Today has not gone as planned…I was up early, ready to write and I could not access the Internet. I tried all the troubleshooting things I knew to try and was not successful. Finally I called my provider and the CSR had me try a couple of other things; still no success. Spent a couple of hours on that, then Larry and I took our walk. I tried again and ending up calling my broadband support for the second time. This time a different CSR said “Yes”, we’ve been having problems in your area all morning; I think a little smoke came out of my ears as I wondered why the first CSR didn’t bother to share that little tidbit with me. This person had me do the same thing as the other person and she did some tweaking on her end and now, several hours later I’m back in business. Since my brain feels a bit fried from all the technical ‘stuff’, I decided I would share some of my favorite sayings I remember hearing during my growing up years. I came across these some time ago so I shall share them with you today.

Some of you will understand this (for the rest of you it will be a learning situation)

‘I’ll just give this a lick and a promise,’ my mother said as she quickly mopped up a spill on the floor without moving any of the furniture. 

‘What is that supposed to mean,’ I asked as in my young mind I envisioned someone licking the floor with his or her tongue.  ‘It means that I’m in a hurry and I’m busy canning tomatoes so I am going to just give it a lick with the mop and promise to come back and do the job right later. 

‘A lick and a promise’ was just one of the many old phrases that our mothers, grandmothers, and others used that they probably heard from the generations before them. With the passing of time, many old phrases become obsolete or even disappear.  

This is unfortunate because some of them are very appropriate and humorous. Here is a list of some of those memorable old phrases:     

1.  A Bone to Pick (someone who wants to discuss a disagreement) 

2.  An Axe to Grind (Someone who has a hidden motive. This phrase is said to have originated from Benjamin Franklin who told a story about a devious man who asked how a grinding wheel worked. He ended up walking away with his axe sharpened free of charge)   

3. One bad apple spoils the whole barrel (one corrupt person can cause all the others to go bad if you don’t remove the bad one) 

4. At sea (lost or not understanding something) 

5. Bad Egg (Someone who was not a good person) 

6. Barking at a knot (meaning that your efforts were as useless as a dog barking at a knot.) 

7. Barking up the wrong tree (talking about something that was completely the wrong issue with the wrong person)

8. Bee in your bonnet (To have an idea that won’t let loose) 

9. Been through the mill (had a rough time of it) 

10. Between hay and grass (Not a child or an adult) 

11. Blinky (Between sweet and sour as in milk) 

12.   Calaboose (a jail) 

13.  Catawampus (Something that sits crooked such as a piece of furniture sitting at an angle) 

14.  Dicker (To barter or trade) 

15.  Feather in Your Cap (to accomplish a goal. This came from years ago in wartime when warriors might receive a feather they would put in their cap for defeating an enemy) 

16.  Hold your horses (Be patient!) 

17.  Hoosegow (a jail) 

18.  I reckon (I suppose) 

19.  Jawing/Jawboning (Talking or arguing) 

20. Kit and caboodle (The whole thing) 

21.  Madder than a wet hen (really angry) 

22. Needs taken down a notch or two (like notches in a belt usually a young person who thinks too highly of himself and needs a lesson)

23. No Spring Chicken (Not young anymore) 

24. Persnickety (overly particular or snobbish) 

25. Pert-near (short for pretty near) 

26. Pretty is as pretty does (your actions are more important than your looks) 

27. Red up (clean the house) 

28. Scalawag (a rascal or unprincipled person) 

29. Scarce as hen’s teeth (something difficult to obtain) 

30. Skedaddle (Get out of here quickly) 

31.  Sparking (courting) 

32. Straight From the Horse’s Mouth (privileged information from the one concerned) 

33. Stringing around, gallivanting around, or piddling (Not doing anything of value) 

34. Sunday go to meetin’ dress (The best dress you had) 

35. We wash up real fine (is another goodie) 

36. Tie the Knot (to get married) 

37. Too many irons in the fire (to be involved in too many things)        

38. Tuckered out (tired and all worn out) 

39. Under the weather (not feeling well this term came from going below deck on ships due to sea sickness thus you go below or under the weather) 

40. Wearing your ‘best bib and tucker’ (Being all dressed up) 

41.  You ain’t the only duck in the pond (It’s not all about you)

Well, if you hold your horses, I reckon I’ll get this whole kit and caboodle done and sent off to you. Please don’t be too persnickety and get a bee in your bonnet because I’ve been pretty tuckered out and at sea lately because I’m no spring chicken.  I haven’t been just stringin’ around and I know I’m not the only duck in the pond, but I do have too many irons in the fire. I might just be barking at a knot, but I have tried to give this article more than just a lick and a promise!

