Time Experience Thoughts

The Center Through the heart and words of a natural mother AND through the heart and works of a natural genealogist, Mom (Grandma Dot) is at the very center of all that is important. Connecting our hearts and the generations.    Looking back (and forward), seeing past an earthy veil    Into the heart. Love no longer lost, the chain no longer frail,     Is now rebuilt and an inherent part . . . Of those we knew. But being separated     Here in our own time . . . And forgotten. Are now recovered and remembered --     With faint inklings sublime. Weak links, now strong. Those long asleep, now awakening,     No longer alone. She, at the center point of our shared existence, connecting     Our Hearts and the Generations. Now one -- and known. (Poem by Scott L. Vanatter, written Feb. 26, 2014, in honor of my Mother’s 80th birthday.)

http://www.amazon.com/Beginnings-Beyond-Carol-Lynn-Pearson/dp/1599558602 The Steward ~ a poem by Carol Lynn Pearson, from her book, Beginnings and Beyond Heber looked at his lands And he was pleased. He’d be leaving them, tomorrow, and his hands Hurt with anticipated idleness. But he knew there was no other way When a man is seventy-eight and has to make Two rest stops with a full bucket of milk Between the barn and the kitchen. Condominiums-do they have gardens? He wondered. His son had arranged the place for them in town And he was ready. He sat down On the rock that knew his body Better than the front room chair. Could it really be fifty-five years ago That sitting right there They had talked? His father’s voice had never left him: “Heber, I’m trusting to you The most precious thing I’ve got. I worked hard for this land. You know all about The crickets and the Indians and the drought, And the buckets of sweat it took To make what you see ...

In Memphis to support sanitation workers, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated April 4, 1968. The previous night he spoke at the Church of God in Christ Headquarters there in Memphis where he delivered another (and final) of his famous speeches. This “I’ve been to the mountaintop” speech poignantly ends with the following words:  “And then I got into Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers? Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop . And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain . And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land . I may not get there with yo...

August 28, 2013 is the fifty-year anniversary of Martin Luther King, Junior’s seminal 1963 speech, “I Have a Dream.” Below I offer brief commentary on a few paragraphs from the front half of the speech with the corresponding paragraphs of the back half. This arrangement also highlights what I believe to be the center section(s) where often the most poignant imagery of Christ obtains. So, in honor of the fiftieth anniversary and to remind us all of the best of what American can and should be, I offer this suggested outline and related commentary, with a link to the entire speech. I Have a Dream Delivered by Martin Luther King, Jr. on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, August 28, 1963 Suggested outline, summary A — The Greatest Demonstration for Freedom  B — The Emancipation Proclamation   C — An Exile in His Own Land    D — Honoring This Sacred Obligation     E — Stand on the Warm Threshold which leads into the Palace of Justice   ...

The Heart of The Book of Mormon Scott Vanatter, July 21, 2013 PICTURE Picture with me, in your mind’s eye, that you are present at the crowning event -- the heart -- of The Book of Mormon. The Lord Jesus Christ descends out of heaven and stands before you -- in all his majesty, grandeur, and glory – yet somewhat paradoxically, with a sweet inner humility. And you are drawn to Him. The darkness has dispersed. As the new day begins to dawn, you gravitate toward the Temple. You finally recognize the voice of Heavenly Father introducing his Beloved Son. This is the moment that has been prophesied for so many years. This is the moment you have eagerly awaited. You can see him with your natural eyes. But, in a special way, you now see him as never before with your spiritual eyes – the eyes of your understanding. You see him as he is. You not only see his face, you see and understand his heart better than ever before.  And yours swells as wide as eternity. You can f...

The Star Spangled Banner Fourth of July (2013) This is the story about the Star Spangled Banner. And a little bit about our country, and a little bit about you. Some historians claim that the most important political act in American History was neither the daring signing or publishing of the Declaration of Independence, nor was it the brilliant design or ratification of the U.S. Constitution. But that it was when George Washington, the first president of the United States of America, purposely chose to step down from power. Evidently this was the first time in world history that the leader of a great nation voluntarily left office of his own accord. Prior to Washington, if a leader or king did not die of natural causes they were either overthrown or assassinated. By the way, this was not the first time Washington gave up power. After he won the Revolutionary War, rather than take over as the conquering hero/general, he turned back his military commission to the civilian leaders w...

Robert Treat Paine -- named Thomas Paine at birth -- had his name changed to that of his father, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. (NOTE: The original Thomas Paine had fallen out of favor with the public later in his life.) Robert Treat Paine wrote a song: Adams and Liberty . It was perhaps the most popular political song of its era, and was even republished in Great Britain. It was one of many songs sung to the tune of the English song  To Anacreon in Heaven . A later, now more famous, The Star-Spangled Banner . This poem/song is, in its own right, quite a commentary on the promise and character of the new nation. (Try singing it to yourself in the melody mentioned above.) ODE. ADAMS AND LIBERTY. Robert Treat Paine (1773-1811) Written for, and sung at the fourth Anniversary of the Massachusetts Charitable Fire Society, 1798. 1     Y E   sons of Columbia, who bravely have fought,           For those rights, whi...