Crucifixion Implications

This is a paper I did for my class. The subject is something I wanted to share; I was very much affected by it. WARNING: there are some graphic images (after all we're talking about a crucifixion here) and not everyone would like to read it. I've included the references for anyone who would like to see the complete articles (On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ was an article that was part of the course.)

Crucifixion Implications

Details of the Crucifixion

Hypovolemic Shock

As Hamilton (2009) defines it, "...hypovolemic shock (closely tied to dehydration and loss of blood and producing, among other symptoms, increased agitation and anxiety in the victim)." Somehow I had never tied all the traumas together before. No water while walking back and forth from Garden to the Temple, to Pilate, to Herod, back to Pilate, then to Golgotha. Beatings, bleeding from the flogging, head wounds from the crown of thorns all took their toll. This makes His experience one long painful bloody road. Every step must have been its own torture. All of this, before the actual crucifixion. I cannot imagine being subjected to just this - and all for someone else. Me.

Heart

I had not thought of exactly what His heart must have gone through. Johnson (1996) mentions the strain put on the heart from trying to pump blood above the head but Davis (n.d.) states it graphically: "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." Fluid would have built up in the heart sac, from what I've read; this would be what was compressing the heart. It must have been terrifying to feel the contractions of the heart, struggling as it was. He was defeating death one drop of blood at a time. How could anyone have done this. Voluntarily.

Not alone on the cross

Edwards (n.d.) states flatly, "Not uncommonly, insects would light upon or burrow into the open wounds to the eyes, ears, and nose of the dying and helpless victim, and birds of prey would tear at these sites." This I am almost unable to imagine. Not that it could happen (it makes a very horrible sense) but that it did to Jesus. All our pretty paintings and statues, and not one of them draws this ghastly picture. The other details were amplifications of what I thought might have happened but this, this shocked me. He took creatures crawling and burrowing and eating Him while He was still alive just to save me from my sins. I'm grateful salvation is through grace because I would never be able to earn what He went through.

Offensiveness of the Cross and Sin

That it took all those hours of blood and torture, ending with dying while already being eaten, colors sin with a new offensiveness. What seemed like a "little" sin (or venial, if you're Catholic) suddenly becomes distasteful. This sin, this thing that I do, or don't do, or say, was paid for with bloody strips of flesh and screaming agony. I lied and a bird ripped flesh from His side. I gossiped and a bug burrowed in His ear. The cross is a great equalizer: all sin is wrong, all are offensive.

References

Davis, C. T., M.D. (n.d.). A Physician's View of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Retrieved September 24, 2015, from www.cbn.com/spirituallife/onlinediscipleship/easter/a_physician's_view_of_the_crucifixion_of_ jesus_christ.aspx

Edwards, W. D., M.D., Gabel, W. J., M.Div., & Hosmer, F. E., A.M.I. (n.d.). On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ.

Hamilton, A. (2004). 24 Hours That Changed the World. Nashville TN: Abingdon Press.

Johnson, K. O., Ph.D. (1996). The Rosary. Dallas TX: Pangaeus Press.

They're for the Living

Yesterday, we buried Blondie. It was a much better experience than I feared. I felt at peace, which I didn't expect. Ricky (a good friend) came over to help me. He dug a hole deep enough and then we placed Blondie's urn in it. He carefully added her last (nearly new) rawhide, her favourite toy (a rubber wheel; she toted it around but didn't chew on it) and lastly placed her collar around the urn. It was like putting it back on her. He said a few words. I said goodbye to my Blondie Girl. After I dropped a handful of dirt in, he filled the hole. There she was, resting in her favourite spot. For always.

I believe she is already in heaven. That what we did yesterday didn't add or subtract from that. It was, as I've read so many times, for me. I finished saying goodbye - though I can't imagine never thinking of her again. I suppose it's more accurate to say I said I'll see you again, in a while. I think not having that ceremony would have left a sore spot.

