Brenda's Blog

2011-04-12T08:45:00.002-05:00

Children are quick!

TEACHER: Why are you late?

STUDENT: Class started before I got here.

--------------------------------------------------------
TEACHER: Maria, go to the map and find North America .
MARIA: Here it is.
TEACHER: Correct. Now class, who discovered America ?
CLASS: Maria.
____________________________________
TEACHER: John, why are you doing your math multiplication on the floor?
JOHN: You told me to do it without using tables.
__________________________________________
TEACHER: Glenn, how do you spell 'crocodile?'
GLENN: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L'
TEACHER: No, that's wrong
GLENN: Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it.
(I Love this child)
____________________________________________
TEACHER: Donald, what is the chemical formula for water?
DONALD: H I J K L M N O.
TEACHER: What are you talking about?
DONALD: Yesterday you said it's H to O.
__________________________________
TEACHER: Winnie, name one important thing we have today that we didn't have ten years ago.
WINNIE: Me!
__________________________________________
TEACHER: Glen, why do you always get so dirty?
GLEN: Well, I'm a lot closer to the ground than you are.
_______________________________________
TEACHER: Millie, give me a sentence starting with ' I. '
MILLIE: I is..
TEACHER: No, Millie..... Always say, 'I am.'
MILLIE: All right... 'I am the ninth letter of the alphabet.'
________________________________
TEACHER: George Washington not only chopped down his father's cherry tree,

but also admitted it.
Now, Louie, do you know why his father didn't punish him?
LOUIS: Because George still had the axe in his hand.....
______________________________________
TEACHER: Now, Simon , tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?
SIMON: No sir, I don't have to, my Mom is a good cook.
______________________________
TEACHER: Clyde , your composition on 'My Dog' is exactly the same as your brother's..

Did you copy his?
CLYDE : No, sir. It's the same dog.

(I want to adopt this kid!!!)
___________________________________
TEACHER: Harold, what do you call a person who keeps on talking when people

are no longer interested?
HAROLD: A teacher
__________________________________
PASS IT AROUND AND MAKE SOMEONE LAUGH!
LAUGHTER IS THE SOUL'S MEDICINE!!

2010-10-03T23:58:00.000-05:00

Ode to my Son’s Son

One small child with hair like corn silk and

eyes as blue as the sky holds the strings to my heart.

His smile lights up the day as bright as the sun.

The love that shines in his eyes when he gives a big hug and a wet kiss is worth more than all the gold in a king's realm.

He tugs on those strings and I go to be with him at once. He laughs, I laugh; he cries, I cry; he hurts and I hurt.

I kiss it and make it well...he's my son's son and he holds the strings to my heart in his hands.

Grandma 1995

This little poem has a story behind it. At the time it was written, I was a fairly new grandma and was totally captivated by my grandson. I was sent to Atlanta, Georgia, the headquarters for BellSouth by whom I was employed at the time, for a course in Effective Communication Skills which included some training in simplicity, or tailoring our business correspondence using no more than the average sixth-grade vocabulary words, since that is what most of us use in our daily conversation anyway, unless there are special, technical terms involved.

Anyway, our instructor gave the class an assignment to write something---anything we wanted, except we could only use words with one syllable each. It didn't matter what format we used so long as we limited the words to one syllable to prove the point that simplicity could work in creating effective communications. The catch was, we only had ten minutes.

I sat thinking for probably at least five of the minutes, then I started to write and the poem above was my contribution to the assignment. When the teacher returned to the room, we had to read what we had written out loud to everyone. Some were really pretty good, but some were like the old "Dick & Jane" books from the fifties..."I have a dog. His name is spot...." type sentences were the prevailing style. When I read my little poem, everyone just looked at me sort of funny. One little guy thought I needed to put it on a crossstitch pillow, others wanted me to submit it for publication. I haven't ever done anything with it other than post it once in a while on various places or share it with a few people, but it has remained special to me. I couldn't even name it "Ode to Timothy" to turn it in because Timothy had too many syllables. Hence, the original name was, "Ode to my son's son."

This "little guy" is now a sophomore in college, 19 years old and is still holding onto my heartstrings along with four more grandsons and one granddaughter. Being a grandma is a most special blessing from God. My husband says "Grandchildren are God's gift to us for not killing our own children," but he's just joking around. He loves all six of them with every fiber of his being and so do I. I don't think there is any relationship that is more special among God's children other than our relationship with Him.

Thank you for taking the time to read my little story and my favorite poem.

2010-08-17T10:09:00.002-05:00

Reflections on Death

2010-04-26T18:56:00.003-05:00

When I was young, I didn't think much about death, except when my grandma died when I was 8 and my grandpa died when I was 14. I wasn't there to experience when my Dad died when I was 13, so it was sort of unreal for me. We didn't know until about two weeks after his funeral that he had died. He and my mom were divorced and we were in Texas and he lived in Tennessee but was visiting my half-brother, Kenneth, in West Virginia when he died. Kenneth said he didn't know how to reach us, so it was only when a letter returned with a stamp on it by the post office saying he was deceased that we knew. We had not been with him very much since I was four years old and he went to live at the Mountain Home V.A. Hospital and barracks. We only saw him when he was on furlough or leave, so even that didn't have a hard impact on me.

Now that I'm getting older (I'm 66) and my body parts don't function as well as they once did. As they say, after 50 half of what I've got doesn't work and the other half hurts. ;-) I told my hubby and some friends at church that I think the good Lord planned it that way so that by the time he gets ready to call us home, we will be so sick and tired of hurting and being sick and tired that we will be ready to go home when He calls and we won't cling to life quite as strongly as we did when we were young. I know I will hate to leave my family and friends, but I also know they will be coming along as God wills and I will be reunited with the rest of my family who are already there. Since missing them wouldn't be very heavenly, I don't think the good Lord will allow us to miss them. Either He'll keep us so busy taking in the sights and meeting and greeting family we haven't yet met or keep us so busy with choir practice or something that we won't have time to miss the people we've left behind.

That's why I don't believe that when we go to Heaven we won't see what goes on down on Earth. It would just be too painful and wouldn't be Heavenly at all to see our loved ones hurt, suffer and die, whether from natural causes or in accidents. I believe the Bible when we're told there will be no more sorrow, no pain and no tears in Heaven, so we can't see our loved ones hurting.

I hope when my time comes I will gladly go, but I have mixed emotions about how I'd rather go if I had my 'druthers'. I'm not sure if I'd like to go peacefully in my sleep unexpectedly, or if I'd rather have at least a few days, weeks or months of knowing so I can tell everyone Good-bye before I go.

Afraid of dying, no, I'm no longer afraid of it. Like the old song says, 'Everybody wants to go to Heaven, but nobody wants to die. Lord I wanta go to Heaven, but I don't wanta die'. There's a lot of truth in that, I'm in no hurry, my body doesn't hurt that bad yet, but it doesn't frighten me as much because I know at least a little bit of what it will be like. I think sometimes, when someone is really ready in their heart, we do them a diservice by begging the Lord to let them live because we are hurting at losing them, especially when they are in a great deal of pain and suffering or their mind has already deserted them, but medical science is causing their bodies to survive. I sort of believe when we pray really hard and God hears it from so many of us, He has mercy on us and lets them survive a little bit longer so we can get ready to let go, but sometimes I think it is time we need to let go and pray for a peaceful passing for them and consolation for ourselves.

We shouldn't be so afraid of death for our loved ones either. Just think of the rewards awaiting them if they know the Lord. If they don't know the Lord, that should be the main focus of our prayers; that someone will be able to reach them and bring them to the Lord before they die. That's the time to be afraid of death because if they don't know the Lord, they are heading for eternal damnation and suffering. That's the only time to fear death; when someone is dying who hasn't yet accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

These are my personal opinions and I didn't get them from any preacher or seminary. They are based on my personal observations over the years I have lived. You may certainly disagree with it and that's okay. I won't hold a grudge and I only pray you won't.

2010-04-21T10:20:00.003-05:00

HOW TO PRAY FOR YOUR CHILD

1. Pray NOTHING hinders your child from accepting Christ as his/her personal Savior early in life. (Matthew 19:14)

2. Pray your child learns to know God and will have a deep desire to do God's will for his/her life. (Psalms 119:27,30,34,35).

3. Pray child hears stories from the Bible that will be a basis for his/her decisions throughout life. (Ecclesiastes 12:1, Psalms 71:17).

4. Pray child will-develop a keen sense of right and wrong and that he/she will truly abhor evil and cling to that which is good. (Psalms 139:23-4).

5. Pray child will increase in wisdom (mentally) and in stature (physically) and in favor with God (spiritually) and man (socially). (Luke 2:52). This prayer covers his/her total development to his/her full potential.

6. Pray that child will develop a thankful heart and a positive mental attitude. (Psalm 126:2-3, Romans 8:31)

7. Pray that God protect child from Satan and his/her wiles in every area of his/her life. (John 17:55, Psalm 121)

8. Pray that God would destroy the enemies in his/her life whether they be weaknesses, lying, selfishness etc. (Psalms 120:2; 140).

9. Pray that God would make him/her successful in the work God has for him/her to do. (Psalm 118:25, 139:9-10)

10. Pray he/she have a strong sense of belonging to a family that is loving and dwells together in unity (Psalms 133, Colossians 3:12-14).

