Hi all,

I hope all my readers and subscribers are doing well this holiday season. Like you, I am pretty busy. Why does there always seem to be too many irons in the fire? Such is life. And if its not one thing, its another, and never enough time to deal with it all as one should.

Lately, my car seems to have a continual problem with overheating. This has been happening since March when we went on the big adventure (camping trip) and the car decided to blow a fuse so to speak...literally though, on the seven mile bridge. Yes...my waterpump picked that time to blow...right after I had just gotten on the bridge with no shoulders. I don't know if I ever finished telling you guys that story, because I sometimes just get off track. However, long story short, I was smoking across the whole bridge with a busted belt flapping at my front passenger wheel.

It took 4 tows, and amazingly, at a cost of only $35 in tips to the tow drivers, to get my car almost 200 miles back to my home and then to my mechanic. Only God, that's all I can say.

But ever since then, the car seems to have a perpetual problem with overheating. It seems like ever 2 months or so, since that pump was replaced, this has been happening. I got upset with the mechanic because all these months, until last month, he has consistently refused to replace the thermostat...acting as if it was so expensive. I called my friend at Advantage Auto parts to discover that the cost was only $4. So then I insisted he replace the thermostat.

Well, guess what? I just had to replace it again....not with him, but through my street mechanic. I just refuse to deal with that garage anymore. I feel like they are patching the situation, not fixing it, and the car continues to have the same ongoing problem. What bugs me even more is that this is yet another "christian" mechanic that was referred to us by a church rep...his son in fact. All the single moms are referred to this guy, and, nice as I think he is, I'm seriously having a problem believing that my car needs over $200 of work every 1.5-2 months on the same overheating situation. Last month, he had a new mechanic working with him, and this guy did the repairs. He told me that my fan was so burnt out, that he's never seen a fan in that condition, and that there should have been a signal or warning that the car was heating up like that. Of course...the thermostat that the owner did not want to replace. At that point I insisted.

Nevertheless...the problem has risen its ugly head again...what to do? I only wish I could afford to just buy another car, but these days...who can? So I plod along as best I can, and leave the rest to God.

I'm working on a few things...concentrating on one specifically right now, and trying to get back to more writing. Last night, I tried to continue my study on Isaiah, but was so tired, I started zoning out by 9:30 and had to hit the sack by 10pm. My best writing is usually late, so this is not working. But I just wanted to update all, and let you know (those who are interested), that I am trying to get back to it, and continue the study, and hopefully, I will have something for you all soon. If I don't get to pop back in any time soon, happy holidays to all. Have a blessed season and Merry Christmas! Peace.

OMG! I can't believe it! I'm back people! I'm really back! The daggone pc is finally fixed! I've got my online service up and running! Halleluia! I think I've been in the dark with this situation since about June, so it really feels nice to be able to do this from home as opposed to the library.

The pc had picked up a bunch of virus's and worms...don't ask me how, but I seriously think it's attributed to Limewire. Just having that system and its components on my computer, seriously messed things up. I didn't download here. I downloaded at the library on my thumb drive. The McAffee would catch the worms and so forth before I downloaded anything from the thumb, but I think the damage was done the day I just accepted the Limewire system in the first place.

I've also noted that many of the alleged "free" software offered on Limewire has backdoor trackers, worms, and adware attached. So really, it's not even worth it to deal with anything from that site.

So lil big man and I are sitting here, listening to Christmas music on the radio, while I work.

What have I been up to in my absence? Too much to go into here, but I have been learning a lot of new things. It amazes me sometimes, the things God allows into our lives just so we can learn and draw closer to Him. Sometimes it's the worse thing (in our minds) we can imagine, but God has a purpose in allowing it all. Please note, I said allowing it, not bringing it nor causing it...as in when He allowed Satan to come into His courts to challenge Him about Job; and subsequently allowed Satan to have Job with a catch. He allowed Satan to "touch" Job, but not to kill him.

