Neddy's Palaver

If You Stand Very Still

If you stand very still in the heart of the woods,
you will hear many wonderful things–
the snap of a twig and the wind in the trees
and whir of invisible wings,

If you stand very still in the turmoil of life
and wait for the voice from within you will
be led down the quiet pathways of wisdom
and peace in a mad world of chaos and din.

If you stand very still and hold to your faith
you will get all the help that you ask.
You will draw from the silence the things that you need —
hope and courage and strength for your task.

~~Patience Strong

Patience Strong is one of Britain’s most popular modern poets. The Works of Patience Strong

A Neddy Christmas

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not shouting, “I’ve been saved!”
I’m whispering, “I get lost! That’s why I chose this way”

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble — needing God to be my guide

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I don’t think I know it all
I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but God believes I’m worth it

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I do not wish to judge
I have no authority — I only know I’m loved.

This poem was NOT written by Maya Angelou, Praise the Lord! So when you get the e-mails telling you that "Maya Angelou wrote an inspirational religious poem entitled ‘I Am a Christian’, write back and them them FALSE!  "When I Say, ‘I Am a Christian’" (the correct, full title) was penned in 1988, by Carol Wimmer .

In a previous post I referred to the author of this old poem as anonymous, however I have recently found it connected to Elizabeth Cheney.

Overheard In An Orchard

Said the Robin to the Sparrow
“I should really like to know
Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and worry so.”

Said the Sparrow to the Robin
“Friend I think that it must be
That they have no Heavenly Father
Such as cares for you and me.”

–Elizabeth Chaney - 1859

May 1st is Mother Goose Day, according to The Mother Goose Society.

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Who are the Four Evangelists? They are - the winged man, the lion, the ox and the eagle and they come from the vision of Ezekiel in the Old Testament where he described four strange creatures with wings. The Book of Revelation, Chapter 4, in the New Testament of the Holy Bible elaborates upon the creatures separating them into individuals, and down through the centuries the mystical beasts have come to symbolize the four Evangelists; Saint Matthew being the man, Saint Mark the lion, Saint Luke the ox and Saint John the eagle. Each of these animals is the supreme being of its kind. The eagle is the king of all birds, the lion reigns supreme amongst wild animals, the ox is the superior of all domestic animals and man has dominion over things of the earth. All four of these creatures bow down and worship Christ who is the king of all things. In another interpretation the man represents Christ’s humility, the ox His sacrifice, the lion His Resurrection and the eagle Christ’s divinity.

Revelation, Chapter 4:
6: … round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
7: And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
8: And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
9: And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
10: The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

“Liberty’s in every blow! Let us do or die.”

This week, Scots all over the world are observing the birthday of their beloved bard, Robert Burns. They are remembering the old traditions and perpetuating the customs that have come down through the centuries.

Robert Burns was born on January 25th, 1759, in Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland, and became a farmer, as his father had been. However, young Rabbie was bookish, liked to read and developed a great writing talent. During his short lifetime of just 37 years, he wrote many poems and he collected traditional Scottish folk tunes. These touched the hearts of the people and he was proclaimed to be the national poet of Scotland.

“Holy Willie’s Prayer”

Many Scottish societies in America have what are dubbed Burns Suppers, which are celebrations of Scotland and its people. The traditional Scottish dish, haggis, is usually presented with the pomp of the pipes, toasts are made to the ladies, singing is enjoyed, and sometimes even highland dancing is demonstrated. They are parties that would make Rabbie Burns proud indeed. Oftentimes, they are open to the general public, and can be a time to meet descendants of Scotland wearing their Sunday best kilts and tartans in honor of the occasion, to find others sharing your own Scottish surname, and to learn more of the customs of old Scotland. At the conclusion, all hands are joined, Scottish style, in a circle, as everyone ends the night singing Auld Lang Syne.

“O My Love Is Like a Red Red Rose” is one of Burns’ most famous songs. This recording by Kenneth McKellar is taken from the CD “The Robert Burns Collection”. This MP3 is a gift from Scotsman.com’s Heritage & Culture. Here is more Scottish music from Robert Burns.

“Braes of Killiecrankie” is a traditional Scottish song about the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689 where Bonnie Dundee (Graham of Claverhouse) was slain, ending Jacobite hopes. The first three verses and chorus were written by Robert Burns in 1789. This rousing rendition is from Marc Gunn’s “Soul of a Harper” - An autoharper’s spiritual journey through Celtic songs (Autoharp).

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

“Desiderata” was NOT “Found in Old St. Paul’s Church in 1692″, in Baltimore. It was written in the 1920s by Max Ehrmann (1872-1945), a poet and lawyer from Terre Haute, Indiana, who was probably inspired by a posting to his diary: “I should like, if I could, to leave a humble gift — a bit of chaste prose that had caught up some noble moods.”

Around 1959, the Reverend Frederick Kates, rector of Saint Paul’s in Baltimore, Maryland, used the poem “Desiderata” in a collection of devotional materials he compiled for his congregation. At the top of the handout was the notation, “Old St. Paul’s Church, Baltimore A.C. 1692″ , which was a commemoration of the founding of that church, in 1692.

“In winter I get up at night
And dress by yellow candle-light.”
“In summer, quite the other way,
I have to go to bed by day.”

~~Robert Louis Stevenson, 1850-1894

The most stirring call to arms in the English language was written in 1599, in Shakespeare’s Henry V, Act IV, Scene 3, when the king, on the eve of battle, rallied his “band of brothers.” (Link to Audio)

The character of man has not changed in the last 400 years, but the weapons of war have. The conflict we now face is one that is much different from any that we have fought before. Skills and talents are needed other than the traditional ones exhibited by soldiers on the battlefields. In this war, civilians on the home front or abroad can be warriors for our land. We watch with our eyes and write with our pens. We can disseminate local news and we can be creative with the new technologies that are now available. This World War III is a battle where the main weaponry is information and technology. Read and think about what can be done as a way of contributing to the war effort, instead of relying only on the military to do the job.

All can all be soldiers, in or out of uniform. Those who heed not the call to arms today will rue the victory as they will not be able to tell their children and grandchildren that they fought for the side of right and saved civilization from a dreadful darkness. When they are old men and women, today’s soldiers will say with pride that they fought and won a great war.

From this day to the ending of the world
But we in it shall be rememberèd,
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.
For he today that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition.
And gentlemen in England now abed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.

Shakespeare’s Henry V, Act IV, Scene 3

Of so divine a Loss
We enter but the Gain,
Indemnity for Loneliness
That such a Bliss has been. ~~Emily Dickinson