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
Cupid’s Kitchen – Hit Me With Your Best Shot – Pat Benatar
Cupid’s Kitchen is a Chinese drama about a Michelin chef who is losing his sense of taste. Finding a hotel management trainee with a perfect sense of taste, he brings her in as an apprentice, bullying her into becoming the chef he needs her to be. Pressed into a cooking contest that should be beyond her, the apprentice is cheated on in almost every phase of the contest – from having her practiced-on greens substituted for unknown ones, to being kidnapped to make her forfeit. But determined not to be looked down on again, she bounces back each time.
Cupid’s Kitchen – Chinese drama – English subtitles – 40 episodes
Lord of the Rings – I Like Fighting – Shenendoah
Lord of the Rings – One Man Magical Show – Julia Ecklar
Lord of the Rings – Tam’s Song – Julia Ecklar
Mary . . . I think you have an inner redneck . . . Cutting film to music (and having it work) = always makes for good editing . . . 🙂
Don’t understand the meaning of “inner redneck.” Apologies. Cutting to classical music is very different because you are concentrating on the heavy notes. I’ve seen the work of friends who make their cuts at the end of the notes that go with the last words and keep the notes that go with the new words. I cut exactly on word start because I don’t want to give away the surprise of the coming cut. The art of cutting music to film just awes me.
<laughing> “Inner redneck” is a metaphor for unexpected (on the part of others) inner strength. It’s something I learned from my father, who came up hard and poor in the great depression and then spent his working life in trucks and buses. On the surface he was a very gentle soul (and a wonderful dad) but when necessary could summon a surprising fierceness. Although I lived a life very different from his, I think some of that (I hope so, anyway) rubbed off on me.
I was thinking of that watching your Lord Of The Rings choices, especially Shenandoah’s I like fighting — definitely a redneck anthem if ever there was one! It also reminds me of Born Fighting, James Webb’s history of the Scots-Irish in America.
This one is a bit of a sophisticated fighting song. Did it for a friend.
Lord of the Rings – Men of Harlech – Royal Regiment of Wales, The Royal Welsh
This one is sort of in the middle fighting.
Lord of the Rings – Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
And then there’s those who really wish they didn’t have to fight.
Hobbit – Walk Thru the Nightside – Julia Ecklar
The ones I like best are character studies.
Hobbit – From Silver Lake – Jackson Browne
Hobbit – Song For Adam – Jackson Browne
Always stirring, Mary. Thanks 🙂
Re: editing. You are far in advance of my primitive editing skills. In the analog days what you can do in such a short time consumed huge amounts of time and required amounts of patience that, alas, I didn’t have. I was real good using a graphic equalizer to lay in narration pickups. Since our studio was built by broadcast guys we were stick with a 12 pot audio board which had obvious built in limitations. We did have a Nagra w/ portable mixing console for remote work which was pretty cool.
I did a great deal of analog work. For decades. And, yes, it required incredible amounts of patience to do and redo edits when you didn’t know exactly what the results would be. As long as they didn’t eat into my final, I could redo it until the cows cried out for dinner. But as the analog equipment aged, it WOULD start to eat into the final. So I got very friendly with the RCA tech people who would let me into the back room as they adjusted my machines, with me explaining what the bare minimum I needed them to do was. And when I was working 1″, I would make the tech stay for the amount of time we were paying for and have him teach me when he was done with the adjustments.
“Shaping” music to film, I should have said. I watched a friend draw a curve on a note to end a phrase. VERY impressed.
Lord of the Rings – Long Long Time – Linda Rondstadt
Lord of the Rings – One Man Magical Show – Julia Ecklar
Lord of the Rings – Marching Orders – Julia Ecklar
Very nice Mary.
The one with Linda Rondstadt was amazing.
Had to turn the volume down a bit it almost blew me out of the room.
I had forgotten what VOICE she had.
So glad you liked it. I took a Linda Rondstadt tape and played it from the east to the west coast when I was traveling by train. LOVE her voice.
Replacement for the duplication. Sorry. Sigh.
Lord of the Rings – Fellowship Going South – Julia Ecklar
😎
https://twitter.com/trustjesus333/status/1624257508427632640/mediaviewer
😂🤣😂
Hmm…this page doesn’t exist. Try searching for something else.
Oh, dang!
Go to
Thelastrefuge2 at Twitter
Scroll down just a little to:
“Trump and Son”
Sorry, Patience. I get confused VERY easily. I don’t understand “go to Thelastrefuge2”. Can you give me the full url and I’ll do a search page for “Trump and Son”?
Sundance at twitter is
TheLastRefuge2
Wait! I think I understand. This is all inside Twitter. I’ve never been inside Twitter so not sure if it’s rejecting me because I’m not registered with them. Most social media things I can’t see because I’m registered with none.
I’m not a member
I only read there
OK. Husband got me onto the site but it’s totally confusing. I officially give up. But thanks for trying to send me.
Patience, your posting was addressed to Mary, so I hope you don’t mind that I Iooked at the delightful ‘Trump and Son’ parody. I also do not twit, have never joined, but was pleased that I could watch that video. I really did LOL. Thanks for the fun.
Same here, Patience! I watched and it tickled me!!
😎
https://twitter.com/trustjesus333/status/1624257508427632640/mediaviewer
🤣🤣😂🤣
Hmm…this page doesn’t exist. Try searching for something else
On the back of your exquisite work, Mary, you reminded me of a series in the UK, overlooked by many. Short vignettes satiring the over the top hoity toity cooking shows.
Hope you don’t mind my leaving one here…
POSH NOSH
Episode 1
“Architect’s Fish and Chips”
Of course not. Perfectly relevant. I’ll watch it once I’ve had breakfast. Always appreciate that sort of thing. My two shows like that are Hell’s Kitchen and Project Runway. Bought the DVDs every season and binged like crazy.
There are many episodes if this takes your fancy. Innuendo runs rampant, of which the British are masters…or were before that became a prosecutable offense.
Loved it, Betsy. Thanks for posting. I recently watched some videos that showed life in the best hotels in London and the pretentious, downright silliness of the Michelin food made me laugh so hard. One recipe called for live black ants to be crawling over the hay-based dinner. But of course, my dear, they were the finest imported Danish Black ants. For the satisfying crunch, no doubt. :-))
You are so welcome, jb. Ha! A warm up for “you vill eat ze bugs” no doubt…which I won’t.😉.
“Pretentious” is the mot juste. Which is why I loved every short episode of Posh Nosh, near the knuckle sometimes as it was. It’s so good to laugh. Blessings to you.
“…I desire fruit that may abound to your account…
We’ll WP,
I desire that fruit. More fruit. Much fruit abound in your account as you labor to get the Word to out!
According to 2 Corinthians 5:10, I’ll see you at the bema (raised dais) along with all the believers here.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”
Makes me tremble…
Grace to you and yours. ✝️
Thank you Frank, and the same to you
“. . . from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Beautiful, Frank … all of it – your words and the Scripture.
And any mention of the “bema” (mercy seat) moves me to worship the Lord Jesus Christ.
Is there any other response? No…
Good morning Frank! May we all bear much fruit.
🔥🙏🔥
Thank you WP!
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.
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Heard Dat!
Caught that darn bug!
“And please bless my owners ’cause I haven’t figured out yet how to open those cans…”
😂😂😂
and P.S. , please let FedEx bring my “Chewy” box today. 😹
👍👍
Morning Ya’ll 🙂
Lovely, Jay. There’s serenity, but there’s also complexity to keep me interested and looking around. Enjoy this one a lot.
A bridge to the next week 😎
Nice thought.
Hope it’s not the “bridge over troubled water….” 🤔
Bridge of sigh’s 🤔
🤔 🤔 🤔 🙏🏻
Mornin’ jay 🙂
🇺🇸😁🇺🇸
I agree, Mary, Lovely Serenity.
As always, a beautiful picture! The complexity of the brick arched bridge, no matter how big or small, amazes me.
I love Roman and other such histories. The following was interesting:
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/roman-aqueducts
🇺🇸🙏🏻🇺🇸
Boy, I can just keep looking at that picture! It is somehow very relaxing and satisfying, isn’t it?
Thanks Jay
Add me and a fishing pole 🤔😁
Morning jay!
Morning, G🤗. Hoping for a quiet weekend for you.
Quit just for a short time. But enjoying the hour break. 🙂
Everyone has to refuel…
Howdy Gramps 🇺🇸🙏🏻🇺🇸
Morning, Mr jay. And that bridge was constructed by hand. I love looking at structures like this and others from so long ago. It wears its patina of age so beautifully.
Maidin Mhaith Betsy In today’s throw away society craftsmanship can be appreciated by some of us 😁
Whenever I see craftmanship, it speak volumes to me:
* time, passion, talent, skill, patience, determination, quality, effort, pride, and on and on …
I love winter paintings!
Light and shade…I love them as well.
One more . . .
Howdy Garrison 🙂
Howdy again, jay 🙂
Good morning, Garrison. A very nice selection for a Saturday which really sneaked up on me this week. Blessings, my friend.💕
Mornin’ Bet. Haven’t put up any Kat music for awhile. I really like her music. Blessings to you too, love. 🙂
Thank you, bless-ed friend.💕
Good morning Garrison!
Mornin’ Gramps. Nice bright morning . . . for a change. Enjoy! 🙂
Ooo my, she’s just as cute as her voice. Nicely different from the rest of the lady crooners.
Yep. She’s just darlin’ . . . 🙂 Did see the Baby It’s Cold Outside video she did with Lyle Lovett?
Yes, I think you posted that one awhile back. I’ll look it up again…
READY TO HARVEST
This comment is a bit out of my usual routine. It refers you to an excellent and unbiased (IMO) source of information about different churches and historical religious movements. The author is a young scholar outside my own religious tradition.
The site, called Ready to Harvest, is operated by a professor at an Independent Baptist seminary. In each video, he briefly describes a denomination or church movement or association. Alternatively, he often compares two or more of these in a single video. And in some, he discusses broader issues of belief.
When talking about various religious movements and what they teach, he takes pains to present respectful, unbiased information, using language from publications of the organizations being reviewed. The man is very clear and concise.
I was tempted to link his blurb on my own church. It struck me as accurate as anyone could be in 4 minutes. But I decided instead to include his 12 minute video about the difference between four major Protestant traditions in the US. Around half-way through, he emphasizes that each tradition has both liberal and conservative wings — often with differences more significant than the church labels might indicate.
For me, watching these videos has probably sharpened my own beliefs a bit. But it’s mostly increased my respect for what other people believe.
If you want to look at this fellow’s work, click the YouTube icon and then the Ready to Harvest link next to the subscribe button.
Wow, Thank you 1530 for posting this. It really does give a concise overview quite well, for its brevity. I think that knowing these basics are extremely important; especially if one feels strongly inclined to evangelism and teaching. My opinion about all of them: I would probably fit closest to the Methodists and Baptists in some ways; except that I have not found Baptists that believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit for today, nor of exercising the gifts of the Spirit. But on all the lines of the cross of Christ, and the individual’s need for repentance and conversion, yes. I know it was not part of this video’s topic, but I’d be interested t know what his take is on the Pentecostal experience, and the subsequent Charismatic movement.
Anyway, Very Interesting, The more knowledge we can get, the better equipped we can be. I think my summary take away, is that knowing the Word of God in the obedience of faith, would clear up all the errors and divisions. As Paul wrote, Now the end (the thing aimed at) of the charge, is love out of a pure heart, and a good conscience, and faith without hypocrisy (stage-playing); from which, some having missed the mark, are turned aside to vain *jangling (a discordant, harsh, or unpleasant [especially, metallic] sound. – Collins Dictionary) . . .”
Thanks Brother.
Since there is only forty-eleven different types of Baptist the takeaway message needs to be a bit broad. LOL In my neighborhood the formerly named (by signage anyway) Southern Baptist are now Community Baptist. Keep looking you’ll find some Baptist who exercise the gifts of the Spirit somewhere.
Oh, have you heard of Freewill Baptist? That would be a good place to start. It Freewill Baptist still exist.
My cultural heritage is Primitive Baptist. We only went to church once a month. You had too much work to do to be messing around in church “every other day”. LOL You don’t want to mess with them. They don’t proselytize either.
Intense, this is what the gentleman has to say about Primitive Baptists (and above, Free-Will Baptists).
I wouldn’t be able to say how accurate this is, but you probably could.
My mistake. Not Community Baptist. It’s just called Community Church. My bad.
Not sure if this is the right thread to post this but-God bless Rod Serling.
I concur. Where are this generation’s Rod Serlings?
One of my favorites. 🙂 I got to meet Dionne Warwick once, when I worked at the Rexall near Beverly Center; she was very friendly. Saw and/or met a number of celebs working there; which was fun. It was an interesting Social Study. Diana Ross came up to me one time, with her great big hair, and big wide smile, saying, Do you know who I am? I did, but I couldn’t remember, so I said, Donna Summer! Oh she got mad, and stomped off! Lots of funny little stories; but just like my Mom used to say, They all put their pants on the same way in the morning!
Coincidence – Burt Bacharach just passed away on Wednesday of this week. He wrote this with Hal David for Hal’s movie of the same name.
Burt wrote a LOT of tunes that Dionne Warwick sang.
Tattoo – Happy Caturday, all y’all
I hope that’s not permanent! Funny, but not forever.
It is kind of funny imagining what it will look like when she is in her 80’s.
Judging from the slight discoloration of skin either side of the lines, I think it is a permanent tat.
Every cat owner can feel that image to their bones. Our babes don’t mean to hurt us but, boy, are those little claws sharp.
Applauding!!!! I can hear the protest cries from here. Wonderful with the magnolia blossoms behind and that perfect sky and glorious green. The picture is so very good. It’s got life and color and warmth. Well done.
Who loves ya, baby!!
beautiful, Mass
Get some !!!
White farmer, Zimbabwe
How to change lanes in L.A.
Good way to deal with potential car jackers.
https://m.facebook.com/reel/1360362848046564/
“Where did God come from?”
I think this would wreck some arguments of “science”.
If man evolved from apes, why do we still have apes?
Great question.
And why aren’t there billions and billions of transitional life forms found in the fossil record?
Same answer.
Or why is there currently not billions and billions of transitional life forms?
For some answers o these questions watch videos of Dr. Hugh Ross, Christian Astrophysicist. Website ‘Reasons to Believe. ‘ Books: ‘ The Creator and The Cosmos’ ( somewhat challenging for a person with a non-science background.) ‘The Improbable Planet. ‘ less Challenging. ‘Why the Universe is the way it is.’
a video:
Only two were able to get on the Ark?
snarc
I know a few guys who I don’t think evolved…..
LOL!!!!! No Ark for THEM!!!
🤣
11 February 2020 (Bhekizizwe) Joseph Shabalala, South African singer, songwriter, founder and musical director of Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Paul Simon Graceland), dies at 79
11 February 2006 Jockey Shabalala, South African singer (Ladysmith Black Mambazo), dies at 62
Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes
11 February 2018 Vic Damone [Vito Farinola], American singer (“On the Street Where You Live”), entertainer, actor and TV presenter (Vic Damone Show), dies at 89
11 February 2013 Rick Huxley, British rock guitarist (Dave Clark Five – “Glad All Over”), dies from emphysema at 72
11 February
Whitney Houston
(1963-2012)
American singer (“I Will Always Love You”; “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”), actress (The Bodyguard), and film producer (The Princess Diaries), dies from an accidental bathtub drowning at 48
I Will Always Love You
I Have Nothing
Greatest Love Of All
11 February 2009 Estelle Bennett, American pop singer (The Ronettes – “Be My Baby”), dies at 67
11 February 1999 Jaki Byard, American jazz pianist (Charlie Mingus), saxophonist, drummer, composer, arranger, and educator, dies from an unsolved gunshot at 76
You’re taking me waaay back, Magic… loved “Be My Baby!”
Bodyguard is one of my ALL TIME favorite movies! Have watched that SO many times.
Been intending to watch Bodyguard for the longest time but, for some reason, never got around to it. Thanks for jogging my aging-in-place memory! 🙂
I do hope you find and enjoy it. I’m a sucker for bodyguard movies.
Nor did I, I’m guessing you can’t find it at the local redbox either, guess its amazon movie <check> as well as Youtube <check> not that I wish to give a wooden nickel to either of those options.
Tubi Nope
Pluto Nope
Bet I know someone that owns the DVD…hum.
Someone asked the question this morning on Fox and Friends, ” If you could have your choice of music entertainers for Halftime at the Super Bowl, alive or dead, who would you pick?”
Many of the young weighing in selected the usual living entertainers and many selected Whitney Houston as their other favorite, and NO ONE selected Elvis, but I thought about this…
What about Whitney Houston and Elvis?
They both started in gospel. They both had exquisite voices. I think that combo would be sublime!!!!
Whitney …yes… altho I have a Whitney voice @ karaoke and is exceptional at it, her sister too.
Elvis… yes…. next to nobody does Elvis @ karaoke, I only do blue christmas @ x-mas and probably exceeds all Elvis ever done count wise combined.
Prince ….. and he did it …. in the Purple Rain…. I would definitely watch a repeat.. of the half time show anyway.
Metallica… yes…. they put on one of the best shows I have ever seen for the black album tour.
Rush… yes… seen a boatload of those and all were superb.
Michael Jackson… yes
Beatles…. probably… which leads to the :
Traveling Wilburys…. yes
Eagles… definately
Good morning Treepers
Good morning.
You’d need to be wearing stiff canvas to play with those kitties.
Before doing that, best ask “Where is Mama??”
Good morning Bet, Joe, and again, Frank! Heading to our monthly men’s breakfast in a bit. Men from several churches gather once a month and we rotate the church hosting the breakfast. Good fellowship.
Nothing like it, G. In fact, these says, it is everything.
Niiiiiice 🙌🤠🙌
Both!!!!
😁
Yes…head on a swivel! ❤️
360 degrees.
They can sleep anywhere
Morning, Joe. Sweet baby. I can actually feel his silky little head.💕
Good morning, Bet. He (or she) is a purty little thing. Wish I were holding it.
I have the back door open again so the dogs can go in and out. Woke up about 45 minutes ago and having a cup of coffee while letting some fresh air come in the dining room.
40 degrees F and sunny.
Sun is full out here as well, 45. Nice and warming out in it, but step in the shade? Brrrrr. Speaking of coffee (a drink I could as a youngster never understand liking…blech!) I need to have another and contrary to my younger views am really looking forward to😁.
Oh, Joe! That is one of the BEST of the cat pictures. Agree with Betsy. You can feel your fingertips tingle at the thought of the very light, gentle touch you’d make on the little one. Thank you for this.
Good morning, Mary. I’m up again after sleeping for a few hours. That is a cute little baby kitty. Glad you like the photo.
I nap up and down all day and night, too. That feeling just as you’re about to fall asleep is SO luxurious.
Puppy!!!!
It’s been few years since i heard that one. I think it s very good.
Isaiah 6:8-10 “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And He said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; that they not see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.”
This that the LORD is saying, is something most important to understand about who the Father draws to Jesus. We believe, that God calls all men to repentance; and is unwilling for any to perish. How is it then, that while the LORD is calling for someone to send; the message He gives to His messenger, is that He is blinding their eyes, and stopping their ears, and hardening their heart from being converted, so that He NOT heal them! And when the prophet answers Him, How long, Lord? He says essentially, Till there is no one left that haven’t been removed from the land; but even so, His remnant will be what keeps the whole world alive during that time.
This is quite a different Glad Tidings then is most commonly preached these days. All about Jesus dying on the cross for us to save us from our sins, is taught far and wide; which is wonderful and nothing more important. But it is in fact only half of the message; for He said, “Except you repent, you shall all likewise perish;” and, “For judgment have I come into the world, that those who are blind may receive sight, and they that see be made blind.”
I believe that there is something in the hidden part of our hearts, which only God sees and knows, where He decides who shall be called and who will be turned away. That doesn’t make God the maker of the evil choices, but the righteous judge. God doesn’t force anyone against their will; although He may do everything to persuade a man, and cause things to work against him, to that end. But when someone has determined in their heart like Cain, to make no accounting of himself according to the Word, of Christ coming in the flesh to redeem us to God; then He says, “He that hears, let him hear; and he that forbears, let him forbear; for they are a rebellious house.”
