Journey to Christ

PROVISIONS

2012-01-28T09:41:00.000-05:00

Every morning, when I walk down the hall, I am reminded of how grateful I am to David for all he did for me and the provisions he left me. He made it possible for me to live in a home that was secure and comfortable and I am able to take care of myself with help from my friends and church body. He was a very wise man with his investments.
I am reminded too, of the provisions that our Great God has made for us too. God makes it possible for us to live in our own home, safe and secure, if we trust in Him! He provides these earthly “angels” to help us, and He is a friend that is closer than a brother.
This God of ours is very wise with His investments if we trust Him!
Becky

FOOD LION

2012-01-25T11:38:00.001-05:00

When we first moved to Beaufort, David shopped at Food Lion, because he knew where everything was and he was familiar with the store. I didn’t care for the store then, even though it was closer to home, because I had grown up with Publix, so I would drive all the way over to Ladies Island to do my shopping for my groceries. I knew where everything was and was familiar with the store!
It’s the same way with God’s word, when you grow up with something and are familiar with it, you feel comfortable using it, and if you have used God’s word as a child, then when you are an adult, it will just fall into place for you!
You won’t have to shop around for “cheaper” varieties or better sounding slogans. Gods word will stand the test of time!
Whether Food Lion; Bi Lo or Publix.....or even in church, God’s word can be sacked up to use anywhere!
Becky

COTTON BALLS

2012-01-24T21:51:00.000-05:00

When I drove back to Aiken over the holidays, I decided to drive through the Savannah River Site, which I don’t usually do when I’m driving by myself. I passed a large field which had been planted in cotton, and the tops were snow white and so pretty.The further along I drove, though, I noticed that workers were picking the farmer’s cotton and all the stalks had been left looking like skinny little brown sticks!
Sometimes, as Christians, we can have this appearance too!
We can look pretty good on the outside, at first, until satan comes along and starts picking away at us, and before we know it, we look like sticks! He strips us of our character and our self worth...... Our dignity and our honesty......Satan knows a good thing when he sees it, and he has been in the business of ruining a good thing since the beginning of time!
Our Master Planter can plant in us a new life and never worry about satan devouring his crop. That is an eternal feed plan that I can life with!
There was a song a long time ago that went something like this:
“Oh when those cotton balls get rotten, you can’t pick very much cotton....Oh, cotton fields back home!”
When we get rotten too, you can’t pick very much good from out of us either, but Jesus Christ took care of that for us when He died on that cross and offered us Salvation and a chance to have our own fields back in our Eternal Home with Him one day!
I can live with that kind of cotton. How about you?
Becky

I'M READY

2012-01-24T16:52:00.000-05:00

As a little girl when I went out to Grandmother’s house, we would always read the Bible early in the morning’s as we sat on her porch.
.......Without fail! It was understood, that I knew Jesus Christ as my Savior, so the key scripture that she would impress on my mind was John 14.
I had such a vivid image in my mind of Jesus going to prepare a place for me, and that He would come again and take me Home to be with Him, because He wanted me to be with Him! I had no difficulty with that concept at all!
So, now that I am seeing all the signs around me making way for the end times, it makes perfect sense for this to occur. We don’t know when He is coming back....only God knows that, but we can be on the alert for the changing seasons! Prophecy foretold of apathy being part of the latter days, and there is so much apathy going on in the world today; prophecy spoke that our churches would come together and seemingly accept everything as one belief; Prophecy foretold that Israel would be persecuted by the Islamic peoples. There is a bigger upheaval against the nation of Israel by the Islamic terrorists today, than ever before.
All the prophecies are being fulfilled before our very eyes, folks. So, that’s why I am so glad I was given John 14, those many years ago. It made sense to me at the age of five and it makes sense to me at almost sixty five too!
That’s why the word of God never changes and never will.
That’s also why when everyone gets so upset with all this that is going on, I just smile and know that my God wins in the end!
I know what’s next on the time table and I’m ready!
Becky

PROPER TEA

2012-01-21T19:46:00.003-05:00

When you went to have tea with May, she always had to steep it properly. None of this slipping the tea bag in a cup of luke warm water...No sir! You took a tea kettle and let it come to a full rolling boil, and let it whistle away. Then place some tea leaves in a tea comforter and let it steep with a lid over it. I don't like mine too dark, but that didn't matter to May.
Sometimes, when God wants to enjoy us, He has to steep us in the darker, hot waters of life too. That way, we will soak in the essence of a more godly person. He may leave us in the bitterness of pain for longer than we would like, but He knows what we can stand, and knows the lessons we need to learn.
When He's sure we have drawn all the aroma out of the creator that we need, He will remove us from and allow us to be enjoyed as the choice morsal He created us to be!
Becky

WHISTLING TEA KETTLE

2012-01-21T19:45:00.001-05:00

Grandmother’s perfect wedding present was a whistling tea kettle. She said it not only called you to the table, but it reminded you to make a joyful noise unto the Lord! Boy could she ever make her tea kettle sing too.
We are to sing praises to our Lord above, so if the rocks can cry out, I don’t see why a tea kettle can’t sing too!
Becky

THE HEATER

2012-01-20T21:05:00.002-05:00

When I was a little girl, I didn't have a hair dryer, so instead I used the floor vents to dry my hair. I would lie down on the floor and let the heat dry my hair. The close r I got to the heat source, the warmer I woulld get It was great on a cold day too!
It's the same way when we grow up in the Lord too. If you want to radiate His love, you have to get close to the source of His love and compassion.
Get to know who Jesus is and the love He radiates and it will warm you all over!
You won't need a floor vent, but you can lie down on the floor and ead about Him if you want!
Becky

EDISTO

2012-01-20T20:58:00.001-05:00

I’m often asked why I keep going over to Edisto so often. It’s kind of hard for me to explain to folks that this is when I get my spiritual re-nourishment. I can set foot on the front porch and talk to .God. I get to watch His creation of the ocean as its beauty comes in to full force each morning. He ministers to my soul over here, when the sun sets, because they are some of the most glorious on the face of the earth! God tends to outdo Himself when I am over here, and I think He gets pleasure out of doing it too. This God of ours is one fantastic God, folks! He feeds me with His word, and then to just entice me a little more, He gives me a gorgeous sunset filled with an evening of twinkling starry hosts.
I figure that if this God of ours could make a donkey talk and could make the rocks cry out, He could create this lovely panorama for little ‘ole me too!
There aren’t any rocks crying out over here at Edisto, and I haven’t seen any donkeys talking lately, but you should see what He can do with a sunset!
Becky

CHEVY MALIBU

2012-01-19T21:21:00.002-05:00

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

SPIDERWEBS

2012-01-18T09:42:00.001-05:00

When I go downstairs, there are spider webs that have formed on the frame at the bottom of the stairwell. I will sweep them away, and the next morning they are right back in abundance! I just can't seem to get rid of those spider webs!
Sin is a lot like those spider webs too.
We can try to sweep it away on our own, but it will keep coming back. The only way we can get rid of it permanently, is by living a godly life, and we have to have Jesus in our lives to do that! He will remove those sins from your life and remember them no more!
Becky

OUT OF SIGHT

2012-01-18T08:20:00.000-05:00

I placed all my Spring and Summer clothes in a storage box when the season was over, and put it beside my bed. I have not given them another thought since then. “Out of sight; out of mind” so to speak......
The word of God is like that too!
If we put it away when a season is over, and don’t give it another thought, it too, will be “out of sight, and out of mind.”
Let’s do some eternal Spring cleaning,okay?
Becky

Coming Together

2012-01-13T12:04:00.001-05:00

Coming Together will be a tough time for many new Mom's, but through the strength of Christ we can do all things......even this!
Becky

HOW ABOUT YOU?

