Page 9 - Boomer_Times_November 2020

of hurricanes back to back that took out our power and water for a few
Favor and Blessing and Thanksgiving weeks. It had been impossible to sleep much due to the heat and just
By Mary Grisanty, FFM Staff Writer trying to keep going was taking a toll. Some friends got their power
back first and they invited my family to stay with them. It was a Sunday
God’s favor is divine kindness and compassion and everyone had gone out to get some food and I sat on the edge of
but, since His ultimate goal is for us to come into the their couch, shell shocked, watching a church service. The praise and
likeness of His Son, the kindness of being shaped may worship band began to play this song. The lyrics started out describing
not always be perceived as pleasant. Understanding a time when all was going well, and that God’s name should be blessed.
this and being able to declare blessing and favor no The next verse described a time of devastation and trial, and that God’s
matter life’s circumstances is extremely difficult for name should still be blessed. When they came to the chorus about God
most people, so you can imagine how difficult it is giving and taking away, and that God’s name should be blessed no
Mary Grisanty for someone who is struggling with a life controlling matter what, I fell to my knees and wept. My God IS good at ALL times,
addiction. An addict really only has two speeds, “I’m and I remain highly favored and completely blessed at ALL times. Let’s
on a high so all is right with the world,” or “I’m coming down, so life declare this truth now in our season of Thanksgiving.
is the pits.” This tendency to see life as either completely great or For more info, contact Carol Mahoney, Assistant Project Manager, at
completely trash makes it very difficult for those focused on recovery (561) 737-2259 or cmahoney@faithfarm.org.
to deal with the muddling middle. When they hear declarations about Fort Lauderdale Rescue Tabernacle Inc., d/b/a Faith Farm Ministries, is
the blessing and favor of God only from those who register on the high designated by the (IRS) as tax-exempt 501(c)(3) and contributions are tax-
and complete side of life, everything involved in attaining sobriety that’s deductible. Federal Tax ID# 59-0774188. A copy of the official registration
difficult, seems to be an indication that they are without God’s favor. and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer
Services (Registration #CH27828) by calling 1-800-help-flafree (435-7352) toll
About 15 years ago, a praise and worship song became popular free within the State of Florida. Registration does not imply endorsement,
called, “Blessed Be Your Name.” I heard it first after we had a couple approval or recommendation by the State.

Words! Words! Words!

By Richard Lederer
There are plenty museums that house visual art. Now words are small brushes that change the virtual landscape. There’s also karaoke
finally getting their due. The 51,000-square foot interactive museum and the opportunity to recite famous speeches from the likes of JFK
dedicated to words opened on October 22, in Washington, DC. Planet and Martin Luther King, Jr. The museum will also offer “Wordshops”
Word is designed to educate visitors about language, with exhibits in its classrooms and performances, author readings and community
focusing on the spoken, written and sung word. discussions in its auditorium.
The museum will feature 11 galleries with distinct immersive I’m pleased to report that a poem of mine will be displayed on a
experiences. One will allow guests to paint a scene with words using 22-foot-tall wall of words in Planet Word:
A Tense Time with Verbs
The verbs in English are a fright. This tale I tell; this tale I told; I seldom sin, and never son.
How can we learn to read and write? I smell the flowers, but never smold. I hate to lose, and games I lost.
Today we speak, but first we spoke. I didn’t choose, and never chost.
Some faucets leak, but never loke. If knights still slay, as once they slew,
Today we write, but first we wrote. Then do we play, as once we plew? I love to sing, and songs I sang.
We bite our tongues, but never bote. If I still do as once I did, I fling a ball, but never flang.
Then do cows moo, as they once mid? I strike that ball, that ball I struck.
Each day I teach, for years I taught, This poem I like, but never luck.
And preachers preach, but never praught. I love to win, and games I’ve won. Continued on page 22
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