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Where is He who is born King of the Jews?

Like folks today, the people living in Bethlehem and throughout the World didn't have a clue that their Saviour was being born as a lowly babe in a manger. If they had know or realized, there would have been rejoicing in the streets by some, but also the forces of Satan would also have been at work to thwart the plan of God to redeem the World.

So Christ was born quietly, without mid-wife, doctor, or assistance other than that of Joseph. The babe had no sterile environment in which to be laid. Yet he was more pure than anything ever to be placed in this world.

True there were Jewish scholars who studied the Torah and knew that God's anointed Messiah was to be born. But either their were oblivious to the clues or they were blinded by the eyes of Satan to expect Christ at that time and at that place. It was only when questioned by Herod that his scholars opened their eyes to the fact that a King of the Jews was to be born. And this only when Wise Men from the East came to Herod and asked where the King was for they had "seen his star."

They still await.
They still have not seen.
They are still oblivious.

Remembering a Church Christmas Program

I remember a church Christmas program a few years back (my kids were already grown). The kids 3 years and up to about 16 were giving a re-enactment of the Birth of the Christ Child.

The program was progressing nicely. And then when the kindergarten aged kiddies were lined up and singing their shepherd song, or an angel song - who remembers at this point? - the action began!

Shepherd #1, who was a pretty good size fellow for his age, for some reason decides that he is being crowded or needs more room or whatever. So he gives Shepherd #2 a shove.

Shepherd #2 is a smaller li'l fellow - whose family was in the States on student visa while Dad was in grad school and they were from a country very much South of the US - about as far South as you can go without being off the globe. Well, Shepherd #2 decides he's not going to be shoved around by the big guy. So he shoves back.

Then Shepherd #1 decides that the li'l Shepherd isn't going to shove him around! So he jabs Shepherd #2. What do you think Shepherd #2 does? He literally lights into Shepherd #1!

Pandemonium ensues.

Music stops.

Singing stops.

Moms fly.

And Shepherds no longer were watching their flocks by night!

So what are your memories of Christmas pagents at church or school? Have you a good tale to tell? Have you a precious memory of when you were a shepherd, angel, wiseman? Have you a story to tell of when you as a harried leader were trying to garner the talents of all the wee ones so they could present the ever-wonderful story of the birth of the Christ child? Sit back and reflect on Christmas past in your own life and see where it takes you.

Upside Down

This is a particularly intriguing video. Please view it in it's entirety.

Upside Down from Pace Hartfield on Vimeo.

Traditional Christmas Dinner

Growing up my mother always did a lot of baking. Fruit cakes (even candied some of the fruit that went into it), black walnut cake, pound cake, Japanese Fruit Cake. So we had these for goodies.

For Christmas dinner she had regular ham (pink) and corned ham. For those who are not familiar with corned ham: It is fresh ham that has been salted for a couple weeks. Usually the butcher (yes, a little corner butcher) did this for Mom, but I do recall a time or so she had to do it herself when she couldn't get the one from the butcher. With the 2 hams, Mom made her famous potato salad, fresh collard greens (for those in the North, these are only good if grown in someone's back yard and not on a big farm , they are cooked and seasoned just right and yummy), green beans, rice/gravy, homemade rolls, homemade cranberry sauce (Mom even branched out and started making one with ground up oranges - can't find her recipe for it, though), candied sweet potatoes (made with fresh sweet potatoes that are peeled and sliced length wise, placed in a baking dish with sugar, cinnamon, butter, touch of water and vanilla).

Of course, we were too full of candy to really enjoy the meal to it's fullest (pun intended), but we did a lot of damage. Anyway, we were definitely too full for dessert so that waited a little while. When dessert came, we had Mom's cakes and they were so good. Mom actually made and sold these cakes to a select few in town. I don't know if she made any money on them, but people wanted them so Mom made them. I do know that for the family, she had very large tins (she could stack about 4 cakes atop each other in them) in which she would put her cakes and keep stored in a cold bedroom (no heat in them). She would carefully wrap the cakes and place them in the tins. They would mellow and were so good.

Oh the memories are so good!

