About oneta hayes
ABOUT ME
Hello. To various folks I am Neat’nee, Mom, Grandma Neta, Gramma, Aunt Neta, Aunt Noni, Aunt Neno, and Aunt Neto (lots of varieties from little nieces and nephews). To some I’m more like “Didn’t you used to be my teacher?” or “Don’t I know you from someplace?” To you, perhaps, I am a Fellow Blogger. Not “fellow” like a male or a guy, but “fellow” like a companion or an adventurer. I would choose to be Grandma Blogger, and have you pull up a chair, my website before you, while I tell you of some days of yore. I have experienced life much differently than most of you. It was and is a good life. I hope to share nuggets of appreciation for those who have gone before me and those who come after me. By necessity you are among those who come after me and I will tell you of those who came before. Once upon a time in a little house on a prairie - oops, change that lest I commit plagiarism - and change that “house on the prairie” to “dugout on the prairie.” So my story begins...
Sweet aroma 
Love it. I grew up in Georgia in the 50s and 60s. I am familiar with this type of church, ministry and communities. Blessings for the memories.
Thank you. I don’t know much about the state of Georgia. Georgia is the name of the girl in my post. She now lives down in one of those Southern states.
I hope I have my church / temple in my heart.
Sounds lonely to me. But it would be necessary in some countries where I might have to hide my beliefs. So I’m glad for the temple in my heart.
Lonely,
Hardly.
Conflicted, yes
Tormented, maybe.
Alone I walk
Sharing my path
Even when our
Paths diverge
I believe in my heart
At the end
All paths will meet
And we will walk
Hand in hand
Sharing stories
Of our journeys apart
Till then friend
Will keep you
In my heart
(hope you do too)
So alone maybe
Lonely, never.
Do you have a group of like-minded people with whom you hang out? Your poem is very nice. It reminds me of a song, “I’ll never be lonely again, never again…” But I still like people to be with.
Oh yes.
We have our community Thanksgiving (Magh Bihu / Uruka ) get together today.
Have a good day.
Plan to. About 20-25 families staying overnight in
Sorry, the message went out half way through. Fat finger syndrome. I meant to say camp overnight.
Solitude seeks company
Marred by the crowd
What a conundrum
To be lonely
Or be alone
Healthy debate
Not to be won
A big change from the 40’s and 50’s came with the advent of TV. There are now HUGE churches that reach out via TV to people who can’t leave home or other reasons for not attending. People make fun of these churches, and yet they have been a God send to many others.
Yes, many do some very good work for home-bound people. I don’t know anyone personally who is discipled by TV who does much as a member of the body of Christ. May be but I wouldn’t find it satisfying. Most are fiercely loyal to their TV preachers, however.
Dear Oneta, I feel the burden for those who think they don’t need the rest of Jesus’s body, the church. It’s one of my top 4 prayer targets this year. The church universal must wake up and do it’s part to stomp that lie right into the ground. Again, MHO ❤
I can’t imagine choosing to go it alone when it is not necessary. But then I haven’t tried. When I have had to change churches, I’ve felt like a fish out of water. I like being a part of a body – Christ’s body as well as a member of a body of people who can accomplish more together than each can alone.
Lovely! It’s not the size of churches that matter. Its what in the hearts of those who are there! ❤
True. It is not the size that matters. But very few who go to a church less than a couple hundred people, go unrecognized and unappreciated as individuals rather than a number. I went to a large church. was on the staff, and I know we worked hard to make every person feel wanted but I also know, we failed far too often. I’ve tried both. I’m speaking up for the little churches now because few people will do so.
I was in small churches most of my life and I loved it actually. I enjoyed the small, intimate , cozy feeling.
😀
Beautiful post. I’ve found another thing we have in common. My grandfather also participated in building country churches in Wisconsin. So I guess we both come from pretty good stock.
We are blessed to have not had so many hurdles in our Christian walk as so many without Christian ancestors. Part of the blessings bestowed upon Abraham. My grandfather was in Colorado.
My heart aches when I have seen in this country church buildings de-consecrated (ie no longer used for the worship of the Lord God Almighty.) Many have become ‘hangouts’ and places for people to ‘come together’. This is why I believe we must affirm to the whole world that we who are the church of Jesus Christ have His Presence within us EVERYWHERE. In the fires, in the flood, in the earthquakes. Thank God for every little building which stands to nurture and protect folks from the ‘outside’ influences and for every faithful Pastor, Teacher or leader who maintains their flock and calls them to be as Jesus in this world. Thank you.
I like the fact that the man with two talents earned the same “Well done…” as the man with five talents. The loser was the one talent man who did nothing except protect his talent.