A List Of Who Has The Best Donation To Help Ratio For Charitable Organizations

I found this list on-line and thought that since it "Tis the season" for contributions that this might help others make intellegent decisions before opening pocket books and hearts. It sure opened my eyes about the money flow of contributions.

The American Red Cross President and CEO Marsha J. Evans' salary for the year was $651,957 plus expenses

MARCH OF DIMES It is called the March of Dimes because only a dime for every 1 dollar is given to the needy.

The United Way President Brian Gallagher receives a $375,000 base salary along with numerous expense benefits.

UNICEF CEO Caryl M. Stern receives $1,200,000 per year (100k per month) plus all expenses including a ROLLS ROYCE. Less than 5 cents of your donated dollar goes to the cause.

GOODWILL  CEO and owner Mark Curran profits $2.3 million a year. Goodwill is a very catchy name for his business. You donate to his business and then he sells the items for PROFIT. He pays nothing for his products and pays his workers minimum wage! Nice Guy. $0.00 goes to help anyone!

Instead, please consider donating to any of the list below where all the donations will be put to good works.

 

The Salvation Army Commissioner, Todd Bassett receives a small salary of only $13,000 per year (plus housing) for managing this $2 billion dollar organization. 96 percent of donated dollars go to the cause.	The American Legion National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!	The Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!	The Disabled American Veterans National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!	The Military Order of Purple Hearts National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!
The Vietnam Veterans Association National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!	Make a Wish For children's last wishes. 100% goes to funding trips or special wishes for a dying child.	St. Jude Research Hospital 100% goes towards funding and helping Children with Cancer who have no insurance and cannot afford to pay.	Ronald McDonald Houses All monies go to running the houses for parents who have critical Children in the hospital. 100% goes to housing, and feeding the families.	Lions Club International 100% of donations go to help the blind, buy hearing aides, support medical missions around the world.   Their latest undertaking is measles vaccinations at only $1. 00 per shot.

Random Thoughts And Doings

I have been so busy working outside this week. It's a little too warm for October, well, now November, but it's still nice enough to be in the yard. The pine trees are shedding Big Time. Their spent leaves are so pretty around plants. City people have to pay for this, we get it for free. 



With all this lovely free pine straw I added copious amounts to my "Tranquility Base". One of my favorite things when the weather permits is sitting on the swing, reading an Agatha Christie and listening to the windchimes. It helps take the sting out of daily life. ~smile~

 

Now that The Boys are old enough they've started wandering farther from the house. They've figured out they can slip through the field fence ~little boogers~ that encompasses our 6+ acres, so, Sweetie is installing chicken wire to keep them in. $$cha-ching$$ Maybe now we can go for a motorcycle ride and not have to worry about their whereabouts or lock them up in their portable kennel.

Jack (left), Sam (right) laying on Lucy's legs

Good thing they're worth it. All together now ... awwwww. ~lol~
 

Now they have this new thing of sleeping in their toy basket. My step-mom, Myra, wove the basket as a gift to me over 30 years ago. I'm sure she would approve of it's use since she enjoyed dogs too.

~ Ride Safe ~

Sparky

 

Happy Hallowe'en!

Monster Mash Song

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ Justified Freely

Justified Freely

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Berean Bible Society
Printer Friendly Version

“Being justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24).

It is wonderful to know that we sinners are not justified by praying, or paying, or saying, or sighing, or crying, or doing anything. We are justified freely, by the grace of God. But this passage from Romans will mean more to us when we learn how the word rendered “freely” here is translated elsewhere in the Bible. The same expression is found in John 15:25, where our Lord, quoting from the Psalms, said: “They hated me without a cause.”

Why did men hate Him? He went about doing nothing but good: healing the sick, giving the blind their sight, causing the lame to leap for joy, preaching good news to the poor and deliverance to those who were bound. There was no good reason for crying, “Away with Him!” and “Crucify Him!” They hated Him “without a cause.”

But in the same way we might ask: “Why should He die for sinners? Why should He pay for their sins? He had done nothing wrong.” Ah, it was in love that He deliberately gave Himself into the hands of sinful men, that He, the sinless One, might pay for their sins. He did not die His own death, for death is “the wages of sin.” He died our death, paying for our sins. So, as men hated Him “without a cause” (except their own sinful condition), so Christ has “Justified” believers “without a cause” (except His own divine love).

And so it is that we can now proclaim the glorious news that God has sent us to tell all mankind, that His righteousness is conferred “upon all those who believe,” and that believers are “justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

---

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."

We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

 

 

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ How Do You Wrestle A Spirit?

