Apr 19th “Praying for Others is Taking our Vitamins”

“Did you take your  “B and P”  Vitamin”

Just heard part of a story – earlier today – and with just a little bit… or should I say,  a couple of   “nuggets” … will add  something of my own, how do you say wishful thinking … hoping that it will be half-way inspiring?

Sometimes, when we go to Church…  some of  that which the Pastor is saying goes right over our heads, and or we do not think that … whatever was said – certainly does not apply to us.

It may have been good for some people , but just not our cup of tea? 

But … when you have one of your  own children sitting right next to you – and they  can hear everything and are carefully taking in every word  – just as if it was especially meant for them.

AND … while that child is listening  and cannot say anything in Church – but is doing the next best thing – they are jabbing us … with their  pointy elbow – and with enough power… so that you are getting a  strong silent message…  that something important must have been said to them???

So, as we are all leaving the Church – the little girl – maybe 13 years old – tugs on the arm of her Mother and says  – “How come you always ask me – early in the day – “Did you take your VITAMIN, today,  but …

You never ask me…  “Did you read something good from your BIBLE, today?” 

The little girl says further…  “Mom…  don’t you think that my “soul” is starving for the message, which is in the BIBLE – so that I will be with you for all eternity?”

After all is said and done…  what is more important than to be together forever – here and  then – also for all eternity?

As  we are leaving the Church – the Mother caught up with the Pastor and said, “My daughter was paying attention to your special message today – and we decided that from now on – we are also going to be taking all of our “VITAMINS” – and,  that is  on each day – we will be taking some of the “B” vitamins – we will be reading daily … from the BIBLE.

And … just one of the more important daily VITAMINS … for us to start off with,  will be found in the book of  “PSALMS” .

This one BOOK that helps young people gain the daily WISDOM … that is so very vital for discerning the situations… that we have in today’s world!

A second thought that came to me is that…  if one had a  “high blood pressure” condition  as so many have, since … in this world that we live in today…  is turning up-side-down in some of our more important ways of living!

So many find that they are having physical conditions that are giving their “HEART” …  a real hard “work-out” and  have to  NOW seek a “doctor’s”  help.

They NOW… need some help,  as they almost feel that the “heart” is about to blow up,  and it will be “curtains” for them.

 I feel,  that if only one will take a look at “Psalms” and “Proverbs” …  we are then able to find the real…  self-help we really need,  and that our health will  improve so fast…  that with our daily  – Vitamins –  reading the “WORD” …  in a daily fashion,  you will find strength  with … renewed vim and vigor that you almost thought you had lost forever.

As…  I read daily, I  do date the page that I have read,  and sometimes –  you will see that you  are coming  more often – to some very important passages – that – these  really are the prescribed healthy message for over-coming any and all  of our heart aches.

We all – each of us, has a daily problem  but… it is best to  read  deeper, repent – forgive others – and the most important daily message in this world toddy – is to pray  daily for Israel .

 There are extra  special blessings  for all of us  – coming to us –  as we  daily read in our BIBLE,  as there are so many verses, that  spell it out for those who will  but take the time  to find out that,  those who pray for ISRAEL…  will be blessed and those that do not pray for ISRAEL… will not be receiving those extra special  blessings.

I believe in getting all of those special blessings that  the Almighty Yahweh will  give to us … for  our praying and standing up  for Israel!!

 DV

Apr 18th “Some Easter Memories will be Remembered Forever”

“More Easter Times”

Talking about “Easter Times” – reminds me that Easter was not only about Easter Baskets and Chocolate Bunnies and colored eggs – but that there is a reason for us to celebrate  this day…by going to Church.

When I was born, my family lived  across the street from the Perpetual Help Church … and when my Mother was expecting my brother Denny… it was time for us…  a growing family…  to find a larger place,  so we moved to the new location before Denny Jr. was born.

So,  and after several moves, we once more moved back to the North Saint Louis area,  and we were again in the Perpetual Help Parish and of course at this time… I was old enough to go to school at P.H. – that’s what we called the school.

When you go to a Catholic School…  there are NUNS and you start to learn all about “Jesus” and also your part in the participating as a good Catholic child should.

In those days – 1940s – you did a lot of walking… something that children and their parents do not do too much of today???

Of course – there was WWII going on and we in America were all doing our duty – that  – being to give up on all of the “Luxuries” that we could have had – to  help  AMERICA… with the “WAR” effort.

We wanted to be “WINNERS!”

So, I was walking to and from School each and every day – and the walk was several blocks long.

It was very important,  also  for me to be in Church every Sunday…  as the “Nun” that we had…  would ask  us on Monday   – when we  were in School –  “Did you go to Church and was your family with you?”

Also – in those days,  there were lots of extra functions that took place on the School Playgrounds… and if you did not get to Church for the Sunday Bulletin…  “HOW would you ever know what was going on?”  

You did need the weekly bulletin for…  The Bing-go’s – Friday night Fish Fries – Picnics – and all the important Church activities – Weddings – Births – Christenings – and Deaths.

Well, I guess that I must have felt like a big girl… as for this  “EASTER SUNDAY” …  I received a mustard color of a  yellow tweed suit … something extra special for the whole day to wear… but I had to wear it first to services on “EASTER” …  and if you are old enough…you know that whenever you got new shoes, clothes and or anything special…  you must wear  it first to Church.

They didn’t tell me why,  but now that I am older,  I guess it would be nice to let the “True Giver” of all  good gifts to  see you first… and  so  that you could  give  to HIM….  a very special thanks!

