Made banana nut bread yesterday.  I have made lots of bread in my lifetime, starting when I was 11 or 12 years old.

I have used this particular recipe dozens, if not over a hundred times, it was the first time it came out all but burnt.

I followed the recipe closely – not always do I do that (which becomes frustrating when I make a really good ‘something’ but can’t remember all I put in it nor the amounts) – but when baking I am pretty careful on my measurements.

The putting together the ingredients to the time being baked was the same as I have done so much of in the past – didn’t hurt it too much, a bit crunchy on the crust touching the sides and bottom of the loaf pan, tasted okay, but I can’t figure out why it happened.

The smoked roast yesterday turned out well, lots of leftovers for French dipped sandwiches – or regular ones.  Last time I made French dips I added sautéed onions to the sandwich, turned out quite well.  Will be doing that again.

Official temperature, right now is 85, however, the garden thermometer says 92 – either way, it was time to come in; that plus the sun, so I am told, is not good for me with some of the medications I am one.

John 27:42-43  Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

⁴³ For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

No one enjoys being ostracized; it can be not only disheartening but devastating to us.

We are hearing more and more how people are taking to the social media sites to target and destroy others.  They make terrible comments – what they would not dare say to a person’s face they can do so under the cloak of anonymity they can say whatever they want and get away with it.

Young people, in particular, are vulnerable to the lies and taunting of classmates – they so much want to be part of the group that rejection, regardless if in person or through the airways can mentally destroy them.

We hear of the need for our colleges to have designated ‘safe places’ where students can go who feel they have been traumatized by one experience or another.  (We used to call that the church – but far too many don’t even know what churches are all about.)

It has gotten to the point where people take umbrage over the slightest comments and want a perfect world.

While I am against bullying and gossip, I think we have raised a generation where many can’t stand on their own, they have been raised to need continuing support from peers, parents and ‘leaders’ telling them how great they are, that if they don’t get it they blame anyone and everyone.

But it isn’t just children that have been indoctrinated with this need for acceptance, adults have also had this need – to the point that rather than proclaim their love of Christ they bury it in the background so they will not receive negative ‘vibes’ from the rest of society.

We are seeing a dumbing down of God’s Word so others won’t be offended, so they can feel good about themselves even if they haven’t dealt with the sin in their lives.

Having said about us - For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. - would have to be one of the worst thing said about a Christian.

None of us is immune from such a thing.  I can think of way too many times when I bit my tongue because I wanted the person to like me, or at least keep from them not liking me.

Not as difficult a step now, I am older and have nowhere near the contacts or encounters with non-Christians I used to have.

But even when I was a ‘public figure’ there was no doubt about my relationship with Christ. 

It caused me trouble more times than I can recall.

I was accused of discharging someone, because I was a ‘born again Christian’ and therefor prejudiced against a person who had sinned and that is why they were canned, -- not because they were unable to do their job. 

I was accused of instilling a feeling of anti-sin, or certain behaviors, within my Office that caused the deputies to arrest someone not because they committed a crime or made a violation, but because they were caught in sin.

The fact there was a violation of the law and law enforcement officers have a duty to arrest or issue citations had nothing to do with it........

It is extremely important that we set aside our desire for praise on this earth, and focus on helping others find the salvation and peace that only comes from God.

If the people in Jesus’ day turned against Him, there is no way we should believe we will be free from charges of those that refuse to accept Him.

Later, Art :-)

Smoked a roast again today.  This time I was more able to keep the temperature under control – not sure if it is because I am learning to use it better or it just decided to give in to me.

The air temperatures were the same as last time, but we had better control.

But today is to also for the remembrance of our military personnel that gave all that they had that we might live in freedom.

While I have never lost anyone from my immediate families, I have friends that have lost a brother, son or father these people, too, are in my prayers this day.

Psalm 56:4  In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

We live in a world where violence can happen at any time, at any place on the globe. 

We see it in the news all the time where for no reason people attack others – it is natural for us to be apprehensive when we go places that appear unsafe or we are there at an hour where few people are on the street.

Most of us live here in America, where the danger, while always there, has not reached the level that it has in so many other parts of the world.

In America we can still worship as we please, we see that in many places worshiping God and specifically the Jewish God and His Son Jesus is not only looked down on, but grounds for torture, imprisonment and even death.

These are painful deaths, often times strung out to inflict the maximum pain.

God has never promised that we will be free from pain, in fact Jesus told us in Mathew 28:8-9  All these are the beginning of sorrows. ⁹ Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

We know that God’s people are being killed every single day because of their stand for Jesus.  We know that in living for Jesus we will make enemies, not because we attack them, or try to do them harm, but because they don’t want to admit they are living in sin – and it is far easier to bludgeon Christians than it is to admit they need God.

