Let Your Light Shine

No Posts For Awhile

2012-02-17T22:43:00.000-08:00

I am in between computers at the moment. My computer tech was supposed to come Wednesday and finish the changeover, but he is sick with the flu and a 104 temperature. My old computer has started to crash, and all my pictures are still in it and have not been transferred, plus several problems need worked out with the new one. So without pictures, I will not be able to post till they have been switched over. This means I will probably not be posting for about a week, or till our computer guy is better and not contagious. I will still be visiting, though. But today I am taking off to go be with a very sick friend. See you on Sunday!

Morgans

2012-02-16T21:13:00.000-08:00

Aren't these cool looking cars?? Notice that the first five car pictures are of a three wheeled car! Meet The Morgans, all made in England. One day we happened to be in town when the Morgan Car Convention was visiting, so we stopped by and I took some pictures. The Morgan Motor Company was founded in 1909 and has been run by Morgan family members ever since. The cars cost between $44,000 and $300,000, and the wait for one is at least a year. This is because each one is made by hand. They make about 600 a year, and they only have about 163 employees. Oh, and one other thing. The shell is metal, but most of the rest of the car is all made from wood! There were wooden vehicles in bible times, too.

“So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out.”

Genesis 6:14

“King Solomon made for himself the carriage; he made it of wood from Lebanon.”

Song Of Solomon 3:9

Fields Of Gold

2012-02-15T20:07:00.000-08:00

Many years have passed since those summer days
Among the fields of barley
See the children run as the sun goes down
Among the fields of gold
You'll remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
You can tell the sun in his jealous sky
When we walked in the fields of gold

From "Fields Of Gold" by Gordon Sumner

Last summer all the fields around here were decorated in gold. It reminded me of one of my favorite songs by Sting, "Fields Of Gold". I'm not positive, but I think this is wild mustard, or field mustard. It's nice to walk in fields of gold, it makes me warm just thinking about it.

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
Matthew 13:31,32

Hot Stuff

2012-02-14T20:52:00.000-08:00

These are pictures of my old pink computer and my new black Toshiba. Out with the old and in with the new! Why? One day my computer froze up, so the computer guy came and got it. Upon returning it, he told me that he put it on his end table, which has a top that is at least a half inch of solid wood. The computer got so hot that the heat came all the way through the wood. This man has almost a thousand costumers, and he has never seen a computer run this hot. This was of great interest to me because I had recently started having awful hot flashes lately, making it necessary to unzip my robe and eat a pint of mint chip ice-cream every evening in an attempt to cool down. So I was glad to hear the culprit was my computer and not my health. On the other hand, I now have no legitimate excuse to scarf down a pint of low fat ice-cream every night. If you can think of any excuse just as good, please let me know! I'm still keeping some space in the freezer.

“Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.”

James 1

LOVE

2012-02-13T22:09:00.001-08:00

"I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon." ~Author Unknown

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone! As you can see here, Phil and I are literally in LOVE!! The third picture is our son and daughter-in-law. And see little Anne Marie's head in the V? It was a bitterly cold and very windy day when us womenfolk made our husbands go out and stand behind this sign. The wind was literally blowing things over. Phil and I wore hats because the wind was blowing our hair straight up! Then upon returning to the warm house, all flushed and breathless...I grabbed Phil's hand...and...wrote all over his finger with a marker!! And he never said a WORD!!! In my book, this is true love.

“Seize life! Eat bread with gusto, Drink wine with a robust heart. Oh yes—God takes pleasure in your pleasure! Dress festively every morning. Don't skimp on colors and scarves. Relish life with the spouse you love each and every day of your precarious life. Each day is God's gift.”

Ecc. 9

“Sing your hearts out to God! Thank him to his face! He gets angry once in a while, but across a lifetime there is only love.”

Psalm 30

I've missed you all and am catching up. For those of you who wanted to know what kind of computer I got, it is a Toshiba Portege R835. A very lightweight laptop. But I am still using my old computer, because the computer man has to come back Wednesday to fix several changeover issues.

Computer Switchover

2012-02-08T20:38:00.000-08:00

Two days ago, we were driving on the interstate at dusk, when the moon came up over the mountains. It was a beautiful sight, you can see here the layers of blue beneath the moon, also the line of cars. It was one day before the full moon, which is called the Snow Moon or Hunger Moon this month. I have been having problems with my computer, and am getting a new one delivered tomorrow. So I will be taking a very long weekend break while I learn the new computer and also the new operating system, and get everything switched over. I will not be posting or visiting till possibly Tuesday. I will miss you all and hope to see you soon!!!!

