Tag Archives: God

Investigating Family Ties~Part 3

7 Oct

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Mother’s other grandmother was Florenda Jane Bingham Bedell Britton. Anyhow, Florenda Jane was born April 6, 1847. When Dora was six years old Author, Poet and Artistand her grandmother came for a visit, she came to Dora’s room every night and they kneeled by the bed and prayed together. That TLC, Mother said, was what helped her want to become a Christian later in life. Florenda Jane belonged to the Church of God Holiness. I assume from the name they were what we now call charismatic. Florenda Jane died December 28, 1936 at eighty-nine years of age. I was born two years after she died. I wish I had known her. We’ll all sit down and have a fine chat in Heaven some day. Please join us when the time is right.

One of my mother’s grandfathers was Ezra Marshall Bedell. He was born in Syracuse New York in 1844. During the Civil War he was taken prisoner for eight years.

This brings us to Mother’s parents, Mabel and Roger Bedell. They lived on an apple ranch just outside town and settled in to raise apples, vegetables, chickens, a few cows, a son, and two daughters. Roger was manager of the Gas Company from 1917 until the town got electricity. They made water gas. The formula came down through the family, but I’m glad I don’t have to make it in order to have lights and cooking fuel. If the light over the dining room table began to dim, it was time for Roger to get the machines going again.

During the Great Depression, relatives who needed a place to stay came and went. My family has a history of feeding other people. I imagine if you investigate, your family does too. In those days, if you had food, you shared it. Now you can share knowledge with your children about their ancestors. It will make them stronger and more self-confident, especially if they hear stories about how their relatives loved and served Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

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National Poetry Day

3 Oct

I heard that today is National Poetry Day and decided that since Old Things R New is blessed with not one but two wonderful poets, I would like to honor them. How do you honor a poet? Well I could try my hand at a poem  but my efforts would fall far short of their skills so I decided to ask them to each honor us with one of their poems~Onisha

Happy Poetry Day

♥OUR POETS ♥

SOMEWHERE

Somewhere there’s a place for me-

A place I have a need to be..

A  new plateau, a goal to meet-

Purpose, direction, without defeat.

Oh, God, give me strength

to greet each day-

with a cheerful countenance-

Don’t let me sway.

Please let me focus

on the issues of life

That bring joy to others,

that relieve their strife.

To have victory over

the enemy called “Fear”-

The energy and stamina to persevere.

And Lord, if any little word of mine

can help another soul-

Help me find that little word

to meet that needed goal.

Louise Gibson

 ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Free Verse Poem

“Get in the box,” I said.

“I don’t fit!” He screamed.

“You must become

Rhythm, rhyme, formal verse.”

“I won’t!”

I picked him up by his scrawny neck,

Stuffed him in and closed the box.

He suffocated, poor little free verse poem.

Rest in peace.

DiVoran Lites

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What Has Frightened You Today

28 Sep

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

He really, really grabbed a snake. This past Sunday I was relaxing on my lounge chair beside our swimming pool and dozing off. Suddenly I heard a gasp; a second later, a splash.

“I thought it was a rope that fell in,” my Dad said, who’s completely blind and with a voice a bit agitated. “I grabbed it, but it was a snake.”
A snake? He grabbed a snake? Gulp. Friends, how quickly do you think I jumped to my feet and ran for cover? Not so much because the snake was slithering around the pool, but because my Dad, unable to know where I was seated, could’ve tossed it my way! I dashed and slipped behind the fence. With something protecting me I felt safe—shaken but safe.Okay, no more gasping.
But, why was I so worked up? I’ve been there before. Life threw at me snakes of adversity. The venom went right through my heart with pain and sorrow.
Not a pretty place. You’re probably familiar with those unexpected problems, burdens, and confusing moments that slither right in. No warning. No clue. We’re relaxing in life, when least expected, we hear the splash of another disappointment—another glitch in life.
Maybe you’re there right now—overwhelmed with life and in the pool of anxiety. Or numb because of the bad news you just heard. Or the hopeless situation has emptied you of all the tears. And with the heat of sorrow, you’re too exhausted to run for cover.
Good news: when we’re attacked, helpless, on the verge of despair in this imperfect world, “The word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect” (Psalm 18:30-32).

Father, so often I feel attacked, in the midst of slithering enemies of confusion, worry and fear. Protect my days, shield my life and count me among those who put their hope in you. I will declare I am your child standing behind the fence of your grace. And while I wait for your answer, I shall rest secure and safe. In Jesus name, amen.

What has you frightened today?
• Who arms you with strength during tough times?
• Have God’s promises to keep you safe filtered deep into your soul?

Fear

Janet Perez Eckles,
Grateful for the privilege of inspiring you…
My website in English
En Español
My story (video)
Inspirational video just for you.

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Look Up in the Morning

27 Sep 
From the Heart

Louise Gibson



Embrace the Promise


When we wake up in the morning,


there is promise in the air.


We don’t know what the day will bring,


but the expectancy is there.


The time to be happy is now-


We have this day to explore.


