Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †
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Posted in Uncategorized
Mother Jean – Jane Olivor
I put this on the wrong thread last night. Sigh.
If reading were comfort, then mother was blessed
By the words of a thousand remembered events.
An old green cloth bag, Marshall Fields on its side,
Carried murderers foul and detectives quite thick
To the buses and trains and pillowed night rest and
the first morning coffee before the day hit.
Like many a habit a child learns from mom,
I carried my books with me, too, all the time.
I studied with Ghandi and watched with some dread
Graustarian villains and sad severed heads of a hero
Who thought that the times they were best.
Forgive me, but noble and dead? Take a rest!
As facts entered in, other facts entered out
Leaving knowledge as parched as a field in a drought.
It wasn’t the same with my mother’s dear head.
Her mind mirrored mirrors and mirrored again.
Imagine poor Holmes with his stuffed attic drawers
If his mind were a Tardis with everyone home
Saying, “I’ll take that fact.” and “No, put it here.”
And mother conducting in ceaseless good cheer
A mad data dance never meant to refute
That the earth circles sun in unending pursuit.
…
The hikes that we took, when I was a child,
Wound through canyons and prairies and sweet sylvan nooks
Filled with wildflower storefronts and auto-clogged creeks.
I walked with my mother and saw with her eyes
Carrying all of her years with a ten year old’s pride.
She didn’t have money, we’d only have tea,
But she stuffed me with cupcakes of sweet memory.
She talked as we walked of her past college days,
Of dating young boys wrapped in old raccoon coats.
Of college professors, she knew each one’s name.
Of ways that they spoke and of jokes that they made.
She remembered the girls in green chiffon gowns
Who danced on the Midway near Ida Noyes lawn.
She remembered the statue that stood in the park
Bearing centuries stone upon flat hair-crowned hat.
And each of these facts and small tales she would tell
As a gift to a daughter too young to know well
How the timeless progression of time in its day
Could forget in an instant a moment of play.
She tried to present me these gifts, but in vain,
For my attic-stuffed drawers had a hole
That the names and the places were soon falling through
Till the drawer and the attic and cupboard was bare.
…
Museums were playgrounds when I was a child
Hanging my heart on jungle gym bars
Of Renoirs and Rodins and even Matisse
While mother explained the curve of the hip
Of the Buddahs and odalesques playing with me
As we swung from 12th century tapestry
Into the sky of Georgia O’Keefe
And back again laughing in such fine company.
It was here that she studied, my mother explained,
Your grandmother, long before grandpa appeared,
At the Institute’s classes of art and design
Of the lion and the curve and the stroke of the pen.
She studied with Taft, mother said with some pride
Though the master was gone long before I arrived
In my turn, now it’s yours, to take up the brush
For genetics will conquer in gentle ambush.
This wasn’t at all what I wanted to hear
Because I was a scientist cool-eyed and clear
From the tips of my fingers that typed
At the keys of computers to firm-planted feet
That walked near eyes of heaven that gazed
At Albireo’s eyes blinking back blue and gold
In a canvas of black, crying “I am no artist and I know no verse.”
Then I listened to silence that laughed in reverse.
…
Mother met father in the shadow of time
Cast by permanent stones of cathedral and bells.
The building they met in was wood, thin and cheap.
I know this because I walked in that place
Thirty years from a soldier’s chance meeting with fate.
So, I guess, in some sense, I’m a child of them all
Of mother, of father, of the Humanities hall.
She was a journalist trying to find
In the day’s small events
Some explaining of why
She was her,
Who she was,
A girl in the prime
Of her green salad days
Seen through sea-green young eyes.
He was a poet explaining himself
In the words of a soldier
To any and all
Who could hear with deaf ears
What it was to be young
To be strong and alive
And in love with a lady
Who saw through your eyes.
Good morning, Mary. So lovely that for once (and once only) I have no words.
Through a looking-glass
of memory mine
Filled with stories of others
related to me
I myself in them I see
Through the lives
of others’ time
Speaking for myself, I had to reach a certain older age when this happened. And when it happened, it made forgiveness much easier. The same which I hope will apply when mine reach that age…
One for you, patience 😘 and one for your beloved Ma 😘
There are always more people present than the one seen.
I came to understand that at quite an early age; thanks to hearing Ma speak of her early life experiences, about/ and from other family members who loved…. and taught and influenced her so much.
Coming from a family of storytellers on both sides (I remember this or that, Grandpa so n so came from ,,,, and did…..)
and the many ‘proverbs’ about life
the influence of them all latched on to me…. became part of me to various degrees.
As it did to both of my parents, their parents , etc.
Just as it can be joyous, entertaining, comforting or simply interesting….
phew! ~~it can be difficult and or confusing at times
not knowing the influence of, or the sins of others
bestowed upon
or imposed onto someone.
~ Who else is present that cannot be seen?
Oh, Thanks for those ones, Betsy.
T’is true. We are an amalgamation of all who have gone before us. Stories of family past serve as a sort of road map for us, but there is more we don’t know than we do.
For example (as I have told before)…my father was a closed book. Completely. His service as an army surgeon in the worst of the Korean war, he never spoke of…my mother mentioned once that he came back changed. So while I knew he was much loved by his patients during his private practice and knew his surgical skills helped or saved many, that’s how I “knew” him. As to what he thought or felt? Not so much. Previous generations even more so.
It really is complicated…
Because so much information can’t be gotten directly, I tend to work sideways. I read the books they read and try to imagine how they saw the world in their quietude.
It is a very good plan, Mary.
I’m still remembering your comment “I am annoyed that he’s dead.” What you could have winkled out of him had you the opportunity.
Luckily, I can know more of what’s in his head than you’d think. When I did the first research, I drove all over the eastern half of the US visiting research libraries. He wrote constantly to his children, who loved him madly. His letters were passed down to descendants and some ended up in the research libraries since so many of his descendants became famous.
https://www.henrylivingston.com/writing/letters/
The way family history was written. Through letters. With beautiful handwriting, A truly lost art.
My mother in law, she of the family cookbook, wrote letters every week and typed them out using carbon paper to send her brood and their spouses.
It wasn’t so much what she said (though there was plenty about their outings to “honkey tonks”, dressed to the nines for dancing to small bands which played their type of music in the myriad small towns around them, with their couple friends and all the funny things that would ensue) as it was about the clever way she’d write. Pure entertainment reading them. Life was slower and local then.
We’ve lost a lot. “Progress” has a downside.
What’s lovely here is that the tree limbs are COVERED with the literate. People who can write full sentences and EXPLAIN the points they’re making and expand their memories to share the stories that let us see them in front of us. This is a very special place.
Yes, yes. This is true. In ways it isn’t elsewhere.
A very special one, Mary.
This. I spent much time in college libraries reading the newsmagazines of my parents’ and grandparents’ youth, trying to understand the world through their eyes.
One ladies’ magazine of the early 1900s touched me especially. It was before refrigeration was common. The female writer noted “how many of our babies we lose in the summertime” because of milk gone bad….
In our generation few people recall the hurts and poverty that so many of the grandparents coped with.
In Nashville, there is a house at Belmont University that was donated by a very wealthy woman whose story is somewhat similar to Scarlett O’Hara of a famous novel, but Mrs. Aklen was real. She lost almost all her many children to various epidemics. Despite her great wealth and advantages
Excellent! And great story. We got a huge microfilm machine and I spent a year reading newspapers from 1775-1829. Morning till night. It was incredible to watch history happen right in front of me. And then Washington DIED!!!! I was doing it to collect newspaper poetry. Just like today, there was some real trash and some real nuggets. My problem was that the poet I was attempting to collect NEVER published under his own name. And he occasionally used pseudonyms. Later on I found my father’s poetry column, and he went under MANY pseudonyms. If I hadn’t done the first research, I’d never have had a chance with the second research.
Such a wonderful longing, W, to gather puzzle pieces to your ancestry! Love this!
(Waaay better than 23andme, hmmm?)
Both sets of grandparents have told me many stories of their lives (born 1898, 1900).
And how many times I’ve wished to sit with them now and rekindle their memories!
Their stories meant the world to me and are deeply imbedded in my heart;
such as recently when we had brutal cold weather and I was snuggled in my warm bed, I remembered a story of my dear GM. She lived in rural country as a child and said she could see chickens under the house through cracks in the floor. And she recalled how they stayed warm at night with heated irons in the bed. (I have one of those antique irons, too)
I really don’t know how they survived – but only God. (That’s what she said, too.)
I’m sure that’s one reason to pass our stories on – to encourage the next generation. Yep.
If only they would listen…
Indeed.
Who else is present that cannot be seen?
Some things are not to be told
~(yet) only shared.
There is a silent understanding
that I believe the soul knows.
I came this close to posting your last line. It does come down to that.
My niece has always complained that her mother won’t hear why some actions of my sister-in-law hurt my niece. Her children have now left home and come back to tell her that same old story, which makes her cry. I wait for the day she’ll see the continuum. If she could explain it to the children, perhaps the inevitable might become more malleable.
Many things cannot be explained. Sometimes trying to do so only makes it worse, especially if those doing the hearing aren’t listening.
I am thinking of the Simon and Garfunkle song The Boxer, possibly my favourite of theirs because of the lyrics.
“Still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.”
They’ll understand eventually. Time will take care of that, I think.
Hopefully, your niece will not (really) require being heard… acknowledged…; should her grievances never be addressed as she feels and thinks she is due.
~That in itself may someday be all the more rewarding, healing and fulfilling.
Perhaps she may come to understand that her truest growth resulting in her best self was to come from something else…, somewhere else…, someone else.
Time, living life …., and her own acceptance that some needs come from oneself.
Exactly, Patience. During the time I was in college they were trying to throw everything into behavior and remove everything from genetic. It just wasn’t true. Yes, we’re affected by actions toward and around us, but we’re also affected by the genes that made us the infants that came crying into the world. What behavior can do is allow us to think and rationalize and understand why we are who we are. And then we can make conscious choices to become the person we choose to be.
Good mornin’ Mary!!! 🙂
Morning, Garrison. What’cha up to?
Putting new strings on several concert guitars. When you have a collection, it’s fun to alternate between instruments. Each guitar, being hand made and often to a different internal design, is different in ways great and small
THAT is exciting. I had a guitar that I inherited from my mother’s youth in the 1920’s. It was a Lyon & Healy of a strange, Spanish design that had been second hand from a concert guitarist. When I was trying to learn, my fingers weren’t large enough for the stretches. Gave it to my niece and the downside is that she brings it over and sings to me.
Hoping eventually, my now 8 year old granddaughter whose received one for Christmas and will be taking lessons quite soon (she asked for both) will someday do that for us….
…if she is not too busy giving concert performances, that is😉
Morning Ya’ll 🙂
Yes.
🇺🇸😎🇺🇸
fascinating, a clump of trees with straight trunks but with branches that look like they are all from one tree, and no appearance of having been part of a larger group of trees.
the dynamics of tree growth are to find sunlight. Tall straight tree trunks are the result of competition for sun light. isolated trees spread out laterally. yet this clump looks to have a bit of both, straight trunks but onesided growth of branches, combining to look like one larger tree.
Good morning, Mr jay. Our Tree..reaching far and wide. Beautiful.
Good morning Bet! Getting ready to head out to Austin this morning. My bride and I are taking her sister to the cardiologist. When we went to her oncologist right before Christmas her cancer was behaving but her heart rate was very low. They ran an EKG just in case and found out that she has a heart block. No symptoms so no trip to the ER but needed to see a cardiologist soon. All her doctors are in San Antonio but in order for her to be seen fairly soon our oldest son had to involve a friend of his, a very talented surgeon who got us the appointment. Haven’t been to Austin since April. Don’t care much about it nowadays, either.
😘 ❤️
Oh golly, G!! Prayers up for sorting it out quickly…and prayers in thanksgiving for those threads of “chance” that your son knew this surgeon well enough to enlist his help. From what I know of those who have had blockages, I thiiiiink its a pretty straight forward thing to clear. I hope so much this will be the case for your sister in law who has endured so many health issues.🙏🙏🙏
I am not a fan of Austin as it is now either. How far it has fallen in the hands of liberals…as ever it was for any Dem controlled entity.
God be with you all, my brother.💕
(I can’t help but think how much trouble she’d be in if she were in Britain with their not fit for any purpose NHS….another blessing she is not there.)
It’s actually an electrical issue. Got seen fast and outfitted with a small monitor that goes on the skin. Then drove to a lab location and waiting to draw blood. Looks like will need a pacemaker.
I hope that takes care of her issues, G. This is bread and butter treatment for cardiologists, they do so many. Good news it seems. I am so glad…💕
That was so perfect! The olive tree and the graft!!!! God Bless you Betsy! It’s raining like crazy so I am binging on CTH! Oh happy day!
Even when it’s not raining. I find I’ve stopped visiting sites I would at least look in on every day, heather. This one suffices. Sending blessings your way, my friend.😘
Like an oasis
Too bad it’s not midnight at the oasis bring your 🐪 2 bed
Mornin’ jay 🙂
Howdy Garrison 🤠
Morning jay!
Howdy Gramps 🤠
TEXAS and MAGA WILL LIVE FOREVER—GO TRUMP!!!!
One More . . .
Howdy Garrison 😎😎
Personally, Garrison… I believe that LaGrange has been responsible for more speeding tickets than any other piece of music in the history of the world. It is IMPOSSIBLE to listen to that driving (no pun intended) beat and not press your foot down on that accelerator just a little bit more.
Yep. LaGrange is an anthem. When I was teaching I used to stage my morning arrivals at the upper parking lot—windows down, sunroof open, LaGrange going full blast. ‘Profs here . . .
Good morning, my friend. Just a quick hello. Have an unwell husband this morning and I must attend.
Blessings for your day💕
Praying for your hubby, dear sister. 🙏🏻
Thank you💕….just a painful stomach virus I’m sure which kept him up all night.
Here’s a thing…my sweet daughter in law gave us for Christmas a selection of different teas from Britain…
I was just looking at home remedies for stomach cramping, and top of the list was peppermint. And what did I see amongst the lovely selection she gave us? That’s right! Peppermint tea! As soon as he is up, he’ll be the guinea pig to see if it works. Praying so. I’ve always said I’d rather have a cold for a month than cramping for 24 hours….I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
Y’all be safe on the Austin 35…
A cup of Dandelion Root tea (strong) may help; in one way or another (up or down or air pass).
