tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64002161293646097572024-03-13T19:02:13.395-04:00Janet's Obedient HeartNamed for my novel, The Obedient Heart, this blog offers book reviews, lessons from guest speakers at Bayside Community Church, and good news about writing opportunities.Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-77820553446627493232022-01-17T17:30:00.000-05:002022-01-17T17:30:02.539-05:00Farewell to a Dear Friend - Obituary of Pixie Rockey<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi457seO_LnLUtP9w0cxVohmF9NsfCXVi8qrZZUJsEIC8dXRmO7RZ4U2FSELmrT6iwdgSyCRlItUHdrgjTGzZ0JHaV-ecU6g_o4djgIwZ1Is-frq70mPhM3fYeJJWfcfgn7YJ52hovkew8gJG4oWgsH3JZU6l4xy3RcSg7EV00rXhsKCV8-eyyN3alP=s633" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="633" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi457seO_LnLUtP9w0cxVohmF9NsfCXVi8qrZZUJsEIC8dXRmO7RZ4U2FSELmrT6iwdgSyCRlItUHdrgjTGzZ0JHaV-ecU6g_o4djgIwZ1Is-frq70mPhM3fYeJJWfcfgn7YJ52hovkew8gJG4oWgsH3JZU6l4xy3RcSg7EV00rXhsKCV8-eyyN3alP=w320-h312" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pixie Rockey, aka Lady Pixington, (10/10/03 - 01/03/22) passed into eternity on the morning of January 3, 2022, after a six-month battle with metastatic cancer. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">She is survived by her sister Feathers, aka Lady Featherina, and her pet human, Janet Rockey. Pixie served as a nurse for her other pet human and benefactor, Tom Rockey, until he passed into the Lord's arms in 2016. She comforted Janet as they both mourned the loss of one so dear. Pixie's grief developed into a diabetic condition, which required daily insulin injections. When her time of mourning passed, her blood sugar returned to normal range. Oh, how she loved her Daddy Tom! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfg8BUmRrRBu-oJKLdQNgtgLmBYc24EzY8oR1ZKHJrBZ_2qFwy3hlkUy8ERBaNfHxzUqlieV1QpavdNVasmRbjQZUjdG3c0WyxxkpvoYHXgOU5qLgZSb3B_tqyYAX9bQsmdetN3PbG47Eot6nxcTYFYl1Xwu51XpRwKTWh9aqlMhiLn_oXRYc_YriP=s1080" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="1080" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfg8BUmRrRBu-oJKLdQNgtgLmBYc24EzY8oR1ZKHJrBZ_2qFwy3hlkUy8ERBaNfHxzUqlieV1QpavdNVasmRbjQZUjdG3c0WyxxkpvoYHXgOU5qLgZSb3B_tqyYAX9bQsmdetN3PbG47Eot6nxcTYFYl1Xwu51XpRwKTWh9aqlMhiLn_oXRYc_YriP=w320-h267" width="320" /></a></div></div></div></div><p></p><p>In the years to follow, she brought contentment and joy with her sweet demeanor and amusing antics. She became my consoler, purring in my lap when I felt discouraged, and acted as a protector, guarding the front door against multi-legged intruders.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhhFH8TsOuGdEoLtFbMgOaLL-H1KUxhlcmOmKpiFPLCukLrbHfRpkLXP_FzZqxpZfIfeLXIXgvoH8ZmfdtcbQjek1UxkpPkgcHlWard8UuN4SwJjKs8K-l0PHLtLGRJ_5RunP6RpTsrDVypX3jmeyxsPKs5CnDkABMJK9_iB0wnHbaAwI4Ab6uF-Xj=s4096" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhhFH8TsOuGdEoLtFbMgOaLL-H1KUxhlcmOmKpiFPLCukLrbHfRpkLXP_FzZqxpZfIfeLXIXgvoH8ZmfdtcbQjek1UxkpPkgcHlWard8UuN4SwJjKs8K-l0PHLtLGRJ_5RunP6RpTsrDVypX3jmeyxsPKs5CnDkABMJK9_iB0wnHbaAwI4Ab6uF-Xj=s320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVK1uTKHxjdoHcNEhIHtEnE3KoZ86_PCR-U9qTgQ0v8oFHNUnYiclHtYf-TYKkKpqonOc7omxT_2D-tHzIvS3_1U-6Tm4oyynrwKwcFnC6dGY6e6dVywTfgCPN5BA1tg-JwcDtR4060xDRELgloSsuIL1qy8QxEQ-hSzUSKswwLwJXlcJPZWzia3gI=s1847" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1847" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVK1uTKHxjdoHcNEhIHtEnE3KoZ86_PCR-U9qTgQ0v8oFHNUnYiclHtYf-TYKkKpqonOc7omxT_2D-tHzIvS3_1U-6Tm4oyynrwKwcFnC6dGY6e6dVywTfgCPN5BA1tg-JwcDtR4060xDRELgloSsuIL1qy8QxEQ-hSzUSKswwLwJXlcJPZWzia3gI=s320" width="187" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After eighteen years of faithful friendship, I bid you adieu for now, sweet Pixie. I hope to see you, along with Sammy, Mandi, Sebastian, and Squeakette, in due time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To make Heaven the perfect resting place</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for loved ones we adore</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">God made sure those Pearly Gates</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">contained a kitty door.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-Susan Service</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jesus created her and brought her into my world. He even touched Tom's heart to provide a tender fondness when he first saw these two kittens. God knows the bond of love we formed, as He blessed us with the awesome stewardship of caring for His precious creatures.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-20722104688773832792021-06-21T12:26:00.000-04:002021-06-21T12:26:18.028-04:00A Life Lesson from King Uzziah<p><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;">Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned for fifty-two years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Jechiliah of Jerusalem. He did what was right in the sight of the LORD, in accordance with everything that his father Amaziah had done. He continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him successful. </span></p><p><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;">- 2 Chronicles 26: 3-5.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">King Uzziah had great success during his half-century rule of Judah. He rebuilt Eloth, the seaport for the Red Sea. He succeeded in foreign affairs in defeating the Philistines and occupying eastern territories, such as Ammon and Moab. He succeeded in internal affairs by rebuilding Jerusalem, hewing out cisterns for livestock and crops. He organized a great army, providing them with military provisions of the latest weaponry. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">How did he come to have these successes? He did what was right in the sight of the LORD. He sought God's counsel, listened to godly men, and feared the LORD. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But then he grew proud in himself, taking credit for God's work. He forsook his faithful trust in the LORD and usurped the priests' authority. He opposed the godly men who confronted him. As a result of his pride, leprosy grew on his forehead - a symbol of his "unclean" mind. He spent the rest of his life in seclusion, separated from his family and friends. Isolation prevailed even in his death, for on his tomb is written the words: "DO NOT OPEN."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In my own life, </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">I can't boast about rebuilding a deep-water seaport, or conquering a mighty army, or providing sustenance for animals, plants, or humans. A</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">ssembling an electric fan I bought seemed an arduous task. I've often had to call on friends or handymen to help me with even the smallest of projects, so this small achievement</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">tempted me to express my pride. "Look what I did!" </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I read and re-read the instructions and put the pieces together according to what I thought the manual said. The largest piece refused to be assembled. I realized I had to ask the LORD for help. After a short prayer, I re-examined the the piece I held in my hand. Turning it upside-down, I laughed out loud at myself. It slid right into place and allowed me to secure it with the provided bolt. Voilà! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Assembling an electric fan is a small part of a larger life lesson. If I can give God the glory for this simple achievement, then shouldn't I give Him the glory for EVERY accomplishment? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Thank You, dear LORD, for Your long-suffering patience with me, and for Your help in all that I accomplish. May everything I do bring glory to You. - Amen</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-55827312942717884242021-04-24T14:13:00.000-04:002021-04-24T14:13:15.823-04:00Announcing a Debut Novel - FRESH SCARS<p>I am proud to announce the upcoming release of my friend Donna Mumma's debut novel, <u>Fresh Scars</u>.</p><p>This will no doubt be the first of many of her deeply moving writing accomplishments.</p><p><u>Fresh Scars</u> is available for pre-order. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduuOGPvaLTqR_N0NXmmzjMhJK5iwaPwYzjMM7HNGNTfjbohriScL2mMMbOPNnHwBvGPTdD_gtyESQ4zWmaMkbk0TQeREszOV35OhsjhmSkiDnNZ5TwkXslrqpboQpB5S113yrZKmU7cc/s1080/Fresh+Scars+preview+meme+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="511" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduuOGPvaLTqR_N0NXmmzjMhJK5iwaPwYzjMM7HNGNTfjbohriScL2mMMbOPNnHwBvGPTdD_gtyESQ4zWmaMkbk0TQeREszOV35OhsjhmSkiDnNZ5TwkXslrqpboQpB5S113yrZKmU7cc/w511-h511/Fresh+Scars+preview+meme+%25281%2529.png" width="511" /></a></div><br /><blockquote><p><br /></p></blockquote>Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-32991984609220350122021-03-24T17:56:00.000-04:002021-03-24T17:56:39.146-04:00Why Did Jesus Walk on Water?<p><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: times; font-size: large;">In this new post, I want to share with you my sermon notes from Dr. Jonathan Murphy's message at Bayside Community Church in Tampa on March 14, 2021. Dr. Murphy's teaching is always profound.