Wedding Song - God Knew That I Needed You

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Colossians ~Chapter 2/Thursday Bible Study

The echoing thrust in Colossians is the preeminence (authority, superiority) and sufficiency (adequacy/suitability, capability/fitness, competence) of Christ in all things.

The Believer is complete in Him alone, and lacks nothing because “in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead, bodily” (2:9); He has “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (2:3). There is no need for speculation, mystical visions, or ritualistic regulations as though Faith in Christ is insufficient.

Paul’s predominant purpose in writing this epistle, is to refute a threatening heresy that is devaluing Christ. This false teaching is countered by a positive presentation of Christ’s true attributes and accomplishments. A proper view of Christ is the antidote for heresy.

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Colossians ~ Chapter 2/Thursday Bible Study

The Believer’s Completeness in Christ

“I wish you to know that have struggled inwardly a great deal in your behalf, as well as for the believers in Laodicea, and also for al the rest who have not themselves seen my face. May your hearts be comforted and may you be knit together by the ties of Christian love! May your understanding increase in scope and certainty! May you come to see that the mystery of *Elohei Ha’Elohim the Father, is solved in **Yeshua Ha’Mashiach! It is in Him that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge lie hidden.” (vv. 1 – 3)

The Danger of Persuasive Arguments

I say this to prevent you from being led astray by persuasive arguments to the contrary. You see that though I am not with you in person, yet I am with you in spirit, and I am happy to see how orderly you are, and how firm is your faith in Christ. Now, therefore, just as you have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, may you live in unison with Him! May you be rooted in Him and built up in Him! May you become stringer and yet stronger in the Faith, as you were taught it! And may your lives overflow with gratitude! (vv. 4 – 7)

The Emptiness of Philosophy and Tradition

Look out lest someone catch you unawares by some philosophy or empty deceit; he may set forth some human tradition, or some theory about the nature of the universe, but not the teachings of Christ. Know this, that in Christ all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily. And you have come to fullness of life through union with Him, Who, is the fountainhead (source, spring, origin, seed) of all authority and power. When you became united to Him you became circumcised with a circumcision not made by hand. In the circumcision of Christ, you were set free from your sinful nature. Just as in baptism you were buried with Him, so you were raised again with Him to New Life through Faith in the power of Elohei H’Elohim, Who raised Him from the dead.

So, when you were spiritually dead because of your sins and your sinful nature, He gave you life again to share with Himself, and he forgave us all our sins. Indeed, He blotted out the handwriting of the Law, for that was against us. He took that out of the way and nailed it to the cross. So by the cross he disarmed the principalities and powers of evil; and in triumph He made a public spectacle of them. (vv. 8 – 15)

Warning Against Legalism & Somberness (Gloom Grimness)

Let no one, therefore, be your judge as to what you may eat or drink, or in the matter of observing feast days and new moons and sabbaths. These things are only a foreshadow of what is to come. The One foreshadowed is Christ. Let no one rob you of your prize. Beware of him who indulges in sham (fake, bogus, pretense, deception) humility (meekness, submissiveness) and the worship of angels – and who speculates about visions he has had, and is proud in his worldly mind for no good reason at all. Such a one does not hold fast to the Head, on Whom the whole Body depends. Nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, it grows with a growth that is from ***Elohim.

If you have died, with Christ, to worldly ways of looking at things, why do you now – as if you still were of the world – submit to its rules such as: “You must not handle this,” or “You must not taste that”, and “You must not touch that.” All these things referred to, perish in the using; and all these rules and teachings are man-made and nothing more. Such practices may have the appearance of wisdom. They seem to demand such virtues as self-devotion, self-abasement, and self-control of the body … but they have no power to check when the flesh demands satisfaction.” (vv. 16 – 23)

 

*Elohei Ha’Elohim (Hebrew word: אֱלֹהֵי הָאֱלֹהִים) = God of gods; above all gods.

**Yeshua Ha’Mashiach: is Hebrew for “Jesus the Messiah”; the name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua.

Christ (from the Hebrew word, Ha’Mashiach ישוע המשיח & the Greek word, Christos/khris-tos) = The Anointed, Yeshua the Messiah, in both languages.

***Elohim (Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים, romanized: ʾĚlōhīm: [(eloˈ(h)im]) is a Hebrew word meaning "Gods – Father, Son, & Holy Spirit". Although the word is plural in form, in the Hebrew Bible it usually refers to a single deity “Behold, the Lord – the Lord is One”, particularly the God of Israel.

 

**Colossians 1: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/12/colossians-chapter-1thursday-bible-study.html


Wednesday, December 28, 2022

UNQUESTIONABLY LOVED

So ... it's been a busy couple of days 😉

Our Plan was to get married Christmas Day after Christmas Supper at Holland's brother's house - the Redmill Family would gather ... and his nephew, who is a Pastor ... would be available to marry us in our home following Supper: the nephew came down sick. He sounded awful on the phone.

Needless to say, no marriage happened. But we did have a great Holiday, anyway - we aren't hormone-driven teenagers that were devasted by an unforeseen delay 😊

The next day, when Holland came to visit, he said: "How about we drive to Reno the first week of January? You said you like long drives, and this way you would get a honeymoon, too." Isn't he the sweetest guy?!

So, that is what we will be doing in a few days. We have spent the past 3 days getting ready to share our lives together: I've been freeing up space here .... and he's been hauling stuff from his place to here ("our" place). Hopefully, by the 5th, every lose end will be successfully 'tied-off', and we can turn the car's nose towards Reno.

I am still more than a little surprised to have found love again. I truly never believed it possible - Bob was my whole world most of my life; I loved him with all of my being (and then some); and was nearly undone on every level when Elohim called him Home. Love, for me, died when Bob's physical body died. It took a loooooong time for me to heal, and start getting on with "getting on". I wasn't interested in another man - men, in general, didn't interest me. I wasn't watching men. I wasn't encouraging men. I laughed off flirtations, and flat out told them to look elsewhere.

I.w.a.s.n.t.i.n.t.e.r.e.s.t.e.d.

But Holland was persistent.

He was a fast friend - and I felt comfortable around him: he knew my feelings about my husband, because I talked about Bob nonstop. He also flirted for 12 months, and I held him off: I wasn't interested. My heart still belonged to my husband, and I couldn't see that ever changing: I didn't WANT that to change. 14 months into our friendship relationship, Holland gambled with a text he sent me: he flat out told me how he felt ... and I agreed to "a coffee" around Thanksgiving time. Then, we went for a drive to his old stomping ground area, in Vader - and it was an enjoyable afternoon. But it spooked me. I didn't want to feel anything for Holland: I wasn't ready to let go of Bob's memory. I told Holland to "look elsewhere - I'm not the one you want". He said, "I know what I want; I'll wait for you. You'll get comfortable with the idea of Me." Cocky thing, wasn't he 😉

Then Holland ended up in the hospital, and I was more than spooked - I was downright scared: I knew then that I had true, and deep feelings for Holland. I couldn't imagine life without him, if the thing that landed him in the hospital, spiraled out of control. So, when he was back home and texted me: "We need to talk", I agreed. We needed to talk. And that was {IT}; December 5th changed everything, we were both "in deep". That Coffee Date morphed into planning a lifetime together 😊

My heart is big enough to hold the memory of Bob's love ... and the implantation of a new love. The "unimaginable" suddenly became my future focus. And sometime in the first week of January, that future focus will become a reality. Holland loves me - there's no doubt whatsoever about that (he told me he's been waiting 35 years for me)! He is a good man. He is a Godly man. Elohim, personally (against my express wishes/I wasn't looking), put him in my life (everything but neon arrows pointed to him, saying, "this is HIM - the one I've chosen for you"); and I know Bob would like him. Holland tells me I'm good for him, and I know he's good for me (he checks ALL the boxes): we are a good match. Our 15 month friendship has become sweeter, and more lovingly intimate.

So, NO: 15 months is not "moving too fast". Elohim & Holland think it's too long, since we are both Senior Citizens living on limited time. I started dating Bob in April, and married him in August; 4 months is a lot shorter than 15 😉

I am greatly blessed, and highly favored. THANK YOU, FATHER!!!!

We can't wait to add his Name to mine ... which is a good thing, because we are acting like silver-haired teenagers. We are Christians – this wildfire needs to be Legal. ASAP 😊

 

Dan Seals – ‘I Saw You In My Dreams’ song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWEoe9PSYWA)

Dan Seals – ‘Only You’ song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHBx4AOY2HA&list=RDBHBx4AOY2HA&start_radio=1)

George Straight – ‘I Cross My Heart’ song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihqEuk7PCU4)

Tracy Byrd – ‘Love Lessons’ song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tqd5UAjEVXA)

Marty Stuart – ‘Till I Found You’ song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ9lgv015n8)

Marty Stuart – ‘Little Things’ song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57nHU-giuMw)

Bellamy Brother’s – ‘I Need More of You’ song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvMXBeF9f2c)

Exile – ‘I Can’t Get Close Enough’ song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYUv3Rxw-sA)

Ronnie Millsap – ‘Daydreams About Night Things’ song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CDybdzdoKw)

Exile – ‘Kiss You All Over’ song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpiBdB6yJC8)

Marty Stuart – ‘Burn Me Down’ song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4sW5J8fjzg)

Friday, December 23, 2022

MR. ICE PAID A VISIT ~Shabbat Eve

‘Mister White Christmas’ song:

For a few weeks, I’ve joked off and on about Mr. Complication being put on ice … but today he really was put on ice: the roads here are all a solid sheet of ice – it is not {"the worst anyone has ever seen here!"}, but it is pretty bad. I’ve seen worst ice storms in this neck of the woods, but it is best to stay home if you can 😉

That said, when I woke up this morning with ice on the street … and chicken soup running through my thoughts, and I figured Holland could stop in for a bowl of hot soup if he was out and about. He lives 2 steep hills away, so I wasn't sure if he'd risk the drive into town or not, for anything. Still, I sent the invite so we could visit, and he could sample some more of my cooking if he was in town.

Morning text ...

I also returned a call David left on my phone around midnight last night: he’d been scrolling through his FB newsfeed and happened upon my upcoming wedding post – he’s like a big brother to me; he was curious and more than a little surprised. Me: “So, I see I missed your call … what’s up?” David: “Yeah; I was looking through my FB newsfeed and I see that Valeria Hargand is getting married (Uh-oh – he actually used my birth Name instead of Valerie), what the hell, Val! Who is this guy - what's his Name? Last time we talked, you said you had sworn off marriage. I’m kinda surprised, here.” Me - laughing: “I’m surprised too; believe you, me! The marriage may seem fast – and it is, but we’ve known each other for 15 months; so, it’s really not ‘that fast’. He really is a nice guy. You would approve. Bob would approve. This is a good match; he checks all the boxes. Bob was my {IT} Man: I never thought I’d ever love anyone but Bob … but I do; and I’m kinda surprised, too.” And then David listened while I talked about Holland. And he gave some encouragement, and big brother instructions 😉

I’m so lucky to have good people in my life, who love me in good ways.

Last year I was upset that I would be stuck in Longview for the rest of my life; and this year I am thankful that Elohim put on a stop on my plans so His Plan for my life could unfold. Last year I was bummed because I could not be where I wanted to be living – and this year I am looking forward to getting married, and staying put 😊

With a smile on my face, I got the soup ready to go …

==Kosher Chicken In The Pot ~serves 4

I make this meal in my crockpot – I just dump everything in, and plug the pot into the wall socket 😉

I also used chopped chicken breasts, and Christmassy noodles this year in place of the potatoes; I didn’t have any spuds on hand, the roads were a solid sheet of ice … and the noodles were ‘festive’ 😊

Festive bowtie noodles.

I have made this soup many times over the decades; it is a great soup to enjoy on days like today.

1 4-pound Chicken, cut into 8 pieces (or 8 flash-frozen chicken breasts, chopped like stew meat) * Kosher Salt & freshly ground Black Pepper, to taste * ¼ cup extra-virgin Olive Oil * 12-ounces dark Beer * 1 Onion, quartered * 8 whole cloves of Garlic * 2 cups green Cabbage * 3 large Carrots, peeled and cut in pieces * 4 medium Yellow Potatoes, quartered or 12 ct. new potatoes, whole (or 2 ounces bow-tie noodles) * 2 cups Chicken broth * ½ cup Parsley, chopped

Place all the ingredients EXCEPT NOODLES in a crockpot, set on LOW for 5½ hours; add noodles for last ½ hour. Serve and enjoy 😊

Kosher Chicken in the Pot Soup. Easy-peasy supper.

While the soup was cooking, I checked my FB Page, then started getting ready for Holland’s arrival …

All brown palette today – ‘Gentle’ browline, ‘Gold-brown’ eyelid color & liners, & ‘Focus’ eyelid accent; Lash Primer, “Glam Brown’ Mascara, ‘Soft Brown’ Eyebrow Gel; ‘Coral Ember’ Crème blush; Tinted Lip Balm & ‘Candy Cane’ Chapstick.
I used the lash primer today because the eye makeup is all browns - I wanted to plump up my lashes, so they stand out ;-)
Bauble bracelet.

And as I was stirring the soup, a text came in:

Afternoon text ...

Rats! I’m thinking Christmas Supper in Kelso will be called off, too, if the icy rain continues.

I consoled myself with watching the chickadees at the birdfeeder … and the neighborhood kids sneaker-skate down the icy streets.

And after supper, I lit the Hanukkah candles, and enjoyed a glass of red wine. Old Man Winter is not going to ruin what’s left of my day; I'm going to relax and play text-tag with Holland 😉

Thursday, December 22, 2022

POT ROAST FOR 2

I was craving corn on the cob when I woke up this morning … so, after getting ready to meet the day, when I grabbed them from the freezer, I also pulled a pot roast (half a regular roast because that is ‘widow size’ and leftovers for a sandwich 😉).

Sparkly 'Lt. Lilac' eyebrow, 'Plum' eyelid, 'Brown' liners & glittery ‘Lionheart’ accent lid color; 'Deep Violet' Mascara; & 'Nude Burn' Creme blush.
'Auburn' Eyebrow Gel & ‘Primrose Lipstick.
Glittery 'Sparked' Nail Polish, and a wooden bead & painted driftwood bits bracelet.
My old, comfortable, worn moccasins felt good on my feet today.

As I was putting the lid on the crockpot, Holland called and asked: "How does 2 months from now, sound to you?"

From that 1 question, I'm thinking February will be the "I DO" month; as soon as that ring is paid for – he wants it on my finger asap.

I told yu'all my life happens FAST: the men in my life just want me in theirs as soon as the wedding rings are seen, sized, and bought.

My 1st fast marriage gave me 44 wonderful years – there's every reason to think my 2nd fast marriage will give me a good run of wonderful memories, too.

Obviously, I agreed to wear their rings and their Name, so both of the men in my life were/are "one hell of a man" ;-)

Johnny Paycheck – ‘Someone To Give My Love To’ song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXV3yR80d5w)

Tracy Byrd – ‘For Me, It’s You’ song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REQky5WAMwY)

Before we ended the chit-chat, I invited him to join me for supper; he might as well sample my cooking now, before the deal is sealed 😉

Pot Roast Supper for 2.

I haven’t cooked for a man in four years … but apparently the meal passed inspection because nothing was wasted 😊

Holland left an hour after supper though, because snow and freezing rain is in the forecast tonight; and through the weekend – and he lives on a hill that should see some of that prediction: but, he arrived an hour before supper was finished, and we spent time together; so, he didn’t eat and run 😉

After, he texted to let me know he’d made it home without incident, I lit the Hanukkah candles. And after they burned down, I burned off the fatty pot roast with in-house exercises while waiting for the forecasted snow to fall here (if it actually falls in the lowlands).