Two Awards and a Tag

In the past few days I was tagged and it was then that I realized I'd been remiss: Someone sweet gave me a sweet award called Blogging with a Purpose and I never acknowledged it. Sara is a nineteen year old friend whom I dearly love. She's a member of my church and a very close and precious friend to my younger daughter, Neesie. I think she is somewhat rare in this day because she is not peer-oriented. She doesn't mind counting older people, whether they be young marrieds or grandparents (like me), as her friends. She'll comment on my posts and write on my Facebook "wall" as much as she would those in her age group and she's not the least bit hesitant about doing so. But, on the other hand, I want to publicly say how much I have appreciated the friendship she's given to Neesie. The fact that she is four years older has not been an issue. She has given true friendship to my daughter, not a condescending one. This was true even when the two of them first started to become close, at the ages of 15 and 11. To tell you the truth, little did she know that she was an answer to prayer at that time. Neesie was particularly needy for reasons I won't go into, and the Lord sent Sara. So, thanks for the award, Sara, but thanks also for so much more. Also, thanks for being a diligent substitute Sunday school teacher. :-) I recommend that you go visit Sara at her blog "In Christ Alone."

Also, this week there was another sweet award called Best Blogging Buddies. It came from Cathy at "Melodies and Hymnsongs", a really neat blog. I've never met Cathy, but she really does seem like a friend to me. She also likes to win prizes from me! She emails nice interesting articles to me because she has come to know the type of things I'm interested in. I think that's very thoughtful and I appreciate her heart. If you haven't been to see her, please do--you'll find it a pleasant place to visit, with beautiful pictures, poetry and hymns. Thanks, Cathy.

Now most of you know what I'm going to say: I don't like to name names in passing on awards. I made up my mind some time ago not to do it anymore. Besides, it would cause me to worry too much that I was slighting somebody, and I don't want any more worries! As before, I direct you to my post of July 30, 2007, "Reflecting on Blogs," as the same would apply now. I appreciate all of you who have become my bloggy friends!

Another friend, Monica at "A Day in the Life of Mommysmart" tagged me. I wrote and told her I probably wouldn't be able to find the time to do it, but I think I'll give a quick go at it. I have to say, I enjoy going to Monica's blog. I think she has a lot of unique posts there. She's a lot of fun. She is a wonderful support to her husband, a football coach, and to her children. Check her out when you can.

Well, in compliance with the tag, here are five quirks or unimportant things about myself. It wasn't difficult to think up quirky things, I have to admit:

1. I'm deathly afraid of caterpillars. The black fuzzy kind. In fact, I dread the coming of spring because of them. I know I've mentioned this before, but it's worth repeating. Yuck.

2. I like to give all my cups and glasses turns. I feel sorry for the ones that haven't been used in a while, so I'll reach all the way in the back to get one that I feel has been lonely.

3. When I buy something new, I don't like to wear it right away, because it won't be new anymore. I like to have things around for a while before I use them.

4. I'm afraid of doctors. Not altogether but sort of. I think I'm developing a phobia about medical tests too.

5. My toes overlap. All my life I've been ashamed of my toes and secretly envied people who paint their toes and wear open toe shoes.

I'm now tagging: Neesie, Sara, Bethany. Some others might like to pick up the tag. Feel free.

Not Till Then

When this passing world is done,
When has sunk yon glaring sun,
When we stand with Christ in glory,
Looking o'er life's finished story,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.

When I hear the wicked call
On the rocks and hills to fall,
When I see them start and shrink
On the fiery deluge brink,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.

When I stand before the throne,
Dressed in beauty not my own,
When I see thee as thou art,
Love thee with unsinning heart,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.

When the praise of heav'n I hear,
Loud as thunders to the ear,
Loud as many waters' noise,
Sweet as harp's melodious voice,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.

Chosen not for good in me,
Wakened up from wrath to flee,
Hidden in the Saviour's side,
By the Spirit sanctified,
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show,
By my love, how much I owe.

~Robert Murray McCheyne

I Have THAT Guy

Today my husband colored and shined my favorite pair of comfortable shoes so that I can get some more time out of them. I'm counting that as a Valentine's gift. So he gets out of giving me diamonds this year. Oh, and he also gave this needy lady a dozen red roses. I think I'll keep him--next to the love of God, his is the best.