2011-10-12T18:40:00.001-05:00

I'm ready Lord. Things are changing all over the world, and what once was,..... isn't anymore!
Men don't hold doors open for ladies anymore, and no-one says excuse me or pardon me. Countries are going up against each other, just as Your word said they would. Israel is being persecuted big time, and everyone wants a peace accord with Palestine and Israel, and we know that can't happen now. The European Union is forming and it's all coming together, as in God's word, for Him to return and take us Home and boy am I ready! He prophesied in His word what we were to look for before He came and took us back Home, and each of these things have been unfolding before our eyes, starting with all these storms and wild weather all over the world!
They started out slow and progressed in intensity, and that's exactly how he said they would occur. Talking like this reminds me what John the Baptist must have felt like, when he said he was a voice in the wilderness. Sometimes, that is how I feel, when I see what is going on and say what I think, and receive blank stares back! Personally, I hope it doesn't come down to the days of Noah, when people will be marrying and being given in marriage, and then the door will close on eternal life!
That will be sad!.....I will be gone, though.
How about you?
Becky

RECIPES

2011-10-12T17:43:00.002-05:00

I love getting recipes. I have more cookbooks than I will ever use, but I still love collecting them! Who knows, maybe one day I will fix some more of those recipes?
As believers, our Lord has given us some recipes for a transformed mind and a new way of living. When we come to know Christ, we are fashioned and molded into images of Christ like people. "The old has gone; the new has come." God has created us each uniquely individual, so we don't have to change for anyone else. We don't need to imitate to imitate ti the world or it's ways, because we are called to be in the world, not of the world. God has given us a recipe for a new life, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can stay on track everyday.
This is, by far, the best recipe I have ever gotten!
Becky

THE SHOP

2011-10-07T19:54:00.000-05:00

I was down in David's shop today trying to get the ice chest, which was way up high on the shelf. As I turned around, I was overcome with emotion, which was most unusual for me. All around the room were objects that represented David Lock! In fact, the entire room was filled with the things David loved best! It was covered! There were salt and fresh water fishing lures in abundance; hunting paraphernalia; fire ant bait; garage sale stuff; his small TV; fertilizer; tools; shoes; hats; and scout equipment galore. There is so much stuff in that shop, that I would never go back in there, if I didn't have to go to the freezer. Everywhere I turned I saw remembrances of David. A little was okay, but this was way too much, and it caused me to think it was way out of balance with all his stuff in there. God wants us to keep our lives in balance. He wants us to enjoy our lives, but not horde the things we enjoy.
God's word tells us not to store our treasures on earth, but to store up for ourselves treasures in Heaven.
I don't know about you, but after coming out of David's shop, I'm inclined to agree with Him!
Becky

LET US REMEMBER

2011-10-07T17:11:00.000-05:00

As I was going down the aisle at Publix today, I came across a section of specialty items that brought back such wonderful memories from my childhood that I just stared at the section for at least five minutes! I thought of the Bahlsen chocolate covered crackers that Grandmother use to give me, and I envisioned us having some with a cup of her Droste's hot chocolate out on her small porch. Those memories came flooding back as I looked at the Guava Jelly, and recalled her telling me how she always took the cheesecloth and sifted out the impurities from the Guavas while she was cooking, just as Jesus took our sins and sifted them out too! Of course I had to pick up a six pack of Vernor's Ginger Ale, because the memory I had of her telling me that it worked wonders for an upset stomach, will always stay with me!
Such are those wonderful memories!
We have been told not to forget what our Lord has done for us too! Remember His Mighty deeds!He even said...."Do this in remembrance of me".....the most important remembrance of all!
Anytime we do anything, or we go anywhere, we can remember that our Great God Above made this all possible and give Him thanks!
From the sweet and tiniest flower to the great expanse that we call the sky and all it encompasses, to our children and our spouses, let us give thanks...
To the creator who loved us so much that He even gave up His own Son, to make it possible for us to share our life with Him!
I remember and give thanks!
Becky

GOD THE PROVIDER

2011-10-06T18:14:00.000-05:00

David often fixed me shrimp mixed in with Alfredo sauce and noodles. It was delicious, and easy too, so tonight I fixed it as a remembrance to him and because "if he could do it,..... so could I!"
When he first fixed it I thought he had really slaved over the stove, and he didn't let me think otherwise, but then when I found the Ragu Alfredo jar in the trash, I knew otherwise! I still enjoyed it though, and it became a family favorite when we wanted something in a jiffy. I smiled tonight as I ate it, because it was a nice memory of David.
God warned the Israelites not to forget who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and who provided manna for them. He also reminded them that it was God who changed their shoes for them in their 40 year dessert sojourn! God wanted them to remember Him as their provider and not to think that they were self sufficient!
Remembering is important, but remembering God is the most important thing we can do!
That goes for back then, and for today............and it will for tomorrow too!
Becky

THANKS BE TO GOD

2011-10-06T17:00:00.001-05:00

As I watched all the glorious tributes and remembrances for Steve Jobs on TV today, I was reminded of how much he did do for the technological world in which we live today. At the same time, it saddened me to think that so many of those same people don't seem to think to give the same amount of glory and honor due to the One who made it all possible in the first place!
Our God above created Steve Jobs and gave him all the gifts and talents that he used. He is the one we should be thanking for a life well gifted!
Each one of us should be thanking Him for the gifts He has given us.....
a Steve or just a plain John or Jane Doe.
To God, we are precious in His sight!
Thanks be to God!
Becky

SNAPSHOTS & VIDEOS

2011-10-05T20:55:00.001-05:00

If you are filled with the spirit, you are giving people a snapshot of God's amazing Grace!
If you are walking in the spirit you are showing them a video of God's amazing Grace!
Becky

COURAGEOUS

2011-10-04T19:44:00.001-05:00

I just returned home from watching one of the best movies I have ever seen!
I don't usually go all out for telling people to make an effort to see a movie, but this is an exception.....an exception because it's not your main stream media movie and because it's not being promoted by theatres, and yet it's message is urgent for our young people!
I went with Susan and Janet to Bluffton tonight to see "Courageous", because our Beaufort movie theatres didn't feel like this movie was worth the money. Well, let me tell you, the message this movie has for our young people could save lives, and that will save a lot of money!
After the death of an officer's daughter, some courageous sheriff's officers make a commitment to stand by their families and encourage others to do the same. The vow to keep the bad influences away from their families and off the streets. They even take a pledge to be the leaders in their family. It is a powerful movie filled with action, especially when tragedy strikes them. I recommend that everyone go see this movie and see how scripture plays such an important part in our families. It reminds me of "Fireproof".
If your theatre isn't showing it, ask them to get it!
Support this small group of people who believed in and played in this movie, and watch God work in the lives of those who are touched by it!
You will not be sorry..........
You will be blessed!
Becky

THE BRIDGE

2011-10-02T19:42:00.000-05:00

Most of you know that I have a deep fear of bridges, so it was a true challenge for me to drive myself up to Litchfield Beach for this retreat this past weekend. I knew I was going to have to drive over the new, beautiful, Charleston bridge, so I started praying hard for God to be my strength and my strong tower before I ever even got there! My GPS was slow telling me what to do, bbut I was pretty sure I was to stay on highway 17 all the way up to the resort, but when I was up on the top, I almost began to panic and then God came into action! I looked at those ;long wires reaching way down to the expanse of the bridge and envisioned God's arms just holding me up! It was the coolest feeling ever, and all my fears vanished! It was a long four hour drive, but a beautiful experience getting me there. The mission's report speaker was from Ukraine, so I felt like I was right at home. All in all, it was a very nice weekend, that God knew I must have needed, because He took care of my getting there and back home again too!
Becky

THE HELP

2011-10-02T19:23:00.000-05:00

Several weeks ago, I went to see the movie "The Help." I found it beautifully done and though it was true during my time growing up in the fifties, it was not true of my own family and how we were raised to treat those of any other color or nationality. If my Mother or Father ever found me calling someone a derogatory name, my mouth would have been washed out until I didn't have a mouth any more!!! We were taught to live and respect others, as Jesus taught. As I grew up, I realized that the rest of the world didn't share the same values, and I thought I knew why......
When they said certain people couldn't drink at fountains or do lots of things the general public could, I thought of the Samaritans.
I think God had the right idea all along. That's why He sent His Son, to fix those kinds of problems, and as far as I was concerned, He did!
He was "The Help!"
Becky

