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Weekend Writing Prompt #405: This weekend your challenge is to write a poem or a piece of prose in exactly 27 words using the word “Gallant”. By Sammi Cox
I don’t necessarily agree with my poem but it follows the guidelines 😃.
Can a man with gallant also have talent or must one always lack? The duel of the two seems far and few, a sad but true fact.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
James 1:19 KJV
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Bible word or verse
James Chapter 1 KJV
1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
1:9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
1:10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
1:11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
The Importance of Reading the Bible to Your Children.
I was raised in a Christian family. I heard the name of God from an early age but my family did not practice Christianity. My mother went to church from time to time when I was really young but usually I attended with my grandmother. As I grew older she went less and less and so did I. I have no memories of my father coming along with me.
I won my first Bible at an Easter egg hunt at my grandmother’s church and I still have it today. When I tried to read it as a child it was confusing and the story line was difficult to follow. I set it on a shelf and
drifted away from God for some time.
I was taught about a condemning God. Many times in Bible study I was told if I was bad I would go to hell. I will not say that is inaccurate but let’s remember to teach our children the importance of repentance and forgiveness and how to do it. That is one of God’s greatest aspects that the Bible speaks of often. Don’t forget to explain that we all fall short and these fleshy bodies have a lot of sinful desires. Shame and embarrassment should not weigh so heavily that they fear it is too much for God himself. Teach them to lay their burdens at His feet and ask for forgiveness. When struggling with addiction or temptation, pray for strength and guidance. God will never tempt someone beyond their limit and will always give a way out.
It is our job as parents to take the Bible and make it digestible for our children. We must start at a young age and continue to teach at any given opportunity. If a child sees a parent reading a Bible they will too. If a parent reads the Bible to them they will gain better understanding and be able to ask questions along the way. Going to church and sitting in a pew is not enough to light a fire for God in our children’s hearts. We must play an active role and help kindle that fire while they are young and well into adulthood. We must not rely only on a preacher to teach us the Bible, we must read it for ourselves also.
Where would I be today if my parents would have shown more initiative? How much bigger would my knowledge base be if I had examples to follow. Would I have a deeper understanding if I did have that particular head start? I am not downing or judging my parents, I am sure they did this best they could, just as I am trying to do today. Having children causes internal searching as we desire to provide better for our children. We must heal ourselves to no longer repeat the undesired behavior.
I am determined to teach my children better than I was taught.
I do Bible study weekly consisting of worksheets and reading from the Bible. We pray together and worship together. I noticed one day my son had little understanding of how to look up Bible verses. He knew there were chapters and verses but struggled to find any particular one when asked. I realized I had always provided that information and had created a gap in his comprehension. I adjusted our study activities and he has grown because of it.
I try to make study time fun and engaging especially for the younger ones. Crafts, mazes, coloring pages, counting, odd one out, find the differences and word searches are great ways to keep lessons engaging. I take the time to read aloud the word of God hoping I can hardwire His internal monologue into their brains. A quick web search can bring up thousands of free printable worksheets that suit children at all stages of learning. I use Trueway Kids for Bible study lessons but there are hundreds of others. Let’s give our children a head start. Let’s give them the armor of God to wear with confidence and knowledge to assist them their whole life. Let’s implant the word of God into their minds so it’s louder than the wickedness of the world. Prepare them for the battles and struggles before then. Only God can be with them when no one else can.
Describe a phase in life that was difficult to say goodbye to.
Writing is a waste of time. That is what I told myself for 30+ years. I viewed it almost like a childish thing I should have put away a long time ago. Or rather, a toddler’s craft that is cute but has no real use or function. I would sit down, heavy heart and mind, and pour my soul onto the paper. Later on I would pick that same paper up and shame and embarrassment wouldn’t even allow me to read it. I would look at it and my mind refused to recognize the letters as words. Paudhtofhtskfbtorjjrdbdjfjjfb fkfjgjfofofbfkfjdbdbfjf fkfbfjfjfgbffkfnpajbfri jfjfahdjorbrhdhthjtotbkwlzbfogn is all I could see. It would result in another piece of work going into the trash, not even worthy enough to keep.