</span></p><p><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Jesus ordered His disciples to leave, to go to their boat and set sail so they wouldn't be infected by the trend of the people to sabotage God's plans. They wanted to proclaim Him king right then, and not wait for His time. </span></p><p><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: times; font-size: large;">The disciples were alone in the dark with an approaching storm. They strained </span><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">with their oars</span><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">in exhaustion </span><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">against the violent wind and waves. Fear compounded their colossal struggle.</span></p><p><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: times; font-size: large;">Question #1 - Why did Jesus walk on water?</span></p><p><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: times; font-size: large;">The sea is a picture of chaos and death. According to Job 9:8 and Psalm 77:19-20, only God can walk on water. For Jesus to walk calmly on the raging sea identified and declared Himself as God in the flesh.</span></p><p><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: times; font-size: large;">Question #2 - Why did Jesus intend to pass them by?</span></p><p><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: times; font-size: large;">In Exodus 33:13, God hid Moses in the cleft of a rock and passed by him in His revelation to Moses. In 1 Kings 19, God passed by Elijah to reveal Himself to the prophet. For Jesus to pass them by also identified and declared Himself as God in the flesh.</span></p><p><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: times; font-size: large;">When the disciples realized they weren't seeing a ghost, Jesus further proclaimed His divinity with his "I AM" statement. (Exodus 34) This answered the disciples' question in Mark 4:39-41. </span></p><p><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: times; font-size: large;">Just as the sea is the picture of death, the mountain top is symbolic of God's presence (Exodus 19:11). </span><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">From His high place,</span><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">He sees us in our struggles, straining against the winds and waves of life's storms, and comes to us.</span></p><p><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: times; font-size: large;">We are God's children. He loves us, though He lets us struggle. Sometimes straining at the oars builds muscles...and character. And Jesus, God in the flesh, walks on our stormy seas </span><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">to take our burdens upon Himself. Trust in Him.</span></p><p><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-29918448819839391732020-10-26T12:50:00.000-04:002020-10-26T12:50:34.948-04:00God's Perfect Timing<p>In September of 2019, my tenure as a legal secretary for a law office came to an end. If the boss had said, "Janet, it's a budgetary issue. We have to let you go," I would have accepted the decision without harboring any ill will. But that wasn't the issue. Five male bosses seemed to have succumbed to the inappropriate offers of one female employee. My overt Christian faith scalded her conscience for her amoral lifestyle, which meant I had to go. After ten years of loyal service, with a multiple accolades from my attorney teams in my personnel records, my butt felt the boot. At first, the ugly situation crushed me. Then, a friend from church gave me the encouragement I needed. He said, "I'm sorry you lost your job, but I'm also relieved for you. God delivered you out of that cesspool, and He has a better plan for you."</p><p>Those healing words gave me the confidence to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be granted..." I sent an e-mail message to the editor at Barbour Publishing stating that I no longer had a full-time job and was free to write for them. She thanked me for letting her know. The next day, she sent an e-mail message to me asking if I would be interested in writing another devotional book for them. </p><p>God did indeed have a better plan for me. In December, 2020, my third devotional book with Barbour Publishing, "The God of Possible," will be released.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGV48ofxBwRXJKodTr5xD_hoWv2lfIiwhkvwjLCUzxpCP3HxFvpZHndBb8Jf4vvtFEzE4pyqBoT3qCQWuluuK7zFPWaESWEb8OBu-77xTFQTs5VpDCOhTgQOVQ9ak5BRWZTF23wwDZSN0/s1200/TGOP+Book+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGV48ofxBwRXJKodTr5xD_hoWv2lfIiwhkvwjLCUzxpCP3HxFvpZHndBb8Jf4vvtFEzE4pyqBoT3qCQWuluuK7zFPWaESWEb8OBu-77xTFQTs5VpDCOhTgQOVQ9ak5BRWZTF23wwDZSN0/s320/TGOP+Book+Cover.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He is truly the God of Possible. In His perfect timing, He pulled me out of a circumstance that challenged my Christian lifestyle and set me in a position to share His message of hope with others.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I pray that this book will bring you comfort, embolden your faith in the Lord, and provide you with the assurance that "...with God, all things are possible."</div><br /><p><br /></p>Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-40731701167118295512020-04-06T15:28:00.003-04:002020-04-06T15:28:41.903-04:00Sermon Notes for April 5, 2020Bayside Community Church in Tampa, Florida has some very talented and capable members. With everyone ordered to stay home, our church elders and trustees found a way to live-stream our scheduled speaker, Dr. Stephen Bramer, from his home in Texas. Included in the stream, was a pre-recorded musical performance by one of our favorite vocalists Diane Susek, with organist Lou Young and violinist Grace Wiegman accompanying her. I cannot claim to be skilled in computer technology, so I will attempt to add the link to the church website for your benefit:<br />
<a href="http://www.baysidecommunitychurch.net/" target="_blank">Bayside Community Church</a><br />
<br />
In case, that doesn't work, I will give you a synopsis of my notes of Dr. Bramer's sermons.<br />
<br />
10:00 a.m. Service:<br />
<br />
Scripture reference: 2 Chronicles 14-16<br />
<br />
Dr. Bramer opened with a true story about Cliff Young, an Australian Marathon Race Winner. A marathon race requires endurance, not speed. Trust in and obedience to the Lord also requires endurance. King Asa began well, but did not endure the race set before him.<br />
<br />
God granted rest to the nation of Judah when they were faithful to Him, protecting them from war with their enemies. <br />
<br />
In Chapter 14, King Asa did what was right in the sight of the Lord, removing the pagan idols and places of worship of false gods. <br />
When the Ethiopian Zerah came to fight them with an army of a million men, he outnumbered Asa's 300,000 soldiers. King Asa prayed, "Lord, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; let no man prevail against You."<br />
The Lord routed the Ethiopians.<br />
<br />
In Chapter 15, the prophet Azariah encouraged King Asa to continue relying on the Lord. "If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but I you forsake Him, He will forsake you." The king further cleansed the land of the false idols and entered into a covenant with God. <br />
There was no war for thirty-five years.<br />
<br />
In Chapter 16, King Asa began to fade spiritually in the thirty-sixth year of his reign. He compromised his trust in God. Instead of praying when King Baasha of Israel came against Judah, he used silver and gold from the temple treasuries to bribe the king of Aram to make a treaty with him against Israel.<br />
The Lord removed His protection of peace and rest. King Asa died of a disease that afflicted his feet.<br />
<br />
Here are 3 applications to this lesson:<br />
1) We must characterize our lives with always trusting the Lord<br />
2) Expect to be tested. Trials will come to test or strength our faith.<br />
3) Plan to end well. Continue to pray, study His word, and encourage other Christians.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple;">* * *</span></div>
<br />
11:00 a.m. Service:<br />
<br />
Scripture reference: 2 Chronicles 17-20<br />
<br />
In Chapter 17, Asa's son Jehoshaphat became king. He trusted God and followed the example of King David, having a whole heart for the Lord. King David was the standard for leadership. Jehoshaphat brought in teachers and prophets to teach the word of God to the people. He knew that obedience could not be forced, so the teachings gave them a desire to be obedient to the Lord. Even the nearby nations feared God. <br />
<br />
In Chapter 18, compromised his faith when he made an alliance with King Ahab of Israel. Of all the prophets in Israel, only one named Micaiah told the truth. The others four hundred were false prophets who told King Ahab only what he wanted to hear. Ahab knew the word of the Lord, but refused to obey. He died in battle.<br />
<br />
In Chapter 19, Jehoshaphat returned to Jerusalem in safety. The prophet Jehu rebuked him for his unfaithfulness. The king repented and brought the people back to the Lord, the God of their fathers. He appointed judges and admonished them to render judgment not for man but for the Lord. <br />
<br />
In Chapter 20, the Ammonites and Meunites came to declare war against Jehoshaphat. He turned to the Lord and proclaimed a fast throughout Judah. He then prayed, "O Lord, the God of our fathers, are you not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You." Jehoshaphat continued with his prayer and praise to the Lord. <br />
The Lord took possession of the battle to prove to Jehoshaphat that he could trust Him to defeat the enemies without Judah's army. God caused the Ammonites and Meunites to destroy themselves.<br />
<br />
Here are 3 applications to this lesson:<br />
1) Let us desire the statement, "The Lord is with him" to be said about us.<br />
