FIRST CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN

FIRST CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN (Dedicated to the families who lost their children in the violent school tragedy this week. "The streets are full of boys and girls laying in Heaven." Zechariah 8:5 For all our children up in Heaven This Christmas Prayer we offer now; Although abruptly taken from us-- Safely before God they humbly bow. Like the Wise Men of Ancient Yore Our sincere reverence now we bring; Snuggle our children close to your heart ---O Christmas Savior, Lord and King. Christ---the famous friend of children On your warm lap they now come to call; Please cuddle them closely right next to thee This First Christmas in Heaven, one and all. 2012 by Douglas Raymond Rose Member Academy of American Poets

THANKSGIVING DAY IN THE MORNING

O What a thrill What great cheer-- It's Thanksgiving Day in the Morning 'Tis my most favorite time of the year ----Thanksgiving Day in the Morning! Sniff the sweet rolls Inhale the awesome air-- It's Thanksgiving Day in the Morning Enjoy second helpings now if you dare ---Thanksgiving Day in the Morning Relish the turkey Enjoy plump pumpkin pie-- It's Thanksgiving Day in the Morning But be thankful for your source-supply ---God who made Thanksgiving Morning!

2012 by Douglas Raymond Rose Member Academy of American Poets

TEXAS STARS SHINE BRIGHTEST

We're proud to be called Texans After all--its full of bright Stars; Not just the ones that shine at night But Stars who drive big LIMO cars! Baseball RANGER's owner Nolan Ryan Is from the small town of Alvin true; Mega movie Star Dennis Quaid-- Hails from Houston, Texas too. TV's DALLAS Star Larry Hagman The infamous JR of South Fork fame; Hails from huge Cowtown--FT. WORTH --(Yes, that's how this game is played) Even some of our greatest PRESIDENTS Lyndon Johnson one nataive by name; Hailed from Johnson City, Texas (A great Austin lawyer who's time came) Then George and Laura Bush from Dallas (His Dad from Houston oiltown too) Dont't forget comic Steve Martin from WACO Mike McConneghey and Sandra Bullock too. Funny Carol Burnett's from SAN ANTONIO (Actress Jayne Mansfield from there too; Wise old John Nance Garner our 32nd VPO Born in our great Hill ?Country view. Singer Dale Evans of Roy Rogers fame Came from Uvalde, Texas anew--- STAR TREK actor Gene Riddenberry And Judge Sandra Day O'Connor too. So you see our shining Texas Stars Shine brightly both day and night; So God please bountifully Bless America And keep Texas' Stars shining bright! 2012 by Douglas Raymond Rose Member Academy of American Poets

A PEACE PRAYER( Anglican Digest Reprint 2012 by Douglas Raymond Rose

Lord, give us Peace on Earth today May I goodwill in my neighbor see; Grant us the grit to all get along--- ---And let Peace begin with me. Grant us more Grace in brotherhood All brothers and sisters are we; Help us think with Calm and Courage ---And let it begin in me. Lord, give us Peace on Earth today Let there much more tolerance be; Unite our strengths to join our goals ---And let Peace begin with me. 2012 by Douglas Raymond Rose Member Academy of American Poets

RED HAT ANGELS

Helen is approaching age 80 and lives alone. Since she has no children, she is dependent upon the kindness of neighbors. My wife Dolly first met her at a ladies Bible study, but all of a sudden she was missing. Dolly (a member of the Red Hat Society) donned her hat and headed over to her house to check out the problem. When she got there, Helen was soaking in tears. "My money is all gone from my checking account" she cried--showing Dolly her newest zero bank statement. Dolly immediately saw "Red" the same color as her hat. She rallied her "Red Hat" ladies and they stormed into the Bank Manager's office. "What can you do about this poor senior citizen' theft? she asked. It looks like her deadbeat neighbor has been forging checks to herself and cleaned out Helen's account" "How long has this been going on?" asked the off-putting manager. "How old is Helen anyway.? he asked with obvious disdain. "Well, if its over 30 days, we can't help her---Goodbye now ladies!" All of a sudden the Red Hat ladies all saw red again--Red Flags for sure. They prayed to God for guidance. Dolly next led the excited delegation straight to the City Mayor's office--hats and all. She demanded attention to this unfair case. "This is age discrimination" Dolly declared. "Something must be done about it now!" The sympathetic Mayor listened and then promised an immediate investigation into the matter. He ordered that the local Police Department be sent out right away."This is no time to allow a 'naughty neighbor' or a 'brain-dead bank manager" to get away with this" the ladies all agreed---their purple feathers fuming in the wind. When all was said and done, Dolly and the ladies heroically earned their wings. Their heroic

angelic acts helped stop the theft and put the defendant back behind bars. Thank God for "Red Hat" ladies who still want to earn their Angel wings! 2012 by Douglas Raymond Rose Member Academy of American Poets

BACK TO SCHOOL PRAYER

LORD, Bless all dear children going Back to School We cover them with your holy Word (3 John 1:11) As they walk the wide school hallways-- Let your voice be always heard. (2 Tim. 1:9) We declare that they'll be obedient (I Peter 1:14) Not conforming to earthly, fleshly ways-- But remaining pure in their conduct (Hebrews 13:18) ---Keeping a clear conscience every single day. Let their conduct be without covetousness-- Keeping content with what they have (Hebrews 13:5) Doing what is right and wholesome (Heb. 13:16) ---Being doers of your Word---their healing salve. Keep them safe daily within their classrooms Deliver them from all evil too ( I John 5:11) Let guardian angels walk beside them (Psalms 91) ---In all that they say and all they do. Let them walk in light as you are Light (I John 1:7) Cleanse their hands and purify their hearts-- Increasing in favor with God and mankind (Prov. 3:4) From the First Bell's ringing of each day's start. A M E N 2012 by Douglas Raymond Rose Member Academy of American Poets

REPRINT FROM SEEK MAGAZINE, Fall 2012

JAY'S STORY (excerpt) as told to Douglas Raymond Rose My wife's brother Jay lived the life many men dream of. After serving his country in the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam, he returned to his home state of Kansas and was hired for the broadcast staff of the Kansas City Chiefs, NFL football team.He traveled on the Chief's team jets wherever they went all across the U.S. He enjoyed

the perks and privileges associated with the NFL, as well as the exciting lifestyle that comes with it. All at once his world came to a screeching halt. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in early Sept. l998. Jay's family were told that the survival rate for this cancer was only 5 per cent.They responded by praying 24 hours a day. Jay spent over 6 weeks in the hospital. In endless hours when there seemed to be no hope for recovery, Jay remained faithful to God and God sustained him. When he finally completed cancer treatment, players and staff on the K.C. Chiefs rejoiced with him. They saw up close just what prayer and faith in God could do. A major K.C. television station sent a crew to his home to interview him. This resulted in other interviews and many opportunities for Jay to give his testimony of the power of God in his healing. He realized there was a reason for his battle with cancer. Jay saw that he could encourage others who were offered little hope of recovery. One headline read: "Faith and Prayer sill Work Today Jay said: "that even when the diagnosis was 95% negative, God used the remaining 5% to achieve His glory." Jay is till cancer free more than 14 years later. The testimony of James Copeland still encourages others who experience cancer. He had to persevere in the dark night of his soul holding onto nothing but his faith in God, because he knows for sure that God is always enough! 2012 by Douglas Raymond Rose