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

Monday's Uncommitted Thoughts

The two main presidential candidates have made so many of us feel so disgusted that we don’t even want to vote, or put us in a dilemma as Christians, knowing we can’t vote for Hillary, but should we really vote for Donald Trump?  It is 3 a.m. as I sit here at my computer grasping for some words of wisdom to make us feel better about casting our votes. 

Did you watch the debate last night?   It was mostly a train wreck.  Donald was more in “Trump fashion” than in the first debate, and there were times I quit listening, but I ventured back.

It is our responsibility to vote, my mind will not change on that.  But watching the two of them last night unnerved me a little.   As a Christian, I could never vote for Hillary, but even if I wasn’t connected to Christ, I don’t believe I would ever vote for Hillary.   So I will vote for Trump, and I’ll trust God.  In my quiet time with God, before Trump was even the presumptive nominee, and well before I ever thought *I* would vote for Donald Trump, I believe the Lord whispered to my heart that he was going to use Mr. Trump in a “key position.”  I am now hoping that key position is not to get Hillary elected.  Even so:

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the 

shadow of death, I will fear no evil: 

for thou art with me; 

thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  

I experienced a whirlwind of emotions while watching our two choices debate…if we really call that debacle debating.  I know the other choices on the ballot are not viable choices, because ultimately, voting for a third party candidate not make a statement, nor will it change the fact that either Hillary or Donald Trump will be our next president.  The thought crosses my mind that we draw nearer to God when faced with adversity.  

We’ve prayed…and prayed.  Most of us will continue to do so, I know.  I wish I had a wittier post to share.   Welcome to my conflicted Monday.

Both images from Pixabay.com