USHERING IN A NEW ERA! 7/1/12

THE SUPREME COURT ushered in their interpretation of the United States Constitution to the chagrin of the American people. Oh it is true many are celebrating in the streets, because they have grown accustom to receiving instead of working. Again, I am not complaining but I do have that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. Where this country is headed is further down the broad road that is leading to destruction and farther from the “will of God!

EVEN THOUGH “Obamacare” is not to become fully in effect until 2014 it has already been showing up in many of the changes in health care; pharmaceutical prices, treatments and how long you have to wait for appointments. If it wasn’t for ER many would be dying on the streets to receive care!  Maybe that is a little strong but the sick feeling I have in the pit of my stomach, causes me to feel medically deprived.

GROWING UP poor, didn’t mean that we did not have medical emergencies. It didn’t mean that the Doctor would not make house calls. It didn’t mean that if you need hospitalization, that you would be turned down. When my sister Joyce was being born; Daddy was told to put his clothes back on and go get the Doctor. Joyce was born at home! When I hurt my leg on the jungle gym while playing on the school grounds, Mom took me to the Doctor who put me in the hospital for x-rays. I spent the night! Bruised my leg but “I spent the night!” When my Mom needed surgery on her lungs she was admitted into Harbor General which was a “state” hospital. I remember sitting in the Doctor’s office along with my younger siblings to get shots for Whooping Cough!

BEING TURNED away has never been an American motto. However, self induced medical conditions should be up to the person to pay for them. I’m talking about drugs, alcohol and other self induced conditions like pregnancies or life style diseases and/or self inflected wounds. People are fined by the Fire Dept for their having to put out grass fires or house fires that are started by negligence. Self induced is the problem of the person who has indulged in these kinds of life styles.

I PRAY for those under those conditions. I am sorry for what is happening to them and their families. I wish I could wiggle my nose and Jesus would become their Savior and their lives would be changed in an instant. The only one who can make this life, in this world, liveable is Jesus Christ. The only way to live with the dictates of our government is to be living under the wings of our Lord. He has promised us a life of peace and joy. Our government can only promise us a life of taxation!

FREEDOM? We still live in the best country in the world! We still live under the best conditions possible in the world. We still breathe in and breathe out on a daily bases. However, that does not come from the promises of our congress but because God created us with that ability. Praise God, for whom all blessings flow.

“BE SUBJECT for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing right you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 1 Peter 13-17 By not taking liberties in the freedoms that God has given us, we stand apart from the world.

“IF MY PEOPLE who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 We who live in God’s freedom do pray and remember these words. But the key here is to “turn from our wicked ways, then He will hear us from heaven and will forgive us our sins and will heal our land! Oh soul who is wearied and troubled; turn from your wicked ways and seek America’s freedom from the oppressors!
By Jane Ann Crenshaw 6/28/12

6/24/12         DOING SILLY THINGS!    

I REMEMBER an email that circulated some years ago and a poem that began with; “When I am old, I will wear purple!” At 50 that was pretty cute! At 60 I began to believe I could wear purple! At 70 I am beginning to think that standing on a corner with a stick is pretty silly. Yesterday, Jim was sitting at the computer and I stopped at the door and asked if he would get the mail from the mail box. He stopped quickly what he was doing and stumbled as he got up and made his way to where I was standing. He laughed and leaned against the door frame and said; I’m old! We laughed not because he is old, but because sometimes we actually feel old!

EXCEPT for a few aches and pains; the legs don’t quite move as quick as they use to and our arms are not as strong, but we still feel young inside. We have to look in the mirror to be reminded by the wrinkles, sagging skin, thin hair, or no hair, to realize our age. Sometimes after getting down on the floor, we are reminded that things don’t work like they to use to, when we try to get up again.

