"There's a space on the other side," I said to my husband when we saw that a car was blocking the gas pump where we wanted to park. Howard was driving around toward the pumps on the other side when a car turned in ahead of us. Leaving us a little room, the driver went to the second pump. Behind him, our hose barely reached our car!
Just then the man who was getting ready to pump gas got back into his car and pulled it forward a few feet!
"Thank you!" my spouse said in surprise, to which the other customer replied cheerfully, "No problem! There is enough room for all of us here!"
"That's a polite man," Howard remarked, and I agreed. The stranger's words reminded me of something I heard on TV from a man a few days ago, referring to different beliefs and racial prejudices. He said something like "This is a big country. There's room for everyone here!"
"What is that sound I hear?" I asked my husband that night at bed time. He couldn't hear it at first, but when I laid my head on the pillow, the sound resonated over and over. I could not get to sleep because of the steady, staccato noise. Finally I got up and checked for faucet drips, barking dogs, appliance noise or whatever I could think of. At last I must have slept, but in the wee hours I awoke to it again. It had to be dogs barking! I concluded.
Today as we were driving home the back way, I noted that the Standing Bear Pow-Wow had begun. We passed the huge gathering, glancing toward the concession stands and all the cars and people there. Howard put the window down for a better view, and then it hit me! Drums were booming loudly in pulsating rhythm. We looked at each other and said in recognition, "That's what we heard last night!"
The mystery was solved! Thinking of our diverse population, I had to agree with the statement of the man at the gas station and the man on TV: "This is a big country. There's room for all of us here!"
Saturday, September 30, 2017
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Light My Lamp!
My lamp quit working, so my husband rewired it! Or should I say "we" rewired it, because I was at his beck and call when he needed help. "Hold this flash light for me!" he entreated me as he struggled with the stubborn fixture.
"Plug it in!" he would say one minute, only to have me disconnect it the next minute. Once the house lights blinked, and my electrician husband did something at the fuse box.
Finally Howard replaced the milk-glass globe. His next words were, "Now bring me that tall thing that goes in the middle." I knew he meant the lamp chimney that fits over the light bulb and extends out the fluted top. With a sigh of relief, he was finished, and the lamp glowed brightly again.
The Bible says the light, or lamp, of the body is the eye. Matthew 6:22; Luke 11:34. How important it is that our eyes see the right things and perceive the right image. How easy it is to see the worst of a situation, rather than anticipate the best outcome!
I like Paul's instructions to the church at Philippi when he says, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things," Philippians 4:8.
Sometimes our thinking has to be rewired! To do that, we have to be "plugged in" to the One who is our power source! Jesus said, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid...Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven," Matthew 5:14, 16.
Our lamp chimney stabilizes and protects the bulb and insures the bright light. Jesus is our protection, and if we rely on Him, I doubt we will "blow a fuse!"
"Plug it in!" he would say one minute, only to have me disconnect it the next minute. Once the house lights blinked, and my electrician husband did something at the fuse box.
Finally Howard replaced the milk-glass globe. His next words were, "Now bring me that tall thing that goes in the middle." I knew he meant the lamp chimney that fits over the light bulb and extends out the fluted top. With a sigh of relief, he was finished, and the lamp glowed brightly again.
The Bible says the light, or lamp, of the body is the eye. Matthew 6:22; Luke 11:34. How important it is that our eyes see the right things and perceive the right image. How easy it is to see the worst of a situation, rather than anticipate the best outcome!
I like Paul's instructions to the church at Philippi when he says, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things," Philippians 4:8.
Sometimes our thinking has to be rewired! To do that, we have to be "plugged in" to the One who is our power source! Jesus said, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid...Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven," Matthew 5:14, 16.
Our lamp chimney stabilizes and protects the bulb and insures the bright light. Jesus is our protection, and if we rely on Him, I doubt we will "blow a fuse!"
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Smells Good!
