MISDIRECTED ANGER

Recently our news, emails and Facebook have been inundated by comments on rape. It seems our politicians should engage brain before opening mouth. But politicians are not the only ones and I believe we are misdirecting our anger.

"It seems to me, from what I understand from doctors, that’s really rare. If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down." - Todd Akin (R)

April 25, 1988: During an NBC interview with Connie Chung on the subject of stress, Knight utters the now-infamous quote: "I think that if rape is inevitable, relax and enjoy it." The remark triggers a protest march of about 300 people on the Indiana campus.

Whoopi Goldberg on 43-year-old Roman Polanski raping and sodomizing a 13-year-old girl: "I know it wasn't rape-rape. It was something else but I don't believe it was rape-rape. He went to jail and and [sic] when they let him out he was like "You know what this guy's going to give me a hundred years in jail I'm not staying, so that's why he left."

Bellefonte, Pa. -- The silence of Jerry Sandusky was total. Even after the jury foreman had spoken, finding the former Penn State assistant coach guilty on 45 of 48 counts of child sexual molestation of 10 victims, even as he was being led in handcuffs, out the back door of the Centre County Courthouse, and off to a nearby jail, to spend his first night of the rest of his life as a convicted felon, he never made a noise.

You can get a ring tone for your phone from The Fantasticks’ Rape Song: So why be stingy? It depends on what you pay! The kids will love it. It depends on what you Ra-aa-aa-pe! Ole!

We have every right to be angry with the statement made by Todd Akin. BUT were we just as angry when Bobby Knight said to “relax and enjoy it”? Did you complain to the View about Whoopi Goldberg’s comments? Are you willing to hold your Alma-mater accountable for putting sports over the molestation of our children? Are you mad there are songs that make rape a ringtone?

Misdirected anger! We should be mad because a person of the other political party said something stupid about rape. We should be irate when anyone makes light of rape!

Misdirected anger! The following information was taken from the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network website www.rainn.org

Every 2 minutes, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted

1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime (14.8% completed rape; 2.8% attempted rape). 17.7 million American women have been victims of attempted or completed rape.

1 out of 33 American men have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. 2.78 million American men have been victims of sexual assault or rape.

15% of sexual assault and rape victims are under age 12. 7% of girls in grades 5-8 and 12% of girls in grades 9-12 said they had been sexually abused. 3% of boys grades 5-8 and 5% of boys in grades 9-12 said they had been sexually abused. 93% of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker.

54% of sexual assaults are not reported to the police and 97% of rapists will never spend a day in jail.

Victims of sexual assault are:

• 3 times more likely to suffer from depression.
• 6 times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
• 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol.
• 26 times more likely to abuse drugs.
• 4 times more likely to contemplate suicide.

Are you mad about the politician’s comments? GOOD. But, if on November 7, 2012, you are no longer mad, then your anger is misdirected. And, if the comments of politicians are the only ones that make you mad, then your anger is misdirected. Your anger - my anger - should be directed toward rape!  Rape – period!

LET US PRAY:

O Lord, Today we lift up all who are victims of sexual assault. Surround them with people who can help them heal. Give them the courage to stand tall and unashamed. Restore their joy. Amen

DRY BONES

Many years ago, when I woke up from a really strange dream, I told Bill, “It must have been the pepperoni pizza.” From then on, whenever we have a wild dream, we smile and blame that ole pepperoni pizza.

Have you read Ezekiel? He didn’t have a dream caused by a pizza; he had a vision from the heavens. I love the first chapter because I have a vivid imagination and can feel the windstorm, flashing lightning and fire. I can hear the voice from above and see the glory of the Lord. Ezekiel fell facedown! Then God said to him, “Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.”

What do you want to bet that Ezekiel’s knees were weak and his hands were shaking? I wonder what was going through his mind. Was he trying to remember just how good/bad he had been?

Fast forward to chapter 37 and Ezekiel is now in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones.

SCRIPTURES: EZEKIEL 37: parts of various verses

God: “Son of man, can these bones live?”

Ezekiel: “O Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”

God: “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land.”

DRY BONES

Just how confused do you think poor ole Ezekiel was? First he gets a vision, which made him fall down flat, and now God tells him to speak to dry bones. Maybe he did have pepperoni pizza after all.