11. Pray he/she will respect authority. (Romans 13:1, Ephesians 6:1-4).

12. Pray that his/her entire life will be a testimony of the greatness and love of Christ. (Phillippians 2:15-16 Thess 5:2-3)

If you pray one of these a month, you will have your child covered for a year!

-- Author Unknown

Satan's Master Strategy

2009-11-19T10:28:00.003-06:00

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.

In his opening address he said,

"We can't keep Christians from going to church."

"We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth....."

"We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their SAVIOR.."

"Once they gain that connection with JESUS, our power over them is broken."

"So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with JESUS CHRIST."

"This is what I want you to do," said the devil:

"Distract them from gaining hold of their SAVIOR and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"

"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.

"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered....

"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow."

"Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles."

"Keep them from spending time with their children."

"As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape
from the pressures of work!"

"Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice."

"Entice them to play the radio or I-Pod whenever they drive." To keep the TV, DVDs, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly."

"This will jam their minds and break that union with CHRIST."

"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers."

"Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day."

"Invade their driving moments with billboards."

"Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes."

"Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. "

"Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night."

"Give them headaches too!"

"If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere."

"That will fragment their families quickly!"

"Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas."

"Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about HIS resurrection and power over sin and death..."

"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive."

"Have them return from their recreation exhausted."

"Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on GOD'S creation.

Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead."

"Keep them busy, busy, busy!"

"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences."

"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from JESUS."

"Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause."

"It will work!"

"It will work!"

It was quite a plan!

The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier & more rushed, going here & there.

Having little time for their GOD or their families..

Having no time to tell others about the power of JESUS to change lives.

I guess the question is...has the devil been successful in his schemes?

You be the judge!!!!!

Does "BUSY" mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?

There is no SIN that SATISFIES the HEART

"God is Looking For You - You Are the Perfect Fit For His Plan"

2009-08-29T20:22:00.000-05:00

This one was posted on Facebook and it was just such a great devotional topic, I felt it was worthwhile to post it here. They granted permission if I left the information on it's origin at the bottom, so I did. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Victoria Boyson: "God is Looking For You - You Are the Perfect Fit For His Plan"
by Victoria Boyson
Aug 29, 2009

I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set pines in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together, so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.—Isaiah 41:19-20

God is looking for a desert, so He can create a forest. Do you feel like a barren desert? If there seem to be 100 reasons why God would never use you, then rejoice, because those are the 100 reasons why He will use you. When God is looking for someone to change the world, He looks for the most unlikely candidate. He has to use someone, why not you!

When God began looking for someone in whom He could build a great nation, He saw Sarah (see Genesis 17:16). Wait a minute! Sarah was old and barren; she'd had no children. How could God build a nation from such as she? It was impossible, right? BUT God looks at the impossible and sees a promise. Why did God select Sarah? It was her barrenness that drew Him to her. It was the impossibility of her situation that made her the perfect candidate for a miracle.

Are you living with an impossible situation? If you are, then rejoice, because you are a perfect candidate for a miracle from God. It is your need that has drawn Him to you. If God sees a mighty nation in your belly, then believe Him. He is able to perform it.

God Wants to Do More for You

One of my favorite stories is the story of Cinderella. This story represents to me the heart of God. Cinderella lived with a stepmother who despised her, and her greatest dream was to be loved. She was not dreaming of being a princess—that was too much for her to even conceive of. Her reason for going to the ball was to find a man who would love her. However, she was destined to find not just any man; her destiny was to marry the prince. The man that every other eligible female was dreaming of and conniving to get, was intended for her.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine...—Ephesians 3:20

As princess she would be loved and admired by not just a man, but also a nation. Just like with God, when He is looking for a princess, He goes to the scullery and sees in a servant girl the ability to rule a nation. If life has pressed you down, then you need to rejoice! If life has passed you by, then you need to rejoice! If you feel forgotten and unloved, then you need to rejoice! You are just the one God is looking for to change the world!

Sing, o barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman... (Isaiah 54:1). Enlarge the place of your tent... (Isaiah 54:2) because God is looking for you.

Do Not Limit God

When I was in school, my favorite sport was basketball. My problem was that I was only 5'2" tall. Yet I became quite proficient at basketball because I refused to let my size dictate to me my ability to play the game and my coach use to use me as an example to the other girls. I was one of the smallest girls on the team, but I learned to be aggressive and go after the ball no matter how big the other girls were. Much like Jael in Judges 4.

Jael was a woman who was at home in her tent while the men of Israel were out fighting a battle against Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army. God had promised to deliver Sisera into the hands of Barak, the leader of the Israelite army, but because of his unbelief, God delivered him instead into the hands of a woman. That woman was Jael. Jael was at home minding the house when, out of nowhere, Sisera arrives on foot to the door of her tent. She lured him into her tent to rest.

But Jael, Heber's wife, picked up a tent peg and a hammer and went quietly to him while he lay fast asleep, exhausted. She drove the peg through his temple into the ground, and he died.—Judges 4:21

Jael was probably the last one that Barak considered would win the battle for Israel that day, but God chose her for that very reason. God was sending us a message: We cannot limit Him! He refuses to be put in a box! Tell Him He can't do something and that is just what He will do. Give Him a desert and He'll make a forest. Give Him a servant girl and He'll make her a princess. Give Him a housewife and He'll make her a warrior. Give Him your barrenness and He'll make for you a great nation.

So that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the Lord has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it.—Isaiah 41:20

This is God's heart concerning us. He sees beyond our weaknesses and sees a mighty warrior. He calls those things that are not, as though they were. If you feel discarded by life, then rejoice, because God is looking for you! You are a perfect fit for His purpose.

In the story of Cinderella, after she runs away from the ball, everyone is looking for her. The highest officials in the kingdom, even the grand duke, were searching furiously for her. Who was she that the entire kingdom was looking for her? She was the perfect fit! She was the only one that fit the glass slipper.

And God says to you today: "You are the only one who can fill the 'shoes' that I am preparing for you. You are what I'm looking for. You are what I need."

The Shunammite Woman

In 2 Kings 4:8-37, Elisha lived in the home of a Shunammite woman, in a room she had made especially for him. Whenever he traveled through that area, he stayed at her home and she asked for nothing in return for the kindness she had given him. It was difficult for her to receive the blessing. She had blessed the man of God and had asked for nothing in return for her kindness, but God desired to bless her anyway. So Elisha sought out her need and, finding she had no son, spoke life into her situation.

Her heart was so tender; she could not even receive the words he spoke to her. She couldn't bring herself to hope again. Her disappointment at having no son was a death to her heart. She had learned to live with it—her husband was well advanced in years and he'd given her no sons to call her "Mama". It was a great pain to her, but she had learned to cope with her disappointment. But knowing how great her pain was, she did not want to be disappointed again.

"About this time next year," Elisha said, "you will have a son in your arms." "No, my lord," she objected. "Don't mislead your servant, O man of God!"—2 Kings 4:16

A heart so bruised, a pain so deep that you cannot stand to hope again. The Shunammite woman knew she could not go through another disappointment. This was an area of her heart that was still very raw. Her longing for a son was so great she was unwilling to entrust her heart to anyone. Into this painful situation, God breathed the breath of life. He raised her hope from the dead and she bore a son (verse 17).

God did for her what was above and beyond all she could ask or hope or even think (Ephesians 3:20). He raised her hopes from the dead (2 Kings 4:36)! God sought her out to give her a miracle and He's doing the same for you today!

Have you been discarded by life? Then rejoice, because God is looking for YOU! Say "yes" to Him today! You are the "perfect fit" for God's plan!

Victoria Boyson
Speaking Life Ministries
Email: victoria@boyson.org

Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.

ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE,
Albany, OR 97321
www.elijahlist.com
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

2009-08-09T21:44:00.003-05:00

Back in 1932, I was a fairly new husband. My wife, Nettie and I were living in a little apartment on Chicago 's south side. One hot August afternoon I had to go to St. Louis where I was to be the featured soloist at a large revival meeting. I didn't want to go.

Nettie was in the last month of pregnancy with our first child. But a lot of people were expecting me in St. Louis . I kissed Nettie good-bye, clattered downstairs to our Model A and, in a fresh Lake Michigan breeze, chugged out of Chicago on Route 66.

However, outside the city, I discovered that in my anxiety at leaving, I had forgotten my music case. I wheeled around and headed back.

I found Nettie sleeping peacefully. I hesitated by her bed; something was strongly telling me to stay. But eager to get on my way, and not wanting to disturb Nettie, I shrugged off the feeling and quietly slipped out of the room with my music.

The next night, in the steaming St. Louis heat, the crowd called on me to sing again and again. When I finally sat down, a
messenger boy ran up with asp; Western Union telegram. I ripped open the envelope. Pasted on the yellow sheet were the words: YOUR WIFE JUST DIED.

People were happily singing and clapping around me, but I could hardly keep from crying out. I rushed to a phone and called home.

All I could hear on the other end was 'Nettie is dead Nettie is dead.'

When I got back, I learned that Nettie had given birth to a boy. I swung between grief and joy. Yet that same night, the baby died. I buried Nettie and our little boy together, in the same casket. Then I fell apart.

For days I closeted myself. I felt that God had done me an injustice. I didn't want to serve Him anymore or write gospel songs. I just wanted to go back to that jazz world I once knew so well. But then, as I hunched alone in that dark apartment those first sad days, I thought back to the afternoon I went to St. Louis . Something kept telling me to stay with Nettie. Was that something God? Oh, if I had paid more attention to Him that day, I would have stayed and been with Nettie when she died.

