EMMY

I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and every flutter of my
heart beat has been created by the God of the Universe. He knows the plans He has for me, and they are for good, and to prosper me. What a wonderful and creative gift from my Father!He has wrapped me in the lanolin of His love and surrounded me with the comfort of a loving Mother and Father. He knowsthe days upon this earth that I will have and when I will arrive,so celebrate with me the Sovereignty of my Father Jehova God, for He designs it all! Praise be to God!
Love, soon to be......Emory Lynn Crouch (Emmy)


**This was quite and adventure for this soon to be Grandmother too!
Becky

JUST LIKE JESUS

When David junior died, there was an outpouring of love so remarkable, it truly humbled me!I have never been so touched by anything in my life.People came by and cleaned my house; they brought flowers from their gardens; they planted flowers in my yard; they brought pictures of David when he was in elementary school, and many more special and
thoughtful things.There is one event, however, that stands out in my mind.An even that speaks of such selfless giving, that I am still humbled to this day.I was talking on the phone, to a friend, who also lost a son, when I realized that a dear sister in Christ
was washing my feet! Carmen was washing and massaging my tired, dirty feet in perfumed oil......
Just like Jesus!
Oh, was I ever humbled folks!
She will never know the act of kindness and mercy she showed me those 14 years ago, and how much compassion it showed to my aching heart!The Lord gave us this example so that we could also follow and wash one another's feet.When Carmen washed my feet, I felt as if Jesus were right there washing too!
Becky

THE SWEETEST FRUIT

We had a Kumquat tree in our yard, when I was growing up, and for some strange reason, I loved to eat them! I knew the outside was wonderful to look at, but the inside was "pucker up" sour! It could turn your mouth inside out with one taste!
(I still loved them though!)
I loved to eat Mangoes too, and they are my absolute favorite fruit to eat, but they are sweet on the inside, as well as nice looking on the outside.God designed us to be living temples that houseHis word. Some of our exterior's can be pleasing to behold, but when you see what's on the inside,you can become rather soured by what you see and
hear!......God's word isn't very evident!Other temple's are not only pleasant to look at but their words are as honeycomb; pleasing to the soul,and healing to the bones!
If I have a choice between a Kumquat and a Mango,I will take a Mango anyday, because it's pleasing on the outside and the inside!
If I have a choice between a house where God doesn't dwell, and where He lives continually.....
Well, that's a no brainer for me!
Becky

THE EYES OF GOD!

One of the games I played with my elementary Physical Education classes, was to have them stand on a small carpet square and make themselves as small as possible, and as big as possible. Making themselves as big as possible proved to be a much harder task.
Since it was a Christian school, I could reflect on how Christ often spoke of how we were to be the least among our brothers too.He told His disciples that it was important for man to remember that the least of these would come into the Kingdom of God, when speaking about the small children. We need to have the attitude of a servant
and to put others first in all we do. When you serve, You are putting others first, and making yourself smaller. You become smaller in the eyes of the world, maybe, but mighty big, in the eyes of God!
Becky

IF GOD WOULD

When God created the heavens and the earth, and the earth was without form and void, I wonder if He should have stopped right there and thought.....
Will man really come to know me like I want him too?
Will he appreciate the sacrifice my Son gave on the cross that day?
Will he be willing to give himself freely to me?
Will he want to forgive as my Son so forgave?
Will he accept whatever I give him, because I know best?
Sometimes, I think if God had stopped and thought, the way we do, and after creating the earth, and all it's beauty, He would have turned around and turned His back on man.
He didn't though. He wrapped us up in a cloak of blood, and gave us a home with Him in eternal glory!
Becky

DREAMS CAN COME TRUE

There once was a time when many folks dreamed of coming to America. The fact was, that people looked up to the American way of life. When I was growing up, people from all over the world wanted to come here to live and work.
America meant John Wayne; Bettye Grable; Roy Rogers; Mickey Mouse; Red Ryder BB Guns; Superman; Ma and Pa Kettle;The Hardy Boys; Amos and Andy; Dagwood and Blondie; Fiber
McGee and Mollie; Charlie McCarthy and Edgar Bergen ; Lambchop and Shari Lewis; Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Greenjeans; Buck Rogers;Lawrence Welk.
There was a time when people clammered to come into this country!
Not anymore!
The list above is funny to look at because there is no sex; language,or "X" rating to watch out for. They were all just good, plain decent folks, and programs, that were clean, and fun to watch and enjoy.They stood for something!
Americans did too!
Dreams can still come true, and you don't have to worry about "X" rating when God is in charge!
Becky

SHALIMAR

Most of you know how much I love Shalimar! The aroma of its fragrance lingers long after I have put it on, and it just lasts longer than any perfume that I have ever used.
When the priests of Biblical days came out of the Holy of Holies,their clothes carried a lingering aura of God that surrounded them too. People knew that they had been in the presence of God.
We as children of the Living God carry a fragrance of God around with us everyday too! We don't have to spray it on, or go into the Holy of Holies to receive it......
Christ has given us the lingering fragrance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will indwell us with the essence of the Living God and permeate every crevice! What a fragrance that our Mighty God has given us, and it will last for eternity, so You never need a new bottle!
Becky

PAYBACK

I saw a little girl today, and I declare, she was the spittin'
image of my daughter Kelly! If I didn't know better, I would
have thought she was a carbon copy of Kelly! This unusual little
girl had her leg extended upwards completely infront of her face,
and she had a scowl that could only have belonged to my daughter!
I would have recognized that look anywhere! As I looked at "Miss
Emmy's" sonogram this time, I marveled,at how God can take
a human embryo and fashion it after
the parents! It is indescribable~
God has fashioned us in His mage too and it's exciting
to know He has placed within her a desire to know Him.
Talk about "intelligent design"!
He's the most intelligent designer I know.
this All Knowing God, who started it all, in the first place!
By the scowl on "Miss Emmy's" face, Kelly is gonna get back
what she put me through all those years! (Tee Hee)
Pay back is fair! (Thank you precious Emmy)
Becky

HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL

There has been nothing but rain for what seems like days now. Dark, brooding clouds. I can't wash my car. David can't mow the grass. The windows are nasty with wet, wind blown sand, but it doesn't help to wash them,because it just rains
again! It's very frustrating!
Then something happened!
This morning, I heard some chirping outside my window!I looked and saw Robin......Hope!.......Spring, maybe? Man had some pretty dirty grime on him too,but it didn't help to wash it, because it wouldn't come off. That morning, the world became cold and the sky was dark.
Then something happened.
They heard some angels singing from above!
The Son of Man had risen!
Hope springs eternal!
Salvation and Eternal Life had come to man!
Becky

DOUBLE BUBBLE

I've often thought back to that day, when I was growing up, and Mama made me return that Double Bubble Bubble gum to Mostellar's Grocery Store. I still find it hard to believe that I walked out of that store with a wad of 6-8 pieces of gum in my tiny hands, and no-one said anything! I mean, I was stealing gum, and nobody said or did
anything!I grew up knowing better too! You just didn't steal! It was one of
God's commandments and I knew it! I guess I just didn't look at it
as stealing then.....but it was!
In the same manner, we don't want to rob the Holy Spirit of His ministry either. When we don't place Scripture in our memory banks, and He searches the scriptures to bring it to mind,He won't find it there! .....We've robbed Him of His ministry!
We need to continually place God's word in our heart, so that the Holy Spirit will feel right at Home, and will continually be ready to minister to anyone from any room!
Becky

KLEENEX

Grandmother was famous for tucking Kleenex in the sleeve of her blouses, so she would have them when she needed them. If she needed one, all she had to do, was whip one out of her sleeve! It was hidden away, but always ready to be used, when needed!
She would tell me that God's word needed to be tucked away in my heart ,so that when I needed it, the Holy Spirit could bring it to mind, and I could pull it right out from there!
I don't always have sleeves on, to hide God's word, but my heart
is the perfect place to store God's word!
Becky

PETIE

Grandmother had a pet Mockingbird, or rather, she had a Mocking bird that showed up at the back door of her trailer everyday, where it would eat the bread crumbs
out of her hands. So, I guess you could call it her pet!She called him "Petie" and he even came when she called to him. She would place bread crumbs in her hands
and he would flicker right up; take the crumbs and flit away! She would give Petie a big smile and then remind me to not neglect to entertain showing hospitality to strangers,because you might be entertaining angels unaware.
I'm not sure how many angels look like a bird, but you never know with my Grandmother!
Becky

THE FROG FARM

I've often thought about my brother Michael's frog farm, that he had, when I was growing up.He had a sign that said "Ray's Frog Farm" and it was across the road from our house on highway 441, on Lake Dora.
The imagery that those frogs portrayed to me,gave me a great picture of the Christian after he came to know the Lord. God took those little Tadpoles, and by making changes, He turned them into Frogs! In the same way, He changed us from plain people, into people who have been saved by Grace.......
Now that's a change!
"The old has past away; the new has come." We are changed inside and out, and much
more to His liking. It might not be as noticeable as a Tadpole at first glance, but
if you stick around, I think you'll notice the change right away!
It will definitely beat having a frog farm in your yard!
Becky

ETERNAL LIFE

This was a beautiful night of choir rehearsal for me. I am trying my best to practice for the Easter musical, but on the ready if Kelly needs me.At the end of practice, Matt stopped and closed us in prayer and it was the most beautiful and meaningful prayer. His words touched my heart and meant so much. He said knowing God right
now is having Eternal Life!
Isn't that so true? The very minute that we know and love our Savior, we have Eternal Life!How awesome is that? Can you imagine being in the middle of choir practic;, singing away, and then having your choir director open scripture and reading God's word from it? Matt's action's and love for the Lord speak volumes when he is leading the choir, and I thank God for him ,daily.
I think he must have had lessons from Grandmother!
Becky

MY BABY

While I was at my CBS Bible study today, the most remarkable
event took place. It has touched my heart deeply.
A young lady spoke about the time, some nineteen years ago,
when she was considering having an abortion, and some ladies
came along side of her, who worked at the pregnancy care
center, and counseled her about giving her child up for
adoption. As frightened as she was ,she listened and fast
friendships were formed and guidance was giving.
The young girl came to know Jesus Christ through this time
frame and at the end of those nine months, she gave her
precious daughter up for adoption......
But, the story doesn't end here!
Because she was obedient to God, even through her
disobedience, He was faithful to honor her obedience ,and
brought Mother and daughter together last week!
After nineteen years!
She called her Mother, Carey, and told her that because
God had also worked in her life, He had prepared her to
call her Mother, her best friend
Now, how about that, for a Mighty, and very Sensitive God?!
Becky

WAY;TRUTH & LIFE

He said He was the Bread of Life.....
and then,
He took the bread of a young boy, and gave it
to thousands.

He said He was the Light of The World......
and then,
He gave sight to a blind man.

He said He was The Way; The Truth, and The Life......
and then,
He placed Himself upon a wooden cross,
and gave Himself up to sin, so that we could have a way
to go to Heaven.

He died,was buried, and rose from that grave, and ascended to the Father's throne,
and then,
He prepared a place for us to have Eternal Life in Heaven above!

The Way!.....Eternal Life!.....When you find the way ,you will have Eternal Life.

The Truth!...Bread of Life.....Partake of God's word, and find His truth to live by.

The Life!....Light Of The World......God's light will shine through your life eternally.
Becky