WE GOT IT GOOD! (AND, we got GOD too!) But DO see my sister Karen’s entry; it’s short, to-the-point, AND SO TRUE! Don’t forget to comment on her entry if you haven’t.
Entry #11: I Corinthians 13 (revisited)
I was inspired by Sis. Eva’s great blog entry on I Corinthians 13. See it on her site at: Myblessings.wordpress.com. A friend of mine in MN, Ray, once sent me a tape of his guitar playing and his singing a song (that I had heard for my first time) that I’d like to share with you. I hope I have all the words right, but THIS is also based on I Corinthians 13:
Although I speak with the tongues
Of men and of angels
Although I prophesy
And understand all
Although I have all faith
That mountains could be removed
Although I feed the poor
And give of my life
CH: If I have not charity
If love does not flow through me
I am nothing
Jesus reduce me to love
Jesus reduce me to love
Love is patient and kind
And love is not envious
Not proud but gentle and meek
Seeks not its own way
Love sings when Jesus prevails
Believes and endures all things
Love hopes and bears every wrong
And love never fails
CHORUS
One season I was a child
I spake and thought as a child
But when I turned to a man
Such things put away
And now we see through a glass
But then we shall see face to face
Though now abide faith and hope
The greatest is love
CHORUS
Oh, I wish you could hear it. Maybe if I ask “real nice,” Ray’ll do a sound recording that I could put on this blog. How ’bout it, Ray? We’ll see.
Entry #10: Am I the ONLY ONE?
Am I the ONLY ONE who prefers:
– Blueberries over cranberries?
– Mayonnaise (rather than catsup) on my fries?
– Tea (especially green) rather than coffee?
– Juices (like Odwalla or juicer-made) to soda?
– Eating more vegetables than meats (though I like meat)?
– Green olives to black? (There just aren’t enough pizza places
that serve the green olives these days. It’s ALWAYS black!)
– DARK CHOCOLATE rather than MILK?
– The Thanksgiving season over the Christmas season? (I know I’ll get a lot who’ll “seek my life” over this one!) [LOL]Am I the ONLY ONE??? Aren’t there any others?! Elias was a man who thought he was the ONLY ONE left after Israel had killed the prophets and digged down the altars. He even thought his life was endangered. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I HAVE RESERVED TO MYSELF SEVEN THOUSAND MEN, WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO THE IMAGE OF BA’AL. When you’re tempted to think that “you’re the ONLY ONE” in this situation or that, remember this—YOU’RE NOT SO SPECIAL! GOD HAS OTHERS who are serving HIM. And really, HE’s the ONLY ONE who’s the real ONE AND ONLY—not your honey, HONEY! (LOL)I’d be interested in finding out those of you who may have some of the same similarities (as above) as I. I’d also be interested in hearing your differences and why.
Am I the ONLY ONE who prefers:
– Blueberries over cranberries?
– Mayonnaise (rather than catsup) on my fries?
– Tea (especially green) rather than coffee?
– Juices (like Odwalla or juicer-made) to soda?
– Eating more vegetables than meats (though I like meat)?
– Green olives to black? (There just aren’t enough pizza places
that serve the green olives these days. It’s ALWAYS black!)
– DARK CHOCOLATE rather than MILK?
– The Thanksgiving season over the Christmas season? (I know I’ll get a lot who’ll “seek my life” over this one!) [LOL]Am I the ONLY ONE??? Aren’t there any others?! Elias was a man who thought he was the ONLY ONE left after Israel had killed the prophets and digged down the altars. He even thought his life was endangered. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I HAVE RESERVED TO MYSELF SEVEN THOUSAND MEN, WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO THE IMAGE OF BA’AL. When you’re tempted to think that “you’re the ONLY ONE” in this situation or that, remember this—YOU’RE NOT SO SPECIAL! GOD HAS OTHERS who are serving HIM. And really, HE’s the ONLY ONE who’s the real ONE AND ONLY—not your honey, HONEY! (LOL)I’d be interested in finding out those of you who may have some of the same similarities (as above) as I. I’d also be interested in hearing your differences and why.
Am I the ONLY ONE who prefers:
– Blueberries over cranberries?
– Mayonnaise (rather than catsup) on my fries?
– Tea (especially green) rather than coffee?
– Juices (like Odwalla or juicer-made) to soda?
– Eating more vegetables than meats (though I like meat)?
