Joab's Fire, by Lynn Squire (a book review)

This short novel carries a punch that delivers a shattering realization into your heart and mind that man suffers and God's people scarcely understand the suffering of the individual. 

Joab's Fire is set in the very early 1900's in Alberta, Canada.  Sergeant Dixon of the North West Mounted Police respects the main character, Joab Black and his wife Sarah Black, for their upright living, generosity, and faith.  They are a prosperous family until disaster delivers rapid fire death and destruction at their doorstep.

Others in the community of faith, seek to "comfort" and "console" Joab and Sarah in their troubles.  But like the comforters of Job in the Bible, they prattle on about Joab's probable sin and unrighteousness being the cause of his calamities and his just recompense for hidden sins.

Sergeant Dixon is concerned about a visitor to the community that seems to wile his way into the minds, hearts, and lives of the residents of this isolated Canadian community.  The visitor says, ".... my scientific observation has consistently revealed that anyone blessed by God with plenty will inevitably turn against God, should it all be taken away." (p. 48)

But too many details will spoil the story for you.  The parallel of Joab's Fire with the Biblical book of Job is interesting, and a good Bible study can evolve using the guidelines author Lynn Squire has provided.

More about author Lyn Squire at www.LynnSquire.com or www.PresentingBiblicalTruth.com

This book was provided free of charge to me for review.  All comments are my own and I was not paid to review the book.

Publisher: HigherLife Publishing; Unabridged edition (September 15, 2011)

ISBN-10: 1935245511  -   ISBN-13: 978-1935245513

To California and Back with Vera

Vacations are wonderful.  Seeing family is wonderful.  Seeing new places is delightful.  So here is a bit of the saga of To California and Back with Vera.

On Friday, September 16 I boarded a Delta to Atlanta around 6:30 a.m.  It was loaded with humanity.  Those who look you in the eye and smile.  Those who are indifferent to your existence and look right through you.  Those who look searchingly in the rows of seats from side to side as though they don't know if there will be a place for them to perch during the flight while they clutch a "pass" that says they actually do have a seat.  There are folk who somehow have slipped two large pieces of luggage on board as carry on luggage and they actually seem intent on resizing the overhead bins.

Finally, all are seated, the lights dim and the captain's voice welcomes you and almost says, "Come on folks, let's get this show on the road (oops!  in the air)."

About nine hours later I land in San Francisco after a brief layover in Atlanta.  Family meets me and we exchange long overdue hugs and head down the road to the salad bowl of America, Watsonville, CA and environs.  The next day we attend a county fair in the Watsonville area and have "fair food," see the ponies, cows, and chickens, ride the rides, and waft our way through the masses of humanity.

Then I visit family in Monterey, CA, home of many branches of the military, a magnificent aquarium, Cannery Row (of Steinbeck fame), and breathtaking vistas.

Being sure to get a bit of history into this trip, we went by the Carmel Mission where the first padres brought Catholism to the Indians.

We also visited the now closed Fort Ord which played a major role in training our military along the West coast of this country during previous wars. It was established in 1917.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Ord  Deserted army barracks and firing ranges along the beach where live ammunition was utilized to give realism to soldiers who would soon be actually fighting for their lives and for the security of our Freedom.

After several lovely days with family (did I mention my four lovely granddaughters?) in Monterey, I went to San Francisco to be with more family (and another lovely granddaughter - this one has curly red hair).  We only had about two days together, but we enjoyed our time immensely.  We visited the Exploratorium of San Francisco and saw wonderful vistas of fish, swamps, a planetarium presentation, and so many opportunities to explore that simply boggle the mind.

Delightful food and wonderful company.  Tightening the ties of love that bind us together as family.  Exploring and delighting in each other as three generations experience the day to day emotions and activities of living.  Ten days later I get aboard another Delta, lay over in Detroit, and return to North Carolina about 10 hours later.  A tired, but satisfied individual who has experienced a vacation, beautiful sights and adventurous places, and strengthened the tie of family within three generations.

Trends in the feeding of America

As I have observed through the years, it seems that trends come and go in table fare both in the home and in the restaurant for the American consumer. During the 30s, 40s, and 50s basic meat, potatoes, and vegetables simply prepared and served lovingly by home cooks and restaurant cooks alike seemed to prevail.

Then the American taste seemed to desire more international and exotic foods.  So for awhile it was Italian (spaghetti, etc.) and then it was Asian; but the American "diner" (or greasy spoon, as some were called) still thrived serving up basic vegetables, meats, and potatoes. Then the American consumer desired and sought Texas steaks of every slice and dice. You had high end restaurants touting the tastiest steak at a price that really broke the bank, and you had your "Western" steak houses  where every family could afford to eat out and have a steak!

