Family Ties

Saturday Sunshine

2011-12-10T11:12:00.000-05:00

It's a beautiful Saturday morning! Cold, but beautiful. I hope you're all enjoying this day.

We had a great time with Stephanie and her husband Don yesterday. It was so good getting to know new friends, and to find we have much in common. And when I think of how we met ... just goes to show me once again, how God orders our steps when we least expect it. I was a patient, Stephanie was one of my nurses and that led to a friendship that goes beyond hospital walls. I'm so thankful.

We also went to the Library yesterday afternoon and I picked up 4 books to read...I started my first one last nite and it's called The Walk by Richard Evans. Already I can tell it's going to be a good book and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading.

What are YOU doing today? Christmas shopping? Working? Resting? Whatever it is, may your day be blessed and may you know the peace that only God can give.

Blessings to you all!
Love,
Louise

Christmas!

2011-12-09T09:38:00.000-05:00

Good Friday morning Family!

Isn't it good to be alive? Yep, I think so! Life, even with its problems, is so precious and I sincerely hope each person reading this, knows first-hand this truth. I love each of you and sincerely hope and pray that this Christmas is a blessed one for you!

Clyde and I are having lunch today with a new friend and her husband. Stephanie was one of my nurses while I was in the hospital this last time. She is a sweet lady who also lives close to us and attends the same church as Darrel Manuel, Clyde's cousin. What a small world we live in. And what a blessing to know her.

While I was in the hospital, they were able to diagnose what is wrong with my feet. Finally! It's a condition called Erythromelalgia and is quite rare....what else would I have, right? They researched and consulted and came to the conclusion that plain old aspirin is the best course of therapy (and inexpensive too) and it has helped a great deal. Thank the Lord for good doctors! It seems I will always have pain, but for the most part, it's manageable. Just knowing what this condition is, is a blessing.

Don't forget to pray for Tony B....he's having heart surgery this Monday, Dec.

That's about all for now, take care!

Love to all,

Louise

Pineapple Pie

2011-08-15T15:08:00.000-04:00

Easy Summer Ice Box Pie

1 Large Box Instant Vanilla Pudding

1 large can crushed pineapple, undrained

8 ounce container of sour cream

Large cool whip

Graham Cracker Pie Crust

In bowl, mix the Vanilla pudding with the pineapple and sourcream. Stir well.

Pour into prepared graham cracker crust and put into refrigerator for about 2 hours or until

well chilled. Top with cool whip and serve.

This is really good!

Just checking....

2011-08-15T15:00:00.000-04:00

I'm just checking to see if anyone reads this blog. If you do, how about giving us your favorite recipe(s) to share with those who do read this?

All you have to do is comment at the end of this post, or send me an email.

Hope you're all doing well and enjoying the Summer, or what's left of it!

Happy Birthday one day late to Lukas...he's 16 yrs old.

Christian Faith

2011-08-15T14:56:00.000-04:00

"The Christian faith is about a relationship with Someone who loves you and who has given you the freedom to be His friend. The further we get from that freedom, the further we get from New Testament Christianity and the more our Christianity resembles every other religion, merely a system for keeping the baser instincts of human nature in check. In other words, Christianity becomes a system of rules and regulations. If we live by them, our Christianity becomes pure drudgery with a vague hope that God will reward us in heaven for the drudgery. If we don't live by them, we either lie about it or give up altogether."

Steve Brown

Something to ponder....

2011-08-08T18:56:00.000-04:00

"You know," Liesl said now, tucking a hand in my arm as we walked. "I have to tell you something I have been thinking about for a long time, ever since Uncle Abe died."

"Yes?"

"I notice that the English are always saying, 'I'm sorry for your loss, so sorry for your loss.' It is an appropriate expression, I suppose."

"I nodded, wondering where she was going with this.

"But for me," she continued, "what I realized is that at other times when things are going well and a person is finding herself to be quite successful and affluent, earning and achieving and expanding, what I would like to say is 'I am sorry for your gain.'

I couldn't help but laugh, asking what on earth she meant.

"Just that the ways of God's people are not the ways of this world. Success and money and achievement can be a terrible hindrance to one's spiritual life. At least at times of loss, we are reminded of our priorities, of our many blessings. In times of gain, we can so often lose our way. This is why the Amish stress simplicity in all things at all times, because nothing should ever be allowed to turn our eyes away from what is truly important, from the cross."

Excerpt from Secrets of Harmony Grove, pgs 361, 362
by Mindy Clark Starns

What is life...

2011-07-18T13:33:00.000-04:00

Miss Paizley

2011-07-13T18:01:00.003-04:00

Isn't she adorable?

She's the daughter of Melissa Jent.

Summer in the City...

2011-07-13T18:00:00.000-04:00

Think our firemen have it easy? Look below...

On one of the hottest days we've had this Summer,

July 11, after really bad storms, this

is a part of what Jamie has to do.

Thank the Lord for firemen!

Thank you Jamie! Jeremy too!

July 4th

2011-07-04T14:31:00.001-04:00

A happy July 4th to you, wherever you may be today.

I read this on another blog and thought it fitting for all to read...

In God We Trust: Happy 4th of July!

As you listen to our National Anthem consider the 4th and final verse and pray for our poor country. We will only continue to be the "land of the free and home of the brave" to the degree that we honor the "Power" that has "preserved us a nation." Pray that all patriots put their trust in God and obey his laws which were made for our happiness. When we throw out the laws of God, we guarantee the misery of our country and our people.

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war's desolation!

Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

by Mary Ann Kreitzer

Christians...

2011-07-04T14:29:00.000-04:00

"Christians no longer need to pretend to be better than anyone else. We don't have to put on any show of being good, for we know we are not. We are not good, we are forgiven; and so we are free to be honest before God and before others. We are free to be ourselves. We have given up trying to be good little boys and girls, and whenever we catch ourselves striving to please either God or others by dint of moral effort, we are the sort of people who react to this danger signal by falling on our faces before the Lord. For one of the secret privileges of being His child is knowing that it is all right to fail. It is all right to get tired, as His followers we know that if we are ever truly to reflect His goodness or His power, it will not be by human effort by only by grace."

Author Unknown

Stephanie

2011-06-23T15:03:00.000-04:00

8th Grade Graduation...where has the time gone?

Perri

2011-06-23T14:58:00.001-04:00

Perri's play at school. She was the reporter.

Erica

2011-06-23T14:56:00.000-04:00

Erica's dance recital

Father's Day, 2011

2011-06-19T19:39:00.000-04:00

My Dad. Amigo. Schmeeg. So many memories, so many good times I had with the man that I was blessed to call my Father. I loved the relationship him and I shared. All the dinners, all the donuts, all the thrift stores, all the yard sales, all the talks on his swing, or in our yards, or on the phone. He was my soft place to fall, the one who I always looked up to, the one I admired beyond words, the one I loved with all of my heart. I love you, Dad, and miss you so much. Happy Fathers Day !!

Mike. My husband, the father of my children, my friend, my protector. I thank you for sharing life with me, for giving me our two beautiful children, for taking such good care of us, for being such a hard worker, for never giving up on me, for never giving up on us. I look forward to spending the rest of our lives together, to making new memories, to continue to grow old together. I can't picture my life without you. I love you for everything you are, for all the goodness you possess, for loving me even thru the hard times....you are lifelong love...Happy Fathers Day !!

Perri Rae

2011-06-13T19:27:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to our Granddaughter
Perri Rae Moore

This was her last year at grade school and she was

voted Citizen of the Year

and made the Principal's List.

We are so proud of you and we love you!

Gram & Papa Moore

Are you an enemy?

2011-05-03T20:12:00.000-04:00

Are You an Enemy of God?

You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God. (James 4:4)

For good or ill, without question our children imitate us. What they see in us — our values, actions, and speech — significantly influence them. After giving four reasons for the quarrels and conflicts we face in our families and communities, James the apostle summarizes his words with a stinging indictment. He calls his audience — the converted Jews, the twelve tribes dispersed abroad — adulteresses. This is not the first time God refers to his covenant people with such disdain (see also Isa. 1:21, Jer. 3:3-10). This term is a common prophetic portrayal of faithless Israel. In Deuteronomy 31:16, as Moses is facing death and Israel is soon to enter into the Promised Land, Yahweh tells him that his people will play the harlot with the strange gods of the land, that they will forsake him and break his covenant which he had made with them. He vividly portrays this in Ezekiel 16:23-26 after reporting how he had rescued his people from helplessness as new born infants, cleansing them, taking them into his care. They rewarded his faithfulness by whoring after other gods in a most horrid and lascivious manner. And we see how God punished his servant Solomon who began his kingly reign as one who loved God (1 Kings 3:1ff) and soon enough 'loved foreign women,' going after the wicked gods of Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Milcom (1 Kings 11:1ff). James says that friendship with the world is proof of hostility toward God. What does he mean by 'friendship with the world?' John addresses the issue (1 John 2:15-17), saying that one who loves the world does not have the love of God in him. Jesus says that the coming of the Son of Man is like the days of Noah, when men were eating, drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away (Matt. 24:37-38). In other words Noah was warning people of the coming judgment of God but they continued living as they always had, totally oblivious to their peril.

Recently our house was without hot water on a Sunday morning so I went to my local workout facility to shave and shower. I was amazed at how Sunday was 'just another day' to so many people. They were 'eating and drinking', apparently giving no thought whatsoever to their souls, preferring instead to feed their flesh on the Lord’s Day while their souls languished. Thus friendship with the world is thinking, valuing, or acting in ways contrary to God’s law. It means living as though one is not accountable to the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. This hostility toward God reveals itself in numerous ways. Some mock God, saying, 'Let us tear their fetters apart, let us cast away their cords from us' (Psa. 1:1-2). In other words, 'Why should we be restricted by God! We will do as we please.' Others are enemies of the cross of Christ whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things (Phil. 3:18-19). That is, they do not see the centrality of the cross for personal, familial, ecclesiastical, or national living. They go first to the latest studies on how to rear children or how to solve our economic problems, without realizing that man’s greatest and most foundational need is to be in right relationship with God through the death and resurrection of Jesus. In summary James is saying that one who is a friend of the world is an enemy of God.

This begs at least two questions — are you an enemy of God and what does this do to your children? While the blood of Christ removes the wrath and condemnation of God from the true follower of Jesus (Rom. 3:24-26, 1 John 2:2, 4:10) some want to push this further by saying that God is never angry with the Christian. This is both dangerous and unbiblical. We are told that God can be pleased with our actions (1 John 3:22, Col. 1:10, 3:20, Heb. 13:16). If he can be pleased then he conversely can be displeased (Hos. 9:4, Isa. 1:14, Jer. 6:20). Further, we are told not to grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30), and we know that Jesus wondered or marvelled at the unbelief of those in his home town (Mark 6:6). Clearly Jesus was angry with Peter when Peter told him that he would not allow Jesus to be arrested. Jesus rebuked him by saying, 'Get behind Me Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s' (Matt. 16:21-25).

It’s like this — a father, walking hand in hand with his four year old, finding his child breaking free from his grasp and venturing into a street of heavy traffic, watches helplessly as he narrowly escapes being hit by a car that comes to a screeching halt. The first emotion of the father is relief, but the second will likely be anger. Why? Because he loves his son and does not want him needlessly to suffer! Likewise, to be sure the wrath of God is removed by Christ’s atoning or propitiating death, but he still is angry with his people who persist in sinful rebellion against him.

So, one way you know you love the world and consequently are an enemy of God is when your values are contrary to the six petitions of the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13). As a baptized and professing follower of the Lord Jesus you ought to be all about hallowing God’s name, seeking his glory above everything else in your life. You ought to be all about the salvation of sinners in all the nations of the world. You ought to be zealous in submitting joyfully to God in every circumstance of life, of being content with your daily bread, of being able to forgive others who have wronged you, of being so zealous for holiness that you are careful to avoid temptation that could plunge you into eternal ruin (Heb. 10:26-31). If you are not 'all about' these things then you are an enemy of God. And on the other hand, if you are 'all about' seeking first the kingdom of heaven, of earnestly praying for, labouring for, and delighting in the six petitions of the Lord’s Prayer, then you are a friend of God. His smile is on your life. He is pleased with you.

Your children are watching you. What are they seeing? Do they see a parent who says he loves Jesus but who exhibits a love for the world, whose life is set on mammon, who lives contrary to the Lord’s Prayer? Surely we all fail in this to some degree, but we must repent. How? Get a fresh glimpse of the beauty and loveliness of Jesus, remembering how you were an enemy of God, how you were without hope and without God, how you were headed to perdition. Then remember God’s mercy to you in Christ. Dwell on his glory and power. Ask the Holy Spirit to stir within you a love for the things he loves and a hatred for the things he hates. The only way to get it is to go daily into the 'sanctuary' (Psa. 63:1-2, 73:15-20), to spend long periods of time in sweet communion with him.

This article by
Rev. Allen M Baker, Pastor of Christ Community Presbyterian Church in West Hartford, Connecticut.

If cats could use computers...

2011-04-28T13:14:00.000-04:00

Family...

