Thursday, March 30, 2006

 
A message to my son:
Learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live long enough to make them all yourself

If you think education is expensive, wait 'till you see what ignorance costs you.

Shalom Y'all
Charlie

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

 
A biker was riding along a California beach when suddenly the sky clouded above his head and, in a booming voice, the Lord said, "Because you have TRIED to be faithful to me in all ways, I will grant you one wish."

The biker pulled over and said, "Build a bridge to Hawaii so I can ride over anytime I want."

The Lord said, "Your request is materialistic. I can do it, but it is hard for me to justify your desire for worldly things. Take a little more time and think of something that would honor and glorify me."

The biker thought about it for a long time. Finally he said, "Lord, I wish that I could understand my wife. I want to know how she feels inside, what she's thinking when she gives me the silent treatment, why she cries, what she means when she says nothing's wrong, and how I can make this wonderful woman truly happy."

The Lord replied, "You want two lanes or four on that bridge?"

Shalom Y'all

Monday, March 27, 2006

 
Saturday Memaw began a project of the type I usually do, but am "restricted" by the doctors.
She oiled up the chain saw and trimmed the carrotwood tree almost to the bare trunk, removed several banana plants, and generally worked off most of her pent up frustrations.

I say most because she has probably reserved some of that for later use on me.

The bees were still hanging, attached to the roof of the orchid house waiting.

Yesterday she renewed with gusto her attack on the foliage until the phone rang. She sat on the screen patio and did what she does best when she isn't destroying things, talked to her friend.

Suddenly there was a loud ROAR. In moments, before she was even able to summon me as a witness, the bees were gone!

Ain't that Sumthin?
Shalom Y'all
Charlie

Saturday, March 25, 2006

 
Some Of my flowers




The bees, swarming in my little orchid house have not prevented me from making a photo of these
Shalom Y'all
Charlie Posted by Picasa

 
PARROTS IN MY YARD 
The Quaker parrots, Quaker Parakeets or Monk Parrots (whichever you prefer,) have now officially discovered our feeder, no longer protected by "Pretty" the Dalmation who shared her home with us.
This one is standing guard while the others indulge in a favorite activity.
Eating seeds from the bird feeder.

Ain't God Good?
Shalom Y'all
Poppy Posted by Picasa

 
 

The mystery is solved!
Today I ventured into the orchid house and discovered the bees have NOT departed.
They are lurking in there, hanging from the top while some search for an acceptable place to relocate.
Ain't that sumthin?

Charlie Posted by Picasa

Thursday, March 23, 2006

 
BEES!

Today has been a pleasant one.
Earlier there was thunder.
Although the sky is still overcast that has passed not depositing any much needed rain.
While I sat here at my desk alternating between computer and telephone I have been entertained by the birds behind me. They come to the little bird feeder outside the window and I am, at times, compelled to swivel around and watch them as they call, scratch and at sometimes compete.
Since “Pretty” the Dalmatian who shared this house with has left, Quaker Parrots are visiting. Feeding, shy, sometimes noisy and noisy, always amusing.
Also visiting are the beautiful ring necked doves, crows, pigeons, and mocking birds.
Just now I was washing dishes at the kitchen sink and the unmistakable sound of a swarm of bees attracted my attention. The roaring sound filled the yard and the kitchen. They nearly fill the yard from about a foot off the ground to about ten feet high.
What kind are they? Why are they here?
Now nearly all of them are in the orchid house!
I for one am not going to risk getting close enough to call one out and ask.
God knows, and that is good enough for me!
I think the birds may know too, since they have departed.
In the time required to type this (I’m very slow,) they have gone.
How do I know?
The doves have returned, cooing and fighting.
What's that? Thunder again?
Yes! and with it sweet, gentle, refreshing, cleansing rain on a dry, and thirsty land.


Ain't God good?

