Chasing pretty rainbows. . .give them all to Jesus

 

 

Micah 6:8 KJV

 

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

 

 

I woke up in the night thinking of this scripture and an old song.

The Lord has shown us what is good for us.

He has shown us what he requires of us.

To do justly - live each day conforming to high moral standards; live honestly. . .

To love mercy -  give a blessing that is an act of divine favor; compassion or forbearance, especially to an offender or to one subject to your power; also: lenient or compassionate treatment . . .

To walk humbly - presenting yourself in a manner showing no signs of pride or self-assertion; abjectly, deferentially, meekly, modestly, submissively giving

of yourself.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhZ4P9YIk0s

"Give Them All to Jesus" by Imperials

 

Here are couple more on my heart. . .

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G51fEPrYxkk

"Jesus Be the Lord of All"  Lanny Wolfe trio

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

"Whatever It Takes" Lanny Wolfe trio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEtF6oTykl0

"It's My Desire" Downings

 

 

 

Men have to be stronger than their wives in order to lead them and their entire family

into paths of righteousness. . .

My dad was a strong man. . .he had five children and he was strong enough

to set the correct example for them.

Dad always went to church if the doors were open. . .he always participated in

every work project at the church. . .he gave offerings. . .

he paid tithes. . .his home was open to God's people to spend the

night. . .or the week. . .Dad didn't have much money but he was rich.

God gave him a wife who supported his desire to be an overcomer.

We always had food on our table, clothes that were clean and pressed, a car for transportation. . .plenty of space in our home for love.

Dad put the Lord's work first and we kids saw that. . .all five of Dad's kids are serving the Lord. . .they all value the church. . .Dad and Mom had a lot to do with it.

Dad didn't spend time chasing foolish dreams that the world would try to sell him.

He had found what really mattered, and it was what he pursued.

Mom never felt "left out" because Dad gave God his time. . .she felt loved

and honored. . .and she was. . .she just worked with him creating harmony in the home.

 

Men have to be the leaders in setting the value of "time" given to God.

What would a man give up "God's time" for?

(By "God's time" I mean time he should be giving to God's work.)

Would he give it up for more money?

Would he give it up to keep peace with his spouse?

Would he give it up for a fishing trip?  A game of golf?

A kid's sporting practice?

Would a father give up his example of faithfulness to Christ in order

that his kid could be a soccer player?  Or a basketball player?

Would he rather his children play for the world than be on God's team?

Our choices are so important!

We are planting our children "in" something by the decisions we make

for/with them.

We need to realize each program we place our children

in is either leading them closer to God or away from him.

We are training them how to make decisions on their own.

Ask them questions. . .If you participate in this activity will it cause you

to miss out on church functions?  Church services? Youth outings?

Will it require that you do things that violate your conscience. . .your standards?

This old world is a rough place for kids to grow up. . .they NEED

direction from their fathers (and mothers) to help them do justly, love mercy and

 walk humbly before God.

 

Matthew 16:26 (KJV)

 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

 

 

 

 

Mom Loved. . . and Lived This Poem. .. "Myself"



Mother



 

 

Here is an old poem Mother used to say to me when I was young.

Mom loved it. . .and she lived it.

It for sure made an impression on my thinking. . .it made me want to be like Mom. . .

to be able to look at myself eye to eye in the mirror and know

I wasn't a fake. . .or flake. . .

 

Here it is.  I may have posted it before but if I did it's good enough to post again.

Sis. Jean Jones sharess some magazines with me and this was in one of them.

I don't know how Mom found it to learn, maybe in school back when morals was

part of the daily lesson plan.

 

Myself

by Edgar A Guest

 

I have to live with myself, and so

I want to be fit for myself to know.

I want to be able, as days go by,

Always to look myeslf straight in the eye.

I don't want to stand with the setting sun

And hate myself for the things I've done.

 

I don't want to keep on a closet shelf

A lot of secrets about myself.

And fool myself, as I come and go,

Into thinking that nobody else will know

The kind of person I really am;

I don't want to dress up myself in sham.

 

I want to go out with my hear erect.

