Gardens: Post one

Spring, Spring, Spring has sprung
Gone is the old tired year;
Last year's garden is done.

New, new, new the new year's here
Warm sunshine; time to prepare.
Catalogs, catalogs everywhere,
In my dreams fruits and veggies
grow and blossom from thin air.

Happiness, good times, love
abundance to share.

In listening a few years ago to the news coverage of an 'ice storm' in a neighboring state the person being interviewed stated: 'Well, you know what they say about this state...'if you don't like the weather now, just wait a few minutes and it will change'!

Now, I thought that was an Iowa saying, but apparently it works for several other places as well. It is true, this year has been an unusual year and it will be interesting to see how it plays out**********************

Even as a young child I loved farming with my Grandfather. No matter what the weather, or time of the year, I would cry to go with him as he went about his twenty acres. In the spring he was working the field preparing to plant his corn, oats, and hay crops. There was the cultivating of the corn in the spring, the cutting hay and oats, and then in the autumn, most years, he would pick corn by hand. I loved the horses, cows, dogs, and even the cats. When I was very young he still had a few pigs. However, as he got older he grew tired of the fool animals. They invariably knew when it was a most inconvenient time, they would 'burrow' out, and often times we would come home from somewhere to find that we had pigs on the loose. I never did miss the hogs...

One year when I was a pre-teen, I planted radishes, and indeed, they did come up even for me, an ungreen thumber. My Grandmother kept (very) free range chickens. Consequently, I planted my radishes inside a large roll of wire that stood up about three foot high. We didn't have many, but it fueled my dreams of 'someday'.

Well, my some day did come when a little over forty years ago my husband and I were married. And we have joyfully raised a garden ever since.

It was such a blessing that my husband wasn't a total novice as I was. Since so many young people my age were not interested in gardening I must have seemed an oddity to my in-laws. They must have wondered what kind of a person their son had married, but they did seem to enjoy instructing me in the art of growing a garden. My mother-in-law helped me learn the art of preserving our produce. Marie was always good to help where she could.

Through the years we have built upon our early foundation. Some things have changed as we have learned to combine the art of farming with the art of gardening. One thing that I have learned, and that was not by design, but by happenstance, the necessity of keeping good journals/records. I have for quite a number of years kept a journal, but...

It is not possible to remember everything ~just not possible. For instance, this last summer when we were able to harvest the first of our peaches. This was the very first harvest we had off of the tree we had planted ? (perhaps 2-3 years ago). Benjamin brought in the paltry few peaches we had left, between the 'fruit drop', the birds and insects, there weren't very many. There were so few, in fact, I had all but decided there wouldn't be any! Well, he brought them in, I washed and prepared them almost halfheartedly, then we ate them...

I have never had such wonderful peaches...Yes, Levi, I'm sure they rivaled the peaches you had that first year. I scrambled, frantic to find what variety they were, when we had planted them...anything I could find in my journal. Alas, after digging around I found an offhand reference to the variety, but never was quite sure what year. We sent to Gurney's catalog and ordered two more of those trees, but it would have saved time and been much better to have had accurate records.

So, records and journals are very important. In my journal I have what varieties I plant. Of course I have my stand by, solid varieties that I have depended upon for years. I began a number of years ago staying mainly with open pollinated varieties.

Science 101 here: Open pollinated is the old fashioned varieties that you can save the seed from, and use in your garden year after year. My main source of these varieties is Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa. These dedicated people have been urging people for years to use these open pollinated varieties, and they have gone to extreme lengths to search out and save these varieties. They have a beautiful garden/orchard surrounded by the lush Iowa countryside. They are dedicated to organic, non-gmo varieties. This would be my only frustration with Seed Savers, and that is in my humble opinion at least, there is a 'charge' for everything they do. They have workshops (and I have no doubt they are excellent, but...they are expensive). There are also other activities, but they aren't cheap either, which is one reason I have never gone to any of them. In their defense I must also add, their work is so necessary and I'm sure it costs them much as well. Since I'm in my shoes and not in theirs...perhaps I don't understand.

Then there are hybrid varieties. These are a 'cross' of two or more varieties. Think back to Gregor Mendel and his experiments with cross pollination of peas (1865?). Now, you may be able to save seed from these plants, and some of them may grow. The problem is which parent plant will it resemble? A hybrid is mixed to bring the best qualities of the parent plants, however there are dominant AND recessive genes in the plants, and a body never knows exactly which one the next generation plants will draw from. In essence the plant you end up with could be 'the good, the bad, and/or the ugly'.

Several other catalog/seed companies I have come to enjoy are: Twilley Seed Company from Hodges, South Carolina. They are the only company to my knowledge that the more I order the more I save. They have vegetables and flowers, and a small bit of supplies. There is a lot of information contained in their catalog, and they designate whether it is hybrid or open pollinated, and so much more. They also have limited varieties of some organic seeds--which is another plus.

