The Sea Shell

My grandparents loved to go to the coast. This was in the mid 60’s. They went to the coast about every two weeks during the summer and fall. Grandma liked to look for shells, and Grandpa liked to fish. While Grandpa fished, Grandma would walk up and down the shore looking for special shells. One day she was blessed and very happy. She found a lovely big shell. This shell was not broken. It is about 10 inches long and about 5 inches in diameter.

She took the shell home and placed it beside the heater in the living room. At night, she would use it to keep the bedroom door open. Everyone who saw the shell wanted to it. Many people offered her money. She would not sell it. I saw it many times and loved it.

Years later, I had a daughter. When she saw it, she also loved it. I had always told my grandma, “When you die, I want the shell.” After my Grandparent’s 60th wedding anniversary, my daughter, Janie, and I were visiting them. She asked, “Janie, do you want the shell?” Janie said, “Yes, I do.” Grandma said, “Go get and old towel and wrap the shell up. Then take it home with you. Promise me that you will pass it down to you children. Always keep the shell in the family.”

Janie loves the shell and is taking care of it. She plans to see which one of her children to pass it on to.

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The Snakes

Nerodia rhombifer, Animal courtesy of Austin Reptile Service. Photographer: LA Dawson (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My family lived in a Ranch style house that was in the middle of a bid field.  On the ranch were many ponds to water the horses and cattle. There was a large pond in front of our house. We had a long cement porch that reached around the whole house. The bad part about this house was there were three large rooms, but you had to go outside to get to the next room. I am 6 or 7 years old.

One day my mother, my 10-year-old brother, and I were in the living room. I wanted something to drink.  I had to go outside and down towards the pond to get to the kitchen. Right there on the porch was a 5 or 6-foot diamondback rattler. The snake was hissing at me. I started yelling. My mother and brother run out to see what was wrong. They see that the snake is way to close to me and it seemed to be charming me. My mother comes up behind me and Paul, my brother, goes around to the other side of the snake. My mother pulls me back while Paul hits the snake with a hoe many times. This causes the snake to lose its head. When my daddy comes home from work, I tell him, “The snake lost his head.” Daddy was glad that we were not hurt and that the snake lost his head.

It seemed to me like at least one time a week I found a snake on the porch. I found diamondbacks and water moccasins. All of the snakes were deadly. Thank God, none of the snakes ever bit me. All of them lost their heads. However, I became scared to go outside by myself. Finally, I refused to go outside by myself. One day, mother checked the porch for snakes. Since there were no snakes, I came outside onto the porch. I started praying. It came to me to ask my mother and daddy to pray with me. We went to church about 4 times a week. That night when daddy got home he asked, “Did any snakes lose their heads today?” I said, “no, but I know how to keep them away.” Daddy then said, “I want to hear this.” I replied, “Help me ask God to please keep the snakes away.  Even though my daddy was studying to be a preacher, everyone including him, laughed at me. This made me feel very bad.

The next day I went outside by myself to talk with God. I walked the porch and all around the yard.  I told God, “Please help me. Show them you will keep the snakes away from me, the house, and the yard.” My family lived there for another 4 years. No one found another snake in the yard. However, many snakes were found on the other side of the fence and in the pond. The owner of the land finally had to get a group together to go kill the snakes that were in an around the pond that the cows drank from.

Daddy told the owner that I had been finding a lot of snakes in the yard, but lately none had been seen. The owner of the house and land said, “I wonder why?” I spoke up, “I know why. I talked to God and asked him to keep the snakes away from me and my play yard.” This time no one made fun of me.

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• Snakes: A Concise Guide to Nature´s Perfect Predators by Daniel Gilpin. (encinolibrary.wordpress.com)

