Monday, December 9, 2019

Photo Essay: Haiku Memories. Vol. 7




Bug
on the wall --
that's all.



Flowing bark 
Frozen bark
Forgotten bark



Lunch --
cheap plastic
containers.




Empty chapel --
white walls
brown pews.




A leaf
on some twigs --
not yet compost.




River --
whisper to me,
why the hurry?




Green bench 
Brown trees
Black road.




The examined life
takes place
here.


Constant Vigilance.

David A. Bednar

David A. Bednar


"All is well in Zion" is the death knell of our church,
lulling us to smuggish ease as things begin to lurch.
Ev'ryday repentance is the watchword we must bear;
whether life is difficult or whether it is fair.
Camping on plateaus is not the way to paradise;
God expects us to keep climbing, and to pay the price.
Help me stay alert, O Lord, for perils on the way
as I journey back to Thee where happily I'll stay!



Sunday, December 8, 2019

Verses from stories by Jason Farago, Katie Mettler, and Roxanne Roberts.





WHEN IS A BANANA NOT A BANANA?
@jsf

Bananas are symbolic
of so many things in life;
they represent all starchiness
and sexiness, and strife.
So when they're put upon display
for art patrons to adore,
it's only right some goomba
eats 'em up like stevedore.
Next time that an artist
wants to tape up something rare,
I suggest considering a pointed prickly pear.

*******************************

SMACKING BUTTS ON LIVE TV
@kemettler

Smacking butts on live TV
is a sort of infamy.
Now reporters will not dare
take along their derriere,
fearful that some redneck Grinch
will give them a slap or pinch.
"Meet the Press" becomes inferior,
cuz who can sit without posterior?

***************************

THE TRUMPS DON'T SOCIALIZE NO MORE

@_RoxanneRoberts

The Trumps don't socialize no more;
they'd rather stay at home and snore.
So humble and so quiet, they
stay indoors the live-long day.
The Beltway with its lights so bright
does not lure them them out at night
(plus Trump's tuxedo is too tight.)
They don't like crowds or ceremonies
(unless it's their own kind of cronies.)







Photo Essay: Haiku Memories. Vol. 6




Reflections --
are just clearer
shadows.



Leaning --
into nothing
but existence.



Patterns --
don't lie.
They don't do anything.



The boy or the clown --
which one
stays real longest?




Discarded --
but not
peeled.



Starch and grease --
Start great empires.
And fatten slaves.

Joy comes from Christ




Image result for d todd christofferson
D. Todd Christofferson



Joy comes from keeping Christ’s commandments, from overcoming sorrow and weakness through Him, and from serving as He served.
D. Todd Christofferson

Steady on, my headstrong soul;
to Christ alone I cede control.
To learn submissiveness I need
obedience in word and deed.
When sorrow weakens my belief,
to Him I turn for whole relief.
I'll strive forevermore to serve
as did He with love and verve.
Sometimes I quail before the task;
have patience, Lord, is all I ask.
Profitless as servant, surely;
still, I'll strive both late and early!


Saturday, December 7, 2019

Verses from stories by Johnny Diaz, Michelle Yee Hee Lee, Mike DeBonis, Anu Narayanswamy, and Thomas Heath.



TOILET TRAUMA
@johnnydiaz__

The President is worried
that we're flushing way too much;
he says that water's running
like someone let out the clutch.
Of course he also said that rain
comes down from little clouds,
and there might be too much of it --
which could explain the crowds
that often walk around in storms
just drinking Adam's ale;
they want to get a head start
before all the spigots fail.

********************************

REPUBLICANS SPEND FORTUNE FOR ADS
ACCUSING DEMOCRATS OF TREASON

@myhlee  @mikedebonis  @anu_narayan

Republicans are spending big
to label Democrats
as wolfs in sheepish clothing
and just all around bad hats.
Millions from their coffers
go for TV ads that show
Democratic senators
are fishier than roe.
I didn't know the Democrats
were too broke to reply;
I guess they're spending money
on a simple hemp necktie.

*****************************
YOUR PUPPY NEEDS A PILL
@addedvalueth

Pet supplements are all the rage
in this doggy/catty age.
Ev'ryone has got a pet,
and cannot afford a vet.
So they give 'em little pills
for their aches and pains and ills.
Do they work or are they spoof --
will they help your dog go 'woof?'
After taking careful stock,
I think it is mostly schlock.
(And I'm keeping my pet rock.)


Christ at the center

Image result for jeffrey r holland
Jeffrey R. Holland


"Sisters and brothers, through the incessant din and drumbeat of our day, may we strive to see Christ at the center of our lives, of our faith, and of our service."
Jeffrey R. Holland



No matter the configuration,
only Christ is adoration.
Service seems a lesser duty,
and our lives are lacking beauty,
if the Lord no center finds
in our faith and in our minds.
Savior, give me resolution
to serve Thee despite confusion!

Friday, December 6, 2019

Assurance of Hope

Image result for ulisses soares
Ulisses Soares.


Ulisses Soarez

When I place my hope in God
and in his loving Son,
my life is washed away in joy,
my sorrow's on the run.
A loving Father shows the way,
a mighty Son repairs
the folly I have wrought sometimes
amidst sharp worldly cares.
Hope is all a Christian has
when fiendish storms explode.
It steadies my existence
and will keep my head unbowed.

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Le karma de l'entrepreneuriat




L'influenceur, auteur et célèbre entrepreneur de YouTube, Sri Akarshana, affirme n'avoir que trois règles simples pour son succès sur YouTube et sur la liste des best-sellers indiens. Le gourou de l'entraide affirme qu'il a d'abord raffiné ces trois lignes directrices lors d'une retraite au Népal, au cours de laquelle il a utilisé le jeûne et la méditation pour acquérir un niveau de conscience plus élevé qui a déchiré le brouillard du mercantilisme et du matérialisme qui l'avait empêché de se sentir épanoui. . Sa première règle est de se concentrer sur la valeur et l'impact, en ignorant les considérations financières et les programmes publicitaires. Akarshana estime que lorsqu'un entrepreneur accorde la priorité à ses clients et résiste à la tentation de se vanter de ses produits et services, il en résulte une inversion karmique de l'état d'esprit traditionnel de la concurrence chien-manger-chien, et les ressources financières nécessaires seront automatiquement disponibles. Sa deuxième règle ne poursuit pas la richesse, laissez-la vous poursuivre. Il respecte cette règle en se débarrassant de tout l'argent et du plastique chaque jour avant de se rendre à son bureau. Il dit que dépenser un tout sans argent est un moyen rafraîchissant d'apprendre à contrôler ses finances, et aussi une bonne leçon pour rester humble. Sa troisième règle est de se mettre au défi chaque jour de faire quelque chose en dehors de sa zone de confort. Cela renforce la confiance, combat les burn-out et force l'intellect à rester ouvert à de nouvelles idées.

Postcards to my President.