I HAD A BIRTHDAY

I AM OLDER!  As I reviewed my 75 years, I wondered what had filled all that time.  As a child, it was play, school, and trying to stay on the good side of my parents.  As a young adult, it was marriage, children, and trying not to get stopped for speeding.  As a middle-age-person, it was marriage, children, grandchildren, and trying not to get stopped for speeding.  As an old lady, it is marriage, children, grandchildren, and … drum roll … yup, trying not to get stopped for speeding.  Add to each age the normal life things:  church, friends, travel, reading, jigsaw puzzles, and eating.  That still leaves a lot of time unaccounted for. 

Then it hit me.  WORK!  Or as Maynard would say:  W O R K !  

Of course, work!  How could I miss that? 

My first job was doing whatever my parents said.  My first paying job was as a carhop, at the local Tastee Freeze, where I made 35 cents an hour plus tips.  No, I did not wear roller skates, but I did meet this really neat guy, Bill, who became my better half.  I also worked at Donnelly’s, Eckrich, for an accountant, Sears, as a cashier for auctions, and as the administrative assistant for Bill.  Yes, work, it seems, has taken up a lot of my 75 years.  And I remember -----

Working at Eckrich was fun.  I worked with the invoices and used a comptometer.  Then the drivers went on strike.  My dad, a Teamster, was upset that I would cross a picket line.  The local guys were okay and wanted their customers taken care of, so they waved me through.  Then they called and told me to stay home.  Guess some big city guys were going to walk the line for a couple days and they would not like sweet Mary being there.  I stayed home!

When I worked for an accountant, we kept books for a number of Catholic Churches in Terre Haute.  You know how sometimes you say what you are thinking without realizing it?  That happened when my thoughts turned into words and my boss heard, “He is way too good looking to be a priest.”  Hey, don’t judge.  I was in my twenties and that guy was a looker.  The next time that priest came in, he said, “So I shouldn’t be a priest?”  Then he grinned and left with my boss to play golf.  From then on, I did not make comments about any good looking guys.  Or at least, not to my boss.

Do you remember Going My Way.  Now that was a classic and Barry Fitzgerald played the traditional, forgetful, Irish priest.  I worked with a priest who could have stepped right out of that part.  Sweet.  Old.  Mischievous eyes.  But he could not remember to pay the churches payroll taxes!  I would call to remind him the taxes would be due in a few days and I needed him to sign some papers.  Sometimes I would have to call more than once.  He would finally walk through the office door, with a sheepish grin, and say, “I forgot again didn’t I?”  The flip side is he could tell you the name of every person in a five block area of his church.  I swear even the stray dogs loved him.  He might have been forgetful, but I can picture him looking at his congregation with such love.

Do you know what work smells like?  I was working the return counter, at Sears, and a man was returning a drill.  He stepped up to the counter and said, “I am sorry I am so dirty and smelly.”  I looked him in the eyes and said, “Sir you look and smell like a person who has put in a really hard day at work.”  He relaxed.        Side note:  Never say to someone that all they do is sit at a desk.  Believe me, working at a desk is work!

Memories about working auctions could fill a book.  I met people who were absolutely UNREASONABLE!  I also met people who were funny, honest, and a pleasure to know.  I have seen items sell for thousands and once about had a heart attack when I was boxing up a closet, reached in a stack of material, and pulled out a fox (head still on) stole.    I met people who tried, unsuccessfully, to blend in.  It was a gun auction.  Nothing but guns and a lot of them.  That meant that somewhere in that sea of men (not being sexist, but it was 99.9% men) were federal agents.  But where?  One look around and they were so obvious.  Their bodies were straight and tense, unlike the other men there who were discussing the pros and cons of guns and ammunition.  Their eyes were constantly sweeping the room, unlike the bidders who starred at the gun/guns they wanted so as not to miss them when they were held up.  They just didn’t fit in.  Yes, they had on jeans (new), boots (way too new), and a flannel shirt, but you could tell they were not comfortable in that attire.  I will give them credit for not wearing sun glasses.  It was fun to watch them.  Every so often they would change positions, but only after nodding to their cohort.  Yup auctions were always fun – okay, not always.  When I quit working auctions, I told people, “I am tired of being too hot, too cold, and using the port-a-pot.”

Working for my husband?  I am not telling those stories!

Work stories could go on and on.  I will bore you no longer, but as I looked back I realized how blessed I was to work.  Blessed to have the ability to make numbers balance.  Blessed to meet people and hear their stories.  Blessed to help provide for our family. 

 

 USE A HAMMER

I was organizing some paperwork and decided to put it in a binder.  Easy job to print off what I needed, punch holes, open binder, and insert.  It was going so good.  Then I decided having a pen available would be handy.  Sadly, the binder did not have slots for pens, but, being resourceful, I improvised.  I would punch two holes in a zip-lock storage bag.  I have done this before and it has always worked like a charm. 

