Listening

 Listening

Listening to a friend, loved one or God.
Lord, help me to not be so preoccupied with what I am thinking or doing, that I miss what you just told me. 
It seems a little crazy that I would feel that I don't have enough time to do things I want to do. But it seems that I just have to choose what is most important at the moment and how much time to give to it. Things that are on my mind to concentrate on are often altered by interruption and they may go undone and often are forgotten altogether. A good deal of my attention is given to audio broadcasts. Sometimes I have these available on recording but often it is something that just happens to be on at some particular moment. If a phone call or even another thought that takes my thoughts away from what I am listening to happens, then I am apt to lose any or at least some insight that I might have gained from that listening. If in a transcript or book, I could get back to it. But normally, it is just lost in the maize of thoughts of the day. Hopefully I can retain a few good thoughts or insight for the day. Think I will just trust God to impress the more important things in my memory.

I love a road trip and was fortunate to be able to drive through a portion of eight states October 31st and November 1st. I wish more of it could have been in the daylight and sunshine but I did see that I would like to go back and spend a little more time there. Especially in the Great Smokey Mountains. Here are a couple of shots from the car and it leaves one to imagine how beautiful it is in the sunshine.

So much information

It's a beautiful sunny morning in the Sunshine state.

I have been traveling all over the world this morning by way of laptop on Google Earth https://www.google.com/earth/. This, I am sure will not be near as much fun on a smart phone, but on a laptop or desktop, what fun and so educational. I just brought up the map and then began to click on cities or countries. Each click brought me quick facts about that place. How amazing that we have this at our fingertips. Via a mouse I can scan the globe and see it as a map view or world view with information about each place I am curious about. Especially nice is the fact that it is just a short blurb about the place without any political baloney.
This excursion into this study began because I was curious about who was seeing my other blog, "What's Happening" http://jovialjohnnyb.blogspot.com/2015/10/takin-it-easy-takin-it-slow.html
I saw that I had five visits from Russia, so I decided to take a closer look. One visit from Georgia. On Google Earth I found.

Quick facts

Georgia, a country at the intersection of Europe and Asia, is a former Soviet republic that’s home to Caucasus Mountain villages and Black Sea beaches. It’s famous for Vardzia, a sprawling cave monastery dating to the 12th century, and the ancient wine-growing region Kakheti. The capital, Tbilisi, is known for the diverse architecture and mazelike, cobblestone streets of its old town.

Capital: Tbilisi
Currency: Georgian lari
President: Giorgi Margvelashvili

Just fascinating.

A couple of songs without the music

Well, here is the second one, only now it's the first one.

"Give yourself to Jesus"

 Words and music Johnny Blodgett

Copyright 1995

Mark 12:17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.

They asked of Christ a question, concerning taxes paid

Shall we pay a tribute with the money we have made?

Bring to me a penny, look closely everyone

On the coin a picture, whose image is thereon?

The penny holds the image of the leaders of the day, 

Render unto Ceasar whatever you must pay.

In whose image were you created, this is what he asks

This is how his spirit will complete his many task.

In God's image you were created, it's you he wants today,

Give yourself to Jesus and let him have his way. 

If you belong to Jesus, then all you'll ever own

will be at his disposal to glorify his throne.

Give yourself to Jesus, Let him have his way.

Let him live inside you each moment of the day.  

I decided to post a couple of songs on here without the music. I was never crazy about the music I wrote to go with the lyrics and thought, oh well I like the lyrics, maybe someone else would enjoy them too.
Other songs with music are on the other blog.

http://jovialjohnnyb.blogspot.com/

The first one I wrote after coming back to take up where I left off with a girlfriend. I guess she thought I wasn't coming back so she married Fred.

"I'd Rather Be Dead, Than Climb Over Fred"
words and music Johnny Blodgett
Copyright 1995

You know I love you, I love you true
There's just one thing we've gotta do.
A couple of things, maybe just a few
But one stands out if you love me too.

You've gotta say goodbye to Fred,
I'd rather be lonely instead,
as long as he sleeps in your bed,
You and me will never be wed.

I'd walk on water, yeah on water for you
I'd climb the hightest hill
The sun, moon and stars I'd give to you
The dreams of your life I'd fulfill.

You are the greatest love I've ever known
I see more in your eyes than any other has shown
But one spot is hard, It's hard as stone
Just say the word and I'll leave you alone.

Baby, I'd rather be dead,
than to think about me in your bed
If I have to climb over Fred
I'd rather be single instead

I'll take these songs to someone new
You just don't love me like I love you
It makes me cry and it makes me blue
But if things don't change, you know we're through

Our love is hanging by just one thread
It's really goin to hell on a sled
And one thing needs to be said

That's -adiós, sayonara, ciao, are-vederci, 

hasta luego, via con dios so long, see you later, 

have a good one, take it easy,
Good Bye
FRED

Place the blame where it belongs.

Jesus said to Thomas, John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." I believe this with all my heart. 
We have troubles and trials on this earth and that isn't unusual, but we have a promise of a far better and more wonderful life in Heaven with our Lord. 