When medical science made us painfully aware that we were passing from the scene due to coronary heart disease and other diet-related diseases, health consciousness came into play. So the Mediterranean diet became to rage as folks desired tasty food with olive oil, tomatoes, vegetables, and pasta. To make that work, you had to serve it up in all types of trendy dishes - pasta, rice, veggie, meatless, with meat, with dairy but no meat, etc. It had to have Italian flair or it had to have Asian ethnic authenticity.

But the bottom line is, plain food, simply cooked is always the one that warms the cockles of your heart and satisfies that hunger in your tummy. Bring on the veggies, mashed potatoes, and roast beef or roast chicken. And please, don't forget those homemade rolls. Of course, finish it all off with a slice of American Apple Pie.

Memorial Day Tribute: I'm Proud to be An American

Here in America we celebrate the lives and service of those men and women who have served in the armed services of the United States of America. They have given years and lives, arms and legs, and eyes and hearing. They have sacrificed themselves and their families on the altar of freedom. We have the privilege of living in a free country because throughout the decades there have been men and women who have served under the leadership of this free Nation's government to win and contain the freedoms we hold so dear.

Military from my family: Great-grandfather Perkins (lost a leg), Great-grandfather Houston, Uncle Bill, Uncle L.H., Uncle Herbert (killed WWII), Father-in-law W.L., Cousin Joe, Brother Herb, Husband Jack, Son-in-law Shane.

Food and Frugality

While sipping my morning coffee and catching up on the news, I found a "news" item on frugality.  One thing led to another and one website led to another until I found this image.  Now as a mother of a large family and a having a limited income, the word "Food" certainly invokes frugality in my "heart-of-hearts." So I thought we'd simply look at this a bit.

1. buy it with thought -  This actually means more if you think about it than if you surface skim the words.  Of course, we think when we buy.  But think, do you actually think?  You need to think quality, because if what you purchase is flawed, past date, or low grade you just might not be getting the nutrients from the food you are buying.  Buy the very BEST you have money to buy.  Buy the very freshest you have access to.  
2. cook it with care - Now that you have brought home your treasured "thought-it-through" quality food, do take care to cook it while it is still fresh.  If it sits on the counter or in the 'fridge a week, you're losing nutrients.  If you just slop through the cooking process without "due care," you lose nutrients.  Of course, you might lose flavor, color, texture, and appeal as well.  So cook it with care.
3. serve just enough - A 12" dinner plate might be pretty, but if you fill it with food, you are most likely piling on more than your body needs.  Americans serve more to themselves and their families than they need to eat.  They eat more than they need for good health.  So research how much you and your family needs to be healthy and serve just enough.
4. save what will keep -  We all have wonderful refrigerators.  We just need to realize what a wonder resource of frugality they are.  When you cook that pot of green beans, don't toss the left overs.  Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate them.  They will keep.  They won't keep indefinitely, but they will keep.  Don't like leftovers?  Get over it! Life isn't about what you like and don't like, life is about living and surviving.  Some leftovers can be combined - example a vegetable medly.  Some can be put into a casserole. 
5. eat what would spoil - Stay alert to what you have on hand and what would spoil if left uncooked and unserved another day.  Eat what would spoil.  Don't want THAT tonight?  Get over it.  Eat what would spoil.  Don't leave it sitting there to spoil.  Spoilage means wasted money.  or Money down the drain.  Or trashing your hard earned money.
6. home grown is best - We don't all have garden space or the capability to grown our own food.  But home grown is best.  That means buy local when you can especially if you have access to a farmers market or roadside "fruit stand."  If it isn't "shipped in," it probably is "vine ripened" and fresher.  Fresher normally means higher nutrients.

So FOOD for thought was our topic for today.  Or THOUGHTS on FOOD and FRUGALITY.

Man of Sorrows! what a name For the Son of God, who came

Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in Heav’n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

This is one of my most favorite hymns.  The words so deep and moving to those of us who are redeemed by our Savior's gift of salvation.  The music so fitting that it simply tears my heart when I hear or sing it.

(The following borrowed from http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/a/halwasav.htm)
Words & Music: Phil­ip P. Bliss, in In­ter­na­tion­al Les­sons Month­ly, 1875.
Written…short­ly before his death, this was the last hymn I heard Mr. Bliss sing. It was at a meet­ing in Far­well Hall in Chi­ca­go [Il­li­nois], con­duct­ed by Hen­ry Moore­house. A few weeks be­fore his death Mr. Bliss vis­it­ed the State pri­son at Jack­son, Mi­chi­gan, where, af­ter a ve­ry touch­ing ad­dress on “The Man of Sor­rows,” he sang this hymn with great ef­fect. Ma­ny of the pri­son­ers dat­ed their con­ver­sion from that day.

