I Had an Odd Thought Today

I know that anyone who knows me personally would not be able to imagine such a thing, but I had a really odd thought today. As I was getting ready to back up in my drive and leave for work I noticed 2 squirrels "playing" in the nieghbor's bushes. It is a gorgeous day (thank God after the long dreary winter) and the squirrels were out taking advantage of that fact. This scene wasn't that unusual. We have lots of squirrels of every race and ethnic origin who scamper, run, jump, climb the trees and yes "play" on a regular basis in our back yard giving no apparent thought to their physical differences. I enjoy watching them jump from one tree to the next, stand on their hind legs while eating a nut, run across the fence. Their agility amazes me, so I was pleased to see the squirrels back enjoying the day. But as I watched the squirrels tumbling in a circle it dawned on me (my odd thought). With all the squirrels we have "playing" in our back yard and the neighbors' back yards why aren't there any baby squirrels? I never see any babies! There ought to be little ones running around as a result of all this "playing". I mean the squirrels have apparently figured out the truth Will Smith refers to in "Hitch" when he says, "In case you never went to high school, hitting is a good thing!" So where are the babies? Are the parents hiding them? Are they tucked away in the knot of a tree somewhere? Even so, they should come out at some point! So where are they?

If you have any wisdom to enlighten me, please share it. I don't remember learning this in high school biology.

Microsoft vs. General Motors

I received this in an email from the business/keyboarding teacher.

For all of us who feel only the deepest love and affection for the way computers have enhanced our lives, read on. At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated, "If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25.00 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon."

In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release stating:

If GM had developed technology like! Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics (and I just love this part):

1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash twice a day.

2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car.

3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.

4. Occasionally, executing a manoeuvre such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.

5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive -- but would run on only five percent of the roads.

6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single "This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation" warning light.

7. The airbag system would ask "Are you sure?" before deploying.

8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.

9. Every time a new car was introduced car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.

10. You'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off.

More Pictures

I can't believe how much the kids have grown since these pictures were taken! Ashley is catching up with me and Daniel is almost 6 INCHES taller than I am now!

Darrell took this picture with our digital camera. I thought it looked like a postcard.

Darrell, Daniel and Ashley in front of the Men In Black Ride at Univeral Studios Theme Park in Orlando.

"The Drug Problem In America"

I received this in an email. Thought it was worth sharing.

The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, ''Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?''

I replied: I had a drug problem when I was young:
I was drug to church on Sunday morning.
I was drug to church for weddings and funerals.
I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.
I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults.

I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, didnot speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profane four-letter word.

I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower beds and cockleburs out of dad's fields.

I was drug to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood; and, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins; and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, and think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.

author unknown

I'm HOME - Again!

Pastor had to take Pastor Neil to the airport today so I get the priveledge of staying home and taking care of my sick little one. Since I finally get to blog from home I thought I would finally post those pictures I promised months ago.

Speaking of the little one, she just made a request for me to watch a movie with her so the blogging will have to wait. Have a good weekend folks!

smenita

Demon possessed! That's what it is! That group of letters~ s m e n i t a~ is demon possessed! They keep appearing on Word Verification on EVERYONE'S blog that has Word Verification where I have tried to post a comment lately! And EVERY TIME "s m e n i t a" appears I get the message "Type the letters in exactly as they appear!" I HAVE!!! Over and Over and Over AGAIN to NO AVAIL!!!! ARGH!!! ~rusemfrusem~

"In Sickness and In Health"

My dear husband has had a lot on him this past week or so. I have been sick for several days, my son was sick a couple of days and now my daughter has the flu! Our dear Pastor has had to do all the cooking, dishes, sweeping, laundry and nurse-maiding for the house. I've been NO help! I've pretty much done nothing but sleep for almost a week now!

We also have Pastor Neil with us who is easy "to keep" as he likes to say and like having a family member visiting (one you like), but DH has had to make sure there are plenty of groceries on hand and see to it that Pastor Neil is taken care of. When a person is in a different place there are just some things that person has to rely on others to help with no matter how self-sufficeint that individual may be otherwise.

Additionally, Pastor has still had ALL the responsibilities of being Pastor. He is still visiting, taking and making phone calls, counseling, checking on the church and the alarm system, dealing with the Pepsi guy, taking care of the mail, sending correspondence that can't wait. As much as people don't like to admit it, a church is a business and still has day-to-day business to conduct no matter what else is going on in the Pastor's life.

As I was leaving for work this morning, Pastor was sweeping up the mud that dear son had tracked in while taking out the trash he neglected to take out the night before. I leaned over toward him to kiss him good-bye and said,"Thanks for taking care of us while we've all been sick." His response? With a twinkle in his eye and a smirk on his lips, he replied, "You owe me."

I smiled and left for work, but I kept thinking about what he said.

DH is right. I do "owe" him, not because I have to "pay him back" for all he has done recently. We have taken care of each other numerous times during sickness over the past 20 years. Who's counting? We aren't keeping score to see who has taken care of the other more! I "owe" him because I made a covenant with him before God over 20 years ago where we said, "...for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health until death do us part." I "owe" him because I said I would! No matter what we face, good or bad, I will be by his side facing it with him. Sometimes I may have to carry more than "my fair share" of the load. Sometimes he may have to (like this week). But when it's all said and done, no one looks back and says, "Hey! wait a minute! You were sick one more time than I was so you have to take care of me an extra time to make it fair!" When we went into covenant with each other, we became one! Do you "keep score" with yourself?

Thank heaven God doesn't keep score either! We'd all be in the hole! DEEP!! God has made a covenant with us, His people, as well. He often refers to us as His bride in His Word. This isn't to "sissyfy" being a Christian. God knows you can't be spineless and weak and be a Christian these days... or anytime in history that I have read about! It is to show us how important and special the relationship is that God wants to have with us! There should be no relationship known to humans that is closer than that of a marraige relationship. When you marry you literally bond with that partner spiritually! What better analogy could God have used to help us understand? I love my husband with all of my heart and put no one nor anything in this world before him, but I love my God more. God should be our reason for living, worshipping, existing, doing!

I do "owe" my husband, but I "owe" my God more!

Thanks for Your Prayers

I was never so grateful for a snow day as I was yesterday. I knew I could not miss another day of work, especially since it was time to turn in grades. I have hated missing the revival the last two days as well. I have looked forward to it so. I was going to try to make it last night, but all of my energy was consumed by taking a shower and trying to eat supper. I laid back down on the couch and fell asleep. I was awakened when my family and Pastor Neil got home. When I awoke, I felt a bazillion (it's a word! I just made it one!) times better! I was told that the church had special prayer for me. Thank you so much! I can tell God is doing a work in my body! If He was not, I wouldn't be at work right now and I wouldn't be posting! Praise God for His faithfulness and for a people willing to listen and obey!

Quotes for the Day

Lewis and Clark were not really meant to explore the West for all those months. They simply did not want to admit (especially to Sacajawea) that they were lost.

Sherrie Weaver

Do all the good you can by all the means you can in all the ways you can in all the places you can at all the times you can to all the people you can as long as ever you can.

John Wesley

A Place for Grace

While reading comments on various blogs, I linked to a site that is really interesting. This man is from the Tampa area and has some wonderful thoughts on family and living a Christ-like life. I got tired of taking the loooong route (linking to this blog, then over to that one, then to this one ...) so I asked his permission to put a link on my blog. Yes, I know I could have put the link under "favorites" on my computer, but I don't always read from the same computer! Besides, I really think some of you may enjoy his thoughts as well. The site is called A Place for Grace.

It is now a part of my links for anyone else who would like to read it in the future as well. Check it out!

No Boundaries!!!!

What is it with today's generation???!!!! (I sound old, don't I?) Maybe it is just this area. I did grow up in the South and manners are different there. Maybe it is just people today. I don't know what it is, but I really don't understand this concept that if it is out in the open or at least where someone can see it, they think it is community property!!!! I have supplies on my desk at school positioned at my fingertips for ready use. I have set a separate set of supplies on a another, readily accessible, desk for students to use. I have STRESSED frequently what is theirs and what is mine! We will be in the LAST quarter of the school year MONDAY and I am STILL having to remind kids to leave the things on MY desk alone!

I set up a set of staplers, tape dispensers, hole punch, paper clips and tissues specifically for the students to use primarily because I am tired of MY stuff always getting broken! I also get tired of my writing utensils, note pads, calculators, scissors, etc. disappearing!

Now I have heard the arguement, "It's the school's anyway!" Firstly, that is not necessarily true. Many of my supplies I have purchased with MY money and I don't get paid enough to supply everyone's children with pencils and tissues!

Secondly, it is just the PRINCIPLE! We don't issue books and lockers to students and then tell other students to go into another student's locker and get whatever books and supplies they want, "Afterall, it all belongs to the school anyway!" What happened to the mere courtesy of ASKING first?! The same students who take things off of my desk would have a COW if I started going through their backpacks to get something I wanted to use!

