Winepress Anyone?

Judges 6:1-22


Where is the nearest winepress?  Like Gideon of old, I would like to hide from the craziness of this world right now.  Gideon and his people had been taken over by the enemy who wanted to strip them of everything that sustained life. Gideon who describes himself as the least of all men was afraid to even thresh wheat out in the open so he was hiding in the winepress. I am there right now, I would like to hide.  I scroll Facebook to see the latest news if you can call it news because lies are rampant and opinions abound.  I sit in disbelief as I watch the lawlessness and brutality in tiny clips.  I’m amazed at the outright hostility spouted against good and the glowing reverence toward evil.  The lack of wisdom is astounding in those who claim to be our leaders.  But as you read on about our friend Gideon we see that the angel of the Lord came to him in his hiding place and told him that he was to lead his people out of bondage.  So what does that mean for me, today as I grab that proverbial blanket to place over my head?  We find in the account of Gideon, that the angel greeted him as “Mighty warrior” and tells him that the Lord is with him.  That little phrase cheers me today.  The Lord is with me even in this tumultuous time in history.  So why would I cower in the winepress?  I believe that the Lord is saying to us, His mighty warriors, to proclaim his word even more.  It is said that the threshing of wheat is done out in the open so as the farmer throws the crop into the air, the breeze separates the wheat from the tares.  The wheat kernels fall to the floor as food while the tares are blown away.  In the open, the truth is saved while the untruth is flung to the wind.  Let us climb out of the shadow of the winepress into the open air of the truth of the gospel of Christ crucified.  Arise, mighty warrior, we serve a glorious God who is with us even in the darkness of the winepress.

Judges 6:1-22

Winepress Anyone?

Where is the nearest winepress?  Like Gideon of old, I would like to hide from the craziness of this world right now.  Gideon and his people had been taken over by the enemy who wanted to strip them of everything that sustained life. Gideon who describes himself as the least of all men was afraid to even thresh wheat out in the open so he was hiding in the winepress. I am there right now, I would like to hide.  I scroll Facebook to see the latest news if you can call it news because lies are rampant and opinions abound.  I sit in disbelief as I watch the lawlessness and brutality in tiny clips.  I’m amazed at the outright hostility spouted against good and the glowing reverence toward evil.  The lack of wisdom is astounding in those who claim to be our leaders.  But as you read on about our friend Gideon we see that the angel of the Lord came to him in his hiding place and told him that he was to lead his people out of bondage.  So what does that mean for me, today as I grab that proverbial blanket to place over my head?  We find in the account of Gideon, that the angel greeted him as “Mighty warrior” and tells him that the Lord is with him.  That little phrase cheers me today.  The Lord is with me even in this tumultuous time in history.  So why would I cower in the winepress?  I believe that the Lord is saying to us, His mighty warriors, to proclaim his word even more.  It is said that the threshing of wheat is done out in the open so as the farmer throws the crop into the air, the breeze separates the wheat from the tares.  The wheat kernels fall to the floor as food while the tares are blown away.  In the open, the truth is saved while the untruth is flung to the wind.  Let us climb out of the shadow of the winepress into the open air of the truth of the gospel of Christ crucified.  Arise, mighty warrior, we serve a glorious God who is with us even in the darkness of the winepress.