What we have to know about His mercy and forgiveness, is that it is conditional upon certain things He finds in our hearts, that make us either of the world and of the devil, or of the truth. The Scripture says, that God fashions all our hearts alike, and He considers our works. A very good analogy I heard a long time ago; “Two men looked out prison bars; one saw mud, and the other saw stars; which one are you?” Our hearts are either like wax or like clay. The same sunlight and warmth of heaven shines the same on both; but one gets soft and melts; while the other one dries and hardens to stone. Whatever that innermost part in us is; that’s where God chooses either to give to someone to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, or not to give; but to shut their eyes, stop their ears, and make their hearts thick as grease, and unable to be converted and healed.
It is important to note; that when Isaiah first saw the Lord in His glory there; his reaction was the same as everyone’s shall be, when He appears; “Woe is me, I am undone; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell among a people of unclean lips!” If we are of the truth, and can come to Jesus NOW in this time, before its too late; then He will also stretch forth His hand in mercy and cleanse us and make us whole. But if people don’t know the hour of their visitation, and miss Jesus passing by; then we have to know, that there is only one end for that one; unconverted and unhealed.
Good morning, Michael.
Good morning Joe.
This pretty much explains why…so many people will raise their fists up to God during the tribulation, spoken of in Revelation. I’ve always wondered how this could happen when there will be so many signs and wonders in the heavens that could only be from God himself. And still, they curse him…
I wonder, too, Stevie…. If people would only “look” they would see the goodness of God all around.
He speaks clearly through His creation. He sends the sun, rain and crops for sustenance. He gives us the beauty of mountains, oceans, rivers, prairies, etc. to enjoy – including the animals. And the ultimate – a newborn baby!
There is nothing more precious than a new little life on earth. Yet, people’s hearts are hardened to the Giver of all good gifts. They continue to “take” from Him and never acknowledge where it originates.
God tells us in His Word they have spiritual blinders and cannot “see” the truth. Believers need to pray for those He brings to mind that they would see His light, Jesus. The Light of the world.
I always thank Him for those who prayed for me when I was walking in darkness. . .
“I always thank Him for those who prayed for me when I was walking in darkness. . .”
Amen Miss Della…Amen 🙏
Amen, stevie.
Amen! I’m looking forward to meeting those who prayed for me, when they saw me “out there.” And I can’t wait to meet my guardian angel[s]; boy, do they deserve a crown! And I also am looking forward to putting the faces to all the names of all my brothers and sisters here. 🙂
“boy, do they deserve a crown!”
I get it, Michael! Especially, my two dear grandmothers … I probably gave them “camel knees!”
Have a blessed weekend…
Hi Della, Yes, I look back and try to think of Grandmoms, and Aunts, and my Mom; and the Lord knows who else I never knew; who must have prayed in some way; most not according to the way we do, (Jewish don’t pray in the Name of Jesus); but the Lord goes looking for His lost sons and daughters; and we owe it also to have the same feelings for those we see “out there” and lost, without the Lord. ‘Knees like a camel’ is convicting! I do try to pray often; but I think our posture in praying is also important. Thank you Sis!
You too have a great weekend!
Saw this and thought you might appreciate…
“My yelling at a squirrel to get out of the road so it’s not squished by a car is probably the same feeling as my guardian angel has watching my life.”
If we’re truly honest, I’m certain everyone at one point or another has had his or her guardian angel feeling the same about them.
Thank you, dearest Lord, for Your emissaries who keep a watchful eye on the individual sheep in Your flock.
🙂 That sounds pretty accurate! It makes me think of when me and my brothers were little, and how we put Mom through all that running behind us with a paddle. Of course the biggest and strongest tool of persuasion was the threat of telling Dad when he gets home.
But on the subject of Guardian Angels; you know the part, where Paul said, to be careful to be hospitable to strangers, because Angels often come to us unawares? Do you ever think about unusual rescues from situations, where one or two persons were just suddenly there, to give you some advice, or whatever; that got you out of a bad situation? I think we’ve had a number of those things happening at times; and we’d wonder about it afterwards.
One time me and my wife were on an outing in the car; just going for a ride wherever, to enjoy the outdoors; and we (I) ended up turning onto a logging road, that led deep into the woods. Judging by the map, I thought we were kinda close to a little berg where we would come out. But as we were driving for quite a long time, and the needle for the gas tank was going down, plus it would be getting dark in a couple hours; needless to say, we didn’t realize how much trouble we were getting into. Then out of nowhere, in the middle of nowhere, all of a sudden there was a little white car, and two guys in it; so I pulled up along side, and asked them about the distance still to go. They looked like just two ordinary local young men, but we didn’t feel threatened or sketchy in any way around them. So they told us, Oh its about 30 miles still to the place you want to go; you’d be better off going back before its dark. I remember us vaguely wondering about that at the time; but for some reason I thought of it again as I was going to sleep last night (about 6 am).
What do you think of those kinds of encounters? I’m sure we all have things like that happen. I know people in the world have a good laugh, or shake their heads at such talk; but I think there’s a lot more heavenly involvement in our lives, than we have any idea.
Like what the Lord Jesus said, as He was surrendering Himself into their hands who came to arrest Him, “This is your hour, and the power of darkness.” This hour, I believe, is still what we’re in now, until the power of darkness and the transgressors are come to the full. It has been a revelation to me, that the time of the end isn’t something coming, as though it were from somewhere else; or as if this world had nothing to do with it till it gets here. But Paul said, that the mystery of iniquity is already at work; and the time only waits for God to let go all restraint from them. Also what John said, that even now are there many antichrist’s, whereby we know that it is the last time. So the last days are the period from Christ’s coming in the flesh, until the completion of the age. And the things that have always been at work in the world, must continue as the Lord said, “Now nothing shall be restrained from them, of all that they have imagined to do.” The day and hour no one knows, except the Father; but the signs and instruction of the times, He has given us to know all things, by His Spirit, and by His Word.
I always thought that Oklahoma was nothing but oil rigs, plains, and barbwire fences. Miles and miles of cowpiles. Wrong. Beautiful country in this state.
There you go again LOL…feeding that camping bug! 🤣 Oklahoma is beautiful but can be very extreme in it’s weather patterns. My favorite place to camp is Robbers Cave State Park located near Wilburton.
From the Oklahoma Historical Society: “Located four miles north of Wilburton on State Highway 2, Robbers Cave State Park, originally Latimer State Park (name changed in 1936), encompasses more than eight thousand acres and includes three lakes and many tourist amenities. The lore associated with Robbers Cave area has a long history, dating to its use as an Osage hunting ground and as the object of French exploration in the eighteenth century. Later, Civil War deserters and outlaws reportedly hid in the cave, including the Youngers, the Dalton Gang, the Rufus Buck Gang, and Belle Starr. The location and local terrain made the cave an almost impregnable fortress, with the criminals allegedly able to escape through a secret back exit.”
