Seasons

To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1

Rain!!!

I love the much-needed, long-awaited showers . . . and so do these November roses!

We've prayed for rain . . . and it came!
Thank you, Lord!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow . . .

Delicious Memories

Looking at Mama's churn, I go back to another place . . . not too far down the road . . . and to another time . . . fifty or so years ago.

Life was much slower then, and my world was so very small. We couldn't hop in the car and run to the store for groceries - at least not very often - and we certainly didn't have money to buy things we could raise or make ourselves.

So, Daddy grew vegetables, raised hogs for meat and had a milk cow that produced our milk and butter. When we got a freezer, he sometimes raised a calf for beef. We always had chickens, so we never ran out of eggs, and on Sundays we feasted on fried chicken! Speaking of hogs, I can still smell big slabs of bacon being smoked high above a smoldering fire in our smokehouse! And I can still taste it along with Mama's mouth-watering homemade biscuits. Nobody could - or can - make 'em like Mama did!

Which brings me to the butter . . . delicious, golden butter molded to perfection! Which brings me to the churn pictured above . . . the churn that produced that wonderful stuff that seeped out the edges of a lightly-browned, hot buttermilk biscuit.

Mama usually did the churning, but Connie and I sometimes helped her. The arm got quite a workout moving the dasher up and down . . . up and down . . . over and over until Mama said it was ready. I can almost feel the splatters that inevitably escaped the churn - which is why we often churned on the back porch, if the weather permitted.

Then Mama took the top off the churn and scooped out the butter that had risen to the top. But it wasn't yet ready for eating. She carefully "washed" it and worked it, placed it in a bowl (I don't remember special molding dishes) and refrigerated it overnight.

And you can guess how the story ends . . . well, if you're a country girl, you can! Picture the breakfast table back then . . . a plate of hot biscuit; homemade butter and preserves, jam, or jelly; bacon right out of the smokehouse or sausage that Mama and the aunts made on hog-killing day; and eggs gathered from the chicken house - or wherever you might find a nest. Sometimes the menu varied and we ate fried squirrel that Daddy killed, and Mama "stretched it" with delicious gravy. I always loved syrup, too - Blackburn syrup - poured over my buttered biscuit. Back then we "sopped" our biscuits in syrup or gravy, too! Ahh, what delicious memories!

Now Mama's churn sits quietly in my dining room . . . a reminder of those simpler days and growing up with so little of earthly goods. I never knew back then just how poor we were. But I never remember wondering where our next meal would come from. So I wasn't really poor was I? With a spread like I just wrote about . . . not so much!

God supplied all our needs, saw us through the difficult times, and blessed us with parents who made sure we had what we needed. And His blessings continue . . . He's never failed us - nor will He ever!

Well, my intentions were to write about Mama's churn, but instead lots of wonderful memories "churned" in my mind! It was fun to scoop up the best ones that rose to the top!

Are you hungry now???

Radiance

Lord, I come into Your awesome presence,
From the shadows into Your radiance;
By the blood I may enter Your brightness;
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness;
Shine on me.
Shine on me.
~Lyrics - Shine, Jesus, Shine by Graham Kendrick~

Keep Off the Fence!

Straddling a fence might be fun
For a short while if you're a child -
Especially if you're agile like Abby
And gymnastics is your style.

But straddling the fence spiritually
Is a dangerous place to be.
He asks us to make a choice -
It's life or death, you see.

He died that we may have life -
A life so full and free.
Can't you hear His gentle whisper?
"Get down. Come follow Me."
~G. Thaxton~


I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus.
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
~I Have Decided to Follow Jesus lyrics - Anonymous~

Used Up

I've been reading one of my all-time favorite books - again.

We Really Do Need Each Other by Reuben Welch is so full of practical truths that I need. In his unique writing style, Welch just lays it all out - plain and simple. With humor sprinkled throughout the book, he creates word pictures that all of us can relate to. The passage below is one that speaks to me when I'm tired . . . this passage and the Scripture that says: Be not weary in well doing for in due season you shall reap if you faint not. It was not a coincidence that that verse - on a tiny card - was tucked into Welch's book when I opened it yesterday. Then I read these words:

Sometimes I wonder what we are saving ourselves for . . .
You know, we want to
save ourselves
and keep ourselves
and hold ourselves back
as though the highest goal in life would be to look good
in our caskets.
It's no special blessing to come to the end of life with
love unshared
selves ungiven
activities unactivated
deeds undone
emotions unextended.
Isn't it God's intention that when we come to the end
of the line
we're just about used up?

Sometimes between now and then
we might as well be letting the candle burn
for the light
for the heat
for the warmth and sharing.
As long as we're going to live
and then die
we'd just better live for Jesus
and love and go ahead and let ourselves be used up.

Thought-provoking words for this almost-sixty-year-old retiree! But I think I get it: we're never retired from being Jesus to our hurting world. I may move at a slower pace and have to rest more often, and Satan may fight me harder than ever, but I plan to be "used up" when my life here is over!

No need to worry; I'll have a new body and mind then, and "tired" and "weary" won't even be part of my vocabulary!

Grace alone, which God provides,
Strength unknown He will provide.
Christ in us, our cornerstone,
We will go forth, in grace alone.
~Grace Alone lyrics by Scott Brown & Jeff Nelson~

Turning to the Light

You have to

plant seeds
today
to get flowers
tomorrow.

The opening
of petals
requires
turning to
the light.

~Joyce A. Chandler~

Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer,
That calls me from a world of care
And bids me at my Father's throne
Make all my wants and wishes known!
In season's of distress and grief
My soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter's snare,
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer.
~Sweet Hour of Prayer - attributed to William W. Walford, 1772 - 1850~

Note: This photo shows one of the confederate rose blooms on a tree that is very special to me. Before he died with cancer, my brother Charles rooted stems from his tree and gave them to me to plant in my yard.
So these blooms are products of his effort and love.
His life is still blooming in mine!

It's more than a Boy Scout motto . . .

Be prepared.
You're up against far more than you can handle on your own.
Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued,
so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet.
Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words.
Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life.
God's Word is an indispensable weapon.
In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare.
Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters.
Keep your eyes open.
Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
Ephesians 6:12-14
~The Message~

His Smiling Face

I'm not a "morning person"!

I'm not at my best in the early morning hours - and I was never more aware of that than this morning! But I'm glad our Heavenly Father - the Creator of mornings and sunrises - never finds it difficult "to get going"! As I drove home from my FIL's house this morning, He showed up as always.

In the sunrise that peeked through the clouds . . .

In the yellow cheer that sways in the gentle breeze . . .

And in a four-word message via Facebook!


When Jesus shows His smiling face,
There is sunshine in my soul.
~Sunshine in My Soul lyrics by Eliza E. Hewitt~

Beauty in the Dust

An eighteen-wheeler lumbered noisily down the country dirt road,
And clouds of thick dust swirled in the late evening air.
But through the haze the sun's rays shone,
Creating beautiful effects through the trees.

Life is like that sometimes -
Dust-filled, hazy, stifling, in need of refreshing showers.
Then the Son shines through it all -
His Light creating beauty where there was none.

The Scattering

Sooner or later what's inside will come out,

And others will see the real me -
Uncovered, no mask, just the stuff I'm made of.
My attitudes, my words, my actions -
Like seeds, will scatter into my world
And produce more of the same.

Lift her high . . . let her wave . . .

(Click on pic to enlarge.)

Edited Tuesday, October 12
After watching our local news and the coverage of the funeral of a police officer, I may have an answer to your questions about what was occurring in this photo. As the funeral procession traveled through the streets of a nearby city today, the vehicles passed under a flag held by two cranes like these. I'm thinking that these fire trucks were in position waiting to honor the deceased, who must have been highly respected in this community. If that's the case, the photo takes on a whole new meaning.

Worn doesn't mean worthless . . .

I've never owned a cowboy hat, but I've heard that the more worn the hat is, the better it fits.

I've read that the traditional cowboy of the past spent time and effort creasing his hat and folding the brim just right. He took great pride in molding it to fit his head, and in time it softened and fit him perfectly. The scorching sun and pelting rain, sleet, and snow only added character to it. Because he spent hard-earned money purchasing his hat, it had to last a long time. Besides, along with with his boots and spurs, it was a prized possession. It became a part of who he was. Old and worn had nothing to do with its value!

In my life and yours, there are some things that could be described as "old and worn" yet are special to us. I thought of a few:

a favorite pair of old jeans

family pictures and old books
my old white Bible (which I dyed with black shoe dye!) that I read as a child
my falling-apart red leather Bible that I've used for years
old quilts made by family members and special friends
my daddy's old hair clippers
Mama's dishes and kerosene lamp
handmade cards and gifts from my two sons when they were small

the hands of a hard-working man or woman who has never been afraid to get
his/her hands "dirty"
the face of a loved one whose well-lived life is reflected on his/her face . . . every wrinkle and crease adding character
. . . and the list could go on and on . . .

