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Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio
Click here to enlarge
“In Him was life; and the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness;
and the darkness comprehended it not." John 1: 4-5
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Steiger International/David Pierce’s punk music goes where conventional missionaries can’t.
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WANTED LIVING STONES NEWS
—Professional or para professional photographers to help with photography needs.
Stipend paid per photo.
VOLUNTEERS
–Proofreaders. Good English skills needed.
Call Publisher Corinne Scott at (605) 336-6870 or
e-mail.
ADVERTISING SALESPERSONS WANTED:
—Want to earn extra cash each month? Come sell advertising for growing Christian newspaper ministry. Paid commissions.
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Poems: Poems - (June, 2007)
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Afternoon Visit
By Vivian Schneider (Mitchell, S.D.)
You say you'll live for Me,
and that you want My glory.
Yet, I give not without condition.
My response is to heart's contrition.
You see...
Faith is what moves Me,
and the Pure who will see Me.
Holiness holds My Presence,
Sweet Savor of My Essence.
Only then you'll see My Glory.
Yea, even then you'll BE My Glory.
For on you I'll gently pour My Rain,
Glistening, Crown of Anointing,
Rich Abundance Overflowing
not one can contain! |
My Heart’s Desire
By Lori Poppinga (Rock Rapids, Iowa)
I long to long for Christ
Deep down inside
In the inner most part
Of my life
Not just on the surface
For show
But down in my heart
Where I’ll grow
I need to need Him
For my daily bread
Deep down in my heart
Not just in my head
To know, really know,
He’s sustainer of all
And all on my own
I will fall
I desire to desire His Word
All day long
Where the praise of my heart
Overflows in a song
The words of my mouth
Honestly reflect
Christ in my life
In every respect |
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Posted by admin on Tuesday, May 22 @ 00:00:00 CDT (662 reads)
(Read More... | Score: 5)
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Poems: Poems - (December, 2006)
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Pray Instead
By Denise O’Hara (Duluth, Minn.)
Do not pray for your life to be easy,
for all of its aspects to be light and breezy;
Pray instead for the strength that you need to go on –
pray for hope and for courage and the will to be strong.
Do not pray for your troubles to end –
for burdens to simply disappear ‘round the bed’;
Pray instead for the insight to see that your story –
its trials and triumphs – will reveal God’s glory.
Do not pray that you’ll never feel sad,
that you’ll never be hurt, that you’ll always be glad;
Pray instead to grow from your hurt and your pain,
to know that with sunshine there also is rain.
Do not pray for your road to be straight –
to not have some stop signs or unopened gates;
Pray instead for the courage to keep striving ahead –
to keep on with your journey – to keep on step by step.
More often than not we ask God to remove
the things that he sends for our own greater good;
We see in part, and dimly at best,
God sees the whole picture, and what we’ll possess.
We’ll gain more compassion, more wisdom and love;
through our pain all these traits we’ll possess more of;
Our lives will become reflections of His,
And our hearts will be filled with all that God is.
“This then is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be
Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in
heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also
have forgiven our debtors. And Lead us not into temptation, but deliver
us from the evil one.”
Matthew 6:9-13
Denise M. O’Hara
1805 Tyrol Street
Duluth, MN 55811
(218)721-4076
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I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ
this year
Author Unknown
I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below;
With tiny lights, like heaven’s stars reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular please wipe away that tear;
For I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I hear many Christmas songs that people hold so dear;
But the sounds of music can’t compare with the Christmas choir up here!
For I have no words to tell you the joy their voices bring;
For it is beyond description to hear as angels sing.
I can’t tell you the splendor or the peace here in this place;
Can you just imagine Christmas with our Savior, face to face?
So please let your hearts be joyful and let your Spirit sing;
For I’m spending Christmas in heaven and I’m walking with the King!
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The Lord’s Presence
By Barb Wigg
“What presents are you asking for?”
My friends keep asking me.
They speak of the side of Christmas
I don’t take too seriously.
Presents. . . presents. . . presents. . .
