It is sad to see that I have horribly neglected my blog. I suppose it is because I realize that few people read it, if any, so I rarely write. However, it is a good way to relieve heavy thought and to ponder in writing.

I'm going to post a poem that I recently rediscovered in one of my lost notebooks. Enjoy!

When a heart is pained, where does it turn?
How invariably to the wrong place!

There are things which the heart must forget.

Turn not to happiness, lest your broken heart be crushed.
Let the heart be content with it's lot.

Be not stubborn and stuck in your ways, for the firm cannot be moved.
The heart will forget pain, so, farewell to Love!
One cannot exist alone, for they are symbiotic.

Love is pain, and let it be so!
For pain strengthens the best love.

The Love that is strengthened perseveres. Ah! To the very end!
For the scars of Life are a shield.

Let the arrows fly! Then the enemy draw it's sword!
For no one can hurt me! My heart has loved and known pain.

Let it always be so, now and forever.

This poem was written at a time when I realized that God seems to find the perfect way to mold me through whatever I go through. I realized that I had let pain take me and tried to turn to happiness, but it didn't work. When I let God use my pain to strengthen, and when I allowed myself to love again, I felt whole and invincible. In many ways, God has used pain to mold me into the person I am. I feel like Stonewall Jackson when it comes to this. When he was dying, he was asked if he would take the chance to go back in time - To change the past. He said he would not, because he believed that God's will was more important than his own. What a powerful concept! And one that I keep in my own heart.

God bless and keep you.
TM

25 Most Influential Men

I was thinking that people might wonder about the list I did about the 25 most influential men in my life... So I'll start from the top; even though It may take several posts to finish.

First though, I will note that not all of the people in my list are living, nor do I know them all personally. Most I do know personally, and I believe that only one is dead. The list was heavily considered... So, here goes!

Andy Andrews ~ This man I do not know personally. He is actually a writer of historical fiction. I chose him for my list because of one of his books that greatly influenced my views on life. The book is in my top 100 books list "The Lost Choice." It talks much about how every decision that someone makes affects the course of not only their own life, but of others lives.

Frank Baldwin ~ This man I do know personally, and have known of him all my life. He was known to me as a great preacher, and his influence on me has been mostly because of His Christian walk. I have not seen him in many years, but my memories of him are special.

Randall Clark ~ This man is my godfather. I have known him for almost ten years (About half of my life). He was not a Christian when I first met him, but has been for most of the years I've known him. His great wisdom and quiet talks with me have greatly influenced me. He and I are alike in many ways, and he has taught me so much.

Douglas Crossman ~ This man I have known all my life, but do not see often. He is Welsh, and travels a lot because of his ministry (As well as his wife's ministry). He is the kind of person you always remember because of his funny personality. His influence on me has been most noted in his Christian walk and ministry.

Mark Horton ~ This man I know personally and have known him for at least six years. He gave me my most touching compliment, and his encouragement of my ministry has greatly influenced the way that I minister.

Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson ~ This man is not living, nor do I know him personally. His life has greatly influenced the way I live. He once said "Captain, my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave"

Jesus the Christ ~ This Man, who is also God, I have known of all my life, but have truly known for eight or nine years. His influence is the greatest of any man, and it is given through His life, ministry, and others of His choosing. To try to explain would be pointless, because there are no words beautiful or wise enough.

Richard Kenny ~ This man I know personally, and have known all my life. His influence on me was noted during a time of personal suffering, when he gave me comfort. He knew my pain when others didn't, and because of his love I am influenced.

Kurt Killam ~ This man I have known for four or five years, even though I have had other brief contact with him, several times, over nine years. His influence was one of a peculiar kind... He was one of few who would talk with me about anything, and seemed to read my feelings. He gave me much comfort and laughter when I felt sad.

Steven Knaack ~ This "man" is actually a boy, and will always be a boy. He has Down Syndrome, and I care for him during the summer. He has given me much laughter and love in his influence. He is a great blessing to me.

Gerald Mershimer ~ This man I have known personally for four or more years. Even though I haven't been in much personal contact, his ministry and Christian walk have greatly affected my personal walk. His caring ways made me feel appreciated and wanted when I needed that badly.

Loy Mershimer ~ This man I have known personally for six or more years. I have corresponded with him often in those years, and his quiet ways of showing God's love in his ministry greatly influenced my own Walk.

That's all I have time for now. God bless!

~Branded with God's seal.