DAILY DIAMONDS

ARCHIVING OLD BLOGS

2012-02-17T16:04:00.003-06:00

Beginning today, February 17, 2012, with the exception of http://mylivinglens.blogspot.com/ each of my other blogs will either be archived or completely removed from access, in favor of a new and different way at: http://suesmuse.weebly.com/ Please visit soon and let me know if you like what you see.

IN THE GAP

2011-08-23T16:32:00.000-05:00

Have you ever met a person who has so often “stood in the gap” that you wonder if he/she forgets that is not his/her permanent position? Do you feel concern that he/she is so used to being a helper that he/she may have forgotten how to allow others to help him/her? Is there at least a little bit of that in each one of us? Is it independence

CAN’T WAIT FOR THE REUNION

2011-07-02T09:17:00.002-05:00

This morning I was where I could only hear the words coming from the television, but I got the picture anyway. A mother and daughter being reunited for the first time in twenty-three years, the mother was saying, “I can’t wait for her to meet her biological siblings!” The thought raced through my mind, I imagine that’s how God must feel about our gathering in Heaven, as I pictured the joy that

WINDBLOWN

2011-05-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

The flower and I seemed to have something in common that day. Each of us was at the street’s edge, feeling the effects of being windblown: the flower by the wind of nature and I through the wind of words that, in my eyes, were hurtful.The desert willow blossom reminded me of how I had been feeling: created to add beauty to the world, but plucked from my place, forced to face a different life than

WHY DO YOU STAND GAZING INTO THE SKY?

2011-04-24T07:26:00.002-05:00

HOW HIGH DO MY PRAYERS GO?

2011-04-15T07:59:00.007-05:00

Have you ever said or heard someone else say, “It seems my prayers are only going as far as the ceiling”? Reading the following verse recently gave me pause for thought: “In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.” Hebrews 5:7 (ESV) As we consider what we

BUT GOD, I ASKED FOR A MOCKINGBIRD!

2011-03-22T21:44:00.003-05:00

A long time ago I wrote about how much I wanted a mockingbird family to make its home in our front yard tree. It would make me happy if even just one mockingbird would move in and sing. But, mockingbirds come and mockingbirds go. They sit on the branches and sometimes they even sing a song or two, but as long as we and that tree have been here, five years…make it six come May…no nesting mocker

WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD?

2011-03-20T21:18:00.003-05:00

The question was asked today: What is your relationship to God?My response:The image that comes to mind is me as a little child running and reaching my arms up to my Heavenly Father as He walks towards me, holding His arms down, with His hands palms out in a motion that suggests He is eager to scoop me into His arms. After He has lifted me, He presses me against His chest as He walks along

LORD, HELP ME WHERE I AM

2011-03-10T09:40:00.003-06:00

I am often reminded of a prayer I came across when I most needed it: “Lord, help me to do what I can, where I am, with what I have.” Tucked in, too, are memories of a woman dear to my heart, which showed me that life’s changes could be weathered.A number of years ago, fifteen to be exact, I was quite new in this city. My mother had recently died. Russ, the man at church who has a love for the

SALTY TEARS

2011-02-22T10:30:00.001-06:00

Why do you suppose tears appear on cue when sorrow arises in our hearts? And, if a tear happens to slip into the corner of your mouth before you can catch it in a tissue, have you ever noticed that it has a definite salty taste?As I lay in bed, with a heavy heart at the obvious approach of death of a dear friend, these thoughts invaded what should have been sleepy time. I am convinced that a tear

MY HEART’S DESIRE

2011-02-21T14:46:00.003-06:00

When I was eight or nine years old, I stood outdoors by our country house and prayed that someday I would be a wife and mother, in that order, because, as I explained to God, a baby needed a daddy as well as a mother.At age ten, I thought I had given my life to God.At age seventeen, I was sure I had.Oh, but I had a long way to go!Now, in the early years of my seventh decade, I still have a long

JESUS

2010-12-21T06:59:00.001-06:00

JESUSBorn in a stable,Buried in a tomb;The earth He createdBecame His room.© M. Sue MooreHe [Jesus] was in the world, and the world came into being through him;yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own,and his own people did not accept him.John 1:10 -11 NRS

ONCE UPON A TIME

2010-11-15T14:47:00.003-06:00

Once upon a time…That’s a good way to begin a story of make-believe, isn’t it? This is not a make-believe story. This is a true tale.Once upon a time, there was a woman of more than three score years plus ten. One night as she was headed to bed, she had the bright idea that she must find a cute, soft, little, gray stuffed elephant to buy. Miss Sadie knew exactly where she would go the next

