TWELVE GIFTS OF CHRISTMAS

On the lst Day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me
Not a partridge---but Salvation full and free.

On the 2nd Day of Christmas Jesus gave to me
---The Dove of the Holy Spirit cheerfully.

On the 3rd Day of Christmas Jesus gave to me
---Trinity Peace in my heart to last eternally

On the 4th Day of Christmas--not 4 birds calling
---But love for the lost from Heaven falling.

O)n the 5th Day of Christmas, He gave golden rings
---True Joy encircling my soul the Savior brings.

On the 6th Day of Christmas--not 6 geese a-laying
But power from above to keep me from a-straying.

On the 7th Day of Christmas--no 7 swimming swans
---but living Spring Water--for everyone.

On the 8th Day of Christmas no milking maids appeared
But God's milk of kindness washed away all my tears.

On the 9th Day of Christmas the Savior gave to me
---Nine great gifts of the Holy Spirit, rich and free.

On the 10th Day of Christmas the story never grows old
---God promised me Heaven's streets of purest gold.

On the llthe Day of Christ yes there were pipers prancing
Singing praise To God and 'round His throne room dancing.

On the 12th Day of Christmas Heaven's Drummers did drum
---In tribute rhythm to our Christmas King
---Hallelujah---Salvation is now won!
2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets

A TEXAS NATIVITY

It's a Lone Star night in Texas
All is calm and clear and bright;
The Angels have ceased singing--
Their Sweet song of Silent Night.

Things are different here in Texas
Had the Christ child been born here;
All Six Flags would be a-flyin'
----Announcing His Christmas cheer.

Of course Texas barns are a-plenty
There are many for Mary to use;
Filled with steers and armadillos
Underneath skies of azure blue.

And the Magi would find it easy
To get to this Texas manger fast;
We have so many wise-guys in Texas
Their wisdom would forever last.

We could line the crib with yellow roses
Framing it with Ten Gallon Hats too-----
Our magnificent Mockingbirds in Pecan trees
Can croon "White Christmas" til the're blue.

In Texas we grow bluebonnets--not pointsettias
There's just one problem that I can see----
Since the Bluebonnets just bloom in April--
We'd have to postpone Christmas to Spring.

So you see A true Texas Nativity----
Could financially help our economy too;
'Cuz we'd keep our oil wells a-pumping
All the Christmas season through.

So come enjoy some holy jalapenos
Decorate a Christmas cactus or two;
Come celebrate a Lone Star Christmas
----Texas is still waiting here for you!

2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets

A THANKSGIVING PRAYER HONORING NATIVE AMERICANS

Thank you Father for Mother Earth
For emerald trees so slim and tall---
For the daily breath you bring to life
---Great Father of us all.
Thank you for the world's brotherhood
Of all great races, colors and creeds;
For divinely ordered diversity---
---Is what our whole world needs.
Thank you for azure lakes and streams
You've sprinkled along earth's sod--
For this earth is but the frozen echo
---Of your awesome voice, O God.
For lightning and deep rolling thunder
For swift songbirds upon the wing;
For stars at night to shine so bright
---Thank you great Father for everything.
Thank you for rambling fields and forests
For the daily strength to carry on---
Thank you Father this Thanksgiving Day
For making all mankind----one.
2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets

A WORLD SERIES PRAYER FOR THE TEXAS RANGERS

God Bless the Baseball Texas Rangers
God Bless them tonight for sure;
It's a World Series game of all games
For this week 40 years we've endured.
There shouldn't be any problem(smile)
We've already put the Yankees on the run;
Here in the Bible Belt we believe in prayer
So GO TEXAS RANGERS---follow the sun!

2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets

AUTUMN'S MIDAS TOUCH

Golden apples ripening on trees
Yellow pumpkins turning gold---
Autumn has her own Midas Touch
That never ever shall grow old.

Golden rays of sunshine spread
Stacks of corn husks turning gold;
Autumn has her Golden Midas Touch
That never ever shall grow old.

Member Academy of American Poets

HAUNTED BY GOD(Psalms 25:12)

Lord, I pray please let me be Divinely Haunted daily by you--- Let me abide in your omni-presence In all I humanly say and do. In You, I live, and love and move In You I have my being too---- Let me live in delightful holiness Being divinely surrounded by You. Let me thrive in your consciousness Barricaded against every evil enemy No cares---no stress--no worries--- As I relish being Haunted by Thee. 2011 by DRR

A CALL TO AMERICAN UNITY(911Revisited)

Tragedy can come to all of us
As we this earth daily trod;
Tragic galvanizing moments unite us
They bring us closer to God.

