Books for K

List of books that K has enjoyed reading or is trying to finish a series of.

'TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING

'TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING

'Twas the night of Thanksgiving, but I just couldn't sleep. I tried counting backwards, I tried counting sheep. The leftovers beckoned -- the dark meat and white,  But I fought the temptation with all of my might.

Tossing and turning with anticipation,  The thought of a snack became infatuation. So, I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door  And gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore. I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,  Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.

I felt myself swelling so plump and so round, 'Til all of a sudden, I rose off the ground.

I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky, With a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie. But, I managed to yell as I soared past the trees....
Happy eating to all, pass the cranberries, please.
May your stuffing be tasty, your turkey be plump.
Your potatoes 'n gravy have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious, your pies take the prize.
May your Thanksgiving dinner stay off of your
thighs.

HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING
AND GIVE GOD THANKS FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE.... 

The Deck of Cards

The Deck of Cards It was quiet that day, the guns and the mortars, and land mines for some reason hadn't been heard. The young soldier knew it was Sunday, the holiest day of the week. As he was sitting there, he got out an old deck of cards and laid them out across his bunk. Just then an army sergeant came! in and said, "Why aren't you with the rest of the platoon?" The soldier replied, "I thought I would stay behind and spend some time with the Lord." The sergeant said, "Looks to me like you're going to play cards." The soldier said, "No, sir. You see, since we are not allowed to have Bibles or other spiritual books in this country, I've decided to talk to the Lord by studying this deck of cards." The sergeant asked in disbelief, "How will you do that?" "You see the Ace, Sergeant? It reminds me that there is only one God. The Two represents the two parts of the Bible, Old and New Testaments. The Three represents the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost. The Four stands for the Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Five is for the five virgins that were ten but only five of them were glorified. The Six is for the six days it took God to create the Heavens and Earth. The Seven is for the day God rested after making His Creation. The Eight is for the family of Noah and his wife, their three sons and their wives - the eight people God spared from the flood that destroyed the earth The Nine is for the lepers that Jesus cleansed of leprosy. He cleansed ten, but nine never thanked Him. The Ten represents the Ten Commandments that God handed down to Moses on tablets made of stone. The Jack is a reminder of the Son, Jesus Christ, given in human form that we might live life eternal. The Queen stands for the Virgin Mary. The King stands for Glory, King of all kings, Lord of Lord. The Joker is a reminder of Satan, one of God's first angels, but he got kicked out of heaven for his sly and wicked ways and now lives through evil and destruction. When I count the dots on all the cards, I come up with 365 total, one for every day of the year. There are a total of 52 cards in a deck; each is a week - 52 weeks in a year. The four suits represent the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Each suit has thirteen cards - there are exactly thirteen weeks in a quarter. So when I want to talk to God and thank Him, I just pull out this old deck of cards and they remind me of all that I have to be thankful for." The sergeant just stood there. After a minute, with tears in his eyes and pain in his heart, he said, "Soldier, can I borrow that deck of cards?" Please let this be a reminder and take time to pray for all of our soldiers who are being sent away, putting their lives on the line fighting for us. Prayer for the Military Please keep the wheel rolling. It will only take a few seconds of your time, but it'll be worth it. When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our servicemen and women all around the world. There is nothing attached, but this can be very powerful. Of all the gifts you could give a Soldier, prayer is the very best one.  Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.  Protect them as they protect us.  Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need.  I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen !

Christmas Poems-Enlightenment

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge that won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning,; the
surface meaning plus the hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality, which the children could remember.

The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtledoves were the Old and New Testaments.
Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
The  six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
The seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy
Spirit; prophesy, serving, teaching, exhortation, contribution, leadership and mercy.
The eight maids a-milking were the eight Beatitudes.
The nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
The eleven pipers stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostle's Creed.

while this may be in error it has a nice sentiment to it and was shared with me by a very dear and very elderly friend. It's one of the few emails that I received from her as she died the day after Christmas. I save this in memory of my dear friend Mac Kate

Kindness Counts

Kindness Counts

That best portion of a good man’s life, His little, nameless, unremembered, acts Of kindness and of love. William Wordsworth

