There you Were...............

A lifetime of hurt

Disappointment and Failure

That haunts each day

Going through the emotion

Smiling politely

Paying bills

Keeping up the appearance of normal

Then out of the blue

 You (in a different light)
That same friend
Now seen through new eyes

How could it have taken 
So long to see  

That all I ever needed

Was standing, all along

Right in front of me.................

(c)kathey buchanan 2010 august

Laus Deo

Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words ... out of sight and, one might think, out of mind ..... but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the world.

And what might those two words ... composed of just four syllables and only seven letters ... mean? Very simply ..... "Praise be to God!" Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848 when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public.
It took twenty five years to finally cap the memorial with the tribute Laus Deo! Praise be to God!

No one can see these words. In fact ..... most visitors to the monument have no idea they are even there and ... for that matter ... probably could care less!But there they are ... 555 feet, 5.125 inches high ... perched atop the monument to the father of our nation ... overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia ... capital of the United States of America.

From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure ... a visitor can take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. And from that vantage point one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant ... a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape ..... with the White House to the North ... the Jefferson Memorial to the South ... the Capitol to the East ... and the Lincoln Memorial to the West. A cross ... you say?
How interesting! And ... no doubt ... intended to carry a meaning for those who bother to notice. Praise be to God!

Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message. On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God!
When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy ... "one nation, under God."

I am awed by Washington's prayer for America. Have you never read it? Well now is your opportunity ... read on!

"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United states at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
Laus Deo!
It is clear when one studies the history of our great nation that Washington's America was one of the few countries in all the world established under the guidance, direction and banner of Almighty God, to whom was given all praise, honor and worship by the great men who formed and fashioned her pivotal foundations. And ... when one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol ... one will easily find the signature of God.
We are a nation under God!!! Laus Deo!!! Praise be to God!!! "Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. (Psalm 127: 1)

The Separation of Church and State concept is basic to our Country's founding. It simply means that the government shall never make any religion a National religion. It never was intended to prevent the utterance of the name of God at political functions and in the daily course of our undertakings. Liberals and extremist who think differently have no foundation in history for their position. ---- IN GOD WE TRUST

 
http://www.palletmastersworkshop.com/lausdeo.html

Thanks to above link for information and www.google.com

Dumb Laws Round TWO

1.  Illegal to take more than three sips of beer at a time while standing
                                (Texas)

2.  You can't shoot any game other than whales from a moving auto-
        mobile.......       (Tennessee) ... really are u kidding

3.  Dishes must drip dry........ (Oregon)
         uummmm okay

4.  Roadkill may not be taken home for supper...(West Virginia)
           Darn it all........

5.  Women must obtain written permission from their husband to
      wear false teeth..           (Vermont) 
                 I would rather not have teeth..... 


6.  It is illegal to wear boots to bed........(Oklahoma)
        those poor cowboys....


7.  It is illegal to get fish drunk..... (Ohio)
          I really need a visual here..........


8.  Idiots may not vote........ (New Mexico)
       Is there a special test that lets people know if you are an idiot 
         or  not...... just saying......


I just love these laws..... LEAVE A COMMENT ADD A LAW --- PLEASE
       

As you Wish It to Be

       Revenge is a kind of wild justice.........Francis Bacon

This post is at best random - to say the least and at the heart of an issue that has been on my mind for some time now-- I will not go in detail about the issue however I need to get somethings expressed for I think I have now come to terms with them and can more clearly see how I feel since I have gotten past the anger.....

Friendship means understanding not agreement.  It means forgiveness, not forgetting.  It means the memories last, even if the contact is lost.... When friendship and/or relationships do not last forever, it doesn't mean it wasn't worth your while......

I think and believe that everything happens for a reason and while I do not always like the outcome of certain things -- I cling to the most certain faith that there is a stronger purpose for what has happened.... A friendship lost can be a most painful thing however it can be one of the most positive things too... If you take a moment to stop and be still --- just pay attention to what God is trying to tell you, often times what you will find is the greatest gift of all..... He was opening a new door... He was showing you a new way.... We get so bogged down in our friendships sometimes that we miss what is going on in our lives --- especially spiritually and God has to find a way to get our attention.... especially if that friendship is TOXIC....  I went  through something recently that I did not understand ... I was angry .. I was hurt .... and I wanted revenge.... yet as I got up this morning to a somewhat dreary rain soaked Sunday morning --- I had a different attitude about the situation.. . While I do not wish to go back in time to this friendship (it was very toxic) I do see that at one point it was of great value and does hold some good memories...... However in the blink of an eye --- something happened --to me it felt so tragic... God stepped in --- healed my heart --- and I know that there is something better for me --- I know there is a purpose for what happened and I know God will take care of it.... 

I am moving on... while I will never forget our childhood and the memories we shared.... going back isn't an option --- I feel finally I have said goodbye to that part of my past ---