JUNK!

Food, that is! Sometimes, even on a limited income (which I'll be in a few more days), y' just gotta have some! (My other vices are yarn and music!) I'm almost out of my drink of choice (diet Dr Pepper), and didn't feel like standing at the bus stop in this wind (high temperature's 54 today but the wind is cold - yeah, yeah, to all you Yankees what's 54 degrees!) and going to Wally World. Round trip for THAT, by fixed route bus, would have been about 2 hours, even though WM is only about 6 miles away.

So I braved it and walked across the busy street at the end of the block, over to Family Dollar. At first I was just going in my slacks and long-sleeved T-shirt, etc., and amber-lens polarized sun glasses (a necessity because of my sight), but after walking to the curb, came back in, added gloves, an ear-warmer (I crocheted it by copying a friend's old, old one - I'll eventually post a picture of it), and a light-weight jacket.

I mostly bought some sunflower seeds (which I'll put out for the birds) and some cashews (I love 'em!), and, since FD doesn't have DP, I bought a 2 liter diet Coca Cola. (Why, when we in the USA, do not use the metric system, are drinks bottled metrically?) I also bought 2 cans of Pingles' chips, and a few other things (some necessary, some not).

I admit that it takes me 10+ minutes to walk the equivalent of about 1 city block (FD is in an almost vacant strip shopping center with a BIG parking lot). Of course hat includes looking to my left, looking to my right, looking to my left ... starting across the street, backing up when a car flies my way, starting over, getting part of the way across, ad nauseum! ... Before I was good out the FD door to come home, I heard someone walking behind me, and spoke. Luckily, it was a lady who'd also just come out of FD. Then on more or less level ground, I stumbled. The lady offered me a ride. I explained that I hadn't spoken to try to get a ride, and she said she realized that. Still, she brought me home.

I rarely carry cash with me, so all I could offer her was: "Thank you so much. God bless you".

Today

Didja ever think that every "holi-day" that we celebrate is made by people? The only real "holi-day" is Sunday, which God set aside as the day we are to remember what great sacrifice was made so that we might go to Heaven when we finish our days on this earth.

help me come up with a title for this one!

Treading water in an empty pool, or waking from a good dream?
Disappointment can be so cruel when reality's lost its gleam.
It's disheartening to find things blurry, not lively and at my feet.
I sometimes must look in the mirror to change things from lemons to sweet.
I'll learn from the problems I've been through, and change the setbacks I can.
I'll tackle the image I see there ... With God's help, I'm still able to stand.
If a physical problem hits me, or a friend or kin shies away,
I'll remember it's only temporal, and Eternity's my brighter day.
I know there will always be problems. I know I will sometimes be sad.
Contentment is what I will strive for, knowing I'll make it, and I will be glad.
I'll fill up that "pool" with pure water. I'll hang onto my dreams and my plans.
I know there's hope for tomorrow. With God's help, not "I can't", but "I can"!

- by Netagene, November 19, 2010 -

Interesting Book Titles

These are from christianbook.com:

For women:
Peeking into a box of chocolates: on temptation
Running nowhere in all directions: on stress
Searching for God in a bottomless purse: on faith
Waking up from the dream of a lifetime: on disappointment

For men:
Leaning into a hail of bullets: on temptation
Juggling chainsaws on a tightrope: on stress
Chasing God with 3 flat tires: on faith
Treading water in an empty pool: on disappointment

Teaser - And yes, I wrote a poem about one category.

1 off, 1 on

1 off - I've been on Face Book off and on a couple of times, and last night decided to permanently get off. Even though I wasn't on it much, I still found it time-consuming, though I liked seeing what old friends look like now. I didn't like all the constant ads on the right side. And I didn't like the "you might know these people" sort of thing. I figure with a couple of e-addresses and a blog, if someone wants to find me, they'll figure out a way, besides the fact that I came back to my hometown in 1996.

1 on - With my new Franklin Electronic Bible that I just bought from christianbook.com, came their print catalog. I always read catalogs. There were a series of "help" books, which had interesting titles, which struck me as a unique way to look at things ... so I wrote a poem. I'll post the book titles later "on" this blog, and I'll also post my new poem "on" this blog.

FORGIVENESS

What makes forgiveness difficult?

Problems with forgiveness:
1. Intensity of the pain - whether we have been hurt spiritually, emotionally, or physically.
2. Identity of the person who caused the injustice to us - stranger or someone close.
3. Intent of the one who did it - accidentally or premeditated.
4. How often - once or more than once.

Genesis begins with selfishness (Adam & Eve) and ends with selflessness (Joseph). Doors that were closed at the beginning of Genesis were all opened by the end of Genesis.

