Tag Archives: God

I’m Experimenting

1 Aug

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

I am frustrated that weeks go by without writing a blog post. It’s not that I don’t have ideas, they fly through my mind. But then they fly right out when I am ready to open up the computer and write.

Hence, the experiment. I am going to approach writing my blog as daily journaling. The entries may not have any connections to each other. So here I go.

Sunday

A good day overall. We had a singing group at church, Debra Perry and Jaidyn’s Call. They were excellent. The only downside was I couldn’t seem to turn my hearing aids low enough to totally enjoy their songs. I downloaded two of their songs that especially touched me, “God Sees Your Storm.” and “At the End of Every Prayer.”

If you enjoy Gospel music, you should check them out. Debra Perry and Jaidyns Call

Monday

Summer’s heat seems to be abating, granted slowly. I have ventured out onto the porch this morning for my quiet time. I’ve missed porch time.

I am reading a short book written by Charles Spurgeon about eccentric preachers. Edward Brooke lived from 1779 to 1871. “A large man, he spent the final 10 years of his life in a confused state.” I am moved and encouraged by the final note in his diary

Monday evening: Thankful for the morning’s quiet time. The rest of the day contained annoyances. Although, the homemade keto peach ice cream was a nice after dinner treat.

I ended the evening thinking about crayon envy. You would think that being a septuagenarian I would have gotten over it. And it is a weird thing to be thinking about as I never excelled at coloring. But there was this classmate and she had a brand new 64 count box of Crayola crayons every year. I had a 16 count. For the most part, I didn’t care since coloring wasn’t my thing. But I did envy that her 64 count box had a burnt sienna crayon. Even now I have no idea why I wanted that color so badly. . She was a nice child and would happily lend it to me. I still remember her name, Gail.

Tuesday

Today wasn’t a blog worthy day. The only thing worth mentioning is that technology and Facebook are stressing me out.

I create scripture graphics for church and use the Canva program.

It usually is a champ but yesterday Canva and Facebook decided to bicker. No matter how many changes I made in Canva, Facebook would reject the format. Sunday night Facebook was happy with the format, but I guess it didn’t like Monday…or Tuesday.

Canva support is puzzled but they are working with me to resolve the issue.

Thursday

Well, the experiment has been interesting to me. This week I have seen that most of the thoughts swirling through my mind either aren’t developed enough to share or aren’t appropriate for the blog. A lot of introspection going on.

Part of my experiment is adjusting to writing on an iPad. I want to be able to do this but find the different commands challenging.

I think I will experiment for a few more weeks and see how it goes.

SURPRISE! This morning Facebook allowed me to post this graphic. Feeling hopeful.

Do any of my fellow bloggers use Canva and have you had any issues?

I'm a winner

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I’m a general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2024 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

She…

29 Jul

My Take

DiVoran Lites

In the night season, the woman rises and sets food on the table for hungry people in her house and for others.

She sets her heart upon a nation and takes it as her own, carrying it within her.

She labors there to plant the living vines. She wraps herself in strength, might, and power in all her works.

She tastes and experiences a better substance, and her shining light will not be extinguished, no matter how dark the night is.

She stretches her hands to help those in need and lays hold of the wheels of government!

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.”

Tags: , , , , , ,

Let’s Eat!-Part 7

28 Jul

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

There is a restaurant where Fred and I eat occasionally, that we really enjoy.  It is a seafood-specialty restaurant, and we do love seafood!  However, it is rather pricey, so we don’t make a habit of eating there regularly.  As a matter of fact, I’ve told people that we don’t eat there unless we have been given a gift card.  

But we had been given a gift card, so we went there recently – it’s called Bonefish Grill.

Photo Credit Google Search and Bonefish Grill website

We’ve discovered their Bang Bang Shrimp® appetizer, and get one every time we visit this eatery.  Now, I’ve never really enjoyed spicy hot food – it’s usually so hot that all I can taste is “hot” rather than the flavor of the food.  The Bang Bang Shrimp® is just hot enough to get my nose running, but not so hot that I can’t taste the shrimp.  It’s delicious!!

