i say, you say, God says:

Wow. I haven’t seen this in awhile. As I glance through these lines, I’m thinking I should post this on the fridge. It's pathetic the number of times “I’ve said”, without waiting to listen for what “God says”. As often as I feel or voice these things, you’d think by now I’d know that God will always fulfill my needs. When I’m alone, when I’m frustrated, when I’m gloomy, when I’m saddened, when I’m weary, when I’m grumpy, when I’m overwhelmed, no matter what I am – I must stop and learn to listen. God is exactly who I need, what I need, when I need, why I need, and how I need. Awesome, isn’t it?

You say, "It's impossible".
God says: "All things are possible". (Luke 18:27)
You say, "I'm too tired".
God says: "I will give you rest". (Matthew 11:28-20)
You say, "Nobody really loves me".
God says: "I love you". (John 3:16 - John 13:34)
You say, "I can't go on."
God says: "My grace is sufficient." (II Cor. 12:9 - Psalm 91:15)
You say, "I can't figure things out."
God says: "I will direct your steps." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say, "I can't do it."
God says: "You can do all things in Me." (Phil 4:13)
You say, "It's not worth it."
God says: "It will be worth it." (Romans 8:28)
You say, "I can't forgive myself."
God says: "I forgive you." (I John 1:9 - Romans 8:1)
You say, "I can't manage."
God says: "I will supply all your needs." (Phil 4:19)
You say, "I'm afraid."
God says: "I have not given you a spirit of fear." (II Tim. 1:7)
You say, "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: "Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)
You say, "I don't have enough faith."
God says: "I've given everyone a measure of faith." (Romans 12:3)
You say, "I'm not smart enough."
God says: "I give you wisdom." (I Cor. 1:30)
You say, "I feel all alone."
God says: "I will never leave you or forsake you." (Heb. 13:5)

our house has cooties

The nice young man came by the house this afternoon. He arrived promptly at the appointed time. Very nice of him.

The nice young man crawled under the house into the nasty, creepy, disgusting crawl space. He carefully inspected the dark, dank area for icky creatures. Very nice of him.

The nice young man came inside and talked to me for awhile. He gently broke the distressing news that our house has termites. He thoroughly explained our dire predicament. Very nice of him.

The nice young man is going to come again on Friday morning. He will kill the vicious, conniving little monsters. He will make them pay for their destructive sabotage. Very nice of him.

the gift

Over the years, I’ve received some gifts that haven’t been easy to accept, maybe for my birthday, or perhaps for Christmas. The gifts may have been exceptionally generous, or undoubtedly pricey, or incredibly lavish. I’d feel tremendously appreciative and thankful, but lovely gifts such as these seemed too extravagant for someone to give to me!

That’s sort of how I think of God’s grace. I certainly don’t deserve this gift that God offers so freely, and I definitely haven’t done anything to earn it. I became a Christian because I have accepted this incredibly amazing gift of God’s grace. By faith, I received His grace and His salvation and His love and His mercy. It’s thru these gifts that I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Yes, thru faith, I’m saved by grace!

It’s wonderful - God’s grace is exceptionally, undoubtedly, incredibly, tremendously the best gift of all!

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.
(Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV)

Who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
(2 Timothy 1:9 NIV)

God’s names thru the Bible

Over the years, Mark has narrated our church’s Easter and Christmas programs. The following is my favorite of all his recitations. (No, he doesn’t memorize this one!)

