WHAT WILL YOU WEAR?

When I fly anywhere,one of the things,I dislike,is to have to find my suitcase among all the hundreds of other black suitcases on the airport turnstyle! I just hate it!
So, to distinguish my suitcase from all the others and to make it easier for me to spot on the turn style,I painted a bold, white SC Palmetto Tree and crescent moon on the front and back of mine.Believe you me,I can even spot my bags from inside the plane as they are loading them onto the plane,now!
In this same manner we are suppose to be known as children of the Living God, by how we act.There should be something recognizable, and distinguishable, about us, so that when people see us, they know we belong to God. The nice thing about this, though,is we don't have to wear a palmetto tree either.Our actions will speak for themselves!
Becky

ASK AND YE SHALL RECEIVE

Well, after this weekend,I will have only 20 days until my 29 year old baby becomes a "Mrs."
I can't believe it!!!
All the hoopla is about to culminate in a very beautiful and very special time in her life.She will be getting married outside at Hopelands Gardens,in Aiken,SC. She and her brother,David often spent afternoons sitting by the reflecting pools, so she would like for their vows to be taken their.She's doing this,in remembrance of her brother.
She and Josh have orchestrated all the details of this wedding, and I know that when I see her come down that path on the arm of her Daddy, I am gonna shed a few tears,folks! I mean, this is my 29 year old baby,after all.....
I am so blessed to be able to watch this day unfold.....
I'm excited for both of them, as they begin their walk together.
They will meet all kinds of challenges during their married life, but I know Kelly has a good foundation, and a great group of godly women in her Bible study who will guide her with God's word when she doesn't know which direction to take.
The most wonderful thing about this whole event though,is that both of them love the Lord.I couldn't have picked a better hubby for Kelly if I had ordered one,but.....
I am kinda wondering if God didn't receive that letter I wrote Him all those years ago, describing the type of husband that would be great for Kelly!
Becky

MY FATHER WHO ART

When I spent the night with Grandmother Bouterse, we would often go on these little singing jaunts.We'd walk around the trailer singing a duet, and usually we'd start with "The Old Rugged Cross", and move on through a battery of her favorite hymns.We'd always top it off by stopping in front of her porch table,where she had placed a replica of a miniature open china Bible. Written on its open pages,in gold, were the words to "The Lords Prayer." We would joyously belt out that song to the Lord with such abandon, that I can still feel our joy, to this day!......
I still have that little China Bible!
I still sing the Lord's Prayer whenever I see it!
I still glory in those memories!
I still have my Father who art in Heaven!
Becky

THE BODY OF CHRIST

I hope I can get through this, without weeping....
I received an email from a dear friend in Aiken, inwhich she told me about a Bible study that my daughter had been going to, and how the ladies got together and hosted a dinner/shower in her honor.They did this to honor Kelly and to bring glory to God.She told me of how all 25,or so, women came together for dinner, and afterwards, they gave Kelly their own prayer blessings. She said that the women,themselves, were deeply touched by the Holy Spirit, as only He can do, as they gave their blessing prayer to her. Each one was challenged to live a more godly life with their husbands, and each lady encouraged Kelly to do the same through her own prayer. They encouraged her to serve the Lord, by serving her husband,Josh.One of the strongest sentiments voiced, she said, was the fact that our horizontal relationship to our spouse, is in direct proportion to our vertical relationship with God!What a great reminder to me to keep my verticle relationship to God in tact, so that my horizontal one will be okay with my sweetie!
Moreover, the love for my daughter, between my friends and sisters in Christ, touched me beyond words. To think that they would take in my daughter and love on her the way they have......Sharing the most important thing they could, while I am here in Beaufort!....An extension of the heart!
I think it's called the body of Christ, and as far as I'm concerned, they are it's heart in Aiken!
Becky

WOULD YOU?

WOULD YOU RATHER LIVE FOREVER.....
OR
DIE FOREVER?
CHOOSE WISELY!..... CHOOSE GOD!

