Friday, August 8, 2014
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Throw Back Thursday: Canon City, Colorado In June 1984 #tbt
In June of 1984 we where still living in Jacksonville, Florida. It was one year before becoming landed property owners in Southeast Georgia. We where both still fit at the respective ages of 28 and 36 but poor of pocket, but we both had gainful employment and hungered for a little adventure that summer. Rather than staying in expensive hotels hubby had the grand idea to rent a Coleman Pop Up Tent Camper. So, with our nice new Sable Brown 98 Oldsmobile, the Pop Up was pulled across country to Cañon City, Colorado, for two weeks of fun and frivolity.
There we stayed at a nice campground called Indian Springs Ranch. It was a working ranch owned by the kindly and generous gentleman Bennie "Pop" Thorson, Sr. He took in strays (as he called it): young men down on their luck and coming dangerously close to being jailed. The Judge would recommend certain fellows that needed guidance and he gave them honorable work with pay and they came out of it real men with direction in their lives.
Since it was a working ranch, we got to see the day-to-day operations involved in running such an enormous place. One "chore" that we city slickers really enjoyed was "punching cows".
This is my husband riding an appaloosa aptly named "Appy". I remember, my horse's moniker was "Little Buddy". For some reason, our horses did not like each other! Every time I'd pull up beside my husband to talk they would nip and bite at each other. Sometimes it would get a little heated. I had to maintain a safe distance from Appy so Little Buddy wouldn't start the argument all over again. In recollections it was quite funny but at the time at bit annoying.
The Ranch has the appearance of old, scrubby Bad Lands but is actually rich in ancient fossil beds. Some dated to at least over 450 million years old. The beds displayed microscopic fish eggs, dinosaurs, and ancient fish. The Royal Gorge is also nearby. We rode the Route Railroad through the passes, drove a few scary narrow canyon roads, visited museums, where entertained by the horde of Broad-tailed Hummingbirds at the campground feeders every evening, and even had an old timey photo taken that reposes on a bedroom wall. It was a wonderfully memorable trip.
On the return we over-nighted at Fort Mountain State Park in Chatsworth, Georgia, near Dalton. By then, we where road weary. But I have only happy memories. I feel so grateful to be married to such an adventurous man. I hope we have many more years to explore our lovely, always fascinatingly diverse United States.
Ride Safe,
Sunday, August 3, 2014
We All Love Lucy: Tribute To A Very Good Dog
(as my sprained wrists continue to heal, please excuse the 'cut and paste' memorial I've made for my sweet little lucy girl. thank you everyone for stopping by.)
Breed: Boxer
Sire: Max Cason
Dam: Bell Cason
Birth: March 5, 2003, Hoboken, Brantley County, Georgia
Death: August 1, 2014, Waycross, Ware County, Georgia
Burial: FindAGrave Memorial
It was a wet, stormy Tuesday evening here in southeastern Georgia when we brought Lucy home that April 8th. It rained so hard it was a real frog strangler. The young lady who bred the parents and raised her the first few weeks was very good to the puppies, I could tell. I think she'd been weaned only an hour before we bought her though! She had some wicked sharp teeth. The parent dogs were also well cared for with good personalities, something I was told to look for. Lucy stood out in the crowd of six puppies. I just had to have her. It was love at first sight for all of us.
Hubby gave her the moniker. I wanted to stick the handle "Boots" on her because of her white feet, but, no, hubby said she looks like a Lucy. So, Lucy it was.
She had a rocky start with Maxie but eventually they got along like old bud's. I'm so glad. Lucy was 6 weeks old on April 16, 2003 and already displayed LOTS of personality! She was so adorable and very intelligent with sweet searching eyes. She was an excellent companion, good watch dog, and quite sociable. It was a very happy day when we welcomed this little bundle into our family and hearts.
By July 21, 2008, Lucy had been limping rather badly for several days. So, we took her to the Vet to be examined. After X-rays, Vet told us she suffered from "ruptured cruciate ligament in the right stifle with arthritic changes in the left hip". Which meant it could not be fixed nor changed. She began taking a mild pain medication and glucosamine for the joints. This slowed down the degeneration a little and hopefully offered some relief. But I knew that Lucy was just handed a death sentence. Hip problems is how we lost our first big dog, Lady.
Again, more sickness for the poor kid. On August 1st she was rushed to the Vet, again, and we received the devastating diagnosis that she had contracted stomach cancer. Also by now the leg problems completely overwhelmed her aging body. She was paralyzed and in excruciating pain. We made the agonizing decision to give her permanent rest. Poor thing had lost so much weight and fur she was almost unrecognizable. Her life had become one of misery. Lucy went peacefully to sleep with me petting her gently on Friday at 10:11 am. Do you know, she was still "smiling" like she always did?! What a sweetie she was.