AND NOW

Go back and read Ezekiel chapters 1 and 37:1-14. Chapter one is just way cool. Chapter 37 was written to the Israelites to give them hope.

I am sure thinking about my broken arm and doing therapy this morning is why I thought about the scripture on dry bones. I don’t know about you, but there are times I have felt like a dry bone. Like the world was moving and I was just standing still. Like nothing I did turned out right. Like God was very far away.

“So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet -- a vast army.”

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

O Lord, Thank you for the hope sent through your prophet, Ezekiel. Put your Spirit in me so I may stand and live. Live and not be a dry bone. … Amen

HARVEST

SCRIPTURE: Exodus 23:16

Celebrate the Feast of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field. Celebrate the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field.

HARVEST

I don’t know about the area you live in, but in my little corner of the world tractors, trucks and combines are traveling back and forth across the fields to harvest the crops. It has been a rough year with no rain on one field and barely enough rain on another. Yields range from next to nothing to a normal crop. Those involved in agriculture are putting in long days to harvest what crops there are. They are missing their children’s ball games and, if the weather map says rain, they often have Sunday morning worship as they harvest, plow or unload the truck.

But there would be no harvest if there had not been work.

Farmers and ranchers across this great land work hard. They work hard to feed themselves. Their neighbors. You. They go to work before daylight and return home after dark. They check on a cow in the middle of the night just to make sure the delivery is going okay. They leave the dinner table because the truck showed up early for a load of hogs. They order seed and fertilizer in November that will not be used until the ground is ready to plant in the spring. They plant, tend, nurture and trust that what they produce (Corn, soybeans, wheat, potatoes, cattle, hogs, pumpkins, coffee, carrots, lettuce, chickens and another gazillion products.) will grow and harvest will begin again.

Yes, those involved in agriculture work hard to feed themselves, their neighbors and you. They work hard to provide for your physical body.

SCRIPTURE: John 4:31-36

Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.”

But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”

Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?”

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.”

HARVEST

Do you consider yourself a sower? Ever thought about yourself as a crop? Got news for you: YOU ARE BOTH!

AND NOW

Think about that last sentence. How do you sow the Word of God so others can be saved? Are you ready to be harvested into eternal life?

LET US PRAY

Today, please talk with the Lord. Ask Him to guide you as you sow His Word. And, if you are not spiritually ready to be harvested, talk to Him about that also.

BIBLE ROULETTE

Today, I started my writing with an idea in mind: I will play Bible Roulette. With eyes closed, I will select verses.

• So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. 1 Kings 17:5
• The book contains a short prologue and a longer epilogue, which may have been added to the outer materials. Proverbs Introduction
• to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him. Jude 11:15
• Blank -- (Yes, my finger pointed at a blank section of a page.)

I was sure this would point out that just taking random verses would make no sense. Would give no lesson. Know something? God has a sense of humor.

BIBLE ROULETTE

Did you just hear God laugh?

God - for sure - directed my finger to the first verse. So he did what the Lord had told him. Okay, that had to be a fluke because this verse preaches! Doing as the Lord told is a whole sermon. Or a simple prayer: Lord, I want to do as You tell me.

I was sure random pick two, part of the introduction to Proverbs, would make my point. God smiled and said, “Mary, you will understand the Books of the Bible, the inspired words of Me, if you understand who wrote them and why.” Okay, this random pick makes sense: Understand. Gain wisdom.

Finally! Random pick three proves my point. This verse makes no sense. First of all, it starts in the middle of a sentence. Why in the world did they number in the middle of sentences? Very confusing. Makes me wonder what the first of the sentence said God just smiled again. (So glad I am making His day.) Makes me wonder. Reading the Bible does seem to work that way. One verse makes you want to read another. One question makes you want to find the answer.

Well, I have God now! On pick four, my finger landed on a blank part of the page. Blank. No lesson there. And God said, “Are you so sure?”

Tenderly, God continued, “Mary, your tomorrow is a blank page. It is up to you what you write on it. You can be joyous. You can be bitter. You can be empty. Or you can be filled. Your tomorrow is up to you. Just remember, no matter what you do. No matter where you go. I am with you.”

SCRIPTURE: REVELATION 22:1

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb…

AND NOW?

My page is not going to be blank.  Don’t know about you, but I think I will find a really, REALLY big dipper and head to the river.

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Dear Lord, My tomorrow is a blank page. It is up to me what I write on it. I can be joyous. I can be bitter. I can be empty. Or I can be filled. My tomorrow is up to me, but I will remember, no matter what I do. No matter where I go. You are with me. Amen

BLESSED

If asked how you have been blessed, what would you answer? Would you say you have been blessed with family? Health? A home? Friends? Money? A church?

For a Sunday School lesson, I looked up scriptures relating to blessed/bless/blessing. Know what I found? God considers some mighty strange things as blessings. You are blessed if:

• you do not walk in the counsel of the wicked, stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
• you trust the Lord and tell false Gods to take a hike.
• you find wisdom and gain understanding.
• you are poor in spirit, mourn, are meek and are persecuted because of righteousness.
• you give instead of receive.
• you get through your trials.
• you wash your robes.
• you bless those who persecute you instead of curse them.

This is a very brief list and some of these make sense and some are just a bit hard. Does that mean receiving birthday gifts is a no-no? How about no trials instead of just getting through them? And the one about washing your robes is a bit confusing. And not cursing those that persecute you is really tough.

There were some really, REALLY good ones. You are blessed if:

• the Lord does not count your sins against you.
• you find your strength in God.
• read the Word.
• you take refuge in God.
• you proclaim Him.

These scriptures tell us we are blessed but they continue with you will receive.

AND NOW

Please take the time to look up scriptures on blessed/bless/blessing and see what you can find. How are you blessed? What is your reward?

SCRIPTURE:

As I was looking up scriptures I found one that referred to the Blessed Hope. And what is our Blessed Hope?

Titus 2:12-13 (Combination of the Message and King James)

God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the blessed hope,  the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

NOW THAT WILL BE A BLESSING! AND WHAT A REWARD!

REVIVE, RENEW AND RESTORE

Our church is planning an old fashioned tent revival. We have the tent ordered and it will go up next week. The chairs will be set up. The music is planned. The Evangelist is excited. We have advertised the Sunday morning service and four evening services. But I’m not sure I will go.

I mean - I teach Sunday School and go to church almost every Sunday. I joined a fall ladies Bible Study. I write this blog. I am secretary for our Church Council. Why do I need to go to the revival?

Yes the music will be exceptionally good and I understand the speaker is powerful, but gee -- how much church does one person need?

Do you know there are times when it is just an absolute chore to go to church?

Revive: Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Psalm 85:6

Do you know there are times when the only reason to go to church is because of a committee meeting?

Renew: he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5

Do you know there are times when the day is over and no prayer has been said and no scripture has been read?

Restore: Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:12

OH MY.

• If it is a chore to go to church, there is a need to be revived.
• If the only reason to go to church is a meeting, there is a need to be renewed.
• If a prayer has not been offered and no scripture has been read, there is a need to be restored.

I will be going to that revival.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Do you need revived? Renewed? Restored? Ask God for a good old revival in your life?

BE SILENT

There is no blog today.  I am extremely upset with what is going on in the world and the attacks on American soil.  I have expressed my frustrations on Facebook but do not know what to say as a devotional. I need to really be silent and listen to God. 

But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.   Habakkuk 2:20

Lord, calm my anger and take my frustration.  Amen

IT WAS IN THE NEWSPAPER SO IT HAS TO BE TRUE - DOESN’T IT? (This is not a political piece so please read on.)

I have written before about having Restless Legs Syndrome and, since I am still hunting and pecking on the keyboard, I will not go into a long description. I will only say it is a disease that people cannot see and, unless you have RLS, people do not understand. RLS is pure hell! This last weekend, those that suffer have worn their fingers to the bones because of an article whose author said, “made up by drug companies”, “must have found a cure because there are no ads on TV anymore” and (Are you ready?) “I do not believe RLS even exists.” She then said maybe she should check “WebMD.”

SHE HAD NOT EVEN RESEARCHED HER TOPIC.

Do you think my blood pressure went up? Yup! I left comments. I emailed the editor. And I was not the only one.

An apology has been posted and most people accepted it. We also asked that she write another article. One actually based on facts.

Where am I going with this? If I did not have RLS, I would read this article, laugh and then believe what she said.

SCRIPTURES

Do not spread false reports. Do not help a wicked man by being a malicious witness. Exodus 23:1

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. Matthew 7:15

IT WAS IN THE NEWSPAPER SO IT HAS TO BE TRUE - DOESN’T IT?

