The Welcome Home – Page 68 – The Next Chapter

Watch and Listen

Sisters… I pray you will set about to redeem the time and walk circumspectly. Study the Bible – and then as you go about your life… be very careful to take what you hear and read and line it up against the Word of God. You will hear many doctrines, many traditions of men, many wonderful – unbelievable, delightful stories that will warm your heart and make you feel so good and happy. Be very careful to not get caught up in the snares of deception. The enemy is subtle – so subtle that you might begin to believe things you never thought you’d believe but the enemy has made them so sweet and sincere and familiar that it’s hard to distinguish real truth from real lies.

Numbers 23.19 “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?”

Be sure. Be very sure. There is only one place you will find the Truth or the basis of what you believe. You’re not going to find it in a message somewhere (though a message might be proclaiming the truth: be sure to prove all things and hold fast that which is good). You’re not going to find the Truth in traditions of men. You’re not going to find the Truth based on your feelings – or, rather, how you feel about what you hear somewhere. The Truth is in the Bible. And the Bible is very clear. And the Spirit of God is very clear. Be very careful what you read – where you read it and what you do with what you read.

Weigh everything in the balance of God’s Word. Read it. Know it. Meditate on it. Memorize it. Live it.

1John 2.27 “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. “

Be very careful about the big tents. There are some very big shows going on around the world in some pretty big tents. And in the big tents there are a lot of messages being shared. Andthe big tents are attractive and attracting lots and lots of people. Don’t be deceived by numbers of people. Test what you hear. Listen and compare what you hear with what you read in God’s Word.

Watch.
Watch and wait.
Watch and wait and listen.

Read in 1 Kings, the story of Elijah. This portion is key: (1Kings 19.11-12)
“And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. “

“…A still small voice.” Listen for it. Listen for the Voice of the Lord.

There are many things changing day by day… you will be amazed if you simply watch. If you watch and listen.

2Peter 3.2-18
“That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

You’re here… you’re other places on the ‘net. Be careful… be careful to not be lulled into thinking or ways that are contrary to the Word of God – the Truth of God. Be careful to not be enticed to believe things that are inconsistent with the Truth of God and the finished work of redemption. Be sure to study to show yourself approved.

1Corinthians 2.9-16
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. “

Listen to what’s being taught (and heard and believed!)
Here’s one; a talk by Rick Warren.
And then think for a moment… are you being mislead by sweet, seductiv, enticing or convincing works and words? Here’s an article on “The Most Dangerous Thing in the World.” I’ll likely add some more… but this is enough for now.

10 mistakes

I’m sort of stuck in neutral here – or am still drinking a cup of tea and mulling over Cindy’s ongoing blog entries and numerous(!!) comments from thoughtful readers. The original post was the springboard for a couple of my entries here and likely a few more. Now, from (her blog) was “Older Mothers of the World Unite,” which led to “Calling All Moms for Real Advice,” and then, today’s “Disciplining Children.” I don’t know of anything that gets women talking more than the multifaceted topic of discipline/child-training/pregnancy. Well, maybe… wifely submission. O, and dresses. Well, okay, and feminism.

And, after a comment I received here last night, I started thinking… not about what I hate to see younger moms doing but sort of in response that letter, I thought, well, what would I tell a young mom were my biggest mistakes? Or, rather, instead of sharing what I think is right, maybe I’d share some stuff I discovered along the way – some of my mistakes – and there’s not a top ten bcz, actually, mistakes, like sin, cannot be qualified or quantified exactly. Some things I thought were biggies – big mistakes – were actually not as big as I thought they were and a few things I didn’t think were all that bad were actually quite devastating. But I learned from them – or am learning from them.

So, here are some mistakes – ten of ’em.

1. Chocolate Hazelnut decaf Stash tea.
2. Chopped walnuts in pumpkin-pie filling.
3. Not closing the car door properly after grocery shopping.
4. Getting a dog from the pound.
5. Buying an old, valuable antique sofa that just needed to be recovered (it had plastic legs – I discovered later) .
6. Allowing cream of wheat to dry on the highchair tray.
7. Not keeping nail-polish on a high shelf.
8. Vacuuming up powdered sugar.
9. Allowing a teen-age son to help me keep the very squeaky back door oiled with WD-40 so that it opened and closed quietly for me.
10. Confusing or thinking that outward obedience was synonymous with inward submission.

So there you go… ten mistakes of the many I have made. It may seem I made light of mistakes – I have a tendency to use humour to share -but not gloss over- things I have learned.

In that list, that last one is or was one of the most serious and painful mistakes I/we have ever made. Now, I must interject here that I did then and do now believe that God is, indeed, sovereign and that He allows and works all things together for good — for my good and for my children’s good.

There was a period of time where we so sought to have our children following the Lord and obeying His Word that we were looking for homeschooling materials and methods to better help us accomplish that. We were willing to do anything – whatever it took – to train them up to be obedient, to be faithful, to be exemplary in character and in deed. It was, character first! to us, we were diligent to study – diligent to serve – diligent to strive for ‘mastery’ in education and skills. We consider that period of time to have been exceedingly valuable to us and is still benefiting us today. And you know why? Because we learned a very painful lesson about inward and outward discipline and appearance – and that we have a critically important job as parents to be sure of our children’s hearts and actions and we need to love each one of them in the way they, individually, need to be loved and nurtured. We learned some painful lessons about law and grace. We learned some very, very important lessons about virtual reality and literal reality – that seems isn’t the same as is. We learned that sometimes love is tough.

And so that is why, for me, one of the greatest mistakes I have ever made is looking on outward obedience and assuming sincere inward submission – both to God and to parents.

Now, that’s not the end of the story… because, God, being the loving, faithful, compassionate, merciful and gracious God that He is, could not – did not – leave us there. But He took us from there and has been leading us along the way through these many years. The squeaky back door? Well, that was ten years ago. It was a very important part of my life story – my/our parenting story – and God’s demonstration of faithful intervention on my behalf. You see, had I/we not had a wayward child, I/we might have been erroneously under the notion that *I* was/we were responsible for all the good things they were, are or did; I would, today, be an unbearable pharisee. I know, I know, to some I am unbearable – pharisee or no.

But just as I needed to learn what I learned in the valley after my husband’s recent heart attack, so also I needed to learn what I learned in the valley of being the mother of a prodigal. I love and appreciate my husband in ways I never have before and I love and appreciate my children in ways I couldn’t prior to having a prodigal and learning the invaluable lessons I learned. I do not wish for either of those two experiences for any other woman – but from those and other life experiences, I hope to encourage those who may never face them, those who have faced them or those who are in the midst of facing them. For, as I have said many times, sorrow skips no home and God wastes no thread.

Mothers, Untie !

Yep – I let a typo become the title of this entry. Cindy‘s original blog yesterday “Older Mothers of the World Unite” has been quite interesting to watch as comments have doubled overnight. I shared some things on her comments section and posted them here. Not as an indictment of mothers but an admonition to evaluate some decisions/activities. That said… I continue to mull over this matter today.

I say… mothers: Untie!

This, I say, for many reasons. Older mothers have been afraid to say things to their capable, confident, well accessorized, independent, younger counterparts. Now, at first blush, my description of the younger counterparts may seem critical and maybe even judgmental. O, not so. I actually marvel at the capabilities of the younger mothers – and am astonished at the proliferation of baby-childcare-childhood merchandise and training materials. But I also marvel at the independence I see and the sad consequence of that independence. I see many young mothers as unaware of their lack of skill or unaware of their self-centeredness or unaware of their marginalizing of their older counterparts. To many younger confident mothers, the older mothers are passé – obsolete has-been’s who aren’t really relevant because times have changed and the archaic ways have been replaced by the nouvelle motherhood – the, what I call: bigger, better, more motherhood. The “righter than you” motherhood.

Now, here is a potential for trouble – young mothers may feel unnecessarily accused or offended at this point and that’s not my intention. My intention is not to ‘slam’ young mothers or to reprimand or criticize. But to say: Mothers! Untie!

Untie! Old mothers… Older mothers… Younger mothers… Young mothers: Let us all not be so bound up in sanctimonious thinking that we forget where we are, where we’ve come from or where we’ve been.

So that, when a young mom says, for example: we’ll never spank our children! You don’t reply: “Then you’ll wind up with little terrors who will destroy the property of every home they visit and be miserable to spend time with.” Instead, maybe a better tact would be to demonstrate how and when and where and why to properly discipline and hopefully the ~~overly confident-~~ inexperienced young mother will take into consideration the biblical mandate to discipline properly and to love and respect properly – and quite possibly understand the reason Titus 2.3-5 is included in the Word. You will gain respect, you will impart understanding and wisdom and, more importantly, you will gain a loyal friend in that young mom.

