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Friday, 15 February 2013

A Rose for Rose



Red roses were her favorites; her name was also Rose,

And every year her husband sent them tied with pretty bows.
The year he died the roses were delivered to her door,
The card said "Be My Valentine" like all the years before.

Each year he sent her roses and the note would always say,
"I love you even more this year than last year on this day,
My love for you will always grow with every passing year,"
She knew this was the last time that the roses would appear.

She thought he ordered roses in advance before this day,
Her loving husband did not know that he would pass away.
He always liked to do things early way before the time,
Then if he got too busy everything would work out fine.

She trimmed the stems and placed them in a very special vase,
Then sat the vase beside the portrait of his smiling face.
She would sit for hours in her husband's favorite chair,
While staring at his picture and the roses sitting there.

A year went by and it was hard to live without her mate,
With loneliness and solitude that had become her fate.
Then the very hour as on Valentines before,
The doorbell rang and there were roses sitting by her door.

She brought the roses in and then just looked at them in shock,
Then went to get the telephone to call the florist shop.
The owner answered and she asked him if he would explain,
Why would someone do this to her causing her such pain?

"I know your husband passed away more than a year ago,"
The owner said, "I knew you'd call and you would want to know."
"The flowers you received today were paid for in advance,
Your husband always planned ahead he left nothing to chance."

"There is a standing order that I have on file down here,
And he has paid well in advance you'll get them every year."
"There also is another thing that I think you should know,
He wrote a special little card he did this years ago."

"Then should ever I find out that he's no longer here,
That's the card that should be sent to you the following year."
She thanked him and hung up the phone her tears now flowing hard,
Her fingers shaking as she slowly reached to get the card.

Inside the card she saw that he had written her a note,
Then as she stared in total silence this is what he wrote.
Hello my love I know it's been a year since I've been gone,
I hope it hasn't been too hard for you to overcome.

I know it must be lonely and the pain is very real,
For if it was the other way I know how I would feel.
The love we shared made everything so beautiful in life,
I loved you more than words can say you were the perfect wife.

You were my friend and lover you fulfilled my every need,
I know it's only been a year but please try not to grieve.
I want you to be happy even when you shed your tears,
That is why the roses will be sent to you for years.

When you get these roses think of all the happiness,
That we had together and how both of us were blessed.
I have always loved you and I know I always will,
But my love you must go on you have some living still.

Please try to find happiness while living out your days,
I know it is not easy but I hope you find some ways.
The roses will come every year and they will only stop,
When your door's not answered when the florist stops to knock.

He will come five times that day in case you have gone out,
But after his last visit he will know without a doubt,
To take the roses to the place where I've instructed him,
And place the roses where we are together once again.

Saturday, 8 December 2012

The Heart of a Child


Matthew 18:4 "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like one of these children is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."


When we are children there's a part of us that is open to love, and faith and trust.
Through a little child's laughter and teary eyes we grow older and that part of us dies.
Innocence lost, is so hard to regain.
We get forgiven but hold on to the pain.
But Jesus said to the crowd roaring wild; "Come to me with the heart of a child."

It's so hard to open ourselves up to others, we're afraid to trust our own sisters and brothers.
But there is a love so costly and dear, a love strong enough to cast out fear.
Let's take off our masks and drop the facade and live like the children of the Living God.
Take a chance, you may be betrayed if you risk it all but He'll be there to catch you when you slip and fall.

There's a holy laughter, and tears so pure, there's an innocence that will always endure.
There's a dream and vision, an endless sea, the tingling of life in a heart set free.
Nothing to prove, no possessions to hold but a joy and peace more precious than gold.
It's a beautiful place, fiery and wild when we return to the heart of the child.

Remember that our Father to whom we pray considers us His children each day and like little children we must learn to rely on the love of our Father who reigns on high.
So much prejudice to forget and unlearn, it's the heart of the child for which we yearn.
We can't enter heaven with a heart defiled, it must change through Jesus to the heart of the child.

Tuesday, 4 December 2012

The Doll Maker


In a little village, there lived a crafts man by name Ebun, who made wooden dolls for children.


Ebun was so naturally gifted in his handwork that his fame spread to all the neighboring villages. People from all over the region came to buy wooden dolls from him or bring their broken dolls for repairs. He carefully studied the broken dolls and looked for the best way to mend it such that it looked exactly the way it was when he first made it.

