ORANGE PEELS

When I was a little girl, we lived next door to an orange grove. My brother,Chris and I loved to climb the trees,(Which we weren't suppose to do) and eat the oranges.In order for the grove owners not to find out that I was there,I learned to eat the orange peels, so I could hide the evidence! I still love orange peels to this day.........
I never could hide them from God, though......
God has set boundaries for us too, for a reason. We may not be caught at what we're suppose to be doing, and it may not be hurting anybody, but there's a reason, and we need to respect those boundaries....... I learned a lesson that day, and it is still with me for life.......... I still like orange peels though!
Becky

LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!

My God is a "Lights,Camera & Action" sorta God!

He died and rose again as the "Light of the world"

No eyes have seen or ears have heard just what my God can do, but a camera will record Him because "He Lives!"

The "action's" gonna occur when we all look towards the sky, one day, and see Him coming again before His "reign".

Becky

OH CHRISTMAS TREE

This is a Christmas is September journey!
Every year, at Christmas time, my brother, Michael,would "haul" me and my brother,Chris, in our old Ford pick- up- truck, and we would drive to the scrub in the Ocala National Forest in search of our "perfect" Christmas Tree. Upon returning home, we would wet the tree down, and then place it in this big , thick block of wood, shaped like a "plus sign", that my grandaddy had creatively carved. He placed a big cut out pocket in the middle of the plus sign, where the tree stem would rest, and I mean to tell you that thing was immoveable!.....
But..............it also got no water for the entire Christmas season, that I remember, and little by little the pine needles would begin to fall by the wayside, and the tree would brown and die.
We always had to time it just right when we got our tree.....(None of this 3 weeks ahead of time for us!)
The same way is true for our walk as Christians.....
If we're planted strongly in God's word, and immoveable, we still need to be watered daily by His word, so we don't fall by the wayside, and wither and die!
Becky

I'M GAME IF YOU ARE

Most of you know how much, I'm always talking about my Grandmother Bouterse, and how much credibility I place in what she told me, as a child!
Well, as I was packing up, to come home from Crescent Beach, it just sorta hit me as to "why" her words always rang so true.....in everything she ever said!
Why did I think she was always right?(Which she mostly was!) It was because, everything she ever based her words and thoughts on, came from the word of God! Can't get any plainer than that, now, can you? Her thoughts and words, were not Reina's......No!
They were what God wanted her to do, and say. Oh, what a marvelous way to travel through life, folks!
Hop on board and lets try to travel like this....... I'm game if you are!
Becky

CAN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS !

It just didn't get any better than this past week, with these dear friends.Can you imagine starting first grade with two friends and some 44 years later, you meet up again, at a beach condo, and share a week of pure, unadultrated "fun"?!Such a joy to share all sorts of things! We even did the touristy sorta thing!!! It just doesn't get any better than this, and now that we are settling back into our routines, we will have to remember to set aside time next year to do this again.
What's even more wonderful, though, is that we will spend an eternity together, and that really doesn't get any better!
Becky

SOOOOOOOOOO GOOD

I always hate to have things come to an end.....
This week at the beach, has been a week of fun, and the renourishment of friendships, from long ago.........
Such memories!
Thank You, Father for setting aside this special time, for just the 3 of us.....
Ofcourse for every ending there is a beginning, and You certainly have watched over me and mine.Take these treasures,Father, and store them safely away, so that we can come together again next year, to renourish this special bond of friendship, that we created so long ago.
Without You, it would be nothing......
But then, that's the way it is with most things........
You seem to be the common bond amongst us all and the golden thread that weaves us all together.
One that surely will never come unraveled......
Becky

RAINING CHOCOLATE !

Oh how the memories assailed me folks! ....... Tara,Patti and I decided to travel in the Silver Blue Bullet to have lunch at the "Blue" ......a delightful little restaurant in the "Topaz Hotel", at Flagler Beach,Florida, afterwards which we traveled, and treated ourselves to the Angell & Phelps Candy Company in Daytona Beach. This was a candy company that I went to as a little girl(about 9 years old), and all the smells brought back memories of days gone by! We sampled Chocolate Covered Potato Chips(dark chocolate,ofcourse!) Key Limes & just about everything else we could sample......
The creams & filberts, were my favorite, as they were for my grandmother too! As we were getting ready to leave,the heavens let loose with a downpour, at which Tara said,"Heaven must be like being stuck in a chocolate shop, in the middle of a thunderstorm!"
I know I don't like thunderstorms.......
I know I absolutely adore dark chocolate......
I know and trust I will absolutely love Heaven......
Seems to me, as if Tara might have a point!
Becky

HALLELUJAH! PASS THE BUTTERBEANS!

