Thursday, December 29, 2011

The Seeing Eye

"He said the common eye sees only the outside of things, and judges by that, but the seeing eye pierces through and reads the heart and soul, finding there capacities which the outside didn't indicate or promise, and which the other kind of eye couldn't detect." [Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc by Sieur Louis de Conte, pages 149, 150]
There was a time when we humans were able to view the spiritual realities that surround us. That gift fell into disuse with the advent of the scientific method of viewing the world where the only acceptable evidence of reality is that which can be measured by the human senses. As we lost the gift of the Seeing Eye, we began to doubt the existence of the spiritual. Those few remaining of us who could still view the spiritual world were looked upon with distrust. Those still possessing clairvoyance, became Witches and acolytes of Satan.

In 15th Century France, when the educated Sieur Louis de Conte saw an apparition appearing in a meadow to a 17-year-old peasant girl named Joan, he asked her about it. She replied: "I will tell you, but do not be disturbed; you are not in danger. It was the shadow of an archangel - Michael, the chief and lord of the armies of heaven." [Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc by Sieur Louis de Conte, page 76] After following her voices from Heaven and leading an army to free France from the grip of the English for "a thousand years," Joan of Arc was condemned to death and burned at the stake.

Monday, December 26, 2011

War Horse

War Horse - An anti-military statement from Stephen Spielberg. A shocking interpretation of the children's story.

I read the book and saw the play in New York City, so today I went to see the War Horse movie. I was stunned and disappointed with the gratuitous violence, blood and gore that was interpreted from what was a children's book. I did not like the movie's negative portrayal of the military. In the book, both the German and the British soldiers were portrayed respectfully and sympathetically. Some of the anti-military scenes in the movie were totally invented by Spielberg; not in the original children's book at all. In the story of War Horse, the Germans never executed the young boys who were not even portrayed characters in the book, and the British never told their men to shoot fellow soldiers. But Joey the horse was portrayed wonderfully in the movie, and there was not a dry eye in the theatre. I only wish they had given Emilee's story more coverage instead of ignoring it to stress the violence of the war.

The movie took a children's story and made it into an anti-military screed that contains too much violence for children.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

The Christmas Bell

THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
I am united with the Lord(1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price(1 Cor. 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt &; light of the earth (Matt.5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ(1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil.3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31-34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor.5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom.8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor.1:21-22)
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8: 28)
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected (Phil 1: 5)
I have been redeemed & forgiven (Col. 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
Who you 
are?

Keep this bell ringing ... pass it on -- from the Internet :)

Thursday, December 08, 2011

Lee's Stratford Landing of 1781

Revolutionary War Image

On 30 March 1781, two hundred thirty years ago, British sailors from armed vessels anchored in the Potomac River near Saint Clement’s [Blackistone] Island, and attempted to land at Stratford Landing as part of a mission to destroy and loot the plantation houses along both sides of the river. From his home Chantilly, which had a good view of the island, Richard Henry Lee, Lieutenant of the Westmoreland militia, watched the movements of the ships. The British launched smaller craft to approach the shoreline while the large ships fired cannons to cover the attack. Richard Henry Lee met them with a small, ill-armed group of local citizens. In the skirmish that followed, the Westmoreland militia repelled the attackers, killing one British sailor who was buried on Stratford beach.

Stratford Landing

The image, Lee's Stratford Landing, is subject to copyright by Edna Barney. It is posted here with permission via the Flickr API by barneykin, an administrator of "The Revolution flickred" pool.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Register Your Product

Okay - I purchase a new product & am advised to register said product in case the manufacturer needs to notify me of updates and other important info. But, once I register & give them my email, the company begins to SPAM me - usually daily. So, I mark them as a SPAMMER & thenceforth all of their emails go into my SPAM folder & if they ever do send me anything important - Like your electronic devise is defective & is about to burst into flames - I never see the email. So why bother registering?

The Chronicles of Narnia

Inn at Perry Cabin by Edna Barney
Inn at Perry Cabin, a photo by Edna Barney on Flickr.
I have just finished all seven of the books in “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C. S. Lewis. I learned that there are many ways to enter that mystical land of our dreams. A lowly coat closet could be an entry point, or a train station. Be especially cautious when gazing at a portrait of a sailing ship hanging upon a wall. When the sea waters begin flooding about your feet, you will be swept to Narnia for an adventure of a lifetime … and beyond.