I want to deserve all men's respect;

But here in the struggle for fame and pelf

I want to be able to like myself.

I don't want to look at myself and know

That I'm bluster and bluff and empty show.

 

I never can hide myself from me;

I see what other may never see.

I know what others may never know;

I never can fool myself, and so,

Whatever happens, I want to be

Self-respecting and conscience free.

 

Eleven years ago. . .Sarah became Chad's wife!

Chad and Sarah were married eleven years ago on March 23, 2002.

I forgot all about it yesterday. . .but Laura reminded me in church last night.

She said, “Grandma, did you forget it was my mom and dad’s anniversary?”

Well, I certainly had.

 

But one thing’s certain. . .I will never forget that wedding day!

We were so excited for Sarah who looked beautiful and happy.

Her bridesmaids were all dressed up looking beautiful too.

The groom, Chad, and his groomsmen all were decked out fine. . .

All our “ducks were in a row” .

The minister, Bro. Lockler was there. . .the interpreter, Kristen was ready.

The violins were playing sweet music. . .and they had to keep playing

And playing way longer than they thought they’d have to. . .

Why?  Because Chad’s dad was stuck on I-45 due to a wreck.

We waited and waited because Chad didn’t want to start without his dad.

The wedding coordinator wanted the kids to go ahead but Chad said, “No”

And Sarah said, “No”.

We made an announcement to all our friends that filled the pews and

Everyone stayed. . .the wedding was an hour late!

Sarah had waited 28 years to find her “prince charming” so what was

another hour?

 

The rest of the wedding went fine . . .

but there were many special things to laugh and cry about.

Chad signed a song to Sarah, "From Adam's Side" while Stan sang it.

Kristen had worked and worked with him to get it just right.

It was so awesome!  Everyone loved it.

And then THE KISS. . .it was something no one there would forget.

As they'd never kissed before the wedding, they had a hard time getting

it together. . .Chad would lean forward. ..then Sarah. . .

then finally she signed you come to me. 

When they finally got it all worked out people were  laughing so hard they

were crying.  When they kissed the whole church

exploded with clapping!

It was a beautiful day and now eleven years later they've got that kissing part down pat. . .

They now have four beautiful children and one more on the way next month.

 

Congratulations Sarah and Chad!

May you rejoice together for many more years.

And one more funny note: Mom's glasses broke right before the wedding.

So, she couldn't see as well as she'd like to. . .during the wedding she and Dad

shared his glasses! 

Sarah was blessed to have Mom and Dad both there as Daddy passed away

later that year in August.

He got such a kick out of their kiss and teased them about it when they

came back from their honeymoon.

They didn't get to go home after the wedding as planned because Dad had to be put

into the hospital.  The blessing of that was he and Mother got to stay with us

another few weeks. Every week was precious.

 Here's a couple of their kids. . .Kimmie and George.

We have this moment. . .and then it is winter.

Remember the old Gaither song. . .

”We have THIS MOMENT to hold in our hands and to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand. . .Yesterday’s gone and tomorrow may never come. . .BUT WE HAVE THIS MOMENT TODAY!” 

Someone sent this writing below to me in an email.  It’s one of those that I’ve read before in past years. . .but it is so true.  I wanted to post it for all to read. 



Jon - Mother - Doug

Right now I am sixty years old. . .my mother was only seventy-one when she passed away. . .that’s only eleven years older than I am now.  Mom seemed so young to die and I can remember her telling me her own mother, Grandma Banks was only sixty-nine, so Mom felt blessed to have lived as long as she did. Now, Grandma Banks seemed old to me and to think she was only nine years older than I am now. . . Wow! 

That’s life, a vapor. . .we’re just like the flowers of the field that bloom and look so lovely swaying in the wind, giving off their own sweet scent . . .then they’re gone.  So, my point is, if you’re going to live for God, DO IT NOW.  Don’t put it off.  If you want to teach your children how to serve God. . . be a faithful servant by example to them today, you might not have tomorrow.  If you want to show your love to your spouse, your children, your parents. . .don’t wait for a better day. . .do it now.  You don’t know how many days you have to bloom. You don’t know how many days they have either.

