"God Created..."/2-day respite

***I will be offline for 2 days beginning Wed. and returning online on Friday***

For those who believe in evolution and deny the existence of God, please explain this:



and this???




and what's your explanation for this:


Let me see if I can explain it to you...."In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth..." Gen. 1:1



"The God said, 'Let the land produce vegetaion: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds'"Gen. 1: 11













"And God said: '...and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky.'" Gen. 1: 20




No further explanation needed for me, thank-you!

NOTE: Yes, these photos were taken by me at my mother's home and the home of Mrs. Mel, the lady I help care for!

I'm grateful to God for creating birds, flowers, trees, water, animals, fish...everything that has life and breath for our enjoyment! Oh, how He loves you and me!

"Good" Grief

Grief is a complex experience. It presents itself differently to people. It comes in various stages, and it is not always predictable. While most people think of grief as experienced only during and following the death of a loved one, it can actually begin at diagnosis of a terminal illness. Kubler-Ross defined the stages of grief as:

1. Denial (this isn't happening to me!..or him/her/you)
2. Anger (why is this happening to me?...or him/her/you)
3. Bargaining (I promise I'll be a better person if...)
4. Depression (I don't care anymore)
5. Acceptance (I'm ready for whatever comes)

It becomes complex within the family unit or within a circle of close friends, as individuals will process through these stages at different rates of speed.

The reason for this post is because, in watching "Today" this morning, the topic of how to talk to people who have a terminal illness was being addressed. Several "patients" were interviewed, and shared their own needs relating to peoples attention and love. It reminded me of how many people I know that are very uncomfortable with the death and grief process. Perhaps they are afraid of saying too much...or not saying enough. Perhaps they fear their own emotions; or even feel they will become a burden to the one who is sick/dying; some are so deep in their own grief that they simply isolate themselves from the loved one in order to deal with their own stuff.

Grief is not something anyone looks forward to; I doubt many people claim they are actually "comfortable" with the grief process. However, there are those who have experienced grief enough times to understand the necessity of it and the blessed experience it can be. Let me offer an example:

A couple of years ago, my dear friend, Melissa, was diagnosed with lung cancer that had already metastasized to her liver, bone and brain. All of this from a persistent cough that was initially diagnosed as "allergies", and treated as such. In her early 40's, married and with a son, Melissa was stunned, as were those of us close to her! It took Melissa and her family a little bit to gather information, process it, and determine which treatment option to try. Very quickly, however, Melissa became very proactive in her own treatment, spending countless hours researching the Internet, visiting different doctors (including some holistic health care providers), looking into trial studies going on, etc. Meanwhile, one close friend was having extreme difficulty knowing what to say, what not to say, when to say it, when not to speak, whether it's OK to cry in her presence, etc. She called me almost in panic, asking me what to do and how she should handle it all. After she shared her heart and fears with me, I simply encouraged her to remember that Melissa was still Melissa ~ her physical body is struggling~ but she is still Melissa! I encouraged her to not worry about it at all; rather, to take her cues from Melissa. I suggested that when they were together, if Melissa brought her illness up, to listen to her, ask questions if she had any herself, to pray with her, to laugh with her or cry with her...whatever Melissa was doing, follow those cues. Likewise, I recommended that if Melissa did not mention it, that she, also, should not bring it up. I assured her she would know what, when, how, and IF the cancer needed to be a topic of discussion. Then I said something like this: "The worst thing you can do is to isolate yourself from her! She needs you around, to spend time with her, to love on her, to do life with her, and, in time, to go through death with her."

Repeatedly this morning on the show one person after another re-iterated the same sentiment: Don't isolate them or yourself; it's better to say something and it be the wrong thing than to say nothing at all; spend time with them, as they want to be around people. Obviously, there are exceptions to this~ there truly are some people who don't want friends and family to be around, albeit close family perhaps. The illness itself, especially in advanced stages, may be difficult enough for them to deal with. It can sometimes be more of a burden than a help to have other folks around. Again, that should easily be determined by taking cues from family members and/or the person himself/herself.

Melissa went through a long, slow, horrible death. Many times I questioned the Lord, asking Him why she had to endure this, and why He would not just go ahead and take her home. He is sovereign; He had a plan and purpose in Melissa's life AND in her death. In her latter days, when different ones of us went over to the house, we would lie in bed with her, tell her what all was going on in our lives (this was when she was almost too weak to say anything herself); we would talk about church, or we just lay in the bed with her, listening to the praise and worship music playing quietly in the background. Of course, I would sing along with it, just because I can't hear music that I know and not sing. I held her hand from time to time; I sometimes shared a fun or funny memory with her; sometimes I even talked about her dancing before the King of Kings. Melissa was a Bible study teacher and strong believer. Though she wasn't ready to die, she was prepared to die. Talking about Heaven did not make her sad or bother her!

