It's a rainy, cool Saturday in Florida.  Since it's been an unusually cool winter in the State of Florida, we wait with great expectation to the arrival of normal temperatures.  As I sit in our lanai watching the rain fall, I'm reminded of a line from the old hymn, "There shall be showers of blessings, this is the promise of God.  There shall be seasons refreshing, sent from the Savior above.  Showers of blessings, showers of blessings we need, mercy drops 'round us are falling, but for the showers we plead." Then a second hymn comes to mind today, "Count your blessings, name them one by one.  Count your many blessings see what God has done." 

So, here's what I think.  Sometimes we are so busy asking God to shower us with blessings that we don't stop to count the numerous blessings that already fill our plates.  If each raindrop that is falling outside my windows could be translated into previously received blessings, I'd be compiling that list until breath leaves my body.  And rightly so.  God does promise us showers of blessings.  Many of those blessings we overlook because they are normal, everyday blessings such as breathing, health, the gift of family, freedom to read our Bible, pray and to gather with other Christians to sing praises to our God!   And let's not forget beautiful landscapes, sunsets and sunrises, the warmth of a hug and the delight of a newborn baby. 

Today, I want to give thanks for being alive and well...for living in a country where I can speak of the Lord, write on a website about my faith and pray openly for the concerns the Holy Spirit lays on my heart.  Yes, today I'm going to count my blessings and praise my Lord for shelter and take comfort in resting underneath His mighty wings on this cool, rainy day!  And I'm going to include all of you, my friends!  God bless!

Today Gary and I ventured across the State of Florida to Daytona.  We received two complimentary tickets from a dear friend to visit the Daytona 500 Speedway, site of the Daytona 500 each February as the NASCAR circuit opens their season each year.  It was a great adventure for us.  A tram took us onto the track and do you realize the track itself sits at a 31 degree angle on turn 3 and an 18 degree angle on turn 1?  That simply means that if you don't have enough speed (say at least 90 mph) your car won't stay on the track at that angle!  It was amazing since I thought the track was an oblong circle!

There were pictures of the guys who have won the Daytona 500, the car of Jamie McMurray in a mock Victory Lane (the winner of this year's Daytona 500), the incredible trophy that sports the names of all past winners and many salutes to Dale Earnhardt, Mr. Intimidator, who in my opinion, was the greatest of them all. 

Gary tried his skill of driving on simulators which was interesting....and we were entertained with a 3D movie in their IMAX theater explaining the preparations made before a race for the car, the crew, the driver and the fans!  It was absolutely awesome to watch in 3D!!  So there you have our adventures for Thursday....tomorrow we head to Ft. Myers and the Minnesota Twins baseball camp.  I'm hoping to reconnect with a former student of mine who is one of the pitchers for the Twins, Kevin Slowey.  Who would have thought when he was in middle school he would end up in major league baseball??  God bless, my friends.  Have a wonderful Friday....hopefully your area is warming up....we went back into the 50's and 60's!  Winter just won't let go!!!

Probably you will grow weary of my story-telling, but what's the chance this keeps happening to me?  There are lovely places to bike here in Venice... roads that lead to bodies of water, lovely gardens, multiple housing developments and golf courses.  But among the places we bike there are huge black birds, similar to buzzards, that appear mostly around bodies of water.  They never seem to bother anyone.  They are just very imposing in their size which includes their wing span.

Since Gary has begun golfing on Tuesdays, I take the opportunity to either go for a brisk power walk or ride a bike.  Yesterday, I took the bike and headed out for a few miles.  On the 4th mile of my journey I was pumping along an area that has the wonderfully wide sidewalk that parallels a two-land road.  It's a safe place to ride and there are people everywhere.  After passing a body of water and coming upon a field, there they were.....numerous "buzzards" sitting by the side of the sidewalk!  Oh, my.....what to do? 

I slowed down my pace and decided to stay in the middle of the sidewalk and keep going.  If they attacked me surely someone would stop their vehicle and assist me, right???  As I approached these daunting birds, one by one they opened their wings and stood beside one another, wing span touching wing span!  I've never seen anything like it!  Even the few birds that were in the trees and on a close fence post began opening their wings as I passed. 

As I glided pass this gathering, I thought "thank you, Lord, for watching over me" and then I thought this had to be a lesson....so here goes.  As we travel the highway of life, God has given us boundaries.  Just like the fenced in backyard illustration that I've used countless times, this "highway" happened to be a sidewalk.....a wide one at that.  God gives us everything we need on the journey (the sidewalk was smooth, easy to ride, was located next to a road upon which were numerous individuals).  The outskirts of this boundary include the sights of lovely areas that might look good, but there are these "evils" that are eagerly awaiting us to cross over into their territory.  Many times signals are given, even by the evil that draws us, to warn us or maybe just to tempt us to get off the sidewalk and test if safety can still exist...