2011-04-28T13:12:00.001-04:00

Worry

2011-04-28T13:10:00.000-04:00

This from Randy Alcorn:

Worry is momentary atheism crying out for correction by trust in a good and sovereign God. Paul, whom we seldom think of as vulnerable, wrote, “For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. … But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead” God uses suffering to break us of self-dependence and bring us to rely on him.

http://ref.ly/2Co1.8f

The Crucifixion of Jesus

2011-04-22T18:24:00.000-04:00

Crucifixion

A medical explanation of what Jesus endured on the day He died
By Dr. C. Truman Davis*

A Physician Analyzes the Crucifixion.
From New Wine Magazine, April 1982.
Originally published in Arizona Medicine,
March 1965, Arizona Medical Association.

Several years ago I became interested in the physical aspects of the passion, or suffering, of Jesus Christ when I read an account of the crucifixion in Jim Bishop's book, The Day Christ Died. I suddenly realized that I had taken the crucifixion more or less for granted all these years - that I had grown callous to its horror by a too-easy familiarity with the grim details. It finally occurred to me that, as a physician, I did not even know the actual immediate cause of Christ's death. The gospel writers do not help much on this point. Since crucifixion and scourging were so common during their lifetimes, they undoubtedly considered a detailed description superfluous. For that reason we have only the concise words of the evangelists: "Pilate, having scourged Jesus, delivered Him to them to be crucified ... and they crucified Him."

Despite the gospel accounts silence on the details of Christ's crucifixion, many have looked into this subject in the past. In my personal study of the event from a medical viewpoint, I am indebted especially to Dr. Pierre Barbet, a French surgeon who did exhaustive historical and experimental research and wrote extensively on the topic.

An attempt to examine the infinite psychic and spiritual suffering of the Incarnate1 God in atonement for the sins of fallen man is beyond the scope of this article. However, the physiological and anatomical aspects of our Lord's passion we can examine in some detail. What did the body of Jesus of Nazareth actually endure during those hours of torture?

Gethsemane

The physical passion of Christ began in Gethsemane. Of the many aspects of His initial suffering, the one which is of particular physiological interest is the bloody sweat. Interestingly enough, the physician, St. Luke, is the only evangelist to mention this occurrence. He says, "And being in an agony, he prayed the longer. And his sweat became as drops of blood, trickling down upon the ground" (Luke 22:44 KJV).

Every attempt imaginable has been used by modern scholars to explain away the phenomenon of bloody sweat, apparently under the mistaken impression that it simply does not occur. A great deal of effort could be saved by consulting the medical literature. Though very rare, the phenomenon of hematidrosis, or bloody sweat, is well documented. Under great emotional stress, tiny capillaries in the sweat glands can break, thus mixing blood with sweat. This process alone could have produced marked weakness and possible shock.

Although Jesus' betrayal and arrest are important portions of the passion story, the next event in the account which is significant from a medical perspective is His trial before the Sanhedrin and Caiaphas, the High Priest. Here the first physical trauma was inflicted. A soldier struck Jesus across the face for remaining silent when questioned by Caiaphas. The palace guards then blindfolded Him, mockingly taunted Him to identify them as each passed by, spat on Him, and struck Him in the face.

Before Pilate

In the early morning, battered and bruised, dehydrated, and worn out from a sleepless night, Jesus was taken across Jerusalem to the Praetorium of the Fortress Antonia, the seat of government of the Procurator of Judea, Pontius Pilate. We are familiar with Pilate's action in attempting to shift responsibility to Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch of Judea. Jesus apparently suffered no physical mistreatment at the hands of Herod and was returned to Pilate. It was then, in response to the outcry of the mob, that Pilate ordered Barabbas released and condemned Jesus to scourging and crucifixion.

Preparations for Jesus' scourging were carried out at Caesar's orders. The prisoner was stripped of His clothing and His hands tied to a post above His head. The Roman legionnaire stepped forward with the flagrum, or flagellum, in his hand. This was a short whip consisting of several heavy, leather thongs with two small balls of lead attached near the ends of each. The heavy whip was brought down with full force again and again across Jesus' shoulders, back, and legs. At first the weighted thongs cut through the skin only. Then, as the blows continued, they cut deeper into the subcutaneous tissues, producing first an oozing of blood from the capillaries and veins of the skin and finally spurting arterial bleeding from vessels in the underlying muscles.

The small balls of lead first produced large deep bruises that were broken open by subsequent blows. Finally, the skin of the back was hanging in long ribbons, and the entire area was an unrecognizable mass of torn, bleeding tissue. When it was determined by the centurion in charge that the prisoner was near death, the beating was finally stopped.

Mockery

The half-fainting Jesus was then untied and allowed to slump to the stone pavement, wet with his own blood. The Roman soldiers saw a great joke in this provincial Jew claiming to be a king. They threw a robe across His shoulders and placed a stick in His hand for a scepter. They still needed a crown to make their travesty complete. Small flexible branches covered with long thorns, commonly used for kindling fires in the charcoal braziers in the courtyard, were plaited into the shape of a crude crown. The crown was pressed into his scalp and again there was copious bleeding as the thorns pierced the very vascular tissue. After mocking Him and striking Him across the face, the soldiers took the stick from His hand and struck Him across the head, driving the thorns deeper into His scalp. Finally, they tired of their sadistic sport and tore the robe from His back. The robe had already become adherent to the clots of blood and serum in the wounds, and its removal, just as in the careless removal of a surgical bandage, caused excruciating pain. The wounds again began to bleed.

Golgotha

In deference to Jewish custom, the Romans apparently returned His garments. The heavy patibulum of the cross was tied across His shoulders. The procession of the condemned Christ, two thieves, and the execution detail of Roman soldiers headed by a centurion began its slow journey along the route which we know today as the Via Dolorosa.

In spite of Jesus' efforts to walk erect, the weight of the heavy wooden beam, together with the shock produced by copious loss of blood, was too much. He stumbled and fell. The rough wood of the beam gouged into the lacerated skin and muscles of the shoulders. He tried to rise, but human muscles had been pushed beyond their endurance. The centurion, anxious to proceed with the crucifixion, selected a stalwart North African onlooker, Simon of Cyrene, to carry the cross. Jesus followed, still bleeding and sweating the cold, clammy sweat of shock. The 650-yard journey from the Fortress Antonia to Golgotha was finally completed. The prisoner was again stripped of His clothing except for a loin cloth which was allowed the Jews.

The crucifixion began. Jesus was offered wine mixed with myrrh, a mild analgesic, pain-reliving mixture. He refused the drink. Simon was ordered to place the patibulum on the ground, and Jesus was quickly thrown backward, with His shoulders against the wood. The legionnaire felt for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drove a heavy, square wrought-iron nail through the wrist and deep into the wood. Quickly, he moved to the other side and repeated the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flexion and movement. The patibulum was then lifted into place at the top of the stipes, and the titulus reading "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews" was nailed into place.

The left foot was pressed backward against the right foot. With both feet extended, toes down, a nail was driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees moderately flexed. The victim was now crucified.

On the Cross

As Jesus slowly sagged down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating, fiery pain shot along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain. The nails in the wrists were putting pressure on the median nerve, large nerve trunks which traverse the mid-wrist and hand. As He pushed himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, He placed His full weight on the nail through His feet. Again there was searing agony as the nail tore through the nerves between the metatarsal bones of this feet.

At this point, another phenomenon occurred. As the arms fatigued, great waves of cramps swept over the muscles, knotting them in deep relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps came the inability to push Himself upward. Hanging by the arm, the pectoral muscles, the large muscles of the chest, were paralyzed and the intercostal muscles, the small muscles between the ribs, were unable to act. Air could be drawn into the lungs, but could not be exhaled. Jesus fought to raise Himself in order to get even one short breath. Finally, the carbon dioxide level increased in the lungs and in the blood stream, and the cramps partially subsided.

The Last Words

Spasmodically, He was able to push Himself upward to exhale and bring in life-giving oxygen. It was undoubtedly during these periods that He uttered the seven short sentences that are recorded.

The first - looking down at the Roman soldiers throwing dice6 for His seamless garment: "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do."

The second - to the penitent thief: "Today, thou shalt be with me in Paradise."

The third - looking down at Mary His mother, He said: "Woman, behold your son." Then turning to the terrified, grief-stricken adolescent John , the beloved apostle, He said: "Behold your mother."

The fourth cry is from the beginning of Psalm 22: "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"

He suffered hours of limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint-rending cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, and searing pain as tissue was torn from His lacerated back from His movement up and down against the rough timbers of the cross. Then another agony began: a deep crushing pain in the chest as the pericardium, the sac surrounding the heart, slowly filled with serum and began to compress the heart.

The prophecy in Psalm 22:14 was being fulfilled: "I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint, my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels."

The end was rapidly approaching. The loss of tissue fluids had reached a critical level; the compressed heart was struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood to the tissues, and the tortured lungs were making a frantic effort to inhale small gulps of air. The markedly dehydrated tissues sent their flood of stimuli to the brain. Jesus gasped His fifth cry: "I thirst." Again we read in the prophetic psalm: "My strength is dried up like a potsherd; my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou has brought me into the dust of death" (Psalm 22:15 KJV).

A sponge soaked in posca, the cheap, sour wine that was the staple drink of the Roman legionnaires, was lifted to Jesus' lips. His body was now in extremis, and He could feel the chill of death creeping through His tissues. This realization brought forth His sixth word, possibly little more than a tortured whisper: "It is finished." His mission of atonement had been completed. Finally, He could allow His body to die. With one last surge of strength, He once again pressed His torn feet against the nail, straightened His legs, took a deeper breath, and uttered His seventh and last cry: "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit."

Death

The common method of ending a crucifixion was by crurifracture, the breaking of the bones of the leg. This prevented the victim from pushing himself upward; the tension could not be relieved from the muscles of the chest, and rapid suffocation occurred. The legs of the two thieves were broken, but when the soldiers approached Jesus, they saw that this was unnecessary.

Apparently, to make doubly sure of death, the legionnaire drove his lance between the ribs, upward through the pericardium and into the heart. John 19:34 states, "And immediately there came out blood and water." Thus there was an escape of watery fluid from the sac surrounding the heart and the blood of the interior of the heart. This is rather conclusive post-mortem evidence that Jesus died, not the usual crucifixion death by suffocation, but of heart failure due to shock and constriction of the heart by fluid in the pericardium.

Resurrection

In these events, we have seen a glimpse of the epitome of evil that man can exhibit toward his fellow man and toward God. This is an ugly sight and is likely to leave us despondent and depressed.

But the crucifixion was not the end of the story. How grateful we can be that we have a sequel: a glimpse of the infinite mercy of God toward man--the gift of atonement, the miracle of the resurrection, and the expectation of Easter morning.

*Dr. C. Truman Davis is a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. He is a practicing ophthalmologist, a pastor, and author of a book about medicine and the Bible.

Smile...

2011-04-13T15:35:00.000-04:00

Smile...

2011-04-12T13:48:00.000-04:00

Easter

2011-04-12T13:47:00.000-04:00

Easter is almost here...what are some of your favorite memories of this time of year? What does Easter mean to you? I'd like to hear from you and if it's okay, I'd like to post them here.

Also, how will you celebrate this Easter? I'd like to hear about that also.

My email is cmoore2659@wowway.com

Thanks in advance,
Louise

No Hypocrites!

2011-04-07T12:01:00.000-04:00

In reading the devotional, Pearls of Great Price, I came upon this just this morning:

"One of the goals of my life is exactly the same as yours. I don't want to be a hypocrite. Every day I want to shorten the distance between that which I profess and that which I actually live. I want no gaps between my "talk" and my "walk".

It's why I like to repeat every day for the next month, this "Text for Self-Evaluation," proposed by John Wesley. The questions reflect the heart of Scripture, so every morning we should ask ourselves:

Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I'm a better person that I really am?

Do I laugh at the mistakes of others, reveling in their errors and misfortunes?

Do I insist on having my own way?

Is there a tendency for me to put others down so that I'll be thought of more highly?

Do I pass on to others what is told to me in confidence?

Am I thoughtful in expressing 'thanks' to people for what they've done for me, no matter how insignificant it seems?

Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?

Am I self-conscious, self-pitying or self-justifying?

Did the Bible live in me yesterday?

Did I disobey God in anything yesterday?

Did I insist on doing something about which Whenmy conscience was uneasy?

Did I handle discouragement well or did I have to be coddled?

Am I enjoying prayer?

When did I last speak to someone about Christ?

Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, or hold resentment toward? If so, what am I doing about it?

Is Christ real to me?

I was convicted as I read these questions...what about you?

Blessings!

The Passion of the Christ

2011-04-02T14:04:00.000-04:00

The Passion of the Christ

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Colossians 1:17

When I saw the movie The Passion of the Christ, I was struck by the brute cruelty with which the soldiers treated Jesus. Like a bunch of poorly paid drunken legionnaires, they couldn't wait to take out all their frustrations on who they thought was a stupid, luckless Jew. They beat and abused him mercilessly.

The face that Moses had begged to see - was forbidden to see - was slapped bloody (Exodus 33:19-20). The thorns that God had sent to curse the earth's rebellion now twisted around his brow. The back of Jesus' legs felt the whip - soon the body of the Savior would look like a plowed Judean field. By the time the spitting is through, more saliva is on Jesus than in him. When the soldiers raised the mallet to sink the spikes into Jesus' hands, it occurred to me that the Son of God whom they were crucifying was the very One sustaining their lives! Someone must sustain their lives minute by minute, for no man has this power on his own. Who supplies breath to his lungs? Who gives energy to his cells? Who holds a man's molecules together? Only by the Son do "all things hold together" Colossians 1:17. How amazing, how incomprensible that the Son, the victim, is granting breath and being to his own executioners!