I moved to Oklahoma in the summer of 2008. So far, there are 2 things I haven’t seen yet. A tornado, and a copperhead snake. I’ve heard the sirens go off a few times, but no twisters came close to where I live. Yet. Only snakes I’ve seen are the gopher snakes that come through the back yard occasionally.
I’ve camped near Draper Lake a couple of times with relatives in the late 70s. Recently it’s just driving to places like Seminole, Lake Eufala, and Twin Lakes near Shawnee. Robbers Cave State Park sounds like a great place to visit and camp out for a few days. I bet there’s some interesting stories about Robbers Cave.
26 degrees and clear outside. Brrrrs.
Niiiiiice
When you see a copperhead you’d instantly recognize it. They are pretty docile creatures and will try to get out of your way. Just don’t step on them. The last one I saw was in our vegetable garden curled under a tomato plant. Thank God that He directed my eye’s straight to it. Got my snake catcher and moved it. I don’t kill them crits unless they decide to be aggressive. But most snakes aren’t except the water moccasins.
Hi Grandpa, I would’ve had heart attack! Last summer there was one stretched out – in all his glory – on front porch! Big, rounded and six feet long!
Hubs removed him out into yard. It was a “coachwhip” and I discovered on the web they will actually chase you! Very aggressive. They do eat rattlers, though.
You are right, they are aggressive, too. I was talking poisonous snakes.
Ohhhhh!
Well, Grandpa, poisonous or not, they ALL give me the creeps.
Years ago, used to have nightmares about the things. Who knows what that means. 🤪🤪
Now – try not to think about them, AND watch my step.👍🏻
One of grandfather Jack Bell’s stories, “The Lurking Death.”
https://www.iment.com/maida/family/father/jackbell/Jack-Bell-Lurking-Death.htm
A couple of years ago we had a cottonmouth on our back porch as well…. curved around three clay flower pots we had there… in front of one, behind the next and then in front of the third. Luckily, that position prevented him (or her… I didn’t check… LOL) from coiling to strike. We called animal control and they removed him…. after quite a tussle and chase.
That’s one thing I don’t miss about Southern California; Rattlesnakes and Scorpions and Black Widow Spiders! Rattlesnakes on the patio, and scorpions coming in the house! Thank the Lord no one ever got stung or bit. Don’t want to be around ‘critters’ like that, thank you.
And bears in people’s swimming pools. Support wildlife. Have a pool party.
I almost stepped on a large diamond back rattler when I was walking down a trail in the Arizona desert. You won’t see too many of them during the day because of the extreme heat, but they start to come out right after sundown.
It was close to sunset when I had a close encounter this particular rattler. It was huge. It retreated and went down into a burrow, rattles buzzing loudly. I retreated in the opposite direction.
Tarantulas like to come out at night in the desert. I saw lots of them when driving down the roads near Wickenburg, AZ.
There’s a certain time of year, out east of San Diego, where the Tarantulas are all out in the tens of thousands; it looks like they’re migrating! All over the roads and the fields, as you go up into the hill country of Descanso, on the way towards Julian.
My wife told me about the tarantulas that would cross the roads outside of San Diego when she and her first husband would go on motorcycle runs. She would put her feet up as high as possible on the bike so the spiders wouldn’t end up on her legs. And she hung on to her hubby for dear life. She said there were huge masses of them; they were probably migrating to another location.
copperheads: we were getting ready to go dancing at the Wolf’s Den. I turned so he could zip my dress. I asked him what those squirmy things were under the china cabinet.
watermoccasins: water skiing in my bikini. sister steered boat 180 degrees and I couldn’t hold on. ended up in a bed of watermoccasins. they were as surprised as I and sister threw me the rope before they woke up.
rattle snakes: going out the door at Uncle Jim’s I almost stepped on a sunning Missasauga.
black snake: two year old came into kitchen and got jelly beans to “feed wom.” After a bit I opened back door and there she was trying to get a huge black snake to eat a jelly bean.
Whoa….talk about close encounters.
Our now almost 23 yo granddaughter had a friend in elementary school that had a pet named Checkers. 😀
Its been so many years since we lived in a ‘south-land’ we’ve really gotten used to the cool rainy climate of the Pacific North West. 26 is kinda cold! 🙂 This last Autumn (about a week in November), it was really cold! Down to single digits and tens; and then the power went out for three 1/2 days! So we huddled up with candles, and insulated the best we could, and prayed for the men out there working on it. Every year is always a little different; I don’t get what the big panic is, if its warmer or colder, wetter or drier: who really cares? That’s life on earth! God told Noah and his family that’s how it would be as long as there is a world!
Genesis 8:22 “While the earth remains, seed-time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”
God knows how everything is supposed to work that He created, I think!
Check out the Blue River in Tishomingo. I’ve had family and friends there many times.
It’s a simple place. Never crowded unless you go to the annual trout holliballoo. I avoid crowds 😎
https://thedyrt.com/camping/oklahoma/blue-river-campground
Sportsman’s Lake near Seminole is never crowded. Best time to go there is during week days. But even on weekends, I’ve seen a couple of vehicles, maybe one boat out on the lake itself.
Just out of curiosity, I’m wondering how many other Treepers live in Oklahoma? It looks like there are quite a number of us here.
I know that some Treepers live in Texas, Florida, and Georgia as well as other states in the Midwest.
Again, just curious.
Joe, the other day I thought about this, too! Curious about number of states represented in this Tree. It encourages me knowing that there are “conservative misfits,” (as Sundance refers to them) scattered throughout this great country!
Here are few states I’ve noted: Alaska, Washington, CA, Texas, Georgia, Florida, SC, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Ohio, OK, CO, NY, IN, WV. And maybe NJ.
Think you’ve covered most of them , Della…add Illinois (Aggiegirl).
East Texas at Cedar Creek Reservoir.
Great photo, I’d like to go there. Preferably when it’s not crowded. I, too, tend to avoid crowds as much as possible.
I love people!!
But also, I am happy with my own company. Not alone at all. I know Almighty God is with me.
Not to mention letting all your guarded secrets out!!
Years ago, “Miss” Oprah Winfrey ran her mouth about Atlanta, GA being best place to live.
They all came and now stacked like sardines in a can. 😅😅
Exactly! 🙄 Here’s an example of what our Gov. Stitt is doing for his population…🤗 (.19 secs)
Yay!
Sounds like he’s a great governor!!
I wondered if OK is getting many illegal aliens coming from the open borders?
They’re showing up here in GA. Makes my blood boil.😡
EXCELLENT! That should be an Amendment to the Constitution!
