A "THANK YOU, GOD" BLOG!

     Good morning everyone. I have been remiss in making time to write more. My life, as I suppose other people's life, is busy. I know that that's not a valid excuse. Well today I have made time.

      Recently, my mind has been mulling over the myriad of things that God has done for people. Those of you who believe in God and have experienced His love, know what I mean.  Those of you who do not believe in God, have no idea about what I am talking about.
     
      One thing for which I am particularly grateful for is God's Creation, the universe. I love to stand on a mountain top and survey the surrounding areas. I am astounded at the natural beauty and diversity.

      I love gazing into a crystal clear, star filled sky. I love viewing the constellations, seeing comets and meteors and sometimes viewing the International Space Station (ISS) passing over head. (To view the ISS you need a good pair of binoculars or telescope.) I also love when the moon is full and illuminates the earth in its soft yellow light.

     I love being at, and sometimes on, the ocean. The amazing power if the ocean tides and the beauty of the seascapes is healing to the spirit. Also, witnessing the behemoths of the deep, AKA whales, in their natural habitat is a great experience.

     Another thing that I love, particularly at this time of year, is the changing colors of the foliage. People come from all over the world to view our leaves. There is nothing that compares to the beauty of a New England foliage tour.

     Another thing for which my gratitude to God knows no bounds is my relationship with Him. I am a sinner. I am incapable of living a sinless life. God, being perfectly Holy and sinless cannot, and will not, have any fellowship with sin. Therefore, God, in His infinite love and mercy has paid the debt for my sin. He died for my sin in the form of Jesus, the Christ, His Messiah, and has thereby provided a way of reconciliation. 
     Just think about it. The God who created all that has been created, who is the Supreme Being and is all powerful, desires to have a relationship with me AND has gone to extraordinary lengths to make it happen. If you knew me as well as I know me, you'd me amazed as well. God has adopted me into His family...mind blown! By the way, He also wants a relationship with you too, AND He would love to adopt you into his family as well. 

     I am feeling gratitude towards Almighty God for these things and oh, so much more. Do you know Him? I urge you to get to know Him if you don't. If you do know Him, I urge you to get to know Him better. This is a life long process. Think about it as you go through your day. 

     Until next time!
       

BELIEF IN TIME OF DOUBT!

      Good morning everyone. I hope that this Tuesday morning finds you all to be well. It has been a while since I posted a blog entry.  I hope to remedy that today and going forward.
I think it helpful to remind my readers that when I began this blog it was called “LifeSPW.” The name was derived from my purpose in writing, that is, to share three aspects of my life, namely my Spiritual Life, my Personal Life and my Work Life.
Well, in August of 2011 I retired after a 30 year career in law enforcement. My retirement led me to amend the name of this blog to “LifeSPR.”  The focus changed from writing about my Work life to now write about my Retired life. I will still write about Spiritual matters and my Personal life. So here we are!

I am a Christian, that is, I am a disciple of Jesus, the Christ.  I believe that the Bible is the Word of God and is therefore without error. Are you a believer too? Have you ever had any doubts about your faith? If your answer is “Yes” you are in some very good company.

Consider John, the Baptist. He was six months older than his cousin, Jesus. He was called by God to be the forerunner of the Messiah that was prophesied by the Prophet Isaiah hundreds of years earlier.
    In the early chapters of the four Gospels we find John baptizing people in the Jordan River. One day he saw Jesus come down to the river where he was baptizing people. He said “Behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” John recognized Jesus to be the Messiah. John witnesses the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, alight upon Jesus and he also hears God, the Father, say from Heaven, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” John testifies that Jesus was the Son of God.
Later on, John, the Baptist, is in jail upon orders of King Herod. John sends two of his disciples to Jesus to ask Him if He was the one or should they be looking for someone else. The point being John had doubts notwithstanding that he bore witness a short time prior to this time that Jesus is the Messiah, the very Son of God.

Consider also the Apostle Peter. He followed Jesus and personally witnessed the miracles that Jesus performed. On one occasion Jesus asked His disciples who people say that He was. Some said that He was John the Baptist returned from the dead, the prophet Elijah or the prophet Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.  Jesus then asked the Apostles who they say He is. Peter spoke up and said “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13-16)
On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus told His Apostles that He was going to be arrested and that all of them would scatter. Peter spoke up and said that even though everyone else would fall away he would not. Jesus told him that before the rooster crowed he would deny Him three times. Peter said that he would die with Jesus before ever denying Him. We all know that Peter did in fact deny knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crowed. (Matthew 26:69-75)

So you see, two men who saw Jesus, touched Jesus, who bore testimony that Jesus was the Christ, the son of the living God, came to doubt what they at one time fervently believed. Therefore, it is not unusual for us who are living some two thousand plus years later, who have never seen, physically touched, or witnessed the Son of the living God in person to have doubts from time to time. We do, however, have something upon which we may resolve any doubts…the written accounts of the many witnesses who were there. Think about it….

