24 DAYS

I rarely use this blog for political comments, but I feel an obligation to speak up.  I believe all Christians and Christian churches should be speaking up.  We should be defending the Word of God and our beliefs.  I cannot tell you who to vote for, but I will tell you why I am voting for Trump/Vance.

ABORTION:

Psalm 139:13 says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”

Vice President candidate Waltz, as Governor of Minnesota, signed a bill that had essentially no restrictions on abortion at any stage of pregnancy.  According to the Democratic candidates, abortion is a woman’s right.  There are no rights for the child growing and waiting to be delivered. 

I cannot vote for a candidate who supports abortion on demand and up to the time of birth.

AGRICULTURE:

The DNC platform states that “big agriculture has moved in, telling too many small farms that the surest path to success was to get big or get out.  As a result, we lost over 400,000 farms in America in the last 40 years.”  They state that too many young people have had to leave their hometowns to find better jobs.  They want to give small and mid-size farmers a larger share of profits.

I have lived in agriculture/rural communities all my life.  My grandfather fed his family on a 40-acre farm.  I have seen the size of livestock facilities grow to what they are today.  Family farms are no longer 40-acres.  They are 1,000 + acres.  They may have the word Incorporated in the farm name, but it is still family owned and has passed from one generation to the next.  Farmers have gone from feeding their family to feeding the world.  Agriculture is not as seen on a TV movie.  Farmers own new pick-ups, their homes are modern, they go on vacations, and the lady of the house does not go out dressed like my grandmother and gather eggs.

I might just believe the DNC honestly wants to improve the lives of those involved in agriculture, until I read that the Biden administration (Which includes Harris) has worked with the big corporations they hate to push over 12,000-acres of farmland in Ohio to become solar facilities.  This was finally pushed through against the desires of the community.  These acres are just the tip of the iceberg.  Cropland is shrinking daily.  Biden also gave the green light to build solar power farms on 31 million acres of federal land.  Using land – federal land we own and prime cropland – does not seem like a policy that supports agriculture.

I cannot vote for a candidate who supports using prime farmland to grow solar panels instead of food.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS:

I support legal immigration into the USA.  I do not support the open border policy that has existed the last four years. 

I cannot vote for a candidate who supports open borders and who sends a large number of illegal immigrants into cities and towns that are not prepared to provide services.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH:

Our right to speak out for our beliefs is quickly eroding.  I believe there are two sexes:  Male and Female.  These result in pronouns of he, she, him, her.  If I refuse to use the pronouns of transgenders, in certain locations, I can be fired.  Only one side of this issue has true freedom of speech.

I do not believe our children should be allowed to make life altering decisions until they have reached the legal age of adulthood.  To give minors the right to take drugs and opt to have their bodies surgically changed is just wrong!  I do not believe men should be allowed to enter a woman’s locker room, a woman’s restroom, allowed to play on woman’s sport teams, or given approval to share a room with the opposite sex on field trips or team trips.  The same goes for women who believe there are male.

The democratic party supports the transgender ideology 100%.

I cannot vote for a candidate who believes it is appropriate to hide information from parents and who supports our youngest children to make decisions they do not understand.

I could go on, but I will stop.  I titled this 24 Days because that is how many days you have to research exactly what the candidates believe and support.  It is said that if Christians would vote, we could begin to turn this country around.   BUT, whatever candidate you support, VOTE!!!!!!!!!  I have always said, “If you didn’t vote, don’t complain.”  I vote!  And I complain.

 

THE HURRICANE

The pictures are hard to see.  Homes washed away.  Businesses destroyed.  Boats stuck in the mud the flood left behind.  Roads and bridges gone.  Whole towns are no longer.  Piles and piles of belongings.  No electricity.  No water.  No food.  No way to know the devastation would ever be like this.

The pictures are hard to see, but the stories are heart wrenching.  A mother who could no longer hold onto her seven-year-old son and her parents.  A death toll that will continue to rise.  And loved ones and friends that may never be found.

I have a friend in Florida who lost everything.  Well, almost everything.  The pile of belongings keeps getting higher.  BUT the hospital was safe for his wife to have her ongoing medical treatments the day after the storm.  More stuff is carried out and the “to go” bag with important papers was not waterproof as promised.  BUT friends came to help and bring food.  The cars were totally destroyed.  BUT his mother and friends brought him a car and they shared a margarita.  The drywall is off to above the water line.  BUT the use of a condo allows him, his wife, and dog to shower and sleep and plan.  It seems all is lost.  BUT a boat that was not destroyed sails another day.  Strength, that should be helping a very ill body survive, is used to clean out a house.  BUT a quirky sense of humor has kept us informed on how they are doing.

<   <   <   <   >   >   >

The woman whose son was swept from her grasp, heard him calling the name of Jesus.  He knew where he was going.

My friend has been surrounded by caring, loving friends who are giving back to a couple that was always there to help and has blessed a community with their generosity.

Why am I telling you this? You have seen the pictures.  You might have family that went through the storm and is now suffering the aftermath.  You might have a friend that has lost almost everything.

On one of my friend’s posts, I wrote: When all is lost, that with value is seen more clearly. 

We want.  We acquire.  Stuff fills our homes.  And at the end of the storm, when everything seems to be lost, what has true value rises to the top.

A mother is secure in the knowledge that her son is with God.  She will see her son again.

A friend has found out how it feels to receive help.  And has what holds the most value — His wife.  His family.  His friends.  And their dog, Taz.  And a boat, taken out for a break from the pain and a moment of peace, leads to this:

Picture taken by my friend.

 

WHO ?

How many times, when you were in school, did the English teacher have you write a paper on the question:  If you could have lunch with any famous person, living or dead, who would it be?  This same question seems to appear in magazine quizzes and discussion groups.  The answers always include one President or another.  Elvis or another famous artist is selected.  Mother Theresa is a top option and, sadly, some would sit down with a violent criminal.  I guess each has their reason for choosing the person they would enjoy eating with.

No, I have not forgotten the tremendous amount of people that would quickly say, “I would want to have lunch with Jesus.”

“Mary, would you want to have lunch with me?  I am sure you would have questions.”

Hi Jesus.  Would you be upset if I told you my pick would not be you?

“It would take a lot more than that to make me upset.  Is it because we have conversations and you pretty much have asked me every question in the book?”

I might have asked, but you sure are not very free with giving answers.  Nope, I want to sit down with your mother.

“My mother?  She is an amazing woman, but why her instead of me?”

You are getting upset, aren’t you?

“No.  Just curious.  Not very many people pick her.  And they are missing out on dining with a woman of great …….”

That is just it.  I have so many questions to ask her… Did you doubt your courage to be the mother to God’s Son?  Did you ….

“You interrupted me again."

Sorry.

“May I continue now?  What do you think it would be like dining with my mother?”

Oh, when I close my eyes and picture it, I see us sitting beside a stream.  I can see her face.  Her eyes would draw me in and make me feel safe and her skin would be so soft.  Her mouth would have a slight smile.  Her back would be straight, and her hands would have an ever so gentle …..

“Are you talking about my mother? The mother who, with one glare, could make me pick up my toys.  And would never allow me to skip school with the other boys.  And she made me eat all my vegetables."

Hey, I was not done.  Her hands would have an ever so gentle touch as she would lay her hand on mine.  And I can hear her soft voice telling me her story.  I can see her shoulders stiffen and then drop, as she relived standing … standing before the Cross.

And when she was finished, I would have no questions.  I would know the honor she felt after the angel visited her.  And I would hear her softly tell of her fears, because every mother has fears.  She would have grinned from ear to ear as she talked about you as a child.  She would have told me what it was like to hear you speak in the temple or in the courtyard or to a child.  And I would have seen the tears as she told about the last time she held your face in her hands.

And, when I could find my voice, I would humbly thank her.

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

I have always answered the question with Mary.  Usually, I followed that with questions I would ask her: Was he a good boy?  Surely, he got in trouble sometime.  What was his favorite food? Did he?  Did he?

BUT, as I started writing,   I realized,   if I was having lunch with Mary,  she would tell me her story     and I would have no questions. 

If you could have lunch with any famous person, living or dead, who would it be?  It would be Mary, and I would treasure every word.

THE WEDDING SHOWER

Our grandson is getting married in just a few days.  Last Sunday, our son and I went to their wedding shower.  Yes, this shower was for the Bride and Groom.  The shower was a two- and a half-hour drive --- one way, but we were more than happy to make the drive.  Besides, it was a beautiful day and we had time to talk.  Of course, talking meant missing when the road turned --- twice.  I don’t know why they hide road signs.  (You are to give an “I have been there” nod.)

