Ah yes, the Holidays... Where to start?

Taken from my earlier blog: For many years, we have all heard that 'this time of the year' is the most depressing time of the year. This article, The Most Depressing Time Of The Year In The Most Depressed Nation On The Planet  had some interesting things to say about 'depression' and 'this time of the year.' To quote part of the article: 

For large numbers of Americans, 

the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas 

is filled with stress, anxiety, loneliness and family squabbles.

Given that this time of the year is the most depressing, a time that probably most people think is supposed to be joyous, why is it so depressing? Is something missing about the Holidays? Why are the periods between Thanksgiving and Christmas filled with stress, anxiety, loneliness and family squabbles? Doesn't sound very happy to me...how about you? Do you celebrate the Holidays? Yes or no. And why that choice? I welcome your comments.

In the mean time, I took the liberty to look up some info on the Holidays. Wikipedia had this, in part, to say, under the subheading: Religious holidays: Many holidays are linked to faiths and religions (see etymology above). Christian holidays are defined as part of the liturgical year, the chief ones being Easter and Christmas. The Orthodox Christian and Western-Roman Catholic patronal feast day or "name day" are celebrated in each place's patron saint's day, according to the Calendar of saints. Jehovah's Witnesses annually commemorate "The Memorial of Jesus Christ's Death", but do not celebrate other holidays with any religious significance such as Easter, Christmas or New Year's. This holds especially true for those holidays that have combined and absorbed rituals, overtones or practices from non-Christian beliefs into the celebration, as well as those holidays that distract from or replace the worship of Jehovah.

Where do these holidays come from, as they are not teachings put forth from the Bible? Glad you asked. If you do a search for: Origin of Holidays, or search a specific holiday, Google search engine has a plethora of information on where they come from. I like this source, jw.org, because it references the Bible, and as you may have figured out by now, I love the Bible.  

What Does the Bible Really Teach? APPENDIX  Should We Celebrate Holidays? Also included in this Bible Based publication, Chapter 16, Take Your Stand for True Worship, starting at paragraph 6, helps us as well: CHRISTMAS-NOT CELEBRATED BY EARLY CHRISTIANS. 

I truly feel this information is benificial to you if you are such that you have a genuine desire to be a follower of Christ, and you truly want to benifit from Bible teaching, and want to bring your life into harmony with what the Bible Teaches, not what man teaches, traditions without Biblical backing. But don't just take my word for it. Search these things out for yourself to see if they are supported by the Bible.

A reader asked me, do Jehovah's Witnesses celebrate the Holidays? Giving that the Holiday's do not have their origins in the Bible, we, Jehovah's Witnesses, I, do not celebrate the holidays. But I ask you, do you celebrate the Holidays? Yes? No? Why? I welcome your comments.

Google Music just lost me as a paying customer (Venting)

I wrote:

"Houston, WE HAVE A PROBLEM!!! Hey Google people, just thought you should know that you are loosing me as a paying customer. Why? Music is my life. I am willing to pay for the songs I love, you however, have put restriction on MY music that I have ALREADY PAID for and I am not able to enjoy my greatest passion anymore. Why? Because the music I PAID FOR is not storing on my electronic devices, and listening to MY music that I PAID FOR is Internet dependant as it Streams. That's just not right. Why? I live in the country, country living has restrictions, both TV and Internet. My Internet has MB restrictions, so I am limited on what I can download and, yes, stream. When I try to listen to my music, I keep getting these errors that say my selection is not available at this time. Very frustrating! Very megabyte costly!

My husband wants me to find a music provider that will allow the music to be downloaded onto my electronic devices, I told him I thought that's what I got when I signed up with Google. Apparently I was wrong. So I will no longer continue to buy music from you. I will keep my account open so that I don't lose the music I have but because it streaming it isn't really going to do me much good to have this music because I'm not going to be able to enjoy it because of the megabyte restrictions. You have ruined my music experience, just thought you should know.

