Love Beyond the Silence

We often hear the silence when we speak of something we do or don’t believe, to others who think differently. And they hear our silence when they speak of their beliefs. That awkward silence can be deafening...

It IS NOT unusual for us to want to distance ourselves from one’s who disagree with us, but it IS unusual to respectively discuss our differences with each other. Often to keep from having a heated argument we sit in silence.

When we face that awkward silence, after hearing other’s thoughts that may be logical, untrue, disrespectful, or even intentionally hurtful to us or others, we often either want to lash out or to sit silently. I dislike those awkward silences, and am certain many others do as well. 

It is normal for us to see each other and categorize or profile them, either mentally or verbally:

Some look like me, some don’t.

Some dress like me, some don’t.

Some act like me, some don’t.

Some talk like me, some don’t.

Some believe like me, some don’t.

Some have the same accent as me, some don’t.

Some are from the same continent, country, state, city, community, school, or church as me, some aren’t.

Some have the same complexion, the same features, or the same hair color as me, some don’t. 

Whatever our differences, they can cause us to have uncomfortable silences...

Many of us have ones we love who think differently than we do as well, but we continue to love through those differences.

If, instead of distancing ourselves, we recognize and embrace what we have in common, then discuss our differences. Instead of hate, we can Love Beyond the Silence. But how do we start?

When I smile at the elderly person, they smile back. When I smile at a child, they smile back. When I smile at someone who is big or little, pretty or ugly, from the USA or another country, generally they smile back. I believe a smile can be a tiny bit of love we can give to everyone. 

A smile helps to ease an awkward silence. It helps soothe an angered spirit. A smile helps bridge a gap when we can’t understand each other’s language, beliefs, or cultures. No, a smile is not the answer to all of our problems, but it is a step in Loving Beyond the Silence.

Why the Storm

In Job thirty-seven I read where God causes the lightning, thunder, snow, rain, frost, fog, and whirlwind. He causes the cloudy days, and the sunshine, and He wants all men to know His work.

Why does God change the weather? Is it only on a whim, or is there a purpose?

Verse thirteen says He causes the weather changes to come …“whether for correction, or for His land, or for mercy.” Then verse thirty-seven says, …”We cannot find Him out.”

Is it our nature to try to decide why God sent the storm our way? Is it only I who am not content with the situation I find myself in?

When the deal fell through on the house which was sold, I questioned, “Why?” Though it is God’s will for me to be content I strive against His will. No, not verbally, but in my spirit I’m overwhelmed and fearful. But in Job 33:13 it says, “… He giveth not account of any of His matters.” He doesn’t tell me why it was sunny today, nor why it was chilly and rainy last week. He didn’t ask my permission before He sent the hurricane raging across the ocean which gradually dissipated over the land. Neither did He explain why He allowed the people to not get the loan to buy the house. But, He did it for a purpose.

Nahum 1:3 says, “ … The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet.” Instead of thinking, “God is nowhere near!” when I’m in the middle of a storm, how would it boost my morale if I see things differently? What if I look at the dark clouds raging over my head and think of how close He is in my storm? After all, the clouds are the dust from His feet! How could I think God doesn’t hear me or speak to me when the lightning streaks across the sky and the thunder rumbles, and claps? Job said, “He thundered with the voice of His ‘Excellency.’ So when the thunder startles me by rumbling and cracking around me if I realize it is …”The voice of HIS EXCELLENCY“, I know He is listening and speaking to me.

In Mark 4:36-39 the disciples were in the ship and a storm came up. They were frightened because of it’s severity. Then Jesus spoke to the storm and it ceased. He sent the storm, then calmed it.

In Job 38:8-10 Job told of searching everywhere to find God with no luck. He even said he looked in front, behind, on the left, and right, but couldn’t see God. Though according to verse nine, Job looked on the left, “… Where God doth work.” He saw the clouds in his storm, but wasn’t realizing that the clouds indicated that God was near. He was so overwhelmed by his affliction he didn’t see God in them. (Of course he stood firm in his trust of God which isn’t easy to do when you don’t see Him.) We look at the Scripture and read the reason for Job’s storm. But, when he was living through it, he could see none. 

We look at other’s and based on what we see or sense about them decide why God is sending the storm their way. If we see their faults we decide it is for correction, and if we see none, it is to show them His glory. But, we should remember, “God looks on the heart.” How many times have we been surprised to see what was really in someone’s heart that was undetected? Actually, how many times have we been surprised at what was buried in our own heart? Only God knows our hearts, and sometimes it takes a storm to reveal it to us so we can clean it out.

Another story we have heard was of David and Bathsheba, and how God took their infant son. We’ve read how God did that to draw David back from the wrong he had done. God knew David’s heart was ‘FULLY DEVOTED” to Him in spite of his failures. (I Kings 11”4) Knowing what we know about David, we would not have believed “he had a heart after God.”

We know that rain, storms, the clouds, and every type of weather has it’s purpose. It causes our world to be balanced and to produce what is needed to continue producing. 

When we face the storm our character can grow more like Christ, or we can strive against the storm and not grow at all in character. Then we likely have to face that one again. How many times have I brought more storms into my life because of my strong will? How often has He been near to see me through the storm I faced and I was so busy fighting tooth and nail resisting the storm that I had no clue?

July 2010

Do You Know The Way?

