Ronald Shank

Author

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A Christmas Poem

Merry Christmas Or Happy Holidays Choose one   But before you do Consider some things There are no happy Holidays If it were not for Christmas. And you cannot In good conscience take Christ out of Christmas Cause Merry Mas is just plain stupid   Let’s get real Let’s face facts Christmas is not about Shopping Decorated evergreen trees Lights on houses Decorated front lawns It’s not about Santa Clause Reindeer Elves Frosty the snowman It's not about Presents Big meals Candy Watching it’s a wonderful life Or even watching White Christmas It's not about what the world is so focused on What the world wants you to focus on In the very first and last place it’s not about you. It is about a baby born 2 thousand plus years ago A baby named Jesus The birth of the Christ The Christ that is Christmas It’s about a loving God Who sent his loving son Who left heaven Who became a child Who grew to be a man Who suffered and died on the cross He paid the price for our sins He made things right with God He paid the way for us to spend eternity With His father our God He paved the way to heaven For all who believe.   So, you see If there is no Christmas There is no Holiday without Christ.   So, the choice is quite simple It has to be Merry Christmas For without Christ Without the birth of Jesus We have no holiday We have nothing to celebrate And so now Since Jesus did come Because he paid the price Because I’m saved There is but one thing more to be said   MERRY CHRISTMAS! And Jesus loves you. Read the full article

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Grand European Tour Blog

We recently booked a cruise with Viking Cruises to tour 8 countries in Europe and so starts our Journey. Day 1: Bucharest, Romania: Arrive around 5 pm – Hotel: Very nice. We were dead tired so we ate at the hotel. Day 2: Bucharest, Romania: Toured the old city, Beautiful older buildings but also spartan/utilitarian from communist period. In the city the streets were wide but flooded with small cars. The buildings were of two types elegant, artistic, in somewhat disrepair. Or they were communist-era drab, bare concrete, plain, boxy, just plain ugly massive blocks of buildings. Most buildings beyond disrepair. Most were in some degree of crumbling. If there was no other statement as to the negative effects of communism the view of these buildings would be enough to convince you that communism does not improve but destroys. The tour took us to the House Museum where houses had moved and reassembled in a village setting. Buildings were assembled from all over the country showing the many different types and ways people lived in the past. The low water in river caused a change in venue as to where we would get on to our ship. The bus trip to our new docking station required a bus ride of 2-1/2 hours. On the way, we passed some of the largest farm fields I had ever seen. Some fields stretched as far as the eye could see in all directions. There was a total lack of fence rows and very little vegetation along the roadside. There was literally no habitat for animals. The distance between signs of humanity where long. There were a few buildings and some parked farm equipment occasionally. Every now and then we would pass through a small village of rundown buildings, the yards completely void of any grass. It was either cleared by hungry poultry or was used for garden space for growing vegetables. The homes were very much in disrepair almost in shambles. Scattered among them were many partially built new homes along the same road between these little farmsteads. We were very glad and very happy to finally reach our boat and get to our assigned cabins.   Read the full article

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Who is our God and how do we Show it?

