Strength

For the joy of the Lord is your strength ( Nehemiah 8:10 )

All is well but we have a bug running rampant through our family including me. We all have headaches, sore throats, fever, drippy noses and that annoying cough. What is it we always fall back on..... this too will pass. :)

Humility

Let this same attitude and purpose and mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: let Him be your example in humility. Philippians 2:5

Anna doesn't feel well today. I want to show you a favorite book from my childhood but will do that later today when she is sleeping.

You're Approved!

Before you were ever formed in your mother's womb, I saw you and approved you (Jeremiah 1:5)

Yesterday after church Carley Ann and I went to McDonalds. Earlier Pastor Barber had made an announcement that extra workers were needed in the nursery, so I slipped out the side door and went to volunteer being as I had two in the nursery and Terri and Brent were already there. That's how Carley Ann and I ended up having lunch together. What a special time we had eating happy meals and playing in the play yard. Carley Ann made a new friend Katelyn and I made new friends too. It must have been grandmother day at McDonalds because I got to talk with lots of grandmothers while Carley Ann played with her new friend.

After lunch Terri called to say that Anna Claire wasn't feeling good, so Carley Ann got to stay the rest of the day. We played at home all afternoon and then we went to bed because we were sooooo tired. When I keep the children I'm always amazed at how much I love them. Even when they aren't so nice, I love them. I've never been the one that was all gooshie over babies, or the one that JUST HAD to hold the baby when one was around. But here I am... all gooshie over my grandchildren. Who would have thought it?

As I watched Carley Ann sleep I thought about how God had known all about us even before we were all born. What a BIG job to take care of all of us. I'm also glad that even when we make mistakes or no matter how many faults we might have, He still approves of us. Knowing He loves us makes it easier to stand strong when life gives heartaches or disappointments. He loves us unconditionally.

Thank you God for loving us all, every day, all day long, no matter what.


Carley Ann and Kaytlyn

Super Bowl Sunday

And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude. Ephesians 4:23

Each day I pick up my Bible and read I find something new, something I didn’t see before or understand before. This is a given because we all know that we don’t know everything there is to know and never will know everything. This is true unless you are a teenager, then you know everything.

This morning it occurred to me that reading something new and having God show me something new are entirely different. Of course reading the Bible is one way God talks with us but God has infinite ways to show us what He wants us to know. I think what happens is we get stuck in the same old routine. Unless we mix it up a bit we will see and hear things the same old way. Some folks resist change. A good example of this is how we get stuck in our public worship service singing the same songs and following the same order. Now, I tend to like order and tend to find comfort in knowing what will happen next, but having an open heart to try new things might give us a new message from God that we would miss if our hearts weren’t open to change.

Tonight our church is going to try something new to many of us. We are going to open the church fellowship hall to a special service that will also show the super ball on the big screen TV. From 5 to 10 members will take part in watching evangelistic messages like the one featuring Chargers running back LaDainian Tomilinson, have a chili cook-off contest, and hold our own half time show by having “Mark the Magic Man” present the gospel using his magic act. I have to admit I’m not a football fan and probably will not stay the entire time from 5 to 10 but I think bringing the gospel message into our lives in a different way is a good thing and will be in prayer that this evening special activities will touch the lives of many who need to hear, see and be shown a message from God in a new way.

Basic Quiche - Keeping it simple

As a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7)



Basic Quiche

1 (9") baked pie shell
1/2-1 c. (2-4 oz.) shredded cheese (assorted cheeses are good)
1/2-1 c. (2-4 oz.) chopped, drained, cooked vegetables, meats, seafood or poultry or whatever extra filler types you might like cottage cheese or maybe a mixture of any of these.
6 eggs
1 c. milk (2% works fine)
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. herb or other types of seasonings can be added

Sprinkle cheese and your choice of filler into pre-made baked pie shell that has been pricked with a fork. Beat together remaining ingredients until well blended. Pour over cheese and your choice of filling mixture. Bake at 375 degrees in preheated oven until knife inserted near the center comes out clean, about 30 to 40 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Using this basic recipe you can make any variety of cheese and meat quiches. Try using sun-dried tomatoes, broccoli, squash, or shrimp to make your very own specialty quiche, or just keep it basic. My very favorite is just ham and cheese quiche. Poultry seasoning also adds in a little sage twist that is nice at times. I like to chop up my left over ham from Christmas dinner and put into small freezer bags that I can pull out a moments notice to use to make a quiche if I have unexpected company and need just a little something quick and warm from the oven to share over a cup of coffee while we talk.

