Time To Make A Stand

I am a firm believer in choice. So was Jesus. You chose who you will serve and it's your choice. You have that right.  That' s what America was built on. I am zealous for Christ, but if you choose not to follow Him, I can't and won't make you. So I'm a little frustrated with people who want to force me to accept their behavior and say nothing about it. If you are sensitive skip this part because it might offend you. Sadly, those who want me to accept their lifestyle say I'm a biggot if I say that what they are doing offends me and is wrong. Well, when it comes to protecting my family maybe I am.

These are troubling times when the minority cries bigotry every time someone  speaks against anything that goes contrary to their agenda. Several states have played with the idea that if a woman thinks she's a man and dresses that way she can use a public male restroom and it's okay. The same for a man who dresses and lives as a woman using a public ladies room. The problem with this is that they still have their God-given anatomy that doesn't work the same as people who go into those assigned restrooms.

Now it will work for a man dressed as a woman going in a public ladies restroom, because he can sit. But how is a woman who dresses and lives like a man going to squat on a urinal? Very plain, I know, but a legislation that the LGBT and their politicians seem to be pushing and passing. 

We have already had a man arrested this week out west who pretended to be transgender so he could watch women use the restroom. Our liberal opposition say things like this won't happen on a regular basis, but every time we have opened Pandora's Box something else evil has come out of it.

I for one don't want my mother, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, sister-in-laws, or nieces to ever have to worry about someone of the opposite sex (still with their body parts intact) using the same restroom just because they have on a dress or business suit. You have the right to live the way you want to, but use common decency when it comes to matters like this.

Parents, don't let it happen in your schools. Public officials, please use common moral sense. I'm not a negative Nellie, but the rise in predatory crime will happen, as well as other things that are not decent, in spite of what those who stand for this garbage say.

I am not afraid of gays, lesbians, or transgender people. I just refuse to live or mimic their lifestyle because to me it is ungodly. That's my opinion and I am sticking with it. You have the right to your opinion as I do, but don't holler discrimination every time I don't get my way.  I don't threaten to close down a business because I don't want you to legislate who can use which bathroom. I personally believe it is a few rabble rousers that are trying to make the whole look bad. That's the same with many Christians who try to impose their will and lifestyle on someone who doesn't want to be a Christian. Remember, it's a choice and you must choose who you serve. Just asking for everyone involved to think about moral decency and common compassion when it comes to potty use.

The right to say the Pledge of Allegiance or display Biblical characters is already under attack. Prayer in school has been abolished. History is being changed by scholars in books, divorce is at an all time high, fear is being compounded by ISIS, and our children and grandchildren have to deal with enough stuff in their lives. It is my concussion then they should not have to worry at school, or work, or at a ball game, or any where that somebody could be watching them as a possible target in a public restroom. The Roman Empire fell when common decency took a vacation and the will of a few influenced the majority. Don't let it happen in America!

Marriage

-Marriages are made in heaven, but so are thunder and lightning.

-If you want your spouse to listen and pay strict attention to every word you say, talk in your sleep.

-Marriage is grand and divorce is at least 100 grand!

-Married life is very frustrating. In the first year of marriage, the man speaks and the woman listens. In the second year, the woman speaks and the man listens. In the third year, they both speak and the neighbors listen.

-When a man opens the door of his car for his wife, you can be sure of one thing: Either the car is new or the wife is.

-Marriage is when a man and woman become as one. The trouble starts when they try to decide which one.

-Before marriage, a man will lie awake all night thinking about something you said. After marriage, he will fall asleep before you finish.

-Every man wants a wife who is beautiful, understanding, economical, and is a good cook, but the law allows only one wife.

-Every woman wants a man who is handsome, understanding, economical and a considerate lover, but again, the law allows only one husband.

-Man is incomplete until he marries. After that, he is finished.

Are You Ready?

A very zealous soul-winning young preacher came upon a farmer mending a fence along the roadside. Being concerned about the farmer's soul the preacher pulled over and asked the man, "Are you laboring in the vineyard of the Lord my good man?"

Not even looking at the preacher and continuing his work the farmer replied, "Naw, these are soybeans."

"You don't understand," said the preacher. "Are you a Christian?"

With the same amount of interest as his previous answer the farmer said, "Nope my name is Jones. You must be lookin for Jim Christian. He lives a mile south of here."

The young determined preacher tried again asking the farmer, "Are you lost?"

"Naw! I've lived here all my life," answered the farmer.

