Sunday, May 29, 2005

Memorial Day Tribute

This is my Memorial Day Tribute to all who have served, sacrificed and died that I and my family may enjoy, freedom, safety and prosperity. To my father, step-father, and all my uncles who served in WWII. To my grandfather who served in WWI. To my cousin who served in Nam. To my brother-in-law who served in peace time. To my young cousin who was a Navy Seal. To Pete's cousin's son, Cody, who is serving now near Mosul. Thank you.

To all who are celebrating on this Holiday, I ask you to remember this is more than just another day off from work. This is a time to reflect, honor and grieve for those who offered the supreme sacrifice for us. No man has greater love than to lay down his life for a brother. Whatever, where ever, however you observe this day, do it with respect. Do it safely. And may God bless you!

Let us all, who know the Lord, do our part to safeguard, protect and heal our land. To support our troops and defend our shores. "Gather together and pray, you shameless nation, while there is still time - before judgement begins, and your opportunity is blown away like chaff; before the fierce anger of the Lord falls and the terrible day of his wrath begins. Beg him to save you, all who are humble - all who have tried to obey. Walk humbly and do what is right, perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you from his wrath in that day of doom. " Zephaniah 2:1-3 TLB

"Don't fear anything except the Lord of the armies of Heaven! If you fear him, you need fear nothing else. He will be your safety; ..." Isaiah 8:13-14a TLB

Friday, May 27, 2005

A Little Leviety

Good day dear friends! God has surely blessed me in this place with the friends who drop by. Pete's first day back at work went well enough. Tuesday we go to the doctor to get results from other tests they ran and see where we go from there. The kids are home from school for the first time today. Bubba is STILL asleep at 11:25am. I can't say much, I went back to bed after I got Pete off to work and slept until 10:00 myself!! Bug was the first one up, around 8:30 I think. She does pretty good on her own. She knows not to go outside. She can operate the video and DVD herself. Fix her own cereal etc. Sometimes she leaves creative mayhem behind. She loves to do all things artsy/crafty. At which her Mom is totally enept. She had an all Excellant report card. Scored in the top 13% on some standardized test the school had given. And was voted Miss Sunshine by her graduating class! Guess she brings joy to the heart of more folks than just her mom.

Yesterday's entry was rather weighty and thoughful......so I thought I would pass along a little leviety I recieved in a Arca Max Joke E-mail. (See link on sidebar.) I am very tempted to do this, as it is a DAILY question at our house! LOL

One afternoon a man came home from work to find total mayhem in his house.

His three children were outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard.

The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house.

Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess.

A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall.

In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing.

In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door. He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife.

He was worried she may be ill, or that something serious had happened. He found her lounging in the bedroom, still curled in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, "What happened here today?"

She again smiled and answered, "You know everyday when you come home from work and ask me what in the world did I do today?"

"Yes," was his incredulous reply.

She answered, "Well, today I didn't do it."

And now to announce this day's journal link! She is a Sister in the Lord who hails from Kentucky. She's married to her high school sweetie with a boy and a girl. Many of you probably already know I am speaking of Jess, over at the everyday mundane life of a housewife. For any who haven't met her, she blends humor and warmth in her entries, along with pictures and goings on in her home and life. So stop in and see her!

Today's word on the Word and use of words! Moses had been on the mount receiving the Ten Commandments from the hand of God. "When they came near the camp, Moses saw the calf and the dancing, and in terrible anger threw the tablets to the ground and they lay broken at the foot of the mountains." Exodus 32:19 TLB. He was so angry that these people had so quickly turned from God! Yet, he interceed for them in verses 31 & 32, asking God to forgive them. The smashed tablets meant he had to climb the mountain and receive the law again. Be careful. Be certain. Even righteous anger in men can severe relationships and delay God's plans and blessings. Better to leave the wrath to God......the better part for us is intercession.

Thursday, May 26, 2005

One Solitary Firefly

Okay, so I will admit it. I have been discouraged. Feeling a lot lately like the twelve years I have been praying for Pete and his family have been for nothing. Wondering if Pete will ever give himself to Christ. That my dreams for a totally Christian home will never see fulfillment. So, I am honest with Him in my prayers. Why not be? He knows it all before I ever open my mouth. Why continue to cry and pray and break my heart open like bread upon the alter? Last Friday's Providence and Protection of Pete in that truck with that wheel.......He spoke to me "Don't grow weary.....continue to cover him in prayer. It gives Me more time to strive with him." My head says, "Yes Lord, I see." But my heart continues to cry out in despair! Why!?! Why won't even this cause him to come to you!?! When!? When will it ever happen?! So, though so very thankful for Pete still living and breathing and with us, I am very contorted all weekend. Torn between my head knowledge and what the cry of my heart is. I step out into a clear night to take the Boston Terrier gang to pottie before bedtime. The air is gentle and soft. Matilda strays very near the edge of the wood to do her business. As she is under house arrest, I strain into the darkness of the tree shade to see her form and keep track with her. Suddenly, one bright burst of light glows out of the darkness. Then just as quickly it is gone. It soon returns. And is gone. It is one solitary firefly. Often times the whole wood twinkles with them, like stars in the heavens. But tonight there is only one......It amazes me how much I can see when it lights! And how quickly the darkness rushes in when it ceases. And He speaks to me. He speaks reassurance directly to my heart. This is how it is. The Light pierces the darkness, bit by bit. One instance at a time. Each time, a little more is revealed. A little more of what had been hidden is seen. Seen clearly. This is how it is. This is how it is with Pete. Do not dispair! Oh, Lord! Be ever near. Keep me in ThyWill and Thy Way. Help me to glow for You. May You ever glow thru me! Thank You for refreshing my my heart. Thank You for one solitary firefly.