Our God! Our God; not meant as in that we possess him, or that He is ours subserviently. More correctly we claim Him as our Lord because we wish to be associated with Him and His greatness. He is our God because He possesses us. Many seem not to understand this. They try to personalize God, to be their god, to be at their beck and call, that God’s word shall mean whatever they want it to mean, that God’s laws are flexible to meet their needs. It makes you question who is god in that type of relationship? If God is there to serve man, if God’s word is redefined by man, if God’s laws are what man deems they should be, then how godly, is this god; to be so manipulated by man? Did he not create all things? Does He not still provide all things? Is He not so holy that man could not possibly share His presence? Has he not provided for man what man could not provide for himself? He; God is not like our government. He has not provided a welfare plan. We do not have a free ride. Unlike the government who discourages welfare recipients from working and growing, and causes a resultant lack of self-esteem and uselessness. God has provided a plan where our salvation is His free gift, but He has included a way to be useful, to be a part of the process. It’s not so much a way to be worthy, but a way to hold our heads high, and show our benefactor that we appreciate His gift, and are willing to sacrifice in return, in gratitude, in love; a small bit of His Blessing. The key word is sacrifice as David in the Bible said he would not offer to the Lord God something that cost him nothing. Nor should we. For to offer what we care nothing about is an insult to our God, who sacrificed for us His Son, who He not only cared about but also loved, He gave a gift of no greater value. We should in like manner offer back to God a gift of sacrifice, and our time, our efforts, our finances; all these can be sacrificial, but only when they interfere with how we would have used them, were it not to honor our Lord. It’s giving time that would have been spent on the golf course, or out fishing, or taking a nap, or some other enjoyable self-center activity and instead using that same time to accomplish something with eternal value, something that brings glory to God. That is what Christian service is. That is how we acknowledge who our God is and how we show God we are thankful. It’s our ‘Thank You’ gift to our God. Read the full article

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Simple thoughts

I sometimes sit, and wonder,  and watch, and wait  as time ticks by and passes  I sometimes spend time thinking  of the past, and future still to come I remember in pleasant memory  the idle times, the busy times,  the happy times, and even the sad But all that’s been, is past,  no more to be lived,  no more to be enjoyed Tis only now that can be lived,  only now that can please or trouble,  only now because that’s all there is on this earth Tomorrow is not promised,  it may not come  and what it will bring  may very well not be as expected No there is just the now of it. But wait there  maybe something more  There is something more A future that is promised That can be counted on Thought not predictable as to when But the outcome is sure as sure can be. That is  if Jesus is Lord of your life If you Believe and have faith.  If you ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior Then it’s fixed, its guaranteed Heaven awaits, all eternity is before you in a perfect forever Without the sin and evil that fills this world  Without the pain and suffering so common to life today So if you want more than today,  an eternity of tomorrows and yesterdays,  and of course todays un-numbered just ask Jesus into your heart,  to rule your life  and get ready for forever. Read the full article

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A DAUGHTER’S STARTER BOOK OF RECIPES

THE MARRIAGE LOAF The only recipe that matters, is the one you two mix and knead and bake together. The ingredients are very important, but the measure and the timing and the treatment, just as well are critical. It takes a double measure of love. It takes love for each other, and of course, love of the Lord, to keep it fresh and pure. It takes a pretty good measure of caring for each other, above self and worldly things. It takes a constant kneading of patience. It takes both chefs working from the same recipe. It requires both chefs to talk as they work, to know what the other is doing or done or plans to do. This you do to keep the mix just right. It takes a dab of sacrifice every now and then. It takes lots and lots of prayer, working like yeast, to keep it going. You need to sprinkle in some friends and family, to add a little fun and flavor. But the bowl you mix all this in is the bowl of holy matrimony. It must be held secure by both, it must be filled by both,both must do the mixing. Both must do the kneading, both must do the tasting and testing. Both must together place this bowl in the baking oven of life. And if the oven of life is fired by love of the Lord and each other, the loaf shall be pleasing to all, and shall be blessed by God. Read the full article

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A TO DO PRAYER

I ask of God to give to me the strength the fortitude the patience the peace to do for Him all that He wills to do His wishes to follow His way to love my brother my friend my foe to be as I should to always be good to give and share and live and care to be a testimony a Christian testimony to my fellow man but better still to the Lord I love. Read the full article

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Light Show at the Notre Dame Basilica Montreal Canada

On a recent business trip to Montreal, the firm I was visiting purchased tickets for me to see the light show at Notre Dame Basilica. I have to say it was quite an experience. I have visited the Notre Dame Basilica a few times over the years and always been awed by the beauty and artistry on display in the facility. It is a beautiful and awe-inspiring building to say the least. The light show started with a minimally illuminated walk around the perimeter where I saw numerous small light shows in the alcoves and confessionals that make up the outer walls. Then everyone was seated in the center pews and lights turned off as the main light show began. The altar and ceiling as well as the columns and other internal features were lit up to coincide with a music accompaniment. The music was loud, very loud and bold. It reverberated in your ears and body. It was heart pounding. The lights climbed the columns and danced across the ceilings. The altar flashed and glowed and exploded with lights to the rhythm of the music. Scenes of the seasons were projected above and trees went from bare branches to full of foliage and then the leaves turned color and fell and snow speckled and floated from the ceiling down the walls. It was without a doubt an amazing show. But as we left the basilica it struck me. Something was wrong. Something did not seem right. Granted the Basilica has been a tourist attraction for many years with a story about the church and its purpose. But Now this was just entertainment. It had absolutely nothing to do with faith or religion. This was a facility that was designed and built for one purpose to glorify God. This facility is now being used for monetary gain without the purposes of God or the intent of the structure included in the message. The thought that I could not put out of my head was when Jesus overturned the tables of the moneychangers in the temple and said that it is written my house will be a house of prayer. Would He not say something similar if he were to enter the Basilica today? For it seems to be something other than a house of prayer. Glory may be given to the artists who sculptured the interior, the creative light folks that designed the light show, but what is there about God in this house that was supposed to be His. Read the full article

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Thoughts on Image of God

I sat in the corner café in Montreal looking out watching the people passing by heading to work. I watched as they waited for the traffic light to change. And watched them cross at the cross walks and diagonally through the intersections. And it struck me at the diversity that was passing before my eyes. It wasn’t just nationalities; it wasn’t just skin colors, not height, weight, dress or sex. It was just the distinctive differences from one person to the next. Yes, all these factors contributed to the differences between them but that only added to my amazement. The thing that struck me most was, as a Bible believing individual, I believe all people are made in God’s image. That got me to thinking and looking at all the differences even more so. It struck me that God must really be something if we who are all different, and very different at that, are made in his image. What must God look like. I’m not trying to be a wise guy, but it’s something to consider. Apparently, skin color is all inclusive. Sex doesn’t seem to be an issue. Height and weight are not a factor. So what exactly are we talking about when we say His image? His image must be something other than the physical aspects of people. So, what is left? What do we possess that no other creature has? Some might say a soul, but how do you define that? We do possess the ability to reason, to make decisions, to choose. We can have and show compassion, we can forgive, we can love in multiple ways and to varying extents. We can do right or wrong. I don’t believe even God can do that. He can do right but cannot do wrong, which is how he is different and above us. We must choose every moment what we do.  And we can manipulate events to create the outcome we desire as God can and does. However, God can override our actions to meet his ends regardless of our intent. We are only the image of God and do not have the ability to override God’s manipulations for completion of His plans. But there is also a negative side to the belief that we are made in the image of God.  Sometimes when we look around and see all the ugliness, we are capable of it tends to tarnish our view of God as well. When we look around and see all the tattoos, piercings, smoking, drugs and drinking. It just doesn’t look like God. When we see the push to remove God from everything. When we see protesters marching for the right to kill babies, we know that is not a godly reflection. It can be a hard thing to look around and see what we see and say that we are made in God’s image when we do so much that is contrary to the God we know and love. We are made in the likeness/image of God but less than God, and to His image we have the addition of this world, which pollutes us, dilutes our goodness and Godliness and until the worldly effects are removed by Salvation and death we will not truly be like God, truly be the true and pure ‘image of God’. Read the full article

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QUIET TIME

There is in every day          a quiet time Sometimes in the dark         others in the bright Sometimes when alone         others in a crowd Sometimes when all        is going wrong Others when all      is going right But there is       in every day no matter how short      no matter how long no matter       There is that time That quiet time       I think of you. Read the full article