The funeral was for me and GOD blessed me in my friend Ricky. He knew what to say and how to help me through it. It wouldn't have been nearly as easy to deal with as it was. I can look back on it and feel comfort. No regrets, no additional pain. Just happiness that she'll always be a memory in my heart (and at my gate). You can find GOD everywhere - you just need to look.

Hi, I'm a minister!

Yes, I'm the Rev. Sharon L. Hollingsworth, ULCM, ULC, AACC, ABC. What the heck are all those letters?! ULCM is the Universal Life Church Monastery. ULC is the Universal Life Church. This was where I was ordained in 2009. AACC is the American Association of Christian Counselors. ABC is American Biblical Counselors. Obviously I'm working to get to a point I can officially counsel. I've been unofficially since I was in high school.

To get prepared, I'm of course studying. I like a full plate and since I only work 3 days a week (12-hr shifts) I have plenty of time to study. And all my classes are online so I can turn in assignments, listen to lectures, etc. when I want. Perfect for me.

I'm working on 2 accelerated degree programs and 2 diploma programs. Two have a very structured assignment time requirements while the other 2 are more relaxed. This way I can focus my time on 1 or 2 simultaneously and work the other 2 in.

When I'm done I'll have a BS in Christian Counseling from an online seminary (they offered up to a doctorate and that's my goal), a BA in Psychology, a diploma in Chaplaincy (5 months and gives me 4 credits towards a Masters in Chaplaincy) and a diploma of Divinity (not a degree) which takes 60 credit hours. I've lots of papers to write between the four. Fortunately I really like writing!

I'll keep ya'll (yes, I'm southern) posted on my progress.

Thank you, GOD

Thank you, GOD. I was in a place, a deep dark place, a place from which I wanted to run. I planned my escape but I listened. You reminded me you can't run from what's in your mind; it'll still be there wherever you are.

I thought next of just going into my mind, blocking out my body, living in the world that's in my head. You asked me could I do that to my family and friends. Could I really leave the ones I love. Their faces came to mind and I knew then I couldn't leave them.

That left me with just one choice: deal.

I knew I couldn't do it alone - I couldn't be alone. Not anymore.

I finally, in that deepest dark moment, with songs playing in my head (a warning before hallucinating) and visions of a knife and of blood, I finally truly completely gave myself to You. This was more than my mind, more than my heart - my soul cried out for You.

And You were there.

You'd always been there, waiting patiently, pleased that my mind and heart had turned to you long ago. But waiting, just the same. Just waiting for my soul's cry out to You.

I'm no longer alone. Ever.

You told me to reach out to my friends not reach in to myself. You sent Your Holy Spirit to me, to guide me out of the labyrinth of pain and sorrow.

Thank you, my GOD. Thank You, Jesus my Lord. Thank you, Holy Spirit. With Your help, my GOD, I will sing your praises until You call me home, where I can sing forever. Thank you.

Ummm I'm Loving Dirty...Rice!

Here's a recipe I put together combining a couple recipes from Pinterest:

Dirty Rice

3 slices bacon, chopped
1/2 sweet onion
2 jalapenos, deseeded and minced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 c. green onion, chopped
1/2 lb. hamburger meat (I used sirloin, but any will do)
1/2 lb. sausage
1 lb. livers, cooked, mash or chop (save the stock)
1 1/2 tsp. cajun seasoning (the recipe recommends Slap Ya Mama, but I couldn't find it)
salt and pepper to taste
4 c. cooked rice

Cook rice; set aside.
Cook bacon until done but not crispy; remove to paper towel; do not drain grease.
Saute sweet onion and jalapenos in bacon grease about 5 min.
Add garlic and green onion; saute 3 min.
Add hamburger meat, sausage, and livers to mixture; cook until hamburger meat done (by then the sausage will also be done).
While cooking meats add the cajun seasoning and light amounts of salt and pepper (can add more salt and pepper to taste when meats are done),

Add mixture to rice; stir thoroughly; add liver stock if dry.

There you have it! Enjoy!

Blondie Update

Blondie has gone to heaven.

