EASTER POEM 2009
I stood as king upon a mountain
Which my own two hands did build
I had all I ever wanted
I did everything I willed
You see I’d built a business
And that business it did well
I employed a lot of people
They made products that would sell
As I surveyed my kingdom
I used to say I had it made
But for every dollar in the bank
There was a price that I had paid
I’d neglected my wife and family
And our kids were almost grown
They didn’t know I loved them
“Cause my love had not been shown
You could see that I had money
You could see that I had wealth
The only thing no one could see
Is that I did not have my health
Just a routine doctors visit
What he said took away my breath
Set your affairs in order sir
In three months you face death
How would I tell my family
Or let my workers know
I had no God to turn to
So where else could I go
I ran back to my mountain
I threw my arms out wide
I raised my voice to heaven
From an angry heart I cried
God if you can hear me
If you’re even really there
Come into my circumstance
And prove to me you care
I need someone to walk with me
Through the valley of death’s shadow
The path ahead that I cannot see
Is the path that I must follow
It’s not the path that I would choose
If the choice were all my own
I’m so afraid I’ll lose my way
If I have to walk alone
I need some one to talk to
Who can help me understand
How of all the plans in life I’d made
This one thing I had not planned
A Poem By Charles Betts
For the Easter Sermon
Thank you for this very touching poem Charles! Your words give us plenty to think about.
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At times, I know that I have a somewhat different philosophy on life than other individuals. I have always considered myself to be a teacher even before I had formal credentials. Although I left the classroom many years ago, the classroom has never left me. I feel like I am now very much “a teacher without walls”. When I did teach elementary school, we used to have “show & tell” on a regular basis. The children loved this little practice, as I am sure they still do to this day, in many classrooms around the world.
I think the children enjoyed when another child had a story to tell but I think they especially enjoyed when they had something to show. This visual aid made their story all the more enjoyable. As teachers, we also had a little saying that goes something like this. Tell me and I forget… Show me and I remember… Involve me and I learn. It has been my experience that telling someone what we think or believe may not always leave the mark we want it to. Showing them by leading with our example may have a greater impact and others will probably get a better idea of our message. Involving these individuals in what we are trying to teach will indeed have the greatest effect.
One of the things I have come to realize is that when we involve others, it is necessary to know when to get out-of-the-way so that they can see the path clearly ahead. A good teacher needs to know when to “back off” and let the student forge ahead on their own. If we are constantly pointing the way, we could very well be hampering the student’s line of vision and future learning experiences. Therefore, at some point, we may actually be doing them more harm than good.
Part of being more than a good teacher is knowing when to stop teaching and “let go…let God”. The time when good teachers become great ones is when we figure this out. Do you know when to “back off” when necessary or “teach” when needed? It is no easy feat to discern. Therefore, being the most effective teacher may be a task similar to doing a balancing act or walking a tight rope. It’s a slippery slope to say the least.
There is also a very fine line between what is seen as preaching versus teaching. Preaching may have a negative connotation if it isn’t done in the right setting. We must be in tune, not only with ourselves but with those around us, in order to achieve the best results. Effective teaching usually has a way of positively involving others. I’m not so sure that preaching is seen in this same light. Preaching by our peers can be seen as a lot about telling and very little about showing or involving. Being told what to do or how to behave doesn’t always achieve the desired positive results. We all have the opportunity to teach or to preach in our everyday lives. What I’m suggesting, is that we take a moment and ask ourselves how we’re coming across.
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I very much enjoyed reading this post by Jan Cox. In “Jesus Is The Way – So Pray”, Jan reminds us about doing the right thing for the right reason. She suggests that we ought to pray for guidance before we accept to do even what appears to be good deeds for others. At times, we can say yes to people when inside we know we really don’t have the time or the desire. Afterwards we can end up being resentful because in essence we had a perfectly good reason to say no. If we pray for the guidance that we all need before we act, we will end up making more appropriate choices and feel a lot better about them.
This is a well-thought out article by Jan. I hope you will take a few minutes to visit A Better Way. Thanks Jan!
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To follow my tradition of discussing topics on the lighter note on Monday, here goes. I love going to the movies. How about you? Actually the best part about going to the movies is going out with our friends. During the winter months, we usually go to a movie once a week. Afterwards, we go for supper together and oftentimes, we discuss the movie we have just seen. This is a wonderful social event for us, but it’s so much more than that because we have the opportunity to discover more and more about each other by sharing our impressions of the movies we enjoy or the places we prefer to eat.
Recently, we went to see the movie “Limitless”, and although the ticket attendant said it was a good movie, we didn’t agree. The best part about that evening was going for Vietnamese food afterwards because the movie really didn’t score high points with any of us. On the other hand, the week before we went to see “Lincoln Lawyer” and we all thought it was wonderful. It held our attention throughout the whole two hours and we discussed it extensively. When I walked with my friends the next morning, we continued to discuss it even more. The acting was excellent as well as the plot. The story was not only suspenseful, but unpredictable as well.