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. I John 3:18

Glory to His Name

This song is technically classified as a hymn, but I must say I wish you could hear it sung with meaning as I did in days gone by in our worship services. There, it was sung more like a gospel song. I remember the days when after the communion, someone would break out in joyful adoration and praise of the Savior and more often than not, the words "Down at the Cross..." would begin this all time favorite. I never hear it that I don't think of my sister-in-law, Lillian, who has for some time now been singing in Her Lord's very Presence, no doubt these same words that expressed her heart time and again. The night I found out that she had passed away, I walked all around my house, with tears flowing, singing this hymn in her honor. The tune is here at Cyber Hymnal, but as I said, I wish you could hear it sung with soul as it was by some of the folks I used to know.

Down at the cross where my Savior died,
Down where for cleansing from sin I cried,
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name!

I am so wondrously saved from sin,
Jesus so sweetly abides within;
There at the cross where He took me in;
Glory to His Name!

Oh, precious fountain that saves from sin,
I am so glad I have entered in;
There Jesus saves me and keeps me clean;
Glory to His Name!

Come to this fountain so rich and sweet,
Cast thy poor soul at the Savior’s feet;
Plunge in today, and be made complete;
Glory to His Name!

Refrain

Glory to His Name, glory to His Name:
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name!

A Chicken Crossed A Road?

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

You folks know how much I like riddles; this one has been around for a long time (since before the 1890's, according to Wikipedia), and all the variations of answers have given us chuckles over the years. My daughter Neesie forwarded to me an email with a few I hadn't heard, which gave me a few laughs on this day after Super Tuesday. That's part of the reason I needed it. I selected a few of the answers in the hopes this post might lighten the day for a few other folks:

DR. PHIL : " The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on 'THIS' side of the road before it goes after the problem on the 'OTHER SIDE' of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his 'CURRENT' problems before adding 'NEW' problems ".

COLIN POWELL: " Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road..." .

ANDERSON COOPER - CNN: "We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road."

JOHN KERRY: "Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it."

MARTHA STEWART: "No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information."

DR SEUSS: "Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told."

ERNEST HEMINGWAY: " To die on the road. Alone."

GRANDPA: "In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough."

BARBARA WALTERS: "Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its life long dream of crossing the road."

JOHN LENNON: "Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace."

ARISTOTLE: " It is the nature of chickens to cross the road."

BILL GATES: "I have just released eChicken2007, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your check book. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken.

ALBERT EINSTEIN: "Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken "

BILL CLINTON: " I did not cross the road with THAT chicken. What is your definition of chicken "

AL GORE: " I invented the chicken!"

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: "I have a dream that one day chickens will be able to cross roads without having their motives called into question."

CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY: "We can neither confirm nor deny any involvement in the chicken-road-crossing incident."

COLONEL SANDERS: "Did I miss one?"

MAXINE: Aww, the poor little chicken--having been made fun of all these years.

They Did It!

They really did it! I can't believe it! Super Bowl XLII belongs to the Giants! In my last post, I said it doesn't really matter who wins these things, and that's true, but I am so excited! I've been an ardent fan of this team since my teenage years, so this is very, very special.

I had a WONDERFUL Lord's Day yesterday (see last post), and after coming home last night I found out they won! What a fantastic surprise! We have a videotape of the game and are going to have our Super Bowl Sunday on Monday. These are the times I'm thankful for modern technology. We're going to cozy up in our living room and have a lot of fun watching it all unfold. I can't wait!! I'm sooo excited! Did I say that already?

O Day of Rest and Gladness

O day of rest and gladness,
O day of joy and light,
O balm of care and sadness,
Most beautiful, most bright;
On thee the high and lowly,
Through ages joined in tune,
Sing Holy, Holy, Holy,
To the great God Triune,

On thee, at the creation,
The light first had its birth;
On thee, for our salvation,
Christ rose from depths of earth;
On thee our Lord, victorious,
The Spirit sent from heav'n;
And thus on thee, most glorious,
A triple light was giv'n.

Thou art a port protected
From storms that round us rise;
A garden intersected
With streams of Paradise;
Thou art a cooling fountain
In life's dry, dreary sand;
From thee, like Pisgah's mountain,
We view the promised land.

Today on weary nations
The heav'nly manna falls;
To holy convocations
The silver trumpet calls,
Where gospel light is glowing
With pure and radiant beams,
And living water flowing
With soul-refreshing streams.

New graces ever gaining
From this our day of rest,
We reach the rest remaining
To spirits of the blest.
To Holy Ghost be praises,
To Father and to Son;
The church her voice upraises
To thee, blest Three in One.

~Christopher Wordsworth

We have come to another Saturday evening, dear friends, and you know what that means. We are on the brink of another Lord's Day. Do you look forward to this day of rest and gladness? I have no doubt in my mind that our God would have this day to be a day of joy and a day of rest for us. We have so much to rejoice in. What can be better than to be able to have a day set aside that we can worship our Lord with His people and keep the day holy unto Him? This sweet hymn is a reminder to us. I meditated on it a bit tonight, especially the second stanza. It's not often that we think about the fact that light was "born" on the first day of creation. That, along with the resurrection and Pentecost, is an exciting thought--a triple light given as the song says.

