Living on This Side of the Timeline: A Second Anthology: Fresh Writings and Poems

By William D. O'Toole

We all are very fortunate to have been handed life, through God's grace, with an opportunity to spend eternity with him in his heavenly kingdom. As humans, we are extremely important to God. He proves it through the events of his son's thirty-three-year life. Our own personal view on salvation and how we decide to live this life, with or without Christ, are vitally important to him as well. One thing we all have in common is that we all exist together on the same created planet, doing the best we can with what we have, in a world that was once unbroken. We have a creator who knows all about everything we are now dealing with and are going to face as we travel our personal paths. He yearns to have a personal relationship with each one of us. But ultimately, that choice lies at the doormat of each of our hearts. He waits for us to answer that door. When we do, heaven rejoices! God is our only hope in life and our triumph thereafter. That is the narrative these books have endeavored to tell, through the author's poetry and short tales.

This is the author's second anthology of Living on This Side of the Timeline (Fresh Writings and Poems). These new selections delve into various themes, leading the reader down roads of faith, hope, praise, wonder, humor, encouragement, the profound, and that of simple daily life. Together as earthly neighbors, we all share our precious lives with challenges, joys, and personal dreams Living on This Side of the Timeline.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098073183

Book preview

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Living on This Side of the Timeline

A Second Anthology

Fresh Writings and Poems

William D. O’Toole

ISBN 978-1-0980-7315-2 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-0980-7318-3 (digital)

Copyright © 2021 by William D. O’Toole

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

To my friends and my entire family. They have been so supportive in giving me feedback on my first volume of Living on This Side of the Timeline. Writing has been an active gift for most of my life. As of late, it has kept me involved in new subject matter, which I know God has placed at my feet, which sometimes challenges me to their completion. I have truly been blessed.

The only reasonable explanation for these writings coming to fruition is that God has his will and plan for them. I’m grateful to be able to share these poems and writings with others.

Thanks to all who take the time to read them.

The glory continues to be all his!

Preface

I’m writing this preface on March 24, 2020, while adhering to the shelter at home directive during the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m fairly certain I don’t have to elaborate at all to any of you reading this. My hope is that this finds you well and, as you read this, that we are finally getting some relief from this terrible disease. It saddens me to hear of how many of our fellow neighbors have succumbed to this. Hopefully you can discover or have discovered time in your stint at home to look to the Lord in a whole new way. If you have, your heart is in the right direction. Blessings to you and yours wherever you live in this world.

My home is in the beautiful Pacific Northwest of Washington State. I have again created a section in this second anthology for some new poems related to our state, suitably titled The Pacific Northwest. I’ve lived here my entire life, save the four years in military service. In 2015, my wife and I moved to Camano Island, Washington, after thirty-eight years in our previous home. I now enjoy the many benefits of being retired, including hiking, kayaking, crabbing, reading, and certainly writing.

If just one smile or one happy tear emerges due to the works I’ve created in these two volumes, then it was well worth the many hours spent writing them. Enjoy!

Poems (Thoughts to Encourage)

Thoughts to Encourage

Our Time (January 2019)

The hands of time tick slowly,

clockwise—no second’s forgot.

The three hands race around the face,

from center, to pivot that spot.

Two times ’round, makes a day,

noon to midnight to noon.

Continues as though, no end in sight,

won’t alter anytime soon.

Around and round and round it moves,

clicking forth its gears.

We all live out our own given time,

year upon year after years.

None of us know when our time ends,

only the Lord knows that story.

If you haven’t yet found your way to him,

don’t wait his return in glory.

Make use of your time, you have this day.

I urge you to walk it well.

Find space in your day to absorb God’s Word,

and in time your spirit will swell.

Our time is our own whole story,

recorded the day it begun.

Walking with him is to manage it wisely,

with Christ, it won’t be undone.

There Is No Highway to Heaven (March 2019)

There is no highway to heaven,

just a lonely narrowed path.

I wonder at times who may join me,

or wander the busy wide strath.

The highway leads, I know not where—

I sense it is not my way home.

I lean toward a greater end,

that calls me to pen this poem.

The path is marked by righteousness.

Faith escorts the soul.

Lessons learned through trials and tempts,

while the highway is free-to-go.

I feel alone, yet fellowship near,

on this narrow road I pace.

I’m happy though, I’ve found my way—

This path leads to his embrace.

I make my way along in life,

brothers and sisters I meet.

We share a related praise and joy,

then wash each other’s feet.

I pray and witness to the highway folks,

There’s plenty of room over here!

I show them the map and the promises,

and why we’re in jubilant cheer.

There are posted signs along these routes,

cautions and wisdom to guide.

The narrow way leads forth to paradise,

where Christ will welcome his bride.

Pass On the Memories (April 2019)

Memories are made for future finds,

in letters, scrapbooks, or poems.

Gather together, family and friends,

make memories in your homes.

Label and date those photographs,

keep them bound and new.

Write your story—an autobio,

or an ancestry question, Now Who?

When you are gone, everything stays,

that is simply the way life ends.

The treasures, which are left behind,

were for whom—it all depends?

Your actions will be cast and sewn,

along with what captured your heart.

When people look back on your own lifetime,

was love always there from the start?

Quiet Inquiry (March 2019)

In quiet I hear a rest in my fear

A voice who harkens to me

In solitude still, meditating God’s will

I listen attentively

Alone in my room—a humble consume

Encouragement is the reveal

Lend your request, says the Lord to his guest

Join his banquet of love where you kneel

One Thing Remains (March 2019)

At the grasp of grief that life can throw,

even those harmful jeers.

One thing remains to the Christian child,

Jesus’s love appears!

As hard as days may battle forth,

ill hope amongst the flood.

One thing remains to the Christian child,

Jesus’s own shed blood!

Finding our way in a secular world,

spinning about—amiss.

One thing remains to the Christian child,

Jesus’s trustful promise!

This world is a risk to raise a child,

sin’s sorrow—bad behavior.

One thing remains to the Christian child,

we have a merciful Savior!

When battles end and earthquakes ebb,

when evil flees our shore.

One thing remains to the Christian child,

our Lord who will restore.

One day, each child of God will pass,

and stand at heaven’s door.

One thing remains to the Christian child,

their joy forevermore!

No matter what we deal with during this life, there is always one thing that remains—Jesus! No matter which side of the cross you stand!

To Where It All Leads (April 2019)

Creation leads to a perfect design

All that we see, hear, and feel

I take pleasure in his handiwork

To witness the whole reveal

Birth leads us to living life

The Gospel leads us to choice

Repentance leads us to find salvation

Faith leads toward his voice

Discovery leads us into study

Scripture leads us to grow

Hope leads us to peace and joy

Jesus leads us home

Constancy (May 2019)

Be ever so humble, meek, and be kind

Treat all the same, all the time, every time

Do what you say and give what you pledge

Bless others in prayer, shun having the edge

Be ever so righteous, steadfast in your serve

Walk with the Lord, with a passionate nerve

Follow the spirit to stay tried and true

Give what you have through gifts given you

Others are watching your step and your stride

Show in your actions, you’ve nothing to hide

Be ever so thoughtful in voice, love, and heart

Your witness could prime a salvation to start

Be ever so constant, integrity pure

The world is eyeing your stand and demure

Defend your strong faith, whatever you do

Have a shine on your person, that sticks like glue

Rootstock (May 2019)

Our rootstock in Christ

Dawn’s Adam—first life

Our ancestry’s all stem from there

Our rootstock is solid

Though, has certainly fallen

Our crosses are all etched with care

Our roots have been watered

Sins paid by the martyred

Our souls are unbound, not alone

Our branches are sturdy

The soil remains dirty

Our rootstock is safe and atoned

Whoa! (June 2019)

Whoa, before you think about that,

whoa before you try!

Too many people care about you,

the bridge doesn’t know you can’t fly.

Whoa, before you face those pills,

don’t wallow in harmful feign!

How will your system react—respond,

the stomach is friend with the brain.

Whoa, before your shooting thought,

step back and take a breath!

Friends don’t treat their friends this way,

a paradox is the word death.

Whoa, when they say Come on, it’s okay,

whoa if it appears uptight!

Remember your family cares about you,

sleep safe in your bedroom tonight.

Whoa, I say, in compassion for you,

as a parent who’s gone through that door!

Come to someone for help or a prayer,

that’s what neighbors and friends are for.

Rhetorical Rhyme (January 2020)

Are we important; are we really loved?

Does God give a hoot about us?

Who has a handle on all that we know?

Is God someone humans can trust?

Is Christ our savior, Easter a big deal?

Is Christmas a time we should praise?

Does the Lord bestow grace or merciful care?

Is death man’s final phase?

Let Go of the Old Life (July 2019)

Our sick rusty ways will never outlast,

a healthy diet of virtues’ sweet blast.

Lost and alone, while fighting thyself,

is not the design, displayed on the shelf.

New mornings will dawn, begin a fresh walk,

don’t fret about gossips or old friends who stalk.

Forget pagan thoughts, repent of your sin,

reach the dejected, whether loss or a win.

Light up your way, turn bad habits aside,

devotions and prayer, will not be denied.

Be an example of faith everywhere,

present loving kindness with compassionate air.

Christ has chosen your life to be his,

a temple you are where his Spirit lives.

Born again, the old ways are gone,

live life as in heaven, awaiting his son.

Donate your past life in lieu of the new,

throw it away as an old leather shoe.

You’re in this world, till your dying breath,

but not of this world, due to Jesus’s death.

Inner Compass (September 2019)

There’s a guiding light within each of us,

regardless of faith or view.

A sense we possess in knowing somehow,

our current prescription’s a clue.

Unknown instances are waiting ahead,

and circumstances galore;

that test our faith, our heart and will,

with temptations behind every door.

We all have come to learn what’s right,

certainly aware of what’s wrong.

If we heed our heart through those rough terrains,

we’ll emerge to the place we belong.

Genetically, our compass installed,

will counsel ideal paths to follow.

We simply should listen to what our heart urges,

we’ll be much better for it tomorrow.

He Will Take You In (September 2019)

Father and mother may forsake you—

your family, your fosters, or kin.

People may cast you out in the street,

but the Lord will take you in.

A spouse may say, You’re a horrible soul.

Your friends may fail to be friends.

Others may chastise you endlessly,

but the Lord will take you in.

Enemies like to batter you down.

Your world may be in a spin.

You may be ignored alongside the road,

but the Lord will take you in.

Being abandoned is hard to digest;

feeling as though just a has-been.

I have a comforting truth for you;

the Lord will take you in.

Getting Better (September 2019)

Growing up, mellowness, targeting mature;

any way you figure it, the theme is sound for sure.

Improving your attitude, bonding with your mate;

kind unto the folks who’re