So, it is “Easter Sunday” and my family is as I am…  getting ready for Church and  then,  off we go… I do not remember how many blocks that we would walk…  but it was a very beautiful day!

The Sun was out shining and we were enjoying the walk and as kids, skipping around as my parents  walk and talked and finally there we were in Church,  and since it was Easter Sunday… it could have taken a little longer than an hour?

“WOW!”     What a difference an hour makes,  when we started for home…  all of a sudden a heavy “Spring Shower” hit… and we had no umbrellas!

We were getting wet … and all of us in our Sunday Best…  just getting soaked,  faster  and  so nice and  wet!

So…  my DAD said, “Head for the Drug Store-… up on the next corner,  we will take cover there!”

The “Shower” didn’t last too long… but for  ME and my new little suit…  it was shrinking?

There was a silk or satin liner inside,  for this little  suit to hold its shape,  but this suit was not suppose to get  ‘all wet’ – for  this suit to be cleaned, if it would need  cleaning  – it should go the “Cleaners” – so that they could clean it – to keep its  nice shape!

That was one “Easter”  that I’ll never ever  forget… as all that I ever had for years later…  was the little yellow purse – the suit –  I never saw again and never ever  got a chance to wear,  a second time!

Apr 17th “Easter is here today and again”

“EASTER in FLORIDA – 55 YEARS Ago”

          “Remember – EASTER – 04/14/1963”

Easter Sunday and an “EASTER BUNNY” – is all  foreign    information…  for a fifteenth month old baby,  and we can see that baby Al …  sitting in his  “high-chair” … just has no real idea of what all that stuff is doing on the dining room table … and so early in the morning?

The table is set up … for four boys … Tom in high school gets the smallest basket …  and  for  baby Al –… the youngest boy gets the largest basket…

but it is not the size of the basket that makes you feel good … it is all of the sweet treats that are spread out on the table … 

that…  when  being  bigger and older,  you  know  that  there is   more  that your hand can reach for  and grab, and all   without any help,  every  thing   on the table is there,   for each boy  to enjoy  while they   just share and even  enjoy sharing with their class mates when they  can come over!

“The early bird gets the worm” … he who gets up early, can start to try out some of those colorful and fancy wrapped candies,  mostly chocolate,  who wants any thing else… but who will get the  big “Chocolate Bunny”  just maybe  some of the larger size Bunnies  are now made hollow inside,  such a  big disappointment!

I always enjoyed the solid “Chocolate Bunny” as you would have more of the good stuff , and the longer it  will last,  the more you think about  “EASTER”  and all those goodies  and…  I can see you  and your friends  are enjoying “EASTER” – too!”

That’s big brother, Lee  serving baby brother, Al   with some  of the “EASTER” treats … the ones he knows he can give to  baby Al, but … he is big enough and knows  what he likes  as …  Lee has been around  a little longer  and NOW …  can tell  his  little baby  brother, Al ….  all about the way  that things happen on  “EASTER”.

So nice to be the bigger brother, the one who  NOW   knows  and has  all of  the answers…  just knows so  very much more for being  “so” big …  NOW, four years old.

“PHOTOS” taken along time ago… always  have a  very good story,  and help one to also  remember …all of the “GOOD” old days!” ***    *******   D.V. 

Apr 16th “MAKE SOMEONE” feel good, with Notes of LOVE”

Promise Box- Empty or Full?

In reading the BIBLE – there are over 800 hundred “PROMISES” to us – when reading through the BIBLE – you will find these – if you really look for them?

The Golden Grain box was filled with tiny scrolls and came with an instruction card and a delicate pair of tweezers to remove the scrolls.

“Golden Grain Promise Box- A careful selection of Precious Promises from the Word of God for the comfort, cheer and guidance of His Own. Pick out one of the rolls, read and commit to memory the promise, then replace in box. Can be used at morning and evening worship, at any meal table or family gathering, in small Bible Class or Social Company, in Hospital or Infirmary, in private, or in many other ways.”

So many people say that their PRAYERS are not answered – and I’ll bet that – that is because – we overlook the “PROMISES” and of  the understanding of what to expect and how to ask?

One of the things that I plan on doing for my self – is to copy as many Biblical Promises … as I can and put them in a box.

My idea is to have a box handy – so that when I need to feel  that I need an answer from  our Almighty Yahweh…  I will be getting my answer – and or His Promises, by  just checking out exactly, what He has told us.

Some families have a Promise Box in their home and check it for just such a time as this… for a direct word from our Heavenly Father.

My thought on the Promise Box would also work for families that want to do “special things” for the members of their family.

Each family member could make up slips of paper with things that they would be willing to do for another family member, as a special form of “LOVE” or “GRATITUDE” for something that was done for them or even as an “emergency type” … as a  last minute “MAKE SOMEONE” feel good – when you find that this member of the family is … down in the “DUMPS!”

Today everyone seems to be too busy to notice that someone needs a little extra “CHEERING” and there is no time to run out to the store for a “box of candy” – and  also too late in the day to order “FLOWERS” …

but with a “Promise Box” – all of the wonderful thoughts you could think of doing… like something especially nice to do for your family or friends…  they can find a slip in the Promise Box with  some  wonderful feelings,  all written out…  just for such an  occasion as this?

Another idea along the same line – you can make up small cards – hand created with lots of your own “special flair” – that only you can dream up – special things that you want  that someone  extra “SPECIAL” to receive from you – and these would be in a very special hand-crafted envelope that will delight whomever the recipient will be?

Make a  very special “Promise Box” with special messages and or offers of things you will be doing for  “someone special” – those special “ones” you “LOVE” the MOSTEST!