MY LIFE IN INK --

Well, the leaves are all burned -- the roses are covered up in their cozy little cones. Let it snow -- let it snow -- let it snow. I do not care.

Now for my next project. The rose cones look like decapitated snowmen so I'm going to blow up a whole bunch of balloons. I think I have 16 rose cones out there. Anyway, I will take a big round balloon and cover it with a kind of heavy twine and then "paint" it with liquid starch which I got at Wal-Mart the other day. After the starch is nice and dry, then I'll pop the balloon and drag it through a opening in the twine. It will stay round because I'm going to spray a coat of lacquer on the twine ball. Otherwise, the little snowman face would probably collapse when it rains or snows. I will let you know if the lacquer does the trick. Otherwise, I'll have to think of something else.

On the other hand, maybe I won't pop the balloons. I wonder how long they will last. If I get desperate because neither of the above methods worked, then I'll just get big styrofoam balls and decorate them.

There, that gives me three viable solutions to the problem. That's always my goal -- a minimum of three solutions per problem. I prefer to have four or five options, but three will do in this case.

And then this afternoon is oatmeal cookie time. My very good friend Cody Droege sent me a link for a giant cookie recipe collection. There's just about every kind of cookie you can imagine! Naturally, I found a half dozen that I want to make right away but if I do that, Quint and I could just go stand outside and pretend we're snowmen -- we'd be that round!

If you have an interest in getting the collection of recipes, send me an e-mail and I'll forward the cookie links to you. I tried to put a page link on at this point but it didn't work. I think I can get around this little problem by forwarding Cody's e-mail to you. When you get the forwarded e-mail, you can click on the individual cookie recipe. Prepare to be amazed, and to you, Cody -- thank you one million times.

For instance, here is what's supposed to be EMILY DICKINSON'S GINGERBREAD COOKIE RECIPE:

4 cups flour
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup heavy cream (I use evaporated milk)
1 T. ginger
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1 cup molasses

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheet. Combine ingredients in a mixing bowl. Shape heaping tablespoons of dough into flattened ovals about 3 inches long. Bake for 20 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

(Guess they didn't have those little gingerbread cookie cutters back in Emily's days.)

I'm going to make these cookies this afternoon too. Although Quint can't have the molasses, the college kids and soldiers sure can! (I might have one or two just to "taste test.")

NOTE: I made the above cookies. Next time I make them, I'm going to add some Splenda to sweeten the cookies more, and maybe a couple of eggs. This cookie dough didn't hold together very well and I had to add more milk -- maybe 1/4 cup. Also, I want some cinnamon and nutmeg and vanilla in the cookie dough. One cookie recipe I checked out on Food Network also had cloves in the recipe. So this recipe is good, but not sweet enough, and with the adjustment of more liquid, the dough finally stuck together better. I think if the cookies were decorated like little gingerbread men, they'd be sweeter. Well, yeah.

Remember, at Christmas, Vitamin C stands for "Cookies!"

##

BIBLE STUDY: Acts 23:1-35

Paul is in front of the Sanhedrin. Let's listen in on what he says in his "opening argument" -- (verse 1): My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.

Ananias did not like this opening from Paul. He told the men standing near Paul to hit him in the mouth!

To which Paul said, in verse 3: God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!"

Wow!

And just who is this Ananias?

We first met Ananias and his wife Sapphira by in Acts 5. Luke introduced this couple to make a point that God holds us accountable to what we say. Especially if we tell lies. Ananias sold some property he had and he was supposed to bring it to the apostles to distribute to people in need.

But Ananias kept some of the money for himself. Like it never occurred to him that God was watching. First of all to see whether Ananias would really sell the property. Then whether Ananias would bring all the money to the apostles (which he did not do.)

So when the apostle Peter caught Ananias in his lie and when Peter told him that he knew, Ananias fell down dead. Peter then asked Sapphira about the same property sale and she lied too. She also died too.

So that Ananias is not the same one that Luke has us meet in Chapter 23.

Then we have Paul's introduction to another Ananias in chapter 22:12 -- where Paul recounts to the Jews about how he came to his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Let's listen in on Paul's speech in chapter 22:12: A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there.  And in verses 14-16: The he said: "The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name."

So now there is another Ananias in chapter 23 who's encouraging people to hit Paul in the mouth because Paul has reminded the Sanhedrin of his commitment to the Lord.

This particular Ananias (high priest A.D. 47-59) was noted for cruelty and violence. When the revolt against Rome broke out, he was assassinated by his own people. (Concordia Study Bible footnote)

Now, you have to realize that the Jews and the Romans hadn't gotten along for some time. Goes all the way back to the Roman occupation which took place before Christ was even born.

Then along came Caligula. He was really perturbed at the Jews because they were the only people who wouldn't recognize Caligula's self-proclaimed divinity. Once Caligula had declared himself a god, he tried to build a statue of himself in the Jewish Temple. There was no way that the Jewish people were going to let that happen. In fact, there was open revolt against Caligula and all his Roman guards.

He threatened to tear down the Jewish temple. Probably would have too if he hadn't been stabbed to death in his palace by the praetorian guards. Even his fourth wife, Caesonia, was stabbed and their infant daughter was bashed against the palace walls. 

Caligula left no descendants to avenge his death and he was succeeded by an uncle, Claudius, in A.D. 54.

In the years after Caligula's death, the Jews suffered enormous indignities in their temple. For instance, on one occasion, the Roman soldiers exposed themselves in the Temple. Another time they burned a Torah scroll.

The Jews then got the idea that they could beat the Romans in battle. Well, Jerusalem was a small military outpost and guess what? The Jews did win. But not for long because the Roman ruler in Syria sent a whole bunch of Roman soldiers to do battle. There were about 60,000 of them. They were the Jews worst nightmare. By the time the Syrians got through with the battle with the Jews, there were about 100,000 Jews killed -- or sold into slavery.

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/revolt.html

But back to our story.

In verses 6b-8, we hear from Paul again: "My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead."

When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.)

A huge dispute erupted over this oratory from Paul. The Pharisees, in essence, said "So what? Maybe an angel spoke to Paul."

It got to be so bad that the commander was afraid that Paul would be torn limb from limb. So the police commando ordered his men to get Paul and put him in protective custody immediately. So it was back to the barracks for Paul.

And just to show you that God was listening to what was going on, (and make no mistake about it, he listens to us and hears what we say to others too), God said to Paul later that night (verse 11): "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."

By the time the next morning arrived, there were about 40 Jews who had gotten together and decided they were going to go on a hunger strike until Paul was killed. They cooked up a plot to have the Sanhedrin brought back before them on the pretense that they needed clarification on some of Paul's points, when, in fact, they figured they'd kill him while he was en route.

As if God was going to let that happen!

Their plot was foiled because Paul's nephew heard about what they were cooking up and he went to Paul and spilled the beans. So Paul told him to go to the commander and tell him what he'd heard about the planned ambush.

The commander heard what Paul's nephew had to say, then dismissed him with a cautionary "Don't tell anybody what you've just told me."

Then the commander called in a couple of centurions and told them to get a detachment ready so that they could transport Paul safely over to Governor Felix's house. And that's exactly what they. Under the darkness of night, Paul was taken to safety.

When Felix learned from Paul that he was from the province of Cilicia, he told Paul (verse 35): I will hear your case when your accusers get here." Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod's palace.

And so the intrigue continues. But you know how the story ends, don't you? It may be curious for you, though, to learn how Paul continues on his journey.

So, rather than keep you in suspense, I'll add a couple more studies over the weekend.

##

GOOD NEWS: OBESITY RATES LEVELING OFF

A new government report says that obesity rates are hitting plateaus. According to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, adult obesity rates for both sexes are holding steady at 34%.

Those rates are still two high, says Mark Swanson, a researcher from the University of Kentucky's College of Public Health.

Keep in mind that the adult obesity rate was at 15% in 1980.

Obesity is defined as having a body mass index -- or BMI -- greater than 30.

To determine what your BMI is, go here:

http://nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

##

PSYCHOLOGY: ARE YOU GETTING YOUR EMOTIONAL NEEDS MET?

You have to identify what your emotional needs are in the first place.

Personally, I think it's easier to offer a few suggestions so you can say, "Oh, yeah," rather than trying to come up with a list on a blank slate. Besides, your emotional needs may not be the same as your partner's.

Now, I'm not some guru sitting up on top of a mountain who makes this stuff up. Instead, there are lots of places to go to find lists of emotional needs. The one I like the best was developed by Willard F. Harley, Jr., Ph.D. He's from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

His list includes:
Affection
Sexual Fulfillment
Conversation
Recreational Companionship
Honesty and Openness
Physical Attractiveness
Financial Support
Domestic Support
Family Commitment
Admiration

www.marriagebuilders.com

And to that, I would add Emotional Honesty, because that's what's missing in so many dysfunctional families.

By emotional honesty, I mean expressing your true feelings. If you're angry, don't say you aren't, and then turn around and go passive aggressive on someone. Passive aggression is always hostile. And hostilities are breeding grounds for unresolved angers.

I'm not so sure I agree with Dr. Harley for including Physical Attractiveness, Financial Support, and Domestic Support as emotional needs either.

My list would include these:
Feeling accepted
Having access (emotionally) to partner
Being admired
Being appreciated
Being viewed as competent
Forgiving and being forgiven
Being heard
Helpfulness
Feeling important
Being loved
Being needed
Reassured
Respected
Being safe and secure
Treated fairly
Being understood
Being valued

And what do you suppose people do who don't feel they are getting their emotional needs met?

Four things, actually.

1. They try to manage and control others.
2. They usually end up feeling superior to others.
3. They get out of the emotional game completely, and go off on life adventures that will bring them status, money and/or fame.
4. They compete to be the best and the fastest and the smartest.

In other words, if they can't get emotional needs supplied, they settle for superlatives that describe them. They think.

But that isn't what's really happening. They might just as well paint a big billboard in a heavy traffic area and say, "I'm John Doe and no one is meeting my emotional needs, but I can run a 3 minute mile so I must be good. Right?"

##

MY LIFE IN INK --

It sure feels good to have the internet back up and running after about two days of frustrations of losing data and getting bumped off. That's not supposed to happen with a wireless modem and a super dooper cable supplier. But we lost our internet capacity and our On Demand as well.

No movies, no internet. I just about can't abide regular TV with its endless march of commercials throughout the programs I'm trying to watch. I understand that the networks have to make money but I think 20 minutes out of every hour is way too excessive.

But I did get a lot of knitting done. It's been years and years and years since I knitted anything. I only made a washcloth for the dishes. Big deal. It's a No. 7 needle, 45 stitches wide and 9 1/2 inches long. Just a plain old knit stitch (garter stitch). Nothing fancy. And one great washcloth that's 100% cotton so it can go in the wash with the stuff that gets bleached.

My sister Cookie is still at the rehab place. Not much new. Just keeping up her paces on the treadmill. She thanks all of you for your continued prayers.

##

BIBLE STUDY: Acts 22:1-30

Remember that Paul was just about to be thrown into the barracks by the local police chief type when he stood up and said to the commander, "Let me speak to them."

Well, he spoke to the Jews in Aramaic. That got everybody quieted down. Here they thought they had gotten ahold of some foreigner Greek type person. But now this guy was talking to them in their own language! Where did he learn to do that?

They were stunned!

Let's listen to what Paul has to say in verses 3-5: I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, as also the high priest and all the Council can testify. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.

Wow! Did the Jews ever make a mistake here. Paul studied with none other than Gamaliel, who was the most respected rabbi in the 1st century!

Just a side bar here to remind you that it was Gamaliel who saved the apostles way back in Acts 5:38 when they were brought before the Jewish court. Gamaliel said: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.

So who was this Gamaliel who was so honored and revered by these Jewish people?

Well, his very name translates to mean reward of God. He was a grandson of the famous scholar Hillel, and a prominent teacher in his own right. He was a highly educated Pharisee and a leading member of the Sanhedrin through the reigns of the Roman emperors Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius. (Tiberius was emperor at the time of Christ's crucifixion.)

Gamaliel died about 52 A.D., 18 years before the fall of Jerusalem.

So when Paul stood up and said, "Hey, I studied at the feet of Gamaliel," that meant a whole lot to this riotous crowd. No wonder they quieted down in a hurry.

http://www.keyway.ca/htm2000/20001213.htm

Some have even compared this speech of Paul's to Shakespeare's "Friends, Romans, Countrymen" speech of Marc Antony in Julius Caesar. One major difference, though: Paul didn't win over the crowd with his speech.

