America the Beautiful with Norman Rockwell’s Beloved Artwork

Hi friends.  As we get caught up in the politics of our time,

let’s take a moment to rest and reflect, remembering our love for God who has blessed our country so,

our love for the people who have given of themselves,

and our love for our land, in all its splendor.

 

America the Beautiful!
Words by Katharine Lee Bates,
Melody by Samuel Ward

O beautiful for spacious skies,

 
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!

 

America! America!

 
God shed his grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet

Whose stern impassioned stress

A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!

America! America!

 
God mend thine every flaw,

 
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.

 
Who more than self their country loved

And mercy more than life!

America! America!

 
May God thy gold refine

Till all success be nobleness

 
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream

That sees beyond the years

 
Thine alabaster cities gleam

 
Undimmed by human tears!

 

America! America!

 
God shed his grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

                            

“Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor Liberty to purchase power.”  
                                 Benjamin Franklin

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”  John F. Kennedy

“Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom and then lost it have never known it again.”  Ronald Reagan

A Passing Smile

Gentle eyes and a big smile looked down at me.  My heart melted as I saw this tall elderly man before me, whom I had never met.

Behind that smile was Felix.  His voice was as soft as his eyes and his countenance displayed a kind heart.  We chit-chatted for a few moments and although our meeting was brief, I was aware that he was sent in my path straight from Heaven.  Life is beating me down at every turn these days, and Tuesday morning, I knew what I was facing.  “Lord, if you will just get me through this with small things like a breeze when I am overheated, or a smile from a stranger when I am overwhelmed.”  Little did I know as I prayed that morning, the forecast would be an unusual fall like day although we are in the throes of August.  And the smile this dear man gave was beyond what I had asked for.

Yesterday, I ran into Felix again; just by happenstance, one may think.  As we talked more, I told him how much I needed his kindness the day prior and I went on to say that it was clear to me that he had the love of Christ flowing out of him.  It was then that I discovered he had been a preacher for many years and his words reflected an intimate relationship with Christ. 

Although his body is starting to weaken with age, it is plain to see that his character is strong.  His face shines with a life lived for Christ, showing an absence of pride and self centeredness, but rather humility and love.  I’ll never forget him.  Our paths crossing not only eased my pain and gave me courage, but gave me vision.

How will you affect those whose path you cross today?

Steps of Blessing

"Thus I will bless thee while I live…" Psalm 63:4 

These words seemed to jump off the page…  

Being a blessing to the Creator of the Universe…

I like the sound of that!  That is truly an amazing concept, isn’t it? 

So how do we go about doing just that?

Simply stated,

1.  Live your life revolving around Jesus.

2.  Live your life separated from sin. 

3.  Live your life making an impact.

4.  Live your life as a progressive journey.

 
[Painting is “Stairway to Paradise” by Thomas Kinkade]

Let’s be a blessing to Jesus!  He is so worthy!

Thank you for taking the time to visit today!  I’m glad that you are here!

Adventure of the Best Kind

Do you like adventure?

You do?  Good!  So how about take part in an adventure to reclaim stolen territory—God’s territory? 

There is so much need in our world.  Will you be one of the few that is willing to help souls that desperately need to know and experience the love of Jesus?

Now, just in case you don’t feel qualified, here’s the thing.  You are!

God made you with just the right traits—your knowledge, your gifts and talents, your temperament, your life experiences—all of which will help you as you witness, serve, and live out God’s calling for your life.

Why, you’re His beloved child and friend!  He’s full of plans and purpose for you (and don’t let anyone or anything convince you otherwise!).

I bet you already know where to begin…

Yep,  you got it, in prayer and in His Word. 

• Take care to make your relationship with Him your first priority
  
• Seek His guidance with an obedient and teachable heart 
  
• Expectantly, stay on the lookout for opportunities that He puts before you
  
• Realize that each obstacle and each challenge is an opportunity to grow spiritually stronger  

Your adventure may or may not take you to far away lands; it may or may not have you doing out of the ordinary things. 

Thus far, my adventure has been pretty ordinary in the world’s eyes, but not to the Lord, nor to me.  An example that comes to mind is having the privilege to teach my children to read, and now I get to see them as a teen and young adults choose to read and study God’s Word.  Many of you moms know what a thrilling adventure that is!   

You see, there’s no such of a thing as an unimportant assignment to God. 

Look at Tychicus.  His job was to carry Paul’s letters from prison to the churches.  Imagine how insignificant that may have seemed to a casual observer.  Reckon Tyhchicus realized how significant his tasks were going to be?

So just think, my friend,

what you do with your days will literally have eternal significance!  Isn’t that an awesome thought. . . . and responsibility!

Will you say “yes, Lord,” and set sail today on your lifetime adventure? 

There is nothing more fulfilling than living the life that the Lord Jesus Christ calls you to. 

P.S.
The sailor boy image in this post is a free graphic that you are welcome to use. 

Praying for Your Children and Grandchildren

Years ago, I was given a list of praying guidelines that has been a blessing to me and I would like to share it with you: 

Pray that your children will fear the Lord and serve Him.  Deuteronomy 6:13

Pray that your children will know Christ as Savior early in life.  Psalm 63:1

Pray that your children will hate sin. 
Psalm 97:10

Pray that your children’s lives will bear the fruit of the Spirit.  Galatians 5:22-23

Pray that your children will respect those in authority over them.  Romans 13:11

Pray that your children will be kept from the wrong mate and saved for the right one. 
2 Corinthians 6:14

Pray that your children and their prospective mates will be kept pure until marriage.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20

Pray that your children will learn to submit totally to God and actively resist Satan in all circumstances.  James 4:7

Pray that your children will desire the right kind of friends and be protected from the wrong kind. Proverbs 1:10, 15

Pray that your children will be hedged in so they cannot find their way to wrong people or wrong places, and the wrong people cannot find their way to your children.  Hosea 2: 6-7

Pray that your children will be caught when they’re guilty.  Psalm 119:71

Pray that your children will have quick, repentant hearts.  Psalm 51:1-3

Pray that your children will honor their parents so all will go well with them.  Ephesians 6:1-2

Pray that your children will have a responsible attitude in all their interpersonal relationships. Daniel 6:3

Pray that your children will be teachable and able to take correction.  Isaiah 54:13,
Proverbs 13:1

Pray that your children will live by the spirit and not gratify the flesh.  Galatians 5:16

Pray that your children will trust in the Lord for the direction of their lives, including their occupation.  Proverbs 3:56

This prayer list originally came from The Stay-at-Home Mom, by Donna Otto. 
Artwork is by Frederick Morgan (1847 - 1927)

Three Weddings and a Funeral

How is your summer going?  Down here in the deep south, it’s been hot, and the mosquitos swimming by is an indication of the humidity levels!  Thankfully, we recently have gotten lots of rain showers which has helped keep the temps down for a few days. 

As for the funeral, our dear uncle on my husband’s side passed away.  We’re missing him.  His jolly way, big smile, and easy laughter are always my first thoughts as I think of him.

Now to the good news!

We had three weddings to celebrate this June! 

I didn’t get many pictures of the first one, but the ceremony was traditional until the bride and groom walked down the aisle as husband and wife to the Star Wars Theme - quite amusing!  

The second wedding had a fifties theme and the creativity was spectacular!  The church filled quickly and when seating was full, crowds lined the walls on both sides!  

The drive to the lodge for the reception was equally packed!  Inside and out were lots of people and so much excitement hung in the air.  

The detailed touches made me feel like I had stepped into a wedding scene in a old southern movie, even down to the classic coke bottles with paper striped straws which my oldest gal is enjoying in this picture.

 Such fun!

The last wedding in June belonged to my daughter’s dear friend that is like a sister to her, and a daughter to me.  Our families are close, and we have watched our children grow up together over the years.   My daughter was a bridesmaid, and there was much excitement and lots of activities.

Making decorations for the wedding reception

(these turned out pretty hanging from the ceiling),

the girls taking a road trip to shop for bridesmaids dresses, coming out empty handed, then finding something online as they refueled at McDonalds before the long drive home,

my daughter and I on a quest for the perfect shoes to go with her dress (Incidentally, nothing brings bigger smiles to her sweet face than to take her shoe shopping!),

the bridal shower,

the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner,

 

the girls meeting for lunch and getting their nails done before the big day. . . all were happy memories in the making! 

The day arrived in no time, and

getting all prettified in a Sunday School room, lunch in the room next door,

the bouquets arriving,

final adjustments to her gown which originally belonged to her devoted mother, excited voices humming. . .more memories. . . it was all so wonderful!  And then,

the bride and her dad, walked arm and arm in this beautiful moment.  A dad that will one day hear “Well done my good and faithful servant” for being an amazing father, raising precious daughters in the Lord, along with his beloved wife.

He gave her away and then he got to perform the wedding ceremony as her pastor.

The groom choked back tears of joy as he saw his beautiful bride walk down the aisle.

This was their first kiss not only as husband and wife, but their first kiss ever!

These two have had eyes for each other since they were eleven, and this day was exceptional in so many ways!

^“Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”

Psalm 37: 4-5

And He did! 

Who Can You Comfort?

Do you know someone struggling that you can help lift their spirit?  Perhaps it is someone sick, or someone hurting, or someone experiencing a time of loneliness. . . 

Will you come alongside them and let them know that they are not going through their low moments alone? 

With a tender heart, will you offer them   
a listening ear,
            a kind word,
                        comfort,
                               assurance,
                                     and encouragement? 

Life is tough, and it sure does help to know that we are loved and that someone cares about what we are going through.  Will you purpose in your heart to be a beacon of light throughout their turbulent time?

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” 
                                    2 Corinthians 1:3-5

No Need to Fear!

    Did you know that

      God’s Word tells us
               not to fear
                365 times?

What ever you are  facing today,  there’s  no need to fear -

      He’s by your side,          
    each 
            &       
          every day   
        of the year!