HAPPY 4TH

Father, we are once again celebrating our nations birthday. Let us draw together and give You thanks for the freedoms You endowed upon our founding fathers. Thank You for instilling in their hearts and minds the desire for a land that was free from religious intolerance,and yet, a land that was based on a belief in God and His Son Jesus Christ. Father,as we walk in these dark days in our land, please give us a resurgence of that desire from our forefathers. The one that enabled them to establish our land on truth; liberty and sound character. Mold us into the nation, that You began so long ago, Lord, and because You know the plans You have for us, walk with us and keep us focused on You.May You shower my many journey friends with Your richest blessings on this 4th of July, 2011.....
Becky

HOME ECONOMICS

One of my favorite subjects in high school, was Home Economics. Partially because of my teacher, Mrs. Clement, who was so special, but also because I enjoyed learning the art of becoming a good homemaker. I enjoyed learning how to cook, and sew, but Mrs Clement taught us manners; how to sit correctly; and so much more of the "good stuff".
When we were in our sewing class, I brought in my grandmother's Singer Featherlite sewing machine, because it was so much easier for me to use. I grew up using Mama's home made guide sheet, so it was hard for me to get use to working with a real one. In the long run, though, it was better for me to follow the rules of the guide sheet............Afterall, that's what they're there for!
The Bible is our own personal guide sheet for life too!
We don't have to lay it out!
We don't have to pin it!
We don't have to mark it up! (It helps though sometimes!)
The best benefit comes, when we read that guide sheet, and follow the directions, and we'll be outfitted for life!
Becky

MATCHING PLAIDS

One of the things I enjoyed doing in my high school Home Economics class, was to sew different kinds of outfits for our yearly fashion show. I would cover buttons and make button holes on some pretty dresses, but one of my sharpest outfits was a fall colored plaid skirt and matching vest. I had to make sure the plaids matched when I brought them together, or the whole outfit would be off kilter, and it just wouldn't be right! Even covering the buttons was a challenge, but I was always up for it!
It's the same way in our Christian walk. We have to make sure our Christian talk, and our Christian walk match up, so we can model the true character of Christ on earth!
Becky

PEST MANAGEMENT

I received a bill today from the "Pest Management" folks in Varnville.
What's so unusual about this bill, is what was included at the bottom of the statement. It touched me so much, that I thought it was worth sharing with my journey friends, always remembering that you don't get many businesses that will include something like this in their statement!
........................................... NO LIMITS...................................................
"Human love is conditional. But God's love is unconditional. He loved us before we were even interested in Him. He continues to love us even as we disappoint Him with our immature attitudes. And His love for us prevails although our conduct may offend Him. There is nothing we could do that would make God love us less. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
((Romans 8:39.....God is in the small stuff!)
Pest management appreciates your business
..........................................................................................................................
I know a bill is a bill,
However, getting something like this makes it so much easier to pay!
They are called Pest Management, and they will manage my pests fine, as well as the pest of satan, with God's word too!
What a blessing!
Becky

CHICKEN LITTLE

I loved the story of "Chicken Little", when I was a little girl, because he was always running around to everyone that he could find and telling them that the sky was falling, just because a pebble had fallen on his head!
The trouble was, his friends didn't know for sure, so they believed him and in a panic thought for sure that the sky was indeed falling!
The book of Proverbs tells us that "the naïve believe everything, but the sensible man considers his steps."
We had best be a people who consider our steps too, so we aren't fooled by the one who will come one day and will to try to tell us that he is our savior, when in all actuality, he will be the antichrist!
If we want to see really see some sky start to fall, just wait until our Lord comes back to rectify that "Chicken Little" satan!
Becky

THE SUNSET

There was the most glorious sunset peeking through the clouds as I was driving home from church tonight. The white clouds were tinged with gold and the rays of golden light were streaming through the clouds!
It was magnificent!
God in all of His glory, and at His very best! I kept thinking of the song, "Majesty", and I was drawn to worship His majesty!"
All glory and honor and praise, indeed. When I witness something as magnificent as this, I am reminded of just how magnificent our God truly is!
He can give us something as beautiful as that to enjoy life, and in the same breath, give us something as beautiful as the cross, for us to truly live!
Becky