Everyday is a special occasion-


What are you waiting for?


My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;


in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.


Psalm 5:3


None are as old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.


Henry David Thoreau

				
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Slaying the Giants In Your Life

	
		20
		Sep
	

	

	

		
From the Heart


Louise Gibson


author of Window Wonders




“Winning Against Worry”


You can win the battle and live victoriously-


Worry is an unhealthy vice that attacks you and me.


“Worry is an old man with bended head-


carrying a load of feathers that he thinks is lead.”


Anxiety is ultimately foolish because it concerns that which isn’t-


it deals with the “what if” and “could be”


As long as we entertain the “worst case scenario”


We guarantee our own misery.


At the moment, I feel like David.


A smile has replaced a frown-


I am standing on the promises of God, my Savior-


'WORRY, you are going DOWN!!!"

				
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Fifty Six Years and Counting

	
		16
		Sep
	

	

	

		
Bill and DiVoran Lites


wedding 2


Bill and DiVoran met in Albuquerque when they were seniors in high school. After graduation, Bill took off for Navy boot camp and DiVoran headed for Beauty School. They grew to know each other through letters while Bill was overseas. In September of 1957,they were married in La Mesa, California. Four months later Bill shipped out to Japan and DiVoran went home to Mother and Dad to finish Beauty School.


After Bill’s Navy tour, they reunited in 1958 in Inglewood California where Bill attended Northrop University. DiVoran went to work for Magic Mirror Beauty Salons as a stylist. They both worked hard, but they had a lot of fun too. They went to the beach, the movies, and the pizza parlor. They watched, “Rawhide,” and, “Wagon Train,” on their small black and white TV as the jets flew over their house every three minutes to land at LAX.


In 1962, God blessed them with an incredible daughter, Renie. In 1964, He sent Billy, a bouncing baby boy-who hasn’t stopped bouncing yet. Renie and Billy helped each other through childhood and teen-hood in Titusville, Florida. Bill worked in the Space Program, while DiVoran’s role was as a happy-to- stay-at-home mom. The family went on many exciting trips. One year they took off one weekend a month to go camping. Life got even richer when Renie married Ron, and Billy married Lisa. Then there were GRANDCHILDREN, Lacey and Jacob. Retirement is great! Bill still has a passionate interest in airplanes, writes blogs, volunteers at Valient Air Command as a guide, and with Car Care where people go to get their cars repaired, paying only for parts. DiVoran blogs, writes novels, journals, and paints. Once a week she teaches a wide range of children in Sunday School which is one of the high points of her week. Bill stands in too, when she needs help. Both thank God for the family and the friends He has given them. Nothing would have been the same without Him or them.


“Grow old along with me!/ The best is yet to be,/ The last of life for which the first was made.” Robert Browning

				
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What fills your heart today—confidence or fear?

	
		14
		Sep
	

	

	

		
Walking by Faith, Not by Sight


Janet Perez Eckles


Fear


Admit it. We all do crazy things. Bizarre things, really.


I’m sharing mine. A while back, I attended a conference. A friend jokingly asked, “Do you want to drive?


“Yes,” I said with a grin.


“Are you sure?”


“No,” I said, “the question is: are YOU sure you want me to drive your car?”


“Why not,”.


I slipped behind the wheel. “Okay, here we go.” I turned the key to the ignition, and changed gears as she gave me verbal instructions.


Being completely blind, driving a car had remained but a dream. But not anymore.


There I was, gripping  the steering wheel, feeling a bit in control, I listened to my friend. “Keep it straight now, a little to the left, now to the


Right just a bit, not much.”


Oh what Fun! Maybe you’re thinking, “How foolish.”  Perhaps I agree or perhaps not.


The reason I was able to drive her car was because she was with me sitting on the passenger’s seat. I trusted in her ability to give me instructions. I trusted in her direction and her wisdom to tell me what to do, where to turn and when to slow down.


Sometimes we’re all blind in one way or another. We take the steering wheel of life and head forward. Thinking we’re in control, bumps of adversity  catch us off guard. Then when the road gets really rough, fear  robs our confidence.


Conversely, we have the confidence to do anything at all if we know God is by our side.  We’re certain He’s guiding us,  pointing to the next spot in His plans. Reminding of His purpose for our lives. Repeating that He goes before us. Whispering He will guide us over bumps. Talking us through the dangerous curves and reassuring that He will not let us crash.


How about you? Instead of taking the wheel and pressing the gas of human wisdom, are you  listening to His divine directions? He might be asking you to slow down, to keep it straight, to take a detour. To make a sharp U-turn. Or even stop and pause to breathe in His Word.


Breathe in because “…God has said, “never will I leave you…never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.”(Hebrews 13:5-6).


What fills your heart today—confidence or fear?

				
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Four Keys to Stop Worrying

	
		31
		Aug
	

	

	

		
Walking by faith, Not by Sight


Janet Perez Eckles


Janet Perez Eckles


Hubby and I were enjoying a nice lunch at a local restaurant the other day. And as I munched on my salad, I noticed a taste of pasta.


