My Brother is a Leap Year Baby!

Yep. that’s right. My older brother was born February 29, 1952. Today he is 60 years old and 15. What?

The following are a few Leap Year fun facts:

1.Ancient Egyptians were the first to discover the solar calendar and man made calendars didn’t match up.

2. The earth rotates around the sun 365.242199 days a year for a full rotation. Our calendar is 365 days.

3.  A day was added which is February 29th every 4th year to equalize the process.

4. If a day were not added our calendar would be short 25 days in 100 years.

5. In 45BC Julius Caesar introduced Leap Year.

6. Today there are between 4 and 5 million Leap Year babies.

7.  If you are born on Leap Year you are referred to as a “leapling or a leaper.”

8. There is a club called the “Honor Society of Leap Year Day Babies” with 9,000 members worldwide.

9.  Sadie Hawkins Day is a result of Leap Year…did any of you attend a Sadie Hawkins dance! I did!
Women can propose to men and they have to say yes!

10. U. S. Presidential Elections take place during a Leap Year.

11. Superstition says  if you are a “leap year baby” you are difficult to raise….my mother can vouch for that one! ha!ha!

12. 1900 wasn’t a “leap year” but the year 2000 was!

13. The chances of a leap birthday are one in 1,461

At least I have something to refer to when speaking about what is wrong with my brother! haha! lol!

Growing up mom planned parties around two birth dates. When he was 4 he was 1. At 8 he was 2. At 12 he was 3. At 16 he was 4 and so on.

It was always funny because we would buy him presents for both ages! Can you imagine a 16 year old getting presents for a 4 year old! Yea, that went over well. lol!

He was the butt of many jokes like what day do you celebrate your birthday when it’s not a Leap year? February 28 or March 1?

or which date Feb. 28 or March 1 did you get your Drivers License?

Now I would love to put a photo of my brother on this blog but he would shoot me.  I can promise you  he does not look 15.

I can promise you sometimes he acts like he is 15! lol! (that was always a joke)

Years where he has no birthday people ask “how old is he?”  16.1/4 or 16.1/2 or 16. 3/4? Instead of being 16 and 1/2 August 29th which would be half the year he is actually 16 and 1/2 for a whole year! Are you confused yet?

On the upside how many people get to celebrate their birthday with two ages? Go figure that one out.

Most of his life he has had to explain his birthday to people. Facts. Figures. I don’t think he was ever proposed to. Calendar.

You have to admit it is kinda strange.

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

Related articles

• Happy Leap Day – only 1,460 days till the next… (myoldtowneorange.com)
• Leap Year Day (englishinguiaintermedio.wordpress.com)
• Leap Year Explained (kiss951.cbslocal.com)

Run to God and Run Fast

Why is school prayer only allowed during tragedies?

By Todd Starnes

god (Photo credit: the|G|™)

Published February 27, 2012

| FoxNews.com

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/02/27/why-is-school-prayer-only-allowed-during-tragedies/#ixzz1niCpEEJV

My thought exactly. Reading this story today after the gruesome attack on yet another group of innocent students the first thing people asked for was prayer. And rightly so.

Todd Starnes article here expresses that sentiment. After the updates this morning on this story, my first thought was, “why pray now?”

Public schools or any other public domain has outlawed it.  The government is doing their best to get rid of our religious liberties.

The truth is we seek out those or the God of the Universe when we think we have no where else to go. Yet the public school system doesn’t allow the students or staff to pray.

I  find it interesting in Mr. Starnes article it was the School Superintendent who called for people to pray.I have found in my personal life those who all of a sudden are stricken with a tragic event, even with little or no contact with me prior to it find me. I am more than willing to pray for people; I spend sometimes hours alone with God doing so. The comfort for all things is in his presence.

So if that is the case, and as Todd Starnes so well wrote in his article why do we run to God when tragedy strikes? Why aren’t we running to God when it isn’t? God is there in both cases. Waiting. Yearning to hear from us.

How does that make God feel? We only pick up the phone and dial his number when we need him or want something? Don’t be surprised if the line is busy.

God isn’t a one way street companion. His love for us is infinite but he certainly prefers for us to reciprocate that love.God is a gentleman and will not force his presence on us.

