Quote . . .

"God wants full custody, not just weekend visits."

God doesn't want us just for the weekend visits - He wants us all the time every day, every night, every minute - all the time!  He doesn't want us just for part of the day or part of the night but He wants us all the time! He simply want us!!

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right
hand of my righteousness.    (Isa 41:10)

You are a lousy cook if . . .

You are a lousy cook if.…

You are a lousy cook if....

Your family automatically heads for the table every time they hear a fire siren.

Anyone has ever broken a tooth eating your homemade yogurt.

Your kids know what "peas porridge in a pot nine days old" tastes like.

Your son goes outside to make mud pies, the rest of the family grabs forks and follows him.

Your kids' favorite drink is Alka-Seltzer.

You have to buy 25 pounds of dog food twice a week for your toy poodle.

Your kids got even with the neighborhood bully by inviting him over for dinner.

Your husband refers to the smoke detector as the oven timer.

No matter what you do to it the gravy still turns bright purple.

Lots of laughs here with this one!!!

The Old Man - Memorial Day

As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my cart of groceries
towards my car, I saw an old man with the hood of his car up and a lady sitting
inside the car, with the door open.

The old man was looking at t he engine. I put my groceries away in my car, and
continued to watch the old gentleman from about twenty five feet away.

I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag in his arm walking
towards the old man. The old gentleman saw him coming too, and took a few steps towards him.

I saw the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something. The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a brand new Cadillac Escalade. He then turned back to the old man. I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying: "You shouldn't even be allowed to drive a car at your age." And then with a wave of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.

I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief, and mop his brow as he went
back to his car and again looked at the engine.

He then went to his wife and spoke with her; he appeared to tell her it would be
okay. I had seen enough, and I approached the old man. He saw me coming and
stood straight, and as I got near him I said, "Looks like you're having a
problem."

He smiled sheepishly, and quietly nodded his head. I looked under the hood
myself, and knew that whatever the problem was, it was beyond me. Looking
around, I saw a gas station up the road, and I told the old man that I would be
right back. I drove to the station and went I inside. I saw three attendants
working on cars. I approached one of them, and related the problem the old man
had with his car. I offered to pay them if they could follow me back down and
help him.
The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree and appeared to be comforting his wife. When he saw us he straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics diagnosed the problem (overheated engine), I spoke with the old gentleman.

When I shook hands with him earlier, he had noticed my Marine Corps ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a Marine, too. I nodded and asked the usual question, "What outfit did you serve with?"

He said that he served with the First Marine Division at Guadalcanal Pelieliu,
and Okinawa.

He had hit three of the worst ones, and retired from the Corps after the war was
over. As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics lower the hood. They came over to us as the old man reached for his wallet, but was stopped by me. I told him I would just put the bill on my AAA card.

He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that I assumed had his name and address on it, and I stuck it in my pocket. We all shook hands all around again, and I said my goodbyes to his wife.

I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the station.
Once at the station, I told them that they had interrupted their own jobs to
come along with me and help the old man. I said I wanted to pay for the help,
but they refused to charge me.

One of them pulled out a card from his pocket, looking exactly like the card the
old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then that they were Marine
Corps Reserves. Once again we shook hands all around and as I was leaving, one
of them told me I should look at the card the old man had given to me. I said I
would and drove off.

For some reason I had gone about two blocks, when I pulled over and took the
card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long, long time. The name of the
old gentleman was on the card in golden leaf and under his name was written:
Congressional Medal of Honor Society. I sat there motionless, looking at the
card and reading it over and over. I looked up from the card and smiled to no
one but myself and marveled that on this day, four Marines had all come together because one of us needed help. He was an old man all right, but it felt good to have stood next to greatness and courage, and an honor to have been in his presence.

Remember, as we approach another Memorial Day, old men like him gave you, and all of us, FREEDOM for America. Thanks to those who served and still serve, and to all of those who supported them, and who continue to support them.

Hot Corn Dip

Memorial Day is coming - Here's a good recipe!