We think of our physical well-being - are we going to be beaten, will women Christians be raped, will we be incarcerated for our beliefs?

There are many things that can happen to us, or we worry will happen to us, as we dwell on the here and now.  Yes, it is the here and now that we might feel the pain, where many things could happen to us – yet, God says we can put our trust in Him.

But He also says we will have physical ‘discomforts’ in our obedience to Him, for some that is hard to accept.

Man measures time in seconds, minutes, hours – days, weeks, years.  We feel we have lived a long time when we reach the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and even older.  It is hard to see eternity – even though we began our eternal life with Him when we accept Christ as Savior.

What we endure, what we have on earth is temporary – are bodies are not made to last forever, however, our soul is and when we fully accept that fact we can better withstand the blows of satan and follow God.

Soldiers that are in battle where their lives are in danger, must accept that they may not live out the battle, they must move forward and fight.  If they dwell on what might happen they can be paralyzed with fear, unable to do what must be done to both defeat the enemy and to survive.

Most of the time that Christians falter is because they allow fear of someone or the consequences of doing something for God, even though it may be against the laws of a nation.

For some, the reality is easily accepted and they go forth into the fray, seemingly unafraid, with boldness – while others of us must overcome our fears and we find it very difficult to maintain our stand because of what others will say or do.

John 14:25-27   These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

²⁶ But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

²⁷ Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

God doesn’t send us into battle alone, the Holy Spirit dwells within us and will teach, lead and guide us. 

We but have to accept Him.

Later, Art :-)

Wind is blowing a ‘bit’ and the trees are dancing.  The kind of wind that tends to dry out the crops faster than normal and require us to water heavier.

Jeremiah 6:16-19 Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

¹⁷ Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.

¹⁸ Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them.

¹⁹ Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.

God has sent His people out into the world to proclaim His Gospel.

He has warned this country through these people that if we do not turn from our sinful ways we will suffer the consequences.

Just because people do not believe He will allow great tragedy to befall our country, doesn’t negate that fact it is coming.

We still have time to refocus, still have time to repent, still have time to change our sinful behavior and respect, worship and obey our Creator.

As a country we have chosen not to listen to our spiritual leaders, not to heed their advice.

Many Christians have dumbed down the Word of God to make it more palatable to the world, but following those paths will lead to destruction.

I am afraid in the future, when historians try to figure out what happened to the our country as they have picked over the bones of the great empires, they will find that Christians refused to be servants of God and became puppets of the world trying to make the world happy by telling it that they don’t have to take seriously the Word of God.

1 Corinthians 2:4-6 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

⁵ That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

⁶ Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

We need to stand on God’s Word, to listen and obey Him as the Holy Spirit guides on in sharing the truth with others.

I do not know if it is too late for the entire country, but I do know it is not too late for those that the Holy Spirit sends our way to be given His Word.

Later, Art :-)

Still have a few tomato plants left, but not many.  Carla has almost given them all away.

Thus far, thanks to the cooler weather, her garden is doing fine.  Her plants are having time to get well rooted and hardened off before the heat starts stressing them out.

Eating lettuce from the garden, but eagerly waiting and anticipating those tomatoes.  Course beans, potatoes, cucumbers, peppers, carrots, squash, melons and the blackberries are going to be enjoyed as soon as their harvest time comes along.

Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

All too frequently we see Christians backing down, or compromising their testimony for fear of what others may think or say about them.

To be honest I have done so, not proud of it, but I can’t deny it either.

There are times that there is no point in continuing a ‘discussion’ – or what turns into a shouting match – with those that refuse to accept the truth of who Christ is and what they need to do.

How we approach people can make a big difference in how they respond.  If done as accusations of sin, without any sign of doing it out of love, it often gets their ‘dander’ up and we can no longer show them, nor work with them.

That does not mean that we should not be bold and forthright, but we must recognize that each person is different, what works for one may not work for another.

That is why it is so important to develop relationships with those that do not know our Lord.  Not to be ‘holier than though’ but to demonstrate by deed and word that we have Christ in our heart and we want to share that same love with them.

When people attack us for our belief in Christ, it is natural to feel defensive.  We take it as a personal attack on us – and that is what the attacker is trying to do to us – but the reality is they are fighting against the Holy Spirit that is dealing with them and their spirit.  At least most of the time.

There are those that have made it their life’s mission to destroy all that speaks of God – both personal affirmations and public displays honoring Him.  They don’t care how they do, they don’t care about what we believe and certainly don’t care anything about God.

I am not saying that they are without hope, but, dealing with them in a manner that convinces them of God’s power, authority and love must come through the Holy Spirit, that takes prayer, faith and following His lead, it isn’t for neophytes, or those that are not willing to undertake the work needed to prepare for them.