"A fool shall not err in it." Isaiah 35:8

 What is truth? (John 17:17) In recent years there has arisen an ever important question. There is much controversy about baptism-both mode and formula. All I ask of you is that you forget what you are, or who you are, and let's study this question together in the light of God's Word.

 Too often you hear people say, "We believe this and we believe that." What do they mean, "we"? They mean what their sect, clan, or organization teaches, but the Word of God is personal. It should be, "I Believe" or "I Don't Believe" this or that. ..."Let a man work out his own salvation with fear and trembling." Philippians 2:12

 First let us look into the MODE or form of baptism in God's Truth:

 "There is One Lord, One faith, One Baptism." Ephesians 4:5

 "John also was baptizing at Aenon because there was MUCH WATER." John 3:23

 "And they went both DOWN INTO THE WATER." Acts 8:39

 "They came UP OUT OF THE WATER." Acts 8:39

 "We are BURIED with Him by baptism into death." Romans 6:4

 We have been PLANTED together in the likeness of His death." Romans 6:5

 The above verses show us the mode or form of baptism. It is a burial in water. It is to be done by total immersion in water. These next verses show us the purpose and importance of baptism.

 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." Jesus speaking in Mark 16:16

 Peter said, "Eight souls were saved by water." In Noah's time "the like figure whereunto even baptism DOTH ALSO NOW SAVE US." I Peter 3:20-21

 Peter said in Acts 2:38, "Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (See also John 3:5, Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3) Since baptism is important to salvation, don't you think that you should be fair to yourself, to God, your family, and your friends by checking for yourself, and make sure you were baptized like the early church, by immersion, which is baptism.

According to Church Leaders:

John Calvin (Presbyterian) "The word baptize means to immerse."

 Martin Luther (Lutheran) "Baptism is a Greek word, meaning immerse."

 John Wesley (Methodist) "The ancient manner of baptism was by immersion."

 Wall (Episcopal) "Immersion was the way the early church baptized."

Brenner (Catholic) "The first thirteen hundred years baptism was by immersion in water."

 Unto What Were You Baptized? (Acts 19:3

 Now let us consider the second question or the FORMULA, taught and used by the early Church. Note the Biblical question, "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation, which at first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was CONFIRMED by those (The Apostles) that heard Him." Hebrews 2:3 Spoken by the Lord at First:

 "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in THE NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Matthew 28:19 Now let us be sincere and honest, for we must stand before God and give an account for every word and thought. It is our SOUL at stake.

Is Father a proper Name?

 Is Son a proper Name?

Is Holy Ghost a proper Name?

Any high school student can tell you that these are titles and not proper names!This verse of scripture is not a formula, but it is a prepositional phrase, describing a name.

The Name of the Father
So let us look into the Word of God for the Name. (Note: Name is singular.) What is the name of the Father? In Malachi 1:6, the Father said His name was despised. In verse 11 He said His name would be great among the Gentiles.Then look into the New Testament and see when the Father's Name was great among the Gentiles. Let us go to the Apostles who preached unto the Gentiles, and see what name they preached. "That through His NAME (JESUS') whosoever believe in Him shall receive remission of sins." Acts 10:43 See also Matthew 12:21, Philippians 2:2, Romans 1:16, Acts 8:12, and I Corinthians 2:2.

So the only Name that was ever great among the Gentiles was JESUS which means Jehovah Savior.

Jesus said, "I am come in my Father's Name." John 5:43.

In Hebrews 1:4, Paul said that Jesus obtained His Name by inheritance. We all know that any son comes in, or inherits his father's name. I came in my Father's Name. That's why my name is George, It's my Father's Name. It was a custom to give the child the family name, so when Jesus was born, He was no exception.They would have named him after his earthly family, but He, being a child of the Holy Ghost, the angel said, "Thou shalt call His Name Jesus," because it was his spiritual family name. See also Ephesians 3:14-15, and Matthew 1:18-23. Jesus said, "I have manifested thy Name." John 17:6 What name did Jesus manifest? The Father's Name, Jesus means Jehovah Savior, read Isaiah 43:11 The Father was the only Savior. Jesus is the name of the Father. Isaiah 9:6.

The Name of the Son
There is no need to take up valuable space trying to explain the name of the Son, for any Sunday School Child should know that the name of the Son is Jesus. (See Matthew 1:18-21)

The Name of the Holy Ghost
First of all, The Holy Ghost is God the Father (Matthew 1:18-21).

Mary conceived by the Holy Ghost. Whatsoever a person is conceived by is their Father. Jesus was a child of the Holy Ghost.

 See also Ephesians 4:4, there is only one Spirit. God is a Spirit. John 4:24. Ghost is a spirit. If then there is one Spirit, the Father and the Holy Ghost must be the same Spirit and have the same name. For in John 14:26, Jesus said the Holy Ghost would come in His name, and the whole family in heaven and earth are named Jesus, the family name. Ephesians 3:14-15

 The Plan 
 So it is plain that Jesus opened the understanding of the apostles, Luke 24:45 and taught them that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name, beginning at Jerusalem, Luke 24:46-48 So the thing we are concerned about is the thing spoken by the Lord, and confirmed by the apostles, Hebrews 2:3. Jesus said that repentance and remission of sin should be preached, beginning at Jerusalem, in HIS Name, Luke 24:47. ..."But tarry in Jerusalem until you be endued with power from on high. (verse 49)

 So it is plain that the formula was not to be preached until The Holy Ghost came, (Or The Plan of Salvation), for it was to begin at Jerusalem, and they were to tarry for The Holy Ghost. (verse 49) Now we have found what was spoken by the Lord, so let's see if it was confirmed by the apostles. As the apostles were tarrying in Jerusalem, as instructed, The Holy Ghost came, as promised. People were amazed and convicted, and asked, "What shall we do?"