ABSENCE OF LIGHT

2011-10-02T15:18:00.001-05:00

When I was in Junior College at Montreat, there were many dark and rainy days that were overcast, and gloomy. You didn't feel like doing much of anything or going anywhere, because it was so damp and dark outside. Even the once beautiful trees seemed to be oppressive, all because of the absence of light!
It's true in our daily walk too. When we are filled with "doom and gloom", there isn't much joy and light coming forth from us.
If, on the other hand, we allow the Light of The World.....Jesus Christ, to permeate our inner selves, we will radiate His very existence to the entire world.
So take the Light, He has so freely given you, and shine!
His love and joy will radiate to others and back you!
Becky

HOT AIR

2011-09-28T16:16:00.001-05:00

So many times on "The River", a storm will arise, with the clouds getting dark and menacing, and I will batten down the hatches, sure that the wind and rain will pour in, only to wait for a few minutes, and have nothing happen!...... It was a false alarm! It will look like such a threatening force, but in all reality, it's filled with nothing but hot air!
Our Christian walk can often times turn out the same way, if we aren't careful.....
Even in our churches, and in the body of Christ itself, we can "seem" like we are setting an example of godly living, filled with the force of godly wisdom, but when we open our mouths, scripture doesn't come out!
"Out of the wellspring of the heart the mouth speaks," and when it's not speaking for God and His word, then it's not speaking very good!
It can be a powerful force, but if it's not based on God's word, it's hot air!
Becky

WELCOME HOME!

2011-09-26T15:20:00.002-05:00

I grew up in a family of five children, and my oldest sister, Bettye Ann, was thirteen years older than I was. She would come home from FSU, and that was the highlight of my weekends. She would pick me up from school, and help me pack my clothes, just so I could go upstairs and spend the night with her in her bedroom!
What a treat that was for me!
Someday, Jesus will come back for us, as He promised, and will take us back to the Home He has planned for us. He's been preparing it just for each one of us, and is anxiously awaiting the day when we will come to our Home!
This will definitely be the highlight of my life, when He comes, and it won't just be for a weekend either.............. It will be forever
Amen!
Becky

COVERED

2011-09-26T15:19:00.001-05:00

Ofcourse you all knew that my God was going to take care of me today, and boy did He ever!
He provided Bob to call me first thing this morning to check and see how my spirits were, and how I was feeling. Then, He had JD working on the dock, and He reminded me that God was looking out after me too. I received a beautiful email from Pat in Aiken concerning how our stories unfold. What a blessing she is to me! Then, Cathy took me to lunch, and afterwards, when I stopped off at my therapy, one of my PEO sisters was there doing her therapy and she gave me a huge hug. Another friend, who works there, also encouraged me with her words. On the way home, Danielle called to ask for prayer and called back to say she was going to stop by the house on her way home from Walterboro, just to give me a hug! I have received emails and text's from my daughter just checking up on me, and various emails and notes from Sandy; Pat C. from Aiken; Erline; Charlotte; Matt; Smitty; Denise; Sandra; Jennifer and so many others that have sent emails to lift me up today.
Yes, God has Becky covered today. Of course you knew He would, didn't you? He always does cover His children with His pinions doesn't He?
Becky

THE DESIRE OF MY HEART

2011-09-25T13:38:00.000-05:00

Today's journey will be a walk down memory lane with me, so bear with me, if you will.
Today is my one year of David's Home going, and it's kinda hard......
In the early Spring of 1972, I found myself coming home from backpacking over in Europe with La Vonne. We had been over there for two months, and I had fallen in love with an Austrian boy named Harry, and was planning to marry him. I came home, and moved to Winston Salem, NC where I took a job as a social director at an apartment complex. Somehow, this great God of ours, deemed it right for me to set up a volleyball match, for the tenants, and one of those playing was a man by the name of David Lock. I wasn't at all captivated by his demeanor at first, but he was intelligent and we talked a lot after the games and shared thoughts.
(I should have known then) He was scheduled to be a camp director in the Adirondacks that summer, and asked me if I would mind apartment sitting for him. That way, I wouldn't have to pay rent! Sounded like a plan to me!
I told this brash "older" man that I would fix him a meal before he left for New York, and he said..." What, TV, dinners?" Well, you don't tell that to 'ole Becky Ray, and get away with it! I put on the dog for him that night and when he left, and walked down the steps that night, I said, "sweet dreams", to which, he turned, and replied," they'll be of you!".... My heart fluttered butterflies!
Folks that was all she wrote, after that!
There was no more Austrian romance after that, and it was David McBrier Lock from then on!
I took him to Florida to meet my parents that November, (when Disney world opened) and I met his parents too! We planned an April 3rd wedding in 1973 and that was the beginning of 37 years together.
I learned many things about this man I was married to for 37 years.
I learned that he spent an early part of his summers on Sapelo, with the RJ Reynolds family, and while there his Father made movies of their many adventures(the old movie camera type). When David took me back there several years ago, the curator of the main house didn't know what the main swimming pool looked like back in the fifties, so David sent him the movie with the pictures of the pool and how it looked back then. He also knew of some secret hiding places that they hadn't known existed either!
Another hidden area of David's heart, that he loved, was the Boys Home in Georgetown. He faithfully sent checks to them at Christmas, and after he died, the family wanted to know who in the world they were. He had such a heart for these boys, that he had even drove up there once and met with them to see them in person, and let them know he cared for them, just because....
You see, I tell you these things, because God knew way back in 1972, that I wasn't suppose to marry Harry. He knew that I was suppose to wait for this man, David, who would drive me crazy with the holes in his shirts; his love for Vienna Sausage; his love for skeet shooting and fishing, and shrimping, but most of all, God knew that David would stand with me when our son died, and take care of me when I had my brain hemorrhage, and provide for me to be able to stay right here after God took him Home to Heaven.
You see, that's what God did for me.
Scripture says, if you delight yourselves in the Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart, and when He took David to Heaven to be with Him, He truly gave me the desire of my heart!
Becky

THE RIVER

2011-09-23T12:21:00.000-05:00

I was sitting out on the porch this morning, thinking how much my David enjoyed sitting out here and how much he loved "The River." I was reminiscing about his enjoying all the benefits of his life and the time he spent out here in his rocking chair gazing out at the marsh.
As much as I loved him though, I would never wish him to come back and be with me.....not when he was at the feet of Jesus!
And yet Jesus, when He found us missing from his life, sought after us..... And when He reached us, He found a way to return us to Him.
Actually, when He reached us, we returned to Him, for He is The Way; The Truth and The Life, and no man can go to the Father, but through Him.....
Becky

NO HUSBAND....THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

2011-09-21T14:43:00.000-05:00

When the kids were little, David bought all of us sleeping bags from L.L. Bean. As they outgrew them, he sent them back with a note saying they had outgrown them, and asking if he could possibly get a larger size for them. They sent back four brand new sleeping bags for all of us!....Wow!
When you come to know the Lord Jesus, you become a new creature in Christ! "The old is gone.....the new has come! "You actually trade in your old self for a new, better self, just by knowing Jesus!
You don't have to buy anything or do anything, and it couldn't be any easier, either!
I have a new body and I have a new sleeping bag! ..... I can deal with that!
Just not a new husband......one was enough, and he was the best!
Becky

MY LOVING FATHER

2011-09-19T08:08:00.000-05:00

I should have sent this one out first!
God always manages to follow me around and provide for me, doesn't He?
Does that surprise you? I had to pack everything up for my Mom's weekend, and load it up, and I'm telling you, that the elevator was a godsend!, but knowing I was going over to Edisto, and having to unload all this stuff by myself was already wearing me out! When I stopped at Kapp Lyons to pay the rent for the house, I jokingly asked if they didn't have someone who could help me unload, and she said "of course!"
They had just finished cleaning the house and were just down the road, and this nice man came right back and unload all my things for me!
And you tell me my God doesn't watch out for me?
Becky

WASHING

2011-09-19T07:46:00.001-05:00

I took this weekend to give my Mom's a special gift. I felt led to give them a blessing that I had been given when my son, David died, and Carmen Byers came over and washed my feet while I was on the phone. In these past fifteen years, nothing has ever touched me as much as that gesture.
So I decided to do this for my Mom's this past weekend. With the help of one of the Mom's, Jennifer, I offered up a prayer after Jennifer read a small reading. I went around the room and washed each of the ladies feet, and then Jennifer so unexpectedly washed my feet in return....... That touched me so much! May He continue to touch the lives of these ladies in all they do. They mean so much to me....
Becky

BECAUSE OF YOU

2011-09-19T07:36:00.000-05:00

What a blessing God has given us today. Karen drove down from Columbia and joined us for the day, and we spent some delightful sharing time with her and all the Mom's. We unwound and shared our thoughts and laughed a lot, which we definitely needed to do, and as the evening progressed we shared some special stories and had Ramelle's wonderful Chicken Pot Pie.
We then bid farewell to Karen as she drove back to Columbia after our prayers to her for travel mercies. 12 am came about way too soon, so we finally found our pillows..... and sleep! The rest of the crew arrives in the morning!
From ashes beauty, all because of You, Jesus!
Becky

WOW

2011-09-18T21:05:00.000-05:00

As I was driving back from the "Pig" to the house over at Edisto today, the rays of the sun extended all the way down to the water, and were absolutely breathtaking!
Then, the sunset that night was another of God's masterpieces. A gorgeous magenta color. I will never get any work done if He keeps this up!
Becky

SPIDERWEBS

2011-09-10T18:52:00.000-05:00

THE HELP

2011-09-07T06:58:00.001-05:00

I went to the movie the other night, to see "The Help." I grew up in the early fifties in central Florida, with a Mother and Father who taught me to love and respect others, regardless of their skin color or their station in life. So, I went in to this movie with the understanding that this did happen all over America, but in my little protected world of Mount Dora, it was a foreign concept to me. I grew up working right along side these same folks who helped Daddy, and could never understand why there were signs that said "whites drink here". I couldn't fathom why. God didn't create us that way, and my folks didn't treat them that way, so why did anyone else?
As I watched the movie, I began to understand that many of the people that felt this way did not have the love of Christ within them. There was a struggle for these folks, but as Christ told us, we would have troubles in this world, and we weren't to fear, because He had overcome the world!
I came away from the movie with a sense of appreciation that my folks had taught me to love and appreciate people for who they are.....just as they are, and for the fact that they were given the chance to stand up for their God given rights as children of the Living God, and to claim the blessings that Jesus Christ has bestowed on us all as His children.
Becky

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

2011-09-05T18:41:00.001-05:00

We might think we are like pretty flowers, but in all actuality, compared to Christ, we are weeds in His garden of life. We may look pretty on the outside, like Queen Ann's Lace, but it's a weed too! We can clean up real good, but on the inside we are filled with sin. Weeds grow best where there isn't good, nurtured soil, and if we aren't careful, we can continue growing those weeds, because we've choked out the good soil!
Let's make sure our soil is prepared with the nutrients of Jesus Christ so we can forever bloom where God plants us, as living arrangements to the glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Becky

THE STEADFAST TIN SOLDIER

2011-09-05T17:07:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite stories growing up, was "The Steadfast Tin Soldier."
This sturdy toy soldier stood on only one leg, and fell in love with a toy ballerina doll, who was placed in such a position that made her look like she was standing with only one leg too. As their journey would have it, the two toys, were thrown into the fireplace and their love melted away in the flames! Only a heart and a medallion remained when the embers died down!
God created each of us differently from the next person, and some folks find it hard to accept those differences. Remind them, that we were fearfully and wonderfully created by the Creator God of the Universe, and even He likes us just the way we are! Sometimes, He has to take us through the refiners fire to refine us and polish us, and that's not always fun, but it is necessary. We will come through with a refined heart for Christ, and a medallion of love to show the world that Jesus is Lord!
Becky

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

2011-09-01T20:03:00.001-05:00

We might think we are like pretty flowers, but in all actuality, compared to Christ, we are weeds in His garden of life.
We may look pretty on the outside, like Queen Ann's Lace, but it's a weed too! We clean up real good, but on the inside we are all black, and filled with sin. Weeds grow best where there isn't good soil, and if we aren't careful, we can continue growing as weeds, because we've choked out the good soil.
Let's make sure our soil is filled with the nutrients of Jesus Christ so we will forever bloom where we are planted, as the living arrangements of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Becky

MY CALLING

2011-08-31T13:21:00.001-05:00

We've been talking in Sunday School about allowing God to reveal to you, your purpose in life. Deb made a statement about this in class, and the light bulb popped on in my brain! I suddenly understood what God's purpose has been for my life, and what He has been grooming me for all along. From the very beginning, He has given me a deeply rooted faith in Him that is immoveable and unshakeable! Grandmother helped make sure of that.
He knew all along.....
that my sister would lose her first born son when I was in the ninth grade; when I went off to college my parents would get a divorce after 40 years of marriage; my older sister would die of Cancer at age 56; both my parents would die at age 89 and 90 in 1989 and 1990; my second son would be removed from the home for two years by DHEC; my oldest son would die at age 20 in 1995; my sweetheart of 37 years would die of Cancer last September......
Yes, God knew all these things, before the foundation of the world, and groomed Rebecca Margaret Ray in 1947 into becoming Rebecca Ray Lock in 1973 As she grew, she became an open vessel to serve other Mothers who needed to be nourished in their time of need in 2004, by their gathering at her beach house at Edisto. God knew that out of ashes, beauty, and that it would be a blessing back to her, and it has been!He knew I would be strong enough in the Lord and would gather my strength from Him, because I can indeed do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I love to be there for these Mom's to encourage them on their daily walk and to remind them to look to the Lord, even in the valleys. They will always get their best healing through faith in God.
None of this comes through me, as the Holy Spirit enjoys these weekends too, and does most of the sharing!
He refreshes those who are themselves refreshed, and believe me, He restores my entire body; mind and soul on these weekends!
Becky

CHEERIOS

2011-08-30T17:14:00.000-05:00

When Daddy fixed his cereal in the mornings, he would first pour in some Cheerios, followed by Cornflakes, and some other fruits and grains, before he was ready to eat his breakfast. He then fixed a slab of Miss Wisconsin Cheese on multi grain toast and he was ready to eat! It was a major undertaking watching him get ready to eat. He always said that it made for a better and more nutritious breakfast!
The body of Christ is no different!
Although you don't add anything to the gospel of Jesus Christ, the body of Christ is made up of a multitude of individuals that enhance the body and give it a variety of flavor. We mix together nicely, but we're not mixed up, because our God is not a God of confusion, but of order, and He knows what He is about!
One day, there will be bowls that will be poured out over the earth that won't be quite so pleasant, so for now, I think I'll take Daddy's Cheerios, and Jesus Christ!
Becky

WAY BACK WHEN

2011-08-29T08:30:00.001-05:00

When Daddy would fix his cereal in the mornings, he would first pour in some Cheerios, and the would add some Cornflakes, and other fruits and grains, before he was ready to eat his breakfast. It was a major undertaking watching him get ready to eat breakfast. He always said that it made for a better and nutritious breakfast!
The body of Christ is the same way.
Although you don't have to add anything to the gospel of Christ, His body is made up of a multitude of individuals that enhance the body and give it a variety of flavor!We mix together nicely, but we're not mixed up, because our God is not a God of confusion, but of order, and He knows what He is about!
One day, there will be a bowl that will be poured out, that won't be quite so pleasant....... so for now, I think I'll take Daddy's Cheerio's!
Becky

CREAMED CORN

2011-08-25T20:14:00.001-05:00

When I'm making my creamed corn, I have to make sure I fry it in bacon drippings for a long enough time, so it will become tender enough to cream. If not, it will look great, but will be crunchy, and not at all what creamed corn should taste like!
God's word is the same way!.....You can't hurry through it.
You have to take your time and mull it over, and stir up your thoughts, until you get the true flavor of what He wants you to see, before you digest it. It may look alright on the outside, but unless you know and understand just what God intended for His word to mean, it won't taste good at all! In fact it will be hard to swallow!
When you learn this, you will find that His word is sweeter than honeycomb!
Becky