Becky

BLANK SHEET OF PAPER

After my brain hemorrage,I would jokingly tell people that they could tell me their deepest,darkest, secret and it was safe with me.....and it is, because my retention span is nil! Well, one advantage that I have found,is that God has been able to use me this way, as a "blank sheet of paper.", and fill me out, when He so desires!
It is so cool to watch how He does it too. He will give me a thought, such as the little boy on the scooter, with the dog, and I will start writing, having no idea where I am going with it!
Somehow, the Holy Spirit works my pen to where His message is conveyed and it is always so cool! I never would have thought of it!
If each one of us is willing, (and that's what it takes),to be a blank sheet of paper for Him, He will be more than willing to fill us out, and use us for His Glory,.... to share with others!
It is absolutely amazing and such a blessing! try it; you'll like it!
This whole journey has been written, while as a blank sheet of paper! :p)
Becky

LIVE BAIT

Allen,Theresa,David and I, went fishing Wednesday,up at one of those old fish hatcheries. We used Salmon eggs,(which didn't work), and worms,(which did work!)
David caught about a 2 and 1/2 pound Trout and so did Theresa.I pulled in a couple of smaller ones.....enough for us to have supper that night though!
It was fascinating watching those trout swim right up to the bait;study it, and decide whether to take it or not! I tried to figure out what made the bait so appealing to the fish. Go figure?
We are told in God's word, to be fisher's of men.....and rightly so!
When you think of what our Lord did for us, this is the very least we can do for Him!
We can be the enticing,yet knowledgeable bait, He uses, to catch others for the Kingdom's "Catch of the Day"! I hope we're better lookin' than worms though!
Becky

UPHILL.....DOWNHILL

There was the cutest little boy on his scooter, riding downhill this morning. David and I watched in fascination, as he ingeniously leashed his dog to the front of his scooter and let the dog pull him along,......all the way downhill! He didn't do it on the return trip though!
It reminded me of the "Our Gang" series, where Spanky would tie Petie up and do the same thing..... David and I just chuckled.
So often, we hold onto the word of God, just like that little boy. We hold on fine, when we're traveling smoothly,through the easy times in our lives, but when we start going "up hill" or through the really steep, and uphill times, we forget to hold onto the word of God.
If we would wrap our hands around His words, and step right onto His promises, that tell us He will never forsake us,then our own "scooter ride" will be an experience we will never, ever forget.....uphill,or downhill!
Becky

ANGELS UNAWARE

You would truly chuckle when watching my style of camping.....
I don't look any different than when you see me downtown; at church; grocery shopping..... wherever!
I still get up and put on my face(That is important folks!), and try to dress as nice as possible. I never know when I might meet a bear!
Don't ask me why,folks, because I can't tell you......I just do!Maybe because I don't like change and I have done it this way, all my life!
More than likely, I want to look nice for my Lord, wherever I am, and whomever I meet.
I mean, who knows,I may just be entertaining angels unaware, when I meet that bear!
Becky

WE MADE IT!

Well. we finally made it! Up those winding roads to Cherokee,NC and into the Indian Creek Lodge.We parked next to the little cabin, where we unpacked all our treasures.I finished putting up all the goodies(somewhere) to the music of Fernando Ortego, because you can't pick up a decent radio station here.(The first time I couldn't hear "The Light" up here,I almost went into withdrawals!)
Theresa stopped by on her way up to the shower, and we collapsed on the bed, with tales of our trip getting up here.I had forgotten that "Unto These Hills" was presented here too. The little fan David brought with us, is going full steam right now, but we probably won't need it by tonight, because it will be crisp and cool!
Supper will be down at their stream side camp site, and then tomorrow I am fixing my She Crab Soup for lunch, up here on our porch.(This is Lowcountry camping folks!)
That's after we come home from Trout fishing!.....WooHoo!
"Travels With Charley" couldn't have been this good.....
As good as this gets, it pales in copmparison, though, to the day when we arrive at Heaven's Gate, and can finally say....."We made it!"
Guess our children and grands will just have to wait and hear all about it,huh?
Becky

A GOLD MEDAL OR CROWN OF GOLD?