I meandered down to the condo pool today, and did some of my therapy excercises, and while I was there,I looked up towards the shaded sun, and just stood in awe, at its majesty! I think "it" was waiting me to go ahead and step out in faith and just dunk myself under the brisk water, before the sun would reappear....(which it did!)
Isn't God just like that? He waits for us to go ahead and step out and trust Him! We've been praying "Big time" for my sweetie and this Cancer thing, so trusting in the Lord,David has gone to Birmingham for treatment. Now, the surgeon has told him that it looks as if the Cancer is gone! They're doing another biopsy, but my God is a mighty God,folks!, and He has walked us right up to the edge and it wouldn't surprise me one little bit for Him to do something phenomenol, now, would it you?
Becky

THE GOOD 'OLE DAYS

Tara,Patti & I, have talked about everything, from "the good 'ole days", (and they were indeed that) and one of our fondest memories was that of our Senior Year Homecoming.
Tara was chosen to be on the homecoming court,(and even though I was probably secretly hoping to be chosen too),I was chosen to be the Cheerleading Captain during her absence, that night! Even though she wasn't crowned queen,I thought today, how someday, all three of us, would have another, far more extravagent "Homecoming" where we will each be a queen of sorts, for our Lord, and Savior.
What a Homecoming event that will be!
Becky

GIVING THANKS

Thank You,Father,for giving me this time with my dear friends. Time to laugh, and giggle, and do silly, and fun things things that frineds can do, who have known each other for fifty plus years.
This is a rough time for me right now,Lord,and You know I would rather be with my sweetie, but You've given me a week with these two very dear friends, just so he won't be worrying about me. Thank You, Father, for their caring about me, and their loving me through this whole process. Thank You too,Father for those who are praying me all through this refiner's fire.
Not only do I thank You, Father, for walking me through this fire, but for giving me this time......The only reason I can do all things through Christ , who strengthens me, is just that!
Because it's You, who strengthens me.
I don't know what my future holds, but with You at the helm,I know one thing,I will be in "protectictive custody"......
Becky

JUST THE THREE OF US !

There are 3 of us, who started out in 1st grade together, at Roseborough Elementary School, in Mount Dora, Florida, way back in 1952. These three,Tara,Patti and myself, have arrived at the Oceanhouse Condominium, in Crescent Beach,Florida, for a week of just plain 'ole "fun and fellowship"!
I just love it when God orchestrates something like this. Tara and I have been best friends for 58 years and Patti, Tara and I have known each other for about 53 years. Can you imagine what fun we have been having? We have decided that the kids today have just missed out on the "art of real friendship".
Most of what we had, revolved around the love our parents gave us........the love and values they received from knowing a Savior. All the things that so many of the kids today miss out on! I think our friendships were cemented together when we were little, because of our parents. I think our parents friendships were cemented together, because of their belief in a Sovereign Lord, and Savior.....
He made the difference then!
He makes the difference now!
Becky

THE SILVER BULLET

I think many of you are wanting to hear what has happened to me! What in the world came over me?
One minute I was calmly driving my Lincoln LS to Curves, and the next,I was test driving this "adorable" silver blue Toyota Solara convertible.......Yes,me!
No, I can't imagine it either! Oh, but was it ever fun, and it still is!
I have never in my life wanted to do this before, and after only two days,I am like a little kid in a candy shop!!!
It's funny, though, I am now forced to keep the seats of my car free of clutter, or else it will all blow onto the highway!
Funny how God can make me clean up my act, isn't it?
I don't mind the wind whipping in my hair, but when the love bugs start brushing my teeth, that's a whole different story!
Just think,I not only have a convertible to drive, but my co-pilot, is the God of the Universe!
......................................................."How 'bout them apples"?
Becky & Her "Silver Blue Bullet"