Taking our Portion

Every man to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 5:19 (King James Version)

Let's take a moment and think a little about this verse. I don't think it is referring to "riches and wealth" as being very wealthy or having great riches. I believe it is referring to having enough for what you need and then perhaps some to share.

This being the case, we are given "power to eat thereof" - you know having our tummies full, having our needs met, and being able to do it in joy.

Also, we are able to "take his portion" as in we have what we need - for there is no other way to truly view your "portion" as anything other than what you need.

And then where do we get this "riches and wealth"? Why we get it from our labours and now we are able to "rejoice in our labours." It is wonderful to have the mental acuity, physical health and strength, and opportunity to actually WORK or LABOUR.

And then, finally, we can recognize that all this is a "gift of God." What a joy to know that God provides our labor, our portion, and the rejoicing we have in these.

WWII - The Battle of the Bulge

On December 16, 1944 an infamous battle was fought in Belgim. The Battle of the Bulge as it was known. Remembering this terrible time in the history of Europe and of the American Armed Forces, brings to mind the ultimate sacrifice of so many of the young of America and Allied Forces.

The battle was fought on fields of snow and during very cold conditions. There was the terror of death, of the enemy, of the weather. Fear of many types was rampant. Yet, these young men fought for the freedom of the World.

Pause and remember them. Remember, too, the young men and women who today are fighting for freedom. And fighting against the terrors of this day.

(Pictured: American soldiers of the 75th Division photographed in the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge. Reference: http://encyclopedia.tfd.com/battle+of+the+bulge )

Is "cussing" acceptable?

A question was recently raised as to the acceptability of certain words online. Words of a profane and vulgar nature. Quite frankly, I prefer to dwell in polite society where that type of language is never appropriate. I don't mean specifically "church society," either.

Gentlemen and Ladies simply do not need to use vulgar or profane language. I was not exposed to it and we never exposed our children to it. It simply was not and is not acceptable to us. That does not mean that the feeling expressed by some of the words or terms expressing anger, dismay, etc. have not being felt. It simply means that you learn to control your verbal expressions as well as your physical expressions.

Now that is simply "polite society." As a Christian we have a higher calling to control and cleanse our tongues and our emotions. We are not to act or live profanely or in any sort of a vulgar manner. It would not be pleasing to our Lord and Saviour. Nor would it honor Him who has redeemed us.

Abiding in the Shadow of the Almighty

America and yes, the World, is in the middle of economic difficulties. Some are already experiencing the difficulties of a world turned upside down for them by losing value of stocks as the market declined reeking havoc on portfolios throughout the world. People are losing their jobs and with it their means of paying their mortgages, their credit card debt, and their gas, water, and electricity bills – much less putting food on the table for their children. And there, but for the Grace of God, go you and I.

But for anyone experiencing difficulties of any type, God has comfort and God has hope. Let’s look at a bit of Psalm 91 and take comfort in these promises.

He ….. shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress:….my God; in him will I trust.
He shall cover thee (this is to provide a shield over you to protect you)
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; ….. nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
……..there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

(Words from God to us tell us of protection--)
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him

So take comfort in knowing that as a Child of God, you have a loving God who cares and provides.

WHAT TO DO WITH ROTISSERIE CHICKEN

You can do so many things with your bird. Just the last couple weeks we had guests and bought several of these delicious birds. We sliced and served the birds.

Being Granny Frugal, I popped the carcass of 2 of the birds in a freezer bag for later. These I will boil and use the liquid for cooking rice or for a soup base. There will be a little meat that I can glean from the bones. This I will mix with a little mayonnaise, mustard (Grey Poupon harvest is great), pickle relish (sweet and/or dill), chopped onion and celery. A little pepper - now you have a bit of real good chicken salad.

I have already cooked one of the carcasses that I didn't freeze. I made a soup. I used 1/2 can diced tomatoes w/peppers, celery, onion. Chopped a little celery and onion into it. Added a little precooked rice I had on hand (or you could toss in a tablespoon or two of uncooked rice). Added a can of Bush's mixed beans (pinto & northern). Dash of pepper. There you have it. Quick and delicious.

If you don't slice the meat and serve right away, you can use some of it in any casserole that you want. You can also take one of those Hamburger or Chicken Helpers and put some of the chicken in it.

Have fun!

....where is the respect?

It has been reported that Senator Obama said the following: "Its not that I want to punish your success, when you spread the wealth around it is good for everyone." This was in response to "Joe the Plumber." Much has been said about "Joe" and much has been said about Senator Obama's tax plan and spreading the wealth around. I frankly, do not want any form of Socialism and believe that you don't take from the wealthy to give to the poor. Not forced giving. The fact is this and other statements have probably been blown all out of proportion - Statements by Senator Obama and statements by Senator McCain.

However, in regard to this statement being blown out of proportion, I believe, truly believe, that statements from both camps have been blown out of proportion. Also, where is any respect in this election? I see so very little. These are people who are aspiring to become the leader of the best nation in the world. How can anyone think well of their future leadership when all this rot has been transpiring.

Someone recently said something which I think is very noteworthy:

"The biggest cost in an election is truth."

China and the element of trust

Recently in the news we have been reading where there is a major problem with milk in China. Thousands of Chinese babies have become seriously ill because of the presence of melamine in baby formula. Now the search, internationally, is on to determine how widespread this contaminated milk and associated products actually is. It has been found in Cadbury candy. What a blow to our chocolate taste buds!

This is causing me, and I am wondering how many others, to doubt the safety of all foodstuff products produced, or whose ingredients are produced, in China. A few months back it was contaminated toothpaste. Now milk, Cadbury candy, cookies, etc.

When you pick up a package at the grocer's do you read where it is produced? Do you read where ALL the ingredients originated? Can you even determine where the ingredients originated? How vigilant are you? How vigilant are you going to be in the future?

China, are you listening? Do you hear that we are really worried about the products you are sending out to your own consumers and to us?

Strolling Down Memory Lane - Revisited

I visited these memories back in 2008 in the early days of Chat with Vera, but thought it would be nice to share some of these memories with those of you who are more recent readers.  So let's take a mini stroll down memory lane.  Grab a cup of tea or java and remember with me......

Born just prior to the US entering WWII, I remember lots of things coming about. However, I really don't remember anything about the war. Mom showed me the ration stamps that she still had and shared stories, and Dad showed me a German Luger (sp) gun my uncle brought back. I lost an uncle in the war and 2 other uncles fought in Europe.

Great G'dad, G'dad, and Dad were all shoe repairmen until Dad went into sales in order to put food on the table. The name of their shoe repair shop was The Big Ike.  I remember running all over the neighborhood, playing with other kids, doors unlocked day and night, ice cream cones as a special treat at the corner drug store, five cent cokes in a bottle, five cent ice cream cones. Yes, we had a Bijou movie theater, but it was in the wrong end of town so I couldn't go. I did go to other movies in the "better" end of town. I remember when Technicolor came to the "silver screen." No, I don't remember silent films. That was prior to my time.

We walked to town and back carrying what we bought. Mom walked to and from the grocer and carried a bag groceries in each arm home. Groceries were usually bought for that particular day.  It was a corner grocery store and not a "supermarket."  If we rode the bus, it was five cents. I remember getting the seafood market deliver our fish on Fridays. The boy came on a bicycle and the fish was wrapped in newspaper and tied with a string. It was caught that morning. just off the coast of our city in North Carolina. So good! I remember a local milk company delivering milk to our home - in fact I remember farther back - a local farmer delivered his own cow's milk to our home. Whole milk and it was so good - cream floating on the top.

I remember an old lady coming to our back door fairly regularly and asking Mom if she had any work she could do. Mom would sometimes let her "damp mop" the kitchen for a little pay; but no matter what, she would always make a plate of food for Dot so she could have a decent meal - whether or not there was any work to be done - and give her a quarter (it went a long way then) for whatever. Keep in mind, that quarters were scarce in our home. Dot would show up at the shoe repair shop, too. Dad would make sure her shoes were wearable. We were poor. But Dot was poorer.

I can remember being a teenager when TV came to town. We couldn't afford one at the time and anyway, the reception was very poor. You had to get reception from the station that was 150 miles away. You had to have an antenna on top your home that was big and several feet tall. My brother got married and moved into our upstairs apartment. He and his wife got a TV! Wow! I can remember being invited to some watch some of the programs. There was "snow" on the screen - but not so much we couldn't enjoy it. Later when our town got a station, Dad found the money for a TV! We had arrived!