We have to decide every day if we are going to serve God or attempt to please man.  Most of the time it is either or and we must hold fast to our faith and not worry about pleasing man.

Later, Art :-)

Carla’s sister came through her ordeal okay and is back at home recovering from surgery.

Our daughter is doing well, back at home where our son and the grandkids are caring for her.

Carla’s brother is coming along nicely and is almost ready for his second knee surgery next month.

It’s been a long and eventful month, so far, we have some set backs but we trust we will get through them.

Luke 23:39-43 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

⁴⁰ But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

⁴¹ And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

⁴² And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

⁴³ And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

It is never too late to turn our hearts to God.

No matter what we have done, who we did it to, or how we did it, if we truly repent and ask God for forgiveness THROUGH Jesus, He will give it.

We all have heard the stories of the worse sinner in town coming to God and His Salvation.

It is gives us great hope when we have loved ones who are outside God’s Grace and refuse to admit their need of forgiveness, that even on their death bed they can find redemption.

As we know many people count on the mercy of God to give them time to come to Him and they go about their lives saying that sometime in the future they will change, but right now they are having too much fun.

While we can tell them of their errors – while the Holy Spirit can prick their hearts and make them aware of their need for salvation, only they can make that decision.

It is very painful to love someone and see them reject God – and be told by them they never want to hear about it from us again.

But they cannot stop us from praying for them; we can ask God to send someone they will listen to and we can continue living for God as an example.

I have seen too many deaths where the person was alive one moment and killed in the next.

We cannot depend on God’s patience and use it to justify our refusal to serve Him.  We never know when the second chance we thought we would have is taken away in a blink of an eye.

I am so thankful that Jesus demonstrated, in His forgiveness of the thief on the cross, that we can still have hope for our loved ones.

Later, Art :-)

This will be a two parter – just too long for one e-mail.  I am trying to find a good breaking point so they come together okay.

Philippians 1: 20-21 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

The last few days I have just not been able to focus, let alone write.  So I used that time to heal physically and do some quiet meditation and mulling over where I am with God.

One of the quotes I came across was this one:

“Everyone who is regenerated by the Spirit, and gives himself up entirely to God for true justification, is thus admitted to the closest union with Christ, and becomes one with him.”  -- John Calvin

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

This verse came to mind many times this past week.  What does it mean?

I have always heard it preached as our devotion to God and obedience to Him.  To live as if Christ was living within in us.

But I believe there is more to it. 

I remember the first time we took my oldest daughter, and left her in Eugene at the University of Oregon.  I had barely gotten out of town – had not even made it to the freeway three or so miles away and had to pull over and stop as I allowed the my emotions to flow, it took a while but I finally was able to wipe my eyes and drive again.

That was the first of many times I had to sit by the road side and compose myself. 

I remember one time where we had attended a dinner for parents and family at her sorority house.  We got to meet her sisters/friends and their parents.  It was a good feeling going home, after pulling over, and I can remember telling Carla that I felt better about coming away without her, she was with people who cared for her.

Later that weekend, our older son came up from the basement and asked me where ‘Assume’ station was, I asked him he meant Autzum station (the football stadium for the UO) he said yes.  I told him it was in Eugene, and asked “why?”  There had been a shooting at the stadium.

So much for feeling better.

I remember the Friday after Thanksgiving when the Lynds family came together to celebrate and she had come by bus and needed to be taken back to the bus in Bend.

When I got back I looked at my mother-in-love and asked her if it ever got any easier, she said, ‘no.’

At a later date we stayed overnight with her in an apartment in Portland, where she had recently moved. 

Carla and I were sleeping in the bedroom (our daughter had given up her bed) while she and the kids were sleeping in the living room.

It was a nice apartment complex in a good neighborhood.  That morning as Carla and I were just getting up I told her I felt pretty good about where she was staying.

I had barely gotten the words out when we heard gunshots from the parking lot below.  As I rushed from the bedroom, gun in hand I saw the kids looking out the window.

I told them to get down and looked out myself to see if there was something I needed to do.

In the parking lot was a Multnomah County patrol car behind another car, it was obviously a felony stop as both deputies were behind open doors with guns drawn.

As I recall no one was injured.  The suspect was involved in a burglary of a gun shop on the corner and when he tried to get away he found himself trapped in the parking lot.

I have since learned not to make statements about how great I feel about where my children are – at least without a quick prayer.

To be continued tomorrow.

Doing better today, weather is a lot milder and no wind.  Part of my problem, we think, is that one of my meds dehydrates me, the warning is to be careful about vigorous exercise where I might sweat too much – which means I have to be careful and make sure I drink more fluids.

