It feels Like Spring

I was walking down the path to my Grandparents old home place and spotted this huge bouquet-like

arrangement of Jonquils. It is hard to believe it is February and there are so many blooms on such a cold morning.  Of course, with temps in the high seventies and near eighty degrees it doesn't come as a total surprise. Today, seventy-six. Tomorrow, highs back down in the low fifties! It is so confusing, we have to carry jackets umbrellas and boots for protection against the elements because you never know what today's weather will be. But, what can we say or do ... we must endure!

  I've been keeping myself quite active since my last visit, trying to get around to friends relatives and acquaintances, importantly, not overdoing it! I have learned the true meaning of "no" and it feels good. 

  I have so much to share with you, especially my latest project, however, I need to finish therapy (the last phase) then, I'll be able to devote more time to blogging. I hope your day is filled with rays-of -sunshine and hope. But, if not...create warmth and happiness in your heart...

Warmest Regards...

LT 

Don't Put It Off...Do It Now!

                     
From the pages of the 
Enterprise Newspaper
Columnist: Loretta T.



  I had to laugh at my visual this week because it really says a lot about this week’s column.
Like me, I am sure we all have at one time or another, made personal resolves to do something then, put it off…and, keep pushing it back repeatedly. Soon, the entire day is gone and that task to be done is still waiting for us, right?

  Oh dear, I am so guilty…sad to say! I am sitting here at my desk typing this and thinking about several things I have push to the side since the weekend. I dislike the word…”eventually” because this is how it all gets started. My resolves of…I’ll get to it eventually, I’ll do it late or, tomorrow, or just simply not get it done at all really reflects a laziness about myself that I hate to admit. 

 The phone will ring when I’ve started a task and I sit and talk especially to Mom, and when she’s done someone else calls. Then, yeah, you guessed it…I’ve allowed other things to cause me to put it off!

  Unless we promptly carry out the task at hand while the desire is burning brightly in our hearts, we may find that we will continually put it off! Sometimes, when this happens with me, it leads to my forgetting about it or, I’ll give up on the whole idea. To avoid falling in this regard, we need to recognize that the complexities of modern-day living make us forget our good intentions. Matters do come up unexpectedly, some of which demand our immediate attention.

  However, by not letting small matters dictate our course of action, we will more likely fulfill our good intentions much to the joy of our family. Procrastination or, the putting off of matters for another time is nourished by the tendency to take thing for granted. How is this? Example: husbands and wives need to guard against the complacent feeling of taking each other for granted. 

  They should take advantage of the numerous opportunities to do thoughtful little things for each other. Do not get into the habit of delaying doing good things for the other because none of us knows what the next day will bring, let along the next week! 
  

  You don’t need to wait to make an elaborate gesture to express how you feel about your spouse, then postpone giving to him/her. Today there are many persons who are plagued in this world with remorse and regrets. Among them are those who never appreciated what they had until they've lost it. 

                                   

   Then, there are others who kept putting off what they wanted to do until it as too late…the spouse either died or they divorced. That left this one haunted by memories of what could have been but was not. 

               

I hope, like me, you realize why putting thing off is such a serious matter. We need to overcome the tendency to put off doing things, especially that which is beneficial and good.

Be resolved …Don’t put it off; do it now!

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Equal Work Deserves Equal Pay

 Taken from the pages of...
The Mansfield Enterprise
Columnist Loretta Thomas

        Are Worker Worthy of Their Wages...

   You see them dirty muddy blacken with dust; some bent laboring in broiling heat, then, trying to straighten their backs. From sun up to sun down six and seven days a week they toil in factories, mines, quarries, driving trucks and equipment…working hard to finish the task assigned to them. Many do so because they have concluded, “I’ll probably be doing this my whole life…what else am I going to do; we are already at the bottom of the barrel!” To add insult to injury their wages are at poverty level according to American Standards!

