Blog Archives - North Florida Writer

Had a Bug this Morning, Slowed Me Down

4/30/2013

Oh, I'm not sick, but my computer sure was. I fired her up this morning and had problems with my website, email and several other sites, but my good friends at Dell got it squared away. I find it amazing that people who are smart have more fun disrupting people sometimes than they do accomplishing something productive and positive. I just guess that's the way things have become.

I'm back in full swing now and plan to spend the rest of the day on my book, Honey, We've Gone to the Dogs...... I think back about all of the wonderful animal friends we've had, including a few little wild critters who don't cause too many problems as long as they find something to eat. It's easier to set aside a place for them than it is to keep them out of everything. The dogs generally chase them away, but not before they find what they want. Smart little rascals.

Writing about our many animals, past and present, I realize that my life experience might be different from many, but it has provided me with many blessings. Watching Mutt and Jeff, the rat terrier and the Great Dane frolic, or the horses munching hay in the fields, or even the roosters letting us know what time it is, makes me aware of the beauty of that given to us in abundance from God. And I need these reminders, for it is easy in times such as these to doubt yourself and others.

We Americans are a unique lot. We often seem to be falling apart as a people and then something dramatic happens to bring us together. My mom used to tell me of the dark days of World War II when, listening to the radio, there was great fear that America could lose. What would happen then? Would we be speaking German?

And, of course, I remember the Cold War days and the bomb drills in school where we would all get on our knees in the hallway with hands over head near the wall in preparation for an attack. He wasn't a great speaker, but there was comfort in listening to President Eisenhower, for we were sure that the Former Supreme Commander of the war on Hitler had things under control.

Now we are faced with a different issue. Americans for the first time in history seem to be more fearful of their own government than they are of other things, and this makes for a very stressful time, a time unlike any that I can remember.

But remember, my friends, whatever your fear or whatever your problem for today, they are nothing that God can't handle for you if you'll just hand it over to Him. He is there for all of us and he wants to care for everyone. The only requirement is for us to love, honor and obey Him. That's really not much to ask for what he offers.

How about you? Are you ready to let go of your worries and fears? It's never easy, but once you take the step, life takes on a much more beautiful meaning.

God bless you all. Have a wonderful and meaningful day on God's beautiful world.

It's Monday, Let's Continue What We Started on Sunday

4/29/2013

I always get started on Monday morning feeling a little bit sad. I just remember the outlook and brightness of a Sunday morning and wish it could be Sunday every day. And then I ask myself this simple question: Why not?

Why not indeed. If we take our Sunday spirit, one of renewal and thanks for God, and put it to energetic use, we can carry it forward in everything we do. After all, that's what God expects of us. He wants us to live our lives showing the love and devotion we have for Him through our faith and our living action. And if we really have this spirit and belief, we will do so.

Now all of us will falter from time to time and have our weak spells. They usually hit me around mid-week when I worry about my retirement and my older years, what needs to be done for upkeep on my farm, and what should I write about that will make my avocation turned writer a success. And this is natural; we all worry about our futures and where we are headed.

But since we Christians have hopefully recharged our batteries on Sunday, we have to keep our internal generators running so that the batteries don't run down. And this means living our life fully involved with our Savior and His commands for how we carry out our life as a Christian. Nobody said it would be easy, but we have to focus on Him and His plans for us and work everyday, not just Sunday, to make them happen.

So join with me in making your commitment to keep the Sunday Spirit alive in your heart and show it through your faith and love.

Oh Heavenly Father: Thank you for helping us charge our batteries on Sunday and brightening our hearts and souls through Thy love. Help us to take this Spirit and use it daily throughout the week in everything that we do. No matter how difficult and no matter how fearful we might be of the future, use us to do Thy will and accomplish the tasks that Thou wouldst have us do in this life on earth. Then we can look forward to a glorious Eternal World with Thee. We ask in His name, Amen

God bless each of you. Love one another.

The Ultimate Day to Wind Down and Be Thankful

4/28/2013

"Remember the Sabbath, and keep it Holy". Exodus 20:8, ESV

Another Sunday morning is awakening here in Florida. It's going to be a warm and beautiful day. Sunday is a good day for finishing your weekend wind down from stress and worries, culminated by taking time to worship our Lord. He wants us to know and appreciate Him and to follow His commandments for good living. To do so takes practice, dedication and, above all, faith. Without faith and His divine grace, nothing heavenly is possible.

