‘Neath the Old Oak Tree

How have we come to the point of resigning from the privilege of personally preparing the bodies of our loved ones for burial?  While it may be true that most funeral directors have the sincerest desire to offer a helpful service, a brief study of state burial regulations reveals that we have been swindled into yet another system that has stolen the privileges and responsibilities of God’s children.  The funeral industry has turned the “final act of love” into a dehumanizing, commercial ritual.  May the lyrics of this song encourage you in reclaiming one of life’s most intimate experiences.

‘Neath the Old Oak Tree

By Bonnie Jaeckle 04.19.13

When the days are rough and times are hard

You know where I will be:

Nestled in the hole of the oak,

Just my Katie and me.

CHORUS:

So, bury me ‘neath the old oak tree

Where Katie and I sat alone.

Lay me to rest ‘neath the old oak tree

When this world no longer I roam.

Ain’t no law against old flannel shirts.

Don’t need a pin-striped suit.

And why buy a fancy burial vault

When an ‘ol pine box will do?

CHORUS:

Bury me ‘neath the old oak tree

Where Katie and I sat alone.

Lay me to rest ‘neath the old oak tree

When this world no longer I roam.

If you wanna pay your respects to me,

Don’t fall for this money makin’ plot.

Why would I want to look alive

When in reality I’m not?

CHORUS:

I wanna be buried ‘neath the old oak tree

Where Katie and I sat alone.

Lay me to rest ‘neath the old oak tree

When this world no longer I roam.

There’s no need to attempt to preserve

What God has made out of dust.

When my days on earth come to an end,

It’s His promises that I will trust

CHORUS:

Bury me ‘neath the old oak tree

Where Katie and I sat alone.

Lay me to rest ‘neath the old oak tree

When this world no longer I roam.

Please lay me to rest ‘neath the old oak tree

When this world no longer I roam.

For further information on this topic, Caring for the Dead: Your Final Act of Love by Lisa Carlson, executive director of the Funeral and Memorial Societies of America is an excellent resource and gives the requirements for each state. You may also find the following link helpful: http://consumerist.com/2009/03/06/save-money-on-a-funeral/.

Whole-Heartedly,

Bonnie

P.S.  Please feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts, topics you’d like to ponder or to read past articles at: http://whole-heartedlife.blogspot.com/.  You may also contact me at:

             Bonnie Jaeckle

             In Search of the Whole-Hearted Life

             Diagonal Progress

             505 Jefferson St.

             Diagonal, IA 50845

DISCLAIMER:

The author of this article does not endorse everything represented on/in suggested links, books, etc.  Each of us is accountable to God to weigh everything according to His Word.

All content of this article is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. The author sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. The information herein is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.  This is best left to the Creator of the universe.  In all health-related situations, “qualified healthcare professionals” should always be consulted.  The author deems THE GREAT PHYSICIAN to be most qualified.  The author assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material.

The Disclosed Secret

When I was in the Philippines, I had the opportunity to enjoy some hummus that was out of this world!  I tried, to no avail to get the restaurant owner to share his recipe with me.  He smiled at me and said, “If I share this, I’ll be dead in the morning!”  I think he was teasing about being dead, but he was serious about not sharing his secret.

I’ve had a hunger for hummus several times since returning home from the Philippines, but nothing that I’ve tried compares to that which the Filipino chef prepares; plus, hummus in the grocery store is terribly expensive!  A few weeks ago, I decided to try my hand at making hummus and developed a recipe that, in my opinion, comes pretty close to the hummus that I’ve longed for.  In fact, I may be developing a new addiction!

If you are a hummus connoisseur, I think you’re taste buds will be delighted with this recipe.  If you’ve never had hummus, my recipe may be a good place to establish a taste for it. 