As for me, I'm staying on the sidewalk.  On the return journey of the trip, I crossed over to the other side of the road in order to stay completely away from these creatures.  When faced with the possibility of danger, I'm headed in another direction.  Hope you can gather a little lesson from this story.  Florida has beautiful sights, beautiful birds, lovely garden areas and terrific beaches and pools....but among all the beauty no matter where you visit or live, temptation and danger lurk to draw us in.....
"Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me."  Psalm 17:9
God bless, my friends! 
 

Don't you just love another new day?  A day filled with possibilities awaiting our imprint?  As I sit at the table this morning the weather outside is filled with dense fog.  As the fog lifts, I can see the golfers already out on the course, speeding around in their carts chasing after their tiny little golf balls.  Golfing is a sport I'm not really into, but there are countless individuals who love that chase of golf balls!

Since I sense a lesson in most everything I see, this is what comes to mind.  Maybe I need to become a golfer.  Taking my little white golf ball (my limited knowledge of God's Word) and hitting it into the open course (the world about me) aiming for the goal of a hole-in-one (eternal life).  As I play the game with others (those around me daily) I am hoping they see good sportsmanship, an ability to play the game well and encouraging words for them as they play the game (the fruit of the Spirit). 

So, that's the word of the day....imprint.  Imprint your Christian life today in some way to some one.  It doesn't have to be a grand gesture, sometimes smiling and saying "hello" uplifts an ordinary day for someone.  And don't allow the day's weather to dictate your mood. God is always shining above us regardless of the cloud coverage.  Have a wonderful day, my friends!  God bless!

Once upon a time when my kids were young, they both sung in children's choirs.  It was a great experience for them and they both were given solos from time to time.  I can still remember Kimberly singing, "Down By the Creek Bank" and there is a video recording of that particular play with her singing her heart out complete with a straw hat, a red bandana and denims!  But Nicholas also got in on the action.  One of the songs I remember very clearly I heard again this past Sunday as we participated in a service for children.  The song is entitled, "Use Me".  As I listened more closely to the words this time around, I thought of God's goodness.

Now that my children are adults, I truly believe the efforts Gary and I have made to raise them in a Christian environment have been woven into the fabric of their lives. It's up to them from this point forward how they portray the nuggets of knowledge they have learned in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, worship services, mission trips and day-to-day watching other Christians who surround them live out their faith.  They now have become the vessels through which God will rear the next generation.  May the next generation dedicate their lives to this little worship song and better yet, internalize the words. 

"Use me, Jesus, use me.  Take this life of mine and use me.
Use me, Jesus, use me.  Keep me by your side and use me
.
All I want is to be with you, to ever praise you in all I do.
Teach me Father to learn your ways, and walk with me each day.

Mold me, make me, what you would have me be.
I only want to serve you faithfully.  Help me Father to truly see
What you have for me."

God bless, my friends!

Gary and I worshipped this morning in another church in Sarasota.  It was a wonderful experience!  The music, the preaching, the fellowship and warmth of Chrisitans was uplifting!  We have met some truly welcoming Christians over the past three weeks.  Everyone is from a different state and a different part of the country....sometimes they are from various countries, but we are all the same....away from home.  It has been truly refreshing to experience and a bit reflective as we have come to appreciate the people and relationships we take for granted "back home."

I would ask for prayer as I have begun to experience the wrath of a high pollen count here in Venice.  I am absolutely suffering with the cold-like symptoms which are worse first thing in the morning and at night.  This, too, will pass but I have a lot of friends awaiting the lesson on the Bucket List Bible Study tomorrow.....so please pray that the allergies will subside and I can have clarity of mind as I work diligently for the Lord. 

I am getting a lot of work completed and enjoying my time away.  I miss all my friends in Pittsburgh, but I know this time was ordained of God as I have been able to write, read, study and get caught up on many projects.  Gary and I are also getting to visit the area and exercise....but I have to immediately get inside and shower to get all the pollen out of my hair and off my body....strange, isn't it?  Wouldn't it be something if when we sinned we'd come down with allergy like symptoms so we could immediately identify the problem, repent and turn from our ways?  We could jump in the shower (pray) and have the sin instantly forgiven and washed down the drain! 

Hope everyone has enjoyed the weekend.  I'll be posting later today for the Bucket List and my best to all my friends....God bless!

I mentioned yesterday that I love Fridays....well, Saturdays are close behind....in fact, I love weekends!  The strange thing is, once your husband retires you have a hard time not thinking every day is part of a weekend!  We're trying really hard to develop a nice little routine. 

I heard a report from one of my dear friends in Pittsburgh that the sun was shining today....I think it was described as "what's that strange thing I see in the sky?"  I'm so glad that the sun is shining down on my friends and family back home.  It has turned into a gorgeous day here in Florida.  After many, many days of below normal temps, today the sun is shining brightly and it feels warm....although I hear it's still below normal....it's getting there.

Gary and I enjoyed an over 12 mile bike ride and now we are heading to the heated pool within walking distance of our "place".....I just want to sit in the sun and have it shine on my face....something I haven't done in the past 20 days of being here.  Don't you just want to be wrapped in the sunshine of God's loving embrace?  I certainly do....nothing turns my attitude into positivity like the sun....just like my spiritual life....nothing ministers to me and brings me closer to my Lord that the "light" of His word dwelling within me.  That, my friends, I can't do without for a day, much less 20 days.  Let's hope today is just the beginning of many days of sun shining on our earthly homes and the light of Jesus Christ shining within our hearts and lives for everyone to see.  God bless!

I don't know about you, but Friday has always been a great day!  Why?  Guess it has to do with being the start of the weekend.  No matter the circumstances, Friday is the culmination of a week of workin' hard and the uplifting thoughts of sleepin' in and having a leisurely cup of coffee the next morning.  It's like a little present every week given to the human race. 

Today I'm looking forward to seeing a friend I haven't seen in years, having lunch and catching up on each other's lives.  Her dad was my choir director as a teenager and young adult.  He is forever seared in my mind as a part of my growing up in the faith.  His vibrance for music and the hymns of the faith compares to none.  I can still envision his arms swinging back and forth and the expressions on his face as a conversation with his choir members to either be strong and loud or sweet and low....what a precious memory.

And the best part of Fridays and memories?  There are more to experience and more to make!  God bless, my friends.  Have an absolutely wonderful weekend!

Amazing how reading scripture brings back memories of days gone by with children.  The passage I read this morning brought back a time when our daughter, Kimberly, was invited to one of her high school proms.  Not only did kids attend a dance, but afterwards they wanted to go for an "overnight" event at one of their homes.  Yep, boys and girls together....all night.  Since I would never be asked to host a party of this magnitude, the kids had found a parental home site and were making their plans to continue prom night throughout the night.

Now comes the permission from each parent.  Kimberly was making sure I understood that there would be parental supervision and that "all" her friends were going to be in attendance.  Right.  And I'm supposed to go with the flow and quickly say, "okay, honey...go to a high school prom and then spend the night in the presence of hormonal males with parents probably fast asleep in their beds upstairs."

My answer was not a popular one and an answer my daughter did not want to hear.  So I got the typical answer, "but, Mom, EVERYONE is going and ALL the other parents are okay with this."  So, I did what I thought best....I answered as honestly as I could.  "Kimberly," I said, "you did come with an instruction book.  I'm doing the best job of parenting I can.  I just can't say 'yes' to this request.  Remember, one of these days I'm going to have to stand before God and give an account of how I raised you.  No one has to stand in those shoes but me.  So, until you have to stand in my shoes, the answer is no."

She wasn't happy, but I think she understood.  Transferring the answer onto God wasn't a one time occurrence in our house and she knew that.  Kimberly understood that living a life pleasing to God was a standard I tried earnestly to uphold.  So, as I read in scripture this morning from II Corinthians 5, verse 10, I was once again reassured that my answer years ago was the right one.  "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."

If you are a parent of children still living at home, never be ashamed to answer those unpopular questions with replies that honor God and ones you personally feel are harmful in the long run to your children.  You are the biggest advocate of your children....Satan waits at the door like a roaring lion to pounce on a partially opened door.  Don't give him a foothold.  God will be honored with your trust in Him and His Word.  God bless, my friends.

At approximately 7:30 a.m. we received a phone call....it came from our son, Nicholas.  His school is having a two-hour delay today due to MORE snow!  He wanted us to know that he risked his life getting to work this morning....wow, more snow.  I can't even imagine what my mind frame would be by this point with the continuing snowfall in the northeast.  I'm not a winter girl and once there is snow on the ground I look forward, with much anticipation, to Spring.  Remember, I grew up in Virginia; however, even the Virginians aren't happy with winter this year or, for that matter, the Floridians. 

What does God have in mind for us this year?  I haven't a clue.  I am using my abundance of indoor time to study and write.  It's like God has prescribed a Bible conference for me and I'm the only one in attendance!  I'm learning and growing spiritually and I'm beginning to believe that's the point.  So if you are finding yourself questioning the length of the winter, then perphaps this little verse will shed a bit of light into (what you may think) is an ordinary day.

"As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things."  Ecclesiastes 11:5

God bless, my friends....Spring will come!