IT'S GONNA BE A HEAT WAVE

     Good morning fellow Hodgepodgers and non-Hodgepodgers alike. I cannot believe how quickly a week passes by but, boy, do they quickly pass by! 
     The latter part of this week is suppose to be a scorcher up here in the Granite State. Temperatures are forecast to be in the high 90's with an increase in humidity. My beloved SWMBO will be happy AND comfortable while the rest of us will be like the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz...M E L T I N G!
     Thanks go out to Joyce Daley at "From This Side of the Pond" for our weekly hodgepodge of questions. And now, without further ado...the Hodgepodge!

1. Security or freedom? Can you have both? Explain.
     Yes! I believe that you can have both, security and freedom. Our country was partially founded on that principle. Our founding fathers believed that both could exist simultaneously.  
     The U.S. Constitution was enacted to preserve the blessings of liberty for all Americans. The fourth amendment of the Bill of Rights specifically states that all Americans have the right to be secure in their possessions, papers, houses and effects from unreasonable search and seizure. It requires that a warrant issued by a judge based upon a showing of probable cause before any search can be lawfully conducted.
     Benjamin Franklin rightly observed that any people who surrenders their liberty for security will have neither. 

2. If you could visit any historical American site what would it be? Why?
     I choose Washington D.C. I choose our nation's capital because it is just chock full of American History. I love the plethora of historical buildings and monuments. I believe that you can spend months in that city and not run out of places to visit. Many places would require several visits. Yep! That is my choice!

3. Free as a bird, free reign, be free of, free enterprise, free trip, walk away scot free, free for all...which 'free' phrase can best be applied to your life in recent days or weeks? Explain.
     I will go with "...be free of! "  My beloved SWMBO and I recently refinanced our mortgage and were able to use some of our equity to off load some significant debt that we were forced to accrue due to having to do major repairs to some of our house systems, etc.

4. Something in your frig that's red? Something in your house that's white? Something in your view that's blue?
     Where does Joyce get these questions? Well, here goes...there are RED bell peppers in our refrigerator vegetable drawer. We have a sheer WHITE curtain in our living room's picture window.  I have a BLUE cell phone case on the table beside my easy chair where I am typing this answer. 

5. July 27th is National New Jersey Day. Have you ever visited The Garden State? If so where did you go? Are there diners where you live? Have you tried Taylor Pork Roll? Do you like to play Monopoly? Salt water taffy-yay or nay? How do you feel about shopping at the mall? Springsteen, Sinatra, or Bon Jovi-you have to pick one.
     I briefly visited the Garden State in 1974. I was transferred to the United Kingdom for a new duty assignment for the U.S. Air Force. I flew out of McGuire Air Force Base in Burlington County, New Jersey. 
     I have never tried Taylor Pork Roll. Yes on Monopoly and yay on the salt water taffy question.
     We do have several diners in our area. One of the most popular diners is called the Red Arrow Diner. It is always crowded and is open 24 hours a day Friday-Sunday.
     I don't mind shopping at the mall if it is not too crowded. Musically, I'll go with Bon Jovi. However, I am a little surprised and disappointed that you neglected to also list the "Jersey Boys," A.K.A. The Four Seasons.

Raise your hand if you know why these add-on questions are appropriate on National NJ Day.
      Picture me with my hand raised.
    
6. Insert your own random thought here.
       Now for a brief trip down memory lane. When I was in High School I had a crush on a certain female classmate. Unfortunately for me, she was already engaged to be married. 
     She had a friend, however, to whom I came to be seriously attracted. This girl had high standards. I knew that because she could not stand me. She did eventually fall prey to my charm and did come to fall in love with me and after three marriage proposals from yours truly, she finally said yes.
     Forty six years and two children later we are more in love, more devoted to each other, than those two crazy kids back in High School. You know her as my beloved SWMBO. We celebrate our 46th Wedding Anniversay this Sunday, July 1st.
     A Godly marriage is one of God's greatest blessings. I have been lavishly blessed. Happy Anniversary, my immortal beloved!
     Have a great week and a safe 4th of July Holiday everyone!

A MAD MARCH MADNESS HODGEPODGE!

     Apparently New England is taking a pass on the first day of Spring. Another northeaster is bearing down on this region of the good ole US of A. AAAARRGGHHH!  
     In our Nation's capital the kabuki theater of government rages on. If this wasn't so serious I would think that these events are taking on the appearance of a soap opera. God help us.
     March Madness college basketball has stumped many avid fans of the sport and busted pretty much everyone's bracket.
    Thankfully, today is Wednesday and we have our usual break from the cares of this world that is the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you Joyce for this little respite from the world.  And now, ladies and gentlemen....the Hodgepodge!

1. On this first official day of spring tell us something (besides the weather) you're looking forward to in this season of the year.
      I am looking forward to getting out more.  God willing, spending more time with my grandchildren. Nothing is better than that. Perhaps SWMBO and I can do a little hiking.

