Saturday, November 22, 2014

Memories

Granny here,

It's that time again Thanksgiving and Christmas two of the greatest days of the year! They are also days when memories come flooding in like a sunami and fill ones mind to overflowing. Memories that help us understanding the true meaning of Thanksgiving and visions of long gone Christmases that fill us with joy as we go over them on the memory player of our mind.

Memories that may have been tucked away for safe keeping that we thought were put away for good make their way into the present and fill us with longing for days gone by. Memories that fill us with longing for the friends we once knew, that gift that was so special, that dinner at mom's. Memories of those that no longer fill our lives or sit at our dinner table or peek at the gifts under the tree. Those that God saw fit to take from us without asking our permission that left hole in our heart and an empty place in our daily lives that no one or nothing can fill. But we can be thankful for the years we had and the memories we made before they left us.

Old memories made return from time to time but there are new memories to be made, memories of new blessings to be thankful for, new friends around our Thanksgiving tables, new faces of new additions to the family either by birth or marriage. God's blessings never cease we just have to recognize them. For all of us just having another Thanksgiving and Christmas is a blessing within itself. Not every family will be priviledged when the holidays arrive.

So when you sit around your table on Thanksgiving and you open your gift on Christmas a memory may make its way into your celebration welcome it as a member of the family, give it its rightful place of honor and enjoy what was with what is to be.

Happy Thanksgiving

Granny here, just saying!

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Live and Learn

Granny here,

Everyone with ears and over the age of ten has heard the old adage "Live and Learn", well I am here to tell you that is one of the truest statements you will ever hear in your lifetime. Please pay attention.

Don't get me wrong there's nothing wrong with seeking an education and it's a necessary element in everyone's life but book learning is just the tip of the iceberg. We need it because it's a requirement for the tangible side of life but your real education will come with each passing day and the experiences that you have within that twenty-four hour period. And let me tell you some days can be real eye openers.

I have come to the realize that:

I have not accomplished all that is listed below but again I'm still learning.

Learning (not education) comes to you, you don't have to search for it.
You will learn even when you have no desire too.
Experiences don't ask your permission.
You did not form your children they were formed when you got them it just takes a few years for their real shape to be revealed. Surprise!
When you're young you tell your body what to do.
When you're old your body tells you what to do.
You do not choose your friends, they choose you, you just have to be receptive.
Life is one big classroom and the teacher is Experience.
Your classmates are not wimps, they are fierce, challenging and at times brutal.
Armor is necessary equipment for this journey that you have been thrust upon.
You didn't ask for this trip but since you're on it, get the most out of it.
Ditch the word "retirement", it will never happen, oh, you may quit the 9-5 but life goes on. Work comes in other forms believe me.
Live while you can, when you have the stamina, the strength, the drive, the want to.
Don't wait!  Remember you do not control your future and life is waiting to happen and it will happen to you.
You will not always be able to do what you have planned because "life" has other plans and believe me "life" has control.
"Life" is happenings that you didn't see coming, things that say "here I am" and you say "who are you and what are you doing here."
We all dream and that's a good motivator for anyone but we must not forget that with every dream there may be a nightmare or two so be prepared for the unexpected.
Take each day as a new canvas and by bedtime you will either love your painting or you will find that it will have be smeared by time and circumstance. (in or out of your control)
My mother's favorite saying " the best laid plan of mice and men have often gone astray" has proven true more than I want to accept.
Life can be cruel so we must be tough, remember the armor clause.
Life can be full of devastating events but they don't have to leave you in devastation. You have been given the shovel of will and determination for that, don't forget to use it. Dig, Dig, Dig.
"Where there's a will there's a way."
Happiness isn't on the outside but on the inside, if you don't have it you will not be able to share it, so look deep.
Material things gather dust, internal things realize that.
Remember you have something that someone else needs don't be stingy.
The time that you waste could save someone else from mental disaster so when someone is begging for attention have a heart, it could be you.
We all talk about love but "God is Love" so do you have love?
Age can travel faster than any of us so don't waste your energy running you will be caught.
Make friends with age because it will be your constant companion and the sooner you understand each other the better friends you will become. Don't make an enemy of your future, living with enemies is hard.

And last but not least by any means and I'm sure I've missed a lot but there is another blog coming, don't blame, hold grudges, and judge, these are cancers that will only consume the person possessing them. And remember if you're still breathing you will be learning. Experience never retires.

Granny here, just saying!



Thursday, July 31, 2014

The Day is Swiftly Approaching

Granny here,

Well, several people have made me aware that that dreaded day is swiftly approaching, I am speaking of my 73rd birthday which is Aug. 7. Yes, I can hardly believe and I'm sure from my looks you can hardly believe it either. Well, what can I say, time has been good to me. Not everyone gets to be 73 and look like they're 93 do they? But some of us are lucky like that you know?

Life has been so full that the years have slipped right past me and some of them I didn't even get to enjoy I was so busy and of course all of those I don't count so I'm really only 53 by my own calculations. It's hard to convince my body of that because it's thT part of me that is 73 but on certain days I have to convince myself that I'm not my mother's twin who is 95 and going strong. So when I get the urge to complain or whine I just take a good long look at her and say not yet I've got too many years to go yet!

Yes, birthday's are a time of celebration for all of us whether we acknowledge it or not God is giving us another gift to add to those He bestowes on us everday. Every year that we get to enjoy our lives, our families, friends, homes, and just everyday living in general is indeed a gift from God. If we look at birthdays in that way we will see that it's much more than adding a number to increase another number but it is adding a blessing to blessings that have filled our life for however many years.

Yes, my birthday is swiftly approaching and although I have no big plans I will celebrate that God has chosen once again to bless me with the priviledge of having another one. I won't lie to you and say that every one of these gets easier with the passing of time but I will say that it keeps me on my toes and on my knees thanking God that He has seen fit to let it come one more time and I am still here to see it. Thanks be to God who giveth all good gifts and having another birthday is the greatest gift of all.

Granny here, just saying!

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Are We There Yet?

Granny here,

Well, I'm at it again, thinking that is and I do believe with today's subject my brain may be in jeopardy!
After seeing all the trailers for the new movies coming out it's a wonder decent people don't find a cliff to jump off. One in particular, 50 Shades of Grey is from the few seconds that has been aired proved to be PORN and that is a delicate term to describe it.

Not only is the subject matter distastful to the inth degree but it seems to promote sadistic treatment of women which is one thing we don't need in our society. Our society is sick enough without hollywood promoting such behavior. And to add insult to injury people will be standing in line to see this trash and hollywood and it's cronies will laugh all the way to the bank. Then the awards will come rolling in and society will excuse itself by saying that this is talent and what a wonderful writer the person is who came up with this genious which I believe is a woman to further slap us in the face.

You know the bottom of the barrel cannot be far away, how much farther can we slide as a society until God is so fed up with us that He pulls the plug and I can't say that I would blame Him. You talk about mercy, God surely must have it because most of us as parents wouldn't put up with such behavior from our children, we would have taken action a long time ago. Not only is God merciful but He is longsuffering in a way that we will never understand.

God fearing people are fed up and when they look around and see their own children, their grandchildren and members of their families falling into this trap that satan has set for them that it makes them sick to the core. They see their families taking part in this, spending their hard earned money paying to see this trash, sending their children to theaters many of them unaware of what might be showing at any given time and leaving their children to their own devices as far as T.V., videos, Ipad's and games that the parents have no idea of the content.

If there was ever a time when parents should be guards over their families it's today. The world today is a dangerous place for the moral and value system that will be instilled into the generation coming of age. Remember what goes in will come out somewhere down the line especially when it has a negative influence on society. We all know from experience that bad news travels the speed of light in today's world while anything good crawls on a snails back.

The bottom of the barrel is too close for comfort and one cannot help but ask themselves the question "are we there yet?"

Granny here, just saying!

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Slipping Away

Granny Here,

You know the world today is one confusing place to be. Nothing seems to be bring satisfaction to anyone. Everyone seems to be somewhere other than where they are at the moment, I'm afraid we have forgotten how to live in the moment. We are either making plans for some other day, thinking of tomorrow, worrying about what we didn't do yesterday and how much longer we have to endure whatever is going on at any given time.

You know there are other ways of losing your loved ones and your friends than death although it is the most final. But losing them while they are yet with you hurts just the same. Relationships are taking a beating today with all the superficial things that we have in today's world to steal us from each other. Parents are losing their children and in some cases the children have lost their parents. Older parents are losing their adult children while time marches on and the realization of time lost between them goes unnoticed.

The days of sitting around engulfed in conversation getting to really "know" one another seems to be a lost art. Most adults can still carry on a meaningful conversation and enjoy it while doing so. Time spent in conversation is still an enjoyable passtime with them and they are still willing to share experiences with each other. This is a dying art in the world of the younger generation.

I don't mean to come down on them to hard because the world has always changed and will continue to do so generation to generation. I'm sorry to say that the changes that have been taking place the last 20 years have been leading us down a path that we may not be able to find our way back so easily.

I can see a side of humanity that has become callused and hard, the kindness and gentleness that we were once known for has become faint and vague. The human affections have been transferred from those who may require more attention than mankind is willing to give today and is now given to something that doesn't require anything in return. It seems that man today is looking for an easy route where nothing is required of him but his own satisfaction is acquired.

Our means of entertainment today does not necessarily need others to accomplish the result. We have all kinds of artificial mediums to fulfill our needs today and that sometimes means eliminating the human element to a degree is that frightening. I don't think for the most part that humanity is aware of what is happening to our society although I do see some signs of awakening.

We only have a set number of years here together and I'm afraid that most of those years are being wasted. Time is not on our side and the time of parting is coming for all of us some sooner than later. Let us renew our thinking and begin to share our time once again our lives, our experiences, our joys, our sorrows. There is nothing like being validated by those around you, there is no feeling like realizing that people are aware that you share this world with them and they're glad that you do.

 Remember when you are giving time to someone else you will be feeding your own soul as well and no one likes to eat alone. The warmth of another human being is the greatest blanket because it warms the heart.

Granny here, just saying!


Thursday, July 10, 2014

Cleveland Christianity

Granny Here,

Quite a while since I've written anything but last night at church I received my subject for this blog. What I learned while there has raised my righteous indignation to new heights but not so high as to sin.

My local church has an assembly here in Cleveland Tn every year and although we are a small group compared to others here in town we have managed to pay for a venue in which to have our gathering. There are several places that we have rented in the past but for some unknown reasons we were not able to obtain any of those places this year.

New venues were sought out by our presiding Bishop but when the fee asked was $17,000.00 for a few days rental it just blew our minds. Whatever happen to brotherly love, love your brother as yourself and numerous other scriptures that would fit well into this situation.

We were not asking for charity but mercy, a reasonable fee for a few days of using a building. In my view as a "christian" I would see this senerio in this way "Sure Brother, we are glad that we can be of assistance to you and your congregation. All we ask is that our facility be returned to us in the condition in which you received it and that you pay for all expenses incurred during your stay including any damage that might occur while you are there." This makes a lot more christian sense to me but I guess I'm different that the average "christian" here in Cleveland.

This has so discouraged me in my viewpoint of Cleveland that my heart has been heavy since hearing of this situation. I can't imagine God opening the pearly gates wide for such an attitude which belongs to the world and not the christian community.

My Bible tells me that if we see a Brother in need, do not bid him God speed and send him on his way but rather fulfill that need if at all possible and be a blessing to him by doing so.

There are so many large facilities that would serve our purpose and although it would possibly mean that a weekend at said facility might be sacrificed, we more than welcome any to participate in the event with us. Worshiping God should come easy for those who love Him and we should be able to assemble ourselves together in such a manner as to give God glory.

This is not the first sign of Cleveland Christianity that I have seen in my 18 years of living here but it just adds a brick to the load I am already carrying while trying to make Cleveland my home.

It is hard to watch people who classify themselves among the redeemed of God and do this to another group. How will we ever have unity in the christian community until we learn to love each other as we love ourselves.

When the almighty dollar is the deciding factor in whether one church group can help another we are certainly on the wrong side of God's wrath. Another situation I heard of was a certain minister was ask one time to come and preach on a Saturday night at one of the assemblies of a church group and his asking fee was $25,000.00. Since when does the preaching of God's word carry a dollar sign with it.

The ministry of God better take a good look at themselves and see if their ego has outgrown their calling. The dollar has become man's god and God will bring us into account for our doings.
He will hold us acountable and rest assured He does keep a record. We can't do wrong and get by.

God have mercy on us. The christian communities better take a good look in the mirror of God's word because it is certainly coming up short.

Granny here, just saying!


Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Self Disappointment

Granny here,

I am so disappointed in myself today as in many days before. My eating today has been horendous and although I am ashamed of myself I know I will do it again. I have been trying to get back to the Weight Watcher point system but to no avail. I just can't seem to get a grip.

This battle is not new matter of fact it's about 60 years old and I'm still fighting. When does one realize that it's time to give in and just live out the remainder of your days in the body you have and quit trying to change it. The reason I try to keep fighting is that there is something far more important in this battle than my weight and that is my health which thanks to the grace of God I seem to still have. But for how long?

How long before I pay for all the wrong choices that I've made during the last 60 years? How long before they come knocking at my door screaming for payment? All choices have to be dealt with at one time or another whether they be good ones or bad and I'm sorry to say that a great deal of mine have been bad when it came to my diet.

It seems that no amount of conversations with myself brings about change and I always return to my old ways in spite of myself. No amount of preaching, scolding, compromising or any other therapy seems to bring about change. What is my problem? Why do I never win in this fight? There is a reason somewhere. A reason I don't want to acknowledge, recognize or admit. It's out there somewhere stalking my ability to win in this battle.

I refuse to give up, I will keep trying over and over again until one day it will all be over. Not the battle but the life that had the battle. It will all be over and then and only then will I realize that it was a futile wasted source of my energy that could have been used for a far more important effort in life.

But we humans are like that, we fight battles that have no winning, we expend energy that could have been used for a far more important effort but it's not until the end that we come to our senses and then it's too late. Too late for us, to late for those that we could have helped with that wasted energy.

How does one make the right decisions, the right choices so that when the day comes for that long awaited inventory of your life that you can look back with pride and say I did make some right choices. I did accomplish something worthy of the energy that I used to get the job done. I did make some choices that concerned others more than myself.

Disappointments come and go. Some we can change and some it seems just keep popping up their ugly heads like a bad apple in an apple bobbing contest. Well, life is too short no matter how long we live and we can't expend our energies regretting our decisions but we can use them as stepping stones to do better with what time we have left.

I know these are just words and I hope that I will take them seriously and make better choices in the future but I also know that they are my words and I have repeated them countless times before but one can dream can't they?

Granny here, just saying!