April 01, 2021 - Msg 116444:
GF--ol' eagle eye annie should complete your ensemble. :) more later, mdc
April 01, 2021 - Msg 116445:
G-F, I never cared for fishing. Last time I tried it was way back when I was a Boy Scout. But maybe you can get some shallow water fishing tips from the following video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeSPurkhA10
from Poor Horatio
April 01, 2021 - Msg 116446:
OOps
from Poor Horatio
April 01, 2021 - Msg 116447:
Sorry for not turning off the bold.
from Poor Horatio
April 01, 2021 - Msg 116448:
Thanks PH...Those boys are WAY MORE serious about their fishing 🎣 and have equipped their kayaks a lot more for fishing than I intend to!...I bet they have caught Old Sam a few times too....There are a couple of other campers at the lake who have similar equipment and are much more serious about their 🐠 craft...
G-F
April 02, 2021 - Msg 116449:
Oh no! What has the US Army done! Look at who they commissioned as an officer! And and made him an Army psychiatrist!
You can watch the entire 28 minute McHale's Navy television episode at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jkEmxCLqAw or just cue it up to 3:48 and see who I am speaking of. Also check out at 22:36.
from Poor Horatio
April 02, 2021 - Msg 116450:
Knock knock
Who's there?
A little old lady.
A little old lady who?
Gee, I did not know you could yodel.
from Poor Horatio
April 03, 2021 - Msg 116451:
Hello all! I hope everyone had a good Good Friday.
Our pastor really nailed it with his talk at our service today.
If it's been a while since you've read Philippians 2: 5-11, I urge you to
give it a good read. What a profound piece of prose!
He also spoke of the truly unbelievable suffering that Jesus endured
giving ALL his blood to wash us clean. Imagine if a doctor told you that
the only way to come up with a cure for a terrible disease was to use
blood of your son, ALL OF IT! Wow!
When I was growing up, my mother always
had us kids be absolutely quiet from noon to 3 PM on Good Friday out of reverence
for the saving act of Jesus, and I still do that to this day! :)
All continues to go OK with us. We hit 90 degrees again today for the third day
in a row, but hopefully it will cool back down.
PH, that is pretty funny to see Don Knotts in that role!
That's the actor of the man, I guess. :)
I hope and pray that everyone is doing fine.
God bless,
MDC
April 03, 2021 - Msg 116452:
MDC, I visited https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PHP.2.5-11.KJV and read it multiple times. And with all due respect, it does not impact me as much as it does you. It reminds me of why I hated the English Literature course I was forced to take during high school. Although much of what we studied was symbolic or Shakespearean English, I had trouble comprehending that because it could be interpreted multiple ways. When man is attempting to teach me something, I expect to understand it clearly and not develop questions that cannot be answered that make sense to me.
Although the Bible was written by man, I was taught to believe those writers were inspired by God. But if the Bible was meant to guide all of us who came after Jesus, why was it not put in written format during the time Jesus was on earth? After all, in the Old Testament, God delivered His Ten Commandments in written form on stone tablets. Why not transcribe the Bible first hand with one or more secretaries among the Apostles? And when Jesus traveled alone, he could dictate to a secretary later. After all, we are taught that God is all knowing. So God would know that future generations would need guidance that they can trust and comprehend.
As far as I know, the beginning of the Bible was not written until a few generations had passed after the crucifixion of Jesus. I question stories passed down by word of mouth especially when multiple generations are involved. Stories can intentionally or unintentionally be embellished. When I took a psychology course in college, since it was a Saturday morning class, we had about 100 students. We did an interesting experiment. The teacher whispered a sentence into the ear of a student sitting up front. Then as the teacher continued to instruct our class, one by one, each student was required to repeat the exact sentence into the ear of a student next to them or behind them when the end of a row was reached. After about 15 minutes, a student at the back of the class finally got the message. Then the first and last students were asked to print the message on the front chalkboard. After reading what was on the chalkboard, many of the students gasped and began to make loud remarks. The two sentences were significantly different and even conveyed two different meanings! I wish I could remember both sentences but this happened way back in the early 1970s. As a result, I now suspect anything given to me by word of mouth.
I believe in living a good and respectful life. I try to treat others the way I want to be treated. And I follow the Ten Commandments as best as I can even though I am still confused if we should not kill at all or just not murder. But when man gets involved in trying to interpret rules passed down over a millennia, we end up with multiple versions of the Bible and even different versions of a Supreme Being. Which version should we follow?