• It is preached from the pulpit. It has to be true, doesn’t it?
• I read it in a Christian book. It has to be true, doesn’t it?
• The Sunday School teacher told us. It has to be true, doesn’t it?

There are so many books. So many speakers. So many teachers. It is your responsibility to make sure what they are saying or teaching is true. As the scriptures point out, there are those that spread false reports. There are false prophets.

I knew the article on RLS was false, one lie after another, because I know RLS up close and personal.

We have to know our God and the true Word, up close and personal, so we will recognize lies and false prophets.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Do you have a close enough relationship with God that you can discern the Truth from lies?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Hello God, I have a request. Yes another one, but this one is very important for me to have a strong faith. Will You keep me close? I need to be up close and personal with You so I will know You and know Your True Word. I need to know so I will not believe lies or follow false prophets. Amen

TAKEN FOR GRANTED

TAKEN FOR GRANTED

• Drinking water
• Electricity
• Food

TAKEN FOR GRANTED

• Sleep
• Right to vote
• Dust will return

TAKEN FOR GRANTED

• Health
• The car will start
• Education

TAKEN FOR GRANTED

• The day will begin
• Something will go right
• The day will end

TAKEN FOR GRANTED

• It will rain for the picnic
• Chocolate
• Coffee

TAKEN FOR GRANTED

• Love
• Family
• God

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

What do you take for granted? What do you know will always be there?

We take so many things for granted. We just know they will always be there, when the truth is that everything on this list can disappear in a heartbeat. Everything except one.

SCRIPTURES

In the beginning God… Genesis 1:1

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8

GUARANTEED

• God

TEMPTATION

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 4:1-11 -- from THE MESSAGE

Next Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the Test. The Devil was ready to give it. Jesus prepared for the Test by fasting forty days and forty nights. That left him, of course, in a state of extreme hunger, which the Devil took advantage of in the first test: "Since you are God's Son, speak the word that will turn these stones into loaves of bread."

Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: "It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God's mouth."

For the second test the Devil took him to the Holy City. He sat him on top of the Temple and said, "Since you are God's Son, jump." The Devil goaded him by quoting Psalm 91: "He has placed you in the care of angels. They will catch you so that you won't so much as stub your toe on a stone."

Jesus countered with another citation from Deuteronomy: "Don't you dare test the Lord your God."

For the third test, the Devil took him to the peak of a huge mountain. He gestured expansively, pointing out all the earth's kingdoms, how glorious they all were. Then he said, "They're yours—lock, stock, and barrel. Just go down on your knees and worship me, and they're yours."

Jesus' refusal was curt: "Beat it, Satan!" He backed his rebuke with a third quotation from Deuteronomy: "Worship the Lord your God, and only him. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness."

The Test was over. The Devil left. And in his place, angels! Angels came and took care of Jesus' needs.

TEMPTATION

Our Sunday School class is studying Matthew and we are ready to discuss the temptation/test of Jesus. Last week I asked them to think about the first temptation. Comparing the contrast between Adam and Eve’s temptation and that of Jesus should make for some interesting discussion.

SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 3:8-12 -- from THE MESSAGE

When they heard the sound of God strolling in the garden in the evening breeze, the Man and his Wife hid in the trees of the garden, hid from God.

God called to the Man: "Where are you?"

He said, "I heard you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked. And I hid."

God said, "Who told you you were naked? Did you eat from that tree I told you not to eat from?"

The Man said, "The Woman you gave me as a companion, she gave me fruit from the tree, and, yes, I ate it."

God said to the Woman, "What is this that you've done?"

"The serpent seduced me," she said, "and I ate."

TEMPTATION

Can you picture the Garden of Eden? Adam and Eve surrounded by everything they would ever need and no worries. They didn’t have to think about their next meal or if they would be out of a job. They didn’t have to listen to the never ending chatter on cell phones and the price of fuel was of no concern to them. AND they were in the garden with God. WITH GOD!!!! How much better could it get?

Can you picture the temptation of Jesus? Jesus was out in the wild, by himself, hungry and tired. He didn’t even have a peanut butter sandwich and no pillow top mattress was to be found. When He looked out, all He saw was bleak. Desolate. Barren. No one around to talk to and if He would have had a cell phone, there would have been no service. How much worse could it get?

