This quick post this morning is not about any type of health enhancement products, but actually along the lines of a different type of enhancement…spiritual enhancement.

If you believe as we do, well, then you simply believe. if you don’t, personally, i feel this is your right too.

What I’m sharing with you this morning is a video that I have found to be very inspiring to me.

I watch it once in a while having my coffee during the early morning enjoying what I consider…my time.

I’m an early riser so Kathrine is still in bed, and it’s just me and our dogs out on the porch watching the woods wake up…very peaceful and serene.

To those that are married, you understand those two words very well…peaceful and serene.

To those of you who haven’t tied the knot yet, you may not quite understand those two words…peaceful and serene…but you soon will! LOL

I’m sure there are many, many of you who have already seen this video, as the views are in the millions, but to me, I always feel so good after watching it on occasion.

Hopefully this will have the same effect on many of you too!

Have a great day and God Bless, from all of us here in Isaiah’s Garden!

Here’s Hezekiah Walker singing, “Every Praise!”

It’s been an awful long time since I’ve posted, and to be honest…it feels good!

I’ll begin to start doing some of this again.

I thought I’d speak a little this morning on not our, or any other all natural products, but the challenges of our faith in regards to the political agendas today in our Country, and the world in general, or better known as….

The “C” word.

We are firm believers in our faith…Our Christian faith.

I’m not here to beat you over the head in regards to our faith, but simply to express some thoughts of mine in its regard…and they’re exactly that, thoughts of mine.

If you happen to believe along my lines of thought, that’s great, and God Bless.

If you don’t, then that’s great too. That IS your right as an American, but in the same breath, it seems anyone who doesn’t feel the same way I do, does in fact get to beat me over the head with their opinion.

The world is filled with believers such as I, nonbelievers, and other religious based faiths.

I’m fine with your beliefs, although it seems today the Christian faith is getting slammed simply on account of “what,” we believe.

Much of our problem today stems simply from political correctness and its, “not offend anyone,” or to basically make everyone…feel nice.

First off, to anyone with a brain, you should immediately recognize the true intent of this political correctness as simply being …restricting speech, and undermining your right to free speech.

Secondly, it’s pretty easily seen that this “PC thing” isn’t restricting the progressive rights to free speech at all.

Only the people in our Country who believe in “their God and their guns” is this really being applied to, as our President has proclaimed.

If you believe in our liberties, morals, and what our Country was indeed founded upon, which is enforced in our Constitution, you’ve been branded today as racist, right wing extremists, anti-government, terrorists, and even teabaggers.

Between us, my son had to inform me to the true meaning behind such a statement.

Seems somewhere, somehow, the world simply passed me by, but regardless of my own ignorance of much of today’s lingo, I do understand right from wrong, but even that’s becoming confused if listening to a progressive speak.

Ever hear of spending your way out of debt as our President declares?

If you passed elementary arithmetic, you see the futility in such a statement.

Now…stealing your way out of debt is another matter entirely!

It’s pretty evident that political correctness involving people that believe as I and other likeminded individuals do isn’t the same at all when being applied to the political left.

I’ve also heard our President declare…”America is not a Christian Nation.”

This in a nutshell is my reasoning for today’s post.

We ACTUALLY WERE Founded Upon Our Judeo-Christian Beliefs

Personally, I feel that Louisiana governor, Bobby Jindal was right on the money when he stated, “Now is the time for our Nation to turn back to God.”

The media, and many Republicans as well, thought his statement as anything but a simple declaration of his belief, and totally about as politically incorrect as you can get…

After all, far too many today believe as our President states, once again, “We are not a Christian Nation.”

A poll in 2012, did anything but affirm this belief. Its findings were that in fact 75% of Americans today do consider Christianity as their religion of choice.

I’d like to share a few examples, through quotations, that yes, America was indeed founded upon our Christian belief.

I stumbled across this website just a few days ago.

“It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.”
- George Washington –

“The Congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools.”
- United States Congress 1782 –

“The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.”
- John Adams –

Here’s a quote that I find to be so descriptive of our government today, in its blatant attempts to not only convince people our Constitution is out dated, but to totally ignore it.

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
- John Adams –

“Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.”
- Benjamin Franklin -

“God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever.”
- Thomas Jefferson, Jefferson Memorial –

“I verily believe Christianity necessary to the support of civil society. One of the beautiful boasts of our municipal jurisprudence is that Christianity is a part of the Common Law … There never has been a period in which the Common Law did not recognize Christianity as lying its foundations.”
- Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story, Harvard Speech, 1829 –

“[The Bible] is the rock on which our Republic rests.”- Andrew Jackson
“Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind. It is impossible that it should be otherwise; and in this sense and to this extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian…This is a Christian nation”
- United States Supreme Court Decision in Church of the Holy Trinity v. United States, 1892 –

Ending up today’s post with these final three…

“Without God there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first, the most basic expression of Americanism. Thus, the founding fathers of America saw it, and thus with God’s help, it will continue to be.”
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

“I believe that the next half century will determine if we will advance the cause of Christian civilization or revert to the horrors of brutal paganism.”
- Theodore Roosevelt, President

“This is a Christian nation.”
- Harry Truman, President

To all the naysayers who don’t believe as I do, that’s your option, and once more by being so, I condone your opinion, but, have you ever considered my simply being right in my own belief?

If I and the great many others who believe just as I believe are wrong, I’d venture to say that we really haven’t lost a thing, but if we’re right, eternity is an awful long time, wouldn’t you think?

Check out our new website

If you’d look in our blog section of the new site it will tell you the reasoning behind our new product names, labels, etc.

Thank you for dropping in to see us today and God Bless you and yours!

Doug

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” - Luke 2:8-11

Well…how do ya follow that?

I can’t for sure, who can, but I will attempt to give a few thoughts on Christmas, and what it means to me.

Unquestionably, we as Christians know that today our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, was born in a manger in Bethlehem.

Because of this, through Christ, we have the opportunity to experience life eternal. John 3:16 states… “For God so loved the world that He gave HIS only begotten son, and whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

It’s not a given, but again…an opportunity.

It IS…OUR decision to make.

Not our families, not our friends, not our neighbors, not our pastor’s…not even God will make this decision for you.

Sure, without question, God wants us to be saved, but once more…He will not make this choice for you.

So you see, in all reality, IF you ask… “You shall receive.”

Now, lookin back at my own life, and my own understandin of Christmas, I have to admit my thoughts of this great event have changed.

