Friday, December 16, 2011

LISTEN TO THAT INNER VOICE

How many times have we ignored that inner voice telling us to do something that seems pointless, odd, or impossible? It's time for us to listen to that inner voice. Wouldn't we rather be embarassed that we were mistaken about it than to find out in eternity that we ignored and prevented a wonderous miracle of God? Watch this brief video of a doctor who listened to the inner voice.




http://www.godvine.com/Man-Dies-and-Returns-to-Life-on-the-Operating-Table-420.html
Watch More Christian Videos on GodVine.com

Friday, November 4, 2011

SEEING GOD



Normally, I don't like to submit a blog that consists of someone else's article, but there are times when I read something that just hits me in the core of my soul. I don't feel I can hide this article in my own soul as I will burst. I have to share it with anyone who will take time to read it and let it sink in to their hearts. This article was written by Dr. Tim Clinton, President of the American Association of Christian Counselors. All credit for this article goes to him and to our Lord Jesus Christ for giving Dr. Clinton the anointing to write it. God's grace and mercy are everlasting. - Bobbi

SEEING GOD by Dr. Tim Clinton, President of AACC
November 1 – November 7

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things…” Psalm 119:18

By the “createdness” of things, man knows there is a God…

Too often we fail to see God. We miss out on seeing the sacred that He has placed right in front of us.

Helen Keller, whose only ability to "see" was through touch once wrote:

“I, who cannot see, find hundreds of things to interest me through mere touch. I feel the delicate symmetry of a leaf.

I pass my hands lovingly about the smooth skin of a silver birch, or the rough shaggy bark of a pine….

I feel the delightful, velvety texture of a flower, and discover its remarkable convolutions; and something of the miracle… is revealed to me.

At times my heart cries out with longing to see these things. If I can get so much pleasure from mere touch, how much more beauty must be revealed by sight.

Yet, those who have eyes apparently see little. The panorama of color and action which fills the world is taken for granted….

It is a great pity that, in the world of light, the gift of sight is used only as a mere convenience rather than as a means of adding fullness to life.”

The gift of sight – being able to “see” what’s around us – and I’ll add, more importantly, spiritually seeing Him!

On a flight home recently, as we began our final approach, I glanced out of the window. The late evening sun highlighted fall’s vivid colors all along the Blue Ridge Mountains. I closed my iPad, put away my notes, and took in the breathtaking canvas that only our Creator-God could paint.

Unfortunately, the press of life, and the pressure of deadlines have caused me to miss many “God-moments”.

Romans Chapter 1 contains a profound truth. “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God hath shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.” (19-20 ESV)

Approach life with a “Spirit of Expectation” — to see Him!!

God’s Invisible Attributes.

His Eternal Power.

His Divine Nature.

Clearly evident and visible in His Creation.

“The heavens declare the Glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.” Psalm 19:1 ESV

Has the pace of life robbed you of enjoying His handiwork? Are the pressures of your daily grind stealing His eternal power from your soul? Has pain left you feeling that His divine nature could never fill your hurting heart?

If so, slow down. No – STOP! Whatever you are doing right now, just stop.

Get outside. Enjoy a “Festival of Fall” in your life. Play in the leaves with your kids. Pick some apples. Take a “Sunday” drive through the mountains. Enjoy His handiwork.

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God” — because He is!!

Allow the precious gift of sight to add fullness to your life.

It just might turn your life around.

By Dr. Tim Clinton, President of the American Association of Christian Counselors

Saturday, October 29, 2011

DON'T BE DECEIVED

I was given a book to read by a former female minister of a mainline denominational church. She has delved into different religions including Buddism. She avows that the god this book describes is a god she can believe in. I am appalled at her lack of spiritual discernment and her fall into deception. This book is beyond a shadow of a doubt New Age and is contrary to the Word of God. It is a #1 best seller on the New York Times List. Don't buy this book.

