tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86855176362577782292024-03-19T13:22:15.041-04:00Morning Mist & Scattered CloudsI have swept away your sins like the morning mists. I have scattered your offenses like the clouds. Is. 44:22Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-7638745240221803922012-12-12T12:57:00.000-05:002012-12-12T12:57:41.830-05:00Stone of Joy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am a guest blogger over <a href="http://dunwoodychurchblog.com/2012/12/12/the-stone-of-joy/" target="_blank">here ~ at my church's (Dunwoody Community Church) blog.</a><br />
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I speak of God's great grace and mercy to my family during a trying time, for which I give Him ALL THANKS and PRAISE.<br />
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I also talk about the difference between two Ebenezers ~ can you guess who they are?<br />
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Come over and find out.....<br />
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Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com97tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-46252433227428007792012-10-31T09:40:00.001-04:002012-11-02T13:02:06.318-04:00Ghouls, Greed, Grace and God<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The history of Halloween has evolved from pagan to Christian and now in post-Christian America ~ it is a inane magnification of the macabre:</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">In modern culture, Halloween has become not only a commercial holiday (second only to Christmas), but a season of cultural fascination with evil and the demonic. Even as the society has pressed the limits on issues such as sexuality, the culture's confrontation with the "dark side" has also pushed far beyond boundaries honored in the past. ~ Albert Mohler</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As a child I enjoyed Halloween. Where I grew up it wasn't called "Trick-or-treating," but "Halloweening." It wasn't about the candy. Yes, we enjoyed our goodies, but it was about the fun. We would trek to the attic to the Halloween box filled with a humble hodge-podge of hand-me-down garments, accessories, and masks. We always managed to pull a costume together. And here's the thing ~ it had to be good. Good in the sense that ~ we had to be unrecognizable. We had to fool the neighbors. Because where I grew up the custom was to go only to neighbors' houses (people that you knew and they knew you), then you went inside their house, and they had to try to guess who you were. So, the goal was not to "give yourself" away in any way, shape, or form. The most fun was to stymie the neighbors, and the candy was just "icing on the cake." </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That was the 60's. Now, oh my ~ what Halloween has become. A prime example of greed. How much candy can I get!?! Kids going to as many houses as possible, grabbing as much as possible, and giving you the "stink eye" when restricting their loot or they don't like what you are offering. And don't get me started on the teens that show up in jeans, a flannel shirt, and a pillow case for their haul. The lack of respect that has been exhibited at my door has been quite astonishing (not all, but enough). Personally, I turn out all the lights so as to be participatory, but hubby disagrees...so, when he's stepped away from the front door ~ guess who has to open it. Ugh.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">However, I am more and more intrigued by this phenomenon that Halloween has turned into such a huge and intense celebration and glorification of death and all things related to it. </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">DEATH. </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Death ~ that which we do everything in our power to avoid. </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Death ~ that which we try to cheat. </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Death ~ that which we dread. </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Death ~ that which we fear. </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Death ~ that which we try to outsmart at every turn. </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Death ~ that which when a loved one does succumb to it leaves us sad, heartbroken, crushed, distraught, grief-stricken, and sometimes immobile. </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, why do people decorate their yards like cemeteries, hang skeletons from the trees, and put ghouls on their porches. Why do people flock to haunted houses, revel in all things morbid and dress in grotesque costumes?</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Such a juxtaposition.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We hate death and yet, at Halloween ~ are jubilating in it.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Why?</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In celebrating death in this "irreverent" way, does it make us feel more alive?</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Is it an "in your face" way of saying, "Ha ~ I've cheated it for another year so I can mock it and make fun of it?"</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I don't understand the rationale. It just gets curiouser and curiouser to me that supposedly normal, otherwise level-headed people participate in the "celebration of darkness." If they sat down and really thought through the reasoning of decorating their yards like cemeteries and their faces as zombies...would it sober them to the reality.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Death is not a joking matter. </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Do they want to die? Do they want their loved ones to die?</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Do they think about what happens when they die?</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There is life after death ~ where do you want to spend it? There are two choices:</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Heaven?</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">or </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hell?</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Heaven is light and hell is dark.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The good news is God in all His grace wants ALL to come into the light. He has overcome the darkness.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Because of God's tender mercy, the Light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give Light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace." Luke 1: 78-79 (speaking of the advent of Jesus' birth)</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Are you on the path of peace from knowing Jesus Christ as the One who came to earth, shed His Light, who died for you to live in the Light and have eternal life in heaven?</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, "I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12 </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We have all committed sins because we now live in the world where purity and light were relinquished by Adam and Eve which gave Satan a foothold to usher in impurity and darkness.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We can become right with God again by acknowledging our sinfulness, and Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross that takes away our sins.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The journey from darkness, which is hellish, to light, which is heavenly....is easy. </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Just tell God you want His Light, Jesus to be your Savior from the darkness of your sins.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Choosing LIGHT and the celebration of walking in the Light is awesome! Nothing compares. </span></em><br />
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<a href="http://peacewithgod.jesus.net/" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Click here to find out more about "peace with God," </span></em></a><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> or if you have any questions, leave me a comment.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Clarification: I do not mean to be judgemental to those who celebrate Halloween ~ it just is a CURIOSITY to me of the dichotomy of human nature's aversion to death and turning around and celebrating it ~ and I put some of those thoughts into words. That's all.</span></em><br />
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Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-84223237268836243712011-11-25T12:45:00.000-05:002011-11-25T12:45:29.696-05:00"Black Friday" Thought<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>If Christmas is to celebrate </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Jesus' birthday,</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>why is it</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>we buy gifts for everyone, </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>BUT HIM.</b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bradwhitt.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Happy-Birthday-Jesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://bradwhitt.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Happy-Birthday-Jesus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>I have to confess I am the "chief of sinners" when it comes to this.</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>I am a slow learner....this just dawned on me last year.</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>So, hopefully ~ I can reevaluate my perspective.</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_B4-l-2HLbDLQdx1EXhYW8BsNCkAQfrkMQeKvpE3krsSaJVNdvu6rp7hO0EBxa7vBzuzI_6P8o7EBqMR6B185AIXmC4tFHzfj8nUuoSLqi285scnCmwOEW2-FeHMmSt19ug8DR6yViU_/s1600/Christmas-Jesus-birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_B4-l-2HLbDLQdx1EXhYW8BsNCkAQfrkMQeKvpE3krsSaJVNdvu6rp7hO0EBxa7vBzuzI_6P8o7EBqMR6B185AIXmC4tFHzfj8nUuoSLqi285scnCmwOEW2-FeHMmSt19ug8DR6yViU_/s400/Christmas-Jesus-birthday.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-7268818270324449222011-11-22T20:05:00.000-05:002011-11-22T20:05:06.455-05:00212 years ago......<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="color: maroon;">THANKSGIVING DAY 1789<br />
BY THE</span></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="color: maroon;"> PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA </span></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Arial;">GEORGE WASHINGTON</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="color: maroon;"> A PROCLAMATION</span></strong></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://theundergroundconservative.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/prayeratvalleyforge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="248" src="http://theundergroundconservative.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/prayeratvalleyforge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="color: maroon;"></span></strong><br />
Whereas it is the <strong>duty</strong> of all Nations <strong>to acknowledge the providence of almighty God</strong>,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>to obey His will</strong>, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>to be grateful for His benefits</strong>,<strong> </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>and humbly to implore His protection and favor</strong> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> "to recommend to the People of the United States</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong> a day of </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>public thanksgiving </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>and prayer </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">to be observed by <strong>acknowledging with grateful hearts </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>the many signal favors of Almighty God,</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."<br />