When Mr. Moo­dy and I were in Par­is, hold­ing meet­ings in the old church which Na­pol­e­on had grant­ed to the Evan­gel­ic­als, I fre­quent­ly sang this hymn as a so­lo, ask­ing the con­gre­ga­tion to join in the sin­gle phrase, “Hal­le­lu­jah, what a Sav­iour,” which they did with splen­did ef­fect. It is said that the word “Hal­le­lu­jah” is the same in all lan­guag­es. It seems as though God had pre­pared it for the great ju­bi­lee of hea­ven, when all his child­ren shall have been ga­thered home to sing “Hal­le­lu­jah to the Lamb!”

Strolling Down Memory Lane - Revisited

I visited these memories back in 2008 in the early days of Chat with Vera, but thought it would be nice to share some of these memories with those of you who are more recent readers.  So let's take a mini stroll down memory lane.  Grab a cup of tea or java and remember with me......

Born just prior to the US entering WWII, I remember lots of things coming about. However, I really don't remember anything about the war. Mom showed me the ration stamps that she still had and shared stories, and Dad showed me a German Luger (sp) gun my uncle brought back. I lost an uncle in the war and 2 other uncles fought in Europe.

Great G'dad, G'dad, and Dad were all shoe repairmen until Dad went into sales in order to put food on the table. The name of their shoe repair shop was The Big Ike.  I remember running all over the neighborhood, playing with other kids, doors unlocked day and night, ice cream cones as a special treat at the corner drug store, five cent cokes in a bottle, five cent ice cream cones. Yes, we had a Bijou movie theater, but it was in the wrong end of town so I couldn't go. I did go to other movies in the "better" end of town. I remember when Technicolor came to the "silver screen." No, I don't remember silent films. That was prior to my time.

We walked to town and back carrying what we bought. Mom walked to and from the grocer and carried a bag groceries in each arm home. Groceries were usually bought for that particular day.  It was a corner grocery store and not a "supermarket."  If we rode the bus, it was five cents. I remember getting the seafood market deliver our fish on Fridays. The boy came on a bicycle and the fish was wrapped in newspaper and tied with a string. It was caught that morning. just off the coast of our city in North Carolina. So good! I remember a local milk company delivering milk to our home - in fact I remember farther back - a local farmer delivered his own cow's milk to our home. Whole milk and it was so good - cream floating on the top.

I remember an old lady coming to our back door fairly regularly and asking Mom if she had any work she could do. Mom would sometimes let her "damp mop" the kitchen for a little pay; but no matter what, she would always make a plate of food for Dot so she could have a decent meal - whether or not there was any work to be done - and give her a quarter (it went a long way then) for whatever. Keep in mind, that quarters were scarce in our home. Dot would show up at the shoe repair shop, too. Dad would make sure her shoes were wearable. We were poor. But Dot was poorer.

I can remember being a teenager when TV came to town. We couldn't afford one at the time and anyway, the reception was very poor. You had to get reception from the station that was 150 miles away. You had to have an antenna on top your home that was big and several feet tall. My brother got married and moved into our upstairs apartment. He and his wife got a TV! Wow! I can remember being invited to some watch some of the programs. There was "snow" on the screen - but not so much we couldn't enjoy it. Later when our town got a station, Dad found the money for a TV! We had arrived!

My wedding pictures were in black and white. Our escape vehicle was a Ford Fairlaine 500 '57. (I think that is how it was referred to.) Of course, it was my brother's. Our vehicle was a '54 Chevy that was bought used. Most of all I remember a childhood of ring-around-the-roses, birthday cakes, chasing each other all over the neighborhood, falling from my bike onto the brick paved street, swinging from a tree-rope in the neighbor's year, riding my bike good distances from home and not having to worry about anything, China-berry (tree berries) pee-shooter fights, Merthiolate on cuts, alcohol poured over scrapes, walks to the parks and swinging from the very high swings and sliding down the big slides, chasing fireflies in front of the house while my parents and grandparents sat rocking on the front porch. I remember happiness.

I remember the ice truck. So some in the neighborhood must have had ice boxes. We had a refrigerator! Mom bought sliced bread. She baked biscuits or corn bread daily. Sometimes she fried cornmeal in patties in the iron skillet.  That was very good.  She did not make yeast bread except for rolls on special occasions. There was Monopoly, and several other board games . The Green Hornet, The Lone Ranger (I remember it coming on TV when we finally got one.), and other radio programs. We sat in my Grand Dad's bedroom around his radio to listen. Of course, we had to have already finished our homework. Sitting on the front porch in the summer after "supper." G'mama visiting from South Carolina and her giving me the "dimes" to go across the street to the corner store to get cups of chocolate ice cream. The "dime" cups were bigger than the "nickle" cups. Major treat!

I remember happiness.