Boy Underwater 15 minutes Goes Home

Dale Ostrander is back in his Spanaway home after spending a month in the hospital. He was pulled from the ocean by rescuers after spending 15 to 20 minutes under water. Shortly before he was sent to the hospital rescuers found a faint pulse.

His recovery has been amazing. "He is not 100% Dale like he was August 4th," says his mother, " but I believe he will be back and recover fully."
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/09/20/1832634/boy-who-survived-ocean-scare-is.html

The Building of Hope

Colossians 1


Today I'm studying Colossians on biblegateway.com. I've bookmarked the link and filed it under Bible links so I can open it quickly whenever I'm on the computer.
Colossians is a garden I come to often, along with I Corinthians 1-3. Those chapters focus on Christ and the Cross, the central part of history, Eternity, and the Theme of God's message.
If you would know who you are, you must know Who God is. If you would know Who God is, you must look to the Cross.
Colossians 1:5 has a beautiful word picture in the phrase: for the hope that is laid up for you. Our hope has been patiently, diligently been built in heaven like a brick layer or stone worker FOR US by God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each doing their part. His Work of Hope is not composed of a single element for a single purpose, but is all inclusive, design, structure, pattern, soft and hard, jewels and bricks, a building of breath taking beauty. It includes the story of your life, friends and family, your Eternal future, the surprises of beauty brought in daily.
Every element of the Building of Hope which God is making for you contains, comes from, and points to Jesus, and can be found in the Story of The Cross. Jesus DIED so a thief could be in Paradise. Jesus died because of good people, and in spite of good people so good people could realize our goodness is a filthy rag compared to the Beauty of Jesus. Believe that, and you have HOPE!

I cooked again with my magic wok. Mary and I bought an over sized roast. They're all over sized when there's just 2 people. I sliced a hunk off, and cut it into slivers. I had already cut up a yellow pepper, onion, and a sweet potato into strips. Started the meat first, added real beef bouillon, all purpose seasoning, a little agave, Kikkoman's soy sauce, dash of sea salt, added the sweet potato next, then the pepper, onion, and some dried tomato. Mary was very, very happy.


The number of countries that have viewed my blog is now over 80, and the number of languages it has been translated into by Google translation is over 30. I never saw this coming. God is good.
Another confusing but good fact is that sites other than Facebook and Twitter are referring views to my blog at a much higher rate and growing. The Hell messages are by far the biggest draw. Never saw that one coming either.


God gives me the ability to preach sermons in less than 140 characters, which I gladly do for Him. God gets the glory for this.
God is FOR the flat tax... 10%!
God does not believe in atheists, therefore atheists do not exist.


DENIAL is not just a river in Egypt.
Due to budget cuts, the light at the end of the tunnel has been cut off- management
I took an IQ test. The results were negative.

Reading Backwards

I used to do read backwards when I was a kid because our families little 40 ft by 8 ft trailer had a small TV that faced the front where my Dad had put a large mirror. The 4 kids had bunk beds in the middle of the trailer. Tim and I had the bottom bunk, and Terry and Ted had the top bunk. 
Because Ted was so little Dad had made a crib in the form of a cage, which we older children teased him about later. 
The master bedroom was in the back. Dad had placed the mirror so Mom could watch her soaps and iron in the back bedroom, (the bed folded into the wall). Actually, Dad was hoping Mom would do the ironing, but he often had to do it for himself. 
One year Dad hid Mom's Christmas present at the bottom of the ironing basket. She never found it. 
I would lay in my bed and lean slightly out of the bed to watch TV every night till 11pm. The late news was only 15 minutes. The Tonight Show was only 30 minutes. 
 I gave myself away when I was watching What's My Line? (of work) At one point the panelists were blindfolded, a famous mystery guest would be brought out, and they would display the guest's line of work on the TV, but not announce it. I started laughing when I read (backwards) in the mirror a particularly funny line. My mom made me say what the line was because she thought I was just laughing. I was in the 2nd or 3rd grade. 
I watched the original The Tonight Show when the host was Steve Allen. Jack Paar was a dud. 
The other late night show which I watched in the mirror was I've Got a Secret with a similar premise as What's My Line. Gary Moore was the host of that show, but later Steve Allen replaced him. 
What's My Line ran from 1950 to 1967. It was hosted by John Charles Daly, the same announcer that hosted Your Were There historical drama, and the announcer for the attack on Pearl Harbor. Columnist Dorothy Kilgallen, actress Arlene Francis, Random House publisher and co-founder Bennett Cerf were panelists along with a fourth Guest panelist. Steve Allen was the fourth panelist early in the show, but left to start The Tonight Show which later became Johnny Carson's baby.

