Starlight's Ramblings

"DISCOVERING THE BIBLE"

2012-01-30T18:05:00.006-06:00

The information for this study was taken from the Church of God (7th Day) Sabbath School Quarterly. I found it fascinating. Hope you will also. I started this once before but never finished. Starlight*

Much is at stake in this book we call the Bible. The Church of God (7th Day) may rightly be called "a people of the Book." Early pioneers of the movement were unwavering in their commitment to "the Bible and the Bible alone." This commitment has influenced the Church throughout its history, evidence by its strong Bible emphasis and the name of its flagship publication Bible Advocate. The current General Conference vision includes the phrase Bible-based, indicating the Church's continued commitment to the authority and sufficiency of the Bible; the commitment to preach and teach God's Word as inspired, inerrant, infallible, and authoritative; the commitment to going deeper and deeper into God's school of wisdom, even in our age of biblical illiteracy.

This series is designed to examine the claims Christians make concerning the Bible and to base our answers on the Bible's own commentary about itself. What do we mean when we say that the Bible is inspired and inerrant? How can we be sure that the Bible we hold in our hands conveys the message of the original authors? This series will provide a concise survey or overview of this library of sixty-six books. One part of the series encourages a deeper love for the Bible. The final part explores the meaning of biblical authority.

The Bible says that it is not the result of any private human effort but the result of the Holy Spirit's supernatural guidance or superintendence of the thoughts and writings of holy men of old who "spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21). The Holy Spirit not only inspired the writing of Scripture but also opens the eyes of those who read the Bible so that what might ordinarily remain words on a page become beautiful words of life. This is called the doctrine of illumination. May the Lord Jesus Christ, the Living Word open our eyes to the richness and beauty of His written Word, through the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible: AN AMAZING BOOK
The key text for this section is Psalm 19. In Psalm 19 it uses terms such as "fine gold" and "honey" to describe God's law. The Scriptures are rich and beautiful.

To fully capture the richness and beauty of the Bible would require many pages. So let us summarize with the familiar list "The Seven Wonders of the Bible"
1. The wonder of its formation
2. The wonder of its unification
3. The wonder of its age
4. The wonder of its sale
5. The wonder of its interest
6. The wonder of its language
7. The wonder of its preservation
Let's look briefly at each wonder of the Bible.

Its formation. The Bible is a library of sixty-six books, written by some forty authors, over a period of approximately 1,500 years. Though many authors of the Bible's books were contemporaries, most were strangers to one another, making it a wonder how this marvelous library of books has been assembled.

Its unification. The diversity of backgrounds, time periods, and perspectives from which these authors wrote, without contradiction and in perfect harmony, is another remarkable fact of the Bible, and proof of its divine origin.

Its age. The oldest book of the Bible is believed to be Job, covering events that occurred prior to the times of Abraham and Moses. (note: then why isn't it put in before the books that deal with Abraham and Moses?) The precise date of Job's writing is uncertain (the time of events and the date of their recording are different.) The millenniums that have passed since portions of the Bible were written put it in a class all by itself. It's the oldest book ever written, still in circulation.

Its sale. Hands down, the Bible is the best-selling book of all time. Organizations such as the American Bible Society have kept count of Bibles they have distributed. ABS presented the two billionth copy of the Bible to US President Gerald Ford in a ceremony at the White House in 1978.

Its interest. Interest in the Bible extends beyond the boundaries of Judaism and Christianity. Skeptics of the faith, scientist, archaeologists, and scholars from every background have pored over the Scriptures throughout the centuries, curious about its contents.

Its language. The bible was written in Hebrew (Old Testament), and Greek and Aramaic (New Testa-
ment); and has been translated into thousands of languages of people and groups on every continent of the world.

Its preservation. The survival of ancient manuscripts of the Bible over thousands of years, despite catastrophic events in which they could have been destroyed; the failure of enemies of the kingdom to take the Bible out of circulation; and its ongoing distribution in places where it is forbidden, all speak to the great wonder of its preservation.

The purpose of this study is to foster greater appreciation and love for this amazing Book. The following comments by an anonymous author are helpful in this regard, and serve as fitting conclusion to this Introduction:

The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass the soldier's sword, the Chrisitan's charter. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Chris is the grand object, our good is its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mind of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened in the judgment, and will be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy.

"EARTHQUAKE WEEKEND"

2011-11-06T22:32:00.008-06:00

Still having problems posting my blog from my home computer. Need to see what is going on. I now know I can come to the library to post it. Just do all the typing at home.

There are two subjects I want to blog about. The first being a follow up on my mammo and ultra sound. They found a cyst on my right side. My family doctor referred me to a surgeon to see about getting a biopsy done. It is the same doctor that did my mom's back in 1999, Dr. Tim Bower. Just to see him to look at my records and give me his recommendations will cost me $95.00. I was then told biopsies are expensive. So with no insurance, I will have to work with the hospital to pay it out. Not so sure I want to have one done. I am sure I need to, since my mom had breast cancer, to make sure it isn't cancerous. From there we will see. I covet your prayers. I am praying it isn't cancer and they can just remove the cyst. If it is cancerous, I pray they can get all of it when they do the biospy and that be the end of it. I am not so sure I want to take treatments. I am pretty sure I don't want a masectomy. What I really pray for is God's will be done and he show me the direction I should go.

The Bible says in the last days there will be earthquakes in many places. Usually you don't hear of earthquakes in Oklahoma, although I was just reading about earthquakes in Oklahoma and it is documented that Oklahoma has about 50 earthquakes a year, but many are too small in magnitude to be felt. The state does have faults that are buried deep, like the Wizetta Fault, also known as the Seminole Uplift, east of Oklahoma City, where pressure can build. There is also Meeker's Fault in northwestern Oklahoma around Caddo.

Since mid-2009, the state has had 10 times more earthquakes than normal. In 2010, the earth beneath Oklahomans’ feet moved more than 1,000 times, but only 100 or so were strong enough to be felt. Oklahoma does not rest atop the fractious areas where two tectonic plates rub against each other. But the state’s geophysical activity has only been surveyed in earnest for about 50 years, making it difficult to draw conclusions or put the recent activity into context.

Pressure is released as tremors like those that startled residents over the weekend in Prague, Okla., where the visible damage on Sunday morning included chimneys that had collapsed onto houses. In a house on North Road, a china cabinet was emptied of its contents, which were smashed. Parts of Highway 62 between Prague and Meeker buckled. In Lincoln County, cracks ran up the brick courthouse in Chandler after a smaller quake early Saturday morning. Since the Saturday night quake, there have been over 20 after shocks that measured above 2.5 on the Richter scale.

At least 8 earthquakes were felt during a 24 hour period, kicking off Saturday morning November 5, 2011. It's epicenter was near Prague, about 50 miles east of Oklahoma City and measured 4.7 in magnitude. That quake happened about 2:12 a.m. From an article in the New York Times Saturday and Sunday November 5 & 6 the Earth moved at least 23 times and had nothing to do with football. The quakes by Midwestern standards, shook towns about an hours drive northeast of Oklahoma City. They began early Saturday and continued intermittenly through the weekend. The biggest Saturday night's quake was shallow, about three miles deep, and the epicenter was four miles east of Sparks, Oklahoma. Sparks is about 44 miles northeast of Oklahoma City. It occured at 10:53 p.m. and was 5.6 in magnitude. It could be felt throughout the state and in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, northern Texas and some parts of Illinois and Wisconsin.

Oklahoma has had big earthquakes before. USGS records show a 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck El Reno, just west of Oklahoma City, in 1952 and, before Oklahoma became a state in 1907, a quake of similar magnitude 5.5 struck in northeastern Indian Territory in 1882. My mom said when my brother and I were quiet young she felt and heard an earthquake at our home in Claremore, Oklahoma. The first one I ever felt was back in October of 2010. My youngest daughter and I heard a rumbling like thunder and then our house shook. We didn't know what it was until hearing about it later. We definitely felt the 5.6 one Saturday night. Our house shook for about a minute. My daughter heard it first. We didn't feel the first one at 2:12 a.m. but several at church felt it. Tonight just a few seconds ago, we heard a rumbling and couldn't decide whether it was an after shock or thunder. Must have been thunder because it is now raining outside. During the thunder storms we felt another quake. It coming from the same area as the first two. It was a 4.7 in magnitude.

This has Oklahoman's wondering if there will be more and how soon. There's no way to predict when the next one will be. Many are beginning to wonder what will be next. We have had a record blizzard, record tornado and now record earthquakes. As I said in the beginning, just a sign of the end times. It could be very soon. That is why we should be ready at any moment. It is an experience I won't forget very soon.

I hope you found something of interest in this posting. Take care all.

God Bless!
Starlight*

Happy Sabbath

2011-10-09T10:10:00.010-05:00

I tried posting a blog yesterday. In the beginning everything was okay. Later I went back to edit my post and it wouldn't let me save or publish the post. A note at the bottom came up that said: javascript:void(0). Didn't say anything about needing an update of java. So I deleted yesterday's post and am trying a new one. We will see what happens. So far it is saving. Hopefully it will let me publish.

I wanted you to remember the Carr Family in your prayers. Brother Charles Carr passed away from his fight with cancer. I want you to remember the family in your prayers. He was a member of the Conroe, Texas COG7. His daughter Becky is married to my cousin Tony Riggs. The viewing was to be today Sunday October 9, 2011. Memorial Service this afternoon at 1:00 p.m. Burial tomorrow Monday October 10, 2011. Donations in his name were to go to the COG7 or a Children's Camp. I don't know details about the camp. You will have to get in contact with the family if you want more details.

I need your prayers. I went for my yearly mammogram back in September. I am high risk because my mother is a survivor of breast cancer. She was diagnosed back in 1999 and had to have a single masectomy. For the last two years, I have had to have a follow up one on one side or the other. This year was no different. So far the results have not been cancerous. I am pretty confident it will be the same this time. The problem is, I don't have medical insurance. I am self pay. My medical bill is getting quite high. I had to seek a new doctor because mine moved his practice to another location. That cost more to get established with a new one. I also had to have blood work and the mammogram. In the blood work it was found I have high colestrol. The doctor put me on a medication which is very costly. Another office visit for follow up, which was cheaper than the first one. The mammo came back irregular. I had to have another one done on my right side plus an ultra sound. The doctor is now wanting me to come back in for a consolutation on the findings. I cannot afford another doctor visit. For all of this it has cost me way to much. I don't have the money to keep going back to the doctor. Please pray that all is well.

One more situation that needs your prayers. Back on the second Sabbath in September, we had a lady and her daughter visit our congregation. She had moved from another state and was looking for a local Sabbath Keeping church. She found ours by our website. I am the administrator of the website and it made me feel good that the website was being viewed. The problem is they haven't been back. I thought they felt welcome. It was the sabbath for lunch after the Worship Service. I visited with them after the service and invited them to stay for lunch. They stayed and ate at the table with my brother and his family.

In talking to them I thought she told me she was on facebook. I cannot find her to get in contact. I am troubled because I think I misled her to believe we are part of the Church of God organization that meets on Sunday and that we believe in the gift of speaking in tongues. I have a feeling that is why they haven't been back. I wanted to clear that up. I went to the local website and posted on there that we were not part of the Church of God organization that meets on Sunday and that we do not believe in the gift of tongues. I am praying she will go back and see that and possibly come again. I have no contact information. I know what road she lives on but not the house number.

I pray that I can either get in touch with her or she will see the website and contact the local church again. I feel so bad about this. When talking to her I didn't realize what she might have thought I meant from an answer to a question of hers. I pray God will clear this up and we will see them again soon, if it is meant to be.

Hopefully this post will be on my blog. I don't know what was going on yesterday. I didn't like the format of the post and I condensed it. Maybe that was meant to be. Maybe God felt it wasn't quite right. Have a good week.

God Bless!

Starlight*

P.S. Tried posting this again and no luck. I went to work at the library and got on one of their computers. It will let me post from here. Something must be wrong with my java script on the computer at home.

"Nice Fall Day"

2011-10-02T17:18:00.005-05:00

Where has the year gone? We are now in the beginning of October. It doesn't even seem we had Summer. Except for the temperature breaking weather we had this year. We had many days of 103 to 110 temperatures. Glad to see that change. We had those temps up into the beginning of September. I was beginning to think the hot weather would be with us for many more weeks. Sure glad I was wrong. Today was a very pleasant day.

I was looking back at the last post I made. It was back in July at the time of our vacation. I didn't realize it had been that long since I had been on here. It was just my husband and I this year. Our youngest daughter usually goes with us, but this year we left her behind. She is all grown up. It's hard to believe she is 20 years old. It seems like just yesterday we were having her 18th Birthday Party at the Lake.

I am still holding down two part-time jobs. I didn't know whether I would make it at the Child Care Center or not. I kept two little girls in my home for about 5 years and I was told it would be easier at a center. Boy were they wrong! I take care of 2-4 year old children. Usually I have about 9 on average. Some days I have had up to 15. That was during the Summer. School has started, so we don't have any of the school children until after school. All the babies have turned one, but we are suppose to have a new one this month. We are also suppose to soon have another 2 year old. When that happens, my class will be split into two. There will be the 2 year old room (which is mine) and then a 3 & 4 year old room. We have pre-school classes for the 3 & 4 year olds. Since the 2 year olds are with them, we have a class for all children 2-4, but it doesn't work real well. The 2 year olds aren't quite ready to be still long enough to have a class. I have trouble with some of the 3 & 4 year olds, but for the most part, they are excited about having pre-school.

I am still at the library as one of the Assistant Librarians. I have held this job twice in the years I have been at the library. Back in 2000 I was hired as the Assistant Librarian. I kept that job for 5 years. Then the Director retired and they didn't hire a new one right off. I was interim director for about 3 months, later being hired as the director. I had been interim director before I was hired as Assistant Librarian back in 2000. Our Director then, had retired and they hadn't hired a new one yet. So I got to run the place by myself for about 3 months at that time. It is a lot of work. Even more so since we have the public access computers. Hopefully I will retire from the library in another 3 to 6 years. Depending on if I retire at 62 or wait until 65. I enjoy my job at the library very much. The only time I wasn't really happy with it, was toward the end of my Director's position. I had been the director for 3 years. I got stressed out and quit for about 10 months. Came back as fill in until I was hired part-time as an Assistant Librarian.

I had a purpose and an idea of what I wanted to put on my blog today, when I first decided to get on. Now I am blank and can't remember what the idea was. That is one thing that is aggravating about getting old, loss of memory. I have forgotten lots of time. I guess there just wasn't much for me to be excited about during those periods. Nothing made much of an impression. I don't remember alot of my school years. I know I attended school, I remember most of my classmates but memories of actually being there, I have very few.

Since I can't remember what I was going to post today, I will call it quits. What I have posted probably isn't very interesting to anyone. But as I have said time and time again, I started my blog for me. For my mental health. It has done it's job. I will probably continue to forget to get on here at least every couple of weeks or so and blog. Oh well, that's okay.

Good day to all. Have a great evening and God Bless.

Starlight*

"Hot Days of July"

2011-07-24T01:33:00.010-05:00

Wow, can't believe it has been since the end of May that I wrote on my blog. Working two jobs is hard and tiring. But they are only part-time jobs so the work week isn't that long. I find when I come home in the evenings I am to tired to care about house work. I don't have time in the morning before work Monday, Wednesday and Friday, because my work day starts about 7:00 a.m. I have to get motivated and do my shopping and cleaning on a Tuesday or Thursday morning, the days I work at the library and don't have to be there to open until noon. On Friday I don't go to the library until 1:00 p.m. That is my shortest day. I work from 7:00 a.m. til 12:00 noon at the Day Care and then go to work at the library from 1:00 p.m. til 4:30 p.m. That makes for a tiring day.

Here in Oklahoma we have been having record breaking tempatures. It's not August and we are already having very hot days. The hotest days are usually in August, so I just pray hotter days aren't on the way. We need rain. The governor of our state asked for us to pray for rain. We need it now. The gardens, flowers and trees are burning up, as well as the people. It's to hot to work in the yard. You can become over heated very fast.

My Wedding Anniversary is Sunday. We were married on a Sunday, July 24, 1977. It will be 34 years for us. We usually take vacation the week of our anniversary. No different this year. Just we will either start vacation on our anniversary or the day after. We are planning on a few days in Branson as well as at our lake lot on Grand.

The lake lot was given to me and my two siblings by our parents. They bought a half lot back in about 1973. I purchased the other half lot in the 90's. The site we own can be built on but not camped on. It is down a slope. A lot of work would have to go into it to make it possible to camp on. We usually just go and camp at a camping spot and use the facilities. We plan to trade the lot for a better one. We went there last year to do the same thing, but the place where we have the lot, wasn't very cooperative in helping us find a lot we wanted to trade. This year we have planned better. I contacted a member of the board and he said he would meet us and show us the lots we can trade for. Hopefully we will get that all straightened out this year. The place has been run down for a few years. It has had many struggles since the first group started the resort of sorts. When it changed hands it got worse. The governing body has changed and had many to walk out. Hopefully the bad times are behind now and we will have good times to look forward to.

The Church of God (7th Day) (our church) had it's General Conference Convention this past week. Today was the last day. It was held in St. Charles, Illinois. I would have liked to attended the last few days, but the prices keeping going up and it is too expensive for us. Plus gas prices being what they are, it costs to much to drive there. The nightly services were broadcast live from the resort. There is a site you can go to and listen to the sermons and singing that were recorded. Only the first 3 nights are posted at this time. The other nights are to come. Here is the sight if you would like to go and listen to the sermons: http://www.cog7.org/media. It has been nice being able to listen to the evening services, since you cannot be there in person.

For those of you who doesn't know what happens at a General Conference Convention, I will try and explain it simply. Our organization began back in the 1800's. It was started in Michigan and Iowa. Later moving into Missouri where it was incorporated in 1899. The General Conference runs the church body. In the beginning the conventions were called camp meetings and took place in Missouri. The ones who could attend and were baptized members came together to take care of church business. The body was able to vote on changes and etc. to the governing body. A ministerial council was started where all the ministers of the church come together to discuss and change doctrines of the church. At a convention a board of directors are voted in and they choose a president, vice-president etc from their members. It was to be voted on this year that the President and Vice President (called that now instead of Chairman and vice chairman) of the board of directors be voted on by the body from names submitted by a nomination committee. I would like to see this change. I haven't had any word on what the outcome was.

The convention is held every other year on the odd number years. This started being held in Missouri, where the group was incorporated. Later the offices of the General Conference and the ministerial training school moved to Denver, Colorado. For a few years the campmeeting was held one year in Missouri and the next campmeeting in Colorado. After much discussion the leaders of the church decided to start having the convention (as they are called now) in different states. That way more of the church body could go to the conventions, when they were closer to them in miles. I have been able to attend 4 conventions. The one I enjoyed the most was the 2007 convention. It was the 150th Anniversary of the Church as an organization. The actual anniversary would have been in 2008, but since the conventions are held on odd number years they decided to celebrate it a year earlier. In 2008 the organization planned a cruise for those who could attend to the Bahamas as an anniversary celebration. I have never heard how many were able to go on the cruise.

Hopefully the convention will be closer to home for us and we can attend atleast part of the week. It was held in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1999. That's where I would like to see it again in 2013. It's time for this area to have it again. Hopefully it will be cheaper also. I will pray that will happen. Or atleast it be in Oklahoma somewhere again.

Here it is almost 3:00 a.m. I need to get to bed. Especially if we leave on vacation this morning. I have been doing laundry and washing up the dishes with some help from my youngest daughter. I would prefer to go Monday morning. For some reason, my husband seems to be in a hurry to start.

Take care and God Bless.

Starlight*

"MAY TORNADOS"

2011-05-29T10:35:00.028-05:00

Tornados is the subject of the day. Windy, windy, windy. It is so windy here today. The wind is crazy. We are having 26-35 miles an hour gusty winds. Could there be another tornado today? Could be. God knows best, eventhough I would rather there wasn't another one. All of this weather activity is just a sign of the times. In Revelation the Bible talks about the last days and what they will be like. How the weather will change and places that haven't had disasters before will have them.

Here in Oklahoma we have been having very unusual weather patterns. I do believe we set some records. Yes, we have snow every winter, but we had more than our share this past winter. We actually had two blizzards. One was quiet enough for me. After the blizzards were the floods and now tornados. We are a tornado alley, but I do believe this year holds the record for the number of tornados that hit with mass distruction in this area.

The tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri is the worse one on record. The death toll keeps climbing. I just read this morning where there are at least 100 people still not accounted for. The 16 year old boy that was sucked out of his pick-up, was found. The 3 year old boy that had been missing was found. Neither one survived. So many sad stories. So much heart break. But "God" was there. He did protect those who asked for protection. I sometimes wonder about the children lost in this castrophy? I have to believe that God knows best and there is a reason for all of this distruction.

I live in a small town about 25 miles east of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Most of the work force drive to other locations to work. My youngest daughter and I are some of the previlidged ones. We both have jobs here in our local town. That is why we are willing to sacrifice less money per hour and less money paid out for gas. In the long run it pays to stay local.

Our small town was hit by a tornado or strong winds on Tuesday night. I believe it was a tornado. We were sitting in our living room and the winds got very strong. You could hear the wind and rain hitting the windows first on the west side of the house and then on the east. It went back and forth like that for a while. The electric went out and we sat in the dark for about 4 hours. I use to be very afraid of storms. I finally told myself, if I trust in God believing he will protect me and keep me safe, then there isn't any reason for me to become irrational. That is when you get hurt. You panic and don't think straight. You tend to make silly mistakes. It is best for you to keep a level head. I thank God for keeping us safe. All over town huge trees were uprooted. Branches and debris everywhere. We have about 3 big limbs blown from our cottonwood tree. We had small branches and leaves in the front yard.

As far as I know, only one business was hit, Triple H Auto on main street. On the right of the main building, it was added on to. That section was blown apart. As I was taking Cortnie to work, they were busy trying to get it all back up. Haven't been back by and looked to see if it was done. I haven't heard of anyone being hurt. Praise God!

Yesterday, was a nice day. I got to visit with my first cousin Carolyn. She and her husband Jim are on a traveling vacation. They are pulling their travel trailer. I haven't seen her in about 20 years. She was raised in Claremore, but they moved back and forth to California a time or two. When I was 6 we lived next door to them. When I was about 13 or 14 they moved to California for the last time and stayed.

My Johnston Grandparents only had two children. My dad (Leon) and my Aunt Niecie (Berniece). Aunt Niecie married before dad did and had 5 girls, all blonds. Then my dad and mom married and they had the 3 of us. Aunt Niecie' s youngest daughter is about a year older than my brother. He is the oldest of us three. My aunt had firey red hair. I had auburn hair while I was growing up. My mom and aunt use to take us girls shopping. Auntie would carry me and mom would take the niece's hands. Most people thought I was my aunt's and her girls were my mom's.

The wind continues to blow here. Hopfully we won't have another storm. My two younger children (adults) are heading to the movies. I pray that if the storm hits, it will wait until after they are back home.

You will have a better day if you have a better attitude when you get up in the morning. If you wake up and put on a happy face, you're day will go better. When you come home from a day's work, try to come home with a pleasant attitude and others will be more pleasant with you. I have been trying this, and most days it works. Don't dwell on what happened negatively during the day. Think on the positive events. Take care, my friends.

God Bless
Starlight*

Reviving the 21st Century Church

2011-05-16T08:13:00.033-05:00

You may wonder what this blog is about today. The Claremore, Oklahoma Church of God (7th Day) had a revival this past week with Elder Calvin Burrell as speaker for three nights. I guess it would be called a mini revival. I was unable to attend the first two nights, which was Thursday and Friday nights. The theme for the revivial was Reviving the 21st Century Church.

On Sabbath we had a full day. We usually have children's church on the first Sabbath of the month, but they moved it to the second sabbath this month. Elder Burrell was the speaker for the Worship Service. This was followed by pot luck lunch. (We usually have pot luck every second Sabbath.) On Sabbath we had an afternoon service of songs and readings beginning at 2:00 p.m. This was followed by supper, which the church provided for all who wanted to come and join us. That evening beginning at seven o'clock p.m., Elder Burrell brought the last evening's message.

There was a special bulletin printed for the revivial services. On the back this was printed:

The Picture of a Vibrant
21st Century Church

* Christ-Centered
* Distinct, Not Esclusive
* Sabbath-Observing
* Spirit-Formed* Bible-Based
* Passionate in Worship
* Compassionate in Service
* Aggressive in Witness
* Strong in Fellowship
* Committed to Discipleship

Each night and the worship service on Sabbath had a theme. I have listed the theme's below:
* Thursday Evening - To a Wounded, Shaking World (On Service and Witness)
* Friday Evening - To a Grateful, Trusting Church (On Worship and
Discipleship)
* Sabbath Morning - Treasures of Our Heritage (On Christ, The Sabbath, The spirit, and the Bible)
* Sabbath Evening - Ten Commands for one Another (On the Fellowship of Love)

Elder Burrell presented a good message each evening and on Sabbath Morning. We had a nice crowd on Sabbath. During the Worship Service, we had about 70 in attendance. I know this doesn't sound like a lot to many of you, because your regular attendance is usually at least that and more. Our church group only has an average attendance of about 35. We have lost a few to other COG7 groups. We are hoping this revival will bring some new pepole in. Please pray for the church in Claremore.

Happy Mother's Day!! God Bless!!

2011-05-08T10:42:00.003-05:00

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers and grandmothers out there. It is a beautiful but windy day here in northeastern Oklahoma. When I first woke up it looked cloudy. I thought ahhh a rainy day. I wanted sunshine for this Mother's Day. I was too lazy to get up at that time, so I stayed in bed. Finally I got myself to get out of bed and start my day. By this time the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day.

I have a question for all of you. I don't think there is anything wrong with recognizing our Mothers and Grandmothers on this special day that has been set aside by the government. There are those that don't think you should celebrate any earthly occasion. Do you believe it is wrong to celebrate national holidays? This would include, New Years, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grandparent's Day and the like. I see no harm in giving thanks and recognition to these people in our lives. I haven't found any scripture that talks about these kind of celebration. Back in the Bible time, we didn't have these days to celebrate. The world has changed over the years, and new things have came about. There are scriptures against celebrating Christmas, Easter, and Halloween.

I wanted to give you a recap of our Mother's Day Program at the COG7 in Claremore, Oklahoma. Sister Gail Rincker Anklam was the MC of this program. Her and her son Alex put on a cute little skit about angels. She had Kiera and Daniel Cowan come up and ask questions about certain mother's in the Bible. We were ask to provide the answers. Most were fairly easy. One or two no one knew. I learned something new.

The congregation was asked to bring a poem or song to share. Gail then asked us who would, to pick one of the following statements and finish it about their mother or grandmother. Here were the statements: 1. The thing that surprised me the most about being a mother......... 2. I always remember the way my mother........ 3. I never understood why my mother........ 4. I'll never forget the time my mother........ a few participated in this. One very nice one was by Kristin Johnston Gonzalez. She is a new mother. She finished all 4 of the statements. Had lots to say about her grandmothers both of the COG7, and her mom. She had thoughts on being a first time mom. Very moving. Many wet eyes in the congregation.

Jeanette Hinds Cowan and her daughter Joy Grace, were asked by Brother Harry Krause to sing the old song Sweetest Mother. I had forgotten about it. I was wanting to sing a song but couldn't find one I felt was appropriate. Loved the song and the presentation. I chose statement 4. I am so thankful my mother is still with us. She turned 79 in March. She has a lot of health issues at this time, but God has seen fit to keep her with us. Of course when I got up to say that I got all weepy and I am not sure everyone could undestand what I was saying. Here is statment 4 and my ending. "I'll never forget the time my mother was attacked by bees. I was in my teens. My dad was a junk man. He collected old cars to strip and sell for metals. We had several in our yard. Some we used as storage. Mom and I had went outside to look for something in one of the cars. Mom opened the door and the bees came swarming out. They began attacking the front of her shirt. She had to hold it out away from her to keep from being stung. It took quite a while for her to get rid of them. I don't remember what she did. I was so scared I wasn't thinking straight about anything. It was a very scary time for both of us." Mom is having trouble with her memory. She doesn't remember this incident.

I read the following poem I found on the internet (I named it Mothers are Special People):

Mothers are special people
God knew that from the start
That's why he created them in His own image and to them gave the biggest heart.

She's able to heal our hurts with only a kiss and hug
She's able to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner and is never slow as a slug.
Mothers are special people
God knew they'd always be

He created them to do so much that invovles you and me.
She has to be a teacher, to teach us what we need to know
She has to be a taxi driver, to get us where we need to go.
Mothers are special people

God knew his work was complete
When He created someone that could do SOOO much on her own two feet.
If she is a Christian, on Him she depends
She displays the fruits of the spirit and a helping hand she is willing to lend.

Mothers are special people
God tells me so each day
For if it weren't for Him I wouldn't be one today.

In times past during our Mother's Day Program, they would calculate who had the most children, who had the most in attendance that day, the oldest mother, the youngest mother, the newest mother, the one with the children furtherst away, the one with the most grandchildren. And probably a few others I have forgotten. It was really interesting to see who got these awards. I finally got one when my first child was born. Some years flowers have been distrubuted to all the mothers by the youth group. This year they gave out Bath and Body Works lotion. The bottles were in different colors. I got a purple one. Also included in the package was a silk like book mark with a saying on it. Very nice.

I pray all of you mothers and grandmothers out there have a very blessed day today. Mine is nothing special. That's okay with me. In years past the family has taken me out to eat and I have received some very nice gifts. But for me, the kids just calling and saying Happy Mother's Day is enough for me. God Bless you all.

Starlight*

"IS WAR SIN? " My comments

2011-05-07T23:28:00.010-05:00

I want to thank Steven for sharing this. It has helped me. Should we serve in the Military? Should women serve as soldiers? In the Bibe one woman went into battle. Steven says that there is evidence in Scripture that we Christians (does this mean men and women?) in our immortality will fight with Him against His enemies. (Zach. 14; Rev. 5:10; 20:1-5; 1 Cor. 15:24)

My brother was drafted and went for a physical with the Army. He took the physical and failed. A heart murmur was detected. He was classed where he wouldn't be called into duty unless it was a national emergency. To me that was a miracle. God took the decision out of my brother's hands. He was still confused on whether he should serve or not. What made this an even more powerful miracle, two weeks before the Army Physical, his company had him take a physical. It was more thorough than the Army's. He passed that one fine. In just 2 weeks a heart murmur appeared. Wouldn't you consider that in itself a miracle?

I believe there is a time and place for everthing. I have always wandered about the wars that were fought in Bible times, with God sending his people into battle. If joining the military and fighting in wars is so sinful, why did God send his people into battle?

My grandpa, who was a minister, always taught against people volunteering to serve in the military, but if they were called, he always felt they should be non-combatants. I never thought to asked him how he felt about men joining and being non-combatants. I never thought to ask him, if he believed it was okay for a woman to join the service as soldiers. Those thoughts never entered my mind. I knew in the past wars, women had served as nurses and office help. They were non-combatant. I am not sure you could even do that, then. He always said that at Christ's second coming during the battle of Armegeddon, he would be fighting right beside Christ.