Not in the sense of the significance of Christmas, but I guess I’m sayin how I look at Christmas today has changed.

First off, I really now, truly now, understand the blessings our Lord and Saviour bestows upon me.

I gotta tell you guys…lookin back at my youth, I was about the biggest screw-up that ever drew a breath. I was the epitamy, or epitome (you spell tomatoes…I spell maters. LOL) of the wording “dumber than a pile a rocks.”

Some say that I still am today. Okay, so maybe MOST that know me…still feel that way! What of it?? LOL.

Seriously though, I am…one blessed man, and I do thank Him daily for this.

Often, many times daily.

Here’s a guy who didn’t finish high school.

Here’s a guy who became addicted to cocaine in his early twenties. Lost my home, my family, and all material possessions.

By the way, I just got up one morning, looked into the mirror, evaluated my life, mostly what had happened to my life, and never touched cocaine again.

For anyone out there who happens to have a drug, or any type of addiction for that matter…God Bless you first of all, but more importantly, understand that God does indeed love you, no matter your problem.

Secondly, to the families who have a family member with an addiction…you have to use…tough love.

Not that you don’t care or love this person, but understand…they HAVE to be made to stand on their own two feet. They HAVE to be held accountable for their own predicament.

THEY created their problem, and it is very important for you, AND them, to understand and comprehend…THEY are the cause of their own demise, but find it far too easy to convince themselves that their problems were created by…anybody BUT themselves!

Throwing money at their problem helps not at all. It only increases their problem. Show them love, of course, but do not finance their addiction, by thinking your money will help them out of their bind. It only serves to supply them with their next fix, or drink.

Which by the way…is their only concern.

So, as hard as it may seem, through tough love, turn off the spigot of cash. Feed them, clothe them, support them, and love them, but you tossing money at them doesn’t help…it destroys!

All the “educated” liberal thinking people out there that tell you differently…they’re wrong.

This isn’t a “theory” I’m chunkin out at you guys this morning…it is reality.

I lived it…personally.

Again, for the families of a person with an addiction, and especially to the ones with the addiction…my heart and payers go out to you guys.

I’m not going to attempt to build you up by stating you have an easy road in front of you, because it isn’t, but, it IS doable!

I’m living proof of this.

Let me emphasize this…God loves you no matter where you’re at in your life, and He will never put more on you than you can tote…I assure you of this!
Again…

Here’s a guy who would rather drink, cut up, mess around, and even fight, before anything else.

Here’s a guy who had absolutely no inkling of what the word…love…even meant.

In all honesty, in my upbringing, I literally thought that love was simply…a weakness.

Not that my family didn’t love me, because they did, and still do, but simply we, AS a family, never were very intimate, at least in our showing much type of affection at all in regards to one another.

And Then Along Came…

Deb.

One of my greatest blessings from God came in the presence of my wife Deb.

Most know Deb’s story…her fight with Stage 4 breast cancer.

Her decision to bypass conventional treatment and instead, she opted for alternative treatment. Deb was given 8-9 months upon diagnosis, but lived for 14-1/2 months using alternatives.

Her desire to combat this disease on her own terms, in her own way, was so inspirational to me.

Her courage, her dedication to her choice of treatment, her ability to stay up, through thick or thin, her positivity throughout, will never be forgotten by any who knew her.

The quality of her life during this time was second to none, and we enjoyed each other so very much.

All who knew her, not unlike me, literally…forgot she was sick.

I heard her asked many times…

“What made you decide on alternative treatment?”

“Where did you get the courage TO decide on alternative treatment?”

Her answer each and every time… “God showed me.”

Deb had a favorite saying that we close with at the end of our posts, and through watching, listening, and being around her, I must say that she lived it out.

“Keep a smile on your face, and one in your heart.”

She did exactly that.

My point though, is this.

Through Deb, although my not being even remotely aware of it at the time, I understand now that many things Deb spoke to me of…were God speaking to me…through Deb.

But through Deb…I was living with a true witness, a true believer of God’s love, and she spoke openly of this. She lived it!

She exuded it!

Deb told me of the times that she and God…spoke.

In all sincerity, I truly believe, that they did just that.

Without going on and on…I only want to say that Deb was the first to get my thinking along the line of… “Man, how do I get what she has?”

Thank you so much Debbie. You did so much for me.

Most know that Deb passed on June 14th, 2012.

But, although the times after her passing, were probably the darkest I’ve ever experienced, matter of fact, they were…she kindled in me a spark.

The desire to find out what made…

Her so happy?

Her so content?

Her so brave in the face of such overwhelming adversity?

I want some of that, but how do I get it too?

My good, good friend Sonnie Prevatt and his wife Pat stepped up, and helped me, guided me, and…

Loved me.

Pastor Charlie enlightened me on many occasions.

Kelly McCary too.

Tommy Addison, his wife Judy, and his brother David, all spoke to me about God’s love.

Never overbearingly, yet always gingerly. Suggesting to me, what had helped them along in regards to their own journey.

“One-eared Bob,” as we call him, and the reasoning for this is self-explanatory, amazed me in his knowledge of “The Word” and God’s love, and played a large role in my own Christianity.

Bob works for us, and Deb told me on a number of occasions, especially during her last month or so here on this Earth that, “Doug, Bob will be a blessing to you as time goes by,” and how right she was!

I was beginning to understand Bible study and its importance.

I was beginning to understand ABOUT God’s love for us all, and His saving Grace.

But I was still lacking something.

Seems I’d lost my norm…but was beginning to see that this was quite natural after the loss of a spouse. You simply reach what I call…my NEW norm.

Many times I’d lay awake at night and wonder…would I ever find someone, a partner, who could ever make me happy again?

How do I, or even could I…replace Deb?

Yeah, yeah, I know, I know, you don’t replace someone. It’s never the same, nor would I want it to be. What we shared…we shared.

If someone else came into my life, no question…it wouldn’t be the same. Again, I totally understand that.

My problem though was this…

How could God ever bless me again with a partner like I had, from a being blessed standpoint?

Personally, I couldn’t believe that any one person could be so fortunate.

God blessing one man with two women with good Christian morals, and not just that, but someone you know you could undoubtedly spend the rest of your life with??

Honestly, wouldn’t that be TOO much to ask for?

Yet, with Kathrine (jokingly referred to by me now as… “Lucky”), God did exactly that.

Kathrine by the way is, Tommy and David’s mother.

