THE OLD COUNTY LIBRARY

Posted on October 11, 2018 by

library

The old library still stands.  It was here that I was first exposed to the joys of a library.  I discovered mysterious secrets solved by Nancy  Drew; sorrowed when Jo married the “old man” in Little Women;  dreamed of being a nurse like Cherry Ames.

I read about poor children in “The Boxcar Children” and “The Five Little Peppers” all the while envying the brothers and sisters who played together.

I fell in love with the Hardy Boys.  I enjoyed their books, but fell in love with the boys!  I can’t remember which was my favorite, probably Frank.

Ahh, Libraries!

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Written for 100-word Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle.

PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

https://rochellewisoff.com/

Posted in libraries, reading, Rochelle's picture prompt, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 34 Comments

2,260,994,360 IN ADDITION TO MINE!

Posted on October 10, 2018 by

deed2

Within the boundaries of the United States there are 2,260,994,361, and I own one of them.  I have considered giving it up.  It would be pretty easy to do; lots of folks would want it.  However, I don’t know that very many would put the value on it that I put on it.  Chances are really great that I will never own one again if I give mine up.  I try to convince myself that I will be just as happy with one in Heaven but …I don’t know….seeing is believing, you know!  And I can pull out the contract for my one acre, see that it is properly documented—and, yes, it belongs to me!  Right here I sit right in the middle of it, in a house, in a suburb, in a city, in a state, in the USA.  But…how secure it is really?

 In this day of self-sufficiency, women’s equality, and “anybody-can-do-it” if they just try hard enough, it is not politically correct for a woman to be dependent—to be relying on Him –I guess, whether Him is a man or Him is God.

Anyway I am back to that point in this discussion about the security of my one little acre.  Of course, everybody agrees I should have insurance in case the house burns, but how can you secure an acre of ground.  I guess there would be a way, but I don’t know it.  My acre is not on a coast line where it might wash away. There is no mountain to fall on it.  An earthquake big enough to take away my acre is highly unlikely.  Being seized for mineral rights, oil rights, or water rights—don’t think so. How about an oil spill right out of the ground?  Not likely, but I might be interested!

So, what else?  Isn’t it secure?  How would I ever lose it?   Would it ever be called on for eminent domain?  Possibly.  Can I be placed in a situation where I would borrow money on it and lose it to some money lender?  Possibly.  Is it possible that my government would become socialist or some other form whereby they could take it away from me?  Possibly.  Is it possible I might be told to scoot all my belonging over on one side of the acre so others could live on the land with me?  Possibly.  Could it be possible to move me into a care facility and turn my land to medicare for taking over my care?  Possibly.

So these questions show me big time that I’m not big enough, smart enough, rich enough, strong enough to choose to be independent.  About the only thing that secures me is that I’m old enough that those things are not likely to happen before I leave this acre!  That’s not a very pleasant way of escape!  Maybe I ought to give more thought to that acre in Heaven!

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Edited and re-blogged

Posted in independence, security, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

BE HOLY – BE CLEAN

Posted on October 7, 2018 by

clean

In Leviticus the law is being given.  It is important to God that his people obey his law.  So God moves to a new revelation of Himself, the Holy One, the God who wants holy people and the God who will make his people holy.  He is Jehovah-M’Kaddish, the God who sanctifies.

This name, Jehovah-M’Kaddish, is not used in English Bibles, so it is sometimes overlooked as one of God’s Jehovah names.“Sanctify yourselves therefore and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God.  And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the Lord which sanctify you” (Lev. 20:7,8).  As he gives the law, he periodically punctuates his commands with the serious command “Be ye holy..”  (11:44; 19:2; 20:26;)

But how can that be?  Another look at the verse, shows that we ourselves have a part to do with our sanctification, but, thank God, we have his assurance that he is the sanctifier.  He is our foundation for holiness.  Paul says (I Thes. 5:23) “…the very God of peace, sanctify you holy…”

Jehovah-M’Kaddish indwells his people and empowers them to be pure in spirit, mind, and body.  The questions of when, how, who, etc. are distractions that take away from the simple fact that God wants holy people and he is willing to help them become holy.

A few years ago, I served as a volunteer chaplain at the County jail.  A newly confessed Christian there asked our chaplain how he could know for sure that he had been saved.  The chaplain replied, “give yourself a couple of weeks, and you will know” meaning if there was no change in your life then you’re not a Christian.

