RIP Rue MacClanahan

I was sad to hear she passed away the other day. I loved the Golden Girls and I still watch them when I need a laugh. It brings back such fond memories of staying with my grandmother and watching this with her every Saturday night. My thoughts and prayers are with the MacClanahan

Finally Home

This song really
touches my heart! These are the same questions I
have had over the years. When you are teenager or young adult, and a parent
passes away they miss so much of the person you become. Sometimes it is overwhelming but I know that I will see
…him again one day. My dad died 16 years ago today at the young age of 39. It
was a turning point in my life. I hope this song will minister to you for
anyone close or special you have lost!

Michael Jackson Dies

I heard this breaking news this evening and it saddened me because I grew up with Michael Jackson. Here are the details as of right now.

Farrah Fawcett loses her battle with cancer

Farrah died at the young age of 62 of cancer that she had been battling for 2 1/2 years. I remember her most for her role in Charlies Angels. I used to watch this show when I was a little girl with my mom.  Here is the article about her accomplishments and life. I pray for her family during this time of loss!

Writing

Sorry I have not written much this week. I just posted a bunch of items. Anyway, we attended the funeral of dear friend who passed away Tuesday and my hubby and girls have been sick. Pooky had a sinus infection last week and peanut kept running a fever and I thought she had the same thing and I was shocked yesterday that she had strep. We literally have not been out of the house in a month or more.  Also, she has been in a fairly good mood and she has been eating and her fever has been fairly low. Usually with strep you are running a high fever, feel really bad and cannot eat. Anyway, we are all on the mend so hopefully I can get back to writing about my lovely family and politcal stuff. You know I love it.

Heaven

Our pastor preached the second half of his message on Saturday called Heaven. This was a wonderful message. I had a dream last year that I went to Heaven and saw my dad. He lived in a house and he was asleep. This was a comforting dream to me just to see him again. We talked for hours but in the dream I did not know what we talked about. I pray this message will inspire you too.

Heaven and Hell – Part 2

What do you think about Heaven? What do you think it’s going to be like? Have you ever given any deep thought to that? Very few people know what heaven is really like. Most people think of people and angels just kind of floating around in space or in the clouds, not really having anything to do. It sounds pretty boring. The truth is that there’s quite a bit more to Heaven than that. Most people don’t have a clue just how good heaven will be.

When I started studying Heaven, it was probably the most difficult, but fascinating study I’ve ever done on the Bible. The topic is so vast, that it is impossible to answer every question in a short space, but I would like to answer a few of the key questions. Then, I want to leave it up to you to dive deeper into the subject. (To help you in your own study, let me highly recommend one of the most thorough books on the subject: Heaven by Randy Alcorn.)

The Bible has a lot to say on the subject and that’s where we need to go first to find answers about Heaven. First, take a look at Philippians 1:21-23. Among other things, Paul says that Heaven is “far better” than anything we’ll ever experience here on earth. Think about some of the best experiences you’ve ever had in the earth, or the most beautiful places you’ve ever seen. According to Paul, Heaven will be far better.

God’s Word also talks about two heavens. First, there is the present heaven, where believers go when they die and which is described as paradise and a place of transition. (See Luke 16:9-26) When we die on the earth, our bodies return to the earth, and we pass into this temporary heaven in the form of soul and spirit.

Then there is the eternal Heaven, or second Heaven. The Apostle John describes this in the Book of Revelation (21:1-8). At the end of time, the old heaven and earth will be destroyed and there will be a new heaven and earth. Heaven will come down to the earth and we will live on the earth, but it will also be Heaven. It will be more beautiful than anything we can imagine. In fact, the earthly beauty that we see even now is only a vague, shadowy reflection of the splendor that will be. In this new Heaven, there will be no more death, sickness, suffering, sorrow, pain or any other evil thing brought about by sin and the curse. We’ll have new bodies in which we’ll be able to do things we can’t do now. Can you imagine that? It’s true! And, not only that, but we will be in God’s presence all the time, ruling with Him, learning, discovering and rejoicing! I want to go, don’t you?!

Here’s what we have to understand: after we die, we will all face two judgments. The first, which will determine whether we spend eternity in Heaven or Hell, is not based on works (what we have done) but on our faith. It is only if we believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that Jesus Christ is Lord that we will gain entrance into Heaven.

The second judgment, concerning our works, determines how we will experience eternity – what rewards we are given. Again, we are not saved by our works. BUT, our works give evidence to our salvation. If we truly have faith, we will do good works. Like the Apostle James said, “Faith without works is dead.” All of us will stand before the judgment seat to have our works judged and be given rewards. Therefore, it matters what we do.

Heaven is going to be unimaginably awesome! Don’t you want to go there? Certainly you don’t want to trade that for a little earthly pleasure now and an eternity of torment. I urge you, if you haven’t already done so, turn to Christ right now. God loves us so much. He doesn’t want any of us to perish. So, turn away from doing life on your own. Stop living only for yourself and surrender to Jesus. Don’t get all religious; just start walking in relationship with Christ, and tell someone about it who can help you continue to grow. If you will do that, all the splendor of Heaven awaits you!

Professor B

A very nice and honorable man at our church that devoted his entire life to education has died this week at the tender age of 70. His name was Everard Barrett. He is from Jamaica and moved the the USA in 1955. I was privileged to sit in one of his three day seminars on teaching children mathematics. He developed his own program that is in all 50 states and around the world now. This program was developed because one of his sons was really struggling in math. As a math professor, he was able to reteach his son and his son went on to graduate at the top of his class. He is one of the sweetest, compassionate men I know. He truly had a heart and passion for children and learning and for people to come to Christ.

He will be missed!

My Dad

Fifteen years ago today, my dad passed away. Fifteen years ago it was hot and sunny. Today is cloudy, drizzling and chilly. Oh how I wish he were here to meet my husband and my girls. My youngest, Peanut, reminds me so much of him. She smiles and laughs all the time. He was just like that. He hardly ever got angry and he had the best sense of humor.

Generic Drugs

My hubby takes a medication every day and they have now come out with a generic. I refused to take it because of the type of medication it is one little component off could spell major problems. I pray every day that our insurance will continue to pay for the brand name because sometimes they will only cover generic and his medicine without insurance is $500 a month.  We pay $25. I am not opposed to generic antibiotics or creams or even nose sprays but when it comes to heart meds, diabetes meds and seizure meds these are things that could be detrimental to someone and has been if one little thing is off.

One little girl who had a seizure disorder in our state was told that her insurance would no longer cover the brand name of drug and the generic was exactly the same. Her parents gave it to her. Her seizures had been under control and within a couple hours of taking the new medication she starting having seizures and went into cardiac arrest two times. She almost died. The insurance company said they will allow the brand name but they have to get a doctor’s note each month to override this. I just think this is ridiculous. Seizure meds espeicially are very important to take at the same time and never ever just cut cold turkey or inevitably you will go into a seizure just from withdrawal from the meds. I don’t think these insurance companies are consulting doctors only the bottom line adn profit. This is crazy and I hope these cases will persuade insurance companies to look very closely and listen to the patients.