2. When it comes to spring cleaning would you rather wash windows or wash baseboards? Clean out closets or clean out the garage? Dust ceiling fans or dust bookcases? Wipe down the patio furniture outside or wipe down the light fixtures inside? Any of these tasks recently completed?
     When it comes to Spring Cleaning , I'd rather not. I'd really rather not do any of the tasks that are listed, BUT, because SWMBO still lets me live with her for some unknown reason, I would do, and have done, most of the listed items. We have not begun our spring cleaning because we are still butt deep in snow with more to come.

3. Your favorite thing to make/eat that calls for cream cheese? Sour cream? Whipped cream?
     My favorites are cream cheese on an onion bagel, sour cream on a baked potato and whipped cream on a pecan pie.

4. I read here a list of commonly mispronounced words. What is a word that gives you trouble when it comes to pronunciation?
      I was surprised to learn that I have been mispronouncing about half of the words listed. I often have trouble pronouncing some of the names listed in the Old Testament of the Bible. I also find a lot of medical terms difficult to pronounce. 
 
5. What's a song you love with the word 'rain' in the title or lyrics?
       The problem with these type questions is that there is never just "a _____" there are always several. "Rhythm of the Rain" the Cascades; "Who'll Stop the Rain" and "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" Creedence Clearwater Revival; I Wish it Would Rain" the Temptations; "Let it Rain" Eric Clapton and "Fire and Rain" James Taylor. See what I mean?

6.  Insert your own random thought here.
      I began thinking about Spring since Spring is upon us. Here are a few thoughts. In Winter everything is barren, frozen cold, and lifeless. In the Spring what was dead comes back to life. What was frozen warms up. What was barren becomes lush.

     The soul of humans is not so different. We all have a sin problem. In a manner of speaking we are all cold, dead and barren. The Bible tells us that "...the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).
   There is only one person in all of history who has lived a perfectly sinless life, and they nailed Him to a cross and because they did and because He rose from the dead three days later we all have hope. "...but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
     The only cure for our sin problem is the precious blood of He who was nailed to a cross. His blood cleanses us of all sin, not just some, but all. It makes us who were dead in sin alive in Him. We become renewed like the world in the Spring with the added feature of having eternal life. 
     Sadly, some choose to remain dead in their sins. I urge you with every fiber of my being, please take care of your sin problem before it's too late.  The cure is free for whosoever will. God bless you!

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE...HODGEPODGE!

     Today is camel day. How do you like your camels...one hump or two? I hope that your hump day is going well so far. Being hump day it is also time for another Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thanks to our Hodgepodge Mistress, Joyce Daley, for another series of probing questions.
     I urge you to participate. You will not be sorry that you did. In any event, enjoy this weeks offering.

1. What title would you give this current chapter of your life?
      "We Keep Getting Back Up!" Sometimes in life you take some hits. Some of those hits ring your bell, others knock you off your feet, so to speak. A wise man once said that you never lose a fight if you keep getting back up.
     When the hits keep coming, you know, those financial set backs or a bad  report from your doctor, or the loss of a loved one, you keep getting back up.
     SWMBO and I keep getting back up !
  
2. December 6 is National Microwave Oven Day. Who knew? Besides popcorn and coffee reheats, what's the most common thing you microwave? Could you get along without a microwave?
     I suppose the most common thing that we reheat in the microwave oven are all sorts of leftovers. The "radar range" is very convenient but I think we could survive, that is, get along without one.

3. If you could insert yourself into any Christmas carol and experience the lyrics in real life, which Christmas carol lyric would you choose and why?
     My choice is "O Little Town of Bethlehem." I envision myself walking through its starlit streets until I came upon a manger on the outskirts of the tiny hamlet and witness the birth of the baby Jesus, Christ the Lord.  I would love to see that "new parent" look on the faces of Joseph and Mary as they held their new born Son for the first time. I imagine the sound of the heavenly hosts singing "Hallelujah, Glory to God in the Highest! Glory to the new born King!" I also can see in my minds eye the shepherds coming in from the fields to behold that which the Angel told them about, the Savior, a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger...with a look of awe upon their faces. What a wonderful experience that would be.

4. Describe the most beautiful drive you've ever taken.
     SWMBO and I are fortunate to live in NH. It is a beautiful and scenic state. The most beautiful drive we have ever taken was a sunny fall day through the White Mountains. We drove through Franconia Notch and the Kancamangus Highway, NH Route 112. The views of the surrounding terrain is awesome. It speaks volumes of the majesty of God.

5. What's something on your Christmas list this year? (an actual list or figuratively speaking, either one)
     I really don't have a Christmas Wish List. SWMBO and I started a tradition when we became empty nesters where we buy one gift for each other. This tradition avoids the whole "I spent more money on you than you spent on me" competition with the attendant bad feelings. 
     For example, one year we bought a new high definition television. Another year we bought new iPads. This seems to work for us.
   
6. Insert your own random thought here.
       One of the things that continues to amaze me at Christmas time is the thought that Almighty God, the Creator of all that has been created, left eternity and lived among us as a human, and a humble human at that.   He subjected Himself to all the laws of physics. He experienced things that are common to all of us. He got cold. He got hungry. He felt pain. He felt love. He laughed. He cried. He was like us in every way except one...He was still God. He was God in the flesh, but He was still God.
     Can you imagine how much love that God must have for all of us that He would do that? I cannot! So, during this Christmas season I urge all of you to consider the spiritual ramifications of the Christmas Holiday. I urge you all to truly keep Christ in Christmas.
     May God lavishly bless all of you!