Life can change in the blink of an eye
Our firm faith is formed in the fire;
We bond more together in the heat
Holding on through the muck and mire.

The Lord gives and the Lord takes away
This Job patiently learned;
Yet in all of this Job fainted not
Though his possessions were all burned.

God is still God in the darkest of times
We must all unite our endeavors;
Life can change in the wink of an eye
But the eternal Love of God lasts forever.

So let's renew our compassion for others
Let's renew our fight for what's right;
We are still the United States of America
Let's renew our great need to Unite.

2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets

LABOR DAY PSALM

The Lord is my Employer
I shall not want--
Each morning I report for duty
And offer Him daily praise.
He leads me in paths of purity
And though I walk thru the shadow of debt
He generously provides for me--
That where He is, I shall be too.
His bountiful benefits are boundless
His Health-care Plan divine.
His Retirement Plan is our of this world
Surely goodness and Mercy shall follow me
All the days of my laboring life--
And I shall willingly work for Him forever.
Amen.

2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets

SOUL OF AMERICA

America
At the crossroads
America's soul seems to be bound up and tied
Lord--
Untie the knot
Let America's soul be blessed once again.

Cleanse--
Wash us thoroughly
Purge us with waves of mercy so we will be cleansed
Waterfalls--
Let the waves of love and glory
Wash America's heart again from our sins

Lord--
We prayerfully humble ourselves
Help us turn now from our wicked ways
Seek-
We seek Thy face
Please hear our prayer and heal our dry land today

Create--
Create in us a clean heart
Renew a right spirit within our inner soul
Wash us--
Cleanse us thoroughly
Let Thy tides of time restore America's Soul once again.

2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets

A RAINMAKER PRAYER

Dear Lord of the Rain
I pray today---
Please send us some Rain
Along our way.

Our dry ground is parched
Our souls are too--
We need some wet Rain
To see us through.

Dear Rainmaker God
This one thing please do--
Send us more Rain--
Our Faith is in You.

2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets
Grand Prairie,Tx

A TOAST TO FREEDOM

Freedom we celebrate July Fourth each year
Full of Fireworks with friends we hold dear;
But Freedom's price tag is high as can be
-----No--Freedom really isn't Free.

Freedom is paid for by blood,sweat and tears
Soldiers who put on hold lives and careers;
It's July Fourth and now I can see---
-----That Our Freedom isn't really Free.

Young soldiers die daily for us each year
Torn from their family, eyes filled with tears;
They've paid the ultimate price,now we can see
---No---Our Freedom isn't really Free.

God Bless the Veterans young and old
God Bless the soldiers both brave and bold;
Join in a Prayer for them now and see--
---Our American Freedom isn't really free.
2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets

A FATHER'S DAY BILL OF RIGHTS

l)The Right to take a shower without a laundry line of set panty hose
2)The Right to tell our side of the story without fear of consequences
3)The Right to trade cars every so often without the third degree
4)The Right to watch a game on television without being harassed
5)The Right to have at least equal time with the TV remote
6)The Right to know the ingredients of the wife's newest casserole
7)The Right to putter in the garage without have a honey do list
8)The Right to be seen in public wearing the clothes we prefer
9)The Right to try to find our destination without asking at the local Quick Trip
l0)The Right to know what Man Things are without having to explain them
2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Happy Father's Day and Good Luck with this list!
Member Academy of American Poets

ODE TO A BRAVE SOLDIER

"Only one Soldier killed Today"
The news headlines proudly scream;
As if that's a military victory.
But the Soldier who died,
For him I still cry---
That Soldier belonged to me.

A dear son, a husband, a father;
We grieve for our loved-one true;
Only one Soldier lies dead today,But
What if that Soldier belonged to you?

2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets

A TRIBUTE TO MOTHER

Mothers are the heart of the family
Beautiful, faithful, and bold--
Although she may not build cathedrals
Mothers are builders of immortal souls.
Mother lives closer to God than anyone
Makers of great sacrifices galore---
What is more precious than Motherhood
Lord, grant us dear millions more.

2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets

A ROYAL WEDDING TOAST

Here's a Royal Wedding Toast---
To you Prince William and lovely Kate;
A charming due who are destined to be
Royalty who are graciously great.

Today we honor your Royal Highnesses
And dear Lady Diana's Legacy true;
As today history is being made---
Under bright British skies of blue.

May God Bless your royal endeavors
From Westminister Abbey all the way--
May this world-wide wedding of the century
Be crowned by Wedding Bliss each day.

