God Rested

Rest and Restore your mind and body.

Gen. 2:2

Creation was completed in six days.  God rested on the seventh day. He blessed the seventh day and made it holy. 

 Several years ago Christians recognized Sunday as a holy day. Some religions observed Saturday as a holy day. That is not true now. We can shop, eat and seek recreation on any day of the week.

Our world is hurry, hurry. We expect instant information on our phones and instant service for food. Every day is filled with work, worry and seldom any rest.  Studies show that most of us do not get enough sleep. We need rest. We need to come away from our work filled life and refresh body and soul.

Jesus sought rest when he learned John the Baptist had been killed (Matt. 14:13).  After His baptism, the Spirit took Jesus into the wilderness (Mark 1:9-12).  There he was alone to pray and prepare himself for his upcoming mission.  Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray before he was arrested and crucified (Mark 26:36-38).

Rest and restoration of the body and soul may come in different forms for different people.  While one might find relaxation fishing or boating, another may enjoy slowing down to read or engage in hobbies.  A walk in nature reminds us of God’s blessings.  Always remember to pray as you relax and seek God’s will for yourself and your family.  Turn away from the bustle of the world and rest your mind and body.

  

LIFE IS PRECIOUS

Genesis1:21b-2:6

Genesis chapter 2 tells a more detailed account of creation. Nothing was on the earth until God created plants, trees and animals to in habit the earth.  Streams came up out of the ground to provide water for use of growing things and animals.

God was pleased with His creation.  Imagine a perfect world of trees, plants and animals, all created by God.

Then God made man in his own image, a refection of God, a perfect human.  Man had something animals did not have. Man had a soul, a relationship with God, food and water to sustain life.

God created Man (called Adam) from the dust of the ground. He breathed life into man.  Life is God’s gift to humans. The very air we breathe is from God. We cannot life without life-giving breath, water and food, all given us by God.

Because God gives life, we should not tolerate actions that destroy life.  Our society argues over when the life of a child in the mother’s body begins.  The Bible teaches that God knows us from the time we are conceived.  (Jer. 1:5a) A baby is alive. The mother feels movement while the child grows toward birth.  To kill that child is wrong. So, what do we do about unwanted children? First, we must teach responsibility to refrain from conceiving unwanted babies. We must educate women and men that bringing a child into the world is a responsibility that cannot be shirked.

Adoption is better is better than abortion.  The price of adoption keeps many from having a child to love. In addition, the possibility the child can be taken away by the birth on a whim.  A snafu in our laws that should be scrutinized and perhaps changed.

Sanding on a street corner in protest is not the way to change laws.  Inform yourself, then speak for those who cannot speak.  Speak to law makers, to those in power to change our world.

All life is sacred. Killing another human is against the law of the land and against. God’s law.  One of the Ten Commandments is “Thou shall not kill” (murder).  Respect older citizens. Respect those who are less than perfect.  They have a place in God’s plan.  God does not give us the right to destroy human life.

Our Powerful God is Worthy To Be Praised

Genesis 1:1-25

            God spoke the earth into being.  First he said, “Let there be light.”  Then he separated light from darkness and that was the first day. Imagine our great earth being created as God separated the water and the sky. God made dry ground appear and God called the dry ground land. Then he named the water sea.

God was not finished.  He caused plants and trees to grow. The plants and trees needed sunlight so God made the sun and the moon. He said the sun and the moon would be signs to mark seasons and days and years. God created creatures to live in the water and bird to fly in the sky.  He made animals both wild and tame inhabit the earth.  The trees, plants and animals were to reproduce and fill the earth.

Genesis records that God created all this in 5 days.  That is 5 God days.  It could have been in an instant or over time.  We don’t know. Nor do we need to know.  We just need to know and remember that God created everything and we became a part of it when he created man and woman.

We must be aware of and care for God’s creation.  It is very different from the time of creation.  Over time animals have become extinct and men and women have learned to live on the earth and make life better.  The one thing we must never forget is God created all we see and know.  Praise Him for it.