Yet, we cry out to him in our time of need when we haven’t spoken to him in months.Like a child who has wandered from home. No call. No text. No email. The parents haven’t heard from them and have no idea where they are.Then out of the blue they show up at the door wanting money. What would you do? How would you feel? My first reaction might be to slap them upside the head….and scream “what do you think you are doing!”

That is not the recommended reaction but I am sure some parents would agree.As Christians we would love them just as Christ loves us. But absence can bring about consequences and so it is with God.God wants our attention because he knows what is best for us. When we take time out of our busy lives to give him attention he gives us even more.He meets us wherever we are giving us grace and mercy we simply don’t deserve.

This tragedy like many others are results of the society we have created. We kicked God out of the schools and in walked the enemy.  The downward spiral of “life without God”  has given rise to alcohol and drug abuse, homosexuality, bullying, violence, anxiety and depression issues.

Our kids are suffering. Our families are falling apart. It isn’t life as usual anymore. At least it is not at all the way it was when I grew up.

I am deeply saddened by this unnecessary tragic event.

For the families and students of Chardon High School I offer up prayers for comfort and peace. For those injured I pray for healing. For those who have lost precious ones may they gain the presence of God.

Folks, we need to pray daily for our nation, schools and land. We need God back in our society, government and homes. We need to repent. We need Jesus showing up everywhere.

We need to get back to the cross.

But the only way he is going to come back is with an invitation.

Image via Wikipedia

Related articles

• Death toll rises to 3 in Ohio school shooting (mercurynews.com)
• From Columbine to Chardon: Why we must never forget (mnn.com)
• When Did We Lose Our Voice – Shooting at Chardon High School, by Michelle D. Howe (iwokeupyesterday.com)
• http://jansimson.com/2012/02/28/the-fish-sticker-is-the-difference/
• http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/robert-murray-mccheyne-do-not-doubt-his-love/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

Do you love your waitress Mr. Banker?

Wealthy Banker Reportedly Tells Waitress To ‘Get A Real Job’

by Claire Gordon , Posted Feb 27th 2012 @ 9:52AM /Foxnews.com

Shocked by this article published but glad it has gone viral is the epitome of our culture’s lack of consideration for others.

The banker left a tip of $1.33 for a $134.87 lunch. Now I can’t imagine what he ate for lunch but maybe it was his words.

Not only did he under tip her by a load, he tried to belittle her with what is yet to bite him. or maybe it already has.

As I wrote recently about cashiers, waiters and waitresses are people too. People trying to make a living, carrying trays of food around for hours and listening to complaining, griping customers. These hard-working Americans should be treated respectfully and paid decently for not throwing food in your face Mr. Banker.

I wonder if Mr. Banker had any idea of the precedent he has now set for his fellow Mr. and Mrs. Bankers when they go out for lunch?

Did he have any idea or care for that matter that his “fellow bankers who have a real job” may get hot coffee spilled on their brand new suit or skirt?  or a plate in their lap or worse have to wonder who spit in their food?

Now don’t get me wrong here. I do not condone that behavior if done on purpose, but Mr. Banker had better watch his steps now. He might want to check behind him also.

He opened his own door for the devil to crawl in and wreak havoc not only for himself but others.

If being a waitress or waiter is not a “real job” Mr. Banker what is?

A housekeeper? a welder? a Professor? a teacher? a postal worker? a writer? what is your definition Mr. Banker of a “real job?”

Those who serve food are subjected to difficult customers, long hours and little pay. Tipping is the responsibility of those served for a job well done. Tipping a server is the consideration we as patrons should give to them to show we appreciate the good meal we have been blessed with.  Complimenting their job performance adds to their self-esteem and may just make their day.

Having had many jobs in my life where I was treated as one who didn’t classify as having a “real job” (according to him)I know the pain of demeaning actions and words even when trying my best. There is no excuse for it.

When a person works they should be paid accordingly. Romans 4:4 says, “Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. “

I can honestly say for some of the jobs I have had, I was not paid accordingly. My job performance was riddled with additions to my job description that were never discussed. As a single parent, who had to work, I was taken advantage of, ridiculed and dumped on. I was viewed as one who had “no other choice.” Therefore, anything went.

My heart goes out to those who serve in the food industry who are exposed to such grief and peril for trying to make a living. or survive. or put food on their tables.

Mr. Banker, your performance as a recipient to being fed in public is questionable to say the least.

