Gloria
Friend I love you but send your Blizzard back far east on out to the ocean.
Let us enjoy the nice weather we are getting. Have a great rest of the day and a better tomorrow.

Lloyd

Good Friday morning, Everyfriend.   There's hot
cereal and a fruit to accompany your coffee or tea. Make it a good day!!





Redneck Wireless Security System

1. Go to a second-hand store and buy a pair of men's used work boots - a really big pair.

2. Put them outside your front door on top of a copy of Guns and Ammo magazine.

3. Put a dog dish beside it - a really big dish.

4. Leave a note on your front door that says: "Bubba, Big Mike and I have gone to get more ammunition - back in 1/2 an hr. Don't disturb the pit bulls. They've just been wormed and they are a little edgy."

   
The Crisis of a Closing Heart
(By Ron Hutchcraft)

Fettuccini Alfredo! It's that great Italian dish that has buttered noodles served in a rich, creamy cheese sauce. Unfortunately, one news magazine in an article on nutrition and our health called it a "heart attack on a plate." That may be a bit of an overstatement, but the fact is that a lot of foods do contribute to the slow shutdown of the valves that happen to carry the blood and oxygen into your heart. I love what one commercial calls it -- blood sludge. Medical people refer to the hardening of the arteries -- the process in which foods that are high in cholesterol and fat start building up hard deposits in your arteries. If this hardening in your heart is allowed to continue long enough, it is not a laughing matter. It really can threaten your life.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Crisis of a Closing Heart."

Hearts can harden physically and spiritually. It can become really dangerous in the heart of any man or woman who is trying to make a difference for Jesus Christ. It was Jesus' heart that motivated all He did -- a heart that the Bible says was "moved with compassion when He saw the multitudes." He was deeply moved. He saw them the Bible says, as "threatened and helpless sheep without a shepherd." He wept over His city Jerusalem because they wouldn't come to Him and the life He wanted to give them. Paul was a model for all of us who want to serve Christ when he revealed what drove him to suffer incredible pain and sacrifice to tell people about Jesus. Our word for today from the Word of God is 2 Corinthians 5:14, "Christ's love compels us."

Not long ago I was told about a Rev. Gomez who is a pastor in one of America's major cities. Often, he wouldn't come into the service until a few minutes before his message. But this one particular Sunday, it came time for the sermon and Rev. Gomez was not on the platform. A couple of church leaders went to check his office, and there he was looking out over the endless rows of apartments and houses that jammed their depressed neighborhood. And he was weeping. One of the men who had come looking for him said gently, "Pastor, I understand, you're weeping because of the great needs all around us, aren't you?" "No," the pastor told him, "I'm weeping because it doesn't move me like it used to."

That is cause for weeping. This servant of God realized that something had happened to his heart. Like a person with hardening of the arteries, his heart had started to close up -- to harden. Maybe yours is, too. Like that physical hardening, it happens slowly and imperceptibly, but the longer it goes unchecked, the more dangerous it becomes.

Most of us start serving the Lord with a healthy heart. We're moved by the lostness of people who don't have a Savior. We realize the life-or-death importance of getting to them with the message of Jesus. Heaven and hell are at stake. And we come into the Lord's work with a heart that's soft toward the pain and suffering and dysfunction that sin is causing in lives all around us. We ask the Lord to use us to make a difference, whatever it takes.

But for some of us, that healthy heart started to harden somewhere along the way. With all the pressures, the politics, the disillusionments, the programs, the conflicts, we can no longer say that it is this burning love of Christ for the lost and hurting that drives us. What once was passion has become profession. What once was a deep affair of the heart has become an exercise of our head and our busy hands. And the joy, the fire is going out
-- or gone.

But the One who gave you that original piece of His heart wants to give it to you again if you'll recognize the crisis of your closing heart and tell your Master that you want His life-changing heart surgery -- to open up what the deposits of the years have closed, and to give you a new heart, throbbing with His love and His passion and His tears for the lost. Without that, there ultimately is no life. Go to the Master Heart Surgeon today and tell Him you want a heart like His.



