The Ever Changing Climate

 The Ever Changing Climate

As much as I dislike the cold and snow now behind us, God has designed the change of seasons to suit Him. He didn’t consult me or things of this world would be really messed up. I don’t like the heat and humidity either, so I would be left with a world that would be quite boring. It would be not too hot, not too cold. There wouldn’t be any storms either but that isn’t the way God created the Earth. His Word says there will be seasons; a time for sowing and a time of reaping. Genesis 8:22 says, “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”

He describes cold, hoarfrost, and snow. Psalm 147:16-17, “He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?”

God describes the earth as a sphere much to the chagrin of the flat-earthers. Isaiah 40:22, “It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:” He lays out the details of the cycle of water from the oceans to the clouds, then rain that flows down in rivers. Job 36:27, 28, “For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof: which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly”

God appoints the sun to rule by day and moon and stars to rule the night, Psalms 136:7-9. Like a fine tuned watch He hung heavenly bodies in space and causeding them to orbit in a graceful ballet. He calls them by name, Psalm 147:4

By His voice God created the universe and all that’s within it. The precision of His creation is seen everywhere. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” Psalm 19:1. Even the atom was known. “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do.” Hebrews 11:3 

Each part of His creation was specifically designed by Him to replicate itself. Each strand of DNA tells what a creature or plant will be. His Word shares that he made two sexes. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.” Genesis 1:27

Foolishly mankind looks for answers everywhere but where the truth’s been plainly written for them thousands of years ago.

The Aftermath Classes

 The Aftermath Classes

I was asked to give a brief summary of my life after nursing school, my uniform, hat, and place that I worked. The following is what I wrote and I will use it today as my post. After I graduated from Connellsville Senior High School in 1967, I worked at a valve-making factory in South Greensburg, Pennsylvania called Walworth Company until I joined the Navy in 1968. Basic training, corps school, stationed in Orlando, Florida, then in Keflavik, Iceland before discharge. I got “early outs” to attend Pennsylvania State University in the nursing program, knocking off the four year BSN degree in three years, graduating in 1976.

The uniforms for the men were navy blue slacks and a white uniform top with the initials PSU embroidered on the pocket. Men didn’t have a cap to wear, but the women’s cap looked like a Melita coffee filter with a navy blue ribbon band, however that did not stop the females from harassing me. One day in clinical, the women revolted, went to the kitchen and attached an industrial sized coffee filter to my head with bobby pins. (I actually had thick hair then.) Our clinical was in an elderly care home, the old people loved it, and so I wore it the rest of the day. When I returned for the next clinical, I wasn’t wearing “my cap” and the women burses remembered and asked where mt cap was.I finally told them that “it was dirty. You know, I washed it and it fell apart.” They laughed and it was smooth sailing after that.

I received my degree in 1976 and was married shortly after that. My first job was at Monsour Hospital in Jeanette, but soon after found employment at H. C. Frick Hospital in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania. It was much closer and a more friendly atmosphere.

The first three years at Frick, I worked the 11-7 shift, where people go grump in the night. The next five years I was blessed with working in the emergency department with some wonderful physicians and other nurses. The rest of my career there before retiring after thirty-four years, I was blessed/ cursed with the position of a nursing supervisor and responsible for the entire hospital, working the off shifts and every other weekend.

Kiddie Land

 Kiddie Land

Who can remember from their days of childhood going to Idlewild Park with their parents bouncing with excitement as they headed toward Kiddie Land? There at entrance were two stone clad pillars and two steps down into the enchanted area of rides for children. A large placard clown wearing white costume, ruffled neck collar, a red nose, holding a bass drum that welcomed kids to this section of the park reserved just for children. Child sized, scaled down amusement rides that were similar to adult versions awaited. Near the entrance was a sleek white and silver electric bus or trolley that ran in a circle on tracks. Close by was a smaller version of a Ferris wheel with caged cars that lifted riders up and over the top, moving much slower than the adult ride.

There was a glossy green turtle that rolled up and down while traveling in a circle with several kids on its back. Another ride was miniature cars that circled on a wooden track, most cars were painted red with bright yellow steering wheels. They spun, but didn’t guide the cars. A fake pony pulling a small cart that barely wide enough for two, maybe three kids; its leather reins held by kids as the ponies rose up and down.

A bevy of boats with room for two kids in the front and two in the back moved through a shallow circular pond. Steering wheels in the boats kept little hands busy and out of the water as “motor boats” hummed along.