Ebun had a little daughter for whom he made a very beautiful doll on her tenth birthday. The little girl was so much in love with her little doll that she always played with it along with her friends. One day while playing with the doll, the wooden doll got broken and the little girl cried and ran to her father with the broken doll. When she got to him she complained that her doll's arm got broken while she was playing with it. The father took time to listen to her complaints and then told her to leave the doll with him and come back later for it. The little girl said "no daddy you don't understand, all I want you to do is carve out another arm and polish it, and then use some glue or nail and join it back that's all !!. The father still tried to explain to her to leave the doll with him and come back after sometime for it because he made the doll and he knows how best to mend it when it is broken. The little grew impatient and said to her father, "Daddy, you are not doing it the way I want, you are too slow." With that statement the little girl grabbed the doll and left her father's workshop. The father called after her but she wouldn't come back, and he felt so sad.

Like that little girl, most of us take our problem to God and try to dictate how He should solve them to Him. We often fail to realize that God made us and He understands how best to handle all our daily problems if left at His feet.

Friday, 16 November 2012

A Message to the Lord

Sometimes I ask the question, "My Lord, is this your will?" It's then I hear you answer me, "My Precious Child...be still."


Sometimes I feel frustrated, cause I think I know what's best. It's then I hear you say to me, "My Busy Child...just rest!"

Sometimes I feel so lonely and I think I'd like a mate. Your still small voice gets oh so clear and says, "My Child...please wait!"

"I know the plans I have for you, the wondrous things you'll see; If you can just be patient, Child, and put your trust in me. I've plans to draw you closer. I've plans to help you grow. There's much I do you cannot see and much you do not know.

But know this, Child...I LOVE YOU. You are Precious unto Me.

Before I formed you in the womb, I planned your destiny. I've something very special I hope for you to learn. The gifts I wish to give to you are gifts you cannot earn.

They come without a price tag, but not without a cost; at Calvary, I gave My Son, so You would not be lost. Rest Child, and do not grow weary of doing what is good.

I promise I'll come back for you just like I said I would. Your name is written on my palm, I never could forget; Therefore, do not be discouraged when my answer is... "Not Yet!"

Friday, 19 October 2012

Lord, Let Me Give


I do not know how long I'll live
But while I live, Lord, let me give
Some comfort to someone in need
By smile or nod, kind word or deed.

And let me do whatever I can
To ease things for my fellow man.
I want naught but to do my part
To "lift" a tired or weary heart.

To change folks' frowns to smiles again.
Then I will not have lived in vain
And I'll not care how long I'll live
If I can give ... and give ... and give.


Thursday, 18 October 2012


For sins of human beings all, 
Lord Jesus laid His life on cross; 
Although a sin-free soul Himself, 
He suffered, died to redeem man.

He shed His every dropp of blood, 
Emancipating human race
From punishment by hell for sins -
Such heinous crimes upon the earth! 

The cross is part of Christian's life, 
And persecutions will happen, 
As Christ predicted all these things, 
For those who walked in His foot-steps! 

His Holy Spirit guides Christians, 
Who live a righteous life for Christ, 
The only Son of Almighty -
A heart of immense love for man! 

But Christ resurrected from death! 
He won clear victory o'er satan; 
All Christians good will do the same; 
This faith is something strangely true.

Let humiliations come in life! 
Let trials, tribulations come! 
Let strife threaten our faith and hope! 
Christ stays with us till end of time! 

A Christian takes his cross and walks
Behind the Savior, Jesus Christ -
The Light and Truth and only Way
To reach Heaven, abode of God! 

Copyright by Dr John Celes 3-31-2009

Tuesday, 2 October 2012

Saying the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)


(person)- 'Our Father which art in heaven...'

(God)---Yes?

(person)- Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.

(God)---But you called me.

(person)-Called you? I didn't call you. I'm praying. "Our Father which art in heaven..."

(God)---There you did it again.

(person)-Did what?

(God)---Called me. You said, "Our Father which art in heaven." Here I am...What's on your mind?

(person)-But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's Prayer. It makes me feel good, kind of like getting a duty done.

(God)---All right. Go on.

(person)-"Hallowed be thy name..."

(God)---Hold it. What do you mean by that?

(person) By what?

(God)---By "hallowed be thy name"?

(person)-It means... it means... Good grief, I don't know what it means. How should I know? It's just a part of the prayer. By the way, what does it mean?

(God)---It means honored, holy, wonderful.

(person)-Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what "hallowed" meant before. "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

(God)---Do you really mean that?

(person)-Sure, why not?