"Are you prepared for the rapture?  It's coming soon," the frustrated preacher asked.

This caught the farmer's attention and he asked, "When's it gonna be?"

Thinking he had accomplished something the young preacher replied, "It could be today, tomorrow, or the next day."

Taking a handkerchief from his back pocket and wiping his brow, the farmer remarked, "Well, please don't mention it to my wife. She don't get out much.  If she hears about it she'll wanna go all three days."

Who Has Used These Words Before???

1. Arachnoleptic fit (n.) The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.
2. Beelzebug (n.) Satan in the form of a mosquito that gets into your bedroom at 3AM in the morning and cannot be cast out. 
3. Bozone (n.) The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.
   
4. Cashtration (n.) The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period.
   
5. Caterpallor (n.) The color you turn after finding half a grub in the fruit you're eating.
   
6. Decaflon (n.) The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.
   
7. Dopelar effect (n.) The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when you come at them rapidly.
   
8. Extraterrestaurant (n.) An eating place where you feel you've been abducted and experimented upon. Also known as an E-T-ry.
   
9. Grantartica (n.) The cold, isolated place where art companies dwell without funding.
   
10. Hemaglobe (n.) The bloody state of the world.
    
11. Intaxication (n.) Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.
    
12. Kinstirpation (n.) A painful inability to move relatives who come to visit.
    
13. Lullabuoy (n.) An idea that keeps floating into your head and prevents you from drifting off to sleep.

The Life Of A Female Through A Mirror

-At 8: Looks at herself and sees herself as Cinderella/Sleeping Beauty.

-At 15: Looks at herself and sees herself as Cinderella/Sleeping Beauty/Cheerleader or sees fat/Ugly. (Mom I can't go to school looking like this!)

-At 20: Looks at herself and sees "too fat/too thin, too/short/too tall, too straight/too curly" but decides she's going anyway.

-At 30: Looks at herself and sees "too fat/too thin, too short/too tall, too straight/too curly" but decides she doesn't have time to fix it, so she goes anyway.

-At 40: Looks at herself and sees "too fat/ too thin, too short/to tall too straight/too curly" but says: "At least I'm clean" and goes anyway.

-At 50: Looks at herself and sees "I am" and goes where ever she wants to.

-At 60: Looks at herself and reminds herself of all the people who can't even see themselves in the mirror anymore. Goes out and conquers the world.

-At 70: Looks at herself and sees wisdom, laughter and ability, goes out and enjoys life.

-At 80: Doesn't bother to look. Just puts on a purple hat and goes out to have fun with the world.

Things You Learn Growing Up In The South That You Ought Never To Forget....

We live in such a day of compromise where the majority seemingly is forgotten and the will of the few is forced on us all. 

If you grew up in the deep South somethings don't change and we don't compromise on those things. 

It's these fundamentals that make us unique in a lot of ways and are things that WE should never forget. 

So to all the individuals who want us to forget our heritage, this southern boy wants to say:

-That slope-shouldered southern farm body did more work before breakfast than most people do all week at the gym.

-We still have dirt roads. No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust on your Navigator. I have a four wheel drive because I need it. Drive it or get it out of the way.

-We all started hunting and fishing when we were seven years old. Yeah, we shot Bambi, but we got over it.

-Any references to "home grown" when talking about our women will get you whipped by our women. And they could still win most beauty contests arterward.

-Pull your pants up. You look like an Idiot.

-If that cell phone rings while a bunch of turkeys are making their way toward us, we will shoot it. You just hope you don't have it up to your ear at the time.

-No, there's no "Vegetarian Special" on the menu. Order steak. Order it rare. Or, you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the two pounds of ham and turkey. Yeah, we have sweet tea. It comes in a glass with two packets of sugar and a long spoon.

-You bring Coke into my house, it better be brown, wet, and served over ice.

-So, you have a sixty thousand dollar car. We're real impressed. We have a quarter of a million dollar tractors and combines that we use four weeks a year.

-Let's get it straight. We have one stop light in town. We stop when it's red. We may even stop when it's yellow.

-Our women hunt, fish, and drive trucks because they want to. So, you're a feminist. Isn't that cute.

-Yeah, we eat catfish, shrimp, and turtle stew. Your really want sushi and caviar? It's available at the bait shop.

-They are pigs. That's what they smell like. Get over it. Don't like it? Interstate 26 goes two ways. State Road 25 goes the other two. Pick one and use it accordingly.

-The "Opener" refers to the first day of deer season. It's a religious holiday. You can get breakfast at the church.

