Newest Poems & Writings

August 3, 2013

“Mosquitos”

cji

8/3/13

Often thought of just one word

simple and clear to tell the truth

able to describe the whole

while understanding the waste

diseases and corruptions about;

Used to think it might be sharks

but most too sanguine to be

other’s way too passive found

most feel they’re choleric always

many the people think abusive;

Thus a word might be piranha

but then again not taught to all

yet a feeding frenzy visualized

unstated and uncaring of fodder

leaving only scraps for others;

Maybe one could use donkeys

but a party already uses this

and too many really are ass’s

stubborn needing to be prodded

found making an obscene sound;

Then again maybe elephants

again a party taking this one

engorging themselves on pelf

massive without any real purpose

trumpeting their acute abuses;

While many see them as snakes

verminous and crawling about

striking out as perceived danger

unknowing who we might be

as they beguile MSM as lovely;

Hmmm… mice, hamsters, rats

each of these have a nice ring

rounding around in the night

spreading diseases and spite

leading us to the scarps of life;

Describing but still not accurate

these predators and disposals

obstinate and overwhelming

striking and causing death

none of these to be the word;

A light goes on with full insight

mosquitoes has to be the one

blood sucking and in swarms

attacking any sign of flesh

leaving itching and suffering;

Coming in over 3500 species

most harmful animals on earth*

leaving nothing to the imagination

vectors of ill-will and zoonosis

yes politicians equal mosquitoes!

^ "Mosquitoes of Michigan -Their Biology and Control". Michigan Mosquito Control Organization. 2013.

August 2, 2013

“Footle’s”

cji

8/3/13

They parade as such fools

wearing finery and jewels

thinking the voters as tools

while we see their drools;

Seepage into the carpets

untrained household pets

belittling all of our vets

in gambling placing bets;

Footle’s in our government

top to bottom in cement

trifling in their containment

foolishly in their commitment;

Parasites and lowly dross

their language only gloss

pretending to be our boss

their abuses are our loss!

August 1, 2013

“Often wondered what is was like to swim in luke-warm water surrounded by hungry sharks – with a government sticking pins into you to see how much you can bleed – would guess the US is about to find out.” cji 7/31/13

“Swimming with the Sharks”

cji

8/2/13

Gaining a window’s view

surface of the water to see

waves washing over me

giving me a quick clue;

The water is luke warm today

tepid and smelling awful

with fishermen nets to pull

sharks looking for their pay;

Thrown into the murky mess

government ignoring us all

therefore none to hear our call

found in this horrible distress;

Pricked with pins to bleed

slowly the scent life to seal

sharks finding a helpless meal

our nation sacrificed indeed!

July 31, 2013

Home Teaching Message August 2013

Recognize, Remember, and Give Thanks

President Henry B. Eyring, 1^st Counselor in 1^st Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

God asks that we give thanks to Him for whatever blessings we receive from Him. It is easy for us to become mechanical in our prayers of gratitude, often repeating the same words but without the intent to give our thanks as a gift of the heart to God. We are to “give thanks … in the Spirit” (D&C 46:32) so we can feel real gratitude for what God has given us.

How can we remember even a part of all God has done for us? The Apostle John recorded what the Savior taught us about a gift of remembrance that comes through the gift of the Holy Ghost: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26).

The Holy Ghost brings back memories of what God has taught us. And one of the ways God teaches us is with His blessings; and so, if we choose to exercise faith, the Holy Ghost will bring God’s kindnesses to our remembrance.

You could test that in prayer today. You could follow the command “Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things” (D&C 59:7).

President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) suggested that prayer creates time to do that. He said: “The Prophet Joseph said at one time that one of the greatest sins of which the Latter-day Saints would be guilty is the sin of ingratitude. I presume most of us have not thought of that as a great sin. There is a great tendency for us in our prayers and in our pleadings with the Lord to ask for additional blessings. But sometimes I feel we need to devote more of our prayers to expressions of gratitude and thanksgiving for blessings already received. We enjoy so much.”¹

You could have such an experience with the gift of the Holy Ghost today. You could begin a private prayer with thanks. You could start to count your blessings and then pause for a moment. If you exercise faith, with the gift of the Holy Ghost, you will find that memories of other blessings will flood into your mind. If you begin to express gratitude for each of them, your prayer may take a little longer than usual. Remembrance will come, and so will gratitude.

You could try the same thing as you write an entry in your journal. The Holy Ghost has helped people with that since the beginning of time. You remember that the book of Moses says, “And a book of remembrance was kept, in the which was recorded, in the language of Adam, for it was given unto as many as called upon God to write by the spirit of inspiration” (Moses 6:5).

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) described that process of inspired writing: “Those who keep a book of remembrance are more likely to keep the Lord in remembrance in their daily lives. Journals are a way of counting our blessings and of leaving an inventory of these blessings for our posterity.”²

As you start to write, you could ask yourself, “How did God bless me and those I love today?” If you do that often enough and with faith, you will find yourself remembering blessings. And sometimes you will have gifts brought to your mind that you failed to notice during the day but that you will then know were a touch of God’s hand in your life.