Jailhouse Song

Jailhouse Song

In 1958 the “Jailhouse Rock” movie was released and even now I can see heartthrob Elvis Presley in his “prison-issued”, striped shirt with a  fashionable black jacket, dancing, and singing the lively tune. Unfortunately, the reality of a real prison is nothing like this scene.  Unfortunately, prison can mean many things to many people.  Many suffer the prison of depression, the prison of disease, or the prison of sin.  Rivaling Elvis, Paul, and Silas’ story is inspirational in so many ways. In Acts the 16th chapter, we read that Paul and Silas were beaten with rods for preaching the gospel.  They were thrown into the dark prison and put into the inner cell with their feet securely fastened with stocks.  Unimaginable suffering!  BUT at about midnight the courageous men of God began to pray and sing praises to the Lord.  I know the song “Amazing Grace” had not been written yet, but if it had been I think that is what they might have sung.  But hear this, verse 25 says, “and the other prisoners were listening”.  Today those words had a special meaning for me.  As my daughter, Missy has gone through chemo and stem cell transplant, and with all the side effects of that, I have documented her writings of great courage that she readily admits comes from the Lord.  On her most recent post on Facebook, she used the phrase “I got to break out of the hospital” which was for over three weeks a sort of “prison”.  She was in isolation and could not see her kids because her immunity was like that of a newborn baby and she had to be under the close eye of the doctors. The nursing staff commented that she seemed to have gotten every bad side effect that comes with the procedures, causing her great pain and discomfort, maybe comparable to Paul and Silas in that midnight hour.

She wrote;

Yesterday I got to break out of the hospital and finally hug my people!  My heart is so grateful to be done with that part of treatment and back together with my loves!

All the glory to God!!  Although I was separated from my family, My Lord was everpresent.  I called on His name more times in the last month than I can ever count and HE NEVER LET ME DOWN,,,He stood with me and made me strong.

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.
Acts of the Apostles 16:25 NLT

As with Paul and Silas, other “prisoners” are listening!  The Bible tells us that in this world we will have suffering but He delights in us when we choose joy and trust Him in the midst of it.

As we read on in the account in Acts, miracles happened!

Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!
Acts of the Apostles 16:26 NLT

Many times, sin in our heart from being apart from God can be like these symbolic chains around our souls.  The Bible tells us that many found the Lord as their Savior that night including the jailer and his family.  It all started with joyful singing in the midst of remarkable pain.

As we face, as Missy, the sufferings of life remember the other “prisoners” are listening for our song at the midnight hour.

The Old House

Through the window of my eyes, I see everything as a young woman.  I often comment that I am still a young woman but now looking out the window of an old house.  My house now crackles and creaks when I stand and pain has invaded every room.  With my hand folded above my aging eyes, I see dimly through the cloudy windows when before things were crisp and exploding with color.  Crow’s feet now exaggerate the lines of the windows as “laugh lines” decorate my mouth.  My hair has turned white but through the windows of my mind I am still, “Jeanie with the light brown hair”! The walls of each room bulge from years of gravity taking its toll as the curtains of their windows blow in the breeze of life’s chilly realities.  My eyes behold the next generation from afar as they all endeavor to live their lives with the vigor of youth. Not aware of how quickly the years flee from our grasp.  Plans swirl in their minds as once swirled in mine.  With their futures yet still unfolding they sit ready to embark on the adventure before them.  My window, though sometimes cloudy can see perfectly into a time when this young woman will have a new house a new home where the pain is no more and tears are dried by the Savior’s own hand.  Don’t get me wrong this “old house” serves me fine for now and I hope to watch my brood grow and flourish.  My prayer is that each one will know the Lord and that I will stand in Heaven someday and watch them cross that river to an eternity with our Lord in the house He has gone to prepare.  

I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth. 3 John 1:4 NLT

A Showcase of His Strength

Day 3 of our devotional

“A Showcase of His Strength!”

The challenge of shopping with four kids suddenly turned to the worst fear I had ever felt.  It was a few days before school started and I was pregnant with my fifth child, My legs and back screamed in pain as I carried our youngest on one hip. After a while, Missy, being only sixteen months got very restless and very heavy. Needing a hand with the load, I gathered the troops for help. As often happened with my helpful crew, she went from one big sister to another while I was finding school clothes. Instructed to stay close so I could keep an eye on them all, I went about my shopping.  In just a few seconds with my attention on sizes, colors and styles, I turned back to see that no one had Missy.  Panic ensued. as we searched everywhere!  We looked in the clothes racks with tiny children’s outfits, under tables stacked high with school supplies, and we even looked in an area set up for kids to play while their parents shopped.  She was nowhere to be found.  After searching in vain, in my desperation, I made security aware of our situation. Soon our predicament was announced over the loudspeaker. The chilling words, that a child was missing caused a debilitating fear to set into every cell in my body.  In tears and excruciating fear, I prayed for my little blond-headed baby girl that we would find her very soon, I prayed for protection over her and finally that she would not be afraid.  With the help of many, we searched while minutes seemed like hours.  Broadening our search, we happened into the baby section of the store and there we found our sweet baby fast asleep in a comfy stroller marked “reduced for quick sale”.  I was beyond relieved in fact no word could ever express the feeling I had at that moment.  My heart was filled with such love as I lifted this one so small from her cozy nest. She was still groggy from the impromptu nap, but there was no hint of fear at all.  The Lord had taken her fear and caused her to rest as she waited for help to come.  