That comes across as harsh and crude to most of us who have been bouncing around like rubber balls trying to answer how, who, when questions.  But if a sinner becomes a new creature (as the Bible says), surely his behavior and/or attitude toward his behavior will become apparent upon his becoming a holy child of a holy God.  Jesus continually intercedes for us.  When a Christian sins, he should quickly come to Jesus, confess that sin and receive Christ’s forgiveness.  Keep clean!

There is a saying about our bringing the fish to Jesus and He will clean them.  But how does he clean them?  Isn’t it by the preaching of the Word and the modeling of Christian behavior?   Church, quit stalling; preach  and live holiness.

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Image:  pixels.com

Posted in holiness, Jehovah-M'Kaddish, sanctification, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

WHO WATCHING OUT FOR YOU?

Posted on October 6, 2018 by

lion

The Lion of Judah  – that’s who!

THE FOLLOWING IS A TRUE STORY, BUT NOT NECESSARILY RECOMMENDED!  Keith was an 17-year-old bully who took special delight in threatening and intimidating my son,  14-year-old Carl.  I begged Keith to quit his torment.  Keith laughed and said he knew where Carl mowed lawns so Carl couldn’t stay “holed up” inside.  He would “get” him some day.  I reported the incident to Dad.

One day Keith encountered dad instead of me or Carl. Dad took Keith by the neck of the shirt, drew his fist back and said, “You’re looking for a fight and you’re just about to find one—but it ain’t gonna be with my son.” He turned Keith loose.  Keith left and didn’t come back.  The neighborhood news was that he had joined the army.  I don’t necessarily recommend that method of handling the “Keiths” of the world, but I get a laugh when I think about Jesus doing the devil that way.  Do you like a “Father” who fights for you?  Me, too!

JEHOVAH-NISSI  –   Jesus Christ is the banner, the “ensign of the people” (Is. 11:10).  Jesus said of Himself in John 16:33, “I have overcome the world.”  Is. 55:4 refers to the Messiah as the leader and commander.  And Romans 8:31, 37 says, “…If God be for us, who can be against us?…we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”  Intercession is something Jesus does for me now.  My Banner is seated at the right hand of the father, acting as my high priest and intercessor.  Even now he prays for me.  And I trust fully in the power and effectiveness of his prayers for me.  It doesn’t matter what your spiritual battle is  – it rests in the Lord’s hands.

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Image:  Unsplash, Sander Wehkamp

Posted in Jehovah nissi, Jesus, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

SHARING NATURE

Posted on October 3, 2018 by

nature

Chet, scooting the stool back from the bar: “Colleen, it was nice to meet you.  Could I come to your place tomorrow night?”

Colleen:  “That sounds great.  How shall I prepare?”

Chet:  “An inviting table would be nice.  We’ll talk and find out about each other,  let nature take its course.”

Colleen:  “Will 8:00 be okay?”

At 7:58 the next evening a whistling Chet eagerly knocks on the door.

Colleen, opening the door:  “Oh, come on in.  I have the table prepared along with some resource books.  I’m so glad to have met someone else who’s interested in natural science.”

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PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook

Have fun with Rochelle on Friday Fictioneers

https://rochellewisoff.com/

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BY DOGGIE!

Posted on October 3, 2018 by
granddad's Bible

Dear Blogging Friends:  Face Book popped up a status and comments today that I think you will enjoy.  I think I posted something like it one time, but I can’t find it in titles, tags, or categories.  My earlier posts didn’t have tags or categories.  I didn’t know how to use them.  Not great at it yet!  But I enjoyed the comments on this; hope you do too.

Question?  Does anybody try to set standards regarding words from slang to disgusting obscenities now-a-days?   At least the 50’s slang had some meaning as relates to degree of seriousness!  Now there is no level of intensity.  The same words are used to describe the taste of broccoli to the most fantastic cruise trip!  What’s a writer to do?  One, that is, who lacks Shakespeare’s skills.