Your disregard for your fellow bankers and their desire to be served in restaurants may wane hurting the economy further.

Your negligence to realize the “ripple affect” of your actions should keep you up at night. or better yet give the waitress an apology and the tip you owe her plus some.

Unfortunately, this type of attitude reflects many who frequent restaurants. Our society has forgotten or were never taught “good manners.” But, again I say, “why can’t people just be nice?”

If the service is bad, or the food questionable then tell the management.

If you don’t want to tip a server who does their job well,  do us all a favor. Stay home and cook your own food Mr. Banker and get a taste of what it is like to have a real job!

Related articles

• Banker Leaves Waitress One Percent Tip With Note “Get a Real Job” (themoderatevoice.com)
• A Generous Tip and an Advice (neatorama.com)
• Rich Banker Tips 1%, Tells Server To ‘Get A Real Job’ (businessinsider.com)
• http://rebecaurora.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/never-again-list/
• http://twirlygirly.wordpress.com/2012/02/23/coexsist-is-this-the-best-we-can-do/

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserve

Is This Really All There Is?

Image via Wikipedia

Odds are just when you think you know something, you find out you know nothing. Does this describe anyone I know? Of course not. None of you ever thought of yourselves as Albert Einsteins brother or sister…..or did you?

Between the ages of about 18-25 most young adults including “yours truly” thought our parents were dumber than rocks. Of course winding down from believing so much of ourselves we are hit by the same rock we  thought hit our parents. Suddenly! You wonder how your parents got so smart so fast.

Once you come to the conclusion you don’t know anything you can start from scratch learning something.

It was about that time in my life I began asking myself the question, “Is this all there is?”

Image via Wikipedia

Reproducing an answer over and over in my mindless mind, I came up with, “There has to be more.”

YES. That was it. There has to be more. But where? How? Who? What? When?

Was I the only person in the universe questioning the reason for my subliminal existence? Who else was affirming this great inquisition? I felt alone in this dreary probe to find the meaning of life.

I can’t say where, how, what or when the truth began to surface, but I did know who. “Who” was the start to this interrogation of my heart of hearts. “Who” was the beginning of an exercise in seeking a reason or reasons to pursue living. Not that the alternative ever entered my mindless mind but “I WANTED TO KNOW WHY I WAS HERE!”

Why are you here? Why has anyone been here? What is the point?

My mindless mind was shrewd enough to go to the “Who” because I knew “Who” knew.

Sometimes the best place to start anything is at the beginning. John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

The answer to the million dollar question “Is this really all there is”  begins between the chapters and verses of those pages.  Years of study would never fill the infinite wisdom of God.

Little did I know the words between the words and “reading between the lines” would bring forth answers to questions I didn’t know existed.

Understanding the depths of God‘s world revealed to me the meaning of life was written in those words. Every page, word, number, sign has meaning. Extensive spiritual education fed the authors of the Bible led by the Holy Spirit. There is no other description humanly speaking to give it. I was enthralled how my mindless mind began weaving the truths into my soul and everything looked different.

Instead of viewing the few years on this planet earth as a trudge daily, God wove a vision of my future that left planet earth spinning on it’s own. I was hooked.

The more I yearned to flip through those pages, the more life got in the way. So you know what I did?

I started praying asking God to give me the time and ability to really place him first in my life. After 4 years that prayer was answered.

Diving in head first, the words began to come alive.  Hebrews 4:12″ For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. “

As you glide your eyes and heart over God’s words, he speaks to you. Conversations flow back and forth as you see beyond the words into the supernatural. The veil is lifted. God’s heart and desires become your heart and desires.

So if you are like I was asking the question “Is this really all there is?” The answer is no. There is so much more.

And if my mindless mind can find it, so can yours.

Image via Wikipedia

Related articles

• Reading God’s Promises (veritasmizzou.wordpress.com)
• Trying To Live For Jesus Without The Spirit Messes Everything Up (pastorpaulvbsblog.blogspot.com)
• http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/02/23/the-bible-tests-experience-and-truth/
• http://freedomborn.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/the-vision/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

Sorry Moses. Starbucks is closed.

So this Moses guy. You know, Moses the guy standing on “Holy Ground?”

Well,  I have a confession to make. My husband is hunting so I don’t have to worry about his take on the subject.