She was deteriorating so quickly that last week my vet and I discussed the "hard decisions" she had told me earlier on I would have to make. Blondie was in pain and beginning to develop skin ulcers; her mouth was closing and she had almost stopped eating. Since any treatment, esp. for the sores, would only help temporarily, we discussed euthanasia. I couldn't let my active, happy, playful puppy become miserable and lethargic, both from the disease itself and from pain medication. She just wasn't going to get better.

Monday, we went to the vet's. She didn't come home.

She has always enjoyed her trips there; everyone adored her. So, she wasn't afraid. My best friend, Carla, came with me and Blondie enjoyed that, too. She loved her Auntie Carla. The receptionist was very kind and helped me with the paperwork in a discrete way; there were others in the waiting area. I didn't want anyone to know what was happening and she knew it.

One of the hardest parts was the lady in the waiting room. Blondie has always gotten attention from people visiting - she's a beautiful, friendly puppy. This lady was like the others. She complimented her and let Blondie sniff her hand. Then the well-meaning lady asked if she was sick.

I was already so upset; this made things worse. I managed to tell her what was wrong and explained a little about the disease. When she asked if Blondie was here for a treatment, I just said we were there to see Dr. Harman.

Soon, the vet assistant (I think Julie) came for us. She asked if I wanted to come back, and then showed us into an exam room. They have one esp. for large breed dogs where the exam table goes up and down, making it easier to get to the dog. This was the room we were always in. Blondie just sniffed around like usual.

I sang to her the little song I often did: My Blondie girl, my Blondie girl, my pretty pretty pretty pretty Blondie Girl; my Blondie girl, my Blondie girl, my pretty pretty pretty Blondie girl. My pretty pretty pretty Blondie girl. That was hard, staying calm.

After a couple minutes the doctor and Julie came back in; it wasn't Dr, Harman but the doctor who worked with her (Blondie had seen her before). Still, everything was normal for her. We got her onto the table (she was leery of it, like normal) (I suppose I can't blame her. I'd be a little leery of it, too). It was time.

She was sitting calmly (a lot more calmly than I felt but I was very careful to remain calm, so not to frighten her) and I wrapped my arms around her. The doctor gave her the shot.

Blondie slowly relaxed and lay down; I was still holding her and her head rested on my arm. I held her paw, and buried my face in her fur. I heard a little sound of movement - not Blondie but Julie stroking Blondie's flank and the doctor reaching out to hold her other paw I saw when I briefly lifted my head.

As her breathing slowed, I started to keen more than once, but was still trying so hard to remain calm. Finally the doctor checked her heart and told me it was over.

Tears streaming down my face, I managed to make it to the waiting area. As I stood at the counter where the receptionist was quietly expressing her sympathy, Carla came over to me and put her hand on my arm. I turned to her and sobbed so hard for a moment, then the storm subsided.

We went to Waffle House for a bit; I didn't want to go home just yet. We talked of normal things: work, her upcoming trip to visit her mother, her friends she was going to visit on the way.

When I got home, it was so strange. I went for my go-to calming activity: knitting. I'm working on an afghan for my Mom so I got it out. I knit for literally 5 hours, until it was time for bed.

I've been somewhat in a daze since, but my classes have kept me busy.

I still have her collar.

Ahh life with EBV! (Epstein Barr)

I was diagnosed with chronic Epstein Barr Virus a few years ago (on my 3rd bout of mono!). Luckily I have only had those three episodes of full mono (at ages 16, 26, and 48) (waiting a decade or a few between bouts isn't TOO bad!) but...

One of the things about EVB is a lowered ability to recover from viruses. I can get a bug that lasts a few days for someone else and I'm still fighting it a couple weeks later. It's, to put it mildly, a royal pain.

Most people have, according to my readings, the EBV but many never show symptoms. Those who do usually have a single bout of mono then go on with their lives. A few (lucky?) ones develop a chronic case. Fortunately, as far as I know, I'm not contagious - even in the full-blown bouts I've had.

Right now recovering from some silly bug I picked up a couple weeks ago. Stress makes it easier for me to get sick and once I'm down, pulling back up takes a while.