How Do You Wrestle a Spirit?

by Pastor Ricky Kurth

Berean Bible Society
Printer Friendly Version

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:12).

Wrestling is a sport that is usually associated with boys and men, only a few of whom engaged in organized wrestling in high school or college.  But whether you are a man or a woman, the Apostle Paul says that you are engaged in a life-long wrestling match against the members of Satan’s host.

But did you ever wonder how you are supposed to wrestle a spirit?  And what is this wrestling match all about, anyway?  Paul doesn’t say, but we believe he was thinking of Daniel 10.  Here an angel was sent to Daniel to deliver a message from God, but a fallen angel “withstood” him for 21 days (vv. 11-14).  Since Paul says of our wrestling match that we must “withstand” (Eph. 6:13), we feel he had this passage in mind, especially when we consider what was happening in Daniel 10.  The Prince of Persia, one of “the rulers of the darkness of this world,” was fighting to keep a message from God from getting through to a man of God.  It is our firm conviction that “the rulers of the darkness of this world” are still fighting to keep a message from God from getting through to men and women of God—the grace message.  Today, however, God is not using angels to deliver His message to His people, He is using grace believers.  Because of this, the members of Satan’s host are no longer withstanding angels, they are withstanding us.

And so if you’ve been wondering how you are supposed to wrestle against the devil’s principalities and powers, wonder no more.  Every time you share the grace message with someone, you walk out onto the wrestling mat.  Every time you try to “make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery” (Eph. 3:9), you engage your wicked opponent.  And every dollar you invest in grace ministries helps defeat the adversary’s attempts to keep men and women of God from obtaining the message that unlocks the Scriptures, the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery.  Why not reach someone with the message today, and know the thrill of pinning a Satanic combatant to the mat, and liberating a bewildered believer from the dark shackles of religious tradition that envelope every saint who has not yet learned to rightly divide the Word of truth.

Lucy And The Sky With Diamonds

Lucy, our beloved boxer, was very ill at the start of this week.

Last Saturday, a holiday weekend, she and I began our daily walk around the property. I try to always walk about two miles each and every day. Helps clear the cobwebs. By the time I approached the workshop a few feet from the house, she went into convulsions, salivating uncontrollably. I thought maybe she was having a heart attack or a stroke. Scared me good! Even though it was the weekend Hubby immediately tried calling the Vet. Living so far out in the country, with no large towns close by, Vet had previously told us to always try calling him in an emergency. (Good man!) Unfortunately, Vet and family where out of town all that day. I tried comforting Lucy as best I could. Got her back inside in the air conditioning. She seemed to improve a bit that afternoon. Vet finally could call late that evening. To make a short story long -smile- she ended up suffering all weekend long. Monday, Hubby and Vet coordinated a time to meet at his closed office late in the evening. Hundreds of dollars worth of tests -groan- later, she was diagnosed with a severe intestinal bacterial infection! My baby! Vet gave us a list of what the culprits could have been from dirty water dishes (nope, bleached them anyway), to a tick (nope), some other things.

Finally, he asked are there any mushrooms in the yard?

“With all this rain we’ve had this summer?”, said I, “Well, yeah.”

Vet laughed, then said “Aw ha!” We found the culprit.

Apparently, Lucy had picked up a mushroom somewhere along the line, chewed on it, and ended up with a life-threatening, budget busting intestinal bacterial infection. Thanks to all the blood work she was saved just in the nic of time. From the blood work, Vet also determined that Lucy is having a bit of liver trouble. (Hope that’s temporary.) She’s 10 ½ years old, and I know that big dogs don't live as long as little dogs, but I’m hoping she’ll be around awhile longer.

So, nursing her back to health has been our goal this week. She is on four separate twice daily medications. It seems she is on the mend as I “pen” these words.

Hey, did you hear the latest? Scientists claim they can tell from recent studies that the planets Saturn and Jupiter may be raining diamonds?!

Holy Cow! I need a spaceship! NOW! -ha ha-

Another situation I‘ve had to deal with this week is The Boys, Jack and Sam. Thanks for asking, they are coming along nicely. At now 13 weeks of age, I “think” they are finally housebroken. (Now that I've said that ...) They’re using the pet door, playing in the yard unsupervised and returning to the house, all without my reminding them what to do. I'm so weary of having to get up at 3 am and take them outside for a pee break. So rather than pin them in their little sleeping box last night, I decided to leave them “loose”. Happily they took themselves out all without reminding them to do so! -yay- They’ve also already figured out the automatic feeders and the many peculiarities of living in our home. They love Lucy. I think she takes them with a grain of salt but everyone seems to be getting along swimmingly.