Kids had to be fastened into the “”airplanes” hanging from chains. The children pilots again had steering wheels, but an added attraction was the machine guns attached to the fuselage for the front pilots. The breeze as the planes whirled “air born” in a circle actually made the kid feel like he was flying.

But my favorite ride of all was the kiddie car ride. These carts drove along on tracks through a shady twisting two rail track. Each cart had a cranking gear that attached to wheels beneath the cart. The faster a child turned the crank, the faster the cart went. Sometimes the carts would jump the track when a larger kid was showing his or her strength. They would also move up behind a slower moving cart and assist it into moving faster.

 When there was a clear stretch of track close to the attendant at the finish line, a kid could with several quick pumps build up speed. The cart would almost bowl over the attendant trying to stop the hurtling cart with a stiff leg and a foot.

Ah, what memories.

Observations

Observations

Our Pastor Haasz took ill on Friday and Joshua our summer intern had to host and speak for the closing ceremonies of this year’s Vacation Bible School. I didn’t get to see or hear the closing message or the final skit. I was part of the scullery crew in the kitchen providing snacks for the kids who attended.

Our theme was nautical having the idea of “Sailing with Joy” and having Jesus as our Captain. As usual, Friday is a time for relatives of the kids to come and join in the festivities. Our gym is filled with games of skill for adults and for the youth in a carnival atmosphere, still having a nautical theme. Then folks are directed to the Fellowship Hall for snacks. Cookies, Ice cream Sundaes, fruit cups, drinks, and one of the yearly favorites- finger Jell-o was served.

Saturday evening my family gathered around a campfire to make mountain pies. The flavors available were Reuben sandwiches, pizza, and ham and cheese flavored pies. We had cherry pie filling for making dessert pies, but after the browned marshmallow and S’mores we were too full to open the cans of pie filling.

The rain held off and we had a wonderful evening of talking, laughing, and retelling off stories in celebration of Father’s Day.

Pastor was still ill Sunday morning and our intern filled in. He already was to have presented the morning message, so it came as no great surprise that he would be relied upon for the message. I was part of the male members of the choir to sing a version of a hymn “Stand Up for Jesus.” It was updated and stanzas rewritten by our pianist and choir director and our summer intern.

Sunday evening Pastor was still under the weather and our intern was again called upon to fill in. Joshua’s message was about the times of fear when the disciples were faced with the storms while they were sailing on the Sea of Galilee. The wind and waves surrounded by the darkness of the evening and the depth of the storms. He spoke of the need to rely on Christ in all things, but especially in times that we have fears.

He took the story from the book of Mark 4:35-41. While he read the passages, I noticed something I hadn’t noticed before. There were “other little ships” on the sea as well. I am curious. What happened to them? They faced the same storm. But they didn’t have Jesus with them. How did they deal with their fears? How do we deal with fear and do we share the need for Jesus with the “other little boats” that are around us each day, also caught in the storms of life?

 

Virulence Violence Virtue Victory

 Virulence Violence Virtue Victory

In today’s world we see the virulence of mankind swirl around us every day. Rioting, road rage, looting, assaults, murders, sex trafficking, arson, burning America’s flag, and other attempts to destroy the history of our great country the United States of America. We are at a tipping point in America. A point where it’s declaring itself freed from the sovereignty of God and in line for the judgment by God and destruction like every nation that has done so.

There was a time when mankind’s virulent proclivity was displayed by littering, not obeying traffic laws, or an argument that might escalate into a fist-to-cuff between two people. Now if one person feels offended, a mob may join to give a beat-down while another captures the shameful moment on a phone. Crowds may be offended because a crippled old person, a veteran, or even a child displays a flag, wears a hat or a T shirt, or is just close at hand when the crowd’s unwarranted rage bubbles over and self-control is lost. The nearest innocent item becomes the victim.

I read a book on government that was very dry reading. I could only read 2 or 3 pages before drinking a glass of water, but there were 2 very important lessons thst I learned. The first, all truths, laws, and ordinances originate with God. All manmade laws emanate from the Bible and are based on an absolute foundation of truth. The second was the smallest division of government is self-control. All other governmental frameworks rise from that one virtue.

Virtue speaks of the power found in man’s worth and moral excellence; tasting of goodness and right actions. Its quality is founded in charity, love, and the “Golden Rule.” It declares the ability to do what is right when no one else is looking. It means sometimes standing alone when the cause is right. It may mean relinquishing something precious to retain the higher plane. Things once considered taboo are now something the government now says is legal. That doesn’t mean it’s morally correct. All virtue has been drained from it and sin will always remain sin.