The most wonderful aroma has been coming out of my kitchen! I have been making apple butter! It must be the time of year that brings on the urge to once again fill my crock-pot with chopped apples and delicious spices. Cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg and cloves sprinkled over the apples with sugar and a pinch of salt combine for a delicious treat, whether for a breakfast biscuit or mixed with peanut butter for a sandwich!
When I once mentioned to one of my daughter-in-loves that I had made some apple butter, she commented on what a long, tedious process it is. She hadn't yet discovered how easy it is today, because several years ago an elderly church member had come to their house and helped them make apple butter, which consumed nearly the whole day, stirring and standing over the stove.
If I remember right, I think my mother and grandmother once made apple butter in a big black pot over a fire in the back yard. I do definitely remember their making soap that way once. I couldn't figure out part of the soap recipe Grandma left behind, when it called for "monkey blood." I found out later that was Mercurochrome (or was it iodine) put in as an antiseptic. This was in the mid-forties.
But back to apple butter. Mama didn't routinely make it, but she bought a lot of it. The apple butter mixed with peanut butter was put in biscuit sandwiches that we carried to school in a tin pail for our lunch. As a first-grader, I got tired of that regimen, then one day the teacher traded me a sandwich on store-bought "light bread" for my biscuit. She said she loved biscuits, but never had time to make them. I think she was just being kind. She was always my favorite teacher!
Cooking and methods of preserving food have advanced since then, but some things never lose their appeal, such as the fragrance of spicy apple butter wafting through the house. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 2:15, "For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish." The best fragrance of all!
When I once mentioned to one of my daughter-in-loves that I had made some apple butter, she commented on what a long, tedious process it is. She hadn't yet discovered how easy it is today, because several years ago an elderly church member had come to their house and helped them make apple butter, which consumed nearly the whole day, stirring and standing over the stove.
If I remember right, I think my mother and grandmother once made apple butter in a big black pot over a fire in the back yard. I do definitely remember their making soap that way once. I couldn't figure out part of the soap recipe Grandma left behind, when it called for "monkey blood." I found out later that was Mercurochrome (or was it iodine) put in as an antiseptic. This was in the mid-forties.
But back to apple butter. Mama didn't routinely make it, but she bought a lot of it. The apple butter mixed with peanut butter was put in biscuit sandwiches that we carried to school in a tin pail for our lunch. As a first-grader, I got tired of that regimen, then one day the teacher traded me a sandwich on store-bought "light bread" for my biscuit. She said she loved biscuits, but never had time to make them. I think she was just being kind. She was always my favorite teacher!
Cooking and methods of preserving food have advanced since then, but some things never lose their appeal, such as the fragrance of spicy apple butter wafting through the house. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 2:15, "For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish." The best fragrance of all!
Sunday, September 24, 2017
In a Flash
"I would like to have some coffee," my husband announced as we headed home. I'd had a hair appointment, and he had been at the gym. We'd already had lunch, but Howard loves his coffee.
"Okay," I said, "Let's go to the train depot coffee shop!" He agreed, and I went before him up the steps to the quaint little place. The wonderful aroma of coffee met me as I glanced appreciatively at the tastefully done interior. Then suddenly the room was coming at me in crazy angles in a kaleidoscope of confusion! I was aware of falling as Howard tumbled into me, knocking me down to the floor!
What had happened? Howard said he tripped his foot on something at the door! We were both down, and after I managed to get up, he resisted my efforts to help him. Instead, Howard scooted himself over to grab the leg of a table to help me get him up! I winced with pain from the impact of falling hard on the shiny, painted concrete floor!
Presently we realized we were somewhat okay, and drank our coffee to calm our nerves. I am alright now, more than 24 hours later, and Howard only has a scrape on his arm. How fast the unexpected can happen!
At supper I was making tacos, and I put the shells in the oven to get crispy the way we like them. Chopping a tomato, grating cheese, cutting lettuce and browning the ground beef, I thought how good everything smelled, almost overwhelmingly so! Just then I turned around to see blazes though the glass of the oven door! The taco shells were on fire! No wonder something smelled so strong!