2) Avoid alliances with ungodly people. Live for eternity, not for the present.<br />
3) Reliance and trust in God should be evident in our daily lives. We can praise God in advance of our victories! <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">Let us win the marathon race of life with endurance.</span></strong>Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-25135490934909259902020-03-27T13:48:00.000-04:002020-03-27T13:49:47.023-04:00I HAVE RETURNEDPlease forgive my extended absence from my blogpost. Many events in the past few years turned my life upside-down. With God's persistent love, care, and provision, I have almost overcome the pain associated with those struggles. That's such good news. To know that God is faithful to His promise to never leave us nor forsake us. I feel His loving arms around me every day.<br />
<br />
The Lord has also granted me favor through dear Christian friends who have not left or forsaken me. Family members continue to share our love with each other.<br />
<br />
I'll bring you up to date with the most recent events: After 10 years of loyal service with the same company, it was secretly determined that a younger woman could do my job for less money. Riling the boss' presumed girlfriend aided in his decision to "let me retire." I immediately accepted another similar position, which lasted a month. It was a good company, with friendly and helpful co-workers. However, a bit of <u>unintended</u> bait & switch about the qualifications helped me determine that it wasn't a good fit. A week later, Barbour Publishing offered me a free-lance writing job for a 180-day devotional: "The God of Possible." This will be my third devotional with Barbour, not counting the "Fear Less, Pray More Journal," which they created using my devotion of the same title. I loved the challenge and the opportunity to pour over God's word to complete my work. This devotional should be released in December 2020. I receive no royalties for these because it's a flat-fee contract assignment. But it isn't about the money. It's about sharing God's love.<br />
<br />
Now, when I am ready to seek another day job, nearly the entire nation is shut down because of the COVID-19 Virus pandemic. While most of us are stranded in our homes, able to leave only for necessities like fuel for the car, groceries, and medical appointments, this is a great time to turn our attentions to the Lord. As Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 4:13, "Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, exhortation and teaching." (NASB) We have time now to pray for our loved ones, pray for our nation, pray for our world, and give thanks for His blessings in spite of the life-style disruptions. We can use our phones to listen to Bible verses during our daily walks around the neighborhood, tell others about God's gift of eternal life, and teach His word through venues like Facebook, blogs, Twitter, and others. <br />
<br />
This post isn't meant to bring guilt to anyone. I confess I spent the last two weeks watching reruns of <em>Murder She Wrote</em>, <em>Gunsmoke</em>, and <em>Laramie</em>." I have a valid excuse: my cats follow me around the house. If I dare sit down in the TV room, one or both hop into my lap and pin me to the chair. (A little humor helps in these dark days.) <br />
<br />
If you feel so inclined, please join me in prayer:<br />
<br />
"Heavenly Father, please bring Your peace and healing to those who have contracted this virus, and Your strength, love and comfort to the families of those who have succumbed to it. Let us look to You as our hope in these difficult days ahead. In the name of my Savior, Jesus. Amen."Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-73046002545577374172019-07-08T11:06:00.001-04:002019-07-08T11:06:41.840-04:00Chicken Soup for the Soul - Life Lessons From the Cat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScPLDwFxbxxgSsrp0kzLQfERQ8pVRlcGSlXNqs_oxrjEyb0cXRptprIqlLWByyagZfVwQiT9KnjwC3MMqzVGjHnKZs1SJzSI9r4y8SbnfKoEDnln68_DxwEPZs63Q6wf3rBMuZ7xYuNQ/s1600/Chicken+Soup+Life+Lessons+From+The+Cat+Book+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="324" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScPLDwFxbxxgSsrp0kzLQfERQ8pVRlcGSlXNqs_oxrjEyb0cXRptprIqlLWByyagZfVwQiT9KnjwC3MMqzVGjHnKZs1SJzSI9r4y8SbnfKoEDnln68_DxwEPZs63Q6wf3rBMuZ7xYuNQ/s400/Chicken+Soup+Life+Lessons+From+The+Cat+Book+Cover.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
I submitted my short story, "Meowy Christmas," to the 2015 Tapestry Awards contest. Tapestry is a Florida state-wide contest associated with Word Weavers International, an excellent not-for-profit organization that supports Christian writers through an encouraging critique system.<br />
<br />
Imagine my joy when "Meowy Christmas" took first place in the short story category! The judges who read the submissions also offer suggestions, when needed, to improve the work. As an example, their notations informed me that not everyone is familiar with an Austin Healy Sprite. I mentioned my 1969 British sports car in the story as I described trying to drive a stick shift from one city to another with two rambunctious kittens underfoot. (For those under thirty years of age, a stick shift is a vehicle that doesn't have an automatic transmission. The driver shifts the gears using a clutch to the left of the brake pedal. 😼) <br />
<br />
I made the suggested edits to the story, then submitted it to Chicken Soup for the Soul for one of their Christmas books.<br />
<br />
No response. <br />
<br />
The following year, life sent me storms of challenges that rocked my world. The story sat idle in my computer until the tempests died down. I opened it up again, made a few technical edits, then submitted it again to Chicken Soup for the Soul for their next collection of cat stories.<br />
<br />
A few months letter, <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><em>Voil</em></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><em>á!</em> </span>The long-awaited message from D'ette, the Chicken Soup for the Soul editor, arrived in my inbox.<br />
<br />
As I read the other stories, I consider it an honor to have mine included in this collection with other talented, award-winning authors. "Chicken Soup for the Soul Life Lessons from the Cat" is available in bookstores, online from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and through the Chicken Soup for the Soul website. I have a few in my personal stock for local friends.<br />
<br />
They make great gifts. Enjoy! <span style="font-size: large;">😸 </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-45188704232737011872019-03-14T11:31:00.001-04:002019-03-14T11:31:06.451-04:00Remembering the Greatest Generation <div class="post-header-line-1" style="text-align: justify;">
Since my soon-to-be completed novel, "Miss Ellie's Orange Tree," is set in the 1940s, I am re-running this previous post:</div>
<h2 class="post-header-line-1" style="text-align: center;">
Remembering the Greatest Generation </h2>
<div class="post-header-line-1" style="text-align: justify;">
Ads on TV call for donations of WWII memorabilia. These ads state the importance of documenting "The Greatest Generation." Call me cynical, but do they really want to preserve this part of our history, or destroy anything that might show our soldiers in a positive and victorious light? </div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" itemprop="description articleBody">
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" itemprop="description articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
We've seen how the education system has twisted the discovery<span></span> of the New World, the Mayflower passengers and the American Revolution. They've demonized Christopher Columbus, Thomas Jefferson and other signers of the Declaration of Independence, as well as removed portraits of George Washington from school buildings. The latest misconception of the Confederate flag, supported by the news media, speaks to the skewed teachings of the War Between the States. They even mislabeled it, calling it a "civil war." The word "slavery" is mistakenly associated with that war, instead of the true issues of taxation, economics, and states' rights. </div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" itemprop="description articleBody">
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" itemprop="description articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
For this reason, I'm hesitant to send anything without doing some research on these organizations. Who funds them? Are their workers volunteers or <em>paid</em> employees? Where will they store the collected items? Will the public be allowed to view the items? What will they do with faith-related letters or documents?</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" itemprop="description articleBody">
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" itemprop="description articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
Many years ago, I donated my late father's uniforms and some photos to the <a href="http://mightyeighth.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #993300;">Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum</span></a>. I recently found the web page for the 379th Bomb Group, my dad's unit. (<a href="http://www.379thbga.org/" id="yiv3762352529ms__id9821" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: #993300;">379thbga.org : The 379th Bomb Group of WWII</span></a>) We may have located a photo of him with his crew. I have his small Gideon Bible, in which he inscribed the words: "This Bible flew 33 missions with me." </div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" itemprop="description articleBody">
