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I Must Learn to Love My Enemies.



Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you: That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:44


Who is my enemy.  Is it the stranger down the street, or that family member who rejects what we have to say or reject who we are?

The Bible doesn't differentiate between the two.  Anyone we have hard feeling toward, is our enemy.  Anyone who says something to frustrate, anger, or cause us to want to retaliate against is our enemy.  

Not all people are lovable, but some people find us difficult to love.  This could be because we remind them of something in them that they don't like, just as there may be something in them that reminds us of what we don't like in ourselves.  

We are instructed to love our enemies.  We must let go of anger, hate bitterness and the refusal to forgive.  These are things that destroy the spirit.  We will have to give an account of ourselves to God.  It is how we treat others that God requires us to give an accounting of, not what the other have done to us.  Let us make a habit of forgiveness.  


Forgive me, Father for finding it difficult to love those who curse me.  Bless me to look beyond their ill will for me, and have wisdom to see the underlying pain they carry that spark their hatred.  And bless me to pray for them and forgive them.


I follow the example of Christ by loving and forgiving even those who hurt me.

In conversations with a friend I have found that one of the hardest things to deal with is forgiving family.  I have had to forgive, and keep on forgiving.  It has been an ongoing active verb in my life.

Today is cold.  After having the heat wave of last week with temperatures of 90* plus it is hard to acclimatize to the 53* of today.  I am wondering if this is the start of winter?  I have come to dislike that word.  Wish I could be a snowbird and live 6 months of the year in Florida or California!

John leaves for MN tomorrow and will be gone the week.  His dispatcher is gone so he is out on a longer trip.

Have a great day everyone!

It has decided not to be fall here just yet, after all, I guess.  Our car thermometer read 104* on the way home from Hugoton.

Larry, sorry to hear about your friend.  We never have so many friends that we can afford to lose even one.  May God comfort you, and his family.

I called my sister Shirley this morning, and her eldest son passed away Saturday night about 10:30.  She had gone up to Topeka and stayed for hours, but came home before the end.  She said she just couldn't stand it any more; his three daughters and his brother's wife were all there, surrounding the bed and Shirley said it just seemed like a flock of vultures.  They were talking about what few possessions he had, who would get what, etc.  And they were treating Shirley, his mother, as if she weren't even part of his family.  So sad the way families get messed up.  Clayton was only 54, had contracted hepititis while in the service and had been very ill these past three years or so.

We drove to Hugoton for church today, and it was like coming home!  How I loved the Spirit-filled atmosphere and the annointed preaching.  I hope Darrel will agree for us to start attending there.  Next Sunday is our pastor's last Sunday here.

It is sad when a friend passes away.  Janet was Shirley's son born again?  Larry I am sorry about your friend, will be praying for both families as they go through the grieving process.

We had a gentleman come door knocking yesterday, asking for our vote as Mayor.  He was Melaura's Principal up too about grade 2 I think.  He will be a good man for the job and on top of his qualifications he goes to Corner Gospel.  He has our vote.

I am tired tonight, so am going to bed early.

Hi everyone.  It sure is darker longer in the mornings now and it gets darker earlier in the evenings.  I really enjoyed getting up after the sun was up but it will be several months before that happens again.

We did attend church yesteday but I was experiencing shortness of breath so we didn't go out to lunch but came on home.  I spent most of the rest of the day in bed as was tired and found it easier to get my breath lying down.  Sure hope that has passed for today.

I will attend my friend's funeral at 11 am this morning and then, if I feel up to it, will go to my men's luncheon.  I haven't felt much like eating the last few days so not really looking forward to the buffet today but sure I will manage to eat.  They do have good ice cream and that always goes down well.  Then I will just enjoy the rest of the day.

I think our next door neighbor's, who have the little boy with the motorcycle, moved over the weekend.  They had a garage sale and I saw them packing their van full of things.  They also have one of those big dumpsters that it totally full of things they have thrown away.  They were good neighbors but the motorcycle and sometimes loud music did tend to wear one down. 

Janet, so sorry to hear of the death of your nephew.  Fifty-four is way too young to die.  When I was battling hepititis C I followed a support group on the internet and know who truly ill many people are who can't conquer it.  I was indeed blessed to have it stopped in its tracks.

Judy, thanks for the devotional though for the week and the Lord's Prayer that you posted.  Hope that John has a good week on the road and you and Kassie have a good week at home. 

Time to go to coffee.