Melissa passed away one evening about 11:00 surrounded by many loved ones, her husband, and her son. She simply drifted away, after a year-long battle with lots of treatments, visits to M D Anderson in Texas, holistic treatments and eating, and other forms of therapy. Her body was tired; she was ready to meet her Lord. Melissa passed from this life, surrounded by people she loved and who loved her, into the arms of the Savior and the angels of Heaven rejoicing and welcoming her HOME!

In her life and in her death, Melissa taught us all much about living and about dying. Hearing folks on TV speak this morning, I was reminded again that, by and large, people need people! The "C" word is not always a death sentence; yet, even when it is, the people with this disease, Cancer, are still the people they were pre-cancer! PLEASE don't allow your discomfort isolate you from that precious one. If ever the person needs your love, your friendship, your presence, it is when they learn a frightening diagnosis and begin the process that will allow their life to be extended or as they prepare to leave this earthly life for the next life. If you are not sure that he/she is a Christian, please seek counsel on how to witness to him/her...or who could best do that. And love him/her like you've always loved, and more!

I'm grateful that, in every experience of life, there are lessons to be learned. I'm grateful that the Lord can teach us through the death process, and we can depend on Him to teach us how to lead others through the death experience!

Happy 4th birthday, my precious angel girl!

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you." Ps. 139: 13-18

Carleigh turned 4-years old yesterday....

and had a big party last night at none other than...

CHUCK E CHEESE!!!!

"I'm 4!" Carleigh and Daddy (Mike)

Princess cake!

"Wonder what it is? "

"I just knew I'd get it!"

McKinley (cousin)

"Lolli, you just wait 'til I get a hold of your hair with this system! Hannah Montana and me!"

"Oh my goodness! Just what I asked for! How did you know I wanted this?"

"Pop! Smile! It's mybirthday!"

Yours truly! "How much more noise can I take?"

"There are no words to describe how much I love this little doll! She fascinates me, she teaches me, she entertains me, and brings me so much joy and happiness!"

Macie's hungry, so she just eats her toes! And bites Chuck E's nose! Or is that a kiss?

"Got prunes! Wanna share some?" "Don't I look good in everything I eat?"

"What can I say? I'm a girlie girl!"

Carleigh sees her trampoline Lolli & Pop gave her!

Mimi (great-grandmother) just gave Carleigh a $100 bill!

Uncle Benj, cousins Lanier & Grayson, & friend, Jennifer!

Silly Lanier and Uncle Benjamin! My Aunt Didi says their "hot" and it makes Uncle Benj so mad! He plugs his ears and sings real loudly "lla lalala la...lalala" until she stops!

"Thank-you, Lolli and Pop, for my trampoline! Yes, Daddy's going to put the net up...he just did not have time yesterday before my party!"


"I love my friends and family, including my cousins...here are Gregory & Grayson;

above is cousin McKinely and neighbors and friends, twins Jennifer & Barbara!"

Be blessed today with the reading below; then please watch the first video clip "White Man" ~(disclaimer: I have not viewed the other 2 videos on this playlist but had to include them all).

I AM A PART OF THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED. THE DIE HAS BEEN CAST.

I HAVE STEPPED OVER THE LINE. THE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE.

I’M A DISCIPLE OF HIS AND I WON’T LOOK BACK, LET UP, SLOW DOWN, BACK AWAY, OR BE STILL.
MY PAST IS REDEEMED. MY PRESENT MAKES SENSE.

MY FUTURE IS SECURE. I’M DONE AND FINISHED WITH LOW LIVING, SIGHT WALKING, SMALL PLANNING, SMOOTH KNEES, COLORLESS DREAMS, TAMED VISIONS,MUNDANE TALKING, CHEAP LIVING, AND DWARFED
GOALS.

I NO LONGER NEED PREEMINENCE,PROSPERITY, POSITION, PROMOTIONS, PLAUDITS, OR POPULARITY.

I DON’T HAVE TO BE RIGHT, OR FIRST, OR TOPS, OR RECOGNIZED, OR PRAISED, OR REWARDED.

I LIVE BY FAITH, LEAN ON HIS PRESENCE, WALK BY PATIENCE, LIFT BY PRAYER, AND LABOR BY HOLY SPIRIT POWER.

MY FACE IS SET. MY GAIT IS FAST.