2011 by Reverend Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets
Grand Prairie, TX

ROOM AT THE CROSS

Beneath the Cross of Jesus
I join Mary, His mother there;
Hearing Him sincerely say "I Thirst"
His sufferings i will share.

Beneath the classic Cross of Jesus
I feign would take my stand--
"Were You There" at Calvary still rings
---In my heart and in my head.

Yes, I have been to Calvary
I have joined the ransomed throng;
I've given my sinful heart to Jesus
---He has cleansed me from all wrong.

Won't you join me here at Calvary?
Let your soul find forgiveness too;
Though multitudes have come to the Savior
---There's still Room at the Cross for you.
2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets

FOREVER EASTER

Witness the cavalcade of clouds
Dispersing Easter Morning's sky;
Awesome Easter is Forever---
The redeemed soul shall never die.

Celebrate Christ's Resurrection
His Redemption draweth nigh--
Awesome Easter is Forever---
We redeemed will live with Him on high.
2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets

TODAY'S TO-DO LIST

Keep a Promise
Forego a Grudge
Forgive an enemy too--
Think first of someone else
This "TO-DO list is for you.

Express your gratitude
Worship God
Gladden the heart of a hild
Apologize if you were wrong
This "TO-DO" List is for you.

Mend a Quarrel
Write a nice letter--
Remember a soft answer turns away wrath
Practice loyalty in word and deed--
It's the wisest way to spend your day!
2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets

A LITTLE BIT OF IRELAND

What is as rare
As a day in Ireland
Amid Macgillycuddy's peaks
Roaming through the Kingdom of Kerry
Walks could magically turn into weeks.

The mountains of Mourne in County Down
Bid my soul to relax and rest----
Those great green mountain ridges
Are like pastoral divine bridges
Between my soul and God.

What is so rare
As a day in Ireland
Leprocauns flitting everywhere
While wearing the green, true happiness seen
A St.Pat's Day Salute to Ireland rare.
2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets

My Musical Abilities

Let's keep the Sound of Music going all around the world

Yes, I enjoy playing the piano keyboard and teaching keyboard to students after school during the week. I find it's a grand way to keep the Sound of music going around the world.---Somebody taught me to play, so now I give back by teaching someone younger than I. Music is the laughter of the angels!

FORGIVENESS REWIND

When relationships get complicated
And we continue to grow apart--
Let's press the reset button of Forgiveness
----And Rewind back home to Start.

When harsh feelings take over our senses
And at others we try to throw dark darts---
Let's press the reset button of Forgiveness
----And go back to Love's fresh Start.
2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Grand Prairie, Tx.
Member Academy of American Poets

If My Pet Could Talk

Like Charlie the Star kissed Tuna, Sorry Charlie, you're Done!

Charlie Sheen at the Plaza

If my pet could talk it would say:

SORRY CHARLIE!



Charlie Sheen your tV series;

Has enjoyed a ten year run;

But like Charlie the Star kissed Tuna

We think with you we're done.

Your wisecracks are exhausting

Your antics have had a long run--

But like Charlie The star kissed Tuna

Dude---take a hint---you're Done!

Right now you're acting like Half-a-Man

Come on--you're Martin Sheen's son;

But like Charlie the Star kissed Tuna

Sorry Charlie---us cats all say "you're Done!"

GRANDEUR OF GOD

Oozing like fresh oil
From between the earth's cracks
Comes the Grandeur of God

Breaking through the sunrise
With every sizzling sunlit streak
Comes the Grandeur of God.

Like a mother's warm breast
Offering solace to mankind
Comes the Grandeur of God

Like lightning flashing
And thunder-clouds rolling in
Comes the Grandeur of God

Dazzling the night with stars
Making the moon a shining ball;
Comes the Grandeur of God

Out of the Virgin Mary's womb
Into my vacant, waiting soul---
Comes the Grandeur of God.

2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets
Member Texas Historical Society

A Favorite Game Show

Around the World I search for you---Everybody Sing!

Traveling from mid-America to New Zealand seemed like 'Around the World" to us. We first changed planes in Los Angeles---then Hawaii----then Figi Island--and then on to Auckland, New Zealand. We took a tourist fairy boat from the North Island to the South Island and then back up to New Zealand. It was truly a trip of a lifetime since we were able to visit with over 40 relatives of ours.

One of them is a member of Parliament.