I have enjoyed watching the different venues during this year's Olympic games.I suppose I enjoyed the rhythmic gymnastics best, because Gymnastics was my specialty! This was where the gymnasts used a hoop, or band, to enhance their routine on the equiptment. The precision that they showed was remarkable! It took alot of dedication and practice, and yes......focus on what they were doing!
(It also helped to be so physically inclined too folks!)
It helps us as Christians, when God calls us for His own, to be ready to perform for Him. Not in a showy manner, but by staying focused on His word and banding together with other believers. Staying in Christian fellowship, will help when we step forth in the spotlight, because we will be so focused on God's word, that practicing what He says, will become second nature to us!
Someday,then,we'll get a Crown of Gold,instead of a gold medal!
Becky

NOBODY ASKED ME

No body asked me..... I think when things happen to us, and we are given all kinds of trials in our lives, that it must really please our Heavenly Father. When He sees us taking those trials, and reaching through them, and helping others, I think He sees us finally getting it!I think He gives us these trials in order to make us grow... Most of the time it's not much fun to stay in that pain,so we refuse it and constantly look for ways out of the pain. We blame others; strike out in anger;become bitter....oh, so many results for not actually looking at the pain we're facing, and seeing it for what it is! Instead of so quickly trying to get out of the pain we're in, try doing something "with" it , instead.......
God has given us an opportunity! It may be one disguised with a painful face, but it is an opportunity, none-the-less! When we take the pain, and walk through it, there might just be someone down the road watching.....and waiting to see how you are handling that pain.When David junior died,I could have become bitter, but I chose to find other Mom's and help them to heal too....
You may not know it,but to these other people, you may be the only Bible they will ever see.
God can be our Equal Opportunity Employer.....
The next time,you find yourself bogged down in chronic pain, remember to ADD whatever cicumstances He may give you, and SUBTRACT all your complaints. Then, DIVIDE your situation by His many blessings, and MULTIPLY what He has called you to do, by His strength.
By looking at things this way, you will have performed one terrific opportunity for your Equal Opportunity Employer!
Becky

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Today, we've just come home from camping up at Indian Creek Campground,in Cherokee,NC, and as Grandmother use to say:"I'm glad to see 'em come, and I'm glad to see 'em go." Only in our csae,I'm sad to see us go, but I am glad to see us come home!
I am so thankful for the brief respite I was given with my sweetie, along with Allen and Theresa.
Today, though, is a mixed bag of blessings for me......
34 years ago today,God blessed us with a son.....David Mc Brier Lock,Jr.
7lbs 16 and 1/2 oz, and 12 and 1/2" long.His stay on this earth, was much too brief for this Mom, but his stay in Heaven with me, will come soon enough,and when it does,it will be for Eternity,..... so I can wait!
Happy Birthday son!
Mom

CHRISTLIKE COVERED CHERRIES

I love chocolate!
I love the looks....
I love the texture....
BUT....I especially love what's on the inside!
I love to see a beautifully decorated piece of chocolate with all the frilly scrolls and flowers on the outside of the chocolate, but sometimes, these are the very ones,that when you take a bite out of them, they taste awful!
I don't want them! All their beauty can't make up for the horrible taste,or no taste at all!
Being a Christian, is alot like this chocolate piece! Many of us, on our individual journey's, will fix ourselves up on the outside.We will look beautifully "decorated" on the outside where people see us, so everything seems wondreful! We seem to have it together, and everything looks so good.It isn't until we open our mouths and say something,that the other person can observe how distasteful our speech really is.
Even Jesus told us,""As a man thinketh in his heart,so is he."
What comes out of the mouth of this beautiful person isn't beautiful at all, and just like that piece of candy,the taste left in our mouth is bitter!
If we will allow our Lord and Savior,Jesus Christ, to be our Christian batter,then we can create a beautiful batch of Christians.....on the inside,as well as the outside!.
We can be some Christlike Chocolate Covered Cherries, which are tastefully pleasing to both the eyes and ears!
Becky

SIN NATURE

I know that we are born with a sin nature, and at some point in our lives we must accept the Lord Jesus as our Savior.I think,however,that there are some of us, whom God has chosen from birth, to be placed in families that were filled with all the love of the Lord from the get go! For me,it was on the day I was brought hom from the hospital. I think I was indoctrinated by my Grandmother Bouterse, while Mama was so ill, and the influence she had on my thoughts of God and Jesus have never left me.Infact,they have grown stronger!
I can't tell you the exact day I accepted the Lord, because He was such a part of my everyday life from the beginning.......He really was!We hung around alot together as a child, and I suppose that's why I feel Him with me so much today.I can honestly say I never knew a day without my Lord. I know that sounds strange, but it is true.
There are some of us,left in the world, who started off with Him, from the very beginning. I don't think I could exist without Him,folks.As a child,understanding the concept of God, came very easy for me, but grasping what all Jesus did for me, took much more understanding of scripture and maturity in His word.When I did,my heart was shattered for His love for me.
Yep, I've been His since before the foundation of the world, so I really am older than my 61 years!!!
Becky

BENEFITS

Believing is not an economical thing.....
It is not a practical thing.....
It is not even a good use of your time, when you think about it.
I can't honestly think of anything that could change your life,though, more than believing, and...
The benefits are out of this world!
Becky

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU,BUT.......

I'm probably one of the few people in Beaufort, who drives the speed limit. My family always tells me to go with the flow of the traffic, but I don't want to go the same speed as everyone else!.......I want to obey the law!
Jesus told us in His word that we could either be hot or cold in our belief's,but not lukewarm! If we were, He would spit us out of His mouth!
When I'm driving,if I let other people intimidate me into driving faster,then I'm letting my surroundings control my behavior. If I keep focused on my Lord,I will let my behavior control my surroundings,instead!
I've made up my mind how I'm gonna drive, and I'm stickin' to it!
I've also made up my mind about my Lord, and I'm stickin' to that too!
I don't know about you,but if there's one thing I do NOT want, it is to be spit out of the mouth of THE LIVING GOD!!!
Becky

AWESOME GOD

I love the song whose words say:"My God is an awesome God.He reigns in Heaven above."
Well, as far as I'm concerned,He reigns in my heart on this earth too!
......and you can't get much more awesome than He is either!
Becky

THE BODY

Mama use to take one look at my eyes and was able to tell if I wasn't feeling good. There was something about my eyes that told her how my overall body was feeling.It's still that same way today!
It's the same way in the body of Christ. If one part of the body hurts,the whole body hurts! When someone is in pain in the body of Christ, others in the body should come alongside to minister to them.When the church is in need of funds,or building renovations,then those members in the body should come alongside and step up to the plate! They should count it a priviledge to furnish those materials or funds, because this is their body of Christ too!
This is what being in the body of Christ is all about!
Becky

THE BODY.....

WOBBLEY TRAP

When David and I use to go shooting out at the range,I loved to shoot from the Wobbly trap best of all, but wasn't very good at skeet shooting. For some reason,I could hone in on "pull, aim and shoot" at the clays, as they wobbled from different angles, than I could from whizzing out of those towers! My sights just couldn't work,or focus on the towers!....Go figure!
The clays were my targets, and I was aiming at them, and seemed to get a better sighting, from the wobbly trap.
Our target in life should be God.God's laws should be our standard.In God's eyes when we sin, we have fallen short of hitting our target, or our standard. The target(God) is the standard,and God's law is the standard.
We can't see our mark clearly, when we sin, and sin isn't a trivial matter to God.
No sireee!!!So let's don't sin,folks!
Aim for God and His laws, and you will hit Your mark!
Becky