Moses is my kind of man. Yep, if there was a character in the Bible who could have my heart it would be him. Not sure why but  Charlton Heston may have had something to do with it.

Image via Wikipedia

His story has always intrigued me. Why wouldn’t it? He was born a poor Hebrew until he floated upstream and just happened to land at the feet of royalty? yea, right. Like God had nothing to do with that.

He grows up in the Egyptian palace of the Pharaoh believing he was something he really wasn’t. No one told him any different so he lived the high life.  Now Moses’s brother was Yul Brenner. Together they made a pretty good team even though Mr. Brenner was a spoiled brat.

They grew up only to find Moses was not Egyptian but Hebrew. Moses was more shocked than anyone. Can you imagine? Finding out Yul Brenner was not your real brother?

Moses’s life was turned upside down.  He gets kicked out of the house. out of Egypt. into the desert.

No restaurants. No shoe stores. No Rodeo Drive. No Starbucks. No Cokes. No Happy Meals. Worst of all, no Dasani.

What was he going to do? How could he live without that first cup of coffee?

He’s in the desert for who knows how long, (God) so how does he survive? (God)

Did you get that last part? That was the lesson.

The next 40 years Moses was a sheep herder.

One day he decided to climb Mt. Sinai where he saw a “burning bush” that wasn’t really burned. Yea. Go figure that one out.

God spoke to him and told him to deliver his people out of Egypt into the Promised Land like it was just another day job.

Let’s take a “Coca Cola” break and think about this.

Up until now Moses’s life had gone from the Palace to the Pit. or the desert. Gold, silver, lobster, wine, Armani Suits. Ants, bugs, rags, worn out sandals and dirt. Then God tells him to go tell Pharaoh to “let his people go.”

“What? You want me to do what? “

“and take your staff with you; it will come in handy.”

Handy? Ok. Moses wasn’t too keen on this whole “deliver the people” idea so he asked God to find someone else.

Sure! I don’t think God does that.

As the story goes, Moses and Yul Brenner go to the palace. Only Moses wasn’t wearing his Armani suits so they didn’t recognize him at first.

Pharaoh laughed at him in his rags and long, dirty hair.  He wasn’t about to let the slaves go. Who would serve him? Who would be there to wash his feet? duh…

Pharaoh deserves the ‘Most Stubborn Stupid Award.”

Finally, after much prodding along with many plagues of horror he let them go.

Moses had delivered the people. Only he had no idea what he had gotten himself  into. The Israelites were lets just say, “not the easiest bunch”  to deal with.

God performed miracle after miracle for the Israelites. Yet, their unbelief remained. Complaining and whining all the way home.

My admiration for Moses exists due to his humble courage to take on a job no one would want. It is apparent by his longing for God to strip him of this plight that his driving force was God. A right minded person would  run off the mountain if they saw a burning bush.

Moses believed God. There was no doubt it was God all the way. He knew God had spoken to him. He knew God was leading him. He knew God understood the misery and suffering of such an endeavor. He knew God would never leave him.

Moses succeeded because he was convinced God was God. He had his moments, but his heart was set on the call. His heart was set because Moses believed God.

Oh, that I would have that belief. Oh, that we would all be so convinced. or courageous. or humble.

BTW: God wants you to pack your bags, lightly.

We may not be Moses, but he has some modern day Red Seas for us to cross.

Related articles

• How to recognize miracles (successful-blog.com)
• Egypt (brentsquest.wordpress.com)
• Remember Moses – Part: 1 By: Janaya Richards (livesharp.org)
• God’s trump card… His presence! (ilifejourney.wordpress.com)
• http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/02/17/quote-succeeding/
• http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/02/17/quote-fingerprints/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

I Gave my Sledgehammer Away

Do you know what doors are for? Really?

The door is open so the 78 degree weather can come inside today. It is February after all. OH. February is winter.

My back door opened is a reminder of the many doors that open in our lives. Or the ones that shut.

Doors go either way. How we respond to them is the key. Often doors are signs from God.  

Use to be when a door shut I would respond with an offensive attitude asking, “why? I want to go through that door!”

Age has taught me along with years of spending time alone with God and his word those doors he shut kept me from getting into more trouble than I was already in.  Now I thank him that he is God! His ways are not mine! (be really thankful for that)

When you ponder the idea of open and shut doors from God isn’t that a clever idea?

