No, Not One!

Go. NOW. Do. BE.

    Calling All Seniors! It’s Time to Shine. Get up and participate. You have something to offer!

     Finding joy in helping others is often the best remedy for many struggles we face. While it's true that people can sometimes be challenging (myself included!), nurturing social connections is essential for our well-being. 

     We can all take a moment to share a smile or a kind word as we pass by, like saying, “beautiful sweater.” It can really brighten someone’s day! There are times when we might feel a bit invisible in this big world, so receiving a little acknowledgment can make such a difference in a positive way.

     If you can't say something nice, then pray. This can help you feel connected and engaged. You’re still alive, so stop behaving as if you aren't. Recall what brought you joy in childhood and share it with others.

     Do you recall telling your kids to switch off the TV and head outside to play? Fresh air and exercise still benefit you, both physically and mentally. Remember that sense of freedom when the door shut behind you and the refreshing scent of nature surrounded you as you explored your yard and nearby areas? 

     Bugs, birds, flowers. Embracing Dirt. Do you recall discovering beauty in an ordinary rock? Or the thrill of picking up a shell on the beach? Or the brightest leaf during autumn? Such things don’t seem to hold value anymore.

     Perhaps this is the issue facing children today: we fail to offer them essential advice and share valuable life experiences. We’re not providing insights into what has worked for us, and the busy nature of our lives leaves them little opportunity to discover things independently. In today’s world, families often require two incomes just to afford basic needs, which results in children being left to navigate life on their own.

     Picture a world where you can't leap into a puddle or take a peaceful walk in the rain! Our feet are inherently tied to the earth, and this bond is truly unique. Grounding offers remarkable benefits for us. Additionally, we must acknowledge the significance of proper hiking shoes. (See Appendix A.) 

Enjoying the beautiful moments of the sun rising and setting, along with counting the twinkling stars in the sky, beautifully reminds us that God is always in control. When was the last time you took a moment for this? Why not share this experience with your kids?

     Every generation must learn the distinction between cost and value. It's important to understand what is truly worth investing in. No country should have to rely on another for its essential needs. The landfills are full of cheap items that come with a hidden cost, often ending up in the trash before they've even served their purpose. Spend that money on quality used items from your local Christian-based thrift store and prioritize donating there as well. 

     It’s a win-win. You lighten your load. While you are there, you purchase what you need or want. You support a mission that makes a difference with the money you spend. You save money, which means you will have more to give. This allows people who can’t afford to shop at big box stores to still get what they need.

     It's important to be mindful of where you shop and the impact your choices can have. Consider seeking out establishments that align with your values, especially when it comes to protecting children from DEI initiatives. Let's work together to create positive change by being thoughtful consumers.           Many groups stand firm in their beliefs; let's ensure that we support stores that uphold principles that nurture and empower children, rather than confuse them. As businesses are impacted, situations will evolve. Your spending significantly impacts their objectives. Align your financial support with your values. Back what aligns with your beliefs.

     Men should dress in a manner that reflects masculinity. Frankly, pink isn't an appropriate color for men; it's linked to little girls. As adult men, you want your sons to develop into strong individuals too. Are you following my reasoning? Compromise can divert one from the truth. This is a straightforward issue with no ambiguity.

     Some men wear flannel shirts, comfy t-shirts, well-loved jeans, and sturdy boots. They embody the hardworking spirit that makes this great country shine! Of course, some prefer the sharp look of suits and ties as they navigate the world of business.  There is never a reason to wear women's clothing!

     Thrift shops offer wonderful clothing at prices that fit every budget! While you're exploring, just a friendly reminder that pants are best worn around your waist with a belt. It's always nice to keep things tidy, so we can avoid any accidental peeks at your underwear or backside! 

     I understand that some folks live in rural areas, and transportation might be a challenge for them. With that in mind, I'm excited about the idea of launching an affordable online thrift shop where everyone can save both time and money on quality used clothing!

     Women should dress like women. Avoid shopping in the men’s section. You don’t have to wear a dress, but if you do, the hem should be closer to your knees than your butt. That’s why it’s called the bottom, not the top. Skorts are more appropriate than skirts. This is not the time to let anything hang out. 

     A personal pet peeve of mine... Nobody wants to see your bra through your shirt or, even worse, what your bra is supposed to be covering up. I am sickened by women who don’t wear a bra and go out in public. Children don’t need to see that. Disgusting. Have you no shame? Again, I’m sorry. Wear another shirt underneath. They make women’s undershirts.

     Whenever possible, make purchases with cash instead of credit. Credit cards should only be used for genuine emergencies. As your balance grows, the total cost for those items will rise. It's wise to save up and pay with cash when you can. This is the way to get ahead. 

     Credit can be a curse when it encourages you to buy what you can’t afford. It encourages spur-of-the-moment purchases. Remember, you don’t truly own it until it’s paid off anyway. Miss a few truck payments, and you’ll see what I mean. 

     Seriously! Do you know the true cost of your house? If you're still paying off your mortgage, you might not see the full picture yet. The total amount invested will continue to rise until it is paid off; all that interest must be included in your calculations.

     Twenty years ago, I enrolled in Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. I discovered the importance of budgeting my finances and shopping for health, life, car, and home insurance to ensure adequate coverage. Settling for the bare minimum offers limited protection, leaving you vulnerable to risk. All these topics and more need further exploration on the website.      

     We are meant to be raising Kingdom saints, not sending our children to a debtor’s prison. 

You're Never Done...

My Final Exam

     Think you’re ready? Have you already accomplished all this and more? You donate. You teach. You serve. You’re already two steps ahead of me. Great! I’m truly happy for you. Keep inspiring others. 

     I thought I had written my final chapter of this book. There I was, standing in the shower, letting the hottest water I could handle cascade down my aching back. My body still felt broken from the accident, and all I craved was some restful sleep. The next day held an important meeting with the neurosurgeon, and a little part of me was still hoping I wouldn’t need to go through another surgery.

     I felt a wave of relief after completing my rough draft. A smile crept across my face at the thought of how far I've come! Reflecting on my journey, it's incredible that I successfully completed my three-month project in just over three weeks, particularly with spiritual challenges arising from all sides. 

     Pride subtly enters our lives at unexpected moments. I hadn’t accomplished anything yet. God promptly reminded me that this was merely the beginning. I had a book to finish and publish, a website to create, my Corningware Checklist to develop, and an online thrift shop to manage. The library would require ongoing updates, as well as certificates and additional programs. I hadn’t fully thought about all of that.

     I was just one elderly woman with a limited skill set. Luckily, I had God on my side. This would be a full-time project. Could I really dedicate myself to something like that? 

     I was just getting used to the condo and navigating the surrounding area. The truth is, my body often felt overwhelmed with pain due to my fibromyalgia, essential tremors, and restrictive lung disease. I really was dealing with a lot! 

     In that moment, I noticed all the people, especially the children. They seemed so vulnerable, like innocent sheep being led astray. It felt heartbreaking to see them misled, giving away their dreams of heaven for something that wouldn't last. 

     They appeared unkempt and weary, their bodies bruised and faces blank as they stared into the distance. Moving in a line, they fell into the pit one by one, never to return. It was a startling sight, and a deep sadness filled my heart, bringing tears to my eyes. 

     Someone had to come to their rescue. I called out for help, but only silence greeted me. No words escaped my lips, not a single sound- just a deafening silence. It felt like I was watching time move in slow motion. 

     That was when I heard the chime of a clock. It rang and shook the ground with a mighty vibration. I turned around as I fell to the ground and saw the huge clock in the sky like the moon. Ticking. As the clock struck midnight, its chimes echoed through the stillness, marking a moment unlike any other. The world as we knew it was ending, and those haunting tones rang out like a solemn proclamation across the land. It felt as if the signs foretold in the Bible were unfolding before my very eyes. 

     I couldn’t take it. Every second stretching on like an eternity was maddening. I noticed a man bending down by the pit, reaching in and pulling people out one at a time, then reaching back in for another. As the individuals emerged, they simply walked away, leaving him to continue his work alone. 

     I then heard a delicate bell, faint yet lovely. Soon, another followed. While most had departed, leaving the man to his own, some returned to assist him in pulling others out. 

     Each time someone was lifted out of that pit, the beautiful bell chimed, signaling another life being saved for Jesus. It was a reminder that people could still be rescued until they took their last breathe. There was still hope. So, why wasn’t everyone joining in to help?

     The countdown has begun! Time is of the essence!  We needed to spring into action, mobilize quickly. Everyone's help would be essential. I reached out to those around me, pouring my heart out, crying, “Help. They need our help. They’re stuck. They can’t get out on their own.” 

     I hurried to the pit as quickly as possible. I was merely a frail old lady. What could I really accomplish? It became overwhelming, and suddenly I found myself on my knees before the pit, crying out to the Lord. I poured out my heart in a prayer of repentance, pleading for forgiveness for not taking my Christianity more seriously.

     They are all Your cherished people, Lord, and You love them deeply! Because of that, I can’t express my love for You without also embracing them wholeheartedly. Your people are my people, and every individual I meet on my journey now holds a special place in my heart. Each one is a wonderful opportunity for me to show my love for Jesus.

     I realized I needed to try to do something; I couldn’t just stand by and watch any longer. I bent down to the ground, reached in, and unexpectedly grabbed handfuls of people as if they were rag dolls. As I set them down, I recognized some of these people from my old neighborhood, Girl Scouts, high school, past jobs, and even previous loves. Oh no! What could they possibly be doing in the pit? I always knew them to be such good people. 