FIND ANOTHER WAY

2011-08-24T18:32:00.001-05:00

When I first started teaching Elementary Physical Education, in Leesburg, Florida, we took a course up in Gainesville, under Ambrose Braselton. He was an excellent instructor of physical education, and his motto was "Find Another Way." Many times, throughout the course of my teaching career , I didn't have the funds to afford the proper equipment, for what I wanted to teach my students, so I followed this motto, and found another way to teach them what I wanted. I always found another way too, and it turned out to be a fun project in the process!
When the early believers tried to make Salvation a belief of works, Jesus wanted them to "find another way" too. He wanted them to see that He was The way! The truth, and The life, and that nobody could come to the Father but through Him! He wanted them to see that it was only through the saving grace of Jesus Christ, that they would find this "other way."
I'm glad He found the other way, aren't you?
Becky

THE BRAIDED RUG

2011-08-22T18:33:00.002-05:00

Grandmother had an old braided rug that she made, using all of Granddaddy's old ties. They were enterwoven with each other by using different shapes; colors; sizes, and backgrounds.
I loved that old rug, and Grandmother often told me that it represented the body of Christ. When I asked her how, she said it was woven one with the other, as the body should be, and each person in the body was a different shape and size, and they were all diferent colors and had different backgrounds.
When we are woven together in Christ, though, He strengthens us, and we make a pretty strong unit!
Becky

LET'S GO EAT

2011-08-22T16:32:00.000-05:00

Well, tonight's our last night in Cherokee. Cathy and I spent a good bit of time, this morning, shopping downtown. Upon arriving back at camp, I fixed my She Crab Soup for our lunch, with a salad, and a frozen fruit dessert. I had harvest grain bread and brownies for dessert, and then we got busy cleaning up and packing the car to leave early the next morning. While she walked, I bid our neighbors at the next camp site goodbye. They are from the Aiken area, and it's always fun to visit with them. They are sending us home with fresh home grown tomatoes.
As we leave Cherokee, we will stop by Lake Junaluska, to see Rev. Caxton Doggett, who was the pastor at my church in Mount Dora, when I was born.
I was named after his wife, Becky. He is now 96 years old and sharper and more spry than any one fifty years younger, and I just adore him!
God has given Cathy and me a respite from the heat this week, with temps in the fifties and sixties, but now it's back to normal, or whatever you call this temperature we've been having!
Cathy and I were given a treasure of some wonderful memories, and I can truly say "I thank my God in all remembrances of you."
Thank you my Lord for giving me Cherokee......
Now it's time to go eat!
Becky

1/2 SMOKED

2011-08-22T16:06:00.000-05:00

When David and Theresa got together, they would always share a half of one of his half smoke cigarettes. It was just one of their times together where they could talk and share special conversations between the two of them. Allen nor I liked for them to smoke, but we knew it was a crazy kind of bond between the two of them. She tried her best to get David to quit smoking, as did everyone, but to no avail, so just before he died, he gave Allen a pack of half smoked cigarettes to give to Theresa, when she went up to Cherokee, so she would have them when she thought of him.
Allen told him that she wouldn't be able to smoke them, and probably wouldn't smoke again, because he had smoked them, and David said, "that's the whole idea!" He was trying to get her to quit, and save her from going through what he went through!
He wouldn't stop himself, but maybe he could help someone else stop!
Becky

THE ELK

2011-08-22T15:12:00.000-05:00

We were treated to a rare sight today, and witnessed one of God's creations, at their best. Allen drove us down to an open meadow at dusk, and we saw a field of Elk grazing. There aren't usually Elk in this region, but a few years ago, the state placed a few in the area to see if they would reproduce, and they have! There were about seven Elk cows with their calves huddled by a tree, when out of the forest of trees emerged one lone bull Elk! He was magnificent! He sauntered over to the calves and lifted up his head, and then he gazed over at us......
All the people that had stopped by the side of the road were taking pictures as fast as they could......me included!
Afterwards, we drove up to the back entrance of the Smokey Mountains National Park, and looked at the streams and falls.
God simply outdoes Himself in these places, and I for one, am blessed to be able to witness it!
Becky

THANKS BE TO GOD

2011-08-21T20:37:00.001-05:00

This was an adventure that I was proud of myself for going on today!
Cathy and I packed our things up and headed up the road to Cherokee, NC today, folks, and we made it! I am so proud of myself!
Unbeknownst to me, last year when David and I left our campsite, he made a down payment for me to come back this year, so I felt as if I had to come, but I didn't want to come by myself, so Cathy said she would come along and we are having a delightful time.
It's different sitting out on the porch without David, but the crickets are still in full swing and the stream is still gurgling away. It is breathtaking up here.
Allen and Theresa have gotten a new Norwich Terrier puppy named Mose, to keep Maxim company. We joined them at their campsite for supper and we will fix lunch at our cabin tomorrow.
All in all, my first day back at Indian Creek Camp Grounds, without my sweetie, went pretty well.
Thanks be to God!........ With Christ I can do all things!
Becky

WHEN GOT SET

2011-08-15T18:37:00.002-05:00

When God set it up, so that a man and a woman could come together and be united as one, it was a pretty good idea.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Becky

LET'S TELL THEM

2011-08-15T18:36:00.000-05:00

The more young folks that I see throwing in the towel on their marriages, because they just couldn't make it work, the more I see how blessed I was in my thirty giving them to us and take the time to thank God for giving them those qualities that make them so special! ......Better yet, let's tell them so!
God has given them characteristics that that enables them to hold our families together seven year marriage......even though it had its ups and downs too.
I think many of us need to stop and take stock of our mates and thank God for in a special way, and sometimes I don't think we let them know that enough!(I'm speaking from a female point of view) I know there isn't any marriage that is perfect, but by God's grace and with His help He can sustain it through those difficult times, and make the years even better!
We sang a song in church today, where the words said, "Even in the valley, God is good." That's so true, in a marriage too. Especially in the rough times, or the valleys of a marriage, God is always good, because He never changes. From the mountain peaks, to the valleys, God is always good!
It was His plan for a man to have a woman, and He said it was good.
I think we need to remind our men that they are still good too!
Becky

PAGANINI

2011-08-13T14:36:00.000-05:00

Paganini's treasured violin, was never used after his death, and it became worthless, because that type of violin must be taken out of its case and handled to be great!
We don't need to stay in our case and waste away, if we will let God use us to be great for His Kingdom!
Becky

THE PSALMS

2011-08-11T10:58:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, when it's late at night and I'm having a little trouble getting to sleep, my mind will automatically begin to miss David, because he always came to bed late. It's not often, but when it does, I don't let myself stay in that "down" time, but instead, I visit the Psalms, and dwell in the presence of the Lord as He heals so many hurts and pains. I stay there and allow God to bathe me in His words of wisdom and love, and many times His words of admonition too! Of course, I tell God to tell both of my David's that I am doing fine, and in faith, I know He will....... He's just that kind of God!
For now, though, I'll just bathe myself in the Psalms, and that's a lot cheaper than using soap too!
Becky

OLLIE

2011-08-10T19:01:00.000-05:00

Cathy and I signed up for the Ollie program today, at USC-Beaufort, which is a continuing education program for those folks who want to further their education and continue to stimulate their minds as they get older. We are going on an excursion to Jekyll Island in October to see the turtles as they hatch and make their way back into the sea, which should be fun and well worth the fee. There are some fun programs on the campus and it will give me something to do.(as if I don't have enough!)
When she asked me to go, I thought about what it must have felt like, when Jesus asked the disciples to leave their fishing and follow him and they did! I dropped what I was doing, and decided to take some fall courses with her.
If our following Christ will be like the disciples, and we will drop everything and follow Jesus, we will have a first class course in life!
Becky

