Light Of My Life

There are so many things that are a beacon of hope to humanity, lights of our lives, if you will: friends, family, material possesions, memories, etc. God understands this since "... we are dust" [Psalms 103:14] and cannot understand all spiritual things yet. I'm thankful He forgives me of my weaknesses. It's natural to want to cling to what we are familiar with. I have my own self-made comfort zones too. One of them is financial needs.

The meeting with Financial Guy went really well. Better than I expected. I think the dangerous time for us has been averted. Hubby and I prayed before going into the meeting, seeking further guidance from the Holy Spirit who loves us best. The true Light of our lives. Our blessed Savior and He was there. And I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all the prayers of all you dearly, beloved saints. For you are saints. Anyone who believes in Jesus Christ is called a saint. Whenever there is a concern and believing Christians all put their spiritual “shoulders to the wheel”, things get moved. Last night I could feel your love and concern about the meeting. God answers prayer. There was peace, a calm and an understanding which we where lacking before. Thank you so much for adding your "shoulder" to our burden!

The good news made me so lite hearted that it definately called for a ride. Yucky weather be darned. We hopped on the metal steeds and galloped off into the sunset. Well, Ok, it’s too overcast to tell but there will be a sunset. *lol*

 Hubby with his 2013 Honda CB1100.

He said all it lacks is a windshield.

My 2012 Suzuki V-Strom DL650.

The most perfect motorcycle ever! 

(Not that I'm prejudiced or anything.) *lol*

We where having such a good time that even the locals where curious about our rides.

Hey, get your own wheels guys.
Silly cows. Always trying to horn in. 

Moooving right along.

Something I've done around the house lately is I've added multiple strings of LED Christmas lights. They are very inexpensive (these where only $4 a 100 light string), burn cool, use very little electricity and even though it’s a soft glow, brighten up the place.

There’s a string on each of our two back decks, one in the guest bedroom and one in my office. I think I will also add a string in the carport. Later. I’m too tired to continue any further. Stress takes a lot out of one, doesn't it.

So my hope is that every one is having a funfilled and non-stressful week. Thank you again for all the prayers and words of encouragement. And keep looking up!

Part Three: 11935 Cornelius Street

As I stated in his first post, once weekly I plan to feature a guest writer, my husband. He has been painstakingly writing down the stories of his childhood to share them with his 9 year old niece. I wanted her to know what kind of childhood her beloved Uncle was able to enjoy. While enjoying them myself I thought these are so much fun to read, why not share them? So here are the short missives of his memories of growing up in wilds of Florida during the 1950's and 1960's. They're packed with misadventures, romance, and all the confusing things that can happen in our youth. Even though his hometown of Jacksonville is a big city with over a million residents now, during his childhood it was several small communities surrounded by countryside. 

This is his story.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

11935 Cornelius Street

by Steven R. Hudson

Our house in Center Park, like most Florida homes then, was concrete block with three small bedrooms and one bath. Linoleum covered the floors throughout and the walls were rough textured plaster that "sweated" when the seasons changed. There were no trees in our yard which appeared barren except for the plugs of St. Augustine grass that gave a strange polka dot effect. It rained every afternoon in those times, or it seemed so, and the little plugs of grass sent out their "tentacles" and quickly produced a carpet of green, broken only by patches of white flowered clover. There was a large vacant lot behind the house with an ancient Long-leaf Pine on the lot's east side. We had no air conditioner to counter summer's heat but winter was made bearable by an oil fired space heater. I remember how happy we were to have our own home. Life was good.

I turned six that spring and started first grade at Southside Elementary, a school that is still part of the county school system. I caught school bus # 73

each school day, Mrs. Dent driving. My teacher, Mrs. Grady, told us that we needed to memorize our addresses and telephone numbers and to this day, I still remember them. 11935 Cornelius St. and 724-2426 or RAymond 42426 as the telephone numbers were always proceeded by the name of the exchange back then, R and A being 7 and 2 on the dial, no touchtone either. I enjoyed school, especially the days when we had art class. I loved to draw and my teacher recognized that I had some natural talent as even at that age I drew three dimensional figures and had an understanding of perspective. She told my mother that I should get training but we were poor and that would never happen. I was always given drawing supplies at home however, sometimes I would spend an entire evening drawing, mostly dinosaurs, my favorite.