Lucy rests next to her best little buddy Maxie under the big oak trees in our personal pet cemetery. Everyone who knew her misses her very much. I know I do.
Ride Safe,
Lucy
Lucy Was A "Smiler", Always Happy
Photo Taken Aug. 1, 2014
Breed: Boxer
Sire: Max Cason
Dam: Bell Cason
Birth: March 5, 2003, Hoboken, Brantley County, Georgia
Death: August 1, 2014, Waycross, Ware County, Georgia
Burial: FindAGrave Memorial
It was a wet, stormy Tuesday evening here in southeastern Georgia when we brought Lucy home that April 8th. It rained so hard it was a real frog strangler. The young lady who bred the parents and raised her the first few weeks was very good to the puppies, I could tell. I think she'd been weaned only an hour before we bought her though! She had some wicked sharp teeth. The parent dogs were also well cared for with good personalities, something I was told to look for. Lucy stood out in the crowd of six puppies. I just had to have her. It was love at first sight for all of us.
Lucy Was A Bottomless Pit
At Meal Time
Her Idea Of A "Pot Party"
She had a rocky start with Maxie but eventually they got along like old bud's. I'm so glad. Lucy was 6 weeks old on April 16, 2003 and already displayed LOTS of personality! She was so adorable and very intelligent with sweet searching eyes. She was an excellent companion, good watch dog, and quite sociable. It was a very happy day when we welcomed this little bundle into our family and hearts.
The Orange "Thing" Was Her Favorite Toy
Again, more sickness for the poor kid. On August 1st she was rushed to the Vet, again, and we received the devastating diagnosis that she had contracted stomach cancer. Also by now the leg problems completely overwhelmed her aging body. She was paralyzed and in excruciating pain. We made the agonizing decision to give her permanent rest. Poor thing had lost so much weight and fur she was almost unrecognizable. Her life had become one of misery. Lucy went peacefully to sleep with me petting her gently on Friday at 10:11 am. Do you know, she was still "smiling" like she always did?! What a sweetie she was.
Lucy rests next to her best little buddy Maxie under the big oak trees in our personal pet cemetery. Everyone who knew her misses her very much. I know I do.
Ride Safe,
Two Minutes With The Bible ~ The Sword of the Spirit
The Sword of the Spirit 
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
“The Sword of the Spirit… is the Word of God” (Eph. 6: 17).
Of all the spiritual armor which believers are told to “put on” in Eph. 6:11-18, there is only one offensive weapon. This is “the Sword of the Spirit… the Word of God.” The Bible is called “the Sword of the Spirit,” because the Spirit of God is its Author. It is called “the Sword of the Spirit” because, thus written by God who knows all, it can cut deeply. This makes it, for the believer, a formidable weapon against Satan and the forces of evil. We are told in Heb.4:12,13:
“The Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
“Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”
As David said long ago:
“O Lord, Thou hast searched me, and known me.
“Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; Thou understandest my thought afar off” (Psa. 139:1,2).
It is because God knows and understands us so thoroughly that His Word can sometimes cut us so deeply. How wise, then, to bow before that Blessed Book, acknowledge its condemnation of sin and trust the Savior it presents! And, having done this, how wise to “put on the whole armor of God” in our stand against Satan and sin, not forgetting to “take … the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God”!
To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:
"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."
To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.
Friday, August 1, 2014
Funny And Not So Funny Friday ~ Therapeutic Screen Saver
I have temporarily sprained, or I have arthritis in, both hands. Riding is out, for now. Typing is also painfully difficult so I will be off-line, hopefully only for a spell. I pray it doesn't take long to heal. Isn't growing old fun!? NOT!
Plus, next week we will face the agonizing decision (I think ... if I don't change my mind ... again) that we will have to send Lucy the boxer to Rainbow Bridge. I can't even say the word. It hurts too much. Anyway, she's just in too much pain to continue. If she can't get better it's cruel to drag this out. She's old and it's "time". *sigh* I'm trying not to think about what faces us. I'm gonna miss that big, sweet dog.
But, life goes on. Here's something to tickle the funny bone for Funny Friday. Might as well laugh. Beats the stew out of crying.
Enjoy! ~:)
Plus, next week we will face the agonizing decision (I think ... if I don't change my mind ... again) that we will have to send Lucy the boxer to Rainbow Bridge. I can't even say the word. It hurts too much. Anyway, she's just in too much pain to continue. If she can't get better it's cruel to drag this out. She's old and it's "time". *sigh* I'm trying not to think about what faces us. I'm gonna miss that big, sweet dog.
But, life goes on. Here's something to tickle the funny bone for Funny Friday. Might as well laugh. Beats the stew out of crying.
