First Daffodil - Because Somebody Has Got To Be First

I can imagine when this little flower woke up and bloomed, he said, "Hey, I might be the first, but somebody has got to be first!"

Thanks to my sister, Bonnie, for sharing this photo from her flower garden.

Last weekend would have been our father's birthday and when I told her that I had gone to the cemetery and put flowers on his grave, she said, "What kind of flowers did you put?" I said, "Carnations." She said, "Daddy liked daffodils." I said, "Well, he used to love Carnation ice cream!"

Daddy, this one is for you!

Happy Birthday, Daddy

My Daddy would be 89 years old today were he alive.

He lived through the Great Depression, segregation, integration, discrimination and a long illness.

Yet, through it all, he remained a faithful believer in God. He never asked, "Why?" and maintained his intellect and dignity through it all.

He died on the 4th of July, Independence Day, 1996.

I find that to be ironic, but not at all surprising to anyone who knew him.

Rest In Peace - Gone But NEVER Forgotten

Love,

Dot

Burnt Biscuits (Thanks to Marsha in Atlanta for forwarding this)

BURNT BISCUITS..............


When I was a kid, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner
every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she
had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening
so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely
burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if
anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile
at my mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember
what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter
and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite!

When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my
mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget
what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits."

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if
he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and
said, "Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real
tired. And besides - a little burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!"

You know, life is full of imperfect things.....and imperfect people.
I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget dates and
anniversaries just like everyone else.
What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each
others faults - and choosing to celebrate each others differences -
is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing,
and lasting relationship.

And that's my prayer for you today. That you will learn to take the
good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the
feet of God. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able
to give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit isn't a
deal-breaker!

We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is
the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child
or friendship!

"Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket - keep
it in your own."

God Bless You..... Now, and Always....

So Please pass me a biscuit, and yes, the burnt one will do just
fine.!.!.!.! And PLEASE pass this along to someone who has
enriched your life... I just did!


(burnt biscuits were better than none... )

Rest In Peace, Thelma Llorens

"THE dying need but little, dear, --
A glass of water's all,
A flower's unobtrusive face
To punctuate the wall,

A fan, perhaps, a friend's regret,
And certainly that one
No color in the rainbow
Perceives when you are gone."

Emily Dickinson


I lost a good friend on Saturday.

I'm glad that she's no longer suffering and feel comfort in knowing she has received her crown in Glory.

Yet, I can't help but wish I'd let her know just how much she truly meant to me. But, somehow, I think she did.

May God Bless the Llorens Family and Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church, Houston

Workplace Attack

Do you ever feel like co-workers are out to get you?

Does it make you question everything you do and tend to look over your shoulder?

Recently, I was faced with that situation.

Actually, as Christians, we are probably faced with a similar situation daily - whether it be from neighbors, co-workers, church members or the general public.

I talked to my sister about my feelings and the fear and uncertainty it was creating for me.

She told me that I should pray about it. She said, "Pray for that person and God may remove them from your situation."

Now, that doesn't mean that I'm going to pray for something bad to happen to another person or that I'm going to pray for someone to lose their job or anything that extreme. It just means that prayer does change things.

Maybe that means God will open another door of opportunity for either you or the person by whom you are being attacked.

Today, I received some "news" that things may be changing. They may change for the better - and they may not. But I do know that I am going to continue to do the right thing by God and by others and that if I tend to my own garden that my harvest will come.


"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

James 4:7, New International Version

The Lord Loves A Good Joke!! (thanks to my Aunt Claudia for this)

It is a beautiful day in Minnesota today, about 60 degrees! Minnesotans have their traditions and customs that fit and define this part of the country. As a newcomer to Minnesota, I was educated about the important things like enjoying the lakes, fishing, hockey, hot-dish, winter carnival, and making snow angels, to name only a precious few. One of the most fun introductions I had was to the "Ole and Lena" jokes. I received one today from my hero. So, here is your chance to enjoy one, too, pass it on!

Love and many blessings on your behalf,

Claudith

Ole lived across the Minnesota River from Clarence Bunsen, whom he didn't like at all. They were yelling across the river at each other all the time.
Ole would yell to Clarence, “If I had a vay to cross dis river, I'd come over dere an beat you up good, yeah sure ya betcha by golly!”

This went on for years.

Finally, the state built a bridge across the river right there by their houses.
Ole's wife, Lena, says, “Now iss yer chance, Ole. Vhy doncha go over dere and beat up dat Clarence like you said you vud?”

Ole replied, “OK, by yimmy, I tink I vill do yust dat!”

Ole started for the bridge, but he saw a sign on the bridge and stopped to read it, then turned around and came back home.

Lena asked, “Vhy did you come back?”

Ole said, “Lena, I tink I changed my mind 'bout beatin' up dat Clarence. You know, vhen I yell at him from across the river he don't look so big. But dey put a sign on da bridge dat says ‘Clarence is 13 ft. 6 In."

God And the Spider (Author Unknown)

Thanks to Claudia for passing this along. . .

God and the Spider

During World War II, a US marine was separated from his unit on a Pacific island. The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and
the crossfire he had lost touch with his comrades.

Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his
direction. Scrambling for cover, he found his way up a high ridge to several small caves in the rock. Quickly he crawled inside one of the caves. Although safe for the moment, he realized that once the enemy soldiers looking for him swept up the ridge, they would quickly search all the caves and he would be killed.

As he waited, he prayed, "Lord, if it be your will, please protect me. Whatever your will though, I love you and trust you. Amen."

After praying, he lay quietly listening to the enemy begin to draw
close. He thought, "Well, I guess the Lord isn't going to help me out of this one." Then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave.

As he watched, listening to the enemy searching for him all the while, the spider layered strand after strand of web across the opening of the cave.

"Hah, he thought. "What I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humor."

As the enemy drew closer he watched from the darkness of his hideout and could see them searching one cave after another. As they came to his, he got ready to make his last stand. To his amazement, however, after glancing in the direction of his cave, they moved on. Suddenly, he realized that with the spider web over the entrance, his cave looked as if no one had entered for quite a while.

"Lord, forgive me," prayed the young man. "I had forgotten that in you a spider's web is stronger than a brick wall."

We all face times of great trouble. When we do, it is so easy to
forget what God can work in our lives, sometimes in the most
surprising ways. And remember with God, a mere spider's web becomes a brick wall of protection.

Lord, I thank you for all our
Military, and their families.
I Pray for your Brick wall of protection,
to protect them everyday!!!
Amen

God Did Make Little Green Apples - and Fujis Too :)

Thanks, Nate for submitting this photo of your very own Fuji apple tree.

Anyone have any good apple pie recipes to share?

Peace and blessings,

D.

Have Mercy On Me

(Today's submission from Marsha - thanks, Marsha)

You Should've Shown Mercy


"All the other servants saw what happened. They felt very

sorry for the man. So they went and told their master

everything that happened. Then the master called his servant

in and said, 'You evil servant. You owed me much money, but

you begged me to forgive your debt. So I told you that you

did not have to pay anything. So you should have given the

same mercy to that other man that is a servant with you. You

should have given him the same mercy that I gave you.'"

-- Matthew 18:31-33 (ERV)



KEY THOUGHT:

Mercy! More than an exclamation, it is the reason for exclamation!

Mercy, sweet mercy. It is the gift of freedom from our past, our failures, our wickedness. But it is a gift because in receiving it, we acknowledge to ourselves that we have received something we didn't deserve without the person giving it to us expecting us to grovel or be in their debt. Mercy! But more than just the reason for exclamation and joy, mercy is our gift to share. Mercy has not completed its redemptive work until it is passed on, until we see the joy of another being granted his or her freedom. Mercy is the currency of God's Kingdom.

Mercy is the music of God's family. Mercy is the basis of our hope.

Mercy is the gift of God we are to share with others.

The "Lion of the Left" is Gone - But Will Never Be Forgotten - RIP, Senator Ted Kennedy

Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy
February 22, 1932 – August 25, 2009

Although, we knew that Senator Kennedy was terminally ill, it was still a shock to me when I heard the words on the "Breaking News" last night that he has passed away.

Despite any flaws he may have had, he was a remarkable politician, a dedicated family man and wonderful human being.

It is not an exaggeration to say that it is the end of an era.

God Bless the entire Kennedy clan and his friends, family and those of us ordinary citizens who felt that we somehow had a personal connection with him.

Be blessed,

Dot

"Kept Woman" - Author Unknown

I Am a 'Kept ' Woman?
You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind,
But GOD kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3)
There were times when I thought I could go no longer,
But the LORD kept me moving. (Gen 28:15)
At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong,
But the LORD kept my mouth shut.. (Psa. 13)
Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough,
But GOD has helped me to keep the lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc.., (Matt. 6:25 -34)
When I thought I would fall, HE kept me up.
When I thought I was weak, HE kept me strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30)
I could go on and on and on, but I'm sure you hear me!
I'm blessed to be 'kept '
Do you know a 'kept ' woman?
If so pass it on to her to let her know she is 'Kept '
I'm "Kept" by the Love and Grace of God

Watch Your Mouth! Words can hurt. . .

Thanks, Marsha for today's submission.

Jesus called the people to him. Jesus said, "Listen and
understand what I am saying. It is not the things a person
puts in his mouth that make him wrong. It is the things a
person says with his mouth that make him wrong."

-- Matthew 15:10-11 (ERV)

I Thank God for Mama's Green Thumb

No one ever stops thinking about their mother - no matter how long it's been since she left.

It's been a year and a half now, but your "special touch" continues to blossom.

I felt so blessed this morning to step out into the yard and see this beautiful yellow gladiola starting to bloom.

Life will never be the same without her, but it's nice to know that even though she's gone, her deeds remain.



Make it a Glorious Sunday.

Peace and Blessings,

Dot

Rest In Peace, Michael Joseph Jackson

Gone, but never forgotten.

August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009[

Charlie's Angel Now With the Angels

Sending prayers and sympathy to the family and fans of the iconic Farah Fawcett. Ms. Fawcett passed away today in a Los Angeles hospital at the age of 62. Farah Fawcett had battled cancer. She put up a good fight and is now at peace.