Zip-lock bag positioned in the three hole paper punch and PUSH.  Ahhhhh….. The one hole punched perfectly.  The other hole stuck.  There was plastic stuck around the puncher thing (technical term number one).  I pulled a small bit of plastic out.  I pushed down and that puncher thing was still stuck.  I saw the problem.  The thing (technical term number two) that pushed on the puncher thing was not touching the part (technical term number three) I was pushing down.  Is that perfectly clear or did I use too many technical terms?  Not to be intimidated by a paper punch, I stuck a penny in there to make up the difference.  Too thin.  Two pennies?  Still too thin.  Two pennies and a dime – taped together because they kept sliding – drat.  Still not working.  That puncher thing was really stuck.  BUT .. I could take it apart.  And, of course, it was the one on the end, not the one in the middle that would also have to come out.  I looked it over.  Had paper been holding it in a stuck position, I would have put it over a flame and burned the paper away.  Being plastic, fire was not the answer.

I pulled on the stuck plastic.  It stretched.  I pushed.  ---- When all else fails – I used a hammer! 

The paper punch is reassembled and in in its proper place. 

Now you may be wondering why I am telling you this.  One reason is that it really would have made a good YouTube video.  Especially the hammer part.  Another reason is that God’s Word is like a hammer.

GOD’S WORD IS LIKE A HAMMER

The hammer, lying around in the drawer, is of no value.  The hammer has to be picked up and used.  The Word of God, the Bible, is of no value sitting on a shelf.  The Bible has to be opened and used.

The ball pein hammer can fix a puncher thing, but in the hands of a master carpenter, that hammer can turn iron into a work of art.  The Bible can give insight, but, in the hands of a believer, the Bible can cause a heart to forgive.

The claw hammer can be used to remove nails.  The Bible can be used to remove resentment, hate, and indifference.

The sledge hammer has power and strength.  SO DOES THE BIBLE!!!  The Bible has truth and in the truth we find our power and strength.

Finally, the soft faced hammer is used when materials need a gentle touch.  The Bible does that too.  Some words are like a whisper to your soul or a gentle touch to your cheek.

Soooooo – when you need to fix a paper punch and all else fails, use a hammer, BUT do not wait until all else fails to use the Bible.

 WALK AWAY OR FOLLOW?

So many people are concerned about the direction the USA and the world are taking, but haven’t we seen this before?  Hasn’t every generation thought the next would destroy the world?  Why does this time feel different?  Up until now, things changed, but the foundations upon which this country was founded stayed the same.  Our country had a solid foundation built on freedom, faith, family, and hard work.  Now we are seeing that foundation eroding and that frightens us.  We feel helpless to stop it.  We wonder what has happened. 

“Our faith is not interested in saving your soul.  We’re here to help you unfold the awesome soul you already have.” Andrea Lerner. 

https://www.uua.org/beliefs/what-we-believe/beliefs/christianity/views-jesus

Those in the pulpit no longer believe.

https://www.christianpost.com/news/preachers-who-don-t-believe-the-scandal-of-apostate-pastors.html

A drag queen, Ms. Penny Cost, has been approved as a candidate for the ministry. 

https://religionnews.com/2021/04/15/first-drag-queen-certified-as-a-candidate-for-united-methodist-ministry-speaking-in-a-new-way-to-new-people/

You can go online and become an ordained minister. 

https://unministry.org/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwiNSLBhCPARIsAKNS4_eSmv2I2nktZFh766NIGt1WzdTBNBLvOJ-Tt6DtGu44PrVZVu5J2vsaAnQ1EALw_wcB

Bystanders watched a rape and did nothing.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/woman-raped-train-philadelphia-fishton-ngoy/

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Our country had a solid foundation built on freedom, faith, family, and hard work.  Now we are seeing that foundation eroding and that frightens us.  We feel helpless to stop it.  We wonder what has happened. 

Pastor Larry spoke on John 6:60-71 and I think those passages answer the question.  He explained that the people watched as Jesus performed miracles and healings.  They loved being part of the feeding of the 5,000.  They were reassured when Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.  I am the bread of life.” 

They were confused when Jesus continued, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”  (John 6:53-54)

They followed Jesus, but when they became confused things changed. 

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.  (John 6:66) 

As I typed the chapter and verse I realized this verse answers every problem the world is having. 

We have turned back and no longer follow Him!

PS – I did NOT pick the chapter and verse because of the number.  The number was coincidental – or was it?

 

HODGE PODGE

I have not written a hodge podge blog for a bit, so here goes.   

Bill is my proof reader.  He finds my spelling errors, but sometimes they are a lesson more than an error.  He pointed out that I had written haven instead of heaven.

I looked up haven:

• Harbor, port
• A place of safety, refuge
• A place offering favorable opportunities or conditions A safe and peaceful place
• Sanctuary

Don’t know about you, but haven sounds an awful lot like heaven.   

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A TV minister made the statement, “God doesn’t have grandchildren.  He only has children.”

I thought about that.  Why not grandchildren?  Oh… I can believe.  I can have a very strong belief.  I am a child of God, but my faith does not insure my children or grandchildren will have eternal life.  I pray they will hear the scriptures and believe.