THE PRAYERS NOT PRAYED

2010-10-09T12:25:00.002-05:00

There have been times in my life when I have been too overwrought with sorrow or concern to formulate a worded prayer. I have taken great comfort in being able to believe with all my heart that God knows me better than I do; therefore, He completely understands and will help take care of my needs. His Word reassures me of this in Romans 8:26-27 (ESV): “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness

GOD'S PLANS

2010-08-22T14:05:00.005-05:00

So many times I have seen Jeremiah 29:11 quoted and have repeated it myself: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” We have taken that scripture very personally and applied it to mean to ME. (That is taking it out of context because it was written for a group of exiles, not just one person. However, I

JESUS CHOSE – I CAN CHOOSE

2010-08-13T15:28:00.002-05:00

Before the creation of the world, because He knew mankind would need a Savior, God made a plan and chose to send His Son to be the perfect unblemished Lamb Whose blood would be available to wash away the sins of the world. A long time ago I chose to accept this wonderful Lamb of God as my Savior.Ephesians 1:3-6“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every

KINDNESS OR CURSE

2010-08-07T13:19:00.001-05:00

Our firstborn, Beth Zimmerman, writes a blog that has over 200 regular readers. That is the known number. I suspect someone reads a particular post and sends a hyperlink to a friend saying, “You need to read this one,” and a new follower is born. Having done so myself and having recently read one of Beth’s latest blogs:http://www.bethszimmerman.com/2010/08/06/quit-enabling-us-already/ as well

WHERE I AM WEAK, HE IS STRONG

2010-06-09T21:22:00.001-05:00

Because my desire is to follow Christ I have set a standard in my actions and words that starts in my heart. Since I first learned of my Lord’s love and chose to follow Him I have learned much from His Word about who He created me to be. I have let Him, others, and myself down many times, but as with a toddler learning to walk or even for a frail elderly person struggling to maintain balance, He

WHOM DO YOU SEEK?

2010-05-09T21:50:00.000-05:00

From the first time I became aware of the verses in John 18:4ff, I have been in love with the story of Jesus’ stepping forward in the Garden that night when He was betrayed and asking, “Whom do you seek?” and the events that followed.“Whom do you seek?” When the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene,” He responded, “I am He.” Just picture

BECAUSE SHE WAS MY MOTHER

2010-05-08T08:42:00.001-05:00

When I drew my first breath,my MOTHER was with me.When I was a little girl,my MOTHER took care of me.When my children were born,my MOTHER helped take care of them and me.When my MOTHER became a widow,I helped take care of her.When my grandchildren were born,one of my children came to help take care of my widowed MOTHERso I could go help take care of my other child and her children.When my MOTHER

DADDY'S NOT OLD!

2010-04-17T18:19:00.003-05:00

My father was born one-hundred years ago today. April 17th doesn’t go by without my thinking about him, so even though he is not here in the flesh, today is no different except to think of the date in terms of the century’s marking it as a milestone.Although I wonder what he would look like and be like as a senior citizen, Daddy will never grow old in my eyes, because he died without warning

CONVERSATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

2010-04-04T16:33:00.000-05:00

In a conversation with a friend, she brought forth the fact that she realizes she cannot fix everything, that she has to turn it over to God in prayer, and leave it in His capable care and caring.Because I, too, am a “fixer” personality, in my mind I kept returning to that conversation and this morning as I woke with it on my mind, I thought back to my childhood. I grew up in central Maine where

THE CENTURION AT THE CROSS

2010-04-03T09:50:00.001-05:00

Because the thoughts of many are turned to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus during this season of the year, FaithWriters blog challenged the members to write a 100-word essay from the perspective of a Bible character mentioned in the Easter Story. I liked the challenge; however, even though I felt I fell short of the challenge in more than just the 100-word limit, I entered a portion

FADED FLOWERS

2010-03-29T16:36:00.003-05:00

Recently I came across some faded flowers or what some would consider flowers past their prime. By themselves the words would seem to tell tales of lack of attraction, but the more I saw of those flowers whose blooms had lost their luster, the more beauty I saw in each one.Dandelions came before spring to our West Texas yard brightening the drab gray-brown grasses with brilliant bits of leafy

IMAGES IN OUR MINDS

2010-03-23T11:42:00.000-05:00

What image enters your mind when you read or hear the following verse from I Corinthians 12:26 ? “ If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”That was one of the verses in the reading from our night’s Bible message a few evenings back and afterwards as we discussed it, I asked my husband if he, like I, chose to dwell on the

