Just some thoughts from me today.

I have been thinking, recently, how the world expects Christians to live up to their expectations of what a Christian should do and should not do. Each person thinks a little differently, the same as each Christian lives a little differently from other Christians. I don't think I know two Christians who 'believe' exactly the same on how they should live the 'Christian life'. We have been in several churches through the years with our travels and moves and have not had two pastors who agree totally the same in that area. No wonder Christians and the world are confused about how we are to 'behave'. And, it is frustrating when we can't reach out to someone when they think we are not living up to their expectations!

What in the world would Christians be able to do to influence the world if they did not have to live up to the world's expectations?


 
Christian- 1. of, pertaining to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings.

4. exhibiting a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ.

 (from: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Christian?s=t)


 The devotion from ICR today lists some things the Bible expects us to live by.

Four Commands by John D. Morris, Ph.D. | Nov. 26, 2012

"Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king." (1 Peter 2:17)

Our text today gives four commands for believers to obey, each of which is difficult but nonetheless "is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men" (v. 15). It comes in a lengthy passage (2:11-3:12) that discusses the matter of authority and a Christian's proper response to it. Ponder each command:
Honor all men. This could be translated, "Give honor to all." While the verb is the same as in the last command, its verb tense is not the same, here indicating a continued, conscious choice to do this, while honoring "the king" indicates the development of a lifestyle of showing respect to civil authority. Evidently our day-to-day encounters with sinful "men" require us to be continually choosing to regard them with honor and dignity. "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves" (Philippians 2:3).
Love the brotherhood. Our agape love--God's kind of unselfish, undeserved love--should extend, on a habitual basis as seen in the verb tense, to all believers. "See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently" (1 Peter 1:22).
Fear God. A lifestyle marked by a reverential fear of God is in mind here. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7). "Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil" (Proverbs 3:7).
Honor the king. As mentioned above, this is to be a life's commitment, continually recognizing the God-given authority of human government (1 Peter 2:1-14).
"Having your conversation |i.e., manner of life| honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation" (v. 12). JDM

Four Commands (ICR)

This is a magazine that has an article our son-in-law wrote. It is his first! And we are proud of him and his ministry! Russell Migl, family pastor at Our Lord's Community Church in OK City, OK.

Impact Magazine Page 15

"If just a cup of water I place within your hand
Then just a cup of water is all that I demand," (whole song listed below)

Sometimes, I want to do much more than I can do. God has given me what talents and abilities that he has seen fit to give me and sometimes, (most times), I can only do a little bit of the many ideas I get, to help others. Today, the choir sang this song and God helped me to focus on that line above and gave me peace, that it is ok that I don't do all the things others do to help people and bless people. If all He gives me strength to do is a little bit, then He will bless that little bit. Praise God!!!

... And maybe if I quit trying to do more than I can do, I won't be so tired that I miss out on those 'cups of water' he blesses me with, to share!

lyrics from the hymn: "Follow Me" by By Ira Stamphill

I traveled down a lonely road and no one seemed to care,
The burden on my weary back had bowed me to despair,
I oft complained to Jesus how folks were treating me,
And then I heard Him so so tenderly,
"My feet were also weary upon the Calv'ry road,
The cross became so heavy I fell beneath the load,
Be faithful weary pilgrim, the morning I can see,
Just lift your cross and follow close to me."

"I work so hard for Jesus" I often boast and say,
"I've sacrificed a lot of things to walk the narrow way,
I gave up fame and fortune; I'm worth a lot to thee,"
And then I heard Him gently say to me,
"I left the throne of glory and counted it but loss,
My hands were nailed in anger upon a cruel cross,
But now we'll make the journey with your hand safe in mine,
So lift your cross and follow close to me."

Oh Jesus if I die upon a foreign field someday
'Twould be no more than love demands, no less could I repay,
"No greater love hath mortal man than for a friend to die,"
These are the words he gently spoke to me,
"If just a cup of water I place within your hand
Then just a cup of water is all that I demand,"
But if by death to living they can thy glory see,
I'll take my cross and follow close to thee.

I have noticed during the past few years that our society is using the word troop to mean an individual military person. I kept thinking it was not the correct usage so finally, this morning, looked it up in my dictionary. Being my copy is a 1986 version, I looked at the online dictionary to see if the usage had changed. It had not. The meanings at both resources are:

troop noun

1. an assemblage of persons or things; company; band.

2. a great number or multitude: A whole troop of children swarmed through the museum.