Along came the digital era and somehow some of my writing made it to digital form. Although, still shoved into some random documents folder and forgotten about. At some point I ran up on a poem that I had written almost ten years prior. In fact, I shared that poem in my blog just a few days ago, it’s titled His Tiny Hands. I read the poem, thoroughly enjoying the flow and memories it brought of when my son was a little baby. I wondered who the author could be. I was shocked to see my name at the end of the rhymes.
I began to wonder if others managed to escape the chopping block and started to search the crevasses of forgotten folders. I found a handful of complete poems along with bits and pieces of others. The more I read the more foolish I felt for ever selling myself short. Sure, I’m no magic word master that’s going to go down in history for the great words ever written. But I am a writer and that’s good enough for me.
I was told it would be a good move to create an author website to promote my debut novel. Following a clueless Google search I found myself here at word press. I created my page just under two weeks ago and I am astonished at the community I have stumbled on to. I am not a big fan of social media so I must say this platform is refreshing and a blessing from God. Not only can I present my novel, but just as importantly, I now have a friendly environment to share all of my writings. To add a double layer of excitement, I can also share daily Bible studies to proclaim the glory of God to readers all around the world! How awesome is that!?
A phase in my life that has been difficult to say goodbye to is my self doubting phase. Gone are the days I throw stuff away. Goodbye to the days I ridicule myself for writing. Hello to a bright and exciting future of blogging. Hello to allowing myself the pleasure to write freely.
I do not have the words to express how grateful and excited I am for my future writing journey. I am so grateful for the likes, comments, and subscribers I have thus far and am thrilled to have every reader along for the ride. I don’t know where this blog will take me, but I know I will have a pencil and notebook in my hand.
Thank you for reading and have a blessed day.
I was watching TV with my husband last night and came across a clip of this fascinating video. This morning I began the search to find the original video and poster. I was incredibly annoyed to find I could only view it on TikTok. After convincing myself to finally download the infamous app I was able to retrieve the full clip.
I have not watched any more of this gentleman’s videos but I plan to do so soon. He also has a YouTube channel called Dakala Day. I love his perspective on birth and the passage of time. It makes a lot of sense the way he explains it, especially the part about relativity. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did. I am limited to 5 minutes of video and the original video is just over ten minutes. I cut it just under the 5 minute mark and posted in two videos. Hope you enjoy! For those that do have TikTok here is the original link https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2utudnS/
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Colossians 3:15 KJV
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Before I get started on the chapter I want to thank everyone who has been with me on this short journey thus far. I wasn’t sure how the community would respond to a daily post such as this but I am pleased with the outcome. Thanks for the likes and comments and the encouragement to continue. I look forward to studying the Bible with you.
Colossians 3
3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
3:6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
3:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
3:25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
Below is a video which covers Colossians 3.15 and previous verses.
The balancing act of over loving
I grew up in a low income family. Money was tight and luxuries were things you only saw on TV. Birthdays and Christmas were special occasions but never delivered presents like other children talked about at school. I always had food, a roof over my head, and clothes on my back. In my parents’ opinion I had enough and I cannot say I disagree with that observation.
However, I worked hard to rise above that, and I stand today, better off than I was. My children want for nothing and they have never seen the struggles I endured as a child. They have countless snacks in the kitchen to choose from and clothes bursting from their closets. They have multiple pairs of shoes to wear and an electronic device around every corner. The stuffed animals take over their rooms to the point that the only place left to hang them is on the walls. Each time a new toy was presented, it brought huge smiles and polite thank yous.