REFLECTING

My music's back on tonight, and I'm just reflecting.
Just appreciating my life.......as a child, a young person, and as an adult,living today.
I'm always amazed at when I go through a fiery time in my life, that I held up.....
There's this inner strength, that just shows up.....it just does! "I know from whence cometh my help....My help cometh from the Lord, who made Heaven and Earth".....so why not help me? That strength has always been there, as far back as I can remember. That's probably why it's important to develop it as a child......for times such as these, right now, when you need to draw on them!
He truly is my very present help in time of trouble.....
Words from childhood tucked into my heart, "for such a time as this".
The burners are being turned up now, but you know what? I've got a God, who is a Masterful fire extinguisher.....
If it's in His will to put it out, He will!
He can change the temperature!
He can remove the burning pot to another lower burner, letting it cool down......
He will closely guard the desires of your heart, enabling you to take gallant steps for the cause of Christ......
Becky

YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE......LORD

Debbie Bone sang a song, several years ago, that I really liked, entitled,"You Light Up My Life".It reminded me of this......
You light up my mind,Lord..... I'm overwhelmed today.Lord.....I need You and Your word tells me me, that when I feel this way, I can pour out my heart to You, giving You all my anxiety....(and I'm pretty anxious right now), and You will give me refuge.
Oh,I like that,Lord.....a safe and secure place.
I can trust in You at all times and You will hear me. I like that too,Lord.
You light up my heart,Lord, loving me in Your word.
How You tell us, that You are our refuge and strength,"a very present help in trouble ."
That means everything to me in my life,Lord. You are there for me, just when I need You.
Because, I have Your truth in the word illumined in my heart and mind!
In doing all this, Your "Light" makes me want to do Your will in all things. It's kinda like taking one candle and lighting lots of other candles from just that one. You just want to, and the glow you receive is phenomenol! This is the fellowship of believers!
We were even encouraged not to forsake assembling together, as this was important to our Lord. He wanted our "Light" to really shine.....
I think it's really cool that our radio station here in Beaufort, is called "The Light". It does "light" up the airwaves, daily, with its praise of our Savior, with its music and worship! (Thanks,Rick!)
Becky

UNSHAKABLE FAITH

I love that little blue and yellow salt box, with the little girl on the front, holding an umbrella. You know the one.....
The "Morton Salt Box" girl, that says,"When it rains it pours"!
I just love that slogan. It reminds me of all the blessings that pour down on you, in your lifetime......
You have the same amount of faith,"raining" down on you too, for everything that comes at you, to just trust in God, as He knows your every need, and "He will not suffer you above that you are able....." God knows your every need, better than you do, so trust him without even thinking about it......
Just do it!
If you believe, He will do it!........He will!
Just keep on believing,obeying and trusting God and watch what happens!
You can't clog up the salt shaker with other things or the salt won't keep pouring. The same thing is true of our faith.....
My faith in God, is sooooooooo simple!
If God said it, He meant it, and I believe it!
That's all I need. No questions asked.
......And the salt just keeps on pouring this way forever and ever, Amen!
Becky

CTRL-ALT-DELETED!

I received an email the other day, telling me, how neat it would be, if we could take all those things that had messed up our lives and just press the "ctrl"and "alt" buttons on the computer, and just delete the whole mess!
I thought this was funny, at first, until I looked closely to the initials, and realized ,just what they "could" stand for, with a little rearranging........
I think the CTRL-ALT delete button, is much better like this"
"Christ Today Really Lives-And Loves To Delete!(Sins!)
He's always there for us, and cleans up our messes.....
Wipes 'em up right off the board!
Wish my computer's mistakes were taken care of that good!
Becky

THE TENT

You've given me this week,Lord, here in Cherokee, to reflect upon some things, and what I've learned is reflecting more of that fragrant aroma, that You enjoy coming up to You......
Little bit, by little bit,I'm learning to be content where I am.......
Not because it's exactly where I want to be, or what I want happening in my life, right now, but because You have graced my whole being with Your Presence, and given me enough of You, so that I can tackle the impossible and succeed, in doing so.....
You are the key,Lord.
You are the "tent" in content, for I do find my covering and refuge in You daily. You've given to me, because You love me,.............. sometimes, I'm sure, even when it pains You.
I know You will give me strength to face the future and to give, even when it hurts me, because You will give me the strength....
Thank You Lord.....
Becky