– Green olives to black? (There just aren’t enough pizza places
that serve the green olives these days. It’s ALWAYS black!)
– DARK CHOCOLATE rather than MILK?
– The Thanksgiving season over the Christmas season? (I know I’ll get a lot who’ll “seek my life” over this one!) [LOL]Am I the ONLY ONE??? Aren’t there any others?! Elias was a man who thought he was the ONLY ONE left after Israel had killed the prophets and digged down the altars. He even thought his life was endangered. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I HAVE RESERVED TO MYSELF SEVEN THOUSAND MEN, WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO THE IMAGE OF BA’AL. When you’re tempted to think that “you’re the ONLY ONE” in this situation or that, remember this—YOU’RE NOT SO SPECIAL! GOD HAS OTHERS who are serving HIM. And really, HE’s the ONLY ONE who’s the real ONE AND ONLY—not your honey, HONEY! (LOL)I’d be interested in finding out those of you who may have some of the same similarities (as above) as I. I’d also be interested in hearing your differences and why.
Am I the ONLY ONE who prefers:
– Blueberries over cranberries?
– Mayonnaise (rather than catsup) on my fries?
– Tea (especially green) rather than coffee?
– Juices (like Odwalla or juicer-made) to soda?
– Eating more vegetables than meats (though I like meat)?
– Green olives to black? (There just aren’t enough pizza places
that serve the green olives these days. It’s ALWAYS black!)
– DARK CHOCOLATE rather than MILK?
– The Thanksgiving season over the Christmas season? (I know I’ll get a lot who’ll “seek my life” over this one!) [LOL]Am I the ONLY ONE??? Aren’t there any others?! Elias was a man who thought he was the ONLY ONE left after Israel had killed the prophets and digged down the altars. He even thought his life was endangered. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I HAVE RESERVED TO MYSELF SEVEN THOUSAND MEN, WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO THE IMAGE OF BA’AL. When you’re tempted to think that “you’re the ONLY ONE” in this situation or that, remember this—YOU’RE NOT SO SPECIAL! GOD HAS OTHERS who are serving HIM. And really, HE’s the ONLY ONE who’s the real ONE AND ONLY—not your honey, HONEY! (LOL)I’d be interested in finding out those of you who may have some of the same similarities (as above) as I. I’d also be interested in hearing your differences and why.
Am I the ONLY ONE who prefers:
– Blueberries over cranberries?
– Mayonnaise (rather than catsup) on my fries?
– Tea (especially green) rather than coffee?
– Juices (like Odwalla or juicer-made) to soda?
– Eating more vegetables than meats (though I like meat)?
– Green olives to black? (There just aren’t enough pizza places
that serve the green olives these days. It’s ALWAYS black!)
– DARK CHOCOLATE rather than MILK?
– The Thanksgiving season over the Christmas season? (I know I’ll get a lot who’ll “seek my life” over this one!) [LOL]Am I the ONLY ONE??? Aren’t there any others?! Elias was a man who thought he was the ONLY ONE left after Israel had killed the prophets and digged down the altars. He even thought his life was endangered. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I HAVE RESERVED TO MYSELF SEVEN THOUSAND MEN, WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO THE IMAGE OF BA’AL. When you’re tempted to think that “you’re the ONLY ONE” in this situation or that, remember this—YOU’RE NOT SO SPECIAL! GOD HAS OTHERS who are serving HIM. And really, HE’s the ONLY ONE who’s the real ONE AND ONLY—not your honey, HONEY! (LOL)I’d be interested in finding out those of you who may have some of the same similarities (as above) as I. I’d also be interested in hearing your differences and why.
Am I the ONLY ONE who prefers:
– Blueberries over cranberries?
– Mayonnaise (rather than catsup) on my fries?
– Tea (especially green) rather than coffee?
– Juices (like Odwalla or juicer-made) to soda?
– Eating more vegetables than meats (though I like meat)?
– Green olives to black? (There just aren’t enough pizza places
that serve the green olives these days. It’s ALWAYS black!)
– DARK CHOCOLATE rather than MILK?