Just Vaccinate Me

Poison-oak (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When I was about 2 or 3 years old, my daddy, Marcus, worked for a seismograph company. He was the head leader. Therefore, his job was to cut the trail. We went to church 4 times a week because daddy was in training to be a preacher. While cutting the trail, Marcus would come across many bad things. He had a machete that helped. Daddy wore long sleeves, long pants, and boots. All of this helped to protect him. Marcus had a wife and two babies at home. He needed to work and this job paid top dollar at this time. However, Marcus was allergic to poison ivy and poison oak. The trails were covered with both. Marcus would come home covered in a rash. Only his eyes did not get any poison ivy or poison oak in them. Marcus would go to church. While there, he would be prayed for. He always prayed for God to clear the rash up. The next time Marcus cut the trail the poison ivy and poison oak rash would return. Marcus was badly tongue-tied. This made it very difficult for people to understand him. This night was a church night. As usual, Marcus was covered in a bad rash. Therefore, he went down to be prayed for. However, he was feed up with being healed and then getting it again. Therefore, Marcus said to the church and the pastor, “Ju-st Vac-cin-ate me!” The church prayed again. God cleared up the rash. The next day Marcus went back to work. He cut a trail that was full of poison ivy and poison oak. However, he did not get a rash. Marcus lived over 40 years from that night and never got poison ivy or poison oak again. My mother, my brother, nor I ever got poison oak or poison ivy. God saved us from that bad stuff and vaccinated daddy for the rest of his life.

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Church Bloopers

This little church sits about halfway up Cedar Valley near Winona, MN. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Grandpa told stories about bloopers that happened inside the church. Here are a couple of them. 1. Announcement Blooper: The pastor was telling what was going on in the coming up week. He said, “A fun outing will be a taffy party. There will be a peter pulling at Brother Candy Smith’s house on Tuesday night.” A man in the back of the church stands up and says, “I don’t know about you, but I will be there.” This man’s nickname is Buck. The pastor was supposed to say, “There will be a candy pulling at Brother Peter Smith’s house on Tuesday night. 2. Revival Blooper: One night in a revival the power of God was falling. Many people were being to stand up. Now this was a new church in the 1960’s. The pews were made of small long slats. All over the church people were standing. On a certain pew a large lady, who was very well dressed and very well to do, was still sitting. Many people were sitting on this pew with her. Suddenly everyone but her stands up. The slats close. The Lady goes to yelling and waving her arms. The other people around her starts yelling, “Come on Sister, you are getting it.”

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O' The Joy (A Poem)

Jesus Is Alive (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

O' The Joy
No more weeping
No more sorrow
Jesus is alive.
Alive forever more.


The Stone was rolled away.
O' What Joy
Jesus walked away.


Death could not hold him.
The stone could not block him.
The guards could not stop him.


O' The Joy
No more weeping
No more sorrow
Jesus is alive
Alive forever more.

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• Jesus' Resurrection, the Crucified Savior, Arose from the Dead
• Resurrection Morning

New abortion Law

fetus sonogram (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I have recently read several articles telling about a new law that several states have passed. According to what I have read, many people dislike the new law that mandates a woman to have a sonogram before she can have an abortion. I have a few questions/ statements for those women.

Could it be that those women want to be judge, jury, and executioner of their baby, but lack the guts to look at the child before sentencing it to death. The only thing that the child has done was be conceived, and it did not have a choice in that. Could it be that looking at the child will confine what her heart is screaming? The unborn embryo is really a baby.  Is it possible that she is trying to tell herself that the child is only an embryo? Because of the opposition to looking at the child before it is killed, I must be right. The women want to kill their child, but lack the guts to look their child in the face before going there with it.

In addition, some women say that it is rape to force them to have a virginal sonogram. If it is rape for something to go into the woman's vagina then she needs to go and call the law. She has been raped by the one who got her pregnant. If they have not really been raped, then I would suggest that these women shut up, keep their legs closed, and their clothes on.

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Delivered from Cocaine

Christian cross (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I recently heard the story of a man that I believe is a wonderful testimony to the grace and love of God. The man has now gone to be with the Lord. Therefore, I am going to tell his story for him.


Marvin was a man of 6’4”. He was addicted to cocaine and alcohol. His wife, Annabel, was a Christian. She went to Pastor Roy’s Church. Pastor Roy suggested that she leave her husband because he was abusive to her and the children. She said, “God is going to change him.” Pastor Roy said, “Yeah to the grave. This man is down to 90 pounds. He is nothing but skin and bones.” Annabel just kept praying.


One night not long after this conversation, Marvin came to church. He was high on cocaine. However, the power of God still got to him. He went straight to the alter and fell down. He did not get up until he had been filled with the Holy Ghost. He stayed at the church for 3 days and 3 nights. He prayed and was prayed for during his withdrawals from cocaine and alcohol. Pastor Roy and Annabel stayed with him. They held him and offer support. They also brought him food and water.


