tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51318913157691634692024-03-03T16:27:56.081-08:00TODAY'S RAMBLINGSShirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-43604054464787933272023-09-13T06:50:00.004-07:002023-09-13T06:51:37.903-07:00My First Pair of Jeans<p>Today l<span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">ooks and feels (atmosphere-wise) like the days i spent in Minnesota in September on the lakes with my dad and mom. a tad warmer (70) but still reminds me. i was 10, 1957 or so. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">we drove up and we got all the way into Minnesota before my mom finally talked my dad into stopping and buying me my very first pair of jeans. i heard her say under her breath, "you can't expect her to go out on a boat in a dress in weather like this, Merril Johnson." (mom seldom, extremely seldom, talked back to my dad.) </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Next small town we came to he pulled into a parking place and i got a new pair of jeans. i'm not sure i was ever allowed to wear them again after we left the state.</span></p>Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-25300075177180523712023-07-07T07:22:00.003-07:002023-07-07T07:22:42.868-07:00Hope for TomorrowI've referenced Hebrews 11: 1 a couple of times this week, and my mind stayed on it a bit each time. It's almost 40 years ago, but i can still remember what my mind set and attitude was like before i accepted Christ. I thought about my kids, and then about me. My kids would leave home some day, and I was mortal. So, i had pretty much no hope for this life except to "get as much as I could for as long as I could". Still, I came up empty. Hebrews 11: 1 answers that, and when I had Christ, I learned that without that faith, without Him, I had no hope. That faith is the firm foundation upon which this life is worth living. Without it, life stinks. With Him, I have hope for tomorrow.Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-21146895833773073912022-08-01T05:45:00.001-07:002022-08-01T05:45:46.858-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsevjaQf4jBDjUZOyVwE1cLTDDBJTnvGJr3AjURF2wMSCJVOP8humHFhBukvgwHcvlGK-LjAvz4Qrw_rrXjzfvzM8x6dVpm9KTqaThZw0UhJ9Dz2p3oD2tO5TTQ6X7TgQa4Km29c4LhhxGBJc61qe3FoJiPa70uiAv19gNDppFvK_bYMAY9gBVQvB/s563/peaceful%20garden.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="563" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsevjaQf4jBDjUZOyVwE1cLTDDBJTnvGJr3AjURF2wMSCJVOP8humHFhBukvgwHcvlGK-LjAvz4Qrw_rrXjzfvzM8x6dVpm9KTqaThZw0UhJ9Dz2p3oD2tO5TTQ6X7TgQa4Km29c4LhhxGBJc61qe3FoJiPa70uiAv19gNDppFvK_bYMAY9gBVQvB/s320/peaceful%20garden.jpg"/></a></div>
AND THE JOY WE SHARE AS WE TARRY THERE, NONE OTHER HAS EVER KNOWN.
It's not a laughing fest. It's not a jump up and down exercise. It's not walking around with this huge smile painted all over your face. It's sitting quietly and peacefully, feeling a warm sense of being loved and held tightly and safely, completely calm while your whole world around you is caving in.Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-65878679438019369922021-11-09T07:07:00.001-08:002021-11-27T05:25:23.730-08:00ENOUGH<p><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 18.75px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 18.75px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 18.75px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LqyzLf76fm8zkOTrnEs7vX1OPKddq9UcpT-GAfKVa5pnG19BuIj_2KTUE1Az68fWMoHjVTlBAOMOqSMDh9peXLZc7fLR702O6i45worSkZU8yMAJSr2zN0usFNx7IBoiR8lOxj7hF7E/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="194" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LqyzLf76fm8zkOTrnEs7vX1OPKddq9UcpT-GAfKVa5pnG19BuIj_2KTUE1Az68fWMoHjVTlBAOMOqSMDh9peXLZc7fLR702O6i45worSkZU8yMAJSr2zN0usFNx7IBoiR8lOxj7hF7E/" width="180" /></a></span></div><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 18.75px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />One of my favorite singers is a woman who I believe is THE voice of the twentieth century, Linda Ronstadt. Ten years or so ago she was diagnosed with super nuclear palsy, a form of Parkinson's disease. She lost her voice, her career, and very quickly her motor skills. </span><p></p><p><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 18.75px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every now and then when I feel a little sorry for myself, I will listen to her music and then read for the hundredth time all her struggles to live as normal a life as possible. I always realize how fortunate I am to have what health I have left. </span></p><p><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 18.75px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's very important to remember that there are thousands, millions of people out there that are worse off, hurt more, in a much sorrier state than you are. I'm in God's hands, and that is enough!</span></p>Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-10440538175319861662020-07-27T06:55:00.001-07:002021-11-27T05:36:19.574-08:00LOVE GROWS HERE<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2bQUqSbr5IngTMuEKFHHF9BjH1_8Lf_UqvzWR738qh19ymu1g3MnG3Wz2gHOx5mxXlnjjyidkrIxfpELVVnmvX-tV4RjpUNHsuQ5jWfjwpfNmeZF4tdYyUvfhVQoG1sLEbr0JhlAxgQ/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2bQUqSbr5IngTMuEKFHHF9BjH1_8Lf_UqvzWR738qh19ymu1g3MnG3Wz2gHOx5mxXlnjjyidkrIxfpELVVnmvX-tV4RjpUNHsuQ5jWfjwpfNmeZF4tdYyUvfhVQoG1sLEbr0JhlAxgQ/" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div>I arrived at their house in early afternoon. They were out at their pool and had left the front door unlocked for me to go in. The sign on the door read, "Love Grows Here", and that stopped me in my tracks. I thought for a couple of seconds before I entered. Yes. I know this couple well enough to know that it wasn't just a sweet sign on a door. This was a very true statement for this couple of 42 years.<br />
<br />
The sign has haunted me since. Truthfully, I could not hang that sign in my entryway. But, what would my sign say? "Love is Here If You Look for It." "Love is in Here Somewhere." "We Try to Get Along." "I Guess We Do Love One Another." Wow. It stabs me in the heart to think of this sign.<br />
<br />
What a beautiful statement after 42 years. I told this to my friends while we lounged in the pool. The husband stopped for a moment, then with a smile said, "Yeah. It does." She leveled her gaze at me and said, "What a nice compliment."<br />
<br />
I wondered how many of us could make such an assertion. We certainly want our friends to think it so, but, do they? Does it matter? Why does it matter? "Reside Here"? Probably. But, "Grows Here"?<br />
<br />
Somehow, thinking of the difference between, "Love Grows Here" and "Love Resides Here" makes me sad.Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-64470625439127811572020-01-31T15:39:00.002-08:002021-11-27T05:41:32.302-08:00<div class="_5pcb _4b0l _2q8l" data-store="{"timestamp":1579275681}" id="jumper_1579275681_S:_I100013389139388:874198969703066" style="background-color: #e9ebee; clear: left; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-left: 0px;">
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God hath not promised sun without rain,<br />
