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.

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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.

toxic-7

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.”

frying-pan-1

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.

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

*

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!

*

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!

*

Be Still & Know

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

Be Still“Be still and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation.  I will be honored throughout the world.”

-Psalm 46:10

God’s victory is certain.

At the final victory, we’ll stand in awe, speechless before the All Powerful God. It is only right to honor Him and greatly revere Him while we have breath, to give Him honor and to glorify Him, beholding His splendor and majesty.

As we walk with God, it is important to take time out daily to be still in His presence, recognizing and knowing He is God, worthy of all praise and honor.

Acknowledge God

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

god-focus

 

“Acknowledge that the Lord is good!  He made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.”

-Psalm 100:3

 

As children of God, we’re to acknowledge God in all we do. When we praise Him and speak of His goodness and His glory, we’re focusing on and acknowledging the One Who Created us and the One Who has ordered our steps.  When we obey God, we acknowledge He is Lord over all, seeking only His approval, not man’s approval. When we worship and bow before Him, we’re acknowledging Him as King.  No one compares to Him, and there is no other God but Him. When we daily submit and present ourselves as a living sacrifice to God, we’re acknowledging His sovereignty in our lives.

Let’s remember to keep our focus on Him, recognizing He is God and in control.  He is the Rock, and He is bigger than any problem or circumstance.  Never forget His goodness, and always count the blessings He has given you.

Be blessed, and have a great day, Everyone!

 

 

Learn To Embrace Changes

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

butterfly

Change is not an easy thing for us, but change is necessary if there is to be growth.  We can either let circumstances and problems shape us through the time they are happening or let them defeat us, but it is through the process of change, our metamorphosis, our character is strengthened;  that time of change is a time for learning what our strengths and weaknesses are.  Rather than fight whatever problem or circumstances you find yourself in, embrace it.  Ask yourself what can you learn even through the most difficult times of life.  The end result of change is all of us being made more beautiful.

The Moments of Solitude

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles
Quietness 5 - Rachel Naomi Remen
Quote By Rachel Naomi Remen

Those moments I hold so close to my heart, those moments with the God I believe in…  pen, paper, bible…  quiets my soul like nothing else- a place of solitude and simple meditation.  In those moments of talking with God, my mind finds itself clearing, the dross of my life being taken out.  In those moments, His mercy and grace covers me and extends forgiveness and healing, His Word speaking life in only the way His Word can.

“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.” -Psalm 27:4

Laughter Is A Definite Must

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

Mark Twain 2

Laughter is a good thing.  Laugh when you can.  Laugh at yourself.  You have to have a sense of humor in this life.  Life is far too short to be taken so seriously.  Yes, serious things happen in life;  that’s why you should laugh.

Take A Chance

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

Fear 1

 

The only thing that keeps you from moving forward is you.

Get out of your own way, and take a chance.

While there are many opportunities that will cross your path in your lifetime, opportunities do pass.  Don’t let opportunities pass by you because you’re scared of trying or because you’re scared of failing.  Take hold of them.  You’ll never know what you’re capable of until you take the first step.  By taking a chance, you won’t have regrets afterwards.

Damsel in Distress

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

DAMSEL IN DISTRESS

Written By Linda A. Knowles

Damsel 2

Peeled herself up off the floor,

Her world – Fallen apart,

Feeling hopeless.

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She is the damsel in distress.

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Everything she knew,

She now no longer knew;

And what she didn’t know,

She now knew.

*

As she crumpled once again to the floor…

No place to call her own,

Except for her place in Heaven,

Longing for her eternal home,

And seeing things around her she needs to live for.

*

She called out,

Though nothing came from her mouth,

And she shouted out,

Though no one could hear.

*

The tears that streaked her face seemed never-ending,

And the tire tracks of nervousness,

Imprinted on her heart, mind, body, soul.

*

She rode out her nights,

Imprisoned in her mind,

Woke up terrified by screaming,

To  find it was her own.

*

She not knowing where to go,

Not knowing what to  do,

She could only look upward,

And in her cries of desperation,

Not heard by anyone,

Were heard by the Father above,

Who rapped His arms around her in love.

*

The road has been long,

And weary she has been,

Still traveling this road,

That will soon come to an end.