Close your eyes and think deeply on the things you just read. Consider so great a Savior who would submit himself to such torture ... for your salvation. Think of the cost and sacrifice involved in Jesus' crucifixion. Then, commit afresh and anew to live on a higher, more sanctified level as you trust and obey him with new resolve. Praise your Savior for granting you breath and being, as well as life eternal.

Dear Savior, I am awestruck that you did not turn away from the cross, but traveled the road to Calvary for me. May my life today reflect my love and devotion to you.

From The Pearl of Great Price by Joni Eareckson Tada, April 1

What the Son Endured

2011-04-02T13:49:00.000-04:00

What the Son Endured

"Anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse."

Deuteronomy 21:23

The pain and humility Jesus physical suffered leading up to his death was a mere warm-up to the read dread he faced. As he hung on the cross, he began to feel a foreign sensation. Somewhere during those hours that his body was impaled, an earthly, foul odor must have wafted, not around his nose, but in his heart. He felt dirty. Human wickedness began to crawl upon his spotless being - the living excrement from our souls. The apple of the Father's eye began to turn brown with the rot of our sin.

From heaven, the Father roused himself like a lion disturbed, shook his mane, and must have roared against the shriveling remnant of a man hanging on a cross. Never has the Son seen the Father look at him so, never felt even the least of His hot breath. It was the wrath of God being poured our like hot oil on the wounded heart of the Son of Man. And the Father watched as his heart's treasure, the mirror-image of himself sank drowning into raw, liquid sin. Jehovah's stored rage against humankind exploded in a single direction. The Trinity had planned it. The Son endured it. The Spirit enabled him. The Father rejected the Son whom he loved; the God-man from Nazareth, perished.

This is who asks you to trust him when he calls you to suffer. This is the One who asks you to obey him when it's hard, when your flesh is itching to have a little worldly candy. This is the One who asks you to honor him when you face tough choices. Jesus Christ bore the wrath of hell so that you might enjoy a home in heaven with him, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. Celebrate this marvelous gift as you reflect on Easter Sunday.

Father, thank you for giving me the gift of your Son. May my life be to the praise of Your glory!

From the devotional Pearls of Great Price, by Joni Eareckson Tada, April 2

Kill Your Sins...

2011-03-22T10:27:00.000-04:00

"In April, 1983, Robert Vierling of Winchester, Missouri, was found on his bed, crushed to death by his sixteen-foot, one-hundred-pound, per Burmese python. Vierling's wife said he had complete trust in the snake and often played with it on the bed. Each of us lives with many unseen snakes, all more deadly than a Burmese python. These snakes, which are constantly with us, are called 'sins' in the Bible. The process of killing them is called mortification. The doctrine of mortification is seldom heard today, partly because the word mortify is a King James term that's rendered 'put to death' in modern translations. But mortification is absolutely critical, for the Bible says that even though killing the snakes of sin in our lives won't get us to Heaven - only the life and death of Jesus Christ can do that - unless we bring deadly violence against them all our lives, we've never experienced the saving work of Christ.

God's Word teaches this in Romans 8:12-13: "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors - not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." In other words, if we complacently live by the deeds and desires God calls sinful, we will suffer certain spiritual death and its eternal consequences. But if, by the Holy Spirit, we constantly struggle to kill these sinful deeds and desires, we show that we really possess and will forever enjoy eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Mortification of sin is extremely important, but why mention it in a book on simplifying our spirituality? It's here because mortification does simplify the spiritual life by telling us clearly what we must do with the single most complicating factor in our lives - sin - and why. The Bible says we must kill our sins, not tolerate or expose them in the name of grace, or they will kill us.

In our ongoing war with our sins, we should also remember other Bible truths that complement our understanding and practice of mortification. These include the eternal forgiveness of all the sins of all believers through the cross of Jesus, the grace of God preserving His people to the end, and the truth that in this life we'll never experience the permanent removal of all sin or the desire to sin. Consistent with them all is this teaching in Romans 8:12-13 that, regardless of our professed beliefs, one evidence that Christ has truly saved us is a lethal, lifelong fight against every sin we commit.

In January, 2001, the Reuters news network reported the story of South African Lucas Sibanda, who was attacked by a python. Trapped in the snake's constricting coil, Sibanda bit the reptile below the head and kicked and punched until it released its grip. Then he killed the python with a stick.

Pythons of sin will attack and fight against us all our lives. Unless by the Holy Spirit we fight back like Lucas Sibanda, we show that there is spiritual life in us.

Get deadly with your sins."

Donald S. Whitney, Simplify Your Spiritual Life, pg. 128-19

Our quilt...

2011-03-18T10:06:00.000-04:00

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all. I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air. Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth.

The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life.. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me. And now, I had to face the truth.. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.

An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ.

Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

God determines who walks into your life...it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay and who you refuse to let go.'

When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need.

Father, bless all my family and friends in whatever it is that you know they may need this day! And may their life be full of your peace, and power as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship with you. Amen.

Something to think about...

2011-03-07T10:16:00.000-05:00

"I want God and spirituality, but not the church."

More people say this today than ever. Spirituality is in; church is out. Why? For some, the painful memories of previous church experiences keep them away. For others, church problems aren't worth the hassle. For many, church just "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren." A sacrificial love for Christian brothers and sisters is one of the first, best, and more reliable evidences of having passed from spiritual death into eternal life through Christ. Anyone who claims to possess this love for God's people. but avoids their regular gatherings, needs to reexamine his relationship with the Father of this family.

Second, anyone who calls Jesus "Lord" must submit to the authority of His Word when it warns against "forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some" (Hebrews 10:25). The New Testament knows nothing of the individualized spirituality of today and nothing of a Christianity that exists apart from the local church.

Remember too that the church is Jesus' idea, not man's. More than that, the church is His body. The apostle Paul reminds us, "Christ is the head of the church; and He is Savior of the body," and "we are members of His body" (Ephesians 5:23,30). Even though it may sometimes appear otherwise, the body of Christ has not been severed from its Head; Jesus is still the Head of the church. Why wouldn't anyone want to actively participate in the only organization on earth where Jesus Christ is the Head? When one of His earliest promises was, "I will build My church" (Matthew 16:18), why wouldn't anyone want a part in what Jesus Himself is building?

Look at Jesus' own example. He wasn't a spiritual loner. Twelve disciples always traveled with Him, often teaching and ministering as well. Furthermore, Luke 4:16 reminds us that, "as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day." Why did Jesus make it His custom to go to the synagogue every Sabbath? Because He would hear the Word of God, worship God, and fellowship with His people there.

That's how participation in congregational spirituality builds our individual spirituality. When we're fed by the preaching and teaching of Scripture, receive the Lord's Supper, sing praises and pray with Christ's people, and talk about the things of God together, the Spirit strengthens us in ways that do not occur when we're alone.

So attend, join, worship in, learn in, give to, fellowship with, and spiritually thrive in a local body of
Christ that's faithful to God's Word. Find teachers and models there who can help with simplifying your spiritual life. Failing this, consider starting some type of small group in the church to discuss or study a book on the subject.

Christian spirituality is not an isolationist, self-absorbed spirituality. True spirituality is relational - not only toward God, but also with the people of God. Proverbs 18:1 teaches, "A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment." Don't isolate yourself from the people of God. Take God, spirituality, and the church. That's God's plan. His ways are simpler and healthier for our souls than any we contrive on our own."

Excerpt taken from Simplify Your Spiritual Life by Donald S.Whitney, pages 35-36

The Gospel & Prayer

2011-03-05T10:25:00.000-05:00

The Gospel and Prayer

"Because I teach and write about spirituality, occasionally I'm asked to comment on scientific studies about the efficacy of prayer. The research always seems to include the assumption that one person's prayers are essentially as acceptable as another's. One of the flaws with such studies is that they do not associate prayer with the gospel. No one can begin to understand prayer until he grasps what the gospel teaches us about prayer.

The Bible, rather than assuring everyone that God hears their prayers, slams heaven's door against all who think God will hear them despite their sins: 'But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear' (Isaiah 59:2). In one sense, of course, God hears everything. But in this text we're told that God does not hear with a view to answering those who sin against Him. And, of course, since every person except Jesus has sinned against God, the hopes of are dashed of everyone who thinks all it takes for God to hear is for them to pray.

In fact, the Bible is even more shockingly counterintuitive in Proverbs 15:8: 'The sacrifice (which includes the prayer) of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord.' Many people seem to think, 'It's true, I'm not a dedicated Christian; but if I get into a difficult situation and humble myself to pray, and I'm really sincere, surely God will accept my prayer.' Or they believe, 'Even though I'm not really a follower of Jesus, if God is merciful and loving, He will look favorably on the prayers of those who come to Him when they're in real need and pray hard enough.'

But this text tells us that, instead of being impressed, the Lord actually abominates these prayers. Why? Because such people believe God should hear their prayers based upon their temporary humility and piety. In other words, they believe their own righteousness - in this case, expressed in a short-lived acknowledgement that they need God's help - obligates God to answer.

Instead of being honored to receive the momentary sincerity of those who want something from Him, God is insulted by their prayers, for they imply that the work of Jesus wasn't necessary. It's as though they're saying, 'The life and death of Your Son weren't needed in my case; it was all a big mistake. I believe You should hear me based upon what I have done - especially in these prayers - and I don't need what Jesus did in order to be heard by You.' Could anything be more offensive to God?

When it comes to knowing God and being heard by Him, Jesus was unequivocal: 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me' (John 14:6). Confidence that our prayers are heard cannot come from our sincerity, humility, or need; rather, 'we have confidence to enter the holy places (the presence of God) by the blood of Jesus' (Hebrews 10:19). Until people come in repentance to God through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ - who alone can remove the sin that separates us from God - their prayers will not be answered.

Does God ever answer the prayer of a non-Christian? Many stories claim that He does. In reality, are these 'answered prayers' simply God doing in His providence what He was going to do regardless of the prayers? The clearest ground biblically is this: except for those prayers leading to salvation, we can give no assurance to anyone outside of Christ that God will answer his prayer. It is only through the gospel that we truly begin to pray for only then - after Jesus has made us and our prayers acceptable to the Father - do the promises of prayer in the Bible apply to us.

Once we respond to the gospel in repentance and faith and are adopted into God's family, our newly begun relationship with our heavenly Father becomes markedly prayerful. No longer is prayer just an obligation or a hoop to jump through to get what we want, for the gospel makes prayer a desire and not a mere duty. Through the gospel we receive the Spirit who causes us to cry, 'Abba! Father! (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6) with a new heavenward, Fatherward orientation. In other words, the Spirit of God causes us to want to talk to God.

Prayer should still remain a discipline, for even with the God-given desire to pray, it's easy to be distracted from habits of prayer by the crush of the responsibilities. But thanks to the grace of God in the gospel, our prayers are always welcome."

Article taken from Tabletalk Magazine, March, 2011
Written by Donald S. Whitney, senior associate dean of the school of theology and professor of biblical spirituality at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Bill Elliott's Death

2011-03-04T13:58:00.001-05:00

We heard early this week that Bill had died ... we remember him today, and always.

Bill Elliott with nieces Joyce & Brenda

July, 2004

March 1, 2011

William M. Elliott

CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — William “Bill” McKinley Elliott, age 78, of Circleville, passed away on Monday, Feb. 28, 2011.

He was born in McDowell, Ky., on Dec. 28, 1932, to the late Mines and Birdie (Bentley) Elliott.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-mother, Gerla (Hamilton) Elliott, and a baby brother and sister.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Jeanette (Hall) Elliott; children, Barbara Lynne (Paul) Ford of Ashtabula, William Mines Elliott of Waverly, Ohio, Allen Michael (Debra) Elliott of Kingston, Ohio, Beverly Jane (JT) McLeod of Dothan, Ala., and John Francis Elliott, Sandra Kay Elliott and Susan May Schaffner, all of Circleville; 17 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Launa Leonard, and several nieces and nephews.

A Veteran, Bill served in the United States Air Force for 4 years and was the owner and operator of Hall Movers and Riggers in Ashtabula for 20 years and The Matchbox in Circleville for 13 years.

He was the Secretary Treasurer of the Eagles in Circleville. Bill was very involved with coaching Little League throughout his children’s life. He enjoyed hunting, farming, bluegrass music and being outdoors. He was also an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A Memorial Service will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s honor may be made to the American Cancer Society, 870 Michigan Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43215.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the DEFENBAUGH-WISE-SCHOEDINGER FUNERAL HOME, (740) 474-3750. To share a favorite memory of Bill visit www.schoedinger.com and starbeacon.com.

An Application...

2011-02-04T13:54:00.001-05:00

Application To Date My Daughter

1. Name_________________________ Date of Birth____________

2. Height _________ Weight________ IQ________ GPA________

3. Social Security # ______________ Driver’s licence #__________

4. Boy Scout Rank_____________________________________

5. Home Address_____________ City/State ____________ Zip____

6. Do you have one male and one female parent? ____________

If no, explain answer _________________________________

7. Number of years parents married ________________________

8. Do you own a van? _______ A truck with oversized tires?______ Do you have an earring, nose ring, or belly button ring? _______
(If you answered yes to any of #8, discontinue application and leave the premises! Now!)

9. In 50 words or less, what does LATE mean to you? ____________ ____________________________________________________.

10. In 50 words or less, what does “DON’T TOUCH MY DAUGHTER!” mean to you? __________________________________________________________.