Hot Corn Dip:

• 2 cups shredded chedder cheese
• 1 cup shredded Montery Jack
• 2 tbs chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, diced small
• 1 small can (4oz) diced green chilies, undrained
• 1/2 cup Mayo
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 11oz can of corn, drained
• 1 small tomato
• 2 tbs cilantro, chopped
• 2 tbs green onions, sliced thin

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. Mix the cheeses, chiptole and green peppers, mayo, garlic powder and corn together. Pour into an oven safe dish.
2. Bake 20 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly
3. Top with diced tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro. Serve immediately with tortilla chips.

Recipe for a Prosperous, Peaceful Year!

 

Take twelve, fine, full-grown months, see that these are free from all old

memories of bitterness, rancor, hate and jealousy; cleanse them completely from

every clinging spite: pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short,

see that these months are freed as much as possible from the past.

Cut these months into 29, 30 or 31 equal parts. This batch will keep for just

one year. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons

spoil the entire lot in this way), but prepare one day at a time, as follows:

Into each day put

twelve parts of faith,

eleven of patience,

ten of courage,

nine of work,

eight of hope,

seven of fidelity,

six of liberality,

five of kindness,

four of rest,

three of prayer,

two of meditation,

and one well selected resolution.

If you have no conscientious scruples, put in about a teaspoonful of good

spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping

cupful of good humor.

Pour into the whole love ad libitum and mix with a vim. Cook thoroughly in a

fervent heat; garnish with a few smiles and a sprig of joy; then serve with

quietness, unselfishness, and cheerfulness, and a Happy New Year is certain.

Success - Unknown

Success is speaking words of      praise,
In cheering other people's          ways.
In doing just the best you          can,
With every task and every          plan.


It's silence when your speech would hurt,
Politeness when your neighbor's curt.
It's deafness when the scandal flows,
And sympathy with others' woes.

It's loyalty when duty calls,
It's courage when disaster falls.
It's patience when the hours are long,
It's found in laughter and in song.

It's in the silent time of prayer,
In happiness and in despair.
In all of life and nothing less,
We find the thing we call success.

Potato Chips & God

A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with a bag of potato chips and a six-pack of root beer and started his journey.


When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old man. He was sitting in the park, just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered him some chips. He gratefully accepted it and smiled at him.


His smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer. Again, he smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word. As twilight approached, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave; but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old man, and gave him a hug. He gave him his biggest smile ever.


When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? He's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"


Meanwhile, the old man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked, "dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied "I ate potato chips in the park with God." However, before his son responded, he added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime! Embrace all equally!

Have lunch with God.......bring chips!!!
God still sits on the throne. You may be going through a tough time right now but God is getting ready to bless you in a way that only He can. Keep the faith!

Father, I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and e-mail buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of Your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace. Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.

Live simply. Love seriously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

Remember the power of a simple touch, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring - all of which have the potential to turn a life around!  Through God and your smile you can do just that very thing - turn a life around!  I challenge you to do that this very day - turn that life around and point it to God - you won't be sorry!

Learn How to be a "Southern Belle".

For all y’all that ain’t from around here… Lessons on How to Be a Southern Belle:

1. Promptly add these words to your vocabulary and use them often: “honey”, “sugar”, “darlin’”, “y’all”, “goodness gracious”, “I declare!”, and “bless your heart”.

2. Always begin or end a conversation by asking about the other person’s mama. “… and how’s your mama? How’s her garden doing? Well, tell her I asked about her.”

3. Learn to use and understand the use of the phrase “Bless her heart”. This is key in understanding Southern speak. For example, if someone had been admitted to the hospital, the phrase “Bless her heart” is used out of concern. On the other hand, if someone has run off with another person’s husband, the term “Bless her heart” may be used to turn what some might deem “gossip” into a show of concern. 

4. Always use manners. “Please”, “Thank you”, “Yes ma’am”, “No ma’am”, etc.

5. Not everything that goes through the brain should come out of the mouth. Southern Belles learn to filter appropriately, and can smile sweetly even while disagreeing with another person. Southern Belle’s never yell, demand, or throw tantrums… except in private.

6. Be sure to know how to make and enjoy eating standard Southern cuisine: biscuits and gravy, sweet tea, soup beans, corn bread, collard greens, and banana pudding. (And even though I’m Southern, I can’t eat grits… )

7. There is a reason why the South is known for its hospitality. Southern Belles must know how to be gracious, welcoming hostesses and always make guests feel right at home.