ANGELS ON EARTH CALENDAR REPRINT: Feb.22,2011

Our daughter, Aimee and her husband were expecting a baby (on NFL Super-Bowl weekend 2001)---a boy.
They had chosen the name Joel, wallpapered his room in blue and filled his dresser with baby clothes. Family members had contributed toddler Texas Rangers gear as well as Dallas Cowboys blue and white jerseys.
As Granddad, my gift was a Bar Mitzvah angel--a young boy dressed in Jewish vesture. This little angel would remind Aimee that the seeds of her son's faith would be planted in his infancy.
Or HER infancy, as it happened.
Surprise!
Avaree Rose Hosford was welcomed with all the love and joy a little boy would have been. She looks adorable in the tiny sports jerseys, surrounded by Dallas Cowboy blue. I know that angels watch over her as God does all of us, helping us to greet the unexpected with grace, a thankful heart, and most of all, a sense of humor.
Rev.Douglas Raymond Rose
Grand Prairie, Texas.

A VALENTINE HEART

Slow down my hasty heart
Slow down and in Him wait;
God often lingers longer-
But He never comes too late.

Slow down my hasty heart
And travel on in peace---
Conform your will unto God's
And your soul shall have a feast.

Slow down my hasty heart
God guides the future as the past;
Let nothing shake your confidence
All shall be bright at last.

2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Grand Prairie, Texas
Member Academy of American Poets

LIKE MELTED SNOW

Make me Lord like Melted Snow
Forgetting all about myself;
Realizing I came from you--
And back to you I must go.

Melt my thoughts into yours Lord
Melt both my heart and soul---
Merge my life with yours Lord
Make me like Melted Snow.

2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets
Super-Bowl Weekend of Monster Snowstorm

FROM GUIDEPOSTS ANGEL CALENDAR 2011

MYSTERY FIREFIGHTER
The new sanctuary of the church where I was senior pastor (Bettendorf, Iowa First Assembly)
was nearing completion. As we drove up, my wife and I saw smoke pouring from the open windows.
Dolly called the Fire Department while I ran into the church. Inside, I began throwing flattened boxes over the flames, stomping on top as fast as I could.
This was a losing battle.
Then a lone figure jumped through a window. I worked at my end, and while I had to run to the window periodically for air, my angel partner moved through the thickening smoke as if he had no need for oxygen.
Finally firefighters arrived and the building was saved. Amid news and police reports, I found no mention of my mysterious helper, so simply thanked the One who must have sent him.
Rev. Doug Rose

My Hometown

The Rose of Old San Antone

I was born and raised in San Antonio Texas. I gained a great appreciation for classic Spanish architecture like the ALAMO, and even lived there when John Wayne first filmed The Alamo movie near there. The Spanish Missions have always drawn me as has the San Antonio River Walk. I moved to Dallas to attend college but always return to San Antonio every chance we get. The Fiesta Flambeau is one of my favorite Night -Light Parades in America.

ODE TO DR. KING'S DREAM

Love---It comes in all colors
In People of all races, we daily meet;
Greet them with a sincere smile---
Love is the language that everyone speaks.

Love works like sweet magic in our minds
It's the unified thing that all races seek---
It gives and forgives, is right where we live
Love is the world-wide language we all need.
2
2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets
Grand Prairie, TX

A PRAYER FOR ARIZONA

America's hearts are turning westward
Toward the saddened Arizona state---
We pray for all the shooting victims
And their families in this wailing wake.

We know the heart of God is touched
As we together stand hand in hand;
That God will heal this chaos---
That is sweeping throughout our land.

We know of no better answers
Or political strategy---or plans
Than to place every prayerful one of us
In the center of His holy healing hand.

2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets
Grand Prairie, TX

A Recent Epiphany

A Merry Heart does good like a prescription medicine

In life, pain is inevitable, the suffering is optional...

My grandmother shared her favorite Bible verse with me when as a teenager I asked her for her autograph. It was this:" A merry heart does good like a medicine."

When she passed away, I continued to re-read this verse. I experienced my 'AHA" moment.

I decided to make it my life verse too. After all, if it worked for my Grandma Schober for almost l00 years, it should work for me too. It reminds me to 'accenunate the positive" and look forward to our reunion in Heaven.

What I'm Looking Forward to in 2011

It's great to make fresh tracks in the snow of the New Year of 2011.

I am looking forward to writing new devotionals for two Christian Teen Magazines. It's a thrill to help youth find their right path.

A NEW YEAR GOAL

I'm Running the Race to Heaven
I'm leaving the world of sin;
My face is set, Win is my mindset
I'm never ever going to give in.
I'm Running the Race to Heaven---
Though the race gets rough and long;
My last step will be my strongest step
I pledge to finally finish strong!
2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets