tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74590213378152234142024-02-20T14:49:29.169-06:00Dear Diary It's Me~DonnaAbout Me
Hello & Welcome! My name is Donna. I am 48. I am a Christian, A wife to a wonderful man named Mark coming up on 28 years this March! We dated 2 years before getting married. We have two wonderful grown children. I Love being a Mom and a grandma!ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-90498657657022191002012-08-12T23:22:00.002-05:002012-08-12T23:22:49.968-05:00A Forgiving Father<table style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; width: 550px;"><tbody>
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<b>As the Father of the man whom you took part in murdering, I have something very important to say to you. I forgive you. With all My heart, I forgive you. I realize it may be hard for you to believe, but I really do.<br /><br />At the trial, when you confessed to your part in the events that cost My Son his life and asked for My forgiveness, I immediately granted you that forgiving love from My heart. I can only hope you believe Me and will accept My forgiveness.<br /><br />But this is not all I have to say to you. I want to make you an offer -- I want you to become My adopted child. You see, My Son who died was My only child, and I now want to share My life with you and leave My riches to you. This may not make sense to you or anyone else, but I believe you are worth the offer. I have arranged matters so that if you will receive My offer of forgiveness, not only will you be pardoned for your crime, but you also will be set free from your imprisonment, and your sentence of death will be dismissed. At that point, you will become My adopted child and heir to all My riches.<br /><br />I realize this is a risky offer for Me to make to you. You might be tempted to reject My offer completely, but I make it to you without reservation. Also, I realize it may seem foolish to make such an offer to one who cost My Son his life, but I now have a great love and unchangeable forgiveness in My heart for you.<br /><br />Finally, you may be concerned that once you accept My offer you may do something to cause you to be denied your rights as an heir to My wealth.<br /><br />Nothing could be further from the truth. If I can forgive you for your part in My Son's death, I can forgive you for anything. I know you will never be perfect, but you do not have to be perfect to receive My offer.<br /><br />Besides, I believe that once you have accepted My offer and begin to experience the riches that will come to you from Me, that your primary (though not always) response will be gratitude and loyalty. Some would call Me foolish for My offer to you, but I wish for you to call Me your Father.<br /><br />With love,<br /><br />The Father of Jesus</b><br />
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<b>Until next time...</b><br />
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</tbody></table>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-9158807189948135592012-08-05T21:14:00.000-05:002012-08-05T21:17:29.988-05:00I Hate Toothache's! Just Venting here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">I like anyone else hates a toothache! The picture above is my focal point.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">I'd love to be sitting there at the table with a good book a nice cup of hot tea and listening to the rain. I love the rain & the unique sound it makes on different homes and buildings. It rained today in fact. But all I could think of was the stupid toothache. It's coming up on four days of toothache pain. I have used salt water-constantly. Peroxide with a dash of cool mint Listerine (to take the terrible taste of the peroxide down a notch) And rinsing with Jack Daniel Whiskey-straight. Plus living off of aspirins to help alleviate the pain. I do get relief. Sometimes for hours-Thank God! But I am also in a situation that many other Americans are finding themselves in. No medical, or dental insurance. I can't just walk into an office and put down a co-pay and see a dentist. If I walk into a dentist office it had better be with cold hard cash. Which is not going to happen anytime soon. We are a one person income family. And that is my precious husband Mark. He works so hard and takes every extra shift and over time he can handle. He works for a large sign company. Which means he works every day out in the sun. he never complains. He's amazing. His company does offers medical, dental & eye insurance. But You have to be with the company for a year. That's in about 6 weeks for Mark. But the packages they offer is absurd! It's like $130.00 a pay check! And that's just for the two of us. So that's what $520.00 a month out of his checks. What do you do-when your already just making it from pay check to pay check? And spend the rest of the time grabbing over time just to make sure we have enough food or money for medicine. I know we are not the only ones in this situation. It seems like more and more hard working people are lacking more and more. Companies are taking advantage of this-I believe. Giving qualified workers less pay. High Insurance options etc...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">Were in the process of trying to get State health Care. But were months away with all the paper work that we need to submit. Then the appointments and whatever other hoops we need to go through. And it's not just people who work. Lord knows how hard it must be for those who don't have a job! Mark was without a job for over two-years when the recession hit. No one would hire you. It was so scary! I was so thankful for the Unemployment checks that we did get. And thank God for food banks! So really it seems like everyone for the most part are suffering in one way or the other. And all the while when we get sick, get hurt or need a specialist we have no where to turn. It's discouraging. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">So, for time time being I will just have to use the salt water, peroxide, aspirins and the whiskey to try and keep the pain at bay. Anyone else have home remedies that work for a toothache? if so, please leave a comment!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">Wishing everyone in the Blogs sphere a wonderful week & good health!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">Until next time...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-79040426993121156522012-07-30T12:41:00.000-05:002012-07-30T12:41:40.571-05:00Be An Encourager<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #333399; font-size: small;"><b><i>I was reading an encouraging story a few minutes ago. At first it seems like a negative story. But keep reading.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-left;"><b>Be An Encourager</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-left;"><b><i><span style="color: #000099; font-size: small;">This may seem like common sense to some, but it's so very important to be an encourager and not a source of negativity. It goes beyond what you even realize.<br /><br />With so many people in the world telling us we can't succeed, we need to hear people telling us we can.<br /><br />I remember my high school English teacher telling me not to apply to Cornell University because they wouldn't accept me and even if they did I wouldn't be able to do the work. (It's funny that I'm a writer now).<br /><br />I almost didn't apply but a few days later I saw Ivan Foldfarb, a former teacher, in the hallway and asked him about Cornell. He said, "If you get in, then you go. You can do it." His words made all the difference. I applied, was accepted and majored in Lacrosse.<br /><br />Too often we think it's our role to inject a dose of "reality" into someone's life. We think it's our job to protect people from the pain of failure and defeat. We think we must point out how bad the economy is and how horrible the job market is and how the sky is falling. We think that dreams were meant for others.<br /><br />I say there are enough pessimists and "realists" in the world. The world doesn't need more negativity and impossible thinkers. The world needs more optimists, encourager's, and inspires.<br /><br />The world needs more people to speak into the hearts of others and say "I believe in you." "Follow your passion and live your purpose." "If you have the desire then you also have the power to make it happen." "Keep working hard." "You're improving and getting better. Keep it up." "The economy is tough but you can still grow your business." "The job market is not great but I believe you'll find the right job for you." "We've hit a lot of obstacles but we'll get the project finished." "Even if you fail it will lead to something even better." "You're learning and growing."<br /><br />When it comes to encouragement I know that every one of us loves working for and with people who bring out the best in us. We love being around people who uplift us and make us feel great.<br /><br />And while we'll always remember the negative people who told us we couldn't accomplish something, we will always cherish and hold a special place in our heart for those who encouraged us.<br /><br />Today I want to encourage you to be an encourager. So often the difference between success and failure is belief. And so often that belief is instilled in us by someone who encouraged us.<br /><br />Today decide to be that person who instills a positive belief in someone who needs to hear your encouraging words. Uplift someone who is feeling down. Fuel your team with your positive energy. Rally others to focus on what is possible rather than what seems impossible.<br />Share encouragement. It matters and we all need it.</span></i></b><br />
<span style="color: #000099; font-size: small;"><b><i>My Thoughts~There are always going to be those who want to discourage you, bring you down, make you feel small so that they can feel bigger. Were always going to have the constant doom and gloomers who believe why change things? It's to much work.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #000099; font-size: small;"><b><i>Well it's not to much work. You and I like the gentleman who wrote the article can achieve what ever dreams we have! It won't be an instant thing or easy. But it will be worth it. It gives us a purpose.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #000099; font-size: small;"><b><i>In God's word He speaks to us about the people in this story. The negative ones and the encouraging ones. He says this.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #000099; font-size: small;"><b><i>Proverbs 18:21~</i></b></span><b style="color: #000099; font-size: medium;"><i>Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat it's fruit.</i></b><br />
<span style="color: #000099; font-size: small;"><b><i>We can either speak blessings or curses through our words. The first teacher spoke curses over this young man. The second teacher spoke blessings into his life.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #000099; font-size: small;"><b><i>So if you have been in this situation-it's up for you and I, to choose which we will take. Blessings or curses. I hope you will always choose the blessings that those who are encourager's will speak over you.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #000099; font-size: small;"><b><i>Until next time...</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #000099; font-size: small;"><b><i> </i></b></span></span></div>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-27484106672971207142012-07-26T12:02:00.000-05:002012-07-26T12:02:20.185-05:00Perception-A Personal Reality<br />
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<span lang="EN"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>Thought's Running Through My Head<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>I wrote this over a week ago and tucked it away. I thought today would be a good day to post it. I'm not sure why? Maybe someone out there needs to hear it today.</b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>July/16/2012<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>Sometimes things just pop into your head. That's me-most of the time.
Especially since I spend 3/4 of all my days alone. I am angry the most that I
can no longer drive. Driving has always equaled freedom. Freedom to just hop in
the car and go. I miss that so much. I see B. Mark & Boo hop into their
vehicles and go. They have no clue just how lucky they are. Mostly because we
all take little things for granted. That is until their gone.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>I have been trapped inside my home for several yrs now. Not that my precious
family hasn't tried getting me out into the world. But for some reason, my
backwards thinking lol. My home is like the sea. The outside is the beach. If
you put a fish from the sea onto dry land it will flip and flop in desperation
to return to the sea. That is my analogy of myself. Once I realized I could not
drive any more-what was there left to do? I mean really. I'm home and I have no
way to get any where. Again not that my family has not tried on their days off.
I think they finally gave up asking me. Who can blame them?<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>It's funny. Sometimes I express my anger at not being able to do things.
What things would I do? I haven't a clue. It's the principle of the matter
here. Anyway's, back on track. B. Mark and sometimes Boo-will make a comment
when I'm expressing this anger. Like, well get out there and do something,
volunteer, etc. Really? How the heck am I supposed to do that? Then I sometimes
calmly remind them that I can't drive any more! And what they and
others do not realize it's not the fact that they try-God love em. But that
because when you lose a freedom like this, rather you like it or not, you
become a part of your environment. I stay in the house so much-that to me this
has become normal to me. Get me outside and panic ensues!<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>It's kind of what happened with B. Mark but on a grander scale as he was
fighting for his life. But the perception you see can be misleading. This
happened when B. Mark was coming out of his coma 6 1/2 yrs. ago. he had lived
and breathed over 6 weeks via a ventilator. Mark's body had begun to finally
start healing enough-that The Dr's said it was time to slowly wake B. Mark up!!
When the therapist tried very slowly over several days to wing B. Mark off of
the ventilator he would panic! BP went up, anxiety went up, everything seemed
to go up every time they tried this. I finally had to ask why was this
happening. Why couldn't Mark just start breathing on his own.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>The therapist explained that sometimes patients perceive and believe that
they can no longer breath on their own. Mark's ocean (fish allegory) was the
ventilator.The dry beach was where B.
Mark would flip and flop. As he believed that the ocean was the safest place to
be. In reality he as I had it backwards.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>The therapist tried and tried to help Mark get off the ventilator but to no
avail. I was called in and told that B. Mark would have to be sent to a
"facility" for those who needed to stay on the ventilator longer.
Even though the therapist and I and all the Drs. knew Mark could breath without
it. Mark didn't believe it. <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>So I went into ICU and calmly talked to Mark. yes, he's in a coma. But I am
a firm believer that coma patients can hear you. So I went over to Mark's bed.
I told Mark that I knew he was scared of letting go of his life line. But that
he could and he needed to try. I assured him nothing bad would happen and if he
panicked we were all right there to up the respirator. Then a wonderful thing
happened a few days later. I walked into his room in ICU and the therapist is
smiling. She says to me-guess what! I'm like what! She said that Mark took 3
breaths on his own in an hour! Now that may seem insignificant to some. But
this was a break through! Mark tried breathing on his own and he did! We still
had a long way to go but at least Mark's perception was changing. The day
finally came when the very happy wife, therapist Dr's & nurses watched as
the ventilator was removed from B. Mark's room. <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>How in the world did this all play into me not being able to drive! I guess
it's because most of us have a false perception in our lives. Where the
abnormal somehow becomes normal to us. I am no where close into how I am going
to try and change my perception and realize that the beach is the real world
and that I can survive it.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>It's a journey, so I'll try and post the progress.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>Until next time....Donna</b></span></span></div>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-18178901902031719092012-07-26T11:41:00.002-05:002012-07-26T11:41:41.564-05:00Learning From Geese<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2jGbdghNOZ5aJrb1oEnJjWL8NhANQW87mGfeqQUz3XG9vsCYnbtVE32NLbB0wP8C839cd5U4YpRYAeor02hfUUYgF4N_V1r53JrD_KkX5JgctpY1jq_iYJ5WMA6H2Rkr8A_tD5Br5JcV/s1600/Donna+Dazzling+Fireflies+Beach+Walkway+Beautiful.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2jGbdghNOZ5aJrb1oEnJjWL8NhANQW87mGfeqQUz3XG9vsCYnbtVE32NLbB0wP8C839cd5U4YpRYAeor02hfUUYgF4N_V1r53JrD_KkX5JgctpY1jq_iYJ5WMA6H2Rkr8A_tD5Br5JcV/s320/Donna+Dazzling+Fireflies+Beach+Walkway+Beautiful.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td align="left"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Learning From Geese</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="color: black; font-size: small;">
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<b><span style="color: #674ea7;">It seems we can learn a lot from geese. Here are some facts and lessons about them. :)<br /><br /><br />We live in an area where geese are very common. We see them coming in the Fall and leaving early Spring. Their migration is an awesome sight. There is an interdependence in the way geese function.<br /><br />FACT: As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an "uplift" for the bird following. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.<br /><br />LESSON: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another. A shared vision and sense of purpose create synergy, making the going a little easier for all.<br /><br />FACT: Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone. It quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the "lifting power" of the bird immediately in front.<br /><br />LESSON: If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those we see who are headed where we want to go.<br /><br />FACT: When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies at the point position.<br /><br />LESSON: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership -- people, as with geese, are interdependent upon one another.<br /><br />FACT: The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.<br /><br />LESSON: Positive encouragement is a strong motivator. We need to make sure our "honking" from behind is empowering, and not something less helpful.<br /><br />FACT: When a goose gets sick or wounded, two geese drop out of formation to follow him or her down to help and protect their fallen companion. They stay with him/her until [s]he is either able to fly again or dies. Then they launch out on their own with another formation or catch up with their flock.<br /><br />LESSON: If we have as much sense as the geese, we will learn to stand by each other as we are achieving our goals.</span></b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td align="left"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>More GodVine<br /><br />Until next time...Donna<br /></strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-68360695284004156792012-07-23T11:41:00.001-05:002012-07-23T11:42:00.260-05:00<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">My Thought’s On The Picketing Of Sage Stallone’s Funeral</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">This post was from a writing I did several days ago.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">This morning I was reading an article on Sylvester Stallone and Sasha, Sage’s Mother about their son Sage’s-death. Sage was 36 & passed away on July 13 2012. The article captures my attention because the title reads….</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">Sage Stallone Death: Westboro Baptist Church Plans To Picket Actor’s Funeral on account of his “adulterous dad,” Sylvester Stallone. After it was announced that the 36-year-old actor had died on July 13, Margie Phelps, daughter of Westboro leader Fred Phelps, tweeted to her 5,600 followers, urging them to picket Stallone’s funeral.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">What!!! I am so angry & hurt right now. I am a Christian & I love Jesus. What they are doing Is NOT in the least being a Christian! No wonder the world laughs at Christians! No wonder Christians get smug looks, when they try & share the Salvation of Jesus Christ with them. I mean why would they? Here we as Christian’s talk about God’s love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, acceptance. Then in the same breath a church who is supposed to be carrying the message of God’s love-wants to picket a funeral! All because they say his father is an adulterous? Where’s the love, compassion in this?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">Let me say this. Christian’s are not perfect. Not by any means. We all fall down. We all make mistakes. But to reach out this far with hatered in their hearts is not what Christianity is about. Like anything in life, your going to have the radical people that want to stir the pot. But what they don’t realize is the damage they are doing to so many that are lost and hurting out there. The one’s who feel they have no hope. The ones who are standing at the church doors Sunday mornings pacing back and forth before deciding to take a chance and open the door. Deciding too walk into the sanctuary. Fear ensues them. Will I be accepted? Will they judge me on what I’m wearing, have I messed up so bad that God won’t forgive me? And so many, many other un-answered questions. I was at this spot twenty-one yrs ago. So I’ll be honest. Yes “some” of the people there will look at you and judge you. There will be the clicks that think your not “good” enough for their get together’s. But there are many, many others that will open their hands to you. You’ll either get a hand shake or a hug. Maybe even both. There is warmth and security in this kind of acceptance. Especially when you have felt like an outsider for so long. You took that chance. You opened the doors to the church. Not knowing what to expect. Looking for hope. Let me also say this. That people will let you down. The church will let you down. But that question you had in your mind-the one that wonders if you’ve messed up to much for God to accept you. Too love you. I can say 100% never. There is nothing under heaven that you can do that God won’t forgive. Nothing. Because God loved us while we were yet sinners. God didn’t start loving you when you came to him. When you walked into that church. No, God loved you while you were yet a sinner. Romans 3:23-for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:24-and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">Yet, this church-or actually some of the people from the church who are participating in this picketing is telling other’s by their actions that God only loves certain people, certain clicks or groups. This is called religion-not Christianity! Anyone can act religious and pompous. Puff themselves up enough to where they feel they have the right to judge others! Not true! We have all sinned. Rather your a Christian or not. We all sin. Every day. Were human beings. Flesh and blood. Does that mean we mock God and do what ever we want? Of course not. Because when you accept Jesus into your heart, there is a peace that nothing on earth could even come close to. And you have a new heart. A heart for God. God does not make us change we want to change. God does not demand for us to change instantly. Or to give up every bad habit right then and there. Why? Because God gave us free will. Free will is just that-a choice. So when you start to see good things change in your life it’s because Jesus lives in your heart. You no longer want to do the old things you once did. Hang out with the so called “in” crowd etc. Do all these changes happen over night? No. God will continue to work on us until Jesus calls us home.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">My gosh I always seem to go around the bend when sharing my thoughts. But that’s the way my mind works *smile.*</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">But I have said all this while thinking out loud. God loves Sylvester Stallone. God loves us all. And in the word of God the Holy Bible there is a scripture that talks about this very thing that is happening at this church. I’ll share it with you. John 8:7-11 ESV</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">Romans 8:9-11- But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. V 10-Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” V 11-She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">This is the pure love of God. All that are picketing this funeral are acting just like those who thought their sins were hidden. That her sin was greater. They were ready to throw her to the wolves. But God see’s our inner most being, Our soul and all it’s dark places. So he called them out on it. Once it was realized that their sins came into play no one, not one could throw the first stone.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">I pray that there will be those who will speak up and say this same thing to the picketing crowd.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">Who of you is without sin!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">I pray for Sylvester, Sage’s Mom, family, friends. That by the grace of God the Pastor of this church would step in. That the ones filled with anger and maybe even hatred-will listen to that still small voice of God-telling them that what they are doing does not bring glory to God. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">here is the link to the article in case you didn’t see it this morning.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/16/sage-stallone-death-westboro-church-picket-_n_1676362.html?ncid=webmail2"></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/16/sage-stallone-death-westboro-church-picket-_n_1676362.html?ncid=webmail2">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/16/sage-stallone-death-westboro-church-picket-_n_1676362.html?ncid=webmail2</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">Until next time~Donna</span></div>
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</div>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-5120657568350687242012-05-31T19:15:00.000-05:002012-05-31T19:15:15.903-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZY4Bhm3mjIN_90nlkD_uss6rLg-FDyTrzvokRKTAXMK-uUZrZ_igkBiMRnck1B9g_3YUPnBZYdbKYR6JAA2HZVIoh-AZLJJbqHhqw3ZNj3-9H0qCPdkSxYtCPUC3PrUE6XMYatkalO4Rf/s1600/To+You+With+Love+Jesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZY4Bhm3mjIN_90nlkD_uss6rLg-FDyTrzvokRKTAXMK-uUZrZ_igkBiMRnck1B9g_3YUPnBZYdbKYR6JAA2HZVIoh-AZLJJbqHhqw3ZNj3-9H0qCPdkSxYtCPUC3PrUE6XMYatkalO4Rf/s320/To+You+With+Love+Jesus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td align="left"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong>Mikey and the Mud Puddle</strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Howard County Sheriff Jerry Marr got a disturbing call one Saturday afternoon a few months ago. His 6-year-old grandson Mikey had been hit by a car while fishing in Greentown with his dad.<br /><br />The father and son were near a bridge by the Kokomo Reservoir when a woman lost control of her car, slid off the bridge and hit Mikey at a rate of about 50 mph. Sheriff Marr had seen the results of accidents like this and feared the worst. When he got to Saint Joseph Hospital , he rushed through the emergency room to find Mikey conscious and in fairly good spirits.<br /><br />"Mikey, what happened?" Sheriff Marr asked. Mikey replied, "Well, Papaw, I was fishin' with Dad, and some lady runned me over, I flew into a mud puddle, and broke my fishin' pole and I didn't get to catch no fish!"<br /><br />As it turned out, the impact propelled Mikey about 500 feet, over a few trees and an embankment and in to the middle of a mud puddle. His only injuries were to his right femur bone, which had broken in two places. Mikey had surgery to place pins in his leg. Otherwise the boy is fine.<br /><br />Since all the boy could talk about was that his fishing pole was broken, the Sheriff went out to Wal-Mart and bought him a new one while he was in surgery so he could have it when he came out.<br /><br />The next day the Sheriff sat with Mikey to keep him company in the hospital. Mikey was enjoying his new fishing pole and talked about when he could go fishing again as he cast into the trash can.<br /><br />When they were alone Mikey, just as matter-of-fact, said, "Papaw, did you know Jesus is real?"<br /><br />"Well," the Sheriff replied, a little startled. "Yes, Jesus is real to all who believe in him and love him in their hearts."<br /><br />"No," said Mikey. "I mean Jesus is REALLY real."<br /><br />"What do you mean?" asked the Sheriff.<br /><br />"I know he's real 'cause I saw him," said Mikey, still casting into the trash can.<br />"You did?" said the Sheriff.<br /><br />"Yep," said Mikey. "When that lady runned me over and broke my fishing pole,<br />Jesus caught me in his arms and laid me down in the mud puddle."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Courtesy of~www.godvine.com</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48X-0QKZcTTwqG5NXz68eAujobQZV8QocXVdCrNj6Aj5LGCzMb3ePWuy6smYQ6Ci72dEnFqweqXztijkwcAFm4aqKM8rRskxIqBCpyDItE7Gq6quFpeaLkU3h-bgR43_oI7dwKkWfITHY/s1600/BLANK+JesusAsAShepherdWithABabyLamb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48X-0QKZcTTwqG5NXz68eAujobQZV8QocXVdCrNj6Aj5LGCzMb3ePWuy6smYQ6Ci72dEnFqweqXztijkwcAFm4aqKM8rRskxIqBCpyDItE7Gq6quFpeaLkU3h-bgR43_oI7dwKkWfITHY/s320/BLANK+JesusAsAShepherdWithABabyLamb.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">HUGS & Blessings~Donna</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-9892907081263013352012-05-30T06:26:00.001-05:002012-05-30T06:26:13.700-05:00Pics: The best of Peter Carl Faberge's exquisite eggs - Tech News - IBNLive<a href="http://ibnlive.in.com/news/pics-peter-carl-faberges-exquisite-eggs/262919-11.html#">Pics: The best of Peter Carl Faberge's exquisite eggs - Tech News - IBNLive</a>: <br />
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<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'via Blog this'</a><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b>Here is one of the most Exquisite <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Faberge egg's in my opinion. Enjoy looking at the</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>others in this gallery. They are all very beautiful.</b></span></span><br />
<img src="http://static.ibnlive.com/pix/sitepix/05_2012/08-peter-carl-faberge-egg-300512.jpg" />ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-81508308414933494212012-05-25T15:00:00.001-05:002012-05-25T15:00:37.595-05:00I Searched For You<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'via Blog this'</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiSNP_R_v5xE-8sEmm34UYTLrKY5IZ_lyF3pPkpe1_eqloredi8AG-QSRm4ZGgWs7EPMxIgl7W6elWYyCeBoQ6KnVnCE6mc2EoFdaQDBxAfbyRnxCxiLD-bOj_64G95vm7cpklucu5tIB/s1600/BLANK+Jesus+in+Red+Robe+Knocking+At+The+Door.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiSNP_R_v5xE-8sEmm34UYTLrKY5IZ_lyF3pPkpe1_eqloredi8AG-QSRm4ZGgWs7EPMxIgl7W6elWYyCeBoQ6KnVnCE6mc2EoFdaQDBxAfbyRnxCxiLD-bOj_64G95vm7cpklucu5tIB/s320/BLANK+Jesus+in+Red+Robe+Knocking+At+The+Door.gif" width="212" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwK9etmZ17M5uodSLsD6LJ94dELKQLd6FqA0OrF0X-0LbtS7u_zVeCzTmzyJ9G9PztaPj80vEZVLHdWPko' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><h1 id="watch-headline-title" style="background-color: #ebebeb; border: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; height: 1.1363em; line-height: 1.1363em; margin: 0px 0px 5px; max-height: 1.1363em; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="long-title" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; letter-spacing: -0.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="Hallelujah by Three Talented Girls - Jodi, Alana and Morgan.flv"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"> Hallelujah by Three Talented Girls - Jodi, Alana & Morgan</span></span><span class="long-title" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 0.9166em; letter-spacing: -0.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="Hallelujah by Three Talented Girls - Jodi, Alana and Morgan.flv"> </span></h1><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Please watch this beautiful & encouraging</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">song. Sung by three beautiful Godly</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">women. It's life changing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h1 id="watch-headline-title" style="background-color: #ebebeb; border: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; height: 1.1363em; line-height: 1.1363em; margin: 0px 0px 5px; max-height: 1.1363em; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I Searched Heaven </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For You </span><br />
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</span></strong></div><div align="center" style="background-color: white;"><strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Last night I dreamed I went to Heaven</span></strong></div><div align="center" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>My time on earth was through.<br />
And as I admired God's glorious land<br />
I began to look for you.<br />
</strong><strong>I knew that before I was called home,<br />
Your time had come to die.<br />
But as I searched in every mansion,<br />
In helplessness I asked Him "Why?"<br />
</strong><strong>I began to remember how close we were<br />
When in this world we lived.<br />
But then I remembered that never once<br />
Did we talk about God's Gift.</strong><br />
<strong>Then in an instant I was transferred<br />
To a place that was void of God.<br />
The screams and cries got louder and louder,<br />
The flames were high and hot.</strong><br />
<strong>Then a voice said "You desired to see<br />
The friend that you once loved.<br />
He's down here with Satan where people go<br />
Who knew not the Lord above</strong>."<br />
<br />
<strong>Then I saw you walking through<br />
The flames that lept so high,<br />
Picking up bodies by the head<br />
And looking them in the eyes.</strong><br />
<strong>Someone said you were looking for<br />
The preachers who lied to you.<br />
Then I remembered how you went to church,<br />
At least a time or two.</strong><br />
<strong>Then I went back to where Jesus was,<br />
And cried that now I knew:<br />
You'd spend forever in a place called Hell.<br />
If only I'd witnessed to you!</strong><br />
<strong>Then I awoke and realized<br />
It all was just a dream.<br />
Now I have another chance;<br />
It's not as bad as it had seemed.</strong><br />
<strong>God said "I've told you what to do.<br />
Go and share My Word.<br />
One can't have faith and believe<br />
In something they've never heard."</strong><br />
<strong>I thanked Him for another day,<br />
An opportunity to serve my Lord,<br />
And a chance to do what I neglected<br />
All the days that went before.</strong><strong>Author Unknown</strong></span></div><div align="center" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong><br />
</strong></span></div><div align="center" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>HUGS & Blessing to all that read it</strong></span></div><div align="center" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>and share Jesus with others. Just as</strong></span></div><div align="center" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>I am now doing with you.</strong></span></div><div align="center" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong><br />
</strong></span></div><div align="center" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Donna</strong></span></div><div align="center" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong><br />
</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfiQV0eTpYOecl3rCECTtxoh8GjJHgCXMi0SUa2h22HnATUEAMZPRcwSPxFkpolkA3mHKhs1cULXPB_LpmB8Am2Mp9dgYNXkVHgB-LYKGQAY7BbGxmeYqyuavYxiTiz6znb90VeE1zrW5/s1600/BLANK+Jesus+Carrying+His+Cross.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfiQV0eTpYOecl3rCECTtxoh8GjJHgCXMi0SUa2h22HnATUEAMZPRcwSPxFkpolkA3mHKhs1cULXPB_LpmB8Am2Mp9dgYNXkVHgB-LYKGQAY7BbGxmeYqyuavYxiTiz6znb90VeE1zrW5/s1600/BLANK+Jesus+Carrying+His+Cross.gif" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong><br />
</strong></span></div>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-37957724112378658132012-05-25T08:44:00.003-05:002012-05-25T08:44:49.889-05:00Enchanted Serenity of Period Films: MEET THE CHARACTERS OF DOWNTON ABBEY<a href="http://enchantedserenityperiodfilms.blogspot.com/2010/09/meet-characters-of-downton-abbey.html">Enchanted Serenity of Period Films: MEET THE CHARACTERS OF DOWNTON ABBEY</a>: <br />
<br />
<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'via Blog this'</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">This has got to be one of my most favorite shows from PBS & BBC. Check out the link above. Will be going into season 3 in 2013. I can't wait! Check out the link above.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">I am sure there is a way to watch all of season 1 and 2 online.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SywctJ3f4Fa5a3YqSdsUNE3YB9J3-LCsGSG8z2k316JwtHbFYv4TA9karVrdLSVgS0P9m9jJtqHZirFHQ4MnpGTV5HKMHNUYPeAweQsOnVdHMDotgkz2oOs9YS0PAXoY1moF8_gVdFBO/s1600/DonnaESS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SywctJ3f4Fa5a3YqSdsUNE3YB9J3-LCsGSG8z2k316JwtHbFYv4TA9karVrdLSVgS0P9m9jJtqHZirFHQ4MnpGTV5HKMHNUYPeAweQsOnVdHMDotgkz2oOs9YS0PAXoY1moF8_gVdFBO/s1600/DonnaESS.jpg" /></a></div>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-48908396234956480632012-05-25T08:44:00.001-05:002012-05-25T08:44:30.907-05:00Enchanted Serenity of Period Films: MEET THE CHARACTERS OF DOWNTON ABBEY<a href="http://enchantedserenityperiodfilms.blogspot.com/2010/09/meet-characters-of-downton-abbey.html">Enchanted Serenity of Period Films: MEET THE CHARACTERS OF DOWNTON ABBEY</a>: <br />
<br />
<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'via Blog this'</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">This has got to be one of my most favorite shows from PBS & BBC. Check out the link above. Will be going into season 3 in 2013. I can't wait! Check out the link above.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">I am sure there is a way to watch all of season 1 and 2 online.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SywctJ3f4Fa5a3YqSdsUNE3YB9J3-LCsGSG8z2k316JwtHbFYv4TA9karVrdLSVgS0P9m9jJtqHZirFHQ4MnpGTV5HKMHNUYPeAweQsOnVdHMDotgkz2oOs9YS0PAXoY1moF8_gVdFBO/s1600/DonnaESS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SywctJ3f4Fa5a3YqSdsUNE3YB9J3-LCsGSG8z2k316JwtHbFYv4TA9karVrdLSVgS0P9m9jJtqHZirFHQ4MnpGTV5HKMHNUYPeAweQsOnVdHMDotgkz2oOs9YS0PAXoY1moF8_gVdFBO/s1600/DonnaESS.jpg" /></a></div>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-4732600376436707862012-04-01T09:26:00.001-05:002012-04-01T09:26:14.585-05:00Epicurious.com: Recipes, Menus, Cooking Articles & Food Guides<a href="http://www.epicurious.com/">Epicurious.com: Recipes, Menus, Cooking Articles & Food Guides</a>: <br />
<br />
<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'via Blog this'</a>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-40857990112155457642012-04-01T08:28:00.001-05:002012-04-01T08:28:43.738-05:00About the Hostess | Can You Stay For Dinner?<a href="http://www.canyoustayfordinner.com/about/">About the Hostess | Can You Stay For Dinner?</a>: "Five years ago I lost 135 lbs and have maintained it ever since. I started this blog because I wanted to share my own walk through life, loss, and love of food. I had a library to fill with my thoughts on food, eating, and what goes best with chocolate. A zillion and one dishes in my recipe box. A kitchen to invite you all into."<br />
<br />
<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'via Blog this'</a>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-5273932866167755592011-07-27T06:30:00.000-05:002011-07-27T06:30:22.428-05:00Who Has Ever Done A Meme?<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got hooked on Meme's when I was a part of the AOL journal group yrs ago lol. This Meme came from a great lady name Chrissy. I wish I knew how to find her over here on Blogger.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 27px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">originally</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> posted on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">11/30/07</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I will share my answers in a few days :-). </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; white-space: nowrap;">Please link this post and let me know if you have participated</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; white-space: nowrap;">in the Meme. I want to come visit and see all of your fun answers :-).</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2oUwHOlq2NnEwQI4qy_JV1hsTxtJZzUiyGVp-Tg_sIoVN5dkFhD6G6ghJbukB_vYs8S7_iiEhoUkueu_SrleBsSo9_dA8g-SJMG7y9cPhyphenhyphenQJzPZ0GEN0SRu1mBJ9D5zdh5Ve6JEIXJ4U/s1600-r/pic%3Fid=4c30QwPca50NjBLQ4IqulES3ZWOAbreWZv*Lv4xQp5Fd3Ig%3D%26size%3Dm" style="cursor: move;" /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. If your doctor told you TODAY that you were pregnant, what would you say? </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Do you trust all of your friends?<br />
3. Would you move to another state or country to be with the one you love?<br />
4. Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?<br />
5. Can you make a dollar in change right now?<br />
6. Which one of your friends do you think would make the best doctor? </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7. Are you afraid of falling in love?<br />
8. What is your favorite color and why?</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9. Is there someone who pops into your mind at random times?<br />
10. Whats your most favorite scar?<br />
11. When was the last time you flew in a plane?<br />
12. What did the last text message you sent say?</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">14. Fill in the blank. I love: </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">17. How many kids do you want to have?<br />
18. Would you make a good parent? </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">19. On your Myspace/FB where was your default picture taken?<br />
20. Whats your middle name?<br />
21. Honestly, whats on your mind right now? </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">22. If you could go back in time and change something, what would it be?<br />
23. Who was or will be the maid of honor/ best man in your wedding?<br />
24. What are you wearing right now?<br />
25. Righty or Lefty?<br />
26. Best place to eat?<br />
27. Favorite jeans?<br />
28. Favorite animal?<br />
29. Favorite juice?<br />
30. Have you had the chicken pox?<br />
31. Have you had a sore throat? </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">32. Ever had a bar fight?<br />
33. Who knows you the best?<br />
34. Shoe size?<br />
35. Do you wear contact lenses or glasses?<br />
36. Ever been in a fight with your pet?<br />
37. Been to Mexico?<br />
38. Did you buy something today?<br />
39. Did you get sick today?<br />
40. Do you miss someone today?<br />
41. Did you get in a fight with someone today?<br />
42. When is the last time you had a massage?<br />
43. Last person to lay in your bed?<br />
44. Last person to see you cry?<br />
45. Who made you cry?<br />
46. What was the last TV show you watched?<br />
47. What are your plans for the weekend?<br />
48. Who do you think will play along? Not sure. But I hope many.<br />
49. Who was the last person you hung out with?<br />
50. If your "significant other" asked you to marry them TODAY what would you say? </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Copy and play along.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">HUGS~Donna</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4CjlO2pwcb-5Ww4BPc2MQuelYBhFOp7DFg4iOFP2imfjBcllwzhVsPaLpnjxbhGFi5Iw7v067oV71onvuy6h8x7SCS6RslOJn_dQp22I3jXhCmXfsy4hDeF35Hy1V1HNgic5quVuzT-y/s1600-r/pic%3Fid=4c30QwPca50NjBLQ4IqulES3ZYSJ7HMtCIN7v4xQp5Fd3Ig=&size=m" style="cursor: move;" /></div>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-12515979848957765612011-07-24T00:51:00.000-05:002011-07-24T00:51:34.093-05:00John's Musings About Whatever: The Songs of Israel----Choosing God’s Heritage<a href="http://jemanzo.blogspot.com/2011/07/songs-of-israel-choosing-gods-heritage.html">John's Musings About Whatever: The Songs of Israel----Choosing God’s Heritage</a>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-57400510893805789442011-07-23T07:39:00.000-05:002011-07-23T07:39:12.302-05:00Covenant Of Salt<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<div style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 45px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="clear: both; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-9eMojC7k10tD_pEjmVI-JfgZoIwkU5ZZy6reHKbULU08mwOsUV-YRug1pqslIq_TzMWlRMzWOLYcyPsJ3nuMHHCR6lchDdOT65sunK_pBT7sGp8jPv1uP0u-IgR2TD5PmvtAVzN0pTF/s1600/deva2176.small.jpeg" style="color: #2244bb; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-9eMojC7k10tD_pEjmVI-JfgZoIwkU5ZZy6reHKbULU08mwOsUV-YRug1pqslIq_TzMWlRMzWOLYcyPsJ3nuMHHCR6lchDdOT65sunK_pBT7sGp8jPv1uP0u-IgR2TD5PmvtAVzN0pTF/s1600/deva2176.small.jpeg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" /></a></div><h1 style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Enigmatic, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Hexagonal stress tiles on<u> saltpan</u> near Badwater, sunrise. Death Valley National Park, California, USA.</span></span></h1><h1 style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Enigmatic, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</span></span></h1><h1 style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Enigmatic, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: blue;"><u><span style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Covenant</span> Of Salt</u></span></h1></div></div><div style="background-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #cccccc; display: block; float: none; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0px; height: 0px; line-height: 22px; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 0px;"></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since ancient times salt has had an important place in the lives of people. It is not only a preservative, but makes food palatable, and men and animals instinctively seek to supplement or improve their regular diet with it.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Salt was a necessary ingredient in the Levitical sacrifices. It represented the covenant of God which was one of permanent continuance and perpetual obligation: And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt. <span style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Lev 2:13</span>.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The custom of pledging friendship or confirming a compact by eating food containing salt is still retained among Arabic speaking people. The Arabic word for salt and for a compact or treaty is the same. Once an Arab has received in his tent even his worst enemy and has eaten salt (food) with him, he is bound to protect his guest as long as he remains.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Lord gave over the kingdom of Israel to King David and his sons by a covenant of salt. <span style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">2 Chr 13:5</span>. This was a pledge from God, and an unconditional promise, that the kingdom would remain in the Davidic line.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In <span style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Matt 5:13</span> the Lord calls the believers the salt of the earth. Salt is a preservative. If we have God's salt in us we can preserve a witness to His truth, and see His purposes fulfilled in and through our lives. Salt that has been contaminated loses its strength when subjected to extremes of temperature and climate (especially dampness), because the impurities react chemically with the salt and rob it of its savor, making it good for nothing - useless.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Believers are surrounded continually by evil and impurity. This evil can overwhelm anyone if the proper precautions are not taken. We must be filled with the Word of God. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom... <span style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Col 3:16</span>. Then, and only then, can <span style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Col 4:6</span> be fulfilled in our lives: Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Christians should be worth their salt and not be laid on the shelf because they have lost their savor. The secret - faithfulness to the Word.</span></div><div style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1BtBH0iwh04Q0_PUgAUHDkbsBhOAhPmiIutAC_thvBJ1a0eItZ77iSgTUvKaiR8I6n9EKifDkW5Xq-Y0e9zpY8ArzlDCe9LEXHBSmPVJ9XD_N24OF5B6XYotmIvSfQ0pw0Vr6qjk_Az6l/s1600/Christ+The+Solid+Rock+I+Stand+On+Engraved+into+Marble+with+a+Cross.jpg" style="color: #2244bb; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1BtBH0iwh04Q0_PUgAUHDkbsBhOAhPmiIutAC_thvBJ1a0eItZ77iSgTUvKaiR8I6n9EKifDkW5Xq-Y0e9zpY8ArzlDCe9LEXHBSmPVJ9XD_N24OF5B6XYotmIvSfQ0pw0Vr6qjk_Az6l/s320/Christ+The+Solid+Rock+I+Stand+On+Engraved+into+Marble+with+a+Cross.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="316" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Enigmatic, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: blue;"> Love & Blessings to all </span></span><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Enigmatic, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: purple;">If this devotional has blessed you or opened your eyes to what the LORD is saying, please leave me a comment. I'd love to hear from you. And please share this with someone today :-).</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Enigmatic, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: purple;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Enigmatic, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: purple;">By~</span></span></span><a href="http://www.believer.com/">http://www.believer.com</a>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-51554563331015219802011-07-15T11:40:00.000-05:002011-07-15T11:40:05.709-05:00Thump Thud-Thump-Thud?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMuY_DGQYu4MH2qrxd3teZI0rUFSln3SBJOS4aFJu39XkUR7vKrGy-xGUaVCggs9H0uPbvTqhOuVauCFujgyFjfXf8sc4yKyDnwsnwbS7firvvnYqaoV3VcUnY4-ZkKAtlf8EtBNbyK1F/s1600/Donna+Angel+Watching+Over+the+Children.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMuY_DGQYu4MH2qrxd3teZI0rUFSln3SBJOS4aFJu39XkUR7vKrGy-xGUaVCggs9H0uPbvTqhOuVauCFujgyFjfXf8sc4yKyDnwsnwbS7firvvnYqaoV3VcUnY4-ZkKAtlf8EtBNbyK1F/s320/Donna+Angel+Watching+Over+the+Children.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">By~Max Lucado</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">When a potter bakes a pot, he checks its solidity by pulling it out of theoven and thumping it. If it sings, its ready. If it thuds, its placed back in the oven.The character of a person is also checked by thumping. Been thumped lately?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Late-night phone calls. Grouchy teacher. Grumpy moms. Burnt meals. Flat tires. You've-got-to-be-kidding deadlines. Those are thumps. Thumps are those irritating inconveniences that trigger the worst in us. They catch us off guard. Flat-footed. They aren't the big enough to be crises, but if you get enough of them, watch out! Traffic jams. Long lines. Empty mailboxes. Dirty clothes on the floor. Even as I write this, Im being thumped. Because of interruptions, it has taken me almost two hours to write these two paragraphs. Thump. Thump. Thump.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">How do I respond? Do I sing? Or do I thud? Jesus said that out of the nature of the heart a man speaks (Luke 6:45).Theres nothing like a good thump to reveal the nature of a heart. The true character of a person is seen not in momentary heroics but in the thump-packed humdrum of day-to-day living. If you have a tendency to thud more than you sing, take heart.There is hope for us thudders:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">1. Begin by thanking God for thumps. I don't mean a half-hearted thank-you. I mean a rejoicing, jumping-for-joy thank-you from the bottom ofyour heart (James 1:2). Chances are that God is doing the thumping. And he's doing it for your own good. So every thump is a reminder that God is molding you (Hebrews 12:58).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">2. Learn from each thump. Face up to the fact that you are not thump-proof. You are going to be tested from now on. You might as well learn from the thumps you can't avoid them. Look upon each inconvenience as an opportunity to develop patience and persistence. Each thump will help you or hurt you, depending on how you use it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">3. Be aware of thump-slump times. Know your pressure periods. For me Mondays are infamous for causing thump-slumps. Fridays can be just as bad. For all of us, there are times during the week when we can anticipate an unusual amount of thumping. The best way to handle thump-slump times? Head on. Bolster yourself with extra prayer, and don't give up. Remember, no thump is disastrous. All thumps work for good if we are loving and obeying God</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Wow!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">When I read this devotional today it gave me great pause. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">I had to stop and think about ALL the daily :Thump-Thuds"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">I have every day!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">And how I respond to each of them. I thought about all the times</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">I came out of the oven and sounded like a "thud." Only to be put back</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">into the oven so that one day I'd sing :-). It made me smile.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">God is so good!