A Good Time to Pray #1

Mary's Ears Perked UP!

Mary's ears perked up when she heard the Fed EX truck, like Buster her poodle's ears perked up when I rustle a bag of pork rinds. Sure enough, our new Keurig coffee maker for Indiana is here. God is good.
I would not be a good store owner if I failed to mentioned she bought it at MY store for a great price, close to Walmarts's price, and free shipping. And she didn't have to leave the condo! Saved gas, time, and stress!

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The Garden where God walks

We are like tea bags, we never know how strong we are until God dips us in hot water.
Dinner Is ready when the smoke alarm goes off- the cook
The proud thinks he creates his own path, that blindly leads to disaster.
The Garden Where God Walks
Whenever I feel I am inadequate, I go back to the garden, the garden where God walks.
Eve walked in the garden with God, but turned her back on God to embrace the tree of knowledge. We are still turning our backs on God to embrace technology.
Adam walked with God, but when Eve chose a different path, he turned his back on God, and walked with Eve.
Jesus walked with God in the Garden, and He continued to walk, even though that walk led Him to Calvary and the Cross.
We all feel inadequate to walk with God, but walking away from Him only deepens our sense of inadequacy.
Jesus, it was our sense of inadequacy that nailed you to the Cross, that caused us to walk away from the Father. Flood me with Your strengthening Grace, that I may embrace Your Cross, and walk with You always.
God made Man before Woman because you always make the rough draft before the final masterpiece. ;-)

Getting Started with Psalms 119

I want my relationship with My Lord to be first, and my Facebook, Twitter and business relationships to be in last place(sorry, friends!) God must come first, next is my wife, and then Biblical family responsibilities, before I am qualified to minister to others. Business comes dead last.
I am striving to incorporate my Bible study into my internet time, hoping that since Facebook helps me to form a blog (as well as promote a blog) I'll see if I can get it ALL done, and not leave any calling out.
I like to start with Psalms 119 because it combines prayer with God's Word, and nothing is more powerful than praying THE WORD!
I choose to do meditations in the open. It could potentially be a time saver, having my devotion become a ministry, somewhat like David's Psalms moving from being a personal tool to a help for all believers. Openness in a shepherd's life is both a obvious teaching tool, and a weapon, for it's difficult for the enemy to start destructive rumors when all the facts are already public.
Psalms 119:39Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. 
Lord, you are the One Who holds back reproach, a punishment we deserve, for we have all failed You.
Thank You for Your mercy, demonstrated by Your Son Jesus & His death on the Cross.

In Psalms 119, there are so many things God wants to do for us, if we would just ask Him. David put these in one verse prayers. I like them. They can be prayed anytime, like right now, if I may so boldly suggest!
Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes!
Give me understanding!
Make me to go in the path of Your commandments!
Incline my heart unto Your testimonies!
Turn away my eyes from beholding lies!
Stablish Your word in Your servant's heart! (vs32-38)

Psalms 119


God' Mercy blocks the river of His fiery anger. The humble head for the high ground of the Cross.
The sirens of Judgement are blaring, but we wear our earmuffs of Proud Ignorance, and go our way.
God's lessons are fierce. A moment of foolishness can destroy and kill. But His love on the Cross is also fierce!
The proud blithely play in the Park of Good Times, below the Dam of God's Impending Judgement.
The proud build a fortress of excuses, but on Judgement Day the excuses will turn to dust!
Politics wins. Statesmanship does the right thing, win or lose. Better to lose an election than God's favor.
Death terrorizes us, cruelly snatching loved ones, but we cry out to You! Jesus, save us!
Pride blinds my soul, and darkens my path, but You, Jesus, are my Light!


Don't give up! Mose was once a basket case!
Calm, smiling, helpful postal workers make me nervous... whatever happened to tradition?

Madness takes it's toll. Please have exact change.
When no one understands you, chocolate is there.
I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe... and I like it!

Cooking Veggies, geek stuff, random thoughts

Sunday, October 17, 2011 Mary's up early so we can go to the early service, 10:30, early for me, that is. Too many years on third shift. 
Eric (Mary's son) sent us a lot of veggies from his garden, squash, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and Mary brought me a nice wok from IKEA, $5, so I dusted off my cooking skills and made dinner. Cut an acorn squash in half, cooked it at 350 in the oven, boiled some red potatoes, and cooked peppers, an onion, and a tomato in the wok, then finished up with 3 scrambled eggs in the wok. Mary was happy. 
Mary's condo is caty corner from a Little Caesars, or about a hundred yards. Big square pizza for $7 plus $1 for garlic bread sticks. I cook there about twice a month. 
About politics: I won't vote for any candidate that is not strongly and actively pro life. I have voted for ANOTHER party if the candidate is pro life. I will support bipartisanship and compromise on financial issues. I will never compromise on LIFE. Best approach is to stay informed, stay constantly in prayer, and don't be afraid to let God lead. I went into a poll once determined to vote for Jimmy Carter, and felt compelled to vote for Ronnie while I was in there. Don't want to do a comparison here, for God will be the ultimate Judge of all Kings, but God's Spirit CAN direct in the polling booth. Politics wins. Statesmanship does the right thing, win or lose. Better to lose an election than God's favor. 
I just did a random check on Facebook search and found out my links are being shared, not just viewed. I am very grateful. Thank you. There were over 140 views of my blog on Friday. Most of the views came from Google searches, which indicates word of mouth is getting more draw than my posting. I've noticed a big upturn of viewing since Google brought out the new dynamic view which enables my friends to find other posts easier. Also had a turning point on my business. Made $10 from advertisement fees from Amazon, so I will actually get a check next month. I appreciate your prayers and encouragement. 


Random thoughts:
So far, I’m the oldest I’ve ever been! 
Horse lovers are STABLE people. 
DON'T MAKE ME VIOLATE MY PAROLE! 
My karma just ran over my dogma. 
STOP REPEAT OFFENDERS! Don't reelect them. 
Work is for people who don't know how to fish. 
I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder -the mechanic 
YOU CAN'T SCARE ME! I have a two year old - mom 
hookd on fonics wurked four mee! 
Life has no remote. Get up and change it yourself! 


Mike and Mary:

Mary didn't like my idea on how to keep the lid on the caramel coffee flavoring syrup from sticking... spray it with WD40 
Mary likes to watch the credits at the end of movies to see if there's any of her relatives listed. I do the same thing at the post office.
Sometimes I pretend to be normal. Mary replied: How's that working out for you?  



Notes from Management:

ME BOSS - YOU NOT! -management 
Beatings will continue until moral improves - management Please do not throw cigarette butts into urinals as this makes them soggy and hard to light! -management 
I’M THE BOSS!! my wife said I could be.. 


Chocolate:
Then God created chocolate, and God separated the Light from the Dark, and God Called it GOOD! 
If at first you don't succeed, have a piece of chocolate!
CHOCOLATE! It isn't just for breakfast any more! 
There's only one thing better than coffee or chocolate... coffee and chocolate together! 


The Beauty of Insanity:
CHAOS! PANIC! DISORDER! My work here is done. 
I used to have an open mind but my brains kept falling out. 
My reality check just bounced.
The doc on The Gifted Man gets out his cell phone when he's talking to an unseen voice. Now why didn't I think of that? 
Out of my mind. Back in 5 minutes? 
DO NOT DISTURB! I'm disturbed enough.
Consciousness: the annoying time between naps. 
The Doc on The Gifted Man tv show is having difficulty appearing to be sane while talking to unseen voices. I could give him pointers.
I do all my own stunts.
What if the Hokey Pokey is really what it's all about?   
I'M SMILING! because I don't know what's going on. 

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#rmdo Ancient Nazarene Bible College Aluminae Conversations

Mike's Amazon

When I first got on Facebook in 2009, Marla Carlton, a Nazarene Bible College alumnae, got in touch with me. Soon a conversation started between me and several other Bible College Alumns from those early years when Doctor Richard Strickland was President. 
My late wife Lynne was a part of that experience. In 2008 she passed away. In 2010 I met and married Mary.
The occasion that got this event rolling was James Russom's 60th birthday.

James Russom

From Mike to James Russom:
Greetings from the old hound dog to the young pup! (James Russom)
I thought I'd let you know why your ears were burning! Earl was asking if we knew each other at NBC, and as I was reminiscing I brought up your name. Correct me if my facts are wrong. It's good to see you looking so healthy, intelligent, and happy, especially on your 60th. I can barely mange to look awake without drooling. I did pastor some nice churches, but it was because Lynne impressed them.

From Mike to Earl Carlton, (Marla's husband and fellow Alumn)
Did you go from 69 to 72? I believe that was the third class. I attended in the day. I worked on 2nd shift at Western Forge, and sang on week ends with Dave and Jane Smith, (Dan Smith's brother) and my wife Lynne, with the unofficial college group, the Insights. My dad, William or Bill, started in 70, and attended night class. He graduated, I did not. I dropped out in my third year to go full time with the Insights, and then I went on to be an Associate Pastor with Bob Leffel, who taught at the Bible College.
I was one of the younger students, only surpassed by the most Honorable James Russom, who was 2 years younger (20) when he started. He was part of the other unofficial college quartet, the Harvesters, (with Wayne Rose, Dan Allen, Chet Smith, and???)) and later James pastored in southern California, not too far from where I was an associate with Bob Leffel. I also vaguely remember that James played the piano, (before they were called keyboards!)

From James Rayford Russom: Hi Mike and Earl,

I attended 69 - 71 and graduated in the second class. Susan's parents, Roy and Nell Smith traveled with a singing group as well, George Hurst was also in that group. Mom and Dad Smith went on to pastor the Quechan indians and George was a missionary in Africa.
Harvesters: Wayne Rose - regisered evangelist and pastor,
Dan Allen - pastor and trucking business, Dick Clifton - pastor Assy. of God, Doyle Gregory dropped out and went his own way. 
I pastored for 35 years and am now teaching and adminisration at NBC full time. After NBC I continued my education until I earned a Doctorate.

From Richard Clifton: Greetings..

I also traveled with Harvester, playing bass. I graduated in '72. I am few months younger than James Russom, and Doyle Gregory, our bass singer, was just younger than me. I never thought of it, but I guess the 3 of our group were the youngest of students at the time.
I did not know, or remember that you went full time with the Insights in those days!
I have pastored 4 churches, done full time evangelism. I am currently serve as GM of a Christian TV station in KY.
Blessings.

Earl and Marla Carlton 

From Earl R Carlton: Yes, thanks guys (Mike) for getting back so quickly to me, but I guess when you are as old as we are now every minute counts. My time at NBC was nights 69 - 73. I took a little longer to do everything. I remember Wayne Rose, Bob Cunningham, and a few others, but I did not make too many close friends. I worked construction to support my family. Marla and I had 5 churches-  Bingen Wa., Union Gap, Wa. Bellingham, Wa. and Deer Park, Wa. and Culver Or. for a total of 32 yrs. I'm semi retired now, working construction off and on, mostly off these days. We live in Central Oregon close to grand kids and teach Bible at the county jail once a week. The district closed the Nazarene Church here, so we attend the A.G. church. I am really glad to hear from you guys, and that your are so active in serving King Jesus. I would love renewing our friendships. Bless you all!

From James Rayford Russom: 

Hi Dick,
There probably aren't that many people that were in our class still active in ministry, as most of them had 10 or more years on us. We were among the few young ones who came to NBC because we wanted only one thing... to learn to be a good pastor. I never dreamed I would come back to NBC to teach. As a matter of fact I am the first NBC Alum. to be hired as faculty and/or administration.
Dick, remember when we cut our record and the Flying W Ranch band played for us? The current band has one member who is a full time student, studying to be a pastor. I taught him the other evening. He has started a cowboy church at the Flying W. Worshiped there last week. It was fun.


From Marla LaVerne Riddle Carlton: 

Well it is good to read all the history you men put on. I was one of only a few women who was studying for ministry at NBC. I went Day's while my husband Earl R. (Dick) Carlton went nights. We were very busy, we had 4 children and a business. "D" Gutter, and we hired Bible College students. It took us longer to get through because I had to have surgery so we had to come back an extra quarter. We sold our business when we left and took 'Home Mission' churches and rebuilt them up; what a joy. I so enjoyed your musical singing groups. I was commissioned in Christian Education and we worked as a team. Went to Northwest College a year, getting more counseling classes. Then while in the Deer Park church, I did the studies with our District, I finished and was Ordained.


From Mike Dittmer: 

James, I didn't realize there was a whole litter of you young pups.

Lynne had your bright cheerful personality. I'll bet you wake up that way! I enjoyed being around her, and you, but that much cheerfulness in the morning seemed unnatural.
Thanks for all the details! Lynne handled that for me, so until Facebook came along, I was pretty much in a fog about those years. But talking about it has sharpened my memory.
I remember Sue's parents and their group. They had a nice Chuck Wagon Gang sound. I really enjoyed their group.
Enjoyed chatting with everybody. Let's do it again sometime. Whose birthday is next?
By the way, was anybody in the class with Ron Lush, when one of the students asked what the text book meant by a perversion of the original style? Ron had me come to the front of the class and play Blessed Assurance in the Evangelistic style, then he instructed me to play it like the arrangement I had played for the Insights, where we were scheduled together with Ron. I changed the timing from 6/8 to 12/8 slowing the song down, and giving it the feel of a black gospel choir, and then I put in a few licks to top it off. The class erupted in Amens and praise Gods and they were waving hankies and shouting and standing and clapping. When I finished the revised version, Ron looked at the class, and said, "According to the author, that was perverted." Whenever he was scheduled with us, he requested that song.
From Daniel C. Smith:

Hi all you guys..Great to see the pics and hear from you. I graduated in 71 also and pastored 5 churches, and did music evangelism for a total of 25 years with the church. Recently retired with one of those great Nazarene pensions, not complaining, Was honored to serve. 

Presently living with my wife Leona of 40 years, whom I met while in Bible College and married at Southgate Church of the Nazarene there, we are in Emmett, ID. just outside of Nampa, Boise area. 

My kids are serving the Lord. One is married to a Nazarene pastor in Emmett, the other is married and living in Medford, OR. 

Wife is still teaching school and I still play with race cars. During my ministry years, I also spent time working for GM. Makes retirement for me easier. 

Dave, my brother, of the original Insights, lives and works in Tulare, CA. Stay in touch. Like to know what everyone is doing these days.. seems we lose touch with a lot of the older guys.
Dan

From Arnold John Allen: 

Hi Guys! I also was one of the younger ones. Graduated in '72 @ 20. Pastored & then went to missions with YWAM. Now doing home churches, counseling & working with prophetic/apostolic teams in our region. (Northwest U.S.) Carol & I had our 40th last summer.