That same year a family from Chattanooga, Tennessee, moved into the house directly behind ours and across from the vacant lot. Gene and Irma Mealer and their two sons, Ray and Jackie. Gene Mealer was a commercial artist and a good one. Ray and I were the same age and his brother Jackie only one year younger. We became fast friends and would remain so for many years. Our parents became friends also, especially our mothers who, to this day, are still in contact. 

There was a Mexican family, the Lopez's that lived a few houses down. They had a son my age named Roberto but we all called him Robert. I was amazed that he and his siblings could speak another language as easily as they spoke English. Robert had three sisters and three brothers, his oldest sister was already married and his oldest brother was in high school which I thought really cool. I remember his mother being a very kindly woman who loved children and was always inviting the neighborhood kids in for homemade cake and a glass of cold milk.

There were other friends that came and went as families moved in and then moved elsewhere. Many of the names I still recollect, Rick Martin, Bobby Fann, Peanut (I never knew his real name), and Bret and others I can't remember.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ Paul's Phraseology

Paul's Phraseology

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Berean Bible Society
Printer Friendly Version

The careful student of the Epistles of Paul soon observes that the Apostle makes many specific statements as to the distinctiveness of his ministry and message. Even apart from this, however, and considering his phraseology alone, we often wonder how anyone could possibly deny that his message was distinct from that which the twelve had proclaimed. Note the following examples:

Rom. 2:16: “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to MY GOSPEL.”

Rom. 16:25: “Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to MY GOSPEL, and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.”

II Tim. 2:7,8; “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

“Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to MY GOSPEL.”

Gal. 1:11: “But I certify you, brethren, that THE GOSPEL WHICH WAS PREACHED OF ME is not after man.”

Gal. 2:2: “And I went up [to Jerusalem] by revelation, and communicated unto them THAT GOSPEL WHICH I PREACH AMONG THE GENTILES, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.”

I Cor. 15:1: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you THE GOSPEL WHICH I PREACHED UNTO YOU, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand.”

Add to this the Apostle’s explicit claims as to the distinctive character of his ministry and message and you have irrefutable proof of the fact.

---

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:

"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.

 

 

A Prayer Request

I have a humble prayer request from my fellow Prayer Warriors today.

I think it's a real priviledge to bring our needs and wants to Him and He actually listens. God always answers prayer. It may not be our way, but it's His way that will be done. But, still, He wants us to talk to Him. All the time! 24-7. And for the Saints (believers) to pray for each other.

Not that this is relevant but we're not rich. Through the years of hard work and savings, we managed to put away a bit so we would have enough to live on and not depend on the public dole. And I'm probably hyperventilating unnecessarily over this subject (not that I would ever do that) [smile] but here goes:

We are in a bit of a financial, well, difficulty, for lack of a better word. Because of our ignorance of "high finance" and bad, or lack of good, advice by our current Financial Guy, our humble annuity is now legally stuck in a 10 year something-or-other contract that was not good financial planning. To make it worse all our eggs are in one basket and our payments have stopped! We need to get out. Now. Desperation is setting in. We have taken the extra precaution of meeting with what we hope will be our new Financial Guy to learn the options. He informed us this current investment is in danger of denuding us financially. Plus we're practically living on air now. My heart almost stopped right there! This is all we have in the whole world!

But there is hope. I believe there's always hope.

Anyway, I have a humble request that my Christian friends please pray that we can get out of this situation unscathed and into another one that is once again profitable. We're not seeking riches just a safer environment for our nest egg. Neither of us can work fulltime anymore due to poor health, not that there's any work available way out here in the country (there's not). And we're trying to be smarter. I'm an Bookkeeper/Accountant, not a financial wizard! I'm sure God has already laid out the plan for our escape. The escape basket is probably already here, all we need to do is get in it so we may be lowered to safety. But I would feel better knowing that my saintly brothers & sisters are also praying for us. Of course, in my heart of hearts I know that God will guide us but I'm still trembling inside.

Also, if anyone else has any prayer requests today, please do share. Even unspoken ones are welcome. Hubby and I will be happy to also pray for others. We're always available for that!

Thank you for listening to the ramble and whine. I also thank you warmly for any prayers. I do appreciate you all very much. And may God bless you in turn. In the name of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ, I trust in God's infinite mercy.

Funny Friday ~ New Cereals In 2014

It has been reported that General Mills is partnering with Michelle Obama to promote healthy eating. These are the first two products.