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">He is always showing, opening, giving us opportunities in our lives</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">to respond and react to the "Thumps" in our lives. I just never</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">thought of it in this way.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">For me I know this analogy will stay with me forever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Somethings just do. Maybe it will help me to come out</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">of the trials~"oven" Singing more :-). </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">I take comfort in knowing, even if I come out with a thud</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">God won't give up on me. He will just put me right back</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">into the oven~until I come out singing.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">That to me is already something to sing about :-).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuh8V3r9oVKvk_rlEEZrvneOgJ7PTWBJJH8BnBlu4TV0_7ixvjE4JH8acTqNC3-lrkd9SvTqmLcFTLtYe-QuFfqObbFFdNxZhCcolaNjxpD4X7Hxh0LR0AY3knrfHDf6bitYnbbM08xY1/s1600/Beautiful+Scripture+1st+Peter+5+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuh8V3r9oVKvk_rlEEZrvneOgJ7PTWBJJH8BnBlu4TV0_7ixvjE4JH8acTqNC3-lrkd9SvTqmLcFTLtYe-QuFfqObbFFdNxZhCcolaNjxpD4X7Hxh0LR0AY3knrfHDf6bitYnbbM08xY1/s320/Beautiful+Scripture+1st+Peter+5+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Blessings & Love to all</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Donna</span></div>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-78397722080536151632010-10-24T14:48:00.000-05:002010-10-24T14:48:26.955-05:00I Have A Blessing To Share!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPUvDelc4B5gh0LiIIXJ2uASpmHgL37z-GNhyeJLdi8WLEr03LNKN2VBXQT5Z0fDUH-S0Zjt6fa_5gJwHJDdoKVayD_yVURN5czWD5IxgwZf2uXNP3yNQSABEui24MpyhwykKTV6toN2X/s1600/Jesus+holding+a+baby+lamb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPUvDelc4B5gh0LiIIXJ2uASpmHgL37z-GNhyeJLdi8WLEr03LNKN2VBXQT5Z0fDUH-S0Zjt6fa_5gJwHJDdoKVayD_yVURN5czWD5IxgwZf2uXNP3yNQSABEui24MpyhwykKTV6toN2X/s1600/Jesus+holding+a+baby+lamb.jpg" /><span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">The Lamb in Jesus Arms is me :). That's exactly how I feel. I had known for a while that something was wrong with my heart. The sharp chest pains, shortness of breath, pain actually a strong ache down my left arm. But I was scared to see a Cardiologist. More fearful that I would have a heart attack. Both fears were colliding.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Last month I went to my family Dr. to talk about getting the Lap Band surgery. He said in order for that to happen I would need a clean bill of health from a Cardiologist. God was already working out a plan for me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">So I met with the Cardiologist and he suggested that I do an I V Stress test. I can't walk. Then he had the team do 2 kinds of echogardiograms on me. Three days later I went back for the results. The echogardiograms showed a problem. So he set me up for an Angioplasty in the hospital. I had the angioplasty going through my right arms main artery, He wanted better pictures to find the blockages. And he did. I had 2-85% blockages in my veins and there were side by side from one another, I also have close to a 50% blockage in the back of my heart in a vein.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">So my wonderful Dr. while doing the angioplasty went ahead and put a longer stent in my heart to open both blockages! The other blockage in the back were going to wait. They put me on a blood thinner called Effient and chlosterol med called Lipitor.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">That evening after the surgery I already felt 100% better. I could walk around and not be short of breath or have chest pains! I was in awe :). Even 4 days later I catch myself smiling-because no sharp chest pains or shortness of breath. To me it's my miracle. And God was holding me close to Him the whole time :).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">I'd like to show you a quick video of how they go in and do the angioplasty and put the stent in. It's not graphic, It's all animated.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Go to this link</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://heart-disease.emedtv.com/angioplasty/angioplasty.html">http://heart-disease.emedtv.com/angioplasty/angioplasty.html</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">go down and click on video for angioplasty.</span></span><span style="background-color: #351c75;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">It's the first video that you'll come to. It's quite amazing :). And it gave me back my life :).</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_Ppkhvi76wr9OyvHaV0VZsMY_qxoQnnA4_1hWHwo2JlEw5TrBhKAWsD56t9wni6eZb3V5mZEx5EKJ1jZXnn_owMYT-MtBcdu27Z3nhRKvz5yZ5DdLR9RP7C40hBPVbFVPv6sWfYwtod0/s1600/Jesus+Is+The+Cornerstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_Ppkhvi76wr9OyvHaV0VZsMY_qxoQnnA4_1hWHwo2JlEw5TrBhKAWsD56t9wni6eZb3V5mZEx5EKJ1jZXnn_owMYT-MtBcdu27Z3nhRKvz5yZ5DdLR9RP7C40hBPVbFVPv6sWfYwtod0/s320/Jesus+Is+The+Cornerstone.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTmbtsmWoWvtqwMZN4DXHcZpaKpLGJz1aN1oGC0scUwXZji_Lpok1qS1PHPs9rVoT7G3Viyk_2cxDCdFobYtqE1wyUlajnwdAqJ3BeJKDLMznD_Yf2xh2VbN4tVc_A98XQk1X0uUMdzE_/s1600/Floral+Cross+with+Doves+Gorgeous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTmbtsmWoWvtqwMZN4DXHcZpaKpLGJz1aN1oGC0scUwXZji_Lpok1qS1PHPs9rVoT7G3Viyk_2cxDCdFobYtqE1wyUlajnwdAqJ3BeJKDLMznD_Yf2xh2VbN4tVc_A98XQk1X0uUMdzE_/s320/Floral+Cross+with+Doves+Gorgeous.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
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</span></div>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-88440585399294775222010-05-24T16:49:00.000-05:002010-05-24T16:49:19.706-05:00Life Sucks Sometimes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxfLI_VbkcuUY19kRZNhp_Q02-9eU_kLksg9vIupHKPDAR9rjc6k3dHPc7AuDIY_agqr4O-0z_P0bz0Chc7fhpx9_olHiURd8h0hseN4y7WrOT-73tXhxhYlO4En668NZTSDYZu__N0I9/s1600/th_LighthouseInTheStorm.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxfLI_VbkcuUY19kRZNhp_Q02-9eU_kLksg9vIupHKPDAR9rjc6k3dHPc7AuDIY_agqr4O-0z_P0bz0Chc7fhpx9_olHiURd8h0hseN4y7WrOT-73tXhxhYlO4En668NZTSDYZu__N0I9/s320/th_LighthouseInTheStorm.gif" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7;">This picture is how I feel. The rain, the storm is where I am right now.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7;">Today I was supposed to see my Dr. My diabetes is not good-and I take 2 different insulin's a day. I wanted to talk to him about the depression and changing my meds. But none of that happened. Why? Because I couldn't fit my fat butt into my jeans! Yep that's it. I was devastated. I knew I had been gaining weight-but I felt like I was starting to lose some of the weight. Nope, they were really tight. I crawled into bed and just stared at the wall. I finally went to sleep. Now I'm sitting here wondering what to do next. I feel lost. Over a pair of jeans that were to tight? No, it was just the straw that broke the camels back.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7;">I have S.A.D.-social anxiety disorder. I have only been out of the house 3 times in the last 3 months. I have missed family birthday parties, holidays with family etc... My husband Mark has been without a job for a year now. As many, many other family's are as well. I am disabled physically and cannot work. I cannot even try for social security because I spent the last 9-10 years home schooling our daughter. So therefore I don't have enough "credits" to apply for SS. So I cannot even help my sweet husband out. It hurts me too see him try and try to get a job. I am so very thankful for the unemployment that he gets-it's just our bills always seem to be more than the checks. I have been disabled for a while now-but my weight had always been the same with-which was still being over weight. But the scale had never moved up ward for many, many years. I am wondering why now? What's going on with my body? Why such a drastic change? I truly wish I knew the whole answer. We have no medical insurance-everything is out of pocket. We have tried to go through channels for financial help-medically. So far we are either over qualified or under qualified-What! Makes no sense to us. We have one more appointment to try and get medical help-our appointment is June 8th. This is the last open door for help medically. Please if you read this entry-pray that the doors would be open for all our medical needs which are numerous. I am so afraid something will go wrong and we won't get help. I truly don't know what will happen to us if this doesn't work. There is so much more I want to journal about-but I just feel so over whelmed right now. I will try again later today.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7;">Blessings and love to all her in blogger land.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-54252727598344343912010-05-14T00:25:00.002-05:002010-05-14T00:28:36.528-05:00Sharing A Precious Letter To All Moms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVJZq2adTa9e8-2IBktZpoJYsnhZCX2NyNRVtUTAOL5k4LJ2-Je5f2jBohbPl3SN7lHWHNyLpYjOygCeEwAtHb7mkP_NPMsqnuJkclak6BeTDAD4xGVn-WifXe2cOw4wWbgaWbcrTFzRm/s1600/Butterfly+Kisses.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVJZq2adTa9e8-2IBktZpoJYsnhZCX2NyNRVtUTAOL5k4LJ2-Je5f2jBohbPl3SN7lHWHNyLpYjOygCeEwAtHb7mkP_NPMsqnuJkclak6BeTDAD4xGVn-WifXe2cOw4wWbgaWbcrTFzRm/s320/Butterfly+Kisses.gif" wt="true" /></a></div><span style="color: #351c75;"></span><span style="color: #351c75;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uwgrVgyCgy-xbOIl_rrZzwjSG_zoce19f4BlzjdVeGmb_tAjzLyFfCebFukEsnAGxnL3iw1pb-CvSkSNxtvPTj36_fyLFn2pMK1mqDfF5J0rVUXpbx7iSMQLdHcGlWiJnzR3J96avLfJ/s1600/Butterflies+Gorgeous+Deep+teal+green+fluttering+butterflies.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uwgrVgyCgy-xbOIl_rrZzwjSG_zoce19f4BlzjdVeGmb_tAjzLyFfCebFukEsnAGxnL3iw1pb-CvSkSNxtvPTj36_fyLFn2pMK1mqDfF5J0rVUXpbx7iSMQLdHcGlWiJnzR3J96avLfJ/s1600/Butterflies+Gorgeous+Deep+teal+green+fluttering+butterflies.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
Our daughter Brittany aka Boo is our social butterfly. She lives life 100% of every day. She has been this way since the day she was born. When we started going to church she was 4. What I'm about to share is 100% truth. Because Brittany loves everyone. We had to be at church an hour early each Sunday morning. Because that's how long it took Brittany to hug everyone :). She hugged as they came into the Sanctuary & go down every pew to not miss one person.<br />
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So I added my memories from a letter that circulated around the web years ago. I know I am not the only Mom who has shared the love of their children. I hope after reading this you will share yours with us. I know I would be proud to read them. Or take mine and add your own thoughts and memories.<br />
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To My Daughter Brittany.<br />
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Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park and play.<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>"You were always so irresistible with your warm smile, holding your arms up for me to pick you up & play. So it was easy to forget the laundry to bundle you up and take you to the park. Your joyous laughter was contagious and made the day much happier. Thank you my sweet daughter-for showing me the important things in life and letting go of things that would always be there."</strong></span><br />
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Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together which we'd eventually get to :).<br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span style="color: #a64d79;">"When I read this it makes me smile Ü. You loved to do dishes. I always had to set up your own soapy water, rinse bowl and towel station to put your dishes on. Although not always the most spotless-just seeing that beaming smile and hands going up saying ta-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">da</span>! Made me laugh." <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">lol</span>.</span></span></strong><br />
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Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off.<br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>I'll sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles. Oh Boo how many,many hours did we spend letting everything else go, just so we could play with bubbles! The swirling, the rainbow colours, and to see how big we could make them <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">lol</span>. Then there was the forever chasing of them and laughter filling the air."</strong></span><br />
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Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck and I will buy you one if he comes by.<br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>This I wish I had done more. Stopped myself from being to busy with things that would still be there long after you were grown. I wish I had of grabbed your hand more and ran with you towards the Ice Cream truck seeing you smile as I tell you to pick out what ever you wanted. Promise me you will do more of this with your children, and remember me Ü.</strong></span></span><br />
