Immeasurable Good

No matter what happens to you, no matter the depth of tragedy or pain you face ,no matter how death stalks you and your loved ones, the resurrection promises you a future of in measurable good.-- John McDowell

No Worries

I have more to be thankful for than to worry about.

Amazing Grace: The Story Behind The Song

Prayer

Rest In Peace- Rod McKuen 1933-2015

So saddened to hear of Rod McKuen's death today. If you want to read the written word of a beautiful soul, I suggest you look for his poetry books. I suggest Listen To The Warm and Lonesome Cities. I hope you find a safe place to land, Rod.

Listen To The Warm -Rod McKuen

Rod McKuen is another favorite of mine. His books, Listen To The Warm and Seasons In The Sun (yes, he wrote the song that was a big hit in the 70's) are two of my favorites. Breathtaking and heartbreaking. Just the way I like it.

I've drawn your face
on tablecloths across the country.
Tracing your smile
with my index finger,
making your hair just so.
Till now you are more
what I want you to be
than what you are.

I can paint yours eyes and say
this is where I lived
for twenty minutes and more.

I order grapefruit
and pay for ruined napkins.
And between the morning and the eveningI draw your face a little fainter every day.
++++++++

“I've been going a long time now

along the way I've learned some things.

You have to make the good times yourself.

Take the little times and make them into big times

and save the times that are all right

for the ones that aren't so good.”

―  Rod McKuen, Listen To The Warm

+++++++

“It's nice sometimes

to open up the heart a little

and let some hurt come in.

It proves you're still alive.”

―  Rod McKuen, Listen To The Warm

+++++++

How can you say something new about being alone?

Tell someone you're a loner 

and right away they think you're lonely.

It's not the same thing you know.

It's not wanting to put all your marbles in one pocket.

It;s caring enough to not care too much.

Mostly it's letting yourself come first for awhile.

                                                                 +++++++++++++

Eighteen

I stood watching
as you crossed the street
               for the last time.
Trying hard to memorize you.
Knowing it would be important.
The way you walked,
the way you looked back over you shoulder at me.

Years later 

I would hear the singing of the wind

and the day's singing would come back.

That time of going would return to me

every sun-gray day.

April or August it would be the same

       for years to come.

Man has not made the kind of bromide

that would let me sleep without your memory

or written erotically enough

to erase the excitement of just your hands.

These long years later it is worse

for I remember what it was

as well as what it might have been.

+++++++

“This is the way it was while I was waiting for your eyes to find me.”

―  Rod McKuen, Listen To The Warm

++++++

“Be gentle with me, new love.

Treat me tenderly.

I need the gentle touch,

the soft voice,

the candlelight after nine.

There's been so many who didn't understand

so give me all the love I see in your timid eyes

but give it gently.

Please.”

―  Rod McKuen, Listen To The Warm

+++++++

We come into the world alone,

we go away the same.

we're meant to spend 

the interlude

between in closeness

or so we tell ourselves,

But it's a long way from morning to the evening.

 -Rod McKuen, Listen To The Warm

+++++++

There is no wrong side or right side.
No misery in not being loved
only in not loving.
I learned these truths myself
I tell them to you now
as you go sailing through the sun
on your way towards life.
+++++++

I don't have to touch you
to be touching you
Nor feel your face to feel your face. 
Yet, sometimes touching you 
I feel you not at all.
There seems to be 
so much of you at times
enough to fill
and spill across the room.
Other times
I stretch in your direction
and draw back to me
great armfuls of air.
++++++++

In loving you

I've held back no reserve

and so I've nothing left

to give tomorrow's lover

when you go.

+++++

And then there is my favorite:

If You Go Away (Ne me quitte pas-Please Don't Go)

If you go away on this summer day,

Then you might as well take the sun away;

All the birds that flew in the summer sky,

When our love was new and our hearts were high

When the day was young and the night was long,

and the moon stood still for the night birds song.

If you go away, Ne me quitte pas

But if you stay, I'll make you a day

Like no day has been, or will be again;

We'll sail the sun, we'll ride on the rain,

We'll talk to the trees and worship the wind.

Then if you go, I'll understand,

Leave me just enough love to fill up my hand,
++++++++

  

For Election Day

 We will only be at peace when the power of love conquers the love of power.
                                                                                                       -Jimi Hendrix

You Are The Love Of My Life - For John

Love Of My Life - Jim Brickman
written by Michael W. Smith

I am amazed When I look at you
I see you smiling back at me
I am afraid If I lost you 

I'd fall through the cracks and lose my track
In this crazy lonely world
Sometimes it's so hard to believe

When the nights can be so long
And faith gave me the strength
And kept me holding on.

