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September 18, 2015

#121.  More Than One Viewpoint

I glanced around at the people on the bus.
Many in this town were quite elderly 
Because it is a popular retirement area.
So with me being a senior, new to the area
I soon became aware of people with walkers
And canes, someone to assist by their side.

Today was different though, it was impactful
So much so that I want to share with you
How a deep compassion, then thankfulness
Ensued my inner being as I simply sat there
And observed, seeing far more than with
The natural eye...it moved me to the core.

The bus stopped.  A lady leaned forward
As her dog stood also as they slowly
Headed for the front door.
Behind her was an elderly man, also with dog
Shaky to walk, stooped over, obviously unsure
As he too steeped forward, with white cane.

That is when I realized both adults were blind.
The dogs were seeing eye dogs to assist.
The bus waited and I watched as there was grass
In a small area just before the sidewalk.
The lady pointed her cane careful, cautiously
And moved carefully forward, simultaneously.

She spoke to the man behind her...often.
It was literally "The Blind Leading The Blind".
The impact on my heart was so profound
As I witnessed them literally inching their way forward.
Oh I wanted to jump off that bus and be their eyes,
Reassure them, help them be confident, encourage them.

Yet they were using the dog, cane, and each other
So as the bus departed...I was only too aware
Though I do not have a seeing eye dog
Or a cane, I now see "Better Than Before"
Thankfulness welled up from within for my vision,
New glasses recently and not having to have cataract surgery.

Those were my praise reports, but today...much more.
I sat on that bus and started to praise God for my health,
For my vision, for healing me physically, emotionally, etc.
And for keeping me cancer free...13 years! (1Peter 2:24)
I prayed for others on the bus that needed healing
And hated how much they've been robbed.

Sickness and disease is not from God,
He said, "My people perish for lack of knowledge."
Many have the mindset that getting older and sickness
Simply go hand in hand so they accept it
Run to the doctor, get their prescription
And try to cope as they accept deterioration and mediocrity.

Not me.  I fight for my health, maintaining it, resist sickness.
My heart went out to every person on that bus 
As I prayed for them with new compassion.
I was surprised when the Lord... 
The Holy Spirit revealed to me
What they see...when they look at me.

Eye glasses, and I get around easily without wavering
So they see me as someone with no problems.
The Holy Spirit sees within and He revealed to me
What He sees that they do NOT.
Due to lung surgery when I had cancer 13 years ago
2/3 of one lung...was removed surgically.


To have the Lord communicate to me in such an intimate way
Birthed more thankfulness and praise for my health
And for our personal relationship, He's with me always.
I am so blessed, how about you?
If you want to birth some thankfulness, compassion...
Take a bus ride!

Any town anywhere and it won't be long
Before you find someone who needs your prayers.
Your eyes will turn from self and your problems
As you become a vessel God can use effectively
Because a heart housing Jesus
Is a heart that loves people.  Do you?

Incidentally, two other ladies sat side by side
Opposite me, one with her cheek enlarged
Three times normal size, possible tumor.
She was smiling crookedly as she spoke
And I looked her in the eyes and smiled back.
One moment of connection, acceptance...

Not rejection, not head down, not avoidance.
I saw her fight to live, her healthy attitude,
Heard her compliment the lady next to her.
She to me is a hero...an overcomer, in her 80's.
So my little bus trip was a birthing trip
For thankfulness and compassion today.

I won't forget this day...I am so blessed.
So impacted that I wanted to share with you
And pray you are impacted accordingly.
People need the Lord and people need people.
Lets be effective as we reach out, solve problems.
What we do for others God will do for us...Covenant.

Written By:  Linda Lou Jones
                     Glory to God
                     09.18.15
Galatians 6:9 "Let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not."


August 25, 2015

#119.  Can You Relate?

