a 2 z - L = LITERATURE

Lit·er·a·ture  -  noun - 1.writings in which expression and form, in connection with ideas of permanent and universal interest, are characteristic or essential features, as poetry, novels, history, biography, and essays.

Most of my LITERATURE, as you can tell from the side bar of my 2010 - 2011 - & 2012 books I've read, is geared to and involves mostly Christian LITERATURE by various Christian authors.

However, we just finished this first novel of the second political thriller series by Joel Rosenberg, The Twelfth Imam.

Some years ago we had read all of Joel's first novel series: The Last Jihad, The Last Days, The Ezekiel Option, The Copper Scroll, and Dead Heat.  We actually read The Twelfth Iman, when it was first published in 2010, but had never purchased the follow-up book, The Tehran Initiative, and we felt we had forgotten so much of the story line of The Twelfth Imam that we needed to re-read it, before purchasing and reading The Tehran Initiative.

What was a real "shocker" to us was that while reading the following on page 377,

"On May 28, 1998, Pakistan conducted five nuclear weapons tests, triggering an earthquake that measured 5.0 on the Richter scale.  On October 9, 2006, North Korea conducted a nuclear test in the North Hamgyong province, resulting in a 4.3 seismic event.  On May 25, 2009, North Korea conducted another nuclear test, resulting in an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.7.  David was no physicist or geologist.  He had no way of knowing for certain.  But on its face, it did seem possible that an earthquake could be triggered by a nuclear test or a series of tests.  Was that what had just happened?  If so, how huge must the nuke have been to trigger an earthquake measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale?"

on the 14th of August, we realized that the below had been reported reported on TV:

Magnitude 6.4 - NORTHWESTERN IRAN2012 August 11 12:23:17 UT

Earthquake Details

• This event has been reviewed by a seismologist.

Magnitude	6.4
Date-Time	Saturday, August 11, 2012 at 12:23:17 UTC Saturday, August 11, 2012 at 03:53:17 PM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location	38.322°N, 46.888°E
Depth	9.9 km (6.2 miles)
Region	NORTHWESTERN IRAN
Distances	20 km (12 miles) WSW of Ahar, Iran 60 km (37 miles) ENE of Tabriz, Iran 95 km (59 miles) E of Marand, Ira

Now I don't know what you make of this, but we do know that Joel Rosenberg's novels, while being fiction, have been very close, in many respects to factual.  So, what is this latest earthquake of  6,2 magnitude saying to us?  I certainly do not know for sure, but I must say..........makes us think and wonder.

I highly recommend this novel, if you enjoy fictional thrillers and we can't wait to start reading the next one, The Tehran Initiative.

Comments welcomed as always.

a 2 z - K = KINDNESS

Kindness - What a beautiful word.

A word that was put into action on Tuesday, August 14th, at Savastano's Pizza from 6 to 9 p.m. when a benefit was held for our dear friend Mary, who just lost her husband, Jack, to cancer.  Actually, a % of ALL the sales made at Savastano's on the 14th went to Mary.

We couldn't go that evening but 5 of us did go in the afternoon.  Lee drove to our house and road with Mickey & I and we met Ron & Doty, and Don & Barbara there.

 Lee & Dody

 Barb & Don 

 Ron, Mickey & Susan 

The food, the atmosphere & the company was all GREAT.

After eating we got in our cars and traveled over to Mary's home to hug on her and let her know we loved her and supported this benefit.

Mary & Lee

Mary even blessed Lee by giving him Jacks, almost new, western hat.  

Please continue to pray for this wonderful Christian woman as she walks out her Faith for her own healing of breast cancer.

We love you, Mary

& 

Thank you to Savastano's for your KINDNESS.

a 2 z - JOYOUS

A time of JOY - JOYOUS

That's what it was this morning, August 19, 2012, in our small group Real Christianity class as we JOYOUSLY celebrated finishing up our first class, and study of The 10 Second Rule for the past 14 weeks,  with a pot-luck breakfast. 

 Kent & I share the role of facilitators and teachers. 

 Kent, Kathy, Susan & Mickey.

Kathy is our secretary and Mickey helps Kent & I in a 1,000 and 1 ways with whatever needs done. 

 Lee treated us with guitar & harmonica music as we ate.

 Starting to arrive.