My wedding pictures were in black and white. Our escape vehicle was a Ford Fairlaine 500 '57. (I think that is how it was referred to.) Of course, it was my brother's. Our vehicle was a '54 Chevy that was bought used. Most of all I remember a childhood of ring-around-the-roses, birthday cakes, chasing each other all over the neighborhood, falling from my bike onto the brick paved street, swinging from a tree-rope in the neighbor's year, riding my bike good distances from home and not having to worry about anything, China-berry (tree berries) pee-shooter fights, Merthiolate on cuts, alcohol poured over scrapes, walks to the parks and swinging from the very high swings and sliding down the big slides, chasing fireflies in front of the house while my parents and grandparents sat rocking on the front porch. I remember happiness.

I remember the ice truck. So some in the neighborhood must have had ice boxes. We had a refrigerator! Mom bought sliced bread. She baked biscuits or corn bread daily. Sometimes she fried cornmeal in patties in the iron skillet.  That was very good.  She did not make yeast bread except for rolls on special occasions. There was Monopoly, and several other board games . The Green Hornet, The Lone Ranger (I remember it coming on TV when we finally got one.), and other radio programs. We sat in my Grand Dad's bedroom around his radio to listen. Of course, we had to have already finished our homework. Sitting on the front porch in the summer after "supper." G'mama visiting from South Carolina and her giving me the "dimes" to go across the street to the corner store to get cups of chocolate ice cream. The "dime" cups were bigger than the "nickle" cups. Major treat!

I remember happiness.

After the LABOR DAY Rest.........

After a long weekend where we are suppose to rest from our LABORS on LABOR DAY, we still need to get up and face the world and a new day at work. Of course I realize that many had to work on Labor Day out on the job so the rest of us could play a bit and then there are the ones who labor at home on the odd jobs around the house. But we do have to get real and face a new day. We have to realize that the Sun rises, the Moon sets, the bills need to be paid, the job needs to be done.

Here is a bit of a song (a real oldie) that I thought you might enjoy to move you along today.

That Lucky Old Sun

Up in the morning, out on the job
Work like the devil for my pay
But the lucky old sun has nothing to do
But roll around heaven all day

Fuss with my woman, toil for my kids
Sweat til I'm wrinkled and grey
While the lucky old sun has nothing to do
But roll around heaven all day

Good Lord above can't you know I'm pining
Tears all in my eyes
Send down that cloud with a silver lining
Lift me to paradise

Show me the river, take me across
Wash all my troubles away
Like the lucky old sun give me nothing to do
But roll around heaven all day

Good Lord above can't you know I'm pining
Tears all in my eyes
Send down that cloud with a silver lining
Lift me to paradise

Show me the river, take me across
Wash all my troubles away
Like the lucky old sun give me nothing to do
But roll around heaven all day

Roll around, roll around heaven all day
Roll around, roll around heaven all day

(midi file) That Lucky Old Sun

For someone downcast

What you need to do (at least to some extent) is recognize that people are people and they are going to many times disappoint you. God and His Son, Jesus Christ, will NEVER disappoint you. So when you find yourself in a situation where a person avoids you, leaves you, disapoints you, leaves you "holding the bag," REMEMBER

Jesus is there for you.

• He will never
  ---avoid you
  ---leave you
  ---disappoint you
  ---leave you "holding the bag
• He will always supply
  ---Your need for company
  ---Your need to companionship
  ---Your need for approval and for correction
  ---Your supplier of all comforts (note: not material desires, but comforts)

Simply place your trust in Him to save you, comfort you,
provide for you, assure you.

Christ is all I need,
Christ is all I need,
All, all I need,
Christ is all I need,
Christ is all I need,
All, all I need.
He was crucified,
For me He died, on Calvary.
That He loved me so,
This is why I know,
Christ is all I need.
Words of song and midi from http://my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis2/kidspraise/need.html

Today was very pretty and somewhat hot. But things are beautifully green after the lovely (drenching) rain we had on Thursday. Well, I got up and had a couple cups of coffee to get going and then commenced to clean. Well, not deep clean, but getting dust off the floors, window blinds, and furniture - at least in some of the house.

