Solar Power

How long has it been since you've seen clothes drying in the sun?

On a clothes line, or better still...on a fence?

This is reminiscent of times in the past before electric conveniences like modern clothes dryers.

If wet clothes are left in a basket for any length of time, you know what happens. They sour, they mildew, they get stinky. There's nothing like a good drying by solar power!

As cranky humans go, this is what happens to our hearts, our attitudes of "I'm the right one; everyone else is wrong". Our hearts get "stinky" and begin to mildew.

Maybe we need a good solar drying. Hang those things on a fence and be dried out by God's own solar power...his Son.

Father's Day - 2009

The Wise Father Will Tell You

There are wise fathers who will offer you advice
and lessons from all God has shown.
For the years have tendered them and they have learned much
in the decades their children have grown.

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They will quickly tell you that children are a blessing
sent by the Blesser above.
They will say they didn’t know how much they would change
by a child they could raise and could love.

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They’ll tell you that fatherhood and raising a child
can be a roller coaster ride every day.
But it’s worth all the stress to see them grow up
to work hard and find their own way.

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Wise fathers will tell you that making ends meet
can be hard…and there are times you must choose.
But he would gladly give up his own wants and desires
so his child gets a new pair of shoes.

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The wise father will tell you that loving your children
means teaching them what’s right & what’s wrong.
And that crossing that line means discipline is needed
so they grow up to be moral and strong.

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The wise father will tell you that he made mistakes
in the struggle to keep things in line.
But his apologies went far to show them the truth
that only God is right all the time.

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The wisest fathers will say they fathered in strength
because humility made them bow down and fall,
To the Father in heaven…the very author of life
and the greatest source of wisdom of all.
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©Sheila Gosney

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He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 15:31-33 NIV

Homer, the father of our two daughters, Michelle and Melissa.

Al, the father of our 3 older grandchildred, Jarrod, Kacee, and Hannah.

Jeff, the father of our 2 youngest grandchildren, Lendon and Ali.

Our family is blessed.

In Times Like These...Know God!

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
-- Ephesians 1:17

One of the best things we can pray for each other, and for ourselves, is that we might better know God. The Holy Spirit helps us better know God:

(1 Cor. 2), "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."

worship God

(John 4:23), "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worhip in spirit and in truth".

and speak to God

(Rom. 8:26) "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express"

Let's ask God to use his Spirit to help us know him, not just know about him.

God is not only the Almighty Creator of all things; he is also our Father who cares about us deeply. God is a Holy God. He is mystery and glory. Our minds and hearts need to know Him better through the presence of His Holy Spirit within us.

My prayer is that my God will bless my physical and spiritual family with insight and illumination about Him, His love, and His glory. I am striving to know Him more fully and reflect His character and grace more completely.

Peace to your household...

Today's The Day......Maybe!!

Procrastination.

Getting the best of me.

Need to practice what I preach.

TODAY!

Ralph Marston (www.greatday.com) had an inspiring and motivating post this morning. Maybe the motivation will last until noon.


Go ahead and get it done

Don't waste your effort worrying about what you have not done. Spend your time working on what you now can do.
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It's amazing how much you can accomplish when your heart is in it. Drop the doubts, self-criticisms, and anxieties, and positively put your heart into what you're doing.
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Enjoy the delicious feeling of making real progress based on your own focused efforts. Have fun watching yourself accomplish as you complete each task.
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Taking effective, meaningful action will put you in a positive frame of mind. And that will open the door to many great new possibilities.
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Go beyond wondering about it, or thinking it through, or planning for it. Just go ahead and get it done
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Choose your destiny and delight in the fulfilling effort that makes it happen. You can do it, and now is when.
☼
-- Ralph Marston

Butch, the Beagle

It's been a while since The King has been featured on my blog. In attempting to get "inspired" this morning, I was browsing My Pictures and saw this montage of Butch in his younger years.

