God's Word for Today

Friday, July 31, 2009

Update on Katie

Y’all go over to Skoots1mom and check out the video she posted about her Great Niece Katie.

Just yesterday I was looking at pictures of her sedated and struggling with a very serious post operative infection. Today she is sitting up in bed coloring and giggling with her mom and grandma.

Last night in my accountability groups we talked about Yahweh Rophe – The Lord Who Heals. (we are working on the book “Praying the Names of God”) I find it no coincidence that as we have been praying over this precious little one and sking God to heal her, we would also find ourselves pondering on how great God is to heal the broken and the sick.

Praise Jesus!

Please continue to intercede on behalf of this miracle child that her road to recovery will continue to improve and that there will be no more complications.

 

Blessings

Robin

Campmeeting 2009 – Part Two “ I Saved the Best for Last”

According to our church historian we just experience our 178th Campmeeting!

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I have only been participating since 1993 (that’s 16 years for the math challenged as I tallied it up on my fingers) there are some that have been coming to campmeeting their entre life.

Praise Jesus, my DD does not know a life without Campmeeting in it.

For the past 16 years we have spent the third week in July in the center cabin directly behind the arbor. 

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In my previous post I gave y’all a glimpse into the nightly fair, the abundant covered dish supers that fill our earthly bodies.

Although the food is fabulous, it is by far not the most important thing about Campmeeting.

I have save the best for last!

The experience of stepping under the arbor, the feel of the sawdust under my feet, the fellowship with old friends, the worship, the music, the preaching, the alter calls, the prayer times, well it is simply beyond my ability to describe adequately in written form.

The flavor of Campmeeting is so specific. As you set your foot upon the Holy Ground, it feels as if you have been transported back to a simpler time.

A time where things like cell phones and blackberries did not exist.

The theme for this years Campmeeting was “Coming Home”, Skoots1mom is a much better note taker than I am, she actually takes note during the sermons.

I allow the experience to flow over me and the tone and flavor of each sermon will from time to time resurface.

The years of sermons are stored in the recesses of my mind.

I am sure in the days to come we may all get to read a post with all her wonderful insights on the various sermons during campmeeting.

As I mentioned previously, there are some who have no memory that does not include campmeeting.

Some of my sweetest memories of my children are the images that come to mind of them playing in the sawdust, or running after fireflies.

This year in the afterglow, as the congregation dispersed and the lingering conversations stretched on and on, I notice something so very familular. There is this pull, this magnetic forces as the people struggle to depart from the grounds. There always seems to be time for one more conversation or one more hello.

No one wants to leave.

It’s the afterglow and we all want it to last forever. 

Some nights I am up in the midst of the afterglow, other nights I make my way back to my cabin to sit an drink in the experience.

I watch the hugs, the laughter, the waving of arms and animated hand gestures of a good story being shared.

I watch the children as they frolic under the lights. They all had glow in the dark light sabers and glow stick around their heads, wrist and feet. It was like watching small flitting fairies darting about in the darkness laughing and chasing each other in joyful abandon.

This year I had a new Campmeeting experience!

I got to hold my granddaughter under the arbor.

This time tested and well loved tradition has now been passed on the another generation.

She will not remember sleeping in my arms under the arbor, but I will treasure the memory forever. 

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She will not remember napping in our cabin, but I will never forget the parallel images I experienced as I remembered my own children as babies falling soundly asleep surrounded but the warm summer night and the melody of crickets.

It breaks my heart with joy!

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When I am old and have my crown of gray hairs (most likely still hidden by Clairol Natural Instincts #14) I hope to look back on a life of countless Campmeeting memories.

IMG_0038 (This sweet picture is of one of my favorite people in the whole world, whom I fondly refer to as my spiritual grandmother, I want to be like her when I grow up.)

I will close this post with a few pictures taken by a very dear friend.

She snapped this one of me during one of the morning services. Aside from the usual observance of being able to prop my bare feet upon the back of the pew in front of me, not  practice I would recommend in the sanctuary.

What I notice most are my feet. If you look closely you can see the traditional  campmeeting markings of the sawdust and dirt. This heavenly dust lightly coves the exposed skin on your feet and ankles and leaves an imprint.

As I showered off and washed my dirty feet on Saturday afternoon I was a bit sad that it will be a whole year before I will get them back. 

Campmeeting 2009 from WF

The week came to a close.

The sun set and the communion was offered. We took the bread dipped it in the cup and gave thanks for a week spent on Holy Ground. We gave thanks that we have been given yet another opportunity to have a small human glimpse into what it will be like in heaven. 

The air is quiet except for the sound of footfalls in the sawdust, the body of Jesus sacrificed for you, the bread is placed in your hands, the blood of our Savior sacrificed for you, the bread dipped into the cup.

The quiet whispers of those around as they pray, the hand laid upon a shoulder or back as someone stands along a brother or sister kneeling at the alter.

Kneeling in the sawdust because there is no room at the alter.