A short while ago my son told me that he found out that he couldn't listen to his Google Music unless he had internet and he swore he would never buy another song from you. I guess the same thing is happening to me as well.

If you ever get this problem fixed, and music is able to be downloaded to electronic devices, that will be a good thing. I just don't know if I'll ever know about it."

So there it is folks.
Was I to harsh?
What do you think?
Do you have the same problem?

Paris portraits: In their own words

From the CNN web page.

I have always felt that a picture says so much. What it the expression? A picture is worth 1000 words? Well, I was finally able to look through the photos. There weren't as many as I previously thought. The photos said volumes to me, and the comments say equally as much.

The photo and comments from Awa Diabate really spoke to me. She says:

 "I am a Muslim and starting to doubt my religion when..."

Wow... Terrorism effects so many people on so many levels. To doubt one's religion. That is a sad thing, I think. You know that religion isn't doing something right when people doubt the one they're in. IJS...

I am eager to see what you think of them.

Survivors of the carnage in Paris: What they saw, what they felt, and what they carry (From CNN)

It has been a week, yes? since the Terrorist attacks on Paris. It is still everywhere on the news. Different things handled in different was, from hunting down the responsible to refusing refugees to dealing with the loss to living through it again and again for the survivors.

I was on the CNN website, scrolling through the world report, saw reported news on Paris, and came across this title: Survivors of the carnage in Paris: What they saw, what they felt, and what the carry. I clicked on the link and started reading the stories of the survivors. The top stories are of survivors from the concert. There are so many stories that I have not taken the time to read them all. As I read their stories, I can only imagine how hard it is for them to find words to describe what they went through.

Of course, WHY? is always a question asked. And earlier this week, one of my friends posted a link to a Bible publication that was talking about Why Good Things Happen To Bad People? And really, WHY? is always a question asked. So I found the link for you.

The opening paragraph was so special to me:

God does not cause bad things to happen. Does he, though, incite others to commit vile deeds? Not at all. “When under trial,” state the Scriptures, “let no one say: ‘I am being tried by God.’” Why? Because “with evil things God cannot be tried, nor does he himself try anyone.” James 1:13 God does not try, or test, anyone by inciting him to behave badly. God neither causes bad things to happen nor incites others to do what is bad. Who or what, then, is to blame when bad things happen?

The reason this paragraph is special to me is because of the mentioned scripture in the book of James. When I was growing up, my dad used to talk about a God of Love, yet, my sister and I were threatened with Hell Fire punishment if we continued to do bad things. I started to reason within my self, 'How can God be a god of love yet punish bad people forever in Hell?' So at around the age of 16, I turned my back on God. I didn't want to have any part of a God like that! It wasn't until 2006 that I started to Really Learn about God using the Book, What Does the Bible Really Teach? In Chapter 1 paragraph 7, under the subheading IS GOD UNCARING AND HARDHEARTED? I came across that scripture in the book of James, and I said to myself, 'There's the God that I've been looking for.' And just like that, I knew there was a God of Love. (Only one other time did I say to myself, 'There's the God I've been looking for,' and that was when I read the Book of Jonah, but that subject can be tabled for a later discussion.)

Where was this guidance when I was growing up? (For my parents)

Welcome back, once again, my beautiful readers.
I hope that you plan on having a great day, because I do! :-)

I was not raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses, although, as a child, I remember the Witnesses calling on my parents when we lived in Wyoming, out on 40 acres, basically squatters, under the guise that my Father was a Missionary trying to religiously reach the population on the Indian Reservations. So I grew up in a religious family, but it wasn't until reaching my late 20's did I realize that it was a religiously divided family. My father was Pentecostal, my mother, well, I am not sure what her religious affiliation is... I just know it differed from dad's. At any rate, many years later, Jehovah's Witnesses helped me learn what the Bible really says about maters, using the study guide, What Does the Bible Really Teach? And yes, I learned many things from the Bible with that book that my religious parents didn't teach, either because they didn't know, or they were just following their religiously taught traditions from man.

