Salute ot Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Happy King Day

A KING FIT TO BE A KING

A King is what you were destined to be

One who could see injustices others could not see.

Hand chosen by God to lead the battle against inequality

You were a King fit to be a King.

You changed the world with one cry, “Let freedom ring.”

Selfless, humble, courageous and strong,

You gave your life to right the ultimate wrong.

Yours was not a message of violence, but one of love,

Peace and humility.

You could forgive the unforgiveable,

Motivate the unmotivatable  and move the seemingly  immoveable

You awakened the sleeping and quickened the dead in spirit.

You taught us to draw from a well spring of strength

That lay dormant in the pain and agony of injustice.

You gave us a vision of what was on the other side

You ignited our hearts with pride.

You enabled us to see that we could overcome,

If in our hearts we would believe,

That was your hope.

That was your dream.

Penetrating the darkness of hopelessness and despair,

You were a beacon of hope, challenging,

Inspiring and gently guiding us through,

Like the great men and women before

Who championed freedom’s cause.

They may have stilled your voice, but

In our spirits, we can still hear your cry,

“Free at last, Free at last, thank God

Almighty, we are free at last!”

All hail to you Martin

Forever in our hearts you will be

A King

Fit to be a King.

copyright:  P. Newman-Harris

One Wish

If I had one wish

It would be to make every Christmas dream come true

So, Lord, I’d like to talk to you.

Little Jasmine wants a new pair of shoes,

But if she had to choose,

She’d rather have a place to sleep.

She knows her Mother is tired of staying on the street.

Little Tyler’s gift cannot be wrapped

All he wants is to have his father back.

Every time Nicholas goes to church,

He prays that one day there will be peace on earth.

There are so many soldiers fighting in Iraq

Their families just want them to come back.

All over the world

There are little boys and girls

With needs such as these,

So, Lord, please

Bless them tonight

As they make a wish and turn out the light.

Lord remember those who have no home.

I hate to see them spend Christmas alone.

I come on their behalf

Knowing you can bring miracles to pass.

Lord, we know you are there.

We know how much you care.

So, we come asking you

To do whatever you can do.
Lord, we are counting on you

To make our Christmas dreams come true.

All over the world

There are little boys and girls

With tiny hands clasped

Innocently they ask

Not knowing what they ask

Will be no small task

Lord, I come on their behalf.

If I had just one wish 

It would be to make every Christmas wish come true.

copyright by P. Newman-Harris

Prayer for Peace

If you have been visiting this blog for any length of time, I'm sure you have discovered my private passion is for bringing peace and harmony to the world.  That is why, especially, at this time of the year, I have great concern for those whose fight for the battle of peace has kept them away from family and friends.  For them, I say a special holiday prayer, for their families, and friends, that this time next year, they will be at home hugging their loved ones tight.  I wish you all a very Merry Chirstmas and a Happy New Year...Whoever you are and Where ever you are I dedicate this prayer and this song to you.

To the war torn countries of the world:

For you, I say this prayer today

To Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq, to Jerusalem, Sarajevo,

Beirut, Belfast, Africa, Kuwait, Mongolia,

To the world.

May God 's peace rain from shore to shore,

Cleansing hardened hearts from hatreds of generations past.

May the winds of unrest be stilled at last.

May God open blinded eyes and allow them to

See the world afresh and new.

     May he shut the bowels of anger, hatred and wrath

And lead us down compassion’s path

May broken spirits be repaired

and old wounds healed.

I pray that the children of the world

will remain untouched by the violence their young

eyes have seen.

May God raise up amongst them leaders who will teach the

way of peace, godliness and love.

I pray that they will be young men and women

That will desire to resolve their differences

Without the need for weapons or missiles, but instead will work

together to bring about a peaceful coexistence.

I pray that they will not fight without purpose or cause,

but, will choose to stand for what is decent and right.

I pray for those who have lost their lives needlessly.

On behalf of their families I seek comfort and healing.

Lord, I ask that you would fill us with your love.

Give us a heart of understanding and a tolerance for diversity

in race, color, nationality and customs.

Teach us how to love one another with the same love

wherein you have loved us, unconditionally and without merit.

I pray for everlasting peace and restoration for us all.

Forever grant us your sweet Shalom.

In Jesus name.

  Amen

Remember

To those who believe

Christmas only comes in December

Let’s take a moment to remember.

Remember the Holy one

Remember all that he has done.

Christmas is much more than a season,

Much more than a few days of fun.

Christmas is a time to remember.

Remember the love

That was sent from above.

Remember God’s grace,

Remember his mercy

By showing the same love and trust

That he has shown toward us.

It’s taking a stance,

Independent of circumstance,

For a sister or brother who can’t stand on his own

It’s opening your home

When someone is spending Christmas alone.

It’s going out of your way to help the deprived.

It’s offering someone a ride,

Giving an encouraging word or two.

It’s doing whatever you can do.

It’s standing in a gap for someone,

Regardless of ethnicity, birthplace

Or race.

It’s never about color.

It’s about helping one another.

It’s the caring

And the sharing

It’s about putting a smile on the face

Of boys and girls

Throughout the world.

It’s the showing of God’s amazing grace

Not just one day,

But everyday.

It’s the giving.

It’s the living.

No matter what the reason

Or the season might be

It’s showing the same love as he.

To those who believe Christmas only comes in December,

Lets take a moment to remember.

Remember God’s love.

Remember his grace.

Remember

Remember

Not just in December

Remember.

The Story Without End

There’s a story we know so well,

One we love to tell.

It's been called the story without end.

It has been told again and again.

A story as old as time,

It has survived many lifetimes.

Who hasn’t heard the story

Of how, Jesus, in all of his glory,

In one immaculate birth

Came to earth?

To those who believe,

It is neither myth nor prodigy of the rumor mill.

It is Biblical prophesy fulfilled.

To those who might ask, “How can it be?”

I ask, “How can you not see

The beauty of all his hands has made?”

The green grass, like a carpet, he laid.

His play goes unrehearsed

Throughout the universe.

He, the author of time,

Has written every line.

The flowers, trees, and skies,

Humming birds and butterflies,

The stars that sparkle brilliantly,

The ever-reaching sea,

The sun that shines down on us each day,

The waves that mysteriously roll away,

Are evidence of his power and glory.

It’s all a part of the never-ending story.

He created all that we can see

Just by uttering the words, “Let there be.”

The master of earth and sky,

Keeps the birds soaring through the sky.

He created the mountains, hills and plains,

And he waters them with the rain.

How can we not see the little miracles he gives us every day?

Like a Shepherd, he knows if just one sheep goes astray.

It is he who makes the cattle on a thousand hills

And whisper to the raging sea, “Peace be still.”

To those who will ask,” How can he be?”

I ask, “How can you not see the beauty of his majesty?”
Whether or not you believe the story is true

Is up to you,

Regardless, the story will live on

Long after we are gone

For it is a story without end

That will continue to be told again and again.

copyright 2011 P. Newman-Harris

Merry Christmas

         The Christmas Gift

As I sat thinking on Christmases past

How, as a child, I thought of foolish things.

I wanted a new doll every Christmas,

I never once thought of how much it would cost

Or whether my parents had the money at all

I never knew how difficult the task proved to be

When things magically appeared under the tree.

Somehow, they managed to fulfill most of our requests.

I remember the lighted Christmas trees,

The gifts and toys always strewn underneath

I never wondered if one day they wouldn’t be

My belief and faith in my parents never let me doubt.

We rarely had to do without.

Not to imply we had a lot

My parents worked hard for everything we got.

Now that I’m grown, I see things differently.

I know what is important and what is not.

I’ve learned to be grateful for everything I’ve got.

I still enjoy all the lights and festivities of the season,

But it’s not what matters most.

All the toys and gifts we received didn’t last any length of time.

Some were outgrown, some lost, others given away.

In some sense, they were never really mine.

I enjoyed them for a brief period of time.

The gift we received that mattered most,

Is the precious memories we made as a family.

This is what I will always treasure

It is a gift that is beyond measure.

As a child I thought of foolish things,

But now I know the value of the gift

 That we received every day of the year.

It wasn’t something you put in a box with a bow

And place under the Christmas tree

It was a gift that will last forever

One that will be with our family always

It can never be taken away

It will never lose its sparkle or shine

It will be ours until the end of time.

That is the  unending gift of love

Copyright 2011 P. Newman-Harris

I Just Want to Say Thank You

        

Lord, too many times I come to you

Crying, Lord, what can you do?

Day after day I make requests unto you

Forgetting about you.

How you have blessed me thus far.

How faithful you are.

I have so much to be thankful for

But I never stop asking for more.

Today, I have no requests or petitions

Just a humble rendition

My praise to impart

With all the reverence in my heart

I just want to kneel in that secret place

And seek your face

I want to give you the praise and honor that you’re due.

Lord, I just want to say thank you.

Thank you for all the days you've allowed me to see

It didn't have to be

Thank you for the hand of mercy

That has kept me safe

Thank you for the awesome grace

That brought me where I am today,

And gives me the strength to face each new day

I don’t want to sit on your mercy seat

I just want to kneel at your feet

With a praise that is fresh and new

Lord, I just want to say thank you.

I don’t want to ask for more.

I have so much to be thankful for.

Today, I have no requests or petitions

Just a humble rendition

Of praise to impart

The reverence in my heart

Lord I want to give all praise to you,

I just want to say, thank you.

Copyright 2011 P. Newman-Harris

Happy Thanksgiving -Count Your Blessings

I remember the words to an old song,

"Count your blessings, name them one by one"

The words when sung

Didn’t mean much to me at the time

But somehow, they stuck in my mind.

Years have taught me things aren’t always as they seem

A well-ordered life can be raveling at the seams.

The richest man

Can be the poorest man

If he has a beautiful home,

And falls asleep alone

He can have everything money can buy,

But he still has to die.

He can have great wealth,

And be in poor health.

God didn’t have to keep us from hurt, harm and danger.

We could be that homeless stranger

Walking the street

Begging for food to eat.

If we can see the sun rise,

If we can look up and see blue skies,

If we can hear the birds sweet melodies,

Flowing through the trees

If we can still speak,

If we have a job week after week,

If we have some money to spend,

If we have family and friends,

We have something to be thankful for.

Before you ask for more,

Count your blessings,

Name them one by one

Saying thank you for everyone

copyright: Patricia-Newman-Harris

 Count Your Blessings (Lyrics to song)

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

• Count your blessings, name them one by one;
  Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
  Count your blessings, name them one by one,
  And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold.
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your Lord on high.

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/707#ixzz1e0Fa7YiK

Happy Thanksgiving

     Thank You Lord

I have seen some gray skies and I’ve seen some blue

There have been days when I didn’t know what to do

I’ve cried enough tears for you and me

But I thank God for every day he allows me to see

Thank you Lord

Thank you Lord

I just want to say thank you Lord

For all you've done for me.

When the good doesn't outweigh the bad,

I won't be sad.

I will still stand

I will still raise my hands

I will praise God for each and every blessing he brings

Being thankful in all things

For though he brings the rain

It is he who makes the sun shine again

This one thing I know

Because the Bible tells me so

Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights

He will always see me through the dark days and nights

I praise God I can stand

I praise him because I can still raise my hands

I praise God that I can still sing,

Thank you Lord

Thank you Lord

Thank you Lord

Thank you Lord

Thank you Lord

Thank you Lord

I just want to say thank you Lord

For all you've done for me.

Sometimes I like to take my favorite praise song and write my own version.  This one is based on the song  "Thank You Lord"  I couldn't find the version I wanted, but I like this one too.



Veteran's Day Tribute

I personally would like to thank all of our Veterans for their sacrifices for our country.  To those who have served, to those who have died, to those who yet live with their battle scars and to those who continue to serve. Thank you.  What price freedom?  It is my personal prayer that one day the wars will end and we will find peace.  It is a dream long fought for and long awaited by the many who yet fight for their inalienable rights.

         

                   When?

  

Loving one another has been no easy task

So these questions I ask,

When will there be peace

When will hatred cease?

When will we right our wrongs,

And learn to get along?

Man’s biggest mistake

Has been harboring hate.

How many must lose their life?

How many must pay the price?

When will we take a stand?

When will we prove we can?

When will we be free

From hatred and bigotry?

When will we conquer the demons inside our head?

When will we end the bloodshed?

When will the healing begin?

The question is when?

How many must lose their life?

How many must pay the price

Before we can stand

Hand and hand?

When will there be no weapons of mass destruction to fear

No heartaches and tears,

No color bars

No more wars?

When will the fighting end?

When will the healing begin?

When will there be peace?

When will hatred cease?

When will we  look one another in the face

And feel no disgrace?

When will the hatred end?

The question is when?

copyright P.Newman-Harris

                                                      

Dedicated to those who are yet on the battlefield for peace.  We pray for your safe and speedy return.

To all who strive to reach the seemingly Impossible Dream...  

Run Into Your Destiny

God knows everything about you

Everything you will do,

Your successes, your failures,

Everything you will endure,

He knows every tear you will cry

He knows the reasons why

God has a place in this world

For every little boy and girl

He’s given you a dream that only you can see

He already knows what will be

He’s aware there will be road blocks

That will almost keep you from reaching the top

He knows people will try to convince you that

You can't do what you want to do,

But you can make your dreams come true.

You will fulfill your purpose in the end

You might not know how or when

Just know the day will come

His will shall be done.

He’s already done everything he could

To work things out for your good

He wants you to have a future and a hope

That is far beyond your scope

He has instilled in you the passion and fire

To do those things you desire

He’s given you a dream only you can see

He already knows what is to be.

God has designed a place just for you.

Has he not said and shall he not do

All that he said he will do?

You’ve got to believe

Believe

That you can fulfill every purpose

And every desire he’s designed for you

He can make your dreams come true

Just run fast, run free,

Run straight into your destiny

copyright by P. Newman-Harris

Who is Going to Save Me?

When I look at children growing up today, I wonder what questions must be going through their minds?  How do they feel watching our country sweat the small stuff while things fall down around our ears?  This is what inspired this poem.

Mama Won’t You Tell Me

©2011 by P. Newman-Harris

Mama won’t you tell me

How can I make it through the day?

How can I run

How can a play

When little children are being blown away?

In a world that is morally sick

How can I not end up a statistic?

How do I stay encouraged when I’m expected to fail?

How can I stay out of jail?

How can I learn to be a man

When there is no one there to take my hand

And no one to understand?

They tell me to stand on my own two feet,

But how can I stay clean living on a crime infested street?

I don’t know how long I can stay on the right path

I don’t know how much longer I’m going to last.

What do I do when there are no jobs and no way

To make a decent pay?

You may think I’m too young to know,

But Mama I want to know

How can I be all I can be

When the decks are stacked against me?

 I appreciate your sacrifices

I really want to make something of my life

But how do I keep trying

When inside I’m dying

A little every day?

How can I make my fears go away?

How can I plan for tomorrow

When I don’t’ know if I’ll make it through the day?

Mama won’t you tell me

Who is going to save me?