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I have a coloring app on my iPad and enjoy it because it is not a color by number.  I pick the colors.  

I had an art teacher criticize me because I made the leaves on a tree purple.  She informed me, “Trees do not have purple leaves.”  I told her, “Mine do.”  

Warning:  Disagreeing with an art teacher has a direct impact on the grade placed on the report card.

There are numerous pictures of animals and that causes me a problem.  Every so often, a snake picture will appear.  I HATE SNAKES!  Every time I saw one of those pictures, I cringed.  Then I had a brain storm.  I would completely cover them with black.  And I did.

This caused another problem.  When I see that black square, I know there is a snake under it.  It is still there.  Covering up those snakes is like trying to hide a sin from God.  Hide the sin in a closet.  God knows it is there.  Hide the sin under a whole lot of doing good.  God knows it is there.  Leave sin at home when going to church.  God knows it is there.  Guess I cannot hide those snakes and I cannot hide my sins from God.

Sure wish Noah had left those snakes behind!

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It is a full moon.  Question: Isn’t it always a full moon?  Just because we cannot see the entire moon, doesn’t mean all the moon isn’t there.  This leads to the fact that we cannot see the love of God, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there.  The moon- all of it - is always there.  God’s love - all of it - is always there.

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How do we reply when God wants us to do something?  YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT? 

Words we use to argue with God:

• Nevertheless … a sure sign we are going to argue with God
• If … the beginning of a negotiation (And we really think we can negotiate with God.)
• But … Going to disagree
• Cannot … an excuse is on the way
• Except for … not totally against God’s request if He would remove that one little section
• When ... God is about to hear that now is not a good time

The amazing thing is that we honestly believe we will win an argument with God.  Moses tried everything to get out of doing as God asked.  “I have never been eloquent,” he said.  Now I might have zapped him, but a very patient God replied, “Aaron will serve as a mouth for you, and you will serve as God to him.” 

Thinking about Moses, did all of the Israelites go with Moses or did some stay behind?  It says a mixed crowd also went up with them.  Does this mean some non-Israelites skipped town with them?

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One final thought and this is for all of you who voice text.  A friend called and was laughing at herself.  She had sent a voice text.  You know:  Hi comma I am just checking on you period  I will pray for you period

Then she began a prayer:  Dear God comma

HAVE A GREAT comma SUPER comma FANTASTIC WEEK exclamation mark

 

 SIGNS

Everywhere I look there are signs.  Stop signs.  Go signs.  For sale signs.  Opening soon.  We are hiring.  Closed.  There are signs telling me to yield, to wait here, and do not enter.  I see signs for detours, where to turn, where to sit, and where to wait.  I see speed limit signs, which I consider suggestions and not to be taken literally.

SIGNS!!!  EVERYWHERE I LOOK THERE ARE SIGNS!!!!

I see someone look me in the eyes, smile, and nod there head.  A sign that I am not invisible.

I see a parent kneel and softly speak to their child.  A sign of love.

I hear the truth spoken from the pulpit.  A sign that God’s Word has never changed.

I hear laughter.  A sign that joy is alive.

I feel the autumn breeze.  A sign that one season is ending and another is beginning.

I feel the warmth of covers.  A sign I am blessed with the luxury of a safe place to sleep.

I taste the crisp apple.  A sign of a successful harvest.

I taste the pizza.  A sign of the availability of food.

I smell the aroma of a fresh pot of coffee.  A sign that my day will begin – after the coffee.

I smell the cleanliness of a new born.  A sign of hope for man’s future.

SIGNS!!!  EVERYWHERE WE LOOK THERE ARE SIGNS!!!!

Yes, there are signs everywhere.  The secret is seeing them. 

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth  --  Signs!

And God said, “Let there be light .. darkness and day  --  Signs!

And God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters … called the expanse “sky”  --  Signs!

And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place … called “land”  --  Signs!

Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation … plants, trees  --  Signs!

And God said, “Let there be lights … stars, moon and sun  --  Signs!

And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures and let birds fly  --  Signs!

And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures  --  Signs!

And God created man in his own image  --  Signs!

SIGNS!!!  EVERYWHERE WE LOOK THERE ARE SIGNS!!!!

Yes, there are signs everywhere.  The secret is seeing them.

What about you?  Do you see them?

FAT BEAR WEEK

I had never heard of Fat Bear Week. Please highlight and open the following link.  It is fun to see the bears and to read about Fat Bear Week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_kBdhuCVIE

If the link does not work, go to Explore.org and hit the link to Get To Know Your Fat Bear Contenders.  If neither way works, google Fat Bear Week and look for Explore.org

Have you watched the video?  Here is what I would like to propose.  I think we should have a FAT SPIRIT WEEK!  I think we should all become contenders as we prepare for winter (aka life).

FAT SPIRIT WEEK

Breakfast Recipes To Fatten Up Your Spirit

SUNDAY:  As you eat your breakfast, drink a cup of LOVE.  This love will energize your Spirit and give you the ability to love others as Christ loves you.