This is a really bad time (is there ever a good time to be sick?) for me as I'm just starting my first class with Ohio Christian University, working toward my BA in Psychology. This first course is on Jesus/the New Testament. It's an accelerated class and they only last 5 weeks. There's a lot packed into each week and I really need to be focused on what I'm doing.

But, I'm back on the comp, working away.

The Chocolate Cobweb - one of my first

The Chocolate Cobweb

The chocolate cobweb
    sitting in the space
        between the mirror and
        the ceiling

The centre covered by the
    small white sugar spider
    waiting for the unwary soul
        to ensnare itself
        in the creamy strands

Watermelon - for my voice coach

Watermelon

You use to say
if you don't know the words
sing
"Watermelon"

I'd sing "Watermelon"
now
'cause I sure don't know
the words
but there's no one around
to lead the music

Blondie Girl - Update I

Well, Blondie and I went to the vet Tuesday. She's lost 5lbs in the last 4 weeks which concerns the vet. Dr. Harman has me now giving her only wet food. Three meals a day, 2 cans a meal. I wonder where my grocery money goes,,,, She's worth it - she's the most loving creature.

She's pretty listless. I can't tell if it's because of the MMM, because it's so hot, or because she's finally moving out of the puppy stage and become more like an adult Pyr - very laid-back. Lately she's spent most of her time inside in the bathroom, laying on the air conditioning vent.

Dr. Harman also suggested I give her little surprise foods. Blondie's become quite fond of plain yogurt and Fruity Cheereos! Colby-Jack cheese cubes seem to go down well - and fast! I have to chew fast to keep up (we split them). I also have a recipe for soft puppy cookies I'll make either today or Monday. I found the recipe on Pinterest.

Speaking of, here's the recipe:

For about a half-dozen cookies (I do 4x this):

1c quick oats
1/2c applesause
1 egg

Combine oats and applesauce. After it is fully mixed add the egg and combine. Drop by spoonful on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake around 10 min in a 350 deg oven - keep an eye on them, they tend to brown all at once (I swear!). Let cool on towel. Enjoy

These are soft and will crumble easily. Blondie likes them and so do a couple friends' dogs.

It looks like I'm going to have my sweet girl longer than I thought. If we can get her back up to weight. GOD willing, we will.

Thorn

...Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to keep me from becoming too elated...for when I am weak, I am strong. - 2 Corinthians 12:7, 10 NAB (I recommend reading the entire passage)

All of us have a thorn - something physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual to try to keep us from the fullness of being Christ-like. All to keep us from "being too elated". "Elated" - what does that mean? Maybe boasting? Proudness? Something else?

Maybe the meaning is different for everyone, dependent on the LORD' awareness of all we are. In my life, one of my thorns is a serious mental illness. I've been hospitalized. I've been on diability. The doctors said I'd never work again. Until then I'd been been proud of my intelligence - and made sure everyone knew about it. Of my ability to balance several things at once; things I wanted to be noticed for. When I went on disability, I was crushed. Nothing I'd known (except for a vague knowing of Christ) seemed important. I floundered for years, going to church after a while but feeling little, even when I prayed for things to change.

Slowly I began to volunteer at the church, little things then bigger. But I kept them to myself; accepting praise but not looking for it. I just thanked GOD. My prayers changed to thanksgiving. Yes, I still prayed for my needs - and my wants - but I was learning it was ok to wait.

I've been working full-rime since 2006. My prayers are still of thanksgiving. Still I must take the medicine I hate. Every day. Still I must watch for the start of episodes. But I try to do things now I don't seek praise for. I have a better faith life, I believe, because GOD changed me through those long years of dryness. And I thank GOD.

coffee Coffee COFFEE....jelly??

There are so many things I enjoy and two of them are coffee and jelly (yay breakfast!). When I came across a recipe for coffee jelly I just had to try it!

Most of the friends I told about the jelly were "...okay..." but a few agreed to taste test.

