Last night I watched a documentary, meaning it is based on a true life event. This is not something that happened 100 years ago, it occurred in Iran, in 1996. A young lady named Soraya, followed the law in all aspects, and was faithful to her husband, Hashem. The two of them had 4 children, 2 boys, and 2 girls. For those of you who do not know much of the middle eastern culture, let me fill you in. Men in these countries are superior to women, and decisions are based on what the men decide, or want. No consideration is given to the women's feelings or thoughts.
In this story, Soraya's husband Hashem desires to put away his wife, so that he can marry this other woman, however it would be better if his current wife dies first.. So over the course of time, the leaders in this village plot to do just that. Soraya is forced to take a job keeping house for a widower, and his son. After a period of time, three months or so, the husband accuses her of commiting adultery with this other man. The men of the community, including her own father, gather together to decide her fate.... the verdict is death by stoning. Soraya is condemned to die, simply because her husband wants a new wife. Please note, the man she is accused of sleeping with is not guilty, nor accused, only the woman. Soraya is walked thru the streets leading to the square in the midst of the city. There the stones have been gathered, the young men and boys gather these stones, some as young as 6 years old. Once in the square, there is a hole that has already been dugged, and soraya arms are bounded behind her back, and she is made to kneel in this hole. She is then buried from waist down, with only her upper body exposed above the earth. After a brief annoucement on why she is being stoned, her father is the first to throw 2 stones, then her husband, her 2 sons are next. These stones are aimed at her head, I will save you the horrific details of the impact, once she dead, which took more then 4 hours of constant stoning, the town begins to party the rest of the night.
I was shocked that such actions still occur in this world in modern times. This story may never had been told had not a reporter visited there the following day, and the aunt of Soraya told him everything. She risked her own life just to be heard, the reporter then shared the story with the world.
I am proud to live in a country where men, and women are equal, women have rights to make decisions, and not live with the fear of being stoned. Too many times we take for granted our freedom, a freedom that comes with the price that many men and women have paid to keep us safe.
Be thankful and proud to live in America!!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
I am glad I know who Jesus is
Recently I spent some time talking with some friends, we were discussing Christmas, and the true meaning. I was surprized that many of them never even mention Jesus during the christmas holiday. Their lives are so filled with parties, presents, and shopping they never slow down to remember just why we celebrate this wonderful time of the year.
One of the ladies stated that a couple years ago she was out shopping with her two daughters, they passed by a live nativity scene, and one of the daughters asked, " mom, who are those poor people in that shed?" My heart ached hearing this, how could a child this age not know who Jesus is? I told my friend, you should really start teaching them of Jesus, and the true meaning of this holiday. Its not about receiving presents, it is about celebrating the birth of the best present ever given to man.. The birth of our savior, Jesus Christ!!
I am so thankful to have been raised in a home where we were taught about Jesus, and the "christmas story" was taught to us, so much we can recite it from memory.
Jesus means so much to me, and my family. He is our healer, our savior, our best friend, and so much more then just a story to us. No matter what time of the day or night we can whisper his name and he is there. At just the mention of his name, demons tremble and flee... what a mighty name this is.. By no other name under heaven holds this power, or the gift of salvation.
I am glad I know who Jesus is!
One of the ladies stated that a couple years ago she was out shopping with her two daughters, they passed by a live nativity scene, and one of the daughters asked, " mom, who are those poor people in that shed?" My heart ached hearing this, how could a child this age not know who Jesus is? I told my friend, you should really start teaching them of Jesus, and the true meaning of this holiday. Its not about receiving presents, it is about celebrating the birth of the best present ever given to man.. The birth of our savior, Jesus Christ!!
I am so thankful to have been raised in a home where we were taught about Jesus, and the "christmas story" was taught to us, so much we can recite it from memory.
Jesus means so much to me, and my family. He is our healer, our savior, our best friend, and so much more then just a story to us. No matter what time of the day or night we can whisper his name and he is there. At just the mention of his name, demons tremble and flee... what a mighty name this is.. By no other name under heaven holds this power, or the gift of salvation.
I am glad I know who Jesus is!
Monday, October 3, 2011
A Burnt Biscuit
Borrowed this from a friend....
When I was a kid, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage, and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see i...f .........anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his Biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits." Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your momma put in a long hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides... a burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!" You know, life is full of imperfect things... and imperfect people. I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each others faults and choosing to celebrate each others differences, is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship. So...please pass me a biscuit. And yes, the burned one will do just fine! And please pass this along to someone who has enriched your life... I just did! Life is too short to wake up with regrets... Love the people who treat you right and forget about the ones who don't. ENJOY LIFE NOW - IT HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE!!
Author Unknown
When I was a kid, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage, and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see i...f .........anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his Biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits." Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your momma put in a long hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides... a burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!" You know, life is full of imperfect things... and imperfect people. I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each others faults and choosing to celebrate each others differences, is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship. So...please pass me a biscuit. And yes, the burned one will do just fine! And please pass this along to someone who has enriched your life... I just did! Life is too short to wake up with regrets... Love the people who treat you right and forget about the ones who don't. ENJOY LIFE NOW - IT HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE!!
Author Unknown
The purpose of trials!
We all have had trials in our life, and many times we simply do not understand why? We often question ourselves, and God, asking "why must I go thru this valley, has God forsaken me?" The answer is, NO, god has not left you, he is with you each step you take.. If we never had a trial, we wouldnt know that he was able to help us through, we wouldnt learn to trust him, or ask for his help.
My family has been going through a trial, one that has shaken us to the core, but we have held on to each other, and to God. He is making a way, we can't always see it, but we know a miracle is in the making..
If you are going through a trial right now, just hold on, keep praying, trusting God and he will make a way for you.. His word said, " I will never leave you, nor forsake you, I will go with you always, even to the end." Oh what a promise!
My family has been going through a trial, one that has shaken us to the core, but we have held on to each other, and to God. He is making a way, we can't always see it, but we know a miracle is in the making..
If you are going through a trial right now, just hold on, keep praying, trusting God and he will make a way for you.. His word said, " I will never leave you, nor forsake you, I will go with you always, even to the end." Oh what a promise!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Helpful Hints
Ever wished there were simple solutions to some of life's mishaps? Well I have done my research, mostly thru experiences and here is a list of helpful hints and hope it helps someone! If you know of additional solutions to little or big mishaps, please email me, or post a comment..
To cut fresh baked bread easily, use a hot knife....
When cream will not whip, add the white of an egg to the cream, chill it, then whip it...
Is your brown sugar too lumpy? Heat oven to 350, place sugar in pan or baking dish and put it in oven. In a matter of minutes it will be as soft as when fresh. Watch that it doesnt melt. Break it up with a fork as it softens.
Sweeten whipped cream with powdered sugar if dessert serving may be delayed. Whip stays fluffy longer then if you use granulated sugar.
To correct a too salty dish; Place a cloth over the boiling pot, sprinkle with flour, and leave for a short while. As the steam comes in contact with the flour, it will remove the salt....
For moister cakes, bake them in a metal pan. Glass pans hold the heat longer and continue baking after removing from the oven, creating a dryer cake.
To cut fresh baked bread easily, use a hot knife....
When cream will not whip, add the white of an egg to the cream, chill it, then whip it...
Is your brown sugar too lumpy? Heat oven to 350, place sugar in pan or baking dish and put it in oven. In a matter of minutes it will be as soft as when fresh. Watch that it doesnt melt. Break it up with a fork as it softens.
Sweeten whipped cream with powdered sugar if dessert serving may be delayed. Whip stays fluffy longer then if you use granulated sugar.
To correct a too salty dish; Place a cloth over the boiling pot, sprinkle with flour, and leave for a short while. As the steam comes in contact with the flour, it will remove the salt....
For moister cakes, bake them in a metal pan. Glass pans hold the heat longer and continue baking after removing from the oven, creating a dryer cake.
Being a Witness
My post today was planned to be about another topic.. However last night at work, some of the nurses were sitting around on break and talking about the Bible. At first I sat there just listening to their views on certain scriptures, and their opinion of how things really were... Then the question came up, "how do we know that what the bible says, is really true" " How do we know that it isnt just a fiction story?"
I thought about this for just a few seconds and then replied, "All scripture is given by the inspiration of God.... further more I told them that in my opinion that it is faith based... You will have to experience salvation for yourself to truly know without a doubt that the bible is true, and that God, the birth of Jesus and all that is contain in the scriptures are God's divine word.
Since our conversation, I have been thinking, How many people really believe that the bible is just another story book. Do we truly believe that each story in the bible are true accounts, and that only the most important things were placed in the bible. I am so thankful for my raising, my parents taught me early in life about the bible, to love, and trust God through all things in life. I have never doubted, or questioned God's word.
I believe it is our duty to be a witness to those around us, you never know who is watching you. People hear your words, but more importantly they see your actions, and how you live your daily life.
Who's witness are you?
I thought about this for just a few seconds and then replied, "All scripture is given by the inspiration of God.... further more I told them that in my opinion that it is faith based... You will have to experience salvation for yourself to truly know without a doubt that the bible is true, and that God, the birth of Jesus and all that is contain in the scriptures are God's divine word.
Since our conversation, I have been thinking, How many people really believe that the bible is just another story book. Do we truly believe that each story in the bible are true accounts, and that only the most important things were placed in the bible. I am so thankful for my raising, my parents taught me early in life about the bible, to love, and trust God through all things in life. I have never doubted, or questioned God's word.