CURVES

Sometimes when I'm at Curves, I can become overwhelmed by all the noise and signals going on around me. There's music; commands; talking, and a silent TV instructional TV going on. I have to keep my mind on what I'm doing when I'm doing my therapy exercises at the end of class. I do each of my exercises to scripture, so I always start off with "Be Still And Know That I Am God", and somehow God always keeps my mind focused on Him during that time, right from the start!
When we are going about our hectic day, if we will be still and know that He is God too, He will keep us focused on Him, and we won't become overwhelmed!
Becky

HEAVY, HEAVY

"Heavy, heavy, what hangs over!"
I remember playing that game, when I was growing up. Someone would hold something over your head while saying those words and you would have three tries to guess what it was.
We need to know, that as children in a fallen world, satan will try to hang the weight of his sin and guilt over our heads! He hangs those sins over our heads everyday, and talk about making us feel heavy from their weight! Jesus didn't intend for this weight to be there, and He took care of it at the beginning! He provided the answer and the solution all in a cross!
Heavy, heavy, what hangs over?
Nothing hangs over anymore, because Jesus lifted the weight of sin from us, by dying on the cross!
Becky

ALIGNMENT

When I went off to teach school, Daddy bought me a Chevy Malibu, but stressed the fact that I needed to take special care in its upkeep. He made sure I knew how to change the oil, and get check ups when they were due!
One of the main things I remember him stressing, was that my tires needed to be in alignment. If they weren't, I wouldn't have a good ride, and they would be ruined. Three tires could be straight, but if one was out of alignment, the whole car would be messed up in its direction!
He stressed the importance of keeping all of them aligned and straight.
As children of the Living God, it is important for us to be in alignment with God's word too....all the time!
If one part of the body, goes off in another direction, the entire body can be steered in the wrong direction. It's important to re-align the body as quickly as possible back to God's word, so no damage is done to the image of God.
When we are out of alignment, God is not in it!
Just don't ask me about changing the oil in my car or throwing a rod!
Becky

JOHN GLENN

I watched the news tonight as John Glenn and Scott Carpenter were honored for their achievements in NASA's space program.
As I looked at the aging gentlemen, my mid wandered back to that day in the 1960's, when John Glenn became the first man to circle the earth. I can still remember it as clear as a bell! My! My! What a sensation it was to watch on TV! Until he landed back on earth I held my breath...
One day, there will come another One who will completely take over the sky, when He comes down from Heaven, and steps down on earth, to claim His title as King Jesus!
He won't have to circle the earth, for us to watch Him either, because, every knee will bow, and every knee will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord when they see Him!
Becky

EAT YOUR PEAS

I received the sweetest blessing in the mail today. As many of you know, I keep in touch with Cheryl Karpen, who writes those delightful books called "Eat Your Peas."She writes them for a variety of people and situations, and I first found her series when I was looking for my Mom's.
I found a book for healing hearts, and they just loved her thoughts for helping overcome loss!I immediately emailed her and told her what a joy the book was to my Mom's and we have developed a fast friendship ever since then! Well, today, she sent me the most delightful little book, entitled"Eat Your Peas" ....Faithfully.....(Simple Truths and Happy Insights)Inside each page is a short story, filled with her insight and truth, and at the bottom is scripture to support her thoughts!
What a blessing to me!
He refreshes those who are themselves refreshed!
What a quiet stream beside still waters this friend I've never met is to me!
She takes our still, stagnant thoughts and stirs them into life.
I think she must have learned that lesson from our Lord!
Becky