I believe as Steven does, there is a difference between killing and murder. One question I didn't feel was answered was the one about capital punishment. In the Bible God commanded the children of Israel to kill people who broke the law. In the Bible, if these offenders were able to make it to a city of refuge (cities God set apart for this matter) before being captured or killed, then their lives would be spared. The authorities that were chasing them, could not go into these cities of refuge and get the offender. To me this shows capital punishment is killing and is very different from murder. The people had to be controlled.

I pray this has helped someone out there. I want to thank Brother Steven again for sharing this. I hope he doesn't mind me using it on my blog. He said anyone could copy and paste it to an email. This is about the same thing. If this wasn't what was meant, please let me know.

God Bless
Starlight*

DO YOU THINK WAR IS SIN?

2011-05-07T16:42:00.030-05:00

Brother Steven Zuraff was asked the following question by a friend of his who lives in South Dakota. He thought it would be good to share it and his reponse with his email friends.

(Question) What is your belief on the killing of Osama bin Ladan (OBL)? Do you think if he was unarmed and shot in the head it is murder? Do you think war is sin? I have a son possibly going in to the military. I have mixed feelings about taking lives or even the death penalty. Eventhough I support these things I would like to have a peace that it is right. What say you?
Even better what does God say?

(Steven's reply) Hi......
Greetings to you in Jesus name. May the Lord bless and keep you and your family today and always.

You ask a very good question, which I believe the Bible gives good counsel about. Is war sin? War is a result of sin. If Adam and Eve had not eaten from the forbidden tree in the garden and sinned, there would have been no wars. The slaying of Abel, by his brother Cain, would not have been the first murder followed by millions more down through the centuries. We live in a fallen world now, even as Christians. But there is a difference between murder and killing, vengence and justice. Whether war is sin or not depends on whose side you are on. In the Old Testament God told Israel to fight and kill their enemies. In the Old Testiment God gave Israel the Ten Command-ments, which the sixth one says "Thou Shall not murder." (Exodus 20:13; (NKJB) (my note: the King James Verson says "Thou Shalt not kill.") Eventhough He gave Israel this command, He commanded them to kill those occupying the Promise Land as they entered. Plus, the Kings of Israel went out to fight their enemies as did King David. (Deut. 20:1-4) They were victorious when following the Lord, and lost many battles when they were not. (Read Deuteronomy thru 2 Kings.)

..................Israel was a type, of God's coming Kingdom which Jesus will begin to rule from Jerusalem when he returns. Jesus will fight and destroy His enemies at that time. There is evidence in Scripture that we Christians in our immortality will fight with Him against His enemies. (Zach. 14; Rev. 5:10; 20:1-5; 1 Cor. 15:24)

In the New Testament we have a balance between Jesus telling us to turn the other cheek as individuals and the instructions given to government leaders and those serving in government authority. As individuals we are not to take matters into our own hands, eye for and eye, because vengence is God's. (Rom. 12:19-21), we can call the police, and leave it to proper authorities. That will be justice, not vengence. And if the proper authorites don't take care of it, God will in his own timing if we leave it in his hands, which may not be until eternity if He so chooses. As we move into another chapter Romans 13:1-7. we see why. God has ordained all authority. One of their responsibilities is to protect it's citizens from those you will do evil, (v.4) As I understood Romans 13 and other scriptures, the United States government has a God given responsibility to protect its citizens from domestic and foreign enemies. As Christians, I find nothing in scripture that prevents us from serving in government positions, policeman, firemen, and even in the military. Example Cornelius in Acts 10 was a Roman soldier and was a leader of his men. As such he was called a devout man of God. (v.2) The Bible doesn't say how he performed his duites, but the fact remains he was a Roman solider as a Christian. In Acts 8 Philip was sent to a eunuch who was an official in the Ethiopian government. The eunuch accepted the Lord, was baptized, and went on his way. (Acts 8:26-39) In Acts 16:19-33 an Phillipian jailer and family accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, and continued as a jailer.

Hitler started a war with the world and murdered 6,000,000 Jews. That was completely wicked and sinful, but nations rose up to protect themselves against him, and worked against his evil. I believe God used those nations, including the U.S. to defeat Hitler's and Satan's plan to destroy all the Jews and to take over the world. God brought good out of the evil of Hitler when he established Israel as a nation again in 1948. Not all positions taken in a war are just. Hitler's wasn't, but I believe our part in that war was just. When you consider the goals of Islam and the Muslims, which are to destroy Israel and push them into the sea, and put to death all Jews worldwide, that's evil and sinful. Osama bin Laden was one of them. He lived his life hating Jews and Christians, putting many to death, not on the battle field, but innocent men, women, and children who were not able to depend themselves. I believe he got his just dues, and will stand before Jesus someday to account for what he has done with his life. As we all will. Did God use the U.S. military to take him out? I don't have a "Thus saith the Lord," on that, but when we study Scriptures, we see God down through the centuries working in the affairs of man, including warfare, at times using them to destroy evil. Also as I pointed out above, God has given authority for governments to wield the sword against those who will do evil. Osama bin Laden was evil.

I have a son in the U.S. Air Force serving at Dover AFB, Delaware as a member of a ground crew servicing C17 aircraft. On occasion he is deployed overseas.......He's not a combat soldier, but his work supports those who are. I am humbled by his service to our country and utilimately to God. He is a Christian man who I want to be light and salt to those he serves with. To me that is his first duty, to serve the Lord while in the Air Force, as the Roman solider Cornelius did in Acts 10. It is my personal belief that God commands His people to go into the whole world, and sends them. (Matthew 28:19-20) Non-Christian soldiers need a Christian witness from Christian soldiers. Why? He wants all men to be saved. (2 Peter 3:9)

...... you will have to decide and settle this in your heart before the Lord. What I have written is simply my commentary as I see and understand the Scriptures at this point in time in my life. God's word is true and without error, but my comments are flawed and often hit the ground. So, do your duty as a Christian and search the Scriptures. (Acts 17:11)

Blessings in Christ Jesus ...... Steven

P.S. This email may be forwarded by those who wish.

Christ was a hansome man.

2011-04-24T16:08:00.003-05:00

I always thought comely meant some one was average looking. Not outstanding in looks. Or possibly homely looking. I just realized this week in studying the Bible that comely means hansome. So the Bible states that Christ was a comely looking man. I had been taught that meant he wasn't outstanding in looks. But the Bible says just the opposite. Christ was a hansome man.

In I Samuel 16: 12-18 it is telling the story of when God sent Samuel to anoint David as King. God sent Samuel to Jesse and his sons. After looking at 11 of the sons, Samuel was told by God that none of them was the chosen one. Samuel asked Jesse if this was all of his sons? Jesse said no the youngest was watching after the sheep. Samuel told Jesse to bring David before him. God showed Samuel David was the one. verse 12 "Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to......." verse 18 "and a comely person." In the dictionary it says ruddy means, "red and healthy looking", ruddy complexion or red or reddish. (ruddy glow). Comely in the Bible center reference says comely means hansome.

I am sure if you would search out the full meaning of comely where it is talking about Christ, it would tell you the same thing. Comely means hansome. You would think after reading the same passages of scripture you would come up with the same meaning, but that just isn't so. I had been taught that each time you study a scripture, you will see more or a different meaning to it. This week has proven that to me.

Continue to study your Bible daily. There is still plenty in the scriptures to learn. I would say you could probably never study all of the Bible and not learn something new. I don't know if the Bible states this or that I read it some place. It says there is nothing new under the sun. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Christ also said that he didn't come to destroy the laws but to fulfill them. Not one jot or one tittle will be changed in the scriptures. Do you believe what we have been told about the scriptures? I do!!!

Have a great week and remember GOD is good all the time. All the time God is good.

Blessings
Starlight*

"WHO IS JESUS?"

2011-04-10T17:20:00.009-05:00

This question has been asked many times over the years. The church I am a member of "Church of God (7th Day)", not adventist, a 7th day Sabbath organization, with headquarters in Denver, Colorado, does not believe or teach the trinity. There is only one GOD, God the Father, and only one son, Jesus Christ. The discussion our church has been having over the years, is Jesus's place in the God-head. Some say that Christ is God, who came in the flesh as Jesus in the womb of the virgin Mary. I do not believe that. If God came to earth as Jesus and died on the Cross, who was in charge at that time? Who was Christ talking to on the cross, when he said, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do?"

What has upset many of our ministers over the years is they didn't feel we were giving Jesus his rightful place or enough respect, worship, and honor. God gave Christ a position of honor above the angels. Christ was God's only begotten son. God did not create Jesus as he did the earth, animals, man and the rest of the things He created on the earth. Christ was begotten of God, so he was part of God, but not God. Christ was the Word. John 1:1, 2 (KJV) "In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." "All things were made by him (the Word); and without him was not any thing made that was made." John 1:14 "And the Word (Jesus) was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

One Elder in our church and I had a discussion on this subject just a few days ago. We thought we didn't agree on the relationship of God, the Father and Jesus, the only begotten son of the Father. But in our own way, we were saying we believed the same. Yes, Jesus was equal to God, but not God.

This Elder feels that maybe some day God and Jesus will be the same entity. I am not sure of that, but we both agreed that we do not feel this is something that would cause us not to receive salvation, if we believed it one way or another. I am thankful I am not the judge of such things. One scripture says that Jesus thought it not robbery to be equal with God. God gave him the power and honor equal to His own. Jesus is of the same substance as God and is part of God. It took part of God to begat Jesus.

I don't know of any scripture that says Jesus is God in the flesh. John 1:18 "No man hath seen God at any time......" If no one has seen God then God cannot be Jesus in the flesh. Many people saw Jesus. John was a forerunner of Christ and was sent to make the way for Christ. John 1:29 "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:30 "This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me." John 1:34 "And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. (not God). Jesus was called the Son of God and the Son of man (flesh). John 1:51 "And he (Jesus) saith unto him (Nathaniel), Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man (Jesus)." John 3:34-36 "For he (Jesus) who God hath sent speaketh the words of God: (If God is Jesus, he would have said my words, not God's words, don't you think?)...... v.35 "The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand." (God turned all things over to Jesus.) v.36 "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him (the unbeliever).

There are many scriptures that bare witness that Jesus was the only begotten Son of God. Jesus cannot be the Son and the Father. There is only one GOD, the Father, and one Son, Jesus. Let's give Jesus his rightful place in our worship and praise, but do not teach that Jesus is God. May God bless you all. Continue to study the Bible with an open mind and pray for God's guidence in the truth.

Starlight*

Sequoyah High School, Claremore, Okla. "Class of 1971 40th Reunion"

2011-03-21T10:57:00.006-05:00

I am so excited. I have been wanting my graduating class to have a reunion. There was one at our 10 year mark, but most of my class didn't know about it and didn't attend. Two of my classmates, Rayma Johnson Ford and Larry Rader had been trying to get one planned for our 38th. It never got off the ground. Rayma had contacted me then, about getting a reunion together. It was discussed and kicked around by the 3 of us for two years. Finally we decided to get together and plan one for our 40th.

Rayma now lives in Texas. She is probably the furtherest one away. Take that back maybe it would be Mike Quinton, who is living in California. No one can get him to chat with them. He is on facebook and has added us as friends, but never will respond to our posts. What's up with that, Mike???? Rayma decided to get the ball rolling. She planned to come to Oklahoma for a visit. She got in touch with some of our classmates and set up a time and place to meet to start planning a reunion.

On March 13, 2011 eight of us met at Pepper's in Claremore. I was told it would be at 1:00 p.m. Others said they had talked about it and thought 2:00 p.m. might be better. In the end it was suppose to be at 1:00. I was determined to get there, and I did, but was about 30 minutes late. The others had already been discussing things and had pictures made of the group. I lost out on that. We had a very good visit. Very exciting. I had warned most of my classmates that I was probably the most changed person in our class. In school I was very shy and quite. Now I am a loud mouth and anything but shy. I felt more comfortable with my classmates on that Sunday, than I did when we were in school. We all agreed it felt like we were back in high school. We were so loud, it's a wonder we weren't asked to quiten down or leave. Thankfully that didn't happen.

In our graduating class I thought there were 28 of us. That is what I have always said. The others said no only 26. I meant to get my diploma out and look at our class picture. Haven't done that yet. I also can only remember 26 names. Here are the names of my classmates: Mike Quinton, Mike Dee, Mike Scott, John Wallis, *Larry Rader, Larry Lewis, Kathy Hefley, *Kathy Baker, Mack Bentley, *Sandra Baldridge, Dianna Enloe, Patsy McCombs, Linda Timmerman, Buddy Deckard, *Darlene Reed, Charlotte White, Paula Gammel, Debra Kelleyhan, Deborah Dunlap, *Rayma Johnson, *Connie Johnston (me), *Glenna Walton, Peggy Dennis, Dale Russell, Leslie George, and *Pam Clancy. The ones with the astres before the name are the ones that met to plan the reunion. We have only lost 2 classmates in 40 years. They are Buddy Deckard and Linda Timmerman. Wish they could be there.

We wanted to have the reunion in the month of May, because that is when we graduated. We graduated on a Thursday May 11, 1971. This year May 11 is on a Wednesday. We felt it would be better to plan it on the week-end, so that knocked out May 11. That is also the month of Mother's Day and other things were planned. So we set it for the first week-end of June. The actual dates are June 3 & 4, 2011. On Friday evening the activity is only for the classmates of 1971 and their spouses. We wanted it to be more personal for our 40th Reunion. It will be at Kathy Baker McMains house at 6:00 p.m. She lives between Inola and Catoosa on Port 33 Road. I live in Inola and have for about 31 years, never knowning she lived that close to me. On June the 4th the activity is for any alumni that wants to attend and their families. It is going to be at Claremore Lake. Hope to see you there. An event page is suppose to be posted on Facebook with all the details. I probably shouldn't even be posting about it yet.

Well that is all I have to say about the reunion. Be looking for more details on Facebook. I hope others are as excited as I am about this. Can't hardly wait for June!

Starlight*

SNOW AND MORE SNOW!

2011-02-12T22:31:00.004-06:00

Hello friends,
In looking back over my past blogs I just realized how long it had been since I had posted anything. I do believe I started to a couple of times, but changed my mind. I had been having some trouble on Facebook with people misunderstanding my posts on there. Several believed I was attacking people about what they believed and had posted. That wasn't the case. I wasn't trying to attack anyone. I was only stating my opinion on what they had posted. What a lot of people do not understand about Facebook, when you post something on your "page" it comes up as a news feed on the home page. I go to the home page and see what my friends are talking about or what is happening with everyone. I then post something if I feel like making a post. I forgot that it shows up as a post on their "page." I have been accused of going to people's personal "pages" and posting things they don't like. I wasn't doing that, or was I purposely attacking anyone. I was just posting how I felt about what they were saying. It's funny, they can post what they want, about who they want, and that is okay. But when I do the same thing, I am accused of posting something negative to their "page." I am sorry everyone has gotten that from what I posted. It is your business what you believe and what you do. I was only making a comment on people's posts on Facebook as it is set up for. I have a right to post things just like everyone else. I DO NOT PURPOSELY GO TO PEOPLE'S "PAGES" and post negative or attacking posts. This is the lasts I will comment on this subject.

Oklahoma has been having some very bad weather for our part of the country. We usually have at least one snow fall during winter. Some times two. It's been that way as long as I can remember. I know over the years the weather has been changing and we have had more ice storms than snow the past years. Well this year we had a record breaking snow blizzard and tempatures. We are not use to this much snow! Our little town doesn't even own a snow plow. Who can afford it? They rely on the county to come through and grade our main roads. The side roads are usually not even touched until almost at the end. We were snowed into the driveway twice. The street in front of our house wasn't even graded for two days. Even if we could have gotten out of the driveway, we couldn't have gotten through the streets of our addition. People in New York and places like that found it funny that we didn't know what to do. They are use to lots of snow fall and have the equipment to deal with it. We do not. I pray this is the last of it until next year. I pray that it doesn't snow like that even then. I have had enough snow to last me a life time!

On a brighter note, I finally got to get out and drive to church today. I haven't been driving on the bad roads. Church had to be cancelled last week. It was a big disappointment to a couple of the girls in our youth group. We were to have a baptismal service for two sisters, Amanda and Autumn Ritter and be an all day event. It had to be cancelled because of the blizzard. The first date that was good for everyone involved wasn't until March 12, 2011. Please pray we don't get another snow storm in March. We have had that happened a few times over the years.

Happy Sabbath one and all. We had a very nice service today. It was good to get out of the house. Brother Barry Mauldin, from the Shawnee, Okla CoG7 was the speaker during the Worship Service. We always enjoy having Barry and his family with us. It was the monthly 2nd Sabbath Pot Luck Lunch. Yum Yum. Lots of good food and fellowship. In the afternoon Sister Phyllis Weekes showed pictures and gave a presentation about her missonary trip to Africa. She was able to go with the Missions Abroad Group over there for the Conference. She had never gone over there before. Very exciting. My niece Amanda Johnston Brown, who is a doctor, will be making a medical mission trip over there in April. Her and her family are going. She and her husband Jason have two small children Judah 2 and Abigail 1, and they are expecting their third child. Please pray for their safety. Right now in Africa it is very danagerous for Amercians. Many have been killed.

Time to close. I have enjoyed posting on my blog again. I think many times about discontinuing my postings. Then I think no, just leave it and if I don't feel like posting anything, don't post. It will be there when I feel like it again. Take care all.

God Bless
Starlight*

"THANKSGIVING 2010"

2010-11-24T17:09:00.008-06:00

Some Christians have a problem with celebrating Thanksgiving.
They consider it to be the same as Christmas. A pagan holiday.
That isn't so. If you will study the history of Thanksgiving you
will see the pilgrims celebrated the first one in
thanks to God for his blessings to them in their first year of harvest in America.

"Thanksgiving in the United States grew out of the Pilgrims first Thanksgiving
of 1621, although there were fall festivals before that. The first Thanksgiving
grew out of two old traditions. Partly it was a harvest fall festival, and partly a
time when the Pilgrims thanked God for helping them survive."

"Few people know Thanksgiving's roots go back much farther than the
Pilgrims. Long ago most people grew their own food. Farming people around
the world held harvest festivals, giving thanks to God for providing food for
the winter. Prayer and food were often big parts of these festivals. The
Egyptians held some of the first known thanksgiving festivals over 4,000
years ago. The ancient Greek, Roman, Chinese, and Jewish people held
harvest festivals. One of the oldest festivals the Jewish people began to
celebrate was Sukkot, which began several thousand years ago. Most
American Jewish celebrate both Sukkot and Thanksgiving. In more recent
times, people in other lands held thanksgiving festivals. English farmers held
the Harvest Home Festival after the grain harvest. At the feasts they enjoyed
dancing, and games at their celebrations."

People have always came together to thank God for guiding them through
hard times. Often proclaiming special days of thanksgiving. These thanks-
givings differed from the harvest festivals. They came at various times of
the year. In many cases food was not served. In fact, people spend the
whole day praying and fasting (avoided food). The term fasting is: Not
eating for a time."

President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national THANKSGIVING DAY
during the civil war, on October 3, 1863. He asked that the nation give
thanks for the Union on the last Thursday, that made the first true Thanks-
giving on November 26, 1863, recognizing a long-standing New England
tradition of placing the holiday on the fourth Thursday in November.

The president did it partially to help soothe the national mood, which was
weiry of the Civil War. He declared Thanksgiving again for November 23,
1864. In 1865, his successor, Andrew Johnson, declard a Thanksgiving for
December 7, 1865, and presidents traditionally declared a Thanksgiving,
every autumn since. President Andrew Johnson was the first president to
give government employees the day off, making it a legal holiday.

In 1941, Congress passed a bill, and FDR signed it, that fixed the date as
the fourth Thurday in November, but Congress enacted a law to fix the date.
FDR attempted to move the holiday to the third Thursday in November, but
Congress enacted a law to set the date at the fourth Thursday in November,
thus making it an "official" holiday. On November 26, 1941, FDR signed the bill.

What is wrong with giving thanks to God for His care and protection? We
should do that daily, but what is wrong with having a special time of the year
to give extra thanks to God the Father? If it had anything to do with a pagan
holiday or worship of something besides God, then we shouldn't have anything
to do with it. We are worshiping God as we should. We are not proclaiming it
to be a holy day. Although most Churches have Thanksgiving Dinners and
Programs, in special thanks to God.

With all my research, I see nothing wrong with celebrating Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is one of my families big celebrations of the year. Only second
to the Lord's Supper Service. Thanksgiving is a time for everyone to give God
extra thanks.

I wish everyone a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving Day. Sending extra thanks
to God the Father for all His blessings.

Starlight*
November 24, 2010

HAPPY SABBATH EVERYONE!!!!

2010-11-06T16:40:00.003-05:00

Hello fellow worshipers of Christ. Are you having a wonderful Sabbath? Four of our FYC Girls, I am sure, are enjoying themselves. They are attending a Study at the Ft. Smith Church today, thanks to Rueben and Tati Marquez from the Shawnee Church. Rue was able to come and pick the girls up from Tulsa and take them with their group to Ft. Smith. The group at Claremore consists of 7 girls and 1 boy. The only boy is Alex. The FYC hasn't been meeting and had no one to take them to activities, since the resignation of Sister Kristin Gonzalez. We are very thankful to Rue and Tati for their invitation to give the girls a ride. Pray for a safe trip for the group. Hopefully the youth will soon have new sponsors and can get the group up and running again.

My subject is about Halloween. I was determined to get something posted before I left for church this morning. I finally had to erase everything and leave. I think the devil was trying to keep me from church. Thank God, He (GOD) is still in control.

On a more serious note....I was surprised to learn other people who are not believers consider Halloween as a holiday you really shouldn't be involved in. I had a woman come into the library right before Halloween and told me two movies are out that talks about what Halloween is really all about. One was Hocus Pocus and the other slips my mind right now. She said in Hocus Pocus they talk about O' Hallows Eve. How can churches condone celebrating any part of such an evil celebration? Dressing it up as something else, does not do away with the evil thing it is. Some say what's the harm in passing out candy to children? That is where the devil ropes you in. Passing out candy to children isn't the problem. It is what the holiday represents. You need to research things very carefully before taking part in them. One man came in and said he didn't realize what Halloween was all about. He thought all it was for children to dress up and get candy. I told him he needed to read the history of where it came from. He said I am sure the histories of Christmas and Easter show they are pagan holidays that we shouldn't participate in. I told him he was correct and I didn't celebrate Christmas or Easter. You don't need to hit people over the head to have an opportunity to tell them about the evils of Halloween and why we shouldn't participate in Christmas or Easter. Don't shove it down their throats. Pray to God for the words and guidence in witnessing to others.

I was going to add some of the message my brother brought to us today at the Worship Service. I had already typed quite a bit and decided with my blog on Halloween it would be to long to put up his message also. I have saved it for another day and another post. Now I have something ahead of time for my next blog.

Have a wonderful wonderful evening. God bless you all.

Starlight*

UP LATE ON FRIDAY EVENING, BEGINNING OF THE SABBATH

2010-11-06T02:12:00.001-05:00

Here I sit at the computer at 2:13 a.m. Told myself hours ago it was time for bed. I tend to be a night owl. It is Sabbath and in a few hours I will need to get up and drive to Claremore to attend church. I try not to do much on Facebook on the Sabbath. I mean with the games and all. I don't see anything wrong with just going there and talking to my friends and family. I have had several nice Bible discussions on Facebook the past few weeks. I think it is a very good outreach, if used properly.

I had intended to post something about Halloween. I had intended to do it before the celebration came around. It's past October 31, and what people call Halloween. Should christians celebrate this holiday? Many christians do and see nothing wrong with it. Churches even have special nights at the church for this celebration. That doesn't make it right. You can call it something else, have the kids dress up as Bible characters and have a party at the church, but that still doesn't make it okay to be involved in this most evil night of celebration.

I had a man tell me the other day, he thought Halloween was for children to dress up and go door to door collecting candy. He didn't realize it is a pagan holiday. Then he brougth up that Christmas was a pagan celebration along with Easter. That all you had to do was look at their histories. I told him yes I agreed and that I didn't celebrate either one of those holidays either. I said all you have to do is read the history of Halloween. It is a very satanistic celebration. It involves witchcraft, seances, trickery and the like.

Foot Washing at the Lord's Supper Service

2010-08-23T08:46:00.008-05:00

I was about to the point of deleting my blog account. I have way to much going on and had to step back and evaluate what I could and would handle. I am into Facebook deep. I enjoy that place very much. The problem is, I started playing too many of the games. It was taking up too much time. I was on the computer way too much. Besides my blog, I take care of the church website; church email; my email; the library's Facebook Page; Facebook; games on Facebook which now only includes Farmville and FarmTown. It use to also be Yoville, My Town, and CafeWorld. Cafe World being the last one I stopped going to. I also had a MySpace many months ago. I stopped that not to long after joining Facebook. I enjoy Facebook so much more than MySpace.

My subject today is one that has been being discussed some on Facebook. Foot Washing at the Lord Supper Service. Some people do this before the emblems. Some do it after. Some don't do it at all. I have been raised to do it after. The ones who do it first, do it to show humbleness. I am not so sure it really matters when you do it, just as long as you take part in the service. The scriptures in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, do not tell of the foot washing. Only John chapter 13 does. I wonder why? I had never noticed before that the account of Christ washing the disciples feet was found only in John. I am glad someone brougth that up. But then in John it doesn't speak of them taking the emblems. Verse 2 of the 13 Chapter says, "And supper being ended (Passover?), the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him." Verse 4 "He (Jesus) riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel and girded himself." Verse 5 "After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded." Verse 12 "So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?" Verse 14 "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet." Back in verse 8 Simon Peter refused to let Jesus wash his feet, but Jesus told him, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me."

In Matthew, Mark and Luke, after Christ and the disciples took part of the emblems, the scriptures say, they sang a song and went out into the mount of Olives. The tradition at the Church of God (7th Day) in Claremore, Oklahoma is we meet first in the sanctuary and sing a song or two or have a special. Scriptures are read about the taking of the emblems and foot washing. We then go into the dining hall where tables have been set up and we gather around these tables (This tradition was started by my grandpa Elder Ross Johnston) to take part of the emblems. The unleavened bread is passed around, a scripture is read by an elder or decon, a prayer given and we all eat at the same time. The wine (unfermented grape juice) is passed around, scripture is read, a prayer is given and we all drink at the same time. We then divide up in two groups, men and women, and go to separate rooms to take part in the foot washing service. In the women's room, we usually sing hymns as we wash each other's feet. I am sure this is just a tradition of man. We then, men and women alike, meet in the vestibule of the church sing God Be With You and go out. I am sure it doesn't matter how you do your service, just as long as you take part of the emblems and the washing of one another's feet.

I believe Jesus instituted foot washing to show the disciples that no one is above anyone else. Whether it be Christ as Master, and man as servant. We are all the same in God's eyes. Below is some scriptures a person sent me. I looked the scriptures up in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and read them for myself. Please read through them on this blog, but also go to your Bible and read them for yourselves.

Cindy Buechner writes: "I am a member of the Church of G0d (7th Day) with headquarters at Salem, West Virginia. My husband is a minister and we live in San Antonio, Texas. Let me take a shot at why we do the foot washing first and the emblems second. John chapter 13 is where we see the details of the foot washing. Jesus is gathered with the 12 to celebrate the Passover with the traditional Passover meal. (Just a note: John does not write about the emblems and Matthew, Mark and Luke do not write about the foot washing.) John chapter 13 and verse 2 says, "And supper being ended." NIV says, "The evening meal was being served." New American Standard says, "During supper." The point is they are sitting together enjoying the Passover meal. Verse 4, "Jesus riseth from supper," and begins the foot washing. Verse 12 After he has washed all of their feet, he puts back on his garments and sits down again. Sat down for what? The continuation of the Passover meal. Further on as Jesus is talking with the disciples he tells them one of them would betray him. He said it would be the one who (vs26) He would give the sop. This was because they were sharing the Passover meal, dipping into the traditional parts of the meal. Since John does not write about the emblems, we have to go to the other gospels, to see how this fits in chronological order. In Matthew chapter 26: 20, Jesus is sitting down with the 12, he begins the discussion around who will betray him. Identifies him with the sop, and Judas goes out. Verses 26-28. After this, "as they were eating.... (again eating the Passover meal, not the Lord's Supper). Jesus implements the Lord's Supper (bread and cup). Mark is very similar in 14:12-21. And again (vs.22-25) After Judas leaves and the Passover meal continues, He implements the Lord's Supper. Luke does not cover, the foot washing, but, he also does not cover the topic of the betrayal. Instead as Jesus sits down with the 12 (22:7-18) He talks about the importance of this Passover meal. Note: And he took the cup in verse 17, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:" However, this is not the Lord's Supper cup because Luke talks about the bread and cup, "after supper" in verses 19 and 20 where Jesus
implements the Lord's Supper. The cup in verse 17 is one of the traditional cups that is shared during the Passover meal. The Passover meal has a defined process with several cups and specific foods that are eaten in a particular order that help tell the story of the Israelite difficulties while in Egypt that the Passover is to help them recall. The use of the word "supper" may be confusing to us, Because we call it the Lord's Supper, but, remember for the apostles the only "supper" they were familiar with up to this point was the Passover meal. Notice Matthew 26:30 and Mark 14:26, indicate that right after the emblems, they sing a hymn and leave. John writes about all the details Jesus discussed with the disciples after the foot washing and before the emblems and does not get to them leaving the supper until chapter 18. In Luke 22:21-23 and 24-30 seems not to match up with chronological order, however, the way Luke writes it seems more like he is just documenting there was a discussion about the betrayal - he does not say how it was resolved/who it was/etc, and he writes about a dispute over who was the greatest of the disciples, again, without an outcome. He seems to just be making sure those facts are documented, but, not in their fullness. Maybe Jesus implemented the foot washing to teach a lesson around who was the greatest. Luke seems to document a few other fragments of conversations, verse 31-38 prior to them leaving the supper. It does not look he was trying to make sure he documented these fully and maybe not necessarily in chronological order.

I received and email from Brother Del DeLong of the Salem, W. Virginia group. He said they do the foot washing first as an act of humility before taking the emblems. I always thought that Jesus broke the bread and passed the cup before washing the disciples feet. But the foot washing isn't mentioned in Matthew, Mark or Luke. He implemented the Lord's Supper during the Passover meal. The scripture says rising from the table He set aside his garments and took a towel and girded himself with it. He then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet. After this was done he told them they should wash one another's feet. He then put back on his garments and sat back down at the table (Passover). The scripture then says they sang a hymn and went out into the mount of Olives, where He was betrayed by Judas, arrested and put in prison.

From studying this, I have come to the conclusion that during the Passover meal, Jesus got up from the table, set aside his garments, took a towel and girded himself and began to wash the disciples feet. He then sat back down (to the Passover), and implemented the Lord's Supper Service, breaking of the bread, and pouring and drinking of the wine to signify his body and blood. He then arose from the table once more, sang a hymn, and went out into the mount of Olives. So where does that put me? My church does the foot washing last, not first. Is this wrong to do? Is this actually how it happened? As we have said before in John all it talks about is the foot washing, not the emblems. Does that mean John didn't document the taking of the emblems, but just the foot washing? Some believe that was all John was doing, writing down what was happening and not necessarily in chronological order.

Pray, read, and study for yourselves. I am going to have to pray and read again, and let God show me if it matters when we do the foot washing. Or is it, just, important to do the foot washing and the emblems? Especially since we no longer take part of the Passover meal.

Have a great week and God bless.