In The Beginning

            I have challenged myself to read the Bible through this year.  I will not make it all the way through because I keep stopping to research and ponder. It is not enough to just read, one must think about what is written and why it is written.

            So where to begin?  Begin in the beginning, of course. In the New Testament Jesus says Moses wrote the books of Law.  (John 1:17, John 7:19).  The Books of Law are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.  So we accept these books as truth because they are God inspired.  God told Moses what to write. They are history, instruction and a guide to how to live. The Books of Law were given to the Jewish people.  They are included in modern Christian Bibles as well.  The Book of Exodus contains the Ten Commandments.  These rules are the basis for the law in our country and in other countries today. 

            We do not understand the rituals and rules God gave the Jews.  They were given as a way for people to worship and follow God.  Evangelical Christians today follow the New Testament way to worship.  Jesus’ teaches us to accept Him, learn about Him and follow his teaching.  Jesus spoke about the Ten Commandments and added to them.

            Written when people believed in many gods, Moses wrote about one supreme God.  An all-powerful God who created the earth and everything in it.  This all powerful God created man and then he created a woman to be a companion to man. 

            We cannot explain the existence of God.  He is without beginning and without end. He was when time began and continues forever. The Holy Spirit was with Him.  Job 33:4 says “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty give me life.”  Jesus said, “I and the Father are one” John 10:30.

            God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit form the Trinity. They were there when the “earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep.” Genesis 1:2.  Therefore, the stage is set for God’s creation.   

PREACHING ALL DAY AND DINNER ON THE GROUND

   Or as someone changed it Dinner All Day and Preachin’ on the Ground.

  Here in Missouri as the population grew, small churches spring up in rural communities.  A popular celebration was everyone going to church for services and sharing lunch before having another service or a singin’ before going home.  Yes, it was called preachin’ and singin’. We hill folks often dropped our g’s.

  The ladies brought their specialties for lunch.  Potato salad, sweet potatoes with sugar syrup of course, cake, and pie. My mother’s specialty was hot rolls. I can smell them now. She made them in a large baking pan and the rolls overflowed the sides of the pan.

  In early days, the meat provided might be wild game. My grandmother told the story of having nothing to take to the church dinner.  She was ashamed they were so poor they didn’t have anything to share.  So she and her sister-in-law improvised and cooked a possum.  She said everyone complimented her on the meat and didn’t think anything about the fact that it was possum.

  If the church had a table or two to take outside, lunch was spread on the tables.  In a pinch, a couple of boards on sawhorses would suffice.  Little girls wore their best dresses and were careful not to get them dirty as they sat on the ground to eat.

 I discovered the practice went back to Old Testament times.   Many of the Jews had returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon. They had rebuilt the temple and the walls of the city.  They came together in Jerusalem to hear Ezra, priest and teacher read from the Law.

  Ezra, the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for that purpose.  All the people stood up as Ezra read from the Law of Moses.  Ezra read from daybreak until noon and all the people listened.

  Afterward the Governor Nehemiah told them to be joyful, to go home and eat and drink.  He also instructed them to share with those who did not have food.

 My novel Murder on Tour is set in Ireland.  If you think I am obsessed with Ireland you are right. I loved traveling in the country, seeing the ancient buildings and soaking up atmosphere.





  Please read Murder on Tour, and leave a review.




This true story caught my interest. It would be a wonderful historical fiction book.


Christian (Kit) Cavanagh (1667-1739) joined the Irish military to search for her husband who was forced into service. She disguised herself as a man and fought in several significant battles, first as an infantry man, then as a dragoon. She found her husband after thirteen years when he was already with another woman. Their marriage over, she returned to Dublin and remarried.

Bits and Pieces of a Great Vacation - continued

GPS – Don’t trust them. They are out to get you lost.