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Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned. <br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>This was a simple thing for us Ü. because we would lay on a blanket look at the sky and just dream, dream, dream. Never expectations of one thing. You could never pick just ONE thing to be anyways <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">LOL</span>. But guilty am I for fussing and second guessing my decisions-I could have relaxed more <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">lol</span>.</strong></span><br />
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Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them. <br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Well, this was never a problem <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">lol</span>. After the first time of you making/baking cookies, you took charge Ü. It was ME helping YOU bake the cookies after that."</strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal. Just so you can have both toys.</span> </span></strong><br />
OK what's there to say about Mickey D's <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">LOL</span>!<br />
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Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you. <br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">OMG</span> how many times have we shared that moment together Ü. Even way into your teens. I'd rub your head, play with your hair and retell the story of your precious birth and the love that just spilled out of me and never stopped.</strong></span><br />
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Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub all you want and not get angry or rush you. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Yes, many full and irritating days spilled over to the end of the day including bath time. I'm sorry Boo. I should have spent more quality time playing and splashing around with you in the tub. Make sure you slow down with your children during bath time and teach them how to make big splashes to soak Mommy Ü.</strong></span><br />
<br />
Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>One of our favorite things to do. To sit on the porch and talk about everything while just looking at the stars and listening to the cricket and frogs make music. All along the hours just floating by.</strong></span><br />
<br />
Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Yes, will snuggle on the couch or the bed together. Will have our favorite books out and read together. One of our favorite things to do.</strong></span><br />
<br />
Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>I will simply be grateful that GOD has given me the greatest gift ever given. I am still doing this. And you are my greatest gift.</strong></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their <br />
<br />
missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves <br />
<br />
instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms <br />
<br />
watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't <br />
<br />
handle it anymore.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little <br />
<br />
longer. It is then, that I will thank GOD for you, and ask Him for nothing, <br />
<br />
except one more day ....<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I love you Brittany with all my heart. Forever and beyond.<br />
<br />
Mom<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrpV0Abrimjk4CXa2pPw7mO0jjFqm_9Astd3JV12PiPyafyn_BEjr9MCsQ7NrJYa0KSKLKwVw9ZsZH8SRzygw9p_FwEqO8P8KFjque3vSKtQDV4xEfdL7mgtlFFruHzAqt4OJvSYRFOHF/s1600/Butterfly+beautiful+Purple+colors+and+spring+flowers+all+around+the+butterfly.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrpV0Abrimjk4CXa2pPw7mO0jjFqm_9Astd3JV12PiPyafyn_BEjr9MCsQ7NrJYa0KSKLKwVw9ZsZH8SRzygw9p_FwEqO8P8KFjque3vSKtQDV4xEfdL7mgtlFFruHzAqt4OJvSYRFOHF/s320/Butterfly+beautiful+Purple+colors+and+spring+flowers+all+around+the+butterfly.gif" wt="true" /></a></div> <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #351c75; color: #351c75;"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Blessings,<br />
<br />
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Donna</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
1. How Do You Catch a Unique Rabbit?<br />
<br />
Unique Up On It.<br />
<br />
2. How Do You Catch a Tame Rabbit?<br />
<br />
Tame Way. <br />
<br />
<br />
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</div>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-78840527838518151512010-05-08T02:25:00.000-05:002010-05-08T02:25:16.785-05:00I have a new journal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnjbcz8gEJDOBTX6N_NaBWvUz5WXUw81y550eB1hQPXYzsnIjxlaz5P8NwvkvKCpkDSWS3xHplM2_cTpwCWk7BFkWRpVFbcM4Gl8jAZuC53HKOap5JaPZRUrG__6otdK-Bc-dqOorpKo0/s1600/Heart+Blue+and+Dazzling+surrounded+by+Blue+dazzling+butterflies.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnjbcz8gEJDOBTX6N_NaBWvUz5WXUw81y550eB1hQPXYzsnIjxlaz5P8NwvkvKCpkDSWS3xHplM2_cTpwCWk7BFkWRpVFbcM4Gl8jAZuC53HKOap5JaPZRUrG__6otdK-Bc-dqOorpKo0/s320/Heart+Blue+and+Dazzling+surrounded+by+Blue+dazzling+butterflies.gif" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I opened up blogger and saw that it has been almost a year since my last journal entry. I wanted to share a new journal called "Confessions Of A Binge Eater." Please come by and say hello.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I will start reading & saying hi too everyone's journals tomorrow.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Here is the link</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://confessionsofabingeeater-ladymagnolia.blogspot.com/">http://confessionsofabingeeater-ladymagnolia.blogspot.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJp9VAm3zCY_kc6wpw_u5U7IZKJcucQ_nRUqi8wZ2zXPoaBsu8ji7wHIfG-tL16LSqjt8jgZ4_tdCCGuwaC2ztkVUMFS2Gl4LUsU1FOZKA3pTOwfqqLyrfNQCPOQUHDqSqncnC6xymDws/s1600/Heart+Beutiful+dark+blue+dazzling+made+like+a+charm+bracelet.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJp9VAm3zCY_kc6wpw_u5U7IZKJcucQ_nRUqi8wZ2zXPoaBsu8ji7wHIfG-tL16LSqjt8jgZ4_tdCCGuwaC2ztkVUMFS2Gl4LUsU1FOZKA3pTOwfqqLyrfNQCPOQUHDqSqncnC6xymDws/s320/Heart+Beutiful+dark+blue+dazzling+made+like+a+charm+bracelet.gif" tt="true" /></a></div> <span style="color: #0b5394;"> Donna</span>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-46974878175330402482009-06-02T06:50:00.006-05:002009-06-02T22:36:04.668-05:00<span style="color:#000099;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9f3sDcdGeC5mbbFUdlkaq80j2f8JMGzxKZ2CqsiUYCZOk78DlwbI-0KX09Ho3a9tsfMhng6vZYYgSfWC0zws9DD-wqdS_1FW7_C-yHhrRuQJ-N1ATa6-cDUciSFui2EbzMGGXw5be7uG8/s1600-h/Cottage+Home+with+Pond+and+Small+Bridge+To+Cross+The+Pond.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 284px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342697592417035970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9f3sDcdGeC5mbbFUdlkaq80j2f8JMGzxKZ2CqsiUYCZOk78DlwbI-0KX09Ho3a9tsfMhng6vZYYgSfWC0zws9DD-wqdS_1FW7_C-yHhrRuQJ-N1ATa6-cDUciSFui2EbzMGGXw5be7uG8/s320/Cottage+Home+with+Pond+and+Small+Bridge+To+Cross+The+Pond.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#000099;">I love this picture. It seems so peaceful and beautiful. I'd love to stand on the little bridge and just ponder on what ever comes to mind. </span><br /><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">Well, I went and saw my Dr. last Thursday. We talked <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">alot</span> about my many concerns. He checked me for P.A.D. in my legs, and said everything was fine...<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">yay</span>! I was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">soooo</span> worried. Especially with me having such severe <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">neuropathy</span> in my feet and legs. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">neuropathy</span> is in both my hands now-I can't feel things with my finger tips. With <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">neuropathy</span> there's not allot that can be done after it sets in. So I'll just keep doing what I can :). I'm not going to let it ruin my life. </span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">Mark and I talked to Dr. D about getting on disability. Dr. D said there was no problem with that since we know I am unable to work. So now I'm in the process of applying for disability.</span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">My Dr. did write a prescription for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">meds</span> to help with the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">neuropathy</span> in my lower parts. He also increased my depression <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">meds</span> and my anxiety <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">meds</span>. So far so good. I feel much calmer and clear headed. But @ times I'm scared it won't last. I like this calmness and not having that doomed or dreaded feeling with me at all times. So right now I am just going to enjoy it :).</span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">I talked with him about my fears of having a heart attack. My dad passed away at age 49 from a massive heart attack. I am 45 and it's been lingering over me and making me fearful for the past 14 yrs. My dad's Mom & Dad died from heart attacks. My Mom's-Mom & Dad died from heart attacks. My Mom had a heart attack 11 yrs ago and survived it :) Thank the LORD. So Dr. D is setting me up an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">appointment</span> for a chemical stress test. I'm just waiting on them to call me with an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">appointment</span>.</span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">I did have a full exam by a cardiologist about 8-10 yrs ago. Stress test and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">echo cardiogram</span>. Everything looked great back then. I am praying I will pass this stress test with flying colors. </span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">Mark and I went to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">SAMS</span> club yesterday and did our monthly shopping. It was nice to be out and about :). I stuck to our list like a good girl <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">lol</span>....<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">ok</span> 2 cheats-I bought New York style cheese cake & chips for my dip. While there we got all the ingredients so that Mark could make his famous chili :).</span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">Mark makes an amazing pot of home made chili, so we always get the Frito scoops to go along with it. We also add sour cream and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Cheddar</span> cheese as a topping to our bowls of chili yum :). Does anyone else eat it this way?</span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">Last night I slow cooked bar B Q pork chops-they just fell off the bone :). </span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">Tonight I am making our daughters favorite meal called Cheesy hash brown casserole. Here is the recipe if you would like to try it out.</span></p><span style="color:#000099;">Brown 3 lbs of hamburger meat</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Drain when meat is fully cooked</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Rinse off hamburger meat fat while in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">colander</span>.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Put back in the pot and add</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">2-Taco mixes to the meat</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">add the amount of water on the taco mix package</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Cook on medium heat-till all the water is gone</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;">Ingredients you'll need</span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;">2-bags of Ore-Ida <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Potato's</span> O' Brian cubed hash browns</span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;">1-Large can of cream of mushroom soup</span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;">2-large bags of mild <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Cheddar</span> cheese</span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;">Get a large bowl to put ingredients in.</span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;">Add cooked hamburger meat</span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;">both packages of hash browns</span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;">pour in the can of cream of mushroom soup</span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;">1- Cup of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Cheddar</span> cheese</span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;">Mix all ingredients well</span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;">Take an oblong pan and spray it with Pam</span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;">When all ingredients are folded well-spoon it into your pan</span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;">Cook on 350 for 30-40 minutes.</span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;">5 minutes before the casserole is done-bring it out of the oven and add a layer of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Cheddar</span> cheese and cook for the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">remaining</span> time left.