  

  If you look at what type of jobs these worker have you will see…they are the ones who help to bring food to our tables, build our roads and bridges, bring electricity gas and oil to us…all the necessary daily needs that we depend on, and they do so in most cases for meager wages with no raise, bonus…and are among the ones living in poverty! Residents in Mansfield with income below 50% of the poverty level is 10.6% whereas, the whole State is 7.2%! This, people, is significant percentages of residents living in poverty!
  
  In some form or the other in all businesses here you will see “EQUALITY”… It has to be especially if there are employees. By law, equal work does deserve equal pay according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 23 where it states: “Everyone who works has the right to just and favorable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family as existence worthy of human dignity.” Sadly, It is evident that most of these Articles remain unfulfilled promises considering how some of the lofty rights mentioned in the declaration works out in everyday life!
  

  Is it fair for me to ask, “Are you aware of the things I’ve mentioned above? Do you know that when we come into work each and everyday, perform and carry out all duties assigned, and when we leave there, we are returning to our families who are hungry cold and living in substandard homes…are you aware we don’t have food for our children to eat?” You see, I know this because…I have seen it…faced it…and yes, lived it! 
  
  Mortgages or rent, insurances, utilities and doctor bills will rip through a paycheck with little left for anything else. That is why we are called…The Working Poor! That is why our children are poor…it is like a vicious cycle from generation to generation…
  

  Cost of living is rising…folks feel as if they’re doing the same job for less pay each year. Is it possible that you as employees can adjust your pay according to the cost of living? Or offer fair incentives, bonuses? Thinking through your compensation strategy will help to retain and motivate good workers cut down on turnovers absenteeism, negative morale, and workers will take pride in their accomplishments!

  In that same Declaration, Article 25 states: “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food, clothing housing and medical care.”
  

  We work hard, but still…we can’t make it…we have sore backs but empty purses! Please, consider making adjustments for your loyal faithful and hard workers who have stuck by you through it all…we need you just as you’ve needed us! Don’t you think we are worthy?

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The Devil More Than Just Superstition

Taken from the pages of The Enterprise...
 By Columnist: Loretta Thomas                                            



  Do you watch television or go to movies, especially when a new movie premieres? If you answered yes, then, I’d like to ask, “Have you noticed the subject matter of new movies now, not to mention some old and new television shows? Think a bit before you answer. My point is: now, all attention is drawn to vampires, werewolves, witches, devil, e.g. devil babies; worshipers, etc.; bloody killings, guns, drugs and other gory things…if these are your recollections then, you are so right! 

  I realize we are living in a constant changing world…in different times but, why are all the above debasing things we see so prevalent, yes, common in the world today? Do you have any ideas or justifications as to why? Let’s reason on this for a moment. 
  
For centuries old superstitions always depicted the devil as half human and half beast. They thought of him as a horned cloven-hoofed creature clad in red and using a pitchfork to cast wicked into hell. Well, the Bible does not support these ideas. Undoubtedly, such misconceptions have cause millions to question the existence of the Devil or to think that the term only applies to a principle of evil.

  Let’s put this to rest now! If the devil didn’t exist, why did Jesus believe he was real? Our Lord believed it because He saw the devil in the spirit realm! Too, it was a real being that attacks Him and tried to tempt Him with his kingdom and who is called the “ruler of this world”! Read Scriptural prove at: John 14:30; Matthew 4: 1-11 NKJV.

 Further, Jesus knew there were other creatures supporting Satan in his wicked schemes. Didn’t He when on earth cure “demon possessed” people?” In His ministry Jesus spoke of the devil and his demons…we can learn a lot about them when considering His words to the religious leaders in John 8:44 NKJV.
  
Don’t for one instance underestimate the devil! He is a formidable foe (enemy) 1 Peter 5:6-9 NIV tells us in part: “Your enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” He is no vague principle of evil residing in our imperfect flesh. We have a daily struggle against our own sinful inclinations, Romans 7:18-20 NKJV. But the real struggle is “against the world ruler of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12 NKJV.)