DAN & FAYE spent their 25th anniversary by doing the things they like to do. She called it “doing the silly things we like to do!” I was reminded of the silly things that Jim and I use to like to do. Now we like to watch babies and toddlers do their silly antics and we remember when our children and grandchildren did those things. We smile and laugh and want it to continue. But Moms and Dads aren’t at the place where they want to enjoy that. They make them stop and behave so they will grow up to be presentable in public. But the presentation that some make, is suspect, when they grow up!

TEENAGERS are not fun to watch! I think for the most part it is because their closets have a mixer just inside the door, and they turn it on when they are picking out what they want to wear. I think they carry tools in their pockets so they can stick things on their noses, eye brows and lips which sets them apart from attractiveness and to the brink of ugliness. I am not complaining; it is their choice. But I like to look at beauty, sweetness, and happiness rather than puzzlement. I find myself searching for a winner as we watch the parade in the Malls. Of course Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

TEENAGERS who truly care about themselves are set a part. For the of life me, I don’t know why, all teenagers don’t want to look good! Or have self esteem, and just be themselves. Life is so short and is to be enjoyed. Making a statement all the time has to get old! I grew up with hand me downs and I love shopping at the thrift stores so looking good, doesn’t mean having financial means.

“AS IN water, face reflects the face; so the mind of man reflects the man!” Proverbs 27:19 It has been said that we are what we eat, but I wonder if it really should say; “We are what we think!” What is in the mind of our young people that they want to regress into the primitive ways of man? I remember being silly in my youth but I don’t remember trying to attract negative attention. I guess that would have embarrassed me! Sometimes what I see today, sort of embarrasses me!

I KEEP reminding myself that God looks upon the heart while man looks upon the outward appearance. But I read in Isaiah 65 “I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here am I, here am I,” to a nation that did not call on my name. I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices.” My heart aches for these young people who have set their minds and attention on things that are worthless. “Even a child makes himself known by his acts, whether what he does is pure and right.” Proverbs 20:9

GOD’s DESIRE is for people to “walk in the way of good, and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will inhabit the land, and those of integrity will remain in it!” Proverbs 2:20  Maybe Jim and I have lost some of our silly ways and maybe our sense of humor is not what it used to be. We just wish that the young people we see today could enjoy life as we have and still do. In Christ all things are possible! Keep faithful with your light shining, and smile! By Jane Ann   Crenshaw 6/22/12

HONOR THY BROTHERS! 6/17/12

BECAUSE today is Father’s Day I would like to pay honor to my Father. I honor him because he gave me life! I love him because he was my father! I remember him because he was my Father! I was 15 when he died and I was saddened years later, when I realized how much I didn’t know about him. He told me he was a “Breakfast Cook” but I always thought of him as a chef. He was an alcoholic and never held a job for long. I discovered that he spent time with my older siblings and even taught my older brothers how to swim. One of the things that I am most grateful for, is that all fourteen of us, came from one set of parents. BECAUSE today is Father’s Day I would like to pay honor to two of my brothers who raised me and my four younger siblings, and deserve to be honored as Fathers. Lloyd was 16 when he became disabled to the point that he no longer attended school, and so he took care of the younger kids. I was about 3! He is the one that would say to me each morning; “Morning Glory!” He fixed us lunch and I think prepared dinner. He prepared potatoes like the food network, before there was a food network. He had food sense and it showed in every dish he made. He was well read and could give you an answer to most subjects. He would learn a new word everyday and I for one, will never forget; “No thank you, I have had a sufficiency; anything more would be a superfluous delicacy!” LONNIE was a little younger than Lloyd and was able bodied. Lonnie was quieter than some of my brothers, but he was built with an inner core that said; “I am responsible for this family now that Daddy is gone!” He worked hard and gave much of his wages to support the family. The other older siblings gave also, including me when I was old enough. But it was Lonnie that was Mom’s “go to” person for all of the extras. He was firm with his instructions. I bought a car and he made me change the tire twice and then said; “Don’t call me to come and fix a flat nor to put gas in the car. Find yourself a mechanic and he will soon know your car!” Lonnie also told me to never run out the door when your boyfriends honk their horns; he must come to the door! I never had boyfriends who drove cars! Also I was never to sit in a car with a boy unless I was engaged to him! WHEN I was getting married, I wanted Lonnie to give me away! However, I knew that I had to ask Lloyd. He was older than Lonnie and he had taken care of me when I was very little. It was a hard choice but I talked with Lonnie about it and he agreed that Lloyd was to be asked. Lonnie didn’t attend weddings or most holiday functions or even most celebrations. He agreed to pick up my attendants and bring them to the church. He stayed for my wedding and then left before the reception. Both of these men were single all of their lives and we were their children. It hurt me when they passed away, when I was in my 50's and 60's. I hold them up as ones who trained me! SOME would say that a single man lives for himself. Some might say that a single man sows as many oats as he can for he lives to eat, drink and to be merry. These two men took the responsibilities that were handed to them and we were very blessed. “A stupid son is a grief to a father; and the father of a fool has no joy.” Proverbs 17:21 My father knew what Lloyd had given us kids, but if my father could have known how Lonnie stepped up to the plate, I wonder how that would have made him feel. I know how it made me feel! >“LISTEN to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom for the future.” Proverbs 19:20 We kids, learned a lot from the love of these two men. So different from each other and yet both of them were family oriented. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 I often wonder if my brothers knew just how much they have influenced us kids. I often think about the obvious ways that Lloyd showed us his love and the quietness of Lonnie who would knock on my door and tell me, every morning; “It is your turn in the bathroom!” Today I give them honor, and say “thank you!” By JA Crenshaw 6/15/12