I can relax a little now.

To celebrate Hubby said he’s going to fix one of my favorite Bad For My Diet meals tonight. -smile- No, it’s not the Mac ‘N Cheese by Kraft and all beef hotdogs. -drool- It’s homemade hamburgers on whole wheat buns with everything but the kitchen sink on them. I go all out dressing my ‘burgers too with ketchup, mayo, mustard and so forth. Want fries with that? No, but I will have a beer. I think I deserve one.

Hope everyone has a very nice weekend.


~ Ride Safe ~


Sparky

Article By Maureen Scott: Obama, The Architect Of Destruction

Cartoon by Prickly City

Maureen Scott is an ardent American patriot who was born in Pittsburgh, PA, and retired to Richmond, VA, in 2000. Free from the nine-to-five grind of writing for employers and clients, she began writing political commentary to please herself and express her convictions. Our Pledge of Allegiance, a military band playing the National Anthem, and the wisdom of our Founding Fathers, inspire her passion and views. Her life is guided by a firm belief that truth is the most important virtue, and that God knows what He is doing with her.  Please take the time to read and listen to this good American woman. I believe you will be glad you did. I give you Maureen Scott.

=============================

The Architect of Destruction

By Maureen Scott 

Barack Obama appears to be a tormented man filled with resentment, anger, and disdain for anyone of an opinion or view other than his. He acts in the most hateful, spiteful, malevolent, vindictive ways in order to manipulate and maintain power and control over others. Perhaps, because, as a child, he grew up harboring an abiding bitterness toward the U.S. that was instilled in him by his family and mentors and seems to have never left him.

It is not the color of his skin that is a problem in America.

Rather it is the blackness that fills his soul and the hollowness in his heart where there should be abiding pride and love for this country.

Think: Have we ever heard Obama speak lovingly of the U.S. or its people, with deep appreciation and genuine respect for our history, our customs, our sufferings and our blessings? Has he ever revealed that, like most patriotic Americans, he gets "goose bumps" when a band plays "The Star Spangled Banner," or sheds a tear when he hears a beautiful rendition of "America the Beautiful?" Does his heart burst with pride when millions of American flags wave on a National holiday - or someone plays "taps" on a trumpet? Has he ever shared the admiration of the military, as we as lovers of those who keep us free, feel when soldiers march by? It is doubtful because Obama did not grow up sharing our experiences or our values. He did not sit at the knee of a Grandfather or Uncle who showed us his medals and told us about the bravery of his fellow troops as they tramped through foreign lands to keep us free. He didn't have grandparents who told stories of suffering and then coming to America , penniless, and the opportunities they had for building a business and life for their children.

Away from this country as a young child, Obama didn't delight in being part of America and its greatness. He wasn't singing our patriotic songs in kindergarten, or standing on the roadside for a holiday parade and eating a hot dog, or lighting sparklers around a campfire on July 4th as fireworks exploded over head, or placing flags on the grave sites of fallen and beloved American heroes.

Rather he was separated from all of these experiences and doesn't really understand us and what it means to be an American. He is void of the basic emotions that most feel regarding this country and insensitive to the instinctive pride we have in our national heritage. His opinions were formed by those who either envied us or wanted him to devalue the United States and the traditions and patriotism that unites us.

He has never given a speech that is filled with calm, reassuring, complimentary, heartfelt statements about all the people in the U.S. Or one that inspires us to be better and grateful and proud that in a short time our country became a leader, and a protector of many. Quite the contrary, his speeches always degenerate into mocking, ridiculing tirades as he faults our achievements as well as any critics or opposition for the sake of a laugh, or to bolster his ego. He uses his Office to threaten and create fear while demeaning and degrading any American who opposes his policies and actions. A secure leader, who has noble self-esteem and not false confidence, refrains from showing such dread of critics and displaying a cocky, haughty attitude.

Mostly, his time seems to be spent causing dissension, unrest, and anxiety among the people of America , rather than uniting us (even though he was presented to us as the "Great Uniter"). He creates chaos for the sake of keeping people separated, envious, aggrieved and ready to argue. Under his leadership Americans have been kept on edge, rather than in a state of comfort and security. He incites people to be aggressive toward, and disrespectful of, those of differing opinions. And through such behavior, Obama has lowered the standards for self-control and mature restraint to the level of street-fighting gangs, when he should be raising the bar for people to strive toward becoming more considerate, tolerant, self-disciplined, self-sustaining, and self-assured.