You can find all kinds of quiche recipes in many cook books that add in different herbs to change the flavor of the cheese and eggs, but sometimes I think it's great just to keep things simple and tasting the way they are supposed to taste. Nothing wrong with the taste of cheese and eggs!

Last night Carley Ann and Anna Claire spent the night with me and we had a blast spending special time together. I've gotten so I really look forward to our Friday night and Saturday morning activities even though I have to admit I'm exhausted when Terri comes to get them at lunchtime. This week we continued to learn how to cut up paper. Carley Ann is fascinated with how scissors work and of course Anna Claire is trying so hard to do everything Carley Ann does. Anna Claire's hands can't handle the scissors just yet, but she's a master at tearing paper and throwing it on the floor. We cut up and tore paper into small shapes and then glued those shapes on to a color book image of a fairy making her have the most wonderful dress.

Watching Anna Claire and Carley Ann play and learn new things makes me think about how God must look at us. I know he sees us struggle and wants to help, but at the same time God knows he needs to pull back and let us learn our lessons so we will be fully equipped with the knowledge we need to learn even bigger and harder things. I see the frustration in Anna Claire's eyes when she can't manage the scissors like she wants, but I also see that she looks to me to help her do things she can do and is happy with that. Carley Ann can only make straight line cuts, but soon she will be using the scissors following curving lines and making them cut where she wants them to.

It's the same with us as Christians. We look to God for help when we get frustrated and He steps in to help us with solutions when the time is right, or sometimes He just waits for us to find the answer knowing it's all in the growing. It's important that we know where to find the help we need and we keep our eyes and hearts focused on Him so we can continue to grow as God teaches us starting out simple and adding in new or more difficult things later.

Enjoy the quiche. Start simple and add in new or more difficult things later. :)

Steel Magnolias

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

I love watching the movie Steel Magnolias over and over. It seems each time I watch it I see things I didn't see or hear before. It makes me smile and cry and it's so true to life, or at least life as I see it in the south. I keep trying to pick out which steel magnolia I might be like but I find bits and pieces of myself in all of them.

Steel Magnolia Truvy: In a good shoe, I wear a size six, but a seven feels so good, I buy a size eight.

Just like me watching my favorite movies over and over, I enjoy reading and thinking about familar verses in the Bible. I love the greetings and endings that so many of the epistiles have and I often wonder if this is how they really greeted each other or just how they wrote. Oh course, when I think about how the people in the Bible spoke I think in KJV and see Charlton Heston. Anyway, it's something funny to think about and makes me smile and sometimes giggle.

Grace be unto you. :)



Steel Magnolias, Carley Ann Franklin and Grace Matson.

The bottle shop

Proverbs 17:22 says “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.”

One afternoon my mother and I were returning from a shopping trip near Atlanta. As usual my Mother chattered away as I drove and listened. Suddenly she said, "oh look, there's a bottle shop.... I need to bring my glass bottles up here and sell them". I looked and sure enough there was a bottle shop, which I knew was the name of a liquor store. I almost had a wreck because I was laughing so hard at the idea she thought the shop was a shop that sold bottles like an antique shop.

How was it that my Mother didn't know what a bottle shop was? Was the term "bottle shop" not a southern term? I always thought it was. As I tried to regain my composure, I told my Mother what a bottle shop was and all she said was, "oh, I didn't know." I know this story probably isn't so funny to others, but to me it was the laugh of the century and every time I go by that bottle shop I just smile.

As I think about that experience this morning I am thinking about other funny things that my mother does... and also wondering if my son thinks I do funny things. I bet he does. Sometimes I even get to laugh at myself. Laughing is good.