I yelled in panic for my spouse, and confusion reigned for a moment before I grabbed a spatula and scraped the burning inferno into a pan. After dousing in water and putting the mess down the disposal, we flung open the doors and put the ceiling fan on high. Thankfully, I had more shells, and though a little shaken, we got through dinner!
Alarming world events are happening every day. We seem to be seeing scripture fulfilled before our eyes, but Jesus said the end is not yet. Nevertheless, we know that things can happen fast! Revelation 3:11 says, "Behold, I come quickly." Be prepared!
"Okay," I said, "Let's go to the train depot coffee shop!" He agreed, and I went before him up the steps to the quaint little place. The wonderful aroma of coffee met me as I glanced appreciatively at the tastefully done interior. Then suddenly the room was coming at me in crazy angles in a kaleidoscope of confusion! I was aware of falling as Howard tumbled into me, knocking me down to the floor!
What had happened? Howard said he tripped his foot on something at the door! We were both down, and after I managed to get up, he resisted my efforts to help him. Instead, Howard scooted himself over to grab the leg of a table to help me get him up! I winced with pain from the impact of falling hard on the shiny, painted concrete floor!
Presently we realized we were somewhat okay, and drank our coffee to calm our nerves. I am alright now, more than 24 hours later, and Howard only has a scrape on his arm. How fast the unexpected can happen!
At supper I was making tacos, and I put the shells in the oven to get crispy the way we like them. Chopping a tomato, grating cheese, cutting lettuce and browning the ground beef, I thought how good everything smelled, almost overwhelmingly so! Just then I turned around to see blazes though the glass of the oven door! The taco shells were on fire! No wonder something smelled so strong!
I yelled in panic for my spouse, and confusion reigned for a moment before I grabbed a spatula and scraped the burning inferno into a pan. After dousing in water and putting the mess down the disposal, we flung open the doors and put the ceiling fan on high. Thankfully, I had more shells, and though a little shaken, we got through dinner!
Alarming world events are happening every day. We seem to be seeing scripture fulfilled before our eyes, but Jesus said the end is not yet. Nevertheless, we know that things can happen fast! Revelation 3:11 says, "Behold, I come quickly." Be prepared!
Friday, September 22, 2017
Fledglings
The three surviving baby chicks we hatched several weeks ago in the incubator were cute with their downy, yellow feathers. They looked like little balls of fluff as they toddled around uncertainly in their protective box, kept warm by a heat bulb.
Finally the growing chicks graduated to a wire-covered cage in the barn. But now they were awkward-looking and gangly! Worst of all, their feathers stood out at crazy angles as if they'd been caught in a wind storm! Since we had three roosters, we weren't sure what their heritage would be, much as we hoped they were Araucanas.
Last week we deemed the young chickens ready to mix with the rest of the flock, though we feared the dominating rooster might be rough on them at first. Sure enough, he tried to flog them, making the newcomers retreat inside the hen house to huddle in the shadows of the nesting boxes.
I save table scraps as a treat for the penned-up chickens and hoped to entice the young ones to come out. Now they are making dashing forays into the big pen once in a while, on the outside chance they can grab a morsel.
But the strangest thing has happened! I hadn't noticed the scaredy-cat chicks for awhile, but when they dashed out recently I was amazed! They were beautiful! They have feathered out nicely with the prettiest wings, dark feathers glistening over the mottled softness underneath. I think they are Araucanas after all.
Isn't that the way it is with growing children? Cute and adorable as babies, they usually reach an awkward stage as they grow up. They not only look like gangly, if endearing, colts, they often feel "dumb," clumsy and insecure. They need the support and encouragement of family more than ever at this vulnerable age. Not only of family, but spiritual support from and involvement with their church to strengthen them against negative factors they face.
Even as the old rooster is out to pounce on the vulnerable young flock, the Bible warns in I Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
There is nothing more rewarding to parents than to one day look at our off-spring and see the beauty of Jesus in our grown-up "chicks!"
Finally the growing chicks graduated to a wire-covered cage in the barn. But now they were awkward-looking and gangly! Worst of all, their feathers stood out at crazy angles as if they'd been caught in a wind storm! Since we had three roosters, we weren't sure what their heritage would be, much as we hoped they were Araucanas.
