Tag Archives: Religion and Spirituality

Head Up and Locked

18 Aug

Author, Poet and ArtistBill is an airplane buff. We have a standard joke when someone isn’t paying attention. “He’s got his head up and locked,” we say. The saying is taken from faulty landings where the retractable tires don’t come down to support the plane when it lands. It’s a malfunction that can, and usually does, cause a disaster.

This morning, friends from our church needed a ride to the doctor. The pastor usually hauls people around, but he had conflicting appointments. He would have asked Bill to take them, but Bill was out of town, so he asked me. He wanted to give me directions to their home on Pine St., but we had taken them home once and I knew where it was. Besides, years ago, I drove to Pine frequently because a woman in my Sunday School class lived there. But as I drove without coming to Pine, I realized something was wrong.

My friends were going to a drop-in clinic and didn’t have an actual appointment, so I didn’t panic. I decided to call the friend who used to live on Pine. She said I had to take a street with another name in order to get to Pine. I don’t know what else she might have been going to say, though, because I cut her off, saying, “Oh yes, I have a perfect picture of it in my mind, thanks, goodbye.” So I went back up the road looking for the street she mentioned. I saw the street I remembered, but the name was different. I turned anyway and then turned again. Nope it wasn’t Pine. I knew though that I was within inches. I asked a workman that looked sort of like my grandson, and he was kind enough to look it up on his GPS. He showed me that I had turned one block too soon.

Finally, we made it to the doctor. And what did I learn from the experience? I learned that I have a bad habit of knowing I know things when I don’t know at all. I’m praying that Jesus the Christ, Jesus the Way, the TRUTH and the Life, will wipe out all the thoughts that I think are right and show me His way. One of my most fervent prayers is that He will continue to remind me that in order to know I must not assume that I know, I must ask. I think today will be a great reminder and although I’m not proud of myself, I thank Him for it.

keep asking

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Another Father’s Day

15 Jun

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

JUDY

Here we are with another Father’s Day dawning upon us. It just doesn’t seem like Fathers get the same acknowledgment as Mothers do. Seems a bit unequal to me – since it takes two to tango. But Mothers traditionally – and Biblically – are the ones who nurture in the family, while Fathers are bread-winners and head of the household.

And so, because I am so very proud of my Father and what he accomplished in his life, I would like to add another connection in his life.

For many years, I have heard of B.B. McKinney. He’s rather well known in Baptist circles. According to his history (from Google), he wrote over 149 hymns, composed the music for 114 others, and arranged more than 100 more. While not as prolific as Fanny Crosby (1800 hymns) he was still quite talented. He was heavily involved with Texas Baptists and Southern Baptist music. Except for the current up-coming generation, if you ask if they know who B.B. McKinney was, they can usually tell you he wrote a lot of the hymns in our hymnbooks. He was born in 1886 in Louisiana. (Daddy was born in 1892)

The main connection I know of with Daddy and him, is that my Father was born in Louisiana, as well. Daddy and B.B. McKinney both attended Louisiana College in Pineville, Louisiana. Daddy also was involved with Texas Baptists, since he was the Associate Sunday School Secretary for Texas from 1926 until 1945, when he moved us to New Mexico, where he became the New Mexico Sunday School Secretary. He was in that position until 1961, when he retired. I always knew that Daddy knew B.B. McKinney, but didn’t know just what that connection was. I distinctly remember seeing Daddy approach Mother at church, and with a stricken look on his face, tell her that B.B. had been killed in a car wreck (1952).

It wasn’t until recently that a cousin of ours sent via FaceBook a picture he had found in the “Pine Knot” yearbook from Louisiana college. It was a picture of a male quartet from Louisiana College. The four (plus the director) in the picture, were B.B. McKinney, my Father (W.J. Lites), and his brother (E.O. Lites). They had been in a college quartet together all those years ago! There isn’t a date on the picture, and the best we can figure, it was probably somewhere around 1913 or 1914. (Daddy’s college education was interrupted by World War 1)

So that’s the connection. Daddy had many accomplishment in his life, but this was one that I had not expected, but was proud to see.

The Quartette - Louisiana College

 

 

 

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What to do Right Before Going Under the Knife

7 Jun

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Posted on June 6, 2014by 

06-06-14 praying holding hands“You look fabulous,” the doctor’s nurse said when I went for a post-operative appointment. As all procedures go, this one had its risks, bleeding, infection, etc.”

I was awake during the procedure. With a local anesthetic to numb the identified area, I lay on the procedure chair. And while a bright, hot light shone on my face, I asked, “Before you begin, could I ask a favor?”

The doctor and nurse halted their moves. “Sure.”

“Would you allow me to pray?”

When they agreed, I began: “Lord, give this doctor wisdom,” I said out loud, “use her to perform the work that will bring you glory. In Jesus’ name.”

Risking appearing overly religious, I confess, prayer for me has become as natural as breathing. As quick as a reflex, and as common as smiling.

 

Posted on June 6, 2014by  Please visit her blog to read the full story.

 

His Way

 

 

 

 

 

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My website in English

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Living in the Sunshine

6 Jun

From My Heart

Louise Gibson

author of Window Wonders

 

A Merry Heart copy

Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart doeth good like medicine”
And it won’t cost you a thing..
It’s actually infectious, you know.-
Amazing what it will bring.

In times of suffering we must always choose
to ” walk in the light”.
We must mind our attitude by mending our thoughts.
A smile is a welcome sight.

I was “put to the test” this morning
when my son needed a ride.
I had had a surgical procedure on my face,
so the scar I could not hide,

He meant to be kind as he candidly remarked,
“It really doesn’t look bad, Mom,
It fits in with the lines in your face:”
(Remember your own words, girl-
The ink you can’t erase),

: – )

So, I smiled in amusement
And thanked the Lord above.
It truly isn’t “how we look”-
The important thing is love.

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God’s People

28 Apr

butterfly

My Take

DiVoran Lites

 

We have a Sunday School/Bible Study class we call the LP class. We would say that meant Large Print, but two of us now have the most wonderful lens implants and can see like fighter pilots, so we’ll have to settle for Long Playing as a name. Anyhow, let’s put it this way, all but one of us in on Medicare.

One day, our teacher, and his wife, Noreen were in the drugstore waiting to have a prescription filled and a four-year-old girl came over to Marvin and started chattering away as if he were her beloved Grandpa. Noreen said she reminded them of a perky, Shirley Temple. Of course, they were delighted.

After that, Bob told us that he was in a restaurant one day waiting for a table. He had a seat because he’s handicapped, but there was no place for anyone else to sit, except a tiny spot right next to Bob. A tiny African American girl slid into the spot and snuggled up to Bob, lay her head against him and melded into him the way a trusting child will do. He had never seen her before in his life.

That reminded Marvin of a couple of children in their neighborhood. Marvin likes to sit in his garage with the door open and read. One day he was sitting there with the fresh air coming in and a little girl came down the block, saw him and walked in and laid her head on his knee.

Of course, that story brought on more. Bill and I were at Lake Eola with our son last week and while Bill was waiting for Billy and I to finish taking pictures, he sat down on a low wall and a beautiful black and white, Spaniel puppy came up to the wall and put her paws on it so she could reach him. She wagged her tail and sniffed at him he petted her. Her owner was amazed. She said, “She’s so afraid of people, I can’t believe she approached a perfect stranger. She’s even shy around the family.”

We had a couple more stories and then we went on with our lesson. Marvin had us read out of the scriptures and here’s what Bill read.”

Isaiah 61:9 says, “All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed.” I wonder–is this unexplained trust from children and animals a small example of that acknowledgement?

 

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Overcoming Fear of Snakes

26 Apr

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Janet

04-25-14 lizardI’m a rare bird. I’m not afraid of snakes, not really. Could it be that I don’t see them?

The other day this was put to the test. My 6-year-old granddaughter jumped on my lap. “Nana! There is a huge lizard on the carpet.”

Huge lizard? She likes lizards and she usually guides my hand to grab them by the tail (catching them happens to be a common thing in Florida).  But this “huge” lizard might in reality be a snake.

So what does a logical, collected and calm blind Nana do? I grabbed my most effective and best weapon—a broom. “Quick, honey. Guide Nana to the place you see it and I’ll sweep it away.”

After many diligent but futile efforts of chasing that reptile under the toy box, under the clothes hamper, inside the closet, we gave up.

Not knowing where it would appear next, peace for the day slithered out, too.

You’ve been there, haven’t you? Life is going along fine and then suddenly something appears unwanted, unexpected.

-Read more of Janet’s encouraging message  at: http://www.janetperezeckles.com/overcoming-fear-of-snakes/#sthash.cZS4KpdS.dpuf

His Way

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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Believing is Seeing

17 Feb

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Author, Poet and ArtistOh, the colors! I never dreamed God created people to see as well as I can see, now that I’ve had cataracts removed and new lenses implanted in my eyes. This morning, the closet light revealed clothes that seemed to pop out at me like bright jungle flowers. They were so beautiful and the light was so bright I had to turn it off.

Last night at suppertime. I put two green artichokes on an orange cutting mat and wanted to cry at the beauty of them. We have several pair of painted buntings that spend the winter in the neighborhood, but I have never seen their indigo, red-orange, and chartreuse as I did today. You should see our calico cat she’s gorgeous. Her black fur is shiny black, her burnt orange fur is gorgeous, and her white fur blazes. I’m using 12-point type for the first time in years and can tell a period from a common on the screen! Wow!

