Give the King Adoration and Praise... His heart of gold.. WELCOME....COME IN, RELAX AND MEDITATE Sip your drink slowly Meditate upon His Word... Shirley and Nick Kotsanos About Me: LOVE TO WRITE POETRY, STORIES AND PLAYS LOVE TO PAINT LANDSCAPES AND STILL LIFE MY RELIGION IS THE APOSTOLIC FAITH MY FAVORITE PERSON WAS MY MOTHER SHE WROTE NEARLY ALL OF THE MEDITATIONS ON THIS PAGE MY GRANDFATHER WAS MY SECOND FAVORITE PERSON HE WROTE SOME OF THE POETRY ON THIS PAGE I WAS TAUGHT ABOUT GOD FROM BIRTH BY THESE TWO FAVORITE PERSONS Come, Meditate with Me... PLEASE SIT BACK, RELAX, AND READ THESE BEAUTIFUL MEDITATIONS AND POEMS LEFT TO ME BY MY BEAUTIFUL MOTHER AND HUMBLE GRANDFATHER...Beulah Alcott and Wills J. Sego, deceased..they have gone to meet the One to whom they devoted their life to: JESUS CHRIST Our guide and leader... God's wonderful gift to me Grandma and Grandpa Sego Click here for their 'Beginnings' page... BEFORE 'MEDITATIONS' BEGIN, LET ME TELL YOU, THRU POETRY, JUST HOW WONDERFUL THIS MAN OF GOD WAS...... TO GRANDPA SEGO: This day, my heart cries out to you..how I long to let you know, That you have been in my darkest hours, a small and tiny glow. A glow that helped me in 'faith believing', when others failed me so. Helped me to pick up 'broken pieces'..to continue, as onward I go! You never had an unkind word for any living soul, I know. You defended or excused each man, whether they were friend or foe. You never held your neck so stiff, that you couldn't see someone pass by. Whether be they rich or poor..you offered them coffee and pie. No other man that has ever been loved, or has ever come to mind Could stand along beside you..at least none that I could find!! You never had a downward cast in countenance nor in voice, And you have always chose, above others, to make our God your choice. You lived your life before all men exactly the same each day. And never failed to witness of God, and show someone the 'Way'. But now, you are gone, and time has eased the sorrow and the pain. Still, I long to join you 'in the sky', and live ever with you again.... Your granddaughter, Shirley MY GRANDFATHER WROTE THIS MANY, MANY YEARS AGO... LIGHT IN THE VALLEY There's a Light in the Valley I'm treading, and its rays are shining bright to my soul. And my heart deeply yearns for a vision of the Praise at the end of the goal. By this Light I can see in this pathway all the thorns and the briars that are there. So I'll set my eyes there and keep watching, and my soul will be breathing a prayer... In this Valley to which I am going, many snares and pitfalls are there I know. Many cruel and heart crushing burdens on this pathway I tread here below. I can see in this Valley a vision of the beautiful City of Gold, And my soul is athirst for the Glory that awaits me just now in the fold. Many times, as I've walked thru this Valley, weary, worn and oppressed by the Foe, How my soul yearned for rest from the struggle, and from the toil and the strife as I go.. But I know I must keep pressing onward and, if I praise, at the end I shall win. So I'll lift up my eyes and look upward, lest I fail at the end to see Him. When I come to the end of this Valley, and the walls of the City appear, And the beautiful gates swing open and the songs of the Angels I hear, And the cold, chilly waves of Deaths River roll and toss like a flood at my feet, Then the Light of the beautiful City will loom in my heart as I near Him to meet. To the Gates of the beautiful City, where my Jesus is standing I know.. He will make me an heir to this Kingdom, and in His Glory I'll evermore grow... Yes, there's a Light in the Valley I'm treading, and its rays are shining bright to my soul, And my heart deeply yearns for a vision of the Praise at the end of the goal.... By Wills J. Sego Poems... This poem pretty well sums up how Grandpa's life was in the early 1900's while working for the Lord.....he told me of times when he, and two others, were jailed, but sang, shouted, prayed, talked in Tongues and the jailer had to let them out...one town folk wrote of these experiences.... There was just a little preacher and a band of three or four When they started holding meetings out in front of Jones' store. Everybody at the ferry and the country round about came to hear the funny church