We arrived at the location and the parking in front of the venue was all shut off by orange cones.  Well, being a talented driver, our son popped right between those orange cones so I could get out and not have to walk from a parking lot somewhere.  Our grandson was watching and immediately came out to help me in.  He grabbed the gifts and in we went.

You know how these events go.  Mingle.  Talk.  His side.  Her side.  A nice lunch.  A typical shower game.  It was a small shower so all went wonderfully until ---- it was announced that they had decided to open the gifts at home.  Our grandson was standing right beside me and that is when my mouth said what my brain was thinking.

With a look that only a grandma can give, I said, “I did not ride two and a half hours to not see you open your gifts.”  Grandson quickly said they would open our gifts.  Then our son spoke up, “You cannot open just one gift.  Either none or all.”

With that it was announced that the gifts would be opened there.  And as they reached for a gift, the giver would move to the edge of their chair and watch with great expectations.  The giver grinned from ear to ear when they saw the reaction to their gift.  The bride and groom could comment and say thank you directly to each person. 

And we went home.

------------------------------------------

I wonder if that is how Jesus feels as he gives gifts to his children.  Does he sit on the edge of his seat to watch our reaction?  Do we quickly unwrap each gift and realize its value?  Do we see his smile and the sparkle in his eyes as we look up in wonder at his generosity?  Do we toss one gift aside to open the next or do we humbly thank him for each one?

                              GIFTS

Leadership            Administration     Teaching

Knowledge            Wisdom                Prophecy

Discernment         Exhortation           Shepherding

Faith                      Evangelism           Apostleship

Service/Helps       Mercy                   Giving

Hospitality            Healing                 Interpretation

Miracles                Tongues                Evangelism

BUT WAIT – THERE IS ONE MORE

#1 GIFT

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.  Indeed, THE WATER I GIVE THEM WILL BECOME IN THEM A SPRING OF WATER WELLING UP TO ETERNAL LIFE.”                    John 4:10, 13

Oh, how amazing are the gifts we receive from our Lord and Savior. 

 

DEAD BATTERY

I had errands I needed to run.  Okay, full disclosure, I did not run – I drove the car.  Or at least I tried to.

From July 25 to September 10, Bill has chauffeured me wherever I needed to be.  Off we would go to a doctor’s appointment.  Off we would go to … oh … I guess doctor appointments were the only place we went.  Bill went to all the other places:  grocery store, to get prescriptions filled, hardware, dollar store, and to pick up meals (no grub hub here).  Finally, boot off meant I could drive.  I did not need a chauffeur.  I could go to town all on my own.  Freedom!!!

I took my trusty cane.  I got in the car, armed with my list and my charge card.  I put my seat belt on.  I put the garage door up.  I pushed the brake pedal.  I pushed the Engine Start/Stop button.  The car did not start.  Instead, a message popped up:  NO KEY FOB DETECTED.  What?  I have my key in my purse.  I haven’t used it for six weeks, but it is in my purse. 

Now, more than a bit miffed, I dug my key fob out.  “See car.  Here is a key fob.”  I pushed the lock button.  It did not work.  (Big sigh.)  The battery must be dead.  BUT never fear ---

A few years back, three ladies were in Michigan.  We had gone to see a new antique store.  The day was fun.  We had laughed.  We enjoyed the store and made a purchase or two.  We stopped for supper.  Getting out of the car, I pushed the lock button.  The door did not lock.  The key fob battery was dead.  BUT never fear!  This had happened once before and I was ready.  I had a new battery in the car.  Taking the battery, into the restaurant, I figured I could quickly change the battery and we would enjoy our supper knowing we would be able to get the car started.  I knew how to insert the battery.  What I was not prepared for was getting the battery out of the plastic package.

You would think the battery was a gold brick from Fort Knox!  I did not have anything to cut through thick plastic so I turned to the gentleman standing beside me and asked, “Do you have a pocket knife I could borrow?”  He replied, “No.”  Then he moved away from us.  Did he really think we looked like dangerous characters.  Whatever --- I needed to get to that battery.