I gave it a go. Syrup. Yuck. Went back over the recipe. Did I mention it was one of my first attempts at canning? No simple grape or apple jelly for me! I got a copy of the Ball's Blue Book of Canning and studied the instructions and their recipes. Ahh. The technique was right; the recipe wasn't.

I made a few alterations and gave it another go. Jelly!

My friends who tried it actually all liked it - husbands especially. (men...coffee...)

Here 'tis:

COFFEE JELLY

4 cups very strongly brewed coffee
    [I added grounds for about 10-12 c. but only put in water for 9 c. then let it sit on the plate for at least 4 hr.]

1/4 c. lemon juice

5 1/2 c. granulated sugar

1 box SureJell pectin

Stir coffee and lemon juice together in a 4-qt saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Add pectin to mixture and return to a boil. Add sugar and whisk vigorously for 2 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Return mixture to a full rolling boil and boil for exactly 1 minute. Remove from heat.

Ladle into half-pint jars with 1/4" headspace, wipe rims, and screw on tops fingertight.

Water bath - process 10 minutes. Transfer to a towel and let cool overnight. After cooled, test seal. Remove rings and wipe lid and jar clean. Label.

Best used in one year.  Makes 6 half-pint jars.

---

There are a lot of sources for basic canning instructions but the Blue Book is my go to source.

Enjoy!

GOD's Pharmacy

• This is a guest post shared by Br. Ed Carriere from his blog on faithisbelieving.org
• 
  
• God opened a pharmacy, fruits for all ailments!
  
  1. Carrots
  Cut carrots like the human eye, we have the pupil, iris and radiating lines.
  Scientific research shows that a large number of carotene can enhance blood flow to the eye, protect vision, make eyes brighter.
  
  2. Tomatoes
  A Tomato has four chambers and is red, which is the same as our heart.
  The research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopene, high cholesterol patients in order to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, may wish to eat. Eat cooked tomatoes.
  
  3. Grapes
  Grapes hang in a cluster has the shape of the heart, and each grape as red blood cells.
  Grape juice is rich in polyphenols, can help the body against cardiovascular disease.
  
  4. Walnuts
  Walnut looks like a little brain, a left brain, right brain, the upper and lower cerebellum of the brain, and even the wrinkles or folds like cerebral cortex.
  We now know walnuts contain more than 36 kinds of neurotransmitters, can help develop brain function.
  
  5. Beans
  Beans actually look exactly like the human kidneys, they can indeed help maintain kidney function.
  
  6. Celery
  Celery, and many other root vegetables look like human bones, but they really can strengthen bone. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium.
  
  7. Avocado
  Avocado is a variety of pear looks most like the uterus, to protect the woman's uterus and cervix health. Research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances her hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers.

  Amazingly, avocado from blossom to ripened fruit, is precisely nine months.
  
  8. Figs
  Like a man's testicles figs Figs are full of seeds and when they grow in pairs. Research shows that Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the number of sperm, and the treatment of male infertility.
  
  9. Sweet Potatoes (Yams)
  Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually, it does balance the glycemic index of diabetics.
  
  10. Olives
  Women's ovaries just like the size of olives, but it is most likely to occur in the organ tumors and tumor types is also up, there are more than 30 kinds. Olives assist the ovarian health, the prevention of ovarian cancer.
  
  11. Other Citrus Fruits
  Oranges, grapefruit and other citrus fruits look they seem to female breast. In fact, they contribute to the health of the breast and lymph out of the breasts. Orange antioxidant content is the highest of all fruits, including more than 170 different chemical constituents. When eating, do not throw away the orange peeling as it can relieve symptoms of breast hyperplasia.
  
  12. Onions
  Onions look like body cells. Studies have shown that it can remove all the cells of the body waste materials and dangerous free radicals.
  
  Given human nature's gift, the best medicines are not in pharmacies, but in fruit stores.  
  Because God opened a pharmacy, just for fruits... If you read this, please share with those who need to see.

It's amazing how these foods resemble the parts of the body they help! 

