gerry - Random Meanderings

Follow in His steps

2011-07-02T20:43:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 2:21
To this you were called, … that you should follow in his steps.

I was listening to a radio preacher today covering 1 Ptr 2. He talked about following in the steps of Christ.

Jesus was the second Adam. (1 Corinthians 15:45-47) The thought that struck me at that time is that we can choose to follow in the steps of the second Adam which is obedience in Christ, or we will follow in the steps of the first Adam in disobedience.

Selah, Think on these things.

Creation

2011-06-29T06:58:00.000-07:00

Most people think that in Genesis 1 God created light, God created the land and the seas, God created plant life, God created the sun and the moon ... etc.

If you will read Genesis 1 carefully, that's not what it says. In verse 1, God created the heaven and the earth. In verse 21 God created "the great crocodiles (interesting translation), and every living creature that moves ...And in verse 27 God created Mankind in his image.The definition of 'create' I learned many years ago was 'to bring into existence something which had never before existed.'

In verse 3 God said, Let there be light. So whatever light consisted of had already been in existence before, but had been destroyed in the war between verse 1 and verse 2.

In verse 6 God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters. Nothing new had to be created for this.

In verse 9 God said Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together. So in verse 6 and 9, day 2 and the first part of day 3, God just rearranged what was already created and brought forth by His Words.

In verse 11 God said Let the earth bring forth grass ... He formed plant life. But He didn't create anything here. So these things also must have existed in the First Heaven and Earth.

In verse 14 God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven. And the sun and the moon and the stars were set in their place and set in their courses. Plant life needed light, but not the light of the sun and the moon on that first day of life.

In verse 20 God said Let the water swarm abundantly with moving creatures that have life, and let birds fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. And the waters and the skies above were populated.

In verse 24 God said, Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind, cattle, and creeping things, and beasts of the earth after their kind, and cattle after their kind, and everything that creeps on the earth after its kind. And the lands were populated.

In verse 26 God said,Let us make Mankind in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, 27 So God created Mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created him: male and female he created them.

Finally God creates something new! What is the "image of God"? God is spirit (Jn 4:4). He does not have a physical body. What God created on the sixth day is a man with spirit. (Unfortunately, Adam and Eve gave up that spirit in the Garden of Eden when they chose to disobey God's only commandment.)

Light

2011-06-28T06:14:00.001-07:00

Gen 1:3 And God said, Let there be light and there was light.
Gen 1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven to divide the day from the night; ...
1:16 And God made the two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; and the stars also.

So God called forth light on the first day and he made the sun, moon and stars of the fourth day. So what was the light? Where did it come from and what did it do?

It must have been something spiritual. Something that holds the world together. God did nothing that week without it.

Selah. Think on these things.

"Without form and void"

2011-06-27T15:56:00.000-07:00

I mentioned last week that Gen 1:2 says that the "earth was without form and void (Hebr- tohu va bohu)."

The other use of that phrase, tohu va bohu, is in Is 46:18 - "For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain (tohu va bohu), he formed it to be inhabited."

If it was that way, but He did not create it that way, what happened?

There was a war in heaven, when Lucifer and 1/3 of all the angels rebelled against God. One theory is that that war happened between Gen 1:1 and Gen 1:2. I tend to agree, but I can't prove it so I will not say it is absolutely so. But, then again, there is a lot I won't express that way! :-)

Trees - Garden of Eden

2011-06-27T15:42:00.000-07:00

I was reading an article in Acres, USA, last night and this statement grabbed my attention: "The Old English word, æppel (apple) referred to any fruit in general, not solely ..." (to what we call an apple).

There appear to be two trees in Gen 2 and 3: The tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen 2:17) and the tree of life (Gen 2:9). I don't know anything about these.

That Eve and Adam ate of the fruit (æppel?) may have been the origin of them eating an apple, as in Old English. Nowhere is an apple referenced in this part of scripture.

(I can't seem to figure out how to post comments, so for this first entry I'll just add to my original post.)

From Colleen:

I’m wondering if it wasn’t a physical tree at all, rather a choice.

The tree of knowledge of good and evil: Not a tree where you eat fruit, buThe t rather a choice to trust God and obey Him, or to obey Satan.

So, perhaps a choice was given:

God told them they could eat from the tree of life: God’s ways, His instructions, His guidance, trusting Him, and doing all He commanded them; OR

God’s warning (not to eat from the tree of Knowledge of good and evil): Satan’s ways, his instructions, his lies, his suggestions, etc.