Sometimes I see a movie and I can’t say it was bad, nor can I say it was good. Other times, I see a movie that I feel I can comfortably recommend for others to see. “Limitless” falls into the first category, and “Lincoln Lawyer” falls into the latter. If you haven’t seen this movie, it’s well worth seeing. If you’ve seen either of these movies, it would be great to know what you think.
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Joy Comes In the Morning
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters…” - Psalm 23:2
When I open my eyes, by the grace of God I see
the trees and the flowers the birds and the bees.
Colorful trees sway in the breeze.
Blossoming flowers emerge with ease.
The green grass glistens in the morning dew.
The birds they sing a song or two.
His goodness and mercy is in everything I see.
I feel his presence touching me.
The sun shines ever so brightly
in this day of joy and glee.
I really don’t know why it’s a mystery to me.
I only know this joy I feel, fills me up and swallows me whole,
from the depth of my soul to the tingling in my toes.
Thank you Father for this day
for we’re not promised tomorrow.
Lord, thank you for this joy in my heart.
I pray I feel the same way tomorrow.
By: Yvonne C. Freeman
From: Y: Spiritual Journey
Copyright @ 2008
Thanks Yvonne…This poem is a little extra gift to add to Charles’ beautiful poem from yesterday and Good Friday.
Happy Easter everyone!
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INSPIRATIONAL POEMS
Somewhere in the mountains falls a tiny drop of rain
It joins a thousand others and begins to form a stream
Their journey through the hills to the valley far below
Is drawn by a force of nature that all creation knows
The streams form a river where people work and live
Enjoying all the pleasures those tiny raindrops give
Far off in the distance someone speaks a gentle word
In our time of trouble it’s the sweetest we have heard
Entering our heart it always helps to bring a smile
Giving us the energy, strength to go another mile
Such are loving words exchanged between two friends
The peace we all long for on such simple things depends
Death and life are in the tongue, choose well the words we say
Bring peace to those around us as we work and live each day
Like the tiny drop of rain, the loving words we speak
Might be the best encouragement a weary soul can seek
Flood the earth with kindness, overflowing all the banks
Do it for God’s glory, and let the people give Him thanks
A Poem By Charles Betts
Aug 25th 2008
Thank you Charles and Happy Easter everyone!
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Dolores; Good “Good Friday” to you and all your family and readers. Easter, like spring, holds such hope of new life and new beginnings. Such a beautiful way that God has given the earth and all it holds to start each spring with refreshing life. Spring is a time of birth and rebirth for so much of His creation. Easter for me holds the same promise of life and rebirth of our souls. As the earth soaks in the sun and becomes refreshed, so too do we when we soak in the Son. Our soul becomes alive and we are restored to that place of communication with God that he gave to Adam and Eve in the beginning, where the Bible says “He breathed into man and he became a living soul”. So to me does Christ when we invite Him into our lives.
After reading yesterday’s article I was reminded of a poem I had written some time ago. I called it “Freedom” I hope you and your readers enjoy it. It’s all about hiding who we are because we don’t like us. Too many things different about us, or so we think. We become a turtle. As soon as someone approaches the first thing we do is go inside our shell. They still know we are a turtle but they never get to see our inner beauty, and we never get to see the beauty of life all around us.
So, yes, we need to love ourselves, and be comfortable with us, and realize there are a gazillion other turtles out there. Each one has scratches and bruises from where they have been, but hey, we’re all still turtles. We need each other and can help each other get through this journey of life together. Here is the poem. Enjoy, and thanks for being brave enough to share your story. Have a great Easter, Charles Betts.
Freedom
Full of imperfection, unaccepted by the crowd
Creating such frustration you want to shout out loud
So many inhibitions, self-esteem at an all-time low
No one explores your beauty, ‘cause no one wants to know
You’re not the same as others though you struggle to fit in
The way they step around you makes you wish you hadn’t been
Your spirit cries for freedom. You’re trapped within a cage
This body you’ve been given. It’s so hard to stop the rage
No one gets to know you. Stopped by their first glance
You and they both walk away, neither gets a second chance
It leaves you torn to pieces, so much you want to share
Surely there is someone who is kind enough to care
Life for you’s been nothing. So much kept within your heart
Your list of imperfections has kept you set apart
Oh to live and love and laugh it surely would be sweet
You have never known it ‘cause you hide out on the street
People walk beside you, they simply do not understand
Why you are so quiet and you refuse to take their hand
They don’t see the imperfections. The only thing that’s wrong
Is that you won’t let them in. You will not share your song
Please do not be a turtle. Dare to step outside the shell
Take a walk with others, you will see that all is well
Make a friend of someone. Put your own list aside
Everyone’s got imperfections. You don’t have to hide
You’re just the same as others, and yes you will fit in
People will surround you and they will be your friends
Your spirit will know freedom when you step outside the cage
With the body you’ve been given. There‘ll be no need for rage
A poem By Charles Betts
August 30th 2006
Thank you Charles, I love this poem and I wish a Good “Good Friday” to you and my readers as well. Over the Easter weekend there will be another poem featured by Charles tomorrow. A previous guest writer, Yvonne Freeman has sent me one of her poems which will be posted on Sunday. I hope you enjoy both these talented poets!