There was a time (my grandson Forrest taught me this) that I would share the Bang Bang Shrimp®® appetizer with Fred, then have the Bang Bang Shrimp® tacos as my entree.  However, I learned the hard way that my system doesn’t like that much spice!  So I order another entree, and just enjoy the shrimp as an appetizer.  But BOY! is it good!  Fred usually orders the salmon, which is really good!

Another seafood restaurant where we like to eat is called The Catfish Place.  It is located in St. Cloud, Florida.

Photo Credit Google Search and Catfish Place website

Now that’s a bit of a drive for us, so we had not gone there very often until a few years ago.  You see, our hair cutter was working out of a salon about five minutes away from our house for many years.   Then, she purchased a tanning/beauty salon in St. Cloud – about a 30+ minute drive away from us.

Photo Credit Google Search and Herve Andrieu

Photo Credit Google Search and Tan Linz & Cutz website

So we’ve made it a practice to eat lunch at The Catfish Place every time we need to get our hair cut.  Perfect! And since we get our hair cut every three weeks – we get to eat at The Catfish Place that often, as well!

This is what we call a “Mom and Pop” restaurant, since it is not part of a chain of restaurants.  But this has a reputation far and wide.  By that, I mean that I remember an episode of Emeril Lagasse being done in that restaurant!  I had read that he was doing an episode there, and made sure that I watched it.  He was quite impressed with that eatery!  On their menu is a list of other “notable” names who have eaten at that eatery.

My very favorite entree to get there is their fried shrimp.  They use a batter coating for the shrimp that is wonderful.  And the shrimp are quite large – no tiny shrimp at this eatery!  They have a lunch special on Thursdays – ½ pound of shrimp for a couple of dollars off.  That’s probably more shrimp than I need to eat, but I can’t resist!  It comes with two side dishes.  And they make the very best tarter sauce there that I have even eaten.  Fred sometimes orders the shrimp (the regular lunch size is six shrimp), but usually gets another type of fish usually snapper.

The Catfish Place has been owned and operated by the same family for many years, and has just sold it to others.  We have been there several times since the new owners have taken over and are pleased to see that most of the servers and cooks have stayed – so the food has not changed.  That’s always a possibility, but it didn’t happen with this eatery.

They advertise the best catfish ever.  Since I’m not a catfish fan, I’ll stick with my shrimp!

~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~

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.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Wise Words

22 Jul

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Proverbs:21-24

The lovers of God who chase after righteousness will find all their dreams come true: an abundant life drenched with favor and a fountain that overflows with satisfaction.

A warrior filled with wisdom ascends into the high place and releases regional breakthroughs, bringing down the strongholds of the mighty!

Watch your words and be careful what you say; you’ll be surprised how few troubles you’ll have today. 

Amen

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.”

Tags: , , , , , , ,

How the 4th of July Remind Us We Can Have Freedom from Worry

20 Jul

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Perez


Reblogged Saturday, July 20, 2024

It was the big day. My parents, my brother 16 and I at 17 sat in the courtroom. We dressed for the occasion and our hearts wore unprecedented excitement.

My family worked hard to meet the requirements and lead us to this event that would change our lives. The red, white and blue of the American flag covered the front wall of the large courtroom. Its majestic presence reminded us we were about to take a step filled with a unique honor.

“Raise your right hand,” the immigration officer said.

We did, and with unwavering conviction we renounced our allegiance to Bolivia and pledged our allegiance to the United States of America. In that ceremony we officially became American citizens, fully committed to our allegiance. And that’s when the 4th of July sent off fireworks of gratitude in us.

Not so when I pledged my allegiance to Christ.

I became a Christian, but, unaware, I adopted dual citizenship—to God and to the world too.

On Sundays I worshipped. During the week I worried.

Have you been there? On Sundays we pledge to believe, to obey and follow God. We commit to embrace His Word and hold on to His promises. But when life brings ugly moments, our allegiance to negative emotions takes over.

How can that happen? God says not to worry, but we do. He repeats to trust in Him, but we doubt instead. He offers peace, and we forget that too.

At our recent 4th of July celebrations, there were many proclamations about freedom.