11. Church you attend _______________ How often do you attend? ______________________

12. When is the best time to interview you father, mother, and pastor? Father ____________ Mother___________ Pastor__________

13. Answer by filling in the blank: please answer all questions freely, all answers are confidential (that means I won’t tell anyone ever — promise)

A. If I were shot, the last place I would want to be wounded is in the __________________

B. If I were beaten, the last bone I would want broken is my ____________

C. A woman’s place is in the _________________________

D. The one thing I hope this application doesn’t ask is________________________________________

E. When I first meet a girl, the thing I notice about her first is ______________

14. What do you want to be “if” you grow up? ________________

15. Are you willing to wear an electronic tracking device? _______

16. What type of car do you drive? Ford ______ Chevy ________ Chrysler ______

I swear all information supplied above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge under penalty of death, dismemberment, crucifixion, electrocution, Chinese water torture, and red hot pokers.

Signature ________________________

Thank-you for your interest. Please allow four to six years for processing. You will be contacted in writing if you are approved. Please do not try to call or write (since you probably can’t, and it would cause you injury). If your application is rejected, you will be notified by two gentlemen wearing white ties carrying violin cases.

Pictures of Mason

2011-02-04T09:09:00.000-05:00

Recent pictures of Mason Moore Piscura....

With his Mom, Samantha...

With Gramma Cindy...

Please pray...

2011-02-03T10:40:00.002-05:00

Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011

Please be praying for Glenda Faye, she's in the hospital and has had to begin dialysis. They have put in a temporary port and she will have two more treatments, one today and another tomorrow, before putting in the permanent port.

Glenda has been ill for the past few months. Glen is Mom to Edward & Renea, and sister to Kenny, Randy, Shirl, Venda, & Gleema.

Snow

2011-02-03T10:35:00.000-05:00

And we think we've had snow here in Michigan...

Monday, Jan. 31

2011-01-31T19:20:00.000-05:00

This is Buddy, Bobby's dog and he loves being outside. I don't, especially on days like today. It's cold and expected to get colder, and snow is coming in tonight and more tomorrow night.

We did grocery shopping this morning, so did most of Taylor by the looks of the store. My Fred doesn't do well in crowds and there were crowds today. All the 'old people' (ha) stocking up before the storm hits. I gently reminded that him "We" are some of the old people!

See what I mean?

I hope you'll all be safe in this storm. If you must be out in it, be as safe as you know how to be. Will check in tomorrow, Lord willing. Love to all.

Friends...

2011-01-26T10:49:00.000-05:00

Morning Glory Muffin Recipe

2011-01-25T12:42:00.002-05:00

Morning Glory Muffins

2 1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

3/4 cup brown sugar (light or dark)

1/2 cup white sugar

2 Tablespoons cinnamon

1 teaspoons ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

2 cups grated carrots

1 cup (8 oz.) crushed pineapple, packed in juice and drained

3/4 cup golden raisins

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

3 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup canola oil (or use 1/2 cup applesauce & 1/2 cup oil)

Preheat over to 350 degrees

In large bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, sugars, cinnamon, ginger and allspice. Add the carrots, raisins & nuts and mix thoroughly.

In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with the vanilla, oil and pineapple. Pour the egg mixture into the dry ingredients in thirds and blend well. Do not overmix or muffins will be tough. Fill muffin cups to the brim. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of muffin comes out clean.

Cool for 10-15 minutes and remove from tins. Enjoy!

Monday .. for football fans.

2011-01-24T13:56:00.002-05:00

Sanctity of Life

2011-01-23T15:08:00.000-05:00

Today we celebrated the Sanctity of Human Life at our church. For 38 years it has been legal in the U.S.A. to abort babies ... over 52,000,000 babies have been killed since then. For women who have had an abortion, God offers forgiveness if you will but ask.

We need to pray for those who work in Crisis Pregnancy Centers and we need to pray for women who are considering abortion as a viable option to an unwanted or unexpected pregnancy. We also need to pray for those who work in abortion clinics, for God to change their hearts. Without a heart-change, there will never be an end to abortion.

All life is valuable! All life has meaning! We often don't want to be inconvienced by an unexpected pregnancy or on the other hand, by an aging person who's part of our life. This could be a parent, or grandparent; an aunt or uncle who's aged and needs our help.

May God forgive us for whatever reason we give to not value human life.

Just for fun...

2011-01-22T18:31:00.000-05:00

"I found your cat..."

For those who have dogs...we know this look....

I'm back!

2011-01-22T11:55:00.009-05:00

Christmas, 2010 with our girls

Hi Family! I'm back! Seems like forever since I've posted anything on this blog. Forgive me, time seems to be flying right past me. But I'm back and will make an effort to keep you all updated as to what's happening in the family.

First, our condolences to Jamie & Kristie ... Kristie's father died this past week after a long, painful illness. His funeral was today at St. Alfred's Church. From what I've read recently, he was a Polish Prince. He loved to laugh, he loved jokes, he loved life, and he loved his children. It's such a blessing to have someone like that in your life. No one can replace a Father.

Also, an update on Mason Piscura, the son of Jeff & Samantha (Moore) Piscura...the little guy had to have open heart surgery when he was just 3 weeks old. But I'm glad to report, he's doing great! Just look at his picture below:

Samantha is the daughter of Vern & Cindy Moore who live in Ashtabula. Clyde went to the Cleveland Clinic to see them back in September. He said he has to smile each time he sees an updated picture of Mason...he's come such a long way.

As most of you know I had bi-lateral strokes in July last year. I am very thankful to be doing as well as I am. The doctors said it would take weeks of speech therapy as well as physical therapy...thankfully it didn't take nearly as long as they predicted. My speech is slower than it used to be and I'm finding a new normal with my physical condition also. Many people prayed and for that I am grateful. If you were one who did, I thank you!

We never know what we will have to undergo in this life. An easy life isn't promised to any of us.

I guess you could say I've had my share of health issues and I used to wonder "why me?" I don't ask that any longer .. rather, it's 'why not me?' These things have drawn me into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ and shown me that suffering is to be expected if we profess to know Him. How we handle the problems that come reflect on our faith, or lack of. One day all this will be over. One day I'll be able to breathe normally .... one day I'll be able to not only walk, but run! I haven't done that in years. One day this pain will be a thing of the past. Never to be remembered again.

I'll say bye for now. If you have pictures you'd like to have posted, please email them to me.

I want to have as much information as possible to put on this blog.

Thank you for reading. May the Lord bless!

Louise

Birthdays

2010-06-29T11:38:00.004-04:00

Happy Birthday Erica ... June 25

Happy Birthday Stephanie ... June 28

Sir Charles Moore

2010-06-29T11:31:00.002-04:00

We'd like you to meet

Sir Charles

He's the owner of Vern & Cindy Moore of Ashtabula, Ohio

We recognize him today because of his kindness and the calming effect

he has on children and adults alike.

He often goes to the local police station to sit with

children as policemen talk with them.

He also enjoys the company of little ones as

they watch cartoons together at home.

Sir Charles, it was not by accident that you came to live with the Moore's and chose them to be your care-givers. You're a positive influence on all who meet you and we are honored to have you as a part of our families!

Killed anyone lately?

2010-06-17T11:03:00.002-04:00

Anyone who knows me also knows that I detest snakes. I have an unhealthy fear of them that stems from childhood. Older folks who were sharing their stories with me way back then scared me beyond belief. To this day I will do all I can to avoid snakes. Just ask Clyde, or one of my sons, or even my granddaughters.

This fear has reminded me that the Bible talks about snakes, and it compares them to a part of our bodies:

James 3:8 - "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."

Psalm 140:3 - "They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips."

Romans 3:13 - "Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps in under their lips."

Really? The tongue can't be tamed? It's full of deadly poison? And not just any poison ... the poison of asps, or snakes.

That then begs me to ask the question: Who have I killed today with my words? Who might you or I have killed today? Or yesterday? Or last week? Even last year?

Those who profess to know Christ as Savior and Lord will be held to higher standards and higher judgements than those who do not know Him. As followers of Christ, we need to be cautious of our words and give serious thought before we speak, especially when we are going through stress-filled times. Emotions run high and even older saints can say things rashly ... things that need not have been said at that time. I am not condoning ignoring problems (I've also done that in hopes things will just get better or go away...they don't) ... I am saying to wait until emotions calm down and then have quiet discussion with the one we feel has hurt us. Work things out as best you can and then go on with the life God has given you to live. Sometimes we simply have to agree to disagree.

I am guilty of using my tongue, my words, to harm and hurt and even kill the spirit of people I profess to love. I have done much soul searching these past few weeks and God has allowed me to see how sinfully wrong I have been. He has also been gracious in allowing me to repent and find mercy to cover my sinfulness.

But that doesn't take away the hurt I've caused. My telling people I'm sorry has little effect when I've caused them great harm and damaged their soul with careless words. Healing that means anything takes time and while I can be forgiven by God and those I've harmed, my hurtful words will likely resound in their mind and heart for a long time to come.

As much as I hate snakes, I've seen that when I slander someone, I'm basically taking a poisonous snake and throwing it into bed with them. I'm using words to hurt and harm those I profess to love. And I'm lying if I say I love God and then do this to a brother or sister in Christ ... or a brother or sister related by family ties.

There is ALWAYS rumors and gossip going around. Always. But I have a choice to make ... do I feed into it and allow it to burn further and deeper? Or do I choose not to be a part of the destruction and let folks know I won't listen to it and I won't spread it any farther, but I will instead pray for those involved? The choice is mine to make.

No one twists our arms to make us hurt people with our words and our attitudes. We often do that because the enemy of our soul is just behind us, hissing and telling us to "Tell that person off! Don't take that from them! Who do they think they are anyway? You have a right to speak your mind! Go ahead, tell them a mouthful!"

If we could only see the hurt we've caused ... the harm we're causing and who is the author of that hurt, we might just close our mouths and be quiet for a while. We might just stop to think before we say anything and then give a soft answer rather than a harsh one. Even when we're the ones taking the verbal beating.

In the Bible, the book of Matthew, chapter 12, verse 36 says "And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak."

May God remind us of this and help us use wisdom in our speech ... in every aspect of our lives. May God let us see the gifts He has given us in family and friends and then do all we can to love them as He loves them and if we can't say anything good about them, then don't say anything at all.

Rumors....

2010-06-05T15:44:00.001-04:00

Keep this philosophy in mind the next time you either hear or are about to
repeat a rumor.

In ancient Greece, Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom. One day the
great philosopher came upon an acquaintance who ran up to him excitedly and
said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students?"

"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass
a little test. It's called the Test of Three."

"Three?"

"That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my student
let's take a moment to test what you're going to say. The first test is
Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is
true?"

"No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it."

"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not.
Now let's try the second test, the test of Goodness. Is what you are about
to tell me about my student something good?"

"No, on the contrary..."

"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him even
though you're not certain it's true?"

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.

Socrates continued. "You may still pass though, because there is a third
test -- the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my
student going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really."

"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither True nor
Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me at all?"

The man was defeated and left, ashamed. This is the reason Socrates was a
great philosopher and held in such high esteem.

Cill's New Ride

2010-05-10T15:16:00.006-04:00

Cill's new ride in Arizona ..... she even has a radio in this!

Thanks for the pictures Sam!

Good Friday

2010-04-02T13:36:00.002-04:00

Lest we forget what Good Friday is all about ....

As many were astonished at you– his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind.(Isaiah 52:14 ESV)

Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned–every one–to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:1-6 ESV)

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.(Isaiah 53:7-9 ESV)

Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.(Isaiah 53:10-12 ESV)

The Wonderful Cross

2010-03-29T09:51:00.002-04:00

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain, I count but loss

And pour contempt on all my pride.

See from His head, His hands, His feet

Sorrow and love mingled down

Did ever such love and sorrow meet

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Oh the wonderful cross,

Oh the wonderful cross!

All who gather here by grace

Draw near and bless Your Name.

Were the whole realm of nature mine

That were an offering far too small

Love so amazing, so devine

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Oh the wonderful cross,

Oh the wonderful cross!

Bids me come and die and find

That I may truly live.

Oh the wonderful cross,

Oh the wonderful cross!

All who gather here by grace

Draw near and bless Your Name.

Life so amazing, so devine

Demands my soul, my life, my all

And the beauty and the shame

In the glory of His Name

Oh, the wonderful cross!

Oh the wonderful cross,

Bids me come and die and find

That I may truly live.

Oh the wonderful cross,

Oh the wonderful cross!

All who gather here by grace

Draw near and bless Your Name.

written bychris tomlin, jd walt, jesse reeves

2010-03-13T12:16:00.002-05:00

Hi Family!

May this find you all well. I'm beginning to do research on our families and would very much like to have your input.

I need your names ... first, middle, last .... maiden names & married names for ladies ...

Also need your children's names & birthdates; your spouse's name & birthday

I need your parents & grandparents names ... as far back as you can go with information.

Also, if you have them, birthdates, date of death if applicable; places of birth & death.

Please help me with this. You can email me at
cmoore2659@wowway.com & leave your information.

Thank you!

Any questions? Email me!

Through the eyes of a child

2010-02-17T20:36:00.002-05:00

A child was asked to write a book report on the entire Bible.
This is amazing and brought tears of laughter to my eyes.
I wonder how often we take for granted that children understand what we are teaching???

Through the eyes of a child:

The Children's Bible in a Nutshell
In the beginning, which occurred near the start, there was nothing but God, darkness, and some gas. The Bible says, 'The Lord thy God is one, but I think He must be a lot older than that.

Anyway, God said, 'Give me a light!' and someone did.

Then God made the world.
He split the Adam and made Eve. Adam and Eve were naked, but they weren't embarrassed because mirrors hadn't been invented yet.

Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating one badapple, so they were driven from the Garden of Eden.....Not sure what they were driven in though, because they didn't have cars.

Adam and Eve had a son, Cain, who hated his brother as long as he was Abel.

Pretty soon all of the early people died off, except forMethuselah, who lived to be like a million or something.

One of the next important people was Noah, who was a good guy, but one of his kids was kind of a Ham. Noah built a large boat and put his family and some animals on it. He asked some other people to join him, but they said they would have to take a rain check.

After Noah came Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jacob was more famous than his brother, Esau, because Esau sold Jacob his birthmark in exchange for some pot roast. Jacob had a son named Joseph who wore a really loud sports coat.

Another important Bible guy is Moses, whose real name was Charlton Heston. Moses led the Israel Lights out of Egypt and away from the evil Pharaoh after God sent ten plagues on Pharaoh's people. These plagues included frogs, mice, lice, bowels, and no cable.

God fed the Israel Lights every day with manicotti. Then he gave them His Top Ten Commandments. These include: don't lie, cheat, smoke, dance, or covet your neighbor's stuff.
Oh, yeah, I just thought of one more: Humor thy father and thy mother.

One of Moses' best helpers was Joshua who was the first Bible guy to use spies. Joshua fought the battle of Geritol and the fence fell over on the town.

After Joshua came David. He got to be king by killing a giant with a slingshot.. He had a son named Solomon who had about 300 wives and 500 porcupines. My teacher says he was wise, but that doesn't sound very wise to me.

After Solomon there were a bunch of major league prophets. One of these was Jonah, who was swallowed by a big whale and then barfed up on the shore.

There were also some minor league prophets, but I guess we don't have to worry about them.

After the Old Testament came the New Testament. Jesus is the star of The New. He was born in Bethlehem in a barn. (I wish I had been born in a barn too, because my mom is always saying to me, 'Close the door! Were you born in a barn?' It would be nice to say, 'As a matter of fact, I was.')

During His life, Jesus had many arguments with sinners like the Pharisees and the Democrats.

Jesus also had twelve opossums.
The worst one was Judas Asparagus. Judas was so evil that they named a terrible vegetable after him.

Jesus was a great man. He healed many leopards and even preached to some Germans on the Mount.

But the Democrats and all those guys put Jesus on trial before Pontius the Pilot. Pilot didn't stick up for Jesus. He just washed his hands instead.

Anyways, Jesus died for our sins, then came back to life again. He went up to Heaven but will be back at the end of the Aluminum. His return is foretold in the book of Revolution.

Cill & Sam Photos, 2009-2010

2010-02-16T12:35:00.010-05:00

Photos from Cill & Sam

A beautiful Arizona sunset...

"The Jail Tree"

Aunt Leona & some new friends

Leona Elliott Mitchell, 2010, at Cill & Sam's home

Cill, Aunt Leone & Lynn, 2010

Aunt Leona in the front yard of Cill & Sam's home

Aunt Leona & Lynn

Cill, Aunt Leona & Lynn, 2010

Sam, Cill & Aunt Leona, 2010

Cill & Shirl, Christmas, 2009

2010-01-26T22:05:00.000-05:00

This video is worth watching ....

A Letter From Hell:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kq2xbMHcOw

2010-01-25T08:31:00.000-05:00

2010-01-20T15:53:00.002-05:00

A DEA officer stops at a ranch in Texas, and talks with an old rancher. He tells the rancher, "I need to inspect your ranch for illegally grown drugs." The rancher says, "Okay, but don't go in that field over there," as he points out the location.

The DEA officer verbally explodes saying, " Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me." Reaching into his rear pants pocket, he removes his badge and proudly displays it to the rancher. "See this badge? This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish . . . . On any land. No questions asked or answers given. Have I made myself clear? Do you understand?"

The rancher nods politely, apologizes, and goes about his chores.

A short time later, the old rancher hears loud screams and sees the DEA officer running for his life chased by the rancher's big Santa Gertrudis bull . . . . . .

With every step the bull is gaining ground on the officer, and it seems likely that he'll get gored before he reaches safety. The officer is clearly terrified. The rancher throws down his tools, runs to the fence and yells at the top of his lungs . . . . .

"Your badge. Show him your BADGE!"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cill Mitchell Antonini

2010-01-17T17:48:00.011-05:00

I recently received these photos from Cill.

She & her husband Sam are now living in Arizona.

This is how Christmas decorating is done in Arizona....

And this is one way to get around ...

Cill at the golf course ... in December

The golf course

The courtyard at their home

Meet Sidney Antonini

and Shelby

Cill & Shirl

Cill & Sam in their front yard ... in Winter!

Cill & Sam in front of one of their orange trees

Cill & I met a long time ago ... at Little Ida Church where our parents were members. It's been a blessing to be in touch with her again ... to receive her emails & photos.
I love you Cill!

2010-01-11T11:09:00.002-05:00

Just suppose ....

You died in an accident on your way home two weeks from today. In a matter of seconds you understood what the accident had done and you then found yourself standing on the outside of heaven's gates.

A man on the inside looks at you and asks this question:

"Who are you and why should I let you in?"

What would your answer be?

Your answer matters.

Poems by Vickie Kendrick

2010-01-08T17:38:00.003-05:00

I will never forget you Mom

Mother you are so far away,

but I can still feel you.

The essence of your being

is in everything I say and do.

The nearness of your spirit

takes my breath away.

I feel you in my heart

as I go throughout my day.

When I close my eyes,

I get such a feeling of bliss.

I can see your gentle face

and still feel the love of your caress.

You tiptoe across my mind

in the gentlest ways.

You're in the softness of a rose

and the warm wind on my face.

You're the sunbeams from heaven

shining brightly in my soul.

The sweetness of all serenity

that fills my heart with gold.

You're always inside my mind,

even though we are far apart.

I can feel you with me always

tugging gently at my heart.

There is the sweetest devotion,

I know you loved me too.

We'll be together in spirit

and I'll be forever loving you.

by Vickie Elliott Kendrick

Poems by Vickie Kendrick

2010-01-08T17:33:00.003-05:00

For my mother

Sitting on a porch swing on this beautiful day,

My mother then began to tell,

Of all the things she had done well.

She spoke of the true love she had obtained,

She said it was sweeter than a spring rain,

Her love for him lasted many years,

In his passing she has shed many tears.

She told of her children and what they meant,

With them the joy she has spent.

Her love was free for them to share,

We knew she was always there,

Advice she gave was for free,

Wanting the best for us to be,

Honesty and respect for others was a must,

In all her children she placed her trust,

To love everybody and then we would know,

The family circle of love we have seen grow.

by Vickie Elliott Kendrick

Poems by Vickie Kendrick

2010-01-08T17:27:00.004-05:00

A Place in Time – for Mom

She brought a smile to those she had touched,
For in her heart she loved us so much,

So often her laughter a thought and a wish,
Remember, that day she gave her first kiss.

A place on the cheek- a pinch and a hug,
A slap on the bum- for good measure, please come.

A place to remember- to Mom’s house we go,
A place full of love of this would be told.

She talked until morning of days that had past,
No sleep for my eyes I pray I could last.
Remember the child, remember the time,
A day yes a thought that memory of mine.

A place in the hearts of those that would love-
My mother’s love was a gift from above:

Sweet Lord please remember my one thoughtful wish,
To always hold dear those hugs and her kiss.

by Vickie Elliott Kendrick

Subrina Riddle Caudill

2010-01-04T13:21:00.010-05:00

In Memory of Subrina Riddle Caudill

Subrina Caudill, 90, of Premium passed away Sunday, January 3, 2010 at her residence.

Subrina was the daughter of the late Lou and Mattie Riddle. She was the widow of Delzie Caudill.

Surviving are 8 children: Lorene (Bill) Butski and Vernon (Rose) Caudill all of Michigan, Katherine (Enos) Amburgey of Indiana, James Verl Caudill, Imogene (Joe) Smith, Brenda Sue McGlamery, Glenda Dale New, Terry Lynn (Sherri) Caudill all of Whitesburg; 18 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild.

Visitation: 6:00 P.M. Tuesday at the Letcher Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in the Whitaker Cemetery at Premium, Kentucky.

Funeral: 11:00 o'clock Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at the Letcher Funeral Home Chapel with Dock Frazier officiating.

(Obituary taken from Letcher Funeral Home, Whitesburg, KY)

Our thoughts & prayers go out to the family. Subrina was the youngest daughter of Lourenza Riddle & Martha Jane Pratt Riddle. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

2010-01-04T12:52:00.003-05:00

A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to
Leave the examination room and said,
'Doctor, I am afraid to die.
Tell me what lies on the other side.'

Very quietly, the doctor said, 'I don't know.'

'You don't know? You're, a Christian man,
And don't know what's on the other side?'

The doctor was holding the handle of the door;
On the other side came a sound of scratching and whining,
And as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room
And leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said,
'Did you notice my dog?
He's never been in this room before.
He didn't know what was inside.
He knew nothing except that his master was here,
And when the door opened, he sprang in without fear.
I know little of what is on the other side of death,
But I do know one thing...

I know my Master is there and that is enough..'

2009-12-31T17:35:00.005-05:00

Glory to God in highest heaven,

Who unto man His Son hath given;

While angels sing with tender mirth,
A glad new year to all the earth.
Martin Luther

The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year.
It is that we should have a new soul.
G. K. Chesterton

2009-12-31T17:32:00.000-05:00

This comes from Bobby ....

New years eve 2009...........laundry is going and the furniture is shined.

snow on the ground, motor city chill in the air.................
people up here whining about winter.....I don't really care.

Michigan unemployment still rising......auto makers going down hill.....
Americans keep buying foreign products..........and they all will as well.

Obama our president and Pelosi speaker of the house......................
what in the dickens are they really about.

Micheal Jackson, Heath Ledger, Ted Kennedy and Farrah Fawcett I will miss most.........
Lets all put on our little White glove tell them fair well and finally give them a toast.

Global warming, Al Gore and green energy and yet Gas still on the rise................
Corn and bio-fuel will save America they say is just another lie.

Crime is up all over , but yet less cops on the street............
Thank god for CCW'S.....just in case one day they decide they would really like us to meet.

Right wing, left wing, liberals and democrats on the air.............
thank you Bill OReilly, and Hannity for showing them how much we still care.

Hln, Cnn, Msnbc and Fox news all report whats up in far off lands.............
But why don't we all just support the military and bomb Iraq and Afghanistan.

Quantomino bay and now sent to Illinois and New York.............
Just line them up on a wall and call in a hillbilly like Sargent York.

I hope this doesn't upset some of you but if it does I still don't understand......
then when terror hits your backyard like 911, maybe a soldier can help you take a stand.

2010 is tomorrow, hope good health and cheer to you all.................
I still don't see where our life issues will go away and gas prices will just fall.

Thank god for our family in 2010, children, biscuits, gravy, eggs and sweet tea too.......................
don't forget the cornbread made with buttermilk, pork chops and some onion and fried potatoes will do.

Enjoy the grip of your snow shovel this season and hope your snow blower starts the first time around...........
or for me watching and listening to Lukas plow ours with his four-wheeler is such a lovely sound.

May your hair stop thinning, weight and looks are in check and hope your aches and pains of getting older is much less.................
and then May 2010 still be your very best.

Amen and pass the peanut butter Fudge!

2009-12-22T18:18:00.002-05:00

Mary did you know that your baby boy

will one day walk on water?

Mary did you know that your baby boy

will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy

has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered,

will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy

will give sight to a blind man?

Mary did you know that your baby boy

will calm a storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy

has walked where angels trod?

And when you kiss your little baby,

you have kissed the face of God.

The blind will see, the deaf will hear

and the dead will live again.

The lame will leap, the dumb will speak,

the praises of the Lamb.

Mary did you know that your baby boy

is Lord of all creation?

Mary did you know that your baby boy

will one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy

is heaven's perfect Lamb?

This sleeping child you're holding

is the great I Am.

Christmas Letter from Linda Riddle Jent

2009-12-21T18:46:00.004-05:00

From Linda Riddle Jent:

Dec. 12, 2009

Dear Family & Friends,

Here I sit this Christmas season doing something I said I would not do this year ... Write a Christmas letter and send cards. I also said we were going to 'cut back' on gifts (which I have). Yet I still find myself trying to make sure everyone has that special something. I love Christmas, I guess I take that after my Mom, but so many other do too. I love to decorate, look at the tree while sitting quietly in our living room, and yes, wishing for snow. While thinking about a lot of things this past year, I found myself facing things and circumstances I never thought I would actually face or have to deal with. Loved ones that are gone or very sick. Another is my not being able to do with the grand kids things that I would love to do. To have them sit on my lap, to run and play like they want me to.

The past 3 years I have been dealing with chronic back pain. I have seen several doctors, had many different treatments and injections, all leading to surgery this Fall. Only to find out the surgery did not fix the problem. So I am back to seeing other doctors, praying that they can help me with this.