   The coach driver had a GPS he called Lola. Lola didn’t like the route the tour guide chose and we followed Lola.  Followed her around and around and up and down.  We were on our way to Saratoga Springs, NY. Lola made sure we took the scenic route.  It was interesting. We went through quaint little villages with old, old buildings that begged for a camera toting tourist.  But it was not to be.  On and on we traveled.  The trees were beautiful yellow, red and green.  They crowded both sides of the narrow road. It seemed every turn we made took us to one more little cow path.  It was not a good time for motion sickness as Kim can attest. 

We finally arrived at our destination, The Residence Inn, to find a four lane highway running nearby.  Remember: Don’t trust Lola.  Our tour director had never used this Inn and was giving them a chance to be put on his list.  Our good luck was they wanted to impress and impress they did with a sumptuous dinner. It was not on our list of dinners included so we felt lucky.  The rooms were 1 bedroom kitchenettes and very nice.

We left the Inn about eight a.m. and drove a couple of hours to Quechee Gorge, The Grand Canyon of Vermont. The trees were in full color and the gorge was spectacular. Finally we are gazing upon New England Fall Foliage.

Bath NH was the next stop. We were supposed to view the covered bridge there but it was in repair so it was not picturesque. Bath has the oldest general store still in business. The general store had a bit of everything.  I bought Caleb an outfit there; long red johns with a drop down seat that said ‘bear bottom’. We tested the ice cream at the ice cream shop and pronounced it good.  The small church was having a fund raiser to make repairs on their building. We bought small items from the crafts inside the church.  We stopped at two covered bridges on down the road that was not on our itinerary.

Our bed for the night was at The White Mountain Resort near North Conway NH.  It is a beautiful place with many amenities. We focused on the scrumptious dinner where Marcie and Charles McCrackin were our dinner partners. I had apple cider baked chicken and Kim ordered the filet mignon with a Brownie Sundae for desert.  Desert came in a huge bowl full of brownies and ice cream. There was enough for   3 or 4 people.  Kim made a valiant effort and consumed most of it.  People from our coach kept stopping by to view the huge bowl of brownie Sundae.

Kennebunk and Kennebunkport was interesting. We had a couple of hours there for lunch and shopping. It is a tourist town known for the lobster and seafood.  A drive by of the Bush Compound caught our interest and although the coach was not allowed to stop, the driver drove very slow so we could take pictures.

On to Boston and through the tunnel under Boston at rush hour. Lola again, I don’t know but it was stressful time with cars and truck before and aft and all around. Our driver Lyle persevered and got us through.

I don’t care to view Boston’s tunnel ever again.   

We saw cranberry bogs as we drove through MA.  Interesting that they let the cranberries get ripe, then flood the bogs. The ripe cranberries float to the top of the water, while those that are unripe stay on the bushes until they become ripe, then they float to the top.

We drove through NYC but didn’t stop. We saw the skyline, the statue of liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and the twin tower memorial. That is as close to NYC as I want to get.

 

Bird in Hand – That is a town.

We arrived at Bird in Hand PA in time to rest before boarding the bus to the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre.  I was not impressed with the dinner or the program “Menopause the Musical.”  The place was crowded and noisy.  We had to stand in line for food and then again for desert, which was good but hey, this crowd was used to being served at the table.

The next day in Lancaster County PA was very interesting.  Our guide was a Mennonite woman who was familiar with the old order of Amish. She broke a few bubbles when she informed us the fiction books about the Amish are not accurate. The old order Amish does not use machinery so we watched the harvesters using 6 mules or 6 horses.  The mode of travel is of course a buggy but if you are not traveling far, you use a kick bike.  Just a scooter with bigger wheels and handlebars. Clothes are hung to dry on a revolving clothes line. The washer person stands in one place, hanging the clothes, then moves the clothes on down the line, giving her a place to hang the next item of clothing.  It is not unusual to see the clothes line just outside the front door.   

Dinner inside the Amish home was an experience.  The lady of the house seated us at a long table in her living room and food was served family style.  The food was good but not outstanding.  I would have loved to have time to talk with her one on one but there wasn’t time.  There was some furniture I think were antique but also many things handmade.  We visited a quilt shop and a woodworking shop.  Both were interesting and some of our friends bought items to take home.  One outstanding feature was that every home had beautiful flowers in bloom.