I went to look up the word "touch" because oftentimes, people don't recognize when they've been touched, whether by the enemy, or by God. Some people don't recognize when God has allowed a "touch" in their lives such as Job received. In addition, there are so many ways to apply that word "touch," that I thought I'd put some definitions here to help our collective understanding. Here's dictionary.com's definition(s):

The reason I thought this was relevant, is that many of us, myself included, don't understand the reasons why certain things and events happen in our lives, particularly if it is a situation or experience that we (or others) could perceive as negative.

Seeing as how we all seem to be caught up in the ultimate battle between God and Satan; and considering that we have to choose sides in this invisible battle in the spiritual realm, sometimes the lines get blurred, and it can be hard and confusing to see where you are.

For instance, in the case of Job, all these negative situations began to be reported to him. His flocks and herds (his livelihood) were attacked and destroyed, then he lost his family ( his children were killed), and then he himself, was attacked in his body with physical ailments.

All of these uncomfortable (to say the least) situations were happening to God's guy, and you gotta think that this guy was saying to himself, "What did I do wrong?" and "Why is this happening?" and "God, where are you when I need you?"

On top of his own mind playing him, Job also had to deal with his friends dogging him into the ground; telling him what a worthless piece of crap he was, (some friends!) and that God was punishing him for his imperfections and shortcomings (sins). Even his wife...the one person on this earth who is supposed to love and support him the most; turned on him, telling him basically, that God had deserted him, and that his best option was to curse God and die.

That's a whole lot of oppression, which leads one to depression and crazy thoughts most of the time. Personally, the last six months have been extremely stressful, grievious, and painful because of a situation I'm dealing with. When I say painful, it even got physically painful, not just mentally via stress. But you know, God made an incredible piece of artwork/machinery when He created mankind. Our bodies are so adaptable.

It took me a few weeks...about a month or so to figure out that although the situation I'm in is not conducive to my walk with God on the one hand...it is part of His purpose and plan for me. I never hid from Him on this. I was/am ashamed of the situation, but at the same time, I know that it will come to its own end in its own time...when God's purpose has been fulfilled, and I have come to the level of understanding this experience is supposed to teach me. (I hope that made sense)

I was so grieved, like I said earlier, that when some other unexpected situations arose...not going in what I considered a positive light, or the way I would have it based on my own expectations; I imediately assumed that these perceived negative events/situations were the result of my misalignment with God.

So I figured that God had lifted His hand off me, and I was no longer entitled to His blessings. Wrong!

The thing is...when we are deepest in the fog...that's the point in which God is looking to see if we are still clinging to His hand. When we stop trying to see ahead, because we can't...when we give up using our natural senses, and just let Him guide us...we will always find our way out of the dark place and back into the light.

You see, the church often preaches, teaches and lectures on "obedience." It's like the catch phrase of the church, and I've come to think that its part of their set "programming." I've tried all my life to break out of programming, because I can't hear God as long as that preset programming is in the way.

God calls us to walk in faith, not in obedience. We can't possibly do the obedience thing...despite the "obedience is better than sacrifice," scripture. We just aren't built to handle that. Check Genesis...the clay was formed from a damaged and subsequently rebuilt/restored earth. We are damaged...and we aren't capable of obedience all the time.  That's why this walk, and this life is about the faith we have, because without that...we'd never make it through all the times when we fail to be obedient. We'd never stick with it...and with Him. Without faith, we'd have no reason to hope at all.

This life is not about what we earn or what we deserve. It is only about what we believe and receive. That is the ability in us that God is watching for, because in this life...there are too many distractions, and too many traps out there to trip us, hurt us, and destroy us. Our saving grace comes via our faith...and our ability to hold on to that faith no matter what. It is our faith that draws us, that keeps us honest with God, and close to God at all times. Peace and blessings.

Greetings friends. I know that I have been out of sight for a while, and I have been very quiet about all the political mess that’s been going on, but no more.

Today, I’m gonna say what’s been on my mind for a while now. Let’s start with the elections and the reactions.

First of all, after the votes came in, and it was official that Barack had won, the reaction of republicans has been disgusting to say the least. Let me just say that I am neither republican nor democrat. I changed my status this year; something I’ve been meaning to do for a while, because my father signed me up as democrat when I first signed up to vote.

