For Thursday, January, 3rd, 2013

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

JANUARY 3RD, 2013

76 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

It's  THURSDAY

J.R.R. TOLKIEN DAY

Happy Birthday to the father of high fantasy literature, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, who lived January 3, 1892 to September 2, 1973 

Tolkien is the author of Hobbit and  The Lord of the Rings trilogy.  Tolkien released part one of the series, The Fellowship of the Ring, in 1954; The Two Towers and The Return of the King followed in 1955, finishing up the trilogy.

On this day each year Tolkien fans around the world are invited to raise a glass and toast his birthday.

Courage is found in unlikely places.

 J.R.R. Tolkien

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.

 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

The Hobbit is a really popular movie right now.  I know that some of my family went to see it recently.  My children read the book when they were younger along with the Lord of the Rings trilogy.  They are stories that never grow old and are for young and old alike.

The nice thing about stories like these is that they tell of some great truths for all of us.  The battle between good and evil is what makes Tolkien's work so enduring. 

 The pictures today are of our little Xfactors first Christmas.

Have a great Thursday everyone!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power:
for thou hast created all things,
and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Rev. 4:11

I am trying to count at least 3 things I'm thankful for each day and then in 1 year's time I'll have counted 1000 gifts.

I’ll be sharing them and giving thanks to God for these gifts each day,

140.  for the ability to learn something new

141. for laughter, the best medicine of all

142.  celebrations, big and small

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in

your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the

selfless acts they perform for us

in our time of need. I ask this in the

name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU !

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma