Hello there old friends... Been a llloooonnnngggggggg while, I know. I think I got abducted by aliens.

How many of you have been reading a book, laid it down and when you went back to get it, couldn't find it?

Well, it has happened so many times I can not count. And it has happened, once again. I usually read several books at one time, so it is not unusual for me to misplace one,but right now I have been reading only 2... well, besides my Bible, of course, which is ever ongoing.

I have very reluctantly been reading Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert, for our local book club. I saw the movie. Which was OK. But her beliefs and spiritual practices did not jive with mine. Then our book club decided to read it. I know it is on the best sellers list, but I have had to literally PUSH myself to read it. Going through the first third of the book (Italy) was OK... but her living in an Ashram in India, studying with her "Guru" is NOT for me. And it seems so much against my Christian teachings that I want to burn the book, but it belongs to the library and not me. But thank God I didn't spend money on it.

She said "I am a Christian." "And While I do love that great Teacher who was Jesus, and while I do reserve the right to ask myself in certain trying situations what indeed He would do, I can't swallow that one fixed rule of Christianity insisting that Christ is the only path to God."

That's where I walk away. This was on page 14 and it was pure torture for me to keep reading to page 170... but I forced myself to get half through the book. That in itself was a real chore. I did it... but I am still ambivalent about it. So... It goes back to the library tomorrow.

I don't care. I am DONE!

Jesus Christ IS the one and only way to His (and my) Father God. He said it. I believe it. That settles it!

Now, I'm not trying to dis the book or Elizabeth Gilbert. If you like it, that's just fine. It is just not for me. And if it had not been for my book club I would not have gotten past the page 14, so I feel I have take a major step in improving my tolerance level.

But the other book I have been reading is Who I Am in Christ, by Neil T. Anderson. I spent half the day trying to find it. I know I had it yesterday and I know I was sitting on the sofa while I was reading it. I searched every room and the living room twice. I even searched the bookshelves on the entertainment center to see if I, or my granddaughter, Heaven might have put it there. But no luck. I dug behind the sofa and under things to see it it had gotten shoved somewhere by accident by the dogs or Heaven... Nada.

Finally, I decided to give it one last try. And low and behold there it was on the bottom of a stack of books. Apparently Heaven, while serving me 'diner a la' carte', had moved it to under some other books.

I am so glad that mystery is solved... just get so frustrated when I spend so much time looking for something, taking precious time away from getting something else done... and my reading time.

Take a stand

I learned this morning on K-Love radio... the 10Th circuit court of appeals in Denver has just ruled that crosses that were erected to memorialize fallen Highway Patrol officers are now unconstitutional. These crosses (14) have the sanctions of the Highway Patrol and were erected on public property.

Isn't there at least one cross on every major highway in America?

Also, in Michigan:

Just a small cross!!!

Posted by Bob on August 15, 2010 at 6:15am in Christians Unite in The Cornerstone of the Nation!Back to Christians Unite in The Cornerstone of the Nation! Discussions

When driving to, from, and through Frankenmuth, Michigan, I'm always intrigued with the many small simple crosses in the front yards of the homes we pass by. Those crosses are a statement of support for Frankenmuth's Christian foundation. Two years ago an atheist living there complained about two crosses on a bridge in town. He requested that they be removed and the town removed them. He then decided that, since he was so successful with that, the city shield should also be changed since it had on it, along with other symbols, a heart with a cross inside signifying the city's Lutheran beginnings. At that point, the residents decided they had had enough. Hundreds of residents made their opinions known by placing small crosses in their front yards. Seeing this quiet but powerful statement from the community, the man removed his complaint. Those simple crosses remain in those front yards today. After passing those crosses for two years, it finally hit me that a small cross in millions of front yards across our country could provide a powerful and inspiring message for all Americans passing them every day. I think it might be time to take this idea across America. We have an administration that says "we are not a Christian nation" and everywhere you look the ACLU and others are trying to remove from our history and current lives any reference to God, prayer, or the fact that our country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles. Our administration can't bring themselves to talk about "radical Muslims or Islamic terrorists" for fear of offending them, but they can talk about Americans "clinging to their guns and their religion", or insinuate that our own military troops coming home from service overseas might turn into terrorists. The majority of Americans are Christians, why are we letting this happen to us? It's time to stand up and make a statement..a small, quiet, but powerful statement. If you agree, place a smallwhite cross in your front yard or garden for all to see that they are not alone. It would be a beautiful thing to see crosses all across America. God has richly blessed America but America is falling short of returning thanks for it...we can help to change that. Excellent, excellent, excellent idea. And we can go another step further. Since the media have been ordered not to wear flag lapel pins because the president has declared them offensive to some, everyone could wear a flag pin on their hat or lapel. Do not be afraid to let others know where you stand and what you believe Now is the time to take a stand America! As Christian Americans we can take a small stand to show the world that we ARE still a Christian nation. Make one cross and erect it in a visible spot in front of your home, or in a window if you live in an apartment. Wear your cross necklace or pin. How hard is that?