God has used this to show me that I cannot do or fix it all. He has shown me that I must rely on Him even more than I have in the past. he has always been there for me and my family, seen us through a lot, and yet I still find myself trying to 'make everything okay'. Not being able to do a lot physically, He has sent me some help in the way of a beautiful Amish family whom we met last year. The daughters have been helping me with the housework. I am so grateful that God sent them to us. They are a blessing.

Christmas 2008 was here on the farm. Working on the loft for almost 6 months, getting everything ready for 'old-fashioned, homemade Christmas'. We had Santa & also a sleigh ride ... the food was delicious .. but the thing that I loved the most was when my Mom, 79 years young, sat and read to our family the Christmas story from the book of Luke. How I pray that special moment will remain in the hearts of our sons, their wives and their children. Thanks Mom & Pat for all your love, help and support.

Crit is still working, on the road and in the air a lot; we are so thankful that God has blessed us with this job. Tanner & Haylee are in 1st grade, Logan in pre-school, Zoey being cared for by a beautiful young lady from our church. How I miss not having her. Kristie is working part-time; Jamie is still fighting fires. Kerri is teaching 5th grade, Jeremy working his job and going to school full-time to follow in the footsteps of his brother.

Our daughter-in-law Kristie, her father Greg, has gone through so much the past 6 years. This year he lost both legs, but God spared him his life. He has touched this man in a way that only Greg can tell. I am so very thankful that God has kept Greg & his family close to him through all this. Part of him may be missing physically, but he is with his family, alive this Christmas and for that we are thankful. We cannot wait to see him standing, walking & doing some of the things he loved to do.

Crit lost a sister to cancer ... one whom he stayed with while we were dating. She was a special lady and friend to many. I know she will be sadly missed by her family this Christmas.

One of my dearest friends, Lynne, was diagnosed with stage 3 colon-rectal cancer, the cancer spreading to other areas. I cannot begin to tell you how bad this has been for Lynne, but God has so many 'angels' looking down on her and has carried so many prayers up to heaven on her behalf. She could not believe the out-pouring of cards, letters & emails that people have sent her. The prayers have worked. Lynne went for her PET scan the week of Thanksgiving and praise the Lord!, she shows no signs of cancer. She will be on a treatment plan consisting of oral chemo for the rest of her life, but the doctors told her to 'keep praying because prayer has worked". I love you Lynne (aka Erline) and miss you so much.

Our daughter-in-law Kerri, her mother, Aline, has been going through a lot of health issues also. Having had a kidney removed previously from cancer, the doctors thought it may have returned. Going through a lot of tests, our prayers were again answered ... no cancer! She had her gall bladder removed on Thanksgiving and was able to come for a visit this week.

Our neighbor and friend, Mira, caring for her mother for the last year or so, taking her to dialysis 3 times a week, spending lots of restless nites caring for her. Losing her this Summer took its toll, but God was good also. The 'calm & peace' that was in Mira's voice the night she called to tell us "Mom has gone home", as hard as it was to hear those words, God gave Mira Peace.

My sister Pat, having major surgery late this Summer, but she went in knowing that God had given her Peace and all would be okay and it was.

I am sure there are others that I am forgetting, but God knows who you are. God knows my heart also. The prayers that are embedded deeply there, praying for them to be answered in His way, not perhaps, mine.

We are so blessed to be able to watch our grand-children run, play and fish here on the farm. Pretty soon they will be tagging along behind their Dads, going after the big buck! To see how much they enjoy here, the simple things ... a walk down the '2-trac', lots of rides on Papaw's tractor, looking for rocks, casting a line in the pond. Feeding & caring for their chickens. I still choke up when it is time for them to leave.

Getting back to the 'no cards this year'. While driving our grandson Tanner & grand-daughter Zoey home a couple of weeks ago, we were noticing all the pretty lights and decorations in our home town of Coldwater. They have Santa standing very tall on the main corner of town, but on the other side lay the 'baby Jesus'. We are still able to display a nativity, giving us the real meaning of Christmas.

Tanner spoke up and asked me "Mamaw, what do you want for Christmas this year?" I thought a moment before answering and then I replied, "Peace ... I would love to have Peace". He replied "you can't get that for Christmas" .... and I said "Maybe I can". He asked me how and I said "I pray for Peace and God hears our prayers, so I pray He answers this one". He then said, "For real, what would you like to get...maybe some new pajamas, would you like some new pajamas?" (He has seen me in a lot of them lately). I told him that would be great and Zoey added "Yeah, some new jammies Mamaw". The innocence of being a child. Young enough to still believe, young enough not to know all the wrong in the world, hearts feeling some pain of their own.

So here I sit, knowing I still have presents to put the last little touches on, yet thinking of that little conversation a few weeks back, and wishing for Peace. So much is going on in our world. Soldiers leaving to fight a war, away from their loved ones, to protect ours this Christmas Day. Loved ones, even in our family, losing their jobs after working and giving for over 20 years. We hear that things won't get much better, yet I still hope and I pray for Peace. Praying that God would have mercy on our country once again and see us through another day, another year. To restore America back to its roots and yes, give us Peace. Perhaps this isn't the most traditional letter for Christmas, yet it is something I truly wanted to share.

To thank God for all He has done, is still doing and will continue to do. Thanking Him for sending us His Son .. JESUS, the real meaning of Christmas. For sending us, over 2 thousand years ago, PEACE. I cannot imagine how Mary must have felt on that night, giving birth to her son in a stable. Yet the story is so tender to my heart. What did she feel, knowing she was looking into the eyes of our Savior? Thinking of those that came from afar and yes, bringing Him gifts. The night so dark, yet the stars shined so bright, the brightest One lying in a manger. How I wish for such peace, not just on earth, but in the deepest part of our hearts. I wish for, as Amy Grant sings, "A Silent Night, a Holy Night", a little peace right here.

So Tanner, I guess I can say, God has already given me my gift. It didn't cost anyone anything, except Christ Himself. Now I need to accept it deep within my heart...knowing that He has my life in His hands. Things may not be going so well for a lot of us ... but we truly need to realize and be thankful for what God has done ...giving us His Son to love us, to care for us and die for us. To be ever so thankful that we can be with those that we love, that they are healthy and hopefully happy.

So from our hearts to your home .... we wish you Peace. Peace on Earth & Goodwill to you all. Wishing that the things that need to be fixed can be fixed. Wishing that the doors of employment would be opened for those in need, wishing health for those that are sick and hurting. Wishing "Hope" for the hopeless and to everyone, again, I wish you Peace.

May God reveal the meaning of this Christmas Day deep within your hearts ... we love you all.

Merry Christmas and May God continue to bless you.

Love,
Linda & Crit

Christmas Memories, 2009, Vickie Elliott Kendrick

2009-12-20T15:50:00.004-05:00

With great appreciation, I post the following Christmas Memories from Victoria Elliott Kendrick. She was just a little girl when our family met their family at Little Ida Church in Ecorse, MI. My Dad, Winford Riddle, and her Dad, John Elliott became best friends. Often where you saw one man, you also saw the other. Bro. John was laid back and easy to get along with. Bessie was a lady with a big heart, she loved easily and told you the truth whether you wanted to hear it or not. I loved to hear her laugh.

Little did I know when my family met John & Bess's family that one day I would be married to John's nephew. That his children would become my cousins by marriage. It's amazing how God orchestrates our lives and brings people together to not only be friends, but to become 'family'. This is a beautiful memory, enjoy!

In the photo: Bess & John Elliott with daughter Victoria

To me all my memories of Christmas are precious.

It started out as a gift to open a few days before Christmas. We would get so excited only to open it and find a pair of socks, a candy cane or some little thing to wet our appetite to open more. Mommy would always tell us we had to wait on Santa.

Dad always read the story "The Night Before Christmas" or told it from memory. He always added a few extra lines to make us laugh. It would start on Christmas Eve with leaving Santa milk and peanut butter cookies. It had to be peanut butter because Dad said that was the only kind Santa liked. (Later when I found out about the real Santa did I realize that was Daddy's favorite cookie.)

I remember Mom and Dad getting up between 4 am and 5 am to start making stuffing and preparing food to be cooked. Dad was the "chief taste tester". He always told us he had to sample everything before we did so he could make sure we would not get sick when we ate. Trust me it was his favorite job. It was the sound of them in the kitchen together laughing, talking and Mommy humming Christmas songs. Dad telling Mom to add more salt or seasonings and Mommy's reply was "John, who is doing the cooking here?"

It was the time when I could hear them both say, "Lord, thank you for the blessings you have gave us this year and the food we are about to eat today." These words will be forever planted in my memory of them.

It was the silver aluminum Christmas tree with the colored wheel to make it change colors when it turned. It was the opening of gifts that meant we were the richest kids in the world on that morning. It was simple gifts. Mom crocheting barbie doll clothes or making them on her sewing machine. It was clothes, shoes and just things we needed. There was always a gift that was something we had asked for. They always made sure we got some of the things we wanted. They gave us the best they could and it was given in love no matter what it was.

It was also the little brown bag of goodies we got. An apple, an orange, candy canes and some hard pieces of candy. To this day I can still taste how good those were. Nothing ever compared to the taste of those goodies like it did at Christmas.

These are my Christmas memories that I have tried to do some of them ever since my sons were born. I have added a few, but the open of the gift before Christmas, a stocking with the same goodies are given each year to the boys and my grandchildren. I have a book with the "Night Before Christmas", Mom bought me in 1969. I still put it out and read it to the grand children. They now tell me they are too old to hear it. I still read it whether they listen or not.

Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas. Give Aunt Oma a big hug and kiss from me.

Christmas Memories, 2009, Bobby Riddle

2009-12-20T15:46:00.003-05:00

Christmas Memories from Bobby

Christmas 2008 was a Christmas like none before. Divorced, my family separated and not all together as we were the 22 years prior . Employed and gifts plenty under the tree. Basement flooded for 2 weeks prior. Dinner was dull and quiet.

Christmas 2009 will be different. Still divorced, but all of my family looks to be all together lord willing a few days from now.Unemployed and gifts not many this year but even more thankful than last year. Dinner looks good and conversation should be better than last.Basement has been dry to thank god.

Thats all I have. Buts it's all I need.

Merry Christmas..........YA'LL!

Christmas Memories, 2009, Sharon Kay Riddle Smith

2009-12-20T15:29:00.003-05:00

Yes, it's Christmas. The year flew by and here it is. Time for all the family traditions, time to reflect on how special family truly is.

This year we will spend Christmas Eve at Mom's, like we usually do every year, and of course order Mexico Way, which has become part of our family tradition. For us, it's a highlight because we don't have it so easily accessible.

Since the girls were babies, I started the Christmas Eve pajama tradition, and now it's one that we all share. We will exchange pajamas, and everyone HAS to wear them on Christmas day. Makes me think of Linda the year someone bought her pajamas that we would now call capris...ha.. !!

I started a new tradition last year in making Mike's Granny's Carrot Cake, and of course NUT ROLLS !!! I still stuff the girls stockings every year, and put them out on Christmas Eve after we get home from Mom's. We will all sit around the fireplace and watch Megan pass out the packages while we eat nut rolls and have coffee. We all have to take turns opening gifts so we can see what each other got, and Mike and Myndi LOVE that part...!! Last year we all stayed in pajamas the entire day.....this year I think we will do the same !!

A song that is usually played every Christmas morning is Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays by N'sync.....it's one of our favorites.

I want to personally wish everyone that reads this a very Merry Christmas !! My wish for everyone is for all to have a happy spirit in their hearts and to be so thankful that our family had another blessed year.

Love to all !!

Kay

Christmas Memories, 2009, Sue Elliott

2009-12-19T13:09:00.005-05:00

Christmas Memories from Aunt Sue

"My dear Clyde and Louise- so glad to offer a few memories for the blog if you want to use them.

We always spent Christmas Eve with Oma and Vernis and Roy of course partied too much at the station and we were always late for the 6:00 dinner of chicken from KFC. Ask Oma if she remembers what food Roy dropped in the snow on her front steps when they lived on West 58th Street. I was mad as an old wet hen at the time but sure would love to go back to those Christmas times.

It's never too late to start traditions. This year I copied one from a story I think I read in Better Homes and Gardens. When I put up the manger scene, Ally puts Baby Jesus in the manger. Hopefully in years to come she will remember this; the manger and nativity figures are mine from when I was just a little girl.

Hope that all of you have a safe, healthy and calm Christmas Day. I have really cut back a lot this year. Love to all of you - Auntie Sue and her zoo!!!"

Christmas Memories, 2009, Rebecca Neblett Rohde

2009-12-18T19:26:00.005-05:00

Abby Rohde & Santa, 2009

Abby is the daughter of Brian & Rebecca (Neblett) Rohde

Granddaughter of Warren & Rita (Riddle) Neblett

"Her second christmas already. Where has the time gone???.
I have many memories of Christmas, some good and some bad, but what I miss the most is the fun we had as a family together. The gift exchanges, the laughs we shared and of course the good food. Where has those times gone!! I especially remember the wrapping paper fight we had in mamaw's basement, that was a great one!!!" - from Becky Rohde

Cat & Rebecca

2009-12-18T15:55:00.007-05:00

The Wedding Day of Rebecca Amburgey & Jordan Ude

Rebecca & her Dad, Enos Amburgey

Katherine Caudill Amburgey & Grandson Ben

Enos, Rebecca & Kathy

Mother & Daughter

Husband & Wife...Jordan & Rebecca

2009-12-18T15:37:00.013-05:00

Many thanks to Rebecca Amburgey Ude for allowing me to post these photos

Rebecca is the daughter of Enos Amburgey & Katherine Caudill Amburgey

and she's the granddaughter of Delzie Caudill & Subrina Riddle Caudill

This is Tony Butski with "Cat" (Katherine Amburgey)

Tony is the son of Bill Butski & Lorene Caudill Butski

(Vernon's son Scott & Chris Elliott in background)

Jordan & Rebecca Amburgey Ude with her Mom "Cat" and Cat's grandson Ben

Jordan Ude, Aunt Brina, Rebecca Ude, ImaJean Caudill Smith

Jordan Ude & Subrina Riddle Caudill

At the family reunion this Summer, the kids surprised Aunt Brina
by celebrating her 90th birthday

This is Coop - Beloved dog of Jordan & Rebecca Ude

Some of Aunt Brina's grandchildren....
who do you recognize?

