Check this book out!
THANK YOU JOURNAL
Gifts. So many of them. Sometimes I miss them because I am not looking. I took the challenge from the Christian writer, Ann Voskamp to find 1000 gifts from our Creator God. This is my “Thank You Journal”. I list my gifts and find I have lots to be thankful for. They aren’t major gifts. One day it was a sunny day after a lot of winter days. Another day it was simply peanut butter or half a grapefruit. Some days it is that I feel really good or I don’t hurt. I have given thanks for water that comes to my house so easily when I have read that clean water is available in some countries. My grandchildren, my car running despite many miles on it, a hot cup of coffee, a day at home after a busy week are all marvelous gifts. The other day I wrote tacos. I had been wanting to have tacos but since I live alone, I wouldn’t be able to buy just enough make only one meal. When I was at my daughter’s the other day, they had tacos for dinner and I got to stay.
I have made a commitment to put down five things I am thankful for every day. It may seem silly to some that I write down these simple things as gifts. But doing that reminds me that God is interested in even the little events of my life. When things aren’t going well, they remind me that God is there and He is taking care of me. In the really bad times which we all go through, I can have peace.
This isn’t the first Thank You Journal I have kept. But it is the prettiest and probably the least expensive. But inside are words of gold. So I add, thank you, Father in Heaven, that you give me gifts that show me you care. Not big ones most of the time, but small ones I can tuck into my heart. I love you.
EASTER
A few months ago, we celebrated Christmas–God incarnate, coming in the flesh as a baby. How neat to celebrate that time!
But now the baby is grown. He has died. He has risen. He is alive. I celebrate because I have life in Him, beginning when I came to believe in Him and accept His lordship, to go through eternity! So I celebrate. I have hope!
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you when he was still with you in Galilee?”
(Luke 24:5, 6)
THE TRUTH BE TOLD
The truth be told we’re tied to sin.
Iniquity, transgression tell the truth
of our lives. Sin tosses us bare bones for
life but death is our reward and takes our hope.
But One from heaven took human form and lived
in total submission to His Father, defeating
death and delivering deliverance to those
who choose His life. The truth be told,
our ties to sin are demolished.
Life is transformed.
We have hope.
(2018)
DEATH HAS LOST ITS STING
Rejoice! for death has lost its sting.
The grave is empty, for the King
no longer lies in chains of death.
He is alive, defeated death.
This living King will soon one day
rule earth and heaven in righteous way.
No longer will the evil stain
what God has made, for Christ will reign.
(2018)
OF MOTHERS AND CHILDREN (pt. 3)
Children are a gift from the Lord.
MY CHILD
Mischief, wrapped in skin, and innocence,
fingers terrorizing dog and cat
hands tearing all apart, leaving
shreds of everything all through the house
feet that carry her to hiding places
far from searching mother’s eyes and ears
turning mother’s once-dark hair to gray.
Angel child, with auburn, bouncy curls
big brown eyes and smiles that light the dark
kisses bringing laughter through the clouds.
Mystery of life and love, asleep,
Cuddled in my arms, next to my heart.
(2005)
NEW BABY BROTHER
My sons, Aidan, four, and Gareth, age one,
Were soon to be joined by another.
One day I asked Aidan, “What do you think
Of having a new baby brother?”
He looked up at me with his bright cheery smile.
“That’s cool,” said my little blond son.
He paused for a moment, his eyebrows went up.
“Hey, Mom, can we keep the old one?”
(2004)
Meowls
Visit this site for a laugh!
Meowls
OF MOTHERS AND CHILDREN (pt 2)
Children are a gift from the Lord. 
The poetry book continues.
JUDAH AND THE CHEERIOS
“Cheerios. They taste so good.
I’ll put them in my mouth.
And such a pretty box they’re in.”
So now, the box goes south.
And all the little Cheerios,
Which graced the rug they sat on
No longer round and whole,
They grace the rug they’re ground in.
(2005)
A DOLL FOR DARLA
Five dollars and 100 one-ounce Mr. Peanut bags
for a Mr. Peanut doll,
a cloth peanut with arms and legs
and just enough polyester
to make him little more than a pancake.
Black stove pipe hat perched on his head,
monacle over one eye,
the image of Mr. Peanut
just not as handsome—
a gift for eighteen month old Darla.
A toddler’s sparkling eyes, a quick hug,
and off to play with her new toy.