John 16:33 

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

People ask how can God let all these terrible things happen to people. And I understand, that those things happen because of the prince of this world. The God of this world, Satan was given power. Even to see our Lord Jesus persecuted beaten scorned and hung on a cross. He went through all of this for us. If he suffered and died like this on this earth, why do we think it is strange that we suffer on this earth. But he showed us a better way. He showed us that there will be a great reward is we believe because on the third day after he suffered and died on that cross and was buried in the tomb, he rose from the dead. He was seen by many witnesses at that time. He was seen not only by the Apostles, (his desciples) but many, up to five hundred witnesses saw him alive after he was risen. 
I believe this. I believe that my bible is the ispired word of God. Not just a story or a writing by some people over time, but words, prophecy, promises from God's own hand. Jesus Christ is the fullfilment of the promises and prophecy of the old testament and is the new testament and promise for our future. Eternity is forever, so for this short period of suffering I will hold to these promises and to his word. I draw strength and health from his living word. It is a cleansing when we read and think and meditate on his word. He is the Glory and the lifter of my head. 
Thank you Lord for these moments in the night that I can put these thoughts down. Bless the name of Jesus.

Teaching cursive writing. We just shrug our shoulders as we watch history dissappear.

I began the day thinking about this letter from my Aunt Blanche whom I never knew, to my Grandmother. I love the cursive writing of a little girls hand. The date of the letter is August 27, 1902 and written to Mrs. Nina Blodgett and family in Harvard, Illinois. She was visiting or maybe baby sitting for Ed and Juna Blodgett, on a farm in Leroy Township by Blaine, IL. Edmond and Juna with children Edna and Russell, later moved to the Dakota's. I believe she was probably helping out because Juna was pregnant with her third child, Ella who was born later in 1902. Blanche would have been 12 years old at this time.

 

We hardly recognize the treasures that we still have, but are vanishing and slipping into obscurity. 

This is a Census form from 1900. At first glance it doesn't mean too much. But, as I study it, it reveals a wealth of information about my family. I pray that someone in the future will take an interest and retain some of these facts. I think they are very important. They are to me and I hope that they will be to others in my heritage. 

 I garner a great deal of information from just a few notations on this census sheet. 

1. My grandfather, John W. Blodgett was born in Wisconsin (Sharon) and teaching school.

2. His mother and father were both born in New York.

3. My grandmother, Nina E. (Estelle) was born in Wisconsin. 

4. Her Father was born in Wisconsin (Delavan) and her Mother in Iowa (Maquakata).

5. Their residence in 1900 was Walworth. They lived on route 14 or Madison street, just after the square to the Northwest where you would find Lon's Auto Body shop today. There was a small story and a half home there when I moved to Walworth in 1957 that my father pointed out as the birthplace of my Aunt Margaret, Aunt Helen and Uncle Mark. Through the years Lon's was originally constructed as a Standard Oil Co. Gas station. That was one of my first jobs as a pump jockey for Bobbie M. Heckman. At that time he was working with Bob Prey who I think may have leased to Bob. After Bob sold the station, it was run by a man named Long. I wonder if he was related to the William and Lena Long on the census page. Their house would have been next door. 

6. Blanche E, Pliny R and Donald J. were all born in Illinois, (Harvard) and all in school at this time and that would have been where the Walworth School still stands today although it went from Walworth School, to Walworth Grade School in 1959 when the new Big Foot High School was constructed. Grandfather John W. Blodgett was Principal or Supt. of that school at a later date. 

7. It tells if a child can read, write, speak English and how many months they were in school. It also tells if a person was working. Tells whether the it was farm or home and rented or owned. 

In summary my thoughts today concerned cursive writing and what we are losing when we cease to teach cursive in our schools.

On More than one occasion, the word of the Lord came to me in the spirit. I pray that whoever reads this understands and has ears to hear what I am saying. The word of the Lord came to me and told me that He had a ministry for me in my music. The first time this word came, I was not alone, as when he called out and said come forward, my wife and I came forward together. We neither knew the other was coming forward. It was on the third time that he said come forth that we stepped forward. He spoke to us about a ministry that he had for us in our hands and in our music. This is continually with me as I go forward with this blog "Keep on Keepin' on" and another blog called "What's Happening". I have been moved to record and publish the music that God has given me. I know it has blessed a few through the years and trust that it will continue to bless now and in the future. The gospel music and songs that he has given me are I think, given me through his spirit and inspired by studying and extracting truths from the bible.
The song "Praise God the Agony" is on both blogs. It is about the pain and glory of Christ's suffering, crucifixion, pain and resurrection.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV9o-ixFdFQ

Psalm 22:14         I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.                                         

“Oh the Agony”

©1994 John Blodgett

Johnny Blodgett Composer

John Blood Music Co.

Praise God, my God, oh the agony

you felt for me  . . . at Calvary,

To wear the crown of thorns for me,

Blood shed for me . . to set me free.

Here is thy servant Lord,

Take over my heart and my soul,

Empty my heart of evil Lord,

Cleanse me and make me whole.

Praise God, praise God, such love for me,

To die for me on Calvary's tree.

Thy hands and feet pierced through I see,

Upon the cross you died for me.

Humbly now before thee Lord,

Take all of my silver and gold,

Oh blessed shepherd come,

Take this spirit into the fold.

Oh Lamb of God, flesh torn for me,

The pain is done, your soul is free.

Then Jesus rose, and man could see,

The promise of eternity.

Praise God, my God, oh the agony,

you felt for me . at Calvary.

Praise God, my God, such love for me,

To die for me on Calvary's tree.

Oh precious savior, you died for me.

In the 1960's I was working as a broadcaster at WMCW in Harvard, Illinois. I usually worked on Sundays to man the board and run the programs. We had live programing from the Lutheran Church, easy listening music and other live programming during the afternoon. One of these afternoon programs would be a half hour program with local ministers or ministering souls who wished to spread the gospel message. I so remember Bob Kazort. Bob was a beautiful soul, who loved God and was strong in his faith and his study of the bible. I was not a Christian at this time. Although I believed in God, I had not accepted Christ and had little understanding. Bob was very crippled with arthritis, but still would carry a small Casio type keyboard as he and a friend would go to shut ins of their church or any who would listen to sing, play and spread the gospel. Always enjoyed long conversations with Bob concerning the bible and scripture as he would try to draw me towards a relationship with Christ. He had much to do with planting seeds that would later bring me to the point of giving my life to Christ.
In his honor I want to put a song that Bob wrote here on this blog. The song is called. "I have taken my burdens to Jesus".

"I have taken my burdens to Jesus"

Song composer Bob Kazort- copyright 1995

 I have taken my burdens to Jesus, 

laid them down at the foot of the cross.

All my sin and despair He was willing to bear

He will never forsake me I know. 

Refrain: 

 I have taken my burdens to Jesus,

I left all my worries and cares

And now I have glorious victory 

since I took all my burdens to him.

Now I steal away often to Jesus

sweet communion I have with him there.

There's no cause for alarm as I lean on his arm

He will guide every step that I take.

 Refrain: 

 I have taken my burdens to Jesus,

I left all my worries and cares

And now I have glorious victory 

since I took all my burdens to him.

Till the time that he calls me up yonder

I will follow his heavenly plan

and someday through faith in his wonderful grace

I will enter that heavenly land.

 Refrain: 

 I have taken my burdens to Jesus,

I left all my worries and cares

And now I have glorious victory 

since I took all my burdens to him.

I was about 7 years old in 1949 or 1950, when I put my hand in the ringer of an old Maytag washing machine. Mom, ran to the basement and popped the ringer to set my hand free. I can still remember the blisters and pain that it caused. While looking at the scar the other day, I realized how greatly I had benefited from this experience. Although I am rather impulsive with some things, I generally give most decisions serious consideration before I put my hand in.

Take a moment to decide before you put your hand in.

I was thinking this morning that I am too closed minded. I need to open up and let my vulnerability be known. I have always been afraid to let people see that I am not sure about one thing or another. The problem is, that if I were to open that subject up to comment, I would get far more than I want, and honestly more than I deserve. i.e. The things I disagree with people about are not things that I am always wrong about. And that too often is where the conversation would go and leave one frustrated and upset. So, let's not go there. Let's just all get along.

Sit back and relax

Due to some physical problems, it has been more difficult for me to sit back and relax. In June 2013 I suffered a near fatal heart attack. After surviving this and changing diet and everyday routines, like regular exercise and eating habits, I was confronted with other physical problems. I should have stayed with a broadcasting career early on, (about 14 years at that) because after a lifetime of hard and heavy work in carpentry and construction, my back, neck and knees make life somewhat more difficult. For instance, to sit in a Lazy Boy chair and to just adjust it back to a comfortable position, it will be great for about an hour and then I start to experience a great deal of back pain under my lower left rib. Everyone has an idea of what it might be, but no MRI, Exray or examination has turned up any diagnosis. I also have a case of coccydynia which also makes it difficult to sit. So through it all, I have to keep on the move. I can sit for a while, sit back for a while, stand for a while and just keep moving for a while. I like Romans 8:28, in that all things work together for good. The pain keeps me moving.

Anyway through it all, I have been watching so little TV and I decided that that extra $80+ dollars a month was not smart. I do everything now through the internet. That cost is currently $30 per month. I purchased an OTA(over the air antenna) Tivo unit for $50, and tivo service at $15 per month. My telephone is Magic Jack, which is paid up for the next four years at $20 per year. So rather than a telephone, cable tv and internet bundle of $150 per month or $1800 per year, it whittles down to roughly $45-$50 per month or $450 to $500 per year. The Tivo OTA-DVR is far better than I had even hoped. That of course has a great deal to do with the OTA antenna. The capacity of recorded content is easy to add by plugging in a usb hard drive. I think the hardest part is getting use to the difference and knowing the numbers of your OTA channels, i.e., 5.1 instead of channel 5 or channel 200 etc. 

Here I am! Ü

This is a keepin up place. I know that I will run out of space on what has been my main vent.
So I need to continue somewhere. I need to keep communicating with I have no idea who. Just to be able to communicate. It keeps the gears grinding. Get out in the open.