Hopefully that will help with my sinus headaches, it has been a few years since I have them with such intensity.

We shall see, or not.....

Carla has about 26 tomato plants in the ground with maybe another one or two (or ten or more) to go.  Still have a quite a few to give away.

John 8:15-16 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.

¹⁶ And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.

The world in general, but Americans in particular have a difficult time with the sovereignty of God.  In giving Him His rightful place we turn over all our ‘rights’ to do what we see fit.

We vote on those that rule over us.  We have a part in the decision making of our government in one way or another.  While some of our politicians have acted as if they are invincible and must be obeyed, the citizens usually call them to task and make them aware that they are not dictators.

One of the things I did not cover yesterday in my post on the court system is the propensity of a defendant to be able to negotiate his charges and/or his sentence to a lesser degree.

Negotiations have become a major part of our judicial system.  While most Police Officers are unhappy when they see a criminal skate on some of his crimes, instead of holding him accountable on all of them, it does accomplish a couple of things.

There is no trial.  Trials can be very expensive costing the state and county hundreds of thousands of dollars for the more serious crimes.

If a defendant cannot afford an attorney the state pays for one – and if it is a murder, usually two attorneys are appointed.  The state pays for the defendant’s investigators that go over the evidence and talk with witnesses to see if they can pick holes in the state’s case.

If there are multiple victims the state tries to wrap them all into one trial – but sometimes it cannot be done for one reason or another, which means even more expense.

Often the defendant is charged with several crimes that occur in one incident.  The prosecutor paints with as broad a brush as possible to make sure that all bases are covered.  While the defendant may ‘weasel’ out of one charge, there is another one that covers the crime.

As time goes on charges are dropped – or negotiated to the lesser offense to expedite the process and move on to the rest of the heavy court docket.

Negotiation is the key on many criminal trials, especially when the case is strong.  The prosecutor wants to convict the defendant and the defense attorney wants his client to serve as little time as possible.

So, the defendant pleads to a lesser crime, or if he is charged with multiple crimes against multiple victims he only pleads to some of them and the others are dropped.

Part of that rational is that rarely does a defendant serve consecutive terms for multiple offenses.  They are served concurrently, meaning that all the years that a person serves for one crime is done at the same time for other crimes.

A defendant that is found guilty of crimes that in total the incarceration time could be 10 years on each crime, he only serves 10 years – less other considerations.

Because of our experiences with our government we think we should have a say in all that occurs in our lives, if we disagree with a mandate or law we try to change it or at the least negotiate it so we are not as hampered or our life is not as difficult with the mandate.

I can remember when we had a couple of teenagers from the Portland area commit a crime on the Warm Springs Reservation.  The Tribal Police arrested them and put them in their jail for a couple of days before bringing them up to The Dalles.  They would be charged in District Court – the Tribe Courts are basically for the Indians.

They complained of their treatment by the Indians.  One of their father’s was an attorney and the young man was sure that his father would sue them.  He was pretty cocky until it was pointed out that the Warm Springs reservation was a sovereign government and they made their own laws – just as any other foreign government.

In other words, he didn’t have a case.

Often we succeed, and we equate our systems with God’s system.  But just like these young men learned that the reservation had a separate set of laws and the Tribal Police treated them on that basis, God has a separate set of laws – laws that are set in stone and unchangeable.

No matter how much we may disagree.

No matter how much we plead for leniency after rejecting God’s Son.

There is no negotiation with God.

Either we recognize God’s Word and accept His Son as Savior and follow Him, or we don’t.

If we don’t we can’t go before Him and say “Lord, I have done all these good things, so that should be taken into consideration when passing judgement on me and you should let me come join you in heaven.”

The basic question God asks is “What did you do with My Son?”  If it is anything other than “I accepted Him as my Savior!” we are condemned. 

Period.

No negotiations.

No retries.

No entry into heaven.

Just eternity in hell.

May we never hear as in Mathew 7:21-23  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

²² Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

²³ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Later, Art :-)

Been a rough few days, allergies are kicking in as are my sinus headaches which act just like migraines.  Feeling better this morning.

Psalm 119:13-14  For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

¹⁴ I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

I hear the cry of those aborted as they ask why?

I hear the response, you were not wanted, you were just an accident, you were not perfect, you were not the right sex, you were just a grouping of cells, a growth that had to be removed and the list goes on.

There are those that believe that if the child is not baptized, to wash away the original sin of Adam and Eve, it will be cast into the fiery hell where other unbelievers will abide forever.

I cannot accept that; there are many verses that reaffirms that God knows us as children in the womb and that we are innocent and free from the condemnation of sin.  Sin that only comes from our own free will, choices we make AFTER we have entered this world.

