PAIN MANAGEMENT

Mama always told me, that she could tell, when I wasn't feeling good, because it was written all over my face! She could take one look in my eyes, and tell if I were in pain, or not feeling very good.
Isn't it funny how much our face can reveal about us, and how we are feeling, even if we are unaware of it?
When my shoulder is acting up.......usually on a rainy day.......I may be able to act like I'm feeling pretty good, but if you take one look into my eyes, you'll see the pain!.....It's uncanny! In the same,but more beneficial way, we need to be more aware of our facial expressions, as children of the Living God.
We definitely don't need to be filled with the "bloom of gloom" either.......
You would think, that, if my Father, were a King, and that He, just "happened" to create the whole world, and I just "happened" to live in that world, that I would just "happen" to be pretty much grinnin' my whole life away now, just from thinkin' about Him, wouldn't ya?
Becky

FELLOWSHIP OR DROWNING....YOUR CHOICE

Being out of fellowship with God, and needing His help, is a little bit like being out in the middle of a lake, only to discover, that you are drowning, and that your help is on the other side of the lake!
Becky

BANANA CAKE

Everytime,I start to make my grandmother's Banana Cake, another memory floods my mind! It might involve the bananas,or the spices, but there always seems to be a lesson involved with the making of her Banana Cake......It's unreal,folks! Today, it was the wrapper from the stick of butter! Grandmother Bouterse never greased her pans with Crisco, because there was generally plenty of butter left on the inside of the butter wrapper, after I opened it up, that would be enough to use, and she always reminded me to use all of it, and not to waste it.
Now, everytime, I see a wrapper with butter on it,I'm just about ready to grease a pan,............ but I'm also reminded that God wants us to use every bit of ourselves too, in everything we do, for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God. He doesn't want us to waste ourselves on frivolous things, so the next time you are beginning to "spread yourself thin", take another look, and spread all of yourself out, instead, for the Glory of God.
I think her cake should have been called "Many Lessons Cake", or maybe the "Delicious Memories Cake". Whatever, it is, I can tell you, it is Mmm good!
Becky

DEAD END!

This one's cool!.......

Why do you think, we call a dead end street,.......... a dead end?
Because, you can't turn around and get out!
.....And Hell's the deadest of all dead end's!
Becky

I LIKE YOU

I received a little package in the mail today.
It was a little book, just like one I had once sent to my best friend,Tara, way back in high school! She decided to send me this little book too, after I saw hers, while we were at the beach. It is a darling little book, although I have to admit I don't remember getting it for her. (They say the brain goes first!!!) It's a little book about friendships, entitled "I Like You"
and every friend, truly needs to read this little book.One of the cutest points, the author makes, and I will just share some of it with you:
***"On the 4th of July I like you because it's the 4th of July;on the 5th of July,I like you too.If you and I had some drums and some horns and some horses. If we had some hats and some flags and some fire engines, we could be a Holiday. We could be a celebration. We could be a whole parade. See what I mean? Even if it was the 999th of July. Even if it was August. Even if it was way down at the bottom of November. Even if it was no place particular in January I would go on choosing you and you would go on choosing me over and over again. That's how it would happen everytime. I don't know why. I guess I don't know why I like you really. Why do I like you.I guess I just like you.I guess I just like you.Because I like you."
(***by Sandol Stoddard Warburg)
Using this as a guide for friendship, maybe we can better understand how our loving Father in Heaven can so desire to be, not only our Savior, but also, our friend, because.....
"He Likes("LOVES") us"
Becky

FOLLOW THE LEADER

Boy howdy,did I ever love to play,"Follow the Leader", when I was growing up! I always loved to do the different things when it was my turn to lead.....I would leap;skip;jump;twirl......just anything that nobody else wanted to do, but I always had to be sure that they followed me, though, as that was the most important thing! Following your leader always is.....
As I was remembering this today, it sorta dawned on me, that the most important leader that we have to follow, is Christ, Himself ! Wherever we are, and wherever we are going, we need to hook onto Christ, and we will be led down the path towards Righteousness, and pure living, which is what we want!
Becky

A FRAGRANT AROMA

I have this thing for Shalimar perfume. I just love it, and it seems to linger on me longer than any other fragrance. It always reminds me of my mother, because it was her favorite too........
I found a bottle of the "real stuff" on the cruise last year and I have been hording it ever since. I don't want to let the last drop get away from me, so I'm kinda stingy with it.
It sorta hit me, though, while I was driving over to the beach last week, and listening to "The Light,"(Gosh I love that station,Rick) that Christ certainly wasn't stingy with His life. He gave every drop of His own blood for you and me. He emptied His container, so I could refill my life with the Eternal Fragrance of Christ!
That's a fragrance that is free for the asking too!
Becky

TO BE LOVED BY GOD.......AWESOME!