-So every person in every pickup waves. It's called being friendly. Understand the concept?

-Yeah, we have plenty of golf courses. Don't hit in the water hazards. It spooks the alligators.

-That Officer, be it a sheriff's deputy, city police, or highway patrol that just pulled you over for driving like an idiot-his name is "Sir".

You Know You're a Northerner When…

One of the young men called to preach under my ministry is assuming a pastorate in Ohio. I have several friends and former staff members who serve in that state as well. When you are raised in the south, you most usually know the four seasons and are accustomed to an early spring. So I got to think about how my friends acclimated themselves to the different environment and thought I would share this with those who leave good old South Carolina for the land above the mountains.

You know you're a Northerner when....

1. You know the 4 seasons - winter, still winter, not winter and almost winter.
   
2. You have more miles on your snow blower than your car.
   
3. Driving in winter is better, because all the potholes get filled with snow.
   
4. You feel warm and toasty at minus 26.
   
5. You find minus 40 a mite chilly.
   
6. The trunk of your car doubles as a deep freezer.
   
7. Somewhere in the area is a piece of frozen metal with bits of your tongue stuck to it.
   
8. You thought "Grumpy Old Men" was a documentary.
   
9. Men think sexy lingerie is tube socks and a flannel nightgown with only eight buttons.
   
10. Your dog wears boots too.
    
11. The mayor greets you on the street by your first name.
    
12. If you don't go out for lunch you miss the sunrise and sunset.
    
13. There is a sign outside of McDonalds that says: "Park dog-teams in back".
    
14. If the school district had snow days, no one would ever have to go to school.
    
15. You live in a house that has no front steps, yet the door is one yard above the ground.

Religious Comebacks (Part 2)

1. When you do a good deed, you don't need a receipt, cause heaven sure ain't like the IRS.
2. Birth, life, death. Repeat as necessary.
   
3. Sects, sects, sects. Is that all you monks ever think about?
   
4. The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies, probably because they are generally the same people.
   
5. The lion and the calf shall lie down together. but the calf won't get much sleep.
   
6. On the sixth day, God created the platypus. And God said: "Let's see the evolutionists try and figure this one out!"
   
7. God is a comedian playing to an audience too afraid to laugh.
   
8. Confession without repentance is just bragging. 
   
9. Heck is a place for people who don't believe in Gosh.
   
10. Every time someone predicts the date of the end of the world, God pushes the date back a little, just to be funny.
    
11. "I don't question YOUR existence." - God

Religious Comebacks (Part 1)

1. I don't care WHO you are, quit walking on the water while I'm fishing!
2. A good sermon should have a good beginning and a good ending, and they should be as close together as possible. 
3. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
   
4. Why settle for the lesser of two evils?
   
5. Photons have mass? I didn't even know they were Catholic.
   
6. A diagnostic is someone who doesn't know whether there are two gods.
   
7. As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in public schools.
   
8. If God is watching us, the least we can do is be entertaining.
   
9. I am an agnostic pagan. I doubt the existence of many gods.
   
10. I'm convinced God put me here to accomplish a certain number of things; right now, I'm so far behind I'll never die!
    
11. God likes to see an atheist around. Gives Him something to aim at.
    
12. A priest, a rabbi, and a minister walk into a bar. The bartender says, "What is this, some kind of joke?"

MidLife Crisis

Several of my former members and friends (or at least I hope they will be after I post this) have recently turned fifty. They don't look it and a favorite saying for the past 25 years has been, "Life begins at 50." Well, I have good news and bad for you. It does begin-to go downhill! These are just a few observations from somebody who has been there.  

-Midlife is when you go to the doctor and you realize you are now so old, you have to pay someone to look at you naked.

-Midlife means that the glass is still half-full. Of course, the bad news is that it won't be long before your teeth are floating in it.

-Midlife women no longer have upper arms, they have wingspans. They are no longer women in sleeveless shirts, we are flying squirrels in drag.

-Midlife has hit you when you stand naked in front of a mirror and can see your rear end without turning around.

-Midlife means that when you go for a mammogram and you realize it is the only time someone will ask you to appear topless in film.

-Midlife's threshold has been crossed when you're in the grocery store and you hear a Muzak version of "Stairway to Heaven" in the produce department.

-Midlife is when you bounce (a lot), but you don't bounce back. (It's more like Splat!)

-Midlife brings the wisdom that life throws you curves. You're now sitting on your biggest ones.

