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I live in Florida. I am not crazy about hurricanes and often wish i had somewhere else to go during the summer months. I am 53 years older but feel wiser than I was in my youth. I continue to study the Bible and keep many people in my thoughts and prayers. I have changed to a different church recently and feel that I will develop many new christian friends that believe in the Bible, as it stands without new changes to soften and hide it's true meanings. Our world is changing and now more than ever we as christians must seek out each other in fellowship and in prayer. I hope in posting and sharing and reading others posts, I will be able to learn more which will help me as I continue to serve the Lord.

Hi islandboy,

I already welcomed you in another thread but I would again like to welcome you to Christians Unite.

Hi there and welcome to the forum.....


(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b207/tinabaran/JESUSwelcome.gif)

Hello again Islandboy, I live in Florida too, but I am not afraid of hurricanes or tornadoes or even lightening, as you know Florida is known to have more lightening storms than any other state.

God is in control of my life and I do not fear. God has not given us a spirit of fear:

2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Ps 91:1 ¶ He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I did not say I was afraid, although, I do have a healthy respect for the powers of nature. If I have learned anything over these past few years of hurricanes it is to always be prepared to take care of your earthy needs, food and water, and shelter, and to trust God to handle the rest.  "The Lord helps those who help themselves."

Welcome Islandboy!!  God bless!!

I'm in Los Angeles....we have the earthquakes!

:) Welcome! Im in FL too & I agree, the Hurricanes are probably the worse part of living here. I survived 3 of them although Charlie gave us {Central FL} a beating- Lost my home, business :( it was tough but Gods love, mercy showed us what we really had & didn't lose!!

Where abouts in FL are you? So glad U Joined! May The Lord Bless U daily!
~Hugs
(http://www.whytehouse.com/goober/je1.gif)

I know you are asking Islandboy but....   :)  I have some cousins in Ft. Walton Beach, and some others (that I don't hear from) in Miami, Tampa area and Palm Beach.  I love the tropics but don't think I can take the hurricanes.

I live in (South Florida), near Fort Myers area. It is beautiful around here in it's own way, but I am or originally from up north and I do miss the flowing rivers and singing streams and the mountains. Mostly I miss the changing of the seasons. In Florida it is either green (rainy season) or brown (dry season). Yes, it is warm, but the danger of hurricanes is a all to familiar reminder of the tropics. If you want to live here you except the risk of these storms.

I am from Pennsylvania originally, but have been in Los Angeles for most of my life.  Yes, the N.E. is very beautiful....I have many good memories of the beautiful green woods, streams, etc, and in winter, the beautiful snow-covered scenery.  I also love the Fall colors...

Do you have any orchids in your yard?  I know your climate is perfect for them.  I have two (Phaleonapsis or Moth Orchids)  in my apartment.

Hey Natey, I'm in Central Florida too! Seminole County  :D

I have lots  of native flowers and plants in my yard. I have some orchids though at this moment I can't remember the names of them, but my nickname for one is "Dancing Ladies". They are bright yellow with bits of Burgundy. Once years ago I had a bunch of them in a large pot and I placed a mirror underneath them and took the picture in a slight breeze. Hence the name dancing ladies. I have another one that gets white and lavender blooms on it.
Plus, I have banana trees, orange trees, and wild grape vines. I have added hibiscus bushes in many colors and these blend in well with the natural woodland vegetation. I have a yard that is beautiful in the fact that it supports native plants and animals. Wildlife is abundant with squirrels and rabbits, many types of birds both water and land and butterflies.

That sounds beautiful Islandboy, sounds like a great place to sit and meditate on the WORD  ;)

Yes, that really is a beautiful environment for you to live in!!  What a blessing from God!!

Yes, It is beautiful here and very quiet, that is except for the squirrels. I have made pets of them by feeding them. Well actually I was trying to feed the birds but the squirrels got into all the bird feeders. So I finally gave up and just feed them every once in a while. Lately it has been from a container of old dog food. Today as I was watching TV, I heard a very loud  ch ripping and screeching noise by my front door. I opened the door thinking  a snake was bothering the squirrels, only to find one lone squirrel who was brave enough to come up to my screen door and tell me "He Wanted Some Food, RIGHT NOW"!!  It was so funny.

By the way Debp, what part of  Pennsylvania are you orginally from?? 

Oh, that's cute about the squirrels.  I understand there are some bird feeders with squirrel guards if you want to check it out.  I usually order my pet supplies from Doctors Foster and Smith catalogue.  They also have a wild bird catalogue with many types of bird feeders and supplies.

I'm from Pittsburgh, but have been in CA too long, so consider myself a Californian.  Are you from PA by any chance?

The squirrals are fun in some ways, but I enjoy the songbirds and water birds the best. I have tried all kinds of feeders and guards. But the squirrals always manage to get the seeds or spill the seeds. I even put wire around the feeders and the squirrals wiggled their way though the holes. So now I just throw seed out in the yard and everyone gets a fair chance at it.
I memtioned in a early post that I am from Northwestern Pennsylvania.

Would you believe I rarely see a squirrel in our area?  There is even a park right near me....once in a great while I might see one.

In Palisades Park, Santa Monica (cliff overlooking the ocean) they are overpopulated with squirrels.  People liked to feed them (including me once in a while when I went there), but they have so many they have to catch them or something.  They have all of these little dens (holes) along the cliffs.  Whole familes of squirrels would pop out to get fed the whole length of the park!  It was amazing.

What kind of water birds do you see?  They must be really pretty.  What are the colors?  I love the flamingoes at the zoo.

Sorry to be so long in answering your question. The water birds I see most often are Great White Herons, Little Blue Herons, Limpkins.
There is also a pair of Great Horned Owls and many red-tailed hawks. I see an eagle every once in a while.

Herons have the long legs, right?  What are Limpkins like?  Never heard of them before.

Some years ago in a rare wind storm here, I found an injured Red Tailed Hawk at the end of my street.  It was being battered by the wind and couldn't fly.  I got a box to help protect it from the wind and called animal control.  The officer told me it was a Red Tail Hawk and the veterinarian would take care of it and then they would release it.  :)

I've also read that we have a couple of Peregrin Falcons living on high rise windows in downtown Los Angeles!

The area around me is swarming with various kinds of birds. We have a Blue Heron and a Snowy Egret that likes to perch on the fountains in the middle of the cities lagoon that is in the center of town. Yes the Blue Heron has fairly long legs. Not as long as the egrets or the cranes but still fairly long. We also have a number of different types of owls, little owls, barn owls, horned owls .... There are falcons, hawks, eagles, the big turkey vulture, wild turkeys, pheasants, and wild peacocks. Bird hunting is a very popular sport around here.

There are a lot of the smaller song birds also like the cardinal, robin, canaries, finches, humming birds, red winged black birds and many more.

Yes, the Great White Heron's are tall and have long legs and a beautiful wing-span. The Limpkins are mainly seen along the river banks and canels. They are brown in color and have a curved end on their beak that allows them to eat ramhorn snails. I had heard they are rare in some areas, as these snail shells are often gathered up to be used in shell crafts. However, we have a pair that comes every year and they stay around all summer long.

The fountain and lagoon in the middle of the city sounds wonderful!  I love fountains and any kind of water.  We have quite a few fountains in downtown Los Angeles which I enjoy as I pass by.  Also, we have MacArthur Park Lake not too far from us....but I usually don't go there anymore.  (It's where the big "rumble" with the police and the illegal immigrant march took place on May 1.)

Talking about canals....do you see any alligators, Islandboy?  Maybe you heard about our Reggie?  Two men dumped him in  a 53 acre lake here about 2 years ago.  About 3 alligator trappers failed to catch him....then Reggie disappeared for 18 months! Finally, a few weeks ago, Reggie was spotted again.  He came out on a bank and our animal control and someone from the zoo managed to catch him.  He was transported to the zoo and is still in quarantine.  I hope he will be alright until they can release him into the exhibit.  The other day they said he wasn't eating.

Reggie got quite a fan club here....tee-shirts rooting for him, etc!  People always at the lake trying to spot him....he's about 7 feet long.

I have seen quite a few alligators along the banks of the canal running along Rt29 South, below Immokalee, Fl. Most of them being med- sized three foot long to up to 10 feet long. Near my dock there have been several baby alligators seen over the past couple of summers, the grasses and weeds are tall there giving a mother alligator plenty of natural cover, to lay eggs and be able to stay nearby to protect them. The babies swim out among the lily pads looking for small frogs and insects to eat. They are really cute babies, as most baby animals are. It is when they grow up that they become dangerous.

The lily pads must be beautiful....what colors are they flowers?

Must be fun seeing the little gators....of course, not so fun when they are big!  Do you  have to be careful when going around in your yard at night?  Do they come up into the yard?

So far the alligators have stayed in the river. At nighttime if you shine a flashlight across the water, and see red eyes will reflecting back at you, that is an alligator. The males make a loud grunting noise during mating season, mostly heard at night. Yes, the little ones are interesting to watch. The lily pads are a wild plant, but get pretty yellow flowers on them.
The only thing I have run into out in the yard at night is the occasional raccoon or possum, or armadillos.

Hello Islandboy,

Have you ever wondered if the alligators are also watching humans? Maybe they're out in the water talking, "watch the banks for flashlights because those will be humans." I can just hear them, "Those humans are kind of bony, but they taste a lot like chicken."

From the description you've given, I don't think that I would be out at night. If I was, it would be without a flashlight, and I would be REAL QUIET.   ;D

I'm used the the other animals you mentioned and snakes, but folks from Oklahoma would have to warm up to the idea of having alligators around. There's something about being eaten by alligators that doesn't appeal to folks from Oklahoma.   ;D

If you see a gator like this....................


........................................................RUN .................. ;D ;D ;D

When I first moved to Florida, I used to swim in a big pond with alligators in it. Used to go fishing along the canals and go snake hunting with a friend off Route 41, in Collier County. Never had a problem with alligators. However, that isn't to say some people haven't. Alligators become more dangerous the bigger and older they get, as well as, when people feed them. That is when they become a problem. A friend who goes frog-hunting told me about using the flashlight to see where gators are in the water at night. I'm not out much at night anymore, but always found the two-legged predator to be more dangerous then the four-legged kind.

I didn't realize you had armadillos in FL.  Somehow thought only the South West had those.  I've never seen one.

I recently read a book of true stories about Crocodile attacks.  Of course, as you probably know, they are much more dangerous than alligators.  The stories were quite thrilling and alot of people were killed....some survivors miraculously escaped the crocs and told their stories.

One lady (naturalist) in Australia had a bad feeling but went out again in a canoe anyway.  It started to get stormy.  She was attacked in the canoe, and the croc kept doing underwater death rolls with her.  She managed to escape and climb a tree in the swamp.....he jumped up and grabbed her again doing more death rolls.  Finally, she managed to get behind a tree in the swamp to evade him.  Then she had to walk through the swamp at night to try to escape.   That evening a ranger happened to look to see if the canoe was back....when it wasn't he put out a search for her, and they found her.  She survived.  She always walked many miles each day, so I guess her physical fitness helped her in all of this.

I like that alligator picture. looks like he has someone's false teeth. I have only seen crocodiles in wildlife parks and zoo attractions, but I have heard they are really nasty. Most of the stories I have heard about alligator attacks have been about dogs and children, with them either swimming or walking along a bank where a alligator was nearby. Although, every now and then one gets an adults arm when they have reached into the water for something.
As far as the armadillos go, they have spread over here from Texas, and have been sited as far north as North or South Carolina. They just dig for grubs in the yard. We also get moles that make tunnels just under the surface of the soil. Today coming home I saw two large pileated woodpeckers up in a palm tree. They are black with red heads.
Once in a long while we see manatee's in the river. The babies are really cute. They eat the water weeds mostly, but I have seen them strip the leaves off of Brazilian pepper trees.

 ;D    ;D

All I can say is please call the white coats if you ever catch me near Florida waters at night.


 

Wow, that's great you see Manatees.  I understand they are very gentle.

Love dreamweaver's dizzy penguin in the strait jacket! lol

I have heard that too, of course I have only seen them swimming and watching the formation of bubbles coming up from under water and watching them swim very fast to a new spot and then seeing the bubbles there. One day down by our dock a manatee cow stuck her head out of the water and it looked like a regular cows nose only solid gray in color. It was so neat to see it and I stood frozen in one place so she would be at ease and stay longer. It was there about five minutes then she sank down in the water and swam away.  8)

Sounds wonderful to see.  I love all wildlife.   Once in a while when I am able to get to the zoo, it is so relaxing to watch the animals.  Also there are alot of trees and flowers there (it's a botanical garden, too), and the wind sounds so nice blowing through the trees.  I guess I notice this more since I live in the heart of the city.

I just had a funny thought, you probably have the most replies under your welcome post.  People probably think....wow, is Islandboy popular....look at all the replies welcoming him!  :)

I have always lived in the country, but watching wildlife is still a worthwhile hobby. What is it like living in a big city in California? For that matter, I have never been out there but have always thought it would be neat to see the surfers on those big waves.
I do have quite a few reply posts, don't I. Well, maybe we have shared some interesting nature facts that everyone will enjoy.
 ;) ::)

Well, Los Angeles is very multi-cultural with people from all over the world, lots of sightseeing and activities (many of them free), good public transportation (including a great subway with large colorful art in each station and some light rail trains, too).

Each area of the city can be different.  We have super rich areas, medium rich and, of course, poorer areas.  Since L.A. was founded by the Spanish in 1781, we have alot of Spanish architecture/influence.   Olvera Street where L.A. began is very interesting....Mexican shops and Mexican cafes in original quaint buildings.  Lots of colorful Mexican handicrafts.  I can get there in 8 minutes on the subway and Olvera Street feels like a mini-vacation.  Lots of tourists there.  We also have a good-sized Chinatown and a smaller Little Tokyo with good Asian food.

Our downtown area is getting nicer and nicer....many fountains, sculptures and mini-parks.  But since people are more interested in living in downtown, the condos and apartments are getting more and more expensive.  Homes and rents are very expensive all over L.A.  So many condos, etc, being built....it is unbelievable.  They are even going to create a 17 acre park in downtown.  Lord willing, I'll look forward to seeing that.

Our Wilshire Blvd runs 16 miles from downtown to the ocean in Santa Monica.  There is a scenic park (bluff) overlooking the ocean and also Santa Monica pier which has a small amusement park, cafes and some artists on it.  There is also an old carousel on the pier.....a bargain at 50 cents a ride.  :)  The bus runs out to the pier, takes about an hour but it's a nice route for tourists along Wilshire Blvd....you pass the art and car musuems, La Brea Tar Pits and park, Beverly Hills, etc.

I'm near a subway station, church, library, markets, banks and restaurants....so it is easy for me to get around.  But sometimes my feet get a little tired.  :)

Hello Debp,

It sounds really nice and pretty. I've heard about home cost, rent, and living expenses in California, Florida, and other more expensive places in the country. I really don't know how some folks make it. My son was stationed at San Diego while he was in the Navy. He did have a small apartment, but it took 3 other sailors all going in together to afford it. We did visit there once, and it was beautiful. My son is out of the Navy now and has a really good job in Florida. We've also visited there once. All I can say is that my wife and I can't afford to live in either place. They were gorgeous places to visit, but WOW! were they expensive. We have what I would call a lower, middle income for Oklahoma. My wife and I are both happy in Oklahoma, and that's a good thing because that's all we can afford. My wife will retire soon, so we will have to cut some more expenses. Things will be close, but we almost have some things paid off. In short, I don't understand how some of the younger folks make it in even the less expensive areas to live. I'm not talking about fancy living, just the necessities or a tiny bit more. For young couples raising children who have average jobs, I have no idea how they make it with today's prices even here in Oklahoma.

This brings up some news I heard recently. I understand that food prices are going to skyrocket this summer, and many of the items are needed by young families (i.e. milk). So, it appears that times are going to get even harder.

Thanks for sharing, that sounds really beautiful and like an interesting place to live. You are lucky to live close to what you need, meaning transportation and shops, and etc...
I live outside the city, in the country. We are lucky enough to own our small house and being Florida residents have homestead exemption on our house, money off taxes. But everywhere food is getting more expensive and insurance is out of sight. But your right, things are getting worse. I have been reading about the North American Union, and all that it entails combined with this immigration bill, and it is heartbreaking what our government is doing to its own people. I have put links to the info on my website.
As for living in Oklahoma, aren't you concerned about tornadoes? Thats right up there with hurricanes. Do you have a good storm cellar? In Florida, we can't have cellars, to close to the water table. So we have shutters on all our windows and everything is tied down and we do allot of praying.

I've been in this apartment for many, many years because I could never afford to move, as other rents are more expensive.  In L.A. we have "rent control"....they can only raise the rent a certain percentage each year.  But now they are adding in extra percents if the landlord pays gas and/or electric.  (We pay our own electric.)  So this year we got a 6% increase....it was $46 extra each month!  That's alot to mom and me.  But we are grateful we are able to pay it....and go day by day.  If we ever get forced out of this building (some buildings are converting to condos), then we'll have to see what to do then.

In case anyone is interested (I am from Pittsburgh, PA), the homes there seem quite reasonable.  It's a nice city if you don't need to work.  I have lovely memories of growing up there, but unless I'm really led, I can't see moving back there.  It's hard for me to think of making a major move after doing it once before (Pittsburgh to L.A.).

There are allot of nice homes for sale in Pennsylvania, but the reason everyone wants to sell their homes is because jobs are few and far between. And the heating oil and gas prices have gone through the roof. My mothers gas (heating) bill was $300, a month during the winter in 2005. This past winter she was paying $900 a month. It is a hard choice to make in moving up there. We would have to readjust to the cold weather and driving on icy roads.
The homes here in Florida, are to the point that people can't afford to move or can't sell their houses. Prices for used trailers are really high as well. I don't see things getting better, although, I don't have a clue on how to fix the problem. We can vote people out of office, but how are we to really know the next one will do any better.
 :-\

I knew that someone would ask about Oklahoma tornadoes. YES, we have them all the time, and we've even had several close to us recently. My folks had a storm shelter while we were growing up, but none of us have had one since then. We just pray and try to get in the center of the house away from windows. On the really bad nights, we get in the bathtub and try to pull some kind of padding over us.   :D

I think that many things are what you get used to. I would much rather be around tornadoes than hurricanes or earthquakes. I've worked almost in them many times. I conclude that cars and many other things are much more dangerous. We just try to pay attention, take reasonable precautions, and pray.

I have only seen pictures of tornadoes in your State, on the news. When I still lived up north three tornadoes came together and cut a two mile wide path across forest land and parts of the town my mother lives in. Then just a few years ago one came through PA, and knocked down the famous Kinzua Railroad Bridge. I heard it cut a two mile swath as well.
I don't care for hurricanes at all, but one advantage is you know it's coming and you have time to get out and leave or get ready to ride it out. So far we have had only a few trees down with no property damage. But like you say be prepared with food & water, and keep praying.

I've noticed a change in weather patterns over about the last 10 years, and it appears to have something to do with the jet-stream. Tornadoes aren't limited to just this part of the country anymore. In fact, some of the worst ones are likely to pop up just about anywhere. This really is another possible sign of the end of this age when you look at all kinds of natural disasters around the world.

I told you that I didn't like earthquakes, but we live almost on top of a major fault-line. It's been inactive for a long time, but that's like a lot of other things that are ticking away like a time-bomb. Volcanoes are another example. I simply know that GOD is in charge. We try to use some common sense, so we don't sit on railroad tracks or other like examples. The times foretold in the Bible will most certainly come, but Christians have OTHER things to look forward to.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Isaiah 2:1-5 NASB  The word which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. Now it will come about that In the last days The mountain of the house of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains, And will be raised above the hills; And all the nations will stream to it. And many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways And that we may walk in His paths." For the law will go forth from Zion And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And He will judge between the nations, And will render decisions for many peoples; And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they learn war. Come, house of Jacob, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.

Wow, that is alot for the heating bill, Islandboy.  Is your mother's home a big one?  I have a childhood friend in Pittsburgh still....I will ask her how much her heating bill is.  She has a small 2 bedroom home, I think.

In Show Low, AZ where some of my family live you can buy some used mobile homes for not too much money.

Blackeyedpeas, actually we rarely get earthquakes that we can feel.  They say earthquakes happen alot each day but they are so deep in the earth that you do not feel them at all.  Once every several years you might feel a tiny jolt for just a second or two.  The last quake we had that really scared us happened in 1994.  And it only lasted about 35 seconds.  So between hurricanes/tornadoes, I guess I am settling for earthquakes.....although every time a scary one does occur, everyone always says they are leaving CA and never do.  :)  Previous to the scary 1994 quake (in our area), the other scary one for us was in 1971.

Tornadoes may not give people a lot of warning but earthquakes give even less. I left Calif after an earthquake pushed my neighbors swimming pool up out of the ground and caused the walls in my house to crack from ceiling to floor in three different places and destroyed the cement pad the house was sitting on. I've been through direct hits of typhoons, hurricanes and tornadoes. None of them concerned me as much as the earthquakes.

Hello Debp,

If memory serves me correctly, Dreamweaver (Brother Bob) lives fairly close to Show Low, AZ. I was just thinking again that "it's a small world."

Brothers and Sisters, we are really talking about the awesome powers of nature, GOD'S Creation. Man has been able to measure power from bombs, but there are many things in nature that man will never devise a way to measure. I think that the best we can do is guess, and it's mind-boggling. Just the thought should give all of us pause to consider the AWESOME MIGHT AND MAJESTY OF ALMIGHTY GOD!

AND, HE actually does "hold the WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS!"

Love In Christ,
Tom

John 10:11 NASB  "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

You must have been really close to or on the epicenter.  I know that was horrible for you to experience.....it's bad enough when we aren't on the epicenter.  I always hope and pray we won't have any big ones....since 1994, so far so good.

The epicenter was north of I-40 and I was south of I-8. With that much damage done and the epicenter that far away I figured it was time to go. (I was in the Navy then and had a transfer coming anyway.)

My mother's house is medium large, and filled with stuff like most older people's homes are. For years she wanted a downstairs bathroom and shower put in, but was never willing to move out enough stuff to get the job done. If the upstairs was closed off in the winter like our Grandparent's did in their day her fuel bill might be less. Of course thats as they say water over the bridge now. My brother put in a pellet burning stove to off set his high gas bill. And he lives in a smaller more insulated home than Mother.
Lost of jobs in their town has forced allot of families to move out and put their homes up for sale. My brother works in a town that is an hour away from his house. The factories that used to be in the area moved there plants to Mexico, for cheap labor and  avoiding taxes. My brother was sent down there to teach the men how to run the machinery and although, he was careful about what he ate, he came home very ill and it took awhile for his doctor to figure out what it was. When the management wanted him to go again, he refused to go and found a new job. He had been with that factory for 15 years or more.
Our great country is going down the fast and I don't see a way to stop all this nonsense and get back on track, it's like it is almost to late to turn back time. If this immigration bill with extra attachments goes through, it will set America back almost two hundred years. I heard the Senate voted against the fence between US & Mexico. Why am I not surprised.

An old saying is quite fitting, "and these things must come to pass". Times will get more difficult especially for Christians. The rewards in the end will be worth it all.

Pastor Roger, I was speaking about that topic with my Mother yesterday. She ask me if I was worried about putting the information links about the NAFTA  Super Highway on my website. I told her no, because one day soon all Christians will need to stand up and confess and hold true to what they believe in, no matter where that path takes them.   Often we hold back from truth, hoping or letting someone else  tell the story.  If I believe that all American's should pay attention to something that our wonderful news media seems to think that only involves the western half of our country, then I am willing to risk putting it out there.
In other topic's,
So now we have covered wind storms and hurricanes and earthquakes, what are some of the things you enjoy best about your State? I do like Florida's  warm weather and you gotta love that southern accent, and it's endless waterways and wildlife.

Dangerous or not Christians must continue to stand up for the Lord.


Those things are growing fewer by the day with this state becoming such a liberal state.

This is home for me. It is where I was raised so I am more familiar with it than anywhere else I have been. I know all the back roads, short cuts and beautiful spots that are still here. This is where the majority of my family is. I have family in N. Carolina, Texas, Calif, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, and more but the majority are still here in this state and it is where all the rest return for gatherings.

One of my favorite spots:

as I remember it years ago

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/wolf_covered_bridge.jpg)

and how it looks today

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/WolfNew.gif)

It is called the wolf bridge. It was burned down by a homeless person trying to stay warm but was rebuilt. Just after crossing it there is a spot on the left that is a big picnic area that overlooks the Spoon River. It is a place that has been used by my family for gatherings for many, many years. There used to be a beach there but it has been washed away and there is nothing but a steep drop off now. There are many memories there though. It is where my grandfather caught a catfish that was longer than he was tall. At 5' 4" that was a pretty big cat. There is nothing but corn fields for miles before and miles after this one lane bridge.

I like the warm weather year round (no snow to shovel, etc, although it's beautiful to see)....also love the many flowers, bushes and trees.  The Jacaranda trees are especially striking....they are lavendar and start to bloom in May.  Sometimes I get a whiff of a Jasmine tree, they smell so beautiful.  There are also Jasmine vines which I love to smell.  I like the convenience of getting around on our great subway and the interesting places here.

Wow, what a great covered bridge!!  I've never seen one in person, although I now hear PA (where I'm from) has alot of them.  Sounds like pretty country, Pastor Roger.

When I was a child my dad would take mom and me fishing (as you know, Pittsburgh has 3 large rivers).  We would throw the fish back in the river....sometimes he would give them to a lady that was catching them for dinner.  He had a few favorite fishing spots.....for one of them, we would have to cross a narrow train trestle!!  Thank God, no trains ever came by then....and we didn't go to that spot too often.  :)  The worse fishing spot to reach was where we had to climb down a "hill" that had some trash dumped on it!  Mainly, we would go to the "spot" where you could walk in easily.  Glad for that one!  :D

There were a number of places that we went fishing at also. My grandpa knew all the best spots. Being farm country they were all fairly easy to get to and we always combined the fishing trips with a family picnic. My favorite spot my grandpa took me to was a little creek where he would catch minnows for bait. I liked catching the minnows and eating the wild blackberries that were there.

Oh, yes, the minnows....that just reminded me of another fishing spot my dad had.  :)  There were all these little minnows along the shoreline.  We would use earthworms for bait.

Grandpa always used different bait depending on what fish he was going for. He even used himself. That big catfish that was longer than he was tall was one of those. He did what used to be known as "grabbing". It is an illegal way of fishing now but at the time it was perfectly legal. He would lay down in a small dingy in the slow current along the edge of the river and then reach in to overcuts and grab a fish. That big ole cat drug him out the dingy and he had to wrestle with it. It took him a while but he finally through it up onto the back.

Brothers and Sisters,

I think there are countless areas of beauty in North America. There is a huge variety in nature that is enjoyed by all kinds of people with various likes and dislikes. On top of everything else, we have the seasons that add more variety, colors, vistas, and activities.

In short, we all have good reasons to say that we live in a beautiful place. AND, we also have the freedoms to travel or move. I know people who live in mobile homes who travel and move frequently. They enjoy many places and might plan their moves with the seasons of the year. An example of one large group is "The Good Sams". I don't know much about them except that many of them are retired and love to travel. I do know that they aren't known for causing trouble of any kind, so they are welcome everywhere.

In thinking of home, I would have to say I miss the mountains of North-Western Pennsylvania. I was an avid hiker and spent mostly every free minute in the woods. I enjoyed looking for places where old homesteads were, then hunting  by lay of land the old garbage dumps looking for antique bottles. In the winter I would hike for miles through the snow. We had a camp out in the country that we loved going too. There was a house and barn and about thirty acres of land. Some of my best childhood memories are connected to that area of the country. I look forward to returning there someday.
Sorry, I don't have any pictures handy, (plus don't know how to put pictures on this site). But the changing of the seasons is what I miss the most, Spring (renewal of life), Summer (growing season), Fall (colored leaves & crisp cold air), Winter, (blankets of snow & sparkling icicles).

I get a free travel magazine called Pennsylvania Pursuits....the photos are just breathtaking and the towns, etc, so quaint.  It has interesting articles on not only the cities and activities, but on small towns people don't know about.  It comes out once each season....you might like to subscribe to it.  Just go to the PA tourism website for it....they figure they will get tourists visiting PA this way.  It makes me want to see PA one day again, even just for a visit.

Thank you, Debp. I never heard of that magazine, but I will check it out. I get really homesick for PA, and it gets worse every year. I had high hopes of getting up there this summer, however, unless my SSD comes through I won't be going anywhere for another year or so. Anyways, I appreciate you telling me about this.

Your welcome, Islandboy.  My mom has been ill for over a year now so I can't go anywhere either.

Sorry to hear your mother is ill. I know how hard it is dealing with illnesses in family or friends or self. I will keep you both in my prayers with hope of recovery, and or lack of pain and uplifting of her spirits. Special blessing to you as well, in hoping someday you also get to visit PA again.
Today I spend the day with two people I graduated high school with. We had a great time reliving old memories of the times we spent together. It certainly lifted my spirits and made me hopeful again that I too will get to go back home to PA, someday.

Thanks very much for your prayers.  :)  Glad you had a nice time with your friends.

Your welcome. I found the PA tourism site and subscribed to the Pursuits magazine. I am sure it will help in my homesickness and remind me by pictures of many memories.

Glad you found it.  It is really a beautiful magazine....and alot of the photos are different from what you might normally see.