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What was the hardest thing about writing this book? (I’m Not Perfect And It’s Okay)
The hardest thing about writing this book was making the decision to be so open and honest about my feelings. I had hidden my depression from others, with the exception of my husband, for so long that I had no idea how people would react to this revelation. I have discovered since the launch of my book that many people are willing to share their journeys or tales of depression with me, however, most prefer that they remain anonymous. Still to this day by what I’ve heard and observed, depression is not looked upon by all, as merely another type of illness or disorder.
One of my closest friends asked me if I felt more vulnerable after writing about my mental illness which is what depression is considered to be. Without a doubt, I certainly did and still do at times! The most difficult part was facing people after they had read what I had shared with them. I did not want my relationships to change. Generally speaking, they have not. In fact, my fears have been put to rest because several people have demonstrated more admiration and respect for me as a result of my efforts.
Of the 13 tips you shared for getting through life, which do you feel is the most valuable?
Of the 13 tips that I shared with my readers, the one I feel is of the most value is the very first one, that of learning to love yourself. During this very difficult stage of my life I not only suffered from depression but I also had a very negative self-image as a result. At that time, I could hardly bring myself to look in the mirror and love what I saw in it…my own image. I not only felt self loathing, I felt that others could not find much to love in me either. Thus, first and foremost, I had to relearn to love myself instead of looking at my reflection in such a negative way…that of an utter failure. Due to my illness, I could not return to my teaching career and was at a major turning point in my life. It was necessary for me to figure things out. Therefore, this book is actually being written in retrospect. I needed to live life first and then reflect back to better describe the choices I made along the way in order to have a full and rewarding existence.
As in all recipes, some ingredients are vital to the recipe and cannot be substituted. In my book, I feel that the first step is the most essential in order to make this recipe work. A lot of people are unhappy with themselves. My recipe calls for admitting this fact if it applies. I also stressed learning how to be happier with whom you really are rather than what you may want to be. It doesn’t mean to say that a person cannot grow but growth stems from an honest assessment of self. This process requires some self-examination, a dose of truth serum, and the desire to move on from this point. This could possibly be done by incorporating some of my recommendations into daily living. When I have off days, which most of us do, I still refer to my own book and try my best to follow my own advice.
I recently wrote an article about the “stigma” of mental illness. Mike Falcon’s article (Spotlight Health) with medical advisor Stephen A. Shoop M.D. in USA Today coincides with my post titled “Dear Abby”. I hope you will take a moment to check it out. Two more articles you might want to read regarding depression are Here To Help and About Depression. The more aware and informed we all are about this oftentimes, debilitating condition, the more compassionate, empathetic and tolerant we will eventually become.
To be continued…also, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask and I will answer them to the best of my ability. The above questions were asked by Laura Davis on Interviews and Reviews.
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I mentioned recently that one of my husband’s favorite little quotes is “walking the talk”. As I read this interesting article by JRRSE (pronounced Jersey) I was reminded once again of its importance. It is instrumental in the teaching of our children to set the proper example as JRRSE so aptly points out. Please take a moment to check out JRRSEhope Coaching to see for yourself.
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Dolores; I read with interest your article today. To go along with this, I would like to interject that my experience in life has been, many people are unhappy today because they don’t have a connection with who they really are. They search so hard for that which is better left alone and spend so little effort searching for that which means so much. The first being the approval of others and the second being the approval of themselves in and through Christ. No wonder that the scriptures say ” He who will find himself must first lose himself in me and whoever will lose himself in me will find himself” There is no substitute that I know of. Many have tried other things but I have found this alone works. When I become overwhelmed in life, it has been my experience that by looking it over carefully, I have been attempting things on my own. Time to stop and retrace and do what I know I should, ask for and follow God’s plan.
I am also including a poem I did that sort of goes along with this. Enjoy and God bless you, yours and your readers, Charles Betts
Lost In The Mirror
I felt lost in the mirror’s reflection
‘Cause I wasn’t really sure it was me
I couldn’t seem to make the connection
‘Tween them and who I wanted to be
Like a mirror looking into a mirror
The reflections just kept going on
The ones at the back disappeared
It seemed to me that I was a pawn
I fell under the strong influence of others
I made changes I thought they’d accept
I thought for sure I would be smothered
Every change left me feeling so inept
Then one day my whole world fell apart
I couldn’t stand what I saw in my face
So I asked Jesus to come into my heart
He filled me with His mercy and grace
Now I like what the mirror is reflecting
And I like what God’s done to my soul
The mirror is His word I’m inspecting
And I’m so glad that I’m in His control
A poem by Charles Betts
July 10th 2005
Thank you Charles. I always appreciate your insights and words of wisdom. I couldn’t agree more. I don’t usually post on Tuesday but this seemed so fitting. I would also like to share Thoughts For Today by my friend Susan Earl. She has used several wonderful quotes.
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