He put another into my life that I love and cherish, and know (lest she messes up a good thing! LOL)…we will spend the rest of our lives together.

Kathrine and I had known each other for years.

Kathrine had lost her husband, Ronnie, five years prior to my losin Deb, and the four of us had become close friends. We literally loved one another…we had become like family.

I gotta admit, it wasn’t Kathrine’s idea in the least, and was honestly the furthest thing from her mind, havin a relationship with anyone else number one…much less getting married!

Yet, through my irresistible charm and wit…the good guy won out! Lol.

Closin This Out

Once more, sittin here this morning, Christmas morning, I’ve taken the time to look back and touch on only a few of my many, many blessings God has bestowed upon me.

In doing so, my only wish is that maybe this will touch someone else this morning who may be down on their luck, through the loss of a loved one, their job, or maybe haven’t given God a chance in their own lives.

I’ll only say this…God loves you.

He loves you each and every day.

I can’t tell any of you what you should or shouldn’t do, that…is up to you.

I can state quite honestly though that God HAS made a difference in my own life.

The opportunity is there, BUT…the choice is yours.

Christmas now means to stop and take the time for Doug to contemplate how giving our Lord has been to me…and my family and friends as well.

He blesses me each and every day.

I thank Him daily for this.

Here’s wishing you guys a very Merry Christmas, and a blessed New Year!

“Keep a smile on your face, and one in your heart!”

God Bless you and yours!

Doug and Lucky

Kathrine had loaned me, quite a while back, a book that was her late husband Ronnie’s, who also was a good, good friend of Deb and myself.

Deb, God bless her soul, got no more enjoyment anywhere that simply aggravatin the fire out of him.

She nicknamed him “Turtle,” after her and I getting behind him in our vehicle one day, with him in his. At first we didn’t know who it was goin SO slow down the highway. Then, once we were able to pass him, there he was, bigger than life sittin up behind that steerin wheel, his windows rolled down, and his hair…NOT EVEN BLOWIN!

The man was on a major highway, here in Central Florida of all places, holdin up the flow of traffic, poking along, with ALL HIS WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN, and…his hair not even movin.

Ronnie had found God the last year to year and a half in his life, and once Ronnie found God, this too was not unlike anything he’s ever done in his life…it was taken very seriously, and he poured himself into studying the Bible and researching any and every thing that he came across.

To have known Ronnie as Deb and I had, then to attend his service and hear his Pastor speak of Ronnie in the way he did was incredible to me.

Pastor Mike spoke of Ronnie calling him often asking, “Okay, I’ve finished these books in the Bible…where do I go next?”

Even telling of his need to roof his house one weekend, and because of this, he’d given Ronnie a little extra to study, with his intent being to “bury” Ronnie in study for a few days, literally…so he could fix his roof.

Well, Pastor Mike then spoke of being on his roof working on Saturday, and hearing the phone ring. His wife brought the phone outside and Pastor Mike asked, “Who is it?”

His wife’s reply… “It’s Ronnie…says he’s finished what you’d given him…wants to know where to go next??”

You know, I’m sure Pastor Mike spun this story just a little, but for all who knew Ronnie…that’s exactly the way he was.

Again, he’d dive headlong into a project, BUT ONLY, after studying how and why were the best ways to attack it.

He was quite a guy, and I think of him quite often to be honest.

I know Kathrine has made the statement a few times where she’d find something, a box of shells, or some fishin tackle she’d need, and state, “Ronnie is still helpin us out.”

I believe that these types of things do happen because…you’ll find something, or see something, or think back of something, and again, I too believe these things happen. I’ve experienced this in Deb’s regard as well.

Anyway, Kathrine had loaned me this book to read, again, of Ronnie’s, and a couple nights back, I started reading it in earnest.

Let me own up that my personal walk with God is filled with trials and tribulations from time to time, and it’s not an “easy” path, and the last few weeks I’d felt I was needing something to again, get me back on the right track.

I started reading this book, and very shortly, I’d gotten up, got a pen and notebook, and I went to scratchin down notes.

I was INTERESTED in what I was getting out of this, and I honestly was layin in bed readin, thinkin to myself, “Dern if ole Turtle ain’t…helpin me out!”

Along with God of course.

But anyway, I find this book very, very helpful, so much in fact, I thought I’d post of it today.

Actually, I’m goin to order 30 copies or so and pass them out to close friends, as it is literally a teaching tool, and thoughts can be shared among friends after reading a chapter or two, maybe once a week.
Basically a fellowship among friends and family.

My dad is on the list for receiving a copy of this book.

Although he and I get along well anymore, there were far TOO MANY years that we didn’t get along very well at all.

Neither of us are too old to get to understand and KNOW each other better.

Also, I’d kinda like to shock him with the mere fact that…I CAN read!

Many of you I know have probably read this book, but for those who haven’t, I literally consider it, a must read.

I’d like to share just a little of it with you guys this morning, if ya don’t mind.

The title…

“The Measure of a Man…(Twenty Attributes of a Godly Man)”

It was written by, Gene A. Getz.

As the title suggests, it lays out twenty attributes taken by the author from Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus, profiling our maturity levels in Christ. (1st Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-10)

PAUL’S MATURITY PROFILE

1- Overall Spiritual Maturity (a well-rounded man)

2- Above Reproach (a man of good repute)

3- The Husband Of One Wife (morally pure)

4- Temperate (balanced in words, and actions)

5-Prudent (wise and humble)

6- Respectable (good role model)

7- Hospitable (unselfish and generous)

8- Able To Teach (communicates sensitively in a non-threatening and non-defensive manner)

9- Not Addicted To Wine (not addicted to substances)

10- Not Self-Willed (not self-centered and controlling)

11- Not Quick-Tempered (void of anger that becomes sinful)

12- Not Pugnacious (not abusive)

13- Gentle (sensitive, loving and kind)

14- Peaceable (non-argumentative and non-divisive)

15- Free From The Love Of Money (non-materialistic)

16- Manages His Own Household Well (a good husband and father)

17- Loving What Is Good (pursues Godly activities)

18- Just (wise, discerning, non-prejudiced and fair)

19- Devout (holy, devoted to God)

20- Self-Controlled (disciplined)

And there they are…

I don’t know about the rest of you guys, but it dawned on me pretty clearly that I was terribly lacking in most all of these.

Ending each chapter of this book, there are a few thoughts to ponder about yourself, and your relationship with God.

These I found most helpful simply because they make you stop and THINK, what areas do I need work…and why?