Our next stop was to be the Flight 93 National Memorial but it was closed due to the government shutdown at the time and we didn’t get to see it.   

The next two days was steady driving to get to Terre Haute, IN and then on home. It was truly a fantastic trip. The only down side was the two driving days to get to Niagara and two driving days to get back to Springfield. 

The Mayflower

Did They Really Step Out On This Itty Bitty Rock?

 

       I was looking forward to visiting Plymouth MA, where the pilgrims landed after traveling across the Atlantic on the Mayflower. We were allowed to tour the Mayflower Replica. Amazing that people were brave enough to travel across a vast ocean in such a small vessel. I have to admire people who were willing to leave their home country in search of religious freedom.

      The guide told us the passengers stayed below and the crew stayed above because the passengers were Christians and they did not appreciate the actions and language of the crew.

      Our ancestor Edward Fuller, his wife and son, Samuel, were on the Mayflower.  It was a really small ship to carry so many people for such a long time. The rock they allegedly stepped out on was on display, with the 1620 etched on it.  It was a small rock; I feel certain that people who had been on that rocking and rolling ship would have chosen a bigger rock to step out on.

Sadly Edward Fuller and his wife died the first winter they were in America, leaving their son, Samuel, an orphan. He went to live with his father’s brother Samuel who was a doctor.

We viewed the memorial in honor of those hardy pilgrims who braved storms, hunger and crowded conditions on the Mayflower so long ago. It is a beautiful memorial listing everyone’s names.

                                    

 

Niagara Falls

I could have titled this “I left my heating pad in New Hampshire” (Oh those long miles of sitting makes for a cricky dismount) or I was drunk at the Skylon Tower. Only one of those things would be fiction. Actually I felt drunk at the Skylon Tower. Kim and I were bright and bushy tailed when we met the bus that would take us to tour Fall Foliage in New England. Well, that’s not quick right. We stumbled and struggled out of bed in time to meet the bus at 5:30 a.m. Believe me that is not the hour I want to meet a lot of strangers. And strangers they were, 34 people we had never met before. Standing right in front of the bus door was Chuck. He asked, “Did you bring breakfast?” I replied, “I thought you were bringing breakfast.” And we made our first friend Chuck and Linda Philipian from Nixa, MO. We learned later that Chuck had cancer and this trip was between chemo treatments and he was paying a last visit to places from his early days. They were interesting people. He had been a science teacher and she is an artist still working at MSU. A stop at Rolla for breakfast,(don’t drink too much coffee; you will need a bathroom and who wants to parade down the aisle to the back of the bus to relieve yourself.) I actually heard a story from one tour guide about a lady who fell out of the toilet when the bus rounded a corner. I didn’t want to be that lady, so I went easy on the coffee. Fourteen states in nine days – this was going to be a loooong bus ride. The first day we hurried to arrive at the Drury Inn Dayton, Ohio in time for their snacks, hoping that would suffice as dinner. Suffice it did. There was plenty to junk food. I snagged a baked potato, covered it in spicy chili, nachos entered the picture also. Soft drinks were free and we were given a voucher for three alcoholic drinks. I didn’t use my voucher but the cold Sprite hit the spot to make up for the coffee I didn’t drink in the a.m. The next morning we discovered Drury Inn has a great breakfast buffet. So far we hadn’t seen any colorful trees but we kept looking. Another early start and we were on the bus Niagara Fall, Ontario Canada. Lake Erie was a glimpse out of the left side of the bus. It was Sunday so our tour guide played some gospel music. One of our group threw a fit about the music. She didn’t want to hear it, it was too loud, it hurt her ears, etc. etc. She was very vocal in her distaste for the music. She kept asking everyone if we thought it was too loud. She finally poked Kleenex in her ears. Kim and I christened “The Crazy Cat Lady” because she said she had six cats at home. Later in the day, we changed her name to Ms Blue Flowers, because she went to sleep for a time and after waking up asked everyone if we had seen the pretty blue flowers along the side of the road. We named four women traveling together the Chatty Chicks. They insisted on riding in the back of the bus and were very loud. At first they were flirty but as the week went on they calmed down. Niagara Falls is spectacular. Words cannot describe the power of the water falling over to the rocks below. We had to show our passports to get into Canada and hoped the agent wouldn’t insist on searching the bus because we were anxious to get to our room and out again to view the magnificent river and the American and Canadian falls. We were scheduled to have dinner at the Skylon Tower Restaurant, 775 feet above the falls. I had been fighting a headache all day and really wanted to attend this formal dinner high about the Canadian Falls. The Restaurant rotates so that the diners continually see a different part of the city. Soooo I decided to take a strong pain pill to get me through the evening. Diners are taken up to the tower in an elevator car that travels outside the walls of the tower. Whew! Dizzy is not the word I was feeling. Kim grabbed my arm and I walked unsteadily to the table indicated. It was lovely. White table cloths, with napkins standing at attention, all kinds of glass and silver ware. We were assigned an inside booth but we could still see the revolving skyline under and around us. More Dizzy? You bet. And it didn’t get any better. The food was excellent and the waiter very attentive. I had filet mignon and Kim had Chicken Cordon bleu. We struggled to climb one more story for another view but were disappointed, the view from the restaurant was better. Kim and Linda decided to walk down to the falls and take pictures of the lighted falls. Chuck and I were to go back to the hotel. Kim asked me if I would be OK going back alone to the hotel. I said, “Just get me on the right bus.” I was loopy from the pill and the revolving scenery. She escorted me to the bus. I told her just to tell everyone I was drunk. I was able to find my way to our room. Needless to say, when she returned from her walk with Linda, I was in bed and very glad to be there. The next day, we had a step on guide to tell us all about the falls. The bus stopped occasionally to allow us to take pictures and get lunch. Our guide was a delightful lady with a slight accent. She seemed determined to tell us about all the disasters connected with the falls. Many people died trying to defy the raging water. Late afternoon, after a trip to the duty free shop, we were whisked back across the border in a timely fashion. We were told people could walk across the bridge from America to Canada free but to walk from Canada to America it cost fifty cents. Really!