Sorry for bringing this up but this bothers me and has me confused. MDC, I am not trying to say that you are wrong and that I am right. I respect your opinion and welcome it including that of anyone else who chooses to reply.
At one time, I thought my faith would get stronger as time went on. But as I grew older, the opposite has happened. I am struggling to keep my faith even though I no longer am an active member of any organized religion run by man. My life is just like the title of a song sung by the musical group U2, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For".
Finally, if I have annoyed or offended anyone by bringing this subject up, I apologize. I won't bring this up again unless asked by one of you.
from Poor Horatio
April 03, 2021 - Msg 116453:
Now that was a 100% excellent posting, Poor Horatio! Your yodel joke, not bad, but 116452 was fine.
M.Tucker
April 03, 2021 - Msg 116454:
Man and the Bible. Problematic mix. Always will be. - M.Tucker
April 03, 2021 - Msg 116455:
M. Tucker, thank you for your supportive comment. I really do appreciate it.
from Poor Horatio
April 03, 2021 - Msg 116456:
Poor Horatio, my intention, of course, was not to start a moulage, and I do indeed respect your answer. As a retired English teacher, I can honestly say that I don't 'get' why so many today continue to use the King James.
It is 1600s English, and English has greatly changed over the years,
as
it has been influenced by other languages, and the mores and customs of the times. (Just try reading Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, for example! ha) I used to correct students' compositions all the time when they
would use the word "alot," such as in "I like him alot." I would put my red line between the a and the l. But now it is as much a part of our language as is the word "app!" :) My point is, I usually read the New International version (NIV) as it does not change the meaning, but rather "updates" it, like using the word "alot." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%202:5-11&version=NIV
Also, you used the words "my faith" above, and that says SO much, as we do indeed believe "by faith and not by sight." Thank you for your response. It got me to thinking more about my own faith. I pray your Easter will be a good one! :)
Mr. Tucker, I don't believe I've had the pleasure, unless you have posted some time ago, and I just don't remember. My mind aint what it used to be. Anyway, welcome or "re-welcome"
to the porch. :)
Later, MDC
April 03, 2021 - Msg 116457:
Well, I have hesitated and debated with myself whether to enter this discussion or not. I have decided to just say what I feel, and not with the intent of debate or discussion, it's just my belief, simply stated. PH, in your fourth paragraph above, you describe your behavior in such a way that it sounds like you are counting on it to be your ticket to Heaven. Perhaps that's not your intent, but it struck me that way, probably because so many modern "religions" - not just Christianity - teach that. Do this, do that, never do this or that, and if you follow the rules carefully you will be saved. I have to turn to Ephesians 2:8-9: "8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast."
The way I interpret that, it means that the things you are doing so carefully are not the things that will save you from destruction. Rather, you do those things, follow those instructions, out of willingness, in gratitude to God for the salvation He sent in the form of his sacrificed Son. The penalty for sin has already been paid. Good thing, because the Bible says "for ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God." So there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation, the price has already been paid, all we can do is accept it with gratitude, trust in Jesus, and obey God to the best of our ability. It is all so very simple that it's no wonder so many people miss the point. We always expect to pay for something we receive, and the higher the value, the higher the price. It's very hard for mankind to accept such a magnificent gift, we continue to think we have to pay for it. I think of the dying thief on the cross, beside Jesus, who turned to Him and said, "Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus responded, you will recall, by saying, "This day you shall be with me in paradise." The other thief rebuked the first one for making such a request, and reminded him that they were receiving the just punishment for their crimes. Do bad, get punished. Must do good to receive a reward, right? Still, Jesus looked beyond all that, forgave the man, and promised him paradise. Everybody is looking for salvation. Even U2! But all who are still searching are looking for something they can "do" to earn it. They just can't believe that all they have to do is trust God, accept the fact that Christ's death on the cross bought their salvation, and then be willing to do their best to lead an exemplary life, out of gratitude.
Well, that's what I believe, anyway. I've lived nearly 82 years with that secure belief, and I've had a happy life. I'm about to the end of my time here, I suppose, and that's okay with me. I most definitely am secure in the knowledge and belief that eternity with my Lord is my destination. The Bible also teaches that "we will know, even as also we are known", so I'm expecting to find my family and friends there, too.