From that moment on I vowed to listen more closely to Him. But still I was lost in grief. Everyone was kind to me, especially one friend. The following Saturday evening he took me up to Maloney's Poro College , a neighborhood music school. It was quiet; the late evening sun crept through the curtained windows.

I sat down at the piano, and my hands began to browse over the keys. Something happened to me then. I felt at peace. I felt as though I could reach out and touch God. I found myself playing a melody, once into my head they just seemed to fall into place: "Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn; through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light, take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home."

The Lord gave me these words and melody, He also healed my spirit. I learned that when we are in our deepest grief, when we feel farthest from God, this is when He is closest, and when we are most open to His restoring power.

And so I go on living for God willingly and joyfully, until that day comes when He will take me and gently lead me home.

-Tommy A. Dorsey-

Thomas Andrew Dorsey was a black gospel songwriter. He had been a blues band leader until after he became a Christian. This story has long been circulated incorrectly as a tribute to Tommy Dorsey, the swing band leader of the same time period. He was also the writer of "Peace in the Valley" along with many other gospel songs.

What a wonderful story of how God CAN heal the brokenhearted!

Beautiful, isn't it? I thought so anyway.

2009-08-03T07:16:00.002-05:00

Yellow roses and Texas, have a special meaning, sort of a joke, but sort of romantic, between my husband and myself. First of all, I am from upper east Tennessee, Johnson City and Kingsport, and he is from Winona, Mississippi. The Air Force placed both of us in Austin, Texas due to the SAC (Strategic Air Command) base near Austin, Bergstrom AFB. First of all, my brother was stationed there when I was 10 years old, so my mom and I moved there. After he left, we liked it there so well that we just stayed. Then, my mother met an airman from Ohio there and they got married when I was 13. Once he got out, we continued to stay in Austin.

Later on, I took up roller skating and became a charter member of "The Big Wheels" roller skating club at the Skating Palace in Austin and went skating almost every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night. My mom worked in some of the skid-row bars on East Sixth Street. Now known as "The Entertainment District" it has been much cleaned up from what it was in the late 50's. The skating was to keep me from having to stay in the bar so much waiting for mom to get off work at midnight.

Some of the guys at Bergstrom used to come into town on weekends looking for something to do, and if they didn't want to hang out at the bars on East Sixth street, the skating rink was one of the popular hang outs. A number of them came in on Friday and Saturday nights and one October night, one of them happened to be earmarked for me. We were both so young--I was 15 and he was 19. God had arranged it for both of us, against all odds, to be there at the same time. There's a lot more to the story, but needless to say, he called me his "Yellow Rose of Texas" and we were married on September 16, 1960, when I was 16 1/2 and he had just turned 20 two days before.

On our 20th wedding anniversary, he sent me 20 yellow roses to my work location at BellSouth and everyone was very impressed. However, as usually happens, there were some naysayers, who had to call it to my attention that yellow flowers were for friendship and that he should have sent me red roses for love. I was quick to point out the special meaning that I was still his "Yellow Rose of Texas" and besides, had we not been friends, we couldn't have stayed married 20 years in the first place. Since then, I have received many other yellow roses from him in various forms, and they always bring back the warm summer nights from Austin, Texas. That's the reason the city and the flower will always bring about "Precious Memories" to my mind.

It must have worked--six more weeks will make 49 years we have remained married to each other and we are probably more happy now that the many struggles of raising children and working to make a living have eased off. We putter around and enjoy our time just being together, physical shortcomings and all, mostly because in spite of all the adversity God granted us the special blessing of loving one another and loving and serving Him for most of these 49 years.

Praise God from whom all blessing flow, and whenever you see a yellow rose, think of me, the "Yellow Rose of Texas". I may be slightly wilting now, but am still loved and treasured by God's special blessing to me; a man who can overlook my thorns.

50 Life Lessons from Regina Brett

2009-07-03T11:56:00.005-05:00

To set the record straight:

This has been sent around so much in e-mail over the past year or two as having been written by Regina Brett of the Plain Dealer on her 90th birthday...usually without the last five because they were added later. This is just to set the record straight and also because it's all some excellent advice. If this can go around as much as the other e-mail did, perhaps Regina will be back at her normal age and not be reportedly 90 years old. If my math works right, she is just now 53. Originally published in The Plain Dealer on Sunday,May 28, 2006 To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here's an update:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over-prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

45. The best is yet to come.

46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48. If you don't ask, you don't get.

49. Yield.

50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

To reach this Plain Dealer columnist:

Metro Columnist

The Plain Dealer

www.reginabrett.com

www.cleveland.com/brett

216-999-6328

2009-05-21T23:04:00.000-05:00

Graduation Message

Congratulations on your Graduation and the beginning of your journey down the road of life. My prayer is that it be a road of ups and downs, of smooth and rocky stretches, and even of a few potholes. The bad times are learning experiences. When bad times come, stop and look at it objectively and try to find something that God can teach me from this experience.

Then thank God for the trials in life which mold you into the person God wants you to become. What you are, is God's gift to you. However, what you BECOME, is your gift to God to thank Him for helping lead, guide and mold you into a more Christ-like young woman or young man, learning something new every day.

May God especially bless you during this season of life.

Thoughts about the Economical Problems

2009-05-07T09:07:00.003-05:00

One of the things we often tend to forget was what Paul had to say about learning to be content in all circumstances. Sometimes, it's just as hard to be content in plenty as in poverty. He had learned to be content either way. That's the way I have learned to live over the years.

One day I told my husband, "One of these days, I'm gonna....." and then I turned to him and said, "No, I'm not--I'm through with one of these days, I'm going to do it now" and I am trying to live that way now. If I have the money to buy it and pay it off by the end of the month without coming up short, I just do it and get it off my list.

However, I'm 65 years old and have done without most of my life in order to prepare for this day. Once we bought a car and had the payments taken out on a payroll deduction basis from my credit union. When the car was paid off, I continued to allow the deductioni to go into my savings account. We had been living on the rest of my paycheck already, so I continued to make car payments for my next car.

Before that car wore out, I had set aside enough money to pay cash for the next one. I seldom buy a car less than two and usually at least four years old. New cars depreciate several thousand dollars when you drive them off the lot. Why lose all that money?

Credit--I hold it down to one card and then don't charge more than I can pay off at the end of the month. That's the only way to truly manage credit card accounts. If it's more than I can pay, I arrange with a loan at the bank or pull it out of savings. Those interest rates are much better than credit card rates.

We must learn to be content with what we have. Develop an attitude of gratitude--learn to be thankful for what you have and quit griping about what you don't have. Even the poorest of us have more than at least half the world has.

Young people can't start life with what their parents have accumulated over 30 or 40 years and they shouldn't expect to. I remember a time when we first moved to Jackson and WLBT and WJTV were the only stations available. We had two TVs. On one, the sound didn't work and on the other, the picture didn't work. We sat one on top of the other and turned them both on to watch B&W TV. We had no kitchen table, so we ate our meals from TV trays on the sofa.

We must learn to do what we can with what we have and stop chasing the proverbial rainbow not only in the large purchases like half million dollar houses, but also in small purchases like unnecessary bottled water.

I didn't intend to write an epistle, but this is near and dear to my heart. I don't know if you remember me or not--I'm the little short silver-haired lady who was on Mid-day Miss. with the 6'4" black pastor of Oak Forest - New Beginnings in South Jackson, our mutual mission field.

Love in Christ,
Brenda Carson
bendedknee@bellsouth.net
www.ofnb.net
http://brendasbabblings.blogspot.com

Patriotism in America

2009-04-21T23:56:00.011-05:00

Say "Thank You" and give a big hug to anyone who has served in the military forces as preparation for Memorial Day. Remember Memorial Day, the last Sunday in May. What started as "Decoration Day" when scores of people went to cemetery's to put flowers on grave sites in remembrance. Then there's the Fourth of July, our Independence Day--not just fireworks, tailgaters and beer parties. And lastly, there's Veterans Day which used to always be November 11th and December 6th Pearl Harbor Day.

I'm sure most of you remember buying "Red Poppies" for your lapel as a remembrance. We don't seem to do anything in our country anymore to honor the military in the lives of most of our people. We have big National ceremonies, but the general populace no longer "get it". I pray that our sense of patriotism should be restored to our nation and that our nation will humble itself and call on the Lord for forgiveness.

Perhaps then, with Christian Principles and a strong sense of Patriotism, we would be able to get our country and our economy back on track. With honesty and integrity in business practices and a strong sense of duty and responsibility to pay our debts, our economy would definitely improve. Living within the means of our in come and not buying more than we can afford to pay would definitely make an improvement. I'm afraid none of this means anything to the young and some of the middle-aged people of our country and that's a shame that our founding fathers would find more unconstitutional than anything the Supreme Court passes judgement against.

Okay folks - I've preached my sermon for the day. I didn't intend to do all this I was just going to say "Beautiful Story" and leave it at that, but my fingers had ideas of their own because this is a subject matter which is very close to my heart and soul. We don't deserve to even ask our God to continue to bless America because we have failed Him so miserably. On the world scene, we are no longer considered a Christian Nation even. That's really sad. Guess I'd better send this before I get started again---sorry 'bout that.

Ann Margaret....
This is a good counter balance story to the Jane Fonda Vietnam Woman Of The Year story.

Viet Nam 1966

Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about his time in Viet Nam other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy, 8 x 10 black and white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margaret with Bob Hope in the background. That was one of his treasures.

