Tag Archives: #amblogging

2022 Road Trip-Part 17B

9 Mar

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

Day 17 Continued (6/1/2022) 

I was intrigued by the name ‘The Graveyard Mud Bog’ so, on my way out of Jasper, I stopped just south of town, off US-41, to see what it was all about.  Turns out I passed a dirt road, with a sign, to an old graveyard on the way to Mud Bog Park.  I guess that’s where they got that crazy name.  There was nothing going on at the Mud Bog today, so I continued south, looking for my next museum. 

Photo Credit: Bill Lites 

After some 20 miles south on US-41 I visited the Steven Foster Museum located within the Steven Foster Folk Culture Center Park which is located on the banks of the Suwannee River in White Springs, FL.  I discovered that besides the museum, this 800-acre park includes a bell tower that chimes ‘Old Folks at Home’ and other Foster melodies throughout the day, a campground, hiking trails, bicycle trails, wildlife viewing areas, canoeing, and more.  The museum contains eight model dioramas depicting Steven Foster songs, and a collection of 18th century pianos and harpsichords.   

Photo Credit: Bill Lites 

Now it was only 15 miles southeast on US-41 to visit the Columbia County Historical Museum located in downtown Lake City, FL.  This museum is situated in the old restored 1870s home of the John Vinzant Jr. family and has a large collection of photographs, artifacts, and memorabilia related to the history of Lake City and the surrounding Columbia County dating from the early 1800s. 

Photo Credit: Bill Lites 

While I was in downtown Lake City, I walked over to get a photo of the Columbia County Courthouse which is located across the street from the Olustee Park.  The building was built in 1905 and was designed in the Classical Revival style.  It was renovated in 2003 for continued use by the Columbia County residents for what has now been 117 years of continuous service. 

Photo Credit: Bill Lites 

I took the time to try and find the ‘Lake City Historic Railroad Crossing’ but couldn’t find a sign or Historical Marker for the site.  Not sure what the historical significance of the crossing could have been, other than Lake City having been the northern most point of the Southern Florida Railway beginning in the late 1800s.   

Photo Credit: Bill Lites 

So, I gave Greta (My Garmin) the address of tonight’s motel, there in Lake City, and she took me right to it.  While checking in, I asked the desk clerk about good places to eat, and he said if I liked seafood, I might try Zebo’s Crab Shack there in town.  I ordered their steamed Snow Crab & Crawfish Plate which included fresh-water muscles, corn-on-the-cob, and hush puppies.  I enjoyed every bite of that delicious meal. 

Photo Credit: zebo’s crab shack lake city – Search (bing.com)

After that delicious meal, I headed back to the motel and recorded the day’s activities.  I tried to find something on TV but had to settle for the last part of an action movie I had seen before.  It was lights out for me after that.

—–To Be Continued—–

Bill is a retired Mechanical engineer living with his wonderful artist/writer wife, DiVoran, of 65 years in Titusville, Florida. He was born and raised in the Southwest, did a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, attended Northrop University in Southern California and ended up working on America’s Manned Space Program for 35 years. He currently is retired and spends most of his time building and flying R/C model airplanes, traveling, writing blogs about his travels for Word Press and supporting his wife’s hobbies with framing, editing and marketing.  He also volunteers with a local church Car Care Ministry and as a tour guide at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum there in Titusville.  Bill has two wonderful children, two outstanding grandchildren, and a loving sister and her husband, all of whom also live in Central Florida, so he and DiVoran are rewarded by having family close to spend lots of quality time with.

One of Bill’s favorite Scriptures is:  John 10:10

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Three Questions to Determine How Prepared You Are to Face Life’s Troubles

7 Mar

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Reblogged 3/7/23

Are we living in dangerous times as troubles intensify? Facing them requires courage, conquering them requires faith.

Photo Credit:Canva

A couple of decades ago, it was a fall, breezy afternoon. The traffic was heavy in downtown St. Louis. My hands shook a little when I held my white cane and stood at the edge of the sidewalk. My very first attempt to cross the street on my own.