And speaking of being worn . . . which of us hasn't felt just "worn out" at times? And as we age, we may be tempted to wonder if we're of much value anymore. But no matter our age, aren't you glad that God never sees us as worthless? God doesn't sort us out like we do old things; He doesn't have a "discard" or "throw away" pile!! The more years He gives us, the more time He has to mold us and shape us into His likeness.

And that's the ultimate treasure we have in these "earthen vessels" . . . even if they're old and worn - and some of them (us) with a few cracks!

O, how He loves you and me;
O, how He loves you and me . . .

Memories at Dusk

Driving around in the pasture of one of his favorite uncles brought back special memories to John David. The weather was cool and crisp and dusk was just settling in as we puttered around in the "mule." It was the perfect time to think about the good times spent there. But I guess any time is the perfect time to remember the people and places that have influenced one's life.

"After all these years I can still hear his voice like it was yesterday. No matter what we were doing, he'd always say, 'Come on. Let's go get a sip of coffee.' " And off to the porch they'd go, unless it was winter. In that case they'd sit around the wood heater. There was always time to slow down and visit - and discuss hounds and hunting.

I read a quote recently in the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan that made me stop and think: Memories are wonderful, he wrote, but do you live differently because of them? That's something to think about, isn't it? And carrying it a bit farther, it's sobering to think that after I'm gone, my life will continue to impact others - in one way or another. How I live now will determine that.

Favorite places

Crumble and fall with decay
But not memories.

Influence lives on
Continuing to shape us
It's a timeless thing.
~gt~

Someone's at the Door

Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock.

If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered,
took the place of honor at the side of my Father.
That's my gift to the conquerors!
~Words of Jesus - Revelations 3:20 (The Message)~


Into my heart, into my heart -
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.
Come in today, come in to stay -
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.
~Lyrics by Henry D. Clark - 1924~

Majestic Creatures

Which of God's creations do you think of as majestic? I wonder if He has a favorite!

Towering mountains, vast oceans, cascading waterfalls, breath-taking sunrises and sunsets come to my mind . . . and these beautiful animals that we recently saw in Cataloochee Valley in North Carolina. Listening to them bugling made it an amazing experience!

The writers of the psalms expressed their awe at the majesty of creation many times. I wonder if David's appreciation of nature began while a boy watching his father's sheep and moving them from one location to another. He had plenty of time to take in his surroundings during those long days and nights in solitude. Later, when he was king, he prayed this prayer - one that is just as fitting for us today:

Blessed are you, God of Israel, our Father from of old and forever.
To You, O God, belong the greatness and the might,
the glory, the victory, the majesty, the splendor;
Yes! Everything in heaven, everything on earth;
the kingdom all Yours! You've raised yourself high over all.
Riches and glory come from You,
You're ruler over all;
You hold strength and power in the palm of your hand
to build up and strengthen all.
And here we are, O God, our God, giving thanks to You,
praising your splendid Name.

We sang this praise chorus by Pauline M. Mills at church recently, and it reminds me that God enjoys the works of His hands; they give Him great pleasure. I like that idea!

Thou art worthy; Thou art worthy.
Thou art worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory, glory and honor,
glory and honor and power.
For thou hast created, hast all things created;
Thou hast created all things.
And for Thy pleasure they are created,
for Thou art worthy, O Lord.

Shoeless in Georgia

I lost my shoes - or shoe, I should say - on this unbelievably pretty spot of Jekyll Island, GA!

The stark beauty of the driftwood piled along the sandy, secluded beaches make it an ideal spot for photography-loving tourists like myself! In order to walk in the water's edge, I pulled off my shoes and put them in a safe spot - or at least that's what I thought!

A few minutes later, I went back to get them, and only one sandal was there; the other - washed out with the tides! Well, one shoe was worthless, so I threw it in, too! Since I don't carry extra shoes with me, I was shoeless and had to walk barefoot over the hot path back to the car. My tender feet suffered! We then set out to look for somewhere to buy some shoes. Of course, I wasn't going in a store barefoot, so JD would have to purchase them!

As we drove around the island, we found a fishing/park area with its own bait/tackle shop. Maybe they sold flip flops, I thought . . . and hoped. John David went in to find out and returned with the cutest pair - white with green peace signs and hearts! Cute or not, I would have worn them, but I thought he made a really good choice - and they fit perfectly!

The next day we walked along the beach on St. Simons Island . . . and this time my shoes were in a really safe place!

This little episode - and my new flip flops - remind me that "things" can slip away from us so quickly and unexpectedly.