A few years ago, Ann Margaret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o'clock for the 7:30 signing.

When I got there after work, the line went all the way a
Round the bookstore, circled the parking lot and disappeared behind a parking garage. Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted.

Richard was disappointed, but wanted to show her the
Photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI's so far from home. Ann Margaret came out looking as beautiful as ever and, as second in line, it was soon Richard's turn.

He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did, there were many shouts from the employees
That she would not sign it. Richard said, 'I understand. I just wanted her to see it.'

She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and
She said, 'This is one of my gentlemen from Viet Nam and I most certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for 'my gentlemen.''

With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him. She then made quite a to-do about the bravery of the young men she met over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them. There weren't too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She then posed for pictures and acted as if he were the only one there.

Later at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he'd like to talk about it, my big strong husband broke down in tears. 'That's the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army,' he said.

That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet. I'll never forget Ann Margaret for her graciousness and how much that small act of kindness meant to my husband.

I now make it a point to say 'Thank you' to every person I come across who served in our Armed Forces. Freed om does not come cheap and I am grateful for all those who have served their country.

If you'd like to pass on this story, feel free to do so. Perhaps it will help others to become aware of how important it is to acknowledge the contribution our service people make.

Don't be too busy
Today....
Share this inspiring message with friends and family.

On behalf of those who DO appreciate all that you did for us,
Thank you to each of you who receive this message who have served or are serving our country in the armed services or any other service.

IF YOU DON'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS,

PLEASE, FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM!

2009-03-08T21:44:00.003-05:00

Cleaning Poem

My Cleaning Poem

I asked the Lord to tell me

Why my house is such a mess.

He asked if I'd been 'computering',

And I had to answer 'yes.'

He told me to get off my fanny

And tidy up the house.

And so I started cleaning up...

The smudges off my mouse.

I wiped and shined the topside.

That really did the trick....

I was just admiring my work...

I didn't mean to 'click.'

But click, I did, and oops I found

A real absorbing site.

That I got SO way into.

I was into it all night. <>

Nothing's changed except my mouse

It's very, very shiny.

I guess my house will stay a mess...

While I sit here on my hiney!!

Thank you for being my e-mail buddy and friend!
May God richly bless you in 2009!

Are you a victim of "Bad Things Happening to Good People"???

2009-03-04T01:53:00.004-06:00

There are books about this subject that are far more scholarly than I am, written by theologically trained people who really know what they are talking about. All I know is what I have learned from experience and the kind tutelage of a former pastor I had who was facilitating a MasterLife group I was in during a very difficult time in my life about 26 years ago. I can hardly believe it has been that long, it feels like yesterday in my mind. I know it was in 1982 because that was the year my only brother died at the age of 46 from a heart attack which caused his aortic aneurysm to rupture.

It had been a difficult time of growth for me as a Christian and I was having a very difficult time at home as well. My husband didn't like the time I was putting in at church and kept telling me they were 'using me'. My response to him was that I knew they were using me, but it was not against my will, so it was okay. I wanted to be used, by the church and by God.

Two of my children had graduated from High School and were struggling with college and the third one was a Senior in High School. Since one graduated in '79 and one in '80 they were having to work their way through college. My husband was a school teacher and I was an operator with BellSouth and we just didn't earn enough money to pay for them to go to college and their grades weren't quite scholarship material.

At any rate, it was a difficult time. Just when it seemed that everything that could possibly happen had happened, when my brother died, I began to have nightmares that would wake me up. Some of them involving people I knew and loved who would never do the things I dreamed about. I was losing sleep and just about totally exhausted when one of our bible studies and a sermon I heard provided me with what I thought was great insight into what was happening.

Do you have any idea what pleases Satan the most with church-going Christians? When they sit in their pews, half-dozing perhaps and do nothing. They go through the motions of going to church and that is all they do. They never get involved in anything, always refusing the nominating committee or the committee on committees when they are requested to serve in a position where they must do something that would require more than just showing up on Sunday morning. They might have to show up on Sunday evening or, Heaven forbid, even Wednesday night and actually spend time with a bunch of children or something like that.

Well, I came to the realization that so long as we are that kind of Christian, we have nothing to fear from Satan. He's quite happy with lukewarm Christians who have lost the fire of their first love. When things are going smoothly for us, when everything's coming up roses, that's when we are most vulnerable to Satan's attractions, so he leaves us alone. He knows that sooner or later, if that's all we care about God that we'll slide down the slippery slope into sin. He doesn't have to bother us--we can do it all on our own.

If Satan is attacking you, if everything seems to be going wrong, perhaps it's like when Job was being attacked in the Old Testament. Perhaps because you are right in the center of God's will for your life, he can't get to you with his wiles. He needs to 'sift you' and try to make you doubt the God of Love who cares for you. Perhaps he just wants to hurt you because God loves you and it hurts God's heart to see His children hurt.

He launches his most vile attacks against you to cause you to deny God and His power in your life. He wants you to turn against God and be angry with him for allowing your loved ones to die or for other bad things to happen in your life. He comes at you from all sides and allows his demons to cause you to have the bad dreams and torture you in your mind.

That was when I came to the conclusion that if I was having problems in my life, I must be doing something right. If my life was going along smoothly with no problems and everything was 'coming up roses', rainbows and lollipops, I needed to examine my life and see what I was doing wrong. It is when I am in God's will that Satan attacks. He leaves me alone if I'm not doing anything that is detrimental to him. He doesn't care if I'm a pew-warmer. He cares when I am being a witness or serving God in some other way that will allow others to learn to come to the Lord and be His servants. He doesn't want me discipling others to truly follow after our Lord and Savior.

Once I had learned this fact, I started watching my life more closely. Now when I have problems I simply look around to find the thing I have left undone or to try and undo my mistakes. Instead of blaming God, I beg His forgiveness for whatever I have done and ask Him to carry me through with His strength. I pray that He will bind Satan to the depths of Hell where he can't reach me.

I know my Lord has the power to do just that, but I must remember to ask His help. He wants to know that I realize I am dependent on His intervention; that I need help. Then, and only then, can I go to bed at night and sleep, safe, secure and at peace from the attacks. It has made a wonderful difference in my life and I pray that it will make a difference in your life as well. As they have said, just 'let go and let God'. He can handle anything the devil can throw at us if we but ask.

God bless you this day and always.

2009-02-24T13:04:00.002-06:00

The King of King’s Cake

A few years ago, my Sunday School Class was having a class meeting and it was close to Mardi Gras time. I picked up a King Cake to take to the meeting as my contribution toward the refreshments. All the way to the party, the colors of the cake and the meaning behind the cake, made for a celebration of debauchery in New Orleans got me to thinking and I came up with a devotional offering to go with the cake.

Since I was not the one assigned to deliver the devotional that evening, so I waited until after the scheduled devotional had been delivered and then asked permission to tell them about the devotional that came to my mind as I drove from work to the meeting. Being the gracious group that they are, of course they allowed me to say what was in my heart at the moment.

I asked them to look at the King Cake. The most obvious thing about it is the round shape. It is a round circle…no beginning and no end making me think of eternal life…the alpha and omega working together for eternity.

Next were the colors. To me the purple stood for Royalty. In Biblical times only the very rich could afford purple therefore it was usually reserved for their king or other very rich citizens. The yellow reminded me of the gold associated with royalty and the very rich as well. Our Lord gives us grace according to His riches in glory and he owns the cattle on a thousand hills.

The green reminded me of new life, an eternal life given by God’s grace which can’t be earned. Our souls, green, growing and bearing fruit according to how we feed our Spirits. The dead wood is trimmed and thrown into the fire. Finally there was the red sugar reminding me of the blood of Christ who shed His precious blood on the cross to pay the price for my sins so that I won’t have to spend eternity in Hell, paying for my sins.

The last part of the King Cake to be considered was the tiny baby hidden inside the cake. Tradition says that the person who finds the baby buys the next cake. As I see it, the baby represents the Christ Child, misplaced and lost in the “dough” of life’s busyness. Those who seek Him diligently can find Him, but sometimes even if you don’t seek Him, He comes to you and meets you where you are.
Now on Mardi Gras, I look at the King Cake and think about these things rather than the orgy going on in New Orleans along the Parade Routes and the total wild abandon of the men and women participating in the big party.

How about you? Today is Mardi Gras. Think about it.

Life Is Too Short For...

2009-01-05T13:56:00.001-06:00

The older I get, the shorter life I have ahead and that is true for each one of us. We need to seek God's wisdom for the ways in which we need to 'spend' the time left to us. Prioritize the time we invest -- are we investing in 'things' or in people? Are we more like Mary or Martha? What do we value in life? Some wonderful thoughts for the New Year we're into now.

This is an excellent question for mothers who have to decide between getting dust bunnies out from under the bed, or reading a book to a toddler....to decide whether to do the laundry or attend the school play...whatever is happening, we must weigh the importance against the long-term effects. What is really important?

Life Is Too Short For...
This devotional was written by Jim Burns

Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself; each day has enough trouble of its own.
— Matthew 6:34

One day when I was caught up in the tyranny of the urgent, my friend Bill McNabb sent me some thoughts entitled "Things That Life Is Too Short For." His thoughts forced me to take a look at my own life and reevaluate my priorities. Perhaps you need a dose of reality today. I'll share these special thoughts with you.

Life is too short to nurse grudges or hurt feelings.

It's too short to worry about getting ready for Christmas. Just let Christmas come.