He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.

--Author Unknown

Good morning everyone..

We had a bit of snow overnight but nothing that can't wait till we get home to deal with.Off to the city for chemo treatment then home, hope no more snow till we get back.
We both had a good day yesterday, hubby's glasses were in and I will get mine in 7 -10 days. Had Chinese buffet that was perfect, even brought some out for the dogs to enjoy.

Joan, thank you for breakfast.

Enjoy your day everyone.

Good morning, Amy.  Hopefully, it won't snow anymore until you're home from chemo.  Glad all went well yesterday.  Your dogs eat "in style".

we are having better weather for a change. It is 38º at 5:45 am calling for 62º
today . clear and sunny . Have a great day.

Lloyd

Good morning, Lloyd.  It's 49° and for here that is COLD.  It's supposed to be warmer tomorrow.

I'm up and  here.  My health is fine but I'm in a bit of a snit this morning and you don't really want to hear about it.  I hope Everyfriend's day goes better than mine so far and I hope mine improves.

Good morning, Janie.  Hopefully your day will improve and you won't be in a snit anymore.

Good morning everyone, it is freezing here at 9°. With the wind chill it feels -7 below zero. I have an appointment today but I will reschedule it. I am not about ready to go out in that temperature. Sun is shining but sure not warm. I was watching the men clean the snow off the cars and moving them so they can plow. They looked like they are really bundled up.

JOAN  I know your daughter is not happy to be stuck in Boston with this cold and all the snow. That is bad enough for those who live here but she is not used to this cold and snow and I don't think she had winter clothes packed in her luggage. Just heard we have some snow coming in tonight- only a couple of inches and again Sunday night. Looks like Mother Nature is now giving us real winter. January was mild.

JUNE  I am so glad I am not going outside today. Yesterday I would have enjoyed but not the cold today. Hope you ate something before taking that Tylenol.

PATRICIA  at least these days they have smartened up when a major snow is predicted and close schools ahead of time. We did not have the strongest winds here so no big drifts to get through.

HAL  no virus allowed on your computer. If you find one slap it out of there PDQ.

GLORIA de  glad you got shoveled out. Only time we could not open a door was after the 1978 blizzard. My son finally went to the basement and checked that door, the only one that opened in. He threw he weight at the drift that was up to the top of the door to flatten it.

LLOYD  OK will try to send the rest of the snow out into the Atlantic. We only got about 14 inches of snow but the cold today is horrible.

JOAN  hot cereal and blueberries are what I need this morning. Great Chuckles, sure would scare me away. Food for Thought is a keeper. Thank you for all today's goodies.

AMY  glad yesterday was a good day for you and hope today is another good one.

JANE  hope your day improves.

Hi everyone.  It is a bright clear morning here in South Carolina and we are headed to 53 degrees today.  I have to have my car at the dealer for an oil change at 10:15 and want to get a haircut this morning so will be brief today.   

I hope the snow has stopped for everyone by this morning and no one lost power. 

Sandy, the risks of traveling in the winter is getting caught and having to change plans.  I hope Linda can get out of Boston today.  Thanks for sharing the picture of the twin babies.  They are cute and certainly look healthy.  The other picture you shared is cute as well.  A nice looking daughter and granddaughter. 

deAngel, I sometimes wonder how we ever survived when we didn't have a weatherman telling us over and over how bad things are going to be or how bad things are.  Does the nitro leave you feeling tired?  I understand what those feeling of stress can do to our hearts. 

Joan, I see now that it will be Saturday or Sunday before Linda will be able to get home.  I hope she is staying in a nice hotel and not caught at the airport. 

Last night when I went to bed around 11 pm, our temperature was 10 degrees but this morning at 6 am it was  up to 22 degrees.  It doesn't look as if the sun is shining, but it isn't raining now anyway.  I don't know what's ahead for us. 

Both the recycle and trash are out so that chore is finished.  I don't have anything in particular on my agenda today but I can always find something to do.  Whether I do it or not is another thing.  It's too early in the morning to decide.

