Marty's Everyday Gospel

Just Gotta Keep Climbing Up That Hill!

2011-09-28T18:31:00.000-04:00

Sometimes it seems we are steadily climing up an impossible hill, and the road seems long and gets so weary. We all have those days when the climb seems very steep, and your body feels as if it might not make another step. This might be when we need to refresh ourselves in the Lord, and stop and rest a bit. We then need to refresh ourselves with spiritual songs, hymns, and psalms, and listen or read the Word of God.

We will then remember that we are only one among many who have come this way, the road that is narrow, and not well traveled, the road Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ trod before us, and for us. The straight and narrow road, that not many choose, because it is so many times hard to keep on.

But along the way, you eventually see that little butterfly the Lord sent to flit right in front of you. As you stop to rest on your weary journey, you rejoice to find that pleasant little stream, which you drink from to cool your thirst. You stop and take in the beauty of a deer and fawn, running through the woods. You stop and bask in the songs of the wild birds, as you walk along the way. Refresh yourself in the Lord, and don't forget the peace that comes from being out in His Creation.

So rest if you are weary, knowing the things provided along the way, are sent there just for you, to ease your burdens, and to let you know that Jesus is going all the way on the journey, with you.

The little seed that can protect you from radiation damage-flaxseed

2011-09-18T15:56:00.001-04:00

The little seed that can protect you from radiation damageThis sounds like something we all might need to store up on and begin using!

A portion of the article:

By Jenny Thompson on 09/18/2011

Imagine a drug that protects your body from radiation damage. That would be a true wonder drug! It would completely revolutionize the use of radiation therapy for cancer.

But since we're just imagining, let's go all the way. Let's say the drug is inexpensive and easy to take (you don't have to inject it, or anything like that). And best of all, there are no adverse side effects. None. In fact, when you take this drug, it actually provides additional health benefits.

Ridiculous, isn't it? It's inconceivable.

But that's exactly what University of Pennsylvania researchers have come up with. Only it's not a drug. It's a food.

Compounding interest

Before I tell you about the U. Penn research, let me tell you why it matters so much.

And I'll start by asking you to imagine one more thing: A savings account from hell.

Here's what makes it hellish: You can only make deposits, no withdrawals, and you DON'T want your balance to go up.

I'm not talking about banking, of course. This "savings" is radiation, not money.

Most of us experience mild radiation exposures throughout our lives. You get occasional dental x-rays. Maybe a chest x-ray here and there. Certain types of security scanners use x-rays. You even pick up a little radiation when you fly by jet.

Each of those exposures poses little risk individually.

But two years ago, scientists reported that the effect of repeated exposure is cumulative. So years of mild exposures can add up to considerable risk – especially for those who receive much more dangerous exposures through radiation therapy or, as we've seen recently in Japan, nuclear power accidents.

That's the bad news.

The good news: U. Penn researchers now believe there's a way you can actually make withdrawals from your radiation savings account.

Before and after

Most of us have heard of flaxseed -- and a lot of us have tried it. But now we're learning that its most dramatic benefit might be something we never even thought about.

When the U. Penn team gave flaxseed to mice (some got it before radiation exposure and some after exposure), twice as many of the mice survived compared to healthy mice that didn't get flaxseed.

But the results went way beyond mere survival.

Flaxseed-fed mice had higher body weight, reduced lung inflammation (common in lung cancer patients treated with radiation), and lung fibrosis was significantly limited. (In lung fibrosis, lung tissue becomes stiff from collagen deposits -- an irreversible condition.)

Most importantly, all these benefits occurred even in mice that were given flaxseed AFTER radiation exposure.

Researchers typically caution that results of an animal study are too preliminary to begin using a promising alternative treatment. But in this case the authors say that they've actually incorporated flaxseed into their own diets. And why not? Flaxseed has no adverse side effects, but it's loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidant- rich lignans.

The U. Penn team has already started a flaxseed trial on cancer patients treated with radiation therapy. Needless to say, I'm going to follow that one closely. I don't think we can overstate the positive effects it might have on cancer patients' quality of life.

Feeding On The Word of God

2011-07-19T08:25:00.001-04:00

How do you continue to stay connected to the Lord each day? By reading and FEEDING on His Word, of course! David, in the Bible, "Meditated" on the Word of God. I believe I know exactly what was meant by this. Many times I sit down and read some in the Word of God. Many times I do not know exactly what is meant by a scripture, but I will keep on pondering it off and on, until I feel that I understand what it means. In other words, I begin MEDITATING or FEEDING on the Word of God. I PONDER its meaning. I will research, get out my Strong's Concordance, search the web, pray, ponder and delve deep into the Word.

In verses 15 and 16 of Psalm 119, David says, "I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word."

We too must read and meditate on the Word of God. Satan will do everything he can to stop us from reading the Word. This should surely tell us that there is something in the Word of God that worries and frightens him. It is something he will fight you tooth and nail over! It is because there is POWER in the word of God!

Scripture says that God is a spirit, and those who worship Him should worship in truth and spirit:

John 4:23-24: "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."

When you simply read scripture just to say that you have read scripture, you are not digging deep into the Word, trying to find out the true meaning. We must truly listen and/or read the Word with our whole hearts into it.

I believe this is what is meant by worshiping God in SPIRIT and IN TRUTH. If you go to a ritualistic church, and you just rotely go through the motions, you are NOT worshiping God in SPIRIT and in truth. You are simply "going through the motions," waiting to get out of church at noon so you can get home to eat that beef roast, and apple pie. If you are involved in a Bible Study, and you go just to please someone, but you don't really listen closely or care, you might as well have stayed home!!! You will leave church and/or Bible Study still HUNGRY, and not feeling FED or full. Feeding on the Word of God will strengthen you spiritually, much like good food will strengthen you physically.

If we are too busy to give God our complete attention and/or meditation when we read the Word, how do we expect to get anything out of His Word? Our spirits and attention have to be in line with God's. We have to PAY ATTENTION to the Word of God, and FOCUS on it. We have to FEED on it, like a delicious MEAL created by some world famous chef!

When a world famous chef takes the time and care to prepare a wonderful meal, all who partake of that cuisine should feel privileged, and they usually do. People pay big money and clamor to restaurants where famous chefs are in residence. It is because the food is SO good, and so pleasing to the palette.

Well, God is much like a great chef. He has prepared a wonderful SPIRITUAL Meal for us, each and everyday, and it is in the Bible, the Word of God. We are simply asked to come and dine, and PARTAKE of what has already been prepared for us! Let's do not grieve the Head Chef, who prepared this wonderful meal for us.

Also, let us go to the Word of God as "honored" guests, knowing Jesus Himself has prepared the meal for us. Let us be thankful for the sacrifice made on the cross, by Jesus, by taking the time in reading, savoring, pondering and meditating on this wonderful meal, already prepared for us, which will strengthen us in mind, body, and spirit.

Thanks be unto the Lord!

By Martha Clayton Banfield

My Rose of Sharon

2011-06-06T10:51:00.000-04:00

This is one of Lena Ayer Kittrell's beautiful roses! The Glory of God can be seen in all creation, and the rose is definitely one of them! Here is a poem I wrote quite a few years back, which I want to include here.

Let me sit at your feet Lord

My Rose of Sharon so fair,

Let me die to self Lord

May you be my only care...

Let me worship at your feet Lord

Let my repentance rise as a savour sweet

Then let me seek your face Lord

Your rapturous eyes to meet....

There is none so fair as you Lord

None so fair as you

No earthly pleasure to compare

There is none so fair as you....

by Marty Clayton Banfield

1-17-08

I AM SO PROUD!

2011-06-05T13:31:00.005-04:00

My Grand daughter Michaelle, as one of the 2011 Queens of the Spring Fling.

My Grandson John, one of the Little League "All-Stars"

Yes, I am a proud Grandma, it's true. I won't deny it at all. I can't think of anything to be more proud of than grandkids. Most grandparents will brag about their grandkids, and there is just not much that you can really do about it! At least, try and STOP me, lol! No, I am not flipping out the photos in line at the grocery store, but I DO brag about my grandkids an awful lot.

Something that crossed my mind lately is that we really shouldn't WAIT for our grandkids to excell at something before we become proud of them. We should really let them know that we appreciate them just for WHO they are, God's kids!

Don't get me wrong,I AM proud that my grandson John is one of the ALL-STAR baseball players in his little league team this year.Yes, I am proud that my grand daughter made JV Cheerleading as well as being crowned one of the queens at her "Spring Fling" Prom this year. YES, YES, YES I am proud, very proud of them both.

However, I was also just as proud of of John when he was not even playing baseball, or football, and was just a newborn. I was also proud of my grand daughter on the day that she was born, just for MAKING it into the world as a very small 2lb preemie! I am so PROUD that the Lord allowed her to live. I am ONE proud grandma, indeed!

I believe that we should be PROUD of the little things our kids and grandkids do, and not wait for MAJOR things to show them that we love them. They need to know EVERYDAY that they are SPECIAL! Why are they SPECIAL? To me, they are special just because they are here, on this earth, and God chose for them to be born. That makes them special in my eyes!

Just small, insignificant things are special when kids do them, so we shouldn't let the small everyday things they do, pass us by, without letting them know that they are special.

A child doesn't have to be a great football or baseball player, and a child doesn't have to be a beauty queen to be special, and we should let them KNOW that! They should be secure in knowing just how SPECIAL they really are, just for the little everyday things they do.

To me, all kids are ALL-STARS, and all little girls are BEAUTY QUEENS, and I am SO PROUD OF THEM ALL!

Grandson Austin

Grandson Alex

martybanfield@gmail.com

Best View In Town-Charleston, SC!

2011-04-21T19:34:00.001-04:00

Barry and Teena Winslow, lunching with Marty and James at the Charleston SC Holiday Inn. Best view in town, of downtown Charleston SC. Barry was a member of the Royal Guardsmen, who had the hit song, "Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron." Barry is now a Christian Artist, and sings Gospel/Christian Music. The video below is of Marty and James and the grandkids, lunching at the Holiday Inn. Take time for family and friends, we only pass this way once.

Thanks for watching Marty's Everyday Gospel!

Wanda's Prayer Quilts

2011-04-21T19:16:00.001-04:00

Marty's friend Wanda blessed her with two beautiful "Cross" Quilts, which the Lord showed Wanda to make for Marty. They ended up being Prayer Quilts. Marty recently went to Alabama and Wanda gave Marty some more quilts, see the photo of one of them on Marty's table at home!

Thanks for watching Marty's Everyday Gospel!

Granddaughter's Birthday Trip!

2011-04-21T19:12:00.001-04:00

How the Lord had his Hand in our trip to Charleston, SC to the mall, for our grandaughter's birthday shopping trip. The store we wanted to go to was closed, and it was ALL the Lord's doing!

Thanks for watching "Marty's Everyday Gospel!"

The "Pi" Onionring-another supernatural occurence!

2011-04-21T19:07:00.001-04:00

This is a "strange" occurence which happened to me,Marty Clayton Banfield, pertaining to an Onion Ring. I am always having some sort of "Strange Occurence" -they just seem to FOLLOW ME AROUND, lol!

THANKS FOR WATCHING "Marty's Everyday Gospel!"

Baby Kitten Testimony

2011-04-21T18:47:00.001-04:00

The following video is about a miracle which occured, when I rescued a small baby kitten from freezing to death one winter. She is alive and well today, and her name is "Sunny."

Thanks for watching "Marty's Everyday Gospel."

God's Lighter Fluid

2010-11-11T18:04:00.001-05:00

"God's Lighter Fluid"

by Marty Clayton Banfield

This is a little jewel of a lesson here, so simple, yet so indicative of how the Lord tries to show us that He has already provided everything we need, if we just open our eyes and stop longing for the manmade things. I hope this touches your heart and comforts you today. My husband and I decided to go on a spontaneous picnic today since the weather was gorgeous down here in the South.

We had all the things ready that we needed to picnic, we had the hot dogs already, marshmallows, mustard, pickles, bread, drinks , etc so we didn't have to go and buy anything. We also had some mesquite wood, which we had purchased earlier, and which we like to cook with. So we already had everything prepared, so we just packed it all up, got our Bibles ready, and off we went to the local state park. We found a picnic shed and located a grill to use.

While my husband was busy getting the mesquite ready to cook, and hunting the matches, I unloaded all the food and other things, drinks, utensils, chips, marshmallows etc. My friend had the mesquite woodchips in the grill and then located the matches. Now here is where this little ordinary story gets very interesting and where the Lord gave us both a very simple, but profound lesson.

We quickly discovered that we had forgotten to buy charcoal lighter fluid. Uh, oh, and all we had were a couple of paper towels too! My husnad fed the paper towels into the fire, but they did not create a big enough blaze to get them going....I was sort of thinking, now our picnic is taking on a very discouraging tone. I was not very pleased and thought our little picnic was ruined.

Then, my husband realized that we were surrounded by huge pine trees, with lots of pine cones and pine straw lying on the ground. At first we put a small amount of pine straw into the fire, but it still didn't ignite the coals! Then, I had the bright idea of gathering the pine cones, and so I gathered about 8 of them! They quickly burnt up too, but weren't a big enough blaze to light the coals even still!

Finally, we gathered an even bigger bundle of pine straw, and lo and behold, that got the blaze up alot higher. Then my husband asked me to gather one more big bundle of pine straw. You should have then seen the flames, they were blazing like a big blast of lighter fluid had hit them. That quickly lit the coals. It took us a while longer, but we had saved the day, and grilled hotdogs anyway!!!!

We stayed and ate and enjoyed being out in nature, and then we packed up to leave. As we were getting into our vehicle, it occured to me that the Lord had just showed us something very important. No matter how much MAN prepares and gets all his ducks in a row, so to speak, there is always going to be something man overlooks or forgets, and which he will need God to provide. In this case, we had forgotten the "manmade" lighter fuel, but wonder of wonders, the pine straw, or GODS LIGHTER FLUID, was lying in abundance right there on the ground, right before our very eyes .

God had already provided everything we needed, but we didn't see it at first because we were thinking that we might have to run to a STORE and get the lighter fluid. Isn't that the beauty of the Lord? He is so awesome, folks, He has truly already provided for us, in all times and circumstances, but perhaps we are looking to MAN'S things of the world for our solution, when God has richly provided the same thing for us if we would just simply OPEN OUR EYES TO SEE THE THINGS OF GOD.

How profound a lesson we had today, on our little picnic! He is Jehovah Jireh, our provider. We must at all times look to Him for all of our provision, instead of looking at man and the things of the world for answers.

Marty Clayton Banfield
email: martybanfield@gmail.com

The Importance of Water

2010-10-25T07:16:00.002-04:00

I have been asking the Lord for wisdom as to how to care for my physical body, and He has been leading and guiding me in so many ways. One of the things that the Lord has shown me, which is free and so simple, to help our health, is to drink more WATER! I am finding that most people are in a state of dehydration, and that can be prevented. Many illnesses are caused by dehydration, and even Dr's know this, but will not tell anyone.

To prove my point, what happens when you are put into the ER? What is the first thing they do to you? They put an IV into your arm, with SALINE SOLUTION. Saline Solution is SALT WATER, but not the ordinary kind of table salt that you buy in the store. The right kind of salt is UNPROCESSED, and has almost 90 minerals in it. THAT is the kind of salt that is GOOD FOR YOU, and will help to replenish your body. Processed, refined table salt from the grocery store IS bad for you! So, why don't Dr.s tell you that you need to drink more water? How many visits to the ER could you save, if you had been told this?

BUT, you have heard the Dr.'s tell you DON'T eat salt, cut it out, it is bad for you and your blood pressure, etc. WELL, they are PARTLY right! Ordinary old processed table salt IS bad for you, and WILL make you retain water. However, what they DON'T tell us is that the natural, UNPROCESSED SEA SALT will not do that to you, and will in fact help heal many bodily diseases that are caused by dehydration. So, we are only getting a HALF-TRUTH.