He is No Other Name…
In GENESIS Jesus is the Ram at Abraham’s altar
In EXODUS He’s the Passover Lamb
In LEVITICUS the High Priest
In NUMBERS He’s the Cloud by Day and Pillar of Fire by Night
In DEUTERONOMY He’s the City of our Refuge
In JOSHUA He’s the Scarlet Thread out Rahab’s Window
In JUDGES He’s our Judge
In RUTH our Kinsman Redeemer
In 1st & 2nd SAMUEL He’s our Trusted Prophet
In KINGS and CHRONICLES He’s our Reigning King
In EZRA He’s our Faithful Scribe
In NEHEMIAH the Rebuilder of Everything that is Broken
In ESTHER He is the Mordecai Sitting Faithful at the Gate
In JOB He’s our Redeemer that Ever Liveth
In PSALMS He’s my Shepherd and I shall not want
In PROVERBS and ECCLESIASTES He’s our Wisdom
In the SONG OF SOLOMON He’s the Beautiful Bridegroom
In ISAIAH the Suffering Servant
In JEREMIAH and LAMENTATIONS it’s Jesus who is the Weeping Prophet
In EZEKIEL He’s the Wonderful Four-Faced Man
In DANIEL He’s the Fourth Man in the Midst of a Fiery Furnace
In HOSEA He’s my Love who is Forever Faithful
In JOEL He Baptizes us with the Holy Spirit
In AMOS He’s our Burden Bearer
In OBADIAH our Savior
In JONAH the Great Foreign Missionary Who Takes the Word of God into All the World
In MICAH He’s the Messenger with Beautiful Feet
In NAHUM the Avenger
In HABAKKUK the Watchman who is ever Praying for Revival
In ZEPHANIAH He’s the Lord Mighty to Save
In HAGGAI the Restorer of our Lost Heritage
In ZECHARIAH He’s our Fountain
In MALACHI the Son of Righteousness with Healing in His Wings
In MATTHEW Thou art the Christ the Son of the Living God
In MARK He’s the Miracle Worker
In LUKE the Son of Man
In JOHN He’s the Door by Which Everyone of Us Must Enter
In ACTS He’s the Shining Light who Appears to Saul on the Road to Damascus
In ROMANS our Justifier
In 1st CORINTHIANS our Resurrection
In 2nd CORINTHIANS our Sin Bearer
In GALATIANS He redeems us from the Law
In EPHESIANS He’s our Unsearchable Riches
In PHILIPPIANS He Supplies our Every Need
In COLOSSIANS the Fullness of the Godhead Bodily
In 1st and 2nd THESSALONIANS He’s our Soon Coming King
In 1st and 2nd TIMOTHY the Mediator Between God and Man
In TITUS our Blessed Hope
In PHILEMON He’s a Friend Who Sticks Closer than a Brother
In HEBREWS the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant
In JAMES it’s the Lord who Heals the Sick
In 1st and 2nd PETER He’s the Chief Shepherd
In 1st, 2nd, and 3rd JOHN it’s Jesus Who has the Tenderness of Love
In JUDE He’s the Lord Coming with 10,000 Saints
And in REVELATION, lift up your eyes, Church, for your redemption draweth nigh,
He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

mercy & grace

i could only respond with “no! no! no! no! no!”

The last several days have been surreal. Tragedy has struck this neighborhood. A myriad of lives have been deeply affected. In the span of only a few minutes, lives were shattered. The destruction reaches widely among this town.

There’s a family who lives near us – just down the hill and one street across. We first met them when Andrew went to elementary school with their oldest son, Adam. Both boys were about the same age and had similar interests. They played a lot of sports together, often being on the same team. Adam was the oldest child of four. After him, there’s a boy, a girl, and another boy bringing up the rear. Their family of six and ours of three spent lots of time together in those early years, seemingly forever involved in sports.

Basketball games were held at our neighborhood Rec Center. Both families spent a vast amount of time, sitting on uncomfortable wooden bleachers, talking a lot, and cheering the team along to a win. From 1991 to 1993, Andrew and Adam were both on the Cougars team. Most games, I was able to hold Adam’s baby brother and put him to sleep in the midst of all the racket. I shouldn’t complain about the hard bleachers, at least the games and practices were held inside.

Now, baseball begins with T-Ball and ends with the Senior League. During baseball season, the weather is anything but predictable. One day, we’d be wrapped in quilts, sipping on hot chocolate. Other times, we’d roast into the aluminum bleachers downing cold drinks. Why did I never bring a comfortable lawn chair? I don’t know.

Andrew and Adam played Little League baseball, and ended up on the same team several times. In 1993 and 1994, they played together on the Major League Rockies. They both made the American League All-Star team in 1995.