As on every Sunday, I try to take the time to look at my animals from the perspective of God's purpose for all things. Sometimes we are troubled, or maybe lose our way, but if we will just take personal time to visit with Him, he will respond to our questions and show us the right path. And Sunday is the one day that it seems easiest to do, so take advantage of it. After all, the pace of life slows just a little bit, we are reminded of the special nature of this day by the ringing of church bells, and this should lighten our heart.

I hope that our time with Him today will give each of us comfort and peace and prepare us to face the workweek tomorrow. And remember, we need to take time daily to keep that Spirit going. Talk to Him in whatever manner you choose, but do so daily.

Remember the lines from the wonderful hymn, The Garden. "And He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own." What a wonderful thought. It's the best therapy there is.

Dear Lord: Help us to always remember Thy central importance in all that we do. And thank you for giving us the Sabbath, that we may always use it wisely as a day of worship and rest. May we always keep it Holy and peaceful so that we might ponder our life and what Thy word directs us to do to further Thy Kingdom. Amen.

It's Saturday, No Political Talk Today

4/27/2013

It's Saturday, the start of a beautiful weekend and I want to suggest that we all give politics a rest today and go about having a good time with family and friends. Maybe you'll want to have a barbeque, or go to a ball game, or even do some of that yard word that you've neglected. How about a bike ride? A walk through the park or the woods? Here in Florida, maybe even a beach day?

Whatever it is, get out and enjoy the warmer weather and breath the spring air.And tomorrow.....remember the Sabbath and keep it Holy. God expects you to worship Him on the day of rest; that still leaves time for afternoon fun. And for me, being a Southern boy, nothing beats good old fried chicken dinner on Sunday. Oh, I know it's not good for you as a regular diet what with all of the scares about cholesterol and fat. But you know what? You can take a day and splurge off of your diet every now and then, and the weekend is the time to do that.

So go out and laugh, love and be happy. Life is to be lived and enjoyed. It's not all about work and politics. You need the weekend to relax and spend time with the one's you love. And it gives you a break from all of the "gloom and doom" that is so prevalent in so many places these days.

God wants you to live life to it's fullest. If you listen to Him, and stay within His guidelines, you might just be surprised at how great life is. Have a wonderful and memorable weekend. And we can always get back to those other aspects of life on Monday.

America, We Really Need to Pray for Our Future

4/26/2013

As I look at the beauty of the meadows and surrounding woods, I am struck by the peace and serenity displayed, totally opposite from the strife and turmoil that is affecting the nation that I love. It's almost as if I don't recognize America anymore, with people at all levels, and especially our weak politicians, looking for easy answers and quick fixes. And I know that there is actually only one easy answer that can save us all: turning to the guidance and grace of our Lord for help. So I offer this prayer for our future:

Dear Lord, America is truly at a crossroads. We have allowed ourselves to be pulled along a path of fundamental change which has been the opposite of what most Americans expected. In so doing, many have turned on Thee, substituting false religions,such as Climate Change or General Big Government for the Way, the Truth, and the Life which is only offered through your grace.

Help us to wake up, to open our hearts and minds to the Holy Spirit and, in so doing, to return to Thee for the answers to life's mysteries. And help us to be strong and steadfast in working to restore America as a nation that values the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount as guidelines for good living. We know that things are not right, and we are troubled by them, so restore our faith and love for Thee to turn this situation around.

And help those amongst us who are misguided to see the error of their ways and to recognize the changes that they also must make. Remind them that you are always forgiving to those who seek the Truth.

Bless us and keep us through these trying times, secure in the knowledge that with Thee all things are possible and through Thee we will find true Salvation.

We ask in Thy name, Amen

Try that prayer or something of your own making. It doesn't matter as long as it comes from your heart. Join with me in recommitting yourself to the return of a God-fearing and trusting America, a land created on God's
foundation.

Have a good day and God bless you all.

What's in common between Benghazi, Boston and Fort Hood?

4/25/2013

As I walked to and from the barn this morning handling my early chores, the Eastern sky went from gray, to pink, to orange through the mist, and I could hear the calls of whippoorwills and roosters, even a few "hoot" owls from the dark forest. The peace and serenity made me think of how lucky I am to live in a place where I can get away from the daily trials and tribulations facing our nation.