POLITICAL PRAYER HUMOR TURNED VICIOUS

2010-03-19T13:50:00.001-05:00

I like to laugh and in my lifetime I have seen some funny cartoons and heard humorous jokes on both sides of the political fence; however, recently there continues to circulate an e-mail under the guise of a joke that has reference to scripture and prayer as well. The fact is this so-called joke takes one Bible verse out of context to create “humor.” Heard by the wrong ears and taken the

HER OWN PERSONAL WORTH

2010-03-17T18:05:00.000-05:00

I made a personal phone call a few days ago that went kind of like this: “Hello, T~ This is Sue Moore.” “Oh, Hi, Sue! How are you?” “I’m okay but we’re having some family issues right now. Is D~ around?” …and the lovely lady with whom I seldom have contact, went to call her husband to the phone. Because of her husband’s work, I wonder how many times this particular woman is

STORM CLOUDS ALL AROUND

2010-03-10T13:18:00.000-06:00

In reading recent prayer requests, I am reminded once again, of how many and varied, are the trials in this world. I am so thankful for Jesus’ comforting, parting words to His disciples found in John 16:33, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” As I read the prayer requests, I often become aware that the reactions are as diverse as the requests

CELEBRATING SPECIAL DAYS

2010-02-20T06:30:00.001-06:00

A couple of days ago was our grandson’s first birthday but as far as I know there was no celebration with cake, no special one-year candle with flame to watch him blow out, no tiny fingers to dig into the frosting, and no picture-taking of this momentous event. I wonder if anyone in his immediate family was even aware of his one-year-old birthday, and were it not for my special reminder calendar,

TREASURES IN UNEXPECTED PLACES

2010-02-16T12:35:00.001-06:00

How many times have you done what you perceived a kindness for another that turned into a totally unexpected blessing in your own life? A recent experience of a few days ago brought that thought to my mind and I’d like to share it with you.Because of the happy welcome we received at Christmas, our church group was invited to return to a local care facility to sing again, to and with the residents

TIME TO TARRY IS TEMPORARY

2010-01-25T13:49:00.000-06:00

Most of us have sung, “I’m a pilgrim and I’m a stranger; I can tarry, I can tarry but a night…” I believe the words of that song were written to enrich our minds with the reminder that our time is temporary on this earth. A few days ago I read lines penned by a missionary of reality hitting that she, her husband, and their young family had really moved so far away and that this formerly

THE CREATOR, THE COLLECTOR, AND THE FEATHER

2010-01-15T13:13:00.003-06:00

One day I found a feather…It was so soft and smallFrom underneath a baby birdIt must have made its fall.I picked it up and smoothed it outAs I held it against my hand.I closely studied its numerous barbsOnly the Creator could understand.Each barb so tiny I could not count,Nor separate individual “hair,”Yet each one has a purpose ~A reason for being there.Some feathers are for warmthAnd some

A JOYFUL HEART IN 2010

2010-01-05T08:23:00.002-06:00

In this morning’s e-messages I received one regarding encouragement and when I got to the part about the encouragement of a smile’s being contagious, my thoughts immediately went to, “A joyful heart is good medicine...” from Proverbs 17:22 (NASB).Coupled with that, for the first time I figured out how that that scripture doesn’t apply to my heart alone! While in actuality I know my attitude

PERFECTIONISM

2009-12-31T15:10:00.000-06:00

When it comes to perfectionism there is no harsher critic of me than me. For as long as I can remember I have longed for everything in my life to be not simply “practically perfect in every way” as Mary Poppins allowed, but my preference would be, “without flaw.” With Christmas just past and perfection in mind, I am reminded again of the times in childhood when I received new coloring

EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT

2009-12-17T08:23:00.001-06:00

Recently I received an e-mail asking I respond to the question, “What are you thankful for?” Based on the recommended scripture, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change," (James 1:17), it didn’t take me long to come up with many answers and I’d like to share some of my reasons for

LET US REJOICE

2009-11-29T21:10:00.002-06:00

It’s that time of year again and while many of my age have memories of folks cheerfully calling out, “Merry Christmas!” as a general greeting, such is fast becoming politically incorrect. While there is no place in the scripture that specifically tells us to commemorate the birth of Jesus at a specific time or times, as is the guidance given for remembering His death*, we, like the angels,

OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND

2009-11-14T15:33:00.000-06:00

As my friend shared her writing about her search for the perfect picture-taking opportunity of fallen autumn leaves, in my mind I walked through the falling leaves with her, and heard the crunch underfoot while looking around at all the trees while she waited for the perfect day for all the colors to be just right. In addition, I joined her in the disappointment of having to wait, knowing

ARE YOU MY NEIGHBOR?