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" itemprop="description articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
Before you give away precious memorabilia to an unknown source, do your research. Locate your family member's unit. Visit bona fide museums and consider donating to them instead. Preserve them and pass them on to additional generations to give them a perspective of the faith and sacrifices required to defeat a godless dictator and win a world war.</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" itemprop="description articleBody">
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" itemprop="description articleBody">
Let us never forget the <strong><u>Greatest Generation</u></strong> and the faith that brought them through to victory! </div>
Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-24372521435863433792018-12-17T14:46:00.000-05:002018-12-17T14:46:24.004-05:00The Empty Stocking<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="background-color: white;">THE EMPTY STOCKING<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWjbiZdOiXe18T2QL_-kDTyn-lAzZ1aQLBhEAQeo9B8i9tUV61MTRajQ9G7xQeKs-LQwJNHyR54RgpCncO7QiFaFQi0IscO-fDw9NlYJRYd4BOTbNKp-dIDVJKSQsu6vqNdtn-Uhaazg/s1600/Christmas-Stocking-Clipart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="927" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWjbiZdOiXe18T2QL_-kDTyn-lAzZ1aQLBhEAQeo9B8i9tUV61MTRajQ9G7xQeKs-LQwJNHyR54RgpCncO7QiFaFQi0IscO-fDw9NlYJRYd4BOTbNKp-dIDVJKSQsu6vqNdtn-Uhaazg/s200/Christmas-Stocking-Clipart.jpg" width="154" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="color: black; line-height: 200%;">"Tonight I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><strong>Once upon a midnight clear, there was a child’s cry. A blazing star hung over a stable, and wise men came with birthday gifts. We haven’t forgotten that night down the centuries. We celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, the sound of bells, and with gifts—but especially with gifts. You give me a book; I give you a tie. Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange squeezer. Uncle Henry could do with a new pipe. Oh, we forget nobody, adult or child. </strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><strong>All the stockings are filled.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"><strong>All, that is, except one. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><strong>And we have even forgotten to hang it up. It’s the stocking for the Child born in a manger. It’s His birthday we’re celebrating. Don’t let us ever forget that. Let us ask ourselves what He would wish for most, and then let each put in his share: loving kindness, warm hearts, and a stretched out hand of tolerance. All the shining gifts that make peace on earth."</strong></span><br />
</div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: black; line-height: 200%;">David Niven, <i>The Bishop’s Wife</i>, 1947</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kOnwEVL9NbVIjGMBDTyppExH_Dq5ERAQK_NFmZKQyLzZ9jP3u6pFtfUufTkgzDr3Kvga8ZLWhv0dEHWBCo0QafRWjTLA1_UiaOOv8NHJZbaMfMvIB6xLTXzYdE2bS-KiVcXnmjRm1Zo/s1600/th866QTNR7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="81" data-original-width="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kOnwEVL9NbVIjGMBDTyppExH_Dq5ERAQK_NFmZKQyLzZ9jP3u6pFtfUufTkgzDr3Kvga8ZLWhv0dEHWBCo0QafRWjTLA1_UiaOOv8NHJZbaMfMvIB6xLTXzYdE2bS-KiVcXnmjRm1Zo/s1600/th866QTNR7.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><span style="color: black; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b> </div>
Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-68478876043262754312018-10-01T10:36:00.002-04:002018-10-01T10:36:48.434-04:00A Bit of Family History<span style="font-size: large;">My </span>dad researched our family tree back in the 1960s, in pre-Internet days. He had to do it the hard way, through letters and library archives. He had told us the story of our ancestor, Sir Gregory Clement, who was hanged for beheading the king of England. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozeLBmFc70hQJndblI9gz9ZAZ3EhumeoikBEU_sp18-g00laVl8ch96w6hh-xTzWDQlaHhPtikbGwd58QylFfI4M0cwviwFWETYSnf9s8BHqT-jhn_nrIBsPwR70nCQ4klsPmqlb9O1I/s1600/Gregory+Clement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="116" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozeLBmFc70hQJndblI9gz9ZAZ3EhumeoikBEU_sp18-g00laVl8ch96w6hh-xTzWDQlaHhPtikbGwd58QylFfI4M0cwviwFWETYSnf9s8BHqT-jhn_nrIBsPwR70nCQ4klsPmqlb9O1I/s200/Gregory+Clement.jpg" width="153" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; font-size: small;">Sir Gregory Clement</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My sister found a short article on Sir Gregory Clement through Wikipedia, and they even had a portrait of him! Born in 1594, to John Clement, a merchant and Mayor of Plymouth, Gregory grew up to become a Member of Parliament and one of the regicides of King Charles I. After working for the British East India Company, Sir Gregory returned to London from India and supported Parliament in the civil war. <br />
He became a Member of Parliament for Fowey in Cornwall in 1648. <br />
He then served as a commissioner of the High Court of Justice at the trial of King Charles in January 1649. He was the fifty-fourth signatory on the king's death warrant. Fifty-nine commissioners signed in total. In 1652, the House of Commons dismissed him because of a reported scandal with his maidservant. Political opponent Thomas Harrison is suspect in engineering the false accusations. (Some things never change.) <br />
<br />
When Charles II reclaimed the throne, all fifty-nine judge regicides who signed the death warrant and witnessed the king's execution feared for their lives. A few fled England, but Sir Gregory was arrested, tried, and convicted of high treason. <br />
<br />
According to Dad's research, the executioner offered those who were convicted with him a cordial for courage before being put to death. Sir Gregory refused the elixir and went bravely (and unrepentantly) to his death. On October 17, 1660, Sir Gregory Clement was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Charing Cross. A sad ending for a man of nobility and noble causes. So, there you have it. Part of my history. And I'm sure a part of history that will prevent me from ever being invited to tea with Queen Elizabeth (a direct descendant of Charles I?).Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-57327812155280415012018-07-13T12:57:00.000-04:002018-07-13T12:57:01.489-04:00OUR INCOMPARABLE GRIEF<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiC-8WQ6RRUjEd_4C6f-A0vb3Go6ElvE7f0cUPnGMZUzewGmFoIZlSy7AoLF7a55vOAeSrXljVGR-YVnR5bnhCjMWdu2-s5vXAv7DYreypAy6qREdqvK1dbjU88IeUivuBjvoyzmIR4iE/s1600/Grief+Quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiC-8WQ6RRUjEd_4C6f-A0vb3Go6ElvE7f0cUPnGMZUzewGmFoIZlSy7AoLF7a55vOAeSrXljVGR-YVnR5bnhCjMWdu2-s5vXAv7DYreypAy6qREdqvK1dbjU88IeUivuBjvoyzmIR4iE/s320/Grief+Quote.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">T</span>he younger of my husband’s two daughters died a few years before I met him. The loss shattered the family. When I asked him about grief counseling, he said he briefly attended meetings for parents who had lost a child. However, he left the group when the parents related how their children died. Their descriptions unintentionally grew into a “can you top this?” competition. So deep was each one’s personal anguish that they had little to no sympathy with which to comfort one another. <br />
<br />Grief is painful, regardless of the circumstances. The death of a spouse, death of a parent, death of a child, death of a sibling, death of a friend, death of a marriage, even death of a beloved pet – each brings its own magnitude of bereavement. <br />
I tried, without success, to choke back my tears when I told my physical therapist that my husband had unexpectedly passed away. She understood my pain. An auto accident had claimed her husband’s life several years ago. Our situations were similar in that we both lost our husbands, but they also had their differences: She identified her husband’s body from the wreckage. My husband died in my arms. Instead of comparing her loss to mine, she grasped my shoulders, looked me in the eyes, and said, “You’re going to be okay.” I desperately needed to hear those words.<br />
<br />To weigh one person’s loss against another’s doesn’t diminish the grief, but stabs another dagger into an already broken heart. We can offer our compassion, love, and sympathy; even months or years later, when we recognize that each loss has it’s own depth of sorrow.<br />
<br />
(A widowed friend sent the quote to me in a text message when I lost my husband. I wish to give credit to the author, but couldn't find the source.)<br />
<br />Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-31870292622188838132018-01-03T17:11:00.000-05:002018-01-03T17:11:36.323-05:00Confession of a Pie HoarderMy friends, Sarah, and her adult daughter, Grace, are (in my humble opinion) champion pie bakers. Although pecan pie had not been one of my favorites until I met these two wonderful ladies, my mouth waters at the mere thought of a slice of their pecan pie.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTgc4UGAZLiISOoXeDHeEgHJMaEee1aONGBZSRVU69ImQjbFzr9Y2esq_tJLTI3PL8g1gKn1hxAvnS7q954d4cnF8A6okkYxzDz_XiMJZ79UaXy9YMhon3bVla3Cmkf6uj3kEN2xRazs/s1600/Pecan+Pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTgc4UGAZLiISOoXeDHeEgHJMaEee1aONGBZSRVU69ImQjbFzr9Y2esq_tJLTI3PL8g1gKn1hxAvnS7q954d4cnF8A6okkYxzDz_XiMJZ79UaXy9YMhon3bVla3Cmkf6uj3kEN2xRazs/s200/Pecan+Pie.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