I thought of this as I read what that same girl wrote about her fear during this time of great suffering with cancer treatments.  She wrote of what fear tells us!  It shouts to your sad heart that you are all alone in your suffering.  That you must face trials and struggles by yourself. Fear is also a great reminder of our failures and weaknesses but faith points us to our God.  This one who God loves so much knows that God is always in her corner, always on her side.  As the bible says and she readily testifies that our weaknesses showcases God’s strength.  And waiting, oh the waiting!  Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD!

She writes with victorious assurance;

“Fear tells us that we are alone, that we have to face our trials and struggles on our own. It reminds us of our weaknesses. It points us to our own failures. But, FAITH points us to God. It reassures us that we are never alone — God is ALWAYS on our side! And faith shows us our weakness is just an opportunity to showcase God’s strength.

Praying God’s truth over my fears.

A song and words recently posted;

“Hallelujah, Even Here” by Lydia Laird.

Halleluja, when the storm is relentless!

Hallelujah, when the battle is endless

In the middle of the in-between

In the middle of the questioning

Over every worry, every fear

Hallelujah, even here

Hallelujah, even here

A Showcase of His Strength

“A Showcase of His Strength!”

The challenge of shopping with four kids suddenly turned to the worst fear I had ever felt.  It was a few days before school started and I was pregnant with my fifth child, My legs and back screamed in pain as I carried our youngest on one hip. After a while, Missy, being only sixteen months got very restless and very heavy. Needing a hand with the load, I gathered the troops for help. As often happened with my helpful crew, she went from one big sister to another while I was finding school clothes. Instructed to stay close so I could keep an eye on them all, I went about my shopping.  In just a few seconds with my attention on sizes, colors and styles, I turned back to see that no one had Missy.  Panic ensued. as we searched everywhere!  We looked in the clothes racks with tiny children’s outfits, under tables stacked high with school supplies, and we even looked in an area set up for kids to play while their parents shopped.  She was nowhere to be found.  After searching in vain, in my desperation, I made security aware of our situation. Soon our predicament was announced over the loudspeaker. The chilling words, that a child was missing caused a debilitating fear to set into every cell in my body.  In tears and excruciating fear, I prayed for my little blond-headed baby girl that we would find her very soon, I prayed for protection over her and finally that she would not be afraid.  With the help of many, we searched while minutes seemed like hours.  Broadening our search, we happened into the baby section of the store and there we found our sweet baby fast asleep in a comfy stroller marked “reduced for quick sale”.  I was beyond relieved in fact no word could ever express the feeling I had at that moment.  My heart was filled with such love as I lifted this one so small from her cozy nest. She was still groggy from the impromptu nap, but there was no hint of fear at all.  The Lord had taken her fear and caused her to rest as she waited for help to come.  

I thought of this as I read what that same girl wrote about her fear during this time of great suffering with cancer treatments.  She wrote of what fear tells us!  It shouts to your sad heart that you are all alone in your suffering.  That you must face trials and struggles by yourself. Fear is also a great reminder of our failures and weaknesses but faith points us to our God.  This one who God loves so much knows that God is always in her corner, always on her side.  As the bible says and she readily testifies that our weaknesses showcases God’s strength.  And waiting, oh the waiting!  Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD!

