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 |    We live much of life amid unique choices. Joy is anchored in The One beyond our life. |
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“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)    |
humid, hot, and bright breathing, sweating, moistened skin plants and trees enjoy by Jay O’Toole on July 22nd, 2022 |
The frantic pace of daily deeds can take our breath away. We meet demands and others' needs, until the face is gray. What gives the spark of living grace? What helps us hope, again? A moment's peace, that can displace the trauma felt within. But is it trauma, that we feel when nothing's really wrong? There's just too much of all that's real, that chokes our daily song. A breath we need to sense the Lord is with us where we are. A breath can help us speak the Word and see beyond each star. A breath, a pause, a time to rest, until SHALOM's restored. The breath of life from One, Who's Blest, the Living, Loving Lord. by Jay O’Toole on July 21st, 2022 |
| I have long been a fan of multigenre musical creations, like Barber's Adagio, which first received an updated orchestral treatment by William Orbit, and most recently the techno version created by Ferry Corsten in 1999 as a remix. This is a superb creation, marrying elements of upbeat dance tools with the original mellow, classical base. Of course, I am a teenager of the 1970s with the iconic pieces, "Rock-a-la-Bach," "A Fifth of Beethoven," and "Flight 76." The last two are renderings by the Walter Murphy Band of Beethoven's "Fifth Symphony's First Movement," and "The Flight of the Bumblebee" in that order. (Sadly, I could not find any info on the first piece, which leads me to believe it was created for marching band, only. That's where I found it when I was in high school in the marching and concert bands. Maybe no video renderings exist.) However, classical and rock crossover songs seemed to be a plethora back then...at least to my ears, and I liked that. The 1970s, also, saw the rise of Mannheim Steamroller, which mixed classical, rock, and new age. In the 1980s Mannheim Steamroller became known almost exclusively for their Christmas albums, which are, indeed, some of the best on the market. "Sonata" from Fresh Aire I gives you a taste of their stylings from 1975. As I said there are many renderings of classical music mixed with rock beats from my younger days. As yet, I haven't mentioned the Hooked on Classics series, which is a classic in its own right. I've displayed two videos in this piece, but the main focus should be the first one, Barber's "Adagio" as rendered by Ferry Corsten. I, also, like Christian hymns rendered in a techno beat. This would be a whole new entry, but I'll mention a few right now. Nitro Praise has a series of 7-8 albums, including a Christmas album, Disco Saints, The World-Wide Message Tribe, and Hypersonic were four bands and/or series I became familiar with in the early 2000s. The ability to mix and remix styles and genres is pretty special in my book. I hope somebody reading this enjoys this type of creativity, too. Enjoy. by Jay O’Toole on July 20th, 2022 |
thunder sounds its drum dribbling drops fall on the leaves time for all to rest by Jay O’Toole on July 19th, 2022 |
It seems a life well-lived may take a while, but when we turn around it seems so short. The pain of days may fill our souls with bile, but time in God becomes a lasting fort. The joy of friends, a daily gift until they've passed away to leave us all alone. If human or pet, it's all against our will. The pain we feel is like the love we've known. Familiar voice, or loving, knowing glance, the silent note, the visage no more seen begins to slow our hope, our strong advance, until we wade through gray, that seems so mean. Will days like this be filled with sun someday? Will nights so dark find Moon's so mellow crest? Will Hope be mine to jump, and dance, and play? Will better days remind me, that I'm blest? My faith is weak, Messiah is so strong. Can Heart be filled with hope in Him, most blest? His Word is sure. In Heaven, it's a song. Eternity can heal the greatest test. by Jay O’Toole on July 18th, 2022 |
We live as friends throughout our days to Joy, and Love, and make new things. A quiet even at home or plays gives moment's bliss as music sings. These 36 blest years I'll share with my wondrous lady soon I trow. So, wondrous now to joy and care on August 1st this year, I know. These past six years an honor's grown to be part of this family. We write in genres, lives more known 'mid writers, whom we daily see. Each year remember days we start to live with ones, who mean so much. Life's partner lives by hand and heart. Life's friendships anniversary touch. by Jay O’Toole on July 14th, 2022 |
reddish leaves invite moment's taste turns mood to joy steamy water brews. by Jay O’Toole on July 13th, 2022 |
To talk of Christmas all year through seems just an infant's dream. There's more of life, that we must do, and more on which to lean. How big the tummy each must have to live on sugar and milk! How much the money we must save to buy those rings and silk! How often can the mind be filled with the words of 40 songs? How many lights through nights so still can change the world's great wrongs? To think of Christmas all year through means none of these sweet things. The Christ, Who came for me and you redeems the heart to sing. I think of Christmas through the years, He came my soul to save. Though older, now, I still have fears. He's Hope beyond the grave. My Christmas song 365 is "Jesus Came for Me." A chang-ed heart makes me to live. His touch still sets me free. A shepherd's booth, a criss-cross trough, the Infant Lord of All. The lowly look, the life a-loft, The Hope, that daily calls. by Jay O’Toole on July 12th, 2022 |
Looking for some words to write, day to day, and night to night. Search for them by effort made. Let no weariness dissuade. In a moment rhymes appear. There to make the process clear. Dance we with the newfound words. Flights of fancy like the birds. Are the verses waterlogged? Stirred-up lake beds make a bog. Stirred-up hearts in reverie make new poems soon for thee. "Drawing a blank" is never fun 'specially when we'd like it done. Now's the time to poem write when our thoughts require some might. "Hurray!" The piece we've found it now. Time to stand, and take a bow. Then to post, the day to close. Words. Each poem's made of those. by Jay O’Toole on July 11th, 2022 |
The jobs are many on this Earth throughout our lives to death from birth, and often they don't show our worth to those who see our days. But God sees all we do and say, the joy we bring, the things we pray. He sees each heart, that dares obey without a "Thank you," now. Dear Weary Heart, God's Person, blest, is with you through each daily test to make your life e'en here the best with "meals" for your own soul. In search of times to live in peace, His Presence is a great release to make those darkened words to cease just lean upon His Chest. Each peaceful moment in Him find. He loves you most. He's truly kind. His "Wait" is smelting, never blind. You're 'graved upon His Hand. The peaceful moments you may seek are in the One, Who came so meek. "Shalom. Be still," His Words they speak to calm the troubled soul. A peaceful moment may not be from ev'ry trouble fully free, but greatest hope is aye in He, Who rules the lasting Day. Each peaceful moment starts beneath the Cross of Him, Who did bequeath Salvation's Gift by smashing teeth of Death's own chilly mouth. In search of peace, we find the day, that Jesus rose in great display to rest the ones, who say Him, "Yay!" forever in His Hands. These moments ever become one because of Christ, the Father's Son, Who came to save through all He'd done. My name is written down. by Jay O’Toole on July 8th, 2022 |
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