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be <strong>devoted by the People of these States </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>to the service of that great and glorious Being,</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong> who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be</strong> – </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks – </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>for His kind care and protection of the People of this country</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> previous to their becoming a Nation – </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://wattsupwiththat.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/thanksgiving_1789_newsclip.jpg?w=453&h=330" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="233" src="http://wattsupwiththat.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/thanksgiving_1789_newsclip.jpg?w=453&h=330" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>for the signal and manifold mercies</strong>, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>and the favorable interpositions of His providence, which we experienced</strong> in the course and conclusion of the late war –<strong>for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed</strong> – for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which He hath been pleased to confer upon us.<br />
<strong>And also that we may then unite </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions –</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually – to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed – to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord – To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and Us – and generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.<br />
Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Heavenly Father,</em></span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>212 years later,</em></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>in Your great and tender mercy</em></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>under humble praise and glory</em></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>to the only One worthy...</em></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><strong>may the above be so; yes, may it be so</strong>.</em></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>In Jesus' matchless name I pray. Amen and Amen</em></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div></div></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-33381116605176916342011-11-14T10:38:00.000-05:002011-11-14T10:38:22.706-05:00LINGER LooooooooooooNG!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">As we begin the season of hustle-bustle and hurry-scurry, I have another guest post that very eloquently points us to what is important. A much needed reminder beautifully written by an extraordinary and beautiful (inside and out) young woman, <a href="http://themusgroves.blogspot.com/">Anne Marie</a>. She is a friend of my daughter's who is graciously and generously living her life loving and learning how to linger in East Asia. Her wisdom at such a tender age is inspiring:<br />
<h3 class="post-title entry-title"><a href="http://themusgroves.blogspot.com/2011/10/lingering.html">lingering</a> </h3><div class="post-body entry-content"> According to Miriam Webster, this is what it means to <b> linger</b>:<br />
1. To be slow in parting or in quitting something<br />
2. a: to remain alive although gradually dying<br />
b: to remain existent although often waning in strength<br />
3. To be slow to act<br />
4. To move slowly<br />
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<i>I want to be a person who lingers. </i><br />
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I want to linger over a hot cup of coffee before the noise of the day begins, instead of immediately feeling the need to check email.<i> </i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkzNiBc2e1shi-P0Bm2_TX6gO9f0E56IV8XmUuEAeiZy-Z1GBTRdpQcUaomtZoAB4_BBbBd3k0SAcJhJh7z3Ka5sNIYKMnywGoABQmLYObf19yCwJDJOdxogFYcq1dI0rT-owT7kgn_7U/s1600/photo%25287%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkzNiBc2e1shi-P0Bm2_TX6gO9f0E56IV8XmUuEAeiZy-Z1GBTRdpQcUaomtZoAB4_BBbBd3k0SAcJhJh7z3Ka5sNIYKMnywGoABQmLYObf19yCwJDJOdxogFYcq1dI0rT-owT7kgn_7U/s400/photo%25287%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I want to linger in the embrace of my husband's spontaneous hug at the kitchen sink instead of nudging him away so I can wash the next dish.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLharKBwzB-zgLJ5Uxz6txymUsO99NX8rMq__lyCV4OzBts-igGpABBNjUMVZNSbrN0_CwJd-t6qTMOybPPdgkNwu2JAwIPe3nUQ0aR4wVygXSx_qwR6DgL8GJTFRn8wfWM0Zzy-uTHvy/s1600/photo%25284%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLharKBwzB-zgLJ5Uxz6txymUsO99NX8rMq__lyCV4OzBts-igGpABBNjUMVZNSbrN0_CwJd-t6qTMOybPPdgkNwu2JAwIPe3nUQ0aR4wVygXSx_qwR6DgL8GJTFRn8wfWM0Zzy-uTHvy/s400/photo%25284%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I want to linger in meditation on God's word instead of being satisfied to just check it off my list for the day. <br />
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I want to linger at bath time with Maddox and not care about what time it is or how much water is being splashed on the floor. <i> </i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeupFavbsldc4174i0e_lHMNQF7aQdhjr7KUovKXIs0N6bxeG_78IlymOjChb75Zr1XaSmWLUei4xHFc76srfR1LlP1XvuvQ9bQmaJ6CJIoTK_lF6s59aDZ7AVm4Z3NAM1zsu9OjsfJu1r/s1600/photo%25283%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeupFavbsldc4174i0e_lHMNQF7aQdhjr7KUovKXIs0N6bxeG_78IlymOjChb75Zr1XaSmWLUei4xHFc76srfR1LlP1XvuvQ9bQmaJ6CJIoTK_lF6s59aDZ7AVm4Z3NAM1zsu9OjsfJu1r/s400/photo%25283%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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I want to linger in silence with a friend instead of feeling the need to interject with some answer or piece of advice that, let's be honest, probably isn't that great anyway.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj730_J8UzYw5PCY8a7cwAgE4RMLqAlxjmjFVTi9nsCiKfRkF9mcr0FSV9KgWfkMctW7IgLvkuPAXE1NrODGr05zv9LI2e0vXJ2LezIKjeIrW1WKhECJLST9CIycSNEMFXC80b05nsJRZ3o/s1600/photo%25286%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj730_J8UzYw5PCY8a7cwAgE4RMLqAlxjmjFVTi9nsCiKfRkF9mcr0FSV9KgWfkMctW7IgLvkuPAXE1NrODGr05zv9LI2e0vXJ2LezIKjeIrW1WKhECJLST9CIycSNEMFXC80b05nsJRZ3o/s400/photo%25286%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I want to linger in my weakness.<br />
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I want to linger in the hard lesson God is teaching me instead of just wishing for the end result. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKalsgEUMX_hdrVw9F1_2NdPknrJIo4JjincxAumrRP4-nd4Fds9AB8w5Rl4WQ9kOmuEjRqWdA3nRCGKE7c4fisK7RtrXewbQkzLeuBbW39xSf66FWZNb43HTX3TmkjGju4cxjShjhKXTm/s1600/photo%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKalsgEUMX_hdrVw9F1_2NdPknrJIo4JjincxAumrRP4-nd4Fds9AB8w5Rl4WQ9kOmuEjRqWdA3nRCGKE7c4fisK7RtrXewbQkzLeuBbW39xSf66FWZNb43HTX3TmkjGju4cxjShjhKXTm/s400/photo%25282%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><br />
I know I'm gonna wake up one day when Maddox is grown and wish that I could do bath time with him again or sing him to sleep, so why do I try and rush through those things now? Why do I feel like I have to live life in a hurry from one thing to the next. I really have absolutely nothing to be in a hurry for. <br />
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If every moment is beautifully ordained by God, which I whole-heartedly believe is true, then why wouldn't we want to linger in them? And if we never linger, doesn't that mean we are missing out on what that specific moment has to offer? And if we keep missing the gifts that come in the moments, then aren't we missing out on the fullness of life that God intended for us? <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibufH-YtL9N4ghb_WPQZDR3N113lyc0Q342wUDunesci9QLoi5lgYuECQKVHFeAbxoqHEXirHpv4zdwZ_WKS4lyZbLdD4VheYQhEXPTUwcMWT_7p4gb4rNtagckN63PV4ZmOVc_t9k-AV1/s1600/photo%25288%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibufH-YtL9N4ghb_WPQZDR3N113lyc0Q342wUDunesci9QLoi5lgYuECQKVHFeAbxoqHEXirHpv4zdwZ_WKS4lyZbLdD4VheYQhEXPTUwcMWT_7p4gb4rNtagckN63PV4ZmOVc_t9k-AV1/s400/photo%25288%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I want so badly to go slow and savor minutes, hours, days, and the season God has me in. I want to let my child stay in the bath too long just because he loves it. I want to experience the slow and sometimes agonizing process of refinement that comes with learning the hard lesson, because that's how God shapes us and changes hearts. I want to know the extent of my weaknesses so I can better understand the extent of God's strength and grace - if I never linger in my weakness I will never have to depend on the Lord. I want to sit in the tough emotions, because there's a time for every one of them under Heaven. I want to hug Chris for a long time because I have no idea what tomorrow holds and if there will even be another hug. <br />
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Lord, teach me how to linger.</div><div class="post-body entry-content"></div><div class="post-body entry-content">Thanks, Anne Marie ~ for such a good word. May we truly linnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnger according to God's economy and not our own....especially at this upcoming, hectic season.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzGbNqLgds66zACLR7NNhVjkjx-oJXXYOmEXsniESBLNCIYX2qjrFASe147Ski_RR_Fbr0lISCTw4FtfCqjKwHvCZW5n7c8bDqn1gTHBL9-DKljZdoof27lLWH4YennpKBi8xT2zhk6uj/s1600/IMG_6060.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div></div></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-54014586758279269572011-10-21T21:02:00.000-04:002011-10-21T21:02:01.812-04:00A Post that Never LEAVES Me....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I've been busy and out-of-town, but I wanted to pop in and breathe some life into "MM & SC." <br />
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So, how 'bout a breath of fresh autumnal air from a young talented woman.<br />
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This is a guest post from <a href="http://elmering.blogspot.com/">Laura</a>, a friend of my daughters ~ she's darlin,' beautiful inside and out, as well as a gifted writer.<br />
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I read this post exactly a year ago. It is one of those that resonates to the depths of your souls and continues to reverberate with echoes of the words, the message, and the heart coming to mind every so often.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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Thursday, October 21, 2010<br />
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blanks walls and leaves on the ground <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://mrg.bz/Xm15Lk" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rda="true" src="http://mrg.bz/Xm15Lk" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I love writing letters on leaves. Every year around this time, I used pick a lovely fall leaf, and write a note on it. Being a lover of mail and the written word, it just seemed like fun. In the fall, one of my dear friends from childhood would always open an envelope to find a colorful leaf with sharpie scribbles on it. I'm not sure exactly why I did it, but I knew this long-time friend would understand.<br />
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The funny thing about my love for fall leaves is the irony in it. I hate change. I cry almost every time I cut my hair. My clothes tear to shreds or go out of style before I quit wearing them - note, I still own and wear a pair of pants from the seventh grade at 23 - I own 3 colors of nail polish: hot pinky - orange, nude/lightish pink and clear. Why? Because I fake the change - I rotate 3 shades in and out so it "looks" like I change. I have the same car I drove at fifteen and sincerely don't want a knew one. And in my old house, the wall over my bed stayed blank for two years because I was looking for the perfect thing to hang over it and if I drilled holes in the wall, I couldn't change it if I didn't like it.<br />
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I have a new blank wall. Come see. Help me drill holes. And best example of all? I cannot let go of people. Memories. Change. I am the roots, not the leaves.<br />
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You may think I'm crazy, and, yes, my hatred is a bit extreme, but who really loves change - transience - temporary?<br />