A SPOOKY HALLOWEEN HODGEPODGE!

     Happy Halloween to all you fellow Wednesday Hodgepodgers. We are an eclectic and interesting group of people. Happy Halloween to all you visitors as well. You too can become a part of our eclectic and interesting group. I promise you you will be glad that you did. Simply, start a blog and link it to Joyce's blog. Just like that you have become eclectic and interesting.
   The weather here in the Granite State continues to experience some wild mood swings. The rain and wind on Sunday and Monday did some major damage to  the state. A couple hundred thousand people are without power as I write this. Some roads have been damaged or washed away. Flash flooding was the order of the day. 
     So, by way of distraction and without further ado...here's the Hodgepodge!
     
1. What does/did Halloween look like at your house this year? Did you decorate? Pick pumpkins? Carve pumpkins? Expect trick or treaters? Wear a costume to a party or event? Make a costume? Feel glad you didn't have to come up with a costume? Cook a Halloween themed treat? Eat all the leftover candy?
     This year we did not decorate, we generally do not decorate. We don't get any Trick or Treaters here because the road we live on makes it unsafe. 
     Our two Chinese Cresteds dressed up in Scottish kilts that SWMBO made for them. We made Trick or Treat bags of candy for our grand girls and SWMBO's co-workers.  
     No pumpkins at all. No costumes for us. A little leftover candy to munch on. Our church did have a Trunk or Treat at the church parking lot.

2. What are you waiting for? Elaborate
     I am waiting and praying for a cure for Multiple Myeloma, SWMBO's cancer.  Fighting this disease is incessant. The battle ebbs and flows. There are good days and there are bad days. However, cancer does not last forever...it will come to an end. SWMBO and I long for that day for us and everyone else who are engaged in a similar battle.
     I am also waiting for the Lord's promised return. A sincere faith in God really helps me put things in perspective. Nothing I have in life, material goods, power, or wealth will last forever! All the stuff that drives the news coverage of the day will likewise not last forever. 
     However God's love is forever. Our promised home in Heaven with God is forever. We often sing a song at church that says "This world is not my home I'm just passing through," and "O Lord you know I have no friend like you," and " I can't feel at home in this world anymore." Jesus taught that our treasures should be stored up in heaven where they will last forever. That's what I'm waiting for.

3. Do you wish you were friendlier, braver, more creative, more athletic, or something else? Explain.
     I suppose, like most people, there is room for improvement in all the listed areas. I think I could particularly use some improvement in being more productive. That is, becoming more task oriented and more diligent at getting needed tasks done.

4. When it comes time to paint are you a do-it-yourselfer or do you hire someone? What was the last paint job completed at your house? What room most needs painting now? How do you feel about wallpaper?
    I suppose most rooms in our not so palatial estate could do with some sprucing up. We prefer paint rather than wall paper. 

5. What is one specific thing you felt gratitude for in the month of October?
     See my Random Thought.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.
     From time to time up here in the Granite State we experience loss of electric power for various reasons. Most of the time it is weather related. Sometimes it is because a graduate of the Helen Keller School of Driving crashes into a utility pole. Some of these power outages can last for days, if not weeks. A lot of homeowners use gas powered emergency generators to power their homes during such times. SWMBO and I bought our generator years ago after an ice storm knocked out power for weeks.
     Recently, a friend upgraded his transfer switch from six to ten circuits so he gave me his old six circuit transfer switch. The transfer switch is directly connected to the breaker box to power the most essential circuits in the house.
     Another friend is a licensed electrician and was kind enough to install the transfer switch for us. 
     For us, our priority circuits are our well pump, our furnace, our pellet stove, our refrigerator and a few outlets to power our fish tank, freezer chest and a lamp or two.
     When power goes out, now all we have to do is start the generator and connect a power cable from the generator to the transfer switch to power those circuits. We simply flip six switches to go off the grid and onto the generator. So now we will have heat, water and hot water for the duration of any outage. It is quite the upgrade. Thank you Lord!
     As I have shared before, SWMBO and I are lavishly blessed of God. Enjoy your week.
     

STEAMY BACK TO SCHOOL HODGEPODGE!

     Well Labor Day has come and gone and that means that so has the Summer of 2014. However, apparently the Granite State did not get that memo because it was close to 90 degrees today with humidity in the mid to high 60% range. That's hot and sticky...very hot and very sticky. SWMBO is having a ball. She loves this type of weather and does not even have the common courtesy to "glow" just a little bit. Me, I'm "glowing" like a pig!
     Oh well, let's try and cool off by answering this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge questions. Thank you Joyce for this week's posers.

1.  What's something you wanted to do this summer that you never got around to actually doing?

     I would have liked to rent a cabin alongside a cool fresh mountain lake and spend a few days enjoying the beauty of lake living... Maybe next year.

