ALEXJONES.BIZ

We’re road worthy again. Replaced the alternator, starter and while we were at we put an inexpensive stereo system in it so my son would not wear his headset again and could enjoy his music. It has an MP3 connection and plays all types of files. It’s not a “blow-you-away” stereo but it will work for now.

Hopefully we can start on fixing the body “dings” and such now that it is mostly running well. My son thinks a clutch is in it’s future but we’ll see.

Our old friends Tony and Edie stopped by last weekend and we had such a good time meeting their kids all grown-up and talking about the past. Their dog and our dog trying to get along, although Dodger just wasn’t capable so we had to place him behind closed doors.

This is the reason I want to try and get in touch with as many friends as I can. I’m not doing a very good job of looking myself.

Dear Children:

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you’ve forgotten that I wasn’t actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don’t care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn’t allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa’s and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn’t be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15 [+/-]: 1 – 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth, here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to
soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don’t have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don’t you write and tell him that you’ll be praying for him and his family this year? Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can’t afford and they don’t need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don’t know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren’t allowed to wish you a ‘Merry Christmas’ that doesn’t keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn’t make so much money on that day they’d close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary–especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here’s a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no ‘Christmas’ tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don’t know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me, and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don’t do things in secret that you wouldn’t do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don’t forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I’ll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I’ll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love, and remember I LOVE YOU,

JESUS

Back in the day, the military days that is, I was fortunate enough to have a room-mate that I got along with. I had experienced some odd room-mates before. His name was “Buck”. Anthony Buchanan to be exact, but he is going by Tony Buchanan. I had returned from Turkey to process out of the Air Force. Buck had come to our squadron from Italy I believe, while I was TDY. I didn’t have much in the way of things I owned in my room but Buck brought with him an awesome stereo system. I knew I’d like him.

When I returned from Turkey, Buck was TDY or training I think. I’m terrible at remembering somethings. In Oct of 86′ Buck invited me to the Harvest Festival for those our age at First Baptist Biloxi. Little did I know I would meet my wife that night. I went and had a good time. I usually would go home to Clinton on weekends to go to church, but I found the people I met at FBC to be enjoyable to be around and started attending FBC.

Buck was engaged to be married when I met him I believe. Her name was Edie. She happened to be room-mates with my wife. We all grew to be good friends even spending time together after we separated from the military. As some friendships do, we grew apart over time knowing some things about them but not keeping in touch. Raising kids can cause you to do this. I say all this to get to the point for the post. It turns out that my wife was contacted by Buck and Edie’s daughter, Kristen via Facebook (which I loathe).

My wife just informed me that the whole family, Buck, Edie, Kristen and Josh will be stopping by to see us and spend the night in a couple of weeks. Wow, I’m wondering how long it has been since I last saw either of them. I think we were in Atlanta at the time. My wife will surely tell me my recollection of the time is wrong, as I usually am. Edie and her sister Karen where passing through and stopped with Kristen to see our Son. Kristen was 1 I think. Anyway that was 1990.

Long time. I’m looking forward to seeing them now and spend some time catching up.

As with the previous recipe post I have yet to try, I have also not tried this one. It sounds delicious and I will try it one day. If anyone uses these instructions and loves it let me know.

Ingredients:

1. Turkey or other poultry
2. Kosher or sea salt
3. A plastic bag big enough to hold the bird
4. Butter
5. Stuffing (optional)

For every four pounds of poultry, measure out one tablespoon of salt. Take your thawed bird, rinse, then pat dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle the inside cavities, then the entire breast side with salt. Turn the bird sideways and sprinkle with salt. Turn bird to other side and do the same, finishing with the underside. Take a plastic bag and place the bird inside. Squeeze as much air as you can from the bag and seal it up tight. Place it in your refrigerator for THREE days.

The night before you’re going to cook your turkey (or 8 hours before you’re going to start cooking it), remove it from the plastic bag and place it in a large dish breast side DOWN. Remove the bird from fridge when the 8 hours has passed, stuff it, and let rest at room temperature for one hour prior to placing it in your pre-heated 425 degree oven. Throwing a little butter and/or your favorite herbs on it won’t hurt.

Assuming you use a roasting rack, place the turkey breast side DOWN and let bake for ONE HOUR at 425 degrees. Remove from oven, flip the bird breast side UP (I use oven mitts), and bake at 325 degrees until the little thermometer pops out or your oven thermometer reads 165 degrees. For extra golden skin, baste occasionally with butter.

Once finished, remove the turkey from the oven, tent loosely with foil, and let rest at least 30 minutes. Carve and serve.