Enjoy! ~:)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This is a relaxing and therapeutic screen saver.
As you watch this screen saver, if the falling figure gets stuck, all you have to do is drag the figure to the side a bit to avoid the obstacle. You can also grab the figure with the mouse and bash it into things. I made sure to beat mine to a pulp a few times.
Or, you can place the figure between the obstacles and watch it flail helplessly, which may make you feel better.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Two Minutes With The Bible ~ Salesmen And Soldiers
Salesmen And Soldiers
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
It is true indeed that salvation is bestowed by grace and received through faith — entirely apart from works, religious or otherwise. But it is equally true that it costs to embrace the truth and costs even more to stand for it, rather than selling out. This is why Proverbs 23:23 exhorts us to “buy the truth and sell it not”. In this sense we are not to sell the truth. Yet in another sense we are salesmen of the truth, urging men to buy it.
As we do this we find that there are those who would actually seek to hinder men from buying the truth. Yet it is not primarily they who oppose our efforts, but Satan and his hosts.
“FOR WE WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES, AGAINST POWERS, AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD [age], AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS [wicked spirits] IN HIGH PLACES” (Eph. 6:12).
This is why God’s salesmen must also be “good soldiers of Jesus Christ” (II Tim.2:3). We must make the glorious message known despite the opposition. We must “put on the whole armour of God” and meet our adversaries with “the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God”( Eph. 6:11,17). When they would shut our mouths we must pray for ourselves and each other:
“…that utterance may be given unto me, THAT I MAY OPEN MY MOUTH BOLDLY, to make known the mystery of the [Paul's] gospel.
“…THAT THEREIN I MAY SPEAK BOLDLY, AS I OUGHT TO SPEAK” (Eph.6:19,20; Rom.16:25, 26).
This, by the grace of God, is our prayer and our resolve.
To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:
"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."
To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Two Minutes With The Bible ~ Family Survival In A Nuclear Age
Family Survival In A Nuclear Age
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
There has been a great deal of discussion of late as to whether property owners should build fall-out shelters for their own families. Some have advocated building such shelters and providing them with all the necessities for survival, including even weapons to keep others from intruding or overcrowding the quarters! Others object to this, however, as a savage viewpoint, and feel it would hardly be worth survival to have to turn a deaf ear to the cries of neighbors or friends who might need shelter too.
Soviet Russia, however, is not the only threat to family survival. There are other forces at work, just as deadly but generally ignored. When this writer was a boy, dad read the Bible and we prayed and gave thanks to God at every meal. One result of this has been that today not one member of our large family shares the fears of the world as to the atomic bomb.
America as a whole is not so well off. She is departing from God and the Bible. As a result, a constantly increasing number of its families are being broken up through juvenile delinquency, alcoholism, dope, divorce, etc., and with these a chilling fear of the future.
St. Paul said to the Philippian jailor: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31). This, of course, does not mean that if a man trusts Christ as his Savior, the rest of the family will be automatically saved. The sense is rather: “Believe in Christ and you will be saved, and this goes for your household too — if they believe they will be saved” (Acts 16:31). As Rom. 14:12 says: “Every one of us shall give account of himself to God,” but it is a wonderful fact that nothing is so apt to keep a family together as mutual faith in Christ and a mutual love for the Bible. Let’s be more concerned about this type of family survival. Let’s make God our “fall-out shelter.”
To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:
"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."
To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.
---
Dear Readers: I know that this lesson may seem outdated, but with Obama and crew at the helm he is leading us over the cliff to ultimate complete disaster. PLEASE pray, and witness to those that are lost like there's no tomorrow! I have no special insight, and the Lord may chose to tarry another 1,000 years, but I do believe we have very few tomorrow's left. Unsaved souls must be our primary concern.
God bless you all. Ride safe.
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Obama Air Force Nominee Is Non-Pilot Female
Unbelievable! In yet another obvious attempt to further weaken the US military, Øblasphemer has picked a female non-pilot to head the US Air Force in the Pacific:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jul/17/air-force-command-nominee-is-1st-woman-non-pilot/
A non-pilot heading the Air Force? That will do wonders for morale, I am sure. What’s next? Perhaps a person who has never been on a boat leading the Navy and a person who has never shot a gun leading the Army? He's already stuffing the military with Muslims, deviants, and other non-American's.
I am very worried.
Ride Safe,
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jul/17/air-force-command-nominee-is-1st-woman-non-pilot/
A non-pilot heading the Air Force? That will do wonders for morale, I am sure. What’s next? Perhaps a person who has never been on a boat leading the Navy and a person who has never shot a gun leading the Army? He's already stuffing the military with Muslims, deviants, and other non-American's.
I am very worried.