2009-10-29T13:41:00.000-05:00

This morning as I read the "Who is My Neighbor?" story of "The Good Samaritan" in Luke 10:30-37, two phrases in particular stood out. About not one, but two men, it is written that they "passed by on the other side", but about the third man on the scene it says, "He felt compassion and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and

HE LEFT HIS HOME IN HEAVEN

2009-10-01T08:40:00.000-05:00

He left His Home in Heaven to come to earth below.First child in the family, His mother Mary watched Him grow.An infant in the Temple, blessed by Simeon,Seen by Prophetess Anna was He, too…An old man and an 84-year-old widow…What God gave them to view!Mary cradled these things as she cradled her infant Son;She pondered and she treasured them, one by one by one.The infant grew into a toddler just

BE ALWAYS READY AND TEACH THE SAME THING

2009-08-17T06:52:00.000-05:00

Based on Biblical teaching, my mother used to say, “We should all teach the same thing.” In I Peter 3:15 (NIV) the scripture teaches us, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” It seems eerily uncanny how often it is that I find ministers

IN WHOSE SHOES WOULD YOU BE STANDING?

2009-08-11T10:40:00.000-05:00

A few evening back our Bible reading for the day took us to Mark 2:1-12, the story of the paralyzed man whose friends, determined to get him into an already overcrowded house to see Jesus, took him pallet and all, to the roof where they removed enough of the rooftop so they could let him down through and into the house! Jesus said, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” He knew the scribes were

LIVING LESSONS OF LOVE

2009-08-05T22:02:00.001-05:00

If you ever wanted to learn a couple of lessons on how to love you might have been impressed with the actions of the husbands of recently-released Laura Ling and Euna Lee once these women were again in their presence for the first time in four-and-one-half months.The two women descended the steps of the plane and once their feet were on the floor of the hangar their husbands and Euna’s

MY CYBER FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND ME

2009-08-04T14:24:00.002-05:00

My guess is that most of you reading this message have a list of e-mail addresses that is not just a list of names. A few of the addresses are for companies but the majority of names represent individuals. The names in my e-address book represent those people who are family members, friends, and some people I have not met in person but whose paths have crossed mine somewhere along the way.Most of

WHAT IS OF REAL VALUE?

2009-07-21T00:13:00.001-05:00

I often battle with the impression that I would be of more value in the eyes of my fellow sojourners if I were more successful by worldly standards.Just a couple of days ago I mentioned to friends how I’d always wished I had the skills to draw. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be a world-renowned artist? When I was young I tried to draw with pencil and was able to do some very simple circle drawings

THIS IS SCARY

2009-07-16T15:44:00.002-05:00

Today I received another message with a title: “This Is Scary.”My husband and I pray together faithfully for the leaders of our world and our country as we think with concern about how far removed we have come from the origin and intent of the founding of our nation. We pray that capable men and women of faith and substance will step up to carry the charge laid at their feet because we believe

YOU GOTTA LOVE ‘EM

2009-07-12T14:15:00.001-05:00

A new-to-me recliner adorns a place of honor in a corner of our guest room. As I walk by in the hall I look up with a smile and see not only the chair but in my mind I also envision the happy giver, a longtime friend who first owned and took many hours of pleasure and comfort from that chair. Having recently replaced it with a newer model and because she loves us she offered it to members of our

WHAT THE NEIGHBORS THINK IS IMPORTANT…OR IS IT?

2009-07-07T07:23:00.001-05:00

Whether it was from admonition or impression or both, I grew up believing that what the neighbors think is of vital importance.What we grow up believing tends to stay with us long into adulthood whether it is truth or fiction. One of the side effects is that we may then add undue conflicting issues into the lives of our own children as they are growing up.A real life example was the long-ago

LAUGHTER IS GOOD MEDICINE

2009-07-04T11:03:00.001-05:00

I like to laugh, not exactly like the character Ed Wynn played in Mary Poppins, but a bubbling from way down deep belly laugh is good for the whole self sometimes.Laughter at his antics is a good part what caught my attention to a particular classmate all those years ago when we were in high school and that man is now my husband John. That alone should prove the point that laughter is good for a

LESSONS WHILE STANDING IN LINE

2009-06-25T00:16:00.000-05:00

I observed a modern day parable while standing in line at a store yesterday. In front of me was a family that consisted of a mom, a dad, and a boy of about age 7. Standing behind me were a young boy and a woman I assumed to be his mother. With the sale taking place at the head of the line I had the opportunity to observe with pleasure both young boys and their parents.The boy ahead tried on some

THE INVITATION

2009-06-18T12:25:00.000-05:00

“He is the Maker of heaven and earth and the ocean.”Psalm 146:6a (New International Reader's Version)THE INVITATIONThe alluring Atlantic…Please tell her, “Hello!”I hear her invitation…In my imaginationIn each photo I possessIn each sea scene painted by the most imaginative of artistsOn each notecard depictionStepping on her shores I hear…The waves swoosh inThe waves rush outThe call of the

THE BIRTHDAY OF A GRANDDAUGHTER

2009-06-14T14:29:00.000-05:00

Today is our granddaughter’s birthday. She turns nine years old. I wasn’t there at the moment of her birth. I hadn’t sewed any cute girly dresses or crocheted any frilly sweater and hat sets in anticipation of her birth yet this was a long-awaited moment because at the age of eleven years she chose this time to be born anew into the Family of God. (Romans 6:4-6; Galatians 3:27)Because I am her

WORTH SHARING

2009-06-09T09:45:00.001-05:00

In Luke’s early verses of chapter 15 we read the story of the woman who has ten silver coins and having lost one searches diligently for it. Once she has found it she is so filled with rejoicing she calls her friends together to celebrate her joy with her. Some things are just too good to be kept to oneself.During my growing-up years my family and I lived in an Air Force Base city. Attached to

JUST BE

2009-06-02T08:43:00.000-05:00

I am a doer. I am a fixer. My daughter once referred to me as the Energizer Bunny®. Probably the longest I sit still is when I am in my recliner with a book in my hands, having nodded off in momentary slumber. So how can I just be? And what does “just be” mean anyway? A favorite scripture for many people is “Be still and know that I am God…” from Psalm 46:10a (KJV). Could “be still” and

WHAT HAVE YOU FIXED LATELY?

2009-05-28T16:53:00.001-05:00

On earlier occasions I have mentioned that by nature I am “a fixer.” Maybe that’s what all members of the female gender are but not each one admits to it so I don’t think each one is; however I do believe the majority of moms are “fixers.” I once read a definition that the word FIX means “to permanently attach.” Oops…not good if we’re referring to moms here! Fixing is one thing;

EXAMINING TOUGH LOVE

2009-05-26T13:15:00.002-05:00

After many confrontations, the father turned his son in to the authorities because the son had been dealing drugs and growing marijuana in a business establishment the father was helping fund. The television program we watched last night was pretty much opposite of the Bible story referred to as The Prodigal Son except for the love the father held in his heart for his son; however as mentioned,

MEMORIAL DAY 2009

2009-05-23T08:30:00.000-05:00

Memorial Day, 2009….Memorial…Memories…each word or grouping of words brings its own mind images and the visions in my mind are different than the ones you pictured when those same words were first introduced. I see my older brothers as they once were, teenagers in the US Navy uniforms of WW2 issue while my 6-year-old brother and I at age 3 stood by their sides for parting pictures, I unaware

PONDERING OVER THE PUZZLE PIECES

2009-05-14T17:33:00.001-05:00

Does it ever seem that your life is one great big puzzle with you lost somewhere in the middle of those thousands of mixed up pieces, not knowing where you fit or which way to turn? I often “picture” God as being The One who sees the completed puzzle picture with every tiny pixel perfectly in place. Yes, the One Who created the entire world has unique plans for each individual and He made

WHAT BEING A MOTHER MEANS TO ME ~ PART TWO

2009-05-09T13:00:00.001-05:00

Years ago I came across a lengthy poem where a young mother looking into the future of herself asked an older version, “Is the way long?” Certainly when I envisioned becoming a mom, my mind conjured up images of infants in my arms, chasing chuckling toddlers around grassy yards, tears dripping off my chin as I bade them goodbye on their first days of school, followed by bits and pieces of the

WHAT BEING A MOTHER MEANS TO ME

2009-05-08T11:55:00.002-05:00

With the approach of what has come to be known as Mother’s Day I decided to share some of my personal thoughts regarding what being a mother means to me. From the time I was old enough to know about anything my heart's desire was to be a wife and mother...in that order, too! I remember standing by the corner of the little house in the country in West Garland, Maine, when I was eight

DELETED UNREAD

2009-05-01T10:36:00.003-05:00

From time to time our local newspaper requests readers put pen to paper to write their thoughts and memories of specific holidays and/or occasions. The last Presidential Election was just such an opportunity and having known in advance there would likely be an interest I was geared up only I felt the story I had in mind would be better done by one of their reporters so I contacted him by e-mail

THINK ABOUT IT

2009-04-29T16:28:00.000-05:00

“Pray without ceasing.” (I Thessalonians 5:17) How do you do that? Has that question ever come to you? Do you wonder how, in all the busy times in your life you can possibly pray all the time since, after all, that is what to pray without ceasing seems to mean? With the many examples and teachings we have of the prayers of Jesus, we know He did not always position Himself on His knees