The book is literally a teaching tool, and should be shared

Examples of this I’ll use from the first chapter, “Becoming A Faithful Man.”

1- Why do some men grow rapidly in their Christian faith once they become believers, and why do others struggle, seemingly taking as many steps backwards as forward? (Think of examples YOU can sensitively share. If you feel free to, share your own personal experiences.)

2- As you look back at Paul’s Maturity Profile, what would you consider your areas of strength?

3- As you look at the same profile, in what one specific area would you like to grow the most? Can you identify the factor or factors that are holding you back?

It then asks for you to set a goal that you’d like to achieve as a result of this study.

Again I feel, at least in my case, that this book is simply an incredible learning and teaching tool, if for no one else…but me.

I know once completing this read, and taking a look back at myself, that this will be a tremendous plus if for no other reason, but understanding more about me, and my own walk with God.

If you feel so inclined, order a copy. If you’ve read it prior, I’d appreciate any feedback of what this book taught you. Possibly, through this, we may touch others, and actually, that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?

Thank you all so very much for droppin in today, and God Bless you and yours.

Why don’t we close this out today with a little humor sent to me from our good friend Gary, over in Salt Springs, Florida.…

Catholic Dog

Muldoon lived alone in the Irish country side with only a pet dog for company. One day the dog died, and Muldoon went to the parish priest and asked, ‘Father, my dog is dead. Could ya’ be saying’ a mass for the poor creature?’

Father Patrick exclaimed, ‘Sweet Mary, Mother of Jesus! Why didn’t ya tell me the dog was Catholic?

Again, you guys have a great day, and God Bless.

Please be sure to, “Keep a smile on your face, and one in your heart.

Dub and “Lucky”

You know, I knew a man who really enjoyed going to the dog track. This guy just loved to go and watch those dern dogs run.

When he could find the time, he’d be at the track. He literally loved it.

Anyway, you all probably have little things that trigger you to think, “Dern, I oughta play that number,” or you see something that makes you think, “I oughta play the lotto tonight.”

Even things such as wearin the same shirt to your favorite college football team’s game, time after time, after time.

Why?

Cause in your heart, you feel by doing this…it brings you luck.

You ever done that, or something similar?

Well, back to my buddy’s story. He got up one morning, at 5 am, which was about an hour earlier than his normal wake up time…wide awake.

He decided to go ahead and get ready for work.

He grabs his socks and drawers, both of which were in the fifth drawer of his dresser, walked into his closet and grabbed a shirt, which by chance, happened to be hangin on the fifth hanger from the left.

He went down, took out the egg carton out of the fridge, and lo and behold, there were five eggs missing.

He left for work, and caught the first four lights, but upon approaching it, light number five stayed green, allowing him to keep on truckin.

He gets to work and realizes today is Friday, the fifth day of the work week, and sees that today just happens to be in the fifth month of the year as well.

Well, he begins to see the pattern, and can’t wait for the work day to end at five o’clock, so he can get to the dog track.

He leaves work immediately, gets to the track and unbelievably, you guessed it…he’s the fifth person in line to place his bets, the whole time thinking to himself…I’m playin…NUMBER 5!

He puts 500 hundred bucks on the fifth dog, in the fifth race, and sure enough…

The dog came in FIFTH!

You guys ever had days like that?

You’re going along, bein kicked “through the goalposts of life” bout half the time, struggling to make ends meet, workin your butt off, and suddenly, out of the blue, you feel as if something you see or hear, just clicks with you…

This just has to be an omen of some sort, and by following your instincts, this may just be the opportunity you needed to literally turn your life around, only to find…

You came in fifth???

It happens, doesn’t it?

I know in my own experience there have been many times I have gone through exactly that…comin in fifth.

I gotta tell ya’ll, I HATE to lose. There is NO second place, at least not in my book there ain’t. You win, or just as simply…you lose. That’s my mentality. I cain’t help it.

I have struggled so many times, lookin back now, and I have to tell you, there have been many failures in my life, and from these experiences I too have felt as if…good night, what am I doin wrong here?

Losing Deb, for what seemed like far too long, whatever I attempted, whatever project I started, whatever I tried to help ease the pain over her loss, I kept comin in fifth.

I couldn’t focus on anything.

By now, God had come into my life, but this was all new to me. I could feel His love. I knew without a doubt that this was all good and a major upside was taking place in my life, but dad-gum…it still seemed as if I was stuck in fifth place.

This continued up until just a little over a month or so ago.

This post today, although using Deb’s loss as an example of my inability to focus, is not about Deb.

Today’s post pertains to any circumstance you may find yourself in that literally deals you a bad hand.

The loss of your job, your seeming inability to communicate with your kids, or a friend, or your spouse anymore.

Just anything…

Then one Sunday, “Preacher Charlie” was speaking on trusting God.

He spoke of a simple prayer that he used when things seemed they were taking a turn for the worse, and through this, he was having a major problem focusing on the tasks ahead that would be needed to…turn his life back around.

He shared with us that he’d sat down and spoken with God about this dilemma he was facing and told God that, “Charlie is done Lord. I cannot overcome the adversity in my life without some help…YOUR help.”

“Without you’re taking control of my life, things will only continue to spiral out of control, again, Charlie’s done. So please Lord, step into my life, fill me with the Holy Spirit and let me TRUST YOU in all things. ONLY You, can make this right.”

He couldn’t have hit me over the head with a sledgehammer and made his point any clearer.

Once again, Dub was attempting to grab the bull by the horns, and force things to just…turnaround.

Basically, just a me, me, me attitude. I controlled my life. I made things happen. I had the ability to do any and everything I needed to do, shoot, I’d done it all my life, right?

WRONG!

I understood after listening to “Preacher Charlie,” that I WASN’T the ONE controlling my life…it was GOD. All the good things that take place in your life are from Him…not you or I.

Of course we have that “other fellow” to contend with as well, and boy, oh boy, he’ll test your faith!

Just recently, that guy tested me big time, but you know what, I actually handled it pretty well, and I gotta say, I was quite proud of the way it was handled.

BUT, without God in my life, this would not have happened.

I’m coming to realize, more and more, that if you’d just trust God, and let God run your life, good things happen. I personally can attest to this.

I ask God daily anymore to show me the way. Let me learn to trust You more and more, and in all honesty…my life is really beginning to get back on track.

This is real folks…

I’ve seen God work.

