Past, Present, and Future

There’s not a day in my life that I didn’t know her…this preacher’s kid from my childhood.   She’s a year and a few months younger than me, so there is a brief period of time when she wasn’t in my life, I just don’t remember it.

Growing up, I was a bad influence on her, she was a steadying influence on me.   She and her family moved away when she was 16.   We had been the best of friends for as long as we could remember.  I’m sure we had fights, but I really can’t remember any.   As young teenagers, maybe we had a few disagreements, but for the life of me, I don’t remember what they were.  

She didn’t always have it easy, but I didn’t realize it at the time.   I thought she had it all.  She was…she is…gorgeous, funny, girly, and sings beautifully.  She was the oldest child; I was the youngest.   Looking back, we didn’t have a thing in common!  She did let me sing with her a time or two…she probably shouldn’t have!

Through the years, she has been so good to keep in touch with me.   Before the days of Facebook, we would have long phone conversations full of giggles and full-blown laughter.  When I was on the phone laughing more than talking, Ole Boy always knew who was on the other end.  Every once in a while, we got to see each other, but there were long stretches of time when we didn’t.  But whether it was 5 weeks or 5 months since we’d spoken, or 5 years since we’d gotten to visit, there was never a moment of having to get to know her again.   She is my sister…I remember the day she and I, two little girls standing on the front porch of the little church on East Tuscaloosa Street where we grew up, became blood sisters.  (The germaphobe in me cringes now…but I wouldn’t trade the experience.)

She’s such a strong person, and she has been through a lot.  Her name is Tammera, but to me, she is Tammy.  I love her, and I’m so proud of the warm-hearted woman she is, and I'm honored to call her my friend.    

Recently, she moved back to Alabama.   She lives over an hour away…southerners measure distance in time, not miles…so seeing each other is so much easier than when she lived in Oklahoma.   Yesterday we met for a long lunch, but it wasn't long enough.  

Sitting across from her catching up, I realized, once again, that time has wings and it soars.  If you close your eyes for a moment, when you open them again, you are in the place of your mother, and your children are in the place of your youth.  

The last thirty years feel like only ten, and time continues uncompromisingly marching on, reminding me to be diligent to say the things in my heart, to spend more time with those I love, to live my life carefully and deliberately, with purpose.   Life is indeed short, and it is precious; a day of it shouldn’t be wasted, yet I have wasted so many.   But spending time regretting wasted days would be throwing a day away, so I will look ahead to the future and leave the past where it is, at the untouchable portal to my life that can’t be changed, but can be used to learn, to teach, to grow, to forgive, forget…and yes, to remember.  

Thursday's Commited Thoughts: Abortion

Ohio Republicans have passed what appears to be America’s strictest abortion bill.  It’s not a “ban” because abortions will be legal until the baby’s heartbeat can be heard.   It is called "The Heartbeat Bill."

It is now on the governor’s desk for his signature.  You may remember him, John Kasich, former presidential candidate who refused to back the Republican Presidential Nominee.  Kasich may not sign the bill, and if he doesn’t, I would venture to guess it would be because the bill will prohibit abortion in cases of rape or incest, again, after the heartbeat. 

If Governor Kasich does sign the bill, the ACLU (the anti-Christian liberties union) is already prepared to challenge it in court.  

The rest of this post is all my opinion, and if you are pro-abortion, you may be enraged by the time I’m through, so you are forewarned.   

For the record, I am withholding my thoughts on cases of rape or incest because those sensitive cases deserve more than a few passing sentences in a pro-life blog post.

I am definitely pro-choice, but the choice is not whether or not to take a baby’s life.  Choices begin when one makes a decision to have unprotected sex…however, since no birth control is 100% effective, the choice actually begins when you decide to have sex. 

Already deceived and narrow-minded activists in Ohio are chanting:

“O-H! I-O! Abortion bans have got to go!” carrying signs that read, “Stop Playing Politics with Women’s Health.”

Since when did ripping a baby from the womb cease to be about a baby being ripped from the womb and about a woman’s healthcare?   Abortion is not healthcare.  It is not healthy!!  Least of all is it healthy for the baby...who actually dies...

