When I was born I had no clothes worn
I wasn’t fat and my head couldn’t fit in a hat.
Later on I turned one
I was my mom’s only son.
One year later I turned two
I wouldn’t be surprised if my first word was “Poo”.
At year three my grandfather passed away
But, he went to meet Jesus so that’s okay.
At year four it wasn’t much of a bore
My sister went to school while I got to sleep in and snore.
At year five I finally went to school
I cried a lot; boy did I look like a fool.
I turned six later on that year
That’s when I had my very first fear (Chucky)
Then comes year seven I was in the second grade
Man, in the second grade I had it all made
Eight years old and moving to Japan
Took a military plane, it was hot and they didn’t even have a fan
Got to Japan, man it was nice, thought it was going to be the best years of my life
Nine years old, one of the best years
Started playing football everyday with my favorite peers
Year ten, biggest birthday I ever had
Everyone was so happy, no one was sad
Few months later we had to move
I’m going to miss Japanese people how they dance and groove
Got here to Milton where it’s nice and hot
Finally to turned to a preteen, I loved it a lot
That same year I did the best thing ever
I got saved, couldn’t of chose anything better
Now I’m 13 still bending on my knee
Still following Jesus because he gave his life for you and me.
By Michael Gonzales Sept. 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
My Father's Hands
I sought to write about my dad for a week now. Finally I have been given the opportunity. Last week I was sitting in church listening to the word of God being preached. My mind began to wonder. I know the timing was a little off for that but I started to miss my dad. He’s been gone for almost 10 years now. Times passed us by and although it has I remember him like it was only yesterday.
The fondest memory I have of my dad is when I was church as a little girl. I remember holding my dads BIG hands; well they were bigger then mine! His hand was so warm, gentle, hairy, and strong; it was my father’s hands. Thirty plus years and I can’t seem to forget his hands. I even remember some of the lines engraved. They were always so clean. His nails cut short (and even). You know, my dad never had dirty hands. Not even when he worked on our yard.
Anyway, I would sit in church with my hands gripped in his. I was so comforted knowing that my papi was taking care of me, just by holding my hand. He was my daddy. He loved me so much. I was his little girl; just because he held my hand. I remember moments where I would sit there and play with his hairs. I remember even tangling his hair because he had so much (I say this with a gentle laugh). I wonder how he unraveled the mess I made. I know he never shaved his hairy hands. Again, I have this smile. You know what? His fingers were hairy too.
Funny isn’t it? Our family traveled, ate at the finest restaurants (when we ate out), went to the movies (often), ate together, went to church together, and yet the only memory that stands out is my father’s hands. It’s not what he said or thelame jokes he told. I’m sure the things he shared with us stuck through out my life. I see myself at times still interested in wanting to listen to his stories one more time, but nothing is fonder to me then him holding my hand.
I have two girls and one son; so far. I wonder if one day when their father passes (because his time will run out) what memory they will have. Will they remember his smile or the way he sat there enlightened by his children laughing at the silliest things they did? Will he meet his grandchildren one day? Will he have great grandchildren? What will his legacy be?
My dad met his grandchildren, but not all. My daughter remembers him the best (I think). She remembers my dad holding her. That’s it, just being held by her grandpa. He didn’t have to say a word. It was only the love he had for us and even words didn’t matter much in the end.
Of course my dad was pretty smart, NO, MY father was intelligent. Yes that is what he was. I don’t know how many fathers read this. For those who do, do me one favor? Let your children hold your hand every chance you get. Hold them every chance you have them there with you. Love them even at their worst because they may never remember what words came out of your mouth but only how it felt to be loved by their father.
I miss my daddy. I miss his voice, his passion for life, his artist look on Gods incredible creations, his strength, his love, his hands….
For the children young and old, enjoy your father let him hold you one more time. God knows when he’ll call your daddy home. Take advantage…I wish I would have.
The fondest memory I have of my dad is when I was church as a little girl. I remember holding my dads BIG hands; well they were bigger then mine! His hand was so warm, gentle, hairy, and strong; it was my father’s hands. Thirty plus years and I can’t seem to forget his hands. I even remember some of the lines engraved. They were always so clean. His nails cut short (and even). You know, my dad never had dirty hands. Not even when he worked on our yard.
