Blog Featured

Not tooting my own horn here, at least not intentionally :-), but I noticed something neat on a Southern Gospel Music site I go occasionally - on the left side of the site, there is a list of blogs. Yours truly somehow got listed there. I have no idea how, but there I am!

http://www.gospelmusicfan.com/

Jimmy Carter Cake & Key Lime Pie

I had to type these up to email to someone, so thought I'd also pass them on via my blog. The first is for an easy Key Lime pie - which I have made - and the second is for an awesome dessert we call "Jimmy Carter Cake" - I know, needs a more Republican name. I have never made it, but enjoy eating it!

Key Lime Pie

1 graham cracker pie crust
1 lime jello
2 key lime yogurt
1 8 oz whipped topping

Make jello, with 1/4 cup of water. let cool, but not to gelling
Mix the jello with the 2 yogurts & the whipped topping
Refrigerate until it sets up

Additional whipped topping can be added on top, and other flavors of jello & yogurt can be substituted. The rest of the family likes the lemon a lot.

Jimmy Carter Cake (or peanut butter pudding dessert)

First layer:
1 3/4 cups flour
1 1/2 sticks of oleo
3/4 cups peanuts (crushed or chopped)

Second layer:
1 cup powdered sugar
1 8 oz cream cheese
1 8 oz cool whip
2/3 cup peanut butter

Third layer
1 package of chocolate instant pudding
1 package of vanilla instant pudding
3 cups of milk

Top layer: 8 oz cool whip, chocolate bar

First layer: mix ingredients together and spread into a 9 by 13 pan. Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes until done. Cool completely.
Second layer: mix sugar, softened cheese, & cool whip, spread over the bottom layer
Third layer: beat the 2 puddings together with 3 cups of milk, pour over second layer
Top layer: top with cool whip, and if desired, sprinkle with grated Hershey bar, or some other kind of chocolate. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

We Need Each Other & Blind Loyalty

I had some thoughts I wanted to throw out, but not sure I can put it into words. There is a song done by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound on their new CD that I love, called "We Need Each Other, that gets me on this thought. (Video posted below, first 5 minutes or so is the actual song). I am not out to attack people on my blog, so let me choose my words carefully, and I hope I don't bounce around too much or go in circles. :-)

There was a deal that has been going on for the last couple of years that involved my denomination getting sued to stop the sale of a church that the members voted to close. That is neither here nor there, but yesterday, while approving a friend addition on Facebook, a discussion popped up that this person was involved in that was criticizing my denomination. I made a few comments out of disgust, and amazed the fellow with my "blind loyalty". (As an aside, I decided rude or not, I would delete him so I wouldn't run into this stuff, but he beat me to the punch. :-) I think it may have been my bringing up his spreading rumors and gossip about me. Oh well, I tried to be his friend. :-) ) As a friend of mine commented, the same people who accuse others of blind loyalty, are themselves being blindly loyal to something else, in this case, he is being blindly loyal to someone set on getting their own way, no matter what the cost to others. The reason they are upset isn't because you are loyal to something, but that you are loyal to something that they don't agree with.

Anyway, this blind loyalty thing has got me thinking. Is there anything wrong with blind loyalty? What is blind loyalty as opposed to just plain loyalty? My family isn't perfect, but I would stick up for any of them, fiercely. My nation isn't perfect, but I would still stick up for it. My beliefs may not be what others are, but I am loyal to them. Along with that, my church isn't perfect - none are - but I will stick up for it. If someone says it is not perfect, I will agree, but attack it, and I will defend it, as with the other things in my life that are a part of me.

Jesus prayed that we would all be one, but the religious world is far from being one. I am speaking of the religious world that is following Jesus, not other religions. We have had more splits and splinters in just the holiness movement, than anyone could ever keep track of. In most cases, I think the problems lie with selfishness, and an unwillingness to come under authority. Case in point: the first church split I was involved with really rocked my world. People I had looked up to for years left, taking many with them. I was a teenager, or just out of my teens, and had no idea what to think. The main reason boiled down to the people who left felt the pastor didn't leave enough room for God to take over the service. He felt that they tried to get something going. Since it couldn't be resolved, a split happened. All good people, but that wasn't enough.