The Apostle Peter being the spokesman for the group, stood up with Matthew, John, James, Andrew, and all the other apostles, and as they stood, no doubt The Holy Ghost brought to their remembrance the thing spoken by The Lord in Matthew 16:19.

"Then Peter said unto them, "REPENT and be BAPTIZED everyone of you in THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of THE HOLY GHOST." (Acts 2:38) Here we have repentance and remission of sins, preached in HIS NAME, Luke 24:47, beginning at Jerusalem.

"How shall we escape if we neglect...." Hebrews 2:3 Jesus said, "Peter what you loose or bind on Earth, will be loosed or bound in heaven." Let us go farther and see if we can farther confirm this. We know that there is no salvation in any other name but Jesus, Acts 4:12. In Acts 8:16

The Samaritans were baptized in Jesus' Name. In Acts 10:48,

The Gentiles in Cornelius' household were commanded to be baptized in Jesus' Name. In Acts 19:5

 The followers of John the Baptist were re-baptized in the name of Jesus.

Paul told the Colossians that whatever they did, to let it be done in Jesus' name, Colossians 3:17.

Paul insinuated clearly that the Corinthians were baptized in only one name, the name of Jesus,

I Corinthians 1:11-13. Mark 13:13 says that we shall be hated for His name sake.

The Lord's name is Jesus, Acts 9:5. In Romans 6:4, "We are buried with Him" (Jesus). Galatians 3:27 says that "we are baptized into Christ". In light of these and other scriptures let us study and pray for God to lead us into all truth, and realize that, "The Name of the Lord (Jesus) Acts 9:5 is a strong tower, the righteous runneth into it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10.

History
Now let us go to the library and see what history says about baptism. There are some who will try to justify their belief by what some smart man has said, and they will say that the apostles were unlearned. But if you prefer, write to the Department of Information in Washington, DC, and ask what formula was used in baptism by the early church according to history.

In the following reference books, it is plain what history teaches.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th ed. vol 3 page 365-366, "The baptismal formula was changed from the name of Jesus Christ to the words Father, Son, and Holy Ghost by the Catholic Church in the 2nd century." vol. 3 page 82, "Everywhere in the oldest sources it states that baptism took place in the name of Jesus Christ."

Canney Encyclopedia of Religion, page 53, "The early church always baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus until the development of the trinity doctrine in the 2nd century."

1913 Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. 2, page 265, Here the Catholics acknowledged that baptism was changed by the Catholic Church.

Hastings Encyclopedia of Religion, vol. 2, pages 377, 378, and 389, "The Christian baptism was administered using the name of Jesus. The use of the trinitarian formula of any sort was not suggested in the early church history, baptism was always in the name of the Lord Jesus, until the time of Justin Martyr when the trinity formula was used." Hasting also said in vol. 2, page 377, commenting on Acts 2:38, "Name was an ancient synonym for person. Payment was always made in the name of some person, referring to ownership. Therefore one being baptized in Jesus Name became His personal property."

I Corinthians 3:23 says, "Ye are Christ's."

New International Encyclopedia, vol. 22, page 477, "The term "trinity" was originated by Tertullian, a Roman Catholic Church father." Now in the face of history and scriptures, how shall we escape if we neglect this truth? (Hebrews 2:3) We see in the hour of darkness in which we live, that people are coming to the truth which has been hidden by the Catholic church for so long. I have had the privilege of leading Catholic, Baptist, Church of Christ, Methodist, Assembly of God, Church of God, and many others to the name of Jesus in recent years. Surely God is getting His people ready from all faiths. Whose bride are you? (The Church is the bride, and Jesus is the bridegroom.) The bride always wears the name of the bridegroom. Do you?

 Isaiah 43:9 says, "Let them bring forth their witnesses that they may be justified, or let them hear and say it is truth." Two or more witnesses are needed to establish anything. (II Corinthians 13:1, Matthew 18:16, Deuteronomy 19:15, Numbers 35:30, I Timothy 5:19) If therefore you cannot bring more than one witness for your doctrine, it is not sound. If you do not have witnesses, hear, and say it is truth. (Isaiah 43:9) I will list some scriptures for my doctrine and I will give you the same privilege. Please fill out the following and mail to me.

Scriptures for Baptism in Jesus Name: Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:19, Acts 4:12, Acts 8:16, Acts 10:48, Acts 10:43, Acts 19:5, Romans 6:3, Colossians 3:17.

Scriptures for Baptism saying, "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 Nowhere in the Scripture or earliest Church history was anyone baptized any way except in Jesus' Name, so bring your witnesses or you cannot be justified.

My prayer is that you will read and study this tract, and obey the Word of God from the depths of your heart. Bear the reproach of Jesus Name, don't follow the Catholic Church to destruction. (Romans 2:12, James 1:23-25)                                            

Written by the late, Elder C.E. George

Syllogisms from "Who Is Jesus?"