MONDAY:  To begin your week on a high note, take two slices of JOY and spread a cup of PEACE between them.  Your Spirit will shout with joy and bless all you meet.  That cup of peace will give your Spirit the ability to be calm in a world of chaos.

TUESDAY:  This morning you are to swallow a pill that will change your Spiritual life.  This pill is filled with PATIENCE and will allow your Spirit to wait.  Waiting allows your Spirit to be ready and available.

WEDNESDAY:  As strange as this sounds, this morning you are to eat a salad for breakfast.  By the middle of the week, our resolve can waiver and something with no purpose can seem inviting.  You do not want to fall behind and have a skinny Spirit so here is how you will prepare a salad to fatten your Spirit.  Using a very large bowl, start with a generous helping of love.  Yes, I know.  Love was Sunday, but we do not want to limit any of our Spiritual qualities to only one day … do we?  Now add joy, peace, and patience to the love.  Pour a dressing of GENTLENESS over the salad.  Enjoy and fatten your Spirit with each bite.  How much larger your Spirit is now that it has gentleness.

THURSDAY:  You are doing great.  I can see your Spirit is getting a bit chubby, but there is something you need to add or your Spirit will not continue to fatten up.  Again, a simple pill.  This pill will fill your Spirit with SELF-CONTROL.  This gives your Spirit the strength it needs to control YOU.  There are times when you will want to rebel.  Without your Spirit having this super power, you might be like Darth Vader.  You could find yourself moving to the Dark Side.  Take this pill quickly!

FRIDAY:  You are almost to the end of Fat Spirit Week and I can see a difference.  You are standing taller.  You also need to go shopping.  Your Spirit is a size or two larger.  This morning you are not to eat anything special.  Whatever you would like.  Pancakes.  Omelet.  Just have a cup of coffee.  But … do you see that really delicious muffin sitting there?  It is not for you.  You are to give the muffin away.  Your Spirit must have the wonderful qualities of KINDNESS and GOODNESS.  Giving away the muffin will allow your Spirit to teach you the wonder of helping others.

SATURDAY:  Can you make it through the final day?  Only one more breakfast to complete.  This breakfast could be the one that pushes your Spirit to the point of filling every teeny, tiny cell your body has.  Ready?  This morning you are to find a really big plate.  Check all your cabinets to make sure it is the largest!  Grab a fork.  Dig in and fill your Spirit with FAITHFULNESS!  This will cause your Spirit to guide you so you are steadfast and stay true to promises you make.  Your Spirit will allow you to see the truth and give you the power to be in communion and good standing with other believers.  And God will see that you are faithful to Him.

Your Fat Spirit Week is now over.  Hopefully, you have enjoyed my mind going in a – a unique way.  My prayer is that your Spirit has grown.

But the fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness

and self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23

USE THE “Y”

You have to realize my hubby grew up an only child.  And his parents were older.  He was driving a tractor and truck, for a neighbor, by age 9.  (Back then people did not wrap children in bubble wrap.  They allowed them to experience all sorts of things that are frowned upon today.)  He did chores.  He went to school.  Yes, he played, but he did not grow up playing games. 

Coming from a family of four kids, I cannot imagine not playing games.  We played Uncle Wiggily and BINGO and Monopoly and Parcheesi and Chinese Checkers.  We played Old Maid and Crazy Eight and Go Fish.  My favorite game is Sorry.  We played Croquet.  Yes, we played games!!! 

Here is the kicker though – I love to play games … but I really do not care if I win.  It is the game that is fun.  Winning is a bonus.

Back to hubby.  Over the years, I have tried to get him to play games.  The answer was, “No.”  The kids tried to get him to play games.  The answer was, “No.”  The grandkids tried to get him to play games.  Even then, the answer was, “No.”  Until …. he finally agreed to try a game called Quiddler. 

If you have not heard of this card game, it begins by dealing three cards and increases each hand until you deal ten.  The cards have letters on them and the goal is to spell words.  We played.  We played again.  We play almost every evening.

Remember, it is the game I enjoy, but I do win this somewhere around 60-70% of the time.  Why?  The main reason is because I know how to play games.  I know strategy.  If he is the one going out, I re-arrange my cards so he doesn’t get extra points.  Not having grown up playing games, he doesn’t think about strategy.  He doesn’t try to stop me from getting extra points.

BUT – we help each other.  Last night he went out and I was playing my words and laying a Y over to the side.  I could not fit it anywhere and would have to deduct those points.  He looked at one of my words and said, “Put the Y on ever.”  Every -- of course.  Why hadn’t I seen that?  There it was plain as day and I missed it. 

Life is often like our Quiddler games: 

• You need a strategy or plan to get through.
• You need someone to help make sure you don’t miss the obvious.
• You need to accept that help.

One of these seems very hard for us to do.  Which one?  Accepting help from others is difficult.  We want to do it ourselves.  We don’t want to be obligated by allowing someone to help us.  We don’t want to admit we need help.