Conversations With God - Neale Donald Walsch

 Here is a note from James Dobson about the book. There is also a book out by the same author called Conversations With God for Teens.


From James Dobson:
Educators, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, please pay special attention not only to what your kids watch on TV and in movie theaters and the music they listen to ... but we must also be alert regarding the books they read.

Two particular books, Conversations with God and Conversations with God for Teens, written by Neale Donald Walsch sound harmless enough by their titles alone. These books have been on the New York Times best seller list for a number of weeks. These publications make truth of the statement "Don't judge a book by its cover/title". The author purports to answer various questions from kids using the "voice of God." However, the "answers" that he gives are not biblically based and in fact go against the very infallible Word of God.

For instance (and I paraphrase), when a girl asks the question "why am I a lesbian?" his answer is that she was born that way because of genetics just as you were born right-handed, with blue eyes, etc. Then he tells her to go out and "celebrate" her differences. Another girl poses the question "I am living with my boyfriend. My parents say that I should marry him because I am living in sin. Should I marry him?" His reply is "Who are you sinning against? Not me, because you have done nothing wrong."

Another question asks about God's forgiveness of sin. His reply - "I do not forgive anyone because there is nothing to forgive. There is no such thing as right or wrong and that is what I have been trying to tell everyone. I do not judge people. People have chosen to judge one another and this is wrong because the rule is 'Judge not lest ye be judged'." And the list goes on. Not only are these books the false doctrine of devils but in some instances even quote (in error) the Word of God. These books (and others like it) are being sold to school children (The Scholastic Book Club) and we need to be aware of what is being fed to our children. Our children are under attack so I pray that you be sober and vigilant about teaching your kids the true Word of God and guarding their exposure to worldly media because our adversary, the devil, "roams about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). And how many of us know that lions usually hunt for the slowest, weakest and YOUNGEST of its prey.
 
Pass this on to every believer you know.
God bless.

James Dobson, Ph.D.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

LISTEN TO THE TRUTH

Our lives are surrounded with flashes of fear and seemingly hopeless situations. The Lord is teaching me day by day to keep my eyes off the tribulations in my personal life and in this world. He is showing me how to keep my eyes on Him so that I don't become immobilized for fear of the future or become overwhelmed at what goes on around me. He brings His Word to my mind and instills it in my heart so that I can keep going on with courage and peace.
 
I have family relationships that are very troubling. I endure physical problems that no end can be seen. I am aware of the condition of this world and the direction it is headed. All these things could so overpower me that I would be useless as a witness and encourager of my fellow Christians.
 
Thank you Lord, for giving me Your Word that You are in control, that I don't have to be afraid. All I have to do is believe and keep walking in Your grace.
 
 


Lyrics to "Voice of Truth" by Casting Crown

Oh,what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is,
And he's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name
and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win,
You you'll never win

But the Voice of truth tells me a different story
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth

Oh, what I would do
to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound
of a thousand warriors
shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out
my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
"Boy you'll never win,
you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth

But the stone was just the right size
to put the giant on the ground
and the waves they don't seem so high
from on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
when I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
singing over me

But the Voice of truth tells me a different story
The Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
And the Voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth

I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the Voice of truth
I will listen and believe
'Cause Jesus you are the Voice of truth
And I will listen to you.. oh you are the Voice of truth


For more inspirational posts click on the Spiritual Sundays icon on my sidebar to the right. God bless,


Saturday, September 10, 2011

SURVIVOR TREE 9/11/01

Do you feel like just throwing in the towel? Have you waited far too long for something good to happen? Don't give up, my friend. If you keep walking, you will find what you have been waiting for.

http://www.dnainfo.com/20101222/downtown/911-survivor-tree-spreads-its-branches-over-world-trade-center-once-again

More great worship and inspirations here: Spiritual Sundays

Saturday, July 2, 2011

CAN MORALITY BE LEGISLATED?