Hope the peppermint works❣️
-🫖
I see the pot is ready. Thank you for reminding me that I saw this remedy long ago…I’d forgotten…
Hi! Sometimes activated charcoal pills work wonders!!!
Thank you so much, TT. If this continues I will try to source some. Bless you.
Any mint tea is good for stomach issues.
That was in there as well. Thank you, my friend.
By the time I’ve made him drink all this he’ll be floating!
Mornin’ Bet. Be well. 🙂
😘!!!
🙏 🙏 🙏
Bless you, my friend.💕
Morning Garrison, two years ago when I spent a month at home recovering from the Chinese flu I tried to grow a ZZ Top beard but my bride quickly nixed the idea. So now I trim it every month or two. I’ve been considering shaving it just to surprise my grandchildren but then again, like my lumberjack look. It inspires me to split firewood with my made in Finland splitting axe. 🪓 🤣
Keep it!!!!!! My hubby has always had one.
One day he shaved it off, and believe it or not, I didn’t notice. But when I did, it was a shock. He quickly grew it back…
Last time I had a beard was 39 years ago. 😍
I love them. He keeps his gentleman trimmed. 😉
Yesssssss !
Rockin’ at the Treehouse !
Happy New Year Garrison and all the best, Blessings.
DG
You too, friend. 🙂
04 January 2018 Ray Thomas, English rock vocalist and flautist (Moody Blues – “Legend Of A Mind”), dies at 76
For My Lady
Nights In White Satin
04 January 2013 Sammy Johns, American country artist, dies at 66
Chevy Van
04 January 2011 Gerry Rafferty, Scottish guitarist and vocalist (Steeler’s Wheel – “Stuck In The Niddle”; solo – “Baker Street”), dies at 63
Right Down The Line
Baker Street
04 January 2008 Mort Garson, Canadian-American composer (“Our Day Will Come”) and Moog synthesizer pioneer, dies of renal failure at 83
Hair Aquarius
04 January 2001 Les Brown, American big band leader (His Band of Renown – “Sentimental Journey”), dies at 88
SJ
Also Appearing:
Doris Day (born Doris Mary Kappelhoff; April 3, 1922 – May 13, 2019)
Beautiful vocal by Doris Day. Thanks.
Mort Garson
Both of above Banned from posting off utube.
<Hair Aquarius >
Les Brown w/Doris Day
<Sentimental Journey>
One of my favorite pop songs growing up in the 1970s.
.
.
.
My old laptop gave it up yesterday … finally got the new one started in most ways that count.
Deepest sympathies. Hope your files are safe.
Wonderful kitty. Between the wonderful spaghetti and the wonderful expression on the kitty’s face, I just can’t decide which I love more.
The face, I perceive, is when kitty realizes there are anchovies in there. Love ’em or hate ’em.
I just can’t stop giggling when I look at that picture, and it’s a delight.
May your new lappy treat you well.
Why does my servant eat this, but not let me eat string?
I can’t seem to find the beginning or the end of this strange worm.
Looks like an older kitty that has had plenty of experience eating spaghetti. 😂
time .. flowing like a river
I can’t help it, Klaus Schwab’s hero Dr. Evil:
Moody Blues – Isn’t Life Strange
January 4 Oswald Chambers
Why Can I Not Follow You Now?
Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now?” —John 13:37
There are times when you can’t understand why you cannot do what you want to do. When God brings a time of waiting, and appears to be unresponsive, don’t fill it with busyness, just wait. The time of waiting may come to teach you the meaning of sanctification— to be set apart from sin and made holy— or it may come after the process of sanctification has begun to teach you what service means. Never run before God gives you His direction. If you have the slightest doubt, then He is not guiding. Whenever there is doubt— wait.
At first you may see clearly what God’s will is— the severance of a friendship, the breaking off of a business relationship, or something else you feel is distinctly God’s will for you to do. But never act on the impulse of that feeling. If you do, you will cause difficult situations to arise which will take years to untangle. Wait for God’s timing and He will do it without any heartache or disappointment. When it is a question of the providential will of God, wait for God to move.
Peter did not wait for God. He predicted in his own mind where the test would come, and it came where he did not expect it. “I will lay down my life for Your sake.” Peter’s statement was honest but ignorant. “Jesus answered him, ‘…the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times’ ” (John 13:38). This was said with a deeper knowledge of Peter than Peter had of himself. He could not follow Jesus because he did not know himself or his own capabilities well enough. Natural devotion may be enough to attract us to Jesus, to make us feel His irresistible charm, but it will never make us disciples. Natural devotion will deny Jesus, always falling short of what it means to truly follow Him.
WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS
The main characteristic which is the proof of the indwelling Spirit is an amazing tenderness in personal dealing, and a blazing truthfulness with regard to God’s Word.
https://utmost.org/why-can-i-not-follow-you-now/
💕🙏
. . . but deliver us from the Evil One.
The Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.
Amen!
The 50th Psalm
Septuagint
Prayer of Saint Ioannikios the Great of Bithynia (+ 846)
My hope is the Father, my refuge the Son, my protection the Holy Spirit. O Holy Trinity, glory to Thee.
