Category Archives: Spiritual practices

Softly and Tenderly #Music

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Will Lamertine Thompson wrote this hymn in 1880. The lyrics are based on Matthew 11:28, which reads, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

“Softly and Tenderly” is Thompson’s best known composition and has been widely translated. It has spread throughout many Christian denominations beyond its origins in the American Restoration Movement and the Churches of Christ, where Thompson was a member.

I hope you find comfort in this lyre arrangement!

Two April Mornings #Poem

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One April morning, breakfast done,
I got an envelope.
O it was big, with rais-ed seal.
Yes! It was what I’d hoped!

My work and study done at last,
At least for there and then.
The Masters I’d committed to
Was in my trembling hand!

I felt just like a waterfall,
My heartbeat loud and hard.
With glad relief I took a breath,
For that ordeal was large!

Another April morn did come,
When some three years had passed.
A rainy car ride ended in
A devastating crash!

No one was badly hurt, but still
I trembled with the shock.
It could have flipped and killed us all;
A big tree made it stop.

With grass stains on my shaking hands,
The medics helped me out.
Skyscraper high, my blood pressure
Was up without a doubt.

We made it safely, four of us,
To hospital and home.
But let’s just say that in a car
I lost my wish to roam!

When I see April mornings now,
Each different as these two,
I try to stop, remembering
The saving Spirit’s truth.

When it’s my time, then I will go,
But then and not before!
So let me, in my life and time,
Sing praises evermore!

—
I got so carried away writing this poem in the style of William Wordsworth’s “The Two April Mornings” that I forgot to include Linda’s
Paint Chip words,
which were the reason for the poem in the first place! So, I went back and added stanzas containing four of them. I guess there really is a first time for everything!

Life Advice to Myself 3TC #Poem

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First and foremost, don’t look back!
You’ve given blood and tears enough.
Keep your cheeky, clever humor;
You’ll need it when the going’s tough.

How you act brings what you flower;
What you grow creates your food.
Threats and fright will gain you nothing;
Give joy for best and highest good!

You’ll be old; remember this.
Be patient once and every time.
You’re not the only one in pain;
So persevere! It’s still your climb!

A rivalry will never start,
Unless there’s combat in your style.
Success is yours from deep within,
As steps become your journey’s miles.

You have a telepathic cord,
Connecting you to everyone.
Unhappy thoughts will transfer too;
So give good will, for All is One!

You may not get your every wish,
But there’s fulfillment for your soul.
Be true to who and what you are!
You’re worthy, loved, important, whole!

—
For this week’s “Take Seven” using all 21 words from
Pensitivity101’s #Threethingschallenge!

Please join us! It’s fun! 😀

Darktober #Poem

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The darkness of the womb I could not stand!
I came three months too early, so they said.
It wasn’t part of anybody’s plan,
Except my own for newborn wings to spread!

I heard much more than most, but could not see.
The darkness of this world I know so well!
They sent me to another family
Wherein the story of my life to tell.

It’s not all dark and dreary, though each year
I feel the light is fading from my mind.
And when my birthday comes, I have no cheer,
For though I cannot see, I am not blind!

I see the hell and hatred of this world
And people feeding into it in droves.
It’s like a battle banner is unfurled.
We truly are the same, yet no one knows…

I’m only one, and one I’ll ever be.
I cannot save another soul at all.
But if, somehow, I find the Light in me,
Then someone else may stumble, but not fall.

I have my music, comforting and sweet,
To keep my mind from reeling in the dark.
And books have always been for me a treat,
An inspiration showing me a spark.

I’d like to think, by sharing who I am,
I could inspire another just the same.
Though heartache brings the tears and bursting dam,
There’s still the Light, and Light is still aflame!

Therefore, I do not ask the dark to go,
For night has all the right of every day.
I only ask, God, through the darkness show
The next step on the path that is my way.

October can be dark and cold and drear!
But by the blaze of Spirit, Light is here!

—
My true life story, told as a dark October theme ballad for
dVerse Poetics.

Blanket of Love #Poem

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Enfolding, embracing
In welcoming warmth,
Protected from judgment,
From sadness and harm;

You’re safely secure
With no struggles about.
No worries and fears,
And you’re happy without!

When you do experience
All of these things,
A blanket of Love
Covers you with its wings!

—
A Quadrille (poem of 44 words exactly that includes some form of the given word) for this week’s
dVerse Prompt, Blanket.

Resistance is Futile #SixSentenceStories

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Whoever said, “Resistance is futile!” was right.

Resistance really is futile, because change is inevitable!

We don’t have to like the deal, but we do have to deal with it.

How we choose to deal with it is what makes change either easy or difficult, good or bad for us; not just the change itself, but the whole transition process involved.

Because transition, too, is inevitable!

There will be bumps in the road, oh yes indeed, but do we ride with them or rail against them–that is the question!

—
For Denise’s “resistance” prompt at
#SixSentenceStories!

When the Saints #Music

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“When the Saints Go Marching In,” often just called “The Saints” or “When the Saints,” needs no introduction. This is good, because its origins are unclear. It’s a Gospel song, an African-American spiritual, and a jazz classic, such is its versatility. I’ve known it to be a campfire song as well.

I hope you enjoy this simple lyre arrangement!