folks Talk in Tongues and sing and shout. But our Parson didn't like em, neither did old Deacon Stout. They said,"Tongues are of the devil, and we ought to run them out." And so they hinted to some rowdies that "T'would bring 'em great renown If they'd egg the little preacher and the whole bunch out of town. Well, of course, that gang of rowdies thought the scheme would work alright. So, that nite they come to the meetin' armed with eggs well over ripe. And a bunch of us church members went along to watch the fun. Thought we'd see a regular circus when them shouters broke and run.. But..there wasn't any running...they just stuck rite to their stand. And kept on shoutin' "hallelujah'..every time an egg would land! Soon, the ones that was a throwin' sneaked away, a lookin' sad.. T'aint no fun to torment people when you see they won't get mad. Well, that didn't stop their meetings, it just seemed to give 'em greater vim. Why, they never even once mentioned what them rowdies done to them! Then one nite the Village Marshall throwed 'em in the calaboose, But they sung an prayed and shouted til he had to turn 'em loose. So, they kept rite on a stayin'..been here now more'n a year. And most all the folks you talk to seem well pleased to have 'em here. For there just ain't no use denyin' that this neighborhood all 'round Has a whole lot more salvation since them shouters hit the town. Everybody goes to hear 'em, and a lot of folks have joined, Swapped their cold and dead profession for the red hot shoutin' kind. And the Parson and the Deacon, they have learned that it's absurd.. To try to down a Doctrine that is backed up by the Word. I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO READ THE SONG MY GRANDPA USE TO SING AS HE TRAVELED AROUND EVANGELIZING IN THE YEAR 1915. I THINK YOU WILL ENJOY IT..... THE AMEN SONG Christ's soldiers are a happy host equipped with the power of the Holy Ghost. Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen. While others sleep we're wide awake to rescue souls from the burning lake. Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen. I'm going thru to glory, I am, I am, I'm going thru to glory for Jesus I will take my stand, Amen, Amen. I'm going thru to glory.. The devil wears a hypocrite shoe. If you don't watch out he'll slip it on you. Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen. Some strain at a gnat you can hardly see, and swallow a camel as big as can be. What shame, what shame, what shame, what shame. As I went down in the Valley to pray, there I got happy and stayed all day, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen. I'd rather be alive and small as a dog, than big as a lion and dead as a log. Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen. I've never been to Heaven but I've been told, it's a first class City and the streets are Gold. Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen. I'll tell you what's the actual fact..if I ever get to Heaven..I'm not coming back! Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen. My Mother God's wonderful gift to me.. MEDITATIONS Dear God, let me look away beyond this vale of tears, and see the beauty of eternal years; Let me leave for a moment the heartaches of life, and soar away to that Heavenly delight. To view its wonders and glories eternal, and sit in the Presence of the King Supernal. Dear God, look down on this soul so ill, and give sweet peace, and my sad heart thrill.... Oh God, You must surely know the desire that's in my heart to love You and serve You, and from this world draw myself apart; To cleanse my heart from evil..do good for one and all. For these, I humbly ask You to hear me when I call. To bow before Thee humbly and plead Your gentle Grace, To hear Your lovely voice and see Your precious face; To know Your gracious favor is worth more than gold. I long to share in its pleasures, in the Land where we will never grow old. Oh, the rapture of a soul cleansed from sin..Oh, the peace that is deep within, Just to know that Jesus loves you, and wants you to be with Him. Just to feel His Presence near you, just to let His dear voice cheer you.. Is worth all of this world with its riches. As you wander this whole life thru, His Presence has more light than the sun. All the clouds and darkness