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Posted 11/09/2009 07:43pm
... Nathan notified his mother and me that he
wanted us at the hospital around 2:00 am Wednesday
morning (09/09/09) --- Gina was scheduled for a
c-section delivery @ 5:00 am...
... Alana
Laura was born @ 5:19 / weighing 8# 4oz...
... ALL doing OK !
[ See photos and read
background info on my deviantArt site (You don't
have to log in to access THESE files)] http://zekesgraphics.deviantart.com
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Posted 07/09/2009 09:28pm
UPDATES & Prayer Requests:
LaborDay
Monday @ 8:00 PM
... Just call me
"Schultz" (ref: "Hogan's
Heroes") --- I know NOTHING ! I see NOTHING !
I hear NOTHING ! I'll be the last to know NOTHING
!
... FaceBook had me blocked out for 15
hours today --- "for site maintenance"
--- they picked a heck of a time for that --- My
daughter-in-law, Gina was admitted to maternity
this morning & they tried to induce labor
because of her high BP... I JUST finally logged
back on / she's resting... They're going to
administer more inducing drugs after midnight...
Maybe tomorrow AM we'll welcome Alana Laura !
... Nathan is hanging in there !
...
Stopped by for a few minutes around noon when we
picked up and I drove Susie's "new"
motorcycle home (a "mint" 1980 Honda
CM400)!
... We counted on FB Updates with
hospital's ban on cell-phone use...
... I'd
BITE someone --- if I had any teeth left (had 8
bad or broken ones pulled on Friday)! Dentures
coming NEXT month !
PS: MS, FF, .Ning
Friends --- with recent upgrades, I CAN'T watch
videos, listen to music, access or respond to
blogs, etc... I CAN still do bulletins and private
messaging... I REALLY need a newer, faster MAC !
Miss you all !
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Posted 27/02/2009 05:08pm
... It's been a weird past 24 hours !
... At
approx 5:00 pm yesterday more prayers were
answered as a board member and I casually
discussed a couple houses down the street that
we've been buying on land-contract from a local
attorney... Money hasn't been there, We can't
borrow, etc. and a few deadlines have passed for
settlement... We've got $ 7,000 cash into them on
a $ 10,000 asking price (plus a lot of "sweat
equity)... My associate prayed "Lord, DO
Something !"
... We figured we'd
probably lose our investment...
... A few
minutes later this guy pulls up and says Atty
Hanni wants to speak with me, but lost my #... He
makes a call on his cell phone and Hanni asks
whose name I want the properties deeded to... 20
minutes later, the clerk of courts calls to affirm
my wishes for the transfer... Done deal ! The 2
houses & 3 lots are finally ours !
...
Unexpected miracle ! PTL ! We plan to develop
these into Safe-House and Half-way facilities for
women & children in the area who have
need...
... Next --- our new ministry
site on ".Ning" network is finally
taking shape and things are going well until just
after midnight... "Ning" just
"upgraded" their entire network, and
now, my computer & browser can't run on my own
site anymore !
The new site is:
alpha-omegas-mc.ning.com
... Arrgh ! Don't
ever ask or wonder "What else can go wrong
?"
... I find out about the
Phishing incident this morning...
... my
legitimate MySpace URL is: myspace.com/zmacrat (#
269477186).
... an imposter site was
reported to me from several friends using the URL:
myspace.com/455476071
... this site
has been sending out sample "viagra" and
"cialas" offers...
... My pic
& write-up, but no other substantiating info
(zodiac sign is incorrect)
... I changed my
password already...
... When I reported it
--- MySpace misunderstood and reported MY URL
& account number to some on-line predator
watch groups ! [ ref:00D78NrS.500785IXS:ref ]
... I'm A retired cop --- I've been fighting
such abusers most all my life --- now, with the
vision to open a half-way & safe-house within
grasp --- I'm being mis-labelled as a perpetrator
instead of a victim, because some
"morons" can't read...
...
I'm SO tired right now !
... I thought you
deserved to know the full extent of what's going
on !
... It's definitely Spiritual Warfare
!
... Thanks again, in advance, for prayers
!
UPDATE: March 7th, 2009
...
Keep praying about the property situation... This
week I found out "why" attorney Hanni
turned over the deed(s) --- the city (with new
grants of federal funding) wants to move forward
with the take-over and demolition of this
neighborhood --- I NOW have the responsibility of
completing renovations or having the houses
demolished within 30 days, or face fines and costs
--- that Hanni didn't want to incur...