When I get dressed in the morning,and am putting on my face,I'm always amazed at what wonders a little make up can do......
That is, until,I have to take it off at night-time, and see my 'ole face again! The face with its marks, and blemishes;lines, and wrinkles.........and just a tired look about it.
It's the face my Heavenly Father sees underneath all that make-up,all the time, and He loves me anyway! Just like He loves you!
Isn't that awesome, to be loved by the God of the Universe, in our pajamas, with no make-up?
Why He even loves us, when we're in the bathroom!
(Now, that's love!)
Becky

RED ROVER

I wonder how many of us played "Red Rover" when we were growing up?
I always hated to play that game, because I was never called at the beginning.......
Red Rover,Red Rover,send Becky right over.....
Oh,how I wished somebody would call my name, but I was usually the last, or near the end, to be called.
Just think,When we want God on our team, we can call on Him, to come over, at anytime, and,........... "He's there"!!!
That's one game I wouldn't mind playing for keeps!
Becky

THE SMITH SYSTEM AND GOD

This was a neat journey when I wrote it the first time,several years ago, but I think it bears repeating....
When I was in college,one of the courses I had to take for my Physical Education degree, was Driver's Education.The instructor gave us a teaching tool, in class,known as the "Smith System",which they don't use anymore, but which I have always thought very good! It was a 5 point system for safe driving habits and consisted, of: 1.) Keep your eyes moving. 2.) Get the Big Picture. 3.)Avoid Highway Hipnosis. 4.)Make sure that you are seen. 5.) Leave yourself an out.
Well, I thought about these principles, and how they could apply to our spiritual walk too. If we find ourselves looking face to face with big temptations, we can choose to "keep our eyes moving", and this will "leave ourselves an out". If we become down or depressed, about how our life is going, we can "avoid highway hipnosis" by staying in the word, daily, and we will be recharged with exciting things, in order to "get the big picture"......and Oh, what a picture it is!
When we see God's picture, it will show up in us, and then it will be one time when it will be A-OK for us to "make sure that you are seen"!
Too bad they don't still use the Smith system today, when teaching us to drive. I think it's still pretty cool!
Becky

THE METAL DETECTOR

As I walked through the metal detector, at the Atlanta airport,I just knew my hip replacement was going to set the metal detector alarm off.....and it did! ..........With all this heightened security, my hip replacement, had finally triggered the alarm, after 3 years, and I was told to step to the side, and be frisked, by an officer. Well, when the officer asked me to raise my arms, I couldn't even do that, because of my shoulder surgery, and you should have seen me trying to explain myself out of that one! (A regular Laurel and Hardy comedy act folks!)
Anyhoo, I thought about how cool it would be if we had a "sin" detector for us to walk through.......but, maybe it's better that we don't, huh?
It might be going off so much that the planes would never get of the ground!
What a mess that would be!
Becky

SOMEWHERE UP THERE

Somewhere up above, these clouds, is the 3rd Heaven!
If this is any indication of how glorious it will look,I can only imagine! (Puffs of white cotton amidst a background of baby blue all around)
My,my,my.....somewhere down there is my home in South Carolina, and there is Georgia, too. For now, though, this expanse of beauty just goes on and on.....
It's limitless, like our Lord's love.
As I gaze upon the horizon, below the clouds right now,it looks as if God has created and entire city outline, made of clouds......all resembling the eternal city, that will be our home one day. It's an awesome site, and one I won't soon forget, some 20,000 feet above the earth!
Like the somg says:"Anything you can do,I can do better"
Well, I like this rendition better, after witnessing this spectacle.
"Anything you can create,God can create better."
Becky

CELEBRATION

If your daddy wrote you a letter, telling you, that he would pick you up, and take you to a special celebration, wouldn't you prepare yourself, and be waiting?

Our Heavenly Father,who loves us far more, than our earthly father, has written us letters in the Bible, telling us that He is coming back again to take us home, for a wonderful celebration with Him!

