Sleep, oh Sleep,
Where art thou?
I search for thee,
But cannot find,
The tranquil bliss,
Of nothingness.
I toss. I turn.
Yet still, I yearn,
For the restoring intermission,
From life’s ceaseless cognition.
Resorting to verse,
To expend energy of mind.
That I might soon find,
Unconsciousness sublime.
Latest Posts:
Categories:
insomnia, my old foe,
when will you go?
we have contended enough,
and i’m feeling rough.
i gave up and got up,
but i must protest!
i need some rest!
capitalization has escaped me,
punctuation may soon flee,
and my grammar may not agree.
you have proven you are strong;
you are not wrong!
but let go of me,
set me free;
this is my plea!
CATEGORIES:
I visited the Smith Point Hawk Watch on October 7, 2023, when they celebrated their 27th year of raptor monitoring. The Hawk Watch is located in Anahuac, TX, which is in Chambers County.
Smith Point Hawk Watch is an excellent outing for birders. I saw Broad-winged Hawk Kettles, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Osprey, Pelican, Laughing Gull, Black-chinned Hummingbirds, Barn Swallows, Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, and Ibis.
The Wildlife Center of Texas was also there for the celebration. They showed off some beautiful birds, including a Crested Caracara, Harris’s Hawk, and an American Kestrel.
Smith Point Hawk Watch is a rewarding place to view and learn about hawks. Here is the link for more information: https://www.gcbo.org/avian-research-and-monitoring/smith-point-hawk-watch/
2024 R. R. Heflin
You may click on photos for larger version.
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1 Kings 10:16-17, 26 (also 2 Chron. 1:14)
16 King Solomon made 200 large shields of beaten gold; 600 shekels of gold went into each shield. 17 And he made 300 shields of beaten gold; three minas of gold went into each shield. And the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
26 And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem.
1 Kings 4:24-25
24 For he (Solomon) had dominion over all the region west of the Euphrates from Tiphsah to Gaza, over all the kings west of the Euphrates. And he had peace on all sides around him.
25 And Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, all the days of Solomon.
I have often heard the phrase “Consider the source,”
To suggest we ignore a personal critique,
With which we do not like the implicated force.
The advice can be helpful at times.
Though often it might persuade,
You disregard your blinded way.
But might I suggest a Better way?
Let humility guide you,
Keep pride at bay.
Consider – Did the truth convict?
If your conscience was pricked,
Forget the source, though you might not click.
Search your soul, and avoid the cliff.
Soften your heart and take it deep within,
Be guided by God and not your own spin,
Meditate on changes needed and “Consider Him.”
(Heb. 1:1-14 & Heb. 12:2-11)
Hebrews 1:1-4
1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. 4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.
Hebrews 12:1-11
1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 4 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; 5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; 6 FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.” 7It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. 11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
2023 RRH
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To all the saints in Christ Jesus who meet in Magnaurb praise be to our God and Father who has blessed us beyond all comprehension in Christ Jesus.
I thank God for you, for the Lord has greatly blessed me with a spiritual family. In you God has given me great comfort, knowing you also are trying to please Him. I find much joy and comfort knowing so many of you do all you can to meet regularly together. And though I am sometimes tired, I am always glad to come and meet again with you. If I miss only one meeting, I miss seeing your faces, just to see all of you all is an encouragement to me. I am strengthened thinking about those of you who have been standing firm for many years now, and by those of you who stand firm under great difficulties, God will reward you. Great encouragement also comes from those of you who are new to the faith, seeing that God’s Will is being spread, and Christ’s Church still growing because you have seen the truth and have made a new commitment that your life be conformed to His, Praise God for His wonderful plan!!
Brethren, I have seen your love for one another, and how you are progressing in becoming a true family. I pray that you continue in these efforts with me, seeing the benefits you have already received by functioning in this way.
There will always be varied degrees of maturity among you (I hope, for this indicates new babes in Christ, and growth), and you will do good to use this as an opportunity to grow and serve one another rather than letting your lack of understanding of one another lead to division.
I beg you to guard your tongue and ears. Do not let things you have no business repeating “slip” out of your mouth. And those of you who hear those “slips” before you have time to escape some other persons voice, let it not “slip” any further. Tell the one from whom it slipped that you would not want such repeated and you feel sure they would not either. Help those who have a gossip problem by not listening to such if you can help it, and for the times it is unavoidable, hold the person from whom it comes accountable to give an explanation as to why they spoke such. Do not gossip under the pretense of seeking help, or anything else for that matter. Seek first the Lord’s counsel, then, if you are still troubled at heart about how to handle a matter, select one from among you who is wise, one whom you have noticed does not gossip, one who’s impartiality is shown by their obvious love for all.