I understand that most people feel this way after they get cataracts removed. But I’m telling you about my personal experience, so bear with me. I was twelve years old when the optometrist diagnosed progressive myopia, which means I was near-sighted and would become more so every year. Mother was deeply saddened by the possibility that when I was old I could be completely blind. Indeed, my eyes became progressively worse until one lens was almost as thick as a pop-bottle bottom.

Remember at the beginning when I said I never realized that God intended for us to be able to see as well as I now can? One of the first things I thought about when I walked into the house yesterday after the surgery was, If I never knew what it was to see, or even what there was to see, then what else does God have in store that I could never think or dream of until I experience it for myself? Even here on earth, as I know Him better and trust him more, I’m receiving insight and revelation about Him.

Is this what the Scriptures mean when they say,

 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

I Corinthians 2:9 New Living Bible.

Painted Bunting

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Finding the Richness of Life

15 Feb His Way

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Janet wrote a powerful post this week on her blog, and I am sharing it on Old Things R New. Be sure to click below to read the rest of the story-Onisha

“You got to write about that,” my friend said on the phone.

“Naw…people will think I’m a religious nut.

“No, they won’t.” She argued and won. So here I go.

As most of you know I dedicate Mondays to fasting and prayer. Not that I’m trying to be a holy roller, but I genuinely want to concentrate in my efforts to lift in prayer the heart-wrenching requests that come my way on a regular basis.

Fasting (water and a few slices of bread for the day) is immensely rewarding and doable for me. Unless…my routine changes. And a few weeks ago, it changed drastically. Hubby and I along with friends boarded a cruise ship. And just FYI, I have the habit of judging the caliber of a cruise by three vital criteria: the quality of the food, the food, and the food! –

See more at: http://www.janetperezeckles.com/finding-the-richness-of-life/#sthash.PS0oGmpG.dpuf

 

 

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Divine Sparks

27 Jan

My Take 

DiVoran Lites

Author, Poet and ArtistI recently read that prestige is the most important thing to any human being. How do researchers come up with these things? It rings true, and yet there has to be something more, something better. I think its love. Love is as essential to sustain life as the basic need for food and shelter.

And, oh, the things we’ll do to get love, translated attention. I desire attention. I want to be validated, it’s important for people to respect me.

When I was a young mother, our baby thought the earth centered on her. That was hard for me because until that time I thought I was the center. Then I found out that everyone thinks that at first. What a surprise!

I did many things to stay in the center of the universe and get all the love and attention I needed. Mostly I tried to please other people. Sometimes I tried to please the right people and sometimes the wrong people. Trying to please the wrong people can get you in lots of trouble.

I knew God was out there, but I had no idea that he wanted to meet my needs. The first time I remember hearing about Jesus was in my five-year-old Sunday School class with Auntie Elvira. She never had any children of her own, but we were all her kin as far as she was concerned. She told us stories from the Bible and we learned to sing, “Jesus Loves Me.” That was nice. My parents loved me, Jesus loved me, and Auntie Elvira loved me.

God has always been in my life, but the next time I remember becoming aware of him was one day when I looked out my bedroom window at the majestic mountains and knew that the One who had created them knew me and had created me too.

When I was twelve, I took over teaching the Sunday School from another teacher, who was sixteen, because she was ill. I liked learning and I liked teaching, and some of what I learned must have stuck with me, because I received from it a desire for cultivating a life of connection with our Lord, which I have done. I find it immensely gratifying. I’m so grateful my Lord and Auntie Elvira reached out to me. I visited with Auntie Elvira when she was very old and told her so, and I visit with God frequently to thank him, too.

**********To Be Continued**********

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Angelic Rescue

17 Jan

From My Heart

Louise Gibson

author of Window Wonders

When something happens that is unexplainable,
and excites our inner core-
It leaves you with a sense of awe,
and the desire to know more.

God tells us that “He will put His holy angels
in charge of us, to keep us in all our ways”-
At the time we are being challenged, though- negative thoughts create a haze.

I was driving home alone one night,
not late, but it was dark.
To avoid a lot of traffic I took a back road
where activity was stark.

I have driven this path many times,
But always during the day.
“As fate would have it, I missed my turn
but continued on my way.

It was a dark night, but street lights were few-
Suddenly I was filled with dread!
The road seemed to come to an end, and
dense woods were straight ahead.

“Dear Lord, I need your help,
I don’t know what to do.
There seems to be a ditch on either side,
and trees ahead obstruct my view.”

Two bright lights appeared ,
as a truck came into sight-
“Out of the woods, at this hour?
Lord, your Angel saved the night!

An angel? Yes, I have no doubt.
What other reason could there be
By His bright lights, I turned around
and continued on home safely

I was going to follow the truck a ways,
but it disappeared from sight.
Mission accomplished!!
An angel truly saved the night!

Psalm 34:4 “I sought the Lord, and He answered me
and delivered me from all my fears”.

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