Let’s also include a proclamation to enjoy freedom from the worry that speaks these five lies:

  1. God is not capable to remove the anxiety in us.
  2. God is not capable to bring answers to our solutions.
  3. He’s not aware of the details that bring on fear.
  4. He’s not able to put back the pieces of our broken heart.
  5. He cannot change the path of our wrong choices.

The Language of Worry

That’s the language of worry, unacceptable to Him, and destructive to us. Worry talk contradicts God’s Word and dilutes His promises.

But if we were to renew our allegiance to His instructions, we would speak the language of faith. It would express His strength, enough to sustain us. It would repeat of His love, enough to cover us. And of His grace to bring out the perfect outcome. “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34).

And with worry in the garbage disposal of life, we sing, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

So why do you doubt, shake or fret? When you know “Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday” (Psalm 91:3-6).

Let’s pray.

Father, thank you for the reassurance that You have me and my family covered. Thank You for the sleep that comes at night as you silence the lies. I praise you for the reassurance You whisper into my heart, removing worry from my mind. In Jesus name.

When will you begin your worry-free life?

Bonus article on today’s topic.

Janet

Celebrate with me! My new release, Now I See: How God’s Amazing Grace Transforms the Deepest Pain to Shining Joy won the 2023 Memoir of the Year Golden Scroll Award.

Your copy waits for you here.

Let’s Stay in Touch

You and I are only a click away. You can use this CONTACT FORM to leave your prayer request, make a comment, ask a question, or invite me to speak to your group. Or simply reply to this email.

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.

Janet Eckles Perez

Some say she should be the last person to be dancing. Her life is summarized in this 3-minute video: http://bit.ly/1a8wGJR

Janet Perez Eckles’ story of triumph is marked by her work as an international speaker, #1 best-selling author, radio host, personal success coach and master interpreter. Although blind since 31, her passion is to help you see the best of life.

www.janetperezeckles.com

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Proverbs: Wisdom in the Beginning

16 Jul

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Proverbs 8:22-30

I was there initially, for God possessed me before he created the universe.

From eternity past, I was set in place before the world began.

I was anointed from the beginning.

Before the ocean depths were poured out and glorious fountains overflowed with water, I was there, dancing!

Even before one mountain had been sculpted or one hill was raised, I was dancing! When he created the earth, the fields, even the first atom of dust, I was already there.

When he hung the tapestry of the heavens and stretched out the earth’s horizon when the clouds and skies were set in place, the subterranean fountains began to flow strong. I was already there.

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.”

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Hope in Choice

12 Jul

Guest Post

Rebekah Lyn

I recently started a new devotional by Oswald Chambers, in the YouVersion Bible app. Chambers, A.W. Tozer, and Charles Spurgeon lived in different times than we do now, yet in their writings, it is evident the same challenges plagued people then as they do now. It’s comforting to see people have survived the same pitfalls, but also sad that as a society we don’t seem to learn from our ancestors.

It’s Sunday afternoon as I write this, and the devotional I read this morning sparked the idea for today’s post. Chambers used an analogy of two ships in a storm to show the differences in how we face all the circumstances we have no control over. One ship is dashed on the rocks and the captain says that is the way the wind was blowing and he couldn’t help it. Meanwhile, another captain trimmed his sails so that the same wind carried the ship safely into harbor.

God made us with free will. We have the choice to follow Him or not. The choice to grow our roots in faith, spend time with Him, understand His word, and become equipped to face the storms. We also have the choice to follow Him, but remain shallow in our faith, constantly struggling to see Him at work, questioning why things are the way they are.

The two captains in Chambers’ story show the difference between these two kinds of faith. The captain who allowed his ship to be blown onto the rocks, doesn’t appear to have true knowledge of how to handle his craft. Nor did he have the clearness of mind to attempt saving the ship. He threw up his hands and gave up.

The captain who made it to safety showed calm under pressure, a deep knowledge of sailing, and an understanding of how to harness the wind. That type of character is built through study and experience. He chose to invest the time needed to understand the physics of sailing, the importance of a clear head, and focus in times of trouble.