There used to be a magazine called "Ideals", I think, that was the name. It was filled with poems and stories and pictures. Trying to remember if it was put out by Guideposts, Reader's Digest, or ??  Anyways they had allot of beautiful pictures of the NE United States. I always enjoyed the Fall and Christmas issues the best.
Debp, have you done much traveling around the United States, as in what other States have you visited?

We have some copies of Ideals from a few years ago.  I try not to keep too much "stuff" (I hate clutter)....but those were too pretty to donate to the thrift shop.  (Did donate some of them.)

Haven't done too much travelling in the USA.....I went to Bible college in Oregon, have visited Arizona to see family and have been to lovely Hawaii twice (many years ago).  Have been around some other parts of California some years back, too (San Francisco with a brief drive to Lake Tahoe, Santa Barbara, San Luis Opisbo, La Jolla, San Diego).  Always wanted to see New England when I was a child, but we never got there.  Did vacation as a child at the Youghiogheny Dam area (it's near the Maryland border).  Now I understand PA has alot of covered bridges and quaint towns, those would be nice to see.

I think most of the covered bridges in Pennsylvania, are in the middle to eastern part of the state. I guess New England area is full of them. I always wanted to go to Maine, but never got there. I been to Montana, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, was on a bus trip back in 1994. Saw mostly open territory, a few attractions and the Mormon Church in Salt Lake City. Would have like to tour Montana more it was really beautiful. I visited Nebraska many years ago, lots of farm land out there.

There are a lot of covered bridges in Illinois still. There are at least five of them within a 30 minute drive from me. One of them is on what it is called the Spoon River Scenic Drive. The drive is held every October just as the trees go into full fall colors. It is the last of the yard, homemade foods and outdoor craft sales for the year. Not only do you get to go shopping on the drive but you get to see the really beautiful parts of Illinois that most people passing through on the freeways miss. The drive has brought in many people from as far away as Calif., New York and Florida.

Oh, I forgot....we took the train from Pittsburgh to Los Angeles, so during the day time, we did see some countryside.  I remember seeing the red earth and squatty-type trees in New Mexico.  Ohio was flat and dreary at the time we left PA.  Gary, IN seemed dismal....maybe it's better 40 years later?  :)  We stopped in Colorado (I think La Junta) to just stretch our legs and board the train again....the heat really hit us there (remember we had never been West at all).  When we woke up and were getting nearer to L.A., I can remember how very green and pretty everything looked.....flowers, orange trees, even saw two horses looking over the fence as the train went by!

Oh, I heard around Washington, PA (S.W.), they have covered bridges.  The tourist book claimed PA has more than New England.

Sounds like a beautiful time!

Believe it or not, there is a covered bridge about 15 miles from me.

In 94, when I did the bus trip, the trip started out of Chicago, Illinois Amtrak Station. We went north, then west, so lots of places I would have liked to see in the daylight were lost in the dead of night. However, I guess the tracks cross some very steep deep valleys that might have scared us silly. They said the same thing about coming back though Colorado, some of the inclines are really tricky.
When I was younger I traveled by greyhound bus many times, both north and south and out west to Nebraska. The only part of riding the bus I didn't care for was the bus stations. They always seemed to be in the worst areas of cities and never clean. I never felt very safe, but did alright.
Spoon River Scenic Drive sounds beautiful. I'll have to find a link with pictures to add it to my website travel page. I like different travel spots.
Debp, Is it exciting to see those big waves rolling in off the ocean with surfers? Having only watched it on TV, it must be breath -taking in person.

You are right about those bus stations....actually, mom and I only took the Greyhound once many years ago to Phoenix and back (usually I fly as it's only an hour and the Southwest Airlines fare is very reasonable).  We wanted to see the desert in bloom....actually, we only saw one particular cactus (the long skinny kind) in bloom.  I guess the others had already bloomed.

When I go to the beach, I go to Santa Monica Beach and pier as it is easy for me to reach (only one hour on the bus).....they don't have any surfers there.  A little ways North at Malibu Beach, you would probably see the surfers.  The waves at Santa Monica are not gigantic, but do get bigger in stormy weather (rare here).

I haven't been to the pier for awhile, but when I do go, it is very relaxing.  The waves and the seagulls sound so soothing.  It is nice to view the waves as they keep coming in, in their rhymatic way.  If you throw bread or fries up in the air, the seagulls will catch them.  They can hover in one spot which is so interesting to watch.  I love the sounds they make.....sometimes they will fuss with one another and make the sounds moreso.  I think anything to do with nature is relaxing.

The closest beach to where I live is Ft Myers Beach. and Naples, Florida, both have a really nice pier that extend out into the Gulf. I too love the sound of the waves rushing up to the shore and the tingling sounds made by the shells as the water pulls them along. Along the river the waves play with small clam shells on the shore line causing the same sounds.
When i was young, my parents took us to Great Lakes. I remember once there were lots of seagulls on the beach and as children we would run at them so they would fly. however, my Father, put a stop to that as he said you don't want to be under them and looking up at them flying.
But your right, the sounds made by seagulls and other water birds is beautiful. On the East Coast of Florida, I remember being on beaches where there were lots of land crabs running over the sand, and i thought they were neat to see. At  different times jellyfish would wash up on the beach and though interesting to look at it is better to avoid them all together.

There's no beaches anywhere near me but there sure are a lot of land crabs.  :-X :-\ ;) :D :D

I have plenty of sand, about 25 miles away.

We have plenty of sand pits.

I bet Ft Myers and Naples are beautiful.  How far are you from there?  A friend's sister arranges conferences in FL regularly and my friend gets to go and stay in the room with her sister.  She raves about Florida being so beautiful.

We don't have any big shells on Santa Monica Beach.  Last time I was there, I just found some very small flat ones.  Once when I was on Maui (Hawaii), all of these crabs kept coming up out of the sand at the same time....then they would go back down at the same time, over and over again.  There were lots of them, all over the sand....it was kind of funny to see....and we had to move our beach blanket, too.  (Now I don't sunbathe....that was in my 20s.)  Once in a while we hear about jelly fish at our beaches, not too often.

I live about 50 miles from Naples, and about 25 miles from Ft. Myers. The cities have become quite crowded as far as driving goes, but last time I was in Fort Myers Beach it was kind of interesting. They have lots of quaint little clothing stores and in & outdoor bars, and the beach is accessable from there.
Otherwise, there are many new developments and high -risers that restrict access to the beaches to their residents only.
I don't do the city entertainments much, but there are alot of interesting museums and art shows, plays and musical endeavors, and etc.......... As a visitor or tourist, there are many things of interest in a great number of localities.
The landcrabs are really cute. It was like playing hide and seek. One minute they are all over and the next there are back in their holes in the sand.

If people in FL are smart, they will try to curtail some of that highrise building all along the shore.  It's important for areas to set aside some land for parks.  Was it Edison that had a home in Ft. Myers?  If so, is it a musuem and scenic?  I know Hemingway had a home in Key West (now a musuem with ancestors of his cats with the extra toes still living there!).  The photos of it look so pretty.

The city planners and commissioners are all about making money. There are a few parks around, but beach crowding is a problem in Florida cities. The Edison home and grounds are beautiful and include a park like setting with a museum. I have never been there but have seen pictures of it.
There are several nature parks, Corkscew Swamp, near Naples, is one that comes to mind. By visiting SW Florida tourism sites you can get better information where the best ones are located at.
If your into airboat rides and other attempts at up close looks at nature there are places down on old #41, between Naples and Miami, that offer nice interesting trips over sawgrass swamps and waterways  among cypress trees. There are Indian Tribe Attractions and areas you can drive through that allow general on your own touring of the woodlands and etc.....

Brother, that sounds like the pits........... ;) ;D ;D ;D

This time of the year it's mosquito paradise.

With all the extra rain we've had this year the mosquitoes are pretty bad here also.

The airboat rides sound like fun.  Are they fairly safe (with all of those alligators around)?  :)

The boats are long with many seats that hold 8-10 people. As long as you don't hang your arms or legs over the sides of the boats, they are safe. Being airboats they make allot of noise but fun to ride on. While you might see a few alligators on the ride, you see more water birds, fish and turtles and vegetation. Most places down on #41, have large fenced pool areas filled with big alligators. I got some of my best close up photo shots of alligators from pens like that. The Indian Attractions also have them and often do alligator wrestling to entertain the visitors. They used to be pens with pools containing otters and turtles. Also some pens with cougars and others with deer. The prices always seemed fair.

Sounds like fun.  When I was in North Thailand, I rode in a "long-tail boat".....it's like a very long canoe-type boat with an outboard motor at the rear.  Our tour group took the boat up to the Karin Hill Tribe village....their village was by the water and the "houses" (more like wood shacks) real close to the water were on stilts.  The children all came out to sell colorful woven belts they had made.....the belts all hanging in a row from their arms.  There was also a tiny church at that village.

Our group also saw a "snake show" in Bangkok.....we were on a wider type of boat to get there.  Saw alot of shacks on the way out to the snake show.  The further we got outside of Bangkok, the prettier the wood shacks were.  Some of us also took a "rice barge cruise".....that was really, really nice.  We drove some distance from Bangkok and then boarded the rice barge.   We were towed back to Bangkok by a long-tail boat.  The tropical scenery was beautiful and the "shacks" were nicer and all on stilts in the water.  We saw some typical life along the canal (klong)....including someone getting out of the water after a bath!  (The lady was wrapped in a big towel but her husband was pointing at us.....like, oh, the tourists are looking at you!)  :)

Thailand was my favorite Asian country as it has alot of different and interesting things to see and do.  Indonesia and Japan were my next favorites.

That is really interesting, being able to see first hand how other cultures live. You mentioned in another post that you have done missionary work. Can you tell me a bit about what that is like? Our church has some missions work going on in China and Arizona and the Alaska. The opportunity may present it's self to me sometime down the road and I would like to hear the pro's and con's of doing it. Now, I know the biggest pro is spreading and bringing the message of our Lord Jesus Christ, but I am interested in the other considerations of missions work as well. What are your thoughts on this subject?

I was never a "professional" missionary.  I did minor in missions but was led into secular work (mainly the travel industry which gave me a view of the religions of Asia).  I think it is very helpful to visit these areas where Christians are a small minority.   Sometimes we never realize that people can still worship very primitively and fearfully...and also live primitively.  This gave me a desire to help Asian missions.

I learned that in Thailand, they are afraid the previous owners of their house/land will be angry at them....so they erect a small house on a pole, so that the "people" (spirits) can inhabit this very small house.  Everywhere in Thailand, you would see these "spirit houses" on poles.....even the hotels and gas stations had them!

There are so many statues of Buddha (all sizes, even to the very gigantic).  Also, in Singapore, I visited a Hindu temple and observed the worshippers.  On the Hindu island of Bali, Indonesia....each "house compound" had shrines built inside of the open-air compound.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Java, Indonesia are Muslim areas.  I was not knowledgable about Islam then.

In visiting these areas, of course, there is a language barrier.  But I always smiled and reached out to the people as much as I could....I also wore a cross so they would know I was a Christian.

In the USA in secular work, I just reached out and talked to people each day about the Lord in a natural way.  In my early 20s, I did do volunteer work with a pastor for a year....he had a ministry to the Jewish people.   The pastor, some other young people and I would do door to door visitation/evangelism each week in the Jewish neighborhood.  I also did some nursing home visitation while in Bible college.

The past few years I try to help native missions through Christian Aid.  I realize they already know the language and the culture and can live very cheaply.  I like to help in "closed countries" (Muslim), where a Western missionary would not be allowed to enter.

Thanks for sharing. I would like to add if anyone else reading these posts has done any missionary work, even in the US, I would enjoy hearing about your experiences.
I would think in some cases language barrios and culture differences, and local customs would make a big difference on how you could approach people.
Even here in the United States, we deal with some of these same divisions, but usually there is someone that can speak both English and say, Spanish or whatever language is required to get the message across.
In going back to our on-running nature talk, the Seminole Indian's & Other Tribes, have various attractions and museums, that give glimpse into their culture and history. They also have animals for the viewing public, offer boat rides and swamp buggy rides.

Yes, knowing the customs is very important.  Like in Asia, do not pat a child on the top of the head (like we do in the USA)....that's a definite "no-no".  Also, when sitting on the floor, don't ever "point" your feet at another person.

The Seminoles & the other tribes sound like they have an interesting tourist attraction.

Warm Welcome to Christians Unite Forums islandboy!!  ;D

Thanks for the warm welcome (MsGuidedAngel) and the same goes to you. I look forward to reading more of your posts. I visited your webpage and will do so again soon. Your forum topic matter looks very interesting.

All of the Indian Tribes in Florida, have an interesting history and culture. I enjoy their handicrafts (beadwork, sewing skills, etc...). I  once had a beautiful handsewn quilt in the Seminole colors of red, yellow, white, black. There is not room here to share their history but that info is available easily with a web search.
I think what makes Florida, special is it's native plant life, everglades, (sea of grass), wildlife, forest land, and it's heat wave and mosquito population. If I could change two things I would reduce the amount of mosquito's and turn down the heat to the 70 degree range year round.

Debp,
 Out of curiosity i was wondering are there any Indian Tribes in your State? I often hear about reservations in the North & Southwest, but I was wondering if there were more tribes in your area?
I did a bit of research on Native American Tribes in Florida, and discovered there were several different tribes. The Apalachee, Calusa, Choctaw,
Creek,Miccosukee, Tequesta, Jeaga and Ais tribes, and the Timucua Tribe.
The Seminoles were not or ginally a single tribe. They were a mixed alliance of Northern Florida and Southern Georgia tribes that banded together in 1700's to fight invaders. This included people from the Creek tribes and Miccosukee, Hitchiti and Oconee Tribes. Today the Seminoles are a united sovereign nation, and their people speak two languages and have different cultural backgrounds.
The original homelands of Florida's Creek and Miccosukee Indians were in the northern part of the State, but since the tribes of southern Florida had been conquered and shipped to Cuba by the Spanish, the Seminoles moved into the area. Some Seminoles were removed to Oklahoma by the US government.
The Seminole Nation has five different reservations in Florida, but all of them are governed by the same tribe. Big Cypress Indian Reservation is the largest, but the Hollywood Reservation is where the seat of the Seminole government is located.

Islandboy, there are some tribes here, I think.  I do hear about one tribe that runs a casino (they sometimes put out a commercial during elections, when a law might effect their casino).  I forgot the name of their tribe.

Arizona has alot of Indian reservations.  Once on a day trip to the Grand Canyon, we bought some beaded necklaces from a couple of Indian women.  They had their wares spread out on blankets on the rocks above a canyon.  A thunderstorm was coming up.....alot of atmosphere!  The storm came and the lightning was flashing down into the Grand Canyon as we drove off....it was quite a sight!!  I love rain and thunderstorms.

We have a large amount of Sovereign Indian Nation Land in Oklahoma. I can't even list them all, but we do have Apache and Comanche Lands close to us. In fact, our area of Oklahoma is rich in Indian history. As an example, Geronimo and Quanah Parker walked the streets of Lawton many years ago. Many of our counties are named for various Indian Tribes. Example, I live in Comanche County. Other examples close to us are Kiowa County and Caddo County. Some of Geronimo's last battles were fought with the soldiers from Fort Sill. Geronimo ended his days on Fort Sill in prison and is buried there.

If memory serves me correctly, Oklahoma has Sovereign Indian Lands belonging to over 30 Tribes. I say "Sovereign" because they are in many ways a "Sovereign" Nation. They have their own court system, schools, government, etc. They can also grant or deny access to whoever they wish.

Illinois is pretty much the same as far as being rich in Indian history. The state was named after the Illinois, the Illinewek Indians as they are sometimes are called. At one time there were the Chippewa, Foxes,  Kickapoo and many others. Some of my ancestors were of the Fox tribe. The battle with Black Hawk, of which Abraham Lincoln was a part of, took place here. Most of the cities in Illnois were named after the many minor tribes.

There is a Black Hawk museum in Rock Islands were there are still many Indians that gather in various tribal celebrations although there is no reservations in the state. The Shawnee National Forest is another such area in southern Illinois. Most of the Indians from Illinois were forced onto reservations in Oklahoma.

I think that we do have a large area in Oklhoma that is Sovereign Shawnee Nation. I know that we have a city called Shawnee. I really wish that I knew more about this subject. I've always known that large portions of Oklahoma are Sovereign Indian Nations, and I know that the history is fascinating. We live 40 miles from Anadarko, and they call themselves "Indian Nation USA".

I'm also part Cherokee, but I had a not of trouble trying to get very much specific information. There was a time when Indian women were disowned in some Tribes when they married outside of the Tribe. That appears to be the case with my great grandmother. Overall, I would say that the relationship between Indian Tribes and Oklahoma has been good and one of mutual respect.

A few more interesting facts about the Seminole Indians Clans (extended family units) in Florida. There are eight Seminole Indian clans in Florida, Panther and Bear, Deer and Bird, Wind and Bigtown, Snake and Otter. Clan members are not suppose to marry with in their clan. (I suppose they don't want their family tree to have one branch). When the last female in a clan passes on, the clan is considered extinct. Example of this is the Alligator clan is extinct. The Panther clan is the largest clan in the Seminole Tribe today in Florida. Each clan is characterized by strength or courage or endurance, etc...
There are 6 reservations in Florida. Fort Pierce and Tampa, Brighton and Big Cypress, Hollywood and Immokalee.
The biggest money brought in to the Tribe is from  their Casino's.

Very interesting about the different clan names....I had never heard of those before.

Straight from the Fort Myers News Press, A rare orchid was discovered at Corkscew Swamp Sanctuary in Collier County. First of type found in 12 years.
With graceful petals drooping like a Mark Twain mustache, the pale, spectral flowers haunted the trunk of an ancient bald cypress. The 400 to 500 year old tree to which the orchid is attached is 150 feet from the boardwalk, and the orchid, bearing nine flowers ( most ghost orchids have two or three flowers), is 45 feet above the ground, making the line of sight from the boardwalk 150 feet. In order to see this rare ghost orchid you need the help of a high-powered spotting scope. Ghost orchids are endangered and on the states list of imperiled species, as it's two main threats are habitat loss and poaching. Collecting wild orchids is illegal. The rare orchid was discovered by two visitors looking for owls and they just happened to look in the right spot.

That is very wonderful and interesting news!  I used to attend an orchid show in Little Tokyo (until it was discontinued the past year).  There are so many different types of orchids.....and such beautiful colors and forms.  I now have two Phaleonapsis orchids as I hear they are the easiest to re-bloom.  (Hope so.)  I do keep water around them for a bit of humidity.

In earlier years I tried Cattleyas and a Dendrobium orchid but didn't have any success with them.  Even the night time temps (have to be cool enough) effect their re-blooming....and I had them inside.

There used to be an elderly lady across the street who "just threw water" on a couple of "orphan" orchids in the back of her apartment building....and they would get the most gorgeous blooms!

I am not to knowledgeable about orchids, but I have seen many beautiful ones at various nurseries and flower shops. The wild orchids are quite numerous in Florida, being to there are many different types and areas in which they grow. Most cling to sides of trees, some grow in and around swampy areas and some grow from dryer soil. There are two types that grow in woodland areas near my home that produce smaller flowers, than the tree clinging varieties. I am trying to find out what they are so I can tell you more about them.


Another article in the News Press, was about the increasing numbers of Monitor Lizards, being found in Cape Coral, Fl. There arrival was first noted in 1990, believed to be pets that their owners set free. So far this year the city has trapped 46-47 lizards, that number being ahead of the typical pace, as the city normally traps 60 a year. Monitor lizards, are originally from southeast Asia. They actively hunt for food from April to late November and lay low when the weather cools off. Their prey has largely been burrowing owls, but small pets are in danger as well. These lizards can grow quite large, in some cases up to 7 feet long.

Maybe you can post a photo of the orchids near you?

As you probably know, orchids are air breathing plants.....so you can grow them in bark (don't overwater, but they love humidity).  You can also wrap their roots around some sphagmum moss on a piece of wood or slate and attach it to a tree.  With your climate in FL, they would probably do great with just the normal rain.

I wonder if those monitor lizards are relatives to the Komodo Dragons in Indonesia.  (I think they are.)  They can be quite dangerous at the bigger sizes so no wonder your state is trapping them!

Some years ago I remember reading an article in a travel agent magazine.  When visiting Komodo Island to see the Komodo Dragons, you are supposed to stand behind these cement barricades.  Apparently, one senior citizen tourist wanted a closer photo.....when he didn't show up, they went looking for him and all they found of him was his hat and camera!

Also, several years ago, an actress (was it Sharon Stone?) gave her husband this birthday gift.  She arranged for the Los Angeles Zoo to allow her husband into the new Komodo Dragon exhibit.  Well, one of the Komodo Dragons bit his foot!!!  What a birthday present?!  ::)

As you said orchids need lots of humidity to grow well. When my bloom again I will take pictures and put them on my website, in a spot they will be easy to find so you can see them. The wild ones that grow in the soil should be starting to come up now that the rainy season has started. I'll watch for them as well.
As far as the Lizards go yes the larger they are the more dangerous they become. Both children and adults can receive severe bites from them. People say they devour pets completely bones and all. Not something great to be running loose in a city.

Do you grow them in pots or on slabs on trees?  How many do you have?  What colors?

My orchids are growing on the trunks of oak tress. When I received them from a friend, in big bunches, I broke them apart carefully and nailed each ball of roots to the side of my oak trees. they have been growing there for 5 years now. In cold weather I water them down really good so they will not freeze or I cover them with cloth to protect them. I need to get a book on orchids as the true names escape me now. I have yellow ones with bits of burgany on petals. I have one that is a very pale lavender. And I have some called ground orchids that get pink flowers on them. The wild ones that grow up from the soil get white flowers on them.

Your yard must be beautiful.  Do you have other flowers, too?  I have Batchelor Buttons on the patio, Bouganvillea (red, gold, pink.....only the red is growing really good), a Hibiscus (no blooms yet this year) and a rose bush.  I just planted some Four O'Clock seeds.

Gosh, let me think. Yes, I have a beautiful yard. I let wild native plants grow in with things I have planted. I have Hibiscus bushes in red and white, yellow, and pink. I have many varieties of bromiliade plants. Several different banana trees, mango trees, orange tree, lots of oak, palm trees, one shaving brush tree, one star fruit tree, pineapple plants, ginger plants, pine trees, java plum trees, etc..... that's all I can think of right now. I need to dig out my photo albums. I used to do photography and took pictures of all these plants, but had to give it up due to disabilities. I will see if I can find them this weekend.

Wow, you have quite a yard and garden there!  Are you in the country or in a town?  Do you pick the fruit to eat?

I also have a bromiliad plant on the patio that I rescued from a florist's dumpster about 4 years ago!  It gets red blooms every year.  (The round ones in tiers.)  I've seen the straight blooms at the market and they are really pretty....especially in pink and yellow.

I used to do alot of photography as well but have taken a break from it the past couple of years.  I have so many photo albums already and also the developing costs add up.

I live in the country about five miles from town. Yes, we eat the fruit, that is what we get before the critters. I too have boxes of pictures, negatives, and slides. The cost of development was one other reason I quit taking pictures, plus my hands shake some when holding something in my hands. I can still take pictures with a tripod, but that takes the fun out of the unexpected finds and shots. I did a collection of postcards for a Florida town one time years ago. that was alot of fun. I was in a thrift store recently  and found a large slide viewer for $4.00. Now I am planning on going through my countless slides and weeding out the good from the bad. I dug out my pictures so I will scan them into my computer and put them up on my website soon as I can. I used to take pictures of wildflowers, wild animals, close-up's of hibiscus, buildings, etc................ But I know you would like to see the orchid flowers  that I have.

I would like to see them also. Orchids have always fascinated me. They are so delicate and yet they are still so very sturdy.

Please remind us of your website, Islandboy.  Are you able to generate any income from having it?  Just curious.  I know some sites have ads that you can click and then the site gets a tiny amount, I think, for each click.

Are you a professional photographer or is it a hobby?  Mine was a hobby but I always have a good eye for composition.

Helllo everybody.   :)


I've been away for more than three years.  I notice under 'Cats are Evil', I'm the second or third reply, about May 28, 2004.   That was the day after my mother took ill and from then on barely a moment to sit down.  I was on then as 'Symphony'. 

Welcome back brother (Symphony), it's great to hear from you (yes I remember you). ;D ;D  Last time I saw you was back in April, or May last year.   

Hi Symphony/Pepe Lepew,

It's great to see you here. I hope you will be able to frewuent more often and join in some wonderful Christian fellowship with all us here.

YEAH! - WELCOME BACK!

We've missed you. I'm sorry to hear about the illness in your family. You have been in our prayers and many people have asked about you.

"Pepe Lepew" has a nice ring to it.   ;D   I've heard that name somewhere.

Love In Christ,
Tom

To answer your first question, no I do not get any money from any links on my site. Whenever, I visit a website that I find interesting that provides some form of education I put a link to it on my site. These websites get  free advertisement, as long as their link is safe for family viewing. I check all my links regularly so if one goes down or has stuff that it unsuitable for family viewing it is removed pronto.  So if I mention going to my website to look at orchid pictures that is all you need to look at. If I could figure out how to post them here I would do so, but even with Pastor Roger's & others instructions I have had no luck at it.
I had the talent for professional photographer, but decided to do it as a hobby. I did postcards & framed prints for awhile for extra cash, but found my overhead cost me more than I was making.

Debp and Pastor Roger, I have put the orchid pictures up on my website. Navigation is on the left side of page. Go to " Road Not Taken", click on that and all you will find is a short story I wrote years ago and the pictures. Sorry I could not get them here to this page, but you are welcome to bring them over if you choose to do so. I have some other pictures on slides but have not found them yet, will keep looking.

Those are some very good looking orchids. Thank you for sharing them with us.

Islandboy, I don't know your website name.  Can you list it here?  Thanks.

It's listed in his profile, sister, but here it is again.


http://sweedpatch.tripod.com/

Thanks, Pastor Roger!  :)

Thanks Pastor Roger for putting that up. I had just figured everyone here knew about the little world button next to my profile for going to the site. I didn't want to appear to be advertising, so I left the link off.
I think the wild coco orchid is really neat. It grows about 3 feet high, in drier soil than one might expect from an orchid. I have them growing wild of course under palm trees and under pine trees. I have found them in shade and in sunlight, which makes them extremely hardy. During my years of taking countless pictures of wild flowers I have delighted in the way they grow and produce such beautiful flowers with no help at all........except by the Master's Hand. God blesses us with such beauty and grace that we can't help but honor and praise Him for His mighty works.

Islandboy, thanks for the lovely orchid photos.  Your exposition on The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost was great!  Enjoyed it very much.

You're most welcome.

There is nothing on your web site that would constitute advertising. To constitute advertising there would have to be "the offering of goods, a product, a business, or a service" and I don't see anything in that category there.

Debp I am glad you enjoyed the story and orchid photo's. I took a writing course in the 90's and that was one of several of that type of story that I wrote. I like doing writing that promotes people to think. The other story "Lost In a Cave", was from that time as well.
I am searching for other orchid slides that I have and will let you know when I find them.
And Pastor Rogers, thanks for the info in above post, and I am glad you liked the orchid photo's as well. In doing photography I used a older manual camera that required me to do all the focusing and settings. I used it to take close up pictures of buildings and flowers and wildlife. When automatic focusing cameras came into being I was advised to make things easier on myself and buy one. Luckily I used one a friend had and discovered very quickly the automatic focus did not always focus on what I wanted to take a picture of. Be it a bird in a bush or a bug on a leaf, it wasn't doing the job I wanted, so I stayed with the camera I had and took alot of great photographs.
Debp, what kind of camera did you use?

I also had an interest in writing from my youth but never pursued it professionally.  I hear there is a big market for children's books, if you are interested.

My current camera which I've had for a good many years is a fully automatic Yashika.  It gives good close ups (maybe not of a bug).  (Before that, I had a Konica...but with the Konica, you had to adjust the focus manually.  The foam where the camera closes finally disintegrated, so that's when I had to buy the Yashika.)

I need a battery for the Yashika and haven't bought one since I'm not taking many photos lately.  So a couple of times I just bought a "throwaway" camera (400 speed, I think)....I was amazed at the good photos.  But with those, no close ups.

Thank you, Tom!  It's good to see you here.  It has been awhile.

Sorry to take so long in getting back. We went for a mini vacation trip up to St Petersburg and Clearwater. Just an over night trip but it was good to get out and see something new. We stopped at "Fantasy of Flight", on I-4, Exit 44. It was really interesting they have alot of old war planes, a big sea plane (Like the one used in the movie "Return of the Black Stallion"). We walked through it as well as an old war plane. Then they had lots of different planes, old cars, etc, and tours. We had been planning to go there for two years and finally made it. My next mini will be Cypress Gardens.

Hi, Islandboy.  I had been wondering where you were....thought something came up.  That's wonderful about your mini-vacation....I could use one but can't get away right now.  Cypress Gardens sounds nice....what city is it near?  Aren't there also some places with "springs" in FL where you can ride glass bottom boats to see nature, etc.

We have the Peterson Car Musuem here in L.A.  When my uncle visited several years ago, we took him there and it was fun for all of us.  The cars were put into interesting settings or scenes, so that made it more enjoyable for mom and me!  :)  Got some nice photos, too.