But, I really don’t think those aborted are hanging around on the outside of heaven – I believe that God has wrapped His arms around them and brought them home; just as He does with His children, through Christ, when they come before Him.

But there will be an accounting, as there is for all who have sinned, for the deaths of those children. 

In a criminal trial the defense can ask to have evidence removed and not made available to the jury.  It can be done for many reasons, it may have been obtained illegally or mishandled, it may be insufficient in its substance to prove it is involved with the crime, there are many reasons a judge may agree with the defendant’s request and once removed it is as if the evidence never existed and cannot be used by the prosecutor against the defendant.

Only the defendant or his attorney can decide if that evidence is submitted, and sometimes they make a mistake and allow it to be used – usually because they themselves mention it or it can be used to refute what a defendant claims on the stand.

The rules of evidence are not always clear cut and sometimes there is so much disagreement that the decision is submitted to higher courts to determine if it is allowable or not.

While similar in nature to going before the judgement seat of God, our courts allow excuses – the law is bad; the evidence, while properly taken is prejudicial to the defendant and can’t be used; witnesses are missing, lie or change their stories - to be used in the determination of how the trial will proceed.

Not the case with the trial of our eternal life.  EVERYTHING we do is subject to exploration and condemnation by our accusers – satan and his minions.  There is nothing to hide behind, no excuse will be accepted by the Judge, the Lord our God.

Every sin, no matter how trivial, no matter how long ago it was committed is laid out before God; and then the judgement.

Luke 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

In our court systems an attorney can make the difference in whether or not a defendant is found guilty.  There are some clever attorneys who manipulate the system, there are some who are able to find where evidence or testimony is tainted in some way, there are some who just don’t understand what is happening and do not represent the defendant very well.

As people are different, so are attorneys, but they are the ones that present the case to the judge or challenge the case in front of the judge.

But in the case of going before the Judgement Seat of God, we either have Jesus as our attorney or we have NO ATTORNEY at all.

John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Through Christ we have redemption and the promise of God that He will NOT hold our sins against us if we accept Christ as Savior.  He is the only advocate allowed in God’s court and He has to be chosen while we are here on earth.

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

But when we choose Christ, we choose our salvation and our sins are forgiven and not held against us.

Psalm 103:11-13 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

¹² As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

No matter our sins, large – murder, robbery, etc. – or small, stealing a cookie or lying – God has forgotten them.

Later, Art :-)

Ups and downs of life, we all have them.  I am kinda in the middle at the moment; ‘twould appear I will need another operation – but it isn’t an emergency and we will re-evaluate it in the fall.

While some parts of the world are enduring massive fires, others floods, and still others horrendous tornados, here, in our neck of the woods everything is about normal – early spring as it has been getting for several decades, but other than that, pretty much the same as other years, getting warm and windy.

We started giving away tomato plants, so it you are in the area and want some, give us a jingle.  She has plenty.  We dropped about 40 or so off at one of the doctor’s offices and Deed and Teresa are starting to take them to co-workers.

The ground is warm enough to plant them and it isn’t getting all that cold at night.  The plants are hardened off (out in the sun and wind to strengthen them for planting after being in the green house for so long.)

Kinda like we do with our kids, let them out a little at a time and then more and more so when it is time for them to chase their dreams they are as ready as we can make them.

Proverbs 27:17  Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend

Earlier I wrote of the need for Christians to help build up other Christians and challenge them when they are wrong.

Another privilege we have as Christians is to depend on each other for support.

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

The thing we must be careful about when sharing our struggles with fellow Christians is to be selective. 

Asking for prayer during services or special times is done by most of us; and that is good.

However, we also know that if we go into much detail there are those that can’t wait to tell others of our needs, and not to ask additional prayer, but to gossip.

Most reading this are not gossipers, however, we must acknowledge that they do exist and use good judgment in what is share with whom.

We had a deputy working for us that attended a prayer circle of his church on a regular basis. 

He asked for prayer for the son, of a local Pastor, was in once again in trouble and was now in our Juvenile Detention.

Asking for prayer was one thing, telling them that the boy was incarcerated was a violation of state laws, we weren’t allowed to give out that information.

I believe the deputy’s heart was in the right place, but it caused backlash for him AND our Office.

The father came into my office incensed by the breach of law and protocols.  I will never forget the jest of his comments which included that prayer circles were one of the biggest gossip mongering people and that often things said there made it to the rest of the world – whether it was meant to or not.

We got the situation taken care of, apologized to the father and the supervisor took care of the infraction by the deputy.

But it did reinforce to me that what I say about needs must be shared with care whether it is my needs or someone else’s.