-Midlife means it's very hard to "get jiggy with it" in midlife-jiggly, yes; jiggy, no.

-Midlife is when your 1990's Body-by-Jake now includes Legs-by-Rand McNally (More red and blue lines than an accurately scaled map of the state of Wisconsin).

-Midlife can bring out your angry, bitter side. You look at your latte-swilling, beeper-wearing know-it-all teenager and think, "For this I have stretch marks?"

-Midlife is when you start to repeat yourself and your chins follow suit.

-Midlife is when you realize that if you were a dog, you'd need a control top flea collar.

-Midlife is when your memory really starts to go. The only thing you still retain is water.

-Midlife makes you become more reflective. You start pondering the "big" questions-like what is life, why am I here, and how much Healthy Choice ice cream can I eat before it's no longer a healthy choice?

Pastors Know You're In Trouble When...

-You baptize seven people in the river and you lose two of them in the swift current.

-The Women's Ministry voted to send you a get-well card and the vote passed 21-20.

-The Elder's Board accepted your job description the way you wrote it and they were so inspired by it, they also formed a search committee to find somebody capable of filling the position.

-You finally found a choir director who does things exactly the same way you do and the choir mutinies.

-Your women's softball team finally won a game, but hey beat your men's softball team.

-The Church Council finally voted to add more church parking by blacktopping the front lawn of your parsonage.

-Church attendance rose dramatically the last three weeks while you were on vacation.

-Your Elder's want to send you to the Holy Land, but they are waiting until the next war.

-Your biggest critic just left your church, yet he was appointed as the Head Bishop of your state.

-The youth in your church came to your house for a surprise visit in the middle of the night and they are armed with toilet paper and shaving cream to "decorate" your house.

When Life Hands You A Lemon...

Most people are familiar with the traditional uses for lemons to add some citrus flavor to our foods. However the diversity of applications for lemons far exceeds general knowledge and once you read the following list, you’ll likely want to stock at least a few lemons in your kitchen 24-7. 

Freshen the Fridge-Remove refrigerator odors with ease. Dab lemon juice on a cotton ball or sponge and leave it in the fridge for several hours. Make sure to toss out any malodorous items that might be causing the bad smell. 

High Blood Pressure-Lemon contains potassium which controls high blood pressure and reduces the effect of nausea and dizziness. 

Prevent Cauliflower From Turning Brown-Cauliflower tend to turn brown with even the slightest cooking. You can make sure the white vegetables stay white by squeezing a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice on them before heating. 

Mental Health-Lemon water can also prep up your mood and relieve you from depression and stress. Long distance walkers and world travelers as well as explorers look upon the lemon as a Godsend. When fatigue begins, a lemon is sucked through a hole in the top. Quick acting medicine it is, giving almost unbelievable refreshments. 

Refresh Cutting Boards-No wonder your kitchen cutting board smells! After all, you use it to chop onions, crush garlic, and prepare fish. To get rid of the smell and help sanitize the cutting board, rub it all over with the cut side of half a lemon or wash it in undiluted juice straight from the bottle. 

Respiratory Problems-Lemon water can reduce phlegm; and can also help you breathe properly and aids a person suffering with asthma. 

Treating Arthritis and Rheumatism-Lemon is a diuretic and assists in the production of urine which helps you to reduce inflammation by flushing out toxins and bacteria while also giving you relief from arthritis and rheumatism. 

Prevents Kidney Stones/Regular consumption of the refreshing drink — or even lemon juice mixed with water — may increase the production of urinary citrate, a chemical in the urine that prevents the formation of crystals that may build up into kidney stones. 

Keep Insects Out of the Kitchen-You don’t need insecticides or ant traps to ant-proof your kitchen. Just give it the lemon treatment. First squirt some lemon juice on door thresholds and windowsills. Then squeeze lemon juice into any holes or cracks where the ants are getting in. Finally, scatter small slices of lemon peel around the outdoor entrance. The ants will get the message that they aren’t welcome. Lemons are also effective against roaches and fleas: Simply mix the juice of 4 lemons (along with the rinds) with 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water and wash your floors with it; then watch the fleas and roaches flee. They hate the smell. 

Anti-Aging-Lemon water reduces the production of free radicals which are responsible for aging skin and skin damage. Lemon water is calorie free and an antioxidant. 

Fruit and Vegetable Wash-You never know what kind of pesticides or dirt may be lurking on the skin of your favorite fruits and vegetables. Slice your lemon and squeeze out one tablespoon of lemon juice into your spray bottle. The lemon juice is a natural disinfectant and will leave your fruits and vegetables smelling nice too. 

