Northgate RV Park, Athens, Alabama
You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth. Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise! ~ Revelation 5:9-10, 12
After a year-and-a-half, we returned to the First Baptist Church in Athens. We very much enjoyed worshipping with them when we stopped here before, and looked forward to doing so again. We were not disappointed! They continue to be a large, thriving church, filled with love for one another and those outside their congregation. Wonderful worship music in a variety of styles and a Pastor who’s on fire for the Lord. Blaine and I didn’t remember him from before, so either he had a day off, or his fire was smoldering a bit lower the last time. 😊
This was his first day in the pulpit since his three-week visit to Israel and Jordon. And he had a lot to say (and loudly) about why the nation of Israel needs the Gospel, which was the topic of today’s message. He referenced a lot of passages from Romans and a few from Genesis, Psalms and Revelation to emphasize his point.
And I’m not even going to attempt to paraphrase his message, except to say that Israel has been God’s Chosen People since the days of Abraham, and then Moses. And God punishes those who rise up against her, and blesses those who support her, which is why, according to this pastor and others we’ve heard over the years, America has been blessed.
Instead of a sermon recap, I’ve decided to share with you another excerpt from my God Moment’s Journal.
Now for one of several not-so-pleasant experiences that tested my faith and beliefs!
Her name was Nancy Palkar. She was the devil incarnate and to this day, I’m certain that must be true! She was not an employee. She had her cat de-clawed. I can honestly say, I have never felt such evil in my life. My first encounter with her was on the phone. She was one of those people who gives you a hard time from the second you say “hello”. She truly tested my people skills and restraint. I wanted to tell her to “go somewhere else if you don’t like what I’m telling you!”, but I didn’t and she ended up making an appointment.
On the day of her appointment, I was working along with at least two other people. From the time she came in, the other two employees disappeared to the back and hid. I was left to face Ms. Palkar all on my own. I didn’t even feel God’s presence with me. She was something else. As I went over her paperwork, she argued every point. Then she insisted on being present as we checked her cat for fleas because she didn’t want us over-charging her. But let’s just say, that’s not how she worded it. (one of our requirements was that if we found fleas, we treated them at the expense of the client – $6.00) So anyway, one of the girls had to come out of hiding. No fleas. Then Ms. Palkar and I went back up front and she wanted her bill done right then so we couldn’t add charges to it. I didn’t even have the computer turned on yet and told her it would be a few minutes. She wanted to wait. Great.
Now I had to “entertain” her while we waited for what seemed like forever! So I said a quick prayer for me to see her with my “Jesus eyes”. And I began to make small-talk. Discovered she grew up on a farm, but I honestly don’t remember anything else. Once she left, I had to sit down. I was actually nauseous! Bethany, one of the girls in the back, came up and told me how amazed she was that I could do that. It presented me with the opportunity to speak of my faith. That I couldn’t do it without Jesus. Cool, huh?!?!? But that’s not the end of Ms. Palkar’s story! OHHHH, NOOOO! One day of torture wasn’t enough. The next morning, I had to endure her yet again as she came in to pick up her cat! At that time, Ron (our veterinarian and boss) was in one of the exam rooms and heard what was going on at the desk and didn’t come to help me! I was so mad – and very disappointed in him both as a boss and a man!
I was physically ill for days after my two encounters with her. I prayed more for her than I ever had for anyone, even for my family members! But wait, there’s still more! A year or so later, she returned. Under a different name, but she was back!! I couldn’t believe it! We had new employees (of course) by then. I was able to warn the assistant who had to go in the room with her what to expect. I also warned Ron. Ron talked about turning her away. I asked him to. But of course, he didn’t. He never liked any form of confrontation. I will never forget this experience. Ever. But, still, I wonder what ever became of her?
And I give glory to God, for walking with me through this trial. It cemented my faith even more, because Who else but Him could have handled this situation? Only my Triune God working through me. Who else could have taken this situation and turned it into a witnessing opportunity? An opportunity to give Him glory and praise? This is what we, as Christians, are called to do. What we’re created for. In Him we were also chosen . . . in order that we . . . might be for the praise of His glory. ~ Ephesians 1:11.
I’ve included a music video – for the first time ever – because the choir sang this song this morning, and it continues to be one of my new favorites, and I was able to fairly easily figure out how to add it. 😊 It’s performed by the composer, Andrew Peterson, but if you’re interested, there’s also a YouTube video of Chris Tomlin performing it.
We heard the engines and saw headlights, but it was too dark to go watch and take pictures. : (
but many fields we’ve seen when we’re out driving around, look like this.
Blaine uncovered a hidden gem just up the street from us – a trail over by the Athens Middle and High Schools Sports complex. While not overly exciting, it was a very nice, paved 4-mile (round trip) trail and quite a few people were taking advantage of it.
But the grounds all looked like a barren wasteland! We have no idea why. At first, we thought it was sand everywhere, but once we got closer, we discovered that it was brown grass. Acres and acres of it! Very strange – – at least to us . . . .
There were football fields, soccer fields, a couple of baseball fields, at least two batting cages . . .
This is what happens when I let him off his leash! : 0
So did several other people. : )
Looks like they didn’t take too kindly to the Arctic Blast. : (
Beautiful day to be outdoors for a few hours!