In the Garden I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses, And the voice I hear, Falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own; And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known. He speaks, and the sound of His voice Is so sweet the birds hush their singing, And the melody ... that He gave to me, Within my heart is ringing. I'd stay in the garden with Him Tho' the night around me be falling, But He bids me go; thro' the voice of woe His voice to me is calling .... And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own; And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.   Footprints In The Sand One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it: "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way". But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me." The Lord replied: "My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you." Author in dispute May the Glory go to God where it belongs!     "Desiderata" which means 'Desired things' was written by Max Ehrmann in 1927 Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.       John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. The Son's Friend After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's pastor once again slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit, and gave a very brief introduction of his childhood friend. With that, an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit to speak. "A father, his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the Pacific Coast," he began, "when a fast approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to shore. The waves were so high, that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright, and the three were swept into the ocean." The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat interested in his story. He continued, "Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life....to which boy he would throw the other end of the line. He only had seconds to make the decision. The father knew that his son was a Christian, and he also knew that his son's friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves. As the father yelled out, 'I love you, son!' he threw the line to his son's friend. By the time he pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beyond the raging swells into the black of night. His body was never recovered." By this time, the two teenagers were sitting straighter in the pew, waiting for the next words to come out of the old man's mouth. "The father," he continued, "knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus, and he could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus. Therefore, he sacrificed his son. How great is the love of God that He should do the same for us." With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room. Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man's side. "That was a nice story," politely started one of the boys, "but I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his son's life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian." "Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down at his worn Bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face, and he once again looked up at the boys and said, "It sure isn't very realistic, is it? But I'm standing here today to tell you that THAT story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up His Son for me. You see.... I was the son's friend." Author Unknown       One Solitary Life He was born in an obscure village The child of a peasant woman He grew up in another obscure village Where he worked in a carpenter shop Until he was thirty He never wrote a book He never held an office He never went to college He never visited a big city He never travelled more than two hundred miles From the place where he was born He did none of the things Usually associated with greatness He had no credentials but himself He was only thirty three His friends ran away One of them denied him He was turned over to his enemies And went through the mockery of a trial He was nailed to a cross between two thieves While dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing The only property he had on earth When he was dead He was laid in a borrowed grave Through the pity of a friend Nineteen centuries have come and gone And today Jesus is the central figure of the human race And the leader of mankind's progress All the armies that have ever marched All the navies that have ever sailed All the parliaments that have ever sat All the kings that ever reigned put together Have not affected the life of mankind on earth As powerfully as that one solitary life DO YOU KNOW WHO HE IS? Love is the highest virtue. It is also eternal. Even faith is only temporary, for it is a conviction that is to be fulfilled. All virtues hinge on love. The bible teaches that love sums up all the laws of responsibility. Actually love is a well of spontaneity, whose waters overflow the boundaries of duty. God is Love!        Think about this: Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight -- Just remember the homeless family who has no bed to lie in. Should you find yourself stuck in traffic; Don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege. Should you have a bad day at work, think of the man who has been out of work for the last three months. Should you despair over a relationship gone bad, think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return. Should you grieve the passing of another weekend, think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week, for $15.00 to feed her family. Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance -- think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk. Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror, think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine. Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking "What is my purpose;" -- be thankful, there are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity. Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities -- remember, things could be worse...You could be them!!!       I found this very apt poem "Milton's Prayer of Patience" whilst browsing the net and thought I would share it with you ~ apt because Milton was my beloved deceased father's name and he went blind in the latter years of his life, due to Glaucoma, which caused him many years of distress. I find this poem very meaningful as father was not a patient man at all during his lifetime but towards the end, strangely, he became very accepting of his fate and just before his death he really did see "The Light" . . . . so, I dedicate this poem in memory of you dad . . . . . . . Jesus healing a blind man Milton's Prayer of Patience By Elizabeth Lloyd Howell (1811–1896) I am old and blind! Men point at me as smitten by God's frown: Afflicted and deserted of my kind, Yet am I not cast down. I am weak, yet strong; I murmur not that I no longer see; Poor, old, and helpless, I the more belong, Father Supreme, to Thee! All-merciful One! When men are furthest, then art Thou most near; When friends pass by, my weaknesses to shun, Thy chariot I hear. Thy glorious face Is leaning toward me; and its holy light Shines in upon my lonely dwelling-place, — And there is no more night. On my bended knee I recognize Thy purpose clearly shown: My vision Thou hast dimmed, that I may see Thyself, Thyself alone. I have naught to fear; This darkness is the shadow of Thy wing; Beneath it I am almost sacred; here Can come no evil thing. Oh, I seem to stand Trembling, where foot of mortal ne'er hath been, Wrapped in that radiance from the sinless land, Which eye hath never seen! Visions come and go: Shapes of resplendent beauty around me throng; From angel lips I seem to hear the flow Of soft and holy song. It is nothing now, When heaven is opening on my sightless eyes, When airs from Paradise refresh my brow, That earth in darkness lies. In a purer clime My being fills with rapture,—waves of thought Roll in upon my spirit,—strains sublime Break over me unsought. Give me now my lyre! I feel the stirrings of a gift divine: Within my bosom glows unearthly fire Lit by no skill of mine.     A Garden of Love by Andrew Pell Do you ever walk into a garden and feel the warmth of the flowers. They radiate such light and love; it is part of the divine power. Each blossom welcoming you with unconditional love; That filters down from high above. The many varieties of plants and shrubs reach out to you. Their colours and splendour make all things new. There is a birdbath where the birds serenade passers by. Their songs of love touch us and make us cry. The fish in the fishpond welcomes us by their aquatic skills. The birds flying overhead display their acrobatic skills. The trees and branches provide us with much needed shade. The smaller creatures beacon us to come out to play. Spend a few hours in this garden of love. Be inspired, be tall, and soar like a highflying dove.