Starlight*

August, 2010

2010-08-06T11:12:00.003-05:00

Hello all, it has been hard to get to my blog lately. I have really gotten behind on this. Can't seem to get back in the habit. I have even considered cancelling my blog. Not sure what I want to do. I have enjoyed writing on this blog. Don't know how many people view it and it really doesn't matter. I didn't start it for people to read. I started it for me. So whoever sees and reads it, fine.

We are headed to Norman, Oklahoma tomorrow for a Johnston Family Reunion. It's been quite a few years since I have attended one. If I remember right the last one was back in 2001, but then I think maybe they had one since then. The last flyer I can find was on the one back in 2001. This year it will be at my cousin Curtis Johnston's home in Norman. They live on one of the main streets that wind up at OU. We would like to go by the stadium again. Maybe we can make time for that also. We went to Norman one year for our vacation. Stayed in a real nice motel. Had a nice time viewing the OU campus and stadium.

This is probably one of my shortest post. Not really much to say right now. I plan to post something on the Reunion when I get back. That will probably be on Sunday. At the last one several people took a picture of the whole group and was suppose to send me a copy. I never did receive it. I don't even remember who was suppose to send it to me. They gave me their email address, but I have misplaced it.

Have a great week-end and God Bless.

Starlight*

"Rainy Thursday in Oklahoma"

2010-07-08T09:40:00.003-05:00

Hello, fellow bloggers. I just can't seem to get back to my blog very often. I have too many things I am invovled in right now, to find the time for some of the things I use to enjoy doing. I actually forget to check this and see what my fellow bloggers have posted.

It's another rainy Thursday in Oklahoma. It was suppose to rain on Independence Day and for the most part it didn't. We had a nice quite 4th, just me and my hubby. Our two youngest grown children went to a friends house for a cook-out and fireworks. My husband and I aren't in to the 4th much any more. He for several years. Just don't want to waste our money on things that just go up in smoke in a few minutes. We have a couple that live on the next street over in our neighborhood, who always have a firework's display in their back yard for friends and neighbors. They are school teachers. So instead of wasting our money, we got on our pontoon boat in the back yard and watched their display. It was a nice one as usual. We could also see many other's displays also.

On Monday July 5, the library was closed for the 4th and my husband took off from work. The two of us and our son Craig and daughter Cortnie, took our pontoon out on Ft. Gibson Lake. Just the two of us cannot handle the boat on and off the trailer. We always need atleast one more person to help. I don't know what we will do when the two move out. Maybe sell and get a smaller boat? I don't really want to. We need to just learn how to handle it with just us two. We stayed on the lake for about 6 hours. The other three got off and swam with life jackets on in the middle of the lake. Not me!!!! I have never learned how to swim. I spent the whole six hours on the boat. I had Rick put up the top so I wouldn't get a bad sun burn. I cannot use sun screen, so I have to bare with it and try not to get too much sun. It didn't work. I got one of the worse sun burns on my face. The top of my forehead is still very tender to the touch here on Thursday, three days later. I guess the sun shining through the canopy made it even hotter.

This week has been Vacation Bible School at our church in Claremore. The Church of God (7th Day). It is located at 512 East 10th Street. We had hoped for a big crowd. About two weeks ago after second Sabbath lunch, several members went door to door in the neighborhood passing out flyers about VBS. We had hoped to get neighbor kids in. No such luck. The Tulsa and Claremore churches went together to have VBS. We have done this before, since both groups aren't big. It was decided to have it in Claremore, since the Tulsa church was to be remodeling their kitchen and diningroom area. We have only had a little over 20 kids. Several are from out of state. Gail Rincker Aklam was in charge this year and organized the program. She had her grandkids in from North Carolina, Kansas and Missouri. Making seven of the children not even local. We also had Bob and Jeanette Cowan's grand-daughter Hannah from Arkansas. The VBS ending program will be Saturday at the Claremore church at 11:00 a.m. Lunch will be served. The VBS committee is serving Pizza and pop. Others are asked to bring salads and desserts. This will be in place of our regualar Second Sabbath Pot-Luck Lunch. Anyone is welcome to come and see the program and have a meal and fellowship with the church members.

As I have posted before, our local pastor Ivan Burrell is going through a very long bout with cancer and other health concerns. This past week he has been back in the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Tulsa. He had been improving from what I had heard and even been able to get out and mow a little. But he had to go back to the hospital a week or so ago. I don't know the diagonsis at this time. He and his wife Linda, haven't been with us on Sabbath in several weeks. They had moved to Coweta, Oklahoma so Ivan could become our pastor. Linda had taken a leave of absence from her job at the prison to be with Ivan in his recovery. All her leave time is up and she hasn't been able to find a job in this area. To keep her job and the insurance that helps cover Ivan's medical expenses, Linda had to go back to Fairview and go back to work for a while. They have set up their motor home down there and are living in it for the time being. They have to make weekly trips to Tulsa for Ivan's treatments. Please continue to remember them in your prayers. We would love for the Lord to heal Pastor Ivan from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet. His faith is strong but he is becoming very weak in the stamina department. We ask God to continue to be in control and take care of this matter as he sees fit. God must have a plan for Ivan, since he is still with us.

Take care all and have a great Thursday, Friday and especially Sabbath day. God Bless you all. There is no such thing as luck. It is blessings from God.

Starlight*

"DAMP SUNDAY"

2010-05-16T13:28:00.003-05:00

I haven't posted in a few weeks. Just couldn't seem to get my thoughts together and decide what I wanted to post. I started out today with every intention of posting something, but things have change just a few minutes ago. Please keep me in your prayers. I need them especially right now.

I am going to post something I received in an email from Pastor Joe Corrales of the San Antonio Church of God (7th Day). I receive a devotional from him quite often. They are very interesting.......

Jeremiah 1:8-9: "Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Then the LORD put forth his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth." quoted by Elder Joe Corrales.

MORNING MOTIVATION
When I woke up this morning lying in bed,
I was asking myself; What are some of the secrets of success in life?
I found the answers right there, in my very room.
The fan said....Be Cool
The roof said....Aim High
The window said....See the World
The clock said....Every minute is precious
The mirror said....Reflect before you act
The calendar said....Be up-to-date
The door said....Push hard for your goals
And not to forget, the carpet said....Kneel down and pray.

Carry a Heart that never hates
Carry a Smile that never fades
Carry a Touch that never hurts.

Have a Purposeful Day in the LORD!

GOD blesses us to be a blessing unto others! We don't have anything God needs from us! Psalm 50:12 "If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine and all that is in it!" This means we can't bribe God nor control Him. His motives for answering prayer are well beyond material things.

Luke 18:1 "Men always ought to pray and not loose heart."

Psalm 17:1 "Hear LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer___it does not rise from deceitful lips."

James 4:3 "You ask and do not receive, because you ask a miss, that you may spend it on your pleasures."

God Bless you All!
Starlight*

MEN'S RETREAT SABBATH

2010-04-24T19:05:00.005-05:00

This week end is the Men's Retreat at Camp Cimarron Dover, Oklahoma. From what I understand there are a record number in attendance. About 60 men were already there with more expected last evening. The conference is expecting about a 100. The other men's retreats the conference of the church have had were low in number. The one in Florida had maybe 19 in attendance. I pray the men have a very uplifting retreat and come home feeling closer to God.

I haven't been in the mood to post on here the last couple of weeks. Don't know why. Just not much coming to me to talk about. Although this probably won't break your hearts, (the ones who read my blog) I am not ready to give up the blog. I still like to have it and post things from time to time.

It was a beautiful Sabbath Day today. A little windy. It seemed cooler out when I got home than when I left. Our chuch attendance was low today. We had about 31 in attendance. Still as the Bible says where two or three are gathered together in his name, He will be there. Pastor Ivan brought a very nice message. A few of the men were gone to the Men's Retreat at Dover.

My cousin came through for me again. She sent me some very good words to share with you. I have posted several of her words on here before. Thanks again Terry. She writes... He shed blood means we can live each day in His forgiveness. His resurrection means we can walk constantly in newness of life. His presence means we can know His victory in each situation. His love means we will never face anything alone! His day of victory makes all our days complete!

"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." Matthew 28:6.

I pray everyone has a good week. I will be working every day at the library. Gail is on vacation. I like just being the assistant and not the director. I am more relaxed. Only thing is, we have a new operating system to learn to use. It's call Atriuum. It is an online program. The patrons can get on the site at home and see what books they have checked out, when they are due, how much fines they owe, renew books and look up books on our card catalog. I know they will like those features.

The city is hiring a part-time assistant at the library. I am filling in right now as back-up person 3 days a week. I have put in my application for the position. The director and I have switched places. In 2005 I hired Claudia as my assistant when I moved up to the director's position. She was hired as interim director, after the last one, who was my assistant, left. The library board and city council hired Claudia as full time director at the last city council meeting. Now I have applied for the part-time assistants job. Gail Whitworth, a long time resident of Inola was a school teacher and librarian. She was also the library board president for a while. She retired and had started working at the library as the assistant to help with finance when the economy got so bad. She is working to many hours and it is cutting into her social security and pention. She has asked to only work 2 days a week. One as a volunteer and one as a paid employee. This is what has caused the position to become open. I am praying it is God's will I get hired again.

At least one person is not happy with the way I left the library back in 2008. I didn't go about it in the right way, but I hadn't even considered quiting until maybe this year. Then the situation came up that made me decide to quit. It was a spur of the moment decision. As I have said before, I wasn't treated fairly in the whole matter and wasn't given a chance to change my mind. That's okay. I was stressed out and needed a rest. In hindsite, I should have asked for a leave of absence. Maybe that was God's way of letting me know, I needed a rest.

I had been the coordiantor for the Summer Reading Program at the library for the past several years. In 2006 I asked Becky Maner to be in charge of the program. She consented and took the project over. The next year someone else volunteered to be the coordiantor, but had to give it up due to personal reasons. So guess who was in charge again in 2007? The year I resigned I was the coordinator. In 2009 Becky took the position again. When it came time for the program in June, the interim director got sick and had to take a leave of absence. She thought she would be out for a longer period of time, so the local board asked me to fill in during her leave of absence which was during the Summer Reading Program. Becky would have been in charge this year 2010, but her husband has become very ill and cannot be left alone for any length of time. Claudia asked me if I would be in charge of the program once again. It is a lot of work but usually is successful. For some reason I've had a hard time getting started on it. It has been in spurts that I have wanted to mess with it. I would like to get out of the planning of it next year.

Here it is 8:11 Central Time. The Sabbath has slipped quietly away. I need to see if the website of the church needs any additions or corrections. I like to do that on a weekly basis, Sabbath evening.

God Bless all of you,
Starlight*

"SUPER SABBATH"

2010-04-17T21:43:00.006-05:00

Happy Sabbath everyone. I pray you had a wonderful day of rest. I had planned on attending church today and was suppose to lead the Praise and Worship Service. I got up early to take my daughter, Cortnie, to meet some cousins for a ride to the Super Sabbath in Fort Smith, Arkansas. I came back home and was trying to get in a little bit of reading. I kept falling asleep. In the past I have had a problem with falling asleep at the wheel. So on the days I wake up and can't stay awake, I don't try to drive. I had to call the church and let them know I wouldn't be able to attend. Many of our group was gone to Forth Smith for the Super Sabbath. At these all day meetings we have a contest for Church Attendance and Youth Attendance. My grandpa, Elder Ross Johnston, started this competition back in the 60's. He had two banners made that the church who won, could take back to their local church and hang up on display until the next Super Sabbath.

The Super Sabbath use to be called the Oklahoma Conference Quarterly Meeting. Every state use to have these. I think now there may only be one or two more states besides Oklahoma that continue to have them. It is every 3 months. So that means we have one in January, April, July, October. Although over the years Dover Camp use to be in July, so we stopped having one in that month. Now it is only 3 times a year. Our local group from Claremore won both banners this time. Wooo Whooo. I use to enjoy attending these meetings while I was growing up in my teens. They were always very enjoyable and I always seemed to receive a blessing from attending those meetings. I started dating my husband after he sat beside me at one in Wister, Oklahoma back in October of 1976. Actually it wasn't until the following April Quarterly Meeting in Coweta, Oklahoma that we started dating. Our courtship was a short one and we were married in July of 1977. We have been together 32 years and raised 3 children. I prayed for God to send me someone and I feel he sent me Rick.

My last two blogs have been along the lines of the death and resurrection of Christ. I talked about our church does not celebrate Easter as Christ's Resurrection. We believe we should commemorate His death, not His resurrection. We do this in our once a year commemoration of the Lord's Supper Service, which Christ instituted during the last super or passover He had with His disciples before He was put on the cross and died for our sins. What a great sacrifice God made, when He sent His only son to the earth to come in human form and die on the cross for us. Many churches have communion every Sunday in memory of Christ's death and resurrection. Or a big Easter Celebration on what they call Resurrection Sunday.

As I have pointed out before, Christ did not rise on Sunday morning. Look closely at Matthew 28:1. It says "As it dawned toward the first day of the week", came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to the sepulchre to prepare Christ's body for burial. When they got there, the stone was rolled away and Christ was gone. Angels appeared and reminded them of what Christ had said to them. He would be crucified in the midst of the week (Wednesday) and rise again the 3rd day. Resurrection would have been on the Sabbath (Saturday) before sundown, as the Jewish days are from evening to evening. You cannot get 3 days and 3 nights from Friday mid-day to Sunday Morning. Another scripture says early on the first day of the week came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. After finding Christ's body gone, they hurried back to town to tell His disciples that Christ had risen. He was gone! Later Christ appeared to them but warned them not to touch him, because he hadn't ascended to His father.

I received an email from someone this week entitled "GOOD NEWS!....HE'S COMING BACK! It is a story about how the disciples and the women found Jesus's linen burial cloth after His resurrection. The article begins like this: I never noticed this.... The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes....the napkin was neatly folded, and placed separate from the grave clothes. The author of this article Robert Spiegel, states that early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found the stone rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and another disciple and told them 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb and I don't know where they had taken and put Him!'

The two disciples ran to the tomb to see. The first one arrived stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but did not go inside. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. The cloth that covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side. This was really significant! In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day.

The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition. When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished. When the master would rise from the table, he wiped his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. This was the signal to the servant to clean the table. The wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done'.... But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because..... The folded napkin meant, 'I'm coming back!'

The author of this article states "He's Coming Back!" He said He would. He's coming back again! Christ is coming back to earth again to be with us forever and ever in God's kingdom here on earth. Glory be to GOD!

God Bless you all.
Starlight*

BUSY SABBATH

2010-04-11T21:40:00.004-05:00

It was a very nice Spring week-end. Sabbath was a full day at church. We had our regular services, with pot-luck lunch following the Worship Service. Anyone interested in attending has been meeting on the second Sabbath after lunch for a Bible Study. This has been from a booklet the General Conference published called "Membership Matters". Next month, May, will be the last lesson of the Bible Study. It will be Lesson 8 in the study guide entitled "Your Job Description". It was an even nicer Sabbath because our Pastor was able to be with us and bring the message. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. He has to take chemo this week beginning tomorrow. The chemo tends to make him sick, as it does a lot of people.

I know I have said this before, but it is very true this week, my blog is going to be very short. Most weeks I have something in mind to write about. For some reason nothing has came to mind. I know I could pull out some family history and post it, but I am just not in the mood for that tonight. I want to post another Bible Study soon. I kind of had it in mind for this week. I didn't get anything put together for a study or even look up information I have from someone else on a subject.

I pray everyone has a good week. I plan to. It is going to be very busy for me. God Bless all of you and continue to pray for one another.

Starlight*

BEAUTIFUL SPRING SABBATH

2010-04-04T18:21:00.005-05:00

Sabbath was a very beautiful Spring day. Little windy. Our group was kind of small at worship service. Our pastor wasn't feeling well enough to attend and preach. Brother Gerson (Hairson) Gonzalez brought the message. He is one of our local board members. Some of the youth were gone to Conroe, Texas for a Youth Rally. I think they had the biggest group ever. About 416 youth registered. That is not counting the sponsors and support staff. Some were gone for a work day at the Dover Campgrounds. They are getting the camp ready for the Men's Retreat that is coming up at the end of this month.

I was going to post some more about the celebration of Easter, but I did put quite a bit in last time. So I have decided to post other things. If anyone would like to have a copy of the notes I have on the history of this celebration, email me and I will email it back to you. Here is my email address: oklibrarianc@yahoo.com.

God wants us to be wholly His, so He can be wholly ours. What an amazing exchange this is, "all of us for all of Him", our selfishness for His love, our sin for His holiness, our own way for His perfect will, our strife for His peace, our pain for His healing, our bondage for His freedom. Romans 6:13 - "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteouness unto God." In the day to day confrontations with sin, stop giving in.

Our hearts rejoice, for Christ is risen! We sing out in gladness, for our Savior lives! Our spirits are lifted up, for our hope is renewed and the promise of eternal life has been fulfilled! As Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in the newness of Life. Romans 6:4 - "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

I would like to thank my cousin Terry Craig, from Missouri, for sending these last two paragraphs to me in her emails. She sends me some good stuff that I have posted from time to time. It helps and I don't have to go searching for something to post.

Believe it or not, I think this is going to be one of my shortest posts. A lot is going on in my house today. We have had our granddaughter most of the week-end. It was her birthday on Wednesday March 31. She turned 6 years old. We had kept her Friday because her school was out and the day care she goes to was closed. Saturday night we met her and her mom at Chuck E. Cheese's. We had pizza, buffalo wings, a cake and drinks. We all had a fun time. She got a 100 coins to use and only used about half of them. The rest she can take back another time and use them.

All of you have a good week!!!! God Bless!!!!

Starlight*

"WOMEN'S DAY" COG7 CLAREMORE

2010-03-27T17:37:00.015-05:00

Happy Sabbath! It was beautiful out today. The sun was shining although it was a little windy. Nice Spring day. Today the Worship Service was designated "Women's Day". The ladies and girls of the church were in charge of the service. It was enjoyed by all. Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow.

Since Easter is just around the corner, I decided to write my blog about this celebration. The Church of God (7th Day) does not teach or celebrate Easter. Easter is to commorate the Resurrection of Christ. The church doesn't believe we should celebrate Christ's Resurrection, but his death. We take part in the Lord's Supper Service, which is like communion, but only done once a year. Unsweetened grape juice is used to symbolize Christ's blood. Unleaven Bread (or unsalted cracker) is used to symbolize His body. The group divides up into women and men, each going to a separate place to wash each other's feet as Christ did with his deciples showing humbleness.

If you look up information in an encyclopedia on Easter, you will find it is actually a comparison between Easter and the Lord's Supper Service which occurs very close together, during the same time of year. We are going to look into the background of this commonly accepted tradition, Easter which is celebrated in the Spring of the year.

Easter and Spring is the season for much merrymaking and fun, much of the time with an emphasis on sexual fertility. There are modern spring festivals, with a blatant sexual aspect, when "all rules are off" and almost anything can happen. These celebrations in the Christian world end at Lent (a day observed by the Catholics) whick is observed before Easter itself. This fertility aspect may be sublimated by the "Easter Dance" or "Spring Prom found in many educational institutions of the English-speaking world.

Easter is named after the pagan goddess Eostre (Latin: Oestre), an Anglo-Saxon maiden- goddess of fertility. The Oestre spelling in Latin derives from the Greek, and has its roots in a word that means "frenzy." We see this word again in English in "estrus" meaning a female mammal "in heat" able to conceive, and there we see the meaning behind the "frenzy" definition.

The Easter Rabbit is one of the oldest symbols of Spring. In Indo-European mythology, the hare is sacrate to the Eastern Goddess, being supposedly seen in the markings on the moon. In Germany, children were told if they were good the Easter Hare would bring them eggs on Easter. This is the origin of the United States' Easter Bunny. Eggs are obvious symbols of rebirth. Mithras, Tammuz, Re (Egypt), Brama (India) and P'can Ku (China) all were said to have been born from eggs. The link to Easter is obvious. But what does all of this mean to America?

Does the Bible mention Easter? Well yes and no. Notice Acts 12:1. King Herod began perscuting the church, ending with the brutal death of apostle James by the sword. This pleased the Jews so much that apostle Paul was taken prisoner by Herod also, and planned to later deliver him to the Jews. Verse 3 says, "Then were the days of unleaven bread." The new testament church was observing the feast days described in Leviticus 23. Now read Verse 4: "And when he (Herod) had apprehended him, he put him in prison surrounded by guards, intending after Easter, to bring him forth to the people."

This is not talking about our modern-day Easter. How do we know? The word originally translated from Easter is the Greek word pascha (derived from the Hebrew word pesach. There is no original Greek word for Passover), and it only has one meaning. It always means Passover---it can never mean Easter! For this reason, we find a Hebrew word used in the Greek New Testament. Once again, this Hebrew word can only refer to Passover. Other translations, including the Revised Standard Version, correctly render this word Passover. Instead of indorsing Easter, this verse really proves that the Jews were still observing the Passover, ten years after the death of Christ.

Please stay tuned and check out the next segiment of our study on Easter.

God Bless
Starlight*

SNOWY FIRST DAY OF SPRING!!!

2010-03-20T15:37:00.003-05:00

I shouldn't be surprised, but I was. Today is March 20, 2010. My mom's 78th birthday and the offical first day of Spring. We have had quite a bit of snow this winter, here in Oklahoma. More than usual. We had a blizzard for the first time in many years.

The weather people started forecasting snow by the end of the week. That's not surprising since we have had one last snow in March before. I was telling everyone not to get to excited about the warmer weather we had been having. I warned them of past years when we have had one last snow in March. We even had snow the first part of April one year. No one seemed to want to believe me. I was a little skeptical myself, but this year the weather people have been pretty much on track with what happens in the weather. Last night it began to rain. I got up this morning to get ready for church. I looked out and saw it had been raining, but it didn't look icy. By the time I got out to the pick up and started to leave, there was ice on the windows and sleet mixed with the rain.

I was already not feeling well. Last night in getting ready for bed, I hit my forehead on the corner of the entertainment center in our bedroom. I have done this once before, but not as bad as this time. At first I could feel an indention in my head. Then a knot started coming up. I looked in the mirror and it didn't look so good. It had hurt some last night before I went to bed, so I stayed up about an hour before going to sleep. When I woke up this morning, it was sore but I didn't pass out. Got ready to go to church, opened the door to leave and got a surprise. It wasn't just raining, it was sleeting also. I almost didn't even head for church, but it was my mom's birthday and I wanted to take her a gift. So I said to myself, start to Claremore and if it gets worse I will turn around and come home. The closer I got to Claremore it began to snow. It was starting to cover the streets by the time I reached the church. I thought okay, maybe it will stop and not get too deep. I wanted to atleast stay until after Prayer, Share and Praise was over. I looked out the front door and it was snowing even more.

My head began to throb and I started getting dizzy. I took some pain reliever and a pill for motion sickness. Thought that would help, but decided to head home. The roads had become very slick. I did not want to drive on the stuff home, but I needed to get myself and the pick up home. I didn't get in a big hurry. I drove between 25-35 miles an hour most of the way. The pick up tried to slide a couple of times and I was almost hit by a car coming out of the road at Tiawah, a small town between Inola and Claremore. I began praying and singing God will take care of you and He did. I made it home safely.

I now have a blog on my yahoo page. I found out several things you can do on there now, like you can on Facebook. What I am about to post, I posted there. A brief history lesson on the Saint Patrick's Day celebration. The real Saint Patrick was a remarkable person. Born in England, at 16 years old he was kidnapped by Irish Raiders. After 6 years of slavery he escaped. But God called him to return to Ireland to preach the gospel, which he did with extraordinary courage and amazing results. Saint Patrick was also a Sabbatarian, which means he worshipped on Saturday the seventh day of the week. Unfortunately, his history has been obscured as Saint Patrick's Day has morphed into an excuse to drink green beer, pinch people, and wear "lucky" 4 leaf clovers, for luck. What does all of this and the traditions of Ireland have to do with a person from England? That is one question I cannot answer. I need to do some more research on it.

GOD Bless you all.
Starlight@

SECOND SABBATH LUNCH & BIBLE STUDY

2010-03-13T20:42:00.007-06:00

Well, I didn't do so good today starting off. I was late for class at church, got there and had forgotten that today was the Second Sabbath Lunch and Bible Study. I was scheduled to clean up after the meal. Didn't bring a dish for pot-luck and forgot my Book for the Bible Study. The good part is, Pastor Ivan was able to speak for us again today. We had two families of visitors. Made for a nice attendance, even with the FYC gone to the Shawnee, Oklahoma church for a lock-in.

I noticed that last Sabbath I didn't even do a post. I had every intention of doing so. Last Sabbath March 6, 2010 was the 1 year Anniversary of Elder Ivan Burrell coming to the local group as their pastor. He was able to speak for us last Sabbath as well as today. He has been improving health wise, but the doctor had the hospital do another cat scan and have decided to start radiation again. I believe he said it would be every other week for so many weeks. Continue to pray for God's healing. Pastor Ivan has been through so much this past year. We almost lost him, the last time he was in the hospital. After having surgery and going home, he contacted an infection. The doctor wasn't so sure he would pull through, but Praise the Lord, he did.

The things I have been posting the past few weeks have come from the local church bulletin. Patricia Johnston, the editor, has been putting in some very good verses and stories. I am really enjoying them. I have been using some of the scriptures on my profile post on Facebook.
So my sister-in-law has been helping me with two different programs I am involved in.

"Praying for People" A hospital chaplain visited a delightful old lady in the hospital. As he approached her bed he noticed that with the index finger of one hand she was touching, one by one, the fingers of the other, with her eyes closed. When the chaplain spoke to her she opened her eyes and said, "Ah, minister, I was just saying my prayers---the prayers my grandmother taught me many years ago." The chaplain look puzzled, so she went on to explain, "I hold my hand like this, my thumb towards me. That reminds me to pray for those nearest to me. Then, there is my pointing finger, so I pray for those who point the way to others---teachers, leaders, parents. The next finger is the biggest so I pray for those in high places. After that comes the weakest finger---look it won't stand up by itself, so I pray for the sick and the lonely and the afraid. And this little one---well, last of all I pray for myself." This is a good idea for all of us to try.

Prayer for Guidanceby Chandra Harrington
Teach me Father, To do your will, Show me Father, How you feel.Open my mind, And let me see. The way I should live. The way I should be.Teach me to love, The way you do. Cleanse my heart, And make it new.Help me understand, The things I read. Give me knowledge, Of things I need.Give me boldness, Like Apostle Paul. Open my ears, When you call.Give me strength, Like your loving son. Thank You Father, I know its done.
Prayer and Faith go hand in hand. "Faith is daring the soul to go beyond what the eyes can see." I like that quote, don't you?

I thought I might throw in a little story of my family history. I have a cousin Ken Brunson, who began researching our family history on the Clark side of the family. He found things the rest of the family weren't able to find before. One being his grandpa and my great-grandma were brother and sister. My great-grandma's name was Alice Clark. My mom's best friend's, Ken's mom, maiden name was Clarke. They use to joke around all the time about them being related. We never knew until Ramona had passed away, that Ken had found the connection, and they were related. All this time they were just close friends to my family and others in their family had inter-married into my mom's family on her dad's side The Hindses. In Ken's research into the history he also found a connection to a famous person from Claremore, Oklahoma, where I grew up. He was born in the small town of Oologah, about 15 miles from Claremore. His name was Will Rogers, and he grew up and is buried in Claremore at a museum of his life, "Will Rogers Memorial". I hope Ken went home and looked this information up, because he wasn't sure if it was on the Clark side which would include me, or on his dad's mother's side, the Duncans. Possibly one more famous person I am related to.

I pray everyone had a wonderful Sabbath. I know I did. God is so Good, All the Time.

Starlight*

"SABBATH"

2010-02-27T14:52:00.004-06:00

Happy Sabbath friends. God is so Good! We had a very nice service at church today. Brother Eric Townsley from the Tulsa church spoke for us. I always enjoy hearing him speak. Our attendance has been low for several months. We all need to pray that the ones who are not attending, will soon be back with us. I like that our group is small. I wouldn't like to be in a big congregation, with serval services on Sabbath. I don't see how you could know everyone you went to church with. There's not that closeness and fellowship you get with a smaller group. This doesn't mean I don't want our group to grow. That would be nice, but I don't want the group to get to big.

What I am about to say wasn't what I orginially was going to post. But I heard from two different people about the members of the church going out to eat after church. I feel if you keep the Sabbath as taught in the Bible, you wouldn't be doing that. We know the Bible teaches against working on the Sabbath and having gain. It doesn't come right out and say we are not to spend money on the Sabbath. The thing is if we spend money on the Sabbath we are paying for someone else to work on the Sabbath. People make the excuse that the people would be working even if we didn't go eat. That part is true, but you are paying for them to work for you on the Sabbath. Someone has to cook the particular food you eat and someone will serve your particular order. So they are working for you. I know this is my opinion and I do not have scripture references to back it up. I am just using common sense. I am not writing about this to offend anyone. What each one does on the Sabbath is between them and God.

It is not healthy people who need a doctor, but the sick..."And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go and learn what that means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Matthew 9:11-13

God did not look at our frazzled lives and say, "I'll die for you when you deserve it." No, despite our sin, in the face of our rebellion, he chose to adopt us....His grace is a come-as-you-are promise from a one-of-a-kind King....So trust your Father and claim this verse as your own: "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8. These words and scripture were quoted from Max Lucado.

"Casting all your care on Him, for He cares for you." I Peter 5:7. Thanks to my sister-in-law Patty once again. I found the words above on the back of our Church Bulletin this Sabbath. She has been putting some very good stuff on the bulletin for us to think about. Be sure and read everything on it. It is very interesting.

Remember God can't love you more than he already does! God Bless You!

Starlight*

"LET ME GIVE"

2010-02-20T17:09:00.003-06:00

I do not know how long I'll live
But while I live, Lord, let me give
Some comfort to someone in need
By smile or nod, kind word or deed.

And Let me do what ever I can
To ease things for my fellow man.
I want naught but to do my part
To "lift" a tired or weary heart.

To change folks' frowns to smiles again.
Then I will not have lived in vain
And I'll not care how long I'll live
If I can give ... and give ... and give.
-BJ Morbitzer

The above was on the back of our church bulletin today. I really enjoyed it and wanted my friends out there in blogger land to enjoy it also.

We had a very good message today by Brother Barry Mauldin of our Shawnee congregation. He gets better each time I hear him. The sermon was about being "Lucky or Blessed". There isn't such a thing as luck, but blessings from God. When we rely on Luck, or Horoscopes, Tara cards, supersitions or any such thing, we are taking recognition from God and giving it to worldy things. Let's be careful and give the glory to the one the blessings come from.

The driving force in our lives should be trying to please God. Secondly, we should take into consideration the needs and pleasures of others. With our own pleasures subordinated, we will truly be the humble servants of God. (I took this from the back of the bulletin also.)

There was a lot on the back of the bulletin, that I really enjoyed this Sabbath. I guess I should thank my sister-in-law for this, since she is the one who publishes the bulletin each week. You are doing a great job Patricia.

The third item I want to post from the bulletin is a story called,"I am Third"
There was a boy who was very popular among others his age. He was an excellent leader in his school groups. One of his friends visited him and saw a homemade plaque in his room with the words "I Am Third" on it. His friend asked him what it meant and he replied, "It is the motto I try to use in my life. It means God is first, others are second, and I am Third." What a good attitude to have. May we all have that attitude.