TRUST & OBEY

" Whatsoever things are true; whatsoever things are honorable; whatsoever things are right; whatsoever things are pure; whatsoever things are lovely, if there be anything praiseworthy, think on these things....."
Beginning in the Garden of Eden, I think Adam and Eve took their focus off of all these attributes and listened to those deceptive whisperings of satan! Satan is the master deceiver and will use any means necessary to get people to take their focus off of the "main thing"! In this case, Our world has been in a mess ever since!
When Joshua and Caleb were to lead the Israelites into the promised land, all but two of the spies came back with reports that everyone in the land were giants!
The people took their eyes of of the promise of God, that they would enter, and the majority became too scared to do so, so God declared that they would wander for forty years!....All because of disobedience and disbelief!
See where our mistrust and doubt can get us?
God wants faithful warriors!
Peter stepped out of the boat to walk on the water to the Master, but when he looked at his surroundings, he sank!
He took his focus off of his Savior!
We are no different today! When we take our focus off of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and place it anywhere else, we are serving an idol, and you know what God says about idols! He will have no one else before Him!....No one!
Let's get busy and love our Lord and prove just how much we do trust Him and His promises!
Becky

ELISABETH ELLIOTT

One of the most thrilling moments in my life, was when the ladies of my church in Aiken, were able to go up to Ridge Haven to hear Elisabeth Elliott and her daughter speak at our women's retreat! She has always been one of my favorite authors and speakers, so it was an honor for me to see her, and an extra privilege to be able to sit at the table with her for lunch one day. My, my what a treat for me to be able to talk with her one on one!....I was thrilled! She had such godly wisdom and insight into living for Christ.
This will all pale in comparison, though, one day, when I sit down to eat at the table with King Jesus. I will fill on the Bread of Life, and won't need to be at a retreat, because just being with Jesus will be a real treat!
Becky

OPEN DOORS

Sometimes when God closes one door in the rooms of our life, He always opens another door.
We just have to be willing to walk through that door, and know that when we close the door, something exciting will be waiting inside, because God arranged it just for us!
Becky

POWER OF PRAYER

Have you ever asked God for something so specifically, that when it was answered, you knew that only God could have answered it? Well, I did, when I was sixteen years old, and I have never forgotten how God answered, so specifically and amazingly, something that I asked for. I knew then, that if He would answer that silly but heart felt prayer for me, that He would answer any prayer from one of His children. After all, His word says:"You receive not, because You ask not".
I knew I could trust in His promises at the age of sixteen, and I've never stopped.
He's my comforter; my very present help in time of trouble; my defender; my shield; my El Shaddai; my Shepperd; my All in All....
Yes, this Very God of Very Gods, touched my heart those forty eight years ago, when He answered that prayer, and since that day, I've known the true power of prayer!
Becky

MURPH!

When the boys were small, we would often take their "T" ball team up to see the Atlanta Braves play ball. They especially loved watching and cheering for Dale Murphy and could be found chanting "Murph!"; "Murph!", with the rest of the fans, when the umpire made a call against him! Alas, though, the umpire had the final say so, or call in the game, so they learned to listen to him.
In our game of life, we have an even greater umpire who will rule in us too!
If we let the peace of God rule in our hearts throughout every base of our lives, we will turn a home run into a grand slam investment!
Becky

JOSEPH & JESUS

They plotted against Joseph, as they plotted against Jesus.
When they left Joseph to die, they were assured that they would never hear from him again.
When they left Jesus to die, they were assured they would never hear from Him again either.
Joseph was sold for silver.
Jesus was sold for silver.
Joseph became ruler over all the land, and saved his people from starvation, and ruin, while still in a land filled with sin.
One day, in the future, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ will rule over all the world, and save His people from starvation. and ruin, and bring eternal life to His folowers, in a world without sin!
Becky

WONDER WHY?

There's an art to growing up today, and not just anybody can do it.
Well at least not anyone who wants to amount anything! You can grow up and just exist, and then you can grow up and really live, and that's what I'm talking about!.....It's truly an art....a lost art! If we aren’t careful it will become extinct too!
Jesus wanted us to leave spiritual markers for those coming behind as a reminder of what was important to those that had gone on before. In our society today, one of these markers deals with manners and it's impact on our growing up......
It's the growing up and learning the customary manners like "please and thank you", and taking your hat of at the table that will make a difference!
How many people do you hear asking to excuse themselves from the table anymore? How many people call and thank the hostess for their dinner when invited to their house for supper? How many of us hand write thank you notes anymore? (What's that?) How many open Do we a door for a lady, or for anyone, for that matter? Compliment folks? Do we Teach our children about Jesus?
There are way too many "things" we have thrown out the window today, and the art of manners is one of them!...... What a shame!
When Jesus comes back into the equation, though, everything else seems to fall into place.....
Wonder why?
God is love, that's why, and love covereth a multitude of sins!
Becky

