ALL IS WELL 2

 

Never Alone

Surrounding the Christian faith there is what could be called, mystique; the definition is; an aura of heightened value, interest, or meaning surrounding something, arising from attitudes and beliefs that impute special power or mystery to it.

There is amazing power attached to the Christian faith but care must be exercised not to go beyond the stated parameters in scripture.  

As a youth I was amazed by magicians and their ability to work their magic. To my eyes it was real and try as I could I could see no other way for it not to be real. I was captivated by the mystique of it all.  

When it comes to Christianity it is important to stick to the realty and not wrap it in some mystique of fantasy that is not part of it.  

An old song had some lines it of great comfort it was named “Never alone”
The lyrics of which are found at; http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Never_Alone/

As Christians at times we have to face some difficult experiences and it seems that we are on our own, but the realty is we do have to go through things.  

This is called life and life must be lived.  

The Apostle Paul’s life is an example of being on his own even though Christ was in and with him.  He suffered beatings, rejection and rebuke and there was no magic.  

1 Peter 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  

As Paul found out there are some things we must go through. Even though we through faith can move mountains there are some issues that are in the valley of the shadow of death and we must deal with them by going through them. This is the time when his presence is most needed.  

Does all this negate our faith believing? Not in the least it only strengthens our resolve to continue until we experience our personal victory.  

He that the Son sets free is free indeed.  But along with our freedom comes the responsibility of living our life as one subjected to stress and tests that are common to all men, not as superman.  

The difference is while we are on our own - - we are not alone. This line of thinking will help keep us on an even keel and not lose it. The pressure of living can be intense at times and what is required is maturity, a kind of steadfastness in the face of trying times.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz1I1Vcva-g

 

This post is shared at “Tell Me a True Story.”

NEW SUIT 2

 

From early on, even before my arrival, my dad could be called a chic dresser, a regular Dapper Dan.  

He was always in style wearing a three piece suit, and he always wore a hat, Stetson being his favorite.  

For awhile there was an “In look” accomplished by wearing a straw hat.  

These hats were stiff as a board, flat topped and not too comfortable, and they would sail away when the wind blew.  He would keep a watch in his vest pocket connected to a watch fob.  

 

Florsheim shoes and long stockings held up with garters were a must. The one thing he never used was spats, at least not as far as I knew.  

As a rule he would have three or more suits at all times so he could rotate them.  

The reason for this background is that my father was about five foot ten and I grew to be about three inches taller than him.  There was a time when we were about the same size as I grew up.  One day he decided that I needed a new suit since I didn’t have one. He went in his closet and brought out one of his suits and said, “Here this is yours so you can dress up.”   

Now this suit was just fine for my dad, but I was about fourteen years old and it sure didn’t look as good on me as it did on him.  He gave me the rest of the clothing outfit, and I was all set.  

I was a little stunned and I was stuck.  I couldn’t refuse them and that meant I had to wear them. 

 

My everyday wear was jeans and t-shirt and that was what I always wore no matter where I went.  

 

My problem was I never went any place where I needed a suit. I sure wasn’t going to wear it to school or play baseball in it and I wouldn't think of wearing it to the movies. My eating out consisted of eating at the hot dog stand or at the soda fountain.  

There was a lot of pressure on me that I didn’t need.  

Luckily for me (as far as wearing the suit went) my dad took off for parts unknown and that solved my suit problem. I found a nice place for it in the closet and there it stayed until some years later, I got rid of it for I had outgrown it.  

In order to fully appreciate my reluctance to wear my new suit you can try to get your teenager to wear some of grandma’s old dresses to school and to parties.   

I’m sure they can explain it to you.

 

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The Deli Chapters 6 and 7 final

I am posting the last two chapters of my story "The Deli." 

I hope you have enjoyed my stories.

When inspiration hits me again, I will write a new story.

CHAPTER 6

Getting to Know You !

For some reason neither one of them could go to sleep. Around two o’clock she called him up and said, “I guess I’ll marry you.”

He asked, “What made up your mind at this hour?”

She said, “I needed to get some sleep and this seemed the only way to get it,” and she hung up.

He thought, “I sure like it when a deal is done.”  

The thing was, neither one of them could go to sleep till around five and he was late getting into work.

Linda didn’t have regular office hours so she slept in.

He wasn’t all there but made it through the day, only after calling her three times. He told her, they could go out after work and have a small celebration.

He wanted to see the ring on her finger for then he would know it wasn’t a dream.

He told her, “I hope you are very passionate for I believe that I am and I want to enjoy our courtship.”

She said, “You know we haven’t set a date for our nuptials.”

He said, “The sooner the better but we need to spend a little time together before we are together.”

“What do you mean together before we are together?”