8. The bigger the hair, the closer to God. Enough said. (No, this is not from the Bible, please don’t try to ‘google’ the verse…)

9. Southern Belle’s are always dressed in a classy, feminine way. If you see a southern “woman” who is dressed in a trashy, revealing way, she is not a “Southern Belle”. Classy Southern Belles dress appropriately to be seen by their mama, their husband’s mama, or the Preacher at any time.

10. … and last but not least, every Southern Belle should know the entire lyrics to “Sweet Home Alabama”. If you do not know this song…. well, you ain’t from around here!

By Malanie

Iron Skillet Pineapple Upside Down Cake

IRON SKILLET PINEAPPLE  UPSIDE DOWN CAKE    Cook time: 55 Min Prep time: 15 Min Serves: 12 Ingredients - 1 1/3 c butter - 1 c brown sugar - 1 (20)oz. can(s) pineapple slices - maraschino cherries - 1/2 c chopped pecans - 2 eggs - 1 1/2 c sugar - 1 tsp vanilla extract - 2 c all purpose flour - 2 tsp baking powder - 1/2 tsp baking soda - 1/2 tsp salt - 1/2 tsp cinnamon - 1/2 tsp nutmeg - 1 c buttermilk

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350. Melt 2/3 cup of butter; Stir in brown sugar. 2. Spread in bottom of 12-inch iron skillet or a 13 X 9 X 2 pan. DO NOT GREASE. 3. Arrange pineapple slices over sugar mixture; Place a cherry in the center of each. 4. Sprinkle with pecans and set aside. 5. In large bowl cream sugar and remaining butter; Beat in eggs and vanilla. 6. Combine all dry ingredients; Add alternately with the buttermilk, mixing well after each addition. 7. Pour carefully over sugar mixture. 8. Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes or until toothpick test says it's done. Immediately invert onto serving platter.

Well, it is National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day!!!!  So who's going to give it a try?  Any takers today?  Try it and see if you like it or if you don't - then don't try it again next year!! I think it looks pretty good and I haven't fixed one for a long time.

Terror Cells in Church

Latest news reports are that five terrorist cell groups have been operating in many of our churches. They have been identified as: Bin Sleepin, Bin Arguin, Bin Fightin, Bin Complainin, and Bin Missin. Their leader, Lucifer Bin Workin, trained these groups to destroy the Body of Christ. The plan is to come into the church disguised as Christians and to work within the church to discourage, disrupt, and destroy.

However, there have been reports of a sixth group. A tiny cell known by the name Bin Prayin is actually the only effective counter terrorism force in the church. Unlike other terrorist cells, the Bin Prayin team does not blend in with whoever and whatever comes along. Bin Prayin does whatever is needed to uplift and encourage the Body of Christ. We have noticed that the Bin Prayin cell group has different characteristics than the others. They have Bin Watchin, Bin Waitin, Bin Fastin, and Bin Longin for their Master, Jesus Christ, to return.

NO CHURCH IS EXEMPT!

Where have you been at?  Hope you have Bin Praying - Bin Watchin, Bin Waiting, Bin Fastin, and Bin Longing for Jesus to return!!

Show HIM Your Paper!

A farmer answered a knock on his door one morning.  An electric company worker handed him a piece of paper stating that the electric company would like to run a power line through his pasture.  The farmer said, "No."

"Legally, that paper says we can," replied the worker.

As he turned and left returning to his co-workers in the field, the farmer went to his barn and turned his bull into the pasture.

As the bull rumbled toward the workers in the field, the farmer hollered, "Show HIM your paper!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I grew up on a farm – I know exactly how that works!!

Have you ever been in a spot where you have had to “Show HIM Your Paper”!! Have you ever been there where you were backed up against the wall and had to show the world that “You ARE a Christian”?  Have you ever been there where it was God and God alone that took you under HIS wing and carried you through?

Yes, I have been there many times – when it was God that took care of me through my situation.  Thank the Lord for those times – times when I had to “show the devil my paper”!! Many times it was those times that got me out of the pressure of the devil and into the presence of God Almighty!!!
Times like this when I was weak and feeling run down. I knew I was a Christian – but how do I handle this? I knew I couldn’t go back but only headed upward toward the God that would take care of me. These things I knew!  I could only put my full faith in this God that would say to satan himself – “She’s mine! Leave her alone!” And that is just what has happened to me so many times – God said it and I believed it.  It was God that took me and held me close and said, “Be still my child – I’ll take this one”! 