America’s Constitution was written to limit the government’s incursion of its citizens, but continued malefactor assaults have eroded those safeguards. Americans must stand firm to remain free, godly, and virtuous. Victory can only be gained by remaining vigilant and firmly rooted in the virtues of charity and in faithfulness to the Bible.

Many newer “Interpretations” of the King James Bible have been watered down; changing entire sentences and deleting many others. The truths of the Bible have virtue contained within. The new versions and now polluting it with leavening. Jesus warned Christians about it. We must remain alert if America is to remain virtuous.

Everyday Patriots

 Everyday Patriots

We run into everyday patriots everywhere. They surround us: when we shop, when we go out to eat, or when we go to church. These people for the most part go about their business everyday without a thought of the important ideals they uphold. From farmers to food service workers, from truckers to teachers, from healthcare workers to hairdressers; all contribute to the fabric of society. We literally bump into them as we go to work, come home from work, and when we go on vacation. We may meet them because we have problems. If we need someone to repair a leaky roof or a leaky faucet, we can find them. In times of disaster or extreme weather conditions, we have utility linesmen, we have those who drive the snowplow trucks, and we have the National Guards. If we need emergency care they come to us: firemen, police, ambulance drivers, and paramedics. These men and women work hard, earn money, pay taxes, and create a stable environment. They form a national entity, a form of government, a national language, and core values that hold our country together.

An everyday patriot may be a farmer who daily works his farm, the postman who faithfully delivers the mail, the person who delivers fresh bread to the grocery store, the person who provides the produce at a roadside stand, or stocks the snacks in our minimarts. They are the folks who grease the gears and keep the cogs engaged that supply our daily needs. They are the checkout cashiers. They are the men and women who fill the shelves. They may be the butchers, the bakers, and the candlestick makers. They could be our vehicle’s mechanics. They could be the janitors who clean the schools or job sites. They could be mothers, grandmothers, fathers, or grandfathers. They can be the people whom we meet on the streets walking their dogs.

These everyday patriots are not superheroes in bold costumes, they are everyday patriots. They work, vote, raise their families, and make a community. They can be neighbors, workmates, and even strangers who do some kind deed or show a courtesy. They do their best to create a better world and share it with others. They are the people upon whom we rely to keep our country functioning. So I say, hooray to our everyday patriots and unsung heroes. May God continue to bless their daily efforts to keep America strong and independent.

Heaven or Hell

 Heaven or Hell

I just read a post that a priest believes Hell was invented by religion to control people. But more is said about Hell than Heaven in the New Testament. Hell is a reward for those who do not accept the gift of salvation offered by God Himself. This loving God sent His offspring, His only begotten Son to lay aside His glory, come to Earth in the form of a man, and to die on a cross to expunge our sins. Hell is the Word  God uses to describe a place of eternal torment, a place of darkness and pain, a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth for all who reject that gift.

I wonder what books this person studied in seminary school. Did he ever read the Bible? Does he believe that the Bible is the Word of God, written in its entirety with inspired truth? How can he say that Hell is not a real place with so many warnings about it? Since he doesn’t believe in Hell, does he believe that Heaven is the reward for those who choose the redemptive powers of Christ’s blood? If this priest does accept that there is a place called heaven, how can he selectively choose which subjects he will believe in and which ones he won’t? Either the entire Bible is true in its entirety or it is not. Handpicking which ideas match yours and tossing out all others is wrong and just foolish. He puts himseelf above God.

I’ve heard arguments that “It was just men” who wrote the Bible. It’s true, men wrote as they were led by the Creator. But without divine inspiration, how can we explain that thirty-nine books of the Old Testament and twenty-seven books of the New Testament were written by almost as many men and yet coincide without contradiction or error? If there was even one lone error, non-believers would be shouting it from the rooftops.

If this person believes the Bible upon which his religion is based is false, how can he continue to call himself a priest of that religion? Wouldn’t it make his entire religion false? How can he be faithful to the teachings of his own false religion? Doesn’t it make the garb that he wears a lie as well? Why is he even wearing the frock? Truth, faith, and belief are the core precepts of the Gospel. How can he continue to call himself a man of God when he doesn’t believe one of the Bible’s fundamental tenets?