Reality and Inspiration Volume 1: The Poetry of Rob Mccullah

By Rob McCullah

Most of the book is Christian poetry with a little about lifes reality.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Nov 16, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512790108

Rob McCullah

Rob McCullah was born in Sept., 1952, in St. Joseph, Mo. Just before his 11th birthday he was diagnosed with diabetes and had to start taking insulin. At Christmas that year, his family moved to Springfield, Mo. In 1970, he graduated from Parkview High School; he attended Missouri State and Drury Universities, all in Springfield, Mo.  In 1984, he moved to North Carolina, eventually moving to Moore county in the Pinehurst area in April, 1986 Rob was wed in Nov., 1998, and in Oct., 1999, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in stage-4. Two weeks later he started aggressive chemotherapy at Duke Medical Center. Since the chemotherapy, he’s been in remission, but he had a mass in his head that damaged the frontal lobe of his brain doing away with some of his judgment skills. He lost the ability to know when his blood sugar is dropping too low, maybe before he could resolve it himself. They told him he shouldn’t be left alone for too long at a time. Rob has been at Pinehurst Healthcare since the end of Sept., 2001. He’d written about 10 poems, before he started writing again there in Sept., 2004. God placed Rob there for a reason; his gift for writing poetry has even saved one person’s life. After that, Rob knew why he was there.  Rob has now written over 850 poems and is working on poetry for a fourth book.

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 Rob McCullah.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

1 [phone]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-5127-9011-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-9012-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-9010-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017910546

WestBow Press rev. date: 11/14/2017

IN MEMORY

Of

RICKY BRUCE DICKENS

JAN. 26, 1962

TO

JAN. 20, 1972

Ricky was a second cousin of mine.

He died from complications with his

diabetes before he reached the age of

ten, but he has not been forgotten.

Ricky is always there to remind me to be careful about anything to

do with my diabetes.

GOD BLESS YOU RICKY.

Dedication

image1.jpg

My grandson and me

His name is Adley. He’s eleven years old now and he is the light of my life. When he was born on Christmas Eve, I asked God to let me live long enough to watch him grow up and graduate from college, hopefully, with some help from me. I wasn’t able to have any children of my own but now I’m having the chance to be a grandfather. Thank you dear God.

I’d love to have an influence on his life besides my poetry. I love Adley with all my heart and soul. Adley goes to church regularly and loves to play sports.

Rob McCullah (Grandpa Rob)