Treat Infections-Lemon water can fight throat infections thanks to its antibacterial property. If salt water does not work for you, try lime and water for gargling. 

Deodorize Your Garbage-If your garbage is beginning to smell yucky, here’s an easy way to deodorize it: Save leftover lemon and orange peels and toss them at the base under the bag. To keep it smelling fresh, repeat once every couple of weeks. 

Keep Guacamole Green-You’ve been making guacamole all day long for the big party, and you don’t want it to turn brown on top before the guests arrive. The solution: Sprinkle a liberal amount of fresh lemon juice over it and it will stay fresh and green. The flavor of the lemon juice is a natural complement to the avocados in the guacamole. Make the fruit salad hours in advance too. Just squeeze some lemon juice onto the apple slices, and they’ll stay snowy white.  

Purges The Blood-We consume a lot of junk food or food with a lot of preservatives and artificial flavours. This builds up a lot of toxins in the blood and body but daily consumption of lemon water helps to purify the blood. 

Make Soggy Lettuce Crisp-Don’t toss that soggy lettuce into the garbage. With the help of a little lemon juice you can toss it in a salad instead. Add the juice of half a lemon to a bowl of cold water. Then put the soggy lettuce in it and refrigerate for 1 hour. Make sure to dry the leaves completely before putting them into salads or sandwiches. 

Oral Health-Lemon juice also stops bleeding gums and reduces toothaches 

Lighten Age Spots-Why buy expensive creams when you’ve got lemon juice? To lighten liver spots or freckles, try applying lemon juice directly to the area. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then rinse your skin clean. It’s a safe and effective skin-lightening agent. 

Create Blonde Highlights-For salon-worthy highlights, add 1/4 cup lemon juice to 3/4 cup water and rinse your hair with the mixture. Then, sit in the sun until your hair dries. To maximize the effect, repeat once daily for up to a week. 

Make a Room Scent/Humidifier-Freshen and moisturize the air in your home on dry winter days. Make your own room scent that also doubles as a humidifier. If you have a wood-burning stove, place an enameled cast-iron pot or bowl on top, fill with water, and add lemon (and/or orange) peels, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and apple skins. No wood-burning stove? Use your stovetop instead and just simmer the water periodically. 

Clean and Whiten Nails-Pamper your hands without a manicurist. Add the juice of 1/2 lemon to 1 cup warm water and soak your fingertips in the mixture for 5 minutes. After pushing back the cuticles, rub some lemon peel back and forth against the nail. 

Cleanse Your Face-Zap zits naturally by dabbing lemon juice on blackheads to draw them out during the day. You can also wash your face with lemon juice for a natural cleanse and exfoliation. Your skin should improve after several days of treatment. Lemon water is also a cooling agent, best way to beat the heat. 

Freshen Your Breath-Make an impromptu mouthwash by rinsing with lemon juice straight from the bottle. Swallow for longer-lasting fresh breath. The citric acid in the juice alters the pH level in your mouth, killing bacteria that causes bad breath. Rinse after a few minutes because long-term exposure to the acid in lemons can harm tooth enamel. 

Treat Flaky Dandruff-If itchy, scaly dandruff has you scratching your head, relief may be no farther away than your refrigerator. Just massage two tablespoons lemon juice into your scalp and rinse with water. Then stir one teaspoon lemon juice into one cup water and rinse your hair with it. Repeat daily until your dandruff disappears.

Get Rid of Tough Stains on Marble-You probably think of marble as stone, but it is really petrified calcium (also known as old seashells). That explains why it is so porous and easily stained and damaged. Those stains can be hard to remove. If washing won’t remove a stubborn stain, try this: Cut a lemon in half, dip the exposed flesh into some table salt, and rub it vigorously on the stain. But do this only as a last resort; acid can damage marble. Rinse well. Use These Lemons To Clean – Easy and Effective 

Remove Berry Stains-It sure was fun to pick your own berries, but now your fingers are stained with berry juice that won’t come off no matter how much you scrub with soap and water. Try washing your hands with undiluted lemon juice, then wait a few minutes and wash with warm, soapy water. Repeat until your hands are stain-free. 

Soften Dry, Scaly Elbows-Itchy elbows are bad enough, but they look terrible too. For better looking (and feeling) elbows, mix baking soda and lemon juice to make an abrasive paste, then rub it into your elbows for a soothing, smoothing, and exfoliating treatment. Rinse your extremities in a mixture of equal parts lemon juice and water, then massage with olive oil and dab dry with a soft cloth. 