“Remember what I told you,” my mobility instructor said.

I gave a shy smile.

He placed his hand on my shoulder. “Listen carefully to the sound of engines, focus on each step forward, concentrate on the direction you’re going, do not hesitate or be intimidated, take firm steps swinging your cane from left to right.”

The loud and constant noise from car and truck engines before me was deafening. I froze, then looked in his direction and gave him a you’re out of your mind look. “I think we’ll go with plan B,” I said. “I’ll have a sighted person with me when I need to cross a street.”

That was the end of my mobility training. Go ahead, I give you permission to judge me as a coward and a wimpy blind gal. Without sight, crossing streets on my own was not happening.

You might also be intimidated by the traffic of troubles before you. You’re not alone. Some are paralyzed with fear. Some are confused. And others shrink back with helplessness. But perhaps you belong to the group who looks beyond the traffic, holds on to the white cane of faith and trusts in God’s understanding of your limited vision, of your uneasiness and the fear that attacks when crossing through the junk of life.

That’s why the answer to these three questions determines how equipped you are to face what’s before you and measures the level of your courage.

Three Questions to Ask Yourself

“Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21).

When your Divine Teacher speaks, His voice drowns out the noise from the traffic of troubles, of persistent evil and approaching threats. And rather than follow the trending lines on social media, we follow Jesus as we hear His voice of comfort: “My sheep hear My voice. I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27).

And the closer we follow Him, the clearer His promise: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you” (Psalm32:8). As you cross, He will watch, guide, and shield you.

When you’re trying to navigate through days of desperation, looking at the financial struggles, broken relationships, situations you can’t change, God’s fingertips of love lift your chin for you to declare: “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).

If He made all in the universe, He will make the way for you to receive His strength. He will make the path clear for you to follow His lead to keep you safe during the journey.

Is it the uncertainty of tomorrow, is it the stress you cannot handle? Is it the marriage that’s crumbling? Is it conflict with the kids?

No matter which one threatens your security or peace, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

No number of threats can bring you down, remove your courage or keep you defeated when you declare: “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped” (Psalm 28:7).

You trust Him with each struggle, with each heartache and with each anxious moment, because He will be by your side as your steps take you to the other side where peace is found, safety awaits, and confidence is yours.

Let’s Pray

Lord, I confess I’m often paralyzed at the edge of the sidewalk of life, afraid of what could happen, but from now on, I will trust in You, listen to Your voice and with each step, hold on to Your hand for strength.

What keeps you from moving forth with courage? (For you: Bible Verses for difficult times.)

Janet

It’s my joy to have you as part of my inspirational family. Please feel free to share today’s post with others.

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You and I are only a click away. Hop on over to this CONTACT FORM.  Once there you can leave your prayer request, make a comment, ask a question, or invite me to speak to your group.

I also invite you to visit my WEBSITE. You’ll find more inspirational blogs along with my story, books, and videos. You’ll also learn the passion and mission of JC Empowerment ministries.

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My Teacher Since Childhood

6 Mar

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Ps 71: 17

From my childhood, you’ve been my teacher,

And I’m still telling everyone of your miracle-wonders:

God, now that I’m old and gray, don’t walk away.

Give me grace to demonstrate to the next generation

All your mighty miracles and your excitement,

To show them your magnificent power!

For your glorious righteousness reaches up to the high heavens

No one could ever be compared to you! 

Who is your equal, O God of marvels and wonders?

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

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The Bearded Barbet

5 Mar

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

The Bearded Barbet – reblog  

We have lived in Central Florida since 1995 – our retirement dream.  We had originally thought we would retire here and “work” at Disney, doing something mundane, so we could see the theme parks to our heart’s content.  Well, it didn’t work out quite like that.  Within four months we had found the church where we felt God wanted us to be members, and so we joined it.