Tom saw the babies last night and one of them was not using the CPAP which means she is breathing slower and that is what they want.  I think it was Johanna because the was the one who weighed the most so might be a bit more developed.

I was born at home and on the card my dad made out at my birth, it reads seven pounds, but I was told I weighed closer to five pounds. 

Larry, I think people did not have the schedules and/or jobs that they have today and did not get caught in far-away places so often as today.  Weather inconvenienced us more at home before we had forecasts.

Mary Ann

Good morning, Gloria.  Too bad you had to cancel your appointment, but I wouldn't want to go out in that weather either.   I remember the blizzard of 1978.  Our street didn't get plowed for days, so nobody could get their cars out.  People went to the store on snowmobiles.  Linda is in a hotel--don't know if they have power.

Larry--Good morning.  As you can see from what I said to Gloria, Linda is in hotel.

Good morning, Mary Ann.   One of the twins shedding the CPAP is progress--that's great.

JaneS
If you need to talk about it we are all willing to listen . Put in our 2 cents worth
whether or not it helps. Have a great day. I got out yesterday and think the fresh air helped.I am in a lazy mood today but am on my way out to feed the cattle. then think when i get done with that I am going to the shop and try to get my skid steer going. sun is shining bright wend about 7-10 mph in low 40tys and working up.

Lloyd
c u all later

Lloyd--Please don 't overdo when you go outside.  Remember, you've not been feeling well.

Well the sun is shinning, with little fluffy clouds,.

Joan, breakfast sounds good on a day like this. thanks, I also like the joke about the redneck.

Gloria, We have the same weather forecast for this weekend.

Larry, Last night a man came and shoveled for me. I ask him to do the porch and walkway to the mail box. When I got up this AM, I see he shoved part of the real walkway, the went across the lawn to the mail box. Of course it was dark, my walkway goes out to the driveway. the mail box is on the corner of the drive way. At lest I have a way out and a clean porch.

MaryAnn, I also was born at home. It was also a Feb. blizzard, There was and outside stairway to get to their apartment. My father had to clear that so the doctor could get in, and also clear it again when he left. By the way the hospital in town (Patchogue) had 10 beds. That was 93 years ago.

Linedancer--Nice that you got paths shoveled even if they weren't in the right place.  At least you can get out. 

Gloria D, you have a birthday coming up in a day or two, don't you?  In a couple of months, I hope to join you.  I never thought I'd get to be this old.

So, Happy Birthday to you at #93! WOW!

Mary Ann

Joanie, I am doing like you did the other day, watching someone work on my computer.  Hopefully they find all the junk. 

Gloria I thought of you these guys are pretty reasonable they
will do things for you remotely for seven bucks a month

www.hellotech.com

Bis I put a good long day, am tired. as usual i never got all i wanted to do completed . but I have had enough for today' have a great evening.

Lloyd

Mary Ann--For sure Linedancer's 93rd birthday is something to celebrate--and yours, too, when it arrives.

halkel--I hope the remote computer help fixed your computer.  Thanks for the link for others who may need it.  The guy who helps me is a very good friend of my son-in-law and refuses to accept money from me.

Lloyd--You'd better spend the evening resting.

Where's June?

Here I am Bis, just woke up from another nap.  Bad night..four hours sleep. When I went down for a bandage change this morning, I was given percocet and it knocked me out...happily. Fixed lunch at home, then fell asleep again. I found out that if I have pain, even in the middle of the night, I can call downstairs and they will bring me a percocet. What blessed good news that is. Have to wait six hours between dosages,but I have never needed a second pill...maybe weeks before need arises.

We are having a deep overcast day, light rain expected soon, if at all. A good day for lots of napping. Cleaning lady was here today so I am all squeaking clean again.

Gloria, I'm glad you were able to cancel going out in the bad weather. I like what you did yesterday...watched the storm through your window.

Gloria D. Good that you had a shoveler come in and give you access to the mailbox. Even a bit of a walk out of doors is uplifting.