More importantly, I've reflected on the fact that I really don't want to be too far away from my Heavenly Father, where I'm safe. It's when I move away from Him that I'm in danger of being pulled under by the tides of worry, fear, discouragement, conformity, selfishness, wrong attitudes . . . which only take me farther out to sea.

If I'm not "sheltered safe within the arms of God," it's so easy to just drift along, too, and have a form of godliness but lack power and purpose. The driftwood is appealing to the eye and is photogenic . . . but it's dead!

Well . . . who knew that losing a shoe would be a teachable moment?? The truth is that God uses the "little" things in life, both pleasant and difficult, to shape our lives and draw us to Him. That's just how much He loves us!!

Waiting

I'm waiting . . .
For temps to drop. . .
And leaves to show their oranges, reds, and yellows.

I'm waiting . . .
To get out sweaters and jackets . . .
And for fires in the fireplace.

I'm waiting (sometimes impatiently) . . .
And it WILL happen . . .
In His time . . .

He's never failed since creation to order the seasons!
We can count on His faithfulness . . . in every season.

He changes times and seasons . . .
Daniel 2:21a

Landmarks

(Click on pic to read print.)

Christ's Church is one of the prominent landmarks on beautiful St. Simons Island. Photos really don't do justice to the serenity and beauty of the well-preserved church and the surrounding church yard filled with ancient moss-covered oaks and the many graves of residents of the island. Its history is rich, and thankfully has been kept alive by those who call it home. I wonder just how many lives have been touched as parishioners and visitors worshiped on this sacred spot.

And I think of the landmarks in my life . . . people, events, choices, and decisions that have influenced and helped to mold me into the person I am today. I think of my own church, which I have attended all my life minus 2-3 years we lived elsewhere. It may not be well-known or have the extensive history of Christ's Church, but it has been a place of worship, learning, growing, and fellowship and has impacted my life in ways that matter the most. Within its walls, I've been touched countless times by God's presence and power. Not by any means the only place I meet God, but it is truly one of the landmarks along my life's journey.

Even if the physical structures of my church and yours cease to exist, the body of Christ - the Church in its truest sense - will always be preserved! Now that's a landmark that will withstand the test of time!

Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set.
Proverbs 22:28

We are standing on holy ground,
And I know that there are angels all around.
Let us praise Jesus now.
We are standing in His presence on holy ground.
~Geron Davis - Holy Ground lyrics~

Sunsets Over St. Simons Island

Only God . . .

Only God can . . .

Only God can create such splendor. . .

Only God can create such splendor over and over again . . .

Only God.

And I stand, I stand in awe of You;
I stand, I stand in awe of You.
Holy God, to whom all praise is due,
I stand in awe of You.
~Mark Altrogge - I Stand in Awe lyrics~

Let your light shine . . .

St. Simons Island Lighthouse

Carry your candle, run to the darkness.
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn.
Hold out your candle for all to see it;
Take your candle, and go light your world.
Take your candle, and go light your world.
~Chris Rice - Go Light Your World lyrics~

We're on island time . . .

"Be still and know that I am God."

You may have noticed that I haven't posted much lately nor have I commented on other blogs. That's because we are on vacation! Yesterday we visited this most peaceful place - Christ's Church on St. Simons Island, GA. Its tranquility and beauty are indescribable!

I'll post more pics later - and get caught up with your blogs!

Late for class again . . .

The Love of God

(Click to enlarge.)

The color has not been edited. It was just that beautiful!

And so is His love!
Unedited . . . pure . . . immeasurable . . . and beautiful beyond description!

Totally Tuned In

(JD and Isaac building a deer stand)

When The Teacher speaks am I totally tuned in?

Are my eyes focused?
There are so many distractions.

Are my ears open?
Our world has become so noisy . . . but The Teacher never yells.

Are my heart, mind and soul intent on learning?
Do I really want to learn . . . and grow . . . and be changed?
Or am I satisfied with the way I am?
Besides, the measuring and trimming and sanding and hammering can be awfully painful.

I know I'm not the most attentive student at times, but I'm surely glad The Teacher is patient with me. I don't want to treat His kindness recklessly, however. I can't imagine a greater privilege and honor than to learn from The Master Himself!

So, the words of this song express my desire:
Open our (my) eyes, Lord, we (I) want to see Jesus -
To reach out and touch Him and say that we (I) love Him.
Open our (my) ears, Lord, and help us (me) to listen;
Open our (my) eyes, Lord, we (I) want to see Jesus.
~Bob Cull~


I really do want to be totally tuned in . . . and I plan to be
a life-long student of His!