Within another six months – much to my surprise! – I became the Church Secretary.  Fred wasn’t too sure about turning in my application for the vacant position, but it just “felt right” to me, so I did.  And was hired (I was Church Secretary for nearly nine years).  I think it helped that I was an older woman, and my last position had been a Financial Secretary, and had learned to keep my mouth shut.  Financial and pastoral stuff is just something one doesn’t blab about.  Within another nine months, Fred was the Church Administrator.  It was nice working together, and we made the distinction of working WITH each other – neither of us working FOR the other!  Even with our desks in the same room, we just worked together, as it should be.

In spite of all that “work” stuff, we found time to go to Disney, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios.  We especially enjoyed going to SeaWorld after a stressful day at work.

Credit Google Search and SeaWorld

 It just seemed like it was more restful there – not as frantic a pace as at Disney or Universal.  Perhaps it was the animals…I don’t know.  I just know that we enjoyed it and felt refreshed after spending a few hours at that theme park.

After we had been going to SeaWorld for a few years, we happened to go around a corner that we didn’t usually go around – and saw a bird “cage” along side one of the buildings.  We heard a strange sound coming from there, and stopped to see.  Inside the large cage were two of the most unusual birds we had ever seen!  And the sound was a raspy croak – called a “growling scrawk”!  WOW!

Credit Google Search and Wikipedia

 What were these birds??!!  The sign said “Bearded Barbet” – have you ever heard of that?  They, along with Toucans are mainly from tropical West Africa.

I rubbed my finger along the wire mesh, and one of them hopped right over to the metal frame, and took a good look at my finger.  The mesh was tight enough that I couldn’t be bitten – and it’s a good thing!  Look at that beak!!  But it did try to “peck” at my finger.  It scrawked at me a few times, before it flew back to its perch.

Every time we went to SeaWorld after that, we would make sure we stopped to see the Bearded Barbet, and were thrilled each time.

Imagine our disappointment when we discovered that they weren’t there any more – and had been replaced by Australian Kookaburras.  Nothing wrong with Kookaburras, but they just weren’t the Bearded Barbet!

Ah – the wonders of God’s world.  They never cease to amaze me!

Oh Lord, our Lord, how Majestic is Your Name in all the earth…

Psalm 8:1, 3, 8-9

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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2022 Road Trip-Part 17A

1 Mar

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

Day 17 (6/1/2022)

This morning after breakfast I headed southeast 40 miles on US-431 to try and find the Slosheye Trail Historical Marker, said to be, located in Hawkinsville, GA.  Greta (My Garmin) found the marker in front of the Pulaski County Courthouse (you can barely make out the marker in the photo below).  The marker informed me that the Slosheye Trail once extended from Hawkinsville, on the Ocmulgee River southwest some 65 miles to Drayton, on the Flint River and was used by Indians and early fur traders as early as 1750.  It continued to be a major travel artery in the Georgia frontier area for many years.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

Now I headed south 45 miles on US-129 to visit the Blue & Gray Museum located in the Fitzgerald Depot in Fitzgerald, GA.  The Blue & Gray Museum displays 1200+ Civil War artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia dating from the early 1800s.  The Blue & Gray Museum shares space in the 1900s Fitzgerald Depot with the AB&A Railroad Exhibit, which includes antique railroad artifacts and memorabilia related to the growth of Fitzgerald and the surrounding Ben Hill County area dating from the 1800s.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

I continued south about 10 miles on US-129 to visit the Confederate Monument located on the lawn of the Irwin County Courthouse in Ocilla, GA.  This monument was erected in 1911 and is dedicated to all the Georgia soldiers who fought and died in the Civil War.  This massive Irwin County Courthouse was built in 1910 to replace the first county courthouse which was built in 1883, and has served the Irwin County residents until the present day.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

It was another 30 miles south on US-129 to where I was looking for the Old Coffee Road historical marker in Nashville, GA to see what that was all about.  It turns out The Old Coffee Road was established in 1823 and built by General John Coffee.  It was the first road to link the Ocmulgee River, near Fitzgerald, to Thomasville for the transport of goods back and forth to this area. 

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

Before leaving Nashville, I drove over and stopped to check out the CarterParrett Railnet (CPR).  This turned out not to be a museum, but a rail-yard for another small private railway (80 miles of track) that only services the southern part of central George.  I took a quick photo and continued on my way to find the next museum.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

I headed south another 60 miles on US-129, across the border, to visit the Old Hamilton County Jail located in Jasper, FL.  This museum is situated in the old restored 1893 two-story brick Hamilton County jail, which was the only county jail in Hamilton County until 1984, when a new county jail was built, there in Jasper, to replaced it. This museum displays antique artifacts, photos, and memorabilia tracing the history of the Florida jail system in the 1800s.

Photo Credit: www,Bing images/old hamilton county jail jasper florida

—–To Be Continued—–

Bill is a retired Mechanical engineer living with his wonderful artist/writer wife, DiVoran, of 65 years in Titusville, Florida. He was born and raised in the Southwest, did a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, attended Northrop University in Southern California and ended up working on America’s Manned Space Program for 35 years. He currently is retired and spends most of his time building and flying R/C model airplanes, traveling, writing blogs about his travels for Word Press and supporting his wife’s hobbies with framing, editing and marketing.  He also volunteers with a local church Car Care Ministry and as a tour guide at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum there in Titusville.  Bill has two wonderful children, two outstanding grandchildren, and a loving sister and her husband, all of whom also live in Central Florida, so he and DiVoran are rewarded by having family close to spend lots of quality time with.

One of Bill’s favorite Scriptures is:  John 10:10

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Everlasting Promises

27 Feb

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Ps 105 8-15

For though a thousand generations may pass away,

He is still true to his word. 

He has kept every promise he made to Abraham and Isaac.

His promises have become an everlasting covenant to Jacob, 

And a decree to Jacob.

He told them,  “I will give you all the land of Canaan as your inheritance.”

They were very few when God gave them that promise, and they were all foreigners to that land.

They were wandering from one land to another and kingdom to another. Yet God would not permit anyone to touch them,

Punishing even kings who came against them.

He told them, “Don’t you dare lay a hand on my anointed ones, and don’t do a thing to hurt my prophets!

Photo Credit:Pixabay

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

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Church-Maybe Not

26 Feb

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Have you been watching the news the past few weeks?  God’s revival is breaking out just everywhere!  

It started on the small college campus of Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky.

Credit FaceBook and Breitbart

Just amazing – God’s Holy Spirit has filled that campus and it’s students to overflowing.  Students were missing classes because they felt they needed to be in the chapel praising God and worshiping Him.  It became so large that campus officials had to limit it to only those on campus – they had to find other places for the worship to take place for all those descending upon Asbury.  Amazing!

One thing that surprised – and somehow pleased – me was when some prominent names in the Christian community – preachers and musicians – called the officials of Asbury, wanting to “lend their services:” 

They are politely, but firmly, being told: You can come, like anyone else. And if you can find a seat at the back of the auditorium, you’re welcome to worship with us. But we don’t want church as usual. Not the agendas. Not the programs. Not the showboating. The simple worship and meeting will continue to be led by a humble group of students, under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

Basically, the response has been: Don’t try to hi-jack this sovereign move of God, and make it about you.

This is about people meeting God…nothing more and nothing less.  In another comment I have seen, it was said that true revival doesn’t start with ecstasy – it starts with tears.  The beginning of this revival started with repentance.

And now I see that this revival has spread to Texas A&M.

Credit FaceBook and End Times Headlines

..and to Baylor University.  And I also see it starting in high schools!

Credit FaceBook

But one aMAZing aspect of this – there is country-wide revival in Uganda!  Thousands are being saved daily.  

“Wow! There is a NATIONWIDE REVIVAL that has broke out in UGANDA.”