FILL 'ER UP

When I left for Aiken today,I made sure that I filled my tank up with gas, and made sure that I took my cell phone with me too.
As I left,I remembered the very first time I had a cell phone, and went on a trip to Mount Dora.I was driving south on I-95,out of Savannah, and my car just stopped completely, as I was passing an 18 wheeler!
It was awful! I managed to coast over to the side of the road and call for help on my cell phone.That call saved me too! I learned,the hard way,to always make sure you pump good,clean quality gas into your car.(which I thought I had!)
Having trash in our car's tank, is no different, than having trash in our spiritual body's tank too....
We can't afford to fill our minds and bodies with trash! They weren't created for grabage.They were formed for things that were pure;true;lovely, and of good report.
Whenever we think on these things, that is how we will act;move, and have our being...
With our spiritual tanks, we don't have to use a cell phone to call for help eithr!
We just call on our Father, and He'll fill us up!
Becky

A GRACIOUS HOST

Our Lord is such a gracious host!
He invites everyone into His Home.....
Those who come in,He joyously welcomes in.
Those who turn away,He invites again, and again, and again......
Just hoping their hearts will soften, and they will change their minds.
Some do; some don't.
Those who don't,He will bid them "goodbye", and send them on their way. They have made their choice....and it will last them for a lifetime!
Becky

WHAT GOOD IS IT?

If you have a box of crayons,and you don't take them out of the box,to color with .....
What good are they?

If you have a Bible, but don't open it up to read,
What good is it?

If you have a Heavenly Father,but don't spend time with Him each day,
What good is that?

Open the Bible....Take out His word and color Your world with His goodness.....
Spend time with Your Father!
Becky

ISN'T HE CLEVER?

This was the coolest weekend,folks! I love it when God brings these things together, and does stuff like this for me! First,I spent a lovely weekend with my daughter,for her wedding shower, in Augusta.....Such fun!
I had planned to drive back to Beaufort after church on Sunday, but"a little birdie" told me, that Pastor Carl was going to be preaching at CBC of Aiken, and since I didn't get to hear him on Sunday morning,I decided to do the next best thing, and stay to hear him,Sunday night!:p)
Woo Hoo!
After arriving back home in Beaufort that night,I drove Jenn and Susan to pick up Lin Harris, for her surprise birthday party at Panini's! She thought only Jenn and I were taking her to dinner at Panini's,but unbeknownst to her, all the ladies from "Women's Life at Night" were there to surprise her for this "special" birthday. She wore a beautiful "diamond" tiara,about the size of a 50 cent piece, and Jenn,Susan and I had to sport lovely turquois & red "boa's", just so she wouldn't get suspicious!
Talk about 4 women riding in a convertible with the top down!...... Now, that's "Women's Life at Night"!A lovely cake was presented;cards;gifts and a tribute was read.....
Lin has touched the lives of each of the ladies present tonight and many more who were not there.She has done a beautiful job of taking Audrey's message and delivering it to us....
Now, for another of God'a delightful nugetts to me!
One of the young men,that I met while at the CBC/Aiken church, looked so familiar to me, and over dinner,he told me that his mother had moved to Beaufort.He mentioned that she needed to meet some friends who knew the Lord and I suggested taking her to Women's Life.He said his Father was not a believer, and made it hard on her, when he didn't know the folks she was with.....Jo Massy said she would be glad to go get her.He asked me where I had taught school in Aiken, and when I told him,he mentioned that his sister had gone to school there in the first grade.....
Since I taught Physical Education,I taught all the children,so chances are,I knew his siter......
As it turned out,my daughter and his sister were dear friends, and his mother and I spent lots of time together,until she moved away many years back.We have since spoken on the phone, and I found that she has been to CBC, and her daughter teaches at Mossy Oaks!
Isn't that just like our God to do something exciting and creative like that, for me?
Becky