Mother's Day. The Empty Nest. Baby Bat's Foster Moms. Iraq Pushes Against ISIS. Update.

 

For "Scripture Sunday":

Anna Jarvis and Mother's Day.

Anna Jarvis was the driving force behind the first Mother's Day observances in 1908.

An Amazing Fact:   "Anna Jarvis deeply loved her mother. Following her mother’s death in 1905, Anna campaigned for years to have a national day dedicated to appreciating mothers. She thought it should be a time for sons and daughters to visit their mothers or write letters expressing their love. Finally, in 1914, Woodrow Wilson signed it into national observance, declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.

Strangely, years after she struggled to establish Mother’s Day, Anna Jarvis then fought to abolish it. Jarvis had soured because of the way she felt commercial interests had eclipsed the real meaning of the day. She wanted Mother’s Day “to be a day of sentiment, not profit.” Beginning around 1920, she urged people to stop buying flowers and other gifts for their mothers. She referred to the florists, greeting card manufacturers, and candy makers as “charlatans, bandits, pirates, racketeers, kidnappers and termites that would undermine with their greed one of the finest, noblest and truest movements and celebrations.” Jarvis became crushed and bitter, believing that greed had destroyed Mother’s Day, the holiday she helped create.

Near the end of her life Jarvis was seen going door to door in Philadelphia, trying to collect signatures on a petition to rescind Mother’s Day. In 1948, Anna Jarvis died poor, blind, and childless. Ironically, Jarvis would never know that during the closing days of her life it was the florist companies that anonymously paid for her care.

The Bible also warns about the danger of something sacred becoming over commercialized. “So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. Then He taught, saying to them, ‘Is it not written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations”? But you have made it a “den of thieves.”’” (Mark 11:15–17).

Obviously, we should honor our mothers, and perhaps Anna has a point about turning special days into commercialized celebrations without genuine and heartfelt expressions. May our worship of God never turn into “pretty sentiments.”
KEY BIBLE TEXTS
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! - John 19:26

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Turning the Hearts...The Empty Nest

"As my wife and I sat for brunch on Mother's Day several years ago, tears welled up in her eyes.

It was the first time neither of our daughters was present for Mother's Day. We had just moved to Texas, but our daughters remained in California. We now were left to reconnect in our roles as husband and wife and not primarily as dad and mom.

With graduation from high school, your son or daughter may plan to go to college or move away from home to take a job in another city. Your children may get married and start new families. Perhaps they were the youngest and now your home (nest) is “empty.” A new set of challenges now begins.

When we were actively parenting our children, we often referred to each other as “Dad” or “Mom.” We put our marital relationship somewhat on the back burner. We didn't neglect it, but merely subjugated it to what seemed to be the more important task of rearing our children. If that back burner is never turned on, however, couples may drift into being neglectful of their roles as spouses.

After the nest is empty, it is imperative that husbands and wives find ways to reconnect. Pray about your new situation. Ask God to help you both rekindle the love flames that you had for each other before children entered the picture. Plan fun things to do together. Go dancing, go for walks or take up bowling. Get together with friends for card games. Go out for dinner or coffee occasionally, and just talk and spend time together.

There is a scripture that begs us to remember how we loved each other at the beginning of our marriage. It goes like this: “Rejoice with the wife of your youth” (Proverbs 5:18). There are a few other scriptures that use this phrase as well. To me, this is cautioning us to remember how much we wanted to be with our spouses in the beginning of our relationships—how nothing was too much to do for that loved one.

So, while we see our homes emptying of our children because of college, jobs or marriage, remember to strengthen your relationship with your spouse by remembering the early years of your marriage and reigniting the togetherness, fun and love that you once had!"

From: http://www.ucg.org/united-news/turning-the-heartsthe-empty-nest

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Foster Mothers: Baby Bat Burritos

"These baby bats are new arrivals to the Australian Bat Clinic after an extreme heat event separated them from their mothers."

http://youtu.be/Uuvaos1WHTk

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Iraq pushes back against ISIS, regains some ground

"Recently the Iraqi army recaptured the town of Tikrit, which had been controlled by the Islamic State (IS or ISIS) since last year. The pushing back and forth between extremists and opposing forces in the Middle East is ongoing.

