We live much of life amid unique choices. Joy is anchored in The One beyond our life. |
“There are times when solitude is better than society, and silence is wiser than speech. We should be better Christians if we were more alone, waiting upon God, and gathering through meditation on His Word spiritual strength for labour in his service. We ought to muse upon the things of God, because we thus get the real nutriment out of them. . . . Why is it that some Christians, although they hear many sermons, make but slow advances in the divine life? Because they neglect their closets, and do not thoughtfully meditate on God's Word. They love the wheat, but they do not grind it; they would have the corn, but they will not go forth into the fields to gather it; the fruit hangs upon the tree, but they will not pluck it; the water flows at their feet, but they will not stoop to drink it. From such folly deliver us, O Lord. . . .” ― Charles Spurgeon “Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths.” ― C. H. Spurgeon “Hope itself is like a star- not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity.” ― Charles Haddon Spurgeon “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.” ― Charles Spurgeon “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” ― Charles Spurgeon “Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.” ― Charles Spurgeon “When your will is God's will, you will have your will.” ― Charles Spurgeon https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/2876959.Charles_Haddon_Spurgeon (Philippians 2:13, KJV) |
The days of life are filled with change, that often cause us grief. The blessedness of Hope seems strange to those without relief. We grope for light, that we may see. We strain to comfort hear. The blessedness of hope can free, unbinding us from fear. The fiends of life may trample hearts, and tempt us to despair. The blessedness of Hope restarts our strength in ev'ry care. The days of life seem very long to humans in their youth. The blessedness of Hope brings Song as daily we learn Truth. The days of life seem meager, naught as aging days grow wan. The blessedness of Hope is taught to see the Lasting Plan. "Or e'er the silver cord be loosed,... fear God, and Him obey." (Ecclesiates 12:6a & 13b, KJV) The blessedness of Hope infused we'll share th'Eternal Day. And when we see with ever eyes this life will true reflect His blessedness and Hope will rise in white robes all bedecked. by Jay O’Toole on July 30th, 2021 |
The beams glow bright on the roads she must drive. Not a streetlight to be seen. The darkness has got me praying o'er this princess from my genes. The wind is howling. Through this rainstorm she must drive. Couldn’t keep her young, heaven knows I’ve tried. Don’t let her know, don’t let her see. Be the strong Dad you always have to be. Conceal, congeal, don’t let her grow. Well, now she’s grown. Let her go, let her go. Can’t hold her back anymore. Let her go, let her go. Turn and cry, but gentle the door. I must care what she’s going to say. Let her grow and grow for Christ is the Lord of her every way. It’s funny how some distance makes her childhood seem so small. And the fears that once were so large are dwarfed by fears so tall. It’s time to see what you can do. To test the limits, and break through. There’s right, there’s wrong, there’s rules for thee You’re free. Let her go, let her go You’ll be true to the Lord Above. Let her go, let her go. Your Joy is in His Love. In Him stand, and in Him stay. Let this life march on. Your power comes from Christ, and in Him to abound. Your soul is filling with Him in His Glory all around. And one thought bubbles up like freedom’s truest blast. You’re never going back, your sin is in the past. Let her go, let her go. She’ll rise like the risen Lord. Let her go, let her go. She’s perfect in His Word. Here she’ll stand in the Light of Day. Let her grow and grow for Christ is the Lord of her every way. by Jay O’Toole for my daughter, Jade Amber Jewel ![]() on the advent of her first real driver's license. on July 28th, 2021 This poem was written on July 22, 2021. It is a reworking of the song, "Let It Go" from Disney's movie, Frozen. https://ohmy.disney.com/music/2013/11/25/let-it-go-lyrics/ These are the original lyrics to the song, which I reworked. It should be considered legal under the parody rule, but it is not intended as a farce by any stretch of the imagination. Use the melody of the song as a guide when you read my version of the concept. She passed her driver’s test, today, with flying colors. |
Through the muck and through the mire, we travel in our days. Through the floods and testing fire, we learn to God obey. Through is blocked at times by hoops, that we misjudged some way. Through, we can't, when rules in groups deny our forward play. Through, we go, when the road is paved. Through, the hoped-for success. Through completes, and life is saved. Through means, "done and blest." by Jay O’Toole on July 26th, 2021 |
That which is good has value enough to last through our days, and to last in His Day. That which is good is not just earthly fluff, but solid as following Christ to obey. That which is good, that our Lord's Own dear Smile for joyful is He through our days and forever. That which is good, will remain for awhile in the Blessings of God, not humans so clever. That which is good is good evermore explore all the goodness, that God doth provide. That which is good has great blessings in store with joy in the finding. We never need to hide. by Jay O’Toole on July 23rd, 2021 |
making home betimes through the yard and to my door am I welcome there? by Jay O’Toole on July 22nd, 2021 |
How do I write when the well is so dry? I toss in some water the pump yet to prime. I wrestle with words, and finally, I cry, then verses they come, though quite over time. The well is so dry. I wonder the cause. Do I just need sleep or a new way to see? I hope I'm not fickle and needing applause. It's time to tuck in and call it a day. I'll have more great words to put in my blog when I give myself grace, and my body obey, and then in my dreams, my own thoughts soon will jog. Dreams wander. Soon they'll be better, again. With my body's rest, new day will be so blest. Thank You, Lord, for this great day! by Jay O’Toole on July 21st, 2021 |
Temporal life is soon to fade. Earthly days know work and rest. Gifts to God are Truth obeyed. Working, eating, sleeping, played seems a song, that's daily blest. Temporal life is soon to fade. Singing, serving, prayers inlaid, victory o'er the final test. Gifts to God are Truth obeyed. Simple pleasures, meager made, massive thoughts at times they wrest. Temporal life is soon to fade. Worship sweat, so tearful weighed. Risen hopes o'er fallen crest. Gifts to God are Truth obeyed. Lasting Bliss I would not trade. Trusting Christ is always best. Temporal life is soon to fade. Gifts to God are Truth obeyed. by Jay O’Toole on July 20th, 2021 |
purple bunch of flow'rs butterflies and hummingbirds sweet and blest for all by Jay O’Toole on July 19th, 2021 |
sun and rain reside days of heat, humidity trees spread arms to care by Jay O’Toole on July 16th, 2021 |