You are the love of my life
And I'm so glad you found me
You are the love of my life
Baby put your arms around me
I guess this is how it feels
When you finally find something real
My angel in the night
You are my love
Love of my life

Top-Button Truth

"If you know God, you know truth. Everything will work itself out the end. It's what's called top-button truth.  If you get the top of your shirt right all the rest of the buttons will fall into place behind it. But if you get the top button wrong ,no matter how hard you try, nothing will ever lineup like it's supposed to."

-Ninie Hammon, Five days in May

A Different Drug Problem

Never Forget Our Fallen Soldiers

True Story..... 

                                 Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complains about the noise from the base and its planes, forgetting that it was there long before they were...  A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back.  Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere  near Luke AFB wrote the local paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed his/her day at the mall. 

When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB officer, it must have stung quite a bit.

The complaint: 
'Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base:

Whom do we thank for the morning air show?  Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 A.M, a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing  west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet.  Imagine our good fortune!  Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyn's early bird special?

Any response would be appreciated.

The response:

Regarding 'A wake-up call from Luke's jets' On June 15, at precisely 9:12  a.m. , a  perfectly timed four- ship fly by of F-1 6s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques.  Capt Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day.

At 9 a. m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend.  Based on the letter writer's recount of the fly by, and because of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the President of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured..

A four-ship fly by is a display of respect the Air Force gives to those who give their lives in defense of freedom.  We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects.

The letter writer asks, 'Whom do we thank for the morning air show'?  The 56th Fighter Wing will make the call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt Fresques, and thank them for you, for it  was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their  lives.

Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.  One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

Lt.  Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. 
  .......... 

                   TRUE STORY:     http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/wakeup.asp
                                              
                                                 GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS

Why Should I Go To Church?

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. He said: "I've gone for 30 years now and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So," he wrote, "I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher—

I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this. They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!

Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible! Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment! See you in church.

In Christ

In Christ,

                         You are a loved child of God. John 1:12, Rom 8:16-17, and Gal 3:26

You are redeemed and forgiven. Eph 1:7, Col 1:3-14, I John 2-12
You are complete in Jesus Christ. Col 2:9-10, Phil 1:6, and I Cor 1:5-7
You are a new creation in Christ. 2 Cor 5:17, Gal 2:20, and 1 Pet 1:3,23
You are more than a conqueror. Rom 8:37, Eph 3:20, and 1 Phil 2:13, 4:13
You are a citizen of heaven. Eph 2:19, Phil 3:20, and Col 1:12

Here I Am, Lord

I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard My people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin, My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them? Whom shall I send?
 Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord? I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
 I will hold Your people in my heart.-    James Kilbane

Quentin's Theme

Dark Shadows was one of my favorite shows back in the late 60's. I  particularly loved David Selby and his portral of the ghost Quentin Collins. Aside from the occasional fits of maniacal laughter,  or turning into a werewolf now and then, Quentin Collins remained silent for quite some time as he haunted the Collinwood Estate.I was so happy to find this on the internet and hear the lovely music that he used to play on his gramophone again. Beautiful.  

QUENTIN'S THEME by Charles Randolph Grean Sounde

Shadows of the night...
Falling silently
Echo of the past...
Calling you to me
Haunting memory...
Veiled in misty glow
Phantom melody...
Playing soft and low

In this world that we know now
Life is here, then gone
But somewhere in the afterglow
Love lives on and on

Dreams of long ago...
Meet in rendezvous
Shadows of the night...
Calling me to you

Calling me to you

Don't ever mistake my silence for ignorance
My calmness for acceptance,
My kindness for weakness.

My Lost Youth- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

My Lost Youth -  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

There are things of which I may not speak;
There are dreams that cannot die;
There are thoughts that make the strong heart weak,
And bring a pallor into the cheek,
And a mist before the eye.
And the words of that fatal song
Come over me like a chill:
"A boy's will is the wind's will,
And the thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts."

Strange to me now are the forms I meet
When I visit the dear old town;
But the native air is pure and sweet,
And the trees that o'ershadow each well-known street,
As they balance up and down,
Are singing the beautiful song,
Are sighing and whispering still:
"A boy's will is the wind's will, 

And the thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts."

And Deering's Woods are fresh and fair,
And with joy that is almost pain
My heart goes back to wander there,
And among the dreams of the days that were,
I find my lost youth again.
And the strange and beautiful song,
The groves are repeating it still:
"A boy's will is the wind's will,
And the thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts."