2. Share a favorite memory of your own back -to-school days as a child.

     Favorite back-to-school memory? Really? You've got to be kidding! I hated to see the summer end. I always had lots of fun with my friends playing baseball, going fishing and playing all kinds of games throughout the summer. I lived just over a block from the Merrimack River where I had tons of adventures either by myself or with my group of friends. Favorite back-to-school memory? Sorry, not no way not now how!

3.  What's one chore or daily task you prefer doing 'old-school' ?

     There are no chores I liked doing...period! What part of "chores" do you not understand? If chores were enjoyable they wouldn't be called CHORES Just saying!

4.  Share something you've learned in life through the 'school of hard knocks'.

     Way back in 1971 I had a 1965 Chevrolet Bel Air with a small V-8 engine. Back in those days the distributor (That part of the engine that sent a spark to the cylinders to cause the gas to combust. Hence the name internal combustion engine.) had points which open and closed as the engine ran. Those points had to be gapped. Also there was a coil that sent about 15,000 volts through the gap to the cylinders. When you check the gap of the points it was important to make sure that the ignition with was in the "OFF" position. On one occasion the ignition switch was in the "ON' position. I proceeded to check the gap with a metal gauge designed for that purpose. I completed the circuit and received an electrical shock from the coil that caused my arm to go numb for about an hour. LESSON LEARNED! 
  

5.  As a child, did you mostly bring or buy your lunch for school? What was your favorite thing to find in your lunchbox?

     I usually brought my lunch and sometimes was given money to buy a carton of milk. I loved finding Hostess devil's food cup cakes with cream filling in my lunch bag. They made my day.

6. Football season is upon us which has me wondering... how big of a sports fan are you (not just football) ? On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being 'I scream at the players through my television screen' and 1 being 'is knitting a sport?' where do you fall in fandom? 

     I like football. I'm about a 7 N.E. Patriots football fan which means I sometimes yell at the TV. I also watch Boston Bruins ice hockey. I'm about a 9 hockey fan. Which means I yell at the TV and sometimes at SWMBO. Finally, I am a baseball fan. I'm about a 5 or 6 Boston Red Sox fan which means I sometimes read a book or surf the Internet during games.

7. Share a favorite quote you think might inspire students of all ages at the start of a new school year.
     "A man learns to skate by staggering about making a fool of himself: indeed, he progresses in all things by making a fool of himself." Bernard Shaw In addition to the quote I would encourage the student to try new things knowing that everybody struggles at first but the effort to learn is worth the risk of making a fool of yourself.

8. Insert your own Random Thought here.
     Are you a Bible reader? Do you regularly open that wonderful and miracle Book and expose yourself to the wisdom, the comfort, the warnings to be found therein. I am amazed at the number of times that God tells us in the Bible to "fear not!" He says that we need not fear because we are His and there is no reason to fear. 
     "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases. HIS mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is HIS faithfulness. The LORD is my portion says my soul, therefore I will hope in HIM" (Lamentations 3:22-24) The Prophet Jeremiah prophesied some terrible things that were going to befall the Jewish people. And yet he proclaimed this truth found in Chapter 3, verses 22-24 of his Book of Lamentations. God's love for us NEVER stops. HIS mercies NEVER comes to and end. They are NEW every morning. 
     So when the Bible says to "Fear Not" you can believe it because it is true! May God bless you this week!

R - RESURRECTION

I have been remiss and have fallen behind on writing my A to Z Blogs. I have no excuse really. So here is my "R" installment to the A to Z Blog Challenge.

The Easter Holiday means different things to different people. To some, Easter is the celebration of the arrival of Spring, all things that were dead become alive again.

To others, and by others I mean Christians, Easter is the day that we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus the Nazarene, the Christ, God's Messiah. It is the most significant event to have occurred in all of human history.

Here's a Reader's Digest version of what I mean. God created everything and saved the best for last. He created man and then woman and placed them in the Garden of Eden. At that point God saw what He had created and pronounced it to be "very good."

Now please understand that God is perfectly Holy and cannot have any association with, relationship to, or any contact with "Sin." The first man and woman sinned against God by disobeying Him and eating of the forbidden fruit. The day that that happened, as a result of their disobedience, Adam and Eve died spiritually and would eventually die physically.

Since Adam and Eve, mankind has been sinning against God in various ways. The Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans that all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. He also wrote in that same letter that the wages of sin is death. 

God took care of mankind's sin problem by sending His beloved Son to live a perfect sinless life and pay the penalty of death for all of our sin. He paid a debt He did not owe. We owe a debt we could not pay. Jesus paid for our sins on the cross of Calvary. He arose from the grave three days later. Because He lives we live because the wages of sin have been paid on our behalf.  We have been reconciled back to God. That is why the resurrection of Jesus is the most significant event in human history.

SHOT THROUGH THE HEART DAY HODGEPODGE!