3. Military . an armored cavalry or cavalry unit consisting of two or more platoons and a headquarters group.

4. troops, a body of soldiers, police, etc.: Mounted troops quelled the riot.

5. a unit of Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts usually having a maximum of 32 members under the guidance of an adult leader.

 

troop·er   noun

1. a horse-cavalry soldier.

2. a mounted police officer; a police officer on horseback.

3. state trooper.

4. a cavalry horse.

 

All four novels by Belinda Jo Adams is now available at Hattie's Books in Brusnwick, Georgia. ... again! They were sold out. :)
http://www.hattiesbooks.com/

I signed up for a book sale in my hometown. Sept. 29th at St. Peter's Church Campus at the corner or 8th and Center Streets from 10-4. I will be featuring Lure of Alaska, but have all my books for sale then.

Local authors     Look for my photo on the 8th row down, last photo.

A few years ago, I was sitting in church flipping the pages of my Bible, looking for something. My teacher saw me and asked what I was looking for. I said, "The Serenity Prayer." She smiled and said, "Now, Belinda, that is not in the Bible." Boy, did I feel foolish. :)

This morning, I wrote a version of it in my own words, but am not sure if I should post it, for .... is it copyrighted? ... and if so, is my version mine? and ok to post? hummmmmm

Serenity Prayer

Used to .... long time ago in the computer world.... I could click on a folder in my email program and highlight all the mail in that folder and then save it as a file. One long text file, but they were backed up ... if needed to be. Then, in their updating things, it was not more. My hot mail keep box was getting fuller and fuller. Then, tonight I figured out how to save them again and empty the folder.

How to backup hotmail emails
select all in a folder (each page of them)
select print option from toolbar
when box comes up with the file in it, select all then copy and paste it into a notepad file.

That's it.

I made laundry detergent again this week. I think that makes about 4 or 5 times in the past 2 years since I discovered it. Wow, the money we have saved!

I also hung clothes on the line. I didn't do this for any 'health' or 'saving money' issues. I did it because since we built the back room, but not finished it, we don't have a place for the dryer to vent. I took a basket full to mom's a couple times, but it has been so sunny and not smoky and no pollen, I thought I'd try it the old fashioned way.I had forgot how fresh-smelling they are when they have been dried on the line outside.

What is inside our mobile home wall?

Being we are remodeling our house, we took the siding from our mobile home to use on the back wall of the new room. I was surprised what was underneath the siding. Looks like cardboard to me. I wondered it that was all there was. Then, we noticed places where it was cut, for them to install wiring (?). So, I lifted it and did see some insulation.
So, if you are wondering what may be inside your mobile home wall, look at these photos. Ours was built in 2008.

I know ... it is not a butterfly .... or a moth .... but I had not seen a dragonfly this color before ... that I can remember. :) And, I only got one good shot at it.

Barefoot in the Kitchen: Barefoot In The Kitchen Podcast #1

Barefoot in the Kitchen: Barefoot In The Kitchen Podcast #1: Despite the stereotype of our parents' generation being completely inept at computers, my mom is a lot more technologically advanced than I ...


This is niece.

I am reading a book by Michael Phillips that he revised from a George McDonald book. "The Poet's Homecoming." As I read it, I am reminded of Grace Livingston Hill's writings and wonder if she read George McDonald books as she learned to write.
Anyway, there is a chapter (3) called Flutterbies which deal with several words said backwards and is interesting.
Then, today we were working on the room out back and a butterfly kept fluttering by. And I thought, Why don't we call them flutterbies instead of butterflies?
Hummmmm?!

Belinda Jo Adams' novel My Precious Jewel is available as eBooks. If interested, go to my facebook page to see the links.

This critter stayed on the frame of our new room for a few hours. I guess it it another Luna moth, though it looks a little different than the other one. Luna Moth

Speaking of building, I need to add new photos of the building project ... when I get time to sort through them! Right now, most of my time is being with Steve to help him in the building and if not physically building, being there to hand him things he needs while on the ladder or to just hold the ladder when he decides he needs to reach farther than he really should. :)

I updated our building program with 2 new photos. http://belindajowrites.blogspot.com/2012/04/our-new-room.html

Blackberry Cobbler

Blackberry Cobbler

 1/2 stick butter

1 c. flour (self rising)

1 /2 c. sugar

1 /2 (or as needed) milk

Berries as desired.

 Preheat oven to 350'. Start melting butter in pan.
Stir together flour, sugar, milk until mixed.
Add berries to mixture.
Pour into melted butter.