  How widespread is the devil’s influence? His influence encompasses the whole world. (1Jonh 5:19) We don’t want to become obsessed with the devil or allow superstitious fear of him to paralyze us. However, we are wise to stay alert to his efforts to blind us to the truth and to break our integrity to God. The devil does not always use brutal means to attack those who want to serve God. Too, we don’t want to play into his hands by dabbling into anything connected to his schemes. We want to be like Jesus and repeatedly refer to God’s word for guidance. We want to pray incessantly!
Our Lord Jesus said, “He, the devil, has no hold on me.” (John 14:30 NWT) May satan the devil never get a hold on us!   

Please feel free to leave a comment. We wish you a Happy Weekend... May God Bless!
Loretta

A Perfect Ransom for All Mankind

From the pages of the Enterprise Newspaper
By Loretta Thomas...

 The birth of a baby…a miraculous conception, who as an adult became King of Kings, and He was a Mighty God…the Son of Almighty God!  This man was Jesus Christ. How did God’s Son become a perfect ransom for all mankind?
  
  During the course of history, there have been people who sacrificed their lives so that fellow humans might continue to live a few more years. What these people did has been viewed as noble and praiseworthy. Among those, laying down their lives was one whose death accomplished far more than that of all the others combined. This man was Jesus Christ. But, why was such a costly ransom price needed? 
   

  
  His sacrificial death on an execution stake laid the basis for humans to gain, not just a few additional years of life, but unending life. (Acts 5:30-31 NI). That Jesus Christ death accomplished so much has not been easy for most people to understand. When people’s lives are threatened by fire, floods, and the likes, the need for action and the benefits resulting there can be readily seen. But, it has proved to be an entirely different matter with Jesus laying down His life. Many have allowed His sacrificial death to be an obstacle to their embracing Worship of the Living and True God.
  
  The ransom involved needed to be one that could balance matters. What did this entail? At the time, the first man Adam transgressed God’s law; he forfeited perfect human life with its rights and prospects. Adam as an imperfect man now could only father imperfect offspring; men and women who would be incapable of measuring up to the Creator’s perfect standards. As the Bible puts it, “One man’s fall brought condemnation on everyone”. – Romans 5:18 Jerusalem Bible.

 Such a ransom for humankind must result in a balancing on the scale of justice…of what was forfeited. Adam lost perfect human life! So, the ransom price for the human race would have to be a perfect human life. Only a perfect human life could balance the scale of perfect justice. Not one of Adams descendants could provide such a precious price for himself or for anyone else. The incapability of mankind is well described in Scripture at Psalms 49: 7-9 NI, “No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him…the ransom for a life is costly; no payment is ever enough…that he should live on forever and not see decay.” 
  
  So, the Son of God lay down His perfect human life in sacrifice, thereby furnishing the valuable price needed for ransoming the human race Luke 1:35. He voluntarily stepped in and accepted the penalty that was meant for us. Notice what the apostle Peter wrote at 1 Peter 2:24 NI. In thus giving His soul, a ransom in exchange for many Jesus Christ brought the human race Matthew 20:28. 

  Thanks to our God for His boundless mercy in providing the ransom price needed for counterbalancing what was lost for us through Adam’s sin. Only the precious life of Jesus could meet the requirements of perfect justice. May God’s provisions move everyone to “want” to measure up to His requirements for having the sin atoning benefits of His Son’s sacrifice applied in their behalf. 

Today's Moral Breakdown

At Home with Loretta...
From The Pages Of The Enterprise Newspaper...
                                             
             Today's Moral Breakdown



  I was trying to find a nice old movie to watch on television Sunday since LBP, public broadcasting station, has been fundraising. It was hard to find anything decent for my husband and me to watch together. I wince, yes cringe when some scenes come on the screen; and to think, children have access to the same basic cable channels.