But having said this concern it is gratifying to know that we CAN share our concerns, our fears, our frustrations with fellow Christians who can pray with us, give us wise counsel and stand by us in turbulent times.

Later, Art :-)

Steven has graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Pastoral studies.  It was good to be there.  The celebration and awarding of degrees was well done and the speakers were good and not over-winded.

I will talk a bit more about this over the next few days.

Deed drove us both ways, I am glad she is the one who had to deal with the traffic and unfamiliar territory – right now I am not driving and Carla is not used to the driving in such horrid conditions.

We left late afternoon on Friday.  Ran into a bit of traffic in the Toppenish to Yakima area, it died off somewhat, but a few miles out of Kirkland we were in the thick of traffic. 

It moved along pretty well, and we didn’t see too many idiots trying to ‘get ahead.’  But in any given mile there were more cars on either side of the road than The Dalles even has, total – or at least so it seems. 

We passed a line of cars, stopped in the far right lane, that was at least a mile long – me thinking it was probably an accident or something – but as we drove by we eventually saw a sign that gave an exit – the line was people waiting to get off the freeway AND it was stopped long before the sign so if you didn’t know the exit was coming up but wanted to exit there, by the time you reached the sign it was too late to get over. 

Now, this was heading into the Seattle area, not coming out well after 1800 hours, the traffic coming out of the metro area, was, of course, much heavier.

Much prefer the traffic jams in The Dalles - four drivers, at a four way stop, waving each other on........

Coming back, once we got out of Kirkland, there was little traffic, actually looked more like I-84 in eastern Oregon.  Had no problems maintaining speed.

Poor Deed, though, about four hours sleep from working until 0600 Friday along with her two hour drive home and then having to deal with heavy traffic four plus hours after we left OUR house.

Then sleeping in a motel which means kinda sleeping (the first night in a motel for me is always difficult) and wasn’t any better for her.

Then a four hour drive after graduation and the celebration dinner, leaving about 1630 and getting to The Dalles just before 2100 – and then after unloading stuff – off to HER home - about 45 minute drive.  But better driving conditions, IF you don’t count the possibility of deer crossing or rocks falling onto the road.

I really appreciate her sacrifice and willingness to drive.  This kind of traffic was not my favorite, but before the meds I could handle it, I don’t do any driving at the moment until we can either find a better med, or go back in for another operation where I won’t need the meds, or at least not as strong.

Luke 1:39-47  And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

⁴⁰ And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

⁴¹ And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

⁴² And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

⁴³ And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

⁴⁴ For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

⁴⁵ And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

⁴⁶ And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

⁴⁷ And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Mother’s Day, a day of celebration of those women who have given birth, or adopted a child – not all women can be mothers but many are great aunts and we will celebrate the love of these women on July 26.

So today is Mother’s Day a lot of praise is given to mothers for their love and devotion to their children. 

Mothers work so very hard to raise their children, to take care of both their bodies and their minds.

As I read a devotional about Mother’s Day and of course the sermons that exalt mothers – I thought about the meeting of these two mothers, Elizabeth and Mary.

They were not single parents, both had a spouse, or at least Mary would eventually marry Joseph who was a surrogate for God as he was the step-father and the man on earth that helped the young Jesus as He grew.

Now it could be said, by some, that both John and Jesus were created by God, therefore no matter who the parents were they would have fulfilled their ‘destiny’ of John the foreteller and Jesus the Savior.

But both of these mothers had strong faith in God.  They were chosen for their roles as mothers of God’s chosen for a reason.

Their husbands, too, were men of faith with strong ties to God.

God was placing them in homes where they would learn of Him, His Word and the importance of serving Him.

Both men did what they were placed on earth to do, not only because that was God’s design, but their mother’s and father’s trained them up in the way they should go.

Neither of these mothers and fathers was perfect.  I am sure that they made mistakes, just as we do, in the raising of their children, but the family was based on faith in God.

Both John and Jesus were men; these men had choices, just as we all do.  They could follow God and His commands, or not.  We sometimes forget, while they were specially formed for their roles in our Salvation that they did not have to follow that path.

They had their own free will, again, just as we do.  They were raised by Godly parents to follow the Holy Spirit as He taught them and prepared them for their roles. 

But, they still had free choice.  They chose to do the bidding of God.

As a father that is proud of his children, their spouses and THEIR children, and a father who has made multitudes of mistakes; I have to ask myself:

If I had been the father of John and Jesus, would they have walked steadfastly in their service to God?

It is never too late to refocus my life on Him, asking Him to search my heart, helping me purge my sins and become a better example to those that I meet – especially those that I love.