Anyway, I would sit in church with my hands gripped in his. I was so comforted knowing that my papi was taking care of me, just by holding my hand. He was my daddy. He loved me so much. I was his little girl; just because he held my hand. I remember moments where I would sit there and play with his hairs. I remember even tangling his hair because he had so much (I say this with a gentle laugh). I wonder how he unraveled the mess I made. I know he never shaved his hairy hands. Again, I have this smile. You know what? His fingers were hairy too.
Funny isn’t it? Our family traveled, ate at the finest restaurants (when we ate out), went to the movies (often), ate together, went to church together, and yet the only memory that stands out is my father’s hands. It’s not what he said or the
I have two girls and one son; so far. I wonder if one day when their father passes (because his time will run out) what memory they will have. Will they remember his smile or the way he sat there enlightened by his children laughing at the silliest things they did? Will he meet his grandchildren one day? Will he have great grandchildren? What will his legacy be?
My dad met his grandchildren, but not all. My daughter remembers him the best (I think). She remembers my dad holding her. That’s it, just being held by her grandpa. He didn’t have to say a word. It was only the love he had for us and even words didn’t matter much in the end.
Of course my dad was pretty smart, NO, MY father was intelligent. Yes that is what he was. I don’t know how many fathers read this. For those who do, do me one favor? Let your children hold your hand every chance you get. Hold them every chance you have them there with you. Love them even at their worst because they may never remember what words came out of your mouth but only how it felt to be loved by their father.
I miss my daddy. I miss his voice, his passion for life, his artist look on Gods incredible creations, his strength, his love, his hands….
For the children young and old, enjoy your father let him hold you one more time. God knows when he’ll call your daddy home. Take advantage…I wish I would have.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
For All those who are married/engaged
My husband is currently deployed as most know. Since he's been gone this song has touched my heart in so many different ways. I believe that the Lord placed it in my heart at the right time. I pray for my husband daily and I pray for me too. I now frequently pray for marriages. Not sure if Mike will see this..but I'm holding this song dear to my heart.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Handing them over..
Okay Lord here I am.
I'm having a horrible day. I can't think straight, I'm lost, confused, lonely, and in a complete stage of depression. You know as to why I'm here. I need not share the details out loud. My husband had to leave; for a short time. I wish he didn't go. I'm sitting here in tears for the... who knows how many times today. Please dear God help me to get through this. I know I have great friends here but I'm not sure that they can help me right now. It's you that I need. I ask to hear your voice, I plead for your help. I need you right now God. Help me to become strong. Give me the strength that I need. Give me peace of mind. Please Heavenly Father; I don't know how much more I can take.
It's funny how you send me a message and sometimes I have no idea it's for me. I heard this song called "Trading My Sorrows" 3ish times this week. Every time that I have needed you this song came up. I can't ask "why Lord" because I know why. At least I think I do. I feel stuck. In a deep hole. Am I really suppose to feel this way. I'm suppose to be an example for a small number of people yet I can't get a grip on myself. Why does this short time seem like a life time, when it's only 4.5 weeks. why am I going crazy. Why do I feel so torn apart; so alone? I have you and you are the ears that I hope to be one day. Help me to recover. Please Lord, please....
I'm having a horrible day. I can't think straight, I'm lost, confused, lonely, and in a complete stage of depression. You know as to why I'm here. I need not share the details out loud. My husband had to leave; for a short time. I wish he didn't go. I'm sitting here in tears for the... who knows how many times today. Please dear God help me to get through this. I know I have great friends here but I'm not sure that they can help me right now. It's you that I need. I ask to hear your voice, I plead for your help. I need you right now God. Help me to become strong. Give me the strength that I need. Give me peace of mind. Please Heavenly Father; I don't know how much more I can take.
It's funny how you send me a message and sometimes I have no idea it's for me. I heard this song called "Trading My Sorrows" 3ish times this week. Every time that I have needed you this song came up. I can't ask "why Lord" because I know why. At least I think I do. I feel stuck. In a deep hole. Am I really suppose to feel this way. I'm suppose to be an example for a small number of people yet I can't get a grip on myself. Why does this short time seem like a life time, when it's only 4.5 weeks. why am I going crazy. Why do I feel so torn apart; so alone? I have you and you are the ears that I hope to be one day. Help me to recover. Please Lord, please....
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
A converstaion with God...
A minister passing through his church
in the middle of the day,
decided to pause by the altar
and see who had come to pray.
Just then the back door opened,
a man came down the aisle.