Yet -- with everything in the world at their feet, Adam and Eve could not say no.

Yet -- alone, Jesus would not say yes.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

You will be tempted/tested. Are you ready?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Lord, instill in me the desire, the wisdom and the strength to say, "Beat it, Satan!" Amen

BACK BUT BROKEN: THE DIFFERENCE ONE-HALF OF A STEP CAN MAKE

As promised, it is August 17 and I am back. But I am broken.

This could be a long story but, since I have to hunt and peck, I am going to shorten it. This year had been my year of vacations. Did you catch the “had been?” Because I have now marked a trip to Colorado and some sister time off my list. Marked them right off even though they were written in ink. Why? One-half of a step and some slick paint!

I had gotten out of a swimming pool, at McCormick Creek State Park, was walking over to get my camera to take pictures of grandsons who consider themselves quite the divers and -- down I went. My wet foot hit slick paint and I found myself sitting on rather warm concrete, with my left arm looking a bit out of alignment. After getting my daughter’s attention and the lifeguards realizing I was not just sitting there for the fun of it, things became a bit chaotic.

• Terri called her daddy and told him to get to the pool.
• The ambulance arrived.
• The ambulance, with me aboard, Bill following and Terri next in line, left for Bloomington, where Terri removed the Purdue hat she was wearing. (Some will understand this removal of hat.)
• 5+ hours later full of pain meds, arm in splint and changed out of my bathing suit into jammies, we left the hospital.
• We checked into a nearby motel and the next day came home with this gal still in her jammies.

I want to commend all that helped me. Those lifeguards took good care of me until the ambulance got there. The ambulance crew was great and understood my strange sense of humor. The IU trained staff took excellent care of my arm, a worried husband and a very concerned daughter.

Believe me when I say I was not prepared for this fall. Hopefully, there will be no surgery required!!!!!!! But there are doctor appointments to keep. There are showers with a sleeve to keep the cast dry. There are only two positions I can sleep in and support the arm. And underwear is a bit hard to pull up one-handed.

I do know I am very lucky. I could have hit my head (Although the consensus there is that since I am a bit hard headed ….) or broken a hip or broken a leg or broken my right arm. And if you have to be wearing something, a two piece bathing suit gives easy access to the arm and all those places they attach heart monitor tabs.

Okay, this did not turn out to be short but I want you to realize how quickly things can change. How quickly ALL those plans you have made can change.

You see one-half of a step and my wet foot would have missed that slick paint. One-half of a step and we would have gone to Colorado and later I would have enjoyed time with a sister. One-half of a step ---

One-half of a step -- I was not prepared for the changes this forced upon me. There are just some things we can never be prepared for. There are other changes that we must be prepared for.

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 24:30-31, 35-36 AND 42

Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Life is never sure and we are all only one-half step away from change. Are you prepared?

PLEASE PRAY

This needs to be your prayer. If you are prepared and have accepted Jesus, reaffirm your decision. If you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, do so now.

I AM ON VACATION AND WILL POST AGAIN AUGUST 17, 2012

Thank you for checking my blog.  We are off for a couple days with our children at a state park and then leave next week to enjoy a friend’s cabin in Colorado.

Have a blessed day.

Mary

RECIPES

I just finished looking through some Taste of Home magazines before I give them to our daughter. I found some recipes that my taste buds would appreciate. I found more recipes that will never be tried.

Oh, not because they don’t sound great, but because of the ingredients. Fresh cilantro. Multigrain linguine. Smoked salmon or lox.

Let me first say, that I am very thankful we have a grocery store. Did you catch the part about A grocery store? This is a fairly small town with a good store, but it is a basic grocery store with a bit of those unknown food items thrown in.

Tomato Pesto Tart sounds really good but where do I find pine nuts for the pesto sauce? Stuffed Peppers with Andouille confused me until I read that Andouille is a sausage. And I wonder how it would change a recipe if I use the “or you can use” product. Makes it seem like, “Well, I guess this will do if you cannot get the real thing.” There are at least six different cooking wines and the garlic industry must be growing by leaps and bounds. Garlic is used in meat, vegetables and cheesecake, which, I am sure, would be the 11th Commandment: Though shall not use garlic in cheesecake.

