Chicago Trip Photos

Here are a few pictures of our trip to Chicago.

The Farris Wheel on the Navy Pier.

Ball park is closed in March. So I got the sign.

Looking down on the famous water tower.
The only survior of the famouse Chicago fire.

This is Lincoln's Tomb in Sprigfield.

Who Can Know the Mind of God

That question is so hard to understand. My mind draws a blank trying to conceive such an answer. Who can know the mind of God? The mind of God could never be understood. The mind that thought a thought and the universe was created. How can you or I ever estimate the knowledge contained in the mind of God? The mind of God, it con­trols the sun and the moon. At His thought, the world could end. The mind of God controls our world, saves our souls, and at the same moment ponders the praise of His angels. Oh, the mind of God, it made you and me. To the very smallest insect to the greatest mountain known to man, it all came from the mind of God. He thought it all. He thought of us way before He even made the universe. Who can know the mind of God? No one. The mind of God, how great, how mighty, how holy. I wonder what He is thinking now. No one really knows, but He knows every hair on our head, every tear we’ve cried, and He never forgets small things such as those. Oh, how great the mind of God. The mind that opened the Red Sea wants us to open our hearts to Him. The mind that caught a bush on fire wants our lives to be on fire for Him. The mind that had to decide to give His Son’s live for us wants us to give our lives for him. Oh, the mind of God, I will never know the mind of God, but I know that I am on His mind and so are you.

A Remarkable Poem

Today


Plans fail.
Hearts break.
Minds forget.
Bodies ache.
Love fades.
Faith goes.
Hope dies.
Dreams disappear.
Days end.

But there’s tomorrow.
2004 Mark Edward Leslie January 02, 2004

A Remarkable Quote

Read the best books first

or you may not have a chance

to read them all.
~Henry David Thoreau~

A Busy Bee

This was taken in our flower bed last year!

A New Year's Poem

Life Must Be Lived


Another year has come.
Another year has ended.
Time goes on.
It never waits.
Plans are unfulfilled.
Letters are unwritten.
The phone call was never made.
The church was never entered.
That friend was never forgiven.
That promotion wasn’t given.
That vacation wasn’t taken.
The tree house was never built.
The room was never painted.
That book was never read.
Another year has ended,
But another has come.
Remember time goes on
And it never waits.


2004 Mark Edward Leslie January 02, 2004

A Remarkable Quote

Most people spend more time planning Christmas than they do planning their lives.
--- Unknown

Zoo Tranquility

Taken at the Memphis Zoo

A Christmas Poem

Four Kings of Christmas


One king came by horse.
Dressed in royal blue.
He brought the gift of gold.

One king came by caravan.
Followed by many men.
He brought the gift of frankincense.

One king came by camel.
Covered with colors and gems.
He brought the gift of myrrh.

One King came by way of a manger.
Wrapped in used rags.
He brought the gift of life.

2004 Mark Edward Leslie December 19, 2004
Featured: Our Poetry; The Log Cabin Democrat; 12/11/05

A Remarkable Quote

The only thing that walks back from the tomb with the mourners and refuses to be buried is the character of a man. What a man is survives him. It can never be buried. — J.R Miller

The Coming Storm

I just like good ole nature shots.

A Remarkable Poem

We Miss Life


We get so busy
that we miss life.

We don’t notice
her crooked smile.
We look past
his blue eyes.

We don’t throw
the football anymore.
We forget about
her piano recital.

We skip family dinners.
We miss Sunday church.
We postpone date night Friday.

We spend all of our time
looking for the important things,
While missing those that really are.

Take time not to miss life.

2005 Mark Edward Leslie June 16, 2005

Our Neighbor's Tree

I really enjoy the fall colors.

A Remarkable Quote

Most people want to change the world to improve their lives. What a wasted effort. If they would only improve themselves, they would be better off and so would the world.

~unknown~

A Remarkable Poem

This poem was featured in the Lob Cabin Democrat this past Sunday (11/20/05). I hope you enjoy.

The Pinewood Church

Down in the woods
Sits a little pinewood church.
Its boards are stained with age
And its tin roof has rusted through time.

The doors have no locks
And push open with ease
To find six oak pews
And a piano inside.

It’s quite a surprise
That the piano’s in tune.
Since the old church
Sits idle most of the time.

Wait around long enough to see
the sun hide behind the trees and
There’s a little old couple that make their way
down to the worn church steps.

Once inside, she finds her place
On the little piano bench.
There she plays the good old hymns
then a few tears fall from her cheeks.

When the music fades, the gentleman
Takes his cane and walks to the stand.
There he preaches Psalm twenty-three
Then shares a prayer and he’s through.

For a moment, the old church seemed full,
But without a pause, they meet in the aisle.
Without a word, they turn to leave,
And walk back through the open doors.

With the church almost out of sight,
The old man turns around and looks back
At the old pinewood church and says,
“The three of us sure did have church today.”

2005 Mark Edward Leslie June 16, 2005

Welcome to Mark's Remarks

Welcome to my blog. This is something new I'm trying. I hope to feature a quote of the week. I will share my poems and articles as I write them. I also enjoy taking pictures so be prepared for all of those.Just in case you have been locked in a closet the past few months, I would like to share the news that we are having a baby girl. She has her own blog of course. I have the link provided to the right. Click on Anna Grace's Page.As always, I would love to hear from you. Feel free to e-mail me from my profile or leave your comment under any posting.Until next time.