As he has gained so much maturity since these pictures were taken, he would be so embarrassed at a couple of them. They definitely question his 'masculinity'.

Butch will be 9 years old early in September. Isn't that supposed to be equivalent to 63 in human years? Probably so, because he's beginning to behave just like his servants...US!

Here he is. Our King...Butch, the Beagle.

Sunday Sermon

BEST POEM IN THE WORLD

♫

I was shocked, confused, bewildered

As I entered Heaven's door,

Not by the beauty of it all,

Nor the lights or its decor.

♫

But it was the folks in Heaven

Who made me sputter and gasp--

The thieves, the liars, the sinners,

The alcoholics and the trash.

♫

There stood the kid from seventh grade

Who swiped my lunch money! twice.

Next to him was my old neighbor

Who never said anything nice.

♫

Herb, who I always thought

Was rotting away in hell,

Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,

Looking incredibly well.

♫

I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?

I would love to hear Your take.

How'd all these sinners get up here?

God must've made a mistake.

♫

'And why's everyone so quiet,

So somber - give me a clue.'

♫

'Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock.

No one thought they'd be seeing you.'

JUDGE NOT.

Remember...Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car .

Every saint has a PAST...Every sinner has a FUTURE

(Thanks to friend, RTM)

Survivor 101

I've had laryngitis, tonsillitis, hepatitis, meningitis, appendicitis, tendonitis, and colitis. I've also suffered from gastritis, bronchitis, gingivitis, bursitis, and arthritis.
♫
I've been held up, held down, hung up, strung up, stood-up, bulldozed, bloody-nosed, blackjacked, hijacked, squeezed, frisked, and mooched. Stuck with excess profits tax, personal property tax, utility tax, inheritance tax, sales tax, school tax, gasoline tax, income tax, excise tax, surtax, liberty bonds, savings bonds, a couple of bail bonds, and the bonds of matrimony.
♫
I've helped the Red Cross, the White Cross, and often been double-crossed. Helped the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and a few Talent Scouts. Helped children's hospitals, mental hospitals, VA hospitals, spoke out for civil rights, women's rights, animal rights, men's relief, and stomach relief.
♫
I have worked for a dog, and worked like a dog, and still lost all I had. I've been set aside, pushed aside, hit broadside, and had to sit outside. Demoted and misquoted. Walked on, jumped on, dumped on, rained on, snowed on, stomped on, spit on, cut on, and ratted on.
♫
I've been put off, ran off, and ripped off. Intimidated, interrogated, berated, separated, and violated. I've been cussed, and discussed, boycotted, stunned, shunned, and shocked. Criticized, despised, ostracized, victimized, brutalized, capsized, analyzed, and ill-advised. Slapped, trapped, and wire-tapped. I've been used, abused, bruised, refused, confused, but never excused. Talked about, lied about, lied to, bawled out, chewed out, kicked out, knocked out, but never bailed out.
♫
I've been assailed, derailed, and blackmailed. Scammed, slammed, burned, stung, stoned, robbed, cheated, booed, sued, misconstrued, and almost drowned.
♫
And the only reason I'm sticking around is...???
♫
I just want to see what's gonna happen next!
**************
and believe it! Something WILL happen!

Word Of The Day

Word of the Day

taciturn \TAS-uh-turn\, adjective:
Habitually silent; not inclined to talk.
Habitually silent.

That I am not!

I'm practicing to listen more and speak less. It's really surprising what you can learn just by the art of being a good listener.

Proverbs 18:16
"The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out." NIV

How can I acquire knowledge if I'm the one doing the talking?

My desire is to gain more knowledge through silence and use my ears to seek it out.

Have a good day!

Speak Up...

So.

Does this mean that blogging is scriptural? In this day of modern technology, e.g. computer use, more people can be reached than the traditional way of word-of-mouth.

I'm inclined to believe that we are to use whatever method that is current to speak for those who can't.