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.<br />
But God hath promised strength for the day,<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"><br />Rest for the labor, light for the way;<br />Grace for the trials, help from above,<br />Unfailing sympathy, undying love.</span></div>
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Annie Johnston Flint wrote this song, If you don't know her story you need to look it up and read it. she was bedridden with arthritis, boils, sores, on and on and on for most of her life. she started out an orphan. she was stricken with more pain and suffering than i could ever imagine, and in her bed she wrote many songs like the one above. people ask me how i got through some of the things i've been through and i always tell them, Everybody's Got a Story. i'm not the only one who has problems. i'm not alone. you have a story. and i believe we all need to remind others that God is the One to turn to when we suffer. we suffer because of sin in the world. we pray and turn to God because He's the only place to go for hope and peace through it all. we read this at my mom's funeral because she lived this. she was a woman who suffered much, and laughed through it all because she had turned to the Father of hope.</div>
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Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-23199867165143202022020-01-06T06:01:00.001-08:002020-01-31T15:54:01.564-08:00<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">God reached down through a 17-year-old young man to comfort me yesterday. A line at the end of a song touched my heart and I began to cry. I was seated and not standing with everyone. Immediately these arms wrapped around me from right behind me and held and hugged me while I dried my tears. Thank you </span><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1314738184&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARAXQ4YSF_uEh5hZvZEKNAPtKgkvmZJLf4d2Nrbny59D_KgY1wDrnT6ASJLcJUEfcfThT0h6rDf6K-xD%22%2C%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/barbara.cunninghamcampbell?__tn__=%2CdK-R-R&eid=ARAXQ4YSF_uEh5hZvZEKNAPtKgkvmZJLf4d2Nrbny59D_KgY1wDrnT6ASJLcJUEfcfThT0h6rDf6K-xD&fref=mentions" style="background-color: white; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Barbara Cunningham Campbell">Barbara Cunningham Campbell</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> for raising such a loving and dear young man. Jacob never ceases to be precious to me with his friendliness and sweet manners. He always goes out of his way to say hello with a hug. He is this way with many of us. He definitely "loves the brothers" as Karl's message told us.</span><br />
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Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-35806265558363633712019-11-29T04:48:00.001-08:002019-12-21T15:49:20.414-08:00Small Group Comes Through Again<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Ron and I are celebrating our Thanksgiving today at our home with our small group. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Have I mentioned that I love my small group? For the past couple of years, the leader of our group and his wife have invited us to be with them and their family. This year they were invited out, and knowing that Ron and I have no family to spend our holiday with, they asked if we could all get together on the day after to celebrate it together. Pretty sweet, huh? So I said, come to our house, we'll su</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">pply the turkey, and y'all can bring the rest. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyMrjyUOcbrBLfZu_PVMaDQPL5vNwi8ltSPnvFj0e9d2TCef-QlvUhQvkOWbk8xc60UoaMgO2ES-kT_mBPs4MPgeM2ZG9xqGnJqovDYuZe__3INBJZCNT8jvHWwIpRVEw5eRr3tCdv-0/s1600/Mandy+small+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="865" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyMrjyUOcbrBLfZu_PVMaDQPL5vNwi8ltSPnvFj0e9d2TCef-QlvUhQvkOWbk8xc60UoaMgO2ES-kT_mBPs4MPgeM2ZG9xqGnJqovDYuZe__3INBJZCNT8jvHWwIpRVEw5eRr3tCdv-0/s200/Mandy+small+group.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Some people won't get involved in small groups, and I don't understand that. It's the closest thing to family we have here. Of course, they are family because we are all the eternal family of God. It's a pretty good idea to get close to those you're going to spend eternity with. </span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">So the roast is in the oven, and the turkey is resting on the counter, ready to go to the oven. I'm pure thankful for whatever, whatever, God gives me or decides what I should go through. He is all-knowing and knows each of us through and through. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQeYtAwUyc05ytiHJCus_Y5NJVaUktYmgQ3c4EzD5-HxVnP5kgNJs0wrPXQUxJrmW1bt0VA9LZjIDP008XF3w0HdqODbW33yAkA1InkiNVoW7jasHRIi7SY28Xuh8D1e0N54efyUKXsw/s1600/Tim+Baker+on+the+sofa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="960" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQeYtAwUyc05ytiHJCus_Y5NJVaUktYmgQ3c4EzD5-HxVnP5kgNJs0wrPXQUxJrmW1bt0VA9LZjIDP008XF3w0HdqODbW33yAkA1InkiNVoW7jasHRIi7SY28Xuh8D1e0N54efyUKXsw/s200/Tim+Baker+on+the+sofa.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm thankful He saved me. I'm thankful for Ron and my family. I'm thankful for my friends, and thankful for my small group.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib56Y_1D_uniC3vUZas0fPTHW0mN6IT1J0rEHRZo6sHCBXd-cVeWGcM3bBU3McfqScO5P3Hf_HuOtF-KDiJO8644vELxOyIGRGIBWv6z8TlMu22LZX4VG7BVzMxb7EOnAQjEEqxnBezhk/s1600/Gary+small+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-67449497301436554062019-11-29T04:42:00.001-08:002021-11-27T05:47:35.244-08:00Chic-fil-a<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EQkK9qp0aPKdF8RPjcg28eTM1k2_-L3T3zKD4LXEgTw9W1ZHmhmwlnWsRrZy45udiSC2KkAzOG1owz03fy1yuolbnfm98YrVLHOmQsu32HDJskjkvrf1NKUPRfy-RVptDojT4tFUViE/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="297" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EQkK9qp0aPKdF8RPjcg28eTM1k2_-L3T3zKD4LXEgTw9W1ZHmhmwlnWsRrZy45udiSC2KkAzOG1owz03fy1yuolbnfm98YrVLHOmQsu32HDJskjkvrf1NKUPRfy-RVptDojT4tFUViE/" width="320" /></a></div></div><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 14px;">Seems the controversy just goes on and on. Chic-fil-a is slammed by many for pulling support to Salvation Army and Christian Athletes. </span><br />
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<span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 14px;">Thankfully they seem to be leaving the Christian Athletes alone. However, the Salvation Army is slammed for having a special page devoted to gays and lesbians on their web site.Just goes to show you that there are many people out there that really don't understand not only what the Salvation Army stands for, but for what every Christian should stand for, and that's reaching out to the lost and to the needy. </span><br />
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<span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 14px;">Our faith doesn't teach us to discriminate when it comes to need or someone searching for God's Truth. Christ taught us with His own life that no one was beyond His love, and we are to do likewise, with love and true friendship.</span>Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-61517242284740263932019-10-29T17:42:00.001-07:002019-10-29T17:42:59.766-07:00Bad Attitudes<b>BAD ATTITUDES ARE UNATTRACTIVE, AND THEY SOIL YOUR SOUL.</b><br />