On reflection, there was a lot of negativity in our family. Rules, Rules, Rules, degrading talk, threats of going to Hell if we weren't good, talk of worthlessness, (my dad's favorite thing to say to my sis and I was, "you'll never amount to anything,") whippings for every time we did something bad, always a harsh word for wrong doing, (always from dad, mom never seems to say much of anything,) never an explanation of why we should do the right thing.

All of that brings me to the reason for this Blog, and the reason for the Question asked by me in the Title of this Blog, Where was this guidance when I was growing up?

How to Praise Children

After reading this article, I felt I should share it with others, because I truly believe that parental guidance through love accomplishes more that guidance through harshness and negativity. One paragraph in particular touched my heart:

Give constructive criticism. When given in the right manner, negative feedback will help a child, not crush his spirit. Also, if you regularly give appropriate praise, likely your child will welcome feedback on how he can further improve. Then his achievements will become a source of satisfaction both to him and to you.—Bible principle: Proverbs 13:4.

Enjoyed what you read?
Feel free to share this blog.

All of us as parents have been given the responsibility from Jehovah God of raising our children to the best of our ability. It is my hope that after reading the above article, parents will be able to nurture their children to good deeds and fine works.

The following is supplemental information:

The Secret of Family Happiness - Book (Free Download)

The Simplified Edition of The Watchtower—Helping to Teach Children (Video)

Better than the last two days

Yeah, how's my day?... Better than the last two days.

I woke up this morning not feeling any pain. I just knew it was gunna be a great day! And it was!

My morning routine went well. Daily text. Personal Bible reading. Breakfast, to include coffee. Then launder myself and head on out of the house for the day. Squirt wanted to go, but she couldn't. Mammogram. Can't leave her in the truck by herself, don't know how long the test will take.

It truly is nice to experience a pain free day. I hate the thought of having to pop a pain pill. I don't want to become addicted.

At any rate, the best part of the day, well, the best news, came when I stopped by my doctors office after my mammogram to get the results from my blood work. My hemoglobin is up... 11.7 from 7.7. Funny how good news like that can brighten and cheer ya up.

On the drive home, I sent papa a message that I was happy and wanted to share that happiness with him. He did not disappoint. He called me, and we talked, like, forever. Well... maybe not forever, but a really long time. It is good to have someone to share life experiences with. That, btw, was the best part of the day... IJS...

On a totally unrelated note, I miss Scooter2. Don't get me wrong, driving around in Big Girl is great, but I miss my Scooter2. I miss the steering wheel, the way it turns, the clean floors, the sound system, bluetoothing to that sound system so that I can listen to my music, the smell... nothing beats that new car smell... the braking system, the Onstar, the back hatch, the tinted windows.

Just when I needed it most

Sick all day. Back hurts. Nauseated. It was so hard even to make myself breakfast and coffee this morning. Then, when I took my pills, even more nauseating. It's hard even to describe the 'sick' feeling I had. And the pain the accompanied it, it got to be so much that I took a pill, belatedly, I think that's why I got so nauseated.

Once I started to get some food in the tummy, the nauseation subsided, but not the dizziness. It was hard to get up out of the living room chair and do anything in the kitchen. I decided it was best to just stay put, in the chair, and not try to do anything.

Then, bad news on top of bad news, my internet wasn't working. None of my electronic devices would connect to our home WIFI. So here I sat, bored. Well then, pop in a movie, or 4, cuz you know me, I am not a TV watcher.

Bekah called, surprise. It was good to hear from her. We chatted about me, her, Aba, the dog, right up until the pain of sitting in the chair became to much so I had to end the phone call. However, tentative plans to have Aba over for a visit next weekend... if I'm up to it, that is.