Hello Islandboy,

I've only been to Florida twice, and I think it's a beautiful state. My son lives near West Palm Beach, and we had a wonderful trip there a little over a year ago. It would be difficult to run out of pretty places to see, things to do, and places to eat. My wife and I mainly just wanted to do some sight-seeing, so it wasn't hard at all to make us happy. We really only spent money on one day at Epcot, but we would have had a great time with or without Epcot. It was really a beautiful part of the state. Our visit before was just traveling through and spending one day in the Northern part of Florida. Northern Florida isn't nearly as pretty as Southern Florida. At least that was our opinion in comparing the two. My wife and I enjoy looking at older houses with various kinds of architecture, so our son took us to many older neighborhoods to see some beautiful old homes. We also enjoy just watching and listening to the ocean, and there were many gorgeous places within short driving distance. We definitely want to go back some day.

I agree that South Florida seems to be more floral. Of course the farther south you come the warmer it is and that allows for the growth of more tropical plants. As in the farther north you go the cooler the weather is, in the winter time, allowing for frost to kill plants or fruit on the trees. There are many older smaller attractions that cost less money to visit, but are very interesting in terms of gardens and museum factors. One such place the Historic Bok Sanctuary in Lake Wales. It has beautiful gardens and a bell tower, and carillon concerts and is considered to be a National Historical  Landmark. This is another place on my list of must sees.

Two of my cousins live in Ft. Walton Beach....one of them just bought a home and has bears in his yard!  My cousin gets a kick out of them, but his wife has to blow a loud horn when she goes to work to scare them off.

I received this in an e-mail and thought I would share it with y'all.

My parents told me about Mr. Common Sense early in my life and told me I would do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems he was always around in my early years but less and less as time passed by until today I read his obituary. Please join me in a moment of silence in remembrance.
For Common Sense had severed us all so well for so many generations.

Obituary Common Sense
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.
He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know my Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm a Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
If you still remember him pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
Author  Unknown

Perhaps it was Common Sense.

 ;) ;D

Your right I should have signed it,  by Mr. Common Sense.
 :D :D :D :D

Thanks Islandboy,

I got a kick out of that and saved it for my wife. She's a teacher, and I suspect that she will have fun with it tomorrow. I think that she used to know Common Sense.   :D

That's very good Islandboy....and sad but so true.

After eating nearly all of my salad, I once found a cockroach on the bottom of my salad at a "family restaurant" (a big chain)....I like extra dressing and he was dead in the "pool" of Italian dressing!!  You mean I could have sued them and became a millionaire about 10 years ago?!  Oh, they did give me a free piece of pie....but I still had to pay for my meal!!

Debp,
Just reading about your experience made me think how gross. You should have gotten a free meal out of it. I'm surprised you still had an appetite. I have found what appeared to be parts of a mouse in a can of store-brand gravy one time, it totally grossed me out. But I just threw it away. Gosh, both of us could have been millionaires.

Oh, parts of a mouse!  Yuck!  Yeah, I guess we could have been living on Easy Street by now with my roach and your mouse!  :D

Debp,So much for easy street. But I would drather keep my conscience and common sense.  :D :D
A few posts back I told you about the Ghost Orchid. Well, as you know most orchids bloom at certain times of the year and then stop for a while before blooming again. This wild rare orchid has out done her self as she bloomed for all the cameras and then stopped, and the Park officials said the show was over. Well last week to everyone surprise the orchid has put out new buds and may be in bloom as I write. Thought you might find this interesting.    :o :o :o

Yes, I know what you mean about keeping our consciences right before the Lord God.  And definitely, common sense is needed, especially in this world today!  :)

Interesting about the orchid.  You know, bloom times seem to be off this year.....the Poinsettia in front of our building never bloomed at Christmas but was blooming in June and July!!  The Crape Myrtle Trees didn't bloom in the Spring as usual but are blooming now.

Have you ever heard of the Corpse Flower?  We have one at our arboretum.....it blooms a gigantic (tall as a woman) bloom every so many years (forgot how many  :) )  I've never seen it but people line up to see it in bloom.  They call it the Corpse Flower because it's "fragrance" smells like rotten garbage!!  :o  People in that neighborhood can even smell it!!

No I never heard of that one,  but I do have a plant called "Star Flower", it's flower is a huge star shaped blossom that attracts flies and smells like something dead. The flower is beautiful in color and shape, but don't ever try to press it dry in a book or your whole house will smell. A friend of mine found out the hard way. Ugh!!    ::) ::) ::) :D

Do you have Plumeria trees in FL?  I saw them in Hawaii and they smell so beautiful!!  They come in white and also pink, and the Hawaiians make leis with them.

There is a woodland wildflower here in Illinois that is called a star flower. It's leaves form a five point star and the flower forms an eight point star. It is used for dry flower arrangements occasionaly but it needs to be dried outdoors as it oozes a sticky smelly substance as it is drying.

The Plumeria is a beautiful tree. I had a cutting from one given to me when I left Hawaii. It grew quite well in southern Calif. It got so big I had to leave it there when I left.

I have never heard of the Plumeria tree, not to say it does not grow here. There are so many beautiful plants and trees that will grow here that it might be here.  Across the river from me grows a vine the neighbors call the garlic vine. It gets beautiful strings of white blossoms on it, but smells to high heaven like garlic. The roots form huge tubers that can grow to the size of a small riding lawn-mower, for lack of a better reference. They climb trees and often overcome and kill small  trees like the potato vine does.

Interesting...I hope someday i can see new things...the earth is full of th many wonders God created and all praise Him...

Wow, that's great.  Did you have it in a pot or in the ground?  Sometimes on the bus ride to Glendale, I would see a few Plumeria trees in the yards.  The fragrance is so heavenly.  :)

P.S. How can I quote you and Islandboy in one post?  Is there a way to do that?

I wonder who would want to plant a vine that smells like garlic?!  :o  Those are some gigantic roots!  What's that plant that is overtaking the South?  Is it the Kudzu or something like that?  It grows a few feet a day I heard!!  They can't keep up with it (trying to remove it).

When you have the reply box on the screen you can scroll down and see all the other posts. In the top right hand side of each of those posts you'll see "Insert Quote". You can click on one "Insert Quote", type your comment to that one and then scroll down and click on the other one .....

You can keep doing that until you have the whole page quoted or reach the max characters allowed.


I started out with the Plumeria in a pot but it outgrew the pot and I couldn't find one big enough so I planted it in the ground. I looked on Google Earth (a program that gives a satellite shot of the earth) and I could see that it is still there.

The Kudzu plant I saw in the south was a sweet-smelling plant similar to honeysuckle and morning glories but grew much faster, as much as 60 ft in a day. There was a wooded area just outside of Memphis, TN that was getting choked out by it.

I just looked up the garlic vine on the internet. Some real pretty flowers. It definitely isn't Kudzu. The flowers are bigger.

I think the garlic vine was brought in from somewhere else. another country perhaps. Someone no doubt thought the flowers were pretty and planted it for that reason, never expecting that it would grow out of control. Nothing eats it because of it's strong smell.
I think that goats will eat the kudau vine.
There is another vine here called the potato vine. It grows really fast and complete covers small trees and plants, which die from the lack of sunlight. weight of the vine, and strangle hold the vine gives to the stems and limbs of plants and trees. This vine comes from South America, I think. It produces potato like fruit that is not edible, and when the potato's drop off the plant they in turn root and produce more vines. I have cut it down, gathered the potatoes and burned them and used roundup in fighting a losing battle to control it. As far as I know nothing eats this plant as well.

I've never heard of anything like this. Is this one of those plants that breaks foundations if it's planted close to a home?

I'm familiar with honeysuckle and really enjoy the nice aroma of it. It's fairly easy to control and keep in areas that you want it. The Kudzu sounds like a nightmare type plant that kills everything in its path. However, I think that I would still like it if there was a way to reasonably control it and keep it from killing your trees or doing damage to your house.

In this part of the country, there are several examples of very hardy plants. A bugle vine is an example of a pretty one, but it's very destructive and hard to control. For a ground cover, ajuga and vinca (sp) are very nice, hardy, and easy to control. The flowers are beautiful, and the plant stays a dark green year around. I might also add that the blooming season is pretty long. All they need is some water and they multiply quickly.

Thanks, Pastor Roger, for teaching me how to do the quotes all at once.  :)

That's amazing you could see the tree is still there!  Yes, 60 feet in a day for the Kudzu....now I recall that.  It is really a dangerous plant.


Islandboy, I just emailed your paragraph to a friend whose gardener planted potato vines by her door!  Are the flowers very pretty?  I wonder why a nursery would carry such a vine?


Blackeyedpeas, it might cover your home completely in a few days!  How could you get out?  ;)

My grandfather had a bugle vine also. Up here in the north it is not as destructive as the harsher winters beat it back temporarily. The Kudzu is a nasty plant but it is also very useful. The rubber vines are great for making baskets. It is good for food for livestock, especially goats love it and I've heard of some people using the flower for making shampoos, soap and lotions. Nope, you don't want it too close to your house though. Not only will the foundation be gone but there will be holes in your walls and roof from the roots it puts out along the tendrils. I saw one root had forced it's way straight through the trunk of an Oak tree.

Yes, it was amazing to see the Plumeria still there. It was good to see all the hard work I had put into it still being enjoyed by someone.

 ;D  I would also want to plant things that I can out-run.

It doesn't sound like one would want to take a nap in the general area of the Kudzu. Pastor Roger says that it will grow through an oak, so just imagine what it would do to a human.

AND, who knows, maybe one of those genetic engineers has been loose with the Kudzu and it's much faster now than 60 feet per day.

I'm sitting here laughing!  :)

The vine's  nickname is potato vine. It does not flower to my knowledge, unless it is really small, as I have never seen a flower on it. I think I have a picture of it and if I find it I will put it up with the orchid pictures. In Florida mostly anything you plant in the way of vines can outrun you given half a chance.

The only thing I could find on the internet about an invasive vine in Florida that pertains to potatoes is what is called and Air Potato. It is said to have glossy, heart shaped leaves and has tubers (a potato type inedible fruit)  that are chock full of seeds. The following pictures were taken at what was called the "Air Potato Roundup" where a group of people got together to clear a lot of these plants out of the natural habitat.


The tubers:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/roundup3.jpg)


An air potato that is killing out some trees:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/roundup2.jpg)


A biology description:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/roundup1.jpg)

Thanks for posting the photos/info.  I hope I didn't freak my friend out when I emailed her Islandboy's paragraph on the Potato Vine! 

Thank you Pastor Roger. You found the vine I was talking about. It is nasty stuff as it takes over large areas and can grow in sun or shade. Not something you want to plant in warm climates.

Hey, Islandboy, where have you been lately?  :)  Hope you are ok.

Hello Debp, I've been about one hundred yards from our house picking up sticks and dead branches in an attempt to stay ahead of the mower. We have a area of land that weeds have completely taken over and we are trying to claim it back for our yard. It is overrun with a weed called "Beauty Berry", and  "Burrdock", and briar's and a vine that gets seeds on it called "Rosary Beads", the vine is another one that takes over really fast and it has seed pods that burst open and are filled with bright red seeds with a small black dot on them. The native Indians used to use the seeds for decoration, or so I have been told.
So everyday I go out for a short time and pick up stuff and pull the burrdock out of the ground. Then a friend helps mow the area. It is a long hard process but, will be worth it in the end.
Otherwise, all is well here. Thanks for asking.

Glad to hear you are ok.....except for having to pull weeds, etc.  :)  I've been a little busier at Cpals.net so haven't gotten to post as much lately here, although I do look at the posts here.  God bless.

Debp, I checked out the site you mentioned in your last reply. Cpals is a really nice Christian forum. It seems to be really well organised and interesting. I might register there as well when I have more time to play on the computer.
In other news pulling weeds is not my favorite task, as health wise it is wearing me out, but my doctor said that I must get out and exercise more due to the medication I take that causes water weight gain. I have been praying for rain,   :D :D  to give me a day off from exercise but so far it has been really dry.  Hurricane Dean missed us, but there is always another one brewing.   :( :(
Hopefully we will not get hit this year.
How's the weather been in your area?

Thanks for the compliment (since I'm a moderator there).  :)  Hope you can join in when you get the time.

We had a heat wave all of this week....about 90.  But tomorrow it will drop 10 degrees!  We are dry, dry, dry.....only had about 3 1/2 inches of rain the past year and needed our regular (about 15 inches).  Might have to go on mandatory water rationing if we don't get rain this "winter".  I do miss rain living out here.

Well remember I said I was praying for a day of rain so I wouldn't have to exercise,  :D :D  well today it rained. It put down an inch in a very short period of time. But my exercise didn't end, as when we went out to check the boat it had allot of water in it. The battery was dead and pump was not working. So of course that means the boat needed to be bailed out my hand. I walked down and watched my betterhalf bailing out the boat. It was not a pretty sight and so I have returned to the house, to visit with y'all on line.

 ;D   ;D    ROFL!

Hello Islandboy,

I think that the least you could have done is cheered a few minutes for your wife and encouraged her to greatness.   ;)   You could have even sung a high school fight song of some sort like they used to do at football games to keep her energy up while she bailed that water.   ;D

I had to laugh just a little bit because bailing water has been a common sight here for the last several months.

The bailing of water looks like it's coming here also. We haven't had a lot of rain in my exact location but it has been quite heavy just to the north of us by less than 20 miles. There is a lot of flooding and it is spreading to our area now.

I tried the cheering on and encouraging words, but the look I got convinced me to keep my mouth shut and leave quietly. We need to pull the boat out of the water, but the trailer is not handy to us at this time and needs some work. Like all good fun activities there is always allot of work involved in keeping all the equipment in good repair and running. Too many chores and not enough people to get the job done right.  ::) ::)

Are you trying to get Islandboy killed?  ;)  :D


Wish you all could send some of that water our way.  Whatever happened to "seeding the clouds" to get rain to fall over some areas?


Glad you used your wisdom, Islandboy.  :)

I think they seeded the clouds in the wrong areas.

I haven't heard much about seeding the clouds, for years in fact. Do they still do that? Generally, in Florida, we have allot more rain then we have had so far this year. Lake Okeechobee in South Florida, is at a record low in depth. However, I am not convinced totally that the problem is from lack of rain or government agency's that are in the process of cleaning the muck off the bottom of the lake. Now they can't waste tax payers money if the lake fills back up again. So I think they are continuing to drain off the Lake to the south and letting less of it flow into the Calossahattee River, so they can remove more muck.  All in the name of more mucked up government silly ideas.

We had a miracle today....a bit of rain in the L.A. "Basin" (where the city of L.A. is).  It wasn't much, just some big drops here and there, but still was nice.  I heard San Diego got more rain than us....also, at the ocean by L.A. they got more.  This was due to hurricane Dean.  We never get rain until "winter".   Our "high desert" city of Palmdale is planning to go on mandatory water rationing, their drought is so bad.  Thank you, Lord, for the lovely rain....please send more to us and somewhat less to the Midwest.

We are 'supposed' to have some rain here in central Florida today, but so far our grass has turned to hay and the fish are dying in the lakes and rivers from a lack of oxygen due to the unusual heat in some places actual temperatures over 95.

I don't know if the still seed clouds or not. I do remember a time of prolonged drought when I was a child. We were all getting pretty desperate. Many got together and did pay for cloud seeding, and it rained, rained some more, and rained some more. I don't know how long we paid for cloud seeding, but it appeared to work - OR did it?

Who knows? We were all also praying for rain. I would obviously say "GOD" if you asked me which one I have more faith in. I also remember our Mayor proclaiming days of prayer for everyone in our city. Our city has always been surrounded by large areas of crops and raising cattle. Both are hard ways of making a living, and not getting any rain can bankrupt them. I also remember many times of special gatherings in the rural areas to pray for rain, and they still do.

I would say in some areas praying for rain worked too well. Either its too much or not enough. Have the areas that got flooded so bad lost any of the flood waters yet?
I was wondering what is the job of being a moderator on a site like?  It would seem you would have to be up all night to take care of a site as big as christiansunite. Just checking all the posts could keep you pretty busy.

The areas that flooded north of here are starting to clear now. Power is back on to everyone and the cleanup started yesterday. Being that I am south of there I am seeing flood waters here now. All the river front stores in Peoria are closed because of the river being 4 to 4 1/2 ft over flood stage. Down river a bit in Havana (Al Capones favorite hideout) the main city streets are now flooded with about 6 inches of water. Nothing really drastic but enough to hamper businesses and cause a lot of detours.

I haven't heard about the southern states that flooded. Brother Tom would know more about that.


Personally, I don't always check all of the posts unless I have the extra time. We have a notification system here so if there are any bad posts we can be notified. I usually check for those as I am coming on the forum. With 5 moderators we pretty much cover the 24 hr span. It seems that at least one of us has trouble sleeping and comes on at various times of the night. It can get pretty busy at times when we get a lot of trolls hitting the forum all at once. Praise God that doesn't happen very often.

Are you considering the position of moderator?

Hello Islandboy,

The latest times of flooding in Oklahoma were very short, so we didn't get hit nearly as hard. The flood water clears out usually in a matter of days once the hard rains stop. The problem with the flooding before this last one was the same giant storm sitting right on top of us for weeks and continuing to dump huge amounts of rain.

I can only speak for my area of Oklahoma. Our drainage systems are pretty good. Five to ten days is  usually long enough to drain flood waters once the storms and hard rains end.

Brother, you asked about moderators. One must remember that the forum is only about 4% of the work being done by Christians Unite, so we can tell you some only about the forum. All of our users and quite a few guests help us by reporting bad posts. LORD Willing, really bad posts don't stay on the forum long, and they are usually by new people with a new account.

All of the moderators are unpaid volunteers who simply want to serve GOD. We all have different methods of finding bad or inappropriate posts that violate the rules. We have some tools and functions that help us do this fairly quickly and in a common sense way. I do try to check new posts and especially posts made by new users. After all, nobody knows what to expect from new users we know nothing about. Moderators receive "Reported Post" information by email 24/7 and so does our ADMIN. Moderators do the best we can to handle most problems on the forum and free up ADMIN to manage an absolutely huge system that really an Online Christian Community. Christians Unite also provides dynamic information and support functions to thousands of Christian web sites around the world. I'll end by saying that I know GOD is working through Christians Unite, and I'm very happy to help in any way that I can.

Love In Christ,
Tom

 

Thanks for the information about being a moderator. I have not been asked or volunteered to be one, I was just interested in knowing a little bit more about how it is done. I know how time consuming my website is in just continuing to check all the links to make sure they go where they are supposed to go, so I figured the job of moderator could be very time consuming, as in keeping up with other peoples posts and blogs, as well as other duties.
Glad to hear things are looking better in Oklahoma.

Pastor Roger, you mentioned something about trolls hitting the forum and I was just wondering what that meant?

This week has been a busy one, between going into the city, an all day event. Working on keeping the yard cleaned up, plus pulling weeds and cutting down dead palm trees has kept us pretty busy. I was amazed to find out how light-weight pieces of the cut down palms were. One would think a gentle breeze could knock them over. Most weighted under five pounds and some were as light as a feather generally speaking. It goes to show how strong palm tree trunks are when standing, how the threads and fiber plant parts work together in holding a tree up-right as it reaches toward the sunlight.
I am using the palm tree trunk pieces to build a wall around my flower bed. This will help keep moisture in the bed during the dry season, and maintain it during the wet.

Trolls are individuals that come here with the sole intent of causing trouble. Occasionally we will get an entire group come here all at once just to play their games.

I cut a palm tree down once. It was a really big one that was blocking my front bay window. It was about 5 ft in diameter at the base. All I had to cut it down was an axe. It was like hitting a sponge. It took me three days to cut it down into pieces small enough to handle. The pieces were about 2 ft high and the full diameter. They were really light even though they were that big. My hands though were really swollen from the recoil of hitting into that stuff.

As  we often say there's one in every family (troublemaker), I guess there is a need for some people to be troublemakers where ever they go and in whatever they do. Just as there are hackers and virus producers.
It is sad how someone always has to rain on someone else's parade. It is hard for me to wrap my brain around that type of thinking. It seems to me it would serve a more and just cause to just help other people with good thoughts and intentions, actions and prayer. But I guess Satan has to have a hand in destroying whatever goodness he finds by using people who have nothing better to do than mix in bad ideas and bad actions in Christian forums.

Palm trees come in many shapes and forms. Some have long sharp thorns that stick out from the trunk of the tree. Others have razor sharp edges on their branches. The palm you cut down sounds like it was massive in size. I am thankful for chain saws to do the work, as you stated axes are hard on the hands.

It was the biggest palm I have ever seen. I have used an axe on many a tree but that was the only palm I used an axe on. When it comes to palms a good sharp chain saw is the only smart way. Where an axe takes big chips out of most trees it has a tendency to just bury into a palm and then wants to stay there.

Hello Islandboy,

We have to remember that quite a few folks hate us for simply being Christians. If we didn't get attacked from time to time, it would probably mean that we are too much like the world. So, the attacks tell us that the devil doesn't like what we're doing.

We've had folks post pornography and just about everything you can imagine, some even in groups of over 5 people at once. We have a large group of folks, including our users, who report the bad posts. We also have moderators who sleep at various times and keep the forum checked frequently. I'll also give thanks that we have a great ADMIN who has given us some really good tools to keep the forum clean. Lastly and most importantly, we give thanks to GOD!

Love In Christ,
Tom

I found an interesting article about the nesting habits of the Sea Turtle that I thought I would share with you. Seems each year from April 1st----October 31st, the sea turtles migrate to Florida, for mating and nesting purposes. The most common species of sea turtle in Florida, is the Loggerhead Sea Turtle. I guess Florida has the largest population of loggerheads nesting in the world. The beach areas in Pinellas County, have nesting densities that range from 5-6 nests per mile, with a yearly average of 170 nests. Each year thosands of hatchlings make it safely to the water to begin their journey out to sea and maturity. During this journey they face many obstacles.
The loggerhead female turtles come ashore at night and dig a shallow hole in which to deposit their eggs, then cover them with sand. The eggs then incubate underground for 50 days, at which time the hatchlings begin emerging. Loggerhead turtle hatchlings emerge at night and then make their way to the water. Once in the water they swim rapidly to get to the sheltered underwater environment that protects them as they grow. During this time they are vulnerable to predation by anything larger in size; this includes fish, birds, and crabs. They stay in off shore areas until they grow to at least 42 cm, then being less vulnerable they will begin to move and follow regular migration patterns, as in entering the Indian River on Florida's East Coast.

Hello Islandboy,

I can't remember the location, but I watched a beautiful documentary on Animal Planet not too long ago. When you want to watch something clean and interesting, Animal Planet is a good choice. I also watched quite a bit of their ocean series. The photography was awesome. I know that some people consider sea turtles and other like creatures to be dumb, but many of them have surprises for us that are absolutely fascinating.

There are also countless wonders in the animal world that testify of their CREATOR. You spoke some about migration patterns, and this is a complex behavior if you think about this a few minutes. In fact, there are many complex behaviors in the animal world that we still have much to learn about. The incredible beauty is most OBVIOUSLY the handiwork of ALMIGHTY GOD.

Amen to that. Our Creator and Lord, put together some mighty works of art in nature. I am always in awe of as you say the migratory instints of wild animals and birds and fish. The great salmon runs in the NW United States, is one such place. When the birds leave in the Fall and return in the Spring. I have watched Animal Planet as well as, the Discover Channel. And I have always enjoyed the great outdoors. As I pull weeds around the yard I have a friendly squirrel who comes and visits with me and walks around my feet. There is a pair of Great Horned Owls that visit the property, one of them that inspired my user name as I call him "Islandboy", as they live on the island. As I work he will fly down and sit on a branch near me and watch me work. Thus I can see where the owl gets his nickname saying, "wise old owl", as looking into their eyes one can see a sense of wisdom and wonder. I talk to him and he turns his head around in all directions, looking perhaps for his next meal. Up north we only saw owls during the evening into night hours. Here in Florida, I see them all day long. So the old idea that sunlight effects an owls ability to see in the daylight is not completely true.

Hello Islandboy,

For whatever reason, it's a rare thing for us to see owls in Oklahoma. Maybe this is related to knowing where they like to nest and why. I was just thinking that your specific area might have plenty of what they need to survive and they feel safe there. I'm going to assume that you don't live in a highly populated area, or maybe there's lots of good cover in the area for them to feel safe.

A park ranger in our wildlife refuge did treat us to a rare sight about two years ago. We have what the ranger called the burrowing owl on the refuge. They are supposed to be rare, and I'd never heard of such a thing. They actually set up house in abandoned prairie dog holes, and they're much smaller than other owls. They blend in with the natural colors of the ground on the refuge, so they're difficult to spot. I might add that the prairie dog town is heavily populated, and the burrowing owls have taken up residence among them. I found this very odd and asked the ranger if it was dangerous for the owls. The ranger said they were still studying them but thought they had a mutually beneficial arrangement. The owls leave bits of food from their hunting for the prairie dogs, and the prairie dogs have an elaborate warning system for predators. Keep in mind that this owl is pretty small, so I assume that neither the owl or the prairie dog considers the other to be dangerous. Bird watchers have taken considerable interest in that prairie dog town since the owls arrived, and it appears that they are here to stay. They are multiplying and doing great.

We have a really small owl here that roosts in trees and nests in holes in the trees. The owl is slightly larger than a robin. You can see these owls at most times of the day and night. We have other owls but they aren't seen much except in the country and only at night.

This is another new one on me. I should have asked the ranger about the mature size of the burrowing owl, but I didn't. The one we saw appeared to be about 8 to 10 inches tall, and it was fairly broad compared to a robin. Typically, most people think of owls as being fairly large and powerful predators. I had that typical thinking until just recently. Brother, the owl you're describing is even smaller than the burrowing owl. This is just another example of the wonders of GOD'S Creation.

This owl is quite broad. Much broader than a robin but about the same in height.

We have Burrowing Owls in Florida, as well. I have not seen them in our area, but I have heard of them and seen pictures. They are small, about 8-10 inches tall and live in burrows and are said to sometimes share their dens with gophers, furry little sized critters, like prairie dogs but smaller. Also they sometimes share holes with gopher turtles. Now I don't know how that arrangement would work out as sometimes rattlesnakes live in those same burrows. Maybe the owls live in areas where there are less or no snakes, I do not know.
We have screech owls and barred owls too.

I found what is called the Northern Saw-whet Owl that I am sure is the same one I see around here a lot. From what it says is that it is actually a couple inches shorter than a Robin but weighs about the same or a little more than one. The following link shows some pictures of them.

http://www.peregrinefund.org/explore_raptors/owls/nsawwhet.html

They have a pretty good article on the Burrowing Owl also:

http://www.peregrinefund.org/explore_raptors/owls/burrwowl.html

Thanks for the links. I wish that I had looked this up before. The pictures with the article looked like what we saw, but the detail is much better. The only look we got was through a cheap set of binoculars. It appears that the park ranger was in error in calling the burrowing owl rare. The article was great.

Islandboy, I specifically asked the ranger about rattlesnakes because we have a ton of them. There's the value of the prairie dog warning system. Prairie dogs warn each other from fairly long distances with a relay bark (more like a higher pitched "yip"). It really isn't a bark like a dog, but it's fun to watch their warning system kick into gear. They go into a standing position with each bark and then back down. It's as if the bark takes great effort. It's relayed pretty quickly. Prairie dogs are tough little guys that are extremely difficult to catch. I'm almost sure that they also have escape plans.   ;D  So, the burrowing owls benefit greatly from their advanced warning system. The owls are probably the big winner in this living arrangement. I'll assume that the owl packs a horrible bite, even one this small. The prairie dogs didn't appear to pay much attention to them just 5 or 6 feet away, so I'll assume they have mutual respect for each other and both like the arrangement.

I wonder if the park ranger meant that they were on the endangered species list, which they are.

I've been looking for an excuse to go back to the refuge and enjoy this time of the year, so this will work just fine. As far as I know, there was no prefix or suffix to the term of "burrowing". I'll try to find out.

I have never seen an owl here.  But I have a question about the snakes in FL.  What kind do you have besides the rattlesnakes?  Any poisonous ones besides rattlers?  Someone once told my mom that in FL there are spiders as big as teacups....is this true?  Also, they said that people put different color bands of insecticides around their homes to try to keep the bugs out.  Do people still do this?  Is the bug problem in FL that bad?

There are three different types of rattlesnakes in Florida. There are coral snakes and water moccasins, that are all poisonous. I know there are spiders called Wolf Spiders, that are quite large. I don't know about the use of color bands. Bugs are a problem. Palmetto bugs, and other roaches, and ants are the worst in house bugs. Keeping the house clean and eliminating damp areas, like leaky pipes & such also helps keep them away. But they are a known Florida bug problem that even the cleanest house can see them on occasion.

I think roaches are a problem in warm/hot, year round states....especially, if one lives in an apartment, as they can come in from the other apartments.  So it's a real battle....our building has an exterminator, but one can still see them sometimes.  So we buy Combat and also get some traps from the manager.  We hadn't seen any for years until recently...maybe they are getting immune.  They claim if an atomic bomb goes off, the roaches will still be around.  :)

During the atomic bomb tests in the 40's through the 60's it was evident that cockroaches would survive such an occurrence because after the tests were completed they found cockroaches in the test area.

Warm climates are excellent for insects. San Diego had a big problem with roaches and fleas year round. I was continually battling them. Here the problem decreases during the winter. If we have a really harsh winter there are fewer, but during mild winters there are a lot more.

So it is based on fact (roaches survive atomic bomb!).  I guess they were radioactive, too.

Anyone remember a person put jewels on these big roaches and people were buying them and wearing them!  :o  Also, there are big hissing cockroaches from some other areas of the world.  I've never seen them, but our Natural History Musuem has a live insect section and has those roaches.  That insect room is packed whenever I've been there.
The butterfly exhibit (outside the musuem) I've visited a few times.

