Good morning! Once again I'm having to type around a grouchy furball. It's a little chilly and she wants to be right here with me, but she doesn't want me to move.
Today we begin the book of Luke. I've been looking forward to this one. The bible does not tell us the time of year when Jesus was born, although some have concluded that it may have been spring or fall, because Christmas is in December, that is when we most times read or hear the account of the virgin birth from Luke. I think anytime is good to hear those words. Today, however, we are beginning in chapter one, where another baby's birth is foretold...
In the time of Herod, the king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias. He and his wife, Elisabeth, had no children because Elisabeth was barren. They were fairly old and resigned to the fact that no children would be theirs. They were good people, living by the commandments as they should.
Zacharias was doing his job as priest, near the altar of incense when an angel appeared to him. Angels weren't an every day occurrence so the old man was frightened. Gabriel, the angel, reassured him. Don't be afraid, Zacharias, he said. You and your wife Elisabeth are going to have a son, and you will name him John. There will be much rejoicing at his birth. He will be filled with the holy spirit even in the womb, and will prepare the people for the Lord.
Zacharias knew he and his wife were fairly old and probably beyond child bearing years. He doubted what Gabriel had come to tell him. Gabriel told him that all of this was true, and because of his unbelief Zacharias would be struck dumb. He would not be able to speak until after the birth of John.
Zacharias finished up his duties and set off for home. Elisabeth did conceive, and kept herself away from others for five months.
Can you imagine being older, most likely beyond child bearing years, and finding out that not only are you going to have a child, but one who is important to God's plan of salvation? That had to have given Zacharias much to think about, and Elisabeth too.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
A Morning Cup of Tea: Go Ye Into All the World
Good morning! What an interesting day it has already started to be. I had to give a short cooking lesson already at breakfast; J was interested in the scrambled eggs. I think he's decided he likes eating them more than cooking them. Now he's singing to me as I type. Have you ever tried typing at the keyboard with a cat between you and the keyboard. Interesting, to say the least. Growling wouldn't make me stop so she finally abandoned her post.
Today we are in chapter 16, the very last chapter of the book of Mark. The Sabbath has passed, and now it is the first day of the week --Sunday. Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James have come to the sepulchre to anoint the body of Jesus. Because he had died so close to the Sabbath, they weren't allowed to do this before his burial.
Being women, they were wondering just who they could get to roll away the stone so they could get to the body. Imagine their surprise when they saw the stone already rolled away, and a man dressed in a white garment sitting there!
They were very frightened at this, and I don't blame them!
But he told them, don't be afraid. You seek Jesus, who was crucified. He is risen and is not here. Go tell Peter and the disciples to meet Jesus in Galilee.
On their way to tell the disciples, Jesus appeared to them. They told this to the disciples but they did not believe the women. Still they did not understand that Jesus was telling them truth when he said he would rise again 3 days later. Even when Jesus appeared to two of the disciples the others still did not believe.
They did not believe until they saw him with their own eyes. Jesus scolded them for their unbelief.
15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16. He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
In verse sixteen, notice the word "and". That means we must believe and also be baptized. Jesus said it himself. Belief is an action. We must be obedient when we believe.
If a man said, I'm bringing you a car. It's yours, but you must take the key from my hand and start the engine to claim it. If you just took the key, the car wouldn't be completely yours yet. You didn't fulfill the agreement. You have to start the engine.
In order to keep the car running you have to take care of it with gas and oil and all that, right? Its the same for our soul. We have to continue reading the Word and praying, and live righteously.
Have a wonderful day.
Today we are in chapter 16, the very last chapter of the book of Mark. The Sabbath has passed, and now it is the first day of the week --Sunday. Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James have come to the sepulchre to anoint the body of Jesus. Because he had died so close to the Sabbath, they weren't allowed to do this before his burial.
Being women, they were wondering just who they could get to roll away the stone so they could get to the body. Imagine their surprise when they saw the stone already rolled away, and a man dressed in a white garment sitting there!
They were very frightened at this, and I don't blame them!
But he told them, don't be afraid. You seek Jesus, who was crucified. He is risen and is not here. Go tell Peter and the disciples to meet Jesus in Galilee.
On their way to tell the disciples, Jesus appeared to them. They told this to the disciples but they did not believe the women. Still they did not understand that Jesus was telling them truth when he said he would rise again 3 days later. Even when Jesus appeared to two of the disciples the others still did not believe.
They did not believe until they saw him with their own eyes. Jesus scolded them for their unbelief.