Contents

Introduction

History

The End Is Near

Until Time Comes

Life

Living II

Vocabulary

America

Pictures

Reading

Knowledge Is Power

Learning Is A Discipline

Learn As You Go

Focus On The Truth

Instead Of Worrying

Tough

I Wanna Cry

Kindness

Destroy Gossip

Integrity

Diligence

Life Goes On

Take It Easy

Dancing

Sound

Get Fit

Music

The Fast Lane

Overwhelmed

Open To Possibilities

I Wonder

Laughter Helps

Invest Your Time

Nothing Negative

Idiots

Up The Hill

Upbeat Attitude

Humility

Honesty

Maturity

Character

Concentration

Time Wasted

Ticking Away

Reputation

Real Men

Personality

Stereotyping

Individuality

Typical

Temptation

Take The Time

The Real Deal

Never Settle

In Giving

A Volunteer

At The Right Time

Support

Stubborn

Try, Try, Try Again

Ultimately

Spring Is Here

Sunshine

Sailing Through Life

Weary

Searching

Fresh

Building Bridges

Relationships

Backfire

Whatever You’re Comfortable With

Within

Your Eyes

Walking Away

New Love

Finding Someone

Passion

First Sight

What Do You Want

Values

Suspicion

Nothing Is Wrong

Jealousy

Disappointed

Lost And Lonely

Missing Someone

Near And Unnoticed

Missing You

Please Remember Me

Remembering Others

Grin And Bear It

Payback

Weakest Day

Hugs

Hope As An Anchor

Get Yourself Together

Broken To Blessed

A True Friend

Happy Now

Trust

Remembering

Lifelines

Stepping Up

The Best Days

Spread Too Thin

For A While

Found

Gentle

Labor Of Love

For Those You Love

Little Ones

Happy People

Peace Of Mind

Guidance

God’s Will

Sadness

A Smile

A Second Chance

Spend Time With God

Therapy

Tragedy

Understanding

Those Who Care

Giving

Giving Of Yourself

Faith Overcomes

Leaving Your Comfort Zone

Walk By Faith

Making A Difference

Peace

Zest For Living

Life Is To Live

Dealing With Life

Finding You

Believe In You

Believing In God

Emotions

Courage

Don’t Give Up

Anchor Of Hope

Being Alive

Depression

Alone

Bouncing Back

Facing Fears

By My Side

Anxiety

As I Am

Absolute Beauty

Determination

Dignity

Veterans

Going Home

A Place To Live

Blooming

Gospel

The Grace Of God

Joking Around

Distractions

April Fools

Sneaky

Nothing, But

Compassion And Mercy

Our Habits

Farewell

Being Faithful

Just Fine

Moving On

Suffering

The Helpers

Open Arms

Open Hearts

Cleansing Negatives

Jesus The Redeemer

Pain Draws You

Worn Out

Be Positive

Be Generous

Bite Your Tongue

From The Heart

Freedom

Every Minute

Everything

Everywhere

Encourage Others

Everlasting

Keeping Your Faith

Staying Humble

Lacking Endurance

Walking

Kick Back

Stay Active

Spiritual Fitness

Sleep

Wait, Why?

Violence

A View

Our Wrongs

Wisdom (For The Trials Of Life)

Wounds As Windows

A Stable Base (God’s Love)

Crazy

Curiosity

Disaster

Frustration

Dumb

Don’t Judge

Fallen

Bits And Pieces

Resolutions, Hopes, And Dreams

Beneath Your Feet

Angels

Our Faith

Fate

Food

My Teeth

Choices

Dream Big

Imagination

Inspiration

Lucky One

Love

Love And Marriage

Faded Love

Divorce

Mending

Finding Peace

Joys Of Life

Inner Beauty

Inner Strength

Comfort Zone

Dreams To Reality

Nature

Weather

Spring

Clouds

Rain

Buds Of Life

Flowers

Summer

The Colors Of A Rainbow

Fall

The Wind

Winter

Snowflakes

The Sun

Seeing The Sky

The Moon

The Stars

Birds

A Horse

Introduction

I wrote a few poems for my first wife in the early 1970s.

After I moved to Moore County, N.C. in April, 1986, I started reading our local newspaper, The Pilot. In 1997 there was a man who sent poems to the paper that were printed every week. I decided I could do better than that, so I wrote one and sent it in.

Before bringing it back to me, Mary Evelyn DeNissoff, the Pinehurst bureau chief, showed it to Frances Johnson, who was inducted into a poetry Hall of Fame the month. A post-it on my poem note said she was impressed by it. I still have everything I got back from Mary Evelyn.

After a trip to the hospital in May, 2001, I moved into a rest home in Star, N.C. That summer I wrote about ten poems. In Sept., 2001, I moved to Pinehurst Healthcare where I live now.

I started writing again in Sept., 2004 and have been writing ever since then with only a couple of slow periods. I now have over 850 poems written for the public and am working on poetry for a fourth book now.

Rob McCullah

History

History is the stories of the past

many of those things didn’t last,

all of history is the stories in reports

there’s something to interest people of all sorts;

learn about the beginnings of the world

look for the invention of the wheel,

when and where all the spears were hurled

or find the first uses of steel,

read about the rise and fall of Rome

many stories of enormous wealth,

how wildlife has been driven from their homes

the changes in industry and health;

a history can be written on so many things

telling the effects on our cultures each one brings,

study religion through the ages

the immortals of sports,

all the action happening on the world’s stage

and the landmark cases in our courts;

history tells the stories of our country

many have tried to put us down,

we struggle to keep the world free

bouncing back up like a rodeo clown,

freedom is no ordinary word

it’s one of the most powerful words ever heard,

we all want democracy

the history of the future is left up to you and me,

they say that history repeats itself

God created this and let life begin,

Jesus Christ came here to us once

soon He will come again.

6-27-05

37277.png

The End Is Near

I struggle in my little red boat

trying to keep it and me afloat,

with nothing but an oar

and nowhere seeing any shore,

could my end be near

I’ll face it without any fear;

I know where I’m bound

with angels to show me around,

Heaven is the place I’ll be

filled with all its wondrous beauty,

I’m listening to hear the angels sing

and going to meet the King;

all the prophecies have been fulfilled

the end may be very near,

will we all be ready

when Jesus is ready to reappear,

have you accepted Him as your Savior

and asked forgiveness for each sin,

take the time to say a prayer of thanks

and be ready to go with Him to Heaven.

1-26-07

37281.png

Until Time Comes

If you were born

you will die,

nobody on this earth knows when or where

only our Father in the sky;

each life has a purpose

something in particular for you to do,

the Lord purposely made each one of us different

like in a puzzle, one of the pieces is you,

the Lord has planned unique tasks for each of us

each to be finished by the time our life here is through;

your tasks probably deal with something you’re good at

you’ll be able to help other people in some way,

it could be words of comfort, a giving of yourself and your time

it won’t be about money anyway;

could you be a good mentor

teach your children well,

reach out and lend a helping hand

it’ll give you some wonderful stories to tell,

let the Lord lead you

you’ll figure out the right place to be,

have faith in the Lord and what you need to do

trust in the Lord and you’ll see;

you may live to be ten, fifty, or maybe even ninety

make the most of your time here,

spread your love around

be sure to remember the ones you hold dear;

everyone’s time on earth will come to an end sooner or later

pass around the love the Lord gave to you,

all your time is precious

think carefully before you attempt anything to do,

when your time comes

your reward will be waiting in Heaven for you.