Shalom Y’all
Charlie

 
Last night in a discussion a pastor used as an example two people who come to the fellowship and are living together, not married.
I question that.
If two people who have been living together don't have a certificate from the state are they not married in God's eyes?
The arguments about church and state go well beyond the bounds of the constitution.
Without getting into the details of that argument I pose this question.
Why would one assume that if someone is not married in the eyes of the state they are not married in the eyes of God?
Does the state interfere with the church when it only recognizes marriage between a man and woman when they have a license issued by a governmental agency?
Does the statement made by Jesus "Render unto Cesar what is ceasar's and unto God what is God's apply to getting a marriage license? I think not.
If there has been no formal recognition of some type, that needs to be done.
I think we have allowed the state too much control over our lives.
Some say in response to such subjects a incest, homosexual activities, etc. the church needs to stay out of the bedroom.
It seems the only time the state wants to involve itself in the bedroom is when a man and woman have made a monogamous commitment to each other and didn't get permission from it.
confusing?
You bet.
Do I advocate living together outside marriage? No.
I just don't think it is any business of the state and I think it is sad that as a society we only recognize marriage the has been legitimized by the state.
Shalom Y'all
Poppy

Sunday, March 19, 2006

 
Several weeks ago I began to do many things around the house, although in preparation for it's possible sale, also just because it will be nicer for Memaw and me.
I didn't get it finished! I over did at work and am now "down in the back" even an epidural shot for pain has not made me a lot more comfortable.
I learned long ago not to ask why? Or Why me? There is, after all, "a reason for everything under heaven."
Last week I was given the opportunity to mentor three at-risk young lads. Since my plans are to leave for six months that won't happen. The last thing they need is another man dropping out of their lives.
I can't do my job any more. Can I do the work I planned at favorite youngest daughter's farm?
Will I ever be able to do the physical "stuff" again?
We thought in retirement perhaps we can find some type of mission work to do. If the physical limitations persist is that off the table?
At this point in time I have become one of those old people who must hire someone younger to perform certain tasks.
This presents it's own challenges since funds become an issue.
I can only trust God that He has something in store for me. For us.
I am reminded what a guy named Paul wrote so many years ago: "But thanks be to God, who gave us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
I must learn to be patient and wait for His answer while I do what the doctors prescribe, hoping for good physical results.
Meanwhile, I consider myself to be greatly blessed.
Ain't God good?
Shalom Y'all
Charlie

Saturday, March 18, 2006

 
Several of my recent posts are "borrowed" from Maggszine.com.
I just wanted to make that clear.

Charlie

 
Sacrifice?


Today several people from our little "Vineyard" Fellowship visited at the home of Ed and Annie Ravish. They have raised five of their own children and probably not even they know how many "strays."
The home on five acres they moved into years ago, their dream home, has been turned over to the foundation begun by them.
I have been there when they had twenty children living there at one time including their own.
Annie was shot at, point blank range, while in Haiti. The weapon wouldn't work.
Once, Ed spent his life savings to hire a private jet to retrieve his wife and entourage from Haiti when the airlines quit flying there.
It's a story of love and Christian dedication.
We worked a few hours on a saturday cutting, raking, piling brush, etc.
They have labored many years, salvaged many souls from around the globe and found adoptive homes for them.
We are blessed to have been able to help.
Others may think this family has sacrificed a lot. Maybe they have.
I don't think they consider what they have done a sacrifice, but a blessing from God, a "sacrifice" of love.
God Bless you Ed and Annie.

Shalom Y'all
Charlie

 
Borrowed from Maggszine.com

Wed Mar 01, 2006
Food For Thought - What Goes Around Comes Around [Food For Thought]
His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while
trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from
a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog.

There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and
struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could
have been a slow and terrifying death.

The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse
surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced
himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.

"I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life."

"No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied
waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door
of the family hovel.

"Is that your son?" the nobleman asked.

"Yes," the farmer replied proudly.

"I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own
son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow
to be a man we both will be proud of." And that he did.

Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools and in time, graduated
from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become
known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the
discoverer of Penicillin.

Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was
stricken with pneumonia.

What saved his life this time? Penicillin.

The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name?

Sir Winston Churchill.



Posted by: maggie on 01 Mar 06 | 1:02 pm

 
Tue Mar 07, 2006
Translation Into English From A Spanish Newspaper! [Pigs & Politics]
Article from a newspaper in Spain
By Sebastian Vilar Rodrigez

I walked down the street in Barcelona, and suddenly discovered a terrible
truth. Europe died in Auschwitz.