Paul did try though. He reiterated his history of persecution of the Jews and how Jesus literally struck him blind when Paul was getting near Damascus on a persecution run. In verse 8, Jesus asks: Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?

The crowd must have listened intently and quietly as Paul talked about how his vision returned and how he had been instructed to preach throughout the region. And then Paul told them that the Lord has instructed him, in verse 21: Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.

Well, that did it! The crowd started shouting again. Then they took off their cloaks -- outer garments they didn't want to get messy if they were successful in beating Paul up. Then they started throwing dirt up in the air -- a sure sign that they were really agitated.

In verse 22b, the crowd turns murderous when they say: Rid the earth of him! He's not fit to live!

So here comes the police commander again. He's going to have Paul taken to the barracks for sure. And then he ordered Paul to be flogged and questioned in order to find out why the people were so mad at him.

In verse 25, Paul plays his trump card, if you will. He asks: Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn't even been found guilty?

Ooops! In fact, this is a really big mistake. Police commandos cannot go around flogging Roman citizens. Flogging is a torture reserved for slaves and foreigners. But Roman citizens? Never!

Now the inquisitors withdrew immediately. Even the commander was more than just a little worried that he had even said such a thing out loud.

So the next day, the commander ordered Paul to stand before the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin.

Tomorrow we'll find out what happens to Paul in front of this high court. Do you think he'll escape torture? Do you think he'll be rescued once again, like he has been so many times?

We shall see in our next readings.

##

MY LIFE IN INK --

It's more than brisk here today. But at least the sun is shining even if the temperature is in the low thirties -- where it will stay all day. I do have to get out there this afternoon and put those little cones on top of the roses where they will stay until next spring. I did kind of haphazardly put them on the roses last week, but it was just a quick placement to protect them from an overnight frost. Nothing permanent for the winter like they're going to get after the roses are pruned a bit to help the cones fit better.

Quint checked his journal from last year and said that on March 15 the leaves on the trees were budded but hadn't popped yet. So that tells me that we have about three and a half months of bleakness before we can get a hope of spring. But you know spring will come this year. Hasn't missed yet in all my 64-1/2 years on this planet.

We had a nice visit from our daughter, Sharon, and granddaughter Heather. They headed back north this morning after breakfast. It's always great to have family come to visit.

##

BIBLE STUDY: Acts 21:1-40

Paul is getting ready to go to Jerusalem as this chapter opens.

But it was in Tyre, after he landed, that the disciples -- through the Holy Spirit -- urged Paul not to go through with his plans. But Paul left them after a week and went on his way. All the disciples and wives and children came down to the beach where they knelt to pray. Then they went back home and Paul's group boarded the vessel.

They wound up at the home of Phillip the evangelist. Luke makes mention of the fact that Phillip had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. Phillip lived in Caesarea and while Paul was there, a prophet came from Judea -- a man by the name of Agabus.

He came up to Paul and took his belt and tied his own hands and feet with Paul's belt and said (verse 11b): The Holy Spirit says, "In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles."

Despite the pleading of those who were gathered around Paul, it didn't do any good. Listen to what Paul has to say to them (verses 13-14): "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

When [Paul] would not dissuaded, we gave up and said, "The Lord's will be done."

And so there you have it. Paul went to Jerusalem. When he got there he went to see James and all the elders. Paul reported on his ministerial activities among the Gentiles.

James brings Paul up to speed and they praised God for Paul's activities among the Gentiles. But there was this problem that James brings up in verses 20-26: Then they said to Paul: "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everybody will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality."

The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.

The seven days weren't even finished before the Jews stirred up a crowd of people and seized Paul. They started yelling at the other Jews within earshot that Paul was running around all over the place teaching against the law and the temple.

They even said that Paul had brought Gentiles into the temple area and defiled it.

Apparently Paul had seen Tophimus, an Ephesian who was in the city, and the Jews assumed that he was there because Paul had brought him in.

Well, that was enough to bar the gate! They grabbed Paul and started beating him. Poor Paul. No matter where he went, there were Jews around who wanted to do nothing but grab onto him and starting wailing the daylights out of him.

But this time, the whole city was riled up and they were actually trying to kill Paul.

Then the Roman soldiers got wind of what was going on so they rode over to the murderous mob and wanted to know what was going on. They stopped beating Paul at that point.

The commander of the Roman soldiers put a couple of chains on Paul and asked the Jews what Paul had done. Some said one thing; others said another. Not being able to get a straight answer out of anybody, the commander ordered that Paul be taken off to the barracks.

But just before the soldiers took Paul off to the barracks, he asked the commander if he could say something to the crowd.

Then Paul stood before the crowd and addressed them in Aramaic.

Silence! They must have been stunned to hear Paul speaking in Aramaic. Was he a Gentile or not? Was he a Jew or wasn't he? They must have stood there stunned to hear Paul speaking to them in their own language.

Tomorrow, we'll find out what Paul has to say to them.

##

MY LIFE IN INK --

We were welcomed into our new church home at a Voters Meeting yesterday afternoon. It's nice to be connected to a church family again. We've been attending weekly worship services since we moved here full time. Worship is an important part of our lives. As an added bonus, it brings us together with like-minded people who also prioritize their faith practices the same way that we do.

Church attendance is one of the greatest gifts that my mother gave to me. And she didn't just saywe should go to church. Rather, she went with us. Even after she retired and moved to Warrensburg, Missouri, we looked forward to visiting her and going to church with her when she got older. We met some wonderful friends at her adopted church home.

And I dearly love to go back to Paducah, Kentucky, and attend the church I grew up in. There are many special people still there that I knew from childhood.

So much for that rambling thought.

Quint is playing hunter this morning. We had a little colony of cute little ladybugs who thought they were going to winter over inside with us. He swept them into the dustpan and took them outside. He's kinder than I am. My suggestion was the garbage disposal for their exit. They bite, you know.

Well, we have been busy sorting through much of the stuffed still packed away on the second floor. I will admit that we are motivated by the need to get the Christmas tree and ornaments out of the attic, so we had to clear the entry to the attic door. We now have another trunk load of goodies to take to the resale shop.

And Quint found the cooking pot that he uses to make fudge in. It's the same fudge pot that his father used to make fudge for the family when Quint was a little boy. It was actually a cooking pot that his father -- a section foreman for the Union Pacific Railroad in Colorado -- picked up off a railroad easement. The story is that the chef on one of the trains burned something pretty bad and got so mad that he threw the pot and all off the train.

Along comes Quint's dad and rescued the pot. It's a really nice piece of club aluminum. Very well seasoned. It's been a dedicated fudge pot for many, many years. The time of the year has now come for Quint to make fudge for all our kiddos. Yes, at Christmas, all the children become "kiddos" again. They look forward to getting their batch of fudge, believe me!

Quint even promised to make a batch for me to take to Ladies Aid at church on December 3rd when we all get together to pack up "care packages" to send to college students and local service personnel from Effingham who are off on their tours of duty. It's always nice to be remembered. The whole church brings donations of all sorts and the Ladies Aid packs them up and ships them off in time for Christmas.

The college students get their stuff just in time for finals week. Remember those all-nighters when you needed extra pens and highlighters, cookies and high energy snacks and protein snacks like peanuts, etc.

And the service personnel are off to the four corners of the globe keeping us safe and strong and free here at home. We remember them with lots of things they've requested, but I suspect that what they like the most are the homemade cookies. Oatmeal and chocolate chip are probably the two favorite varieties. Although I suspect any kind of Christmas cookie would be welcome.

COOKIE REPORT: I am sorry to say that I am not able to provide a report about my sister. When I called the rehab center this morning, I was told that there is now a password code which I need in order to get updates. My nieces have seen fit to give me this code -- at least not at this time.

I did talk to Cookie late last evening and she seemed agitated and very much wants to go home. But she continues to be involved with therapy. So I'm hoping I'll get everything straightened out when I talk to her later this afternoon. She does thank all of you for your prayers, as do I.

##

BIBLE STUDY: Acts 20:1-38

Well, after all the riot at Ephesus calmed down, Paul said toodle-ooh to his disciples and headed for Macedonia. He finally arrived in Greece where he stayed three months. You can be sure that he kept himself busy with his preaching schedule.
 
Then came the time when he thought he ought to head back to Syria. Originally he intended to sail but he learned of yet another plot that the Jews had cooked up. So he went overland instead, ending up at the port of Philippi.

From Philippi, he sailed to Troas. Apparently it was Paul's plan to leave from Troas the next day. Given Paul's enthusiasm, he talked "on and on" as it says in verse 9b.

There was a young man named Eutychus who was sitting on the window sill listening to Paul's continuing sermon. He must have nodded off, then maybe caught himself awake. We've probably all had that happen, though hopefully not in church. But anyway, this young man fell into a deep sleep and -- you guessed it -- fell out of the window. From the third floor. Dead. (verse 9)

Can't you just imagine how alarmed Paul would be?

He ran downstairs and out the door. Paul threw himself onto Eutychus, then got up. He told the people, "He's alive!" (verse 10)

Oh my goodness. This was truly a miracle.

So what did Paul do? He went back upstairs, broke bread and ate. He talked until daylight. And the people who were there took Eutychus home, very grateful that this young man was still alive. (verse 12)

Paul left shortly after this incident. He wanted to get to Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost (verse 16).

Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, but he sent for the elders at the church in Ephesus. Let's listen to what he says to these elders (from verse 18): You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not know what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Hoy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the face and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me -- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Thereofre, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

These words grieved the elders, especially when Paul told them they would never see him again.

It must have been a sad time when the elders went down to the ship to see Paul off. Sad indeed for this is a reminder that the early Christians suffered through treacherous times. Their personal safety seemed to always be at risk.

##

NEW MOVIE GENRE: WAR PORN

And the American public is not nibbling.

If Hollywood thinks it's got its pulse on the American public, boy, are they wrong. Redacteddid not even make it into the top 35 films tracked by Box Office Mojo. Word on Fox News this morning is that the movie only took in $25,000! And this was its debut weekend. 

It's another one of those stories that puts out service personnel in bad light.

Hey, Hollywood: We don't want to hear your trash and we're not going to pay money to have you lecture us. You're the ones who don't get it!

Lions for Lambs, another war porn type movie, took in $1,669,000 this weekend. That brings total receipts to $13,792,000. And the budget for this movie was $35 million. Not even Robert Redford, Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise could convince moviegoers that this was anything worth watching.

I have news for them: I can see these movies on On Demand for no added cost but I wouldn't bother. I've had it with the ultra liberal trash coming out of Hollywood.

Same goes for nudity. And for violence. It's our living room and our TV and we control what we let into our home.

So what did win out at the box office? Enchanted, a family movie rated PG took in a whopping $50,048 million. And Seinfeld's bumblebee movie is still up there. It took in $15,988,000 this weekend to bring it's accumulated total to $112,069,000. Not bad for a cute little bee with a story to tell.

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MY LIFE IN INK --

Today is the shopping day of the year! In fact, it's called "Black Friday" because it's the day when many little boutiques and big stores alike finally hit their annual break even point and begin to start operating "in the black."

On the other hand, there are two people I know of who will not be out there battling the masses this fine, sunny day. Hint: their names are Quint and Jane. We're going to stay home and practice our "snuggling in" technique. We'll leave the shopping rushing around for those young and more energetic than we are.

We do have to run over to Rural King this morning, though. Need to get some root poison to put in the drain pipes. We had a rotorooter out last Monday to rod out the drain pipe. We could hear the roots getting chewed up. He made three passes and pulled out some roots with some attached masses of finer roots. And there was the problem! Now they're gone. He did recommend a root do-away-wither though. (I don't want to use the word "poison" in the same sentence with something living.)

THE COOKIE REPORT: I talked with my dear sister last night. She sounds much better. Can articulate so much better and her voice is a lot stronger. She did say, though, that she had a seizure yesterday morning. I thought she had been given an anti-seizure medication after surgery but apparently not. She is now -- that's for sure.

It's amazing, though, what memories are resurrecting as her brain heals from the surgery. It takes me back to my old grad school days when I was studying cognitive theory -- that is, whether or not thoughts are chemical or physical processes. Or just plain old electromagnetic energy. Truth is, maybe a little of each and maybe we just don't know as much as we think we do about such things.

