Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 January 2016 Psalm 40:4‏

30 Jan 2016 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Psalm 40:4.     Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

Oh Friends, from my little cottage in Riseland Tobago, I’m coming to you with the LOVING-kindness of the Lord! Please note that it is not merely my LOVING-kindness but the Lord’s, which means it’s the hardest and the baddest! (smile)

And how can it not be eh, since it comes from the very source of that wonderful emotion? So please enjoy it this Saturday morning because that’s why it’s being brought to you. Moreover, it will be downright sinful if you abuse it and not use it to the fullest. Nuff said!

Ah mih people, I don’t want to continually harp on the beauty of my surroundings, because I know it can breed envy and jealousy, but I just can’t help it, especially since I’ve just returned from what I hope will be my everyday constitutional while I’m here.

I’m talking about a walk up and down the grassy edge of the property, watching the beautiful, well-tended flora and seeing the wind-driven waves of the sea crash ‘suicidally’ against the rocks on the shore. The walk is only a few hundred yards long, but that’s enough for now.

As per yesterday’s activities, I didn’t do much, and you already know I went to the market, to the bank, wrote the Bit, then had my dip in my waterhole, went to get my black pudding, which will be coming up for lunch or whatever after I’m done here.

Oh friends, I can already smell and taste the tantalizing, mouthwatering aroma, although it’s still in the fridge. (smile) Then we just sat out on the porch enjoying the night, listening to some music, chilling, as the young people would say, since the t.v. is still not working.

Imagine that nuh; the duchess going three whole days with no t.v. But give her credit, she’s not complaining, but making do with her other toys.

Oh by the way, there’s one story I want to share from my market experience yesterday. At one stage I was standing on a walkway with a couple of other men when this older chap came up and began talking to them.

All of a sudden though he exclaimed: ‘But how the market so quiet eh? Forty years ago it wasn’t like that at all nuh! Then everybody would come and buy their foodstuff and cook their own food. But now nobody doh cook again, they all buying cooked food. But me, I still cook my own food yes! I have to look after my colon oui!’

But all joking aside friends, the gentleman was quite right. Forty years ago there wasn’t as many restaurants and such that sold cooked West Indian food. However, today they abound on almost every street corner.

I myself was amazed when I first came back four years ago to see so many establishments. In all my years growing up in Tobago, I don’t remember ever once purchasing cooked food, don’t even remember there being a place to purchase it much less. But I guess that’s the new style, progress they call it.

Anyway, moving on, there’s an insight I want to share with you from the Daily Bread Devotional from yesterday’s reading, which was taken from the first Book of Kings 4:29-34, re Cousin Sol’s wisdom. Those of you who read Our Daily Bread would have already seen it, but it’s useful to read it again.

The writer is one J.R. Hudberg, and he declares: ‘There is a subtle but important difference between intelligence and wisdom. Both of them are desirable; both of them important; both require diligence and discipline to acquire and exercise.

However, wisdom is often considered the appropriate application of intelligence. Knowing something is one thing; being able to act well on what you know is another. As Solomon shows, intelligence can be demonstrated by speech, but wisdom is demonstrated by both speech and action.’

And isn’t that the gospel truth my people! That’s what Christianity is all about; good speech and even better action!

But unfortunately, we can’t do either without the help of our great God, as attested to in our Bit. ‘Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.’

Oh friends, what more can I say eh? Unless you truly trust in the Lord you WILL NOT see nor experience the full glory of God’s goodness! We need to be more like Job, who even in his worst days, having lost family, friends and fortune in one fell swoop, was still able to passionately declare: ‘Though he slay me, yet will I trust him: but I will maintain mine own (defend my) ways before him.’ (Job 13:15)

And the scholars offer this explanation: 13:15. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him expresses the unquenchable faith of one who lives by faith, not by sight. Even when it appears that God Himself has turned against Job, he will still trust in God.’

Oh my fellow believers, how many of us today can really undergo such trials and tribulations and still maintain that do or die faith in Almighty God eh? Sadly, not very many of us. But that’s the kind of faith we need to have; an unquenchable kind.