However, I have long been in the middle on things; my vote depending on the qualities I see in the candidates in question, which is why I changed my status to independant.

So in watching this whole scenario play out, I found several things quite interesting. Long before the final vote, while the campaign trails were heating up, the “church” was busy attempting to “influence” the vote.

The first example I saw of this came from an alleged pastor from a church called Morning Star. I happened to be at a meeting per an invitation from a former friend, and this pastor allegedly prophesied that Romney was God’s choice to lead the nation, and that if he was elected, we’d experience 7 years of peace. This “pastor” did not try to “influence” us; he outright told us this in his “alleged” message. Btw, he was supposed to be a prophet…but I personally cannot attest to his being one of God’s.

The next thing I witnessed was more attempts by the “church” including my church, to influence the vote. I notice that when elections are coming up, suddenly all the “revelations” teachings and end times teachings come out of the closet, and we are told how close we are to the time of the second coming. It’s a fear tactic, and it bothers me that ministers don’t just trust God and let it be.

So in my church, the Wednesday service after the elections, everyone was strangely quiet. After all the subtle and not so subtle solicitations going on during services for months, which has caused a rift in the congregation and upset and disgusted many people; suddenly all that is said is, “Well, God is still in control.”

Well excuse me, but He was in control all along!!! He was in control long before any comments and sermons and other attempts to influence the vote were done! He was in control long before Barack or McCain were confirmed! He was in control long before all the debates, and the alleged tightening of the race! What on earth made any of these churches and pastors think that God wasn’t in control all along!

See this is the consolation card they pull out when they don’t get their way, and the guy they want or the referendum they seek does not pass. Suddenly, when they can no longer influence opinion, then “God is in control.” Well, give God a little credit why don’t you! Thanks for acknowledging His supreme authority!

What irks me even more is the disgraceful display by both the party and the people who claim this party represents God. I sat back for months watching and waiting, because I was undecided, and I didn’t know enough about either candidate. I don’t vote just because a church or pastor claims that one person represents God more than another. No. I look at both people and watch their character, because usually, we haven’t much else to go on.

In the case of this race, we had more to go on because only one candidate actually told us his plans, while the other simply postulated about how he could “do it,” and that he was the more skilled candidate; but never once until almost the end, did he lay out any solid plan. At the end, he simply threw in some ideas trying to appear on top of things.

Worse still though, was the manner in which the alleged “representative of God” candidate ran his campaign. The smear tactics and the dirt digging and slinging was the same ole crap we’ve seen every election, but it’s ok as long as it’s the guy representing God, right?

It’s apparently ok to get into office by hook or by crook…to do whatever it takes, as long as the one who’s alleged to represent God is the one who gets in. Well, I’m sorry, but I take issue with that. Bad behavior is bad behavior, and does not represent God.

Mike Huckabee is the only person I saw running that actually seemed to represent God in how he conducted his primary campaign, because from what I saw it was clean. Even his appearances on the late night shows were above reproach.

Now, since Obama won, republicans are angry?!?! What the hay? Apparently, you didn’t trust God, and still don’t trust the outcome now. People are, once again, in the name of God, taking violent actions and making threats. This is not what God is about people. It’s just ridiculous the things we are hearing on the news about racial attacks as a result of this election.

People like Elizabeth on the View, who I generally am ok with, wouldn’t let anyone get a word in edgewise if they disagreed with McCain as the choice for president. Her arguments…trying to out-talk everyone was pretty disgraceful imo, and she only succeeded in making people angry.

If the republicans really are the party that represents the church, they need to tell these people to sit down and shut up. Take a chill pill, because none of this behavior makes you or God look good. It is not a reflection of Him. Actually, the Republican Party shouldn’t have to tell the people to stop this affront. Besides, the republicans are too busy playing the pity party card. The church should step up. There is nothing God-like about this sort of behavior or reaction, and it should be addressed.

On a slightly different track, for those who don’t know it, the name Barack does appear in scripture in the book of judges. I want to do a study on it when I have time, as I know the general story in that section.

That section is, in part, about someone I previously mentioned in a different post, in which I talked about women. However, in this section, a woman led the call or charge and this man, Barack became victorious and defeated the enemies. There was also a song of praise which mentions that Barack would arise.