Bake for about 30 minutes. 

Sometimes, I add an egg to the mixture.

And, I use my own flour mix is why it is so brown.

I found this flower while going for my walk today. A special blessing from God this morning.

And the other one the next morning! And many more little flowers peeking out to me from the growth among the blackberry bushes in the back yard. I am sure I cut some of them down the other day when I mowed the paths again.

This morning, I was singing 'We'll be Jolly Friends forever more!" But could not come up with the whole song. It started because I caught some of that rain water in a 5-gallon bucket yesterday to water plants with later. So, I typed in 'slide down my cellar door' online and came up with the words to the song and an interesting link to share.

"Oh Playmate, come out and play with me And bring your dollies three. Climb up my apple tree, Look down my rain barrel, Slide down my cellar door And we'll be jolly friends forever more."

Song Lyrics from around the world.

I used to sing the song when I was a child and skip around the yard while doing so. I did not know the verses, just that part.

Our Rain Forest

I came across this saying in my devotions today. Then I went to water plants. We had a heavy dew last night and as I was close to the woods, I heard this noise like water falling, but it was not raining. Then, I realized it must be the dew in the trees trickling down among the leaves and vines. Our very own rain forest! Neat sound.

Then I did a search on the author of the saying and the saying and there are many nature photos with this saying. I guess I am the last person to hear of it and him!

Free Coupons

I got 2 coupons in the mail this week for free toothbrushes. Why? Because I noticed they had put 'hard' tooth brushes inside a package labeled 'soft' and called them to see about it. They did not claim that happening, but sent me the coupons. Cool!

Actually, when I have a product that is  not right, I do call the company and tell them and usually that is the response. They want to know. And I get coupons.

Our New Room

I realized I have not said anything about the new room when I posted the cookie post. When we retired, we bought a small double wide mobile home so we would not owe a lot of money on a house payment, etc. We have heard of too many retired people who have such a high house payment both have to work to pay for it and we did not want to go there.
So, last year, we built a front porch on the MH. This year, we are building a sun room on the back part of it. We have the foundation done and added the sill plate and floor joist so far.
Now, we wait. Why? #1 We are tired and need to rest a bit. Don't want to get sick. #2 We need to do other things that need to be done in life. #3 We are paying for it as we go and have reached our limit of what we set for ourselves that we can pay when the credit card comes due for the month.
Long time ago, we got out of debt and have not paid interest for all these years. We don't want to start now. We can wait. It's hard, but we can wait!

Here are some photos: A good friend helped us figure out what we wanted in a design and drew up the floor plans for us. We had someone else dig and pour the foundation, then we did the finish up work, sill plate and floor joists. We did have help from family (especially one of my brothers) so that helped a lot! I just hesitate putting up photos of other people. :)

5-15 We got the floor done about two weeks ago, but then Steve got sick, and the rains came, so we covered it wth plastic and are waiting again.

Cookie making

We are taking a break from the building to rest and save up more money so I thought I'd bake more cookies for our next round of building.
I am not a 'real good' cook.  Now and then I come up with something different or special. But mostly, I cook just to get by and feed us. I like the sign I saw recently that said, "I only have a kitchen because it came with the house'. Well, I'm not that bad, but .... Being we eat 'diffferent' and I cook for 2 meals at a time and freeze half, it is not that hard to cook for us.
Today, I made cookies. Most times, they don't turn out just right, but are a little hard, not sweet enough, or crumbly. Today, was a 'just right' day! I had to make myself stop eating them, they were so good. The trouble is we still have some left from the last batch, we need to eat, also. I guess we'll have one of each until the old ones are gone.
About a month or more ago, I baked a 4x batch so while we were building on our new room, I would not have to bake. When they did not turn out just right, I was disappointed with all those cookies, but they were good enough to eat. :)

More Photos with Verses

I got busy this morning and put together verses from Psalms I had been 'catching' with photos from my files and came up with these for you to enjoy. Have a blessed weekend!
KJV & Photos

Samples of Products

Has anyone seen these web sites. I came across them today from the USPS web site. I have not checked them out yet. So, don't know for sure about them.

https://www.usps.com/manage/free-product-samples.htm?

http://startsampling.com/

http://www.mysavings.com/

Just curious. bja

Article in Blackshear Times

I posted it on my book blog.

Article

Homemade Yougart

We eat a lot of yougart, so I am thinking about making my own like my niece did. So I am saving this link here so I don't forget where it is! :)
Homemade Yourgart

Verify before you forward!