"Blessed by God be his land: The best fresh dew from high heaven, and fountains springing from the depths; The best radiance streaming from the sun and the best the moon has to offer; Beauty pouring off the tops of the mountains and the best from the everlasting hills; The best of Earth's exuberant gifts, the smile of the Burning-Bush Dweller.”

Deuteronomy 33

When We Went Knocking

2012-02-07T21:55:00.000-08:00

Recently, Phil and I were driving along Route 11, and I spotted something interesting in the front yard of a little house. We turned the car around and went back. It was this rooster, with a wind vane for a tail. I was quite enchanted and thought it was fun and hilarious. Phil went up to their front door and knocked, to ask where they got it. We are not shy about knocking on doors for any reason, to ask what kind of flowers they are growing, what shade of paint their house is, where they got their bird feeders....you get the idea. When our son was a teenager, we absolutely mortified him when we did this, and he would slink down on the floor of the car, hoping no one would see him!! Anyway, the lady at the door said her husband got this rooster at a yard sale and she hated it! She called her husband and asked him if she could sell it to us. Ten dollars and a few minutes later, we drove away with Roscoe in the back seat! All from knocking.

"Here's what I'm saying:
   Ask and you'll get;
   Seek and you'll find;
   Knock and the door will open.
"Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in."
Luke 11

Knocking

2012-02-06T19:58:00.000-08:00

Not too long ago, we happened to pass this scene. I sure hope someone lets him in! For my next post, I will tell you what we got when we went knocking!

"Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you.

Rev. 3

Pierced

2012-02-04T18:56:00.000-08:00

While shopping in a nearby city this week, I took these pictures of a sculpture on a busy highway median. The name of it is "Shugoweh 1". I don't know what that means, but I know what it reminds me of.

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

Isaiah 53:5

Spotless

2012-02-03T20:09:00.000-08:00

Meet the new chair we just bought for our office room, I love it! You can see what a tight space we have here, we needed a smaller chair with no arms. We got it at one of my favorite stores, Pier 1. On the way out the door, I spotted it. But it was the teensiest bit pricey. Then I SAW it - the STAIN!! There was a fairly large spot right on the seat. This made me very happy, because I could bargain for money off. And really the stain is hard to see unless you know it's there. Can you see it? Would you have seen it if I hadn't told you? I ended up getting a hefty discount, and we took the chair with us. I don't think I will even try to clean it. Imagine my surprise when I went visiting my friend Shug's blog, My Steps Of Faith today, and SHE was posting about looking for the same kind of chair at Pier 1! She even was showing pictures so we could help her choose! I can't wait to see which chair she gets, and hopefully it will be spotless.

“…knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appearedin these last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”

1 Peter 1

Seeing Is Believing

2012-02-02T21:20:00.000-08:00

I have really bad eyes. I have to take someone with me to pick out frames, because I can't see how I look in my choices. If I take my glasses off, I have to be sure where I put them, because I can't find them on my own. I WOULD be able to find these glasses anywhere, though! It's good to know there are some things that don't have to be seen to be believed. Here are some shots of things at the optician's offices.

"Then he focused his attention on Thomas. "Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don't be unbelieving. Believe."
Thomas said, "My Master! My God!"
Jesus said, "So, you believe because you've seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing."

John 20

Front Porch Gossip

2012-02-01T21:56:00.000-08:00

Are you ready to sit for a spell on the porch and gossip? I know I am! But what shall we gossip about? How about these very porches that we are sitting on today? I could not believe my header picture when I first saw it, a full size pink piano on someone's front porch! And that's just the start of things. People around here really like to put...well...unusual things on their porches. I didn't even have to hunt to find these photos. You'll see in one photo, they have their breakfast trays out complete with coffee percolator and juicer! I guess they make their breaakfast on the porch. Around here, it runs the gamut from cute to complete chaos! Oh, and before I go, let's not mention to my neighbors that I was gossiping about them, it is so unbecoming!

“The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble; the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.”

Proverbs 12:13

Unchanged

2012-01-31T20:30:00.000-08:00

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.”

Luke 12:4

I read in the paper that the body of Kim Jong Il is going to be permanently preserved and enshrined in the Memorial Palace (I shot this picture from the paper, my header is a sunset I snapped awhile ago). This is not as unusual as it may seem. Ho Chi Minh has been on display for over 30 years. Also Evita Peron, though people don't talk about it. She is thought to be the best preserved mummy in the world. I won't give the details, but it has to do with bodily fluids and wax. When Lenin died, citizens begged the government to find a way to preserve him. He has been on view since 1924. If you're thinking of visiting, the hours are between one and four P.M. These famous people are long gone from their bodies, but I suppose it is comforting in a way for people to be able to still see them, unchanged. What do YOU think? The bible tells us that we will be changed, though.

^"Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.”

1 Corinthians 15

A Little Luck

2012-01-30T21:16:00.000-08:00

Today's post comes straight from our weekend newspaper. Meet Tony Williams, I snapped his photos from our local paper. Tony needs a heart transplant, and is wearing a backpack to power his heart while he waits. You might say he needs a little luck. And last Wednesday, that is exactly what he found. Right in his own front yard! See the extremely rare nine leaf clover. Very, very rare. Williams is keeping it in a cup of water for now, but is willing to donate it to a museum for kids and others to see. He enjoys hunting for four leaf clovers with his daughter. I hope he gets his heart, a little luck couldn't hurt.

“But God's not finished. He's waiting around to be gracious to you. He's gathering strength to show mercy to you. God takes the time to do everything right—everything. Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.”
Isaiah 30:18

White As Snow

2012-01-29T21:01:00.000-08:00

Peonies from last summer. I had a blast photographing these!

"Come. Sit down. Let's argue this out." This is God's Message: "If your sins are blood-red, they'll be snow-white. If they're red like crimson, they'll be like wool. If you'll willingly obey, you'll feast like kings..." That's right. God says so.”

Isaiah 1:18

Gracie Owns Me

2012-01-28T22:11:00.000-08:00

On Friday, we had the wonderful pleasure to be able to meet two blog friends who I have never met before! It is always so exciting to meet followers for the first time! Meet Gary and Bobbi, from the blog Gracie Owns Me. They were passing through town, and we met to have lunch at a local restaurant. It was like we were always friends. These two wonderful people are warm, thoughtful, and fun to be with! And both have a great sense of humor!! Bobbi's blog is about her daily life, told first from her point of view, then from her little dog Gracie's point of view. And very often Gracie's viewpoint of things does not agree with her mistress! I will admit that Gracie DID own me from the first time I ever read ~~her~~ Bobbi's blog. If you are so inclined, stop over and say hi to her from Ginny. You will always get a good laugh or learn something interesting.

"Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul".

Proverbs 27:9

The Ones Who Worry

2012-01-26T21:37:00.000-08:00

Take a close look at these dolls. Are they sleeping, maybe in pain? No, they are worrying! Meet the Guatemalan Worry Dolls, also called Trouble Dolls. I found these in a store yesterday and was interested in them. They are very small, about three inches high, and hand sewn by the people who live in the highlands of Guatemala. According to folklore, you tell each doll a worry in bed, then put it under your pillow. The doll will worry for you, leaving you free to sleep. Sometimes these dolls are used as therapy for children. This is a very old custom, and some families involve the children in making their own dolls. Little dolls taking your worries away...but I think this is a better way.

“Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”

Philippians 4:6

I will be taking a blog break here on Friday, see you later on the weekend.

The Next Move

2012-01-25T22:30:00.000-08:00

Phil teaches chess at a local elementary school as an after school extra curricular activity. He says learning chess teaches kids logical thinking, concentration, and patience. And I enjoy fixing up the kids little goody bags at different holidays. They have a tournament at the end of the year, too. As one of his students put it "With video games, there is not really a strategy except how fast you can move your thumb." Today Phil and his chess class were featured on the front page headlines of our local newspaper! They had come to his class last week to make videos, interview him, and take pictures. Now they want him to teach at two other schools. Here are some of the pictures from the paper today.

"Do you have any idea how powerful God is? Have you ever heard of a teacher like him? Has anyone ever had to tell him what to do, or correct him, saying, 'You did that all wrong!'? Remember, then, to praise his workmanship, which is so often celebrated in song. Everybody sees it; nobody is too far away to see it."

