HOUSEWARMING

On my journey today,I stopped back by my "old" house in Aiken, and introduced myself to the new owners.(I just knew this was gonna be hard!) The "Mr." was in the garage with his motorcycles, but the "Mrs." wasn't home. I immediately felt a kinship, for some reason. We chatted over where the best place for plants would be, and then he commented on the imprinted handprints, in the cement, and wanted to know if he could cut them out and save them for me. I told him, that I didn't have anything of the son that I lost, and thought that would be nice, and he said that he had lost his son 8 years ago too!
..........And to think I wondered why a family from up north bought our home? God knew why..........He brought just the right person into my home, after all, didn't He? Kind of a nice "housewarming",huh?
My how He amazes me ,not just sometimes, but all the time!
Becky,
February,2004

THIS IS MY JONAH!

You know, when God wanted me to re-arrange my testimony, I wasn't sure just what direction He was leading me..........that is, until this past Monday. I know where I am going with this thing now! Let's see if you can follow my line of thinking.
Most testimonies take your life before Christ;when you come to know Christ, and then how He changed your life.....and this is truly wonderful, don't misunderstand me, but what about all those people, myself included, who feel as if they have never been without the Lord in their life! (I don't ever remember a day not knowing my Lord) I mean, we still have a testimony too!
I want to encourage those people to "give thanks to God" in every little pea pickin' thing, (as Tennessee Ernie Ford use to say)
You don't have to have a Saul to Paul conversion, on the road to Damascus, in order to share your testimony. You can share His sunset; you can just listen to a friend..........you can just talk and share so much with others about the love God has given you.Just open your mouth, and he'll give you the words!The important thing, is, that you just do it!!!
This is my Jonah, and I'm lovin' it!
Becky,
February,2004

THAT'S THE SECRET!

I'm back from Aiken now, and once again,sitting on my front porch. The breeze is beginning to pick up, and the sun is shining brightly. The whole outdoors seems to be at peace, out here on the Branch. I take a deep breath, and think to myself............
Today, will mark 10 years without my oldest son,
...............but I am content. Now, I couldn't begin to be joyous,or content, if it weren't for My Heavenly Father, who has surrounded me with His ever present Peace,all the time.
That's the secret!
I could be blowing like crazy,on the inside, just like these trees, except for the fact,that God's peace hold's me together............especially, on days like today!
Becky,
April,2005

KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING!

I always wanted to see just what kind of map, the weatherman used at the TV station, because he was so detailed, in his description, but can you imagine my surprise, when I stopped by the station, one afternoon, and saw him standing in front of a big white, blank screen! I couldn't imagine how in the world he could do the weather from that screen. He had to have alot of faith that things would pop up on the screen, when he pointed to them...........
You know,if we look at life, like this, then think of Christ as our main weatherman,we can have the correct information that goes into our lives, and pertain to us. Christ can't do anything with this information though, if we don't get it to Him.........
We have to get this information to Him, by spending time with Him, and to let Him know our needs first! He really does want to hear from us...........
Becky,
January,2004

I FEEL GOOD!

When God's light surrounds you, on a daily basis,
His love begins to just enfold your whole being,
(From your head to your toes!) giving you the power
to shield yourself, and protect yourself,from the evil
one. It kinda looks out for you too, and makes you feel
good all over,all the time!
Becky,
February,2004

2005 23rd PSALM

The Lord is within me, and wherever I am, He is there!
I don't need anything, when I rely on Him........
I have been given this country to care for, and He takes me by the hand, and guides me gently out here, to just watch this beautiful water.........
How it replentishes me.
He charts my footsteps towards righteousness, to be more like His Son...........
As close as I come to death,He will not allow me to go all the way into the pit, but brings me only into its valley, and then, only into its perimeter.
With Him, as my Shepherd,I don't have to fear evil, because the rod and the staff, that He carries, sustains me with His comfort. He can prepare a banquet table just for me....and all believers.......right infront of those who despise me!!!
He has covered my head with His annointing oil, and I am soooooo blessed, that my "cup of blessings" overflow.
His attributes of goodness and mercy are going to remain within me forever, and Abba will let me stay with Him,in His house, forever,and ever............
Becky,
February,2004