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<b>I'M CHANGING MINE.</b><br />
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<img alt="Image result for BAD ATTITUDES" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQxJdmjTN4kboyVE23JcZRw0Z5dDyvUksamLsjXnQwVwj5Rvjo0Cg&s" />Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-78665389381016348042019-10-28T09:07:00.001-07:002021-11-27T05:50:47.301-08:00Honoring God<div><b><span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 14px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXY5_UO6FgZm84t-DAww2wiGwcGKxt9-qZ0v-3TLFQLdnwrd47us-4HfeG4g19qgw3_mkRU78LNyKyLu6w5f1JhbyLobdxzXH9Hgu00FbLKjxmytVbVAla4x2TFwTNKKjvpBezRD8W4-E/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="279" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXY5_UO6FgZm84t-DAww2wiGwcGKxt9-qZ0v-3TLFQLdnwrd47us-4HfeG4g19qgw3_mkRU78LNyKyLu6w5f1JhbyLobdxzXH9Hgu00FbLKjxmytVbVAla4x2TFwTNKKjvpBezRD8W4-E/" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></b></div><b><span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 14px;"><div><b><span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></b></div>Chad </span><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1030577035&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARDkjexwSfFSzJuqc9ZEJc-FSrOfPTq_DA4-hSYG2dHbfzxEHm2eCIxyHkdGp1si7PZd9oDwoH8L_Eie%22%2C%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1030577035&__tn__=%2CdK-R-R&eid=ARDkjexwSfFSzJuqc9ZEJc-FSrOfPTq_DA4-hSYG2dHbfzxEHm2eCIxyHkdGp1si7PZd9oDwoH8L_Eie&fref=mentions" style="background-color: white; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Aukland Family">Aukland</a><span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 14px;"> says, If you are busy, embrace it! Use your busyness to honor God! </span></b><br />
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<span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 14px;">I agree.</span></b><br />
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<span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 14px;">And I say, if you're not busy, find a way to get busy and honor God. </span></b><br />
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<span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 14px;">If I didn't have dr appts I wouldn't be busy, and I like that. But being sedentary causes us to look for entertainment or self-satisfying activities. I need to find things to do to honor God, so I volunteer my time when I can, and I make my craft and donate in different ways. </span></b><br />
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<span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 14px;">It's little stuff. But it's our hearts giving to honor Him that matters. We have neighbors we can pray for and help. God doesn't need riches or great gifts. all He wants is our obedience and hearts.</span></b>Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-57175813378987238722019-10-28T08:59:00.000-07:002019-10-28T08:59:01.548-07:00I Can't Win!<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I always thought that it's great that I can watch and hear the tv while I'm fixing dinner, that is until the Hallmark channel started showing their Christmas shows.....in May. So now I have to suffer through having to listen to them because Ron loves the Christmas movies. He even watches the ones on Lifetime, sometimes flipping back and forth between them. Then today, he's flipping back and forth between Lifetime, Hallmark, and the football game. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">i decided, fine, I'm going to my room where i can watch the game. Now, for some odd reason my tv was tuned to Hallmark when I turned it on, and because i had seen some of it in the living room I found myself lost in the plot. Before I knew it I had been watching this silly movie for 15 minutes! OY! It's a trap! What's worse, Wisconsin is losing to osu. Now I have to find another game!</span>Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-17105322405088997452019-06-03T09:07:00.001-07:002019-06-03T09:10:17.981-07:00A Strong Woman<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Back in the '70s when Ron took me home to meet the fam, they met a strong-minded woman who believed women could and should take over the world. I was not exactly what momma and daddy had in mind for their sweet little boy, and it was apparent I was not going to fit in well with them. Nor did I want to. I believe his family and friends gave us two chances for a lasting marriage.....slim and none. Yet, of the 4 sons, Ron's and my marriage is the only one that lasted over the years. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">God, a</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">nd only God the Father made that happen. He changed my heart about how He wanted me to be as a woman. The strong, in charge woman was out, and I fought it tooth and nail, don't think I didn't. </span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Did you know that in the bible God gives the man instructions that he should love his wife, just as Christ loved the church? But the wife is only instructed to respect her husband. How does a woman respect her man if she is giving the orders? It's just not possible. </span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">It's still not easy for me, but Ron definitely has the last word here. I submit to him. And the only way for me to please the Father is to respect my man.</span>Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-47296923263009824022019-05-11T18:12:00.002-07:002019-05-11T18:12:47.516-07:00The Train Ride<div class="_5pbx userContent _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_2ui" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 6px;">
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i went to upload a picture of mom, and every time i came to a picture i saw my mom staring back at me. that was eerie. i told Ron a story about when i was 4 or 5. Mom and i would take the train from Auburn Nebraska to Waxahachie Texas to visit my grandmother. our train car had two bench seats facing each other. so i slept on one, and my poor mother had to sleep on the other, sitting up. i didn't care then, but oh, i understand and sympathize now. mom put up with a lot, and she hurt a lot. she never complained. never. if you asked her how she was she'd say, well, i can't complain but i do anyway. no. she didn't. i wish i were more like her instead of just look like her. i'm like my dad. ornery, stubborn, hot-headed, difficult, and ornery. oh. i said that. Happy Mother's Day.</div>