One thing that works well in killing roaches is plain ole borax. I put it around the edges of walls and counters in certain areas of our house and when they walk through it, it sticks to their feet and when they clean their feet it is digested and drys them out, from the inside out. If you have housepets, I would recommend it be put only in areas the pet can not get to it, such as inside cupboards or like on the shelf behind items. Roaches can be found eating paper, such as books, eating soap in the bathroom, they eat things most insects would not even consider. They love cat food and dog food, so if you feed your animal be sure to put away uneaten food or it will at tact them.
I have been told of houses that were so filled with roaches that it even grossed out the exterminators.

Tom,
You mentioned your area has lots of rattlesnakes. Do you find them in your yard?

I use Boric Acid myself. It is a form of Borax but is less toxic to dogs and cats. It can kill a dog or cat but it would take a whole lot of it to do so. It has always taken care of my roach problem. I lived in an old house where the walls were made of a fibre. It was built during the depression when dry wall was practically non-existent. The fibre board was made from paper by-products and the roaches loved eating it. When the house was bombed by professional exterminators they simply went into the walls away from it and managed to survive. It was horrible to see how many there were. I put out the Boric Acid, drilled tiny holes in the walls that were easy to patch and poured some into the walls, too. I also poured a thin trail all the way around the outside of the house. At the time I had 5 dogs and 4 cats in the house and another three outside dogs. None of them got the least bit sick but the roaches were gone.

Hello Islandboy,

You asked me if we get rattlesnakes in the yard. It's really very rare, and it's usually something gone wrong with the balance of nature. Our wildlife refuge is huge and usually has everything the native animals need. It has over 30 lakes and an unknown number of streams, and it also has part of the Wichita Mountains. We also have an annual rattlesnake hunt that draws people from all over the country. They've had the hunts for my entire life, so I assume that the hunts are necessary to maintain the balance of nature. NO - I am NOT a rattlesnake wrangler. I'm sure that many of the people who come are pros at handling snakes, and I'll be glad to watch them from a safe distance.    ;D

The few incidents I'm aware of in the city over the years usually involved very small rattlers compared to what they get in the hunts. There's also an annual sale of buffalo and long horns from the refuge to maintain balance and healthy animals. In short, I'm not aware of any animals that don't thrive there (i.e. deer, elk, wild pigs and turkeys, etc.).

In talking about roaches, I use Boric Acid. Borax was a bit of memory loss and trying to remember  how to spell Boric Acid.  ??? ???
I have not seen a rattlesnake for several years. A friend of mine is an avid snakehunter and he says it is a rare event for him to find one. He does however, find lots of the non-poisenous ones.
Found an interesting article in the newspaper today, it seems they have deemed it necessary to study dragonflies. Scientists in SW Florida, at the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, in Lee County, are trying to determine what factors cause dragonflies to feed when and where on the Sanibel island. So they have marked off six  15-meter sections along both sides of the Sanibel-Captiva Road, and while one researcher looks for roadkill dragonfly's, another researcher counts the dragonfly's that fly into and out of each quadrant. They also record air temperature, wind, speed, light intensity, and dominant vegetation. Finally they use a insect aspirator and vacuum a 1 square -meter of roadside grass to suck up insects for identification and density. The researchers say that if we show that certain roadsides are more likely to put dragonflies at risk, we can indicate to Floridians and departments of transportation how they can manage roadsides to reduce roadkilled dragonflies. To support the dragonfly larvae, you need healthy aquatic environment. (Aquatic means wet lands which means mosquitoes breeding grounds as well).  ??? ???   Another way our tax dollars are hard at work.   :D :D :D
Interesting to note is that Lee County has 27 dragonfly species and eight damselfly species. Dragonflies and Damselflies belong to the order Odonata, which means "toothed ones." Dragonfly's are really fast, they fly 30 miles an hour. Motor vehicles splatter insects all the time so why worry about dragonflies???  Good question.  Their answer. If you have healthy populations of dragonflies means you have healthy aquatic and terrestrial habitats. 
Which in laymens terms means if you have lots of dragonflies, you have a healthy mosquito population, as that is what dragonflies eat.

Debp,
Just wanted to let you know I finally got my first issue of Pennsylvania Pursuits magazine. It is really interesting, but alas the pictures thou beautiful make me homesick for the countryside. Oh, one day I shall get up there again. Anyways thanks again for tipping me off about the magazine. That was really nice of ya.   :) :) :)

The above got me chuckling!  It is interesting that there are so many dragonfly species, though!  Oh, glad you liked the PA magazine!

Ok, so you guys won't think I am making up the live roach jewelry....here it is:  (Should get you all laughing, good for your health!!)  :)

Gross Roach Jewelry
Filed in archive Trends by tammy on March 25, 2007

You've probably seen this featured already on shows like America's Next Top Model or more recently CSI: NY. Yup, it's pretty much what it looks like - a roach with crystals attached to its head. Supposedly, according to this article, it doesn't hurt the roach:

Head designer of Black Chandelier Jared Gold is famous for taking an ironic twist on fashion. His latest fashion craze, the Roach Brooch, uses a proprietary by-hand process to gently bejewel live Madagascar hissing cockroaches with Austrian Swarovski crystal (placed on top of the non-feeling part of the head), which are then accessorized with a leash set and sold ready to wear.

Okay, as a native Floridian, it's not like I am a roach activist. I've killed my share and then some, but, I still can't help but feel like this is just not a nice thing to do. If you are going to hurt a roach, then smash it and be done with it. Don't glue sparkles on its head and attach a leash to the poor thing.

Am I alone in thinking that, not only is this just tasteless, it's mean? The web site for Black Chandelier claims these are pets:

Product information:

If you are fan of the show "America's Next Top Model" then you may already be familiar with the giant Madagascar hissing cockroach brooch. This piece of jewelry is made from a living Madagascar hissing cockroach that is decorated with Austrian Swarovski crystals. This is one of the few pieces of jewelry that you will own that you will also be able to treat like a pet.

To care for your giant Madagascar hissing cockroach broach you will need to make sure that you provide it with the right type of housing and food. Your cockroach brooch will need a dark terrarium with soil and leaf litter as its home, and you will need to feed it fresh bananas and provide it with a damp cotton ball or paper towel to provide it with the right amount of water to survive. If you provide your living cockroach jewelry with the proper accommodations then it should live for about a year. However, most vendors that offer this product will not guarantee that it will live this long.

The giant Madagascar hissing cockroach broaches are unique accessories, however, you may be wondering when you will be able to wear this piece of insect jewelry. Well there are several occasions that you can wear this item. First they make an elegant addition to a Halloween costume. Besides Halloween this item can also be worn to posh dinner parties, friendly get-together's, as well as special events. Your confidence and style sense is what will allow you to get away with wearing this item as a fashion accessory.

Thanks for sharing that interesting information about  hissing cockroach jewelry. I wonder how many people who have worn this gross jewelry, have had their clothes ruined by well meaning friends swatting the roaches attemping to kill the insects. I do not like roaches.
I am speechless. This sounds like a movie-star fad.

As for the dragonflies, I enjoy seeing them and I was interested in the fact of having the 27 different species in our area. They listed the names of all of them and I will list a few: Smokey rubyspot, Blue-ringed dancer, Purple bluet, those are damselflies. The dragonflies are Common green-darner, Twilight darner, Halloween pennant, Great pondhawk, Blue dasher, Red-mantled saddlebags.
Often wondered who gets to name all these insects and how do they come up with such strange and fascinating names???

The roach jewelry article had photos of "stars" wearing them!  Ugh....I think it would not only be creepy, but it would spoil my appetite, if I saw someone at a party wearing one!  :D

Yes, those are some interesting names for the Dragon Flies.

I have an appointment now so have to go.  Talk to you all later.

No more boring stories about dragonflies.
In our yard clean-up we found out there are several fruit trees on the property that have grown up under and in all the brush over the last few years. We have six guava trees and four loquat trees. And two wild orange trees , that will produce sour oranges unless we graft on some sweet orange branches. At least I think that is how that works. Hum..., I will have to do some research on that one. Anyways it was a pleasent surprise to find them among all the burdock weeds, beauty berry plants, vines and thorns, etc.. brush. Thinking about guava jelly. We have lots of banana trees and found some that we need to relocate into areas with full sun. My elderberry plants are not doing as well as hoped, but my mango trees are really growing fast. Hoping one day I go out and find fruit on them. We have an avocado tree that is loaded with fruit, but the squirrels usually knock them all off before they have time to get ripe. And our two tangelo trees have some fruit on as well. Unless we get a hurricane or strong wind storm, we will have lots of fruit soon.
I enjoy the beauty and grace in the plants that grow beautifully well in sun and rain, works of art by the Masters hand. We are so blessed by the plants and flowers, trees and wildlife, that abound on this planet. Each day is a special gift to us all that take time to see.

Sounds like you have a great orchard going there. On the oranges try cross pollinating with a sweet orange. You'll get a fairly sweet orange with the hardiness of the wild sour one.

Thanks for the advice on the orange trees. I ask a friend who knows the proper way to graft onto branches to see if he can get some hardy sweet orange stock to graft on my trees.
I have been popping in and out these last few days visiting other forums. The set-up here is one of the best I have come across mostly in the spell-check department. Some forums have old spell checkers or home-made ones that are confusing to use and don't always get the job done. I'll get off my soap box now.  :D :D 
I posted this elsewhere the other day, but it stuck me as being so true and to the point I thought I would add it here as well.

Anywhere with Jesus I am not alone, Other friends may fail me---He is still my own; Though His hand may lead me over dreary ways, Anywhere with Jesus is a house of praise.

Amen Islandboy!

I give thanks that we are never alone, and HE will never forsake us. In fact, HE is here with us now.

Love In Christ,
Tom

 

Islandboy, I got my latest issue of Pennsylvania Pursuits.  Just want to let you know there are usually more, bigger and better photos in it.  I guess because this issue was having articles on food and drink, there weren't so many beautiful scenic photos.  The next issue should be much better!!  Oh, your orchard sounds great!!

Question to all:  I just found out Four O Clock flower bushes are poisonous....does that mean you shouldn't plant them too near to a fruit tree?  I know I've heard you shouldn't plant Oleander near to fruit trees. 

I didn't know there was a problem with planting poisonous things close to fruit trees, so thanks for the heads up on that one. I just know you don't want to eat them or use their branches to roast hotdogs and other food.
As for the magazine I even enjoyed the ad pictures, but will look forward to next issue.   ::) ::)

I'm not really sure about this....just heard about the Oleander one time.  Does anyone else know about this?  Is it safe to plant a poisonous bush or flower bush near to fruit trees?  I gave some Four O Clock seeds to someone and then found out they are poisonous....so that's why I'm asking.

Okay guys this is a embarrassing confession, a non-intentional one that was brought to my attention by my better-half. When I first joined the forum I filled out the form, filled in the required stuff and figured I would someday get around to filling in the parts that at the time did not seem important. However, now is the time. As I stated some posts back my user name came from a pair of owls that live near here and one who makes a habit of visiting me when I am out in the yard. It in it's self implies something although, in reality it does not. Generally, when I read the posts, I am  paying more attention to who wrote it and not to whom it is addressed. So when my better-half visited this site to read the political jokes, and then skimmed over my introduction page and etc.., it was announced to me loud and clear they think you are me. WHAT?   ??? ???   :o :o :o    I declared and started looking back over my posts and yours and discovered that this was indeed true. So, fellow Christians, I beg you to forgive me for this oversite of which today I am writing about and I will go into my profile and fix as soon as this is posted. I am sorry for this and hadn't noticed the error  of my ways, until now.   ::) ::) ::)  Thunder has indeed roared in this house and in my ears long enough and so with humbleness I have filled in the blank.
The End.

lol  ...   I think that I understand   ...  sister  ...  and I don't see a problem with it. You are still you. 

  ;D ;D ;D

Thank you for understanding, Pastor Roger.  It was the post about the working on the boat that caused the thunder. There was no intent to mislead.  All the friendship and fellowship I share on this forum is very important to me.   :) :) :)

Oh, so Islandboy, you are a woman!!  :D :D :D Sure had us fooled.  ;)

Thought you might find this interesting, I found it in today's paper. Titled  "Where's The Steeple". It seems churches are changing or evolving as the case may be from using traditional designs with steeples or domes, ornate architecture and stained glass to an no-frills exterior. Churches now days have changed to multipurpose centers, some with food courts, climbing walls, gyms, coffee bars and even at one Dallas church a bowling alley. Most have state-of-the-art sound and light systems. The Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif. haswhat it calls biblical "discovery area's " for the children's ministry that includes an ark, a "Zaccheus tree", and a 35' long mist-spouting whale. The First St John Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, is building an expansion which includes a new sanctuary for its 4,500 worshipper's; a mortgage lending office; medical offices; and 40 classrooms for courses on SAT preparation, parenting and money management.  The Inspiring Body of Christ in Dallas, is building a new structure that includes a 70,000-gallon saltwater aquarium. The aquarium was inspired by Jesus's directive to be "fishers of men". The St John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church of Eu less, Texas, is trying to decide what they want to include in their buildings either to do remodeling or rebuild using columns, a decorative entry, arched windows and a dome in keeping with Greek Orthodox tradition.
The kicker is the last comment in the article. Designing a worship place really depends on the congregation's vision. "When you're dealing with GOD'S, money it's something you have to be comfortable with."
When I read this article it made me think of Jesus in the Temple with the money changers. What are we spending GOD'S MONEY ON ???
The millions of dollars of church money that goes for fancy decorations and offices for businesses that have nothing to do with worship and prayer is totally unbelievable. Think on how many people could be helped with all that cash.

Amen! Many churches are becoming nothing more than social centers and very little if any of the word of God is being preached in them any more. I thank God that there are still some good Bible preaching churches out there.

In the paper today  there was an article about churches and insurance in the gulf coast area. Insurance companies are dropping their policies do to hurricanes. If a church has a steeple it get dropped because steeples are dangerous in high winds. Churches also are high risk due to their stained glass windows and expensive objects.
Homeowners are losing insurance as well, do to higher then normal increases in rates for some and others are being just dropped due to risk in hurricane areas. Only going to be very rich and very poor people left here. Rich afford rates and poor don't have insurance anyways.


Debp, haven't found much about poisenous plants and fruit trees yet but will keep searching. Remember when I first came to Florida, newcomers were warned against using certain flowering bushes to roast hotdogs on, down at the beach and at home, because it could kill you. The poisen was in the branches. They might have that problem in your State too. Up in PA we used maple & oak & apple branches. Never had that problem.

Hello Islandboy,

Sister, this makes no difference at all to me. We've had great fellowship, and that's the important thing. You're a sweet Christian, and we enjoy having you with us.

Love In Christ,
Tom

   

Tom, thank you, your kind words of understanding they mean a lot to me. I enjoy our fellowship and joking around in coffee time in more ways than one. It is always the high-light of my day to stop by here and add a few tidbits of information on a range of different topic's, as well as, my life with a touch of humor. Puts a smile on my face reading the Lord's words and helping someone new feel welcome here and adding a song verse or worthy saying. This forum and website is saving grace to many people who take the time to visit or settle in and say hello.   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;) ;) ;)

Hello Islandboy,

I share your thoughts and feelings. I'm disabled, and this is something that I can do. I'm positive that GOD is using all areas of Christians Unite, and the forum represents only about 4% of the work. Just the forum has over 12,000 guests every day, so we trust GOD to use what's posted here. GOD has promised in the Holy Bible that HIS WORD will never return void, so we know that GOD uses things in HIS way and HIS time. All of our moderators are volunteers, and we just give thanks that GOD is using us however HE will. I hope that all who post here feel the same way.

Love In Christ,
Tom

I have another news story to share of something that is happening at Lake Trafford in Immokalee, Florida. It seems as the lake levels have been dropping due to the drought we are having, normally submerged areas have become dry. And ten canoes that have long be buried in the sand have been exposed. The largest canoe fragment is some 14 feet long. Some seem made from cypress others from pine. They are considered to possibly be more than 1,000 years old. They have been buried in anaerobic sediment--sediment without oxygen---where organisms that cause decomposition can't live. The dredging activity at the lake and natural wave action has helped to uncover the canoes. there are no plans to remove the canoes as if retrieved, in a year or two they would disintegrate. There is hope that the rains will come and cover them over so they can be preserved for hundreds or thosands of years to come. In the meantime researchers are trying to figure out who the canoes belonged to, as was it the Calusa Indians who dominated most of SW Florida, or was it another group. Not all tribal names are known. It may have been the Muspa (from the Marco area), or related Indians from around Lake Okeechobee.
In the spring and summer of 2000, a drought in north-central Florida lowered the water levels in Newnan's Lake, east of Gainesville, and archaeologists discovered 87  500-5,000 year old canoes. And Florida's oldest canoes were discovered in Volusia County, and are 6,000 years old.

Thought I would go ahead and give you a short history of the Calusa Indians. It is said that when the Spaniards, led by Ponce de Leon, reached Florida in 1513, all of South Florida was dominated by the Calusa Indians, whose main base was possibly located at Mound Key in Estero Bay. They were found as far away as Lake Okeechobee, Miami, and the Keys, as they were hunter-gatherers that lived on the many fish and shellfish of the area estuaries and the Gulf of Mexico. They were also engineers in their own right who dug a series of canals, including a 2-mile long, 30-foot-wide canal from Pineland on Pine Island to Matlacha Pass. Although, they defeated Ponce de Leon in battle, and mortally wounded him in 1521, with 250 years of contact, the Calusa were wiped out by European diseases and war with Spaniards and other Indians.

I wish there was a way to preserve one or more of these canoes, at least long enough to study them and maybe unlock some of their secrets. It would seem that they should at least try with one or several. Who knows what would be learned? Methods of construction, shaping, forming, and joining can tell much about the people who made them.

Hi Islandboy, did an errand and am just on the computer late tonight.  Had to check stuff where I'm a moderator, too.   Don't worry about the plant info, maybe I can find out somewhere else on the internet.

During the 1994 earthquake here (a rather big one), the church I now attend had to remove four, large, heavy "steeples" because they could have fallen down and hurt people or damaged the building.  Several months ago, they replicated these steeples with a light weight material that looks like concrete....and put them back on top of the church.  Now the original steeples have been place at the driveways.

Debp, If you find out anything about our plant question, let me know as you know I garden and would like to know as well.

Good news, that is if my pictures arrived by e-mail, I will be posting pictures of our clearing in the yard up on my website. It will be same story page "Road ", navigation on left side of page. http://sweedpatch.tripod.com  thats for those who don't know it.  Also putting up pictures of some of my other plants. Thought you might enjoy that.

Someone at Church, said to me "Thank goodness we have Jesus, or we would be doomed". To which I got really brave and said I don't agree with that statement. Now, lets break the question down and look at it from a different angle. If we did not have Jesus. Bear with me on this, this means no birth, no death on cross, no mention of Him, in the Bible. Nothing, no Jesus. ///  What would we have left?? We would still have Our Father In Heaven, you all know the words. Men & Women of old, Old Testament, did not have Jesus. There were people who devoted their lives to God. They tried their best to follow His commandments and when they died where did they go?
So to say, without Jesus we would be doomed is not quite correct.  But without Jesus, our struggle would be harder, for we would have a stern Father and no loving Son. One  last point on this is that when we forget about the three, and only think on the one, we lose the meaning. In other words when we focus our eyes on Jesus, (as we should), but forget about the Father, as some people do, the Father's words and commandments are sometimes forgotten as well. And in forgetting or laying them aside we lose the Holy Spirit, as well. For it is Him that helps us communicate with God the Father and Jesus the Son.
But, we have Jesus, and we are never lost to Him. Sometimes in life things happen be it our choice or at the hands of others that makes us feel like God does not care. But he cares so deeply for each one of us that in my warped little brain I sometimes think that the rain is God's tears. Tears directed at a world that has turned it's back on Him. If we need Him, he is only a prayer away. He waits with open arms for His children to repent and ask for forgiveness. I have found that I feel closer to Him when I pray out loud. I talk as if He is right next to me, sitting across the room or walking with me in my garden. If you have been away from Him for a time, the close feelings you crave to have again, need time to grow, like baby steps one at a time. Just never feel that God does not love you. We are like plants in a way. We start growing sending out roots and branches, feeling strong and on top of the world, then maybe something evil happens and we get stomped on really hard and it breaks our stem and  our leaves get mashed and we feel lost and alone thinking this is the end. But by some miracle perhaps a kind word or a hand reaching out to hold us up or prop us up with a stick, our roots again start to send the food we need to mend our broken parts and we start growing again. That my friend is how God works.
As we begin again, by praying and talking and reading our Bibles and studying His words, we begin to feel and know the LOVE  Of  The FATHER  FOR  HIS  CHILDREN.  And soon we begin to smile again and reach out to others with that helping hand of kindness.
(1 Girl  climbing down off soap box now)   :) :) :) :)

Amen!

We have a lot of old churches in this area that have steeples especially in the smaller towns. All of these steeples also have pretty big crosses on the top of them. Many of these buildings date back to the 1800's. With this being in tornado alley and has become a very liberal state it became a big deal here. The churches started getting attacked over it with many people demanding the steeples come down. A Christian architect came up with a way to add in some sort of strapping system inside of them that makes them really safe. The entire roof comes off now and the whole building collapses before the steeple will snap off.

Amen and Amen!

GOD'S GRACE was most certainly operative in the Old Testament, just in a different way that wasn't magnified 10,000 times by JESUS CHRIST and the CROSS.

It's also interesting to note that THE HOLY TRINITY has been operative for Eternity, just in different ways for different times and different purposes. Israel didn't know about the HOLY TRINITY, and some of this knowledge was a mystery not revealed to them. However, the HOLY TRINITY was still at work even in the Old Testament.

Today, we have a completed Holy Bible, and many of GOD'S most precious and powerful TRUTHS have been revealed to us. Obviously, the greatest event in the history of mankind is GOD'S GIFT of JESUS CHRIST. GOD was never happy with the offerings and sacrifices for sin in the Old Testament. GOD is perfectly happy with the spotless and HOLY BLOOD of JESUS CHRIST on the CROSS. Most of Israel still doesn't know about the HOLY TRINITY, but they will one day.

I'll just give THANKS for GOD'S GRACE and JESUS CHRIST! I look forward with great anticipation to the Promises of GOD and Eternity with JESUS CHRIST. Great Riches from GOD have been given to us. The Greatest of these riches is knowledge of GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT. It's MORE than just knowledge because we are INDWELT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD - HE lives in our hearts! We have access to GOD THE FATHER'S THRONE OF GRACE, and we WALK WITH THE KING OF KINGS because we are HIS adopted Children. We have been given an Eternal Inheritance and a Position in HIS Heavenly KINGDOM that's almost impossible for us to imagine. For us in this short life, it's simply a matter of yielding to HIS Will, accepting and giving THANKS for HIS GIFTS, becoming Strong in CHRIST, and awaiting the Glorious claiming of our Heavenly Citizenship. Along the way, we must remember that this world IS NOT our HOME!

Love In Christ,
Tom

   

I agree...it's always important to remember each person of the Godhead.  Jesus, our Savior, Our loving Father and the blessed Holy Spirit.  Three but One God....God is able to do this.



That's good.  Also, they might check into the lightweight material like our church used.

A few posts back I said I was going to put some pictures of my yard and area we cleared recently, on my website.  Well, it seems this week  someone got my e-mail address on Yahoo,  by mistake and  put out where it was picked up by another someone who sent me 800 spam messages. Now my provider it limiting my e-mails, thus the pictures sent to me are lost somewhere between here and there. Until I get this fixed, I can not get the pictures into my computer and up on the website. Please bear with me on this problem.   :( :(

WOW! - I've never heard of anything like this. I've had spam problems before, but it was only 5 or 10 each day. Surely the same sender sent multiple copies over and over again. In other words, it would be almost impossible for there to be 800 separate senders sending you spam. If I were you, I would appeal to a higher up at Yahoo. One would think that Yahoo would have at least minimal spam protection set up on all of their users accounts. If so, Yahoo is definitely part of the problem, and you shouldn't be penalized in any way. If not, you still shouldn't be penalized. How would anyone suggest that you went out and requested 800 spam emails? This doesn't make any sense.

I use Gmail, and they have excellent spam protection. They also have an easy way for you to import your contact list and send out notices that you've changed your email address. Gmail does require an invitation from a current user. Holler if you would like an invitation. In the meantime, please do consider appealing to a higher up from Yahoo if you want to keep that account. There's no way that they should hold you responsible for spam. If they insist on holding someone responsible for spam, they would be the ones responsible - not you.

Love In Christ,
Tom

You know what? I never have posted here, therefore never welcomed island.
Welcome sister  ;D

You know I always get the weird stuff. My account at Yahoo, with e-mail, diverts all my mail to hotmail. So when this happened I contacted MSN Hotmail Support and told them what must of happened and that it was not my fault. I got back a wonderful e-mail, proably from out of the country telling me what comes into my box is not controlled by them, but by my internet provider. This was in reference to pictures I have not received. So it is not their fault, someone else is to blame. Then I got another e-mail into junk that said something about a 72 hour wait on account. So I am waiting it out in hopes all goes back to normal. Talked with provider and they said it was a hotmail problem. they just get me on the web.

David James, thanks for postings. I enjoy reading your posts and have gotten great insight off of many of them. Look forward to more fellowship with you.  Thanks.   :) :) :)

Yep. A Hotmail account has nothing to do with your ISP. I've never had a Yahoo mail account but I did have one with Hotmail at one time. I had nothing but problems with it and received tons of spam that always overflowed and locked up the account. Since going to Gmail I haven't had the problem with spam or my account being overflowed. Gmail is free and has a much larger storage with better spam filters.

I have Yahoo and have never had a problem with it.  They put all suspected spam into a bulk mail folder which I delete in just a second after doing a bulk "check all" which also takes just a second to do.

The only thing is when I learned how to do email (a few years back), the young kid at the library teaching us....didn't tell us to use a username other than our real names.  So that's the only thing I wish I'd done differently.  :)

Mainly what i received was spam cancellations. Like tried to deliver, Can't deliever, Postman returning bulk mail. I just deleted them all without opening them. The trouble is not with Yahoo mail, as much as it is with Yahoo 360 blog sites and Yahoo Groups. I had joined in the past but quit due to getting spam from people advertising their business or product. So I cancelled all of that and said I did not want communication with any member from Yahoo 360 blogs. And the spam stopped. So I was just trying to get my e-mail address back to normal operation. We are trying again to get pictures, but it is a pain when MSN Support used to help solve problems now they just don't care. Tommarrow I will e-mail Yahoo and complain.   :)

Well, my e-mail account is back to normal. Now I just need to wait for friend to re-e-mail the pictures. Part of the problem may have been the way he tried to send them, but something else was holding things up as well. I contacted Yahoo support again and this time I put in a complaint instead. Have had no response from them yet. They are no doubt in another country as well. I am thinking about just cancelling that account all together. Anyways, hold your horses...............the pictures will be up soon.

Hello Islandboy,

I'm sorry to hear about all of your e-mail problems. Most of us have had similar problems at least once. I know that I had horrible spam problems from my local ISP account, and that was one of the major reasons why I canceled it. I currently have a hotmail account that is nothing but spam, so I see no reason for keeping it.

Please don't let this get you down. I'll just pray that you find solutions that will limit or do away with the aggravation.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Well we are back in business. The pictures are now up on my website. Go to "Road Not Taken" in navigation and you we see the fruits of our labors in the clearing of property that had been over-grown with brush.

If anyone runs into same problem I did with trying to upload pictures that were saved as jpg or jpeg, do the following if possible. Mine were sent to me by a friend. So I ask him to resend them in a different form which was gif. When I tried to save picture it only gave me the choose of saving it as a jpg again. So I saved as "Target" instead. This enabled me to save the picture as a gif file, thus something that my website would except. As most of you know saving a picture or as a target, is done by right-clicking on a picture giving you the options mentioned.
My website can be visited by clicking on the small earth globe on left side of this post, or by going to http://sweedpatch.tripod.com

Hello Islandboy,

I just came from your web site, and I really enjoyed it. VERY NICE! Clearing everything looks like a lot of work. I was just wondering if you've thought about a low, flowering ground cover. I was actually thinking about Ajuga. Ajuga might be known as Vinca Minor in many parts of the country. It's a very hardy plant that multiplies, is dark green year around, easy to care for, and flowers about 3 to 4 months of the year. It only gets a couple of inches tall, so it doesn't become a problem. From a short distance, it looks like a dark green carpet, and the small flowers are in various colors. In fact, I think they would look nice on the sides of a walking path. I'm almost sure that just about any kind of barrier would stop them, so it should be easy to keep the walking path clear. There are many kinds of hardy ground cover that look nice, but I think that Ajuga requires almost no care and looks nice. It looks like you live in a beautiful place.

Love In Christ,
Tom

2 Peter 3:9 NASB
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

That's quite a yard you have there, Islandboy.  The banana trees are some of my favorites.  About two blocks away there is a banana tree in the front yard of an apartment bldg.  Every now and then we see bananas on it, but not for long.  :)  How often do they grow the bananas?