  Yes, this breakdown is everywhere infecting every facet of society. Today, society seemingly is in a values vacuum. Reasoning of the majority seems to be: ‘each lifestyle is an acceptable alternative, be tolerant of mine and I’ll be tolerant of yours’. You do your thing and I’ll do mine. To each his own…there are many ways to go, and each is right; nothing is wrong! There is no sin anymore! Stand up for your rights. 

  Why whisper peacefully when you can turn up the volume with violence…it’s a form of free speech. Sex is open to expression with whomever you choose and in any way you want. Obscenity is art. Live and let live.’ Or, is it ‘die and let die’? Surely, you have heard some, if not all of these phrases. What was your reaction?

    People have very precise ideas about what’s right and wrong. What is moral and immoral; what’s honorable and dishonorable. The entire inventory of ideas about virtue, morality, honor, and ethics has been made to seem illogical, inhumane and unacceptable. 

  The ideas that became dominant exalted individuality, asserted the views of each to live according to self-determined goals. Now the acceptable mores are to be tolerated. Unfortunately, in this new philosophy, it is forbidden to forbid! The disastrous consequences of this philosophy have continued to escalate.

   Everyday newspapers, magazines, newscast, movies and television programs reflect the decline in traditional values. The barrage of this is so steady and unrelenting people have become numb to it! They are no longer scandalized by scandals as we were during our times. People are no longer outraged by news of the things happening in the world today that were shocking to older ones during our times.

  A good example is today’s music…it generates contempt for parents, for older generations, race and social institutions that oppose their lifestyle. Their goal is to offend, shock and grab attention with lyric that are outpourings of crude, uncouth, vile and loathsome gutter filth, crammed full of brutal abuse and degradation of women; sex, violence, drug use, violent rapes. There is no limit to the gross obscenities glorified. What a dying, decaying society we find ourselves living in today!

  Sadly, pretending it doesn't touch us is irrational…it is all around us! We need stabilizing limits and guidelines. We need desperately to work in the direction of human dignity. We need to return to the original source of true morals and values. Is it even possible in all this degradation that is permeating our world today?  

Submitted By: Loretta Thomas                                                                          

   Another Article from the pages of The Mansfield Enterprise...                                             
                                     
At Home with Loretta... 
It Never Stops…Hurting...Domestic Violence

   Some women go through abuse to protect their children, to save their lives or the lives of other family members. They pray no one ever knows... however, something always tells them everyone does. Somehow, they get through the madness, through the brutal beatings, through the heartless humiliation done to them and against them. They know they are not doing this alone because daily they pray fervently for help!

  
  However, sometimes when you pray for deliverance seemingly, it doesn't come..."How Lord can I take anymore beatings," you plead. Then, you find yourself praying death will end it all. You quickly block this thought from your mind as you think about the girls...what will happen to them? Will he beat them? Will be assault them too? "Oh Lord, please let me endure this abuse for the sake of my girls. I have to live...I want to live...Please don't let me leave them Lord...please don't let me die!"
  
  Hello, you know my name from blogging these few years...but what you don't know is... I was a victim of domestic violence!

  God answered my prayers! Somehow I made it through the years; even though the abuser is no longer here, I still live traumatized. Dreams and reminders are vividly persistent. 
  Screams leave my lips with sounds that are unfamiliar even to me as I awaken in the night terrified and in a cold sweat. It’s still very real in my mind and especially my dreams when I wake screaming for mercy only to realize it’s just a dream. 
 The profanity, the hurtful degrading words and degrading actions against my body and the bloody beatings  the name-calling all are indelible in my memory.

   The brutal beatings have left my body weakened with pain from broken bones that have obviously healed improperly. Doctor visits…unheard of for fear my secret will come out. And, if I did muster up courage to go...doors, falls, foreign objects and my clumsiness were the fists and feet that assaulted me.

