Volunteers...
V is for the valiant efforts you show each day.
O is for the organizations that you help.
L is for the love you share.
U is for the understanding in your smile.
N is for the needs you meet.
T is for your talents.
E is for everything you give.
E is for everybody that thinks you're fabulous.
R is for a reminder that the world would be lost without you!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Beauty Queen
When I was in elementary school, we had an annual “competition” for Prince & Princess and King & Queen of our school. I remember one year – I was in second grade, my sister was in fourth – I won the title for Princess and she won for Queen. We both were so excited! We got these little awards… her trophy was a tad bit bigger than mine – after all, she was a Queen. And we got these beautiful long stem red roses.
When they put those roses in our little arms, tears came to our eyes… not because we were so touched, but because they were filled with thorns! No matter, though. We stood there and waved to everyone, in our best royal waves, acting as if nothing in the world was wrong. Why? Because that’s what women do. We can sacrifice a little pain for our beauty… Even little girls knew that.
When I turned 11 years old, I BEGGED my mother to “fix” my eyebrows. I was one of those unlucky girls that had the whole uni-brow thing going on… I still do if I don’t wax every six weeks. Anyway, after begging and pleading and swearing that I would “keep up” with them, my mother sat me down and began “plucking”. After about 2 minutes on ONE EYE, I begged her to stop! I didn’t really care if my eyes matched or not at that point. But, we women must go through these things to be pretty, so I sat there until she was finished. (The same thing happened when “I just couldn’t live another moment if my legs weren’t shaved”, and I about bled to death from all the teeny tiny cuts I inflicted on myself.)
But seriously, why do so many women go through so many unnecessary options to maintain what the world believes is the standard of beauty? Some drive themselves crazy by jumping on the scale every day or suffer from eating disorders, some spend hours at the gym - beyond what is healthy, some buy every ointment they can get their hands on for their “imperfections” or go under the knife for radical plastic surgeries. It’s so unfortunate because we all should be measured (and accepted) by the beauty of our hearts… not our bodies.
1 Peter 3:3-4 (NIV)
3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
When they put those roses in our little arms, tears came to our eyes… not because we were so touched, but because they were filled with thorns! No matter, though. We stood there and waved to everyone, in our best royal waves, acting as if nothing in the world was wrong. Why? Because that’s what women do. We can sacrifice a little pain for our beauty… Even little girls knew that.
When I turned 11 years old, I BEGGED my mother to “fix” my eyebrows. I was one of those unlucky girls that had the whole uni-brow thing going on… I still do if I don’t wax every six weeks. Anyway, after begging and pleading and swearing that I would “keep up” with them, my mother sat me down and began “plucking”. After about 2 minutes on ONE EYE, I begged her to stop! I didn’t really care if my eyes matched or not at that point. But, we women must go through these things to be pretty, so I sat there until she was finished. (The same thing happened when “I just couldn’t live another moment if my legs weren’t shaved”, and I about bled to death from all the teeny tiny cuts I inflicted on myself.)
But seriously, why do so many women go through so many unnecessary options to maintain what the world believes is the standard of beauty? Some drive themselves crazy by jumping on the scale every day or suffer from eating disorders, some spend hours at the gym - beyond what is healthy, some buy every ointment they can get their hands on for their “imperfections” or go under the knife for radical plastic surgeries. It’s so unfortunate because we all should be measured (and accepted) by the beauty of our hearts… not our bodies.
1 Peter 3:3-4 (NIV)
3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Thought for the Day...
1 John 3:1
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God...
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Right From the Start...
My son and I took his daughter to the doctor earlier this week. She wasn't happy about being there... even less happy when she discovered that her doctor was a BOY!lol However, when Dr. Mason listened for Jesus in her heart while checking her heartbeat and lungs, she decided he was okay - she even gave him a sticker when we were leaving.
In a world where kids can't say the Pledge of Allegiance or openly pray in school, our family has made some important decisions when it comes to my granddaughter - who'll be four in a couple of weeks:
1.) She attends a daycare that PRAYS before every meal, and teaches important moral lessons (in addition to the THREE Rs).
2.) She plays sports through the YMCA because they teach more than just the fundamentals of basketball or soccer... they teach four core values - respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring.