From Deaf Ranger: 

Arnold, I remember you from NBC. I was 25 when I started at NBC. I had a wife and 3 children and worked in a cabinet shop, going to class in the evenings. I left there and went back to N. Hollywood CofN stayed a year or so and worked on the streets of Hollywood doing street evangelism. Then in August 1973 went to near Pittsburgh, PA and started a Christian Coffeehouse. Many young people got saved and off of drugs and alcohol. They were not accepted in the local churches so we started an independent church. Then in 1978 we went to YWAM till 1999 and then left there and started an independent ministry called Deaf World Ministry, which is still going but down sized to my wife and I and relocated to AZ where we are now entering the Deaf community and building relationships and ministering to the Deaf as the Lord leads us. 

We are semi-retired - who retires fully from the Lord's work? We have a tent-making business making period clothing for those involved in Cowboy Action shooting, and I do leather crafting making holsters, gun belts, and lots of things of leather, doing tooling etc. We love it here in AZ. It makes for great winters and nice summers.
Did not mean to shun anyone else by addressing Arnold...I just remember him most clearly.

This is the conclusion of that Facebook get together. If I dig up any more material, I'll keep you posted. #rmdo

Why Men Die First: 3

Boys and girls, don't try this at home!

Oreos and ATMs

We had to have cash to buy "dinner" at Costco, so we stopped at Target and picked up a box of Oreo's and got $20 cash at the same time. Same as a withdrawal fee at the ATM but more rewarding.
We forgot to get milk when we got the Oreo's but we roughed it, and ate about 8 of them without milk. Made a nice predinner dessert.

The Hot Dog: Greatest Invention of 2 Centuries! $1.50 for a foot long & refillable pop at Costco.
We stopped by Mickey's Dairy Twist on Pontiac Trail in South Lyon Michigan but they were closed already, so we had to console ourselves with 2 large chocolate Frosties from Wendy's. Got all the stuff from Costco unloaded. Didn't save any money, but won't have to buy bathroom tissue, paper towels or facial tissue till 2012.
Going to go upstairs and polish off those Frosties and watch an episode of something we DVRd. It's a tough life, but a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do!

Just read an interesting article about the heart of Detroit Tigers, revealed by how well they played when nursing injuries. Just a thought from a preacher, but when every thing else is equal, heart always wins.
When everything else is equal, heart always wins. Heart wins a lot even when things are unequal. Heart quickly spots the weakness of the over sized, over paid, over trained opponent and exploits it. Goliath had size, training, finances. David had heart.
I'm not a gambling man, but after reading about the heart of the Detroit Tigers, and knowing they are not slack in preparations, my non existent money's on them.

Be sure to stop at The Adventures of Mike and Mary Blog!
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Who Am I gospel song

Mary sent me this video through the email. Yes, I know, we email each other even though we're in the same house. Go figure.
I love this song written by Rusty Goodman. Seems like I remember The Insights singing this, or perhaps Lynne, or maybe not. Beautifully sung by the  Altar of Praise Chorale a cappella.

Thank you, Amazon customers and Parable Promoters

I just received a report that a Parable Promoter purchased something from Amazon from my store. To do that they had to go to Amazon from one of my links on my blog. Since I just changed the format to a dynamic format, I no longer have the ads around my blog, so I am in the process of placing on each blog, right in the blog itself, a banner that will take you right both the Amazon homepage and to my store. See the banner on the top of this blog.
The address will have a theshear-20 in it such as link that follows: http://www.amazon.com/?&tag=theshshear-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=ur1&adid=1E7HPR5ZN0KBVX4VGFNV
My unknown friend purchased the two items that I have put links to in this blog, a Bunn Velocity Brew 10 cup Home Coffee Maker, and a Cut to Fit carbon for air purifiers.
Thanks so much for your support! God bless you!

By the way, all my Ad links are monetized, which means that if you click and buy, I get paid.
Safe, simple, no pressure, value loaded armchair shopping! Click, bookmark and shop this link to sponsor my blog.
Find more blogs about My Amazing Amazon eStores for Parable Promoters!