Even listened to Satan and took his advice, but that doesn’t mean it was physical fruit to eat. It was more like not acting on God’s word when the temptation came to them in the garden. Much like Yeshua was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. Yeshua chose God’s words and instructions over Satan’s.

Adam and Eve chose to reject the tree of life (Christ) and ate from the wicked tree (Satan’s temptations in the garden)

In my opinion, Genesis is not talking about real trees and real fruit you eat through your body. It was talking about the choice between God and Satan.

...

The underlying message is indisputably (I hate that word, but is 'generally accepted' at least) about obedience. Eve may have been deceived, but there is no indication that Adam was.

The first recorded words from God to man were "Of every tree of the garden thou mayst freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it" for on the day that thou eatest thereof it thou shalt surely die." These words were spoken to Adam before Eve was made. Did he not pass the word sufficiently? Did she not hear?

But when it came to her offering it to him, he accepted and no word of objection was given in the scriptures.

His response to God: The woman made me do it.
Hers: The serpent deceived me and I ate it. (The devil made me do it.)

Jesus, the second Adam, overcame deception and temptations of the devil by feeding God's words right back at him. Our salvation is based on that decision.

More about the method of deception and the temptations later.

Let's try this again

2011-06-27T15:41:00.000-07:00

I'm starting a Bible study. Or more (so far) like a thought for a day. I'll also try to pick up on my garden which is doing much better this year.

Books-Civil War vs Health Care Control

2010-03-26T04:43:00.000-07:00

When I retired 2 1/2 years ago I was given a passel of books. Those of you who know me, know that I am a voracious reader. I have read almost all of those books and all other books by those authors, at least in that series.

I started again this past week "Lincoln," an historical novel by Gore Vidal. As I began reading, I began to notice the similarities between then and now.

I don't have at my fingertips all the statistics, but the root cause of the Civil War was not slavery, but states' rights. The Southern states wanted the right to determine whether or not to retain slavery as a way of life. Today's issue is federally mandated health "care."

Last I heard, 13 states' attorneys general have suits ready, if not already filed, questioning the legality of the bill under the Constitution. Many states have declared that they will not enforce this law. At what point did the Federal Government acquire the right to mandate that a citizen purchase a product or service provided by a private corporation that the citizen may not need and/or want and/or be able to afford? Do we work for them? Or do they work for us?

There has been talk among individuals of secession. There has been talk among individuals of war if this product is forced upon us the citizens of these United States. I don't know how many, if any, of the people saying these things are serious. It doesn't really matter. This issue has become one that needs further consideration rather than the standard assurance by the government that they know what they are doing and that they can do what they have never done before: run a business profitably. Or at least not at a loss.

Does anyone really know what is in this bill? The bill that the president talks about seems to be different than the one that Congress has now passed. Our "representatives" in Washington need to at least read the whole bill and consider the long term ramifications before they vote. Oops! Too late!

Quote from Lincoln

2010-03-24T20:26:00.001-07:00

"Any people anywhere being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up and shake off the existing government." Rep. Abraham Lincoln.

Is it coming to that?

Jefferson Bass

2010-03-23T19:49:00.001-07:00

We went tonight to see/hear Jefferson Bass, represented by his real life authors, Dr Bill Bass of UT's Body Farm and John Jefferson. They were accompanied by Art Bohannon, the nationally renowned finger-print expert, who appears in all their books.

They spoke for about half an hour about their new book, The Body Thief, which is based on the real-life problem of crematoriums that harvest body parts before cremating the rest of the remains, and about how the Body Farm came to be.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first three books in the series and highly recommend them to anyone who likes murder mysteries and/or forensic anthropology.

They have videos of the Body Farm itself at their website: www.jeffersonbass.com

Another Saturday Night at the V

2010-03-23T07:31:00.000-07:00

Another Saturday Night at the V

This week at the V was just another tag-team message. When Pastor Mark got up to share his
message for the week, the Holy Spirit told him no, not that message today. So he opened the
floor and several people got up to share what was on their minds. As always, it turned into
a really coherent message.

Ally - Do I come here to fill up my tank? Or am I here for Him? If filling my own tak is the
primary reason I'm here, it won't last me all week. If I'm here for me, it's just not enough.
If I'm here for Him, I'll want to continue worshipping.

Jeff - When we were kids and there was a dirt pile, we would always go play King of the Hill.
We'd get all dirty and run home where Mom would clean us up. We weren't ashamed. We had no doubts that we might not be acceptable. We don't wonder if she will still love us. We just
go home and get clean.