“From the four corners of this nation, God is setting the place on fire with His presence. It’s hard to describe what we are witnessing here. Close to 1,000 souls saved this week. Each trip in, it builds. Uganda4Jesus crusades may be in August. However, now is the hour for Uganda.”

#U4J.-via James Cowen

You know, this country (USA) and indeed this whole world has begun to think and feel like God is just shoved aside.  And that hurts my heart.  We have NEEDED a revival for so very long – it is happening in spite of what our national and world leaders are trying to convince us where we are heading.  And Thank God for that!  

I have, for many years, felt there is a remnant of God’s people in this country that God will honor.  But we are being told that the majority of U.S. citizens are profoundly anti-God.  And I just don’t believe it – don’t want to believe it.

And what pleases me most, I think, about this revival that started in Asbury, is that it is the young people – the students – who have awakened to the Holy Spirit and His leading.  It’s not just us older folks who feel God’s presence – it’s the young ones!  So many people who have been interviewed at Asbury and other places, say that the “manifest Presence” of God simply permeates the meetings.  Praise God for that!

May God’s manifest Presence continue to fill our hearts and our land and bring this country to its knees in prayer to Him.

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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2022 Road Trip Part 16B

22 Feb

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

Day 16 Continued (5/31/2022)

After the visit to the Criswoldville Battlefield I drove into downtown Macon to visit the Allman Brothers Band Museum located in the Midtown area of Macon.  This museum is housed in the 1900 Grand Tudor style home (known as the ‘Big House’) where Duane Allman and his brother Gregg started a popular American musical revolution (Southern Rock) during the 1960s and 1970s there in Macon.  The museum displays artifacts and memorabilia from the Allman Brothers Band and other groups during their popularity.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

Before leaving Macon, I drove a few miles north of the city, to check out the old Fort Hawkins.  The fort was built by the U.S. Army in 1806, in what was then part of the western frontier.  Overlooking the Ocmulgee River, the fort was used by the army as a military command headquarters for the southwestern frontier, and as an Indian training post, to help further Native-American and European-American interaction.  The fort was named for Benjamin Hawkins (1754-1816), who was serving as General Superintendent of Indian Affairs at the time. 

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

It was another 20 miles south on US-129 to where I visited the Elberta Train Depot located in Warner-Robins, GA.  This small depot was built in 1816 and served the residents of Houston County as a whistle-stop for many years.  Moved to this location in 2003, the depot now serves as a museum displaying antique railroad artifacts related to the history of the railroad’s influence in the Warner-Robins area dating from the late 1800s.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

It was only a couple of miles south on US-129 from the Elberta Depot, to where I visited the Museum of Aviation located adjacent to the Warner-Robins Airforce Base.  I was pleased to find this military museum off the base and accessible to the public.  This large museum has a really great collection of some 80 static displayed military aircraft, from the single engine Forward Air Control (Bird Dog) to the giant C-141 ‘Starlifter’ multi-engine cargo plane.  The ‘Military Airlift Command’ is represented by 15 of their larger aircraft displayed around the outside of the main museum building.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

As I was passing the Boone Bradford Plaza there in Warner-Robins I happened to see the Splinters Axe House and stopped to see if they were open.  They were open, and since I had missed seeing the one in Lexington, SC this morning I went in to check it out.  I told the young man who was in charge of the house that I didn’t want to throw an axe because of my bad shoulders, but just wanted to see how it worked.  He gave me a short demonstration of one and two handed over-head, and under-handed throwing.  I was really impressed with his skill with the axe.  He made it look so easy.  However, it really is too much for me and my shoulders.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

It was getting late, and I was getting hungry, so I thanked the young man for the demonstration and gave Greta (My Garmin) the address of the motel in Bryon, GA which was only about 15 miles west of Warner-Robins.  It wasn’t far, and before I knew it, I arrived at the motel.  I got checked in, got my things into my room, and warmed up my leftover fried pork chops meal from ‘The Lizard Thicket’ and enjoyed that delicious ‘Soul Food’ (minus the iced tea & cornbread muffin) again.  Yummm!