Ride Safe,
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Winfield Farms Vintage & Now Shopping Spree #antiques
We enjoyed a lovely lunch today with good friends at the local Garden Cafe' in downtown Blackshear. After engorging ourselves on their delectable fresh homemade sandwiches, chips and sweet ice tea and a hour of friendly conversation, we all took our leave to go run errands. However, upon leaving the Cafe, I noticed a new antique store in the little strip of businesses. Yep, made a bee line for it too!
The store uses the title of Winfield Farms Vintage & Now. I meant to ask them if they where Winfield's but was so excited about the new finds, completely forgot myself.
Oh, yeah, life is good.
Also, prayers for all the families and friends with loved ones on the airplane in the terrorist attack in the Ukraine today. Our thoughts are with you.
Ride Safe,
The store uses the title of Winfield Farms Vintage & Now. I meant to ask them if they where Winfield's but was so excited about the new finds, completely forgot myself.
Oh, yeah, life is good.
Also, prayers for all the families and friends with loved ones on the airplane in the terrorist attack in the Ukraine today. Our thoughts are with you.
Ride Safe,
Throwback Thursday: 2004 Kawasaki Vulcan 750 #tbt #motorcycle
This week I'm featuring my old 2004 Kawasaki Vulcan 750.
04 June 2005
GA Highway 94
Columbia County, Florida
These where the Cruiser Years in the Sparky household. That was before I discovered Adventure or Dual Purpose Bikes. My husband calls cruisers Butt Jewelry. Men! *lol* He's right, though, because it's similar to changing from riding ponies to race horses. Adventure Bikes are a whole new ball game.
I was "bikeless" (horrors!) for the many years we lived in the Big City. I bought this cruiser style motorcycle shortly after moving to the Georgia countryside. It was easy to ride in a straight line, but it was a bear in the corners. The advanced fork rake made it hard to handle and it always felt like it was going to tip over. At least I had strong arms back then. Anyway, I thought it looked cool. I kept this little gem until it was traded for the 2006 Kawasaki 900 Vulcan LT Classic.
Ride Safe,
Monday, July 14, 2014
Simple Woman's Day Book #1
That's me, a simple woman, with simple taste's, and a simple mind.
First of all, I want to thank everyone for the prayers that I know where sent up for me this past week. I greatly appreciate your love beyond measure. Things worked out after all and the medicine is here. I'm happy and I give God the glory "Great things He hath done ..."
Ok, this is my first attempt at filling out the Simple Woman's Day Book linky. I hope it's not too boring for my readers. *smile*
FOR TODAY
Outside my window: Bright sunshine. VERY hot. It hasn't rained here in almost three weeks. It's getting scary dry again.
I am thinking: About how concerned I am for our country. We're being invaded daily by Mexico and the President is aiding and abetting the enemy. They are not "children", by the way, but young teens infested with diseases being shipped, unescorted all over America under cover of darkness. An evil darkness sits in control of our government.
I am thankful: For so many things but I will put my laser like focus on that medical things seem to be straightening out.
In the kitchen: I just finished cleaning up the supper dishes. Hubby created a real superb meal (he said I needed comfort food) of fried chicken, garlic gravy, ford hook lima's, and baked bread with real butter.
I am wearing: What is this? A crank call? *lol* Ok, plaid (duh) Bugle Boy shorts with a matching plain blue Icon T-shirt. and my favorite World Wide Sportsman flip flops
I am creating: A more organized, clutter-free home, I hope. We've been systematically working through every nook and cranny and deciding what to sell and what to throw out. Thanks to all this work, we now have an official pantry! It's big too. An entire room off the kitchen. All that is needed is more shelves.
I am going: Nowhere at the moment. Already ran my errands this morning; banking, grocery shopping and RiteAid for a few sundries. RiteAid was having a Buy One Get The Second Free soap sale so I stocked up.
I am wondering: What else I can sell to loosen up more room in the house.
I am reading: The Life of Elizabeth I by Alison Weir. I really enjoy Tudor History and just about anything English, especially related to the monarchy.
I am hoping: I sleep better tonight. I think I shall now.
I am looking forward to: Cooler weather, perhaps some rain, so we can ride again. I am seriously considering buying a more open helmet for hot weather but I so dislike having my chin 'out there' in case I take a tumble.
I am learning: To be a little more patient, I hope, and trust the Lord more.
Around the house: Again, organizing, cleaning, utilizing our space more.
I am pondering: Hmmmm ... I'll have to get back to you on that.
A favorite quote for today: "Let your conversation by without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5
One of my favorite things: No contest! Lindt 70% Dark Chocolate.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Auction is Friday evening in the neighboring town of Blackshear. I've kinda gotten hooked on these things. I even bought some of those little battery powered hand fans to keep myself cool. The boys, the Jack Russell Terriorists, will be one year old tomorrow. Where has the time gone!?
