My Newest Fashion

My doctor visit went well, and I am now free of the purple pain.

My leg is free!

I’m going to spare you the view of the left side. Ick.

For the next six weeks I get to play with a new toy and crutches, for as long as I need them.

My new, fun friend

Oh well, at least I can get up the stairs on the deck now.

Christian Love Done Right,

done well.

This, my brothers and sisters in Christ, is how we make God smile.

Impact of this game on players’ lives can’t be overstated

I’m not messing with it, because there’s nothing I can add.

A Word About Halloween

First let me make it clear that I’m not particularly fond of Halloween, but I have no high, lofty, righteous reasons for it. Maybe it’s because I’m not fond of spiders, skulls, or blood, or because I don’t believe in living mummies, vampires, or ghosts. (I said ghosts not spirits. Don’t even get me started on that. We’ll be here all day.) It could be a safety issue. If my grandkids want candy, I’ll buy it for them. Truth is, it’s probably just that I’m getting old.

That said, I want to talk about an article a friend pointed out to me today, which I find very troubling. The woman who wrote The Danger of Celebrating Halloween is described as, “a sought after conference speaker and preacher”. I don’t know her and have never heard her preach, but based on this article I do wish she would educate herself on the topics she chooses to tackle.

The thing that troubles me most about this article is the constant reference to witches, as if satan worship and witchcraft are interchangeable. I’ve known a few witches in my time, even practiced as one for a short period. I never worshiped satan, and they don’t either.

It also troubles me that she claims, with no proof, that Halloween candy is cursed. Exactly how is this happening? I work at a big WalMart, and have never seen people cursing the candy. Are the miniatures being cursed at the factory in Pennsylvania? Are people cursing the trucks as they roll by? What the heck is a “time released” curse, anyway. It sounds like a frightening catch phrase to me.

Those of us who refuse to take her word on these things are called “lukewarm” Christians. We are ignoring the dangers of this “dark night”, and that just pops my cork. What we don’t need in the world is more public “shooting of our own wounded”. What we don’t need in the world is more judgmental, self-righteous, know-it-all “Christians”. To loosely quote a another friend we do not need Christians “who are so cocky they would presume to advise the Apostles”. What we need is a little more love and understanding, and a lot less fear!

Kimberly, if you ever chance to read this, please understand I’m not angry at you but at the mess we all sometimes make of our own doctrine. And when I’m done with this I’m going to sit down and pray for both of us, my sister in Christ. I can promise you one thing, no demon will ever mistake this Christian for an occult worshiper.

Quick Update (Healing Nicely)

Sorry it’s been so long. I found this stupid farming game on Face Book… (forgive me, but I am sooooo bored) …well that and dozens of relatives. 

I saw the Dr. Wednesday, and he’s happy with my progress. I am recovering nicely and getting my strength back, but I get to be a paper weight for four more weeks, because I’m still not allowed to put any weight on it.

My pretty purple cast

The “gas cap” is for my bone growth stimulator.

I Will Praise Him In This Storm

Our household has taken a number of hits the past few months:

 

1) June 1^st Doug got laid off, and hasn’t been able to find work.

2) Before that we’d both had our hours cut.

3) In July Doug tried a job that didn’t work out, but delayed his unemployment by several weeks.

4) I had to call the mortgage company and make a new arrangement to pay our late payments.

5) The 14^th of this month I fell off the porch and broke my ankle.

6) For some reason it took 15 days for our mailed payment to reach the mortgage company, causing us to default on our payment arrangement.

7) On the 21^st, Doug started to hemorrhage and had to be taken, by ambulance, to the hospital.

8 ) The 23^rd he had surgery to remove 2 polyps and a couple of hemorrhoids.

9) I spent 4 hours in surgery yesterday. It seems my ankle was actually shattered.

 

Yes, the storms have hit pretty danged hard around here, especially the last couple of weeks, but…

 

… since Doug’s lay-off, we’ve been able to get a lot done around the house.

… his unemployment cleared just in time to make a larger than normal mortgage payment.

… he was here when I fell, and was able to stay home to care for me.

… the default on our payment arrangement, worked out to a better arrangement for us.

… Doug has had problems before, and now we know that it isn’t cancer, and he shouldn’t have anymore problems.

… he was home the night of the 23^rd, and is doing very well.

… the doctor was able to put “Humpty Dumpty” back together again, and my ankle should be fine. I will, however set off the metal detector at the airport from now on.

 

There have been other blessings as well:

 

a) Thanks to a bonus and sick pay, I was saving, our bills are caught up until the 11^th of November.

b) Both our cars are paid off.

c) My insurance will cover most of the bill for my ankle, because it was an emergency.

d) We’ve discovered we enjoy each others company, even in trying circumstances.

 

So, I will choose to praise Him in this storm, and thank Him for the blessings our hard times have brought to our home and relationship.

 

2 Corinthians 12:10 “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

 

Psalm 56:4 “In God (I will praise His word),In God I have put my trust; I will not fear…”

 

I Haven’t Been Around For A Couple Of Days…

…because…

Broken in three places

 

… yup, I messed up good, and…

 

Sprained

…looks like I’ll be taking some time off work.

 

Thank God for my wonderful husband, who is caring for me, and bought me a rolling desk chair, so I can get around a bit.

Goodbye Ray

You big dummy, why didn’t you let us know you were hurting? You have friends who would forgive you anything, and do our best to help you get through anything. You made the one decision that leaves us totally helpless. The store is so quiet, people with swollen eyes and weak smiles, trying to hide our sorrow and the thoughts we can’t help but have. Did I in some way contribute to the pain you could no longer bear? Was there something I could have done to help? You’ve left so many questions without answers. Why Ray? What made you decide this was the only way?

 

I have every confidence, my friend that we will meet again, some day. Right now I don’t know if I want to hug you or knock you on your butt, probably both, and each just as heartfelt. Until then, rest in Him, and enjoy the peace you couldn’t find here with us.

 

On Wednesday, September 2, Ray R. Vickers Jr. took his own life. He was a good man and my coworker and friend. He is already much missed.

The Wedding Dress

This is an answer to Corina’s Prompt/Challenge

 

Reading her ad, she realized the dress had survived the past twelve years better than she had. No dry cleaner could fix what the stress had done to her body and face, but she thought she could. With a wry smile, she hit delete and threw the damn thing away. 

Does He Care About The Little Things?

The schedule said I got off work at 11pm. I finally clocked out at 12:15am. Walking past a few folks waiting to clock in I thought to myself, “Welcome to hell.” To say it was a rough night at the BECG (Big Evil Corporate Giant) would be a huge understatement. My legs, feet, and back hurt, and I still had to shop, before going home. The searing pain in my hip hit as I was putting the cart up, after loading my groceries into the car. Thanking God that the car was close I limped to it and got ready to head home, wanting nothing more than to cry all the way. I turned the radio on and “There’s a Light at the End of the Tunnel” started to play. Thanking God again, for knowing just what I needed and forgetting the tears, I turned it up loud, and sang most of the way home.

 

Did God know I would need that close parking spot, 11 hours before I did? Did He make sure I got it? Was He responsible for the DJ’s choice to play that particular song, at just the moment I needed it? Is God concerned with the little things?

 

I have friends who hold the opinion that we shouldn’t bother God with little things and should only ask His help with the big stuff. But the Bible says that God will provide the things we wear, eat, and drink.

 

“Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.” Luke 12:22-31

I guess the argument could be made that those aren’t little things, after all we were taught in school that food, clothing and shelter are necessary for life.

Let’s take a look at Luke 12:6,7 “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

The very hairs of our heads are numbered! God knows every time one of us looses a hair! I know there are some who count the hairs left behind in the brush, but that’s such a small thing, most of us don’t even notice.

Is God always going to make sure I get a nice close parking space? Of course not, because that might not always be His will for me and might not be the best thing for the circumstance. Will He see to it that I am never hurt or disappointed? No. Will He heal my hip or fix my feet, legs, and back so they don’t ache at the end of a rough night? Probably not, and that’s okay. He is the Lord God, Creator of all things, and I trust him to know what’s best, even when it’s unpleasant or even painful. Is it silly to thank God for a parking space or a song? Not according to the Bible.

Ephesians 5:15-20 “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

We are to give thanks always for all things.

For all things?! Yes, for all things. It can be tough to give thanks for the things that hurt or are unpleasant. There is only one way to reach that point, prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Pray without ceasing is a big goal, and not one we are ever likely to reach, but it’s absolutely worth the effort, as is learning to give thanks for the things in your life you wish weren’t happening, because that’s were internal peace comes from.

Philippians 4:6,7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Father, thank You, for the parking space.

 

 

 

 

I Stole It From David

Who stole it from The Havens.

1. Who was your first prom date? I skipped prom to give birth.
2. Do you still talk to your first love? Yes, and that’s all I have to say about that.
3. What was your first alcoholic drink? Jack Daniels (yeah, I know)
4. What was your first job? cooking at Sonic
5. What was your first car? 1975 Dodge Dart
6. Who was the first person to text you today? Tracfone, to let me know my minutes had updated
7. Who is the first person you thought of this morning? I was feeling selfish, so it was me.
8. Who was your first grade teacher? I can’t remember her name, but I almost quit school the first day, because she didn’t teach me to read.
9. Where did you go on your first flight in a plane? Lubbock
10. Who was your first best friend and do you still talk? Marty, yes
11. Where was your first sleepover? my granny’s
12. Who was the first person you talked to today? I told Sister dog to stop whining until I got my eyes more than half open.
13. Whose wedding were you in for the first time? mine
14. What was the first thing you did this morning? let the dogs out
15. What was the first concert you went to? I went with my mother to see Little Jimmy Dickens.
16. First tattoo?

my only tattoo

17. First piercing? nice, normal ear piercing
18. First foreign country you went to? Japan
19. First movie you remember seeing? Wizard of Oz
20. What state did you first live in? Texas
21. Who was your first room-mate? I’ve never had a room-mate.
22. When was your first detention? Junior year
23. If you had one wish, what would it be? for everyone to know the love of my Lord and Savior.
24. What is one thing you would learn, given the chance? I would like to read music.
25. Who will be the next person to post this? Your guess is as good as mine.