Giving Thanks Is Not Just For Thanksgiving Day

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

PSALM 138

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

I thank you, Lord, with all my heart;

I sing praise to you before the gods.

I face your holy Temple,

bow down, and praise your name

because of your constant love and faithfulness,

because you have shown that your name

and your commands are supreme.

You answered me when I called to you;

with your strength you strengthened me.

All the kings in the world will praise you, Lord,

because they have heard your promises.

They will sing about what you have done

and about your great glory.

Even though you are so high above,

you care for the lowly,

and the proud cannot hide from you.

When I am surrounded by troubles,

you keep me safe.

You oppose my angry enemies

and save me by your power.

You will do everything you have promised;

Lord, your love is eternal.

Complete the work that you have begun.

thanks

Developing an attitude of gratitude is a daily practice.

Choose joy by being thankful every day.

Much Love To You All,

L.A. Knowles

O Technology, Why oh why do you vex me so?!

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

technology<Well I came pretty close to this…

Technology and I are having one rocky relationship right now.  It’s actually a love-hate relationship especially when I’m trying to figure out what on earth is going on just on the other side of the screen…  And then I think to myself, “How is it possible technology is making me feel completely inferior when it is a stupid inanimate object that right now seems to be the bane of my existence for the moment?”

While technology is wonderful and has its advantages, there are moments I would like to knock it upside the back of its head like this woman is doing in the picture.  Yeah, Ma’am, I couldn’t have expressed myself any better…  especially since I don’t want to destroy my computer because buying another one would require I give up cash, and at the moment, I really don’t want to.

 

 

 

Does He Know Your Name?

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

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One does NOT inherit Christianity, and one cannot get into Heaven riding on someone else’s coattails. There’s a choice that must be made. The book of John tells us TO ALL WHO BELIEVED AND ACCEPTED HIM, to them, He gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12).

As children of God, we are called to live righteous and holy lives, not to live as the world does. We’re in this world, but we’re NOT of this world because this world is a temporary home, a place we’re only traveling through; and we’re chosen to bear fruit, walking the walk, not just making claims but actually living the life. We must keep in mind our faith needs to be backed up by actions, walking in obedience to God who has chosen us to be His own. It is not enough to make claims. If we love God, we’ll obey Him. We’re called to bear good fruit such as helping our fellow man/woman, encouraging one another, following the examples Christ has given us.  May we always be His hand extended.

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’” -Matthew 7:21-23

Much Love To You All,

 

L.A. Knowles

Well, I’ve Had It… JUST VOTE

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

Ah, the right to vote!  Just dandy… I can’t wait for Election Day to get here so I don’t have to read about all the insane campaign melodramatics.  Trying to stay informed with the smearing in every article has gotten tedious and downright foolish.  It’s as if I’m reading the chronicles of mudslinging on an elementary school playground.

vote-4One of the rights you have as a citizen of the United States of America is the right to vote.  However, the irony is we have the right to vote, and there are those who are determined and have minds made up not to vote.   You’re a citizen, and you should, therefore, take part in the process.  Stop neglecting your right to vote.  It’s also a responsibility we have to the future of our country and to the current generation.

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I get it.  Personally, I would like a campaign year do-over.  It has been one wild and crazy ride.

I find myself with an overwhelming responsibility as a Christian to get out and vote.  I’m not so much voting for the person, but I’m looking at the platform.  In other words, if you cannot decide who to vote for, then the question is “Which platform best reflects your morals and ethics,” or if you’re a Christian, “Which platform best reflects Biblical beliefs and lines up with Godly morality.”

I’m not foolish to believe everyone lives by the morals and ethics I live by which is why I have thought about both questions.  Yes, we can protest.  Yes, we can shout and scream.  Is it realistic for you to believe your vote does not count?  Is it realistic for you to believe as a citizen of the USA that it’s not your responsibility to vote?  IF YOU DON’T VOTE, OTHERS ARE VOTING TO ELECT SOMEONE WHO WILL GOVERN THIS NATION WITHOUT YOUR SAY (YOUR VOTE) IN THE MATTER.  Do you really want others choosing for you?  Because if you don’t vote, you’ve basically handed over your say to someone else by not going to the polls and voting.  If you are able bodied and not bothering to vote come this November, in my opinion, that’s being lazy and shirking your responsibility. Even USA citizens overseas have gone through the trouble of obtaining their absentee ballots and are sending in their absentee ballots in order to have a say in who gets elected as well as exercising their right to vote.