</span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;">I also usually cook my garlic cheese <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">biscuits</span> with this meal.</span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;">If you decide to try the recipe let me know how you and your family liked it.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Well, I'm off to shower and hit the Library with my sweetie. I swear you could lock me up and have me live in a Library <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">lol</span>. I am a major book worm, so I love going to the Library :).</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">I wish all of you a beautiful day!</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">HUGS~Donna</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-25468378872354646072009-05-27T15:51:00.002-05:002009-05-27T16:17:34.902-05:00Need To Learn...<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000099;">How to make a pretty journal page. I see so many beautiful journal pages and wonder how it is done. I am not at all talented when it comes to making my journal pretty. I'd really like some advice and tips on how to make my page pretty. So if anyone out in blogger land can help me, I would really appreciate it.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">How was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">every one's</span> Memorial Day? Ours was pretty nice. We had beautiful weather :-) always a plus. I actually got out of the house and went to a cook out with some close friends. It went better than I expected :-). We hung out with them all afternoon watching old movies. And I didn't have 1 panic or anxiety attack!</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">There's been nothing on TV lately. They have all showed the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">cliff</span> hangers for next season, so we have been renting movies.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Movies we've picked out.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">1. Doubt (Loved the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">allegories</span> in it)</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">2. Bedtime Story (so-so)</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">3. Hotel For Dogs (cute)</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">4. The Last Templar (loved this movie)</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">5. Australia (Loved that movie)</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">6. Taken (Loved that one)</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">And a few others that had to much language for me to want to watch.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Brittany our daughter brought home the movie "New In Town." So will watch that tonight. </span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Mark and a friend of his changed out my computer today. I'm not liking it right now, because we could not transfer 10 years of stuff onto this computer. So I don't have any tags, pictures or my favorite sites right now. It's like starting over again. But my PC was dieing so it had to be done. So I am thankful that I have another computer-I just miss my stuff.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Well, that's as exciting as it's been <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">lol</span>. I look forward to hearing about everyone <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Else's</span> Memorial Day :-).</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Oh-If anyone wants to share some pretty tags w/me you can e-mail me @ <a href="mailto:ladymagnolia1963@aol.com">ladymagnolia1963@aol.com</a></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">HUGS To All~Donna</span>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-46351404329633846632009-05-24T17:09:00.003-05:002009-05-24T20:23:28.091-05:00The Real Me<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cpaGlhjhZg_eyk-ltIWsikwii6I-dJG-S-ZoZ8_tn_aJAVLxm8y0K_AwnaAaANYs30n9X6rpK3jB1whtWdC2VI2X5alWNRKOHR7e_jYHK4NRaMNumI8wIaFTVggW3f-zGSPnNnllgkZV/s1600-h/mime+mask+for+my+journal.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339516573271166786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cpaGlhjhZg_eyk-ltIWsikwii6I-dJG-S-ZoZ8_tn_aJAVLxm8y0K_AwnaAaANYs30n9X6rpK3jB1whtWdC2VI2X5alWNRKOHR7e_jYHK4NRaMNumI8wIaFTVggW3f-zGSPnNnllgkZV/s320/mime+mask+for+my+journal.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="color:#000066;">At this present time I am trying to come up with a title for this post. I hope writing it will give me the right inspiration.</span><br /><p><span style="color:#000066;"></span> </p><p><span style="color:#000066;">Why a mime mask? Well, for many years now I have suffered from clinical depression, social anxiety disorder, panic & anxiety attacks. I have my ups and down-good days weeks and my bad days and weeks. </span></p><p><span style="color:#000066;">This pictured mask is a visual aid for me. I can't tell you how many mask I have but it is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">numerous</span>. </span></p><p><span style="color:#000066;">For me I was afraid to let others know how I was really feeling. At church I wore my mask of happy to see you, glad to be here etc. Inside I was so deeply sad and scared. I was mostly scared that I wouldn't be able to pull it off. I was afraid they would be able to see through my mask, or that I would let it slip how I felt. I became very good after years of practice. Every where I went I had a different mask for different <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">occasions</span>. I did try and show a "few" family members and a close friend years ago what I looked & felt like-it didn't go well. My family was petrified that depression was contagious! Yes, they really believed this. It took them close to 6 months before they would come around. Even when they did, they looked like a slinky cat too afraid to get close or to ask how I was doing. So I learned to put the I'm <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">ok</span> mask on for them, smiling like all was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">ok</span>. I was laughing on the outside for others and crying on the inside. </span></p><p><span style="color:#000066;">My husband is amazing. I have always been able to just be myself around him. He has been by my side every step of the way. Mark truly is my knight in shining armor. Yes, of course there are some chinks in the armor as he is only human. But it's amazing to have that kind of love and support through all of this.</span></p><p><span style="color:#000066;">Recently I went through a very bad patch. Mark's has not been a rose garden either. After 7 years with a company he was laid off almost 2 months ago. He loved his job. Since then it seems as if no one is hiring. We get the Sunday paper and look through the classified and I kid you not 98% are for out of state work. Our son Lil Mark has been out of a job for 4 months now. They have 2 babies to worry about! So Lil Mark has gotten very discouraged and depressed. I do try and encourage him but lately it's not enough.</span></p><p><span style="color:#000066;">Big Mark is 44 and starting over is scary. We are just 1 family among the millions in the same boat-feeling the same way. Right now we just take it one day at a time-and that's good enough.</span></p><p><span style="color:#000066;">I know this is not a happy entry but it's a part of my life and of me. I know there are probably others who feel the same way. I just wanted to post this and let others know that they are not alone.</span></p><p><span style="color:#000066;">HUGS to all~Donna</span></p>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459021337815223414.post-41957898458076063572009-04-10T15:10:00.004-05:002009-04-10T15:29:13.696-05:00The Story Of The Resurrection As Never Before...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323159751481875010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 199px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 278px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt34ICvGJU2MWUiDRSSRmWNc3N4dfTN7fKMvlV-LrOKbijKINIzmRI7PH6wFIyzv0AYRP2GN1NVZWcSDyzLu4XB7tdZbIjvK_Y2Tl7BAkYJd8dM35W-v3n8luaB75YegOQqbQx0kU3Jg5q/s320/Cross+beautifully+inlaid+with+colorful+flowers+great+at+Easter+time.jpg" border="0" /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">"JESUS WEPT"<br /></span></strong><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">Today, on Good Friday, we think about the Cross and the sacrifice paid for our sins; the amazing love that took our place; and the grace we have been given. That kind of sacrifice is almost impossible to imagine. The suffering that took place there, voluntarily for us, is beyond the comprehension of a culture that says “Live for today and for yourself.” At a time when superficial, selfish and exploitative relationships have become the norm for so many people -- as evidenced by all-time-high rates of divorce, domestic abuse, depression and suicide -- we would do well to reflect more often on God’s grace for us. We see a small glimpse of that type of sacrificial love every day in the service of our courageous men and women in uniform, who sacrifice their today's for our tomorrows. We see it in the firefighters and policemen who are trained to risk their lives to save strangers. Through their deeds we see that life truly is precious and worthy of protection, each person made in the image of our Creator. As Christians we believe that Jesus’ death destroyed the barriers between man and God. We believe that He died so that we may be brought close enough to Him to choose Him. Others, however, follow a god who demands that they seek their own death and the deaths of others so that they may receive salvation. What a contrast!<br /></span><a title="http://www.cbn.com/" href="http://www.cbn.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">CBN.com - Christian Broadcasting Network</span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /></span><a title="http://www.cbn.com/media/index.aspx?s=" href="http://www.cbn.com/media/index.aspx?s=%2fvod%2fAR62v1"><span style="color:#ff0000;">CBN Media Center - Browse. Search. Watch. Share.</span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /></span></div><div><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">A Physician's View of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ - By Dr. C. Truman Davis - </span><a title="http://www.cbn.com/" href="http://www.cbn.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">http://www.cbn.com/</span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br />About a decade ago, reading Jim Bishop’s The Day Christ Died, I realized that I had for years taken the Crucifixion more or less for granted — that I had grown callous to its horror by a too easy familiarity with the grim details and a too distant friendship with our Lord. It finally occurred to me that, though a physician, I didn’t even know the actual immediate cause of death. The Gospel writers don’t help us much on this point, because crucifixion and scourging were so common during their lifetime that they apparently considered a detailed description unnecessary.<br /><br />So we have only the concise words of the Evangelists: “Pilate, having scourged Jesus, delivered Him to them to be crucified — and they crucified Him.” I have no competence to discuss the infinite psychic and spiritual suffering of the Incarnate God atoning for the sins of fallen man. But it seemed to me that as a physician I might pursue the physiological and anatomical aspects of our Lord’s passion in some detail.<br /><br />What did the body of Jesus of Nazareth actually endure during those hours of torture?<br /><br />This led me first to a study of the practice of crucifixion itself; that is, torture and execution by fixation to a cross. I am indebted to many who have studied this subject in the past, and especially to a contemporary colleague, Dr. Pierre Barbet, a French surgeon who has done exhaustive historical and experimental research and has written extensively on the subject.<br /><br />Apparently, the first known practice of crucifixion was by the Persians. Alexander and his generals brought it back to the Mediterranean world — to Egypt and to Carthage. The Romans apparently learned the practice from the Carthaginians and (as with almost everything the Romans did) rapidly developed a very high degree of efficiency and skill at it. A number of Roman authors (Livy, Cicer, Tacitus) comment on crucifixion, and several innovations, modifications, and variations are described in the ancient literature. For instance, the upright portion of the cross (or stipes) could have the cross-arm (or patibulum) attached two or three feet below its top in what we commonly think of as the Latin cross. The most common form used in our Lord’s day, however, was the Tau cross, shaped like our T.<br /><br />In this cross, the patibulum was placed in a notch at the top of the stipes. There is archeological evidence that it was on this type of cross that Jesus was crucified. Without any historical or biblical proof, Medieval and Renaissance painters have given us our picture of Christ carrying the entire cross. But the upright post, or stipes, was generally fixed permanently in the ground at the site of execution and the condemned man was forced to carry the patibulum, weighing about 110 pounds, from the prison to the place of execution.