Way too many of us lose faith as soon as some relatively insignificant stuff crops up in our lives because we expect God to be there at our beck and call, or don’t expect anything wrong or bad to happen in our lives.  But that’s not reality friends! Remember Jesus promised: ‘In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33b)

Yes my people, whether we’re rich or poor, powerful or unknown, we WILL all face misfortune at some time in our lives. The solution to misfortune though is to keep the faith, keep trusting in Almighty God though it might be very difficult. Remember that it is in hard and difficult times we need Him most.

And we’ll end with these beautiful, uplifting and encouraging words of faith, LOVE and trust from Bruh David that we all know, but do not practice enough. ‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.’ (Ps.23:4)

Please friends, I implore us to walk in that comfort and security of our omnipotent God today! Much LOVE!

...even Jesus…the Son of God… in his earthly sojourn…made sure He stayed close and faithful to His heavenly Father…how much more do we need to do so eh…

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 January 2016 Psalm 40:4‏

29 Jan 2016 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Psalm 40:4.  Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

Aye mih people, it’s that wondrous day in our weekly lives called Friday!

And as usual the shouts of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday oui! The weekend has come, and so has party time, with no backbreaking work scheduled for a whole, big, two days! Thank the Lord for Fridays yes!’

But Friends, as we keep reminding us, the weekend is not only to party and carry on like leggo beast, but to get ourselves together for another eventful week. So let’s declare our Friday Chant which gives us a somewhat better perspective on the weekend.

All together now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.

Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’

Yes my fellow believers, the weekend is all about restoring the energy, so that we can face another week brave and strong in Christ!

Now what did we do yesterday? Nothing really nuh. After writing the Bit I spent some time in my waterhole, enjoying the refreshing sea water. Then just as we were about to go out, a few friends and family dropped by for a short while. And after that we just lost the enthusiasm for going out, which meant I didn’t get my black pudding…Chuh! But don’t worry, I will definitely get it tonight.

And this is what I wrote last night: As we sit out on the porch listening to some rocking ole time music from my computer, overlooking the blue freshwater pool, which doesn’t thrill me at all… But how could it ever eh, when the most beautiful and therapeutic sea is just up in front of it?

Anyway, the music is rocking in the early hours of the evening and while the first song was playing, something called ‘In the Beginning,’ the Lord in His wonderful and mysterious way sent me a li’l zeppo, telling me that that’s how it was in the beginning, in the garden of Eden.

Now this is beautiful, but I believe that Eden was even more beautiful, because remember it was God’s first big project. But on the other hand, even if this was exactly like Paradise, I certainly wouldn’t do anything to forego my wonderful life here.

I’m sorry, but I don’t think our forefathers, Adam and Eve were too bright nuh. Not even God could talk me into doing something so dreadfully foolish and wrong to make me leave here and live the rough life they, and consequently we, ended up living.

And I must apologize for the roughly four-hour break here, because the duchess took me up town to the big city of Scarborough to the market. And believe me, this is the first day that we have seen and felt the real sun, and by the time I came back I was dead tired and a friend dropped in.

Then I had to have a nap, then go to the bank to change some money and the line was ever so long. However, all’s well that ends well! (smile)

So let’s continue with last night’s writing: Yes friends, this part of Paradise is calm and peaceful, with the choppy sea gurgling in the background and the breeze still whistling through the trees. I don’t know what’s causing the wind to be so strong for so long nuh, but it surely is refreshing. Across the expanse of the lagoon I can see the vague silhouette of the forest on the other side, shrouded in darkness as it is.

Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Canada; I’ve spent the greatest part of my life there as prescribed by the Lord’s infallible plan, but He agrees with me that I’ve reached a stage now, where I have to get away from some of the cold winter days to rejuvenate and regenerate my soul, body, mind and spirit.

We all need some serious R&R every so often. That’s why the Lord blessed us with abundant life! Now abundant life is not simply plenty money, although some of that does help. But abundant life is more about the spiritual aspects, the spiritual quality of our lives.

Obviously a roof over our heads and food on the table are important, but so are the other things like peace and LOVE, justice and equal rights. The Lord made us to live in harmony, we are the ones who choose to live in disharmony.

And friends, all of that is simply because we don’t adhere to the wisdom of our Bit. ‘Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.’

Yes my brethren, if we would only truly surrender our lives to our most magnanimous, magnificent and generous Creator, we would not be in the hot spot that we are currently in.

And as I keep saying, it’s only we true believers who can turn this troublesome and tempestuous world around. Only we can bring the world to understand and join Christ’s LOVE Revolution. And besides, that is also our bounden duty!

But how can we do it eh, when we don’t sincerely believe and surrender and trust the One who created us and gave us His breath of life? Remember we can’t only talk the talk, but even more importantly, we have to walk the walk, so that the heathen can really see the LOVING-kindness of our wonderful God in operation.

Remember Christianity is an action movement! That’s the only way they will believe. As I keep reminding us too, examples speak more loudly than words.

And we’ll close with two rather instructive verses of scripture from Psalm 2 – Why do the heathen rage? ‘Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son (perform an act of homage and submission), lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.’ (Ps.2:11-12)

Oh my people I couldn’t say it any better. Please be wise and follow it nuh, for it’s wisdom at the zenith! Much LOVE!

…trust and obey…for there’s no other way…to be happy in Jesus…than to trust and obey…

P.S. Sorry for the lateness of the Bit, but it was all out of my control. Remember a happy wife leads to a happy life…most of the time! (smile) Much LOVE!
 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 28 January 2016 Psalm 40:4

28 Jan 2016 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Psalm 40:4.    Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 

Ahoy there friends and fellow believers! From my little cottage by the sea in Tobago, I write these words of LOVE to you!

Yes mih people, it is wonderful being in Tobago. I haven’t done much as yet, but just the warm weather and salty air has me feeling less pained up and tired, plus I finally got a good night’s sleep last night.

Now what did I do after we last spoke yesterday? Well after sending out the Bit, while the duchess was sleeping, I went down to a li’l waterhole close to my cottage and soaked in the salt water for about half an hour. Well it’s not really a water hole, but just a man-made inlet on this side of the bay.

Thankfully this space has sand and not rocks or coral like a couple of other places along the shoreline. Oh friends, being in the sea felt so wonderful, I…I can’t find words to describe it.

For a few minutes I just lay floating on my back, arms outstretched, legs together, cross-like, looking up at the blue sky with white clouds drifting gently by and the bright sun going down in the east, giving thanks to my creator for bringing me home to Tobago to renew, refresh and revitalize my tired soul, body, spirit and mind.

Then later in the evening, when the duchess got up, we went down to the grocery, Penny Saver, and stocked up on food. Then we came home, had a quiet evening, with no t.v. because apparently when the rain falls, the cables which are foolishly run underground get wet and malfunction. Ah Lord eh!

Strangely enough, both yesterday and today have been cloudy with intermittent short bursts of rain. This is usually the dry season, with not much rain, and even the forest on the other side of the lagoon seems brown and dry. Hopefully my arrival brought the blessings, (smile) and not climate change.

And this morning it was nice to sit outside and do my daily devotions, looking at the tumbling sea and the beautiful scenery, while feeling the cool wind as it blew along, instead of being cloistered up in a cold house. One could hardly ever refuse to pray and give thanks under such excellent conditions.

The only thing that has surprised me so far, is that the wind has kept up a brisk pace all yesterday and today. The poor trees have had to dance along with little respite.

Now let’s get to what I had originally planned to write. It’s a poem from the One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. This one is simply titled: ‘I TRUST.’

And it says: ‘O God, thank You That Your promises are valid As long as the world lasts. They do not suddenly dissolve When my faith is feeble And my courage fails. When You have given a promise You will perform it – Sight or no sight Feeling or no feeling.

You may take me Through the darkest night The deepest waters. The very worst may happen But out of it You will bring the very best For Your word remains secure. Lord, keep me faithful in my trust. When I can articulate no other prayer May my waiting heart Continually avow: I trust! I trust!’

Oh Friends, not enough trust is the bane, the downfall of every believer! When times are good, there’s no problem in trusting our heavenly Father, but when times are rough, that is the time we need to trust the most and when we seem to trust the least.

And what we need to remember is that total surrender means total trust. So if we are prone to doubt, that means we have not completely surrendered. And as such, we will not see the full working of God in our lives. As Jesus said to the blind men: ‘According to your faith be it unto you.’ (Matt.9:29)

Yes my people, according to our faith, so will it be unto us too, because faith implies surrender and trust. So how much you surrender and trust, that’s how much you will receive. And from personal experience, I can tell you that’s gospel truth, since over the years as I surrendered more fully and my faith and trust grew, so did the quality of my life!