Then, another pleasant surprise, Michael shows up to check on me. I really appreciated that. He asked me if I needed anything. Well, actually, tons, but I asked only for a bottle of water for my dispenser. I needed so much more, but didn't want to trouble him.

In the end, the highlight of my day was when papa called. Just when I needed it most. And we talked for, like, ever. Making up for not getting to talk to him last night. Previously, he email me some photos, and I got to see the project he is working on. And... I learned how to take panoramic photos with my phone. Yep, just when I needed it most.

Now, I am off to bed. I am in pain, my neck hurts, and I am pretty sure I will not be able to keep my eyes open much longer.

Dark Side

To my husband,

I've been missing you all day today. It was good to hear your voice. I really needed that.

You asked me how my day was. Depressed, I am. Still. There's this heaviness in my chest like something is wrong. I need to talk, vent, I don't know. Keeping silent is not an option, and I don't have anyone else to talk to. I thought about mentioning it on Face Book, but really, I am trying to keep it light and fluffy, and light and fluffy and Depressed just don't go together. Oh well...

I am feeling my Dark Side today.

The pain in my back, between my shoulder blades, and the back of my leg doesn't help either. I felt the pain all day. Didn't wanna take a pain pill. So, pain it is. I didn't want to go to the meeting tonight, but I did want to, but I didn't want to, because of the pain. So I went. Made it for a bit, then, the shooting pain in the back of my left leg just about shot me up outta the chair, so, that was it for me.

Wanted to stop at Rally's on the way home and get some big sinful burger with cheese on it, didn't. Have enough problems with my weight.

Now I am home, Depressed, wanting to vent, still in pain, and it is so stinking hot in this house. You would hate it. I wanted so bad to call you, but I knew you were asleep. Still needing to talk. Still can't. Oh well...

It doesn't help that my internet is glacier, and without it, I am bored. You know I don't watch TV. There just ain't that much on, and worth watching, so Internet is my companion, hobby, preference. But hey, if I stay up after midnight, the internet is faster, and I can feel almost happy, almost.

I am gunna attempt to get some sleep. It's almost 1 in the morning. Perhaps when I wake up, things will be peachy, yeah right. Oh well...

Why does God Allow Suffering? - Paris, France - Part 3 - Good News Ahead: A New World is at Hand!

I thought I'd pop over to CNN and get the scoop. Sure enough, under the tab: World; subheading: Around the Globe, these two bullet points caught my eye:

 -- French warplanes carried out a new round of airstrikes on ISIS' Syrian stronghold of Raqqa early Tuesday. Independent activists reported seven strikes and at least three major explosions in the city. A U.S. defense official told CNN that Russia also hit Raqqa with several strikes, possibly from sea-launched cruise missiles and long-range bombers.

-- The expected arrival of aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the eastern Mediterranean this week will triple the country's ability to carry out those strikes, Hollande said.

Responding to violence with violence. It is sad, because you know that the innocent will become victims that get in the way, or happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time while attacks on the Terrorists are going on. 

(Here's my thoughts on war as expressed via song: War - Edwin Starr)

Yet, a new World is at hand! As I mentioned in part 2, the Bible tells of a time when Jehovah God himself will remove the governments of this world and replace it with his own. Daniel 2:44. There it is in Black and White.

But what does that mean for you and me? Peace, yep, I said it, PEACE. Here's the proof. What Does the Bible Really Teach? Chapter 3 scroll down to the subheading: A NEW WORLD IS AT HAND! beginning with paragraph 15, and enjoy the promises from your God to you about the peace soon to come upon this planet by looking up the sited scriptures. I promise, you won't be disappointed.