Johnny's Selected Seeds from Waterville, Maine, is another good source. Most of these catalogs have information as to how many seeds/plants it takes per row, and they often give a ball park figure on how much to expect from what you plant. Johnny's is very good in this area. I have found their quality is excellent.

In passing I would also mention Harris Seeds, Rochester, New York; Indiana Berry & Plant Co. from Plymouth, Indiana (for berries, and some plants); at one time we also Ordered from Parks Seeds, Greenwood, South Carolina, but my last catalog was 1998. Obviously it is not current. As best I can tell I believe these companies are independent and not affiliated with other companies. Gardens alive from Lawrenceburg, Indiana is a good place to find pest control items, although Johnny's also has items worth looking into. I generally check out Gurney's Seed & Nursery Co. from Greedale, Indiana because I have ordered something from Gurney's since time immemorial. They are a part of the conglomerate seed companies. Different names, but all owned by a 'parent' company. They usually have 'special' offers throughout the year, and I usually take advantage of those offers once or twice a year.

This is the first installment of Garden Notes. My Adorable Cousin...we all know who she is-smile, tells me I will have to live for a long time so she can get all of this information. Since I don't see that as God's necessity, I do want to share some of these things for those who would like to learn them.

For this time I would like to leave you, dear reader, with this scripture:

Ecclesiastes 3:11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. 12) I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

May God bless, and draw us each nearer to Him each day.

I Remember Sarah...

Judges 4:4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. 5) She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment...

As a Bible class teacher I remember hearing a little ditty that went with teaching the Judges. It went somewhat like: Shamgar had an ox goad... Regrettably, that is all of the ditty I can actually remember. Samson, I believe it said had the jawbone of--a donkey, but the gist of it is that God's servants used whatever came to hand, and in Shamgar's instance it was an ox goad, and in Samson's case it was the jawbone of a donkey.

Quite honestly if I were going up against innumerable odds...I would want more than an ox goad, or the jawbone of a donkey. However...

"Look around you," the speaker at the podium says, "we began in the 1980's trying to make a difference..." He's speaking about politics, but there is an application here for the Christian as well...

Christians of the first centuries made a difference in the societies they came in contact with, not only because of their willingness to die for the faith, but by being willing to live their faith as well. I would be willing to say unequivocally they were a people of prayer as well as action. They believed all life was sacred and precious and were instrumental in rescuing unwanted babies that were left outside the cities to die. Humility was a quality they were known for, as well as the sweet, quiet piety of their...women.

The speaker went on to urge his listeners, "Do you see any difference in what we've accomplished? Other than a few little advances here and there...no we have not made many gains..."

As he said, so say I to you...look around you. Christ began approximately 2012 years ago to make a difference. Where are we now? We have made progress, but, honestly where are we now, what happened, and where are we going?

Exactly how we got here isn't a difficult path to follow. Bible scriptures have been the very best friend women have ever had. We have allowed people snort at that statement, but it is true. In ancient societies women were no better than chattel. Judaism was different, and so is Christianity, lifting women out of the slavery/drudgery of the idolatrous world.

Yet, as often is the case the quality that has lifted women for good is used against the very object that helped elevate it. How were we side swiped?

Genesis 3:13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."


You might say, 'What? What are you talking about?' Look at the women's 'liberation' movement. That's what has really changed things for women. In our new society women can be anything they want to be...

In the early 1900's, -we are told- that women had a life of drudgery...they were forced to 'bear' and raise children... They were forced to be 'keepers' of their own homes; they weren't encouraged to have occupations outside of their own household... How extremely ignorant and narrow minded that is! I am reminded of the cigarette advertisement from a few years back. It always snatched a 'picture' of some woman being arrested for smoking, or a woman doing a household drudgery task, or some such thing from the early 1900's, and the caption was; "You've come a long way, baby!" With a modern day miss, cigarette in hand, smiling and enjoying life... We are led to believe at least. Now of course women have the blessing of choosing to have lung cancer at a greater rate than women of previous generations...what a deal!

What we are doing is like looking at an orange and attempting to compare it to a pear. They are both fruit, but they will never be the same. Life was different then for both men and women. There were some large families back then, it was not uncommon to have a family of five children-- give or take a few...there were also childless families, or families with one or two children. The majority of people looked at children as not just a necessity, but a blessing. When two people married the natural happening was children, and that was not a bad thing.

"Do you know," my cousin says to me, "most all of the women/girls I work with are just 'shacking up'? I asked them why they would do that, and they just think it's normal. Like you got to try them on. I said, what do you think they are, shoes? You don't try people on... You find someone you want to commit your life to, and that's what you do. And you stay with that person for the rest of your life through thick and thin, good and bad...the whole ball of wax!"