A NICE CHANGE

2011-08-10T16:19:00.001-05:00

In 1969, I drove off to Winston Salem, to begin my first teaching job. Daddy bought me a more dependable car than the 1940 Plymouth Road King, that I had been driving. He got me an automatic black and white Chevelle Malibu. It was white with a black vinyl top, and my first car with air! It was sleek looking and I just loved it.
Today, while I was driving into town, I pulled up behind a boxy looking car that looked "yucky". To my surprise, I nearly fell over when I read Malibu on the back. It was awful looking, and not at all sleek and pretty like mine had been..... I hate that things have to change.
That's what's so nice and dependable about the word of God, though.
His word stands forever and will never, ever change!
Not even throughout eternity, but that's a nice change!
Becky

INVESTMENTS

2011-08-09T20:43:00.001-05:00

I am so thankful that David made all the investments that he did, and when he did. He enjoyed doing that sort of thing, and now I'm reaping the benefits of all his before hand thinking of investments!
I think we need to make an investment in our young women of today, just as much as we do in our financial futures. We need to make an investment in how they should be carrying themselves and acting. We need to tell them not to buy into the lies that the secular world will try to sell them, because they will be tempting, but not profitable!
There are too many of us, as "Titus Mom's" that need to speak up and let our grace, seasoned with salt, rub off on some of these daughters before it's too late. We need to come alongside these daughters and show them; teach them, and train them in manners and protocol on how to grow up in the favor and admonition of the Lord, because somewhere along the way, so many of them have lost the direction.
Will you make that investment with me?
Becky

SO TO SPEAK

2011-08-08T12:24:00.000-05:00

Allen drove over to Beaufort and programmed the route to Cherokee, into my GPS system, so I would be able to drive straight up there next Wednesday! That way, when I see other directional signs, I won't be misled, or confused, but will already know the way to go, because of Allen's directions.
Jesus programmed His disciples with His message too, but He also told them to beware of false teachers that would follow, and teach a false doctrine to them!
They had been taught "the real thing" and needed to let scripture interpret scripture(so to speak)!
Becky

BRER RABBIT

2011-08-08T08:09:00.000-05:00

My Daddy's Father, was as deaf as a door knob, nut he was the sweetest grandaddy you could ever have. He use to walk me all over the beautiful cemetery which was near their house and tell me about the people that he knew who were now "living there." He gave me my love for the "Brer' Rabbit" stories, because when I would go over to his house he would tell me that it was "my time to tell him the story", to which I would reply, "no, it's yours!" This would go on and on, until one of us would finally tell the other one the story of Brer' Rabbit. No matter how many times I heard it though, I always loved hearing it again!
You know, when Jesus told His parables to the disciples, they loved His stories too! We've heard His stories over and over again, but every time we hear them, they fall fresh and new on us each morning. They tell us something new about this man we call our Savior. They are exciting accounts about an exciting life!
Granddaddy Ray's nickname was "Sunshine", which is what Linda Bachtell calls me.
Jesus is the Light of the world!
Becky

PROMISES

2011-08-06T20:38:00.001-05:00

This morning, I decided to go into town and get a massage, and I did, but I failed to drink a lot of water before hand and afterwards, which is very important. Afterwards, I could barely stand up, because all my electrolytes had been used up, and needed to be replenished. I didn't have a sturdy leg to stand on!
When we go "into town", it's also important for us to replenish ourselves daily with God's Living Water, so that we will be refreshed with His word, and can stand on His promises to defeat satan when he tries to knock us down!
"Standing on The Promises of God", is the best set of legs to stand on!
Becky

CORN

2011-08-05T19:37:00.001-05:00

As I drove back from Cathy's today, I noticed an entire field of corn that was completely burned up. I thought what a shame it was, that not a single stalk of corn survived the heat! It was pitiful looking and quite sad too.
Someday in the future, (and a day that the believer won't see) there will come a time when God will pronounce His judgment on the earth, and all kinds of horrific things will happen to our earth. If you think that corn looks bad now, just wait until the end times, because the heat He calls down to scorch the earth will blow you your minds away!
Personally, I would much rather be on the other side of the tribulation period, where I will be raptured and up in Heaven, by streams of cool, living, water!
Becky

BACKPACKS

2011-08-04T13:07:00.001-05:00

In 1971, La Vonne and I packed our suitcases and flew to Europe for two months of traveling and touring. but we quickly learned that our suitcases were way too heavy for us to carry around, so in Luxembourg, we ditched them, and bought back packs instead, to hitch hike around Europe!
We left for England first, and then traveled back over to the rest of Europe and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We were glad to get rid of those heavy suitcases though, because the weight was slowing us down!
When you walk the Christian walk, you can become slowed down by the weight of sin and guilt too. It can bog you down with it's weight and encumber your progress. God wants us to lay our burden down at the foot of the cross!.....Just drop it and don't pick it up again!
Jesus will pick it up and finish it off for us! He's much better than a back pack too!
Becky

JOURNALS

2011-08-02T13:52:00.001-05:00

When my first son was born, my sister in law, Pam, gave me my first journal to write my thoughts about David Mc Brier Lock Junior in. That started me on my quest for all the journaling that I have been doing since 1974, and have been journaling with each of my children since then!
I have recorded all their accomplishments, in each of them.
In the same manner, our Lord has given us a journal in the Bible, for us to read, about His accomplishments! He recorded them for us to mull over, and immerse ourselves in, if we will take the time. I love my journaling and wouldn't trade it for anything, and the response I get from my readers is a lot like Christ wants from us too, when we read His word. We are to soak ourselves in it daily!
Read His journals daily. Soak yourself in His word, and get to know the man who gave His life for you!
Becky

FTD

2011-07-31T15:35:00.000-05:00

F T D FOR CHRIST

Fret Not!
Because of evil doers......
Trust!
....in the Lord, and do good.
Delight!
Yourself in the Lord
Commit!
Your way to the Lord.

Psalm 37's A pleasant bouquet for trusting in the Lord!
Becky

GENESIS

2011-07-31T14:28:00.001-05:00

We just finished a 22 month study of the book of Genesis, of which I receive a fairly complete understanding of just how much God did at the very beginning!
One of the things that impressed me the most though, was found in Hebrews 11:23, where the author tells us that "by faith Joseph when he was dying , made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones." Now, why of all things would the author mention this out of all of Joseph's accomplishments?
Because Joseph remembered Abraham, and his own Father Jacob, (whom God later called Israel), and how they asked to have their bones carried to be buried in the promised land. They made their sons promise to bury them in the promise land, and even though Moses never got to go in, Joshua carried Joseph's bones in!
How cool is that?
Records for Joseph to learn from, and for us to treasure.
God's gift to us for everyday!
22 months in Genesis and I could do it all again!
Becky

JELLYBEANS

2011-07-30T11:12:00.000-05:00

One year for homecoming, Tara and I counted out 1300 orange and white jelly beans for our homecoming lunch. We were cheerleaders and decided to do this as part of the spirit encounter week before the big game.
This was an amazing fete in itself too!
A much more amazing fete is answered prayed!
Paul tells us that the fervent, effectual prayers of a righteous man availeth much, and will produce much, which is an amazing thing in its own right too!
Becky

SALVATION

2011-07-29T13:45:00.000-05:00

The Sherwin Williams Company has for its logo, a can of paint pouring red paint over the earth, with the caption reading "Sherwin Williams: Cover The Earth." I'm figuring they can reach a good many people all over the earth with their paint.
Now, it's up to the people to do something with the paint!
In a like manner, when the red blood poured out of Jesus Christ, and His nail pierced body, it poured out all over the world covering all mankind!
I'm figuring He can reach a good many people all over the world about salvation.
Then it will be up to the people to do something with the gift of salvation?
Becky

