Chapter One, EPILOGUE

The memory of a moment stays with us for a lifetime - Unknown
 
We need not destroy the past, it is gone - John Cage
 
> It was the dawn of color television and the Howdy Doody show, Ed Sullivan, poodle skirts, saddle shoes, drive-in theaters, the jitterbug, jukeboxes and candy buttons on paper. The milkman delivered to your door and the family doctor still made house calls. Women stayed home, wore aprons and cooked Maypo for breakfast. It was convertible cars, the polio vaccine, home perms and Alaska became a state. It was Elvis, Mickey, Uncle Milty and American Bandstand. We caught pollywogs and fireflies, played hopscotch and jumped rope to Double Dutch. It was the magical time of childhood wonder and innocent discovery.
 
> Sorting through old photos and stirring memories reveals nothing especially noteworthy about my first eight years on this earth. My childhood seemed, then and now, not to be unlike any other child's.
 
> Adults have little understanding of the influence they possess on the lives of young children. In many ways, we become imprinted by those who are the strongest personalities in our young lives. It is said from birth to four are the years that set us on the course of who we will become. I am sure Mother, Pop and Mother Carmichael left their mark on me, in one way or another. Our development through early life is part nature but also part nurture.
 

I looked like a little boy without my bonnet.

> There were a few struggles for, and within, our little family. All families struggle with internal and external relationships. We learned give and take. Jerry and I were very close as children but, one occasion, our tempers were so riled during a physical altercation that we threatened each other with knives. Grandfather stopped that little drama before it turned tragedy. The next day, we were trying to fight each other's battles or defend against a common enemy. We grew through all of it.
 
> Back then, God was the invisible friend I talked to and the subject at church. My life was about friends, school, fishing, parakeets and dress up. Children are truly blessed to have their own world and a direct line to the ear of God. Children are indeed on God's priority list. Need prayer? Ask a child to intervene for you.
 
> We are tested daily. The greatest trial in my first nine years was overcoming not having a father. When a parent leaves or gives up a child, that child's small world insists this is their fault. Children take these huge burdens on themselves. Until he left, I was "Daddy's Girl". After he left, I craved the comforting male attention I had grown used to. This had a huge affect on my life for many years to come and is still part (albeit smaller) of my emotional baggage. He left an unfulfilled hunger in each of his children. My sister and I yearned for the paternal presence that is the role model for a girl's choice of male relationships. My brother just wanted a father's guiding hand and approval for a "job well don, son".
 
> A large part of my character is defined by my mother's heart. It cannot be explained any other way - example is a great teacher. What do we know of giving, if not witnessed by us of those we admire? What does anyone know of compassion without suffering?
 
> I believe that God listened to this child from the first time I called on Him, wishing upon a star in the night sky at the very early age of 4 years. He hears every word from the lips of a child. Let me state right here and now, there have been a few times when I felt lonely, but I cannot remember any moment when I felt alone - ever.
 
> There are no coincidences, no accidents in God's perfectly ordered universe.. Everything in the life of a believer happens for a reason. As you continue to read my story, you will see why I have come to believe this way. Our lives come together in the end for a divine purpose.

* To be continued . . .

* This continuing story begins with the post on Dec. 30, 2024

See "Entertaining Angels Unaware"

 

No One Messed With His Grandkids

 And . . . no one messed with his grandkids.

STORY: During the time Pop had the pizza shop, we (Pop's grandkids) received a threat from a customer he refused to serve, when the man came in drunk. Every morning, Pop would walk us to school and came back in the afternoon to walk us home, carrying either his double-barrel shotgun, that put food on our table, or the two handle pizza blade that resembled a square machete - a very large one. This was open carry before open carry in a state that does not have that law. Pop really didn't care. In our neighborhood, word spread through stunned parents and children alike, the Kenner kids had a guardian angel. 

 

STORY: In previous text, I mentioned that Mother could never spank my brother; everything she tried backfired by breaking. Pop had an issue with my brother and told Jerry to go to the yard to find a switch so Pop could spank him with it. When seven-year-old Jerry drug a very large tree limb to the door, Pop laughed so hard that my brother got a reprieve.

 

 

 

On holidays that Mother either worked or socialized with friends, we would stay up late and have a family party. New Year's Eve and Fourth of July were great times for this. Pop would play the spoons and we would dance. He taught us old folk songs like "The Ol' Oaken Bucket" and "The Erie Canal". There was always a treat that he acquired with some change he managed to save from grocery money; a soda, chips or candy.

 

When we were younger, he was constantly on us to pick up our toys. He particularly hated the ones left on the stairs. We turned a deaf ear, as children do. Sometimes it was just that we forgot. Sometimes, it was just being lazy. We got home from school one particular afternoon to find our toys in the yard and it was raining. "Leave 'em there", he said and that was all that was ever said about the matter. The rain ruined the toys and we never left them underfoot again. Period.

 

He preferred psychology to physical discipline whenever possible and it worked. Children need guidelines in order to feel secure. Indeed, decades later, I used the same psychology on a couple step children at the time. Actions do speak louder than words.

 

When we got sick and couldn't sleep, we knew we could wake Pop and he would sit with us in the kitchen over a glass of juice or tea to pass the time, rather than suffer alone. "Don't wake your mother. She has to get up for work." Many nights were spent at the kitchen table listening to his stories of childhood. Sometimes, he would have a candy bar stashed away just for this occasion.

* This is what our Lord does. When you spend time with Him, it is always a treat.

 

This time was mainly for my sister and me. Pop and my brother had difficulty relating as Jerry got older. Jerry had trouble coming to terms with not having a father. My brother, and his dog, spent his adolescent years in his room with model cars and motorcycle magazines. He didn't get along in school and became solitary until he quit at sixteen. Mother agreed, as long as he got a job. He did - and bought a motorcycle. At seventeen, she signed the permit papers for him to join the Marines.

 

Continued . . .

* This continuing story begins with the post on Dec. 30, 2024

Eyes In The Back of His Hiead

One more person I want to relate to you before my story moves on from innocent childhood, is my grandfather who has had a profound influence on me.

 
I instruct you in the way of wisdom; I lead you in courses of fairness. Pro. 4:11

Blessed are those who find wisdom. Pro. 3:13

 
When our father left, we moved to the inner-city neighborhood I have previously mentioned. That is when Mother's father moved in. He practiced tough love, practical thinking and common sense. I was eight years old, headstrong and a bit spoiled. I had been "Daddy's girl" and put a lot of misplaced blame on my mother for him being gone. Children cannot understand the nuances of adult relationships in their small, self-centered worlds. I harbored some resentment for Grandfather in the place of male role model. 

He had moved in to tend to us while Mother worked. This man took on cooking and tending his three grandchildren while Mother earned a living for us. This created a form of role reversal in our home. This was a good lesson that just because you are born into male or female gender does not mean you can't take on roles related to, or competing with the other gender. I grew up with this as a fact of life. 

 
Everyone came to call him "Pop". He was respected by everyone who knew him. Whether you liked him or not, you respected him. His word was his bond. He looked you straight in the eye and shook your hand firmly. He was six foot in bare feet with massive hands, straight black hair and a hook nose. He was always squinting from the cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth. Oh yeah, he had a firm protruding belly you could set a tray on but you could not call him "fat".

 
He was a retired house painter and was the first person to instruct me about primary colors and how to mix them. By the time I was ten, I could run a chalk line and cut a baseboard with the best of them. I took pride in being neat and never needed a drop cloth if there was a brush in my hand. To this day, I have the neatest art studio I have ever seen.

Pop was indeed an "angel in disguise". He saved all of us from lives misspent. No telling what Mother would have done without him. He served God by serving his children and their children. Before and after helping us, he had and did live with aunts and uncles helping them in much the same way. I don't know that he owned a Bible, but he never spoke irreverently about God and he did speak of Him.

 
STORY: Pop teaching himself to make pie dough is a memory that comes to mind. I don't remember if he had a recipe but that dough got the best of him for a long time before he finally mastered it. He would knead it and roll it, and it would fall apart. He would knead it again and again and it would fall apart again - or fall apart while he was rolling it out. I saw him, on more than one occasion, throw that dough across the kitchen. It would fall to the floor and he picked it up and rolled it again. "The heat will kill the germs," he said. That is what he always said when he was cooking. He hated waste - with a passion. Later, he taught himself to make bread dough that seemed to be easier for him - he didn't have to use that rolling pin.

 
I remember that he would eat anything, like cooked dandelion greens with fat back, fried mountain oysters and was very fond of sopping bread in bacon grease for calf brain sandwiches. Uugghh! No matter what was shot during hunting season or caught from the lake in the summer, we ate it. He detested waste.

 
He was self taught with the spoons, fiddle and harmonica. In deed, a great role model for being "self taught". He could cipher like a mathematician. He liked beer, occasional cheap wine and drank more as he got older. Pop had high blood pressure - no wonder. I wonder if the alcohol helped cut the cholesterol in his blood to be the only reason he lived as long as he did. 

Photos are Author, Brother Jerry, Sister Karen 
Circa: 1955 

 
This man put food on our table, turned all his pension income over to my mother, planted a vegetable garden, cultivated our grape vine and peach tree to make juice and jelly, brewed home made beer, canned, hunted and fished to put meat on our table. I remember picking buckshot out of rabbit and squirrel during supper. He taught us how to gig a frog, fish with a cane pole and gather mushrooms. He canned and fished in summer and hunted in winter. For several years, he opened a neighborhood pizza shop with pinball games and sub sandwiches. He mastered bread dough but gave up on pies.

 
To be continued . . . .

 This autobiography begins with "An Ordinary Childhood" posted Dec. 30, 2024

 

An Ordinary Childhood

Rays of sun burst upon the horizon to proclaim a new spring day.

> Lying on my bed, in the flutter of a blanket used for a curtain, the wind enters borne on the breeze of a new spring day, bringing with it the promise of warmer than seasonal weather. So much joy can be found in the small corners of life, if we just seize the opportunity to stop there. The day calls; with it, the promise of life in all it's activity.

 

> God entered my life as an infant when Mother dedicated her first born in a church when still wearing booties knitted by my father's mother. Soon as I could talk, she taught me "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep". Mother made sure I had party dresses to wear and put me on the Sunday school bus every week, because my little legs could not reach the expanse between steps. She never went with me and only sent my brother and sister when they were older. She insisted they experience it once to see if they liked it.  When they were older, they did attend a couple times. They found no attraction to return to Sunday school.

 

> I accepted the teachings and existence of God in a matter-of-fact way. Talking to God became a common activity for me at an early age. I can remember some of the childlike conversations after wishing upon the first star of the night in the northern sky.

 

 

> There was nothing particularly special about myself or my childhood. I didn't think about it one way or another. Just a child growing up like all others, learning to talk, tie my shoes and cut new teeth. There was the common awareness of my small world and the sense of everything existing around me. The major difference from kids I went to school with was the single parent household and less income after my father left. In 1955, the single parent home was still uncommon. I was eight years old when "Daddy" left his wife and three children for a teenage girl.

 

> Before he left, we had a nice two-bedroom house in a suburb - a new concept back then. We played with neighborhood kids and attended a new brick schoolhouse. We caught pollywogs from a local pond, played "dress up" with our mother's clothes, and hide and seek with our friends. My memory still plays images of them across the broad screen of my mind.

"Children see magic because they look for it." - Christopher Moore

Children and God

 

It was the dawn of color television and the Howdy Doody show, Ed Sullivan, poodle skirts, saddle shoes, drive in theaters, the jitterbug, jukeboxes and candy buttons on paper. The milkman delivered to your door and the family doctor still made house calls. Women stayed at home, wore aprons and cooked Maypo for breakfast. It was convertible cars, the polio vaccine, home perms and Alaska became a state. It was Elvis, Mickey, Uncle Milty and American Bandstand. We caught pollywogs and fireflies, played hopscotch and jumped to Double Dutch. It was the magical time of childhood wonder and innocent discovery.

> Childhood seemed, then and now, not to be unlike any other child's.

 

> Adults have little understanding of the influence they have on the lives of young children. In many ways, we become imprinted by those who are the strongest personalities in our young lives. It is said from birth to four are the years that set us on the course of who we will become. I am sure my mother, grandfather, Mother Carmichael were strong influences in my life. 

 

> There were a few struggles for our family and within our family. All families struggle with internal and external relationships. We learned give and take. My brother and I were close as children, but on one occasion, our tempers were so riled that we threatened each other with knives. Grandfather stopped that little drama before it turned tragedy. The next day, we were trying to defend each other against a common enemy. We grew through all of it.

 

> Back then, God was the invisible friend I talked to and the subject of Bible stories at church. My life was about friends, school, fishing, parakeets and dress up. Children are truly blessed to have their own world and a direct line to the ear of God. Children are on God's priority list. Need prayer? Ask a child to intervene for you.

 

 

 

> We are tested daily. The greatest trial in my first ten years was overcoming not having a father. When a parent leaves or gives up a child, that child's small world insists that this is their fault. Children take these huge burdens on themselves and create guilt and blame. Until he left, I was Daddy's girl. After he left, I craved male attention. This had a huge affect on my life for many years to come and is still a small part of my emotional baggage. He left an unfulfilled hunger inn each of us. My sister and I yearned for the paternal presence that is the role model for a girl's choice of male relationships. My brother just wanted a father's guiding hand and approval for a "Job well done, son."

 

> A huge part of my character is defined by my mother's heart. It cannot be explained any other way - example is a great teacher. What do we know of giving, if not witnessed by us of those we admire? What does anyone know of compassion without suffering?

 

> I believe that God listened to me from the first time I called on Him; wishing upon a star in the night sky. He hears every word from the lips of a child. Let me say here, there have been a few times when I felt lonely, but I cannot remember any moment when I felt alone - not ever.

 

> There are no coincidences, no accidents in God's perfectly ordered universe. Everything in the life of a believer happens for a reason. As you continue through the reflections of my life, you will see why I have come to believe this way. Our lives come together in the end for a purpose.

* God is on His thrown and all is right.

Entertaining Angels Unaware

AS A YOUNG CHILD, I walked to a neighborhood church every week.

> At this point, my religious life was either social or recreational with summer church camp along with the usual songs and stories. There was no real understanding. Bedtime prayers were occasional with the sense of an invisible companion I could talk to any time. 

 

> Sometimes, people walk through our lives leaving footprints on our memory that mark our personality. Sometimes, we entertain angels unaware of doing so. Such a person left her footprints in my childhood.

 

> This special lady lived alone down the street and attended the same church. She was frequently called on to give prayer during church service and her prayers were lengthy. She didn't leave out anyone or anything. We became acquainted and developed a wonderful relationship. She was widely known as "Mother Carmichael".

 

> No telling how old she was; anyone over the age of forty seems old to a young child.

 

> All her furnishings seemed antique to me. She did not own a cat. She had no television, and she was frequently seen doing her own yard work. Mother Carmichael would even climb a ladder to wash windows and clear gutters of leaves. I would go to her house on Sunday mornings and we would catch the church bus together, after our church merged with another outside our neighborhood. There would be evangelist programs on her radio and I would watch her comb her long silver hair to tie in a knot at the nape of her neck. After the bus returned us, I sometimes stayed to visit. I genuinely enjoyed the company of this woman who was so "different". She never said an off-color word or spoke a tidbit of gossip. There was a quiet peace in her home that didn't exist anywhere else in my world. 

 

 

 

> At this point, Mother Carmichael was my only spiritual mentor. Occasionally, I would stop after getting off the city bus from school. She would be sitting in her front porch swing or raking leaves and we would share. She was always patient and made time for me, always interested and a good listener - I could be a chatterbox.

 

> As I grew and became secretive, the visits gradually became fewer and farther between. I have no idea what ever became of her. I don't remember anything about a family. She was still living in that same house when I graduated from high school and got married. She was so unlike anyone I have known before or since.

 

> The peace that I felt in her presence has never been forgotten. I fin, in my senior years, that I consciously strive for that illusive peace. If not for the lovely Mother Carmichael, I might never have a reference point for this peace. I know now that gentle lady was evidence of God in this world.

Something From Nothing

Napoleon the First, with all his disdain for men, bowed to one power that he was pleased to regard as greater than himself.  In the heart of an atheistic age he replied to the theorists of his day, "Your arguments gentlemen, are very fine. But   "who", pointing up to the evening sky, "who made all these?" 

And even the godless science of our times, while rejecting the scriptural answer to this question, still confesses that it has no other to give. "The phenomena of matter and force," says Tyndall, "lie within our intellectual range; and as far as they reach we will push our inquiries. But behind, and above, and around all, the real mystery of the universe lies unsolved, and as far as we are concerned, is incapable of solution." 

But why incapable of solution? Why not already solved, so far as we are concerned, in this "simple, unequivocal, exhaustive, majestic" alpha of the Bible — "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth"? 

What is the origin of things? Perhaps the greatest question mortal man can ask. A profoundly religious question, going down to the very roots of Truth, Science, Theology, Character and Worship. 

There are sixty or seventy elements which, so far as we know at present, that are the make up of the universe. And the point is this: not one solitary atom of these elements can be made by man. All that man can do is to operate with these elements. In short, man must have something on which, as well as with which, to operate. From where came this inconceivable amount of material? 

God creates atoms; man fashions molecules.

Gethsemane

Last Supper

What's In a Name?

Good morning!
It's is a beautiful day to be a light in a dark world.  This will be a very bright year for believers.  More and more people are seeking me out for prayer, communion and anointing.  All to the glory of God.

I really enjoy the study of names in the Bible, through the Hebrew language.  It is a rich language with lots of nuances and details that only enrich the meanings.  This, in turn, deepens my faith and allows me more shalom peace.  (Shalom: complete spiritual peace.)

Just the other day, as I was going through the definition of a few names, I explored the name "Eve".  I have always heard this name meant "life".  As usual, this is a simplification of a deeper and richer meaning.  First of all, "Eve" is not a proper name. 

I'm glad you asked:  To be exact, "Eve" translates, "Mother of ALL Life".  This brings up an immediate question.  Since Eve was created after animals, vegetation and Adam, how can she be the mother of ALL life? 

She was the first mother - of Cain and Abel.  However, the translation is not "first mother", it is "all life".  Through the richness of this amazing language (Hebrew) we find out that the word "all", in this case, refers to organisms.  Our body is made up of organs, made up of one cell organisms.  Eve is the mother of all life down to one cell organisms.  Really, kinda beautiful when you think about it.

Let's explain a little further.  (I want to be rational, practical and responsible of giving the correct translation.)  I want you to understand in order to see the beauty in this.  As stated above, Adam and all life came before Eve.  BUT . . . she was the first woman; women bear children/ give life.  See?  Only women can be called "mothers". 

Thus, Eve is the mother of all life, down to the single cell organism.  This gives us understanding on another level.

It turns out that "Adam" is over simplification.  "Adam" does not merely mean "man".  Adam translates, Human created from the earth to live on the earth for ever.

Thanks be to God, the Father, for all wisdom and understanding.
Amen

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Give or Take ?

I just saw it listed again:

Job 1:21, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away".  Every time I see this, someone is trying to make the point that God takes from us.  It is neither God nor Jesus making this statement.  Job is making this statement in the throws of misery and self pity after losing everything.  Of course, you can sympathize with him.
 
The story states clearly that Satan has taken everything.  Let's also remember it was God who put limits on Satan's torture.  God is the one in charge.  So why are we constantly quoting this verse to say that God takes from us?  I have heard teachings on this.  Job seems to spend quite a bit of time in Chapter 30 continuing to blame God.  He clearly does not understand.

Yes, God did allow it. God allows us to make poor decisions and suffer the consequences of our mistakes; in this case Job had the sin of pride, Job 29:21 - 25 and 30:1 & 25.  How many of us are guilty of pride and not aware of it?

God does not take.  He is a generous Father who loves to give to His children.  Chapters 29 and verses in chapter 30 shows how Job was wallowing in self pity remembering everything in chapter 29.   (Lot's wife also looked back and remember what happened to her ?!)  

In Job 38:2 God tells Job he is speaking without knowledge.   We cannot presume to know the mind of God.  Know His love and believe everything is for our benefit. 

You might want to remind yourself that all believers are inheritors of the promises given to Moses on Mt. Ebal, Deut. 28:1-14.  Want to see more?  In Deuteronomy 29:5, we find out something that is most often overlooked in the story of wandering in the desert.  The clothing and sandals of the Israelites did not wear out for forty years of walking around in all types of weather.  Children were growing; how do you think God handled that?  I think their clothing grew right along with them.  Makes sense in light of this verse.

You might like to see Jer. 29:11, where God says He has plans for us.  Jms. 1:17 tells us all the good stuff comes from above.  Personally, I am fond of Psalm 91.  

In the life of Jesus, who said if you saw Him, you saw the Father, He never took anything from anyone.   He never gave leprosy or poverty; only health and grace. 

P.S. God did GIVE back to Job everything that Satan took, plus more because Job remained true to his faith.   Job humbled himself, 42:3-6, and was restored.
God is love.

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Fiery Furnace

Today, let's look at Daniel 3:16 - 18
We find "some astrologers" coming to the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, to denounce the Jews.  In all likely-hood, because they were not able to get these teenagers to do as they were told.  After all, these Jews were servants in the king's house and were not complying to the rules.  They were refusing to worship the idol set up by the king.  These "tattletails" were crying to the king like a child who could not make a baby brother do what they told him.

I want to interject some interesting notes:  These were Jewish teenagers, from the tribe of Judah, being faithful to the God that brought their ancestors out of Egypt, the land of stressful slavery.  Their Hebrew names were Hananiah (meaning: God Has Been Gracious), renamed Shadrach, meaning Command of Aku (Babylonian god of the moon).   Mishael (meaning: Who Is Like Unto God), renamed Meshach, meaning Who Is What Aku Is.  And Azariah (meaning: Helped Of God) renamed Abednego, meaning Servant of Nebo (Babylonian god of wisdom).   Further, these young men were from royal families of nobility among the Jews noted to be highly educated with aptitude and intellect.  Beautiful Hebrew names changed to names of idols.  What a terrible change of names for them.  From their view point probably very demeaning.  I think I would be a bit angry over the name change.

Moving on, verse 16 gives us the reply of these three young men.  In front of the mighty king who held their lives in his hands, they refuse to defend themselves.  What beautiful pride in their faith.  They tell the king their god is mighty enough to save them from fire and this king and furthermore, if their God does not save them from certain death, they refuse to serve or worship false gods or the image the king set up.  WOW !!!  They lived in the palace, clothed in finery and had food available to them from the king's kitchen.  Young men ready to die for devotion to God.

Do you know a teenager today who would stand like this in front of  Napoleon, Hitler, Stalin or Hussein?  No wonder God chose to save them from the burning furnace.  They did not even smell of smoke.  The king praised God and gave a command to anyone who spoke against the God they worshiped.  He even promoted them.  What an amazing testimony from God.  What would you do in such a situation?

There is a message in verse 3:26 & 27 which talks about the king calling them out of the fire and noting their clothes were not even singed by the fire that had burned others who even approached it.  God calls us to come out of death; come out of your fire - your trial.  Come out of a world that is often times anti God.  Come out of a past of death unto life with Him.  Life more abundant today and life eternal tomorrow.  This is our God.
Amen

Man Is Born Wicked

The nature of man is wicked.  We are born into sin.  It seems worse today because of media that makes news immediate and more population makes for higher statistics.  Those who teach man is basically good, make excuses for choices that people make.  No one is being held accountable.  This is a destructive idea and shows how God's word is being abandoned.

The Bible does not say that people are basically good.  We are born bad so we will need God.  He's good for us.  We were given free will to make choices between good or bad behavior.  Example: Children need to be taught character and morals, they are not born with a sense of anything other than self.  Manners, morals and integrity have to be ingrained in them.  It surely was not a good thing that people watched Christians be torn apart by lions.  What about war, torture and rape?  What about slavery and human trafficking?  Man is inherently evil and needs God for His mercy.

People have turned from belief in God to belief in themselves.  Everything is self, lack of responsibility and greed.  These are not Biblical teachings.  People are turning from the wisdom of the Bible.  America seems to be doing better than most countries because it was founded on the Bible and Christian values to start with.  But, time marches on and the focus is turning from God's values to self and it's escalating.

Schools are teaching "self" to our children with the "everyone is a winner" theology.  Indeed everyone is not a winner.  Giving a prize to everyone when one has shown their self to excel, is ridiculous.  The child who made the extra effort to advance is being punished.  All others are receiving the message that 
they do not have to try.  

Universities campuses are sending new adults into the world with little knowledge of true history, morals or compassion for others while killing Christian values. 

Bring prayer back into schools, teach our children moral values  and return to Bible based rule.  People need God.  We need God for something extraordinary to believe in.  We need God for strength, wisdom, protection, health, safety and something worthy of worship.  God makes us over 3,000 promises in the Bible, if we follow Him.  World history proves we need Him.  Remember saying grace over a meal?  What happened to closing major shopping on Sunday, common politeness, manners and respect?  When did we stop seeing our fellow man the same as us, with feelings and struggles?  When did we begin to let minority rule?  When did we stop caring?  Can people not see that as we get away from Bible teachings so many human values are disappearing?  Common sense is dying an agonizing death.  God, my friends, God is the answer to everything wrong in our society today.
Amen

Genesis 5

Very few people like to read the "begats" in any chapter.  Names are difficult to pronounce and few are interested in tracing family trees in the Bible from thousands of years ago.  It can be interesting, though.  Nothing from God is by accident or without reason.  The bible is like an onion that can be pealed layer after layer.

In the fascinating Hebrew language (The language God gave Adam;  the language that Moses and all the profits used to write original manuscripts of the Old Testament),  names have meaning that relates to the person or the story being told.

ALSO, any time anything appears in the Bible for the first time, it is significant.  This is no different with the first "begats" of the Bible found in Genesis 5.

If we take each name listed, in the order that it appears and translate the meaning, we find a hidden message that is revelation, prophecy and shows the divine order of this Book of God's word.  Let's check this out:

Adam, in Hebrew, translates "Man", Seth - "Appointed", Enosh - "Mortal", Kenan - "Sorrow".  Mahalalel translates "God's Splendor", Jared - "Descended", Enoch - "Teacher".  Methuselah translates "His Death Will Bring", Lamech - "Disparaging", Noah - "Rest".

It is easy to break these down into three sentences:
1.  Man (was) appointed mortal sorrow.  This refers to the fall of man (Adam) in the garden.
2. God's splendor descended teacher.  Who descended from heaven as our great teacher; the splendor of God?
3. His death will bring disparaging rest.  Jesus suffered humiliation, degredation before His agonizing death so we might rest through faith in him.

Genesis 5, is not only some boring "begats" but here we see God's plan for the ages in the fifth chapter of the first book that Moses wrote.  It is prophetic promise of salvation for mankind through "the splendor of God".  I don't know about you, but this helps strengthen my faith.  Such a statement gives credibility to Moses knowledge of God, God's perfect order, God's love for man, God in charge and I want to know more of this amazing God of Gods.

One more point:  These begats are broken into 3 sentences.  Three is the number of perfection - God in three parts.  These three sentences reveal to us not only a trinity but inform us that God's plan is perfect.  We can trust in our future as Christian believers.
Amen

Lord, I Want to be Like Jesus in My Heart

There is a woman acquaintance of mine that can really get under my skin.  She tells people about me in front of me; you know, she acts like she knows me intimately while ignoring that I am standing beside her.  Ew!

She is loud, rude, interrupts and finishes my sentences when I am talking to others.  She tries to inject herself into my life; wants to be my friend.  She has no friends because others in our small town find her as irritating as I do.  It is difficult for her to take a  hint and I have found myself being openly impatient and rude to her.  Bad Christian, bad ! !

Excuse:  I do not make friends easily.  Many years ago, a "friend" turned on me in a way that changed the course of my life and I have been very cautious about friends ever since.  It took me many years to even accept a friend after that.  I take friendship very seriously and can count close friends from my entire life on one hand.  I choose my friends (carefully) - not the other way around.

Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart.

I found myself being rude to her one day (not that she even noticed) and that night prayed about the situation, because I was ashamed.  Next morning, I took my coffee in front of one of my favorite TV evangelists just to hear him talking about being nice to people who are irritating.  Oooops!  Next morning, with coffee in front of another minister, I heard a similar message about patience with people who are difficult and do not have friends. 

Yes, He speaks to us in various ways, when we are listening.  (I wish I had not been listening.)  You know that creepy feeling that convicts you of poor behavior when you are beginning to get smug about yourself ?  It's called conviction. 

Realize: God will not let me move on with my spiritual growth until I deal with this issue.  What to do?

First, realize she is a sheep without a shepherd.  She is a sister in Christ.  (We should never be openly impatient with a fellow Christian.)  She is her own worst enemy.  She needs a friend.  Granted, we will never be close but I can be more patient with her. 

I am vowing to have better conversations with her than just "no", "okay" and "that's nice".  I will give her more of my time, rather than making excuses to run away.  I should be flattered rather than irritated. 

Then, I will pray for her . . . . and me.  There is magic in praying for any one you have a problem with.  It's a trick of God: When you pray for anyone, you find yourself defending them, asking help for them and generally becoming their advocate.  This, in turn, makes you more sensitive and understanding to their situation which softens your feelings and creates more Godly attitude in you (me).  Praying for anyone you have an issue with can really improve your own situation.

This lady does not persecute me; actually quite the opposite.  So, I should thank God that anyone admires me enough to want to be a friend.  (It would just be easier if she would take "no" for an answer. - just kidding!  LOL)

Praise God who loves me enough to correct me gently.
Amen

P.S.  It is now a couple months after I first posted this blog.  I want to let you know that I have made the effort to look at her face when I talk to her.  I even initiate conversation.  She does not "strain" any more to get my attention or go out of her way to push in and interrupt.  Things are much more relaxed between us.  She is not imposing herself on me.  We have casual conversation and move on.  That is all this woman wanted; a little recognition - the same recognition that I give anyone else.  It was not easy to write this article.   I wanted to share just in case this personal experience will help someone else smooth over a similar situation.  She did not want to inject herself into my life, merely into the same courtesy I show everyone else; to be counted worthy of the attention from someone she apparently respects.  There is now no strain when I run into her AND I like myself much more.  The blessing here is coming to see some of her positive traits.
Thank you, Father, for teaching me this special lesson.
Amen

Despair

People are always quick with advice that makes everything worse instead of better; they always repeat the same cliche' .  They mean well.  They actually want to help but there is little they can do and even less they can say that will help.  Truth is, despair is a lonesome valley and you are the only one who can walk through it, by yourself.  

About seven years were spent writing down my pitiful youth and all the mistakes I made because I let others have control over my self worth.  It took me a long time to be able to look back over all the losses and disappointments and see how it all happened for a reason.  There was loss of children, rejection, divorce, loss, grief, failure, drinking, more loss, disease, more divorce, more rejection and more loss.  I ran from myself and suppressed feelings and memories until I was numb - without any feeling.  I was in that "lonesome valley" all by myself.

At my lowest emotional point, I had a loaded gun in my hand trying to decide the most effective way to use it so I would actually kill myself and not make a mistake that would leave me a cripple the rest of my life.  That would have been worse than death:  drooling, blind, in a wheel chair and/or wearing a diaper with others wiping my chin, or my "cheeks".  Thoughts like this are enough to make you hesitate - at least.

For me, it was God.  I did not hear a voice.  I did not see a burning bush.  There was no lightening or thunder.  Just a quiet thought planted in my head.  It was the perfect thought to stop me.  It was God relating to me, through the Holy Spirit, in a way I could understand.  Let me print a few lines from my book, "Evidence of God":

Late one evening, after business hours, sitting in the back room of my shop, I was holding a loaded gun in my lap.  I had taken it from John’s dresser when I moved out.  Must have sat there for a long time watching light on the wall turn to shadow.  I wasn’t thinking, just being numb.  When thoughts did return, they were about how to do it: in the mouth, in the ear, my temple?  Was the safety off?  Was it a tight trigger?  Lots of questions.

The thing about happiness: It’s a choice.   But, I was a prisoner of the pain.   Suicide is desperate, it is hostile, it is tragic.  These are the legacies for those left behind after suicide: guilt, anger, doubt, blame, fear, rejection, abandonment and profound grieving.  Most people don’t want to talk about it, don’t even want to think about it.  It is too raw and it’s way too confusing.
The bottom of my life had come up and smashed me in the face.  You don’t get over major life obstacles; you go through them.  You never forget; you learn to live with the memories.   What seemed like impossible obstacles in my life were a series of great opportunities that I could not see from my pit of depression - that "lonesome valley".

The olive, grape and grain are used through out the Bible as examples in stories and parables.   Each one has to be crushed before it can be used for oil, wine and bread.  Just as these examples tell us, God has to crush us before He can use us.

As I sat there, a voice came into my head.  A small voice way in the back, soft but clear.  “You can’t give life, so you can’t take life.”

That’s all I can recall.  I’m writing this text today so I must not have pulled the trigger.   The pastor’s remark comes back to me about getting baptized quickly because trials were coming.  In my heart, I am convinced it was the spirit of God speaking to me that night as evidence of God’s patience, wisdom and love. 

No way am I suggesting that you get a loaded gun to get an answer from God or otherwise.  Just want to relate a few thoughts I had/have about the subject.  I do want to tell you that there is a way out - always.  BUT, it isn't an easy one.  If it were, there would be no meaning to life.  YOU have to find YOUR way.  YOU have to learn to live with your issues without revenge or grudges.  You have to find the loving way for it to work.  God is really the easiest way.  Call on Him.  Ask for an answer.  Dump on Him, tell Him how you feel.  I mean, really pour it out.  Find professional help if you need it.  Call a help line. 

Life is an amazing gift from God.  The enemy is real and he wants your life.  The devil wants you dead.  This is something that is hard to see when you are in that valley.  He doesn't want to see you alive, happy or prospering the way God does.  GOD LOVES YOU!  You, Y-O-U were created individual with your unique traits and personality because you are special to Him.  He does not want to see you in despair, unhappy, suffering or without any necessity.  Take my word for it.  I've been there.  I found my way out.  It wasn't easy but I am stronger, more confident, healthier, happier and more prosperous for going THROUGH it.  I didn't have to do it all alone.  God took my hand and we walked out of that lonesome valley together.  It is worth the fight.  It is worth it to be alive.

Health & Wealth vs Sick & Poor

Jesus healed; He did not make people sick. There is not one instance where he gave someone an illness.  He never refused to grant forgiveness to anyone who asked for it.  Jesus actually gave forgiveness a few times that people didn't even have to ask.  He never told anyone He didn't have time right now; come back later.  There is evidence that He actually felt better after giving healing or forgiveness.

Abraham willing gave tithe to Melchizedek in the very first book of the Bible, after Melchizedek took communion with him.  Abraham received Isaac, the son of his old age, of his dreams, who fathered the nation of Israel, from whom came the Savior.  Abraham became a very wealthy man - because God was pleased with him.  His descendants number the stars.  He lived a long, prosperous and healthy life.

Because Jesus borrowed Peter's boat, He gave Peter a net load of fish that could have sunk Peter's boat.  That meant a lot of money.

The New Testament is full of parables of healing and prospering.  The good Samaritan went beyond the call of decency to provide for the stranger on side of the road.  There is no parable that references sickness or poverty given to a believer.  You can even find God's grace given to non believers.

Jesus healed.  In the gospel of Luke, the physician, there is one healing after another listed starting with driving out an impure spirit in chapter four.  I can cite 17 events of healing in this chapter without searching.  Jesus even raised Lazarus, a widow's son and Jarus' daughter from the dead, not to mention Himself.   As a matter of fact, Luke 13:16 tells us Satan is the one who gives disease when Jesus helas a crippled woman.

When He fed 5,000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish, He was giving, providing.  All four gospels tell this story.  Matthew and Mark tell of feeding another crowd with 7 loaves and a few fish.  In the first case, there were 12 baskets left over.  I am sure the left overs were given to the boy who generously gave of his lunch; who else?  The one who freely gave, received more in return.

What did Jesus give His disciples?  The Holy Spirit, joy of serving, gifts and a place in heaven for eternity.

What does He give you?  Are you a believer?  Do you give freely?  Are you sorry when you are wrong?  What is your physical problem?  Do you pray?  Do you ask God to heal or to give to you?  Why not?  Can you not see how willing He is to do this for you?  

There is no "Health and Wealth Gospel".  There is only the truth about the never ending love, generosity and grace of your Heavenly Father.
Amen

The Truth Will Be Here When The Earth Is Gone

Don't be fooled.  God is as real as ever.  He is a living entity.  His guidelines set forth in the Bible on how to live your life will only bring you peace, health and blessings.

Well, I am about to sound off about a couple things that are not popular to sound off about these days.  However. . . . some churches, Christians and pastors today are tiptoeing around the truth of the Bible, God's word.  Too many are concerned about offending someone or driving people from church with the truth.  If they take offense or leave because of the truth, let them go.  They will only pollute the body.  The truth will strengthen the church and true Christians.  The Bible is our manual for living yesterday, today and tomorrow.  God never changes.  Since He created man, the manual on how to live is important for keeping us in the best lifestyle that blesses us.  We have to return to the truth especially in this day of "political correctness" which threatens the very foundation of our society.

Here are a couple verses to remind us of the importance of truth:  I John 4:6, II Timothy 2:15 and Ephesians 6:14 which tells us, "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist. . .".  God's truth, as stated in His word, the Bible, is that abortion is premeditated murder, sex before marriage is wrong, a gay lifestyle is an abomination and tithing to the church is ordained.  There are other truths that are being swept under the carpet these days but these four are some major issues.  

Abortion:  Ex. 10:13 tells us not to murder.  (Original text uses the word "murder", not "kill")  God knows the unborn child, Ps. 139:13,15.   We are created in the image of God; that makes life special.  We are told to be fruitful and multiply - the opposite of killing an unborn child.  Gen.1:28  Also see Gen.9:6 & 7.

Sex before marriage:  In Song of Songs 2:7, 3:5 and 8:4, there is a strong warning against premarital sex when it says, "Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires" - three times.  In other words, save sex for marriage!  There are special blessings for the married couple that come from obedience to this rule.  I have known many who regretted sex before marriage but have yet to meet a couple that were sorry they waited.  

Gay lifestyle:  Lev.18:22, 20:13; these verses are very plain.   There is also the story in Sodom where a crowd of the town wanted Lot to turn over the two male visitors in his house so they could have sexual relations with them.  There is no indication that the townsmen were aware the visitors were angels.

Tithing:  The is the foundation of giving appreciation to God for everything.  Genesis 14:20 is the first instance of tithing and it was done by Abraham to God's representative, Melchizedek, right after they partook of the first communion 14:18.  Tithing has been ordered ever since.  The Bible is full of blessings listed that come to those who tithe.  The tithe is returned to God through His representative on earth, the church. 

How many ills of society can you name that have their roots in these issues?  Disease, heartbreak, broken homes, broken hearts, mental and emotional  breakdowns, suicide, adoption, abandonment, alcoholism, and the list goes on.

Anyone who knows me will tell you, I get along with everyone and I am not about to condemn the individual for the action.  Heaven knows I have done my share of wrong living.  This is one reason I feel I can spout off.  I have lived a lifestyle without God and presently try to live according to God's instruction as stated in the Bible.  It is amazing what a difference it really makes in my life to follow the guidelines my maker put into force at the time of creation.  You actually have to walk the walk before you can see the results.  Your first step has to be through faith; the rest will come.  When we can understand His absolute love and find the faith to follow through with right choices, our lives improve immeasurably.  THIS IS TRUTH.

God set all of His instructions in place for our benefit physically, emotionally, spiritually and looking to the future.  We are rebellious children and when we disobey, punishment comes through our physical, emotional and spiritual well being.  This explains so much unhappiness in the world today.  Our choices need to mature.  We need to give up our selfish lifestyle and live the rich blessings of right choice.
Further reading:  John 4:24, 8:34,  Psalms 119:160, 145:18 and  I John 3:18 which says, "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."

*Title for this writing is a quote from my mother that she was fond of.

Get Out of The Boat

Ever heard the saying, "If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat"?   See Mt 14:22-33

In a Sunday message at a church that I was visiting, the pastor commented, "If anyone in here is walking on water, I would like to know.  You need to be up here teaching the rest of us."  