In middle school, they participated on the Welborn Wildcats Track team for a couple of years. I’m not sure if I’ve covered everything. As you probably figured, Andrew and Adam played plenty of sports! Oh, how the years have flown by.

Yep, Andrew and Adam hung around oodles of time from Kindergarten until High School Graduation. After they graduated, they went their separate ways and eventually lost touch. The same with us parents - we left the world of childhood sports and went in other directions. They live so close by. It’s a shame.

The surreal tragedy that happened Saturday afternoon, I can hardly bear to think about, let alone put into words. No one will ever know exactly what took place. The families will forever have heartrending questions, and there will be no answers in return.

On Saturday afternoon, police were in route to a domestic disturbance call and were notified that shots had been fired. They gained entry by forcing the door open. In the bedroom, lay the lifeless body of Rebecca, age 27. She was Adam’s fiancé. Adam, age 26, was taken by ambulance to the hospital where he died. This was a murder-suicide.

There is absolutely no way I can identify with what these families and friends are trying desperately to understand. There are innumerable questions that need answers. The agony of the next days and weeks and months will be overwhelmed with sorrow and anguish. We don’t know the reasons why this happened, but God will be glorified thru this tragedy.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.
He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life;
He leads me along the right paths for His name's sake.
Even when I go through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff - they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me
all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
as long as I live.

(Psalms 23 - The Holman Christian Standard Bible)

my sis, my cat, and my Lord

I spent Wednesday thru Friday with my Sis. She’s doing so much better than the last time I saw her. She has gotten amazingly fast with her walker, but is anxiously awaiting graduation to a cane. We had a good time together just lazing around doing nothing much except talking. Our conversations sailed around from one subject to another. We were delighted at a visit from our great-nephew and his parents. My Mom came by to spend some time with her “girls”. It was a wonderful visit with my wonderful Sis, something we haven’t been able to do for a long, long time. It’s fantastic to have a big sis…

My beloved cat Callie and I spend our days together. We are used to each other’s company and each other’s routines. There are the usual weekend trips when we visit family, she stays home by herself, but she knows what to expect. She understands when the luggage comes out from under the bed, her “parents” are going to be gone for a short time, and I emphasize “short time”. However, this time was different…

Remember now, I left Callie Wednesday. She spent her days alone and her evenings with Mark; her routine had suddenly changed. When I returned Friday evening, she spotted me in the doorway and scampered from the room to a safe hiding place. It was blatantly obvious that Callie was beyond being annoyed with me. I was devastated by her response to my absence. It bothers me that my absence had such a disparaging outcome for her; however, I can’t be with her all the time. Finally, Sunday afternoon, Callie was no longer annoyed; she forgave me and curled up for a nap with me. Ahhh, what a nice feeling…

This experience reminds me of another type of absence. An absence that will never happen. It doesn’t matter where I go. It doesn’t matter for how long I’m gone. I’ll never be abandoned. I’ll never be alone. I’m talking about my Lord. He’s always beside me. He’ll never, ever leave me. He’ll never disown me. I am His. Period. It’s a very good place to be…

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
(Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV)

because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
(Hebrews 13:5 NIV)

been tagged! by sharon...

What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was working full-time, attending college at night (12 semester hours) for a BS in Accounting, and had an almost-sixteen-year-old son

5 things on your to do list for today?
1. quiet time
2. wash clothes
3. plant flower seeds in pots
4. tidy up
5. rest

5 things you would do if you were a billionaire?
1. support missions in a big way
2. buy a one floor condo with double garage
3. splurge on family
4. pay approx $375,000,000 in annual federal taxes
5. I would not take it with me

Name 3 bad habits:
1. talk too much
2. don’t exercise enough
3. spend too much time at home

List 5 jobs I have had:
1. bank bookkeeper
2. customer file processor
3. certificate of deposit specialist
4. accounting assistant
5. loan ops manager
6. bank auditor

5 Books I have recently read:
1. the Holy Bible
2. that’s it
3. naught
4. zilch
5. nil

I tag Tammy, Kathy

Sunday, may 4th - it was a very good day

Riding with a friend, Andrew was on his way home from Maggie Valley. He had gone for some semi-rough camping and Christian fellowship with a group of men from his church. His Dad picked him up at an exit off I40, and brought him back to our house. Just minutes later, Sheila and Olivia arrived. They had spent the weekend with family. Auntie Emily had a birthday and the celebration was especially enjoyed by all! (That’s what Olivia said.)