May God Bless you All!

Starlight*

"GOD IS YOUR FORTRESS"

2010-02-14T13:40:00.005-06:00

Take Comfort in knowing GOD is your Fortress, surrounding you
with His care.....
your Deliverer, giving you victory over life's troubles.........
your Shield, always loving and protecting you.
He is a Stronghold that will never fail.

"The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my high tower." Psalm 18:2.

This is so true God is our Fortress, our help in time of trouble. He will never leave or forsake you. He will always be beside you as long as you will LET HIM. That is what most people forget. You have to let God be there and in control. He gives you free will. I am finding that out more and more and I let him be in control more and more with my life. We need to pray for one another and let God be in control. That is what is wrong with our country right now. We have shoved God out of the picture. I say we, when I mean people in government and other religions. As for me, I still think God should be in every aspect of our lives.

Very thankful to God over the healing of our pastor once more. He is out of the hospital and was able to attend church Sabbath. He still isn't strong enough to be in the pulpit to preach, so we will continue having guest speakers until he is well enough. I also have another prayer request. Brother Harry Krause, a long time member of the local church, suffered a stroke Sabbath morning. He was taken by ambulance to St. John's Medical center in Tulsa, Okla. The last I had heard he was responsive, but couldn't talk and could only move his left arm some. Today I got a message from his great-nephew and he went up to see Harry. They ran some tests and Harry tested good. He will probably be in the hospital for a few days. He is responsive and alert. God is so good!

I haven't worked on any of the family history in quite some time. I am still trying to get information on the Thomasson family. I need to call Aunt Jean, she is suppose to give me what she has on the Maple and Thomasson families. I was suppose to call her several weeks ago to get the information. I got busy with other things and actually forgot to call back. I plan to do that today. I plan to post more information on here and let other family members know, it is here for them to get. I am very slow about getting this project on track.

I pray everyone has a good week. I always look forward to Sabbath and the day of rest. By the time Friday rolls around, I am ready for the Sabbath. God Bless you all.

Starlight*

"GOD THINKS YOU'RE WONDERFUL!"

2010-02-06T17:17:00.005-06:00

I like that phrase "God Thinks You're Wonderful!" I received this in a email this past week from a cousin in Missouri. It is an excerpt from the book "God Thinks You're Wonderful!" by Max Lucado. I guess I need to get the book and read it.

GOD thinks you're wonderful! It may be difficult to believe that GOD knows your name, but He does. You have captured the heart of GOD. He cannot bear to live without you. Written on His hand. Spoken by His mouth. Whispered by His lips. YOUR NAME.....GOD'S dream is to make you right with Him. And the path to the CROSS tells us exactly how far GOD will go to call us back.

It is not our love for GOD. It is GOD's love for us in sending HIS SON to be the way. If you want to touch GOD'S heart, use the name He loves to hear. Call Him "FATHER", He thinks you're wonderful. "I have written your name on My hand." Isaiah 49:16.

I have received several little quotes that I really like. The first one being "God Thinks You're Wonderful!" Another one is "Sorry looks back, worry looks forward, but faith looks up." The third one, "When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say, "Jesus, could you get that for me?" My cousin Amy posted the last one on Facebook and one person made the comment, "I thought it said Santa." If you really think about it, you could probably put the name Santa in there. Jesus probably needs to answer the door and take care of Santa for a lot of people. Especially when they give Santa the powers that GOD possesses.

Our group is getting smaller at Claremore, but I pray the group will be there until Christ's second coming. I am reading a fiction book about the President and a Senator from Oklahoma whose name is Ben Kincade. He is a lawyer and an appointed Senator from Tulsa. I was going to make a point about something in the book, but it has left. I have no idea what I was going to say. Oh, it was an attack was made on the President and his wife while they were in Oklahoma City at the memorial site of the Murrah Building, where the Oklahoma City Bombing took place several years ago, killing 168 children from a day care center that was housed in the building. In the book the President's wife was killed along with 8 Secret Service men and 2 Senators, one from Oklahoma. Now the President is out to change or do away with some of the Constitution, so the criminals won't have all the rights. The Consti-tution was put in place to keep the Amercian People free. Where the government couldn't take over their lives on a whim. That is what is happening to America right now. People trying to change or do away with the Constitution and the Constitutional Rights which this country was built on. The majority is trying to get God out of the schools and public places. If that happens, I feel America is doomed.

Friends and fellow bloggers Satan is out to get God's people. Seeking whom he may devour. Do I think the end will be next year? Not really, but soon. I know a lot of people are getting discouraged because Christ's second coming has been talked and preached about for many years. More and more people are forecasting when they think the end will come. The Bible says no one knows the day nor the hour, except God. Does that mean we can't predict the month or the year? Or is that making a moutain out of a mole hill? All I know is we should be ready at all times, as if the end could be in the next hour. That way we won't be taken by surprise when the end does come. Watch and be ready.

Things are looking up again for Pastor Ivan. He is now out of ICU. Today at church some one asked his wife, Linda, if the doctors thought they got all the infection cleared up. She said it would seem so, since they have mentioned something about sending him home. That would be wonderfu! Praise God! Please, continue to remember him and Linda in your prayers.

God Bless you all.

Starlight*

WINTERY SABBATH

2010-01-30T22:22:00.003-06:00

Goodevening fellow bloggers,
I had meant to type this up earlier. I got to busy with Facebook and am just now getting around to it. That shows I don't have my priorities straight. I should have done this first and then gone to Facebook. Facebook becomes very addictive. With the winter storm we had on Thursday church was cancelled today. It made for a long day. When I miss church the day always seems longer, but I do get a good rest. So I am always ready for the Sabbath to come.

I don't know what I want to actually write about this evening. I have a couple of things in mind. I guess I will just have to see what comes out. I was going to talk about more prayer request, which I do have. But a friend in the church and on Facebook put a question to me that I would like to hear your feelings and scriptures on.

The question is "Should Christians wear a cross or use the cross as decoration in your home, church etc?" My grandpa Johnston, who most of you know was a minister, always told us he thought it was inappropriate to have the cross symbol on the church building or pews, or pulpit. I cannot recall what scriptures he used for his viewpoint. I couldn't think of any myself, when she asked me the question. I have always worn cross necklaces. Now my husband doesn't think you should wear a cross and I don't recall right now, why he believes that. One brother sent a comment and said if you had asked him that question several years ago, he would have definintely said NO! But through study of the Bible, he says he doesn't see anything wrong with it unless you use it as an Idol or worship it. Then it would be wrong. He gave a scripture in Exodus pertaining to the Ten Commandments. I would like to hear someone else's veiw on this. So I am putting it out to my blog readers. Please send me your comments and scriptures.

I have a very sad prayer request. A woman I went to school with and graduated with, lost her son this week. He was in the Army and was a sniper shooter. He had been in Bosnia for a while. When he came back he wasn't the same. He had a lot of regrets over the whole Bosnia assignment. He saw a lot of death, one being a friend and buddy. It torn him up inside. He was a single dad, and had custody of his two children, ages 4 and 5. The sad thing is he wasn't thinking about his children and family when he took his life. He was 31 years old. Please remember this family in your prayers. It is so sad to loose a loved one, but even more so to suicide.

I am glad to report our pastor is still with us. It was a very iffy situation there for a while and he still isn't out of the woods. I did talk to one of the elders of our church, and he had heard Ivan was better. He was beginning to be able to eat some solid food, but would be in the hospital at least another week. God continues to Bless him even in this trying time of his life. The poor man is so tired and weary of the health issues he has been going through. It seems to never end. I truly believe God is with him and has carried him through all of this. I don't think he would still be with us, if it wasn't God's will. I have prayed God will spare his life a little longer. I feel God sent him to our group in Claremore. I pray that God will give him a chance to work a little longer with us before it is his time to go. I pray God will give him strength and lessen his pain. It would be wonderful if God would take all his pain away.

My third request is for a young man that grew up in the church in Claremore, Max Eddy. He did live in Tiawah, Oklahoma. It is a very small town south of Claremore. He works for American Airlines and had been laid off. When they called him back to work, he had to transfer to Texas. He wasn't down there very long when he became very sick. They found he had brain cancer. He was to start treatments for that, but before they started, the doctors discovered he had a tumor in his head. Not in the brain where the cancer is. The tumor isn't cancerous as far as they can tell, but it is growing rapidly. Monday morning he is to have surgery to remove the tumor. He is suppose to be 1 week in the hospital and then 2 weeks in assisted living. He will be off work for two months. He needs your prayers very much. He will be in the Texas Health Harris Medical Hospital in Bedford, Texas. His surgery is set for 9:00 a.m. Monday. Please remember him in your prayers between now and Monday, through the surgery and recovery.

This has been a very sad blog. The world is quickly becoming more and more unsafe to live in. We need to keep our priorities straight and let God be in control. Some wonder why God is letting all of this happen. He could control everything but does not want to do that. Some things just happen because thats the way it is. God doesn't want robots. He wants us to love him and serve him because we love him and want to do what is right. He wants us to desire eternal life with him and Christ. So God gives us free will. With doing that, we have trials and tribulations to go through. What I pray is God will see me through all of this. I believe there will be even worse times to come, but I feel if you are a true believer and server of God, he will see you through all of it. Everyone has to die once, God told us. And when we die we will be asleep resting until Christ comes. We will have no more trials and tribulations. Our time for that is over and we will rest in peace. We will no longer have thoughts or see things happening to our loved ones that are upsetting. We will be at peace. Our reward will be eternal life with God and Christ. If we went to heaven or hell we would already have eternal life. That is only promised to those who live righteously and faitful toward God.

I didn't mean to get off on a different subject such as heaven and hell. That was not my intention. But maybe it was God's, since I started talking about that during my prayer requests. I will try to bring that study to my blog soon. I need to get my thoughts together on it and look up the scriptures, so you can study them for yourselves. Take care my friends, keep the faith, trust in God and He will bless you.

Starlight*

"MONDAY MORNING BLUES?"

2010-01-25T12:39:00.005-06:00

I write the title with a question mark, because I am not sure if this is a good morning or not. You might say, she isn't making sense. But if you knew how I have been feeling the last few days, you might understand. My sinuses have really been bothering me. I have woke up on several mornings feeling very dizzy. I know one reason is probably I am not getting enough sleep. I need to start going to bed at the same time during the week. Stop staying up until all hours of the night, on the computer and Facebook. But that hasn't caused the burning in my nose, that is my sinuses.

I know I just posted a blog on Sabbath Morning asking prayer for my oldest daughter's friend and his children. The little boy has already called his dad asking him to come and get him, but he can't. He told the little boy he needs to talk to his lawyer. The lawyer is the one that had a restraining order put on the dad. The mother is the one that should have the restraining order. The little boy doesn't want to go to his mother's house. I think he is actually staying with his grandma. Continue to remember this family in your prayers.

There is another very important prayer request that I have. It has put a very heavy burden on my heart. I have written to you a number of times about the pastor of our church, Ivan Burrell. Well things are even worse for him now. He went in the hosptial on Monday for an out patient surgery. Just to patch up some things. From what I undertand the surgery went well and he went home. That night he began to run a high fever. His wife took him back to the hospital. They admitted him and I think he was in ICU for a short period of time. He has been there since. I was informed later that he was in critial condition and in a lot of pain. The doctor was only giving him about a 65% chance of recovering. This is sad news. This poor man has been through so much. First it was cancer and now whatever it is he is going through. I don't want us to loose him. He just moved to our area to become the pastor back in March of 2009. He was doing quiet well then. But he was only with us about two months when he started having to go in and out of the hospital and in a lot of pain. He was in and out of the hospital for about 7 months. Got better and was back at church in the pulpit about a month. Became very sick again. Now its at the point I last heard, which was Saturday night. He has improved some, but still in critical condition. God's will be done.

I've been meeting some new relatives on Facebook. One of my husband's first cousins had seven children. We never knew how many. He has five boys and two girls. The youngest being a girl and fourteen. The cousin died about 10 years ago. His oldest daughter didn't even know he had passed away. She lives in Las Vegas and the cousin's step-mom didn't know how to get in touch with her. So when the daughter called last year trying to find out how to get in touch with her dad, she had to be told her dad had passed away. This is so sad. I think all of them have joined Facebook except two and are getting to know each other. The two being boys, the oldest doesn't want anything to do with the family. Then the youngest boy didn't join for what reason, I don't know. I think it is a neat story. I have met so many people from my church, that I met over the years at camp meetings and youth retreats, on Facebook. I joined because my daughter set it up for me. Now you can hardly keep me off of it. It really keeps me too busy. I kind of neglect house work and even reading, which is very surprising since I am a book worm.

I pray everyone has a good week. I pray mine improves. It's gotten off to a rocky start, but it could be worse. I shouldn't complain. I know there are many others that are a lot worse than I am. I am thankful for that. We have a great big wonderful God.

Starlight*

Happy Sabbath America!

2010-01-23T08:24:00.003-06:00

Good Morning America and Happy Sabbath to you. It's about 8:30 a.m. Central Standard Time. I decided to write my blog before heading for church. I have been up since about 6:15 a.m. I took my youngest daughter, Cortnie, to meet my cousin Jeanette's family. They are on their way to Shawnee, Oklahoma for the Oklahoma State Quarterly Meeting Super Sabbath. This Super Sabbath comes about every 3 months throughout the year. It is a time of fellowship and worship that can't be beat. I don't know what year the church started holding these meetings. Use to after sundown on Sabbath, the Oklahoma State Church Board would meet. I don't think they still do this.

My grandpa, Elder Ross Johnston, was on the State Board for many years, several times. He use to haul a load of youth to these meetings from the local church. It was convenient for him to stay late, for the youth activities after sun down. Many parents didn't want to wait around that long. He usually had a car load. He would attend the board meeting while the youth were at their activities. I have traveled a many of a mile with him in my teens.

This is the first time for my youngest daughter to attend a Super Sabbath in Shawnee. She has never been in the church there. I have many times in my teens for all day meetings and retreats. I have fond memories of those times. I have been wanting to go back to Shawnee and see the church now. They have built a new building since the last time I was there. Come to think of it, I might have been in it once, several years ago. I believe my husband and I went with my Grandpa and Grandma Johnston, but I don't remember what the building was like. I would love to visit sometime soon. It's too far for me to drive, with the problems I sometime have with falling asleep at the wheel. Someone suggested I catch a ride with someone. That would be nice, but most of the ones I could ride with, usually have a full load. The local group in Claremore is very active in going to these meetings and has been for many years.

I have a very special prayer to put before you. My oldest daughter has a friend, who is going through a child custody battle of his two young children. They are 10 and 7. His ex-wife has remarried and is expecting twins. They have been sharing joint custody, but the dad is trying to get full custody. All the dad has done is tried to take care of them. The youngest, a boy, is out of control. It has been a real battle. The boy is fascinated by fire. They have to watch him closely. But an incident happened this past week and the children have been taken from their dad and he has been told, he will not be able to see or talk to them for a long time.

The dad was burning brush in the back yard. His son, who is seven, and my grandson, who is 9 , were with him. I guess they had been at it for quiet some time. The dad needed to get a drink of water and my daughter had just drove up. The dad and my daughter checked to see where and what exactly the boys were doing. They were well away from the fire and sitting in chairs. The dad thought okay things are under control. I am going to go in and get a drink of water.

How wrong he was! Right after he left to go get a drink, his son got a jug of gasoline and was going to pour it on the fire. My grandson, kept telling him NO! Don't do that it is dangerous. The little boy wouldn't listen. I guess the fire leaped up and caught the jug of gas on fire. My grandson kept yelling, stop, drop and roll. The little boy was so frightened, all he would do was stand there and scream. He pulled off his shirt, but wouldn't roll on the ground. I don't know how the fire was put out, but the boys went running into the house. The little boy's arm underneath had 1st and 2nd degree burns. It synged his hair, burnt his lips, one ear and one hand. They think he must have splashed the gasoline on his body. My daughter and the little boys dad loaded up the kids and headed for the hospital to the emergency room.

The hospital kept the boy overnight so they could run some tests and make sure he hadn't enhailed any gas into his lungs and to see if he would need skin grafts. DHS was called. The dad went to take my daughter and her two children home. When he got back to the hospital, he was told to leave. That is when he was informed he wouldn't be able to see the kids for a long time. How fair is that? He has always tried to look out for his kids. He rushed the little boy to the hospital in time. It could have been worse. Yes, he probably shouldn't have left the boys alone, but he did. It was an accident.

You can only imagine how upset this dad is. He loves his kids very much, and wants to be with them always. They need your prayers. Please lift them up to God for healing of the boy, the custody battle to be over, and the children in a safe and happy place.

Thanks in advance for your prayers.

Starlight*

LAZY SUNDAY MORNING

2010-01-17T11:01:00.005-06:00

Good morning all. I was hoping for a sunny day to get rid of the rest of the snow. It really looks bad in the parking lots. Dirty, ugly, looking. It's been in the 40s the past few days. Been nice, but still a little on the chilly side. Oh well, as I have said a hundred times before, it is Winter!

We had a good Sabbath Service Saturday at church. We had about 40 there. That is about what we average now. We have lost a few members, but hopefully they will come back soon. We sure miss them. We were averaging about 50 in attendance. We are a small church, and I like that. I don't want to be in a large one, where you really don't get to know each other. But the problem with a small one, is a lot of times there is a lot of family and feelings get hurt to easy. I have attended the church in Claremore most of my life. For about 5-7 years I attended the Tulsa, Oklahoma congregation. I enjoyed those years over there, but after my youngest child was born, I wanted to start back to my home church.

Barry Mauldin was our speaker. He is from the Shawnee, Oklahoma Church of God (7th Day). I have known him most of his life. I attended youth camps and all day meetings with his dad Mike through my teen years. Later when we were both married with children, we attended the Tulsa congregation at the same time. Got to know Mike's wife Marsha. She is a very sweet person. I am glad I met her. They are orginially from Shawnee, but about 20 years ago, Mike's job transferred him to Owasso, where they still live today. Most week-ends they return to Shawnee for Sabbath services, as well as Barry who now lives in Stillwater and works on the OSU campus. He is a graduate of OU. He was hoping they would hire him, but didn't. That's how he wound up at OSU. Big rivalry there between football teams. At my house we are big OU fans. My husband doesn't like OSU one bit. He calls it Zero State at Stoolwater. Of course that is funny for us OU fans, but the OSU fans don't like it much.

Pastor Ivan was able to attend services, but not to speak. He goes in Monday for another surgery. He is really getting tired and worn out. Pray that God will give him strength and see him through all of this. We had a special prayer for him a couple of weeks ago. God can heal him. The question is, will he? Is that God's will? His thoughts are higher than our thoughts and he knows what is best for each and everyone of us. At the last exam the doctor found another hole in Ivan's bladder. It was caused when the doctor was putting in tubes for his kidneys to drain, he punctured the bladder with one of them. The bladder was healing nicely, until then. The Doctors and nusrses had been amazed with his progress. He will be happy when he no longer has to be in the hospital having surgery. He would love to be pain free. And the church would love that to happen also. Please continue praying for Brother Ivan.

Another member of our church has been going through a lot of health problems himself. That is Brother Bob Cowan. He has a heart problem and sleep apnea and a few months ago he started having pain in his kidneys. The doctors thought it could be kidney stones. So they ran a bunch of tests. They found a growth in one of his kidneys. They were concerned it was cancerous. Cancer runs in Bob's family. He has lost a few siblings in the past few years from cancer. It was a small tumor that had probably been there for about 10 years. It is very slow in progressing. So they gave him a couple of options that would include surgery, or he could wait about six months and see if the tumor grows. That is what they have decided to do. Wait 6 months and see what happens. He told me Sabbath he had been pain free for two days and hadn't taken any of his pain meds. Praise the Lord.

Kyle Hall, Lawrence Eddy's son-in-law, has been going through a lot of pain with his back. He had surgery about 20 years ago. He started having problems again and they went in and did surgery in another area. He now cannot drive or walk up stairs in his house. He is in a lot of pain most of the time. The doctors cannot figure out why he is having so much pain. Finally after running a bunch more tests, they have decided it might be due to the first surgery and the hardware needs to come out. When they did the second surgery, the doctors removed part of the hardware, but not all, because the bone had started to grow around it. He had another appointment with a doctor Friday and he has suggested that they put a shot into the area of the old hardware and see if that will relieve his pain. If it does, that will mean the problem is the old hardware. If that happens then they will go in and take the rest of it out. They are praying that will get rid of his pain. Please pray for him and his family.

There are a couple of others that really need your prayers. I don't want to go into detail at this time. Just take it as unspoken requests for healing. There is so much sickness in this day and time. The world is constantly getting worse. Which should be a sign to us that the end is near. We need to be ready as if tomorrow will be the end. My prayer is that I will see you in the kingdom, some day soon.

God Bless
Starlight*

GOOD MORNING ALL!!!

2010-01-13T09:27:00.002-06:00

This is going to be a short blog today. I have been spending too much time on the computer. I am getting nothing else done. Soon my hubby will start to complain and my daughter also. Although they are on their computers as much as I am.

I need to retract something I posted last time. I was talking about my husband's cousin Billy Thomasson and how many children he had. I thought I was told there were about 18, but I think it said 7 to 8. Wow, what a mistake. They are all on facebook except for the oldest Scott. I have been informed he doesn't want to have anything to do with the Thomassons. I don't know that he even goes by Thomasson. What a sad thing. Billy has been dead about 10 years.

We still have snow on the ground. This is a rare thing anymore. We hardly get any snow, and it usually only stays about a day. It has been, I think someone said, 22 days on the ground. We haven't had this much snow or this cold of weather since the 80s. I know this was a long time ago, but back in 1952 when I was born, there was a lot of snow on the ground. At that time hospitals wouldn't let visitors stay after visiting hours. I was born at 4:15 a.m. on a Sunday morning. My dad had been working all night, and had to be woke up 3 times to let him know I was born. It was cold out and the hospital wouldn't even let my dad stay in the lobby.

For those of you who have lots of snow every winter, next year please keep it to yourselves. We aren't use to this stuff. Now in the past, we have had more trouble with ice storms. About 3 years ago we lost 2 trees due to all the ice. We had two huge willows in the back yard. It split one in the middle the other it broke most of the branches. They had to be cut down. We planted them in our yard as little sprouts, about a year after we moved in. We sure miss them.

Have a good day and God Bless you all.

Starlight*

"Sunday" The First Day of The Week

2010-01-10T15:47:00.004-06:00

Hello all. This is Sunday the first day of the week. Not the Seventh Day Sabbath as taught in the Bible. You may be asking why I started out this way. It just came to me. The doctrine of the church I attend and am a memeber of, Church of God (7th Day), teaches we should observe the Seventh Day Sabbath instead of Sunday the first day of the week. The Catholic Church is who changed our day of Worship. You can look it up for yourselves. I hope you will. I hope you will study for yourselves, what day we should worship on.

Just wanted to keep in contact with what little readers I might have. This is mostly for my benefit, not yours. But I do hope you will get something out of it too. I had meant to bring a different subject each time I posted. One time being on faith, the next on family and then possibly other things that might come to mind. So far I haven't stuck to that. It has mostly been what was on my mind at the time.

The subject I want to talk about has to do with family history. On my husband's mom's side, the Thomassons, my hubby's first cousin Billy Thomasson, was only married once and had one son by Susan his wife. But come to find out, he has about 17 children. They are getting acquainted with each other by facebook. Or atleast that is what I understand. There are five that I know of at this time. If they would all like to get in contact with each other, I hope they do. I pray they do, if it is the Lord's will. I knew Billy before I knew my husband. A lot of my husband's family came into our church in the early sixties. Grandma Thomasson Holland had 11 children. Her dad was a minister in the Church of God (7th Day) when the Headquarters were at Stanberry, Missouri. That is where Grandma Holland grew up, although she was born in Abline, Kansas. Her dad's name was Lorenzo Dow Maple. When Grandma married, she didn't marry in the church, so her children weren't raised in the church. One of her daughters, Lucille, and her husband Cotton Ullrich became members of the Adventist Church in California. Later moving back to Oklahoma.

In about 1964, my grandpa Elder Ross Johnston, a minister of the Church of God (7th Day), held a tent meeting in Coweta, Oklahoma. That is where Grandma Holland and her family lived. Some in Porter, but most in Coweta. At that tent meeting Grandma Holland and 10 of her children joined the church. The only two who didn't, were Aunt Jayne, who had died, and my mother-in-law Judi. When my husband was in about the 6th grade in school, his mom and dad started keeping the doctrines of our church. Judi and her husband, Gene James, had seven children. In about 1975 all the kids started attending the Church of God (7th Day) in Coweta, Oklahoma. That is when I met my husband Ricky James. Three of those kids were baptized, Ricky, Kay, and Betty. Joanie, the oldest was married, and then David, John and Darrin didn't take that step. In later years Ricky's mom and his youngest brother Darrin became members of the World Wide Church of God in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

My husband and I were married on July 24, 1977 in the Church of God (7th Day) in Claremore, Oklahoma. My Grandpa Johnston perform the ceremony. I didn't send out individual invitations. Since we have so many churches in this area, that I had family in, I sent one mostly to the churches. In doing that I saved money on invitations, but we had about 150 quests at the wedding. Ricky was so nervous. When we were being married, he was sweating so much, we watched a drop of sweat drip down from the front of his hair and land on his shoe. He said when he looked out and saw the church was full, he about passed out. That was 32 years ago July 24, 2009. I guess after all this time, he's a keeper.

I hope this will be a good week. I didn't get to work Friday, so I am hoping Diana will let me work tomorrow to make it up. We will see. Please say a little prayer for me.

God Bless
Starlight*

BRRRR SUNDAY

2010-01-03T17:07:00.005-06:00

It is another very cold Sunday. The temperature didn't even make it to above freezing. We got a powdering of snow, last night. I was afraid we would receive at least as much as we did the first time. I looked out this morning and was glad to see just a blanket of snow. Thank you Lord. The weatherman just said it was about 20 in Claremore with a wind chill of 8, which is the closest big town to us. We are probably about the same temperature. Usually we are pretty close to what Claremore is reading.

We had a very nice Sabbath yesterday. We had about 46 in attendance. The road in front of the church was still very slick. Ken and Karen Riggs came and did some grading on Friday. We are very thankful to them for that. We didn't have services last Sabbath due to the blizzard we had. When I was growing up, I don't remember services ever being cancelled. Now we missed a few times, due to the weather or sickness.

Pastor Ivan was able to be with us again. He has his good and bad days. Friday was one of the bad days. He had already called and informed Brother Larry that he wouldn't be able to make it. He had a sermon in mind, and got to thinking, why couldn't he come and sit in a chair at the front of the sanctuary and face us and preach. It work out fine. We had a very nice sermon. It being the time of the year it is, he brought a sermon on whether or not we should celebrate Christmas. As most of you know, in the doctrine of the church it condemns this celebration. I had written a note on Facebook about this same subject a few weeks back. I plan to include part of that in my blog today. I am also going to note a few things Brother Ivan brought to us. Hope you enjoy and will study it for yourself.

Whose birthday is December 25? It sure wasn't Christ's. The Bible tells us to remember His death. I have never read a scripture that tells us to celebrate his birth. Yes, Christ was born in Bethleham and laid in a manger. That is all true. There were shepherds in the fields, but the sheep were in the folds. Wisemen came (not necessarily 3) to worship the king and brought Him gifts. It was the custom of that time to bring gifts at the birth of a King.

Christmas wasn't celebrated until about 300 years after the birth of Christ. The Catholic Church brought the celebration into their churches to draw more people in. You can look this up in the Catholic Church's history or an encyclopedia. I don't know about the newer sets of encyclopedias, but I do know in older ones, if you look up Christmas and its origins, you just might be surprised.

December 25 is the birth of the wicked King Nimrod. He was so evil, he married his own mother. When he died, she spread the story that a tree came up over his grave. She began having it decorated with silver and gold in memory of him. There is a scripture in Jeremiah 10:4 that talks about cutting a tree out of the forest, hammering it with nails so it cannot move and decorating it with silver and gold. I believe it is talking about the Christmas tree. What does a Christmas tree and decorations have to do with the birth of Christ? Even if you were to want to celebrate Christ's birth, please do it right. No tree, no presents for everyone under the sun, hopeing you get some in return. Give gifts to the needy or the church in Christ's name.

Santa Claus, who was he really? Saint Nickolas was a preist in I think it was Holland, who gave gifts to the poor children. How can all children get gifts from Santa and not have a chimney? Or what about the children whose parents are too poor to get them anything? They feel left out and might think they must have been really bad, since they didn't get any presents. When you teach children to believe in Santa Claus, you are lying to them. Most, I am sure, takes this in stride, but some doesn't. Some are very bitter, when they find out he isn't real. You are also giving Santa the attributes of God. Is this right? I would be very careful about that.

In Elder Burrell's sermon on Sabbath, he brought up a few questions about Christmas or any holiday celebration. He made known the fact, he doesn't believe in celebrating Christ's birth. I agree with him. Christ was born I believe in the fall. If you study this for yourself and see when Mary became with child and when she went and visited her cousin Martha, John the Babptist mother, you will come to the conclusion, Christ was born either late in September or early October. This isn't just a theroy I came up with. It is in the Bible.

One of the questions Brother Ivan asked, "What do we get out of Christmas or any holiday?" Is the birth of Christ a holiday? Should it be? Why do we have a season at Christmas and not at any other holiday? Christmas season is a time for making money. A time for being prosperous. Retailer's in America uses it as a time to make more money. A lot of non-believers celebrate Christmas. Some do not even believe in God, but they celebrate Christmas.
Some who celebrate it just as a time for families to get together and show their love for one another. That should be everyday. Christmas season makes people happy and gives them a good attitude. People are more apt to help the less fortunate at that time of year. Why not do it every so often, not just at Christmas time? Some say it's a time to show our love for Jesus. Shouldn't we do that always, every day?

I pray you will take some of this to heart and study for yourselves. Don't take my word for it. Pray about it and then study. That's one thing my grandpa always taught, Just because he is a preacher and studies the Bible daily, doesn't mean he knows everything or all the truth. He always told us to follow along in our Bibles as he read, so that we could read it for ourselves. He could be wrong or misquote a scripture. He also use to always offer up a hundred dollar bill if someone could show him he was wrong in keeping the Sabbath. No one very took him up on it. He died at the age of 94 in 1996. He would have turned 95 that September. I truly miss my grandpa. After I became a teenager, I did a little bit of traveling with him. I helped some in his tent meetings with the music. I was greatly blessed by this.

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S FRIDAY

2010-01-01T16:52:00.004-06:00

Today is the beginning of a new year. I pray this year 2010 will be more prosperous than last year. Our country has been through a very rough year. Speaking personally it has been very rough for me. But I put my trust in God and He saw me through. There were times, I thought I would loose my mind. I continued to pray and finally one day I told the Lord, I didn't think I could take anymore. He heard me and things began to improve. I have come a long ways. Please continue to pray for me physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

I had been praying that I might possibly get my old job back at the library. It hasn't happened yet. The more I think about it, the more I do not want to go back as the director. Now if the Assistant's job was to become open, I might try for it. But on second thoughts about that, I have about decided to leave it the way it is. I get to work occasionally. I am the fill-in person for the library. When one or both of the librarians has to be away, I get to work. I have also started a part-time job. It isn't much, but I pray I can get more hours, this new year. I really could use a part-time job.