Not a day goes by that he is not attempting to defy our laws, remove our rights, over-ride established procedures, install controversial appointees, enact divisive mandates, and assert a dictatorial form of power.

· Never has there been a leader of this great land who used such tactics to harm and hurt the people and this country.

· Never have we had a President who spoke with a caustic, evil tongue against the citizenry rather than present himself as a soothing, calming and trustworthy force.

· Never, in this country, have we experienced how much stress one man can cause a nation of people - on a daily basis!

Obama has promoted the degeneration of peace, civility, and quality of cooperation between us. He thrives on tearing us down, rather than building us up. He is the Architect of the decline of America , and the epitome of a Demagogue.

Maureen Scott

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ Facing Up To Facts

Facing Up To Facts

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Berean Bible Society
Printer Friendly Version

Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, Chapters One and Two, present a dark picture of the human race, but acknowledge the facts they record and you have taken the first step to salvation. By nature we shrink from facing up to our sins, but we are better off if we do.

If a man has early indications of cancer, and his physician keeps the truth from him, the patient will die of cancer. A good and wise physician will say: “You have cancer and we should do something about it without delay.”
Thus God, in His Word, tells us very frankly about our sinful condition, but only to save us from it.

This is where most philosophies and the Bible clash head-on. Most philosophies close their eyes to man’s sinful nature. They presume that man is good by nature when overwhelming evidence bears witness that he is sinful by nature. Thus human philosophies offer no salvation from sin and its just penalty. Only “the gospel of the grace of God” does that.

The Bible says of the whole human race: “All have sinned” (Rom.3:23), and to each individual: “Thou art inexcusable” (Rom.2:1). But the same Bible says: “Christ died for our sins” (ICor.15:3), and “We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, accord-ing to the riches of His grace” (Eph.1:7).
Trust in Christ for salvation and you have accepted God’s great message to the world. Then, as you consider that great Book, and especially the Epistle to the Romans, you will say with Fawcett:

“It shows to man his wand’ring ways
And where his feet have trod;
But brings to view the matchless grace
Of a forgiving 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:

"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."

We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

Funny Friday ~ #Obama Taking Hostages

Click To Enlarge

Courtesy Anti-Anti Underground

~ Ride Safe ~

Sparky

Fall-ing Into The Season

I am so ready for Fall! Today it's been cool, breezy, and definately hot tea weather. Now the sun's out and it's warmed up a bit, but still, the leaves are falling. Summer is losing her grip. Good-bye summer heat! Hello to long sleeves, hot cocoa with marshmellows, and those lovely Autumn colors.

Now that "the boys", as I'm now calling Jack and Sam, are getting settled in and acclimated to our sedate way of life, I set about decorating the homestead. These are not all of the decorations I'll use, but it's a start.

I always start down by the gate and work my way up to the house. I guess it's because it's the curb side appeal (not that we have a curb anymore!) one gets of our place.

Then the front door.

Then the carport door. This is just the start, mind you. We're hosting a Hallowe'en costume party this year for all our close friends, and I plan to add a black spider webbing with white skulls and other "spooky" faces here. It's gonna be cool. [I hope.]

Then, I move inside.

This is as far as I've got this afternoon. Now, I'm tired. Thinking is hard for a blonde, you know. [giggle] Hubby is making sausage tortellini with homemade tomatoe sauce. That should be the perfect ending to a perfectly wonderful day. I hope everyone reading this has had a wonderful day too.

"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." Philippians 4:4-8 KJV

~ Ride Safe ~

Sparky

And They Called It Puppy Love

Hallelujah, after searching high and low, we finally found two dogs that we could both agree on. What a trial this has been! It's been so hard for me since Maxie died. No dog will ever replace her but, doggone it, I was determined to move on. First we tried all the local pounds, even the big Pet Fair in Jacksonville, Florida, last weekend. No luck. I would venture to say that at least 95% of the dogs available for adoption in these places where big dogs. The where predominately Pit Bull or Lab / Pit mix. Too big for our home. And many of them where so badly scarred from fighting and neglect that they will have to be put down. Poor little things. I came away from those events in tears. It was so disheartening to see how people can be cruel to an animal that only wants to love you.

I was beginning to despair for finding a good terrier breed dog we could afford on our budget. But Sunday afternoon Hubby called a very nice lady that owns Callahan Kennels in Kingsland, Georgia, that was advertising a 12 week old litter of Jack Russell Terrier puppies in Craigslist. Yesterday, we made the one hour trip to view them and just fell in love. I was just going to buy one but when I learned there where two and they where so adorable and healthy, it was an easy choice. I'm glad I did that now because they never whine or feel homesick since they have each other.