"They" say I can appeal to the city
planning dept via the city legal dept --- guess
what lawyer heads up THAT office ?
... I
intend to fight this ALL the way !
... There
ARE numerous vacant & abandoned properties in
the area that ARE problematic, but these have been
in my care for the past 4 years --- always
properly maintained and secured... No hazards /
very solid & restorable, or I wouldn't have
invested to start with...
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Posted 19/02/2009 08:58pm
This has been a long-time prayer need being
fulfilled !
Announcing:
Our NEW
Ministry Site: alpha-omegas-mc.ning.com
...
The Alpha-Omegas M/C Evangelistic Assn., Int'l.
was the first Christian motorcycle club outreach
in the country... It is also a truckers' and
veterans' ministry... We've been in
"home-missions" work for more than 40
years !
... The new site has a lot of
potential with features like "chat" on
every page, an opportunity for establishing
forums, groups, blogging, importing of widgets, a
comment wall, friends' list, e-mail, etc...
... IF you have a heart for those who live on the
highways and in the hedges, feel free to join us,
share your experience(s), and gain from
ours'...
... Welcome, in Jesus' Name !
"... Christ IN you, the hope of Glory ---
Christ THRU you, Hope for the world !"
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Posted 18/01/2009 12:30pm
UPDATED ! With Praise Report...
Sunday 18
Jan 2009:
... This morning (enroute to
church) Susie and I were involved in a bad wreck
on the north-bound 711 / Rt 11 spur between I-80
and the Gypsey Lane exit (Youngstown, OHIO)...
... Black ice on an upgrade curve was the
primary contributing factor...
... We were
approaching @ 35 - 40 MPH when the car ahead of us
began losing traction --- a pick-up truck was on
the shoulder --- we spun and Susie's driver's door
impacted with the truck's rear bumper just below
window level...
... Side-window glass and
the windshield exploded upon impact... The
driver's seat was crushed and twisted about 65 В°
--- Susie's hat & glasses were found outside
the car after impact... We both crawled out my
passenger's side door without a scratch (some
bruises and pains --- a few, likely, yet to be
determined)...
... The Mustang is
totalled... The truck sustained about $ 1,000
worth of damage...
... The girl driving it
was unharmed --- a bit unnerved (understandably)
by the incident... She was stuck where she was
because of an earlier accident in front of her ---
that driver hit the concrete median barrier, then
drove off... The poor girl was on the phone with
her boss explaining that she would be late ---
when Susie hit her from behind... We all feel
pretty sure her boss is fully convinced of the
legitimacy of her plight...
... We ARE all
thankful that no one was injured, and that damage
to the other party's vehicle is minimal...
... Prayers would be appreciated --- and if anyone
has an affordable used car available --- We need
something for Susie to continue her home
visitation work...
... Thanks !
...
Rev J R Zeke Whitelock
PRAISE REPORT
/ ADDED:
Settlement:
Wednesday 21 Jan,
2009
... I don't know if you caught the
bulletins or saw the pics --- but Susie & I
were in a real BAD wreck on our way to Church last
Sunday... I'm still a bit stiff & sore --- I
WAS the "airbag" for Susie to land
against...
... Anyway, beyond the fact that
God sovereignly spared everyone from serious
injury --- we're settling all liabilities with the
other driver and getting a "new" used
car tomorrow (well, I guess, it would be later
today) --- a 1994 Mercury Topaz...
... The
dealer is a Christian friend --- this car just had
$ 450 worth of work done to it --- asking price on
the lot was $ 1,100 --- we're getting it for $ 800
cash...
... The Lord truly does provide ! (I
confess, I'm NOT always sure of HIS sense of
"stewardship" --- we didn't really need
that accident, but He's the One with the "Big
Picture")...
... The pictures wouldn't
post here --- but you've GOT to see them to fully
understand the "impact" that occured:
www.myspace.com/zmacrat (look in pics /
"personal" album)
[OR]
zekesgraphics.deviantart.com (look in
"scraps" folder)
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Posted 03/01/2009 11:55am
... In December, the home health care company my
wife has worked with for the past 5 years ---
closed its doors for good --- as have many
companies in this region... By God's grace --- she
has been able to move her clients and their
support programs to another "Christian -
owned" company --- without a gap in service
or pay...
... The following
"Prayer" was posted in the office of her
new employer when she visited for the first
time... It's a great attitude adjustment and
reminder to us ALL !