Roast Chicken Breasts with Garbanzo Beans, Tomatoes, and Paprika

We had this for supper tonight. It was really easy to fix and excellent for a cold night. I recommend serving it with fresh baked bread too.

Enjoy!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Roast Chicken Breasts with Garbanzo Beans, Tomatoes, and Paprika
4 servings

Use leftovers for sandwiches the next day. Place shredded chicken, garbanzos, and tomatoes in pita bread and top with yogurt sauce.

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, pressed
1 tablespoon smoked paprika*
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1/2 cup plain yogurt or Greek yogurt
4 chicken breast halves with bones
1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained
1 12-ounce container cherry tomatoes
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided

Preheat oven to 450°F. Mix first 5 ingredients in medium bowl. Pour 1 teaspoon spiced oil mixture into small bowl; whisk in yogurt and set aside for sauce. Place chicken on large rimmed baking sheet. Rub 2 tablespoons spiced oil mixture over chicken. Add beans, tomatoes, and 1/2 cup cilantro to remaining spiced oil mixture; toss to coat. Pour bean mixture around chicken. Sprinkle everything generously with salt and pepper.

Roast until chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup cilantro. Transfer chicken to plates. Spoon bean mixture over. Serve with yogurt sauce.

*Sometimes labeled Pimentón Dulce or Pimentón de La Vera Dulce; available at some supermarkets, at specialty foods stores, and from tienda.com.

Someone Moved My Cheese

I. Have. Had. An. Epically. Rotten. Day.

Today was my usual 6 month health checkup. Things didn’t go as planned.

First, the Physicians Assistant that was attending to me this time, try to push cholesterol medicine on me.

I responded most empathically, “NO”. She finally resorted to scare tactics, “You’ll be at risk for heart attacks, stroke and Alzheimer’s.”

My little BS antenna went up. Alzheimer’s? I know I’m medically challenged but I have kept up with the studies on Alzheimer’s since my step-mother died from this disease. That is no where to be found in any of the research I’ve read.

So, thinking I’m being cool, [cough] I gently changed the subject.

“I’m having mild heart palpitations and trouble sleeping.” (All true.) The PA gave me a prescription for sleeping pills, which I’ve never, ever taken. I really don’t want to go there. And then she mentioned “We need another blood sample and you have to return in one month.”

“Why?!” I asked incredulously.

“Because your symptoms indicate a hyper-thyroid (overactive) problem.”

I know I have hypo-thyroid (underactive) and a small growth on it.

Ok, so, I can deal with that. Not happy, but not devistating.

With that heavy news that now I have to return to the doctor yet again, I took the usual prescriptions for my daily existance to have them filled. I received more unhappy news. According to my pharmacist my new insurance program makes me buy medicine every 30 days instead of the customary 90 days. [I had to change because of The Unaffordable Care Act, i.e. Obamacare.] With the former insurance program, I used to get a discount for buying 90 days at a time. So now, in a nutshell, that means we’ll be spending three times as much on medicine. This year. And, since we live way out in the country, it also entails constant trips to the pharmacy which is not one of my favorite things.

[muttered through gritted teeth] Lovely.

The day went downhill from there with me growling and biting like an old snapping turtle with a sore head. But, giving credit where credit is due, most of it is my own fault. I dislike going to doctors so much I think I set the mood for the visit. I fought with the P.A. trying to give me good advice, which is what I'm paying her for. I’ve felt tired and old of late. It seems I’m perpetually upset over money. And every time Barry Soetoro [his real name, you know] talks and bad mouths our country, my blood pressure shoots up and the veins on my neck stick out. Many times the TV has been in great danger of being altered. [lol]

Speaking of that, I doubt anyone who reads this blog regularly will waste their time watching the PO(TU)S speech? I thought not. I'd much rather have multiple root canals then put through the torture of listening to more lies.

I know, I need to pray and trust more, and think about the world less. I’ve let myself have a bad day. Entirely my own fault.

It must be age, but when someone moves my cheese now, I get all messed up. It's my fault for not leaning on the Lord and His promises.

One bright spot though, the matching Winterberry pie cooler and server set from Pfaltzgraff arrived. (The whole enchilada was less than $20 including shipping). Big heartfelt Thank You's to my dear friend Blackberry Lane for turning me onto this lovely set.

Aren’t they purdy? I'm so anxious to entertain guests so I can Wow them. I wish I could afford to buy the entire set of dishes and cups. Maybe when things are ‘better’ again. I know they will be. God never forgets us in our troubles.