ALWAYS THE SAME

2009-04-24T18:18:00.004-05:00

In this world I have grown to expect that things are ever changing but I was really thrown for a loop a few days ago when I heard that the area known as “Four Corners” where the four states of Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico come together has been declared to be off by two-and-one-half miles! We have been there, had our pictures taken there, and even bragged to folks that our Little

THEY ALSO SERVE WHO SIT AND WAIT

2009-04-20T17:36:00.005-05:00

There’s a wonderful story in the Old Testament that I have always loved. It’s found in I Samuel, chapter 30. As you read it ask yourself, “Do I know anyone like this?”That story tells of several battles: David and the men of the city are away when the occurrence of the first battle on the horizon affects each one of them greatly, a raid occurs where David’s wives and families are living and they

IT WAS A SPECIAL TIME

2009-04-18T14:52:00.003-05:00

Yesterday would have been my daddy’s 99th birthday. I wonder who besides me remembered. I am sure one of my brothers was as aware as I and perhaps a few others as well. As the day approached I knew my niece would be aware of the day since from her birth she had shared Daddy’s birthday and we had many happy family meal celebrations topped off with her mother’s creative confections. It was a

UPDATED VERSIONS OF OLDER MODELS

2009-04-16T19:39:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago I took a picture of an updated version of an older model of a car. I took the picture because it reminded me of a car my oldest brother had once owned and because I knew my next-in-age-to-me brother would fully appreciate it as much as I did, not only for it’s aesthetic beauty but for the shared memories it brought to his mind as well. I was right but later I started thinking

DWELLING ON A DREAM

2009-03-15T08:38:00.001-05:00

This morning I woke with such a clear image in mind of a very happy barn swallow soaring straight into the sky with its wings tucked right up against its sides; every once in a while it would open it wings out to either side long enough to let a shower of rain wash them and its body clean. How the swallow was happy I do not know but in my mind the symbolism grew to mean preparing to leave

THE ROOT OF FRIENDSHIP (From A Woman’s Perspective)

2009-03-08T16:14:00.008-05:00

Where do friendships begin? And where do friendships end? Generally it is difficult to pinpoint the exact moment of a friendship’s start although we recall the planting of the seeds; however with a friendship’s end it seems there is a big bang. “A huge blow-up,” is often used as it’s descriptive phrase and we get the picture without the need for a thousand words.Today this is on my mind because I

THE PERFECT GIFT

2009-03-06T16:38:00.001-06:00

Have you ever had a perfect plan made only to have things go awry? It happened to my husband John a few days ago but as often happens, God had other plans with the situation well in hand.On that day I had come close to the limit of my energy level before 11 a.m. so I had said as soon as I finished whatever the next thing was on my list I was planning to take a nap. I was aware that John was

CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS

2009-03-05T14:12:00.001-06:00

Ephesians 2:10 (NASB) states: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” What are these good works? Are good works only those found while teaching Bible classes, being missionaries, doing the work of an evangelist? Or do good works also consist of making sure our pets are well cared for? Does it

THE REST OF THE STORY

2009-02-28T11:34:00.009-06:00

In telling you about the smile the little boy left in my heart (NO DECAY 2-25-09) I didn’t tell “the rest of the story” as Paul Harvey* so eloquently phrases it.The rest of the story goes back to years before my little friend was born. It was 1996, soon after we moved to this city that I was privileged to become a Cradle Roll Teacher of six to eight infants. Some people may scornfully wonder what

NO DECAY

2009-02-25T13:40:00.000-06:00

Have you ever seen a child that is so appealing he makes you smile just because God made him as he is? There he was sitting in his mom’s shopping cart in the seat reserved for children when I first spotted them this morning. I immediately knew I was in for a treat. I said, “Do I see a familiar face?” and his mom stopped, smiled her sweet smile, as she greeted me. He held out his little

THE COMFORTING ARMS OF LOVE

2009-02-06T13:41:00.008-06:00

A long time ago when I suffered repetitive earaches I sat in the arms of my mother to be comforted as we passed precious hours in an old wicker rocking chair. More often than not the earaches didn’t go completely away and the remembrance of that feeling of comfort lasts until today. In the intervening years I outgrew my mother’s lap but I have never outgrown the need for the comforting arms of

EYE CANDY

2008-11-21T06:42:00.000-06:00

Even though I am not a little girl anymore just the mention of the word candy sets my digestive juices flowing. Throughout my life my love for sweets has been so well-known that my mother often stated she should have named me Candy. I have tried the explanation that having been born in September of 1939 meant I grew up with sugar being rationed during WW2 and I think perhaps I didn’t get my