It’s an interesting parallel, I think, to what the democrats did with this election. Certainly, Hillary lead the charge, rallying the party to get prepared, and get people registered, but she didn’t win the battle.

I also find it interesting that the number 40 has resurfaced in this scenario. Being the number of the Spirit (and I know some of you may not agree, but check the link, as I came to this conclusion through study), it’s interesting that Barack is the 44^th president, coming into power 40 years after Martin Luther King’s dream. A lot of 4’s there. There’s more, but I just can’t remember them all at the moment. I’m just noting some things that I’ve noticed.

Also, I happened to be working for the supervisor of elections when all this was transpiring, and the vote was in progress. Basically, there was a serious party in there, and some people cried, thanking God for not forgetting them.

I personally teared up when I saw that 102 year old woman, who had lived through slavery, in a wheelchair casting her vote for Obama. Just that fact that she lived to see a day such as this was enough for me.

Remember, God is the God of us all, including those of us forgotten or disregarded by society (the rich and powerful). For anyone who calls themselves a believer not to understand that…is not to know the God you claim to serve.

This is why I say to republicans, be more gracious. Show some dignity in defeat, and recognize that you cannot expect to always have your way. If God is truly in control in your eyes, you should not be angry and you should not have any bad feelings. This is not about your expectations, but about your faith. Peace.

Hi all,

Just wanted to let you know that I may not be too active for a bit in posting. The reason is that my computer went down. As a matter of fact, a friend brought over two other units, and several drives and we have been trying to fix/improvise via substitutions, but the fact of the matter is...it's time to replace my pc. Seeing as how the money has yet to materialize for this purpose, my ability to do my studies, write or be online has been hindered. However, I am hopeful that God will provide a laptop for me so that I can continue to update here and write with frequency. Keep that on your prayer lists please. Also...you can access my book site, www.createspace.com/Customer/EStore/Password.do?id=3342932, without the use of the password now. I got that straightened out with my publisher, so you can just click that link and go directly into the site and see my book. The discount code is still applicable. ( See the previous post) Thanks for your support. Peace and blessings.

Hey all,

I do apologize to anyone who checked my pulse and tried the link. My book is available at www.createspace.com/Customer/EStore/Password.do?id=3342932, use the password: youareloved, and you will be able to view the book. My subscribers and readers can get the 15% discount at this site only; the discount code is: FJ7B5367. Thanks for your support.

The Book of Isaiah

Chapter 1 V.4-6 Part 2

So whatever caused this turning away, nothing corrected it. Nothing stopped the slide, to the point that it completely pulled them away from God. So I had to back up a bit to verse two. Here, God says he reared children.

Gal 4:1 Now I say, [That] the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

Gal 4:2  But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

Gal 4:3  Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

Gal 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Gal 4:5  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

A few things I’ve noticed here. First, as a child, and I’m thinking of ‘child of God,’ we don’t differ from a servant. We should live to serve others. We are being trained and tutored until the appointed time of the father.

What I’m not clear on in looking at that is, are we talking about The appointed time of the return, or are we talking about a personal standard that God has for each of us to move us into whatever job/assignment he has for us? It could be a double entendre. It looks, at first glance, as if this is a more personal reference to being groomed for greatness.

However, this changes in the third verse where it references us as children in bondage to or under the elements of the world. So then our training ground is the world, and part of that training does involve the bondages we may find ourselves in.

At first I thought this was a reference to personal growth, but verse four shows me that it is a general reference to what God has done for us through his Son.

What I found interesting to note is first the reference to bondage under the elements of the world being our training ground, and at the same time, God sending forth his Son, made of a woman who is made under the law; the main element of the bondage of the world. It’s almost a weird conundrum if you look at it.

God births this world, with the knowledge that Satan’s removal from the heavenlies will permeate and corrupt it. Since God created all things and Satan was one of the things that He formed (note the difference in wording); it created a strange sort of paradox.

Love is destruction and destruction is love. So love creates a training ground of destruction that causes one to seek love. Then love destroys us to draw us to itself. If we love Him, we agree to this destruction, (dying daily) in order to get closer.