The strategy of this blog is obvious.  USE THE “Y.”  When your plan isn’t quite getting the job done and you are missing the obvious, accept the help of others. 

 WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT?

Bill’s dad was a short wave radio operator.  He connected with people around the world.  We often talk about how he would absolutely have a blast with today’s technology.  I never met him, but I can picture him hitting that camera button and talking with someone in England or France or who knows where.  He would have loved the ability to “see” the person, not just hear them.  Who would have thought?

My dad was a trucker.  A big rig guy.  He would have enjoyed a CB Radio to talk to other drivers.  I can hear him saying, “Hey good buddy, your back tire is low.” And what a blessing a cell phone would have been.  I can see him pulling a phone out of his pocket and saying, “Call home.” We would have known he was safe and mom would have known what time to expect him home.  Who would have thought?

Although I do not remember him, my grandpa, on my mother’s side, was a farmer.  He raised a family on 40 acres.  They had a few chickens and probably some cows and pigs.  I am told he had a sense of humor and loved to tell stories on himself.  A favorite story was about the time he was building a fence.  It was only when he put the last board up that he realized there was a problem.  He had not put in a gate.  Oh, I wish I had known him.  But, what would he think of the farm equipment today?  I bet he would love auto-steer.  I bet it is easier than steering a horse to make a straight line.  I can picture him crawling into a combine, asking a gazillion questions, and then telling all about it while sitting on the liar’s bench.  Of course, he would not have stretched the story any.  Who would have thought?

From a small TV screen to a screen that can cover half of the living room wall.  From taking a picture and waiting to have the film developed to instant picture.  From writing with pen and paper to writing my blog on an iPad.  From putting a letter in the mail to sending off an email or text.  Who would have thought?

Times sure do change!  When I look back there are very few things that are the same as when I was young.  Except for ….

Except for God.  Isn’t that amazing?  God was the same for my father-in-law, my father, and my grandfather as he is for me.  The same!  He listened then.  He listens now.  He gave them grace and forgiveness and love.  He gives grace, forgiveness and love now.  He cared then.  He cares now. 

Know what?  I really, REALLY like that.  God is the same!  It gives me peace to know that He was there when my father-in-law connected with someone on the far side of the world.  It gives me comfort to know that He was there keeping my dad safe.  It gives me great joy to know He was there just waiting for grandpa to realize he had not put in a gate.

In a world that is constantly changing, I can find peace, comfort, and joy in a God who is the I AM – the Alpha and the Omega – the First and the Last. 

 A WASTED DAY

A little background:  Some friends were joining us, in Champaign, Illinois, for Half Century of Progress.  This is held every two years and showcases old farm equipment.  To old farmers, this is a time to remember.  To young farmers, it is a history lesson.  I went with Bill and saw two young men looking at a very old tractor.  They were really giving it the once over so I told them, “No matter how hard you look, there is no USB port for your phone.”  I thought it was funny.  The two young men stood and stared as we headed to the next old tractor.

Our friends arrived and the next two days, Bill and Eugene enjoyed all that old equipment and field demonstrations, while Brenda and I explored the area.  We spent time in two cemeteries.  We found a tea shop with 500 varieties of tea.  Brenda is the tea lover and, yet, I bought more tea than she did.  We shopped at Prairie Garden.  Funny how Brenda, again, found items she thought I would enjoy.  I did and those items are now part of my fall décor.  We found a popcorn store, but instead of being open, they were selling popcorn at the Illinois football game.  Guess they would rather sell to thousands instead of two gals from Indiana.  I was disappointed.  I sure do like cheddar/carmel popcorn. 

Enough background --- except for one more thing:  OUR TRUCK BROKE DOWN!  Thankfully, it limped into the hotel parking lot.  The truck experienced being towed and is now enjoying its stay in a service bay at the Serra Champaign GMC dealership.  Did I mention this happened August 27 – 21 days ago!  Why so long?  Parts – waiting on parts!

A WASTED DAY

I cannot say enough about our local dealership, Dorais, or the dealership in Champaign.  They have worked together to find parts.  Well, there is just one small thing ….

Bill called to get an update on our truck and was told it would be ready Wednesday the 15th.  Bill smiled!  He misses his truck!  We drove three and a half hours to …. to find out they had discovered another problem and were --- YUP, waiting on a part.  Before we headed home, we went to the popcorn store.  Surely one thing can go right.  IT DID NOT OPEN FOR ANOTHER HALF HOUR!  Waiting for a half hour, with a three and a half hour drive ahead, was not an option. 

A TOTALLY WASTED DAY!  Or was it?

Attitude is everything.  The day might not have gone as we planned, but it was not a wasted day.  We saw fields being harvested.  We saw leaves changing color.  We arrived home safe and sound.  We spent the day together. 

Nope.  Not a wasted day.  BUT I sure wish that popcorn store had been open.

 A LITTLE SALT WITH THAT?