15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16. He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
In verse sixteen, notice the word "and". That means we must believe and also be baptized. Jesus said it himself. Belief is an action. We must be obedient when we believe.
If a man said, I'm bringing you a car. It's yours, but you must take the key from my hand and start the engine to claim it. If you just took the key, the car wouldn't be completely yours yet. You didn't fulfill the agreement. You have to start the engine.
In order to keep the car running you have to take care of it with gas and oil and all that, right? Its the same for our soul. We have to continue reading the Word and praying, and live righteously.
Have a wonderful day.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Organization Reminder and Holiday Help
We bought dish soap yesterday because we were totally out. Great idea. The number one rule around here is Put it away now before J decides to put it away for you. Guess what didn't happen yesterday? That's right, the Joy dish soap is now missing. This could be a fun afternoon. Pardon me for saying this, but... O joy. Ahem.
In brighter news, if you have realized that there are less than two months till Christmas and you have hit the panic button, Life As Mom has help for you. She has a free download, Thinking About a Simpler Season . About the holidays, my husband says Simple is my last name. Not and So being the first and middle names to go along with that. Yeah. Isn't he sweet? I have the ebook already downloaded and I will be taking advantage of it to help tame the holiday madness.
What do these two subjects have to do with one another? Not a thing. One I just needed to vent about before going on the search for my dish soap and the other I simply had to share because I love letting others know about someone's great idea.
In brighter news, if you have realized that there are less than two months till Christmas and you have hit the panic button, Life As Mom has help for you. She has a free download, Thinking About a Simpler Season . About the holidays, my husband says Simple is my last name. Not and So being the first and middle names to go along with that. Yeah. Isn't he sweet? I have the ebook already downloaded and I will be taking advantage of it to help tame the holiday madness.
What do these two subjects have to do with one another? Not a thing. One I just needed to vent about before going on the search for my dish soap and the other I simply had to share because I love letting others know about someone's great idea.
I Want to Give Up
It's November first and I am living in a house of horrors. No one really understands what it is like to have an eighteen year old who is really a sweet kid most of the time but for whatever reason turns into a monster that I can't handle. I'm amazed my blood pressure isn't through the roof. We live in a rental and sometime soon I'll be replacing a ceiling, several sections of cheap paneling, a window, and a few light fixtures. This is the ugly side of autism.
All in the news when you hear autism its about a child who wandered away, or this family "cured" their son's autism, or how vaccines are not causing autism (but here's a settlement for this family and that family because of it. Which is it, scientists? I'm tired of the games.) You rarely hear of the adults with autism. We work with the kids as soon as we know that autism is the problem, hoping to avoid major problems down the road. But try as we might, some fall through the cracks and are still needing enormous amounts of help when they become adults. I happen to be mother to one such adult. He's nonverbal, still not fully potty trained and those accidents can be a bear to clean up sometimes.
Right now the "answers" I get are to either a) continue to manage him myself the best I can while putting up with self righteous, indignant, judgemental people who think that I shouldn't have a problem in the world keeping the house spotless, much less dare to have a section of ripped paneling for more than five seconds, or b) find an over crowded, under staffed hospital to place him in, where most likely he will be over medicated to make him easier to deal with unless I stand on top of them. There is option c), find a private residential home for him. The waiting lists are as long as my arm for those and hugely expensive. We don't have that kind of money I'm afraid.
I'm not looking for sympathy.I'm definitely not looking for some well meaning social worker to come and drive me insane with her "help." What I need is... I don't know. Someone who truly understands. Someone willing to ignore the judgements they have in their heads and actually get to work to help. Someone willing to take J for an hour or two so I can get more work done. It's not easy. I don't expect it to be. I just get tired of pretending that everything is okay when it isnt.
I want to eventually own a home. I know that J would still be messing up walls there, but it would be mine. I could adapt it to be a bit more J proof.I wouldn't be worried that the land lord will see it and want to throw us out.
Sometimes I wish I believed in cloning. I could use an extra me or two, to help keep up with things around here. But as in the movie Multiplicity from several years back, that would come with its own problems. For now I do what I can and hang on until my husband gets home from work.We manage. We cry, sometimes scream in frustration. But we keep going.
All in the news when you hear autism its about a child who wandered away, or this family "cured" their son's autism, or how vaccines are not causing autism (but here's a settlement for this family and that family because of it. Which is it, scientists? I'm tired of the games.) You rarely hear of the adults with autism. We work with the kids as soon as we know that autism is the problem, hoping to avoid major problems down the road. But try as we might, some fall through the cracks and are still needing enormous amounts of help when they become adults. I happen to be mother to one such adult. He's nonverbal, still not fully potty trained and those accidents can be a bear to clean up sometimes.
Right now the "answers" I get are to either a) continue to manage him myself the best I can while putting up with self righteous, indignant, judgemental people who think that I shouldn't have a problem in the world keeping the house spotless, much less dare to have a section of ripped paneling for more than five seconds, or b) find an over crowded, under staffed hospital to place him in, where most likely he will be over medicated to make him easier to deal with unless I stand on top of them. There is option c), find a private residential home for him. The waiting lists are as long as my arm for those and hugely expensive. We don't have that kind of money I'm afraid.
I'm not looking for sympathy.I'm definitely not looking for some well meaning social worker to come and drive me insane with her "help." What I need is... I don't know. Someone who truly understands. Someone willing to ignore the judgements they have in their heads and actually get to work to help. Someone willing to take J for an hour or two so I can get more work done. It's not easy. I don't expect it to be. I just get tired of pretending that everything is okay when it isnt.
I want to eventually own a home. I know that J would still be messing up walls there, but it would be mine. I could adapt it to be a bit more J proof.I wouldn't be worried that the land lord will see it and want to throw us out.
Sometimes I wish I believed in cloning. I could use an extra me or two, to help keep up with things around here. But as in the movie Multiplicity from several years back, that would come with its own problems. For now I do what I can and hang on until my husband gets home from work.We manage. We cry, sometimes scream in frustration. But we keep going.
Gratituesday: Good Health
For the past several months although I was not desperately sick, I was very often tired and depressed and slept a lot. I felt dizzy often, and could barely get any work done. I already knew that my thyroid and iron levels were most likely to blame because I had been through this before. Finally I went to the doctor and sure enough, my iron level was severely low. My thyroid must be doing well enough on the level of medication he prescribed so he very nearly insisted that I be put in the hospital for a blood transfusion.
I don't like hospital stays. They are expensive and it takes me away from my family. I have a son with autism, and there would be no one to care for him, which would force my husband to miss work while I was in the hospital. We told the doctor we'd rather not do that, but simply take the medication. The doctor wasn't happy about it, but he upped my iron dose to four times a day and I have a B-Complex multivitamin I have to take as well.
My dear husband did miss some time at work because of how ill I was, and it was a hardship financially. But he made sure I took my meds and got the rest I needed, and he cooked for me healthy foods that would build me back up. That included beef liver, which I am not very fond of, but I ate it, and he did too. Spinach is a big part of my diet these days too.
I am very thankful for a doctor who cares enough to insist that I take my health seriously enough to have tests run to find out the cause of the low iron, and calls me personally when he sees the results of blood tests. I am thankful for the prayers of many who asked about me continually. And I am thankful for my husband who cared for me during this time and my mother in law who sent soup! I still take the medication, and probably will for a long time. I'm not quite at the "normal" level iron wise yet but my doctor was happy with the improvement. It's easy, I think, to get into a rut of rush rush rush, and take care of everyone else to the point that even though you know how to eat properly you sometimes don't. While my eating habits hadn't been exactly stellar, I wasn't so far off the mark nutrition wise. There is another contributing factor, my doctor believes, and we will find it.
Each Tuesday Heavenly Homemakers invites others to link up with her and share what we are thankful for. What are you thankful for today?
I don't like hospital stays. They are expensive and it takes me away from my family. I have a son with autism, and there would be no one to care for him, which would force my husband to miss work while I was in the hospital. We told the doctor we'd rather not do that, but simply take the medication. The doctor wasn't happy about it, but he upped my iron dose to four times a day and I have a B-Complex multivitamin I have to take as well.
My dear husband did miss some time at work because of how ill I was, and it was a hardship financially. But he made sure I took my meds and got the rest I needed, and he cooked for me healthy foods that would build me back up. That included beef liver, which I am not very fond of, but I ate it, and he did too. Spinach is a big part of my diet these days too.
I am very thankful for a doctor who cares enough to insist that I take my health seriously enough to have tests run to find out the cause of the low iron, and calls me personally when he sees the results of blood tests. I am thankful for the prayers of many who asked about me continually. And I am thankful for my husband who cared for me during this time and my mother in law who sent soup! I still take the medication, and probably will for a long time. I'm not quite at the "normal" level iron wise yet but my doctor was happy with the improvement. It's easy, I think, to get into a rut of rush rush rush, and take care of everyone else to the point that even though you know how to eat properly you sometimes don't. While my eating habits hadn't been exactly stellar, I wasn't so far off the mark nutrition wise. There is another contributing factor, my doctor believes, and we will find it.
Each Tuesday Heavenly Homemakers invites others to link up with her and share what we are thankful for. What are you thankful for today?
A Morning Cup of Tea; Crucifixion
Good morning! I apologize for not having a cup of tea post out yesterday.That was entirely my fault.
Today we are in Mark chapter fifteen. It is the morning after Jesus was captured and falsely accused of blasphemy. The chief priests have held a consultation with the the elders and scribes and the whole council, and they bound him over to Pilate.
Pilate asked Jesus, Are you King of the Jews? Jesus simply answered, Thou sayest it. He spoke nothing more to defend himself when the chief priests accused him. Pilate absolutely knew that whether or not Jesus was the Son of God this man was innocent and the charges were trumped up by those who were jealous of him. Pilate, however, was a politician, and he acceded to the wishes of the people on this one.
The custom at the time was that a prisoner would be released during the celebration of Passover. Pilate gave the crowd two choices : a murderer by the name of Barabbas, or Jesus. The chief priests moved around the people, urging them to call for Barabbas, which they did.
Jesus was scourged, mocked by placing a purple robe and a crown of thorns upon his head, struck, and spit upon. Jesus has had very little if any sleep during this time; he had spent the evening in prayer before his capture. The scourge is possibly the worst beating a person could receive: It consists of several of leather cord in which sharp pieces of stone or glass is embedded. All of this rips into the flesh, leaving gaping wounds and can injure internal organs depending upon how severely a person is beaten. And during all of this, Jesus could have simply said, Enough. I'm not doing this anymore. But he didn't. He who had never once sinned became the sacrificial lamb for you and me, and all others.
He was taken to Golgotha, and was made to carry his own cross until he no longer could. Then Simon the Cyrenian was compelled to carry it for him.. There Jesus was nailed to the cross and hung between two thieves.
The cross is an extreme torture device. The nails used to secure a person to the rough wood are large, and the person is positioned in such a way as they eventually cannot draw themselves up enough to breathe properly. They are in severe pain the entire time. During all of this Jesus' clothes were torn apart and the soldiers were casting lots to see who would get the pieces. People were yelling at him to save himself.
At one point the sky darkened. Jesus cried out, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which, interpreted is, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me? And shortly after he cried out and gave up the ghost. He died there on the cross.
Because it was so close to the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea quickly asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate granted it once determining that Jesus was dead, and Joseph bought fine linen for the body and wrapped it and placed it in the sepulcre, with a huge stone rolled in front of it.
Today we are in Mark chapter fifteen. It is the morning after Jesus was captured and falsely accused of blasphemy. The chief priests have held a consultation with the the elders and scribes and the whole council, and they bound him over to Pilate.
Pilate asked Jesus, Are you King of the Jews? Jesus simply answered, Thou sayest it. He spoke nothing more to defend himself when the chief priests accused him. Pilate absolutely knew that whether or not Jesus was the Son of God this man was innocent and the charges were trumped up by those who were jealous of him. Pilate, however, was a politician, and he acceded to the wishes of the people on this one.
The custom at the time was that a prisoner would be released during the celebration of Passover. Pilate gave the crowd two choices : a murderer by the name of Barabbas, or Jesus. The chief priests moved around the people, urging them to call for Barabbas, which they did.
Jesus was scourged, mocked by placing a purple robe and a crown of thorns upon his head, struck, and spit upon. Jesus has had very little if any sleep during this time; he had spent the evening in prayer before his capture. The scourge is possibly the worst beating a person could receive: It consists of several of leather cord in which sharp pieces of stone or glass is embedded. All of this rips into the flesh, leaving gaping wounds and can injure internal organs depending upon how severely a person is beaten. And during all of this, Jesus could have simply said, Enough. I'm not doing this anymore. But he didn't. He who had never once sinned became the sacrificial lamb for you and me, and all others.
He was taken to Golgotha, and was made to carry his own cross until he no longer could. Then Simon the Cyrenian was compelled to carry it for him.. There Jesus was nailed to the cross and hung between two thieves.
The cross is an extreme torture device. The nails used to secure a person to the rough wood are large, and the person is positioned in such a way as they eventually cannot draw themselves up enough to breathe properly. They are in severe pain the entire time. During all of this Jesus' clothes were torn apart and the soldiers were casting lots to see who would get the pieces. People were yelling at him to save himself.
At one point the sky darkened. Jesus cried out, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which, interpreted is, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me? And shortly after he cried out and gave up the ghost. He died there on the cross.
Because it was so close to the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea quickly asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate granted it once determining that Jesus was dead, and Joseph bought fine linen for the body and wrapped it and placed it in the sepulcre, with a huge stone rolled in front of it.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Monday Morning Report
Good morning! I think I should rename the post Monday Morning Mayhem, hee hee! Lots going on today. First, if you read my Morning Cup of Tea posts, let me apologize. Today's post will be late because I left my bible in the car last night. Hubby took it to work with him.
Today is Halloween. Some places have done their trick or treating this past weekend but there may be some little ghosts and goblins and whatever else is popular out tonight so be careful as you drive.
I woke up late this morning;just did not want to leave my warm bed. But my doctor called and gave me some good news: my hemoglobin is up to 10.4! That's a lot better than it was a few weeks ago when he was seriously wanting to do a blood transfusion, but still not normal. I'm happy it's going in the right direction, however. Having no energy and being threatened with a hospital stay is not my idea of fun. I will continue eating good food and taking my iron and multivitamin as my doc suggests.
As for the getting organized and getting ready for the holidays go, it's a slow but sure process on both. I was able to write out a menu for the week, although Saturday's lunch and dinner is still up in the air. When you aren't used to coming up with meal plans, it can be hard!
Today's Menu:
Breakfast - grits, fried egg and string cheese
Lunch --meat loaf, mashed potatoes and spinach
Dinner-- supposed to go to my mother's for chili.
For snacks I have yummy honeycrisp apples
For those like me, Flylady has Cruising Through the Holidays missions that should help us not get overwhelmed with all that needs to be done. She is already up to number 11 but don't let that overwhelm you. Start with where you are. I will be checking that today, as well as putting away some laundry and cleaning some shelves and cabinets in my kitchen.
I can hear you yawning so I'll let you know that we had a great time with friends from church on Saturday night. One family had an outdoors Halloween get together with hot dogs, hamburgers, and lots of goodies. The weather was cooler than we thought it would be, but it was still nice enough to be outside, especially with a little bonfire. Yesterday hubby was off all day so we were able to attend both services as well as the fifth Sunday fellowship meal. In lieu of a lesson last night we had our end of the month singing, and mostly older songs like Victory in Jesus were selected. I love those old songs, and they touch my heart each time I hear/sing them. We were also blessed to witness a baptism last night.That makes my heart very happy, to see another Christian sister among us.
I've talked your ear off enough for now, and housework beckons. I hope you have a wonderful day.
Today is Halloween. Some places have done their trick or treating this past weekend but there may be some little ghosts and goblins and whatever else is popular out tonight so be careful as you drive.
I woke up late this morning;just did not want to leave my warm bed. But my doctor called and gave me some good news: my hemoglobin is up to 10.4! That's a lot better than it was a few weeks ago when he was seriously wanting to do a blood transfusion, but still not normal. I'm happy it's going in the right direction, however. Having no energy and being threatened with a hospital stay is not my idea of fun. I will continue eating good food and taking my iron and multivitamin as my doc suggests.
As for the getting organized and getting ready for the holidays go, it's a slow but sure process on both. I was able to write out a menu for the week, although Saturday's lunch and dinner is still up in the air. When you aren't used to coming up with meal plans, it can be hard!
Today's Menu:
Breakfast - grits, fried egg and string cheese
Lunch --meat loaf, mashed potatoes and spinach
Dinner-- supposed to go to my mother's for chili.
For snacks I have yummy honeycrisp apples
For those like me, Flylady has Cruising Through the Holidays missions that should help us not get overwhelmed with all that needs to be done. She is already up to number 11 but don't let that overwhelm you. Start with where you are. I will be checking that today, as well as putting away some laundry and cleaning some shelves and cabinets in my kitchen.
I can hear you yawning so I'll let you know that we had a great time with friends from church on Saturday night. One family had an outdoors Halloween get together with hot dogs, hamburgers, and lots of goodies. The weather was cooler than we thought it would be, but it was still nice enough to be outside, especially with a little bonfire. Yesterday hubby was off all day so we were able to attend both services as well as the fifth Sunday fellowship meal. In lieu of a lesson last night we had our end of the month singing, and mostly older songs like Victory in Jesus were selected. I love those old songs, and they touch my heart each time I hear/sing them. We were also blessed to witness a baptism last night.That makes my heart very happy, to see another Christian sister among us.
I've talked your ear off enough for now, and housework beckons. I hope you have a wonderful day.
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