When we forward messages without verifying if they are true or not we are just adding to cyber-clutter and wasting people's time and playing on their emotions.

I came across this page today encouraging us to do just that: verify first!! Let's do this!!

How to Spot a Spoof

Research a Rumor

Sadie Hawkins Day

Sadie Hawkins Day     Lots of Time info

When we were much younger, it was known that Feb. 29 was not only leap year, but Sadie Hawkins Day as well.
That meant a girl could propose to a boy -- that day only. I took advantage of it and proposed to Steve. Another couple was with us and she proposed to him. I don't think they got married.

Of course, later he proposed to me and made it 'official'. :)  PS: I assume it is the same tree.

King James Version

Bible Versions – Some people say the Bible is not true. Or that the King James Version is out of date and should not be used. I have read the KJV all my life and have no problem with it. It is the Bible that was used for all the great revivals down through the ages. Ever since there have been so many different versions, there have been no great revivals. Think on that a minute! Our country is in a mess and people don’t respect the things of God like they used to when there was only the KJV.

There are so many versions now, they are confusing. They don’t say the same thing and leave out important verses or change the meaning to important words. They are also copyrighted, which means the publisher does not want anyone to copy it. Why?  I believe it is because of a money issue. People know the Bible is, and has been for years, a best seller. They want in on the profits. The KJV is not copyrighted.

Some people say they cannot understand the KJV because it is Old English so it is hard to comprehend the meaning so they need an easier Bible to read. I have never had a problem with it. I love its flow of words. When there is something I don’t understand I look up the word in a dictionary. As for the masculine sounding text, I never had a problem of thinking ‘man’ meant only men. In those instances, man means mankind = people = you and me!

When I memorize verses, I want them to be KJV. If not, which version would I choose? I believe Satan has brought all the versions about to make things confusing. Confusion is of the devil – not of God. Go figure. Now, I am not going to put you down if you read another version. That’s your choice. But, try reading the King James Version!! Let God speak to you and you will understand.

This morning, it was so nice I could sit on the porch swing while still dark and enjoy the quietness of the morning. I thought of this poem while sitting there. It is called a 'sense' poem. Enjoy.

Granola

I have been craving granola for several weeks. Not store-bought, but my own home made. I finally remembered to buy the old-fashioned oats this weekend and yeterday made it. It tasted so good this morning for breakfast. I don't know why I don't make it more often! I thought it was neat I was craving one of my home-made items!

Looking over Blogs

I have been looking over my favorite blog sites. Did not comment on everything I saw, but was blessed and learned a few things. thanks to all who keep posting and encouraging others. God bless you. Have a blessed Sunday.

An Answer

A few months ago, I posted a message to a friend that I had lost communication with, to contact me.  SHE DID!!!!

A Good Movie for History

Homeschoolers (and others:) : If you can find the movie Lafayette-The Lost Hero, it is a good one to watch for US / French Revolutions. And to know why there are so many places n America named Lafayette. I watched it on Netflix. Also, I watched the Revolutionary War series documentary. A good watch for anyone who wants to have a review of our country's beginnings. If you don't have time to watch all 13 episodes, watch the last two. They are a review of all.
If you type in Revolutionary war, you will come up with more. I have them in my queue.

We signed up for Netflix a couple months ago for the base plan. It is so nice to watch TV without commercials! Of course, we watch oldies, but we can  also watch them without too much embarrassment, also.

What happens when we cook food – understanding acrylamide formation (EUFIC)

What happens when we cook food – understanding acrylamide formation (EUFIC)

Wow, just when I thought I was doing so good. Another reason not to eat French fries and potato chips.
But, Breads, coffee and prunes, too?! Gotta think about that one!

Military Discounts

Just in case you do not know. Lowe's and Sears gives a 10 % military discount. At Lowe's, if the item is already a percentage off, they do not give the discount, because the computer will not do it. (Hey,I guess they don't know computers will do what they are programmed to do!) If it is a sale price, you get the discount, though.

However, they do not tell you. You have to ask them. It seems to me that if they want to honor the military, they could advertise it. I know they probably think by not doing so, they save money. But, I bet more people would shop at their places if they knew and I assume they would make money. Well, that is just my way of looking at it.

