Archive for the ‘Lifestyle’ Category
Posted by Shirley Anne on June 1, 2012
There is a war going on in the ranks of human beings and especially those who are Christians. The greatest problems we face as Christians in trying to witness to the unbeliever are generated by ourselves………….
The offices of The Gazette newspaper on Saint Catherine Street, Montreal, Canada. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
“But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.” Psalm 103:17-18 NIV1984
Christianity in Transition and Karma (an article written in The Montreal Gazette recently by a friend of mine…..I pray for her daily)
With more than 1,000 people protesting in a demonstration on Sunday against a North Carolina pastor who made anti-gay comments last week, some of his 100 or so congregants applauded him in church, according to a report on msnbc.com. Apparently, though, leaders of other churches are trying to distance themselves from him, feeling that his outrageous statements will hurt their more moderate anti-gay efforts.
Sigh . . . When will all these folks understand that not everybody believes their Bible is the inspired work of a god and that their interpretations of it are relevant or realistic? Really, where do these folks get off thinking that they can impose their superstitious belief system on everybody else? Of course they have a right to believe what they want, but they simply should not have a right to use their beliefs to spread hate and discrimination. It’s obvious to me that much of Western society is in transition (there’s that word again). Many people have moved on from the superstitious belief system expounded by people like the North Carolina pastor who preaches fire and brimstone if you don’t believe what he does. But some haven’t moved on. Still, fundamentalists are not united on these issues — some are far more liberal than others. Those with extreme views are becoming more and more isolated, which is probably why their extreme comments go viral sometimes. Which is not to say the essential message of Christianity is lost or irrelevant. The bottom line has always been to love thy neighbours, regardless of who they might be. It’s the bottom line in most spiritual schools of thought — and those religious institutions that lose sight of it ultimately lose followers. Which explains why only 100 people are showing up in that North Carolina church while more than 1,000 were protesting against the pastor outside the Justice Center . . . Sounds like karmic justice to me.
Jillian
The great lost chord of modern civilization is forgetfulness of the fact in nature of universal brotherhood, which means not merely a sentimental or political brotherhood; it means that we are all of one common cosmic or spiritual origin, and that what affects one affects all . . . – G. de Purucker (end of article)
Whilst in some respects I understand what Jillian is saying I feel she is missing the point somewhat. Many of us will have heard about the North Carolina pastor who voiced such an unloving sermon and as a result will now thinking his opinions are those of the true Christian Church. They are most emphatically not! In her article Jillian agrees that and indicates that the main anti-gay movement within the Church has been harmed by what this pastor has said and I agree with her on that point. However the Christian message has never been one of hate thy neighbour, whether gay or not. Many Christians think that just because Scripture shows us that homosexuality is a sinful way of life that it gives them the right to judge and condemn participants. It doesn’t! Neither is it appropriate to marginalize people for believing in other things or making a stand against their rights to behave as they wish. A true Christian does not do these things. A true Christian reaches out in love whilst being a faithful witness for Christ Jesus. This means pointing people to what God is saying and what God is commanding from us all. Decisions on lifestyle and belief always should rest with the individual. Being a witness does not mean pushing the faith down the throats of unbelievers but it is a duty and a commandment to explain and deliver the Gospel message to non-believers. From a Christians point of view it should be as an encouragement for sinners to repent, not something to turn them further away!
Jillian mentions (quite correctly) that not everyone believes that The Bible is the inspired Word of God but what she should have said is that non-believers in God think that way. Christians believe it is, or SHOULD do. I read Jillian’s posts quite frequently and I have found her to be very caustic sometimes when writing some of her articles. Firstly, in this article, she appears to accuse all Christians of being ‘fundamentalists’ as if being a fundamentalist was wrong. It isn’t wrong for Christians cannot turn away from the fundamental teachings encompassed in Scripture, they either have to believe it is God’s Word or not. Some conflicts do arise in interpretation sometimes but the tenet of content is unaffected. Remember, fundamentalism isn’t an invitation nor a free ticket to stir up hatred and discord with non-believers. Secondly, Jillian renders Scripture and belief in the Faith as all superstitious nonsense. This is a personal and direct attack on the Christian faith and ultimately God. Personal opinions should be kept out of good journalism. Present the facts and let the people choose one way or the other. This should be the case in presenting The Gospel too and it would be wiser for all those ‘fundamentalists’ to consider that fact.
Jillian redeemed herself in her concluding remarks though recognising that what has been voiced by an over-zealous pastor is not what the Christian message is all about nor is it the same opinion of all people of the faith or anyone with an inkling of common sense and humanity. Love thy neighbour even if he has six heads four arms and is green-skinned!
The war is not between human beings. It is a spiritual war being waged out of our sight and it is a war for souls, lost souls who need redemption.
“But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.” Psalm 103: 17-18 (NIV 1984). I just wish Christians would remember to obey his precepts and do all things in love as He commands, maybe then the unbeliever will respond to the Gospel.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Christianity, God, Gods love, Gods love through Jesus, Jesus, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit, Lifestyle, Religion, Wisdom, Writing | Tagged: Bible, Christian, Christian Church, Christianity, God, Jesus, Love, North Carolina | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on May 19, 2012
Fred Neher’s Life’s Like That (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This past week has been far different from the previous one for me in quite a few ways. I am out of the ‘couldn’t care less attitude’ I had, I have been out socialising more, I have met new people and I have been kept quite busy working too! Life’s good as they say but I’ve known that for quite some time. All in all I cannot complain and I plan to enjoy myself even more in the future whilst I am still able. Most of the news I’ve heard this past week has been quite depressing, much like it has been for some time. I hear sad things and have to try to not let it bother me but for a time I find that impossible. A recent example was the family of six children meeting their deaths through smoke inhalation after what now appears to have been an arson attack on their home. I don’t understand how anyone could do such a thing but of course there is much evil in this world. Many good things have happened too I’m sure but it is usually the bad things that we remember isn’t it? The weather has improved too, although it is still colder than it traditionally has been at this time of year and there is talk of June being equally as cold! Perhaps this year is going to be another one with a cool summer but that really doesn’t bother me too much. It won’t change any plans I might make. On a more personal note E and I are still estranged as far as communication is concerned. It has now been almost thirteen weeks since we spoke. I have all but given up on her ever apologising for her behaviour which is very sad indeed. I have to get on with my life and not let it bother me too much although I think about it often during the day. I continue to pray for her. I think about my life and how it has changed over the years like chapters in a novel with each chapter different from the others and how I have had to cope with those changes. It’s all about being adaptable I suppose and making the most of each set of circumstances I find myself in. My life now is far different to what it was even a few years ago. Whether I consider it better, well I’m not sure I’ll answer that question.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Life, Lifestyle, Time | Tagged: Change, Life, Lifestyle, Time | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on May 9, 2012
Saturday with Friends and Family 028 (Photo credit: -DjD-)
My life has had its ups and downs recently I suppose just like everyone else. No matter what happens in life though life itself just continues. I watched my football team lose in the final of the FA Cup on Saturday and I know that will have upset many people although I am sure many others will be pleased with the outcome. Many more people will be indifferent in their attitude just as I am with some other sporting events. Whatever happens outside of my life has no effect on the way I live it. Teams lose and teams win but they can’t do both all of the time and unfortunately some people cannot see that. Neither can they see that teams are constantly changing so that every version is different from previous ones. Not so with life though, we can only play that game with the one and only player, ourselves. Our tactics might change but that may not make any difference to what happens to us. I am spending a lot more time at the pub lately. That in itself is nothing new but I have times when pub life is of no interest to me and I stay away for weeks, sometimes even months! In my youth I was never one for going to the pub. I was 25 years old before I started going on a regular basis which became less frequent when I got married until I finally stopped going at all. When my marriage broke down and I pursued my lifelong ambition to transition I began once more to visit bars and clubs for about three or four years but again stopped going once I’d transitioned. It was in 2004, two years later that I started going to my local pubs but I found I liked only one of them, the one I now usually visit. At first I would go there, as well as other places in my town, about three or four times a week. More recently I only visit my local pub but as I said I may go a couple of times a week, even three times but often don’t bother for weeks. It all depends on whatever else I am doing and with whom. Very few things hold my interest as much as being in the company of others and doing things with them. That wasn’t always so in my life, especially earlier in my life when I was completely the opposite and totally anti-social. Life went on all around me just the same, the only difference was that I wasn’t on the same wagon. A couple of posts ago I was talking about my drinking habits and one of my readers asked jokingly ’How many points is that?’ to which I replied ‘Who’s counting?’. Although I take such things lightly I am aware that I need to balance my intake with the way I want to live my life and not to overindulge. That said, life would go on without me no matter what my decision. The question is, do I want to be part of it or just sit on the sidelines and let it all pass me by? I think I know which I prefer.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Enjoyment, Life, Lifestyle | Tagged: Enjoyment, Lifestyle, Public house, Sport | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on March 31, 2012
A thatched pub, the Williams Arms at Wrafton, near Braunton, North Devon, England. Taken by Adrian Pingstone in July 2004 and released to the public domain. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
These last two years I haven’t been out as often as before, to the pub that is. Today, Wednesday I decided to break the habit and I went along to the pub, my local pub, to enjoy a drink or two and hopefully meet some friends and acquaintances there. It was such a pleasant day so after doing a couple of small jobs in the morning, returning home and eating my lunch, I changed my clothes and took a walk in the warm sunshine, ending up at the pub. It wasn’t long before I was engaged in conversation with people there, most of them new to me. Later I met with a couple of friends and chatted with them too. I didn’t wish to stay the whole evening as I’d drunk enough and as they say, enough is enough! I am trying my best to be a good girl by placing a limit on my drinking habits when out and about. Apart from the obvious health issues it is good for my purse too! I do enjoy good company and I will speak with anyone who has the time to respond to my contact with them. I have said it before but reiterate, people seem to like me! When I returned home E was already eating her evening meal (she doesn’t like the idea of pub life as much as I) so I had to prepare something for myself. We had an uncooked chicken in the fridge which needed to be cooked that day so I popped it in the oven and resigned myself to waiting the hour and a quarter for it to cook. I spent the time online catching up on emails and blog visits and by 8.30 I was able to sit down with my chicken and vegetables. I don’t know when I shall visit the pub again but I know that whenever I do I will be assured of a good time with great company. Life is what we make of it and I try my best to make it worth living.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Drink, Enjoyment, Friendship, Happiness, Lifestyle, People | Tagged: Bar (establishment), Drink, Friendship, People, pub, Public house, Restaurants and Bars | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on February 13, 2012
Image via Wikipedia
I’ve been rather busy this last week doing various things but on Monday E and I went out for lunch. I had woken up to find my face rather swollen and had to pay the doctor a visit. I wrote about it a few days ago. As I was not dressed for work but rather in casual smart clothing I decided to put it to good use by going out! On Friday, although I had work to do I decided to go out again and got dressed accordingly. We went out again for lunch and to the same place we’d been on Monday, not because we wanted to do that but I was visiting somebody late in the afternoon who lived along the route to the restaurant. Usually we choose different places in which to dine. So far this year we have dined out seven times and four of them at this same place and it is not yet the middle of February. We go there because it is a carvery, it is good food, we are always made welcome and we have a good relationship with all the staff as we also have in the other places we visit. If we didn’t go out I think it would drive us both mad. It is fine getting things done and working hard around the house but unless there are times to relax and enjoy life as well then it isn’t worth living it I think. Life is getting more difficult for everyone these days and we all have to economise, however we must also make provision to spend more time relaxing. All work and no play isn’t good for anyone. Most of what E and I do in this respect is dining out but we do other things occasionally too like going a show or to the cinema. Driving around the country to visit different places is good too but it is becoming so expensive to go anywhere in a vehicle these days. I do possess a free transport pass which I can use after 9.30 in the morning so if I want to go somewhere I can do it without much cost. E unfortunately isn’t old enough yet to qualify for such a pass. During the summer months of course it is nice to relax in the garden at home and as we now have a patio we can make good use of it. The problem with staying at home though is that there is always the temptation to do some work! ‘A Mars a day’ notwithstanding I shall get my rest and play anyway!
Shirley Anne
- Food, drink and good times (minkyweasel.com)
- Rest (uncommonowls.wordpress.com)
- Dine Originals Week | November Preview (persephoneskitchen.com)
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Posted in Activity, Leisure, Lifestyle, Rest and relaxation | Tagged: Activity, Friday, Monday, Rest and relaxation | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on January 26, 2012
Image by Vaguely Artistic via Flickr
After working every day since last Thursday I found myself free on Tuesday. I squeezed in a session on my treadmill late on Monday evening making falling asleep much easier. I planned to have an extra lie-in on Tuesday morning and thankfully I wasn’t disturbed by telephone calls as usually happens when I want that extra rest. This meant that I arose just before ten o’clock, too late for breakfast and too early for lunch. I collected some clothes that needed washing and fed the washing machine with them before collecting my tools and setting about dismantling the drain pipe from our downstairs toilet as it entered the sewage pipe outside. I cleaned the sewage pipe collar ready to accept a new soil pipe later and covered it with a plastic bag to contain the wonderful sewage smells that would continue to emanate from the open pipe until the new pipe was connected. Following that I dismantled and disconnected the toilet pan, cistern, wash basin and all water pipes and drains ready for work to continue when I feel the urge. This will be the new wet room I promised E and myself last summer! We have most of all the necessary materials we will need to complete the task. All we need now it the time and the inclination! On Monday whilst purchasing a new distribution board for the job I was doing I finally got round to buying two of the new boards I have been thinking about buying for our own house. These boards each have a ten-way circuit capacity but I know I will need to buy a further two four-way boards later. I am waiting until the weather is warmer before tackling the installation of those boards. We do have a lot of electrical circuits in our house. So it was that at 1.45 I was feeling rather hungry and thirsty too but was loathed to prepare anything and I told E that we would be dining out. She raised no objections either and off we went to enjoy the afternoon in one of our haunts. No wine this time but a couple of glasses of cider and on the way home E dropped me off at my local so that I could put in an appearance after seven weeks absence. I had but one drink and bought one drink for a friend before walking home a half-hour later behaving myself by not making a night of it but I may make another trip for that soon. On Friday, the 27th, I will have known E for exactly 40 years and I have already told her that I want to take her out for a special meal to mark the occasion. She is selecting the venue but she always does that anyway!
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Celebration, Electrical, House and Home, Lifestyle, Work | Tagged: Friday, Pipe, Sewage, Sink, Toilet, Tuesday, Washing machine, Water pipe | 2 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on January 25, 2012
Image by -DjD- via Flickr
Continuing about my work and how long I will carry on doing it I find myself even more in demand and thereby reluctant to stop altogether. Many people close to me tell me that I am too obliging but when I get requests such as complete loss of power I find I want to help. This was the case on Saturday. Now Saturdays are my sabbath days of rest but when an emergency situation arises and I have been asked to help out then that is what I will do. My philosophy and the teaching is that the sabbath was made for mankind and not mankind for the sabbath. I was about to enjoy my Saturday afternoon watching television (I was watching the Masters Snooker semi-finals, something I like to watch) when I received a call from a lady whom I’ve worked for many times and she asked if I could help her as her food freezer wasn’t working. Now I do not repair fridges and freezers when once I did years ago but then my employer supplied the necessary equipment for that sort of work. I talked her through the possible reasons for the problem which was most probably a loss of power but she maintained that she hadn’t a clue how to go about that. I arrived at her house fifteen minutes later. Now this lady is currently having her downstairs floors levelled which means all the floorboards being removed and new floor joists installed, quite a big job and she has to live upstairs whilst the work is carried out. That being the case it was most likely that her builder had accidentally switched off her freezer whilst raising the kitchen floor. It took me ten seconds to find the problem. It had been switched off at source! Whilst she is having this work done the builders are also doing some work on the roof and have erected scaffolding at the front of the house. When I arrived I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw that scaffolding leaning over by as much as 40 degrees from the vertical having been blown over in the high winds we had been experiencing the night before. It was only a supporting stay which had become embedded in the soil preventing it falling over completely. We telephoned the builder several times but could not get a reply. I had to leave and return home. No sooner I got home I received another call from another lady whom I’ve worked for in the past. She asked if I could go to her daughter’s house as all her electrical circuits were not working. By this time it was late afternoon and already dark. When I arrived about twenty minutes later I discovered a genuine fault. The RCD unit had tripped but wouldn’t reset, thus disconnecting all of the supply. Switching off all circuit breakers didn’t solve the problem so that meant I also had to disconnect the circuits neutral cables too. Still the RCD would not reset which meant that it was faulty and would need replacing. However it was an old type unit and would be better to replace the whole board with a modern version that is easy to repair should anything go wrong. Of course I do not carry such things in my vehicle, no electrician does and as it was too late to purchase one and too late to do the work I had to effect a temporary repair. I by-passed the RCD unit so they could have power over the weekend until I could return on Monday to fit a new board. So that was my Saturday in tatters! I actually had scheduled work to do on Sunday morning, only small jobs this time and only because my clients could not accommodate me during the week. Normally I wouldn’t work on a Sunday as I don’t do on a Saturday. At least I was back home within two hours and had the rest of the day to myself. I did return to replace the distribution board on Monday morning, an up-to date version of the old one which enables the lighting circuits to be isolated from the RCD controlling the power circuits so if it trips the lights won’t be affected. I also discovered a fault in the washing machine which was probably the reason the old RCD kept tripping and eventually giving up altogether. I was told that several times in the past it had caused the RCD to trip. Some people never learn. Her failure to get the washing machine repaired caused her having to pay for a new power board to be fitted and she still has to do something with the washing machine.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Leisure, Lifestyle, People, Work | Tagged: Circuit breaker, Residual-current device, Work | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on January 22, 2012
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On Wednesday, after some morning’s work, E and I decided to dine out at one of our favourite places some 12 miles out-of-town. I had been working outside in that fine drizzle type of rain, not enough to prevent the work being done but enough to make me feel a little irritated. By the time I had returned home the weather hadn’t changed so we were reluctant to chop up any more of the trees we had felled on Monday and Tuesday. There is no urgency to do that as we have two more weeks before the green waste bins are next emptied. When we arrived at our destination we found the car park practically empty and consequently there were plenty of empty tables inside. Of course we usually dine mid-afternoon and therefore expect fewer diners. We were pleasantly surprised to find an empty table next to the fireplace. This fireplace stands in the centre of one of the rooms and is open on two sides. A young couple occupied the table on one side so we took the table on the other side. It was so nice to be able to sit by a log fire for a change although anywhere in the dining rooms is pleasantly warm. I had a bottle of red wine which I didn’t drink completely, in fact I took it home still half full when we left. We both had a cola drink too. I chose sea bass for my main course and E chose a gammon steak. Neither of us had a starter but we chose something from the dessert menu later. When we had finished eating E had a coffee and I finished the glass of wine I had left. I wasn’t feeling well for some reason and I went to the toilet. On my return my brief uneasiness had disappeared. E mentioned that it could have been the heat from the fire which caused me to feel strange but I have my doubts about that because I remained sitting next to it without any further problems. Whilst out I received a couple of calls requesting my services. That work will more than pay for our lunch by the cosy fireside.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Food, Leisure, Lifestyle | Tagged: Dining room, Drink, Fireplace, Food, Leisure, Lifestyle | 5 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on January 14, 2012
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The end of the week usually brings a release from the working week and a chance to relax, or used to! When I worked for an employer I didn’t have the same freedom as when I started to work for myself but the pressure became stronger. So although I used to look forward to my Fridays and my weekends to myself when I became self-employed those feelings became stronger even though I had the freedom to choose how I spent my time working. There is a greater sense of urgency when working for one’s self I would suggest. That being the case and especially now as I am kind of semi-retired or at least only working part-time I relish taking time out to engage in some self-indulgence. Last Friday afternoon I went dining out with E and yesterday we had a repeat performance but at a different location. Yesterday morning I did an electrical job repairing some lighting and replacing fittings and returned home sometime around noon. We had already planned to dine out so I wasn’t prepared to take on any more work for the day. We tend to eat a little later into the afternoon as many places by then are not crammed full of other diners and the pace is subsequently much slower and more relaxed which makes for a better afternoon I think. I tried a new dish this time. Even though the sea bass looked very tempting I decided together with E, to have pork rump in a plum sauce with steamed vegetables and new potatoes. E had tasted this dish before but it was a first for me and she told me that I would enjoy it. I always thought that pork and apple were good together and I had reservations about pork and plum. I was pleasantly surprised when the dish arrived and I tasted it. The pork was very tender and the sauce was sweet. The two things go well together. However I did find the sweetness of the sauce a little too much by the time I’d finished and I think it would have benefitted from being a little less so. I pushed the boat out with my dessert too trying a lemon based dish I had never ordered before. Its name escapes me but it was basically sponge soaked in a lemon sauce topped with something resembling custard but not custard mixed with white chocolate and meringue chippings. It was too bitter for my liking but I ate it. I probably will not have it again. I am usually open to trying new dishes up to a point but I will draw the line at some things. We left the restaurant about two and a half hours later with the other half of the bottle of red wine because for once I behaved myself by not drinking it all at the table. We stopped by a supermarket on the way home to re-stock on cola and some foodstuffs. A very nice afternoon was had by all.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Drink, Food, Lifestyle, Rest and relaxation, Work | Tagged: Cooking, Drink, Food, Friday, Meat, Pork, Potato, Rest and relaxation, Sauce, Work | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on January 8, 2012
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I had the day to myself on Friday as I was released from my jury service until Monday. Not wanting to let the opportunity pass by to enjoy myself for the day I invited E out for an extended lunch, well they are always extended when I dine out. I love the experience of wining and dining out and generally socialising and it is nice to do that with friends and family but it is nicest when in the company with someone very special. In my case that would be my ex partner E whom I love dearly. I take the opportunity to dine out with her as often as I can so that not only do I get to enjoy myself but that she can enjoy life more than she usually does. As is the case I often ask her if she is happy so that I can help her to be happy as much as I can. She is hard to reach sometimes but I persevere for I don’t want her to feel unhappy if I can do something to change that. I wonder sometimes what makes her tick, what it is she wants out of life because I feel she is missing out on things when she should be getting the most out of life. I know she enjoys her outings with me but she is often reluctant to show that. So it was that we both went to one of our favourite haunts in the next town on Friday and had a carvery lunch with dessert and drinks. I polished off a full bottle of red wine and later had a liqueur coffee with a cream topping, similar to the picture on the right. We both had soft drinks too, she was drinking Pepsi-Cola and I was drinking the diet version in-between my sips of wine. I like the taste of the cola following the wine and sometimes I mix the two in the same glass when I am tired of drinking the wine neat, which isn’t often (LOL). We arrived at the restaurant/pub at around 1.30 and we left just before 5.00 stopping off at the supermarket for some rum, whisky and cream. I wanted to enjoy another glass or two of a liqueur coffee! I am off to work on Saturday morning which will be yesterday by the time you read this so I will not be able to have a drink, if I want one, until late in the day. I probably won’t indulge as I value having a healthy liver which needs a break now and then! I might have a drink today, Sunday but then nothing until the end of the week when I have finished my jury service. Mind you, I may get on a case that lasts longer than this coming week but in any event I will enjoy a drink or two at the weekend. I might even surprise the staff at my local pub by paying them the first visit for over six weeks. I love life and I love people who are prepared to enjoy it with me. Life is too short not to enjoy it.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Drink, Enjoyment, Food, Happiness, Leisure, Life, Lifestyle, Philosophy, Values, Wisdom | Tagged: Alcoholic beverage, Drink, Food, Friday, Leisure, Life, Lifestyle, Monday, Pepsi, Philosophy, Saturday, Soft drink, Wine | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on December 31, 2011
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I have never believed that homosexuality (and lesbianism) was right and I have always objected to the association given between the homosexual community and specifically the transsexual community. The two are incongruous. These beliefs are based upon my faith as a Christian and what the teachings are on the subject as far as Scripture is concerned. God clearly states in several places in His word that these things are wrong but the gay community either chooses to ignore it or doesn’t believe it or tries to twist the truth in order to justify the lifestyle. Of course they may not believe in God in which case in their eyes there isn’t a problem. It amuses me when non-believers quote Scripture to defend themselves when they don’t believe in God or when they try to justify what they do by the use of Scripture as if it mattered to them. I do not have a problem with homosexual or lesbian people in the least but I do, as a Christian, have problems with their sexual behaviour which for Christians (and perhaps others) is unacceptable because it is in conflict with what Scripture says on the matter. What is objectionable is the fact that some quarters insist that the Christian Church accepts this behaviour as normal and allows acceptance of individuals into their midst without question. Christians are taught and it comes naturally to them to love their fellow-man but that does not mean accepting their sexuality and lifestyle. How can a Christian believer reject God’s word on the matter? It isn’t a question of love in the way that is often demanded of a Christian either. We get told that we should love those who are different as it is the Christian thing to do. Well it is the right behaviour to expect from a true Christian. However, loving someone doesn’t mean accepting their behaviour.
1 Corinthians 6
1 If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? 2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!
7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”[b] 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.[c]
18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Footnotes:
- 1 Corinthians 6:9 The words men who have sex with men translate two Greek words that refer to the passive and active participants in homosexual acts.
- 1 Corinthians 6:16 Gen. 2:24
- 1 Corinthians 6:17 Or in the Spirit
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Behaviour, Christianity, God, Lifestyle, Religion | Tagged: Christ, Christian Church, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Lord, New International Version, Religion and sexuality | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on December 26, 2011
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At last! Yesterday is all over and done with. Not that I had anything to be done with. I had a day to myself and did almost nothing at all. There were things to attend to promises I’d made to myself but after that I simply drank my wine, had my customary ‘beans on toast’ for lunch, no turkey/chicken/goose, no pudding/mince pies et al, just the simplest of fayre. I don’t feel bloated, I haven’t a hang-over, I’ve not had an argument with anyone, I haven’t actually seen anyone! It has been a lovely Sunday. Am I mad? You might be thinking that but I am not. I am not sure what I will get up to this coming week but I know it won’t be much whatever it is! Probably things won’t pick up for me until mid-January when all gets back to normal. It’s Monday morning and for once I am looking forward in anticipation. Hope you are too!
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Holiday, Lifestyle, Rest and relaxation | Tagged: Chicken, Christmas, Cooking, Home, Meat, Poultry, Soups and Stews, Turkey | 2 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on December 25, 2011
Today is the day to indulge one’s self isn’t it? Well, er, no, not for me at least. I am treating myself to a bottle of red wine of course but I usually do that at the weekend anyhow. As for food, my stomach can only take in so much but I am only eating a normal menu so I shouldn’t have any problems there. In fact I will be tucking into beans on toast for one of my meals, a favourite of mine. I am spending the day alone which has been my usual routine now for quite a number of years. Even if I celebrated Christmas day I never get the opportunity to do that with anyone anyhow, nobody invites me. That works in my favour because I don’t then need to make excuses or explain myself. What I will be doing today is spending more time in prayer and a quiet house lends itself perfectly for doing that.