PASTEL MARY'S &BRIGHT MARTHA'S

As I was looking at the different decorations on the wall tree, at Curves, today,I started thinking about all the colors in the leaves and flowers, on the tree, and the types of people that they represented. There were bright flowers, for our upcoming Summer months, and a few delicately decorated, pastel, Easter eggs from the Spring.It made me stop and think, about how we change our personalities, as we change our color schemes too. I noticed, that in the "Mary" time of my life,I enjoyed wearing mostly pastels, as well, as loving the lavenders,pinks,pale blues,........it seemed to be the more quiet, and content time of my life. As I turned in to the "Martha" time of life, my clothes seemed to get brighter, and more into the purples,bold greens,brilliant reds,and just plain old "bold". Guess I thought I needed to be more bold,huh? I enjoyed this time of creating and doing for people, but when we moved to Beaufort, God sort of grabbed me by the paint brush, and said "whoa Nellie".........so, I did just that, and have reentered the "Mary" time of life, and thoroughly enjoying being content once again......... God has quite an eye for colors, ya know, and I think He can appreciate both a Martha and a Mary.
How about you???
Becky,
February,2004

THANK YOU,LORD

Do something for me today,would you? Just for today,take the time, sometime,on your journey,and find something, that God has done, just for you, and then, just spend some extra time in praise and thanks......
Thanking Him for this gift.......... So many times, we look at all the "BIG" things,God does for us, and we naturally give Him thanks for these things, but the next time you see a Ladybug,or a Butterfly,or when you see "your" sunset,or any, and all of the asundry things, our Father presents to us daily,then just remember to look Heavenward, and give Him your smile, and your deepest heartfelt "thanks".
........As a parent,I know Abba would appreciate it!
Becky,
February,2004

GOODNESS GRACIOUS SAKES ALIVE!

David has gone to Aiken today, and my trip to the upstate,was cancelled, so I'm spending my afternoon, just swinging on the porch swing, and listening to the symphony in the marsh again! Goodness gracious, what a concerto! The rustle of the Palmetto fronds is sooooooooo soothing to my heart and soul, and the recording studio, is hard at work, taking in all the bird sounds.
It's when I sit out here,and just "listen", that I humbly go to God, and give Him my thanks, for all these tiny little treasures, that He so delights in giving me, and that make life so absolutely worthwhile..........
The little things that are so easy to overlook, and forget, but that, in the greater scheme of things, are really the BIG things in life............
Becky,
February,2004

PUTTIN' ON THE "GODLY" GLITZ

This is a "chuckle journey" today, and for most of you, who have known me, for these, Oh, so many years, you will understand, and truly chuckle....... I've said,now, for quite some time,that I have "put on the new" since moving to Beaufort, and that, just about everything about me has changed.(Notice that I said "just about" everything!)Well, folks, it seems, as if the kid here, has found something that has not changed about her, and probably WON'T EVER change either!!!.........yet! As I got ready to go to this visitation this morning,I was all dressed, and ready to go, when I started laughing..........I realized, that I had not put on (and hopefully will not) hose! That's right,folks, this 'ole kid, STILL won't wear those hose. Guess the Lord will keep me afterall, and I imagine He is chuckling too!!!
Becky,
February,2004

THE DOCTOR WILL SEE YOU NOW!!!

I am constantly amazed (I stay in this amazed state alot of the time, folks!) at all the programs, that are on TV, today, advertising these self help doctors.There's Dr. Phil;Dr. Laura, and ofcourse "Dear Abby" has to get her advice in too......They are all suppose to know so much, to make you stop and examine just "who" you are and "how" to behave today.
I guess it never occured to anybody, to check with "Dr. Jesus" first, if they really wanted to work on their behavior. I mean, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out, that if the God who created us in the first place, has the where-with-all, to change and perfect all our flaws, then it seems reasonable, that we ought to ask Him for help,FIRST,don't ya think???
Becky,
February,2004

THANKS BE TO........

