I woke this morning with the song “I give you my heart, I give you my soul … Lord, have your way in me”.  We are having a beautiful crisp fall day filled with sunshine and the peace of God.

Our Wednesday evening service was testimonies of “I love the Lord because…” Throughout the evening no one mentioned they were thankful for “things”. We were all thankful for the sacrifice made for our salvation and thankful for the TRUTH of God’s Word.

These scriptures came to my mind:

Psalm 95:2 – (read the whole 95^th chapter)

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

Psalm 100:4-5 (again, read the whole 100^th chapter)

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the LORD is good; and his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Then the song we sang last night came to mind again… “We bring a sacrifice of praise unto the house of the Lord, we bring a sacrifice of praise unto the house of the Lord, and we offer up to you, the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and we offer up to you the sacrifices of praise.”

There is POWER in Praise.  Have you ever been in a situation and you weren’t sure what the outcome was going to be? You just (for once) didn’t have the answer? You weren’t in control? That’s when God steps in (if we let him) and takes control and shows us what HE can and will do. Our human nature just doesn’t want to give up and let go. We want to HOLD ON to the control knobs. Believe me I know!

It never ceases to amaze me though, when “I hold back nothing” what God does with my life! Why do we do this over and over? God desires and will use us if we are “holding back nothing”! If I’ve completely surrendered  it to him… the outcome is always so much better than I could ever imagine. Why does that not surprise me?

Getting back to the PRAISE… I’ve found and I’m sure you have too, that when life is at its lowest point, or the circumstance seems insurmountable, when I begin to praise Him for his mercy, grace, longsuffering and being THE HOLY GOD,  that things begin to change. The circumstance or situation may not have changed at all… but my heart and attitude have turned 180 degrees… I came face to face with Him!  When we are face to face with God nothing is held back.

This world we live in isn’t going to get any better… it will only get worse as the day of His return approaches. My desire is to be able to say in any circumstance, if you take my family, home, and all my “things”… that just like JOB, “…Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” I wonder and hope that I will be able to “bless the name of the LORD” when the hard times come.

I’m not being a doomsayer… I’m enjoying my family, church, home, friends, my country… I just know that we are going to be sifted and the REAL CHURCH will survive. I desire to be in the REAL CHURCH and not have fallen through with the chaff to be burned.

Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Matthew 3:11-13 KJV

(Amplified) His winnowing fan (shovel, fork) is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear out and clean His threshing floor and gather and store His wheat in His barn, but the chaff He will burn up with fire that cannot be put out.

Enjoy today…our true blessing is in God, family and friends.

Black Friday is the least of these! (I’m not against shopping or bargains…please don’t put me down as a scrooge! And I won’t get on my soapbox, at least not right now!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

May today and everyday

be filled with family, friends,

and the peace of God in your homes.

Bud and I took some time off and enjoyed spending some “quality” time together.  I took my camera and took many photos.  Our city is so pretty this time of the year.  My battery died on me half way through… I was so disappointed as I had particular places in mind to photograph.  Here’s just a few:

This is the Walnut Street Bridge, which is a pedestrian walk bridge.  It’s 1/2 mile across.

A local Yacht passing through to its private dock along the “Battery Place”.

Below is where it docked. 

Some of the brilliant color all over the city.  This is in the Bluff District.

Note the tree that grew around the pole.  This is the courtyard where they  play Bocce Ball.

Rembrant’s where Bud and I like to go and sit outside in the  sunshine or shade and enjoy a good cup of Java and maybe a pastry.   It’s quaint and quiet, usually!

Directions to the different places in the Bluff View District. 

The Color is so vivid.  This tree is in the front of the Back Inn Cafe.

Sculpture and art abounds all over the city.  You never know where it’ll pop up and surprise you.  And it’s all very unique.

This horse looks like it’s made from drift wood.  However it is not…

it’s actually more like poured concrete or similar.  It’s life size and much taller than me.

 As I said, you never know what will appear and where! 

 This is the glass bridge over the Riverside Drive. 

A view of the zig-zag walk.

Leaving the aquarium area and heading back up the hill to the Bluff View District.

I have many more… but will post later.  I think I’ve overdone it this time.  LOL

The HILLS are ALIVE with MUSIC COLOR…

I love autumn. The hills surrounding me are alive with color. We are pretty close to our Peak in color! The Tennessee River Gorge is awesome this season. The Heat of Summer has turned to cool misty morning. I love it!

The trees along in the Tennessee Valley are beautiful this year. We have brilliant oranges, yellows, browns, rust, and the many variant shades of greens still on the seasonal palette. Our creator is the best artist! Nothing can compare to his artistry.

In the midst of the color stands a tree stripped bare of ALL its leaves. It stands proudly with branches out stretched knowing it will be the first to display the beauty of spring when all the others will be bare. So it is not ashamed to stand naked before the world’s eye surveying all the splendor surrounding it.

Our lives are kind of like that… there are seasons in our lives. Some we enjoy and cherish and others we plod through with diligence, perseverance, and much prayer.

Some seasons are alive with energy, color, creativity and the joy of just being alive. Others come along with trials, testing, hardships, and circumstances we just don’t understand (now)… but with God’s Word in hand, our knees (heart) bent in prayer we persevere and overcome!

Isn’t that what life is all about… Seasons… we can’t always be at the height of Summer or the pleasantry of Spring, or the harvesting of Autumn… because then comes Winter…    

Spring, Summer, Autumn… all these are in preparation of Winter coming! If we aren’t preparing during those three seasons when Winter spreads its cold white blanket upon us we won’t be ready for Winter’s slumber.

Spring and Fall are my favorite times of the year. These seasons fill me with energy and creativity. I desire to do and change and just be alive breathing the wonderful aroma of these seasons.

Saw my first wooly worm yesterday (all black, no reddish brown). On the way home from church yesterday, I stopped on the bridge over the Tennessee River and took some photos of the river and shoreline. There were several sail boats out and I just couldn’t pass the opportunity up. So here are some of the photos from yesterday.

 Sail Boats on the Tennessee River

Here are some photos of my back yard.

Empty birdhouses… a sure sign winters coming.

This is Scrappy our (Jason’s) Jack Russell.  She is the smartest dog we’ve ever had.  Sitting on a stump in our back patio area… note all the leaves.  With all the trees in our yard, front and back, we are covered in leaves by the end of November.  Our house gutters groan with the weight!  And Bud groans too!!!!!! 

Our front door with fall decor.

Hope you enjoyed seeing Autumn from my eyes.

I’ve the dreaded flu…temp has ranged from 99.8 to 101.7…. I’m tired of it already.  Came home with it Friday after work and been down ever since.  While resting I did listen to POA’s Sunday Morning Service online and I listed to an audio message by Rodney Shaw at:  http://www.newlifeupc.org/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/shaw-establishing-priorities.mp3      This is a Men’s meeting… but there’s application for women to… priorities.

Listen to it and “think” about what he’s really saying.  It’s an audio, not a dvd… so, you really have to listen and not just be entertained.

We have had some beautiful weather the last few days.  NO RAIN…NO HUMIDITY… and temps in the upper 60’s and lower 70’s during the day and low 50’s at night.  My kind of weather.  While I hate to see Winter coming… I do love the Autumn season.  I love fall colors…the earthy hues with brilliant oranges and yellows thrown in occasionally.  I find autumn to be energizing and find myself getting ready for “nesting”… aren’t we supposed to nest and stay inside in the winter… you know, hibernate!?  I wish that were true!  LOL

I do enjoy all the seasons… but the summer humidity is not kind to my disposition…or body!  I can get pretty cranky when I can’t breathe the “thick” air that surrounds me with its clinging, sweaty choke hold!  I don’t mind the warm, even HOT weather… I grew up in Southern Cal, so I know HOT.  But the humidity drains me down to a whimpering puppy.  I think it came with age… while not LIKING it when I was younger… I don’t remember HATING it like I do now! 

Well, enough about “H”!  Here’s some “random” photos I think you might enjoy. 

My Sunday School Class.                                Precious Moment!!!

Checking out Noah’s Ark                     Pastor Childers – Church Study

My newest bookshelf in my study.      Part of my “birdie” collection

Yes, I still collect OWLS.                                                         

I love to photograph flowers and nature.  I will get all my nature photos together and post a few at a time… I promise not to overwhelm you.

This was taken at Sister Margaret’s home.  The last Hurrah of Summer.

This rose is part of the flowers at Mr. James Jurney’s Memorial Service. 

I must run… off to work.  Today is FRIDAY!  Hip Hip Hooray!!!!  I’m at the office by myself today.  Hope it’s not busy!  I can get some filing done and other organizing!

Pastor Childers & Tim                                   The Men Keeping Warm

Keeping Warm                                              Our Miracle Boy***

Trampoline Fun Time                             Loading up for the Hay Ride

Smores – Yumm                                “This Sword will take care of the Zombies”

Warming up by the Wood Stove         Women “inside” getting Warmed UP

Our Newest BABY-Timothy Jude       Where’s the CLEAN UP Crew?????

We appreciate Sister Margaret and her husband, Tim for inviting us to have a Fall Fest on their beautiful Tennessee Property.  I could covet this property if I let myself!!!! It’s beautiful!  We had a wonderful time of fellowship and even though it turned very cold it was GREAT!

The hayride was up and down the hills with beautiful views of the surrounding hills.  The kids loved it and I DID TOO!!!  (I made a video of the hayride.) 

The men stayed outside… but we women went inside to warm up by the wood stove.  I can’t wait for Bud to get ours reinstalled and fired up!!! 

Our new baby, Timothy Jude (I’ll post better pictures later) was there with Dad, Mom, and his brothers and sisters. 

The food was especially good, I thought.  I guess to me, when you eat outside it seems to taste so much better than when you eat inside.

The kids had a great time on the trampoline too.  I was so tempted!!! to try my tricks & flips when I was in high school… soooo many years ago and I decided I should act my age especially, since the “scooter mishap” LOL.  But I would try, if no one was looking!!!!

We truly enjoyed ourselves.  A BIG THANK YOU to the Henderson’s!

***Our Miracle Boy - In brief: Nick was in a auto accident and the paramedics couldn’t find a pulse.  They had to use the “jaws of life” to remove him from the car.  He was “life forced” to Erlanger in Chattanooga.  He is a blessed young man.  Many prayers went up to the throne for him. 

April 1996 - 2009

April came to live with us in 1997 and quickly asserted herself into our household as part of the family!  She made her wants and wishes known and we knew exactly what she’d eat and not eat!  There wasn’t any doubt after she made it known!!!  April was an inside cat for the first 10 1/2 years of her life.  Then she became curious of what the world was like outside her front door or from her favorite window perch.  She eventually convinced us to allow her out to investigate this big wonderful world… her yard.  She enjoyed being outside and never strayed… she was loyal to “her people” and “her yard”.  She checked everything that came into her yard and ran it off if she didn’t think it ought to be there!  This was her yard and everyone knew it.

She loved to come inside and lounge around and maybe stay inside for a day or two… but after the intial freedom of the “outside”… she never was restricted to just the inside again.  She loved the pet door because she could come and go whenever she pleased. She was a fierce hunter and brought all the “voles” and other small rodents/bugs that she killed to “save us” from.  She would bring them and proudly display them at Bud’s feet right in front of his study chair waiting patiently for his praise.  They were her trophies and gift to us!

 Pulling into the driveway this evening, I was aqutely aware that I didn’t see a little white puff of fur streaking around the corner of the house to welcome me home.  She was always there, you could count on her!  It’s strange how you take the little things for granted.  I truly miss her welcome home!  She would lead the way up the sidewalk to the front door and maybe go inside for awhile, especially if your were carrying bags.  The minute you set them down she was there with her nosey nose examining each bag and its contents. 

She will be missed more than we realized.  She was part of our family!  She loved us…and we loved her!  Bye little girl!

“April”    (March 1996 to September 2009) 

Buried under the trees next to Nina and Gooby.   

As you read what I’ve written, please keep in mind that I am not writing this from a critical point of view, but from concern.  I’ve been pondering this for many months and only now after reading an article in the September issue of the Pentecostal Herald by Brother Charles Grisham, did I have the unction (or nerve) enough to publish my feelings and thoughts in writing and online.  If you have not read his article, please do so.  It is a timely and powerful reminder aptly written.  We need to “heed” this anointed Word from our Elder.

While reading Brother Grisham’s article, “Pentecostal Gradualism” I was so stirred and felt now was the time to put my pen to paper.  I have attempted to do so.  This is an expression of my heart, nothing more, and nothing less. 

Reading this article brought to mind some notes I had jotted down during my morning quiet time. 

 AM I JUST OLD or … What has changed?

I remember when you didn’t have to “call” a prayer meeting… it just happened…what has changed?

I remember when Wednesday Bible Study was an important part of our week…what has changed?

I remember when our personal relationship/experience was a testimony to our relatives, friends, co-workers, and neighbors… what has changed?

I remember when you didn’t miss church unless you were almost on your death bed…what has changed?

I remember when it was wrong for a woman to dye, cut, or trim her hair…what has changed?

I remember when it was unacceptable for men or boys to wear tank tops, shorts, or cut-offs…what has changed?

I remember when it was considered immodest to wear sleeveless or cap sleeves…what has changed?

I remember when “little” girls didn’t wear pants or sun dresses… what has changed?

We can all remember… certain things that have changed during our life time. I have my theories about many changes… but they’re just mine.

Am I getting old and out of the flow of generational change?  If so, then I’m ok with that.  There are some things I feel shouldn’t change.  I know that every generation brings about changes… but are we changing for the better or to our detriment?  Yes, I know, I know… every generation changes.  Just look at the photos of times past (but we are starting to dress like we did in the 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s).

Are we forgetting that Adam and Eve made themselves a covering of FIG leaves after their disobedience to God and their innocence was taken from them?  Further down in Genesis 3:21… GOD MADE them a covering (GARMENT) from animal skins.  The amplified reads:

Verse 3:21  For Adam also and for his wife the Lord God made long coats (tunics) of skins and clothed them.

Are we going back to our FIG leaves and dressing however we please without consideration of modesty.  This is a concern, not a criticism!  We should not follow the path of the world. 

Do we ask ourselves …

1. Does this apply to me/us today and if not, why not?
2. What is acceptable in God’s sight?
3. What is a personal conviction… and do I have any?
4. What is our corporate responsibility to be actively teaching/preaching these principles and to be living examples?

Is it just a matter of time… before we change so much that we are no longer recognizable as a separated people from this world?  So, what’s the answer… am I just an old lady talking out of her head?

I have pages of notes… but I won’t bore you with them.  But I do know if we the parents, grandparents, and saints aren’t living examples… then we can’t expect our babies to desire to do what we haven’t done ourselves.

            When they’re older…

• Don’t chide them for “missing church” if you weren’t faithful in attendance yourself.
• Don’t berate them if they don’t “freely worship” in the services if you withheld your worship.
• Don’t belittle them when they don’t know the basic Biblical truths, when you haven’t taught them or even studied them yourself.
• Don’t condemn them when they start dressing worldly when you dressed them immodestly when they were younger.

Does this sound like I’m against change?  I’m not!!!  Change is inevitable and change can be good!  But we need to think about what we’re changing.  Is the change cultural? …personal? …societal? …peer pressure? …governmental?   What is changing?    

“The threat of Pentecostal gradualism is real ….         

We must not give special liberties to our young people.  If the older segment holds the line while the younger segment becomes less consistent or even worldly, then as Brother Grisham stated,

“The exceptions of one generation become the norm of the next.”

Do we want the exceptions to become the norm?

Yes, Brother Grisham, I agree, we must develop and retain Scriptural convictions on a personal and group level. We must label worldliness and firmly deal with it.  Our flesh will never say NO.  “Hollywood holiness will never lead us to become like Jesus.”

Let’s unite with Brother Grisham in his prayer, “May the church of God stand fast so that gradualism does not pull us into a quagmire of such magnitude that we cannot recover.  That is my prayer.”