So that, for example, when an older mom describes how to do something that goes against or doesn’t line up with contemporary conventional thinking, young moms don’t bristle and close their ears to other options – and old moms need to see there are some great ‘new ways’ of doing old things better and not be so callused, closed minded or hard hearted to new ways of seeing things. We need to see there may be new and better ways. We might need reminding that the old way of doing things just might still be the best way – and just because appliances and convenience have replaced many things – that doesn’t mean the old ways obsolete.

Just look at the number of so-called retro things are popular. Aprons, cookbooks, wheat-grinding, bread, clotheslines, soap making, herbs and tinctures, natural products, cloth diapers and on and on.

Untie! Young mothers… untie yourselves from the preconceived notions that the older mothers think they know everything and want to ~~ruin~~ rule your lives. Be taught! You’ll be teachers one day!

Untie! Young mothers… from the thought that generations before you are antiquated and this generation now (finally and fortunately) has things figured out. Learn from the old ways while you’re walking the new paths.

Untie! Older mothers… Untie from the old ways that aren’t profitable! Be teachable and adaptable to the new ways. Hold fast that which is good… (1Thessalonians 5.21 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”)

Untie! Older mothers… be what God has called you to be. Be it! Teach it! Live by example – and if your example isn’t so good right now – get it there… study, improve, correct, change, apply! Get your life in order, learn what you ought to know, be what you ought to be: that(!) the Word of God will not be blasphemed in or through your life – Let the Word be lived through your life!

Unite your heart to fear the LORD and to live in obedience to Him.

Let us learn from Titus 1.9 and 16 and 2.1: “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers… They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate… But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:”

And older mothers: we need to be sweet. The younger generation needs an example to follow. Let’s strive together – not against one another. Let’s unite.

a couple of links for you…

I can’t resist posting a couple of links…

Wes sent me several “Roger Bennett” links tonight. I thought I’d share. I was particularly saddened at the passing of Roger earlier this year as I especially like his music – his piano style and, additionally, was touched by his courageous and arduous battle against Leukemia. Here’s a tribute… Home Free – Roger Bennett.

And then one more… you’ll think: Wow! How’d they capture those shots?!? Well… take a look here ; photographs-taken-at-the-exact-right-time.

Okay… and one more:

Aprons are really making a come-back in some circles! Make it be so in yours! Here’s a sweet story I received – yep, about aprons:

Grandma’s Apron

The principle use of Grandma’s apron was to protect the dress underneath, but along with that, it served as a holder for removing hot pans from the oven; It was wonderful for drying children’s tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears. From the chicken-coop the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven. When company came those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids; And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms. Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron. From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled it carried out the hulls. In the fall the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees. When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds. When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner. It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that “old-time apron” that served so many purposes.”

“Grandma used to set her fresh hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughter’s set their frozen boxed pies on the window sill to thaw.”

Cindy’s “Older Mothers of the World Unite”

I was reading Cindy’s Blog and sort of felt compelled to leave a note for her in her comment section. Now, she didn’t need my input – surely all the other entries were sufficient, but I was compelled, nonetheless. She had set up her writing in such a manner as to almost induce others to think of their own ‘lists’ and it was very effective. So much so, that at this point I am thinking of many more entries… but I’ll just leave it at what I already posted. She titled her blog entry “Older Mothers of the World Unite. I originally typed Untie. so… here I go: Untied. Or United. Whatever.
I often think of her quote: “Ideas have consequences” and find myself saying that here at home from time to time.

So, this, quoted from Cindy’s site:

Since Amy (Pray for Amy. She is STILL pregnant.) sent even more young mothers over here I thought it would be FUN to get really honest. I thought maybe the older moms could tell the things that bug them when they see mothers with young children. I thought this would be a lot of fun and it would also be a way to plumb the ultimate depths of memory loss and truth telling. If there is one thing I have learned from blogging it’s that negativity sells

To get things rolling, I will list ten things I hate to see young mothers doing: (and then she listed them here) …”

And now, Here’s what I wrote in response to Cindy’s comments:

This is funny, Cindy… I was just having this conversation with an *old* ;o) friend of mine. I don’t know if I’ve got a top “Ten things I hate to see young mothers doing.”

When I see a mother with young children_________.

here goes:
1. …and the child is fussy, angry, whiny and the mother make endless excuses that or why he/she is so tired. (it’s your number 9 – but I suspect your list order changes as situations warrant.)