You can call it a fetus, or you can call it a “clump of cells” but God calls it life.  The Bible tells us in Psalm 139 that He sees our substance being yet unformed (in the womb) and in His book are written all the days He fashioned for each of us before we were formed.  That makes us all pretty important.

Perhaps you don’t believe the Bible is God’s word?  

I hope you get revelation before it’s too late. 

But I digress.

I’ve heard people say that Conservatives are not pro-life, they are pro-birth, meaning that they don’t care about how babies are cared for once they are born.  And for the most part, I agree with that supposition.  Let me say it again, the choice begins BEFORE the pregnancy.

Pro-abortion activists point out that abortions were always available.  Before it was legal, they were performed in dirty basements and back alleys, where women died.  And that is true.  But that doesn’t make neutralizing unborn babies any more acceptable. 

In a world where people are lovers of self, lovers of money, boasters, proud, abusive, disobedient, ungrateful and unholy (2 Timothy 3)…deceived into thinking that they can live by their “anything goes” rules instead of God’s rules, where do you start to combat this war on the unborn.

I mean, how do you fight deception?

Not by flesh and blood. 

So we start by praying.

And follow up with education…show them what really happens in abortions.   Show them other options, such as adoption.  There are so many couples waiting for babies!   Remind young women that they are worth so much more than casual sex!   And we give…find a local charity or pro-life clinic (such as our local Shoals Sav-a-Life) and help support them.   

People who are pro-abortion are just as convinced as I am that they are right…

only they don’t have God’s word to back them up.  

For those who have had an abortion, I wrote THIS.  (link)

Psalm 139:13-16

For You formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother’s womb.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well.

My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.

And in Your book they all were written,

The days fashioned for me,

When as yet there were none of them.

The Great Smoky Mountains

The Sinks

If you’ve followed my blog for any length of time, you know my love for the Great Smoky Mountains.  On Monday, I sent a message to Ole Boy that we should make a weekend run to Dollywood for the Christmas shows.  Later that evening, I starting seeing the first of many posts of the fires…

…then the reports of people missing.  Shortly thereafter, injuries were reported and deaths were being confirmed.   Like the rest of the Southeast (and across the nation), I watched news stories in horror as the fires devoured an estimated 700 homes and businesses, and some 20,000 acres of wooded forestland.

The first fires were likely to be started by human hands, according to park officials.  Add in strong winds, downed power lines, and drought conditions, and it quickly spelled devastation, for both lives and land. 

Did you know that the Great Smoky Mountains are the most visited national park in America?  

Old Homestead - Cades Cove

Michael Reed, whose story was covered by WATE TV as he searched for his wife and two daughters, put a face on the tragedy for me.  I had hoped and prayed for his wife and daughters to be found alive.   With each passing day, I knew the possibility was growing slimmer.  Today, when it was confirmed that the body of his wife, Constance, had been found, along with nine-year-old Lily and twelve-year-old Chloe, I cried. 

I’m crying now.  People are missing, families are searching and hanging on to hope that their loved ones are alive.  Still others have lost everything they own, homes and business.  Loss of jobs.   Loss of an innocence...bad things really do happen to “good” people.

I know this post is jumbled, please forgive me.  I am heartbroken for these people, and for a place I love with all my heart.  Please pray for East Tennessee.  And if you can, please join me in giving:  Dolly Parton’s My People Fund

Cades Cove

Roaring Forks (I believe)

The are called "Smoky..."

Cades Cove

Gatlinburg Overpass

Foggy Cades Cove

Roaring Forks

Monday Musings: The Things I Just Cannot Understand Edition

So much to say, but I’m told that a good blog post doesn’t go over 500 words.  I’ll do my best.

 

My dog, Rocco.  He doesn't understand, either.

Democrats turning on each other.  Ohio representative Tim Ryan is challenging Nancy Pelosi’s minority leader position, that makes him sexist.

People who are okay with illegal immigration.  Where do we draw the line (or build the wall) against the flood of bodies we must support, at the very least temporarily, if not for the duration of their stay?  People wanting to house our vets, feed our hungry, give jobs to those living in poverty, and insist people enter our country legally are xenophobic.  It’s a real problem…the conviction records for criminal activity by illegals prove it.

Most words ending in “phobic.”   Disagreement with another person's lifestyle or their ideology is not fear, nor is it hate.  (There are exceptions...bigots and racists do indeed exist in our fine country.  Every once in a while, they are the very ones calling others racists and bigots.)

But then again…Christaphobics/Biblephobics…We run into/read about them every day.   If you stand up for what the Bible says, you are often met with disdain, and far, far worse.  Jesus said it would happen.  Folks seem to be drawing from their own hate and fear-filled emotion and attach it to others.  

Christians who didn’t diligently pray and fast for our nation before the election.  Many did.  Many more did not.

Mitt Romney being considered for any position President Trump’s administration after his actions and degrading comments over the past year.

Jill Stein demanding a recount.  What?   From the moment I heard this one, I felt Hillary was behind it, and when she “joined the effort,” my belief was validated.  Did HRC and Soros donate the dough to fund the effort?  Stein’s reasoning, apparently, is that the results didn’t match the polls.  Trump supporters may have, for obvious reasons, declined to answer pollsters.  Or perhaps the only ones polled were wearing “I’m with her” paraphernalia.   

The recount is just one more way old slew foot is trying to maintain control of our country.  We can’t expect the devil to give up easily, can we?   He’s not omniscient, so he didn’t know Donald Trump was going to win, either.

It’s all about control.  It always was, and until the Lord comes back, that’s what it will be…a battle for control.  I read the end of the Book.  Christians win.

Barbara Boxer’s proposed bill to abolish the electoral college.  Those who do not understand the electoral college should go take a civics class.  America’s legislative branches should not be determined by the blue: 

This puts "popular vote" into perspective, doesn't it?
Do we really want only a few counties calling the shots for the whole country?

Unopposed widespread lawlessness.  That’s where we were quickly headed, and that’s what the devil wants.  We are on a better path now.  If you don’t believe it, then please pray for our country.  Diligently.  Persistently.  Without ceasing.   If you do believe it, pray the same way.   There are still dark days ahead because the devil has many tools walking about doing his dirty work. 

I hope your week is just as wonderful as you are!

PS:  I managed to keep it within 500 words.

Tuesday Museday

Reflections...Deibert Park

Did you lose any friends over the whole political ordeal?   It really was an ordeal, wasn’t it?   Oddly enough, I still have the same liberal friends; other relationships may or may not have survived…time will tell.  It’s incredible how deeply entrenched we can get with our own beliefs, isn’t it?  

Scanning the news headlines, which is normally all I can stomach, I can’t help but wonder why President Obama said he will “speak out against Trump” if he thinks US ideals are at risk, but still remains silent about violent protests, or “peaceful” protesters blocking freeways and doorways?   I am not sure which ideals he would be talking about...what is ideal to liberals isn't ideal to conservatives, hence the two very different political parties.

Facebook is now saying they will “crack down on false news stories.”  It’s about time!  I’ve been preaching “Truth Matters” for quite some time!   I wonder if that is just for conservative sites, or will they pinch the liberal sites as well?  Both are equally destructive to the rebuilding of a healthy, united America. 

 

My very first blog some twelve or so years ago was with America Online, and they were called journals then.   The name of it was In Quest of Truth, and most of my posts titles began with “In Quest of…whatever the post was about."   I recently found out the domain, inquestoftruth.com was available again.   I bought it, of course!  I don't know what I'll do with it just yet, perhaps write some truth?  Sadly, I have found that people do not like truth…

…but they do like false teaching sites like Jory Micah.  I am not sure if she believes what she’s pushing, or if she just talks to get followers.  Examples from her self-named “ministry” on her Facebook page: “There is no greater feminist than God almighty.” and “God thinks we are all her kids, and is hoping we will get along over Thanksgiving.”   She shows herself to be prideful, seemingly has an aversion to men and correction, but women (and some men) cheer her on.  Always, always study the scriptures!   It's the only place we'll find absolute truth in this sea of deception in which we live!