............It never ceases to amaze me, how my God always finds ways to show how much He's thinkning of me;caring for me.........and just loving me! He has known just how very much,I have missed the dear friend I lost last September, and how,God delighted, in giving me "Panini's" in downtown Beaufort to ease my pain! (I'm smiling when I remember that too!) Well, folks, He has gone, and done another one for me! :p) He has sent me,by way of an email, a friend, from elementary school..........one with whom,I had a very special bond, but lost contact with, some 40 years ago! This was someone I dearly loved, and now God has again delighted, in finding this friend, and bringing her back into this life of mine.
.........He is always doing things like this for me,when I least expect it. He is sooooooooo faithful to me, and is to all of us.
........He has my son.
........He has my friend.
........He has found me my dear,dear friend,from elementary school,and reunited us.
........Someday, He will take my son,and my friend, and reunite me, with them too.........
Thanks be to God!!!
Becky,February,2004

HE STARTED IT ALL

Have you ever wanted a glimpse, at what Heaven must look like?
Well, I kinda think, if there are colors, to express its beauty, that it those colors would be feeding at my bird feeder right now! Heaven most certainly has to be filled with an array of these glorious colors, and more that our minds eye, can't even fathom!!!
I don't think I have seen the Painted Buntings come this early around here to feed, and then yesterday morning, there were two spectacular, Eastern Blue Groesbeaks out underneath the birdfeeder.They were stunning!........Oh, how magnificently God has created them! I can just picture all kinds of birds in Heaven, sounding out God's praise. I mean, whoever would think, to paint a red belly, a chartreuse upper wing with a blue lower tip and a blue head on just the male species of the Painted Bunting? (The female is stunning to me, as she is chartreuse and looks like a neon sign in flight!!!)
When I paint, I usually have something to go by, or an example to copy..........but think about it,..........God didn't have anything to go by. He started it all! Wow!
Becky,
February,2004

JONAH VS BECKY

God said,:"Jonah,go to Ninevah".........
Jonah said,: I'll go to Tarshish,instead"
God said,:"Becky,go to Beaufort".........
Becky said,:"Lord,I'll go, but I don't want to, and I'm not happy about it!"
God sent a "big fish" to swallow Jonah, and give him no means of escaping, and Jonah prayed for God's will to be done.
God sent a seizure, and a a hip replacement, with no means of driving away, and Becky prayed to be content in the will of God!
The "big fish" vomited Jonah up on dry land, and he went to Ninevah, to do God's work.
.........Now, I don't know about you, but I pretty much have been "thrown right up" into my new and contented life, here, in Beaufort........all because my Heavenly Father, is soooooooooo faithful to me, and loves me so.
I am glad it was a seizure and not a "big fish,though!"
Becky,
February,2004

WHAT A FAITHFUL GOD WE SERVE!

When I think about how the Israelites called out to God, in their distress, and He answered them..........
Time and time again,they called out to Him, and He was always faithful to answer them!
More than two thousand years have passed, and we still call out to God, in our distress, and He answers us.............
Time and time again, we call out to Him, and He is always faithful to answer us....still!
My what a faithful God we serve!
Becky,
February,2004

ISLE OF VIEW

Lord, I love you sooooooooo much. There are some days, when no words will do, either, to express just how much I do love you!
If it were a color,perhaps a double rainbow;
If it were with music,maybe a symphony.........but then,I love my praise music too!
If it were with scenery,I just don't think I could combine the ocean, with the sunset,and the sunrise,and the mountains,and the flowers,and just the life out here on theWhale Branch water, with all the rest of Your creation...........
I just cannot fathom how much You love me,Lord.
I mean, one time,my brother picked me up, in his bare feet, and carried me out of a patch of stinging nettles, and I thought that was a real sacrcifice............but You,Lord?
Why,You left this wonderful world, that You created, to become a man...........a man that would give up His own life, and be stripped;flogged, and nailed to a cross..........
just so I could be presented perfect,to be received to the Father in Heaven...........now that's a sacrifice!
Lord,I love You sooooooo much!
Becky,
February,2004

GET A (GOD) LIFE !