Yes, I found scads of recipes for cheesecake - my favorite food. Cheesecake = dessert, right? Well, I guess not. BLT Cheesecake, Herb & Roasted Pepper Cheesecake and Pistachio Cardamom Cheesecake and Kalamata Cheesecake Appetizer. Now why would you ruin a cheesecake by putting olives on it? And I have no idea what Cardamom tastes like.

The instructions are sometimes a bit backwards. Following the recipe for Conga Lime Pork (Did you notice following, like in after you have prepared the dish?) the editor notes: Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face. Do you think that information would have come in handy when you were cutting the chipotle peppers and wiped the back of your hand over your forehead?

Ingredients can be difficult to find and instructions can be difficult to understand. I NEED TO TAKE COOKING 101!

SCRIPTURES

Wisdom’s call: Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Proverbs 8:32-33

Proverb of Solomon: Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Proverbs 19:20

Sayings of the Wise: Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you. Proverbs 22:17-19

RECIPES

Life, like recipes, can be difficult. Sometimes we cannot find what we need (ingredients) and sometimes we do not understand (instructions), but our great God has given us an amazing recipe book (the Bible).

Have a great week. I am off to buy a springform pan for the Chocolate & Peanut Butter Mousse Cheesecake recipe that does not call for garlic.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Do you listen to advice and accept instruction?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

O, Lord, let me open your instructions and read. I pray that I can apply Your instructions to my heart and learn so that I will trust Your wisdom. Amen

OFF INTO THE WILD BLUE YONDER

(Follow up to June 15, 2012 blog.)

“Mom, want to go on a cruise with us?” our son asked.

It took me about - maybe - a blink of an eye to say, “YES.”

So, son, daughter-in-law, three grandchildren and I made plans for our first cruise. Off we went into the wild blue yonder. And I loved it!

The boarding was easy and my room was a little bit bigger than I thought it would be. The waters were calm and I never had one moment of sea sickness. The food was great and we enjoyed time together and time apart.

Everywhere we went someone was taking pictures. As we boarded. As we went to the island. When we were dressed for our formal night.

I love the formal picture. Don’t we look all spiffy? A fine looking group!

But I like the next picture better. As I was getting off the ship to go into Nassau, Willie (aka son Bill) grabbed me and said, “Growl like a pirate.”

So I did and from then on we were known as the best picture of the cruise. We just didn’t care how we looked. We just growled like pirates. We just had fun!

And isn’t that what vacations are about? Having fun. Leaving cares behind. Not worrying about how you look or standing tall and proper for the camera.

I must admit I had one worry before we left. Although I have been on boat tours, I have never been far away from land. How would it feel to be so far out that I could not see land? Would I be scared?

SCRIPTURES

The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Psalm 95:5

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:7-10

OFF INTO THE WILD BLUE YONDER

How would it feel to be so far out that I could not see land? Would I be scared?

SILLY ME!

QUESTION OF THE DAY

When have you ever felt scared and then thought, “Silly me.”?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Thank you for opportunities when, for a short time, I can leave my cares behind. Thank you for times when I can just relax and have fun. Thank you for times I can just be me. Thank you for times when I am a bit anxious or scared because those are the times when I know you are there. Those, Lord, are the times I know your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Thank you Lord. Thank you. Amen

A STRONG COUNTRY

When I see the red, white and blue, I see people coming to the shores of a new land. Coming with grateful hearts, willing spirits and dreams. Coming they united cultures and languages. They stepped into the melting pot and came out AMERICANS.

When I see the red, white and blue, I see factories being built and ground being cleared. I see utility lines being raised, one pole at a time. I see highways joining homes into communities. I see children going to school and parents going to work. I see family picnics and county fairs. I see churches.

When I see the red, white and blue, I see fields of corn, tomatoes, beans, wheat and pumpkins. I see cars coming off the assembly line. I see truckers, doctors, teachers, mail carriers and trash collectors. I see people selling cars, hardware and antiques. I see people walking toward their dreams.

When I see the red, white and blue, I see what has made this country strong. Individuals united and proud to say, “I am an American. I am one nation. One nation under God.”

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

When I see the red, white and blue, I see a nation that is no longer united as one. I see a nation where another country’s name I placed in front of the word American.

When I see the red, white and blue, I see a nation resting on a crumbling foundation. A nation that has lost its pride. A nation that flies its flag out of tradition instead of with respect and honor. I see a nation that is taking away the dignity of its citizens as job after job is sent overseas.