BITS AND PIECES OF A FABULOUS VACATION



KING SOLOMON'S WISE WORDS TO BABY PRINCE GEORGE

King Solomon’s Wise Words to Baby Prince George of Cambridge. Solomon was a wise man. He asked the Lord to give him wisdom and God allowed him wisdom. (1 Kings 3:7-14.) Solomon was a famous man. He was King of Israel. He was the son of a king. He built the great temple in Jerusalem that his father King David was not allowed to build. Solomon was a rich man. His incredible riches are recorded in 1 Kings, Chapter 10. Yet in his wisdom he knew that riches did not bring happiness in the world. “Whoever loves money, never has money enough... and what benefit are they (things bought with money) to the owner except to feast his eyes on them. (Eccl.5:10-11 NIV)” Solomon knew that things of the world are temporary. We are put in the world at God’s command and only what we do for Him will last into eternity. Baby Prince George was born to be king. He has wealth. He is already famous as heir to the throne of England. He will be written about, photographed and talked about all of his life. He will be remembered in history. What he makes of himself is his choice. Solomon would say to him, “Naked a man comes from his mother’s womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand.” (Eccl:5:15 NIV) Memories last forever. As a genealogist, I pore over long forgotten pictures and letters, trying to find out about those who have gone before. One cousin wrote about my great grandmother, “She was a kind lady.” I remember she also chewed tobacco. We must be careful what kind of memories we leave – good memories or bad. Be aware of the influence you have on others. Years ago people put mottos on the wall. I remember one that said, “Only what is done for Christ will last.” It is important that we spend our time on things that are eternal. Those things are all we will carry into eternity when we die.

Book Review: "The Pursuit of Lies"

A romantic Suspense Novel

By Debra Burroughs

“Pursuit of Lies” is book four in a series featuring Emily Parker. Emily became a private investigator after investigating and solving her husband’s murder.