There should also be a mandatory test of Loyalty to everyone who wants to run for Public Office.
She’s a “Mizz”…
Wasn’t sure, hard to keep up! 😅 😅
Just don’t let her know anything about your town/state – she’ll blab to the world.
OTH, there was “probably” a political motive behind it.
GA used to be red state, now purple…
I know it is and it is sickening…with a lot of help from supposedly “Red” governor and AG…and Dominion .
Yes, LOTS of “compromised” help… 😡 😡
Here’s a little extreme in weather for you.
Staying Below The Critical Two Degrees WarmingPosted on February 11, 2023 by tonyheller
On February 16, 1936 Glendive, Montana was -50F and on July 5, 1936 they reached 113F. A span of 163 degrees in less than five months.
Staying Below The Critical Two Degrees Warming | Real Climate Science
Hey Joe,
Ya know where that looks like? (well, sorta; no rocky hills though), I have a friend who lives in Heavener, OK. Its all on the east side next to Arkansas, pretty rural area.
Good morning Michael…Heavener OK is home to the Rune Stone Park. Beautiful trails that slope deep into the earth…😁
Good morning Stevie. 🙂 Do you know the area? I was only through there once, on my way to Homestead, FL after Hurricane Andrew. I was there about 3-4 days. I like Oklahoma.
yes, been there several times and will go again whenever I get the chance 😁
I’m not sure where that photo was taken. Probably somewhere in eastern Oklahoma. What is striking to me are all the mountains, woods, and back country in Oklahoma. I’ve seen some of it around Turner Falls which is on the way to the Texas state line.
Indonesia had a couple of strong earthquakes. A 5.9 magnitude and a 5. I’m wondering if a larger quake will hit that country soon. Lots of volcanic activity in that area also.
I’ve often sought the yearly drawing for elk in Lawton, OK., but have not yet been selected. There are MONSTERS there.
I keep my arrows perfectly sharp…just in case. 🕶️
These pictures look like that area. Beautiful!
Lawton, OK – when I was eighteen, me and my friend’s brother hitchhiked from Westminster, CA to Lawton, OK. He was supposed to know somebody there; but when we got into town, he didn’t even have a last name or an address! Whew! does the Lord take care of fools and drunks? Well by a miracle, we made it safe back to So.Calif. and I got to spend two weeks at David R. McMillan. . . for incorrigible boys; where I read the New Testament for the first time in my life. Slowly and in His own way, The Lord had the idea to have mercy on me.
Correction: I was thinkin’ about it, and I think I was actually only seventeen at the time. Some forty four + years later, I can hardly believe how naive and stupid I was as a teenager.
Everything that’s put out by the world as cool, and what they portray as real manhood, etc! And if your parents are not Christians, and don’t teach you the Bible; there’s so many who really are put at a disadvantage for life. “The simple pass on and are punished;” was my story, like so many others from my generation, who made those same bad choices, and treated their conscience like their enemy; so many destroyed lives!
Beautiful, beautiful state, Joe!
That first image is breathtaking. It’s not just beautifully composed, it also forces stories into your mind of all of the places to which that road leads. Lovely. Thank you.
“To lie under a tree, listening to the murmur of the water, and watching the clouds float across the sky is by no means a waste of time.”
~John Lubbock~
What a lovely spot to not waste time.
IS YOUR HOPE IN GOD FAINT AND DYING?
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose imagination is stayed on Thee.” Isaiah xxvi. 3 (R.V. marg.)
Is your imagination stayed on God or is it starved? The starvation of the imagination is one of the most fruitful sources of exhaustion and sapping in a worker’s life. If you have never used your imagination to put yourself before God, begin to do it now. It is no use waiting for God to come; you must put your imagination away from the face of idols and look unto Him and be saved. Imagination is the greatest gift God has given us and it ought to be devoted entirely to Him. If you have been bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, it will be one of the greatest assets to faith when the time of trial comes, because your faith and the Spirit of God will work together. Learn to associate ideas worthy of God with all that happens in Nature – the sunrises and the sunsets, the sun and the stars, the changing season, and your imagination will never be at the mercy of your impulses, but will always be at the service of God.
“We have sinned with our fathers; …and have forgotten” – then put a stiletto in the place where you have gone to sleep. “God is not talking to me just now,” but He ought to be. Remember Whose you are and Whom you serve. Provoke yourself by recollection, and your affection for God will increase tenfold; your imagination will not be starved any longer, but will be quick and enthusiastic, and your hope will be inexpressibly bright.
Oswald Chambers
February 11th Devotional
Good morning juststevie.
Howdy Joe…..it’s gonna be a great weekend! Mr. Sun will be visiting…🌞😊
Hi Stevie, How’s it going? Thank you for the post; something to be sure about, keeping our mind stayed of the Lord. Does it mean constantly every second occupied until its tedious? Or is it rather constancy of spirit, where the mind/imagination is presided over by the Holy Spirit; so that our freedom stays within its own proper eco-system? It is called the perfect law of liberty/freedom; the law of grace that really makes free!
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee.” Isaiah xxvi. 3
A good lesson to be sure! It’s part of my resolution this year to keep Jesus always in front of my thinking processes during the day. Joy with Jesus! ✝
Talking of imagination, I have a very devout and spiritual friend, while going through some tough times, was attempting to pray when the words from Isiah 41: 9 ,10 came to him “I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said, ‘You are My servant.’ I have chosen and not rejected you. 10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness.” He testifies that he could not get past the first word “I”. In his “imagination” he couldn’t get past just what that simple “I” actually meant. That the Creator of the universe, of all the galaxies, of “space” of time, of life, things seen and unseen,of all things imagined and still to be imagined, was “with you” – “standing” right there. The poor man says that he was struck mute a full 20 minutes just “imagining” how unbelievable it was – that the Creator of the universe, the Blessed eternity, the Truth itself would choose to “be with” such a lowly, “ignorant” sinful man. What he “heard” over and over, reassuringly was “because I care”. It was/is a powerful and pivotal moment in his life – probably all of ours. As for me, my imagination often goes along these lines.
What a powerful story!!!! So glad you shared that!
“God is the best listener. You don’t need to shout, nor cry out loud. Because he hears even the very silent prayer of a sincere heart.”
…which I believe are very often times the loudest, even if we don’t know it.
So true, B! Most of the time, He is the ONLY listener.
We humans tend to tune each other out for whatever reason – distraction, fatigue, etc.
But God is always there, 24/7. One of His attributes I love!
Thought of this Scripture:
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. (1)
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. (2)
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. (3)
Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. (4)
Psalm 139:1-4
Such a good testimony, OS! Reminded me of a Scripture:
”What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?”
Psalm 8:4
A heads up warning…You have to be aware of it to protect yourself and your family. 😧 Why you shouldn’t have any pictures of yourself on the world wide web!