In a state of dehydration, your blood volume drops and your blood gets "Sludgy" and hard for your heart to pump. ALSO, the salt that was in your blood volume DOES NOT change, but then becomes MORE CONCENTRATED in your bloodstream, because there is no added water in your blood now. So, this concentrated salt then leads to edema, since the salt in your bloodstream is now concentrated! Also, that sludgy blood is going to make your heart work harder, since it is now THICKER.

This is IF your body is in a state of dehydration, however. Now, MOST PEOPLE are in a state of dehydration! WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS THE FIRST THING they do in the ER, give you an IV of salt and water???? The Drs. know this, but don't really relate it to their patients. I have a theory as to WHY they don't tell their patients to drink more water. Also, coffee, tea, soft drinks and other fluids, are NOT the same as WATER, and are no substitute for water!

I believe that if they told their patients to drink more water, they would have LESS Dr. visits and more patients would begin feeling better and many diseases that were caused by the bodily dehydration, would disappear. That would mean LESS PATIENTS for them.

Also, many doctors simply don't do any extra research into natural alternative methods. But THIS is not an HERBAL FORMULA, this is something that should be taught as common sense, but because of modern medicines "slant" towards prescribing a pill for everything, no one is taught this.

This is just the way the Lord has been leading me. I did not say that WATER WILL CURE DISEASE, but I did say that WATER will cure diseases that are CAUSED by dehydration.

Here are some good links for you to go to so that you can check this out for yourself. The first one tells how you can help PREVENT strokes, etc. by drinking water! Very interesting, and this page also lists many common diseases that can be helped by drinking water. I just wanted to pass this knowledge on to others! Marty Clayton Banfield

http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/water-education/medical-water-stroke.htm

http://www.healthy-water-best-filters.com/drink-salt-water.html

The Old Copper Washing Tub

2010-10-16T08:35:00.000-04:00

The Old Copper Washing Machine

by Marty Clayton Banfield

While browsing for a new washer/dryer the other day, I found it hard to decide just WHICH new appliance to pick from. The new washer/dryer sets looked like something I used to see in the "Jetson's" cartoon tv show, or some sort of time machine! I couldn't help but think that I would almost be afraid that my clothes might disappear and end up somewhere on Mars if I washed in one of them! Also, I couldn't help but think how far mankind has progressed in just one century!

This past week, we took the grandkids to the SC State Museum in Columbia, where we saw many recreated "sets" or models of homes, including many actual appliances from the 1950's. We saw an old vacuum cleaner just like the one someone's mother had used. I saw an old mixing bowl similar to one my grandmother had mixed her cakes in.

However, the most amazing thing about this exhibit, to me, was an old washing machine, whose tub was made out of solid copper. I couldn't help but remember those "space age" washers I had seen a few days before. What a difference time makes!

While gazing at that old copper tub, a vivid memory flashed through my mind, of my grandmother's old wood stove. On one side of her kitchen, she still had an old wood stove with four burners. With the passage of time, my daddy had bought her a new electric stove, and she was having a little trouble adjusting to it. So, as a child about 10 years old, I got to see this "transition of time", right in my grandma's kitchen.

I would help to feed chopped wood into that old wood stove, and then she would set an old kettle on one of the burners, and a pot of food on another. However, she would use the electric stove to bake her biscuits. There she would be, standing in her kitchen, caught between the old and trying to adjust to the new!

This reminds me of how many of us have had to adjust to the computer age as well! Typewriters almost seem to be a thing of the past now. Yet, each generation has to adjust to progress in whatever way they can, and we all seem to get caught in this "transition of time" in different ways. Scripture says that to every thing, there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.

I guess this is the time and place we of this generation were all destined to be born into. I am just glad that the Lord had mercy on me, and didn't have me here when the women had to wash clothes by hand! Thank you Lord!

Musical Roots Run Deep

2010-10-16T08:28:00.000-04:00

The Group "Sleytown" with the Gardeners of Sleytown, Barnwell, SC.

"Musical Roots Run Deep"

by Marty Clayton Banfield

I first had the pleasure of meeting the "Gardners" at the Ehrhardt Memorial Lutheran Church Schuetzenfest Singspiration one summer, at Ehrhardt, SC. They were performing there, and everyone loved their renditions of some of the old time hymns of the church. Evelyn Gardner of Hilda, SC, a sister of Wanda Mears of Ehrhardt, was playing a mountain dulcimer, while her husband, Mr. Gardner, was playing a very unusual instrument called a "picking stick." (See photo above)

The Gardner's also recently performed at the Old Time Horse Farmer's Gathering near Blackville, S.C. Mr & Mrs. Gardner play with other musicians, making up the 5 piece acoustic music group called "Sleytown." Their group, "Sleytown" performs old time "sitting on your front porch" music reminiscent of the old days and you will thoroughly enjoy hearing them. They are busy keeping alive the music of an era gone by, and at the same time, doing something they thoroughly enjoy. Most of the members of the group are actually from "Sleytown", the small community just outside of Hilda, S.C. and they play for many different festivals and gatherings.

Here's to the Gardeners of Sleytown, for helping to keep history alive!.

Southern Fried Chicken!

2010-10-16T08:15:00.002-04:00

Grandkids at the Blackville Heritage Center Family Display

(photo by Marty Clayton Banfield)

Southern Fried Chicken
by Marty Clayton Banfield

Oh my, how times have changed! Not a whole lot of families say grace before they eat nowadays. When I was growing up, however, we always said grace before we ate, and we really had alot to be thankful for, even though we weren't aware of it. One incident in particular made me forever thankful to God for my food! I hope there are some young people reading this, because I am sure you will get an inkling of just HOW MUCH you truly have to BE thankful for!

When I think of fried chicken, I always think of my mama. She was one of those little old ladies who was always thankful to God for her many blessings. Our family raised chickens commercially, as a sideline income, and we had 3000 of them, whew! There were 6 of us kids, and one night we wanted chicken for supper, so my mama picked out a nice looking rooster! He had SUPPER written all over him, unbenownst to this rooster.

I was just a little girl about 8 years old, but I can still see my mama attempting to wring that rooster's neck. Yes, in those days you had to kill the chickens to eat them, and people actually still did that when I was growing up. Can you imagine this, you young folks? No, I didn't think so! (Smile!)

My mama grabbed that rooster by the neck, and swung that rooster up in the air and twirled him around about 3 times, trying to break his neck. I thought sure he was a goner, but she set him down, he staggered a little, and then promptly ran off! Not giving up, my mama waited another minute or so and went after him again, grabbed him by the neck again , twirled him around and around three more times in the air, attempting once again to break his neck! This rooster just had staying power, and again, he just staggered, shook his head, and ran off again. My mama was bound and determined, though, and she reenacted this neck-wringing scenario one last time, wrung him by the neck 3 more times, but he just staggered off again, shook his head and ran off! I knew then that we weren't going to have fried chicken for supper!

As far as I know, I never saw my mama ever try to wring another chicken's neck, and we ate bought chicken from that point on. I think that incident hurt my mama's heart as much as it did me to see it! We were all grateful that we didn't have to see what happened to our food before it got to our table! However, this rooster incident gave me a great desire to always be thankful for the food God has given us, but I have to say that I am extra thankful for KFC, and the Big Chic!

We should all take the time and give God the appreciation and thanks that He so greatly deserves, especially for our daily bread! After all, it could be worse, you could have to worry about chasing your food down and having it stagger off and run away! So I thank God everyday for fast fried chicken and for food that doesn't run away. Now I somehow have a craving for fried chicken, and yes, I want it already cooked and ready to eat. I don't want to chance it's running away from me!

I think I am going to fry myself up some southern fried chicken now, all this writing has made me hungry. Yes, and I think I will have coleslaw and mashed potatoes and gravy with it, and some good old homemade biscuits too. Supper is at 6 pm, see you all later! Ya'll come back now, ya hear?

Matthew 6:11
Give us this day our daily bread.

Acts 2:46
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.

Marty Clayton Banfield

Love Is A Small Silver Pitcher

2010-10-03T11:45:00.002-04:00

Yesterday my daughter and I went "yardsaling" around the small town in which we live, Bamberg, SC. I call Bamberg, SC a "small town" when in fact, my own small hometown of Ehrhardt, SC is even smaller! Yes, I was born and raised a small town girl, but I have only come to appreciate that fact in recent years. Yardsales are just one among many things I like about living in a small town and not a big city. I have lived in many "big cities" and I have now "come home."

To get to my story now! We started out our day with the blessing of cool weather, for a change. It really felt like Fall, and so there were many yardsales everywhere. We eventually ended up at two different yard sales, and one actual "Garage Sale." It was actually IN someone's garage, and I have to add that this was my very first "bonafied" garage sale.

The lady having the "garage sale" mentioned to us that it happened to be her birthday, and so about 12 of us "Yardsalers" stopped and sang an impromptu Happy Birthday to her. It felt good, doing a "random act of kindess" like that.

Finally, my daughter and I ended up at our last yardsale on Main Street in Bamberg. I spotted a "Star Trek" movie I wanted to add to my collection, and I bought that and also a harmonica, which was worth much more than the $3.00 I paid for it.

My daughter came up with one small little item, that made a BIG impression on me, and which is the focus of this article. She had in her hands a pretty small, tiny sort of silver pitcher, that looked similar to a pitcher you would put cream in for coffe. I was a little puzzled by that little silver pitcher, to say the least. She held it like a treasure and had a smile on her face as she looked at it.

Finally, after we left the yardsale, she told me that her husband had bought her two other slightly larger "little pitchers" just like that one. She informed me that the other two were of graduated sizes, and the one she had just bought would make three small silver pitchers, each of a smaller size than the other.

On the way home, she told me that her husband had asked her to buy something for HIM also. She replied that she had bought that little silver pitcher for him. I thought it odd until we got to her home.

She took me in and showed me the other two small silver pitchers up on top of one of her kitchen cabinets. Sure enough, the one she had just bought would complete the set. Then I understood.

As I left her house, she was walking outside with that small silver pitcher, to take it to her husband who was outside doing some work.

I could plainly see the LOVE present in that little silver pitcher. In the past, her husband had bought her plenty of roses and chocolates and other gifts, but those little silver pitchers had meant so much to her.

You see, it's not the money involved behind a gift. It is the LOVE! It's a small silver pitcher, or it could be just a simple wildflower, or just about anything. It doesn't have to be the big, costly things, when it comes from the heart. Love, true love and kindness, like my daughters "little silver pitchers", only have to come from the heart.

Blown Up Eggs!

2010-09-21T21:00:00.002-04:00

"Blown Up Eggs!"

by Marty Clayton Banfield
copyright 2007

You know the old saying, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade? Well, I have discovered a new version of this old saying. When life throws you a curve ball, you have to remember that God is still in charge, and that "this too will pass". God can always take our "messes" and turn them into "blesses."

My grandchildren were visiting and I was cooking breakfast for them one morning, and so I asked if they wanted grits and eggs. They had seen me poaching eggs before for my husband James, and they decided that they too wanted poached eggs. I said to the kids, "OK, poached eggs it is!" I had only attempted to poach eggs in the microwave once or twice, but I thought I could manage this with no problem.

Needless to say, I was standing by the microwave when I heard a small explosion, and the kids promptly said, "What was THAT?" They came running to see, and as I opened the door to the microwave, we saw eggs splattered everywhere, top to bottom! The eggs didn't make it, needless to say, they had a sad explosive demise.

The kids began laughing, and so I went on and cooked the eggs on the stove instead. However, the next time they came over, they wanted eggs again. I went to cook them on the stove, but they said, "No, we want poached eggs!" So, I carefully used the microwave that time and tried not to "blow them up!"

As I took the eggs out, nice and perfectly poached, I noticed their sad faces drooping. When asked why the sad faces, they both said in unison, "We wanted blown up eggs!" The kids managed to find some fun in the "blown up eggs", when I was worried about getting them perfectly poached.

The lesson to be learned from this is: Many times the devil hands us lemons, or get us to "blow up our eggs", but the Lord just continues trying to show us how to make lemonade out of it!

I know that in times of sickness, or even death, we cannot see any good in any of it, but scripture says that "All things work together for good to them that love the Lord," and this is where you must walk in faith, and you must continue to BELIEVE that God is working things out. You must trust that God is working everything for your good, and that one day you will see the fruit of your faith.

Some of the greatest inventions happened by accident in this very same way.

Velcro was accidentally discovered by an inventor who walked his dog and noticed how the cockleburrs stuck to the dogs fur. Penicillin was discovered while studying the flu. So, God can use even what we call accidents to benefit all of mankind.

In Hebrews 11:6, it says that without Faith, it is impossible to please God! So, I encourage you all to let God help you to squeeze the worry and bitterness out of your lives, and help you to turn what you think is bad, into something good.

Now, I think I will go sit on my front porch with a nice tall glass of fresh squeezed lemonade, just to remind myself of how God can and will work in our lives. I will clean up that messy microwave later, after all, as Scarlett O'Hara was fond of saying, "I will think about it tomorrow!."

Yes, our God is able, but we must continue to walk in faith. Won't you join me in a nice cold glass of lemonade?

God Bless You All! Ya'll come back now, ya hear?

Marty Clayton Banfield

martybanfield@gmail.com

Grits, Ya Gotta Love 'Em!

2010-09-21T20:51:00.003-04:00

Grits~Ya Gotta Love 'em!

by Marty Clayton Banfield
copyright 2008

Here in the South, we love our grits! I love to fry my eggs up well done, chop them up, then mix them up in my grits, with a slice of toast, a cup of coffee, and umm ummm, that is some good eating! Grits are something we southerners have taken for granted, however.

I was putting my suitcase away, after just arriving for a friendly visit with my nephew and his wife in Stephenville, Tx, and I was already wondering if I would be able to find GRITS at the Texas restaurant. I have to admit that I felt a sort of letdown thinking about not having my steaming bowl of good old southern grits. Oh well, I pondered, I will just have hashbrowns, and not show my disappointment! Can't let a little thing like GRITS spoil a visit with family, now can we?!The next morning, I was pleasantly surprised to find that they had grits at the little Mom and Pop restaurant where we all ate, and they were all so nice when they found out we were from South Carolina. They got very attentive to us and began showing us their "Texas Hospitality"....I guess they couldn't let us beat them with OUR SOUTHERN hospitality!

Now I will tell you a truth-my husband James just doesn't know what to DO with grits! He takes them and puts SUGAR on them...and eats them like cereal. Yes, in my opinion, he "yankeefies" them. But then, he was born in Erie, PA, via California, so I am still trying to make a Southerner out of him...(sigh) Oh it downright hurts me to watch him ruin a good bowl of grits like that.

I recall my mother telling me that in North Carolina, her home state, they threw grits to the chickens, and she had never eaten grits until she came to SC with my Daddy. It just takes a little while to learn the true southern way of eating grits, but if you are willing to learn, you will soon be substituting your hashbrowns for GRITS GRITS GRITS in no time, and saying ya'll instead of you all.

The origin of grits is entwined with the American Indians and the Jamestown Colony. The Indians offered the Jamestown colonists bowls of boiled corn mush they called "rockahomine," and which was later on shortened to "Hominy" by the colonists. In the S.C. Low Country, grits are almost always served as part of a true southern breakfast, and I can attest to that myself!

We even eat SHRIMP and grits here in the SC Lowcountry. Well, I had better go check on my pot of grits, before they boil over... I don't want any extra work to do right now, since I have in mind just setting a spell out by my "redneck riviera", that ever so lovely swamp in my backyard.

Ya'll come back now, ya hear?

Marty Clayton Banfield

martybanfield@gmail.com

To My Son, and all members of the body of Christ

2010-09-13T10:21:00.003-04:00

To my my Son, (and every member of the body of Christ)

Now that you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, your name is now written in the book of life, in heaven.

Luke 10: 17-20:

(17)And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. (18) And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. (19) Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (20) Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

You are among the citizenship of the Kingdom of God.

Ephesians 2:19 says, "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;"

All of the rights of inheritance, of being an heir are yours NOW, not just when you get to Heaven. Yet, how do you begin to see this, when it looks as if the "whole world is on your shoulders?" (Just like the song you wrote) What spiritual advice do I give to you, now that you are in Christ Jesus, and now a citizen of Heaven, yet here facing the daily trials and tribulations here on earth?

I will tell you that you now have a DUAL citizenship, one here on earth and one in Heaven. The one in Heaven, we cannot see now, and we can only live in it NOW by FAITH. By our belief, and knowing that we ARE citizens of Heaven, is what will keep you going when the battle gets rough. Just know that even though it looks like the waves are going to come over the sides of the boat and sink it, that you are safe, and Jesus is there with you, because He said He will NEVER leave us nor forsake us. You have to learn to TRUST the Word of God, and that all He said is TRUE. That is your lifeline, that even though you cannot SEE God at work, you learn to trust by faith that He is there and working in your life.

Deuternomy 31:6:

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he [it is] that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Hebrews 11:1: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (2)For by it the elders obtained a good report. (3) Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Always remember the above: Faith is a SUBSTANCE, and it is not a concrete thing that is seen. Yet, the world itself was created by the Word God spoke, and then it came into existence. God had to have a plan in his "mind" even before He spoke the world into existence. So, FAITH and BELIEF are the framework God built upon, and so it is with us humans also. This is why it is SO important to believe, even when you cannot see, because you are also building the SPIRITUAL FRAMEWORK for what is to come to pass, by your belief in something. If even God had a PLAN, and thought this world out before He spoke the world into existence, then we are no different. There HAS to be belief, before the thing comes into existence. FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE, it is the spiritual blueprint!

So everything, and I mean everything in your walk with Christ, will hinge and depend on FAITH! The devil will try and cause circumstances to come against you, to stop you from keeping that blueprint of FAITH in your mind and heart. If he can steal the BLUEPRINT (your faith) he can steal the whole thing. This is why you cannot please God without FAITH! As a new citizen of Heaven, you have to learn NEW RULES...and the first one is that you have to learn to TRUST, and believe, without ever seeing anything with your natural eyes to believe in. This is FAITH!

Hebrews 11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

I know this might not give you comfort right now, when things seem so tough...and you are asking, where is He? You don't see any evidence that He is here helping you....but just remember how with your own children, they had many bumps and possible bruises before they learned to walk. This is where you are right now, as a "baby" or new Christian. You are still LEARNING how to walk in the spirit everyday, and HOW to live in a world gone crazy, and yet how to turn back to Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith.

When your child first tries to walk, they first crawl, then grab onto things to pull themselves up. If they did not have a natural given FAITH, would they keep on trying after they fail, so many times? God has given us all a measure of faith. That is how we are , as new Christians. Sometimes we need to lean on something else also , to pull ourselves back up. This is where mature Christians, who have already learned to walk on their own, can come in and encourage you to keep on, you WILL learn to walk. Pull yourself up and go again!

After you begin "pulling" yourself up, you will begin to take a few steps on your own, but you will most probably end up on your rear end quite a few times, after those few steps, right? Remember, that you don't just stay on the floor on your little butt, because it hurt and you are afraid...do you? No, a baby still continues on, in spite of the pain. They eventually learn to walk. Just remember it takes awhile even for a baby to learn how to walk on their own, and it will for you also. Learning to trust that even though you have failed to walk a thousand times, there will come that time when you WILL! That is faith.

Once they are walking, you as a parent want them to walk on their own, and so you allow them to take those steps on their own, but you are RIGHT THERE in the wings, waiting if they might hurt themselves. Also, as a parent, you try and keep all furniture, etc. out of the child's way, so that they don't hurt themselves. But, remember, you DON'T TRY and stop them from learning to walk, you have to sit and watch sometimes, even when they hurt themselves. You are there to soothe them and rock them when they get hurt or cry. This is how the Lord is also, with us.

Every new Christian goes through the process of learning to "Walk in the Spirit" on their own. So, remember that until you learn to do it on your own, rest assured that God is there with you, like any good parent, watching as you fall, get hurt, and pick yourself back up. He is there, even if you cannot see Him. This is something that He has to allow you to do, however, to learn how to walk effectively in the spirit. If God simply protected you from the devil all of the time (the obstacles, the tables, chairs, etc) you would never learn to walk on your own. He wants us to depend on HIm, but at the same time go out and do His work on this earth.

So this testing that comes to you now, is God allowing you to learn to walk, and trust in HIM. God is allowing your FAITH to be built, by the obstacles you are going through. You are learning to WALK IN THE SPIRIT, by FAITH!

I will also tell you that the battle REALLY begins now that you ARE a citizen of heaven, yet still here on earth. The earth is still the devil's domain, and we will prove ourselves worthy here in fleshly bodies.

1 John 2:15-17 (KJV) 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Just remember, that He is there with you at all times, and He will NEVER leave you NOR forsake you!

Labor Day!

2010-09-06T11:48:00.004-04:00

Labor Day generally marks the end of the Summer Season. In the USA, the summer season usually begins with Memorial Day and ends with Labor Day. Labor Day also marks the NFL Football Season, and Nascar racing as well. School also starts, but most schools have started back much sooner than Labor Day. Picnics, and last of the summer parties and such are usually enjoyed on Labor Day.

So why am I talking about the history of Labor Day? Well, this brings us back to the very first "Labor Day" which to me, is the 7th day, when God rested from creating the earth. Even God "rested" from His labor.

So, that is our first TRUE Labor Day, as mankind, for me.

Now there has been MUCH debate over WHICH day is to be observed as the official "Sabbath" Day. We also know that much in the Old Testament was considered to be "Shadows of things to come." Much of the Old Testament Law was fulfilled by the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

When the Pharisees questioned Jesus about WHY he and his disciples picked corn on the Sabbath Day, here is the response:

Jesus said, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27).

From this scripture, I deduce that we are not to be ENSLAVED by a day in and of itself. If you are hungry, or have a vital human need, then you need to tend to this, even IF it is the Sabbath Day. Otherwise, you are enslaved to a DAY. If your OX is in the ditch, for goodness sakes, go and get it out!

Otherwise, I believe the Sabbath is to be a day of REST and refreshing, and communing with the Lord.

God didn't "rest" on the Sabbath because He was tired...and the actual Hebrew word there "Shavat", usually translated as "rested" would be much more accurately translated as "abstained." So, this would cause the sentence to read like this: "God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because He ABSTAINED from all His work."

It's about man or woman RESTING! Also, putting your thoughts on the Lord could be better done on a day when you aren't WORKING, right? So, I believe that is why the two should go together.

More later on the subject!

Spiritual Butterfly

2010-09-02T18:00:00.005-04:00

This is an older post, but I wanted to post it here on my new blog! Be sure to watch the video below, also!

SPIRITUAL BUTTERFLY~

by Marty Clayton-Banfield

I was at the beach with some friends, about five years ago, and as we arrived at the beach, we parked and walked to the beach. As we got out of the van, we immediately saw two yellow butterflies chasing each other, as if they were dancing with each other. They stayed right in front of us about 5 feet as we walked. As we moved, they moved forward, doing their little flitting dance.

As we walked the boardwalk toward the beach, they seemed to go in front

of us part of the way, then when the wind got strong, we didn't notice

them anymore, knowing they could not fly against that strong of a wind, and onto

the beach we went.

We then walked out into the shallow surf. My two friends, who

were brothers, and full blood Navajo, were both out walking with their

pant legs rolled up, and looking for shells in the surf. Most of you

are familiar with how the wind at the beach is really strong, once you

get out into the water, at least it is here in South Carolina.

It was whipping my hair and just whipping everywhere in the surf, as well.

While these two friends were visiting from New Mexico, I took them to

dip their feet into the Atlantic ocean, so that was our main purpose in

going to the beach.

As the two Navajo brothers walked out farther in the surf, I was

left alone. The waves and the beach were SO beautiful that I began

thanking the Lord and soon I began feeling the Lord's presence, the anointing.

I knew the Lord was there, and so I began to praise God even more.

I am sure no one could have heard me anyway, with that strong wind and the crashing

of the waves. I was singing and worshipping.

It was just so heavenly, standing there feeling the presence of the Lord like that

with my feet in the ocean, hearing the crashing of the waves. Oh, it

was so wonderful...

Then, I sensed something, and so I turned and looked over at the two brothers, and saw my

friend Tully (one of the brothers) looking at me. Tully then left his brother and came over to me.

He must have thought that I felt bad, being alone. He came and stood about 3 feet from me, and then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, one of the same butterflies, a yellow one, just appeared before our very eyes.

One minute it was not there, and then the next, it was just THERE! Also, another amazing thing is that we both saw the butterfly at the same time. Immediately when I saw the butterfly, it appeared to be flapping it's wings as normal as if there was not any wind at all. In other words, the wind

didn't even bother it at all, which was really an impossibility.

There was no way that strong wind would not have whipped that butterfly away

or in pieces at least. When Tully and I saw the butterfly, it was near him, and I

then instantly KNEW the butterfly was going to land on him. Sure enough, he reached out

his hand and the buttefly landed on his hand.

When I saw that, I also immediately KNEW in the spirit that it was coming to land on ME

next, and I knew it was going to land on my heart!

Sure enough, the butterfly came straight to me, and landed directly on my chest, right

over my heart, just like I knew it was going to. I felt almost like I

had been kissed by the Lord, and knew I had been touched by the Lord!

It was so awesome!!! Then, we both simply watched the butterfly- and one

minute it was on my chest, and then the next, it alighted from my chest,

our eyes riveted on this butterfly the whole time.

Then, right in front of our very eyes, IT SIMPLY WENT POOF and vanished!

Tully looked all around and then said, "Where did it go? It just VANISHED into thin air? "

He looked at me and I looked at him and we both KNEW that it was a supernatural

visit from the Lord!

Tully then turned to me and said, "You know we

have just had a visitation from the Holy Spirit" and I said "Yes, I know!"

We all proceeded back to our vehicle then, and on the way back, near

the Boardwalk, the same two butterflies were there again, flitting and

dancing right in front of us, as if they had first escorted us to the beach, and then

they had escorted us back to our van.

That is why butterflies are so special to me now. I know the Holy

Spirit can visit you in any of God's creation now.

I call them "spiritual butterflies," for this very reason.

Now you know why BUTTERFLIES mean so much to me.

Marty Clayton-Banfield

martybanfield@gmail.com

September is Here!

2010-09-01T12:15:00.003-04:00

With a big sigh of relief, I can finally say that it is September. No, the leaves haven't yet begun to think of changing colors. In fact, we can probably look foward to another one of those famous "Indian Summers" which are so plentiful down here in the South. So many hot sticky summer days I have gone through, not liking them any more than all of the years before. So I could complain about the summer, and then when it gets winter, I could complain again about it being too cold, right? That is what most of us do, including me!

But here is what the Bible says about complaining, in case we have forgotten. It is in the nature of human beings to forget easily, and I believe that is why the Lord, through the Apostle Paul, says for us to think only on things that are true, honest, and of GOOD report. Notice how he mentions that the PEACE of God, which passeth all understanding, will keep your mind and heart, if you think on these things.

Phillipians 4: 6: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on
these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

So now let me do a quick rewrite, after reading the way I am supposed to speak, as a follower of Christ.

It is September already! Thank you Lord for letting us make it through the long, hot summer. You have sustained us in all that we have done. Now it is almost time for fall. I look forward to seeing the leaves beginning to turn color, and to the time when they will fall from the trees. I also look forward to seeing the leaves on the ground. As it begins to turn cooler, I look forward to the family cookouts we can have in our backyard, once again.

In all that you have created Lord, I will find beauty. Even in the trees shedding their leaves, there is beauty. Even the bare tree limbs, which will be here before we know it, will I see your beauty Lord, yes, in all that you have created.

We should be able to see that you have given us the choice of eternal life, Lord, from the death of the plants and tree leaves. They fall from the tree , but the tree only goes dormant and then bursts forth in the spring with new leaves. The plants die on the top of the ground, to the visible eye, but they also burst forth in spring with new plant bodies. This should show us God's plan of salvation and eternal life.

1 Corinthians 15: 37And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.

This is telling us that the SEED that is planted in the ground, will have another body above the ground. THE SEED is not the body, but only a seed, and the body will burst forth above the ground. This is saying to us that our bodies on earth are like this, like seeds, but our IMMORTAL bodies will be another type of body, just like the lily is planted from a BULB, but the LILLY itself, comes forth FROM the seed.

I think it is good to real the whole verse in context, also, so here it is:

1 Corinthians 15: 35-57

35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 36Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 37And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 38But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. 39All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 40There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

42So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Marty Clayton Banfield

email: martybanfield@gmail.com

Gone Fishin'

2010-08-31T21:07:00.001-04:00

Gone Fishin'~by Marty Clayton Banfield

I remember the times when I used to go fishing with my Daddy. Those memories are very precious to me now, although I couldn't appreciate them at the time. My Daddy loved to fish in his spare time off from work. I remember the time that he took me fishing with him on the Ashepoo River, down near Charleston.

My Daddy could cast really good with a rod and reel and would cast out in the middle of the river. I didn't like to cast, so I had a good old trusty cane pole and was "jiggling" for fish nearer the banks. Now I know you are wondering just what "jiggling" for fish means, right?

Maybe it was a fluke, but I would put the cane pole into the water, with a worm on it, but I would begin to jiggle and jerk the line around. I caught more fish than my Daddy that day and each time I went with him, I caught more than him with that technique!

He said he had never seen anyone "Jiggle" for fish before, and we had a good laugh at that. I kind of got the impression that he thought it might be ok for a girl to "jiggle" for fish, but not for a man. I think he might have thought of it as "girlie" fishing.

I also have many good memories of my Daddy baiting my hook with worms , since I couldn't seem to stand to do that myself. Also, going in the boat on the river was an all day affair for us, so we would stop and eat a picnic lunch, which my mama had prepared for us. My Daddy always ate bologna and thick slices of cheese, with peanut butter & jelly sandwiches as his lunch , when fishing on the river.

We always put the sandwiches in a cooler, and we would pull them out around lunch time. They were always wrapped in old time "waxed paper" and my mama always sliced real thick chunks of real cheese for those sandwiches. We would sit in the boat and eat, just enjoying the river and being out in nature, and then get right back to fishing. Let me tell you, my Daddy was a SERIOUS fisherman and always came home with huge coolers full of fish. I will never forget those times of fishing on the river with my Daddy.

My daddy sure left a family legacy of fishing to my brother Jerry & Ben, who can catch fish when no one else can catch them. My brother Ben has even taken storebought fishing lures, and altered and recarved and repainted them to catch fish like I have never seen! This is his guarded secret, and how he catches so many fish. So, when my brothers are not home, I know they are just "GONE FISHIN", and I always ask them to catch some redbreast for me, so that I can have my "poor man's caviar~fish eggs."

Now, I believe it was not an accident when Jesus chose common fishermen to be among his own disciples. According to John 21:2, there were seven of his diciples who were fishermen. By this, I know that fishermen are close to God's heart, for only fishermen would know just what it meant to bait a hook, and even to get a fish on the line, and then let the fish run with the bait for awhile before "setting" the hook.

Jesus knew that those who were fishermen would be able to put this same knowledge to work in "fishing for men." Jesus alone knows which lure to use, because all fish are not caught on the same lure. Some fish are tough to catch, but it is just our job to show up for the fishing trip! Only Jesus can make us "fishers of men."

I am sure glad that the Lord sent someone to "fish" for my own soul, and I am one fish that was sure glad to be caught, in the end. Once you have signed up for the "Great Commission" in Mark 16:15: "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" then you have signed up to "GO FISHING."

Now, I am going to sit down to a plate of good old southern fried fish, hushpuppies, and slaw, and I will thank the Lord for this meal, as well as for His "fishermen" who provided it. So many fish, so little time! Jesus is coming soon! Let's get to fishing! Ya'll come back now, ya hear? God Bless You All!

Matthew 4:19

And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Mathew. 4:20

And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

Marty Clayton Banfield

email: martybanfield@gmail.com

Scuppernongs!

2010-08-31T20:31:00.002-04:00

A few years ago, while visiting in Northern Calfornia, I was privileged to be able to tour Napa & Sonoma Valleys, which are located in Sonoma County, Calif., world famous for it's wines. The beautiful lush, green valleys there were filled with mile after mile of groomed vineyards, with the mountains cascading as a backdrop. Oh, it was truly breathtaking!

So many different famous vineyards were right next door to each other, it seemed. I saw beehives in front of one famous vineyard, and my husband, being from California, told me that the bees pollenate the grape vines. I couldn't help but smile, after seeing all of those famous vineyards, while thinking back to a simpler time, when I was a little girl, here in South Carolina, and of my Grandmama Annie's own "Scuppernong" grapevine.

Yes, I remember well my Grandmother's Scuppernong grapevine, which grew near the back of her house. I am sure that many of you also have fond memories of eating scuppernongs, a variety of southern grape, also called "swamp grapes". My brother and I loved to sneak into the middle of the grapevine, hidden from her sight by the thick foliage of the vines, and pick and eat some of her forbidden grapes! Whenever she caught us in there, she would always shout for us to get away from those grapes and leave them alone. She was saving them to make homemade jelly and didn't want us to eat all of them.

Later we would always be mighty glad when we ate those wonderful homemade jelly sandwiches, however. The homemade jelly was cooked and canned by my Grandmother's loving hands. We would then be very glad that we had been scolded to "leave those grapes alone!" I have very fond memories of watching my Grandmother stirring the jelly to see if it was congealed right, and helping her to put the jelly into jelly jars, and take them to her "Pantry" , carefully placing them on the shelves as if they were treasures.

My days of sneaking my Grandmother's grapes were short lived, however, after the day my brother and I saw a snake crawling through the vines. I was never in need of any prompting to stay out of the grape arbour after that, as I wanted to stay as far away from the grapevine as I could get! Isn't it just like a snake to always ruin a good thing? I am sure that is exactly how Adam and Eve felt too.

I was shocked to later discover that the acutual spelling of the word was "scuppernong", since we simply called them "Scuppanongs" in a deep southern slang. Doing a little research into the origin of the scuppernong, I found that it derives its name from a River in North Carolina. and during the 17th and 18th centuries, cuttings of the scuppernong mother vine were grown around Scuppernong, a small town in North Carolina. The name of the town and river eventually came to be used in reference to the Scuppernong grapes.

Now, there is a wonderful lesson to be learned from the grapevine. Many of you might be familiar with John 15: 5 and the parable of the Vine and the Branches:

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

This particular parable is one of my favorites, with Jesus stating that He is the True Vine and that we are the branches. Also, in John 15:1 the scripture states that God is the husbandman, or owner of the vineyard. The main point of this parable, however, is that we can do nothing unless we stay attached to the VINE (Jesus) and receive the life-giving sap from the vine.

When a branch does not receive it's lifegiving flow from the Vine, it will wither and die. It is also stated that the branches which do not receive the lifegiving flow, and which wither, will be plucked up and burnt. So, the main point is that we MUST stay attached to Jesus, who is the "True Vine." Also, when we are attached to the vine, we don't have to force ourselves to bear fruit, it will happen naturally, since the lifegiving "sap" will flow into us and naturally produce fruit.

All we have to do is stay "attached" to the Vine. Then the fruits of the Spirit, as Paul referred to in Galations 5:22, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, will become evident in our lives. This fruit that becomes evident in our lives will then be plucked by those who are hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and our "fruit" will be a testimony that we are followers of Jesus Christ.

Also, we as Christians cannot sit back and be complacent, we must ever be watchful to stay attached to the Vine and not be diverted from our true mission, which is to bear much "fruit", thereby helping to bring many others to Christ Jesus when they see our fruit. May we all be ever watchful to stay attached to the True Vine, Jesus Christ.

In conclusion, it was very nice to see all of those wonderful world-class vineyards in California. But, as for me, well I am still just a true Southern country girl at heart, so give me my warm fuzzy childhood memories of my Grandmother's old "scuppernong" grapevine.

Yes, I'll take some good old country southern scuppernongs anyday, and pass the grape jelly please, while you are at it!

God Bless You All!

email: martybanfield@gmail.com

The Rose

2010-08-31T17:07:00.000-04:00

Below is a picture of my husband James. This was taken over a year ago, during a Charleston Harbour Cruise, in Charleston SC. Looking back on these memories, everything looked so easy and breezy, and our minds tend to filter out anything that is unpleasant, even a year later.

To look at this photo, one would only think about that wonderful day, July 4th, 2009. You would not see all of the care and concern that went into this one day. To begin with, James took a week or so to search for and charter an all afternoon cruise on the yacht "Sara Rose," which we enjoyed immensely. However, so many times we don't see all of the "behind the scenes" work that is involved in making these good memories.

James and the Captain of the Sarah Rose, in Charleston Harbour

For instance, to make this a very special day, James chartered the cruise for the whole afternoon, since his brother and wife were driving in from their home in Las Vegas. I went out and bought all of the food, which I then placed in a big rolling cooler. There were finger foods galore. There was sliced watermelon, chicken salad and pimento cheese sandwiches, fresh salad fixings , vegetable tray with dip, chicken wings, ham and cheese rollups, and all sorts of sweets and other goodies. It was a finger food afternoon in the busy Charleston Harbour, let me tell you.

We drove to Charleston and had someone take us out to the boat on the harbour club golf cart. Also, the Captain of the ship loaded the heavy cooler onto the boat for us. I was worried the day before, knowing that we ourselves could not load that heavy cooler up the 7 steps to get on the yacht. My fears were relieved afterwards, though.

Once we got on the yacht, it all changed, and we could relax once I got all of the food unloaded and out of the cooler, so that we could serve ourselves at any time during the cruise. Then we just all relaxed and enjoyed the cruize, watching all of the other boats enjoying their Fourth of July.

We are very glad that we got to enjoy that Fourth of July Cruise in 2009. You had better smell the roses or daffodils along the way, it is so very true. Life can be a winding path with many twists and turns along the way, so if you see a rose bush, you had better stop.

On New Year's Eve of 2010, my husband had his left big toe amputated, and has now had 4 operations in 2010 alone. He spent THIS July 4th, 2010 in the Veteran's Hospital.

I remember James was just getting ready to go into surgery for a heart stent, and the hospital food he had this year, 2010, was watermelon, ham, and potato salad, a semblance of Fourth of July picnic food. We thought about the previous year's Fourth of July, and our wonderful Harbour Cruise, and we were both glad that we took the time to do it. As I sat on the edge of his hospital bed, I was glad that we took that cruise.

The yacht's name was "Sarah Rose" and when we look back now, we are very glad that we took the time to smell the roses, or should we say the "Sara Rose."

Don't ever overlook a rose, it is worth the prick of the thorns, to get to the rose.

Another Rose

Words and Music by

Marty Clayton-Banfield

A flower will grow strong in the ground
But it can die, without even a sound
And when the cold wind blows
It will kill the Rose

But another will grow on the other side….

Chorus:

But in Heaven, no flower ever dies
There will be no tears, and no one ever cries
And a Rose grows strong and will survive,
A Rose grows forever on the other side…

Now Jesus walks in His Garden everyday
The most beautiful flowers cannot stay
And only Jesus knows, which flowers must go
And will be picked by Jesus’ own hand….

Now Jesus picked another rose today
In this earthly garden He could not stay
And only Jesus knows, which flowers must go
And will be picked by Jesus’ own hand….

copyright 2001, Martha Clayton, BMI, Inc.

Marty Clayton Banfield

email: martybanfield@gmail.com

Jesus Gave It All

2010-08-31T15:56:00.000-04:00

JESUS GAVE ALL

The rarest Rose of all

The Rose of Sharon

My God and My King

They crowned you

with a crown of thorns...

and the thorns upon

this Rose

drew blood...

and the nails...

and the lashes on your back ...

but

oh the blood of Jesus that ever lives

that flowed from

the King of Kings and Lord of Lords

down upon the mercy seat...

Hallelujah

Behold the Lamb of God

some give a little

and some give alot...

but

Jesus gave it ALL...

by Marty Clayton-Banfield

Shorter Days

2010-08-31T10:27:00.000-04:00

Tuesday August 31, 2010

This is the last day of August, thank God! I never liked the month of August, no matter what. It is always too hot for my liking. My little brother's birthday is in August, but other than that, there is nothing else that appeals to me about this month. As far as I can remember, my little brother Jimmy being born, is the only good thing I can remember about the month of August!

Do you ever wonder where the names of the months came from? Here is some interesting background.

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/history-of-august.html

Let's just say that July was named after JULIUS and August was named after a ruler named AUGUSTUS.

If you read on the above link, you will also see that the month of August used to be only 30 days, but since the emperor Julius (July) had 31 days, a day had to be taken from FEBRUARY, so that the month named for emperor Augustus (August) would also have 31 days. Couldn't let another emperor have more days than HIM! Poor February got ROBBED so that August could have an extra day.

About the third week in August, I begin "feeling" something in my spirit, and I could never understand exactly what it was, until I saw that this is when the days get down to about 13 hours of light, and ever shortening. My whole body is very sensitive to light, and this is when I notice the movement of summer into the fall. My body notices this change the last 2 weeks of August.

Speaking of light, the Medical community has now noticed that many people are deficient in Vitamin D...the sunshine vitamin. Now, vitamin companies are adding Vitamin D in all of the vitamins. My theory is that there are so many people now on computers, who don't get outside and get any real sunshine. I am not talking over exposure either. I am talking at least 15 minutes a day. The Mayo Clinic (link below) suggests only 10.

Also, something which the suntan people do not tell you is that when you wear sunscreen, it blocks you from making the VITAMIN D you need. They don't want you to know this either. So, here you have a mass shortage in people of Vitamin D. I mentioned computers and people staying in doors more, but add to this the fact that when people DO go out in the sun, they then wear sunscreen and block their body from then making the needed Vitamin D. As you can see, there is no wonder that there is a shortage of Vitamin D.

I want to say this to everyone. Let's stop all of this nonsense and try and get outside for at least 15 to 20 minutes a day, with NO SUNSCREEN, in direct sunlight, and we won't have all of this Vitamin D shortage, and we won't have to get it in a pill either. SUNSHINE IS FREE! WOW!

Also, we need Vitamin D to help our body absorb calcium. The sunshine vitamin is also needed in a host of other operations of the body.

Here is the Mayo Clinic Link, if you would like to read more:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-d/NS_patient-vitamind

"The sun also contributes significantly to the daily production of vitamin D, and as little as 10 minutes of exposure is thought to be enough to prevent deficiencies."

The major biologic function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones. Recently, research also suggests vitamin D may provide protection from osteoporosis, hypertension (high blood pressure), cancer, and several autoimmune diseases. "

Now here is the conclusion to my blogpost today:

Why is it that the Lord would allow our body to make all of the other Vitamins except Vitamin D? Why did He create it so that we had to GO OUTSIDE in the sunshine to get this one vitamin? Well, as usual I have a theory!

I believe that the Lord wanted man (and woman) to get out in His wonderful creation and enjoy the beauty of it all. If man sits inside all of the time, in a cyber world, for what purpose did the Lord create the earth for man? Do you see my point? We need to get outside just a little bit each day. It doesn't have to be a long time, and only 10 minutes, in direct sunlight.

Remember that riding in your car, with the windows up, is not considered direct sunlight. It has to be in the open, without windows, since they cut out alot of the UV rays. I am talking FRESH AIR and SUNSHINE.

There was an old song called "Country Sunshine." Maybe some of you remember it. I think we need to get to singing that song a little more, from now on. Remember, what God created for us, is much better than man's idea.

For instance, God's idea was for man to get outdoors, enjoy the sunshine, fresh air and nature. Man's idea is to stay inside on a computer all day, and just take a vitamin pill.....it's your choice! See what I mean?

Marty Clayton Banfield
email: martybanfield@gmail.com

Fighting Entropy!

2010-08-30T20:30:00.005-04:00

Mr. George and Mrs. Annie Sue Copeland of Ehrhardt, SC (now deceased)

(this old home is now on the Historic Registar of Homes)

I posted the above photo as an example of "entropy." People age, houses get old, and everything eventually turns back to dust, whence it came. As Bob Dylan so poetically said, "Everything that's not busy being born, is busy dying." Also, as the group Kansas, which sang "Dust in the Wind" said, "all we are is dust in the wind." I noticed that the "Dust in the Wind" singer/songwriter from the group Kansas, came to the Lord, not long after this song. This was his way of searching for the truth, and I am glad that he found out that we truly ARE MORE than just dust in the wind! At least we are to the Lord, and that is all that matters.

Notes from my daily journey of "entropy." Woke up, once again. Thank God for this!

Morning coffee, blood pressure pills, on my way down to office, to turn on computer. Back to bathroom, several times. Getting woke up. Ah, getting my emails all done. Check Facebook, and groups. Got all that done. Look outside my office window. Thank you Lord, for another day. Help me to make it through and be pleasing in your site.

I get so tired of fighting "entropy." To paraphrase "entropy", I would say it involves the force of time, which is always breaking down living things. Our cells fight against entropy, our homes succomb to it, over time. Termites are workers for entropy, buzzards too, although they are part of God's cleanup crew. Everything succombs to it, over time.

The final destiny of entropy is DEATH. So, from the day we are born, our cells are busy dying from that day on. As we age, cells do not repair themselves as quickly, and so we age. Entropy is a long arm reaching down through the corridors of time, and is an agent of the "curse" that came from the Garden of Eden, and Adam and Eve's sin. Like the CIA or FBI, entropy is sneaking around all of the time. You can't get away from it, if you are a living being. Nothing died before Adam and Eve sinned, but afterwards, their allegiance was given over to satan, who kept control over the fleshly body and it's workings. So, whom you serve, that is your master.

This is true today. Even though our spirits are REBORN, the body is not. It remains under the "curse" and entropy comes against it and all living things, even plants, trees, wood, everything dies in the end or breaks down.

So how do you fight entropy? The only way to physically fight off entropy, is to try and exercise, diet and live right. Try not to do anything like smoking or drinking or drugs, which will age your body even quicker, and damage it. Do you notice how the EXTREME AGENTS of entropy are things like cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs...things that humans seem to get ADDICTED to, but which accelerate the aging of the body? That is because the devil wants you to LOVE things that will help you die quicker!!! He is in the DEATH business, for sure. The Lord had our best interests in mind, when he told us that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and to take care of it.

You see, in those that are REBORN into the Kingdom of God, the devil can't TOUCH your reborn SPIRIT, but he can get you to hurt your own temple, or body. So all that he can do is try and aggravate you in ways to entice you to hurt your own body, since he knows your body is now the Temple of the Holy Spirit. He is still trying to mock God, through all of this.

Also, our homes are subject to entropy. I fight this all of the time, it seems. Boards will get old and weak and rot away, and builders are all the time trying to find ways to "treat" wood so that it lasts longer. Ah, it is still that fight against entropy. In the old days they used cypress or cedar to build the foundations of the old homes. These old sills and foundations stood the test of time, many for over a hundred years or more. Just like the old "George Copeland" home (see photo above) in Ehrhardt, SC which is still standing today. The people themselves have long been deceased, but the old house still stands, and is on the National Historic Register of Homes.

In the Bible, King Solomon sent for Cedar of Lebanon in building the temple. Bugs are repelled by the smell of cedar! The Lord knew what would stand up and last over time, and it was cedar. Cedars of Lebanon are known as the Lord's Tree, since it was used in the building of the Temple. Entropy was going strong back then also.