Deb was a fine example of someone walking with God, talking with God, and showing others, myself included, the strength bestowed by God that enables you to face adversity, even a “death sentence,” with a smile on your face, and one in your heart!

But you know, throughout Deb’s journey, she understood that although, and she told me this in our swing, actually the last time we sat in our swing together, the hardest thing she faced…was leaving her family.

This was the only thing that she would regret.

She also told me that she KNEW…she KNEW…where she was going, and that she was ready, if this was God’s wishes. Deb was in reality, ready to begin her life with God…in earnest.

ETERNAL LIFE!

I have to tell you all how very fortunate I was to have been around someone like Deb. A finer example of God being involved in someone’s life I could never imagine.

I’ll always love her…

Acts and Isaiah

There’s a scripture, Acts 20:22-24, that reminds me of Deb, and the faith she exhibited throughout her struggle with cancer, not only to me, but anyone who came into contact with her.

It goes…

“And now I am bound by the spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what waits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead.”
But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus-the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.”

Isaiah 12:2 states…

“See, God has come to save me.

I will TRUST in Him and not be afraid.”

I’ve also seen firsthand how God will put people into your lives, and to all my friends out there who cared about an “ole red neck” enough to talk with me about God, and the difference He’s made in their own lives, I’d just like to thank you all one more time.

I’m indebted to each of you!

I’m going to start closing this out by asking you guys a question or two?

Does life seem as if you’re missing out on something?

Do you feel as if you’re trying as hard as you possibly can, but things just seem to not be workin out for you in many instances, or at least not as how you might have imagined?

Does it seem as if no matter what you touch, you always end up… “comin in fifth?”

Then why not ask for God to come into your own lives?

I have a friend who works with us from time to time…

Dale doesn’t believe in God, and would tell you this quite plainly. I mean literally, he does NOT believe in God…or, at least he didn’t. But just here recently this is starting to turn.

He has been around me for a few years now, and has witnessed and experienced Dub…prior to God coming into my life.

He saw Deb throughout her battle with cancer, even near the very end. He heard me describe the morning before her passing, of Deb, after getting to the point where our talks together has ceased, on account of her time drawing to a close, and she’d lost her ability to even turn over in bed, I witnessed something…something very profound.

I SAW, with my own eyes, Deb raise up in bed, reaching out with her arms outstretched, her eyes wide open, which hadn’t been the case for the last couple days, talking excitedly, although inaudible to me, to something that it was quite evident she was seeing.

Our dog Cheyenne, lying at the foot of her bed was just growling so very softly, as if only makin me aware that yes…something WAS in our room.

Deb did this three times that I’m guessing happened in a five minute time span.

I saw this, and I KNEW something was there, but something that only she knew what was actually taking place.

Dale listened intently to this story, and started asking me, and Bob who works with us too, a little about God.

Yesterday, he again brought up the subject of God.

It seems he’d spoken with a lady the night before, and she too had spoken about God to him. It was obvious it had touched him, and perked his interest on this subject once more.

He asked me yesterday morning, “Do you really believe…this is real?”

I replied that yes sir, it undoubtedly IS real, and spoke with him about God a little more.

I see, little by little, God beginning to work in Dale’s life, and to be quite honest with you…it makes me feel good.

God does work in mysterious ways. I too, can vouch for this.

So, finishing up here today, if you too would like for God to come into your life, you only need to ask. I strongly suggest also finding friends or attending a church where you can hear firsthand others testimonial of how God plays a role in their lives.

Read the Bible, this, maybe more than anything else, has helped me in beginning to grasp, if only a little, more and more of what this whole “walk with God” is all about.

Every answer to every question you may have…is there.

After all, it’s God’s Word!

Remember, and this from Isaiah once more, 40:28-31…

“Have you never heard?

They will walk and not faint.”

You guys have a great day, and God Bless!

Please be sure to keep that smile on your face, and one in your heart!

I guarantee you, there’s one very special lady looking down on us all, who enjoys nothing more than seeing exactly that!

Dub and Deb

Heard a story yesterday of a little boy, maybe seven years old, sittin on the street corner tryin to sell a lawnmower.

A man of about 45 came pedaling up on a bike.

The man stopped, looked down at the mower with the handwritten,“4-sale sign,” hangin off it, and asked, “Is this your mower, does it still run, and why ya sellin it?”

The little boy replied yes to the first two, and then said he was sellin the mower to buy a bike.

“Hmmm…” the man thought. “You know, I don’t ride this bike much, and I do NEED a mower…Tell ya what, I’ll swap ya my bike for your mower, and we’ll both have come out ahead here today.”

The little boy agrees immediately, but asks, “Mister, can I take the bike for a test spin?”

The man said, “Yes, of course ya can, and may I start the mower?”

The little boy replied that this would be just fine, hops on the bike and starts circling around the cul-de-sac, happy as a lark!

Meanwhile the man, his face red as a beet, CONTINUES to tug on that mower rope, but the mower hasn’t even attempted to fire off. It’s been a good five minutes or so, and he’s getting a tad aggravated with the dern thing.

He hollers out at the boy, “YOU SURE IT’LL CRANK?”

To which the little boy, who by now is happier than a pig in slob over his stroke of good fortune, hollers back, “Yes sir, she sure will, but ya might have to cuss her just a little.”

“Cuss her a little,” considers the man, then he hollers back out, “Son, I cain’t cuss her a little…I’m a preacher! Shoot, it’s been so long since I have, I don’t even remember… HOW to cuss???”

The little boy shot back, “Just keep tuggin on that rope preacher man…it’ll come back to ya directly!”

Reckon how you’d have reacted?

Myself, I’d just been tuggin on that rope, smiling the whole time, tellin that little feller just how PROUD I was that he was ENJOYIN that bike so well…

Most of my friends, at least the ones who’ve known me for several years, will attest to the fact, that I AM HARD…to get flustered!

NOT!

LOL!

I was reading last night, not really anything on my mind to speak of, and ran across a few things that kinda jumped out at me.

It was talking about a vineyard that had been planned, laid out, and constructed.

This was to be a beautiful vineyard, a vineyard whose vines would never want for anything, and would bear fruit abundantly.

The vineyard grew, and the owner settled in for his harvest of sweet grapes.

The vines though, produced only sour grapes.

Again, the owner had provided any and everything to get this particular vineyard to the point where, down the road, it being a great garden, actually…the “perfect garden!”

Yet, although the vineyard did produce, its fruits were bitter, and not of any type of quality.