Next I tried the bartender.  “Sir, do you have a knife that would cut this plastic?  I need the battery.”  He would not give me a knife.  He took the battery, picked up a knife, and, with a “really you couldn’t get this open” smile, proceeded to … not get the battery out.  Now the man sitting at the bar was trying very hard not to laugh, as the bartender picked up a different knife.  Trying to cut the plastic, he said, “How bad do you need this battery?”  With one more try, the plastic was cut and the battery was placed in the remote.  I breathed a sigh of relief and offered a reward to the bartender.  He said, “I am going to get so much mileage telling this story, you do not need to give me a tip.”   ---

I remembered all this, as I sat in my car, with a dead remote fob battery, and a new battery.  The only difference is that the new battery was already removed from its plastic case and ready to be used. 

Because I was ready.  Sorta like Matthew 25:1-4, 10, 13

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps."

“But while they (foolish ones) were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived.  The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet.  And the door was shut.”

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

When will the key fob battery quit working?  I do not know, but I have a battery ready.

When will the bridegroom arrive?  I do not know, but I have a lamp and a jar of oil ready.

 

WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO BE DOING?

When I was diagnosed with cancer, I was so thankful I did not have to go through chemo or radiation.  I received many cards and one said, “Just be glad you did not have ….”  Well, I was glad! But I took those words wrong.  They hurt.  I felt I was being told my cancer was no big deal.  When I told my cancer doctor about how I felt, she said everyone has to own their particular cancer (illness).  You can not play the ‘at least’ game because there is always someone who has it worse than you.”  Her words put everything into perspective.  I started with this because I want to fast forward two years.  ……………….

As you know, I had foot surgery in July and have been wearing a boot since then.  At first I could only walk on my heel.  Now I can walk normal and continue to wear the boot.  Hopefully, when you read this I will be out of the boot, because that darned boot makes me walk off stride and my back and leg are beginning to hurt.  As a matter of fact —-

I could not get comfortable.  Every part of my body hurt.  Either my arthritis (thank you mother for sharing that with me) or my back and leg hurt and that darn boot made my foot hot.  The wee hours of the night and I could not sleep.  So, I did what I often do.  I talked to God.

God, you awake?

“Yes, Mary, I am awake.”

God, I am tired!  For the last three years it has been one thing after another.  Do I have to make a list?  It ..

“Did you want me to answer about making a list or was that rhetorical?”

Rhetorical.  (You need to know that the following was said in a voice of frustration, anger, and absolute honesty.)  God, I am tired.  It seems it has been one thing after another.  Poor Bill is doing what I should be doing and it is killing me to watch him do “my work.”  And who would think a person could miss dusting?  And we have not been able to go to church … again.  The broken leg kept us home and now the toe repair stopped us from going.  I miss church.  I miss the people and Sunday School.  I miss praying together.  I miss hearing the word.  And I hurt tonight.  And I cannot sleep.  And I wonder what I am supposed to be doing?  I have a whole list of what I cannot do.  But what am I supposed to be doing?

“Check your email.” 

WHAT?  I spill out my heart and you tell me to check my email. 

“Check your email.” 

Surely God didn’t mean to check my email now…in the wee hours of the night, especially after all the things I had just said to him.  BUT I checked my email.  There it was. 

Dear Mary:

 

Sometimes reading your blog and Larry Wade's blog are what keep me going.

 

The last couple of months have been rough.   Reading your thoughts always some how "grounds" me and lets me know others have troubles and they survive.

 

Every day is a gift - even though some are so hard that does not seem to be true.

 

Things are getting better for - just hope and pray that continues. 

—————————————- 

God did mean right then because checking my email gave me a blessing.  My words encouraged someone. 

Did I go gently to sleep?  No.  I still hurt, but I had my answer: I am to use words to encourage. 

I wrote about this for a number of reasons. 

• We often say God does not answer our prayers.  He does.  Sometimes, his answer seems a bit odd so we don’t do it.  Listen.  Do what he tells you.  And when he tells you.
• We often do not realize how small actions can impact someone.  You might think it is just a greeting card.  The person receiving the card smiles because you cared and thought of them.
• We often think, “I am only one.  What can I do?”  Remember:  Jesus was only one and he called his disciples one or two at a time.  He used one Moses, one Abraham, one Esther, one Mary and one man in the tombs.  He will use you. 

I so want to thank the person that sent the email.  You were God’s messenger!!!!!! Through your email, I received peace. 