2. …and the toddler is wearing a diaper that is nearly down to his/her knees and is filled with about a quart or two of fluid. (o, and the mother says she likes how absorbent that brand of diaper is.) Ack!

3. …and the mother is *counting!* in some attempt to quell the disobedience(!?!?!) When? Surely not when she gets to ‘3’ or ’10’ Young mothers: don’t count! Please. Teach counting at the table with pencil and paper, beans or chocolate chips. But don’t count as a method of discipline. There’s a proper method for that. Use it early (and often) if necessary.

4. …and the child is emptying the cabinets or shelves or whatever and the mother makes excuses for her child’s “curiosity” and “busyness.”

5. …and she asks cranky child in the shopping cart if they want to go home? It goes something like: “We are so going home if you don’t stop that. I shouldn’t have brought you here. I’m not going to buy you anything. I told you you can’t have it. Okay. but I am not getting you anything else. Do you want to go home. You are going to be in so much trouble. I’m going to spank you. Okay. You’re not getting these. I’m going to take you home.” They don’t want to go home, Mama. They want their own way. Don’t talk, Mama. Act.

6. …and they think it’s everyone else’s children who are acting up or being rude – and that the trouble surely could not have been their child’s fault. 0ooo. (take this from a mom of angelic and naughty ones)

7. …and the mama has been duped into believing the latest hype… and is worn out, unsure, is a over-confident yet insecure and stays neurotically busy doing all the right stuff… just right and on schedule, wants all the right equipment – wants all the right clothes – all the right play groups – the right books – the right educational toys – the right pediatrician – the right carrier – the right order, schedule, and terms and yet doesn’t realize it’s not all the ‘right stuff’ that matters most. Relax. Most all the stuff that ‘seems’ most important just isn’t. Listen to an older mom: most all of that stuff doesn’t matter. What matters is: time with you… time hearing stories, making something, walking, talking, laughing, painting, colouring, praying, singing, mattering to you… that’s what’s important. Really.

8. …yep – flat headed babies.

9. …speak in third person to the child.
aiya!

But you know what I’m hating maybe the most? This trend I’m seeing in moms… it’s flippant or sarcastic or whatever – it’s a way young women are dealing with their families that is not nurturing and loving but is oftentimes offhanded, surly, using innuendos to make comments or requests. TV sitcom coarseness and mannerisms have crept into homes and many mother’s attitudes are not tenderhearted – gentle, kind, patient – but cocky, even caustic at times – about the ‘kids’ and about the fathers or husbands. Women have poor attitudes about their children, their husbands and their home-life.

So, number 10 – but probably number one… I’m not seeing the majority of young moms as joyful mothers of children (psalms 113).

But, Cindy, I’m pretty certain your readers are joyful – joy-filled mothers of children. I’ve seen this to be the case. Thanks for the good topics you bring to the table.”

So, this top-ten listing from older mothers could go on and on… so, if *you* feel like posting *your* top ten… go ahead, feel free to do so. This older mom has forgotten so much … maybe you have some better ones.

“Lost time can never be redeemed.”

That statement rings in my ears.

As I thought back on the Titus2 meeting last evening I was mindful of things similar to the title of today’s blog entry… things I had intended to write about this morning but now my train of thought has gone elsewhere. So I continue to mull this over. “… Lost time can never be redeemed.” And while that is true, I consider the thought or the truth or the hope that lost time can, in fact, be repaired by the great Redeemer – but truly there is great wisdom in that “lost time can never be redeemed” statement. I’ll share some ‘repair’ thoughts later.

But for now, I simply want to focus on the source of that quote – contained in a sermon I heard this morning.

I was gripped with sorrow for people I don’t know – have never met – people who are mourning the loss of the fine young man who spoke those words in that sermon at age seventeen. I marvel at the wisdom and accomplishment of the young man whose nineteen years on this earth came to an abrupt end as his life was suddenly taken this past week. I grieve for the mother and father of that precious son – what fine training he obviously received. What honour they have received in the bearing and training this fine son. What wisdom in youth! What strength of character! What knowledge and understanding: rightly dividing the Word of Truth! What a testimony of God’s marvelous grace. May God help and bless the Billings family.