But then I remembered all of those other American families who are suffering great losses. The families of Boston Massacre bombing victims, the Benghazi Four relatives, and the brave souls and families who remain after the trauma of the Fort Hood Massacre. Each of these share some common threads. They were all the result of Islamic extremism and all happened under the watch of Barack Obama, who never would publicly link the cause to their source.

Many also suffered through Fast and Furious, where our government was gun-running to Mexico with the resultant death of at least one of our Border Patrol agents and hundreds of innocent Mexican nationals. And it makes me very sad but also very angry.

More and more information is coming out that shows leaders at the very top of our nation not only knew about what was going on, but some were quite complicit in the actions. How can a country founded on God and freedom every fall so far below the standard of good government in such a short period of time?

We citizens must redouble our effort to oversee what the government does and what the consequences of its actions are. We must demand honest honors and punishment as appropriate, and we must seek a better class of political leaders, ones who are true to our foundation as a God-fearing nation and followers of the tenets of the Ten Commandments, which is the ultimate rule of Law. These are good rules to live by , regardless of your religious preference. They protect civility and order as well as represent the will of God.

We must also demand that our President never again shy away from the truth, the falsehoods must stop. And the excuse making for those guilty of Muslim terrorism must be replaced by swift and strong punishment. For at no other time in our history has our governmemt looked the other way in the face of disaster and tried to divert attention from the truth.

Mr. President and Congress, Evangelical Christians and Catholics are not the problem in this country. And turning from the truth will only break this land apart. Stop the madness, face reality, and do what is right, not what is politically correct. Americans expect and deserve no less.

And Americans, never forget what has happened. Keep Benghazi, the Boxton Massacre, and the Fort Hood Massacre fresh in your mind and commit to never letting this happen again. We've got work to do.

Dear Lord: Our nation has lost its way. Political correctness has run amuck, and many of us know and feel that something is dreadfully wrong with our country and its government. May our politicians open their heart to Thy Spirit, and face the fact that we are headed for disaster: morally, politically, financially and socially. Help us to become God-fearing soldiers for the way, the truth and the life, always bravely standing for those things that our heart tells us are right. Hear our prayers for help and guidance, Oh Lord, and replace our fears with strength, knowing that Thy grace is at our side and will always guide us toward the true path to salvation. And may Thy blessings always be given to the United States of America. Amen.

Have a positive day, Believers, and stand strong together.

The Aftermath of the Boston Massacre Grows

4/24/2013

Out here on the farm with its serene beauty and peace, it is easy to forget about the problems of the world and our nation. But I find it impossible to ignore the aftermath of the Boston Massacre and either the incompetence, or the deiliberate deception, that is being spoon fed by the MSM and the current Administration. It is almost unfathomable what is being done to our country.

Two immigrant brothers, one of whom recently became a citizen, plotted and carried out the dastardly attack on runners at the Boston Marathon. Now it comes to light in the Drudge Report that the family was on welfare for a significant period of time while the plot was being hatched. The Boston Herald, not the Globe, was able to gather this information after demanding through state legislators that the information be released.

So there you go folks; taxpayer provided bombing support was apparently the order of the day.

And it also comes to light that 99.5% of illegals end up being cleared to live and work in America. Now I ask you: Do you believe that the level of crime from the illegal community is only 1/2 of 1%? If you do, I have a bridge to sell you.

One of the biggest problems, particularly in the South, has been drunk driving by illegals with disastrous and frequently fatal results. But our government's tolerance shows no end for them. Try that one yourself and see how it works out.

In the aftermath of Boston, and not knowing what sleeper cells may be lying in wait for action anywhere in America, we need to put a hold on this bad immigration bill. It is 850 pages long, and no one has, or cares to, read it. Despite this, the political leaders of the Senate, including many Republicans want to "jam" it through just like Obamacare, and we are beginning to see just how bad that is turning out. Oh, Washington, is there anybody up there who cares about the constituents? Or are they just convenient tools to lie and pander to just before election time?

I'm all for a viable immigration system, but it needs to be one that looks after the needs of Americans first. We are a sovereign country, and it needs to be safe and secure first. No action should be taken on this bill until border security is truly done. And the verification needs to be done by some group other than DHS, the Secretary of which has already said she thinks the border is safe.

Pray for wisdom among our leaders. They must stop this irrational rush to complete a bill which will have disastrous impact on an already bad situation. America must be a place where good citizens can live their lives in peace.