A peek into my day: This is what's in the garden. Well, at least the flowers are doing well after the Great Vegetable Massacre. *giggle*
Thanks for tagging along. Have a wonderful evening folks.
Image Courtesy of ZingerBug.com
Ride Safe,
First of all, I want to thank everyone for the prayers that I know where sent up for me this past week. I greatly appreciate your love beyond measure. Things worked out after all and the medicine is here. I'm happy and I give God the glory "Great things He hath done ..."
Ok, this is my first attempt at filling out the Simple Woman's Day Book linky. I hope it's not too boring for my readers. *smile*
FOR TODAY
I am thinking: About how concerned I am for our country. We're being invaded daily by Mexico and the President is aiding and abetting the enemy. They are not "children", by the way, but young teens infested with diseases being shipped, unescorted all over America under cover of darkness. An evil darkness sits in control of our government.
I am thankful: For so many things but I will put my laser like focus on that medical things seem to be straightening out.
In the kitchen: I just finished cleaning up the supper dishes. Hubby created a real superb meal (he said I needed comfort food) of fried chicken, garlic gravy, ford hook lima's, and baked bread with real butter.
I am wearing: What is this? A crank call? *lol* Ok, plaid (duh) Bugle Boy shorts with a matching plain blue Icon T-shirt. and my favorite World Wide Sportsman flip flops
I am creating: A more organized, clutter-free home, I hope. We've been systematically working through every nook and cranny and deciding what to sell and what to throw out. Thanks to all this work, we now have an official pantry! It's big too. An entire room off the kitchen. All that is needed is more shelves.
I am going: Nowhere at the moment. Already ran my errands this morning; banking, grocery shopping and RiteAid for a few sundries. RiteAid was having a Buy One Get The Second Free soap sale so I stocked up.
I am wondering: What else I can sell to loosen up more room in the house.
I am reading: The Life of Elizabeth I by Alison Weir. I really enjoy Tudor History and just about anything English, especially related to the monarchy.
I am hoping: I sleep better tonight. I think I shall now.
I am looking forward to: Cooler weather, perhaps some rain, so we can ride again. I am seriously considering buying a more open helmet for hot weather but I so dislike having my chin 'out there' in case I take a tumble.
I am learning: To be a little more patient, I hope, and trust the Lord more.
Around the house: Again, organizing, cleaning, utilizing our space more.
I am pondering: Hmmmm ... I'll have to get back to you on that.
A favorite quote for today: "Let your conversation by without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5
One of my favorite things: No contest! Lindt 70% Dark Chocolate.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Auction is Friday evening in the neighboring town of Blackshear. I've kinda gotten hooked on these things. I even bought some of those little battery powered hand fans to keep myself cool. The boys, the Jack Russell Terriorists, will be one year old tomorrow. Where has the time gone!?
A peek into my day: This is what's in the garden. Well, at least the flowers are doing well after the Great Vegetable Massacre. *giggle*
Thanks for tagging along. Have a wonderful evening folks.
Image Courtesy of ZingerBug.com
Ride Safe,
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Two Minutes With The Bible ~ Unions Or Unity?
Unions Or Unity?
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
Here is a company of Bible-believing Christians joined together in, let us say, an evangelistic endeavor. All are trusting in the shed blood of Christ for salvation, though some are Baptists, some Presbyterians, some Episcopalians and some represent other denominations.
Are all these believers one? Yes, in Christ, for “there is one body” (Eph. 4:4).
What united them? The “one baptism” (Eph. 4:5) by which the Holy Spirit unites all believers to Christ and to each other: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles…” (I Cor. 12:13).
Yet these same believers, all trusting in the finished work of Christ for salvation, remain sadly divided as far as fellowship in the work of the Lord is concerned. They may have blessed fellowship in their evangelistic endeavor, but at its conclusion they go back to their mutually exclusive church organizations.
The reason? Basically it is that they have confused “the gospel of the kingdom,” proclaimed by Christ on earth and His twelve apostles, with “the gospel of the grace of God,” proclaimed by the ascended, glorified Lord through the Apostle Paul (Acts 20:24; Eph. 3:1-3).
Striving over baptismal modes and meanings, most of them still require their particular forms of baptism for entrance into their churches, while explaining at the same time that the ceremony has no saving value and that it is not required by God for entrance into the true Church.
Can’t we stop being Presbyterians, Baptists and Methodists and just be Christians? Why should the Church of Christ remain divided and weak, when God says:
“WE BEING MANY ARE ONE BODY IN CHRIST, AND EVERY ONE MEMBERS ONE OF ANOTHER” (Rom. 12:5).
To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:
"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."
To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Precious Pets Linky
I've had many cats and dogs through the years. My favorite companion is a dog.
When Maxie died, I felt like I'd died with her. I really didn't want any more pets for awhile. It hasn't even been a year, and I still miss her terribly. But, life goes on.
Newest to the menagerie is Sam and Jack. Or as we call them The Jack Russell Terrorists! I should have named them Destruct-o and Mauler as they are known to destroy any toy within their eye sight. *lol* Anyway, I think they're kinda cute, even if they don't have fuzzy schnauzer faces.
Sam (left) and Jack destroying playing with a new toy.
"We're just two wild and crazy guys!"
Sam looks like he's saying, "Whatchya doin' Mommy?"
Lucy and Jack taking a nap.
Lucy, the 12 year old Boxer, was unsure of the new crew at first, but now she's warmed up to them and they are nearly inseparable. I think they bring her a lot of comfort in her old age. She's ailing a bit these days. Her hind legs are starting to atrophy terribly from her disability. Big dogs are such good fun but I think this will be our last one. It's going to really hurt when she's gone too.
Ride Safe,
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Two Minutes With The Bible ~ God For Us
God For Us
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
Many people, even religious people, suppose that God is against sinners. “Do what is right,” they think, “and God will love and bless you, but do what is wrong and He will be angry with you and curse you.”
Perhaps this view of God comes from the fact that many Scripture passages, especially in the Old Testament, reveal God as the Enemy of the workers of iniquity. But He is the Enemy of the workers of iniquity as such — as workers of iniquity, not as individual persons.
In Ezek. 18:23 God asks: “Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die… ?” And in II Pet. 3:9 we learn that when God might have judged this world for the crucifixion of Christ. He delayed the judgment because He is “longsuffering” and “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
The Apostle Paul, referring to the crucifixion, declares that “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (II Cor. 5:19).
How could He have shown sinners more conclusively that He desires their good than by imputing their sins to Christ and telling them that He is not imputing their trespasses unto them? Their trespasses will be imputed to them, of course, if they reject God’s provision of salvation through Christ, but for the present it is a wonderful fact that we can go to any sinner and say on the authority of God’s written Word: “Your sins have been paid for; God is not holding them against you. Will you accept His love and receive Christ as your Savior?”
No, unsaved friend, God is not against you. He loves you and provided abundantly for your salvation by paying for your sins Himself at Calvary. This is the essence of “the gospel of the grace of God” (See I Tim. 2:4-7). Will you believe it? Will you trust Christ now, acknowledging Him as your Lord and Savior?
To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:
"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."
To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Real freedom took real courage #TEAParty
Below is what I received in an e-mail yesterday from Fox News. I thought it would bare sharing. True patriotism is not flying a flag, wearing a uniform, or spouting the allegiance. It's the liberty given by our Creator God that lives in all men's hearts. But freedom isn't free. We have a tyrannical government running roughshod over our liberties. It may be drawing near to the time of watering the tree of liberty again.
Ride Safe,
Sparky
---
FOX News First: July 4
Real freedom took real courage
By Chris Stirewalt
Political courage these days is generally defined as a politician doing something that might make it harder to get re-elected.
Real civic leadership has always been about convincing people to do what’s right and hard rather than what’s popular and easy. Courage is part of that. People are less likely to follow a leader who asks them to sacrifice and struggle when he or she will not.
But now, that sacrifice generally refers to a politician having to spend more of other peoples’ money on a primary election contest or, in rare cases, moving to a lucrative career in punditry or influence peddling sooner than expected.
The courage of defying voters to give lobbyists and press hounds what they want in exchange for a lobbying job or to join the press pack is not exactly shivering with the troops at Valley Forge. In fact it’s not really courage at all.
On Independence Day, Americans do not celebrate actual independence from Britain, which didn’t formally come until the signing of the Treaty of Paris on Sept. 3, 1783. Nor do we celebrate the start of the revolution that would make us free, which began in Massachusetts on April 19, 1775 and lasted for eight years.
What we celebrate is the act of declaring our independence; the ratification and signing of a document that was meaningless without the might of arms to make it so. What we celebrate are the ideas in the Declaration of Independence, that most remarkable piece of political writing in history, and the courage of the politicians who engaged in what was seen by the duly established authorities as treason.
King George III claimed to derive his authority from God and had dominion over the official religion of the land. These rebels were said to defy even Heaven in what they said and wrote in Philadelphia that sweltering summer.
A cottage industry has sprung up around diminishing the sacrifices and nobility of the Founding Fathers. And to be sure, they were flawed men. For those who seek to find the flaws in the American experiment, it is perhaps irresistible to see its founders in a negative light. Perhaps it would just seem impossibly square to extoll their virtues. Cynicism sounds savvier, especially for those who struggle to see the arc of history.