In any event, Cookie is doing better. It's truly a day of Thanksgiving.

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BIBLE STUDY: Acts 19:1-41

In this chapter, Paul goes to Ephesus. There he meets some disciples and asks them (verses 2-7): "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"

They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."

So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?"

"John's baptism," they replied.

Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus. On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.

Note from my Concordia Study Bible: John's baptism looked forward to Jesus, who by his death would make possible the forgiveness of sins.

When Paul was in Ephesus, at first, he spoke in the synagogue very persuasively about the kingdom of God. But (in verses 9-10) some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

We learn more of the astonishing things that Paul did in verses 11-12: God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

Can you just imagine that? Here was a man who came to Ephesus and preached about salvation that was possible because of Jesus Christ. This man -- Paul -- promised forgiveness of sins to all who believed. And then, there were these miracles. Given all that, you can see how the people believed what Paul told them in his preachings. The people wanted to hear more. They were thirst for the water of life that was promised them.

Well, you just know it wouldn't take very long for some sneaky people to try to cash in on this special gift that the Holy Spirit had gifted to Paul. As if just anybody could heal the sick or drive evil spirits out of a possessed person.

Just such a thing happened when the sons of a Jewish high priest commanded an evil spirit to come out of a person in the name of this Paul guy.

They hadn't learned yet that Satan is a force not to be taken lightly. So the spirit says to them (verses 15-16): "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?"

Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

Well, news of this incident sent shivers through Jews and Greeks alike. They held Jesus in high honor, it says in verse 17. Many of these people had been sorcerers but now they wanted to confess their sins and get rid of all that stuff that they used to conjure up so-called information about the future. They brought all their scrolls together and burned them right up. These were supposedly valuable scrolls. The value was more than 50,000 drachmas. I'm guessing they probably contained incantations.

The word of the Lord thus spread wider and became more and more powerful.

At about this time, Paul decides to go back to Jerusalem by way of Macedonia and Achaia. And he said that after Jerusalem, he'd need to go back to Rome.

Paul sent Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia while he stayed in Asia for a bit longer (verse 22b).

Now comes the riots in Ephesus that we've all heard about.

It had to do with idol worship. Not the golden calf, though. This idol was Artemis, a man-made silver token. A man named Demetrius had the market cornered in Ephesus and he was not too happy that Paul was going around converting so many of his former customers to worship the one true God.

Let's see what Demetrius is up to (verses 25-27): He called them together, along with the workman in related trades, and said: "Men, you know we receive a good income from this business. And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all.

There is danger not only that our trade will loses its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited, and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.

See, it boils down to the almighty drachma!

Now look what they went and did. The whole town of Ephesus was in an uproar. The people seized Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia, and rushed into the theater. In verse 30, we learn that Paul wanted to talk to the crowd, but the disciples wouldn't let him.

Paul must have argued that he would go before the rioters and try to calm them because some of the officials of the province, who were friends of Paul, begged him not to go out there.

Finally the city clerk got the people quieted down again. Basically he told the crowd that if they had any complaints, they should press charges and settle the matter in a legal assembly.

The matter comes to a conclusion in verses 40-41: As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of today's events. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it. After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.

You have to admit that those were treacherous times for Paul and the disciples. Being a missionary brought real and present dangers for these men who carried the faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to the far corners of the then-known world.

It certainly wasn't always about sitting in each other's living rooms eating figs and dates and bread and sipping wine while joyfully recounting their adventures. Sometimes they had to run for their lives to places of safety.

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MY LIFE IN INK --

The folks up north are expect three to five inches of snow later on today. I'm sure glad we have this 180 mile girdle of land separating our house from theirs. We might get a thunderstorm this afternoon, but that's about it.

It will be a good time to --

1.) take a nap (Quint favors this)
2.) do some more genealogy
3.) go to the library and return books (check out more0
4.) drop off stuff for resale at the Silk Purse
5.) get Christmas tree and ornaments out of the attic
6.) find Christmas card list from last year -- it's somewhere in this house

We're staying put over the holiday. No traveling. No interstate. Don't know what we'll eat but it won't be a turkey. Maybe we'll just pause and say thanks and have regular food. But then, we're always thankful for everything we have. It's all a blessing from God above.

We pray that you will enjoy God's richest blessings and if you're traveling, that you'll be safe as you go along the highways and byways until you're safely tucked back into your home.

We send our love and prayers to all of you.

THE COOKIE REPORT: Physical therapy take up the biggest part of her days. It's showing because her voice is so much stronger and her speech is much, much better.

Except for the seizures on the first day after surgery, her recuperation has been very uneventful. We thank God for that. She's really hoping that she'll be able to leave Schwab and get back to a place nearer her home and friends early in December.

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BIBLE STUDY: Acts 18:1-28

When the curtain lifts on the scene of Chapter 18, Paul has left Athens and is on his way to Corinth. Paul meets some new friends in Corinth -- a Jew named Aquila and his wife Priscilla. Aquila and Priscilla had kind of gotten kicked out of Rome when Claudius made all the Jews leave Rome. (verses 1-2)

Aquila and Priscilla were tentmakers, like Paul. We learn in these verses that Paul stayed with them and worked with them. And we also learn in verse 4 that every Sabbath found Paul in the synagogue continuing his ministry with both Jews and Greeks alike.

Paul was then joined by Silas and Timothy who had come from Macedonia. After they arrived, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching and testifying to the Jews (verse 5).

Not all the Jews welcomed Paul's message that Jesus was the Christ. In fact, in verse 6, we read that the Jews not only opposed Paul, but they also became abusive toward him.

Paul then shook out his clothes in protest and vowed that from then on, he'd only preach to the Greeks.

Well, just to show you whose ministry this really was, Paul gets a message loud and clear from the Lord (verses 9-11): "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

The Jews weren't going to let Paul have any rest, though. While Gallio was proconsul -- a governor of sorts -- the Jews got together and brought Paul to court. My Concordia Study Bible says that Gallio was Seneca's brother and was proconsul of Achaia from A.D. 51-52. This, then, would give us a date as to when Paul was in Corinth for this part of his missionary work.

Gallio was a man known for his fairness and when he found out what the Jews were up to, Gallio reminded them that they hadn't really brought charges that Paul had done anything illegal. In verses 14-17, Gallio disposes of the whole matter: "If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law -- settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things." So he had them ejected from the court. Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever.

Paul stayed in Corinth for some time before he sailed away and ended up in Ephesus, along with Priscilla and Aquila. There he preached in the synagogue, as was his usual activity. And when the got ready to leave Ephesus, the Jews asked him to spend more time there but he turned them down. In verse 21, he said he'd come back to them if it was God's will.

Paul left his companions, Priscilla and Aquila, as Ephesus and sailed for Caesarea where he visited a church he had begun on a previous missionary journey, then went down to Antioch.

Paul spent some time in Antioch before setting off on his third missionary journey.

This third journey would be the longest of his ministry -- some 2700 miles in total.

Paul goes back up through Galatia and Phrygia. He spent much time and energy strengthening all the disciples.

Then he met a Jew by the name of Apollos. This man was a native of Alexandria and he had come to Ephesus. In verse 24, he is described as a learned man with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.

Apollos may have been a learned man all right but it says in verse 25b that he knew only the baptism of John. This baptism was based on repentance. And like John the Baptist, Apollos was still waiting for the promised Messiah. He was a fervent speaker in the synagogue. But Priscilla and Aquilla brought him up to date on the way of God more adequately, specifically that Jesus was the Christ.

Apollos went to Achaia where he was able to refute the Jews in public debates and proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. (verse 28) Note: Corinth was the capital of Achaia.

We will meet up with our friend Apollos again in Pauls first letter to the Corinthians.

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MY LIFE IN INK --

We drove to Paducah, KY for a funeral on Monday. Ivan Pool is part of the scrapbook of my childhood memories.

When I became a puppeteer at the Children's Department at the Paducah Public Library, it was Ivan's mother who made the culotte that was a required part of the uniform for the three of us puppeteers.

I sewed a little -- like aprons and potholders. That was as far as Home Economics had taken me to that point. So when I needed a culotte -- and it had to be made out of burgundy gabardine -- Ivan's mother, Anna, volunteered.

He and his wife, Imogene, would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary tomorrow.

I just can't imagine the depth of Imogene's sorrow to lose her beloved lifemate. Theirs was a treasured relationship, to be sure. Sixty-four year marriages are a profound blessing to both people in the partnership. My heart and prayers go out to Imogene and their loved ones who, in compassion, lifted their sorrows.

Our trip to Paducah took us through the Shawnee National Forest. This is a 270,000 acre preserve that President Franklin D. Roosevelt made part of the national parks system in 1939. It's definitely going to be a place where Quint and I will go for play days. Lots of trails, although I think I might steer clear of Panther Den Wilderness. Don't know if panthers have ever been sighted. Don't care. Somebody must have had a good reason to name this part of the forest out of these big cats. There's also copperheads and rattlesnakes out there -- although the people who wrote the trail guides say they've never actually seen these snakes on the trails. Doesn't matter. I know a little something about southern Illinois too. And to my reckoning, in order to get from one side of the trail to the other, these critters would have to actually be on the trail to cross it. I'll stick to the paved roads and let the rustic trails go to the wilderness hikers. I avoid such dangers. That's how I got to be old.

THE COOKIE REPORT: I talked with my sister when we got back home last evening. My goodness, she sounds 1,000% better. Her articulation is so much improved. And there's animation in her voice too. She's looking forward to getting out of Schwab Rehabilitation and going on to the next step, which will be another rehab place where she can get the physical therapy she needs closer to her home. That will make it a lot easier for her cherished friends to come visit her. She has lots and lots of friends.

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BIBLE STUDY: Acts 17:1-34

When Paul and Silas, and their entourage arrived at Thessalonica, they preached in the Jewish synagogue. It is a custom in the synagogues, at one point in the worship time, to ask if anyone present would like to address the gathering.

No matter where they were, the apostles always took this opportunity to bring the gospel message to the people in these synagogues.

In Thessalonica, Paul preached on three Sabbath days. In verse 4, we read that some Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and prominent women (verse 4).

But guess what? Some of the Jews were jealous. And here we go again. They rounded up some bad characters and created quite a ruckus in the marketplace. In fact, in verse 5, it says they started a riot.

They hurried over to Jason's house, expecting to find Paul and Silas. But they couldn't find them. No matter. They figured they'd take Jason and some other brothers instead. So they hauled them in front of the city officials, shouting (verse 6b-9): "These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, and Jason has welcome them into his house. They are all defying Caesar's decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus."

When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go.

As soon as it got dark, Paul and Silas headed over to Berea and started preaching there. With much success too!

Problem is, word got back to Thessalonica that Paul and Silas were preaching in Berea. So they hurried over there. Sure enough, the Bereans were very excited about this new gospel message and were most eager to learn more. They examined the Scriptures every day, we learn in verse 11. They wanted to see if what Paul said was true. Again, many people came to believe -- Jews and Greeks alike.

When the troublemakers from Thessalonica arrived, Paul left immediately for the coast, eventually ending up in Athens. Silas and Timothy stayed behind in Berea. Then the people who had escorted Paul safely out of Berea came back with a message that they were to join Paul.

Well, in Athens, Paul became most distressed to see so many idols. In fact, in verse 16, Luke says that the town was full of idols.

So in verse 17, we learn that Paul launched a full-time, every day endeavor to move the Greeks away from idol worship: So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.

There were some philosophers present during these messages from Paul. They called him a babbler. Paul's message about Jesus Christ brought a response from the philosophers that Paul seemed to be talking about a foreign god. From verses 19-21, we read: Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May be know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean." (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)

Guess you could call them Greek's leisure class.

Paul welcomed the invitation to share the message of salvation with the Greeks. He said, in verses 22-23: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship a something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.

And with that, Paul retells the gospel message to the Greek philosophers. They listened and when Paul was finished, we read (verse 32-34): When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject.' At that, Paul left the Council. A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.

And so we continue on our journey with Paul and Silas. When we read about the messages that Paul delivered in the synagogues and marketplaces, it's easy for me to get the idea that Paul was such a powerful speaker that, sure, he converted a lot of people to the Christian faith. After all, that's what the New Testament tells us time and time again.