Vernon & Rose Caudill & Family

I've not seen Brenda Sue in years and was so pleased to see
these photos of her....
This is her son Dale Elliott with his daughter

Hi Brenda!

Brenda with Cat's grandson Ben

If you attended the reunion this year and would like to have

pictures posted on this blog, please send them to me
at www.h.louisem@gmail.com

Christmas, 2009

2009-12-17T21:37:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas from Louis

and Rocky

Do you have a Christmas photo of your pet? Of you? Your kids?

Email it to me and I'll add it to the blog.

December Birthdays

2009-12-09T11:24:00.005-05:00

December Birthdays:

Sydney Moore - Dec. 6

Jason Riddle - Dec. 8

Cathy Caudill Amburgey - Dec. 10

Jason Parker Riddle, II - Dec. 17

Perri Moore - Dec. 28

Something to think about...

2009-12-08T21:16:00.003-05:00

I received this from Bobby today via email ... I'm glad he sent it ... hope you all enjoy it and learn from it as I have .....

How many of us really think about things. I am told I think too much. What do they know though? Look closely at the header at the top of the family blog, think about it, and then put it into your own perspective.
Family Ties

"A place for family to share photographs and memories, the old and the new. A place for us to remember where we came from .. to appreciate where we are and to better learn of where we're headed".

I never really looked close enough at this heading, until today. Another day, looking online for work, coffee in hand, cigarette in the other. Nothing on Monster jobs, nothing on Craigalist, nothing on the talent bank, or snag a job, or logistics jobs, and so on. Hey its time to check the blog. Then bam...it hit me. The heading.

Yes the photographs on the blog are cool and bring a smile, the memories make you feel good inside, but when I read to appreciate where we are and to better learn where we are headed, well it makes me wonder I guess because I know I never really looked at the heading, just automatically went looking for new pictures and comments.

Do we, and you, really get up in the morning, give thanks for where each of us are and think about where we are headed? I will say maybe some do, but it's possible not all of us do. But is it the first thing we do? I am not saying I am holier than thou, or better than any other, just wonder if people do.

It's not easy you know. Life I mean. All of us have, and will, go thru things good and bad. Happy and sad. Gains and losses. Trials and tribulations. Sleep and sleepless nights.

Sureties and insecurities. Giving and receiving. We will give advice, make suggestions, be patient and be inpatient, and think about many things, with many feelings, people, the world, our family, our neighbors, our children, our spouse, and will form our own opinion on just about everything. We do like to be right you know, think we know about things, and we like to be counted on at times, and feel worthy. It makes folks feel good when they feel like they're contributing I think.

How do we, and you reading this, really take the old and new in the blog and apply it to our life today? How do we remember where we came from today? How do we today, appreciate where we are and better learn of where we are headed?

What were we really taught in the old days? What did we really learn in the old days? What have we taught ourselves this new day and who and what are we teaching? What have we learned ourselves in this new day and what are we teaching?

Quotes of old are still being used today by some of us. If I only knew then what I know now we say. Things were tough back then you know we also say. Blood is thicker than water. Family is all that matters. It's better to give than to receive. Love your neighbor. Honor your mother and father. Follow your heart. Pray for your children. Give thanks. Yes mam,no mam, yes sir and no sir. Need help? Give me a call anytime day or night. Forgive and forget. Sticks and stones. Pride. Positives and negatives. Don't cry over spilled milk. What you see is what you get. Be respectful. Quit your whining. I wouldn't if I was you. I would if I was you. Don't forget to do this and that. Quit worrying. Worrying gets you nowhere. They said? he said? she said? I believe you should do this. No I believe you should do that. He should, she should, they should, try doing this. I bet if only they would .....and so on. You can't get blood from a rock. Quit it. Stop it. Be quiet. Speak up. When I was kid. When I got older. I should have, could have, but didn't. I wished I didn't do that, but I did.

Well you get the idea. It's old and still new.

One day, like today,we wake up and now know yesterday's blog news is not new anymore. It's actually old. We are getting older like the things added to the blog. Tomorrow may be here, it may not. We think it will be because we have things to do. People to see. Things to get done and plans to get things done. Jobs to work. Kids to raise. Future thoughts. Bills to pay. House to clean. Yard work to do.

So we get up and get busy. But what if your plans don't go as you thought it would? What if?

If you all could add one thing to the header, what would it be for you? Would we then apply the header to our life today, or would we still just blow by it and move on to what's new?

I might add something like...."You really don't know what you have, even when it's not gone". Or maybe, "be thankful for what you don't have". Or how about "Life is what you make it right now today, not tomorrow, not yesterday". Or maybe "why put off being grumpy again today when you can also do it again tomorrow".

How about.....Today and everyday...Give thanks, God bless everyone, Merry Christmas.......and pass the cornbread?

Happy Birthday

2009-11-30T10:05:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday Lorene!

2009-11-23T20:56:00.003-05:00

I JUST NEED A NAP

An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard.

I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a

home and was well taken care of. He calmly came over to me,

I gave him a few pats on his head; he then followed me into my house,

slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.

An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.

The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard,

walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall

and again slept for about an hour.

This continued off and on for several weeks.

Curious I pinned a note to his collar:

'I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful

sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost

every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.'

The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned

to his collar:

'He lives in a home with 6 children,

2 under the age of 3 - he's trying to catch up on his sleep.

Can I come with him tomorrow?'

2009-11-16T14:51:00.003-05:00

From Bobby ....

"Thanksgiving to me is .. Giving thanks of course. andddddddddddd....the food, and dessert, second helpings, the family all together and watching the Lions lose again on TV. Maybe a nap, or hunting for deer the day of or after the holiday would be awesome.

The left overs the next day............PRICELESS.

Hope everyone has a Cold snowy Thanksgiving day".

From Louise ...

"Thanksgiving should be a day for just that ... giving thanks to our Creator and to our families and friends. Even though times are difficult we have much to be thankful for in this country.

The most memorable Thanksgiving is the one we spent providing dinner for homeless folks and people who had no place to go for dinner. Clyde, Dave, Shawn, Jane and I met with others at our former church. Clyde cooked for about 400 people that day and friends from church bussed in the homeless from all parts of Downriver & Detroit. It was truly a blessing to set up the hall and serve these people.

I wonder how different our holidays might be if we took the time to serve the less fortunate ... to give of our time, talents and funds to provide for those who have so little? To an extent we're doing that through our church this year. As a congregation we'll be helping some folks who are in need.

As a family, we'll be getting together at our home for turkey & all the trimmings next week. Clyde will work his majic with cooking and I'll do the baking and we'll share one more Thanksgiving with family.

May you all be blessed as you celebrate this special day".

This from Aunt Sue in Ashtabula, Ohio ...

"I do not remember any Thanksgiving that meant more than the others. They were always spent with my parents and then with Roy. I just know how much I miss mom, dad and Roy and the holidays are not the same. I have always treasured being with family on a nice quiet Thanksgiving Day and as I got older and my parents got sicker I did all the cooking and still do; hopefully I will be able to for a long time.

As we got older, Roy always had friends at the station who had no place to go and we always had room for them. I still have an open invitation to anyone without a place to go. I don't know if you know that we took in our friend Art who lost his home to illness and he lived with us until he died. My friend Ray was also a friend of Roy's and he has been so sick and also lost his apartment, I could not turn my back on him. So .....that's the story of my Thanksgiving memories. I have always said there would be no one hungry or cold in my circle as long as I am able to help. I love you both and hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. As of now I think we will be about 15 including Ray's daughter and husband and Randy's dad and wife.

Will be in touch - love - Aunt Sue"

2009-11-14T12:54:00.003-05:00

Thanksgiving is soon to be here ... if anyone has a special memory that you would like to share, please leave a comment after this post or send me an email ... cmoore2659@wowway.com.

Thank you!

BTW ... TayTay...please send me your email address...thank you!!

TRUTH MATTERS

2009-11-13T20:53:00.000-05:00

TRUTH MATTERS

2009-11-11T20:58:00.002-05:00

A Blessed Veterans Day to all those who have served

and are serving in the Armed Forces of the United States.

In our families we honor & remember:

Clyde Moore

Winford Riddle

Francis Elliott, Jr

Bill Elliott

Basil Elliott

Emery Collins

John Wm. Mitchell

Rodney Mitchell

Jim Kirklin

Michael Batwinas

2009-11-07T09:29:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday this month to....

Michelle Ward .... Nov. 7

Robert Riddle ... Nov. 24

2009-11-02T20:56:00.001-05:00

Here is Love

by Willam Rees (1802-1883)

Here is love, vast as the ocean,

Lovingkindness as the flood,

When the Prince of Life, our Ransom,

Shed for us His precious blood.

Who His love will not remember?

Who can cease to sing His praise?

He can never be forgotten,

Throughout Heav’n’s eternal days.

On the mount of crucifixion,

Fountains opened deep and wide;

Through the floodgates of God’s mercy

Flowed a vast and gracious tide.

Grace and love, like mighty rivers,

Poured incessant from above,

And Heav’n’s peace and perfect justice

Kissed a guilty world in love.

2009-10-28T09:19:00.002-04:00

This comes from a Christian elementary school. Kids were asked questions about the Old and New Testaments. They have not been retouched or corrected (i.e., incorrect spelling has been left in.)... Enjoy!*

*In the first book of the bible, Guinessis, God got tired of creating the world, so he took the Sabbath off.

* Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. Noah's wife was called Joan of Ark. Noah built an ark, which the animals come on to in pears.

* Lot's wife was a pillar of salt by day, but a ball of fire by night.

* The Jews were a proud people and through out history they had trouble with the unsympathetic Genitals.

* Samson was a strong man who let himself be led astray by a Jezebel like Delilah.

* Moses led the hebrews to the Red Sea, where they made unleavened bread which is bread without any ingredients.

* The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert. Afterwards, Moses went up on Mount Cyanide to get the ten ammendments.

* The seventh commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery.

* Moses died before he ever reached Canada. Then Joshua led the hebrews in the battle of Geritol.

* The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him.

* David was a hebrew king skilled at playing the liar. he fought with the Finklesteins, a race of people who lived in Biblical times.

* Solomon, one of David's sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.

* When Mary heard that she was the mother of Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta.

* When the three wise guys from the east side arrived, they found Jesus in the manager.

* Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption.

* Jesus enunciated the Golden Rule, which says to do one to others before they do one to you. He also explained, "a man doth not live by sweat alone."

* It was a miracle when Jesus rose from the dead and managed to get the tombstone off the entrance.

* The people who followed the lord were called the 12 decibels. The epistles were the wives of the apostles.

* One of the oppossums was St. Matthew who was also a taximan.

* St. Paul cavorted to Christianity. He preached holy acrimony, which is another name for marriage.

* Christians have only one spouse. This is called monotony.

2009-10-26T22:03:00.007-04:00

We met a new member of the family yesterday ....

Stephanie cried when she saw him & Erica held him close

When you sat him on the floor, he immediately went to lay at Shawn's feet

Mr. Rocky (Balboa) Moore, 8 weeks old...he's adorable!

He's small enough that I cradled him in the bottom of
my sweat shirt & carried him around today.
I won't be able to do that for long!
Rocky belongs to Shawn, Jane, Stephanie & Erica

2009-10-26T21:15:00.002-04:00

To:

Vern & Cindy
Michelle (Cheddy)
Rita & Warren
Becky & Brian

... please send me an email (cmoore2659@wowway.com). Our computer crashed recently & I lost all email addresses. Thank you!

2009-10-22T21:30:00.003-04:00

May I ask you a question: If you knew that today was the last day of your life, who would you call? What would you say? What act of kindness would you render? What broken relationship would you try to heal?

Whenever we ask a question like that, it always tends to be theoretical because deep inside, most of us expect to live many more years. That’s certainly a reasonable expectation, and I hope it comes true for you.

But perhaps we should take Martin Luther’s advice to live every day with the day of our death placarded before our eyes. Leadership experts call that “living with the end in view.”

I wish to everyone who reads these words long life and good health, but I can’t guarantee it for myself or for my own family, much less for anyone else. Things can change so quickly. Just one phone call and life will never be the same again.

If you intend to serve the Lord someday, why not now?

Some of us need to reach out to people around us. There are things we need to say now:

“I love you.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Please forgive me.”
“Thank you.”
“I miss you.”
“I wanted to see you one more time.”
“I wanted to squeeze your hand.”
“I wanted to give you a hug.”
“I wanted to hear you laugh.”
“I wanted to see your beautiful face.”