Does anyone else know of places that offer the discount. Or any discount? Well, besides Senior citizen. I have found that most of them, you have to ask for it, too. And they all have different ages they require, so you don't know if you qualify or not.

lady-like

We used to teach girls to be ladies. Dress like ladies. Act like ladies. What has happened? I know there are some who still do, but on the most part girls are not being taught that skill. And, yes it is a skill. Yesterday, I heard on the radio a woman expressing my thoughts about how immodest women are dressing. She referred to an outing where the mother of a teen daughter had on a top showing too much cleavage. And remarked about what the mother was teaching the daughter in dressing.
Christian Working Woman
I recently saw a post online about two couples headed off to a special event for the youth at church. A banquet of sorts. I felt sorry for the guys (if they wanted to live right) having to try to avoid impure thoughts all evening, by the way the girls were dressed. And they were Christian families. It is sad we have let the world's way of dressing flow over into our Christian way of life.

I thought about this today because of this photo I was working on this morning. It is my first photo as 'a lady'. I graduated from the 8th grade and my mom made the dress for me. she made sure I had the necklace and heels to complete the outfit.

And yes, my dress probably had a lower neckline than it should have had. However, I was not a Christian at that time and did not know 'many things' I probably should have! 

And No, I do not have on a dress for the second photo. But, I still do try to act lady-like .... most of the time. :)

Another interesting read: I just ain't dainty.

Kindergarten

Started in Germany by Friedrich Frobel as a preschool educational institution for children for a play and activity institute that he created in 1837 as a social experience for children in their transition from home to school. His goal was that children should be taken care of and nourished in "children's gardens" like plants in a garden. (from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kindergarten)

I was watching a show the other day and they were teaching children in kindergarten multiplication facts. I thought that was odd. And that was back in the 1980s. I wonder if they did not cram so much into the heads of children so young, that maybe, just maybe, they would not have so much trouble being distracted in school later. It seems they stopped letting it be a transition and made it 1st grade ... or 2nd grade ... Just my pondering.

The reason I looked this up, was I wanted to see the history of it ... when I was in Germany and tried to learn German, my German friend asked me what was English for kindergarten. I said, 'kindergarten'. She thought that odd, and that it should be children-garden being kinder is children and garten is garden. I told her that it must be one of those words from our German ancestors.

Drawing

Recently, I have been thinking I'd like to draw. If I saw a pencil sketch, I though, I bet I could do that. Could I. Finally, one evening, I took up a pencil and paper and tried. It didn't look too bad. I enjoyed drawing, so I saved that sketch and dated it. Then, I did a search online about drawing. And practiced. Well, none are good enough to show, but I have been drawing for about a month now and it is relaxing. I think I like the sketching best. Here is one link I found today: All About Drawings

Funny pig - ormi ...

I had such a good laugh from this yesterday, then showed it to Steve and got to see him enjoy it and laugh also. I love to see him laugh. Thought maybe someone at Blogger might like it, also. It reminds me of the cartoons we watched as kids. They did not try to teach us anything (good or bad) (except maybe introduce to classical music unawares). They were mostly just plain fun. Some people think they were violent, but I never thought that. I think we knew we were smart enough not to really try all those stunts the cartoon characters tried. Whatever! Enjoy.

This past year, my main focus was on the family tree research, which has led me down paths I never imagined and found items I did not know about my family. I still have it only half done. Of course, It will never be completely done, but this year I plan to take it at a slower pace.
When I signed up for Ancestry.com, after I bought the program (Family Tree maker) I had 6 months free, so I feverishly worked on it trying to find all I could in 5 different directions.
Anyway, after the 6-month,when I called to cancel, I found out I had another 6 month paid up subscription. I continued to work and each time I found neat things, I looked up and said, "Thank-You' for I had no idea who gave me a subscription, except for Him. I did not do as much as the 1st 6 months, though, for I was worn out. When the 6 months was up and I called again to cancel, the man told me that what had happened was when I clicked to join, it 'double clicked' giving me 2 6-months worth. He said he had not seen that happen but a couple times while working there. Well, whatever the reason, I assume God wanted me to find out all that other information I found out. After a while of resting and searching elsewhere, I want to sign up again. But now now.

my blog

It is hard to believe it has been 2 years since I started this blog. I had no idea what I was doing, but with the help of a friend got it under way. I have not posted nearly as much as I have thought about posting, but even so, I have 230 posts. Maybe this year, I can do more, but however much I do, I want it to be only what God wants me to write. My daily prayer is for me to only write what He wants me to write.

Belinda

Free King James (KJB) versed Christian Wallpaper: My heavn'ly Father watches over me

Free King James (KJB) versed Christian Wallpaper: My heavn'ly Father watches over me