We have had a similar problem with people at churches we have pastored. There have been people who have walked into the parsonage without knocking or asking permission to come in! I was in the bathtub getting ready for church one Sunday morning when a lady just walked into the parsonage! Darrell started locking the door if he left before us after that happened.

Darrell has had people to not only go into his office, but to even go through his desk! Their justification? "It belongs to the church!" (Even though the desk didn't necessarily, but since the office did, then everything in it was fair game!) They use the same justification for playing with the mics and instruments. Schools often own many instruments, but not just anyone who pays taxes in the district or attends the school is allowed to PLAY on them!

What happened to boundaries? When and where did people get the idea that they can just take or use anything belonging to someone else just because they think they have a need for it?

I'm done. Thank you for reading patiently while I ranted and raved.

What Is Going On?

The blog sites have been wacko lately. One second they're there, the next they're gone. I try to post something and it doesn't want to work. (tried loading a picture...didn't take) I try to make a comment and it doesn't show up or if it does, it takes a couple of days! At first I thought it was a sign from God that I just shouldn't make that comment, but then it kept happening and my husband mentioned he was having the same problem. That's when I decided it wasn't a spiritual enlightenment, but just a system glich. (WHAT? God can speak through the internet!)

I have to say it has been driving me crazy! I have had a very sloooooow week at work with students being gone for testing, state tournaments, field trips, school play, this reason, that reason. I have had to make several class periods study halls because there haven't been enough students to have class. With all of this free time on my hands, I have had plenty of time to read my Bible (as you may have noticed), organize my lab order my supplies for next year and go blog surfing. With all the blog surfing, however, it has been very unsatisfying to NOT be able to post or comment. I couldn't even get anyone stirred up about anything!~GEEES! Can't wait 'till it gets better. Of course, by that time things will settle down at school with the students and I'll be overwhelmed trying to catch up on everything I couldn't accomplish while they were gone! Ke Sara, Sara!

A Life of God-Worship

Later in the sixth chapter of Matthew the Word says this (post titles came from The Message Bible):

"Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or - worse! - stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being....

"If you decide for God, living a life of God-Worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body....

"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion - do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers-most of which are never even seen-don't you think he'll attend to you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

I think that pretty much says it all.

Pray With Simplicity

I was reading from the 6th chapter of Matthew in The Message translation today and this passage really hit me:

"The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for gettin what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply."

This is the preface to the Lord's Prayer. How many times I have read this passage, but it never spoke to me quite like this! How many televangelists are giving us "formulas" for how to pray or act to get what we want from God? How many times have we had "programs and advice" dished on us to tell us how to make a church grow or to get wealth? We just need to simply petition God and then do what HE says! Quit putting our faith in others or in things and trust GOD!

God Is Moving!!!

We had two wonderful moves of the Holy Spirit yesterday in our services. People were worshipping as I have never seen them worship before! We had children in the altars, tears streaming down their faces. Teenagers who work the sound and power point presentations came out of the sound booth, praising God and dancing before the Lord! One eight year old boy was claiming victory unlike most adults, speaking with athority! Some were laying prostrate before the Lord weeping and speaking in tongues! Even the toddlers in the nursery were raising their hands, singing praises, dancing and shouting hallelujah! (Tell me God isn't pleased with that!) That was one of the most pleasurable nursery duty experiences I have ever had! In the back of the church looking through the window into the sanctuary, we could see how God was moving across the entire congregation! All I can say is it was AWESOME!

I feel the presence of the Holy Spirit so strongly as I sit here and type this at school. (Yes, God is still in the schools with every teacher and student who carries Him in our hearts!) My husband's most recent post was "Do You Feel It?" I commented then about how I felt God moving but I think God has something in store unlike any generation before us has ever seen. I praise God for what He is doing! I am so excited! God is moving in such a powerful way and we haven't even started our revival yet (officially)! I can hardly wait to see the souls saved, the lives reformed, the mountains moved, healings performed and so much more that we cannot even fathom!

Pastor called us all to a 3 day fast this week for the revival (with instructions :) this time). I believe he was directed by God to do so. I just feel God in this. If you are anywhere within driving distance of Harvest Church, you need to be there. Please understand, I'm not trying to "steal" you from your church on Sunday. I just believe there is a mighty move of God on its way and I don't believe it is meant for our people alone! God wants to move in all of His people!

God bless!

Fasting...101?