Likewise, if someone comes to you for counsel, remember the importance of keeping a confidence (BE A VAULT!), and help people to find answers in God’s word, which means you will need to study yourself in order to help others. Only don’t forget when dealing with others how you would want to be dealt with. Do not repeat that which could harm someone in some other persons sight, rather, look for the good in all. And if you hear someone speak unkindly of you, remember these words from Ecclesiastes:
“…do not take seriously all words which are spoken, lest you hear your servant cursing you. For you also have realized that you likewise have many times cursed others.”
Here is some insight brethren – your weaknesses can make you stronger. For one thing it helps you better understand others shortcomings. We all desperately need the grace of God. Therefore, let us help one another grow in grace, remembering what it is to love as God:
“For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
To love is to sacrifice for another. Remember these words as well:
“Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Focus on serving the Lord together. Your participation in spreading the gospel in places near and far are commendable. Only don’t forget the people working in these areas need more than your financial support, so, encourage them, and never leave them out of your prayers.
As for being a light to your community, try and always remember the sacrifice Christ made for you, and have compassion on those who do not know the way. Do not get caught up in this fast-paced world and forget to pray or study or spend time with one another – you need these things in order to not grow weary. And don’t forget the lost, to whom you are to be a light. Always remember that you are a reflection of Christ. Do others see Christ in you? Trust the Lord and don’t take thought of yourself, He will care for you-just be about His work. Remember David’s words:
“Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which Thou hast done, And Thy thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with Thee; If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count.”
and “I delight to do Thy will, O my God; Thy Law is within my heart.”
As for when you come together to study, stay away from so much speculation and find answers within God’s word. This way your time will be infinitlly more profitable. For there is never a shortage of speculation, but of those who know God’s word intimately, these are rare indeed!
As for life’s ups and downs think about the words from Ecclesiastes again…“In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider– God has made the one as well as the other… ” and think of what Job said “Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” Well, should we? Will we build character if we never have trouble? Paul said “…….we also exult(rejoice) in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint…” So, don’t forget, adversity can build character if you let it. Learn from every situation you find yourself in. Be a good example to all by handling yourself gracefully, trusting in God to help you. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
If there is something holding you back from being the kind of person God wants you to be, ask Him to show you what it is and have faith that He will help you overcome. God is always there to help us. I pray that you may experience the peace that comes from God, and that His peace will shine forth in you for the benefit of others also. There is much more I could say, but I could not say it any better than what God has already given us, so I urge you to read His word for yourselves and to meditate upon it. Remember to love in all you do. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
©1995 RRH
revised2023
Sleep, oh Sleep,Where art thou?I search for thee,But cannot find,The tranquil bliss,Of nothingness.I toss. I turn.Yet still, I yearn,For the restoring intermission,From life’s ceaseless cognition.Resorting to verse,To expend energy of mind.That I might soon find,Unconsciousness sublime. Latest Posts: Categories:
insomnia, my old foe,when will you go?we have contended enough,and i’m feeling rough.i gave up and got up,but i must protest!i need some rest!capitalization has escaped me,punctuation may soon flee,and my grammar may not agree.you have proven you are strong;you are not wrong!but let go of me,set me free;this is my plea! CATEGORIES:
I visited the Smith Point Hawk Watch on October 7, 2023, when they celebrated their 27th year of raptor monitoring. The Hawk Watch is located in Anahuac, TX, which is in Chambers County. Smith Point Hawk Watch is an excellent outing for birders. I saw Broad-winged Hawk Kettles, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Osprey, Pelican, Laughing Gull, Black-chinned Hummingbirds,…
I have more closet space,
But my heart is shattered.
I get all the sheets at night,
But they are drenched in tears,
And my heart is shattered.
There is less laundry,
But my heart is shattered.
I have total control of the thermostat,
But my heart is shattered.
I can put pecans in all the banana bread,
But I no longer want any,
And my heart is shattered.
I have all his big shirts,
But my heart is shattered.
The dog comes to me first now,
But my heart is shattered.
The finality of the death of a loved one makes the living see crystal clear.
It also has a brutal impact to those left living.
People ask me how I am doing.
I am forever altered.
I have lost an irreplaceable part of myself.
They say the emotions will settle down and then come in waves.
I think tidal waves would be a more accurate description –
No escape from breathlessness!
Powerfully devastating,
Undistorted reality!
I would say I just feel broken,
But broken implies there is a fix.
My heart is shattered.
My whole being is shattered.
RRH 2023
©wayoutbeyond 2022
©wayoutbeyond 2022
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