Paragraph 17 is of particular interest to me. Wickedness, warfare, crime, and violence will be gone. Isaiah 2:4

 Paragraph 18, there's that word 'Security.'  Jehovah’s worshipers will live in security. Isaiah 32:18

It is because of God's Promises to me through the pages of his word, The Bible, that I have a TRUE HOPE for the future. It is my hope that those who read this will have comfort, and that through your diligent search of God's Word, you to can reap the blessings that Jehovah God has promised. If you would like to learn how to gain God's blessings, do not hesitate to ask me any questions you might have. We will find the answers together, IN THE BIBLE. You can also learn through a beautiful Bible Guide called  'What Does the Bible Really Teach?'  to learn from the Bible what Jehovah God expects of his worshipers. You can also Request a Free Home Bible Study. 

Why Does God Allow Suffering? - Paris France - Part 2 (Who REALLY Rules THIS World?)

The terrorist attacks of Paris are still very fresh in everyone's eye and mind. Photos of support for France's colors permeate the internet and social media pages and news stories, moments of silence are held at sporting events, France's flag is displayed at venues. And everywhere you look, the world had come together to support those victims in a time of need, as they always seem to do.

This morning, I was browsing the internet, and this caught my attention: Paris attacks become focus of 2016 race. In reading through the news report, I was troubled to see 'Man's' solution to the violence, more violence. People are fed up with violence, the taking of lives, the fear of man, and yet, has it been any other way? Down through the centuries, there has always been that fear.

Ah, the ruler of this world... who is he? As promised in part 1, the answer. The ruler of this world is, ready for it? None other than Satan, the Devil. Really, you say? Yep, I say. Grab your copy of the Bible and let me show you, or click here, I John 5:19.

Does the Bible really teach that Satan really rules this world? Read for yourself in this Bible Study Guide, What Does the Bible Really Teach: CHAPTER THREE What Is God’s Purpose for the Earth? Paragraphs 11 and 12 help you find the answers for yourself in God's word, the Bible.

But don't stop there. The first part of Chapter 3 of this book explains why. And isn't that what we ALL want to know? Why?

As many of you probable realize and have seen through out the years, the governments ruling mankind are limited. Have no fear, the Bible tells of a time when Jehovah God himself will remove the governments of this world and replace it with his own. Hint: Daniel 2:44

To Finalize, the World governments want to declare war on terrorism. How's that working out so far?You know the answer to that. Because as much as the world wants rid of Terrorism, it can not be done away with by current world governments because of: 1) who really rules this world, Satan, and 2) As much as man would try to destroy Terrorism, world governments can not change a persons 'Heart Condition' and that is where IT ALL STARTS.

Good News Ahead: A New World is at Hand! (And that is what I am waiting on.) Hint: Psalms 37:10

Why Does God Allow Suffering? - Paris France - Part 1

I was drifting off to sleep last night when my phone dinged me a notification. I thought it might be from papa, he's on his way to the Warwick building project in New York for the World Headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses. It was not papa. New about a Terrorist Attack in Paris. WHAT? I spent an hour browsing through the news reports. Pictures of covered bodies in the streets, others covered in blood, looks of confusion and fear. The photos of those at the stadium, scared, huddled together out on the field, looking like additional targets, all just to much.

But terrorism is always 'just to much.' In a world were people just want to live in peace and not have to worry about the safety of their loved ones, it is always 'just to much.' A Canadian Facebook friend of mine made this comment to me, "Yes it is very sad what this world has become, with so much hate for people who are different from one another. We all live on this planet. Why can't we live peacefully."

Of course, lots of people wonder that. There are answers out there. If you are a believer in God, and you trust that his words are true, then you might be interest to learn what Jehovah God says about the matter though the pages of the Bible. I have included a link to a Beautiful publication designed to help you more quickly find answers for yourself in your own copy of God's word, The Bible.

Let us first start by focusing on the question: Why Does God Allow Suffering? You will learn from the Bible:

• Has God caused the suffering in the world?
• What issue was raised in the garden of Eden?
• How will God undo the effects of human suffering?