The Nature of Change

Change is inevitable. Big or small, lasting or just for a short time, changes rules our lives. Change can lead us to panic, acceptance, or joy.

Many changes are seen as a threat to the self. We are, for the most part, resistant to change; it can turn our worldview upside down. The death of someone you love, losing a relationship or a job - all of these can, and usually does, cause a sense of panic. One doesn't want it to happen; and he or she can be devastated by the change's impact.

Acceptance can run the spectrum from relatively easy to seemingly impossible and hard-won, depending on the intensity of the change. A relatively minor change, for example, attending a new school, leads to some reluctance but soon the person gets his bearings and his life is level once more. The loss of a loved one can take years to accept, and at first seems impossible. This type of acceptance needs not only time, but in a way, courage.

Those who create and bring the new into the world wecome change. For the change leads to a new book, a painting, a new theory of the natural world, or of GOD and His plan for us. The birth of a baby is a particularly joyful change. Life changes, and creative people embrace it.

How do you face change? Perhaps the best way is with your Bible in your hand....

Blondie girl

She's my 16-month Great Pyrenees. My baby girl has such a sweet way about her. She's playful, affectionate - and stubborn. Like most Pyrs she patrols her borders and (unfortunately) digs. She's a problem-solver so I have to keep ahead of her sometimes! We often play "Find" where I hide 6 biscuits around the living room and hall and she has to hunt them down.

And she's also very ill.

Blondie has masticatory muscle myositis. It's an autoimmune disorder where basically her body destroys these particular cells which are only found in her jaw muscles. It can get to the point where the jaw doesn't open at all and a feeding tube used.

Right now she has good jaw movement but she looks like she has a dent in her head.

I had to take away her rawhides and rubber chew toys. No more ice (well, they said I could give her crushed ice). I've started mixing her dry food with chicken broth and wet food. (and going to all wet food would be hard - she goes through a 15lb bag of dry a week!)

The doctor is putting her on corticosteroids (the only treatment for it). We're hoping it works, but the best I could get was a guarded prognosis. And the muscle she's lost won't come back. I was also told I may have to make some difficult decisions.

I'm so attached to her. When I got her at 8 weeks weeks was a 10lb ball of white fluff. Now she's a sleek pretty girl (who weighs 70lbs!). I don't know what I'd do without her.

I suppose a lot of people with animal companions feel the same...

My Blondie girl will be loved and spoiled whether she lives a year or - if I'm lucky - the 7-12 years Pyrs often live.

Faith's Works

..faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. -- James 2:17 NIV

I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. -- Acts 26:20 NIV

I read once that Martin Luther wanted to omit James from the Protestant Bible because it talks about faith matched to works. His firm belief was "sola gratia" - "by grace alone." James seems not to fit in.

I think it depends (as so much does) on your perspective. James can be seemed to say you need works to have faith. But it can also mean faith leads to works as an expression of the changed person.

And then we go to Acts. There Paul says those who repented (came to Jesus - found faith) should show their change of heart with their deeds. Here repentance resulted in Christ-like behaviour. Does the true Christian feed the poor to buy their way into heaven? No. The true Christian feeds the poor out of love which comes through their change of heart toward Christ. Do the true and false Christians look the same from the outside? Probably. I say "probably" because motivation affects how we perform an action. You don't have to be a cheerful giver when you're buying your way into heaven. That's from the outside in and reminds me of the Pharisees' "whitewashed tombs."

When your actions - your deeds - are an outward manifestation of your Spirit-filled heart, giving becomes cheerful. No "I'm better than you." No resentment. Just the joy of sharing Christ's love with others.

Instead of faith without deeds is dead try deeds without faith are dead. Think about it awhile.

May my deeds always live.

Collections

I collect. A lot. All sorts of small collections.

Darth Vader is the subject of one of my main collections - I have several small pieces, including the Pez dispenser and a relatively small solid brass keychain (serious blunt object!). I did, however, resist the pinata I saw a couple weeks ago. Ok, I did get the Vader head bank...