And the verses pertaining to that poem are ones we all ought to know and follow, but we obviously don’t, that’s why our lives can be so topsy-turvy.

Hear these wonderful words of wisdom from Cousin Sol. ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct (make straight or smooth) thy paths.’ (Prov.3:5-6)

Ah mih breddren, there’s no disputing those words! If only we would follow them in our everyday lives eh! And the scholars have some interesting and wise thoughts which I’m sure I’ve shared before, but they are indeed important enough to share again.

‘3:5-6. Three commands are given: trust, meaning “rely on, depend on;” lean not, meaning do not depend on your own native instincts; and acknowledge him, meaning have fellowship and intimacy with God in all of life. The result of such devotion is that God will make the paths straight before you.’

Oh friends, the important word in all of that is ‘DEVOTION!’ It’s no different to our normal behaviour; we treat those who are devoted to us better than those who are not. It’s just a natural facet of our nature. Likewise, God will treat those who are devoted to Him better than those who are not.

And we’ll close with our Bit for today, which also greatly stresses the importance of trust in our heavenly Father. ‘Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.’ Much LOVE!

…whatever you put into an earthly relationship…is what you will usually get back…the same applies to God…

P.S. The duchess went out the street for a walk some time ago. Next thing, I got a phone call saying she’s up the road at the Hotel Magdalena having coffee on the balcony. Well that’s fine by me, the walk will do her good. Don’t think I could have walked so far – well not as yet.

However, I’m going to have some ‘souse’ now on my not as spiffy balcony! Glory to God! Unexpectedly I found the souse person outside Penny saver last night, and tonight I’m going back to get some black pudding…Oh, am I in heaven or what! Much LOVE!

 

 





 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 February 2015 Colossians 3:13‏

08 Feb 2015 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

 Colossians 3:13.   Forbearing (bearing with) one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Aye mih people, it’s the first day of a new week; Sunday, the Day of the Lord, the Sabbath Day, that day when the Lord rested after creating the universe and all therein.

In it we are supposed to rest, relax, gather together for fellowship, to recognize and respect His power and glory, adore His magnificence and majesty, with worship, praise and thanksgiving. It is therefore most fitting for us to declare, that this is the day the Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it!

Yes Friends, everything that draws breath this morning ought to be thanking and praising our wonderful God for His mercy, forgiveness and LOVING-kindness.

Let’s hope therefore that we all attended His sanctuary and fellowshipped with other believers, sending much praise and thanks to heaven and receiving strength, faith and comfort, for that’s also a part of worshipping.

It’s just another of God’s basic laws; when we give we receive, just like whatever we sow, we reap. So let’s hope that we all gave plenty and sowed much good seeds, so that we will be truly blessed.

The Lord made sure that I got up on time this week, and I went to the small but comfy and homely and beautifully decorated St. Francis church close to me down the road in Bon Accord. Obviously I encountered people who knew me from way back when, even from Elementary School, from High School and from the days when I lived up Darrel Spring Hill and one of my cousins, Stanley Beard was there too.

They were a very welcoming congregation, so I felt right at home. It was a good service with obviously a close knit group. There wasn’t a band or organ to play music, simply a couple of tambourines and a drum, but the voices were raised magnificently in praise and worship. That’s the way we ought to raise our voices in sincere celebration to our wonderful and merciful God!

As the scriptures say: ‘By him therefore let us offer up the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to (confessing to) his name.’ (Heb.13:15)

Oh Friends, the Lord was surely happy with the sacrifices of praise offered up to him this morning in that little church in Bon Accord!

Re adventures, nothing much happened yesterday. I went to the beach in the evening, for a li’l dip, watched the golden sun sink below the horizon, then went looking for souse and black pudding. The lady who we went to look for apparently didn’t come out again this weekend, but we found another lady selling souse down in Buccoo, so I wasn’t completely disappointed. And it didn’t taste bad at all!

After that I watched the Leafs win their first game in some 11 tries. And all the Leafs faithful must be shouting ‘Glory Hallelujah’ this morning!