Here's what's so sad.....
Many of us, don't seem to take the time to read His word to us,or prepare ourselves to make ready for His arrival?
Kinda sad,............ and it's suppose to be a celebration!
Becky

CHEERLEADER

My best friend,Tara, and I, were cheerleaders, from 7th grade, straight through our senior year in high school, while I continued cheering on through college..... I think that cheering was the one thing that I was "cut out" to do, while I was growing up! I just loved it.....
I loved David Jeremiah's encouragement series, as of late, about how we can all be cheeerleaders for our children too..... That really struck a chord with me too...... All it took, were some negative words from a teacher when I was in the 5th grade,for me to remember the damage that they caused.I determined then, that I would never repeat what was done to me! That one instance, decided for me, to be a positive cheerleader for others.
Christ told us to "do unto others as we would have them do unto ourselves", and I certainly wanted to be treated nicely!
Try this old cheer out......
"Two,Four,Six,Eight,Who do we appreciate?"
God will give you a zillion things to cast forth as a positive cheerleader, and you won't even have to do any splits or flips, either!
Becky

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

If you're going the speed limit, and you see a patrolman,
you won't have to change your speed,or course of action,now, will you?
Likewise,if you're walking with God,you won't have to change your speech, or course of action,either, will you?
Food for thought,hmmm.
Becky

TRUE HAPPINESS

If God, could send us a postcard from Heaven, I wonder what it would look like? I've often imagined that it might be in the shape and color of a butterfly, or "flutterbye",as my Daddy use to say.They look so gentle, and yet are so strong.....
I read a quote once, that said:
"Happiness is like a butterfly.
If you will sit quietly, it will alite upon you."
Sometimes, when God sends us His messages, we become so busy with what we are doing, that we forget to just "sit still", and let God "alite" upon our soul, and speak to our hearts. When He does this, He can show us how to be truly happy, and Oh, is that ever a nice happy!
Becky

MIGHTY MOUSE !

On Saturday mornings, back in the 50's,I use to watch "Heckle & Jeckle","Tom Terrific","Mighty Mouse",and a whole bunch of cartoons until it was time for me to leave with Daddy to go with him to his job construction sites.(He was a builder and architect)
This was my Saturday morning ritual, along with Cheerios,and Miss Wisconsin cheese. One of my favorite things to do, was to watch Mighty Mouse, as he would fly in to rescue the damsel in distress, and sing.....
"Here I come to save the day"..........
I just loved that little song, and would sing right along with him!
I thought about that song today,while driving in to get my hair trimmed, at Sandy's, only I thought how this could easily be our Savior's theme song too!
Maybe, something like:
Here I come to save the day.......For Eternity!
(Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?)
Becky

NOTHING LEFT

I hope I say this, to where it makes sense:


When nothing is left but God,
You'll find, all you need, is God.
When you find all you need is God,
Then,nothing is left!

Becky

IT'S A WONDERFUL "EARLY" LIFE

I'm reminiscing tonight folks!
I had an absolutely wonderful childhood......
I spent so many years growing up, with parents who created an environment filled with love and caring. I was the baby of 5.(3 brothers and 1 sister) I was spoiled rotten, according to my brother,Jeff.I was sick, with Epilepsy, so much, growing up, but I didn't really realize it all that much.( I just thought I had an electronic brain!) Daddy instilled in me the ability to draw and a love for creativity in stories. He was the "apple of my eye". Mama gave me a huge desire for gardening, and flower arranging, and pretty much, all that I "look like". My basic temperament and character is another story altogether.....
Daddy's Father,"Pa Ray", or more affectionately, as he was known,"Sunshine", was my other sweetheart.He was as deaf as a doorknob, and was the sweetest man, I ever knew! He told me all the 'Brer Rabbit stories, (and a few of his own), and we would often take walks in our local cemetary at nightime. He gave me my acting and story telling abilities, I do believe, and he was a sweetie! Grandmother Ray, on the other hand, would NEVER, and I do mean never, be the one stuck holding the "Old Maid" card either!!!
Now, Grandaddy Bouterse (Mama's Daddy) knew the Bible backwards and forwards. He was a retired Dutch Baptist Pastor, who shampooed carpets on the side, but he was the "hell-fire and damnation" type, and I wasn't all that crazy about this type, growing up. He was big,tall, and bald.....
Now, the reason I am who I am today, is because of his wife...... a precious little lady known as Reina Ryskamp Bouterse......
My,my,my, did she ever love our Lord! "If" ever there were someone who could love you into the Kingdom, then she was it! She had a smile on her face from the day I first saw her; She took her teeth out at night, and let me use her chamber pot, in the little trailer, since they didn't have a bathroom;She taught me scripture, by example, amidst making Guava Jelly;She had a little placque above her bedroom door, that said:"God First".......and it is in my kitchen window today.
Oh, too many things to tell you, but she is the one, who took the time to tell me about the love of God, and His Son, and how He died on a cross, for me..........
And how He was going back "Home", to prepare my very own place, so that He could come back again, and take me Home again, to be with Him......
Pretty simple logic for a 6 year old.......
But I never forgot it either.......
I can't wait for you all to meet her someday. You'll see what I mean. God surely knew what He was doing on that one!
Becky