And mine too, Brother.

•  Please read Brother Charles Grisham’s article on pages 34-35 of the September issue of the Pentecostal Herald.

I do believe there are Holy Ghost filled believers who desire to “stand” on the Word and not give in, give up, or get out!  But will HOLD FAST to the TRUTH of God’s Word.

It’s been a crazy few weeks.  Actually, this summer was a flurry of activity and seemed to whiz by quickly.  I simply cannot believe it’s really September 1st today.  It seems like just a few days ago that I was looking forward to the Summer months.   

Other than traveling to Wisconsin in April for (our oldest grandson) Brian and Tina’s wedding and an overnighter in Nashville at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel, we haven’t traveled or been camping this year!  I hope to go camping sometime this month… but I’m not sure when or how we’ll work that out since there’s several upcoming meetings in September.

Our Great-granddaughter Chloe, turned 3 years old this August 25th and Micah our grandson turned 11 in August too!  Brock our 2nd oldest grandson  turned 16 in April and Kailee our only granddaughter turned 15 in February.  They are growing up too fast for me.  Especially so, since they don’t live close to me now. 

So far, Bud is enjoying his forced retirement.  He’s found plenty to do and not to do  **grin**.  I’ve offered to provide a list but he doesn’t think he needs one.

Have a blessed week with Jesus… He’s there ALL the time!

My agent decided to give my husband and I a night at the Gaylord in Nashville, TN.  We appreciated the time-off and the chance to just “relax” and do nothing except what we wanted to do. 

Our room and balcony overlooked the Cascade Garden Atrium.

Our balcony is to the left of the open door.  We were on the 5th floor.

  The VIEW from the left of our Balcony…

The outdoor Cascade Restaurant was just below us.

We could see them cooking (with the ZOOM)and SMELL the delicious aroma!  UMMMMMMMM.

A closer view of the Cascade Restaurant just below our balcony.  There were cozy-romantic alcoves (the round table in the back of the photo) toward the back of the restaurant. 

We ordered lunch from an Italian Bistro and ate it on our balcony. 

After a mid-afternoon nap, we decided to “stroll” all the different gardens.  I have numerous photos of all the beautiful exotic floral and fauna.  Even managed to capture a photo of a 4’ Carp in the Delta Island Atrium.   We were kind of tired after all the walking.  And finally ended up by the Irish Pub and after reading the menu posted on the outside, again decided to order carry-out and take it back to our room.  It was delicious… a THICK prime rib sandwich with seasoned fries and of course, we had a salad with it too!  The salad dressing was made with goat cheese.  Ummm is was so good!  I am salivating (LOL) just thinking about it.

This lady was playing and singing for donations.  And she could sing.  She was comical too!  There were sofas and lounge chairs to sit in while you listened to her entertain. 

Bud … “another picture”… that’s what his expression looks like.  LOL  and one he took of me.

We truly enjoyed  our time alone together and the freedom of doing what we wanted, when we wanted and to do nothing if we felt like it.  

Saturday we check out just a little before 11 am and loaded up the car and walked a little more in the gardens… then went to the Opry Mills Outlet nearby.  I’m not a mall person, but I enjoyed finding a few bargains, one of them being another rooster for my kitchen.  There were a couple of items at the Apple Barn that  I contemplated purchasing, but talked myself out of it with a “and where would you put it?” dialog.   Not being able to answer that question truthfully, I chose not to make the purchase.

On the way home we stopped in Murfreesboro and found this unique little Mexican Cafe, I think it was Mi Patria ???? not sure if I remember correctly.  Oh it was so good.  We’d not had authentic Mexican food that good since California.  It wasn’t a large place, but colorful and comfortable and quaint.  They were doing a big business of “carryout” we noticed while enjoying our meal. It seemed to be a very popular place.  We plan to go back when we’re that way again… we’ll time our traveling so we hit there at just the right time!!!  I failed to get a photo of inside or out… I wish I had.

Well, enough for now… sorry we weren’t there the weekend of the National Youth Convention… we could be visiting with friends we’ve not seen in years and years!  It just didn’t work out that way!