Now, I don't believe this, but just suppose I'm wrong, and when I breathe my last, that's it. Nothing but nothing. Well, as I said, I've had a happy life, a wonderful life, and it's thanks to the positive, hopeful, peaceful things that my Christian faith has offered me. So if I'm wrong, what have I lost? If those who don't believe, who think whatever it is that they think - if they're wrong, what then? Big shock, deep regret. I would be sad for them, but the Bible teaches that there are no tears in Heaven, so I guess I won't know about those folks.
Well, that's my nickel's worth. I don't wish to debate with anyone. To each his or her own. Just know that I pray for my friends. Blessings, and keep looking up! --Romeena
April 03, 2021 - Msg 116458:
Hey there, MDC. We must have been posting at about the same time. I agree with your comments about the various translations. Like you, I generally rely on the NIV for study, and that's what I carry to church. For spirit-calming, peaceful reading I still enjoy the poetic, beautiful King James. Both have their place in my heart. When I quote the Bible, I'm usually quoting the King James, because that's what I cut my teeth on many years ago. That's what we memorized as children, because that's all we had! Just read Ephesians 2:8-9 in both translations, and see which one is more lovely. I think they both have their place.
Another thing, with translations, there's always the possibility of some "interpretation" being done by the translator. That doesn't worry me much. I learned the verse in Psalms 119:11 "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." The NIV renders that as: "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Not much difference there, no altering of meaning at all. Because of what those verses say, I really think if I ran across a mis-translation somewhere, it would not ring true to me. Maybe not, but I don't worry about it. I trust God to open His word to me, and He's not about to make a mistake, or permit me to make one.
Blessings, friends. --Romeena
April 04, 2021 - Msg 116459:
H A P P Y - E A S T E R - A L L E L U I A (:
April 04, 2021 - Msg 116460:
MDC, I posted a King James link in my Msg 116452 because as a child, the Roman Catholic priests and nuns taught us from the King James Bible. Today as an adult, I don't know which of the many Bible versions is the most comprehensible and best to follow.
MDC and Romeena, I hope you both understand that I am not trying to convert anyone to my way of thinking. I could be wrong about this. But I have done a lot of analyzing and research. And what I have posted so far makes the most sense to me.
Thank you for your comments. I enjoy listening to others who disagree with me.
Happy Easter to all.
from Poor Horatio
April 04, 2021 - Msg 116461:
Happy Easter to all!
************
possum u.a.r.
April 04, 2021 - Msg 116462:
HE IS RISEN! ALLELUIA! What a joyful day this is!
PH, I will pray for you. It must be very difficult to be searching so earnestly, and not finding what you seek. May I refer you to Proverbs 3:5-6? I've read that passage in several translations, and they all say the same thing.
I think it might be helpful to accept that translations were necessary, as language changes. I'm grateful for those translations, as I don't speak Hebrew, Latin, Aramaic, Greek or any of the other languages that were prevalent in Bible times. I'm fascinated by languages, though I've never carved out time to pursue my interest. I speak a rough version of Spanish, could survive in Mexico, but am by no means fluent. Language is a thing that separates us, and yet at times unites us. I can sit in our Spanish service at church, and while I don't understand it like I do English, still I am blessed by those parts which I do understand. Over the centuries, the Bible has been translated into many, many languages as missionaries have sought to bring the Word of God to those who have never heard it. The many English translations are really no different. They may all be English, but still the language evolves and becomes almost a different language over time. I just trust God to guide those who are "updating" those translations, that He will not let His Word "return to us void." It's very easy to get stopped by those questions regarding translations, and miss the simple truths that remain in all of them.
I understand and respect your search for the truth, but as Andy told Gomer - don't over-expect. When you really think about it, it's quite wonderful that the Bible has endured through all these ages and translations, and yet the central truth remains unchanged. I shall never forget a Mongolian woman, who came to me when our mission group was over there. She approached me, took my hands in hers and said, in very halting English, "Thank you for coming to us. I have always known in my heart that this God existed. I just didn't know His name, and now I do." Simple faith. No questions. "Now I know His name." That was all she needed. A seeker? Yes. She will grow in her faith, but the seed of faith is already there. A humbling encounter for me, to say the least.
I will say no more, but I will pray for you, as you search. God's blessings on you, especially today, as we commemorate the most glorious day in history, the day that Christ defeated death and the grave, rose up and returned to Heaven, to await the arrival of those who follow Him in faith. Blessings! Keep looking up! --Romeena
April 04, 2021 - Msg 116463:
Happy Easter to all my porch friends.
Prayers and blessings to all
Big Maude
April 04, 2021 - Msg 116464:
Romeena, I took your advice and looked up Proverbs 3:5-6 in the New International Version. What I found appears below:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Many years ago, I experienced a significant problem in my life. I was at my wits end because I failed at every attempt I made to resolve the issue. I finally turned to God begging and praying for help. Surprisingly, I felt very good afterwards feeling as if a huge weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. I honestly believed that since it was now in God's hands, He would guide me to a solution. I waited and waited all the while feeling good that God was now involved. But I was wrong. Not only did the problem not get resolved, it actually got worse. So I tried to identify what went wrong. Did I pray too much to the point where I was nagging God? Does God require a certain number of prayers before He acts favorably? Did God even hear my pleas and prayers?
Needless to say, I also failed at trying to come up with any explanation. And sad to say, I am still suffering the negative consequences of that failure today ten years later. As a result, I even lost hope with praying. See what a spiritual mess I am?
from Poor Horatio
April 04, 2021 - Msg 116465:
Poor Horatio. It pained me to read your post because of your hurt. I don't see you as a spiritual mess, you just haven't found what you are looking for in solving your problems. Don't give up.
M.Tucker
April 04, 2021 - Msg 116466:
M.Tucker, thank you for your concern and advice. Although I have thought about doing something drastic and irreversible, it is my wife and the memories of my past successful accomplishments that make me proud and keep me going.
from Poor Horatio
April 04, 2021 - Msg 116467:
Oh,PH! My heart aches for you. I have been where you were and are. When my precious husband died so suddenly, no warning at all, gone in about two minutes, I couldn't believe it. He was 58, I was 56. We thought we had good years ahead of us, but we were wrong. I was well-trained in CPR, and spent about 20 minutes doing all that I knew, trying to revive him. Finally, the ambulance arrived, and they tried, to no avail. They even shocked him, which I knew would probably not help - the shock is designed to regulate a heart that is beating erratically, it very rarely will awaken a stilled heart. We were at our daughter's home in the country down south when it happened, so when all was finished at the hospital, I returned there. I confess I fully expected to find that it was all a bad dream, and he would be there waiting. I left the house and walked over the little trails we had explored just that morning. I tried to find the beautiful bluebonnet patch he had found when walking by himself the day before and had described to me, but I could not. I went back to the house, got my Bible and read all the consoling scriptures I knew so well, but it didn't help. For hours, then days, then weeks and months I kept waiting for him to reappear. God was no help, none at all. Several years later, I finally realized the problem was not God. He had been there all the time, but I kept waiting for the outcome that I, yes, I, wanted. I had not come to an acceptance of the outcome that God wanted. God had not moved. I did. When I realized that, and finally relinquished my hold on what I wanted, and accepted that God had done what He felt was best, it all fell into place, peace descended, and I now look forward to seeing my beloved husband again, but accept that it will not be on this earth. All of this is very hard to explain, and usually harder still to understand, but I now know the truth. Jesus said it in the garden, before the "trial" and crucifixion. He prayed that "this cup" - what He knew was about to happen - could be taken from Him, but He finished the prayer with "Nevertheless, not my will, but Thine be done." Sometimes, the outcome may not be what we wanted or hoped for, but God has His reasons. Perhaps he took my Dale when He did, to spare him (and me) the situations I see around me - my friends with their husbands, deep in Alzheimer's dementia, or bent with spinal curvatures that have turned them into a question mark. All He asks of us is faith, trust and acceptance. It's hard, yes. No one knows that better than I. --Romeena
April 04, 2021 - Msg 116468:
Romeena, I am touched by you relating your experience with the passing of your beloved husband Dale and just how much that affected you. May Dale rest in peace. And I do hope you see him again when God calls you home. I also offer the same sympathetic thoughts to you for the son you lost not too long ago. May he also rest in peace.
It is sad that we all experience separation and then loneliness after the death of a loved one.
from Poor Horatio
April 04, 2021 - Msg 116469:
😥❤🙏👍
April 04, 2021 - Msg 116470:
Yo 😊 ahm here to say hey. I've founded the 999th chapter ..in 1999. Howard's rainbow chapter. Can y'all identify what episode Barney says how he knows some Spanish talking in? My girl is newly discovering Mayberry..and I thought it'd be sweet. How about when Andy explains what a tortilla is to Opie? Learning English by watch Andy Griffith is a nice way I say.