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Why Me

Fly oh why do you bug me so Have you no other place to go   Must you pester me at length tease my will deplete my strength   Why can’t you find another place or another being of my race   Why must you buzz around my head Is it your wish to be dead   Or has the devil sent you here Or worse yet God I fear   I’ll tell you this you’ve found success Now will you leave and give me rest   For nothing can make me more want to cry Than the pestering persistence of a determined fly. Read the full article

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Too Late

Recently my son visited from Maine and mentioned a friend I hadn’t seen in 50 years. His name was John Ford. We shared a room in the barracks while stationed at Topsham AFB just outside of Brunswick Maine way back in 1967-68. John had joined the Air force to see the world and after tech school, he was sent to Maine, which is where he was from, and managed to stay stationed in Maine for his whole 4-year tour of duty. Needless to say, John didn’t get to see much of the world. But as it turned out it was probably for the best. When he was discharged, he went into the warden service and later the sheriff’s department; yes, in Maine. John was quite a character back then and a fantastic artist. We had a lot of fun together before I was sent to Labrador. We lost track of each other over the years. I did get in contact with him once ten years or so ago. My son told me he had heard that John had written a book. So I got online and looked it up, actually he had written 4 books, stories about his time as a game warden. I ordered them all. When they came in I immediately started to read them. All of a sudden it was if it were only a week since I last saw him. The connection between us was amazing. So I got on facebook planning to contact him and let him know I was planning a trip up his way to see him and reminisce. I found him on the Internet. His picture was there. I’d have recognized him anywhere. He was older, still had all his hair, it was John. Then I scrolled down a bit. A word caught my eye, ‘Obituary’. My stomach sank, as my planned trip disappeared. I read on and it said he’d died last fall after a 5th bout with cancer. I missed my chance to connect with an old buddy. To be honest few things have bothered me as much as knowing he was gone. I would not get to tell him how much I enjoyed his books. I would not get to relive stories of our times together.  For me, it’s strange to feel the emptiness I’m feeling for a friend I haven’t seen in 50 years. I can only say if you have a friend that you plan to get in touch with someday, don’t put it off. Before you know it, it will be TOO LATE. Read the full article

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PEACE OF THE GARDEN

In the bible it tells us to go into our closet to pray.  That may sound a little strange at first. But it’s sound advice. Some might say Jesus didn’t go into his closet to pray and isn’t he supposed to be our example?  It’s right to say Jesus didn’t have a closet. Because the Bible tells us that Jesus had no property. He accumulated and possessed nothing. Jesus’ closet was a garden; He often visited at night, in the quiet and darkness.  The basic directive is to isolate yourself from the world around you, so you can focus on communication with God. That is exactly what Jesus did. He got away from his disciples, from the crowds, from the distractions of the world so he could talk to his Father. The Garden was a peaceful place as would be your closet without an I-pad, I-phone etc. There is peace in time spent in prayer.  The fact is God told us, and Jesus showed us, how to have peace and focused prayer. Communication with God brings us closer together. It lets us acknowledge that God is in control. That he has our backs. That he loves us and will work for our good whenever we submit ourselves to Him. That should bring peace to any soul. Go, find that quiet place, talk to God, feel the peace it brings.  “But would withdraw to desolate places and pray.”   Luke 15: 16 Read the full article

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GIFT OF PEACE

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” - John 14:27   For a child that grew up without this promise, this is a big thing. It’s just sad that it came so late in my life. It might have saved me from so much fear and worry. Fear of death. Fear of the dark. Fear on so many levels that made my life stressful to say the least. Who knew peace could be so powerful? Due to my religious upbringing I was in manhood before I finally found Jesus and claimed him as my savior. Not being troubled or fearful because of Jesus’ promises to be with me and protect me; that makes all the difference. His promise that there is a place with him for me in heaven; that takes away the fear of death. Jesus gives his peace, the knowledge that God is in control. His will shall be done, and it’s for my good. I don’t have to worry or be afraid. I am in the hands of God. Total reliance on God; allows the surest kind of peace. The world can only offer temporary moments without trouble and strife. But Jesus gives complete and eternal peace. The peace is yours if you want it, if you make Jesus Lord of your life. Read the full article

