David Spencer looked down into Claudia's face.
"Yow seem extra happy today, Miss Claudia. May I take the liberty to ask why?"
"Yes, you may!" Claudia laughingly replied. "My dear friend from back at my old home is coming on September thirty-first to spend a whole month with me, and I can't wait! I have missed her so much since we moved, and am so pleased that she will be able to make it for a visit."
"I am very happy for you, Miss Claudia! What is your friend like?"

God is a light in the day and the night
God is my strength and God is my might
God gave us laws that He wrote upon stone
God gave us cities and God gave us homes
God is my refuge and hiding place
God made the stars the skies and all space
God is Almighty and full of great power
The Lord is my God every day every hour
God gives us faith even when storm is toss'd
God shines a light when our sight is lost
He holds our hands when fear is so strong
When times are troubled He gives us a song

IF YOU HAVEN'T READ EITHER GREATER LOVE OR A STRONG FAITH THEN DONT READ THIS UNTIL YOU HAVE. :D

As Christmas draws nearer and the weather gets colder, I contemplate on what the season means. To some people it means presents from Santa, reading "T'was the Night Before Christmas", singing "carols" like "Baby it's Cold Outside" "Winter Wonderland" "Jingle Bells" "Grandma Got Ran Over By A Raindeer" "Rocking Around The Christmas Tree" "Have A Holly Jolly Christmas" and many more. To others it means flying to Grandma and Grandpa's place for some homemade pumpkin pie, roasted turkey, stuffing, ham, and mashed potatoes.

Words of a lifetime, what will they be?
Sharp? Gentle? Constrained, or free?
Will they bring back tender memories,
Or a harsh word ill conceived?

A nice word fitly spoken,
A rebuke or a whine;
What will one remember,
When one thinks back in time?

Be careful oh tongue, what you say,
A harsh word will drive someone away.
Will to be sweet, don't let your will sway;
God will reward you in heaven someday.

*******For those of you who have read my short story titled Greater Love this is the story told by Jonathan. He goes into much more detail about things that went on, but then again he had more to tell. :)*******

Rain that patters not the roof,
Rain that lulls me, soothes me, too
Rain that sings a lullaby,
Rain that makes me want to cry.
Rain that makes me want to sing,
Rain finds joy in everything.
Rain that is goodly for the earth,
Rain that is moody, or full of mirth.
Rain that God gives us in His love;
Showers of blessings from above.

Just like that. After seven-and-a-half years, eight drafts, countless revisions, and a title change, my first novel is now published and available.
Finally--finally!--after all these years, it's 100\% complete and out there on the market for real.

As an only child, most people said that I was spoiled, and although I didn't agree with them I guess that they were right. It hurt when people said "no" to me, hurt more than it should have. I became bitter. "Why did my parents spoil me?" I would ask myself. In spoiling me they had made my life harder because I didn't know how to face reality. Now looking back, I realize that I had spoiled myself. I called myself a man because I was tall, over eighteen years old, and my voice had changed to where I could sing bass without "cracking". But what does being a "man" mean?

There's perfect, there's normal, and then there's me.
Listen closely and I'll tell you what I mean:
Perfect wears a dress sized two,
Her little foot wears a seven shoe.
Perfect nose and perfect smile,
Eyes made to win and beguile.
Perfect body and perfect face,
Perfect hair, always in place.
Now normal tells a rather sad tale,
In perfectness does surely fail.
Messy bun and camo flip-flops,
Red plaid pajama bottoms and a pink tank-top.
Neon-green nails, painted weeks ago,
Too much makeup, putting on a show.