    Valentine's Day (AKA Shot Through the Heart by Cupid's Arrow Day) is this Friday, hence the title of this Hodgepodge blog entry! Joyce from "From this Side of the Pond" never disappoints with the latest series of questions. Pour yourself a cup of coffee, have a seat and enjoy this week's edition of the Hodgepodge. Better yet, fire up the old computer and join in on the fun!
  

1.What makes love last?
    It seems to me that this question suggests that love is finite, that you get so much and then it's gone or that we have just so much love to give and then we're out. I do not believe that love wears out. I believe that we choose to stop loving…for whatever reason.
    My beloved SWMBO and I have been in love for 42 years. We continue to choose to love each other no matter what. So, to my way of thinking, what makes love last is our decision that it will last!

   
2. The Beatles made their US debut fifty years ago this week. Are you a fan? If so, what's your favorite Beatles tune?
   I am definitely a fan! I listen to an "All Beatles All the Time" station over my I-Heart radio I-Phone application. I prefer their earlier stuff, up to and including Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album. I don't have only one favorite Beatles tune. "And I Love Her", "If I Fell", "No Reply", "The Night Before" are a few of the ones I find myself singing when alone in my car or at home doing chores.

  
3. Valentine's Day-your thoughts? Do you celebrate in any way? Do anything special for the people you love? Expect anything special from the people who love you? 
    I will give SWMBO a tasteful greeting card and a small box of chocolates. I don't expect anything special from people who love me.

4. Steak or burger...you have to choose. Now that that's settled, how do you like it?
    I prefer a nice New York Strip steak cooked medium well. Yumm!

5. The Hodgepodge lands on the birthdate (February 12th) of Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States of America. Lincoln is quoted as saying, 'Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test his character give him power.'  Do you agree? Why or why not?
    Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Our founding fathers knew this all too well and did their level best to construct our system of government in such a way that the tension existing between the three equal branches would keep our lesser angels in check. President "Honest Abe" believed this as well evidenced by this quote. Our nation is seriously lacking in people of such character today.

6. Honest Abe's image is featured on the US penny (1 cent coin) so I'm wondering...what do you do with your pennies (or your country's equivalent)?  It's been suggested the US stop making the penny, and two bills have been introduced proposing just that, but neither were approved. What say you?
     I still pick up pennies and save them in a "Penny Jar." When the jar gets filled I convert them to more convenient forms of cash and take SWMBO out to dinner. It still takes 100 pennies to make a dollar.

7.  Do you think pop culture deserves serious study?
    Yes, I do think that pop culture should be studied but not us, but rather by the people who come after us. I do not believe that we can accurately assess our culture from the present. For example, in my humble opinion we really did not begin to fully comprehend or appreciate the societal upheaval that was the 1960's until we looked back from the perspective of the late 1970's or 1980's.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
    I have been thinking about the humanity of Jesus Christ. What I mean is that I have been considering some of the events in His life and considered how He might have felt given how we might feel in the same circumstances.
   We can infer from a reading of the Gospels that Joseph, His earthly father, probably died sometime before Jesus began His public ministry. In my mind I see Him, with tears in His eyes and a broken heart, comforting His mother Mary and His siblings at the gravesite.  
     While on earth, Jesus chose twelve men who became His disciples, His Apostles and I believe His closest friends. One of these friends, Judas, conspired with His enemies to arrest Him. In my minds eye I see tears in Jesus' eyes when Judas kissed Him in the Garden of Gethsemane and Jesus said "Do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?"
    I see Jesus walking through the courtyard and His eyes meeting Peter's after Peter denied knowing Him three times before the rooster crowed. Peter was one of His three closest friends and even though Jesus told Peter that he was going to deny knowing Him, it had to cut Jesus deeply for that prophecy to have come true.
   As Christians I think that we sometimes fail to fully appreciate the extent of the humanity of the God-man, Jesus Christ. Think about it and see where your thoughts take you! May God bless you on your mental journey!

JANUARY THAW HODGEPODGE!

     We are experiencing a warming trend called the January thaw. The temperature climbs into the balmy 40's or the sweltering 50's. It never ceases to amaze me how warm the 40's feel after a few days with highs in the teens or low 20's with windchill temperatures well below zero. 

   Well, it is Wednesday and it is time for another set of probing questions from our friend Joyce from "From This Side of the Pond." Enjoy!

1.  Are you a force to be reckoned with? In what way?

     Generally, not so much, but in a few specific situations, absolutely. What I mean is I don't have to get my way in most of the things that crop up in my life. I don't dig in and fight many battles because at the end of the day most things are really not worth fighting about. However, were my beloved SWMBO or our children or grandchildren be threatened, I am definitely a force to be reckoned with. 

     

2. What are two things you love about the wintertime? Or, if love feels like too strong a word, what are two things you 'like' about winter? 

     One of my favorite things to do on a clear, dry, cold winter night is to stargaze. The sky looks so spectacular on such a night. It is awe inspiring. A second thing I like is just after a snowfall, the ground looks so pristine and beautiful. Also, all is quiet as if the snow muffled all sound.