I love my cousin, she has a real way with words, and she uses them well. My heart aches for women today. They really -most of them- don't know that you don't 'try' it out. That mind set puts women/girls on the par with--whores-- except they aren't paid...their services are--free.

While watching a 'new' Miss Marple video (Miss Marple was a series of spinster detective stories written by Agatha Christie back in the early to mid-nineteen hundreds), I was shocked when at the end of the video one of the charming young characters instead of getting married to the handsome young man in her life (as would have happened in that era) she tells Miss Marple, "We're just going to move in and...". That is one example of how the media slips their agenda into our lives. Taking liberty with a famous author's character gives us the impression that 'they did the same things back then that we do today. It's not new.' But that wasn't true...

Some may have, but it wasn't common, as these these modern day history changers would have us to believe...but this slight twist gives them the right to encourage and fund groups such as 'Planned Parenthood,' because this is the way it has always been...we are no better than the animals. People have always done these things, we are just more sophisticated... so they would have us erroneously believe...History does show us that sinful behavior waxes and wanes. During some decades 'morally, anything was permissible as long as you didn't scare the horses...'

I cannot even begin to list the many days after a long day of labor I have dropped into a chair and thought, "My day is so full...and I never get it all done." Days just fly!

Yet there are two of us raising our children. Two of us sharing the burdens of life--not the 'burden' of children. Children are like the flowers that make the hardships worth the trouble. They do give us challenges, but so does anything that is worthwhile. Whether a couple has children or not there will be burdens and challenges in this life. My heart aches when I think of the families that have 'tried each other on', begun little people lives, only to discover that 'the shoe didn't fit' and one of the parties leaves. No commitment you see...Single parent homes, often women and children left behind. The man moves on to a different shoe -one of the most devastating things in our society today- and it's growing more and more prevalent. How's that 'women's liberation thing working out for us, huh?

Now the woman has children and must find a way to support them, and herself, and take care of the home and the children...and no man to love and care for her or the children. Of course the first man left her for a new shoe, and eventually she will probably find a new shoe as well, but...how's that women's liberation working for us...?

Children grow up in poverty, often abused physically, mentally, and sexually. The woman part of the shoe begins to look like what she is--used. Not loved and cherished, and not loving nor cherishing others. Used...

They call it 'dead-beat dads', but it's really dead beat parents. People that have bought into a lie. ...and that's what 'women's liberation' has done.

This isn't a tirade against those 'bad men' out there that aren't living the way they should. This is a post about women who choose to be a 'significant other', when they should be a virtuous woman, and yes there are those who believe they are in the church. However, when we, the salt don't speak up we have lost our savor. We are failing to make a difference in the world around us. In this era we need prayer and Godly lives, and Godly speech...and Godly teaching- now, because of what women's liberation is doing to us.

It never was supposed to encourage life-time, loving, Godly relationships. It was a Satanic idea for tearing our homes, our society, and ultimately our country down. When even the women buy into this counter-productive behavior acting like animals, men/boys return the action in kind. That's how women's liberation is working for us.

Oddly enough, this is not the post I began with, but...

Deborah was the only woman to be a judge. Some would have us believe that the rare instances such as Deborah gives us an example that it is acceptable to God for women to take on these roles. I say that it is quite the opposite.

1Timothy 2:11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12) I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13) For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14) and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. (English Standard Version)

There are a number of women that literally howl at this scripture. How dare anyone suggest that a woman should be SUBMISSIVE! Why, that's archaic, and of course it doesn't apply in these modern days...but wait...

God's direction, God's wish is that Godly men lead their households as in the instructions for elders of the church. (I Timothy 3:1-7; and deacons I Timothy 3:8-10)

In reading the book of Ruth we see how difficult life was for women, yet under the old law God gave a deliverance for the poor. In Ruth chapter 3:1 It tells us how Ruth's mother-in-law seeks to care for her widowed daughter-in-law:

Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you? and she tells her how to...demand her rights? to live life her own way? No, she instructs her that Boaz (a wealthy unmarried man that has shown much kindness to Ruth) has the right to marry Ruth and do the duty of redemption for her. Naomi sends Ruth to ask Boaz to fulfill his duty as the next of kin to Ruth's deceased husband, and thus, as Naomi puts it, 'seek rest' for her daughter-in-law.

Ruth does just that in Ruth 3:9. She has laid her petition at Boaz's feet (literally) when as the scriptures say: He (Boaz) said, "Who are you?" And she answered, "I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer."

A 'redeemer', not a horrible 'task master', as the 'liberators' would have us believe.

God uses each of us for his purpose, and returning to Deborah, I believe she filled the purpose she did as a reproach to the men of her generation, and any generation that would follow that example.

