Friday brought another weekly visit from Bonnie. Due to the hectic nature of the last few weeks, it was a lovely time of peace and reflection.
Here are some of the scriptures we looked at.
This was one that was given when I mentioned the incredible life of my Aunt Betty. She was a truly remarkable woman and even though there was gladness in her "long life," I still believe life should never cease.
Psalm 90:10 (New International Version)
The length of our days is seventy years—
or eighty, if we have the strength;
yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
I mentioned to Bonnie and Lori that I had attended a mom's group on Thursday morning. The woman were very friendly and accepting of me. However, at one point the women talked of "mansions" in heaven. That they were building castles or mansions in heaven, since the Bible says that we should store up our treasures there. Bonnie had mentioned the following a few weeks back:
1 John 2:15-17 (New International Version)
Do Not Love the World
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
Due to the above scripture, I found it (in simple thoughts) hypocritical to suggest that tangible things were the treasures to be stored in heaven. I really believe that treasures are matters of the heart, not of the physical. So I was perplexed at how these ladies were able to derive that from the above verses. Of course I smiled and let the women discuss who had the larger home in heaven. It reminded me of a contest in elementary school focused on who had the most toys.
So here are the "treasure" verses in the Bible, which my Witness friends believe are being taken "literally" by those at the mom's group:
Matthew 6:19-21 (New International Version)
Treasures in Heaven
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
and then:
Matthew 6:33 (New International Version)
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
I really want to give my heart and soul to God...to give all my cares to him...and to truly allow him to guide my life. In that respect I would be storing my treasures in heaven. Not building a mansion, for that is a tangible "earthly" or "worldly" thing.
The next meeting will be about the special date of 1914 and how it relates to Jesus's reign on Earth. The Witnesses are amazing to me, but I'm still VERY comfortable in my beliefs. However, I am proud that I continue to have an open heart and mind to everything and everyone out there.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The Tra La La Tree
After almost two years of rewrites and iterations, I have finally produced the submission manuscript for The Tra La La Tree. I hope you enjoy reading it.
THE TRA LA LA TREE
Have you ever heard the story of the Tra La La Tree,
And the love of one girl that set Its song free?
The Tra La La Tree is quite different, I suppose,
For the Songs of the Seasons Its heart does compose.
In Spring, It sings songs of birds, flowers, and rains,
Bringing miracles to music: stanzas and refrains.
It welcomes new life held within branches blooming,
Inside cup-shaped nests are eggs unassuming.
When warm weather of Summer encourages laughter,
It inspires play in children - a melody sought after.
The Tree now has leaves in many shades of green:
Chartreuse, teal, emerald and aquamarine.
Crisp days of Autumn bring chromatic falling leaves,
And harmony that supports many enchanted motifs.
A pair of bushy-tailed squirrels: nut-stuffed and gray,
Prepare for weeks ahead, by building their warm drey.
When Winter winds blow through days dark and long.
The Tra La La Tree sings a glistening song.
Each tiny snowflake falling in sweet silent delight,
Covering the tree in a blanket: fluffy and white.
Oh Seasons they did pass, fifty years maybe less,
Many people walked on by, ignoring you might guess.
But one ordinary day a small child came quite near,
Her desire was a hiding spot, a place to disappear.
The little girl had many troubles with finding a friend,
But the Tra La La Tree was one; she could pretend.
The children continued their taunting and teasing,
Their words and their actions were not at all pleasing.
During recess while others were busy with games,
The girl learned to ignore the mean-spirited names.
She soon found her comfort in the Tree’s little nook,
And spent her time dreaming or reading a book.
The Tree taught her Nature and the Songs of the Earth,
Which can fill hearts with meaning and genuine worth.
As the friendship continued, the girl realized,
The whole world should learn we must live harmonized.
Her wishes were not selfish, for the little girl knew:
We must love one another, our enemies too.
So the end of each day in the little girl’s prayers,
Were expressions of hopes and genuine cares.
What do you think her wish could have been?
That the Songs of the world can be found from within.
Then one day it happened, as wishes sometimes do,
The little girl was sitting at her home with the flu.
She was calling for her special doll forgot by the tree,
Pleading with her mom, “Could you get it for me?”
Her mother agreed to her daughter’s sweet prayer,
And looked for the doll with braided, black hair.
As her Mother came upon the split path in the woods,
Her only focus was finding her little girl’s goods.
But she heard it: a Melody, a quite comforting tune,
And she knew she would find her daughter’s doll soon.
It was then that she noticed a crowd gathered around,
In the middle: a Tree singing a most beautiful sound.
At that moment, Its melodies no longer concealed,
The beauty of life: a child’s innocence revealed.
For the Songs of the Seasons: now shared with Mankind,
As our Creator intended: one voice, intertwined.
So if you want to hear the songs of the Tra La La Tree,
Close your eyes, gently listen, and simply believe.
THE TRA LA LA TREE
Have you ever heard the story of the Tra La La Tree,
And the love of one girl that set Its song free?
The Tra La La Tree is quite different, I suppose,
For the Songs of the Seasons Its heart does compose.
In Spring, It sings songs of birds, flowers, and rains,
Bringing miracles to music: stanzas and refrains.
It welcomes new life held within branches blooming,
Inside cup-shaped nests are eggs unassuming.
When warm weather of Summer encourages laughter,
It inspires play in children - a melody sought after.
The Tree now has leaves in many shades of green:
Chartreuse, teal, emerald and aquamarine.
Crisp days of Autumn bring chromatic falling leaves,
And harmony that supports many enchanted motifs.
A pair of bushy-tailed squirrels: nut-stuffed and gray,
Prepare for weeks ahead, by building their warm drey.
When Winter winds blow through days dark and long.
The Tra La La Tree sings a glistening song.
Each tiny snowflake falling in sweet silent delight,
Covering the tree in a blanket: fluffy and white.
Oh Seasons they did pass, fifty years maybe less,
Many people walked on by, ignoring you might guess.
But one ordinary day a small child came quite near,
Her desire was a hiding spot, a place to disappear.
The little girl had many troubles with finding a friend,
But the Tra La La Tree was one; she could pretend.
The children continued their taunting and teasing,
Their words and their actions were not at all pleasing.
During recess while others were busy with games,
The girl learned to ignore the mean-spirited names.
She soon found her comfort in the Tree’s little nook,
And spent her time dreaming or reading a book.
The Tree taught her Nature and the Songs of the Earth,
Which can fill hearts with meaning and genuine worth.
As the friendship continued, the girl realized,
The whole world should learn we must live harmonized.
Her wishes were not selfish, for the little girl knew:
We must love one another, our enemies too.
So the end of each day in the little girl’s prayers,
Were expressions of hopes and genuine cares.
What do you think her wish could have been?
That the Songs of the world can be found from within.
Then one day it happened, as wishes sometimes do,
The little girl was sitting at her home with the flu.
She was calling for her special doll forgot by the tree,
Pleading with her mom, “Could you get it for me?”
Her mother agreed to her daughter’s sweet prayer,
And looked for the doll with braided, black hair.
As her Mother came upon the split path in the woods,
Her only focus was finding her little girl’s goods.
But she heard it: a Melody, a quite comforting tune,
And she knew she would find her daughter’s doll soon.
It was then that she noticed a crowd gathered around,
In the middle: a Tree singing a most beautiful sound.
At that moment, Its melodies no longer concealed,
The beauty of life: a child’s innocence revealed.
For the Songs of the Seasons: now shared with Mankind,
As our Creator intended: one voice, intertwined.
So if you want to hear the songs of the Tra La La Tree,
Close your eyes, gently listen, and simply believe.
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