 Table laden with fresh fruit, cinnamon rolls, quiches, egg & sausage casseroles, link & regular sausages, orange juice. 

 Another view of the laden table with chocolate covered strawberries and more cinnamon rolls and

 each table had sliced pineapple, which wouldn't even fit on the main food table because we had so much!!

 Enjoying the food and

each other..

What a diverse and great group of people that made up this first Real Christianity group.  We are looking forward to recapping the next 2 Sundays and then we'll start our brand new study after Labor Day, on September 9th. 

Stay tuned for coming attraction!

a 2 z - I = INSTRUCT-INSTRUCTION

Do you love to be INSTRUCTED and learn?  I do, and I especially love the way God teaches and INSTRUCTS us continually, precept upon precept, if we will but desire that HE do so.

"I will INSTRUCT thee and teach thee in the way which thou shall go:  I will guide thee with mine eye."  Psalm 32:8 KJV

"Let me give you some good advice; I'm looking you in the eye and giving it to you straight."  The Message .

We got some good INSTRUCTION recently and it so altered my way of thinking I wanted to share it here.:  We recently went to a conference to hear Bill Cloud speak and one of the many things we learned was that in Hebrew the word  "good"- Tov = Something, or someone, is where they are suppose to be, doing what they are suppose to do.  Functioning in the purpose it/they was created for.  That was one of those "WOW" moments for me!!!

Bad - Rah = evil.  Something, or someone, who is NOT where they are suppose to be, doing what they are NOT suppose to do.  NOT functioning in the purpose it was created for. Double "WOW"!!!  I am evil if I'm not functioning in the purpose that God my Father, and Christ my Savior who died for me, and The Holy  Spirit who lives in me, created me to function in.

Conversely, I am good if I am functioning in the purpose that God my Father, and Christ my Savior who died for me, and The Holy Spirit who lives in me, created me to function in.

Boy, that really changes the meaning that I'd been applying to those words and shows how incorrect our usage and idea of what they meant has been.  It's so like us to apply the word "evil" to someone committing murder, abusing children, robbing banks, those really bad, in our eyes, things that WE/I would never do.

So then, I have to ask myself:  "Am I WHERE I am suppose to be, DOING what I am suppose to do. functioning in the PURPOSE I was created for?"

I'm seriously asking myself this question and I trust you will ask yourself the same question now that this INSTRUCTION has been passed on to you.

I ask you to leave me a comment with your thoughts on this post.

a 2 z - H = HURRAH

I had no idea, when I began this a 2 z challenge, that my F - G - and now H would be about books!!!  Then it shouldn't be a surprise either since I am an avid reader and my recent teaching, in both Church small group and my Tuesday Night WOW Woman Bible Study, have been book studies.

We began this book, The Power of BLESSING by Kerry Kirkwood way back on March 27th & finally finished it last night, August 14, 2012.  The book is only 12 chapters and we should have been finished by June 12th.  We didn't because we kept having dvd's that we felt were more pertinent to watch,; primary election, and a vacation that caused us to cancel our meeting for those Tuesdays.

I highly recommend this book for either individual reading or group study.  This is especially true if you have grown up in a home or environment where words of blessing were not spoken over you, and especially if words of cursing have been spoken over you by anyone at any time.  Sadly, in so many homes that are not built on Christ's teaching.this has been the case.  I thank God I grew up in a home where blessings were spoken over me.  

Here are a few quotes from the book:

1. "Blessing and its counterpart, cursing, will set a path for us without our being fully aware of it. "
2. "A person who is full of faith will have the ability to bless continually.   Why?  Becoming a blesser is an issue of faith, because when we bless we are doing it through faith." 
3. "Accusations are a curse."
4. "We are either blessing or cursing.  There is no neutral Ground.  God is the Blesser and the devil is the curser, or the 'accuser of the brethren.'"
5. "Though we may pride ourselves for having an opinion about everything, this habit brings us in agreement with the accuser.  Being opinionated is a difficult habit to quit."
6. "Constantly feeling rejected or being easily offended can also be a sign of habitual cursing flowing through us."

I trust these 6 brief quotes will prompt you to get this book, if this is an area that our enemy, Satan, has made any inroad into your life.  