Sunday, September 11, 2011

The Miracle of the Sycamore at Ground Zero

There are Miracles!
On September 11, 2001, an ancient Sycamore tree stood between the small Saint Paul's Chapel of 1766, and the World Trade Center. The brunt of the force released by the collapsing Twin Towers caused the 100-year-old tree to fall. The tree fell in such a way that its spreading branches created a shield which absorbed shockwaves from the seeming nuclear impact and preserved the historic 18th century Saint Paul's Chapel of Trinity Church and its ancient tombstones from falling debris, including a direct hit from an I-beam, and what should have been certain destruction.
"This stump is all that remains of a 100 -year-old Sycamore that once stood in the northwest corner of St. Paul's churchyard. The tree was toppled on September 11th, 2001, when the collapse of the World Trade Center sent tons of debris hurtling towards the church, including a large steel beam from the North Tower. Miraculously, the Chapel's trees shielded from dam and not a single pane of glass was broken through the church." 
"In 2005, renowned sculptor Steve Tobin worked with tree experts to preserve the original Sycamore stump that you see here at St. Paul's." (From the Plaque Below the Stump)
Isaiah 9:10 "The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars."

Friday, September 09, 2011

Threescore Years and Ten

Birthday Cake from Cliff by Edna Barney
Birthday Cake from Cliff, a photo by Edna Barney on Flickr.
"The days of our years are threescore years and ten." --The Bible

"I'll never make the mistake of being 70 again." -- Casey Stengel

"With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding." --Job 12:12 (KJV)

Thursday, July 28, 2011

The Genesis Key by James Barney

The Genesis Key by James Barney

"Every myth has some foundation in truth."


Have you heard of the INDY gene? It is a gene that scientists discovered about ten years ago in fruit flies that can be manipulated to double or triple their life spans. This is real science mind you, not fiction. “INDY” stands for “I’m Not Dead Yet,” from "`Monty Python and the Holy Grail." Yes, scientists do have a sense of humor. In Genesis 6:1-4, it explains that Man’s “days shall be a hundred and twenty years.” Only one person in modern history has ever lived longer than 120 years: Ms. Jeanne Calment of France, who died in 1997 at the age of 122. At the same time, advances in medicine and genetic research will surely push the upper end of life expectancy past 120 years in the coming decades. Does this portend an imminent collision course with Genesis 6:1-4?

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR - Steve Berry reviewed the new techno-thriller novel from James Barney, and was generous in praising it:
"‘The Genesis Key’ is a solid blend of science, myth, history and suspense. It’s remarkable and unconventional, which together make for a great tale. There’s an intense brand of storytelling here, utilizing all the elements I love. I can’t wait for more from James Barney."

Sunday, July 03, 2011

The Genesis Key by James Barney

"The Genesis Key" - A Novel by James BarneyThe Genesis Key at Amazon is an exciting novel;  it is entertaining, fast moving and light reading. The story swirls about ancient history, modern science, politics and the Old Testament and Torah. I am thrilled to have found "the Nephilim" ... those "divine beings" from ancient religious texts who "cohabited with men, who bore them offspring."  I am happy that "I'm Not Dead Yet" for I am eagerly awaiting Barney's second book.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

What's a Train?

The Golden Spike Ceremony by Edna Barney
Daddy, what's a train? Is it something I can ride?
Does it carry lots of grown-up folks and little kids inside?
Is it bigger than our house? Well how can I explain
When my little boy and girl ask me "Daddy what's a train?"

When I was just a boy and living by the track,
Us kids would gather up the coal in big 'ole gunnysacks,
Then we heard the warning sound as the train pulled into view,
The engineer would smile and wave as she went rolling through.

She blew so loud and clear, we had to cover up our ears,
And we counted cars just as high as we could go.
I can almost hear the steam those big old drivers scream,
A sound my little kids will never know.
("Daddy What's a Train" by Utah Phillips)

The Golden Spike Ceremony, a photo by Edna Barney on Flickr.

Monday, May 09, 2011

Curiosity

Cudleigh Cougar
It is curiosity that killed the cat, and it will kill us too, by and by, if nothing else kills us first. The cat understands it is all part of the game. Do we?

Friday, March 25, 2011

Mysterious Tombstone of Occoquan

Mill House Museum, Occoquan, Virginia

This tombstone was washed away from the James Arnold family cemetery in Woodbridge, Virginia to the banks of the Occoquan River during the Hurricane Agnes, 1972. According to "Our Mysterious Tombstone" by Martha Roberts, it marked the grave of a New York man, Frank Hurlybuff, who had the stone carved, a casket constructed, then dug a grave in his friend's family cemetery and shot himself. No one knows the meaning of the C.N. 42 W.A.C.O inscription, however the same was found on the tombstone of Elizabeth Hurlebaus, buried at the Crow Road Cemetery, Litchfield, Medina County, Ohio. Elizabeth is believed to have been the wife of Frederick Gottleib Hurlebaus.