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Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-6962695384848709732019-01-20T16:13:00.000-08:002019-01-20T16:13:04.895-08:00It's Just a Game!<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Since moving to Georgia I have become a bit of a Falcons fan, though the Kansas City Chiefs will always be number one in this midwesterner's heart. I've enjoyed the quality of offensive talent for Atlanta, and trying to take my love for football to the local area, I regularly </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">watch them play.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">At our church, we have two friends that work for the Falcons franchise, and I've been careful this year since they were knocked out of the playoffs not to say anything about the end to their season. That is, until today. I am afraid that I owe my dear friend, K___</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> an apology for a lapse in my mental process. K___ came up to give me one of the huge hugs that he gives from his 12' (almost) frame, and as he walked away, without thinking, I said innocently, Go Chiefs! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I think his chin scraped the floor as he sauntered away. And, just like the Falcons, I had no defense.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> <img alt="Image result for kc chiefs" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQC_QQYe3tHFD0F74deqAQa8XZVZBYCtj8xqFRe2XYF-_vNKFOZBQ" width="200" /></span>Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-49446434871830205292018-11-20T09:49:00.001-08:002018-11-20T09:49:32.905-08:00Don't QuitA few weeks ago a friend and I were discussing, or should I say lamenting, how our advanced age and physical shortcomings have taken its toll, and that we no longer have the physical abilities and strength to serve in the church as we have in the past. She and I both like working with kids and helping with activities. It's easy to pull away and do nothing, perhaps wallowing in your resentment or afraid to try anything. The conversation went something like this:<br />
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My friend: Yes, well at our age it's more difficult to do all these things. I do what I can and leave the rest to the younger ones.<br />
Me: There are still things that you and I can do. We can always pray and be diligent to let others know we care. We can encourage them, the young and the older, with words of love and support. If we listen carefully, God will still give us work to do.<br />
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She agreed, and we prayed about that very thing right there.<br />
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Later, when the pastor had finished his message, everyone began to file out, and I stayed seated, waiting for the clear path. I felt an arm around my shoulders and looked around to see our pastor's wife. I make handmade greeting cards, and she asked me to make some blank note cards for some middle east women she would be speaking to soon. I was thrilled. God was answering our prayer so quickly!<br />
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I went home and looked up the country of these women. I read of its history, its religions, its people. Then I looked at the images of the women that lived there, and I set their faces in my mind. And as I made each card, four to a pack for twenty women, making eighty beautiful blank cards, I prayed for these women, crying and seeing their faces in my mind, learning to love these beautiful people that I would never meet or know. While making small gifts for others, God had given me an enormous and wondrous gift, a love for mankind that live far from me, physically and culturally. But we share a love for the Father that has brought us together in love.<br />
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So, today I am celebrating, well, just acknowledging, my seventy-first birthday. Many are still very active and healthy at this age, running marathons, walking briskly through life, able to participate in so many outdoor activities with their grandchildren. I'm not one of them. I walk with a cane most of the time after having two knee replacements, one not turning out so well. I've had some bad experiences with some surgeries and mistakes by doctors. But I'm exercising and doing as much as I can to stay active. I am not complaining. I see many each day that are far worse off than I am. I've had a good and active life, and so I am winding down a bit slower than some.<br />
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No matter where you are in life, you still have much to offer. The greatest thrill for me is to be able to help others with love, encouragement, wisdom, and as long as I can drive, I can help my friend get to the doctors. But, I will always remember to keep pushing and keep listening to my Lord for guidance. It would be great if I could give you that famous quote, "Don't quit." from Winston Churchill. But, in reality, Churchill never said that. He never made that speech that history has tried to attribute to him. But, he did say some very eloquent lines with which I will leave you.<br />
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<i>If you're going through hell, keep going.</i></div>
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<i>Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.</i></div>
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<i>Never, never, never give up.</i></div>
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Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-26258444773892637382018-07-23T06:26:00.001-07:002018-07-23T06:26:37.965-07:00Can We Be Civil and Kind?<div aria-label="Comment" class="UFIRow UFIComment _4oep" data-ft="{"tn":"R0"}" id="comment_js_5xk" role="article" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 12px; padding: 4px 0px; position: relative; word-wrap: break-word;">
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<span class=" UFICommentActorAndBody" style="background-color: #eff1f3; border-radius: 18px; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 8px 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I witnessed two people having a conversation about a large facility being converted to a hospital for drug addicted people. They were vehemently against this move. They felt, very strongly, that the building should be used for "better" purposes, i.e. a place for homeless veterans. Their opinion </span></span>of<span style="font-family: inherit;"> those addicted to drugs was that they had brought their situation on themselves. No one forced them to use drugs, they were the "scum of the earth", and they deserved to rot on the streets. The opinion of these two was that drug addiction was not a disease, it was a choice, and the taxpayer should not have to foot the bill for their care.</span></span><span class=" UFICommentActorAndBody" style="background-color: #eff1f3; border-radius: 18px; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 8px 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was incredulous at their attitudes, but even more shocked that they thought, no, they were positive, that addictions were not diseases. I showed them articles of proof to the contrary, but their response was to call me names. Saddened by this whole conversation, I set down a story that portrayed my thoughts. I have no knowledge that they have read it, but I hope someone will read it and learn from it.......................................</span></span><span class=" UFICommentActorAndBody" style="border-radius: 18px; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 8px 10px;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There once was a young man who thought he was invincible. He sat on the wall of a deep well and looked down into it. No problem, he said. I won't fall off, so I am safe. The next thing he knew he slipped and fell in. He struggled and tried over and over </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">to climb out, but he just couldn't make it on his own. He cried out for help, but no one helped him because they said he shouldn't have sat on the wall in the first place. He was lonely, miserable and sick, but no one would help. He was left to die because the people were too hard-hearted and full of hate to help him. </span></span></span></span></span><span class=" UFICommentActorAndBody" style="border-radius: 18px; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 8px 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit;">What a disgusting and disturbing story, that people are so unkind that they won't help those in need, but think they know all the answers, when in fact, they've never been down in the well!</span></span></span></span></div>
<span class="_36rj" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><a aria-label="Edit or delete this" class="UFICommentCloseButton _1-be _xw0 _xw9 _5upp _42ft" data-hover="tooltip" data-testid="ufi_comment_close_button" data-tooltip-alignh="center" data-tooltip-content="Edit or delete this" href="https://www.facebook.com/singinsgt1000?hc_ref=ARQm9Qfz68Z8pnIvReUE5T5tzg3BpTPsgdzA_z0vaHWqs_Xj3PY5Ca5kctfoW7qeTWk#" menudata="[object Object],[object Object]" menutype="DOTS" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yE/r/p4hfftrd2oh.png"); background-position: -70px -794px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 98px 836px; border: 0px none; color: #365899; cursor: pointer; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px !important; height: 12px; margin-left: 12px; opacity: 1; outline: none; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: static; right: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; top: 0px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap; width: 12px; z-index: 1;" tooltip="Edit or delete this">Ma</a></span></div>
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Hate is one of the worst diseases of mankind. We certainly don't have to look very far to find it. We laugh at those we consider less intelligent or overweight. We make fun of people who make a mistake in speaking or perhaps fall. We think it's funny if someone is hit in the face with an object. We pretend we're better than others because we have made a few good choices, or we're prettier, healthier, not blond. Evil is alive and rampant, and we call ourselves civilized. We're pathetic! Alcoholism, drug addiction, over-eating, self-mutilation, mental illness, are all diseases and need help to overcome. Nothing is fair in this world, but we could at least be civil and kind.</div>
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Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-91766107094393155962018-07-06T10:59:00.000-07:002018-07-06T10:59:04.926-07:00Who Do You Trust?<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="color: #991500; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">There are many people in this world that are followers of Christ but find it very difficult to share their burdens and their problems with their Christian brothers and sisters. These people are either very private or they have had the misfortune of being betrayed by someone they have trusted with their heartaches. These are usually the ones who ask for "unspoken" prayer requests. What a shame that we can't trust those in the family of God!</span></h3>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Other Christians not only share every heartache they have or have ever had, </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">but they tell everyone they come in contact with. They seem to have no </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">problem with everyone knowing their problems, but one would think they </span></span></div>
<div style="color: #991500; font-weight: 700; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">would become weary at some point. We must understand that some just </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">have this need to talk through things.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #991500; font-weight: 700; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Then we come to the third Christian. This one is selective about who they talk</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">to about their burdens, and tells only the ones that are believed to be trusted</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">to pray about it, which is the main reason to share. This is where yours truly </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">fits in. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I once was a long time member of a ladies' weekly bible study group. I was a </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">new Christian, and also the youngest in the group. The rest of the ladies </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">were older, wiser, and some had faced some of the problems that I was facing</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">at the time. I relied greatly on their insight and spiritual wisdom. There was</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">an average of about fifteen women involved in the group, so it was clear to </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">me that I was taking a bit of a chance by telling these very personal problems.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">One day I was passing the pastor in a hallway and we stopped for a short </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">visit. At some point, I said something about asking for prayer in the group</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">about something. Pastor hesitated a moment, then said, "Shirley, I think you </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">tell too much."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"Why do you think that?" I asked him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"Well, you can't always be sure things stay within the group. And </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">then sometimes they might discuss between themselves what you have</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">told them." You could tell he was trying to be as careful as possible not</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> to accuse anyone, but just to caution me.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"I'm very aware that that could happen," I confessed, "and I've given it a lot</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">of thought. If anyone in the group feels the need to talk about me or </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">my problems, and if they want to talk about me when they are together, I have </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">no problem with that. Actually, it's not for me to deal with. What they do or say</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">is God's problem, not mine. I need prayer. My family needs prayer. So, I am </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">going to share my problems where I should be able to share them, in my </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">church family. I hope they pray for us. I think I know the ones who will, and </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the ones who won't. But, I trust God to remind them, and I know the faithful </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">ones will pray."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"Well, I thought I should mention it."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And, of course, he should have. But, I will always be saddened by the fact that </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">he needed to do it. It's very important that those of us who are believers </span></div>
<div style="color: #991500; font-weight: 700; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">remind ourselves that none of us has arrived yet. We are all still striving to </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">attain that goal, but we won't be there until the day He takes us home. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So, let's cut each other some slack, and then focus our minds on being</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">as Christlike as we can be. Taking care of me is quite enough work.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #991500; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><div style="color: #991500; font-weight: 700; text-align: left;">
If you wish to keep your problems to yourself, then you should do so. </div>
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But hopefully, you will find someone to whom you can share and ask to pray </div>
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with you. If you choose to tell many, or all you know, again, fine. But, maybe </div>
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just a little discernment would be enough relief. The question we should </div>
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address is Am I Trustworthy? not Who Can I Trust? When we sweep our </div>
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own front step, as my mother always use to say, then it's the first step in </div>
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getting the whole world clean. If I'm taking care of me, and you're taking care</div>
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of you, that's when we are better prepared to pray for each other and share</div>
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our strength in support.</div>
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<span style="color: #991500; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div>
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(As always, there are always exceptions and "what ifs" to deal with. Who you </div>
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #991500; font-weight: 700;">t</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #991500; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-weight: 700;">rust must be your decision.)</span></div>
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Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-77394493533976758272018-05-22T09:16:00.000-07:002019-03-22T05:10:23.304-07:00KINDRED SPIRITSThere have been few kindred spirits in my lifetime. I imagine it's that way with most people, but I've always noted mine to be few and far between. Not surprisingly, these are the people I admire most, with an exception here and there. My hope is that one or two of these kindred spirits would be available, and willing, to speak some sound words at a memorial service for me, if there should be one. It's not that I deserve sound words, it's just my desire.<br />
<br />
If you're wondering what on earth I mean by "sound words", then you may not be the kindred spirit I thought you were. I believe you will know immediately from where I am coming. (I just love correct grammar.) And I am trusting completely in what you will say. My reference is this:<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_timothy/1-13.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_top">13</a></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. </span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_timothy/1-14.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_top">14</a></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to </span><i style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">you. 2Timothy 1 NASB</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></i></span></b> <span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jesus knows I have had such a struggle throughout my life with sound words. However, when it comes to scripture, I am praying that I won't be found errant nor lacking. God's holy words have been the most important teacher of my life, but I have been fortunate to have had other great teachers.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">One of the first teachers I had was Galen Skinner who led me in the sinner's prayer, and for the next fourteen years taught me from the pulpit. I love this man of God who made me cry Sunday after Sunday for years as the Father spoke to my heart and weeded out so much. I wasn't much of a challenge for God, but I sure was for Galen.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am told that not many believers have had the kind of mentors that I had all those years at Lincoln First Church. There was a room full of Christian women in a bible study class that taught me, supported me, prayed for me, and put up with me for fifteen years. They all had some responsibility for my spiritual growth, some good, some not so good, but two stand out as my stalwarts. They are Carol Rap and Lois Slaight; mighty warriors and prayer warriors. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">If I am still here in Georgia when I die, I am wishing for two speakers whom I reckon to be kindred spirits. One might be offended by that, but I've offended him before and he forgave me. I expect the same result now. If I were here at this moment, there would be good banter, lots of laughter, and at the drop of a pin all three of us could stop and approach the Father in adoration and honor, without a blink of the eye. This is what I mean by kindred spirits. Having fun, but knowing your priorities. I really don't know how else to explain it. I had this with one other person, Chris Abke, who has moved on and is no longer in my life, but still in my heart.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tim Baker actually understands how I think, most of the time, which is quite frightening. I have found few who do. If I had to name another, I'm not sure I could. I'm not fond of small talk, I'm not good at it, and I don't like to get involved in things I'm not good at. It's so depressing to fail at something. But, if you want to talk about God's word or your spiritual walk, I come alive. Tim is very, very serious about scripture, and we have had good talks about it.