April 04, 2021 - Msg 116471:
It would be better to learn English by going to school. Hollywood writers back then always wrote in insensitive material. The tortilla/So.America episode is one example.
April 04, 2021 - Msg 116472:
To unsigned in Msg 116470, Andy talks to Opie about a tortilla in the episode titled "Barney Runs for Sheriff".
As for your other question about Barney speaking Spanish, I could not identify that episode.
from Poor Horatio
April 04, 2021 - Msg 116473:
Thank you, PH, for your kindness regarding my loss of my husband, and for remembering I also lost my older son. Both were hard, but the loss of my son was tempered by the fact that he had endured a long illness and we were somewhat prepared, and even a bit relieved to see him put down his burden of pain and pass into God's hands. I will continue to pray that you will find the peace and understanding you are so obviously diligently seeking. It's there. All you have to do is stop struggling, accept God's promises, and believe, in childlike faith. God loves you. --Romeena
April 05, 2021 - Msg 116474:
Good to see some new porch sitters, and hello to some who haven't sat for a while.
HI Possum and Big Maude, good to see ya. I hope folks like
Sterling, Spot and others are doing OK these days. Check in if ya can.
PH, may I suggest to you two books? One is Romeena's book which I can tell you the name of in an email if you like, as her name is on it. Also, a book by Dr. James Dobson "When God Doesn't Make Sense." It is available on-line. Both are excellent and talk directly on the topic of which you speak. I was also taught by nuns, and
I can still remember what one said to me way back a hundred years ago when I was in the 3rd grade, "God indeed answers all prayers, but sometimes the answer is 'no.'" :) I realize that is over-
simplifying a much deeper topic, but it does have some merit. Also, if you were taught
by nuns, they probably were using a version called the Douay-Rheims Bible back then,
(unless they were Anglican nuns) because, especially back then, the King James was
used strictly in non-Catholic churches, as it was commissioned by King James for the Church of England. I do hope that you will find some of this helpful, as I bet we have all experienced some form of what you are going thru. During my mom's 10 year struggle with alzhemer, i called out to God many times, and I DO mean called out, and got only silence. Those were
very hard times for me, but I discovered Dr. Dobson's book at that same time thanks to a friend, and I then accepted that as God's answer, if that makes any sense.
Prayers for all,
MDC
April 05, 2021 - Msg 116475:
MDC, thank you for your comments and advice. Per your recommendations, I have ordered both books from Amazon (I know Romeena's real name).
And yes, the nuns did teach us about how sometimes God answers our prayers with a "No". Knowing this, that is why in my Msg 116464, I posted "Does God require a certain number of prayers before He acts favorably?" Notice I included the word "favorably". This excludes any negative reply from God.
As for what version we Roman Catholics learned from, I remember it as the King James version. We were taught that the King James Bible was the first English translation of the Catholic Bible and that it differed from other Protestant Bibles because it included additional chapters that were either left out, or removed around the time of Martin Luther's dispute with the Pope.
Finally, to all who have commented on this subject matter, thank you for your inputs. I am finding this helpful and enjoyable and so glad we are all being civil about a potentially controversial subject.
from Poor Horatio
April 05, 2021 - Msg 116476:
Good morning, porch! It's a beautiful day here - 63°, sun is shining, light breeze blowing. A rose bush that I thought surely had frozen has suddenly leafed out, shot up and is now four feet tall, with five big fat buds about to open on the topmost canes, and several more on the lower levels. It's a "Peace" rose, a beautiful thing, and it's right in front of my window, so I'll get to enjoy every bloom that opens. Several of my crape myrtles are leafing out, and the rest will do so very soon. They never all leaf out at once. Iris bloom stalks are rising all over the yard, and one, a giant white iris with a golden beard, has already opened its beautiful 8" flowers. The smaller, purple/black one out front has already opened. The pansies that Eddie planted for me back before the freeze, survived that awful icy storm and are just blooming their little heads off. The mound of sundrops at the end of the raised island, which looked dead a few weeks ago, has self-pruned all the dead stuff and put on new green, is now about three feet across, and is loaded with little buds. Soon it will be a mound of bright, sunny yellow, with hundreds of flowers covering it. Another one has come up as a volunteer, right beside my back door. It's growing in a tiny patch of dirt between the stones of the patio, and I have to step over part of it when I go out the door! I guess a bird planted a seed there. I surely didn't! It's about two feet across. How something that big is growing in that tiny patch of dirt, I don't know. It's in an awkward place, but I'm not about to uproot it. It's such a valiant, determined little plant, and already is opening its vibrant yellow blooms. I'll just step over it, walk around it, whatever, and let it be.
PH, you know that I often quote my father. He was a wise man. Never finished high school, as he had to go to work to help his family. Yet later in his life, he built a thriving business, designing and building beautiful homes (I live in one) with no formal training at all. He just walked around construction sites and observed. He was a devoted servant of God, and had an unshakable faith. He suffered some setbacks and disappointments in his life, perhaps felt like a failure at times, when his little paycheck wouldn't cover the bills, but he rose above it, as time went by. He had a lot of little sayings that gave a lot of insight into his nature. One of them was this: "If you have a problem, to which there is no solution, you don't have a problem." You have to think about that one for a while, before it begins to make sense. You have a problem that has plagued you for some time now. You have done everything you can do to solve it, to no avail. You have tried to turn it over to God, but you apparently ran back and asked Him how He was doing with it, (as we all do) and learned that the problem still wasn't solved, so felt that God had not helped you, and you picked it up again and are still trying to solve it yourself. My dear friend, I have no idea what your problem is, and don't wish to know. That's your business, not mine. I can tell you, though, that the answer lies in giving up on trying to find an answer. Turn it over to God, walk away, and chalk it up to experience. Trust me when I say, it's not all about you, anymore than my problems are all about me. God has a plan. Whatever you did or didn't do in your situation, whatever you're still beating yourself up over, leave it with Him. Forgive yourself, if forgiveness is needed, then leave it. You may never know where your action or inaction fit into God's plan, but trust me, it did. Accept that. Stop trying to figure out how many prayers God "requires" of us to get His attention. Read Matthew 6:7, in any translation you wish. They all deliver the same message. If there is nothing you can do to remedy the situation, then accept that and move forward. Don't get stuck in worry and regret, in self-blame, whatever you're using to beat yourself up. Apparently you have done all you can do, so leave it at that. We all fail at times in our lives, no one is perfect. Lay it down and leave it there. God will use the situation for good somewhere, somehow. You may never know where, but He will use it. Faith, my friend. Just simple faith. That's all He requires of us. --Romeena
April 05, 2021 - Msg 116477:
Hey, PH. Apparently you posted just ahead of me. I'm honored that you have ordered my little book. I hope you will find something there that will be of help. Though our situations were so different, still the process is the same. Leave the trouble with God, and get on with life. Blessings! --Romeena
April 05, 2021 - Msg 116478:
Romeena and MDC, I decided to reveal my problem. About twenty years ago, I chose to begin a career with rehabbing foreclosed homes. I began making payments on my first project to another investor. And because I was commuting between the US and Canada at that time trying to develop a relationship with my future wife, I hired a local handyman to make the major repairs while I handled the minor repairs. Over time, the handyman would often ask me for more money while it seemed like the repairs were going slower than I had expected. Although I allowed this handyman to keep all of his expensive tools inside my locked project house, one day his tools got "stolen". Since he could not work without his tools, I purchased all new tools for him. To make a long story short, the handyman (who was recommended to me) turned out to be incompetent. When I went around to check on his "completed" work, I found many errors. I finally began to run low on the money I had budgeted for this project. Then it got worse. I tried to sell that property as-is to other investors but ran out of time because I ended up losing that property to a foreclosure. When it was all over, I was the only person involved with this project who lost money. And I lost big time, over $200,000! As a result, I eventually fell behind paying my debts. And I even fell behind in paying my income taxes to both the US and Canada.
Well there you have it. From what started out with me trying to create some affordable housing for those in need, I dug myself a huge hole and I am still at the bottom trying to claw my way out. I am surprised that I am not in prison today.
from Poor Horatio
April 05, 2021 - Msg 116479:
Wait there is more. I used to own two homes free and clear; my childhood home in the US and my Canadian home. I mortgaged both to supply funds for my rehab project. I have since lost my childhood home to a foreclosure and I am struggling to pay the mortgage on my Canadian home. See, I told you it gets worse.
from Poor Horatio
April 05, 2021 - Msg 116480:
Thank you, PH, for sharing your story. That had to have been hard for you, and I'm humbled by the fact that you trusted us with it. You will find no judgment here, nothing but understanding, and disgust that you were victimized in that way. My guess is that the "handyman" needed money (gambling? drugs?) and either sold or hocked his original tools, then told you they had been stolen. He probably figured that you would replace them, if you wanted your project finished. (Creep.) PH, never let yourself believe that your problem is original with you, that no one else would have done what you did. I could tell you several very similar stories, learned from builders and contractors that my dad knew. Everyone makes errors in judgment, and often, those errors haunt us for a very long time. I could tell you a couple of my own errors that have resulted in my income today being significantly less than it should have been. Granted, $200k is a huge loss. I can see where it would be eating holes in your stomach. The point is though, for both you and me - we can't go back and change what has been done. All we can do is apologize to ourselves, and as my dad would say, just "keep on keeping on." You're probably way ahead of me, but have you considered consulting a financial advisor? Sometimes they know of resources or remedies that can be helpful. Main thing - don't compound the problem by beating yourself up over it. What's done is done. I'm struck by "From what started out with me trying to create some affordable housing for those in need, I dug myself a huge hole." It calls to mind the old saying - "No good deed goes unpunished." A funny old saying, but often quite true. Hang in there, buddy. We're on your side, and so is the Lord. Blessings! Keep looking up! --Romeena
April 05, 2021 - Msg 116481:
Romeena, thank you for your words of encouragement. Up until recently, I have trying to deal with this alone. Some decisions I have made were good and some were bad. I finally decided to seek professional help. I made an appointment with a financial advisor this week for my wife and I to learn what options we have available.
from Poor Horatio
April 05, 2021 - Msg 116482:
You were buying distressed foreclosed properties with the intent of flipping them for a profit? How the heck did you get left holding the bag in the end? Don't answer. I already know. It's just like when the Ricardos and Mertzes bought that roadside cafe. Happens all the time.
You are good folk, Poor Horatio. I like you. Immediate financial advice is called for. IRS advice. Immigration advice. Get mad, get fighting mad, and use the available legal remedies to get out of this mess.
M.Tucker
April 05, 2021 - Msg 116483:
Bankruptcy. Save your remaining house. Pearl
April 05, 2021 - Msg 116484:
Oh, Poor Horatio, thank you for being so candid and transparent. God knows, that is what is needed in the world today. I could go on for hours about the "deconstruction" of my religious beliefs over the past several years, but choose to say, that while my faith in Jesus and the gospel remain intact, many of the beliefs I was indoctrinated into I know longer accept. For me, it all started when I began doing bible study at the rehab for kids over 15 years ago. The amount of suffering and the gut-wrenching questions I heard and couldn't answer, set me on a journey, and then when my kids came out, I was further immersed in having to have some answers. While I certainly have a kind of childlike faith in Christ, and know him experiencially, I have also been the victim of religious abuse in my early adulthood and that has caused innumerable mental health issues for me. I am now, finally experiencing a freedom that I haven't in my Christian life until the last year or so. Its been like the weight of the world has been lifted off of me. I had PTSD in my 20s that was never really dealt with and its been awful. I have discovered many other people like me who have gone through the things that I have and I don't feel so alone and isolated, even though I no longer attend church. Im no longer afraid of having questions or searching for answers, whether I find them or not. I have a much healthier view of God, as a loving God. I have a different relationship with the bible, also. I don't feel like a slave to it, like I once did. I take the good from it and if I don't understand something, I just move on. Anyway, I think that the church has been an unsafe place for people to ask questions and express there common sense doubts for fear of being labeled a heretic or rejected. Because many Christians cant be authentic in the organized church, they are leaving. Its sad. Again, thank you for trusting us with your thoughts and experiences. Im glad you can let us help bear the burden, so to speak.
just and update on ERin: she wigged out on me and wanted to go back to san Antonio. She quit her job, we got in to a couple of huge arguments, and she went. I guess she isn't ready to do what she needs to do yet. I cant keep going through it so, she's in God's hands.
Boo
April 05, 2021 - Msg 116485:
M.Tucker, you got my intentions wrong. I was not intending to flip distressed properties for a profit. Remember when I posted that I wanted to offer affordable housing to people in need? In other words, I wanted to become a Section 8 landlord where low income families would obtain financial assistance (vouchers) from the government to become tenants in my properties. The government would pay me the landlord up to 70% of the rent and utilities for family tenants that meet the low income requirements.
Pearl, bankruptcy is a last resort for us.
from Poor Horatio
April 05, 2021 - Msg 116486:
I ordered a hamburger at the Little Bit of Cuba in 1954. I'm still waiting for that order.
Joe
April 05, 2021 - Msg 116487:
Nothing untoward implied, Poor Horatio. You tried with the best of intentions, but got jobbed by bad people and the situation overall.
Now things can get better. On all fronts.
M.Tucker
April 06, 2021 - Msg 116488:
Good morning, porch. I'm on the puny list today. I went to bed at 11:00 last night (unheard of for me), thinking I'd get a good night's sleep before going to the doctor this morning. I have an esophageal stricture that gives me significant trouble at times, and is getting worse. It has been dilated twice over the years, and needs it again. Sometimes it just locks down and whatever I'm trying to eat just gets lodged about halfway down, and won't pass on into my stomach. Very annoying. Anyway, my notion of a good night's sleep was not to be. I woke up every hour, feeling worse and worse. Aching, feeling feverish, painful joints, congestion making it harder to breathe than usual. I think I've got the flu. One big wave of nausea around 3 a.m., but never actually threw up. So, I've rescheduled my doc appointment, and am going to stay home with a big bottle of juice and the occasional Advil! I think I'll hook up another O2 line from my O2 concentrator and run it into the living room, so I can use it when I'm in my recliner. I normally just use it at night, but I think it might make me feel a little better to use it right now, while I'm so congested.
PH, I may be out in left field with this, but a thought has occurred to me. It has been my experience that on several occasions, when God blocked me from doing something I wanted to do, I learned later that there was a very good reason, and I was grateful that I didn't get to carry out my plan. Now Section 8 can be a wonderful thing, for needy folks who accept it and treat it right. However, there is a very large percentage of the folks who are on Section 8 who abuse it. Such a case moved in next door to my son and his family when they moved into their first new home, about 17 years ago. The boys, Landry and Hudson, were small, about four and two years old. This was a lovely subdivision, pretty homes, all brand new. The house next door to them was designated a Section 8 home, in an attempt to "diversify" the neighborhood. It got diversified, all right. The family that moved in there was straight out of the projects, and made no attempt to fit in. David went over to welcome them, and see if they needed anything, and was met with a barely-opened door, and dismissive conversation. They never mowed their lawn, let it get about a foot deep. David realized they probably didn't have a lawnmower, so he offered to mow it for them. "Suit yourself!" was the answer. Their children (lots of those!) ran around only partially clothed, and the three year old wore nothing but a t-shirt. Nothing else. Bare bottomed. Brittney came unglued the day that little boy went in the garage and got Hudson's little tricycle, plopped his fat little bare bottom down on the seat and rode off down the street! As I recall, she just told him to keep the trike, and got Hudson another one. When the street folks organized a street party, with hotdogs, chips, sodas and such, everybody bring something and share - that family came out with nothing, filled plates and picked up two full bottles of soda, and went back in their house. Finally they moved out, leaving the front door standing wide open. David went over to at least close the house up, and he said when he entered the living room, the floor moved. He couldn't walk without stepping on a roach. The house was filthy, the carpets ruined from mashed bugs, a toilet was backed up, and he said the stench in the house was unbelievable. At the time, I had two rent houses, and had been advised by the realtor who managed them for me, to never go Section 8. After the experience with David's neighbors, I could see why. Oh, and after they moved out, one day a car pulled up out front, and David happened to be standing on his driveway. A very officious, chip-on-the-shoulder woman got out of the car and walked up to David, shaking her finger at him. She said "Well, I guess you people are happy now. This family has moved out. They didn't feel welcome. I was hoping the neighborhood would embrace them and make them welcome, but you just wouldn't. They felt unwanted, and went back to the projects." Well, she rattled the wrong cage. David asked her to come with him. He went to the house, and invited her inside. As the roaches scuttled around, he asked her just how she would want them to catch the roaches so they could embrace them. He took her to that bathroom and showed her the clogged toilet, and suggested she embrace it. She cussed him, and left in a huff.
Section 8 is a good plan, if the recipients are decent people. However, that's not usually the case. Usually you end up with damaged and destroyed property, dirt and filth, and they will move out without notice, when it gets dirty enough. Not always. Some of the folks genuinely want a chance to live on a better scale than they have been, are appreciative and take care of the property, and eventually start to become self-sufficient. They are the exception. Ask any realtor. So you might have been spared some big headaches and heartaches. Just a thought....
Blessings! --Romeena