——————————— 

PS  I did not write this to get sympathy or sound like poor me.  I wrote this to let you know that, just like the person who sent the email, sometimes life is hard.  Sometimes, it just plain sucks.  Sometimes life does not seem like a gift.  BUT God uses us in HIS way.  God uses us where we are, not where we want to be. 

Also, I did get the dusting done and the boot is off.

NOW YOU SEE HIM, NOW YOU DON’T —- HIDING IN THE TOMBS

PART TWO

When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.  He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!”  Mark 5:6-7

Do you see him?  Jesus is standing there and the man is on his knees in front of him.  Can you feel the tension?  The community is afraid with this man outside the tombs.  When he stays in the tombs, at least they feel safe.  Then he is shouting.  The sound causes everyone to step back.  Everyone, except Jesus and Jesus knows the voice is not the voice of the man.  It is the voice of an impure spirit.

For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.  Mark 5:8-10

Cliff notes: Mark 5:8-14 The impure spirit is named Legion and does not want to be sent out of the area.  I guess the demons thought they could leave the man in the tombs and move quickly into the souls of the locals.  What is a demon without a soul to control?  This seemed like a good plan until Jesus did as they begged.  Into the pigs they went and into the lake went the pigs.  Bye, bye Legion.  The people came to see what was going on.

When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.  Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well.  Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.  Mark 5:15-17

Put yourself back into the story.  Right in front of you sits the man who was possessed.  Are you wanting to go hug the man?  Are you wanting to shake his hand and join him in praise that he is in his right mind?  Are you wondering what is wrong with all the people standing around?  Why are they still afraid of this man?  And why did they want Jesus to leave their region?

What would you be doing?  Would you go get your crazy uncle (we all have at least one) and bring him to Jesus to be healed?  Would you bring your child to be blessed?  Would you fall on your knees?  Or would you tell Jesus to leave?

All the blessings this community could have had… All the wisdom Jesus could have taught them… The gift of eternal life… and they were mad because their money ran into a lake and drowned.  They wanted the man to be back in the tombs.  That is what they understood.  They knew how to deal with that.  But this …..  This man had to leave.

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him.  Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him.  And all the people were amazed.  Mark 5:18-20

Please picture the man who used to live in the tombs one more time.  He is walking away from the boat.  His shoulders droop and he is looking at the ground.  He hears one more voice telling him no.  Why did Jesus say he could not go with him?  He had begged.  Jesus said no.  How that hurt.  Jesus had given his life back.  He wanted to be with him.  He wanted to serve him.

It was with that thought, that the man stopped.  He stood up straight.  He looked back over his shoulder and realized Jesus had not told him no.  Jesus asked him to serve as a witness to the people in the Decapolis.  Instead of hearing Jesus agree to what he wanted, the man finally heard what Jesus wanted, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

Watch just a minute more.  What man do you see now?  Do you see a man who lived in the tombs?  Do you see a man with a story to tell?

Take your eyes off the man and look toward the boat.  Jesus is watching as the man walks away.  He sees the stooped shoulders and that he is looking down.  Jesus knows the man is disappointed, but he had to tell him no.  Now Jesus is smiling.  He sees the man stand tall.  He sees the man stop and look over his shoulder.  He sees the man give him a thumbs up as he turns and walks toward his own people.

—————————————

Do you see the man in the tombs differently?  Or are you seeing the man for the first time.  Admit it.  These verses are fun to read because we like the image of the pigs running into the lake.  We like to shout and clap when Legion drowns.  We skip the part about the people asking Jesus to leave because we picture him as the good guy, wearing a big white hat, and sailing off into the sunset.  And no one remembers that the man no longer lives in the tombs.

There are so many lessons in these verses, but what do we remember?  We remember the pigs ran into the lake.  We forget that a man was so tormented that he cut himself and cried out.  We forget the man who lived among the tombs because he was taken over by an impure spirit.  We forget that a man was told he could not go with Jesus.  We forget that the man, who no longer lived in the tombs, had a story to tell.  And what an amazing story it is.

Remember:  The body is a weapon that a demon can use in attacking God.

REFERENCES:

https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/mhm/mark-5.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/my-name-is-Legion.html

https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/gerasene-demoniac/commentary-on-mark-51-20

https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/mark-5/