But as you celebrate today, remember the story of Richard Stockton. He was born to a wealthy New Jersey family that helped found what we now know as Princeton University. Stockton had even been given the chance to travel to London to appear before George III to make a presentation to the king from the college’s trustees.
Stockton had struggled to find a way that the 13 colonies could be self-governing but still subject to the crown, the kind of compromise that would later come to Canada and other British possessions. He argued for such a deal and even counseled with leaders including Edmund Burke on crafting such a plan.
Back at home, Stockton was elected to the Second Continental Congress. By 1775, the burden of taxes and punitive laws imposed by the crown convinced him that George III had no intention of granting autonomy. When discussion turned to declaring independence, he was prepared to sign. With his pen strokes, he, a celebrated and elite British subject, became an outlaw and a rebel.
Before the year was out, Stockton would be captured by loyalists, have his estate looted and burned and be turned over to the British army in chains. His family fled and Stockton was thrown in a prison in New York where he was badly mistreated and left in failing health.
Stockton endured his captivity and was eventually released after George Washington protested the abuse. But Stockton’s health never recovered and he would die at home in 1781 without living to see the country he helped found victorious and independent.
So the next time somebody tells you that politicians today lack courage because they refuse to defy the will of their constituents to please lobbyists and pundits, remember Richard Stockton and what real political courage looked like. It wasn’t about K Street expense-account dinners and celebrity status. It was about sacrificing everything for the sake of an idea.
A very happy Independence Day to you and yours from the Fox News First team and the whole family here at the Fox News Washington Bureau.
Ride Safe,
Sparky
---
FOX News First: July 4
Real freedom took real courage
By Chris Stirewalt
Political courage these days is generally defined as a politician doing something that might make it harder to get re-elected.
Real civic leadership has always been about convincing people to do what’s right and hard rather than what’s popular and easy. Courage is part of that. People are less likely to follow a leader who asks them to sacrifice and struggle when he or she will not.
But now, that sacrifice generally refers to a politician having to spend more of other peoples’ money on a primary election contest or, in rare cases, moving to a lucrative career in punditry or influence peddling sooner than expected.
The courage of defying voters to give lobbyists and press hounds what they want in exchange for a lobbying job or to join the press pack is not exactly shivering with the troops at Valley Forge. In fact it’s not really courage at all.
On Independence Day, Americans do not celebrate actual independence from Britain, which didn’t formally come until the signing of the Treaty of Paris on Sept. 3, 1783. Nor do we celebrate the start of the revolution that would make us free, which began in Massachusetts on April 19, 1775 and lasted for eight years.
What we celebrate is the act of declaring our independence; the ratification and signing of a document that was meaningless without the might of arms to make it so. What we celebrate are the ideas in the Declaration of Independence, that most remarkable piece of political writing in history, and the courage of the politicians who engaged in what was seen by the duly established authorities as treason.
King George III claimed to derive his authority from God and had dominion over the official religion of the land. These rebels were said to defy even Heaven in what they said and wrote in Philadelphia that sweltering summer.
A cottage industry has sprung up around diminishing the sacrifices and nobility of the Founding Fathers. And to be sure, they were flawed men. For those who seek to find the flaws in the American experiment, it is perhaps irresistible to see its founders in a negative light. Perhaps it would just seem impossibly square to extoll their virtues. Cynicism sounds savvier, especially for those who struggle to see the arc of history.
But as you celebrate today, remember the story of Richard Stockton. He was born to a wealthy New Jersey family that helped found what we now know as Princeton University. Stockton had even been given the chance to travel to London to appear before George III to make a presentation to the king from the college’s trustees.
Stockton had struggled to find a way that the 13 colonies could be self-governing but still subject to the crown, the kind of compromise that would later come to Canada and other British possessions. He argued for such a deal and even counseled with leaders including Edmund Burke on crafting such a plan.
Back at home, Stockton was elected to the Second Continental Congress. By 1775, the burden of taxes and punitive laws imposed by the crown convinced him that George III had no intention of granting autonomy. When discussion turned to declaring independence, he was prepared to sign. With his pen strokes, he, a celebrated and elite British subject, became an outlaw and a rebel.
Before the year was out, Stockton would be captured by loyalists, have his estate looted and burned and be turned over to the British army in chains. His family fled and Stockton was thrown in a prison in New York where he was badly mistreated and left in failing health.
Stockton endured his captivity and was eventually released after George Washington protested the abuse. But Stockton’s health never recovered and he would die at home in 1781 without living to see the country he helped found victorious and independent.
So the next time somebody tells you that politicians today lack courage because they refuse to defy the will of their constituents to please lobbyists and pundits, remember Richard Stockton and what real political courage looked like. It wasn’t about K Street expense-account dinners and celebrity status. It was about sacrificing everything for the sake of an idea.
