PRAY FOR DONALD TRUMP

Many people are praying for Donald Trump.  Well, today I have even more concern as to why we should pray for Donald Trump. Recently Paula White appeared on Fox and Friends.  She said that she was a spiritual mentor to Donald Trump and the chairman of his spiritual advisory committee.  The link to the video is at the bottom of the page.  (She does not say anything nutty on the video.  Lyndon Unger, a blogger, gives links in his blog that show she is a prosperity gospel preacher.)The reason I'm posting this blog by Lyndon Unger, even though he is a cessationist, is because he says that Paula White is a theologically absurd charismatic.  Thus we need to pray that Donald Trump will not be led astray.

I don't know where I stand on whether the spiritual gifts remain or have ceased, but when I read I Corinthians 13: 8 it appears to me that only love remains.  "I Corinthians 13:8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away." 

This is what wikipedia says about cessationism.  "In Christianity, cessationism is the doctrine that spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues, prophecy and healing ceased with the apostolic age."

Here is what Wikipedia says about charismatic Christianity--
"Charismatic Christianity (also known as Spirit-filled Christianity) is a form of Christianity that emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, and modern-day miracles as an everyday part of a believer's life. Practitioners are often called Charismatic Christians or renewalists."

Click here to read Lyndon's blog. He wrote it in 2013.

Lyndon Unger refers to Avatar in his blog---he says,  "Excellent musicians playing skillfully isn’t bad in and of itself, but a “theologically absurd” charismatic church without a cool worship band (i.e. a band composed of hair models or hipsters or cast extras from Duck Dynasty, with lighting akin to a Britney Spears show, and lyrics by Ann Voskamp) is like the movie Avatar without the special effects: remove the packaging and it’s not quite the same."

Copy and paste the link below to see the video of Paula White on Fox and Friends:

http://video.foxnews.com/v/5261772914001/?#sp=show-clips 

HOME FREE

Home Free is an American a cappella group of five vocalists, Austin Brown, Rob Lundquist, Adam Rupp, Tim Foust, and Adam Chance. Starting as a show group, they toured around 200 shows a year across the United States.^[1]

The group competed in and won the fourth season of The Sing-Off on NBC in 2013. They sang an arrangement of Hunter Hayes' "I Want Crazy," as their final competitive song, earning the group $100,000 and a recording contract with Sony.^[2]

IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER

I discovered this Christmas Carol while watching a Hallmark movie.  One of the characters said this was her dad's favorite Christmas Song.  I was so happy to hear Jesus acknowledged in a modern movie!  The words are below:

In the bleak midwinter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone:
Snow had fallen, snow on snow
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter,
Long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold him
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When he comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty
Jesus Christ.

Enough for him, whom cherubim
Worship night and day,
A breastful of milk,
And a mangerful of hay:
Enough for him, whom angels
Fall down before,
The ox and ass and camel
Which adore.

Angels and archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air –
But only his mother
In her maiden bliss
Worshipped the beloved
With a kiss.

What can I give him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man
I would do my part;
Yet what I can, I give him –
Give my heart.

HANDEL’S MESSIAH

I don’t recall if I ever was privileged to attend a performance of The Messiah when I was a child.  I do remember, that when I was home from college one year, during the Christmas season, one boyfriend invited me to see The Nutcracker in Washington D.C.  My sister joined us.  Unfortunately we had to sit separately as we could not get another ticket for her next to us.  (Goes along with my family not planning ahead!)

I believe it wasn’t until I was married that I had an opportunity to take in The Messiah.  My mother-in-law usually performed it with the Spokane Symphony as concertmaster. This was before kids. Then one year, when our kids were older, we were given tickets to see it at the Westgate Chapel in Edmond, WA.  We enjoyed it very much but unfortunately our car broke down in the parking lot of the church when we attempted to start it to drive home.  I called a member of our old church who lived in the area to come and pick us up.  He drove us to my mother in laws to borrow her car so we could get home.  We dealt with the broken car the next day.  Next, our son and daughter-in-law gifted us with tickets to see it with them at Benaroya Hall in Seattle.  I highly recommend seeing it whether in person or on the internet.  It is especially meaningful for those who believe in the prophecies in the Bible.

