Grace Notes

When you put these two photos together, what do you think you get?  You got it, a rope swing waiting for some daring young (or old) soul to swing out over the creek and create a big splash! This is Autauga Creek, which cuts through the heart of downtown Prattville.  In fact this very section of the creek, along with it's rope swing, is about a minute from downtown, and is located beside one of Prattville's many artesian wells, which is actually what I had gone to see.   I had heard about the wells, where people take their water bottles (I'm talking the BIG kind) and fill them up on a regular basis.  But I had never actually been there.  And to think it is absolutely FREE?!?  I had to see for myself... Sure enough, when I pulled into the lot at the Doster Road Artesian Well House I was not alone.  A car was ahead of me and the man was filling his large, blue water bottle, the kind you normally see dispensing water at your office.  While I was waiting I tr

Yesterday morning I decided to grab my camera, ditch the outdoor chores, and head to the Wilderness Park here in Prattville, Alabama.  I'm so glad I did!  Although I wore flip flops, which was a poor choice for a roughly 1/2 mile hike, it was not that bad because I was constantly pausing to take pictures.  It was nice to get away from the routine for a while.  As I was pulling into the parking lot, an older gentleman and his dog were getting in their car to leave.  As I wandered the path, I came upon a young couple relaxing on one of the many park benches, kicked back and chatting.  And as you'll see in one of the later pictures, young lovers have left their mark, too. As you follow the path, the patch slopes down, leading you deeper into the park.  Shortly you come to a "Y", and if you take a right, you will go over the dam.  Above is a photo of the path going over the dam, with bamboo draping across, forming a canopy.  Looking off to the right side of t

I forgot to mention in my post yesterday that I have a coupon for a FREE copy of Platt's book As One Devil to Another .  If you are interested, let me know! Have a wonderful weekend! Reese

As One Devil to Another By: Richard Platt Published by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2012 Have you ever wondered what the "other world" thinks about us?  Do they try to interfere?  Do they try to trip us up?  Do they try to help us?  Do they try to work against each other, as in the good side versus the evil?  In his new book As One Devil to Another, author Richard Platt presents his idea of what it could be like for the other side.  And for us in our daily spiritual walk. It seems that poor Scardagger, a recent top of his class graduate (class valedictorian, to be exact) of hell's training school is now under the supervision of his dear, loving Uncle Slashreap, a wise, shrewd, very experienced devil.  Apparently Scardagger is having trouble with his first victim, a young woman who attends the university. She is a free thinker, heavily influenced by the modern world.  However, she seems to have an aunt who has great influence over her life.  A Christi

Following on the theme of Ann Voskamp at The One Thousand Moms Project , what is the best gift your mother gave to you? Mine would be a life by example.  Putting her family first.  There is no way it could have been easy.  Mama and Daddy had six kids in 10 years.  I am the oldest, and when I was six we moved to Indiana so Daddy could go to college, studying to be used of God in service.  There were three of us kids at that time, with a fourth on the way.  While we were in Indiana, two more were born.  The fourth child was born with a birth defect and if not for the great doctors of the Chicago hospitals, he would not now be a wonderful husband and father of three great children.  There was a year or two of time in and out of the hospital, surgery, etc.  Daddy was in college, although he took time off with the problems of the fourth child.  Somehow, life went on normally for us kids.  Daddy worked full time and went to school full time.  And Mama worked full time to support the f

Selections from One Thousand Gifts,  Finding JOY in What Really Matters By:  Ann Voskamp Published by Zondervan Copyright 2012 In  Selections from One Thousand Gifts,  Finding JOY in What Really Matters , g ifted author and photographer Ann Voskamp uses her vivid photos and unusual writing style to record her thankfulness and praise to God.   Challenged to list 1,000 gifts by a friend, Ann has written and collected thousands of blessings.  Some of which she shares in this book (and in  One  Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are) .  This is a beautiful little gift book, never a plain page, each elaborate design and the personality of Ann shining through.  A book you won't want to put down, but will want to read straight through and soak in.  And read again.   Ann Voskamp truly has a way with words.  An unusual style, one that slows you down and gets you to thinking.   And personally realizing that I should be more thankful.  And wondering if I can

A Heart Like His By: Beth Moore Published by B&H Publishing Group Copyright 1999, 2003, 2012 If you have never attended a Beth Moore Bible study, if you have never read one of her books, if you have never listened to her on the radio, you are missing a real treat.  This woman has wonderful insight into the Bible and into the hearts of women. Unfortunately, the first time I attended one of her Bible studies (a DVD study at a small church), I was unable to concentrate on the study because I was so distracted by the trappings of the DVD -- the numerous changing of outfits, etc. during one session.  That experience turned me off on Beth Moore for a long time.  However, I am learning that I need to go below the surface.  I need to look into the heart, so to speak.  So when I was asked if I would like to review Beth Moore's book A Heart Like His: Intimate Reflections on the Life of David , I said yes.  And I am so glad I did!  I cried through this book.  I was convicted

  Pond at my parents' house   On Sunday nights I have been attending a singles Bible study.  Just a bunch of singles from all walks of life, most of them over 45.  However, there are now a few of us under 45, and we are called the "babies".  I digress.  The last couple of weeks we have been studying the book of James.  Sunday night we were in chapter 2 .  The first few verses, actually through verse 13, created a great discussion. How do we treat others?  What if we think someone is beneath us?  Maybe we think we have a better paying job, or they don't take care of themselves properly, or they don't look right according to our standards.  How are we supposed to treat them?  James uses some pretty strong language to let Christians know that we will be judged in the same manner that we judge others.  One of our group brought up that we should be mirrors to others.  We should reflect back to them what we see, the reflection of God in our lives.