Daddy just a few years before he really did "wave goodbye".

 

Psalm 90:12

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

 

Here's the email sent to me. . .I don't know who the author is.

AND THEN IT IS WINTER   I FIRST STARTED READING THIS EMAIL & WAS READING FAST UNTIL I REACHED THE THIRD SENTENCE. I STOPPED AND STARTED OVER READING SLOWER AND THINKING ABOUT EVERY WORD. THIS EMAIL IS VERY THOUGHT PROVOKING. MAKES YOU STOP AND THINK. READ SLOWLY!   You know. . . time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams. But, here it is... the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise...How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go? I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like. But, here it is...my friends are retired and getting grey...they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me...but, I see the great change...Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant...but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be. Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore... it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will... I just fall asleep where I sit! And so...now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!! But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when it's over on this earth...its over. A new adventure will begin! Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done...things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime. So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!! "Life" is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one. LIVE IT WELL! ENJOY TODAY! DO SOMETHING FUN! BE HAPPY ! HAVE A GREAT DAY Remember "It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver. " LIVE HAPPY IN 2013!

Just a reminder, today, January 7, 2013. . .Jesus is still in the helping business.

Thanks Daddy for these words of conviction and faith!

I'm Blessed, I'm Blessed, I'm Blessed!

 

This evening as Tom sat at the kitchen bar while I fixed supper, we listened to the Statler Brothers Christmas CD.  Sarah bought it for me last year.  

I absolutely love that CD. . .for years we've had the record, but it's not that easy to listen to records anymore, thus the CD.

While listening, I felt so overwhelmed with thanksgiving to the Lord for the wonderful life I've been blessed with.  

As I listened to those songs I could remember times in my life that were so very special. . .things that happened because our family was strong on getting together for family events and sharing.  I mean LOVE was so thick in our family you could cut it with a knife. . .it was like walking in heavy fog because the love was just every-where we turned.  I didn't realize how blessed I was to be raised that way.

As a child I just thought every one's mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, aunts and uncles loved them that way.  As I grew older I realized that wasn't so. . .  

Here's some of the things that we're racing through my head and heart tonight. . .I just stopped cooking and raised my hands toward heaven thanking God for being so mindful of me. 

