For some reason, every autumn, my thoughts turn homeward. I guess because autumn in Arkansas is so very refreshing! The summers are long, hot and humid and life as a member of Victory Baptist Church was always a flurry of activity in the summer - teen camp (where I met my hubby!), bus ministry promotions, revival meetings, and a vacation if you could squeeze one in! It was go, go, go. Then school resumed and life took on a more regular pace. We have hot summers here in Texas - they last till October or November! But, unlike Arkansas, there's not a distinct fall season. We have one, but it sort of blends in with winter, as we have mild winters. We do not have as many trees that change with the autumn season here either. Arkansas has beautiful colors! The crisp mornings in Arkansas, the beautiful leaves changing, the rhythm of school and church and soulwinning...oh how simple and wonderful those days were!
I guess what I miss most about Arkansas would be 2811 Karen Drive in Benton! My home! That was my safety net for all of life's hardships. I knew when I crossed that threshold that I had a Mom and Dad who loved me and cared about my problems. My mom would let me chatter away while we (well, mostly she) prepared supper. She listened and then offered caring advice, usually from Proverbs, as she is the Proverbs Queen! Then, Mom would listen to the same news again as I told Dad about it at supper. We'd eat, talk, laugh, then we all went about our evening routine. Sometimes, Dad and I would take a bike ride together if the weather was good. Or, I would just do homework, Dad would watch a little TV and Mom would write lesson plans and grade papers - sometimes we all graded papers!
Yes, I sure do miss those days. At the time though, I was in such a rush to grow up, I didn't really enjoy it to the fullest.
Now, some many years later, I look back with a heart of thankfulness on those wonderful, secure childhood days. I want to give my children the same wonderful memories that I have. I still long for Arkansas, but I know I can never recapture those days of yesteryear.I must look forward.
On July 29,2004 the Lord chose to take my Dad on home to be with Him. It was sudden. But, I knew exactly where he was, he was in our permanent home, Heaven. I recently had a dream where I discovered that my Dad wasn't dead, he was in prison! How awful! But in my dream I was glad of this news because that meant I could go see him! When I awoke, I realized that I was the one "in prison". Dad was truly free. I'm imprisoned in this flesh, in this wicked world, but Dad is free of the flesh, of sin and the world. You see, 2811 Karen Drive was just our temporary home. Today, friends, I miss Arkansas. But I long for Heaven even more. That will be my permanent home. That's where my Dad is! That's where my Savior is! Up there, I'll never be homesick again. It will be wonderful! No pain, no tears, no fear, no locks on doors! Jesus is there, and there are streets of gold! And I don't know for sure, but I bet they have gorgeous autumn colors there, too!
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
A Menagerie of Events ~
Well, there've been some interesting things going on in the Basham's hill country home lately. Sorry it's taken me a while to get these photos uploaded. About two weeks ago, I kept smelling an odd smell, like something burning. It was the same smell that I noticed when I turned the oven on and Leslie had put Mitchell's plastic "Old MacDonald Farm tractor" in the broiler without my knowing it! Yep, it was tractor toast. This time, however, the oven was off. We checked all the outlets, nothing. Finally the smell was strong enough that we tracked it down. Leslie had gingerly hung the pair of plastic shoes that decorated my baby shower cake after Laci's birth on top of our living room lamp's light bulb! Thankfully, they didn't catch anything on fire. By the time I found them, they were smoking. Where I had put them for her to find, I'll never know. I still need to put Leslie's baby shower stuff in my scrapbook, much less Laci's! For those of you who think I'm organized, think again! Just see the photo below for proof that I still have room for plenty of improvement in that area!
Notice the burned place on the upper left hand corner. I was supposed to write her name and date of her birth there...oh well.
I don't know why the next picture is so purpley, I guess I did something wrong when taking it! Anyway, it touched my heart to see Lauren having her own devotions. Terry and I have a private devotions, and then I have a devotion time with the kids from the monthly booklet, Keys for Kids, while they eat breakfast, but we don't make a private time mandatory for the kids. We mostly do this because our parents didn't force us to have a quiet time with God as children, but they set the example and that's more important anyway. Lauren is using a small devotional book for kids, called "A Daily Adventure with God" that we purchased from some evangelists visiting our church. They are small books that walk you through a particular book of the Bible. Lauren's was John. If your interested, here's the info:
Notice the burned place on the upper left hand corner. I was supposed to write her name and date of her birth there...oh well. Mitchell received a bee-bee gun on his 2nd birthday, but has never gotten to shoot it, or really been wanting to, for that matter. But this week he suddenly got the desire to shoot it! Well, for those that know Terry, you know it was a thrill to show his son how to shoot. Terry's a good shot, and knows a lot about all kinds of guns. Here's Mitch, appropriately outfitted in his camo, shooting his gun! Notice: Dad is very close by...after all, Mitch is only Five! We believe in teaching gun safety!!!!! You can click on the photos to see them better.
I don't know why the next picture is so purpley, I guess I did something wrong when taking it! Anyway, it touched my heart to see Lauren having her own devotions. Terry and I have a private devotions, and then I have a devotion time with the kids from the monthly booklet, Keys for Kids, while they eat breakfast, but we don't make a private time mandatory for the kids. We mostly do this because our parents didn't force us to have a quiet time with God as children, but they set the example and that's more important anyway. Lauren is using a small devotional book for kids, called "A Daily Adventure with God" that we purchased from some evangelists visiting our church. They are small books that walk you through a particular book of the Bible. Lauren's was John. If your interested, here's the info: Ken Claypool
304 E. Bittersweet Rd.
Washington, IL 61531 or call 309.745.8416 or 309.698.2000
The books cost approx. $3.00 each. They are really good.
She doesn't do this faithfully every morning, but I want to encourage her for trying! Praise the Lord!
While Lauren was having devotions, Mitch (and Leslie) were helping me by making my bed. They wanted to surprise me, and they sure did! What a blessing! I didn't know Leslie was involved until I saw in the photo that she was sticking her head out from under the bed!
Psalm 127:3 says Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Sometimes, I don't feel like they are much of a reward, but the Bible says they are! When I feel that way, I remember days like the one pictured above, and it changes my outlook. I remember how fast they are growing up, and that this is my one chance to put into them what's right. Pray for me, that I will instill the right things into my precious "rewards".
While Lauren was having devotions, Mitch (and Leslie) were helping me by making my bed. They wanted to surprise me, and they sure did! What a blessing! I didn't know Leslie was involved until I saw in the photo that she was sticking her head out from under the bed!
Psalm 127:3 says Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Sometimes, I don't feel like they are much of a reward, but the Bible says they are! When I feel that way, I remember days like the one pictured above, and it changes my outlook. I remember how fast they are growing up, and that this is my one chance to put into them what's right. Pray for me, that I will instill the right things into my precious "rewards".
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Good Medicine!
Someone e-mailed this story to Terry, and I had to pass it along! I'm still fighting the allergies and this story has helped me feel so much better. As the Bible says in Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. So enjoy this good medicine, and have a good day!
There was a feud between the Pastor and the Choir Director of The Hicksville Southern Baptist Church.It seems the first hint of trouble came when the Pastor preached on "dedicating yourself to service" and the Choir Director chose to sing: "I Shall Not Be Moved".
Trying to believe it was a coincidence, the Pastor put the incident behind him. The next Sunday he preached on "Giving". Afterward, the choir squirmed as the director led them in the hymn: "Jesus Paid it All".
By this,time, the Pastor was losing his temper. Sunday Morning attendance swelled as the tension between the two built.
A large crowd showed up the next week to hear his sermon on "The Sins of Gossip". Would you believe the Choir Director selected:"I love To Tell The Story"?
There was no turning back. The following Sunday the Pastor told the congregation that unless something changed, he was considering resignation.The entire Church gasped when the Choir Director led them in: "Why Not Tonight"?
Truthfully, no one was surprised when the pastor resigned a week later,explaining that Jesus had led him there and Jesus was leading him away. The Choir Director could not resist: "What A Friend We Have In Jesus."
There was a feud between the Pastor and the Choir Director of The Hicksville Southern Baptist Church.It seems the first hint of trouble came when the Pastor preached on "dedicating yourself to service" and the Choir Director chose to sing: "I Shall Not Be Moved".
Trying to believe it was a coincidence, the Pastor put the incident behind him. The next Sunday he preached on "Giving". Afterward, the choir squirmed as the director led them in the hymn: "Jesus Paid it All".
By this,time, the Pastor was losing his temper. Sunday Morning attendance swelled as the tension between the two built.
A large crowd showed up the next week to hear his sermon on "The Sins of Gossip". Would you believe the Choir Director selected:"I love To Tell The Story"?
There was no turning back. The following Sunday the Pastor told the congregation that unless something changed, he was considering resignation.The entire Church gasped when the Choir Director led them in: "Why Not Tonight"?
Truthfully, no one was surprised when the pastor resigned a week later,explaining that Jesus had led him there and Jesus was leading him away. The Choir Director could not resist: "What A Friend We Have In Jesus."
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Love is the Foundation
Ephesians 3:13- 21
13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Well, today seems to be going better than yesterday! My kids all slept through the night, and I didn't over-sleep! I am trying to get today started off right!