“Hmm…” I thought. I don’t remember noodles being part of the oriental salad I ordered.


I made a comment. And that’s when hubby admitted. Without me knowing (advantages of having a blind wife) he scooped a portion of his dish onto my salad. I smiled because the blend of flavors was pretty tasty.


Did that ever happen to you? You’re going through life, enjoying pleasant events. When, without you realizing it, someone has dumped something you never expected. It happens to most of us. The only thing is that often, unlike tasty pasta, what was added tastes awful.


I’m talking about stuff the world adds to our day—fear, anxiety, stress. But the most common one is worry. I can almost guarantee that as you’re reading this, in the back of your mind, worry has come in. That pesky habit of worrying about something, about someone…until you cannot enjoy the salad of life anymore. That’s when emotional indigestion sets in.


Good news: seated across the table and observing as we go through our plate of tasks, goals and dreams, Jesus sees how the enemy slips worry on our plate.


According to Him, in Matthew 6, He tells it like it is regarding distasteful worry:


• Carve out all kinds of worry, big and small: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body…”


• Consider a more sound perspective: “Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?”


• Count on His provision: “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.”


• Claim your value: “Are you not much more valuable than they [the birds in the air]?”


• Create a new motto—Jesus’ motto: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”


Father, I confess, worry comes in as an intruder that often robs my joy. I shall embrace your instruction not to worry. It doesn’t belong in my heart where you reside, where you rule and where you placed your peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.


• What has you worried today?


• What promise in God’s Word speaks to your heart?


• How can you conquer worry?

				
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Our Grandtwins

	
		25
		Aug
	

	

	

		
SUNDAY MEMORIES


 Judy Wills


   


                                                JUDY


 


In previous musings, I have mentioned our “grandtwins.”  I would like to think that I coined that phrase, since I’ve never heard anyone else use it.  But that’s probably rather vain of me to think so.  However, they are our grandchildren, and they are twins.


Our youngest daughter and her husband went through the very expensive InVitro process to have their children.  And we are thrilled with the results of that process.  Our grandtwins are delights to our lives.  There are 15 years between our older grandchildren and our grandtwins, so I’m afraid these cousins won’t be very close to each other, and that hurts our hearts.  However, our grandtwins were both in our oldest grandson’s wedding just a few short weeks ago, and they are all quite familiar with each other.


But the birth of the twins was quite an experience – for us all.  Our daughter (Janet) called to say that the twins would probably be born within a few days via C-section, as she had developed toxemia. The twins would be born about six weeks early.  Fred immediately called and made airplane reservations for us for a couple of weeks out, staying one week.


However, we had a call from our oldest daughter (Karen), that her husband insisted that someone from the family be there for the delivery, it should be at least her, as well as me.  So Fred called and changed my reservation to the following day.  It was to be a surprise to Janet.  Janet called Fred’s cell phone as he was driving me to the airport, and was surprised to hear my voice instead of his.  She seemed quite disappointed to learn that “we” wouldn’t be coming up for another week.  When I hung up, I rubbed my hands together and said, “Oh, this is going to be GOOD!”


Karen flew in first, rented a car, and picked me up at the airport.  We, of course, got lost trying to find the hospital, just praying we would arrive before Janet was taken up to surgery and delivery of those babies.


Our arrival was such fun.  Karen and I had planned it all out on the way.  She would walk into the room first and greet her sister.  Then she would say, “I picked something up at the airport that I thought might make you smile.”  That was my cue to walk into the room.


Well, it worked.  However, Janet hadn’t seen her sister in over a year…..Karen had let her hair grow…..Janet was in pregnancy “fog”….. and she actually didn’t recognize Karen at first.  She said to herself, “I know this person.  Who is it?”  It wasn’t until Karen was at her bedside that she recognized her and exclaimed, “It’s Karen!!”  After they hugged, Karen said her prepared speech, and I walked in.  Opened mouth – Janet was speechless!  I had anticipated hugs and laughs, but instead got hugs and tears.  It was quite an emotional time.


Later, Janet was taken into surgery, and those two beautiful babies were born.  God is good.


God is with you in everything you do.


 


Genesis 21:22


 


 

				
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Keep Looking Up

	
		23
		Aug
	

	

	

		
From the Heart


Louise Gibson


author of Window Wonders


          Life presents many challenges from birth to the grave


          But lift your thoughts to God above,


          He promises to save.


          God fashioned us in our mother’s womb


          So I am certain He had a plan.


          We were designed in His own image-


          To serve our fellow man.


          When I was a child, I thought as a child-


          Striving always to please-


          It took a lot of challenges


          To set my heart at ease.


          My heartfelt wish, as I was growing up,


          Was to be a caring soul.


           I desired all humanity


          To make loving others their goal.


           I know it is unrealistic


           To expect Heaven here on earth  –


           But wouldn’t it be wonderful


           If every soul felt its worth?


           Reach out and “touch someone”-


           A word of encouragement, or a smile will do.


           Your kindness will be rewarded-


    It will all come back to you.

				
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