3. Pomegranate, kumquat, persimmon, kiwi, and guava are all fruits said to have health benefits, particularly during the winter months. Do you have a favorite on the list? Are there any on the list you haven't tried? 

     I don't have a favorite from the given list of fruits. I have tried Pomegranate and Kiwi. I can take them or leave them. 

4. I passed a local church yesterday and noticed they had this on their outdoor sign- 'When all else fails, do the right thing.' Your thoughts?

     I believe that we should always try to do the right thing in the first instance. Doing the right thing is not a fall back position. To do otherwise is like "You're not trying if you're not cheating." or "It's only wrong if you get caught!" As a Bible believing Christian I believe we are called to do the right thing always.

5. Do you ski? According to one list I've seen, the top 5 ski destinations for 2014 are-St. Anton Austria, Whistler Canada, Cortina Italy, Tahoe USA, and Zermatt Switzerland.  Of the five listed, which would you most like to visit? We can make skiing optional if that helps the non-skiers with their answer. 

     I am not a skier. I have never been tempted to try. That said, I wouldn't mind visiting Switzerland or Austria. I wouldn't mind watching other people ski from the cozy warmth of a chalet while sipping a hot chocolate.

6.  What's the last thing you looked for online? (Besides my blog!)

     The last thing I looked for online are pet friendly hotels in the Lebanon, NH, area. SWMBO and I and the fur babies will be spending a few nights in a hotel when they try to harvest her stem cells for a possible stem cell transplant in the future.

7. What saying, slogan, quote, or motto have you seen lately that inspires you for the new year?

     "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phillipians 4:6,7)

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

     The NFL Super Bowl is once again upon us. I love the Super Bowl because it is the first death knell of Winter. It is a reminder that Spring is just around the corner. The next death knell of winter is when the Red Sox pitchers and catchers report for spring training in Florida. The final death knell is St. Patricks Day. We can still be whacked with a snow storm but the odds are increasingly in our favor that we will not.

     Winter is the price we must pay for the privilege of enjoying the other three seasons here in New England. It is a price worth paying. 

TURKEY DAY HODGEPODGE!

     This week many Americans will pause from their labors and reflect on the blessings that have come their way during their lives. Today, we pause from our labors to answer another series of questions that our friend Joyce has come up with. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday and I hope you enjoy the weekly Hodgepodge.

1. Are you settling for something?
     I imagine that we all settle at some time or the other. No one ever gets everything that they want. They are fortunate if they get everything that they need. So I am certain that I too have had to settle for something, however, I am at a loss to tell you what that might be. I happen to be content with my life. I have all that I need and a few things that I want. I'm good!

2.  It wasn't that long ago almost every store in the US locked doors and turned out lights on Thanksgiving Day. This year many will be open all day Thursday, giving shoppers a jump start on 'Black Friday'. In your opinion is this a good thing or a not so good thing? Will you be shopping on Thanksgiving Day?
     I think that it is a "not so good" thing. It's another example where "over-commercialism" has taken away from the solemnity of the holiday, not unlike what has happened to Christmas. Indeed, the rampant commercialism of the two holiday are closely related. I mean, most people shop on the Friday following Thanksgiving mostly for Christmas gifts, right?  In my humble opinion it has been a detriment to our society.
     I will not be shopping on "Black Friday," much less on Thanksgiving Day!

3. Speaking of shopping... I saw a recent article on the twelve best shopping cities in the world. In order they are-

New York, Tokyo, London, Kuala Lumpur, Paris, Hong Kong, Buenos Aires, Vienna, Dubai, Madrid, Milan, and Seoul. 

Ever shopped in any of the cities listed? In which city would you most like to pull out the plastic or cold hard cash?
     I have never shopped in the listed cities. Although I would like to visit many of the listed cities, I really have no desire to shop in them. I'm more intrigued with their historical significance.

4.  When did you last dine by candlelight?
     I believe that it was on our last wedding anniversary. We went to a "fine dining" restaurant and dined by candlelight. One of my greatest joys is going out to eat with SWMBO and enjoying a good meal and fine conversation.
     Although, we did eat by kerosene lamplight during our last extended power outage. That had a nice ambience!

5. What do you have too much of?
     I have way to much body mass and weight! I have too many books I want to read! I have too many tasks and projects not yet begun, much less completed. 

6. The Hunger Games...are you a fan?  Did you read the book(s)?  Will you/have you seen the movie?  Will you/have you seen Catching Fire?  No spoilers please!
     I not read the books or seen the movies. I might watch the movies when they come to TV. They don't really appeal to my interests.