They brought a whole pie to my home for a covered dish luncheon during the holidays. I put it in the refrigerator during the main course and forgot to set it out for the guests when we were ready for dessert. Was that a real slip of the memory, or a subconscious desire to hoard the delicious delicacy for my own enjoyment? Hmmm.... a point to ponder for a nano-second.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMiFebXfV3o9Zfw_ebv1PkQXVinkSBxz2HXBmRhV0dxy87nR_4Vy0TaGn-W04gM0P5gCeI3bwXNf5afk3w0TsSff5snrGU-XP3Ewx9_b4i5_pDjK1Y65huiFoClEKiQ9dUef9G-9Bf9vI/s1600/Stampede.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">When it became apparent that I could not, in good conscience, hog the whole pie, I shared it with my co-workers. All it took was a two-line office-wide e-mail: "Home-made pecan pie in kitchen. Enjoy!" </a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89-V2PpyfmGE9LT70ggcdYLnd8dAJJ1-8C9IlJtAN1Ycgh2RHd1KfcEfm4gBZTuv-C_WRiRO8TRUUDq5T3Je6RBYX4XJ0p97E73irxv0LqqYtJIvpkrZHj6C7ZAjyymVsg1nVyuvgORE/s1600/rawhide-clint-eastwood-1959-66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="473" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89-V2PpyfmGE9LT70ggcdYLnd8dAJJ1-8C9IlJtAN1Ycgh2RHd1KfcEfm4gBZTuv-C_WRiRO8TRUUDq5T3Je6RBYX4XJ0p97E73irxv0LqqYtJIvpkrZHj6C7ZAjyymVsg1nVyuvgORE/s200/rawhide-clint-eastwood-1959-66.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
A stampede to rival a scene from "Rawhide" confirmed my suspicions that my office buddies weren't yet sugared-out from all the earlier treats and goodies presented throughout the month of December. I thought I saw Rowdy Yates among them, but, of course, it was a sweets-induced hallucination.<br />
<br />
In this first week of the first month of the new year, I have cleansed my guilty conscience. I have confessed my desire to hoard a treasured pie, and shared my bounty with others. <br />
<br />
Now, I have to ask myself: was my motive to share the delectable dessert seeded in a heart of giving, or my fear of an expanding waistline?Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-28228435352990142292017-12-05T10:03:00.000-05:002017-12-05T10:07:20.206-05:00The Reason for the Season<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-background-themecolor: background1;">
<span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;">And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, </span></span><br />
<span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></span><br />
<span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;">I bring you
good tidings of great joy, <span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;">which shall be to all people. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;">For unto you is born this day in the city of <span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;">David a Saviour, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;">which is Christ the Lord. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-background-themecolor: background1;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9zoNgKnV9CCaWjW_iU_bK4uufSg31mXL940etjiBM01cubr4nbzflJGt67ii_gT7q-FsIcCw5k03kP9G19o6X-dQUwcA_XoT5XMZVp4QycQdfQRTYfxX5ynKXXHVFtTRTOFS3xrBk-U/s1600/Nativity-1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="795" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9zoNgKnV9CCaWjW_iU_bK4uufSg31mXL940etjiBM01cubr4nbzflJGt67ii_gT7q-FsIcCw5k03kP9G19o6X-dQUwcA_XoT5XMZVp4QycQdfQRTYfxX5ynKXXHVFtTRTOFS3xrBk-U/s320/Nativity-1.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-background-themecolor: background1;">
<span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-background-themecolor: background1;">
<span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;">And this shall be a sign unto you; <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-background-themecolor: background1;">
<span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;">Ye shall find the babe wrapped <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-background-themecolor: background1;">
<span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;">in swaddling clothes, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-background-themecolor: background1;">
<span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;">lying in a manger.<span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;">– Luke 2:10-12</span></span><span style="color: #0d1f35; font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Manger scene is taken from free clip art)</span></div>
</div>
Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-19373567111460410052017-08-02T15:04:00.000-04:002017-08-02T15:04:37.592-04:00Fear Less Pray More<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZ0PxjsO3TY4mDAa8qH2r-hjHE6qlIyenk2OzODIj6TaiHsxZ1UrbxDVUc9-cJW3qyj3dw8effy_aQZYKk6SaI92u4pSReskK1Qae9Z7XaylseqDhQ2GafEb_ILRxNWp5I3ZQ234WNWE/s1600/Fear+Less+Pray+More+High+Res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1133" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZ0PxjsO3TY4mDAa8qH2r-hjHE6qlIyenk2OzODIj6TaiHsxZ1UrbxDVUc9-cJW3qyj3dw8effy_aQZYKk6SaI92u4pSReskK1Qae9Z7XaylseqDhQ2GafEb_ILRxNWp5I3ZQ234WNWE/s320/Fear+Less+Pray+More+High+Res.jpg" width="226" /></a><br />
I am happy to announce that my newest devotional - <em>Fear Less Pray More - A Woman's Devotional Guide to Courageous Living</em>, is now available.<br />
<br />
It is my prayer that these devotions will bless you. Some will make you laugh, others will bring tears. I also hope you will glean an insight into the power of our Lord and Creator at our fingertips. We have a mighty advocate to stand with us as we face our fears and challenges. <br />
<br />
Tragedy struck my family when I was a little more than half way through writing this devotional. Our Heavenly Father led me through the crisis and, although He gave me the peace, strength, and courage to finish the project, it still felt like rolling a boulder up a slippery mountain. The Lord didn't promise to make it easy, but He did promise to be there with me. And He keeps His promises!<br />
<br />
My critique group, Word Weavers International - Tampa Chapter, helped me not only with their critiques, but also with their prayers. They are all a special blessing to me.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPrnMdQDWcNJyEMOYfbJkU1zRlMxY_1JPfcbLsqKI4hK8LUi-6eLxqvBBXjtTE3dttwQ6zUplUeF9B-NOZu3FeFfHZ8ju_RnkS-4sk6Z3g-RG8RhNhtbSHbNBFf5Jz2pKimUAE9XE0-M/s1600/Kathy+%2526+Me+in+her+Doll+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="426" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPrnMdQDWcNJyEMOYfbJkU1zRlMxY_1JPfcbLsqKI4hK8LUi-6eLxqvBBXjtTE3dttwQ6zUplUeF9B-NOZu3FeFfHZ8ju_RnkS-4sk6Z3g-RG8RhNhtbSHbNBFf5Jz2pKimUAE9XE0-M/s320/Kathy+%2526+Me+in+her+Doll+House.jpg" width="247" /></a><br />
My sister, Kathy, coached me through those difficult days and held me up in her prayers. God granted me the treasure of the best sister in the world!<br />
<br />
Friends and other family members, including my church family at Bayside Community Church in Tampa, urged me on with their encouraging words and prayers. My friend, Sarah, summed it up best with her comment, "Death by deadline!" I've claimed that as the title of a novel I'll write.<br />
<br />
I can't give enough praise to the editors at Barbour House Publishing for their excellent work. Many thanks for their patience and kindness, and for extending my deadline more than once.<br />
<br />
So...through my blood, sweat, and tears, but most of all, through God's gentle embrace, here it is.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-68400880522666447342016-11-28T16:12:00.000-05:002016-11-28T16:12:06.243-05:00Winning the BattleToo often I read an obituary that states: "...lost his battle with (name of disease), and passed away..."<br />
<br />
Friends, we are losing the battle while we remain here to endure the fatigue, the pain, and the frailty that so often accompanies the ugly diseases we encounter. But for the believer in Jesus Christ, that battle is not lost. Victory belongs to those who break free from their sickly torment and accept the outstretched hand of the Savior. No more pain and anguish; bathed in the glorious love of God, our Creator. That is a battle worth winning!<br />
<br />
<em>"Just think of stepping ashore</em><em>and finding it Heaven,</em><em>of touching a hand and finding it God's</em><em>of breathing new air and finding it celestial....</em><em>of waking up in glory and finding you are Home..."</em><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span>Finally
Home! <br />by Don
Wyrtzen</span></i></div>
Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-56988651260410513182016-10-11T12:05:00.002-04:002016-10-11T12:05:53.086-04:00Here are the links to the latest lessons from Charlie Clough. He spoke at Bayside Community Church in Tampa (3333 Bayshore Blvd.) on Sunday, 10/9/16.<br />
<br />
As always, his teachings on the issues of global warming and Darwinism are mind-blowingly clear.<br />
<br />
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1476201450498_5159"><strong>10 AM</strong></span><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1476201450498_5158" style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1476201450498_5157"> Three Ways the Culture Weakens Our Faith and What We Can Do About It - Pt.1<br /><a href="http://bcctampa.sermon.net/main/main/20779859" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://bcctampa.sermon.net/main/main/20779859</a><br /></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span><b>11 AM</b> </span></span><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1476201450498_5153" style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1476201450498_5152">Three Ways the Culture Weakens Our Faith and What We Can Do About It - Pt. 2</span></span><span></span><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1476201450498_5154"><a href="http://bcctampa.sermon.net/main/main/20779857" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://bcctampa.sermon.net/main/main/20779857</a></span><br />
