tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-231040392023-11-16T02:38:08.050-05:00ChandrasPlaceEverybody needs a quiet place . . . where their heart can hear God's . . . welcome to mine.Chandra Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08903127021843177288noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23104039.post-19132533346773103032013-04-16T08:01:00.001-05:002013-04-16T08:01:17.272-05:00Just For Today . . . He Was There and He Is Here, 4/16/13<DIV id=role_document> <TABLE id=role_layout height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=7 width="100%" align=center background=http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/stationery/symbls/angels-st/angels/angel-white-statue-st border=0> <TBODY> <TR height="100%"> <TD width="100%"> <DIV id=role_body style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; HEIGHT: 100%; FONT-FAMILY: Miriam; COLOR: #000040"> <DIV> <DIV><EM><U>He Was There and He Is Here</U></EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>the sky is gray, the air is cold </EM></DIV> <DIV> <EM>matches American souls, </EM></DIV> <DIV><EM>terror struck the streets once again</EM></DIV> <DIV> <EM>tragedy took a high toll,</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM>where was God when things fell apart</EM></DIV> <DIV> <EM>I know many ask that today,</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM>look closely and you will see </EM></DIV> <DIV><EM> He was right there yesterday.</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>He was with the runners who turned back</EM></DIV> <DIV> <EM>helping despite exhaustion,</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM>He guided the first responders</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM> to help through the confusion,</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM>He ran some spectators to safety</EM></DIV> <DIV> <EM>and inspired others to give aid,</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM>He comforted broken hearted,</EM></DIV> <DIV> <EM>and led all of us to pray.</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>we wrestle with fear and anger</EM></DIV> <DIV> <EM>question why He let it happen,</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM>and I doubt we'll know the answer</EM></DIV> <DIV> <EM>not on this side of heaven,</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM>it's so hard not to feel helpless</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM> nothing I can do it seems,</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM>but He's also here with me now</EM></DIV> <DIV> <EM>saying, "chandra, drop to your knees."</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>~Chandra Lynn Smith, 4/16/13~</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV></DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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This poem is for Joseph.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=4></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=4>in His grip,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=4>Chandra</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=4></FONT></DIV> <DIV> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4 face=Miriam><U><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><EM>Paradox</EM></SPAN></U></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4 face=Miriam><U><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><EM></EM></SPAN></U></FONT> </P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4><U><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><EM></EM></SPAN></U></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=4><EM><FONT face=Miriam>I hold a paradox<o:p></o:p></FONT></EM></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=4 face=Miriam><EM>the tiny babe in my arms,</EM></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=4><EM><FONT face=Miriam>In Him prophecies come true<o:p></o:p></FONT></EM></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=4><EM><FONT face=Miriam>how can I keep him from harm?<o:p></o:p></FONT></EM></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=4><EM><FONT face=Miriam>Why am I the chosen father<o:p></o:p></FONT></EM></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=4><EM><FONT face=Miriam>of this heavenly child?<o:p></o:p></FONT></EM></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=4 face=Miriam><EM>I cannot organize my thoughts</EM></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=4><EM><FONT face=Miriam>they circle and run wild.<o:p></o:p></FONT></EM></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=4><EM><FONT face=Miriam>This boy so small and helpless<o:p></o:p></FONT></EM></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=4><EM><FONT face=Miriam>is going to look up to me?<o:p></o:p></FONT></EM></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=4><EM><FONT face=Miriam>I am a poor carpenter<o:p></o:p></FONT></EM></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=4><EM><FONT face=Miriam>hardly fit for royalty.<o:p></o:p></FONT></EM></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=4><EM><FONT face=Miriam>I look at this little baby<o:p></o:p></FONT></EM></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=4><EM><FONT face=Miriam>feel fear and humility.<o:p></o:p></FONT></EM></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=4><EM><FONT face=Miriam>This is a mighty task I face<o:p></o:p></FONT></EM></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=4><EM><FONT face=Miriam>Father, I need you to help me.<o:p></o:p></FONT></EM></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=4><EM><FONT face=Miriam>And as I pray to you my God<o:p></o:p></FONT></EM></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=4><EM><FONT face=Miriam>I hold my son, Your Son.<o:p></o:p></FONT></EM></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=4><EM><FONT face=Miriam>My baby, my child, my Savior,<o:p></o:p></FONT></EM></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=4 face=Miriam><EM>God may Your will be done.</EM></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><EM><FONT size=4 face=Miriam></FONT></EM></SPAN> </P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=4><EM></EM></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=4><EM><FONT face=Miriam>~Chandra Lynn Smith~<o:p></o:p></FONT></EM></FONT></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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It inspired this poem.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV>In His Grip, Chandra</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#000000><U><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">The Shadow of The Cross</SPAN></U><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></DIV> <DIV> <P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT color=#000000><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#000000><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>The infant in the manger</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#000000><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>tiny and brand new,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#000000><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>how could it be</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#000000><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>He could save me and you?