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late. Ralph Waldo Emerson

How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it. G. Elliston

Kind words are the music of the world. F W Faber

‘Twas her thinking of others made you think of her. Elizabeth Barrett Browning

The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others. Albert Schweitzer

Help your brother’s boat across, and your own will reach the shore. Hindu proverb

Do not forget little kindnesses and do not remember small faults. Chinese proverb

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. Plato

Stop and Smell the Roses

An unhurried sense of time is in itself a form of wealth- Bonnie Friedman

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop- Ovid

A morning glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books- Walt Whitman

When you take a flower in  your hand and really look at it, it's your world for the moment. -George O'Keeffe

I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority.- E.B. White

Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save.- Will Rogers

Nothing valuable can be lost by taking time.- Abraham Lincoln

He enjoys true leisure who has time to improve his soul's estate.- Henry David Thoreau

Little Things.

Little things

After Sept. 11th, one company invited the remaining members of other companies who had been decimated by the attack on the Twin Towers to share their available office space. At a morning meeting, the head of security told stories of why these people were alive..... and all the stories were just:


L I T T L E things
As you might know, the head of the company got in late that day because his son started kindergarten.

Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts.

One woman was late because her alarm clock didn't go off in time.

One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike because of an auto accident.

One of them missed his bus.

One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change.

One's car wouldn't start.

One went back to answer the telephone.

One had a child that dawdled and didn't get ready as soon as he should have.

One couldn't get a taxi.

The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning, took the various means to get to work but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today.

Now when I am stuck in traffic, miss an elevator, turn back to answer a ringing telephone .. all the little things that annoy me. I think to myself, this is exactly where I am supposed to be at this very moment.

Next time your morning seems to be going wrong, the children are slow getting dressed, you can't seem to find the car keys, you hit every traffic light, don't get mad or frustrated.  You are being taken care of.

May you continue to be blessed with all those annoying little things and may you remember their possible purpose.

Ice Cream

Ice Cream

Last week I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said, "God is good, God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all!
Amen!"
Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby I heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice-cream! Why, I never!" Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it
wrong? Is God mad at me?" As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the
table. He winked at my son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer.
"Really?" my son asked. "Cross my heart," the man replied. Then in a theatrical whisper he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), " Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice
cream is good for the soul sometimes."
Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment and then did something I will remember the rest of my life. He picked up his sundae and without a word, walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes; and my soul is good already."

The End.

I loved this story! Please keep it moving. Sometimes we all need some ice cream. I hope God sends you some Ice Cream today.

The Mayonnaise Jar and Coffee

THE MAYONNAISE JAR AND COFFEE   >When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar...and the coffee... > >A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. > >So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the >jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas >between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was >full. They agreed it was > >The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of >course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar >was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes." > >The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and >poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space >between the sand. The students laughed. > >"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, " I want you to >recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the >important things-your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, >and your favorite passions-things that if everything else was lost and only >they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other >things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is >everything else-the small stuff. > >"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room >for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all >your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the >things that are important. Pay attention to the things that are >critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get >medical checkups. Take your wife out to dinner. Maybe even play another 18. There's >always time to clean the house and fix the disposal." > >Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your >priorities. The rest is just sand." > >One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee >represented. > >The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no >matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups >of coffee with a friend." > >Please share this with someone you care about.

HOPE

“Without hope men are only half alive. With hope they dream and think and work.” 
Charles Sawyer

“The important thing is not that we can live on hope alone, but that life is not worth living without it.” Harvey Milk

“Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will live as one.” John Lennon

“We should no let our fears hold us back from pursuing our hopes.” John F. Kennedy

“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” Dale Carnegie

“To eat bread without hope is still slowly to starve to death.” Pearl S. Buck

“If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all. And so today I still have a dream.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

If there is to be any peace it will come through being, not having.- Henry Miller

 

You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.- Indira Gandhi

 

When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.- Anonymous

 

The practice of forgiveness is our most important contribution to the healing of the world.- Marianne Williamson

 

Peace is not a passive but an active condition.- Mary Roberts Rinehart

 

To love God Truly, one must first love man.- Hassidic saying

 

Let us know peace. For as long as the moon shall rise, For as long as the rivers shall flow, For as long as the sun will shine, For as long as the grass shall grow, Let us know peace.- Traditional Native American Prayer

 

Peace, like charity begins at home.- Franklin D. Roosevelt

 

Better than a thousand hollow words Is one word that brings Peace.- Buddha

 

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Good Emergency Numbers:


When in sorrow, call John 14.