Sugar-coated

As for God, His way is perfect; the world of the Lord is tried. He is a shield to all those who trust and take refuge in Him. 2 Samuel 22:31

The older I get it seems the more pills I add to the collection of pills that we all are told we need to take. I'm not a good pill taker. It's an area I need to work on making sure I take what I should and not just get busy, putting them off or just forgetting about taking them daily. Some of those pills are nasty little devils. Even when they are sugar coated, they are still nasty. I don't like them!

Satan is like that too. He's a nasty little sugar-coated devil. But, unlike pills that help to build our strength and are good for us, the devil seeks to pull us down and is bad for us. He wants make us too weak to pray. He wants us worn out, burned out and depressed but thank God as Christians we know what to do. We follow the advice of our earthly physicians and most important we follow the advice of the great physician, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold. Nehemiah 8:10

Yesterday the mother of my Aunt Jeanette died. She was 93 and had been sick a very long time. Today I pray the family will find comfort and strength in the knowledge that she is in heaven. It's never easy to give up our loved ones but knowing they are Christians makes our hearts have peace.

Southern hospitality

LUKE 14:12-14
12 Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid.

13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,

14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Being born and raised southern I've learned that there are many southern traditions that confuse and confound the rest of the world. I've also learned that many of the traditions I hold dear to my heart aren't just southern traditions, but rather traditions that come from many cultures making all of our lives richer.

I absolutely love to sit at a table that has been set to the max with all special touches. I don't get to do this often, but when I do have guests over I want to pull out all the best of everything and serve the best food. Did you know that Georgia has its own official china? In February 1974, Governor Jimmy Carter signed the Georgia General Assembly's resolution number 573 making the Georgia Historical Plates the official plates for the State of Georgia.

Setting a beautiful table is so important to me. I want something special for my guests to enjoy along with me so I bought a few pieces of official Georgia china and I've uploaded a picture of one of the plates today. I treasure the pieces of official Georgia china I have and hope that I will be able to pass down those pieces to my grand daughters who will also treasure the times we have shared our meals together using this special china. The plates all have bits and pieces of Georgia history printed on the front and back. Each time I use the dishes I ask my guests to read what their plate has to say on the back and have them look for the symbols on the face of the plate that tell the story of the State of Georgia. It’s so much fun.

In this mornings devotion time as I began to think about what it must have been like to sit at the same table that Jesus sat at and enjoy his company, I was struck by the thought in the passage above. It's easy to serve family and friends and we certainly can get caught up in trying to impress people but Jesus was telling us that true rewards come from serving those that are less fortunate. I want to hold that thought in my heart and act on it as this year offers big and small opportunities.

Mind you, there certainly isn't anything wrong with serving family, friends or even impressing folks with the official china of Georgia. After all, that's part of my southern heritage! *giggle* Maybe what others think might be classified as trying to impress folks is just plain everyday southern hospitality and pride. At least that's the way I'm thinking about it because any Steel Magnolia wouldn't have it any other way.

Mustard Seed Hugs

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

(Photo - Phyllis & friend, Sandra Babb)

Last night at church for a treat we were given a concert by the Weaver family. They have eight children, the first two being twin girls. They travel around the country singing and giving their testimonies as God leads. I can not imagine doing this as a woman and what sacrifice it takes to live in a travel trailer, home school your children, be a wife and mother and still praise God. :)

I think I get too comfortable with all my creature comforts. We talked yesterday in SS about Psalms 23 and how God provides everything we need. Beth brought up the fact that she remembers Ed Cliburn giving a sermon many years ago (at least 30) on what our needs and wants were. I forget what she said they were at that time, but what struck all of us is that many of the "wants" have moved over to the "needs" category, like transportation and telephones. Basic needs like food, water, shelter, and love were all listed. It was also interesting to me that "love" was on the basic list because I had not thought about that being an essential. I have read that newborns that are not touched and comforted don't thrive like those that are, so I suppose even in our beginnings we have to have love.