The minister frowned as he saw
the man hadn't shaved in quite a while.
His shirt was kinda shabby
and his coat was worn and frayed.
The man knelt, he bowed his head,
then rose and walked away..
In the days that followed,
each noon time came this chap.
Each time he knelt just for a moment,
a lunch pail in his lap..
Well, the minister's suspicions grew,
with robbery a main fear.
He decided to stop the man and ask him,
'What are you doing here?'
The old man said, he worked down the road.
Lunch was half an hour.
Lunchtime was his prayer time,
for finding strength and power.
'I stay only moments, see,
because the factory is so far away;
as I kneel here talking to the Lord,
this is kinda
what I say:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING IN TODAY.'
The minister feeling foolish,
told Jim, that was fine.
He told the man he was welcome
to come and pray just anytime
Time to go, Jim smiled, said 'Thanks.'
He hurried to the door.
The minister knelt at the altar,
he'd never done it before.
His cold heart melted, warmed with love,
and met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed, in his heart,
he repeated old Jim's prayer:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY.'
Past noon one day, the minister noticed
that old Jim hadn't come.
As more days passed without Jim,
he began to worry some.
At the factory, he asked about him,
learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried,
But he'd given them a thrill.
The week that Jim was with them,
Brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious.
Changed people, were his reward.
The head nurse couldn't understand
why Jim was so glad,
when no flowers, calls or cards came, Not a visitor he had.
The minister stayed by his bed,
He voiced the nurse's concern:
No friends came to show they cared..
He had nowhere to turn.
Looking surprised, old Jim spoke
up and with a winsome smile;
'the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
that He's in here all the while
Everyday at noon He's here,
a dear friend of mine, you see,
He sits right down, takes my hand,
Leans over and says to me:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.
ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,
I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY, AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY.'
in the middle of the day,
decided to pause by the altar
and see who had come to pray.
Just then the back door opened,
a man came down the aisle.
The minister frowned as he saw
the man hadn't shaved in quite a while.
His shirt was kinda shabby
and his coat was worn and frayed.
The man knelt, he bowed his head,
then rose and walked away..
In the days that followed,
each noon time came this chap.
Each time he knelt just for a moment,
a lunch pail in his lap..
Well, the minister's suspicions grew,
with robbery a main fear.
He decided to stop the man and ask him,
'What are you doing here?'
The old man said, he worked down the road.
Lunch was half an hour.
Lunchtime was his prayer time,
for finding strength and power.
'I stay only moments, see,
because the factory is so far away;
as I kneel here talking to the Lord,
this is kinda
what I say:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING IN TODAY.'
The minister feeling foolish,
told Jim, that was fine.
He told the man he was welcome
to come and pray just anytime
Time to go, Jim smiled, said 'Thanks.'
He hurried to the door.
The minister knelt at the altar,
he'd never done it before.
His cold heart melted, warmed with love,
and met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed, in his heart,
he repeated old Jim's prayer:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY.'
Past noon one day, the minister noticed
that old Jim hadn't come.
As more days passed without Jim,
he began to worry some.
At the factory, he asked about him,
learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried,
But he'd given them a thrill.
The week that Jim was with them,
Brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious.
Changed people, were his reward.
The head nurse couldn't understand
why Jim was so glad,
when no flowers, calls or cards came, Not a visitor he had.
The minister stayed by his bed,
He voiced the nurse's concern:
No friends came to show they cared..
He had nowhere to turn.
Looking surprised, old Jim spoke
up and with a winsome smile;
'the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
that He's in here all the while
Everyday at noon He's here,
a dear friend of mine, you see,
He sits right down, takes my hand,
Leans over and says to me:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.
ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,
I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY, AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY.'
Saturday, May 1, 2010
I'm forgiven.
This is a special blog. As some may have read a couple of postings ago, there was a special prayer request that went out. That prayer request still exists. I thought I knew what I wanted to say but once I started typing I became lost for words.
We have all made mistakes. Some more then others. We have punished ourselves in ways unimaginable to man. And some not at all. Yes we have hurt people. I know I have. I know I've been hurt from people as well.
It's difficult to face those who have hurt you. Parents, spouses, your children, friends, and even God. We wonder why they can do this to us. At times we frequently ask ourselves "'why me Lord?' 'Why have people chosen to hurt me so bad?'". (Palms 139) Is there not one person that has ever gone through life not asking themselves that?
I have to admit it's hard going through relationships and not questioning what people's motives are. Sometimes you run into those who you know will come and go. Those that come into your life to only point out the wrong in you even when the wrong doesn't exist. Then you have some who you know you want to have a relationship with but you feel the pain that they have. You have others that no matter what they do or how they hurt you, you can't seem to stop loving them. But through out it all, the most important lesson you learn is to forgive one another. At times you'll find the party not so forgiving and that's okay too. You can't change their thinking but it doesn't mean that you should not show them love or be less forgiving. (Acts 13:38)
How do so many of us try and pull the plank out of someone else's eye when a log is stuck in our own eye? (Matthew 7:1-5) Can you imagine the pain that we must endure when we face ourselves in the mirror?
Brittany; you are no different from me or anyone else. I forgave you long before you knew I knew. I know that I'm not the only one. How can I be the one to tell you what you have done wrong; when even now I have made mistakes. In my marriage, in raising my children, and in other relationships in my life. I have forgiven you; I have forgiven my husband, I have forgiven all those who have done me wrong. Why you may ask? Well because I know that God allowed his son to die for us. His son was laid on the cross with each and every one of our sins. He felt all our sins before we even knew they existed. Our father loved and still loves us unconditionally. Who am I to do the opposite for a man whom sacrificed his life for mine? He never left us and he has no plans on it. (Hebrews 13:5).
A quick highlight, Brittany did not have a sister who passed away. BUT who cares! You are forgiven by me!! AND most importantly you are forgiven our Lord Jesus Christ!!!!!!! Isn't that awesome! He forgave you and me and them before we even asked him for forgiveness. We support you Brittany. My family is praying for you.
I look forward to getting to know Brittany Cardinale and her family. We love you for you! Friends, family, and strangers to Brittany, let's show her that we forgive her and continue to pray for her. God is on our side!
We love you Brittany and starting with me; I forgive you!!!!!!!
We have all made mistakes. Some more then others. We have punished ourselves in ways unimaginable to man. And some not at all. Yes we have hurt people. I know I have. I know I've been hurt from people as well.
It's difficult to face those who have hurt you. Parents, spouses, your children, friends, and even God. We wonder why they can do this to us. At times we frequently ask ourselves "'why me Lord?' 'Why have people chosen to hurt me so bad?'". (Palms 139) Is there not one person that has ever gone through life not asking themselves that?
I have to admit it's hard going through relationships and not questioning what people's motives are. Sometimes you run into those who you know will come and go. Those that come into your life to only point out the wrong in you even when the wrong doesn't exist. Then you have some who you know you want to have a relationship with but you feel the pain that they have. You have others that no matter what they do or how they hurt you, you can't seem to stop loving them. But through out it all, the most important lesson you learn is to forgive one another. At times you'll find the party not so forgiving and that's okay too. You can't change their thinking but it doesn't mean that you should not show them love or be less forgiving. (Acts 13:38)
How do so many of us try and pull the plank out of someone else's eye when a log is stuck in our own eye? (Matthew 7:1-5) Can you imagine the pain that we must endure when we face ourselves in the mirror?
Brittany; you are no different from me or anyone else. I forgave you long before you knew I knew. I know that I'm not the only one. How can I be the one to tell you what you have done wrong; when even now I have made mistakes. In my marriage, in raising my children, and in other relationships in my life. I have forgiven you; I have forgiven my husband, I have forgiven all those who have done me wrong. Why you may ask? Well because I know that God allowed his son to die for us. His son was laid on the cross with each and every one of our sins. He felt all our sins before we even knew they existed. Our father loved and still loves us unconditionally. Who am I to do the opposite for a man whom sacrificed his life for mine? He never left us and he has no plans on it. (Hebrews 13:5).
A quick highlight, Brittany did not have a sister who passed away. BUT who cares! You are forgiven by me!! AND most importantly you are forgiven our Lord Jesus Christ!!!!!!! Isn't that awesome! He forgave you and me and them before we even asked him for forgiveness. We support you Brittany. My family is praying for you.
I look forward to getting to know Brittany Cardinale and her family. We love you for you! Friends, family, and strangers to Brittany, let's show her that we forgive her and continue to pray for her. God is on our side!
We love you Brittany and starting with me; I forgive you!!!!!!!
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