So, meet brothers Jack (left) and Sam. They've been in our home since yesterday and to call them "hyper" is an understatement! [smile] Lordy! Now we Old Fogey's are really weary this evening. That's OK, though. They'll calm down and be housebroken. Soon. I hope. Today our wonderful Vet said they are very healthy, not a parasite to be found. Excellent news!

Lucy wonders about these

new fuzzy things in the house.

Lucy is taking it all in stride. She's such a good dog. Her left leg joint has been ailing her pretty badly too. I'm keeping her on doggie approved aspirin when necessary and an occasional partial beer. Bless her heart. With the join pain it helps her sleep and is safer than medicine.

Now you know why my posting and visiting blogs has slowed down.

But I think they're worth it. I like having warm fuzzies in the house again.

~ Ride Safe ~

Sparky

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ Paul's Three I Am's

Paul's Three I Am's

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Berean Bible Society
Printer Friendly Version

Three times in Romans 1:14-16, the Apostle Paul uses the phrase “I am”, and each one carries an important message for every true believer in Christ.

First, he says in verse 14: “I am debtor” — debtor to all men, to tell them about the saving work of Christ. But why was he indebted to people he had never even seen? For several reasons:

First, he had in his hand what they needed to be saved from the penalty and power of sin. If I see a drunkard lying across the railroad track and I do nothing about it, am I not a murderer if he is killed by the train? If I see a man drowning and I have a life buoy in my hand but do not throw it to him, am I not a murderer if he goes down for the last time? If I see millions of lost souls about me and, knowing the message of salvation, do not tell them, am I not guilty if they die without Christ?

Further, Paul felt himself a debtor to others, because the Christ who had died for his sins had also died for the sins of others. As he says in II Corinthians 5:14,15: “Christ died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him who died for them and rose again.”

Finally, the Christ who had died for Paul’s sins, had commissioned him to tell others of His saving grace. Thus he says in I Corinthians 9:16,17:

“Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For…a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me” (ICor.9:16,17).

Paul could say further what every true believer should be able to say: Not “I am debtor, but“, but rather, “I am debtor…SO, as much as in me is, I AM READY…” (Rom.1:15). He was ready to discharge his debt because he had that with which to discharge it — the wonderful “gospel of the grace of God”. And he did indeed make this the message known to others with all that was in him.

And now the third “I am”: “I am debtor…So I am ready… For I AM NOT ASHAMED of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…” (Ver. 16). Paul was always proud to own Christ as the mighty Saviour from sin. Do you know Christ as your Saviour? Do you tell others of His saving grace?

---

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."

We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

Gob·ble·dy·gook Presidency And Other Observations

gob·ble·dy·gook

Noun informal: gobbledegook; noun: gobbledygook
1. language that is meaningless or is made unintelligible by excessive use of abstruse technical terms; nonsense.
synonyms:    gibberish, claptrap, nonsense, rubbish, balderdash, blather, garbage;

I feel that way many times these days. You know, that the “noise” emanating from the TV is gobbledygook. I hear it from our alleged President. I hear it from some ‘news’ [government mouthpiece] organizations. I hear it from the Hollywood left. I even hear it from supposedly sane people who think that it’s a good thing to obey everything that issues from the government’s mouth.

Yadda, yadda, yadda.

Pardon me for growling but it’s been a bit of a long week. And not just because of the pretend shut down by our newly self-appointed Federal Overlords. This shut down is so bogus.

Imagine 1,000 spigots in a row, flowing unabated with water careening unchecked everywhere. It’s causing major chaos with the flow and we‘re all gonna drown if they‘re not curtailed [shut down]. Now imagine that you reach over and turn down two of those spigots by less than one percent. Only two. And only a fraction of an inch. Do you think there’s any less danger of an overflow or reducing that chaos? Also, these “shut downs” have been deliberately chosen to hurt the American people the most by satan‘s child Barry Hussein himself. He, however, will not give up his golfing this week. Heaven forbid the “King“ should be inconvenienced!! [scowl]

The “shut down” is important to our country because right now it’s the only thing between US and the full implementation of Obamacare. I pray that the Republicans do not cave.

The Dem’s want this for political reasons. “Screw the country!” Must be their motto since it certainly isn’t “In God We Trust” anymore. (Last Dem convention, remember?)

So excuse me while I YAWN! everytime Turdboy gets on the TV and lies. I’m not interested in the Barry-cade Drama Queen moments. I hope it stays shut down. In fact, shut down the IRS. The EPA. The FDA. All of them. Our lives will be a lot safer, calmer and happier.