A very happy Independence Day to you and yours from the Fox News First team and the whole family here at the Fox News Washington Bureau.
Friday, July 4, 2014
What July Fourth Means To Me by Ronald Reagan #4THJULY
Editor's note: When he was president, Ronald Reagan wrote the following piece for Independence Day in 1981. Aide Michael Deaver later wrote: "This 4th of July message is the President's own words and written initially in his own hand." Contrary to media fiction, many of Reagan's speeches, commentaries, and other papers were written by Ronald Reagan alone in his own hand.
What July Fourth Means to Me
By Ronald Reagan
StrangeMilitary.com
For one who was born and grew up in the small towns of the Midwest, there is a special kind of nostalgia about the Fourth of July.
I remember it as a day almost as long anticipated as Christmas. This was helped along by the appearance in store windows of all kinds of fireworks and colorful posters advertising them with vivid pictures.
No later than the third of July - sometimes earlier - Dad would bring home what he felt he could afford to see go up in smoke and flame. We'd count and recount the number of firecrackers, display pieces and other things and go to bed determined to be up with the sun so as to offer the first, thunderous notice of the Fourth of July.
I'm afraid we didn't give too much thought to the meaning of the day. And, yes, there were tragic accidents to mar it, resulting from careless handling of the fireworks. I'm sure we're better off today with fireworks largely handled by professionals. Yet there was a thrill never to be forgotten in seeing a tin can blown 30 feet in the air by a giant "cracker" - giant meaning it was about 4 inches long.
But enough of nostalgia. Somewhere in our growing up we began to be aware of the meaning of days and with that awareness came the birth of patriotism. July Fourth is the birthday of our nation. I believed as a boy, and believe even more today, that it is the birthday of the greatest nation on earth.
There is a legend about the day of our nation's birth in the little hall in Philadelphia, a day on which debate had raged for hours. The men gathered there were honorable men hard-pressed by a king who had flouted the very laws they were willing to obey. Even so, to sign the Declaration of Independence was such an irretrievable act that the walls resounded with the words "treason, the gallows, the headsman's axe," and the issue remained in doubt.
The legend says that at that point a man rose and spoke. He is described as not a young man, but one who had to summon all his energy for an impassioned plea. He cited the grievances that had brought them to this moment and finally, his voice falling, he said, "They may turn every tree into a gallows, every hole into a grave, and yet the words of that parchment can never die. To the mechanic in the workshop, they will speak hope; to the slave in the mines, freedom. Sign that parchment. Sign if the next moment the noose is around your neck, for that parchment will be the textbook of freedom, the Bible of the rights of man forever."
He fell back exhausted. The 56 delegates, swept up by his eloquence, rushed forward and signed that document destined to be as immortal as a work of man can be. When they turned to thank him for his timely oratory, he was not to be found, nor could any be found who knew who he was or how he had come in or gone out through the locked and guarded doors.
Well, that is the legend. But we do know for certain that 56 men, a little band so unique we have never seen their like since, had pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. Some gave their lives in the war that followed, most gave their fortunes, and all preserved their sacred honor.
What manner of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists, 11 were merchants and tradesmen, and nine were farmers. They were soft-spoken men of means and education; they were not an unwashed rabble. They had achieved security but valued freedom more. Their stories have not been told nearly enough.
John Hart was driven from the side of his desperately ill wife. For more than a year he lived in the forest and in caves before he returned to find his wife dead, his children vanished, his property destroyed. He died of exhaustion and a broken heart.
Carter Braxton of Virginia lost all his ships, sold his home to pay his debts, and died in rags. And so it was with Ellery, Clymer, Hall, Walton, Gwinnett, Rutledge, Morris, Livingston and Middleton.
Nelson personally urged Washington to fire on his home and destroy it when it became the headquarters for General Cornwallis. Nelson died bankrupt.
But they sired a nation that grew from sea to shining sea. Five million farms, quiet villages, cities that never sleep, 3 million square miles of forest, field, mountain and desert, 227 million people with a pedigree that includes the bloodlines of all the world.
In recent years, however, I've come to think of that day as more than just the birthday of a nation.
It also commemorates the only true philosophical revolution in all history.
Oh, there have been revolutions before and since ours. But those revolutions simply exchanged one set of rules for another. Ours was a revolution that changed the very concept of government.
Let the Fourth of July always be a reminder that here in this land, for the first time, it was decided that man is born with certain God-given rights; that government is only a convenience created and managed by the people, with no powers of its own except those voluntarily granted to it by the people.
We sometimes forget that great truth, and we never should.
Happy Fourth of July,
Ronald Reagan
President of the United States
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