(25) "Sadly Also Lurking Death"

(25)

“Sadly Also Lurking Death”

cji

11/25/16

With the changing weather

tainted water supplies too

disease spread quickly

catching the old and young

especially the colder temps

there were no bells to toll

but word to get out for help

careful not to spread illness

quickly to bury and clean

time for grief was short

as life goes on thankfully

putting aside lurking death!

Copyright © 2016 – cji

(24) "Ice and Snow"

(24)

“Ice and Snow”

cji

11/25/16

Guess one wouldn’t think

of ice and snow here today

but now and then a storm

awakening to everything white

enjoying for a brief moment

this intense beauty to feel

then concern for the stock

checking to crack ice to water

making sure none fell at night

the finer stock brushing down

preparing sleds for the work

sometimes for a week to last

other times only a couple days!

Copyright © 2016 – cji

(23) "Shorter Days"

(23)

“Shorter Days”

cji

11/25/16

The nights were longer

seemingly working harder

having much the same to do

whether cold, warm or dark

candles were a hazard inside

but our only light to be had

so evening meal quickly ate

mother to read from Bible

then quicker to beds warm

boys in one – girls in another

mom and dad their own

sometimes if guests their

boys on the dirt floors!

Copyright © 2016 – cji

(22) "Never a Designated Day"

(22)

“Never a Designated Day”

cji

11/25/16

Messengers were sent about

naming a date for gathering

we harvested in teams helping

thus most knew when all done

sometimes on the Sunday

(we’d be there for meeting)

less strain on getting ready

also able to relax a bit

yet any day would do fine

us kids loved the games

being with other children

and away from the chores!

Copyright © 2016 – cji

(21) "Thanksgiving"

(21)

“Thanksgiving”

cji

11/25/16

Without a fancy name

mostly a feast of harvest

limited supplies and foods

but a special gathering

ringing the town bell

calling all to the market

(this is where we meet)

a bit of socializing doing

seeing the new-born babies

who’d gotten married

new settlers coming in

a time then to bow heads

led in prayer gratefully

then to partake of foods

each bringing something

then dispersing for homes

manning the security places

finishing the daily chores!

Copyright © 2016 – cji

"Then and Now" (Prologue - Williamsburg)

“Then and Now”

(Williamsburg)

cji

11/25/16

(Prologue:

Many consider Thanksgiving

in modern days to be just there

when so many have so much

abundance and harvesting

seemingly don’t make sense

but we were a poor settlement

dependent on the weather

needing crops to grow safe

unknowing of the hurricanes

draughts or even late Spring

thus even for little things

a planting rain – cooling temps

all continued in our prayers

while on guard for raids

both Indian and white men

each day were we grateful!)

Copyright © 2016 – cji

"Withering Afflictions" (the why of Thanksgiving)

“Withering Afflictions”

cji

11/24/16

Facing droughts and floods

tsunamis, hurricanes, disease

wars, pestilence, ice and hail

withering afflictions all hurtful

yet all needed to grow stronger

able to endure without murmur

understanding all aspects of fire

within this life and without

then after each affliction knowing

others have endured worse

having always been grateful

to be worthy to thus endure

thus we have Thanksgiving

a day to be grateful to Father

learning, growing, serving others

knowing withering afflictions

remember always to be thankful

becoming more like the Son

someday to be with Him

and with the Father forever!

Copyright © 2016 – cji

"Enjoying a Smile"

“Enjoying a Smile”

cji

11/23/16

Reaching into the spacial spheres

meeting lost and known friends

having known forever just met

our kindred spirits enjoying a smile;

Gathering all about in family circles

chasing memories of long ago

reliving combined lifetimes each

sharing evermore love’s smile;

Whether a child of more mature

little fingers enwrapped in pledge

covenants made to be eternal

our kindred spirits enjoying a smile!

Copyright © 2016 – cji

"Pondering in Awe"

 1Peter1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

 17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

 25 But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

“Pondering in Awe”

cji

11/22/16

Have you heard the wind

seeing it pass you by today

carrying leaves and limbs

moving huge trees about

tossing the waves and sea

are you able to feel within

understanding a stranger

residing their looking about

pondering in awe this life

seeing good evil strife

wanting at some to shout

telling them of quick danger

knowing the veil is so thin

wanting all to really see

kicking the adversity out

thinking of sacred hymns

thus able to kneel to pray

our covenants to refine!

Copyright © 2016 – cji

"Happiness"

“Happiness”

cji

11/21/16

Charging out of the house

naked as a new born

mom chasing quick behind

jumping in the snow banks

with the quick realization

not the smartest move;

Happiness sinking all ships

raising havoc in the tub

forgotten to lock the door

mom charging in angry

till tears of laughter come

helping each clean the mess;

Being tucked in at night time

having knelt together to pray

knowing I’m loved by mom

(dad was listening within)

the warmth of eternal love

all the happiness is found!

Copyright © 2016 – cji

"Lessons in Awe"

“Lessons in Awe”

cji

11/20/16

Awakening into the Sabbath Day

there are lessons in awe found

one has to open their eyes to see

their ears tuned to listen and hear

all of their other senses to feel

touch, smell and understand

lessons in awe found all around

yet too many sleep or just play

believing nothing but rhetoric

showing off violent behavior

hating, contention, evil doing

nothing in to do with Scriptures

missing the lessons in awe

demeaning themselves today

forgetting their royal birth-line

un-awakened on the Sabbath!

Copyright © 2016 – cji

"Judgment"

“Judgment”

cji

11/19/16

Bringing forth the sacrificial lamb

found without blemish yet to die

much like man’s (woman’s) choice

condemning or praising in a void

rioting and killing without thought

making final judgment not theirs

kissing the stones of the earth

cleaving to the unnatural things

making judgment un-righteously

or worse self-righteously foolish

tending within each of us to do

must we be reminded not to do

for how can we know who’s pure

and who deserves final death

indeed who’s the sacrificial lamb!

“The natural man and woman in each of us has a tendency to condemn others and to judge un-righteously, or self-righteously.”

Copyright © 2016 – cji

"Of the Worldly"

As we (Joyce and I) read the Scriptures daily – about once a year we return to James which is one of my favorites. Thus the thoughts this week have come from James. If any would like I’ve written a substantial essay/prose on the Book of James. In it I’ve written a thought for each verse. I’ve correlated the Bible (Old and New Testament), the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price and the Qur’an – in the references. It also contains as essay discussion.  c/ork

“Of the Worldly”

cji

11/18/16

Looking about and seeing distress

led by those who demand their way

feeble minded lemmings followers

while those who seek advantage

power, wealth, revenge, judgment

pay with flowered words perfumed

allowing those who act like animals

caring not of human life or values

openly scream and cry blasphemies

how much are their lust uncontrolled

preferring pelf to honest wages today

of the worldly Father has spoken

via his Son and the Prophets all

rejecting the love of the Father/Son

reveling in the enmity of the world!

Copyright © 2016 – cji

James 4:4 know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth itnot, to him it is sin.