I do have one largish collection, though: rosaries. I fell in love with rosaries long before I became Catholic (fyi, I now consider myself ex-Catholic). There are around 60 in the collection. Different beads, different medals. Some (many) I bought; some I made. Short rounds of beads called chaplets. Full rosaries (the "normal" is only a partial one) with fifteen decades (the longer strings of beads, 10 each actually) instead of only three. Of course since Pope JP II added the Luminous Mysteries I guess a "full" rosary would be 20 decades.....

Poker chips from casinos my son visited on bowling tournaments. Thimbles. Japanese netsuke (small wood or, in one case ox bone, carvings, usually only a couple inches tall). Auburn University t-shirts. Bobbleheads of the popes (JP II and Benedict; haven't really looked for one of Francis).

Of course my truly largest collection is the one most in flux: books. I have some fiction but not a lot (ok, excepting the JD Robb In Death series, of which I have all 40-something) (google it, if you like murder and romance combined it's a hit), Most of my books are the non sort. I suppose you could call it eclectic.

Want to know about the Catholic Church? I have books for that. Henry VIII? Gotcha. Genealogy, including the genetic sort? Boy, have I got you covered. Plagues, the Civil War, writing, photography, knitting.... And a book called That Book - totally useless information.

My son used to call me the Queen of Useless Information.

Why do people collect? Sometimes I just like the looks of my collections. Sometimes I can't resist adding to my collections (mostly books!). Sometimes they act as visual triggers for memories. Sometimes they fill a hole....

What do you collect? Why? I think looking at the things we collect tells us about ourselves: what feels good for us to have, what pleases the eye...

Gotta run - need another book!!!

Intro to me

This is stepping a little outside my comfort zone - sharing my thoughts and writings with pretty much anyone. I'll be adding my little reflections, poems, and anything else that catches my attention.

Thanks to all who come to view me, especially those with constructive comments. When I share my writing, I have always appreciated knowing what others think about the topic and the writing itself. You could take a single topic - for instance a verse from the Bible - and let 10 people write about it. Ten different reflections would come from that verse, some almost like poetry, others devotional, and others in lecture mode. My style changes depending on the topic (of course). You'll see many of the types of writing I do.

I began writing in elementary school. When I lived in Columbus GA I was fortunate enough to take a journalism class in an after school honors program. I have used the basics of that class ever since: making outlines, taking notes, drafts and proofing, and so much more. I wrote my first real poem when I was about 14 - Grammar (written in English class!); I still have that - and will probably post it. My first novel (fortunately lost now) was written around that time, with my best friend my co-writer. It was...a learning experience.

High school was when I really took off. Poems and prose (most of which are lost) flowed through me. I was around creative people who inspired me. I was able to take some classes that sparked ideas (although most bored me so much...). Everything swirled through my head.

I wrote another (massive) novel in my late 20s. It too is unfortunately lost. This time I say unfortunately because it was good. It was a sweeping novel about power and relationships and good and evil. I would have loved to edit and shape it now, from the me that I am now.

Writing was once my life. Perhaps it will be again. Stay tuned....

Always

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. -- Hebrews 13:8 NIV

He was the Word, before creation. He was the Son of man, the Son of GOD, while He was on earth. He, the Son, sits at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory, Judge and King of an everlasting realm.

He is - always - Jesus.

Jesus loves us: Before we were born, before we accepted Him as our Lord. While we are weak, when we are strong. He loves us when we repent, and loves us enough that when we sin, He is sorrowed. As often as we turn back to Him, He forgives us, and rejoices.

He loves us when He judges us at the end of days. We who have turned to Him and loved our GOD are welcomed into His Father's house, where there are rooms for us all.

Does He love the ones who turn from Him? Yes, I think He does. Enough that He waits with open arms 'til their dying breaths. Enough to be sorrowed when He reveals His just judgement which sends them from the presence of the Triune GOD, I AM, who is Love.

He is our Promise, and our Reward. He is our adoptive Brother. He is our Lord.

We see Jesus in so many ways, some only known to ourselves, but He isn't one of these, He is All at all times,

He is - always - Jesus.