I read the verses above as part of my Bible time today, and the Lord showed me something good. Verse 17 says "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love," After we are rooted and grounded in love, then verse 18 and 19 is possible:[ that ye] "May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." We can't comprehend God's love until we are first rooted and grounded in the love of God. When we get saved, we are rooted in Christ - we are part of His family. My roots take me back to Arkansas, to the family of Ron and Carolyn Courtney. I couldn't comprehend their love for me, until I was born into their family. It's the same for Christians. Until we are saved, and in God's family, we can't know His love. After salvation we can see how much God loves us! It is then that we see Him at work in our daily lives. It is then that verse 20 is real to us: "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us," I like that part -exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think! Amazing! We can't see that in our lives until we become part of His adoptive family. By the way, reading the Bible daily and talking to Him regularly help us see Him at work in our lives so much more! I wouldn't really know my family if I didn't keep in touch with them. If I never visited them, or called or wrote them, I wouldn't really know them. If we get saved and then don't "keep in touch" with the Lord, we can't really know Him.
I'm so glad I not only know that there is a God, but that I know God! To think that I have a relationship with the God of the Universe through His only Son! Now that will start anybody's day off right!
13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Well, today seems to be going better than yesterday! My kids all slept through the night, and I didn't over-sleep! I am trying to get today started off right!
I read the verses above as part of my Bible time today, and the Lord showed me something good. Verse 17 says "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love," After we are rooted and grounded in love, then verse 18 and 19 is possible:[ that ye] "May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." We can't comprehend God's love until we are first rooted and grounded in the love of God. When we get saved, we are rooted in Christ - we are part of His family. My roots take me back to Arkansas, to the family of Ron and Carolyn Courtney. I couldn't comprehend their love for me, until I was born into their family. It's the same for Christians. Until we are saved, and in God's family, we can't know His love. After salvation we can see how much God loves us! It is then that we see Him at work in our daily lives. It is then that verse 20 is real to us: "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us," I like that part -exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think! Amazing! We can't see that in our lives until we become part of His adoptive family. By the way, reading the Bible daily and talking to Him regularly help us see Him at work in our lives so much more! I wouldn't really know my family if I didn't keep in touch with them. If I never visited them, or called or wrote them, I wouldn't really know them. If we get saved and then don't "keep in touch" with the Lord, we can't really know Him.
I'm so glad I not only know that there is a God, but that I know God! To think that I have a relationship with the God of the Universe through His only Son! Now that will start anybody's day off right!
Monday, September 24, 2007
I'm getting up...again.
Here I am, at 5:15PM, just now getting to my devotions for the day! I would be making our dinner, but Terry is out right now so I am using this time to read my Bible, pray and post! What can I say? It's just been one of those days! It's Monday! No wait a minute. I can't blame Monday. It's just me.
For some reason, it is so easy for me to look around at my circumstances, than look up to the Lord. I know better, but I still do it. I read some great verses just now, that the Lord used to really encourage me. Proverbs 24:10 says "If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small." and my personal favorite, Prov.24:16a "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again..." I really like that last verse because that is me in a nutshell. I am "just" because I'm justified- I know I'm saved! I am a "man" because I'm hu-MAN. And I fall seven times a day, at least. I am always making mistakes. I lose my patience with someone, I think critical thoughts, I say those thoughts, I wish I could run away and never return, and the list is endless! I snap at my hubby or my kiddies. I fail to get up on time and end up having my devotions at 5 PM instead of AM!!!!
Yeah, I'll be honest. I have this great "plan" in mind for my tomorrow as I pillow my head at night, and somewhere in there, my plan becomes a nightmare! Nothing goes right!! Mostly it's my flesh causing the problem. It told me that it doesn't like getting up, or reading the Bible, or praying! It wants to sleep and write email and eat Oreos. It likes me to please it all the time!! See what I'm facing every day? However, the verse says that a just man falleth seven times and riseth up again. So I want you all to know that I failed today. I didn't have the kind of day that I had planned to have! I didn't have the right kind of day because of me. I want you to know I don't want to have "small strength", I want to be strong. So with God's help, and forgivness, I will now get up...again.
For some reason, it is so easy for me to look around at my circumstances, than look up to the Lord. I know better, but I still do it. I read some great verses just now, that the Lord used to really encourage me. Proverbs 24:10 says "If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small." and my personal favorite, Prov.24:16a "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again..." I really like that last verse because that is me in a nutshell. I am "just" because I'm justified- I know I'm saved! I am a "man" because I'm hu-MAN. And I fall seven times a day, at least. I am always making mistakes. I lose my patience with someone, I think critical thoughts, I say those thoughts, I wish I could run away and never return, and the list is endless! I snap at my hubby or my kiddies. I fail to get up on time and end up having my devotions at 5 PM instead of AM!!!!