I have a cousin who lives in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Her name is Megan Tinsley. She is only 22 years old. Back in October she had a stroke and in the process of testing for the problem she became partially blind for a while. She had been having bad migraine headaches for many years. They could never figure out why. In doing the testing, after her stroke, they found out she has a hole in her heart. Probably has had it since birth. This problem runs in the Hinds side of the family. She was to under go surgery on December the 29th. They had also found holes in her septum. They planned to go in and patch all the holes in her septum and the hole in her heart. The procedure was going to be done through her groins. One side would have a camera and the other side the patches. If once they got in there and the patches wouldn't hold, they would pull out and do a more invase produre. I have been very lax in finding out what the out come was. I haven't called her mom for an update yet. Please continue to pray for her.

This is Friday evening, and I worked today. I was glad to finally be able to. I was able to work a few hours at the library also, on Tuesday. So I will be getting two small pay checks next week. Thank you Lord. I don't like staying home, especially since there aren't any small children at home anymore. Cortnie is the only one still here, and she is 18 years old. She can take care of herself. When I retired from the library back in 2008, I thought I would enjoy it. I think it was meant to be. But then I had my breakdown, which wasn't any fun. When I got better, I began wanting to go back to work. Not full time though. I had gotten to fill in some at the library starting in about June. That has helped alot, but I needed something steady. I found my job at Diana's Computer Service, which is across the street from the library. I don't have to drive far. That was one of the things I didn't want to have to do, is drive to Claremore or Tulsa to work. I am very thankful for my job, I just would like to get more hours. Please pray for me and my situation.

I am looking forward to a Good Sabbath tomorrow. I am praying we don't get any more snow tonight. If we do, then I won't be able to drive to Claremore for church. Here is wishing all of you a very Happy Sabbath and a very Happy New Year.

Stormy December Wednesday

2009-12-23T16:58:00.003-06:00

Wow, I am back. It has been awhile. I have really missed posting things on my blog. I thought I would write once in awhile from the library. That happened maybe a couple of times. It just wasn't convenient and I would forget to post. So I just quit.
The weather wasn't to bad this morning. It was about 55 degrees when my husband left for work. It was gloomy out but not cold, just a little windy. By the time afternoon got here the clouds came rolling in. We got rain and a little hail. About pea size hail, that didn't last very long. They are forcasting snow for tomorrow night and Friday. I could do without that. We will see. The bigger storm might miss us.
I have internet at home again, and I am trying to get caught up on my family history web pages and my blog posts. Hopefully I will be on once a week to add something to my blog. Prayer requests, points of interest, family history etc. We have dish internet. It is cheaper than having to use a phone line with is a charge for a local line and then the cost of the internet which for dsl was about the same price we will be pa. We were paying about $72.00 a month but we had to cut something out since I had quit my job and wasn't working. It really put a bind on things. We got a special rate for the first year and then it will go up $10.00 a month. No tax just a flat rate. My husband had been checking into it and told me to call and see how much it cost to get set up. I guess he was missing it more than he thought he would.
Here comes the rain again. It's coming down pretty hard. I hope it lets up before I have to go and get my youngest daughter from her friend's house. I sure hate driving in any kind of bad weather. I don't see very well at night or during stormy weather. I try not to have to drive much during those times.
I have two very important prayer requests. These are from my cousin in Tahlequah. Instead of me trying to remember it all and type it in, I am going to copy and past part of the email I received from her: "I do have a couple of prayer requests if you could please add them to the prayer chain/list at church. The first is: Uncle Bob Hinds is not doing well. He had an episode right after Thanksgiving and was hospitalized. He is home now but won't/can't get up and is eating very little. Hospice was called in when he left the hospital. Which was more for help than for the "impending end," but I really think it is probably headed for the end.
The second request is for our daughter Megan (22 years old). She had a stroke back in the middle of October. The main thing that was effected was her vision. On November 20th Megan went to have more testing done. They were suppose to do another echocardiogram with bubble theropy. When we got to the hospital the doctor had ordered a trans-cranial test with bubble theropy, and an ultra sound of her carotid arteries. We should have gotten results sometime the week after Thanksgiving. The doctor's office called back on Monday following the tests. Her arteries were normal but the trans-cranial test was abnormal and indicating a significant hole in her heart. We later found out that within seconds of the injection of the bubbles that thousands went straight to her brain.
Last Friday December 11, they took a scope down her throat to look at the back side of her heart. It showed where the wall of the septum did not close properly after she was born and has basically formed a large aneurysm that flaps back and forth. She also has ASD which is basically holes in the bottom portion of the septum. Atleast one hole that is about 2cm in size and several smaller holes. The doctor says it is just like swiss cheese or cheese cloth.
On December 16 we went for a follow up with the surgeon. He basically went over what we already knew and then gave us our options. Megan will be at Hillcrest in Tulsa at the Oklahoma Heart Hosiptal on the 29th of December. They will attempt to put patches on the PFO and ASD. There is a possibility that the patches won't be able to cover everything and/or that the tissue in her heart is not strong enough to hold the patches and/or the position of the holes in relation to the aneurysm will not allow the patches. If any one of those instances occur they will pull out and stop the procedure and then reschedule her for the more invasive surgery.
Meg's doctor stated that she will have to be on plavix and aspirin for 6 months and then just aspirin for the rest of her life, but she should be as good as new in about 6 months. We will not have the time of the procedure until the 28th of December and the procedure will take anywhere from 1 1/2 to 3 hours, then she will have to stay in the hospital overnight. They will not actually open her up. They will go up through both groins (one with a camera and the other with the patches).
We continue to ask your prayers for Megan, that she comes through the surgery fine, all the repairs are able to be made and she heals quickly. We also ask prayer for the doctors that God be with them throughout the procedure and guide them to bring Megan back to good health."
Please remember these requests in your prayers and pass them along on your prayer chains and to your prayer warriors. We know God is all powerful and her family continues to praise Him for keeping Megan in the safety of His embrace, for placing her with excellent and fast acting physicians and for the love that He so obviously has for Megan.
It has been great being able to post again. Tune in from time to time to check out my latest posts.

Starlight

"VERY EMOTIONAL BLOG POST"

2009-05-04T13:05:00.005-05:00

Today I come to you with a heavy heart. Our local Pastor Ivan Burrell needs your immediate prayer. He has been battling cancer for a few years and had been in remission until right before he became our pastor at Claremore in March. He has been taking radiation treatments and the last round has left him very weak. He was too weak to even be in services last Sabbath. I received word from the prayer chain that his wife Linda was bringing him to Tulsa to the hospital last night because he is so weak. He needs God's touch now! Please pray for him immediately. I pray God will take away the pain and heal his body. If that isn't His will, then atleast give him peace and no pain. Pray for his family also. I know this is very hard on them.

This is very hard on our local group. We just lost a member a couple of weeks ago to Cancer, Sister Myrtle Moore Plumlee. Sister Plumlee and her family were members of the Claremore group back in the 70's. They had quit attending. The next to the oldest son David and his son Roger had met some of the church members through school and had starting attending again. Sister Myrtle had started back as well as her youngest son and his wife. She had been a nurse for over 30 years before retiring. Her youngest son was back in church this past Sabbath but it was very hard on him. It was harder on him and his wife than they thought it would be. Say a special prayer for this family also. Our little group has a lot of sickness right now. We need physical as well as spiritual healing. Please remember us in your prayers and say a special prayer for Pastor Ivan.

This is probably one of my shortest posts since I started my blog. I want to put my thoughts down but then hesitate to do so. It's hard to explain what I am feeling right now. I am so mixed up inside. I wonder sometimes when it will end or if it will end. I think maybe I was to hasty in quiting my job and would like to have it back. This could be possible. The library has been going through a rough time. The Library Board may be looking for a new director once again. If so I will be applying.

I am signing off for today. God Bless!

Starlight*

"SPRING IS FINALLY HERE!"

2009-04-15T09:29:00.001-05:00

You may be wandering why I say Spring is finally here. In Oklahoma you never know what is going to happen with the weather. Calendar wise Spring was here on the 20th of March. We had snow the end of March. Now here in April it will be springlike one day and cold the next. Just yesterday morning we had frost on the windshields of our pickups to clear off before heading out for the day. The Bible predicted weather changes. We sure have been having changes for the last several years. Our winter comes and goes up until about the end of April. Use to we had big snows in December and January. It seems every year to extend further into Spring. Just a sign of the times. The end times!

Its been about a week since I have posted anything. Seems longer for some reason. We had a very emotional (for me atleast) Lord's Supper Service on the 7th of April. It was a very pleasant evening for me before I got to the church to take part in the service. I almost didn't attend because I felt unworthy to take part this year because of what had gone on before. But I felt I needed to atleast go to the church, since it was my youngest daughters first time to take part in the service. She was baptized back in December of 2008. I am very proud of her and thankful to God that she took that step. She is the first one of my kids to take this important step. I pray for my other two often that they will turn their lives over to God, before it is to late. They both have faith, but do not attend services regularly or uphold the ten commandments as they should. They were taught to do so, but maybe not strong enough or in the right way although they were taught just as the youngest one was. Both have talked of being baptized in the past, but never took the step. I am so thankful I went. By the time Pastor Ivan had admonished us about taking part in the service, I felt better and felt that is where I needed to be. GOD IS SO GOOD!

I am using my son's laptop today. It seems faster than my daughter's for some reason. Oh well, atleast I have been able to get on here and post something. Hopefully I will get my thoughts down and off of here in the next few minutes. Got places to go and things to do. Plus I am in some pain right now. I have been having a lot of pain in my shoulders and hips. I have arthritis in both of my shoulders and I assume in my hips also. The last few weeks I have been having some pain throughout the day, every day. If I sit too long in a certain position I have quite a bit of pain in my hips. Please pray for me.

Things are happening at the library where I use to work. My assistant that took over my position, when I left, got fired last week. She had been the director for about 7 months. She had worked for me for about 2 years. I do not really know what happened. I don't know for a fact she was fired or she got upset and quit. I just know she is gone. I would like to go back to work there. I liked working at the library but not having the responsibility of being the director. I got to stressed out and upset. That is why I (quit) retired. I called and talked to the Chairwoman of the Library Board and told her I had heard my assistant was gone. I asked if she would have me back? She said she would have to think about it. There was a meeting of the city council on Monday to see what they were going to do about the situation. She said they would run an add in the paper, if they hire a new director. That is standard proceedure. The Library Board is scheduled to meet the 3rd Wednesday in May. I might need to go to that meeting and see how the board feels about hiring me back. I would definitely handle things differently this time. I got to stressed out and left in a unprofessional manner. I apologized to the Chairman of the Board on how I left and told her I would act differently this time, if I was to come back. Please pray for me in this situation. I pray I will get to go back. I definitely won't make any major decision without going to the board first, as director. Let them get the heat if something doesn't go as it should. Let them do the worrying.

Time for me to get off of here and headed out on my errands. I need to call a friend to see if she is home and get to her place. It's almost 10:00 a.m. Time is quickly passing by. Take care all and God Bless!

Starlight*

"LORD SUPPER SERVICE"

2009-04-04T19:47:00.004-05:00

It's that time of the year. A very important service is coming up on Tuseday April 7, 2009. It is time for Christians to take part in the Lord Supper Service. I am sure many of you know what I am talking about. But I know a few more are probably confused.

This service is one that the Church of God (7th Day) believes is very important to Christians today. We do not believe in celebrating or commendorating Christ birth or resurrection. We believe God taught us from His Word to commendorate Christ death. In our doctrinal beliefs the Lord's Supper service is a memorial of our deliverance from slavery to sin by the death of God's Son. Read Paul's writings in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. Paul says he received from the Lord these words to pass on to us. "For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."

The church has chosen to observe the Lord's Supper on Nisan fourteen on the Hebrew calender because the first Lord's Supper was at Passover. At the supper unleaven bread and fruit of the vine, unfermented grape juice, are received as symbols of our Lord's body and blood. The church follows Christ's example and command by washing one antother's feet in service of humility. Matthew 26:17-19, 26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 17; 11:23-26; John 13:1-17. Christ perscribed this ordiance to be observed reguarly trhoughout the lifetime of a believer.

When properly and faithfully observed, the Lord's Supper illustrates the basic doctrine of salvation. The Lord's Supper is first and foremost a rememberance of the price paid for our redemption, an expression of God's love: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life."
John 3:16.

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke relate that at passover time, Jesus sent Peter and John to prepare for the festival. That evening, while Jesus and His twelve disciples were eating the Passover meal, Christ established the Lord's Supper. Read Matthew 26:26-28. Chist established it on the night he was betrayed preceding His death on the cross. Although it was on the same night as the Jewish Passover, the Supper was a new and different service. The Passover was established in Egypt, while the people of Israel were slaves (Exodus 12). After Israel left Egypt, they observed the Passover as a memorial of Israel's deliverance from Egyptian slavery by the death of Egypt's firstborn sons.

The Lord's Supper on the other hand is a memorial of our deliverance from slavery to sin by the death of God's Son. Christ said to his desciples "Do this in rememberance of me" (Luke 22:19). Years later, Paul the apostle, confirmed that the Lord's Supper is a memorial to the death of Jesus Christ and should be observed yearly until the Lord's Return.

When we particiate in the communion of Jesus' body, we ought to be concious of our oneness with all other believers partaking of the bread and cup with us. It is a time to appreciate our mutual need of each other. All believers share the same wonderful benefits of our Savior's atoning work on Calvary's cross. Particiapting in communion requires a decision. We must decide which community we are in fellowship with: the body of Christ's followers or those who oppose our Lord and His Church. To do this weekly, to me, does not give it the significance I feel it should have. Oberving it once a year on the night of Christ betrayl means a lot more to me than if I was to do it weekly.

Christ's example and instructions for foot washing is: "I have set you an example, you also should wash one another's feet" (John 13:14). Jesus promised that foot wasing would bring a blessing to communicants who practice it. "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them" (v.17). The Church of God participates in the foot washing after the partaking of the emblems of Christ Body and Blood, because that is how Christ did it to his desciples. Some do the foot washing first or not at all. I have never researched to see why. I guess I should some time soon.

More important than the time and frequency of the service is the perpetual nature of the Lord's Supper. At its institution, Jesus said "Do this in rememberance of me" (Luke 22:19). Paul's instruction to the Corinthian church directly implied that the Lord's Supper be practiced in an ongoing manner. He wrote, "Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes" (I Corinthians 11:26).

It is imperative that those who confess faith in Jesus Christ and claim the saving benefit of His sacrifice participate in this service. Since it is a solemn memorial service, Paul advised that every communicant examine himself/herself before eating the bread and drinking the cup (I Corinthians 11:28). This caution is not intended to scare anyone away from the Lord's Supper. Paul was critizing the Corinthian church for improperly oberving the Lord's Supper (vv.17-22). He pointed out several of their faults that identify this unworthy manner: divisions v.18; partiality v.19; excessive eting and drinking v.20; disregard for the poor v.21; disregard for the sacredness of the Supper v.17.

The Lord's Supper service was established by Jesus Christ. It is a memorial service to remind us of the great sacrifice He made for our eternal salvation. We are to continue our rememberance of Christ's death until He comes again. It is a communion or fellowship with Jesus. The service, including foot washing, provides a most significant opportunity for members of the church to interact with each other as one body. When we incorporate all three elements of the Lord's Supper, observing it is a life-transforming reminder of our Lord Jesus' love and sacrifice for us.

The Church of God (7th Day) observes the Lord's Supper on the night beginning the 14th of Nisan as determined by the Hebrew calender, which is after sundown following the 13th of Nisan. Study this for yourselves, see if you should be observing this very important ordinance given by Jesus Christ himself. This year it will be observed at the Claremore, Oklahoma church at 512 East 10th Street, Tuesday April 7th at 8:00 p.m. Our pastor tells us it will be observed a little different that what we have done in the past. Come and find out what he is talking about. My grandpa Elder Ross Johnston, a 65 year minister in the church, started observing it at the Claremore church around a table, as Christ did with his desciples. It has always meant very much to me to be at a table as Christ was. But that doesn't mean it will mean any less, if observed a different way. As long as it is conducted properly as Christ instituted it, I am all for change.

God Bless all of you as this time of the year approaches.

Starlight*

"TO MY FELLOW BLOGGERS"

2009-03-31T11:55:00.002-05:00

Hello fellow bloggers. It has been a while since I have posted much. I now have a way to use the internet at home without having my own service. I just don't like to use it much. My daughter has a laptop that I can use with a wireless connection. Our neighbors have wireless internet access and doesn't mind us using it. I cannot get the connection on my pc. I am too far away. My daughter's room is closer to the neighbor's house and connection. So here I sit in her cluttered room, using her laptop to post.

I don't really know what I am going to post today. I don't have a clear picture of what I want to write about. I have been going through a very emotional time. I have went off a medication I had been taking for depression for about 6 years. I had tried it before and went right back on. This time I was determined to get off and stay off and try to deal with my depression with God's help. I felt God had led me to use the medication in the first place, so I would be a decent person to live with. My poor family. But then when I went off this time, I felt as if my family wasn't helping me. I still think that for the most part. It's hard for me to put in words what I am feeling. Plus the fact that my concentration and memory or worse. It takes me a while to put into words my thoughts and people get impatient with me. I then get upset and raise my voice. Then the fight is on. It seems to me like everyone is against me and pushing me around. I get upset with that and blow up. I am then blamed for starting the whole thing. I feel like a nobody.

I some times think I should have stayed single. I feel I have made my family's life misserable and I have no life. Everyone else has the choice of what they want to do. I don't feel I have the same choice. My life evolves around everyone elses. Everyone else expects me to take care of their demands and feelings and not be concerned with my own. When I talk to someone about this, they seem to think I am the one thinking everyone is against me, when it is me with the problem. I guess I need to keep my mouth shut and not talk to anyone about anything. That way I cannot be blamed for the arguing. That is hard for me. I get excited about something or someone and want to share my news. No one really wants to hear. They are only interested in me hearing theirs! Like I said I am a nobody.

In feeling this way, I feel I am failing God. I don't mean or want to, but that is the way I feel. I pray about this problem all the time. Then I get depressed and don't want to attend church. But when I miss church, I feel bad about that. It is just a vicious circle. I know God will take care of it in his time. I had really been down about my previous problem that I felt God was pusing to the limit and I felt I was about to go crazy with worry. I kept telling myself God is in control and will take care of it. Finally things are looking up in that situation. Now he needs to help me get a job. I am selling Avon and that helps a lot, but I need a steady income. It doesn't have to be a full time job, but a weekly income. I was pretty up about one place I had put in my application and felt pretty good about being hired. That is at a stand still now. Probably by the time they hire anyone, they will have thrown out my application. What am I to do? God needs to show me the way once more.

I had intended to get on here and write a little of my feelings down to get it out of my system. I was then going to post other things, but now I do not feel prepared for that. I need to get busy and post some more family history on the James Line. I am pretty sure one of the relatives working on this has found our link to Frank and Jesse James the Out-Laws. Hurrah! I thought I had found it about a year ago and the connection they found is in the same line I thought it was. The only problem is, we do not have verification on this. It is just an assumption. For many years the family members doing research on this line thought Grandpa Melton's name was Harvey Melton. Now the ones who have found the link believe his name to be Thomas Melton James. But then there is a snag to this. We had always been told he was born in Kentucky in 1851. The researchers now believe his name is Thomas Melton James and was born in 1852. They have found one of his sons obits that says he and his mom and dad were born in Mississippi. I am thinking they have the wrong Ollie James's information. I don't know how to verify this. Maybe the researchers will find out in time. I just know my husband's grandpa always told him that they were cousins to the out-laws. Some family members still living remembers the boys coming to stay with the family in the Cookson Hills of Oklahoma. Rick's grandpa said his dad played with the boys when they were young. I just wish the familly had kept records of this.

Time to say goodbye. I need to eat lunch and do a little house cleaning. I don't need to be on the computer all day. Have a good week and God Bless!

Starlight*

"SLEEPY, WINDY MONDAY"

2009-03-23T12:20:00.003-05:00

As you can probably tell from my title, this is just one of those Mondays! Blah! Trying to get some things done on here before taking a nap. I keep dozing off. Can't stay awake much longer. Stayed up to late working on Prom dresses and baby afghans. Glad I am finished with the two dresses I had to alter. Now it is time to get down to business and get Cortnie a prom dress. Her prom is coming up on April 10, 2009 at the Jenks Aquarium. I haven't been there before and neither has she. It's exciting. I hope she will have a good time. Can't decide whether to make her Prom dress or buy it. Tough decission. We will be going to the city after school to look around. If we cannot find a dress, then it will be material shopping time. I hope we find one. I really don't want to make it, eventhough I know how and have done quite a bit of sowing over the years.

Sad news about a friend of my oldest daughter's. She was expecting again for the 8th time and was about 6 months along. She lost it Saturday night. She has had eight pregnancy's, but only given birth to 4 children. A boy and 3 girls. I thought they were through, but I guess not. Wow, I never wanted that many children. I had thought about four, but would have been happy with just two. They were 4 years apart and then our surprise came along about 9 years later. Oh well. God knows what is best. Please remember this family in your prayers.

I was hoping to post a little more than this, but believe it or not, I keep dozing off. I guess I need to lay down for an hour or so, before picking my daughter up from school. From there it is shopping time in the big city. I am not looking forward to the drive or the city. I do not like to shop either. Three strikes against me before I even get there. Please remember us in your prayers.

Thought I would add a few notes about our church. We are enjoying our new pastor. It is nice knowing who will be speaking and he even gives the composer of the bulletin a sermon title. He had a special prayer service this last Sabbath for the children of the church. He called all the children to the front and pick out adults to come forward and lay hands on them and pray for them. That was so neat. We had a small crowd, but still to me a very uplifting service. I guess the devil was trying to keep me from services on Sabbath. I woke up to late to make it for class, but thought oh well atleast I will make it for Worship Serivce. I was even late for that. Got ready and drove the 20 miles or so to the church. But a train had blocked the roads that I take to get there. I had to drive to the other side of town and take a different road wasting a lot of valuable time. As you can imagine, I wound up very late, but didn't miss the sermon. Thank you Lord!

Sorry to say I still haven't gotten back to the study on the Feast Days. I need to buckle down and do that. I just have too much going on at the moment to be able to sit down and concentrate on what I am reading. Unless I can concentrate, I might as well not even try to read over any of it. I won't remember what I have read. It would be a waste of time. Now I also need to be reading on the Church General Conference Prayer Initiative and Bible Study. I am already behind. It started Sabbath night. I forgot all about it.

Take care all. Maybe I will be more with it next time. I just can't keep my eyes open. I haven't even eaten Lunch yet and it is going on 1:00 p.m. It won't be long until I have to go and get my daughter. Hmmmmm! Until next posting, have a good week and God Bless!

Starlight*

"ON THE NET AT HOME!"

2009-03-14T01:17:00.005-05:00

I am sure you can figure out what the title of my blog is about. What you might be wondering is how is that possible. I think I had informed everyone, that I no longer have internet at home. I am on my daughter's laptop and she is able to connect to the neighbor's wireless internet. For some reason me and my son cannot connect to this connection. I won't be using it all the time. I still plan to go to the library two days a week to post and check my email.

I wanted to report what a nice service we have had the last two Sabbath's at church. I may have already done this on one of my previous blogs. Now that I began typing this up, I cannot remember what was in the last blog I posted. This could be a repeat, so I won't go into detail. I just want to say the last two Sabbath's have really helped my spirits. Another thing, God has answered one of my prayers. I was able to sell my pick-up this past week. My brother lives on a very busy street in Claremore. He has been able to sell several different vehicles there in a very short period of time. So I decided to park my pick-up there. The very first day a guy came by and looked at it. He left me a message on my phone, but I couldn't reach him until a couple of days later. He was still interested. I didn't get my full asking price, but close enough to it. He gave me a down payment and is going to pay me off weekly. It will only take about 4 weeks. I was a little leery of this, but I felt God sent him and he was so open and accomdating about signing a paper and me keeping title until it is paid for. THANK YOU LORD! He is to call and make arrangements with me to meet and him pay me. Pray this will all happen without a hitch. I had really been down and felt has if I couldn't take much more stress. God knows what he is doing. He was probably waiting for the right person to come along. Possibly to help us both out. You have to be patient and trust God knows and is doing what is best for your situation. It can be quite hard to do! I know it was for me. Please continue to remember me in your prayers.

I feel bad and think I should give pktbook writer an apology. We have been corresponding about the keeping of the Feast Days in this day and time. I sent him some information and he sent me some back with his opinion on it. I really appreciated it, but haven't had the time to really sit down and take it all in. I scanned over some of it briefly, when I first received it in the mail. What little bit I reviewed hasn't changed my mind on the subject. I still don't feel anyone is answering my questions. Maybe when pktbook writer sends me his study, I will understand. I know you are probably getting tired of me repeating myself, but I need to understand before changing my views on the subject. I guess it just isn't time for me to understand or God is telling me, what I believe is right. We will have to wait and see.

I don't have a lot of time to post tonight. It is getting really late. I am almost too tired to finish, but wanted to take advantage of the laptop and connection. It's is 1:40 a.m. central time. I probably won't make it to Bible Class in the morning. I definitely want to make to Worship, lunch, and video on the history of the Sabbath at 2:00 p.m. We have a full day tomorrow. It will be the second Sabbath service with our new pastor. That sounds so good. Having a pastor will help the church grow spiritually. We need that.

God Bless you all and have a Great Sabbath!

Starlight*

"NEW BLOG POSTING SITE!"

2009-03-10T15:36:00.005-05:00

You might be wondering about the title for this week's blog. I tried to come up with something different and unique for a change. I am at my new blog posting site. The Inola Public Library. You might ask where Inola is! Good question. Inola is a little town in Oklahoma where I have lived for the past 29 years. If you know where Tulsa is then you know the area of Oklahoma. The Public Library is where I worked for 13 years. I began as a volunteer in January of 1995. In July of 2000 I became the Assistant Librarian and then in August of 2005 I became the Director. I retired in August of 2008.

My mom lived in Inola from the time she was 2 (1934) until she was 16 (1948). Her great grandpa John Henry Hinds came to Inola in 1905. He was a farmer. The Hinds's came from Indiana into Braggs, Indian Territory for the Oklahoma Land Run. They had their money in cattle. When they got to Braggs, the cattle ate something that made them sick and die. This was a great tragedy for the family. John Hinds was a Church of God member and kept the 7th Day Sabbath, which is Saturday. The land run began on Saturday, but he waited until Sunday to do the run and still was able to purchase land. I don't know why he moved on to Inola. Possibly because of the railroad. A couple or so of his sons worked for the railroad and another relative was a foreman on the railroad. His son-in-law, Sam Marlow, was a U.S. Marshall in 1910 and was living in Inola. John became a minister of the Church of God in 1924. He was the pastor of the little group that had formed in Inola. In 1941 the group purchased some land on C Street Northeast in Inola to build a small chapel. By 1948 most of the group had moved away. Some moving to Claremore and starting a church there. Elder Hinds passed away in July of 1948.

In 1952 my Grandpa Johnston, who was a minister in the Church of God, moved to Claremore from Willcox, Arizona, to become the pastor of the church in Claremore. Later in 1957 he moved to Inola and built his house on Commercial Street. Commerical is main street in Inola. The land was owned by Tobe Brunson a fellow church member. He continued to be the pastor of the church in Claremore until 1973. The group at Claremore didn't have a building to meet in. They rented different places until some time in 1948, when they purchased a lot at 512 East 10th Street. (The church is still there today.) Since the church group was gone from Inola and the Claremore group needed a building the Oklahoma Conference of the Church moved the building from Inola to Claremore on the purchased lot. This was done on Thanksgiving Day 1948. It solved a problem for both the building setting empty and the group needing a building. In 1953 the building was expanded in the front. By this time I had been born.

Now that my history lesson is over for the day, I will get back to the blog title. We have been telling everyone we were loosing the Internet at home. It finally happened. Now I have to come to the library to do my editing, check my email and Facebook. I was going to give everything up, but just couldn't quite do that. Plus I still have the church website to keep up. This is my new blog posting site and editing station for the church site. I try to come on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon's. That' the days the library is open late. The problem is I get to involved and loose track of time. Or just have to much to get to and don't get it all done. Last Thursday I hardly got anything done. Trying to get caught up today, but here it is already 4:37 p.m.

We have a new pastor at our Church. He started Saturday. Elder Ivan Burrell of Fairview, Oklahoma. I know I have mentioned him before. He is battling cancer and had been in remission, but they found more and he is taking radiation treatments at the Cancer Center of Tulsa. Please pray for him. He told us he had been considering becoming Claremore 's pastor for over three years. He felt God was calling him to come. He had been a minister, but had began farming and let his licenses expire. We had been without a pastor for about 2 years, and had been searching for one. Elder Burrell approached the local church board not the other way around. I have a good feeling about this myself. Elder Ivan has a big burden on his heart for the Claremore group. Not that we are so bad or anything. He wants bigger and better things for us as a group. He wants us to be more loving and known in the community.

I really need to head out of here. My dryer is not working, so I have to hang out my clothes to dry. It was a pretty warm day, but cloudy. I didn't think it would rain so I did three loads of laundry. My daughter and I were sitting here and looked out and it was raining. I am sure my clothes were almost dry. I started to bring them in before leaving the house, but didn't really have the time. I think it has stopped and hopefully it won't rain any more and the clothes will get dry. I also need to check my email. I needed to edit the church website, but couldn't get the pagebuilder to load.

Take care one and all and remember our church and pastor in your prayers. God Bless!

Starlight*

"ANOTHER TUESDAY POSTING"

2009-03-03T16:57:00.002-06:00

Guess What! Another Tuesday posting of my blog. The reason for this second occurance? No Internet at home! It finally happened. They shut me down. Here I am on the computer at the library and running out of time. I had to check my email first and it took awhile. I have to fix supper early tonight, before company comes over. Just wanted to keep you posted about my blog. I plan to come to the library two days a week to get on the internet. I don't know how often I will post my blog. It will depend on how much time I have.

It sure seems strange not having the internet at home, but I am sure we will get use to it. It really took up too much time. We all thought we needed a breather from it. I will keep you posted as how things go.

No time to post anything else. I will try to get back to this soon. I was planning to be here on Thursday, but I am having a yard sale Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Depends on how it goes, whether I will have time to come up and post a blog. Wish me luck with my sale. I usually don't do very well. Hoping this time will be different. I need money!!!!

Take care all, and God Bless.

Starlight*

"BEAUTIFUL SUNNY SABBATH"

2009-02-21T14:03:00.005-06:00

Happy Sabbath one and all! We had a very uplifting service at church today. Our speaker was Elder Andy Hassen from Springfield, Mo. I always enjoy his sermons. A funny thing he mentioned today was the fact we are to have a new pastor beginning in March. The last time we were on the verge of a new pastor coming, Andy spoke at Claremore. He asked us today to not let this occur very often. Of course we had a laugh over that. We sure don't plan for it to happen very often. Ever since my grandpa left as the pastor in 1973, we haven't had any pastor to stay more than about 4 years. There were two very long periods of time between pastors in the history of the church, since that time. But praise God through the help of the local board and a local sister, most Sabbath's we have had someone in the pulpit.