We are about to witness a firestorm of porn addiction brought on by AI-generated art. With this technology, anyone with a photo anywhere could become an unwilling star.
https://www.theorganicprepper.com/ai-porn-addiction/
Wow. Thanks for the warning. I just have an old flip phone and a laptop. Still in the Stone Age as far as electronics go. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Internet go down when it hits the fan.
Truly disgusting identity theft of a different type
Consider it passed along. Thank you 🙏
Thank you, juststevie. My lot are so careful. But the warning will go out. Awful…awful.
Each dawn is like a small creation event.
Good morning all.
Glory to The Most High, and thank you! 🎉✝️🎊✝️🎉
Yes. Good morning all. ✝️
As the sun rises, His mercies are fresh every morning.
Helios Overture
“From the blind of time rise,
Thy soul be now restored
To dwell in Paradise
In the bosom of our Lord.”
Mornin’ all!
😄
Ain’t she the one so concerned with COVID that she kissed Kamala Harris’ husband on the lips at the State of the Union address?
And “Look Ma!!! NO MASK!!!”
Good one, WeeWeed! Have to laugh to keep from crying…
😀
Orchestra conductor pranked on his birthday while he is conducting.
Sound on.
This is just wonderful, WP. His face!😁
Sweet!
. . . but deliver us from the Evil One.
The Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.
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)
Saturday of the 34th Week of Epistles; 17th Week of Saint Luke
Translation of the Relics (5th century) of the Hieromartyr Ignatios the God-bearer, Bishop of Antioch (+ 107)
Saint Gildas the Wise, Abbot, Rhuys, Brittany (+ ca. 570)
Saint Andrew (Rublev), Iconographer of the Spaso-Andronikov Monastery (Moscow) (+ 1430)
January 29th – Patristic Calendar of the Orthodox Christian Church
February 11th – civil or commercial calendar
Saints of God pray for us!
Happy “cartoons and cereal day” everyone.
have a blessed saturday.
And to you, Slowcobra🤗
Good morning all.
Here at my central Indiana home, after a good warm up with winds and rain, it is Sunny, clear, and a frosty 26 deg. F. The weather app says it will get up to 45 deg. today but it has not gotten as warm as they have forecasted a single time in the last 3 days.
The leftists wackos are still trying to believe that if they can reduce atmospheric CO2 the weather will improve. But to try and maintain that belief they have to lie like this example from the BBC.
BBC Refuse to Correct Blatantly False Hurricane Claims | Watts Up With That?
To maintain their beliefs, they have to revise what history they think they can and ignore that which cannot be revised. When one confronts them with undeniable historical facts, is when the cognitive dissonance kicks in. Seen this dynamic in action countless times. They simply cannot be kept on the subject or point that was being discussed.
That is what they must do to hold on to the belief that the weather was much better before atmospheric CO2 got over 400 ppm.
February 1884 Tornadoes And Flooding | Real Climate Science
February 10, 1921 Tornado And Floods In Georgia | Real Climate Science
Verse of the Day for Saturday, February 11, 2023
✟
“I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.”
Isaiah 44:22 (KJV)
Thank You, Jesus, for blessings received and prayers answered!!!
All of it, very powerful for me today, duchess. Amen.
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.
BE MY VOICE
BABY LIVES MATTER
JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN
“If we are declared dead when our hearts stop beating, why are not declared alive when our hearts start?”
A question I would love to put, face to face, to those who say that the lives of God’s precious unborn are not lives at all.
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
They’ll never give you a straight answer to that one, Betsy. The logic is too powerful for them.
This I’m afraid is true, GB.
I suspect there’d be about 3 minutes of dead silence, plus quizzical looks as they tried to think of answer…of which there is none.
Perhaps, however, the question would stick in the minds of those who were asked, so that in whatever quieter moments they may have, it would crawl back into the recesses of their little selfish brains. And they’d consider.
PLEASE PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER
Reminds me…CS Lewis…
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
I NEED HEAVENLY HELP
Have you noticed lately, Lord
I am shaky, unhinged, and floored
At what has just happened to me
I am not as sound as I used to be
My steps are labored I cannot sprint
My mind is sharp my muscles splint
My gait is slow and wouldn’t you know
My 100-yard dash it ain’t no mo
When I was young full of energy I was
My prowess in sport impressive it twas
But now I struggle just to keep going
As the years pass by I am slowing
I cannot complain by any measure
My life has taken on brand new treasure
My daily chores are so different now
An about turn they have taken somehow
I contemplate and meditate much more
My prayers are more meaningful than before
My divine appointment has been redefined
With His Divine Will it is much more aligned
Sometimes I need help keeping upright
A cane prevents me from taking flight
A handrail assists in climbing the stairs
Without these aids I could land anywheres
It is manifest madly maturing
How many more years there’s no assuring
But God has made provision for us
No reason to fret or kick up a fuss
He provides us with companions of all sorts
From animals to flowers diamonds and quartz
He turns our attention to things on high
He prompts us to look up into the sky
He sends us smiles and blessings each day
Just not in the ordinary or usual ways
A giggle here and a belly laugh there
From cyber friends on blogs everywhere
So if you are feeling old and less than useful
Remember there is more for you that’s museful
There are babies and kitties and puppies
And there are wokies, pokies and yuppies
There are nitpickers pastors and prophets
There is beauty in nature and soffits
We could be here all day naming the gifts
How marvelously God’s blessing uplifts
Suffice as to say on any given day
There are things that appear to get in the way
There are frustrations/delays we must endure
And many bumps in the road that is for sure
So if you are feeling bumped and bruised
And your body is reeling from being abused
Call on the Angels charged to assist you
And thank God they can never resist you!
D01: 02/10/2023
Very nice…..thank you, Duchess.
So true, dear duchess. It is a gift to be the age we are. And there are so many blessings that just keep a-comin’. We are all in God’s waiting room after all, and that’s a fact. So while we are there, it is so good to lift our eyes and take in all that He has provided, so we can give heartfelt thanks for each one.
My “check engine” light hasn’t come on just yet…
Thank you for this poetic creation. You really have a talent for saying everything just right. Blessings always, my friend and fellow branch dweller💕
Thanks, Bet!!!
This poem was written for an elderly cyber friend who took a tumble, was hurting, and feeling foolish –
By the Grace of God – it lifted her spirits!!! And…I. suspect you know about that since….
You spend your time here doing the same!!! 💖🧚🏻♀️💖
Oh my goodness, dear friend…😘
I remember a story by an elderly well known British actress. And it is killing me I can’t recall her name, but Dame May Whitty sticks in my mind.
She was talking about aging and was describing the time she misstepped off a curb and collapsed face up in the gutter. She said it was so embarrassing, but she pretended she meant to do it, and just lay there looking up at the sky. Now that takes grace and thinking (while she was on her way down no doubt😁)!
