Happy Belated Birthday Dad

Yesterday would have been my Father's 81st birthday here on earth. I do not know if people celebrate their birthday in heaven or if they even celebrate their born-again birthday in heaven too. I guess those will be questions I have to wait and see about when Jesus comes to get His people and take us up with Him to heaven while the awful and terrible tribulation awaits the earth. I am so glad that I will not have to be a part of it on the earth for what is about to hit the earth when this takes place is not good. Just read the Book of Revelation in the bible to see what will happen. I plead with you today to take account of your life and examine your actions and reactions to things daily for we know not the hour when Jesus will return for us. We see the times and events all around us pointing to the direction that He will part that eastern sky soon and the trump will sound and the dead in Christ will rise before us and we will be caught up with them in the sky for our seven year journey. How exciting, that is, only if you are a believer. I love to fly in airplanes I wonder what this will be like in comparison? Will I enjoy this as much as I do flying? I guess I will have to wait and see for myself. I just love when I throw in those random thoughts like I just did. Causes me and others to think about these things.
Just yesterday while I was at the grocery store I ran into an acquaintance and we greeted each other with the quick hug and he began to tell me about his life since I last saw him and his wife. During the midst of the conversation (I was stunned at the fact that he believes there is more than one way to heaven and not Jesus as the only source to get to heaven.) I shared with him the fact that 50% of people in the church believe that there is more than one way to heaven. That upsets me that church people believe this. We are suppose to be the ones evangelizing others with our knowledge. Does this then mean that well meaning people are out there coming in contact with non-believers and sharing their disbelief's with them and leading others to the path of destruction and hell? Fifty percent is a large number of people! Christians that are true in faith in Jesus you need to really stand up for what you believe in and do not let satan hood-wink others with his filthy scheme to take away from heavens population, but that what he meant for evil will truly be turned around for good.
A few days ago when pastor told us about this statistic it really bothered me and when I was in prayer I got bold before the Lord and asked for Him to send me and use me in this capacity. It was something like this...if there are 50% of so called believers in the church that do not believe that HE is the only way to heaven for what He did for us then that probably means that in that population there are people that were called to do great works for the kingdom of God right? The odds would be pretty big on that right? So, Lord I know that You will probably not be able to use all of them for they are not true believers in Your Son so give me their tasks and jobs to be completed I will do it for You. I am a believer with a willing and open heart to be used by You so use me. You know you really can have conversations just like that it is known as prayer. Half of the time people really do not even know you are praying because you are praying in your heart and with conversation with the Lord throughout your day. Would you sit in the same room with a person that you truly loved and not converse at all? Then why would you not converse with the one that created you and gives you your creative ideas and plans for the day?
I think I inadvertently made a red velvet cake with cocoa butter cream frosting yesterday now that I look back on it in honor of my Father's birthday. Ladies and gentlemen remember what I told you to do while you are waiting for the lady or gentleman to come into your life? To not sit idle but work and create that is exactly what I did yesterday. Not only did I make pulled pork(I must admit that I am getting quite good with making this one.) It was really spicy for I put a dry rub on the meat first and part of it is black pepper then you brown it in a pan so all the crispy pieces blend with the meat as you pull it apart. You have to like spice to enjoy this one. I also had homemade sauce so I made eggplant parmigiana too. Along with baking the cake I also boiled a few potatoes. Do not know what I will do with them but I am sure something will be created with them too. You know what is really good, make a cole slaw not with mayonnaise but with seasoning and vinegar and oil and then serve some of that on top of the pulled pork. Delicious. You see, I do not eat bread so I have become a bit creative with how to make things appealing without bread. Not everyone in my house follows this so they get to enjoy pulled pork the way it was meant to be served on a roll. Isn't it funny that I do not eat bread but it is OK for me to use bread crumbs. I think that is because the active yeast that is used in bread is broken down once it is toasted I don't know, figure that one out. I do know this though many months ago I made homemade dill/cheese bread and I tasted a piece of it and it made my stomach not feel too good. See, when you do not eat something and then taste it you will remember why to stay away from it. Do I miss it, sure I do especially when I make it or buy fresh rolls that were just baked and bring them home for others to eat. I use to love a fresh hard roll with either poppy or sesame seeds on top with butter on it and a cup of coffee once in a while. Another thing that was good too, there is a bakery in Little Italy called Presti's and they make the best cold pizza with fresh herbs and tomatoes, now that was really good. I stay away from there for I just do not want to be tempted with walking in that door. My kids really love this pizza I suppose I should go and get some just for them the next time I am in the area. I have no idea why I just rambled on about what I did.
Yesterday was the day for a haircut of the weeping cherry tree it was getting too bushy. What good is a tree that you took the time to put twinkle lights in and when you turn them on you can't really see them at night? That happened the other evening so it was time for a tree haircut with my favorite new tool, the loppers. Loppers really do make tasks so much easier than what I use to do prior to having them. Before I finished that project I baked a cherry pie with the cherries I gathered from the tree. Did you know that tiny cherries actually form on this tree, I didn't until yesterday. No, just kidding I did not make a pie for I think they are not for consumption just wanted to see if you were paying attention today. Tree looks great now and you can see the twinkle lights when I turn them on now. Also planted a few pink flower bulbs and staked a tomato plant that really needed to be in an upright position and not flopped over. Busy day for I didn't start making the eggplant until it was already dark outside and I frosted the cake then too. Good full day with not sitting around being idle. I trust that you had the same type of day also. Rest in the arms of Jesus today if you should need to. One day in His arms will refresh you for many days of challenges ahead of you.
You know what I really miss, oddly enough I miss cutting the grass I use to love doing that. Not only that I loved the way the lawn looked when I edged it and then my favorite part of this task was hosing down the driveway after the grass was cut to make it look neat and clean. You see I never really cut the grass with just going up and down I would rotate depending on the pattern I wanted to create that day. Sometimes I would cut it diagonal and other times I would cut it like a giant square working from the outside and working my way to the center. I just recently found out when I told this to a man he said that what I thought I was doing for aesthetic purpose was very good for the grass to not just cut it the same way each time. You see my purpose was to create the grass to look nice and there was a true meaning behind it all along I just did not know it at the time. It was for me to be discovered now for whatever reason. I just love learning about little nuggets like that what about you?
PS: Since I wrote this I found that staking my tomato plant was not the best choice for the tomatoes to grow. Since then I took out the stake and let them grow natural and they are turning red and more are about to grow.