AN EMPLOYEES'
PRAYER:
... My Heavenly Father --- as
I enter this workplace,
... I bring Your
Presence with me...
... I speak Your Peace;
Your Grace; Your Mercy;
... and Your Perfect
Order into this place...
... I acknowledge
Your Power & Authority over ALL ---
---
that will be spoken, thought, decided, and
done...
... Lord, I thank You for the
gifts You have blessed me with...
... I
commit to using them responsibly, in Your
Honor...
... Give me a fresh supply of
strength to do my job...
... Anoint my
projects, ideas, and energy ---
--- so that
even my smallest accomplishments ---
--- may
bring You Glory !
... Keep me
appreciative --- that You are my provider !
... Lord, when I don't understand --- guide
me...
... When I am weary --- energize
me...
... When I am burned out --- infuse me
---
--- with the Light of Your Holy
Spirit...
... May the work that I do, and
the way that I do it ---
--- bring faith,
joy, and a smile to ALL I come in contact
with...
... And, Lord, When I leave
this place today --- give me traveling mercy...
... Bless my family and home to be in order as
I left it...
... Lord, I thank You
for everything You've done,
... everything
You're doing,
... and everything You're
going to do !
... In the Name of
Jesus, with much love and thanksgiving...
... Amen !
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Posted 13/12/2008 09:28pm
For any who might care...
... You've had a
chance to hear my son Nathan's music on my music
player...
... He has been a worship leader
at his home church for the past 3 years...
... He has been very involved in the church's
youth and young adults' programs...
... He
and his wife Gina host a college & careers
home fellowship group in addition to extra
activity relating to their contemporary Christian
band "Chasing Adelaide"...
...
Nathan is studying for his degree in ministry
though a correspondence and on-line course @
Liberty University while working full-time at the
nearby AVI warehouse, and building an auto-repair
clientele...
... This Sunday Morning (14
December, 2008) during services beginning @ 10:30
AM --- Nathan is being officially installed as the
new Youth Pastor of New Life Community Church on
Tibbetts-Wick Rd in Liberty Twp (approx 1/4 mile
east off Belmont Ave / a mile north of I-80 on the
North side of Youngstown, OHIO )...
... His
mother and I are understandably quite proud of his
faithfulness and accomplishments in his 22 years
of living for Jesus with a heart for ministry
& service... We wanted to share our joy in
this moment with you...
... I know that
Nathan will appreciate your prayers for the Lord's
wisdom & guidance in the coming days, weeks,
and years...
... Rev J R Zeke & Susanne
Whitelock
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Posted 26/11/2008 06:51pm
First --- Thanks to all my friends for
Thanksgiving Day best wishes...
... We wish
& pray the same back to ALL of you and your's
!
... (Why does it seem the turkeys get the
best deal ? They get to be in Heaven !) --- we get
bloated & lazy :-(...
Secondly
--- (I did this last year with some measure of
positive success, but...) --- this 27th day of
November is ALSO my Susie's 51st birthday... She
even gets to have the whole day off ! That doesn't
happen much ! While she's NOT on-line, herself,
she IS very much a part of the ministry that I get
to share on-line --- SO, anyone wishing to send
her some BD wishes can feel free to do so, and
I'll be sure she gets to see them !
... Thanks !
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Posted 10/10/2008 12:29pm
... I wanted to update this with the testimony of
answered prayers...
---------------------
... I'm about to head for Pittsburgh for the
weekend to attend my 40th yr High School Re-union
(Mt Lebanon / Class of 1968)... Where DOES the
time go ?
... Anyway, please pray that Susie
& I may be a blessing to these old friends ---
I came to the Lord through Young Life @ age 15, so
many have been watching my life unfold ever since
that time...
... Thanks !
---------------------
... The 40th reunion
went well --- except for our 45-minute visit to my
parents... Mom is 86 and dad is 88 --- BOTH in
amazingly good health... But mom remains as bitter
and venomous as ever --- she'll be civil for about
10-15 minutes, then reverts to her true nature of
hating God and despising me and everything I stand
for... It's actually pathetically funny to watch
her try to convince Susie that I'm a loser and a
liar about anything I should ever speak or do in
life --- I lived with them for 15 years --- I've
been married for 30 years... Who knows me better ?
But, mom has to try to destroy my relationships
(obligated to save the world from my
influences)... Sometimes I don't know why I bother
continuing to hold the door open and offer love
& forgiveness...
... The Lord was
gracious, however --- even with mom's very
calculated viciousness --- example: [...this will
make a bit more sense if you have read the first 4
chapters of my autobio @ LordsMessage...]
... Mom starts off --- "do you remember that
time you told us you were taking Paula McCallum to
the sock-hop, but you didn't want us to drive you
there ? Well, we found out that you didn't have a
date with Paula --- you lied to us... We got 5
phone calls from neighbors about that incident...
When are you going to apologize for that sort of
stuff ? We've been waiting for over 40
years..."
... I replied that I can't
apologize for what never happened !
...
While I WAS truly infatuated with Paula --- I knew
I'd never have a snowball's chance in the hot
place of her going out on a date with me --- so
there was NO way I would have claimed that
intention... She was WAY out of my
"class"...
... (That reply got mom
all riled up about how affluent our family was and
--- how could I claim "classiness"
differences with such a little tramp ?)...
... We left at that point --- I'd just had enough
!
... About an hour and a half later @ the
reunion --- Paula comes up to me, gives me a hug,
and says: "John, you have been such a sweet
and steadfast friend --- I need to apologize for
how I treated you at times back in school... The
faith you've demonstrated over the years has meant
a lot to me, and has been a comfort and an
inspiration... Thank You for being obedient to
God's unique calling in your life ! Are you still
designing cars and naming them after me ?"
... What a truly perfect & precious way for
the Lord to sooth that recently "salted"
emotional wound...
... The weekend
was overall, enjoyable & successful --- great
to see so many old friends, to be remembered, and
to be honored for all that God has used me for
over the years...
... I know that my prayer
request and the responses of many --- helped ---
much !
... I had been asked to do the
invocation and opening prayer ceremonies at the
10th & 20th reunions... We didn't have a
25th... The 30th was done by an out-of-state
promotional / management agency --- most of us
were never notified...
... This 40th was
organized thru the "classmates.com"
website... Close to 300 of our 637 classmates were
there this time... We've lost about 50, so far...
We WILL be getting together every 5 years from now
on...
[... My participation @ the
10th made for a memorable event --- that's still
fondly remembered... Our class president had made
arrangements with me over a 3-month period of time
--- he was one of my closest friends and a brother
in Christ from Young Life... He planned on
introducing me as a success story --- because I
WAS doing what I'd envisioned doing from age 15
--- on... There was just one little detail he
hadn't shared with me prior to my arrival at the
downtown Pittsburgh hotel where the event was to
take place... The detail was that the dinner and
evening program was "gala /
formal"...
... I rode 2 hrs thru the
rain on my Harley to get there 10 minutes late,
hotel security chased me around the parking lot,
made a call upstairs to confirm my participation
--- then apologized and put me on the elevator ---
when the door slid open --- there was a sea of
gowns & tuxes --- corporately exclaiming
"OMG !" as they confronted me --- a
half-drowned rat "Hell's Angel" vision
in denim and leather, colours vest and a suede
western hat, trimmed in feathers and a huge (real)
raccoon tail (same hat I'm wearing in one of my
profile photos)... One of the girls on the
committee --- jumped up on a table as I stepped
off the elevator --- "everyone ! shut-up !
who are we trying to impress with our rented gowns
& tuxes ? this man, our classmate is an outlaw
biker --- he's the only "REAL" person
here ! show some respect !"
... The
evening progressed from there !]
[...
At the 20th, we drove down and stayed over in one
of our ministry buses...]
... This
time we commuted in my wife's '89 Mustang LX ---
the fuel economy from the 4-cyl / 5-speed
combination made it much cheaper to make the two
trips --- than blow money on a hotel room...
... It WAS warm enough for riding down on a bike
--- but the chilliness and foggy midnight rides
home would have been too much for Susie, and I
really am not ready to have heavy leather sleeves
rubbing on these remaining burn wounds... (Two and
a half years ago, I was exposed to a plant called
"stinging nettles" on a contracted
landscaping job --- suffering 3rd degree chemical
burns over 60 % of my body... I've doctored myself
thru the recovery process, and have about 2 months
to go before all the affected skin is restored to
permanent scar tissue... BTW --- a doctor friend
of mine DID check me out briefly and confirmed
that I was applying the proper treatment for the
situation)...
[PS: The weekend
following, Susie and I attended HER 30th College
class reunion @ Westminster --- another good time
with some "fruitful" contacts ! (I also
attended Westminster --- Class of '71)]
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