It's too short to keep all your floors shiny.

It's too short to let a day pass without hugging your loved ones.

It's too short not to take a nap when you need one.

It's too short to put off Bible study.

It's too short to give importance to whether the towels match the bathroom.

It's too short to miss the call to worship on a Sunday morning.

It's too short to stay indoors on a crisp fall Saturday.

It's too short to read all the junk mail.

It's too short not to call or write your parents (or children) regularly.

It's too short to work at a job you hate.

It's too short not to stop and talk to children.

It's too short to forget to pray.

It's too short to put off improving our relationships with people that we love.

Life is just too short. Way too short to settle for mediocrity!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What does Matthew 6:34 tell us not to do?

2. Matthew 6:34 also tells us today will have enough trouble of its own. What difficulties will you face today? Take a moment to pray and ask God to take control of your day and any difficulties you may face.

FURTHER READING:
Philippians 4:6

Printed by permission of HomeWord. For additional information on HomeWord, visit www.homeword.com or call 800-397-9725

2008-12-31T20:34:00.007-06:00

Thought I'd share with all of you my New Year's Resolution for 2009. It's really the same as the one I've made for the past few years. I only have one. This should be the resolution for each and every Christian as we await His coming as a thief in the night, no one, not even Jesus Himself knows when He will return. He will come when God steps out and says, "Son, go and get my children!" Be ready, behold He comes like the lightning, swift and bright; suddenly all full of light.

I hereby resolve to attempt to be a better person in 2009 than I was in 2008!! Being a better person for a Christian means to become more Christlike in their thought patterns and especially in their behavior. The very word 'Christian' means 'little Christs'. We are to live each day becoming a little more like Christ each day.

These are some wonderful thoughts with which to end 2008:

Regina Brett's 45 life lessons and 5 to grow on
by Regina Brett
Sunday May 28, 2006, 10:13 AM
To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.

It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here's an update:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

45. The best is yet to come.

46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48. If you don't ask, you don't get.

49. Yield.

50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

To reach this Plain Dealer columnist:

rbrett@plaind.com, 216-999-6328

READ THESE REAL GOOD, MAYBE MAKE YOURSELF A COPY AND KEEP IT ON YOUR REFRIGERATOR.

2008-12-29T09:24:00.007-06:00

Top 10 Predictions For 2009.

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still work.

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still guide His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL?!!

2008-11-24T17:20:00.003-06:00

With Christmas bearing down on us like a freight train, I thought perhaps the time was right for me to add this one.

Christmas Son-Shine

The star that shone at Bethlehem
Becomes a light so dim,
It barely glimmers in the night
Beside the light that came from Him.

God's son has light so very bright,
He outshines every star.
The Son shines out through darkest night,
To lead us from afar.

The angels sang and so should we,
To celebrate his birth.
The Sounds of Love, Nativity,
Did cover all the earth.

Brenda Carson
September 8, 1996

2008-11-06T00:18:00.007-06:00

Well folks...the election is over and now after two years of campaigning, we'll have to have another at least two weeks of analysis by the journalistic pundits about who did what right and who did what wrong.

In my opinion, the liberal media and big money "bought" this election. Due to reneging on what he first said he would do, Obama spent tons of money and McCain was limited to what he could spend. That part wasn't fair. However, that is not to say that Obama was all wrong and McCain was all right.

Four years ago, I first saw Barack Obama on TV and I told my husband, Kyle, that if the Democrats wanted to run a black man for president, he would be a perfect candidate. I could see his charisma, his ability to use the English language with ease and enunciate it so that I could actually understand what he was saying. He was educated and erudite and seemed to have a good head on his shoulders.

Based on my initial opinion of him, I can understand why the people of today voted as they did. He is a very powerful orator and his family resembles the John F. Kennedy family so much it's rather eerie. Although he has two girls and the Kennedys had a girl and a boy, Michelle looks so much like Jackie Kennedy, I kept expecting her to show up sporting a pillbox hat and white gloves.

Since then, i've learned more about his values and his sense of what is morally reprehensible to some of us. His views on abortion will allow thousands of babies, totally viable babies, capable of living outside their mother's body with proper care, to be murdered. To have their brains sucked out of their heads like so much liposuctioned fat. To have late term abortions where the baby is alive murdered rather than rushed to the NICU for care.

I'm also concerned about his socialistic viewpoint. Between him and Nancy Pelosi, they want to take our money and use it to support illegal aliens, make welfare payments and pay for healthcare to a large portion of our population who get paid extra money for all the extra babies they can produce. There is no justification for able-bodied people not to work for their money. Everyone can't be rich and educated. Some lack the intellect and some lack the ability. After all, there have to be people willing to work in the service industries as well as professional and technical fields. Intellect and ability are not defined by race, color, creed or any classification except their real, demonstrated ability to learn and perform. It's just that not everyone can make As in class--some have to make Bs, Cs, and Ds...then there are some who make Fs. We are diverse and we must realize that even though we all should each have equal opportunity, we are not all created equally talented and capable.

I, and many of you, were taught not to procreate more than we could afford to feed, clothe and educate. We were taught that if you didn't want to have a baby, you didn't provide the opportunity to conceive. We were also taught that the very best form of birth control was an aspirin tablet, held tightly between our knees.

Having said all these things, he is still our new president elect, no matter if we voted for hiim or not, so I will pledge to pray for him. I believe that God is still in control, so if he won the election, it is God's will for him to be our next president.

I can think of several reasons for this. It could be our form of punishment for abandoning so many of our Biblical teachings. Like the Israelites in the Old Testament who strayed from God, we have allowed Atheists and other religions to infiltrate our country and superimpose their beliefs over ours. They are entitled to their own beliefs, but so are we! When have we taken a stand against the radical, liberal actions taken within our country? We lost prayer in school, we lost being able to put up a creche on government property, we lost having the Ten Commandments, our first and foremost legal example, posted in the courthouse near the courts. It's our fault for following after the gods of whatever is expedient and takes the least effort. We remained silent.

It could be to teach us that race doesn't matter. Most of our younger population doesn't have a problem with that because they've grown up in a mixed population at school and at work. They've never known the epithets and prejudices that many of us grew up with around us. I do know that God doesn't look on our outward appearances, but on the intents of our hearts.

One other possibility is that we could be nearing the end-times spoken of in the Bible. We are warned that a very charismatic leader would arise from the east and that he would be loved by many, but that he would be the pre-cursor to the Anti-Christ. We have most definitely had wars and rumors of wars and natural disasters in widespread and diverse places. Tsunamis, floods, earthquakes, forest fires, icebergs breaking off from glaciers, global warming are all potential harbingers of the end-times. If our new President is truly Muslim, we may not have too much of a problem; if he is a radical Muslim like the ones who truly believe if they kill Americans they will immediately go to their form of "heaven," then we have a problem.

I believe that our relationships between the Israelites and the Arabian nations are very important to our position during the end-times. When the oil fields were burning in Kuwait, it brought to my mind a phrase in the Bible which says that the ground would burn continuously in the land. All these lands were the lands the Lord blessed. The Jewish people were God's chosen people, they just failed to accept the salvation which came with the Messiah--they are still looking.

Whatever the outcome, whether any of this is true or not, I will pray for the President because the Bible tells me so. As a disclaimer, I have not researched any of this, nor have I actually looked up the scripture references. These thoughts were just all running around in my head and had to be written down somewhere. If no one ever reads this, that's okay--it's no longer in my head, so perhaps I can expunge the thoughts from my mind. These were just some random thoughts from a worried mind.

I am old enough to have observed enough to see the moral decay in our country. When I was a child, we were not even allowed to use the word "pregnant". I made a mistake when I was about seven and was told not to use that word, to say she was going to have a baby, or the stork was coming to visit, but not that she was pregnant. When I was a teenager, it was a disgrace to get pregnant without being married. Girls were either married off to the father of the baby, whether or not they were really ready for marriage, or the girl was sent out of town to stay with their "Aunt" because the aunt was ill, or had a broken leg or something that would take a few months to get over. They waited as long as they could without thhe young mother "showing" so she wouldn't be gone for eight or nine months and make people suspicious. Abortion was only done in back alleys or by young women with crochet needles.

What is considered permissable has changed tremendously over the past fifty years. The morals of today are almost non-existent. It seems that anything goes. Whatever is expedient at the moment, or whatever makes me feel good or satisfies some craving I might have, is okay, whether or not it is illegal or immoral. This causes me a lot of pain when I look at my grandchildren and imagine what their children will face.

Whether or not you agree with me doesn't really matter; each of us is entitled to his or her own opinion and as my dear, beloved husband Kyle says, "opinions are like feet; everyone has them and some of them stink". I'm just venting. Isn't that what Blogs are for after all? Brenda's Logical Outlet Group

God's Melodies

2008-09-29T16:38:00.001-05:00

God puts music in our hearts,
To each of us his love imparts
A song of joy, a psalm of praise,
The notes as bright as sunbeams' rays.

Soul stirring in the deepest sense,
Stripping us of all pretense.
Before God's throne we all shall bring,
Our love, our all, when hymns we sing.

On wings of song we'll soar so high,
Over the rainbow and into the sky.
Our souls in rapture at heaven's gate.
Will sing to God, so wise, so great.

Return to him the songs he gave,
When once he sent his son to save
His people who are prone to sin.
The wondrous songs, he gave within.

Sing to him the songs he gave,
When he sent his son to save.