But don't ever get the idea that this was an easy task. These were dangerous times for the early Christians. And they were extraordinarily dangerous times for Paul. More and once he was lifted out of harm's way so that he could continue the work of bring the Word of God and the blessed story of salvation to men and women and children throughout the region.

His safety was lifted in prayer requests many times, you can be sure of that. And it was because of God's grace that he was able to continue to bring his messages. And he was empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak with conviction!

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MY LIFE IN INK --

I am posting this on Sunday evening instead of Monday because we will be tied up Monday morning and into the afternoon with a funeral of a friend.

I don't like going to funerals. Probably no one does. But it's something we do for people we care apart. We help our loved ones bury their dear ones. It means a lot for people to see that they are surrounded by people who care for them and care about them. And in doing that, in a small way, we help another person mourn.

The weather here was absolutely gorgeous today. We had one of those world renowned Lutheran meal gatherings after church today. This time is was catered since last Sunday was a pot luck. Couldn't do a potluck two weeks in a row.

Niemergs, a local fine dining place, did a great job with lunch. Fried chicken for me and a generous ham slice for Quint, with all sorts of delicious sides.

Then we listened to someone from seminary talk about the growing need for help for seminary students. Our church congregation adopted a seminarian this year. He was also present, with his wife and their adorable little two year old son, Caleb.

THE COOKIE REPORT: Cookie is settling in at Schwab Rehabilitation. Her days are filled with therapy and reading when she needs to rest from therapy. Maybe even napping a bit. Her language articulation continues to make a great improvement. I'm sure she longs for the day when she will be able to walk without assistance.

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I will resume the Bible Study on Tuesday morning. Thank you for your understanding and for your continued prayers for my dear sister, Cookie.

MY LIFE IN INK --

The day started out hectic and it hasn't slowed down yet. I have three one-hour sessions with clients, starting at 9 am -- two by phone and one in person.

Fortunately I was able to get the stew on to cook by the time the first client came for appointment. It's a new recipe: Beef Stew with Root Vegetables. So it cooked slowly while we talked. Then I put about two tablespoons of cornstarch in a cup of water -- actually I used a coffee cup from breakfast that I hadn't washed yet. After that was dissolved, it got poured into the stew to thicken it up. The whole stew cost $1.02 per meal. I got four meals for the two of us out of the entire stew. Three containers went into the deep freeze for the future.

Then I made some bread and got it finished with its first rising. Now it's all stomped down and rolled out and cut into the shapes and in its second rising. The round rolls are the bread and diamond shape rolls are cinnamon. I just knead in about 1/4 cup Splenda and sprinkle some cinnamon on half the batch of dough. It's a hearty whole wheat bread.

I think we're done with the leaf burning for the front yard. The maple tree that was responsible for all the leaves is pretty much empty. Now for the back yard. Only the box elder is barren. The two big maple trees in the back yard still have half their leaves. But we'll get up what we can this afternoon and burn them. That way it isn't such a daunting job to wait until the trees are completely empty.

I know -- I know. People say that if God put the leaves on the ground, he can take them away. But I know what God does with leaves on the ground -- he makes a very acidic soil that doesn't grow nice green plush grass -- just patches of moss and ugly weeds that will grow in any kind of dirt, even the cracks in the sidewalks.

Besides, we like to rake up the leaves and burn them. My fire starters work very well too. They're from Girl Scout days -- sawdust in a paper type egg carton, then pour melted paraffin on top. Works great.

THE COOKIE REPORT: My sister is on her way to Schwab Rehab as we speak. It's part of the Mt. Sinai group and very well known for physical therapy. The expectation is that she will be there for at least two weeks, then move to a facility in Evergreen Park which will be closer to Little Company of Mary Hospital where she will continue the radiation that the doctors started at that hospital for any possible malignant brain cells.

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7 HINTS FOR A HOPE-FILLED DAY -- from Antoinette Oberheu

1. Today I will Not Strike Back -- If someone is rude, impatient, or unkind, I will not respond in a like manner.

2. Today I Will Ask God To Bless My "Enemy" -- If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will quietly ask God to bless that individual.

3. Today I Will Be Careful About What I Say -- I will carefully choose and guard my words, being certain that I do not spread gossip.

4. Today I Will Go The Extra Mile -- I will find ways to share the burden of another.

5. Today I Will Forgive -- I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way.

6. Today I Will Do Something Nice For Someone -- I will reach out and bless the life of another.

7. Today I Will Raise The Spirits Of Someone Who Is Discouraged -- My smile, my words, my expression of support can make the difference to someone wrestling with life.

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BIBLE STUDY: Acts 16:1-40

Paul goes back to Lystra. This is where he meets Timothy, a young man who lived in the town. In verses 2 and 3, we read: The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

Interesting note that Paul circumcised Timothy, where he refused to circumcise Titus. In the case of Titus, circumcision was requested for salvation. In Timothy's case, it was for the sake of expediency since Paul knew they would be encountering Jews who lived in the area.

As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. (verses 4-5)

For all the times we are in a quandary about what we think God might want us to do with our lives, or decisions we should make, look how clear Paul and company got their marching orders (verses 6-10): Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Note the reference to "we" at the end of this passage. Since Luke is the author of Acts, it's a safe assumption that he was part of the entourage on this, the second missionary journey of Paul.

A really good map of this second journey is at this site: http://www.biblestudy.org/maps/pauls-secd-journey-map.html

Paul immediately set sail for Samothrace from the seaport town of Troas. Samothrace has an interesting history. No doubt Paul wanted to get right in the middle of this small island which was basically a sanctuary for people to go to worship the "Great Gods." Most of the island is mountainous so it wasn't much good for agriculture. Just fishing and tourism.

Read these notes about Samothrace: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samothrace

We don't know what Paul did on this island. Maybe it was just a stopping off point to replenish supplies, or maybe it was a place to challenge people who came to worship the false gods of their mythologies.

Paul apparently didn't stay long. Instead, in verse 12, we read that they traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony. They stayed there several days.

While at Philippi, Paul meets Lydia. She was a seller in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira.

Purple was a royal color. And because it was so difficult to make -- requiring I don't know how many little snails and other sea creatures to make just a yard of the stuff, only royals could wear a robe made completely of purple.

Purple cloth was, as this author says, the Gucci or Rolex of the trades: http://sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=71005. This is an interesting account of who Lydia was and the importance of her joining Paul's ministry team.

It is also important to note from the above story that there was no synagogue in Philippi. In order to have a synagogue, 10 men were needed. So without a synagogue, Paul went to where people were gathered on the Sabbath. Let's listen to what happens in verse 13: On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Pual's message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us.

The rest of this chapter recounts the details of how Paul and Silas end up in jail.

The story starts out with a young slave girl who was inhabited by a spirit. This spirit allowed her to be able to tell the future. She followed Paul and Silas and the group shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God."

It wasn't that it was annoying for her to recognize the source of Paul's enormous faith in God, but rather, that Paul recognized the spirit that had possessed her. Paul turned to her and said 'In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" And the spirit left her. (verse 16-18)

This did not sit well with the slave girl's owners. Now they lost a big chunk of change because she couldn't tell the future anymore.

So the slave owners go to the local magistrates and complain that Paul was interfering with things and generally causing an uproar. The magistrates ordered Paul and Silas to be stripped and beaten. Verse 23 says they were severely flogged.

But they weren't put into just any jail cell. Oh no. They were put into an inner cell. And their feet were put in stocks. The jailers were taking no chances on these two escaping!

But you know what? God caused an earthquake just about then. The dirt underneath the jail turned to wiggly matter. All the cell doors flew open. All the chains fell off the prisoners.

The earthquake woke up the jailer and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to commit suicide when Paul yelled out, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"

Well, the jailer called for lights. Guess all the better to do a headcount of prisoners. Sure enough, they were all there. He was pretty shook up and he came to Paul and Silas and asked, "What must I do to be saved?"

Here's the rest of the story (verses 31-34): They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved -- you and your household;" Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer too, them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all the family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God -- he and his whole family.

The magistrates must have gotten plenty worried after the earthquake because they send a note over to the jailer to release "those men."

But Paul told the officers (verse 37): "They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out."

Oops. The magistrates weren't supposed to treat these men like ordinary criminals just on the word of a couple of slave owners. And throw them into prison without a trial! Before it could get any worse for them, especially since that one guy (Paul) seemed to know what his rights were as a Roman citizen, they figured they'd better do what he asked and eat a little crow and go on over to the jail and escort them out of the prison.

That's what they did too.

Then Paul and Silas went to Lydia's house where they encouraged the brothers. Then they left for their next stop on their missionary journey.

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MY LIFE IN INK --

Uh oh, it's supposed to get down to 35 degrees by 8 pm this evening. I have to get out my notes from last year so I know when to put the cones on the roses. Somehow I don't think it's a good idea to put the cones on when it gets into the 60s during the daytime.

But it won't be long before the cold winds from the north come down out of Canada and bring a dusting of that white stuff. And we will be welcomed by Mother Nature into yet another winter season. But then, spring wouldn't be so special if we didn't have winter.

I made a gift to Quint of a rolling cabinet. It's been part of the kitchen gear from condo days. It had a microwave sitting on it, and a little cabinet for the crock pot and my mini-blender. And a side cabinet with a touch type opening where I had stored just about every flavor of sugar free jello and puddings -- times 3!

He immediately put it downstairs in his workshop -- "The Shed," otherwise known as his "Screwdriver Repository." Now he will have a nice surface to work on many woodworking projects that I have in mind for him. Like box shelf units for a variety of places. The first one will be the kitchen wall where I have pretty much all my pots and pans hanging.

This little box shelf will be just big enough for my collection of church cookbooks. My experience tells me that they are the best recipes in the whole wide world. I also have some Junior League cookbooks too. They're all about the same size and they have those plastic combed things for binders.

Anyway, now my kitchen floor has nothing on it. Not a thing. Even the wastebasket is tucked away into a cabinet. And since we have a garbage disposal, there's not any garbage in there, so things don't get messy.

THE COOKIE REPORT: Today will probably be moving day for Cookie. The feeding tube was taken out this morning and she enjoyed a nice breakfast. I believe she will be going to Schwab Institute, which is part of the Mt. Sinai group of facilities. She's in for a whole bunch of physical therapy.

I expect that by the time they are done with her she'll be trying out for the Virginia Reel!

##

OFF TOPIC: That was a huuuuge earthquake that struck Chile on Wednesday afternoon. It racked up a 7.7 on seismic activity.

But then, today there were 2 aftershocks -- one was 6.2 and the other was 6.7.

Those aftershocks would be big as just plain old earthquakes, but aftershocks?

##

JUST LIKE THE CONFUSIONISTAS TO SAY THE IRAQ WAR IS COSTING $1.6 TRILLION

See, it goes like this. There's an appropriation resolution that comes out of the House of Represenatives for, say, $500 billion for more support for the war in Iraq. Before it gets out of the House, however, there are a whole bunch of earmarks that get added on.

You know -- favorite little projects for a million here, a few hundred thousand there, and before you know it, by the time the earmark list gets around to all 435 representatives, that $500 billion resolution might total $800 billion. Let's just say.

Out of the 435 representatives, there are only 5 congresspersons who did not request earmarks. The whole list is shown at this site: http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=EarmarkRequests_2007_House
The list also tells you which representatives responded favorably or not to a request to provide a list of the earmarks they requested.

And those earmark projects in the defense bill? Could have to do with genetic research to make corn or wheat more resistant to bugs and other vermin. Could have to do with paint for interstate overpasses. Could have to do with testing the quality of water in Chesapeake Bay. Could have to do with help for spinach farmers. Could have to do with shrimp boaters' matters. Could have lots of earmark requests that have nothing to do with the defense bill.

According to the Porkbusters website, there are 1776 earmarks in this year's appropriations bill. The total pork requests from the House came to $180 billion, while the Senate wanted to add $6.6 billion in pork spending. Here's the Porkbusters link: http://www.porkbusters.org/2007/07/spirit_of_1776.php

And so, when it comes time to write media headlines, the entire bottom line figure, including all the earmark projects, gets included. That $1.6 trillion might only be, in reality, $700 billion for an accumulated total. Since the war began.

Remember the old saw, Figures don't lie, but liars can figure.

##

BIBLE STUDY: Acts 15:1-41

This is the chapter where the question of circumcision is laid to rest.

It all started when some guys came down from Judea to Antioch and challenged the message of salvation that Paul and Barnabas were sharing with the Gentiles.

