To the Manor Born Again (an Advent Poem)

Posted on November 30, 2020 by

Phyllis Beveridge Nissila

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9)

To the Manor Born Again

All that we may glimpse

down here

at mid-day sun

and midnight clear

that shines of gold

and sparkles well

may yet prove fool’s

or diamonelle.

 

All that we may feel

down here

at rush of youth

and mellowed year

that lights the step

and warms the heart

may yet prove false

or fray apart.

 

All that we may know

down here

of trust and hope

and banished fear

is but a hint

of there and then–

the manor t’ which

we’re born again.

~~~~~

Image of advent wreath source.

 

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The Words That Remain

Posted on November 28, 2020 by

Phyllis Beveridge Nissila

It is difficult to get the news from poems, yet men die miserably every day for lack of what is found there.

~ William Carlos Williams, excerpt from “Asphodel, That Greeny Flower“

 

The Frustration

Continue reading →

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The Travelers: A Thanksgiving Story, 2013, 2020

Posted on November 23, 2020 by

As I wrote the very first time I posted this back in 2013:

My brother-in-law recently shared this story. With his permission, I post it here. In a world heavy with cynicism perhaps this will lighten your heart as it did mine… 

I have posted it several Thanksgivings since because to me it conveys a universal theme for all seasons: the power of simple events such as transpired below to rekindle a bit of hope, warm the heart, and to make the world and our purpose in it much, much more significant and meaningful when anger over what battles we face, without or within, imperil both humanity and our humanity. 

To me, it is a story that transcends the tale of one small kindness offered on a cold morning to two young, hardscrabble travelers.

It is a story for both receivers–and givers–in any cold world.-PBN

 

The Travelers: A Thanksgiving Story

By Gene Taylor Continue reading →

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ADDENDUM to Previous Post: the World is Watching, Warning, and Encouraging US

Posted on November 23, 2020 by

The response below to the previous post comes from a reader in the U.K.

With his permission, I share it here because I think it is important–and very encouraging–for patriots in the United States to know that there are people like him (probably in the millions) around the world who have already experienced the devastation that collectivism (socialism/communism/fascism, or any new iteration, e.g., Democrat Socialism) has already done in their lands or is in the process of doing.
Continue reading →

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On War, Grief and the Loss of Trust, and “Support Staff… (Redux 2014)”

Posted on November 21, 2020 by

Phyllis Beveridge Nissila

Introduction

Somebody in his or her corner of the world clicked on one of my posts from 2014 on the theme of our value as “support staff” in conflict, whether our role in that is big or small (they also serve who pray and cook and bandage wounds…).

Thank you, reader. I hope you were encouraged.

I add to it today because I think there is a follow-up on a related theme here in the “battles” of 2020 that focuses on one of the elements of every war: loss of trust and the grief that accompanies that.

But First Continue reading →

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On Prophecy, the Election, and the Swarm versus the “Murder Hornet” (an Analogy). Two Videos

Posted on November 20, 2020 by

Phyllis Beveridge Nissila

On Prophecy

Prophecy indicates there will eventually be one, global government with its own currency and religion. People everywhere, not just the totalitarians at the top, enduring some crisis or perhaps several at once, will cry out for this world-wide re-set, you might call it.

God alone knows when all the prophetic puzzle pieces will be in place, of course.

In the meantime, believers continue to encourage–exhort, preach, teach, and urge–those who have not yet accepted Jesus Christ in a personal relationship as their Savior and Lord to do so.

And soon.*

Count me as one of them.

Now to the possible ramifications of America’s 2020 election not only as pertains to the integrity of our voting system but also the election’s tie-in to the rest of the world. Continue reading →

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(Video) THIS is America; THESE are Americans; WE can do what we have to do NOW, too…

Posted on November 18, 2020 by

…for we are ALL called “for such a time as this.”

Let the group of Americans featured in the following video inspire you as they do me, even eleven years later after the event in which they all participated: assisting a low-experience pilot land a plane after the plane’s actual pilot had a heart attack and died. The volunteer pilot’s family was also on board. Continue reading →

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It’s Not How We Start But How God Finishes–Encouragement from Psalm 37, verses 12-20

Posted on November 17, 2020 by

Phyllis Beveridge Nissila

12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.

15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous.

18 The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.

19They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away

These verses bring to mind the evil stalking the nation and the world at large, these days, to whit: re-packaged totalitarianism/socialism/communism/fascism–and how it inevitably ends up: deadly, defeated, and destroyed, the populations in its wake, decimated.

But, but, but…the new socialism seems so noble and equitable and politically correct… Continue reading →

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Reminder to the West (Guest Feature: “Looking to Solzhenitsyn for clues about the present”)

Posted on November 16, 2020 by

American Thinker, 11/16/2020

Looking to Solzhenitsyn for clues about the present

By Will Stoutamire

Continue reading →

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Not THAT “Meek”–Encouragement from Psalm 37, verse 11

Posted on November 14, 2020 by

Phyllis Beveridge Nissila

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (emphasis added)

At least in the English language, when most of us read the word “meek” we tend to think of the person being described that way as a pale, listless, timid sort; generally useless when it comes to getting anything important done.

As connected to the context of Psalm 37 where the meek are battling mayhem perpetrated by evildoers of, well, biblical proportions, that kind of guy or gal just wouldn’t make the grade.

For THAT kind of gig, we, they–anybody–want us some big, buff, take-no-prisoners kinda dudes sporting honkin’ tattoos of, say, Goliath or Genghis Kahn inked on bulging biceps (to update the vernacular).

“I HAVE A LITTLE TIME BEFORE LUNCH,” they bellow across the plains, rattling the rocks and stones. “BRING ON THE PHILISTINES!” (as it were). Continue reading →

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