Big's Daily Prayer

O God of all;
Creator of the universe.
I thank you for this day of life
And home and family.
Give me, Lord, this day - strength,
To see it through,
And knowledge to know what to do,
When life's trials beset me.
Make me Lord this day,
An instrument of your will.
Help me Lord to do and say that which
Is pleasing to You.
In all that I meet and do today, Lord,
Let me not bring harm or hard feelings
And let my efforts toward all
Radiate Your love, light and will.
Protect this day all who are in danger
or harm's way, dear Lord.
Bless the dying and bring them Lord
To a quiet and peaceful end of this life,
And open-wide for them the gates of that heavenly place
Where all of us long to be.
Bless the sick, and bestow your Peace and
Healing grace upon them dear Lord,
Comfort them in their affliction,
And if it be Your will Lord,
Restore them to a measure of health.
All this Lord, I ask in the name of your Son, our Saviour,
Jesus.

Amen

Skin Don't Matter - Effort Do!

White and black
Red and brown;
Yellow, too.
Colors only
Makes no difference
What the skin.
It's the result of the effort
That the person makes,
Which tell the measure of the man.
Made by God,
One and all
Each a value to Him,
A joy to his sight
Is each person,
Not his skin.

Wasted Time

Time is like an ever moving stream
It carries all away.
Like a restless wave upon a shore,
Once there - is gone forevermore.

A day that is lost - a time that is wasted -
not shared or spent in joy,
Is a time that cannot be recovered,
And a life that is spent - is lost forever.

True Love

A love that is not given freely,
is no love at all.

A love that is wanting,
is a love that is wasted.

A love that has a price upon it,
cannot be returned.

A love that is freely shared and given,
is a love that will last forever.

Solitude

From far out at sea
The errant wave begins
Pushed onward by a restless tide and wind.
Rushing head-long toward the shore
In a mad dash to find a home
On some lonely and distant place.
The sound of the wave
Crashing down upon the surf
Brings a constant and noisy roar
Only to summon another to repeat its chore.
Never-ending tide and wave
Crash constantly on the shore,
To make a symphony of sound
That lulls a nearby sun worshiper
Into a deep and restful sleep.

Day at the Beach

A trip to the beach at Gulf Shores, Alabama this past week spawned these thoughts and a lazy, relaxing time.

A clear sky dawned,
A hot summer breeze stirred;
And the tall sand grass swayed like majestic swans.
The heat of the day drove all from the beach,
Except a few hearty souls who strutted about,
And then sought cover under the umbrella's shade.
The water sparkled and then foamed
From the bright sun and the never-ending waves.
Eyes grew heavy from the heat and sun,
And soon closed to take a rest surrounded by
The rhythm of crashing waves.
A summer rest was here - and a lazy time was had -
While overhead sea gulls dove gracefully into the sea
In search of unsuspecting prey.
And upon the sand I lay,
watched the clouds float by,
And dreamed of faraway places,
And let life drift slowly by.


Life's Wave

White foam upon the surf
Crashing down upon the shore.
A crash of thunder peals the air,
A sound of a wave smashing upon the shore
And then followed by yet another encore.
The sea gods are angry today,
A wind blows from out at sea,
Pushing wave and tide even closer
and then sending them crashing to the shore.
High over head the sun is so bright,
Causing me to squint and shield my eyes,
From the glaring sight.
Life is like a restless wave,
Seeking a far distant shore
Upon which to find one's heart content.

Crisis Management

In life we learn a lot about a person when we see how they function in a crisis.

It has been said that in time of crisis, a leader will arise. George Washington is a good example, there are many more throughout our history.

In the current disaster relating to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico the lack of leadership demonstrated by our current President is appalling.

Did he cause the disaster? Certainly not.

Has he been able to assemble the necessary team to fix the problem? Not that we can discern.

It's said that Obama can give a great speech. There is a difference between a speech and talking. I would say that he is good at talking - John F. Kennedy could give a great speech. Both, I would suggest, were not accomplished at crisis management; though certainly Kennedy could be pointed out as doing somewhat a creditable job in the Cuban missile crisis. Obama has yet to reach the level of a good manager.

It all depends on who one surrounds themselves with. A good leader surrounds himself with the best and most competent in all fields - a small person usually brings in "yes" men and "boot lickers".

It can be said that Bobby Jindal, Louisiana's governor, has been trying. Has been coordinating and has shown leadership skills in this time of crisis. He showed it again during the hurricanes striking Louisiana in the past.

Confusion and inefficiency rein in the Gulf. Obama has failed thus far on his watch. The polls indicate the general public believe this to be so as well.

Will we survive this crisis? Probably so. But, not with the leadership that is so lacking today in Washington.

A crisis is not something anyone wants, looks for, or relishes.

But, in the time of a crisis it certainly separates the "men from the boys", and shows the true mettle of the individual - and proves who is a leader, and who is not.

America is waiting for its leader to arise - it hasn't happened yet.