The above You Tube gives a tiny taste of one part.

THEY ARE ALL OUT TODAY AND I AM ONE OF THEM

Photo by Chris Brown.  These are some antique books and book ends my parents owned for many years.  I don't know where they came from.  Maybe from the Grandparents.

Sometimes, when we are out and about running errands,  in this busy season, we may be appalled at the wild and reckless driving of some.  On the other hand we may be one of them.  I've made some driving mistakes in my life that I couldn't believe.  Now I find out that I'm one of the group who has chosen as a gift a bad paraphrase of the Bible.  So I am one of the wild and crazy people out there.


Please learn from my mistakes.  Here is what I found out from my latest error.  If you are contemplating the possibility of purchasing a Bible paraphrase rather than a translation as a Christmas gift for someone, here is some quick advice.  Don't buy "The Message,"  authored by Eugene Peterson. I just found out that it is not a good paraphrase. The living Bible by Kent Taylor is a better choice.

Here is a comparison of the Lord's Prayer in The English Standard Version, The Message, and The Living Bible:

Matthew 6:9-15 ESV:

“Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.[a]

10 Your kingdom come,

your will be done,[b]

    on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread,[c]

12 and forgive us our debts,

    as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,    but deliver us from evil.[d)14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Now let’s look at the same verses in the Message

Our Father in heaven, 

Reveal who you are. 

Set the world right; 

Do what’s best— as above, so below. 

Keep us alive with three square meals. 

Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. 

Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. 

You’re in charge! 

You can do anything you want! 

You’re ablaze in beauty! 

Yes. Yes. Yes.

The Living Bible:
‘Our Father in heaven, we honor your holy name. 10 We ask that your kingdom will come now. May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven. 11 Give us our food again today, as usual, 12 and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us. 13 Don’t bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One.[a] Amen.’ 14-15 Your heavenly Father will forgive you if you forgive those who sin against you; but if you refuse to forgive them, he will not forgive you.

Which one is better?  You choose.

WHY I'M NOT STRESSED ABOUT CHRISTMAS

This year I’m not stressed about Christmas.  Here is why:

1.  We are Christians—we love the tradition of attending church together on Christmas Eve and singing all the carols.

2.  We lowered the amount we spend on gifts—$5.00 for adults.  It is a fun challenge.

3.  I could actually think of something I wanted for a gift for Christmas—I usually can’t think of anything.  My parents would have to think of presents for me when I was a kid.

4.  My husband is cooking the Christmas dinner.

5.  All the difficult relatives have left us. (*See the story below.)

6.  We decorate with very few Christmas decorations. We put up a small tree with the lights already on it, and also a Nativity scene.

7.  My husband is baking all the Christmas cookies.

8.  Christmas is all in the heart.  See above you tube video.

*Years ago a little old lady was placed in a nursing home by her relatives.  She needed 24 hours care and they couldn’t provide it for her.  She hated the place and every time the relatives came to visit she said that would be leaving soon.  They asked her how she would leave.  She said she would call a taxi. When she passed away the nursing home called all the contact numbers but couldn’t get anybody on the phone.  Finally they called her grandson.  They told him that his grandmother had left them.  He said, “Did she take a taxi?”

TO HORNBROOK AND BACK

 When company would come to visit, the folks would often take them into Ashland for a picnic at Lythia Park. Mom, Dad, Evy, Wayne

I’m not sure of this but I think the reason my parents bought into the northern California dude ranch—R Ranch--  in Hornbrook, California back in 1971, was so that they could be ½ way between the Washington state kids, and the California kids, for their retirement years.  The ranch was just off of I-5 situated between Ashland, Oregon to the north, and Yreka, CA to the south. Their dream was to eventually move to a retirement home with four levels of care.

Davy with Mac Meow

The first time Chris, Heather, and I traveled to R Ranch was in June of 1973.  We were on our way to Jay and Martha’s wedding in North Carolina.  It was a little too cold to enjoy the pools, which were solar heated, but we got to see the horses and the bison that they had on the ranch then.

Heather, me, and Chris on our way to Mississippi 1982

Ralph and Nan  visited them many times there.  Sorry about the closed eyes.  This is the only picture I could find so far.