I listened to the sermon he preached – and it, for me, encapsulated my hope for young men – our young men and the sons of my sisters in Christ. Were I to attempt to define what should be the goal of child training or bringing up young boys who would be men, it would be this – it would be a life totally and completely yielded to God, a life of steadfastness to the end – faithful to the end – loyal to the end – blessed and being a blessing.

Here is an early tribute by Doug Phillips to

Michael Billings; 1988 – 2007, A Son of Hope, An Unparalleled Defender of the Faith, and a Bright Shining Star in the Kingdom of God…”

When you listen to Michael’s sermon, you will see why Doug Phillips also wrote:

Michael was the oldest young man I have ever met and the single most passionate champion of truth to emerge from the ranks of the Vision Forum students. He died without regret, justified, uncompromising — a righteous man if ever we knew one. “

In the closing of the message, Life is But a Vapor, Michael preached that day, he admonished:

Fear God and Keep His commandments…
night is falling: you must seize the day.”

What a fine young man. What a testimony of a life fully yielded to Christ. What hope for us mothers who wonder how might we live today in the training of sons.

So, I went to Costco to fill up the van…

Yes, with petrol and food.

I had waited long enough to buy gas… a sort of game of anxious anticipation: just how close to the “E” do I allow the needle to go before I dare to drive past another station or make a Costco trip.

Anyway, a couple of ‘comic strips’ came to my mind as I slipped my Costco-Amex card into the swiper and then, in anticipation of how much this fun venture was going to cost before I even went into the store with the cart (at $3.07 per gallon). I watched the price inch up to $100. and I just had to laugh.

Actually, I was sort of taken aback at the newest price of petrol. And milk. However – I did bear in mind that a gallon of gas (and a 4 2-gallon boxes of milk) is really still a slightly better value than a gallon of Starbucks mochas or lattes. But the ambiance – I told myself – the ambiance is just… not there (at the pump or in the warehouse).

I began to dream of the warm, comfortable Sbux store… the wonderful aroma of a “Peppermint Mocha” and red cups that just came out today…

And then reality struck: the intense click of the nozzle and the wafting aroma of gasoline interrupted those pleasant dreams.

fill-er-up

gas loan

More reasons to Homeschool

I received the following email a few years ago. Truer now:

Obituary for Mr. Sense

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Mr. Common Sense. Mr.
Sense had been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such value lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm and that life isn’t always fair. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not kids, are in charge).

His health began to rapidly deteriorate when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. – Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Mr. Sense declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student; but, could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Finally, Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense finally gave up the ghost after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, she spilled a bit in her lap, and was awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by two stepbrothers; My Rights and Ima Whiner. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.”

Still… may your day be blessed in the Lord…

The irony of children begging for candy

On Wednesday nights we have a Bible study and dinner with friends of ours. It’s something we all very much look forward to each week. This past week was no different – except for the fact that it was halloween [and Reformation Day, too, by the way]. And our friends live in a quaint neighborhood in the old part of town with streets named after each letter of the alphabet… house after house, alley after alley all neatly ordered over a hundred years ago. Lots of houses like that mean lots of ‘trick-or-treaters’ on that night. Our friend wanted to have us to there home instead of them coming to ours for that night so that he could talk to the ~~beggers~~ trick-or-treaters when they came to the door which, he knew, they inevitably would. It was a good time to

Isn’t it just ironic and silly that once a year children walk the streets in the dark and tap on stranger’s doorbells and ~~beg for candy~~ say trick-or-treat and expect to be treated with candy? Isn’t it just goofy bizarre that all the other days of the year, [we] parents tell children not to go out after dark or not to take candy from strangers (you never know what might be in there!) and not to beg for things from people – let alone strangers! And we tell them be real, don’t be insincere, candy’s not so good for you, don’t wear masks, don’t eat too many sweets, don’t be greedy — be kind to people don’t trick them — be authentic! And then one day a year that whole mantra is (seemingly) tossed out the window and is (probably) replaced with: be careful, watch for cars, stay in a group, say thank you and on and on. Still… going to homes of total strangers with the candy container (or the preferable pillow case), begging for candy to add to a whole mess of candy they ~~begged~~ received from other homes they had just come from. As an aside, I wonder, from the homes of local dentists, do children receive sticky candy or floss, toothpaste and toothbrush packets? I’m just thinking.