Some thing in us that must die will actually result in a true destruction of us or our lives, because it is a stronghold. If this is the case, then more than likely, it’s something we will have to walk through to get free.

But...in the fullness’ of time, (which again, is why I saw this on a more individual level) we that are suffering under the law, in the training ground of destruction get redeemed.

Not only are we redeemed to receive the adoption of sons, but we are redeemed to be restored as sons, because as the prodigal son clearly demonstrates, sometimes we can already have the blessing of the father, and for whatever reasons, stumble away thinking we are missing something.

Yet the good news is, the Father is always there waiting and hoping we will return. This brings me back to the factors that caused the ‘strickening” mentioned at the beginning of this section.

It is apparent that the lessons of the “destruction” phase of our training ground have escaped the attention of the people being referred to in this passage. Apparently, they were in sin, and completely gave themselves over to it, in whatever area or arena this was occurring in. They gave up completely, seeking God, and apparently began the idol worship of whatever the focus of their sin was.

Isa 1:6  From the sole of the foot even unto the head [there is] no soundness in it; [but] wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

Whatever they were involved in, there was no comfort in it.

The Book of Isaiah

Chapter 1 V.4-6 Part 1

Isa 1:4  Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

Iniquity:

1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity

a) iniquity

b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)

c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity

I note that Israel is identified in four ways here; as a nation, a people, a seed or (in the NIV) a brood, and children. Their spiritual state is described four times as well; sinful, laden (or loaded) with iniquity (or guilt), evildoers, and corrupters.

Mat 3:7  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Forsaken also describes their spiritual state. It means to leave, loose, forsake, to depart from, leave behind, leave, let alone, abandon, forsake, neglect, apostatize, to let loose, set free, let go, free, to be deserted; to restore, repair. In this case, it refers to abandonment.

This abandonment has resulted in the apparent extreme anger of the Lord, because the words provoked and anger come from the same Greek word, na'ats. It means to spurn, contemn, despise, abhor, and they are noted twice. The result of this abandonment, aside from provoking the Lord to anger, is to cause the people to go backwards or revert to a former state of disorder.

 Isa 1:5  Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

I cross referenced this, because I wondered why and how this “strickening” occurred...why the conclusion was that that whole head was sick and the whole heart was faint. It’s a weird thing, but I guess I’m wondering what kind of sin they were in, and the depth of it, because let’s face it, we all sin and fall short; so what was it that caused it to get to this point wherein God is saying that the people were going backwards and/or reverting to a former state of disorder?

Isa 9:13 For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.

Jer 2:30  In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.

Jer 5:3  O LORD, [are] not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, [but] they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.

Today, I’m going to throw some questions out there that have been running through my mind for the last couple of weeks, some resulting from discussions I’ve had with friends. I’d greatly appreciate your feedback on them.

Q#1: Do you believe that all sins are equal? If not, why?

Q#2: Do you believe that you cannot change who you are at your core?

Q#3: What is it that dictates who you are?

Q#4: Do you believe that your actions dictate or indicate who you are?

Q#5: What in your opinion, does the scriptures mean when it says that Christ is returning for a church without spot or wrinkle?

Q#6: Do you think it is possible for us to exist on this planet, in the flesh without spot or wrinkle?

Q#7: When scripture refers to someone being “perfect,” what does that mean?

Q#8: Is perfection possible while we are in the flesh?

Q#9: We all have a past and issues that we have struggled with. In growing up in levels in God, do you feel that you become immune to those past struggles? Do you feel that you would never have the same struggles again in the same areas again?

Q#10: Do you think that when people are having an ongoing struggle with a particular area of sin, that due to this area of fallen-ness, they will miss God when He returns?

Q#11: Would your answer above, depend on the area of sin that was the issue? If so, please refer back to Q#1, and give me your revised answer here.

Q#12: Is there a difference between sin and “the works of the flesh?” If so, what is the difference?

Q#13: Gal 5:19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

Gal 5:20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Gal 5:21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

If a believer is struggling in any of these “works of the flesh,” are they unforgiven, despite the blood of Christ?

Q#14: If sin is sin, why are these “works of the flesh” singled out and, it seems, stated as being beyond salvation?

I’m not advocating this by any means, but those scriptures came up recently in a study at church, and I started wondering. It makes me think that some sins are designated as greater than others the way society dictates, while pastors claim they are all the same, yet the church acts just like society does about them. So if they are all the same, and we all sin and fall short of the glory of God, then why are these specifically mentioned like this?

None of us are good, and we can never be. It’s just like none of us can tell where we will be tomorrow, and which of these sins we may fall into. It really depends largely on our personal history and background, and what we’ve struggled with in the past.

I’ve discovered that you can do well in an area of weakness for several years, get relaxed and think you’ve got this, and then suddenly relapse into something that seems to be the worse variant of your weakness that you’ve ever experienced. In such cases, I wonder how can one be struggling in one area so much, and still represent God in any area, way or fashion. Does the particular sin struggle dictate whether or not someone can still be effective for God?

I’m thinking about the fact that the bible is not just a book of instruction for what’s right versus wrong, but it is also a book of sinners. So when I look at Job, who was a “righteous man” yet still walked in fear; when I look at David, who was God’s beloved, yet still committed several of the sins listed in the above verses; I wonder. Did these guys pass the test of life, despite having fallen in a few of these areas?

If Job’s faith was perfect, despite his fear, then that makes me think that if any one of us falls into any of those arenas of sin based on fear...yet still have perfect faith, would we still miss God?

The only way I can think that Job represented God in that circumstance, is in the fact that he did not waver in his faith, yet he was in complete desolation and destitution. Likewise, David had no communication with God while he committed his sins concerning Bathsheba, yet was able to repent. His sins did not go without consequence, but he was still God’s beloved, so that makes me think that despite his mistakes, he made in into heaven. And think about Paul. Paul struggled with pride. Is that any less than the sins listed? Yet Paul is the one that the church pushes us to follow.

None of us is perfect, so how can any of us, with spot and wrinkle get in the gates? I know the blood covers us, but if I’m reading the above scriptures correctly, that is saying that the blood is not enough, and if we were guilty of any of those listed sins, we still would not make it in. Am I wrong? Just stuff I’m pondering. What’s your opinion? Can you give me any scriptural basis or backup for what you state? Thanks for the feedback.

Have you ever seen such fat luciousness? I mean really? Can anyone be more relaxed and comfortable than this? Just spread eagle...it must be nice to  have no shame to your game and to feel this free and exposed, eh? This is Benny Mincho; Benny for short, and otherwise known as Mr. Moochie, Fat Batty, Fat and Juicy and The Belliness.

This is my big boy...not sure of his age, as I was guessing it to be around 2 or 3 when I found him. He's been with me for about 5 years now.

He's a bit bashful about pics...

And he sometimes tries to hide from a direct photo...

But he's certainly not shy about showin' off his belly!

And he has no opposition to gettin' a lil luv and attention...

See if you can find someone hiding...

She thought no one had spotted her lil booty...and peeped out.

This is Miss Munchie, otherwise known as Tootsie, and formerly known as Holy Smokes! She rejected that name in favor of Tootsie.

This is her in Stinker mode...about to cause some trouble.

I found her on US Hwy1 after someone apparently dumped her there at about 3 weeks old. She was dazzed and confused, as a large pickup had just run over her head. She was in the middle of the left turn lane, and I was the next car. I slowed down, trying to figure out what it was in the road, and then it looked like it hopped a bit. I saw that it was a tiny kitten, and slammed on the brakes. I told my son to stop the oncoming traffic as I tried to catch her, because she had started to move in her confusion, right into the next right lane. I caught her before she was hit, and a cop had already stopped behind my car to get her.

My son begged if we could keep her, and here I was...a year ago this month, holding this stinking little kitten against my work shirt, which smelled all day at work after that. We told the officer we would keep her. Then my son let her loose in the car while I was driving and she got up under the dashboard somehow, next to the engine. Since my car is gray, and she is gray...I could not find her. I thought she'd die from the heat, so at lunch time, I took the car to the mechanic, only to have them discover her under the middle of the front seat. I got her into a box and after work, took her to my gf's house, where she was bathed 3 times in shampoo that even I cannot afford...some salon stuff...real expensive. We sat and picked the fleas off of her, and then I took her home.