Hal, what a great deal you have with the computer repair. They have access to all you have on your computer, I'm guessing. I wanted Dan to have that to mine, but instead when I got a new computer, he kept the one that is just like mine, so he can work with me through that. Here I can have Grace take care of it for me, and she is a jewel. Within minutes she has me all fixed up. A nice young lady with a nice young brain. She also does t.v. repair.

I have had two letters in a row from a former friend in Hemet. So I am hoping I will get an answer off to her today. She keeps me informed of all the friends we shared in Sunwest Village for nine years. It is now called Brookdale Village. They bought our place shortly before I moved here.

Where is our Tisie ?? aka Shirley

Bis, I hope your Linda will be able to fly home soon. In the meantime she is having an enforced vacation from work. I'll bet she is keeping her computer warmed up.

I'm going to grab a cup of coffee and get that letter written now. See you all later.

Joan, I also hope your daughter gets out of Boston because the Weather Channel told of a new storm headed for New England and Boston is to get blasted again.  Maybe she could get some form of transportation other than plane to New York and fly from there. 

Tom told me that both babies have had the CPAPs removed so they must be breathing on their own.  Even so, they will remain in the hospital for a few weeks, probably until they reach five pounds.  I doubt I'll see them until they are home in Holland.

Mary Ann

I woke up with a dry mouth and a nature call. took My vitals ate a piece of angle food cake. Nancy made it from scratch. looked in here and am ready to go back to bed for a few more winks, Have a great day everyone.

Lloyd

Good Saturday morning, Everyfriend.   There's mixed fruit and bagels to accompany your coffee or tea. I wish everyone a good day!!





YOU MIGHT BE A YOUTH MINISTER IF...
(By Steve Long)

- Your summer begins when Youth Camp and Music Camp end.
- You check the duct tape on the van before you leave the parking lot.
- You rolled your eyes when the pastor told the congregation how much the choir members sacrifice to serve God.
- Every year one of your kids is responsible for getting something new added to the list of things you can't take to camp.
- Navy boot camp was a piece of cake compared to Youth Camp.
- Everyone in the church runs when they see you coming for fear you're trying to recruit them.
- You're afraid to close your eyes when you pray.
- You spend more time at school now than you did when you were a teenager.
- When people ask you how many kids you have, you tell them between 60 and 70.
- Your pizza budget is bigger than your salary.
- You honestly believe you're only doing this temporarily until the church finds a real professional.
- You think the four major food groups are pizza, cokes, chips and twix.
- You plan an event for 200 and 50 show up.
- You plan an event for 50 and 200 show up.
- You've ever questioned the inerrancy of Scripture because it says the Sabbath is a day of rest.
- You can't blame your own kids for the gray in your hair.
- You know how to attach underwear to a flagpole.
- The words you hear most often are "awesome" and "duh".
- The church janitor won't speak to you.
- Your idea of goin' fishin' is a missionary endeavor.
- You've ever spent a night in prayer agonizing over the life and soul of a teenager.


My God Shall Provide
(by Os Hillman)

And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

Have you ever gone through a time of complete dependence on God for your material needs? Perhaps you lost a job and could not generate income on your own. Perhaps you got sick and could not work. There are circumstances in our lives that can put us in this place.

When God brought the people of Israel out of Egypt through the desolate desert they had no ability to provide for themselves. God met their needs supernaturally each day by providing manna from Heaven. Each day they would awake to one day's portion of what they needed. This was a season in their lives to learn dependence and the faithfulness of God as provider. By and by, they entered the Promised Land. When they did, God's "supernatural provision" was no longer required. "The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan" (Joshua 5:12). In both cases God was the provider of the need.

For most of us, we derive our necessities of life through our work. Like the birds of the fields we are commanded to go out and gather what God has already provided. It is a process of participation in what God has already provided. Sometimes it appears it is all up to us; sometimes it appears it is all up to God. In either case we must realize that the Lord is our provider; the job is only an instrument of His provision. He requires our involvement in either case. "You may say to yourself, 'My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.' But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today" (Deuteronomy 8:17).