– The Thanksgiving season over the Christmas season? (I know I’ll get a lot who’ll “seek my life” over this one!) [LOL]Am I the ONLY ONE??? Aren’t there any others?! Elias was a man who thought he was the ONLY ONE left after Israel had killed the prophets and digged down the altars. He even thought his life was endangered. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I HAVE RESERVED TO MYSELF SEVEN THOUSAND MEN, WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO THE IMAGE OF BA’AL. When you’re tempted to think that “you’re the ONLY ONE” in this situation or that, remember this—YOU’RE NOT SO SPECIAL! GOD HAS OTHERS who are serving HIM. And really, HE’s the ONLY ONE who’s the real ONE AND ONLY—not your honey, HONEY! (LOL)I’d be interested in finding out those of you who may have some of the same similarities (as above) as I. I’d also be interested in hearing your differences and why.
Entry #9—My Very Own Burma Shave Slogans
I wrote some of my own Burma Shave slogans. I’m hoping to do something more “seasonal” on a future post. Stay tuned.
Babies know the secret
Of avoiding the tomb
It’s in staying as smooth
As when birthed from the womb
Burma Shave!
The butter-smooth cheeks
Of lovely Lorraine
She wouldn’t let him kiss
(His were coarser than grain)
Burma Shave!
To the skirt of his garment
It should’ve easily veered
But the precious ointment “caught”
On Aaron’s uncut beard
Burma Shave!
We all know the reason
Why Peter sank in SEA
The hair on his face
Was where hair OUGHT NOT BE
BURMA SHAVE!
He tried to save time
He tried to save FACE
But until he tried this
He had NO SAVING GRACE
BURMA SHAVE! Birma from Burma
Was bearded and BASE
Then Birma bought this
And Birma saved FACE
BURMA SHAVE!
YES, Einstein’s head hair
Grew faster and FASTER
But his frizzy face
Was a frazzled DISASTER
Burma Shave!
The face on our belov-ed
American penny
Would shine so much brighter
If Abe used this aplenty
BURMA SHAVE!
She forgot not Grant
She forgot not LEE
I forgot shaving
She forgot ME
BURMA SHAVE!
Men who are cooks
Aren’t as good as they SEEM
They remember their eggs
But oft forget CRÈME
BURMA SHAVE!
Why all the fuss
About using GILETTE?
I know a brand
That’s a better one YET
BURMA SHAVE!
There’s a lot of talk
’Bout the signs of the TIMES
But have you seen the signs
’Bout the Burma Shave RHYMES?
BURMA SHAVE!
Don’t put on a mask
Don’t put on an AIR
Just put THIS STUFF on
You’ll be suave and DEBONAIR
BURMA SHAVE!
Oh say can you see
By the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hail
A facial DELITE
BURMA SHAVE!
Jael brought forth butter
In a lordly DISH
But she’d gotten Sisera sooner
Had she brought HIS REAL WISH
BURMA SHAVE!
AND THAT’S ALL FOLKS! Whatchya thaink?
Entry #8: BURMA SHAVE
I know this isn’t Christmassy, but I needed a laugh. Does anybody remember the old Burma Shave slogans from the 50s (before my time) that they used to put in succession along our U.S. highways? Hope these little slogans tickle your “funny face” liked they tickled mine:
My job is The whale The ladies
Keeping faces clean Put Jonah Take one whiff
And nobody knows Down the hatch And purr–
De stubble But coughed him up It’s no wonder
I’ve seen Because he scratched Men prefer
Burma-Shave Burma-Shave Burma-Shave
Soap My cheek Pat’s bristles
May do Says SHE Scratched
For lads with fuzz Feels smooth as satin Bridget’s nose
But sir, you ain’t Ha! Ha! Says HE That’s when
The kid you wuz That’s mine you’re pattin’ Her wild Irish rose
Burma-Shave Burma-Shave Burma-Shave
I know A chin She put
He’s a wolf Where barbed wire A bullet
Said riding hood Bristles stand Thru his hat
But Grandma dear, Is bound to be But he’s had
He smells so good A no ma’ams land Closer shaves than that
Burma-Shave Burma-Shave Burma-Shave
Dinah doesn’t The hero Within this vale
Treat him right Was brave and strong Of toil
But if he’d And willin’ And sin
Shave She felt his chin– Your head grows bald
Dyna-mite! Then wed the villain But not your chin
Burma-Shave Burma-Shave Burma-Shave
This cooling shave At a quiz Use this cream
Will never fail Pa ain’t A day
To stamp No whiz Or two
Its user But he knows how Then don’t call her–
First class male To keep Ma his She’ll call you
Burma-Shave Burma-Shave Burma-Shave
I’d have loved to have worked for Burma Shave’s advertising department. Weren’t those good? Comments please.
Tommy Joe 