Amen. Amin.
From Small Compline
Rejoice Virgin Theotokos, Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, for thou hast borne the Savior of our souls. (Thrice)
Wednesday of the 30th Week of the Epistles
Forefeast of the Nativity of Our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ
Holy Great Martyr Anastasía the Deliverer from Potions and the Martyrs with her at Rome (+ 304)
[ah-nah-stah-SEE-ah is one pronunciation]
December 22nd – Patristic Calendar of the Orthodox Christian Church
January 4th – civil or commercial calendar
Awesome documentary! Talk about amazing people who have spent their humble lives researching real science!
I wish I could buy millions of copies and broadcast them on every media outlet in the world! All children should be told the truth of the flood in church at least, but it is scary how the church (american) has abandoned the truth of the bible and now many teens don’t even believe in Jesus cause if Genesis is wrong then it’s all wrong and they have trouble believing a lie because they are still innocent and need help. I love Answers In Genesis for their unwavering preservation of the truth and creating the Ark Encounter in KY! It is an amazing place and flies in the face of the lying world and ignorant church that teaches a “local” flood.
God Bless You Michael! Jesus is coming soon!
Mornin’ all!
Swedish Canary on Twitter: “GOP arriving to 4th Speaker of the House vote https://t.co/8D30xZ086y” / Twitter
The Babylon Bee on Twitter: “Republicans Gather In Congress To Vote On Who Will Fail The Voters This Time https://t.co/IIQ8R3x8Nn” / Twitter
BB!! So brilliant.😂
Clown show …how true.
The Monday Night football game is a perfect metaphor for America 2023. Peak Equity and Virtue Signaling play out on a national stage culminating in paroxysms of grief in front of the cameras by the fans of the game who now accept a “walk off” in a formerly gladiatorial sport that has inflicted literally millions of concussions, broken bones, ruptured spleens, livers, lungs etc., but now has crossed the line with a “Hit Too Far” that no one & no football player can any longer accept.
The Mass Formation Psychosis Psyop is complete. “Oh The Humanity!!!” The entire nation was immediately informed and uniformly accepted the talking points from the chattering class indicating that this “Hit Too Far” was indicative of a brutal sport that we should all feel guilty about watching while clapping each other on the back for accepting the lies about a routine tackle and knowing that we will all be cancelled for mentioning the fact that this is just another young guy in his prime who died form the mandated vaccine.
So. Perception is reality? Can we click our Ruby Slippers together and go home again to 2019? If we can, then I will too, pretend that this kid died in combat in a brutal sport. Until then, I and millions of others know EXACTLY what happened.
Both sides were praying, Chuck. I’m sure you noticed. No one castigated them or took offense.
They finally figured out for Whom they should always kneel…and for nothing or no one else.
We are not here on earth to be everything to everyone. Stop putting that pressure on yourself.
https://www.quora.com/profile/Eric-Wong-197/https-humansinstructions-quora-com-My-mom-did-not-sleep-She-felt-exhausted-She-was-irritable-grumpy-and-bitter-She-was
Good reminder! Have to remind myself frequently to practice this … to let go and give it to God.
I’ve found the benefits are immeasurable – so worth it.
My youngest, bless her heart, has so many friends, and there isn’t anything she wouldn’t do to help them if they needed her.
She is the one with triplets plus one.
I have watched her trying to be all things to all people. She was becoming worn out in doing to, even though everything she did with joy.
I have told her that she must be careful to not lose herself. She knows. But she has to remind herself now and again…thankfully…
I’ve kept this on my phone for ages…
“When you can’t control what’s happening, control the way you respond to what’s happening, for that is where your power is.””
It’s hard lesson to learn, Betsy. Probably because of the devotion and affection we have for them.
I’m finally at a point to “let them be.” It’s not that I don’t care, but realize I’m not in charge. God is.
He is the only One Who can help them be who/what they need to be.
It’s good that your daughter listens to your counsel, too, Betsy. Some in my family don’t want to hear it. Sad.
I’m very verrrry careful what I say to my three, adults that they are with families of their own. I’m sure there are eye rolls aplenty sometimes.
I posted this for Colkitto the other day…it reminded me of the way I am so sure I’m received sometimes…
“I was called ‘pretty’ today…well, the actual words were ‘pretty annoying’ but I choose to look for the positive.”
Still, mothers are always going to mother…right? Absolutely!😘
I’m with you — VERY careful with the verbiage around my adult kids and families!
Now that’s funny – I would focus on the positive, too!
Remember tho, it really doesn’t matter how you’re perceived. Can’t please everyone. Just be you.
yep, moms gonna mom!
I’ve had long-standing relationship with my ENT physician and he recently told me a little funny story. (He’s in his fifties and his mother in her eighties.) Several months ago he developed a bad cold. His mother called him to give directions on how to treat it. He said, “I know, Mom, I’m a doctor.”