A PRAYER THAT APPEALS

2008-11-15T07:02:00.001-06:00

There is a story that circulates the Internet from time to time about a little boy at a restaurant who tells God thank you for a meal and ends with saying something to the effect he’d be even more thankful if the meal included ice cream. The tale goes on to tell of the chiding comments of a woman nearby declaring that kids don’t even know how to pray. Ah, contraire! Jesus taught, "I tell you the

LET ME HEAR THY VOICE

2008-11-08T09:27:00.000-06:00

I often read the obituaries. It is not as many jokingly ask to see whether or not my name is there. I know my turn will come because one of my favorite Psalms (139) states in verse 16b, “And in Thy book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them”, but when I read the obituary column I am often astounded by the wide discrepancy of ages.

Sometimes God Says No

2008-11-05T14:36:00.001-06:00

In light of the election results many people are questioning the outcome. Sometimes I think I must not be a realist, perhaps a bit too much of a Pollyanna, but I prefer to believe once I have done all I can to make a difference, in faith I am turning it over to God and letting Him take care of the upcoming change. Trails of thoughts have traveled in and out of my mind this morning. One in

A LESSON OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

2008-11-03T09:23:00.000-06:00

This morning I sat at my desk dissolved in tears as I heard the strains of “Through the Eyes of Love” being played in the background while I tried to rid the sorrow I had just finished reading of the death of a little Yorkie (dog) who died at age 3 from a previously undiagnosed problem until during surgery it became an unfixable problem. First of all the little doggie had been loved from the

THE MISSING VOTE

2008-10-29T16:23:00.003-05:00

There’s a vote that will be missing in the upcoming Presidential Election. Is it important? What’s the big deal anyway? Will it matter?It’s important because when voter Helen Bartlett was born in 1897, she and those of her gender in the United States of America did not have The Right to Vote and once she had the privilege she never took it lightly.The big deal is she knew women had been willing

I NEEDED A TREE!

2008-09-29T07:15:00.000-05:00

At one point in our married life we had bought and sold three houses in four years, moved to England and back, lived in the country for a while, returned to city living, then finally after my late-bloomer husband finished college we moved to a small city in the far northern part of the state. By the time we were able to even think about buying a house I recall simply wanting "my own tree!”

HAVE YOU TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY LATELY?

2008-09-24T09:37:00.001-05:00

Do we take advantage of every opportunity as soon as it is presented? If we wait too long the moment will pass along with the perfect present.In John 9: 4 Jesus taught us, “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.” (NASB) and again Paul through the scriptures teaches, “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if

HOW DO WE DEAL WITH LACK OF SERVICE ?

2008-09-16T12:17:00.001-05:00

I recently heard a question posed regarding how we as Christians deal with poor service in public places. No one seemed to want to answer when asked if we should complain. I finally responded I felt we should but the manner in which we did should show we are Christians and that we stand out as far different than others who treat the same situation in a much different manner.The impression I got

GOD’S GIFT OF MORNING

2008-09-15T10:04:00.000-05:00

When we lived in Maine I often looked out over the autumn-colored country fields; in Tucson I stood by my kitchen window and often mused “I look unto the hills from whence cometh my help,” (Psalm 121:1 KJV) while not so long ago on a West Texas morning I opened our office window blinds and studied the gray-blue sky to the east to see it tinged with brightening shades of lighter blue peeking

A DAY TO REMEMBER

2008-09-12T12:44:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, 9-11-2008, was a day to remember the fallen of 9-11-2001. How many times did you hear the message reverberate, “We don’t want to forget those who were lost”? The question that came to my mind leading up to that day of remembrance and throughout it is, do we as God’s Children remember the fallen simply as snuffed-out lives (which is certainly great loss) or do we recognize them as

Sarah Palin

2008-09-03T08:49:00.000-05:00

I received a very interesting article about Sarah Palin, the choice John McCain has made for his Vice-Presidential running mate candidate. As a result I am left with even stronger feelings that we MUST PRAY for Sarah Palin and her family during this trying time in their lives. Much of the press seems determined to vilify Sarah Palin and her family but I wonder if she is a modern-day Esther.