Let’s see… what shall I call it?  How about…

Disclosed Secret Hummus

¼ cup tahini paste

1 tsp. honey

¼ cup lemon juice

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 Tbsp water

1 tsp. ground cumin

½ bunch fresh cilantro, chopped (or 1 Tbsp dried)

3 cloves chopped/minced garlic

1 tsp. salt

¼ medium onion, finely chopped

1 tsp. chopped jalapeno pepper

2 – 15.5 oz. cans drained chickpeas (garbanzo beans)

Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender and process until smooth.  Add more oil and/or water if too dry.  Serve with crackers, pita bread, and/or vegetables.

Note: Hummus takes on many different faces.  Don’t be afraid to play around with various ingredients i.e.: tomatoes, olives, various spices, basil pesto, etc.

Hmm... should I warn my Filipino chef that his secret is out or simply enjoy my recipe and hope that he is spared?

Whole-Heartedly,

Bonnie

P.S.  Please feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts, topics you’d like to ponder or to read past articles at: http://whole-heartedlife.blogspot.com/.  You may also contact me at:

             Bonnie Jaeckle

             In Search of the Whole-Hearted Life

             Diagonal Progress

             505 Jefferson St.

             Diagonal, IA 50845

Searching for Truth in a World Full of Lies

In the process of seeking purpose in life and attempting to get a hold on Truth, I’ve looked to and trusted in many things.  As Father has walked me through various stages of understanding, He has shown me that although most of us place high stakes in such worldly things, there is no hope in any of them.  While I’m sure the journey and lessons are not finished, I’ve come to recognize that unadulterated purpose and Truth can not be found in this world, even within the religious systems.  The lyrics below express the journey which often leads to that understanding.

                                                                                          

Searching for Truth in a World Full of Lies

                                                                                    By Bonnie Jaeckle, April 2013

CHORUS:

Searching for truth in a world full of lies.

Don’t look to the altar; don’t look to the skies.

We won’t find answers; it’s all a disguise,

If we’re searching for truth in a world full of lies.

Climb that ladder toward riches and fame.

Fend for Myself to gain a great name.

Seek more education.  Don’t stop for a rest

‘Til finally I question, “What IS success?”

Sit back and enjoy!  Get out for some fun!

It’s all about ME.  I am the one!

Games and parties, retirement and wine,

‘Til I’m old and lonely with only a short time.

CHORUS:

Searching for truth in a world full of lies.

Don’t look to the altar; don’t look to the skies.

We won’t find answers; it’s all a disguise,

If we’re searching for truth in a world full of lies.

One more study.  They’re finding a way

To keep me young and healthy always.

My faith is in science and the next helpful pill

‘Til my body starts screaming, “They’re designed to kill!”

“Religion’s the answer,” the self-righteous will say,

“Going to church is the only way!

I’ve got the answers!  My preacher’s got it right!”

‘Til my eyes are opened, I’ve been blinded by pride!

CHORUS:

Searching for truth in a world full of lies.

Don’t look to the altar; don’t look to the skies.

We won’t find answers; it’s all a disguise,

If we’re searching for truth in a world full of lies.

My nation’s the greatest…My country’s the best!

I must fight for my freedom…Take it all from the rest!

My trust is in warfare and I’ll stand ‘til the end!

‘Til the truth is exposed that the nations are friends!

There’s Something bigger, more powerful, you see,

Than the systems of religion or Global policies.

When the facts sink in and hard reality hits

We’ll all come to see that this world isn’t it!

Searching for truth in a world full of lies.

Don’t look to the altar; don’t look to the skies.

We won’t find answers; it’s all a disguise,

If we’re searching for truth in a world full of lies.

Whole-Heartedly,

Bonnie

P.S.  Please feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts, topics you’d like to ponder or to read past articles at: http://whole-heartedlife.blogspot.com/.  You may also contact me at:

             Bonnie Jaeckle

             In Search of the Whole-Hearted Life

             Diagonal Progress

             505 Jefferson St.

             Diagonal, IA 50845

Creation and Girls with Power Tools

As a young girl, I followed my older brothers around, wanting to be involved in all that they did.  Being mechanical, yet having very little resources to work with, they were always trying to make something out of nothing.  It wasn’t uncommon to find them under the hood of a car or building something from scrap, etc.  I was often right next to them wanting to help even if it meant being their “gopher”.  I was more than willing to “go fer this...” and “go fer that...” in order to be included in their activity.

Consequently, I developed an interest in power tools, mechanics and building.  However, I was pretty young at the time, so I wasn’t really ready for much “hands-on” opportunities.  As I grew older, my interests in these skills never changed.  In high-school, I informed the school counselor that I intended to register for “Industrial Arts” classes.  However, in those days girls weren’t allowed in such male oriented programs, so… the counselor kindly re-directed me toward “Home Economics” along with the other girls.

It wasn’t that I minded home-making activities.  Momma did a great job of teaching me about cooking, sewing, etc. and I enjoyed it, but I also wanted to learn how to fix my car, do home repairs and use POWER tools!

Although I often requested electric tools for gifts through the years, somehow my “tool shop” was relegated to a drawer in the kitchen designated as “Mom’s tool drawer”.  While I always treasured and protected my little hand tools from sticky fingers in the household, my “need” for POWER tools never really got fulfilled!  Recently, I’ve been reminded to never give-up hope!

My nephew lives next door and has a huge, heated shop with all the POWER tools a girl could ever dream of!  What he doesn’t have, my brother, Art does!  Not only that, Art is an excellent and patient teacher!  I’m learning to use drills, saws, torches, grinders and all sorts of other fun tools!

Currently we are re-building a horse drawn disc.  We’ve disassembled two well used discs, rescued the best parts from each one and are making a “new” one.  In this throw-away world, there are few things more rewarding than taking “a piece of junk” that someone else tossed aside and turning it into something useable and valuable!

When we disassembled the discs’ bearing hubs, we discovered oak bushings.  What an invention!  However, over time they had become worn and needed to be replaced.  Obviously, we can’t just run to the local farm implement store and purchase such things.  So… we got the saw out, cut some blocks, drilled through the center, chiseled-out the core and carved new bushings.  What fun!

Why do these projects bring so much enjoyment?  It seems that we were created for such things.  It’s difficult for me to imagine that the Creator of this universe intended for us to mass-produce stuff.  Personally, I know of no one who’s ever given any indication that they enjoyed their assembly line job.  Additionally, it seems that those who make things find far greater joy in possessing and giving than those who have the resources to purchase whatever they want.  The joy seems to be in the creating and seeing the fruits of our labors.

Scripture tells us that Father fashioned “the heavens and the earth in all their vast array”. 

Obviously, even our Creator likes POWER “tools”!

Consider this; the sun is so powerful that

“it would take the gross national product of the United States for 7 million years …

for your local power company to run the sun for a mere second.”

– James B. Kalen, Astronomy, (New York: HarperCollins, 1994), 312.

Nothing can escape the power of God’s sun!

I can just imagine Father busy about creating… “I think I’ll breathe a little sun into existence over here and –umm- add a sparkle of light over there.  Oh, wow!  How about a touch of water in this spot and a bit of land in that?  Perfect!  Hey; I have an idea!  Now that I have some dirt, I think I’ll use it to make a creature in My image.”

Scripture says that after He completed the sixth day of creation, Father stood back and said something like, “Look at that!  I made that!  That is cool” (Genesis 1:31)!  There isn’t any wonder why we find such joy in what we create.  After all, we were made in our Creator’s image.  Hey… no wonder I like POWER tools!

Whole-Heartedly,

Bonnie

P.S.  Please feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts, topics you’d like to ponder or to read past articles at: http://whole-heartedlife.blogspot.com/.  You may also contact me at:

             Bonnie Jaeckle

             In Search of the Whole-Hearted Life

             Diagonal Progress

             505 Jefferson St.

             Diagonal, IA 50845