He made it so simple yet we search around for other doors only to walk into the one that ends up hitting us in the face.” Oh, I wondered where I got this bruise on my head.”

Going out on a limb here I finally wised up (no jokes please) and started praying for God to shut doors he didn’t want me to force open. Now I am small but have managed over the years to pry open doors shut so tight you couldn’t open them without a sledgehammer.

I have to ask myself now, “what was I thinking?” Pushing, pulling, beating, screaming until I squeezed through it. Once in, it wasn’t door #3 giving away a free car.

What happens when you beat your way through the wrong door? It knocks you down and lands on the broken nose you gave yourself trying to open it in the first place.

You know what happens next? (that is if you are smart) You cry out to God Almighty to remove the door.

What if God leaves you under the door for a while? It sure gets heavy. It hurts. It is painful.

I can’t blame God for this heavy, painful door smashing my face. I did force it open. He tried to stop me. BUT NO! I had to be rebellious or what is the saying? “Curiosity killed the cat?”

Finally after so many doors fell on me I decided maybe God was trying to tell me something!  Ok. I heard that!  You have no room to talk here!

He closes doors for my protection or stops me from getting into the wrong relationship. or the wrong project. or the wrong class.  or listening to the wrong words. or hanging out in the wrong places. or running my big mouth when it should be shut.

Mark 4:24, 25 ²⁴ “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. ²⁵ Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”

Closing doors from God’s perspective for us means he may be removing from our lives that which he doesn’t want there like books, movies, entertainment, or even people. Yes, people.

Anything that takes us away from God is removable by him. For our good. And believe me, once you find yourselves under so many of the wrong doors, God looks better than ever!

God isn’t behind door #1. or #2. or #3.  He’s behind the door that is open.

http://freedomborn.wordpress.com/2012/02/20/hillbilly-ten-commandment

http://larrywho.wordpress.com/2012/02/17/planning-preparation-survival-part-2/

http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/02/17/quote-standard/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

Do you love your cashier?

My visit to the grocery store this morning was a usual enlightenment. The produce man was sitting on the floor dividing up the apples from the oranges. The cake baker was counting her cakes. The number of shoppers like myself were only a few including the woman who graced our presence by wearing her pajamas.

What struck me though was the one and only cashier up front. She looked tired. Unhappy.  She never smiled and her “how are you” was one of “I don’t really care how you are.”

I felt compassion for her as she looked down the aisle at the long line that had grown. Why didn’t they bring another cashier to help her or a bag boy?

Cashiers have a tough job. Theirs is one most of us never want.  It is a thankless position. A part time job for extra money or the full time cashier trying to make a living.

Cashiers:

Stand on their feet for hours at a time.

Are subjected to abuse of all kinds.

Are expected to know everything from what row the coffee is on to “why isn’t it still on sale?”

Are exposed to raw meat, filthy money and dirty  hands.

Are exposed to unruly, screaming children at the hands of parents who do not discipline them.

Are open targets for thieves, drunks and a few nice people.

Endure long lines of aggravated, impatient customers due to cuts in personnel.

The following are a few everyday occurrences in the life of a cashier…..as I have witnessed….

Customer: “Is this ice cream on sale?”
Cashier: “I’m not sure. You can check the weekly specials.”
Customer: “What? You oughta know that?
Cashier: “Ma’am, it will also show on the door of the frozen food section where you found it.”
Customer: “Just ring it up and it better be on sale.”
Cashier rings up ice cream. “No ma’am it is not on sale this week, that was last week. Do you still want it?”
Customer: “Yes, but only at the sale price.”
Cashier: “I’m sorry but it is not for sale.”
Customer: “Fine. I don’t want it then. And you shouldn’t be working here if you can’t do any better than that.”

or this one…..

Customer: “How much is this 6 pack of beer?”
Cashier: “I’m not sure ma’am.”
Customer: “Oh, it don’t matter anyhow. I got food stamps. While you’re at it get me a carton of cigarettes too.”
The cashier watches as the customer gets in their brand new BMW.

Cashiers are people, not sitting ducks for us to throw rocks at. or steal from. or verbally abuse.

Cashiers usually work because they need to.  I can’t imagine anyone subjecting themselves to such scrutiny for the heck of it.

Cashiers paychecks are usually based on minimum wage. They aren’t paid to know everything.