Headaches-Lemon juice with a few teaspoons of hot tea added is the treatment of a sophisticated New York bartender, for those who suffer with hangover headaches–and from headaches due to many other causes. He converts his customers to this regime, and weans them away from drug remedies completely. 

Chills and Fevers-Chills and fevers may be due to a variety of causes; never the less the lemon is always a helpful remedy. Spanish physicians regard it as an infallible friend. 

Diptheria-Skip the vaccine for this disease. Lemon Juice Treatment still proves as one of the most powerful antiseptics and the strong digestive qualities of the fruit are admired around the world. With the juice every hour or two, and at the same time, 1/2 to 1 tsp. should be swallowed. This cuts loose the false membrane in the throat and permits it to come out. 

Vaginal Hygiene-Diluted lemon juice makes a safe and sane method of vaginal hygiene. Though it is a powerful antiseptic it is nevertheless free from irritating drugs in douches and suppositories. 

Forget The Moth Balls-A charming French custom to keep closets free from moths is to take ripe lemons and stick them with cloves all over the skin. The heavily studded lemons slowly dry with their cloves, leaving a marvelous odor throughout the closets and rooms. 

Stomach Health-Digestive problems are the most common ailments but warm water and lime juice is the solution to most digestive problems. Lemon juice helps to purify the blood, reduces your chances of indigestion, constipation, eliminates toxins from the body, adds digestion and reduces phlegm. 

Disinfect Cuts and Scrapes-Stop bleeding and disinfect minor cuts and scraps by pouring a few drops of lemon juice directly on the cut. You can also apply the juice with a cotton ball and hold firmly in place for one minute. 

Soothe Poison Ivy Rash-You won’t need an ocean of calamine lotion the next time poison ivy comes a-creeping. Just apply lemon juice directly to the affected area to soothe itching and alleviate the rash. 

Remove Warts-You’ve tried countless remedies to banish warts and nothing seems to work. Next time, apply a dab of lemon juice directly to the wart using a cotton swab. Repeat for several days until the acids in the lemon juice dissolve the wart completely. 

Bleach Delicate Fabrics-Avoid additional bleach stains by swapping ordinary household chlorine bleach with lemon juice, which is milder but no less effective. Soak your delicates in a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda for at least half an hour before washing. 

Clean Tarnished Brass and Polish Chrome-Say good-bye to tarnish on brass, copper, or stainless steel. Make a paste of lemon juice and salt (or substitute baking soda or cream of tartar for the salt) and coat the affected area. Let it stay on for 5 minutes. Then wash in warm water, rinse, and polish dry. Use the same mixture to clean metal kitchen sinks too. Apply the paste, scrub gently, and rinse. Get rid of mineral deposits and polish chrome faucets and other tarnished chrome. Simply rub lemon rind over the chrome and watch it shine! Rinse well and dry with a soft cloth. 

-Replace Your Dry Cleaner-Ditch the expensive dry-cleaning bills (and harsh chemicals) with this homegrown trick. Simply scrub the stained area on shirts and blouses with equal parts lemon juice and water. Your “pits” will be good as new, and smell nice too. 

Boost Laundry Detergent-For more powerful cleaning action, pour 1 cup lemon juice into the washer during the wash cycle. The natural bleaching action of the juice will zap stains and remove rust and mineral discolorations from cotton T-shirts and briefs and will leave your clothes smelling fresh. Your clothes will turn out brighter and also come out smelling lemon-fresh. 

Rid Clothes of Mildew-Have you ever unpacked clothes you stored all winter and discovered some are stained with mildew? To get rid of it, make a paste of lemon juice and salt and rub it on the affected area, then dry the clothes in sunlight. Repeat the process until the stain is gone. 

Eliminate Fireplace Odor-There’s nothing cozier on a cold winter night than a warm fire burning in the fireplace unless the fire happens to smell horrible. Next time you have a fire that sends a stench into the room, try throwing a few lemon peels into the flames. Or simply burn some lemon peels along with your firewood as a preventive measure. 

Neutralize Cat-Box Odor-You don’t have to use an aerosol spray to neutralize foul-smelling cat-box odors or freshen the air in your bathroom. Just cut a couple of lemons in half. Then place them, cut side up, in a dish in the room, and the air will soon smell lemon-fresh. 

