aaMy grandfather was a beekeeper. I can remember aahim arriving in our driveway with a truckload of aabees. Now, I know the phrase truckload means a aalot, and yes, that was true, but when I say aatruckload, I mean truckload. The mode of aatransportation was an old pickup truck in which the aabees traveled in the back, and believe me, there were a lot of them! Fortunately, for the bees, the truck had a cap on it. Can you imagine those poor little things, hanging on for dear life, if the truck hadn’t had a cap?
I was playing in my bedroom, when I heard it; I knew the sound of my grandfather’s truck, so raced down the stairs and into the driveway. My dad had said that sometime my grandfather would be bringing him a swarm of bees. Finally, the day had arrived and I was thrilled.
The bees would be living in a wooden hive, and was I ever ready for it to be unloaded! Then, ever so slowly, the tailgate was lowered and there in front of me was the white box. Bees were in the box and some were on the box, but I also saw a truckload of bees. They were flying all around the inside of the body! I don’t think I could have jumped back any further or opened my eyes any wider than at that very moment! My grandfather said they were disoriented, then to my horror, with bare arms, he reached in to slide the box closer. The bees were landing all over him and I started screaming. Reassuringly, he said, “They don’t sting me. They know me.” They might know him, but I knew we were strangers, so I kept a long distance between us, ready to zig and zag, and then zip into the house and yell, “Mama!”
Through the years, I’ve often thought about that moment. The bees recognized their keeper and landed on him during their time of confusion. Is there a message for us here? Should we too reach out to our keeper, drawing strength during the rough times of our life? What choice will you make?
When the time changed recently, I had a terrible time adjusting. It usually takes me a few days, but this time, I dragged around for over a week. At first, I didn’t know why I was experiencing such a difference, but then the answer came to me. I undoubtedly had been stuck in a time warp!
It’s obvious that a subversive tactic is put into action twice a year in America. Programming human minds to get everyone to do the same thing at the same time; there must be a constitutional right of freedom that is being ignored. Where is our freedom of choice? I wasn’t hurting anyone, but I’m sure being attacked…. The proof that it is working; like little robots, when it is announced that it is time to “spring ahead” or “fall back,” we scurry to our clocks, immediately following the mandate. Where is our individualism? Have we become a nation of following a directive without thought?
If it is 7:30 a.m. and someone tells me that it is only 8:30 a.m., I too have been “programmed” to believe it is so. Why not take this paradigm one step further? Would it be unimaginable to believe that March is the beginning of winter? It certainly would solve the problem of discouragement we’re now facing! Just think… if we extend fall until March (with the exception of a white Christmas), the new reality each year would be that spring is nearly here! Hey, while we’re at it, we might as well extend summer a while longer also. Hmm, winter beginning in March… what a great way to lower heating bills and raise spirits. So from me, to you, Happy New Year!
Retail businesses must love Easter, for it certainly boosts their sales. Just think… plastic eggs, baskets, candy, stuffed animals, chocolate bunnies and of course, let us not forget the new clothes! Adults rush to and fro, searching for just the right dress, shirt and tie, jewelry and dress shoes. Why the sudden burst of energy? Oh yes, I remember now, it’s when families rush to get together for dinner. Everyone is on a tight schedule and just makes it as the meal is about to be served. There’s always such a long line waiting to shake the minister’s hand. Everyone in America goes to church, because after all…. it’s Easter!
As we truly remember the resurrection, let Jesus shine so all the world can see. This may be the only time, other than Christmas, that some people even enter a church. Make all feel welcome and reach out in His name.
Those who know me, realize how much music inspires me. I found the following music video on YouTube and just have to share it with you. It is entitled, Arise My Love and is performed by Newsong. May you receive a blessing this Easter and your heart be filled with a new song!
While listening to the news this morning, it was announced that yesterday, Maine legislators reconsidered the state’s budget. Domestic Abuse programs will not be cut as much as originally proposed. Does God answer prayers? Absolutely!
Even though this is wonderful news, we must still be diligent. Jesus commands us to reach out to others in His name. Please contact a nearby shelter to see which supplies are currently needed. It take but a few moments, and can have a huge impact on many lives.
Thank you for your prayers, and thank you to the legislators who decided that programs that assist victims of Domestic Abuse are important. Do you realize that Maine only has two shelters; one is Bangor and the other in York County.
As I stood at my window, gazing at the gravel covered snow, my first thoughts were, I’m tired of looking at this. It’s so dirty. Turning my head, I searched to find the kind of snow that I enjoyed; light, fluffy, clean and oh, so white. At that moment Jesus came to mind. He spent his life walking through sand and traveling over parched ground. His feet, hands and garments must have been covered with dust and perspiration. No wonder a lowly servant was forced to wash the feet of those entering a home or a gathering place.
