Author Archives: admin

About admin

I grew up on Elim Bible Institute, Lima NY and Pinecrest Bible Training Center (Now called Bethany Bible Training Center), Salisbury Center, NY, where my father, Charlie Cary, was the maintenance man. When we moved back to Iowa, (12), I joined the "Gospel Lighthouse Telecast" choir, a local weekly program sponsored by the Gospel Lighthouse in Batavia. I have read the Bible through, every year, since I was 13. I became the church janitor when I was 16 and played piano for services. I moved to Fairfield and started playing the piano, when I was 18, at the Fairfield Foursquare Church. I married David Fishel there when I was 20. At 21, I became secretary/treasurer and served for 24 years, stepping down due to a health issue that restricts me to my home. My husband now attends a new satellite church of Faith Christian Outreach Center, Mt. Pleasant, where our youngest son is the drummer. We have three grown children and one grandchild.

May 25, 2013

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My screen saver is a slide show of photographs from 2006 to 2010. Yesterday, I saw a picture of my son holding my great-niece for the first time. I got a glimpse of the type of father he became. I thought of that picture when I read today’s verse.

Acts 13:18, “And for about forty years like a fatherly nurse He cared for them in the wilderness and endured their behavior (Deuteronomy 1:31).”

“Cherished them (as a nurse the infant in her bosom).” Critical and Explanatory Commentary, Vol. II

My granddaughter is two years old now and I know her behavior does not always please her father! But he still cares for her and endures her behavior.

Just like God does for us!

 

May 24, 2013

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I had just got in the bathroom when I heard a knock on the front door. I was going to ignore it; but I looked at the clock and thought it might be the mailman with a package.

Before I got there they knocked again. I put on a pleasant face and opened the door. I frowned when I saw my son who had forgotten his key.

We all have different reasons for not responding when we hear a knock.

Acts 12:14, “And recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she failed to open the gate, but ran in and told the people that Peter was standing before the porch gate.”

“Not to open, for neither was it a time nor an hour of night for that, but to listen who was there.” Critical and Explanatory Commentary, Vol. II

I didn’t want to open the door because of inconvenience.

Rhoda did not want to open the door because of the time of night.

Today God is knocking. Will we open the door?

May 23, 2013

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I wanted to go to church last night, but it is only safe to go when it is under 80 degrees and softly raining. The pollen count has to be in the green zone.

The day was overcast and it looked like it could rain at any time. But the email I received yesterday said the pollen count would be in the yellow zone.

I went to a different allergy website and it was still in the yellow zone.

I typed in the zip code of my home town and still got the yellow zone.

Fifteen minutes later, I went back to the website and typed in the zip code of the town my home church is in and where the service was to be held. It still said yellow zone.

I was kicking against the goads.

Acts 9:5, “And Saul said, Who are You, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting. It is dangerous and it will turn out badly for you to keep kicking against the goads [to offer vain and perilous resistance].” Amplified Bible

A goad was a stick with a pointed end used to prod animals along.

“The metaphor of an ox, only driving the goad deeper by kicking against it, is a classic one, and here forcibly expresses, not only the vanity of all his measures for crushing the Gospel, but the deeper wound which every such effort inflicted upon himself.” Critical and Explanatory Commentary, Vol. II

By the fourth time I checked the pollen count, I was depressed and battling self-pity. Normally, I read the email, accept the restriction, and plan something to do during that time.

I spent those hours watching “High Chaparral” while I finished my grocery list, mended and embroidered on a quilt square. I enjoyed myself because I completed my tasks for the day and had time to sew…

…In spite of the fact it started raining an hour after my family left!

 

May 22, 2013

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The air care helicopter flew over my house as I headed to the kitchen for a second cup of coffee. I immediately started praying for the family, the patient and the medical staff treating him or her.

Every time I hear the helicopter I am transported back to April 15, 2010 when the patient was my father. Twice they lost him on that ride and twice they were able to revive him.