HOMESICK

2011-07-28T19:25:00.000-05:00

When I went off to North Carolina to junior college, I became so homesick, that I wanted to come home in the worst way! I called my Daddy and pleaded with him to let me come home, but to no avail. This 'ole Florida girl just wasn't use to those North Carolina winters or being away from home for so long either.
Daddy, being the wise man that he was, told me to give it one semester, and then we would see how I felt. Of course, by then, I was a cheerleader and on the gymnastics team, and loving Montreat, so going home wasn't even an option for me!
You know, God has placed within us a desire to be at Home with Him in Heaven too! Unfortunately, for us, we can't go Home when we want to, but we can make the best of our lives on this earth while we are here, and
when it's time for us to make the trip, we'll be the first to know!
Becky

THANKFULNESS

2011-07-27T19:16:00.001-05:00

As I sit here tonight, and look out at The River, and watch the Painted Buntings at the feeder, I marvel at how gracious God has been to me. Even after all these months, I can look back and see how He has watched over me through David's the careful saving of money. Even though David didn't have a relationship with the Lord, God used him to take care of me, and through his careful financial planning, I am able to live comfortably. God knew this ahead of time, and still loved him enough to wait until a few days before he died to reach his heart.
What a compassionate God we serve! He paid my electric bill for a year. He paid for me to go back up to Cherokee, this summer. He wanted to make sure I was taken care of, after he died, and I reassured him that I would.
I can't tell you how blessed I have been by the body of Christ that has come out of the woodwork to help me. Neighbors; friends; deacons; elders;.....too many to name. God has sent me these angels unaware!
I spent thirty seven years with the only man who could put up with me, and God took that part and worked it together for good, right at the end.
He has now blessed me with the leftovers that David provided for me, making it possible for me to exist and be content!
Thanks be to God for His faithfulness!
Becky

STINGING NETTLES

2011-07-26T18:29:00.003-05:00

When I was a little girl, I stepped in a patch of Stinging Nettles and must have been bare foot, because I remember screaming out from the pain, and my brother Chris coming out of nowhere and carrying me to safety! He was my knight in shining armour!
When we step into satan's stinging barbs, God steps in to rescue us too when we call out to Him! He seems to come in out of nowhere....never early; never late! Always right on time!
He is our King in Glorious Armour!
Becky

THE DEVIL

2011-07-26T18:27:00.000-05:00

Allen drove over from Aiken today, to see how my enclosed porch turned out and to have some of the crabs that I had steamed. I was going to a luncheon at one o'clock, so I just picked some for She Crab Soup, while he ate his.
As I was opening up the crabs, to get to the "good stuff", I had to clean out all the nasty lungs ,or "devil," as it's called, before I could get to the edible stuff. This is important to get this nasty stuff out too!
Just as important is to get the "devil" out of our lives on a daily basis!
Cleaning him out daily with a good dose of God's word usually keeps him away, and it's sweeter than honeycomb and healing to the bones!
Becky

CRABS

2011-07-25T15:19:00.000-05:00

Today was going to be my ice cream social for my Sunday School class, so I purposely didn't schedule anything extra for today. I had lots of cleaning and setting out to do, and you know me, I want everything to be just so, so when the phone rang last night at about seven o'clock and some friends from church told me that they had taken the crab baskets out of the water and left me two dozen fresh crabs in the refrigerator downstairs, I went into panic mode! .....I knew I had to steam them soon! I called Herman and asked him what I needed to do, and he told me where David's crab pot was. He even drove over to the house, and brought it up for me!
(It's a huge pot!)
First thing this morning, after breakfast, I started the water boiling and went down stairs to get the crabs. I tried to pick the crabs up, but they were too heavy, and since JD was working next door, and saw me struggling, he came over and took it upstairs for me, and even put them in the pot for me. Then the spout of the juice container wouldn't unscrew and he unscrewed that too.
I'm telling you, God has been watching over me with these crabs and on this day of all days! Of course He watches over me all the time, cause He knows I'll get into all kinds of messes without Him!
Praise God for His faithfulness!
(and a good batch of crabs to eat!)
Becky

END OF AN ERA

2011-07-21T19:57:00.001-05:00

As I watched the news tonight with shots of Atlantis and its final touchdown at Kennedy Space Center, I misted up somewhat, if I do say so, because I thought of all those years where I could go outside and actually watch the shots going up from "Cape Canaveral", when I was growing up in Mount Dora, and oh, that sonic boom when it reinterred the earth's atmosphere was something else! It's sad for me to see this era come to an end too, because I can still recall being in Asheville, when they walked on the moon, and at the same time, still remember being in the eighth grade when John Glenn orbited the earth for the first time!
I thought mankind had gone off the face of the earth when John Glenn made his move! Little did I know what was in store for us.....
Even with this era coming to an end, and as sad as it makes me, I can still trust in my God that He has it all in control. When we have to end things, He is a constant, and never changing or never ending!
One day, when He comes back to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, we will live with Him forever and ever.....world with out end.
Amen and amen!(Talk about a sonic boom then!)
Becky

SPLENDOR

2011-07-18T18:54:00.001-05:00

This time of night, there are always two mourning Doves that come and feast off of the bottom of the feeding tray of the bird feeder on the porch. All the other birds just make way and give them complete range.
They are so sweet standing side by side on the feeder; nibbling out of the tray together....... One will bow down and nibble food while the other looks out for prey, and then the other will eat, while the other one stands on look out! It is so cool how they will watch out for each other, even while they're eating!
It's at this time of night, and early in the morning, when I stand in awe of all of God's creations and how He has created them in a splendid manner.
Of course, what else could a splendid God create, but splendor?
Becky

GOD FIRST

2011-07-18T16:51:00.000-05:00

Scripture tells us that our God will have no other Gods before Him, and that's okay with me, and probably with most everyone else too, but what most people don't think about is that when God says no other gods before Him, He means NOTHING!!!! That means our children; our grandchildren; food; clothes; our homes; our jobs....anything that will take priority over our love of God! That's a tough pill to swallow, I know, but there's a reason He told us that. When we place Him first, He blesses us, because we are His, and because He honors our obedience!
I love this Sovereign God of mine and I wouldn't want Him any other way.
Yes, I love chocolate! I love my children, and my grandchildren! I love my home, and I adored my sweet husband!
Grandmother had a little placque in her trailer over her bedroom door that read "GOD FIRST".....I now have that in my kitchen window, as my reminder too!
There is nothing that could take the place of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Becky

STAND AMAZED

2011-07-18T16:26:00.000-05:00

Growing up, my generation learned a lot about God by the songs we sang. We sang about God in all the songs we sung, so the information we received was pretty accurate and on the mark......"A mighty fortress is our God; a bulwark never failing..." That He is too!
Today's youth all seem to sing straight to our Creator God, which is wonderful, in itself! "O Lord My God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds Thy hands have made...."
I stand amazed at how much I learned about my Savior just from songs, when I was growing up!
I imagine....
He stands amazed at how much we learn from the songs we hear too, as we are growing up!
Becky

CONSTRUCTION

2011-07-18T07:49:00.000-05:00

I had the best example from the body of Christ helping me this past week.
I found myself in a situation where the air conditioning company who works on my house was trying to install a new unit upstairs, and a new man was working and he seemed to be trying to sell me a completely way too expensive new unit. I had an uneasy feeling the entire time he was here, and asked JD to come in and give me his opinion on what I was looking at, since he was an elder in my church, and was building the porch at the time. The young man wasn't too thrilled with JD coming in, I could tell, but he came down a little bit in his price range, which caused me to think again in my using them in the first place!
JD offered to find me someone who would save me $2000.00 on the unit, so I chose to go with him. I was so grateful to have JD standing by that day . It's nice to have the sound body of Christ to count on isn't it?
I know I wasn't prepared for that, but he stepped in and asked those questions that my David would have asked.....
I thank my God in all remembrances of you......
Becky

THE MIMOSA

2011-07-17T20:42:00.002-05:00

Mama had the prettiest Mimosa tree in our back yard, when I was growing up, and I loved to take the blossoms off and pretend that they were my own powder puffs, while patting them on my face!.....Infact,a Powder Puff Tree is what I always called the Mimosa Tree!
The seeds from that tree would spread everywhere though and get all over the yard, and before you knew it, little powder puffs would be sprouting where they weren't wanted! It was a tough adversary for a Mother who was a Master gardener too!
We have another tough adversary in the devil, because he roams around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he will devour. He doesn't care who he attacks either, or how, but he WILL eat you up and spit you out, and never think twice about it!
Like the Mimosa Tree, the devil can come in attractive packaging, but the damage he can do.....
Well,....... the juice just ain't worth the squeezin'!
Becky