In essence, I suppose I'm entreating you bloggers to keep on keeping on!


Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. -- Proverbs 31:8


"God's people in every era are called to defend the rights of the weak, speak up for the disenfranchised, and protect the lives of those who are vulnerable. This comprehensive call is the great reminder that the blessings, rights, wealth, and power we may have is not ours alone; it is a gift from God to be used to bless those who have no power to speak, to defend, or to protect themselves."

www.votd.com

Tranquility

Last week, on Monday morning, at this same time, we were throwing our stuff into a duffle bag and gathering all of the necessities needed for a 3 day trip. We were headed to East Texas to visit good friends that we don't see very often. We visit on the telephone and we e-mail each other but it's just not the same as a face-to-face visit!

So, the time comes for departure. We load Butch the Beagle in his kennel and off we go for a 5 1/2 hour drive to Hughes Springs, Cass County, Texas.

I love arriving at the "entrance" to their farm. You definitely have to know where you're going to get there! The little narrow road that goes up to their gate is shaded from both sides. I call this road Tranquility Lane. You have the feeling of safety, love, and relaxation as you enter.
There is so much beautiful scenery in and around the the home of G and D. This is just one picture taken just a short drive from their house.

Glenda is one of the most loving and sincere people I've ever known. Her heart is as big as a #3 washtub! Of course, I don't want to leave DeWayne out. But would you believe that in the 3 days we were there, I didn't get one picture of him?? I'm most certain that I'll "hear about it"!

Glenda and DeWayne raise Airedale Terriers. This is Daisy Duke, one of the pets.

And what would horse whisperers do without a wall of tack? They're really not known as horse whisperers but I believe Glenda could be!

The House of Tranquility. This picture makes the house look small. But it spreads out from the back; a humongous thing! (everything except the kitchen...right Whites?)

And, here is just outside the front door...a beautiful, relaxing sight.

Blood runs red, white, and blue in this household. This flag plaque over the door is just one of the patriotic symbols throughout their home.



And then there are the patches of colorful flowers here and there. Neither G or D claim to have "green thumbs" but they manage to always have some pretty blooms around. PLUS they always have a garden. I didn't get pictures of the back.

We had a wonderful, relaxing 3 days. Most of it spent with just visiting, catching up on family talk, and a lot of eating!

We did spend a few hours looking for a lost cell phone which we didn't find while we were there. But as we were travelling home, my cell phone rang. It was Glenda. "Guess what? I FOUND MY CELL PHONE!!"

And we did spend a few hours trying to save a 3 day old puppy to no avail. Poor baby!!

And, I can't believe I've uploaded all these pictures and didn't upload the pictures of the roping practice that we went to on Monday night.

Oh, well....another story in the making!

And I have NEVER learned how to post pictures without leaving a lot of empty space at the bottom of the post! I need help!

Excuses

I'm so bad.

Making excuses.

Maybe I should say "I'm so GOOD". I can really come up with some winning excuses.

Real hum-dingers! That, to me, sound really rational and acceptable.

Well, maybe NOT!

Through a little friend, I found this greatday.com website with the current entry about transforming excuses.

Sure made me stop and think about the 'excuses' in my life.


*****************
Transform Excuses

When you find yourself making an excuse, take a good, careful look at that excuse. What if you could transform it into a powerful reason for stepping forward?

Whatever serves as an excuse for not taking action can instead serve as a compelling reason to go ahead and act. It all depends on how you choose to see it.

Stop and listen to the excuses you make. You'll realize that they're only excuses because you cast them as such.

The events and circumstances in your life are what they are. What makes them meaningful to you is the way you choose to see them and respond to them.

There are plenty of perfectly reasonable excuses for not moving forward, if you decide to view them as such. Yet it is just as realistic to see those same factors as reasons to take action without delay.

Whatever may be stopping you could be pushing you forward. Are you ready now to achieve?