Welcome! It was great timing for their arrivals, for a meal, and for a visit. Mark and I fixed up some made-to-order wraps. We had an acceptable amount of choices to satisfy everyone’s tastes – mustards, turkey, german bologna, swiss, cheddar, American cheese, salsa, tomatoes, pepperoni, and bacon. Also, corn chips, dill pickles, fresh yummy grapes and strawberries. The tomatoes and strawberries were fresh from the farmer’s market. (Shame on me for not having a dessert!)

Olivia wore her “I love Grandpa” bib. She ate bananas, tomatoes, strawberries, and applesauce. She has a wonderfully healthy appetite! Her bib did get slightly dirty, but, there was not one single speck of food on the floor. So young to be so neat! Callie (kitty) was certainly disappointed to discover the distressing absence of potential delectable morsels. Poor kitty.

Everytime I see that little girl, she is doing at least one new thing. It’s so fun watching the expressions of Olivia’s eyes and the sounds from her mouth; the little hand wave when it’s time for hello or goodbye; the clapping of her little hands accompanied by “yeaaaah”; her precious, contagious giggle and cheerful bright smile; and her gentle snuggle as she lay her head on my shoulder. This Nana is so in love!


But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.
(Psalms 68:3 NIV)

A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
(Proverbs 15:13 NIV)

change here, change there, change change everywhere

In a world that is constantly changing, it is good to know that one thing does not change:
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
(Hebrews 13:8 NIV)

Life is full of change. Most changes are good. Most are for the better. Most are enjoyable once we get used to them.

Have you ever noticed that nothing seems to stay the same very long?

Consider technology - Do you remember the bulky dial phones that commonly had party lines? Can you remember what it was like not to have a cell phone and not be able to text or access the internet or take pictures? Remember black and white TVs with only three channels and rabbit ear antennas? Digital TV, HDTV, plasma screens, etc. are quickly changing that. Remember cars that were simply a means of transportation? Now, some automobiles talk to you. It will call your mother, guide you to a restaurant, and let someone know you’ve been in an accident.

Our bodies change. Our families change. Our health conditions change. We change mentally. We change spiritually. We change intellectually. Our governments change. Change, change, change.

Change is inevitable. Most of us would not want our spiritual life to be where it was when we first came to an understanding of God's story. Still, change can be difficult. The more we resist it, the more difficult it is, and the faster things seem to change. Even those of us who like change can only take so much before it begins to overwhelm us.
As you are faced with changes coming at you faster than you can comprehend, focus on Jesus.

Before you lose your bearings and feel overwhelmed, focus on Jesus.

When you long for something that is stable, solid, and unchanging, focus on Jesus.

If you find yourself paralyzed by fear and overwhelmed by change, focus on Jesus.

He does not change. He is the same yesterday and today and forever.

(Posted after reading Jesus is the Same by Tom Norvell.)

Hubby and I spent the weekend with our granddaughter and her parents. Sunday was a very special day at their church. Both sets of grandparents were in attendance for this joyous occasion. Our little sweetheart was dedicated to our Lord. Her parents are Christians who have pledged to raise and train her in the ways of the Lord. I pray that her life will be lived for Jesus and that He will use her in a great and mighty way.

my eyes see and my mind remembers

Yesterday morning, as I relaxed on the couch, I fixed my eyes on several smudges on the sliding glass door. They’re about 24 inches from the floor. Some smudges are smaller than others, but all are rather little. I absolutely refuse to clean the glass because I rather enjoy seeing these smudges. They remind me of someone very dear to my heart. You see, two weeks ago, they were made by my little granddaughter. How cool is that!?

Looking past the glass, into the backyard, birds were splashing in the bird bath. Just above them, sitting in the cherry tree, was a striking male bluebird. He appeared to be scrutinizing the bluebird house posted close by.

Then my attention was diverted to the deck. A large insect, type unknown to me, was flying in circles close to my potted flowers. This year I planted pink petunias, a plant with red blooms (I’ve already forgotten the name), and my favorite, red geraniums.

The unique smell of geraniums takes me back, back to a time long ago. Wait, I’m not that old - maybe not that long ago. When I was a young girl, my Dad decided he wanted to raise plants in a greenhouse. There in the backyard, he constructed a greenhouse. The outside was covered with basic opaque rolls of plastic, not very attractive I must admit. However, on inside there were tables with rows and rows of plants he grew from tiny seeds. I enjoyed walking among the tables, in the aromatic moist atmosphere. Dad grew both vegetables and flowers, my favorite being geraniums with red blooms.

It’s interesting how scents can remind you of something in your past...

not just another sunday afternoon...

Riding with a friend, Andrew was on his way home from Maggie Valley. He had gone for some semi-rough camping and Christian fellowship with a group of men from his church. His Dad picked him up at an exit off I40, and brought him back to our house. Just minutes later, Sheila and Olivia arrived. They had spent the weekend with family. Auntie Emily had a birthday and the celebration was especially enjoyed by all! (That’s what Olivia told me!)

Welcome! It was great timing for their arrivals, for a meal, and for a visit. Mark and I fixed up some made-to-order wraps. We had an acceptable amount of choices to satisfy everyone’s tastes – mustards, turkey, german bologna, swiss, cheddar, American cheese, salsa, tomatoes, pepperoni, and bacon. Also, corn chips, dill pickles, fresh yummy grapes and strawberries. The tomatoes and strawberries were fresh from the farmer’s market. (Shame on me for not preparing a dessert!)

Olivia wore her “I love Grandpa” bib. She ate bananas, tomatoes, strawberries, and applesauce. She has a wonderfully healthy appetite! Her bib did get slightly dirty, but, there was not one single speck of food on the floor. So young to be so neat! Callie (kitty) was certainly disappointed to discover the distressing absence of potential delectable morsels. Poor kitty.

Each time I see this little girl, she is doing at least one new thing. It’s so fun watching the expressions of Olivia’s eyes and the sounds of her words; the little hand wave when it’s time for hello or goodbye; the clapping of her little hands accompanied by “yeaaaah”; her precious, contagious giggle and cheerful bright smile; and her gentle snuggle as she lay her head on my shoulder. This Nana is so in love!


But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.
(Psalms 68:3 NIV)

A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
(Proverbs 15:13 NIV)

spiritual legacies

My Dad died in Sept 2000, and Mark’s Dad in January 2003. They left this earth to an eternal life with the Heavenly Father. Both of our fathers were Christian leaders, and the joy of their salvation was expressed each day of their lives. I genuinely admire these two men, and thru them, I learned so much about right and wrong, about truth and faith, and about love and peace. In their Christian walks, these two Dads affected the lives not only of their families, but of untold hundreds of others. The heartfelt influence of their lives and their testimonies will continue to have an effect upon each of their families and friends and whomever crossed their paths.

Mark and I were both truly blessed to be raised in Christian homes.

As you know, like a father with his own children, we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
(1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 the Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Our Parents (Nov 1988)

an amazing act of grace, kindness and sportsmanship...

I normally don't read the newspaper's sports section. However, Mark mentioned an article he wanted me to read. So, to the sports section I went, I read, and I choked up. What an remarkable story!

April 30, 2008
A Sporting Gesture Touches ’Em All
By GEORGE VECSEY - New York Times

Something remarkable happened in a college softball game last Saturday in Ellensburg, Wash. At least, I am conditioned to think it was remarkable, since it involved an act of sportsmanship, with two players helping an injured opponent complete the home run she had just slugged.