My folks invited friends and family to R-Ranch to enjoy all the activities over the years. I think most of all my dad enjoyed the camping.  Of all our relatives some enjoyed camping there and others chose to stay in the bunkhouse with indoor plumbing and hot showers. Eventually they bought a double wide in town.

Diana. Mike, and the folks made it up for a visit

Evy and Jennifer at the pool

Anyway, in about 1999, when my dad was falling, because of his Parkinson’s, and needed more help, Mrs. Dodds, from the Hornbrook church, called my youngest brother, Wayne, and told him that something had to be done.  My parents were not able to have access to doctors or even a super market.  The closest shopping was over the pass to Yreka or over the pass to Ashland.  Wayne and Meg called our daughter, Heather and told her what Mrs. Dodds said.  Heather called us—we were in Tahiti-- and told us what Mrs. Dodds said.  We called my next to the youngest brother, Davy, and told him what Mrs. Dodds said.  Davy, Sue and Sarah went up to Hornbrook and attempted to move the folks back to Redwood City.  I guess it must have worked because the next thing I knew was that they were in Redwood City. 

Wayne made sure that Jes had a good experience horseback riding.  Heather and Nicole did not have a good experience

Dad ready for lunch at the grange

I found a piece that my dad had written for a newsletter.  I will attach it.  My parents were blessed to be able to offer to any who were interested in a rugged experience, to come for a visit. After they passed away I invited all who would like to come one last time to Hornbrook to say good bye.

Some of us gathered in the community center for one last time. Aunt Evelyn, Aunt Ruth, Jay, Charlie,Kathy, Chris, Dorothy

Jay, Jim , John , Carmen, me 2004

LIFE SAGA FROM 1950 TO 1952

Dad, Evy, Mom, Roberta, Jay

In 1950, the five Stowell’s, mom, dad, Jay, Roberta, and Evy, left Seattle on a steamship sailing to Alaska.  We left behind, in Burbank, CA where we had been living for a few years, two cocker spaniels, Blondie and Blackie, and a white cat named Beauty.  All I remember about the trip to Alaska by water was that Jay and Evy got seasick.  I also recall that I talked Evy into dancing the hula around the lounge while Hawaiian music played.  I had learned tap, ballet, acrobatic, and hula dancing in my dance class in California.  Evy made an impression on the other passengers, as she was only 3 years old!  Several exclaimed about how cute she was. 

On the left front Aunt Evelyn, Evy next to me in my new parka, Mom behind me

Dick, Dorothy, Jay, Evy, me, 2 we don't remember

Jay, Mom, Dad, me, Dick, Dorothy, Evy, Aunt Evelyn

We settled in government housing in Fairbanks, Alaska where my dad was chief of the weather bureau. The most fun I had in Alaska was walking to my cousin’s house and playing in the gravel pits and woods behind their house.  Dorothy was my age and Richard 2 or 3 years younger.  On my way to their house I would steel myself to walk past some vicious dogs that would bark at me every time I went by.  After being mauled by our neighbor’s red chow dog in California I had learned to never run from a vicious dog. 

Our church

We had school and church activities to enjoy.  I remember memorizing the Alaska Flag song at school.  I still love that song.  I participated in a Tom Thumb wedding.  I was the tallest bridesmaid.  I also did an acrobatic routine during the half time of a basketball game.

A Snedden cousin bought the Fairbanks paper.  My brother, Jay, had a newspaper route.  He saved his money and bought a 22 rifle.

My dad would give the forecast every year for the scheduling of the weather bureau company picnic.  Each year he got it just about right.  It would rain before the picnic, and after the picnic, but not during!

Davy, Mom, me, Dorothy, Aunt Evelyn, Dad, Uncle Brad, Jay, Evy

The most important event while we were in Alaska was the birth of my next to the youngest brother, Davy.  My dad wrote a Christmas letter in April shortly after my brother was born.  I will attach it at the end of this blog. 