Maybe not the kind they mean.
For the kind of PRESENCE that I want
Is beyond what can be seen.
I want the PRESENCE of the Father,
God Himself within my soul.
I want the PRESENCE of His Holy Spirit
To keep my life under His control.
I want the PRESENCE of the Savior Jesus
Standing in my place,
That I may join the realm of Heaven
As God invites me with His grace.
All this PRESENCE costs me nothing.
It’s absolutely free!
But it cost my Savior everything, because
He gave His life for me.
PRESENCE… PRESENCE… PRESENCE…
Better presents I’ll never find,
For the Lord has given me everything,
And offers it to all mankind.
Take advantage of God’s PRESENCE.
Better presents you’ll never receive.
All you need to get it
Is to call on Him and believe.
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Posted by admin on Monday, November 27 @ 23:00:00 CST (732 reads)
(Read More... | Score: 0)
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Poems: Poems - (October, 2006)
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It’s Raining Leaves (Poem)
By Denise O'Hara
It’s raining leaves!
Oh, not just one!
I think there is......
At least a ton!
It’s raining leaves!
One, two, three, four!
I think there is......
A million more!
It’s raining leaves!
Green, yellow, red!
Look out below!
They’ll hit your head!
It’s raining leaves!
Let’s rake them up,
And pile them high!
Get ready, jump!
It’s raining leaves!
The clouds appear.
It’ s raining leaves!
Yes, Fall is here!
"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God
stands forever."
Isaiah 40:8 NIV
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I've got a runny nose!
By Denise O'Hara
I've got a runny nose!
It never seems to stop!
I wipe it with a tissue;
I've used three boxes up!
I've got a runny nose.
I blow and blow some more.
I need a box of tissue;
Oh! Now I've used up four!
I've got a runny nose.
I sniffle, snort, and sneeze.
Oh, dear! It's running faster now!
Quick! Pass the tissue, please.
What?! There is no tissue left
For my runny nose?
But it's running, running, running
Faster than a garden hose!
Oh, let me look all through the house
To see what I can find;
Oh, no, I can't use that stuff!
That stuff's for my behind!
I've got a runny nose.
I've rested like I should.
I've taken all my medicine.
I think I'm feeling good.
I had a runny nose.
It finally, finally stopped.
But instead of feeling better,
My runny nose is all plugged up!
And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well.
James 5:15a |
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Posted by admin on Tuesday, September 26 @ 00:00:00 CDT (732 reads)
(Read More... | Score: 0)
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Poems: Poems - (July, 2006)
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You can’t imagine this pain
By Steven Williams
You can’t imagine this pain
The emptiness that remains.
The love that should be gained.
The advancement, but no change.
When my soul fell like rain.
When the world reached out in vain.
But You, You never move in vain.
You were there to shield me from the rain.
When You took my life to change.
It’s Your love that I had gained.
And this truth now remains:
You bore all my pain.
So when times are strange
Or when they feel the same
I can call upon Your Name-
And see how You surpass
All the glory I could ask
And all the beauty I could grasp.
When I fall on my face.
I begin to embrace
Your mighty, wondrous ways
And Your glorious grace.
And then You take me in Your flow
Of Your love that all should know.
When I rise up off the floor,
You lift my soul and make me soar.
And when I’m lost in Your embrace.
I feel You fill this place.
Though some people refuse change
I’m glad that You remain the same.
And I’m glad for that day
When my life You took and claimed.
So let two things now remain:
Both Your praise
And Your Name.
Steve Williams, 25, is a senior at the College of St. Scholastica. He attends
Living Faith International and is one of the percussionists on the praise and
worship team. Williams said, “I think part of the reason for this particular
poem is to shine the power, love and light of God to the readers.”
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Dance of Deception
By Allison McPeak
The Dance of Deception … began to play
the moment I started walking your way
It’s the dance of deception …
won’t you join me, my dear
As I softly lie all you’ve wanted to hear
I possess all you’ve ever wanted to see
but remember my darling, it’s just fantasy
so … you would like to dance!