Three examples of grace in Genesis:
1. The flood - Noah found grace (6:8).
2. Esau forgave Jacob (chapter 33).
3. Joseph - a story of redemption, mercy, and grace (45:1-15).

We can learn 4 things:
1. Forgiveness is necessary only when one suffers an injustice - damage to a person or to physical property - a car wreck, etc.;
- Joseph - Genesis 40:15;
- Jesus - I Peter 1:17-19; 2:21-23; 3:18;
- Us - I Peter 2:18-20
We should respond in a Christ-like way.
2. Forgiveness demands that we bear someone else's sin (they robbed us of freedom, happiness, etc.). Justice demands that the debt be paid.
- Joseph - Genesis 45:11 - Joseph provided for his brothers. He forgave them, rather than exacting a price;
- Esau - Genesis 33:9 - Jacob thought Esau would want justice because Jacob stole Esau's birthright, but Esau forgave Jacob;
- Christ - I Peter 2:24 - His forgiveness liberates ...
- Us - I Peter 3:1-2 - This woman gives to her husband what he does not deserve.
3. The security of God's love loosens the chains of fear, giving us the freedom to forgive.
- Joseph named one of his sons "Ephrain", which means "God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction - Genesis 41:52.
- Jesus and Stephen both put confidence and faith in God - I Peter 2:23; Acts 7:54-60.
- Us - I Peter 4:14,19.
4. Forgiveness involves sacrifice of self to accomplish God's purpose.
- Joseph knew that God sent him - Genesis 50:19-20.
- Christ - I Peter 2:24-25.
- Us - I Peter 2:12; 3:1-2.

We are to deny ourselves, take up our cross (forgiveness is a cross), and take on the mind of Christ - Philippians 2:1-8.

- my notes from David Maxson's sermon on November 10, 2010 -

BIBLE!

A package was delivered to me today. Recently my old PDA (a 3-way trade I think, a year or so ago) died. It might have been partly because I hadn't used it much one week, and I didn't charge it. When I did, I couldn't get it to work. A friend got it back to working somewhat, but I had the Bible on a chip (loaded from olivetree.com), and couldn't get it to work correctly. In the last several years, I've found that most Bibles no longer have a good concordance. The Bible on the chip had a fantastic concordance! I was using that Bible both at worship as well as carrying it with me almost everywhere because it was small and would fit in almost any purse.

So a few days ago, I ordered a Franklin Electronic Bible from Christianbooks.com. I bought model BIB-475. It has both KJV and NIV. It uses 2 triple-A batteries, which I've got to see if I have any here at home. I will probably put white sticky labels on some of the keys, with bold black letters to make some of the function keys easier for me to see. The QWERTY keyboard is clear, but the other keys are gold with tiny letters. Closed, it is only about 5.5" x 3.5 x .75"

I'm sure I'll love using it once I put in batteries, and figure out how to work it!

A WINDOW to OUR OWN HEARTS

Last Wednesday morning, visiting preacher David Maxson showed pictures from his one trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe. He said that unemployment is 94% in Zimbabwe, and the money is worthless, that stores will take only US dollars. One man walked over 12 miles, on crutches, and wearing a suit, to hear David and others preach. In one group of about 60, only 2 had a Bible. But it was more than pictures; he also preached. He said this is the only sermon that he wrote while he was in Africa.

A Rich Young Ruler - Mark 10:17-23 - He lacked only one thing.

The Apostles were excited when a rich man came to Jesus, but upset when people brought their children to Him (Mark 10:13-16).

1. Entrance into The Kingdom involves more than outward obedience.
There was a lot to commend about this young man.
- He was eager. He ran to Jesus, was humble, knelt before Him.
- He was respectful, calling Jesus "Good Teacher".
- He asked a good question: "What must I do?"
- He lived morally: "All these things I have kept ..."
- He was from a good family: " ... from my youth".
JESUS loved him, but a door in his heart was closed (verse 22, and Revelation 3:20).

2. In the Kingdom of God, we receive more than we give up. The 12 apostles all gave up a lot (Mark 10:28-30).
WE GIVE UP ...
- house
- family
- land
WE RECEIVE ...
- 100 times more of these,
- and persecution,
- and Eternal Life!
See Matthew 6:33

Are we willing to give up our "dime store pearls" for the real thing?

SUBMISSION to Authority

Noah - Genesis 6

SUBMISSION is doing what someone else says.

A man told his son to build a house in a certain place, a barn in a certain place, a fence in a certain place, and a well in a certain place. The son built the house, barn, and fence where his father specified, but said that where his dad wanted the well dug was too far away, so he dug the well elsewhere. Did he submit to his father? No, he only agreed with his father on some things.

Submitting is getting off YOUR throne and giving it up to God.

Noah did ALL that God commanded (Hebrews 11:7), even if it didn't make sense to him. God told him to build an ark ("what's an ark?") because He was going to send a flood ("what's a flood?" - there had been no rain, only dew).

Some things probably don't make sense to us - what we are to do in worship, to love our enemies ...

The book of Deuteronomy is mostly Moses' sermons to the Israelites, that they were to obey God, and reminding them of what God had done for them.

1. God loves us and is on our side (Deut. 10:12ff). He cares for us and wants what is best for us. He demonstrated His love.
2. God has rules. Deut. 11:1-12: you've seen all God has done for you; verse 8: therefore keep ALL of His commandments. God wants love and fear/respect.
3. God explains in clear language what the consequences of disobedience are (verses 13ff). It is one of the many Biblical examples of "if/then" - "If you do not obey, then [this will happen] ..." or "If you obey, then I will give you rain, abundance, long life ..."
4. God gives the freedom to choose (verses 26ff) - to repent or reject His authority - a blessing IF you obey all, a curse if you disobey.

Applications:
1. We are to teach submission and rules to our children (Ephesians 6), and give them the freedom to choose when they are older. If a child will not submit to his parents, likely he will not respect and submit to God.
2. God's rules for worship, such as women are not to be in leadership role (I Corinthians 14:33-38, especially verse 37).
3. God's rules for our personal lives - We are to do ALL in the name of Jesus (Colossians 3:14-17).

God did not say that we are to agreed with Him, We are to obey - to SUBMIT to ALL that He tells us.

(My notes from Tuesday night's sermon by David Maxson.)

PRIDE and ENVY

Leah and Rachel - Genesis 29:21-30

Two Laws of Envy:
1. Inequities are a fact of life. Gross inequities (such as what all Bill Gates, a company CEO, the US president has) do not create envy, but slight inequities by someone we are close to emotionally or physically (a family member, a co-worker) do. People who are envious are actually angry at the blessings from God.

Envy is selfishness on steroids, hating the person who has something so much that you'd rather everyone have nothing, rather than you not to have something.

Here are the names and the meanings which Leah gave to her sons and the sons born of her maid (sounds to me like she was rubbing it in to Rachel that she had children and Rachel had none):
Reuben - Surely the Lord has looked upon my affliction.
Simeon - Because the Lord heard I was hated, He gave me this son also.
Levi - Now this time my husband will be joined to me.
Judah - Now I will praise the Lord.
Gad - A troop comes!
Asher - Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed.
Issachar - God has given me my hire.
Zebulun - God has endued me with a good dowry.

Read I Kings 3:16ff - about the 2 prostitutes and their babies.

2. Envy leads to violence - Cain (Genesis 4:3-8), James 4:1-2; character assassination.

Children learn from their parents. Jacob learned from his mother Rebekkah to deceive his father Isaac to get what he wanted - the birthright, even though God had already said that the elder (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob). Laban, Jacob's father-in-law, deceived Jacob in giving Leah, rather than Rachel, to Jacob. Jacob's older sons were envious of Joseph, put him in a pit, and sold him to passing merchants.

Envy is a symptom of a disease: idolatry. Example: a parent who selfishly wants to be idolized may try to do it through their children, in trying to make their child into a great musician or athlete, so that they (the parent) will be put on a pedestal.

Envy is overcome by shifting our focus to God. God does not look on our physical attributes - He doesn't look for which of us is physically the best looking (I Peter 3:3-4).

James 4:4-10; I Peter 2:4-10 - We may be rejected by men, but chosen by God. Whose opinion matters?

(My notes from Monday night's sermon by David Maxson).

GOOD Choices, BAD Choices

COVETOUSNESS & MATERIALISM

I learned years ago that all sin is selfishness, but not all selfishness is sin.

Doing what you want to do, rather than what God says to do, is sin; doing what you want to do rather than what your spouse or friend wants to do, is not, and with a spouse or friend, sometimes maybe you need to take turns or compromise.

The visiting preacher this week is David Maxson, who preaches for the Embry Hills church of Christ in Atlanta. (Yes, they have a web site, and yes, his picture is there.) His sermons this week are about "Opening the Door", and are based in Genesis.

His first sermon was about Adam and Eve, and how they were selfish and chose wrong. Even though God sent them out of the Garden (like a parent punishing a child), they were the one who "closed the door" to God. I failed to take notes on that sermon, but wish that I had. And it was after the sermon about Lot had started before I started scribbling notes.