MORNING MUSINGS

2008-07-30T20:31:00.001-05:00

I’ve been reading another book in a series by a favored author and during some sleepless early morning hours I lay musing over why I like her writing style so much. It was then the lightbulb turned on brighter than usual and I realized it’s partly because her characters have repetitious traits that remain constant. “Ah, ha!” to quote her main character! And I am a person who is extremely

A STORY

2008-05-22T09:09:00.003-05:00

As the young man who comes by to maintain our yard edged our lawn yesterday, a rock flew up, hit a window in our van, and before he could look up, the window had shattered into a plethora of pieces of tinted tones of toasted tans that could be used for millions of mosaic tiles should he have been so inclined…which at the moment he was not! He was really distraught and with head and shoulders hung

THE LESSON OF THE IRIS

2008-04-15T23:02:00.007-05:00

These pictures were taken from our yard as I aimed my camera into our neighbor's floral display yesterday! I missed the opportunity last year because the days of beauty are so brief and when I saw the blossoms appear a few days ago I determined it would not be so this year! I was busy around but all of a sudden yesterday I decided, "This is the day!" so I took the pictures, came in and played

“IN THE WORLD YOU HAVE TRIBULATION, BUT TAKE COURAGE…”

2008-04-13T15:14:00.000-05:00

It is always a concern when I learn of a young woman, particularly a young mother, who has developed breast cancer or some other devastating ailment. My mind rather swiftly goes back to how my major goal in life was to be THE ONE to raise my children and the feelings of empathy wash through me with the surge of an overflowing river. However, I also know God had a plan for us before the

CAROUSEL HORSES AND MERRY-GO-ROUNDS

2008-03-05T11:32:00.000-06:00

This morning I thought I was awake but I must have been in a state between awake and asleep because when I did wake I realized I had just had a vision of an absolutely beautiful carousel with lots of gold filigree. It wasn’t particularly large so I think it must have been an ornamental one and why I would have seen such I have no idea except I am partial to pastel carousel horses,

ETERNAL SPRING!

2008-03-04T13:08:00.002-06:00

Spring. A time of new beginnings. Lots of things have been written about it so this is not the first nor will it be the last but at least this should be different. A few moments ago I spoke with a friend whose wife passed away last evening. I asked if he had been able to be with her. He had. I told him I knew how important that had to be as I relayed to him the many questions I didn’t

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS

2008-02-25T22:33:00.002-06:00

News coming into our home during the past weeks has not been that good. It’s not that we always expect everything to be nothing but good news but things seem to be a little skewed to the wrong side of the scales lately.Young parents tend to think when the children have grown that the concerns for their well-being will lessen. I am here to tell you that is definitely not so! The parental

WHAT ABOUT THOSE POLITICAL CARTOONS AND STORIES?

2008-02-19T17:16:00.000-06:00

Political stories and cartoons are always with us on any wavelength and in any print form imaginable. The question that has been on my mind lately is, “What are we going to do about them?” You may or may not have noticed but in the upper right hand corner of our site there has been a poll that needs a simple click answer…no signing in…just a click to show your preference…but only one person

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET OUR ATTENTION?

2008-02-18T10:05:00.000-06:00

Yesterday morning we were studying about Jesus’ feeding of five-thousand men plus women and children from Matthew 14:13-21 in our Bible Study. The teacher said, “If that happened today it’d have to get your attention.” I wonder… In 1964 when our three children were young we were blessed to live next door to an elderly couple who had never had children but loved little ones dearly. Their

TRANSIENTS AMBASSADORS

2008-02-13T11:22:00.003-06:00

Transients: that’s what we are on this earth. I was reminded of it once again a few days ago when dear friends announced they’d be moving away. Their telling brought back memories of the many moves my family and I have made and an observation our then eighteen-year-old daughter made, “Why is life so full of so many goodbyes?” The only answer I had for her at that time was, “We just don’t notice

GRACE

2008-02-11T15:28:00.000-06:00

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV)This scripture quoted and the thoughts expressed as recently as eight days ago by a woman in our adult Bible Class on a Sunday morning not only brought a fond recollection of my mother’s frequently repeating the same passage, but presented it from a

GENERATIONS OF SMILES

2008-02-07T21:19:00.000-06:00

I don’t know how many years my husband’s grandparents were married but it brings a few smiles to recall some of the tales Nana told us when we were young and contemplating our marriage.One of the stories that remains precious and almost unimaginable knowing Nana as the sedate wife of a minister, great student of the Bible, and wonderful gentle lady of distinction she came to be, was about how she

DAILY DIAMONDS

2008-02-06T11:25:00.000-06:00

Why do we as women of God allow the teachings of the world and/or the actions/reactions of other people permeate our deepest beings to the point of allowing ourselves to feel so invaluable as human beings? I have been pondering this question and what I can do about it since it came to light so obviously with reader responses to the article “I’M INVISIBLE”. I cannot even begin to suggest