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;">And then there's Karl (are you serious?) Alspach. I've always wondered if somewhere on a bathroom wall or restaurant table someone has written, "For a good time call Karl" and maybe some telephone number. Don't take that wrong! It's just that Karl has a wonderful, albeit weird, sense of humor. He's a hoot! I envy all the men that he is friends with because they get to enjoy him more often that I. But, that wonderful humor is swiftly swept aside to honor his Savior and Lord. I adore Karl. I didn't really know God's word until I came to The Crossing. Karl has no qualms about hurting feelings or stepping on toes when it comes to delivering God's messages. This kind of teaching is a gift from the Father that many people don't appreciate and won't tolerate. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;">Being a woman of many words on paper, I could go on and on. But my life is done, He's wanting me to be at home now, and quite frankly I'm more than ready, and it's someone else's turn to blow hot air at you. But keep it short, fellas. And for heaven's sake, please don't let it be said that I was a "good person". I was not. Jesus is good. Only God is good. </span></span></div>
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></i></span></b>
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<br /></div>
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at the memorial...<br />
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I like when people say things about how they have been touch by my life.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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everyone singing, please, no solos.<br />
Michael Alspach and band. no lead singer.<br />
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at the beginning:<br />
BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL (10,000 REASONS)<br />
THE LOVE OF GOD IS GREATER FAR<br />
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at the very end: clapping to the music is a good thing!<br />
DAYS OF ELIJAH<br />
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<br />Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-45594289506262990832018-03-09T05:36:00.000-08:002018-03-09T05:36:42.252-08:00Everlasting Misery!<div class="_5x46 _1yz1 clearfix" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: -1px; zoom: 1;">
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px;">There is a judgment to come, in which every man shall be sentenced to a state of everlasting happiness, or misery. Matthew Henry re: Matthew 25: 31-33.</span></div>
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The consequences of "everlasting misery" are, I believe, the most misunderstood fact of Christianity in non-believers. If they would understand the depth of that misery, I sometimes think it could make them realize what's at risk for them. And, that misery is ETERNAL! FOREVER! NEVER STOPS!</div>
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Imagine having nothing, ever, to drink. Imagine not finding any food to eat, no grass even. Think of 100-pound hailstones coming at you, beating on you, and still time goes on. You will be totally, forever, separated from a loving God and all of your loving family. There will be no one to ease your misery.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But God is in control of that, as well. He hardens hearts to the truth as easily as He cultivates and draws them to His Son. Our job, as Christians, is to pray, love, encourage, befriend, and pile on more love. Leave judging to the Father, and love one another, even the unlovable. </span></div>
Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-13983537874019700822018-03-09T05:14:00.002-08:002018-03-15T08:09:50.748-07:00Women's Day?<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I was a young woman I was so proud of myself, proud that I could keep up with the men when working. I was so proud I even showed off about it. What a fool I was! </span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know better now, but I still have shameful memories of my behavior. I know that the Father has little regard concerning my physical or mental strength. What's important to Him is if I live a life that glorifies Him, am I serving Him with my talents rather than serving myself. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have been a slow learner over the years. Thankfully He is patient and loving me until I finally get it. He's still working. It breaks my heart, and His, that we are so self-absorbed and look so little to Him for our strength.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Ps. 37:4</span></b></span>Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-57155636307694758192017-05-03T11:07:00.000-07:002018-03-15T08:21:08.207-07:00Mothers, Beware!<div class="_1dwg _1w_m" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding: 12px 12px 0px;">
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<span class="crossverse" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Arimo, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/4-9.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;">Deuteronomy 4:9</a></span><br style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Arimo, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Arimo, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">"<i>Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.</i></span><br />
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One day long ago a very wise woman said to me, "Shirley, you do too much for your children." I was surprised to hear her say that. I had always thought that's what a mother was supposed to do, you know, take such good care of them.</div>
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Later,<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px;"> another wise woman told me, "I'll bet your bras and panties are old and tattered because you are giving to your children, but not being kind and generous to yourself. Don't treat yourself so shabbily, for you're teaching your children that they are more important than you, and they will end up treating you that way."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px;">I believe they were right.</span></div>
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My children have always been good to me, but I did change some of my habits, and I'm pretty sure I went right out and bought new underwear.<br />
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Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-17636686326005772252017-05-01T11:21:00.000-07:002017-05-02T08:37:36.618-07:00It's All for the Joy<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have a friend that came here to the states from Jamaica to live with her son and family. Her name is Thelma. I call her Ms. Thelma or Sister Thelma because we are sisters in Christ. I normally don't speak that way, but she does, and I do it to respect her.</div>