KEEPING FIT! 6/10/12

KEEPING FIT was not in most vocabularies when I was a child because our play ground was the outdoors. The foods in the stores did not include chips and dips or even french fries. Nacho’s hadn’t been invented by a man called Nacho! We did have hamburgers and hotdogs but the weight didn’t really become a problem until I was in high school. Perhaps that was because my mother emptied the Helm’s Bakery truck every Saturday night. Our freezer was then full of all kinds of pastries and bread. LOOKING through some papers that I have saved through the years I came across a couple of tidbits that you might find interesting. “Looking to work more vegetables in to your kids’ diet?” Jen Sigmund says; “I cut up fruits and veggies and set them on the table about thirty minutes before dinner. I don’t draw attention to them, I just start fixing dinner. Nine times out of ten, when I go to set the table, they are gone!” We usually do that before we serve a big dinner, and call them veggies! HOW ABOUT this one? Roasted Pumpkin Seeds are the healthiest Halloween snack around! Scoop the seeds out of your pumpkin and rinse them well. Blot the seeds dry with a paper towel, then toss them with a tablespoon of vegetable oil for each cup of seeds, and salt to taste. Spread the seeds on a cookie sheet and bake at 375 until golden brown; about 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool before serving! JUST DON”T tell your kids that these are loaded with minerals, such as zinc, iron, and magnesium, as well as protein, fiber and heart-heathy fatty acids. Most have a reluctance to eat something that is suppose to be “healthy” for you. Most have a reluctance to eat anything that appears to be a “new” diet for them. Most do not even realize that “diet” means a daily fare of food and drink. GOD has set forth many daily dietary plans for us. These are not necessarily for our stomachs but for our health and well being. “A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken. The mind of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. All the days of the afflicted are evil, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:13-15 God says that when we belong to him and are walking in the path of His son, our lives will be full of joy! IN PHILIPPIANS 2, Paul tells us to do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than ourselves. In chapter 4, he tells us to not worry about anything, but to pray daily with supplications and thanksgiving. In Colossians 3 Paul continues with whatever you do in word or deed, to do all in the name of Jesus Christ. In Ecclesiastes 9, Solomon says; “whatever our hands find to do, do it with all your might.” 1 Corinthians 10, Paul continues with; “whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul says; “You know the old saying? First you eat to live, and then you live to eat? Well, it may be true that the body is only a temporary thing, but that’s no excuse for stuffing your body with food, or indulging it with sex. Since the Master honors you with a body, honor him with your body!” (The Message) “I CAN DO anything I want to if Christ has not said no, but some of these things aren’t good for me. Even if I am allowed to do them; I’ll refuse to, if I think they might get such a grip on me that I can’t easily stop when I want to. For instance, take the matter of eating. God has given us an appetite for food and stomachs to digest it. But that doesn’t mean we should eat more than we need. Don’t think of eating as important, because some day God will do away with both stomachs and food.” 1 Corinthians 6:12-13 (The Living Bible) Allowing things to control us, leads us away from God! I JUST LOVE the way God’s Word clarifies how we should live to have joy! “He gives food to all flesh, for His steadfast love endures for ever. O give thanks to the God of heaven, for His steadfast love endures for ever.” Psalms 136:15-26 I can’t help but say with David in Psalms 138 “I give thee thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 6/8/12