Hands lifted in the air in praise.

The night falling around the arbor and the golden glow from within spilling out into the darkness.

Campmeeting 2009 from WF - 2

Very simply, we close each year with this hymn.

God be with you till we meet again,
By His counsels guide, uphold you,
With His sheep securely fold you,
God be with you till we meet again.

Refrain:
Till we meet, till we meet,
Till we meet at Jesus’ feet;
Till we meet, till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again,
’Neath His wings securely hide you,
Daily manna still provide you,
God be with you till we meet again.

Refrain:
Till we meet, till we meet,
Till we meet at Jesus’ feet;
Till we meet, till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again

God be with you till we meet again,
When life’s perils thick confound you,
Put His arms unfailing round you,
God be with you till we meet again.

Refrain:
Till we meet, till we meet,
Till we meet at Jesus’ feet;
Till we meet, till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again

God be with you till we meet again,
Keep love’s banner floating o’er you,
Smite death’s threat’ning wave before you,
God be with you till we meet again.

Blessings

Robin

 

Thursday, July 30, 2009

A Green Pepper Story

June 6, 2009

A seedling was planted!

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July 8, 2009

It’s about the size of the pad of my thumb!

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July 9, 2009

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July 12, 2009

Nearly doubled in size in just three days!

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July 24, 2009

Not quite as big as my fist, maybe the size of a baseball!

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Isn’t it beautiful! I’m so proud of my first green pepper I don't think I can stand myself!

Y’all, I fixed a salad the other night with my fresh from the garden green pepper and cucumber (sorry no pictures) but I have to tell ya that there is just something about the taste of veggies that you grew yourself with your own two hands.

Outstanding!!!!!

From June 6 to July 24 is a total of 55 days.

All I have to say is WOW!

I grew a green pepper y’all!

Blessings

Robin

PS: I know you all are on the edge of your seat awaiting the highly publicized next installment in my ongoing Garden Saga. Confidential sources in the small town of Dacula are reporting that the much anticipated sequel “A Green Bean Story.” is days away from release.

In case y’all were wondering!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Please Pray!!!

Please pray for Katie. She is struggling with some serious complications from her recent heart surgery. You may go here to see her Carepage or head over to My Hands, His Glory for more information as well.

Blessings
Robin

Wordless Wednesday & Outdoor Wednesday

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Go to Wordless Wednesday if you want to see more pictures or pop over to Souther Daydreamer for more Outdoor Wednesday

Blessings

Robin

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

It’s all over but the laundry!

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I have spent the last few day shaking the saw dust out of my shoes and getting my household back in order. I have one load of laundry yet to do and I have finally made it to the grocery store to restock the pantry. Alas I know have to start actually cooking nightly meals for my family again.

It is always with a small amount of bitter sweetness when campmeeting draws to a close.

This year was no exception.

As we were standing in line for our supper on Friday evening I talked with friends about how sad we all were that it was Friday, yet how tired those of us who stay for the entire week are by Fridays closing communion.

It’s a good tired though.

It get’s said every year “This has been the best campmeeting that we have ever had!” but how can that be?

It can be the best every year because God is simply amazing!

Our preacher was wonderful, Rev. Royeese Stowe was insightful, down to earth and filled with the Holy Spirit as she opened the Word of God to us each night. She was also a hoot, I can’t recall a Campmeeting filled with so much laughter as we listened to her stores.

The weather was abnormally cool for July, praise Jesus!!!

Normally it always hits in the nineties and even a few days where the temp's hit in the hundreds.

But not this week.

God had mercy upon us and we were visited with some of the coolest evenings that I can remember in my 15 years of participation. There were several nights when we were wrapped up in blankets as we enjoyed the evening talking into the night.

There are several things that as the time passes I hope will never change about campmeeting.

We sang those old hymns, you remember them.

The Old Rugged Cross

Where He Leads Me

There’s Power in the Blood

Amazing Grace

Dwelling in Beulah Land

That’s just to name a few.

I can’t seem to get theses sweet melodies out of my head.

I know most of the chorus by heart but the sweetest thing to watch are the saint of our community.

One afternoon the participants of the Older Adult Ministry sponsored by our church came to the morning worship service. The participants of Grace Arbor, that is what this ministry is called, focused on those who have Alzheimer's and other memory issues.

It was amazing to sit across from them and watch as their faces light up as the familiar notes found their ears. Alzheimer's may have taken it’s toll in many painful ways but what I noticed was that most of saints in attendance never one glanced down at their song books. The words came quietly out of there mouths like an old friend.

Campmeeting has a few other time worn traditions as well, aside from wonderful preaching and familiar old hymns.

It would not be campmeeting without the covered dish suppers.