Jay, me, Mom, Davy, Evy, Dad

We left Alaska by air in 1952 headed for Washington D.C. area where my dad would work as the assistant to the assistant chief of the weather bureau. We left behind a white wirehaired terrier that had a brown teardrop on her forehead.  I had named her Teardrop Snow-white Stowell. The airplane was a non -pressurized flight.  We had several false starts and delays.  My dad coined the phrase “If time to spare go by air.”  Evy got airsick.  But we made it as far as Seattle and then to Grandma and Grandpa’s farm in eastern Washington.  We would travel to Virginia in October after attending the Four Lakes two-room school for a few weeks. 

Below is the letter my dad wrote in April of 1952:

THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING DOOR KNOB

1955 Alexandria, VA Davy, Evy, Roberta, Jay

It is very easy to lose things when one owns a variety of possessions one believes are necessary for the care of ones family.  In our no bedroom trailer which housed four children, two parents,  one grandfather, and we were expectantly waiting for the addition of another child,  we had reached the bursting point.  We needed to add on a room to our abode.  We had delivered, to our lot in the park, one alumo room.  It needed to be constructed as one might assemble a new toy or furniture from IKEA.  With all of us working together we were able to install the room except for the door knob.  In the midst of all the wrapping and cratings the door knob was no where to be found. We had to use pliers to open the door.  As this was very inconvenient, tempers flared.  Grandpa got the blame for losing the precious item.  

Being the helpful person that I was I decided to write, produce, and direct a play called "The mystery of the missing door knob."  Our piano had been delivered from storage and was safely in the alumo room along with our parents bed, cedar chest, and dresser. (Davy successfully cracked his head open on the cedar chest when he fell off the bed as he was practicing his jumps.) Fortunately, the empty wooden piano box which had been used and discarded, made a perfect stage for my play.  After the performance, which included a singing and dancing commercial for "Poppie Woppies" sung to the tune of the Campbell soup commercial, the door knob was found. All was peaceful and harmonious--that is when everyone was asleep!

FORREST GUMP INSPIRED ME DURING A HARD YEAR

Life isn't always like a box of chocolates-- you never know what you are going to get.  I think life is sometimes like a booster shot.  It may hurt for a moment but it will produce something good.

With Thanksgiving coming up soon, and because of so much suffering around the world right now, sometimes it is difficult to think of things for which to be thankful. One thing I am thankful for is that the 2016 election is over! I believe that God guided the whole thing and that His perfect will will be done no matter what!  Maybe Christians in the U.S. will be able to work and do business according to their beliefs now. I am praying so.

In looking back for other things for which to thank God I ran into this letter I wrote many years ago to the editor of our local newspaper. I share it with you now:
______________________________________________________

I am thankful for the movie "Forrest Gump." This year has been exceptionally difficult.  My husband and I lost two parents, we continue to deal with my chronic pain, our church closed, (it was a plant from Northshore Baptist.  The "Solid Rock" church was supposed to appeal to street people.  We met on Thursday nights.  The problem was that we were meeting in the Northshore church building and there weren't many street people in Kirkland, WA.), and also our dog ran away.  We think she went off somewhere to die.  She was blind and deaf.  We put up flyers and my friends helped us look for her.  We grieved for her like we would any family member. Our family is reeling from the emotional impact and the transitions we must make.  And so "Forrest Gump" cheered us and encouraged us to look up.

In the movie, when Forrest was in the swamps of Vietnam, the rain was pouring down, and he was cold, wet, and tired, he looked up and noticed how beautiful the sky was.  When he was failing in his shrimp business, he didn't wallow in self pity-- he just looked for the good and kept working and trusted God.  He didn't rollover and die when his girlfriend left him-- he started to do something and put one foot in front of the other and continued on.  

So we followed Gump's example and looked for the good.  For one thing, God has blessed the Northwest with incredible beauty-- in the scenery and in its people.  We are thankful for that.  Another blessing is that we had a special year with the Solid Rock church--the elders laid hands on me and prayed that God would heal me--our cat went into remission from his diabetes after that prayer.  A group from the church took our teen son to Mexico with them to build houses for those who were living under tarps.  It was a wonderful eye opener for him.  They supported us and comforted us through it all.  Even though this has been a year of loss, we count it as one of the best, because we learned to look up, and be thankful.  We, like Forrest Gump will look up to God, and trust in Him.