Monday, October 31, 2016

Tell Me a True Story Blog Party - Week of 10/31/16


Reading a True Story
 
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               Uninvited Visitor

The knocking at my door was more of a violent scratching, like my dog does when he wants inside. 

I pulled the curtain aside and peered out to view the hooded dark figure as he continued to thump and tap loudly. 

Opening the door just a crack was enough for him to push against the door and gain entrance even without a formal invitation. 

I asked his name, and he mumbled something and then quietly moved to a corner to sit and hide while he continued observing me. 

Finally I told him I was certain that I did not want him in my home. 

He spoke in whispers and in a nagging monologue began to berate me and tell me how bad I was, and that I was no good.  

His voice rose up a tone or two as he gained confidence in what he was about; “You do nothing right, and no one likes you,” was spewing from his lips. 

“It was all your fault and you have no one to blame except yourself,” he continued. 

“Even God will never forgive you, and you will never make heaven your home!” 

How could I shut up this disgusting creature, and how could I entreat him to leave? 

All that he alleged was both true and at the same time false, but now I was hurting in the pit of my stomach as he continued to criticize and rebuke my being. 

Crying out to God for help seemed not to reach heaven. I had asked forgiveness, long ago, and had become a “Good Christian,” so why was he doing this to me? 

My thoughts turned to recent readings in my Bible, and I remembered a verse in Romans that I quoted often. I began to shout it out loud to this strange uninvited visitor. 

Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 

Gaining confidence - - and with a bold voice, I spoke to my visitor, and told him that Jesus lives here and that he must leave and not return.  

With a crooked smile, he raised himself, and slowly slinked toward the open door and left. 

But as he trudged down the path, he turned and called to me - - “I’ll be back!"

~ ~ ~ 

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Monday, October 24, 2016

Tell Me a True Story Blog Party Week of 10/24/16


 
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Roofers working with Hot Asphalt
 Asphalt On our Clothes – A true story
from my book Rescue the Stories book Two
 
Our young neighbor girl stood at my front door and asked if she could walk with us to school.  I invited her into the house and gathered my brood so we could all walk together.   

As I looked at our little friend, I asked her, “Is your daddy a roofer?” 

She looked up at me and said, “Yes, how did you know?”  I told her, “Our daddy is a roofer too, and we mothers just know some things.”   

The truth was I knew, because one look at the blouse she was wearing, and I could see a tiny black dot of asphalt. 

Her mother had the same problem in her laundry that I did.  Although I was very careful to wash my husband’s clothes separately and hang them on the line, it was inevitable that a speck or two of asphalt was deposited and hidden in the washing machine.  It would then be transferred unknowingly to other clothing. 

Energine Spot Remover was the chemical of choice to remove asphalt from my washer, and it often worked on clothing, but it did not always remove everything.  

More than once, I took out my “Tri-Chem” fabric paints and drew a flower on my girl’s dresses.  The boy’s clothes seemed to escape the asphalt, how I did not know. 

One day the wife of our roofer friend asked me how I dealt with the asphalt in my life.  She informed me that she would get so angry to the point of tears, and she simply could not cope with this problem.   

I suggested that because roofing work was our bread and butter, that we should accept asphalt as a necessary evil and try to live with it.  I told her that in life there are a lot of situations we must simply put up with, and in our case asphalt was one of them.   

Understand that I am not suggesting that we put up with sin and filth in our lives, but as we age and get older, there are many changes in body and lifestyle that can occur.  In some cases we must put up with aching joints, hair falling out and other signs that we are not as young as we use to be.  Loss of income: There are many ways we can learn to become skilled in saving money and stretching our dollars. 

Loosing a spouse, by death or divorce can bring unwanted anguish and unplanned change, and even anger, depression and despair.  

With God’s guiding hand, He can facilitate what ever changes are ahead and He can smooth the progress, no matter what are our circumstances.   

You are not alone.  Many are experiencing similar situations.  One thing we must always remember is that God has promised to never leave us or forsake us.

~ ~ ~

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Monday, October 17, 2016

TELL ME A TRUE STORY BLOG PARTY Week of 10/17/16


Reading a True Story
 
 
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~ ~ ~
Home Made Chinese Chow Mein
 
Years ago, my husband had a Roofing business in the city of Oakland, California, and if he had a job in China Town Oakland, I would often meet him for lunch.  He had three favorite Chinese restaurants; one was called the Economy Café.  The food was excellent, and reasonable, but the place was very small.  So small in fact that there was a need to SHARE tables with other customers.  Regular patrons were okay with this, and they expected to have company join with them at their table.  

Another restaurant was owned by a family, and you could watch their children in the back room playing, while their parents worked the front.  I remember seeing a play pen with a small baby on one occasion. 