When I see the red, white and blue, I see:

A nation -- no longer strong.

A nation -- no longer respected by other countries.

A nation -- no longer standing true to the principles it was founded on.

A nation -- afraid to say:

WE ARE AMERICANS!

WE ARE ONE NATION!

When I see the red, white and blue, I see:

A nation -- forgetting that we are:

UNDER GOD!

SCRIPTURES

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and man of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” Daniel 7:13-14

The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? Psalm 113:4-6

QUESTION OF THE DAY

What do you see when you look at the flag of the United States of America?

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR THE UNITED STATED OF AMERICA. PRAY THAT WE BECOME UNITED IN OUR LOVE OF OUR COUNTRY. PRAY THAT WE RETURN TO OUR BELIEF OF ONE NATION UNDER GOD.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

The other evening I was sitting in the sanctuary and began to have fun. I started writing down random thoughts. Ready? I saw --

the piano, keyboard and organ just sitting there. Not being used. What in my life is not being used?

the pulpit in front of the altar. Actually, I don’t like it sitting there because it blocks the view and makes you walk around it to get to the altar. What in my life is blocking my way to God? What is blocking my view?

the high ceiling. I like that because it makes me look up and when I do that I see the stained glass window of Jesus praying Wow! Jesus prayed! Get with the plan, Mary! Prayer is a priority!

the exit sign. A sign to show how to escape. Jesus is my exit sign. He shows me the way to escape the grip of sin.

scriptures beautifully lettered. Scriptures are God’s true word.

I looked in another direction and I saw --

emergency lights that will come on when the power goes out. This one is easy. These are a reminder that the light of God means I am never in the dark.

speakers placed around the sanctuary so all can hear. Oh, God, I do not want to miss any of Your words and when I hear them grant me understanding.

hymnals holding faith set to music. Hymns - a chance to worship with a joyful noise.

prayer shawls loving made by women in the church. I see these and am reminded that I must always have concern and compassion for ALL!

sacks with items to help children make it through the service. Bless the children. Thank you for putting a special place for children in my heart.

And as I sat there, I thought about the --

pews. A place for me to sit and spend time with God and other believers.

Why random thoughts? Because they are fun and I love to look at things and figure how they remind me of God in my life.

SCRIPTURE: PSALM 9:10

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

NOW -- SEEK GOD

Yup. Have some fun. Look around and tell God what you see and how it reminds you of Him.

Leave a comment and let me know what you come up with.

PACKED AND READY

SORRY:  I thought this posted on the 15th but apparently it got lost in cyberspace.  So, here is a repost.  Hopefully this one will work. But was great to get back from vacation and realize my blog had been missed.  -- Mary

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This is, for sure, the year of the vacation. I am going on my first cruise with our son and his family! Bill is keeping his feet on solid ground. He seems to think having vertigo and motion sickness means he should stay home and keep the air-conditioning going. So o o --

· Information: check -- Atlas, Hampton Inn directory and cruise info complete

· Destination: check -- Florida, cruise, Florida and home

· Passport/Important stuff: check -- Passport, insurance information, cash and credit card in purse

· Reservations: check -- Rooms while traveling and cruise are reserved

· Packed: almost -- Will have that finished by this afternoon

· Excited: yes -- Extremely! But the part about looking out and seeing no land might just be a bit scary

· Departure: planned -- Leaving Saturday around noon

Cruise here I come. This reminds me of another trip I am looking forward to.

INFORMATION I NEED: check -- The Bible - Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105

DESTINATION: check -- Eternal Life -- For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

PASSPORT: check -- Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

RESERVATIONS: check -- (Jesus speaking) “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2

PACKED: nothing to pack -- God will provide and I will have a new life: (Jesus speaking) “If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!” Luke 12:28 -- We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4

EXCITED: yes -- In that day you will say: “Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Isaiah 12:4

DEPARTURE: uncertain -- (Jesus speaking) “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” Matthew 24:36, 42

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Are you ready for your final trip?

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I will post again June 29. Until then, think about heaven and talk to God about your chances of getting in. And celebrate each day while you are waiting.

MY YARD - THE CHURCH

The other day I was sitting on the deck and just quietly looked around. I saw a tree with dark red leaves. It is a beautiful tree that stands a bit off center. A really hard wind gave it quite a ride and it never went back to completely straight. I worry that the wind will take it someday and I would miss its red leaves.