It looks as though fall has decided to settle in around here.  We're expecting one day this week to be in the low 80's and then back to upper 60's and low 70's.  And 15 to 20 mile an hour winds, which make it feel even cooler colder!  But it's beautiful and sunny, and it's what the Lord has provided, so I'll try to stop griping!   

Happy Labor Day, whatever that means to you.

Yes, Judy, Clayton had received Jesus as his savior when quite young.  However, he had walked away from the Lord, and lived a life not pleasing to Him.  I have no way of knowing if he renewed his committment to the Lord in his last days, but pray he did.  When Shirley and her daughter went to pray over him last Friday, Shirley said she was reassured about where Clayton was with the Lord.  She raised all her kids in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and we have the promise that if we do that, when they are old they will not depart from it.  We just have to trust God with Clayton's eternity.

The weather is warming up again here today.  For about two weeks it felt like Fall was in the air, but not yesterday nor today.  It will cool off again soon.

Jeanne, any word yet on your car?  Praying for you, and continuing to thank God for raising you up and restoring you to health! 

Not sure what I will do today, but something!

Janet, thanks always for prayers!  As for the car, the mechanic has been on vacation and I won't be able to get to him until tomorrow.  I'm sure saving money by not shopping and not using gas!  LOL

Thanks, Judy, for the Lord's Prayer.  Of course it is actually the disciple's prayer.  It's ending is very, very important, inasmuch as it should really be the ending to all our prayers and all our thoughts.  We should do all that we do because it is His Kingdom, it is done by His power, and it should be to His glory forever.  Our prayers should be for the same reasons.

It's a great Labor Day.  Ivalou and I had breakfast at Marge's this morning.  She had tables set up in the garage with all kinds of breakfast food and desserts.  We had a wonderful breakfast.  There were probably 40 people there, at least.

Then I brought Ivalou home and went to Kitty's to check on her cats.  Kitty and Bob finally decided to go to Myrtle Beach!  I then put some letters in the Lapel Post Office and went to the convenient store for some Reese's Hot Chocolate!!  Yumm!  And I got a car wash. 

Now Ivalou just called me to say I have been invited to go to her son's house this evening for a cookout!  And since my birthday is coming up to invite me!  So I will be heading there around 4:15pm. 

I was hoping to check out the photos that Kitty and I took at Eagle Creek Park but that may have to be tomorrow now!


 

Larry, I forgot to tell you that I did hook up the Droid with the 16gb mini-card to the laptop with the USB cord.  I now have all the info from the 2gb to the 16gb that is now in the Droid.  I am a happy camper! 

Tony sent me a picture from his cycle trip to Ohio near the Ohio River.  Since it was Droid to Droid, I could click on something and it showed a map right where Tony was when he took the photo!  Neat!

What's the best way to get rid of mold?

My daughter, who lives in North Carolina, spent the better part of a month here in the north country and when she returned home yesterday found mildew and mold on just about everything.  It's on all sorts of surfaces and materials - wood, metal, fabric...  some antiques and some modern items.  Floors, tables, upholstered furniture...  you name it, it has mold or mildew.

Suggestions so far have been ammonia, bleach and vinegar.  Any comments?

Jeanne I think she should check with a professional.  They will let her know the best solution.  I would suggest bleach, but I haven't had that kind of problem.  There is a bathroom spray specifically for mold and mildew.  Perhaps that would be the answer.

Well Kassie is feeling better.  Fever is down and she is starting to feel like going to school  again.

I have enjoyed having her home this summer but having time to myself will be nice as well.

I have used vinegar on both walls and clothing to get out mold and mildew.

I think Etta Sue's birthday is Sept. 8.

If I'm wrong, Happy Birthday today, Etta Sue! 

I am back from my trip to California and had a great time visiting with family and friends. However My hand  and arm are in sup awful pain that Willa's daughter put a pain patch on me before I left it didn't help. I went to my home church on Sunday and oh my was a wonderful service it was. The  music was so anointed right along with Pastor's sermon. One of the ladies laid hand on me while Pastor held on to my left hand, both prayed for me. By the time church was over my mascara was completely gone. I am glad to be back home and pray that my hand will be operated on ASAP as I am so tired of this rotten pain.

Jeanne, I went to Home Depot and bought a huge spray bottle of:  Concrobium Mold Control


http://www.concrobium.com/atHome_howToUse.php


Smells nice and it works!!!