Lord, Give us the strength to be fair but strong. Help us to do what we must to return America to the land of the free, not the land of tyranny. And bless those Patriots and good citizens who are willing to sacrifice to do this. Keep us every mindful of Thy presence, that we might turn to Thee for guidance. For Thy love and care are needed now more than ever. Amen.

A Beautiful Day But the Fiasco Known as Washington Continues

4/23/2013

After several dark and dreary days with some much needed rainfall, today dawns bright and crystal clear. The plants are really greening up and, of course, the grass is growing fast. So, in addition to my writing, it will be a work outside day after barn chores.

I had plannned to comment on some things in Washington when I learned that the internet sales tax has again reared its ugly head. And in usual fashion, Harry Reid and the Dems, and a few Rs, are pushing it fast and hope to put it through without much public knowledge. It seems that big retailers like Wal-Mart and Amazon want it; it will effectively destroy the little guy with an on-line start-up on a small budget.

Since I've written about this before, you might like to read my blog entries for March 20 and April 19. The subjects are the internet sales tax and, additionally, the ridiculous mess we have known as Congress. I have a few suggestions on how Congress needs to be changed. I know these are my "pipe dream" but, honestly, if we don't do something drastic in this country the same old graft, corruption, and elitism will never change. And if it doesn't, the America we used to know and love will finish its descent into the cesspool.

And then, of course, there is the President but that's a subject for another time.

Track and study what's going on to keep yourself informed, then take some time to love the beauty that God has given us. I certainly do, and I am blessed to live in my "little piece of Heaven" where I can easily forget my troubles with nature.

Have a great day and be safe. America "ain't " over yet. God bless you and yours. And never forget the many blessing that He has given each of us. Bye now.

Another Week Arrives, I'm Glad We Had Sunday

4/22/2013

I used to dread Monday and I didn't even know why. Back when I worked in civil service, after my military service and before my private sector work, I hated to see the weekend come to an end. Oh, I had a good job in terms of pay and benefits, but I never found my work fulfilling. It was as if the "system" was so big that it didn't matter what you did or didn't do. Just move along and don't make waves. That was the philosophy.

Now in retirement but working at writing for the love of the art and extra income, things are different. I work at my writing at all times of day and night, whenever the spirit moves me. And I find that the more I work at it, the more the spirit moves me.

And, of course, I have the daily farm chores. These never end. Night or day, 24/7 when the horses are calling, I run. But I love them so it really doesn't seem like work.

And the same applies to my writing. I love to write. One of the reasons I do this blog thing is to keep up the practice when I have the dreaded "writer's block". And every now and then I put something on here that people really like.

But even though most of my days are similar, Sunday is still different. I guess it's taking the time to really spend time with my Maker and giving Him thanks formally that has something to do with it. It just gives me a good feeling and sometimes during the week, with all of the news of bombings and political mumbo-jumbo, it seems like Sunday is a long way past.

The Good Lord certainly knew what He was doing when He created the day of rest. It was to recharge personal batteries and reconnect with loved ones and with Him. Maybe He is trying to tell us to make every day like Sunday. I think we should try to do just that.

Have a great week and remember to thank Him daily for all that you have. It's the least that we can do and it pays wonderful dividends. He listens, and He knows who we are and where we need to take our lives. Let Him help.

God bless.

Praise God for the Rain and Another Sabbath Day

4/21/2013

As it begins to clear on another Sabbath, I thank God for the rain which we needed. It always smells fresh after a rain; all of the dust and pollen in the air is washed away and all is sweet and pure.

On this Sabbath I think of the Lord Jesus as He continues His preparation for the Ascension which comes in only a few short weeks. He is busy presenting Himself to his followers and giving them final training and encouragement for the tough road that lies ahead.

He knows the trials and pain they will suffer in the upcoming years, but He also knows that He has given them the gift that will sustain them; the gift of eternal life through Him.

We also are given the opportunity for eternal life. All that is required of us is to be born again, renewed in Him and live our lives like He would have us do. He knows we are sinners and will falter, but once we are truly saved He knows that we will get back on course.

In a time when our world seems upside down and Americans are frightened about our future, this should be very comforting and tell us not to fear. Be strong, believe in Him and do the absolute best that we can and things will be more than okay; they will ultimately be Heavenly. Praise God for His love and the grace of His Son.

He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the Kingdom of God. Acts1:3, ESV

Have a blessed Sabbath, everyone. God bless you all.