I'm sorry. I just don't get it. I know that it is scriptural to fast. I mean Esther commanded the entire nation of Israel to fast for her. Our pastor (my husband) has asked our church to fast for various reasons. His most recent request was for us to fast as a body for our upcoming revival. I am trying to be obedient, but I struggle with this. It is in fact almost embarrassing for me to even admit this failure.

At the worship conference this past weekend one of the presenters was so honest regarding her battles with this same issue. She talked about how she would start the day with the best of intentions, but would have to "press delete" and start all over by lunch time. I feel very much like this. So many times I have tried and failed.

I have been a Christian since I was 5. I attended my first service at the tender age of 7 days. In almost 42 years of faithful church attendance, I have never heard any teaching on how to fast! I've only been given the examples of why we should fast.

I am eager to learn and I truly want to be obedient but has anyone thought of writing a book on how to fast. How about "Fasting for Dummies" or maybe a course, "Fasting 101"?

Surely I am not the only one in the dark. Help me out somebody!!!

Cinnamon

This picture actually goes with the previous post on "Worship".

Worship

Wor'ship n.- 1 prayer, service, etc. in reverence to a deity 2 intense love or admiration

The worship team from our church attended a conference on worship this past weekend in Powder Springs, GA. (This is just north of Atlanta). It was a great conference if for no other reason than to have the experience of continuous worship for periods of 3 to 4 hours, without being conscious of this passage of time. (You have to experience it to understand it.) But in addition to the wonderful praise and worship time, there was some wonderful teaching. During one of the sessions a woman by the name of Barbara Yoder spoke and related worship to how her dog is toward her. The lights came on in my head. I immediately thought of my dog, Cinnamon.

I call the dog mine not because I chose him. I didn't. My husband did. He isn't mine because I play with him the most or give him the most attention. I don't. The kids and my husband do. I say he is mine because HE (Cinnamon) made that decision.

In the mornings, Cinnamon has a tendency to start whining around 5:30 to go out. I usually sleep through it so my husband graciously (or not so graciously) gets up and lets him out. Cinnamon will go about his morning routine and return to the door. When I do come downstairs whether it is awhile later or while he is still outside, as soon as Cinnamon sees me he wants back out! It's as if it doesn't count if someone besides me lets him out.

I feed and water the dog in the mornings. Now I know what you're thinking, that's why Cinnamon prefers me, but you're wrong. I feed the dog simply because he won't eat if anyone else feeds him! Not only that, he won't eat if he can't see me from his food bowl. Even then he goes to the bowl, picks up several pieces of food and carries them to the room where I am before he will eat. Often times he won't eat if I'm not in the same room with him even if he can see me. He would rather starve than leave my presence.

When I leave for work in the mornings, Cinnamon goes to his cage and "mourns" until I get home. He seems to know what time I am expected back because around that time each afternoon he comes out of his cage and becomes antsy. He'll go toward the door I am to enter as if to say, "It's time! Where is she?" He even knows the sound of the car I drive. When he hears it finally pull into the driveway, he gets excited.

When I walk in the door, he comes to see me and for the rest of the evening will hardly let me out of his sight. He follows me from room to room. Wherever I go, he is always close by. If I just stand up from my seat, he raises to his feet until I sit back down. He readies himself just in case I should move. He is prepared to follow wherever I lead.

He always wants to be as close to me as possible. If he can't be in my lap, he chooses to be beside me. If he can't be beside me, he chooses to sit at my feet. If he is forced to leave my presence, he tucks his tail and hangs his head as he mopes toward his kennel. As soon as he is allowed to return, his entire countenance brightens and he quickly trots back to my side.

As I write this, tears are welling up in my eyes, not because I love the dog so much or that his love means so much to me, but because I realize that the kind of devotion that dog has is how I should be toward my God.

I should desire to be in God's presence over anyone, anything or anywhere else. I should desire His presence more than Earthly food and drink. His food should be what I hunger for. His living waters should be what I quench my thirst with. I should expect to meet Him wherever I go and strive to never leave His presence. My desire should be to please Him above all others. I should be devoted to Him forsaking all others.

Cinnamon loves the entire family it is obvious. The family is his top priority, but I am his life! My husband has often said if something happens to me that they will have to build a little coffin for Cinnamon because he would die without me.

God, help me to make you my life!

HOW THINGS WOULD BE DIFFERENT IF MEN GOT PREGNANT:

• Materinity leave would last two years - with full pay.
• There'd be a cure for stretch marks.
• Natural childbirth would become obsolete.
• Morning sickness would rank as the nation's number one health problem.

Barbara Johnson