I still remember, probably 40 years ago, going from house to house… ~~begging~~ for more candy. I remember being thrilled and scared at the very same time. I remember avoiding the homes of the bad boys and being fearful of who might jump out of the bushes – but still thrilled for more candy and pushing aside fear, I would make the rounds of the neighborhoods. I won’t say things are different now than they were then – because they aren’t. Things were not sweet then and ugly now — but I will say, I do see things differently now than I did then. And it’s not only bcz we have children / grandchildren of our own now.

I think a lot of people have come into this same revelation of Truth and have questioned some of the so-called ‘innocent fun’ things of life, theme parks, movie characters and ‘children’s toys’ — that there really is darkness, there is a very, very dark side — and to these things there are consequences. I marvel over the these things… there is no good magic or there is white magic and black magic and we just stay away from black magic. That’d be sort of like saying there’s good evil and bad evil… we do the good evil but we stay away from bad evil. Evil’s evil – ‘good’ or bad… but the enemy sure likes to dress evil up and make it look ‘okay’ doesn’t he? Or any other bad thing… made to appear as ‘light’ — but is not.

Just another day of thinking about things. And writing them down.

But then, reality…
I need to get ready to go to our neighbour’s birthday party. It’s very important. He’s three after all.

Cookies ~ Cookies ~ Cookies for You!

Sharon sent this remarkable list out! Just click on any of the cookie names and Snap! just like that, you’ll have the recipe! O, heart healthy? Uh, no. ;o)