These men tried to impose Mosaic law that would require circumcision in order for any of the Gentiles to be saved. Well, this led to a clear dispute from Paul and Barnabas were picked to go back to Jerusalem for a meeting.

In their meeting, some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said (verse 5b): The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.

The Bible text goes on to say that the apostles and elders met to consider this question (verses 7-11): After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."

The whole group was stunned. In verse 12, we read that "they became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them."

Then James stood up to address the group. This is James who was the brother of Jesus. He was the leader of the church at Jerusalem.

James basically removes circumcision as one of the Pillars of the Church, but leaves the other rules in place that are related to other lifestyle matters. Let's listen to what James has to say (verses 13-21) -- Brothers, listen to me. Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself. The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written: "After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things that have been known for ages.

It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.

Well, okay then. That seems clear enough. All that was left to do was write a letter and send it on along to the congregations at Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. These towns were where this whole dispute was rising up.

Then, there was the question of who would carry this letter, accompanying Paul and Barnabas. In verse 22 we learn that the men who were chosen were Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, two men who were leaders among the brothers.

This letter carried the opinion of the Council at Jerusalem (verses 24-29): Greetings -- We have heard tht some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul -- men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.

After this letter was read to the congregation at Antioch, the people were glad for the encouraging nature of the message (verse 31). Then Judas and Silas went back to Jerusalem, but Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch where they continued to preach and teach. In verse 35, we learn that others joined them in their preaching.

By the end of this chapter, we see that a strong disagreement erupted between Paul and Barnabas. This apparently had to do with Barnabas' desire to have John Mark accompanying them on a kind of tour of the new churches to see how these churches were doing.

But Paul doesn't look too happy with John Mark. He told Barnabas that John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and really hadn't continued with them in their work. The disagreement became vehement enough that Barnabas left. He took John Mark with him. They sailed for Cyprus, which is where Barnabas had come from. Since John Mark was Barnabas' nephew, he was probably a Cypriot also.

Paul chose Silas to go with him to Syria and Cilicia where he wanted to strengthen the churches that had formed.

##

MY LIFE IN INK --

In case you didn't notice a new web site I just added to my main page, here's a place where you can go if you want to put a stop to getting all those catalogs in the mail: www.catalogchoice.org/signup

I know -- catalog printing is a whole industry all unto itself, and one reader says it keeps the postal carriers in business. Don't know if that's true or not. Catalogs between now and Christmas are measured in pounds delivered and I doubt very much if the mail carriers will mind if my mail delivery is a few pounds less every week.

Today is a slow day. We're going to replenish our cupboards here in a little bit. Then to the library. And I think Quint went off to pay the real estate taxes. We're going to try to burn some leaves this afternoon. Hopefully they'll be dry after having had a day to dry them out from the rain the other evening.

Before I forget, welcome to readers from Canada, Brazil, Germany and China, as well as the United States.

And thank you all for your kind words about the Bible Studies. There's so much interesting information about the Apostle Paul's missionary journeys. Over a million web sites, according to Google. Just type in "Paul's 1st missionary journey" and see what you get.

I even found a recap from the Book of Martyrs. It's about people who have been martyred for Christ since the first century and goes all the way to the 1800s. Doesn't list them all by name -- it's a narrative recap but it does have some interesting stories. The site is www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/foxbkmrt/foxmartyr.html
THE COOKIE REPORT: The swallow test that was supposed to have been done yesterday has been delayed until later this morning.

The nurse said there was a big meeting yesterday with 15 of her medical attenders. The agenda included lots and lots of physical therapy, picking up the radiation again, and the question of where this is all to be done.

I've not gotten any details as to where and when all this will take place. Or if.

##

BIBLE STUDY: Acts 14:1-28

Paul and Barnabas did very well in Iconium. As was their usual, they went first to the Jewish synagogue where their messages were so effective that many people -- both Jews and Gentiles alike -- came to believe (verse 1)

The plot thickens though, as we read in verse 2: But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against their brothers.

Isn't that just like a bunch of unbelievers?

If you think it deterred Paul and Barnabas, you'd have to change your point of view. They spoke even more boldly. In fact, by the Lord's grace, they were able to perform miracles in the name of the Lord. (verse 3)

But the people of Iconium were divided. Some believed. Some didn't. The ones who didn't were pretty inflamed. They developed a plot to get ahold of Paul and Barnabas and stone them. (verse 5)

This is where and why Paul and Barnabas fled from Iconium and headed for Lystra and Derbe, two Lycaonian cities. They preached the good news in these towns.

It was in Lystra that Paul healed a man who had been crippled from birth. In verses 9-11, we read about what happened: He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.

What happens next would be a comical twist to this story if it hadn't been true. Read what happens next: When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in human form!" Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.

Oh brother! What do you think you would do if a bunch of people in a strange city far away from home decided that you were a god and wanted to worship you. But wait, they didn't think that Paul and Barnabas were just any little old tin cup god -- oh no -- they figured that Barnabas was the big honcho -- Zeus. Paul got to be Hermes (also known as Mercury, the messenger) because he was the main man speaker.

This is clearly not what these two apostles intended to have happen. The first thing that Paul and Barnabas did was tear their clothes.This was the traditional Jewish way of showing enormous anguish. The they ran into the crowd shouting at the people who had gathered. They told the crowd that they were men -- mere mortals -- just like they were.

Then they confessed their belief in God to these people (verses 15b-18): We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony. He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.

These "worthless things" that they talked about is a reference to the Old Testament reference to false gods (1 Samuel 12:21 -- Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless.)

Well, this must have been pretty upsetting to the people. And some Jews had come over to Lystra from Antioch and Iconium. They were not friendly Jews either. They helped win the crowd over. They stoned Paul right on the spot. They didn't first drag him outside the city to stone him; they just stoned him right there and left him for dead. Then they dragged him to the outside of the city.

The disciples gathered around Paul. Can you imagine the horror that went through them? What do you think they did? Say a few prayers for Paul? Do you think they might have wondered what they should do next?

Imagine their great surprise when Paul got up. He went back into the city! (verse 20b)

The next day Paul and Barnabas went on to Derbe.

Just a note here, before we leave Lystra behind in our rear view mirrors. This is the city that the disciple Timothy comes from. He was born in Lystra. We're going to meet Timothy on Paul's second missionary journey, so hang onto this note until we get to the 16th chapter.

The rest of this chapter lists the various other towns that Paul and Barnabas went to. Fortunately, Paul didn't get stoned again in any of them. They ended up in Antioch where they stayed "a long time with the disciples." (verse 28)

A note in my Concordia Study Bible says that this "long time" was probably more than a year.

##

MY LIFE IN INK --

Well, well, well. It looks like we're going to go over 75,000 hits today. We're at 74,975 right now. And welcome to readers from China.

I have been working on continuing education readings and this afternoon will take an open book test to send in for a couple of CEUs.

And Quint is lucky. He's getting quiche lorraine today for lunch. He likes quiche. I use 2% milk, not heavy cream for my quiches though. Makes them more heart healthy, along with the egg beaters. Helps keep our cholesterol down.

The leaves will probably be too wet to burn today, even though the sun is shining now. We got 0.9 inches of rain during the night so we'll have to let them dry out a day or so. This weekend ought to be suitable for that.

COOKIE REPORT: Cookie has started her physical therapy. But boy is she ready to go home. I suspect she's even glad to be doing that. Days can be so long just lying in a hospital bed. She's still somewhat confused and because she keeps trying to get out of bed (to get dressed to go home), they have her restrained. That is never a happy thing.

Her daughter Karen arrived from Kuwait City yesterday. I think her husband Alec is scheduled to arrive today. Cookie was glad to see her, I'm sure. My daughter Sharon is going to hospital today to see Cookie.

Her nurse says she slept well through the night, but has some pain upon awakening. 

##

WOW! NOW THE NUNS ARE BEING CHARGED

Quint just handed me a report from Fox News about a Catholic nun who pleaded no contest on Monday for fooling around with a couple of little boys back in the 60s.

The nun is 79 years old. She had sexual intercourse with one boy more than 100 times when she was the principal at a school. Probably in the Milwaukee area since she entered the plea in Milwaukee County Circuit Court.

And since I used to live in Oak Lawn, I was amazed to learn that Sister Sister lives in Oak Lawn. But she's 79 years old now and completely separated from all contact with minors.

I'm not going to list the nun's name, but here's the link if you want to read the Fox report: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,311026,00.html

##

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU TO ALL OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL -- PAST AND PRESENT ALIKE

No matter where you served, today is the day to stop and pause and say "THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you for your service and thank you for my freedoms. We owe everything we have, as Americans, to our soldiers.

Freedom isn't free. It has been bought with the blood of American soldiers that stains so much earth around the world. 

We love you and we thank you. Each one of you.

##

BIBLE STUDY: Acts 13:1-52

Maps of the missionary journeys can be seen at: http://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/CN092MAPS1.htm

This chapter launches Saul/Paul on his first missionary journey with Barnabas. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said (verse 2b-3): Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

The "they" refers to people listed in the first verse of this chapter: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.

Interesting note here about the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we think of the Holy Spirit as quietly working in the background -- making intercessions for us with the Lord God. In verse 2, though, we see the Holy Spirit as being very proactive in calling people to get to work building God's kingdom on earth.

When I look at the map that's at the web site linked above, it seems like this missionary journey was a very big undertaking. 

They left from the city of Syrian Antioch and walked to Seleucia. Not far. It's about a quarter inch on the map -- in reality, just a few miles. Looks to be about ten miles or so.

Then they somehow arranged passage to Salamis on the island of Cyprus. There were Jewish synagogues on Cyprus, so Paul and Barnabas immediately began preaching. 

Incidentally, they had John Mark along as their assistant. It's generally thought that this is the same Mark who wrote the second gospel.

There were many Jews on Cyprus who had heard the message of Jesus Christ. They had come to this island after having been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen (Acts 11:19).

Barnabas and Saul were all over this island, preaching at every opportunity. When they got to Paphos, (about a hundred miles from their landing port on the island) they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus (verse 6).

A proconsul is a kind of provincial governor. Since Cyprus was a Roman senatorial province, it would have a governor, or proconsul, assigned to it. (Concordia Study Bible note, p. 1681).

What happens next is very interesting -- verses 7b-12): The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun."

Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

You'll note, as you continue your readings of the Book of Acts, that the order of mention changes. We no longer see "Barnabas and Saul," but rather "Paul and Barnabas." That is, until they get back to Jerusalem -- then it goes back to Barnabas and Paul. 

The distinction between "Saul" and "Paul" is one of language. "Saul" is Hebrew and "Paul" is Greek. But from this point on, references are to Paul. Maybe because Paul begins his preaching phase to the Gentiles? At least that's the thought in my Study Bible.

The journey continues, from verses 13-15: From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak."

And so Paul restates the gospel message to the people gathered in the synagogues in verses 16-37. He wraps up his message with this important note (verses 36-41): Therefore, my brethren, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from the law of Moses. Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:

"Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe even if someone told you."

With a message like that, it's no wonder that the people invited Paul and Barnabas back to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. And when the next week came 'round, practically the whole town showed up to hear what they had to say!

If you think the Jews would be jealous when they saw the big turnout, you'd be right. The Jews even talked abusively against what Paul was saying, it says in verse 45.

Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.

For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth."

When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. (verses 46-48)

The Jews were not about to let this rest. They were still upset so they began inciting and stirring up persecution against Paul and Barnabas. So you know what Paul did, dont' you?

In verse 51: So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

##

MY LIFE IN INK --

The cricket that had taken up residence in our basement must have found an escape hatch and scurried on outdoors. Little did he know that he was safer inside than out there where it's frosted several times. Sure hope he's okay. Maybe it was a she.

I like crickets.

We have decided that every Sunday when we get home from church, we are going to reclaim all the horizontal surfaces in the living room and dining room. I am happy to say that Week #1 went really well.

Quint and I both like to have things organized but horizontal surfaces seem to attract papers and such things like a magnet. We have a lot of horizontal surfaces in those two rooms, believe me. Every surface got a good polishing. So we stood around and patted each other on the back for quite a little while. Enjoyed a cup of coffee while we were at it.

Since Quint did such a marvelous job making the spice shelves in the kitchen, I have requested a smaller boxed in shelf for my favorite cookbooks. That will also give me the added benefit of a shelf on top of the "box."

