My Birthday Cake, What's Left of It

 This cake did say "Happy Birthday Terra" at one point. I had an upbeat birthday a few days ago, including a surprise birthday party given for me by the 12 women in my women's Bible study group. We are in an 8 week study of the book and video The Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer. Four of the women I had not met before, this is a great way to meet people. They served a feast including two quiches made with eggs from the lady's hens (now that is fresh) and organic asparagus in one, and mushrooms in the other. These ladies are darlings, ranging in age from 40 to 80, and two of them have immigrated to the USA from other countries. Quite a diverse group united in love of Jesus and people.

 

 

 Above is a crystal hummingbird birthday gift given to me by another dear friend who I met in church several years ago.

When the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus they asked him "Which of the commandments is the greatest?". "Jesus answered "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-39

Agatha Christie's Marple TV series, Will Mellor, Benedict Cumberbatch

 

I am watching the TV series that began filming in 2007 and that stars Geraldine McEwan. In season two I enjoyed seeing Benedict Cumberbatch as he was 15 years ago, very young and a dish, but I think he is more handsome now. 

 

Below shows Cumberbatch in the Marple show back in 2007.

In season 3 I watched an episode of Agatha Christie's Marple with Will Mellor in it, I love that actor, star of White Van Man TV series. Photo of Will Mellor below.

 

I just watched Season 3 Episode 4 and each time I watch the next episode I check to see how many episodes are left for me to watch. There are 6 seasons available to me and that makes me happy.

Do you like to know there are many episodes of favorite TV shows that you have not watched yet? Having episodes ahead to watch makes me feel like my pantry is full. Sometimes I hold off on watching the final episode in a series as I don't want it to end.

I only have a few episodes left of Lie to Me and of Professor T and don't want to watch the last episodes, but will one day. Do you have TV shows you feel that way about?

This morning I will be in Women's Bible Study at church, about 7 of us meet and study the book Discerning the Voice of God: How to Recognize When God Speaks by Priscilla Shirer. She has videos offering further insights for each chapter, and her father is the well known preacher Tony Evans. I am enjoy the study and learning.

This and That

 Here are a few bits and bobs from my wide ranging thoughts. It's somewhat of a roller coaster inside my mind folks.

First off, censorship. NO. In a word, NO.

Censors, step away from Dr. Seuss, Step away from Miss Piggy. Step away from Pepe Le Pew. You are damaging freedom of expression. Publishers don't decide to drop books from your publishing house because of possibly offensive content,  that people want to buy. Not only is that self-censorship but it prevents readers from buying the books they may want. I hope dropping certain Dr. Seuss books is not the beginning of a trend of publishers dropping books because the book may offend someone, or may have unpopular ideas.

And Amazon, stop your new censorship of books, by you refusing to carry certain books. You are a mighty and powerful seller of books, you may sell more than half of all books sold worldwide. I didn't look up the numbers but you know it is huge. You may refuse to sell three books today, three hundred books next year and three thousand books the year after, hurting their sales due to your personal likes and dislikes. See, I told you it's a roller coaster. 

I am a freedom fighter in my own way.  Being a librarian and writer words are precious to me. If you do not defend words you don't like then you are not a supporter of freedom of speech.

Above are plum blossoms on my 3 year old Santa Rosa plum tree; they are hanging on even during heavy rain. Hurray. Hoping plums will follow; I had a nice plum crop last year, the birds pecked a lot of them, which is annoying. They are welcome to eat the entire plum, but not to peck and ruin them!

Bounce waits at window when I tell him someone he loves is coming over. The card is from a friend and is a quote from Cicero that says If you have a garden and a library you have all you need. That card suits me to a T, she knows me. Though I would add "if you have family, friends and Jesus" to that list.

"Put on the full armor of God so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness  in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm."  The list of full armor of God is found in Ephesians 6:10-19. 

Priscilla Shirer wrote a wonderful book about this, "The Armor of God." See her photo below, she has written many excellent books and starred in the movie "The War Room." She is a beautiful warrior for Christ and a leader for women.