If we treated our Christian brothers with honor, deferring, would we have splits? Would churches pull out of their denomination and go off by themselves? Would people start their own churches in their homes? I don't think that would happen. I am pointing 4 fingers back at myself when I say this, but we have too many other things on our list of priorities to focus on loving our brothers, and wanting what is best for the Kingdom of God. We want what we think is best for us, and our families. We want to go to church where everything goes the way that we want it to go, not the way God wants it to go. We want padded pews (yeah!), a preacher that preaches around 30 minutes or less (guilty!). We want to be used. We want to be visible. We want our opinions heard, and followed. When that doesn't happen, we become offended, and unhappy with our place of worship. We go elsewhere, and it doesn't change. I have known people who bounce from church to church, and never find one that they are happy with, because their focus isn't on worshipping God, and adding something to a body of believers - it is on what they want to get out of it. Sometimes people do have very good reasons for changing churches, but it should be very good.

My family changed churches once. Well, twice if you count when we all moved to Ohio - we weren't going to travel over 2 hours to church! We had attended the same church for years, even Mom and Dad as children attended there. As I said, I am not out to attack anyone, but we had good reason to leave, and it was a tough decision, but my parents did it the best way possible. They left quietly. They did not try to take others with them, and we don't spend out time maligning that church or its pastor.

It seems anymore, it is the "in thing" to criticize the church or denomination you have left. I base this on the last few years of observing people, and what they say. They want the world to know why they left, and how horrible the church/denomination was. Why do we do this? If we love each other, and love God, we will not tear His people down, nor His place of worship, even if we highly disagree with them.

I feel at this point in my life, that I am attending the best church for me. Would I change anything? Sure, but really, what I want isn't important. Would I like to see more focus on people in my age group, as opposed to focusing only on the teenagers & children? Of course I would, but that would give me no right to start making a stink about it, or leave the church. I would rather sit quietly in my pew, and be what God wants me to be.

It seems so many criticize us. Holiness churches in general, and other holiness churches criticize each other. I have worked around many people from other churches, and have found that you cannot make a blanket statement. Some of them have lied, cursed, done highly dishonest things, but I can't say that all people who do not attend a holiness church are that way. Just the same, some holiness people, of varying denominations,
If we take the "I" out of the equation, everything changes. We truly are selfish and self-centered beings, even at our best. How often do we pray before making a change in our life, such as changing churches or denominations? If we do pray, is it really God's guidance and will we are seeking, or do we pretty much have our minds made up, and just go through the formality of asking God?

Surrender. It is a scary word, and I fear all too many of us haven't really done it. We think we have. We will testify to it, but when the rubber meets the road, "I" does what is best for "I". People move out of the reach of a good church for better money. To keep friends, they compromise, just a bit. It is better to be alone & friendless, and have God, than to be popular and drifting.

I had a conversation with a friend of mine who is single, and doesn't want to be. They admitted that the devil has told them "if you do thus and so, let down here or there, that you will surely attract someone easier and find true love". I struggle in this area. I ask "why me?!" But it seems God has intended for me to remain single. We always think we know what is best for ourselves, but that isn't true. Only God knows.

We do need each other a lot. It seems people are always busy. You only see people at church, and then they are rushing out the door. No one has time for anyone anymore. We are more worried about us and ours. We fight, we argue, we split. If Jesus tarries, we may need each other more than ever.

What can we do for each other? Pray. It doesn't hurt to take your church directory to pray over, each family, even each name. If God puts someone on your heart, send them a note, card, email, or call them. Life can be so discouraging, and if we are down in the dumps, discouraged, and going through rough times, we want people to do that for us. Even make a nice comment on their blog! :-)

There is always God, and will always be God, but we can be His voice, His hand, in helping and encouraging others. The thing is, we need to get off our butts, focus on more than us and our family, and do something for others.

