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

Being Healthy

1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

The SOP (standard operating plan )

• Wake early
  
• Feed Cocoa puff
  
• Coffee
  
• Devotion - Prayer
  
• Breakfast - Yogurt and cereal mix
  
• Journal
  
• Dress routine complete with vitamins
  
• Walk around the block
  
• Paint
  
• Clean House- work on throwing away stuff
  
• Lunch -Health fruits, vegetables & water
  
• Paint weekdays and work on organization
  
• Healthy Snacks
  
• water
  
• Dinner - Healthy fruits, vegetables &water
  
• TV, Read, Internet, whatever
  
• Sleep by 11
  

I'm a list maker. I have so many lists that I feel the need to make a list of my lists. LOL Organization is also important to me even if I never seem to live up to my goals. I still feel the need to be orderly, to make lists, to plan, to dream, to hope.... you get the picture. Reading the blog of my friend Kimberly the other day I noticed she celebrates Wellness Wednesdays so I decided to join her. I knew having a wellness check point would be good for me, I've asked that my name be added to the LIST of those that are celebrating Wellness Wednesday's.

Today I begin my Wellness Wednesday by committing myself to taking my vitamins everyday. I'm so bad to skip them as the day gets busy and I know I would greatly benefit from doing this. I've been reading the new book by Dr's Oz and Rozen, "You, Staying Young" and am taking note of my short-comings. Thank goodness I don't smoke or drink.... although when my painting friends get together they always bring wine to taste after the day is over and I found I did have a liking to some Pinot Grigio one of the ladies brought and left at the house. LOL

My prayer for today is for health, my health and the health of others. May the blessing of God strengthen you and me today and we all feel the healing presence of Jesus Christ in our lives daily.

Wheat

Ruth 2:23
So Ruth stayed close to the servant girls of Boaz to glean until the barley and wheat harvests were finished. And she lived with her mother-in-law.

Somehow wheat has always fascinated me. I think it has to do with the distinct pattern the grass makes as it grows to make grain inside the protective husks. It's the artist and the order part of me that enjoys patterns in just about everything God has made. God has put everything on this earth with such care giving means for beauty, protection and purpose. Seeing wheat growing and then taking a closer look makes me realize how wonderfully made we are, everything is.

Oh, about 20 years ago I took a class on wheat weaving at Callaway Gardens which is very close to where I live. I don't think I have any of the things I came away from that class with as over the years they became fragile and I finally had to throw them away.

For my Tuesday's Treasure this week I wanted to show you a bread plate that has been in my family for I don't know how long. My mother, Ruth, gave it to me and she was not certain which part of our family it came from. I don't use it to serve bread often, but rather placed on a display easel and do treasure it. I hope you will enjoy looking at the wheat server as you bring your own thoughts about wheat into the picture.

There are so many wheat analogies we could talk about but when I look at my bread server today I think about my Gleaners Sunday School class. As Gleaners we have much to live up to.



I'm sandwiched between the Gleaner in green and the Gleaner in yellow.

Winter Chill

Mark 4:30-32
Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade."


In the Parable of the Mustard Seed, Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a mustard seed. The mustard plant has very small seeds but the plant is large enough to provide shelter for birds. I love the parables that Jesus uses to teach us how to live and work together. In this parable He is trying to describe the Kingdom of Heaven but at the same time He is telling us that no matter how small we think we are or our actions are, if planted correctly, we can be and do great things. The small things we think, do, or say grow larger just as the small mustard seed.

Today I am praying that all my mustard seeds are planted, as God would have them planted. All this thinking about seeds makes me realize that we plant many other seeds in our minds and they also can grow from small to big sometimes with positive results and sometimes not so. We do have to guard against what kind of seeds we plant... what we allow to grow in our minds, hearts and lives.

It's so cold outside and so toasty warm inside. Cocoa puff won't go out this morning. When I opened the door she just stood there and looked out. Then she turned her prissy self around and went back to bed. Who says cats aren't smart?

Stay warm.

God's Love

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Psalms 127:3

Wouldn't you know it. This morning I woke with a sore throat. It's the first time I have been sick with this kind of thing in at least 6 months or maybe longer. For the last couple of years I have suffered and suffered with all kinds of upper respiratory woes so this year, around September, I went and took my very first flu shot ever. Now, I'm not saying that taking the flu shot has kept me from getting my usual upper respiratory sickness' but it's interesting that I have stayed free from sneezing, coughing, scratchy throat, runny nose, sinus and all that for so long this season.

After coffee, my throat feels much better so I think I'll just go the gargle with warm salt water route and lots of chicken soup. I decided to join a group that are sharing photos celebrating Sacred Life Sunday. I have so much to be thankful for. My photo for this first time is of my grandchildren of course. Each time I look at them I'm reminded of God's love and how much I am thankful they have parents who want to raise them walking inside the footprints of Jesus.



This photo was taken this past fall in my garden ramble. I don't think I'll let it overgrow like this again, but I really had no choice since I couldn't get out there and pull weeds, stake, and tidy up. Hopefully my leg and hip will be better when gardening kicks off for 2008 and I'll do better.

Love

Psalms 107-150

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever

Chick Pea Starter Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray

2 (14-ounce) cans chick peas, drained and rinsed
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Handful grated Parmigiano Reggiano

After rinsing, dry chick peas in a kitchen towel.
In a dry nonstick skillet over medium heat add the chick peas. Season with black pepper, to taste, and cook, shaking pan often until chick peas are toasted and light golden brown, about 7 minutes. Stir in the cheese and toss to coat chick peas. Serve as a snack or starter.

Fantastic Friday

It's Friday and I'm looking forward to having Carley Ann and Anna Claire spend the night. Today I'll have to think of some different art/craft thing for us to do. It's always fun to watch them work and try out different tools. Carley Ann at 3 loves colored markers but is still dangerous with them too close to my white couch. Anna Claire at 19 months can hold the markers by making a fist and she is double dangerous near anything. I have the wall art to prove it. :)

This morning I'm enjoying my coffee that I got from Jittery Joe's in Peachtree City. I made my own blend from a canister of "Two Stories" and "Traveling Joe" Two Stories is the decaf version and Traveling Joe is just a blend I like. All of the blends must be wonderful but I'm stuck on Traveling Joe.

The SS lesson this week comes from Psalm 7 where David is calling out to God to save him from being accused of doing someone wrong and he feels he hasn't done anything. I've been thinking on times when this has happened to me and can only think of a few times.

Psalm 7:1-3


O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.

O LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands- if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me or without cause have robbed my foe- then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust.

Arise, O LORD, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice. Let the assembled peoples gather around you. Rule over them from on high; let the LORD judge the peoples.

The thing with me is that most of the time when I'm called on the carpet as they say, I'm totally in the wrong and need the correction! Hey, where does the saying being called on the carpet come from? I'll have to see if I can find out. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the red carpet or a carpet ride. :)

Back to David, I'm glad we have the example of David to study and learn from. Being wrongly accused or unjustly persecuted can be one of the worst feelings we encounter in life. Sometimes we never get over this kind of experience. If we are mature enough, we can work through our trial with the help of God, but if we are very young we may suffer the scars for a long time before we find that only God can heal wounds that have become our enemies.

I am thankful today that I can shout with joy that God is on my side! I'm thankful for coffee, family, friends, pets, earth and love. Beginning the day with a thankful heart seems to set the mood for the day no matter what other things I have to do or think about. I hope you will have a fantastic Friday!