I know that you all must have thought that I had died and fallen off the face of the earth, but I am hear to say that I am alive and kicking.... and what better way than to stand for something you believe in?

GOOD Friday

Oftentimes I have wondered just why Good Friday is referred to as "Good". Some part of my Christian beliefs told me that it was because Christ died for our sins on that day... hence it is "good" for us. Today while listening to K-Love radio I learned that in some archaic culture good meant Holy.... so now it all makes since... Good Friday is Holy Friday, because the most Holy of Holy men was crucified on that day.

Jesus chose to die on the cross for my sins... for the sins of the whole world, for all time. There has never been, nor will there ever be, another act of Love committed that will equal or surpass that one completely unselfish act of love.

Not only did Jesus die for our sins... and buried. But most importantly... on the third day God raised Him from the dead and forgotten... God, the Father, raised Jesus to new life again. To live forever and EVER.

HE LIVES TODAY!

I know because he lives in me!

Happy Good Friday!

Sun over the horizon

This winter has been a total bear for me. I have been struggling with so many things, but the sun is waking me to a new day. I don't know what it will bring but I am opening my eyes, taking a deep breath and standing tall with my arms wide open.

Bring it, Lord.

It is so amazing to watch the snow slowly melting away. It is like layers of shell are slowly being scaled away from my heart and the light is finally breaking

through the tough leather veneer that has encased it permitting its own natural glow to emerge.

Even though we have had no sunshine since Saturday the melt is active and ongoing. Spring is on its way. It is evident in everything around us. The birds are cheerier the horses strides are springier the mice, rabbits and other outside critters are more and active and exuberant. I'm sure the bear are rolling and stretching at this very moment, hitting the snooze button saying, "just 10 more minutes, please."

Yes... it infuriates me when I cannot put things (pictures)where they should go... but I'm at the point... just do it and let the Lord work it out.

I am so grateful for the warm up.... the rest can just float in its own brine.

Glimmer of hope

YEE-HAW!

The thermometer says 32 degrees... FINALLY. The winds have died down a bit and we have actual drips from the icicles dangling from the roof and every surface edge in sight.

Thank YOU LORD!

I want to come out of my cave, but fear getting caught unawares by the next wave to come through, at some not to distant moment. Don't want to be caught basking in the sun just yet.

I read something on "something she wrote" blog that stirred me. "You can run from your dreams in fear, or run to your dreams in faith." -- author unknown

Now that has significant power.

Snow, snow, and more snow

Well, I am not sure if this will go through or not. It has been so very long since I have had a post. I have tried and tried so many times to figure out how I managed to lock my blog up. All my previous efforts have failed. My apologies to all my followers and fellow bloggers. But here goes.

We had a tremendous snow storm on Fri night. There are claims from 6 to 12 inches. There was a lot of snow clinging to trees and any northeastern surface. Then on Sat the winds picked up and blew it around causing a considerable amount of drifting. So it is difficult to say just how much we actually got. I just know my new thermo boots disappeared and in some places I was up to my knees getting to the horses. My neighbor came in Sat. morning and plowed out my lane, then again on Sunday morning he had to do it all over again.

Monday morning we woke to the frostiest frost on top of the snow. The temps dipped to around 0. I was deceived into believing it was much warmer because my digital thermometer is not very accurate. OOPS! My son had to set me straight. Oh well.

Today the snow is falling once again and we have predictions of anywhere from 3 to 8 more inches being added to what we have... and more blowing winds coming in tomorrow.

Yeah! We'll all have a snowball fight, or maybe build a fort.

So here goes nothing. I just want to say that I have missed you guys. Love ya.

Sandi