 

That’s all the musing I can muster for one morning.  I hope your day is great, and your Thanksgiving is just as wonderful as you are!  Thank you for sticking with me and reading my words…some of you have been with me since AOL journals.  I appreciate you, my friends.  

Monday Musings: The Moving On Edition

photo from Pixabay.com

The post I was formulating in my head over the weekend looks nothing like the finished product.  In a world of excessive information, it is entirely too easy to get distracted…welcome to my politics-weary, jumbled thoughts.

I hoped the political hoopla would slow down to a crawl after the election, but that has not been the case.  If I weren’t so addicted to scrolling through Facebook, I would go on strike for a couple of weeks.   I may have to unfollow/hide a few more “friends” just to keep my sanity.

There are way too many false “news” sites.  Unfortunately, precious few people research before they repost/retweet articles on social media from such sites.  Posting stories that are untrue helps no one and hurts many.

ChristianTimesNewspaper.com is a false site, which makes me mad because they purposely put the word “Christian” in their name as click bait.

Truth matters, I promise it does.

Trump protestors are starting a scary precedent for future elections.

What exactly are they hoping to accomplish with the protest, anyway?  

Can it really be called a protest when there was no injustice done?   President Elect Donald Trump won fair and square.   Before it is over with, he may have the popular vote, as well.  The fake sites are posting that he already did, but that is not true.  Yet.

When is the current president going to step in and address the rioting/protesting issue?  When is the “other side” going realize that whenever there are riots and volatile protests, it’s always people from that side of the fence?

When are we going to get rid of that “fence?”   United we stand, divided we fall.  The Bible specifically says, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.”

If you are a Christian, stop arguing with unhappy liberals.  Your guy won.  The sooner you quit responding to the complaints, the quicker they can begin to accept the outcome and move on.  They will see the world won’t end because of Donald Trump, just like we saw it didn’t end with Barak Obama.  The world will end when God says it ends.  

If you get entangled in political arguments, you aren’t going to change their minds, they won't change yours; you are just going to be called names you won’t like.  Be happy, but don’t be prideful.  And pray for our country.   

Seriously, pray.  Often.

The election results didn’t catch me by surprise, and it didn’t the devil by surprise, either.  He is still walking about seeking whom he may destroy.   There are dark days ahead.  We cannot be lax about praying, it’s important…it’s imperative that we pray.

I wish I understood prayer better.  But Jesus Himself prayed, and He prayed a lot, so I know that I, too, should pray.  By the way, all those people causing a ruckus from coast to coast?  They are souls who are important to God.  Pray for them.

Washington, WI...I'd like to visit here one day.   Photo from Pixabay.com

::::::::::::::Have a happy, peaceful week::::::::::::::

A Word on Wednesday:

 

The liberal world is shocked by the results of the 2016 Presidential election.  While I couldn’t comprehend why anyone would vote for Hillary Clinton, I do understand the disappointment.   I felt it for the previous two elections, neither of which I prayed nearly as diligently as I did for this one, and I feel certain that many others walked that same prayerful path.

This election wasn’t about the man, it was/is about our future.  Not everyone understands that…yet.  But it is not the time to pridefully gloat, nor should we be resting on our laurels.  Now, more than ever, we need to pray.  We are still battling for our country, and the battle is fierce.  Do not think that the enemy of our souls just threw up his dirty hands up and walked away because of the results of this election!  Today, with Donald Trump as our President Elect (NOT our savior), tolerance is still a lie, lies are still called truth, Truth is still called hate, and hate is still prevalent.  There is a lot of work to be done to heal the great divide…a seemingly impossible task to the human mind, but with God, all things are possible…Godpossible! 

The way to begin to heal America’s division is with prayer.   We keep the wounds gaping when we argue.  We will not change a person’s mind about abortion, our words won’t persuade them that God’s way is best (God proves Himself just everyday), and they will not believe a victory was scored with this election, so don’t be a thorn in their sides trying to convince them.   