Later, Art :-)

Spring.  We will be doing more driving and the Lincoln has been resting for the past few months, just driving it long enough to keep the battery charged.

So before we take a trip up to Kirkland tomorrow we decided to get it serviced by Rich this week.  It was a good thing – the serpentine belt was about ready to give out.  Not a good thing.

Then we always have the tires checked to make sure we have tires that will hold up under the miles – and shure nuff, we needed a couple of tires.  I had been a bit concerned about the front two the past few weeks, so it was good they found a problem, here, at home, rather than out on the open road.

Steven graduates on Saturday with a Bachelor’s Degree.  Ken decided not to walk when he got his, but we did get to see Teresa’s and Wendy’s graduations.  It is a good thing.

I am not sure how it works now, but the Board on Police Standards and Training was more interested in the fact that a person ‘stuck with it’ and graduated from college than the actual degree when it came to giving credit for college.

You still had to have a lot of training AND time on the job, but a Bachelor’s degree got you some of the certifications a couple of years earlier.

I can remember one of our officers had a degree in Music, and it took him eight years to get it, had to work and pay for it.  But the fact that he didn’t give up is an indication of his character and, while I kind of shook my head, I also admired him for his dedication and hard work.

1 Kings 22:8 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.

Those that have followed God’s bidding and tell the truth, no matter to who or how bad it may be, are always going to find someone pushing back. 

People don’t want to hear they are sinning.  They want God to sanction everything they do, but don’t want Him – or His people – to tell them they are wrong.

Unfortunately, far too many Christians feel the same way and look for Bible verses they can twist to make it seem that God’s sanctions their sin – it makes it difficult to help unbelievers see the sin in their lives when we as Christians do some of the same things.

America has fallen fast and far these past few decades.  What is sin is now considered to be okay, and even encouraged.

It is sad is that people do not learn from history.  When a nation goes rogue, as America is doing today, God will punish them.

Great nation after great nation has been brought down by the hubris of its leaders accepted and encouraged by the citizens.

It is so very frustrating.  I look at headline after headline, story after story and I see our nation being destroyed.  Sometimes by people genuinely trying to make our nation a better place, but they are just making things worse and give excuses to those that are more interested in destruction than improvement.

Then there are those that are deliberately attacking every facet of righteousness and calling it intolerance, hatred and all manners of foul language and actions.

But regardless, we are to stand in Christ and His Word.  Millions of people have done so in the past, some to the point of losing their lives – but God expects nothing less than complete obedience.

He gave His Son to us as a sacrifice for our sins.  HIS SON, why should we expect to live our life free of conflicts if Jesus did not. 

He could have done many things to protect Himself from those that tortured, humiliated and killed Him – but instead did what the Father wanted and gave us His life for us.

2 Timothy 3:11-13 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

¹² Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

¹³ But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Whatever God requires of us we have the Holy Spirit to guide us, to comfort us and to give us peace.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Later, Art :-)

Muggy today, it was supposed to be cooler, but isn’t.

I can’t figure out how those of you in the south with the high temperatures AND humidity handle it.  If I must have three digit temperatures, at least there is very little humidity – it is indeed a ‘dry’ heat.

Carla works in the garden until it just gets too hot for her, then she works on other projects – while still playing in the dirt or making it so she can.   (By the way, some of her tomato plants are now over 18 inches tall – hope the deer stay away from them.)

1 Kings 19:13-14 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

¹⁴ And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

Verse 18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

I don’t know about you, but I am feeling more and more an outsider to this country. 

It is as if those in ‘power’ want to do all they can to not only deny the Word of God but desecrate it.  Those who believe in His Word are to be chastised, persecuted and prosecuted.

Those making the decisions have no moral compass (okay, not all, but far too many.)

But, that isn’t the only problem.

Far too many people making decisions don’t have a working background in what they are making decisions about, instead they deal with theories and “should be’s,” not reality.

A good example is our agriculture.  Our country requires stringent guidelines.  What is permissible and not permissible in our food sources.

Other countries often do not have the same requirements and indeed would be put out of business if on American soil.

Yet, one of the things that has been removed from food items on our grocery shelves is country of origin.  We don’t know what we are getting from who.

It has recently been discovered that certain meats imported to America from other countries has such a high steroid count that it will show positive in a human’s system.

This is critical for many people, sports being the most obvious, but many businesses and government agencies also require a clean drug screen and the person who fails can be dealt with harshly.

There are many other items that fall into the area where if grown in America, the farmer would be shut down; yet we import it and now the buyer can’t be sure what they are buying.

My frustration list seems to grow every day as something comes out as to what our ‘leaders’ are forcing on us – or the idiocy of those that conveniently forget their responsibility to the citizens and instead become masters instead of servants.