I sometimes think if tragedy should strike me and I should lose a part of my body, which part would I be willing to give up. I selfishly answer I don’t want to give up any of it. I believe that losing my sight or my hearing would be horrible, although as my friends will attest, my hearing isn’t the greatest. Being in denial, I jokingly blame it on the lack of acoustics or the speaker. Still, if I had to choose, I would probably give up my hearing first. I honestly can’t imagine not being able to see, and if I still had my eyes, at least I could still read and so my eyes would become a substitute (in a limited way) for my ears.

Jesus speaks of our eyes and hearing in a spiritual way in the following text.

Jesus had miraculously provided food to four-thousand people from seven loaves and a few small fish, and afterward the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food. Immediately after that, he got in his boat with his disciples and crossed over to the region of Dalmanutha. The Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with him and demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it.”  Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side. Mark 8:12-13

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod. They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.” Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? Mark 8:14-18

The disciples were arguing about their food supply since someone forgot to bring the bread, except for one loaf and were likely blaming each other. They failed to recall the miracles Jesus had performed feeding first five-thousand from five loaves and then four-thousand from seven loaves.

Lack of faith, lack of understanding, lack of trust, fear and unbelief are all things that cause us to have blinded eyes and deaf ears.

Those of us who are believers can be guilty of “having eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear”. Too often we want to make a deal with God. “Give me three doors God and then help me to choose the best one”. We want to act one way on Sunday and live with the world the remaining six days. We can have it our own way all we want, if we do though, we won’t like the verdict on that great day of ‘reckoning’.  

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:20

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4

We have been given the greatest gift ever. Will we choose to accept the gift or ignore it? Yes! We have a choice…

To my dear readers…I know I get a bit “preachy” at times. I love God and I love reading my bible. One of my main purposes for starting this blog was to hopefully, encourage others by sharing my life and obstacles I have overcome by the power of Jesus Christ, and to share the gospel. I am by no means a perfect Christian, but I am striving for perfection, so I thank you for your patience and indulgence.

I didn’t plan on being a stunt car driver that day; it had never even entered my mind. It just happened in circumstances beyond my control and I had a very captive audience. All eyes were glued to the action.

This incident happened before I retired and we were still living in Merced CA. It was a few minutes past one o’clock, time for my lunch break. I jumped into my Jeep Cherokee and headed a couple of blocks over to 18^th Street. I was going home for lunch, about three miles from my place of employment. Normally I drove ‘M’ Street to go home. I knew there was some road construction going on so I chose another route. I didn’t get far, only a couple of blocks. I had just entered the intersection of 18^th and Canal traveling about 15-20 mph.

Suddenly there was a sickening loud crash and my world was spinning out of control. In the brief couple of  seconds it took me to realize I had been hit, I also realized I was literally on the left two wheels of my Jeep headed straight for a parked car on the wrong side of the street. My left arm was pinned between me and the door. I was trying desperately to turn the wheel to avoid hitting the parked car head on. I felt like I was flying fast and furious toward it. When I realized I could not free my arm or turn the wheel I remember crying out to God. I said “please God, I don’t want to die” and I closed my eyes right before what I thought would be the impact and certain death for me.

What happened next is nothing short of a miracle and an answered prayer. The steering wheel was jerked out of my right hand with such force it felt like my hand was being torn off. My jeep was now on all four wheels and literally bouncing up and down in the middle of the street away from the parked car. When it finally stopped bouncing and came to a complete stop I realized I was not dead, and I had not hit the parked car.

This all took place in a semi-residential and semi-small business area. There were some older apartment buildings and a barber shop and a couple of other business. I was instantly surrounded by people on all sides of my car; one of them was a policeman who had been in the barbershop getting his haircut. Everyone wanted to know if I was all right and offering to help. I was definitely in shock and I was shaking so hard I couldn’t even hold my cell phone. I was trying desperately to call Larry. I needed his comfort more than anything at that moment.

During all of the commotion I saw a familiar face. It was Armedia, one of the dental assistants to the dentist where I had been a patient for many years. She had tears in her eyes and kept apologizing to me. I couldn’t figure that part out and then she explained to me that she is the one who ran into me. She had run a red light and didn’t even see the light.

God was certainly with me that day and with her too. Neither of us received any injuries. Both of our cars were banged up pretty good. Mine was the left real panel. Thankfully the frame wasn’t damaged. We both had the same insurance and of course her insurance paid for all of the damage to my Jeep.

All of this…in the blink of an eye. Yesterday I pulled a muscle in my back. It’s better today but still plenty sore. At least I can move around today, it too happened suddenly and without warning. While these things aren’t pleasant, they are a good reminder for me. I want to be ready to meet Jesus when he returns, and this verse tells me what I need to be doing. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. . 2 Peter 3:11-12

The swiftness of the coming of Jesus is compared to the unexpectedness of a thief.  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. 2 Peter 3:10.

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. 1 Cor 15:51-52

Since yesterday was a holiday, I didn’t post anything. Today I was going to skip the recipe I usually post on Monday’s and write something else. That’s not going to happen now either. I pulled a muscle in my back this morning and am in considerable pain, it hurts to move.  I was sitting at my desk, reached over to pick up a piece of paper from the printer and just like that, I’m pretty much out of commission. I hope this doesn’t last too long.

Tiramisu Brownies
Prep time 25 min. Bake 45 min + cooling

12 squares (1 ounce each) semisweet chocolate
1 cup butter, softened (no substitutes)
1-1/3 cups plus ¼ cup sugar, divided
8 eggs
1 cup cake flour
¼ cup instant coffee granules or espresso powder
2 cartons (8 ounces each) Mascarpone cheese
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking cocoa

In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate. (I didn’t use the microwave; I melted mine very slowly on stove) Stir until smooth; cool slightly. Beat in butter. Gradually beat in 1-1/3 cups sugar. Add six eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Combine flour and coffee granules; add to chocolate mixture. Beat on low speed just until combined; set aside.

For filling, in a small mixing bowl, beat the cheese, vanilla, and remaining sugar and eggs until smooth.

Pour 4 cups of chocolate batter into a greased 13x9x2 inch baking pan. Spread with filling. Top with remaining batter, spreading evenly to completely cover filling.

Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until center is almost set and brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool on a wire rack. Dust with cocoa. Cut into squares. Store in the refrigerator.

Yield: 3 dozen

Note: These are the best brownies I have ever eaten. They are definitely more work and ingredients than most, but they are absolutely worth it. The flavor is just unbeatable.

Today we are off to moms; Larry is going to put her new bookshelf together. We had a fair amount of rain in the wee hours of the morning and it’s too wet for him to work outside. It’s been another busy week and hopefully somewhat productive. Hope you all enjoy your weekend.

I will leave you with something to think about. I’m just curious; this question is for my female readers. How would you feel if your husband said this to you today? I liken you, my darling, to a mare harnessed to one of the chariots of Pharaoh. Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings, your neck with strings of jewels. We will make you earrings of gold, studded with silver. Song 1:9-11 Other than making earrings of gold, studded with silver, I’m thinking I wouldn’t get very passionate if Larry said that to me. This is how I would interpret the first part…Oh, so now I’m a big fat horse am I??? And who is this Pharaoh guy that I should be harnessed to his chariots. I would cut out the char and the riots would begin.

The way we describe things has certainly changed. I imagine Pharaoh had some stunning horses so likely that was an enormous compliment, still, the way we speak today…those would be fighting words.

And….just to be fair; this one is for my male readers. How would you feel if your wife said this to you? Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth — for your love is more delightful than wine.  Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the maidens love you! Take me away with you— let us hurry! Let the king bring me into his chambers. Song 1:2-4

Be honest now….would you indignantly pull out your man card at the word perfume?

Ok….that’s the end of my silliness for today. See you next week!

Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. Col 4:12-14

A closer look reveals that Epaphras was a Colossian (one of you) and a servant of Christ Jesus, who was always struggling in prayer, as to compete in a fight, as contending with an adversary, (According to the Greek definition of the word.) He wanted them to be mature in doing Gods will.

Colossians 1:7 tells us that this group of people had been taught the gospel by Epaphras who l had been taught by Paul. He was also involved in the work at Laodicea and Hierapolis. His motivation was love for Christ and love for these people. He didn’t do it alone either, he was a fellow servant.

Here we have this often overlooked example of one man going about the Lords work in example and in prayer. I don’t know about you, but it is so easy for me to overlook these little hidden nuggets.  I read this yesterday and thought, “Wow”!

I guess what got my attention the most is the part about wrestling in prayer. I am so sad to say, I have not been guilty of this nearly as often as I should for the standing firm and maturity of the church.

Let see how it looks this way…

Janice, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. She is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for her that she is working hard for you and for those at Skiatook and Owasso.

It’s pretty powerful when you think about it. Go ahead; insert your name and your city and another area nearby.

To stand perfect (KJV) and complete and fully assured should not only be a prayer for ourselves but for the entire church.

I wonder how many of you remember the song mentioned in the title of this post. The lyrics of the song really don’t have anything to do with what I’m writing about today, however I hope we will all consider the title.

 A couple of days ago a FB friend, Doug Young put the following question on his status and it “got me to thinking”. His question was-Is being Lukewarm now the normal? My response to his questions was “I pray not!”, then after reading several of the other comments posted I’m not so sure. The majority of responders seem to think lukewarmness is the norm. If it is the norm…then it would certainly be in our own best interest to make some “soul saving” changes.

As new Christians we are often on fire, we can’t wait to tell anyone who will listen about our love for Jesus. Consider the following scriptures, the first two of hearts on fire. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32

But if I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. Jer 20:9

Next, as time goes on; if we do not grow spiritually we will experience a weakening of faith, indifference to the truth, a heart growing cold. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, Matt 24:12

Finally, after allowing our hearts to be deceived by our own spiritual blindness, or by unbelievers or by our own laziness and refusal to study, learn, live and apply, we find ourselves lukewarm. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Rev 3:15-16

The word lukewarm is used metaphorically in Rev. 3:16, concerning the state of the Laodicean church. Evidently they didn’t have any passion for the church or any real involvement. The KJV uses the word spew rather than spit. Spew gives me much more of a visual image, spewing involves force, such as vomiting. It represents repulsion and an intense dislike at the indifference in the church.

One bible commentator wrote “The lukewarm Christian is comfortable, complacent, and does not realize his need. If he were cold or hot, at least he would feel it!”

Being in a lukewarm condition is a fearful thing to me. The Laodicean church was unaware of their spiritual poverty, they were focused on their physical wealth and said they didn’t need a thing, yet Christ told them they were wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.

So I leave you today, go back and read the title of this post again, and check your spiritual temperature, take an honest inventory and if need be start making some repairs. I absolutely know I need some repairing.

And…be encouraged by the last two verses of the chapter. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Rev 3:19-22

Sunday we had a guest speaker in our bible class. He is a friend of Russell and Jennifer. I first met him when he visited our congregation a few months ago. He is a very courageous man. He shared the sin he has been struggling with for many years. I applaud his courage and his honesty and I would like to see more people in the church sharing the things that can be so difficult to carry alone. This man, I will call him Makoto, which is a Japanese name meaning sincere and honest.

Makoto (now 37) was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in Japan on April 6th, 2001. He returned to Oklahoma one week later and within three weeks began chemotherapy. He went into clinical remission after six months of chemotherapy and then had a stem cell transplant. He also went through a rejection phase which affected his heart and his skin as well as caused his muscles to atrophy. He spent nearly four years in physical therapy to build his muscles/strength back up. He celebrated his 7^th anniversary from his stem cell transplant on November 19th, 2008. (If my memory is correct he also had heart surgery).

Makoto told us that while never engaging in the homosexual lifestyle, he struggles with being sexually attracted to men. He shared events in his life that he believes caused him to have this struggle; and he also told us the first time he shared this with some of his church family that he was not received well at all and basically was encouraged not to talk about it or discuss it. That made me very sad for him.

Makoto shared a lot of information with us about support groups for men and women who struggle with this as well as several books on the subject, and an organization Exodus International, which is a nonprofit, interdenominational Christian organization. Exodus International promotes “the message of Freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ.”

We should not reject those who need our love and support simply because their sin isn’t the same as ours. It may be out of our comfort zone and we may not have the answers they need, but we can listen, pray with them and love them. This is why we need to be open and honest with each other. For example, I wouldn’t be the best person for someone to come to if they have a problem with pornography. I have never been interested in nor do I have a desire to view or read that kind of material. It is not an area of weakness for me. One the other hand, if someone tells me they are struggling with drugs or alcohol; then I’m your gal. “Been there, done that”! I can absolutely identify with that struggle and I can offer my support and I know exactly how strong the pull is.

Everyone in our congregation knows that I have battled that in my past. I have never kept it a secret and I have been able to encourage others who may have that battle in their life. If we, as brothers and sisters in Christ cannot trust each other with the very sins we struggle with, and if we cannot hope for encouragement and support, then I ask, who do we turn to and where do we go?

Is Makoto’s sin bigger than yours, bigger than mine? If it is, please show me in the bible where God has said one sin is bigger than another. Sin does not come in shapes, sizes and colors.  Makoto is a Christian, he loves God and he knows homosexuality is a sin to God. That is why he has not given in to his desire to partake of that sin.

I was so moved with compassion when Makoto shared his story. He told us that the suicide rate is very high for those who struggle with this, and especially for teens. The peer pressure from the world is “do what you want”. One is almost considered “abnormal” if you aren’t involved in some sort of sexual activity. It can be terribly lonely if you feel you don’t belong, or don’t fit in, and rejection is extremely hurtful.

Makoto is not alone in this struggle. What would you do and what would your group do? I hope to hear from many of you and I hope that your church family  is one that would show compassion and love and be willing to teach them what God has to say about this subject and any subject contrary to what God wants for us.