Her face was so emblazoned in our minds that we felt that we knew her personally.

Rest In Peace.

I Feel "Berry" Blessed To Have Such Wonderful Family

My brother-in-law, Nate, got me this beautiful cake for my birthday. Never mind which birthday it was - that's not important. What is important, is that we realize how blessed we are when we have good family. He is the brother I never had and he's always there for me. If I haven't told you lately, I appreciate you!

He's not only smart and creative with an entrepreneurial spirit - he's also one of the nicest people on the planet. And he grows a mighty fine garden, too!

Thanks, Bro - you made my day!

Love,

Mocha Dot

Give and Give Freely

Giving doesn't have to mean giving of money or something tangible. It can be the gift of time, a kind word, your talents to a project. Whatever you give, give it freely and without regret.

In the words of Martin Luther:

"The heart of the giver makes the gift dear and precious."

Give someone something today that is truly free - a warm smile

The Secret (Anonymously Submitted)

The Secret


One day, one friend asked another,
"How is it that you are always so happy?
You have so much energy,
and you never seem to get down."

With her eyes smiling, she said,
"I know the Secret!"
"What secret is that?"
To which she replied,
"I'll tell you all about it,
but you have to promise to
share the Secret with others."

"The Secret is this:
I have learned there is little I can do
in my life that will make me truly happy.
I must depend on God to make
me happy and to meet my needs.
When a need arises in my life,
I have to trust God to supply
according to HIS riches.
I have learned most of the time
I don't need half of what I think I do.
He has never let me down.
Since I learned that 'Secret', I am happy."





The questioner's first thought was,
"That's too simple!"
But upon reflecting over his own life
he recalled how he thought a bigger house
would make him happy, but it didn't!
He thought a better paying job
would make him happy, but it hadn't.
When did he realize his greatest happiness?
Sitting on the floor with his grandchildren,
playing games, eating pizza or reading a story,
a simple gift from God.

Now you know it too!
We can't depend on people to make us happy.
Only GOD in His infinite wisdom can do that.
Trust HIM!
And now I pass the Secret on to you!
So once you get it, what will you do?


YOU have to tell someone the Secret, too!
That GOD in His wisdom will take care of YOU!
But it's not really a secret...
We just have to believe it and do it...
Really trust God!

To All My "Sister-Friends" (author unknown)

THIS SAYS IT ALL:
Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.

Jobs come and go. Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.

Hearts break. Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors. Careers end.

BUT....... Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how
many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away
than needing her can reach.

When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself,
the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on,
praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with
open arms at the valley's end.

Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in
and carry you out. Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Mother-in-Laws, Grandmothers, aunties,
nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life!

The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we
began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible
joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we
would need each other. Every day, we need each other still.

Love,

Dot

Turbulent Times (by Pastor Ray Dare)

What To Do In Turbulent Times

by Pastor Ray Dare
Everybody has difficulty in life. Trouble is a part of life. You will have difficulties. Few people faced the difficulties that Paul did in life. Yet he learned to grow through his problems. 2 Corinthians 6:4 says, "In everything we do we show that we are God's servants, by enduring troubles, hardships and difficulties with great patience." You show what kind of Christian you are by the way you respond to problems. If you cop out, complain, gripe and run from difficulty, you're not a very mature person either spiritually or emotionally. But if you learn from difficulty, you just keep growing and growing.

What do you do when you face difficulties in life? Romans 5:3-4 says, "We can rejoice when we run into problems and trials for we know ... they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time..." The result? God wants you to learn something. That's the whole purpose for the problems and difficulties you're facing. Every storm is a school. Every trial is a teacher. God wants to teach you through your troubles. Every difficulty is for your development.

Most of us are slow learners. Most of us have had to learn something more than once. If you don't learn something, God will bring it again in your life. It will come back. See, when you go through situations in life, those difficult times, what happens to you is not nearly as important as what happens in you.

You're going to be hurt many times in life because life is not fair. It just isn't. People are going to disappoint you. You will have problems, difficulties and hurts that will make you bitter or better. You will either grow up or give up. You'll either become what God wants you to be or you will shrivel and your heart will become cold and hard. It's your choice.

Some of you are facing some major problems right now and you're getting discouraged. Everything seems to be going wrong. The bad things seem to be outweighing the good things in your life right now. God wants to say to you, "Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10 (Living)

Psalms 4:1 says, "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness, you have enlarged me when I was in distress..." I want to call your attention to that phrase: "you have enlarged me when I was in distress." In your difficult times, in the storms of life, when things aren't going good, that's when God enlarges you. He can enlarge your vision, and He can enlarge your confidence, your strength and your commitment to Him.

Turbulent times are no time to blame God, whine, cry, say, "Why me, God?" and get bitter. It's no time for that. It's time to get better. It's time to be more devoted to God; to turn your attention toward God. Many times the struggle is what gives us strength. In your struggle, in your difficulty, don't run away from God. Use your adversity as a stepping stone to get you closer into God. Realize that God is taking you to a whole new level in your Christian walk; to a whole new area in your ministry. Turn your attention toward God.



Pastor Ray