ATTACHED

2011-07-15T12:14:00.000-05:00

Throughout the day, I would often see Grandmother Bouterse stopping and picking up all kinds of odds and ends off of the floor of her trailer, so it wasn't strange to see her with threads and pins attached to her blouse, when she found them.
She would tell me that this was how we were to attach ourselves to the word of God.....She'd tell me that I needed to pick it up all the time and keep it on me!
Good advice!
Becky

I'M SARI

2011-07-13T13:21:00.000-05:00

I had lunch with Angela yesterday, while in Aiken, and she told me the neatest story. Seems a mutual friend of ours is spreading the gospel to Muslims in India, and she and her son are doing it in a most unique way.
They are creating jobs through jewelry making, and somehow incorporating the gospel message in this ministry, and yet the neatest portrayal of understanding came to these women, when they brought an extra Sari into the meetings, and they gave them to the team leader. They were told that this was the old person, and when they came back, the leaders had stitched them into the most elegant scarves, which represented the new creature in Christ!
The old has gone; the new has come! They were able to get a visual picture of their old lives and a new life in Christ through this!
What a picture to God's faithfulness!
(and to think I taught Allen tumbling all those years ago!)
Becky

CUCUMBER SALAD

2011-07-13T13:10:00.000-05:00

I make a delicious Cucumber Salad, that has cukes; spring onions; vinegar; sour cream; a dash of sugar; bell pepper, and celery in it. It is so cool and refreshing, but what makes it so good, is that you have to marinate the cucumbers in ice cold salty water for fifteen minutes before you mix everything together!
You know, we are no different either.....
We can look pretty good on the outside, but unless we immerse ourselves in the word of God, on a daily basis, we will be as a sounding brass, or clanging symbol!
Out of the wellspring of the heart, the mouth speaks!
Becky

SMOKIN'

2011-07-11T18:58:00.000-05:00

It is so smoky out on The River tonight. It has been that way all day, everywhere around the low country, due to the fires burning in south Georgia. The smoke has been drifting up from Georgia, and making it almost impossible to see.....and breathe!
I felt like I was going to suffer a heat stroke just going from my car to the store, today, because it was so hot! The heat, on top of the smoke has made for some very harsh days here in the low country!
There will come a time, when our eyes will be clouded from the truth too!
The anti christ will do his best to smoke out all the believers that are left on earth, and direct their allegiance to him. If they don't have their GPS (God's Plan of Salvation) firmly established in their hearts and minds, they will find it hard to see and breathe too. They will have some harsh days, no matter where they are!
As for me.....well, I plan to be in a smoke free environment, living with a King!
Becky

CHOICES

2011-07-11T14:50:00.002-05:00

When I was growing up, it seemed like if I had one birthday party I could go to, I had several to choose from! I was always having to make decisions about which ones to go to, and it wasn't fun! Some decisions are easy and some aren't! Some are hard and quite difficult for us to make. If we allow God's word in our lives, then that's one easy decision that is made for us already!
King David made a very unwise decision with Bathsheba, and he tried to hide it, but when Nathan, the prophet confronted him,he repented before the God he loved so much.
He knew the choices he had made were wrong and that he had sinned against God!
In the book of Judges, we are told that God chose 700 men from 26,000, who were left handed, who could throw at a single stone and never miss! I mean, God chose left handed men, and not right handed ones to prove a point!
Even God makes choices!
We make choices everyday when we choose to keep sin in our lives or not.
We can choose Jesus or not too.
That choice is a no brainer if you ask me!
Becky

THIRST QUENCHER

2011-07-11T08:04:00.002-05:00

When I was a little girl, and wanted something special to drink....something that would quench my thirst, Mama would always get me a glass of Coca Cola, with plenty of ice in it!....Nothing else would do! It had to be Coke!
Not Pepsi!..... Not 7 UP....Not even water! Just ice cold Coke!
Of course Coke was new to me back then, but it hit the spot, and it was "the real thing"!
Now, when I'm an adult, and I want something to hit the spot, I will still get a Coke, but if I really want to quench my thirst, I will drink from God's Living Water, because I know it's truly "The Real Thing"!
I don't need ice with it, nor do I get thirsty again after drinking it!
Besides it's sweeter than honeycomb and healing to the bones!
Becky

HARDINESS

2011-07-09T19:02:00.001-05:00

I called Jim Bradin today, to come see about taking our flag down from the dock. It had become so ragged, and I knew that the boy scouts did a great flag disposal ceremony, so he came and took it for me. Jim told me that all the nylon flags he received, always tore on the white part of the flag......How odd!
I looked up the history of our flag, and found that in a round about way, the white part of the flag is suppose to represent purity and innocence. The red stood for hardiness and valor, and the blue represented the Chief! The stars represented the heavens which man was to strive for, and the stripes were to signify a sign of vigilance and perseverance of justice!
It sort of hit me that only the white stripes were tattered.
Think about it though......
What is being torn to shreds in our land today?
Purity and innocence!
Exactly!
The winds of free will have been whipping through our society and shredding our innocence and purity.
I hope the red and blue will hold up better than the white!
Becky

HARDINESS

2011-07-09T19:02:00.000-05:00

ONE DAY

2011-07-06T18:37:00.002-05:00

The only crown He had
was a crown of thorns!

The only throne He had
Was a rugged cross!

One day, this suffering servant,
Will wear The Crown of Crowns
and sit on The Throne of Thrones,
When He comes back to Reign Forever
As King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
Becky

ALL THINGS POSSIBLE

2011-07-06T18:36:00.000-05:00

I love it when God allows me to get a glimmer of what's going on, or when the Holy Spirit somehow enlightens me as to what I need to be doing.......That sorta thing is just so cool!
Think about this.....
There were two condemned thieves on those crosses at Golgotha.
One chose to reject Jesus Christ.
The other one, somewhere in that six hour span of time, was given a glimpse into who the man, Jesus Christ, truly was. This was his "Aha" moment, when he realized that Jesus was the Son of the Living God, and that he needed him!
He knew Jesus had a Kingdom and that He was a King, and he also knew that he wanted to be with Him, even though he knew that it looked absolutely hopeless by earthly standards.
Sounds like us today, doesn't it?
Remember though, "with Christ, all things are possible."
Becky

JUST LIKE MANNA

2011-07-03T13:18:00.000-05:00

When I go to the grocery store for milk, I often reach in the very back of the shelf to get the carton with the latest expiration date. I like to choose the ones that are the freshest! That's okay to do, because spoiled milk is not good to digest!
One thing that isn't good to pull out of line, is God's word. We should never pull out of scripture just what verses we want to use, and leave the rest behind, just because we don't think they will be good for us. All of God's word is God breathed, and divinely inspired and will refresh us, but if we take it out of context and use only part of it, we will be soured in our thinking!
Talk about going bad!
There are some things you have to look for the freshness date on, but with God's word, you can be assured that His word falls fresh and new every day.....Just like Manna!
Becky

HAPPY 4TH

2011-06-30T20:18:00.002-05:00

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

2011-06-30T17:53:00.003-05:00

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

2011-06-30T17:49:00.000-05:00

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

2011-06-30T14:54:00.001-05:00

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

2011-06-30T09:10:00.000-05:00

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

2011-06-29T20:02:00.001-05:00

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

2011-06-28T19:06:00.000-05:00

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

2011-06-28T17:36:00.001-05:00

"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

2011-06-24T20:18:00.000-05:00

JOHN GLENN

2011-06-23T19:18:00.002-05:00

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

2011-06-23T14:55:00.001-05:00

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

2011-06-23T13:15:00.001-05:00

" 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

2011-06-19T20:19:00.001-05:00

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