Judges 4:6 She sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali and said to him, "Has not the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you, 'Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali and the people of Zebulun. 7) And I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin's army, to meet you by the river Kishon with his chariots and his troops, and I will give him into your hand'?" 8) Barak said to her, "If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go." 9) And she said, "I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman." Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh. 10) And Barak called out Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh. And 10,000 men went up at his heels, and Deborah went up with him.

She certainly was a woman of courage, but I believe there is a clue that is overlooked. She summoned Barak and told him what God wanted him to do. His reply? I will go IF you will go with me...otherwise I will not go. ~"I will go," she said, "but it will not be to YOUR glory."

She arose and went with him...no hesitation on her part. For the rest of that story you must read the whole chapter. I don't know who Barak thought the woman would be that received the glory. Perhaps he thought Deborah spoke of herself as receiving the glory, but it wasn't Deborah, and as the Word of Jehovah said he did not receive the glory either...

Sarah...there have been many named Sarah through the centuries, but the Sarah I remember hearkens back the our early years of homeschooling our children. Pretty, long reddish hair, this young Sarah had 'children in tow'. She was one of the earliest of the early ones. She sat in on committee meetings for the legislative branches in our state, helping to change/shape better laws for homeschooling families that were in fear of their children being snatched away by the state.

In one of her last addresses to our meetings she made the statement that went somewhat like this: I have drug small children to these meetings. I have changed diapers, fed babies, wiped up spit (from the children)and done all of these things when it wasn't easy, nor convenient--to the shame of men who should have been doing this... I did it because it needed done, and I was the only one at hand...

These weren't her words verbatim, but it is the gist of what she said. You know, we need to stand in the gap as Sarah did, and speak up as my cousin did, be courageous as Deborah was. People need to see a difference in us and our lives. Submission, quietness, Godliness? Sarah exemplified these qualities even under difficult situations.

“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried” – G. K. Chesterton

How true this is. 'Has not been tried and found wanting...'

That women's liberation thing...it never was meant to work...and it has worked just like it was meant to work...to tear down our homes, as well as our society.

Psalms 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. 4) Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. 5) Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Psalms 113:9 He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD!

Conquistador II

Judges 2:10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, that knew not Jehovah, nor yet the work which he had wrought for Israel.

When perusing through history there are things that, because we can stand back and look from afar, seem about as self evident as those things written in the Declaration of Independence.

The Separatists left everything they knew; sacrificed their way of life in the old world to settle in a strange and hostile land. The group arrived in November and during that winter half of their small group died. Many paid for their desire for religious freedom with their life. Their governor, John Winthrop, envisioned them as a model of Christianity...a city set on a hill. Unfortunately, the Puritan fathers' sense of spiritual mission did not transfer...too much success got in the way of the next generation.

They became wealthy, and settled on their lees, they forgot God. Satan knows how to tempt the children of Adam. Some people can not stand pain and suffering, and that will tear them away. Others? Wealth will be their down fall. When humans become too full of them self the old proverb comes true time after time.

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

But wait, yes, pride, egotism, wealth, these are all recipes for disaster, or maybe a novel on the best seller list. However, even though Satan knows how to tempt the children of Adam, in many descendants of the Puritans/Separatists, the desire to 'walk with God' is still strong. There is something that still wants to come back to a right relationship to our God.

To many people this may come as surprise, however, in the past there have been many so called 'depressions'. Severe economic downturns if you will. In these harsh times people became more 'humble'. Returning to their God and to their 'roots', many times moving back to a 'farming' lifestyle in which they could sustain themselves. In short these depressions caused people to turn back to God.

Change happened more slowly in past generations, and the 'change agents' were slower at work. Charles Darwin...published his book on evolution in the 1850's, and by 1870's many had accepted it as fact...without proof. They were assured by many prominent philosophers that as scientist, continued to explore the world, they would soon discover the proof to support this 'new' theory. ~The discovery has never happened, by the way, and is being attacked by its own scientific community.

Another change agent reared its ugly head when our public school system was hijacked in the 1800's by people who wanted to 'train future generations' for their own purpose.

Couple these changes in our society with our Federal government's subtle tentacles growing into everyone's life, by the 1930's many people were ripe for falling into the basket of government handouts. The depression was hitting hard, some harder than others, but yes, many were hurting. Some tightened their belts, turning to a deeper faith in God growing together as families, much in the same way that past generations had done. But many, with the subtle prodding of big government, instead of turning to God, turned to government--government 'should DO something' they insisted.

Now, continuing into the 1900's, others (socialists/communists/humanists) are changing our future as a nation by indoctrinating our young in their precepts.

No, I'm not kidding. Check out these names and references: Michael J. Chapman, Education; John Taylor Gatto, The Underground History of American Education; Marlin Maddoux, Public Education Against America: the Hidden Agenda. Separately these are shocking, taken as a whole they are chilling.

When we take a step back and look at what is still happening, and like a snowball in an avalanche it is happening faster and faster, we must ask ourselves, Is there a way to stop this? I honestly have no affirmative answer. Our sovereign nation is giving up its sovereignty hand over fist to nations that want to see its downfall, as well as to people in our own country that lust for power. We are in debt up past our eyeballs, mortgaging our children's future for the next gazillion years...

Some folks say it's our leaders' fault, but this is a country with 'elected' leaders...didn't we know whom we elected? Some believe 'term limits' are the ticket...but if you have a good representative why limit him to just a few years, and if you have a scoundrel one year is too many. Term limit should be set by the ballot box. These leaders have records, and oddly enough those records are public. Check them out and if they are scoundrels...throw them out! Remember, anyone giving you ANY handout is really taking it out of your own pocket, not their own.

Some people hold up one political group as being better than another. I do not labor under any such banner. Mavericks...cattle from the herd that don't have a brand, they don't fit anywhere... Tea Partiers seem to be the ultimate in mavericks. It is precisely because no matter how the main stream parties attempt to control them, they just don't play the game by the big boys' rules.

Some people of this country can see where the main stream leaders are leading, and we do not like it, Sam, I am...we do not like it at all. Some of it goes back to the independent spirit that led to the settlement of this land. Some have accused certain people of 'clinging to their guns and Bibles', as if this were a bad thing, but as my adorable cousin stated about her ancestors and their food (specifically 'bacon grease dripping from their lips)it IS where we came from, and it IS why they survived, and it IS why we have survived. Guns and Bibles...The question is now that some people have begun to wake up, will it be enough; will it be in time?

2Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

I have not physically been able to fast as I did in my younger days, but if I was able (not to say that I won't fast on a small scale even now, but...)a morning till evening fast for Christians would be in order, and prayer...and yes, (as the story of the woman in the hospital who exclaimed 'Has it come to that?!') it has come to that!

No truer words have ever been written than, "These are the times that try men's souls,". We are staring at the face of evil, and this has come to us in our time.

Ephesians 6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13) Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.

Cycles...what goes around comes around. This isn't new. We are still fighting the age old battle against 'principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.'

Revelation 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and them that come off victorious from the beast, and from his image, and from the number of his name, standing by the sea of glass, having harps of God. 3) And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are thy ways, thou King of the ages. 4) Who shall not fear, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy; for all the nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy righteous acts have been made manifest.

Matthew 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a merchant seeking goodly pearls: 46) and having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Just as the martyrs paid the full price for religious truth, we all must be willing to pay the price. We also know...ultimately, who will be victorious.

1Corinthians 16:22 If any man loveth not the Lord, let him be anathema. Maranatha. 23) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24) My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

Conquistador I

I have thought on the blessings of family--past, present, and future family. In doing some research into genealogy I have come across some interesting people. Henri-Anna Ewert, her young son, Samuel, her father, mother, and at least one sister embarked from County Down, Ireland on an adventure. It was an adventure of a life time--actually, of many lifetimes...

What would impel a family to leave everything they knew to come to something unknown? Somewhere along the journey Henri-Anna's father died, but the rest of this feisty, hard working family made it to America, and to a new life...

It is a rich heritage that many in this country can claim. People willing to put everything on the line for freedom. Through sheer labor, sweat, and against all odds, they persevered. We hear much these days about 'freedom isn't free', and so that is, but this isn't only about freedom--or toil, or sacrifice, it's about life.

There are several 'threads' that must be followed--at present we will fast forward several generations. My adorable cousin is standing in a grocery line waiting to pay for her groceries while the shopper in front of her-- and the cashier-- are discussing how 'unhealthy' bacon and several other foods are. I'm sure they weren't picking on her or her choices--but she does have several of these items in her cart. When her turn comes she slaps her articles on the conveyer. As she is paying for them she, angrily says, "If my ancestors could walk across this country, bacon grease dripping from their lips, I guess it won't hurt me either!"

I haven't traveled extensively, but I have traveled. I have also read, and wondered...

America -the beacon on a hill. America -the siren, a warning. I enjoy writing. I enjoy the research and trying to put into everyday language what I have found in order to pass on what I've learned.

What has made America the beacon? Part is the sweat and toil of our ancestors--but... As some attempt to re-write our history into a secular past, a person doesn't need to dig far before we reject a secular beginning. You can not discount the Separatists, landing at Plymouth Rock, after fleeing England for 'freedom to practice religion' as they read it in the Bible.

Let's add a new thread. In world history we learned that Columbus 'discovered' the new world, and thus set in motion the Spanish quest for gold and treasures. They were of course searching for a route to China and all her splendors. As the Spanish went in search of these treasures they went to conquer and acquire in the name of the King and Queen of Spain, and the Catholic Church. We see the soldiers--the 'Conquistadors' kneeling in the sands as they give thanks for safety of voyage, the cross held high above their heads...