-- Ralph Marston

Have a great week and peace to your household.

Caught Napping

Just for fun!

FIVE BEST THINGS TO SAY IF YOU GET CAUGHT SLEEPING AT YOUR DESK
☺
NUMBER 5: "They told me at the Blood Bank this might happen."
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NUMBER 4: "This is just a 15 minute power nap they raved about in the time-management course you sent me to."
☺
NUMBER 3: "Whew! Guess I left the top off the White-out. You probably got here just in time!"
☺
NUMBER 2: "Did you ever notice sound coming out of these keyboards when you put your ear down real close?"
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NUMBER 1: (Raising your head slowly) "...in Jesus' name, Amen"

Restoration

I confess.

I have an addiction.

A Blogging Addiction.

I have particularly been drawn to conservative, political blogs; one of which is the focus for this post..."A Little Restoration".

David's subject in his current post is "The Pull of Tyranny". Having been particulary stressed about the condition of our nation and the direction it has taken, I made a comment to his post. His reply is really the point of this post; one of positiveness and hope for our country.

My comment, in part:

So, Mr. Restoration...what's *your* solution?? Being an idealist as opposed to a realist, my solution will never happen; at least not until the end of time. I have agonized and stressed until my spirit has been badly bent. I won't say "broken" because I guess I still have a thread of hope.
May 9, 2009 6:21 .

David's reply:
Turning things around will be very difficult. The same people who are corrupting our government are the same people who have been corrupting families. It is in the family where such changes would start.

We have to start with ourselves and our families. Then we share with friends. Then we encourage them to share with friends, etc. It will be slow, because people have to heal themselves before they can heal the government.

Those of us who feel strongly must stop hiding. We need to start running for local offices and changing the discussion from the ground up. Just as I am sure that it will get worse, I am sure that people will wake up the worse it gets and join those of us who are fighting.

Then and only then will we turn it around. I am sure we will be victorious...and before the end of time. ;)
May 9, 2009 9:30 PM

His reply is the epitome of the theme for my own blog...For the Love of Home.
Just wanted to say thanks to A Little Restoration for the encouragement.

Peace to your household.

Expectations of Motherhood.

Every Mother Wants to Do Everything Right


Every new mother at one time or another
has looked at her role far ahead.
She claims she’ll be “perfect” and do everything just right
while she’s faced with a challenge instead.

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But what she doesn’t know, she could learn in a day
from a mother who has put in her years.
For those ladies will say that motherhood is hard
but it’s worth all the work and the tears.

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Sometimes good mothers raise sisters or brothers
who fight no matter what she does.
And she tries all the discipline in the books from the experts
then tells them to mind “just because!”

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Good mothers start out watching the likes of Martha Stewart
thinking each meal has to leave them impressed.
Then one day she realizes they like Hamburger Helper
and she deserves a few moments of rest.

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Good mothers start out thinking they’ve got to do it all
till each sign-up sheet has her name at the top.
Until she realizes only God can be everyone at once
so she takes His advice and she stops.

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When she’s first starting out…she says without a doubt
that her house will be as clean as can be.
Till she mellows with time and learns it’s no crime
to ignore all the dirt you can’t see.

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Every mother sighs with relief after her first child
for now she’s confident the knowledge is there.
Then God gives a second child who is totally different
so she’s back on her knees in prayer.

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What all mothers come to realize after decades have passed
is that her children look back and reflect,
On a mother who kept going…knowing she wasn’t perfect
because it’s love children need and expect.

©Sheila Gosney

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Titus 2:3-5 NIV

Mother's Day Tribute

For all you moms out there in recognition of what you do for your children....and DADs also, if it applies. Thanks for reading...

brought to you by www.mikeysfunnies.com

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING
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When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
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When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
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When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
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When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.
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When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
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When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.
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When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
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When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
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When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
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When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
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When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
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When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."

Have a peaceful weekend!