(God)---What are you doing about it?

(person)-Doing? Nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control of everything down here like you have up there.

(God)---Have I got control of you?

(person)-Well, I go to church.

(God)---That isn't what I asked you. What about your bad temper? You've really got a problem there, you know. And then there's the way you spend your money---all on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read?

(person)-Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as some of the rest of those people at the church.

(God)---Excuse me. I thought you were praying for my will to be done. If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it. Like you, for example.

(person)-Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you mention it, I could probably name some others.

(God)---So could I.

(person)-I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I really would like to cut out some of those things. I would like to, you know, be really free.

(God)---Good. Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together, you and I. Some victories can truly be won. I'm proud of you.

(person)-Look, Lord, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer than it usually does. "Give us this day, our daily bread."

(God)---You need to cut out the bread. You're overweight as it is.

(person)-Hey, wait a minute! What is this, "Criticize me day"? Here I was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hang-ups.

(God)---Praying is a dangerous thing. You could wind up changed, you know. That's what I'm trying to get across to you. You called me, and here I am. It's too late to stop now. Keep praying, I'm interested in the next part of your prayer...(pause).

Well, go on.

(person)-I'm scared to.

(God)---Scared? Of what?

(person)-I know what you'll say.

(God)---Try me and see.

(person)-"Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us."

(God)---What about Ann?

(person)-See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why, Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories about my family. She never paid back the debt she owes me. I've sworn to get even with her!

(God)---But your prayer? What about your prayer?

(person)-I didn't mean it.

(God)---Well, at least you're admitting it. But it's not much fun carrying that load of bitterness around inside, is it?

(person)-No. But I'll feel better as soon as I get even. Boy, have I got some plans for that neighbor. She'll wish she had never moved into this neighborhood.

(God)---You won't feel any better. You'll feel worse. Revenge isn't sweet. Think of how unhappy you already are. But I can change all that.

(person)-You can? How?

(God)---Forgive Ann. Then I'll forgive you. Then the hate and sin will be Ann's problem and not yours. You will have settled your heart.

(person)-Oh, you're right. You always are. And more than I want to revenge Ann, I want to be right with you....(pause)...(sigh). All right. All right. I forgive her. Help her to find the right road in life, Lord. She's bound to be awfully miserable now that I think about it. Anybody who goes around doing the things she does to others has to be out of it. Someway, somehow, show her the right way.

(God)---There now! Wonderful! How do you feel?

(person)-Hmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all. In fact, I feel pretty great! You know, I don't think I'll have to go to bed uptight tonight for the first time since I can remember. Maybe I won't be so tired from now on because I'm not getting enough rest.

(God)---You're not through with your prayer. Go on.

(person)-Oh, all right. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

(God)---Good! Good! I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in a place where you can be tempted.

(person)-What do you mean by that?

(God)---Don't turn on the TV when you know the laundry needs to be done and the house needs to be picked up. Also, about the time you spend coffee-ing with your friends, if you can't influence the conversation to positive things, perhaps you should re-think the value of those friendships. Another thing, your neighbors and friends shouldn't be your standard for "keeping up". And please don't use me for an escape hatch.

(person)-I don't understand the last part.

(God)---Sure you do. You've done it a lot of times. You get caught in a bad situation. You get into trouble and then you come running to me, "Lord, help me out of this mess, and I promise you I'll never do it again." You remember some of those bargains you tried to make with me?

(person)-Yes, and I'm ashamed, Lord. I really am. (God)---Which bargain are you remembering?

(person)-Well, there was the night that the children and I were home alone. The wind was blowing so hard I thought the roof would go any minute and tornado warnings were out. I remember praying, "Oh, God, if you spare us, I'll never skip my devotions again."

(God) --Did you?

(person)-I'm sorry, Lord, I really am. Up until now I thought that if I just prayed the Lord's Prayer every day, then I could do what I liked. I didn't expect anything to happen like it did.

(God)---Go ahead and finish your prayer.

(person)-"For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever." Amen

(God)---Do you know what would bring me glory? What would really make me happy?

(person)-No, but I'd like to know. I want now to please you. I can see what a mess I've made of my life. And I can see how great it would be to really be one of your followers.

(God)---You just answered the question.

(person)-I did?

(God)---Yes. The thing that would bring me glory is to have people like you truly love me. And I see that happening between us. Now that some of these old sins are exposed and out of the way, well, there is no telling what we can do together.

(person) - Lord, let's see what we can make of me, OK? Amen!
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