MarkO - Be children before Him. "We love you, Daddy!"
[My comment - Jesus called the Father Abba, the Aramaic form of the most familiar address of
a father - Daddy!]

Pastor Mark had a tape in the car that he had planned to play and it fit in right here:
"We got the Best Daddy in the Whole World."
"Don't try to be the next Who's Who, Only try to be the best you. He loves me like I am."

Pastor Mark - There are three ways to love the Lord and they all have their place.
1- Out of duty
When you're feeling down and really don't want to. We all have those days.
Should be the exception not the rule.
2- Out of Fear
Hellfire and brimstone. Can get people reconciled, but, again, not the best way
Should be the exception not the rule.
3- Out of Love
The best way. [I Cor 13] Out of affection. If we do this we will endure the hard
times, and there will be hard times.

Robin - This love is not obedience per se as much as trust. As we learn to trust we have
no more doubts that God will support, strengthen and protect us.

?? - Applied to a marriage, this is the same love. It becomes trust. My wife will
support me and trust me to care for her as she learns that I will do so. If someone attacks
your kids, what is your reaction? Will our Heavenly Father do less?

Robin - Esther: Prepared herself for 12 months to be beautiful before her King.

Jeff - Peace, as it is used in all places in the bible, always refers to coming into unison
with God.

Some of my thoughts:

Is this situation to big for God? Can I do it better? Is it just too routine to bother Him?
He does care for me, so why shouldn't I do it His way? Why should I not check in with
everything that I do? And that means everything, not just the "big decisions." you know the
ones that I take to Him because I can't do it myself. The ones that we tend to ask about so we
can get His affirmation that we have already made the right decision.

***

On the way home I heard a song on WIVK (the Frog) that moved me. I've already
screwed it up so bad that will you please turn the wine back into water.

T GRAHAM BROWN TURN THE WINE BACK INTO WATER LYRICS

You've heard a multitude of prayers on my behalf
I pray one more is not too much to ask
I've tried to fight this battle by myself
But its a war that I cant win without your help

Tonight I'm as low
As any man can go
I'm down and I can't fall much farther
And once upon a time you turned the water into wine
Now on my knees I'm turning to ya Father
Can you help me turn the wine back into water

So many times I've hurt the ones I love
I've pushed them to the edge of giving up
They've stood by me but how much can they stand
If I don't put this bottle in your hand

Tonight I'm as low
As any man can go
I'm down and I can't fall much farther
And once upon a time you turned the water into wine
Now on my knees I'm turning to ya father
Could you help me turn the wine back into water

I shook my fists at heaven
For all the hell that I've been through
Now I'm begging for forgiveness
And a miracle from you

Cause tonight I'm as low
As any man can go
I'm down and I can't fall much farther
And once upon a time you turned the water into wine
Now on my knees I'm turning to ya father
Could you help me turn the wine back into water

Could you help me turn this wine back into water

yeah yeah
Lyrics > T. Graham Brown Lyrics > T. Graham Brown Wine Into Water Lyrics

http://www.justsomelyrics.com/615011/T-Graham-Brown-Turn-The-Wine-Back-Into-Water-Lyrics

Census

2010-03-23T05:59:00.000-07:00

I am considering the census this morning. How much info am I required to give?

I have been greatly insulted by Census Bureau advertising this year. Why to the Feds need to know how many people are here so we can increase the number of stop lights or the number of buses? Have they ever been involved in this process before? Have they ever needed to know how many teachers we need to have next year? Haven't these things always been handled locally? Is this just a case of the Feds sticking their noses into local issues?

I recommend this (http://www.newswithviews.com) article -- Michael LeMieux -- Census and the Constitution. You should check this out at, http://www.newswithviews.com/LeMieux/michael118.htm

Flats/Sprouts

2010-03-09T10:48:00.000-08:00

I have a bunch of seeds planted in my newspaper pots and in flats. A lot of them have already sprouted.

Unfortunately, with all the cold and rain/snow over the past couple of months, the beds aren't ready yet! :-( I have the first bed turned over, but nowhere near ready for sprouts yet.

Now I need to go get a load of compost to work into the bed when it gets to that stage.

Spring is Here!

2010-03-09T10:45:00.000-08:00

I stepped out the door this morning and saw this! The first crocuses of the season.

IT MUST BE SPRING!