Now after a time, she is engaged to Colin Andrews, a new police detective in Paradise Valley. Emily and Colin are surprised at their engagement party when Colin is arrested for the murder of Assistant District Attorney Allison Laraway.

Police claim an insurmountable body of evidence against Colin. Emily cannot believe Colin can be guilty of murder but the evidence causes her to doubt him to a small degree. Police say Colin’s fingerprints and DNA are found in Laraway’s apartment. Her secretary says Colin delivered a pot of red flowers to Laraway at her office. Video shows Colin’s jeep at the complex where Laraway was murdered and also shows Colin accompanying the victim into the front door. Colin swears it isn’t him in the video. But do video’s lie?

Emily calls on her good friends, Camille, Maggie and Isobel for help in proving Colin innocent. Colin has his sidekick at the police department Ernie also helping.

Emily and Colin work together to figure out why someone is framing Colin and finally clearing his name but only after the killer confronts Emily in her home.

I recommend this book for romance, suspense, and page turning tension.

Deborah Burroughs writes squeaky clean books containing no sex or four letter words, yet manages to keep the readers interest.

Burroughs other books are “The Heart of Lies,” ”The Chain of Lies,” “The Scent of Lies” and “Three Days in Seattle.”

BOOK REVIEW: THE PURSUIT OF LIES

"The Pursuit of Lies, A romantic Suspense Novel
By Debra Burroughs

“Pursuit of Lies” is book four in a series featuring Emily Parker. Emily became a private investigator after investigating and solving her husband’s murder.

Now after a time, she is engaged to Colin Andrews, a new police detective in Paradise Valley. Emily and Colin are surprised at their engagement party when Colin is arrested for the murder of Assistant District Attorney Allison Laraway.

Police claim an insurmountable body of evidence against Colin. Emily cannot believe Colin can be guilty of murder but the evidence causes her to doubt him to a small degree. Police say Colin’s fingerprints and DNA are found in Laraway’s apartment. Her secretary says Colin delivered a pot of red flowers to Laraway at her office. Video shows Colin’s jeep at the complex where Laraway was murdered and also shows Colin accompanying the victim into the front door. Colin swears it isn’t him in the video. But do video’s lie?

Emily calls on her good friends, Camille, Maggie and Isobel for help in proving Colin innocent. Colin has his sidekick at the police department Ernie also helping.

Emily and Colin work together to figure out why someone is framing Colin and finally clearing his name but only after the killer confronts Emily in her home.

I recommend this book for romance, suspense, and page turning tension.

Deborah Burroughs writes squeaky clean books containing no sex or four letter words, yet manages to keep the readers interest.

Burroughs other books are “The Heart of Lies,” ”The Chain of Lies,” “The Scent of Lies” and “Three Days in Seattle.”

WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE WHO NEEDS ENEMIES?

When tragedy strikes friends, do you know what to say to comfort them? They need sympathy, encouragement, and love, not judgment. There is a lesson in the Bible about a man whose friends didn’t know what he needed to hear. They judged him… well here is the story.

Job was a good man, faithful to God. Satan challenged God that he would make Job turn from God. Satan’s idea was to tempt Job to rebuke God. That is Satan’s delight if he can cause a good person to turn their back on God.

Job was wealthy. Satan took all his wealth. Job had children. Satan caused his children to die. Job was at the end of his rope but still he did not deny God. Then Satan took his health. He caused to Job to have boils all over his body. Job was miserable. His wife urged him to curse God and die.

Job could not understand why all these trials came to him. He wished he had never been born. He wished he could die. But he never cursed God for all his troubles.

Job’s three friends came to visit him. They were judgmental. They decided Job had sinned and caused all the troubles. They were very vocal in telling him he must repent. Job protested that he had done nothing wrong. His friends then decided his children sinned and Job was paying for their sin. In the face of his friend’s ‘helpful’ advice, Job still did not deny God. Job complained to God that other people were living that still had children to comfort them. Other people had a home and wealth. He couldn’t understand why God let all this happen to him, but he continued to belief in God.