Christianity--a very important part in the world in those times. The Separatists brought their families and their Bibles to eke out 'a city set on a hill'. "Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid." --Matthew 5:14
Conquistadors setting out to conquer for their King, Queen, and the Church...

Fast forward again. As my husband and youngest son are preparing for a mission trip to Mexico, I receive a call from my adorable cousin. As we chat she begins to tell me that it's all over the news. The president is talking about sending troops to secure the southern border because violence has erupted in Mexico and along our border. I'm listening wondering if we are talking about the same country, or even for that matter the same world. I mumble something about the 'boys' are getting ready to head into Mexico for a mission trip, and when my words finally hit her mind...No! she says, they can't go! Tell them they can't go... Lately there has been a number of things reported in the news about happenings along the border or in Mexico. Drugs, shootings, gangs, murders...

America is the greatest nation--A city set on a hill. I can still see the pioneers walking, riding in Conestoga wagons, carrying their rifles, Bibles, and axes across the mountains and plains...

Compare--the Spanish Conquistadors; the English Separatists. Conquistadors in a ruthless quest for gold and treasure. The Separatists and their families striving for a religion like what they saw in the Bible.

Foundations--I've wondered about why. Why is there so much poverty, crime, and corruption in these (what we would consider) poor countries? We have walked and driven down some of these streets, seen the beggars, seen the sorrow. The stark contrast of driving down one of our streets versus driving down a foreign street is hard to express.

"Mom, I think it would do American kids good to visit Mexico," my daughter says thoughtfully. --This happened several years ago, but...

I agree, but I think it might do most Americans good to visit one of these countries, not just the children. What is the difference between America and other countries?

My aunt married an Irish Catholic man. He looked as Irish as any picture ever. He could tell a story, and he loved to pull pranks. He and she were married for quite a long time. Then she divorced him. Although she re-married, he never did. It seems that she divorced him for committing adultery. According to him he could not re-marry because it wasn't allowed 'in the church'. This may be an erroneous observation, but it seems he could commit a sin (in this case cheating on his wife) go to the priest and be forgiven, but he could not remarry...

Does it make a difference what a person believes religiously?

Under Catholicism if you commit sin--you go to the priest and he absolves you of your sin. It appears that no matter how many times you commit the same sin, as long as you go to the priest you're good to go, but...

When the light of the gospel began to be exposed (the Catholic church did not want the 'common' people to have copies of the scriptures) when the scriptures came to light through Luther, Wycliff, etc. common people began to see and read passages such as:

1Peter 2:5 ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1Peter 2:9 But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:...

And the people realized that they were responsible to God, not to a mere man. Not to a priest--Why, they them selves were the priests! They were to 'show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:'. And they read 1Peter 1:15-16 'but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.'

As things evolved, the Church of England came about, and the Separatist came about, and...the Separatists came to the New World bringing their families and their Bibles. They brought also their ideas of moral law and order, of moral responsibility before God...a moral, and just, and righteous God...

1Samuel 2:25 If one man sin against another, God shall judge him; but if a man sin against Jehovah, who shall entreat for him?

"America is the greatest nation in the world...help me change it--" Not really funny, but that was supposedly someones' campaign spiel--but, as many have asked, why would you want to change it?

But America IS changing. Why is it changing, and into what is it changing? Indeed, is it really becoming that city set on a hill? Or was it a city, a beacon as it were, and now it is just a warning siren?

Things I Have Not Seen

"I want cake, Grandma!"

My little grandson climbs up on the chair expectantly, his precious little face all aglow with anticipation. He has been here before, he has had cake here before, and he is sure he will have cake here again...I laugh. That boy does us proud when it comes to cake--he sure does like eating cake!

There are many things in this life that we hope for. When we are, say, five years old--we hope to be six. When we are ten years old we hope to be fifteen. So it goes. Hope--what is it?

If I have a new pair of shoes I may 'hope' for another pair of new shoes, but I wouldn't 'hope' for the same pair of new shoes that I already have.

Romans 8:24 For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth? 25) But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

We, this household, are not what you would call, 'socialites'. Most of the movies we watch are viewed at home. Those movies must pass a very stiff test before they make it into the player. So it isn't much of a shock that there are quite a few movies we have not seen in the past thirty plus years, and yet somehow we have managed to survive.

It would be no surprise then as well if I said we have not seen the movie, 'Titanic'. I have read different articles about the ship and the happenings surrounding its maiden voyage. How magnificent its furnishings were, how astounding its construction was, how amazing the entire ship was. It was so amazing that it was described as 'unsinkable'...someone was reported to have made the statement that, "Not even God himself could sink...". Of course that statement makes us shudder and want to throw our hands up in warning.