are gone. When you live in His will and serve Him, you'll count your blessings one...by one. Oh God, stir up the desires that are deep within my heart; oh, give me a greater desire to walk close to Thee. Oh, that Thou wouldst hold fast to my hand and lead me ever thru trials and tests. Let all my desires be for Thee, my God. Fill my heart so full of longing for Thee, that it will all be taken up, no room for malice or strife or envyings...just love and faith and hope. There at the end of the race is that beautiful city not made with hands. There is rest for the weary..no more will there be tears and sadness; neither sin can abide there. In the sunshine of His presence, we shall all sing His praises..in an endless day, we shall shout hallelujah and amen. (THIS WAS WORTH REPEATING) OUR LIFE IS IN HIS HAND.. SOMETIMES DOUBTS AND FEARS CREEP INTO MY HEART, AND SATAN TRIES MY SOUL TO DEVOUR. SOMETIMES EVIL WOULD CAUSE ME FROM JESUS TO DEPART, AND SNARE ME BACK INTO SATAN'S UGLY POWER; SOMETIMES PAIN WOULD CAUSE ME TO WAVER FROM THE FAITH ENDOWED BY THE HOLY GHOST BUT, PRAISE HIS DEAR NAME I'VE A LOVING SAVIOUR WHO SAVES ME AND KEEPS ME WHEN ALL THINGS SEEM LOST! I WAS ONCE A HELPLESS SINNER, SINKING LOW IN SHAME AND CARE, GROPING WILDLY IN THE DARKNESS FOR A RAY OF LIGHT SOMEWHERE TO GUIDE ME TO SOMEONE TO HELP TO GIVE ME PEACE AND REST, FOR MY SOUL WAS SICK AND WEARY, AND LONGING FOR THAT HOPE SO BLEST..... The road to Eternity FROM THE MOMENT THAT LIFE ENTERED INTO OUR BODIES, WE BECAME A LIVING SOUL, AND EVEN THO THIS FLESH WILL DIE AND RETURN TO THE DUST FROM WHICH IT WAS MADE, THE SOUL WILL LIVE ON FOREVER AND FOREVER. IN THIS SPAN OF YEARS THAT GOD GAVE US, WE MUST ENDEAVOR TO BUILD A HOME FOR THIS EVERLASTING SOUL. A PLACE WHERE IT CAN FIND REST AND PEACE. BUT, IF WE ARE NOT CAREFUL, WE MAY CAUSE IT TO BE CAST OUT INTO ETERNAL DARKNESS AND UNREST. GOD GAVE US A PLAN WHEREBY WE CAN SAVE THIS SOUL, AND A WILL TO DO WITH IT AS WE PLEASE. THE SOUL OF MAN IS A THING OF REALITY THAT LIVES ON FOREVER AND FOREVER. FROM THE MOMENT THAT THE BREATH OF LIFE IS BREATHED INTO IT, IT BECOMES SOMETHING THAT MUST BE CARED FOR AS CAREFULLY AS LIFE ITSELF. LET YOUR FAITH ABOUND... AWAY OVER YONDER, ON CALVARY'S HILL, I CAN SEE THAT OLD CROSS STANDING SILENT AND STILL. AND IT BRINGS TO MY MEMORY THE THOUGHT OF ONE WHO DIED THERE THAT DAY...IT WAS GOD'S ONLY SON. HE DIED IN ATONEMENT THAT DAY ON THE CROSS, AND NOT ONLY FOR ME, BUT A WORLD THAT WAS LOST. A WORLD LOST IN DARKNESS, AND TURMOIL, AND STRIFE; GOD SENT HIS DEAR ONE AS OUR SACRIFICE. Oh, my soul, seek ye rest from your burden heavy laden, so weary and at a loss, Find it there at the Feet of Jesus, who was nailed to the old rugged Cross. At the Cross you can find rest and mercy, for He died there for you and me. Your heavy load then will be lighter, and His blessed Face you can see. Gently He touches your forehead with Hands that were bleeding and torn. His Virtue sweeps o'er you like rivers..you no longer feel lonely and worn. A soul has gone into eternity; prepared? I do not know! But it causes me to think of me, and ask myself, 'Where will I go?' I know that sin cannot enter there. What is sin? Oh, yes I know. It's everything that I know from which, in His Word, He told me to beware. So...for everything my eyes beheld that I should not look upon; for every idle word I spoke that may have led someone astray; for wayward footsteps that led me into temptation...with humble heart, forgive me Lord, I pray! His Hand outstretched IN A VISION THERE BEFORE ME STANDS THE BLESSED LAMB OF GOD, STRETCHING FORTH HIS ARMS OF MERCY, SPEAKING WORDS OF PEACE AND LOVE. TO HIS ERRANT CHILD HE BEACONS, 'COME AND KNOW MY SAVING GRACE'.. AND IN HUMBLE SUPPLICATION, THERE, I FALL UPON MY FACE. HUMBLY THERE I PLEAD HIS PARDON, BOWING AT HIS PRECIOUS FEET, ALL MY LOVE FOR HIM OUTPOURING, AS MY LIPS HIS PRAISE REPEAT. I want to be humble and kneel low at His feet, Then I can hear His dear voice kind and sweet, As He tells me to watch, to wait and pray Till He comes back to claim us on that great happy day. I want to be holy and walk with Him each day with my hand clasped in His each step of the way. My heart will He keep with His great tender love, and He'll give me a home in that blest Land above. Then, someday, when