I pray for the family first because I can relate to them the most. I also know how the support of family keeps a patient fighting to stay alive. My mother and sisters were with him at the first hospital but I had to wait until my children drove home from work and school. We raced to Iowa City and beat the helicopter! He had family by his side until his death.

I have been totally housebound for six years now and once during my devotions I asked God, “Why?” A helicopter took off from the new hospital built a mile my home at that moment.

God told me one of the reasons was so I would always be available to pray when the helicopter was needed. When we go through difficult times God is always planning for it to be used in a way that will bring good.

Acts 8:1, 5, “…On that day a great and severe persecution broke out against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles (special messengers).” “Philip [the deacon, not the apostle] went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ (the Messiah) to them [the people].”

“It was the deacon of that name, who comes next after Stephen in the catalogue of the seven, probably as being the next most prominent. The persecution may have been directed especially against Stephen’s colleagues.” Critical and Explanatory Commentary, Vol. II

God used the severe persecution as a way to start spreading the Gospel to the entire world.

“Tradition says he (the eunuch) was the first preacher of the Gospel in Ethiopia…” Critical and Explanatory Commentary, Vol. II

May 21, 2013

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Pastor started a new sermon series entitled “Strapped.”

Sunday he gave us the “Six Principles of Increase“:

  1. Work
  2. Diligence
  3. Wisdom
  4. Waiting
  5. Mentorship
  6. Integrity

As I examined my life, it was the last one I felt I could improve on the most. I must remember I work for God and the Holy Spirit is my manager. God takes giving my Manager the proper respect very seriously.

Acts 5:3, “But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart that you should lie to and attempt to deceive the Holy Spirit, and should [in violation of your promise] withdraw secretly and appropriate to your own use part of the price from the sale of the land?”

  • If I spend a few hours playing Spider Solitaire when I should be writing a frugalfish.org post…I am lying to the Holy Spirit.
  • If I do not correct a financial error that is in my favor… I am lying to the Holy Spirit.
  • If I spend two hours on Facebook and call it my “Lunch Hour”…I am lying to the Holy Spirit.

The wonderful thing about God’s grace is all I have to do is repent, and when possible, correct my errors.

Then it is forgiven, forgotten, forever!

May 20, 2013

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I can relate to the man who was lame from birth. My disease made its ugly appearance when I was 3 months old. I understand having a medical condition for decades. When I read today’s verse, I wondered how Peter knew just what to do.

Acts 3:7, “Then he took hold of the man’s right hand with a firm grip and raised him up. And at once his feet and ankle bones became strong and steady.”

“…precisely what his Lord had done to his own mother-in-law (Mark 1:31).” Critical and Explanatory Commentary, Vol. II

There was more than one miracle that happened. Not only were his bones healed but he walked. He had never learned how to walk, but he did it anyway! He also leaped.

Babies creep and crawl before they stand and learn to walk. This man stood, walked and leaped in a matter of minutes.

God not only healed his bones, he trained them.

May 19, 2013

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Sunday, the first day of the week, is a new beginning. Today is Pentecost Sunday, celebrating the day the Holy Spirit was poured out on the 120 in the upper room.

We take a break from reading about ancient prophecies and ancient kings to read about the birth of the first church.

I feel like it is a new beginning for me since I spent the last week fighting a virus. My husband thinks I have fought it for three weeks because that’s how long it has been since I’ve made him breakfast!

Today’s verse speaks of another beginning.

Acts 2:16, “But [instead] this is [the beginning of] what was spoken through the prophet Joel.”

This was the beginning of…

  • The Holy Spirit being poured out.
  • Desegregation – All mankind without distinction of sex, age, rank, or race. Before it was limited to the seed of Abraham.
  • Our sons and daughters will prophecy.
  • Our young men will see vision.
  • Our old men will dream dreams.
  • He poured out His Spirit on the servants and slaves.
  • The servants and slaves prophesied.

Hebrews 13:8 tells us Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. The Spirit He sent to the disciples is available to us, our children and grandchildren. No one is excluded.

Are you ready for a new beginning?