  The disfigurements, especially the ones you can’t hide vulgarly stares back at you from mirrors. The diseases, others filth visited upon you make the affliction unbearable to live with. And when the depression set in, you pray this most foul existence ends.

                Children living in the home of an abuser

  You are even more horrified when your child grows up to use this same violence and abuse he’s witnessed against you. You pray it hasn't rubbed off on him, but in your heart, you know its true…inescapably so! 

I am so thankful that I have God in my life and I am living my life and walking in His way. Yes, I was a victim of domestic violence when I was younger. 

But, walking in the way of the Lord and having a husband like James has taught us both how He intend couples to live in harmony together. Now, I am a Survivor!

  This secret behind closed doors and shuttered windows is the worst against families in the history of its arrangement. Lives are shattered. It affects us all. It leaves its mark on innocent babies, children, teens, and adults. Abuse always hurt! 
  It is a pattern of behavior that’s used to establish power and control over one who is intimated by their abuser with threats, and acts of violence. Yes, domestic abuse knows no boundaries; it affects persons of all cultures, ages, education, religions, and nationality.

  Violence begins in the heart and mind. James 1:14,15 explains the way one act begins with how one thinks. So, the abuser needs to transform his way of thinking Romans 12:2.   God’s word has the power to change a person. It says, “So husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies, he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh Ephesians 5: 28, 29 (A part is quoted here). 1 Peter 3:7 tell husbands to assign his wife “honor as a weaker vessel”. 

  Our Creator purposed families to live in love and peace, not violence and smiling behind fear and pain. Men, husbands, fathers, “Use your “hands” and “hearts” to help and love your families, not to hurt them!

  Click on the chart above to see the signs Of domestic violence. Don't suffer in silence...report abuse! Domestic Violence is against the LAW REPORT IT TODAY!!
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What Brought Our Savoir To Tears

From the Pages of our hometown paper
the column...                                              
                           At Home with Loretta Thomas 

                               Jesus weeping 

   When a loved one dies, we naturally shed tears because we will miss him/her. Though Jesus had affection for Lazarus, he did not give way to tears because Lazarus died, rather he shed tears out of compassion for the bereaved, as indicated by the context of John’s account. (John 11:36)
  
  When our Lord Jesus first heard that Lazarus was sick he did not rush to Lazarus’ bedside to cure him. The account says: “When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, then he actually remained two day in the place where he was.” (John 11:6) You are no doubt wondering, just as I, why did Jesus delay going to him? Well, he had a purpose in doing so. Notice what Jesus said in John 11:4. Now, can you see why Jesus waited to see Lazarus? 

  Let’s explain it a bit further. Death was not the “object” or end result of Lazarus’ sickness. Jesus intended to use Lazarus’ death “for the glory of God.” How? Jesus was about to perform a spectacular miracle by raising his dear friend from the grave! 
  In his discussion with his disciples on this occasion Jesus compared death to a sleeplike state. That is why he told them he was “journeying there to awaken Lazarus from sleep.” (John 11:11) To Jesus, raising Lazarus from the dead would be like a parent waking his child from a nap. So there was no reason for him to be pained over Lazarus’ death itself.
  
  What, then, moved Jesus to give way to tears? Again, the context provides the answer. When Jesus met Lazarus’ sister Mary and saw her and others weeping, he ‘groaned in the spirit.’ That was why “Jesus gave way to tears.” It greatly saddened Jesus to see his beloved friends stricken with grief. (John 11: 33, 35)
  This account demonstrates that Jesus has the power and ability to bring our loved ones back to life and health in the coming new world. It also helps us to appreciate that Jesus has fellow feelings for those who have lost loved ones to Adamic death. Another lesson we can learn from this account is that we should have compassion for those who are grieving over the death of their loved ones. 