I ask all who pass this way to join me in prayer for my hubby's salvation. And also remember his health. He went to a new doctor last week. One who is stunned he has suffered dizziness and nausea for 5 years! One who is rechecking all the work that has been done before. One who is looking to things no one has considered before. It is my prayer that this time, he will finally get solid answers. Where there are solid answers, there is the chance for real help.

This is the last day of school for my youngin's. Bug is there just to get her report card and party. Bubba is taking his Geometry final, even though he was exempt, in order to raise his grade. I am very proud of him for making such a mature decision on his own! Last night we went for Bug's Kindergarten graduation. It was held at the High School football stadium. Mind you, we haven't had rain in weeks. The 6 o'clock news said no rain in sight till the weekend. The sky was overcast as we assembled in the stands. A few minutes before 7:00 the children came onto the field. At 7:01, lightening began to flash down in the sky behind the platform. Pledge of Allegiance to US and Texas Flags. National Anthem. Prayer. The principal then says, "Congradulations class! This concludes our program, parents please come on the field for your child. This is the shorest graduation ceremony ever." As we are climbing into the truck, the bottom falls out! Sheets of rain falling from the sky! Creeping home in the conjested traffic. Then, about 6 miles from home, the sun peeps thru one little crack in a cloud. And the biggest, full arch double rainbow we have ever seen in our livesfills the Eastern Sky. Greyblue above it. Glowing white below it. I would not have been surprised to see Jesus step thru the curtain of sky at any moment! I think Bug and her classmates got a very special memory to store away and tell one day.

Today's journal link is hosted by a smart, sophisticated young woman. I like to frequent her journal, just because her life is very different than my own. So if you have yet to meet up with Candace, go by Better Than Kicking the Dog , get to know her and expand your horizons a little. And now for our Word on words. Today we look at the 3rd Commandment. "You shall not use the name of Jehovah your God irreverently, nor use it to swear to a falsehood. You will not escape punishment if you do." Exodus 20:7 TLB. Hhhuumm, are you thinking "oh, I never use the gd word!" Well, that's good. But have you considered that each time we speak His name with no real thought of Him, we are being irreverent? You see a shocking news story and say "Oh, my God." You become frustrated and say "By heavens!, will you ever listen." In these instances we are not truly calling on Jehovah. But we are brandishing His mighty and precious name around like a slogan. Did you know that the early Jews would not even speak his name aloud? That the scribes actually picked up a new styluseach time they wrote his sacred name? And what of us who do ever use the gd word?! Ever give thought to what you are actually doing? To be "damned" is to be totally and eternally seperated from God. When you use the gd phrase, you are actually calling upon God to banish this person or thing forever from His presence. Gives you pause to think, does it not? Let us begin today to use His name appropreately. Use it for praise, for blessing, for His glory. Call upon it for salvation and help. Tell others of His excellant greatness.

Have a great day, my J~land friends!

Tuesday, May 24, 2005

I Don't have any more time!!!!

Oh, here I go again! I just worked an hour and a half to bring you a new original entry and my stupid browser, suddenly, from out of the blue, goes to a stupid sign on page for a message board I visit right as I am about to post!!!!!!! I am too tired and spent to redo it now. But I will bring it back either later this eveing or tomorrow am. In the meantime, feast upon another wonderful offering from God's Work Ministry Email. Mr. Savaya has kindly and graciously said I could use them freely as I desire here. And I can bring you this much quicker that I can redo my own entry. Please be patient with me! As Barbara (barbpinion) has said recently.....have to let it go. Can get caught up in fighting this. Life is too short! So please enjoy

A THOUSAND MARBLES.

