THE SHEEP

Father,it won't be long now, before our young people will be heading back on their mission trip to Ukraine. Father, You are the ever watchful God of all situations, so I ask You to please watch over their care and place Your protective hedge around them. Grant them Your mercy,Lord,enabling them to reach so many with Your word, and Your plan of Salvation. Keep them healthy and safe,Lord, and grant them safe travel mercies to and from Ukraine, and back here, to Beaufort. Remind each person, that they are disciples for You, and that You are the Master Travel Director, and will always guide them with the Master's footsteps, holding on tightly!
Thank You Father, for Your faithfulness to our young people, as they reach out into the world,for new "sheep".........
Becky,
April,2004

NO CURVES HERE!

Yep! I love Curves
Yep! I finally have some Curves!
......And Yep! The only Curves I won't take, is to get off of the straight path I must stay on, to journey home to my Heavenly Father!
That's one Curve, I don't mind missing!
Becky,
April,2004

WAKE UP CALL

My wake up call, this morning, was an ever so nice one from God, simply saying:

"I love you,Becky"

And, I simply replied, to the Lord:

"I love You too,Lord"


......Try it sometime, folks. It feels ever so good, to just wake up and say!
becky,
april

I CAN

I had to go to the therapist in Savannah today, to work on my balance, for the Vertigo, I was having. He gave me several excercises to do, for improving my equilibrium. Ofcourse, as soon as he described, what I was to do, the first words out of my mouth, were,"I can't"! If I said it once, I must have said it 5,or 6 different times...........I was so use to not being able to do it, that I wouldn't even try anymore! Suddenly, though, the words of my 3rd grade teacher came back to mind. Mrs. Maglaughlin always told us, that "we should strive to believe in the motto of last 4 letters of the word American, and you can do anything."
Well, that brought me up short, so I guess I'll try these things, anyway!
Kinda like our Christian walk......If we don't ever get out there, and just walk the Christ like walk, that we are always talking about, then nobody's ever gonna see it!
With God's kinda therapy, we can do it!
Becky,
April,2004

$STEWARD$

Father,I'm having a rough time, with this, and I need Your help. I know I'm suppose to be a good steward of my money, and I do try, but You also know, that this area, of my life, is not one of my more intelligent areas. Father, I so love to get and give , to people, and that's where I get carried away, so please wrap Your arms around me, when those times begin to overwhelm me! There's so much I want to do, for those around me, and even, when I do things for myself,Lord. It's usually to make myself a more pleasing temple unto You, Lord, but,
I guess I don't have to compete with Solomon's temple,though, do I? Thank You, Father, for just lifting me through this, so I can spend more time at Your feet again!
Becky,
April,2004

SOMEDAY

I just thought of something, Father, on this my journey.........
Someday, when I get to Heaven, I'm gonna get to ask Noah, if it was hard to get all those animals on board the ark; or ask Mary and Martha, how they felt, when Lazarus walked out of the tomb? So many, who have gone on before, who we will be able to fellowship with.......it just blows my mind! Yikes!!! This is absolutely wonderful for us, as believers, folks! Just think, we can sit at the Master's feet........
Mmmmm, how nice. How excitinf Heaven must be.....and yet, so much to do, for the Lord, here on earth.
Father, thank You, for not taking me out of Your Lamb's Book of Life, when I do all the dumb, sinful stuff that I do! I am so grateful that it was taken care of, by Jesus Christ, and what He did, on the cross.
I may be 58, but I am still Your little girl, at heart, Lord.........
Becky,
April,2004

IT HURRTS ME

Remember how our parents always reminded us, over and overr, when they had to discipline us:
"It hurts me, much more, than it does you!"
and ofcourse, we mumbled, and grumbled, and said,"yeah right"!