(From a tract Dad wrote many years ago.)

We all have ONE Father (Malachi 2:10)

God is our Father (Isaiah 64:8)

Jesus is the Father (Isaiah 9:6)

Conclusion: Jesus is God the Father in the flesh.

God is the Almighty (Genesis 35:11)

Jesus is the Almighty (Revelations 1:8)

There can only be one Almighty.

Conclusion: Jesus is God  Almighty.

God is the First and the Last. 

Jesus is the First and the Last (Revelation 1:11)

There can only be one who is the First and the Last. 

Conclusion: Jesus is God, the First and the Last.

Jehovah was Pierced (Zechariah 12:10)

Jesus was pierced (John 26:27)

Only Jesus was crucified for us.

Conclusion: Jesus was Jehovah, who was pierced.

Jehovah was God, the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:4)

Jesus was God, the Lord (John 29:28, Isaiah 9:6)

There is only one Lord and God (Ephesians 4:4-5)

The Lord said he was Jesus (Acts 9:5)

Conclusion: Jesus is the Lord God.

God is the Creator (Genesis 1:1)

God created all things by Himself (Isaiah 44:24)

Jesus created all things (John 1:3, Colossians 1:16-17)

Conclusion: Jesus was God the Creator, come in the flesh.

God was the Savior, there was none beside Him (Isaiah 43:3)

Jesus was the Savior (John 4:42, Acts 4:12)

Conclusion: Jesus was God the Savior in the flesh.

God was the King of Glory (Psalm 24:7-10)

Jesus is the King of Glory (I Corinthians 2:8)

There is only one King of Glory (I Timothy 6:15)

Conclusion: Jesus is the Lord God, the King of Glory.

God is the "I AM" (Exodus 3:13-14)

Jesus is the "I AM" (John 8:24-28)

There is only one "I AM" (Isaiah 44:6, 43:10)

Conclusion: Jesus was God the "I AM" manifested in the flesh.

Prophecy said, "In that day Jehovah God will have:"

1. One Name (Zechariah 14:9)

2. His Son inherited His Name (Hebrews 1:4)

3. He came in His Father's Name (John 5:43)

4. His Name was above all other names (Philippians 2:9)

5. Salvation was in the Name of Jesus alone (Acts 4:12)

6. The angel called His Name Jesus (Matthew 1:21)

7. The whole family of heaven and earth is called by His Name (Ephesians 3:14)

8. The Name above every name is the Name of Jesus (Philippians 2:9-10)

Conclusion: Jesus must be the one Jehovah in the flesh (Matthew 1:23)

Letter to Trae: Our Focus

Dear Trae,

I hope you are doing well,  staying strong and avoiding the path that took you down the last time.

The battle you face with addiction is a tough one, but remember who has the strength to overcome it, 'God...' His strength is enough for every temptation.

We tend to focus on the temptation, truly trying with all that is within us to stay free. We put everything we've got into our fight to the extent that it is all we see... but remember to look up... God is waiting with hands outstretched to lift you above it.

(Insert: some may disagree with me, but in one form or another I believe we all struggle with addictions. Some are more destructive visually, and others that are not visible.)

My Dad, your Great Grandpa George, was one example of overcoming addiction. Dad was an alcoholic from his youth. He told of his memories of being given alcohol from the time he was four years of age... and he continued to drink heavily into young adulthood.

At seventeen Dad joined the Army, and after two years received an honorable discharge, and six months later he joined the Navy. He said that during that six months he never took a sober breath.

Many stories of those years were of a life viewed through a haze of alcoholism, and Dad was continually getting worse. Then one night, when Dad was twenty-five he and Mom walked into a Pentecostal church and God filled them with the Holy Ghost. From that night until his death, forty-five years later, Dad never drank again.

I love you and am thankful for the kindhearted young man that you are. If there was a way I could keep you from the heartache and pain, I would. But it isn't possible. The important thing is to allow God to help you rise above it. Don't let the pain define who you are.

You are a good man who has lost his way, but YOUR WAY is not lost.... God knows right where you are and He is waiting for you to recognize that He is there for you.

I love you so much, and my heart hurts to see you hurting and struggling.. but I believe in you.... that your courage, your inner strength, and your faith in God will lead you in the right path.

Love, Grandmother

If we focus on His strength, our weakness becomes invisible... It can be easy to do that occasionally, but then our focus goes back to our weakness. So daily we need to refocus on Him.

I love the portion of scripture from the KJV Bible in 2 Corinthians 12 that I have heard throughout my life,
but The Message Bible says it in our daily language... Apostle Paul talking, "Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,
My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become."

It is all a matter of our focus...

Snow Ball Stand

"Do you want to ride to the Snowball Stand?" Sherlyn asked, one beautiful summer night in the hills of southern Mississippi.

We had been riding bicycles for weeks and daily tried to get in a few miles between mowing the yard, feeding the pigs, quail, turkeys, or other fowls they raised, milking the cow, canning or freezing fruit or vegetables, working in her garden, or the million other  chores she had to do. We generally rode from one to five miles a day,  and one day we even rode thirty-two miles. Frequently our riding time was at night.