Debp, As far as I know each banana tree puts fruit on once a year.
The part of yard we cleared the brush off of actually belongs to Water Management, (government). Our main concern has been having it cleared to reduce fire danger. Florida, is considered the lighting capital of the world. We have lots of really tall pine trees on the property, and we were concerned should lighting ever hit on of our trees, that if the brush got going it might spread faster than we could get it put out or control it. Also the last hurricane that gave us wind damage knocked down and broke off many of the trees that gave us some wind protection. As you can see in the background of some of the pictures is a line of brush. This was a invention of mine, as in putting up a small fence on treated stakes, the fence being light-weight mesh fencing, along the river side of property. This area gave us a  place to put all the weeds and fallen branches and cut brush, a sort of long compost bed. Each year the stuff will rot down and build up the bank of the river, and also give us a bit of wind protection. It provides a continual place to put yard waste while serving a useful purpose. For now we will be attempting to keep weeds from growing up again and hopefully be able to plant some grass or other low growing plant in there that is beneficial to wildlife in the future.
I plan to put up more pictures of our main yard so you can see how I manage plantings there. Glad you enjoyed the view.

Brother it was just on the news here. One of the broadcasters told of receiving over 500 spam emails, in one day (yesterday). Never the less, he would like to get a hold of the spammer..............

Me I like my spam fried!! :D :D :D

I like three eggs and spam.

Make my green eggs, with spam.

Some how I think this is off topic so would it be........... (http://bestsmileys.com/spam/1.gif)(http://bestsmileys.com/spam/3.gif)

 ;D   ;D    ROFL!

YES - I remember eating spam when it didn't cost so much. In fact, I liked spam fried with some cheese on top for an excellent sandwich. I don't know why it got so expensive. You can get higher quality fresh meat cheaper than you can get spam now. It just doesn't make sense.

SO, I'll have an egg omelet with cheese and REAL HAM - NOT spam.   ;D

It is cheaper to buy ham now than it is spam. Spam is good though for putting in an emergency food kit.

Good idea about clearing the brush....we also have wildfire dangers here, but in the suburbs.  I'm in the heart of the city so no problem....we don't get the floods or mudslides either.  :)

The compost is a good idea, too.  But will your river bank ever get too high and block out the view?  Must be nice being so close to nature.  I like any type of waterways; even enjoy our fountains in downtown L.A.

Hi Debp, We thought about the view, or wind protection and decided wind protection was more important. We have a few lookout points along the river where there is no fence, and of course the fence is only 4 feet high at best, so it is easy to see over it. It basicly keeps the yard waste from blowing back all over the place. Every summer as a generally rule with the rains the piles rot and go down very quickly. Of couse more is added all the time as palm trees shed their branches often. Now the hard part will be keeping it mowed so the weeds don't take over again. And there is still one more section to clear. One nice thing about the brush pile it gives the wild rabbits a safe place to hide from the hawks and owls.

In doing some research on the web, I discovered these two websites that provide information about Florida native plants and more, so thought I would share the info with all you nature lovers out there.
The Florida Native Plant Society:  http://www.fnps.org       

University of South Florida Atlas of Florida Plants:    http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu/

Both sides have links that go on forever on many different subjects. There are pictures and Latin names, as well.

We went and bought a new lawnmower. I sat on and looked at and admired the riding lawnmowers with their $1200, price tag and then with a long longing sigh, went to look at push mowers and self-propelled mowers. Well, I knew I did not want the self-propelled ones, as I didn't want to be dragged around my yard. Plus, they are heavy to handle. So we went on the up  isle  looking for a push mower. We didn't get the cheapest one, but instead picked one with a 5 1/2 horse powered engine, and it's a mulch mower so it can handle some the the weeds that grow around here. Tried it out tonight and it was soooooooooooooo, nice. The wheels are bigger than my old push mower and we set it up a little to make the pushing easier. It was like pushing a grocery cart around a store. So I mowed for a half an hour and made the front yard look so nice and smooth instead of the weedpatch it was being to become. Even thou we are having a drought, it seems the grass continues to grow even without rain.
Still clearing brush and pulling weeds, but my easy fences are really coming in handy. I have put them all over the place along the property border along the river and oxbow. It is just a great idea I wish I would of thought of it 6 years ago. I have offset the fence a good 6 feet, that allows for the plants and trees along the bank to have plenty of room, and a place for wildlife to build nests and have protection. And the throwing on of brush gives us a good wind break.

Glad you got a nice mower and that the wildlife will have a good habitat!

The Faithfulness of God

Faith is holding on to the faithfulness of God, and, as long as you do that you cannot go wrong. Faith does not look at the difficulties.
Faith does not look at itself or at the person who is exercising it. Faith looks at God. Faith is interested in God only, and it talks about God.
And it praises God and it extols the virtues of God. The measure of the strength of a man's faith, always, is ultimately the measure of his knowledge of God. He knows God so well that he can rest on the knowledge. And it is the prayers of such a man that are answered.
Words by: D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones



Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations.  Psalms 119:89-90

Hello Islandboy,

AMEN! This is short, powerful, and it really says it all. The big message is that all Glory must go to GOD - not us. Our real strength is IN HIM and FROM HIM. We can grow stronger, but it's still IN HIM and FROM HIM. Many of our problems in this short life are cured when we learn this. Maybe we could call this a "Relying Faith" - becoming stronger by relying on HIM in all things. By the way, this is what HE wants anyway. GOD'S Faithfulness is always perfect!

Love In Christ,
Tom

2 Corinthians 1:20-22 NASB
For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.

I found an interesting article about the small green lizards (Anolis carolinensis) that are native to Florida, and also the brown lizards (A. sagrel)  that are native to Cuba. The green lizards grow about 7-8 inches long, but the brown lizards get up to 9=10 inches long. When the brown anoles arrived about 60 years ago, the greens began to disappear, as the green anoles sought higher places to live and the browns live closer to the ground. Both the greens and the browns compete for the same food, as in insects, spiders and flies, mosquitoes and cockroaches, etc..  The bad part about having two species of lizards is that they can eat each others young. In both types the females lay an egg once every week or two, in leaf litter, or they bury the egg, a leathery miniature white egg in soil. The green hatchlings have to find their own tree, as neither their parent's or other lizards will share a tree, all being very territorial creatures. So while they are young they are often eatten by the browns. The greens can survive colder weather, but the browns can not. The Cuba or brown anoles can be found in a variety of colors, such as black, speckled, different shades of brown and gray. When the males contest territory or a female they flash their dewlap, which is a fleshy projection under the chin. When anoles do pushups, an activity that people often spot, they are not exercising. Instead they have been startled or irritated. There are several characteristics of all anoles, as in their ability to climb with  their suction cup like feet and they shed their skin about once a month and eat it to preserve nutrients and lastly they are famous for losing their tails when grabbed, but the tail grows back.
More information can be found at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in Fort Myers, Fl, at http://floridastateparks.org

I know many of you no doubt wonder why I have bothered to put in stories and info about our State of Florida's bugs and wildlife. In a way it is the realism of nature created by God, and it also brings us back to our roots in God. Each State deals with it's own wildlife adventures, as well as, horror stories, but do we really take time to see the nature around us. As  Debp's story about cockroach pins that movie stars tote on there outfits unfolded I was thinking about swatting them not wearing them. The dragonfly story to me was a waste of tax payer money, it was also God's way of controlling the mosquito population. And while you might have wondered about the article on lizards, let me tell you they are no joke to a lot of folks who visit Florida, every year and are startled by seeing lizards streaking across the floor or underfoot as they walk outside, as the lizards are hunting food or chasing each other. I remember my mother when visiting letting out a little scream as one dashed over her foot in the kitchen. She was sneaking up on it with the flyswatter, when I stopped her. I explained calmly to her that they help in controlling the bug population, by eating spiders and flies, ants and roaches, thus saving my lungs from bug spray fumes. I have lived in this State for over twenty years now and so I guess I know a few things about bugs and a bit about plants I have grown and battled and a bit about history. But what I find most interesting is the way each thing is interconnected by the loving hand of God.

Hello Islandboy,

I like watching the small lizards that aren't any danger to people. I don't care much for the big ones with teeth.   ;D

We have a few kinds of harmless lizards here, but they're rarely around people, and they're so fast that they're really hard to spot. I have no idea what they're called.

A little bit further West from us, they have the big and dangerous lizards called Gila-Monsters. They're poisonous and can kill folks, so I have no desire to see one except in a zoo. AND, if I remember correctly, they can outrun most people, so that's a really bad combination.  ;D I try to respect dangerous animals and give them plenty of room. One of the good things about where we live is the huge wildlife refuge. The animals have everything they need, and I think that most of the animals are perfectly suited for the habitat.

Hi Islandboy, your posts about nature have always been very interesting.  You are right about the lizards helping to control the bugs...I hadn't thought of that before.  But, of course, I don't see any lizards in the heart of the city.  :)  We do have them in other areas of L.A.

I haven't been posting as much as I have gotten more busy where I am a moderator but I try to check in here now and then.

Debp and Pastor Roger, You will both find this website interesting. The name of it is Tropical Plant Library, it is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The web address is:  http://mgonline.com    The site provides articles and pictures of plants, plant names with latin names. It is really a great site to check out plants. So next time I talk about the plants, trees, and bushes in my yard, you will be able to go to this site and see what they look like.

Those are some really cool looking trees on that site.

Thanks for the site, Islandboy.

Glad you enjoyed that site Debp. This past week I have been in a bit of a slump. I am looking forward to and dreading next Tuesday, which is my court date. I have been in a depression so long that I am hoping and praying to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But if i do not get it, I am up to my eyeballs in debt. I have borrowed money to survive these past four years and need to pay it back. Here is a Bible verse that has lifted my heart from it's sadness.
I lift up my eyes to the hills where does my help come from ?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip
He who watches over you will not slumber.
The Lord watches over you
The Lord is your shade at your right hand
The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm.
He will watch over your life.
The Lord will watch over your coming and going
Both now and forevermore.                                   Psalm 121

Amen Islandboy!

The best and most lasting medications are in GOD'S Prescription Shop - HIS WORD.

Love In Christ,
Tom

James 1:2-4 NASB
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Hi Islandboy, always nice to read your posts.  Yes, that is a wonderful Psalm with wonderful promises from God to us.

I hope and pray your court case goes good.

i am new too but being new is good espesly in faith its wonderful!!

Hello Tara, and welcome to Christians Unite forum.

Hello Tara,

WELCOME!


I sincerely hope that you enjoy Christians Unite.

Love In Christ,
Tom

   

Hi Tara. welcome to the forum. Someone gave this to me at church and so I thought I would just share it with you right here. I know by using it, it has given me strength and courage to face my court date.

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE  NUMBERS    These are more soul effective than 911.

WHEN:
You are sad, phone John 14
You have sinned, phone Psalm 51
You are facing danger, phone Psalm 91
People have failed you, phone Psalm 27
It feels as though God is far from you, phone Psalm 139
Your faith needs stimulation, phone Hebrews 11
You are alone and scared, phone Psalm 23
You are worried, phone Matthew 11:19-34
You are hurt and critical, phone 1 Corinthians 13
You wonder about Christianity, phone 2 Corinthians 5:15-18
You feel like an outcast, phone Romans 8:31-39
You are seeking peace, phone Matthew 11:25-30
IT feels as if the world is bigger than God, phone Psalm 90
You need Christ like insurance, phone Romans 8: 1-30
You are leaving home for a trip, phone Psalm 121
You are praying for yourself, phone Psalm 87
You require courage for a task, phone Joshua 1
Inflation's and investments are hogging your thoughts, phone Mark 10:17-31
You are depressive, phone Psalm 27
Your bank account is empty, phone Psalm 37
You lose faith in mankind, phone 1 Corinthians 13
It looks like people are unfriendly, phone John 15
You are losing hope, phone Psalm 126
You feel the world is small compared to you, phone Psalm 19
You want to carry fruit, phone John 15
Paul's secret for happiness, phone Colossians 3:12-17
With big opportunity/discovery, phone Isaiah 55
To get along with other people, phone Romans 12
ALTERNATE  NUMBERS:
For dealing with fear, call Psalm 47
For security, call Psalm 121:3
For assurance, call Mark 8:35
For reassurance, call Psalm 145:18
FEED YOUR FAITH,  AND DOUBT WILL  FADE  AWAY !

AMEN ISLANDBOY!

Bible Prescriptions never become outdated, and their potency is forever.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Happy to hear you can use the Emergency numbers. They came in handy for me in my preparing for my court date. Tomarrow is the big day, but I think I am ready to take this on. Please think of me and say a little prayer, for I fear I will be being hammered about questions on why I can not work. I will need a lot of strength and courage to get through this. I don't like formal hearings or meetings of any kind. So after tomarrow my fate will be in the hands of the JUDGE. I will let you know what the outcome of this turns out to be. In the mean time   My God Bless All of You.

I have a note written and pasted on the front of my computer to remind me to say an extra prayer for you in the morning on this.

I will agree with you and Pastor Roger, in prayer, regarding your court date tomorrow.

Love in Christ, Eva

Hello Islandboy,

I got to read this just in time, and you will be in my prayers.

Love In Christ,
Tom

My note is on the small refrigerator, next to the bed to pray for you in the morning islandboy.

Hi Islandboy, I saw your request the other day but did not post, but my prayers were with you.  I hope your hearing went well.

Well, I guess first of all I want to thank you all for your good thoughts and prayers for me concerning my court hearing on SSD. And the verdict is....................."I   GOT  IT."   The judge was very nice and said right from the get-go that he was favorable toward my case. He apologized for the fact it took four years for me to get the court date, that it was a miscarriage of justice and a terrible shame in the fact that I had been made to wait so long. I was shocked and pleased at the same time. Then he ask me some questions about my condition and then spoke to the vocational rehab man about workability, then announced that he was in favor of me getting disability. I am still somewhat in awe and surprised and happy all at the same time. So thank you dear friends for your support and prayers. And I give thanks and praise to our Lord, who must have had His mighty  hand in this answering of prayer.  :'( :'( :'(  I am crying happy tears today.
 :o :o :o :) :) :)

Praise the Lord!!! Congratulations to you. 

Love in Christ, Eva

Thats great to hear brother so enjoy your blessings from God brother.

(http://img116.exs.cx/img116/1231/z7shysterical.gif)

Congratulations, sister. That is great news. Praise God for answered prayers.

Islandboy, is islandgirl?? (http://smilies.zx6r.info/schokiert/aaa.gif)

I totally missed this but I will sure join in on praising God with ya!  I always get so warm and fuzzy when God takes care of us in such a very personal way!  Amen!

Now, DreamWeaver......
Whatcha got in the fridge next to your bed?  ??? ;D

Gummy M-n-M's?  Or whatever kind that was that you were hoardin' down there!?

I am not just LOL, I am rolling in the floor!!!

Love in Christ, Eva

This morning a note to myself to pray for islandboy this morning.

Inside of the fridge, is my morning (http://smilies.zx6r.info/krank_muede/krank.gif) orange juice. Thats for taking my meds, when I get up in the morning. (http://smilies.zx6r.info/lachen/567.gif)

Like this sister?? (http://smilies.zx6r.info/lachen/lachen014.gif) or this (http://smilies.zx6r.info/lachen/lachend.gif)

Exactly. How did u do that?

Love in Christ, Eva

Insert a picture??

The step by step procedure is right here. http://forums.christiansunite.com/index.php?topic=18125.msg213525#msg213525 and also here http://forums.christiansunite.com/index.php?topic=9751.msg119767#msg119767

Dreamweaver:

Thanks!!!

Love in Christ, Eva

Your welcome sister, we moderators are always willing to help when we can.

If you use a smilie generator, that is the easyiest part.

For a picture just remove the { } and replace them with [ ] So the link will look like {img}http://bestsmileys.com/happy/5.gif{/img} here is what it looks like with the parenthesis replaced with brackets. (http://bestsmileys.com/happy/5.gif)

AMEN ISLANDBOY!

Sister, I'm extremely happy that prayers have been answered. We serve an awesome GOD who loves to hear our prayers. We all have lengthy lists of things to give thanks for.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Colossians 1:9-12 NASB
For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

Your ELDERS!  Why... I oughta...Leme at em', leme at em'...(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/b_thejfreak/thecowardlylion.jpg)

 ;D   ;D   ROFL!


 

Oh!  So that's what you look like, Blackeyed Bart!  (http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/Cmarieg97/Smilies/36_11_6.gif)

 ;D   ;D

She's actually one of Elmer Fudd's body guards working incognito. She has a 45 on each hip and she said that she's hunting wabbits. So, be vawy, vawy quiet.

But she looks so genteel!   (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a50/Michelle2M/Mona%20Lisa%20-%20gif/Mona2.gif)

 ;D

She is genteel - it's her sisters that cause trouble!

 

Yeah!  Look what they've done now!

Many thanks to all of you for your kind words and great humor. As I read through all the posts and looked at all the crazy pictures, I too indeed was  laughing out loud. Keep up the good work, I am always amazed at the pictures ya'all come up with. Special thanks to Eve and Grammyluv, for adding to the comments and joining in on the fun on this piece of forum. Look forward to sharing and fellowshipping with you more.   :) :) :) :) ::) ::) ::) ::)

Hi Islandboy, I'm very glad to hear that you got your SSD.  :)

I'm sure you feel like a huge weight has been lifted off your back as indeed it has!   (http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa62/lhstwirlercoach/anchor2.jpg)

Hey Debp great to hear from you. Yes, I am so thankful I got a nice good judge that was willing to go out on a limb against the vocational rep and tell him he was very much in favor of me getting it. It has been a long haul and lots of hard times during these last few years living on nothing and up to my ears in medical bills. I look forward to paying them all off and being free as a bird, well, for a few moments anyways.  :D :D  
Debp, would you put up that other forum you go to, I forgot where it was at.  :)

I'm a moderator at Cpals.net and spend most of my time there.  Hope to see you there sometimes.

Often times in my little,  ???  section of the forum, we have talked about what life is like in Florida and about plant and animal life. I have just finished reading a really good book about Chokoloskee Island and Everglades City and the Everglades National Park. The book I am speaking of is called TOTCH and is written by Loren G. "Totch" Brown. He describes his life growing up in the very far reaching rural areas of South Florida. It is a hard to put down type of book, that tells tales of alligator hunts and about some of his lawbreaking activities that he engaged in in trying to support his family. I enjoyed reading this book very much.
Another book I just found is out of print but could possibly be found at Amazon.com  in their older used book section.  For that matter "Totch", can be found there as well. Anyways, the second book is called "They Lived In The Park", by Charlton W. Tebeau
This book starts out like a history lesson of the area, describing the various islands, land masses, and rivers and canels. It also speaks on the plants and trees that make up the landscape as well as, their purpose and how they are a part of the wildlife habitate. I have only started the book but I am find it very informative and packed with details not generally found in most books. If I get motivated I may include some chapters here to give you an over all idea of the scope of this book. If your really interested in Florida, these books are ones you should consider.

Ok folks, this is a bit of info from the book, "They Lived in the Park". 
As the name indicates, the Everglades is chiefly a great flat, mostly treeless, complex of marshes and wet prairie with a scattering of islands and hammocks which stand out in it somewhat as the islands do in the offshore waters on the west coast. It is covered everywhere with saw grass dotted with small islands. Though it may appear to be part of a great level plain nearly thirty miles wide where it enters the Park, it is in reality a great drainage basin aptly designated a "River of Grass". The fall is so slight, being twenty feet from sea level at Lake Okeechobee, to sea level at it's end 150 miles south, that the flow of water is almost imperceptible. The waters of the Kissimmee River, and the other streams of the Lake Okeechobee watershed once flowed into the lake, and from the lake down though more than a hundred miles of Everglades and found their way into the Gulf of Mexico. But drainage of the lake and the upper Everglages has greatly reduced this source of water and every gallon of water diverted from this great area by use or drainage is also diverted from the Everglades National Park and alters the natural setting.

Okay, now skipping ahead a few pages this is what I found to be really interesting:
To the aboriginal Indian and his successor in South Florida, the Everglades was a great highway of travel. Only in the driest years, and it must be emphasized that there were dry years even before drainage efforts began to lower the water table and was travel restricted. The white man too learned to navigate the river of grass. In the Seminole wars he used a shallow draft canoe. Later he devised a glades skiff, a long narrow craft built out of boards. Then a swamp buggy which is lightweight jeep-like, with powerful engines, and an extra low speed transmission with oversized tires. However, on the Eastern side of the Everglades there are larger outcrops of sharp rocks that ruin tires and bottoms of airboats, and so glades buggies with caterpillar type traction are more commonly used there. In the more watery regions of the western Glades the airboat, powered by an airplane type engine and propeller is used, as it can go over the grasses,  as well as, handle the deeper waters where the wheeled vehicles cannot operate.

Hello Islandboy,

I watched a Discovery Channel show about Florida not too long ago and it was fascinating. They talked about a vast and unexplored system of caves beneath Florida. Most of them are full of water and too dangerous to explore except by absolute professionals. However, even the professionals lack equipment that will allow them to explore much of the underwater world. They did bring cameras with them, and it was beautiful. It was really just another example of how little we really know about GOD'S awesome and beautiful Creation. We've only seen a tiny fraction of GOD'S Creation. More will be revealed at HIS appointed time.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Thanks Islandboy for posting about the Everglades.....sounds like a great place to visit.  Tom, the caves sound fascinating, too.

Skipping ahead, I will tell a bit about the mangrove trees in Florida. No where in Florida is the mangrove forest so extensive or well developed as in the Everglades National Park area. The term mangrove is strictly ecological meaning tropical trees that grow in flooded saline areas. The roots being bathed by fresh and salt water, as the land merges into the sea. Three trees in Florida bear the name mangrove, the red, the black, and the white. The red mangrove is clearly recognizable by its extensive prop root system; the black by the pneumatophores that its roots send up which suggest asparagus. The less commom white mangrove is not clearly distinguishable but has a characteristically different leaf. which is thick and oval shaped and looks alike on both sides. The three types of mangrove are sometimes said to grow in different zones, but in the Park, at least , they are commonly mixed. The big forest in the Park is roughly fifty per cent red, thirty per cent black, and twenty per cent white. Red mangroves make up the swamp fringes because it has a more efficient floating seedling. The black mangrove when partly decomposed has a punky quality that makes it useful to burn as a smudge to drive away mosquitoes and is sometimes used as fuel. The mangrove, as well as,  buttonwood trees have long been important sources of tannin and charcoal in the Orient. In Florida the buttonwood tree was an important source of firewood and charcoal in the early years. The so-called driftwood that is gathered along the more accessible inland areas, prized for it's weird shapes is usually buttonwood. No drifting is involved, it is simply storm-killed, weathered wood lying in the woods and sometimes on beaches.
The red mangrove has a high tannic acid content, but has been largely undisturbed in Florida.
The most remarkable strand of mangroves was or is in a stretch from the Little Shark River to north of Lostman's River, extending inland two to six miles along the rivers. The trees grow in a peat soil that is ten to fourteen feet deep and where they reach a height from eighty to one hundred feet with straight clear trunks, as much as eighteen to even twenty-four inches in diameter. The bark on the trees ranges from .2 to .7 inch in thickness and averages .4 inch. White and black mangroves do not grow as tall, but sometimes reach four feet in diameter. The single most thing that is destructive to mangroves is hurricanes.

This will be the last skip ahead in and from the book "They Lived In The Park", but before I quote from it I would like to say that I have always enjoyed books written about history. Not all history, but history that defines the area of the country that I have lived or live in. In doing this it gives me a sense of home. It shows me what people went through in the early years and what makes any certain State, in the union different from all the other States. Florida is unique in many ways, but Florida also had some of the toughest pioneers, as in the ability to live in the area of the Everglades National Park, the Ten-Thousand Islands, Everglades City, and Chokoloskee. What makes this area worst than all the other areas in Florida, well one word to be exact mosquitoes. Not just any mosquito mind you, but mangrove salt water mosquitoes. They are the most pesky in my book. Don't believe me, next time you visit Florida, take a ride down that way and step out of your car with no repellent on,  oh and by the way they enjoy natives, almost as much as they like tourists. Now back in the early years in Florida, the Indians had their own ways of dealing with pesky insects and then along came the white man and he had to learn mighty fast or these books might never have been written. Just as learning our Bibles is important to learn how this world came into being and the words of our Lord and Savior, we must read and understand the histories of those men and women that broke the trails and made a living out of a little scrap of nothing, be it in the  north country or  on a shell mound in South Florida.
Now here is the last tidbit from this little book that makes all I have said above come into true focus for me as it may to many of you.
When the early setters came to live in the area of the Everglades National Park area, they came mostly with what was on there backs or in their boats. Most trade in the old days was with the Seminole Indians, as boats from up north were few and far between. Thus one had to learn how to make things out of what was available in the area, whereby the fauna of the islands came into play. The coconut tree furbished the Islander with house, house furniture, clothing, table utensil, food and drink. Panthers and Florida beaver, and a small species of deer and bear provided him with his winter hunting food as well as pelts although, there was little money to be made from pelts owing to the climate. The exception to this was the raccoons, whose fur was of exceptionally good quality and formed 90 percent of an Islander's pelt trade. The Islander's had seven unwritten laws, outside the observance of all other laws be they religious or moral systems. They are or were, either case maybe as I don't live in that area: Suspect every man, Ask no questions, Settle your own quarrels, Never steal from an Islander, Stick by him, even if you do not know him, Shoot quick, when your secret is in danger, and Cover your kill.  This book covers the date time frame of the early 1800's through 1963. It is an interesting and informative account of the early years of the before and after the Park came into being. A worthwhile book to read. May be available through libraries.

We have come a long ways together you and I, as I have told of my life and about living in Florida, as well as some history of South Florida. Now I have decided to add a few Bible scripture quotes and poems to my little space here.
                                    Jesus said, "You are the light of the world."  (Matt. 5:14)

What does that mean to us as Christians?  Is it about making speeches about Jesus?  If not then what?
It is about what people see when they observe us. Many may not want to hear about Jesus, but you can be sure they are watching us, to see if having God in our lives makes a difference in the way we live. When Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works" (Matt. v 16), He was saying that before we can speak to others about Jesus, we must live for Christ, by throwing away all our selfishness and unneeded wants, and show by our good works in compassion for others that we are living our lives as true, not false Christians. Turn on your light and shine for Jesus.

                                                          You are called with a holy calling
                                                             The light of the world to be,
                                                           To lift up the lamp of the Savior
                                                              That others His light may see.

                                         

Amen, Islandboy.  I agree totally.

Amen, well worth quoting again.

Question for Debp or Pastor Rogers, I went on over to the site cpals and joined up. However, everytime I go to post, I get an error message. The question is do they have a waiting period before you can post, or is this another wacky thing that happens only to me ??

This little poem seems to fit in this spot, matching the meaning of the verses above.

Lord, let me be a shining light
In all I say and do,
That Your great love displayed in me
May lead someone to You.

Debp will have to answer that. I don't know anything about it.

Hi Islandboy.  I saw last night that you visited there....are you Islandboy there, as there was also an Islandgirl?

Anyhow, yes, there is a short waiting period (authorization).  The administrators will check each new member first, as we had been getting some porn and spam postings.  I'll look to see if your authorization went through yet.  Just getting on the computer now.

I am registered as islandboy. I hope you can figure it out as I look forward to sharing posts with you there as well. The islandgirl name was someone who had use of one of my website, e-mail addresses and decided to use it for personal stuff. I told them in no uncertain terms that I did not want that and they were supposed to cancel the membership. Needless to say I was not happy about that. I hope that was done. I hate spam, except for the meat in the can.

Hi Islandboy, I just asked about your authorization....hopefully it will go through now.  Once you get authorized, we also have the pm function....makes it much easier if you need to chat with someone privately.

I often wonder how our world would be if we all lived and carried on our lives the way that God wants us to. In our Bible study class at church, we have begun a study of the Book of Daniel. As you read the chapters about Daniel, you learn that he was an elderly Jewish resident of Babylon, who was sentenced to death for faithfully praying and talking to God. Daniel is most known for the prayer that sent him to the lions den. Daniel (6:11). It seems Daniel had been reading about his people in the scroll of Jeremiah, that stated the captivity of his people would last 70 years, and the people were already 67 years into exile Jeremiah (25:8-11), when it came to his attention and he wanted it to end. So Daniel focused his prayer on worshiping God, and recognizing Him, as the almighty God. He also asked for forgiveness of his sins. The use of prayer in praise and confession of sins is what God hopes of His children. God wants His people to live righteously through-out our lives, not just in hit and miss moments when we have done something wrong or when we are suddenly in need of help, or when we are in the church.
I read a book once about a town of people who before they did anything through-out their day, they would face each happening in their live's with the question, "What would Jesus do?  Can you imagine doing that constantly all day long, for an entire year, or for a lifetime. In the book I learned that this idea, this quest was very hard and in the end it changed an entire town. Now while the book was fiction, the use of this question has been on many peoples minds. In fact it was used as a question on the Republican 08 U-Tube debate this past week.
Another example of this was the movie about the young boy, who re payed kindness by, "Pay It Forward". That when you receive help when in need, pay it forward, and help someone else. This is part of how one can live righteously in God's eyes by having compassion and love in helping others. Thinking of others before yourself.
Now back to Daniel, did his prayer come true??  Well I guess you will have to read your Bible, to find that out.   ::)  ::)

In another part of this forum, I have started a topic about the Faith Lessons series by Ray Vander Laan. In one of the study guides they talk about Olive Trees. Now I not knowing a thing about olive trees, but having had olives (favorite big black ones), I thought you too may enjoy hearing about them.
Olive trees and olive oil played a big part throughout ancient Middle East, including during the time of Jesus and his disciples. So it is not surprising that images of olive trees and oil appear in Scripture as symbols of spiritual truth.
Think about these unusual characteristics of the olive tree. Olive trees rarely reach twenty feet high, but they can bear fruit for more than 100 years. When an olive tree gets very old and stops bearing, the branches are cut off. Soon new shoots grow out of the stump, which can survive for centuries, and the tree begins producing olives again.
People in the Middle East harvest ripe, blackened olives in October and early November. In the time of Jesus. olives designated for oil were placed in a crushing basin in which a large millstone rolled in a circle, crushing the olives--pits and all--into pulp. The pulp was then placed into shallow (4 inches tall by 2 feet in diameter) woven baskets. The baskets of pulp were stacked on top of each other over a collecting pit or vat below. The name Gethsemane is an olive press. In the Middle East today, streams of golden oil pouring from the basket type small oil presses is often seen. The oil's rich, pungent oder permeates the air for miles. The first pressing produces the best oil, which is the ingredient in many foods. Olive oil is also used for skin care and burned as lamp fuel.
Some larger olive oil presses were located in caves, because the more moderate temperatures improved the efficiency of oil production. The press near the Mount of Olives, where Jesus went on the night before his crucifixion, was so large that the surrounding area became known as "Gethsemane."