I laughed with him, but knew exactly how she felt. Bless her heart!
Hahahahaha!!! We really can’t help ourselves really.
😂😂😂
I know! I offer NO apologies either.
Greetings Treepers! ✝️
Good morning, dear bro!
Good afternoon, my friend😘
Before you graced these pages with your thoughtful words, there was discussion that we were what you define as a Church.
I believe this all came about during these past few terrible trying years, when we would all gather daily to offer our individual gifts, be they through Scripture, music, art, counsel, discussion, devotionals, support, comfort, and yes…camaraderie. All those qualities which one can find in churches everywhere…or should have been able to before too many locked their doors either physically or metaphorically. And, I might add, drifted far away from His teachings.
We are certainly more than two or three; and each brings his or her own gifts to friends who have become family…at least for me.
Have you considered your own path and seeking? Would you be open to considering that perhaps what you have said you are looking for has been given to you by virtue of your presence now on this beautiful thread in this glorious Tree?
Though it may not be exactly the form you had in mind, perhaps the Holy Spirit, hearing you, has led you here for reasons which Almighty God in His great plan says your gifts are best used. In the same way that perhaps all of us have been directed. I can only surmise.
As for reaching out in the way we are instructed to do anywhere and in anyway we can to bring others to Christ, it is worth remembering that those who show up in this congregation are not the only ones who read what is posted here.
There are passersby, as I chose to think of those who read but do not comment. Those who may at some point need a place like this which offers all I listed above.
Before Christmas, I made a comment that it seemed our numbers were growing…how wonderful it would be to see more. Since then I have been taking especial note. And lo and behold! More have found this thread. I see new “faces” daily. And I see beloved “faces” who show up on other threads on this site and have now appeared here. It really is remarkable and wonderful.
I seem to have rattled on more than I intended. So I suggest to you again with genuine feeling that you may have indeed found a church home. A gathering of those who know the joy of Christ, our Saviour… and who share their experiences of His mercies and grace in their lives, through their individual God given gifts.
I can speak only for myself; but the spiritual gifts I have received here are without price. I am grateful beyond measure for this church of ours, as I will always think of it.🙏💕
Blessings to you, Michael.
I have tears in my eyes Betsy, the way you talked to Michael about what you have seen here and how he may have opened a new door to meet and worship the Lord Jesus together. I stop in and out and really have a hard time keeping up with comments. I put in a few prayer requests and I’m so thankful for all the sisters and brothers that have been hanging out, for what I can only guess has been years…
We don’t go to church so this is it for me. As I was reading thunder shook my house!
I don’t remember what it was specifically that caused me to start commenting on this site, heather, after visiting it for a long time. I did so on other threads first but not this one.
What stands out in my mind however was a specific comment by my dear brother Frank, who, halfway through a long and honest post, had this one sentence…
“But God…”
It may be so, and it may not, but I choose to think His bless-ed Hand had some part in showing me where to go. And I give abundant thanks that I was paying attention. Deo gratias🙏💕
Someone helped me recently with same issue regarding comments on old posts.
After you type your message in the box, at the bottom right is a “bell symbol.”
Click it and it turns green.
Then, next to the bell, click “post comment.”
Go to your email inbox. You should have email from CTH that says you just subscribed to receive notice of any comment to your comment. Click on the link “confirm.”
That takes you to a new page on CTH that will show a green box in upper right corner. It says “subscription confirmed.”
You will have to go thru these steps for every comment you post, IF you want to be notified.
I find that after a day, maybe two at most, comments on previous threads are done. People move on.
Also, I just discovered another feature for editing.
Click somewhere on your posted comment, and an asterisk symbol at bottom right appears. Activate it if you need to make an edit. Then click “save.”
I think it works for short time of 15 mins?
Hope this helps some. It certainly makes participating here more enjoyable.
Blessings
You’re welcome! Also, these steps are only for what you post.
If you want to read any later comments made by others, you will need to re-read the page.
I believe my directions are correct – someone may know more?
I’m in your camp about social media and do not participate.
We have to be wise nowadays about giving too much personal info to “the world.”
I agree with you, and others, this thread page seems to be a soft landing place for fellowship.
Not sure either about the other article pages. Post at your own risk, I suppose?
I read this site for two years before making a first comment. Even now, mine are somewhat guarded. So, you’re not alone in this, but welcomed!
It took me a while, too, shall we say, let loose. Sort of feeling the temperature of the water. But it was Frank Field’s comment, as I said above, that was my first long comment. It became more natural after that. I comment nowhere else.
Thank you, Michael.
I’ve always thought if something works…which this thread has for longer than you or I have been here…it is best to let things flow.
In other words, as the Spirit moves us each one, without parameters, without form. Structure, I feel, would take something away from this beautiful place, one like no other.
I think your contributions add so much. Let the Holy Spirit direct you, or not as sometimes happens.