     I questioned how they ended up in the pit that was reserved for those people who didn’t believe in Jesus. It was at that moment I heard the words that would haunt me, “Jesus? Who’s that?” and it felt like I had just “woken up.”

     I realized I would never be the same. Every person I interacted with became my responsibility, which filled me with purpose. The Great Commission to spread the gospel and make disciples is a requirement, not merely a request. It applies to everyone, not just the Pastor. My perspective has changed dramatically! 

     In the NKJV Matthew 28:18-20 says, “The Great Commission

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

     I felt a deep responsibility to share the light within me with everyone I met, even if just for a moment. Yet, there were times when I held back that light, just to fit in. I held onto it closely, not only wanting to keep it all to myself but also feeling a bit scared of being laughed at. I remembered vividly how that made me feel. 

     Then there were my Jewish friends. They knew I was Christian. I knew they were Jewish. We respected each others’ right to their belief. We were all passionate about our God. I didn’t want to insult them. 

     Not only did I not share Jesus with any of those people, but my relationship with Him was so compromised that they couldn’t see His light shining through me well enough to inquire. I felt I had truly failed. Miserably. 

Tears streamed down my face as I let out a whimper of frustration. I felt as if I couldn't stop crying, with my emotions pouring out in a wave of tears. 

     That’s when I began to think, “What about my childhood best friend, Peggy Ann?” We were inseparable, and I often ponder what happened to her. We attended Sunday School together for years, but I believe she moved away. I can't help but wonder if she is walking with Jesus now. I truly wish we had stayed in touch.

     Stevie passed away during our junior year in a car accident. He had such a sweet nature. He was the first boy to compliment me, which happened in seventh grade. I often wondered: did he know Jesus? Is he with Him in heaven? I sincerely hoped so! It troubled me not knowing the answers to these questions.

     I've run into Richie at Shoprite quite a few times over the years. He always wears a gold cross, which got me wondering if that meant he was saved. He was my first crush all the way back in second grade. Has it really been 50 years since then? Where has the time gone?

     Would I ever see these people again? By then, I was completely overwhelmed with emotion, tears flowing freely. My back was feeling the heat from the shower, and it was hard not to think I somehow deserved this. What if these amazing people didn’t make it?

     All I could think of was, “No, no, no, no, no, no, no, this is not happening!” I tried to close my eyes and pray and will it away. But I couldn’t. It was too late for that. I would have to deal with the consequences.

     People say that if you fail to learn from your experiences, you are doomed to repeat them. So, how should you lead your life? I believe that James 4 presents a straightforward perspective that everyone can grasp.

     The overview provided by Google AI offers a clear explanation of the meaning of James 4, and I found it to be incredibly insightful. This is genuinely something we should all strive to embrace. 

     As it turns out, this wasn’t really about my Corningware Cornflower collection. It was about you. Even when I was drafting my technical manual five years ago, I recognized my goal was to connect with people. That’s why I picked the name www.corningwarecornflowerconnection.com.

    This book has truly blossomed since then! Whenever you add Jesus, you genuinely add heart. I really hope you discover His love for you on every page. I also hope my words resonate just as I intend. Just to clarify, I’m not trying to boss anyone around- I simply want to share my “if I only knew then what I know now” with others. I sincerely hope this will help spare others some pain!

     I'm excited to help others discover the topics they need quickly and easily, empowering them to step into all that God has called them to be! 

Feel free to send a comment or suggestion for a topic you need help with to me under the Ask Miss Bess section. I am only one little old lady, but I am “free,” and I will work as fast as I can to get you there, too. I’ll be praying for you! Please pray for me as well.

     In the NKJV James 4:1-17 says, “Submit Yourselves to God: Who causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?  You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.  When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.  Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?  But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Boasting About Tomorrow

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”

Google AI Overview says: “James 4 in the Bible encourages Christians to live a life of faith and humility, and to reject the world's wisdom. Key ideas:

• Worldly wisdom is evil: James says that the world's wisdom leads to conflict, disorder, and evil. 
• Trust in God: James encourages Christians to trust God to provide, judge, and lift them up. 
• Repentance: James calls Christians to repent from their sins and receive God's grace. 
• Humility: James encourages Christians to recognize their imperfections and to refrain from judging others. 
• Submission: James encourages Christians to submit to God and to resist the devil. 
• Prayer: James encourages Christians to ask God for what they want, instead of resorting to ungodly means. 

James 4 also encourages Christians to: 

• Acknowledge God's authority
• Approach life with an understanding of its uncertainty
• Seek a closer relationship with God
• Be mindful of their actions during trials
• Treat those less fortunate with kindness
• Be mindful of how they speak and relate to others
• Be mindful of how money plays a role in their lives”