The owner was so distraught, so angered by this, that he declared…

“Now let me tell you what I’ll do to my vineyard;

I will command the clouds to drop no rain on it.”

This story of the vineyard is actually a song about “The Lord’s Vineyard,” with the vineyard actually representing…the nation of Israel, God’s chosen nation…

It is told in the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 5.

Israel had turned away from God, stopped doing God’s work, and because of this, was destroyed.

This was God’s punishment for their sins, allowing Assyria to conquer and destroy them.

Also during the prophet Isaiah’s time, Israel was divided into two nations, Israel and Judah.

Judah had been spared for the time, and Isaiah evidently had come as a prophet for mainly Judah, but his word was for Israel also.

This “song,” was to warn Judah of the consequences it faced, and eventually it received from the Assyrians as well…

When people see no distinction between good and evil…

Destruction soon follows.

This statement is so true in so many different ways, yet look around you today.

Do you recognize the Country you grew up in?

Do we still display an outward appearance as a nation with morals, integrity, compassion, patriotism, and strong Christian values?

How bout people coming freely, openly, and LEGALLY, to experience what the United States of America represents…a nation where ya get outta something, what ya put into it?

You work, sacrifice, save, and through this, in your own way live out a dream. A dream to better yourself, and your family.

“The American Dream.”

The dream that let you lay down a foundation acquired through a hard, honest, work ethic that allows your children the opportunity to start their own careers, possibly a rung up the ladder than your start.

This…to be your legacy.

What legacy do far too many leave their children today?

A legacy of what others work for is in fact…yours too.

An e-mail from a good friend today, explains it much better than I.

It simply states….

1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity.

2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.

3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.

4. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it!

5. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that is the beginning of the end of any nation.

So, the legacy today we as Americans leave to our children and grandchildren, is a legacy brought about by our government.

A legacy where our Country owes YOU something, not, you owe our Country a debt, simply because of the freedoms it has provided for us…all throughout our history.

Our legacy today is simply…

A legacy of entitlement.

Without getting further off into this particular topic, let me ask you this?

Is our Country today heading down the same path of Israel, and Judah?

Could be.

Parents killing their children. Children killing their parents. Children killing children.

Religious freedom becoming a thing of the past to many.

Leaders of our Country, many whom have never known God.

Dr. Benjamin Carson speaks of “Godless leaders.”

Listen to him…

Christian morals questioned, or even ridiculed.

Looking back on history, does any of this story, the story of Israel and Judah sound familiar?

Could be.

HE will send a signal to distant nations far away and whistle to those at the ends of the earth.

Even the light will be darkened by the clouds.

Could this be possible in regards to our Country, and the path we’re headed down, through reverse racism, political correctness, the destruction of a work ethic, indoctrination of our children through a school system no longer educating…but advocating.

Advocating an agenda where right is wrong, and wrong in fact, is right.

An agenda…of entitlements.

Once more…

When people see no distinction between good and evil, destruction soon happens.

Could this possibly be the end result?

Actually…

It could be…

You guys have a great day, and God bless you, and yours!

Be sure to keep a smile on your face, and one in your heart!

Dub and Deb

In all sincerity today, I’d like to say, “God be with you!” He sure stands beside me…

Well, we’re getting our garden fired off. Although it still may be a tad early…I just can’t seem to hold off any longer.

Deb called this…putting the cart before the horse.

Regardless, I’m gonna fire this mutha up!

I’ve set about 400 tomato seeds, some squash, and today will be settin some cucumbers, onions, and probably a few other things as well.

We’re going to be gatherin up some oak leaves, spreadin a little hay, addin some cow manure, a little topsoil, and then turnin up the existing soil and putting everything on beds this go round.

Why beds?

It rained so dern hard last year…many plants simply drowned.

If it’s up to me, this won’t happen again…God willin! If the garden drowns this time…I’ll be wishin I’d of invested in a boat! LOL!

Actually, I’m lookin very forward to this year’s garden. This time around, I’m lookin at this whole scenario of havin a garden much differently than I’ve ever looked at it before.

The reasoning is pretty simple…

One Blessed Man

First, Deb loved to garden. She loved to set the seeds, to set out the transplants, and absolutely loved to nurture them, and watch em grow off. I always did too, but to Deb…this was very special.

She loved pickin the vegetables, she loved shelling the peas, shuckin the corn and making creamed corn to bag and freeze for later.

She loved to can the vegetables the best, though. This reasoning too, is pretty simple as well…she wouldn’t TOUCH…the pressure cooker! She designated the cannin to…MOI!

See why she loved the cannin process so well?

Anyway, Deb and I were kinda semi-retired, and we both spent a lot of time enjoyin a dern garden. It was in our blood, and we were fortunate enough to have a place that God had provided us the opportunity to do so.

We didn’t have money, but we had a dream…

A dream to one day have a place like we have. Through our work ethic, our ability to save some of what we made, which by the way, as most know…took sacrifice.

But this great Country allowed us the ability to…live our dream.

I won’t elaborate on this today, because it’s not what this post is about, but boy, oh boy, dern if I ain’t chompin at the bit TO ELABORATE on it some…

Another day perhaps! LOL!

Deb and I had always gardened, but we’d planned to one day grow vegetables here on our place as more than just tinkerin around.

We wanted to sell them, and plants as well. Do other things as too, but, God decided He needed her more than I, so…here I am now…chompin at the bit to live this dream that the two of us shared.

Deb, during her battle with cancer…talked WITH God. I’ve shared this with you guys in the past, and I’m here to tell you…God spoke with her too. Honestly, if you could have been around her, you too would have listened to her, and became acutely aware, that this woman, WAS holding a conversation…WITH God.

It was incredible to the end, but when she first started speaking with me about this, I was like, well, okay…if you say so???

As time passed, and I started REALLY listening to what Deb was telling me, it became so very apparent, that she WAS…talking with God.

Honestly guys, she was!

When she first was diagnosed with cancer, as most know, she did chemo once.

After this experience she told me…no more. We’ll research alternative treatment, and we’ll go from there, and…we did just that.

Her quality of life was absolutely amazing, and she never doubted, she never wavered. She never, for one second, didn’t believe, in her heart, that this was exactly what God had in mind for her to do.

Her work ethic , and her positivity, were both incredible.

But, one of her reasoning’s for doing alternatives was simple…to help the children!

It literally broke her heart to see these small children at the cancer clinic. These kids, their hair gone, and the chemo drips hooked into their little arms.

This broke her heart.