I'll put my hand-held ricer up there. The ricer is older than dirt. It once belonged to my grandmother. Grandma Stubbe had a boarding house for Illinois Central railroad engineers and conductors in Paducah, Kentucky. Grandma was a world champion cook. Fortunately she passed her recipes down to my mom, who shared them with me. I also got Grandma's biscuit cutter which I have been using frequently now that I have time in the mornings to make a civilized type breakfast for Quint and me. Quint will eat biscuits any time I care to make them. It's not any trouble at all. I use one of those Bisquik biscuit packages and mix with buttermilk instead of water. Can have biscuits in the oven quicker than Quint can make and butter toast.

THE COOKIE REPORT: I talked to Cookie this morning. Her articulation continues to improve.

The nurse says she pulled the feeding tube out and that had to be re-inserted. Cookie really wants to get out of the hospital.

I will admit that I'm a bit disturbed because one of the first things she said to me was that our two brothers were not dead. When I asked her how she knew that, she was very excited and said that they had come to see her.

Our youngest brother (James) died in 1988. Our other brother (Allison) died in 2002. And then she became sad and said Mom had not come back. She said that Mom was there the other day to see her.

##

BIBLE STUDY: Acts 12:1-25

This chapter opens with information about King Herod's persecution of the early Christians. In particular, James, the brother of John, was put to death with the sword (verses 1-2).

So why would he put Peter in prison? In verse 3, we find out: When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also.

This happened during the Feast of Unleavened bread.

After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.

So Herod put Peter in jail and put sixteen guards on him. Just to make sure Peter was not going to escape. Peter was chained -- probably to the wall -- between two guards. And there were two sentries posted at the door of the entrance. (Probably the jail cell door. Don't know where the other 12 guards were placed.)

In another room, somewhere else in town, the people in the new church were praying for Peter. After James was martyred, you can just imagine how earnest their prayers were for Peter's safety.

On the night before Herod had planned to bring Peter out for trial, an angel appeared (verse 7): Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.

The angel continued with instructions for Peter to wrap his cloak around himself and follow the angel.

In verse 9, we learn more about this encounter with the angel who was sent by God: Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.

Now we learn where the rest of the guards are placed (verse 10): They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

About that time, Peter came to and said to himself (verse 11b): Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating.

Peter hurried over to Mary's house (the mother of John, also called Mark). There were a lot of people gathered there. They were continuing their prayer vigil for Peter's safety.

So Peter knocks at the outer gate. A servant girl named Rhoda answered the knock. But she was so excited at seeing Peter that she ran inside to tell the others, without opening the gate for Peter to get in!

They didn't believe her anyway. The people inside tried to convince Rhoda that the man at the gate must be Peter's angel.

But Peter kept knocking. Finally somebody came out to see who it really was. And in verse 16b: ...when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.

To say the least.

Peter motioned for them to be quiet so he could tell them what had happened. Then, Peter left for another place, but not before instructing the group to tell James and the brothers about what had happened.

Meanwhile, back at the palace. Things were not going well for the guards. Herod was not pleased with the thought of losing his prisoner. Now the guards were in the hot spot and after Herod cross-examined them, he ordered that they be executed.

Herod then headed for Caesarea to stay for a while. He apparently was not getting along real well with the people of Tyre and Sidon. (These are cities in what would be Lebanon today.) But then, the people came to Herod and asked for an audience. After all, they needed Herod to continue the food supply from the king's storehouses.

So Herod put on his best royal robes and sat himself down on his royal throne. He made a big royal speech to the public that had gathered. They were bedazzled by this awesome robe that Herod was wearing. Josephus described it as a silver robe that was so shimmering and dazzling that the people said he must be a god.

Herod didn't deny it.

Uh oh. Wrong thing to do. In verse 23: Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

See what I mean? Herold should have gotten his theology right. There are not four people in the trinity!

As this chapter ends, we learn that the word of God continued to spread throughout the region. 

About this time, Barnabas and Saul were finished with their mission and returned from Jerusalem.

##

NOT A GOOD SHOWING FOR ANTI-IRAQ FILM

This was going to be a movie that 'splained things to us hicks in the heartland. Since we apparently "don't get it" -- as Hollywood types have said -- they're gonna make a movie to help us understand how wrong the war in Iraq is. The producers and directors out there in Hollywood just haven't figured out yet that the American moviegoer is not going to tolerate the left wing propaganda. People go to movies to be entertained, not talked down to.

Well, this time is was United Artists -- Tom Cruise's studio -- that made Lions for Lambs. I read somewhere that they needed a rock bottom $8.5 million for the opening weekend. Lions came in fourth with $6,710,000. One could say it bombed. Cruise reportedly played the part of a senator for next to nothing in salary. He wanted his studio to look profitable, I guess.

Anyway, the movie got beat out by Jerry Seinfeld's bumblebee. The Bee Movie picked up a big $26 million!

Coming in second was Denzel Washington's American Gangster. It fetched $24,319,000. And Fred Claus got $19,225,000. After that, everything is single digits.

source: www.boxofficemojo.com

##

ONLY THE POLITICIANS AND THEIR MEDIA ARE CLAIMING RECESSION

Okay -- here's the truth. Politicians don't get to say when the country has started in a recession.

Neither does the media.

Despite what you may hear from the highly tauted dusty old campaign trail, it's the National Bureau of Economic Research that declares whether the United States is in a recession or not.

By a strict definition, the Gross Domestic Product, has to decline for two consecutive quarters.

So, in 2007, the first quarter showed an increase of .625% -- second quarter came in with 3.4%, and the third quarter showed an increase of 3.9%.

At the tail end of 2006, the fourth quarter showed an increase of 2.5%.

So when you hear the political rhetoric from now until Doomsday 2008, keep in mind that the candidates don't get to say we're in a recession. And if you ever go to one of those rallies, ask the candidates if they know what the criteria for a recession is. Then sit back and watch them sputter.

I'll bet the don't know. I'll bet they mutter something about unemployment and inflation. Just keep in mind that recessions are part of the ebb and flow of business cycles.

If there's anything good at all about a recession is this: it cures inflation.

But it's not a foregone conclusion that we're going to go into a recession anytime soon. If at all. The feds aren't done adjusting the interest rates yet.

##

MY LIFE IN INK --

We had a wonderful time last night playing Pinochle with our new friends, Naomi and Norm. And for about the fourth time in my entire life, I was dealt a double Pinochle. That's how rare it is to get the Jack of Diamonds/Queen of Spades combination. Naomi and I made a decent showing teamed against Quint and Norm. Naomi and I were getting good hands. Then we ate little sandwiches and I took lemon bars instead of the lemon meringue pie. Naomi had chocolate chip cookies too.

It's still chilly here in Effingham. We have a new programmable thermostat that Quint installed back in the summer. It goes down to 62 degrees at 9 pm and kicks back up to 70 degrees at 6 am. We started doing that last winter when we were still in the condominium and noticed that our heating costs went down 30% for the winter!

THE COOKIE REPORT: I am happy to say that my sister was moved out of the neuroscience critical care unit and back to a "regular" critical care unit. I was actually able to talk to her on the phone this morning.

Her speech is still somewhat garbled but I think her articulation is slightly improved. Before, it was like one big long word, where now, I can hear word separations. She sounded chipper. She didn't remember throwing a pillow at her nurse the other day. She laughed when I told her. I told her we were glad to see that she was not paralyzed as a result of the surgery.

Some optimism is returning to me, albeit a very cautious outlook. She still has to have the lobectomy and then there's the radiation and chemotherapy still looming on the horizon. And the not too far distant horizon, either.

##

BIBLE STUDY: Acts 11:1-30

The word of faith was spreading like wildfire throughout the region. People all over the area came to believe and be comforted with salvation for their sins. There was a growing contingent of new believers who were Greek. That was not lost on the Jews in Jerusalem. The Jews called Peter to task on this when he made his journey back to Jerusalem (verse 3): You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.

Peter then reiterated to the Jews everything that had happened to him while he was in Joppa. He summed up his dissertation with these words in verse 17: So if God gave them the same gifts as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?

The Jews couldn't argue with that point. We get their reaction in verse 18: When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life."

As we get further into the chapter, we read that Barnabas goes to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found Saul, he brought him back to Antioch.

But get this -- for a whole year, Barnabus and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

And then, a profound miracle occurred (verses 27-30): During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

##

 

MY LIFE IN INK --

I am going to the office supply store today and get dividers for each month for a little notebook that will be used for gardening notes. I cannot remember what I'm supposed to do each month to the different flowers. So it's time to get it all written down and organized by month. Might even do a check-off list. Might be helpful until the time comes when I'll be able to just "wing it." Right now, I'm way too much of an amateur.  You should see my poor little plants after I give them a pruning, even though it seems to keep them robust. I don't do anything that those people on the Master Gardener program would call "severe" though. But I do follow my grandma's advice and prune during the dark of the moon. I've never forgotten that advice from the expert gardening sage.

We're going to play Pinochle tonight with our new friends from church. We have to go out Highway 32 to the red barn, then turn right and follow the road for a quarter mile. We're looking for a farm that has a white fence around it.  How did we ever live without cell phones?

I remember one time right after my mom passed away when we were rather exuberant in our cleaning at her house. If the auctioneer didn't want it, and relatives hadn't come to claim what they wanted, and the community resale shop didn't want it, stuff had to be tossed out. To be truthful, what we threw out were items like outdated canned goods, zillions of those plastic tubs that some people just can't seem to throw out, and other things that just would not be useful to anybody but her.

Well, my sister and I thought her garbage pick-up bill had been paid through the end of the month. It wasn't. One of the neighbors was making a claim of "aesthetic nuisance." Yes, they can do that. So we called the garbage collectors and sure enough, she was paid through the end of the month. For a big garbage can. Not for half a house full of trash. (Forgive the hyperbole.)

Off we rode to the garbage store out in the country where the landfill was. 

If you think it's hard to find your way around a new city, try going out into the country where roads are just numbered by some mysterious numbering system known only to the people who live there. 

That must be how they keep the tourists and unfamiliars back up on the hard road, and away from the local folks. 

So I got lost. You knew that was coming, didn't you? Then I get on the phone with this nice lady at the garbage store and she guided me in. Then I got on a road that stretched all the way to forever. I could see all the way to the horizon and nothing was in sight, except cows.

She said, "Now make a right hand turn at the T-intersection."

Okay, I thought. Sure hope she remembers that I'm lost. Then she told me to turn into the first driveway I came to.

That seemed mysterious. How did she know where I was, I wondered. So I asked her. "Because I'm watching you," she said. And sure enough, about a half mile down the road, there was a building. One of those Morton looking buildings. It was their office! And she was standing out on a landing type front porch waving at me.

When I got out of the car, I laughed and asked her, "Bet you don't get many big city types out here who get lost so easy, do you?"

And being the kind lady that she was, she said, "Oh, you'd be surprised. Even the folks in town have trouble finding this place."

All's well that ends well. The extra stuff we threw out was picked up by the end of that very same day. But then, when we got back to mom's house, garbage pickers were going through the stuff. I thought, "Where were you when we needed you?"

THE COOKIE REPORT: Still no change. Another test for swallowing and speech today. She is more alert today and talking more, but the speech is garbled and I'm sure that must be frustrating for her.

##

BIBLE STUDY: Acts 10:1-48

We meet a new character in this chapter of Acts. His name is Cornelius.

Cornelius is a God-fearing man and his life shows the richness of his faith as he leads his daily life. He gives to the poor. He prays regularly.

He is a centurion in the Italian regiment. He headquartered in Caesarea, a town about thirty miles north of Joppa. A centurion was a commander of about 100 men. It was part of a Roman legion of some 6,000 men. This legion was broken down into various regiments. So a centurion commanded about 1/6 of a regiment. The note in my Concordia Study Bible says that centurions were carefully picked and usually had noble blood running through their veins.

So one afternoon, about 3 o'clock, an angel of the Lord came to Cornelius and told him to send for Peter down in Joppa. The angel even gave Cornelius specific directions to find Peter: He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea. (verse 6)

Cornelius immediately sent men to Joppa to find Peter and bring him back.

The next day, Peter goes up on the roof of his friend's house. Must have been a beautiful sight, there on the warm shores of the Mediterranean. Verse 9 tells us that it's about noon. High noon in the middle east would have been warm indeed. The roof was a place that afforded Peter privacy for his prayers.