Acknowledge the Lord as the provider of every need you have today. He is a faithful provider.



"Call on God, but row away from the rocks."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Good morning everyone.

We did get some snow overnight so I have a date with the snowblower in a bit. Laundry day today and then get some wood in for the garage and house too. That makes up my day and I get to stay home..

Joan, thank you for breakfast.

Enjoy your day everyone..

Good morning, Amy.  I know you will be happy when these dates with the snowblower end.  Nice that you can stay home today.

Good morning everyone, I woke to the souind of the maintenance man clearing the walks again. Now that it has started from what I just heard looks like most days in the coming week will have some snow.

JOAN  in the 78 blizzard a front end loader finally bot to the road we lived on on Friday afternoon. Most everyone in the area was out cheering the driver. Hope Linda gets a flight soon.

LLOYD  just because you felt a little better I hope you did not go out and do too much and end up feeling worse.

HAL  $7.00 a month is not bad to keep a computer working right. My grandson has helped me a lot but I know he does not like doing it. His job is computers and on his time he wants nothing to do with them.

JUNE  I am getting tired of cancelling this appointment, that was the second time. I really do like having appointments in winter months. Never know what the weather will be.

JOAN  today's breakfast looks great. I enjoy mixed fruit and a lightly toasted bagel. I have to send today's chuckles to my son. He and my DIL had the youth group at their church for many years. Food for Thought is a keeper.  Thank ylu for all today's goodies.

AMY  enjoy your day staying home for a change.

Good morning, Gloria.  Linda got a train from Boston to Philadelphia.  Then she got on a flight from there to  Nashville and last I knew she was stuck in Nashville.

Gloria I never over done it, I feel good again this morning. I am going down to the shop after while and try to get my skid steer to run, I sure need it to work.
thanks for keeping on my case and keeping me straight. Have a great day.

Lloyd

Hi everyone on a beautiful, clear 53 degree morning and we are headed into the mid-70's this afternoon with zero chance of rain.  After about two weeks I felt much better yesterday and am hoping for several days more like it.  I did get the oil changed in my car, then stopped and filled the gas tank at COSTCO and then got a haircut.  I then made a fast stop at the ATM at the Credit Union.  I told Pat I wanted to eat out last evening so we went to our favorite BBQ restaurant.  Pat had the half chicken and raved about it.  I stayed with he pulled pork sandwich.  Today should be a pretty light day as plan on staying home.  I hope to work on my income taxes this morning when I finish with the message boards.  I read my email and devotionals, as well as all the new postings since yesterday, before I got out of bed and have everything ready except beating the egg for Pat's scrambled eggs.  I expect her to sleep late this morning as she stayed up very late last night.  Today my only great granddaughter becomes a teenager.  So now I have two of my four great grandchildren that are teenagers. 

Joan, glad that Linda made it to Nashville and hope today she can get home.  I wonder if this new storm will also impact Boston and further delay her trip back home. 

Lloyd, nice to see you were feeling up to getting out and feeding your cattle and doing some work in your shop.  Angel Food cake made from scratch is so good.  My sister-in-law makes a lot of them for various events but it has been a long time since I was around to eat a piece of her Angel Food cake. 

deAngel, as far as I know I wasn't born in a snow storm or blizzard as was born in the nearby hospital.  Soon after I was brought home I had to be rushed back and had a radium treatment on the Thymus gland as it was enlarged or I would have died.  At least I think it was the Thymus gland as it has been a long time since I heard my Mother talk about it. 

Hal, that is a very reasonable price you pay. I will check out their website and perhaps do the online chat with them.  Thanks for posting the link.  Was this the first time you had used their services and were you satisfied with the results?   Of course I do have my son nearby that is very knowledgeable on computers but he is so busy I hate to ask him to help me with computer problems. 

June, glad you were able to get the percocet.  You shouldn't stay in a lot of pain as that is not good on your heart.