When Elder Hassen left Missouri this morning it was cloudy with snow on the ground. He was hoping Oklahoma was having better weather. We were. Although it was quiet nippy out from the strong north winds, the sun was shining. He said it felt so good to drive into the sunshine. We were glad of the sunshine also. It was a very beautiful Sabbath. We had a prayer service for the ones who wanted to be prayed for by the brethren. I being one of them. I needed God's touch very much today. And then the sermon Elder Hassen brought hit the spot with me, which was a blessing.

In talking to Andy after services, I told him how I had been feeling the past few weeks. How I was trying to trust in God, which I do, and letting God be in control of my situation, but I was questioning how things were going. A question I had been asking to myself and God, I told him about, he agreed that it was a very good one. The question being because Eve sinned, why do I have to go through the trials for her sin. Why me? Many people say we should never question God. I am not sure that it is wrong to question in some ways, but know that God knows best and trust He will see us through. God says He will never tempt us above what we are able to deal with. I believe that. It's just that sometimes I get depressed and wonder when the tempting will end, because I feel it is more than I can bear. I know that is the Devil trying to take control. I tell him to leave me alone. Usually by the next day, I am in a better frame of mind.

My husband had a miracle happen to him this week. He drove his pickup into work and it started shaking all over and making an odd noise. At first he didn't realize it was his truck. He even turned off the engine and the truck continued to shake. He went into the mechanic and asked him to come out and listen to it. The mechanic came out they raised the hood and my husband said I even have the key right here in my hand, but the truck continues to shake. The mechanic looked around and finally put his hand on a part and said here is your problem. It had something to do with the ABS system on the brakes. He told my husband he needed three different parts and one of them would cost over $500.00 dollars. It would probably cost over $800 to get it fixed. He bought one part for over $500, but it wasn't the right one. Took it back and told the parts place he needed the 3 pieces the mechanic had told him he would need. The guy at the parts place said I don't think you will need all three parts. Take this one here for about $280 and I think it will fix the problem. My husband went back to the mechanic and told him what the parts man had said. The mechanic put the piece on and it did fix the problem. The miracle was the mechanic said he had done many of those jobs and had always had to have all three parts. This was the first one that it only took the one. Plus the fact that my husband had the money to pay for the part and repairs. Praise the Lord!

It has been a wonderful Sabbath so far. I pray it will continue. The sun is still shining bright. It's time for me to say goodbye. Lunch is almost ready. Take care one and all. Have a wonderful week beginning tomorrow. God Bless!

Starlight*

"SURPRISE! BLOG POSTING ON A TUESDAY!"

2009-02-17T09:56:00.002-06:00

This is probably a surprise to most of you, me posting my blog on a Tuesday. As usual I should be doing something else, but here I sit at the computer. I still have the internet, at least for now. I am sure going to miss it, when it is gone. But having it at home, makes it too easy to waste time on the computer. The part I will miss the most is being able to edit and add to my websites. One of those sites being the local church website.

I just had an urge to post something today. I don't understand why! Maybe because I was so down yesterday and I need to talk, but don't really know how to explain why or what I am down about. Many times life seems so unfair to me. Mostly in the area of marriage. I always believed God created people equally. Or was it He created Man equally? What about the women? God says in His word that He created woman as a help meet for man. What does this really mean? I know both Adam and Eve and men and women alike were to be punished for disobeying God in the Garden of Eden, but to me it seems the woman is punished the most. I know it was Eve that tempted Adam, but he could have been strong enough to reject her temptation. So they were equally at fault. I am not sure I am making myself clear in what I am saying. I know how I feel, but I don't know how to explain to someone else and get the answers I need. I am talking about answers I need, and not what I want to hear.

Another problem I am having is my husband and I do not agree on the role of a man and woman in a marriage. This has been one of our biggests problems. We have trouble talking about such things. We have been married 31 years and have 3 wonderful children. They are grown now, or atleast the two oldest are. The youngest is 17, so she is getting there. People when you are comtemplating marriage, you need to be sure you both agree on things about how a marriage should work and what the role of the man and woman should be. You should discuss and agree on how to raise your children. How you plan to punish disobedience. Talk about these things before hand. Come to an agreement and stick with it. It will save you a lot of heartache and unhappiness.

Looking back over my marriage, I see a lot of things I wish I had done differently, but it is too late to change. There are things that happened with my children that I wish I could change. I feel in many ways, I failed my children. I wasn't as good of a mother as I should have been, or even could have been. This bothers me greatly, but as I said before, it's to late to worry and fret over things that happened in the past. They cannot be changed. Some times I feel maybe I should have stayed single and not had children. I know I wasn't the most patient mother or wife for that matter. My children didn't ask to be born, I chose to have them. Or rather God chose to give them to me.

You might be wondering why I said what I did about children not choosing to be born. My youngest daughter and I have had a discussion lately about how afraid she is of finishing high school, growing up and getting out on her own. She is afraid she won't be able to handle being on her own. I can really understand where she is coming from. Her and I are a lot a like. Or like I use to be. I don't think I was as afraid as she is. Acutally I don't think I really thought about it. Although we were both shy and not very confident about ourselves. We expect our children to be outgoing, confident and etc. But we chose this life for them. They did not choose to be born. Am I making any sense?

I have been so down the last couple of days. I know one reason is I am trying to ween myself off of my anti-depressent med and do without it. I tried once before, but I just stopped taking it all at once. This time I started stretching out how often I take it. I don't have many pills left. Please remember me in your prayers. I need all the help I can get. I pray for myself almost daily. God knows my heart and I pray He will help me overcome this dependency on pills to keep me sane. Did I spell that right? Oh well, you will probably understand what I am trying to spell.

As most of you know, my family and I have been going through a tough time financially over the past few months. All because of a dumb thing I did. It would have been better, if I hadn't quit my job. I was too stressed out and fed up with how things were going. The worse part is what I became involved with after quitting my job. I realized we would miss my income, so I tried to find something to do on the internet at home to bring in a little extra. I tried many things after the one that really put a strain on things. All to no avail. I have become an Avon Representative. We will see how it goes. My mom sold Avon for over 30 years. She retired in December and I took over her customers. It has been slow getting started and I will not make as much as I would if I was a full Representative. You see, my mom sold under a Representative, and got only a percentage of the sells. That is what I am doing. I didn't want the headache of being the person fully responsible for the taxes, and etc that comes with a company of your own. I had a lot of responsibility at the Library being the Director. I no longer wanted all that comes with being in charge.

With quitting my job and staying home again after 13 years of working, it has been hard to keep at things and not get lazy. I don't want to do much of anything most days. I have put my application in at the Growing Tree Learning Center in the small town where I live. My granddaughter use to go there. I know most of the workers. I really didn't want to go back out in the rat race. I definitely don't want to be the boss or in charge. My husband doesn't want me driving very far to work. It wouldn't help if most of my income went to gas. This job would be nice. It isn't that far from my house. I don't know how soon they will be hiring, but they are in the process of taking applications right now. I pray if it is God's will, I will get a call to go to work soon.

This is one of the reasons for my depression. I have prayed about the financial situation. I put it in God's hands in the very beginning and have tried to be patient and let Him be in control. The problem is, things have drug on and things were beginning to look very bleak from my view point. It seemed as if things were getting worse instead of better. But as the old saying goes a lot of time things do get worse before they get better. I just have to continue to trust in God.

I would like to make a few more statements about a totally different subject. As most of you know I have written and been studying "Should Christians today take part in the feast days or holy days of the Old Testament?" Most of you know my views on this by now. But I was reading back over something pktgbook writer had written on his blog about the celebration of the feast days that I do not see. He made the comment that the explanation of the feast days weren't clear enough for the people in the past to understand. I don't see where he gets that. I feel the feast days were for the people in the past and not for us today. No one has ever shown or given me the scriptures in the New Testament that tell us we should keep these days and how and when to keep them or even if Paul and the seven churches kept them. Yes, there are scriptures that talk about the Passover and the the day of Pentecost, but it doesn't say they actually kept them and how to do it. I believe if they were for us today, there would be plenty of scriptures to back it up and explain it to the most common person.

One point the Church of God (7th Day) makes that I don't fully agree with is that the Calender in the Bible is too complicated for us today to understand. That isn't word for word what is stated. I am not postive the church is wrong, but as far as I am concerned whatever God wanted us to know and understand, He explained it plain enough for us to understand, if we are truly seeking the truth. I am sure the keeping or not keeping of these days will not keep us out of God's kingdom. I believe this is one of those things that has no bearing on our judgement. I pray God will show me if I am wrong in this matter.

I have been sick for about two weeks with a bad sinus infection and larengitis. I am much better today. The larengitis is gone. I am still having some problems with my ears and little bit of congestion in my throat. But Thank God, the worse is over. I hope I don't get it again. At least I didn't have the stomach virus also. God Bless you all through the rest of this week.

Starlight*

SABBATH ALMOST PAST!

2009-02-07T17:27:00.005-06:00

Sabbath is almost past. I have had a lazy one. I didn't attend church this morning because I was under the weather. I have been all week. I woke up with the intention of going to church, but didn't feel like driving. I couldn't drag myself out of bed. Had a talk with God and then got up and dressed. Cooked lunch for my hungry family and then got on the computer. BIG MISTAKE! Planned to only be on here a short while and get off. But here I still am. I keep thinking of things I want to do. Soon won't have the internet at home.

I know you have heard that before. But this is for sure. I just don't know the exact day. I had planned on getting rid of a lot of things that would be too much to keep up with from another computer. Such as my family history sites. But if I don't go to them very often and update once in a while, what would hurt to leave them up? Plan to keep my email address and check on it from the Library from time to time. Why can't I do that with other things? Hard to give up things, but something has to go. I had planned to get rid of this blog, but can't quite do it yet. Maybe later.

Your probably quite confused by now. I know I am not making a lot of sense. This sinus infection and larengitis is about to get me down, eventhough I had been feeling better today. Now that evening is approaching, my ears are beginning to stop back up and my gums to ache. I had to start this over because I forgot to save it the first time and went to preview and lost everything. I want to finish and get off.

The whole purpose of posting the blog today was to say goodbye. Now that I can't bring myself to end it, it will probably be the last post for a while. I will have to wait and see how much time I will have. I should give up a lot of things. It is my fault we have to get rid of the internet at home. It is my own fault I am so depressed. I did a stupid thing. I know God is with me and I am trying to let him be in control, but I start feeling this is my punishment and for my own good and I will get through it. It just seems to get to be more than I can bare.

I have enjoyed having this blog. I want to continue. I need to just learn to write less. That is from my point of view. Some of you might be saying Hurah. Big mouth won't be on as often or write as much. Now if you truely feel that way, you didn't have to read this at all. Don't bookmark it and don't come back to it. I wouldn't know the difference.

Time to go. I know this has been a bunch of thoughts thrown together today. Hopefully next time, I will make more sense. I won't be able to spend as much time on it. I need to have in mind what I want to write before typing it up. Take care all and God bless!

Starlight*

"SHOULD CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE BIRTHDAYS?

2009-01-25T14:31:00.006-06:00

Good afternoon everyone. Hope you are having a nice day. Mine hasn't been to bad. I am finally getting around to posting something on my thinking on the celebration of birthdays by Christians. It was brought to my attention by a fellow blogger, author@ptgbook.com We have been in touch with each other for a few months now. We have been discussing several things Christians should or shouldn't take part in. It has been very interesting. That is what all Christians should do. "Study to show ourselves approved, rightly dividing the word of truth." Don't you agree?

I know several Christians that believe you shouldn't celebrate Christ's birthday or anyones. I had never really thought about it being wrong to celebrate birthdays. My family always celebrated birthdays as well as the Country's birthday. The USA was founded on Christian principals. I believe God sent the Pilgrims to the US so they could worship him freely. Christ taught the disciples that they should render to Ceaser what was Ceaser's and to God what was God's. So that being said, I can relate this to the celebration of the USA's birth. I see no harm in doing so, as long as we do not dishonor God or celebrate in place of honor to God. I do not have scriptures to back this up. This is just my own opinion. You have to decide for yourselves. If you feel it is wrong to celebrate birthdays, then by all means you shouldn't, even if it doesn't matter to God. Because if you feel it is wrong to celebrate birthdays and still do it, then you are sinning.

A fellow blogger gave me the following scritpures as bad examples of birthday celebrations in scripture. Genesis 40:20-22 and Matthew 14:6-11. He also gave the scriture of Job 1:4 & 5 as possibly another scripture to back up the thinking that Christians shouldn't celebrate birthdays. I have read these scriptures, but do not feel the same way. I feel God was relating these celebrations to us as example of how not to celebrate birthdays. I believe if he didn't want us to celebrate birthdays, He would have added the fact in the scriptures. The blogger did say the examples in scripture were weak, but he can do without the celebration of birthdays. More power to him. He is doing what he feels is right for him and it is between him and God.

The Worldwide Church of God and Herbert W. Armstrong taught their members not to celebrate birthdays because of the negative examples of birthday celebrations in the Bible. It seemed to be a custom of the world that did not bear good fruit. Especially with some of the excessiveness that occurs in today's society and with the wrong attitude of "expecting" gifts that it tends to promote bad examples. The church leaders found no positive examples of birthday keeping. This doctrine was based mostly on trying to live by every word of God, including lessons they can learn from examples given to us in the Bible. It seems birthday celebration would fall into the category of the vain customs of the people of this world.

The blogger noticed that in celebrating birthdays, we tend to honor and glorify each other. He would rather reserve honor and glory for God instead of each other once a year. A good point. We need to make sure we celebrate in the right way and not forget who made us. If we celebrate birthdays, we should be sure and bring that point out every year, "God Made Us" and we should give honor and glory to God.

Every year I thank "GOD" for another year of life. If we do not have another birthday, we are asleep either in Jesus awaiting Christ's return or asleep awaiting God's judgement. I feel we should acknowledge one more year of life. I feel this is giving God honor and glory. This is only my opinion. Each one of us has to make up our minds about the celebration of birthdays. As my fellow brorther in Chirst stated, "If you would have a quilty conscience in observing a birthday, then you shouldn't." He thinks based on the little bit that God says about birthdays in the Bible and the examples given, God is not particularly thrilled with the custom.

In reading the scriptures given, I feel God was displeased with how the birthdays were celebrated and gave the examples to show us how "not" to celebrate them. I feel if God did not want us to celebrate birthdays He would have said so in the scriptures He gave about the birthday celebrations. He possibly wouldn't have even mentioned them, unless it had to do with who was beheaded or punished at the celebration. This is not the case. From my view point, it is okay to celebrate birthdays, if they are done in the right manner. Pray first and then study for yourself. I am not condeming anyone for celebrating or not celebrating. That is not my place. God is in control and it is His place.

I understand why we shouldn't celebrate Christ's birth. The celebration wasn't even started until about 300 years after Christ was born. The church leaders took the date of a wicked King's birthday and the winter solstice and set it aside for Christ's, not really knowning exactly when Christ was born. If you go by scripture, you will see Christ was born in the fall of the year, not winter. If I understand right, the climate in Bethlehem was similar to ours. The sheep and shepherds wouldn't have been in the fields. They would have been in the folds due to the cold weather of winter. The decorating of the tree was something done by the wicked King's mother and a custom of the people at that time. The gift giving is to show love for one another. Jeremiah 10 beginning with verse 2 we are told not to learn the way of the heathen. Verse 3 tells us the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest. . . Verse 4 they deck it with silver and gold. . . and fasten it with nails so it moves not. Verse 5 says "Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil , neither also is it in them to do good."

What does a tree have to do with a birth? The wise men brought gifts to Christ. People say it was a custom to bring gifts to a King. Okay that is understandable. Why give gifts to everyone on Christ's birthday. Do we give gifts to everyone on our birthday? Not usually. If you were to celebrate Christ's birth, then do it in the right manner. Do not set up a tree and put gifts under it for everyone and expect to receive gifts in return. If you are giving gifts to show your love for others, you shouldn't expect one in return. You also shouldn't go in debt to be sure and give everyone a real nice gift, hoping to get the same in return. Get your priorities straight. Give gifts to the church and Christ.

As for me any my house, we do not and I do not plan to ever celebrate Christ's birth. If God wanted us to celebrate Christ's birth, He would have told us in scripture the exact date of Christ's birth and not just about the time of the year it was. He would have included instructions on how to celebrate. If you feel you should celebrate Christ's birthday, do not do it the way the world does. By all means celebrate. But do it at the right time of year and in the fashion it should be celebrated. I pray we will all always pray for God's guidence before we begin a study on any subject. Prayer is the first step and should give us an open mind before we begin to study the Word.

If you have a comment or question on this subject feel free to leave a comment or send me an email. My address is oklibrarianc@yahoo.com.

I pray God will bless you all this week.

Starlight*

'FRIDAY MORNING POST"

2009-01-23T11:35:00.003-06:00

Good Morning one and all. Surprise, Surprise as Gomer Pile would say. Here it is Friday morning and I am posting my blog. I decided to get on the internet and check and answer my email and post a blog in the morning hours. Hopefully I will then stay off until tomorrow evening. We will have the grandkids tonight and tomorrow, plus a full day at church tomorrow. Today was the best time to post something.

I am ashamed to say I still haven't researched the scriptures I was given about the celebration of birthdays. I have been too busy this week. That shouldn't be an excuse. I need to do that and post my thoughts on the subject. Maybe the devil is trying to convenince me that I don't need to study this. Please pray for me.

I am excited. Beginning next week I will be selling Avon to bring in some extra cash to the home front. My mom has done this for over 30 years and is now retired from it. I will be taking over her position and customers. That will help alot. I hope this is the answer to my prayers. I have been struggling for many months over getting another job. Trying to find one on the internet as most of you know. I did not want to have to go back out into the rat race. Thank God, I think this will be it.

My Online Variety Store isn't accomplishing anything. I am about ready to shut it down. I believe in the long run, it will cost me more than it is worth. I think it was a good idea, but just not for me. If I cannot get an Avon website any other way, I will turn the Online Variety Store website into an Avon one. We will have to wait and see. I need to talk to my sponsor Jan and see what she can tell me about getting an Avon website.

I am kind of jumping from one subject to another. Maybe that is what is needed for me today. I am enjoying putting my thoughts down and reading them later. It has really helped me. Plus the fact I would have liked to have been a writer. I still might accomplish that some time down the road. My youngest daughter wants to be a photographer and writer after High School. She is good with a camera and words. I pray it will all work out for her. She doesn't enjoy or like school. Although she does make good grades. She is in her Junior year of high school. It's almost over, but she would like to be home schooled. We tired that for a couple of months, when I was still working at the library. It didn't work out. She would like to do her Senior year online. We will have to see. The hard part is getting her through her Junior year. Please pray for us and the situation.

Believe it or not, I think I am through for the day. I want to work on family history a while before getting busy with the things I need to do today. It's time for lunch. If I don't eat now, I will get busy and loose track of time. Before I know it, it will be time to pick up my daughter from school. If it gets to be that time, then I have lost a lot of time to accomplish what I should today. Does that make any sense? I sure hope so.

God bless all of my readers out there. I pray you have a Happy Sabbath tomorrow. I pray that our Quarterly Meeting in Tahleuqah will be well attended. I pray I will be able to attend the meeting myself.

Starlight*

"YEAH! IT'S FRIDAY!"

2009-01-16T20:16:00.004-06:00

This week has been a long one for me. It seemed to just drag. Not a bad week really. I was really down about two weeks ago, kind of depressed. I had requested the church pray for me. The first week was better and this week even better. God has truly blessed me this week. Things are looking up.

As most of you know, I have been trying different programs on the computer that I could set up and have a work-at-home job. So far nothing had came about to bring in any money. I had almost given up on finding anything that didn't cost a lot to get started. My husband wanted me to try and find a job close to home. That is very hard in a little town. Not much turn over at what little jobs there are, except maybe at the Nursing Home. I have checked in to about 3 without any luck. But this week I was talking to my mom asking if anyone was taking her place selling Avon. She told me no and if I was interested I needed to call the lady she works under. I did, but she was out of town. I left a message for her at home and on her cell phone. God came through today. The lady called me and said I could take mom's place. It won't be a lot of money, since I am working under someone else. I only get a percentage of what I sell, but I didn't want to be the primary representative. Less pressure if I work under someone else. I still would like to find something to do on the internet to bring in some money. I know people who do. I just haven't found the right one yet. Please continue to remember me in your prayers.

Been a while since I have posted any James History. In looking back at my past posts, I should have posted Generation 2 a couple of weeks ago. So here it is:

GENERATION 2

2 (1) John Wesley James (male)(Melton1) b:Jan 14, 1872 d:Sept 26, 1952 Gore, Oklahoma; buried Gum Springs Cemetery north of Gore. Married Maud Shannon.

2 (2)"Dora" Udoria (Udora) James (female)(Melton1) b:1874 d:unknown. Married a Turner and they lived in Huntington, Arkansas.

2 (5) William"Bill" Melton James (male)(Melton1) b:Apr 23, 1876 in Kentucky d:Jan 28, 1953 Coweta, Wagoner Co, Okla. Buried Gum Springs Cemetery, Gum Springs, Okla. He asked that his body be cremated.

1st Wife: Ida Mae Green, a full blood Cherokee Indian. b:May 10, 1886 in Gore, Okla. d:aft.1910. They had 6 children.

3 (1) John Emery James (male) b:Jan 25, 1904 d:Aug 26, 1981

3 (2) Jesse Lee James, Sr. (male) b:Aug 22, 1906 d:abt.1987

3 (3) Luther James Winfrey (male) b:abt.1907 d:unknown (adopted)

3 (4) Sam James Best (male) b:abt.1908 d:unknown (adopted)

3 (5) Frank Wesley James (male) b:Feb 14, 1909 d:Apr 2, 1966

3 (6) Victoria Mae James (female) b:abt.1910 d:abt.1910

2nd Wife of Bill: Sarah Stevens (female) b:Apr 27, 1886 d:Jun 30, 1956. Buried in Gore, Ok.

3rd Wife of Bill: Lizzie Unknown (female) b:Aug 8, 1879 d:Mar 28, 1953. Buried High Cemetery Mulberry, Arkansas.

2 (6) Thomas Elivie Grant James (male)(Melton1) b:Jun 4, 1881 Franklin Co, Arkansas d:Jul 19, 1944 Gore, Sequoyah Co, Ok. Died of a snake bite. Married Sarah Gertrude "Gerty" Goins b:Apr 27, 1886 in Franklin Co, Arkansas. d:Jun 30, 1956. They had 11 children.

3 (1) Liley James (female) b:Oct 21, 1903 d:1905

3 (2) Bertha James (female) b:Dec 27, 1905 d:1908

3 (3) Jesse H. James (male) b:Oct 21, 1907 d:Dec 28, 1997

3 (4) Estella James (female) b:Feb 12, 1910 d:1910

3 (5) Ralph Chester James (male) b:Feb 16, 1911 d:Mar 29, 1972

3 (6) Marie James (female) b:Aug 20, 1914 d:Apr 1939

3 (7) Alvis Lorance James (male) b:Aug 19, 1916 d:Dec 16, 1936

3 (8) Ruby Roxanne James (female) b:Aug 21, 1918 d:Nov 14, 2003

3 (9) Martha James (female) b:Jan 9, 1921 d:unknown

3 (10) Tommy O. James (male) b:Aug 27, 1923 d:Dec 23, 1999

3 (11) Elive James (male) b/d:Feb 19, 1925 (on grave marker Eleve)

2 (7) Harve Louis James (male)(Melton1) b:Sept 21, 1883 in Boomer, Boone Co, Ark. d:Aug 2, 1967 Pryor, Mayes Co, Okla. Married Annie Mable Hubler b:Feb 10, 1893 Campbell, Indian Territory(OK) d:Sept 9, 1990 Chouteau, Mayes Co, Okla. 9 Children.

3 (1) Simon Peter James (male) b/d:Aug 2, 1911 Gore, Sequoyah Co, Okla.

3 (2) Ellen Victoria James (female) b:May 29, 1915 d:Nov 25, 1928

3 (3) Beulah Bell James (female) b:Mar 27, 1916 d:unknown

3 (4) Arthur Louis James (male) b:Dec 5, 1919 d:Aug 2, 1967

3 (5) Ella Mae James (female) b:Jul 2, 1922 d:unknown

3 (6) Lisa James (female)(miscarriage) b/d:abt.1923

3 (7) "Jack"Harvey Melton James (male) b:Feb 2, 1925

3 (8) Edward "Leroy" James (male) b:Mar 2, 1930 d:unknown

3 (9) Clara Virginia James (female) b:Nov 7, 1932 d:unknown

2 (8) Ollie Melvin(Melton?) James (male)(Melton1) b:Aug 27, 1893 Boomer, Boone Co, Ark. d:May 3, 1959 Tulsa, Tulsa Co, Okla. Buried Gum Springs Cemetery, Gum Springs, Ok. 11 Children:

3 (1) Homer Floyd James (male) b:Jan 23, 1908 d:Mar 4, 1967 (59 yrs)

3 (2) Alton Melvin James (male) b:Mar 18, 1910 d:Aug 23, 1979 (69 yrs)

3 (3) Lavida James (female) b:Jan 13, 1913 d:Dec 25, 1924 (11 yrs)

3 (4) Flora "Joan" James (female) b:Nov 10, 1915 d:unknown

3 (5) Eva Mae James (female) Nov 27, 1917 d:Mar 14, 1981 (63 yrs)

3 (6) Effie Jean "Mickey" James (female) b:Jun 18, 1919 d:Jan 22, 1980 (60)

3 (7) Norman James (male) b:Feb 22, 1920 d:Feb 18, 1968 (47 yrs)

3 (8) Ollie Lavera James (female) b:Jun 11, 1922 d:Dec 2, 1981 (59 yrs)

3 (9) Herman Jack James (male) b:Jun 10, 1923 d:Nov 20, 1996 (73 yrs)

3 (10) Hally James (female) b:Feb 6, 1925 d:Feb 29, 1925 (23 days)

3 (11) Abby Jean James (female) b:Mar 12, 1926 d:unknown

One more generation down and about 5 more to go. There are 7 generations from Great-great Grandpa Melton down. If you have any questions don't hesitate to email me.

I had meant to do my study on the celebration of birthdays this week and put something on here about my findings. I totally forgot. Maybe I will get to it next week. I am glad to report I will probably have internet until after May. That is when the contract is up. Maybe by that time I will have some money coming in and we can afford to leave it connected. We will have to wait and see.

Goodnight All

Starlight*

LATE NIGHT BLOG (OR EARLY MORNING)

2009-01-11T03:19:00.004-06:00

The title may seem a little strange, but true. It is after midnight earthly time and early morning. Bible time it is the latter part of the day. Time being measured sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday, or whatever day you are talking about. I need to get to bed, but wanted to get something posted on here, before I no longer have internet service in my home. I will still try and post something on here weekly, by going to the library, where I use to work, and using their computer. Please bear with me.

I was going to post something about whether or not a christian should celebrate "any" ones birthday. I had never thought about it before. I have never seen anything wrong with it myself. But it was brought to my attention that some Churches of God do not celebrate birthdays. I was given a few scriptures just this evening and haven't had time to study them. So I won't be saying any more about this subject for now.

I have been trying to come up with a way to make a little money from home, as most of you know. I am getting very discouraged with this. I am not making anything out of a few programs I have looked into and tried. I guess it is just God's will that it doesn't work out, atleast for now. Then an idea came to me this evening. Sell Avon. But I don't want to distribute the product and be on my own. I want to do it the way my mom did for many years. She works under someone else. I would like to be able to take her place. Please pray for me that this will work out, only if it is God's will. If not his will, let him send something my way.

Wow, I am about to fall asleep here. I need to go to bed! Had several thoughts in my head about what I wanted to write, until I got on here. Too much to try and remember, especially when you are half asleep, but this will be my last blog from home. I wanted the time to think a few things over before writing them down. The later it gets the slower I can think and type.
I wanted to be able to keep the internet for my businesses. Just not possible at this time.

3:36 a.m. Central Standard Time. It will be time for Daylight Savings time again real soon. Wow, can you believe that? My eyes are so heavy right now. If I don't go to bed soon, I will not want to get up all day tomorrow. That isn't good. I have a few things I really need to do. So I guess this is good-night for now.

God Bless
Starlight*

HAS THE CHURCH OF GOD (SEVENTH DAY) EVER BEEN PROTESTANT?

2008-12-28T21:26:00.002-06:00

Has the Church of God (7th Day) ever been or is now protestant is the big question today. This was brought to my attention by Cogwriter. I have been in contact with Cogwriter for several months now. He is a member of the Living Church of God. He posts articles on the internet about the Church of God. He posts articles about his church's beliefs and what he thinks of the Cog7 and their teachings. As most of you know Herbert W. Armstrong was the founder of the World Wide Church of God. The Living Church of God broke off from the World Wide Church of God. I think I have stated this in one of my previous posts, Mr. Armstrong was a member and an elder in the Church of God (7th Day) back in the 1930s. He left to start his own group because the Church of God (7th Day) doesn't teach you need to keep the Feast Days, given to the Israelites, today.

The Church of God (7th Day) has never been protestant. The denomiation is Church of God. The church isn't Protestant, Catholic, Baptist or any other denomiation you might want to list. The founders of the Church of God did not come out of the Catholic Church. They were never members of the Catholic Church. The founders came from the church talked about in the Bible in the book of Acts. Yes, the church are protestors of the Catholic Church. The reason I am writing this blog is I read an article cogwriter has posted on a website that he was glad Elder Whaid Rose, President of the General Conference of the Church of God (7th Day) has admitted that the Church of God is protestant. Here is the website address if you would like to read it for yourselves.
http://www.cogwriter.com/news/cog-news/cog7s-whaid-rose-we-are-protestant/

Cogwriter states that he was in attendance at the General Conference Meeting of the Church of God (7th Day) in Overland Park, Kansas July 2007. I was in attendance also. Elder Rose stated that the Church of God (7th Day) is protestant. I for one do not agree with him. I didn't like the fact that Elder Rose made that statement for the whole church body. Cogwriter states in the article that he is glad Elder Rose finally admitted that the Church of God is protestant. So I guess he agrees with Elder Rose. I was raised in the church and have been a member for about 43 years. I had never heard that statement until Elder Rose made it at Conference.

The church founders never taught or stated that the Church of God was protestant. Quite the opposite. The founders taught that the church wasn't of any denomination. It was just what the name says, Church of God. As I stated in the beginning, the founders of the church did not come out of the Catholic Church. They were never members, but were not protestants either, although they protested against the Catholic Church. They came out of the Millerite Movement back in the 1800s. I have since found out that many of the leaders of the Church of God (7th Day) believe the church is protestant. When Elder Rose made the statement at Conference, I felt he should have stated that it was "his belief " that the Church of God was protestant. He shouldn't have spoken for the church body. I have contacted Elder Rose about his statement.

I would like to dedicate this blog to Elder Melvin Sweet. He passed away suddenly on Saturday December 27, 2008 in Stanberry, Missouri. He was an elder in the church for many years. I met him for the first time in about 1962, when I was about 9 years old. I am also aquainted with his wife and daughters. They are in my prayers with his passing. He was the pastor of the Stanberry, Missouri church and leader of the "LITES" program, which is housed in the old Midwest Bible College building in Stanberry. His dad was a minister, Elder J.B. Sweet of Texas, as well as one of his brothers, Elder Belton Sweet of Vinus, Texas. I met his dad and brothers and their families at Dover Campmeeting near Kingfisher, Okla at the same time I met Elder Sweet. He will be greatly missed.