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Snowy Silence

There I stood in an open field, in a New England, in winter. The ground was white, covered with a foot of fluffy dry snow. Looking back I could see my path across the field. The trees near by hung low, heavy with a covering of white. The moon was full in the early nighttime sky. The world had an awesome glow reflecting off the fresh snow. It was so quiet, not a sound was to be heard. The snow muffled even my footsteps. My layers of clothes muffled my heartbeat. My breath made clouds in front of my face as I talked out loud to God. I had to thank him for the beauty of the view that was all around me. Yes it was cold, but that did not matter. I was nearly done my paper route. The next farmhouse would be my last. But I had to stop mid field just to say thanks. And there to talk, in winter’s peace, with the prince of peace. Only God could have conceived and orchestrated such beauty, so quiet and peaceful a place and time for us to talk together.  My memory holds that time long ago so dear and favored in my heart. If only I could go back again, I would have so much more to talk about and be thankful for. If only we could share that beauty, and that peace again. Read the full article

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JESUS’ PEACE

When you read your bible and read the stories about Jesus, you can’t help but picture in your mind a gentle, quiet man with a peaceful nature. Did you ever wonder how, knowing what was waiting for him in the future, that he could be so calm? Remember he knew what he was there for. He knew the sacrifice he was to make for these ungrateful people. He knew he had a limited time to teach and mentor a small group of men, who would be left behind to change the world forever.   I’m sure we would not, could not, be calm. What’s the difference? Could it be our self-centeredness? Could it be our concern for things worldly? Could it be our limited faith? Could it be our focus?   Jesus was completely focused upon what God has sent him to do. Obedience was not an option. Jesus didn’t have to worry about the world around him. God had everything under control. Jesus was not side tracked by politics. Not interested in global warming. Political correctness just did not exist, nor likely would it. His focus was doing God’s will. And there is peace in obedience.   So what is this telling us? If we want the kind of peace Jesus had, we need to do what he did. Focus on what God wants, what he tells us in the bible. Focus on our relationship with Him. Be obedient. The peace will come.   “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.” – Psalm 119: 165 Read the full article

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A PEACEFUL THOUGHT

Bill sat watching little Lizzy and Bobby as they played on the carpet in front of him. Lizzy, short for Elizabeth, was talking to her favorite doll. She cuddled it and kissed it and started to tell it a story.   All the while Bobby lay on his side pushing his favorite pickup truck along imaginary roads on the carpet, not visible to adults. He revved its engine and shifted gears. He’d stop every now and then to load or unload the back of the pickup.   Bill looked down, in his lap rested his Bible. His finger was still on the verse he’d just read about peace. He thought of the verse about coming to God as a child. He could see that now, he could see the peace a child of God should have.   His two young children, playing with their toys, weren’t worried about anything. They knew their father had it all covered. He was their provider, their protector. He met their needs and even some wants. And most of all he loved them no matter what. Just Like God does his children.   Now that’s peace Bill thought to himself. He sighed, and then under his breath, Bill thanked his heavenly father for showing him what peace looks like. And for reminding him of how things are between God, the father, and all his precious children who trust in Him.   “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased” – Luke 2: 14 Read the full article

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Irony of Man and Air

Under a toad stool in the shade of a tall pine tree             deep within the forest far from the city there hides a breath             of fresh air the last breath             of fresh clean air only I know exactly which toad stool and which tree             and which forest I put it there long ago when air             was just getting rare but now its all alone                         trying to survive and I with failing memory trying to find it             also in an effort to survive and with our reunion will come                         our mutual extinction.   our mutual extinction.   Read the full article