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Thelma tells me of Jamaica, of the beautiful white sands and clear blue waters. She describes these things to me with love of her former home. This gives her joy, and she tells me she wants me to go to see Jamaica. But I know that it is also very hot there, and I know that I will never be able to go. I listen with longing to see what she has seen and touched and smelled.<br />
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I live here in Georgia, but I came here about twenty years ago from Nebraska. I try to paint a verbal picture to Thelma of the rolling sandhills, the beautiful river valleys and farmlands, and the flat prairies from which you can see for miles and miles. She listens carefully, but can't quite imagine that kind of country. When I tell her something she can't quite fathom, she says, "Oh, true?" And I relate more to her because it gives me joy to talk about my beloved home.</div>
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When people share with one another the things they have seen, heard, and touched, the listener almost always accepts the stories as truth, perhaps desiring to experience what the other has described. Sometimes we share in awe with another what has been related to us, and announce our desire to encounter such things.</div>
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The disciple, John, says in 1 John 1:3 that he wants us to know, <i><span style="color: #38761d;"><span class="text 1John-1-3" id="en-NASB-30544" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span>what we have <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-30544M" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-30544M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>seen and <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-30544N" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-30544N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-30544O" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-30544O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text 1John-1-4" id="en-NASB-30545" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-30545P" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-30545P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>These things we write, so that our <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-30545Q" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-30545Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>joy may be made complete. NASB</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It gave John and the disciples joy to share their experiences. They knew Jesus, talked with Him, touched Him, traveled with Him and listened to His teachings. Unlike Thelma stories for me, everyone who chooses can know, see, and hear His teachings, all of which can change their lives. And, unlike other stories that are shared, the story of those who know Christ, have experienced Him in their lives, and have communication with Him are mostly rejected in the world. The world is willing, and even eager, to listen to the stories of travelers, adventurers, chance meetings of the famous or rich, even the fictional stories that writers put to pen or filmmakers to the screen. But, alas, the most important story that will affect one's eternal future, many in the world will reject. They blatantly and harshly affirm they don't want to hear it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What makes us believe one person's report as true but reject another's as untrue? What makes us believe the most exotic story of UFO's or ghost sitings, but reject the Truth of a Living Savior who once walked this earth and sacrificed Himself to save us? The Good News! It's a way out of eternal damnation, free to those who will accept it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><i>Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8. NASB</i></span></span><span class="p" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 13px;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 15px;">This is why.</span></span></div>
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<br />Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-12229429723721394072016-12-25T06:36:00.001-08:002018-03-15T09:47:13.728-07:00This Is Christmas<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>It was a nice enough Christmas eve worship. As the pastor said, it's not your grandparents' Christmas carols. Well, it was the same words, but the praise team had beefed it up a bit, and with the drums and bass guitar, it was different, but good. The message was pure gospel. The room was full of church members and visitors looking for a Christmas eve experience. Communion was taken. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>But when the lights went down, and we encircled the room with our candles lit, as we always do on Christmas eve, it was a reminder of what being a child of Christ means. Tt's a reminder that Christmas is about Jesus, and He came to earth to light up the world from the darkness of sin. nd the candles in our hands remind us that we are here to share Him with those who don't know. That's when the whole service comes together, and it's the very best part. We're the family of God, and we light the world with His love. And that's what Christmas is all about.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: inherit;"><i><b>"</b>When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, </i></span><span class="red-letter no-red" style="background-color: inherit; box-sizing: border-box;"><i>“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” </i>John 8:12</span></div>
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Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131891315769163469.post-5670899083731312782016-11-08T04:33:00.001-08:002016-11-08T04:33:24.011-08:00I Vote To Ban Whisker Burns<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">S</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;">ome sports teams don't shave until a certain goal has been reached, such as a championship or a league game, maybe even a win over their dreaded rival. So, I'm wondering if this trend of men not shaving and looking like they just stepped off skid row is due to a united effort to win a common objective. F</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;">or instance, I was thinking, wouldn't it be interesting if they have said to one another in some magical way, "Let's all grow our beards just long enough to shred the ladies' faces to a crimson mass of raw meat, and then we'll all shave after the election (not knowing, or caring, what their choice would be).</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">So, today, in addition to a decision for president, I'm dreaming of fresh faced gentlemen with faces smooth and clean and soft as a baby's butt. That's not too much for an old gal to wish for is it? I know I shouldn't care what these young, and not so young bucks do, but I'm tired of seeing men who look like they should be pushing a grocery cart full of old clothes and blankets through the inner-city alleys.</span></div>
Shirley Schmuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03620738689948356517noreply@blogger.com0