My mother and her brothers suffered a loss on Saturday. Their sister Mary Hinds Green passed away at the Claremore Regional Hospital in Claremore, Oklahoma. She was born in Inola, Oklahoma in September of 1944. She was 64 years old. Mary was only 5 years old when my mom married. She was 8 when I was born. Before she married, I use to spend a lot of time with her after church on Sabbath at my grandparent's home. I was her Maid of Honor at her Wedding in December of 1966. She was my friend as well as my aunt. In later years she had alienated herself from the family. I didn't see her very often. A few years ago, she suffered a stroke and was bound to a wheel chair. On Saturday she was in the hosptial because of her diabetes and was getting ready to go home. Mom and her brother Charles and his wife Gail Hinds, I guess went up to see her at the hospital. She was getting ready to go home and something happened. Mom said the hospital thought she must have had a blood clot. Her funeral will be sometime this week. Please remember the family in prayer.

Time for me to bring this to a close. It's about bed time. Toady began another week. Tomorrow it is back to work for most of you. I wish I could come up with a way to make money on the internet and not have to go back out in the rat race to bring in some extra money. Continue to pray that I can find something soon.

God Bless
Starlight*

SHOULD THE FEAST DAYS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT BE OBSERVED TODAY?

2008-12-25T18:53:00.004-06:00

Fellow bloggers, this posting will be on a religious subject as you can see by the title. I have done this study several times coming up with the same conclusion I have always had. I do not believe that today's Christians are taught to observe the Feast Days. I believe they were given to the Israelites and ended with them. The sacrificial laws were done away with when Christ died on the cross. I cannot find any scriptures in the new testament that teaches us to observe these days. The scriptures that mention these feast days, are only being used as a time frame between Paul and the seven churches. It doesn't say we are to keep them or that Paul actually kept them. If we were to keep them now, I believe God would have put instructions for us to do so in the scriptures. It just mentions that Paul was going some place at the time of the feasts or would be back after a certain day. Something else was brought to my attention. Some people believe that the Seventh Day Sabbath and the Ten commandments were nailed to the cross. Where are the scriptures for this? I have never read them. The laws contained in ordinances were done away with which is what the Feast Days are considered. The Ten Commandments were not laws contained in ordinances. The Ten Commandments were written by the finger of God on Tables of Stone. The Laws contained in Ordinances were written in a book by Moses. They are two different laws. The weekly Sabbath is a Ten Commandment, not a law contained in ordinances. They were commands "thou shalt" and "thou shalt not" from the very beginning of creation. The other laws were added because of transgressions of the Ten Commandments. (Gal. 3:19).

I have written an article about this "A Study on the Feast Days of the Old Testament. Should they be Observed Today?" I was going to post the whole study on here, but I felt it would get to long. I am only going to post parts of it. If you would like a copy of my study, email me with an address and I will send you one. oklibrarianc@yahoo.com. I am not sure this link will work for you. You may have to go to your email account and send it.

I belong to the Church of God (7th Day) with Headquarters in Denver, Colorado. This organization teaches we should not keep them today. Christians are not obligated to observe the feast days, the annual Hebrew holy days of Leviticus 23. The annual holy days were part of the Levitical law of the old convenant and were intimately liked to its system of animal sacrifices. The annual holy days were neither Creation ordinances nor included among the Ten Commandments, but they belong to a portion of law that may be called ceremonial. So if the Levitical Priesthood ended so did the laws given at that time. The annual holy days were commanded to the nation of Israel when they departed from Egypt and were to be observed where the Lord placed His name. The Israelites were to observed them until the end of the Israelites that came out of Egypt. Only two of those people were able to even cross over to the promised land.

There were seven high days, called holy days in the Old Testament. The groups that teach the observance of these feast days today, list them as holy days. These holy days are Passover, Feast of Unleaven Bread, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day. But the Bible says that Israel was commanded to keep just three annual "feasts", each kept for a designated period of time and two other special days, each with significance. Notice it says Israel was commanded to keep.

In Hosea 2:11, "God will end Israel's feast days, new moons, sabbaths (not seventh day sabbath) and all solemn feasts." In chapter 5:5-7, it says God was angry at the Israelites for going after pagan gods and traditions. Isaiah 1:13 & 14, God rejected Israel's observance of new moons, and appointed feasts. Amos 5:21 says God despises feast days. What about these scriptures? I have been told these scriptures do not pertain to the feast days. What do they pertain to then?

Many people are confused because they are not able to determine what was nailed to the cross and what was not. The Ten Commandments were not laws contained in ordinances. That is where people get confused. What is a law contained in ordiances? The word "contained" means, "to have within itself," "included in," and "comprised of." The law contained in ordinances would simply mean a law that has within itself "rules or "regulations" to exercise that law. These laws have rules of instructions how to keep, or exercise the law. In some languages the word ordinances is translated "rituals", and in some languages "ceremonies". In both languages there are no other words that can be used to mean the same thing as rituals or ceremonies.

Paul tells us that the law contained in ordinances was nailed to the cross. Jesus took it out of the way. It was not part of the "LAW", but the law contained in ordinances. I didn't find any scritpure that separates anything from the law contained in ordinances or that tells us to keep this part of the law but not to keep the other part. The ones who try to hold part of the feasts also try to connect the weekly Sabbath with the feasts, as I have said earlier. They are trying to twist the scriptures to fit man's theory, but in scripture it is not found.

Are we to observe the day of Pentecost (or feast of first fruits or feast of weeks)? This was for the "Israelites" to observe when they reached the Promise Land. Leviticus 23:10 tells the "Israelites" to observe the "feast of harvest". They couldn't have such a feast until they had reaped their "first harvest". Acts 20:16, Paul was determined to be at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. It doesn't say Paul was there to "observe" the day or telling people to observe the day. In 1 Corinthians 16:18 does it say Paul was there to observe the day of Pentecost? It just says he would tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. The scripture shows Paul, the Corinthians and the Ephesians knew when Pentecost was. It doesn't say in scripture that it was being observed by Paul and the others. It was being used to show the church a time frame.

The "Day of Atonement was a Holy Convocations, Luke 23:26, 27, 32. The "type" of the Day of Atonement and the things done that day were typical of the atonement Christ made for us by His death on the cross and His ascending into Heaven. This is explained in the book of Hebrews, chapter 9 and 10. In chapter 10 you will find it further explained that the ceremonies and sacrifices which made up the Day of Atonement were brought to an end when Christ made the great sacrifice of Himself.

Go to Colossians chapter 2:1, 6, 9, 10,14. This is Paul talking to the people about the mysteries of God and of Christ. Who taught the Colossians to live by faith? Paul did. He did not teach them to keep the laws or part of the laws contained in ordinances. Later in the chapter Paul taught them not to be judged because they did "not" keep the laws contained in ordinances. In verse 9 Paul tells the Colossians that the fullness is in Christ and not in anything else. Verse 10 says we are complete in Christ. The feasts were shadows of things to come (Christ). Why keep part of them and only the part man chooses to keep and leave the rest unkept? In verse 14 "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that were against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His (Christ's) cross." The handwriting was none other than the laws contained in rituals. The scripture does not say sacrifices were nailed to the cross. It says the law of sacrifices. Those who teach it is necessary to keep parts of the feasts try to maintain that the "Days" remained, but do you know that the "day" of the feast was the most unimportant thing of the feast and did not exist until the beginning of the Levitical Priesthood? The Levitical Priesthood began with Exodus, and so did the feasts. They also vanished with the Levitical Priesthood. Anyone claiming to keep the feasts or any part of them, same as claims Christ is not yet come to take away the shadow that stood or stands before them.

If we are to keep the day of Pentecost, why didn't Paul explain to them why and how they were to keep the day of Pentecost? If it was to be observed by the people in the new testament, there should be instructions in the scriptures as to how and where to keep it. Where are these scriptures in the new testament? What special days or festivals has "God" commanded Christians to observe? did God or Jesus at any time direct or command Christians to observe or commemorate the birth of Christ? Were the feasts commanded to be observed by Israel forever? Notice how the scriptures show that these things were to be in affect for the "generations" of Israel to the end of "their" time, which would be forever for them. Till the end of the generations of the Israelites whose fathers came out of Egypt and followed after other gods. We are not to observe the feasts and holy days of Israel. The only holy day we should observe is "God's Holy Sabbath Day." Christ done away with the sacrificial rituals, when He became our supreme sacrifice. Christ instituted the Lord's Supper and foot washing with His disciples adn commanded them to observe it yearly in memory of His death. By example Christ taught water baptism and coming up a new creature. If we are not baptized, we cannot enter into the everlasting "Kingdom of God".

Some say what does it hurt to observe the feast days? In so many scriptures it seems to tell us, that if we take part in "Israel's" feast days, we are crucifying Christ all over again. It makes His sacrifice for our sins of none effect. As for me and my family, the feast days were for the Israelites and when Christ came as our sacrificial lamb, the sacrificial laws were done away with and nailed to Christ's cross. Be very careful about what you observe. Search the scriptures and pray for guidence. Make up your own mind.

Starlight*

BIRTHDAY SUNDAY

2008-12-14T19:48:00.005-06:00

Hello one and all. You might ask why the blog is entitled "Birthday Sunday". Could it be that today is my birthday? You would be right. I turned 56 years old today. I was born Sunday December 14, 1952 in the Franklin Hospital, Claremore, Oklahoma. In the winter of 52 snow covered the ground when my mom went into labor in the early morning hours. The hospital wouldn't even let my dad stay in the lobby. It was too cold to sit in the car, so he went home and to sleep. He had been working in the night when it came time to take mom to the hospital. Since my parents didn't have a telephone, they left mom's cousin Lavetta's number with the hospital. I came a little after 4:00 a.m. Cousin Lavetta's husband Fred went to my parents duplex on Tenth and Cherokee streets and had to knock on the door and yell at my dad three times before he would wake up. I don't know where my brother was. He was born in Phoenix, Arizona in March of 1951. We are 21 months apart. My family moved from Willcox, Arizona in September of 1952 to Claremore, Oklahoma, where both my parents families then lived. My mother was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma and grew up in Inola. In 1948 her family moved to Arizona. My dad's parents lived there and my grandpa Johnston was the pastor of the church. My parents were married July 21, 1949 in Willcox, Arizona.

On Sabbath we had a great service at church. Our former pastor Tim Hinds and family were here from Owosso, Michigan. He is now serving as the youth pastor at Spring Vale Academy, the church high school. This is his second year in Michigan. We sure miss him and his family. He is a relative of mine on the Hinds side of my mother's (dad's) family. Our Great-Grandpa Hinds was a minister beginning 1924 in Inola, Oklahoma, where I live now. He served as the pastor of the group in Inola until July of 1948, when he passed away of a heart attack in Denver, Colorado, while him and his wife were visiting their two youngest daughters. His body was sent back to Inola and buried in the Sweeten Cemetery. Tim was at our church in Claremore to conduct a baptismal service of my daughter (a cousin), his niece, and his sister. The three girls are in their youth, my daughter being the oldest. He gave a very good sermon on pure of heart.

It was the second Sabbath of the month, with pot luck lunch after the Worship Service. In the afternoon we started a 5 part video series on the history of the Sabbath. Part one was great. It starts with how creation came about and then into when the Sabbath began. Which of course was at the end of the creation week. Each month on the second Sabbath the next video in the series will be shown at 2:00 p.m. At the Church of God (7th Day), 512 East Tenth Street, Claremore, Oklahoma. Anyone is welcome to come and view this series. The next showing will be on Sabbath January 10, 2009. Our speaker will be Brother Jason Overman from Jasper, Arkansas.

I have been doing a study on if we should take part in the Feast Days of the Old Testament today. The Church of God (7th Day) teaches that the feast days were for the Israelites after they came out of Egypt from being in bondage. The Israelites were to observe them until they reached the Promise Land. The sacrificial laws ended when Christ came and became our living sacrifice on the cross. This done away with all sacrifices. The belief of the church is that if you take part in the feast days today, it would be saying Christ birth, dying on the cross and resurrection from the dead were of no effect. Or means if you keep the feast days today, you are sacrificing Christ on the cross all over again year after year. There are many who feel we should still keep the feast days. After doing this study, I am of the same opinion I have always been that they were for the Israelites and not for us today. "Study to show thyself approved. . . . Rightly dividing the word of truth."

Now on to something else. I said I planned to start putting up some of the James Family History. I still haven't had any luck with our connection to the outlaws, Frank and Jesse. Someday perhaps I will. I believe my husband's fourth great Grandpa James was a brother to Frank and Jesse's dad Robert James. His name probably being William Henry James. I just cannot find Great-great Grandpa Melton's name in the descendents. I feel the reason for this is he probably changed his name and went into seclusion. Stories among family members are that he posed as Jesse James and committed robberies and murders. There are stories also of Frank and Jesse coming and eating with them at their homes around Gore, Oklahoma. Some cousins still alive today, tell these stories. My husband's grandpa told him they were cousins and that his dad Bill or grandpa Melton had played with the boys in the Cookson Hills of Oklahoma. Great-great Grandpa James never discussed where he came from, who his parents or siblings were. That's one reason why the family thinks he was probably hiding out. Below I will start with Great-great Grandpa Melton James and list him and his family and a few descendants. Each week I plan to add more until I get to the end of what I have. I also have some of Frank and Jesse's ancestors, beginning with the first James from Wales, John James the Immigrant.

GENERATION 1

1 Harvey Melton James b:Dec 25, 1851 in Kentucky d:Mar 7, 1931 in Gore, Okla. m:abt.1871 Roxianna Malinda Crouch b:Feb 17, 1850 in Kentucy born to John J. Crouch b:1825 in Kentucky, and Cinthia Ann Draffin b:1826 in Kentucky, d:Mar 19, 1910 Gore, Okla. They had 8 children:
2 (1) John Wesley James (male) b:Jan 14, 1872 d:Sept 26, 1952
2 (2) Victoria Ann James (female) b:Jun 8, 1873 d:Feb 24, 1943
2 (3) "Dora" Udora (Udoria) James (female) b:abt.1874 d:unknown
2 (4) Cordia James (female) b:abt.1875 d:unknown
2 (5) "Bill" William Melton James (male) b:Apr 23, 1876 d:Jan 28, 1953, Coweta, Okla.
2 (6) Thomas Elivie Grant James (male) b:Jun 4, 1881 d:Jul 19, 1944
2 (7) Harve Louis James (male) b:Sept 21, 1883 d:unknown
2 (8) Ollie Melvin James (male) b:Aug 27, 1893 d:May 3, 1959
2nd Wife of Melton: Callie Ridgeway (female) b:1903 d:unknown m:Dec 26, 1921 in Gore, Okla. He was 55 and she was 18.

On next weeks blog I plan to add Generation 2. If anyone reading this has any questions, please feel free to email me any time: oklibrarianc@yahoo.com. Until next time, God Bless.

Starlight*

Thanksgiving Sabbath (in Tulsa)

2008-11-29T17:05:00.015-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all. This Sabbath I have called the Thanksgiving Sabbath. It was the 5th Sabbath of the month. A tradition was started many years ago by my grandpa Elder Ross Johnston. He was a minister of the Church of God (7th Day). He was the pastor of 4 congregations at one time, Claremore, Tulsa, Coweta and Okmulgee, Okla. His main church was the Claremore group. He also started a group in Tulsa, Coweta and Okmulgee. The Okmulgee group met in the afternoon, so he was able go there every Sabbath afternoon. He would preach one Sabbath at Claremore, the next at Tulsa and the next in Coweta. When a month came up with a 5th Sabbath, he would have all the churches meet together at a different church each time. So the 5th Sabbath Meetings were formed. Later the Tahlequah Church wanted to be included and the 5th Sabbath meeting began being held at their building the month it was their turn. Even though my grandpa has passed on and the Coweta and Okmulgee churches are no more, we still have the 5th Sabbath Meetings, Claremore, Tahlequah and Tulsa. Today was Tulsa's turn. We had a smaller group than usual today. But we have had a death in one family and another the mother was taken to the emergency room this morning with chest pains and high blood pressure. She is in the hospital at least until tomorrow. Also this being Thanksgiving weekend some were out of town.

Our family had a nice Thanksgiving. My husband comes from a family of seven children. The family met at his dad's house in Coweta, Oklahoma. His mother passed away in 2005, so the past couple of years, the girls', in-laws included, have fixed the turkey, stuffing and trimmings. The youngest daughter baked the turkey. Of the seven children, 5 were there. The oldest, being a girl and the youngest, being a boy, did not show up. We had about 20 on Thanksgiving Day.

In more news, Rick starts a new/old job Monday December 1, 2008. You might ask, "What do you mean by a new/old job?" Well, he has been working for Riverside Nissan for the past year and a half as their parts courier, as a sub-contractor under DLS. Nissan had decided to not go through DLS any more and hire their own person for the courier job, plus the job they usually hire a person for in the parts department. Rick will be doing both jobs. The good thing is he will now have benefits and drive their truck and they will furnish the gas and pay his taxes. He will be making a little less than he is now, but he gets benefits which will make up for the pay loss. Plus he will be no longer self-employed.

My grand kids spent the night and went to church with me in Tulsa today. We are now home and they are both in my room playing, where I am trying to type up this latest post on the computer. They are about to drive me crazy. I can't hardly concentrate. Mady keeps talking and opening the closet door, Randy is seeing how long he can go without talking, but keeps asking me how long it has been. Believe it or not, it has been almost an hour. I didn't think he could keep quite that long. I am ready for a nap.

I plan to start posting some of the family history on here. So if there is anyone who would like some information can come to my blog and check it out. I guess I will start from what I know as the beginning and add more as I receive it or find it. Several members of the family has been trying to find information on great-great grandpa Melton James. The family says his name was Harvey Melton, but not sure that is correct. He had one son named Ollie and a family member found an obituary they thought was his, but his dad's name is listed as John Melvin James. I do not believe that is the correct obituary. They are kin to the outlaws Frank and Jesse James, but no one can find the connection. I think it is because grandpa probably changed his name. They say he posed as Jesse James and committed robberies and killed 17 men. When he moved to Oklahoma, he lived back in the woods and would hardly ever go into town. He would usually send one of the boys. One cousin remembers the outlaws coming to their house and eating supper with them on more than one occasion.

Time to sign off for now. I am tired and the kids are getting crankie. They are hungry and tired. Maybe if I fix them something to eat, they will settle down. It's time for the big football game, University of Oklahoma verses Texas A&M. Of course we are big time OU fans. If OU wants to be in the championship game, they need to win tonight's game. Then next weekend is the rivalry between OU and OSU. Both Oklahoma teams. By now you should know who I will be rooting for. The only disadvantage for OU is the game will be in Stillwater, Oklahoma, OSU's home field. I have a lot of confidence OU will win, even with the home field disadvantage. GO OU SOONERS!!!!

starlight*

"GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY SABBATH"

2008-11-15T09:42:00.002-06:00

It is a beautiful Sabbath morning. We did wake up to sunshine, but now it is a little cloudy, and a little windy. That's okay, it is fall. I had decided not to write my blog on Sabbath, but it seems to be the only time I can get to it. I really didn't feel I was doing anything wrong writing it on the Sabbath, I just felt I could use my time for better things. Maybe God is telling me it's okay.

When I first started this blog, I said it would be for my thoughts, genealogy and Biblical discussions. It has turned out to be mostly my rambelings. So today I thought I might type a little family history on the James side. I am only a James by marriage, but very interested in family history. I have worked for a few years on my side, and still don't have it done or up to date, but I have started on the James and Thomasson sides.

The James Family had a family Picnic at Greenleaf State Park back in October. It was going to be a reunion, but there had already been a couple back in June of this year. Cousin Charlene James and I decided to call it a Family Picnic. We were afraid it wouldn't be very well attended because of the gas prices, but they had went down quite a bit by the time the event took place.
It had also turned kind of chilly weather wise. The day turned out great. It was a little windy, but the sun was shining. About 40 people signed the guest list, so that wasn't so bad. I met a cousin I hadn't met before from Ada, Oklahoma. Got a little bit more family information.

Many family members have been trying to find the James connection to the outlaws, Frank and Jesse. We have been told by many older members that we are related. My husband's grandpa told him they were cousins. Great-great Grandpa Melton posed as Jesse James. We don't know much about him. That is the problem with connecting the family. He was very secretative and didn't talk about his life before moving to Oklahoma. We do not know who his parents were, or his siblings. He lived back in the woods and hardly ever went into town.

One cousin said the James boys came to their house in the backwoods of Oklahoma and visited quite often. My husband's grandpa said his dad or grandpa played with the boys in the Cookson Hills. I just wish the older members would have written their stories down. It will all be lost very soon. I am trying to write down things I am told to preserve it for the future generations. Right now my children really aren't interested, but my youngest daughter said, when I am gone, she will keep the history to pass on. I pray that she will.

We had a death in the church and family this week. Sister Dorothy Brunson died last Friday evening and they buried her on Tuesday November 11, 2008. The services were held at the church in Claremore. Her and Lavell had been married over 50 years. We had their 50th Anniversay celebration a few years ago, at the church. The Brunson Family and mine are inter-married many times. Some Brunsons I am kin to and some I'm not. Sister Dorothy's daughter Karen is married to my cousin Ken. Also my mom's first cousin Bill is married to Lavell's sister Joyce. Bill's niece Joyce is married to Joyce and Lavell's brother Guy. My sister was married to their nephew Joe. When I married my husband, I thought I was getting out of the mess, but Lavell's youngest sister married my husband's uncle. So there is another connection. Sister Dorothy is without pain. She has been through a lot over the years with her health. She has been in and out of the hosptial many times. She has had many surgeries. Lavell said she was ready to go. She has been a Christian many many years. She believed in God. She is in a better place. No more suffering and pain. Just waiting for Christ's return. I believe the time is getting very near. We need to pray for our Country and our Leaders.

I thought I was going to have more time to write this, but time is clicking away. I need to get ready for church. I am suppose to lead the singing during the Worship Hour today. I had already picked out some songs, but have had second thoughts. I want to pick out different ones.
If I don't get going, I won't have time to do that. So that means I need to hurry and bring this to a close.

I pray you are having a Blessed Sabbath Morning. I will pray that your services be a honor and glory to God. Saturday is my favorite day of the week. It is the end. A time of rest and re-flection. It's great having a day at the end of the week for this. No yard work, house work or sectular job to do. Sit and relax or nap and let God talk to you. Let your worries go and let God be in control. Although you should do that every day of the week. My husband and I look forward every week to the Sabbath. We often say Thank God it is Friday. We truly mean that.
As the Bible says, "Man was not made for the Sabbath, but the Sabbath was made for man." God needed time to rest from all his work. Aren't you glad we have the Sabbath?

God bless you all.

Starlight*

WHERE DID THE WEEK GO?

2008-10-24T22:34:00.009-05:00

Where has the week gone? It sure went by fast for me. It has been kind of a blah week. I really don't know why. I have been kind of down this week. Seems I am having more and more of those but I need to keep my chin and my eyes looking up. God is still in control. He knows what is best. I just have to keep putting the devil behind me and keep God before me.

Still nothing much to report on my business. If it would ever get off the ground, I would be happier. I have become an Internet Marketer. I have set up a virtual variety store on the Internet. Right now I am trying to sell some internet items. If things get going, I plan to have some antiques and coins for sale. Check out my store soon! "JamesGang In-Laws Variety Store" @ google sites
URL: http://sites.google.com/site/jamesganginlaws/ I am also going to have some old avon dolls with their original boxes and perfume in them for sale. They are probably at least 20 years old. I can't remember when I got them. Before or after I was married. If it was before, then they are over 30 years old. Antiques.

Speaking of the James Gang, they had a Family Picnic this past Sunday, October 19, 2008 at the Greenleaf State Park between Braggs and Gore, Oklahoma on Highway 10. This year we were informed there had already been a couple of reunions back in June. Sarah James Fritts planned two reunions last year. Which proved to be too much for her. The James Reunion one weekend and the Fritts Reunion the next. That would be to much for just about anyone. Charlene and I decided to plan one for this year. We started planning back in July. When Charlene called Sarah to tell her about it, she said why are you having another one? Others became a little upset and said why are you having another reunion? I sure didn't know about another one, except for one that I wasn't told about or invited to. So we decided to call it the James Family Picnic. We had about 40 people sign the guest list. We almost didn't get to attend because of the gas prices. If they hadn't came down, we couldn't have. Heard some more interesting stories. Met a few new relatives from Ada, Oklahoma. Looked over some old information and found out some new stuff, I didn't know before. I have been working on the history once again. Trying to find where my husband's line of Jameses comes into Frank and Jesse Jameses, the Out-laws.

Other family members have conducted a lot of research over the years and never been able to find the connection to the out-laws. Some tried to say they weren't kin because no one could find the connection. My husband's grandpa Emery James, told him that he was a fourth cousin to the James brothers. He told my husband that either his dad Bill James or Grandpa Melton James played with Frank and Jesse, when they were boys in the Cookson Hills of Oklahoma. I think I will believe Grandpa Emery. In the past 3 years or so I have been looking into Frank and Jesse's genealogy and I think I might have found the connection. A cousin Melven James from OKC told me last year, he thought he had found the connection. We didn't really get to talk about it, but from what he did say, I think it is the same one. I just wish I could find the document-ation to proove it. Maybe some day someone will find it.

Had a death in the family this week. My first cousin on my dad's side of the family (Johnston's) Frankie lost her husband Ivan Harlan to cancer. His dad was a minister in the Church of God (Seventh Day), Elder Ivan Harlan. He died in Mexico in about 1968 at the Ministerial Council that was held there. Ivan (Cless) is the third one in his family to die of cancer. His oldest sister Laura Schlenker and one of his younger ones Bonnie Kilgore died of cancer before him. Who will be next? My mom is battling cancer for the second time. She is 6 weeks on Chemo and then 6 weeks off, because her insurance is getting tired of paying for it. We almost lost her back in 2005. We lost Rick' mom in April of 2005. Please pray for the family.

Time to bring this to a close. It is 11:43 p.m. Central Time. I need to get to bed. I have the grandkids here over night and they are going with me to church in the morning. October 25 is the Super Sabbath in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Many will be gone from our local group. The board didn't set up a speaker. We are to have a variety program.

Goodnight to all and God Bless.

Starlight*

BUSY FRIDAY

2008-10-10T22:34:00.004-05:00

Good evening fellow bloggers,

It's been a very busy Friday as usual. What's unusual is I didn't feel so rushed today. I got the things done I needed to do before Sabbath (sundown). Another thing unusual, I don't feel like I have forgotten to do something.

I have been trying to get an internet business started. It isn't going as smoothly as I would have liked. I have been having some problems with different things I thought would be easy. I feel better about things, than I did a few days ago. I am probably not making sense. That's okay, I know what I am talking about. I pray that next week will be better. I need to start bringing in some money real soon. I am still letting God be in control and lead me as He sees fit. I guess it just isn't the time for my business to get off the ground. He could be trying to teach me patience and to fully trust in him. I feel He is still in control. There were a few days I got really down.

We have had two deaths in our little town this week. Both were mother's with teens and young children at home. They both died of cancer. One mother has two fairly young boys and was helping to raise a granddaughter. They both will be greatly missed. One woman has been battling cancer for several years. I guess I should say this was about her third round. The other mother wasn't diagnosed very long ago. Please remember their families in prayer.

I don't have a lot to say this time. I don't know why. That is probably a good thing, for you fellow bloggers. I usually have too much to say. So before I ruin everything, I will say goodnight and God Bless.

Starlight*

"PICNIC SUNDAY!"

2008-09-28T19:52:00.002-05:00

Why Picnic Sunday?, you might ask. Today the church in Claremore had a Church Picnic at Claremore Lake. We use to have one atleast once during the Summer, but it has been a few years, since the last one. It was a beautiful day. The weather was great. We had most of the church there. There were a few missing. They missed out a good meal. We had grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, deviled eggs (at a church picnic?), chips and all kinds of desserts including home-made ice cream. YUM! Of course I ate too much as usual. Instruments were brought, but I didn't hear anyone play them. They may have before I got there. I was a little late. It was advertised to bring outside games. I didn't see any of those either. We mostly just visited, which we had just seen most everyone yesterday at Church. But we always have a nice visit with one another.

On Sabbath, Brother Steven Zuraff and his wife Rebecca, was up from Shawnee. Brother Zuraff brought a wonderful message. I really enjoyed it. We had another visiting couple with us also from the Shawnee Church, but they live in Owasso, Oklahoma, Mike and Marsha Mauldin. It was great to see them. We love having visitors, but don't really consider them visitors if they are from one of our concgregations in another part of the US or Oklahoma. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Always great to have them with us.

September 21, was one month since I retired from the library. I thought I would miss it, but I don't. I have kept myself busy at home getting caught up on some things that I have put off for quite some time. What I do miss is the people. I had been there a long time and had gotten to know some quite well. I have been running into a few in town and they say they miss me. That makes me feel good.

Dover campgrounds is starting a new building. When the Lane, Oklahoma church closed its doors and the Oklahoma Conference sold the building, the members left, donated the money to the Dover Camp. A multi-purpose building is to be built with the money. This Summer they had a ground breaking ceremony at camp. It is to be named after the Lane Church. It will include a chapel area, I think classrooms, bathrooms, nursery and offices. It is be built next the new dormitories. The original plans were to add a sanctuary to the dormitories but that was changed. They are building a whole new building not attached.

Last week-end the footings were marked off and dug for the new building. But the guy who dug them made a mistake. So they had to be redone today. They will be a little behind schedule. Also I was informed today that the land right next to the campgrounds is finally being offered to us at a low enough amount. I am sure it will be purchased soon. That makes 3 lots next to the campgrounds that has been bought in the last couple of years. I don't think there are any plans for the land at this time. I think they will be left pretty much alone, so there won't be more mowing to be done.

I think I have talked in your ear long enough. The bunch here is getting restless and hungry. Its time for me to put on my apron and fix something to eat. Until next time, God Bless.

Starlight*

"RAINY, WINDY, SUNNY SUNDAY"

2008-09-14T15:27:00.002-05:00

The title probably sounds confusing. But that is what kind of day it is. It rained this morning, it is very windy and now the sun is out. But the sun keeps coming out and then going behind the clouds. I imagine we will have more rain soon.

I have been posting my blog on Saturday after church. I have had second thoughts about that. I think it is something I need to do after sundown or on Sunday. The Sabbath can be put to better use. Not that I feel it is work, its just extra activity that can be put off to a later time.

I know most of you are probably getting tired of hearing about the library and how bad I was done. But as I say almost every time I post something, this is for me. For my thoughts, history, feelings, stories or whatever I want to write about. I have found out the board has hired Paula Corle as the Director, no surprise there. But she told a friend of mine, she was going to run the library by herself without an assistant. She told another party that she already had someone in mind to assist her, and was pretty sure she would get the job. I know that person also. I didn't realize she and Paula knew each other. She use to be the assistant librarian at the High School Media Center. I have known her for many years. Our two youngest daughters use to be friends and my daughter spent lots of time over at their house. They live about a couple of blocks from me. Paula, the assistant, and I, all live in the same housing addition. I do truly wish them luck.