As for people being my friends? They are that and more…my brothers and sisters in Christ. But, Michael…they are your yours as well. I hope whenever you’re reading anything on this thread, you will feel comfortable jumping in the conversations any time you would like to. We learn from one another…through experiences and conversations (many that start out as one thing but soon grow to encompass everything). That’s the beauty of the human connection which is the stuff of life. We watch out for each other.
I’m glad you are here, my friend. You have your own branch in this beloved tree. I think you were meant to be here…I truly mean it. Bet
You are the epitome of kindness, B.
God bless.
Out of the mouths of babes💕
Maybe the House Freedom Caucus have learned Kirsten Sinema, Joe Manchin, and Mitch McConnell’s lesson: it is better to be uncommitted and have the power to make or break any deal that comes your way.
Just a thought.
I have often wondered if the lesson isn’t gradually being absorbed. Or if someone hasn’t clubbed them over the head with it.
The turning has to start somewhere.
You might like this video….Trey Smith comes off a bit different, but most of us here can relate! It is filmed in several locations but one is inside of the Ark at Ark Encounter in KY. I always liked Ron Wyatt but some things I can’t buy, he may be spot on and I’m off!? I like that Trey gives him credit on the possible Ark location on Mt. Ararat, many people have stolen from Mr. Wyatt and they are thieves! I mean he and his sons were arrested in Saudi Arabia and it was The Lord that protected him and his nurse / anesthesia experience helped to cure the guards and prisoners from some infection, I can’t remember what it was.
I have seen multiple tv shows that push forward the hypothesis that the original text could be translated as reed sea and then describe past events where shallow seas have been pushed far away by high winds, suggesting this happened for the Israelites somewhere in the nile delta.
And National Geographic recently had a show where (one legged) Albert Lin, who has several shows using technology to aid archeologists did one on Sodom and Gomorrah. All the links I can find ask for purchase, so I can’t give anyone a view.
They have several ruins that fit the right location and time. Some even suffered massive fire damage.
Those smushed up silt layers are caused in earthquakes. They use them to date when earthquakes happened. That is a rift valley and has lots of them.
Saw a different show on the rock formation that is called Noah’s Ark. The show was from the claim that it was the Ark, but they were totally failing to make the case. Couldn’t hide, but totally ignored the similar rock formations that surrounded it but were not ship shaped.
So much of what I see passed as science on TV is questionable. So always use your skepticism. Even on the shows that have real physicists blabbering on about the latest imaginative conception of how the world works. Scientists make their name by proving the last bunch as wrong, so much of that will change in ten to twenty years. Especially when they extrapolate off of so little evidence and a theory or simulation.
PRAYING ON THE ARMOR OF GOD
Father God, I now follow your command to put on the full armor of God, because my battle is not against flesh and blood but against rulers, authorities, the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the unseen world.
I first pray on the Belt of Truth that it may be buckled around my waist, may I be centered and encircled by your truth dear Lord. Hem me inside all that is true and right, and may I be protected and held up by the truth of your living word, in my Lord Jesus name.
I pray on the Breastplate of righteousness, please protect my vital organs and my inner man, cover my integrity, my spirit, and my soul. Guard my heart for it is the wellspring of life, please strengthen and guard the most vulnerable places in my life with that which is right, good, and noble that I might not receive a fatal blow from the enemy, in my Lord Jesus name.
I pray on the Gospel Shoes of Peace. I choose to stand in the shoes of your good news, and on the firm foundation of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the solid eternal rock. All other ground is sinking sand, I pray that I will not slip or fall, but that my feet would be firmly fitted on your lordship, my Lord Jesus. I choose to stand on you, so that the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus, the eternal Rock of Ages. I receive your holy peace now my Lord, from the sole of my feet to the crown of my head, in my Lord Jesus name.
I pray the Shield of Faith into my hand now. As I take up the shield of faith, I ask that you might extinguish every dart and arrow, that is launched from the enemy to take me down spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, and every attempt of the enemy to destroy my joy. I ask that my faith in you would make it flame out. Extinguish every flaming arrow that would come against me, my life, my family, my home, or my ministry. May my faith always be out in front of me like a shield. Give me the courage to “faith my fears” by choosing to walk by faith and not by sight, in my Lord Jesus name.
I pray on the Helmet of Salvation, that you might protect my mind from the thoughts that can lead me astray. I choose to take every thought captive, and arrest all intentioned ideas and motives that would harm others, or distract me from your holy will for me. I submit every captured thought to the Lordship of my Lord Jesus Christ, and ask that you would imprison those thoughts that are not of you my Lord. Transform my mind and renew my thinking that I may think God thoughts, and have a sober mind that is focused on your glory. Please protect me from being double minded that I may allow my mind, I reject to live an earthly life, because I choose to live a holy one, governed by you My Lord Jesus, the prince of peace, please have my mind to be saturated with the holy mind of Christ, in my Lord Jesus name.