Today, is my office day when I pay all my bills and take care of business things. I am thankful that I have all the life essentials and more. I'm thankful for the love of Jesus Christ and those here on this earth that have love for one another in small and big ways. I'm thankful for my family and my friends who I can reach out and hug either in person by phone or just this computer. They are mustard seed hugs that can grow and grow.

Hug.

Pass it on.

What's within you?

Jesus has told us that the kingdom of God does not come visibly, nor will people say, "Here it is," or "There it is," because the kingdom of God is within you. Read Luke 17:20,21 it's a beautiful passage.

STORY NUMBER ONE

Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.

Capone had a lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie." He was Capone's lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie's skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.

To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, but also, Eddie got special dividends. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block.

Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him.

Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object.

And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was.

Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn't give his son; he couldn't pass on a good name or a good example.

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had done.

He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al "Scarface" Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So, he testified.

Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine.

The poem read: " The clock of life is wound but once, And no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop, At late or early hour Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time. For the clock may soon be still.

STORY NUMBER TWO

World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O'Hare.

He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific.

One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank.

He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship.

His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet.

As he was returning to the mother ship he saw something that turned his blood cold: a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding its way toward the American fleet.

The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenseless He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger.

There was only one thing to do He must somehow divert them from the fleet.

Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber's blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now-broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent.

Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible and rendering them unfit to fly.

Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction.

Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier.

Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return.

The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft.

This took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch became the Navy's first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor.

A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His hometown would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man.

So, the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It's located between Terminals 1 and 2. [There's also a restored plane similar to the one O'Hare flew.]

SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?

Butch O'Hare was "Easy Eddie's" son.

Over the rainbow - Macaroni and Cheese

2 Samuel 17:27-29 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim 28 brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils, 29 honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows' milk for David and his people to eat. For they said, "The people have become hungry and tired and thirsty in the desert."

This recipe is from Patti LaBelle and it's not one of her low fat ones so be careful. :) I got this from an old Oprah show several years ago, made it and immediately added it to my favorite recipe collection. It's worth the trouble of gathering up the different cheeses, but if you don't have exactly the cheeses listed, don't worry, yours will still come out right. Just keep the quantities the same and sub a different cheese or even use one of those premixed cheese selections in the bag. You'll love it, and evidently David and his people enjoyed cheese too. The only thing about it is I bet they had to work extra hard to make the cheese where we just run out to the grocery store. I bet they didn't make Velveeta, LOL. Have a great Saturday.

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound elbow macaroni
8 tablespoons (1 stick) plus 1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Muenster cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded mild Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup (8 ounces) Velveeta, cut into small cubes
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter a deep 2 1/2-quart casserole.

Bring the large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the oil, then the elbow macaroni, and cook until the macaroni is just tender, about 7 minutes. Do not overcook. Drain well. Return to the cooking pot.

In a small saucepan, melt eight tablespoons of the butter. Stir into the macaroni. In a large bowl, mix the Muenster, mild and sharp Cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses. To the macaroni, add the half-and-half, 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese, the cubed Velveeta, and the eggs. Add salt and pepper and transfer to the buttered casserole. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese and dot with the remaining one tablespoon of butter.

Bake until it's bubbling around the edges, about 35 minutes. Serve hot.

ABC's of prayer

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22

A grandfather was walking past his young granddaughter's
room one night when he saw her kneeling beside her bed,
with head bowed and hands folded, repeating the alphabet.

"What are you doing?" he asked her.

She explained, "I'm saying my prayers, but I couldn't think
of just what I wanted to say. So I'm just saying all the
letters of the alphabet, and God can put them together
however he thinks best."

Love Never Fails

The Love Chapter

New International Version (NIV)
1 Corinthians 13

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Be sure to watch the video below all the way to the end. No matter if it's your spouse, your friend, your family, your pet, or just the spirit of God, it helps if you have a hand to hold on to. Thanks for holding my hand today!

You may have to double click the center arrow to get the video going. Short video lasts about 1.44 minutes.



And this from Joni. (Tissues required)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zCdZwitrNoY