According to what I have heard the ship's orchestra played, 'Abide with Me' as the ship was sinking, according to the movie. Last moments of some passengers lives were shown as the end of the movie drew to a close, but...

There were on the great ship many fabulously wealthy people; there were some very poor people. Some people had much more than they could hope for, and others had only a hope for something more to come.

Most of us have hope as did my little grandson. We've had good things before just as he has had cake before, and we hope for more blessings in the future. However, no one is guaranteed more time, more life, more blessings to come.

A number of years ago--back in our television watching days, we watched a 'special'. Why it was special I don't recall, and it doesn't rate up there with all time great shows...

The story line was of a married woman that had returned to her hometown and in so doing reconnected with a high school romance. He is wanting to renew their 'friendship', but she is not receptive to the idea. Not until...she is grocery shopping and notices a young couple that are very 'into each other' as they are shopping. However, as they leave the parking lot after purchasing their groceries they are in a terrible accident...perhaps a fatal accident. The woman calls her ex-sweetheart and they of course spend the night together...

No, my take on the whole thing is not, 'life is short, grab all the fun you can while you can'. My take is: 'life is short, prepare for the hereafter, before you are forever thereafter'.

I wondered at the time, where has our culture gone wrong that it came up with such a twisted conclusion? Why would someone forsake a loving husband, a loving family, not to mention a promise/vow made to the aforementioned husband before God, and for what? A one night stand?

Since we have left God behind...oh, yes, make no mistake our modern day society has left God behind. Even people of 'faith' have~if not left God behind~remade him in their own image...or others believe that they can explain God away. God is actually just a secondary piece ~a piece that we have no need for~ but wait...

1Corinthians 15:19 If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable. 20) But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of them that are asleep. 21) For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22) For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

We all have partook of the blessings of this life. Those blessings are all around us. The food we eat, water we drink, the very air we breathe. The good things in our lives all come from a loving God. The trials and temptations come from Satan. God allows trials in order that we may come forth as precious gold or silver. Are we, as the wife in the fictional story above, swallowing hook, line, and sinker the devil's lure? There was no real moral to the story...no real story in reality. It didn't make her life better, or her better, or have any point to it at all.

Many people today are in that very same situation. They don't have a point, no real reason for their existence. Satan has many lies in his pack of cards. Back in the 1800's when humanists got a hold on our education system, they subtly began inserting little by little their teachings. Now, even though Christianity is supposed to be the main religion in this country, we find ourselves in the minority. We can't reach out to teach others lest we 'offend' someone. Excuse me? What country do we live in? When we see sorrow, sin, and pointless lives we are supposed to sit on our hands and do nothing?

1Corinthians 15:32 If after the manner of men I fought with beasts at Ephesus, what doth it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die. 33) Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals. 34) Awake to soberness righteously, and sin not; for some have no knowledge of God:...

There are many 'worthless' shows, articles, items of entertainment, in this world. All are designed by Satan to distract our minds and our allegiance from God. From video games, sports activities, movies, and yes, even television shows that have no apparent point except to subtly hint that adultery under 'certain circumstances' happens and why, yes, it's alright...but it really isn't. How many subtle hints have we been fed through the years? The sneaky snake of the media has fed us a steady diet through the years, much of what we don't see.

I can not even begin to remember, let alone share the many times I have been living my life just bopping along trying to survive; raising children, paying bills, eking out a living by the skin of the proverbial teeth...when, Wham! Something catches me unaware. Trouble with the children, trouble in the congregation, trouble in the community. Wham! I didn't see it coming. It shook me out of my dream; out of the box/world I was floating through. There are far too many things that I did not see. At this time in history we need to wake up out of the dream world and become vigilant.

We need to be vigilant against evil that creeps into our homes via these things that we invite into our homes. Stand against the corruption of this world...

In the movie Titanic the older couple know this is their final hour. Their life is coming to an end. They lie back on the bed, holding hands as the haunting musical strains continue to waft through the scene. "Abide with me, tis eventide..."

No, this is something I have not seen, I am just imagining what someone else has described to me, but...

There are many things I have not seen. As a writer I enjoy writing 'my own ending' to scenarios. Creating my own worlds where I can see 'the big picture'. But I'm not in charge of this story; I'm not in charge of this world. I know who is victorious in this battle of life, but I don't know how we get there.

"I shouldn't have to die, just because I don't have the money for treatment!" The woman is shocked because the medical treatment isn't free any more. Even though we can empathize with her plight, we have all missed part of the big picture...

Rest assured whether it is the woman that needs medical attention, or if it is a strong, healthy young individual...no one will live forever. No one. Even the vigorous individual may be struck down quickly in the prime of their life.

Ecclesiastes 9:11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

Therefore, live your life toward God as if today is your last. Stop creating God into your own image. Realize that God is an all powerful God. Greater than any king, he is supreme being over all creation. He doesn't have to ask his creation what their thoughts on certain things are. He knows what their thoughts are, and especially, God knows what is best, what is right, what is needful.