I saw Bill’s garden. He loves to tend the plants and watch things grow.

I saw grass that should be green but is brown and dry because it needs a big drink. And I saw new flowers growing where old flowers used to bloom. There are also two urns that are old. Old in age and memories.

I saw our home. A place of work, rest and love. A place where we feed our souls and our bodies.

I saw a sky with clouds that look heavy with rain but clouds that are greedy and keep the rain.

Then it dawned on me that I had just seen the church.

SCRIPTURE: JEREMIAH 29:12

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

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Hello Lord, as I sat here, I realized the church is like my backyard. The church has many people like the tree. They do not stand straight and tall because they have been blown around by life. Lord, help all stay rooted strongly in your Word so we will not be blown over.

The church is also a garden full of people who need cultivated and weeded so we can bloom and grow. Lord, may the church tend and watch over all who enter so they may grow in faith.

The church is like the grass; we need watered. Watered with the living water you - and only you - can give.

Lord, the church is like the new flowers too. Those that have gone before have left a strong legacy and a firm foundation for us to stand on and grow deep roots of our own.

And the church’s “urns” old in age and memories are the elders who teach and guide us. Their memories and knowledge can be building stones of faith.

Lord, I pray the church will always be a welcoming home where people come to work, rest, love and a place where our souls and bodies are fed.

The clouds held onto their rain, but I pray no one in the church is ever greedy and selfish enough to keep the Word for only themselves.

All this I pray for the church, in the name of Jesus Christ, Son of God. Amen

RAIN

Well, God, we finally got rain. It’s about time. I have been praying for rain. And I’m not the only one who has been sending requests for moisture.

You do know it is mighty dry in this area, don’t you? The grass is brown, the trees are drooping and the flowers are all showing signs of stress. Not to mention the farmers that are so worried about their crops. What took you so long?

Really! What took you so long? Are you on vacation? Not taking requests right now? Ignoring the corn belt? What gives?

Talk later. I need to put the clothes in the dryer, another load in the washer, order ink for the copier, read the paper, get a drink of water, and who knows what else will need done this afternoon.

Oh, yeah, thanks for the rain,

Mary

You are laughing, right? This prayer to God was written tongue-in-cheek.

Our Sunday School lesson for this week suggested we say thank you to God so I thanked God for the rain.

I am very thankful for the rain we are blessed with. We need it, but did you notice in my talk with God that I did not thank him for clothes, for a washer, dryer and copier all which makes my work easier, for the ability to read, for fresh water to drink and for being able to deal with the rest of the afternoon?

The lack of rain - one thing - became a big deal. Is one thing really that important?

SCRIPTURES

Psalm 100:3 Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Matthew 18:12-14 (Jesus speaking to the disciples) “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.”

QUESTION

Is one thing - one person - really that important? YES! To God each of his sheep is extremely important.

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Lord, my God, Thank you for sending your Son to save me, a lost lamb. Amen

DID YOU MISS ME?

Last week got a bit hectic and I did not post a blog. A 12 year old grandson hurt his knee and thought he might have surgery Friday. Since I am the surgery/recovery grandma, I got all my ducks in a row so I would be available.

Thursday I:

+ prepared the Sunday School lesson so the class would have a discussion outline,

+ did up the laundry,

+ gave the bathrooms a quick cleaning,

+ cleaned off my desk.

+ fixed Bill a good meal because he might be eating on his own for a few days,

and

+ waited for the call about the surgery.

Well, the call came and there would be no surgery. AMEN! They “froze” the knee, used a needle to check for fluid, put Joshua’s leg in a brace and sent him home.

The call was a relief but part of the call was, “Grandma would you come stay with me tomorrow?”

Of course I said yes and the blog did not get written.

Did you miss me?

SCRIPTURE: PSALM 143:8

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

QUESTION

Do you think God ever misses you?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Hello God, It’s me. I had good intentions of spending time with you today. I put those dirty clothes in the washer and realized I hadn’t told you good morning. Did you miss me? I looked around and saw bills that needed to be paid and realized it was afternoon and I hadn’t thanked you for my lunch. Did you miss me? The clock told me it was time to fix supper and I realized I had not read one verse in the Bible. Did you miss me? As I crawled into bed, I realized -- I realized that I have missed you. Amen