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

When Father's Day rolls around, it's so very easy to tell our Dad's how much we appreciate them, and to remember those Dad's who have gone on.
What has touched me the most in the past few months though, has been to watch several young men that I know, and see how they have been trained up in the admonition of the Lord, and then watch them follow in their Father's footsteps.....
Not too long ago, I had the privilege of eating supper with Beth and Steve, and watched Rob shine in his roll as a young husband and father.
I watched his brother Cliff bloom into the young man that God intended for him to be. They have both followed in the guidance of their "Pop"...... What a blessing!(I'm counting on their brother John to do the same!)
I watched my son, George, follow in his Father's footsteps too, and those were some large steps to follow. He had the wise and sound character of his Daddy's counsel to ponder, and his advice to the children has been just like his Daddy would give. He is almost like his Daddy......
I am so proud of these young men. God has done a mighty work in them, and will bring it to fruition.
There was another Son, who was just like His Father too. He followed in His Father's footsteps, and the advice to His children is just like His Father would give! They were so close, that He could say, "I and the Father are One."......
Aren't we blessed to have Him as our Heavenly Father , as well as having our earthly Fathers too?
Happy Fathers Day, you wonderful Fathers!
Becky

NEW CREATURES

When your fingernails grow past a certain point, they can become quite brittle. If your hair grows too long, it becomes stringy. If you let your weight go beyond a certain point, it can be dangerous for your health. Nails need to be trimmed; hair needs to be cut, and weight needs to be kept under control. These are guidelines that God makes available to us.
When we don't take advantage of them or use them, we become scraggly creatures, with frayed thoughts! Our emotions become brittle with those we are around, and we can become weak in stand for the Lord.
If we let God file us down; cut us back, and trim down some of the negative growth, then we might be surprised at the new growth that takes place, and see how much more becoming it is!
After all, we are new creatures in Christ, so who wants an old hair do anyway?
Becky

GRASSHOPPER & THE ANTS

One of the stories I loved to read, when I was growing up, was "The Grasshopper And The Ants." That ole grasshopper would make me so mad when he wouldn't store up his food for the winter like the ants, and then he would start singing: "Oh the world owes me a living!" He was so foolish to think the world owed him anything if he wouldn't work for it!
When I look at our world today, I see this same attitude in lots of places.
This same sense of apathy is so prevalent all around, and so many folks seem to think that the world owes them a living too!
Actually, if it weren't for the love of God and the compassion of Jesus Christ, we would be facing death, square in the face!
So, the world doesn't owe us a living....No!
We owe our living to Jesus Christ!
May we all be ants that learn to store up for ourselves treasures in Heaven.
Becky

PERHAPS

Perhaps today, Lord.
Perhaps today!
Becky

THE RIGHT SLIDE

When I was growing up, we had several slides on The Roseborough elementary school playground, and I loved them both. In fact, I just loved to slide!
There's one kind of slide I don't like though.
Sometimes, our circumstances can tend to overwhelm us and God's answer to these events can often confuse us, even though He is not a God of confusion. This often leads to us becoming disgruntled with His answer and we begin to "backslide" in our faith!.....I don't like that slide one bit!
We take our focus off of the main thing, and place it on our circumstances!
Satan wins, when this happens, folks....and he's loving it!
Sometimes we just have to be flexible, even when we don't totally understand "why" God does things the way He does.
We just need to trust that He is working ALL things together for GOOD, to those who are called according to His purpose! If we do this everytime, we can just slide on in to our Heavenly Home plate!
Now, that's the kind of slide I can deal with!
Becky

FEATHERLITE

Grandmother Bouterse had a little Singer "featherlite" sewing machine, that she would set up on her porch, and sew away on, and she would often make me many of my back to school dresses when I was in elementary school.
I remember when she got her first button attachment for her machine.
She was so excited, because she knew it would add so much to her machine.
In truth though, it didn't help her very much at all, because she used zippers, and hook 'n' eyes more! ......No, that button attachment did help her at all!
God's word is the same way! It doesn't need a thing added to it, because it was fine the very first time it was spoken!
He didn't need to attach salvation plus baptism!
He didn't need to attach salvation plus circumcision!
Nope! He didn't need to add anything to it!
Salvation, plus nothing!
Just Salvation by Grace alone!
Instead of her featherlight, she had a "Jesus Light" called "Grace Alone"
Becky

HYMNS

I love the old hymns, and most of the memorization I did as a child, came from memorizing those old hymns too. I love what we sing now, but it's totally different, because the folks today are singing "to God", while my generation, was always singing "about God', and the songs then, entailed a lot of our theology! Think about some of the lyrics in those songs, and you will see how they are filled with theology.
Yep! that's where a lot of my generation was fed an extra dose of theology through old hymns.
It's kind of like having Mary and Martha in music. You need them both to properly appreciate what's going on, in order to fully love Christ!
Martha could do all her work to make things nice for the Master, while Mary was content to just sit at the feet of Jesus and listen.
I could sing and sing to my Lord all day long, or I could sing songs about Him and learn things about Him in my singing.
It's a win/win situation for Mary/Martha/Becky either way!
Becky

BE PREPARED

When I drove into town today, I thought about so many of the things my David always reminded me to do, while he was still here. Like making sure I got my rest; take time off from the computer; don't overdo; keep my doctor's appointments; eat right, and keep my strength up, and don't try to do too much.
Even though he isn't here to remind me of these things, there is this reminder from him that stays with me from his written words and by what he said.
God's word is no different!
When He left His followers, He gave them (and us) a helper in the Holy Spirit, to remind them of His word. He has also given us His written word from scripture that we can go to for help.
I have to chuckle, though, when I see something about the Boy Scout motto, that says "Be Prepared", because I think of David, but I could just as well think of our Lord saying that to us too!
Becky

UNLEASH THE PRAYER

When I would go over to Edisto, during the off months, I would often see dogs running all over the beach. It had become so crowded with loose dogs on the beach, because there was no leash law, that the city had to enforce a leash law, and if the owners didn't obey the new leash law ordinance, they would suffer the consequences!
When you unleash your animals, a lot can happen!
That same thing can happen for us as Christians too!
When we find ourselves in a jam, we can call out to God. We can unleash the power of prayer! There is nothing more powerful than God's word, unleashed back to Him!
Of course, if we don't unleash that power, we will suffer the consequences, and suffer, we will!
Becky

PROJECT GRADUATION....2011

I was so touched this past weekend, when I went to this year's Project Graduation. I met Donna at around ten o'clock and walked throughout the entire center, marveling at all the sites and decorations. She kept introducing me to everyone as the lady who started Project Graduation in Aiken! (Talk about crawling in a hole!) The YMCA from Augusta donated a huge inflatable television screen that was set up in one half of the basketball courts. The students were able to watch their graduation ceremonies from that night, and several other functions during that week. It was really cool!
They had their usual Bungee Run, and inflatable jousting, and of course the inflatable Sumo Wrestling. The Casino Rooms are always a hit, because there is no money involved....just games and lots of fun with prizes!
Music and food prevails, and always the hit of the night is the Womanless Beauty Pageant, where about twenty men dress up in formals, and answer beauty pageant questions, along with doing aerobic exercises, and one is chosen, and eventually crowned, "Mr. Womanless Beauty". It is a hoot to watch!
Each student is given a gift, and/ or about twenty five dollars, before they leave at 6:30 the next morning. The Sertoma Club always comes in at 6:30, after everyone leaves, and cleans the entire center up.
It is an all night time of fun for them, where no one can leave, and no one wants to either!
I am so proud of these men and women for continuing on with this tradition to keep our children safe after graduation.
This year, as they left, each child was given a hand written prayer inside of their gift bag. When I read it, I wept. To know that these folks, even though times are hard, are still doing this is wonderful, because they may have just saved the life of their own child in doing so, or of someone that they know!
To God be the Glory!
Becky