</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#000000><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>No crowns and royal clothing</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#000000><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>for this King of kings,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#000000><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>rags and a smelly barnyard</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#000000><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>for the Lord of everything.</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#000000><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>Lying in the golden hay</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#000000><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>innocence of a baby boy,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#000000><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>heavenly royalty</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#000000><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>wrapped in newborn joy.</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#000000><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>God, in the babe in the hay</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#000000><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 2"></SPAN><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 2"></SPAN>let the miracle not be lost,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#000000><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>look closely in this Holy light</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><FONT color=#000000><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>and see the shadow of the cross.</FONT></SPAN></EM></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><FONT color=#000000></FONT></SPAN></EM> </P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><FONT color=#000000></FONT></SPAN></EM></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">~Chandra Lynn Smith~</SPAN></EM></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpi1Cb5xL3E5M_ctO85U_5Tg6Yidhz9haIRWhLUkq_DFWHdKYggajpQOLusP-QOE7ybFHOgq_V3E3nGgwRxzfKblT7JWtCJ0qpffM12U-_ex4JES5B_9LJAF89mJsodEK5d-aq/s1600/165107_1793778967002_1315524023_2032259_3103052_n-722946.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpi1Cb5xL3E5M_ctO85U_5Tg6Yidhz9haIRWhLUkq_DFWHdKYggajpQOLusP-QOE7ybFHOgq_V3E3nGgwRxzfKblT7JWtCJ0qpffM12U-_ex4JES5B_9LJAF89mJsodEK5d-aq/s320/165107_1793778967002_1315524023_2032259_3103052_n-722946.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690464977800562882" /></a></SPAN></EM></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"></SPAN></EM> </P></DIV></DIV></FONT><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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I love the beauty of Christmas Eve and the peacefulness of the morning before the others are up. ( and now that they are not young . . . they don't wake early at all. yay!) So, this morning I can ponder what it was like when Mary held her baby.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#400040></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#400040>In His Grip, Chandra</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#400040></FONT></DIV> <DIV> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><FONT color=#400040><EM><U><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">Fingers and Toes</SPAN></U></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><FONT color=#400040><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>Ten fingers, ten toes,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>dark hair, crinkled nose,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>tiny feet, soft skin,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>dark eyes, little chin,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>sleeping peacefully, crying loud,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>beautiful baby, parents proud.</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><FONT color=#400040><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 2"></SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>Baby's breathing, pounding heart,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>perfect child, joy starts,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>baby noises, bright eyes,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>tiny movements, contented sighs,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>sleep interrupted, time compressed,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>life enriched, family blessed.</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><FONT color=#400040><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>Every parent feels this way,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>long ago and still today,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>Holy night in a manger stall,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>God on earth in a babe small,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>I bet his mother kissed His nose </SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>and counted fingers and tiny toes.</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT color=#400040 face="Book Antiqua"></FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT color=#400040 face="Book Antiqua">~Chandra Lynn Smith!</FONT></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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</script></div>Chandra Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08903127021843177288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23104039.post-26867067272476739102011-12-24T13:15:00.000-05:002011-12-24T13:16:04.795-05:00the pondering heart . . . not here, not now . . . 12/24/11<DIV id=role_document> <TABLE id=role_layout border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=7 width="100%" background=http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/stationery/occs/christmas-st/christmas/stationery.466-3349.christmas6 align=center height="100%"> <TBODY> <TR height="100%"> <TD width="100%"> <DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Book Antiqua; HEIGHT: 100%; COLOR: #400000; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" id=role_body> <DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#400040>Dear Holy Friends,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#400040></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#400040>My house is loud, my sons are home and I am smiling . . even as I try to get away from their chasing me in their crazy voices! I think of Mary and Joseph and what this day was for them. I wonder how tough it was when Mary realized the time had come. Perhaps she prayed 'not here, not now.'</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#400040></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#400040></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#400040>In His Grip, Chandra</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#400040></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#400040></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#400040><STRONG><U><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Not Here, Not Now</SPAN></U></STRONG></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#400040><STRONG><U><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"></SPAN></U></STRONG><B><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></FONT> </DIV> <DIV> <P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><B><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT color=#400040><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>Not here, not now,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>I just want to be home.</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>It's not time, it cannot be,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><FONT color=#400040><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>it's Joseph and me alone.<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></EM></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>Why a stable, not even a room,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3">really</SPAN> there is nowhere to stay?</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>I thought we'd get home in time,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>then the pains started today.</SPAN></EM></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"></SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT> </P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT color=#400040><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"></SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>Not here, not now,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN></SPAN></EM><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">God, is something wrong,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN></SPAN></EM><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">Mama should be here, or someone at least</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3">why are we so alone</SPAN>?</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>Can Joseph do this, does he know how?</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><FONT color=#400040><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN>I wish your plan I could see.</FONT></SPAN></EM></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"></SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><FONT color=#400040>For at this moment in time</FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><FONT color=#400040>I am beginning to doubt me.</FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><FONT color=#400040></FONT></o:p></SPAN> </P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT color=#400040><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3">Not here, not n</SPAN></SPAN></EM><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">ow,</SPAN></EM></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"></SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><FONT color=#400040>does Joseph know what to do?</FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN></SPAN></EM><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">The star in the sky above us</SPAN></EM></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"><FONT color=#400040>A sign sent to us from You?</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></EM></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"></SPAN></SPAN></EM><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">My faith is big but, trust feels small.</SPAN></EM></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><FONT color=#400040>I need to feel Your presence</FONT></SPAN></EM></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><FONT color=#400040>in this manger stall.</FONT></SPAN></EM></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><FONT color=#400040></FONT></SPAN></EM></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"></SPAN></EM><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">. . . Not here, not now</SPAN></EM></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"></SPAN></EM></FONT> </P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><FONT color=#400040></FONT></SPAN></EM></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><FONT color=#400040>~Chandra Lynn Smith, updated 12/24/11~</FONT></SPAN></EM></P></DIV></DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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</script></div>Chandra Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08903127021843177288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23104039.post-20381626584010973012011-12-22T10:41:00.001-05:002011-12-22T10:41:39.311-05:00the pondering heart . . . head full of thoughts. . .12/22/11<DIV id=role_document> <TABLE id=role_layout border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=7 width="100%" background=http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/stationery/occs/christmas-st/christmas/stationery.466-3349.christmas6 align=center height="100%"> <TBODY> <TR height="100%"> <TD width="100%"> <DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Book Antiqua; HEIGHT: 100%; COLOR: #400000; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" id=role_body> <DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#400040>Dear Holy friends, </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#400040></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#400040></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#400040>How often are we like that? Our head so full of thoughts we cannot organize them into one coherent one. Especially these last few days when the list of what is yet to do can overwhelm. Maybe today we could all benefit from a little being like Mary and treasure these things in our heart and ponder them!</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#400040></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#400040></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#400040>In His Grip, Chandra</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#400040></FONT></DIV> <DIV> <P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=left><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT color=#400040>In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. . . .So Joseph also went up from the town of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Nazareth</st1:place></st1:City> in <st1:place w:st="on">Galilee</st1:place> to <st1:place w:st="on">Judea</st1:place>, to <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bethlehem</st1:place></st1:City> the town of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">David</st1:place></st1:City>, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>to be married to him and was expecting a child.