I pray that we may make a continuing effort in faith to recognize, remember, and give thanks for what our Heavenly Father and our Savior have done and are doing to open the way home to Them.

Teaching from this Message

In his message, President Eyring invites us to remember Heavenly Father’s kindnesses in our prayers. Discuss with those you teach how praying with gratitude can help us recognize God’s hand in our lives. Consider kneeling to pray with those you teach and suggest to whoever says the prayer that he or she express only thanks.

You could also study the importance of gratitude by reading these verses in addition to the verses that President Eyring mentioned: Psalm 100; Mosiah 2:19–22; Alma 26:8; 34:38; Doctrine and Covenants 59:21; 78:19; 136:28.

Youth

Take Inventory

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President Eyring quotes President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) as saying that “journals are a way of counting our blessings and of leaving an inventory of these blessings for our posterity.” In general conference in October 2012, President Thomas S. Monson gave his testimony of journal writing. He shared some experiences from his life, adding, “My daily journal, kept over all these years, has helped provide some specifics which I most likely would not otherwise be able to recount.” He counseled, “Take an inventory of your life and look specifically for the blessings, large and small, you have received” (“Consider the Blessings,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2012, 86). Work at following the counsel of these prophets and set goals to write in your journal.

Children

Many Ways to Say Thank You

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“All over the world at the end of day,

Heav’nly Father’s children kneel down and pray,

Each saying thank you in his own special way.”

(“Children All Over the World,” Children’s Songbook, 16.)

Match the different ways of saying thank you with the countries of the world where those languages are spoken. Some of these languages are spoken in more than one country!

“A Simple Thank You!”

cji

8/1/13

How often a child’s simple prayer

expressing thoughts of thankfulness

gratefully speaking to his Father

knowing Him in ways we’ve forgot

thus understanding of the plainness

clarion clear in exchanging love

never complicated or too lengthy

just enough to gratefully sharing

within this love a simple thank you!

Visiting Teaching August 2013

Welfare

The purposes of Church welfare are to help members become self-reliant, to care for the poor and needy, and to give service. Welfare is central to the work of Relief Society. President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, has taught:

“[The Lord] has from the beginning of time provided ways for His disciples to help. He has invited His children to consecrate their time, their means, and themselves to join with Him in serving others. …

“He has invited and commanded us to participate in His work to lift up those in need. We make a covenant to do that in the waters of baptism and in the holy temples of God. We renew the covenant on Sundays when we partake of the sacrament.”¹

Under the direction of the bishop or branch president, local leaders assist with spiritual and temporal welfare. Opportunities to serve often begin with visiting teachers who seek inspiration to know how to respond to the needs of each sister they visit.

From the Scriptures

Luke 10:25–37; James 1:27; Mosiah 4:26; 18:8–11; Doctrine and Covenants 104:18

From Our History

On June 9, 1842, the Prophet Joseph Smith charged the sisters in Relief Society to “relieve the poor” and to “save souls.”² These goals are still at the heart of Relief Society and are expressed in our motto, “Charity never faileth” (1 Corinthians 13:8).

Our fifth Relief Society general president, Emmeline B. Wells, and her counselors launched this motto in 1913 as a reminder of our founding principles: “We do declare it our purpose to … [hold] fast to the inspired teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith when he revealed the plan by which women were to be empowered through the calling of the priesthood to be grouped into suitable organizations for the purpose of ministering to the sick, assisting the needy, comforting the aged, warning the unwary, and succoring the orphans.”³

Today the Relief Society has a worldwide reach as sisters extend charity, the pure love of Christ, to their neighbors (see Moroni 7:46–47).

What Can I Do?

1. How am I preparing to care for myself and for my family spiritually and temporally?

2. How can I follow the Savior’s example as I help meet the needs of the sisters I watch over?

“Welfare is to Lift”

cji

8/1/13

Without burden or restraint

caring for another to lift

helping one to learn skills

able to thus self-provide

teaching one to fish alone

thus having for times of need

the Scriptures able to heed

giving of manna and not stone

lengthening another’s stride

their personal larder then fills

giving freedom’s awesome gift

without burden or restraint!

July 30, 2013

“Cocoon”

cji

7/31/13

Voiding oneself from the world

ignoring truth and reasoning’s

excluding any who disagree

believing everyone else wrong

pushing a disease of deceit

enveloping all within mirrors

creating a cocoon of lying

believing transparent to all!

“Chicanery”

cji

7/31/13

Bringing to life fantasy

using black hats magic

peas under the thimbles

only no peas to be found

no rabbits in the hats either

just chicanery of politics

destroying a nation laughing

thinking subterfuge so funny

sophisticated and urbane

ignoring what is right

pretending wrong is okay!