The Bible tells us, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”  Do we want our nation to belong to the Lord? We have to start with ourselves, each one of us individually!  Get in the position God set aside for you.  The body of Christ must come together as one body.  That means that the Pentecostals and the Churches of Christ, the Baptists and the Presbyterians, the Catholics and the Charismatics, all of us…ALL of us…must come together and be one family.  For Heaven’s sake, we must never judge or argue with another brother or sister in Christ because they don’t have the same traditions as our own!

 

 

Focus on sowing seeds:  Be nice.  Be helpful.  Be complimentary and less judgmental.  Be giving.  Be a light.  Be prayerful.  Don’t get caught up in a war of words (or a battle of Facebook comments).  I promise, you will only make each other mad.  Scatter your seeds and pray over the harvest.   

We cannot talk the talk if we don’t walk the walk. 

Sow a seed of kindness in someone you don’t like.

Start planting today!    

My Friends, my brother and sisters in Christ…time is short!  The world is dark, and we must be the light…the salt of the earth.   Please keep praying. 

 

Committed Thoughts: The Political Prayers Edition

The day before the election! It seemed to take forever to get here while we were besieged with negative ad after negative commentary, but here we are! If the Lord tarries and allows it, we will choose a new leader tomorrow. There has been a lot of prayer, and there will be a lot more over the next 24 hours; fasting, too. I can’t say there’s ever been a more important election in my lifetime…or ever.

We have polar opposites vying for the title. For some, who to choose has been/is confusing. Others knew right away who they would NOT vote for, therefore, another candidate got their vote by default. Some are sitting this one out. And some are confidently casting their vote. Alabama doesn’t allow early voting, or I would have already got it over with.

My prayer points for this election:

• His will be done in America as it is in heaven.
• For Godly wisdom and clarity.
• That the Holy Spirit be a part of this election.
• For Truth and Light to shine through the deception and darkness.
• Blind eyes to be opened.
• That each vote will be  protected.
• For peace.
• Protection for every person involved in the process, from the candidate to the voter, and everyone in between.

May God have mercy on America. 

“…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Thursday’s Thoughts: The Vacation Edition

Roaring Forks, Gatlinburg (Fall, 2016)

Last week, Ole Boy and I trekked to the Great Smoky Mountains!  We spent a couple of nights in North Carolina, and the rest of the week in Tennessee.  It is one of my favorite place to be…though we are giving thought to going somewhere different next year for our fall vacation.  Any suggestions?

Gatlinburg Bypass Overlook (Fall, 2016)

Have you ever heard of EmiSunshine?  We stopped in Sweetwater, TN for a night and went to her “concert.”  It was an auction house, where, I understand, she got her start when she was around 8 years old.  She is now the ripe old age of 12.  She has been on the Grand Ole Opry 13 times, sang with Loretta Lynn in Branson, and other TV appearances, such as the Today show.  It was a fun night. She caterwauls at times, but overall, she’s pretty talented, singing, and playing the ukulele and guitar.  She and her mother write a lot her of her music. She also sings bluegrass and old country songs.  She yodels pretty well, too.

Places to eat play a big part of my planning for a vacation.  Don’t judge. Some people going to the Great Smokies ask my advice about where to eat…and where to stay…they know I am in the know (at least that’s what I tell them).  We stayed at Jack Huff’s, which is very conveniently located near the Parkway in Gatlinburg.  We can walk the strip at night, shopping and listening to live music. It’s uphill all the way to the other side, but going back to the room is all downhill.  I prefer downhill…both ways...but it never works out that way for some reason.  It was also conveniently (by car, not foot) located to the Little House of Pancakes that served the best waffle I may have ever eaten.  Breakfast there beat out The Old Mill, and that is saying a lot!

Great Smoky Mountains (Fall, 2016)

Diet-wise, don’t ask!  Healthy eating and vacations are not good matches.  Let’s just say fudge and waffles won out those last few days.

We ate at my favorite barbecue place, Bennett’s, and we also ate at Joe’s Crab Shack in Pigeon Forge. Somehow that can of Bumblebee “premium” crab meat I had for lunch yesterday didn’t quite measure up…nowhere near up…to Joe’s.  If you are recoiling just thinking about it, be very, very glad you didn’t taste it.  With a little salt and “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” zero calorie spray, I managed to eat about half of it. 

:::shudder:::

(Involuntary response from thinking about the canned crab.

It was as bad as it sounds!  (My dogs didn't mind the taste one bit.)

Great Smoky Mountains (Fall, 2016)

I had lost 11 pounds before we left…I am now at 13 pounds gone. Low carb. I know you’re wondering, especially after I admitted to fudge and waffles.  One day maybe food won’t be such an obsession/passion of mine. For now it is, so I am already looking forward to Thanksgiving…top three reasons to love Thanksgiving:

♥Family.

♥Food.

♥It kicks off the Christmas Season.

Image from Pixabay.com

You are cordially invited to participate in my Survey Monkey Political Poll. Seven little questions, that’s all. Come on, you know you want to!  CLICK HERE!

GSM National Park Near Cosby (Fall, 2016)

Friday's Uncommited Thoughts....

When you are right, you’re right, and there is just no need to argue with people who refuse to see the truth.   Pigs and mud, and all that.   You don't have to prove it when you're right, and you sure won’t change someone’s mind who’s just as convinced as you are that they are right.  Truth is truth, it will come to light without your arguments.  You are in a good place, they are in sinking sand.  Don’t get in the mire with them.

People have “being bullied” mixed up with “just plain rude.”   They also have “hate” and “I don’t agree with you” mixed up.   Those people who yell “racism” generally have no clue what true racism is.  Just because they take offense to a comment doesn't not mean it is racist.   The “bullied/hater/racist” whiners are merely demanding you think as they do.   Don’t give in to it.  Be informed.  Do your research.  Think for yourself!

There comes a time when you realize that you are so politically/intellectually far apart from a person there will never be a real friendship.  Even if, aside from the political views, you like the person.   Sometimes those people are related to you. 

Shouldn't folks realize that if you don't use ugly language on your Facebook page, they shouldn't either?

Don't punish a person just for being who they are…but that doesn’t mean they get to invade your space with “who they are.”

I wanted to punish the chick in front of me at Arby's one time, who took ten minutes to make up her mind what she and her two kids wanted to eat, only to change the order...then change it yet again when she got to the window.  She was the only one in front of me, and it took nearly my whole allotted lunch time to get my ding-dang beef n' cheddar.

I'm ignoring the fact that no one made me wait in line that long.  Or that I didn't need that "fast" food.

Speaking of fast food...I've been without for a while!  Low carbs and no refined sugar? I've lost 11 pounds!

Previously posted on Committed Thoughts

Committed Thoughts: Why Not Voting is Not an Option for Christians

This post is not intended to be controversial, but emotions are running so high on this issue, I realize it may end up that way.  I am writing to Christians, the ones who know that the Bible is the inerrant, infallible word of God, that His word stands firm, and is forever settled in Heaven (Psalm 119:89).

There is a cloud of confusion hovering over America right now.   God’s elect have forgotten that we aren't wrestling against flesh and blood (Trump vs Clinton), but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12) 

Over and over, especially since the well-timed release of a decade old audio of Trump making disrespectful and crass comments, I hear Christians say they cannot vote for Donald Trump.  I am curious what thought comes after that decision?   The choice to not vote has consequences that are far-reaching.  Well-placed distractions are much louder than Truth.  Don't let Truth get buried!

…we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

What is God doing behind the scenes?   We already know that His understanding unsearchable (Isaiah 40:28), and His thoughts and ways are not our thoughts and ways (Isaiah 55:8).  Why do we try to make it our business who He uses to bring about change in America?  God chooses who He pleases to accomplish His plan.  Out of the two main candidates, which one of them will appoint conservative supreme court justices?  Which one of them will fight to keep abortions legal and federally funded?  Which Candidate chose a professing Christian as a running mate?  These are the things we need to carefully consider!