Then, in verse 10, we learn that Peter became hungry and wanted something to eat. While this meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. This is where he sees heaven open up and he sees all sorts of animals and reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, "Get up Peter. Kill and eat." (verse 13)

Oh no. Peter did not want to eat a lot of those things that were in that large sheet that came down from heaven. After all, there were unclean things in there. Things that he had never eaten in his entire life.

Then the voice spoke to him a second time (in verse 15): Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.

This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

While Peter was sitting there wondering what this vision might mean, the three men from Cornelius were knocking at the gate.

Then the voice came back to Peter and said (in 19b-20): Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.

I've often heard people tell me, in counseling sessions, that when they wondered what they ought to be doing, that they wished God would just tell them. And I always remind them that God does talk to us. In that still, small whisper deep inside us that we sometimes think of as a hunch. We get clear instructions, all right. Problem is, we second guess them. We don't pay attention to them. But we ought to. The more we listen to this small voice, the stronger it becomes. Eventually, as we mature in our faith, we recognize it as the voice of God whispering to us.

So Peter went out to the gate and met the men. They explained to Peter how they happened to be there looking for him, and they were under orders to bring him back to Cornelius who wanted to hear what Peter had to say.

The next day, Peter set out with these three men and some of his friends from Joppa who wanted to go with him.

When they got back to Cornelius' house, Cornelius knelt at Peter's feet in reverence. Cornelius had organized a big gathering with all his friends and relatives.
Peter went inside and saw all these people.

He then reveals the purpose of his coming to Caesarea (verse 28-29): You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?

Then Cornelius told Peter and the other people gathered there about the angel who had appeared to him and instructed him to go get Peter.

Peter then continued (verses 34-43): I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preched -- how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under teh power of the deveil, because God was with hi.

We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seend. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen -- by us who ate and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came into the group and filled everyone with the gift of the Holy Spirit -- everyone, even the Gentiles.

They were able to speak in tongues. They wanted to be baptized.

Peter ordered that they all be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

##

MY LIFE IN INK --

We welcome readers from the Russian Federation, China, Brazil and South Korea -- and, of course, the United States!

I am still amazed by the number of people who are logged on to this site at all hours of the day and night. And from your e-mails, I know that many of you are reading the Bible Studies along with your own translations. Special welcomes to all of you in Christ's name. I pray that the Bible Studies will somehow enrich your lives and bring peace and joy to you.

My sister Cookie continues to be about the same. But then, it's only been a few days since the horrendous surgery that removed a malignant tumor from her cerebellum. An evaluation yesterday showed the situation to be about the same. Swallowing difficult and speech garbled.

I would liken that to my own patients who have had strokes. Recovery will be a slow process with many long hours in rehab, no doubt.

But, looking on the bright side of things, her vision is well intact. For a person who is such an avid reader, that's definitely good news. I may have mentioned earlier that it is nothing for Cookie to read an entire book a day. Sometimes she'd get through half of a second book. Reading will be a blessing to her when she sits in those waiting rooms for the tests that most likely will be coming soon.

Please continue to lift your prayers to God for her healing and well-being.

We'll be blowing leaves around again this afternoon. One maple is finished shedding, but there are two other maples that are just starting to give up their leaves, as well as an box elder. We planted a red bud this summer in honor of my mother. Of all the trees on the planet, the red bud was her absolute favorite. She would go on "safaris" with her friends in the spring to spot red buds. And in southern Illinois and western Kentucky, there are a lot of them. There's even a town named Red Bud in Illinois. They're so pretty in the spring when the early leaves are a lavenderish, lacy foliage. Eventually, green leaves take over and the tree just looks like an ordinary, green-leaf tree.
 
I have a ham quiche in the oven. It's Quint's favorite. But then, anything ham is his favorite. He could eat ham three times a day and be perfectly happy.

My bread turned out much better yesterday with the two packages of yeast. I used half the dough to knead in some cinnamon and Splenda. The other half is just whole wheat rolls.

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BIBLE STUDY: Acts 9:1-43

This chapter describes the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, the man who hunted down the Christians and (verse 1) breathed out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples.

One day Saul was going to go on over ride to Damascus, but first he went to the high priest and asked for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. (verses 1b-2)

On the way to Damascus, Saul's cosmic clock struck his moment of destiny!

See, this big light beamed down out of heaven. Made Saul fall down off his two good feet. Then he started hearing voices. Well, a voice. Not sure he would recognize the voice of Jesus, since he had never actually met Jesus Christ. But there was no mistaking who the voice belonged to when Jesus asked, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (verses 3-4)

So naturally, Saul asked, "Who are you Lord?" (verse 5a)

Jesus answered (verses 5b-6): I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.

There were other men with Saul and they were really surprised. Here they saw Saul fall down, then this big light beam came down from heaven, and now, when Saul was getting up, he realized he was blind. Saul's friends led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days, Saul didn't eat anything, didn't drink anything, and he was still blind. And he was praying.

Well, there was this man called Ananias who also lived in Damascus. He was one of the disciples. The Lord came to him in a vision and gave him these instructions (verses 11-12): Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.

So far so good up to this point. But Ananias reminded Jesus that this Saul guy was the same man who had done so much harm to the saints in Jerusalem and even now, on this very afternoon, he was carrying papers from the chief priests to arrest all the people who were worshiping Christ.

Then Jesus, in so many words, told Ananias, "Oh, I know all that. But I've picked this man to carry my message to the Gentiles and their kings as well as the people of Israel." And then Jesus added this thought, in verse 16: I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.

And then the miracle occurred (verses 17-19): Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord -- Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here -- has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. He started preaching the word of God right away in the synagogues -- telling everyone that Jesus was the Son of God.

Can you just imagine the reaction of the people who heard Saul? They must have thought something like, "Hey, wait a minute. This is the same guy that used to run the believers down and haul them off to jail. Didn't he come here to take us all prisoners? He's got the papers on him, you know.

But no matter, because we read in verse 22: Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.

Now the Jews were conspiring to kill Saul. They were on the lookout for him day and night. But Saul's followers put him in a big basket and lowered him through an opening in the city wall.

He went on to Jerusalem and pretty much got the same reaction from the disciples as he had gotten at first in Damascus.

Barnabus stood up for Saul though. He told the disciples the story of what had happened to Saul on the way to Damascus. And how Saul was preaching fearlessly in Damascus.

So here was Saul, now preaching in Jerusalem, and debating with the Grecian Jews -- keep in mind that Saul was Greek -- but they were trying to kill Saul. The disciples learned of these plots so they sent Saul back to Tarsus.

This was a great time of growth for the church throughout the region, in Judea, Galilee and Samaria. The church was strengthened by the Holy Spirit as it grew in numbers.

Peter also was traveling about the country performing miracles and preaching Christ crucified. While Peter was in Lydda, he learned of a disciple named Tabitha (which was translated to "Dorcas"). Tabitha died. Peter was summoned. He knelt to pray and then turned toward the dead woman and said, "Tabitha, get up." (verse 40b)

With that, Tabitha opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. (verse 40b-41a)

##

MY LIFE IN INK --

Cookie report: About the same as yesterday. There will be some testing today insofar as her ability to swallow is concerned. Most likely looking for presence of dysarthria which would account for the continued slurring of speech too. If that's the case, then the verbal working memory may be affected as well as rehearsal time that we use up for articulation. Recuperation is going to be a long haul with many long hours of rehabilitation.

But I am thankful with what Cookie has left. She's such an avid reader and I am thankful that her visual abilities do not appear to be damaged. This will help her get through many long hours of what may have otherwise been tedious prisons of boredom. She was always reading. Always. She'd read before going to school at the breakfast table. She'd rush home from school to pick up her book where she'd left off. Then after supper, she'd be reading again. She just plain old loved to read. Still does. She could read a book and a half every day. Maybe two books. Reading has always been her most favorite pastime. She so looked forward to retirement so that she could read all day.

But for my most immediate concerns, changes in Cookie's cognitive resources are at the top of my list. But then, I'm a cognitive therapist so I tend to watch for microscopic changes in mannerisms of people who have come to me after having had strokes, or any number of reasons why cognitive problems may surface, including PTSD, attempted suicides and depressions. Cognitive deficits are about thinking, awareness, and understanding.

Thank you again for your prayers. They are profoundly meaningful to anyone who is suffering the profound injuries such as a tumor resection from the cerebellum. Even though she is sleeping deeply, for the most part, she appears to be having more times of alertness each day. And sleep, when it comes, seems to be more restful.

Blessings to each of you.

##

CHEER ONE FOR GOD!

The first lob over the net came several years ago when the hoosie-whatsies said that Christian children could not pray in school. These atheists hang their hats on the peg that says there should be separation of church and state. "Says so in the constitution," they say.

Ahem. Here's what the U.S. Constitution actually says: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The strong words in there say that Congress can't set up a state religion -- like the one the colonists had back in jolly old England. Nope. They were going to make sure that this didn't happen on this side of the pond.

Maybe they remembered all that fallout flap because Henry the 8th wanted to divorce wives and his Catholicness wouldn't allow such things. Maybe they remembered all those dead men walking who lived in the Tower because they took part in setting up the Church of England.

Well, over here, there was not going to be a Church of the Colonies. Congress was specifically forbidden to set up a church state.

So then, over time, the meaning of this first amendment has eroded to the point where children can't even pray in schools at the beginning of each day. Not that all these individual school districts were going to set up churches in their schools anyway.

Then, wouldn't you know it. Because people -- children and teachers alike -- can't pray out loud, they pretty much resigned themselves to starting their days with moments of silence.

That sounds like a horribly lopsided compromise to me. And all because some parents of some kids were offended by other kiddos who wanted to pray.

I mean, why not have a place where the children who want to pray could go for a few minutes? Can't do that either. The children who don't want to pray, like maybe the one atheist left behind might feel "singled out."

But wait! I thought expressing what you believe in was supposed to make you proud. Are you saying that the atheist child left sitting in a classroom would be ashamed of what he or she believed in? What does an atheist believe in anyway?

So, to recap, we can't pray in schools. And it apparently is not even okay to observe a moment of silent prayer. Because if you observe silent prayer, then people will know you're in there somewhere in your head saying a quiet little prayer to God!

Wouldn't you know it!? Somebody sued to have the silent observance also removed!

We're talking about 15 seconds of silence, folks.

Rob Sherman, a talk radio host, filed the suit to stop the silent observance. He has a 14 year old daughter who attends a school in District 214 in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.

There was a law passed by the Illinois legislature. It's called The Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act. Gov. Rod Blagojevich vetoed the law. The state legislature overrode his veto.

Sherman describes himself as the "best known atheist-activist in the Midwest."

Well, a federal judge in Chicago refused to grant an injunction that would stop District 214 from observing this moment of silence. And 15 seconds is just that. A very brief spit of time.

Everybody has to come back to court on November 14 to talk some more. The lawsuit itself still stands.

Sherman is well out of step with the granddaddy of all atheists, Antony Flew. He's the 81 year old debater in favor of atheism and has been running around for decades trying to make believers out of his theory that the onus of proof that there is a God rests upon the theist.

Well, maybe since he's now a octogenarian and realizing that if there just might be a God, he'd better make his peace. Who knows what his thought processes are and it really doesn't matter because everybody has until that last gasp of breath to make a conscious decision about God, and confessing sins, and asking for forgiveness. I am not the Decider about who goes to heaven or hell, but I, for one, thank God that Flew finally had this to say: It has become inordinately difficult even to begin to think about constructing a naturalistic theory of the evolution of that first reproducing organism.

Antony Flew's new book, There Is a God: How the World's Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind, was scheduled for release on October 23, 2007.

Here's my cite: http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/flew.html

P.S. Does this mean I could have been sued when I was adjunct professor of psychology at both Moraine Valley College or Joliet Junior College? Oh, there were no "official" announcements of silence for prayer but I could tell that students were deeply contemplative about something before tests. Don't think for one moment that I would have made those reflective students go out in the hall to finish those silent conversations they were having. There's no such thing as atheism on exam day. That's my story and I'm sticking with it!

##

HIGH SCHOOLS ARE "DROP OUT" FACTORIES

Here's a web site worth checking out: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21532193/

It's an interactive map of each state in the United States. Click on an individual state and you'll see the percentage of high schools in that state that have less than 60% of the high school students who graduate.

High schools that do not hold onto at least 60% of its students are called "drop out factories."

Utah is the only state that does not have a single drop out factor in the entire state.