And they going to kill me with bake and saltfish in Tobago oui! I say that because they had a food sale after church this morning, featuring, yes, bake and saltfish, which I came home and had for breakfast. I’m not really complaining though, just making a statement, because I do enjoy the local food.

Wonder of wonders, they had two collections, passed the offering plate around twice! The second to put towards some much needed church improvements. And nobody griped or seemed to mind. They just gave what they could afford.

Hn! I don’t know if we’d get away with that in my St. Francis church back in Canada. But I guess though we are all supposed to be Christians, we all think differently about the church of Christ.

But it’s time to get with our Bit on the all-important topic of forgiveness. ‘Forbearing (bearing with) one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.’

Yes my brethren, it’s ever so important that we practice forgiveness. As we saw yesterday, it releases us from tension, resentment, hatred and bitterness. It frees up our souls, brings us peace, while unforgiveness only causes negative tension and harmful emotions. Remember we are the ones it hurts most of all, not the people we refuse to forgive.

It’s not always easy, because some hurts can be really terrible, and cause much pain, but it’s always in our best interest to forgive, for it releases us from the pressure building up inside of us. For want of a better comparison, I’ll liken it to a burp. (smile)

Yuh know when you burp, you release the pent up gas in your body, well it’s the same with forgiveness. When you forgive, you release the pent up negative pressures in your soul. And besides being healthy for our emotional and physical well-being, forgiveness is also rather important for our spiritual enhancement.

Now here are some interesting and important words on the subject from the scholars. ‘3:13. The fact of believers being urged to assume the virtues of verse 12 (bowels of mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering), signifies that none has yet “arrived” spiritually.

As the believer is developing these virtues, he must be forbearing and forgiving toward his fellow church member. For his Christian brother is also in the process of acquiring the virtues of verse 12 and therefore retains some flaws, deficiencies, and weaknesses. Hence the need of forbearance and forgiveness.’

And all that’s absolute truth, so please remember it when we get into disagreements with others. Now listen to Jesus tell it like it is: ‘Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

And when ye stand praying forgive, if ye have aught (anything) against any: that your Father also which is heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.’ (Mark 11:24-26)

Oh my people, that says it all! If we don’t forgive, our God won’t forgive us. That couldn’t be any simpler or clearer. And please note that when the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, a significant aspect of what He taught, which we know today as the Lord’s Prayer, deals with forgiveness. ‘And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.’ (Matt.6:12) So as in the proportion to which we forgive, so will we be forgiven.

There’s no more to say Friends! Three of the basic laws of God are: give and you will receive, you reap what you sow, and if you forgive, you will be forgiven.

Simple laws my brethren, but often difficult to execute in this sinful, ungodly world. Therefore let’s put out best efforts forth to obey them in a positive manner nuh, so that our lives will be blessed. That’s wisdom of the heavenly kind! Much LOVE!

…forgiveness is a cleansing and soothing balm…for both body and soul…

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 February 2015 Psalm 138:7

01 Feb 2015 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Psalm 138:7.    Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
Oh Friends, it’s February 1st, and another beautiful day in Paradise! The sun’s shining, the birds are singing, as the leaves flutter in the cool breeze and the calm sea laps against the shore! And it’s the Lord’s Day to boot; the Sabbath, the first day of the week!

That means gathering together, fellowship, worship, praise, thanksgiving, and sincere acknowledgement of God’s majesty! Or as the song on the radio’s saying, ‘Lift up the name of Jesus!’

Sadly though, the ole fella’s still somewhat under the weather. The coughing has subsided, but my chest is still tight. Chuh Steups! I need both of them, because I’m tired with it! Can’t tell when last I’ve had this asthma stuff so badly and so long nuh.  I can’t even handle the heat down here.

Yesterday it was a bit rough going out in the day. Couldn’t stay out for too long, had to hurry back to my cool air conditioned quarters. I have to laugh yes, because up north all I could talk about was salt water and sunshine, and now that I’m here, I can’t handle the sunshine and I haven’t had much salt water either. Hn, hn, hn!

So I’m disappointed, but not worried. The Lord’s agenda is obviously different to mine. But I know He will come through for me eventually. I’m also disappointed that I didn’t get up in time to go to church this morning. I’ll have to find something on the television for me to hear the Word.

