Grandma Martha

Most people who know me are aware of the love I have for "Grandma Martha". Grandma was 98 in May. We could see the life being drained from her body. She began sleeping most of the day. Her memory was playing tricks on her. The only person she consistently recognized was my dad, her only child. She lost her 1st husband ( my grandfather ) in 1969. She later remarried Delbert VanHoy.

 Delbert was a jolly man who brought laughter back into the life of Grandma Martha. They married in 1975, but she was widowed again in 1976. Once again grandma was on her own. That didn't stop her from maintaining a full-time job as the manager of an apartment complex. In 1996 she moved to Fairview, right across the street from me. When she first arrived, she was maintaining an exercise regimen that consisted of walking 2 miles daily. She had several walking partners but she soon was walking alone. Osteoporosis began to take a toll on her body. She didn't complain much, just altered one leg of her slacks so they were even.
I'm really going to miss my 1996 Grandma Martha. I'm waiting to reunite with her in heaven. I miss Grandma Martha.
Much love, Dennis

Why Worry ?

A farmer was driving along the road with a load of natural fertilizer. A little boy, playing in front of his house, saw him and called, "What've you got in your truck?"

" Natural Fertilizer," the farmer replied.

"What are you going to do with it?" asked the little boy.

"Put it on strawberries," answered the farmer.

"You ought to live here," the little boy advised him. "We put sugar and cream on ours."

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                      Worry Is Worthless

 Worry is a complete waste of time and energy.  Pity parties result in a tremendous drain on your body. It may take weeks to fully recover from a party. I’m speaking from experience.

Which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life’s span? — Matthew 6:27

I believe He was saying, “You go to bed tonight and fret and fuss because you’re not five feet, eleven inches tall; you’re only five feet, nine inches. But when you wake up in the morning, you’re still going to be five feet, nine inches.

Worries can be our mental and emotional companions. But Jesus says, in effect, that they’re worthless!

O men of little faith. Do not be anxious then, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘With what shall we clothe ourselves?’ — Matthew 6:31

We waste a lot of precious time becoming anxious about things we have no control over. It won't solve our problems, and we'll never recoup the time we've lost. When we worry, we weigh ourselves down, which can lead to health problems and serious psychological issues. Worrying is a hard habit to kick. When I find myself anxious, my best tool is to concentrate on Bible verses. The more scripture you have memorized, the easier it will be to keep worry on the sidelines. This works for me, I believe it will work for you.
Much love, Dennis
 

 

 

 

Forgiveness

I have been reading about forgiveness. There are very many passages in the Bible concerning forgiveness. Some very reassuring and some very troubling. It's like a tool that can be used for its intended purpose or a tool  misused with a poor outcome.

Romans 4:7

“Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

 

 

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” — Matthew 18:21–22

I read a quote from a secular website that goes something like this: "To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and then realize the prisoner was you".
I think this is a very good summary of both the good and bad consequences of forgiveness.
Much love, Dennis

Mother's Day

Thank You Mom

I now know how often I took you for granted
when I was growing up.
I always assumed you'd be there when I needed you.

I found out just how far you would stretch when you put your plans on hold
and spent 60 days and nights with Cheri and I in a place where we were like castaways.

Everything was different. Nothing looked like home. Your perseverance strengthened me.

Today (Mother's Day) is my open letter of thanks. I hope you know that you are appreciated and loved all 365 days every year.

For all the times I didn't say it before,
Thank You, Mom...I love you very much!
Dennis

My Beautiful Wife of 36 years

Happy anniversary to my wife of 36 years.

I love her more today than I did on our wedding day. She makes most women look inadequate. She is my primary care giver and works full-time. She does all of the yard work and prepares our meals on weekends. She is my best friend and confidant. I hope that we are still best friends when we get to heaven. Here is a joke that has nothing to do with our relationship. :-)
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Three sons left home, went out on their own and prospered. They discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother. The first said: "I built a big house for our mother."
      
      The second said: "I sent her a Mercedes with a driver."
      
      The third said: "You remember how our mother enjoys reading the Bible. Now she can't see very well. So I sent her a remarkable parrot that recites the entire Bible. It took elders in the church 12 years to teach him. Mama just has to name the chapter and verse and the parrot recites it."
      
      Soon thereafter, their mother sent out her letters of thanks.
      
      "Milton," she said, "the house you built is so huge. I live only in one room, but I have to clean the whole house.
      
      "Gerald," she said, "I am too old to travel. I stay most of the time at home so I rarely use the Mercedes. And that driver is so rude! He's a pain!"
      
      "But Donald," she said, "the little chicken you sent was delicious!"

much love, Dennis

St. Patrick's Day

An Irish Bank Robber

It's Saint Patrick's day and an armed hooded robber bursts into the Bank of Ireland and forces the tellers to load a sack full of cash. On his way out the door with the loot one brave Irish customer grabs the hood and pulls it off revealing the robber's face.

The Robber Shoots the Guy Without Hesitation!
He then looks around the bank to see if anyone else has seen him. One of the tellers is looking straight at him and the robber walks over and calmly shoots him also.
Everyone by now is very scared and looking down at the floor.
Did anyone else see my face?' screams the robber.
There are a few moments of silence then one elderly Irish gent, looking down, tentatively raises his hand and says, "I think me wife may have caught a glimpse."
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Saint Patrick's day history.

Like many things the world has embraced a holy day and turned it into a pagan celebration. Saint Patrick's day history is summed up in this short paragraph.
Patrick spread the Word of God across Ireland after he was kidnapped by pirates at age fourteen and sold as a slave to be a shepherd. He later escaped back to his homeland of England where a few years later was given a vision from God to study for the priesthood, and then go back to Ireland. Through all his sufferings his faith in the Lord was tested and proved.
Patrick went on to preach the Gospel all across Ireland (famously using the shamrock as an analogy for the Trinity).

He would build churches there to the glory of God. The quote in this devotional is from his poem of trust in God called

"The Breastplate". An Irish Blessing


May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

And rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

much love, Dennis

political fun

Clocks
A man was walking in the woods and came to a cottage where the walls were covered with clocks. He asked the woman who owned the cottage what all the clocks were for.

She replied that everyone in the world had a clock, and every time you told a lie your clock advanced a second.
...

He saw a clock that was hardly moving and when he remarked about it he was told that it was Mother Teresa's.

He then asked where Hillary Clinton's clock was.

The woman replied, "It's in the kitchen, we're using it as a ceiling fan." this is of course a joke. We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory. However we have a savior who  has paid the price for all of our sins.

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I've had some questions about following my blog. you can click on

you can click on the button marked follow me on "bloglovin" you can then submit your email address and it will notify you when there is a new post available.

Now let's shift gears.  :-)

 

Woodlawn the movie

I watched this entire movie last night. It was motivational to say the least. This is a true story with very little editing. The main character is two years older than me. I never knew how much of a charmed life I lead in my youth. To God may all the glory be given. Forgive me Lord, for I have sinned.

much love, Dennis