MY GOAL IS HEAVEN. MY ROAD MAY BE NARROW, MY WAY ROUGH, MY COMPANIONS FEW, BUT MY GUIDE IS RELIABLE AND MY MISSION IS CLEAR.

I WILL NOT BE BOUGHT, COMPROMISED, DETOURED, LURED AWAY, TURNED BACK, DELUDED OR DELAYED.

I WILL NOT FLINCH IN THE FACE OF SACRIFICE OR HESITATE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ADVERSARY.

I WILL NOT NEGOTIATE AT THE TABLE OF THE ENEMY, PONDER AT THE POOL OF POPULARITY, OR MEANDER IN THE MAZE OF MEDIOCRITY.

I WON’T GIVE UP, SHUT UP, OR LET UP UNTIL I HAVE STAYED UP, STORED UP, PRAYED UP, PAID UP, AND PREACHED UP FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST.

I AM A DISCIPLE OF JESUS.

I MUST GIVE UNTIL I DROP, PREACH UNTIL ALL KNOW, AND WORK UNTIL HE COMES.

AND WHEN HE DOES COME FOR HIS OWN, HE’LL HAVE NO PROBLEMS RECOGNIZING ME - MY
BANNER WILL BE CLEAR!

Music! "Bless her heart!" and John Denver!

Today is our "Wednesday's Walk"...memory sharing...please join us any time by clicking on the link on the side bar! And, thanks, Lynnette, for bringing us together with this platform!







I remember as a young adult loving John Denver’s music. He performed in Nashville years ago, and I was blessed to be able to attend. I guess it was his style ~ ballad type songs, clear voice, gentle singing ~ and I miss him! Another life cut short! Tonight, on PBS, they have been featuring his music. As I listened to and pondered the lyrics of “Annies Song”, I found myself offering the words to the Lord. Take a look at the words:


You fill up my senses
Like a night in a forest
Like the mountains in springtime
Like a walk in the rain
Like a storm in the desert
Like a sleepy blue ocean
You fill up my senses
Come fill me again

Come let me love you
Let me give my life to you
Let me drown in your laughter
Let me die in your arms
Let me lay down beside you
Let me always be with you
Come let me love you
Come love me again

(Let me give my life to you)
(Come let me love you)
(Come love me again)

You fill up my senses
Like a night in a forest
Like the mountains in springtime
Like a walk in the rain
Like a storm in the desert
Like a sleepy blue ocean
You fill up my senses
Come fill me again

Music has played a major role in my life from childhood. My Mom tells me that, as a very young toddler, I climbed up on the piano bench and sat for extended periods of time, beating on the keys with both hands! Can you just imagine the nerve-wracking dissonance I was literally beating on the keys!?!?!?!? Bless my mom’s heart! Speaking of blessing her heart: we had a pastor that often said that, in the South, we can get away with saying most anything about anyone, and no matter how insulting it is, as long as we follow by saying, ‘Bless her heart”, or preface our comments with “Bless his heart” all is fine. For example: “Oh, Suzy Q, you got your hair dyed, bless your heart!” Translation: “Your hair looks like crapola!”…OR… “Well, Junior, I would not have recognized you. You’ve grown since last I saw you, bless your heart!” Translation: “Man, you’re fat!”

I digress…..as I got older, I would add gobbly-goop words with the piano dissonance, which I’m confident made it ever so much more palatable to anyone within hearing distance! Here I was ~ a Beethoven in the making! Even when I wasn’t banging on the ivories, I made up songs to go along with just about everything occurring at the time. Some were more “sing-song” types. Here’s an example: when my Daddy would go to the bathroom for his “morning’s morning” (as my Mom called it! What in the heck is that? Still have no idea where that came from!), he locked the door! SMART MAN! I went every morning to the door, knocked on it and said, “Knock, knock!”
Daddy: “Who’s there?”

Me: “Me!”

Daddy: “Me who?”

Me: “Nennie Sevage!” (she was my imaginary friend that went with me everywhere!)

Daddy: “Come in!”

Me: “NO!”

Daddy: “Why?”

Me: “Cuz!”

The End

It happened day after day after day and only in the morning—you know, while he was doing his “morning’s morning!” Go figure!

My parents finally decided I was ready for piano lessons. HA! That was probably more for their sanity than for developing my potential talent! I took lessons for many years from Mrs. Doster and I loved it. She quickly discovered that I had the gift of “sight reading”, so playing the printed music was no problem for me. She took me as far as she felt she could; then recommended my parents enroll me in Blair School of Music. Now, that’s serious stuff right there, let me tell ya’….no messin’ around! Practice at least an hour daily; memorize all sorts of classics; and perform for “juries!” When I took the entrance exam, guess what! After 8 years with Mrs. Doster, I failed the portion of the exam that dealt with music theory. They asked me all sorts of questions, required I play certain scales, etc., and I had absolutely no idea what they were talking about! They questioned 8 years of lessons and complete ignorance of basic theory! They reluctantly accepted me; however, I ended up taking Music Theory 1 twice, and barely passed! One of my teachers at Blair smacked my fingers with a ruler each time I made a mistake. Another one smoked during my lesson! Absolutely incredible concert pianists, but a weird breed, I tell you!