You seriously could not see your hand in front of your face at night on the hilly, winding, country roads near Jayess, Mississippi. So Sherlyn hooked a flashlight on her handlebars to give us light.

Not having lights on the bicycles was actually the least of our problems. We also had no brakes. But we thought, "Who needs brakes when they have tennis shoes?"

It was about two or three miles to the Snowball Stand and we were enjoying our ride as usual. With Sherlyn having the light I learned that if I rode beside her I could see the road.

When we first started riding I would ride behind her, until one night Sherlyn said something to me that I didn't understand. I sped up and pulled alongside to ask what she had said. She said, "I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to that fox hunter in the road."

Sherlyn said a man had a lawn chair in the middle of the road with his gun on his lap, and was watching for foxes, as was a common practice in their area. But I had ridden up between Sherlyn and the man and never saw him. After that we decided it would be safer for me and any random hunter if I rode beside her instead of behind

Anyway, this particular night as we rode along to the Snowball Stand we talked and laughed, with an occasional pause where you could hear tennis shoes dragging to slow our bikes for a curve or when going down a hill.

I started dragging my feet as we left the top of the last hill. At the bottom was an intersection and we had to make a sharp left turn.  Sherlyn excitedly said, "I'm gonna go for it!" as away she flew.

The small, speedily moving patch of light was visible to me as the whirr of the wheels got farther away. Then suddenly the sounds changed, as sparks flew and the light went out.

Sherlyn had not thought about the loose gravel in the intersection. But she recalled it quickly when she started skidding, fish tailing, and finally as she slid down the road on her face, though that was the final memory she would have for a while.

The last Thing I saw was the light flashing around crazily, as sparks were flying. The last thing I heard was the sound of metal crashing and skidding on pavement and gravel spraying, and then everything was silent and dark.

When I got my bicycle stopped there was nothing visible except a light from the Snowball Stand a quarter of a mile up the road.

When I called Sherlyn's name  there was no answer. So I lay my bike down, while calling her name over and over, and started cautiously feeling around where the sparks had flown last. Finally, as I found her, there was a moan and Sherlyn said, "What happened?" That was a question we would hear frequently throughout the night.

Sherlyn said she could push her bike and we walked to the Snowball Stand. When the light hit her face I was shocked at how bad it was messed up. She had gashes and road rash over most of it. Some areas of her face actually looked like hamburger meat.

We left the bikes at the Snowball Stand and got a ride to the church where Bro. Bobby and Sis. Shirley Lambert were. Sherlyn said he could fix her face, which he did.

All night, as we played Skipbo to keep her awake, Sherlyn kept asking, "What happened?" When one of us would tell her, "You had a wreck." She questioned whether Joey and the kids were ok. To which we informed her that she was riding her bike. Then she would look in the mirror and say, "Joey's going to kill me!" Then the same questions started again....

Finally near morning Sister Loretta Burnette, Sherlyn's mother-in-law said it would be safe to let her sleep. Sister Burnette sat beside the bed and watched her. After she had slept a while Sherlyn moaned, sat up and asked, "What happened?"

Sister Burnette said she moaned then and said, "Oh no! Not again! You had a bicycle wreck!" And Sherlyn asked, "Did I already ask you that?" To which Sister Burnette replied, "Only a million times!"

Sherlyn still has no memories of that night past us starting our ride.

I Walked Alone Today

My child I walked alone today,
Where we once walked together.
The sorrow overwhelms me,
When I look to where you've gone.

You didn't mean to stray so far,
From "The Secret Place" we've had.
But the lust within your heart took root,
And it's gone from good to bad.

You've judged my other children,
Who've strayed far from my way.
Whether they've gone the path you have,
Or transgressed "Far worse," you say.

It isn't only lust for fleshly or worldly pleasures,
That separate you from me.
But at times fortune or fame,
Fill my place and take the lead.

You often look back broken-hearted,
And ask me to pull you free,
But I didn't walk away from you,
You walked away from me.

My hand remains outstretched,
As I wait for your return.
Don't put it off too long, my child,
As my love and peace you spurn.

Don't spend your time convincing yourself,
You're much better than they,
For whatever your sin,
My blood covers it all the same way.

(Lord help me to only judge myself,
And walk quickly back to You.
Wash me totally with Your blood,
And let me walk with You renewed.)

8/5/2015

Vacation's End

Deb and I had a week in Canada that was extremely  exciting with every day crammed full of memorable  activities, beautiful sights and fun happenings... Our days started early and ended late with little time for rest, as the daylight hours were long and there was much to see. (It was already daylight at 5 AM and at 10:30 PM it was still light enough we could take a picture from the hotel window with our cell phone.) But the week of fun and laughter was coming to an end much quicker than we liked.

Saturday morning Deb and I awoke early to have time to load the car, drive from Lake Louise to Canmore, wash the car, and fill it up with gas before unloading our luggage at the airport and returning the car to the rental service.

Unlike the U.S. side the United Airlines in Calgary didn't have Deb check the wheel chair with her  luggage. They pushed her to the plane before putting a claim number on her chair and loading  it, then they said an attendant would have it ready for her when we landed in Houston. 

After approximately a 4 hour flight we landed in Houston and the chair was no where to be found. The workers searched the baggage area of the plane, then searched a second time while discussing what should be done as Deb slowly walked up the long  tunnel after she exited the plane. 