This is a short, but quite profound journey today..............
In answer to all those complainers........

Get a life!
Get a good life!
Get a good life with Jesus!

That's the only way to go!

Becky,
February,2004

SPRING HAS SPRUNG/GOD IS IN THE AIR !

Spring is definitely here! My bluebirds are back, and there is a big 'ole fat one out on the Hummingbird feeder,right now! David and I are just sitting outside on the porch,in our rocking chairs,just enjoying God's beautiful day! David just spotted a Cardinal in the Crepe Myrtle, next door, and said it stood out like a strobe light against the green! This morning he spotted a family of Bluebirds preparing their nest for the arrival of young ones.Their ingenious "down" quilt, was made up of the "fuzz" from the Palmetto fronds. How clever God created these creatures to be!
If Spring is any indication of how beautiful, and creative, Heaven will be, then I'll be ready, whenever the time comes!!!
Becky,
February,2004

SECOND HAND SMOKE

Living with someone,who smokes, when you don't, can be quite a challenge! All that "second hand" smoke, that you hear so much about, does exist! What do you do about it? Well, you love the person,but hate the habit!!!
There are some "second hand" habits,though,that can be good....
Just think about it. When your children see you helping someone you don't know, or speaking kindly to a stranger. All these "second hand" habits, can really transform those who are watching you,so be careful........
Remember the little song, that said: "Be careful little lips,what you say"How true it is,too,because someone you don't even know, might just be watching you, and through the "second hand smoke screen" of your witness,they might just pick up your Godly, or ungodly habits!
Think about it!
Becky,
February,2004

IT WOULD BE YOU...............

If,in my lifetime,I could follow in the footprints of one so good and decent...........
It would be You.
If,in my lifetime,I could paint a picture that surpasses all of the beauty and love,ever...........
It would be of You.
If,in my lifetime,I could sing the song of life,and dedication........
It too,would be of You.
I know not when, my time on this earth shall end, but if I could be an example, of all that is good, and wonderful on this earth,during my lifetime,then by that example,
It would have to be You.

..........Whether I can do any of these things,or not, doesn't really matter, because, that isn't what life is all about.Infact,"Life" isn't about "Me" at all! It's all about You,Jesus.........
He is what makes all the difference in a life........a truly, worthwhile, and meaningful life...........
Becky,
a long time ago



It would be of You.

OH HOW HE LOVES YOU AND ME!

...........Something just dawned on the 'ole kiddo,here,tonight, and it was sparked by something that was said in church, a few Sunday's ago.Remember when the Pharasees brought the woman who had been caught in the act of adultery before Christ? Remember how they waited to see what He would do and say, in hopes of condemning Him to death?Just by His own words, He could convict Himself,to His death,with what He said to this woman............Imagine how surprised they were, when He said,"Then neither do I condemn you.Go and sin no more".He was speaking with God's authority to this woman........and speaking about 8 months before His actual crucifixion.This blows my mind,folks, because,He knew He was going to the cross 8 months before this woman was brought before Him, and He was going to die for her sins, and He chose to go ahead and die for her sins anyway.He could truthfully tell her to "sin no more"........He was going to pay the price. Is it not also awesome,that He knew that this would happen, and yet He chose to go ahead and die for you and me, anyway too?..........Wow!
Oh, how He loves you and me............
Becky,
January,2004

SERENITY

Most of us have heard the Serenity Prayer, but have you ever heard "all" of it? I hadn't, and was quite surprised at all that it included....Listen up! " Reinhold Neibuhr wrote in 1926:
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.............courage to change the things I can.And wisdom to know the difference....(now,here's what makes the difference)
Living one day at a time,
Accepting hardships as the pathways to peace.
Taking,as He did,this world as it is,not as I would have it.
Trusting that He will make all things right
If I surrender to His will.
That I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with Him,forever in the next."

What a nice thought to think, even in 1926, this man was awaiting a "supremely happy" life with the Savior. Mmmmmmm,has a nice ring,doesn't it?

Becky,January,2004