Proudly he rides Wonder Horse,
the golden plastic stallion,
pencil arms sticking out,
pencil legs straddling his mount,
head held high,
looking straight ahead with the face on his front
and behind with the face on his back
as Darla wheels them around the room
Bedtime, end of ride.
The most beautiful doll in the world
rests in the arms of his mama—
a deal for 100 one-ounce Mr. Peanut bags
and five dollars.
(2005)
OF MOTHERS AND CHILDREN
Children are a blessing from the Lord.
They are messy and noisy and expensive but I love having children around–especially my grandchildren. When a society has few children, it grows old. And selfish. God loves children and teaches us through them. And so, I put together a book of some of my poems about children and their moms. Some of the poems are older ones, but there will be more recent ones. I will post them in several postings. Hope they bless you!
BUTTERFLY WINGS
Under my heart, butterfly wings
whisper that love has brought life.
My fingers caress the nest where you grow,
tucked safely under my heart.
Under my heart, butterfly wings
whisper that I am now two.
My body is home to a being not me,
tucked safely under my heart.
Under my heart, butterfly wings
whisper my life is now full.
My arms ache to hold this dear butterfly
tucked safely under my heart.
Under my heart, butterfly wings
whisper of what life will be.
What will you bring to me, dear butterfly,
when you are not under my heart?
(2004)
SHH!
Shh! You’ll wake the baby.
Not many months ago
We didn’t have to hush.
He would waken to our voices
But, secure in his nest,
He would disturb only his mother,
Turning somersaults,
Dancing on her bladder.
Then he would go back to sleep,
Lulled by the sway of her tummy,
Or maybe he’d just suck his thumb.
(2000)
PEACE ON EARTH
Christmas. The angels proclaimed Christ’s birth with joyful songs and “peace on earth, good will to men!” But do we see that? There is no peace on earth. There are wars and rumors of war. Terrorists threaten everyone. There are lonely, grieving people. Death touches so many lives. What do we have to rejoice about?
But we misunderstand the peace God offers to man. When Adam sold the world into sin and Satan’s power, the relationship with God was broken and there was no peace on earth. Ever since, man has been at war with God, wanting to run their own lives, and finding frustration and unrest, not peace. Because Jesus (who is God) came to earth, lived, died, and rose again, he restored man’s relationship with God and through the relationship with Jesus. Even though everything about me is chaos and in tatters, I can have peace with God, true peace. And I rejoice. I have life with God, not just now, but for eternity.
BECAUSE OF LOVE
Glory could not hold him
when love called out his name
His Father bade him change his
clothes of glory’s reign.
The Son of God left heaven
to don a servant’s life
to dress in human skin to
serve those lost to strife.
Because of love he suffered;
because of love he died.
Because of love he rose that
with God we could abide.
Hello again!
The year marches on and we find life takes detours we would rather not take. But God is good and gives peace in the midst of those detours! I am hoping to become a regular on WordPress again as my life takes on more normalcy. Now as I approach Christmas and a New Year, I am grateful that God became a man to bring life and peace to men. May He bring life and peace to you this season.
WHO IS THIS JESUS?
Who is this Jesus, He who came
to earth from heav’n in human garb,
proclaimed Himself as one with God,
and died for men. Against men’s barbs
of unbelief, He called himself,
“I am”—the name of God, the One
Creator God who made all things
that now exist. He is the Son,
and He is God who rules all things.
When time is done, His righteousness
will rule and all will bend the knee
for He will end all wickedness.
Who is this Jesus, He who came
to earth from heav’n in human form
to bring true life to men on earth,
to give to all a bright new morn.
Darlene Estlow©2017
Happy 241st Birthday!
We have just celebrated the 241st birthday of our country, the United States of America. She is not perfect, but she has done much good and I love her. One of my favorite songs is God Bless America.
God bless America,
Land that I love,
Stand beside her and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above;
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam,
God bless America,
My home, sweet home.
God bless America,
My home, sweet home.
One of the things I am especially thankful for is our Constitution. It has allowed such freedom for 241 years. What a blessing.
The first amendment is the guarantee to practice our religion without interference. It says: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Some are trying to say that this amendment puts a wall between the state and the free exercise of religion. They take that from a letter Thomas Jefferson, third president, wrote. I am saddened that they misunderstand this amendment and try to stop our freedom to speak publicly about things we believe!
I am very thankful that God has blessed us with such a marvelous document as our Constitution.
darlenescorner 