When Deb and I got to the loading gate a worker on a cart hurriedly rushed us  through the airport to reach the gate for our connecting flight, all the while he was  yelling, "Beep! Beep!" "Beep! Beep!" as we swerved in and out among the people going in every direction. He then dropped us in a spot and instructed us to wait for a girl to meet us with an airport wheel chair. 

After a short wait a girl rushed us up an elevator and to the train, then after a short ride on the train she rushed us to another cart and the man started the "Beep! Beep!" , "Beep! Beep!" again as we rushed to our departure gate and arrived just in time to load with no time to eat or go to the restroom. 

Everything was great on the flight from Houston to Memphis and we expected to get there and have someone meet us with Deb's  wheelchair. But guess again, it had still not been found, and things had gotten worse. 

As we rushed toward baggage to pick up our luggage I saw a moving walkway running and thought it would move us along a little faster, which it did, until we reached the end, where there was a slight rise... (That was the laugh of the year.) 

As Deb and the airport wheel chair hit the hump at the end of the walkway they came to a dead stop, but the belt was still moving, and my feet were still on it. It was throwing my feet under her chair. and I was nearly thrown under it too. The only way to prevent it from happening was to run backwards speedily while holding on to the chair. 

It wasn't easy to stay on my feet while swiftly running backwards on the walkway and carrying a heavy backpack. (Deb was no help as she sat there giggling.) We were thankful that a security guard saw our  dilemma and rushed to our rescue.

We hurried on to the baggage area after escaping a near-tragic incident on the conveyor belt to pick up our luggage. When we couldn't find it, two women from the claims office tried to find it with no luck either, so they gave us a number to call to file the claim, and we left the airport with a United Airlines wheelchair for Deb to use until hers was found.

Deb and I filed a claim about  our lost luggage and wheelchair Saturday night and were informed that the luggage was still in Houston but the wheel chair was likely still in Calgary, as it had not been delivered. Then we called again to check the status Sunday morning and were told that we didn't file a claim and needed to do so, which we did. 

Thankfully around 3 or 3:30 on Sunday afternoon we went back to the airport to see whether our luggage had come in. We were thrilled that it and Deb's wheel chair had arrived.

Deb I Said, "Wade, Not Swim"

Deb and I had a little adventure this afternoon. She decided to sit on the beach with her feet in the water. We enjoyed watching the waves, the children playing in the sand and people walking or running on the beach. 

We had been on the beach for a while when Deb decided to go back inside but I asked her  to wade in the shallow water while I took her picture. Everything went well for a few steps and I snapped her picture. Then suddenly Deb disappeared from my sight, and I found her lying in the water. 

After helping Deb sit up in the water I snapped a couple pictures then lay my phone on dry sand so I could help her up. The task wasn't as easy as we expected.

Facing Deb, I put my hands under her arms and my knees against hers and pulled. She pushed with her legs as I pulled and Deb would get part of the way out of the water then start laughing. Of course she went limp when she laughed and I dropped her back into the water. 

Several times we would almost get Deb to her feet then I dropped her back into the water when we started laughing. 

Finally after several attempts it looked like we would make it. Deb was pushing with her legs as I pulled but we didn't expect it to work, so we over-compensated and we both tumbled into the water. 

After Deb and I sat and laughed a bit we started trying again. Finally a couple women on the beach came over and helped us get  Deb up and to her chair. 

We sat and rested a few minutes before coming back inside to get into dry clothes. It wasn't the wade in the ocean we expected, but it was enjoyable.... 

A Godly Woman

Janice Crist was a beautiful woman to the eye, but the most inspiring part of her beauty was within. And that ethereal beauty was reflected  in her face, her actions, her words, her attitude  and her spirit.

Last week during our church service an eleven-year-old girl, Morgan stood near the altar. With her elbows against her sides, her hands were extended outwardly, with palms turned down and fingers slightly splayed.  As Morgan swayed slightly to the music, she gently and slowly moved her hands up and down. 

Morgan was slightly out of sync with the rhythm, and as I watched, there was something that held my attention, something felt familiar. Suddenly she turned her head, to look toward another child with a gentle smile. As a feeling of nostalgia washed over me, it was like I was looking at Janice Huey at that age. 

From childhood and throughout her life, Jesus was always reflected through Janice Huey Crist. She always lived a life above reproach, but was never judgmental of any who didn't. She realized that her purpose was to lift the fallen and to restore them. Godliness was her standard, yet she didn't look down on one whose standard was measured by the worldly. 

Janice was a wonderful lady, a true and loyal friend, a confidante, and an encourager. I was blessed to have known her for many years.... She was like family to our family.... 

Hooked

We were patiently waiting for enough tables to be cleared to make room for the George Clan to be seated. There were clusters of conversation and laughter, each one trying to catch up with what had been happening in everyone else's life... We were all talking at the same time... Teasing... Telling a joke.... Interrupting each other... Stopping... Then hurriedly starting talking again so your story can be heard... 

Jason said that while we waited he looked down and noticed the loops on the back of Phillip's shoes and had a bright idea. A chain just happened to be handy that was normally used to close off a section, so stealthily Jason hooked it into the loop on one shoe. Of course when the hostess started to seat us, Phillip moved forward a partial step then fell forward onto the checkout desk. Amid much laughter the hostess told Jason how bad he was. Thankfully Phillip's good nature helped him enjoy a joke or prank, even if he got the brunt of the prank.  