I suggest we have all asked that question sometime in our life. Why am I not as successful as my friend? Why is my house not as nice as my neighbor’s? Why do I not have the money I need for necessities? Job questioned why bad things were happening to him but he remained faithful to God. Romans 8:28 (NIV) says “And we know that all things work together for the good of all those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” And Romans 8:31a (NIV) says, “If God is for us, we can be against us?”

When friends need encouragement, comfort and prayer do not be judgmental. When trials are bad in your life remember these two verses in Romans 8:28,31a.

What kind of friend are you? When your friends have troubles, they need you to pray for them, to be ready to help in any way. They need encouragement not judgment.

WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE WHO NEEDS ENEMIES?

When tragedy strikes friends, do you know what to say to comfort them? They need sympathy, encouragement, and love, not judgment. There is a lesson in the Bible about a man whose friends didn’t know what he needed to hear. They judged him… well here is the story.


Job was a good man, faithful to God. Satan challenged God that he would make Job turn from God. Satan’s idea was to tempt Job to rebuke God. That is Satan’s delight if he can cause a good person to turn their back on God.

Job was wealthy. Satan took all his wealth. Job had children. Satan caused his children to die. Job was at the end of his rope but still he did not deny God. Then Satan took his health. He caused to Job to have boils all over his body. Job was miserable. His wife urged him to curse God and die.

Job could not understand why all these trials came to him. He wished he had never been born. He wished he could die. But he never cursed God for all his troubles.

Job’s three friends came to visit him. They were judgmental. They decided Job had sinned and caused all the troubles. They were very vocal in telling him he must repent. Job protested that he had done nothing wrong. His friends then decided his children sinned and Job was paying for their sin. In the face of his friend’s ‘helpful’ advice, Job still did not deny God. Job complained to God that other people were living that still had children to comfort them. Other people had a home and wealth. He couldn’t understand why God let all this happen to him, but he continued to belief in God.

I suggest we have all asked that question sometime in our life. Why am I not as successful as my friend? Why is my house not as nice as my neighbor’s? Why do I not have the money I need for necessities? Job questioned why bad things were happening to him but he remained faithful to God. Romans 8:28 (NIV) says “And we know that all things work together for the good of all those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” And Romans 8:31a (NIV) says, “If God is for us, we can be against us?”

When friends need encouragement, comfort and prayer do not be judgmental. When trials are bad in your life remember these two verses in Romans 8:28,31a.



He said “I know that my redeemer liveth . . . I shall see (Him) for myself”

What kind of friend are you? When your friends have troubles, they need you to pray for them, to be ready to help in any way. They need encouragement not judgment.

WHAT I'M READING

I LOVE MY KINDLE

JACKRABBIT JUNCTION JITTERS – A humorous mystery

BY Ann Charles

Claire Morgan is back, still living in Jackrabbit Junction, still living in her grandfather’s old RV and still working for Ruby, Grandfather’s fiancé. Well, she was living in the old RV until she and a skunk tangle and the skunk wins, perfuming the RV beyond repair.

Claire’s live-in boyfriend is still around but he may not be around for long unless Claire gets up the courage to spit out those 3 words of commitment, I love you.

The Morgan family is preparing for Grandpa’s wedding, including Momma Deborah, who thinks Ruby is out for Grandpa’s money, Ruby’s daughter Jess, who can’t keep a secret and Claire’s sister Katie, who can’t keep a husband or a job. Throw in Grandpa’s old Army buddies, Manny, and Chester, and Harvey the dog and you have a recipe for humor.

Jess keeps looking for her mother’s money so she can go to Cleveland to stay with her Dad who doesn’t want her. Katie keeps running into Butch, literally. Thinking he is a crook out for Ruby’s mine, Katie plays detective in Butch’s Bar and his home, landing herself and Claire in jail.