7. Share your plans for Thanksgiving Day. The who, the where, the what...especially the what! As in what's for dinner?  If you're one of my International visitors, whose homeland doesn't celebrate American Thanksgiving (the whole world doesn't ya know!), then still tell us your plans for Thursday. 
     SWMBO and I will be hosting our daughter, son in law, and their two girls for a late breakfast/ early brunch thing in the morning. We will have a turkey breast, meat stuffing, vegetables, and dessert (Pumpkin and/or Pecan Pie) in the late afternoon/early evening.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
     As this is Thanksgiving week, allow me to share some of the things in life for which I am thankful. First and foremost I am profoundly thankful for my beloved SWMBO. I am thankful for the love and devotion that she had given me for over 41 years. 
     As many of you know, SWMBO has cancer. Today we found out that she is in REMISSION! I am thankful that we live in a country where the state of the medical arts have reached a level where formerly deadly diseases have become significantly less so.
     I am thankful that we live in a country where we are free to speak our minds, live where we want, worship God and practice religion as we see fit, and do what we want to earn our daily bread without having to obtain permission from anyone. 
     I am thankful for my family, my friends, and my church fellowship. 
     I am abundantly blessed and profoundly thankful to God for His lovingkindness and lavish providence. Happy Thanksgiving to one and all! 

HEATING SYSTEM PREPARATION HODGEPODGE!

     This is the time of year when we get our furnaces, pellet/wood stoves and other heating equipment ready for the heating season that will soon be upon us. Seeing that it is Wednesday, the Hodgepodge is upon us. Joyce has done it again! She has come up with a series of posers that are thought provoking and fun to answer. I encourage you to participate and answer the questions yourself. Also, let me encourage you to visit Joyce's blog "From This Side of the Pond." You'll be glad that you did.

1. The USA will mark Columbus Day this year on Monday, October 14th. What's something you need or want to explore (literally or metaphorically speaking)?

     My dream expedition would be to load SWMBO and our fur babies into an RV and travel the breadth of this great land. I would love to explore as many National Parks as possible, beginning with Arcadia National Park in Maine to Yosemite National Park in California. Ours is a magnificently beautiful country and most Americans do not get to see very much of it other than on TV or in movies. 

2. The Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz, Ursula from The Little Mermaid, or Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty...who do you most love to hate?

     Generally I don't waste emotional energy by hating fictional characters. I hate evil in all of its forms. However, to directly answer the question posed, I choose the Wicked Witch of the West. She frightened me the most as a child.

3. Is open-mindedness a virtue?

     I believe that having an open mind is a virtue. If we closed our minds to new ideas we would never learn anything new. I believe that we should develop critical thinking skills to the extent that those with higher intellect and better rhetorical skills are not able to take advantage of our open minds. Our minds should not be so open that our brains fall out.
     On a spiritual note, before one can listen to, evaluate and obey the Gospel, their minds must be open to the prospect of a living, loving, almighty God and the salvation that He freely offers before they are able to respond to Him.

4. How often do you weigh yourself?
     I do weigh myself very rarely. I generally gauge my weight loss by how my clothes fit, by how tight or loose they are.

5. This question comes to you courtesy of Rebecca over at Making Memories, so thanks Rebecca! 

Costa Rica was recently named the happiest country in the world on the Happy Planet Index. What's the happiest country in the world to you, and what makes it so?

     I choose the United States of America. Our nation has observed in its Declaration of Independence that we are endowed by our Creator with the inalienable rights of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. We further sought to preserve these blessings of liberty in our Constitution. This nation is the envy of the entire world. Consider the hardships people are willing to endure to make it to our shores or across our borders. They are not emigrating to Costa Rica.

6. Besides The Bible, what is one book you think should be mandatory reading for high school students? Why?

     My choice is "The Book of Virtues" by Bill Bennett, the former Secretary of Education. Dr. Bennett has listed a number of virtuous character traits and has cited examples from the Bible, history and literature of good and bad examples thereof. I believe that students would be well served by reading and learning many of the teachings of this well researched and well written book. Adults would benefit also!

7. I went shopping at some nearby outlets last week, and while I was there, I picked up a couple of Christmas gifts. How about you? Have you started your holiday shopping yet?

     No Way Jose' ! Being a founding member of the E.S.A.S. (Ebenezer Scrooge Admiration Society) I believe that this constant barrage of commercialism that now begins before Halloween and continues well into the new year defiles the true meaning of Christmas. I choose not to participate or contribute to this vulgarity. Let me emphasize that this is my personal view and is not meant to cast any aspersions on anyone who may hold a different view, particularly my beloved SWMBO who is the quintessential Noel-ophile (Lover of All Things Christmas).

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
     My inclination is to vent my spleen regarding the current situation vis a vis the government shutdown. However, I am trying to keep my blood pressure down to safe limits so I will not. 
     Yesterday, I attended a funeral wake for the wife of one of my former part-time officers. His wife was diagnosed about a year ago with advanced lung cancer. Although she put up a valiant fight, she lost her battle with this insidiously awful disease and passed away last Friday. 
     This woman is well loved by the many people she had interacted with during her brief time on earth, judging by the turn out at the funeral home. She is one of those people of whom you never hear anything negative about. By all accounts she is a wonderful wife, a terrific mother and a great friend. My heart and prayers go out to her husband, her two adult children and her granddaughter as well as her other family members.
     This woman enriched and made a positive difference in the lives of those who were privileged to know her. None of us have a guarantee of a tomorrow. Let me encourage all of you, while you are still here, enrich and make a positive difference in the lives that you are privileged to be a part of. 
     May she rest in peace!