I believe it is our duty to be a witness to those around us, you never know who is watching you. People hear your words, but more importantly they see your actions, and how you live your daily life.
Who's witness are you?
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Growing Up
I was raised in the Piney Woods of East Texas, in a small town called Karnack, located just miles from the famous Caddo Lake. My parents are the best, dad worked hard for our family, but always had time to spend with us. Dad was a logger by trade, working many days from sun-up to sunset. My mom was a home maker, tending to us, and the house all day.
My older brother was mainly into cars, my sister, loved books, or spending time with our cousins, my brother John, well he was always into mischief, or following dad around as he worked on his trucks. As for me, I was the animal lover, always bringing home something. I am thankful for parents who allowed me to do so, I always had chickens, ducks, geese, goats, dogs, and more.. To others we may not have had much, but to me, we were the richest.
We were raised in a conservative home, as children we didnt have TVs, video games, or such. We spent our time playing outside with cousins, making up our own games, or playing old favorites.
However, our life wasnt all play, we had chores to do as well, In the spring we help mom with the veggie garden, when we had one, summer time we either helped inside, or cleaned yards, in the Fall we would rake the massive amount of leaves that fell from the many oak trees in our yard. Raking was not a favorite of any of ours, but we did it, often making big piles and jumping into them.. I remember several times our black lab dog would join into the fun. The Winter in East Texas can get very cold, we normally always had ice storms, everything would freeze over, and we would be stuck home.. One year I remember we were without lights for two weeks, thankful for gas heat. We would all bundle in the living room to sleep at night.
Then when I was just twelve years old, my father had a sudden heart attack and passed during the night, this sparked a new chapter in our lives. Being so young I simply wanted to believe it was a bad dream that I would wake up from, but I never did. It was during this time, that I learned the true meaning of having a loving family. Everything that I had learned in my short life, would help me to become the person I am today. Being the oldest child at home, and with my mom having to take work outside the home to make ends meet, I stepped up and helped with home duties. During the following years after my father passed, my mom's sister moved in with us, she help tend to our home and us kids while mom cleaned homes for other people. I was determined to make the best of this time, and do my part. My aunt taught me to cook, clean, and how to do so much more. God was great to us. Most of all my family stayed together, it was a hard time for all of us, especially my mom, but she never blamed God, she would take us to church each week, and made sure we knew that all our blessings where from God.
I am thankful today for all my aunts, uncles, cousins, and the many friends we have that helped us during these times, but most of all, For my God, who kept his hand on us, and always met our needs!
Sincerely,
Jesse Adams
My older brother was mainly into cars, my sister, loved books, or spending time with our cousins, my brother John, well he was always into mischief, or following dad around as he worked on his trucks. As for me, I was the animal lover, always bringing home something. I am thankful for parents who allowed me to do so, I always had chickens, ducks, geese, goats, dogs, and more.. To others we may not have had much, but to me, we were the richest.
We were raised in a conservative home, as children we didnt have TVs, video games, or such. We spent our time playing outside with cousins, making up our own games, or playing old favorites.
However, our life wasnt all play, we had chores to do as well, In the spring we help mom with the veggie garden, when we had one, summer time we either helped inside, or cleaned yards, in the Fall we would rake the massive amount of leaves that fell from the many oak trees in our yard. Raking was not a favorite of any of ours, but we did it, often making big piles and jumping into them.. I remember several times our black lab dog would join into the fun. The Winter in East Texas can get very cold, we normally always had ice storms, everything would freeze over, and we would be stuck home.. One year I remember we were without lights for two weeks, thankful for gas heat. We would all bundle in the living room to sleep at night.
Then when I was just twelve years old, my father had a sudden heart attack and passed during the night, this sparked a new chapter in our lives. Being so young I simply wanted to believe it was a bad dream that I would wake up from, but I never did. It was during this time, that I learned the true meaning of having a loving family. Everything that I had learned in my short life, would help me to become the person I am today. Being the oldest child at home, and with my mom having to take work outside the home to make ends meet, I stepped up and helped with home duties. During the following years after my father passed, my mom's sister moved in with us, she help tend to our home and us kids while mom cleaned homes for other people. I was determined to make the best of this time, and do my part. My aunt taught me to cook, clean, and how to do so much more. God was great to us. Most of all my family stayed together, it was a hard time for all of us, especially my mom, but she never blamed God, she would take us to church each week, and made sure we knew that all our blessings where from God.
I am thankful today for all my aunts, uncles, cousins, and the many friends we have that helped us during these times, but most of all, For my God, who kept his hand on us, and always met our needs!
Sincerely,
Jesse Adams
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