The Second Amendment

2010-02-23T04:17:00.000-08:00

New High-Tunnel

2010-02-21T13:31:00.000-08:00

Feb 22 Update
Well we got the tunnel set up Sunday afternoon and Sunday night we had a pretty good storm blow through. the tunnel didn't stand up too well.

I guess next year I'll use something stronger in the way of support poles, maybe PVC,

****************************************************

Well, we finally got the plastic draped over the scavenged tent poles and have a high-tunnel that's about 6 ' high. I used 6m plastic, thanks to recommendations here. I d'ruther it was about 3' wider and about 4' longer, but it's doable for this year. Assuming, of course, that it stands up to the rain and wind. We might get some rain tonight, so we can see how it does there. Don't know when we'll get wind.

I think next year I'll try to frame it with PVC. For those who have done it, do you secure the plastic to the frame somehow? If so, how? I have it anchored with rocks at the moment.

Trappist Monastery Fudge

2010-02-19T19:04:00.000-08:00

Last weekend Mother and Dottie (my mother-in-law and sister-in-law) went to a Trappist monastery for a personal retreat. They are Catholic; Mother is a Sister of the Franciscan Order.

[Aside: Mother is a Sister. Therefore, Mother Mary is Sister Mary. ???? ]

Dears that they are, they brought me home some "Gethsemani Trappist Kentucky Bourbon Chocolate Fudge! 8-) That stuff never lasts around my house.

Apparently they get the bourbon donated from a local distillery. I guess it doesn't really

2010-02-13T08:28:00.000-08:00

Seed train is a'comin'
there's dancin' today!

The seed train arrived today and I'm all excited. Besides the beginning of planting for the spring garden I have some new seeds to play with. I don't have a lot of unallocated garden space, so all I grabbed from gthe train is a packet of cinnamon basil and some cumin. I guess that's another little bit of the flower garden that's going to be herbs. I still need to prune what's there and clean up from fall, but I'm ready to dig.

I also have my tunnel framed and need to get the plastic cover over it before the snow arrives tomorrow. Hoping I can get some help from the nephews tomorrow.

I also was led to the Knoxville Permaculture Guild by my sister in Bellingham, WA, this week. And, of all things, they have a seed exchange today, so that's where I'll be this afternoon. Maybe I'll get to meet some more local gardeners.

I got the application for the farmers market this week. One of the things it asks for is two references from people who "know my operation." Nobody here in Knoxville knows who I am in the field except Michelle, my contact for the seed trains. Maybe I'll meet someone today who can fill that other slot. (I hope.)

I told Kayla this mornbing that I have about three full days worth of work to do by this morning. I guess I'll be busy for the rest of the summer.

Update: I met some interesting people today. I was impressed that so many of the people at the seed exchange were young, mostly college kids was my impression. I didn't pick up any new seeds, but I left quite a few. Some people were excited about some of my seeds. Time to get planting, then to get ready for the next exchange, whenever it may be.

Spring is coming

2010-02-10T05:18:00.000-08:00

Spring is coming ... soon ... I hope. I'm ready.

WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF EAST TENNESSEE UNTIL 4 OCLOCK THURSDAY MORNING. WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS OF 25 TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED TONIGHT WITH GUSTS POSSIBLY UP TO 55 MPH AT TIMES.

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS WITH SNOW EXPECTED TODAY THROUGH TONIGHT. FORECASTERS EXPECT ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 10 INCHES WITH BLIZZARD CONDITIONS IN THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS.

BRR!!!

Building a Tunnel for the Garden

2010-02-07T12:05:00.001-08:00

I am in the process of building a tunnel for the gardens. For support I reclaimed some old flexible fibreglas tent poles. I am in the process of tying the ends of each pole together with fishing line. Mother taught me how to tie fishing line yesterday. (I know it's simple, but if you don't know the tricks or the knots ...) I now have one pole tied and it'll be about 8' tall and 13.5' across the base. If I space them about 4' apart, they'll cover two 5x20' beds at a time with room underneath to work the soil ... if it ever dries out and warms up! But it's too cold outside at the moment to do more than one pole at a time. So in between I'll put together some newspaper pots to start seeds next week. (Is it that time already???)

And I still have lots of beds to prepare before planting out.

Seed Train/Left-Handed Scissors

2010-01-26T08:22:00.000-08:00

what is a sseed train? There are several hundred members on the gardening forum I participate in. A seed packet may have anywhere from 50 to about 1000 seeds. I use anywhere from 4 to about 75 seeds of any one kind. A seed train is a package of excess seeds that gets mailed around the country to wiiling participants. When it gets here, I'll add some of my excess seeds and take whatever I may want. We have a medicinal/herb train due here in Knoxville sometime in the next week or so.