Nina the Alcoholic

The nights at Rose Care Nursing Home could be long and often it was a struggle to stay awake. Every two hours we made the rounds and changed the patients, gave a drink of water or called the nurse when one needed meds or had other problems. 

I remember how Nina loved to munch on ice, and always kept a glass setting on the desk at the nurse's station. When we would go back to the desk after making the rounds part of her ice had melted and she would drink the water then munch the ice while we wrote in the patients charts.

One night I had a bright idea and sneaked the rubbing alcohol and poured some into her glass. Nina took a big swig and about choked to death on it. I thought she would always be cautious about leaving it after that, but time after time I pulled the same trick on her.

I told Nina that it would be my fault if she became an alcoholic.

Keep Talking

When we were in Round Mountain, Arkansas during a revival our family was staying in a small, two-bedroom house. 

For some reason when we went to bed one night everything seemed funny and we girls kept giggling.  Dad would call for us to quieten down, which we would for a few seconds then we were giggling again. 

Dad told us again to quieten down . We tried so hard but sometimes that makes everything funnier. So Juanetta and I giggled more. 

Suddenly Dad said, "I want the ones who are talking and giggling to go to the living room." He met us there and set two kitchen chairs facing each other in the center of the room. Then he said, "For the next hour I better not hear you two stop talking or I will paddle you." 

Juanetta and I started talking. It isn't easy to think up things to talk about when you are required to. Talking non-stop makes you very thirsty too. 

We had been talking for a while when one of us said that we needed a drink. We started trying to figure out a way to get a soda without being caught. And we finally came up with a plan.

While Juanetta kept sitting and talking to herself I slipped into the kitchen and got sodas from the fridge. Then I slipped quietly back into the living room and we continued talking while we drank our soda. 

By the time our hour was up Juanetta and I were talked out and ready to sleep. 

Been to the Bar?

Six George girls were meeting at a Marriott in Memphis to celebrate a major birthday. I can't recall whose birthday it was, but I think it was,  Rhonda's, and as everyone knows, when and where we get together, the fun begins. 

In quick succession Deb pulled to the door of the hotel in her Riviera for the bellhop to unload her Macy's luggage,  Rhonda pulled up in her Cadillac for the bellhop to unload her Louis Vuitton luggage and  Juanetta pulled up in her Yukon so he could unload her Samsonite. (Not sure that was the names on their luggage, just painting the picture)

By the time their luggage was on the bellmans cart I had pulled up and was  ready to unload. For some strange reason the bell hop acted a little taken aback when I handed him a cooler with sodas, bologna and mustard, my dresses hanging in a lawn trash bag and other items in WalMart bags.

After leaving our luggage in our rooms and going out for dinner we got back on the elevator to return to our rooms. Someone pushed the button, the door closed and hesitated then opened again. No one was there. Someone pushed the button again, the door closed, hesitated then opened a second time. Still no one there. We were all laughing and pretending to motion someone in.

The third time the elevator door closed, hesitated and opened, Deb pretended to greet someone and started dancing with them. As she started dancing, her foot slid off of her slides, she fell, and there was a domino effect, as Deb bumped Angela then she bumped me. 

Of course we were all cracking up over Deb's mishap so much that we had forgotten the elevator door. Amid the hilarity Deb, Angela and I were struggling to get off the floor while laughing uncontrollably and Rhonda, Juanetta and Sherlyn were bent double from laughing so hard, the door opened again. 

When the door opened, two guys got on the elevator and observed the scene for only a moment when one said, "Looks like someone beat us to the bar."

Cannibal Attack

When we were ages three, five, six and eight, Deb, Rhonda, Sherlyn and I went with some friends to a community church for an afternoon of singing and dinner-on-the-ground. 

As the singing was going on we girls decided we were thirsty, and got permission to go to the old pump for a drink of water. We would take turns pumping the handle while the others used a cup or cupped our hands to catch the water. 

We were so intent on getting a drink that we didn't notice Red joining us at the pump, at least that was the name people in that community called him. 

Red was a large man with reddish hair, who was walking the roads barefoot every time we went through that community. His feet must have been a size eighteen. As far as I know Red didn't talk and seemed to have the mentality of a young child. 

Before we realized that Red was at the pump with us he grabbed my forearm with both of his hands and started smelling of it. Why he was smelling of my arm, I don't know, but he did it in the same way a hungry boy would smell of a chicken leg before devouring it. 

I started to yank my arm away and run, but quickly thought that Red might get one of my little sisters if I did. So thinking quickly, I yelled at them, "Run!" and as they ran toward the church I yanked my arm free and sprinted in behind them. 

Deb, Rhonda, Sherlyn and I were breathless as we entered the church. We had just made a mad dash to safety from a possible cannibal attack and were happy to have all our extremities intact. 

Cough Syrup

AB came home from work one day with a sore throat, fever and a bad cough. After dinner and a shower he went straight to bed and asked if I would bring him the cough syrup. 

I walked into the bathroom and found the bottle of cough syrup in the cabinet. Somehow the label had been torn off, but  I gave it to him anyway. 