E will be going to her moms house and my children will be doing their thing. A baby is due to arrive on the scene today and it may well have done so already by the time this is posted. I will let my readers know one way or the other when the time arrives. It will be my first grandchild. I suppose there will be very few bloggers writing today and I am one of them. I wrote this several days ago and scheduled it as I do with most of my posts. Well even I want a day free from blogging! The routine starts again tomorrow but knowing me I will already have it written something by now. Enjoy your day.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Lifestyle | Tagged: Christmas | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on December 24, 2011
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Christmas eve and all is well. Nothing to do, nowhere to go, no-one to see. Quietly indulging in my red wine flicking between the television channels to see if there is anything worth watching, something that hasn’t anything at all to do with Christmas, very difficult at this time of year. I tire of the pressure that is imposed on us all, if we allow it of course. Monday morning and it will all be finished with, forgotten and stored away until next year. Folk will already be looking forward to their New Year celebrations and many will stay ‘in the party spirit’ for the whole intervening week between the two celebrations. Each to their own of course but it isn’t for me. It has been at least three weeks since I visited my pub and it will be another three weeks at least before I make another visit there. Hopefully all will have returned to normality by then. I am not really a party animal but I do like mixing with people and socialising over drinks and perhaps the dinner table. I lead pretty much a quiet life and enjoy the simpler things. As I write this (on Thursday….well I said I wanted a break from blogging) there has been no news regarding the arrival of my first grandchild but I will post something when it happens. I won’t be wishing everyone a happy/merry Christmas/New Year but I do wish everyone to be happy in their lives, to love one another and do unto others as you would have them do unto you. May God bless you all.
Shirley Anne
PS….I got a phone call which got me out of bed in order to reconnect an electrical supply for someone 12 miles away. Somehow I knew that was going to happen, a premonition, a vision if you like but I knew it was going to happen. The strange thing is I get these visions quite often lately. The supply was re-instated and all is well.
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Posted in Enjoyment, Happiness, Life, Lifestyle, Love, People | Tagged: Christmas, Christmas Eve, Holidays, New Year, New Years Eve | 3 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on December 19, 2011
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Having enjoyed a lovely afternoon on Friday and having consumed a fair amount of red wine I wasn’t particularly interested in having some exercise on my treadmill the morning after, which was Saturday. During last week I had not been able to exercise for a couple of reasons, not least of all was the fact that I had been suffering with back pain so I really needed to exercise even if I didn’t feel like it. As it happened I didn’t get to bed until two o’clock in the morning and didn’t fall asleep straight away as usual but when I did I had a good night’s sleep. I awoke at seven, a mere four and a half hours after falling asleep, very much what I do nearly every day and dressed for a session on the treadmill. Forty minutes later I felt great, had a quick light breakfast then bathed and dressed for the day. Nothing to do on Saturdays I caught up with some reading and played around on my guitar. I always find that when I am not in the mood to exercise I do it anyway and never regret it. It is all about discipline of course and I suppose if I were to give in to laziness rather than exercise I would be in a sorry state. What professional footballer remains so if they refuse to exercise? How long would a boxer last in the ring if he decided not to prepare himself because he didn’t feel like it? I sometimes don’t like the idea of exchanging a comfortable bed for a stint on the treadmill but I force myself to do it. A few years ago I would be up and about at two-thirty in the morning and out on the street at three o’clock running a few miles come rain or snow. That takes dedication and determination and it didn’t do me any harm, in fact quite the opposite! I therefore make a special effort to exercise the day after some self-indulgent eating and drinking when it is time for me to do some exercise.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Exercise, Health, Lifestyle | Tagged: Fitness, Health, Physical exercise, Saturday, Treadmill | 2 Comments »