I found in Windows Office a template for a seed packet. So I printed some out and grabbed a pair of scissors to cut them down to size. Unfortunately I must have grabbed a pair that belonged to my late wife - left-handed ones! :( I never realized how difficult it could be to try to cut along a line while looking over to the wrong side of the scissors. David, you want a pair of scissors?

New Website

2010-01-22T10:39:00.000-08:00

Well, I finally broke down and will be setting up my new website for gardening/farming. I don't know yet when I will actually get it up an running, but I guess it will be my big time-consumer until I do. I'll be posting info about the gardens, produce, the farmers market and whatever I come up with that's related. I may also move this blog over there when I get it all together.

Now to find a good logo ...

Healing

2010-01-18T12:36:00.000-08:00

Powerful meeting at the V last night! After having had four services this week that seemed to have an emphasis on healing. But this time it was about being practical. Many questions and things to think about.

Pastor Jon back in Beaverton said something on the line of, "If I give my life to Jesus Christ, it'll ruin my life. That's right. Because it will not be my life any more, it'll be his. It won't be my life, it'll be a much, much better one."

Mark opened the meeting with a story that happened to him. Someone came to his door and said "I just want to DIE!" That's right, die to self and live for Him. The old man, the old nature , is dead and the new man is to live for God. And that was the theme of the whole evening. DIE!! Die to self. Trust God. He knows more about what I want and what is best than I do. (Unlike Microsoft and Congress! :) ) He will do what is best for me AND what is best for His body, the church.

What are we going to do when this movement really begins to grow? How could we handle an addition of 3,000 people to the church in one day, like in Acts 2? Practically speaking, what are we going to do? These people all have their own lives and their own problems. How can we help them to overcome and become productive children of God?

To live you must die. Life comes from death. For a plant to grow, a seed must die. In order to live for Christ, I must die to my self.

***

We had several people healed of various injuries in the four meetings last week, culminating in the regular Saturday night service. It was Saturday Night ... LIVE!!!

I continue to pray for you-all.

gerry

Back Pain

2010-01-14T06:50:00.000-08:00

I had forgotten how painful my back can be. Time for a big pain pill.

About 20 years ago, when David was little, I pulled a muscle in my lower back. Well, maybe it's in the buttock muscle. Every year or so It reminds me that it can hurt! I wear a brace around my waist, mostly to remind me to be careful, not that I'm not aware of it at this stage of the game. It'll go away in a week or so, but I need to be extra careful till then.

1/18
MarkO and ,, prayed for me Friday night; MarkO and Jeff on Saturday. On Saturday Yve and MarkO, who don't know each other but both of whom I trust, asked me if I had seen my chiropractor. Oops! First thing Monday. Sunday Casey told be to put ice on my back at night and heat in the morning. Again, oops! I had been using my queen sized heating pad all night. I tried the icepack last night and felt good this morning.

Went to the chiropractor this morning. He did some tests and found out a few things that were obvious to me when they were done. I kinda wish I'd known to do this myself, it's so obvious. Back tomorrow for follow-up.

On Gun Control ... or lack thereof :)