After months of missing the mark
Shall we say...meaning not blogging
I got back on track
Today.
Three blogs later
Just getting into the groove
Interruption, distraction, company...
Attempts to refocus
Did not resurrect a new topic
Nor did the desire to write
Get resurrected either.
Creativity apparently withdrew
Only to park itself who knows where.
Suffice to say next time I blog
If the door bell or phone rings
I won't give a care.
Focus focus focus intently...
Is not an option, but a must
If creativity is to be birthed:
BLOG...or BUST!

Written By:  Linda Lou Jones
                     Glory To God.


#118.  THINKING...JUST THINKING

Did you ever look back at a cute dog
That was looking at you
And find yourself thinking:
"I wonder when he is thinking..."
Dogs have emotions, obviously
So the wagging of his taiil
Or lack thereof
Is one clue to his state
Yet with humans...
How does this relate?

Some humans never speak to you
Yet their eyes reveal so much
Mirror to the soul indeed
Easy to see wholeness
Or a heart that does bleed.
Twinkles reflect happiness, joy
Sorrow and grief also easy to see
If you were 'reading self' today, "me"
Specifically, what...
Would you see?

Written By:  Linda Lou Jones
                     Glory to God.
                     08.25.15
#117  A BROADER SCOPE

I MUST BE GETTING OLDER AND WISER.
I SEE THINGS FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
THAN I SAW YEARS AGO.
FOR EXAMPLE:
WHEN SOMEONE ADDRESSES A CROWD
AND ADDRESSES EVERYONE AS IF THEY ALL HAVE FAMILY
MORE THAN LIKELY, THAT IS NOT SO.
IN MOST CROWDS THERE IS USUALLY SOMEONE
WHO DOES NOT HAVE A FAMILY
TO SPEND CHRISTMAS WITH
OR THANKSGIVING, BIRTHDAYS, ETC.
HOW DO I KNOW?
BECAUSE I LOVED WITHOUT ANY FAMILY AT ALL NEARBY.
THE CLOSEST ONE WAS 1600 MILES AWAY.
YET I AM CERTIAN I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE ALONE.

THE ALONENESS DID NOT GET TO ME
BECAUSE I HAVE JESUS; WE DINE TOGETHER.
HE IS THE GREATEST CONVERSATIONALIST
HE IS THERE ALL THE TIME.
HE NEVER MISSES A MEAL
THOUGH HE DOESN'T EAT MUCH. HE MAKES ME LAUGH.
HE MAKES ME FEEL LOVED.
HE KNOWS WHEN TO SPEAK
AND WHEN TO BE STILL.
I FEEL HIS LOVE
THOUGH I CAN'T SEE HIS FACE.
I KNOW HE IS WITH ME ALWAYS
BECAUSE I DO NOT WALK AWAY FROM HIM.
I CHOOSE TO STAY CLOSE.
I ENJOY OUR COMMUNION
SO WHY AM I WRITING ABOUT BEING ALONE,
BEING WITHOUT FAMILY?
TO ENLIGHTENN SOME PEOPLE OF THIS FACT:

IN A CONGREGATION SOMEONE IS GRIEVING
OVER THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE...
SOMEONE ELSE IS LONELY.
SOMEONE ELSE IS HURTING, NEEDS A FRIEND,
SOMEONE ELSE IS FULL OF JOY
THAT NEEDS TO BE SPREAD AROUND.
SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS AN INVITATION OUT.
SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE HOSPITABLE.
SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS A HUG.
SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS FINANCIAL HELP.
SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS A VEHICLE.
SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS SOME FURNITURE.
SOMEONE HAS A NEED OF SOME KIND.
SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS SOME COMPASSION.
SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS MERCY AND GRACE.
SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS TO SLOW DOWN,
TAKE TIME TO BE STILL...LISTEN TO GOD...
SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS TO TESTIFY...
SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS TO SING A SONG.
SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS TO SHARE A WORD.
SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS TO OPEN THEIR HEART
INVITE JESUS IN...
SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
WITH THE EVIDENCE OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES.
SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS CLEAR DIRECTION
SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE.
SOMEONE SOMEWHERE, WHETHER BESIDE YOU
IN FRONT OF YOU OR BEHIND YOU...HAS A NEED