Finally, I take up the Sword of the Spirit which is the holy word of God, I pray this powerful offensive weapon into my hand, and ask that your holy word would be fitting for every encounter I face. As the enemy gets close to me, please give me the insight, wisdom, and skill to wield the word of God to drive away the enemy, in my Lord Jesus name.
May the enemy and his team flee from me, upon hearing the word of God spoken by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit. Give me the sword of the spirit to cut through the wiles of the devil, so that I may discern the schemes of the enemy when he is near.
With all kinds of prayers, supplication, and intercession I pray to you my Lord God as the one who fights my battles. Now that I’m in your holy powerful armor, I walk away covered and ready to face my day as you go before me, and please protect me in the midst of the spiritual warfare in this unseen world, in my Lord Jesus name.
Thank you my Lord, for the spiritual weapons of armor and prayer that you have given me. It is written no weapon formed against me shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses me.
Thank you Father God, my Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit, that I am more than a conqueror in my Lord Jesus. I pray all of this in the mighty name of my Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ.
AMEN.
Verse of the Day for Wednesday, January 4, 2023
✟
“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
2 Peter 1:4 (KJV)
Thank You, Jesus, for blessings received and prayers answered!!!
Amen, amen, amen!!
BE MY VOICE
BABY LIVES MATTER
JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN
PLEASE PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER
May He graciously and mercifully help us to feel His strength and presence as we traverse the perilous roads ahead of this year.🙏
January 4
MORNING
Ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the Lord your God giveth you. Deut. 12:9
This is not your rest. Mic. 2:10
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. Heb. 4:9
Within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus. Heb. 6:19, 20
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:2, 3
With Christ; which is far better. Phil. 1:23
God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away. Rev 21:4
There the wicked cease from troubling: and there the weary be at rest. Job 3:17
Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matt. 6:20, 21
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Col. 3:2
EVENING
O death, where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory? I Cor. 15:55
The sting of death is sin. I Cor. 15:56
But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shalt he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Heb. 9:26-28
As the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Heb. 2:14, 15
I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness. II Tim. 4:6-8
J. Bagster
https://dailylightdevotional.org/01/0104.html
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. – Romans 8:8
Before Christ, the Jewish people attempted to obey the law to please God, but it only showed how people cannot live up to His righteousness on their own. Jesus offered Himself as salvation, fulfilling the law. By faith in Christ, you are united with God. Righteousness is no longer a list of dos and don’ts.
Believers do not adhere to rules, but walk in the Spirit, by loving God and others. In a believer’s effort to live a life that is pleasing to God, there is a danger of becoming like the scribes and Pharisees, feeling prideful if they keep rules and condemned if they do not.
Spiritual practices that are helpful in drawing you closer to the Lord can become religious rules, such as reading the Bible, attending church, or giving the tithe.
Then there are abstinences that can become “law,” like not drinking, not smoking, and not watching ungodly entertainment. The practices are not what get you to Heaven and you could perform them without actually deepening your relationship with the Lord. Like the Jews discovered by the law, trying to please God by the flesh cannot be done.
There is no condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1). When you are committed to the Lord Jesus, you are God’s child and accepted by Him (Ephesians 1:5-6).
Because of this, you act in love, living by the Spirit and not by the flesh. Give God thanks for your right standing with Him in Christ. Let your actions flow out of love.
Pray for the United States, its citizens, and government officials, that they will turn to the Lord and learn to love.
https://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/daily-prayer-briefing?utm_source=daily_briefing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_briefing&utm_content=daily_briefing
Amen, amen.🙏 There is much work to be done.
Good morning! Is George Carlin too caustic and foulmouthed for the Treehouse?
I’m pretty sure there’s a contingent here who appreciate his thoughts and style.
I referenced him once in a post elsewhere (no video), adding an opinion, GreyRockMan. Received blowback.
Discretion is the better part of valour, but I wouldn’t post him on this beautiful thread…
…signed, a well meaning friend💕 Bet
That is why I asked though did enjoy listening to a few vintage Carlin musings earlier today.
He was a truth teller. More relevant today I think as the curtains are drawn back.
Thanks B… I think references were what I remembered. Nothing outright.
Anglicanism in mortal peril in the home of my heart. It started with ordaining women and homosexuals. It has regressed even further to this…
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2023/01/the_church_of_england_accelerates_its_draincircling_trajectory.html
Oh betsy…
Should’ve added: ***big sigh***
Don’t see it posted.
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-01-04/us-reopening-visa-consular-services-embassy-cuba
https://www.rfi.fr/en/international-news/20230104-us-resumes-full-immigrant-visa-service-in-havana
Here’s some good news: Bad people sometimes make big mistakes. For example, see https://apnews.com/598b375ed200fc7f6ee3257f02c4a3eb “Florida sheriff: Burglars call 911 to get help moving stuff”.
A burglar called 911 to get help moving stuff that she and her boyfriend had stolen, and for them to get a ride to the airport. Instead, the two got arrested. Lol!
Sometimes the good guys win.
Amen.
Amen
Amen.
Amen.
Amen
Amen
Amen.