What a blessing this day is to us, fellow saints. I am so thankful for it. The Israelites' Sabbath day was on the seventh day of the week. But for the church, it's right and fitting that our Sabbath is on Sunday. God was so gracious to give us this blessed day.

Most of you know that I like sports, even though I'm not as fanatical about it as I once was. Many of you know, also, that I am quite a fan of the New York Giants. And you probably know that tomorrow is Super Bowl Sunday and "all the world" will be watching the Giants and the Patriots on this biggest football game of the year. "Not I," says the lady whose family doesn't do TV on the Lord's Day. And it's alright. During the week, if I look at the video we'll be taping I'll enjoy it so much better--win or lose. And what does it matter anyway, right? Tomorrow, you and I will be gaining "new graces" from our Sunday, no matter which city gets to have the big parade next week. For you and me, it will be a time of refreshment at a "cooling fountain in life's dry, dreary sand."

Have a blessed and Christ-filled day of gladness!

Orphanage in Kenya

Prayer is being requested for an orphanage in Kenya that is in danger. Many of you are no doubt aware of the horrible unrest in that country. Please pray for the people who are involved and that God will have mercy on this country. Please pray for this orphanage, which apparently is the home for 300 children whose parents have died in the AIDS epidemic. Please pray for the child whom our family sponsors in this country and for her family. Also, please go here and leave a comment about this if you feel so inclined. Comments left at that site will be forwarded to people at the orphanage to encourage them. Thanks.

A Cute Little Visitor

Okay. This morning we're struggling with a science project that isn't working. My daughter has left me behind in algebra and I'm struggling to figure out whether a particular quiz problem is wrong or right. Certain financial papers are at various locations around the house, after paying the monthly bills. Oh yes, I need to start thinking about the income tax preparation. My nice clean house from the weekend is starting to get dirty--the back yard is muddy from yesterday's rain and my dog does not wipe his feet! The second quarter grading sheets need to be finished so they can be sent to A Beka in the time allotted. Laundry is behind.

My dishwasher (my husband), is a bit under the weather, so I'm doing the breakfast dishes--a lot of them because I made muffins. By the way, in case you're wondering, our automatic dishwasher hasn't worked in ages. Anyway, here comes Frustration trying to creep up on me. He hasn't been around in a while. Sad Heart has come by a bit of late, but not Frustration. So, as I was trying to deal with that old friend from the past, I saw it. It was in the bush outside the kitchen window. It was a Carolina wren, one of those little guys who don't frequent this part of the country too often. As always, it was cute as it could be, but that wasn't all. It started singing. That was all that was needed to turn Frustration on his heels and send him out of my house. The song was strong and determined from that little guy in my bush. I think the Lord sent him.

God of Our Fathers

During my morning prayer time, I have certain days that I pray for certain things. Friday is the day on which I pray particularly for our country, the leaders and the military. Today, for some reason, a sadness overflowed me. It's hard to explain why it was such an overwhelming feeling of sadness, but it was. It's not that I'm such a super patriotic person, but I do love my country very much, even with all its faults. It just seems that we've come a long way, and not necessarily has that been a good thing. Technologically, of course, but in other ways it's a different story. All of the election 2008 news these past few weeks don't bring hope and encouragement from my vantage point. Of course, I'm not going to name any names, but I just don't know what our future holds. But then, Who is it that really holds the future? So we can keep praying, right? Let's all do that. Even though there is a lot that we could look at and feel dismayed, there's always hope in God if His people, who are called by His name, humble themselves.

I often look back to our republic's beginning and feel hope. Much of what was accomplished back then regarding the framework is still with us, really. And the same God who led our forefathers is still with us if we seek Him. He can do anything. So I say to myself : "Hope Thou in God." Now I feel better.

View this week's hymn as a prayer and please join me in praying for our nation, especially now.

God of our fathers, whose almighty hand
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies,
Our grateful songs before thy throne arise.

Thy love divine hath led us in the past;
In this free land by thee our lot is cast;
Be thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide, and Stay;
Thy Word our law, thy paths our chosen way.

From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence,
Be thy strong arm our ever sure defence;
Thy true religion in our hearts increase,
Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

Refresh thy people on their toilsome way,
Lead us from night to never-ending day;
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
And glory, laud, and praise be ever thine.