She told me, “Doug, I’m doing alternatives, and one reason is to try to find another type of treatment to combat this disease. I, at 54 years of age, can decide for myself…my treatment. Those little guys can’t. They don’t have the option of telling their parents, or their Doctors…I’d like to combat this in another way.”

“For them…this door is closed. SO…IF, I can find another way, a better way…this is my goal. I believe too, this is God’s plan for me.”

This is exactly what Deb did.

One other dream she had, involved our place.

She loved living on the lake we lived on prior to moving down here. She loved our neighbors, but she also told me on numerous occasions, that God had SO Blessed her with our living here, and not at the lake, during her fight with cancer.

Her reasoning for this too was simple.

This place provided her with many spots where she could walk, get up under a tree somewhere, hit her knees…and talk to God.

She told me numerous times of how she’d just wander around looking at the trees, the pasture, the cows, and the wildlife.

She spoke lovingly of hearing the birds sing, and just overall…the beauty of God’s creation.

She explained that although she loved living at the lake, and our neighbors, it would have been much tougher to deal with her cancer there. This place provided for her…privacy when she needed it, and the ability to just walk around…her, and God!

Solitude…

So, she came down one morning and expressed just that to me. How God had blessed her with being here, and it was in God’s plan, for her to build two small cabins, here on her place she loved so well, and to share this…with others.

To afford them a place to come, for 2-3 days, free of charge, after their own diagnosis, and enjoy these very same qualities this place provided for her.

A place to come, and clear their minds. A place to come to that would give them the peace…to plot their own course. A place to share our lifestyle, and hear about her decision to fight this disease the way she’d chosen to.

Our garden and it’s bounty to share as well…

Aren’t you guys beginning to see now, just how very blessed I am?

Good night a livin folks, what a wife God blessed me with! Her inspiration was, and still is a blessing to me each and every day!

God blessed us both in the ability to have her here, for her to spend her last days in her home, in her bed…with only her family and friends around her! This was only a small token of our love for her, in the ATTEMPT to show her the very same love she always had…for us.

We were ALWAYS first in her eyes, so how in the world could we not have done what we did for her?

We couldn’t have, AND, we wouldn’t have!

Not just that, but to be around Debbie, and see her total trust in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, and believing in her heart, in her heart my friends, that exactly what she was doing was indeed…God’s plan for her!

She was the most incredible and inspiring witness of God’s love that I could ever have been around.

Through Debbie’s perseverance…I too became intrigued by…How DO I…get that very same??

Between Deb, and many of our friends, some even just as if appearing out of the blue through an unintended Facebook invite, or through a video they’d watched, or even through one of our posts, I’d like to thank every one of you!

I too have now become a true believer.

So now, FINALLY, I fully understand that God has blessed me yet still, another time.

Although I am new to Christianity, I have found a Book in the Bible that means so very much to me. I gotta say, the whole Bible, or at least what I’ve read of it so far is all great, but there is one particular Book that just stands out to me.

Isaiah 53 is one chapter I read that just…made it all come together! It is the most profound thing I’ve ever read! I read it often…

Isaiah’s Garden

Well, as I said, I’ve been chompin at the bit in regards to this year’s garden. THIS garden IS the start…of the plan Deb and I had in the back of our heads, in regards to our retirement, and spending the rest of our lives together.

The circumstances HAVE changed, but not…THE DREAM!

It still lives, and I must say, this dream, WILL come to pass!

I am a very driven person, and once I see clearly what I envision as, my destiny, for lack of a better description…I attack it.

Full bore, and head-on.

This is where I’m at with this garden. It is the start of something bigger than me. It is the start of what Deb saw, that I didn’t. It is the start of something that can, and will, benefit others.

Her little cabins will come to be. Her dream of sharing with others, this place she loved so well…will come to take place.

I promised her the day before she left us…this WOULD happen, and although she wouldn’t be here with us…she’d know all about it…AND, she will!

Pardon my “French,” but come hell or high-water…this will happen…

I’d been thinking of what to call this dream of Deb’s, this vision she saw as her destiny?

I considered strongly, “Immanuel’s Garden,” as I liked the meaning…God is with us.

Then speaking to a very dear friend of Deb and I both, Kathrine, I mentioned the name I had in mind.

Here immediate response was, “Doug, why not… “Isaiah’s Garden?” I know how profound the Book of Isaiah has been in your young walk with God, and I feel this more appropriate in your regard.”

I knew immediately that she was right!

“Isaiah’s Garden…” has been conceived.

Now…getting it up and runnin is the focus. I’m lookin forward to the challenge, and growin this off.

I WANT others to benefit from Deb’s vision, of good, nutritious food. Food grown from heirloom seeds, not genetically altered seeds.

Seeds once more, supplied to us, not by man…but by God!

Not only this, but good night what an opportunity to meet people, and share with them…Deb’s story, and what God brought about in her life, in my life, and what HE can bring to the table in their own lives as well!

This is going to be such an incredible experience!

In my heart I want this to be a fine example of a man and a woman’s love for one another, and the dream they shared.

Through this, hopefully I, “WE,” can help others to find God, and to show them, through my own faith, and my own example, what a difference HE does make.

“Isaiah’s Garden” is not just about Deb and I.

“Isaiah’s Garden,” is to symbolize the love and bond shared by all the others out there who have lost their spouse, and in this way, let others know who haven’t experienced this very same heartache, that even though the loss is tremendous, we will always remember them with love and affection.

Our lost loved ones will ALWAYS be a part of our lives, just as Deb will be walking around with me every single day, in…our garden!

Our garden is to be a part of, and shared with, Kathrine and Ronnie, Gerry and Eleanor, Billy and Karen, Ken and Trisha, Kelly and Kent, Chet and Sandra, “Uncle Dave,” and all the others whose spouse may be gone, but will never be forgotten!

As I am in the garden, I promise I’ll think of not just Deb, but all of you as well!

It too is to be shared by one other, very special friend, to Deb and I.

Her name is Judi.

Judi too, is a member of this fraternity we share, although in Judi’s regard, her experience with loss surpasses most of ours.

She is such an inspiration to me. What an incredible lady she truly is, and through her own generosity, she provided Deb and I an opportunity to meet so many of you good, good people.

I do have to question, just for a moment, her judge of character?? I have to believe that after her meeting “ole Dub,” she too has questioned this very same many, many times!!

In all sincerity though, what a blessing Judi has been to us, and what a blessing all you guys have been to us as well!