I DIDN'T KNOW THAT! 6/3/12

AS A CHILD I was filled with questions and the one I use the most was; why! My mother told me she should have given me “Why” for my middle name. Children always have questions. As we grow older we hate to ask too many questions because we don’t want to give the impression that we are not in the know. I remember watching the Dick Van Dyke show, where he was running for office. The two candidates were asked to have a question and answer time. Dick felt okay because he was encouraged to run by those in the know. They surely thought he could do the job! AS DICK’S opponent would answer the questions, Dick would get that amazed look on his face and say; I didn’t know that! By the time the question and answer period was over, Dick was convinced that he should drop out of the race and vote for the other guy. I can’t remember how it all turned out, but the point is that we should ask questions if we don’t know the truth. SEARCHING out the truth takes time but is rewarding in the end. Through the years I have discovered that many are ignorant of God’s Word because they don’t know how to read, understand or study the Bible. I know this because once I was there! When I discovered that many Sunday School materials did not teach what I believed, because they were geared to be used in all churches, it was up to me to bring the truth into my lessons. I LEARNED then to look at the scriptures in a personal way, so that I could teach it in a more personal way. I began to ask myself questions like; “what does it say?” “How does it apply to me today?” “Does it convict me in any way?” “What will I do about it?” “When will I begin?” I discovered that asking the whys and how’s; the scriptures would give me the answers. Today I have learned another question to ask; “what did this passage mean to the people who were living at that time?” This question helps immensely when studying Revelation. I REMEMBER Harry, an elderly friend who has since gone home to be with the Father. His greatest desire during the few years we knew him, he wanted to witness to others about His Savior. Just being Harry, was a witness! I think of him when I want to talk about “How to witness.” The life we live is our greatest witness to our Savior. Harry could hardly talk above a whisper but that didn’t keep him from sharing. He carried cards in his pockets when he would talk with you. He had usual questions like; “how are you?” But he also carried scriptures that he could show to others. HERE are a couple of questions that I hear often but the answers are never quite what God’s Word says. “Have you come to a place in your spiritual life where you know for certain that if you should die today you would go to heaven?” Today you say a prayer and then you can be certain. 1 John 5:12-13 says; “He who has the Son has life; he who has not the Son of God has not life. I write this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” To have the Son you must accept Him as your personal Savior and be baptized to receive the Holy Spirit. THE SECOND question is; “Suppose you were to die tonight and stand before God and He were to say to you, Why should I let you into my heaven?” Again, today you can say a prayer and then you know. John 3:16 says; “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” God has made it possible for all to enter into His heavens through His Son Jesus, but belief is not enough, because this scripture says “should not perish.” This is where my questions come into play. If I truly believe and seek His face through repentance and forgiveness, and am obedient to His Word, I can claim His promises. OH BE careful little hands what you do; little mouths what you say; little feet where you go; little eyes what you see and little ears what you hear; for the Father up above is looking down with love! BY Jane Ann Crenshaw 6/2/12