“I mean like dating every night until you walk down the aisle.”

She said, “I hope that is all you mean for until…”

He said, “I know and I didn’t mean… I‘ll say it again I want to enjoy being with you and going out with you and kissing you…”

She said, “Okay I get it, how is September the 12th for you?”

“You mean get married on that day?”

“Yes that is what I mean.”

“That is only six weeks from now.”

“Does that give you enough time to get ready?”

“Yes,” he said, “It is okay with me but I want to have a month off for our honeymoon so I have to talk to my boss about that.”

She laughed and said, “You’re taking this serious aren’t you?”

“You betcha,” he said.

When he asked for the time off his boss said, “You can take maybe three days and with the weekend that will give you five days. That should give you enough time to get done what you need to get done.”

That didn’t set too good with Len in fact it was crude bordering on being indecent. He didn’t want to have anyone use those terms when referencing to his future wife.

He went into his office and typed out his resignation and said he would finish the work he was involved in except his future wife’s company for they had not signed a contract as of yet.

His boss read over his resignation and said, “I sure messed that up didn’t I” Perhaps I can talk him into staying.”

Len wouldn’t discuss that issue with his boss though they had been friends up until now.  After three weeks Len told his employer he has finished everything and he might as well take his leave now.

His boss agreed and told him that he hated losing him but still didn’t feel he owed Len an apology.

Len said I will be ready to be escorted out of the building in a half hour if that is alright with you.  Please send my final paycheck to my bank as usual if you please.

 Len didn’t plan on trying to get customers away from his old company but knew there would be a following when they found out he was starting his own business. He figured he had one client (His wife) already but since it was in the family he wouldn’t be getting paid for his services.

Since he was going to be on his own he knew of several directions he could pursue and they would all be profitable.

He enjoyed the next few weeks setting up his offices and spending time with the love of his life. The more he was with her the more he fell in love with her.

All of his family was taken by her, her good nature as well as her good looks.

I must say her family was a little slower coming around to accepting Len. They couldn’t see how she could possibly love him after so short of a time.

In their family engagements usually ran for years before the wedding took place, and were always of the same social strata.  

 

 

CHAPTER 7

The day of the wedding was at hand and was to be very formal.  Len hadn’t wanted Linda to wear a veil but the family insisted it was tradition.

Len gave in on this issue even though he preferred everyone to see how beautiful she was as she walked down the aisle. He wanted to see her lovely face framed by her reddish black hair.

As the minister started the ceremony both Len and Linda were about to cry for some reason. Len decided to say something to her to break up the emotion they both felt.

He whispered, “How old are you?”

Surprised she answered, “I just turned forty.”

For the rest of the ceremony they were grinning at each other.

He thought she couldn’t be forty… could she?

As they walked out of the room where the ceremony took place he asked again “You aren’t forty are you?”

She said, “Let’s just say I’m a well preserved forty.”

As they cut the cake he said, “I don’t know if I can afford enough candles for your next birthday.”

She smiled rather big and said, “How about twenty could you afford that many?”

 With a sigh of relief he said, “I could manage that… you’re not kidding me are you?”

She smiled and said, “I can’t remember. Let’s just say you aren’t robbing the cradle.”

When he got the chance he asked her father if he knew what year Linda was born and he said he wasn’t sure, go ask her mother she remembers those kinds of things.

When he got the opportunity he asked her mom and she asked why do you want to know? He mumbled something he needed to know if someone asked for legal purposes’.  Her mom answered, “She was born October 16th and was 19 on her last birthday.” 

He thanked her for the information and started to look for his bride. Those words sounded strange to hear, his bride.

This was the third adventure in his life, the time growing up in the deli, the job he just quit and now starting his own business. And oh yes, being a husband to the girl I could only dream about.

He thought once men realized she was married they would start hitting on her for there is something about a young married that turns some guys on and they feel they have a responsibility to show the girl what a real man is like.

He thought I had better start working out again for I won’t put up with that kind of foolishness.

Everyone who we come in contact with better realize she is all mine and there isn’t anything left over for anyone else.

We slipped out and caught our plane to our beach hideaway and the first night was a little awkward but after that everything was fine.

We decided to spend the whole four weeks on the island and never got tired of each other. I felt this would let us know what things about each other that irritated us if any.

Thankfully there was nothing we had to overcome or ignore. It was hard coming back to civilization and having to go back to work for I wanted to spend all my time with Linda. We wanted a family but not until the business was up and running and Linda’s company was doing well again.

The time has passed and it is three years later. Linda has just told me we are going to be parents in a few months.

I hope that will shut my mother up for all I can hear from her is “When am I going to get some grand babies.”