Time after time as I look back I see these special moments and I cherish each one of them for it’s during these times that I see God’s loving hand reaching out to me – reaching out to me when I couldn’t even take another step – He was always there reaching out for my right hand to connect with His . . . here's one of my favorite verses . . .

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”.  (Isaiah 41:10)

The Keeper of the Springs

The late Peter Marshall was an eloquent speaker and for several years served as the chaplain of the US Senate. He used to love to tell the story of the "Keeper of the Spring," a quiet forest dweller who lived high above an Austrian village along the eastern slope of the Alps.

The old gentleman had been hired many years earlier by a young town councilman to clear away the debris from the pools of water up in the mountain crevices that fed the lovely spring flowing through their town. With faithful, silent regularity, he patrolled the hills, removed the leaves and branches, and wiped away the silt that would otherwise have choked and contaminated the fresh flow of water. The village soon became a popular attraction for vacationers. Graceful swans floated along the crystal clear spring, the mill wheels of various businesses located near the water turned day and night, farmlands were naturally irrigated, and the view from restaurants was picturesque beyond description.

Years passed. One evening the town council met for its semiannual meeting. As they reviewed the budget, one man's eye caught the salary figure being paid the obscure keeper of the spring. Said the keeper of the purse, "Who is the old man? Why do we keep him on year after year? No one ever sees him. For all we know, the strange ranger of the hills is doing us no good. He isn't necessary any longer." By a unanimous vote, they dispensed with the old man's services.

For several weeks, nothing changed.

By early autumn, the trees began to shed their leaves. Small branches snapped off and fell into the pools, hindering the rushing flow of sparkling water. One afternoon someone noticed a slight yellowish-brown tint in the spring. A few days later, the water was much darker. Within another week, a slimy film covered sections of the water along the banks, and a foul odor was soon detected. The mill wheels moved more slowly, some finally ground to a halt. Swans left, as did the tourists. Clammy fingers of disease and sickness reached deeply into the village.

Quickly, the embarrassed council called a special meeting. Realizing their gross error in judgment, they rehired the old keeper of the spring, and within a few weeks, the veritable river of life began to clear up. The wheels started to turn, and new life returned to the hamlet in the Alps.  
- Charles Swindoll-

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Are there leaves of anger, twigs of resentment, or silt of unforgiveness clogging your spring of living water? Just as little by little the stream became clogged and contaminated by debris, so our spirits can become obstructed by what “we think” is the “small sins” of day-to-day living. Let's keep the water clean and flowing. Turn our lives over completely to the Christ of Calvary and let Him clean up the streams of life – He Can Do It!!

Today's 10 Commandments

Someone has written these beautiful words. Read them and try to understand their deep meaning. They are like the ten commandments to follow all through your life.

1] Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a "steering wheel" that directs the right path throughout.

 

2] Why is a car's windshield so large and the rear view mirror is so small? Because our past is not as important as our future. So, look ahead and move on.

 

3] Friendship is like a book. It takes a few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write.

 

4] All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy it; they will not last forever. If going wrong, don't worry, they can't last long either.

 

5] Old friends are gold! New friends are diamonds! If you get a diamond, don't forget the gold because to hold a diamond, you always need a base of gold!

 

6] Often, when we lose hope and think this is the end, God smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweetheart, it's just a bend, not the end!

 

7] When God solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities; when God doesn't solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities.

8] A blind person asked St. Anthony: "Can there be anything worse than losing your eye sight?" He replied: "Yes, losing your vision!"

9] When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them. Sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.

 10] Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles; it takes away today's peace.

 

Trust God - He will lead your pathway - He will direct your way!

Spring Cleaning . . .

 

Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better to paint a picture, or write a letter, or bake a cake, or plant a seed; ponder the difference between want and need?
 
Dust if you must, but there's not much time, with rivers to swim, and mountains to climb; music to hear, and books to read; friends to cherish, and a life to lead.


Dust if you must, but the world's out there with the sun in your eyes, and the wind in your hair; a flutter of snow, a shower of rain, this day will not come around again.


Dust if you must, but bear in mind, old age will come and it's not kind. And when you go (and go you must) you, yourself, will make more dust!!


~  ~  ~  ~  ~  


Well . . . I guess I had better get up and get to dusting whether I want to or not . . . then enjoy the wonders of today!!

THE RUSTIC CHICK: Glazed Roast Pork Loin with Peaches

THE RUSTIC CHICK: Glazed Roast Pork Loin with Peaches: Glazed Roast Pork Loin with Peaches 1 T. Flour 1 Tsp. Sage 1/4 Tsp. Salt Pepper to Taste 1- 4 lb. Boneless Pork Loin 3 T. Hon...

I was there to taste this and it is sooooo goooooood!

THE RUSTIC CHICK: Cowgirl Gospel: Providing and Little Blessings

Click on The Rustic Chick and read my daughter's blog post.  She has a wonderful way with words.

THE RUSTIC CHICK: Cowgirl Gospel: Providing and Little Blessings: I believe in little blessings. The tiny things that you may think aren't part of God's plan but actually may be a blessing from him. We g...

Liz Accident

This Post was from a year ago just now decided to post it . . .


Last Saturday my daughter called me from the emergency room at about 1:45 am. She was so upset that the nurse finally took the phone and told me she had been in a car accident and she had broken her arm - could I come up to her.  What mother would say, "no"?  I jumped out of bed, dressed and headed for the hospital as quickly as I could.  When I got there, she was being X-rayed but the nurses came in and told me the ambulance had brought her in around around 1:30 am. They proceeded to tell me that she had been in a car accident and had rolled her car two times. She had hit some ice and went through the guard rail and off the interstate. At that point I just wanted to see my first-born child and hold her.  I waited for what seemed like hours.  All the time imagining all sorts of things!  (It is a mother's nature to worry about our children, isn't it??!!) Finally, they wheeled her into the room.  My "baby girl" was upset, hurting, crying, etc. I could tell her arm was broken just by looking at it!! They continued checking her over and finally about 6:00 am wrapped her arm to give it some support and were concerned about her ankle as well. 

She began telling me what had happened. It had warmed up Saturday and was slushy and by midnight it was starting to freeze in spots. As she recounted swerving back and forth, hitting and flying over or through the guard rail, the thumps of the car rolling over, the airbag engaging - knocking her contacts out of her eyes, feeling around for her phone in a car full of snow, realizing her arm was broken, trying to climb over the console to get into the passenger seat, then feeling trapped when the door would not open, waiting and wondering how she was going to get out, not being able to find her cell phone, knowing she would have to climb up a steep embankment to get back up to the interstate!!! So many thoughts going through her mind.  Trapped, no phone, can't see, hurting arm - what was she going to do????  Just then some guys came running over and tried to get her out but couldn't.  Police, ambulance, fire truck all came and finally pried open the door and the ambulance rushed her to the hospital. What an awful experience for any of us!

Have you ever been in a situation like that - where you didn't know what you were going to do?  How to save yourself?  Thank goodness for the police, ambulance workers, men that stopped to help! And then for all of the nurses and doctors!
All of this happened early Sunday morning around 1:00 am.  She finally went into "emergency" surgery for her arm at around 8:00 pm that night and was once again wheeled into her room at about 12:45 pm.  I "tucked" her in and drove home tired and weary after being at the hospital nearly 24 hours straight. But thanking God for giving the doctors knowledge and skill to put two plates on each of the two broken bones in her arm and therapy on her ankle, and a God that was watching over the whole event with His protective hand on her!

So many times I have looked back on my life and my family's lives and realize that God had His protective hand on us.  Sometimes I have felt His presence right there through the situation and other times I realized that He was there all the time - even when I started to doubt!!  Shame on me!!!

I wrote this last year at the time of Liz's accident!  But I am just now putting it in my blog.  It brought back with it many reminders that God Is In Control of our lives.  I pray and trust that God does just that very thing to each of us to remind us that He is still HERE!  Whether it is with conviction of heart or a pleasant hug - Lord, let each of us feel your touch in your way for the days that are ahead of us.  Let us know you are here and let us look to you for the grace and mercy to see us through.  Send your guardian angels down to us and let us take hold of them and know we are being looked out for.  Even when we don't know it - let us feel your touch again and again.  Thank you, Jesus!