Brenda Carson

9/20/96

2008-09-21T21:10:00.002-05:00

This is a copy of an e-mail I received, followed by my commentary on the subject.

Have a super blessed day !!!!!!

Philippians 4:13 --- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.The road to success is not straight. There is a curve called Failure, a loop called Confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red lights called Enemies, caution lights called Family. You will have flats called Jobs. But, if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called Perseverance, insurance called Faith, a driver called Jesus, you will make it to a place called Success. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17

My Commentary:

There are many twists and turns on that road...Also many hills and valleys. Keep in mind that we can't appreciate the "highs" in life without also having been through the low places.

There are so many people out there whom I love that are experiencing attacks from cancer, one of Satan's weapons against mankind (my opinion) to test us and see if our faith can truly carry us through to the end--whether it is a cure, remission, or death, it breaks my heart to know what they are going through. He also attacks non-Christians to see if in their despair they will reach out to God for strength and sustenance or if he can make them blame and curse God for allowing it to happen. I firmly believe that cancer and other devastating illnesses are from Satan.

However, I try to always remember, there is nothing this day brings my way, that God and I can't handle together. If I live, or if I die, I just pray that whatever the outcome at the end of the "Road of Tribulation" that my Lord will be glorified by the way I deal with my part of the situation. Only through the strength of Christ can we remain victorious.

Prayerfully Yours,
Brenda Carson
“Knee-mail” Prayer Ministry of Oak Forest and
Oak Forest-New Beginnings Baptist Churches
2875 Oak Forest Dr.
Jackson, Mississippi 39212-2699

Send your prayer requests to bendedknee@bellsouth.net or prayer@ofnb.net

Oak Forest web-site www.oakforestbc.com
Church Plant News - Oak Forest-New Beginnings www.ofnb.net

"From Tiny Acorns, we can grow a Mighty Oak Forest"

To visit my web-site, Carson's Corner, for Prayer Requests and tips, or to view my photo albums, just click below:

Http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-Kneemail

Check out some of my rambling thoughts on my BLOG (Web Log)

Http://brendasbabblings.blogspot.com

You Might be a Mississippian...

2008-09-13T07:13:00.003-05:00

1. You can properly pronounce Kosciusko, Ackerman, Gautier and Belzoni.

2. You think people who complain about the heat in their states are sissies.

3. A tornado warning siren is your signal to go out in the yard and look for a

funnel.

4. You know that the true value of a parking space is not determined by the distance to the door, but by the availability of shade.

5. Stores don't have bags or shopping carts, they have sacks and buggies.

6. You've seen people wear overalls at funerals.

7. You think everyone from a bigger city has an accent.

8. You measure distance in minutes. (It's about 5 minutes down the road)

9. You go to the lake because you think it is like going to the ocean.

10. You listen to the weather forecast before picking out an outfit.

11. You know cowpies are not made of beef.

12. Someone you know has used a football schedule to plan their wedding date.

13. You have known someone who has a belt buckle bigger than your fist.

14. You aren't surprised to find movie rental, ammunition, beer, and bait all in

the same store.

15. A Mercedes Benz isn't a status symbol. A Chevy Silverado Extended Bed Crew Cab is.

16. You know everything goes better with Ranch Dressing.

17. You learned how to shoot a gun before you learned how to multiply.

18. You actually get these jokes and are 'fixin' ' to send them to your friends.

19. You have used your heater and air-conditioner in the same day!

Finally: You are 100% Mississippian if you have ever had this conversation:

20. 'You wanna coke?' 'Yeah.' 'What kind?' 'Dr Pepper.'

Redeeming Your Time

2008-09-01T09:08:00.006-05:00

(This devotional was written by Jim Burns)

Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. —Colossians 3:17

Life is a celebration. Don't postpone it. Grasp the hour! Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Here is a list of possibilities to make your day a brighter day:

Seek out a forgotten friend.

Write a love letter.

Share a treasure.

Encourage someone with a kind word.

Keep a promise.

Give to a needy cause.

Forgive an enemy.

Listen.

Apologize if you were wrong.

Try to understand.

Read your Bible.

Pray for your family.

Examine your demands on others.

Appreciate a friend.

Be kind, be gentle.

Laugh a little.

Laugh a little more.

(editor's note: Laugh a LOT, laughter is like jogging on the inside, it does a body - and it's soul - good.)

Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.

* Idea taken from Crossroads newsletter of the First Christian Church; June 11, 1978

2008-08-23T17:33:00.004-05:00

Gentle Thoughts for Today--A few Observations.

Birds of a feather flock together and crap on your car.

When I'm feeling down, I like to whistle.

It makes the neighbor's dog run to the end of his chain and gag himself.

A penny saved is a government oversight.

The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement .

He who hesitates is probably right.
Did you ever notice: The Roman Numerals for forty (40) are " XL."

The sole purpose of a child's middle name is so he can tell when he's really in trouble.

For those of you too young to remember the "olden days" we used to use the 1, 2, 3 "counting method" to let our children know when they were in trouble, the difference was we just didn't count.

When we called your first name, that was the same as counting "1". If you heard your first name AND your middle name, you had better pay attention, that was "2". Now when you heard all three of your names, that was like counting "3" and you were really in trouble on the count of three. Not only that, but since we believed in corporal punishment, you might eat supper that night sitting on a pillow because the chair hurt your spanked backside.

Did you ever notice?

When you put the 2 words "The" and "IRS" together it spells "Theirs."

The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.

Some people try to turn back their odometers with plastic surgery and botox.

Not me, I want people to know "why" I look this way.
I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.

When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra.

You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.

Ah, being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.

Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks,

it was called witchcraft....today, it's called golf

Lord, keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth...AMEN..!!

God's Distribution System

2008-06-07T20:38:00.002-05:00

I was watching the clouds while Kyle and I were going to Lucedale to pick up our grandson Cosby and I found myself thinking philosophically. I told Kyle I was just wondering if Man could ever develop such an efficient distribution system as God did when He created the clouds. To design and develop a system which distills pure water from the salty seas and forms them into clouds which continue to accumulate and distill more water as they travel until they reach their saturation point over the land (even though many never make landfall) would be more than our wildest design engineers could ever dream.

Then to deliver the precious moisture to the dry land which uses the water as irrigation for the plants which then produce food and material for building and making the clothing we need would be unimaginable by finite minds. God allows the excess water to pool deep into underground storage systems by filtering it through limestone where it is purified for drinking water. Along the way He allows the run-off to create pools, creeks and rivers for an environment fit for the fish we also need for food. All unimaginable.

Aren't clouds marvelous when you think about it?

For Lexophiles (Lovers of Words)

2008-04-16T08:05:00.003-05:00

1. A bicycle can't stand alone; it is two tired.

2. A will is a dead giveaway.

3. Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.

4. A backward poet writes inverse.

5. In a democracy, it's your vote that counts;

in feudalism, it's your Count that votes.

6. A chicken crossing the road: poultry in motion.

7. If you don't pay your exorcist, you can get repossessed.

8. With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress.

9. Show me a piano falling down a mine shaft and I'll show you A-flatminer.

10. When a clock is hungry, it goes back four seconds.

11. The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine was fully recovered.

12. A grenade fell onto a kitchen floor in France resulted in LinoleumBlown-apart.

13. You are stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.

14. Local Area Network in Australia: The LAN down under.

15. He broke into song because he couldn't find the key.

16. A calendar's days are numbered.

17. A lot of money is tainted: 'Taint yours, and 'taint mine.

18. A boiled egg is hard to beat.

19. He had a photographic memory which was never developed.

20. A plateau is a high form of flattery.

21 The short fortune teller who escaped from prison: a small medium at large.

22. Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.

23. When you've seen one shopping center, you've seen a mall.

24. If you jump off a Paris bridge, you are in Seine.

25. When she saw her first strands of gray hair, she thought she'd dye.

26. Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead to know basis.

27. Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.

28. Acupuncture: a jab well done.

29. Marathon runners with bad shoes suffer the agony of de feet.
30. And might I add...It is better to have loved a short woman than to never to have loved a tall.

God's Melodies

2008-03-31T12:21:00.004-05:00

After the somber notes of "Decision" I decided to post something lighter to lift your hearts and minds. Life isn't all mountain peaks but also some lonesome valleys, so variety is "Life in Action". However, not all of life is a joke, so "Decision" should have provided some "fodder" for your mind, thoughts and prayers. If it offended anyone, I won't apologize for it, because the very thought of abortion offends me. I don't condemn the women who out of desperation or fear have had abortions, but I hope it will change some people's minds toward future abortions.

God's Melodies

God puts music in our hearts,
To each of us his love imparts
A song of joy, a psalm of praise,
The notes as bright as sunbeams' rays.

Soul stirring in the deepest sense,
Stripping us of all pretense.
Before God's throne we all shall bring,
Our love, our all, when hymns we sing.

On wings of song we'll soar so high,
Over the rainbow and into the sky.
Our souls in rapture at heaven's gate.
Will sing to God, so wise, so great.

Return to him the songs he gave,
When once he sent his son to save
His people who are prone to sin.
The wondrous songs, he gave within.

Sing to him the songs he gave,
When he sent his son to save.

Brenda Carson

9/20/96

Decision

2008-03-29T09:22:00.003-05:00

I've always been a proponent of the Pro-Life Movement in my heart and soul. I firmly believe in a woman's choice as to whether or not a woman has a child, but her choice should be abstinence or birth control. Once a child has been conceived, that tiny life forming also has rights. It is not "just a clump of cells" but a child, being knit together by the Father's plan. Sometimes we make life choices which cause problems with it's development, but it is still a child and it still has rights.