Last week we deemed the young chickens ready to mix with the rest of the flock, though we feared the dominating rooster might be rough on them at first. Sure enough, he tried to flog them, making the newcomers retreat inside the hen house to huddle in the shadows of the nesting boxes.
I save table scraps as a treat for the penned-up chickens and hoped to entice the young ones to come out. Now they are making dashing forays into the big pen once in a while, on the outside chance they can grab a morsel.
But the strangest thing has happened! I hadn't noticed the scaredy-cat chicks for awhile, but when they dashed out recently I was amazed! They were beautiful! They have feathered out nicely with the prettiest wings, dark feathers glistening over the mottled softness underneath. I think they are Araucanas after all.
Isn't that the way it is with growing children? Cute and adorable as babies, they usually reach an awkward stage as they grow up. They not only look like gangly, if endearing, colts, they often feel "dumb," clumsy and insecure. They need the support and encouragement of family more than ever at this vulnerable age. Not only of family, but spiritual support from and involvement with their church to strengthen them against negative factors they face.
Even as the old rooster is out to pounce on the vulnerable young flock, the Bible warns in I Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
There is nothing more rewarding to parents than to one day look at our off-spring and see the beauty of Jesus in our grown-up "chicks!"
Monday, September 18, 2017
Volunteer Army
Yesterday was a big day for us at church. Howard and a friend had practiced several times for a song to follow the worship service. He was a little nervous, but our friend had made sure his guitar and equipment were in place and had taken care of every detail. It had been her idea, and it was a blessing to him to be able to do this.
Immediately afterward, a presentation was on tap to honor all the volunteers of the church. Over the past few weeks, headshots had been taken of each volunteer. At the time I really did not know what they were going to do with the pictures. We had been told that we were to gather in the hallway before being presented to the church.
I soon found out that we were to line up alphabetically and go in one by one. There were about a hundred of us clustered in the hall, and it took a little while to find our place in line with the "S"s. Finally the names with our letter came up. I followed Howard as I heard first his name called and then mine. We were handed a long-stem red rose and received hugs and appreciative words from our pastor and his wife as we crossed in front of the platform. (When I sat down I realized they were showing each individual's picture on the screen as the names were read, even if we'd been too busy to notice our own.)
Yesterday's events reminded of an Awards Day. Kind of like the Awards days we attended when our kids were in school. It was such a proud moment to hear his or her name called for a special achievement award!
The Bible tells us that there will be, not an award day, but a reward day someday. "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built upon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he will suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." I Corinthians 3:13-16.
My volunteer service was nothing notable, mostly consisting of supplying a cake or dessert for a funeral or bake sale or helping in the kitchen. Howard's is in visitation when needed. (Perfect for his gift of communication.)
Good deeds done can be great or small. Our helpful friend who persuaded my husband to use his guitar and sing in church for the first time since his recovery from surgery and complications last year was demonstrating kindness and encouragement! Rewarding qualities for sure!
Immediately afterward, a presentation was on tap to honor all the volunteers of the church. Over the past few weeks, headshots had been taken of each volunteer. At the time I really did not know what they were going to do with the pictures. We had been told that we were to gather in the hallway before being presented to the church.
I soon found out that we were to line up alphabetically and go in one by one. There were about a hundred of us clustered in the hall, and it took a little while to find our place in line with the "S"s. Finally the names with our letter came up. I followed Howard as I heard first his name called and then mine. We were handed a long-stem red rose and received hugs and appreciative words from our pastor and his wife as we crossed in front of the platform. (When I sat down I realized they were showing each individual's picture on the screen as the names were read, even if we'd been too busy to notice our own.)
Yesterday's events reminded of an Awards Day. Kind of like the Awards days we attended when our kids were in school. It was such a proud moment to hear his or her name called for a special achievement award!
The Bible tells us that there will be, not an award day, but a reward day someday. "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built upon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he will suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." I Corinthians 3:13-16.
My volunteer service was nothing notable, mostly consisting of supplying a cake or dessert for a funeral or bake sale or helping in the kitchen. Howard's is in visitation when needed. (Perfect for his gift of communication.)
Good deeds done can be great or small. Our helpful friend who persuaded my husband to use his guitar and sing in church for the first time since his recovery from surgery and complications last year was demonstrating kindness and encouragement! Rewarding qualities for sure!
Monday, September 11, 2017
On an Ordinary Day
It was a beautiful late-summer, early-fall morning. My husband and I were taking our granddaughters, Corrin, 4, and Rachel, 2, whom we were baby-sitting, for a walk. We loved to go down the hill to a spillway where the water ran over the low bridge just enough to cool little feet and wriggling toes.
After our tots tired of tossing pebbles over the bridge barrier and sighting fish stirring the water below, we nudged them on for the long walk up the steep hill. But first, they had to catch tadpoles in the shallow puddles beside the road and pick scraggly bunches of sunflowers bobbing in the breeze. Rachel got tired first, so we made a pack-saddle of our arms and carried her up the hill while big sister scrambled on ahead.
How we loved this little bit of country paradise! We had begun pastoring a small church and needed a place nearby, after having driven for a few months from our former home 40 miles away. I had despaired of finding a rental, though I searched the newspaper daily. Then one day I happened to read something from a book by Pat Robertson. He told of how they were in search of a home, when the Lord spoke to him, saying, "Until you are thankful for the home you have, you will not find a better one." Good things happened when he commenced to do that, ending up with a ranch, horses, and a home they love.
I took his words to heart and did the same thing. The next time I looked at the classifieds, I read, "For Rent: Cozy cottage on 30 rolling acres, pond, pecan trees, on 15-acre lake." We took it! And now glad to go in and collapse on sofas! The television was on, since our son was with us while taking a break from college.
I stared at the screen, thinking it was some kind of accident, when I saw smoke billowing from a tall building and heard puzzled concern in the voice of the television host. It was 9/11, today's date!
We fell to our knees as the horror sank in, and the terrifying events that followed that day kept us praying! The security of our idyllic little world was shaken! And now, 16 years later, we are shaken by disasters of what the news commentators describe as "of biblical proportions"!
The scriptures tell us, "See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven;
Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken remain." Hebrews 12:25-27.
The next verse comforts and admonishes us, "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with godly fear." Certainly applicable for today!
After our tots tired of tossing pebbles over the bridge barrier and sighting fish stirring the water below, we nudged them on for the long walk up the steep hill. But first, they had to catch tadpoles in the shallow puddles beside the road and pick scraggly bunches of sunflowers bobbing in the breeze. Rachel got tired first, so we made a pack-saddle of our arms and carried her up the hill while big sister scrambled on ahead.
How we loved this little bit of country paradise! We had begun pastoring a small church and needed a place nearby, after having driven for a few months from our former home 40 miles away. I had despaired of finding a rental, though I searched the newspaper daily. Then one day I happened to read something from a book by Pat Robertson. He told of how they were in search of a home, when the Lord spoke to him, saying, "Until you are thankful for the home you have, you will not find a better one." Good things happened when he commenced to do that, ending up with a ranch, horses, and a home they love.
I took his words to heart and did the same thing. The next time I looked at the classifieds, I read, "For Rent: Cozy cottage on 30 rolling acres, pond, pecan trees, on 15-acre lake." We took it! And now glad to go in and collapse on sofas! The television was on, since our son was with us while taking a break from college.
I stared at the screen, thinking it was some kind of accident, when I saw smoke billowing from a tall building and heard puzzled concern in the voice of the television host. It was 9/11, today's date!
We fell to our knees as the horror sank in, and the terrifying events that followed that day kept us praying! The security of our idyllic little world was shaken! And now, 16 years later, we are shaken by disasters of what the news commentators describe as "of biblical proportions"!
The scriptures tell us, "See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven;
Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken remain." Hebrews 12:25-27.
The next verse comforts and admonishes us, "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with godly fear." Certainly applicable for today!
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