The mystery is who really owns the Lucky Monk mine, Ruby or the shyster Lawyer who wants Ruby to sell to him. Who is the guy named Porter who says he is a writer but isn’t and is intent on romancing first Katie, then Claire. The next question is why does anyone want an old played out copper mine?

Then there are the artifacts Claire finds hidden in Ruby’s safe. Are they truly BC artifacts or another of Ruby’s previous husband’s scams? There is a gold bar in the mix and Claire puzzles about messages left by Ruby’s scumbag previous husband Joe.

A totally enjoyable book if you don’t mind a few cuss words, copious alcohol use and sexual innuendos.

WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE

In light of recent disasters, it seems a good time to look at the character and faithfulness of Job. Studying Job is important because he suffered the same things we suffer. He was faithful and did not blame God through all his trials. We should aspire to be as faithful.

Job was a good man. He was wealthy. He had 10 children, seven sons and three daughters. He was known throughout the east. We might say say he had it all. He had a perfect family. He had everything any man would want. God said “There is no one on earth like him. He is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” (Job 1:8 NIV)

God allowed Satan to test Job’s faith. We cannot know why God allowed this. Nor can we question God’s reason. V.8 above tells us Job’s trials were not a punishment for sin.

Satan took Job’s family, his wealth and even his health. We can only imagine Job’s grief and suffering. Yet Job did not blame God or sin. (Job 1:22, 2:10) Satan’s goal was to destroy God’s man.

Satan is still on the job today. He is real and he continues his destruction among Christians. We must realize we have an enemy we cannot see but his is real. We will have trials we do not deserve and we must remain faithful, because God is real. His love is real for His people. He has plans we cannot understand. We can trust Him even in trials.

On the news we see people who have lost everything in a natural disaster. Most of them are quick to thank God for their life. Many tell the desire to pick up and start over. They are being faithful like Job.

The Biblical truth from the Book of Job is we can trust God even when things go terribly wrong.

STICKING MY NOSE OUT AGAIN

A groundhog lives under my neighbor’s shed. He hibernates all winter and come spring he sticks his nose out. He is a pest that cannot be stopped. But that is another story.

I feel like that groundhog just sticking my nose out after a long hibernation. Most of you know I had a bout of serious chronic migraine and was under the care of a neurologist for some time. The medicine he prescribed stopped my creativity as well as my ability to express myself verbally. That said that is one reason I have not be actively writing blogs or anything else for some time.

Thankfully the headaches are better to the extent I can stop the medicine and rely on over the counter meds.

January 2013 and these past months have been a roller coaster ride. I broke my wrist and had to have surgery. A week later my first great grandson was born. He contracted pneumonia and was in NICU for several days. Shortly after his birth, I contracted pneumonia. The Doctor gave me antibiotics which turned out I was allergic too. After much hassle, he prescribed another antibiotic which I also proved to be allergic too. All this a trying to care for myself with one hand.

Of course a broken anything requires therapy. Soooo I’ve been going to therapy for the past 4 weeks.

The good news is Great grandson is healthy and sweet, the hand/wrist problem is getting better. At least I can type again. Daughter received her Master of Science Degree in Nursing Education. (She was doing all the studying while taking care of me and new momma and baby.) And I’ve begun to feel the need to put some thoughts down on paper. I decided a new entry to the blog was a good place to start. Hopefully, my good intentions will result in more frequent and timely blog posts.

The True Spirit of Christmas

Christmas is just a week away. Have you got the Christmas Spirit yet? The Spirit of Christmas is not rushing around decorating, buying, and partying. My friend calls that stressmus. We all do stressmas.


I hope by now you have time to slow down and experience the true Spirit of Christmas. It is a child snuggling in your lap, while you read the Christmas story. It is a family decorating the Christmas tree together. It is Christmas carols and giving.

The True Spirit of Christmas is about the baby born on this day who came to earth. It is about angels who sang at his birth and shepherds who worshiped Him in the barn where he lay.

Take time to experience Jesus and what he gave to us by coming to earth on that Christmas Day and have a Joyful Christmas.