2010-01-11T15:58:00.000-08:00

picture thanks to kefirmaven, on IDigMyGarden.com Forums

Picture thanks to John Best, England(?) on IDigMyGarden.com Forums

AN ACTUAL CRAIG'S LIST PERSONALS AD
To the Guy Who Tried to Mug Me in Downtown Savannah night before last.
Date: 2009-05-27, 1 :43 a.m. E.S.T.
I was the guy wearing the black Burberry jacket that you demanded that I hand over, shortly after you pulled the knife on me and my girlfriend, threatening our lives. You also asked for my girlfriend's purse and earrings... I can only hope that you somehow come across this rather important message.
First, I'd like to apologize for your embarrassment; I didn't expect you to actually crap in your pants when I drew my pistol after you took my jacket.. The even ing was not that cold, and I was wearing the jacket for a reason.. My girlfriend had just bought me that Kimber Model 1911 .45 ACP pistol for my birthday, and we had picked up a shoulder holster for it that very evening. Obviously you agree that it is a very intimidating weapon when pointed at your head ... isn't it?!
I know it probably wasn't fun walking back to wherever you'd come from with that brown sludge in your pants. I'm sure it was even worse walking bare-footed since I made you leave your shoes, cell phone, and wallet with me. [That prevented you from calling or running to your buddies to come help mug us again].
After I called your mother or "Momma" as you had her listed in your cell, I explained the entire episode of what you'd done. Then I went and filled up my gas tank as well as those of four other people in the gas station, -- on your credit card. The guy with the big motor home took 150 gallons and was extremely grateful!
I gave your shoes to a homeless guy outside Vinnie Van Go Go's, along with all the cash in your wallet. [That made his day!]
I then threw your wallet into the big pink "pimp mobile" that was parked at the curb ... after I broke the windshield and side window and keyed the entire driver's side of the car.
Later, I called a bunch of phone sex numbers from your cell phone. Ma Bell just now shut down the line, although I only used the phone for a little over a day now, so what 's going on with that? Earlier, I managed to get in two threatening phone calls to the DA's office and one to the FBI, while mentioning President Obama as my possible target.
The FBI guy seemed really intense and we had a nice long chat (I guess while he traced your number etc.).
;In a way, perhaps I should apologize for not killing you ... but I feel this type of retribution is a far more appropriate punishment for your threatened crime. I wish you well as you try to sort through some of these rather immediate pressing issues, and can only hope that you have the opportunity to reflect upon, and perhaps reconsider, the career path you've chosen to pursue in life. Remember, next time you might not be so lucky.Have a good day!
Thoughtfully yours,
Alex
P.S. Remember this motto ... An armed society makes for a more civil society!

(Thanks to Father George Dyer, Houston, TX

Book recommendation - Fortschen

2010-01-11T06:22:00.000-08:00

I'm reading "One Second After" by William R Fortschen. It is the story of what might happen in small town Appalachia after an EMP attack which destroys all the infrastructure. It sounds really reasonable and logical and is very well written. I would recommend it to anyone concerned about terrorist attacks.

But be aware that I became quite lachrymose toward the end. :)

Weather, Garden

2010-01-08T15:30:00.000-08:00

It's cold! BRRR!! I guess I'm just not used to the cold weather I greew up with in Northern Virginia. Forecast is for windchills around zero tonight. I can't work in the yard or prep the new garden beds in this weather. :( So much to do and so little cooperation from the weatherman.

I ordered the rest of my seeds last night for the coming year. I need to organize what I have and get ready for the seed trains when they come thru. I'm following a plan for one more year, my third. Then we decide what we want for ourselves and what will sell at the market. But that's next year. Meanwhile we'll just read the books and see what develops.

I was working in the North Garden when the weather turned last week. My handy-dandy garden fork is now stuck in the ground. Frozen solid. I can't get it out. At least the weather should moderate by midweek. Actually calling for a low up at freezing next Thrusday! :) And I have seven beds to prep for spring by mid-March. Will I have time?

Epiphany Party

2010-01-01T16:09:00.000-08:00

We had a meeting this afternoon that I thought was quite unusual, but I like the idea. Two members of our congregation prayed over the past few months for words that would apply to individuals over the next year or so. They prayed that the right person would blindly pick the word that God wants for them to think on this year. The handed around the tin with single words on slips of paper and each of us picked a word.

Several people talked about the words they picked last year. It is amazing how their words applied specifically to their lives, almost a summary of the most important things that happened in their lives during the year.

My word this year is "truth." I don't know just what this means yet. I will see what the Bible says about truth and pray about whatever God is trying to say to me.

Final Seed Order

2009-12-30T18:13:00.001-08:00

Final Seed Order - I hope! I am putting in my last seed order for my Spring 2010 gardens. Things that were back ordered, sold out or not available from my first and second sources.R H Shumway seems to have everything else in their spring catalog.

Who is Obama?

2009-12-30T18:11:00.000-08:00

"I think the press is very confused about who is Obama." Helen Thomas, NewsMax, Jan 2010, p. 14. Many of us have been saying that for a year and a half.

Garden Prep

2009-12-30T18:09:00.000-08:00

Well, I got about half of the North Garden dug up today before the rains set in. Full of roots from the big privet tree we cut down and from all the evergreens nearby. Maybe I can get it finished this weekend and get some coles planted.

Cold Weather

2009-12-28T16:42:00.001-08:00

I sit here inside wondering if it will ever warm up enough to get back out and work on the gardens. It's cold out there for me; but not for those who are used to cold weather. Ah, so much to do and so little time before spring planting time.