Another stressful moment for me this week was dealing with a problem at the private school that our 9 year old niece is enrolled in. A little background: because we’re all poor, the family has collectively put her in this school to protect her from the negative culture in the government schools. I agree with John Stossel. I don’t call them “Public Schools” anymore. He stated recently for Fox News Opinion how his reporting on America’s public school systems changed his views - Let's call our public schools what they really are: ‘government’ schools: “People say public schools are ‘one of the best parts of America.’ I believed that. Then I started reporting on them.  Now I know that public school -- government school is a better name -- is one of the worst parts of America. It’s a stultified government monopoly. It never improves.”

Totally agree John! They’ll never improve. It’s the government for goodness sake! They’re indoctrinating the nation’s children to be good little drones and always do what they say to do. We said “Huh!” to that. So, to a private, we thought, Christian school she goes with the focus on a classical education. And this is at great financial sacrifice to us and her parents, I might add. What happened this week? The school went and hired a former Government School teacher who has a nasty attitude and is a racist to boot. (She’s a Jamaican.) She has bullied, belittled and picked on our niece and a few other white kids. Now, the school is scared to fire her. Our straight “A” student, who loved going to school, went from that to being afraid to go to school with nearly failing grades in a matter of a month! Plus, the bullying was causing health problems for the niece. Therefore, we called the Head Guy at the school to let him know that if this isn’t resolved quickly, we’re pulling niece and money from the school. Several meetings later, lots of phone calls, tit-for-tat, back and forth and I think as of this writing, the predatory teacher issue has been resolved. Niece is back at the school.

For now.

It’s just been a stay angry week. And I don’t like feeling upset, or frightened, or that I want to pound someone until they’re bloody spot into the earth. [smile] I’d much rather get along, be happy and be left alone. But sometimes, one must make a stand. This was definitely one of them.

Anyway, to cheer myself up today, Hubby and I have begun the process of looking for a new puppy or puppies. Get this, Hubby wants two puppies, if we can, which is what I had been secretly hoping for but did not mention to him because I didn’t want him to feel pressured! God works in mysterious ways, my friends.

Please pray that we will find two “perfect“ dogs to join our little household. Thanks.

~ Ride Safe ~
Sparky

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ What's Behind Our Moral Decline?

What's Behind Our Moral Decline?

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Berean Bible Society
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One does not have to be a prude to conclude that our country is suffering a serious moral decline. Our rulers and law enforcement agencies seem powerless to cope with it. Campaigns to check it seem vain. J. Edgar Hoover of the FBI warned us again and again that the alarming rate of this downward trend would spell ruin for America if not checked soon. But what most people fail to realize is that behind this moral decline there is a spiritual decline. America has departed from God and His Word.

Paul’s letter to the Romans tells us how the heathen got that way. Rom. 1:21,22 says: “When they knew God they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise they became fools,” and the verses that follow tell how God finally had to “give them up” to “uncleanness” and “vile affections”–all because “they did not like [wish] to retain God in their knowledge” (Ver. 28).

St. Paul further describes them in Eph. 4:17-19, as walking “in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who being past feeling [conscience] have given themselves over to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.” This, sad to say, is an accurate description of increasing numbers in America today. They are throwing off restraint and going after uncleanness “with greediness.”
But this is not liberty, it is enslavement. It is not a sign of strength, but of weakness. It does not indicate superior intelligence, but grossest ignorance, and is the result of alienation from God.

How much better off are those who have come to know God through Christ! Of these the Apostle says:

“And you, who were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled, in the body of His flesh, through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in His sight” (Col. 1:21,22).

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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."

We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

Recipe: Simple Lemon Chicken Piccata

We had this one-dish wonder tonight. Hubby served it with a side dish of fresh, cooked spinach in garlic. Oh my gosh, it was heavenly! And there's no vampires in our home! [ha ha]

Enjoy.

CHICKEN PICCATA
Recipe by Fabio Viviani
Yield: 2 servings
[link]

Ingredients:
2 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1/2-3/4 cup flour
2 tablespoons butter, divided
2 teaspoons plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons minced garlic
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 large lemon
2 tablespoons drained capers
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method:

Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally: With the blade of the knife horizontal to the work surface and with your free hand pressing down slightly on a chicken breast, slice horizontally through the breast so that you have 2 same-size pieces. Repeat with the remaining breasts, so that you have 4 pieces.

Place the 4 pieces of chicken between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound them to about 1/3-inch thickness.

Beat the eggs and salt in a shallow bowl large enough to hold a piece of chicken. Place the flour in another bowl.