   Jesus knew that he was going to resurrect Lazarus. Still, he gave way to tears, moved by his deep love and compassion for his friend. Likewise, our empathy may move us to “weep with people who weep.” (Romans 12:15) How appropriate, then, that Jesus set an example of showing sympathy for the bereaved by sincerely shedding tears even though he was about to raise Lazarus. 

  Too, what a wonderful promise from The Grand Creator… resurrecting our loved ones…Jesus demonstrated what the resurrection will mean for mankind in general…He will raise them from sleeping in death just as he did Lazarus to the possibility of an everlasting perfect life in a righteous new world! What a thrilling prospect for all who chose to live according to His way...    

The World As We Know It

Taken from the pages of the 
Mansfield Enterprise Newspaper By Loretta

Living in Today’s World

   Living in this world and in these times today are brutal…have you noticed? “In these last days it’s going to be hard to be a Christian.” Scripture tells us from 2 Timothy 3:1 LBV.

 Everything is and has changed so much we live in a morally depleted world! People just don’t have natural affection for others anymore. You know, feelings of empathy, because apathy rules! Lying, stealing cheating are all normal occurrences. They have no self-control; they are fierce brutal against their fellow man. 
  
  Look at the recent crime perpetrated against another right here among us, and how the victim’s remains were hidden. How an eight year old took his 90 year old's life after watching a game. Who can forget the young singer Miley C vulgar performance on national TV? Gyrating sexual suggestive moves in a flesh colored skimpy attire that made even other entertainers react shocked. How degrading…an enormous insult against all women’s dignity, and decency! What was your reaction? And, the male singer with his vulgar words that are beeped to a song…appalling!   
  
  Lastly, the horrific crime of using chemicals in Syria against women and children…how inhumane! This merciless brutal atrocity was shown on television…Oh the suffering and their pain was too hard to watch! All because of man’s hatred…they supposedly have a form of Godly devotion but, are proving false to its power. The True God would never approve such carnage in the name of Worship! Instead of following in the footsteps of Christ, they are blindly following men to their end. Jeremiah 10:23. 
  
  Besides this crime and violence…there are home invasions, kidnappings, and now we have to protect our precious pets from being snatched also. What’s next? You and I well know there isn’t anything or anyone here on earth that will/can change the scene of this world. There has to be a higher power just as it was back in Noah’s day and all other times when our God intervened. Would you agree man will never be able to put an end to what’s happening in the world today?

 People have changes…their views, morals, personalities and the world has too. Language is another area that has drastically changes. One noted celebrity Katie C commented, “Others around her are quite comfortable with today’s language…since when is cursing in public okay?” What has happened to standards? That F*** word is so disgusting to me! However, most have no problems with hearing or using it! It rolls of their tongues with the greatest of ease. Isn't it obvious…the more curse words that are used the less shocking it is hearing them to most. With some, every other word form their mouth is a curse word. You see and hear them everywhere…TV, internet, social medias. 
  
  The casual use of cursing is a prominent sign of the changes we are living with in this old world. The way we interact with one another is indicative of how we treat and respect each other. 

  Don’t expect respect from others…if you don’t have respect for yourself! Does this make sense? Yes, changes are good even beneficial but, cursing/profanity is not. 
Read Ephesians 5: 1-3 & Colossians 3: 8 both in the NIV. 

  Go to: http://www.mansfieldenterprise.com/ my hometown newspaper to see what's happening in our small town and meet our town folk...
  

Funny Quotes & Sayings

I've always believed the old saying, "If you can't beat 'em join 'em"! I needed a little laughter in my day and I went out searching for a source...rather poor source, but hey...it got the job done!
  Join me as I read these funny quotes and sayings...I'm sure they will bring a little hilarity to your day too. Let's begin...

I know just seeing if you're paying attention!

I love these things, and believe me...if I don't get a laugh from them they sure will put a big smile on my face! 
  Hope you enjoyed them... come on back to visit, maybe we'll have some more! Until then stay happy and be happy... laughter is good for what ails ya!" 

Have-a-good-one!
Loretta