Educate yourself on the Democratic Platform, Republican Platform, and the Libertarian Platform.  Do the research.

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Get all the information you can, make a decision, and go vote on November 8, 2016.

Don’t let others speak for you.

Let your voice be heard through your vote.

The Toxic Friend

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

THE TOXIC FRIEND

Written By Linda A. Knowles

toxic-1

She brought up past sins,

from those long ago days,

a time from the past;

and I saw her ways.

toxic-2

A friendship so toxic,

and it finally fell apart;

But it felt for me,

a yoke,

that broke;

and no more dart-like words,

to smack me in the face,

for towards the very end,

the friendship was covered with oleander,

concealed by pretty lace.

Toxic 4.jpeg

It took its toll,

discouraging words,

background trolls,

broken promises,

so many no’s.

toxic-3

The spouting of a familiar phrase,

One I would often hear her say,

“I didn’t do anything wrong,”

and fault fell to me,

even when it was hers,

constantly-

always-

apologizing,

endlessly.

toxic-5

Continually,

I was saying,

“I’m sorry for…”

seemingly all the time;

but she claimed no part.

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How she got all innocent;

to this day,

I still don’t know;

But,

more and more,

I understand,

as time goes on and on.

toxic-6

Just Mangia!

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

Saying the word “diet” in an Italian Home is like saying the “F” word.  It will NEVER go over well.  “Have you considered baking the veal cutlets in the oven, Mama?”  “I cook the veal cutlets in the fry pan with olive oil.  It’s healthy.”

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You sit down at the table and see it’s covered with food already but more is coming.  Right now it’s simply covered with the antipasto, cold cuts, soup, and salad for appetizers… Italian rolls, Italian bread (pre-sliced of course)…

Any attempt to mention the word “diet” will never go over very well.  “You too thin!  Mangia!”  But Mama…..  You might as well stop.  Don’t try to convince Mama.  She’ll give you the look.  You know the look, the look that sends a million icicles piercing through you as she puts an overfilled plate in front of you.  “Be quiet!  Mangia!”

Great!  Let’s eat!  So you eat, but wait, there are several other entrees coming out.  You need to make room in your stomach for the other food.   Bring out the Eggplant Parmigiana, Pasta Alfredo, Chicken Cacciatore!  Chicken Marsala, Anyone?!  And let’s not forget the lasagna.  Bring out the pasta with clams and clam sauce!  Bring out every fat-filled, extravagantly tasty food!  “We got tiramisu for dessert.”  Don’t forget the Italian pastry, but isn’t there enough food?  “Got to make sure we got enough food for everyone.  We’ll send people home with food.  Don’t you worry.  Now go get the cannoli out of the refrigerator  and put it on the table.”  Wait!  We haven’t finished dinner!  “DO WHAT I SAID!”  No arguing with Mama.  Just get the cannoli out of the refrigerator.

wrecking-ball-1And by the time you leave the house to do whatever you have to do, you’ll have to be rolled out, or it may feel as if you are going to explode.

However, there is a bright side to all of this:    Even though you may have to roll yourself out the door or break down a wall to get out of your house,  AT LEAST YOU WON’T STARVE.

A Peck of Gold By Robert Frost

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

~ONE OF MY FAVORITE POEMS BY ROBERT FROST~

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A PECK OF GOLD

Written By Robert Frost

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Dust always blowing about the town,
Except when sea-fog laid it down,
And I was one of the children told
Some of the blowing dust was gold.
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All the dust the wind blew high
Appeared like god in the sunset sky,
But I was one of the children told
Some of the dust was really gold.
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Such was life in the Golden Gate:
Gold dusted all we drank and ate,
And I was one of the children told,
‘We all must eat our peck of gold.’