The child needs someone to protect it from being torn from limb to limb by suction, sliced apart by a scalpel, to have it's skin scalded and burnt off by a strong brine solution and most especially, to not have it's brain scrambled and sucked out when it is quite capable of sustaining life outside the womb with a late term abortion. Someone has to speak out for it.

Just because it is not able to scream doesn't mean it doesn't feel pain. It's neural pathways begin development very early in it's development. Check it out sometime. Anyway, this was written some years ago after viewing some young babies packed in bottles of formaldehyde to show how perfectly they are developed at the three-month cut-off date for most legal abortions. It rattled around in my brain for a long time before I finally had to get up about three o'clock in the morning one night and write it down.

I can't ask you to enjoy it, because it was not written for the purpose of being enjoyed, but rather as a desperate cry for help and a prayer for people to be empowered with courage to speak up.

Eternal Decision

From rocks and rills and templed hills,
Our mighty country cries,
For justice toward her helpless ones,
It peals across the skies.

The small and weak; the mild and meek,
Are tortured day by day,
What are they worth, before their birth,
That we throw them away?

Each precious life is filled with strife,
When from their mother's womb;
They're torn away to face decay,
Beneath a stone cold tomb.

But God does hear their great despair,
That calls Him from the grave.
He'll hold them near, those souls so dear,
For whom He died to save.

When at His throne we'll face our own
Decisions that we made.
What was your choice, a quiet voice,
Or rage that you displayed?

Brenda Carson

11/12/96

The Source of Poetry

2008-03-28T00:28:00.002-05:00

My family, especially my youngest daughter, are always trying to get me to write. In fact, my youngest daughter has given me several blank journals in which to write my thoughts, but this is much easier. Anyway, one of my problems is getting something on my mind that I can't seem to shake and it just keeps going through my mind over, and over so that I can't sleep. Now that I'm retired, that's not a problem--while I was working it made things quite difficult to get up and go in to the office the next morning.

One of the thing which kept me awake a few years ago follows below. It's not the greatest poetry in the world, but once I got up (about 2 in the morning) I was finally able to sleep. Anyway, here it is for what it's worth.

SOURCE OF POETRY

The words collected through the years,
Trapped in the space between my ears
Seem anxious to emerge.

Hidden deep within my mind
They tell events of every kind,
They're always on the verge

Of spilling from my pen with glee,
Forming thoughts of you and me,
I can't control the urge.

They bubble up within my heart,
Somewhere in the deepest part,
They simply have to merge.

I wake at one, or two, or three,
I can't sleep 'til I've set them free,
My mind I have to purge.

They swirl and twirl, they scream and shout,
Demanding that I let them out,
And spend them in a splurge.

One by one they tumble out,
I wonder if there's any doubt,
Another poem will surge,

Tomorrow......?

Brenda Carson

01/31/97

2008-03-27T07:20:00.002-05:00

Noah – As it would be in 2008

In the year 2008, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in the United States, and said, "Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save two of every living thing.... along with a few good humans."

He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, "You have six months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights."Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard - but no Ark.

"Noah!" He roared, "I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?""Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah, "but things have changed. I needed a building permit. I've been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler system. My neighbors claim I've violated the neighborhood zoning laws by building the Ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision.

Then the Department of Transportation demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions... to clear the passage for the Ark's move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it.

Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but no go!

When I started gathering animals, an animal rights group sued me. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodations were too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space.

Then the EPA ruled I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood.

I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew.

Immigration and Naturalization are checking the green-card status of most of the people who want to work.

The trades unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only Union workers.... with Ark-building experience.

To make matters worse, the IRS seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species.

So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark."Suddenly skies cleared; the sun began to shine; a rainbow stretched across the sky. Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean you're not going to destroy the world?"

"No," said the Lord. "The Government beat me to it."

East Tennessee Memories & Musings

2008-03-24T16:10:00.005-05:00

My grandfather was born in 1865 and was a farmer in and around Kingsport. He was Hezekiah Carr Johnson and my grandmother was Elizabeth Jane Tumlinson from over around Gate City, Virginia. My great-grandfather was Andrew Jackson Johnson, nicknamed "Prez" and he fought with the South, but my other great-grandfather fought with the Union. I have copies of just a few pages from "Prez's" diary/journal he kept during the war, but don't know anything about my father's side of the family.

Supposedly, according to one of my mother's teachers who was into genealogy, we are descended from President Andrew Johnson (not that that's anything of which to be proud) but I really don't know whether or not that's true. As I was always told, each of my grandparents were each half Black Dutch, and the other half was a mixture of English and Irish.

My father was raised by the owner of a boarding house in Keystone, West Virginia in McDowell County and his name was John Dowell. I never really knew for sure if that was his real name or if they just named him that. He didn't remember anything about his real parents. When people would ask him if his name used to be McDowell, he always told everyone that when he was a little boy, he "fell down and broke his Mac off". He was born 09/07/1888 and I wasn't born until 1944, so he was more like a grandfather to me and by the time I was old enough to really want to know about his history, he had already died. I was only 14 when he died on the Fourth of July, appropriately enough, his favorite holiday.

My first cousin Sharon and I were at the Fourth of July Carnival trying to have fun when he finally left this world. He had been in the hospital since early June following a stroke after he had cut his lawn with an old push mower--He was 93 years old at the time. We were all just waiting and biding our time. Appropriately enough, Sharon and I had been asleep in one of the old metal bed-frame beds, snuggled down under the quilts that she had made when our grandmother had died about six years earlier when she was 86. Sharon and I were the two youngest of the cousins, so when we all came to Kingsport, she and I wound up together a lot. By that time, I lived in Texas and she lived in Florida, but Kingsport was always home.

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times--it all depends on how you look at it. We shared a lot together for it to be such short periods of time.

CHILD REARING 101 AND THE BIRTH ORDER OF YOUR CHILDREN

2008-03-16T07:41:00.002-05:00

Your Clothes:
1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your OB/GYN confirms your pregnancy.
2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.
3rd baby: Your maternity clothes ARE your regular clothes.

Preparing for the Birth:
1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously.
2nd baby: You don't bother because you remember that last time, breathing didn't do a thing.
3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your eighth month.

The Layette:
1st baby: You pre-wash newborn's clothes, color-coordinate them, and fold them neatly in the baby's little bureau.
2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and discard only the ones with the darkest stains.
3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can't they?

Worries:
1st baby: At the first sign of distress-a whimper, a frown-you pick up the baby.
2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten to wake your firstborn.
3rd baby: You teach your three-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing.

Pacifier:
1st baby: If the pacifier falls on the floor, you put it away until you can go home and wash and boil it.
2nd baby: When the pacifier falls on the floor, you squirt it off with some juice from the baby's bottle.
3rd baby: You wipe it off on your shirt and pop it back in.

Diapering:
1st baby: You change your baby's diapers every hour, whether they need it or not.
2nd baby: You change their diaper every two to three hours, if needed.
3rd baby: You try to change their diaper before others start to complain about the smell or you see it sagging to their knees.

Activities:
1st baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, Baby Swing, and Baby Story Hour.
2nd baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.
3rd baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaner.

Going Out:
1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call home five times.
2nd baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number where you can be reached.
3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.

At Home:
1st baby: You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby.
2nd baby: You spend a bit of everyday watching to be sure your older child isn't squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby.
3rd baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children.

Swallowing Coins (a favorite):
1st child: When first child swallows a coin, you rush the child to the hospital and demand x-rays.
2nd child: When second child swallows a coin, you carefully watch for the coin to pass.
3rd child: When third child swallows a coin you deduct it from his allowance!

Share this on with everyone you know who has children . . . or everyone who KNOWS someone who has had children . . . (The older the mother, the funnier this is!)

GRANDCHILDREN : God's reward for allowing your children to live.

The Lone Ranger's Creed

2008-03-15T08:46:00.002-05:00

This one has been going around on the internet lately and whether or not there is any connection to the Lone Ranger, I have no idea. It wasn't yet listed at www.snopes.com which is my favorite site for checking fraud, however, it is a great creed by which to live. I broke it down to 10 points and numbered them, otherwise I didn't change anything. It gets an "Amen!" from me at least.

1. I believe that to have a friend, a man must be one.
2. That all men are created equal and that everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world.
3. That God put the firewood there, but that every man must gather and light it himself.
4. In being prepared physically, mentally, and morally to fight when necessary for that which is right.
5. That a man should make the most of what equipment he has.
6. That "this government, of the people, by the people, and for the people," shall live always.
7. That men should live by the rule of what is best for the greatest number.
8. That sooner or later...somewhere...somehow...we must settle with the world and make payment for what we have taken.
9. That all things change, but the truth, and the truth alone lives on forever.
10. I believe in my Creator, my country, my fellow man.

2008-03-13T09:58:00.004-05:00

We All Need a Tree

I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he had just finished a rough first day on the job: a flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient one ton truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands. When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.

Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier. 'Oh, that's my trouble tree,' he replied 'I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, those troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of them, then in the morning I pick them up again.'! 'Funny thing is,' he smiled,' when I come out in the morning to pick'em up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.'

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance. We all need a Trouble Tree!