And they are playing a song on the radio about what Grandma use to say. And I’m hearing some sweet ole time sayings, amongst them, my favourite, ‘crapaud smoke yuh pipe; and when yuh prayer, move yuh feet; long rope for magre goat; short rope for the fat goat.’ Only in T&T! I also woke up with my back aching after … well I did sleep for a good while last night, so that’s understandable.

Re adventures: Nothing much happened yesterday. After I finished writing the Bit yesterday, I went out to pick up the duchess from the hotel where she had gone to have breakfast. But as I got out to the car, she appeared out of a taxi. She couldn’t wait on me any longer. What’s new eh! (smile) But thankfully there was no disagreement over my tardiness.

We went to the mall, still no sim cards in one place, and the other one was closed. So we’re really incommunicado by phone, because the land line isn’t working either. Apparently when they built the compound they laid the cables for phones and TV in the ground, and since it’s right by the sea, it seems the cables get wet and cause reception problems.

But yuh know I’m not bothered by the incommunicado problem nuh, because I can’t do much talking or laughing anyway. But I truly am tired of not only feeling, but also hearing the so and so wheezing in my chest! But them’s the breaks! As I keep preaching, I just have to grin and bear it.

We went down to Stumpy’s Emporium, sort of department store, where I bought some clothes hangers, then we bought some fruits from a roadside fruit stand and made a short stop at a friend’s bar on the main road, only to say hello, because the heat was killing me.

Somehow the talk of souse and black pudding came up, and she told me that a lady came out every Saturday evening with those mouth-watering delicacies at a place near to me. So after an early supper on the deck, we headed out for Kats, only to find that they had stopped selling there.

I was directed to another place, a Pennysaver’s Supermarket in Carnbee. So we went through the back roads and got there to hear that the pudding and souse show was on Friday’s not Saturday. However they came out at another Pennysaver down in Canaan, closer to me. So we headed down there.

Now that seemed to be a factual thing, because I found a customary fellow waiting for them too. We waited for about an hour, while the duchess went walking through the stores in the mall, and he told me about the rampant corruption devouring the country. It’s really a sad story.

Oh, and I just heard on the news about a woman in Trinidad setting her ex on fire when he came to her house where she was with another man. Ah Lord eh!

The long and short is that I didn’t get the much anticipated souse and pudding. Steups! Apparently the woman who made the stuff was sick. And that’s been the only food I truly felt for since I’ve been here. It reminded me of my youth, living up Main Street, where every Saturday evening, before we went to the cinema, we waited for this lady to come down the hill with the succulent souse and black pudding.

Anyway, we came home and I ate ice cream and cake and watched the Leafs lose to Philly. Their fourth shutout in five games. After being one of the highest scoring clubs, the goals have dried up under this new coach’s defensive system. And it’s not like they aren’t getting chances, but they’re either missing the net or running in to hot goal-tending.

And that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it! (smile) Just like I’m sticking to our Bit: ‘Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.’  

Words of indisputable truth my people! And all of us who have walked with Jesus for some time will be able to testify to that! For our God has promised to be with us wherever we are. He will never forsake or leave us. (Heb.13:5)

And nowhere has it been stated as succinctly and sweetly as in Psalm 23; the comforting and encouraging words of Bruh David. ‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me, thy rod and staff they comfort me.’ (Ps.23:4) Godly words to stand strong on my brethren! And in these trying times we need stuff that we can hold on strong to.

And we’ll end with these mighty words of the sons of Korah, from Psalm 44- Former deliverances and present troubles. ‘Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob. Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread (trample) them under that rise up against us.

For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us. In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah. (Ps.44:4-8).

Yes Friends, our magnificent and faithful God has saved us before, and He will do so again. So there is need to worry or doubt His abilities and his faithfulness. Let’s stand strong and boast in His name all day long! That’s the zenith of wisdom! Much LOVE!

…Jesus did not die…so that we could live worried and afraid…but confident and powerful…with steadfast trust in His LOVING-kindness.

P.S. Going to find the Word on the tube, then later go up by Magdalena for their Sunday Brunch, and possibly watch the Super Bowl in the evening. That’s good enough for me, as the day might be hot again. Look at me running from hot sun eh! (smile) Much LOVE!