Rawest of Moments – That’s Where God Can Work

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

RAWEST OF MOMENTS

Written By Linda A. Knowles

broken-heart-2

Heart Broken, Spirit Crushed, Soul Torn Asunder

Mind Flooded With So Many Thoughts

Eye Brimming With Tears

Endless Sleepless Nights

The Rawest of Moments-

That’s Where God Can Work.

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Pouring Out of Heart Before Him

Admission of Powerlessness

Confession of Iniquities

The Rawest of Moments-

That’s Where God Can Work.

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No Make-Up On, No Clothes On, No Mask Worn

Your Frailty & Nakedness Exposed

Your Strength & Vanity Gone

The Rawest of Moments-

That’s Where God Can Work.

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Figuring Out The Only Place You Can Turn To

Light Finally Dawning On Marblehead

You’ve Found Your Way Back Home

Into His Loving Arms You Run

Enveloped By His Love

The Rawest of Moments-

That’s Where God Can Work.

 

The Tigress

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

THE TIGRESS

Written By Linda A. Knowles

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The tigress was caged for several years,

When prior she was wildly roaming free,

Where others of her kind dared not tread.

She soon would once again be wild and free,

But for now caged-

Secluded, lonely, prohibited…

So much prohibition.

Soon the tigress would be free;

Though the cage door had been opened,

the tigress only neared the edge,

Just before her time to step out.

The tigress taking in all she could,

as far as her eyes could see-

To roam wherever she wished.

Peaceful Protest

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

FLAGLet me start by saying this:  I love the USA.  I live in the USA, and I’m a citizen.  I do NOT agree with anyone who protests by sitting during the National Anthem or the Pledge of Allegiance;  I’m also a firm believer if one does not like our laws, customs, and culture, that one or few should just pack up and leave.

With that being said…

PEOPLE

We’ve seen protests that have involved looting, rioting, blocking highways or main roads which caused problems for emergency vehicles and rescue workers, violent acts of murder, fighting, and the like.

We keep calling out and saying, “PEACEFUL PROTESTS!”  However, when Colin Kaepernick sits down during the national anthem we are outraged, and yet Colin did not riot, burn anything down, loot, or commit any act of violence. So he chose and did a peaceful protest, and then some of us even got more outraged when another athlete followed his example.

“Stand up for what you believe” as long as what? They do it our way? As long as they believe our way? We’re still not satisfied with their peaceful protest…  And by which list of standards are we measuring these “peaceful” protests? The athletes brought no physical harm to anyone by sitting down. Sure, they may have embarrassed their fellow teammates by sitting out, but the key phrase here is THEY PROTESTED PEACEFULLY.

What would we rather the athletes have done? Would we rather them steal, harm someone, burn something down in the name of whatever it is they believe? We wanted peaceful protests. We expected people do peaceful protests and not the kind of protest that breaks out violence, injuring others, and destroying community businesses and homes.

It may not have been ideal for any of you, including myself, but they chose what was best for them as individuals.  In this country, there’s the right to protest, and that is their freedom to do so.  They chose a peaceful demonstrative protest, and no one got hurt.

And we’re still not satisfied.

Attiq Yomin

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

Ancient of DaysLet me fall before Your throne at Your feet,

My Attiq Yomin,

Where  I can worship You,

And worship You alone,

And bands of angels all about,

Singing praises to Your name.

Ancient of Days,

You’re without End;

You are Everlasting to Everlasting,

Never changing;

You always remain the same.

Magnify

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

MAGNIFY

Written By Linda A. Knowles

Let Thy Glory

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O Magnify the Lord with me-

Praise to Him, the King of kings!

And I shall lift my voice to sing of His everlasting goodness,

The goodness of The Mighty Sovereign King!

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Almighty God!

You reign supreme,

For You are the God Most High,

And none compares to You, My God,

The Holy, Righteous One.

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You are the Horn of My Salvation,

Exalted far above all the earth,

And You are strong and glorious,

Mighty to save,

Giver of Life,

Everlasting Father,

And You are One!

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