Well, it got me to thinking, about, how many times, our Heavenly Father has said:
"It hurts me much more, than it does you"
.........Oh, how, that one really hurts, too!
and I'm surely not grumbling either.....
Becky,
April,2004

RAT RACE

I stayed home today.........
I mean, I didn't go anywhere, or do anything useful today, and it felt wonderful! I did walk over to Audrey's and watched the lizard's, and the birds racing all over the place, on my way back home. About the only excercise, that I got, besides the walk over there, was to bend over, and place fertilizer spikes in my Frangipani plant pot! Now, that's roughin' it folks!!!
Sometime's, I think, that it's important to just stop the "rat race of doing" and sit back, and just enjoy what God has given us. I know I have today.......(Except for when I couldn't find my glasses!)
Thankfulness, is a stae of mind, I'd like to stay in all the time, because my God is always doing things, to make the world a thankful place to be!
Don't you "thank"?
Becky,
April,2004

THE ROPE IN THE PIT

This was another one of my "profound" thoughts today........


If you fell into a hole, or pit, and someone threw you a rope, or lifeline, to help you get out, you would grab hold of it, wouldn't you?
......Ofcourse you would!

Then, why in the world, when Jesus throws us "His" eternal lifeline, to pull us out of hell, do we hesitate, to grab hold of it?

Becky,
April,2004

ABIDING LOVE

Have you ever really looked at our world around us, and studied the habits of some of its precious creatures? The birds just seem to flit from here to there, because they know they will be taken care of...........one way, or the other, and they always are! He allows them to sing to their hearts content all day, but when dusk begins to fall, their little heads lay upon their breasts, and they become silent, 'til morning. He watches over them, with as much love, as He watches over us!................I think the word "abiding" best describes it, and I like that! It best describes the way I feel towards my Heavenly Father,too.
Just as these birds abide in their sanctuary, I too, wish to abide in the Sanctuary of my Heavenly Father, all the days of my life, singing and praising His faithfulness.......(even without a voice!)
Becky,
April,2004

SLOW DOWN

You know, it's important, that each of us slows down enough, everyday, to just enjoy the special "events" that God has blessed us with. His fingerprints are all over everything around us, if we just take the time to look at these special miracles.........
A Caterpillar;a Bumblebee;a flittling Butterfly;the gentle breeze, that reminds me of His goodnight kiss, to my weary heart. He is so very dear to me. If we go so fast, everyday, we might just miss the very essence of these special ways, inwhich He tells us of His love for us.........
It's good to stay in His word, but it's good too, to just take some time off; slow down, and just enjoy God!
He likes to be enjoyed!
And we really do need to do it more than we do!
I love Him so...........
Becky,
April,2004

CAN YOU BELIEVE?

Can you believe, I have been writing my thoughts and journey's for 1,ooo consecutive days? It all started that one night, almost 4 years ago, with that still small voice, telling me to start emailing these things! It has come so far, and God has blessed my socks off, with His faithfulness, and by giving me all kinds of goodies to write about, and some pretty neat people too!
I hope many of you will continue on with me, for another 1,000 days,(good Lord permitting) Anyhoo, stay tuned to me, and my fathful God, and we're bound to show you some exciting times! You have to admit, He has been a pretty exciting God, up to now, hasn't He?
Becky,
April,2004

SHOWIN' OFF

Sometimes, it's difficult for people to see the rainbow, at the end of the storm, because they are so busy working the windshield wipers, to wash away the horrendous rain storm they have been going through..........
Others can't see the beauty in one simple flower, for worrying over what the mass arrangement must look like, or if it will be a perfect example of symmetrical balance in life.
Then, there are the butterflies, like you and me, who love to flit about, and just appreciate wherever God ordaines us to go. We need not fear, or worry "what","who","when","where",or "why"........
When He says "Go", we go.......
When He says"encourage," we encourage"......
When He says "listen only to me," then we listen to Him,"only"......
When people tell me I seem to be happy and joyful all the time,I am just gonna say,.......
"It's God showin' off again!"
Becky,
April,2004