The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it's the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it's the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable. A few weeks ago, what began as a typical Saturday morning turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time. Let me tell you about it. I turned the volume up on my radio, and I heard an older sounding chap with a golden voice. You know the kind, he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business himself. He was talking about "a thousand marbles" to someone named "Tom". I was intrigued and sat down to listen to what he had to say. "Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure they pay you well but it's a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet." "Let me tell you something Tom, something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities. "And that's when he began to explain his theory of "a thousand marbles". "You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about 75 years. I know, some live more and some live less but on average, folks live about 75 years." "Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900 which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime." "It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail", he went on, "and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be 75, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy." "So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up with 1000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside a large clear plastic container next to the radio. Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away." "I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. There is nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight." "Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure if I make it until next Saturday then I have been given a little extra time. And the one thing we can all use is a little more time." "It was nice to talk to you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your loved ones, and I hope to meet you again someday. Have a good morning!" You could have heard a pin drop when he finished. Even the show's moderator didn't have anything to say for a few moments. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to do some work that morning, then go to the gym. Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. "C'mon honey, I'm taking you and the kids to breakfast." "What brought this on?" she asked with a smile. "Oh, nothing special, it's just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. Hey, can we stop at a toy store while we're out? I need to buy some marbles."

Author Unknown

While we are living in the present time things don't seem to move so fast but when we ponder the past, it feels like 10 to 20 years were here only yesterday. The Bible says it well in James 4:14 "For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." There have been many great men of God such as Abraham, Isaac and <FONTCOLOR=#800000>Jacob who lived well over 100 years each, but when compared in Eternal time, it is less than a drop in an ocean. I encourage you to focus on the eternal and not the temporary. Live your live to the fullest for God and serve Him with all your heart, no matter what you do; because God looks at your heart and not the job at hand. Read and meditate on these scriptures: 1 Samuel 16:7 "For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." Matthew 6:19-21 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." 2 Corinthians 4:18 "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." All scriptures can be found in the King James Version. All Glory, Praise and Honor be unto the Lord Jesus Christ for He alone is worthy of the credit and the blessings that come to us.

In Christs Service,

Dwayne Savaya

Gods Work Ministry

Visit the website to read more encouraging and inspirational stories, poems and testimonies. You are also welcome to post your prayer requests. http://www.Godswork.org

Saturday, May 21, 2005

And he tarries that all may have time to repent!

No way this could wait until Monday! Pete went to get his catscan done on his head. This evening when he got home, just as he was parking the truck the front tire fell off!!! He had driven approximantly 60 miles, sometimes at speeds of 70mph and part of the way in work traffic. I told him God got him home safely! That he spared him and this certainly wasn't the first time. I told him God gives more time that sinners may repent.....and that he had given him more time. Please pray with me that this latest amazing effort of our Lord to get Pete's attention and point him to His mercy does not go unheeded!

Friday, May 20, 2005

Almost Back to ?Normal?

Well, I believe I'm pulling out from under the illness. Or I sort of forced myself to. I have caught up the laundry today. We were about to go naked, due to the well being offline, and then me being down. My friend Monica says her guys know how to do their own laundry. It must be nice on her planet. I want to pass on some tips from an oilfield wife. 1/2cup Pine-Sol added to your wash is a wonderful way to clean most nasty stains and get rid of the nasty smells that go with them. It has always been safe to my colors, and costs less and works better than most of that oxy stuff. If you have a bad petroleum based stain, pretreat by spraying with WD-40. Never knew he worked in the mess!

And I also bathed all three rotten boston terriers who recide in my home. Yes, that's not a Boson terrier. But it's a picture. (Can you see it?! I am terribly lazy and am trying another shortcut I found. If it works I'll share the link with you!) I have flea control tips too. The vet told me many years ago, whatever doggie shampoo you use, the important thing is to let the animal stand and soak for a few minutes once you get the lather worked up. This is what actually kills the fleas....being smoothered in lather. And around the house your best/cheapest helper is to vacumn frequently.....changing the bag every time! That's the important part....to throw away sucked up fleas and eggs. If you use the same bag, the next time you'll just shoot little just hatched fleas out your exhaust. Oh, that sounded odd!

This is just a nice horse picture. I will take my roll to Wally land and get a CD made this weekend. But the bad news is I need a new roll for colt pictures.....so it may be awhile before you get a glimpse. The horse in the background looks something like Emmy and the colt in the foreground looks something like DBoy, the sire. Pete let them out of the stall for awhile today. Awe, it was sssooo cute. He already has the gait of a tennessee walker and holds that tail straight in the air! I love their sheer joy of being alive. Delight and wonder at everything.

Announcing today's Journal mention! Becky's Bright Beginnings. Now, unfortunately, Becky has taken a sebatical from the journal.....for how long I do not know. But I check there most every day, just to see if she is back. She the mother of three primarily teenage children. Married and Christian and proud of it. She's fun and warm and was a real welcome to me when I entered j~land. So if you've never been there, go back and read her previous posts. (Maybe some nice new comments might coax her back?!?!)