<span>Read about him on his website:</span><br />
<span><a href="http://bibleframework.com/about/clough/">http://bibleframework.com/about/clough/</a></span>Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-64057497336133415652016-09-26T14:40:00.000-04:002016-09-26T14:40:01.943-04:00God's Invisible Protection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBjAODsAPjzW44B3RYpk_bouTE3WUvfbEUhHcLuH9eKeaPPnBqty1HmqQNTyTUccGI3LiVOo4V7fDvfNNWhSeJRB2Jaqdeb6AiuHNmz3swZrUgdSidT2ijmCx2n-xt2NhFQQDeJ4t1Dk/s1600/Curvy+Road+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBjAODsAPjzW44B3RYpk_bouTE3WUvfbEUhHcLuH9eKeaPPnBqty1HmqQNTyTUccGI3LiVOo4V7fDvfNNWhSeJRB2Jaqdeb6AiuHNmz3swZrUgdSidT2ijmCx2n-xt2NhFQQDeJ4t1Dk/s200/Curvy+Road+Sign.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The next-to-the-last leg of my journey to work this morning put me on a curved road that emptied into three lanes at the traffic light. The left lane was a "turn only," the middle lane offered a choice of turning left or going straight. The right lane was another "turn only." <br />
<br />
While I waited in line six cars back from the traffic light, the man behind me grew impatient. He pulled his Jeep into the oncoming traffic lane (crossing a double yellow line - <em>Gasp!</em>), and drove around the curve to the left "turn only" lane. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkwpYw7WhLhLY1W5pS0GOsP7ba8tyJKW8Smx_-sCl9DuZY0dANqw8ybJACW7S33I6Z_FCn9dh0zCO2zJT1GcdDQu2fz1KVj2TKYrRCLs-Zjo6ReJWIKzERlDf6Cu4gtZZZVCe1wZZ1Xc/s1600/Man_In_a_Car_Yelling_At_the_Old_Woman_Driving_Slow_In_Front_Him_Royalty_Free_Clipart_Picture_081228-223912-872042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkwpYw7WhLhLY1W5pS0GOsP7ba8tyJKW8Smx_-sCl9DuZY0dANqw8ybJACW7S33I6Z_FCn9dh0zCO2zJT1GcdDQu2fz1KVj2TKYrRCLs-Zjo6ReJWIKzERlDf6Cu4gtZZZVCe1wZZ1Xc/s200/Man_In_a_Car_Yelling_At_the_Old_Woman_Driving_Slow_In_Front_Him_Royalty_Free_Clipart_Picture_081228-223912-872042.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGtApgjBlAGxzX1StUJaCEn6yF12GSTKsR5NWIG3xguZF2oj-X8PtAIQ5XQhoIBonij-UQk8MkDIU8EcNClquuqpAO7nKgRI6F47edgE3t0sBDb0vEw6h1S_h_81vkDRb8CzOXcv847Y/s1600/Impatient+Driver+canstock+26352178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGtApgjBlAGxzX1StUJaCEn6yF12GSTKsR5NWIG3xguZF2oj-X8PtAIQ5XQhoIBonij-UQk8MkDIU8EcNClquuqpAO7nKgRI6F47edgE3t0sBDb0vEw6h1S_h_81vkDRb8CzOXcv847Y/s1600/Impatient+Driver+canstock+26352178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><br />
A woman in an SUV turned onto the road, missing a head-on collision with the Jeep by two seconds. A second impatient driver behind me performed the same trick the guy in the Jeep had done. He zipped around the hairpin corner, on the wrong side of the road (another <em>Gasp</em>!), and stopped behind the Jeep. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbBXbAKPoEWRNHdF0cIklxNs56xQdwYsMZWKQc9MjY27nTYxUlnl9I2vwNCJHmx0Ncoy8hI_nDBmld3-i8FSoRwkdVVIaVIE-ak2vvQcYgWhmd7h7Ojw9TkI856X97oBvZglzt1RjiFc/s1600/Road+Rage+stock-vector-a-man-shakes-his-fist-during-a-road-rage-episode-76723987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbBXbAKPoEWRNHdF0cIklxNs56xQdwYsMZWKQc9MjY27nTYxUlnl9I2vwNCJHmx0Ncoy8hI_nDBmld3-i8FSoRwkdVVIaVIE-ak2vvQcYgWhmd7h7Ojw9TkI856X97oBvZglzt1RjiFc/s200/Road+Rage+stock-vector-a-man-shakes-his-fist-during-a-road-rage-episode-76723987.jpg" width="174" /></a></div>
A young woman in a sedan with a little dog in her lap turned onto the road, missing the latest impatient jerk by a whisper. <br />
<br />
The two women who turned onto the road were unaware of God's protection at that moment. Did they get stuck behind a school bus that delayed them those few precious seconds? Did they complain about it?<br />
<br />
It made me wonder how many times I've sat stuck in traffic, fuming about being late for work. Did those traffic jams actually protect me?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZKse2YcEETVqlZEalo6V7NvcHGM2Db0Mi0ZcdI9t81QKHR9kcxmPmYtwwpS_9MzbF0OMDFnCcvN4Wq49pkWjRXrpEqTX0PpZRWpNiyNFXJi-0Qlraq8uGNSdcwjfq7vmBlRvkNlLU2k/s1600/Collision.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZKse2YcEETVqlZEalo6V7NvcHGM2Db0Mi0ZcdI9t81QKHR9kcxmPmYtwwpS_9MzbF0OMDFnCcvN4Wq49pkWjRXrpEqTX0PpZRWpNiyNFXJi-0Qlraq8uGNSdcwjfq7vmBlRvkNlLU2k/s200/Collision.gif" width="200" /></a><br />
A simple life lesson learned from people watching:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmKISISGOFm9eJg1ygKloitcQjGaxXoth4ldenlC40GtSuRvp1pyIaj51qhSlQzsWjfwp9AytZkmIqH-swsDfvQ10ATrcJ93e1lhvZplHTKqMTxYYBZe5Pe304tDyyc4Tbbd631nokpM/s1600/patience+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmKISISGOFm9eJg1ygKloitcQjGaxXoth4ldenlC40GtSuRvp1pyIaj51qhSlQzsWjfwp9AytZkmIqH-swsDfvQ10ATrcJ93e1lhvZplHTKqMTxYYBZe5Pe304tDyyc4Tbbd631nokpM/s320/patience+sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thank you, God, for using delays to protect me from other impatient people!</div>
Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-57606278523351568162016-08-24T14:35:00.003-04:002016-08-24T14:35:47.460-04:00The Birth of Charlie's Angles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9x384QWnFbpUQVk2X2a7nv_cyoM5ZvrBf9eJ1Va1t9WS7sIwhYzBPDdN6JlE7WjWbr-ytL8ghTitYWFYdMo4omoRSpDXSBh6Yei4-lvjGW-WADB9IC_eJTUq365At2sbeOWk8Bmx9-98/s1600/Charlies+Angles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9x384QWnFbpUQVk2X2a7nv_cyoM5ZvrBf9eJ1Va1t9WS7sIwhYzBPDdN6JlE7WjWbr-ytL8ghTitYWFYdMo4omoRSpDXSBh6Yei4-lvjGW-WADB9IC_eJTUq365At2sbeOWk8Bmx9-98/s320/Charlies+Angles.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
Meet the new femme fatale crime fighters: (Left to right) Cool, Kassarine, and Jammies.<br />
<br />
After a career as super modules, Charlie's Angles find themselves fighting crime in the quiet village of Pass-a-Grille Beach, Florida. They meet at the local ice cream parlor to discuss their next case. <br />
<br />
Each episode in this new TV program has a different ANGLE, (hence the name Charlie's Angles), starting with a jewel heist. The prime suspect is a dealer in stolen fine handmade fashionable trinkets. He enlists the aid of Gilly, the tubby seagull, known for his talent of stealing breakfast sandwiches from unsuspecting hungry sun bathers.<br />
<br />
The girls stake out the kiosks at the Pavilion on Saturday, an event known to draw tens of tourists and more than a few thieves.<br />
<br />
Don't fail to miss this suspense-filled action unpacked episode!<br />
<br />
Thank you, Kassarine, for your input into this fun blog post. Sometimes we need a diversion of silliness in this crazy upside-down world. <br />
<br />
Feel free to add to the saga of three post-menopausal spies seeking truth, justice and black-eyed peas.<br />
("Live peas?!?" - LOL. You had to be there.)Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-85978773806816034952016-08-08T13:32:00.001-04:002016-08-08T13:32:19.113-04:00Dynamic Audio Message by Charles Clough - 8/7/16<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1470676583137_5742">Fasten your seatbelts before hearing Charlie Clough's messages at Bayside Community Church in Tampa, FL on Sunday, August 7, 2016.</span><br />
<span></span><br />
<span>Links to the audio messages </span><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1470676583137_5661">are below:</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span>10 AM <b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1470676583137_5728">Lessons From Trying to "Fix" a Broken Society 3000 Years Ago - Part 1</b></span></span><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1470676583137_5741" style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1470676583137_5740"><a href="http://bcctampa.sermon.net/main/main/20735408" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1470676583137_5739" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://bcctampa.sermon.net/main/main/20735408</a><br /><br />11 AM </span></span><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1470676583137_5733" style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1470676583137_5732"><b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1470676583137_5731">Lessons From Trying to "Fix" a Broken Society 3000 Years Ago - Part 2</b></span></span><span></span><br /><span></span><span><a href="http://bcctampa.sermon.net/main/main/20735402" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://bcctampa.sermon.net/main/main/20735402</a></span><br />
<span></span><br />
<span></span><br />
<span></span>Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-34452478609539215122016-06-27T17:00:00.000-04:002016-06-27T17:00:35.765-04:00IS GOD FINISHED WITH THE U.S.?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsyupBaUrn7NHuReCllgKE8d8iJRGfrLKd2UpfWBWDObVrIWfFmQjX_LYM0NRUfqwqdFbqsUE36Ro_3F6aYkGJ3o3k-oq-4U6_Rrl3UYTeki-Tv2vnJpZoTIfwoTNTSHcTNIF_iSVzxY/s1600/Columbus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsyupBaUrn7NHuReCllgKE8d8iJRGfrLKd2UpfWBWDObVrIWfFmQjX_LYM0NRUfqwqdFbqsUE36Ro_3F6aYkGJ3o3k-oq-4U6_Rrl3UYTeki-Tv2vnJpZoTIfwoTNTSHcTNIF_iSVzxY/s200/Columbus.jpg" width="158" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">C</span></strong>hristopher <strong><span style="font-size: large;">C</span></strong>olumbus believed God called him to make his
voyages. He openly shared his wish to spread Christianity to the pagan nations.
