Frankly, my dear…I’d much rather be in Heaven where life is finally perfect–but since I’m still here, there must be more for me to do, encouraging those whose lives are harder than mine.
~ Cale
Amplified Bible Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
soup pot simmered while poem stitched straight seam
’till one day took fright
after wee-hours’ write:
she heard sudden wild seagull scream!
~ Cale
I had to google, because I’d never-ever heard a seagull scream (different from their normal cries)–and this particular rooftop visitor sounded like it was in pain, screaming for a full day outside my window…(apparently it can be a mating “issue”).
Photo:
one of my prized possessions found in a thrift store–I keep it out where I can see it daily and laugh at Life’s absurdities! (everyone who’s ever visited covets it, so it’s in my as-yet-unsigned Will for “Somebody”)
Isaiah 44:6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
Isaiah 45:22-25 Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. / By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance. / Surely they will say of Me, ‘In the LORD alone are righteousness and strength.’” All who rage against Him will come to Him and be put to shame.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. / And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Douay-Rheims Bible Assemble yourselves, and come, and draw near together, ye that are saved of the Gentiles: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven work, and pray to a god that cannot save.
Isaiah 45:20
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We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. / For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), / yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.
I Corinth 8:4-6
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Romans 1:21-23 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
Habakkuk 2:18-19 What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it—or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. / Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.”
I don’t know if you’ve noticed (I only realized it today), but with just a shift of letters, NAME becomes AMEN. In the context of Christian faith this really thrilled me–because JESUS is the Name above all names, and to whateverHe says, I strive to shout out an enthusiastic AMEN, LORD!
Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, / that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Amplified Bible And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among people by which we must be saved [for God has provided the world no alternative for salvation].” Acts 4:12
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
EXTRA GOOD NEWS!
There are some words we usually consider “negatives”, at first glance: no, not, never, none, nothing–but did you know that God’s Word containspromises of His love and goodness, using the same words?? Check out these next verses and be BLESSED!
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Neverwill I leave you, never will I forsake you.”
1 Samuel 12:22 Indeed, for the sake of His great name, the LORD willnotabandon His people, because He was pleased to make you His own.
Good News Translation neither the world above nor the world below–there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39
AND THIS VERSION IS FOR ALL MY FELLOW SUFFERERS OF DEPRESSION:
Haweis New Testament nor exaltation, nor deepest depression, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 8:39
John 10:28-29 I give them eternal life, and they will neverperish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. / My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
English Standard Version The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. Psalm 34:22
Jeremiah 32:40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I willnever turn away from doing good to them, and I will put My fear in their hearts, so that they willneverturn away from Me.
Isaiah 54:10 Though the mountains may be removed and the hills may be shaken, My loving devotion will not depart from you, and My covenant of peace will not be broken,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 49:15-16 Amplified Bible [The LORD answered] “Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. “Indeed, I have inscribed [a picture of] you on the palms of My hands ~ ♥
Amplified Bible “Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps the covenant and lovingkindness, Do not let all the hardship seem insignificant before You, Which has come upon us… Nehemiah 9:32
LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart. 1 Kings 8:23
King James Bible Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. Ps 147:5
Job 36:5 Indeed, God is mighty, but He despises no one; He is mighty in strength of understanding.
Jeremiah 32:17 “Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!
Daniel 2:20-22 declared: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. / He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. / He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.
Isaiah 40:26 Lift up your eyes on high: Who created all these? He leads forth the starry host by number; He calls each one by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.
4Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. 5It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured.6It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. 7Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].
13And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13
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“Let us forget with generosity those who cannot love us.”
Pablo Neruda
♥♥†♥♥
Literary humor about Love:
Erich Maria Remarque, author of All Quiet On the Western Front, years ago made this analysis: “American novel–two people want each other from the beginning but don’t get each other until the end. French novel–two people get together right at the beginning, but from then on don’t want each other anymore. Russian novel–two people don’t want each other or get each other, and for the next 800 pages they brood about it.”
Amplified Bible For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes we will see reality] face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known [by God]. 1 Corinth 13:12
Amplified Bible As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man. Proverbs 27:19
Poetry ~ Cabbage After Christmas 