I am NOT alone of course, and I am well aware of it.  But, still there are times that I really wonder if there are enough of us praying for our country and our people.

Elijah thought he was all alone and lamented to the Lord.  He was shown that what he thought was not true and that there he was not alone.

I once heard that one person, plus God, is a majority – but we have millions within our borders that need to kneel and thank God that we do live in America and ask Him to guide us back to the basic principles for what this country was founded upon.

Several million, plus God, is a huge army – we just need to listen to what God, the commander and chief – wants us to do.

Later, Art :-)   

Getting the hang of using the smoker.  Yesterday the temp hit 102 in our garden and made it difficult for me to maintain a constant temperature.  However, we got through it and Carla like the Pork Tenderloin I smoked.

Today I am doing Pork Shoulder, little more complicated, but since the air temperature was not as high it was easier to maintain a constant.  Checked it a few minutes ago and almost ready to take off.

Carla got called in today, one of the other employees was injured.  She won’t be off until 1800.  It is 1645 now and I will be taking it in, shortly.

Ham will be a might cooler, but should be just as good.

2 Corinthians 5:9-11 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

¹¹ Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

“Christ will be Lord, or He will be Judge.  Every man must decide whether he will take Him as Lord now, or face Him as Judge then.”  AW Tozer

Should be an easy decision.  However, some put it off too long.

Life, as we know it, where we can make a decision is short.

We equate life with our body breathing and our heart beating.  But God calculates in terms of eternity.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17   For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Luke 13:28-29 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

²⁹ And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

I thank God that He has accepted me into His family, through Jesus Christ and I too will be sitting with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the prophets and our brethren.

Later, Art :-)

Well the doc says I am still alive, and my numbers are well within acceptable limits – for that situation anyway.

Much warmer today.  Forecast is for mid-80’s, we will surpass that, still haven’t had to use the AC, though, so am happy with that.

I truly feel for those that are undergoing mass flooding and tornados.

Got a pork loin on the smoker for tonight’s dinner.  Have already put the rub on a pork shoulder for tomorrow.

Still getting use to this smoker, but we seem to be compatible... just have to figure out how to keep the heat at the right level.

Proverbs 27:17  Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

It is important that we help each other and if we see something that is not quite right with a friend, we should take the time to tell them what we are observing.

None of us are perfect, so there will be times that we sin, or at least say or do something that is questionable. 

We do not want to veer from God’s path, we want to stay squarely in the middle, however, that takes our willingness to focus on God AND to listen when other Christians give us advice.

Sometimes the advice is just a matter of a difference of opinion, other times though, it can be spot on and when we listen and evaluate what they say, we understand that we needed to be counseled – that is one of the most valuable things we have as Christians, other Christians that can sharpen us.

It is one of the reasons I ask for your input if you believe I am off base.

I, as I am sure most of you have, experienced ‘sharpening’ from our brethren.  And not always was it either pleasant to hear or to admit my mistake.

It can be humiliating and definitely has an impact on our ego if we let it. 

It is not unusual for someone to be hyper critical – especially in today’s environment where so many seem to be easily offended, or have to shout at the top of their lungs about how we are hypocrites or some other term of ‘endearment.’

Politeness today is often lacking, sometimes because the person doesn’t understand how to express themselves but are sincere in their desire to uplift us. 

Then there are those that like to be sarcastic, demeaning or take on a ‘holier than thou’ attitude.  They can be particularly annoying – however, it isn’t something that should be summary dismissed without consideration (much of the time.) 

Sometimes our perception of the motives of others clouds what we are hearing them say; but, if what they are saying has some truth in it and is something we should listen to and apply it to our actions.

Telling another person that you believe they are not correct in their walk with Jesus can be very difficult.  We are not sure how they will take it; especially if they are a strong Christian who is recognized for their walk with Christ.

I have seen people shake from apprehension as they approach someone who they admire, but feel they need to speak up about something they are seeing – and yep, I have been there.

While it may be difficult, if we truly feel they need guidance we should give it to them.  Most of us have skills in dealing with people, we have children who we have guided into making better citizens, we have been teachers and trainers in one way or another in our professional and private lives.

If a person has supervisory experience he knows it is important to evaluate fairly and honestly, combining criticism with encouragement and recognition of other accomplishments.

The main key of sharing our concerns with fellow Christians is that we do it in love.  Our desire should always be first to be sure this is what God wants us to do and second that we not attack the other person, but let them see the true concern we have and the love of wanting them to be successful in Christ.

Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

While iron sharpens iron, using love, as if it were the oil you would put on a wet stone, helps get the point across more effectively and makes both of us sharper.

Later, Art :-)