***Cookies ~ Cookies ~ Cookies… just for YOU!

1-2-3 Cookies 7 Layer Cookies Allie Nelson’s Famous Snickerdoodle Cookies Almond Crescent Shortbread Amish Sugar Cookies Andies Candies Cookies Angel Crisps Angenets Applesauce Cookies Apricot Fold-Overs Aunt Edy’s Molasses Crinkles Auntie Linda’s Ginger Gems Bakeless Dream Cookies Banana Drop Cookies Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World Biscotti Biscotti Blueberry Cookies Boiled Chocolate Oatmeal Drop Cookies Bronwnies Brown Sugar Shortbread Brownie Cookies Brownie Delight Brownies Buccaneer Snowballs Buried Cherry Cookies Butter Cookies Butter Nut Balls Butterballs Butterscotch Haystacks C.O.P. Cookies Candy Cane Cookies Candy Cookies Caramel Shortbread Cheesecake Brownies Cherry Buns Cherry Crowns Cherry Winks Chewies Chewy Noels Chinese Chews/Haystacks Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Chocolate Chip Cookies Chocolate Chip Meltaways Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Chocolate Christmas Trees Chocolate Cream Cheese Squares Chocolate Crinkles Chocolate Mint Snow-Top Cookies Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies (no bake) Chocolate Snowball Cookies Chocolate Streusel Bars Chocolate Sundae Cookies Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars Choco-Scotch Crunchies Choose A Cookie Dough Recipe Christmas Crackers Christmas Crunch Bars Christmas Ginger Snaps Christmas Macaroons Christmas Mice Cookies Christmas Shaped Cookies Church Window Cookies Coconut Cookies Congo Squares Cookie in a Jar Corn Flakes Cookies Cornflake Christmas Wreaths Cowboy Cookies (oatmeal) Cream Cheese Cookies with Apricot Filling Creme De Menthe Chocolate Squares Creme Wafers Crescent Cookies Crispy Crunchies Date Nut Balls Date-nut Pinwheel Cookies Diabetic Peanut Butter Cookies Disgustingly Rich Brownies Doodles Double chocolate chip cookies Double-Chocolate Crinkles Eatmore Cookies Eggnog Cookies Elizabeth’s Sugar Cookies Elves Quick Fudge Brownies Emily Dickinson’s Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Emily’s Best Brownies Famous Oatmeal Cookies Firemen Cookies Fluffy Shortbread Cookies Forgotten Cookies Frosted Peanut Butter Brownies Fruit Cake Cookies Fruitcake Squares Fry Pan Cookies Gems Ginger Cookies Ginger Crinkles Gingerbread Baby Gingerbread Cookies with Butter Cream Icing Gingerbread Men Gingerbread Men Ginny’s Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies Glory’s Golden Graham Squares Glory’s Sugar Cookies Gramma Chapman’s chocolate coconut drops Grandma Elsie’s Zimt (cinnamon) Cookies Grandma J’s Butter Cookies Grandma Olson’s Parkay Cookies Great Grandmothers Sugar Cookies Gum Drop Cookies Gumdrop Gems Haystack Cookies Ho-Ho Bars Holiday Cereal Snaps Holiday Chocolate Butter Cookies Holiday Raisin Walnut Bars Holly Cookies Hungarian Cookies (Little Nut Rolls) Ice Box Cookies Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies Italian Cookies Jacob’s Peppermint Snowballs Jam Bars Jessica’s Famous Brownies Jessie’s Chocolate Chip Cookies Jubilee Jumbles Juliet’s Peanut Butter Blossoms Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies Kentucky Colonels Kiefle (cream cheese cookies with jam filling) Kifflings Kiss Cookies Lacy Swedish Almond Wafers Lemon Angel Bar Cookies Lemon Bars Lemon Cake Cookies Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies Lemon Squares Linzer Tarts Log Cabin Cookies Luscious Lemon Squares M&M Cookies Magic Cookie Bars Melt in Your Mouth Cutout Sugar Cookies Melting Shortbread Meme’s Cream Cheese Cookies Milk Chocolate Florentine Cookies Mincemeat Cookies Mincemeat Goodies Molasses Cookies Molasses Forest Cookies Molasses Sugar Cookies Mom Mom’s Crescent Cookies Mom-Mom’s Ginger Cookies Mom’s Nutmeg Sugar Cookies Mom’s Old Fashion “Puffy” Sugar Cookies Monster Cookies Moravian Christmas Cookies Nana’s Famous Soft Southern Cookies Nitey Nite Cookies No Bake Chocolate Cookies No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No-Bake Cookies Norwegian Sugar Cookies Nut Balls Oatmeal Bars Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Nut Cookies Oatmeal Coconut Crisps Oatmeal Cookies Oatmeal Scotchies Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies Ooey Gooey Squares Orange Slice Cookies Parking Lot Cookies Peanut Blossoms Peanut Butter Bars Peanut Butter Blossoms Peanut Butter Cereal Cookies Peanut Butter Chewies Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut butter fingers Peanut Butter Reindeer Peanut Butter Surprises Peanut Marshmallow Cookies Pecan Puff Cookies Peppermint Snowballs Peppernuts Persimmon Cookies Persimmon Cookies Petey’s Yummy Spicy Almond Thins Pfeffernuesse Pffefferneuse Cookies Pineapple Filled Cookies Pizzelles Potato Chip Cookies Potato Flake Cookies Praline Cookies Praline Strips Pterodactyl Nests Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Chip Cookies Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Pumpkin Cookies Queen Biscuits Quick Cookies Raised Sugar Cookies Raisin Filled Oatmeal Bars Raspberry Meringue Bars Really Peanutty Butter Cookies Reese`s Brownies Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars Rich Flavor Christmas Cookies Rich Lemon Bars Ricotta Cheese Cookies Royal Almond Christmas Bars Rudolph Cinnamon Cookies Russian Tea Cookies Russian Teacakes Samantha & Kelsey’s Chocolate Chip Cookies Sand Art Brownies Santa Claus Cookie Pops Santa Claus Cookies S anta’s Butterscotch Melts Santa’s Shorts Santa’s Special Squares Scotch Cakes Scotch Shortbread Scotcharoos Scotcheroos Seven Layer Cookies Short Bread Cookies Shortbread Skor Squares Snicker Doodle Cookies Snickerdoodles Snickerdoodles Snow Balls Sour Cream Apple Squares Sour Cream Christmas Cookies Special K Cookies Spice Cookies Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Spritz Cookies Stained Glass Window Cookies Stir & Drop Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Swedish Pepparkakor (Pepper Cake) Cookies Swedish Sugar Cookies Sweet Marie’ s S wiss Treats Taralle (Italian Cookies) Tea Time Tassies Texas Brownies The Best Shortbread in The World Thumbprint Cookies Thumbprint Cookies Toffee Squares Traditional Christmas Sugar Cookies Traditional Gingerbread Men Cookies Triple-Chocolate Chip Cookies Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies Vanilla Waffer Balls Walnut Butter Cookies Walnut Crumb Bars White Chip Chocolate Cookies Wild Oatmeal Cookies Will’s Famous Apple Jack Cookies Yummy Yummy Peanut Butter Blossoms

Thanks, again, Sharon! WOW!

***By the way… this is *not* an endorsement of santaclaus or mrsclaus; all the related links and activities or northpole legends or anything but the actual recipes or help the actual recipes might be to you and me in the locating of recipes and preparation of cookies. That’s all.