An interesting article to provoke thought for Christians and Americans.
 
 
Can Morality Be Legislated?
By Dan Wafford

Often, when people disagree with Christian principles, they trot out the phrase, "You can't legislate morality." This claim is typically used in an effort to short-circuit discussions regarding such issues as drug use, homosexuality, and others where there is generally not a long history or tradition of legislation. "Well, that's a personal choice: you can't legislate morality." Or "What I do in the privacy of my own home is nobody's business: you can't legislate morality."



Nothing could be further from the truth.



Those who use this argument will readily acknowledge the validity of such laws as those prohibiting theft or murder. "Things like that are obviously wrong, because they harm someone else: that's the kind of laws we should stick to, and leave moral issues up to personal decision."



Such arguments are based on the principle that harming someone else physically or financially is inherently wrong. But that, too, is a moral judgment, based upon the principle that all people have equal rights.



There can be, and frequently have been, societies where laws were not based on such a system of values. One obvious example would be the South before the Civil War. Then and there, it was perfectly legal for a white man to buy or sell a black man, to steal his labor, to injure him physically, to rape his wife or his children, and generally even to murder him with impunity. If those acts were not illegal under the laws of the land, then what made them wrong, if not the moral principle that all people should be entitled to the same rights, regardless of the color of their skin or their station in life? Equality of races is a moral principle. Sanctity of life is a moral principle.



Until early in the twentieth century, American women were not allowed to vote. If that was perfectly legal at that time, then what made it wrong, if not the moral judgment that all people should be equally entitled to the right to vote, regardless of their gender? Equality of sexes is a moral principle.



When Muslims control a society, Islamic law enforces a tax, called jizya or jizyah, solely upon non-Muslims. If this is perfectly legal under the legislation of that Islamic society, what makes it wrong, if not the moral judgment that people should not be penalized for their choice of religion? Equality of those with differing religious beliefs is a moral principle.



Until early in the twentieth century, children in most industrialized nations were brutally exploited in factories, working twelve, fourteen, or even more hours per day under extremely unpleasant, unsanitary and unsafe conditions, and receiving only pennies for their services. If that was perfectly legal under the existing laws, then what made it wrong, if not the moral judgment that those who are smaller, weaker and poorer should not be abused and exploited? Preventing exploitation of the weak and poor is a moral principle.



I could name many more examples, but these are sufficient to prove the point. Again, nothing could be further from the truth: not only is it possible to legislate morality, it can very nearly be said that the only thing you can legislate is morality. What makes anything right or wrong, if that judgment is not based upon a system of values, a set of moral principles?



It is small wonder that many in our modern society fail to recognize this moral foundation of the legal system: it is basically ingrained in our perceptions through not just a lifetime, but many generations who have accepted it as a fundamentally inherent characteristic of life.



And rightly so: a society without a moral foundation is like a ship without a rudder: it will simply be tossed to and fro by the waves and pushed along whichever way the wind happens to blow. It is only by comparison to an unshakeable set of moral principles that we can ever truly know wrong from right.



The majority of moral principles that are generally accepted by modern American society come directly from the Bible. It is there that we learn the sanctity of life: Thou shalt not kill. It is there that we learn to respect the right of others to their own property: Thou shalt not steal.



But much of our modern society wants to embrace those moral principles in the Bible that they find convenient, while rejecting those that would limit their illicit desires. They are quite happy to claim as inherent rights the protection of their person, property and freedom. Yet they protest vigorously any instruction that they should honor the marriage covenant: Thou shalt not commit adultery; that they should deal honestly with their fellow man: Thou shalt not bear false witness; that they should honor the institution of family: Honor thy father and thy mother; and most of all, that they should honor the God Who created them: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.



Our society has essentially rejected God's sovereignty and authority. People today place no value on a moral principle simply because it was commanded by God. The only portions of His law they give any respect are those that protect their own interests.