After he went home, he was a changed man. He stopped being abusive to his wife and daughters. He started holding down a good job. However, there were still times that he felt cravings for cocaine and or alcohol. Every time this happened, he went and lived at the church until it passed. Pastor Roy and Annabel always went with him to support him. Over time, the cravings got less and less, but the cravings never fully went away. However, with the help and grace of God, Marvin never gave in to the cravings. About 30 years after his 1st trip to the alter, the Lord called him home. Annabel stayed by his side the whole time.

Most popular Book

Bible (Photo credit: Sean MacEntee)

The most popularbook sold in America is the Bible. However, it is also the least read book. Those two statements seem contradictory. Normally one would think that the most popular book would also be the most read book. Why is it that nearly everyone has several Bibles, but most people never think to actually read the Bible? Most places now has a Bible. Bibles are in hospitals, waiting rooms, nursing homes,and  hotels. Many people proudly display a large family Bible in the living room. This begs the question, "Does people really think that just owning a Bible earns them brownie points with God?" If that is the case, then those same people are going to be in for a rude awakening.

Nowhere does it say, "Owning the Bible will get you to heaven." In fact the Bible says, that there is only one way to heaven. The only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ. Therefore, I would highly suggest that you get to know Jesus. The only way to get to know Jesus is to spend time with him. Spending time with Jesus needs to be a daily thing. When spending time with Jesus, he wants to talk with you. He wants you to know more about him. You learn more about him by reading the Bible. Therefore let us stop simply displaying the Bible and start reading the Bible.

The Innocent

My heart breaks for those who are less fortunate than I. Why is it so called men and women of God hurt others. I do not understand. If they were truly called by God, why did they stray? If they were not called, why lie? How do they succeed in hurting the weak or hurting? Does not the other church members pray and try to help others? If America is a Christian Nation, how is it many of the preachers do not obey God's word?

Many people seem to be so self-centered. I hope that one day, I can help to bring about change with teh good Lord's guidance and help. I hope that others can see the goodness and love of Jesus. People say that it only takes one to bring about change. I disagree. I believe change starts within us all. However, it only takes one person to bring it to the forefront.

This was written by me on May 2, 2002. I had just heard about a youth leader who was abusing girls. I was very up set because only the month before, my mom and I had been lead to change churches. Before that we were going to that church. That man was my youth leader for about 1 week.  The girls were about my age. It is sad that then and now many people are hurt by those who should be helping them. I still would like that to change.

Worldly Christians?

Bible (Photo credit: Sean MacEntee)

Why do some many Christians look more like the world than a Christian? It seems that Christians think that they can pick and choose what they want from the Bible. Do they not know that the Bible is not a buffet? In order to go to heaven, you must put your trust in Jesus completely. The evidence of your trust in Jesus is walking in his statues. If you come and simply say some words and then pick the parts of the Bible that you like, you will still go to hell. 


Example the Bible clearly says that a homosexual lifestyle is wrong. God may allow you to live that way because of your disobedience to him. However, that means you will go to hell. Plain and simple. Revelation 21:8 says, "But people who are cowardly, unfaithful, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars will find themselves in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death."


Another example, the Bible says that being drunk is wrong. If you have been drunk in the past, repent. Otherwise the Bible says, "Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,  idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,  envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."


For those who do not know what orgies are below is the dictionary definition.

wild, drunken or licentious festivity or revelry.

2.

any actions or proceedings marked by unbridled indulgenceof passions: an orgy of killing.

3.

orgies, (in ancient Greece) esoteric religious rituals, especially in the worship of Demeter or, characterized in later times by wild dancing, singing, and drinking.

4.

Informal . a boisterous, rowdy party.

This means that those who like to have or go to parties that include drinking and wild dancing will not go to heaven, unless they repent. 

Repent means to turn from the sin. In other words stop doing it. In addition, during this process you ask Jesus for forgiveness. 

Notice that this scripture says that you will not inherit the kingdom of God. That means you will go to Hell. Also, notice that sexual immorality is included in this scripture. Those of you will practice such activity will go to hell unless you repent. I would like for everyone to go to heaven that is why I am trying to warn people. I have noticed that some Preachers have started sugar coating the truth. Unfortunately the same rules still apply. Therefore, sugar coating the truth only causes more harm than good. It is wrong to pat someone on the back and tell them everything is OK, when they are obvious living in sin. 

For those Preachers who still preach all of the Bible, keep up the good work. Just remember that Jesus said to love the people. All people need to know that they are loved and cared for. Many people do not like to hear that their lifestyle is not acceptable. Often times they will get very angry with you. That is OK. Just remember to keep praying for them and trying to show the Love of Jesus. 

Gay Marriage is Wrong

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Image via Wikipedia

In this country there seems to be a major debate over gay marriage. I have even heard some Christian support gay marriage. For a non-Christian to support gay marriage is one thing; they do not know any better. However, for a Christian to support it is another. I am horrified that a professing Christian could think to support gay marriage and then try to use Jesus’ teachings to justify the reason for support.

God created the woman to be a helpmate for the man. He created her from one of his ribs. Afterwards he commanded them to be fruitful and multiply. It is not possible for a woman married to a woman or a man married to a man to be fruitful and multiple. After Noah and the occupants got off the ark, God issued a similar command. Yes, these examples are from the Old Testament.  However, Jesus quotes from the Old Testament when he says, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them Male and Female, and said, ‘For this cause shall a man leave his mother and father and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?’” Jesus was quoting from Genesis 2:24. Because of this, it is unreasonable for anyone to say gay marriage is acceptable based on Jesus’ teachings. He clearly taught that marriage is between a man and a woman.

Yes, Jesus taught us to love are neighbors; however, he did not teach us to stand by while they openly commit sin. Even Jesus got angry and refused to allow sin to go on in temple. Therefore, let us follow his example. Let us stand up and boldly say, “Gay marriage is wrong. We will not allow it to become legal in this country”. We can say that loud and clear by going to the polls every time the issue comes up. In addition, we can say that loud and clear by writing to our congressional representatives. Let them know that you are the ones voting and you will not re-elect them.

Let us all remember that God loves the world. That includes those who practice homosexual behavior. We are to love them and lovingly try to explain to them that they need to repent for their sins. Even though God loves them, they will not enter heaven until they have given their life to Jesus. Jesus said to teach. Teaching does not include hate or violence.

According to christianity.about.com/od/denominations/p/christiantoday.htm, about 75% of the adults in America identify themselves as Christians. That is over half. Therefore, in order to prevent gay marriage from becoming legal we simple most write letters and vote every chance we get. It should be that difficult to prevent if we all work together. Remember in America the majority wins.

Resurrection Morning

When I think about Easter Sunday many scriptures come to mind. Those scriptures are I Corinthians 11:24-26, I Corinthians 15:54-57, I Peter 2:24, John 3:16, and John 20:12-16. All of these scriptures have special meaning to me. The New Covenant was created by the death of Jesus. The elements of the Lord’s supper are only symbolic representations of the bigger picture. Jesus gives everyone the opportunity to be included in the New Covenant. Only Jesus was victorious over death, Hades, and the grave. Therefore, my trust is in him. It is wonderful that God loves me so much that he gave his only begotten son, Jesus. This great love was demonstrated by Jesus dying and three days later being resurrection. In addition, he endured a beating for my healing. I am greatly encouraged by the determination of Mary Magdalene. Despite the discouragement from the other disciples she stayed behind to look for Jesus’ body.


Jesus is Victorious
On Easter Morning, Jesus rose from the dead. I Corinthians 15:54-57 says, “… “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Thanks be to God I do not have to fear death. The fear of death is sin. Jesus took away the power that sin had over us when he did and rose again. Now it does not matter what anyone says or does to me, I have victory over everything through Jesus.
About 4 years age my ex-step dad was always threatening to blow the house to kingdom come because my mom and I was late getting home from church. After reading this scripture, it occurred to me that if he carried through on his threat, I would go straight to heaven because I have put my trust in Jesus. Therefore, I should not be afraid of dying. Jesus has already concurred death.


God Loves the World
John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jesus rose again on Easter morning. That is my guarantee that the promise of everlasting life is true. Only someone who defeated death can fulfill such a promise. Therefore, I can be confident that as long as my trust is in him, I will not perish. I can also be confident that God really loves me. I have a son and in my human capacity, I could not give him up for anyone. Therefore, I know that God really loves me. He was willing to give up his son for 3 days so that I could be saved.

Healing
Every time I think about Easter, I cannot help but remember the pain and suffering that Jesus endured. I Peter 2:24 says, “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” Just to think that someone loves me so much that he would endure a beating so that I could be healed. He had to die to be resurrected, but he did not have to be beat. He could have chosen no to endure the beating before he died. However, I would not have the added blessing of healing.
Because Jesus endured the beating, I was able to go to Jesus and ask for healing for my husband. My husband is a construction worker. One day he came home with severe muscle pain in his shoulder. Because our trust is in Jesus, we were able to ask Jesus to heal the muscle. Because Jesus’ promises are true, my husband has not had any more problems with his shoulder. Sometimes Jesus gives doctors the knowledge to solve problems and other times he supernaturally solves the problem. This time he just healed the shoulder.

Determination
Lastly, I think about Mary Magdalene. She went to the tomb early on resurrection morning. She discovered that Jesus was not there. She then told the other disciples. They came and saw that the stone had been rolled away and then left. She stays behind. As she was weeping, “she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).” (John 20:12-16). Unlike the men, she was determined to find Jesus. They went back home to hide, but she asked everyone she saw “where have you taken him?” At this time, she did not know that he was alive. She only knew that she had to find him.
I think about her and her determination. It did not matter to her that some people believed that he deserved death, nor did it matter that there was still people that hated anyone who closely followed Jesus. The other disciples were afraid that people would remember that they were closely associated with Jesus. We should all have the determination that Mary had. She stood by her friend even though she thought he was dead. He rewarded her determination by coming to her and talking to her. O joy, she must have felt to know that he was alive and was concerned about her tears.

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Violence in schools

It is sad that we are seeing more and more violence in the schools. School should be the safest place for a child. Unfortunately in today's world it could possibly be the most dangerous place. Parents send their children to school expecting them to learn reading, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, and P.E. Instead they are learning how to hide from bullies or run from bullets. 

I  have talked with some teachers. They all agree that teachers should receive hazard pay. Teachers are there to teach. However, more and more they are having to breakup fights. They never know when a student is going to pull a knife or a gun out of their backpack. 

I am not one that normally likes to place blame. However, let's consider who is to blame for the shape of education in America. A teacher's job is to teach the academic subjects. The parents job is to raise the child. Some how children are growing up with the belief that fighting solves problems. 

I personally have seen kindergartners behave cruelly to each other. In one kindergarten class that I visited, one child hit another child in the nose with a small building block. Another child lost her shoe as she was walking. One of her classmates run over, got the shoe, threw it onto the roof of the school building. I visited this classroom in August. It was only the second week of school. I am asking you to decided who should have done a better job of teaching the children, the teacher or the parent? 

Below is an article telling about another school shooting victim.

Flying High

When I was a child, I went to a church that sung songs from a Hymnal. We sung songs like “In the Garden”, Sweet Hour of Prayer”, “Victory in Jesus”, and “I’ll Fly Away”. This songs had special meaning to the people. The songs were always sung with such emotion. The emotion was never sad, yet many times the people had tears in there eyes and a smile on their faces.

I loved these songs and would often sang them as I played outside. Sometimes I would swing in the swing. One day while singing “I’ll Fly away”, I closed my eyes while singing and swinging. I could see angels. They were coming from and going to heaven. After that I almost always closed my eyes when swinging. I would try to swing just as high as I could. It seemed that I was flying with the angels. My mom would see me and say don’t swing so high. I would just giggle. I felt safe, warm, and loved.

Later I read about Jacob and his dream of the Angels Ascending and Descending from heaven. I believe that those who open their spiritual eyes and close that natural eyes could see amazing sites like what I saw. However, you must have faith like a child in order to do this. Even Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them from coming to me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Mathew 19:14).

Do Children Know Their Call?

Cover of Stories from the Bible

My great-grandma, Pearlie Mae, used to tell us stories. One story she told was about my grandfather, Mark, and something that he did when he was very little. 


Pearlie Mae had to take her four children to the field where she worked. Mark had been in Sunday School all of his life. The young children who could not work played at the end of the row. 


According to Pearlie Mae, one day Mark found a tree stump and climbed upon it. He then started telling stories from the Bible that he had heard at church. When asked, “Why are you doing this?” He would reply, “Me Preacher, Me Preacher.” Grandma Pearlie Mae told us that Mark did this for years. 


When Mark grew up, he became a preacher. This makes me wonder if some children know their calling at a young age. In the Bible, some people were called at a young age. 

• John the Baptist was called in his mother’s womb. (Luke 1:13; Luke 1:39-45)
• Joseph was just a teenager when he had his dreams. (Genesis 37:5-10)
• Samuel was a boy when God called to him as he tried to sleep. (1 Samuel 3:3-14)
• David was anointed as a youth. (1 Samuel 16:9-12)