We had a nice service at church yesterday. Yes, SATURDAY. As most of you know, I am a Sabbath (Seventh Day) keeper. We are not Adventist. The two organizations are about the same age. We both came out of the same movement back in the 1800s. Then Herbert W. Armstrong, who started the World Wide Church of God was an Elder in our church back in the early 30s. He left to start his own organization, The Radio Church of God.

Back to the service yesterday. At this time we do not have a pastor. We have been without one starting on two years now. Our pastor moved to Michigan to be the Youth Pastor of Spring Vale Academy. The church oriented High School. Our local church board tries very hard to have someone in the pulpit every Sabbath. If they are unable to have a minister in the pulpit, they have lay members speak. We usually have someone bring a message. Our speaker yesterday was Brother Ron Grubis. His family has been in the church for many many years. He is a school teacher by trade. He taught at Spring Vale Academy, the church High School in Michigan, at one time. The Adult Sabbath School Lesson was on the Betrayal of Christ. What is peculiar is that lesson is the same one Cortnie and I studied last Sabbath. Very interesting even after so many studies about it. You learn something new each time you study it, if you are looking for something new. The story itself doesn't change, but you find new things that happened. I guess that is why they say the Bible never grows old.

My niece Kristin Johnston, my brothers oldest daughter, has taken on the job of our local youth group. We have been without one since our pastor moved to Michigan. The pastor's wife was the FYC sponsor. The younger group has really been missing out on a lot of good things. I was in the youth group, when I was that age, and so was my two older children. The activities the local group brought was the ones I could be involved in. Most of the school activities I couldn't, because most of them were on Sabbath. Kristin was in our youth group locally and now is in the SWORD group for people 18-35. She has taken this task as a temporary postion to see how things go between now and December. She feels a burden on her heart to get a group going again. Our young people locally are missing out on a lot they need from their church. Another woman in our church had ask for permission to start up the group again, but I guess things didn't work out for her. We need to pray for Kristin and the youth of our church. The church nation wide is losing our youth after they get into their twenties. We need to stop that trend NOW.

I pray all of you will have a good week. Just remember, let God be in control. It makes things so much easier. Your life is so much less stressful. I know that for a fact. I am going through a very rough time right now. If it wasn't for me putting it into God's hands and letting Him be in control, I think I would have been pushed over the brink as far as my sanity is concerned. It is more upsetting for my husband, and I keep trying to reassure him, if I have put it in God's hands and believe He will take care of it, I can't worry about it constantly. I have to show my faith. I will continue to pray for Him to be in control. I have faith all will be well again.

Starlight*

"OU FOOTBALL"

2008-09-06T16:16:00.005-05:00

Well Football season is here. This is the University of Oklahoma's second game. Not doing bad, but the reffs are blind. OU has been cheated twice already. It is now half time. I decided to get on here right quick and post something.

Today Cortnie I didn't attend church, but we had a small service of our on at home. We sang some choruses and studied a lesson out of an old Junior High Quarterly. Very interesting. I learned something new today. During the time they were trying to trap Jesus and cruifiy him, He was visiting in Lazurus's home. This was after He had raised Lazurus from the dead. Judas was there. In the course of things, it was talked about killing Lazurus also, because he had brought a number of Jews to Christ. I wish I could remember the exact scripture. I believe it was in John.

This was my second week, without a job. I thought I would be totally lost. So far so good. I do spend too much time on the computer. Although it is not all fun and play. I am trying to find something to do on the internet, to bring in a little bit of money. I got myself in a little bit of a pickle and it will take some time to get everything back to normal. God is with me though and I know He will see me through. I put my trust in Him and I am trying to let Him lead the way. It hasn't been as bad as it could have. Without God I probably wouldn't be where I am now.

This is probably going to be my shortest blog yet. Not a whole lot to talk about that hasn't already been discussed in previous blogs. I am having trouble getting to my blog, itself. I can get in here to edit, but I cannot get to my display page. I don't know what is going on. Hopefully the problem will be taken care of soon.

I pray all of you are having a wonderful Sabbath. We woke up to rain this morning. It rained off and on for quite a while. We even heard thunder. The sun then came out and stay out for a while. Now here it is 4:31 p.m. and it is cloudy again.

I started with the OU game and I guess I will finish with it. Half time is over and it doesn't sound like it's going very well. I need to go back in to the game. I am not sure I want to. If it's going bad, it might not be such a good idea. So until next time, See Ya.

Starlight *

"THIS IS THE DAY"

2008-08-30T12:04:00.004-05:00

Hello and Happy Sabbath. It has been awhile since I have posted anything. I have been planning to add a new blog, but it seems things come up and I don't get around to it. A lot has happened in my life since my last post.

I have worked for the Inola Public Library for 13 years. I started in 1995 as a volunteer and kept moving up. In 2000 I was hired as the Library Assistant. In 2005 I was hired as the Director. This last position I really didn't want. Too much headache and stress. I never wanted to be the boss. The only reason I took it, I was running the library until they hired another Director. The last Director, Linda Shaw, had retired and given a two weeks notice, but they had not filled her position. The board hired me as interim. I had gotten a big raise, just to stay. The reason I took the Director's job, if I stayed as the assistant and they hired a new Director, my pay would drop back to what I was making before I took the job of interim. There was no way I wanted to loose that much money. So I interviewed for and got the Director's job.

In the beginning things weren't so bad, I was already doing it as interim. They hired me an assistant which I got along with quiet well. She was there for a year, but had to retire due to health problems. I was on my own again. We interviewed for a new assistant. I had two ladies that I know try for the job. Either one would have been fine by me. I now wish I had picked the first one we interviewed. I think things would have worked out different. We hired the second one. I thought she would be great. She even left another job to come and work for me at the library. She only wanted a part-time job, which is what the assistant's job was. She has worked for me for a year and a half. We got along for the most part fine. We had a time or two that we didn't agree on something that happened. But that blew over and I thought things were doing quiet well. I talked to her quiet often about quitting my job. I was so stressed out.

I had typed many more paragraphs to this blog, thinking I would post it. In reading back over it, I thought this is too long. Not everyone is insterested in all the details. But then as I have said before, this blog is mostly for me. It helps a lot getting my feelings out and down on paper, so I can read what I have written. This is a place for me to put my feelings down. It was too long and I erased about 3 or 4 paragraphs. Now I will have to finish this later. My family is hungry and thinks I need to fix some lunch. The first OU football game of the season is here and the guys are all charged up about it. So for now tah tah.

Starlight

"HAPPY SABBATH" WHERE HAS SUMMER GONE?

2008-08-16T10:10:00.003-05:00

Hello, and Happy Sabbath:
Here it is the middle of August already. Where did the Summer go? Time seems to pass faster and faster. Sometimes I wish it would slow down just a little.

I had planned on heading for church in a little bit. Brother Barry Mauldin is speaking in Claremore, today. I always like to hear him. I have known his dad, Mike, for many years. We attended Youth Retreats and Youth Camps together over the years. I have been to the old Shawnee church many times, when I was in my youth. I don't think I have ever been since all the renovations, and that was several years back. I have a problem that flares up now and then, that keeps me from driving. I am very droggy and I fall asleep at the wheel. I am having one of those mornings and decided it wouldn't be a good idea for me to drive. My youngest daughter is 16, but she doesn't have a permit or licence, so she cannot drive. Today will be Sabbath at home. That's okay, some days I would rather be at home. Just so I don't forget God, which I don't. I have looked over my Sabbath School lesson this morning. I am almost too sleepy to do much of anything. I am droggy now, as I type this. I don't know how long I can stay at it.

I didn't realize it had been so long since I posted a blog. I know I didn't last week, but I thought I had the week before. I like to post them on Sabbath afternoons. I come in from church, fix lunch and then get on here for most of the afternoon. I am the webmaster of the local church's webpage, so I update that and check the church mail. I really enjoy this, and do not feel it is work. It is something I enjoy doing and I kind of feel it is my calling, or atleast one of them. We can have more than one, can't we?

The library has been a busy place the last couple of weeks, especially. I had a big report called the Annual Report to get in by August 15, at midnight. I always put it off to the last minute. I shouldn't, because it makes it very stressful for me. I always forget, because I only do it once a year, how much information I need to gather to fill out the report. Then I am scambling to get it finished. This year was no exception. Hopefully next year, I will be smarter. This is my fourth year to fill it out. But since I only do it once a year, I tend to forget how much information I need. I also forget that I can start posting it before it is finalized. I can go back in and correct or add things, as long as I do not finialize the report. Actually I am to post it and then let the ODL Consultant, Cathy Van Hoy, look it over before it is finalized. But since I am always running late, she usually doesn't get the chance to look it over first. We can later look the report over and make changes, eventhough it is finalized. That is a good thing.

It's time for me to say Aloha. I think this will be one of my shorter blogs. I just can't seem to make them very short. I have to much to say. It might be because I like to put my thoughts down and read them over later. Is that a good or bad thing?

God Bless you all on this Sabbath Day, my prayers are with you.

Starlight

"ANNIVERSARY-VACATION"

2008-07-26T22:39:00.019-05:00

Hello all,
I have a sun burn, but not as bad as my son, Craig. I think his is the worst of the four of us. As I stated in my last blog, this week was our vacation and anniversary week. We had a good time, without any problems to speak of. The worse thing that happened, yesterday after the boat was loaded on to the trailer, the strap that hoists the boat on to the trailer and holds the boat on the trailer, snapped in two. We had been going to replace the old one, but never found one we thought would work. We had finally bought an anchor and rope. We need to buy another paddle. Hopefully before too long, we will have everything we need.

We own a small lot in a private club on Grand Lake. It was originally owned by my parents. They bought it back in about 1973. At that time the place was called Lakemont Shores and Bay Club. It was a nice place. My parents bought what was called a membership lot. It is down a slope and not good for much, with out a lot of work being done. They actually bought a 1/2 lot. This gave them membership to Lakemont Shores. You could come in and camp by the lake, there was a swimming pool, tennis courts, miniture golf, paddle boats, horse back riding, basketball court, heated fishing dock, and cafe to name a few. You could buy lots to build on.

In 1994 after my dad passed away, my mom gave the 1/2 lot to us three kids. My brother Larry, sister Tricia and I. At first I didn't go down much and use it. My brother was paying the dues and property taxes, which isn't much. My family would go down once in a while. My brother finally said he no longer wanted to own part of the 1/2 lot. He had quit paying the fees and etc and the property was behind. My mom and I went down paid up the dues and I was able to purchase the other 1/2 lot. That made it whole. Not thinking, I put my sister's name on the other 1/2 as well as mine. I should have just put my name on it. I pay the dues and property taxes. She hasn't been down there probably in several years now. She never talked about fixing the property up, and only offered some money for the dues and taxes once. So actually the place is now all mine.

Monday my husband Rick, youngest daughter Cortnie and I packed up and headed for Lakemont Shores. We have camped there several times over the past several years. We enjoy putting up a tent across from the swimming pool. That section is called Tatem Park. There is water faucets, and grills at about 5 or 6 camping spots. We got down there checked in and paid for two nights stay. Last time we were there, for members it was only $2.00 a night for a tent.

We drive down to Tatem Park and find that all the grills have been removed, the water is shut off, the pool is empty, no one there to run it and the bathrooms are locked. There is no way we can stay in that part. We go up by the playground for the kids and find a grill. Fix lunch and then decide to drive around down my the marina. We decide to stay in that area. There are pads for travel trailers, sewer, water and electric hookup. The bathhouse isn't very far. There are showers to use in the bathhouse. The cafe and heated fishing dock isn't very far either. We pitch our tent and set up camp. Rick and Cortnie goes swimming a little bit. We then get our fishing gear and go to the heated dock to see what we can catch. Rick bought me a rod and reel for Mother's Day. This is the first time I have used it.

The next morning (Tuesday) we get up and head for the Club House. I am wanting to exchange my lot for one, we can atleast camp on. While we are there looking at the lots that are available, the office gets a phone call, some one is camped in lot 12 by the marina. That was us. We are informed, if we want to stay there, it will be $12.00 to stay instead of the $8.00, we have already paid for two nights. My husband says there is no way we are going to put out any more money to stay. We tell the office, we will move back to Tatem Park. Asked when things might be fixed back up. The women have no clue. No one offers to take us out and show us some of the lots we can exchange for. They give us a map, that has the open lots marked. We are to take the map, go looking for ourselves and then let them know. We have no idea how to find these lots. Most of the road signs are gone. Can't find a sign that says what section we are in such as Echo 1 and Echo 2, or Dogwood, where our lot is now. No signs showing what lot number we are looking at. No way for us to see what we want to trade for.

We look around for awhile, but are totally lost. I mean my husband knows how to get back out on the main road. I sure don't. We have accomplished nothing. We decide to give up on that for now and go move our camp site. By the time we get back to the tent, we are tired, frustrated and hungry. I suggest we just fix our lunch, pack up and leave. The other two think that is a good idea. I am fed up. Ever since Lakemont was bought out from the original group, things have kind of went down hill. No more paddle boats, miniture golf needs repair, roads need to be fixed and many many more things. Some of these things have been gone for quite a while, but I figured eventually they would be taken care of. I had been told in the past the place was far in debt and they had hired a manager that just ran the place into the ground. He is gone now. From the monthly newsletters I had been getting, to me it looked like things were looking up. Boy, was I wrong. I am through. I am going to try to sell my lot. I no longer want to be a member. If I cannot sell it, I will give it back. Of course then I loose the money my parents paid for the original 1/2 lot and all the dues, and taxes I have paid for the last several years. We never plan to go down there again. It is a mess.

We spend Tuesday night at home. Rick has received a call from the company he works under, asking when he will be coming to pick up his pay check. He informs Charlie, he will be by sometime around noon on Wednesday. We will go to Tulsa, pick-up his check and come back home, pack up and head out for another lake with the boat. While we are in the process of getting the boat and stuff ready, I come up with an idea. Rick said he wanted for us to stay in a nice place one night for our anniversary. Tomorrow (Thursday, will be the date) is our anniversary. I don't know when he had planned to spend the night for that, so I suggest we go get his check and find a place to spend the night for our anniversary. Come home sometime Thursday morning and hook up the boat and head out again. Cortnie decides to stay home, and give us some time alone. We pick up his check, find us a room, check in, and go for lunch. We have nice quiet evening alone.

Thursday morning, Rick is up early as usual. I want to sleep in a bit, but he wants to get around and go. We have to be checked out by 11:00 a.m. anyway. We head home. Rick decides this time he is not taking the tent. He wants to rent a cabin. Calls ahead and is able to snag one. We are headed for Sequoyah Bay State Park. The cabin is nice and not a bad price. Two double beds, separate kitchen, with stove, refrig, and sink. One separate bed room and a separate bathroom. The cabins are booked up in to October. We were able to get one, because someone had cancelled. We move in and go for a swim in the swimming area. Come back and fix supper. Craig comes down after work to spend the night.

Friday morning early, Rick's dad arrives. A surprise. We had invited him down to take a ride on the boat. But he is early. Cortnie, Craig and I are still asleep. Rick up early, no surprise there, comes in and tells us Dad is already there. We get up, grab some breakfast, pack, hook up the boat and head for the dock. We go out on the water for a few hours with dad. Come in and grill some lunch about 1:30 p.m. Dad has to leave early. What a bummer. We clean up the lunch site and head for the boat again. Stay out on the water a few more hours, get bad sun burns, pack up and head home. Our vacation is over. Our stimulus check sure came in handy. We used it to pay for our vacation.

Now that you are bored and half a asleep, I will sign off.

Take Care,
Starlight

"VACATION TIME!"

2008-07-19T16:30:00.004-05:00

Hello, been a couple of weeks since I have posted. I was going to last week, but was really down and couldn't get myself to put anything down. Maybe today, I will have something that won't be too depressing to anyone.

When I started my blog, I had in mind to write about each one of the subjects I posted on my page. But it seems like all I have done is put down my thoughts. Whatever is on my mind while I am posting. Mostly how I am feeling at the time. Does that even make sense? Oh well, who cares. This is for me. I bet you get tired of hearing that, "Oh well, who cares. This is for me." I will try to quit using it. I may like to write, but I am not good at it. I don't always know what words I want to use to describe what I am feeling. It would be silly to take writing classes, so you can properly put your thoughts down. Haha.

This post isn't making a whole lot of sense. That is how I have been feeling, especially this last week. My mind wanders, I can't concentrate. Most of you may not want to read what I am going to post today, but that is what is on my mind. I started going through Menopause back in 1999. I knew that it can take over 20 years, sometimes, to get through it. I took estrageon for a while and my doctor wanted me to go off of it. I did. It was okay at first, but then I started having hot flashes again. I took a vitamin for while for menopause and it helped. I then quit taking those, just because I would forget to take them. I have been off for quite a while, but now I am having terrible hot flashes, can't concentrate and can't sleep at night. So I guess I am starting round 2. Greeeaaattt! The vitamins I had been taking is hard to get now. The pharmacy, here in town, use to carry them. I went in the other day to get some more and one of the staff told me, the company doesn't send them out anymore. She was suppose to get in contact with the company and see if they would send out an order. I sure hope so. I haven't remembered to call and see. I really need to do that Monday.

I am excited about this next week. It is Vacation Time for my family. My youngest daughter and I took a small one back in June. We went to church camp. Really enjoyed it. Last year, right before Summer, my husband changed jobs. He didn't get a paid vacation. He doesn't get those anymore, but this year things worked out, where we will be able to take a vacation. Dont' know exactly what or where we are going. We try to take the week of our anniversary off, when we do take a vacation. Thursday will be our 31st Anniversary. We don't make a big deal of it. Mostly we just go out to eat. I am ready for a vacation. Work at the library can get very stressful. You may not think so, unless you work in one. Especially if you are the director, the head hauncho. I never wanted to be a boss, but here I am the Director of a public library. I have been with the library since 1995. I want to retire from the library. I don't want another job. It is close to home, I only work 33 1/2 hours a week and I don't make too bad of a wage. Maybe not as much as other directors do, but then I don't have to drive far.

My daughter Cortnie, usually makes a comment about how long my blogs are. It's not like I do it on purpose. I just get into what I am typing and don't realize how long it has gotten. Everytime I proof it, I remember other things I want to add. I was going to talk about the James Reunion coming up in October. I think that would make this way to long. So I will save that for another day and another blog. Who knows, I may get on here tomorrow and write about the Reunion.

Goodbye to all the bloggers out there. Hope you have a nice week-end. Take care and God Bless.

Starlight

"HAPPY 4th OF JULY 2008"

2008-07-05T22:49:00.004-05:00

Another 4th has come and gone. I don't get as excited about the 4th like I use to. Not because I am not patriotic. I thank God daily for this countries freedom. I pray for the soldiers fighting. I pray for the families who have lost a loved. I have relatives that were over in Iraq at one time. We lost a local boy in 2005, Travis Grigg. He had been over there about 2 weeks. The little town I live in, lost a soldier in the Viet Nam War, John Dudley Good. His brother lives across the street from me. Some times I feel people forget what the 4th is all about. I am sure most of the children think about fireworks. Adults about parties, drinking, having fun, and fireworks. The 4th has lost a lot of its meaning and has become so commericalized, just like Christmas. I am sure over half of the people don't care what it stands for.

Today was a beautiful Sabbath Day. Sunshine, after having a shower. I got up and asked my husband if it had rained? He didn't think so. I know I heard thunder and the rain coming down. Maybe I imagined it? But I have talked to a few others who said it had rained. I guess God felt we needed a little cooling off after being so hot yesterday. I didn't even stick my head out the door. I had planned to, but it didn't happen.

Believe it or not, this blog is going to be a short one. That is compared to others, I have posted. I am not so mouthy tonight. I bet that is a relief to most of you out there in blogger land. Oh well, as I have said many times before, this blog is for me. If you choose to read it that's great, but if your not interested, don't read it. It won't hurt my feelings none.

This is a political year. I am not big on politics or even know much about them. I vote, yes, and I pray God will put in power whomever He chooses, for what- ever reason. He wants what is best for us. Maybe not as we see it or in our time, but in His wisdom and His time. I thank God, I am not in His place. I am not so sure, we should serve in political postitions. But if everyone had that adtitude, who would be our leaders? I just glanced through this months Bible Advocate (our church magazine). I saw several articles on voting and politics. I want to go back and read all of them. Maybe they will shed some light on the subject for me.

Time for me to say goodbye. Can you believe that? Well you better, because that is what is happening. I told you I didn't have a lot to say this time. Next time I will probably bore you to tears.

God Bless all of you.

Starlight (:

"Rainy Saturday"

2008-06-28T17:43:00.012-05:00

Hello out there in blogger land . . . .
This week as been interesting. The library parking area has been blocked since Tuesday. This is the weekend of the Inola Hay Day Celebration. The first celebration was held in the 1960s. The first parade featured 11 huge flat bed trucks full of hay. I don't know what year they began having the carnival and the Miss Hay Day contest.

When my husband, Rick, my oldest daughter, Danielle, and I moved to Inola in May of 1979, our house was just off the main road on first street. The two years we lived there, we had a big engine out in front of our house running all night long to power one of the rides for the carnival. Very noisy for about 3 days. Inola use to be known as the "Hay Capital of the World". That was a big honor for such an unknown and little town. I don't know that we hold that title any more, but it does still say that on our Welcome sign, as you come into Inola on State Highway 88.

Hay Day was discontinued for a few years due to the lack of someone to organize it and money. Back in 2005, the High School Learn and Serve Class, with its leader Casey Robinson, brought it back. I didn't think it was until 2006, but the paper had a history on Hay Day and it said it was in 2005. It wasn't like it use to be. No downtown carnival rides. There were car shows and contests. Like Hay Bale throwing, skillet throwing, turtle race, painted turtle contest, frog jumping contest, cutest pet, Cow Chip Bingo, the dunk tank and more. Last year I am not sure what all they had, but there still wasn't any rides downtown.

This year the Inola Chamber of Commerce was in charge of the celebration. The carnival rides were back on Thursday and Friday evenings and on Saturday for most of the day. It rained on Friday morning and looked as if it might rain the carnival out. That didn't happen. On Friday, my daughter Cortnie and I attended the Baby Contest and the King or Queen Contest in the evening. There were four divisions in the Baby Contest. 2 for girls and 2 for boys. Entry fee was $10.00. Ist Bank Oklahoma was the sponsor of this contest. It was very hot and cloudy. We got sprinkled on a little. Then they had the Hay Day King or Queen Contest. There were to be 3 divisions of the Hay Day King or Queen Contest. Kindergarten thru 4th Grade, Middle School 5th thru 8th Grade, and High School 9th thru 12th Grade. It was to be a King or Queen this year with the winner being the one who sold the most tickets. They only had two entries, so of course they both won. The Elementary contestant a Queen sold 45 tickets. They didn't have anyone in the Middle School Division. The High School Division was a Sophomore girl, who sold 60 tickets. That is a big come down from previous years. They use to have the Miss Hay Day Contest every year. On Saturday's the carnival was in full swing most of the day. Organitions and Clubs could rent a booth to promote their organization and have a fund raiser. On Saturday, during the parade, the winner of Miss Hay Day designed and rode in her own float. In the past the Miss Hay Day's were Queens from the school. Later any girl within the set age limit could enter and sell tickets. The girl who sold the most, won Miss Hay Day. It wasn't a beauty contest until later years.

As Cortnie and I were getting ready for church, this morning, it began to rain. I figured the parade would get rained out. We headed for town an hour past when it was to start, and they were just leaving the High School to begin. We had to navigate around the parade, which made us late for church. Hopefully next year more people will know about it and enter the contests. It rained most of the morning, so I do not know what they were able to have today. It quit raining about 2:00 p.m. That is when some of the contests were to begin. I had several new people come by the library and ask me what the carnival was all about. They hadn't read about it in the paper or seen the posters. Something should be done different to get the word out, if they do it next year.

The Reading Program is over for the year. It went by fast for me. Having the children register ahead of time and changing the age limit, was a lot of help in organizing the program. I plan to do the same thing next year. Hopefully though, I will get the flyers out to the school to pass out. I failed to do that this year. This was one of our smallest groups. Oh well, atleast it was a success. That is as far as I was concerned.

Today at church, we had a Father's Day Program, to honor our dad's. Of course this day was about 2 weeks ago. Most of our congregation was attending the last service of Dover Camp. The local board decided to move our second Sabbath Lunch to the 3rd Sabbath because of Camp and then have the Father's Day Program today the 28th of June. Better late than never. Kristin Johnston and Amanda Brown were in charge. I thought it was very nice. There were songs and readings about our dad's and our Heavenly Father. Kristin put together a slide show with music and pictures of different member's dads. The families were asked to bring pictures to her ahead of time, so she could put it together for today. Members will be able to purchase a CD of this for $5.00 with the funds going to buy Bibles for Overseas Missions. Of course I had to put my name on the list.

As usual this is quite lengthy. My daughter Cortnie told me last week I sure wrote a long blogg. That is true. Maybe if I got on more often, I wouldn't have so much to say. But then, it still might be long. Since I like to both talk and write.

Take care all of you and God Bless,

Starlight

Starlight's Thoughts for the Day!

2008-06-07T17:21:00.008-05:00

Hello and welcome to Starlight's Thought's for the Day.

I wanted to come up with some snappy heading, but I guess I am just not creative enough. Oh well, I guess the heading isn't too bad.....

Wow, I cannot believe it has been so long since I posted on here. This has been in the draft folder since about the 5th of June. I have had my trip to camp. It was very nice. Not as rainy as last year. The bad weather had already hit, before I got there. The ground sure was soggy, but no more rain. I am planning on going again next year. I want to start going every summer again. They had a ground breaking ceremony at the campgrounds. They are to start on the new multipurpose building. It will have a worship area, nursery, bathrooms and office. It was to be added to the new dorms, but the plans have been revised. It will be a free standing building several yards from the dorms. There have been a lot of improvements over the years. It is great. I never even thought about it being as nice as it is now. They just need to find a way to keep all the run off water from the road and fields around the campgrounds from coming in and flooding the place. It seems to always rain at Dover, no matter what month we have it. It didn't use to flood so bad, but the county has built up the road higher and that makes the campgrounds lower and all the run off comes onto the property. Some of the workers dug a few small ditches right before camp, which I think helped a lot this year. You ought to come and visit the campgrounds some time. If you like old-fashion campmeetings, especially.

Been a rough week at the library. I haven't been sleeping very well at night. I keep waking up and having weird dreams. Not bad dreams, but odd ones. I sleep so tense all my joints are sore. I need your prayers. Hopefully this next week will be better. I was so tired, I almost didn't attend church this morning. Cortnie and I had planned to attend class, but didn't make it. She wasn't feeling well and I was droggy. If it hadn't been for my special during the worship service, I probably wouldn't have gone at all. Maybe that was God telling me I needed to go. I was sure glad I did. Our quest speaker was Elder Jason Overman from Jasper, Arkansas. He lived in Claremore for a few years when he was a kid. The church had let a group of members put in a church school for a while. Jason's family had come to help teach and him attend. He has been over several times to speak, but I am usually gone, when he comes. Now I find out his wife is the granddaughter of the Pruitt's from the Shawnee church. I never knew that. Just shows you how small of a world the Church of God really is.

Off hand, I cannot remember what all I have previously written on my blog. I was going to give an update on my great-nephew Judah. I don't know why, but I keep wanting to call him by his middle name Caleb. He is a cutie for sure. Today they had him dedicated at the church. He wasn't too happy. Pastor Overman did the dedication and told that he had baptised Judah's dad Jason, a few weeks ago, when they were in Jasper. That was news to me. I knew he claim the Church of God (Seventh Day) as his church, but I thought he had already taken membership. Him and my niece Amanda, met each other at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, when they were both attending school there. They will be married 3 years July 31, 2008. She is almost finished with her medical studies. He works for the Tulsa Boys Home, but he has a teaching degree and has been looking for a job. They moved to Catoosa from Moore, where they had moved, when they got married and Amanda and him graduated last year. She is attending OU Tulsa Medical School. So they moved to Catoosa to be between Tulsa, where they work and Claremore, where they attend church. Today he said he had some good news. He had went for an interview on Thursday, which he felt had went quiet well. He was led to believe he will probably be getting a call on Monday, that the job is his. Please pray for him.

We had a beautiful Sabbath. The sun was shining. A little too warm for me, but no rain. We had a good church service at Claremore and a nice meal together afterwards. Some stay for a little singing in the afternoon, but I don't usually. My mom asked if I would today, and I thought about it, but I wasn't feeling too well, and felt I needed to go home. I hope they had a nice service.

The remodeling of the back room at the library is really looking nice. I figured it would already be done, but I guess the contractors have other places to be, so I don't think anyone worked on it this past week. I was a little upset at the Foundation Board, because in the beginning, when we discussed finishing the back, part of it was to be library space. Now it is not. They even took out several shelves to put double doors in for the back. That took a lot of space from me. Space I really needed. But I was able to shuffle and use some of the higher shelves, that I don't like to use, and was able to put back up all the misplaced books. The Library Board had stated to me, when I complained about not having enough room, that I might could possibly put a few shelves around one end of the room. But they didn't want children back there. The Board said it was to be a meeting and reading room. I found out through the paper that it is to be a community room. That is why I am not getting the space for the library. The local Lion's Club donated $3,000 dollars for the remodeling, but there is still about $7,000 dollars needed to finish. The Foundation Board is hoping other clubs in town will donate money and can have the use of the room for their meetings. At this time the community doesn't have a place for meetings and such like. This will be a big help to the community. I plan to use the area for the reading program next year.

I had to set up tables in the areas we had open in the library, for us to be able to have crafts this year during the reading program. Also one of the ESA groups in town furnished snacks. We use to have snackes until we moved to the new building. We had no place for them. I was hoping the room would be done, and I could use it. No such luck. The program is on Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. through the month of June. We do not open on Thursdays until noon, so that wasn't a problem, but on Wednesday's we normally open at ten. But I have closed the library on Wednesday mornings until noon, so that we can have the program and not bother the public, or the public bother the program. It has been a lot easier than last year. The library was opened to the public at the same time as the program. It cause a few minor problems. If we can have it in the back next year, there won't be a conflict. This year we also had a different age limit and the kids had to register a head of time to attend. That helped a lot with the crafts. We knew a head of time about how many we would be having at the program. Before we always guessed and most times things were okay. But it was a lot easier to plan and have help having them register ahead of time and limited the amount of children. We just do not have the space to have a large group. Next year, if we have snacks, I think we need to extend our time about 15 to 30 minutes. The snacks cut in to the craft time, but it is nice for the children. I have been helping with the program for about 13 years. I have been in charge of the planning since 2000. That is except for last year, when I roped Becky Maner into being in charge. She didn't want to do it again this year, but she is helping with the crafts as she usually does. I put my daughter Cortnie in charge of crafts and she doesn't want to be in charge any more since she realized what a big job it is. She still wants to help.

As usual this has gotten out of hand. I need to go and write more later. I try to put to much in. But if I don't do it now, most times I won't remember to put it in the next time. I guess I should jot down notes for the next blog. That is something to consider.

I hope all of you out there, had a nice Sabbath. Next week we are having our belated Father's Day Program. I don't know what all is planned, but it sounds like it will be a nice one. If you can, stop by and attend the program. It will be at the Worship Service time, 10:50 a.m. Church of God (7th Day) 512 East 10th Street, Claremore, Oklahoma. The building is on Tenth between Seminole and Dorothy Streets.

God Bless
Starlight