Cashiers have feelings just like we do. Give them a break.

The next time you are in the presence of a cashier, be kind. Be nice.

Smile.  Give them a tip. Ask how they are doing. Treat them like you want to be treated. Show them respect.

Show appreciation for the job they do everyday. Show concern for their well being in the midst of chaotic and hateful people.

Take up for them. Show them understanding of the daily grind they are subjected to as they try to make a living.

Who knows. Maybe they will think Jesus paid them a visit, not just another customer.

Luke 6:31 “Do to others as you would like them to do to you.”

http://cashiersconfessional.wordpress.com

http://mychristiancoffeeshop.wordpress.com

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

Sugar Cane Blockheads

Blocks of cheese. Lego blocks. Blockheads. Cell blocks. Building blocks. How to block Websites. Road blocks. Blocked lists. Blocks of wood. Toy blocks.

Blocks of ice. Alphabet blocks. The Judge blocked your testimony.  Writer’s block. Quilt block designs. Heart blocks. House blocks. Senate blocks. H & R Block.

Image via Wikipedia

Code: blocks. Text blocks. Jail blocks.  The block down the street…..what was that last one again?

The block down the street. You know. The one you use a lot. The one that leads to your house. or school. or church.

What do these blocks represent?

Confinement. Education. Learning. Prison. Falling. Stubbornness. Cold hearts. Stopping. Jail. Defiance. Circles. Building. Governing. Taxation. Creativity.

Blocks can be good or bad depending on how we use them.

In the case of the Israelites, they were not happy in Egypt nor when they left. So, they ended up in the wilderness much longer than God planned. Kind of like us.

We are masters at going around and around and around the same block.  The Israelites may have started this winding road journey but we latched on to it without a hitch.

Unfortunately,  I could teach this subject.  Learning the hard way always came easy for me and I didn’t realize at a young age when I started this pattern the Israelites had already perfected it. Well, it would have been nice to have been the first at something.

The wilderness journey they took exhausts me thinking about it. Why do we have to be so stubborn? It’s not like God didn’t lay out a plan. We just think we know it all on our own. Yes. I am talking to you! and me.

The quote, “I’ve been around the block a few times” has a lot of different meanings but in this case it really is what it says.

How about going around the block of greed? selfishness? doubt? fear? unbelief? worry? The Israelites were very good at doubting and unbelief even as the manna fell from Heaven everyday. Even as they were led by a “pillar of cloud” by day and a “pillar of fire” by night. Lets just say they saw the cup half empty. The miracles in front of them didn’t dissuade their complaining and defiance.

Exodus 13: 21,22 “By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.”

You would think they would have gotten the message. What message?

The message we haven’t gotten yet. The one about the Holy Spirit leading us. The Holy Spirit doesn’t  leads us around the same block; that is unless we haven’t learned our lesson.

In other words, when we don’t listen, he allows us to jog around the same block until our shoes are worn out. Do I sound like I have done this before?

I see him waving  as we venture around “forever street” over and over again.  He motions for us to follow him instead of following the “yellow brick road”  or running a virtual marathon around ourselves. The Holy Spirit waits for us to chase after him.

One thing for sure. God is a patient God. Sometimes too patient. He  allows us to ferment our doubt and fears with more vinegar until we find the sugar. And for some of us the sugar is still in the cane.

Image via Wikipedia

Related articles

• Oh Sugar! (bakingitreal.wordpress.com)
• We Can Learn From Blockheads (kellylevatino.com)
• Into the wilderness (thebereanway.wordpress.com)/
• http://iambecomingme.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/my-surrender-poem/

Copyright @2012 All Rights Reserved

Caesar, we don’t own a tractor.

Tax (Photo credit: 401K)

It’s that time again. February is the month.  The time frame is set in stone. At least it is winter and going outdoors is not an option. So I may as well do it. Only I don’t want to. I dread it every year. A “thorn” in my side.

Losing in rummy over and over is better than having to itemize my taxes to send to the accountant. I spent hours Saturday working on this inevitable mess of paperwork spread out all over the kitchen table and I am still not finished.

Doctor receipts. Drug receipts. Charitable statements. Property taxes paid. W-2 forms. Investment statements. Interest statements. Tuition paid. Dental receipts. Statements for who knows what and a 30 page Organizer from the Accountant to fill out full of questions unheard of.

Itemizing our deductions have paid off to some extent except when viewing  the W-2 form to see how much Caesar has already taken out. I realize it is Biblical to pay taxes; I have issues as to whether he is using our hard-earned tax dollars for the latest “gladiator contests” or “beast hunts.”

Mark 12:17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God‘s.” And they were amazed at him.

I have to wonder what really belongs to Caesar. My religious liberty. My kitchen floor. Our goldfish. My soul.

Image via Wikipedia

My feeble brain tries to wrap itself around the questions asked. Now I do realize Caesar has many occupiers who fund the public welfare that many of these questions would apply.

For instance: Did you use gasoline or special fuels for business or farm purposes? We do not own a tractor.

Did you engage in any put or call transactions? I thought they put you in jail for that.

Did you receive  unreported tip income of $20 or more for any month in 2011? No, I am not a waitress. I am the maid and no one tips me.

Did you purchase a new technology vehicle, including a qualified plug-in-electric drive motor vehicle in 2011? Why would I do that? I have the best car in the world. It is called, “paid off.”

This one really caught my eye. Under Itemized deductions in the Miscellaneous categories ; evidently you can deduct your gambling losses. What?

Page 20 of the Organizer asks these questions?

Do you plan for your marital status to change in 2012? ugh…if I thought it was going to change I certainly wouldn’t tell you!

Do you plan to change the number of dependents? ugh…only if God chooses us to follow Abraham and Sara’s footsteps. (please God no!)

Do you plan to have a substantial change in your income? Now how would I know that? Oh, I get it. The IRS wants their piece of my pie before it is cooked!

Who comes up with this stuff? Is this for real?

And who started this Estimated Tax assessment? The other name for this is, “Prepay.” Caesar wants  his before you get it. What? How is that fair?
I wonder if Caesar would refund my refund before they take out any of our taxes? duh…

The Bible says in Romans 13:6 “This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full-time to governing.”

In other words we are to pay our taxes. Caesar is supposed to get what is rightfully his? What is rightfully his? OH! I know what the problem is!

Caesar needs a new Bible. After all his is centuries old. Wine and coffee stains. Pages torn out. Wrinkled and smudged.

Maybe his dog ate the pages out about taxation. He has to know the tax laws and codes need some tweaking.

Well, we can get him a Bible. I’ll  text Gideon. I am sure he can get one to Caesar.

Anyone have his number?

David Barton – The Bible and Taxes

http://thefaithbook.wordpress.com/2012/02/09/mr-president-i-still-believe/

http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/02/17/quote-standard/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

The Flip Side of Youth

YES, that is what I said. I do not like getting older. Yet, I have no desire to regress.  Being here and now is the way it is.

Even my nurse expressed her opinion of this everyday occurrence, “There ain’t nothing fun about getting older.”

My gracious heart thanks God I made it this far. However it would have been nice if someone who use to be as old as I am now before I got here would have shared the toils of aging with me like:

1. AARP won’t leave you alone. They clutter your mailbox with  letter after letter about life insurance, doctor visits and burial plots.

2. You have so many pill bottles you use them as a decoration.

3. Aches and pains show up in areas I didn’t know I had.

4. I use to think people as old as I am were ancient. 95 looks better every day.

5. Senior Moments begin happening as soon as you end your mid life crisis.

6. I walk into a room and forget why I walked in there.

7. Age 55 in some stores consider you to be a  Senior citizen. You may get a small discount but you feel like a dinosaur.

8. Wearing glasses becomes a full time job.

9. Parts of the body seem to have moved. or fallen. or slid somewhere.

10. Getting up off the floor requires help.

11. The bathroom becomes your best friend.

12. You fill out surveys and it takes forever to find your age group.

13. You and your pet nap together in the afternoon.

14. Local retirement communities send you flyers inviting you to live there.

15. Your friends post pictures of their grandchildren on facebook.

16. You wake up cranky and wonder why it never goes away.

17. Your joints make creaking noises when you move.

18. You forget when you have a memory lapse.

19. Bending over you get stuck.

20. Your favorite words are, “what’d you say? huh? I can’t hear you?”

Proverbs 16:31 “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.

I wonder if you still get that crown of glory if you color your gray?

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

http://freedomborn.wordpress.com/2012/02/18/oh-so-tired/