Coat the chicken first with the egg and then with the flour, tapping off the excess. Discard any unused egg and flour.

Over medium heat in a nonstick skillet large enough to hold all 4 pieces of chicken in a single layer, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter and add the 2 teaspoons of olive oil.

Add the chicken and saute until it is golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes on each side.

Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and the 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet.

Add the garlic and capers; saute for 15 seconds.

Add the chicken stock, white wine, and the juice of the lemon.

Boil the sauce to reduce it, about 3 minutes.

Return the chicken to the sauce, and simmer over medium-low heat until the sauce thickens a little more, about 10 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a serving plate.

Add the parsley and pepper to the sauce. Bring it to a boil, and remove it from the heat.

Spoon the sauce over the chicken, and serve.

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ The Wonders Of His Grace

The Wonders Of His Grace

by Pastor Paul M. Sadler

Berean Bible Society
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Scripture Reading:

“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.”
– II Corinthians 8:9

Whether the occasion is a holiday, a birthday celebration, or a graduation, it is customary to give a gift. While some gifts are given out of necessity, for the most part, a gift is an expression of our love. We normally bestow these tokens of our affection on those whom we feel deserve the honor. But God’s ways are not our ways. He gave the gift of His beloved Son to His enemies. That’s a true love story! Oh, the wonder of His grace that God sent His only begotten Son, the Son of His love, to save sinners like you and me while we were fleeing from the glory of His presence. Little wonder the Apostle Paul says, “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (II Cor. 9:15).

The word “unspeakable” here has the idea of “indescribable.” The gifts I’ve received through the years were all describable. Some may have been a little harder to describe than others, but describable nonetheless! But the gift of God’s dear Son is indescribable. Who can explain the incarnation, how the eternal Son of God left heaven’s glory and took upon Himself the form of human flesh, yet was not tainted with our sin. Who can explain how Christ was wholly God and wholly human in one person? These wonders can only be received through the eye of faith.

The manger and the Cross stand at the two extremes of our Lord’s life, but they are connected by the tapestry of redemption. Hence, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” A love story that ends with a death is tragic; in contrast, the death of Christ is the greatest demonstration of love this world has ever seen. How much does God love you? He gave His only begotten Son to die on your behalf. You see, Christ wasn’t dying for His sin, He knew no sin; He was dying for your sins and my sins at Calvary. He was made sin for us that we might receive the righteousness of God in Him. Have you trusted Him?

Surely you would never think of paying for a gift; why, the giver would be highly offended — how much more so with God. The payment for your sins has already been furnished by the Giver; simply receive Him as a gift from God. If you have, then why not thank Him today for His unspeakable gift? After all, this is the Gift that includes all others!

Maxie's Tombstone Marker

We live way out in the country. There's very little commerce in our county except for pine tree harvesting, a grocery store or two and a pharmacy. So, Tuesday we drove 50 miles to The Big City of Brunswick to go to my favorite concrete statue store, Concrete Creations. I was looking for that special something that was 'just right' for Maxie's grave. Today, my sweet husband, painted the formerly all gray concrete marker in honor of our little puppy.

 

I know, I know. All this really is helping with the grieving process. And I am getting better. Really I am. I'm not crying as often and amazingly have started looking at different types of puppies on-line. The next dog will not be a miniature schnauzer. I do adore 'mini's' but they are way too much maintenance for an O.F. like me. [ha ha] I need something that doesn't require grooming and probably around 20-25 pounds. But a purchase of another dog is many months away, I'm sure. It's still too soon.

Anyway, didn't he do a splendid job!? Since there are other pet graves under our big oaks now (I can't believe we've been here over 20 years now!) he said he would also refurbish those.

He's such a wonderful man. I treasure him more every year.

Hope y'all are having a good week and looking forward to an equally happy weekend.

~ Ride Safe ~

Sparky

New Obamacare Revelation: Sex And Your Doctor

The fears about Obamacare and unconstitutional intrusions are true. Now we learn that all Doctors will be forced to ask patients irrelevant intrusive questions on our sex lives. That’s right, ALL DOCTORS. Whether it’s a Dermatologist, a Podiatrist, or a General Physician. All of them! Your sex partners, the frequency, etc. They will also be required to ask about the guns in your home and if you use any of them. However, according to Judge Andrew Napolitano (Fox News contributor) when we are asked these wicked questions we are not required to answer. The not so benevolent government will be issuing computers that the doctors have to use and complete. This data will be shared with more dimbulb government employees who are so stupid that they are known for losing our Social Security Numbers.

Much of this situation can be laid to blame at the Organized Crime Union’s feet. My husband’s former Union of CWA (Communications Workers of America) is trying to drop all us retirees! CWA can lay much of the blame at their own door, willing as they were to go to the mat for Obama and his insane health care plan that is going to drive the costs of health care to unsupportable levels. Not to mention the additional taxes that will be levied against "Cadillac" plans bargained by unions that will be passed on to active employees. Just as major cities face bankruptcy over unsustainable health care insurance for retired city workers, large corporations can see the writing on the wall and will do whatever is needed to reduce costs by passing the costs on to their active and retired workers. It's not fair but it's inevitable. All of us have created this mess and the chickens are coming home to roost. All of this was part of Obama's evil plans. He repeatedly said that he preferred a European style "single payer" plan. In other words, everyone is on the government plan. Forget company provided health insurance, a bargaining chip that held unions together and made membership advantageous. His plan is coming to fruit as our health care system crumbles and we will all be forced into what he envisioned at the start. It's all very depressing and I have no idea what we can do about it now that the camel has gotten his nose under the tent.

Does anyone still believe that Obama or his satan inspired Obamacare is a “good thing”??? Gosh, I hope not. Because if everyone is not outraged by this new revelation, they’re not human nor are they still above ground nor do they deserve to be.

"May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership." Psalm 109:8 NIV

~ Ride Safe ~

Sparky

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ Freedom's Light

Freedom's Light

by Pastor Paul M. Sadler

Berean Bible Society
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“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (I Thessalonians 5:18).

Some time ago I read the fascinating autobiography of Governor William Bradford, who courageously led the Pilgrims to the New World in 1620.  The Governor documents how their quest for “religious freedom” brought them face to face with many perils.  He describes how, en route to what we now know as Cape Cod, they nearly went to a watery grave when the supporting beam of the Mayflower’s mainmast snapped.  By the providence of God, one of the families on board had brought a jack, which was used to reinforce the beam.
But this was only the beginning of sorrows.  The arrival of the Pilgrims on the shores of liberty was also filled with many hazards, as nearly one-half of their number perished the first year due to disease.  Nevertheless, their faith in our Lord remained unmoveable.  Throughout it all, they found much for which to be thankful that “first” Thanksgiving.  And so do we, for our “freedom of worship” was originally conceived in their sacrifice.

Today, however, this freedom is being threatened on every hand, both here and abroad. Perhaps the greatest threat is Islam! Christians around the world are being persecuted for sharing Christ with those who are living in darkness.  Islam, of course, is a religion of hate, which is clearly seen in the riots and recent murders of innocent Americans in Muslim countries.  The hallmark of Christianity, on the other hand, is love.

As we gather with family and friends this Thanksgiving, may we be mindful of the great price that was paid to secure our liberty.

May we be mindful that Christ also died for Muslims; only He can deliver them from the brutality of their religion and set them free from a life of oppression.
May we be mindful of our troops overseas who are the guardians of our nation, preserving our freedom to worship here in America without fear of persecution.  Many of these defenders of our values will be sitting in a bunker this Thanksgiving in some faraway country.  There was a popular saying at the time of our country’s founding which is as true now as it was then: “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”

May we all give thanks for the salvation that we enjoy in Christ, even the forgiveness of our dreadful sins that would have condemned us.  “O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever” (Psa. 107:1).  AMEN!

Funny Friday ~ Earl Of Taint

 

Courtesy of EarlofTaint

He's kind of like The Music Man,

only it's tomahawk missiles,

not trombones.

~ Ride Safe ~

Sparky

Basil Chicken Linguine Recipe

 Basil Chicken Linguine
By my husband

INGREDIENTS

2 chicken breasts, chunked
1 large onion, chopped
½ cup Virgin Olive Oil
1 teaspoon garlic or 1 garlic glove minced
2 tablespoons spinach Brushetta
1 teaspoon Basil
½ cup white wine
2 Roma Tomatoes, chopped
Grated Parmesan Cheese
Linguine noodles
Salt to taste


DIRECTIONS:

Put olive oil in pan. Add garlic and onion. Cook on medium heat until onion is tenderized. Add chunked chicken breasts, basil and salt. Stir cook until chicken is no longer pink. Add brushetta, tomatoes, cheese and wine. Continue simmering about 20-25 minutes until moisture is cooked off.

Separately cook Linguine per instructions, drain with cool water.

Pour cooked ingredients over Linguine noodles and serve.

Serves 4 to 6 people.

Patriots Day ~ 9-11 Tribute

September 11, 2001 Attacks

~ Ride Safe ~

Sparky