Job 36:22

“When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this. It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying—quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard.”

Matthew 7:28

The Mystery Toaster

2012-01-24T20:28:00.000-08:00

O.K. I know, this is at least my third post about Edgar Allan Poe, I need to stop. But a new bit of news has surfaced, even though he has been dead for over 150 years. You see, every year since the 1930's, there has been a mysterious visitor to his grave. The person comes in the early hours of Poe's birthday, every year. He is always dressed in black, with a wide brimmed hat, and carries a silver tipped cane. He brings an unfinished bottle of cognac, which he pours in a glass and raises in a toast. Then he leaves the bottle and three roses on the grave and disappears into the night shadows, as mysteriously as he came. Sometimes he would leave mysterious notes. A note was left that he had died in 1998 and passed on the duty to a son. Unsuccessful attempts have been made to stop and identify him, never working. Each year for at least the last thirty years, dedicated Poe fans keep an all night vigil at the grave. The Toaster, as he is known, did not show in 2010, nor last year. This was the final year for the vigil, and again he didn't show. So it looks like the end of a very touching yearly tribute. It's been a ritual the fans will miss, filled with almost as much mystery as the master of the macabre was. And I somehow think Poe would find that very fitting.

“And regarding the question, friends, that has come up about what happens to those already dead and buried, we don't want you in the dark any longer. First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13

The Dragon

2012-01-23T20:29:00.000-08:00

Today is the first day of Chinese New Year, and this is the year of the Dragon! Since our granddaughter us from China, our family usually has a party to remind her of her heritage. This year's party is this weekend, but here are a few pictures from ones a year or two ago. The second picture is a dragon cake we ate one year!! Dragons are deeply identified with Chinese culture. To them, the dragon was a god, having power to make rain, control floods, and do most anything. In ancient China, no one doubted their existence. People showed great respect for dragons and they became the symbol of their nation. A dragon is made up of many animals, so is superior to all of them. People born in the year of the dragon are considered highly blessed, as the dragons represent optimism and hope. Can you think of two animals that we call dragons in modern times? They are the Komodo Dragon, and the Frilled Dragon! What a wild and wonderful world it is!!

“What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations. Oh, look—the deep, wide sea, brimming with fish past counting, sardines and sharks and salmon. Ships plow those waters, and Leviathan, your pet dragon, romps in them. All the creatures look expectantly to you to give them their meals on time. You come, and they gather around; you open your hand and they eat from it.”

Psalm 104:24

Spellbound

2012-01-19T20:32:00.000-08:00

"Don't cry when the sun is gone, because the tears won't let you see the stars." ~ Violeta Parra

Come sit a spell with me (and you will be spellbound) and we'll watch the sunset together. The sight was a black and orange beauty. And although it looks like a Halloween sunset, I snapped it on July 1st of last year.

“Joseph: "Blessed by God be his land: The best fresh dew from high heaven, and fountains springing from the depths; The best radiance streaming from the sun and the best the moon has to offer; Beauty pouring off the tops of the mountains and the best from the everlasting hills; The best of Earth's exuberant gifts, the smile of the Burning-Bush Dweller.”

Deuteronomy 33:13

Ladybug Ladybug, Fly Away Home

2012-01-18T19:54:00.000-08:00

Ladybug ladybug fly away home,
Your house in on fire and your children are gone,
All except one and that's little Ann,
For she crept under the frying pan.

I have quite a few ladybugs in my life. I found this ladybug on a sunflower petal, isn't she beautiful? And my one special ladybug is our granddaughter Anne Marie. Anne is from China. And the little Chinese girls who are adopted and brought to America are called "Little Ladybugs". The name is taken from the old nursery rhyme above. In fact, the population of the real bugs is declining in America, and scientists don't know why. Ladybugs are considered good luck in many cultures. And they are very good luck for farmers, because one ladybug will eat up to 5,000 bad insects a year. European farmers gave the ladybug it's name. When pests ate their crops, they prayed to the Virgin Mary. Ladybugs then came and ate all the invaders, so the farmers named them "Beetle Of Our Lady". It was a good thing.

“God spoke: "Earth, generate life! Every sort and kind: cattle and reptiles and wild animals—all kinds." And there it was: wild animals of every kind, Cattle of all kinds, every sort of reptile and bug. God saw that it was good.”

Genesis 1:24