Friday, February 25, 2022

Quote Of The Day


 

Quote of The Day:
 
"I can safely say, on the authority of all that is revealed in the Word of God, that any man or woman on this earth who is bored and turned off by worship, is not ready for Heaven." A.W. Tozer
 
Just sayin'.......

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Quote of The Day

 


Quote of the Day:
 
"We cannot continue to send our children to Caesar for their education and be surprised when they come home as Romans.” (On Homeschooling) Voddie T. Baucham Jr.

Invisible Prisons

 


"Invisible Prisons"

LizEtheridge

Quite a number of years ago, I found myself in a place of haunting by an accusation of something I didn't do by someone I cared deeply for. I had no proof of my innocence and it followed me day and night; knowing I was innocent...yet unable to prove it.

At times like this, you actually start turning on yourself. Your mind starts questioning how this could have happened and a corner of your heart starts believing the lie of the accusation, although that same heart knows its not true. I prayed, and cried, most every day over this....the pain was great and I knew I had no way to fix it on my own and make it go away.

I remember standing in my prayer space....the shower....begging God for release from this hurt. And that is when I heard God's words in my heart as clear as I'm hearing the cat meow as I type this to you:

"You MUST forgive your accuser, Liz.
It will require you to pray FOR them....to FORGIVE them...
to THANK ME for them....and to find the GOOD in them.
And then pray for your own heart, Liz, to change."

My response? "But God, I don't want to. They didn't ask for forgiveness. Why can't You just change them?" He quietly reminded me if I ever hoped to be free from this hurt, it wasn't necessarily something I "wanted" to do, but rather something I "must" do. It was required for MY own survival.

I remember telling God I was struggling to even believe the words of forgiveness that were coming from my mouth, but that I would do it anyway. I began listing those things I loved about them...admired about them...reasons they were in my life.

“To Forgive Is To Set A Prisoner Free,
And To Discover That The Prisoner Was You”

As I walked out of the shower that day, I had begun the process of Forgiveness and the weight on my back was a little lighter. With each passing day, I repeated the words "I Forgive You" to the walls of that shower as the peace in my heart grew and I began to live again.

I felt like a prisoner being released from her cell; I was finally breathing the fresh air of freedom.

"If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins." (OUCH)
Matthew 6:14-15

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

 


Tuesdays With Pappo….on TUESDAY!!!
 
A great visit with Dad….hearing stories on his childhood & answering his questions on how he could have been a better parent to us 3 bratty kids (I think he was mainly speaking of my brother & sister tho).
He’s a pretty good guy!!

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Tuesdays with Pappo

 


Tuesdays with Pappo….on Wednesday!

Just Let Go

Just Let Go
lizetheridge

A few years ago, I saw a commercial for a company called "Let Go". It showed a guy hanging off a cliff, but wouldn’t let go of a bowling ball. Another guy is running from someone chasing and shooting at him, but he is dragging a BBQ grill with him. The concept behind "Let Go" is to show people who are in situations where they need to drop something in order to survive, but don't want to let go of it. The company, LetGo.com, is an online marketplace for those of us who need to sell those things that drag us down and keep us from living well.

I chuckled when I saw it cause so far in the first 30 days of 2022, we have let go of Wayne's "house", his "furniture", my "clothes" in the closet to make room for his, and even my "expired-food-in-the-pantry" to make room for his UN-expired-food, just to name a few. We feel like we’ve lost 50 pounds having let go of the things that have weighed us down for so long.

But we're also in a season of "Letting Go" as we approach the Season of Easter. Many Christian churches celebrate what is referred to as a Lenten Season that encourages letting go of "something" during the 40 days leading up to Easter. As someone not raised in this tradition, its been confusing to me when I would hear of friends giving up things like chocolate, ice cream or wine...but not margaritas....no, never margaritas, for the sake of Lent.

“What’s the point of Lent”, I kept asking them. "It's Tradition" was their standard answer.

So I’ve studied this long-time "tradition", I’ve discovered that Lent is less about tradition or our dietary habits and more about letting go of.....Ourselves.