You guys have no idea how much you played a part in Deb… “Keeping that smile on her face, and one in her heart!”

God Bless you all!

Dub AND Deb

Well, I have to tell ya, “Turtle’s List” has helped me out immensely! Life is turning around, and I’ve got to say that despite the confusion, moments of just wondering “how come,” and at times, “what do I do now,” all once more, is looking up.

Life IS good again!

Also, let me thank everyone for all your concern, prayers and help. They are all greatly appreciated.

You guys are great!

Funny thing happened yesterday. It’s but one more example of God’s love, and how He indeed works in mysterious ways.

It’s amazing to me how once you start to walk with God, trust in God, and basically, just try to do the “right thing,” He puts people into your life.

Sometimes its people you know, or are associated with in some way, but often…its total strangers…chance meetings, or simply just, your stumbling up on each other.

The phrase we’ve all heard so many times in our lives, “God works in mysterious ways,” is so true.

You all know that I’m a new Christian, and that although I’ve always believed in God, most times I would speak to Him on a regular basis, ESPECIALLY if things were going WRONG in my life, how many of you are guilty of just that, but I never attempted to have a relationship WITH God.

Go figure??

Looking back now, I am only beginning to see the consequences of this. Man, I’ve missed so much, and to be honest, to anyone out there who hasn’t allowed God into your own lives, I’m here to tell you, you don’t know what you’re missing…honestly!

I’m not “preaching” to you guys at all, I’m just sharing from my own experience, the turn-around, and difference He’s made in my own life!

I always was kinda offended by people coming up to me and “preaching” to me personally. So once more, I’m not preaching to anyone, only sharing with you guys something that took place in my life that made an incredible difference. That’s all.

After all, the choice is yours anyway.

God tells us this frequently, through His Word.

You either believe…or, you don’t.

You choose life eternal…or death.

It really is quite simple, the choices He provides for you, but once more…He leaves the decision entirely up…to you!

Anyway…

I spoke with my good friend Sallie Kay yesterday who happens to live in…sorry Sallie Kay, seems I just can’t bring myself to say…that word??

I’ll give you guys a hint though. It starts with a K. Thinkin on it some… it may actually begin with a dern C??

I do know though that this particular state spends a TON of money that they don’t have, and isn’t theirs to spend anyway, they advocate illegal immigration, and their leaders are about as far left as comrade Stalin. Well, I dunno, that’s dumpin on Stalin pretty hard, huh?

They advocate taking our money and giving it to a bunch of deadbeats, as well as themselves, with their own lavish pensions, salaries, and health care.

They speak such rubbish as, “Let’s pass this bill so…WE’LL KNOW WHAT’S IN IT?” Sometime back they even went so far as to turn the water supply off to farmers, destroying acre upon acre of rich farmland, which in turn, rid their state of thousands of jobs for…farmworkers.

Pondering that thought for a moment, I realized, JUST how stupid I really am???

Why in the world would I consider having these farmworkers, actually…having to WORK for a living??

Shoot, instead of that…we’ll just SHARE our wealth with them! As long as we’re working…why should anyone else? Seems I have A LOT to learn in regards to this… “social equality” thing???
This state’s reasoning for turning off the water???

The smelt!

In case there’s those of you out there who just don’t “get it” as well as I do…the smelt…is a fish. A little, tiny, dern fish!

IT, the smelt…is CRITICAL to our environment, AND our well -being. From the way their elected leaders laid it out, our VERY survival or at least a portion of it anyway, DEPENDS on this little, tiny, dern fish.

At least that’s what they say…

Makes me wonder at times, if these socialists, OOPS, I meant to say LIBERALS, are so concerned over this little fish, what would they possibly have thought in regards to civilization surviving such a cataclysmic event as say…the dern dinosaurs dying off?

First thing?

No meat on the grocery shelves!

Then veggies next!

How could it be any other way, I mean…many dinosaurs ate veggies too, right?

In order to “save the earth,” and the dinosaurs, they’d simply starve us into extinction first.

No pain…no gain, right?

I just have to believe though, that these leaders would have been laughin their rear-ends off at our, “We the People” mentality of sittin on our backsides, fundin our own demise, while THEY, “the elite,” were chowin down on a Brontosaurus burger…with cheese!

Which brings up the point in regards to those dern dinosaurs again, and the “global warming or cooling” scenario…

I wonder…LOL!
I don’t know how I got off on that rant, but to all you guys still tryin to guess which state Sallie Kay lives in…NO, it ain’t Washington DC!

Sounds just like it though, huh?

I just figured that we all knew DC wasn’t a state, but I CAN see your confusion after the points above! LOL!

Anyway, Sallie Kay shared with me a scripture… Isaiah 57:1

Her point was simply to help me understand, to make us ALL understand, that through your own personal loss…

God IS with you, but that also, there IS a reason for your loss.

It is in fact…God’s plan!

Good people pass away,

that God is PROTECTING THEM from the evil to come.

Great verse, huh?

It’s very comforting to realize the regard God has for us, isn’t it? Then, to understand, so thoroughly, through this verse, that these loves we’d had, but lost, have simply gone home to be with our Creator.

To share in His glory!

The incredible thing about this verse, although I have to say that I found the Book of Isaiah awesome anyway, I spoke with my Aunt yesterday, who in her own regard, had suffered a tremendous loss in her own right, just recently.

While talking with her, she told me, “Doug I have a very good friend at our church, who shared a verse with me a little while back. This particular scripture has really made a difference in my ability to come to grips with my loss.”

“It’s Isaiah, chapter 57, verse 1.”

I literally almost fell out of my porch swing!

I told Aunt Ann, that I had JUST HAD, this very verse…shared with me, not 15 minutes earlier, from a friend that lives in a state starting with the letter K (possibly C)!!

This same exact scripture!

I gotta admit. When I first started reading the Bible, the Book of John (thanks, Sallie Kay), upon turning the very first page, something struck me quite vividly…

DERN THESE PAGES ARE THIN!!!

I’m goin be A WHILE getting through this thing! LOL!

With that being the case, and the amount of knowledge in the Bible (AND ITS NUMBER OF PAGES), I found it absolutely unnerving that of ALL the scripture in this book of HIS Word, two people, literally a whole Country apart…shared this same scripture with me within 15 minutes of one another!

God does work in mysterious ways!

That’s my point this morning guys…how God does work in your life, if you’ll only give him the opportunity!!

The Book, “God Is My Best Friend”