He also had a heartfelt passion for the displaced people of Israel. For that
reason, our post-modern society chooses to demonize this brave explorer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The book of Genesis reveals how the Lord provided an incubator
for the Israelites to grow in strength and number in Egypt. Thousands of years
later, in 1492, He tapped Columbus on the shoulder and sent him westward to set
up an incubator for a strong brand of people who would be called Americans. Columbus’
discovery of a new world produced an unexpected consequence for the Middle East
nations. The trade routes shifted to the west, leaving them to remain in 11<sup>th</sup>
century darkness while the rest of the world flourished through numerous
inventions that followed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenWvH8hJhYOhPup5eGLbhFLF5EaW5Hg4cd8MWhp3V4SaPzJ4hwJkddszmE4XknQA7-Vc4-J_kmmaYayLcPi9uZwWk6nY3l3jkkA0VBqkoPIlKofilKGvtTzipllxsvBRUaccqOt4WWvc/s1600/300px-MayflowerHarbor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenWvH8hJhYOhPup5eGLbhFLF5EaW5Hg4cd8MWhp3V4SaPzJ4hwJkddszmE4XknQA7-Vc4-J_kmmaYayLcPi9uZwWk6nY3l3jkkA0VBqkoPIlKofilKGvtTzipllxsvBRUaccqOt4WWvc/s200/300px-MayflowerHarbor.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">On November 11, 1620, the Mayflower landed in the “Cape Cod
fishhook” carrying sixty-five passengers who sought to escape from religious
persecution. A hundred and fifty years later, descendants of those passengers,
along with new settlers to the colonies, took up arms to defeat the religious tyranny
harassing them from across the Atlantic. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTybYys53u6bfcCKzBx6ZO3GQno9HYN7KxTplc9XQZ6BdFUmWkpEatdnKoGZ79BskbmLkedOxBCKkl1y0NmyZLPIijkit4Aw5o4o4htTc6Y7d_fLowkfaMmuWkasU0m3Z-itoLOI84EqY/s1600/united-states-constitution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTybYys53u6bfcCKzBx6ZO3GQno9HYN7KxTplc9XQZ6BdFUmWkpEatdnKoGZ79BskbmLkedOxBCKkl1y0NmyZLPIijkit4Aw5o4o4htTc6Y7d_fLowkfaMmuWkasU0m3Z-itoLOI84EqY/s200/united-states-constitution.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
The U.S. Constitution, ratified on May 29, 1790, was drafted
using language from Deuteronomy. <span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our own Liberty Bell bears the inscription of Leviticus 25:10: “And proclaim freedom throughout the Land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” <o:p></o:p></span>God inspired the framers with His words to
build a new nation. Why? What purpose did He have for this new strong breed of
people? <o:p></o:p></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga993nwEcdlixcz5kQoASWquuzQzRfrISqS_Mvzc1bsf9D5DSUbjq2C_EIDrNadWrFafg8GRtf2i5br5-8d-V7aZDlmPwMNWb2va7h9_VaT0fOErqZgZjVX0Qjq3cbzQI1teId-Teatdw/s1600/Star+of+David.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga993nwEcdlixcz5kQoASWquuzQzRfrISqS_Mvzc1bsf9D5DSUbjq2C_EIDrNadWrFafg8GRtf2i5br5-8d-V7aZDlmPwMNWb2va7h9_VaT0fOErqZgZjVX0Qjq3cbzQI1teId-Teatdw/s200/Star+of+David.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">While the Jewish people suffered unconscionable persecution
throughout the Middle East and Europe, God nurtured this new country of
Judeo-Christian citizens. John Adams wrote to Thomas Jefferson, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I will insist
that the Hebrews have done more to civilize man than any other nation.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our incubating period continued. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">In 1941, the Japanese attack on
Pearl Harbor brought us into World War II. We’d already proven our mettle in
the World War that ended in 1918. God had strengthened and prepared us for this
global conflict that would determine the fate of His chosen people. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our
incubation was over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thirty-one years would pass between the Balfour Declaration of
1917 and the establishment of the State of Israel in Palestine in 1948. Exactly
one year after the end of WWII, President Truman contacted the British Prime Minister;
petitioning Britain to lift its barriers to Jewish immigrates to Palestine. The
United States officially recognized the provisional government as the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">de facto</i> authority of the State of
Israel on May 14, 1948. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Mission Accomplished.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Since that date, we have fallen away from our Judeo-Christian
roots. The downward spiral in the moral character as a nation beginning in the
1950s and 1960s had a gravitational pull on all branches of our government,
dragging us into a vortex of wickedness. Preachers in our mainline Christian churches
have shied away from preaching the consequences of sin. Public schools no
longer teach the true history of our beginnings. We traded the sin of slavery
for the slavery of sin as we fly the multi-colored flag from our government
buildings. Morbidly initiated abortion is the norm, despite evidence of its
connection with breast cancer. Anti-Semitic viewpoints are again prevalent throughout
the world. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Perhaps
these signs prove that God is indeed finished with us. We fulfilled His
purpose of helping the Jewish people return to part of the Land of Promise. What
further usefulness do we have?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Could
we bring the Lord back to us by returning to Him?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYe5NTKWbBu6UwGOcqh2NUnGQayV7U5hv879GcamsQRD4nJYM74oLNQIOe031PXc-fZUIepf9A7AyQJbCJLVeOG9Jpn5XWIMR0zbUTWs9ksRQqr9Z5EuVb8j96I4Da_e25fkwjbpzgQYM/s1600/Liberty+Bell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYe5NTKWbBu6UwGOcqh2NUnGQayV7U5hv879GcamsQRD4nJYM74oLNQIOe031PXc-fZUIepf9A7AyQJbCJLVeOG9Jpn5XWIMR0zbUTWs9ksRQqr9Z5EuVb8j96I4Da_e25fkwjbpzgQYM/s1600/Liberty+Bell.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Could we regain His favor by proclaiming freedom throughout the Land… the freedom from sin through Christ
the Savior… unto all the inhabitants thereof?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Could
we, once again, be the light shining on a hill, to give hope to all who look at
us that they might say, “God is in their midst.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">As we recognize 240 years of the existence of the United States of America, please pray fervently with me for our nation's return to the patiently-awaiting arms of Almighty God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-85601475124718708842016-05-09T16:29:00.000-04:002016-05-09T16:29:16.127-04:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFjhgZ-kPrh0byR-bfwkNkgoNL_FHGYydO-XOiupFQWejGEbqFd6KYYiPjkLZqNbM8m7w78ML8hvd4oSlMOB0fyDuFQF9wOLPbfSysYxkiZHeT5Or2jw-2BJkMqHrCytIuwg8TciYUkw/s1600/Barbieri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFjhgZ-kPrh0byR-bfwkNkgoNL_FHGYydO-XOiupFQWejGEbqFd6KYYiPjkLZqNbM8m7w78ML8hvd4oSlMOB0fyDuFQF9wOLPbfSysYxkiZHeT5Or2jw-2BJkMqHrCytIuwg8TciYUkw/s200/Barbieri.jpg" width="140" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Lou Barbieri</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1462820462911_8723" style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1462820462911_8722"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1462820462911_8721" rel="nofollow">10AM </a></span></span><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1462820462911_8719" style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1462820462911_8718"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1462820462911_8717" style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1462820462911_8716"><b id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1462820462911_8720">Biblical Living in a Non-Biblical World</b><br /><a href="http://bcctampa.sermon.net/main/main/20671777" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1462820462911_8715" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://bcctampa.sermon.net/main/main/20671777</a></span></span></span></span><br />
On Sunday, May 8, 2016 (Mother's Day), in the Sunday School hour at Bayside Community Church, Dr. Lou Barbieri (former professor at Moody Bible Institute) offered great direction to living Biblically in a non-biblical world. Using Psalm 78, a Maskil (i.e. contemplative poem) of Asaph, this wonderful professor showed us three ways to maintain our Biblical prospective.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><strong>REMEMBER</strong> - </li>
<ol>
<li>Remember the wondrous works of our Heavenly Father. </li>
<ol>
<li>His leadership as He led His people out of bondage. </li>
<li>His protection as He shielded them from the hot sun of the desert with His pillar of cloud, and warmed them at night with his column of fire.</li>
<li>His provision of Manna (which translates means: "What is it?"). He gave them enough to eat for each day. When they grumbled and demanded meat, He gave sent birds into the desert. He ordered Moses to strike a rock to bring forth water to drink.</li>
</ol>
</ol>
<li><strong>INSTRUCT</strong> - </li>
<ol>
<li>Teach the children about Him. </li>
<ol>
<li>Pass the Word to those who come behind us so that they will put their confidence in God. </li>
<li>Teach our children and grandchildren about His strength and the wondrous works He has done. </li>
<li>Teach them His laws that they may obey His commandments and not turn away to worship false gods.</li>
<ol>
<li>If we don't have children, we have opportunities to teach others who don't know about Jesus.</li>
</ol>
</ol>
</ol>
<li><strong>TRUST IN HIM</strong> -</li>
<ol>
<li>Theocracy = God rules. The Israelites demanded an earthly king. They chose Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin. A tall, handsome man, he knew nothing about leadership. </li>
<li>God chose David, a shepherd from the tribe of Judah, to rule His people. Sheep are defenseless without a shepherd. </li>
<ol>
<li><span style="color: #7f6000;">He also <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-15184DU" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-15184DU" title="See cross-reference DU">DU</a>)"></sup>chose David His servant <span class="text Ps-78-70">And took him from the sheepfolds; </span><span class="text Ps-78-71" id="en-NASB-15185">From the care of the ewes <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-15185DW" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-15185DW" title="See cross-reference DW">DW</a>)"></sup>with suckling lambs He brought him t</span><span class="text Ps-78-71">o <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-15185DX" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-15185DX" title="See cross-reference DX">DX</a>)"></sup>shepherd Jacob His people,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-78-71">And Israel <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-15185DY" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-15185DY" title="See cross-reference DY">DY</a>)"></sup>His inheritance. </span><span class="text Ps-78-72" id="en-NASB-15186">So he shepherded them according to the <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-15186DZ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-15186DZ" title="See cross-reference DZ">DZ</a>)"></sup>integrity of his heart, a</span><span class="text Ps-78-72">nd guided them with his skillful hands. - Ps. 78:70-72</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #7f6000;">"For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls." - 1 Peter 2:25</span></li>
</ol>
<li>God wants us to stay the course. Our non-Biblical society will continue regardless of who wins the next election. </li>
</ol>
</ol>
We can live Biblically in this non-Biblical world if we remember what He has done for us, teach our children and grandchildren, and about Him, and keep our eyes on Our Good Shepherd. Putting our trust in Him, instead of government or elected officials, we can set the standard. We must shepherd the flock of God.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7f6000;">"All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him." - Isaiah 53:6</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span><span style="color: black;"><span><br /></span></span></span></span><span></span><span style="color: black;"><span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" rel="nofollow">11AM</a> <b>Lou's Top 10 and Why</b><br /><a href="http://bcctampa.sermon.net/main/main/20671767" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://bcctampa.sermon.net/main/main/20671767</a></span></span>Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-79317107851516257422016-05-02T17:11:00.000-04:002016-05-02T17:11:36.129-04:00Would You Read This Novel?