Falls are not funny, I realize. Especially as one ages. The trick, I’ve decided, is to not brace for impact, but just go like a boneless chicken. I’ve read that’s the best way to avoid the worst of what could happen. But I’m certainly not advising trying it out!
I have no doubt your poem lifted her spirits mightily. But it lifted mine as well. What an indispensable and wonderful blessing you are.
The mornings simply aren’t complete without well chosen and oh so beautifully illustrated Scriptures. Thank you from my heart…with much love❤
Your posts always uplift, duchess, along with daily precious Scriptures!
This poem reminded me of another I found years ago. Maybe you’ve heard of it…
Blessed In Aging
~Esther Mary Walker
Blessed are they who understand
My faltering step and shaking hand
Blessed, who know my ears today
Must strain to hear the things they say.
Blessed are those who seem to know
My eyes are dim and my mind is slow
Blessed are those who look away
When I spilled tea that weary day.
Blessed are they who, with cheery smile
Stopped to chat for a little while
Blessed are they who know the way
To bring back memories of yesterday.
Blessed are those who never say
“You’ve told that story twice today”
Blessed are they who make it known
That I am loved, respected and not alone.
And blessed are they who will ease the days
Of my journey home, in loving ways.
Oh Della, that is so beautiful.
We actually start to disappear from the sight of others in this world as we grow older I think. Others see the outside, and not the in.
I have to remember my chronological age because I am certainly older looking (as I am always shocked to see when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror); but I “feel” myself so much younger. That hasn’t changed.
There is an art to helping older souls we may run into who need a little assistance, which not many I find know how to do gracefully, without making such a person feel diminished.
We may be shrinking (well, I certainly am😂) but we are not fading away as the moon, ever above us, disappears with the rising of the sun.
Still here, still kicking by golly…by the grace of God.
Isn’t that sweet – and so true!
Your entire post says it all so well and I’m just nodding my head in agreement…
I’ve always had special affection for elderly (and children and anyone who is weak for whatever reason). Probably because my two GMs lived into their nineties.
I was my mother’s sole caregiver for fifteen years which was one of hardest things I’ve done;
However, lessons were learned and good came out of it! In particular, becoming more patient and compassionate. And, putting her before myself. Of course, that’s what Christ wants us to do, right.
But I had to learn the hard way…
Another side story – there is a small assisted living homes in my area with eight residents.
Last summer I contacted the owner for possible volunteer time there. She would not accept me unless I wore a mask and had the C. vaccine, to protect the residents.
It broke my heart as I told her No.
So many have been “cheated?” because of this evil. I only wanted to make friends with the elderly ones and visit. They are very lonely…
I cannot tell you how angry that makes me, Della.
Evil is what it is…cruel and evil. It breaks my heart as well…not into two but into unmendable pieces.
I prefer older people, of which I guess I am one.
They have wisdom, and they have stories to tell. Their history and knowledge of those who have gone before. Their teaching never stops if only people who ignore or dismiss them would deign to take the time to learn.
They are the links to our past, precious and irreplaceable.
I know it was hard for you, my friend, and probably equally hard for your mother in many ways. You honoured her as Christ commanded. Which is He wants us to do. Amen.
I’m definitely one now… a mixed blessing, I suppose. Aging, that is.
We either die young, or grow old. Of course, that’s all in God’s hands.
For several years, I’ve become frustrated and sad. Family members have busy lives, not much time to listen to those stories and wisdom.
I would give anything to talk with those again who have gone on….So many things to ask!
Yes and yes. Oh yes.
Especially what you said about families, mine included.
And I tell myself this is the way it is and is supposed to be. And yet…
A long time ago an older neighbour lady used to phone me around 5, wanting to chat. I had three young children, dinner to get ready, on and on…
I would of course chat with her, but in the back of my mind I kept thinking of the things that I just had to get done.
But it wasn’t until I “grew up” and got much older that I realized that for those of a certain age, 5 o’clock is possibly the loneliest time of day. I have read this and believe it to be so; and I find it true now that I’ve reached that “certain age” myself.
Mine all have their busy unrelenting duties with jobs and family which must take precedence. So now I look back and remember this lady…
And I marinate in memories most dear of those who are gone and remember their stories and sigh…and get a sharp ache in my heart because they are gone.
In short, dear Della, I understand exactly what you are saying and how you feel.
Same and same again…💔😘
”What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” C.S. Lewis
(One reason I love Clive Staples Lewis…)
And you, too, Betsy. Maybe we should just cry some tears in our beers. Just kidding.
Give it to God – that’s the best way. He’ll work it out.
Oh how I love that from Lewis. And yes, I too. Comes with age I fear.
What a relief it is to have Someone to give it to. You are so right.
But beers?
Sherry, dahling! As befits two Southern ladies😉😘💕
Yes, Della – a beautiful tribute – a consoling word – Thank you for posting….
I will share it with her – I can see her smiling 😀❤️🧚
So kind of you, Duchess, to help your friend! I know that makes her smile, too!
Praying that God will continue His care over her in a special way…
✝️ 🙏🏻
Amen🙏🏻💕
A Caturday Concerto
Oh dear goodness!! 😂😂😂
No Cat-chaturian he… but a sterling effort. Thanks, Sybil.
That was terrific! What imagination!
Moment debris falls onto rescuers in Turkey’s Hatay | Watch (msn.com)
Turkey-Syria earthquake updates: death toll passes 25,000 as Erdoğan warns against looting (msn.com)
?w=1600
When these cats scream, the sound is horrific.
Many cougar/puma/mountain lion here. Sounds they make when they mate my hair stands on end. Worse than screech owls.
Ah yes, nothing like it when a screech owl suddenly starts up nearby.
too true! I was about 14 and alone at the farm in the old house when the screech owls began right outside those thin blown glass bubble windows and I thought I would soon see ETs. They are really darling little birdies.
Ad Rem –
all of my comments go to moderation, every time.
Any idea why?
It has to do with the apostrophe in your username acting as a “delimiter” A delimiter serves as a data and code boundary when being read by a program. Our software reads it as stop sign.
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/3779/delimiter
I’ve already fixed this for five other Treepers….so deleting the apostrophe WILL work. 😀
(I deleted your other post because it would do nothing to solve the problem.)
PS….expect to go into moderation ONE MORE TIME…’cause you’ll be seen as a new commenter. But….after that….FREEDOM!!! 😀
Some reports from the Israeli rescue team in Turkey. By the way Turkey is not a friend of Israel and supports Hamas. The Turkish people are not enemies of Israel. Israel sent hundreds of special soldiers with advanced means to rescue and some additional volunteer organizations. So far they saved the lives of about 19 people, in one case a whole family.
Shalom,
David
Shalom David!
Shalom friend.
and i call…your..name ….
Amen.
Amen.
Amen
Amen…
Amen.
Amen
Amen 🙏