I got this in a e-mail and thought I would share it with you.


There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind.
She hated everyone, except for her loving boyfriend, He was
always there for her.
She told her boyfriend, "If I could only see the world, I will marry you."
One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her.
When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including
her boyfriend.
He asked her, "Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?"
The girl looked at her boyfriend and say that he was blind. The sight
of his closed eye lids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them
the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.
Her boyfriend left her in tears and later wrote a note to her saying:
"Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours,
they were mine."

This is how the human brain works when our status changes. Only a very
few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in
the most trying painful  situations.

Hello Islandboy,

WOW! - What a story. After reading this, I thought about our "Spiritual" eyes - those that help us see, understand, and prayerfully obtain portions of the "Mind of CHRIST". This was just a comparison I thought about. I think that our "Spiritual" sight is the most beautiful thing we have, and it's eternal. GOD tells us to walk by faith, and that's definitely part of our "Spiritual" sight.

Love In Christ,
Tom

2 Corinthians 5:5-8 NASB
Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord -- for we walk by faith, not by sight -- we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

Another priceless E-mail, thought I would share.

THREE  things in life, once gone, never come back-

1. Time
2. Words
3. Opportunity

THREE  things in life that can destroy a person--

1.  Anger
2.  Pride
3.  Unforgiveness

THREE  things  in life that you should never lose--

1.  Hope
2.  Peace
3.  Honesty

THREE  things in life that are most valuable---
1.  Love
2.  Family & Friends
3.  Kindness

THREE  things in life that are never certain---
1.  Fortune
2.  Success
3.  Dreams

THREE  things that make a person---
1.  Commitment
2.  Sincerity
3.  Hard Work

THREE  things that are truly constant---
1.  Father  -   Son   -  Holy Spirit


I ask the Lord to bless you, as I pray today;
To guide and protect you,
As you go along your way.
God's love is always with you,
God's promises are true.
And when you give God all your cares,
you know he will see you through.

Although, unseen, the Lord is always near to those who believe in Him and trust Him and depend on Him, for the strength to meet the challenges of life. Although, veiled from mortal sight, God is always available to us whenever we humbly ask for it. The feeling that God is with us should not depend on any passing mood of ours, but we should try to be always conscious of His power and love in the background of our lives.

Work and prayer are the two forces which are gradually making a better world. We work for the betterment of ourselves and other people. Faith without works is dead. But all work with people should be based on prayer. If we say a little prayer before we speak or try to help, it will make us more effective. Prayer is the force behind the work. Prayer is based on faith that God is working with us and through us. We can believe that nothing is impossible in human relationships, if we depend on the help of God.

A few posts back I ask a question concerning the prayers of Daniel in wanted the exile of his people to end, and if Daniel's prayer was answered. I bet you all  thought I was going to leave you hanging out in mid-stream without providing the answer to the question. First lets back up a bit and give some history leading into the exile to Babylon.
Around 710 BC, Judah, was in a dangerous position. A decade before, Judah's fellow Israelites in the kingdom of Israel had been conquered by Assyria. The Assyrians repopulated the land with others brought in from distant parts of the Assyrian Empire. Judah's territory had been largely devastated by the Assyrian armies. Only a miracle had saved the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the same fate that had overtaken those northern cousins.
However, a new power, Babylon was rising in east. The weakened Judah was in a precarious position between the powerful Assyria, and Babylon, and Egypt. Soon after Jerusalem's miraculous deliverance from the Assyrians, Judah"s King Hezekiah fell ill. After God healed Hezekiah, a Babylonian prince sent representatives with a message and a gift of congratulations for the monarch.
(2 Kings 20:12)" At that time Berodach---Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick."
In (2 Kings 20: 13-17) " And Hezekiah was attentive to them ( those from Babylon), and showed them all the house of his treasures--the silver and gold, the spices and precious ointment, and all of his armory-- all that was found among his treasures. There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them. Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah, and said to him, "What did these men say, and from where did they come to you?' So Hezekiah said "They came from a far country, from Babylon." Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the Lord: "Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left."
In (2 Chronicles 32:31) God had allowed Hezekiah to make this foolish decision, thus setting the stage for  the future Babylonian invasion of Judah and its rich capital, Jerusalem.
After Hezekiah's death his son Manasseh inherited the throne. The young king departed from his fathers righteous example and became a very wicked ruler.
(2 Chronicles 33:1-2) "Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. But he did evil in the sight of the Lord."
(2 Chronicles 33: 9-11) "So Manasseh seduced Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to do more evil than the nations whom the Lord had destroyed... And the Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they would not listen. Thereforethe Lord brought upon them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze fetters, and carried him off to Babylon."
                                                     more to come

To continue lets consider these following dates of occurrences:

Isaiah's prophecy (approximately 700 B.C.)
The Assyrians rule the region and Israel has fallen and much of Judah as well; many Jews were deported; Jerusalem remains unconquered.
In (Isaiah 37: 7-10) it is told that Isaiah prophesied that Jerusalem would not fall to the Assyrians.
And in (Isaiah 39) Isaiah prophesied that Jerusalem would fall to the not-yet-an-empire Babylonians.
The Babylonians conquered the Assyrians in 604 B.C.
After Assyria fell, Babylon ascended to rule the region. Thus became the rise of king Nebuchadnezzar. He reigned for 43 years from (605--562 B.C.).
Succeeded by his son Merodach, who ruled only 2 years until assassinated by his brother-in-law in 560 B.C.
Neriglissan ruled 4 years from (560 B.C. to 556 B.C.) He was also called Nergal--Shazezer.
Succeeded by his son Labashi--Marduk, who ruled 2 months then was assassinated.
Succeeded by Nabonidus who reigned for 17 years (556 B.C. to 539 B.C.) and appointed Belshazzar as co-regent.
In (II Kings 24-25) Jerusalem was under siege, first by the Egyptians, then by the Babylonians from 609 B.C. ; many more Jews were deported. Jerusalem was ruled by puppet kings of Egypt, then Babylon from 609 B.C., until their complete fall.
Jerusalem was overcome in 586 B.C. bringing to a close the Southern Kingdom of Judah; and more Jews were deported.
Then Babylon falls to the Persians 539 B.C.
It is stated that although not alot is known about the lives of the Jewish exilies in Babylon, it was known that their plight was not as harsh as their slavery had been in Egypt during Moses's time. In Babylon they did not live as prisoners or slaves, instead as mostly free people. After the Persians conquered Babylon in 539 B.C., and granted the Jews the right to return to their native land, only a small number of them did so at that time. Many did not want to sacrifice the comforts and riches they had acquired in this foreign land and face the uncertainties of going back to their homeland.
The Persian King Cyrus issues a decree for the Jews to return to Israel around 538 B.C.
In (Ezra 1: 1-4) The Jews return to their homeland around 535 B.C,

Added a few more interesting details:
Belshazzar lost his life in the takeover ,as the shift from Babylonian to Persian rule began, under assault from Cyrus. The city had stored up supplies in anticipation of a long siege, in fact enough to last 20 years. The Euphrates River, ran through the city from north to south, so the residents would have ample water. Belshazzar had a false sense of security because the Persian army was outside the city walls. The Persian army, diverted the water north of the city by digging a canal from the river to an near by lake. With the water diverted, the level receded and the soldiers were able to enter the city by going under the sluice gate. Since the walls were unguarded the Persians once inside the city were able to conquer it without much of a fight.

A bit more information about Cyrus the Great, King of Persia:
He was the monarch under whom the captivity of the Jews ended.
For in his first year of reign he was prompted by God to make a decree that the temple in Jerusalem should be rebuilt and that such Jews who cared to might return to their land. Moreover, he sent back with them the sacred vessels which had been looted from the temple by the Babylonians. And he sent a large sum of money to help complete the project of the rebuilding of the temple.
So, when Cyrus issued the decree of liberation to the Jews.
That fulfilled the prayer of Daniel, as he lived long enough to see it happen.
However, the exile was to have lasted 70 years and it did last 70 years.
By reading verses of scripture (Isaiah 44-48), one can read the story from the beginning to the end.
It is also to be noted that Israel knew from God's covenant with Abraham in (Genesis 15), that the Jews would be restored to that land.

I received this poem in a e-mail and thought I would share it with you.

GOD'S   BOXES

I have in my hands two boxes,
Which God gave me to hold.
He said, "Put all your sorrows in the black box,
And all your joys in the gold,"
I heeded His words, and in the two boxes,
Both my joys and sorrows I stored,
But though the gold became heavier each day,
The black was as light as before.

With curiosity, I opened the black,
I wanted to find out why,
And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole,
Which my sorrows had fallen out by.

I showed the hole to God, and mused,
"I wonder where my sorrows could be!"
He smiled a gentle smile and said,
"My child, they're all here with me..."

I asked God, why He gave me the boxes,
Why the gold and the black with the hole?
"My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings,
The black is for you to let go."


Final Thought:

A ball is a circle, no beginning, no end.
It keeps us together like our Circle of Friends.
But the treasure inside for you to see,
Is the treasure of friendship you've granted to me.

ON  THIS  DAY:

You must always remember that you are weak but God is strong. God knows all about your weakness. He hears every cry for mercy, every sign of weariness, every plea for help, every sorrow over failure, every weakness felt and expressed. We only fail when we trust too much to our own strength. Do not feel bad about your weakness. When you are weak, that is when God is strong to help you. Trust God enough, and your weakness will not matter. God is always strong to save.

ON  THIS  DAY


Pray-----and keep praying until it brings peace and serenity and a feeling of communion with One who is near and ready to help. The thought of God is balm for our hates and fears. In praying to God, we find healing for hurt feelings and resentments. In thinking of God, doubts and fears leave us. Instead of those doubts and fears, there will flow into our hearts such faith and love as is beyond the power of material things to give, and such peace as the world can neither give nor take away. And with God, we can have the tolerance to live and let live.

ON  THIS  DAY  REMEMBER:

God is good. You can often tell whether or not a thing is of God. If it is of God, it must be good. Honesty, purity, unselfishness and love are all good, unselfish helpfulness is good, and these things all lead to the abundant life. Leave in God's hands the present and the future, knowing only that He is good. The hand that veils the future is the hand of God. He can bring order out of chaos, good out of evil, and peace out of turmoil. We can believe that everything really good comes from God and that He shares His goodness with us.

THE  POEM

I knelt to pray, but not to long
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.
So I knelt and said a hurried prayer
And jumped up off my knees,
My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease......
All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer
No time to speak of Christ to friends
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
No time, no time, too much to do
That was my constant cry
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.
I went before the Lord
I came, I stood with downcast eyes
For in his hands God held a book
It was the book of life.
God looked into his book and said,
"Your name I cannot find,
I once was going to write it down....
But never found the time."

Hello Islandboy,

"The Poem" accurately describes many of the self-imposed problems that Christians have today. If we look at other relationships, it should become obvious to ALL Christians that GOD gives us MUCH MORE than we deserve. AND, we all go through times when we don't give GOD HIS rightful place in our lives. THEN, there are some Christians who actually shut GOD out of part of their lives.

NOW - let's look at the other side of this coin and what GOD wants for us. HE wants to give us HIS RICHES and a full inheritance with the Saints in LIGHT. The LIGHT is JESUS CHRIST! JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF will be our advocate and walk with us every step of the way, but HE must be invited and feel WELCOME! The WELCOME! is on HIS Terms - not ours. HE MUST be FIRST!, not just during bad times or times of emergency. There can't be ANY shame in proclaiming HIS NAME or HIS WORD! Many of the riches HE wants to give us even in this short life are left unclaimed because we don't give HIM HIS Proper Respect and Place in our lives.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Ephesians 1:18-23 NASB
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

THE  WORLD  NEEDS  PEOPLE

Who cannot be bought;
Whose word is their bond;
Who put character above wealth;
Who possess opinions and a will;
Who are larger than their vocations;
Who do not hesitate to take chances;
Who will not lose their individuality in a crowd;
Who will be honest in small things as in great things;
Who will make no compromise with wrong;
Whose ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires;
Who will not say they do it "because everybody else does it,"
Who are true to their friends in adversity as well as prosperity;
Who do not believe that shrewdness, cunning, and hardheadedness
are the best qualities for winning success.
Who are not ashamed or afraid to stand for the truth
Even when it is unpopular;
Who can say "no" with emphasis,
although all the rest of the world says "yes".

ON  THIS  DAY  REMEMBER:

Each one of us is a child of God, and as such we are full of the promise of spiritual growth.
A young person is like the springtime of the year. The full time of the fruit is not yet, but there is promise of the blossom.
There is a spark of the Divine in every one of us. Each has some of God's spirit which can be developed by spiritual exercise.
Know that your life is full of glad promise. Such blessings can be yours, such joys, such wonders, as long as you develop in the sunshine of God's love.

Hi Islandboy, love this poem.  :)

Debp, Gosh how nice it was to find you had stopped by for a visit. I thought those words were so important in this day and age where it seems everyone is out for themselves instead of watching out for others, as well as, keeping their own character in check.

ON  THIS  DAY  REMEMBER:

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Faith is not seeing, but believing. Down through the ages, there have always been those who obeyed the heavenly vision, not seeing but believing in God. And their faith was rewarded. So shall it be to you. Good things will happen to you. You cannot see God, but you can see the results of faith in human lives, changing them from defeat to victory. God's grace is available to all who have faith---not seeing, but believing. With faith, life can be victorious and happy.

I AM  ( BIBLE  VERSES)

1. A child of God  (Rom, 8: 16)
2. Forgiven  (Col. 1: 13,14)
3. Saved by grace through faith  (Eph. 2: 8)
4. Justified  (Rom, 5: 1)
5. A new creature  ( 2 Cor. 5: 17)
6. Led by the Spirit of God  ( Rom. 8: 14)
7. Kept in safety wherever I go  ( Ps 91: 11)
8. Casting all my cares on Jesus  (1 Peter 5: 7)
9. Doing all things through Christ who strengthens me  ( Phil. 4: 13)
10.  Bringing every thought into captivity  (2 Cor. 10: 5)
11. Being transformed by a renewed mind  (Rom. 12: 1,2)
12. The righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor. 5: 21)
13. An imitator of Jesus ( Eph. 5: 1)
14. Filled with laughter and rejoicing ( Job 8: 21)

Amen Islandboy!

It's wonderful to think about GOD'S Promises to us often. They are part of our Riches in CHRIST! Thanks for giving us a reminder.

Love In Christ,
Tom

 

THINGS  TO  PRAY  FOR:

1.  A growing relationship with God
2.  Positive relationships with your family
3.  Energy and enthusiasm for your work
4.  Wisdom to make the right decisions
5.  Your service to your church and community
6.  Moral integrity of today's young people
7.  The special needs of your family and friends
8.  Safety of those serving in our armed forces
9.  A lasting peace among peoples and nations
10. Wisdom for our government leaders
11. The spiritual lives of our church leaders
12. The opportunity to be a blessing to someone today

Thank you Tom, for your words of faith. Now more than anytime during recent history it is my belief that Christians need to band together for the greater good and focus on the most important things for America, as well as, keeping our eyes on Jesus. Each day we see more and more falling away to the temptations of self, a life that draws them away from Christ, instead of toward Him. We must try to conduct our lives in the proper ways and take time each day to visit our Lord in prayer.

AMEN ISLANDBOY!

I firmly believe that you are 100% correct. The only thing I would add is Bible Study and eating the Spiritual Food GOD has provided for us to grow strong and stay strong in CHRIST. Prayer is also a big part of Bible Study. We should always pray before we study our Bibles that the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD will help us understand what we are studying and give us what GOD wants to give us from HIS WORD. Night and day, 24/7, there is always a BIG list of things that GOD wants to give to us. Our part is to say, "YES LORD, I want the things YOU have intended for me. YOU want to give me things that are more precious than silver or gold, and I want to put YOU FIRST in my life.

Love In Christ,
Tom

 

THOUGHT  FOR  TODAY:

Try not to give way to criticism, blame, scorn or judgment of others, when you are trying to help them. Effectiveness in helping others depends on controlling yourself. You may be swept away by a temporary natural urge to criticise or blame, unless you keep a tight rein on your emotions. You should have a firm foundation of spiritual living which makes you truly humble, if you are going to really help other people. Go easy on them and be hard on yourself. That is the way you can be used most to uplift a despairing spirit. And seek no personal recognition for what you are used by God to accomplish.

Hello Islandboy,

I understand this message, but I would have mixed emotions about it in many situations. As an example, one of the first needed steps for the lost is knowledge of sin and knowledge that there is a need for Salvation. In other circumstances, silence about wrong or harmful acts might be the same as calling evil good. In fact, it could encourage someone to continue something that is hurting themselves and others. On the other side of the coin, there is the wrongful judgment of others. This becomes confusing to many Christians unless they consider the things that GOD has already judged to be right or wrong. Here's where thoughts of banning the Holy Bible come into the discussion. The Holy Bible does convict of wrong-doing, and many people don't like this. SO, they try to get the Bible banned as hate speech. We all should know that the Bible is not "hate speech", rather "love speech" that has more power to help someone than anything else in the world. Here's also where "political correctness" enters the picture. Some view "political correctness" as right and kind, but many kinds of "political correctness" are actually cruel.

Sister, I didn't intend this to be argument - just thoughts in other areas of this huge issue. Most obviously, only JESUS CHRIST is righteous, so if there is any Glory at all, let it be Glory in CHRIST.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Tom, It was good of you to add your point of view, as looking at it from a different angle. These little sayings come from an old spiritual book that also includes prayers as well. I thought this would give people something to think about in their own lives. These thoughtful pieces provide people a way to look at their Christian or Non-Christian lives and for them personally l to make a judgement call about their own actions. It is not a bad thing to be humble before our Lord. Sometimes it is a good thing to hold your tongue, drather then giving advice that turns people away from God, not toward Him, because we had to make our point about something in their life. If we stand strong in our faith and with God, and in prayer, God will provide the path we are to use in dealing with problems and in helping others. Nothing turns me off quicker than someone who behaves as if I know nothing and they know it all. We are to work for God, not act as if we are God.
Tom, I appreciate the comments you provided. It make me think more about my life and my actions in helping others.

Hello Islandboy,

I do understand. I'm one of the recipients of GOD'S Matchless and Amazing Grace, and HE offers it to ALL who will take it. I'll just pray that everyone takes your post and mine in the manner in which they were intended.

Love In Christ,
Tom

 

Hello Islandboy,

Sister, did I upset you with my post above? If so, that certainly wasn't my intention and I apologize. I just considered it as conversation on the same topic, but it appears that you might have taken it as something else. I'm not a shy person, so it would have been obvious had I meant it to be anything more than friendly conversation.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Tom, No I am not upset with you. I read over my reply and I guess part of it sounded like i was pointing a finger at you and your response, but I was not doing that. I only was trying to explain what I felt the meaning of the words was and no more. I enjoy reading your posts and points of view. The otherside of the coin is always welcome in response to my posts. Please do not feel you need to apologize. I count you as a good friend.

Hello Islandboy,

Sister, I'm happy to hear that. I spent my life in police work, so I come across as blunt many times even when I don't intend to be blunt. I've prayed about this many times and feel led to believe that GOD has work for all of us to do. I try to tip-toe fairly often, but I don't think I'm very good at that. I also enjoy reading your posts and think you've been a positive impact on Christians Unite. I've really enjoyed the fellowship with you.

Here's I hope a little laugh for you. It's hard to tip-toe quietly when you're wearing combat boots with spikes and taps.   ;)   (Small Print:  Did this at least get a little grin?)

Love In Christ,
Tom

 

 :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D     LOL      :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
I could just see that image of you trying to tip toe in combat boots. LOL Thanks.

THOUGHT  FOR  THE  DAY:

The spiritual life has two parts. One is the life apart, the life of prayer and quiet communion with God. You spend this part of your life apart with God. Every day your mind can be set in the right direction so that your thoughts will be of the right kind. The other is the life impart----imparting to others what you have learned from your own prayer experience. The victories you have won over yourself through the help of God can be shared with others. You can help them by imparting to them some of the victory and security which you have gained in your life apart.

Hi Islandboy....the above is very, very good.  Please share it at the other site you visit, too.  I think everyone would benefit from it.

I will do that Debp. I also have many more poems to share as well.
Can anyone share how they managed to pick a drug program to go along with their Medicare?? I find the whole thing confusing.
Does anyone have the AARP one?
Been busy trying to learn all the ins and outs of SSD, and mostly learning to be patient as the wheels of the governments move so very slowly. First paycheck finally arrived. Things are looking up.  LOL

Hi islandboy,

I don't much care for AARP. I have found that I can get better by not going through them. As for the Medicare drug program I went to my pharmacy and asked them to help me out. They took a look at the prescription meds that I am on and gave me several choices to pick from that were best for covering those.

Pastor Roger, Would you mind to say why you don't care for AARP??  Have you heard of a company called AdvantraRx, through the Coventry Health Care?  i need something that covers me here as well as when I am traveling. I need to make up my mind soon. Would welcome any replies.   :-\ :-\ :-\

Hello Islandboy,

Sister, I just wanted to tell you that Pastor Roger is down with the flu. Sickness has gone through just about his whole family. He took care of them and is now down with the same thing.

If I had good and specific information, I would share it with you, but I don't. I'm retired and disabled, and I give thanks that I got to keep my City group health policy. I do know from talking to others that every state is probably different in terms of what's available. In fact, there are big differences. As an example, if I lived in another state I wouldn't have to pay state taxes on my police pension check. Some states also have generous deductions for money spent on health insurance. My state doesn't. BUT, there are many other things to consider like the cost of living.

Please let me think out loud and say that there might be a comparison table of some sort on the Internet about various health benefits and costs associated with various plans. I say this because I did find a site on the Internet that compared costs of living, and it was specifically geared toward helping retired people find the best places to retire and live. However, it didn't include various kinds of health coverage. The quality of available health care was one of the things they rated. I'll try to do some looking for you. I would probably be illegible for several kinds of subsidized coverage, but my current coverage is excellent and very reasonable in cost. It's part of my retirement package, and I don't want to do anything to mess it up.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Thank you Tom for taking time to answer my post. I guess I need to know more about how happy people are with their plans and if the service such as mail order has been reliable or not. I have been using the State Drug Program through the an organization, but now with Medicare I am on my own. It is kind of scary as i have had help for over 14 years. Now I need to pick something soon.

I will keep Pastor Roger, in my prayers that  recovery from the flu happens soon. Thanks for the update.

Hi!! I'm in and I'd welcome you but you've been here before me.  Thanks for inviting me here.  I need this in my life as well as the other forum if you know what I mean.  I am a Christian but not as much I should be or would like to be.  Maybe it's a blessing I met you.  I can thank God for this one.  And thank you for being a friend.
I'm going to go to bed now, tho so I'll check back and read more.  Is there anything in particular you want me to read because I just got here and I'm alittle lost in this forum. I'll have to spend more time looking around.  Thank you and good night.
Jan

Hello jbeise,

Welcome to Christians Unite forums. We're glad to have you here and hope to see many more posts from you. I look forward to having some wonderful Christian fellowship with you.

Jbeise,
So glad you found where I was sending you, as i had the address a bit backwards. Anyways glad your here. This site is filled with friendly folks who will answer any questions and not let you down. I have been here for a spell longer than the other site as in what I have been going through I needed support at both ends. I would say just come back often and explore the various topic's and post some and if you want start a few of your own. I am here a lot as you can tell, but I add to the Bible study section, as well as, a bit here and there through-out the forum. Two things  we don't have here is PM or chat. However, we make up for it with lots of good fellowship. I am so looking forward to sharing with you and it makes me not  feel so alone, with being able to be friends with someone from backhome.

I'm sorry I didn't see this earlier. Here's a link that can probably explain it much better than I can.

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_08/b4072075387496.htm?campaign_id=rss_topStories

Hello Jbeise,

WELCOME!


We're happy to have you with us. I sincerely hope that you enjoy Christians Unite.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Ephesians 1:18-23 NASB I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Thanks for the link Pastor Roger, I know AARP is more expensive, but I need a program that I can use here at home , as well as, when I am traveling. I like the mail order where you can get 3 months worth of medication at one time. But I have to pick from too many companies, some of which are all the same company just using a different name. I can see why the old folks were so confused. I ask at my local pharmacy about talking with someone about a plan and was told they don't do that anymore. One Walmart said that sometimes they have someone from Medicare there but not all the time. So it boils down to shutting my eyes and picking one. LOL,  as I muddle on.

Anyone who has been following along knows i have been facing new challenges and decisions having gotten my SSD & medicare. One of recent has been the drug program. Which one to choose out of 35 different choices and how to go about doing it with no real help, as each pharmacy I spoke with said we don't help folks decide anymore. I was becoming very discouraged by the whole thing, until I  learned that I can still get my medication through the State Pharmacy if I want too, but if I choose a drug part D program I would need to quit. So it is deciding now the benefit's of one over the other, an easier less demanding decision. This decision is now based on which is more convenient in the long run. Locally the State program is great. In travelling it is not, when one must carry enough  medications  with them to cover the duration of the trip and any loss of the medication could have serious repercussions. But at least I know that my decision need not be rushed or made in an uninformed manner. This has been a great stress reliever. as I muddle on...............

THOUGHT  FOR  THE  DAY:


There are two things we must have if we are going to change our way of life. One is faith, the confidence in things unseen, that fundamental goodness and purpose in the universe. The other is obedience, that is living according to our faith, living each day as we believe that God wants us to live, with gratitude, humility, honesty, purity, unselfishness and love. Faith and obedience, these two, will give us all the strength we need to overcome sin and temptation and to live a new and more abundant life.

THOUGHT  FOR  THE  DAY:


The word "Charity"  means to care enough about other people to really want to do something for them. A smile, a word of encouragement, a word of love, goes winged on its way, simple though it may seem, while the mighty words of an speaker  fall on deaf ears. Use up the odd moments of your day in trying to do some little thing to cheer up another person. Boredom comes from thinking too much about yourself.

" JUST  A  COMMON  SOLDIER"
( A Soldier Died Today)
by A. Lawrence Vaincourt

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done.
In his explotits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.
And though sometimes to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
all his legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill passed away,
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.
He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
for he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going on his way,
and the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today.
When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state.
While thosands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,
but the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.
Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land,
a person who breaks their promises and cons their fellow man?
Or the ordinary person who in times of war and strife,
goes off to serve their Country and offers up their life?
A politician's stipend and the style in which they live
is sometimes disproportionate to the service they give.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up their all,
is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension too small.
It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,
that the old Bills of our country went to battle, but we know,
it was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.
Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
would you want a politician with their ever shifting stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend,
his home, his kin, and Country and would fight until the end?
He as just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
but his presence should remind us we may need his likes again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part,
is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear our praise,
then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in the paper that would say,
Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.

I wanted to share a  link to a website. This  is a source for information on medicare & the drug programs. This is through the State Insurance Assistance, where you can get help either on the phone or in meeting with someone. The website is:  http://www.shiptalk.org


I had here a link to a website that I had thought was helpful. However, I was misstaken.  Many feel  that the website could be misleading to many. I am sorry to have entered it here. It is often hard to draw a line between being helpful and being too helpful. I have learned to curb my helpfulness here, and in doing so to abide by the rules set forth on this website. Those who watch over this website do a wonderful job and I respect their opinion in this matter. 

Hello Islandboy,

Please don't take this in a personal way. There are many thousands of web sites claiming coverage of the End Days of this Age of Grace. The vast majority of them are more than false, and many lead right into cult teachings of various sorts. One would need a huge staff just to check a small percentage of them. Many of them also have changing content when their false prophecies don't happen. So GENERALLY, we don't check them and we don't recommend or list them on Christians Unite. We have the Holy Bible, and we know that it's 100% unquestioned TRUTH. If this site has specific reference to the United States in Bible Prophecy, they probably fit into the "more than false" category. What's happening in this part of the world right now is not unique because much worse has already happened in most of the world.

I recommend that people spend their time studying the Holy Bible.

Love In Christ,
Tom

I agree with Brother Tom on this. If we spent all of our time studying the tremendous material on the web about prophecy we wouldn't have any time to do anything else. I have run into some web sites that appeared to be good on the surface and then deeper into the site found it was full of garbage.

There is a tremendous amount of material just on the referenced web site. Way too much to determine if it is good or not. I did see this persons stance on America in prophecy is correct. The United States is not mentioned in prophecy and he points this out correctly. He gives several possible scenarios as to why that may be. At least he isn't prophesying on it himself but rather giving a number of possible reasons which he even states are only possible and not necessarily what is going to happen.