A FUNNY from Granddad’s Bible. Our family was taught not to use any slang expression (except maybe “Shucks”); heck, golly, gee—all out. I think Grandma said “Blessed Jesus” a lot. (That doesn’t fly with me. Sorry, Grandma.) Anyway I called Delma the other day to see if she remembers any slang expression used by Granddad. She didn’t. What set this question about was a note by Granddad in the margin by Genesis 5:25 with Methuselah underlined, “all be dogie! Never worked a day on the ark died in the flood.” I looked up “all be dogie” online. “I’ll be doggie” means “to be confounded” or a slang for a word that we considered obscene – doggone. We couldn’t even say “Confound it!” Goes to show we need to be cautious about judging some people’s speech. Granddad sure wouldn’t have put it in his Bible if it had had negative connotations to him! Well, gee whiz, there I go, my first, only and, – likely – last time to say “gee whiz.”
(Karen Crawford, Verna Clark, do you remember that time when Mom was cooking Sunday dinner. I think she burned her potatoes; anyway, she said, “heck” then looked so guilty; We just rolled in laughter.)

Comments
Verna Clark
Verna Clark Oh my gosh! I do remember!!!
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Oneta Ruth Hayes
Oneta Ruth Hayes Watch your tongue, Verna. Where did you get that “gosh” from?
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Verna Clark
Verna Clark guess I could have said “well my blessed Lord!” I think that is what she always said. Paul always says when he is tired or frustrated “Oh me” and his mom in her later stages of dementia would always respond “Who owes you?” Now I don’t hear that expression without hearing her little voice in my mind.
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Oneta Ruth Hayes
Oneta Ruth Hayes Agreed!

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Charla Bruton Johnson
Charla Bruton Johnson I remember saying “gosh” one time, and got in big trouble. I heard my mama say “darn” once. She was pretty upset to have said that. Maybe it all came from Grandma Moore.
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Esther Hayes Berry

Esther Hayes Berry I use, ” I declare!” a lot. My mom and dad taught us the same way, and I still follow that teaching. Can’t stand to hear slang that in part takes the lords name in vain.

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Oneta Ruth Hayes
Oneta Ruth Hayes Esther, it sounds like they taught you that those were derivitives of the Lord’s name. We (at least I) had no idea that was why we didn’t say those words. I guess I thought it was because they indicated a frustration (or other emotion) that should not be expressed in any slang form. However, as I said, we did get by with shucks and shoot.

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Annette Talley Haben
Annette Talley Haben My grandma said well ” foot” a lot.
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Oneta Ruth Hayes
Oneta Ruth Hayes Annette, I think I can remember that also, but I don’t connect it with any particular person. Funny.

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Alice Johnson Murray
Alice Johnson Murray I remember jim a great man
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Ken Bailey
Ken Bailey Well golly gee whilikers, you guys bring back lots of childhood memories and I didn’t grow up anywhere near you guys. I guess all the old time bibles said much the same thing no matter where you lived.
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Oneta Ruth Hayes
Oneta Ruth Hayes Ken, you’re pushing the envelope with your language, aren’t you? Keep it clean!

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Liz Wells Rich
Liz Wells Rich Oneta, I was 21 when I started going to church. Since I wasn’t raised in church, I was quite surprised to find out how “colorful” my speech was. It took me years to figure out which words were offensive. Now, I feel pretty safe with “oh my” and “Hmmm” =)
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Oneta Ruth Hayes
Oneta Ruth Hayes Liz, a perfect example of what I meant when I said we should be cautious about judging someone’s speech. I guess we could remeber “my, my, my” when all else fails!

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Liz Wells Rich
Liz Wells Rich Yep – our Pastor taught us well. LOL
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Oneta Ruth Hayes
Oneta Ruth Hayes “My,my,my” has a calming effect, doesn’t it? That ought to help control one’s attitude.
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Ken Hathaway
Ken Hathaway Bummer
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Jacqueline Scott Bateman
Jacqueline Scott Bateman Funny–I was just thinking “My, My, My” when I read your post, scrolled down to comment & see I wasn’t the only one. LOL & my, my, my! 🙂
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Myra Hill
Myra Hill Are you home? I remember having to watch our slang words also. 🙂
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Jan Chilcoat Briggs Cox
Jan Chilcoat Briggs Cox I remember getting sent away from the table for saying “blasted.” And my Grandma Chilcoat quit listening to a radio preacher because he said “by the way.”
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Melody Espey
Melody Espey 😂😂😂😜
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Caryn Rodgers Oertwig
Caryn Rodgers Oertwig I remember uncle Virgil saying plague sorn it
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Caryn Rodgers Oertwig
Caryn Rodgers Oertwig I guess our family has it’s own slang lol
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MAKE PEACE, NOT WAR

Posted on October 2, 2018 by

fight

They say love makes peace

Not knowing the heart of man

Is wholly selfish.

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“MAKE PEACE, NOT WAR” Doesn’t that sound good?  Sadly it does not work.

All animals fight over territory, food, sex, power.  Man’s brain gives him more weapons for the fight.   The “me/mine” evident in toddlers grows greater as the person grows – unless there is a desire to change.  Sadly even the desire does not suffice without a Helper.  Thank God, he is our Helper.

PEACE WILL COME WHEN JESUS REIGNS –

IN THE HEART OF MAN AND/OR IN THE WORLD.

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Image: Unsplash, Chris Sabor

https://ronovanwrites.com/2018/10/01/ronovanwrites-weekly-haiku-poetry-challenge-221-peacelove/

Posted in Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenge, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

CAREER CHANGE

Posted on September 30, 2018 by

grad

My last post told of my very “green,” thoroughly-embarrassing experience at my first “real” job which I believe showed how the Lord moved me into a path I would never have dreamed of. From washing dishes for an invalid lady to being secretary for the Chief of Services for the Blind.

As green as I was, I’m sure you wonder if I held the job. Well, I did. I remained at that job for about 8 years and it was a great satisfaction to me. I was there until I resigned to move to Colorado for four years.  During that time I went back to college.  When I returned to OKCity I began my teaching career.  

You see if the Lord puts you in a place it will likely turn out well for “master and servant,” whose relationship guidelines are set in Colossians 3:22-4:1.  I think of that relationship as a standard for employer/employee.

 I love Psalm 37:6 “He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn…” I guess that means he will toot your horn for you if it needs to be tooted! Lily or lilac, petunia or pansy, daisy or dandelion, grow where he plants you.

Now why would I mention dandelions? Because some of us are dandelions, like it or not. Paul spoke of vessels of honor and dishonor (Romans 9:21). Whatever the status, if it is designed by Jesus, it will be good for you and others. Follow Jehovah-rohi as you Go and Grow with Jesus this Sabbath Day.

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(This picture was my last graduation in 2005; I was 71 in this one.)

Posted in Jehovah-rohi, me, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

GOVERNMENT PAPER-SAVER

Posted on September 29, 2018 by
Oneta 84

I HOPE YOU LAUGH; I still snicker in remembrance!

“He makes me to lie down in green pastures…” I’m glad that is not literal. I was so green the sheep would have grazed right over me. How green was I?

Here comes one story – I’ve got lots more I could tell but too much confession might ruin my “D.Min.” image! Aw, you all didn’t even have that image of me, did you?

I will say if everyone had been like me there would be no government budget problem.

Okay, here it comes. I was 18 and had just landed by first real full-time job—secretary for the Services for the Blind Director in the State Rehab office – a plum for an 18 year old. About mid-morning, I raised my hand to ask if I could go to the bathroom! Then to top that off, a supervisor came by and asked me for some white copy paper, I gave him one piece! I was fairly discerning, however, I quickly recognized by the look on his face, that he wanted more than one piece, and quickly gave him a whole “pinch” of paper—probably ten or twelve pieces!   

Yep, I was green. (“God leads his dear children along.”) It was a good job—a marvel how I got it! I was helping an invalid in her home a couple afternoons a week. I’m pretty sure I made 25 cents per hour. Walked from SW Bible College to her home around on MacArthur – about a mile. Anyway she liked me. She had a friend who was retiring from her state government job so she recommended me to her friend who recommended me to her boss.  That’s how he became my boss.  I was even better at shorthand and typing than I was at house cleaning and clothes washing.

God sure has pulled this green child along at times. To me he is Jehovah-rohi, my Guide.

Oh my, what a story to tell on oneself but it does show one of the marvelous works of God in my life.

Posted in humor, Jehovah-rohi, me, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

SILVER SOUND OF FAIRIES

Posted on September 26, 2018 by

fairy

I hear the sound of silver lights –

      Not the gong of gold,  nor the clash of copper

I hear the sound of silver lights –

        Not the roar of red,  nor the boom of blue

I hear the sound of silver lights –

          Not the ping of pink, nor the whiff of white

Just the silver lights of fairies, fluttering in the night.

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Challenge by M, for September 22   “The sounds of silver lights”

https://puttingmyfeetinthedirt.com/2018/09/01/september-writing-prompts-2/

Image:  Pixabay

 

Posted in M's September Prompt, Uncategorized | Tagged | 6 Comments