The image, Mysterious Occoquon Tombstone 1893, was originally uploaded to the Internet by Edna Barney

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Saint Patrick's Day

A Photo from Neddy

Saint Patrick (circa 390-464)

"I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock."
~~ from Saint Patrick's 'Breastplate' Prayer
The image, Saint Patrick (circa 390-464), was originally uploaded by barneykin. It is posted here from Neddy's flickr.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Turn Your iPhone On!

I ♥ My iPhone!
Turn Your iPhone On -
Google knows where you have been,
Turn Your iPhone On -
Download your music through the air. ♩♪♫♬



LYRICS:
Come and listen in to our podcast station
Where the mighty host of the heavens ping
Turn your iPhone on, Turn your iPhone on
If you want to hear the songs without buying
Coming from the web of endless tunes,
Turn your iPhone on, Turn your iPhone on.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Women of the New Testament

  • Mary "sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word." ~~Luke 10:39
  • Martha bore witness: "She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God,which should come into the world." ~~John 11:27
  • Tabitha was "at Joppa a  certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, tht she was sick, and died: ... and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them."~~Acts 9:36, 37, 39
  • Phebe was "a servant of the church ... she hath been a succourer of many."~~Romans 16:1-2
  • Priscilla and Aquila  were "helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks:"~~Romans 16:3-4
  • "Mary, who bestowed much labour on us." ~~Romans 16:6

Monday, February 21, 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GEORGE WASHINGTON

Museum at Mount Vernon
General George Washington -- "A good moral character is the first essential in a man."

HAPPY 279th BIRTHDAY to the Man Who Changed the World – General George Washington of Mount Vernon, Virginia, who wrote “The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.”

George WASHINGTON (1732 – 1799) was born February 22nd, 1732, at “Popes Creek,” a home that his father had built in the 1720s in Westmoreland County, Virginia. George Washington was raised there and in King George and Fairfax Counties, Virginia.

George Washington died in his bedroom at Mount Vernon on December 14th, 1799. His will directed that he be buried on the grounds of his beloved estate where he had selected a site for a new brick tomb to replace the original burial vault which was badly weathered and succumbing to the elements. However, the new tomb was not completed until more than thirty years later. It was in 1831, that the earthly remains of George Washington and his beloved consort Martha were removed there. Every day from April through October a wreath laying ceremony is performed by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, at 10 am and 2 pm, at the Tomb of Washington, in tribute to America’s greatest leader.
George Washington, America’s first and greatest president, is one of the four American presidents carved into the granite at"Mount Rushmore, South Dakota.

A grateful nation remembered its patriot warrior president, George Washington of Virginia by erecting the Washington Monument, a great obelisk to his memory in their nation’s capital. George Washington’s birthday once was celebrated in this land with great fanfare on February 22nd. Today George Washington’s birthday seems forgotten or remembered only as “Presidents’ Day.”

There are probably few Americans who appreciate the indispensable role played by George Washington in the formation of the United States of America. Without General Washington, there probably would not be a United States of America today. George Washington was America’s First great General. He was an indispensable leader of the American Revolution. Our forebears described him as “First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen.”

Thankfully, not everyone has forgotten the greatness of the man. Check out MountVernon.org . ~~Edna Barney

This life size display of General Washington as Commander in Chief is from the museum center at his Mount Vernon plantation in Virginia. The image, Museum at Mount Vernon, is subject to copyright by Edna Barney. It is posted here with permission via the Flickr API by barneykin, an administrator of "The Revolution flickred" pool.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Dancing Goblin Feet

Goblin Feet
A Poem to Memorize - A Poem to Remember
by J.R.R. Tolkien

I AM off down the road
Where the fairy lanterns glowed
And the little pretty flittermice are flying:
A slender band of gray
It runs creepily away
And the hedges and the grasses are a-sighing.
The air is full of wings,
And of blundering beetle-things
That warn you with their whirring and their humming.
O! I hear the tiny horns
Of enchanted leprechauns
And the padded feet of many gnomes a-coming!


O! the lights: O! the gleams: O! the little tinkly sounds:
O! the rustle of their noisless little robes:
O! the echo of their feet -- of their little happy feet:
O! their swinging lamps in little starlit globes.


I must follow in their train
Down the crooked fairy lane
Where the coney-rabbits long ago have gone,
And where silverly they sing
In a moving moonlit ring
All a-twinkle with the jewels they have on.
They are fading round the turn
Where the glow-worms palely burn
And the echo of their padding feet is dying!
O! it's knocking at my heart --
Let me go! O! let me start!
For the little magic hours are all a-flying.


O! the warmth! O! the hum! O! the colours in the dark!
O! the gauzy wings of golden honey-flies!
O! the music of their feet -- of their dancing goblin feet!
O! the magic! O! the sorrow when it dies.

(from Oxford Poetry, 1915)

What Does It All Mean?