Special Woman-For Grandma Sarah

An original song written for my Grandma Sarah. 1974

SPECIAL WOMAN

By Joanne H. 1974

Time goes by and I wonder

      how you managed to be here with me.

Miles and trials that you conquered with pride,

     tears and fears that you kept deep inside.

Grandmother, wise and true,

     someday I hope to be just like you.

Special woman, teach me your ways,

     the lessons you’ve learned through your long struggling days.

Years go by and I wonder

      how you climbed to reach your goals.

Times were hard but you stuck to your dreams,

      whenever they tore, you sewed back the seams?

Grandmother wise and strong,

      I learned of life from how you got along.

Special woman, life cant be done

      Till you’ve waited with our Lord for forever to come.

Life goes by and now you wonder

       how a young mind can truly see

back through years of an ageless lifetime

       and from it learn how to conquer and climb.

Grandmother wisest of minds,

      of values, virtue, love and good times.

Special woman, wonder no more it’s true…..

      All this I have learned and found in you.

Happy Birthday Mike

You finally asked me to dance on the last slow song
Beneath that moon that was really a disco ball
I can still feel my head on your shoulder
And hoping that song would never be over.

I haven't seen you in ages
Sometimes I find myself wondering where you are
For me you'll always be eighteen and beautiful
And dancing away with my heart

Read more: Lady Antebellum - Dancing Away With My Heart Lyrics | MetroLyrics 

Grace- Carolyn Hamlin

Lord, as I seek Your guidance for the day,
I find my thoughts unyielding,
confusion crowds my way.

But then when I bow to You,
the challenges You guide me through,
Your promises are ever new,
I claim them for today.

Your will cannot lead me where Your grace will not keep me.
Your hand will protect me, I rest in Your care.
Your eyes will watch over me, Your love will forgive me,
And when I am faltering, I still will find You there.

Eternity is a long time to be wrong about Jesus.

35th Wedding Anniversary!

Bill O'Reilly: Talking Points; The Immigration Crisis

There are some very common sense suggestions here. Not so sure if or how this would work, but at least it's a start to a very serious situation.

The Factor's Plan to Solve the Immigration Crisis

By: Bill O'ReillyJuly 1, 2014

Talking Points has come up with a plan to solve the immigration crisis that is fair, humane, and can be implemented quickly.

Number one, in order to stop the border madness, President Obama must demand that Mexico police its own borders. That means stopping tens of thousands of illegal aliens from crossing into Mexico from Guatemala. Not a hard thing to do if you post the military at border check points.

In addition, the Mexican army must patrol the border with the USA stopping the human smugglers and border intruders. On the other side of the border, the American army will also be patrolling to back up the U-S Border Patrol at the hottest spots like the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. The National Guard should have been ordered to the border a long time ago. Its presence alone would inhibit people from paying the smugglers. It would also inhibit drug trafficking.

If Mexico does not cooperate on its borders, President Obama should issue trade sanctions against that country quickly. Mexico is the primary reason we have so much immigration chaos and it's time our federal government acted responsibly to hold that country accountable. We here on the Factor have called for Americans to boycott Mexico. No traveling there. Don't buy their stuff until they stop the massive corruption that has enveloped the entire country. Mexico should allow American planes to conduct surveillance in its air space to pinpoint illegal immigration camps and stop the flow of folks. Strong action by President Obama is needed right now and the Mexican government would respond to any threat of trade sanctions.

And what about the undocumented aliens who are already here? First they all must register at their local post office within three months providing name, age, family members, country of origin and address in the USA. Every illegal alien adult must do that. If they don't, it's a felony. They go to a federal prison upon conviction. Once the foreign national registers, he or she is sent a tamper-proof ID card allowing them to apply for working papers. They can apply to be citizens and their applications will be placed behind those applying legally.

Under my immigration plan, the feds have the power to immediately deport anyone whom they feel is undesirable for criminal or social reasons. Also, the aliens could not receive entitlements although their children could. If an immigrant cannot find work he or she is deportable up to Homeland Security to make that decision.

So there's no amnesty. There's a vetting process but there's also hope that a hard-working, honest, foreign national might build a life here. But no guarantee. It is a fair plan that would put a severe dent in a problem that has been vexing America for decades.

The rules for full citizenship would be tough and it would take a long time but in the end that kind of immigration plan would strengthen the country and show the world we are a humane nation but not a soft one.