Deodorize a Humidifier-When your humidifier starts to smell funky, deodorize it with ease: Just pour 3 or 4 teaspoons lemon juice into the water. It will not only remove the off odor but will replace it with a lemon-fresh fragrance. Repeat every couple of weeks to keep the odor from returning. 

Reduce Asthma Symptoms-In addition to a general detoxifying diet, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice before each meal, and before retiring can reduce asthma symptoms.

P.S. If you do consume lemon peel, stick to organic lemons to reduce yourpesticide exposure.

Easter (Part 6)

Accepting Jesus as your Savior can begin to turn your life into the joyous experience you always hoped it could be. It is a process that begins with one simple step.

-The first step is simply to realize and know just how much God loves you. Once you see that God loves you and wants you to be happy then everything in your life will become better. You will begin to feel, in fact, just how glorious life can be. When you accept Jesus the old things are passed away and all becomes new.

-The next step is to love God back. That is all God ever asks of us. By loving God back you will take the first step towards living the way you were meant to-blessed beyond measure.

-Step three is to love yourself. If God loves you then you should be able to love yourself as well. You are a Child of God, after all, and worthy of love. Forgive yourself and then you can forgive those that have wronged you.

-The final step is to go out and love others too. Love is a gift that you can’t just keep to yourself. It has to be shared. 
Step by step you will know the joy of Jesus and then you will never want to stop sharing His message. Your soul will come alive. Love and joy will flow through you and show up in every single thing you do. You will not only change your life but also become a blessing to God and to the world.

On this Easter Sunday why not receive Him? Just ask Him into your heart. I guarantee if you will make the first step the rest will be a lot easier.

God bless and Happy Easter!

Easter (Part 5)

Imagine this. A concert guitarist is performing a difficult piece in front of a large audience. Suddenly there is a loud snap that reverberates throughout the auditorium. The audience immediately knows that a string has broken and fully expects the concert to be suspended until another string, or instrument, is brought to the musician.

But instead, the guitarist composes himself, closes his eyes and then signals the conductor to begin again. The orchestra resumes where they had left off and now the musician plays the music on five strings. In her mind he works out new fingering to compensate for the missing string. A work that few people can play well on six strings, the guitarist with the broken string plays on five.

When he finishes, an awesome silence hangs in the room. And then as one, the crowd rises to their feet and cheers wildly. The guitarist smiles and wipes perspiration from his brow. When silence returns to the great room, he explains why he continued to play in spite of a broken string. "You know," he says, still breathless, "sometimes it is the artist's task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have left."

We know what he means, don't we? Maybe we've lived most of our lives and we have only a little time left. Can we still make music?  Maybe disease has robbed us of our capacity to work. Can we still make music?  Perhaps a financial loss has left us impoverished. Can we still make music?  Or maybe a meaningful relationship has ended and we feel alone in the world. Can we still make music?

There will come a time when we all experience loss. Like the guitarist, will we find the courage to discover just how much music we can still make with what we have left, how much good we can still do, and how much joy we can still share.

I'm convinced that the world, more than ever, needs the music only we can make, and if it takes extra courage to make the music, many will applaud your effort. For some people have lost more than others, and these brave souls inspire the rest of us to greater heights.

Just how much music can you make with what you have left? Find out during this Easter season. Tell someone the life-changing story of salvation and you will hear beautiful music in return.

Easter (Part 4)

-When was the last time you drank in a sunset, the unpretentious smile of a toddler, a father with a child sitting on his shoulders?

-When was the last time you heard the mournful sound of a cricket, the breeze whispering through dense pine, the sound of new life?

-When was the last time you felt the warmth of a child's hug, the feel of a tear as it was rubbed gently from the face of one you love, the indescribable joy of holding the hand of one whom God has joined together?

-When was the last time you tasted Mom's best recipe, salt water on a carefree day at the beach, a snowflake?

-When was the last time you had a puppy lick your face, a cat purr in total affection, a child that thought dog biscuits were cookies?

-When was the last time you gave a hug for no reason, said a kind word to a stranger, intentionally blessed your daughter?

-When was the last time you made snow angels, threw snowballs, had rosy red cheeks?

-When was the last time you received an unexpected gift, phone call, visit or email?

-When was the last time you took a long walk, rode a new bike, read a good book?

-When was the last time you had a belly laugh that actually came from your belly, a heartache that brought healing, a physical pain that made you slow down and really see others - maybe for the first time?

-When was the last time you quietly sipped a cup of tea, watched the dance of birds just outside your window, remembered old friends?