This is a quote from the very last chapter:  "Remember my definition for a curse: to place something in a lower position than what God intended.  It is safe to say that one does not come under a curse casually or easily.  For one who is a born again believer, a curse must have a cause to have any affect.  Someone cursing you is not enough; there would need to be a point of acceptance through an open door.  That pathway could be agreement by also cursing others, or maybe through fear that curse has power over you."

"Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, so a curse without a cause does not alight." Proverbs 26:2 

Be Blessed by learning to be a Blessing!!

Please be kind and leave me a comment and your opinion.

a 2 z - G = GIVING UP

I am not one to give up ------- but I am GIVING UP on finishing this book.  

One day, while at my favorite Christian bookstore, I walked over to the "sale" book counter and saw this book.  The title caught my eye and upon seeing that it was discussing the 4 Horsemen of atheism:  Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris & Christopher Hitchens.  I decided to buy it and perhaps arm myself a little more with what they believe and say so that when confronted with the people who are caught up into this deception I would be better informed.

The book is 211 pages and after STRUGGLING, and oh my it was a struggle because what these type people believe is so against what I believe and what I know, in my heart of hearts and in my very Spirit, that at page 77 I said, "Enough!  I'm not reading one more page." and set it down.

I am an avid reader and I am usually challenged to finish any book I start but this one I just could not.  To me it was a total waste of my time because when it comes down to the bottom line.....either we believe THE WORD, The Holy Bible, in it's entirety or we don't believe in Jesus, because He is The Living Word that was made flesh.

What I am not GIVING UP on is my faith and trust in God, The Bible and my salvation by the blood of Jesus.......period.

How about you??!!!  What are you GIVING UP or not GIVING UP on?

a 2 z - E = A LOT OF THINGS TO ME

I am using the same "E"s for this post that I used in a similar post last August.  Why??!!  Because honestly I can't for the life of me think of anything better right now. I have added a little more comment on some of the descriptive words and have done so in italics. .

ERRETT - I know this is a strange one to you, but this is my maiden name and I am very proud of it and actually use it as my middle name because when I was born I was not given a middle name. 

ENERGETIC - I have a very high energy level and I require only 5 or 6 hours sleep.  I have always considered this a blessing because it allows me to do a lot of things.  I do notice that as I am getting older my energy level is diminishing :o(

EVASIVE - One thing I am not is evasive.  I am very straight forward and honest and can come across abrasive at times.  

EAGER - I am eager to see what God has in store for me each and every day.  I am eager to meet new people, try new things, and accomplish the tasks set before me.  I am especially eager as I write this & look forward to the next small group class Kent & I will be leading in Real Christianity, which begins September 9th,  based on The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson. 

EXCITEMENT - I have, and continue to live a very exciting life.  I cannot imagine living a life where I did not participate in and try new things.  That is why I was able to start blogging at age 68 and how much excitement that has added to my life.  It is also why we have owned 2 hot air balloons and spent 5 years traveling around the U.S. & Canada in our 5th wheel.  

EVENTUALLY - I will eventually spend eternity in Heaven and that has been, and is, the goal of my life.  I am even more eager for Heaven now that our precious Suzette is there waiting for us.

END - It is time to end this post for this time.  Trust EVERYBODY who happened by to read enjoyed my E's. 

Thanks for dropping by and hope you'll let me know you did by leaving a comment. 

a 2 z - D = DAILY

DAILY we must make a choice to stay in the wonderful, gentle, caring hands of God or try and do it all by ourselves.  I choose to stay safely in His hands.

DAILY - Mickey and I many years ago, while we were both still working and had to get up very early each morning to do so, began a DAILY routine that we do unto this day, and will do as long as God gives us. 

 We begin our day by first reading 2 devotionals:  My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers (a birthday/Christmas gift to me 12-25-97) and recently adding The Word For You Today (a 3 month devotional given to us by our church). We continuously read through a different version of The Bible.  We are currently reading The Scofield  Reference Bible that was given to Mickey on March 27, 1959, at the time of his salvation, by Pastor Charles H. Yates.  This morning we read Amos 2&3.  We then add a Chapter of a current book we are reading or studying.  This morning it was the final chapter of The 10 Second Rule by Clare De Graaf, which we are finishing up this Sunday in our small group Real Christianity. Then we sit side by side, on the couch, hold hands and pray.  Mickey prays first and then I pray.  