After several years at Blair, I made the decision to stop taking lessons. I am very thankful, however, that my parents afforded me the opportunity and pushed me to continue for many years of lessons, daily practice, recitals and juries. I served as church pianist at my home church for about 10 years; I taught piano lessons in my home to supplement our income; and, the day I received my M.Ed. degree from Belmont university, I returned home to find a brand new Baby Grand piano in my living room ~ a gift from my parents.

I rarely play~ life gets in the way! My piano needs to be tuned, bless it’s heart! HA! Playing is s therapeutic for me, however, and brings me great pleasure, even though I am a bit rusty!

Music still is the way I am most often blessed! I love praise and worship music; I was brought up on the old hymns, and can never get enough of those; I like some country; I devour the “oldies” (60s and 70s)…and, yes, I love John Denver! Oh my, now he just started singing “Leavin’ on a Jet Plane’….left he did, never to return that last time! What a shame; yet what a forever blessing he has left us!

I leave you with the words to another John Denver song called “Rhymes and Reasons”, praying you will be blessed this day!

So you speak to me of sadness
And the coming of the winter
Fear that is within you now
It seems to never end
And the dreams that have escaped you
And the hope that you've forgotten
You tell me that you need me now
You want to be my friend

And you wonder where we're going
Where's the rhyme and where's the reason
And it's you cannot accept
It is here we must begin
To seek the wisdom of the children
And the graceful way of flowers in the wind

For the children and the flowers
Are my sisters and my brothers
Their laughter and their loveliness
Could clear a cloudy day

Like the music of the mountains
And the colours of the rainbow
They're a promise of the future
And a blessing for today
Though the cities start to crumble
And the towers fall around us
The sun is slowly fading
And it's colder than the sea

It is written from the desert
To the mountains they shall lead us
By the hand and by the heart
They will comfort you and me
In their innocence and trusting
They will teach us to be free

For the children and the flowers
Are my sisters and my brothers
Their laughter and their loveliness
Could clear a cloudy day

And the song that I am singing
Is a prayer to non believers
Come and stand beside us
We can find a better way



I am grateful for gifted songwriters and musicians who bless our lives with their music!

A life well-lived!

This past Saturday I lost a friend, Dr. Edward Sisk. Eddie, age 51, had come in from jogging, stated he did not feel well and needed to be taken to the hospital. His female friend needed to put clothes on, rather than wear pajamas; he told her he could not wait, so he jumped into his jeep and drove himself to the hospital. He walked in, told them what was going on, they quickly put him on a guerney, and he died immediately - massive heart attack. Eddie's practice was in a small town, Pulaski, in Giles Co., Tennessee. I met him through our watercolor classes that we took together under gail McDaniel. Eddie, a quiet, humble man, drove an hour and a half or so to class each week,always amazing us with his unbelievable drawing talents AND his loose, wet painting style! Truly, Eddie could apply paint and water to paper, let it flow, use a brush just a bit, and complete a masterpiece! Eddie being who he was, he never saw the worth and value in his art. He never recognized the pure talent he had~ the rest of us saw it and marveled at it. Eddie also drove down once a week for a private watercolor lesson with gail; driving that far twice a week for lessons shows the dedication to medium and the desire to learn and grow in his talent. Unfortunately, his life has been cut way short...now we are left with memories...wonderful memories...sweet memories...and we are trying to rejoice that Eddie now has discovered a new art medium: dancing before the throne of God! Oh, how we will miss him! Yet, we are all blessed beyond measure having known him, and we are better people because of it! Please pray for Eddies family, as they begin a new "normal" in their lives.

Blessings on your day and week!



I'm grateful for life, and I recognize the fraility of it! I'm so blessed to have my family alive and in good health!

Garage sale or Garage ?!#*!?

Haven't blogged in a few days! Wanna know why? I've been in garage sale H!?@?#?!(see below)! End result: sold about $600+ towards our mission trip and at least 1 1/2times that much taken to Goodwill!













And you? What did your weekend look like?
I'm so full of gratitude that the Lord allowed our weekend to be bright, sunny, and H.O.T. for our garage sale! Not a cloud in the sky!