There are also additional questions answered from the Bible, including: WHY SO MUCH SUFFERING? - Paragraph 5 reads, in part: People of various religions have gone to their religious leaders and teachers to ask why there is do much suffering. Often, the response is that suffering is God's will and that he long ago determined everything that would ever happen, including tragic events. Many are told that God's ways are mysterious or that he brings death upon people  - even children - so that he can have them in heaven with him. 

Jehovah God NEVER causes what is bad. How do we know this? The Bible says: 'It is unthinkable for the true God to act wickedly, for the Almighty to do wrong!" - Job 34:10

In part 2, we will learn: Who Really Rules the world? Hint: I John 5:19

Blue Friday

As some of you may know, it's Blue Friday. I therefore dawned all my Seattle Seahawks and Richard Sherman gear and headed for town. Not once did anyone holler out "Go Seahawks!!!" or "Go Richard Sherman!!!"

I am 'One man, Alone, betrayed by the country he loves' (that's a movie quote)

Apparently the Green Bay Packers headed up to Seattle for the game, and the whole town decided to approve of the protest and non eating of cheese over the weekend. When I mentioned this to my son, he is freaking out cuz he thought it was like my 'Meatless Mondays' (in protest of Factory Farming) and that I would be doing it all the time, kinda like a Cheeseless Friday. I put his fears to rest. After all, that cheese sure does make that burger taste better.

Really?!?!?! Already?!?!?!

So, two nights ago, while driving home, I saw 'em, them ever elusive colored lights that people string up around the outsides of their homes AFTER Thanksgiving. Really?!?!?! Already?!?!?! Have no fear, the decorations are up at Lowe's also.

The only thing nice about this time of the year for both my son and I, my son mostly, is the sale the day after. We love to decorate with light all year lone. You should see the artificial tree I have sitting behind me, it's all dolled up with colored lights. 24/7/365 in this house. I also have rope lighting at the base of my kitchen cabinets. So pretty. Yep, 24/7/365.

Of course, I love the AFTER Halloween sales, all dem spiders and accessories. IJS...

It doesn't really matter to my anymore!

So, last night, while waiting on the job site for my boys to finish up a concrete driveway they poured, thought I'd get out my phone and catch up on things. Got an email of things I might like on Pintrest. Went to the link. Cute. Saw another link. Clicked on it. Big Mistake, HUGE!!!

In Jehovah God's word, the Bible, we know that God does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance as clearly stated at 2 Peter 3:9. But there is a time coming when God will destroy the wicked on this earth, we have that promise stated through out the Bible, and one particularly gruesome view is stated at Revelation 19:17 and continues on at Revelation 19:21: But the rest were killed off with the long sword that proceeded out of the mouth of the one seated on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.

So I have often pictured that scene in my mind, trying to imagine all the dead bodies on the surface of the earth, to many to bury, and the birds of the air feeding on them, and I thought that would be a gross sight to see... Now, after seeing what I saw on Pintrest, I DOESN'T REALLY MATTER TO ME ANYMORE.

There is so much evil in this world, and I saw Animal abuse and animal torture on a level that disgusted me to the point that I pictured this evil lying dead, removed from this earthly life at last, by Jehovah's judgement, birds eating their flesh, and I sadly had to admit, Jehovah God meant what he said at Deuteronomy 32:35 - "Vengeance is mine, and retribution, At the appointed time when their foot slips, For the day of their disaster is near, And what awaits them will come quickly."

Was this 'evil' how it was in Noah's day before the flood? Did 'they' torture animals back then? Whatever the evil was, it was bad enough that Jehovah brought a flood. And evil today in our time is getting worse and worse, yer blind if you don't see it.

Looking forward to the Beautiful promise at Psalm 37:9 - 'For evil men will be done away with, But those hoping in Jehovah will possess the earth.' and verse 10 - 'Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more; You will look at where they were, and they will not be there.' Actually, just read Psalm 37 for full disclosure. It, to me, is an excellent read.

Read more promises from God: The Wicked will be NO MORE  and "The End" ---What does it Mean?