South Caroline has the highest percentage: 52% of the high schools have drop outs.

Nevada has 44% drop outs -- that's where Senate Majority Harry Reid comes from.

California has 12%. That's where the world's most powerful woman, Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, comes from.

There are actually two states that are worse than Illinois, where the rate is 10%. Actually there are a number of states that are worse than Illinois. Take a look.

The research was done by Johns Hopkins University for the Associated Press. The study identified 1,676 studies nationwide that were identified as drop-out factories.

Know what I think? Okay, since you asked.

High school students are adolescents. Adolescents are going through a giant hormonal upheaval. They have a lot going on inside their bodies and specifically inside their brains. Neural pathways are trying to get hardwired. And that's a race that's going on until -- finally -- at about age 15, most of the little neurons have found their resting place or have set up neural pathways.

In the meantime, brain busywork creates fatigue. Adolescents also don't want to go to sleep. Every parent on the planet knows this. After all, they might lose out on something magnanimous, you know.

So who in the world ever thought up something as horrible as zero hour? Do you really think high school students are able to be fully functioning at 7 am? For anything?

I say we let them stay home and sleep in another hour, get up and eat breakfast, then go to school.

Oh, and another thing. Let them have their moments of prayer in school.

Teachers can do this without literally making a federal case out of it. You can tell if your students are contemplating something. You just don't have to say, "Let's take a break here for a silent meditation." You don't have to do it that way. Just don't interrupt them when they are meditating.

It's called honoring your students.

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BIBLE STUDY: Acts 8:1-40 (developing)

To get a view of Philip's and Peter's Missionary Journeys, go here: http://bibleseek.blogspot.com/2006/02/map-of-philips-and-peters-missionary.html

This chapter opens with a second verse noting that Saul was present at Stephen's death -- giving his approval for Stephen's execution. In verse 2 we read: Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.

Then the persecutions began for the young Christian church (verse 3): But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

They still preached about Christ no matter where they were (verses 5-8): Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evils spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city.

We are introduced to a man named Simon the Sorcerer in verse 9. He sounds kind of like a Houdini because he was able to do some pretty amazing tricks. And if he had had his own TV show, I guess you could have likened him to a David Copperfield. That's how well known he was in Samaria. The people who came to see his amazing magic tricks said that he even had divine powers.

And then, in verse 12, we see the power of the Holy Spirit become evident because when people heard Philip, they believed the good news of the kingdom of God. In verse 12b-13, ...and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

Word got back to the apostles who had stayed behind in Jerusalem. When they heard that people in Samaria had accepted the word of God, they went up there. (verses 15-17) When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Well, Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on the worshipers. It was like he pleaded, "Give me some of that." He even offered to buy the power of the Holy Spirit from the apostles (verse 18, 19).

Peter gives Simon a little mini-sermon (verses 20-23): Peter answered, "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin."

With that, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel as they went along.

Now Philip took off on another long journey. This one was at the direction of an angel who had come to him and said, "Go south to the road -- the desert road -- that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet.

The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."

Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.

"How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. (verses 26-31)

They talked at some length. Philip was able to answer the eunuch's many questions as they traveled along the road together. Philip even baptized the eunuch when they came to some water.

And in verses 39 and 40, we learn of another miracle: When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

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PSYCHOLOGY: YOUR ANGER GIVES YOU PLENTY OF WARNING SIGNS. ARE YOU LISTENING?

If you can't hear the warning signs that anger gives to you while it's on its way toward twisting up your psyche, you are going to have problems a'plenty with your social, professional and family relationships.

You need to pay attention to what is happening inside your body -- the tensions that start building inside you; maybe you're one of those people whose pulse starts to race.

Whatever the signals that your body sends to you, you ought to pay attention because it's nature's way of letting you buy some time to cool down. This cooling down will help you think more rationally and not fly off at the handle. When you get to that point, you're going to have to work overtime to calm yourself down.

Take a short walk. There's a huge amount of energy bundled up in anger so when this happens, you're going to need some kind of physical outlet. Can you go down into your basement and pound on some nails? Can you go out for a jog? If you don't like the bruising that jogging does to you, then how about a fast-paced walk? 

For some people, listening to music or even playing an instrument will help you refocus your anger energy.  

And yes, counting to ten does help. It helps because it lets you change direction.

Lots of times, people get into angry tug-of-wars because they rise to the bait that someone else puts out there. How much solution-building do you think is going to come out of two people trying to convince each other that the other person is to blame?

Blaming someone else is childish behavior. It gets you about as far as it did when you were a kid.

The truth is getting out of your anger is your responsibility. It's not up to other people to soothe you. By the time we get to be adults, one of the things we learn to do along the way is become self-soothing.

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MY LIFE IN INK --

First of all, welcome visitors from Brazil, South Korea, Portugal, China, and Kuwait. And, of course, our great friends here in the good ole U.S.A. Nice to have to with me and thank you one zillion times from my sister, Cookie, and me for all your prayers and concerns.

It seems like a lifetime ago since her crainiotomy. But it was only Friday morning. She remains sedated to a certain degree. That will give her some peace and quiet in her head so that some pretty powerful healing can take place.

The nurse says that she is responsive to commands. That's a very good thing. Paralysis was a very real possibility.

So she passed over a big hurdle. Not sure when she will be released. Her neurosurgeon thought the release date would only be a couple of days. She may be released back to her first hospital -- Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen -- or back to her home to prepare for another surgery -- a lobectomy to remove the lobe where the lung tumor has taken up residence.

So my life will be filled with such activities as cleaning and cooking. That's what I do when I'm stressed. Quint likes the cooking part -- today it will be more whole wheat bread. I'm going to double the amount of yeast I use. It's not rising the way I want bread to be.

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BIBLE STUDY: Acts 7:1-60

As the chapter opens, Stephen is back before the Sanhedrin to explain the charges against him. He began by reiterating the story of Abraham and the land that was given to Abraham by none other than God himself.

More than that, Abraham, who did not have any children yet, was also promised by God that his descendants would inherit this land after Abraham. In verses 6-8, Stephen recounts to the Sanhedrin just what God said and exactly what God meant by what he said: God spoke to him in this way: "Your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves." God said, "and afterward they will come out of that country and worship me in this place." Then he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision. And Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him eight days after his birth. Later Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of twelve patriarchs.

Stephen goes on to tell the story of how the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph and sold him into slavery. Joseph did well in Egypt, though, because God took care of him and rescued him for all his troubles (verse 10).

Except for the anguish that Joseph must have felt just knowing that his brothers had did something so horrible to him.

Jealousy is a painful thing because it's an inward pain that comes out of a person's heart sideways and it curls around its victims and fills them with anguish. So there was Joseph, fearing the worst when he was bought.

And there was Joseph in tearful, heart-wrenching pain when he realized that his own flesh and blood didn't want to have anything to do with him. How useless would that make you feel?

But God had something else in mind for Joseph. God gave Joseph great wisdom. Joseph gained the goodwill of Pharaoh who made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace (verse. 10b).

That all happened before the famine came. This was a big famine. It wiped out the food cellars in Egypt and back in Canaan. Well, actually, Joseph had put some grain aside for emergency and word got back to Jacob that there was grain in Egypt. So they trekked on down to Egypt.

They apparently had no idea that their little brother would ever be the decider of whether they'd get grain or not. In fact, in verse 13, it says that it was on their second visit down to Egypt that Joseph let on that they were dealing with him, their long-lost brother.

By this time, Jacob's family had grown and grown. There were now 75 members of Jacob's family. Joseph wanted them all to come live in Egypt.

Well, people have a way of getting old and dying. This was as true back in those days of old as it is nowadays. And sure enough, the Pharaoh who had placed Joseph in such high regard also died.

The new king guy wasn't as nice. Just how not nice is revealed in verse 19: He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our forefathers by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die.

This is where Moses comes into the picture. When Moses was about three months old, he was placed outside. Pharaoh's daughter more or less adopted Moses and raised him as her own son. He got the best education that money could buy.

Well, when Moses turned forty years old, he decided to go visit his kin. He wasn't happy to see them being mistreated by an Egyptian and rose to his kin's defense. Actually, he killed the Egyptian. Not a good idea!

Then, the next day, Moses saw two Israelites fighting. This time they were fighting with each other. What in the world for? It's bad enough that the Israelites had gotten into trouble the day before with the Egyptian, who was now dead, but this time, they were wasting the power and the passion fighting against their own beloved kin. They were squandering the love they should have had for each other.

In verse 26b, Moses said: Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?

In so many words, the Israelites said to Moses, (verses 27b-29): "Who made you ruler and judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?" When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons.

Moses lived there for forty years. Then (verses 30-34) we learn about the famous Sunday School story: ...an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to look more closely, he heard the Lord's voice: "I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look.

Then the Lord said to him, "Take off your sandals; the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt."

Stephen tells the Sanhedrin that this is the same Moses who led the Israelites through the desert for forty years.

And this was the same Moses who told the Israelites (verses 37-38): This is that Moses who told the Israelites, "God will send you a prophet like me from your own people." He was in the assembly in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; and he received living words to pass on to us.

But the Isrealites didn't obey Moses. You guessed it. They rejected him and in their hearts, they wanted to go back to Egypt. Maybe they figured that even in the famine years, life was better than wandering around in a desert with scorpions and sidewinders and living off the manna from heaven. I mean, they couldn't even get a good supply of manna built up because it turned wormy if they tried to keep it overnight.

So they told Aaron (verse 40-41): Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt -- we don't know what has happened to him!" That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and held a celebration in honor of what their hands had made.

And this, my friends, is where God turned his back on the Israelites.

I mean, did they really think that Aaron could find a god who would go ahead of them as the Lord God Almighty had done to lead them out of Egypt? They forgot that it was God who found them, not the other way around.

But by this time, they were pretty full of themselves. Guess they thought Aaron could just go out into the hills around their encampment and find a god to lead them back to Egypt.

All relationships have a tipping point, and it sounds to me like this was the tipping point for the Israelites. This time they had really done it. They didn't just ignore those commandments that God had given to Moses -- they broke the first one that ordered them never -- not ever -- build a god to worship instead of the Lord God Almighty.

It was here that God said (verse 43b): I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.

Stephen reviews the plight of the Israelites all the way through to the time of David, who had found favor with God. But it was not David who built the tabernacle, but rather, his son Solomon who built the house for him. Then Stephen says (verses 48-50): However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says, "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me?" says the Lord. "Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things?"

Well, up to that point, Stephen was reviewing some Israelite history before the Sanhedrin. 

My guess is that he had their attention. There were probably soft summer breezes blowing through the windows and doorways. But then -- look out. Here comes the point Stephen had been brought to the Sanhedrin to make (verses 51-53): You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him -- you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it."

The Sanhedrin really got angry at Stephen. They did not like to hear all this telling and re-telling of what Peter had already told them and accused them of being responsible for the death of Jesus Christ.

Then Stephen gets the most important last word in (verse 56): "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

[I would like to make a note here that the "...Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." If you recall, there are references in other places in the Scripture to the high priests doing their work in the temple always standing because their work was never finished. And there are other Biblical references to Jesus sitting at the right hand of his Father in heaven. This particular verse 56 says that Jesus is standing. Wouldn't you think that this is filled with the meaning that in this time immediately following the death and resurrection of Christ, that he still is anticipating the work that has yet to be done so he is not sitting down next to his Father? I find this particular verse rich with meanings.]

Members of the Sanhedrin heard all that they were going to hear. They dragged Stephen out of the city and started stoning him.

But guess who else was present at this murderous scene? (verse 58b): ...the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

This is none other than the Saul who would later be converted to the Apostle Paul. Don't lose the fact that Saul was responsible for hunting down and killing Christians in those days of early Christianity.

But for now, Stephen prays (verse 60): Lord, Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.

MY LIFE IN INK --

Quint and I have returned home. Somehow the chore of raking and burning leaves was a welcome relief.

The neurosurgeon at the University of Chicago Medical Center actually removed the entire tumor that was embedded in the cerebellum -- not near it, not on it, but actually in it. The tumor was 3 1/2 centimeters in diameter. Now for radiation which will hopefully get any little stowaway cells that may be hiding out in little nooks and crannies elsewhere in the brain.

And, of course, there remains the other project of removing the upper right lobe of the lung where the other tumor is located.

Thank you all for your prayers. I have copied each one and given them to Cookie.

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