A number of years ago — the grandkids were young — we had a fantastic Sunday.  Hamburgers on the grill.  Bubbles.  Conversation.  Frisbee contest.  Adults talking and kids playing.  It was such a great day.

UNTIL ….  Until it was time for homemade ice cream.  Now, you would think, ice cream, with all the toppings, would be the hit of the day.  The piece de resistance!  The kids lined up with bowls in hand.  They had smiles.  They were eyeing the toppings.  Their minds were already making choices on chocolate or butterscotch or nuts or whipped topping or all of them.  They held out their bowl.  They added toppings, sat down, and took a bite.  It was ….

The look on their faces.  What could be wrong?  I know I put all the ingredients in.  It looked great when we dipped it out.  No one was eating it.  They all had the look of, “This is awful.” What could be wrong?

Salt?  Why does the ice cream taste like salt?  Those poor kids had all taken a very large bite and then tried to figure out what to do.  Swallowing didn’t seem to be an option.  Spitting it out ….. 

Luckily, we had made two batches of ice cream.  The second freezer of ice cream was very good. 

How did salt get in the ice cream? Well …. We discovered a very, very, very tiny hole in the seam around the bottom of the canister.  Salt had seeped in while it was being cranked.  Salt seeped in while it was waiting to be eaten. 

I fixed ice cream last weekend.  Guess what I heard from the grandkids.  Yup.  Even after all these years, they reminded me not to put salt in.  I always reply, “It was not me.  There was a hole in the canister.”

 ———————

It is amazing how much salt did get into the ice cream.  It was such a tiny hole.  You had to know where to look to even see it.  That hole and salt are sorta like Satan and sin.

Satan can find even the smallest hole and use that hole to whisper, “Go ahead.  No one will know.”  Or, “It was okay the first time, once more won’t hurt.”  Or, “All your friends are doing it.  You want to be like your friends, don’t you?”

Then, the sin, just like the salt, changes everything. 

Take a good look at your life.  Your actions.  Is there a tiny, tiny, very tiny hole that sin can slip through?

If there is, get in gear and fix that hole!

 

 TIME

SEPTEMBER?  It cannot be September!  Yesterday it was May 31st.  I will admit May was a long month.  I don’t know why.  It seemed to drag on and on, but June, July, and August have flown by.  And … September means it will be cooler and colorful and the air will be crisp. 

Yes, it is September!  I like the idea of cooler and who doesn’t like fall/autumn?  I cannot imagine living where the weather is always the same or where the leaves do not change color.  I enjoy watching the landscape change as crops are harvested.  I love the first snow and the grass turning green in the spring.  Each season is unique.  Each holds a certain expectation. 

I turned to the dictionary:

• Winter – the colder half of the year, a period of inactivity or decay
• Spring – a time or season of growth or development
• Summer – the warmer half of the year, a period of maturing powers
• Fall/Autumn – the season leaves fall from trees -- a period of maturity or incipient decline

I turned to the Bible and the obvious scripture:

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:  Ecclesiastes 3:1

Where am I going with this?  As often happens, I am not sure.  When I looked at Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, I tried to think about the rest of the book.  Nothing.  Nada.  Zip.  Like everyone, I know “A time for everything,” but this is not a book I read over and over.  Why would I want to read:  “Meaningless!  Meaningless!” says the Teacher.  “Utterly meaningless!  Everything is meaningless.”  (KJV uses “vanity” which can be described as empty or valueless)

I know this is written as a “how to make your way through life” and “wisdom for the big picture.”  The introduction says this is to warn us that life’s rewards are uncertain and ultimately unsatisfying.  But to say everything is meaningless / valueless…..

I want to shout, “NO IT IS NOT!  LIFE IS NOT MEANINGLESS!”

The author is not absolutely known, but tradition identifies him as Solomon.  Solomon was in a time of reflection and a time when he had stepped back from his faith.  The educated, those with degrees, and those who have studied all the commentaries on Ecclesiastes, will quickly tell me that I am over-simplifying Solomon’s state of mind and not getting the point.  That is probably true.  BUT …

The point I find is that, in the end, all that matters is how I use my time. 

Did I plant the seeds of faith in others and help them uproot evil?

Did I build others up and tear down walls?

Did I keep those things that gave value to my soul and throw away distractions?

Did I know when to speak up and when to be silent?

Did I love others and hate sin?

Did I know when to fight a battle and when to celebrate peace?

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

When I look back, will I see my life as meaningless or will I look back and find I used my time wisely? 

 

 MEMORIES

Memories – Songs describe memories as precious and state that as we travel on life’s pathway we have no idea what the years will hold.  Thomas Hood wrote I Remember, I Remember. This poem tells about the house where he was born and red and white roses and where he used to swing. 