When men fail you, call Psalm 27.

If you want to be fruitful, call John 15.

When you have sinned, call Psalm 51.

When you worry, call Matthew 6:19-34.

When you are in danger, call Psalm 91.

When God seems far away, call Psalm 139.

When your faith needs stirring, call Hebrews 11.

When you are lonely and fearful, call Psalm 23.

When you grow bitter and critical, call 1 Cor. 13.

For Paul's secret to happiness, call Col. 3:12-17.

For idea of Christianity, call 1 Cor. 5:15-19.

When you feel down and out, call Romans 8:31

When you want peace and rest, call Matt. 11:25-30

When the world seems bigger than God, call Psalm90.

When you want Christian assurance, call Romans 8:1-30.

When you leave home for labor or travel, call Psalm 121.

When your prayers grow narrow or selfish, call Psalm 67.

For a great invention or opportunity, call Isaiah 55.

When you want courage for a task, call Joshua 1.

How to get along with fellow man, call Romans 12.

When you think of investments and returns, call Mark 10.

If you are depressed, call Psalm 27.

If your pocketbook is empty, call Psalm 37.

If you're losing confidence in people, call 1 Cor. 13

If people seem unkind, call John 15.

If discouraged about your work, call Psalm 126.

If you find the world growing small and yourself great, call Psalm 19.

Emergency numbers may be dialed direct. No operator assistance is necessary. All lines are open to Heaven 24 hours a day! Feed your Faith, and doubt will starve to death!  

 

 

When you are grateful fear disappears and abundance appears. Anthony Robbins 

 

" Nobody is entirely useless. Even the worst of us can serve as horrible examples." Mark Twain

"The begining of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety." George Muller


Speak good words, kind words, words of wisdom, words of encouragement. Like gentle rain upon a dormant field. Eventually, they will coax the seeds beneath the soil to life.
Rabbi Tzvi Freeman 

"It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop."
Confucius  


The one who is truly wise, and who uses the forces and powers with which they are endowed, to them the great universe always opens her treasure house.
Ralph Waldo Trine 

The best way to predict your future, is to create it.
Stephen R. Covey

"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything,

but still I can do something;

and because I cannot do everything,

I will not refuse to do the something I can do."

~ Edward Everett Hale~

(1822-1909-Author, Clergyman, Chaplin of U.S. Senate)

 
  

LUCK

"Combine common sense and the golden rule, and you will have very little bad luck." Anonymous

 

"I don't know anything about luck....Luck to me is something else; hard work and realizing what is opportunity and what isn't." Lucille Ball

 

"I was born lucky, and I have lived lucky. What I had was used. What I still have is being used. Lucky." Katharine Hepburn

 

"People always call it luck when you've acted more sensibly than they have." Anne Tyler

 

"Everything in life is luck." Donald Trump

 

"You don't just luck into things....You build step by step, whether it's friendships or opportunities." Barbara Bush

 

"Get as much experience as you can, so that your're ready when luck works. That's the luck." Henry Fonda

 

"Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity." Oprah Winfrey

Nature & Beauty

"Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts."

 Rachel Louise Carson

"In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous."

Aristotle

"Nature has been for me...a source of solace, inspiration, adventure and delight; a home, a teacher, a companion."

Lorraine Anderson

"Nothing is more Beautiful than the loveliness of the woods before sunrise."

 George Washington Carver

"Thre true beauty of nature is her amplitude; she exists neither for nor because of us, and possesses a staying power that all our nuclear arsenals cannot threaten."   Stephen Jay Gould
"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside...amidst the simple beauty of nature."                                                                                Anne Frank
"Climb the mlountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you...while cares will drop off like autumn leaves..."                                                                John Muir
"Earth laughs in flowers."                                                                                    Ralph Waldo Emerson