<br /><br />Many of the painters and most of the sculptors of crucifixion, also show the nails through the palms. Historical Roman accounts and experimental work have established that the nails were driven between the small bones of the wrists (radial and ulna) and not through the palms. Nails driven through the palms will strip out between the fingers when made to support the weight of the human body. The misconception may have come about through a misunderstanding of Jesus’ words to Thomas, “Observe my hands.” Anatomists, both modern and ancient, have always considered the wrist as part of the hand.<br /><br />A titulus, or small sign, stating the victim’s crime was usually placed on a staff, carried at the front of the procession from the prison, and later nailed to the cross so that it extended above the head. This sign with its staff nailed to the top of the cross would have given it somewhat the characteristic form of the Latin cross.<br /><br />But, of course, the physical passion of the Christ began in Gethsemane. Of the many aspects of this initial suffering, the one of greatest physiological interest is the bloody sweat. It is interesting that St. Luke, the physician, is the only one to mention this. He says, “And being in agony, He prayed the longer. And His sweat became as drops of blood, trickling down upon the ground.” Every ruse (trick) imaginable has been used by modern scholars to explain away this description, apparently under the mistaken impression that this just doesn’t happen. A great deal of effort could have been saved had the doubters consulted the medical literature. Though very rare, the phenomenon of Hematidrosis, or bloody sweat, is well documented. Under great emotional stress of the kind our Lord suffered, tiny capillaries in the sweat glands can break, thus mixing blood with sweat. This process might well have produced marked weakness and possible shock.<br /><br />After the arrest in the middle of the night, Jesus was next brought before the Sanhedrin and Caiphus, the High Priest; it is here that the first physical trauma was inflicted. A soldier struck Jesus across the face for remaining silent when questioned by Caiphus. The palace guards then blind-folded Him and mockingly taunted Him to identify them as they each passed by, spat upon Him, and struck Him in the face.<br /><br />In the early morning, battered and bruised, dehydrated, and exhausted from a sleepless night, Jesus is taken across the Praetorium of the Fortress Antonia, the seat of government of the Procurator of Judea, Pontius Pilate. You are, of course, familiar with Pilate’s action in attempting to pass responsibility to Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch of Judea. Jesus apparently suffered no physical mistreatment at the hands of Herod and was returned to Pilate.<br /><br />It was then, in response to the cries of the mob, that Pilate ordered Bar-Abbas released and condemned Jesus to scourging and crucifixion. There is much disagreement among authorities about the unusual scourging as a prelude to crucifixion. Most Roman writers from this period do not associate the two. Many scholars believe that Pilate originally ordered Jesus scourged as his full punishment and that the death sentence by crucifixion came only in response to the taunt by the mob that the Procurator was not properly defending Caesar against this pretender who allegedly claimed to be the King of the Jews. Preparations for the scourging were carried out when the Prisoner was stripped of His clothing and His hands tied to a post above His head. It is doubtful the Romans would have made any attempt to follow the Jewish law in this matter, but the Jews had an ancient law prohibiting more than forty lashes. The Roman legionnaire steps forward with the flagrum (or flagellum) in his hand. This is a short whip consisting of several heavy, leather thongs with two small balls of lead attached near the ends of each. The heavy whip is brought down with full force again and again across Jesus’ shoulders, back, and legs.<br /><br />At first the thongs cut through the skin only. Then, as the blows continue, they cut deeper into the subcutaneous tissues, producing first an oozing of blood from the capillaries and veins of the skin, and finally spurting arterial bleeding from vessels in the underlying muscles. The small balls of lead first produce large, deep bruises which are broken open by subsequent blows. Finally the skin of the back is hanging in long ribbons and the entire area is an unrecognizable mass of torn, bleeding tissue. When it is determined by the centurion in charge that the prisoner is near death, the beating is finally stopped. The half-fainting Jesus is then untied and allowed to slump to the stone pavement, wet with His own blood.<br /><br />The Roman soldiers see a great joke in this provincial Jew claiming to be king. They throw a robe across His shoulders and place a stick in His hand for a scepter. They still need a crown to make their travesty complete. Flexible branches covered with long thorns (commonly used in bundles for firewood) are plaited into the shape of a crown and this is pressed into His scalp. Again there is copious bleeding, the scalp being one of the most vascular areas of the body.<br /><br />After mocking Him and striking Him across the face, the soldiers take the stick from His hand and strike Him across the head, driving the thorns deeper into His scalp. Finally, they tire of their sadistic sport and the robe is torn from His back. Already having adhered to the clots of blood and serum in the wounds, its removal causes excruciating pain just as in the careless removal of a surgical bandage, and almost as though He were again being whipped the wounds once more begin to bleed. In deference to Jewish custom, the Romans return His garments. The heavy patibulum of the cross is tied across His shoulders, and the procession of the condemned Christ, two thieves, and the execution detail of Roman soldiers headed by a centurion begins its slow journey along the Via Dolorosa.<br /><br />In spite of His efforts to walk erect, the weight of the heavy wooden beam, together with the shock produced by copious blood loss, is too much. He stumbles and falls. The rough wood of the beam gouges into the lacerated skin and muscles of the shoulders. He tries to rise, but human muscles have been pushed beyond their endurance. The centurion, anxious to get on with the crucifixion, selects a stalwart North African onlooker, Simon of Cyrene, to carry the cross. Jesus follows, still bleeding and sweating the cold, clammy sweat of shock, until the 650 yard journey from the fortress Antonia to Golgotha is finally completed. Jesus is offered wine mixed with myrrh, a mild analgesic mixture. He refuses to drink. Simon is ordered to place the patibulum on the ground and Jesus quickly thrown backward with His shoulders against the wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drives a heavy, square, wrought-iron nail through the wrist and deep into the wood. Quickly, he moves to the other side and repeats the action, being careful not to pull the arms to tightly, but to allow some flexion and movement. The patibulum is then lifted in place at the top of the stipes and the titulus reading, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews,” is nailed in place.<br /><br />The left foot is now pressed backward against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees moderately flexed. The Victim is now crucified. As He slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain — the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves.<br /><br />As He pushes Himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, He places His full weight on the nail through His feet. Again there is the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the metatarsal bones of the feet. At this point, as the arms fatigue, great waves of cramps sweep over the muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps comes the inability to push Himself upward. Hanging by his arms, the pectoral muscles are paralyzed and the intercostal muscles are unable to act. Air can be drawn into the lungs, but cannot be exhaled. Jesus fights to raise Himself in order to get even one short breath. Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the blood stream and the cramps partially subside. Spasmodically, he is able to push Himself upward to exhale and bring in the life-giving oxygen.<br /><br />It was undoubtedly during these periods that He uttered the seven short sentences recorded:<br /><br />The first, looking down at the Roman soldiers throwing dice for His seamless garment, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”<br /><br />The second, to the penitent thief, “Today thou shalt be with me in Paradise.”<br /><br />The third, looking down at the terrified, grief-stricken adolescent John — the beloved Apostle — he said, “Behold thy mother.” Then, looking to His mother Mary, “Woman behold thy son.”<br /><br />The fourth cry is from the beginning of the 22nd Psalm, “My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?”<br /><br />Jesus experienced hours of limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint-rending cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain where tissue is torn from His lacerated back as He moves up and down against the rough timber. Then another agony begins -- a terrible crushing pain deep in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart. One remembers again the 22nd Psalm, the 14th verse: “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.”<br /><br />It is now almost over. The loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level; the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissue; the tortured lungs are making a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air. The markedly dehydrated tissues send their flood of stimuli to the brain. Jesus gasps His fifth cry, “I thirst.” One remembers another verse from the prophetic 22nd Psalm: “My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou has brought me into the dust of death.” A sponge soaked in posca, the cheap, sour wine which is the staple drink of the Roman legionaries, is lifted to His lips. He apparently doesn’t take any of the liquid.<br /><br />The body of Jesus is now in extremes, and He can feel the chill of death creeping through His tissues. This realization brings out His sixth words, possibly little more than a tortured whisper, “It is finished.” His mission of atonement has completed. Finally He can allow his body to die.<br /><br />With one last surge of strength, he once again presses His torn feet against the nail, straightens His legs, takes a deeper breath, and utters His seventh and last cry, “Father! Into thy hands I commit my spirit.”<br /><br />The rest you know. In order that the Sabbath not be profaned, the Jews asked that the condemned men be dispatched and removed from the crosses. The common method of ending a crucifixion was by crurifracture, the breaking of the bones of the legs. This prevented the victim from pushing himself upward; thus the tension could not be relieved from the muscles of the chest and rapid suffocation occurred. The legs of the two thieves were broken, but when the soldiers came to Jesus they saw that this was unnecessary.<br /><br />Apparently, to make doubly sure of death, the legionnaire drove his lance through the fifth interspace between the ribs, upward through the pericardium and into the heart. The 34th verse of the 19th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John reports: “And immediately there came out blood and water.” That is, there was an escape of water fluid from the sac surrounding the heart, giving postmortem evidence that Our Lord died not the usual crucifixion death by suffocation, but of heart failure (a broken heart) due to shock and constriction of the heart by fluid in the pericardium.<br /><br />Thus we have had our glimpse — including the medical evidence — of that epitome of evil which man has exhibited toward Man and toward God. It has been a terrible sight, and more than enough to leave us despondent and depressed. How grateful we can be that we have the great sequel in the infinite mercy of God toward man — at once the miracle of the atonement (at one ment) and the expectation of the triumphant Easter morning.<br /><br />Are you moved by what Jesus did for you on the cross? Do you want to receive the salvation Jesus purchased for you at Calvary with His own blood? Pray this prayer with me:<br /><br />Dear Lord Jesus,<br /><br />I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and rose from the grave to give me life. I know You are the only way to God so now I want to quit disobeying You and start living for You. Please forgive me, change my life and show me how to know You. In Jesus' name. Amen.</span></div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">I am sharing this with you as it was shared by me through Susie's Corner <a href="mailto:GSusieQ@aol.com">GSusieQ@aol.com</a></span></div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">I pray as we all slow down a bit and truly see with clear eyes, all that Jesus did for us.</span></div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">I wish all of you & your families a wonderful Easter.</span></div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">Love & HUGS~Donna</span></div>ladymagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252307912423724456noreply@blogger.com6