the toils of this life will be o'er I shall meet with my King on that glorious Shore. He'll smile on me then, and with voice kind and sweet will say, "Thou hast done well..make your joy complete". Our Mansion in the Sky The symbol of love... This I know.... WITH EASTER COMING UP...I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU MY MEDITATIONS ON THE GREAT SACRIFICE THAT HE MADE...JUST BECAUSE..HE LOVES YOU!! GOD'S PLAN I would like for you to visualize the objects in God's wondrous plan.. that He used in His purpose for the saving of Man. Come, listen to this wondrous story about our Lord Jesus who was crucified.. yet, died in grace and in glory. NAILS...God used these for Christ's feet and His hands, Thorns...to set upon His head. A SPEAR...was used to pierce His side..His blood now had been shed. But, in that moments span-all our sins were forgiven, because this too, was in God's plan. Oh, His blood, how it flowed from the spear that in His side was thrust! The thorns that pierced His Holy brow, was used, in God's plan to redeem us. VINEGAR and gall was used for His thirst..the two thieves on His side have their place.. How bitter were the words from the thief-man..how sweet the look on the dear Saviours face. This too, was in God's plan. The GALL. God used this to show life's bitter road, and the ultimate outcome in the end. The SOLDIERS were used to cast lot for His robe..the money showed 'DEATH'..the wages of sin. A ROBE..God used this robe with its purple array to show how the 'crucified one' was the cloak for man's erring ways. God used a tree for His Son to die on, as a Cross for the Saviour to bear All of man's burdens and all of man's strife...a refugee for all of man's cares. This tree too, then, was in God's plan. To the thief on His right we heard Christ reply, "In Paradise..I'll meet you there". Then....the earth was still, the laughter hushed....there was silence everywhere....then! The rocks were rend, the earth did quake, the sun-rays lost their path! These, too, God used in His plans to show the depth of His wrath. White LINEN was used for our precious Lord's Shroud. God used this linen to show that only in pureness, our souls can be bowed. A STONE..God used to seal His tomb-this too, was in God's plan... to show that as a strong rock, we must stand. Then....in 3 days our Lord arose and thus was revealed unto man That God used 3 days to show us our salvation plan. Each day represents the 3 steps we must take before we are worthy of God's Kingdom to partake. One God, One Faith, One Baptism...this must all coincide.. To make all man worthy for the precious eternal life. By Shirley Kotsanos GETHSEMANE LET ME REMEMBER Lord, help me remember Gethsemane's Garden where You prayed in such agony. Help me remember Golgotha's dark hill where You died for a sinner like me; To remember the blood that flowed so red from Your wounded side that day... The blood of the Lamb that was cruelly shed, to wash my sins away! To remember the cup of vinegar and gall, and the shame and the agony there. Oh Lord, help me remember them all, as I strive for that City so fair. Let me praise His dear Name forever, I'll live for Him each day. 'Til I see my King there in His glory, He'll go with me all the way. by Beulah Alcott Thanks God, for Serenity.. There's a place of sweet communion where I'm longing close to be, That I might hear His gentle whisper as He tells His love to me; He tells me to be ready, e'er He calls me to His home, There to join with precious loved ones, who have ceased this world to roam. Oh, that precious place in Jesus where I'm longing close to be, Is my hope of life eternal, and His beauty there to see; Oh, what glorious joy awaits us who are faithful, strong and true. Earthly pleasures then o'er shadowed by His love to me and you. Every moment, every hour in that precious place with Him, I can tell Him of my troubles, then each trial grows more dim. Soon, my tears are all forgotten, all my cares are wiped away, Then such comfort, peace and gladness fills my soul from day to day. Oh, I'll always love you, Jesus, You're the world and all to me, Earthly friends may all forsake, still you'll ever closer be. Some sweet day I'll hear your voice as You call my soul to rest. Then, I'll awake in heavenly splendor with