Our adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).   America is who he wants right now.  Christians are listening to what the demon-controlled media is telling them, then making a decision to be inactive during this election process, largely based on that information!  Let's be careful to not hand our country over to the evil one.  The devil is not being inactive; in fact, he is being very proactive to keep America on the road to destruction.      

Pardon my bluntness, but those who would have voted conservatively but choose to sit this election out, do exactly as the devil wants. 

A person making the choice to vote for a third-party candidate (who we know cannot win) stands in the same place of the person who doesn’t vote at all.  Conversely, a liberal who chooses not to vote effectively puts a vote on the conservative ticket…but I do not hear any liberally minded folks saying they aren’t going to vote.  If satan was voting (and he very well may be) do you believe he would choose the candidate who would appoint liberal Supreme Court justices or conservative ones? 

We have lost our direction!  God's word is our absolute Truth, but we often allow others to come up with their own "truth" without defending God's word.   And what has happened?  We are now subject to laws that are contrary to God’s word.   A no-show voter is saying to God, “I like the path we’re on.  Please, let us continue.”  

Friends, we do not want to be driven to our knees,

we want to be led there.

Just because we have tripped on the top step
does not mean we have to toss ourselves down the stairwell.

God has a remnant.  Some are already crying out in anguish for our land.  We must be willing to push through the trash and take back, by force, the freedoms that have been stymied.  When we call on Him to intervene…He hears our cries, they come before Him, even to His ears (Psalm 18:6).  We have to put aside our personal opinions of the people God is putting in place to bring America back to Him.  Look past the two candidates and to the weightier matters of this election.

He has not forgotten us, His children!

This is an important time…no, this is a crucial time for America.   You have a voice, and you should consider more than what the media is allowing you to see and hear.  (Not voting is NOT another way of using your voice, just like a spouse's silent treatment is not communication.)  Look to God’s word, not the devil’s world, when making the decision of where you cast your vote.

Thy kingdom come

Thy will be done

on earth

as it is in Heaven.

Amen

Bonner's Turnover

Yesterday, Ole Boy and I made a trek to Lawrenceburg/Ethridge, TN.  We were just exploring, stopping here and there at various Amish homes to see what was for sale, and looking for fall color.  We decided to take some roads we hadn't traveled before, something we like to do every now and then.   We turned on Bonner Road, and before too long, we saw a "Dead End" sign.

Ronnie Bonner

There was only one place to turn around...and a man had just pulled into the drive.   I pulled in with the intention of turning around, but the man came over to our car.  He asked if we were lost, saying that usually if people are turning around there, they are lost.  We explained we were just exploring.   He was very friendly, and after introducing himself, gave us a smidgen of history of the Amish community.  He then invited us into his store.  I could see what I thought was a shed, and until that moment, I didn't realize I was at a business.   The driveway was bumpy and unpaved...I just thought I was at an equipment shed.  However, when I got to where I could see it better...

Bonner's Turnover...notice the dog lying at the front door.

I realized it wasn't a shed.   However, it did have its own outhouse:

The first thing I noticed when I walked in the place was how pleasant it smelled, a scent of a mixture of spices.  It was a country store...I love country stores...and this one was an authentic country store!  One could not get more "in the country" than here.

Spices, flavorings, gelatin, dried beans

It's all good...

Stone ground flours...

 While we were browsing, an Amish man came in to visit and buy a Mountain Dew.

It is just a small store, but he has a lot of things packed in there, from small packages of spices, tapioca (pearl or ground), corn starch, beans, and coconut oil, to fifty-pound bags of sugar and flour. Most of his merchandise comes from the Mennonite Community in Curtiss, Wisconsin.  He was quick to explain the Mennonites were different from the local Amish.   When I told him I was going to blog about the place, the grinned and said, "Tell them, 'Honest folks, only.'"

We left with an arsenal of spices.  

If you are going to be in Lawrenceburg or Ethridge, it would be worth your time to visit Mr. Bonner and his country store.  It turned out to be the highlight of our little day trip.

Bonner's Turnover

22 Bonner Road

Ethridge, TN  38456