I give praise & glory to God, and God alone, for helping us establish this DAILY start to our day.  It has not only helped each of us to grow steadily in The Lord but it has built the very strong marriage that Mickey & I share and enjoy.  Believe me, you cannot be in His Word and in Prayer DAILY and be at odds with each other for very long.  

DAILY - This book of the law shall not depart out of they mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:  for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:8

DAILY (actually moment by moment) Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  Psalms 119:105 

I would love for you to share your DAILY routine in your comments.  If you don't have one please begin to start each day in The Word and Prayer. 

A 2 Z Challenge - B = BRENDA & BLESSING

B is definitely for BRENDA and her B.E. Creative Co. and the BLESSING that we received from her.

Our history: Mickey & I meet Brenda, her husband Sunny and her youngest daughter Grace, back in October 2008 when we went to Flagstaff to celebrate our 50th Anniversay.  At the time our blog connection had not been very long and since then Brenda, and family, has moved to Colorado.  Over these past 4 years of blogging Brenda has become one of those I have developed a very close relationship with.   Shortly after our beloved Suzette went to Heaven Brenda contacted me and said she wanted to gift Mickey & I with one of her precious Memory Books she makes and asked me to send her pictures, personal information and various items pertaining to Suzette and her life.

Last Thursday this precious BLESSING arrived at our house.  Isn't it just so like God that it "happened" to arrive on August 2nd, the birthday of our youngest son, Marc.  An honor to our oldest child, Suzette, arriving on the BD of our youngest child.  God never ceases to amaze me in all the minute details HE does for us.

I, nor my camera, are very good and my pictures do not do this treasure justice but I have tried my best to capture it all here.

In Memory of Jeri Suzette Joyce Stevens - !2-13-54/5-19-11

The front of the book depicts the beautiful sterling silver heart I wear around my neck in honor of Suzette.  It was my birthday gift from son Marc on December 25, 2011.  The locket has a tear on it and came with this poem. 

 Since Heaven has become your home

I sometimes feel I’m so alone;
And though we now are far apart
You hold a big piece of my heart.

I never knew how much I’d grieve
When it was time for you to leave,
Or just how much my heart would ache
From that one fragment you would take.

God let’s this tender hole remain
Reminding me we’ll meet again,
And one day all the pain will cease
When He restores this missing piece.
He’ll turn to joy my every tear,
And when I wear this necklace near
It will become my simple way
To treasure our Reunion Day.

Page 1:  Me holding her "In Mommy's arms December 13, 1954.  Around the picture "Our mother is the safe place we run to.  Her love and faith in us defines who we are.  How can we help but love her?"

Suzette sticking her finger in her 1 year birthday cake - reads "A daughter is one of the most bautiful gifts the world has to give. " 

Page 2:  Depicts family.  A picture of Suzette & Jacque, ages 2 & 3, in front of a picture of their grandmother & grandfather Errett and me.  The picture in the lower part of opposite page is the last picture taken of ALL of us with Grandmother Errett before her death.  Christmas, 1982 - Susan, Marc, Mickey, Grandmother Errett, Suzette, David, Jacque.   Behind that is another picture taken when Marc was a baby - 1970:  Suzette, David, Marc, Jacque.

Page 3:  Early school picture 1962-63 age 7 and high school graduation picture 1971 age 17.

Page 4:  Music of Amazing Grace the one she requested be sung at her memorial services.  The verse from Psalm 112:6-8 Speaking of the righteous...He will have no fear of bad new; his heart is steadfast trusting in the Lord.  His heart is secure he will have no fear, in the end he will triumph on his foes.  This is the verse we gave Suzette on 9-28-10 the day she was first diagnosed with cancer. 

Page 5:  A little packet with a copy of the letter Suzette's nephew Aric wrote to her and was read to her on the evening of May 19, 1911.  

The hand written note:  Dear Suzette, It's me, Aric, this is one of the few letters I've written.  Please take your time to read this.  You see, we all care for you.  You're really a great aunt and we all pray for you.  Treasure this and please remember we're all there for you.  It would take a miracle to survive, so please let this letter go to your heart and treasure it always.  Love you so very much, Your nephew, Aric Joyce (Age's age was 12)
The opposite page is a little sheer fabric envelope with a piece of the yarn from the prayer shawl I had made as a Christmas gift for all my children for Christmas 2010 but pulled off the shelf and took to Suzette, along with the above verse on that May 19th evening. Inside is a picture of the prayer shawl with the 3 verses, Jeremiah 31:16-17 - Psalm 33:11 - Proverbs 22:6.

*******************

Page 6:  SISTERS -Oh no!!!  I failed to post the picture on this one.  It is the young 4 & 3 year old picture of them above, a picture of them taken at Mickey & my 30th Wedding Renewal on October 4, 1988, and the last picture of Jacque & Suzette ever taken together in March of 2011,

*******************

Page 7:  Picture of Dave & Suzette, taken at Aric's birthday party, February 3, 2011 which has a heart reading "Dave & Suzette - February 14, 1994" which was their marriage date.
Top of the page:  Family picture of Dave, Susan, Marc, Mickey & Suzette taken in December, 1996 and the lower picture of  Dave, Aric, Suzette & Marc, also taken February 3, 2011.

Page 8:  Christmas pictures:  2008: Suzette, Oksana, Jessica, Jacque, Susan & 2010 Jacque, Jessica, Susan & Suzette in our "BELIEVE" birthday T-shirts.

Page 9:  A beautiful etching of Suzette's face by Brenda with the words "My Father is the safe place I've run to.  His love and faith in me has defined who I am." and on the opposite side "How can I help but love Him?"

The back cover:  In Daddy's arms May 19, 2011

This beautiful Memory Book came in this lovely wicker box and is a treasure and future family heirloom that is be on our coffee table.

Mickey & I wept as we opened this box and looked at each precious page of memories on August 2nd and I've been weeping as I've written this post.  Such a sweet, precious, priceless gift of love and sacrifice on Brenda's part.

Yes - BRENDA & BLESSING  are my B's.  I love you and I thank you sweet Brenda.  You will never know what this has meant to not only Mickey & I but our family. 

A 2 Z Challenge - A

A = AGAIN & AGE

Time for me to share a birthday celebration AGAIN.  This time it is Marc's who turned 43 years of AGE. His birthday was August 2nd but we waited to celebrate until Saturday evening the 4th.

He said if he got his "dreathers" he'd like to go to Texas Roadhouse for his dinner.

The birthday person always get's their "dreathers" so off we go.  Top picture, sister Jacque, son Aric, mom Susan, dad Mickey & honoree/birthday boy Marc.  Our family is a little "smaller" this time with Suzette gone, Oksana living in Indiana, Jessica off to school at OU and Benny in Alaska but we 5 are strong and thick!!

Since they bring out a saddle for the Birthday person, and they have to get in the saddle for the birthday cheer and hoopla Marc might have been sorry he got those "dreathers"!!!  At first reluctant and not wanting to, I think from the smile on his face he enjoyed it.

After our wonderful meal we all headed to his home in Owasso for the Birthday Cookie and his gift.  As we left the restaurant we drove through a really heavy downpour of much needed rain and that was such a blessing. We didn't get one single drop at our home in Coweta.   

Dad giving his son his gift - when opened it was one of Mickey's old worn out shirts and old tie :o) but also a treasure map he had drawn.

Starting out from the entry hall, per the map

After several twists and turns - into the garage - where, after weaving through all the unpacked stuff in his 3rd car garage space, he was instructed to open the garage door

So he could see his gift - a painted lion for his yard.

Mickey & I had given Marc a plain, concrete lion 12 years ago, as a housewarming gift when he purchased his 2nd Tulsa home.  During the long 18 months of that empty house being on the market someone stole the lion.  Not knowing what to get him this year Jacque came up with the wonderful idea of seeing if we could find another lion.  I won't go through all that we went through finding this guy, but we finally did in Skiatook, a town about an hour away from Tulsa, and Mickey & I drove out there on August 1st and walked all over a HUGH area of statuary to find this beauty in 111 degree heat.  Talk about HOT and almost did us in ---- but when we saw this guy we knew he was Marc's

LEO the Lion

&

The Lion of Judah

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our youngest child.

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  Thanks to my friend, Retha who is participating in this challenge, for the reminder. I am going to once again participate in the A to Z challenge at Patty's.  I needed this to get back to posting daily.