We would be better off sticking just with the Bible though so that we are not possibly misled by the many deceptive web sites that appear to be correct at first impressions.

Hello Pastor Roger,

It would only be a guess about why America isn't mentioned in Bible Prophecy, and all of the potential guesses I can think of involve being taken out of the picture in some manner. The guesses would be horrible, but horrible events will be taking place all over the world during the Tribulation Period. It could be nuclear destruction or any number of things, but only GOD knows.

As Christians, we have a different HOPE than the world, and this world isn't our HOME. Physical death for us simply means "Absent from the body and present with the LORD." We are in GOD'S Hands even NOW, and no power in the universe can pluck us out of HIS Mighty Hands.

Love In Christ,
Tom

THOUGHT  FOR  TODAY:

You are climbing up the ladder of life, which reaches into eternity. Would God plant your feet upon an insecure ladder? Its supports may be out of sight, hidden in secret places, but if God has asked you to step on and up firmly, then surely He has secured your ladder. Faith gives you the strength to climb steadily this ladder of life. You should leave your security to God and trust Him not to let you fall. He is there to give you all the power you need to keep on climbing.

THOUGHT  FOR  TODAY:

Keep yourself like an empty vessel for God to fill. Keep pouring out yourself to help others, so that God can keep filling you up with His spirit. The more you give, the more you will have for yourself. God will see that you are kept filled as long as you are giving to others. But if you selfishly try to keep all for yourself, you are soon blocked off from God, your source of supply. And you will become stagnant. To be clear, a lake must have an inflow and an outflow.

THOUGHT  FOR  TODAY:

Try never to judge. The human mind is so delicate and so complex that only its Maker can know it wholly. Each mind is so different, actuated by such different motives, controlled by such different circumstances, influenced by such different sufferings. You cannot know all the influences that have gone to make up a personality. Therefore, it is impossible for you to wholly judge that personality. But God knows that person wholly and He can change it. Leave to God the unravelling of the puzzles of personality. And leave it to God to teach you the proper understanding.

THOUGHT  FOR  TODAY:

Expect miracles of change in people's lives. Do not be held back by unbelief. People can be changed and they are often ready and waiting to be changed. Never believe that human nature cannot be changed. We see changed people every day. Do you have the faith to make those changes possible? Modern miracles happen every day in the lives of people. All miracles are in the realm of personalities. Human nature can be changed and is always being changed. But we must have enough faith so that we can be channels for God's strength into the lives of others.

If you believe that God's grace has saved you, then you must believe that He is meaning to save you yet more and to keep you in the way that you should go. Even a human rescuer would not save you from drowning, only to place you in other deep and dangerous waters. Rather, he would place you on dry land, there to restore you. God, who is your rescuer, would certainly do this and even more. God will complete the task He sets out to do. He will not throw you overboard, if you are depending on Him.

Received this from a friend and thought I would share it with you.

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage?
His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him alone.
He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold
until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone.
Once he survives the night, he is a MAN. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience,
because each lad must come into manhood on his own.
The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him.
Maybe some human might do him harm. The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but
he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man.
Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold.
It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him. He had been at watch the
entire night, protecting his son from harm.

We, too, are never alone. Even when we don't know it, our Father is watching over us, sitting on the stump beside us. When trouble comes all we have to do is reach out to Him.
If you liked this story, share it with your friends. If not, you took your blindfold off before dawn.

THOUGHT  FOR  TODAY:

Cling to the belief that all things are possible with God. If this belief is truly accepted, it is the ladder upon which a human soul can climb from the lowest pit of despair to the sublimest heights of peace of mind. It is possible for God to change your way of living. When you see the change in another person through the grace of God, you cannot doubt that all things are possible in the lives of people through the strength that comes from faith in Him who rules and loves us all.

THOUGHT  FOR  TODAY:

God is always ready to pour His blessings into our hearts in generous measure. But like the seed-sowing, the ground must be prepared before the seed is dropped in. It is our task to prepare the soil. It is God's to drop the seed. This preparation of the soil means many days of right living, choosing the right and avoiding the wrong. As you go along, each day you are better prepared for God's planting, until you reach the time of harvest. Then you share the harvest with God--the harvest of a useful and more abundant life.

                                                                  HE   IS    GOD
                                                      *************************
                                                         He is the First and the Last,
                                                        The Beginning and the End.

                                        He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all.
                                 He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times,
                                        He always was, He always is, and He always will be.....
                                        unmoved, unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
                                                     **************************
                                                     He was bruised and brought healing.
                                                     He was pierced and eased pain.
                                                     He was persecuted and brought freedom.
                                                     He was dead and brought life.
                                                     He is risen and brings power!
                                                     He reigns and brings Peace.
                                                     The world can't understand him,
                                                     The armies can't defeat Him.
                                      The schools can't explain Him, and the leaders can't ignore Him.
                    Herod couldn't kill Him, The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and The people couldn't hold Him.
         Nero couldn't crush Him, Hitler couldn't silence Him, The New Age can't replace Him, and  "Oprah" can't explain Him away!

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

                                                     He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
                                               He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God,
                                               He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.

                                                      *****************************
                                                                    His ways are right,
                                                                    His word is eternal,
                                                   His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.
                                                                    He is my Savior,
                                                         He is my guide, and He is my peace.
                                                                    He is my joy,
                                                                    He is my comfort,
                                                           He is my Lord, and He rules my life.

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

                                                          I serve Him because His bond is love,
                                               His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.
                                 I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise, the power of the powerful,
                  the ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders, the overseer of overcomers, and is to come.
                                                And if that seems impressive to you , try this for size.

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

                                                            His goal is a relationship with ME.
                                                                  He will never leave me,
                                                                   never forsake me,
                                                                   never mislead me,
                                                                   never forget me,
                                                                   never overlook me and
                                                never cancel my appointment in His appointment book.

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

                                                                   When I fall, He lifts me up.
                                                                   When I fail, He forgives.
                                                                   When I am weak, He is strong.
                                                                   When I am lost, He is the way.
                                                                   When I am afraid, He is my courage.
                                                                   When I stumble, He steadies me.
                                                                   When I am hurt, He heals me.

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

                                                                   When I am broken, He mends me.
                                                                   When I am blind, He leads me.
                                                                   When I am hungry, He feeds me.
                                                                   When I face trails, He is with me.
                                                                   When I face persecution, He shields me.
                                                                   When I face loss, He provides for me.
                                                                   When I face death, He carries me home.

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

                                         He is everything for everybody everywhere, every time, and every way.
                                                       He is God, He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine.
                                                       My Father in heaven can whip the father of sin in this world,
                                                       So, if you are wondering why I feel so secure, understand this......

                                                                         He said it and that settles it.
                                                                       God is in control, I am on His side,
                                                                      and that means all is well with my soul.

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

                                                                       Everyday is a blessing for God is !

                                                                       The Pledge of Allegiance

                                                I Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of
                                                    America and to The Republic for which it stands,
                                                                        one Nation under God,
                                                             indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.




I am the flag of the United States of America.
My name is Old Glory.
I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world.
Look up and see me.

I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am arrogant.
I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners,
My head is a little higher.
My colors a little truer.
I bow to no one.
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshiped---I am saluted.
I am respected---and I am feared.
I have fought in every battle of every war for more than 200 years. I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appomattox.
I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy and Gram, Okinawa, Korea, and KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam know me.
I'm presently in the mountains of Afghanistan and the hot and dusty deserts of Irag and wherever freedom is needed.
I led my troops, I was dirty, battleworn and tired, but my soldiers cheered me and I was proud.
I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free.

It does not hurt for I am invincible.
I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled in the streets of my country.
And when it's done by those Whom I've served in battle---it hurts.
But I shall overcome---for I am strong.
I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.
I have borne silent witness to all of America's finest hours.
But my finest hours are yet to come.
When I am torn into strips and used for bandages for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,
When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,
Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter, I am proud.

Please share my message with all those who still love and respect me so that I may fly proudly for another two hundred years.


If you wish to learn more about our Flag, go to http://www.usflag.org/

AIN'T  IT  THE  TRUTH


Joe Smith started the day early having set his alarm clock ( Made in Japan) for 6 am. While his coffeepot (Made in China) was perking, he shaved with his electric razor (Made in Hong Kong). He put on a dress shirt (Made in Sri Lanka), designer jeans (Made in Singapore) and tennis shoes (Made in Korea). After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet (Made in India) he sat down with his calculator (Made in Mexico) to see how much he could spend today. After setting his watch (Made in Taiwan) to the radio (Made in India) he got in his car (Made in Germany) filled it with gas from (Saudi Arabia) and continued his search for a good paying American Job. At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day checking his computer (Made in Malaysia), Joe decided to relax for a while. He put on his sandals (Made in Brazil), poured himself a glass of wine (Made in France), and turned on his TV (Made in Indonesia), and wondered why he can't find a good paying job in........America.


This is so true and so sad. All who read this please pray for our country and it's people, that things improve and that our government starts hearing the voices of the people of the United States of America. And by helping save the country before it's too late, instead of letting money and greed, ruin our beautiful land.

Hi Islandboy, have missed you.

Another thing....I heard the war in Iraq costs $12-$13 Billion dollars a month!!  I don't know how our gov't can spend this much on that, when there are needs here.  I was originally for the war as I thought Saddam was an evil dictator, but how much longer can we spend that kind of money?

Hi Debp,  I am sorry to be away for so long. I am playing catch-up now. Rarely is it that I get invites to friend's houses, being my outings are usually visiting  doctor office's or going food shopping, but of late I have been blessed with friends requesting I come over and visit. This is wonderful for where I live is beautiful,  but isolating and sorely lacks another woman to talk with. But I am trying to meet my obligations, both here and over there, as well as, one other site. But thanks for stopping by here.   :D

As far as the money, since we don't operate on the gold standard anymore, but instead have a Federal Reserve Bank that just prints out more money whenever it runs out, we have a dollar that is based on nothing. A friend of mine keeps telling me that our system is like a house of cards, based on whim and the stock market, both of which are based on nothing. I think Ron Paul is right-on with many of his comments but most of us are to wrapped up in believing lies to accept the truth.  All we can do is keep calling our elected officials and keeping praying to God. In the end it will be God who determines the outcome.

Amen.

Glad you are having some visits with your friends!

The thing that most people don't understand is that the situation in Iraq does have a very big bearing on the security and well-being of the U.S. and no matter what it make cost nor how long it may take we must continue in at least attempting to stabilize that nation Otherwise we must simply give up completely and let evil have it's way with the entire world and that is exactly what people like Ron Paul wants all of us to do.

History has taught us that great EVIL left alone simply grows, and it will eventually come knocking at your door anyway. In the meantime, unspeakable things were done to millions of people. Eventually, you will also submit to the unspeakable things or get up and go fight the EVIL. It's a matter of debate about who should be held responsible for the horrible acts when nothing was being done:  1) the blood-thirsty barbarian committing the acts;  2) the so-called decent people who could have done something to stop it and didn't. In the end, the EVIL must be faced anyway.

Brothers and Sisters, this has happened over and over again throughout history. The one thing sure is that the powerful EVIL won't go away, and it won't leave you alone. It will simply wait for the most opportune time to come get you. If we completely forget the safety issues, the moral issues won't go away either. JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF will finally put an end to EVIL one day. Until then, hopefully there will be people with sufficient morals and courage to face the EVIL and at least slow it down.

Amen to that Blackeyedpeas

BLESS OUR  PARENTS  WHO  DRUGGED  US !!!

The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, "Why didn't we have a drug problem when we were growing up?"
I replied: I had a drug problem when I was young.
I was drug to church on Sunday morning.
I was drug to church for weddings and funerals.
I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.
I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults.
I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.
I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profane four letter word.
I was drugout to pull weeds in mom's garden and flowerbeds and cockleburs out of dad's fields.
I was drug to the homes  of family, friends and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline or chop some firewood; and if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins; and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say and think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack or heroin; and , if today's children had this kind of drug problem......America would be a better place.

                                    THE    HEART

"Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began, "I'll open up your heart..."
"You'll find Jesus there," the boy interrupted.
The surgeon looked up, annoyed "I'll cut your heart open, "he continued,
to see how much damage has been done....."
"But when you open up my heart, you'll find Jesus in there," said the boy.

The surgeon looked to the parents, who sat quietly. "When I see how much damage has been done,
I'll sew your heart and chest back up. and I'll plan what to do next."
"But you'll find Jesus in my heart. The Bible says He lives there. The hymns all say He lives there.
You'll find Him in my heart."

The surgeon had had enough. "I'll tell you what I'll find in your heart. I'll find damaged muscle,
low blood supply, and weakened vessels. And I'll find out if I can make you well."

"You'll find Jesus there too. He lives there."

The surgeon left.

The surgeon sat in his office, recording his notes from the surgery, "...damaged aorta,
damaged pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration. No hope for a transplant, no hope for a cure.
Therapy; painkillers and bed rest. Prognosis: here he paused, "death within one year."

He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be said. "Why?" he asked aloud.
"Why did You do this? You've put him here; You've put him in this pain; and You've cursed him
to an early death. Why?"

The Lord answered and said, "The boy, my lamb, was not meant for your flock for long,
for he is a part of My flock, and will  forever be.
Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain, and will be comforted as you cannot imagine.
His parents will one day join him here, and they will know peace, and My flock will continue to grow."

The surgeon's tears were hot, but his anger was hotter. "You created that boy, and You created that heart.
He'll be dead in months. Why?

The Lord answered, "The boy, My lamb, shall return to My flock, for he has done his duty: I did not put My lamb
with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve another lost lamb."    The surgeon wept.....

The surgeon sat beside the boy's bed; the boy's parents sat across from him.
The boy awoke and whispered, "Did you cut open my heart?"
"Yes, " said the surgeon.

"What did you find?" asked the boy.

" I found Jesus there," said the surgeon.

YOU'RE    BLESSED   WHEN..........

You're at the end of your rope.
With less of you there is more of God and his will.

You feel you've lost what is most dear to you.
Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

You're content with just who you are--no more, no less.
That's the moment you find yourself the proud owner of everything that can't be bought.

You've worked up a good appetite for God.
He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

You care.
At the moment of being "care-full", full of care for others, you find yourself cared for.

You get your inside world--your mind and heart--put right.
Then you can see God in the outside world.

You can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight.
That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

Your commitment to God provokes persecution.
The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

Count yourself blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit God.
What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable.

True fellowship is close communion with one another and God.
It is carrying a brother's load, lifting his burden.
It is loving one another without condition.
It is forgiving the unforgivable.
It is stopping to bind the wounds of the afflicted.
It is taking time to cry with the broken-hearted.
It is clothing the naked, visiting the imprisoned, rejoicing with the fortunate.

"Beloved, we are God's children now."     I John 3: 2

HOPE looks for the good in people instead of harping on the worest in them.

HOPE opens doors where despair closes them.

HOPE discovers what can be done instead of grumbling about what cannot be done.

HOPE draws its power from a deep trust in God and the basic goodness of mankind.

HOPE "Lights a candle" instead of " cursing the darkness.

HOPE regards problems, small or large, as opportunities.

HOPE cherishes no illusions, nor does it yield to cynicism.

                                        A.S.A.P.

There's work to do, deadlines to meet,
You've got no time to spare,
But as you hurry and as you scurry---
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER
In the midst of family chaos,
"Quality time" is rare,
Do your best, let God do the rest---
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER
It may seem like your worries
Are more than you can bear,
Slow down and take a breather--
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER
God knows how stressful life is:
He wants to ease our cares,
And He'll respond to all your needs.
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.

A very good friend sent me this, so I thought I would share it with all of you.

When you say, " I can't solve this..."
God tells you, " I will direct your path." (Proverbs 3: 5-6)
When you say, " Its impossible"
God tells you, "Everything is possible" (Luke 18: 27)
When you say, "I feel all alone"
God tells you, " Never will  I leave you; Never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13: 5)
When you say, " I can't do it"
God tells you, " I can do everything through him who gives me strength"  (Philippians 4: 13)
When you say, " I don't deserve forgiveness"
God tells you, " I have forgiven you"  (1 John 1: 9, Romans 8: 1)
When you say, " I am afraid"
God tells you, " Do not fear; for I am with you; I will strengthen you and help you" (Isaiah 41:10)
When you say, "I am tired"
God tells you, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest"  (Matt 11: 28-30)
When you say, "No one really loves me"
God tells you, " I Love You"  (John 3:16, John 13: 34)
When you say, " I don't know how to go on"
God tells you, " I will show you the path" (Psalms 32: 8)
When you say, "What path does God have for me...?"
God tells you, " My beloved son JESUS CHRIST"  (1Tim 2: 5, Acts 4: 12, John 3: 16)
And when you want to know everything else God wants to tell you..."
Read the Bible ( 2 Tim 3: 15-17)

It is so comforting to see the ways God has given us in His words, help for our everyday doubts and fears. I hope somehow this will be of some comfort to you as well.  May God Bless and be with you.

Tomarrow i leave on my trip on Amtrak. If I find a computer to use, I will keep you updated on my adventure. If not then my next post here will be in about a month and a half. Take time to read your Bibles and pray.   :) 

Hello Islandboy,

We'll pray that you have a good and safe trip. Please do have some fun.

I'll speak for myself and say that I'd have a very bad day without my Bible Study and prayer.

Love In Christ,
Tom

 

Hello to all. I made  it back safe and sound. My trip on the Amtrak train was a lot of fun, as I met lots of nice people and basically enjoyed the ride. Just a note of interest though if you ride the train for long distances be sure to take a warm blanket as they keep the air-conditioning on very cold. I about froze on the trip up to Virgina from Florida. The trip home was just as bad as I forgot the blanket I had bought in PA. The ease of using the train was simple and everyone working the trains & stations were very polite and helpful.
My trip into western PA, was wonderful. Enjoyed the cooler weather, saw lots of wildlife, visited with many old friends, and found out living with my mother would not work and found out my family had very little time for me. However, I have discovered I enjoyed spending time alone, having spent most of the last two months in the country, and that I truly love it up there. So the next step of my plan is finding a apartment I can rent and spending the most of next summer up there and maybe longer. In the country near our camp is a quaint little country church of which I am a member. So this too was a real blessing to go and fellowship with them every Sunday. The weather was cool and with several rain-filled days through May and into June. But even on a rainy day setting on the backporch reading a book or watching the birds and wild rabbits and deer with baby fawns made a rainy day special. I hated having to come back to Florida so soon as i missed out on blackberry picking season. But next year I plan to stay into end of August/September and get to go picking those wild berries. I did get there in time for picking wild strawberries and that was a real treat. However, I now am back in Florida and trying to play catch up on all the bills and stacks of catalogs and junk mail. Hope to get some more writing done here as well. Hope and pray all has gone well for all of you. I had heard about the bad storms and flooding going on and kept thoughts of all of you in my prayers. I was without use of a computer for most of the time i was gone and in many ways that was a blessing as well. It gave me more time to reflect on my life and time to relax and read my Bible.

Hi islandboy, It's great to see you again. It does sound like you have had a wonderful time. I know it would have been for me. I miss the quiet country life.

Hello Islandboy,

We missed you. It's great to have you back!

I am happy to hear that you had such a good time on your vacation and trip. I've visited all of those states, including Florida, and I think they are all beautiful. My son lives in Florida, and we'd like to plan another trip there soon. Sister, WELCOME BACK!

Love In Christ,
Tom

Thank you Pastor Roger and Tom, for the hearty welcome back.

Seems all I have been doing is catch-up work in the house. We have had several nice sunny days with little rain that gave me some time to do a little light gardening and plant a few new plants. I have this idea that I am going to try to make a raised bed garden in hopes it will make it easier to tend and be able to keep the critters at bay. But it may be just a wild idea that if the critters don't get my tomatoes the bugs will. I just about gave up on Florida gardening. Tried of spending lots of money on seeds and plants only to have everything ruined by critters and bugs. But then I read a new book or an article in a gardening magazine and get all excited about planting again. We will see what happens when the weather cools down a might.   :o

Just wanted to tell you all that I am sorry to be so neglectful in my writing here. Before I went on my trip to PA, I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Since I have been back I have been working with a therapist to try and fix my brokenness. It is very painful for me in thinking back on my life and facing those memories. I have a bad habit of trying to block out all the bad memories. But I am trying hard to face it all no matter what lies ahead.

Anyways, I am back and I found a really nice poem I thought you all might enjoy. It is by Helen Steiner Rice. And it is called;

Anywhere is a Place of Prayer if God is There

I have prayed on my knees in the morning,
I have prayed as I walked along,
I have prayed in the silence and darkness
And I've prayed to the tune of a song---
I have prayed in the midst of triumph
And I've prayed when I suffered defeat,
I have prayed on the sands of the seashore
Where the waves of the ocean beat---
I have prayed in a velvet-hushed forest
Where the quietness calmed my fears,
I have prayed thought suffering and heartache
When my eyes were blinded with tears---
I have prayed in churches and chapels,
Cathedrals and synagogues, too,
But often I've had the feeling
That my prayers were not getting through,
And I realized then that our Father
Is not really concerned where we pray
Or impressed by our manner of worship
Or the eloquent words we say.......
He is only concerned with our feelings,
And He looks deep into our heart
And hears the "cry of our soul's deep need"
That no words could ever impart.....
So it isn't the prayer that's expressive
Or offered in some special spot,
It's the sincere plea of a sinner
And God can tell whether or not
We honestly seek His forgiveness
And earnestly mean what we say,
And then and then only He answers
The prayer that we fervently pray.

Hello Islandboy,

Sister, I will be praying for you. I was just thinking that it's a good habit to pray for other Brothers and Sisters in CHRIST with or without a prayer request. GOD didn't promise us an easy time in this short life, so many of us do have significant problems to deal with. I'm convinced that problems and trials can draw us closer and stronger in CHRIST. In our weaknesses, HIS strengths should be more apparent to us. I also firmly believe:

Romans 8:24-28  For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?  25  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.  26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.  28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Thank you Tom, I need all the help I can get.  :)
Just wanted to mention no matter what anyone thinks of McCain & Palin, I was so proud of the fact they used the words "God Bless America" and prayed wonderful prayers in Jesus name. The polically-correct police did not over-rule or stop the use of His name in prayer and thanksgiving for what He has done and is doing in our lives. I was impressed by that. Otherwise I think they both did a outstanding job in telling it like it is and was in their lives and their support for our country.

I was quite pleased to see that also. I am especially impressed with Sarah Palin.

Hello Islandboy,

I watched quite a bit of the Republican Convention, and I was also impressed. I especially liked Governor Sarah Palin. She is a breath of fresh air, and we certainly needed one. I'm still listening, watching, and praying to determine what to do in voting. Things are more positive now than they were, and I am thinking about the Republicans. It was refreshing to hear and see GOD and country as priorities. I also have some changing thoughts about McCain. I really think that many Christians are more optimistic now. Regardless of what happens in the election, GOD will still be with us, and we are still eternally secure in HIS MIGHTY HANDS. HIS Will be done, and it WILL BE!

Love In Christ,
Tom

 Tom, I was wondering about your website. I had a link to it from my website and now it isn't working. Did you stop it or just change your link?
I am really pleased with John McCain picking Sarah Pulin also. Together they brought home the spirit of the good ole USA, something that has been lacking for a very long time.

I didn't put my web site back up after changing Internet Service Providers. I wanted to change the site dramatically anyway, and I just haven't had the energy and determination to get it done yet. I have worked on a few ideas and hope to have something up soon.

Sorry to be away for so long. I have been trying to keep up with the ever-changing events that in many ways are down-right scary. I am trying to provide links on my website that go to news sites that can be trusted. I have some nagging doubts about fox news, but nothing I can really point my finger at.  I guess the best thing one can do now is in the old saying "to keep your friends close and your enemies closer".  There will be very difficult times ahead. Keep you faith and pray for the souls of the many who are blinded by the one who is not. Indonesia is controlled by Russia. Islam is not a controlling factor there, but communism is. This is who wants to control our government. If they throw out OB, there will be terrible riots in the US. If they do not it will be just as bad, or maybe worse. At first it will seem not so bad, but then.....! Go to: http://www.crossroad.to/Victory/testimonies/nazi.htm
Keep praying my friends. Do not believe everything that you see and hear is the truth. We know that the Antichrist comes before our dear Lord.

Good to see you sister

Hello islandboy,

It is great to see you here.

Yes, things are changing quite quickly in the forefront. Much of this has been in the works though for many years. Many are and many will be deceived. This is about much more than communism or islam. As horrendous as both are these are just the tools that are being used to accomplish the evil that is yet to come.

For some more on the link that you gave take a look at these posts here and you will see what I mean about this being in the works for sometime now.

http://forums.christiansunite.com/index.php?topic=23229.0

Even as you spoke of ... we know that these things must be and we also know that the Lord Jesus will be with us through it all. Yes, we must keep the faith and rest in His arms throughout it all. All of this means that the time for our Lord to return is all that much closer. What a glorious day that will be.

I'm from Gulf Breeze Florida I also have friends and family in Ft. Walton Beach !  :)
Always watching out for the bad weather in the later summer.  ;)
Hope everyone is having a wonderful day!

-Chris


Golden Thoughts

In His law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:2

Hello Chris!

I live in Southwest Oklahoma, and I try to remember that every day in this short life belongs to the LORD. This is another wonderful day that the LORD has made - let us be glad and rejoice in it.

My son lives in Florida, and we do pray for him often, especially when the hurricanes come. Obviously, Oklahoma has a reputation for rough weather even more often. I've lived here all my life, so I'm used to it. I think that the key in hard times of any type is simply to pray and trust GOD. Whatever happens in this short life, we are in GOD'S Hands and know who holds all of our tomorrows for Eternity.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Revelation 22:7  Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the saying of the prophecy of this book.

Hello Islandboy!

I echo the thoughts of Pastor Roger. YES, I also think that times are going to get hard, but I also know that the time for going HOME is getting closer by the day. I'm convinced that the best thing for Christians to do is to pray, pray some more, study our Bibles, and yield to GOD'S Perfect Will for us until the last moment when HE Takes us HOME. I also firmly believe that our fellowship with each other will become more important by the day. We should know that we are never alone because GOD is with us, but it's also nice to be strengthened and encouraged by fellowship with other Christians. Increasingly, this world is going to hate Christians regardless of what we do or don't do, but this world isn't our HOME. GOD Loves us, and HE is our Heavenly Father - the KING OF KINGS! In fact, we are HIS Children with a full inheritance with the Saints in LIGHT. There are many beautiful things for us to look forward to.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Psalms 78:4-6  We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.  5  For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:  6  That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:

Hi Islandboy,
Welcome to the forum

Thanks for the welcome back, David james. I have missed the good fellowship I find on this site. Just spending to much time keeping my head above water in dealing with health and concerns about our country. Spending time praying and reading and studying Bible as well.

Welcome to the form Chris. Glad you stopped by here to say Hello. I live near Fort Myers, Florida. While I like the warm weather I am not fond of the hurricanes or the humid weather. Look forward to reading your posts.

Sandra, So glad you stopped by. I should be welcoming you instead of other way around. There is plenty to do and read on this forum, many topic's to choose from so I hope you come by often.

Western  morality may be said to begin with these ten very old, very good rules for living.  Also said, if you want a better world, be a better person.

           THE    TEN    COMMANDMENTS

1. I am the Lord thy God. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

2. Thou shalt not make thee any graven image.

3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.

4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

5. Honor thy father and thy mother.

6. Thou shalt not kill.

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

8. Thou shalt not steal.

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

10. Thou shalt not covet.

IF  YOU    WERE

If you were busy being kind,
Before you knew it, you would find
You'd soon forget to think 'twas true
That someone was unkind to you.

If you were busy being glad,
And cheering people who were sad,
Although your heart might ache a bit,
You'd soon forget to notice it.

If you were busy being good,
And doing just the best you could,
You'd not have time to blame some man
Who's doing just the best he can.

If you were busy being right,
You'd find yourself too busy quite
To criticize your neighbor long
Because he's busy being wrong.

hello i'm new here! i live in the Philippines and we get hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, landslides. the Philippines is a third-world country and the cost of living is very poor. people get used to it already as it comes every now and then (we live on the edge of the pacific). but we never lose faith. we always pray and go to church everyday. no matter what crisis life may bring, the Lord is with us always! Peace

I'm happy to see this post. I used to have several missionary friends I heard from fairly regularly from the Philippines, but I haven't heard from them in a couple of years and wonder if they went home.

If you don't mind and have the time, I would really appreciate hearing about the Philippines are right now, especially for the Christians. I've read about some pretty harsh treatment and persecution for Christians in the Philippines. I don't know if these cases were isolated or if that's the general treatment for Christians in the Philippines. I pray for missionaries around the world every day, so I would thank you in advance for any information. I get a lot of my information from Voice of the Martyrs and from family members currently serving in several countries.

Generally, it appears that the treatment of Christians around the world is getting worse pretty quickly - including this part of the world.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Isaiah 52:6-7 ASV  Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak; behold, it is I.  7  How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!


Romans 10:14-15 ASV  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  15  and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things!

I have heard the latest news about the three abducted Red Cross volunteers (an Italian, a Swiss and a Filipino). Abducted by a group called Abu sayyaf terrorists in the southern part of the Philippines. they are still not release until now. this happens here every time. missionaries and pastors abducted by gunmen and terrorists, torture them and force them to become a member of this group. and they threaten to rape and kill the abducted christians's wife and kids in front of them just to make them sign up. some were not lucky they got beheaded. the philippine government is taking actions and has asked help from international countries already. Many are praying for the abducted people.