This evening he preached about Lot, and how Lot, in being covetous and selfish, made wrong choices. His uncle Abram, and God, tried to save Lot, but Lot didn't want it! Here are my notes.

In II Peter 2:6-8. God calls Lot a "just" and a "righteous" man, yet think of the trouble in got into by making poor choices! (The rest of the verses are from Genesis.)

1. Lot selfishly chose to pitch his tent toward Sodom (13:7-13) and later he moved TO Sodom (14:12 - then Abram got Lot out of more trouble). Lastly, he felt that he should be a judge there (19:1, 9), even though he was a foreigner!

[Not in David's sermon, but I immediately thought of Psalm 1:1 - "Blessed is the man who walks not in the council of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers". It is a progression; Lot did all 3.]

2. He offered his virgin daughters to the men of Sodom (19:4-8).
3. He hesitated to leave Sodom (19:15-22).
4. He got drunk, and
5. He committed incest with each of his 2 daughters (19:30-36).

By being covetous/selfish, wanting more and more of material things, and making poor choices, Lot wound up losing his home, his wife, his daughters married unbelievers, and he ended his life living in a cave.

[I also think of Joshua in Joshua 24:15: "... Choose you this day whom ye will serve ... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord".]

PICNIC!

Even though the weather wasn't warm, it was tolerable, and Bill & Ziggy, who attend worship where I go, had their annual picnic. They live about 30 miles away, on several acres that is part of her family's property from years ago. During the hayride (one of the other men drove the tractor that pulled a low, flat-bed trailer with hay bales down the middle for seats), Bill narrated that the old Georgia Road ran through the property, what was a wagon trail years ago to Rome, Georgia.

There is a spring-fed lake there, and Bill said the water is about 13' deep by the dam. They have sold most of their cows, but still have 5 cows and 1 bull. They have a big nice house, with a porch on opposite sides, and a big 2-car attached garage, with a big paved area. They set up tables and benches and chairs, a gas grill (Steve, the preacher, was grill master, with hamburgers and hot dogs). There was also a place for marshmallow roasting, and a couple of other "heaters" that burned charcoal or wood. Everyone took food. There were already swing sets for the children (which their grandkids play on of course). And it was announced that there were about 70 people there, and were from 4 congregations of the church of Christ.

People came and went from about 11:30 until about 4:00. And of course if you come away hungry, it's your own fault! I rode with 3 other ladies.

Thanks to Joyce for the ride, and to sweet Christians Bill & Ziggy for doing that.

And tomorrow (Sunday) through Wednesday is our gospel meeting. Some call it a revival, and isn't that what it should be?

The Election

Yes, I am pleased with the way not only the Alabama election went (even though I did not vote for Bentley in the primary), but with most of the other state elections. Now if President Obama would only realize that much more of Congress has other ideas of what is best for us, than he has, that less of "Big Brother" socialist government is better, and to give "we the people" the voice, rather than trying to make this a country ruled by a dictator. (When King Ahab in the Bible, didn't get his way, he went to bed, covered his head, and pouted! People haven't changed!)

Sometimes I think a lot of politicians don't give the citizenry credit for having brains - though we are the ones who put them in office! (Of course I do wonder where some people's brains are when they vote for certain ones.)

I firmly believe that God gave each of us a brain and that we are to use that brain, rather than sit idly by and wait for a handout. With freedom comes responsibility. Those who choose irresponsibility (such as not voting) will be enslaved. I'm not much into politics, but I study up on the candidates the best that I can. I could go on, but this will suffice.

Election Day

I voted. Did you?

I have 2 polling places. The one for city elections is accessible by city bus, or actually by walking if I so choose, though it's about a mile, and with no sidewalks most of the way, and a steep hill, and with my having poor eyesight and not the best hearing ... groan, whine!

The place I am to vote for everything else is off the beaten path for those of us unable to drive, and is not accessible by city bus (also meaning that the paratransit bus will not go there). So for a few years now, I have requested an absentee ballot. Therefore my ballot was received at the election office a couple of weeks ago.

I have voted in almost every election since I have been of voting age. I read up and study the candidates the best I can Regrettably sometimes it means, to me, voting for the lesser of 2 evils, and that is the case for today's Alabama governor's election.

Face Book

Over a year ago, I set up a Face Book account, but found it not only a pain because I had only dial-up at the time, but also didn't really find it worthwhile, plus it was too time-consuming. A few days ago, I opened it again. (I now have fast internet.) I don't know how long I'll stay on it this time though. I much much prefer using the blog.