Yeah, I'll be honest. I have this great "plan" in mind for my tomorrow as I pillow my head at night, and somewhere in there, my plan becomes a nightmare! Nothing goes right!! Mostly it's my flesh causing the problem. It told me that it doesn't like getting up, or reading the Bible, or praying! It wants to sleep and write email and eat Oreos. It likes me to please it all the time!! See what I'm facing every day? However, the verse says that a just man falleth seven times and riseth up again. So I want you all to know that I failed today. I didn't have the kind of day that I had planned to have! I didn't have the right kind of day because of me. I want you to know I don't want to have "small strength", I want to be strong. So with God's help, and forgivness, I will now get up...again.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Thank You
I just wanted to say "Thank you" to those of you who patronize my site, and to those of you who were kind enough to pass on ideas for children's church! They were a big blessing! Blogging is very new to me, and I've had to figure it out on my own. To be honest , I really enjoy being able to "reach out and touch someone" anytime - day or night. I enjoy getting emails and comments so much! This has been a nice hobby for me, it's given me something to look forward to doing. Since I am in a small town, and church, it's easy to feel alone and isolated. Blogging has changed that for me! I've made new friends, and am keeping in better contact with old ones.
Thank you for stopping by, and please, do come back and say hello again!
Thank you for stopping by, and please, do come back and say hello again!
If I can just keep going...
Well, I am a testimony that no matter how faithful you are to church, Bible reading and prayer, you still battle the flesh! Won't Heaven be wonderful? No more sin, no pain, NO ALLERGIES!! I have had more trouble the last few days with my allergies than I've had in ages. I haven't taken a Benedryl since Laci's birth, but I broke down early this morning and took one. I couldn't stand it any longer - I've had itchy eyes, sneezing and my asthma has been acting up. It's been bad enough that I wake up in the night needing to blow my nose! I love living here. It's peaceful - it's a town, but a small one, so the pace is slow. Think of Burnet like the Mayberry of Texas. The climate is great! Winter lasts about two weeks...ok, just kidding, but winter is very mild here. After living in northern Kansas, where you go soulwinning in below zero weather, this climate is awesome! It's gets cold at night and 70ish in the day. The people are friendly, and it's TEXAS! What's not to like? :-) BUT, we do have things blooming year round because of our mild climate, and that causes unsuspecting, non-native Texans like myself to suffer the consequences. This is just another fleshly thing to deal with, and I'll be so glad when I'll be rid of this old flesh! Not just because of my allergies, but because of sin. I am so tired of battling the fleshly desire of covetousness, gossip and myriad other sins!
Gal. 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Wow! That is my desire - to walk in the spirit. I would be a better mother, wife, friend, sister, daughter, everything- If I could just walk after the spirit, and not my old rotten flesh. The Bible says in Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. How true! The old saying, "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." is true for all of us. I know not to gossip, or lose my patience with my kids, but doing it is a whole lot harder!! I don't battle external sins - like alcohol, smoking, etc.- but sins of the heart, which are just as rotten in God's eyes.
With God as my helper, I'm going to get up and keep going. My goal is Gal.5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. That should keep me busy! And when the flesh seems to be fighting me, I'll remember Gal. 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for due season we shall reap, if we faint not. I want to sow the kind of crop that will be fun to reap - I want to sow to the spirit and not the flesh. I'm so glad that the Lord will never leave me or forsake me, even when the flesh wins occasionally. Through Him, I've already won the war!
In the meantime, I'll keep the Puffs handy, and keep on fighting this flesh of mine.
Gal. 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Wow! That is my desire - to walk in the spirit. I would be a better mother, wife, friend, sister, daughter, everything- If I could just walk after the spirit, and not my old rotten flesh. The Bible says in Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. How true! The old saying, "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." is true for all of us. I know not to gossip, or lose my patience with my kids, but doing it is a whole lot harder!! I don't battle external sins - like alcohol, smoking, etc.- but sins of the heart, which are just as rotten in God's eyes.
With God as my helper, I'm going to get up and keep going. My goal is Gal.5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. That should keep me busy! And when the flesh seems to be fighting me, I'll remember Gal. 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for due season we shall reap, if we faint not. I want to sow the kind of crop that will be fun to reap - I want to sow to the spirit and not the flesh. I'm so glad that the Lord will never leave me or forsake me, even when the flesh wins occasionally. Through Him, I've already won the war!
In the meantime, I'll keep the Puffs handy, and keep on fighting this flesh of mine.