All sounds picture perfect right? Wrong! Now I am faced with the dilemma of, if I spoil my child they will develop a sense of entitlement and be awful human beings. How is this fair? I want to shower my children with material things and allow them to enjoy all the things I could not. I dreamed of providing my children with a better childhood than I had, and am finally able to provide that kind of lifestyle. How can that be damaging? Late one night, after the kids had gone to sleep and the house was calm, I pondered just that. How do I spoil my children without having a negative impact on their development?
Then I realized, if you don’t have hard times, you cannot truly appreciate the good. If you do not struggle from time to time, you fail to see when times are easy. It is under the pressure of sadness that you reminisce on just how good it once was. If all you know is good times, the first little disaster could be detrimental. How can a child know how to deal with chaos if they have never seen it?
The epiphany changed my way of thinking and gave me a completely different perspective. My childhood may have been tough but my experiences taught me a lot and empowered me to provide better for my children. Not better material possessions but better everything else. Better communication, better problem solving, a more stable environment, emotional regulation, and a safe place to talk. More quality time together, more late night movies, more understanding and empathy.
I realized I was so busy trying to fill the void with earthly things, I failed to notice what matters the most, to raise Christ-centered, confident, morally guided, independent children who are capable of making informed decisions. My children will not remember the presents they received for their 12th birthday, but they will remember the skills and techniques I teach them to navigate the world. The knowledge I share with them essentially becomes the basis for every decision they will ever make in their entire life.
I will not always be here but my words will echo in their minds forever and be passed on for generations. I want those words to ring louder than any doubt that may be in their mind and last longer than any troubled times. I want my children to value time well spent with an aging relative or the kindness of helping someone that they could never repay the favor. I want them to experience the joy of giving to a needy person and how a simple act of kindness can change a person’s whole week. I want them to stand tall on their beliefs and never back down from a challenge. I want them to know that material things rot and fade away but memories and knowledge last forever. I want them to put God first and live life honoring Him, I know all else will follow.
Since then, my focus has changed drastically. Now I strive to equip my children with the knowledge and resources they need to survive in this ruthless world. I teach them how to grow their own food, how to manage money, how to maintain a bank account, how to take responsibility for their actions and how to live a Godly life. I teach them useful skills that traditional schools never speak of and the best way I have found is to lead by example. We are the first line of defense for our children but they also must fight for themselves. The question is are we sending them to battle clothed with the armor of God and a mighty sword in their hands? Or are we sending them naked and armed with butter knives? The choice is ours as parents to make but theirs to reap, choose wisely.
If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be, and why?
If I could be someone else for a day I would choose to be my husband. I would like to be him so I could truly see myself from his perspective. I am told often that I do not see how beautiful I am or just how amazing I am at being a mother. I think if I could see from his eyes I could see what all the fuss is about. I would also see the world from his view and be able to better understand his thoughts and emotions. Doing so would cultivate a deeper and more meaningful connection. How amazing it would be to see the world through my husband’s point of view.
Waves of emotions come crashing in.
I don’t know where my feelings end and others begin.
I just want to run and hide
but I can’t escape what resides inside.
Everyday a fight just to win.
a constant struggle deep within.
I feel the need to say this is not true.
It’s all in my head no need to construe.
I am no different than the next.
I just want attention and that’s the effect.
But no matter how hard I try.
This part of me I can not hide.
Most don’t understand and that’s okay.
They are not forced to feel this day after day.
I can’t expect them to understand.
When they haven’t experienced it first hand.
Happy days are sad and draining. Sad days are bad, and constraining.
Some people say it just depression,
they never stop to question.
Maybe I feel more than most
I can’t help but become engrossed.
It’s a blessing, it’s a burden.
I feel the whole world hurting
But there’s no way to assist.
So I drown in emotions that fill the abyss.
Searching for a way to coexist.
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
Isaiah 40:28 KJV
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Isaiah 40 KJV
No
Isaiah 40
1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins.
3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:
7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.
8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!
10 Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
12 Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
13 Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?
14 With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?
15 Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.
16 And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.
17 All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.
18 To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?
19 The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.
20 He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved.
21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:
23 That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.
24 Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.
25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
27 Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?
28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