Jesus… Jesus… Before Jesus was born of a virgin, did he too have these thoughts? Did he look at humankind, created in his own image and say, “I’m tired of looking at them. They’re so dirty.”
Then with great humility, Jesus became the servant who washed the feet of weary travelers. Feet that were tired and dirty became clean when Jesus washed them. And isn’t that the essence of His life? He took our filth, poured out his blood, and washed us as white as snow.
Is this the reason, I grimaced when I saw the gravel and was drawn towards the white snow? Was it by chance that I had glanced at those things, or was it Jesus speaking to my heart, beckoning me to turn towards him?
Giving our filth and weariness to Jesus is so simple. It is a choice offered to each of us. And oh, the gift we receive… becoming white as snow and being invited to live with Jesus throughout eternity. Do you know Jesus the Christ?
It is that time of year when seasonal comments are exchanged. Rather than Merry Christmas or Happy New Year, we look at each other with longing expressions, remembering a time so very long ago and ask, “Will spring e-v-e-r arrive?”
As stated in the article, Break the Silence, Domestic Abuse has no boundaries. Statistics and descriptions of domestic abuse are available at the National Domestic Abuse Hotline. Resources are also available from this web site. http://www.ndvh.org/educate/abuse_in_america.html
You can educate yourself as well as making this horrific crime known to others. The locations and phone numbers for shelters throughout the United States can be found at http://www.ndvh.org/educate/abuse_in_america.html
Can the United States afford to provide financial support for domestic violence? A better question… Can the United States not afford to provide financial support? Are you willing to help, or will you choose to turn a deaf ear to the cries of these individuals being physically, emotionally, or sexually abused? Terrorizing, stalking and harassment are also forms of Domestic Abuse. I urge you to get involved. Contact a shelter in your area and see how you, an organization to which you belong or your business can assist. Also, encouraging our state and federal senators and legislators to support bills offering assistance is a way to speak out. One voice at a time; together we can make a difference for we are the people of the United States of America. Let us unite and speak for those crying out.
We’ve all heard the term Break the Silence, but do we instantly identify what it represents? If not, what a sad commentary on our existence. How dare we sit back, as if all is well with the world. We lean back in recliners, enjoy our families, socialize with friends, watch television, spend time in the great outdoors and at the end of our day, we slip under the covers and fall asleep. All is well with our world. Notice I said our world, I didn’t say the world or all is well with God’s world. For it isn’t. Break the Silence refers to domestic violence. Were you able to identify its meaning? Recent commercials portray our reaction to domestic abuse as lowering our heads or walking away. Why do we do this? By choosing not to talk about it, do we think it will disappear?
Here are two videos I found on YouTube that bring Domestic Violence to the forefront. The second video is “easier” to watch, but the first one truly opens one’s eyes.
If this video doesn’t load, copy the following url and paste it into your browser. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5115199259864019622
If this video doesn’t load, copy the following url and paste it into your browser. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8595260786454745079
If you’ve been following the news, you’re already aware that once again, Maine is having to make cuts in the current budget. The federal government is providing us with fewer dollars, unemployment has risen, gasoline prices continue to skyrocket and heating one’s home has become astronomical for some. But, President Bush tells us that we’re not in a recession. He obviously is not cognizant of the fact of what’s truly happening to Americans.
So back to Maine… Do you know that the cuts to the budget being proposed includes the assistance to victims of domestic violence? We like to stay in our comfortable world, sometimes realizing that such violence does exist, but that it must be an ill of only those who are “choosing not to work”, “choosing a life of crime”, “choosing to live in poverty.” We can try to explain it away, but the truth is domestic violence has no boundaries. It also exists among the rich and middle class, policemen, lawyers, doctors and other professionals. And it’s not a life that is chosen. How many children do you hear saying, “When I grow up, I want to be emotionally, physically or sexually abused.”
In the Bangor area, victims are offered shelter at Spruce Run. How can you help? Start by going to their website. http://www.sprucerun.net
You will find the following message:
Action Alert: Funding for Spruce Run services and all domestic violence projects in Maine is in peril. Call your legislators. Tell them to preserve this crucial funding.
“In past years when the state cut our funds, the loss was partially offset by federal funding. That is not currently the case; in fact, federal funding for this work is on the chopping block in Washington.
Spruce Run, one of the first domestic violence projects in the country, stands to lose between 25 and 75 percent of its operating budget starting this July. If we do, we will have to substantially alter our 35-year mission and the scope of our work.”
So how can you help? I’ve included a link to locate the names of your legislators. They’re sorted by district as well as town.
Posted by ruabliever2 
Posted by ruabliever2 
Posted by ruabliever2 