DUMPY

Nobody will ever know just how excited and happy I am right now! My neighbor, down the road, has just located for me, on Ebay, a book that was my all time favorite children's book! It was a precious little "bonne" book, called "Dumpy", and was written in 1947, about a turtle, who decided to quit carrying around his shell, because he thought it was too heavy for him........so,he tried to find other things to put on, or to wear, that would feel better(such as the coat that the spider wove for him from her web!), but in the end,his shell was what was best for him, afterall!
This story has always reminded me of how so often, we become disenchanted, with the lives God has given us, and we go off seeking "better lives", only to discover, that the "cross we were given to bear", was the appropriate one, afterall............the weight of it,was constructed just for us, and noone else!
Dumpy learned his lesson and found his "true" home. Hopefully, many of us know our true home is with our Lord and Savior,Jesus Christ.
What a cover He is for us!
Thanks Herman, for finding my friend, again!
Becky,
April,2004

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Thank You,Father,for all those "snips 'n' snails, and puppy dog tails" , and all the things, little boys end up being made up of......... Thank You for loving us enough,Father, to give us Your best too, just so we could "be right" with our Heavenly Father.........
One who would make it right between us and You. Thank You for the earthly Father's, we have been given. Mine, who is with You now, was a blessing to all my family,Lord. I thank You,Lord, for the Father of my children. Such love and devotion in one person could only have been given from You.
You Father's have a huge responsibility, but one, that you can accomplish, with God's help. Would that there be more Father's like you, who would seek Godly counsel, in all things.........
Happy Father's Day, today, and everyday!
You all deserve it!
Becky
April,2004

(ETERNAL) HOME REMEDIES

Isn't it strange, how people are always quick to grab at the remedies that are suggested, if they will help them getter better? (Such as drinking carrot juice for Cancer!).........but they just don't seem to get it, when you offer the remedy of Salvation for "Eternal Sickness".
Seems kinda simple to me!
Becky
April,2004

MY TEMPLE

I think most of us can honestly say, that we have a pride in our church, and how it looks, both on the inside, and out, but have you ever thought about your own personal church, or temple?
How does your body reflect the temple of God? Do you try to look as good, on the inside, with as much effort, as you do on the outside? We all like to look nice, and pleasing, for others but do we check our thoughts and actions, within ourselves, for our Heavenly Father? Do we remember to try and keep our bodies, as if they were a temple unto God?
I don't know about you, but if my body is going to be a temple to God, then, it's going to be the best feeling, and best looking one, I can make it to be, just for my Lord!
And He's worth every minute of it too!
Becky
April,2004

BAND OF LOVE

On my left hand, is my gold wedding band, from my sweet hubby, David. On my right hand, is the gold wedding band, that belonged to my grandmother Bouterse..........the two most precious people within my heart, and these little circular bands are a reminder of their devotion and love.
One reminds me of her hardships, as a Dutch, Baptist minister's wife, but through the faithful devotion of her Lord, how she kept the "shine" in that little band. The more recent of the two bands has a few more scratches on it, but if I look close enough, I think " I can see" the Savior's guiding face, as He has helped me along in my travels.
Two circular bands......
Two different people, that I love so much.....
Joined together, because they are soldered together with God's love, and will never be melted down..........
Becky,
April,2004

ROAD MAPS

I glanced at the road map I had, in order to find the easiest, and quickest way, to get to downtown Summerville, in order to meet my friend,Jeannie, for lunch! It was a long time ago, when I was there last, and my map didn't seem to have to the streets I was looking for, and in a deluge of raifall, I needed to be sure of where I was going...........especially if food was involved! My map was just out of date, and wasn't of any use to me! (I did end up having a delightful visit with Jeannie, though, and a good lunch..........)
As frustrating as that can be,I did think of how nice it is, to know that there is one map, that never goes out of date, and that's the word of God, in His Holy Bible! It gives clear directions, and the quickest, and ONLY way to get where you're going, in God's world!!!
........And it never goes out of date!
Becky
April,2004

