'Twas The Month Before Christmas

‘Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.

The PC Police had taken away
the reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers did say
December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from U2, an X BOX, an I-pod!
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word ‘Christmas’ was no where to be found.
At Wal-Mart and Staples, at Penny's and Sears,
You won't hear the word Christmas;

It won't touch your ears.

Inclusive, Sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Obama, Now Biden, Now Pelosi, and Jackson,
On Boxer, on Rather, on Reid, and Al Sharpton!
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
to eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.

And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith;
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.
The true Gift of Christmas Was exchanged and discarded
The Reason For the Season, stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate 'Winter Break’ under your 'Holiday Tree’

Sipping your Starbucks, please listen to me.

If you take Christ out of Christmas, it’s just another day!

Choose your words carefully; choose what you say
Shout "MERRY CHRISTMAS!” not "Happy Holidays!"

Christ is S-T-I-L-L The Reason for the Christmas Season!

Blessings to You & Yours,

Starla

All That Is Possible

--> -->

All that is Possible
I try to eat the healthy food I need, and do the things I should. But life's so short, my friend! I hate missing out on something good.

This year I realized how old I was. I haven't been this old before. I’ll never be this age again. So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I’ve ignored or taken for granted:

~I haven't smelled all the flowers yet.

~There are too many books I haven't read.

~And kites to be flown overhead.

~I haven't cried at all the movies yet.

~Or walked in the morning rain.

~I want to fall in love again.

~There are vistas not yet seen; places I’ve never been.

~I need to feel wind in my hair.

~There are more hot fudge cakes to wolf down.

~I want un-timed long distance calls to the people I love the most.

~There are many malls I haven't shopped.

~I've not laughed at all the jokes.

~Or helped my friends too much.

~I haven’t hugged my loved ones enough.

~I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face.

~I've missed a lot of Broadway hits.

~I want to sit in a country church once and thank God for His blessings and His grace.

So....if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should I die before night fall, I shall say I died a winner! I filled my heart's desire. I had that final chocolate hot fudge cake before my life expired.

Live well, Love much, Laugh often, Be happy!
 

Be mindful that happiness isn't based on possessions, power, or prestige...but on relationships with people we love and respect, and who love and respect us in return.

Remember that while money talks…CHOCOLATE SINGS!

Later Dayz,

~Starla

Legacy

--> -->

Legacy

I recently read a quote on a sign which said, “If you want to leave footprints in the sands of time, don’t drag your feet.”

After ruminating on that phrase I began to reflect on what kind of footprints I would be leaving in the lives of those most important to me: the people I love; my family and my friends.

Is there a clear path to follow? Have I taken proper care in cultivating seeds of kindness, compassion, love, faithfulness, gratitude, and thankfulness, in the lives of those around me? Have I done so to complete strangers? Do the mistakes I’ve made help anyone else? Has it equipped them to face the challenges of life? Or, to the contrary, led them away on paths angels fear to tread?

On this path of life I travel

Winding, twisting, destination unseen.

Life is a breath, a mere vaporous shadow

Of what lies ahead in store for me.

Are the footprints I’ve left behind

Plainly seen in the sands of time?

Or is the path unclear to see,

To any, and all, who are following me?

Sowing and reaping the seed of my life,

Are only worth reaping of the Eternal kind.

Will those who are following far behind,

Harvest those seeds in their own lives?

The seed of my life soon left behind

To be watered and cared for in Another’s life;

Or plucked and discarded like weeds and refuse

If they, the widest path they choose.

When life is a train wreck on the rails of life

Mistakes all visible for eyes to see,

Broken and twisted, scattered with strife

Are beacons of danger to those following me.

I hope my life, when said and done,

Will lead others to the True and Faithful One.

He picks up the pieces I’ve scattered about

And mends the heart from the inside out.

Sowers and Reapers are we all,

Bearing fruit with our lives.

But only seeds of Eternal Kind

Will we, harvested in fields of Heaven, find.

~Starla

Four Boyfriends

Four Boyfriends

Once upon a time there was a girl who had four boyfriends:
 

She loved the fourth boyfriend the most and adorned him with rich robes and treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best.

She also loved the third boyfriend very much and was always showing him off to neighboring kingdoms. However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another.

She also loved her second boyfriend. He was her confidant and was always kind, considerate, and patient with her. Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult times.

The girl's first boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not love the first boyfriend. Although he loved her deeply, she hardly took notice of him.

One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of her luxurious life and wondered, “I now have four boyfriends with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone.”

Thus, she asked her fourth boyfriend, “I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing, and showered great care upon you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?”

“No way!” replied the fourth boyfriend and he walked away without another word. His answer cut like a sharp knife into her heart.

The sad girl then asked her third boyfriend, “I loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” 

“No!” replied the third boyfriend. “Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to marry someone else!” Her heart sank and turned cold.  She then asked her second boyfriend, “I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?”

“I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time,” replied the second boyfriend. “At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.” His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was devastated.  

Then, from a distance, a voice called out: “I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go!” The girl looked up, and saw that it was her first boyfriend.

As he approached her, she noticed that he was dressed in rags, and was unkempt in appearance. He was very skinny as he suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the girl said, “I should have taken much better care of you when I had the opportunity to do so!”

The moral of this story, for in truth, you have four boyfriends in your life:  Your fourth boyfriend is your body:  No matter how much time and effort you lavish in making it look good, it will leave you when you die.  Your third boyfriend is your possessions, status and wealth: When you die, it will all become the possessions of others.  Your second boyfriend is your family and friends: No matter how much they have been there for you, how much they love you, the furthest they can stay by you is up to the graveside. Your first boyfriend is your spirit:  Your spirit is often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and the pleasures of this world. However, your spirit is the only thing that will follow you where ever you go. Take time to cultivate, strengthen, and cherish it now. Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect. It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections.

Remember....live every day to the fullest. Life isn’t wrapped in pretty paper or tied with a bow, but it is still a gift. Each minute is a blessing from God.

And never forget....the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care for us.

If you see someone without a smile today give them one of yours!

Live simply. Love seriously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

~Starr