Memories – oh, yes, memories are precious.  But not always!!  I often hear people talk about the “good ole days” or “I wish I could have lived back then.”  Not me!  When I was a kid and visited my grandma or aunts and uncles, I had to use an outhouse.  Outhouses smell, they are very dark, and spiders live there.  I was always glad to get back home to indoor plumbing!  I think when people call them the “good ole days” they are remembering only the good things.  They picture people sitting in a swing and visiting with neighbors and forget that women died in childbirth.  They picture children running barefoot and tree swings and forget that children left school to work in factories or mines.  I hear people say we should go back to “family farms.”  I think they picture a farm with a few pigs, chickens, and a cow or two, but forget that farmers today feed all those people who wouldn’t know how to gather eggs, can green beans, or slaughter a hog.  I think we have selective memories.

Here are a few of mine ---

I remember feeling special on my birthday.  I got to pick the meal and what kind of cake I would like.  Dad, a truck driver, tried to be home on our birthdays, but it did not always happen.  One time, I opened presents at midnight when he got home.  I love birthdays!

I remember watching storms.  I still watch storms.

I remember my sister stopping her tricycle and my bike not stopping.  Do you know how many neighbors panic when they see a kid fly over a tricycle and land on a very hard sidewalk?  I do not remember the landing.  I think fright took over and blocked out everything between mid-air and being surrounded by those concerned neighbors.  Funny thing is I got in trouble and that younger sister of mine, who suddenly stopped her tricycle, did not.  This is the same sister that always had to go to the bathroom when it was time to do the dishes. 

I remember the first time I saw mountains and the ocean and flew in a plane. 

I remember my grandma reading her Bible. 

My best memory ever?  My best memory is yet to come.

Memories are precious and we never know when our heart will store a new one.  Some memories are hard and we try to forget them.  Do not do that.  Our past – our memories – all work together to make us unique.  They write our story.  They teach us how to handle new conflicts and trials.  They guide us toward new memories and new memories keep us from being stuck in the past.

 

VISITORS

At coffee, the question was asked:  How do churches recognize visitors?  Do they give out gift bags?  Do nothing? 

The first reply was, “Speak to them and welcome them to church.”  Well, duh, that was the obvious answer.  We soon realized this question was more complicated than it seemed.  Why?  Glad you asked.

Have you ever visited a church where they asked, “Do we have any visitors this morning?  Hold your hand up so we can see you.”  This simple routine can cause some to be very uncomfortable.

• Some people are shy.  Having never been to this church before, they wanted to sneak in, listen, and go on their way.  Being told to hold up their hand can be traumatic. 

Of course the greeters will recognize visitors.  Maybe not. 

• Some people are members, but have not been to church for so long no one recognizes them.  This can cause embarrassment all around.

Asking for that hand to go up or greeters pointing out visitors is often followed by the ushers bringing around gift bags with information and a sports bottle, proudly featuring the church logo.

The gift bag can also be an issue.  I am sure it took a committee at least one meeting or maybe three or four, to finalize what is in the bag.

• General church information
• Presenting our staff
• A welcome gift
• A map of the church (Note:  This is one I would not have thought of, but makes sense.  A map and a contact to receive a tour of the church would be of great benefit to those that would like to come again.

Some suggestion from around the coffee table:

• Make it personal – At least get their first name and use their name at least once.  If your church has multiple services, a way to phrase your first remark might be, “Hello, I do not remember seeing you at this service.  My name is ___.”  If your church only has one service, you can say, “Hi.  I don’t think we have been introduced.  My name is _____.”  These simple statements will work for visitors or members who rarely attend.

• Do not have the speaker/lay leader/elder ask for a show of hands.  Instead, welcome visitors and point out where they can find information or suggest they speak to an usher for answers to specific questions.  A biggie is to have that information available!!  Make sure there are always information packets or gifts bags where they should be.  You do not want to say, “Oh.  I guess we are out.  I will tell the committee.  Come back next week and I am sure they will be ready.”

• Do not be pushy.  There is a difference between welcoming and being pushy.  Welcoming is friendly and simple.  Pushy is signing them up for a committee, Sunday School, and membership class on their first visit.  Welcoming might see them in the pews the next Sunday.  Pushy will cause them to never darken the doors again. 

• Remember, you might have your favorite pew or chair.  That sweet spot where you can see the minister and stretch out your legs, but a visitor does not know that.  News flash:  It will not kill you to sit in another location.  It is not just a story on Facebook.  In the real world, there have been people visiting and were quickly told, “That is my seat.  Please move.”  I can guarantee you where I would have moved.  Yup.  Right out the door.

• One not discussed, but one that is important to remember:  Visitors are not familiar with the service.  Every church has its own quirks and churches must realize they are not a fit for everyone.  The church where I attend likes to laugh.  In another church, those straight-laced, sour faced people will glare at you for daring to laugh in church.  For them, church is serious.  Help visitors feel comfortable by asking if they have any questions about the service.

• All of these are extremely important to remember for people who might be coming to the church as new believers.  They will feel lost from the moment they walk in the door.  And think how hard that was!  Picture them standing there, not knowing what was going to take place.  Maybe not knowing a single person.  Are they nervous?  As new believers they do not know what to expect or even how to find scriptures.  Think how anxious they are until one person walks over and says, “Hi.  Welcome to our church.  Is there anything I can help you with?”

- - - - - - - - - - -

The question was asked:  How do churches recognize visitors?  We soon realized this question was more complicated than it seemed.  Or is it? 

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25:34-41

The way we recognize them, with a gift bag or information pamphlet, might be complicated but the action is easy ---

WE INVITE THEM IN!

 WHO IS AT THE DOOR?

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.  He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God.  For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”   John 3:1-2

Pastor Larry commented that he though Nicodemus was trying to “butter up” Jesus to get on his good side.  He then wondered what Nicodemus, who comes at night, would say if Jesus knocked on his door.

“Mary, were you surprised at the answers your Sunday School class gave when you asked them what they would do if Jesus knocked on their door?”

Yes.  They all said they would open the door.  They must all know where their Bible is.

“If I had a dollar for every time someone used the example of trying to find their Bible before they opened the door, I would be rich.

What would you do?”

Well …

“It is not a hard question Mary.  What would you do if Jesus knocked on your door?”

Well …

“Mary, Jesus has seen dust.”

Oh great.  Now everyone will be asking me if I have dusted lately!

“Would you open the door?”

How would I know it was him and not someone trying to scam me?

“Didn’t the class answer that?”

They said my Spirit would know it was Jesus, but, when he was a kid, Duane said Jesus came to their door and looked like a hungry stranger.  Will I know?

“Trust me.  You will know.  But didn’t the Pastor wonder what Nicodemus would say to Jesus?  What would you say?”

I would say, “I am sorry.”

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Note:  You need to know that, when Pastor Larry wondered what Nicodemus would say, I wrote I AM SORRY on my bulletin.  Those words came to me in a rush and are not words I picked to make a point in this blog.  To be honest, after saying that I would most likely start jabbering.

“Mary, you jabber a lot.”

What?  Hey, watch it.  I can shut my computer down.  I can turn you off.

“Go ahead.  I will still be here.  I am always here, so jabber away.”

If you insist.  Thank you for the rain.  And could you please help all the people on the prayer list?  By the way, the sweet corn was delicious this year.  I am going off for a girl’s weekend, so if you could turn down the heat a bit, I would greatly appreciate it.  Oh, and watch over all the kids starting back to school.  And …..

 THE HEAT

It looks so pretty out.  The gladioli are opening – pretty pink and a few white ones, and the grass is green.  There is a rabbit running from a cat and a squirrel going up the tree.  I am sure the birds are singing.  I do not hear the birds –

I do not hear the birds, because I am inside.  In the air conditioning, which is turned a degree lower than my hubby likes.  He swears my comfort zone is anything below 60.  Over that and I am too hot.  Rest assured I am not contributing to climate change.  The ac is not set at 60. 

As a kid, we never knew it was an extreme day.  We never heard of a heat index.  It was hot and life went on.  Until 1998, I could tolerate the 80 and 90 degree days.  I had surgery that year.  A simple gallbladder surgery.  Routine.  Nothing to worry about.  Except I died.  I tell people God wasn’t done with me and the devil didn’t know what to do with me, so here I am.  No, I did not see a light.  Don’t think I got that close.  That routine surgery changed my outlook on life.  It also messed with my body’s thermostat.  It lowered my comfort zone.  Since then I only like the heat if there is water involved – a pool, the beach, or on a ship. 

A changed life meant adjustments from how I had gone about my days.  If I want to work in the flower bed, I have to do it very early before the thermometer starts going up.  Thankfully the heat does not bother Bill and he mows and does 99% of the outside work.  (He also does inside work.  I am very spoiled!)  If I want to go on a girl’s day out, I try to make it spring or fall.  Summer would find me sitting on a bench while they walked around that quaint little town.  And I have done that.  Yup, one little not-so-routine-event and my life changed.

I remember another little not-so-routine-event that also changed my life. 

Yes, I knew the stories.  I had been sent to Sunday School and church for years.  Yes, I knew the Books of the Bible.  We memorized those and a few versus that everyone thinks you must know.  I knew about Jesus.  My grandma told me all about him.  She had such a great faith.  The key part of that sentence is ‘she had.’  What I knew and what I felt was what others told me I should feel.  But it was always their faith.  Their beliefs.  Until one day when it sank in and it became my faith.  Not because someone said it should be.  Not because it was my grandma’s faith.  Just because it became mine – and I changed.

Did I become instantly perfect?  Oh my goodness NO!  When the heat began to bother me, I had to learn what I could do and what would make me absolutely miserable.  It was a learning process.  Still is a learning process.  When I became a Christian – for real not because I should – it became a learning process.  Still is a learning process.

When faith becomes real.  When Jesus becomes personal.  When the Holy Spirit gives wisdom.  When God is everywhere.  Change happens!  Some changes happen quickly.  Some changes happen slowly.  But, beware – you are being warned – when you finally shout, “It is all true!  God is real!  Jesus died for ME!  The Holy Spirit lives in ME!” – you will change.  Your life will change.

Are you ready to change?  God is waiting to give you so much.  Take Him up on his gifts today!!