IT'S VERY SIMPLE

As I sat in the church today, listening to Mary Bess' son give her eulogy, my eyes just poured forth with tears. His recollection of the 3 saddest moments in her life, really got to me!
One was the loss of her father;the second was in the death of her second son,at about 16 months,(Oh, how I remembered that one too!);but it was the 3rd one that really hit home, when he said that what saddened him the most, about the 3rd saddest thing, was that his 2 boys, would grow up never knowing their grandmother......his Mother, and my dear friend.
As I looked around, I realized, that the people who were attending the funeral, were my generation.........we were the ones dying. It really hit home, and it was kind of sad, at the same time. I wondered how many of them, knew the Savior,like Mary Bess?
It was then that these words came forth from the pulpit:
"It's really very simple. Jesus died. He rose from the dead, and gave us Salvation!"
Will we accept it? I smiled, as I thought about Mary Bess loving her son once again, in Heaven,(and maybe mine too!) while praising our Lord!
That makes the tears dry up a little faster!
Becky,
April,2004

LORD,LORD

I remember, as a little girl, having my Daddy become upset with me, because I would call out to him for help, and then, when he would come to help me, or give me advice, I wouldn't take this advice, or do what he wanted! Boy did I disappoint him!
It's no wonder, our Heavenly Father said:
"Why do you call me Lord,Lord, and then you don't do what I say?"

Guess we haven't learned very much in all these years, have we?
Becky,
April,2004

EVERYBODY LISTENS !

Remember this ad from so long ago?


"When E F Hutton speaks, everybody listens!"

Wouldn't it be nice if it read?

"When God speaks, everybody listens!"

Becky,
April,2oo4

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

"Getting to know you.....
Getting to know all about you.
Getting to like you,
Getting to hope you like me....."
Oh how I loved that old song, as I thought about my dear, sweet, grandmother Bouterse. If, I wanted to know what God was like,all I had to do, was look at the characteristics of this precious lady(age spots and all!)
Yes, getting to know her, was alot like getting to know my Lord, because she seemed to shine with His love and mercy. As a little girl, I thought she did too!
I know that she surely did instill in me,so much of God's love for us, by sending His Son,Jesus.
Now that's really geting to know us!
Becky,
April, 2004

ON YOUR MARK;GET SET.........GO!

I loved to run track, when I was in high school, and I liked to teach it to my physical education classes too. I always told them, that once they were in their starting block,one of the best advantages they could give themselves, would be to get a good start on the "go", or take off.
For that matter, having a good start in just about anything, has its advantages............a good breakfast; reading before 1st grade;warming a car up, before you drive off, on a cold morning......... One of the best good starts I can think of, though, is to teach young children...........
Teach them, by giving them a good start on their knowledge, and love of Jesus, and what it means to be in the family of God.If you grow up with something, or somebody,then, there will be less chance of you ever being without it, as you get older!
I don't know about you, but this is such a good start, I hope it never stops!
Becky,
April,2004

BECAUSE I SAID SO !

Another of my profound statements: Simple, but oh, so true!

How many times have we heard this?
.........................."Because I'm your Mother,
and I said so!"

How many times have we heard this?
........................."Because I'm your God,
and I said so!"

Oh!....... Kinda gets you, doesn't it?
Becky,
April,2004

PAID IN FULL

Once again, I thought about all the chidren who were doing chores, and were getting paid by their Mother's. They were to receive a certain amount of $$$ for washing the car;cleaning the bathrooms;straightening their bedrooms;emptying the dishwasher for the week, and sweeping the sidewalk, and porch....
After their mother paid them, she told them, that for all the times that she sat up with them when they were sick;or fixed their school lunches;or bought them new school clothes.........for all those times that she did "the least of these" for them,that there was "no charge".
She did this, she told them, because she loved them...........
I was reminded, after hearing this story, of how Christ, chose to take all our accounts by paying the ultimate cost, when He hung on a cross, and our bill was PAID IN FULL!
Becky,
March,2004

BUZZARDS

Have you ever looked at a Buzzard?......... I mean really looked at a Buzzard? They think they are the most stately birds, as they prey on their victims, along the side of the road! They don't seem to want to work for what they get.....they just pick up the pieces of what's left of the misery of others. I guess that's why, Buzzard's remind me so much of the devil!
Buzzard's wait on the sideline, for something to happen, and then they strike the weak hearted........
Well, 'ole satan does the same thing! He takes advantage of those who are hurting too, and devours their every weakness. You just can't shoo him away either........
Try calling out the name of Jesus the next time satan stops by for a visit, and see how long he stay's around then?
Wonder if he'll work on Buzzards?
Becky,
March,2004