Others of us need to get serious about our relationship with Jesus Christ. “I’m going to serve the Lord some day,” we say. If you are going to serve him someday, why not today? What do you gain by putting Him off? How can you be certain that when tomorrow comes, you will still want to serve the Lord? If you intend to serve the Lord someday, why not now?

In the end, it is Christ who calls to us. He speaks to us today. He stands and knocks at the door of your heart. Will you open the door and let him in? He says, “Come unto me. Come now. Don’t delay. Don’t put it off.” The Bible says, “Behold, now is the day of salvation.” The sweetest word and the most solemn word of salvation is the little word “today.” Jesus said to Zaccheus, “Come down out of that sycamore tree. I’m going to your house today.”

Today is the day of salvation. Tomorrow may never come. If you can find one place where the Bible says, “Come to Christ tomorrow,” then I will come down from the pulpit and never preach again. But the Bible always says today—not tomorrow. Come to Christ while you have the opportunity and while you have the desire. Consider these words by Henry Twells:

When as a child I laughed and wept, time crept.
When as a youth I waxed more bold, time strolled.
When I became a full-grown man, time ran.
When older still I daily grew, time flew.
Soon I shall find, in passing on, time gone.
O Christ! wilt Thou have saved me then?

For some who read these words, Jesus is standing at the door of your heart, knocking, knocking, knocking. Will you open the door and let him in? Many years ago Holman Hunt painted a classic picture called, “Christ Standing at the Door.” It depicts Jesus at the door of a lovely English cottage. Everything seems normal until you study the picture closely and discover that there is no doorknob on the outside. Why not? Because the door to the heart must be opened from the inside. The painting is true to life and true to the Bible. If you hear the Lord knocking at your heart’s door, do not delay, go now and open the door and trust Christ Savior and Lord. Don’t wait a second longer. Do it now.

Written by Ray Pritchard

2009-10-22T21:28:00.004-04:00

Congratulations to...

Vern & Cindy Moore

Married ( at last & forever ) on Oct. 16, 2009

in Ashtabula, Ohio

We wish you many, many years of happiness

2009-10-12T14:47:00.004-04:00

October Birthdays

Oct. 12 - Samantha Amber Moore Piscura

Oct. 13 - Melissa Carol Jent

Oct. 15 - Michael David Batwinas

Happy Birthday to you's
Happy Birthday to you's
Happy Birthday Sam & Sis & Michael,
Happy Birthday to you's!!!!

And Happy Anniversary to
Warren & Rita Neblett

2009-10-04T14:13:00.003-04:00

Dawn & son Michael

Dawn recently sent an email letting us know that Michael is having a birthday on Oct. 15.

If you'd like to send him a card or note, his address is

E1 Batwinas, Michael D.

LSSR

USS Benfold DDG 65

FPO AP 96661-1283

You'll have to get a card out right away if he's to receive it on time.

For those who might not know ... Dawn is Clyde's niece ... the daughter of Vern Moore who lives in Ohio

2009-09-25T21:49:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday JR .... (the guy on the left) ... My Fred's brother

which makes him my brother-in-law

His Mom says his birthday is today, Sept. 25

JR says his birthday is tomorrow, Sept. 26

Now who do YOU think knows when he was born?

2009-09-18T21:37:00.001-04:00

Monsters Of Cruelty!

"Now that I am a father, and know the affection of a parent--would I not defend from every danger--would I not bestow every truly good thing--would I not implore every blessing--on my tender children? Would I not nourish their infant state--correct and educate their childhood--inspect, reprove, and admonish them in youth? Would I allow the dear little creatures--to play with sharp pointed knives--to frolic on the brink of a rapid torrent--or dance around a pit's mouth? Would I permit them to eat deadly berries--or to put a cup of poison to their tender lips? However indulgent, would I allow them to disobey my commands? And if they labored under any disease which threatened their precious life, what pains or expenses would I spare to procure them relief? If assured that a physician lived somewhere, who could heal them without fail--would I not send to the uttermost corner of the land? would I not travel to the ends of earth?

But, hear me, O parents! If our concern for our children ends only with their bodies--we are monsters of cruelty! Would we pluck them from fire and water--and yet permit them to plunge into the fire of hell, and lie under the billows of Jehovah's wrath? Will we snatch from them sword, pistol or knife--and allow them to wound themselves to the very soul, with sin? Will we chastise their disobedience to us--and wink at their spitting in the very face of God, by open acts of sin? Are we fond to have them educated and well-bred--and yet let them live in the neglect of prayer, which is the highest disrespect that can be put on the Author of our being?

In a word, is this the sum of our kindness, is this the height of our concern for our dear children--to see them happy in time, flourishing in the affairs of this life--though they end up being miserable beyond description through eternity itself? Will their bodily pain excite our sympathy, and will we do all in our power to have their diseases healed--and yet have no concern that their souls pine under sin, and they suffer all the pangs of hell? Will we not bring them in our prayers, to the Physician of souls, to the Savior of sinners?

I have but one request for all of my children, and that is--that they may fear and serve God here--and enjoy him forever! No matter though they sweat for their daily bread--only let them feed on the hidden manna! Let them toil and spin for their apparel--but let them be covered in Christ's righteousness! How would I count my house renowned, and my family ennobled, if there sprang from it--not wealthy princes or kings, (let potsherds of the earth strive for such earthly vanities)--but pillars for the temple of God in glory--who shall dwell in the presence of the King of kings--when time is no more!" - "

Solitude Sweetened" by James Meikle, 1730-1799

2009-09-13T14:01:00.004-04:00

Michael David Batwinas

Mike's home for the next 6 months ... go to

http://www.navysite.de/dd/ddg65.htm

for more information

Clyde's Army Reunion

2009-09-06T15:33:00.034-04:00

At the end of our time with Shawn & Jane & the girls in TN, Clyde & I went on to Georgia with Rick & Nancy for their 40th Army Reunion in Conyers, GA. We met at a Ruby Tuesday's Restaurant the evening of August 21, 2009

This sign was provided by Hank Kimner

This is Colonel John Haumersen and his wife Elsie

Clyde & Bill Murphy

Nancy & Hank Kimner, Rick & Nancy Hauck

As a surprise to everyone, Rick had planned a time of honoring 4 men that evening ...

The first was Col. Haumersen

Rick begins the installation ceremony with Col. Haumersen into the

Order of St. George. Each man was given a Medallion and a certificate that reflects their contribution to Armor and Cavalry during their years of service with the U.S. Army-

After his installation, the Colonel then assists Rick in the installation of

Hank Kimner, Clyde and Bill Murphy into the Order of St. George

One by one the men kneel to receive the Black Medallion

Colonel Haumersen then taps their shoulders with the saber that

Rick used during his military service. Rick is an alumni of the Citadel

Clyde's turn to kneel and receive the Medallion

The man Clyde served under in 1968-1969, Col. Haumersen, has the honor of

'knighting' Clyde into the Order of St. George

Hank Kimner, Bill Murphy, Col. John Haumersen & Clyde Moore

Each man was also inducted into The Order of the Spur

"The Order of the Spur is a Cavalry tradition within the United States Army. Soldiers serving with Cavalry units (referred to as Troopers) are inducted into the Order of the Spur after successfully completing a "Spur Ride" or for having served during combat as a member of a Cavalry unit. Traditionally, each Trooper is presented spurs by their sponsor at a ceremonial dining in commonly referred to as the "Spur Dinner". The spurs are to be worn with the military uniform during Squadron or Regimental ceremonies and events or as designated by the Cavalry unit commander. In some units, gold spurs are awarded for combat inductions while silver spurs represent having completed the Spur Ride. Within the tradition, silver spurs and gold spurs hold a similar relationship for the cavalry as the Expert Infantryman Badge and the Combat Infantryman Badge hold in the Infantry. There is no Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) requirement for the Order of the Spur and the order is open to members of foreign militaries serving with U.S. Cavalry units".

The final surprise for each man was a United States Flag with a certificate

stating that each flag had been flown over the U.S. Capitol building for

7 mintues on July 7, 2009

We paid tribute to these men who served our country in times of war

and conflict. Their time in Korea is called the 'forgotten war' because the focus was on Vietnam at the time they served in Korea. I didn't know the danger these men were in until last year when Clyde & Rick reconnected in Ohio. Clyde wrote letters home while he was gone but never mentioned the dangers and the killing that was happening.

Hank Kimner, Bill Murphy, Col. Haumersen, Tom Bornhorst, Rick Hauck & Clyde Moore

Bill Murphy, Hank & Nancy Kimner, Rick & Nancy Hauck, Elsie & Col. Haumersen, Louise & Clyde Moore, Tom Bornhorst

A photo of the certificate given to Clyde

The Flag, the Spurs and the Medallions now sit on our fireplace mantel

2009-08-29T09:21:00.004-04:00

Birthdays & Anniversaries ...

Jamie Lee - July 11

Haylee - July 15

Wendy - July 27

Jeremy & Kerr's Anniversary - Aug. 4

Oma - Aug. 10

Kerri - Aug. 10

Cecil - Aug. 11

Lukas - Aug. 14

Rita - Aug. 25

Dawn - Aug. 29

Eric - Sept. 1

Dave & Wendy's Anniversary - Sept. 23

Mynnie Roos - Sept. 30

I am a bit behind in posting these ... please forgive me!

2009-08-29T09:11:00.008-04:00

More pictures ....

I took this one of Jane & Stef from inside the cabin's dining area

Louis & Jane
I was standing at the far end of the living room to take this picture

The upper loft area ... there's a chair up here that folds out to make a small bed
also a full size bathroom & porch

The kitchen ... the main level bedroom & a full bath can be entered from the kitchen;

you can also enter the bedroom from the living area

The dining area ... seating for 6 or more; there's a bench in the back;
plus 4 bar stools at the kitchen counter

The living room - the biggest TV is in this room;

there were also TV's in the girls room downstairs, the game room and the main level bedroom

The main level bedroom

The porch off the living room

You could probably sleep 8 - 10 people in this cabin

3 bedrooms & 4 full bathrooms plus a jacuzzi in the lower level bedroom

and a hot tub on this porch

2009-08-27T10:35:00.015-04:00

A few more pictures ... not in order....

This photo was taken as we entered the Smoky's ... we

were going to drive thru Cade's Cove

One of the old homes in Cade's Cove

Another old building in Cade's Cove

Cade's Cove is an 11 mile, one-way loop in a section of the Smoky Mtn's

Stef & I found a sign at the Visitor Center that said

"Caution: Snakes are active at all buildings"

Needless to say, we did not venture to any of the buildings on foot!
Stef told me "I was hoping you wouldn't see that sign" because she wanted to explore the buildings ... I did too 'til I read about snakes ... I do not care for them

A fence ..

A wild, skinny turkey .. how do they get so plump for Thanksgiving?

I think I know .....

A tree in front of the stream in Cade's Cove

There's only so much time to take pictures when the car is moving

A better view...

Safely back on the mountain and in the cabin...

Shelly, we did have a great time and memories were made for all of us.

I talked with Kay yesterday (Aug. 26) and she said her new motto for life is:

"Live in such a way that no one gives a sigh of relief when you're gone"

I agree whole-heartedly. I want to be missed by those who knew me when I leave this earth.

More than that, I want to hear the good Lord say

"Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into your reward" when I reach heaven.

Thanks for reading everyone! More pictures later!

I love you!

2009-08-26T21:13:00.034-04:00

Pictures from our trip to TN ... not in specific order ... more to come at another time...

On the road to TN ... that's Shawn & Jane's Flex you're seeing

The 'back' porch of the cabin ... this cabin had 3 porches; a deck in the front, a picnic table, grill and swing set

This is the room Clyde & I had on the main level

The living room ... from here you had stunning views of the mountains, the clouds and the valley below

The dining area ... every room has a view

The kitchen ... you enter the cabin from the front of the cabin into this room

Our indoor bear .... there are carvings all through the cabin, done by local artisans

Jane & the girls & Louis

They're in the upper level game room

Louis giving kisses ... he was so good on this trip

Erica with Jane on the porch swing ... we were 4077 feet above sea level and I was scared spitless to even walk out on this porch ... the other porches weren't too bad thankfully

One of the sunsets

Stef playing pool in the game room ... their Papa taught them well

Little Pie turned out to be a pretty good pool player

Louis ... aka Sugar Plum

Me & Fred with Stef & Erica on the back deck

Can you see the double rainbow?

Jane & the girls & the rainbows....

I asked Stef if she remembered what the rainbow meant and she said

"Yeah! God promised He would never flood the earth again, double!"

Me & the girls

Stef & Erica

Another sunset

A side view of our cabin "Above the Clouds"

and another side view

The way up to the cabin, ours was the last one on the mountain and the way up to it was STEEP ... as in too steep to even consider my walking up to it!

Jane & the girls ... in Gatlinburg

Taken in Gatlinburg

Me, Fred, Rick & Nancy Hauck, friends from Massachusetts

Shawn, Jane, Stephanie, Erica & Louis

Shawn & Jane

Sunset the last night we were there

This was taken at the TN / N.C. state line ... we were at the very top of the Smoky's

heading to Georgia for Clyde's Army Reunion with Rick & Nancy

Clyde & Rick

Me & Nancy at an entrance to the Appalachian Trail ...

you can walk to Maine from here ... it's only 1972 miles

That's all for now ... I'll post more later ...

We had such a great time with the kids and are so appreciative that they invited us to come along on this trip. This was the longest Clyde & I had been away from home together in almost 43 years of marriage.

Thanks Shawn & Jane! We loved it! Fear & all!