1Corinthians 15:54 But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55) O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? 56) The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law: 57) but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58) Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.

Because He is:

Woman without her man is nothing-- With no punctuation, so does it mean: Woman without her man-- is nothing! Or should it be: Woman, without her--man is nothing.

Words. Punctuation. It is so important to communicate your thoughts, and intentions. Without punctuation much becomes muddled and lost.

Words by Jan Lazo-Davis: Because He is We can be--

The words and lyrics of the old carol 'O Holy Night' were written by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure in 1847. He then realized that it should have music to accompany the words and his friend Adolphe Charles Adams(1803-1856)wrote the music.

O Holy Night!

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

We have heard fellow Christians denounce 'Christmas carols' because they oppose 'observing times and seasons' as it were. No where are we told to observe his birth, only his death. So the reasoning goes, but wait...

Many of these songs are just that, songs, and they teach--often--wonderful things. I don't know why we only sing them once a year...we need to ponder and sing them more often. They aren't necessarily just 'Christmas' songs.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2) He was in the beginning with God.

John 1:4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5) The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

"Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,"

Before Christ the world lay in sin, but when Jesus came --the spirit, the soul--felt it's worth! And even though the wisemen did not come to the manger itself, but to the babe in an actual house...the feeling still reigns that they--the wise men, and we as well--can still come to the savior. We can come to the King of Kings, the all holy and powerful.

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.

Romans 6:20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21) But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22) But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Slaves! We were ALL slaves; servants of unrighteousness. Now we are slaves and servants of God! Before we were reaping the benefits of ungodliness, of sin and wickedness. Now, after becoming children of light... our wages are sanctification and eternal life!

John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Truly, Because He is, we can be! Hallelujah! ~"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ~

Valley of Decision!

We sit watching the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life".   During the movie there are a number of the savings and loan patrons wanting, and in most cases, needing cash. One man demanded his whole amount -and receives it. Most, however, figure up what they need -to get by- and only ask for a small amount.  As the scene unfolds, George Bailey asks the question of his patrons, "What do you need?" Meaning of course, 'how much will tide you over until you can get more. The question catches my attention.

As I reread Bible passages, on occasion, just as in the movie, a scripture will jump out at me. I've seen it before, read it many times, but this time...

Joel~ the son of Pethuel; Joel~ Jehovah is God. Joel begins with a call to God's people for prayer and repentance...but toward the end of his short book he prophesies: "Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! for the day of Jehovah is near in the valley of decision." (Joel 3:14)


So, now, here we are at the Genesis of a new year. Not really a crisis, but at the end of a year we hear people asking 'what do you want for Christmas?' Or, just plain- what do you want? However, is that the right question...?

WHAT DO YOU NEED...?

Here are some things to put on your refrigerator: 
 1) Pray/read your Bible daily. This is number one. Get your life right with God.
2)   Do only acts of kindness spontaneously, make sure they really are the kindness the recipient needs. (The bum on the corner may look like he NEEDS money: he may need a job, a Bible, (or Bible study). He may need something different than a breath mint...
 3) Speak kindly; love others honestly.
4) Love yourself honestly.
WISDOM IN MANY FORMS:
 5) Learn to look down the corridors of time. When you learn this art, here are some things you will understand:
a) Not all that glitters is gold; not all that is gold glitters.
b) Jogging may get you somewhere faster, but if walking is as fast as you can go...by all means walk. c)There are things that will seem trivial today, but in the long avenue of life they will be very, very, VERY important. (I did not think it was important to teach my children the manner of 'Yes, sir. No, sir, etc. However, how important is respect? Respect of elders, respect of authority, respect of parents, respect of others, but most of all respect of God.)
d) Love is not pleasure, and the pursuit of happiness is not God.
e) With liberty and freedom comes responsibility. The more liberty and freedom the more responsibility. You can't have them, and expect someone else to pay for them. (Our ancestors and our soldiers may have fought for and in some cases died for these items.  Unless we are vigilant here on the home front...we will still lose them
f) Human beings, no matter how perfect, are not. They are not perfect, and THEY are not God. That includes yourself...give others, and yourself room for mistakes. We all need that room.
g) Just as no one lives in a vacuum, and no one is an island, what diminishes one person still diminishes us all.
 Proverbs 14:34 "Righteousness exalteth a nation; But sin is a reproach to any people."

Do not take things for granted... Time is not eternal, only God is. God is still the creator. And one day every knee will bow...
Romans 14:11 "For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, to me every knee shall bow, And every tongue shall confess to God. 12) So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God."

Revelation 20:12 "And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13) And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works."

"Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! for the day of Jehovah is near in the valley of decision." (Joel 3:14)

As we stand in the valley of decision...What do you need...?