“‘The liberation of Tikrit was carried out by the efforts of the Iraqi army and police, public mobilization units, tribal forces and the people of Tikrit city,’ Mr. Abadi [i.e., Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi] said on state television. ‘It was carried out under air cover and concentrated bombardment by the Iraqi air force, army air force and the international coalition against the terrorists of ISIS’” (Matt Bradley and Julian Barnes, “Iraq Recaptures Tikrit From Islamic State,”The Wall Street Journal, March 31, 2015) .

At the point where the Iraqi army started to stall, the United States began air strikes to aid in the operation. The Americans want the Iraqis to continue to partner with them instead of Iran and the Shiite militias it’s backing, as the latter could well lead to Iraq eventually coming under Iranian dominion.

As for the Islamic State, Tikrit was a major loss, but ISIS is able to regroup in various areas—and more terrorists in other places continue to declare loyalty to what they see as the restored Islamic caliphate.

Of course, the Middle East will continue to be a hotbed of military and religious strife. And the ongoing struggle will, despite breaks in hostility at times, lead in the end to the return of Jesus Christ. Finally, an ultimately just and wise Ruler will bring peace to the most contentious area of the world. (Source: The Wall Street Journal. )" From: http://www.ucg.org/the-good-news/current-events-trends-iraq-pushes-back-against-isis-regains-some-ground

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Choose Life! Your Most Important Decision. The Bottom Line.

"Some life choices are made after careful thought. Others are spur-of-the-moment, but can have lasting impact. What about your most important life choice?

The bottom line is, when we follow God’s way instead of choosing our own, we will be in a position to make meaningful choices that impact our whole lives."     From: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/life/christian-living/choose-life/

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Update:

A sudden high gust of wind blew the cheap canopy carport the other way this time and bent the poles again, so we are going to rebuild it with lumber.  It was difficult, but I drove the Dodge van out from under it without scratching it.  This time we will build it 1-1/2 ft. taller so that my motorhome can be kept under it.  The expensive canopy carport hasn't budged an inch, but it is protected between the two houses.

Jay and I went shopping on Wednesday, and one item I bought was a bluish-white Tiffany-style light for over my dining table.  I put one of those great big designer white bulbs in it, and now we have light!  The pretty chandelier I did have there, all the bulbs shone upwards and you couldn't really see anything on the table.  I packed it up and took it to be consigned, too.

Some weeks ago I had bought an unusual white ceiling fan and light kit with bluish-white globes.  I bought it for the guest house, but we installed it in my living room which is next to the dining area.  It looks a lot better, matches the Tiffany light, and it will be easier to clean than the one I had.

Friday, another trip to the dermatologist, hopefully to find out what I am allergic to.  He saw me for three minutes and didn't do anything except recommend that I see an allergist and shook my hand with a handshake like a limp rag. Those handshakes are gross, and don't instill confidence.  I found out that he has a very big practice, he would have to have, with 23 girls working in that one office.  Three minutes would be about all he could spare for anyone, gotta keep the people movin' to pay those bills!

Dropped off some more boxes at the consignment shop, and I just got my first check. It is a lot easier, but some stuff will still have to be sold in a yard sale.

Ray finally got back after a week, and I was glad that he was taking over the care of his cats.  My three foster cats, and a 55 lb dog keep me busy, especially as they are all on different diets.  I will be glad when the dog goes to her new home, she is very good, but so big.  I am not used to dogs that shed either, and I have to vacuum after her every day.

I had bought a lot of zucchini on sale, so I grated them, mixed that with some carrots, garlic, basil and dressing to make a big salad for the church potluck.  Also, I had opened a can of beef chili, when I realized that it had tomato in it, so I added some beans and cut-up beef franks, and took it in a crock pot to the potluck. (I am avoiding all nightshade veggies, and tomato and white potatoes are nightshades.)

The Bible readings were Lev.21:1-25:23, Eze. 44:1-31, Matt.5:17-48.  The Teaching was about "Abiding With The Lord".  Then someone messed with the thermostat and it got too cold in there, so I went to the dining hall kitchen to help the pastor's wife, and listened to the Teaching over the speaker.

The potluck was enjoyed by everyone, and there weren't many left-overs.  They get packaged up and given to the members or frozen for another day.