She writes with victorious assurance;

“Fear tells us that we are alone, that we have to face our trials and struggles on our own. It reminds us of our weaknesses. It points us to our own failures. But, FAITH points us to God. It reassures us that we are never alone — God is ALWAYS on our side! And faith shows us our weakness is just an opportunity to showcase God’s strength.

Praying God’s truth over my fears.

A song and words recently posted;

“Hallelujah, Even Here” by Lydia Laird.

Halleluja, when the storm is relentless!

Hallelujah, when the battle is endless

In the middle of the in-between

In the middle of the questioning

Over every worry, every fear

Hallelujah, even here

Hallelujah, even here

A Showcase of God's Strength

Day 3 of our devotional

“A Showcase of His Strength!”

The challenge of shopping with four kids suddenly turned to the worst fear I had ever felt.  It was a few days before school started and I was pregnant with my fifth child, My legs and back screamed in pain as I carried our youngest on one hip. After a while, Missy, being only sixteen months got very restless and very heavy. Needing a hand with the load, I gathered the troops for help. As often happened with my helpful crew, she went from one big sister to another while I was finding school clothes. Instructed to stay close so I could keep an eye on them all, I went about my shopping.  In just a few seconds with my attention on sizes, colors and styles, I turned back to see that no one had Missy.  Panic ensued. as we searched everywhere!  We looked in the clothes racks with tiny children’s outfits, under tables stacked high with school supplies, and we even looked in an area set up for kids to play while their parents shopped.  She was nowhere to be found.  After searching in vain, in my desperation, I made security aware of our situation. Soon our predicament was announced over the loudspeaker. The chilling words, that a child was missing caused a debilitating fear to set into every cell in my body.  In tears and excruciating fear, I prayed for my little blond-headed baby girl that we would find her very soon, I prayed for protection over her and finally that she would not be afraid.  With the help of many, we searched while minutes seemed like hours.  Broadening our search, we happened into the baby section of the store and there we found our sweet baby fast asleep in a comfy stroller marked “reduced for quick sale”.  I was beyond relieved in fact no word could ever express the feeling I had at that moment.  My heart was filled with such love as I lifted this one so small from her cozy nest. She was still groggy from the impromptu nap, but there was no hint of fear at all.  The Lord had taken her fear and caused her to rest as she waited for help to come.  

I thought of this as I read what that same girl wrote about her fear during this time of great suffering with cancer treatments.  She wrote of what fear tells us!  It shouts to your sad heart that you are all alone in your suffering.  That you must face trials and struggles by yourself. Fear is also a great reminder of our failures and weaknesses but faith points us to our God.  This one who God loves so much knows that God is always in her corner, always on her side.  As the bible says and she readily testifies that our weaknesses showcases God’s strength.  And waiting, oh the waiting!  Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD!

She writes with victorious assurance;

“Fear tells us that we are alone, that we have to face our trials and struggles on our own. It reminds us of our weaknesses. It points us to our own failures. But, FAITH points us to God. It reassures us that we are never alone — God is ALWAYS on our side! And faith shows us our weakness is just an opportunity to showcase God’s strength.

Praying God’s truth over my fears.

A song and words she recently posted;

“Hallelujah, Even Here” by Lydia Laird.

Halleluja, when the storm is relentless!

Hallelujah, when the battle is endless

In the middle of the in-between

In the middle of the questioning

Over every worry, every fear

Hallelujah, even here

Hallelujah, even here

Winepress Anyone?

Judges 6:1-22

Where is the nearest winepress?  Like of old, I would like to hide from the craziness of this world right now.  Gideon and his people had been taken over by the enemy who wanted to strip them of everything that sustained life. Gideon who describes himself as the least of all men was afraid to even thresh wheat out in the open so he was hiding in the winepress. I am there right now, I would like to hide.  I scroll Facebook to see the latest news if you can call it news because lies are rampant and opinions abound.  I sit in disbelief as I watch the lawlessness and brutality in tiny clips.  I’m amazed at the outright hostility spouted against good and the glowing reverence toward evil.  The lack of wisdom is astounding in those who claim to be our leaders.  But as you read on about our friend Gideon we see that the angel of the Lord came to him in his hiding place and told him that he was to lead his people out of bondage.  So what does that mean for me, today as I grab that proverbial blanket to place over my head?  We find in the account of Gideon, that the angel greeted him as “Mighty warrior” and tells him that the Lord is with him.  That little phrase cheers me today.  The Lord is with me even in this tumultuous time in history.  So why would I cower in the winepress?  I believe that the Lord is saying to us, His mighty warriors, to proclaim his word even more.  It is said that the threshing of wheat is done out in the open so as the farmer throws the crop into the air, the breeze separates the wheat from the tares.  The wheat kernels fall to the floor as food while the tares are blown away.  In the open, the truth is saved while the untruth is flung to the wind.  Let us climb out of the shadow of the winepress into the open air of the truth of the gospel of Christ crucified.  Arise, mighty warrior, we serve a glorious God who is with us even in the darkness of the winepress.

Winepress Anyone

Winepress Anyone?

Where is the nearest winepress?  Like Gideon of old, I would like to hide from the craziness of this world right now.  Gideon and his people had been taken over by the enemy who wanted to strip them of everything that sustained life. Gideon who describes himself as the least of all men was afraid to even thresh wheat out in the open so he was hiding in the winepress. I am there right now, I would like to hide.  I scroll Facebook to see the latest news if you can call it news because lies are rampant and opinions abound.  I sit in disbelief as I watch the lawlessness and brutality in tiny clips.  I’m amazed at the outright hostility spouted against good and the glowing reverence toward evil.  The lack of wisdom is astounding in those who claim to be our leaders.  But as you read on about our friend Gideon we see that the angel of the Lord came to him in his hiding place and told him that he was to lead his people out of bondage.  So what does that mean for me, today as I grab that proverbial blanket to place over my head?  We find in the account of Gideon, that the angel greeted him as “Mighty warrior” and tells him that the Lord is with him.  That little phrase cheers me today.  The Lord is with me even in this tumultuous time in history.  So why would I cower in the winepress?  I believe that the Lord is saying to us, His mighty warriors, to proclaim his word even more.  It is said that the threshing of wheat is done out in the open so as the farmer throws the crop into the air, the breeze separates the wheat from the tares.  The wheat kernels fall to the floor as food while the tares are blown away.  In the open, the truth is saved while the untruth is flung to the wind.  Let us climb out of the shadow of the winepress into the open air of the truth of the gospel of Christ crucified.  Arise, mighty warrior, we serve a glorious God who is with us even in the darkness of the winepress.

Consider it Pure Joy

Day 2  Consider It Pure Joy

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2‭-‬4 NIV

I always skimmed right over James 1:2 because it was foreign to my thought process. It says that when troubles come to consider it an opportunity for great joy.  In the Easy English bible, it goes so far as to say, be happy even when many kinds of trouble happens to you.  Consider it nothing but joy when you fall into various trials, touts the Amplified version.  All versions qualify these statements by saying that it gives us more endurance, perseverance, and maturity when the trial is over. A few years back,  I was amazed as Missy, daughter of a slug, ran marathons.  This kind of self-torture was foreign to my thinking although fortunately, my genes were not the only ones involved because her dad had much the same makeup.  As she began to train, her muscles ached, her lungs burned and her heart raced. Slowly but surely she got stronger and stronger until she indeed ran her first half marathon.  I see this same strength in her today as she battles cancer, but instead of depending on her own strength, she depends on her Lord to make her strong through trials and difficulties.  As she so eloquently puts it, “hard moments become bearable and with Christ, all those bearable moments can even be joy-filled”.

Missy’s Testimony of Strength and Joy

Got my transplant today!!! Now we just wait for the baby cells to grow❤️❤️

It has been a hard process to walk through but, all of the hard moments become bearable and then with Christ, all of those bearable moments can even be joy-filled!

My heart is grateful and full of hope! I’m trusting in My Fathers promises❤️

In the next verses in that chapter, it tells us to ask for wisdom and it will be given.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

James 1:5 NIV

That’s where I am this day.  I want wisdom to see joy in trials.  I plead for strength that only He gives in troubles.  I want my bearable moments to be joy-filled as one so wise so eloquently tells me.  

Prayer

Lord, thank you for your enduring love and strength during this time of trials.  I praise you for joy that is not of this world but is from you.  Indeed have your hand on this process in her journey and give healing.  

FAITH HOPE LOVE

Day 1

FAITH, HOPE, LOVE

I asked my daughter Missy if she and I could write a devotional for cancer victims on that journey she now is on.  She told me that she had a simple mind and no fancy words.  The writing below tells me her mind if simple, is also profound and her heart for God is inspiring.

She writes;
Today is my first day as an inpatient for a stem cell transplant!! I’m choosing faith over fear! I’m choosing hope! God is so so good to me! His provision is so humbling.  Although I am not able to have my same support team surrounding me during this part of treatment, rest assured that my Savior grabbed me by my hand and walked me into this place...He came before me and walks beside me!!

Not needing to add too much to this writing from my daughter, I looked up verses from the bible that she no doubt has heard all throughout her life.  These words resonate truth for such a time as this.

The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalms 27:1 NIV

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,  though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalms 46:1‭-‬3 NIV

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NIV

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 NIV

As I read through this testimony to our sweet daughter, I see FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE.

And now these three remain faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV

She has faith in her God, Hope in Jesus for her salvation, love for her precious family and the ONE she praises even in the dark night of life.!

Don’t Close Your Eyes In The Dark

Do you close your eyes in the dark?  By now you are questioning my question and maybe even my sanity.  When the power goes off out here in the country, it is really dark, it is “can’t see my hand in front of my face dark”.  When facing this kind of darkness my first thought is to close my eyes because the strain of trying to see is upsetting.  With my eyes open the blackness seems to smother me, the straining is useless and the lack of light freezes me in place.  

Many of us are in that kind of darkness in this season of life.  Chronic pain, mental illness, marriage problems, divorce, financial, or a dreaded disease may be taking the light from your days.  Insecurity and worry might keep you from seeing past your suffering so you automatically close your eyes to protect yourself from heartbreak.  With our eyes closed tight we face our dark world alone and vow never to let ourselves be vulnerable to that harshness again.  

If Daniel would have clinched his eyes shut in the dark days of being thrown into the lion’s den he would have missed the faithfulness of God in an impossible situation.  He would have missed that God sent an angel to shut the mouths of the lions.  Daniel 6.

With their eyes closed tight, Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego couldn’t have seen the fourth man walking with them in the fire.  “The man that was like the Son of God.”  Daniel 3

If Jesus had begrudged the darkness of His crucifixion and closed His eyes, He would have missed the greatest occurrence of mankind, His Resurrection from the dead that saved us all from our sins and eternal death.  

I know many strain to see good in bad situations but we can’t do it on our own.  We must ask God to be in our pain.  May He walk around in the fire of your crisis and close the mouths of those things that threaten to overcome you.  Open your eyes even in the pitch-black circumstances of your life and see Him at work to turn darkness to amazing light.

In my studies, I found a surprising amount of verses about darkness and the Light that defeats it.  As I read John 1:5 in  many translations I found that darkness has not mastered the Light, darkness has not overcome the Light and darkness cannot put the Light down or out

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:5 NIV

I am sending you to them  to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Acts 26:17‭-‬18 NIV

There is a little saying I have loved for years that says, “Don’t doubt in the dark what God has told you in the light.”  I have found that all the things I have pondered and put into my heart in the light continue to hold me up through all circumstances of life.  Don’t miss the miracle that opened eyes will reveal in the dark night of your life.

As my husband told my daughter, Missy, who is battling cancer, that she was so strong and how proud we are of her courage, she turned it around and gave praise and glory to the Light!

Posted first on  http://prayerchairsharetime.blogspot.com/