11-7-09

37285.png

Life

Life has no age

it has no beginning and no end,

all of us are players on the world’s stage

we all have our own lives to tend,

there’s joy, pain, love, heartache, and strife

it’s an adventure living your life;

life has gone through many ages

each lasting a different amount of time,

our history is written on thousands of pages

now we’ve got to deal with terrorism and crime;

individuals come and go

some people gain fortune and fame,

in life’s ebb and flow

being unknown holds no shame,

life continues from generation to generation

each of us has been born and will die,

disasters can put our lives on hold

no matter how hard we try,

as terrorists are getting very bold

if the titans of the world were to clash,

we’d need to pray

all that was left might be trash;

science and technology always seem to advance

creation is the key,

things don’t happen by chance

we must use all our ingenuity,

farmers work to harvest their next crop

without food, our lives would stop,

we continue to venture into outer space

exploring and looking for another race;

life has its ups and downs

plenty of time for both smiles and frowns,

there’s meaning in the life of every person that lives

if each one of us cares and gives.

1-27-06

37287.png

Living II

Living is being all you can be

being able to enjoy all that you do and see,

let imagination be your guide

there’s no need for your desires to hide,

whatever your dreams may be

work to achieve them relentlessly,

set your mind free

you’ll receive what’s meant to be;

living isn’t sitting on a shelf

go search out and feel life for yourself,

plant a garden, some flowers and trees

leaves float through the air on a breeze,

travel to countries across the seas

study to earn some college degrees,

find the things that interest you the most

perhaps, something about which you’ll be able to boast,

could it be some designs in architecture

or research of a disease and finding a cure;

faith can be a part of living

loving, sharing, and giving,

each religion has beliefs of its own

most of them are very similar, it can be shown,

many religions have a higher being

that its followers have hopes of seeing,

each person develops what one believes

something that can’t be taken by thieves,

faith can bring you relief

no matter what the size of your grief;

miraculous things happen every day

for those who have faith and pray,

some of them are hard to believe

many people seem to have been given a reprieve,

I know what the power of faith can do

many times, it has pulled me through,

keep your faith with you every day

and pray that you’ll be headed Heaven’s way.

3-5-05

37289.png

Vocabulary

Your vocabulary is just words

words put together with an idea to convey,

you can form sentences short or long

do it in your own way,

are you able to express yourself clearly

do you sometimes search for the right word,

it can be frustrating

when someone uses a word you’ve never heard;

look it up in a dictionary

so, the next time you’ll be ready,

always be willing to learn something new

and pass it along too,

if you’re struggling with it

ask the Lord to help you,

it may be serious business

something that could help you become a success,

let the words roll out

there’s no need to shout;

your vocabulary will continue to grow

there’s so much more to know,

you’ll know how to express yourself

without having to put on a big show,

it doesn’t really matter how much you know

but how well you’re able to convey it,

sometimes simple can be better

hairs don’t always have to be split;

the words both big and small

the ideas you want others to be able to see,

it’ll all work out

but think about it carefully,

some of those thoughts you’ll really need

if you want to succeed,

praise God and say a prayer

always think positive,

have faith in and trust in the Lord completely

it’s the only way to live.

4-27-10

37291.png

America

The U.S.A. is a great place

we were blessed to be born here,

it has so many people, places

and things we hold dear,

so many have given their lives for this country

for freedom and all that we want to be;

we look for freedom and a fair shake

not just for some, but for everyone,

it has been a struggle through the times of turmoil

too many have thought they needed a gun,

way too many are killed

before any battle is done;

we still hope for freedom and peace

some of our battles come from within,

it’s time for all of us to slow down and

take the time to talk seriously again,

we need to look out for each other

as if we were sister and brother;

our problems have been many

but somehow, they’ve always been worked out,

hopefully it won’t be any different now

we’ve got to believe without any doubt,

we need to have complete faith in the Lord

we’re all members of God’s family,

trust in the Lord to do what needs to be done

pray for peace and serenity.

7-3-10

37293.png

Pictures

You probably have a camera

and use it a lot,

you can preserve times from your past

it’s so easy to forget about what you’ve had and got,

sometimes it helps to bring those good memories back

they’ll help put your life back on the right track;

pictures are memories from your past

happy times full of fun,

you can look back at them anytime

before your life is done;

those photos of loved ones who’ve passed

and memories of them that have been passed along,

great times you’ve had together

with all the other members