3.) We have her watch television shows and movies - like Veggie Tales - that have important lessons for her mind and heart.
God has blessed us with this precious little creature, and we intend to take the responsibility of raising her very seriously.
Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
6 Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
In a world where kids can't say the Pledge of Allegiance or openly pray in school, our family has made some important decisions when it comes to my granddaughter - who'll be four in a couple of weeks:
1.) She attends a daycare that PRAYS before every meal, and teaches important moral lessons (in addition to the THREE Rs).
2.) She plays sports through the YMCA because they teach more than just the fundamentals of basketball or soccer... they teach four core values - respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring.
3.) We have her watch television shows and movies - like Veggie Tales - that have important lessons for her mind and heart.
God has blessed us with this precious little creature, and we intend to take the responsibility of raising her very seriously.
Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
6 Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
God Has a Plan...
Jeremiah 29:11 "for I know the plans I have for YOU, declares the LORD"
Did you ever wonder what God has in store for your life? I know I have... many times! I've wondered the same thing about other people's lives, too. For instance, I like country music. To be honest I love pretty much all types of music, but country is my favorite. Anyway, at one time I listened to a local radio station that featured a DJ on their morning show by the name of Bobby Jack Murphy.
Bobby Jack wasn't the normal, run of the mill, morning disc jockey. He was a disc jockey you could really relate to... sometimes he flustered his words, most times he talked about things that interested the average person, and always he was sincere. And then, he was gone! The radio station decided to replace him. I wondered what plans God had for Bobby Jack.
Well, about six months ago, I tuned into one of my favorite "talk radio" channels - 94.7 WFIA (a Christian station) - and guess who was on there! Yep, Bobby Jack Murphy! Not only had God lead him to another outlet for his talent, he has allowed to prosper in that position: Bobby Jack was recently the WINNER of the WHAS 11's Best Radio Personality!
If you are in the Kentuckiana area, I encourage you to tune into Bobby Jack and his show, On the Way Home weekdays at 4pm. Plus, is you're a country music fan, WFIA offers Country You Can Believe In weeknights at 7pm.
Remember, God always has a plan... He had one for Bobby Jack, and He has one for YOU!
"I'm no preacher or Bible Scholar, just a growing Christian who wants to share with others along the journey to our ultimate home, with Him"
Bobby Jack Murphy
Did you ever wonder what God has in store for your life? I know I have... many times! I've wondered the same thing about other people's lives, too. For instance, I like country music. To be honest I love pretty much all types of music, but country is my favorite. Anyway, at one time I listened to a local radio station that featured a DJ on their morning show by the name of Bobby Jack Murphy.
Bobby Jack wasn't the normal, run of the mill, morning disc jockey. He was a disc jockey you could really relate to... sometimes he flustered his words, most times he talked about things that interested the average person, and always he was sincere. And then, he was gone! The radio station decided to replace him. I wondered what plans God had for Bobby Jack.
Well, about six months ago, I tuned into one of my favorite "talk radio" channels - 94.7 WFIA (a Christian station) - and guess who was on there! Yep, Bobby Jack Murphy! Not only had God lead him to another outlet for his talent, he has allowed to prosper in that position: Bobby Jack was recently the WINNER of the WHAS 11's Best Radio Personality!
If you are in the Kentuckiana area, I encourage you to tune into Bobby Jack and his show, On the Way Home weekdays at 4pm. Plus, is you're a country music fan, WFIA offers Country You Can Believe In weeknights at 7pm.
Remember, God always has a plan... He had one for Bobby Jack, and He has one for YOU!
"I'm no preacher or Bible Scholar, just a growing Christian who wants to share with others along the journey to our ultimate home, with Him"
Bobby Jack Murphy
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
FAITH...
It's not the size of our faith that saves us... it's the god we have our faith in that saves us.
Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me."
I choose to have faith in my Lord - the creator of Heaven and Earth - and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
A Letter to God...
I received this in an email today. It is one of the kindest things you may ever see.
Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:
“Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love,
Meredith”
We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.
Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:
"Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by. Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.
Love,
God"
It is not known who replied, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service.
Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:
“Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love,
Meredith”
We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.
Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:
"Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by. Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.
Love,
God"
It is not known who replied, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service.
Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)