~ Daniel C. Roberts, 1876

Listen here. The tune is encouraging and triumphant, giving us impetus to move forward. May His "true religion" increase in our hearts. That means the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. All praise to Him!

A Testimony About Sports

Earlier this morning I made a post in this spot about myself, my family, and the Lord's Day with regard to sports. I found myself coming back to this post throughout the day and making edit after edit, trying to get it worded right. I'm about to go to bed now and have decided to scrap the whole thing. Why? I think the post was controversial and I really don't want to be controversial here. Sometimes I want to talk about the things of the Lord and sometimes I'll talk about other things, like sports and just have fun. This is my personal blog and I want it to reflect my heart and life, but I certainly don't want it to cause conflict in anybody's heart. So, if you read the post I had here earlier, I hope it wasn't a snag in anyway. I certainly didn't intend it that way--I wanted it to be a testimony, but after reading it throughout the day, I decided just now that I didn't like it. I think some of the things that were said are just as well not said. If you didn't get a chance to read it, don't worry--you didn't miss anything.:-)

Anyway, this much I will say: I am very excited and happy that after a big win yesterday, my dear Giants are going to the Super Bowl! Most people don't think they have much of a chance against the powerhouse Patriots, but I'm just glad they will be there. And who knows? Maybe they CAN beat Brady and Company.

More Dangers

Goodness. The older I get and the more we progress as a people, the more there is to worry about. We sure do need to ask the Lord for wisdom these days, don't we?

This is the major news story in most parts today. If you haven't heard it yet, go here.

Since it seems there is nothing safe anymore, it does help us to trust more explicitly in the God who calls all the shots, really. I read this in my personal devotions this morning and it seemed to apply as I came out and turned on the news, which is almost ALWAYS bad:

"Let us pray for a thorough confidence in God's superintending providence over all our worldy affairs, and God's perfect wisdom in all His arrangements concerning us."~J.C. Ryle

O Jesus, I Have Promised

O Jesus, I have promised
To serve thee to the end;
Be thou for ever near me,
My Master and my Friend:
I shall not fear the battle
If thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If thou wilt be my guide.

O let me feel thee near me,
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear:
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.

O Jesus, thou hast promised
To all who follow thee
That where thou art in glory
There shall my servant be;
And, Jesus, I have promised
To serve thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow,
My Master and my Friend.

~John E. Bode

How blessed Mr. Bode's children were to have their father write a hymn for them at the time of their confirmation. We sing this at church sometimes and it's one of the ones I've learned in recent years. Good one for the beginning of a new year wouldn't you say? These are words about following our Savior and serving Him, and also about not wandering from the pathway. The word "paths" has really been on my heart today as you might see from my post at my Scraps blog. My promise is to do my best to live a life of service in the way that leads to glory. And that's only by following Him. Do you know Him as Savior? Are you following Him on the path to glory?

The tune can be played here if you want to listen.

Easy Exercise!

Cathy has won a prize from me again. Yep, my husband drew her name with her title for the picture of the little titmouse. Take a look at the photo two posts down and you'll see that this title "Easy Exercise" is a good one. One cello gift bag will be going out to Cathy soon! I got some really good suggestions--only eight but they were all good.

A picture and a poem

Well now, we have completed one whole week in 2008. Actually, I'm rather glad the extremely busy holiday season has subsided and I think I'm finally starting to get going on some writing and business ventures. I just stopped by to post a picture and a poem.

A quick note about Selena. She has become quite a little character and keeps us chuckling. Talk about a whiz kid, she even just made her own blog post! Go visit Bev's blog to read it--I think you'll enjoy it.

Also, a sister from church gave me a church newsletter the other day because it had a couple of good poems in it and she thought I might like to post one on my blog. She was right. I really liked this one in particular. These are wonderful thoughts to start off the year. May it be a blessing and prayer for all of us.

Father, let me dedicate, all this year to thee,

In whatever wordly state Thou wilt have me be:

Not from sorrow, pain or care, freedom dare I claim;

This alone shall be my prayer, glorify Thy Name.

Can a child presume to choose where or how to live?

Can a Father's love refuse all the best to give?

More Thou givest every day than the best can claim

Nor withholdest aught that may glorify Thy Name.

If in mercy Thou wilt spare joys that yet are mine;

If on life, serene and fair, brighter rays may shine;

Let my glad heart, while it sings, Thee in all proclaim,

And, whate'er the future brings, glorify Thy Name.

~~Lawrence Tuttiett, 1864

Oh, by the way: I'm surprised so few folks are trying for my little gift bag giveaway. (See last post.) You don't like my little titmouse? Come on, make a comment. I'll wait until Thursday to have the draw.