We killed six million Jews and replaced them with 20 million Muslims. In
Auschwitz we burned a culture, thought, creativity, and talent. We
destroyed the chosen people, truly chosen, because they produced great and
wonderful people who changed the world.

The contributions of these people are felt in all areas of life: science,
art, international trade, and above all, as the conscience of the world.
These are the people we burned.

And under the pretense of tolerance, and because we wanted to prove to
ourselves that we were cured of the disease of racism, we opened our gates
to 20 million Muslims, who brought us stupidity and ignorance, religious
extremism and lack of tolerance, crime and poverty due to an unwillingness
to work and support their families with pride.

They have turned our beautiful Spanish cities into the third world, drowning
in filth and crime.

Shut up in the apartments they received free from the government, they plan
the murder and destruction of their naive hosts.

And thus, in our misery, we have exchanged culture for fanatical hatred,
creative skill for destructive skill, intelligence for backwardness and
superstition. We have exchanged the pursuit of peace of the Jews of Europe
and their talent for hoping for a better future for their children, their
determined clinging to life because life is holy, for those who pursue
death, for people consumed by the desire for death for themselves and
others, for our children and theirs.

What a terrible mistake was made by miserable Europe.

This is a translation of an article from a Spanish newspaper.
Posted by: maggie on 07 Mar 06 | 4:29 pm
[0] comments (24 views) | Email This Article


In my never to be humble opinion, other European countries are doing the same thing.

Charlie

 
I somehow never thought of Julie Andrews as being older than I am (though not by much.) I wish I could have witnessed this.

Tue Mar 07, 2006
A Few Of My Favorite Things.... [Entertainment]
To commemorate her 69th birthday on October 1, actress/vocalist Julie Andrews made a special appearance

at Manhattan's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP. One of the musical numbers she performed was "My Favorite Things" from the legendary movie "Sound Of Music". However, the lyrics of the song were deliberately changed for the entertainment of her "blue hair" audience. Here are the lyrics she recited:

Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up with string,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillac's, cataracts, hearing aids and glasses,
Polident, Fixodent and dentures and glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

When the pipes leak,
When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets, and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heat pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pains, confused brains, and no fear of sinnin,'
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,
When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache,
when the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
THEN I REMEMBER THE GREAT LIFE I'VE HAD ,
AND THEN I DON'T FEEL SO BAD.

Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the crowd that lasted over four minutes and repeated encores.

Monday, March 13, 2006

 
Worship

Yesterday was an unusual time of worship. Since we meet in a part of the building at First Pres., I can only imagine what the ladies in the adjacent kitchen must have thought as we sang, the guitars strummed and the drummer drummed.
Isn’t it strange what seemingly unconnected situations will bring to mind?
While the music played and we sang I wanted to set my feet to dancing and I was reminded of Carley, a teenage girl who was one of the young people I met on the Appallachian Service Project (ASP) last summer. She shared with me that she does liturgical dance.
Liturgical dance probably wouldn’t accurately describe what I would do if my feet and ancient old body would allow, but what Carley does is I’m sure, not only beautiful but inspiring. I hope she and her dad will be on the trip this summer.
Some of the songs were “Blessed be the name” and “Light the Fire.” These are songs from Vineyard Music. Much of music from Vineyard has become popular in so called main stream Christianity.
Any way, we sang and praised and Gary and Steve annointed with oil and prayed for folks.
It was a great time in the Lord.

Ain't God good?
Shalom Y'all
Charlie

Sunday, March 05, 2006

 
“There is a time for everything;
And a season for every activity under heaven.”
Thus wrote Solomon, the wisest man to ever live.
And so it is here, in the house where “Pretty” the Dalmatian has allowed us to live with her lo these many years.
She came to realize that Memaw and I are “seasoned” citizens now and as the time rapidly approaches when we will no longer work at full time jobs but instead travel between the different areas of the country where our children and grandchildren live, she decided it would be best if she were to move on, and in so doing bless the lives of a five year little old boy, his mom and dad.
Before she adopted us she had lived chained to a post day and night, sad and mostly alone.
She was companion and protector to us and she guarded our grandchildren and played with them until she was exhausted.
Solomon also wrote: “There is a time to laugh and a time to cry.”
Sometimes it’s hard to know just what time it is.
Shalom Y’all,
Poppy

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?