Well she is about to get some from my side of the family. This brings us up to the present and I am anxiously waiting for the future to play out.

As for the present let me say; “I am one happy man.”

Finis 

NEIGHBORS 2

NEIGHBORS

 

Neighbors are kind, I love them everyone.
 

We get along in sweet accord.
 

But when my soul needs manna from above,
 

Where could I go but to the lord
 

So goes the verse in “Where could I go but to the Lord.”  

 

Over the years my neighbors have been good to me. I haven’t been able to please all of them, all of the time but any cross-purposes were always minor and quickly resolved. 
  

One way to have a good neighbor is to be a good neighbor yourself.  
 

It is sometimes necessary to leave some people alone and just try to be amicable and let it go at that. Usually their problem is with someone else and you are just getting their overflow anger. If that is the case there isn’t much you can do about that since the issue isn’t with you to start with.  
 

The Bible has a lot to say about neighbors not the least is Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.  

This is a good one!  Proverbs 3:29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you.  

And these scriptures are also excellent:  Galatians 5:14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  

James 2:8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.  

Mark 12:31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Shakespeare’s Hamlet has some of the best advice for us;   

Neither a borrower nor a lender be,

For loan oft loses both itself and friend,

And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. 

 

If you have good neighbors then you are blessed indeed, and have much to thank GOD for. 

Why don't you bless yourself and sing along as you enjoy this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqRO7DbK86g&feature=related

 

This post is shared at “Tell Me a True Story.”

 

“FAR WOULD 4 SAIL”2

 

 “FAR WOULD 4 SAIL”

Due to an infirmity in the thinking process I had to read that sign two or three times to understand it.  What some would consider it a misuse of the language “de Jour,” yet it communicates thoughts and ideas, and that is what language is all about.  

Still a standardized version works better universally.  The power of ideas is power that can be exercised over people’s minds bringing them into subjection and obedience. Total obedience is hard to achieve because the last vestige of resistance tries to remain but due to pressure finally submits.  

When ideas promote some form of religious belief system it takes on an additional layer of power. The books follow the ideas.  As we examine some of the religions that have popped up in the last few centuries we see the importance of the books. 

 

Within the “Books,” there is a system of control factors that require obedience with ultimate power placed in their “Prophet” better known as the guy who thought up this ‘Thing.”  

It is obvious that sooner or later some will ask why do people go for all these illogical reasoning’s?  The offer of being superior to others has its appeal and an intelligent presentation that puts down objections seals the deal for many.  

Scientology is a perfect example of this; it goes further by adding works for reaching the desired goal. The real answer is the desire to expunge an inner guilt that constantly urges one to seek relief. This opens one to any promise of deliverance. 

All of the above brings me to this; there is no idea that GOD has put forth that Satan can’t imitate or skew in some way.  Start in the garden where marriage was between a man and a woman.  Satan has really worked that one over.  One interesting definition of skew is; to twist, to distort especially from a true value.  

Because of so many claims saying this is the way, to worship the only GOD is in such a disingenuous state that finding the true GOD is a miracle in itself.  Consider yourself fortunate to be so blessed, should you have found HIM.  

When those who have followed these false ideologists find that they could have had the real thing, their defense, “I was skewed - - will not be sufficient to get them off the hook.  

The words “Today is the day of salvation,” are GOD’S ultimate expression to seekers.  

Seek you the LORD while he may be found, call you on him while he is near: you will not be disappointed.  

My Lord knows the way through the wilderness, All I have to do is follow.

My Lord knows the way through the wilderness, All I have to do is follow.

Strength for today, is mine all the way, And all that I need for tomorrow.

My Lord knows the way through the wilderness, All I have to do is follow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zo3fJYtS-o&feature=related

This post is shared at “Tell Me a True Story.”

 

 

 

 

 

MY DOG LITTLE LUKE2

 

Taking a break from my continued story to share this True Story

at "Tell me a True Story."

My Continued Story will resume soon.

LUKE

 

We got this Black Lab dog, that ain’t much of a dog.  

But the thing is he don’t know that he ain’t much account.  

He likes to sit with me on our porch.  He also enjoys following me around in the yard and back again to the porch. 

He just goes about and does what the other dogs do, and acts like he was just as good as the rest of them.  The other dogs put up with him cause they don’t care one way or the other whether he is good or not.

The thing is he considers himself to be the best of the lot.  To him if he has any short comings, that only means he is special, and better that the rest of the pack.  

If any of the other dogs said to him you don’t measure up to the rest of us, he would just ignore them, and go right on as if they didn’t exist.  

While the others go about solemn, doing their job, he does his job and is happy, and has fun while doing it. 

Try as they may, so far they haven’t made him live according to their standards they have set up for them-selves.  For Little Lukey, as it were marches to his own woof, woof.  