The third restaurant was very different.  There was no menu, because the waiter would come by with a cart loaded with delicious looking foods, and you could select the dish you wanted.  Each entrée was added to your bill and everything was so inviting it was difficult to choose. 

I decided to create my own recipe for Chow Mein.  I often used a can of Spam sliced into small pieces to make Pork Chow Mien.  Naturally you can use beef or chicken either of which makes a lovely dish.  This recipe is simple and easy to make. 

 Chinese Chow Mein 
  1 small bunch Bok Choy chopped
  1 small chopped onion
  3 Ribs fresh celery (sliced)
  1 tablespoon olive oil or 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  1 cup fresh bean sprouts
  1 (4 ounce) can mushroom pieces, drained
  1 (7 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
  2 cups cut up cooked chicken
  3 tablespoons cornstarch
  1/4 cup water
  1 (10 ounce) can condensed chicken broth   
  1/4 cup soy sauce
  1/4 pound cooked vermicelli noodles
  (I used the Chinese thin noodles - - boiled until tender)

Directions:

In a large pot, sauté celery, onion and Bok Choy in oil for about 5 minutes or until crisp-tender.  Add bean sprouts, mushrooms, water chestnuts, and chicken.

In a large bowl, blend cornstarch with water. When smooth, add chicken broth and soy sauce to bowl.  Mix well and pour over meat and vegetables.  Bring to a boil, stirring until sauce thickens.  Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 5 to 10 minutes.  Serve over hot, boiled Chinese noodles, cooked rice, or Crisp chow mien noodles.
 
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Monday, October 10, 2016

Tell Me A True Story Blog Party - Week 10/10/16


Dad Reads a True Story
 
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Playing a game: "Mommy and Daddy"

Pass the Germs Please !! (A true story from my Book One –)

My little red headed Kindergarten, friend Bruce, with the cute freckles came over to my house after school one day to play in our driveway, as we dug, looked for rocks and bugs. 

My parents were always affectionate and would hug and kiss in front of us three children.

I said that in order to say this:  That day, my dad was viewing Bruce and me from the kitchen window and I called to Dad to watch us with our new game, “Mama and Daddy.” 

“Look Daddy, look at us.” I called loudly. “We are playing we are married.”  Then I grabbed Bruce and planted a big kiss on his mouth. 

My dad opened the kitchen door and said, “Hazel, please come in the house for a minute, and Bruce can wait for you outside.” 

Happily I entered the kitchen and my dad sat down so he could look into my face.  

He said, “I don’t think your game is a very good idea and let me explain.”  He continued, “There are a lot of germs going around, and you can catch a bad cold or something worse from too much kissing.  It would be better if you did not play your game anymore.” 

His explanation satisfied me so I told Bruce, “My dad said, we might get germs from kissing, so we won’t play that game any more.”

Actually I think Bruce was relieved. 

In life some games might seem innocent enough, and many are above suspicion and just a game.  However there are games that could be life threatening. 

If the game involves your body, you need to pay special attention to the Scripture that says:

I Corinthians 6:19  What? Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own? 

In the mean while, Kiss your spouse liberally, and do give kisses on the cheek to your children and even special friends.
~ ~ ~

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Monday, October 3, 2016

Tell Me a True Story Blog Party - Week of 10/03/16



Reading a True Story

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~ ~ ~


Can an Affair be Forgiven?
Certainly an affair can be forgiven, and if everyone concerned sincerely desires the marriage to be repaired, AND there is true repentance, AND they can each honor new vows of faithfulness, so be it.

Then there is the other side, when there seems to be no reconciliation. God is a covenant God and the covenant of marriage was broken badly. A broken covenant releases those in covenant.  Some have questioned if the injured parties can marry some one else?

Might I suggest that God is fair and just, and when his children are caught in a bad situation, He is able to offer plan B for a new future.  God has said that it is NOT good for man to be alone.

Let me tell you a story that is probably true - -  Many years ago there was a young married couple who enjoyed the company of some very good “Best friends.” One day they discovered that their mates were having an affair with the other party’s spouse, and these unfaithful ones had already decided they wanted to leave the present marriages in exchange for a new arrangement.

Our two innocent young people were devastated, especially because the one "adulterous" wife had not only been untrue, but she had also deserted her tiny baby and young toddler in order to have this other husband.

Our victimized persons seriously talked it over and decided that they really liked each other, and perhaps the most sensible and best thing they could do for the children and for each other, was for them to marry as well. So they did.  Love and respect followed.

The new wife raised those boys as her own, and eventually they had two more boys that were theirs. They have been happily married for many years with grown grandchildren and are actively serving the Lord. 
This was an unusual situation and they made the best of it with a happy ending
for at least two of them. 
.~ ~ ~

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