A personal example to show both of my points in one: Before I moved away, my church did something that I enjoyed. Every other month or so, they would have the young couples and singles up through my age, and maybe a bit higher, get together. Food was always involved. I think one month, they would do something with the young people - teens - and the next, it would be the married. That has changed. I have been back here 6 months, and no gathering has happened. There have been school-related functions, but people who home school or have no kids often don't come to those. We now focus entirely on the teenagers.

I miss those gatherings, and feel my church needs to focus on everyone - not just the teenagers, but I am not going to leave because of that. I will continue going there unless God directs me elsewhere. It was good to get with others who believe like you for just plain fun. We need to worship with others - there is a growing movement of "home churches" - that's no good. We need to get with people on a regular basis and worship. God made us that way, and He wants it that way. Yet, we also need that outside of church. Play games. Eat food. Have fun and companionship with other Christians.

Some churches take this too far. They have more entertainment, than worship. Our main goal must be worship. Some things do not belong in church, but some things belong outside of church, and we need them. God has made us that we need the fun times too.

I have said a lot, and I am sure will ruffle someone's feathers, but remember, I am as far from perfect as a Christian can be. God has tons of work to do on me, but as the song says "He's Still Workin' On Me". I admit, I react pretty strongly to criticism of my church and family, but hey, you home school mothers can relate - you showed me how to do it! (That was a joke, not a criticism!)

The next time we feel necessary to criticize another Christian, pray for them. Feel the need to put down a denomination? Shut up, and pray. Still have the overwhelming urge to do it? Pray for yourself!

I have a tough time reaching out to people. This may cause laughs of derision, but I am basically a backward & shy person. It is difficult for me to believe people want me as a friend, so people like me have a harder time reaching out to others, but we all need to do it. We truly do need each other.

Is It Ever OK To Lie?

A friend of mine and I were discussing the book "The Hiding Place". In the book, Corrie ten Boom lies about hiding Jews to protect them from the Germans. Christa asked me what I thought about that. As Christians, we believe lying is sin, so what about Corrie ten Boom lying? Is it ever ok to lie?

I told Christa an idea I had, and thought I'd put it on here. I welcome discussion or comments on this. I can handle people disagreeing with me, I just don't like to be attacked and get rude comments, so even if you don't agree, comment. I'd like input.

I would like to throw out a scenario. Imagine you are in your house with your family. Someone breaks in brandishing a gun, and either tries to take one of your children, or has intend to harm or kill your family. You have a gun. What would you do? I think just about any of us would shoot, even to kill, to protect those we love, or those we are trying to protect. It would be self defense.

In God's eyes, sin is sin. We humans tend to put sin in degrees and levels. We all would say killing is worse than lying, so if it is ok to kill someone to save a life, is it any worse to lie to save a life? Or more than one life?

If, God forbid, the day comes that Christianity is outlawed, and they seek Christians out to imprison and kill, if in that day, you hid your children when the people were at your door to take you away - if they asked if there was anyone else in the house, what would you do? Would you admit your children were hiding in the house, knowing to admit it would mean sure imprisonment and most likely death for them? Or would you say there was no one else in the house, giving them a chance to get away and possibly survive?
I could be way off base, but most of the lying that is done has a few things wrong with it. It is often done for selfish reasons - to save face. It is done to cover up other sins. It is done to hurt someone else. There are more reasons than that, but I'd say those are some of the main ones. If you are lying to save a life, no one is hurt. There is no selfish motivation, but rather love & concern for another human life.

I believe that if we Christians ever have to go into hiding, if the mark of the beast takes place, and we have no way to buy food, that we may beg, borrow, and even steal food, to feed our loved ones.

I believe God is a just God, and we must obey His laws, but I also believe that He may give more leeway than we think in cases like that. The object is to try not to do it.

One last thought: Rahab lied in the Bible to save the spies who were hiding. She was actually rewarded for saving their lives, even though she lied, and I could look it up to be sure, but I believe she was even in the lineage of Jesus.