Let our dance begin, as I stoke the fire
of passion within
My lie is your truth …
and my love you believe, but
remember my darling … I’ve come to deceive
Let us dance through the night …
and the rest of our days, you see
My heart is true, it’s yours that betrays!
You believed my lie that was truly spoken
The dance of deception … is a promise to be broken!
Authors Comments: I wrote this poem about a relationship that I was involved
in, I knew something was wrong, but I didn’t know what it was or why I felt the
way I did. When one is being deceived, it is very difficult to understand why
someone would be lying to you. After much grief and no answers, I prayed that
the Lord would show me the truth about the situation I was in. I sat down and
started to write what the Holy Spirit was showing me as I was praying, He showed
it to me in the form of a dance and said: “This is what happens when the Master
of Temptation asks you to join in the Dance of Deception.”
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A reflection on Matthew 11:28
By Denise O’Hara
Whenever you’re weary,
Whenever you’re down,
Let God carry your burden;
Let Him carry it now.
Is the weight of your problems
Getting harder to bear?
Ask our Father to help you,
Ask Him in prayer
Are you hurting inside
With no strength to go on?
Ask God for His strength;
When we’re weak, He is strong.
Has someone betrayed you?
Have you taken a fall?
Ask God for His love,
He hears when you call.
Our life on this earth
is no easy road,
But ask God for His help,
And He’ll lighten your load.
He cares when you’re hurting,
He cares when you’re down,
Give your heartaches to Him;
Let Him carry you now.
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28
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Posted by admin on Tuesday, June 27 @ 00:00:00 CDT (733 reads)
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Poems: Poems - (June, 2006)
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Crystal Meth
Written by an inmate at Lino Lakes Correctional Facility
I destroy homes
I tear families apart,
I take your children
And that’s just the start.
I’m more valued than diamonds
More precious than gold
The sorrow I bring
Is a sorrow to behold
If you need me, remember,
I’m easily found.
I live all around you
In schools and in town.
I live with the rich,
I live with the poor.
I live down the street,
And maybe next door.
I’m made in a a lab,
But, not one like you’d think.
I can even be made
Under your kitchen sink.
Or in your child’s closet
And even in the woods.
If this scares you to death,
It certainly should.
I have many names
But, only one you’ll know best
I’m sure you’ve heard of me
My name is Crystal Meth
My power is awesome
Try me and you’ll see.
But, if you do
You might never break free.
Just try me once.
And I might let you go.
But, if you try me twice,
Then I own your soul.
I’ll take everything from you,
Even your good looks and pride.
I’ll be with you always,
Right there by your side.
You’ll give up everything,
Your family, your home
Your money, your friends,
And you’ll be all A’LONE
I’ll take and I’ll take,
Till you have no more to give,
When I’m finished with you,
You’ll be lucky to live.
If you try me, be warned
This is not a game.
If I’m given a chance,
I’ll drive you insane.
I’ll ravage your body,
I’ll control your mind.
I’ll own you completely,
Your soul will be mine!!!
The nightmares I’ll give you,
When you finally lay in your bed.
The voices you’ll hear
From inside your head.
The shakes and the sweats,
The visions you think you see,
I want you to know,
All these gifts are from me.
By then, its too late,
And you know in your heart,
That you are now mine,
And we shall not part.
You’ll regret that you tried me,
They always do.
But, you came to me,
Not I to you.
You knew this would happen,
How many times you’ve been told.
But, you challenged my power
You chose to be bold.
You could have said no!
Then walked away.
If you could live that day over,
Now, what would you say?
My power is awesome,
As I told you before.
I can take your mother,
And turn her into a whore.
I’ll be your master,
You do as I say,
Even when I tell you,
To go to your grave.
Now, that you’ve met me,
What will you do?
Will you try me or not
It’s all up to you.
I can show you more misery,
Than words can tell,
Come, take my hand
Let me lead you to Hell!
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Posted by admin on Monday, May 22 @ 21:44:48 CDT (818 reads)
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