• I always had parents that loved me. . .and my four siblings.
• I always had food on my table. . .good, tasty food too.
• I always felt secure in my parent's love for one another and for me.
• I could feel the covering of God on my home because my parents were under his order/authority.
• I had lots of friends and my folks made them "Welcome" at our house.
• We Wirth kids had chores, but they were simple like washing the dishes after the evening meal.  I always wanted to hurry and get finished in the winter so I could curl up on our soft, golden sofa and read my books. Especially  the "Beany Malone" series.  I would sit there on the couch and it would be cold outside but warm and toasty inside. . .and I'd dream of the day I'd have a home of my own while Mom played Christmas music on the record player.  Handel's Messiah was a favorite.
• I thought of the many, many, many times Granny and Pappy Bare would have the family over for holidays.  It was standard tradition that Granny Bare would circle the table looking for the smallest patch of uncovered plate so she could ladle more food in that very spot. . .you had to hold your hands over the plate to keep her from giving you more and more. . .then when you didn't let her give you more she would ask, "What's the matter?  Don't you like Grandma's cooking?"  She would also fill your tea glass so full and with so much ice it would rub your nose!  She was a giver and a servant!  She always wore her apron and the kids now have one of those aprons in their "play kitchen". 
• Pappy Bare would let us watch old time movie clips of Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chase, Alligator Thrills, Abbot and Costello, Frosty the Snowman and other celebrities. . .it was so much fun.  We watched the same ones year after year. . .and we loved them each time.  
• 
  Tonight I could remember Daddy coming into the room and putting his strong arms around me in a hug. . .saying something like, "How's my girl. . .Good morning sunshine."  One time after moving to Houston I was so sad. . .I loved Tom but I was only 19 and I missed my folks.  I was really sad one night and went into the living room to cry and pray. While I was kneeling beside the couch praying a felt these warm, strong arms encircle me. . .it felt like Daddy. . .but there wasn't anyone there that I could see when I turned to see who it was. . .it was the Lord either letting an angel minister to me, or maybe He himself was giving me that hug.  It gave me strength and let me know I was being cared for by my heavenly father.
• I thanked God for the time I tried out for cheerleader in the 5th grade - when my folks had told me not to.  I wanted it so badly and I loved doing cheers and flips.  I loved all the pom-poms and cute little outfits. (Which we much more modest back then.)  Anyway, I tried out and got the MOST votes in the whole 5th grade class. . .WOW!  Was I ever excited!  I just knew Mom would let me do it since I'd already been elected.  She'd have to let me now. . .But Mom and Daddy had one of life's most important lessons waiting for me.  After I'd told them "MY" good news. . . They told me I still COULD NOT be a cheerleader. That I'd have to go back to school the next day and tell my class and teacher that I was giving my spot to whoever was the next person in line for it.  (We had five cheerleaders at that time.)  It was embarrassing. . .it was awful. . .it was humiliating. . .it was hard. . .I cried. . .BUT it was the RIGHT THING.  It taught me that disobedience had consequences. . .and pride certainly comes before a fall.  My folks didn't want me to focus on being a "star" for the world. . .but a "soldier" for Jesus.  Tonight I thanked the Lord for a mom and dad who cared enough to correct me.
• I thank God for a mother who was willing to "listen" to me. . .she would let me tell her about my day and she acted just like it was the most important thing going on in the world that day.  She would help me study my spelling words and listen while I read aloud to her. 
• My Daddy always had a job. . .he worked hard and even though he didn't make lots of money, we kids thought we had things just as good as anyone. 
• I just thought about how the Lord had watched over me all my life. . .and I thanked him for all the family vacations, family dinners, Christmases and Thanksgivings I'd been blessed to share with Tom's family and mine through the years.
• One year Tom and I were having trouble getting along. . .we loved each other but it wasn't easy sometimes.  Anyway, we went to Tom's mom and talked to her about our situation. . .and she gave us some advice that I thought was awful. . .and I told her!  What I felt so thankful for tonight is the fact that she didn't hold that against me.  She realized I was just young and upset. . .so she just loved me.  And she prayed for Tom and I.  It helped us.

I  can remember so many good things.  I could go on and on because my heart is overflowing with praise. . .And my wonderful husband sat there rejoicing with me as I recounted my memory treasures.

 

This is a time noted for giving. . .one of the best gifts we can give is thankfulness of spirit.  We can recognize what benefits we've recieved at the hands of others. 

 One of the best gifts we can receive is gratitude from ones we've blessed by our actions. 

 

Psalm 34

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: The humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

 



Doug's poem to Mother in 1999. . .year Paul, his 1st son was born

Mom holding little Doug, her last baby.  . .the blessing of a godly mother.

Poem by  Doug Wirth to Norma Jean Wirth

Mother’s Day 1999

When I drew my first breath, you were there

And all of my days were spent in your care.

You loved me and taught me what I’d need to know,

If into a man, I ever would grow.

When I’d skin my knee, Mom’s name I would cry,

And with your gentle hand, you’d wipe the tears from my eye.

I remember the puppies you bought us one year,

And how when they died, you shared in our tears.

At bedtime you’d read us the “Little House” book,

And at supper time, nobody compared to our cook.

When I was a little boy, you almost died,

I prayed and I prayed, I cried and I cried.

I remember the picnics on Bonpas Creek,

And attitude adjustments across my cheek.

When I was in 8^th grade, some of my friends went wild,

And you took time to listen to your heart broken child.

Then off to the ballgames, year after year,

In all of that noise, I could pick out Mom’s cheer.

Then into the Marine Corps, I just had to go,

And watching you leave, my heart felt so low.

Home for vacations, through the window I’d sneak,

Then sneak into Mom’s room to kiss her sweet cheek.

Through all of the years, you followed God’s plan,

And guided your little boy from childhood to man.

Soon I will have a son of my own,

And pass on to him the love that you’ve shown.

This Mother’s Day poem, to you Mom I send,

You’re more than my Mother; you’re my Mother and Friend.

dew 1999