the ransomed and the blest.. by Beulah Alcott Will we be ready when He comes? WILL I BE READY? When that great day comes and the dead in Christ shall rise, will my robe be white and spotless and my lamps all trimmed and bright? Will my eyes be glad to see Him as His shout breaks from the tomb, or will my soul in terror tremble as the trumpet sounds my doom? Will my heart burst forth in shouting as I see His blessed face, will my mortal flesh be quickened by His precious saving grace? Will I be in the Rapture with my Saviour evermore.. or will my soul be banished from that great celestial shore? Will I reign with Him in glory in that blessed Land of Light, will I dwell in heavenly mansions made of jewels so fair and bright? Will I worship with the angels round that great and glorious Throne, or will I spend eternity in anguish all alone? Dear Lord, keep me in that number that makes up your waiting Bride, for my heart is waiting, yearning, to be caught up by Thy side. How I long to see Thy glory, hear Thy voice in tender tone calling to Your waiting Bride, "Come, my loved one, come, my own"! by Beulah Alcott My first award, thank you, Angel... THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPENDING TIME WITH ME IN MY MEDITATIONS...IT WAS GREAT HAVING YOU WITH ME PRAISING, AND WORSHIPING, AND MEDITATING UPON THE LORD JESUS... I WISH TO THANK ALL OF THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO GAVE ME PERMISSION TO USE MOST OF THE GRAPHICS ON THIS PAGE...GOD WILL REWARD!! |
| OH, GOD, STIR UP THE DESIRES THAT ARE DEEP WITHIN MY HEART! GIVE ME A GREATER DESIRE TO WALK CLOSE TO THEE, THAT THOU WOULDST HOLD FAST TO MY HAND AND LEAD ME EVER THRU TRIALS AND TESTS......FOR GOD, YOU MUST SURELY KNOW THE DESIRE THAT IS IN MY HEART TO LOVE YOU AND SERVE YOU AND FROM THIS WORLD SET MYSELF APART...AND CLEANSE MY HEART FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, AND DO GOOD FOR ONE AND ALL. LET ALL MY DESIRES BE FOR THEE, MY GOD, AND FILL MY HEART SO FULL OF LONGING FOR THEE, THAT THERE WILL BE NO ROOM FOR MALICE, STRIFE OR ENVY....JUST LOVE, FAITH, AND HOPE. AND THEN...IN THAT ENDLESS DAY, IN THE SUNSHINE OF HIS PRESENCE, WE SHALL ALL SING HIS PRAISES, AND WE SHALL ALL SHOUT, HALLELUJAH AND AMEN...... |
| Some Favorite Links: The Cross Room Eva's Place... Inspirational and Heartwarming http://www.motivateus.com/stories/meanest.htm ("Meanest Mom" and other motivating stories/poems) Old Testament Trivia |
SHIRLEY'S PAGE OF MEDITATIONS
A HELP IN TIME OF PRAYER AND MEDITATION
Adoration-first praise God in worship and meditation...
Confession-then, confess your sins to Him...
Thanksgiving-thank Him for every blessing of the day...
Supplication-finally, let your requests be made known...
Adoration-first praise God in worship and meditation...
Confession-then, confess your sins to Him...
Thanksgiving-thank Him for every blessing of the day...
Supplication-finally, let your requests be made known...
More of Shirley's Pages
| Send me an email. Shirley |
SACRIFICE: http://web.archive.org/web/20030408210533/members.aol.com/sak2u/page4/index.htm POETRY: http://web.archive.org/web/20030205101301/members.aol.com/sak2u/express/index.htm ROMANCE: http://web.archive.org/web/20030408185353/members.aol.com/sak2u/romance/INDEX.htm WORKS: http://web.archive.org/web/20030205181359/members.aol.com/sak2u/collect/index.htm SHORT STORIES: http://web.archive.org/web/20030205181326/members.aol.com/sak2u/page2/index.htm PERSONAL MEDITATIONS: http://web.archive.org/web/20020301173402/members.aol.com/sak2u/personal/ index.htm?mtbrand=AOL_US |
| Shirley so beautifully created over 90 wonderful inspirational, devotional and meditation pages over the years that proved a blessing to many families before AOL closed their Hometown Pages. In the transfer to archives, where only a few of her precious pages survived, her pages lost some of their original beauty and format in which she created them. As you can see, when you click on and visit the links below, some of the pictures are missing and some of her page structure and arrangements were lost entirely. |
| Shirley's Page 1 through Shirley's Page 10 are almost as Shirley had done them originally. She and I hope and pray they are a blessing to you. |
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