Texas Memories - Red Ruffles

The poppies gently danced in the breeze - a stiff, resisting sort of dance below, but all a froth of bubbling red on top.  - Mary E. Stephens

The Waiting Soul - A Poem by William Cowper

The Waiting Soul

Breathe from the gentle south, O Lord,
And cheer me from the north;
Blow on the treasures of thy word,
And call the spices forth!

I wish, Thou knowest, to be resign'd,
And wait with patient hope;

Continue Reading.

Evening Song - Jesus, Name Above All Names

Philippians 2:9-10 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 

The Thousand Word Project - Growing

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 

Random Acts of Blogging - What Was the Last...?

This was the last photo I took on my cell phone -

the Dutch iris that was blooming in front of my parents' house.

Just for fun and a change, let's do this tonight. If you want to copy the list of questions and put in your own answers on your own blog or in the comments, please join in! :-) These are not my original idea. I gleaned them from other sites, and edited them and maybe added a few.


What was the last furry thing you touched?
Java Kitty, our black cat.

What was the last thing you said?
Something about Java. He is such a nice and friendly cat.

What was the last song you listened to?
Something playing in the background of some video I guess, and there's a good chance I turned the volume down so I couldn't hear it. I don't listen to music a whole lot.

Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone?
My mom.

What was the last movie/video you watched?
A video about a new medical device for removing blood clots from veins.

What was the last thing you did before this?
Let Java out to the breezeway. His food and litter box are in the garage.

What was the last song you sang?
The chorus of "Blessed Homeland" by Fanny Crosby.

What was the last thing you ate and drank?
Chocolate and water.

What was the last store you were in?
Whole Foods 365 over a week ago. We went in to explore it on a date afternoon. :-)

Where was the last place you went to away from home?
The chiropractor this afternoon.

What was the last chapter of scripture you read?
Proverbs 30.

What was the last book you were reading?
I think it was Dorothy Dixon Solves the Conway Case - a vintage girls' adventure story. It is rather lame. (add eye roll here)

What was the last thing you bought?
A natural allergy remedy specifically for Texas allergens.

Who was the last person you spoke to in person?
My husband.

What was the last spontaneous thing you did?
Watercolor painting. I painted a couple cards earlier today, and after dinner I just decided to do another one because I could. :-)

Who was the last person you went out to eat with and where?
My husband and I ate at CR Surf'n'Turf.

Who was the last person you texted?
My Texas sister-in-law.

Guest Post - Jesus Is In the House

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

My friend, Marsha Burkholder, our former pastor's wife, shared this item in the church newsletter a few years back (March 2015). She has kindly told me that I am free to post any of her articles here.

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Jesus Is In the House

At some point during my teenage years, I read the following poem, and it made me think about many things in my life. It has been a poem that has had more impact upon my life than almost any I can remember. It had been a long time since I had seen it. As I was looking through a book the other day, I saw it and wanted to share it in my column this month. I'm sorry that I could not find the author. [Editor's note: It was written by Lois Blanchard Eades.]

If Jesus Came to Your House

If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two --
     If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do?
Oh, I know you'd give Him your nicest room -- this honored Guest,
     And all the food you'd serve to Him would be the very best;
And you would keep assuring Him you're glad to have Him there,
     That serving Him in your home is joy beyond compare.

But -- when you saw Him coming, would you meet Him at the door
     With arms outstretched in welcome to your Heavenly visitor?
Or would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in?
     Or hide some magazines and put the Bible where they'd been?
Would you turn off the television and hope He hadn't heard?
     And wish you hadn't uttered that loud, nasty word?

Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out?
     Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about?
And I wonder -- if the Saviour spent a day or two with you,
     Would you go right on doing the things you always do?
Would you go right on saying the things you always say?
     Would life for you continue as it does from day to day?

Would your family conversation keep up its usual pace?
     And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace?
Would you sing the songs you always sing, and read the books you always read?
     And let Him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed?
Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you'd planned to go?
     Or would you, maybe, change your plans for just a day or so?

Would you be glad to have Him meet you closest friends?
     Or would you hope they'd stay away till His visit ends?
Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on?
     Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last was gone?
It might be interesting to know the things that you would do
     If Jesus Christ in person came to spend some time with you!

Of course, the Christian has the Lord Jesus indwelling his earthly house all the time. 1 Corinthians 3:16, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" We would do well to remember that, and be aware of those things we have in our lives that quench the Spirit and hinder His work in our lives.

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Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.