Choosing to grow deeper in God means reading the Bible and taking time to digest the words, allowing them to work their way into the very fibers of your body so that you may recall them in times of need. It’s not easy, but it pays off in unspeakable ways when a storm arises and just the right word rises in your heart to give you strength.
After wandering in the desert for 40 years, then conquering the numerous armies that came against them, the Israelites stood before Joshua in the promised land. Joshua recapped all the Lord had done for them then gave the people a choice: “If serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day who you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15.

This is the same choice we have today. The living God is the only one who brings atonement, restoration, and hope to the people. Everything else will perish. I appreciate having a choice. I also know that choosing to walk outside God’s will is a dark and lonely place. I choose to follow the Lord and look with steadfast hope ahead to the day I will meet Him face to face.

Do you need some encouragement to face a trial or learn how to pray? Visit my resources page for some of the music and books I’ve found encouraging.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Healing Words

8 Jul

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Proverbs 5:20-24

Listen carefully, my dear child, to everything I teach you.

And pay attention to everything I have to say.

Fill your thoughts with my words until they penetrate deep into your spirit.

Then, as you unwrap my words until they penetrate deep into your spirit, they will impart true life and radiant health into the very core of your being.

So, above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are.

Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being. For from there flows the wellspring of life.

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.”

Tags: , , , , ,

The Wisdom of the Father.

1 Jul

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Proverbs 1 The Wisdom of a Father-8-10

Pay close attention, my child, to your father’s wise words, and never forget your mother’s instructions. Their insight will bring you success, adorning you with grace-filled thoughts and giving you reins to guide your decisions. 

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.”

Tags: , , , , ,

Hope in Fear

29 Jun

Guest Post

Rebekah Lyn

Reblogged from Rebekah Lyn’s Kitchen

I recently started reading through the book of Joshua again. The words of Rahab struck me. “‘I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is in heaven above and on the earth below.’” (Joshua 2:9-11)

Rahab spoke these words to the spies Joshua sent into Jericho before the Israelites besieged the city. The people of Jericho had not seen the Israelite army, but they had heard of the way God had provided them with victory in miraculous ways. The knowledge of the power of the God of the Israelites made the people of Jericho fearful. Here in America, we don’t hear of people being fearful of God’s power, yet if we look closely, I believe we can still see it in their actions.

Those who don’t follow Christ are the people most ardently pushing anti-Christ behaviors. They are the ones trumpeting rights to abortion, rights for same-sex marriage, rights to euthanasia, and the legalization of drugs. All these go against God’s plan for humanity. Pushing for these things, and criticizing followers of Christ for not getting onboard, is one way to diminish the power of the body of Christ, to silence us into submission.

People intimidate believers not to speak out by labeling them as intolerant and judgmental. The truth is, we love the people God created enough to speak out, to shine a light into the darkness, and declare the truth of God’s word. A holy fear of God and the ultimate judgment day that awaits each one of us should empower God’s people. The insults hurled at us and any consequence forced upon us by those who don’t believe are temporary trials we endure, fleeting in the grand scheme of eternity.

Rahab didn’t know the history of the Israelites. She didn’t know the law that Moses brought down to the people from Mount Sinai. Merely the rumors of God’s acts made her heart tremble with fear, making her willing to risk her life to assist the Israelite spies. In assisting them, she saved her life and the lives of her family on the day the Israelites attacked the city. She also found herself worthy of finding a place in the genealogy of Jesus.

When we live in a holy fear of God and the power He holds, we can find hope in knowing He wants the very best for His children. Charles Spurgeon commented on the trap of “carnal security” believers can fall into. After coming to faith, one may live free of doubts, fears, or challenges for many years and feel they have overcome sin in their lives. In this state of security, one may stop pursuing the knowledge of God. Spurgeon exhorts us to “never get beyond spiritual conflicts, beyond striving against our corruption, beyond hating the garment spotted by the flesh. May we never get beyond a holy filial (dutiful) fear and a grave anxiety, so that in all we do we may be pleasing and acceptable in the sight of God.”

Do you need some encouragement to face a trial or learn how to pray? Visit my resources page for some of the music and books I’ve found encouraging.

Tags: , , , , , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →