I am considering update this old blog to report my McDonald's Ministry (mcd). I have accidentally moved into this experience. I have had many people follow me on facebook. The problem is that more people want to be fb friends in order to follow this program. Every new "friend" I accept gets me all of their posts and there are many people who have an endless ability to post and repost.
It seems I could post my daily posts of the mcd ministry and not have to have my FB read to grow.
If this works, I will be posting this blog and let people follow me this way.
Monday, June 26, 2017
Thursday, March 7, 2013
The Old Letter Jacket
By larry r Linville
It hangs on a nail in the hallway
as it has for so many years
displaying the old school colors
while it listens for old school cheers.
It was once daily apparel
the owner went nowhere without it.
But it’s been there alone forever
because these day it just doesn’t fit.
It’s colors seem to have faded
but the letter hangs there like a sign
of a teenager’s accomplishments
in sports and in music so fine.
It watches its owner each day
as he walks by without a glance.
If it could talk it would might ask
“Could I just once get a second glance?”
“Just pick me up and hold me,
and remember those good old days
when we went to games and concerts
and the junior and senior plays.”
If you have your letter jacket
It might lift your heart a bit
To take it and spend some minutes
and wear it if it happens to fit.
By larry r Linville
It hangs on a nail in the hallway
as it has for so many years
displaying the old school colors
while it listens for old school cheers.
It was once daily apparel
the owner went nowhere without it.
But it’s been there alone forever
because these day it just doesn’t fit.
It’s colors seem to have faded
but the letter hangs there like a sign
of a teenager’s accomplishments
in sports and in music so fine.
It watches its owner each day
as he walks by without a glance.
If it could talk it would might ask
“Could I just once get a second glance?”
“Just pick me up and hold me,
and remember those good old days
when we went to games and concerts
and the junior and senior plays.”
If you have your letter jacket
It might lift your heart a bit
To take it and spend some minutes
and wear it if it happens to fit.
The Criminal On The Cross
By larry r Linville
I hung beside a special man
who was out of place between us.
I tried to be encouraging
but the other criminal could only cuss.
My heart was warmed when I heard him say
Father forgive them everyone.
Although the dark clouds gathered
it seemed like he brought out the sun.
All the evil things I had done
suddenly seemed to disappear
and for the first time I felt clean
with God’s love so very near.
Boldly I asked if I could be
allowed in his kingdom to stay.
With strong assurance he said to me
I’d be in paradise this day.
I knew I was already there
freed from all my terror and fear
and when he took his final breath
his life was gone but he was near.
He died much sooner than I did
yet his spirit surrounded me
and as my life faded away
his face was all I could see.
By larry r Linville
I hung beside a special man
who was out of place between us.
I tried to be encouraging
but the other criminal could only cuss.
My heart was warmed when I heard him say
Father forgive them everyone.
Although the dark clouds gathered
it seemed like he brought out the sun.
All the evil things I had done
suddenly seemed to disappear
and for the first time I felt clean
with God’s love so very near.
Boldly I asked if I could be
allowed in his kingdom to stay.
With strong assurance he said to me
I’d be in paradise this day.
I knew I was already there
freed from all my terror and fear
and when he took his final breath
his life was gone but he was near.
He died much sooner than I did
yet his spirit surrounded me
and as my life faded away
his face was all I could see.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
JOSEPH REMEMBERS CHRISTMAS
By larry r Linville
(here's a poem I wrote for the church service today (Dec. 23, 2012)
After years as a struggling carpenter
my life was taking a turn for the good.
I could now ask the beautiful Mary
to be my wife and she said she would.
I don’t think my feet ever touched the ground
everywhere I walked in our little town.
My joy was crushed when she told me some news
which turned my smile into a great big frown.
She said she was to give birth to God’s son
which would ruin her reputation and mine.
So I spent many hours in some very deep prayer
and God told me that everything is fine.
I began to feel how special we were.
Mary would give birth to God’s only Son
and I could help him grow to be man
knowing that this task would never be done.
That crazy census didn’t fit my plans.
The trip wasn’t safe for my dear Mary
so close to the day of her delivery.
A long ride on a donkey was very scary.
reaching Bethlehem was such a relief.
Mary stayed healthy until the last day
but we found another big obstacle
because we couldn’t find a place to stay.
We traveled from one inn to another.
They turned us away because we were poor.
But they found room for those who were rich.
No one smiled as each slammed their door.
I lost my temper at all the denials.
“We need a room where a king can be born!”
I shouted at the top of my lungs,
which only resulted in looks of deep scorn.
In my indignation I heard from God
He said He came not as royalty
but to identify with all the needy
and that’s why he chose Mary and me.
With my attitude newly adjusted
I went to the last inn as a stranger.
The innkeeper saw my new humility
and gave us a cave with a small manger.
I knew that manger would have to hold God’s son
so I fixed it up so pretty and fine
and before I knew it Mary gave birth
to God’s son, and in a special way – mine.
I sat beside Mary and we both smiled.
Though poor, we felt the richest on this earth.
I thought I saw the animals smile too.
We were all soaking in this miracle birth.
Don’t know what times it was but it was dark.
A strange kind of light was coming through a crack
so I went to the door and looked to the south
at something so strange I was taken aback.
The sky was brighter than I’ve ever seen
and the sweet music was in the sky.
I had no idea where it was
and even less of an idea why.
Soon the light and music both went away
and the deep darkness was back again.
I don’t know how, but I soon dozed off.
When I woke up some strangers came in.
Some shepherds entered as white as a sheet.
They seemed so scared like they’d seen a ghost.
They talked of bright light and many angels
who sang lovely as a heavenly host.
I quickly knew that was what I had seen.
They told us the message they’d been given
so we prayed with these messengers
feeling with them the closeness of heaven.
These men were poor people just like us.
I saw Mary had a smile on her face.
She had come to the deep conclusion
This babe was a gift to the human race.
Born to the lowly in a lowly stable
and to the lowly the message first came.
The wealthy and important in that town
had not yet been told of the baby’s name.
Emmanuel was the name God had said.
“God with us” is what this name means.
This child was God present in the flesh
and it was demonstrated in these scenes.
Herod and all the people in control
when this great even had taken place
were not aware for a couple of years
when some wise men came to make their case.
Herod was threatened by a new born king.
did not understand the implications.
He thought the new king was for Israel
But he was king of all the nations.
By larry r Linville
(here's a poem I wrote for the church service today (Dec. 23, 2012)
After years as a struggling carpenter
my life was taking a turn for the good.
I could now ask the beautiful Mary
to be my wife and she said she would.
I don’t think my feet ever touched the ground
everywhere I walked in our little town.
My joy was crushed when she told me some news
which turned my smile into a great big frown.
She said she was to give birth to God’s son
which would ruin her reputation and mine.
So I spent many hours in some very deep prayer
and God told me that everything is fine.
I began to feel how special we were.
Mary would give birth to God’s only Son
and I could help him grow to be man
knowing that this task would never be done.
That crazy census didn’t fit my plans.
The trip wasn’t safe for my dear Mary
so close to the day of her delivery.
A long ride on a donkey was very scary.
reaching Bethlehem was such a relief.
Mary stayed healthy until the last day
but we found another big obstacle
because we couldn’t find a place to stay.
We traveled from one inn to another.
They turned us away because we were poor.
But they found room for those who were rich.
No one smiled as each slammed their door.
I lost my temper at all the denials.
“We need a room where a king can be born!”
I shouted at the top of my lungs,
which only resulted in looks of deep scorn.
In my indignation I heard from God
He said He came not as royalty
but to identify with all the needy
and that’s why he chose Mary and me.
With my attitude newly adjusted
I went to the last inn as a stranger.
The innkeeper saw my new humility
and gave us a cave with a small manger.
I knew that manger would have to hold God’s son
so I fixed it up so pretty and fine
and before I knew it Mary gave birth
to God’s son, and in a special way – mine.
I sat beside Mary and we both smiled.
Though poor, we felt the richest on this earth.
I thought I saw the animals smile too.
We were all soaking in this miracle birth.
Don’t know what times it was but it was dark.
A strange kind of light was coming through a crack
so I went to the door and looked to the south
at something so strange I was taken aback.
The sky was brighter than I’ve ever seen
and the sweet music was in the sky.
I had no idea where it was
and even less of an idea why.
Soon the light and music both went away
and the deep darkness was back again.
I don’t know how, but I soon dozed off.
When I woke up some strangers came in.
Some shepherds entered as white as a sheet.
They seemed so scared like they’d seen a ghost.
They talked of bright light and many angels
who sang lovely as a heavenly host.
I quickly knew that was what I had seen.
They told us the message they’d been given
so we prayed with these messengers
feeling with them the closeness of heaven.
These men were poor people just like us.
I saw Mary had a smile on her face.
She had come to the deep conclusion
This babe was a gift to the human race.
Born to the lowly in a lowly stable
and to the lowly the message first came.
The wealthy and important in that town
had not yet been told of the baby’s name.
Emmanuel was the name God had said.
“God with us” is what this name means.
This child was God present in the flesh
and it was demonstrated in these scenes.
Herod and all the people in control
when this great even had taken place
were not aware for a couple of years
when some wise men came to make their case.
Herod was threatened by a new born king.
did not understand the implications.
He thought the new king was for Israel
But he was king of all the nations.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Turkey Vultures at Camp
By larry r Linville
A pair of turkey vultures sat
high in the branches of a tree
as the young campers cars arrived
as far their eagle eyes could see.
They’d seen them come and go before
and they’d never done any harm.
They wondered what would happen this time
since the weather was so warm.
They talked to the lowly sparrow
whom God’s eyes were always set on.
The sparrow told them not to fret
because God’s care is never gone.
They watched the campers from above
as they sang and as they prayed.
They seemed to love God’s great beauty
when they studied and when they played.
As the campers left the camp
the vultures bowed to pray
and thanked God they could share their world
with God’s people another day.
And they asked one another
if those campers who looked so odd
could see the wondrous beauty
and know it was given from God.
Just then the sparrow flew by
and gave both vultures a wink
and said, “they worship our God too!
at least that’s what I think.”
By larry r Linville
A pair of turkey vultures sat
high in the branches of a tree
as the young campers cars arrived
as far their eagle eyes could see.
They’d seen them come and go before
and they’d never done any harm.
They wondered what would happen this time
since the weather was so warm.
They talked to the lowly sparrow
whom God’s eyes were always set on.
The sparrow told them not to fret
because God’s care is never gone.
They watched the campers from above
as they sang and as they prayed.
They seemed to love God’s great beauty
when they studied and when they played.
As the campers left the camp
the vultures bowed to pray
and thanked God they could share their world
with God’s people another day.
And they asked one another
if those campers who looked so odd
could see the wondrous beauty
and know it was given from God.
Just then the sparrow flew by
and gave both vultures a wink
and said, “they worship our God too!
at least that’s what I think.”
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Birthday Wishes for My Country
By larry r Linville
What do you want for your birthday?
we ask our family and friends.
Perhaps we should ask our nation
before Independence Day ends.
We can give some small gifts to her
for all she has given to us.
Perhaps we can highlight her good points
rather than just sit around and cuss.
I’ll bet she would really like it
if we lived the faith that we claim
showing more love and compassion
instead of all our words of blame.
Maybe we can try to get along
with people who have other views
while working on things in common
bringing about a lot of good news.
We could try to live like Jesus
with forgiveness our primarily goal
caring for the needs of each other
as we help true justice to roll.
Let’s take time out from hot dogs,
swimming, fireworks, parades and flag
and realize we can be humble
while we lift up our voices to brag.
By larry r Linville
What do you want for your birthday?
we ask our family and friends.
Perhaps we should ask our nation
before Independence Day ends.
We can give some small gifts to her
for all she has given to us.
Perhaps we can highlight her good points
rather than just sit around and cuss.
I’ll bet she would really like it
if we lived the faith that we claim
showing more love and compassion
instead of all our words of blame.
Maybe we can try to get along
with people who have other views
while working on things in common
bringing about a lot of good news.
We could try to live like Jesus
with forgiveness our primarily goal
caring for the needs of each other
as we help true justice to roll.
Let’s take time out from hot dogs,
swimming, fireworks, parades and flag
and realize we can be humble
while we lift up our voices to brag.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
When Jesus Woke Up In The Tomb
By larry r Linville
I wonder what Jesus was thinking
when he opened his eyes in that tomb
with the darkness blacker than black
and nothing could be seen in the gloom.
I wonder when he got to his feet
and carefully folded the shroud
just as the stone rolled wide open
very slowly and it wasn’t loud.
Was the sky so bright it hurt his eyes
but he soon saw the flowers in bloom
as he walked for a short distance
and turned to look at the tomb.
I wonder how the women’s coming
touched his loving tender heart
and he watched the men in white robes
gave a message for them to depart.
What did he think as he saw Peter
following John to stand at the door
and leading him inside the tomb
standing puzzled looking at the floor.
It must have touched his feelings deep
when Mary thought him the gardener
but he spoke her name just as he had
on the day he first pardoned her.
I wonder what Jesus feels today
when Easter becomes real in our life
knowing it will bring us victory
to our lives filled with much strife.
By larry r Linville
I wonder what Jesus was thinking
when he opened his eyes in that tomb
with the darkness blacker than black
and nothing could be seen in the gloom.
I wonder when he got to his feet
and carefully folded the shroud
just as the stone rolled wide open
very slowly and it wasn’t loud.
Was the sky so bright it hurt his eyes
but he soon saw the flowers in bloom
as he walked for a short distance
and turned to look at the tomb.
I wonder how the women’s coming
touched his loving tender heart
and he watched the men in white robes
gave a message for them to depart.
What did he think as he saw Peter
following John to stand at the door
and leading him inside the tomb
standing puzzled looking at the floor.
It must have touched his feelings deep
when Mary thought him the gardener
but he spoke her name just as he had
on the day he first pardoned her.
I wonder what Jesus feels today
when Easter becomes real in our life
knowing it will bring us victory
to our lives filled with much strife.
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