The moral decay of our society is becoming more apparent with every passing day. It is not that decay has not been occurring in the past, but rather that it has been less visible. When ours was essentially a Christian society, the majority of people accepted all of God's moral law as necessary to a peaceful and ordered life. When people first began to abandon God, they felt a degree of constraint from those who still reverenced Him. For the most part, they hid their sins in shame.



But as the rebellious learned to enjoy their sins more and to fear the constraints of society less, they became bolder, openly flaunting their rebellion. They have learned to attack rather than hide. They have succeeded in shutting God out of our schools, yet they wonder why sexually transmitted diseases, drug addiction and mass murders have replaced reading, writing and arithmetic. They are succeeding at legitimizing homosexuality and destroying the family, yet they are amazed by the exploding divorce rate. They are succeeding at forcefully ripping away from our government any connection with or reverence to the God Who made their freedom possible, yet they wonder why our prisons are bursting at the seams.



They are succeeding at disseminating the lie that "you can't legislate morality," and in the process are destroying what few vestiges of morality remain in this once-great country.

Dan Wafford lives in beautiful coastal Georgia. He holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Oklahoma State University and an MBA from Stanford University. He writes Christian articles, essays, songs and books, as well as novels and popular music. His book The DiVine Code, which reveals details of encoded messages in the Bible, is currently available at Amazon.com. More information about The DiVine Code is available at http://thedivinecodebook.com

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITER-MAKE A WEBSITE

Monday, May 16, 2011

WOW, WHAT A WAKE UP!

WOW, WHAT A WAKE UP!

Dear God:


Why didn't you save the school children at:

Bath , Michigan1927
Houston, TX 1959
MosesLake , Washington 2/2/96
Bethel , Alaska 2/19/97
Pearl , Mississippi 10/1/97
West Paducah , Kentucky 12/1/97
Stamp, Arkansas 12/15/97
Jonesboro , Arkansas 3/24/98
Edinboro , Pennsylvania 4/24/98
Fayetteville , Tennessee 5/19/98
Springfield , Oregon 5/21/98
Richmond , Virginia 6/15/98
Littleton , Colorado 4/20/99
Taber , Alberta , Canada 5/28/99
Conyers , Georgia 5/20/99
Deming , New Mexico 11/19/99
Fort Gibson , Oklahoma 12/6/99
Santee , California 3/ 5/01
El Cajon , California 3/22/01?

and

Blacksburg, Virginia 4/16/07?



Sincerely,

Concerned Student


-----------------------------------------------------

Reply:

Dear Concerned Student:

I am not allowed in schools.

Sincerely,

God


----------------------------------------------------------

How did this get started?...


-----------------

Let's see,
I think it started when Madeline Murray O'Hare complained
she didn't want any prayer in our schools.

And we said, OK..


------------------

Then,
someone said you better not read the Bible in school,
the Bible that says
"thou shalt not kill,
thou shalt not steal,
and love your neighbors as yourself,"

And we said, OK...


-----------------

Dr. Benjamin Spock said
we shouldn't spank our children
when they misbehaved
because their little personalities
would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem.

And we said,
an expert should know what he's talking about
so we won't spank them anymore..


------------------

Then someone said
teachers and principals better not
discipline our children when they misbehave.
And the school administrators said
no faculty member in this school
better touch a student when they misbehave
because we don't want any bad publicity,
and we surely don't want to be sued.

And we accepted their reasoning...


------------------

Then someone said,
let's let our daughters have abortions if they want,
and they won't even have to tell their parents.

And we said, that's a grand idea...


------------------

Then some wise school board member said,
since boys will be boys
and they're going to do it anyway,
let's give our sons all the condoms they want,
so they can have all the fun they desire,
and we won't have to tell their parents they got them at school.

And we said, that's another great idea...


------------------

Then some of our top elected officials said
it doesn't matter what we do in private as long as we do our jobs.

And we said,
it doesn't matter what anybody,
including the President,
does in private as long as we have jobs and the economy is good....


------------------

And someone else took that appreciation a step further
and published pictures of nude children
and then stepped further still by
making them available on the Internet.

And we said, everyone's entitled to free speech....


------------------

And the entertainment industry said,
let's make TV shows and movies that promote
profanity, violence and illicit sex...
And let's record music that encourages
rape, drugs, murder, suicide, and satanic themes...

And we said,
it's just entertainment
and it has no adverse effect
and nobody takes it seriously anyway,
so go right ahead.


------------------

Now we're asking ourselves
why our children have no conscience,
why they don't know right from wrong,
and why it doesn't bother them to
kill strangers, classmates or even themselves.


------------------

Undoubtedly,
if we thought about it long and hard enough,
we could figure it out.
I'm sure it has a great deal to do with...


"WE REAP WHAT WE SOW,"


------------------
Unknown Author

Saturday, May 7, 2011

THOUGHTS ABOUT MOMS

I'm always remembering my mom - how she worked so hard to keep the house looking nice - how she instilled in us kids the importance of honesty and respect for others. The greatest gift my mother gave to me was living the Christian life that she so wanted all her children to live. Mama lived to see all her children living for the Lord, except for my brother, who gave his heart to the Lord a year afte she passed away. God heard her daily prayers for our souls.

Martha O. Clayton
June 18, 1912 to December 31, 1992


I often think about the mother I have been to my two sons. If I think too long on the mistakes I made, I get depressed. I still think I feel inadequate as a mother, but the way my boys turned out as adult men, I have to say they are mighty resilient or I at least did a few things right. We are still very close and they continue to call me "Mama."

Jeremy Clay Woolsey
February 6, 1972

Ryan Thomas Woolsey
April 13, 1977

Then I think about the kind of parents these sons would be. Jeremy and his wife, Deena, have made the decision to remain childless. They do parent a wonderful 4-legged doggie, Lou. I believe they would both make good parents, but I respect their decision and love them so much.

Ryan has a 10 month old son, Evan. He shares parenting with his wife, Jenn, as they both have careers. Ryan is a more wonderful father than I could have ever imagined. Between Ryan and Jenn, little Evan is going to know he is loved and know how to love. It brings me joy to watch this new family as they experience the wonders of raising a child.

Ryan Thomas Woolsey &
Evan Thomas Woolsey


Mother's Day is quite important to me as I recall and experience the joys of motherhood. I miss my Mama, but she is waiting at the feet of Jesus. I vow to be the best mom I can be to my children and grandchildren. And I pray that my children will be awesome parents. Thank you Lord for your many blessings to me.

Hooking up with Spiritual Sundays. Visit there for great inspiration.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

OPEN LETTER



The following is a personal letter sent from a loving father to his growing daughter. It tells about life and the purpose of family.

Dearest Joanne,

Those beautiful quaking aspens that you've seen in the forest as we have driven along have one purpose in life. I would like to tell you about them because they remind me a lot of Mommy and you kids and me.

Those aspens are born and grown just to protect the spruce tree when it's born. As the spruce tree grows bigger and bigger, the aspens gradually grow old and tired and they even die after a while. But the spruce, which has had its tender self protected in its childhood, grows into one of the forest's most wonderful trees.

Now think about Mommy and me as aspens standing there quaking ourselves in the winds that blow, catching the cold snows of life, bearing the hot rays of the sun, all to protect you from those things until you are strong enough and wise enough to do them yourself. We aren't quaking from fear, but from the joy of being able to see your life develop and grow into a tall, straight woman.

Just like the spruce, you have almost reached the point where you don't need us much as you used to. Now you stand like the young spruce, a pretty, straight, young thing whose head is beginning to peep above the protection of Mommy and Daddy's watchfulness.

I'm telling you all this because from now on, a lot of what you eventually become--a lovely woman, a happy woman, and a brilliant, popular woman--depends on you.

You can't go through life being these things and at the same time frowning. You can't achieve these things and be grumpy. You have to grow so that your every deed and look reflect the glory that is now in your heart and soul.

Smile. Think right. Believe in God and His worldwide forest of men and women. It's up to you.

I love you,

Daddy

Written by Senator Barry Goldwater to his daughter on June 11, 1948


Saturday, March 12, 2011

PUBLISHED

I've written many short stories and thousands of devotional, even have several books started, hundreds of pages. Finally I can say I am published. I submitted a devotion to Christian Devotions.com and they accepted it. It was published on March 11th, 2011. It's not like I made the top 10 author list or got a contract with Simon and Schuster, but to me it is a real victory. God is faithful and gracious to me in spite of my lack of faithfulness to Him. I'm so greatful for the blood of the Lamb. It covers all my lack.

Here is the site where you can read the devotion: http://christiandevotions.us/tag/bobbicraigmyle/

Visit Spiritual Sundays for wonderful praise and worship.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

WHAT GREATER LOVE

This post was written for last weekend's Spiritual Sunday, but the sign up program was not working, so I am entering this post this weekend. It is an example of true love and commitment in the face of adversity, just like God's love for us.

It was another morning, just like all the other mornings that had taken place over the last seven and a half years. Chet and Elaine had just finished their usual breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, a roll, and of course, coffee. They were making their way to the living room as they were expecting the Covington's over for a brief time of chatting and catching up on the things that went on since their last get together.


Let's go back to four hours earlier that morning, just to help you understand the significance of the event that was about to take place on this particular morning.


Chet was up at his usual time, 4:30 a.m. He stretched his lanky arms as he walked down the hallway to the kitchen where the coffee pot sat waiting. Chet had carefully laid out 2 cups along with the creamer and sugar bowls. He poured himself a cup of coffee and filled the creamer making sure it was ready. He made his way back to the bathroom to complete his morning shower routine, but Chet never put on the clothes he intended to wear for the day. He put on a long sleeved cotton robe that zipped up the front. After his last sip of his first cup of coffee, he reached for the latex gloves from the box lying on the top shelf. Chet was ready to start the day with his beautiful bride of 53 years.

Entering Elaine's room had become somewhat bittersweet for Chet. But he faithfully went through the steps of a regimen that only love could withstand. Elaine was awake but not quite aware of Chet's presence. He softly called out her name so as not to startle her. "Elaine, sweetheart, it's me, Chet."
With only movement of her arms and no reply, Chet went over and began removing the soiled nightgown that had caught the overflow of the disposable undergarment. This was a particularly rough night for Elaine as her bowels seemed to work overtime and the entire bed was covered with the foul waste, as were her hands and face. Chet sponged off what he could and got her to the shower.

There, he gently washed her gaunt, wrinkled body until she was fresh and clean. After he patted her dry with the softest of towels he saved for her use, he helped her to the seat where he could get her dressed. She wasn't combatant this morning as she was some mornings. Chet was greatful for that. He picked out the light blue dress with the little purple flowers because he knew that was Elaine's favorite dress to wear when she was socializing. After he put on her fresh disposable undergarment and the rest of those regular "women's things" Chet slipped on that dress on Elaine, stepped back and gazed at her as if she were a lovely painting. He said to her, "Elaine, you look so beautiful today. As beautiful as ever."

By now, Chet had learned how to fix Elaine's hair much the way she had fixed it herself. She was always one for simplicity, so it was not difficult to replicate. Never, never, never, would Elaine be seen by others without her make up on. That was just something she felt very strongly about. So, Chet set about to powder her nose and chin, topped with a hint of blush. A little mascara and a stroke or two on the eyebrows. Chet whispered that he still had the most beautiful bride in the world.

Elaine sat in her wheelchair, while Chet sang her favorite song, "Let Me Call You Sweetheart," and began cleaning up the night's mess. He sang and whistled the tune. Every once in a while, he would call out to Elaine and tell her how much he loved her. Chet did this even though his only response was a glassy stare. When the bedroom was once again ready for another night, and he was properly dressed himself, Chet took Elaine strolling down the hall singing and humming bringing her to the kitchen table. Elaine sat motionless while Chet made them breakfast.

They made their way into the living room that was all dusted and proper. Chet helped Elaine out of the wheelchair and into her favorite stuffed living room chair near the sofa. About that time, the doorbell rang. It was the Covington's who had come to visit. Opening the door, Chet smiled and invited their long time friends into the room. Mr. Covington began the conversation and said to Chet, "Well, Chet, my friend, how has the good Lord been treating you?"

Chet gave a genuine grin and replied, "Oh, the good Lord has surely blessed us with another beautiful day to be together and spend time with friends." So they wiled away the hour with musings and news as they had so many times over the years.

- Bobbi J. Craigmyle, Psy.D.
February, 2011

                                                                                         

"Beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God and everyone who loveth is born of God and knoweth God." 1 John 4:7

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

"Now the three of these remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13

"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate." John 19:4-6

Please visit Spiritual Sundays and open your heart to the wonderful words and music of praise and worship. You'll be glad you did.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

THE CLOTHESLINE



THE BASIC RULES FOR CLOTHESLINES (if you don't know what clotheslines are, better skip this)




I always wondered where my Mom got the rules for hanging clothes. That is the way she made me hang them. Funny, you have to be a certain age to appreciate this, but I can hear my mamma now!




1. You had to wash the clothes line before hanging any clothes- walk the entire lengths of each line with a damp cloth around the lines.


2. You had to hang the clothes in a certain order, and always hang "whites" with "whites," and hang them first. Longer, heavier things in the back. Shorter things in the front so the wind could blow through it all.


3. You never hung a shirt by the shoulders - always by the tail! What would the neighbors think? Pin lightly on the seams.


4. Wash day on a Monday! . . Never hang clothes on the weekend, or Sunday, for Heaven's sake!


5. Hang the sheets and towels on the outside lines so you could hide your "unmentionables" in the middle (perverts & busybodies, y'know!)


6. It didn't matter if it was sub zero weather . .. Clothes would "freeze-dry."


7. Always gather the clothes pins when taking down dry clothes! Pins left on the lines were "tacky!"


8. If you were efficient, you would line the clothes up so that each item did not need two clothes pins, but shared one of the clothes pins with the next washed item.


9. Clothes off the line before dinner time, neatly folded in the clothes basket, and ready to be ironed.


10. IRONED?! Well, that's a whole other subject!




A POEM


A clothesline was a news forecast
To neighbors passing by.
There were no secrets you could keep
When clothes were hung to dry.


It also was a friendly link
For neighbors always knew
If company had stopped on by
To spend a night or two.


For then you'd see the "fancy sheets"
And towels upon the line;
You'd see the "company table cloths"
With intricate designs.


The line announced a baby's birth
From folks who lived inside -
As brand new infant clothes were hung,
So carefully with pride!


The ages of the children could
So readily be known
By watching how the sizes changed,
You'd know how much they'd grown!


It also told when illness struck,
As extra sheets were hung;
Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,>
Haphazardly were strung.


It also said, "Gone on vacation now"
When lines hung limp and bare.
It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged
With not an inch to spare!


New folks in town were scorned upon
If wash was dingy and gray,
As neighbors carefully raised their brows,
And looked the other way . . .


But clotheslines now are of the past,
For dryers make work much less.
Now what goes on inside a home
Is anybody's guess!


I really miss that way of life
It was a friendly sign
When neighbors knew each other best >
By what hung on the line!
                                          - Unknown Author

THE BEST THINGS TO GIVE

The best things to give:






To your friend --- loyalty


To your enemy --- forgiveness


To your boss --- service


To a child --- a good example


To your parents --- gratitude and devotion


To your wedded mate --- love and faithfulness


To all men --- charity


To God --- your life

Author Unknown


Find more inspirational words, pictures, music, and thoughts at Spiritual Sundays.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

CURSE GOD AND DIE!

This weekend, I wanted to do something for Spiritual Sundays on this blog. I have 4 different daily devotional applications on my phone and one of them this morning struck me as something I should share with my blog friends and visitors. I'm so painfully aware of how easy it is to give up when life seems to have taken everything good away and there is nothing left but misery and hopelessness. Jesus tells us about this in the Gospel of St. John: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." NIV

This devotion is taken from the devotion called Today. It was written by Norm Prenger. I pray that the Lord will speak to you through His Holy Spirit so that you may be comforted, encouraged, and able to do likewise to those who may need it. God bless, Dr. Bobbi


CURSE GOD AND DIE

His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”
Job 2:9


My heart goes out to Job’s wife. She lost so much—beautiful sons and daughters, a substantial lifestyle, her security and dignity. Now her husband was covered in terrible sores and mumbling praises to God with ash-covered lips. Job’s own skin had become for her a living canvas depicting life’s cruelty and religion’s futility. Something inside of her snapped.


She is not alone. It’s ironic, but many folks drift away from faith in God for one of two reasons: life can be either too pleasant or too painful. Both ways of experiencing life can lead us to forget our Creator. A life of ease can lead to laziness, and a life of pain can lead to bitter despair. Satan is happy when we experience either outcome.


The gospel of Jesus Christ doesn’t promise a life of ease. It’s not some sort of spiritual painkiller to take away suffering. In fact, to embrace the truth can mean embracing even more pain—for Jesus’ sake. Leaving behind lives that are built around sin and selfishness will feel like dying. But death won’t have the last word.


Dear woman, look again at your husband, Job. See in his suffering a hint of the coming suffering of your Savior. See in Job’s faithfulness to God, despite so much suffering, an expression of the integrity of faith to which we are all called. All is not lost, and all can be forgiven.


Prayer


Lord, forgive us when we give in to despair. We trust the One who endured the cross for love’s better day. With him, may we let it all go into our Father’s hands. Amen.




Norm Prenger

http://thisistoday.com/archives/curses-into-blessings-2011-01-08/

Galatians 2:20





Wednesday, January 5, 2011

CHANGE OF PERSPECTIVE


Yesterday morning was one of those normal mornings. After my 3rd cup of coffee I gathered myself together and trotted off to the shower.

Let me backtrack just a bit. Over the weekend I had put together several Daily Grace devotions and one of them was using the scripture from Psalm 118:24, "This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it." In the devotion I talked about how this day is a gift and there are many who did not receive the gift of today. Because we have the gift of today, we can experience many new things and watch the wonderful working of God. That is certainly something to be happy about.

Back to my shower story: As I was stepping out of the shower I looked at myself in the huge wall sized mirror that hangs over my vanity. As usual, my initial response is "ugh." Looking at my 60 year old body sort of does something to the female ego inside me and it isn't good.

But something was different this day as I looked at my time worn body. I began to feel greatful that I was healthy. I can walk, get in the floor with the grandchildren, use both my hands and arms. All five senses work and I have fairly good use of my brain and thought processes. Most of all, I have the Lord to guide me and protect me.

After thinking these things, which took only a few moments, I began to thank the Lord for that 60 year old body I was looking at in the mirror. I had been putting down this body for so long because it didn't look like the body it did 40 years ago. The Lord brought the devotion from Psalm to my mind and instead of saying, "Ugh!" I spoke out loud, "This is the body that Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad with it."

I can't begin to describe the burden that lifted off me and the blessing and joy I felt as I realized what a gift I have. No, I'm not going to be seeking a chance to be America's next top model, but I'm going to give what I have back to the Lord in service and rejoice in what He has given to me.