Why this generous act should seem so unusual probably stems from the normal range of bulked-up baseball players, police-blotter football players, diving soccer and hockey players and other high-profile professionals.

The moment of grace came after Sara Tucholsky, a diminutive senior for Western Oregon, hit what looked like a three-run homer against Central Washington. Never in her 21 years had Tucholsky propelled a ball over a fence, so she did not have her home run trot in order, gazing in awe, missing first base. When she turned back to touch the bag, her right knee buckled, and she went down, crying and crawling back to first base.

Pam Knox, the Western Oregon coach, made sure no teammates touched Tucholsky, which would have automatically made her unable to advance. The umpires ruled that if Tucholsky could not make it around the bases, two runs would score but she would be credited with only a single. (“She’ll kill me if I take it away from her,” Knox thought.)


Photo: Liz Wallace - Sara Tucholsky - Mallory Holtman

Then Mallory Holtman, the powerful first baseman for Central Washington, said words that brought a chill to everybody who heard them:

“Excuse me, would it be O.K. if we carried her around and she touched each bag?”

The umpires huddled and said it would be legal, so Holtman and the Central Washington shortstop, Liz Wallace, lifted Tucholsky, hands crossed under her, and carried her to second base, and gently lowered her so she could touch the base. Then Holtman and Wallace started to giggle, and so did Tucholsky, through her tears, and the three of them continued this odd procession to third base and home to a standing ovation.

“Everybody was crying,” Knox recalled on Tuesday. “It was an away game, and our four fans were crying. We couldn’t hit after that.”

The extra run made it easier for Western Oregon to win the second game, 4-2, and sweep the doubleheader. More important, all involved realized they had taken part in an event they would always remember. (Credit where credit is due: I heard about this incident via Jared Max on WCBS-AM news radio Tuesday morning and later I found a nice article by Graham Hays on ESPN.com before making my own calls.)

The question is, where did it come from, this impulsive gesture by Mallory Holtman?

“She hit it over the fence,” Holtman said Tuesday. “She deserved it. Anybody would have done it. I just beat them to it.” She said she had been taught by her coach, Gary Frederick, that “winning is not everything.”

pretty amazing grace

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(John 1:14 NIV)

Okay, I admit, I watch American Idol. This season has been different, and quite interesting. Last night, Neil Diamond sang “Pretty Amazing Grace” from his new album “Home Before Dark”. Wow! The lyrics surprised and delighted me! This song gives glory to God! It thrills me to hear this in such a large public arena. I pray that those who heard the song, also, heard the words. These are the lyrics...

Pretty Amazing Grace
Neil Diamond

Pretty amazing grace is what You showed me
pretty amazing grace is who You are
I was an empty vessel
You filled me up inside
and with amazing grace restored my pride




Pretty amazing grace is how You saved me
and with amazing grace reclaimed my heart
love in the midst of chaos
calm in the heat of war
showed with amazing grace what love was for

You forgave my insensitivity
and my attempt to then mislead You
You stood beside a wretch like me
Your pretty amazing grace was all I needed.

Stumbled inside the doorway of Your chapel
humbled in God by everything I found
beauty and love surround me
freed me from what I fear
ask for amazing grace and You appear

You overcame my loss of hope and faith
gave me a truth I could believe in
You led me to a higher place
showed Your amazing grace
when grace was what I needed

look in a mirror I see Your reflection
open a book You live on every page
I fall and You're there to lift me
share every road I climb
and with amazing grace You ease my mind

Came to You with empty pockets first
when I returned I was rich man
didn't believe love could quench my thirst
but with amazing grace You showed me that it can

In Your amazing grace I had a vision
from that amazing place I came to be
into the night I wandered
wandering aimlessly
found Your amazing grace to comfort me.

pretty amazing
pretty amazing
pretty amazing
pretty amazing
pretty amazing
pretty amazing
pretty amazing
pretty amazing

You overcame my loss of hope and faith,
gave me a truth I could believe in.
You led me to that higher place
showed me that love and truth and hope and grace were all I needed.