So what do you think? Is my point valid? Is it ok to lie to save a life?

The Hiding Place

For 4 hours of my 7-hour trip to Indiana, I listened to the Hiding Place, dramatized CDs from Focus On the Family. The story of Corrie Ten Boom. I had read the book years ago in school, because I had to, so I couldn't remember much of the story.

I am sure the book is good, and gripping, but hearing it dramatized really opened up the story for me. I am all too guilty of seeing the glass as half empty instead of half full, and focusing on what is wrong in life, instead of what is right. Listening to what Corrie and her family went through, and all because they helped God's chosen people, was amazing. What was more amazing, was their attitudes. They remained thankful for everything, even the fleas, which it turned out to truly be a blessing in disguise. If you haven't read the book, or don't remember, they found out later that the reason the guards left them alone - never came in the barracks, never stopped their Bible meetings, never molested them, and it was because their barracks were infested with fleas.

By the time the last CD ended, I was a bit misty-eyed, and feeling rather guilty. I can't change overnight, but it did make me realize how much I do have to be thankful for, and I even came up with a bad thing to be thankful for. I will share it here to show how it is done. :-) I have some bad credit card debt - wish I had never got a credit card - and am really depressed about it, but it occurred to me that I am a very unlikely target for identity theft - there is no way someone would want the mess that is my finances! So I can be thankful for that. :-)

In my not so humble opinion, everyone needs to read The Hiding Place, or listen to the Cds. Mine are available to borrow, as long as they are returned in good condition. Just kidding. Well, maybe - I do take care of my stuff, and expect others to also! Anyway, anyone in my area is welcome to borrow them if they want. :-)

I'd like to close this blog with a "hello" to Mr. Carl Cessna out in the Indiana, PA area. "Hi. Mr Cessna!". He is a faithful member of Paul & Pam's church, and they think highly of he and his wife. I said that for free. :-) Anyway, you are proof that people can be older and be up on technology. :-)

The Opposite of The Apostle Paul

I have come to the realization that the Apostle Paul and I are complete opposites. More on that later......

I just arrived safely home from Indiana about 45 minutes ago. Thanks to anyone who may have prayed for me as I made my trip.

I left here around 8 am Friday, and arrived at Steven's house in Orleans, IN, at 3 pm. After visiting with he and his mom for a while, we headed to Walmart, then on to the Christian bookstore, where he shopped, and I browsed - the trip strapped me too much to make unnecessary purchases, which was rough, since I saw a new book that I have been waiting for forever - well, the date was delayed by about 6 months.

We met Cindy at the Mexican restaurant in Bedford where I again had their Texas Style Chicken Quesadillas. Man, is it good! Steven had an awful dish called "Hawaiian Chicken Fajitas". There are so many things wrong with that. For instance, pineapples and mushrooms together?! To each their own..........

Later, we played Rook with 6 people. Steven, Cindy, and I played Steven's sister, Suzanne, her husband, Joe, and Steven's sister-in-law, Kim. I think Cindy and Steven were on the verge of weeping with gratitude to be on my team, which put them on a winning team for a change. We beat three out of three. They seem unable to win when they play against me..................or at least rumor has it. :-)

I slept horribly, and we had to rise early to head to Kristin's. We were met in Cindy's driveway by a foaming-at-the-mouth Cindy, wet hair hanging, who muttered around her toothbrush that she wasn't quite ready. I was glad she told us, as I would never have guessed! :-) After she finally got herself around, we headed off for the 4 hour trip to Kristin's. A trip that was confusing time-wise, as they are an hour behind us.

Kristin lives close to Illinois, not in it, as I had thought. Four miles exactly, and about an hour from Chicago. We were going to go see Chicago, but realized we would have had no time to do much, so the four of us went and had some Chicago style pizza, then went back to her house to play Rook. It was awesome to get back with them to play Rook again. We got 5 games in, and Kristin and I won most of them - most being 3 out of 5. We are still ahead also for the grand total of 23 games to 19. Keep in mind, that they were way ahead of us for the longest time, but once we caught up, we have been the champions ever since!

We got back home very late: 1:30 am. Man, was I beat. I did make it to church, but was doing that thing where you hold your feet off the floor to stay awake. It really does work.

It does appear that the Apostle Paul and I are complete opposites. He was able to be content no matter what state he was in, and it seems I am unable to be content in any state. I liked living in Indiana, and made some great friends, but missed my family, and was not able to get back as often as I wished. Now that I am living back in Ohio, I find myself wondering if I did the right thing, and miss my Indiana friends a lot. Ideally, I'd move Cindy, Steven, and Kristin a lot closer. Kristin, especially would have to be moved a lot closer - Guatemala isn't exactly a hop, skip, and jump!

In closing, thanks Steven, Kristin, and Cindy, for being such great friends, even when we don't live close to each other. Thanks, Cindy, for putting up with my rude comments about your being so much older than I am - you really don't seem like you are - and for letting me beat you so badly in Rook all the time -Kristin, for rounding out our group, for being a great Rook partner, and for putting up with me until I became the Master Rook player....... and thanks Steven for being my best friend - and for being such a good loser in Rook. You guys all gave me a much needed fun week-end. I love you guys, and miss you all a lot!

A PS for people who may not know me as well as these 3: I am just kidding when I brag about Rook, though it is fun to win! (And Cindy really isn't a lot older than me!)

2009 & A Tale of Two Buffets

So far, nothing exciting has happened in my corner of the world this new year. I was up at a fairly decent time, considering what time I went to bed. Mom and Dad hit it at about 10:30 - late for them - but I was up past 1 chatting.

I spent most of the day playing computer games, and not much else. I did pack. I am making a visit to the state of Indiana this week-end, leaving in the morning. Would appreciate prayer for a safe trip down and back. It has been months since I played the game of Rook, and our "singles club" will be getting together to play. Cindy, Steven, and I will be driving out somewhere near Chicago to visit Kristin on Saturday, and Kristin and I will most likely beat the tar out of Steven and Cindy in Rook, as we usually do when we play. Ah, those were the good old days! It will be fun to hang out with those 3 again, even if I wasn't so sure of winning. :-)

Dad got a doe this evening. Awfully cold weather to be sitting out in the woods, but his patience won out! After he shot it, it just froze solid. Not really, but it is cold!

If you live in my area, and are prone to eat at pizza buffets, let me give you a heads up on where to go. Mom, Dad, and I used to go to the Pizza Hut Buffet in Salem almost weekly before I moved to Indiana, but they raised their prices, so we haven't been there in some time, but decided to go last night. The price may be cheaper at lunch - it is $5.99 then, but not sure if that includes the salad bar. When you go Wednesday evening, which is when we like to go, it is an extra $2.50 for the salad bar. Whether you want it or not. And I didn't. But I still had to pay the extra $2.50. In addition, we decided to save money on pop - which is $1.99 each - and get a 2 liter and 3 glasses, but that isn't allowed. We walked out with a bill of $33 before Mom and Dad's senior discount.

We tend to eat more often at the East of Chicago Pizza Buffet here in Lisbon. It is $6.95, and that includes the salad bar - which has more on it than Pizza Hut - 3-4 different kinds of soup, subs, and more kinds of pizza than Pizza Hut puts out, and EOC will cheerfully make you a pizza for the buffet of whatever you ask for. Plus: They will bring a 2 liter of pop to your table and glasses with ice so you can save a few bucks on drinks. Pizza Hut does not have subs on their bar, nor do they have soup. They do have some kind of pasta, but that doesn't make it worthwhile to go there.

So there you have it. The cheapest and more plentiful buffet to eat at in the Columbiana County area is East of Chicago Pizza. :-) Almost makes me want to become a restaurant critic!

In completely unrelated news, a poll of active military personnel shows that 6 out of 10 are wary or downright pessimistic about having Obama as commander-in-chief. Yikes!
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/12/military_poll_main_122908/