Jim Fogerty

I am a lawyer and self-employed legal consultant who enjoys writing, traveling, watching shows, movies, and concerts, spending time with my family and friends, playing with my black Lab, reading voraciously, playing guitar, weight lifting, cooking, hiking, fishing, playing tennis and anything that involves a beach!

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16

"I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  John 14:6

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"-- 1 Corinthians 2:9

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." -  Winston Churchill

‎"The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: It connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity." John Quincy Adams July 4, 1821

The road to success is not straight. There is a curve called Failure, a loop called Confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red lights called Enemies, caution lights called Family. You will have flats called Jobs.  But, if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called Perseverance, insurance called Faith, a driver called Almighty God, you will make it to a place called Success.

 "And in the end it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln

"Dream as though you'll live forever and live as though you'll die tomorrow." -  James Dean

"Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it" - George Santayana

"Every man dies but few men ever really live!" - William Wallace

"The love you take is equal to the love you make." - John Lennon

 "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same." - Ronald Reagan

"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." - Thomas Jefferson

"Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare."

 "The mind is limited to dream and reason, while the soul is the harbinger of each new season. The minds plays tricks as it lulls us all, from visions of love and a higher call.  The mind teaches us that feelings are a weakness within, when the true test of courage is the will to begin.  Love is the essence of all that is dear, and only the soul can make that clear."  Jim Fogerty, 2011 

"We're the generation that can't afford to wait; the future started yesterday and we're already late", from the song "If You're Out There" by John Legend

"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." - Gandhi

"Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor." ­-Truman Capote

"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it."  -Henry Ford

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will know peace."  Jimi Hendrix

"The most beatiful things in the world are not seen or touched, they are felt with the heart." - Helen Keller 

"There is no sweeter combination than peace and love", from the song "Peace and Love" by Mishka

"The ideal tyranny is that which is ignorantly self-administered by its victims. The most perfect slaves are, therefore, those which blissfully and unawaredly enslave themselves." - Dresden James

"It is not the critic that counts, nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and the sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy course; who at times knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat". - Theodore Roosevelt

"Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people. "
Eleanor Roosevelt

"Some birds are not meant to be caged.  Their feathers are just too bright."  From the movie "Shawshank Redemption

"If a man hasn't discovered something he will die for he isn't fit to live."  Martin Luther King, Jr.

"The key to immortality is living a life worth remembering."  Bruce Lee

"Do not strive to become a man of success; rather, strive to become a man of value."  Albert Einstein

 "Change is the law of life and those who only look to the past or present are certain to miss the future."  John F. Kennedy

"Freedom has a taste to those who fight and almost die for it, that the protected will never know." Author unknown, written on the wall of the Hanoi Hilto

"I walked a mile with Pleasure,

She chatted all the way; 

But left me none the wiser,

For all she had to say.

I walked a mile with Sorrow, 

And ne'er a word said she;

But oh! The things I learned from her,

When Sorrow walked with me."

Robert Browning Hamilton 

 

Dolphins At Play 

They dance through the air with joyful noise,

Their shiny fins showcasing a natural poise.

Radiant smiles are visible as they dive below the abyss,

Moonbeams guide their path towards heavenly bliss.

As they rise in unison with a powerful sway,

Only the crests of each wave stand in their way.

The elegance and beauty of God's fairest creatures,

Offers a glimpse of His glory in their brightest features.

Without flaw of design or want of grace,

These tender beauties bear no mark of disgrace. 

His divine plan is as perfect as the spoken Word,

That is written on every heart and sharpened by His sword.

On that awesome day, when all his children shall look upon His face,

The dolphins will leap forth in play and share in His embrace.

By Jim Fogerty - 11/2011

On the Wings of an Eagle

On the wings of an eagle she rode,

touching the infinite sky, caressing the wind,

her heart beat like it would surely explode.

Her biggest fears lost their grip,

as she ascended to a heavenly plane,

her sight focused solely on her lofty trip.

Sunlight beamed across the dawn,

creatures below suddenly became small,

like rabbits running through a dew covered lawn.

Her weightless adventure felt fresh and alive,

while painful memories seemed pointless and weak,

in the midst of her joyful and balanced ride.

She tried in vain to shout out words of glee,

but the only outward sign of her contentment,

was the radiant smile of a soul set free.

By Jim Fogerty - March 2013 

 

One Solitary Man

He was born in an obscure village. He worked as a carpenter until he was thirty. He then became a traveling preacher. He never held an office. He never had a family or owned a house. He didn't go to college. He was only 33 when the  public turned against him. His friends ran away. He was turned over to his enemies and nailed to a cross between two thieves. His executioners gambled for his clothes, his only property. He was laid in a borrowed grave. Twenty centuries have come and gone and today he is the central figure of the human race. All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the governments that ever sat and all the rulers that ever reigned have not affected the human race as much as this one solitary man!

 I Hope You Dance

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,
May you never take one single breath for granted,
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin',
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin',
Don't let some hell-bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to sellin' out reconsider,
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance.....I hope you dance.

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stock room. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

 

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

MY DREAM

I dream of the radiant light at dawn; the gray sky awakening to the mockingbird's song.

I dream of fervent passions on a hot summer's day, and friendship and trust with no words to say. 

I dream of a child without any bread; my agony sinks deeper once he is dead.

I dream of a woman whose soft skin and hair, kept me from the need or cause to despair.

I dream of God and His infinite will, that my bond with Him will grow stronger still.

I dream not of wealth, power or fame, but of a world that is happy and joyous again.

I dream of nature in an abundant wood; I'd join all the creatures there if only I could.

I dream of vast and star-filled nights, and beauty and peace and all that is right.

I dream of the sun and a clear blue sky, and a love between men that will never die. 

By Jim Fogerty - 1983

Fragile Heart

Her frail image shadows the tiny glimmer of light,

that falls across her shoulders like a bird in flight.

The room echoes with silence and exposes the pain,

that only the loss of love can truly explain.

"No more" her heart cries out, but no one is there;

no one to hear her tears of despair.

Her will to live now hanging by a thread,

she tightens her grip on the edge of her bed.

The bottle of pills rests carelessly nearby,

ready to make way for a hasty goodbye.

Can anyone save me or is it just too late?

Is this emptiness I feel my lifelong fate?

Just then a warm embrace envelopes her from above,

and fills her whole being with kindness and love.

Suddenly she realizes without a shred of doubt,

what her purpose on earth is really all about.

Her soul starts to dance and her heart skips a beat,

as she leaps like a prima ballerina to her feet!

Thank you Lord for caring when no one else would,

Thank you for never forsaking me when I knew that you should.

Thank you for taking away all the pain and guilt,

and breaking down the walls that my shame has built.

No longer will I fret and sob and moan,

for I know now that my time on earth is only a loan.

My true home is where no eye can see,

the Glory that has risen will set me free!

By Jim Fogerty

June 16, 2010

DID YOU KNOW?

Most people have probably heard of Abraham Lincoln's failures before he became President.  Well, did you know that:  An expert said of famous football coach Vince Lombardi, "He possesses minimal football knowledge. Lacks motivation."  Beethoven handled the violin awkwardly and preferred playing his own compositions instead of improving his technique. His teacher called him hopeless as a composer.  Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor for lack of ideas. He went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland.  Thomas Edison's teacher said he was too stupid to learn anything.  Albert Einstein did not speak until he was four years old and couldn't read until he was seven. His teacher described him as "mentally slow, unsociable and adrift forever in his foolish dreams." He was expelled and refused admittance to the Zurich Polytechnic School.  F. W. Woolworth's employers at the dry goods store where he worked said he didn't have enough sense to wait on the customers.  Henry Ford failed and went broke five times before he finally succeeded.  Winston Churchill failed the sixth grade. He did not become Prime Minister of England until he was 62 and only after a lifetime of setbacks and failures.  R. H. Macy failed seven times before his store in New York caught on.  English novelist John Creasey got 733 rejection slips before he published 564 books. Babe Ruth struck out 1,330 times, but he also hit 714 home runs. 

Remember, with hard work, determination, talent and persevearance, all things are possible.  Believe in yourself and in the One who created you for better things.