I have read about some abductions - probably involving radical Islamists. I've also read about the South. There are now pockets of terrorists all over the world, and they're ready to go to work. It's very sad that many of the Christians being killed around the world are involved in keeping people alive in many ways. So, the terrorists are really the worst enemy of their own people. I think these are signs of the times and also a foretaste of things yet to come.

Love In Christ,
Tom

1 Corinthians 13:11-13 NIV  11  When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.  12  Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.  13  And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Welcome Kangkonking. I have read many articles and books about your country and also about the problems that all christians are facing in many countries around the globe. My prayers are with you and your family that you remain safe in these troubled times.


I found this recently and think this is a great spot for it:

Eternal God, from whom streams every impulse that is beautiful and true. Help us in this hour of worship to take grateful inventory of what sustains us;  the friendships,  the shared goals,  the intimate labors that lace life with meaning. Remind us that to every gift there is attached a responsibility, to every privilege, an obligation. Therefore, make it our purpose, as it is Yours throughout the universe, to bring creativity rather than chaos, harmony rather than discord, talent and appreciations rather than cynicism and apathy.  Amen

GIVE  THANKS  TO  THE  LORD

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods. Give thanks to the Lord of lords.

Alone He works great marvels; In wisdom He made the heavens.

He laid the earth upon the waters; He made the great lights.

The sun rules by day, the moon and stars rule by night.

He remembers us when we were casted down, and rescued us from our enemies.

He gives food to all His creatures.

Give thanks to the God of heaven, for His love endures forever.

(From  Psalm 136)

Hello Islandboy,

It's great to hear from you. We've been missing you. Thanks for sharing with us the beauty of the Psalms.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Good to be back, Tom. I have stopped by a few times to see how things were going but always seemed to get called away to another
chore before I had time to post. We are doing a study of the Psalms in Suday School. They are so beautiful and clearly speak of the things of God that we as sinners need the most. I think that His love for us shines above all things. If only mankind could turn away from evil and toward God, our country would be in a much greater place.   :) :)

AN  EVENING  PRAYER
by Bess King Baker

If I have done an unkind act today,
If I have caused a falt'ring step to stray,
If I have walked far from thy chosen way,
Dear Lord, forgive, forgive.

If I have spoken cruel words of wrong,
Or made a discord in some grand, sweet song,
If I have wandered aimlessly along
Dear Lord, forgive, forgive.

And when my life has hastened to its end,
Oh, thou, my soul's true, tried and faithful friend,
Be with me, and thy peace and mercy send,
And, Lord, forgive, forgive.

PRAYER   TO  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT
Cardinal Wiseman

Oh Holy Spirit of God, take me as Thy Disciple!
Guide me; illuminate me; Sanctify me; Bind my hands that I may not do evil,
Cover my eyes that I may not see it,
Close my ears that I may not hear it,
Sancitify my heart that evil may not dwell within me,
Be Thou my God; be thou my Guide,
Wheresoever Thou leadest me, I will go;
Whatsoever Thou forbiddest me, I will renounce,
and whatsoever Thou commandest me,
in Thy strength, I will do.     Amen

Lovely writings in both of your posts, Islandboy.

Hello Debp,

First, I agree completely. I've had a good time tonight concentrating on the things of GOD and trying to put the chaos of this world out of my mind.

Second, we've missed you and hope that you're well. We know that many are having some hard times, and all we can do is pray. I give thanks that GOD loves to hear our prayers, and HE still does as HE pleases in Heaven and on earth.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Hi Islandboy,
I also live in the small lovely island in Mauritius. In Mauritius we live peacefully. I know it is not the same for you. one thing i will ask you MAY JESUS BE YOUR DEAREST FRIEND,HE WILL NEVER DECEIVED YOU. HE IS THE ONE WHO CAN CHANGE NIGHT INTO DAY.YOUR FAMILY, YOUR FRIEND CAN STOP LOVING YOU. HIS LOVE NEVER CEASED FOR YOU.THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD;I HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED
.

your new friend,
May   

Hi Tom, thanks for your kind remarks.  Actually since I'm a moderator at Cpals, that takes up most of my time (especially since I use the neighbor's computer).

I have a love/hate relationship with the computer  :D :D so try to limit my time on it.  I used to have a job with very  heavy deadline word processing so maybe that's why I do not like to spend alot of time on the computer.

Hello Debp,

I had forgotten about you being a moderator, but I'm glad to hear that you're doing good. I'm retired, so I like what I'm doing with my computer now, but I do remember years of deadlines and doing all kinds of work at home when I should have been off. I use it mainly for Bible Study since I've retired, and I can say positively that a computer is great for Bible Study. It's especially great for people with eyesight problems and other disabilities. I have the equivalent of a large Bible Study library on my computer, and I really don't know what I would do without it. I just wish that I had used better organization and indexing as I kept adding more and more materials. However, search functions on computers can overcome most poor organization and indexing.

I am getting things better organized a little bit at a time, and I'm finding things I don't remember having.   ;D  You won't search for something that you don't think you have. I haven't decided the exact methods I'm going to use yet, but I'm putting together a rough filing system that I plan to index with a database.

In the meantime:  KEEP LOOKING UP!

Love In Christ,
Tom

1 Thessalonians 4:14 NASB  14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

That's so true, lots of good Bible study and commentaries, etc, on the internet.  I especially like the old time Christian preacher/writers.  Alot of wonderful insight that many young Christians might not be familiar with today.

Debp, So glad you stopped by to post. I am sorry I am so long in answering. Been sick with a bad stomach infection, but i am back up and around again. Glad you liked the prayers and psalm.


May, It was so nice to have you post here. Thank you so much for your kind words of prayer. I trust in Jesus, and your right He will never
leave us, we are safe in our believing in Him. Please post again.



Tom, Always good to read your posts and words of wisdom and good humor.

I would live for Thee, Lord Jesus,
Keep my eyes so turned toward Thee
That the world and all its system
May attract no part of me.


Lord, keep me from being envious of the beautiful and seemingly powerful. May I use Your resources to put down roots that will make me strong rather than growing branches to make me attractive.  Amen.

Hello Islandboy,

I'm sorry to hear that you've been sick, but I'm glad that you're better. I've been in the same boat, and I give thanks that I'm also getting better. I'll be praying for you.

Love In Christ,
Tom

John 3:6-7 ASV  6  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born anew.

Thanks for your nice greeting, Islandboy.  I'm cutting back somewhat on my computer time so you might not see me much here...just now and then.

Debp, So glad you stopped by. I will miss hearing from you. Keep in touch, I like your e-mails.

I sat down to write you all a note and lol and behold my mind went completely blank. I would blame it on old age, but I am not that old.
So guess I will just wing this one and hope it is easy to understand and worth your time. I have been searching for things to write here
and trying to figure out something that is needed in this day and age. And my final decision came in reading the Book of Psalm. The prayers there seem to cry out to me, saying this is the cry of our nation, crying out for hope in this mixed up world. And so I am going to add them here in the hope they reach someone in need of a loving God. Someone in need of a Savior. Someone in need of a
prayer.

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and my horn of my salvation,
my stronghold.
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.

PSALM  18: 2-3

My Lord,
You are the rock and strength of this nation. You are the only one who can deliver us from our enemies. We trust in You and pray
humbly for Your guidance and direction for this great nation. Give us wisdom to make the right choices. Help us to live in such a way
that Your name is honored in all things. May Your blessings stay near and dear to our hearts, in a way that keeps us close to You by
studying Your word and spending time in prayer.  Amen

Hi Islanboy,
Hoping you are better and enjoying a good health by God's Grace.I'm fine but an hectic day at work. it is good to spent some hours on the forum. reading these wording.Sometimes i say to myself Why Jesus takes time to come? He is God, He know why? May his name be blessed.

Welcome May, it is so nice to read your message and just keep the faith our Lord will not forgot about us. Keep praying for Him to come.


                           MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche; They don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors, fiflty ovens and happy kids.

Real  Mothers know that dried play dough doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask, "Why me?" And get their answer when a little voice says, "Because I love you best."

Real Mothers know a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade.... It is marked by the progression of Mommy
to Mom to Mother.

 

                THE   IMAGES  OF  MOTHER

4 YEARS OF AGE--My Mommy can do anything.

8 YEARS OF AGE--My Mom knows a lot!  A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE--My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE--Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.

16 YEARS OF AGE--Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.

18 YEARS OF AGE--That old woman? She's way out of date.

25 YEARS OF AGE--Well, she might know a little bit about it.

35 YEARS OF AGE--Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE--Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE--Wish I could talk it over with Mom.


The beauty of a woman is not the clothes she wears, the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from  in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart.

The place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, But the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.

It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows.

Thanks Islandboy!

That was beautiful. I give thanks that I'm 60+ and can still talk it over with my wonderful Mother. One of the things I give thanks the most for is I had Godly parents who raised me up in the ways of the LORD.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Proverbs 31:10-31 ASV  A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.  11  The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain.  12  She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.  13  She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.  14  She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar.  15  She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task to her maidens.  16  She considereth a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.  17  She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.  18  She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: Her lamp goeth not out by night.  19  She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.  20  She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.  21  She is not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with scarlet.  22  She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.  23  Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land.  24  She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.  25  Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come.  26  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue.  27  She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.  28  Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praiseth her, saying:  29  Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all.  30  Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.  31  Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.

Hi Island boy,
I happy you are back in the mist of us, hope by God's grace you are better. what  beautiful wording on Mother.
Here in Mauritius we will celebrate Mothers' Day on Sunday the 31st May. This week i will celebrate my Birthday on the 27th May, I will be 48years old & sunday is Mother's Day. My family is preparing some delights for me for these two events as usual.In Mauritius Mother is honour after God.Praise God that children honour their Fathers & mothers.In my family, i have a nice husband, a nice & lovely girl & a future handsome & nice son - in - law. All my family honour & love Jesus as their Saviour & Lord.  Thank God for my lovely family.
THE ONLY COMMANDEMENT WITH A PROMISE - HONOUR YOUR FATHER & MOTHER -YOU WILL HAVE A HAPPY LONG LIFE.

HAVING THE BLESSING OF PARENTS - IT IS WONDERFUL.

sister May

Glad you enjoy it Tom, I too still have my mother to ask questions and get advice from. I am planning a trip north to visit with her for the summer.
And May, it is always so nice to hear from you.  :)

BEAUTIFUL   CHRISTIAN   SISTER
by Maya Angelou

' A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
That a man should have to seek him to find her"

When I say...I am a Christian', I'm not shouting ' Im clean living.'
I'm whispering ' I was lost, Now I am found and forgiven.'

When I say...'I am a Christian,' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say...' I am a Christian,' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say...'I am a Christian,' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say...'I am a Christian,' I'm not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

Wnen I say...'I am a Christian,' I still feel the sting of pain...
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say...'I am a Christian,' I'm not holier than thou.
I'm just a simple sinner, Who recieved God's good grace, somehow.

Hi Islandboy,
You are blessed because your mother is still alive
mine is with Jesus
one day i will meet her in the glory of God
Our God send me the comforter to replace the empty
Hope you are enjoying a wonderful health by God's Grace


Sister May

Hello everyone, I am back from up north. It was hard to leave there as the weather was warm, as September's are in the fall. The leaves were starting to turn and it was so beautiful. I did not enjoy any blackberries, as where I was at there was not any blackberries to be found. However, though the weather had been colder than usual the homegrown blueberries were wonderful. I enjoyed the small apartment I had rented. I had no TV, no radio, and only a pay as you go cellphone that I could turn off. So I had silence. It was such a restful experience. I read books and sewed, walked around a bit and talked to many strangers who lived on my street, who became new friends. I went to the libaray for books and to check my e-mails. I was not able to sign in as the libaray computers resisted cookies, which slowed down my ability to stay in touch. I attended church locally and in a church in the country. It was very hard to leave there and return to Florida with it's high humidity and constant rainy days. But I am back for now and I sent a BIG hello to Pastor Rogers, Tom, Sister May, Debp,and all my friends here.

It's great to see you back. That does sound like a really great time that you had.

Welcome Home! - We missed you! - Here's a BIG HELLO back at you from me.

I am glad to hear that you had such a good time. I've only gotten to see the beautiful fall colors in the North once - West Virginia, Maryland, New York, and especially far North New York. I said especially far North New York because I spent a couple of days in a cabin about 60 miles South of Canada. It was in the mountains and heavily wooded. I'll just say that turning every corner was like a gorgeous picture post card.

We did visit my son in Florida one year, and we thought that was beautiful country also. His home is at Port St. Lucie. Everywhere we went during that visit was gorgeous. We really enjoy looking at God's handywork, including the rugged Wichita Mountains where we live in SW. Oklahoma. We think it's pretty here - just a different kind of pretty.

My wife retired since I talked with you last. We are much like you in that we don't need much entertainment. We plan to enjoy doing many things together that are free or almost free.

I know that I've talked your arm off, so I'll stop.   ;)  It's very nice to have you back with us.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Thanks for the warm welcome it is nice to be missed.  ;)

Got a question for you. I met a person while I was away that is a Jehovah's Witnesses. She popped a question at me about when Jesus died that he supposely went to hell. Her idea was that the grave is where hell is. At the time I told her I do not debate verses of the Bible without having my Bible in hand. However, since I have been home I have not seen the verse written as such. Some studies speak of Jesus going down under for 3 days, but none I have read say he was in Hell. Perhapes this is the way it is mentioned in their Bible, but how can I address this subject with her?  I don't want to offend her only help point her in the right direction.
I can never understand why people or groups that claim to be "Christians", approach other Christians in a attempt to confuse the issues or win them over to there way of thinking.  I have no desire to become a JW, but I do not wish to hurt her feelings either. What's your take on this?

No, Jesus Christ did not go to hell, but it's easy to see how many could be confused on this subject. The Jews used several words related to the "place for the dead", grave, sepulchre, etc. One must also make a distinction between the body and the spirit. The spirits of the Old Testament saints didn't go to Hell, and neither did the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Back to the subject of the body for a moment:  1) The bodies of Abraham, David, and other Old Testament saints saw corruption (spoil, decay);  2) The body of Jesus Christ did not see corruption, as it was raised from the place of the dead on the third day before spoil and decay began.

This can be a long and difficult study, but I've only covered some highlights. Big changes took place after the Cross - including where the departed spirits of the saints go. Before the Cross, there were two chambers in the earth for the spirits of the departed - one for the lost and one for the saved. The one for the saved was known as "Abraham's Bosom" (a place of joy and rest). As we know, the bodies of both the lost and the saved go to the grave - the earth - awaiting resurrection for either judgment or glorification. I hope this helped some. The Jehovah's Witnesses have many extremely strange beliefs that aren't Biblical at all, especially on the subject of Jesus Christ.

If you would like to do a further study on this subject, you might start with Matthew 12:40, Luke 16:23, and John 19:42. If you want to do a word study from Hebrew and Greek roots, you might start my looking at "hades" and "sheol". Please keep in mind the big distinction between body and soul/spirit and know there are various meanings for the "place of the dead".

Love In Christ,
Tom

2 Timothy 2:8-10 ASV  8  Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel:  9  wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound.  10  Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

 

Hello Hawk,

WELCOME!


We're happy to have you with us, and I look forward to having fellowship with you. We have quite a few here with disabilities of one type or another, including me.

I'm sorry that I don't understand what you mean by slick hallway on the second floor. I'll think about that and might get it later. I hope you enjoy Christians Unite.

Love In Christ,
Tom

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Hello Hawk, Welcome to the forum. You are not alone with having physical problems. There are others here that have problems of one sort or another, including myself. Spelling can be a problem even for those that have perfect vision so no need to apologize for that. We overlook all that and if it causes misunderstandings then we work around it.

I'm looking forward to seeing more of your posts and having some wonderful Christian fellowship with you.

Good Morning Hawk. We have folks from all around on here. One of my grandmas was a "Mountain woman" sort from the Appalachians. Of course I'm partial but I think she was a wonderful person.

The studies you are in at the moment are some of the most wonderful portions of scripture and there are many threads on here in those areas.

Hello Hawk,

I'll second the GOOD MORNING to you.

The Apostle Paul is one of my favorite Bible writers. I have no doubt that he had a beautiful and very personal relationship with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I also agree with Pastor Roger that Paul's Epistles are some of the most wonderful studies in God's Word. After all, God gave Paul the honor of explaining the greatest event in the history of mankind:  Jesus Christ and the Cross - God's Greatest Gift - The Heart of the Gospel of God's Grace and Love.

We're happy to have you with us.

Love In Christ,
Tom

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Welcome to the forum Hawk. I am sure you will enjoy taking part in discussions all over the boards in the many different topic's. I have been here awhile and there are a lot of good solid Christian folks here who like me will enjoy seeing your posts.

Hear my cry O God;
Listen to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
I call as my heart grows faint;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For You have been my refuge,
A strong tower against the foe.
I long to abide in Your tabernacle forever;
I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.
                        PSALM  61: 1-4

Amen! - Beautiful!

O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.

I have seen you in the santuary
and beheld your power and glory.
Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with the richer of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings
I stay close to you;
your right hand upholds me.

They who seek my life will be destroyed;
they will go down into the depths of the earth.
They will be given over to the sword
and become food for jackals.

But the King will rejoice in God;
all who swear by God's name will praise him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced.
                         Psalms  63: 1-11

HEAR ME, O God, as I voice my complaint,
protect my life from the threat of the enemy.

Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked,
from the noisy crowd of evildoers,
who sharpen their tongues like swords
and aim their words like deadly arrows.
They shoot from ambush at the innocent men,
they shoot at him suddenly, without fear.

They encourage each other in evil plans,
they talk about hiding their snares;
they say, "Who will see them?"
They plot injustice and say,
"We have devised a perfect plan!"
surely the mind and heart of man are cunning.

But God will shoot them with arrows;
suddenly they will be struck down.
He will turn their tongues against them
and bring them to ruin;
all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.
All mankind will fear;
they will proclaim the works of God
and ponder what he has done.

Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord
and take refuge in him;
let all the upright in heart praise him!

                        PSALMS  64: 1-10

Hello Islandboy,

Thanks!  -  You've given a nice reminder about how rich and beautiful the Psalms are.

Love In Christ,
Tom

 

THE  BATTLE  IS  NOT  YET  DONE
by  Ella Wheeler Wilcox

However the battle is ended
though proudly the victor comes
with fluttering flags
and prancing nags
and echoing rolls of drums,
still truth proclaims this motto
in letters of living light,
no question is ever settled,
until it is settled right.

Let those who have failed take courage
tho' the enemy seems to have won,
tho' his ranks are strong,
if he be in the wrong
the battle is not yet done,
for, sure as the morning follows
the darkest hour of the night,
no question is ever settled,
until it is settled right.

POEM:  By Oliver Wendell Holmes

Father, send on earth again
peace and goodwill to men;
yet, while the weary track of life
leads Thy people through storm
and strife,
help us walk therein.

Guide us through the perilous path;
teach us love that tempers wrath;
let the fountain of mercy flow
alike for helpless friend and foe,
children all of Thine.

God of grace, hear our call;
bless our gifts, Giver of all;
the wounded heal,
the captive restore
and make us a nation evermore
faithful to freedom and Thee.

POEM: By John Quincy Adams

Almighty Father.
Look in mercy down;
Oh, grant me virtue to
perform my part:
the patriot's fervor, and the
statesman's art
in though, word, deed,
preserve me from Thy frown.

Direct me to the paths of
bright renown.
Guide my fail  bark, by
truth's unerring chart.
Inspire my soul and purify
my heart;
and with success, my steadfast
purpose crown.

My country's weal, be that my
polar star,
Justice, Thou Rock Of Ages,
is Thy law-
and when Thy summons calls me
to Thy bar,
Be this my plea, Thy gracious
smile to draw-
that all my ways to justice
were inclined-
And all my aims - the blessing
of mankind.

Blessed Savior, make me humble,
Take away my sinful pride;
In myself I'm sure to stumble,
Help me stay close by Your side.

YES, they are quite beautiful. I second the THANKS!

PRAISE AWAITS you, O God, in Zion,
to you our vows will be fulfilled.
O you who hear our prayer,
to you men will come.
When we were overwhelmed by sins,
you atoned for our transgressions,
Blessed is the man you choose
and bring near to live in your courts.
We are filled with the good things of your house,
of your holy temple.

You answer us with awesome deeds of
righteousness,
O God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,
who formed the mountains by your power,
having armed yourself with strength,
who stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
and the turmoil of the nations.
Those living far away fear your wonders;
where morning dawns and evening fades
you call forth songs of joy.

You care for the land and water it;
you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
to provide the people with grain,
for so you have ordained it.
You drench its furrows
and level its ridges;
you soften it with showers
and bless its crops.
You crown the year with your bounty,
and your carts overflow with abundance.
The grasslands of the desert overflow,
the hills are clothed with gladness.
The meadows are covered with flocks,
and the valleys are mantled with grain;
they shout for joy and sing.
               PSALMS  65: 1-13

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they
are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul,
"therefore I will hope in him."
                                                    LAMENTATIONS 3: 22-24

Amen! - Beautiful!

                                                 THE  TRUE  GLORY  of  a  NATION
                                                           by E. P. Whipple


The true glory of a nation is an intelligent, honest, industrious people. The civilization of a people depends on their individual character; and not the constitution which is not the outgrowth of this character, is not worth the parchment on which it is written. You look in vain in the past for a single instance where the people have preserved their liberties after their individual character was lost. It is not in the magnificence of its palaces, not in the beautiful creations of art lavished on its public edifices, not in costly libraries and galleries of pictures, not in the number or wealth of its cities, that we find a nation's glory.

The ruler may gather around him the treasures of the world, amid a brutalized people; the senate chamber may retain its faultless proportions long after the voice of patriotism is hushed within its walls; the monumental marble may commemorate a glory which has forever departed. Art and letters may bring no lessonto a people whose heart is dead.


The true glory of a nation is the living temple of a loyal, industrious, upright people. The busy click of machinery, the merry ring of the avail, the lowing of the peaceful herds, and the song of the harvest home, are sweeter music than the paeans of departed glory or the songs of triumph in war. The vine-clad cottage on the hillside, the cabin of the woodsman, and the rural home of the farmer, are the true citadels of any country. There is a dignity in honest toil which belongs not to the display of wealth or the luxury of fashion. The man who drives the plow or swings the axe in the forest, or with cunning fingers plies the tools of his craft, is as truly the servant of his country as the statesman in the senate or the soldier in battle.

The safety of a nation depends not alone on the wisdom of the statesman or bravery of its generals...

Would you see the image of true national glory, I would show you villages where the crown and glory of the people are in comman schools, where the voice of prayer goes heavenward, where the people have the most priceless gift, faith in God --for--

" Not gold, but only men can make
A people great and strong.
Men who for truth and honor's sake,
Stand fast and suffer long.
Brave men who work while others sleep,
Who dare while others fly--
They build a nation's pillars deep
And lift them to the sky."

LIBERTY"S      PRAYER
                  by Paul W. Keyes

Lord God of low tides and high hopes,
who has brought millions to our shores,
grant that each of them shall find the freedom he sailed for
in this land which honors
all who honor it.

Lord God of willing hands and opportunity,
of past failures, present mistakes and future successes,
who has brought man from wagon to space capsule
and filled this great country,
imperfect though it may be called by some,
give equal dignity to all
and send word back to Thomas Jefferson
that we do try to fulfill the promises
he filed under the Declaration of Independence.

Lord God of foreign ancestors and homegrown Americans,
who taught strangers to live together,
do as much now for friends.
Remind fiery young hearts
that passion works best when tempered with reason
and that nothing was ever built up
and torn down at the same time.

Lord God of broken promices and hungry hearts
remind us constantly the land we call home wasn't built in a day,
bear with our failures, forgive us our trespasses.
As you once trained lightning and fireflies to live together,
teach us now that good intentions are a beginning not an end,
that doing is still better than hoping and wishing,
that today holds the cure of yesterday
and the torch I hold high
is Liberty's nightlight welcoming tomorrow
with a rainbow of freedom
rising from the thunder of despair.

Amen! - Beautiful!

                            TEMPLES   OF  THE   LORD
                          by  Agnes Davenport  Bond

How thrilled, we stand beneath the peaks
That tower up to God
And gaze upon their ragged cliffs,
Where man has never trod!

Majestic mountains, lofty, bold,
Projecting in the sky,
Seem mighty temples of the Lord,
With spires of crags on high.

And all His creatures of the woods,
The birds that chirp and sing,
The roaming deer, the lizards small,
Each day are worshiping.

And we, who wander in their midst,
And up the steep trails climb,
Are moved to cherish only thoughts
Which are the most sublime.

The wilds of nature kindle strong,
In most of us, the best.
Their tranquil silence brings a peace,
Their changing shadows, rest.

And like the psalmist, we look up
Unto the hills for strength;
Unto the heights, whence cometh help
For all our needs, at length.

GIVE  ME  A  GRATEFUL  HEART  LORD
By Grace E. Easley

Give me a grateful heart, Lord,
For each small favor granted.
As years unfold, may I behold
Life, still, through eyes enchanted,
Let me find beauty in all things,
Not be too blind to see
The goodness in my fellowman,
That he would find in me.

Grant that my ears remain attuned
To hear the smallest sigh,
And may I lend a gentle touch,
To those less sure than I.
Let me remember lessons learned,
To profit from the past,
And may I build a bridge of dreams,
That shall forever last.

Let me rejoice in simple things;
I need no wealth to buy
The scent of pine upon the wind,
A burnished copper sky,
Scarlet roses on the fence,
Sunrise through the trees--
Oh, grant that I may not outgrow
Affinity for these!

Give me a grateful heart, Lord;
Let me be satisfied
When days are less than sunny
And plans lie at low tide.
Life is a sweet adventure
That will lead to who knows where,
So, give me a grateful heart, Lord,
That I may always care.

THANK  YOU,  FATHER
by Bill Carr

In humbleness, we thank You, Father,
For the goodness You have shown,
For the blessings and compassion,
For comfort when we walk alone.

Thank You for our daily bounty,
For the love we share each day.
Thank You for the right to worship,
Each in our own chosen way.

Thank You for your hand that guides us,
Right from wrong, in all we do.
May we grow in understanding,
Always grateful---thanking You.

MY  NAME  IS  AMERICA
 By  William Arthur  Ward

I am a country...
but I am more than a country. I am over two hundred years old, but my mountains, forests, and rivers are ageless. Before I was a dream in the minds of mortal men, the land was a beautiful reality in the hands of a beneficent Creator.

I am a nation...
but I am more than a nation. I am a republic of fifty sovereign states, each with its own heritage and individual greatness, each a vital part of one indivisible whole--the United States of America.

I am a government...
but I am more than a government. I am a symbol of plenty, a model of representative government, a hallmark of freedom, justice, and independence to hundreds of millions throughout the world.

I am a melting pot...
but I am more than a melting pot. I am a haven for the oppressed, a living adventure in brotherhood, a community of compassion, and a dynamic example of liberty under law, opportunity with responsibility, and democracy through equality.

My name is America!

WHAT  MAKES  AMERICA?
By Garnett Ann Schultz

What makes America wondrous and grand?
The smile of a child and a kind helping hand,
The soft glow of summer beneath a blue sky,
A moon round and golden as evening draws neigh.

What makes America lasting and real?
A hope and a faith and a dream that's ideal,
A land filled with wonders, a mountain, a stream,
A nation of people with courage supreme.

What makes America?  Living and zest,
Baseball and football, the dearest and best,
A freedom unequaled wherever you go,
Our dream for the future, to live and to grow.

What makes America?  So many things--
A brighter tomarrow that each dawning brings,
A peace and a love and a home bright and free,
These make America so dear to me.

"This is my country," I say with pride,
Whether it's desert, vast and wide,
Or mountains, pine covered, or iceberg bound,
Wherever my native home is found.
This is my country!  And all I do
Should built it stronger, finer, more true,
Should hold its flag, colors unfurled,
In honor in any part of the world.
This is my country!  Wherever it be,
Let all its people be honest and free.

By Mabel Jones Gabbott

THE   LIFE  WORTH  LIVING
by  Henry Van Dyke

There is a life that is worth living now as it was worth living in the former days, and that is the honest life, the useful life, the unselfish life, cleansed by devotion to an ideal. There is a battle that is worth fighting now as it was worth  fighting then, and that is the battle for justice and equality: to make our city and state free in fact as well as in name; to break rings that  strangle real liberty and keep them broken; to cleanse, so far as in our power lies, the fountains of our national life from political, commercial and social corruption; to teach our sons and daughters, by precept and example, the honor of serving such a country as America.... that is work worthy of the finest manhood and womanhood. The well-bred are those who are bred to be proud of that work; the well-educated are those who see deepest into the meaning and the necessity of that work. Nor shall their labor be naught, nor the reward of their sacrifice fail them; for high in the firmament of human destiny are set the stars of faith in mankind, and unselfish courage and loyalty to the ideal.

AMERICA
by Marie A. Florian

She lies between two oceans;
She boasts of mountains high,
Rich woodlands dot her landscapes
While rivers flow nearby.
She offers grassy prairies
With gently rolling hills;
There's fertile soil for farming
And busy textile mills.
Her people have a birthright
That not all lands can boast...
Yes, freedom is her motto;
It's  heard from coast to coast.
Though men fought hard to gain her,
This country that we love,
She's been from the beginning
A gift from God above.
Her red-striped flag waves proudly
With one star for each state;
Liberty and compassion
Are what have made her great.
Let's never take for granted
This land that is so blest;
May each of us pray for her
And give to her our best.