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Showing posts from June, 2011

Today is my parents’ 44th wedding anniversary!

When I was about six (and had two younger brothers) daddy gave up his good job at the bank and the decision was made to attend Hyles-Anderson College in Indiana .   Daddy went to school and worked full time.   My mom also worked full time.   We kids were enrolled in Hammond Baptist Grade School and we attended First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana (to me, the preaching was exceptional and I heard great preachers such as Dr. John R. Rice, Dr. Bill Rice, Dr. Lee Roberson, heard Rudy Atwood play the piano, and laughed at ventriloquist Geraldine and Little Ricky, too!).   Three more kids were born, one with life a threatening birth defect that required major surgery over the course of a year or more, which in turn extended Daddy’s years in college and our time in Indiana to a total of seven.   It was encouraged that all men who attended Hyles-Anderson should become “preacher boys” and that they should go out on weekly “soul winning” visits.   My brother Brian and I sometimes went

Bear One Another's Burdens

I am slowly learning things about myself.  Things I wish I would have learned years ago.  Maybe I already knew these things, but just never put them into practice. I am talking about how to accept help from others.  Even when I feel like I don't need it. Even when I don't know I have something I need help with!  This past Saturday afternoon I hosted a Sunday school party at my parents' place in the country. A friend volunteered to come down early and help set up, and he would bring another friend to help.  I thought I could do it myself, but remembered what my grandmother told me not too long ago, that I might be robbing someone of a blessing if I don't accept help when it's offered .  Even if I don't think I need the help.  Puts a whole new perspective on things!  So I accepted the offer.  And I was glad I did!  Apparently I worked too hard in the morning and early afternoon, or maybe I just got too hot from staying out in the Alabama sun so long, but I was ti

Why Not Share God's Word?

Bellingrath Gardens, April 2011 Isn't it wonderful when people share with you?  Even better when they open their hearts and share.  But better still is when a friend reads verses of Scripture, thinks of you, and just has to pass them on.  That's what happened to me recently.  My friend shared John 16:33 which says  "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."   And he also shared John 14:26-27 which says  "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."   My friend said that these verses had been an encouragement to him that day, and hoped that I would be encouraged, too. Of course I w

Raising kids!

 My sons and I are enjoying summer.  My oldest has his learners permit and although he has driven a good bit with his dad, including on the interstate, his dad has an automatic transmission and I don't!  I thought I was going to put holes in the floor boards on the passenger side last night, I was pushing against them so hard!  And that's when he was practicing in the neighborhood, going from stop sign to stop sign.  Oh, boy!  Today the boys went to the movies with my sister-in-law and her kids, and planned to go swimming afterwards, but they were rained out.  So instead they played indoor games.  It's sometimes difficult to balance freedoms and privileges with responsibilities, but I have to remember that freedoms and privileges are part of responsibilities.  I try to give my kids freedoms, but with reasonable limits.  Such as: you can go to your friends house, or to the ball park, etc., but you need to call me first -- so I will know where you are.  I remember when

Rest!

Tacky Jacks II, Fort Morgan Road, April 2011 Bellingrath Gardens, April 2011 Bellingrath Gardens, April 2011 Bellingrath Gardens, April 2011 Bellingrath Gardens, April 2011 Bellingrath Gardens, April 2011 Bellingrath Gardens, April 2011 Pool at Bellingrath Gardens, April 2011  Pelicans sitting on pilings in Mobile Bay, April 2011  Bellingrath Gardens, April 2011 Bon Secour Wildlife Preserve, Gulf Shores, Alabama (at the Gulf at last!), April 2011  Bon Secour Wildlife Preserve, Gulf Shores, Alabama (secluded cove off the Gulf), April 2011  Bon Secour Wildlife Preserve, Gulf Shores, Alabama (this beautiful trail ends at the Gulf), April 2011 In April I was given a wonderful gift of personal downtime, refreshing my mind, body and spirit at a beautiful place in Gulf Shores, Alabama.  A friend Charlotte (Cholly) and I went down for the long Easter weekend.  We hung out, relaxed, sunbathed (okay, I sunburned ), ate some wonderful food,

Flowers from my Garden

Daylilly -- this is a descendant from my great grandmother's garden. The flowers in these photos remind me of this verse from Psalms:  Psalm 139:14 "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works ; and that my soul knoweth right well."   Hope you enjoyed these first photos from this year's garden! Reese

The Question Was Asked, "What is Love?"

 This past Tuesday afternoon my two teenage sons were asked "what is love?" They answered "trust" and "feelings". They were not corrected. What IS the real meaning of love? When my oldest son brought the subject up with me, I asked what he thought, and once again he said that love is about feelings and about trust.  I took the opportunity to tell him that love is also a choice . It is doing what is best for someone else even when it might hurt you. Today's society is filled with too much concentration on self, and not on others.  Our commercials and shows are focused on how to make ME look better or feel better about myself . How can I look just as good as or better than someone else?  Most ads and shows are not about making someone else feel better.  What did Jesus say about love?  In Matthew 22:35-40 He says,  35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,  36 Master, which is the great commandment in

Barefoot in the Garden

There is just something about my backyard that compels me to take off my shoes and walk around barefoot.  I haven't figured it out yet.  Maybe it's the feel of the cool grass between my toes.  Or walking in the soft dirt.  Or the breeze.  Or even the sun hitting the bottoms of my feet when I am kneeling down working in my flowers.  Whatever the case, this is something VERY new for me.  I HATE going barefoot!  In fact, I like to wear socks.  Even in the summer.  In the south.   In Alabama.   During June.   In the 100° weather.   Something's wrong with me...  well maybe not, because socks to me represent comfort.  Being wrapped up and safe.  Now that I am in my 40s, I am starting to realize that I don't NEED that comfort anymore.  What have I been missing by wearing socks and shoes all the time?  Sheer and total freedom of movement!  At least in the garden.  I have to take a minute to stop and laugh at myself.  Because when I am finished in my garden, especially if I