STRENGTH

There is Strength, for those who come in the name of the Lord......
There is Power, for those who come in the name of the lord.......
There is Hope, for those who come in the name of the Lord.......
Blessed is he, who comes in the name of the Lord.
I will find my strength,my hope, and my power as I walk with my Lord.
Blessed be His name, to walk with me.....
Thank You,Lord.
Becky

REFLECTING

My music's back on tonight, and I'm just reflecting.
Just appreciating my life........
As a child!
As a young woman!
As an adult!
As I am today!
I am always amazed when I go through a fiery time in my life, that I hold up so well. (I shouldn't be) There's this inner strength that just shows up, and I know where it comes from.
It's always been there, or as far back as I can remember.
That's why it's so important to develop this as a child.......
For times like now, when you need to draw on it!
He truly is my Ever Present help in time of trouble.
Words coming back from my childhood, that have been tucked into my heart for "such a time as this".
The burners are being turned up right now, but you know what? I've got a God, who is a Masterful Fire Extinguisher!
He can put them out! He can change the temperature! He can move me to another area, and let me cool off!
Why, He's got all kinds of options, and He'll closely guard the desires of my heart, giving them every chance, to come to fruition....
Becky

HAVE "GOD" WILL TRAVEL

I remember watching Richard Boone,starring in the old western,"Have Gun Will Travel", back in the 50's.(It might have been the 60's though) I thought it was cool, because he had a calling card, with the picture of a knight's horse on it, that he left everywhere he went , that said he traveled everywhere!
Well, this made me sorta stop and think about how today, our God needs that phrase, and traveling card to be tucked into our hearts, as we travel.....
Only, it needs to say: "Have God Will Travel".
God will go anywhere with us, if we'll remember to take Him along,
and we don't even need our own TV show,either!
Becky

...AND THERE WERE SIX

We came together this weekend, at my Edisto beach house. 6 mother's who had lost children.......(son's to be exact!)
at sometime in our lives, and we just came together as "mom's"........
We are a group of ladies, who probably would never have forged a friendship, but God chose to bring us together, and we have been blessed by it, so very much.
People wonder what we do, when we get together. Well, we do what everybody else does.......We eat!!! We watch movies, and this time we watched..... "8 Below", and "The March Of The Penguins", and the sunset, which was our very favorite!!!
We drove around in the Silver Blue Bullet, and we had our very own Sunday church service, on the deck. It's just a time of sharing, and healing, and just loving each other at face value......This is not a place or time for judgement. It's just a place for loving one another.
Charlotte came from Myrtle Beach;Leslie and Liz came from Aiken;Nella came over from Beaufort;Jenn drove over from Beaufort, for the day,on Saturday;and Ramelle drove down from Tuberville,SC.
We share stories, and pictures, and laugh and cry some, and nobody tells us to stop! It's okay, and that's important, to ya'll, who have never lost someone.......
Whether it is a few years, or 12, or more.It makes no difference.
God's word, tells us to store up for ourselves treasures in Heaven, and we certainly have!
What a blessing God has given us in this time together, out of some pretty yucky circumstances!!!(I love you all!)
Becky

WHOOPPEEDOGS....I FOUND IT !

I am sooooooooo excited tonight, ya'll! I was packing up stuff to go to the beach, and while I was in my closet,I looked into this little red crate, and "lo and behold", there was my "Streams In The Desert"! Oh, you have no idea how happy I am to see that precious little book that belonged to Grandmother Bouterse.Within its pages, is a new Kleenex that belonged to her;her Widow's mite, from the Holy Land, and so many little tid bits from a dear and wonderful lady who loved her Lord and Savior, with every breath in her......Mostly, though, I have missed reading her words of wisdom from scripture, that she had written down, during times of tremendous strain, and stress. I am just so happy and complete now!
As jubilant, as I am right now, I can only hope and pray, that there will be people who will be as jubilant over "finding" Christ, as I was over finding my little Streams In The Desert!!!
(I already have the Lord)
Becky