CHERISHED

After writing the journey, where I traveled with my father on Saturday's to his building job sites, I received several emails from friends of mine, remembering the same things with their dads. It brought back wonderful memories to Pat, and Jaye even remembered going fishing with her Dad! Oh, how important it was to us then, and how deeply we treasure it now.
Think how much more our Heavenly Father cherishes His moments with us?
Becky,
March,2004

WHEN HE REIGNS, HE POURS

I thought about the 'ole Morton salt slogan today........
You know the one with the girl under the umbrella who is saying:"When it rains;it pours".
What a clever way to remind us of how Morton salt continues to pour forth, even if it is raining! What struck me about this ad, though, was how, by just changing the spelling on a few words, you could really make an eternal statement!
"When He Reigns;He pours"! Our Lord pours forth His blessings on us, when we let Him reign in our lives!
Becky,
March,2004

STAY NEAR!

Father, You want so very much for me, and I always tend to shortchange myself, when I try to do things in my own power, and my own way.......Help me to focus more on You,Father, and less of me!
Help me to seek Your word daily, and to walk in Your will. You have every detail of my life covered,Lord, so make my heart pliable,and available to be used,Oh God, in the way You would have me be used.
If I must walk through the fire, to be refined,and more like You,Father, then, please don't leave my side......... stay close and hold on tight, to me.
I can do it, if You are with me,Father......
Yes, I know, that You have plans for good, and not disaster, for me, and to give me a future, and a hope..............
Now, that's why I want You near, dear Lord!
Becky,
March,2004

HEAD TO HEART

As I watched Al Roker go down the zip line today,on TV, I once again had butterflies in my stomach! BIG futterblies,as my Daddy use to say, as I recalled the day I had to go down the zip line again, at Camp Gravett, on a Physical Education teacher's workshop day. Now, I truly did think it would be a cinch! I was all hooked up to the guide wire, so that absolutely nothing could happen, but when you are 40' high up in a tree, on a tiny platform, and somebody, who knows what they are doing, tells you to jump, do you honestly think you would happily obey?......... I think not!!! I had all the head knowledge, to know I was safe and secure, in the hold of the guide wire, and could safely jump..........all I had to do was put my trust in the instructor and the guide wire,.... and go! I just hadn't gotten the head knowledge to my heart, and you better believe, I was scared! (I finally did it though...........but never again though!)
Sometimes, we Christians, can be that way, in our belief. We have the head knowledge about Jesus, but it just hasn't gotten down into our heart, and that's where it needs to be, for those high places we get stuck in, and have to jump off of, in life!
God is my one and only zip line,day in and day out......
Even up 40' high or more...........
Becky,
March,2004

WHO NEEDS BARBIE ANYWAY ?

I have thought over and over again, about how thankful I am, not to be growing up in the "Barbie" era. I probably would have had a HUGE complex, just trying to make myself into a Barbie! No, I had the big,robust Terri Lee doll,the graceful Madame Alexander, and the cute little Ginny dolls. They were either big,or graceful, or cute, and I could sew my own clothes for them..........none of this shapely pizzaz at the age of 8, for this girl! I bonded with my dolls, and even felt a kinship with them, but I never felt in competition with them, nor did I look like them either.
Heaven help the Barbie "wanna be's" today! That is just no way to grow up............I was so skinny growing up, and didn't set the world on fire with looks either, but when I moved to Beaufort, my main focus became to make this "bod", both inside, and out,become a temple for the Lord.It might be 58 years young;it might have a hip repplacement; it might have siezures;it might have a shunt from a brain hemmoragh, and have no balance, but by george, this body is gonna be the best example it can be, as a temple for the Lord!
As far as I'm concerned,if I've got the Lord on my side.... I'm beautiful!
Who needs Barbie anyway, if you've got Becky....and God?!!
Becky,
April,2004