AB never used a spoon to measure his medicine, he would just turn it up and drink. He swigged the cough syrup so quickly it took a second for him to realize that it was not cough syrup. While sputtering and making a terrible face he told me that I had given him black draught. 

When we told Dad about the mix-up he said, "It will probably help AB's cough anyway, because he will be afraid to cough."

Jesus of the Scars

If we have never sought, we seek Thee now;

Thine eyes burn through the dark, our only stars;

We must have sight of thorn-pricks on Thy brow;

We must have Thee, O Jesus of the Scars.

The heavens frighten us; they are too calm;

In all the universe we have no place.

Our wounds are hurting us; where is the balm?

Lord Jesus, by Thy Scars, we claim Thy grace.

If, when the doors are shut, Thou drawest near,

Only reveal those hands, that side of Thine;

We know to-day what wounds are, have no fear,

Show us Thy Scars, we know the countersign.

The other gods were strong; but Thou wast weak;

They rode, but Thou didst stumble to a throne;

But to our wounds only God’s wounds speak;

And not a god has wounds, but Thou alone.

Written by Edward Shillito at the end of the First World War when he saw so many wounded coming home.

Stick-em-up

One day after eating lunch in the staff dining room at NWCX  I picked up my glass of tea and walked back into the kitchen. There were about fifteen-hundred men incarcerated there and probably fifty of the prisoners were employed in the kitchen. 

Where my two-way radio rode on my right hip the short antennae was irritating where it hit my ribs. The other correctional staff knew how to tuck its tip into a small ring on the side of the radio. Being a new employee, I was thankful for any tips. 

At corrections academy we were taught that you never let down your guard when working in a prison. And as  a new employee, my nerves were on constant alert whether I was supervising the cleaning, organizing and rotating of stockrooms, freezers, or coolers, the unloading of trucks, doing the inventory or placing orders. 

With my tea in hand the kitchen door swung shut behind me as I strode toward the stockrooms. Someone called my name and when turning to reply my antennae came loose and sharply popped me in the back. With tea still in hand my arm instantly shot up and the tea was tossed heavenward and drenched my head. Laughter erupted from every side at the spectacle I made of myself that day. 

Pepper Spray

There has never been a lack of entertainment when the George family gets together. Whether our time is spent in new adventures, pulling pranks, working together for a specific cause or reminiscing over the past we always enjoy those times. One such time comes to mind.

Years ago we were in Raleigh, Illinois for Thanksgiving with Ron and Juanetta  when we needed to pick up more supplies for cooking dinner. Six of us girls piled into the cab of my pickup on that cold morning and started to town. 

As we rode into town that wintery day Angela opened my glove compartment and saw a canister of pepper spray. Thinking she had thought of a fun prank she held it up and sprayed... Instantly the cab was filled with blind, weeping, coughing, laughing girls with faces burning. I quickly pulled off the road and we all bailed out and staggered around the side of the road as we tried to catch our breath. We may have heard how bad pepper spray can feel, but some people have to learn from experience. 

Trust?

"If you trust God, He will get you out of all your troubles."

"If you live for God, He will make everything in your life right." 

"Trust God and your troubles will be over." 

"If you trust God, He will do what you ask." 

We have heard these statements and many others like them through the years.  But do they mislead ones who don't know God, or for that matter, even some who do know Him?

How often do new Christians come to God and because of what we have told them, they think they won't have heartache, loss and trouble?

 How many times have the new Christians walked away from God because their new life wasn't trouble-free like we made them think it would be?

  How often do we think, that because we believe, like the three Hebrew children did, that "God is able to deliver us out of the fiery furnace," that alone is trust? 

Does trust not go farther than knowing He can?

When we were children we believed our Dad was Superman and that he could do anything. And though our earthly Dad's powers were limited we trusted him to either get us out of bad situations or help us through them,  and he helped us through many. Our Heavenly Father's powers are not limited by fleshly limitations, He really can do anything. But does knowing that mean that I trust Him?

If you recall the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, they told the king, "Our God is able to deliver us from the furnace. But if He doesn't, we will trust Him anyway." They had faith that God could, and trusted that if He didn't keep them from the furnace He would have still delivered them. Their faith became trust when knowing that He could, yet not knowing that He would, it remained steadfast. 

When we were children we dreamed of the day we would grow up and be big and strong  like our Dad. That couldn't be achieved by him giving us candy every time we asked for it. Nor could we grow into strong adults by being allowed to skip the broccoli or other vegetables that didn't taste good to a child. We had to eat the yucky tasting ones as well as the yummy ones to grow up healthy. And our spiritual life is much the same. 

The  main goal in our spiritual life is to grow up big and strong like Jesus. But we often want to achieve that by eating candy, Krispy Kreme and ice cream and skipping our vegetables in a spiritual sense..... 

As a child when made to eat vegetables I didn't like,  I would gag, and pretend to eat them by putting them in my mouth then spitting them in the toilet.   Or some of my siblings spread the vegetables over a wider area of their plate until Dad agreed they could just eat half, then they raked them into a smaller area. If we continually avoid the healthy food that makes us stronger  our growth will be stunted. The same is true in our spiritual life.

God knows when the bad things will help me grow stronger, and at times may save me through them instead of from them. It is my greatest desire to grow to be like Him, even when His answers to my prayers are achieved through methods other than the ones I wish for. I pray for His grace and strength to help me trust Him through them all....