-When was the last time you greeted the day with a smile, prayed for your enemy, sang a song of praise?

-When was the last time you thought about Good Friday, Easter Sunday, a Risen Savior?

-When was the last time you thanked God for the incredible blessings that make for a wonderful life?

I hope it was Today!

Easter (Part 3)

I wonder if any of us would travel back to the cross to witness the birth of full and complete forgiveness. It would be very difficult and painful, but wouldn't it also be the greatest opportunity a follower of Christ could ever have? To look into His eyes and to hear those words, "Father, forgive them!" Unlike the crowd, we would know that the words were meant for us. Imagine seeing love in action. Imagine seeing God's Son proclaim, through exhausted tears mixed with royal triumph, "It is finished!"

Well, we really don't have to imagine about either of these last two events. We can visit them anytime. In fact we must visit them every da. Why? Because we are nothing if we don't visit the cross, or look upon the empty tomb. Life is empty for us if the cross we can't see, and life's too large a cross to bear if the empty tomb's not there! Whenever I sin, whenever I fail, the cross reminds me of forgiveness past, present and future. Whenever I doubt His love, I look at the cross and see His perfect love already proven, already given. I need to visit the cross each day.

I also need to visit the empty tomb each day as well. Why? To remind me that life has victory that is full and eternal. Some days, victory is hidden beneath a vail of pain or sorrow just as it was that first Easter. But, when I look at the tomb and realize that the very same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in me (Ephesians 1:18-20), victory becomes a tangible hook on which to hang my hat. The day-to-day battles may be won or lost, but by visiting the tomb I can't deny that I am, and forever will be, victorious in Christ.

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are -- yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."   Hebrews 4:14-16

Easter (Part 2)-If I Was The Devil

Paul Harvey shared this years ago on his national radio broadcast during the Easter season:

"If I were the Prince of Darkness, I would want to engulf the whole world in darkness. And I would have one-third of the real estate and four-fifths of the population, but I wouldn't be happy until I had the ripest apple on the tree.
So I'd set about, however necessary, to take over the United States. This would be my plan:

-I'd subvert the churches first; I'd begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: "Do as you please."

-To the youth I would whisper, "The Bible is a myth."
I would convince them that man made God instead of the other way around. I would confide that what's bad is good and what's good is old-fashioned.

-In the ears of the young married I would whisper that work is debasing and that cocktail parties are good for you.

-And to the old I would teach to pray after me: "Our Father, who art in Washington..."

-And then I'd get organized; I'd educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting, so that everything else would appear dull and uninteresting.

-I'd threaten television with dirtier movies and vice versa.

-I'd peddle narcotics to whom I could; I'd sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction; I'd tranquilize the rest with pills.

-If I were the Devil I'd soon have families at war with themselves, churches at war with themselves, and nations at war with themselves; until each in its turn was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings I'd have mesmerizing media fanning the flames.

-If I were the Devil I'd encourage schools to refine young intellects but neglect to discipline emotions: let those run wild. Before you know it, you'd have to have drug-sniffing dogs and metal detector at every school house door. Within a decade I'd have prisons overflowing.

-With flattery and promises of power I would get the courts to do what I construe as against God and in favor of pornography.

-I'd designate an atheist to front for me before the highest courts and I'd get the preachers to say, "She's right." Thus, I could evict God from the courthouse, then from the school house, and then from the Houses of Congress.

-And in His own churches I would substitute psychology for religion and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys, girls, and church money.

-If I were the Devil I would make the symbol of Easter an egg and the symbol of Christmas a bottle.

-If I were the Devil I'd take from those who have and give it to those who want it, until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious.

-What'll you bet that I couldn't get whole States to promote gambling as the way to get rich?

-I would caution against extremes: in hard work, in patriotism, and in moral conduct.

-I would convince the youth that marriage is old-fashioned, but swinging is more fun; that what you see on television is the way to be; and thus I could undress you in public and I could lure you into bed where there are diseases for which there is no cure.

-Then I would separate families, putting children in uniform, women in coal mines and objectors in slave-labor camps.

In other words, if I were the Devil, I'd just keep doing what I'm doing now -- it's working."

Paul Harvey never claimed to be a prophet, but 30 years later most of this imaginary scenario has become reality.

However, I have some good news. I have read the back of The Book and we win. Satan is defeated, will be defeated, and never will win. He's enjoying it while he can, but his days are numbered. Glory to God!

Revelation 20:10 "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."