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The leaves that I wrote letters on, that crunch under your feet as you walk to work, that act as decor on your mantles, that make for hours of fun when in piles - those leaves are proof that we can't escape change, but that it can still be a beautiful thing. Has death ever looked so lovely? Change is part of this world, and the desire for something eternal is just another reason to believe we weren't made for this.<br />
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<a href="http://mrg.bz/nhoc2E" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rda="true" src="http://mrg.bz/nhoc2E" width="300" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pictures from Morgue File (not original to Laura's post)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-18107915477148462582011-09-12T09:20:00.000-04:002011-09-12T09:20:46.658-04:00SHINE ON.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://rickmc.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/harvest-moon_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://rickmc.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/harvest-moon_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>...... Shine on harvest moon ~ up in the sky.<br />
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Tonite will be a full moon ~ the harvest moon (the best known of all the moons).<br />
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It is the moon of song, poetry, and folklore. The herald of autumn and ripening fields.<br />
Before farmers had mechanical pickers and electric lights, they relied on the light of the harvest moon t bring in their crops. Back then, most of the harvesting was done by hand. With everything ripening at nearly the same time, there was too much work to be done in the fields to stop at sundown. A bright full moon allowed farmers to work long into the night to reap the crops at peak harvest time. Many farmers said the moonlight gave them the equivalents of an extra day or two. (Charles Seabrook, Wild Georgia)<br />
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In East Asia, where my daughter is studying, it is a big deal. There, the harvest moon is celebrated with the Mid-Autumn Festival. Traditionally on this day, family members and friends will gather to admire the bright moon and eat moon cakes under the moon together. Some other traditions include carrying brightly lit lanterns and collecting dandelion leaves and distributing them evenly among family member.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bluebalu.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/moon-cake-lady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://bluebalu.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/moon-cake-lady.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: red; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"> "When the moon is full, mankind is one!" ~ Chinese proverb </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">When you look up at the full moon tonite (and any other full moon nite), pray for the world that God so loves ~ that "one mankind" ~ that they would KNOW the ONE TRUE GOD ~ the Creator, the Glory, the BRIGHT and redeeming LIGHT.</span></i></span></div><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mymalaysiabooks.com/images/lantern_festival.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.mymalaysiabooks.com/images/lantern_festival.JPG" width="374" /></a></div>For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. II Corinthians 4:6<br />
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For us who have already had the immense and amazing privilege and honor of having His light shine in our hearts......SHINE for the harvest. Pray for the harvest. Pray for the laborers of the harvest...for the harvest is great, and the laborers are few.<br />
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Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a HARVEST if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9<br />
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SHINE ON....for the harvest!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.demotix.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/large_610x456_scaled/photos/578409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://www.demotix.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/large_610x456_scaled/photos/578409.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-21390236599864120732011-09-03T08:33:00.000-04:002011-09-03T08:33:04.543-04:00Perfect Equation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjv6-MBRC9DtuqLh5vhPocLSlhfLEFXrzw44xCkVzh4SPUV9ardZdLqXWkzDISg4AV5XaDzhpS2XC9WkZqBRB0-ir2vYzYhS3opUfFh4zcoAL9nlSnRnTS2s5utn3EodiHKDzNORIqn8/s1600/Top-2.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjv6-MBRC9DtuqLh5vhPocLSlhfLEFXrzw44xCkVzh4SPUV9ardZdLqXWkzDISg4AV5XaDzhpS2XC9WkZqBRB0-ir2vYzYhS3opUfFh4zcoAL9nlSnRnTS2s5utn3EodiHKDzNORIqn8/s400/Top-2.bmp.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illustration by Katherine Brown (circa 1982)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>God is sovereign.</b></span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>God is good.</b></span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sovereign + good = Rest</b></span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>No need to strive.</b></span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>No need to worry.</b></span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rest.</b></span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rest in His goodness.</b></span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rest in His sovereignty.</b></span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ahhhhhhh.....</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cV_L0DhUHTbK0hwHhvYCAx3dsYpZfctYPx3xJg6md8w4MuqXrrMaQugIMmiGdI8aadP0vLo64ABvtiNcLuEJoYVy6Tv-bR6H-AWAO594m8X6IsrUQiGWeFMXhvkVJU1f_lj-w-CiaHKw/s1600/5-minute-friday-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cV_L0DhUHTbK0hwHhvYCAx3dsYpZfctYPx3xJg6md8w4MuqXrrMaQugIMmiGdI8aadP0vLo64ABvtiNcLuEJoYVy6Tv-bR6H-AWAO594m8X6IsrUQiGWeFMXhvkVJU1f_lj-w-CiaHKw/s1600/5-minute-friday-1.jpg" /></a></div>This is in conjunction with: <a href="http://thegypsymama.com/">"Five Minute Friday"</a></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-47206529636564609562011-08-27T10:14:00.000-04:002011-08-27T10:14:55.387-04:00Older<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I wasn't going to do <a href="http://thegypsymama.com/2011/08/five-minute-fridayolder/">"Five Minute Friday" (writing freely without worrying about editing or perfection for five minutes) </a> this week ~ wasn't in the mood.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cV_L0DhUHTbK0hwHhvYCAx3dsYpZfctYPx3xJg6md8w4MuqXrrMaQugIMmiGdI8aadP0vLo64ABvtiNcLuEJoYVy6Tv-bR6H-AWAO594m8X6IsrUQiGWeFMXhvkVJU1f_lj-w-CiaHKw/s1600/5-minute-friday-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cV_L0DhUHTbK0hwHhvYCAx3dsYpZfctYPx3xJg6md8w4MuqXrrMaQugIMmiGdI8aadP0vLo64ABvtiNcLuEJoYVy6Tv-bR6H-AWAO594m8X6IsrUQiGWeFMXhvkVJU1f_lj-w-CiaHKw/s1600/5-minute-friday-1.jpg" /> </a></div><br />
I saw the word for the week, and decided to go for it. Why?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Because, I had my birthday this week, and as we mark time here on earth, I am now officially a year OLDER.<br />
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I'm on the down-hill slope of life here on earth now.<br />
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I regret the time and years I've squandered, but rest that there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus, and that He will restore the years the locust has eaten. Hallelujah!<br />
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I like being older (the alternative would mean I am not here), and I want to be here for my children. Lord willing, I will continue getting older.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5skIaRrNBpuPXjawiXXD7N9wXtGSY12wZdok1vMgK4gw_8HD0nCqbThBxIu1drErUyUNaUcE6pdgd4nM0iYXYiM8kjmrCh5afrNZRVxkPGzEYCPX9K3RV9jmfw0QJEhgzxpNA5enNI0Xn/s1600/Kidnapping+07+069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5skIaRrNBpuPXjawiXXD7N9wXtGSY12wZdok1vMgK4gw_8HD0nCqbThBxIu1drErUyUNaUcE6pdgd4nM0iYXYiM8kjmrCh5afrNZRVxkPGzEYCPX9K3RV9jmfw0QJEhgzxpNA5enNI0Xn/s400/Kidnapping+07+069.jpg" width="400" /></a>And while I am getting older, may I be getting WISER ~ in order to bear fruit and glorify Him.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-42202574805044640252011-08-22T10:02:00.000-04:002011-08-22T10:02:00.848-04:00THE HELP<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: red;"></span> </b></span>My <span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>HELP</b></span> comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4aOdT3saCJ8wmBHwRjs15xwqUAyv_DWxSku2nKFlrwzHXfjdV1K_oXJvVpn_LovQLv7tdKJT-JsqQh5m90jD2se87QFecKA0gMxHGGjHd1lyqmpYHwU1zQu57eR2GtFe1Fg-EHBKc5M3/s1600/paintedhills01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4aOdT3saCJ8wmBHwRjs15xwqUAyv_DWxSku2nKFlrwzHXfjdV1K_oXJvVpn_LovQLv7tdKJT-JsqQh5m90jD2se87QFecKA0gMxHGGjHd1lyqmpYHwU1zQu57eR2GtFe1Fg-EHBKc5M3/s320/paintedhills01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Surely God is my <span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>HELP</b></span>; the Lord is the ONE who sustains me. Psalm 54:4<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYY237s6bx5kbv0u9DvuUJJK2H72f4R5u0N4ND-03yoESWkxy-U6KTnczVtETEklYW_IlUDGcUwFEIuq6GEFlJChe1ghiZdzFP-n22-U9WB6VBF02MheYULMlzOMjmRyjoipHYd4oJOtO/s1600/gods_hand_cloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYY237s6bx5kbv0u9DvuUJJK2H72f4R5u0N4ND-03yoESWkxy-U6KTnczVtETEklYW_IlUDGcUwFEIuq6GEFlJChe1ghiZdzFP-n22-U9WB6VBF02MheYULMlzOMjmRyjoipHYd4oJOtO/s320/gods_hand_cloud.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> For I AM the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, "Do not fear; I will <b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">HELP</span></b> you." Isaiah 41:13<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thejerusalemconnection.us/columns/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/prayer-280x230.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thejerusalemconnection.us/columns/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/prayer-280x230.gif" /></a></div><br />
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God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present <span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>HELP</b></span> in time of trouble. Psalm 46:1<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.humanitysteam.org/files/pray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://www.humanitysteam.org/files/pray.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Let us them approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to <span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>HELP</b></span> us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16<br />
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</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-81589001850829019632011-08-08T15:07:00.000-04:002011-08-08T15:07:30.642-04:00Pieces of the WHOLE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://mrg.bz/REXkev" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://mrg.bz/REXkev" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>I enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles.</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>I believe it started later in my life when in the summers I would visit my then retired Grandmother (she retired in her early 80's and lived to be 103), and she always had a puzzle going. We would sit for hour after hour, day after day, side by side.</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLAFPYp73IvrcYg-Y9EjtIghsw93TGPb-qySmE7da3-HqQT1CRoNNUQy77gmGc9mNWRq5xmz264lXCNwQPyEOwc4et8E2NBU9MjL0UyvVEwLX8tOiHUHXWu-7Zr8fRTnvin2zuxER_ys/s1600/puzzle+heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLAFPYp73IvrcYg-Y9EjtIghsw93TGPb-qySmE7da3-HqQT1CRoNNUQy77gmGc9mNWRq5xmz264lXCNwQPyEOwc4et8E2NBU9MjL0UyvVEwLX8tOiHUHXWu-7Zr8fRTnvin2zuxER_ys/s320/puzzle+heart.jpg" width="320" /></a><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>We would share a laugh, share a moment, and share the luxury and peace of being together.</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cQ1nkoNIJwrd87XdEPLSMG8b9y4Jdba2HpeMujIm6e_Hx8uOKPnKgraXSqcihFB9ZjINTbXJHQanGZSSPRw12TUBJ1vr8G93NTAhwgDYUl_x6_6_80lz_anPf0GSO6X-yyUzqrPDc7sH/s1600/100_3489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cQ1nkoNIJwrd87XdEPLSMG8b9y4Jdba2HpeMujIm6e_Hx8uOKPnKgraXSqcihFB9ZjINTbXJHQanGZSSPRw12TUBJ1vr8G93NTAhwgDYUl_x6_6_80lz_anPf0GSO6X-yyUzqrPDc7sH/s320/100_3489.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My daughter's hand in my Grandmother's</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>She would separate the pieces into boxes: sky, faces, flowers, etc., etc. We would exchange boxes, exchange our smiles, and exchange our love.</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i></i><br />
<i></i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>The pieces would connect, and we could have a WHOLE. The satisfaction complete.....my Grandmom and I.</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">WHOLLY loved, one by the other.</span></i></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="center"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://thegypsymama.com/">Join the fun:</a></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cV_L0DhUHTbK0hwHhvYCAx3dsYpZfctYPx3xJg6md8w4MuqXrrMaQugIMmiGdI8aadP0vLo64ABvtiNcLuEJoYVy6Tv-bR6H-AWAO594m8X6IsrUQiGWeFMXhvkVJU1f_lj-w-CiaHKw/s1600/5-minute-friday-1.jpg" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-21958269931947398622011-08-04T08:02:00.067-04:002011-08-04T09:19:28.464-04:00MAPP ~ the Journey of Parenting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0;"><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Tattered Nest - Back to School booth by thingspondered" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4920944068_e2f2331993.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://tatterednest.blogspot.com/">Photo credit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Although I am NO EXPERT, and I have made tons of mistakes for which I so wish I could have "do-overs," I have been asked from time to time for parenting advice.<br />
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The parental road is one which we would travel many times over even though it can be treacherous, long, and full of pit-stops ~ some joyous, some frustrating, some heart-breaking, some heart-rendering, some sweet, some too long, some too swift, and some way too scary.<br />
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Allow the Holy Spirit to be your Guide and the Bible be your map:<br />
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M ~ Model.....no one likes a hypocrite, and even kids can sense them a mile away. Make sure you are living a life that holds up to what you are espousing to them, and to the standards you have set for them.<br />
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<a href="http://mrg.bz/yyLrQU" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://mrg.bz/yyLrQU" width="320" /></a>A ~ Affirm....the world and Satan are going to try to crush them at every turn. Remind them consistently of the "wonder" they are, how precious they are in the sight of God, and how much you love them. Caution: Be careful to not instill in them arrogance, and a sense of entitlement. There is a fine line between "affirming" and "you are so great that the world revolves around you."<br />
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P ~ Prepare....do everything possible to get them ready to leave the nest. Of course good moral character tops the list, and them teach them everything from laundry, to how to handle money, to how to wake up by themselves to an alarm, to how to stand-up to peer pressure, to how to cook, to how to be a good friend, to time management and much more ~ wrack your brain to think of things to teach them.<br />
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Here is the legend: <br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Love the </span><span class="nivsmallcaps" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lord</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deut. 6: 6 - 9</span></b></i><br />
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And then, navigate that map with PRAYER. Pray. Pray. Pray.<br />
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I Thess. 5:17 ~ Continually be prayerful.<br />
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If we are to be in continual prayer....the children God entrusted us with should be a HUGE PORTION of our prayer life.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.visiblesoul.org/judah/images/Christian/prayer-bible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.visiblesoul.org/judah/images/Christian/prayer-bible.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Let me reiterate ~ I veer off these directions ALL the TIME, but I am looking to the perfect Parent and Cartographer to help me get back on track when I do.<br />
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Blessings to you, dear ones, as you navigate this wondrous thing called Parenting.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYQj3lDUCHZvjL-cERADVw49Mv1HbUe_TnS9YHTaFA-n1u5BiRz6avMd-4Va9_85ltpalwLIIity-sVSUa2NiJygfWmW7Ht89XQo8lanlhPnw4Keu-GJnC5Uzdwdg7BmSfR3Yfna30oef/s1600/His%252BWord.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYQj3lDUCHZvjL-cERADVw49Mv1HbUe_TnS9YHTaFA-n1u5BiRz6avMd-4Va9_85ltpalwLIIity-sVSUa2NiJygfWmW7Ht89XQo8lanlhPnw4Keu-GJnC5Uzdwdg7BmSfR3Yfna30oef/s320/His%252BWord.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><a href="http://prairieflowerfarm.blogspot.com/">I am linking up to a Blog Hop hosted by a darlin', godly woman who has a fabulous website...</a><br />
<span id="goog_5432242"></span></div></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-81595631022537664132011-07-29T08:24:00.000-04:002011-07-29T08:24:46.384-04:00He Loves Me.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">......STILL!!!</span></b></i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sabbathsermons.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/godlovesyou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://sabbathsermons.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/godlovesyou.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>I am a jerk. He loves me anyway.</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i> </i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>I am a liar. He loves me anyway.</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>I am selfish. He loves me anyway.</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>I am fickle, a breaker of my promises. He loves me anyway.</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>I am judgemental. He loves me anyway.</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>I am fearful. He loves me anyway.</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>I am wasteful. He loves me anyway.</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>I am LOVED......STILL.</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thanking You, Lord God, for Your unconditional, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">longsuffering</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">, gracious, merciful, and sacrificial LOVE....for the ultimate price You paid for me ~ for there is NO CONDEMNATION in Christ Jesus. Oh, that I will be transformed more and more into Your image day by day. Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith......STILL.</span></i><br />
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<a href="http://www.incourage.me/">This is part of a fun exercise over at (in)courage; Five Minute Friday</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cV_L0DhUHTbK0hwHhvYCAx3dsYpZfctYPx3xJg6md8w4MuqXrrMaQugIMmiGdI8aadP0vLo64ABvtiNcLuEJoYVy6Tv-bR6H-AWAO594m8X6IsrUQiGWeFMXhvkVJU1f_lj-w-CiaHKw/s1600/5-minute-friday-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cV_L0DhUHTbK0hwHhvYCAx3dsYpZfctYPx3xJg6md8w4MuqXrrMaQugIMmiGdI8aadP0vLo64ABvtiNcLuEJoYVy6Tv-bR6H-AWAO594m8X6IsrUQiGWeFMXhvkVJU1f_lj-w-CiaHKw/s1600/5-minute-friday-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-41183453514075427912011-07-26T10:20:00.003-04:002011-07-26T11:02:03.646-04:00Generations.... Past and Future<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You've seen or heard about the scenario....a family Bible, perused many times, and all of a sudden ~ a letter, never seen before... appears.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtKvbjr9YsiGx_wy2N3AXQPIl8MKpeEGMNaxq6bWxJ8I2-rMh5CHHZRJ1Bh4w1SpuyZ57IEa9TdnjtOR4t8scCB70r4cOEfWHT91Uua-o2xQ-y4CWkULs5nn0tIMF2EIjNh98FxXx55j-/s1600/old-bible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtKvbjr9YsiGx_wy2N3AXQPIl8MKpeEGMNaxq6bWxJ8I2-rMh5CHHZRJ1Bh4w1SpuyZ57IEa9TdnjtOR4t8scCB70r4cOEfWHT91Uua-o2xQ-y4CWkULs5nn0tIMF2EIjNh98FxXx55j-/s320/old-bible.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was always somewhat skeptical. Come on, how could you miss it?</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well, skeptical, no more. I found a letter. I've looked through the Bible before searching for a hint of anything about my ancestors. To no avail. And then, it just appeared.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEbLSx7dJEtaJGqd3y7qE4OhQ7sAhyphenhyphenIdTA3hQOLTrAjZdeP0Efe68fi20MtC6B2T0BiITDxN8hrVYWRIOynYWV4UN57x4IOg-ToBJGk5NRR4LLuckcveloGX8UTxy9ygkAtCFG8cOyHYA/s1600/Bible+and+Letter+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEbLSx7dJEtaJGqd3y7qE4OhQ7sAhyphenhyphenIdTA3hQOLTrAjZdeP0Efe68fi20MtC6B2T0BiITDxN8hrVYWRIOynYWV4UN57x4IOg-ToBJGk5NRR4LLuckcveloGX8UTxy9ygkAtCFG8cOyHYA/s320/Bible+and+Letter+003.JPG" width="320" /></a>A letter addressed to my Great-Grandmother. Dated July 10, 1896. With an elaborate logo, "The World for God."</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Curiously, anxiously, excitedly and cautiously....I opened it and read:</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>My dear Auntie,</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Your letter was received some days ago. I have delayed answering it for we have been so been so busy. Have moved and all-together it makes us all torn up. We are also in a tent. It is a new one and I am trying my best to pay for it. It is costing me $133.00 and our corps is allready much burdened. It keep be very very anxious to know how to manage but we are getting along very nicely. Our crowds are keeping up over 2000 people every week and souls are being saved. Praise God. </i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYPuvK44wAkJ5MqSiBYXTJGqU9RhNTHGPBphw8Jg9Cx_jiTZQpLxWWKq6lfl8-61_bE6R3biyC2lcPS6HlpGZrJPc7Go20HeUtL4K6eTHTLWBSxHbKY7siGE1sjRSSxSsVmQCM9nMnYOO/s1600/Bible+and+Letter+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYPuvK44wAkJ5MqSiBYXTJGqU9RhNTHGPBphw8Jg9Cx_jiTZQpLxWWKq6lfl8-61_bE6R3biyC2lcPS6HlpGZrJPc7Go20HeUtL4K6eTHTLWBSxHbKY7siGE1sjRSSxSsVmQCM9nMnYOO/s320/Bible+and+Letter+024.JPG" width="320" /></a><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>It was impossible Auntie to come on Decoration Day or on the 4th of July as both of them was very heavy days for the corps. I often think of you and wonder how you are. If you are alone ~ or not. I am wanting to ~ if I can ~ to get a rest after the Summer is over as it will not be off much use to rest in winter-time, but at present could not leave the corps only be sickness or death. </i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>We are here in Frankford surrounded by very peculiar circumstances related to the work. Dear Auntie, last week I was sent for to take a meeting over the other side of Phila. and Oh! how I felt when I got off the street car and found myself only about two blocks from the Hospital where mother died. There it was standing in plain sight. I did not know it was any ways near. How I remembered that awfull Saturday when in the pouring rain I stood outside the great big doors without a friend near but Christ and they told me she was sent away. But God helped me to bear it. He only knows how and so Auntie, dear Jesus will help you. When you are lonely and sad remember Jesus is very very very near. That He is right in the room by your side. Do not worry. Jesus will grieve if you worry, but trust Him with all your heart and lean not unto thy own understanding. He is so much to be trusted. </i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Remember me to Uncle John. I trust that he still is comforted by the peace that passeth all understanding. Is Katie still in Bustleton? If she is, she is only a few miles from where I am stationed. If you would give her my address she could come and see me. </i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Well Auntie, I must close this letter as it is getting on toward time to take the open air meeting we hold there every night-but-one on the public streets. Well, hallelujah for the privilege. I am so glad that Jesus saves me now, and that I am a Salvationist ~ fighting for God.</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaZRsQJxRGHUpqqC819fmH132PeVZjdXHPrG5de0GNiYSsKDBvlVUJESrgRgle2cU6P98rv9t6-J1ISr1Gi_Myqb_cBHi9kQWrxJl0L_l6xZfEsIGf38NhtD6Pv9SB66uVSxY7PhhalQO/s1600/Bible+and+Letter+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaZRsQJxRGHUpqqC819fmH132PeVZjdXHPrG5de0GNiYSsKDBvlVUJESrgRgle2cU6P98rv9t6-J1ISr1Gi_Myqb_cBHi9kQWrxJl0L_l6xZfEsIGf38NhtD6Pv9SB66uVSxY7PhhalQO/s400/Bible+and+Letter+021.JPG" width="400" /></a><i>With love to all.</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Yours Faithfully,</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Eva Mace </i></div><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Capt.</span></i><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was amazed. Had no idea. I don't really know much of my family's spiritual heritage, strength of convictions, commitment level, service, etc.. So, this was very interesting piece of information.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It also aids with my theory ~ although I know it is God's SOVEREIGNTY that has brought me to Himself, and He CHOSE me before time eternal to be His child.... I sense that the faithful that have gone before me in my earthly family, somehow in God's mysterious ways, helped to usher me in.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My parents were not church-goers. They would drop us kids off at the church on Sunday morning sporadically. I loved God, but there was a disconnect (ritual and not relational). All those Friday afternoons (from 3:00 to 5:00) for three years in order to be confirmed were like a dull painting, cloudy and meaningless.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My grandparents on either side did not attend church, as well. (My paternal Grandmother died when my father was seven. My paternal Grandfather lived in an Old Soldier's Home in Washington, D.C. My maternal Grandfather ~ no, and my maternal Grandmother worked nights.)</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hopefully they had come to the full knowledge of Him by believing that Jesus was the Son of God who died for their sins, but it wasn't discussed. Those generations tended to be like that. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, somewhere in my past lineage, I feel like there were those who earnestly prayed for their family's future generations, who sought to live godly lives, and now we are reaping those benefits:</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><b>Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps His covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes His unfailing love on those who love Him and obey His commands. ~ Deuteronomy 7:9</b></i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Capt. Eva Mace and all those gone before me with their LOVE for God, I THANK YOU and salute you...for I am eternally grateful. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">May I love and obey Him as my forefathers and </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">foremothers</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> before me ~ for my future generations sake. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hS0KpCVC3UntFr0C195TJmgdQHEtPEUYm3tVULDxszhoO-nkAW6l_7W4qXFeksRy95ZY0VXmJ2YvlMVA4IMQ3GTSDmagZM6KukdlBD0HIBMQxRz65zuIFlCc627JuJkrgtgt-OiV83NV/s1600/generations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hS0KpCVC3UntFr0C195TJmgdQHEtPEUYm3tVULDxszhoO-nkAW6l_7W4qXFeksRy95ZY0VXmJ2YvlMVA4IMQ3GTSDmagZM6KukdlBD0HIBMQxRz65zuIFlCc627JuJkrgtgt-OiV83NV/s400/generations.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Photo credit: Christopher Sleight</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-77205785557737233302011-06-26T06:22:00.256-04:002011-06-27T14:14:24.186-04:00He Walked Across the Street....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/21/34345966_c1c569f640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Coca-Cola Tech by Studio Antwan" border="0" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/21/34345966_c1c569f640.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"><i><b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For those of you not familiar with Atlanta geography and landmarks....the beautiful campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology is in downtown Atlanta. Along with that, is the world headquarters for Coca-Cola. Actually, they are right across the street from each other. Literally. </span></b></i></div><div style="font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"><i><b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaoYv31nxz0y0qVYLszE-naZsZN5DrU6Jj7FhBBFcUKhsnz8L5WCLdEaprC8J4-yERhGZI135Kpdyw3J6S_XE8uAzjUZz0sEydcwLUMp3hg53vYdIudcdpKufM_GRWKAH6UDuYddvRdV7N/s1600/a_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaoYv31nxz0y0qVYLszE-naZsZN5DrU6Jj7FhBBFcUKhsnz8L5WCLdEaprC8J4-yERhGZI135Kpdyw3J6S_XE8uAzjUZz0sEydcwLUMp3hg53vYdIudcdpKufM_GRWKAH6UDuYddvRdV7N/s320/a_003.jpg" width="213px" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></b></i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">My husband graduated from Georgia Tech in December 1972 and after celebrating Christmas and New Year's with family and friends.....he walked across the street. He started his new job January 2, 1973 with Coca-Cola.</span></b></i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></b></i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvizX0JmMO2wPrZ5qbdt37XPsGJMmpl51gHnMpH_e28BX5jbA4ntDIFRlX_5VJNmT09ypo9fhagqaRTKNPs-niTEPVSxZEADu2cM_wNgcfM-jCO1ZtmTQknkl-oXLQsTZ8pPXVLWRVrPA/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvizX0JmMO2wPrZ5qbdt37XPsGJMmpl51gHnMpH_e28BX5jbA4ntDIFRlX_5VJNmT09ypo9fhagqaRTKNPs-niTEPVSxZEADu2cM_wNgcfM-jCO1ZtmTQknkl-oXLQsTZ8pPXVLWRVrPA/s320/a.jpg" width="213px" /></a><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">He worked HARD. VERY hard. VERY, VERY HARD. He made his way through the ranks.</span></b></i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">He has many-a-story to tell....like when his territory, as a young buck, was Plains, GA when Jimmy Carter was President.</span></b></i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">The little boy from Panthersville, GA with determination, perseverance, and smarts, carved out a career that not many nowadays can experience ~ almost forty years with the same company.</span></b></i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">This little girl from Birdsboro, PA is grateful. Very grateful.</span></b></i></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></b></i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">We were blessed to be afforded some terrific perks and opportunities all along the way, almost too many to recount. We did some fabulous travelling ~ with two of my favorites being the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway (magical), and fun trips to such enchanting places as England, Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, France, Monte Carlo, Italy, Israel, Egypt, and Hong Kong.</span></b></i></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yuazvW2o7u_s94yUeFFl9_bbg0zAqy5c4yUIAQA2Z1OPZe_hB2pxFckV8qhJ0BJMEF31VajvMVkGKhzwzJ4w-eD4msnDcXS49YaXCyShLL0QR_BzG2hk9Z17W5lLoNckHfjUKV7FyEuc/s1600/DadMomf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yuazvW2o7u_s94yUeFFl9_bbg0zAqy5c4yUIAQA2Z1OPZe_hB2pxFckV8qhJ0BJMEF31VajvMVkGKhzwzJ4w-eD4msnDcXS49YaXCyShLL0QR_BzG2hk9Z17W5lLoNckHfjUKV7FyEuc/s320/DadMomf.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.vending.org/about/images/board/Terry,_James_Hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.vending.org/about/images/board/Terry,_James_Hill.jpg" /></a><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"></span></b></i></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">JT (as his Coke family calls him) had a stellar career ~ brightly shining. And now it dims. His choice. It is time.</span></b></i></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></b></i></div></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><u><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">Words can not really express how PROUD we are of him. Our family is thankful for this man and his career.</span></b></i></u></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></b></i></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">And now.....BLESSINGS and LOVE, as he comes full circle. As, once again ~ he walks across the street. </span></b></i></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaashKD2zXC2EjUrZwgOYFAWFQ7B3UVxfz81alCrRGtxIgQmRqcm3Dz1v_kjlKGzG8w3vCW3PwflcWsd5sNYCeAwwVqybNXmcUMaM0SnqdvhgJpbGNm5rbf7H-gbdQM1y7a5Oms1dJnbJI/s1600/jim_terry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaashKD2zXC2EjUrZwgOYFAWFQ7B3UVxfz81alCrRGtxIgQmRqcm3Dz1v_kjlKGzG8w3vCW3PwflcWsd5sNYCeAwwVqybNXmcUMaM0SnqdvhgJpbGNm5rbf7H-gbdQM1y7a5Oms1dJnbJI/s1600/jim_terry.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">He will be working with GA TECH.</span></b></i></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></i><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"></span></b></i><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></b></i></div><div align="center"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><u></u></span></b></i></div></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-88347726201916543352011-06-01T20:45:00.001-04:002011-06-06T21:41:49.239-04:00God is Awful<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Did you have an intake of breath after reading the title of this post?<br />
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Are you shaking your head, and saying to yourself, "Whaaaat?" "Has she gone crazy?"<br />
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Yep, my God is awful.<br />
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Did you know that the origins (c. 1300) of the word "awful" once meant "full of awe" or "awe-inspiring." <br />
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Early definitions state: "filling with profound reverence," or "with fear and admiration fitted to inspire reverential fear;" "profoundly impressive."<br />
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Only in the late 18th century did "awful" acquire its modern meaning of "very bad," probably through repeated use to mean "so bad as to inspire awe." <br />
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This brings to mind the recent tsunami, earthquakes, tornadoes, and floods. Awful.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://paulhartrick.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/tornado-lightning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://paulhartrick.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/tornado-lightning.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Do I understand the horrifying death, destruction and devastation wrought from these? No.<br />
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It is part of the Fall; of living in a Fallen world.<br />
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However, God is sovereign.<br />
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It harkens us back to the mysterious awe of the Creator and Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent One who reigns.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.skidmoreecofficial.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Nasa_earth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.skidmoreecofficial.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Nasa_earth.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My God is and always will be full of awe.<br />
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Prayers and blessings go out to all who were affected by the disasters.<br />
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O LORD, our Lord, </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">How majestic is Your name in all the earth, </div><div style="text-align: center;">Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Psalm 8:1</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-60941751107551692492011-04-14T16:44:00.000-04:002011-04-14T16:44:50.348-04:00HE does the decorating this time.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And blessed be His glorious name forever;</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">And may the whole earth be filled with His glory </div><div style="text-align: center;">Amen and Amen. Psalm 72:19 </div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"> </div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"> We decorate pine trees to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJu46KFBt7LuimRGXOUD39ERh0BxLxrLD3XCgVE6P9KL5Zf1pvXP1Qn2Ch5fEFta_KZJmXHLytswiK_8-x3ZZx881Ux2MIS336FDp9ozA6FF3ASct_wNtbIZnDmD6iQoz3IX5CgodlXg/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJu46KFBt7LuimRGXOUD39ERh0BxLxrLD3XCgVE6P9KL5Zf1pvXP1Qn2Ch5fEFta_KZJmXHLytswiK_8-x3ZZx881Ux2MIS336FDp9ozA6FF3ASct_wNtbIZnDmD6iQoz3IX5CgodlXg/s320/14.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">(Photo credit: Teresa @ "A Baby Changes Everything")</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">However, GOD does the decorating for of the pine trees to celebrate the glorious RESURRECTION of His Son!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.crossroad.to/images/005/pinetreecrosses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://www.crossroad.to/images/005/pinetreecrosses.jpg" width="314" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">~ with CROSSES!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Just in time for Easter the pine trees pay homage to the AWESOME SACRIFICE and VICTORY over death by symbolizing Christ's Crucifixion with new growth. </div><div style="text-align: center;">NEW LIFE on a TREE!!!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. ~ I Peter 1:3</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blessed Resurrection, everyone!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-27400404772505028062011-04-04T22:19:00.000-04:002011-04-04T22:19:01.875-04:00"Twenty-One"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">We mark time...it is the rhythm of how we live here, and milestones of time are noted.<br />
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So, Corinne would have been "twenty-one" today and she may not be here physically, but none the less ~ the day is just as worthy for honoring her and celebrating her. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.humsci.auburn.edu/pmachine/images/uploads/Corrine_Junior_Year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.humsci.auburn.edu/pmachine/images/uploads/Corrine_Junior_Year.jpg" /></a></div>1. Treasured daughter, big sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend.<br />
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2. She loved to read ~ teaching herself at age four, and a book was never far from her face.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCTt8kbSeuwk9ukFNfUNKFFFosEzDDlmPV34aajd_bSEGxHEygLDf7qgpliVGo7clMefEcgtxz8FmBjj-3PiU5YHyoUObQ5VI27mrOZ1lVHTm-SdMQnXDqODscxuaVryaebwmaY80kPzZ/s1600/Retreat+and+Corinne+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCTt8kbSeuwk9ukFNfUNKFFFosEzDDlmPV34aajd_bSEGxHEygLDf7qgpliVGo7clMefEcgtxz8FmBjj-3PiU5YHyoUObQ5VI27mrOZ1lVHTm-SdMQnXDqODscxuaVryaebwmaY80kPzZ/s200/Retreat+and+Corinne+037.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>3. She loved to dance ~ and dance she did!!!<br />
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4. She loved to ski, and was good at it.<br />
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5. She loved to learn, and was a brilliant student.<br />
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6. She loved to play games and was always up for the competition.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-NY7SDNegVoRc4GwRA-wesAN0J9TlM6_w0tb6umvMXDbFQgBXCgj9eVm92BHnHWE1rhFfmQIFvaj2pFCQH_tLe8duNpINymBaqJZKm6l0wZUjuleJ0o0gqZrKo9NH-SPwnHnmbBJuMe0/s1600/GT+game+with+cousins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-NY7SDNegVoRc4GwRA-wesAN0J9TlM6_w0tb6umvMXDbFQgBXCgj9eVm92BHnHWE1rhFfmQIFvaj2pFCQH_tLe8duNpINymBaqJZKm6l0wZUjuleJ0o0gqZrKo9NH-SPwnHnmbBJuMe0/s320/GT+game+with+cousins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
7. She was a Texting Queen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3ZKH8BrY6hqGypI-2GvtNli83gS19NOqPzP_T06N5D-INPIrUxT5OrvP3aVWDcdS6Yg-C-wubn3MgHx32EdgAbmZfUV60P-JOMDR2ApnfRJOb0FYqud5wRati9v5n4JDwQWcvagnIiD9/s1600/IMG_5404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3ZKH8BrY6hqGypI-2GvtNli83gS19NOqPzP_T06N5D-INPIrUxT5OrvP3aVWDcdS6Yg-C-wubn3MgHx32EdgAbmZfUV60P-JOMDR2ApnfRJOb0FYqud5wRati9v5n4JDwQWcvagnIiD9/s320/IMG_5404.jpg" width="240" /></a>8. She loved shoes.<br />
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9. She loved music and loved to sing.<br />
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10. She would have LOVED "Glee!" <br />
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11. She loved being outdoors and alstroemerias her favorite flower.<br />
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12. She loved being with her friends.<br />
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<div style="border: medium none;">13. She never complained or fell into a pit of self-pity.</div><br />
14. She lived her life to the fullest.<br />
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15. She loved math (although as she got older, would not admit to it).<br />
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16. Her determination ~ an inspiration.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLmZFSaO5OJjMGAHjJ154o-dkDwKrjTHD-TCObVf4rkEITUxLASJpwic_imwJlMrcy4QSlDudu61KzWiSval5odAA1TamUL6V_8pCPSAXB5JnaG7CVo5NHZcMQm0opmYsJ7KG3IOjUiuO/s1600/Retreat+and+Corinne+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLmZFSaO5OJjMGAHjJ154o-dkDwKrjTHD-TCObVf4rkEITUxLASJpwic_imwJlMrcy4QSlDudu61KzWiSval5odAA1TamUL6V_8pCPSAXB5JnaG7CVo5NHZcMQm0opmYsJ7KG3IOjUiuO/s320/Retreat+and+Corinne+035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>17. She had a quick wit and great sense of humor.<br />
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18. Her legacy lives on.<br />
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19. She is loved.<br />
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20. She is missed.<br />
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21. Her day of birth a time of THANKSGIVING for having her in our lives for seventeen years.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRpVsBo06jn5axA00BoqNdRu064vzbGP2W2FNBzZ6kG0-VKFZieo-4Z49YYkZslCLNDUbUm3eM1rqLyrcHkEfWosfulQP5TL776LDJPic8x5Dk1m8GJ6_-Y2h26bBFNFbkWFGuVYxJ5VC/s1600/IMG_5358+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRpVsBo06jn5axA00BoqNdRu064vzbGP2W2FNBzZ6kG0-VKFZieo-4Z49YYkZslCLNDUbUm3eM1rqLyrcHkEfWosfulQP5TL776LDJPic8x5Dk1m8GJ6_-Y2h26bBFNFbkWFGuVYxJ5VC/s320/IMG_5358+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corinne's friends with a sculpture of her representing her Scholarship Program.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.humsci.auburn.edu/pmachine/images/uploads/IMG_5396_-_Copy_%282%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://www.humsci.auburn.edu/pmachine/images/uploads/IMG_5396_-_Copy_%282%29.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> First year's recipient above center, family and <a href="http://www.jeff-wolf.com/">artist, Jeff Wolf - far left, </a><br />
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Oh you got to you got to remember the love, <br />
You know that love is a gift from up above<br />
Share love, give love, spread love<br />
Measure, measure your life in love.<br />
~ Seasons of Love (one of Corinne's favorite songs) <br />
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</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-57768329795218289112011-03-13T18:00:00.001-04:002011-03-13T18:05:18.291-04:00TWO PEAS.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyiftuo1EPLny1zNxwHwo8eBCsW-uKBup_1s3UPQGNQkhOH_VhR8xNWsNaUZc92XjcD2YF51kAVkHBIVTesbBGhvVVwaAMUeDKdJI84D-isz2OjjnetQ1h_iDzX2jcHZJt-jcA33pStfW/s1600/IMGP0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyiftuo1EPLny1zNxwHwo8eBCsW-uKBup_1s3UPQGNQkhOH_VhR8xNWsNaUZc92XjcD2YF51kAVkHBIVTesbBGhvVVwaAMUeDKdJI84D-isz2OjjnetQ1h_iDzX2jcHZJt-jcA33pStfW/s320/IMGP0195.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always together.....hand in hand</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfN1ucjqzCyuxLUqgBD2UbFk-6c7SAPZrTWYl3ZoN-jPR7lqIgoCRnQ0bUD50hbXu9g7EX4Wfbj6DyfM2K2FIIkw0YFqebXGy9N3XdHwWO6HRit0fV-LazSv8DHk4ZWKjnN0wUS5Il_lvj/s1600/IMGP0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfN1ucjqzCyuxLUqgBD2UbFk-6c7SAPZrTWYl3ZoN-jPR7lqIgoCRnQ0bUD50hbXu9g7EX4Wfbj6DyfM2K2FIIkw0YFqebXGy9N3XdHwWO6HRit0fV-LazSv8DHk4ZWKjnN0wUS5Il_lvj/s320/IMGP0196.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always have each other's back</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nwev9M395Z8fltaJS3WP4fGloVOZrrP0v_2Ftf-QFVsZ0_vD4GSQ4iT4F8qPNI0gSO-YlPlpfIHHxh0za9lo2krT20C4TUWIanr34MB1_CMfAXikdVkugdT-L42mnA4NEJRR34t7Um8B/s1600/127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nwev9M395Z8fltaJS3WP4fGloVOZrrP0v_2Ftf-QFVsZ0_vD4GSQ4iT4F8qPNI0gSO-YlPlpfIHHxh0za9lo2krT20C4TUWIanr34MB1_CMfAXikdVkugdT-L42mnA4NEJRR34t7Um8B/s320/127.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All night and all day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RJ-_RMCQK1nnOtzqA4Sp50LOH7WYbnNapY1P-KGQ4MlXZeJdmzyl7VNY491rY2PI_A3oLYnBGxm3UQ8d1bi9JW8bF3U0QEg-79nBIBE9paNYUHuqbCZ5ndSW8IEYLzkGuI7v07Sl2bZL/s1600/sb+and+meg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RJ-_RMCQK1nnOtzqA4Sp50LOH7WYbnNapY1P-KGQ4MlXZeJdmzyl7VNY491rY2PI_A3oLYnBGxm3UQ8d1bi9JW8bF3U0QEg-79nBIBE9paNYUHuqbCZ5ndSW8IEYLzkGuI7v07Sl2bZL/s320/sb+and+meg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time and space have separated them, but after several months and 12,000 miles......back in the SAME POD<br />
~ in East Asia!!!! <br />
(at least for a week) </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-86271310238565544682011-03-05T16:17:00.000-05:002011-03-05T16:17:51.195-05:00Spring Blogging Party<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Spring has sprung here in the South, and I thought I'd join the party.<br />
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<center><a href="http://lynnettekraft.com/2011/02/announcing-thoughts-of-spring-blog-party.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg57/impickles/Wordpress%20Blog/thoughtsofspringblogpartybutton.jpg" /></a></center><br />
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How would people describe your personality? (If they could only use ONE word.) Are they right?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Boring ~ not really, but reading these answers might prove it.</em></strong></span><br />
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What celebrity/celebrities would create a “Star-Struck” feeling if you saw them in real life?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Can't think of any....perhaps someone extremely godly.</em></strong></span><br />
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Who is your favorite blogger? Why?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Can't pick ~ like picking your favorite child.</em></strong></span><br />
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What is your comfort food/drink?<br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Something salty/then something sweet. Sprite ~ reminds me of Christmas (only time my Mom bought 7-Up)</em></span></strong><br />
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Be brave – tell us something very random and weird about yourself.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><strong>I have hoarding tendancies.</strong></em></span><br />
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Do you have a strong desire to do something you’ve never done? What is it?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Finish writing a book ~ but, it must not be STRONG enough, 'cause it's not getting done.</em></strong></span><br />
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Movies: Action, Drama, Romantic Comedy, Documentary, Comedy? What are your favorite genres?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Romantic Comedy ~ too much drama and heartache in the real world....like to escape to some fun when watching a movie.</em></strong></span><br />
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Books: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Romance, Biographies, True Stories, Self-Help, Devotional/Study? What are your favorite types of reading material?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>All of the above ~ so many books, so little time. I probably have enough books in my house for five lifetimes.</em></strong></span><br />
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Music: Funk, Rock, Country, Jazz, Classical, Film Score, Blues, Classic Rock, Crooner, Alternative, Heavy Metal, Techno? What are your favorite types?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Oldies but goodies.</em></strong></span><br />
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If you inherited a million dollars, what is the first thing you would do with your money?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Put it in the bank and pray about it.</em></strong></span><br />
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Name one weakness of yours (confession is good for the soul).<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Wasting time ~ ugh.</em></strong></span><br />
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If you could live anywhere at all (and take all your loved ones with you), where would you go?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Italy</em></strong></span><br />
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Strange Talent? Can you juggle basketballs, put your legs behind your head or perform some other strange feat?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>No strange talent.</em></strong></span><br />
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What’s something you consider yourself to be good at? (Don’t worry, it’s not bragging, it’s acknowledging a God given gift).<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Putting together Women's Retreats.</strong></span><br />
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What is one of your favorite things to catch a whiff of? <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Lilacs and lily of the valley.</em></strong></span><br />
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When you leave a social gathering, do you wish: You would have talked more or You would have talked less? <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>After studying Proverbs several years ago, I have decided to pretty much "zip it." I'm usually not much of a talker.</em></strong></span><br />
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If money wasn’t a factor, what stores would you shop in?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Same. Can't understand spending hundreds of dollars for shoes.</em></strong></span><br />
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What is your greatest fear or strange phobia?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Claustrophobia.</em></strong></span><br />
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What is your greatest accomplishment?<br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>nothing really ~ God gets all the glory for anything that would be considered an accomplishment in my life. Have to ask Him.</em></span></strong><br />
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What are your favorite animals?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Dogs.</em></strong></span><br />
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Are you a hopeless romantic?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>No.</em></strong></span><br />
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What movie or book character can you most relate to?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Bridget Jones ~ before Christ....I was a mess.</em></strong></span><br />
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</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-72164492020981318432011-02-05T10:54:00.001-05:002011-02-05T11:02:18.915-05:00WORLD POPULATION<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">During my Quiet Time this morning as I prayed, a few of the key verses I use to pray for the unsaved came to mind.....I Timothy 2:4 and II Peter 3:9<br />
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The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. <br />
God wants ALL people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the TRUTH.<br />
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So, I thought...I wonder how many are ALL right now, and went to the WORLD POPULATION website/counter.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://planetsave.com/files/2008/07/world-population-day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://planetsave.com/files/2008/07/world-population-day.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Fascinating ~ <br />
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When I first got there, it was: 6,897,838,826.<br />
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Every few seconds I would refresh: ...927, 956, 985, 9,014, 043, 086, 115, 129, 158, 172, 187, 201, 232.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.debtconsolidationindustrynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/alot-of-people.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://www.debtconsolidationindustrynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/alot-of-people.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The AWESOMENESS of God takes my breath away.<br />
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Thinking about HIS OMNIPRESENCE....HE is there for EACH ONE of those births, deaths and everything in between.<br />
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Thinking about HIS OMNISCIENCE....HE knows every cry of every person, every hair on every head, and every thought of each and every one of us on this planet.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://markaspost.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/old_man_crying1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://markaspost.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/old_man_crying1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Thinking about HIS OMNIPOTENCE....it is through HIS almighty power that almost SEVEN BILLION people live, move, breath and have their being ~ and HE KNOWS every life, every movement, every breath, every thought, every word, and every deed.<br />
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WOW!<br />
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Soon to be.....SEVEN BILLION<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/sc4HxPxNrZ0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
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Heavenly Father, and Creator of ALL things ~ the earth is full of Your GLORY, and may ALL of these t SEVEN BILLION people realize WHO the CREATOR of that GLORY is, and give their sinful hearts to YOU so YOU can reside there and they can live out the FULLNESS You long for them to have. By the BLOOD of the LAMB that saves yesterday, today and tomorrow, may ALL be SAVED and come to the KNOWLEDGE of the TRUTH. In Jesus' victorious name I pray. AMEN and AMEN<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.novinite.com/media/images/2009-07/photo_verybig_105299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://www.novinite.com/media/images/2009-07/photo_verybig_105299.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>They are yellow, black and white. They are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/dGI13tOYa1s?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Oh that EACH ONE, would REACH ONE.....don't let this happen.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pr-squared.com/iStock_000002290632Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="http://www.pr-squared.com/iStock_000002290632Small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
God doesn't need us, but He wants to use us. May we be used of Him, to further His Kingdom for His glory...it is ALL due His GLORIOUS NAME, Jesus the Christ.<br />
<span id="wclocknum"><br />
</span>Addendum: as of press time....the population is now 6,898,045,314.<br />
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Seven billion coming soon ~ each one, reach one.<br />
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</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-9337331566328863292011-01-31T22:31:00.000-05:002011-01-31T22:31:13.357-05:00Welcome, February<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/images/winter-tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" s5="true" src="http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/images/winter-tree.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Ahhhh, the harshness and the dead of January is behind us.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The month of love begins and promises of things to come.</div><br />
A month when our hearts start the pitter-patter of the hope of Spring, and its first floral appearing....<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnCo08NPy8EwatZ9Ufz6kLL-rrq84JmcgQm7bLGXC0wCa5MPveFAjilDiI-_ZQ77ZmLptDPBiY885LM9p0-zNDhox4efV63gdiVuQiPpUeq5yZ-F2M8n6UJpmBl6iOs1CKhVJhWcIEhvA/s400/snowdrops1232947393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnCo08NPy8EwatZ9Ufz6kLL-rrq84JmcgQm7bLGXC0wCa5MPveFAjilDiI-_ZQ77ZmLptDPBiY885LM9p0-zNDhox4efV63gdiVuQiPpUeq5yZ-F2M8n6UJpmBl6iOs1CKhVJhWcIEhvA/s320/snowdrops1232947393.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>...the snowdrop<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;">As winter fades above you,</span> </span></em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;">Your crown pokes through the ground.</span> </span></em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;">You tentatively peep and take</span> </span></em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;">A regal look around.</span> </span></em></strong></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;">Good morning little snowdrop, so full of hope and grace.</span><span style="font-size: small;">How wonderful to welcome your gentle smiling face. </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span></em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em>You stretch to reach the sunlight</em></strong></span></span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em> </em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;">With gracious, sylphlike yawn.</span> </span></em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;">Your confidence is growing;</span> </span></em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hope of spring begins to dawn.</span> </span></em></strong></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;">Good afternoon young snowdrop, so full of peace and love</span> </span></em></strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f;">How wonderful to welcome you to the world above. </span></em></strong></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span></em></strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;">The snow has disappeared,</span> </span></em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;">And winter turns and leaves.</span> </span></em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;">Your wave farewell reveals</span> </span></em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;">Your long and slender sleeves.</span> </span></em></strong></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;">Good day my little snowdrop, so delicate and fine</span><span style="font-size: small;">How wonderful to welcome you into this heart of mine. </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span></em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em>You sway in celebration,</em></strong></span></span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em> </em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dancing lightly in the breeze.</span> </span></em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;">The weather has a delicate</span> </span></em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;">And sudden, tiny sneeze.</span> </span></em></strong></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em>Good evening humble snowdrop; I’m so pleased that you’re here.</em></strong></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;">You bring a breath of life to the beginning of the year.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span></em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em>Copyright</em></strong></span></span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em> </em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong><em>Angela Yardy 2010</em></strong></span><br />
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Snowdrops are a member of the lily family ~ closely related to the daffodil, originally from Turkey.<br />
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The snowdrop's affinity in Great Britian is similar to the tulip in Holland with splendid displays throughout the British Isles. According to the Great British Gardens website, there are over forty listings of estates and parks who welcome those interested in taking in the beautiful parade of winter's bourgeoning promise.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://posy.typepad.com/posy/images/ludlow_009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="http://posy.typepad.com/posy/images/ludlow_009.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The snowdrop has been a garnered spectacle since the early Middle Ages because of its association with faith, as they cluster around churchyards and old religious foundations such as ruined abbies and prioiries. Imagine before the advent of electricity, the gloom of a February day and the dank darkness of a medieval church. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The snowdrop has had a strong association with a specific feast of the Roman Catholic Church: Candlemas. Candlemas takes place forty days after Christmas, February 2nd. It is the feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary. Before the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reformation">Reformation</a>, parishioners formed in procession, brought their candles to be blessed, then lit, and set before the Virgin's statue. Then the precious candles were taken home to ward off evil spirits. It is not hard to imagine how, on a typically gloomy February day in a medieval church that was fairly dark anyway, that this must have provided a spectacle of brightness that left onlookers quite spellbound. It must have been the brightest moment, quite literally, of the whole year. Then the precious candles were taken home, to ward off evil spirits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3635/3290806070_f918eaaf6c_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" s5="true" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3635/3290806070_f918eaaf6c_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It is easy to imagine, too, how snowdrops were the perfect flower for the feast, flawless symbols of purity and cleanliness, and what pleasure must have been taken in gathering them, or in merely having them growing around a church on the day itself. They were known then as Candlemas bells. <br />
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For most of us, Candlemas and its traditions are long gone, but the flower whose plantings it inspired lives on to remind us that winter is ending.<br />
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Snowdrop ~ the hope of Spring.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4414588440_569b15d8e3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4414588440_569b15d8e3.jpg" width="240" /></a>The hope of Spring ~ Jesus the Christ.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
Be strong and take heart, all you who HOPE in the LORD. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Psalm 31:24</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-76189222426380516782011-01-11T11:09:00.001-05:002011-01-11T11:19:32.850-05:00"ALL IN"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/hs458.snc4/50556_122015714531769_2113487_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/hs458.snc4/50556_122015714531769_2113487_n.jpg" /></a><i>I</i> started this post yesterday and no, this post is not about Auburn University's football program's slogan for this year ~ "ALL IN." But as I type this, AU is less than twelve hours away from being declared the NATIONAL CHAMPIONS....so, the concept certainly worked for them. As a mother of two Auburn grads, I just have to say, WAR EAGLE! Congrats.<br />
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Many bloggers start out their new year with a "word." They have included "Quiet," "Trust," and "Believe."<br />
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Mine is "ALL." It has been for a few years now, because I can't seem to wrap myself around it as I want, as I ought....probably never will, but I want to try harder. I want to be "ALL IN." I am scared and I am fickle, but yes.<br />
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A dear friend of mine starts out her year asking the Lord for a scripture verse. <br />
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Well, I have a whole devotional book filled with scripture verses that contain the word "ALL" that I have thoroughly enjoyed over the past couple of years....look forward to reading it each day. I highly recommend it:<br />
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The word "ALL" appears more than 5,000 times in the Bible. A lot to absorb.<br />
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Here are a few of my favorites:<br />
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Key verse ~ And He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, and with ALL your soul, and with ALL your strength, and with ALL your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27<br />
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Comforting promise ~ And we know that God causes ALL things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28<br />
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Sweet forgiveness! ~ "You have thrown ALL my sins behind Your back." Isaiah 38:17<br />
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What love and devotion! ~ "But the very hairs of your head are ALL numbered." Matthew 10:30<br />
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Doesn't get any better than this! ~ Surely goodness and mercy will follow me ALL the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6<br />
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Jesus is my ALL in ALL. Hopefully, I will LIVE like it, and not just sing about it.... although this song is a beautiful reminder:<br />
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Now to Him.... who is able to do far more abundantly beyond <span style="font-size: large;">ALL</span> that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, <u>to Him be the glory</u> in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21<br />
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And to you.... The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you ALL,<br />
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BeckyBeckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-73846638953171437872011-01-04T07:18:00.000-05:002011-01-04T07:18:41.513-05:00Maybe this year.....?<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>...by Elisabeth Elliott:</i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Maybe this year will be the year of desire fulfilled. </i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Perhaps, on the other hand, it will be the year desire radically transformed, the year of finding, as we have not perhaps truly found, CHRIST to be the ALL-SUFFICIENT ONE, Christ, the "deep, sweet well of Love."</i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Here is the opportunity offered. Be patient. Wait on the Lord for whatever He appoints, wait quietly, wait trustingly. HE holds every minute of every hour of every day of every month of every year in HIS hands. Thank Him in advance for what the future holds, for HE is already there. "Lord, YOU have assigned my portion and my cup." Psalm 16:5 Shall we not gladly say, "I'll take it, Lord. YES! I'll trust You for everything. Bless the Lord, O my soul." E.E.</i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">ALL</span> the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16 </i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>.....not maybe, Lord, but MAY I trust and rest in Your sovereignty, for it is blanketed like the warmest, coziest blanket on a bitter cold winter night with MERCY, GRACE, PERFECT LOVE, GOODNESS, KINDNESS, COMPASSION, FAITHFULNESS and FORGIVENESS, and look to the Author and Finisher of my faith; my Redeemer, my Friend, my Intercessor, my Counselor, my Victor, my ALL in ALL, JESUS, the CHRIST.</i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Blessed new year to ALL who read this. </span></i>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685517636257778229.post-86362143307924149842010-12-16T11:26:00.001-05:002010-12-16T11:30:40.674-05:00All I Want for Christmas is.........WORLD PEACE ~ right? RIGHT.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.studiokey.com/WorldPeaceChildren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.studiokey.com/WorldPeaceChildren.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Definitely. But, this is not what this blog is about.<br />
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I have many favorite Christmas songs..... but, again, that is not what this post is about.<br />
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Today I would like to share one of my LEAST favorite songs with you:<br />
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"All I Want for Christmas is You." <br />
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Ugh ~ I think it is a combination of being OVER-PLAYED and the vision of Mariah being a silly caricature of herself in the inappropriate costume.<br />
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But, anyway....I have found a way to not only tolerate it, but embrace it.<br />
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Now, all the lyrics aren't quite symbiotic to my point....but the overall focus is now changed.<br />
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All I want for Christmas is........YOU, JESUS!<br />
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Yes, I already have Him. I asked Him to be my Savior almost forty years ago, I have a relationship with Him and He resides in me. However, so does my SELF, and as Princess Diana once stated: "It is a bit crowded."<br />
So, <span style="font-size: large;">LESS</span> of <u>me</u>, and <span style="font-size: large;">MORE</span> of <u>JESUS</u>.<br />
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The irony of Christmas in today's culture is that we give EVERYONE else gifts, except the BIRTHDAY BOY...the PERSON whose birthday it really is and for whom we supposedly celebrate.<br />
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So, what would a good Christmas gift for JESUS be?<br />
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"ALL HE wants for Christmas is........YOU!."<br />
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After all, He left His throne, broke through the glory of heaven to come to earth, humbly and earnestly ~ to die a horrific, torturous death because He wants a relationship with you NOW and for all eternity.<br />
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Won't you give Him the gift of yourself? <br />
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Visit <a href="http://www.proverbs31.org/doyouknowJesus/doYouKnowJesus.php">here for giving and receiving the GREATEST GIFT of all!</a><br />
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So, perfect ~ all I want for Christmas is JESUS and all He wants for Christmas is ME and YOU!!!<br />
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I found this cute youtube version of the song. I don't know these girls....but, how refreshing.<br />
(You can stop at around four minutes....somewhat redundant and don't want to waste your time.)<br />
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Blessed gift giving and receiving!Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15390409699918363467noreply@blogger.com1