And this site talks about vinegar which I'd try first.

http://www.getridofthings.com/get-rid-of-mold.htm

Welcome home, Marilyn...  Sorry you are experiencing so much pain.

Thanks for the suggestions about the mold/mildew.  I've passed them all along to Alice. 

We have a thunderstorm brewing.  The sky is black and I have the lights on.  No idea when the power will go out, but guaranteed it will.  So I am off for now.  Have a great day everyone.

Candles and flashlights at the ready, Judy? 

Hi everyone.  Happy to say I am feeling better today and felt like eating my lunch.  For the last couple of days or so I just didn't feel like eating.  Not nearly as short of breath and that is helpful.

After coffee I had to attend to some banking matters including put a stop payment on a check that has been lost.  Unfortunately there is a $30 fee associated with the action but the check was for much more and couldn't take the risk.

I am staying home today for the rest of it anyway. 

Etta Sue, glad you got your Droid fixed as you wanted it.  I thought you would be able to do it with the cable.  Happy Birthday and I hope it is a special day for you.

Glad you are safely home Marilyn.  Sorry you are experiencing so much pain with your hand.

Jeanne, sure don't envy your daughter having to deal with mold.

Thanks to Kitty for us celebrating my birthday August 31 (they are in Myrtle Beach right now) and her posting a picture of me eating dessert on Facebook, I have had so many Happy Birthdays!!  I am loving it!  But my birthday is tomorrow, the 8th!  I don't know what tomorrow will bring.  I want to take Ivalou and go to Zaharakoes in Columbus, IN, but we will see how she feels tomorrow. 

Tonight is Beef and Boards to see 'Camelot'.  I am not into medieval so I hope I will be pleasantly surprised!

It is kind of overcast today.  It hasn't rained for over two weeks.  The grass isn't growing so I haven't mowed for two weeks.  We need rain.  Over the weekend it said rain Wednesday but now it is saying rain Friday....WeatherBug, the Weather Channel and News and Weather ...on the Droid!

What a surprise!  Marilyn just called me and we chatted for a bit.  Thanks for calling, Marilyn!!

Hello after being away for several days.  But it is wonderful to be home.

It was laundry today and then this afternoon a trip to the chiro.
I also made a batch of speg. sauce some of which will be given away.

Judy:  You have been talking about computer issues, is Heather not able to give some guidance as this is what happened to here.   When I started up a window came up which was new to me so I sent an e-mail to  our comp. man  followed by a phone call to Sue at work, the comp. man takes care of her work comp. as well, promptly she said do not click on any of the stuff that might be in the screen suggesting a virus (I wondered that as well) but then she said run Web Erase as she had been told to try that as well and it could get rid of some bugs as well.   It worked

Marilyn:  I hope that you get relief with your hands soon.
Janet:  Loaning a veh has also been something that I never did like doing. I have also upset folk by saying no but oh well. Repairs cost money.

Pat:  I was lucky to get a pair of shoes with the toes out, good for this time of year.

Larry, Al, Gord:  I think of you as well.

I am hungry so better fill my tummy.

Hi Everyone...

Thought I posted earlier but guess I didn't.  Judy's modem was hit today by a lightening flash so she's without internet. 

Computer problems!      So sorry, Judy.

They called today to say the van is repaired, so we will be finding out the cost soon.  It is back in the garage now.

Today we went to Liberal again, and went to the jewelry store to get a battery put in my watch.  It is a Seiko dive watch which Darrel gave me for Christmas in the early years of our marriage, so I have worn it for well over 20 years.  It's the best watch I have ever owned, keeps perfect time until the battery dies.  Anyway, Darrel decided I should have a new watch, so I now have a new, pretty watch, which is also waterproof to 300 feet.  That shoud be deep enough!    The fellow also put a new battery in old faithful, gave us 20% off the new watch and gave me a jar of jewelry cleaner.  Nice, huh?

I had a long conversation with my sister this morning.  She said she doesn't want us to come for Clayton's service, as the girls are doing stuff that will be frustrating.  She said if I want to send a card with a few $$ to help them with expenses, that will be better.  I am glad to do that, as we have the trip to Branson coming up next week, and I have another obligation on Saturday, the day of the service.  There will be a little memorial here later, when his remaining ashes are buried at his brother's grave.  Shirley has really been through the mill lately. 

Pat, you have really been on my mind lately.  I know you want to see a field of sunflowers, and there are dozens of them around here, in full glory right now!

Larry, glad you are feeling better!

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