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="background-color: white;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">M</span>ISS <span style="font-size: x-large;">E</span>LLIE’S <span style="font-size: x-large;">O</span>RANGE <span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span>REE<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<o:p><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPwy4cfjXoXQVs1DKFsoa62k1DgrcrCGK4atfNLwNb2ofFNxnopRbBf_nX36jvXsZBxBShVBLCffwHPNmHj7QzZ-iod7e7MHY9mmwS3na1iAj_kXinb8pGn2z2pm5t7OlvK5UeLmID4c/s1600/Orange+Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPwy4cfjXoXQVs1DKFsoa62k1DgrcrCGK4atfNLwNb2ofFNxnopRbBf_nX36jvXsZBxBShVBLCffwHPNmHj7QzZ-iod7e7MHY9mmwS3na1iAj_kXinb8pGn2z2pm5t7OlvK5UeLmID4c/s320/Orange+Tree.jpg" width="262" /></a></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600"
o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f"
stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;
margin-left:344.15pt;margin-top:-.05pt;width:147.8pt;height:180.35pt;
z-index:-251661312' wrapcoords="-88 0 -88 21528 21600 21528 21600 0 -88 0">
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\rockey\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"
o:title="Orange Tree Clipart 08-10-15 (clipsahoy dot com)"/>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]-->“Three can keep a secret
…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
if two are dead.” – Benjamin
Franklin<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
How deep do the roots of an orange tree grow – deep enough
to sustain a sixty-six-year old secret?<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLiSHSbmuOEb-vxhA3sduuTwQ8w1YP_0cW_fXk4zWRtEnabSur259TfUJnzC-0Xhp4aG9atPWOizUJTireEKsDgJAlidKHPKHBLtkuF5JJV49pbjnmT-VLZN3_XXsi87xNKp-8eaNWzY/s1600/Bungalow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLiSHSbmuOEb-vxhA3sduuTwQ8w1YP_0cW_fXk4zWRtEnabSur259TfUJnzC-0Xhp4aG9atPWOizUJTireEKsDgJAlidKHPKHBLtkuF5JJV49pbjnmT-VLZN3_XXsi87xNKp-8eaNWzY/s200/Bungalow.jpg" width="200" /></a>Miss
Ellie, now eighty-eight years old, looks out the window of her empty kitchen
and views the towering orange tree in her back yard. “They’re going to tear
down my house, aren’t they? And my orange tree, too?” She turns to leave and
with a quick glance back, whispers, “And won’t they be surprised when they do.”<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
While war ravages Europe in the summer of 1944,
eighteen-year old Ellie Miller must fight her own battles in the peaceful city
of Tampa, Florida. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7TS9b83tkPs9LAj6SST354Mcc9R6m0Tgmqarksm-WVu2RfvwqzMGG1npJQeW_2H5CT7CIs3yKQGPhKICzevB-C9XefPedFdRBRvtXGSaO4PTknD-JABaXq0sl4Tdo7rZT0uQkBWTILE/s1600/B-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7TS9b83tkPs9LAj6SST354Mcc9R6m0Tgmqarksm-WVu2RfvwqzMGG1npJQeW_2H5CT7CIs3yKQGPhKICzevB-C9XefPedFdRBRvtXGSaO4PTknD-JABaXq0sl4Tdo7rZT0uQkBWTILE/s200/B-17.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_s1030" type="#_x0000_t75"
style='position:absolute;margin-left:380.5pt;margin-top:7.85pt;width:76.65pt;
height:76.65pt;z-index:-251657216' wrapcoords="-212 0 -212 21388 21600 21388 21600 0 -212 0">
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\rockey\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image008.jpg"
o:title="8th Army Air Corps Patch"/>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Lieutenant Joey Clement declares
his undying love to her before boarding the train that takes him away to his
Flying Fortress. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
She waits…and waits…and waits for a letter from him. The sprig of an orange tree she and Joey planted together from a seed offers her the only consolation in his absence.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Ellie’s tendency to panic throws her into a loveless marriage.
Her drunken and abusive husband resents the baby she carries. And the worst onslaught
of all – knowing the only man she’ll ever love is due to return to MacDill,
unaware of her unbearable situation. Worn down from her own combat, she hasn’t
the courage to face him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Will Joey forgive Ellie when he returns from the war and
learns she’s married to a man he despises? Will he forgive himself when he
discovers that he, not Ellie’s husband, is the father of her child?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Is his love deep enough to cover her buried sin?<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i>Miss Ellie’s Orange Tree</i> is an 80,000-word historical
love story that moves from present day to the 1940s, and back to the present.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoHeader" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-13836014571808083262016-04-04T11:55:00.001-04:002016-04-04T11:55:25.999-04:00Peace Offering to the Middle East<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDTzn3y1cgLYUq_0RUvjS65EBbaAUSqW35DnA18f4j3Rq2p4xShAk6S16kNc5d1jIU4_BiwFx0r7Vz2WjZaxB1Sp7fTQ1StTK-qA1keYQlN5uK0JvclCetq2qvokJ_omvyPjQ64Og6Nw/s1600/TD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDTzn3y1cgLYUq_0RUvjS65EBbaAUSqW35DnA18f4j3Rq2p4xShAk6S16kNc5d1jIU4_BiwFx0r7Vz2WjZaxB1Sp7fTQ1StTK-qA1keYQlN5uK0JvclCetq2qvokJ_omvyPjQ64Og6Nw/s200/TD.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Tom and JoAnn Doyle gave their amazing testimony and uplifting message of hope at Bayside Community Church in Tampa, FL on Sunday, April 3, 2016.<br />
<br />
<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1459784570977_5792">Links to the Audio messages </span><span>are below.<br /></span><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1459784570977_5790" style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1459784570977_5789"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1459784570977_5788" rel="nofollow">10AM <b id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1459784570977_5787"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1459784570977_5786" style="color: black;">Power Surge</span></b></a></span></span><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1459784570977_5777" style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1459784570977_5776"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1459784570977_5775" style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1459784570977_5774"><br /><a href="http://bcctampa.sermon.net/main/main/20645054" id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1459784570977_5773" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://bcctampa.sermon.net/main/main/20645054</a><br /></span></span></span></span><span></span><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1459784570977_5780" style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1459784570977_5779"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" rel="nofollow">11AM</a> <b id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1459784570977_5778">God's Transforming Power</b><br /><a href="http://bcctampa.sermon.net/main/main/20645045" id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1459784570977_5781" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://bcctampa.sermon.net/main/main/20645045</a></span></span>Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6400216129364609757.post-43856649475179390792016-02-10T15:17:00.000-05:002016-02-10T15:17:00.841-05:00NCIS explains St. Valentine's Day to a T!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ipdLEwdysC3O3NHLtviiI5CxwBlH6fCefIBlNXCzSCYIv4GtnLwuDuqDEV-Sd0JYuUssYsBJOdCoijmd4Wna356I9ZFc4SxdXDeNXSEs_N74Iu-LIGkBaYn14jZPAcbT81aKOrOWsgI/s1600/Valentine+Cherubs.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ipdLEwdysC3O3NHLtviiI5CxwBlH6fCefIBlNXCzSCYIv4GtnLwuDuqDEV-Sd0JYuUssYsBJOdCoijmd4Wna356I9ZFc4SxdXDeNXSEs_N74Iu-LIGkBaYn14jZPAcbT81aKOrOWsgI/s1600/Valentine+Cherubs.bmp" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">NCIS</span>, one of my favorite programs, sprinkled some St. Valentine's Day notions into their intriguing story line last night. Tim McGee and Tony<span style="background-color: white;"> DiNozzo<span style="background-color: white;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span>made an enlightened observation: the pressure is always on the guys, who would be happy with "Wizard tickets," to provide a never-thought-of-before romantic scheme for their ladies. Should they write a poem, buy roses & chocolate, and/or treat the lady to a special supper at an expensive restaurant? Why isn't the gift-giving a two-way street?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I agree. So I buy my husband a card and ask only a card of him. We don't have to prove our love for each other with special treats or goodies. I don't want roses, or chocolates, or an expensive supper (well...maybe the chocolates can stay) to celebrate this special day. A simple "I LOVE YOU" exchanged between my beloved husband and myself will suffice to honor St. Valentine, who suffered torture and execution for his devotion to the sanctity of marriage.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thank you, <span style="background-color: white;">NCIS</span> script writers, for giving Tony, Tim, Bishop, and Abby the right lines to slip a thought-provoking nugget into the story line of murder on the high seas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">(Love that series!)</span><br />
Janet Ramsdell Rockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882854115635560900noreply@blogger.com0