After surfing the web and finding some nice $1 coupons on a variety of items at the grocery store, I headed out to the local store. I was also armed with some very nice coupons for freebies that I gathered from the All You magazine. How delightful to see that some of the items were also Buy-One-Get-One free items. How wonderful it is to be so pleasantly surprised and able to stretch the grocery dollars. God is good. Every time. All the time. Isn't it great how He supplies in our lives?

Have you checked out the daily Bible reading (through the Bible in a year) link on my blog? It is really nice in that you can LISTEN to it! So you can kick back, open your Bible, and listen to it being beautifully read. Enjoy!

ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED

I was recently in a discussion about the salvation of an individual and how one can be assured that they won't "lose" their salvation. Here is my response:

Our salvation is provided by Christ and Christ alone. It is not of righteousness lest any should boast. It is not of our works in any way. If we had to work for our salvation, the work of Christ on the cross would not have been necessary. Man can not atone for his sin because the gulf of separation between God and sinful man is too great. It takes the perfect righteousness of Christ and His atoning work to provide our salvation.

Therefore, since our atonement is in the perfect righteousness of Christ, once we have recognized our need of redemption and have accepted Christ's all sufficient work on the cross, we become one of the forgiven, adoptive children of God.

As a child of God, we may not please Him in things we do. We may not walk close by His side. We may actually anger God by our disobedience. We are, however, His children. We are His.

The story of the prodigal is often used to portray a sinner who comes to God (the Heavenly Father). I see it, too, as the portrayal of a son who has strayed and returned to the Father. We as children of God (redeemed children of God) may stray, we may displease our Father, but we can return to His open and loving arms.

In a nutshell, we are always the beloved child of the Father once we are adopted (born again) into His family.
(c)Copyright GrannyGGodley

TO A FRIEND FEELING IMPOSED UPON BY FAMILY

Recently a friend share a frustration involving her being imposed upon by family. It involved a situation whereby her own mother was calling daily asking her to do things for her and for her Grandmother. This is all well and good until it reaches the point of inconsideration. It had in this case. Here is my response to her.

On G'mama and the toilet paper: I am glad you went over there and took the toilet paper; and I am especially glad you spent the time with her. At that age (97) and living in an elder-care facility, their world is so very, very small and closing in on them daily. You expanded it for her and brightened it a bit. Being asked by your Mom to take toilet paper was a bit much, but going and doing something special for your G'mama was wonderful! Glad you enjoyed taking your own time to give her a little more quality time.

On your Mom: I'm pretty close to the same age. I try not to call upon my kids to do anything for me. When I do it is something I think they will recognize as valid. Her request that you care for her little critter during a storm (critter was an insider) while she was out of town is a bit much. Animals are meant to fend for themselves in weather of all types. Why, they are even suppose to find their own food! Of course, that is prior to man's domestication of the critters. Now if your Mom felt she could travel to friends and far away places, she probably took care of the feeding of her little critter. God will take care of the frightened critter during the storm. So you did a good thing by not trying to cope with doggie's fear factor and staying out of the fray.

On being taken advantage of by family: Consider family as your nucleus here on Earth for consistency. If it is going go "consist" (my coined word usage), then we are responsible to make it consist - stay together. However, we have to recognize that each member of the family needs to have time on their own. Time to think. Time to relax. Time to reflect. Time to mend. Time to unwind. Etc., etc., etc. This day was to be your's to do all these things as you needed to do them. You Mom was being unrealistic. Is she typically this way? Is this a new factor in her life or behavior?

Each of you will have to deal as you can with situations peculiar to your individual families. You need to remember, though, that each of you must do your part to hold the family together. But you must each carve time out for yourself in order to remain sane and healthy.

Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Luke 6:31

Do that which is right and good in the site of the Lord. Deuteronomy 6:18

Hello to the world of blogging!

Greetings to each of you who has been so fortunate as to happen upon this spot on the www. This is really the frivolous musings of a little 'ol Southern Lady with no particular agenda. Don't know what we'll be chatting about, but perhaps you will find it interesting. Here's hoping you will; and that from time to time, you will find it uplifting.

To begin with let's thank God that it is such a beautiful day. Yes, it is. For He has made it.