18 WHEELERS

As we headed up 441 into Cherokee,I had to chuckle!
Because 441 is the same road that runs right smack dab into the middle of my home town, in Mount Dora,Florida!
Now, whoduh thunkit?.....
Now, on a more serious note, though, as we passed by all these 18 wheelers, in the "slower" right lane,I was remembering being absolutely terrified of having to drive past one of these rigs when I was learning to drive....My oh my, did I ever cringe! I just knew I couldn't do it!
Mother told me,though,to always keep my eyes looking straight ahead, and to never let them wander over towards the truck.............That way,I would drive right by it with no problem, and that one little tip has proven itself true, for lo these many years!
Isn't this the same way it is with sin? If we'll keep our eyes straight ahead, and focused on the Lord, never letting our eyes wander, then we'll go right down the path we should be going, with no problem.....
That's also proven itself true every time too!
Becky

YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE,LORD

Mmmm, a nice thought today.......

Debbie Boone wrote a song several years ago, entitled,"You Light Up My Life", and I just loved it! It reminds me today of just how very much I do love my Lord, and how, at times,I am overwhelmed in my life, and when I am I need of Your word,Lord, to guide me on my way.....
It tells me,that I can pour out my heart to You, giving You all my anxiety, and I'm pretty anxious right now, and You will be my refuge.
Oh,I like that......A safe, and secure place!
I can trust in You at all times, and You will hear me.I like that,Father.

You light up my heart too,Lord, by living within me,with Your word.How You tell me You are my refuge and strength, and very present help in trouble......
That means, at every turn in my life, You are there for me, just when I need You.
Because I have Your truth in the word, illumined in my mind and heart.....

In doing all this,Your "Light" makes me want to do Your will in all things. It's kinda like taking one candle and lighting lots of other candles from that one......
You just want to, and the glow you receive from the one, is phenomenol!
This is true fellowship! We are even encouraged to not forsake assembling together as it was important to our Lord. He wanted our "Light" to really shine......
I think it's really cool too, that our radio station is also called "The Light". It really does "Light Up" the airwaves daily, in its praise of our Savior with its music and worship! (Thanks Rick!)
Becky

THANK YOU LORD

Thank You,Father, for today......
For the walk in the mountains by the stream.
For the lightning bug tonight as it darted in and out beside the road.
Thank You,Father for good friends who care and for this special time together.....
This time may never come again, so I cherish it, Lord...... Thank You.
You didn't miss anything when You created our world,did You? You must be the most considerate, and imaginative being ever,Lord! I can't wait to thank You,one day. For now though,I am truly enjoying what You have created, here,today, with friends, at a truly unique campsite in the North Carolina mountains,Lord, with the love of my life!
Thank You for him, and for today!
Becky

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS

When you begin to walk through the refiner's fire,
make sure to keep your eyes on Jesus......
Remember what happened to Peter,after he got out of the boat,and started walking to Jesus, but took his eyes off of Him?
Becky

...............REFINER'S FIRE.................

This is hard, but oh,so true,
and I am walking it now......

"No matter what I lose.......
I crave the refiner's fire"

Becky

......OLDIE BUT GOODIE.....

Another oldie but goodie tonight, as we drive along I-26.
I'm looking at all the Kudzu, and how it simply takes over every nook and cranny it covers.......just like sin!
It's kinda cool to look at..... at first!
Then you see what all it is choking out, and what you are missing out on seeing. This always makes me mad!
Nope! I don't like Kudzu!
Nope! I don't like sin, either!
I still sin, and it still chokes out those things that need to be seen , for people to know I am a child of the King.......
BUT......I have a Master Gardener, and He is the only one I know, who can get rid of this stuff for good!
You don't buy Him at Walmart.
You just ask Him to come into your heart, and He will!
He does!
Sin gone!
Becky

......................STICK'S 'N' STONES....................

Now this one is toooooooo good,folks!

"Sticks and stones may break your bones,
But names will never hurt you".......
Unless the one throwing the stones is named "David".......
And the one calling the names,is "Golliath",
And he is hurling insults at God's people!
(Not too wise,is it?)
Becky

EARNED..........NEVER GIVEN!

As we drove up the mountains, toward Cherokee, we passed a big 18 wheeler, with a bold logo on it that read:
"Earned Never Given".
My first thought, as we past it, was how our Savior's logo, would have been just the opposite:
"Given Never Earned"
Amen!.......
Becky