We need to let go of those things that interfere with the communication lines between God and us....you know, that static in the line between the Creator and His created (that's you and me, btw) and not the mere tradition of giving up “something” for Lent. Is chocolate really interfering with your relationship with God? If so, sell it on LetGo.com. Does beer or wine keep you from loving your neighbor? LetGo.com can help! But don't give something up if it’s not what is causing the static-in-the-line between you and God. If it is just about self-improvement, then it’s just about us, and not about God. How about instead, we give up grudges and vengeance and meanness and pettiness and rudeness? Now that’s a Lent tradition God would be proud of!


Our life is more than just the things we haul around. We must "Let Go" of ourselves....in order to Survive.

Saturday, February 5, 2022

Wedding Photos - Day 5 - "Sanctuary"

 

Wedding Photos - Day 5 - Sanctuary
 
 
Guys....I need to introduce you to this woman...Amy Keever. A dear, dear friend from East Texas and a Coffee Chick, Amy is an amazing accomplished artist whose work has been featured at the Gaylord and in numerous top-rated art studios around the country. But that's just a small part of who Amy Keever is.....
*
A "sister" close to my heart for many years, Amy gave Wayne and I one of the greatest gifts we've ever received. A piece of herself in one of her art pieces that she made especially for us.
*
It's called, "The Sanctuary".
*
When she presented it to us at our wedding reception in December, she explained the inspiration behind her creating it. She said this......

 
“Sanctuary” by Amy Keever

"It was made to be a representation of all the providence God has placed in yours & Wayne's lives. To me, nests have always represented almost a “second womb”, a haven that’s prepared for the one who is to dwell in it. A mosaic of things collected for the space that life will thrive in.

As I think about both of your journeys, Wayne and Liz, I see there has always been a sanctuary around you - defined as a holy and sacred place, a space that provides safety and protection from danger or difficult situations…….

You will find Manzanita branches in the nest which, by their meaning, are known to represent interconnection and symbolize things magical……how magical you’ve been to so many people in your love, honor and support……..

Limbs of a Texas tumbleweed wrap all around this piece ….in nature they actually tumble to distribute thousands of seeds…..by bouncing and rolling in the wind, a tumbleweed spreads out tens of thousands of seeds so that they all get plenty of sunlight and space…..the tumbleweed gives the nest a very delicate feel. I greatly love and appreciate all the seeds and sunlight you both delicately planted in so many lives…..and we feel those rays coming down on us.

I chose white woven horse hair to represent the freedom of a mustang I believe God has brought you both to love fully and live richly. There are small cuts of gold Smalti and stained glass that I love to think of how God has used your brokenness to create something so beautiful in you…….
 


A little birdie told me that Cyndi carried a picture of “Monkees” in her wallet, so tucked away is a little silver monkey smiling within…

I remember Chuck carrying dog bones for the neighborhood dogs, so I had to include one of those, each placed by a feather, which as we’ve heard, if you find a feather, you’ve found me, you are close to angels. Babies breath represents everlasting love and that, we know, you have both found in each other……

On the inside, you’ll see dozens of soft blush and off white feathers to symbolize God’s grace and favor………your true North.



The nest rests upon an old piece of driftwood found in NW Arkansas which so reminds me of your path. You both have had moments where you probably felt like you were drowning, yet you just kept praying and believing and, just like the piece of driftwood, you withstood the storms and emerged with more character and resilience than ever before.

Which leads me to the last feature that, at first glance, will be hard to see…….I placed tiny glow in the dark butterflies no bigger than an 1/8 of an inch, and just like all the friends that surround you here today, it might not be noticeable all the time, but in the darkness will reveal all the sisters and friends that surround you both.…… 
 


You, our darling girl, and Wayne our dear new friend, we honor here today and thank you for all you’ve done by watering each of our souls as only you can………

With Much Love,
Amy & Craig"
 
So as you can see, friends, we were handed a gift like no other. A one-of-a-kind tenderly and gently made piece of Amy Keever. Every time I pass it as it sits proudly in the center of my most favored antique cabinet, I feel Amy's love pouring out to both Wayne and I. She is a gift straight to my heart.
 
 

 

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Soooooooo……this just happened! And I feel the Breeze from the page turning….


 

Soooooooo……this just happened!
And I feel the Breeze from the page turning….