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

With a full tummy, I recorded my day’s activities and tried to find some TV to watch.  I couldn’t find anything that interested me, so just went to bed in hopes of getting a good night’s rest.

—– To Be Continued—–

Bill is a retired Mechanical engineer living with his wonderful artist/writer wife, DiVoran, of 65 years in Titusville, Florida. He was born and raised in the Southwest, did a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, attended Northrop University in Southern California and ended up working on America’s Manned Space Program for 35 years. He currently is retired and spends most of his time building and flying R/C model airplanes, traveling, writing blogs about his travels for Word Press and supporting his wife’s hobbies with framing, editing and marketing.  He also volunteers with a local church Car Care Ministry and as a tour guide at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum there in Titusville.  Bill has two wonderful children, two outstanding grandchildren, and a loving sister and her husband, all of whom also live in Central Florida, so he and DiVoran are rewarded by having family close to spend lots of quality time with.

One of Bill’s favorite Scriptures is:  John 10:10

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Glory Song

20 Feb

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Psalm 118:14+

Lord, you are my true strength and my glory song, my champion, my Savior!

The joyful songs I now sing will be sung again in the hearts and homes of all those who love you. 

My loud shouts of victory will echo throughout the land 

For Yaahweh’s right hand conquers valiantly!

Photo Credit: Pixabay

 

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

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Church is Hard

19 Feb

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

As I have mentioned in previous musings, I am on facebook quite a bit.  I enjoy the jokes and funny stories, and try to stay away from political stuff.  Not always successful with that, but I do try.

In any case, a friend posted something recently titled “Church is Hard.”   I really liked the piece, and asked her if I could use it in my blog post, and who was the author.  Apparently the author is unknown, so I just present it here for your contemplation.

Church is hard for the person walking through the doors, afraid of judgement.

Church is hard for the pastor’s family, under the microscope of an entire body.

Church is hard for the prodigal soul returning home, broken and battered by the world.

Church is hard for the girl who looks like she has it all together, but doesn’t.

Church is hard for the couple who fought the entire ride to service.

Church is hard for the single mom, surrounded by couples holding hands, and seemingly perfect families.

Church is hard for the widow and widower with no invitation to lunch after service.

Church is hard for the deacon with an estranged child.

Church is hard for the person singing worship songs, overwhelmed by the weight of the

 lyrics.

Church is hard for the man insecure in his role as a leader.

Church is hard for the wife who longs to be led by a righteous man.

Church is hard for the nursery volunteer who desperately longs for a baby to love.

Church is hard for the single woman and single man, praying God brings them a mate.

Church is hard for the teenage girl, wearing a scarlet letter, ashamed of her mistakes.

Church is hard for the sinners.

Church is hard for me.

It’s hard because on the outside it all looks shiny and perfect. Sunday best in behavior and dress.

However, underneath those layers, you find a body of imperfect people, carnal souls, selfish motives.

But, here is the beauty of church—

Church isn’t a building, mentality, or expectation.

Church is a body.

Church is a group of sinners, saved by grace, living in fellowship as saints.

Church is a body of believers bound as brothers and sisters by an eternal love.

Church is a holy ground where sinners stand as equals before the Throne of Grace.

Church is a refuge for broken hearts and a training ground for mighty warriors.

Church is a converging of confrontation and invitation. Where sin is confronted and hearts are invited to seek restoration.

Church is a lesson in faith and trust.

Church is a bearer of burdens and a giver of hope.

Church is a family. A family coming together, setting aside differences, forgetting past mistakes, rejoicing in the smallest of victories.

Church, the body, and the circle of sinners-turned-saints, is where He resides, and if we ask, He is faithful to come.

So even on the hard days at church—

I’ll remember, He has never failed to meet me there.

Church is a body, a family, a place to love God and love others through our struggles!

I love MY church!!

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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