This sounded like sarcasm to me and demeaning to his congregation.  He sounded like he did not believe anyone, today, in this world, could have the faith to follow Jesus and do miracles.

I have done and witnessed miracles in the name of Jesus.  This means I did not do the deeds; rather, the deeds were done in His name, by Him, through the Holy Spirit.  It does happen.  Many believers do, and receive, miracles.  Ro 8:28
Just believe He can and will.  Heb 11:1

There are testimonies daily from people who witness miracles in their own lives by believing in spiritual healing and/or having the faith to call a work in His name.  Pastors and evangelists perform healings and good works by calling on the name of Jesus.  God answers millions of prayers around the world on a daily basis.   

Sometimes, we loose sight of Jesus and we sink.  But, other times, it is easier to keep our eyes on the prize and follow through. 

The pastor's comment on Sunday seemed like mockery to me.  How dare any one mock the Holy Spirit?  These gifts are not limited to prophets and spiritual leaders but given to any believer in Jesus Christ.    Acts 1:8


After all, the Holy Spirit resides in all believers.  II Cor 5:17  The spirit lives in us.  I have called on Him in the name of Jesus to heal.  I pray for people and situations.  I make effort to serve others.  There are many people out there today "walking on water", and much more than me. 

Any believer, in faith, can call on the name of Jesus to enable us to perform works of healing, surviving, sharing and giving.   I John 2:6

Let's learn to recognize teaching that is not correct when we hear it.  Do not see yourself as being less than you are through Christ.


Jesus is alive and well.  What are you waiting for?  Get out of the boat!
Amen ?

Letter to New Christians

Congratulations! 

The angels in heaven are rejoicing over your decision.
Lk 15:7&10


If you answered an alter call, made a public confession or a private repentance, get Baptized!  When you are baptized, the Holy Spirit is imparted to you.  Even Jesus (full of the spirit from birth) did this as an example for us.  Mt 3:13-15  (Studies have proven that baptized Christians have a different DNA after baptism as opposed to before.  You will TRULY be a new person.)  Mt 28:19, Lk 11:13, Acts 11:16

The Holy Spirit is a piece of God's Spirit that will live in you from now on.  This will give you strength and conviction to help you live a Christian life and make contact with him easier.  Mk 12:36, Lk 12:12, Jn 14:26   You will receive the "gifts of the spirit" so you can begin to use and develop them in the name of Jesus, your savior.

It is a sad situation today that most Christians get very excited over new converts but churches have few programs set in place to help you understand what comes next and what it is to be Christian, let alone if you are new to the concept.

First, BRACE YOURSELF !  Satan is mad.  If you haven't already, you will be facing some pretty heavy trial/temptation.  This is why you need the Holy Spirit to draw from strength that is imparted from God.  The Enemy does not want followers of Jesus.  His time is coming, he knows it and he is getting very desperate.  You can count on him coming at you.  Get ready to fight the good fight and get as close to Jesus as you can. 
I Tim 6:12, Heb 10:32

It is not easy to be a Christian - especially today.  In many countries, Christians are put to death for their belief.  America today, is becoming more and more conflicted over Christianity.  Indeed, there are fewer converts in America and a growing number in third world countries.

With the Holy Spirit to guide you, you will be turning your life around.  You will be feeling the tug of right vs wrong in many facets of life:  entertainment, fashion, prayer, Bible study, substance abuse, tithing, holiday celebrations, literature, media and maybe even your diet.  This will all depend on your situation and how fast you mature as a Christian.  Big or small, changes are coming.  If urged by the spirit, you will be happier for the changes.

Cheer up!  There is lots of good news.
You are now a child of the Most High God, an inheritor of everything that Jesus (our brother) inherits.  Stand up straight, have some pride in how you present yourself; be confident.  A changed attitude will take you farther.  You are a child of the supreme being, an Ambassador of Heaven itself.  You are the light in the dark of this world and the salt of the earth.
Mt. 5:13  You are God's righteousness.  God will send His angels to give charge over you. Ps 91:11
If you find yourself getting low and being tempted by pity, get out and do something for someone else; any small thing.

Yes, times are tough, but you now have God, your new spiritual Father, on your side.  A father that loves like no other, never leaves you, provides for you, wants you healthy, prosperous and happy.  He is as close as a conversation, a prayer, hymn of praise, the Bible.  He wants you to converse with Him, dump your problems (no matter how small) and ask Him for whatever you need.  Jesus was refreshed after He gave of Himself to the Samaritan woman at the well.  God is a giver.

Don't go crazy and start throwing out the baby with the bath water.  God wants your happiness and He is not unreasonable.  Don't get too hard on yourself.  Don't worry about being formal with God; just talk to Him.  The Spirit will show you what to do.  Be sure to listen for His prompting.  Relax, God's got your back.

Find a Bible based church that teaches Jesus.  It is commanded to be part of "the body" (the church) and tithing is a great blessing.  Take communion regularly, to thank God for healing and covering our sins with the blood of His precious son.  Give of yourself and your finances to help others and you will be replenished.  No one can give like your new Father.  I truly believe that everything we give and share is given back to us with interest.  Your Father will not let you go without because you help another.

You don't have to go off to "Timbucktoo", stand on a street corner and predict the end of the world or start preaching to your family and friends.  Just relax and live your life as you think God wants you to.  Do no harm.  A time may come when the Spirit will kick you softly in the butt and urge you to do something.  Be the light in the dark and teach by example of right living.  You will develop a constant smile and a glow from within that will draw the world to you - just like Jesus.

If you don't know where to start reading the Bible, the book of John is always a great choice.  You can read the Psalms (a personal favorite of mine is Ps 91).  David was a song writer, shepherd, king, warrior and prophet.  Proverbs is good to learn how to live a Christian life.  Romans will teach you the grace of God. 
You can always read this blog. 

Perhaps the best promise to a new Christian is "Fear Not"; a constant reminder from God that a believer can rest his cares in the loving grace of God and sleep through the storms.

May God's amazing complete peace be with you.
Amen

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