Eye of the Oracle…My final word.
**This post was edited to remove certain stories that are upsetting and the blog owner does not want them left for public review. The stories were public for one day.
Dear Mr. Davis,
After seeking Godly counsel, I was reproved for not coming to you first with my concerns. (Matt 18:15) This Sister was correct. I should have approached you privately, opening a dialogue addressing my concerns. It was an error in judgment on my part. In this regard, I sinned against you and publicly apologize.
The rest of my story…..Well, I hope, neh pray, that you will try to understand. For me, it was only what I read in the first couple of chapters of the EOTO book that bothered me. Strongly. (By the way, I did actually read the entire book. I stayed up until 4am reading. In light of Lilith’s character I thought you did a phenomenal job in how you moved her through the story. Knowing who she is or what she represented made it easier to follow.)
There was still this nagging unease inside of me…..I just knew I recognized those names from somewhere else. It wasn’t until I was reminded by another friend of what we went through in school that I was able to connect the familiarity.
***Edited***
Two of my sister’s were messing with the occult. Warned repeatedly that this was not something to play with or take lightly they decided to do what they wanted anyway. They were teenagers. We were alone in the house I being in my twenties at the time. They thought it would be really cool to call up spirits with a ouiji board. They had checked out books from the public library on how to perform what they had to do. When the house started shaking as if it was going through an earthquake…and what sounded like heavy thumping on the floor. I ran to the bedroom thinking they were killing each other, I wasn’t prepared for what I walked into. Both girls were on opposite sides of the room pinned up against the walls. The ouji board was in the middle of the bed going crazy. I was all ready saved at the time but those girls were not. I was terrified and praying every second for God’s protection. I didn’t know at the time there is a specific way to get rid of that thing…all I could think was to get it out of the house and broke it in two and through it in the trash. (They were young teenagers at the time and did not realize what they were getting into.)
***Edited***
Yes, I have been in a house where evil existed and cowered in fear. One of your many fans said that hopefully I would listen to God and not my own fears. I have a right to my fears. They have substance.
I am so Confused….Let’s not forget Angry
My daughter is angry. Rightly so. It is concerning a phone call that I wasn’t able to interrupt her hearing. I am angry. I want something done but pushing people in directions they are not willing to go is difficult. I keep telling myself there is a lesson to be learned here…..I just wish I knew what it was.
More to come later….
I had a very serious migraine last night…in fact I had it all day. I took a shower, took meds anything and and everything to try and get rid of it so that I could enjoy the kids piano recital. I managed to have it somewhat under control. The lighting in the church just set it off again. I sat all the way in the back of the church with my darkest sunglasses so that I could hear the kids play. It was also the closest exit to the bathroom. This was one of those vomiting kind of headaches. I haven’t had one like this in probably 8-10 years. I was at least pretty clean. I had only taken 3 showers yesterday…..:)
My not acknowledging my MIL was apparently offensive….nor staying after the recital for the social was offending to the piano teacher (NOT). Please interpret this as MIL’s issues. I called and apologized to the teacher who said she knew why I wasn’t there. She understood and knows the MIL. Knows the issues we are dealing with.
She was also offended that the kids were so guarded with her in their manner and speech. Well…DUH!!!
I offered to apologize to the FIL….but hubby said NO!!! I was not apologizing to anyone…..especially for something I didn’t do……This post won’t make sense to many….but to those who know….what can I say…?
She puts me in fright and flight mode…..I try to fight it….maybe that is the lesson God is trying to teach me…..that HE is not the author of fear. He is also the high priest and I am to take my petitions to Him.
My faith is weak now…..I want to run from this…..I want to take my children and run…..but I know that isn’t the answer.
How to deal with my children though…..My daughter is angry, my one son is scared….the other ambivalent and feels he should hide if she comes down our street….which she hasn’t done yet…..but it is only a matter of time……
When the phone rings and I see the number, my stomach starts to churn and feel like jello. My hands start shaking and my blood pressure rises….I guess that is the closest to an anxiety attack I have ever come to…….
More Later……….
TEA
I love tea…. many who have spent any time with me can attest to this fact. I prefer loose tea’s. Once you have tried loose tea you will be loathe to ever go back to the traditional tea bag. There are a few tea bags that I will use though. I can’t resist the taste. The most popular tea that people drink is actually made up from the dregs of the tea barrel. It is not the good stuff!!
The teas I currently drink are a mix. If you do drink tea from a tea bag it should be big enough for the leaves to unfurl in order to release the flavor.
Zhena’s Gypsy Tea has a wonderfully flavored Raspberry Earl Grey. As soon as the hot water hits the tea it releases an aroma that is so pleasing to the senses, one must pick up the tea and inhale deeply. If I could get a candle that had the same aroma….It would be burning constantly. The blends of the raspberry and bergamot, which is the signature flavor of Earl Grey, is very pleasing and smooth to the palette. It can actually be found at most grocery stores. I can purchase this at Safeway, Giant, Bloom (old Foodlion) and Shopper’s Food Warehouse. You can check the website to see if any stores in your area carry this tea. It comes in a very nice decorative tin. If you happen to like nice decorative tins. It also comes in Black, Green, Herbal and White teas with other flavors in each group.
Adagio Tea is another favorite of mine. I have tried several but the one I lean toward the most is the Golden Yunnan black tea from China. It has a unique flavor….somewhat peppery and earthy. The Adagio teas are a wonderful tea. I have recently discovered a new Adagio that needs to be observed. It is a beautiful tea. The Red Bloom tea is one in a line of blossoming teas that are becoming quite popular. You should really have a glass teapot or clear glass cup if you are drinking a blooming tea. Of course…..I have both. I am spoiled and not ashamed to say it. My husband spoils me with tea.
The Tao of Tea is probably the first of the loose teas I tried. My husband was kind enough to bring home The Dragonwell Green Tea and Black Peony Hand Tied Black Tea. These are wonderful teas. I will drink the green plain or with a tiny bit of organic Demerara Cane Sugar. It is a very nice tea and I have found it quite soothing. It has been my tea of choice prior to bedtime. The Black Peony is a beautiful tea to watch steep. Its leaves are hand tied. When the tea is steeping, the leaves will unfurl into the shape of a peony. I can usually make one small pot or several cups out of one peony.
Paromi Tea is a new tea that I have aquired. I tried the Earl Grey Dolce. It’s a very nice tea with bergamot oil with a touch of orange. The orange is very suttle. I almost have to be looking for the taste to pick it up. It is not overpowering. It comes in an amber colored jar. This is supposed to protect the tea.
Teaism is actually a tea shop/restaurant located in Washington D.C. My husband works down by Dupont Circle. He is able to bring home a small selection of teas for me to try. Teaism boasts 52 flavors of tea from blacks,greens, whites, herbals and tisanes. All the teas are 100% organic. I have tried the Oolong, Guranse, Kenyan, Ceylon and the Earl Grey. I think I will work my way thru the entire compliment of teas.
I am posting pictures of the Adagio Red Blossom tea to show how beautiful the tea is as it opens……
The tea looks like a dried up hard ball when you open the package.
Top view looking down into the pot…. Normally I do not leave the lid off…..The picture to the left shows the leaves starting to unfurl. The picture on the right shows the leaves fully open.
A side view, looking thru the pot as the leaves unfurl…….
One ball makes a weaker tea done in the pot. It has a nice amber color and mild taste. If you want a stronger cup, which I usually do, you can make this in your mug or just add less water to your pot.
If you look closely on the left, you can see where the tea leaves were tied. It makes a beautiful presentation….of course when you have kids they may prompt you to, “Oh cool Mom….Do it again!!!”
Here are links to preparing the proper cup of tea….
Other Tea resources…..
I am only lacking in the proper tea cozy. I am on a search for one. I found a pattern for a cozy that I fell in love with…but I can’t figure the pattern out…..I will have to visit a crocheting friend and have them show me how to make this tea cozy. You might have to sign into Lion Brand Yarn’s free patterns to view….but it’s worth it. Tea Cozy
Enjoy a cuppa tea…..especially with a friend.
**more photo’s have been uploaded into the photo blog**
Lifes Little Upheaval’s
It has been a few days since I have been here and written anything. It all started last Wednesday. We got a call from my FIL. He was home and by himself….which means he up and left my MIL in Florida. Okay…….
My MIL suffers from Bi-Polar disorder……I think that pretty much says it all.
My FIL left on Saturday to go back to Florida to pick her up……this fills me with fear and trepidation…..especially in the current mood she is in.
My husband spent Friday night at my FIL’s house talking with him about his mother. His dad asked if his mother has been asking for the vehicles back…and He replied yes. My FIL asked my husband to please just ignore that and know that the vehicles were given with no strings attached and they were ours to do with as we pleased.
First they gave us their 1984 Bronco…this was to replace the 1982 Cadillac Cimmaron that my husband was driving that was on it’s last legs. It was just a vehicle to get him back and forth to the commuter lot where he slugs in to work each day. WE caught so much grief over that car….our mechanic would glue a new caddy emblem on the car every time we had it in the shop. It became quite the joke around here……When you figure that we only paid $350 for the car and probably put in $1000. of maintenance over the four years we had it…….Well, that wasn’t too bad. It needed a break job and Jim the Mechanic called and told mu husband the break job that the “Caddy” would need was going to cost way more than the car was worth.
So we donated it to the local fire dept for demo and rescue practice. They are so funny when getting a car…they even invite you out to watch the rescue training and the demoing of said car. I will need to find a picture of that car and post it. It was definitely a classic……
Then my 1995 Buik Le Sabre blew up….we knew the tranny was going but it was the engine that went first much to our surprise. We had the car for 8 years. We are a single income family living in Northern VA and there was no way I was going to go out and incur another debt when we were so close to being debt free. His father called us and wanted my husband to bring us up to this dealer to try out some vans before he bought one. My FIL bought us our new van…well it is 4 years old and we’ve had it for 3 years. That was so awesome and generous of them…We were profusely thankful….His dad wanted us to know that it was ours, no strings attached….we didn’t owe them anything…..you get the idea.
Last year my FIL was trading in his truck. He had a 1999 Ford F150. The problem with it…was the leg room for his grandkids. He needed a little bigger truck. So he found one….we were sitting at dinner and I asked if he was trading the old truck in on the new one….He very nonchalantly replied that no…he was going to see if his son would like the truck….My husband, after stuttering said well of course.
That is how we got our vehicles…..and we know that it is an amazing blessing and evidence in how God has watched over us and met our needs….not that we needed 3 vehicles….Now his mother is always bringing up the fact that they gave us the vehicles and she would like one of them back since she was left in Florida with no vehicle….any way…..back to the conversation between hubby and FIL.
My hubby proceeds to tell his dad that he needed to tell him about the bronco. His dad said that wasn’t necessary. But my hubby said yes it was…It could have an impact on his life.
When his mother saw a friend of ours driving the bronco…she was taking her EMT classes for recertification. This was a requirement for her to run with the local Fire and Rescue. He told his dad that if he ever has to call 911 on a Sunday or Monday night…..well, that rescue squad is staffed thanks to our loaning of said bronco, and odds were he would get our friend as the lead EMT on scene….they would end up with Wendi.
His mom doesn’t like Wendi…….sooooo…..I would so love to be a fly on the wall if that happens. She would refuse transport. His dad thought it was priceless....My hubby is still chuckling over this.
On another note……My sister Peaches has helped her hubby start a blog on his race car. If you are so inclined to do so…go check it out and give him a pat on the back and wish him good luck.
Jeff’s race car blog…..Arrow Dynamix
I will be finishing a few things here this week……I haven’t been able to focus on some of the things I started here….and should be be able to complete them this week……Thanks for hanging around and coming back to visit.
The Virtuous Women……Modesty Part I
I was prepared to go onto the next set of verses but a few questions popped up that needed to be addressed before I went on.
It is the modesty issue……..now before I finish this I want to preface this with the statement that these are my opinions and how I interpret this and what God has laid on my heart. It is up to each individual to search the scriptures and ask God to show them what He wants them to do……..Our convictions must come from Him…..they cannot be forced upon you by the beliefs of other people all though I know this happens.
I am also not in the game of judging people…..just because my daughter and I prefer to dress one way…it is our preference and we do not look down or think ill of other women who do not have the same conviction that we have. I know some very Godly women who choose not to wear just dresses and skirts.They feel they can dress just as modestly in slacks then they can in other apparel. That is fine with me….I just chose another path.
Modesty does not mean Frumpiness. It doesn’t mean going around in a potato sack. It doesn’t mean that you cannot wear jewelry and makeup.
Here are the definitions of Modest, Modestly and Modesty………
Modest
MOD’EST, a. [L. modestus, from modus, a limit.]1. Properly, restrained by a sense of propriety; hence, not forward or bold; not presumptuous or arrogant; not boastful; as a modest youth; a modest man.
2. Not bold or forward; as a modest maid. The word may be thus used without reference to chastity.
The blushing beauties of a modest maid.
3. Not loose; not lewd.
Mrs. Ford, the honest woman, the modest wife.
4. Moderate; not excessive or extreme; not extravagant; as a modest request; modest joy; a modest computation.
Modestly
MOD’ESTLY, adv. Not boldly; not arrogantly or presumptuously; with due respect. He modestly expressed his opinions.1. Not loosely or wantonly; decently; as, to be modestly attired; to behave modestly.
2. Not excessively; not extravagantly.
Modesty
MOD’ESTY, n. [L. modestia.] That lowly temper which accompanies a moderate estimate of one’s own worth and importance. This temper when natural, springs in some measure from timidity, and in young and inexperienced persons, is allied to bashfulness and diffidence. In persons who have seen the world, and lost their natural timidity, modesty springs no less from principle than from feeling, and is manifested by retiring, unobtrusive manners, assuming less to itself than others are willing to yield, and conceding to others all due honor and respect, or even more than they expect or require.2. Modesty, as an act or series of acts, consists in humble, unobtrusive deportment, as opposed to extreme boldness, forwardness, arrogance, presumption, audacity or impudence. Thus we say, the petitioner urged his claims with modesty; the speaker addressed the audience with modesty.
3. Moderation; decency.
4. In females, modesty has the like character as in males; but the word is used also as synonymous with chastity, or purity of manners. In this sense, modesty results from purity of mind, or from the fear of disgrace and ignominy fortified by education and principle. Unaffected modesty is the sweetest charm of female excellence, the richest gem in the diadem of their honor.
The above definitions were taken from The Webster Dictionary 1828 version. That is the one most compatible with the King James Version of the Bible that I use.
The modern day Webster’s definition is the following…….
modest
One entry found for modest.
Main Entry: mod·est
Pronunciation: 'mä-d&st
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin modestus moderate; akin to Latin modus measure
1 a : placing a moderate estimate on one’s abilities or worth b : neither bold nor self-assertive : tending toward diffidence
2 : arising from or characteristic of a modest nature
3 : observing the proprieties of dress and behavior : DECENT
4 a : limited in size, amount, or scope <a family of modest means> b : UNPRETENTIOUS <a modest home>
synonym see SHY, CHASTE
- mod·est·ly adverb
modesty
One entry found for modesty.
Main Entry: mod·es·ty
Pronunciation: 'mä-d&-stE
Function: noun
1 : freedom from conceit or vanity
2 : propriety in dress, speech, or conduct
As you can see, regardless of the times the definitions are the same. If your mode of dress meets with the definitions of modesty…..
This is the passage of scripture talking about a women dressing modestly…
1Ti 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.
1Ti 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
This isn’t saying that you can’t wear jewelry or braid your hair….This is what Clarke’s Commentary has to say on these verses……
1Ti 2:9 -
In like manner also – That is, he wills or commands what follows, as he had commanded what went before.
That women adorn themselves – Και τας γυναικας ες καταστολῃ κοσμιῳ. The apostle seems to refer here to different parts of the Grecian and Roman dress. The στολη, stola, seems to have been originally very simple. It was a long piece of cloth, doubled in the middle, and sewed up on both sides, leaving room only for the arms; at the top, a piece was cut out, or a slit made, through which the head passed. It hung down to the feet, both before and behind, and was girded with the zona round the body, just under the breasts. It was sometimes made with, sometimes without, sleeves; and, that it might sit the better, it was gathered on each shoulder with a band or buckle. Some of the Greek women wore them open on each side, from the bottom up above the knee, so as to discover a part of the thigh. These were termed φαινομηριδες, showers (discoverers) of the thigh; but it was, in general, only young girls or immodest women who wore them thus.
The καταστολη seems to have been the same as the pallium or mantle, which, being made nearly in the form of the stola, hung down to the waist, both in back and front, was gathered on the shoulder with a band or buckle, had a hole or slit at top for the head to pass through, and hung loosely over the stola, without being confined by the zona or girdle. Representations of these dresses may be seen in Lens’ Costume des Peuples de l’Antiquité, fig. 11, 12, 13, and 16. A more modest and becoming dress than the Grecian was never invented; it was, in a great measure, revived in England about the year 1805, and in it, simplicity, decency, and elegance were united; but it soon gave place to another mode, in which frippery and nonsense once more prevailed. It was too rational to last long; and too much like religious simplicity to be suffered in a land of shadows, and a world of painted outsides.
With shamefacedness and sobriety – The stola, catastola, girdle, etc., though simple in themselves, were often highly ornamented both with gold and precious stones; and, both among the Grecian and Roman women, the hair was often crisped and curled in the most variegated and complex manner. To this the apostle alludes when he says: Μη εν πλεγμασιν, η χρυσῳ, η μαργαριταις, η ἱματισμῳ πολυτελει· Not with plaited hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly raiment. The costly raiment might refer to the materials out of which the raiment was made, and to the workmanship; the gold and pearls, to the ornaments on the raiment.
With shame-facedness or modesty, μετα αιδους. This would lead them to avoid every thing unbecoming or meretricious in the mode or fashion of their dress.
With sobriety, μετα σωφροσυνης. Moderation would lead them to avoid all unnecessary expense. They might follow the custom or costume of the country as to the dress itself, for nothing was ever more becoming than the Grecian stola, catastola, and zona; but they must not imitate the extravagance of those who, through impurity or littleness of mind, decked themselves merely to attract the eye of admiration, or set in lying action the tongue of flattery. Woman has been invidiously defined: An animal fond of dress. How long will they permit themselves to be thus degraded?
The extravagance to which the Grecian and Asiatic women went in their ornaments might well be a reason for the apostle’s command.
Kypke, however, denies that any particular article of dress is intended here, and says that καταστολη is to be understood as coming from καταστελλω, to restrain, repress; and he refers it to that government of the mind, or moderation which women should exercise over their dress and demeanour in general, and every thing that may fall under the observation of the senses. All this, undoubtedly, the apostle had in view.
When either women or men spend much time, cost, and attention on decorating their persons, it affords a painful proof that within there is little excellence, and that they are endeavoring to supply the want of mind and moral good by the feeble and silly aids of dress and ornament. Were religion out of the question, common sense would say in all these things: Be decent; but be moderate and modest.
A women was considered naked if anything at the knee or above was bare. If you go by just what is presented above then there is no problem. Well…it is the other verses that come into play that can make the modesty issue a problem.
This ends Part I of Modesty….Part II will be finished either tonight or tomorrow….depends on how I feel….
-
Recent Comments
Elaine on Elaine on A thought provoking story… gingerporter on SEWING Jackie on SEWING James Jones on Boys and Shoes….Are shoe…