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></I></P> <P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=left><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT color=#400040>Luke 2:1,4-5<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></I></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"><FONT color=#400040></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></STRONG></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN><U>Head Full Of Thoughts</U></SPAN></STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT color=#400040><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>sleep eluding</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>baby moving</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>leg cramps at night,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>body bloating</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>emotions floating</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>dreams filled with fright,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>world changing</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>life rearranging</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>not feeling ready at all,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>packing gear</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>time is near</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>that donkey looks so small,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>faith wavering</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>home savoring</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>soon is time to go,</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>Lord blessing</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>peace caressing</SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT color=#400040><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"></SPAN>trust and let worries go.</FONT></SPAN></EM></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT color=#400040></FONT></SPAN></EM></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT color=#400040>~Chandra Lynn Smith~</FONT></SPAN></EM></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#400040><EM><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"></SPAN></EM><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV></DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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Reminded me of this poem from last year.</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=left><FONT color=#800040 size=4 face=Andalus></FONT></DIV> <DIV align=left><FONT color=#800040 size=4 face=Andalus> In his Grip, Chandra</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=left><FONT color=#800040 size=4 face=Andalus></FONT></DIV> <DIV align=left><U><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face=Andalus><FONT size=4><FONT color=#800040></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U> </DIV> <DIV align=left><U><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face=Andalus><FONT size=4><FONT color=#800040>What He Gave Up For Me<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></DIV> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=left><U><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"><FONT color=#800040 size=4 face=Andalus></FONT></SPAN></o:p></SPAN></U></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=left><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face=Andalus><FONT size=4><FONT color=#800040>He traded a throne for a manger<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=left><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face=Andalus><FONT size=4><FONT color=#800040>Angel songs for a donkey bay<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=left><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face=Andalus><FONT size=4><FONT color=#800040>Royal position for poverty<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=left><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face=Andalus><FONT size=4><FONT color=#800040>Glory for a bed of hay.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=left><FONT color=#800040><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT size=4 face=Andalus></FONT></o:p></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face=Andalus><FONT size=4>He gave up adoration for submission<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=left><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face=Andalus><FONT size=4><FONT color=#800040>Worship for a carpenter's life<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=left><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face=Andalus><FONT size=4><FONT color=#800040>Heaven for a fallen earth<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=left><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face=Andalus><FONT size=4><FONT color=#800040>Peace for pain and strife.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=left><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT color=#800040 size=4 face=Andalus></FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=left><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face=Andalus><FONT size=4><FONT color=#800040>That night in Bethlehem<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=left><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face=Andalus><FONT size=4><FONT color=#800040>A hay filled manger bed<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=left><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face=Andalus><FONT size=4><FONT color=#800040>Royalty became one of us<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=left><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT color=#800040 size=4 face=Andalus>Condemnation became salvation instead.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=left><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT color=#800040 size=4 face=Andalus>~Chandra Lynn Smith~</FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=left><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT color=#800040 size=4 face=Andalus></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=left><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT color=#800040 size=4 face=Andalus></FONT></o:p></SPAN> </P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=left><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT color=#800040 size=4 face=Andalus></FONT></o:p></SPAN> </P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=left><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT color=#800040 size=4 face=Andalus>{I certainly have nothing to complain about!}</FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=left><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><FONT color=#800040 size=4 face=Andalus></FONT></o:p></SPAN></I></P> <P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=left><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><FONT color=#800040 size=4 face=Andalus></FONT></o:p></SPAN></I></P></DIV></FONT><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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