You should have seen the look of disgust Mr. Moochie gave me after he discovered her in the box. It was like, "How COULD you?!?!!!" She annoys the mess outta him, but he actually likes playing with her. She keeps him young, cause as you can see from above...he loves to sprawl out and sleep. We've had so many laughs with her...cause she's like those kittens on People and Pets...that bounce off of walls and get into all kinds of funny mess.

Here she is with her daddy...my son.

Well...hope you like my little pictorial. I finally got the babies up here.

The Book of Isaiah

Chapter 1 V.2-3

Isa 1:2  Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

Is there a difference between “hear,” and “give ear?” First of all, one instruction is directed to the heavens, and one to the earth.

Hear in the Greek is shama. It means to hear (perceive by ear), be heard (of voice or sound), to hear of or concerning, to have power to hear; to hear with attention or interest, listen to, to understand (language), to hear (of judicial cases); to listen, give heed, to consent, agree; to grant request, to listen to, yield to, to obey, be obedient; to be regarded, to summon, to tell, proclaim, utter a sound, to sound aloud (musical term), to make proclamation.

Give ear in the Greek is azan, and means to hear, listen, to be obedient, hearken, to hear or listen to prayers (of God).

This sounds like he is saying listen O heavens, and hearken, O earth: for the Lord, Jehovah: “the existing One," has spoken. It's like he's making sure there are witnesses.

Has spoken in Hebrew is dabar. It means to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing, to lead away, put to flight.

I have nourished in the Greek is gadal, and means to grow, become great or important, promote, make powerful, praise, magnify, do great things.

And brought up in the Greek is ruwm. It means to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted, be set on high, to be raised, be uplifted, be exalted, to raise or rear (children), cause to grow up, take up, set up, erect, exalt, set on high, remove, to lift off and present, contribute, offer, contribute, to be taken off, be abolished, to exalt oneself, magnify oneself, to be rotten, be wormy.

What I hear God saying here is that He has invested in these people, and they have turned against Him.

Isa 1:3  The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: [but] Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

Note the differences in the words “owner” and “master.”

The Greek word for owner is qanah, which means to get, acquire, create, buy, possess, obtain, of God originating, creating, redeeming His people; possessor, of Eve acquiring, of acquiring knowledge, wisdom, to buy, to be bought, to cause to possess.

The Greek word of master is ba`al, which means owner, husband, lord, citizens, inhabitants, rulers, lords, (noun of relationship used to characterize - i.e., master of dreams), lord (used of foreign gods).

A crib refers to a crib, manger, feeding trough. I’ve also noticed another two similar terms.

The first is doth not know which means to know or learn to know, to perceive and see, find out and discern, to discriminate, distinguish, to know by experience, to recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess, to consider, be acquainted with, to know (a person carnally), to know how, be skillful in, to have knowledge, be wise, to be made known, be or become known, be revealed, to make oneself known, to be instructed, to cause to know, declare, reveal oneself.

Doth not consider means to discern, understand, consider, to perceive, discern, to understand, know (with the mind), to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, have insight, to be intelligent, discreet, to teach, instruct, have understanding, to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently; prudent, regard.

Isa 1:3  The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: [but] Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

This is an interesting analogy, because the ox knows who has redeemed it or bought it, as well as who feeds it. The ass also, alleged to be one of the dumbest creatures, also knows where its food trough is, and will return there.

However, Israel, a people with a name that means "God prevails," does not know their redeemer; the One who empowers them to prevail. They don’t even consider this, nor God.

This is interesting because by comparison, if we were to look at believers, and the class of people most often walking with God, we’d find that it is the “beasts of burden,” the working class who knows their owner, and at the very least, the poor know where to get fed. Those who prevail economically in the world are the ones who fail to consider the One who has set up systems and wisdom and understanding that enables these people to acquire the access that they have that empowers them.