In My Opinion---

2008-03-11T06:22:00.003-05:00

I have been told by some that I need to consider going into politics, however, I could never do that because I refuse to compromise my code of ethics and morality to the extent that would be required to be a politician.

This year, I am so disappointed in the political candidates for President that I'm not even sure I'm going to vote for anyone. I'm sure I will when it comes right down to it, but this is a very difficult election day for me.

I am primarily Republican, although I will vote for a Democrat if he or she is a person worthy of respect, running a "clean" campaign and the Republican candidate is "slinging mud" or otherwise showing an inability to govern fairly. Delbert Hoseman is a good example of what I consider a clean campaign although he did stray a little bit at the end. I never did learn a great deal about him, but I loved his commercials and the fact that he never said anything bad about his opponents until he had to defend himself near the end of his campaign.

In my opinion, I believe the candidates should run based on what is "good" about themselves, not by constantly putting down and attempting to discredit their opponents. But then, who cares about my opinions? Very few people.

My earliest memory about a political campaign was aimed against Truman for President. I think that must have been 1948 when I was only four years old, but I could be wrong--I can look it up, but it's not really relevant to the story. The Kingsport Times (or Press) had an article on the front page which featured a picture on the front page that was "enhanced" to show his features on one side and Hitler's face on the other side. Then in another article, they posted this little poem which stuck in my memory for some reason:

Mary had a little lamb,
It's face looked almost human.
Turned the other end around,
And it looked like Harry S. Truman.

Then in 1952, we all had "I like Ike" buttons to wear. We also had a "mock" election at school where I voted for "Ike" and he won the election. Thus began my entry into the working of elections and a lot of my opinions are a result of early childhood, I'm fairly sure. I don't remember all the details of the campaigns in those elections, I was too young to be aware and I haven't researched them, but these were the things which stuck in my very young memory.

Today, my choices are Hilary Clinton, Barak Obama or John McCain. Of the three, I will probably vote for John McCain when we come to the "real" election day and not the primary. He is just the least scary of the three. However, he comes so close to being a Democrat that I'm not comfortable with him either. Mike Huckabee came the closest to being my favorite, but he didn't do so well.

Hilary (aka Billary) and Obama are way too much in favor of breaking the backs of the middle class citizenry of America, all the while claiming to be in favor of us. How can they have "Free Healthcare" for America without taxing the middle class to pay for the program. The rich have loopholes and tax write-offs to get them out of paying and the poor don't pay taxes in the first place. Nothing is "free" that is a government handout program--we pay for anything the government does in the form of taxes. Why should I be punished for being economically conservative, willing to work hard for what I have, refusing handout programs even when I qualified for them, and trying to save up to pay for my retirement in order not to become a welfare case?

It's not my fault that living on welfare has become a "way of life" to many Americans. This is not a racial statement -- I've known both black and white families (including some of my own relatives) who consider anything they can get out of the government as rightfully theirs. Many believe they are "entitled" to a certain level of living, whether or not they earn it. There are many legitimate needs for the welfare programs available and I have no problems with that although if we were doing our jobs correctly, family and the church should be handling those situations.

The welfare handouts have become so lucrative that people can make more money staying at home than the minimum wage pays and they don't have to work at all. Why should they slave away at for low pay when they don't have to? But that's another subject which will be explored later.

Bottom line--nothing is free and politicians who promise to deliver free anything to the general public are scary, because they're taking money out of my hard-earned savings to pay for it.

Proud Mississippian Test

2008-03-08T14:43:00.002-06:00

You might be a Proud Mississippian if:

1. You can properly pronounce Kosciusko, Ackerman, Gautier, Picayune and Belzoni.
2. You think people who complain about the heat in their states are sissies.
3. A tornado warning siren is your signal to go out in the yard and look for a funnel.
4. You know that the true value of a parking space is not determined by the distance to the door, but by the availability of shade.
5. Stores don't have bags or shopping carts, they have sacks and buggies.
6. You've seen people wear overalls at funerals.
7. You think everyone from a bigger city has an accent.
8. You measure distance in minutes. (It's about 5 minutes down the road)
9. You go to the lake because you think it is like going to the ocean.
10. You listen to the weather forecast before picking out an outfit.
11. You know cowpies are not made of beef.
12. Someone you know has used a football schedule to plan their wedding date.
13. You have known someone who has a belt buckle bigger than your fist.
14. You aren't surprised to find movie rental, ammunition, beer, and bait all in the same store. 15. A Mercedes Benz isn't a status symbol.. A Chevy Silverado Extended Bed Crew Cab is.
16. You know everything goes better with Ranch Dressing.
17. You learned how to shoot a gun before you learned how to multiply.
18. You actually get these jokes and are 'fixin' ' to send them to your friends.
19. You have used your heater and air-conditioner in the same day! Finally: You are 100%

Mississippian if you have ever had this conversation:

20. 'You wanna coke?' 'Yeah.' 'What kind?' 'Dr Pepper.'

Common "Cents" Economics

2008-03-03T06:49:00.005-06:00

It perplexes me that our government officials and other political pundits who claim to know all about what's wrong with our country, have never been able to figure out why the cost of living just keeps going up and the value of our dollar keeps going down.

To me, it's as simple as can be, but then I don't have a degree in economics to blind me to common sense. Bottom line, increase minimum wage, increase cost of living, devalue the dollar.

I started paying attention to the minimum wage back when I had a job at Woolworth's 5 & 10 Cent store in 1960 making $1.00 an hour. Then it was raised to $1.25 and later to $1.65, etc. For some strange reason, the employers who had to pay additional salaries also increased the price of goods they sold in order to still earn the same, or more, net profit. It's a simple chain reaction. It takes a while to settle out, but the end result is the same.

If you base the cost of goods on how many hours it takes to earn enough money to buy one gallon of gas, a loaf of bread, OR a gallon of milk, you can determine how much is actually gained when the minimum wage is increased. We're really no better off today than we were when the minimum wage was $1.00 an hour. We may even be a little worse off now than we were then in some areas.

In 1960, one hour of work ($1.00) would purchase a gallon of milk, three loaves of bread or almost three gallons of gasoline. This summer the minimum wage will increase from $5.85 to $6.55 on July 24th. Now, translate $5.85 into what it will buy in terms of milk, bread or gasoline...what can you buy for $5.85 in today's market?

Common Sense just really isn't common anymore,
The things we take for granted have all flown out the door.
The things that make a lot of sense, are now just all ignored,
What once were things forbidden, are now the things adored.

2008-02-23T10:11:00.000-06:00

Passing of an Old Friend

Today we mourn the passing of an old friend by the name of Common Sense.

Common Sense lived a long life but died from heart failure at the brink of the millennium. No one really knows how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes, factories and offices, helping folks get jobs done without fanfare and foolishness.

For decades, petty rules, silly laws and frivolous lawsuits held no power over Common Sense. He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as to know when to come in out of the rain, the early bird gets the worm, and life isn't always fair.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial means, (never spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not the kids), and it's okay to come in second if you tried your very best.

A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and the Technological Revolution, Common Sense survived cultural and educational trends including body piercing, whole language and "new math."

But his health declined when he became infected with the "If-it-only-helps-one-person-it's-worth-it" virus. In recent decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of overbearing federal regulation.

He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers and enlightened auditors. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero tolerance policies, reports of six-year-old boys charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student. It declined even further when schools had to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student but cannot inform the parent when the female student is pregnant or wants an abortion.

Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, criminals received better treatment than victims, and federal judges stuck their noses in everything from Boy Scouts to professional sports.

As the end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of logic, but was kept informed of developments, regarding questionable regulations for asbestos, low flow toilets, "smart" guns, the nurturing of prohibition Laws and mandatory air bags.

Finally, when told that the homeowners association restricted exterior furniture only to that which enhanced property values, he breathed his last.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers: Rights, Tolerance and Whiner. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

2008-02-23T10:00:00.000-06:00

Great Sayings (taken from e-mail files)

GOD won't be looking for your medals, degrees or diplomas, he'll be looking for your scars!

Warning: Exposure to the SON may prevent burning!

Give GOD what's right, not what's left!

Seven days, without prayer, makes one weak!

Trade GOD your pieces for HIS peace!

When you get tired talking to your friend about GOD, talk to GOD about your friend!

Life is fragile, handle it with prayer!

Man's way leads to a hopeless end! GOD'S way leads to an endless hope!

Every time, the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future!!

He who kneels before GOD can stand before anyone!

To be almost saved, is to be totally lost!

Grace is not an excuse to sin, but it is the power not to!

When JESUS is all we have, we realize, JESUS is all we need!

Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, FAITH looks up!

JESUS became what we are, so we can become like HE is!

If you're a Christian, earth is the only hell, you'll ever know!

If you can't sleep, don't count sheep, talk to the shepherd!

In this life it's not what you have, but who you have that counts!

There are many things in my life for which I am ashamed, but JESUS is not one of them!

2008-02-23T09:47:00.000-06:00

Who Should Read the Bible?

The Young - To learn how to live.

The Old - To know how to die.

The Ignorant - For wisdom.

The Learned - For humility.

The Rich - For compassion.

The Poor - For comfort.

The Dreamer - For enchantment.

The Practical - For counsel.

The Weak - For strength.

The Strong - For direction.

The Haughty - For warning.

The Humble - For exaltation.

The Troubled - For peace.

The Weary - For rest.

The Doubting - For assurance.

The Sinner - For salvation.

The Christian - For guidance.

-- Author Unknown