And now for our scripture and thought on those words and the anger that'a often behind them: Exodus 21:17 "Anyone who reviles or curses his mother or father shall surely be put to death." Woah! I don't remember ever cursing my folks, but I definetly got very angry with them a few times over things they wouldn't let me do. And I know my own teenager speaks to me in a tone at times that I hear all too often among today's kids. But notice....it doesn't say as long as you are under 18....or as long as you live at home. So us adults, if we are fortunate enough to have living parents, need to be careful how we speak to and of our parents! And perhaps this will give us with children the incentive we need to command the right tone and attitude from our own children.

I may not post again until Monday.....I have a helter-skelter computer time on the weekends. But may God be with you all. And lets not neglect our worship of him, as is the custom of some!

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Same Song, Second Verse; Could get better, but it's gonna get worse!

I want to start by announcing the very good and special news: Immaculate Conception (better known as Emmy) or as I've come to refer to her; the Perpetually Pregnant gave birth last night to a beautiful red, white and blonde(buttermilk) foal! A sweet little baby stud horse. Enjoy this! Savor this good news, cause it's downhill from here.

About 2 oclock yesterday, I came down with Bug's lovely virus! By bedtime last night, her daddy had it, too! We either hugged the toilet or stayed bedded up until late this afternoon. It's been a rather pitiful site! Bubba is the only one so far uneffected. So now, Pete missed work Tuesday to work on the well. He missed work yesterday to go to the doctor about his sinuses and constant dizziness. He missed work today due to the virus. He'll miss work tomorrow to get the blood work done the doctor wanted and a CT of his head. The x-ray inside the doctors office showed possible spurs in his sinuses!?! Luckily, time goes in on Tuesday or Wednesday.....so maybe he won't have a total zero week. And to top it all off, he was trying to pull out the pegs on the volleyball/badmitton set, because the puppy was trying to chew them all up, and his back did something wierd on him. Now he says he hurts all the way around his mid section and has trouble catching his breath. Aren't we too young for all of this!?!?

In lieu of our bible verse on anger and speech, I'm going to be lazy this evening and simply pass on this little jewel from God's Work Ministry E-Mail:

HEARING GOD

The young man had lost his job and didn't know which way to turn. So he went to see the old preacher. Pacing about the preacher's study, the young man ranted about his problem. Finally he clenched his fist and shouted, "I've begged God to say something to help me. Tell me, Preacher, why doesn't God answer?" The old preacher, who sat across the room, spoke something in reply -- something so hushed it was indistinguishable. The young man stepped across the room. "What did you say?" he asked. The preacher repeated himself, but again in a tone as soft as a whisper. So the young man moved closer until he was leaning on the preacher's chair. "Sorry," he said. "I still didn't hear you." With their heads bent together, the old preacher spoke once more. "God sometimes whispers," he said, "so we will move closer to hear Him." This time the young man heard and he understood. We all want God's voice to thunder through the air with the answer to our problem. But God's is the still, small voice. . . the gentle whisper. Perhaps there's a reason. Nothing draws human focus quite like a whisper. God's whisper means I must stop my ranting and move close to Him, until my head is bent together with His. And then, as I listen, I will find my answer. Better still, I find myself closer to God.

Author Unknown

From God's Work Ministry E- mail.

And now for the Journal Addition. Hunybea's Open Journal is a treat you've probably already found. Mary has the zest for the things of God, that we all wish we had, that we're all striving to get. She does all the fun J~land things, but she also hops up on the band wagon for a good and worthwhile cause. Then some days, she simply gives us a look into her life. This pretty blonde young woman is mother to four precious children. As far as I know, she is kind and helpful to all who come along J~land, walking the walk even in cyberspace. So, if somehow you've never been, go over and visit Hunybea.

May God bless all my new J~land friends with His Presence today and every day!

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

I am running an Infirmary!

Okay folks...I don't know why I can see pictures and you can't. If anyone can see the pictures in yesterday's entry, please let me know.

On the home front, Hubby got the water well going, but we will probably end op having to replace the old jagger pump. He may switch to a compressor. Bug is home sick with her tummy. I had to pick her up from school yesterday. And Pete is home with extreme dizziness. Probably another ear infection. He has a deviated septum. He goes to the doctor at 2pm. I washed dishes all night to catch up. Now it will be laundry today! The baby chicks are thriving. Another hen just hatched out a set. And Emmy should have her foal any day now. Would you believe we found three more kittens by another cat?!?

I want to pass on a little something that my friend Monica sent me. It tells the origins of the song "Precious Lord."

THE BIRTH OF THE SONG "PRECIOUS LORD"

Back in 1932, I was 32 years old and a fairly new husband.

My wife, Nettie and I were living in a little apartment on Chicago's Southside. One hot August afternoon I had to go to St.Louis, where I was to be the featured soloist at a large revival meeting. I didn't want to go. Nettie was in the last month of pregnancy with our first child.

But a lot of people were expecting me, I kissed Nettie good-bye, clattered downstairs to our Model A and, in a fresh Lake Michigan breeze, chugged out of Chicago on Route 66.

However, outside the city, I discovered that in my anxiety at leaving, I had forgotten my music case. I wheeled around and headed back.

I found Nettie sleeping peacefully.

I hesitated by her bed; something was strongly telling me to stay.

But eager to get on my way, and not wanting to disturb Nettie, I shrugged off the feeling and quietly slipped out of the room with my music.

The next night, in the steaming St. Louis heat, the crowd called on me to sing again and again.

When I finally sat down, a messenger boy ran up with a Western Union telegram.

I ripped open the envelope.

Pasted on the yellow sheet were the words:

YOUR WIFE JUST DIED.

People were happily singing and clapping around me, but I could hardly keep from crying out.

I rushed to a phone and called home.

All I could hear on the other end was "Nettie is dead. Nettie is dead."

When I got back, I learned that Nettie had given birth to a boy.

I swung between grief and joy.

Yet that night, the baby died.

I buried Nettie and our little boy together, in the same casket. Then I fellapart.

For days I closeted myself.

I felt that God had done me an injustice. I didn't want to serve Him any more or write gospel songs.

I just wanted to go back to that jazz world I once knew so well.

But then, as I hunched alone in that dark apartment those first sad days, I thought back to the afternoon I went to St. Louis.

Something kept telling me to stay with Nettie.

Was that something God?

Oh, if I had paid more attention to Him that day, I would have stayed and been with Nettie when she died.

From that moment on I vowed to listen more closely to Him.

But still I was lost in grief. Everyone was kind to me, especially a friend, Professor Fry, who seemed to know what I needed.

On the following Saturday evening he took me up to Malone's Poro College, a neighborhood music school. It was quiet; the late evening sun crept through the curtained windows. I sat down at the piano, and my hands began to browse over the keys.

Something happened to me then. I felt at peace.

I felt as though I could reach out and touch God.

I found myself playing a melody, once into my head they just seemed to fall into place:

Precious Lord, take my hand,
lead me on, let me stand!
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn,
Through the storm, through the night
lead me on to the light,
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.

The Lord gave me these words and melody, He also healed my spirit.

I learned that when we are in our deepest grief, when we feel farthest from God, this is when He is closest, and when we are most open to His restoring power.

And so I go on living for God willingly and joyfully, until that day comes when He will take me and gently lead me home.

-Tommy Dorsey

And now for the envelope please. Today's Journal link. Written by Barbara, who has three teenagers and has been married for 21 years. She lives in West Central Florida, where her hubby is a farmer. Barbara has two journals that I read under the screen name, stronghands63.

I'm not just a farmer's wife

AND

A Handful of Cheez-it's and a Hot Cup of Joe

Barbara's entries are warm, funny and real. You leave feeling like you know her.

Last, but never least our daily thought on anger and words. Genesis 49:5-7: "They are men of violence and injustice. O my soul stay away from them. May I never be a party to their wicked plans. For in their anger they murdered a man and maimed oxen just for fun. Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce and cruel." Just to be angry is not sin. You know Jesus was angry when he cleansed the temple. But we all too often get angry for totally unrighteous reasons. Selfish reasons. Anger left to simmer can lead to violence. Don't keep company with angry people! My mother's mother, Mama Ruth always said you could judge a lot about a man's character by the way he treated animals. Violence and cruelty are never God's way! We are in the world, but be not of the world. May God bless each soul that happens this way today.

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

My Bucket's Got a Hole in It!

"Well, my Bucket's Got a Hole in It. Yeah, my bucket's got a hole in it." For those of you not familiar with that fine classic, it's a line out of a Hank Williams, Sr. song. I'm humming it this morning because we have a problem with our well. Started late yesterday. We use a jagger pump to jet the water out of the ground and for some reason it's just not getting enough air into the ground. So Hubby is home to see about it. But now he's missing a day in the oilfield and the pay that goes with it. But that's life. Thank God he has a job to miss! I had a Million things to do today, and this has me in a holding pattern, waiting to see if he needs a hand with something or a parts runner. Want to pass along what I thought was a clever idea. (Once in a blue moon I get one.) I picked up two of those super cheap disposable cameras out at Wally World. I gave one to each of the kids to take and make pictures of school friends and what have you before school ends. Great way for them to have a little end of the school year fun. And will get them in a whole lot less trouble than water guns!

Moving right along to my second journal mention. This is Jana's everybody said I should write a journal, journal. Jana is a working wife and mother. She seems to be more materialistic than I and she uses some language I would not use. But she has a quick, sharp wit and can sure put a funny spin on a story! She seems to post every week or so, and won't fill your mailbox with alerts. (lol) And Last but not least, our devotional thought on Anger/speech. In Genesis 44:18 we read the words of Judah when Joseph's brothers were caught leaving Egypt with the money and silver cup Joseph had planted on them. "...Be patient with me for a moment, for I know you can doom me in an instant...." It takes only and instant to become angry, but in that instant we can do irreparable damage to those around us and even our own selves. Be patient. Be slow to anger. I pray that God blesses everyone who passes this way today with a fresh, new dose of patience.

Monday, May 16, 2005

Here Comes the New Line UP

Well, Goodmorning to all! It is amazing what God can do. Despite loosing Uncle Lenox, I had one of the best weekends I have had in ages! Give ya'll a quick recap.

Friday, I started my day on here as usual. Then my sister dropped by with some new hand-me-down dresses from her friend, Norma. I hate to shop and hardly ever do. Oh, if I pass by something and happen to like it, I'll stop and look at the price and if I can afford it, I'll get it. And occasionally something wears out and has to be replaced, so I have to go looking - but I never just say, oh.....I think I want to shop today. Guess I'm not a girly-girl. So hand-me-downs is my dream way of getting new clothing! And it sure doen't bother Pete since it is light on his back pocket.

Then I did a couple of things I just had to do, and got ready to go to the school for Bug's Field Day. I had not told her I was planning on coming, so she was thrilled when she saw me walking up. They had silly games and games of skill and the big rented things like an inflated slide and the cage full of balls. All the kids enjoyed thierself and then she got to come home early with me. I rested and relaxed. Bug chattered like a mag-pie. Later I cleaned up and got ready to go to the funeral home. As soon as Pete got to the house, I hugged him and left. When I got back home about 9pm, the guys were in the shop mechanicing again and Bug had watched movies and ate junk all evening. I got comfy and fried up some burgers for us all. Ended up sleeping until 12:15 Saturday afternoon! Gee, I am getting too good at that on Saturdays when Pete's not on call. So, by the time I sat around and drank coffee, checked my emails and messed with the journal, spent a little time with Bug....it was time to get ready for the funeral. Afterwards, I had to run in the grocery store for a couple of items and stop in at a parts store to get Pete a couple of things. I came, got comfy. The guys will still at it in the shop. I did my chores, which right now consist of tending to the five baby chicks, watering the horses and hosing out the dog pen. Bug and I traded the horses and hogs not long ago. Bubba's chore is to feed everthing. I relaxed inside with Bug and we played some Yatzee. She yatzeed three times! Reckon she's figured out cheating??! I visited online and watched Enterprise. Finally told the guys about 1am that I was going to bed, supper is on the stove. So of course they came a rushing in then!

Sunday morning with beautiful! One of those days when the air feels soft. Bug was the only one to go to church with me, as the guys were so late finishing that truck and had worked so hard all day Bubba just couldn't get himself up. I took a half of watermelon for the children's church snack. They love it when I do that. We finish up our lesson and go out to a picnic table and I cover it with newspaper, feed them slices of watermelon till big church lets out. Most snacks I limit the amount, so as not to spoil their appetite for whatever lunch plans the parents have....But on watermelon days, it's all you can eat.

On the way home, I had to stop to pick up a Sunday paper and jug of milk. Bug asked for a little cheap made $2 badmitton set. I said okay. When we got home and Daddy saw it and how much fun she and I were having trying to play with it, he decided to send us to Wally World to get a real one. Pete mowed the back yard and when we got home he set up the net between two large old pecan trees, in his good SanAugustine grass. He had stopped by a meat market one day the last week and bought some good fresh country-style ribs and link sausage, so he fired up the pit, and we all had a relaxing day around the picnic table and playing our new badmitton/volleyball/horse shoe set. I couldn't tear myself away for evening services. Just stayed home and enjoyed the moment. Temperature was just right, no misquitoes came out and some friends stopped by. Hated for it to end. We finally tore ourselves away and came in at ten o'clock and headed for bed.

But the best part of the weekend wasn't what happened, but what I felt and how Pete acted. I felt more myself, more upbeat and whole than I have in months. Less aches and pains, too. And Pete was so relaxed, seemed not to be stressed at all about anything. And extra kind to me all weekend. So this was one to savor! Even the house didn't fall all apart on me! Usually by the end of the weekend, I have lost all ground I gained in housework the previous week.

I know this entry is a little on the long side, but I want to stay true to my word. After being in Journal land for a month, I want to pass on some of my favorite journals. I certainly haven't been everywhere and am sure there are many goods ones I have yet to find. But these are some along the vain of my interests. I will introduce one a day and then add to my Other Journal links. The order is based on the order in which I found them, not a reflection of the content or style. So without further ado, my 1st mention is Farm Life written by Teri, a 38 year old mother of three teenage girls living in Crawfish Springs, GA. She and her husband have a farm with goats, cows, chickens, ducks, rabbits, etc. She's very down to earth and plain spoken. Often has some really good photos of her animals, and can tell a story with some very dry wit. This journal is mostly a chronicle of farm living. For more serious issues and reflections, she keeps another called Look at Life. I especially like the entries titled, poem and words of wisdom. So stop over when you get a chance and see what is going on at the farm.

And now for the 1st little devotion on our words, speech and anger. I know for me, my speech flows along fairly upright until I get angry or frustrated. Then I revert back to old habits and patterns without any conscious thought at all. Things are flying out of my mouth faster than I can think. That is why I am including anger in this series. Each entry should be shorter than the ones on marriage, so they'll usually be at the bottom of a daily post....unless I find nothing else to share or say that day, then they'll stand alone.

Here we go: First stop Genesis. Chapter 27 vs. 43-45. "This is what to do," she said. "Flee to your Uncle Laban in Haran. Stay there with him awhile until your brother's fury is spent, and he forgets what you have done." This is Rebekah speaking to Jacob after he had tricked Isaac into giving him Esau's blessing and Esau into selling his birthright for a bowl of poridge. Doesn't matter that Esau had some right to be angry....furiuous with his trickster brother. If they had been in close proximity at this time, there would have probably been a killing, much like Cain and Able. So when confronted with ferce anger directed your way, whether deserved or undeserved, the best thing to do is to make a retreat and give time a chance to cool the fires of passion. Yeah, it's hard not to put in that one last comment.....to take that little jab and the one who is ranting at you, but it is for the best. You'll be gaurding yourself from becoming too angry and intense and allow the other person to begin to think more rationally and calmly. Then you can approach them for forgiveness if you did wrong them. Or to find out what was behind their rush of anger. It worked for Jacob! Esau was truly happy to have his brother return when he finally did. He had gotten over his anger, gone on with his life and became a successful man in his own right. We will probably not have to leave the country or stay away for years. It make take as little or an hour, or sometimes a month or more. Just be in prayer in the meantime as to what if anything you did to deserve it, and for the person harboring the anger toward you and for the Spirit of Forgiveness to proceed you into your next meeting.

May you all be blessed with peace and forgiveness today!

Sunday, May 15, 2005

"The Dash"

 Dear Friends, I wanted to pass along a little poem that came in my God's Work Ministry E-mail today.  I found it particularly appropriate in light of Uncle Lenox's passing and the funeral yesterday.  See you here with my usual entries tomorrow! 

Well, friends.......I've been informed through an email by the author that this poem is under copywrite protection and that I did not have the right to share it here, although I gave the author, Linda Ellis, credit and

"The Dash has been published hundreds of times in books, newspapers, magazines and company newsletters. It has also been read countless times at company meetings, graduations and funerals."

The poem is The Dash.  And if you are interested, you can read it on her  web site.  

My apologies to Ms Ellis for my ignorance.  Hope the free plugs will help to make amends.

I hope my readers and J-land friends learn through this that just because you have seen something everywhere and give the writer credit that does not always mean it is "free to distribute."  To me printing it here was like as if you had come over to my home and I said, "hey, listen to this poem....it seems to fit."  Or I called you up and read it to you over the phone and then asked  "Don't you think Uncle Lenox filled in the dash well?  Hope we do as well."  I had no harmful intent.  I did not profit from it's posting, though I had hoped others might "profit" emotionally or spiritually from reading it.  I suppose that was Ms. Ellis' hope when she originally penned it.  Although this medium feels like letter writing to me, it is "on the web."  And therefore a public forum.  And so holds the potential to rob Ms. Ellis of her livelihood.  I intend to be more careful before I post anything attributed to anyone else in the future and I hope each of you will do the same.

Visit the web-site to read more encouraging and inspirational stories, poems and testimonies.  You are also welcome to post your prayer requests. http://www.Godswork.org  

Saturday, May 14, 2005

Reflections and Memories

Well, funeral home last night and funeral today.  It really wasn't sad though.  More like a toned-down family reunion.  No one will ever again wink at me and call me Sukie.  But  there is peace in knowing he was a Christian.  And there is comfort abounding in a predominately Christian family.  As I told my Aunt Billie, the older I get the more i appreciate the foundation, the heritage they all laid and passed on.  The more of the world I know, the more I realize how rare and precious that is. Goodness!  How do you let go, say goodbye after spending 62 years with someone?  I think of after their kids all go home and back to their lives facing that empty house.  This is a woman who for all the years he worked, after she fed him breakfast and cleared the table, would fold his napkin and place it in her pocket to keep until he returned home that evening, because it smelt of his after-shave. This was a man who served his church and community for most of his life.  Kind, quick-witted, upright, non-judgmental and giving.  His son Lenox,Jr. told me that his dad who served in the Philippines and occupied Japan walked to within a few hundred yards of the crater left by the nuclear bomb to take pictures!  He was award 5 bronze stars and a purple heart, among others.  I saw various cousins I had not seen in 10 or more years!  They said, they may not recognize my face, but once I started to talk there was no doubt who I was!  lol   I have a hefty dose of southern drawl which sounded sexy on my daddy.....but just annoying on me.  There was Buzzy who served us in Nam.  There was Bruce, who gave me my first motorcycle ride.  Also, Jesse and his wife, Sharon who are retired teachers going around the country helping to build churches.  Jason who had been in the Navy Seals.....finally married and settled back down in Nacogdoches.  A wonderful neighbor and family friend from the road I grew up on.  And my first ever boss at age 16.....Mrs. Evelyn Eason.  I was fortunate to have worked under her, for she no doubt made me a better employee for all who came after her.  And many, many third cousins who are still children that I had never laid eyes on, but would have known their family tree on site as the resemblance is so strong!  I'll be back here tomorrow or Monday  with other inspirations, ramblings, and reflections.  We'll start that look at speech and I want to begin to introduce some of my favorite other journals to you.  God bless each one who passes here!  Please don't neglect to worship Him tomorrow.

Friday, May 13, 2005

Final Devotion on Marriage

Well this devotion will wrap up our tour through the scriptures on marriage. The book of Hebrews is sometimes called the 5th Gospel, because it describes Christs' ministry in Heaven at God the Father's right hand.  Officially the author of the book is unknown, but many credit it to Paul....and I tend to agree.  This book was written to Jewish Christians, perhaps because they were clinging too or thinking of returning to Judaism.

Our one verse comes in Chapter 13, which in my Bible is headed "Jesus, always the same."  Let that be a reminder to us that as fads, fashions, customs, norms, even traditions, come and go God and His ways and His Will and His purpose remain constant and unchanging. 

Our verse is number four:  "Honor your marriage and its vows, and be pure; for God will surely punish all those who are immoral or commit adultery."  The foundation God layed for marriage has not changed.  Will never change.  It is timeless and constant.  Like God and His love for us. 

And as Christ's relationship with the church is our bright and shiney example of what our marriage relationship should be, our marriage is an image, a symbol (though often dull and clouded) of what our relationship to Christ will be once we meet our Groom at the Alter of Heaven.

"Praise the Lord.  For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.  Let us be glad and rejoice and honor him; for the time has come for the wedding banquet of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself."  Rev. 19:7&8  TLB

Thank you all for joining me on this journey thru the word!  I hope you'll come along next week as I start to explore anger, wrath and speech.  Warning:  Toes could be damaged, wear steel-toed boots!

 

 

 

 

You're God's Answer to My Prayer!

Dear Journal-land friends, you will never know the blessing you have been to me this morning! Yesterday evening I had spent an hour crying, blubbering and praying about how what I have to say and what I feel and think and want seems so unimportant to the people around me. My dear little Bug has all the joy, energy and impatience a child of 5 should have...so she wants to do the talking or be busy and on the go. My precious Bubba has spent more than his fair share of time listening to his Mama. But all he really wants to discuss is car stereos and trucks. Seems just when I think of something special to me to share with him, that's when he is most ready to go on about his business.And my dear hubby....well, he doesn't want to discuss the issues a TV show raises, and he doesn't want to talk when he eats or too close to bedtime in case something upsets him. He never discusses politics, religion or the social concerns of the day. He's a man of action. He values deeds and not words. Which I can understand, as in his life words often were lies, empty promises or otherwise discouraging. He wants only to see what you do/did. To hear what you've done. So, this muller, puzzler, ponderer often feels unheard, unappreciated, unvalued. It comes and goes in waves. Yesterday was one of my bigger waves. But God is sssooo faithful! When I stepped outside before bed to let the Boston Terrier pack pottie, there was one lone firefly blinking near the woods. I'm not sure how to word it, but it brought comfort to me. As you can see the firefly intermentantly, God seemed to be saying to me that just because they don't always see, hear and understand me the times that they do are still just as lovely and precious. Then I wake and come on-line to find your warmth, and welcome! Your sweet and thoughtful comments! You are all a blessing to me. Thank you so much! Barb, God must have lead you to mention me at just the right time.....he knew what I needed...to be appreciated! My dear Uncle Lenox passed away yesterday. He was 81 and had recently suffered strokes. He was a wonderful and warm Christian man. He served his country in WWII. He and my mother's sister, Billie, raised three boys to be decent and kind men. He served his community and was a deacon at his church. I have never known a more honorable, honest, decent, kind and helpful man. I hope God is giving him a double portion of reward! Bubba class didn't do very well at the welding contest; only one second place award. But they enjoyed their day, and know more about how the contest thing works. There were about 60 competing and awards were given to only the top five in each event. Bubba didn't even look to see where he placed. Bug's school is having field day todaySuppose I may try to go up there and surprise her. May God bless each of your's day as you have blessed mine!
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