Sometimes I think that dumb dog is smarter than me.  He doesn’t let anyone or anything stifle his creativity, and he is making the most of what he has got.  He follows his own rules but hurts no other dogs in the process and is happy while doing it.  

Should he do things like the other dogs he would surly be a failure but he is his own man, err dog. 

When David volunteered to fight Goliath, King Saul tried to equip David with his armor, but David refused it and used his own God given weapons to destroy the giant.  

In life it is needful to know thyself and be true to yourself and to your God, for then, and only then will you have success.

 

This post is shared at “Tell Me a True Story.”

THE DELI CHAPTER 5

If you need to refresh what has been happening at our story - -
Here are the previous chapters - -

Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four

Dining With Linda

 

CHAPTER 5

He arrived a few minutes early but she was already there talking to one of his competitors.

When she saw Len she broke off her conversation and came to greet him.

They were seated and she said, “I think you know the man I was talking to.”

He said, “Yes I do, he is an old friend from school.”

“Well he said some good things about you.”

“Well you don’t want to pay much attention to him for he always has an ulterior motive.”

“What in the world kind of motive could he have in bragging on you?”

“Well to be frank, no I’d better not be frank.”

“Well you started this now finish what you hinted at.  What was he getting at?”

“Okay he is like me, we’re both smitten by you so there, I’m hungry let’s eat.”

As they were reading over the menu she said, “What on earth do you mean “smitten by me?”

“Just that I’m… I find you… I want to marry you, let’s order for I missed lunch today.” 

She gave a bit of a smirk at that and then started to laugh. “I don’t know if this is the way you do business, or if it is just when you think you are dealing with helpless woman.”

“You’re far from helpless I know that much about you. This has nothing to do with business and I have never been more serious, I think I’ll have a steak, how about you.”

She said, “Len I can’t believe you are serious. Don’t you know anything about romance?”

“Yes a little and that will come as soon as you say yes.”

“You’re not serious, you can’t be.”

Len said, “Now don’t tell me that you haven’t checked me out and know most everything about me?”

“Well you got me there I have had you thoroughly checked out from grade school on for I’m not about to risk my company to someone I know nothing about.”

“Then you know I haven’t been this serious about any woman before.”

“Well I didn’t get that far into your past by talking to all your old girlfriends.”

“Just a few?”

“Yes,” she laughed, “Just a few.”

“Then you must know I’m in earnest when I say I want you for my wife. Now don’t tell me you didn’t consider me as a possible suitor after checking on me?”

“Len you are too open and honest for me. I’m not used to guys being this upfront with me. All I can say to your proposal is I will think about it while we are courting.”

He smiled and said, “That is as good as a yes and the proposal is good until you say you want to be my wife.”

After dinner during which neither said hardly anything she said, “I took a cab here, can I get a ride home?”

He said, “Certainly, but first I have to make a stop if that’s alright?”

She said, “Of course, I’m in no hurry to get home.”

Shortly he pulled over and parked and said, “C’mon go with me.”

She hesitated so he said, “It’s alright you will be safe and after all we almost married.”

They climbed the front stairs and rang the bell. An old man came to the door and after focusing his eyes he said, “Len what are you doing here?”

“I just came by to see you and mama.”

They went in and there was an older woman watching T.V.

Len said, “Papa and Mama this is Miss Charles or Linda as you will soon be calling her. She will soon be my wife if she agrees and your daughter-in-law.”

Len’s mother hugged Linda and said, “I didn’t think he would ever find the right one and now, here you are.”

For the next hour Linda found out the whole of Len’s history and Len finally said, “We had better go for it’s getting late.”

They said their goodbyes and while standing on the bottom step of the front porch Len said, “I can’t wait any longer to kiss you if it’s okay?”

She giggled and said, “I thought you’d never ask,” as they embraced.

When they arrived at Linda’s home he said I have something for you.

He pulled out a small box and showed her an engagement ring. He gave the box to her and said, “Either decide to put it on after thinking it over or throw it away for I don’t want to see it again unless it’s on your finger.”

She said, “Isn’t this a little presumptuous?”

“Perhaps… no I don’t think so you have turned your company over to a man you hardly know, and now I’m asking you to marry that same man.”

She couldn’t keep from laughing and said, “You don’t know much about me and you want me for your wife?”

“Well sure, unless there something wrong with you. Do you think I could do better?”

“Since you put it that way I don’t suppose you do better than me.”

“All I ask is please don’t take too long in deciding for my heart can’t take much waiting.”

She said, “I will give you my answer tomorrow.”

As he left he thought this is the craziest thing I have ever done and I bet she feels the same way… I sure hope it works out.

 TO BE CONTINUED