HAVE YOU ASKED GOD WHO YOU COULD BLESS?
HAVE YOU ASKED GOD HOW YOU CAN HELP SOMEONE?
DO YOU COME TO CHURCH THINKING OF OTHERS
OR HOW YOU CAN BE OF ASSISTANCE TO THEM
OR DO YOU COME TO RECEIVE ONLY?
WHERE IS YOUR FOCUS?
IS IT ON OTHERS, OR ON SELF?
IS THE HOLY SPIRIT ABLE TO GUIDE YOU,
SPEAK TO YOU, NUDGE YOU
OR ARE YOU SENSITIVE TO HIS WAYS...
HE IS YOUR TEACHER, COMFORTER, GUIDE.
HE WANTS YOU TO HAVE PEACE AND IN CHRIST, ABIDE.
YOU CAN NOT DO IT ALL ALONE. 
SO WHETHER YOU HAVE LOTS OF FAMILY OR NONE
BE AWARE SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE HAS A NEED...
YOU JUST MIGHT BE THE PERSON GOD WILL USE
TO HELP THEIR HEART NOT BLEED.

YOU MAY HAVE TO GO OUT OF YOUR WAY.
YOU MAY HAVE YOUR SCHEDULE INTERRUPTED.
YOU MAY HAVE TO CURB IMPULSIVE BUYING
SO YOU CAN OUTFIT ANOTHER...
WHO  HAS A NEED.
YOU MAY HAVE TO SHARE YOUR PHONE
BLESS SOMEONE WITH A LONG DISTANCE CALL
YOU MAY HAVE A CHANCE TO SHARE BOOKS
OR RECIPES, OR POEMS, WHATEVER.
IF YOU ARE BUSY WITH A LARGE FAMILY
INVITING ONE PEROSN WOULD NOT INCONVENIENCE YOU
AND WOULD BE SUCH A BLESSING TO THAT PEROSN
WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE BE ALONE.
IT JUST TAKES A MINUTE TO BE THOUGHTFUL.
I'VE BEEN ON THE RECEIVING END A LOT.
I HAVE BEEN ON THE GIVING END TOO.
THAT IS WHY I CAN WRITE WHAT I DO.
I HAVE LIVED IT.
WHAT I SAY IS TRUE.
IT IS SO EASY TO BE SELFISH.
ASK GOD TO REVEAL IF YOU NEED TO ADJUST.
THE MORE  YOU LET HIM CHANGE YOU
THE MORE EFFECTIVELY HE CAN USE YOU
AND THE BROADER THE MINISTRY.
TO HAVE TUNNEL VISION
BRINGS MUCH LIMITATION.
DOING THINGS GOD'S WAY
MEANS TAKING THE LIMIT OFF.
WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.
PRAISE THE LORD.
WHEN HE...GIVES YOU A VISION
HE WILL WORK IT ALL OUT!

Written by Linda Lou Jones.
            Glory to God.
#116  HARNESS THIS 

I hear fresh rain drops splashing on the sidewalk, washing green, green, grass this morning.
Heaven's provision for earth to receive nurturing …
Proof the soil received... is growth of each blade of grass
Followed by mowing it again and again and again
As the sun shines then more rain.
Cycles, repetition, life evolving before my eyes daily, hourly, minute by minute
Until suddenly everything stops, seems to stand still.
Because my spirit man knows deep within it will not be this way forever and ever and ever. No.

Time can be taken for granted
Pages of a calendar are turned too quickly
Life can pass by to those not conscious of time
And the importance of investing time wisely
Because time is currency.
Few think of it as such but it is true.
The employed... trade time for money.
They are paid for solving problems.

Think about the last 24 hours.
What did you produce?
How did you use those minutes, moments, hours?
Was your mind stimulated,?
Did you learn new things?
Solve problems for others?
Receive from the Lord?
Hopefully...yes. :))


Written By:  Linda Lou Jones.
    8.25.15