Now this is what I call a buffet, and this is just the left side. IMG_0001

We had Fried Chicken, BBQ, Homemade Green Beans with Ham, Deviled Eggs, Sliced Tomatoes, Cucumber Salad, any kind of casserole you can possibly think off, Corn Pudding, Squash Casserole, Broccoli Casserole, Homemade Macaroni & Cheese, Hash Brown Casserole, Baked Beans, then we move on to the clod summer salads, the Cabbage Crunch (one of my personal Campmeeting favorites), the Pasta Salads, the Potato Salad, the cold marinated 3 Bean Salad, the Layered Salads, Broccoli Salad with Raisin and Bacon, Jell-O Salads, Watermelon, Cantaloupe and on and on and on and on and then if this is not enough there is the…..

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Dessert Table  

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YES…an entre table just for desserts!

Have mercy!!!!!!!

Homemade Pound Cake, Banana Pudding, Pecan Pie, Brownies, Cheeses Cake, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Peach Cobbler, Blueberry Cobbler, Apple Pie, Cupcakes and on and on and on…

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Can I get an AMEN!!!

Thankfully I made it through the entire week without gaining a pound, now that is cause for a halleluiah chorus.

I have learned over the years that the best way to experience the amazing culinary offerings of campmeeting is with a small tasting not a heaping spoonful.

Each night I would settle in after a wonderful meal feeling completely satisfied.

In thinking about our evening meal I can only imagine that the spread laid before us no matter how abundant and lavish was only a small taste of what the Heavenly banquet will be like when I am finally resting in the arms of my savior, I feel certain (or I hope) that Fried Chicken and Banana Pudding will be involved.

Well this concludes my Campmeeting 2009 Post–Part 1.

Keep your eyes on your blog roll for Part 2.

Blessings

Robin

Saturday, July 18, 2009

It’s That Time Again

 

One of my favorite times of the year is approaching.

Tomorrow will be the official start of Campmeeting.

I have my ice cream fixings waiting, my pantry is full of the necessary ingredients for the traditional campmeeting fair, baked beans, Mac & Cheese, Pineapple Casserole, Cabbage Crunch and I am throwing in a few new recipes just for fun.

My cabin is swept out, my fan is going and tomorrow night I look forward to tucking myself in bed and falling asleep to the sound of the crickets and the breeze blowing through the ancient oak trees over head.

Each night the table’s will be overflowing with homemade pound cake, banana pudding, fried chicken, fresh sliced tomatoes, deviled eggs and more and more and more.

The fellowship will be even sweeter and the Holy Spirit will be surrounding us all as we settle in on truly Holy Ground for a week of amazing preaching.

My posts will be infrequent if at all and my commenting will be non existent.

I am craving all that campmeeting has to offer, I look forward to my post campmeeting post, but until then you can check out my post from last year if you are so inclined.

If you are in the area you can check out my church’s website for more information on what campmeeting is all about.

See y’all next week!!

I am off to have an amazing week!

 

Blessings

Robin

Friday, July 17, 2009

I give it an A+

Well I’m just doing my part to pass on the love in the blogosphere!!!!

Well after several days of exploring the various features of Windows Live Writer I have decided that I really love it.

It has all the same editing tools as Microsoft WORD, you can change font size,

typeface,

change colors of the text,

strike through,

insert a link to a post and do all the other things that Blogger allows you to do only much easier.

Spell checker is great, it allows you to add words to the dictionary, unlike blogger.

It will remember inserted link, if you have a blogger pal that you link over to quite frequently, really cool function as you don't have to continually cut and past the links.

 

You can preview your post and it really looks like your post as it will appear in your blog.

 

You can add multiple pictures (more than 5 at a time like blogger or Picasa)

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Or add an entire album

You can crop,

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add a watermark

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tilt a photo, I am not sure I like the white space around the photo, but maybe there is a way to fix that and I just have not found it!!!

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change the borders on your pictures

 

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It has all the labeling features as blogger and you can schedule an auto post, import multiple blogs, import past post for editing purposes. Save drafts for future post, either in Live Writer or post the draft to your blog and save it there, hmmm I think that is all for now but …

All in all so far I have really loved working with it.

If you are interested in downloading it you may click here to check it out!

 

Blessings

Robin

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Remember Me???

One minute things are going along like a fine summer day, the skies are blue, the sun is shinning and my cucumbers are coming up gang busters. Each day I wake with anticipating of the lazy nothingness that comes along with the unplanned randomness of a hot summer afternoon.

I check the listing for the dollar theater, make sure I have plenty of ice coffee on hand and breath. I pick cucumbers, walk the dog and read a blog or two.

I love summer!

Sometimes in all the wonderful lazy randomness, life erupts!

BANG!

The door to hell opens wide and swallows up your life, well maybe the door to hell is to strong a description, maybe it should be more like the door to Jerry Springer's green room on “Who’s your Baby Daddy” day.

And then I look around and I wonder what happen to my calm peaceful life and my lazy summer randomness.

Rest assured that even as life has been erupting and the chaos was whirling I had my priorities in order. I took time each day for my morning visit to my sweet cucumbers babies, are y’all tired of hearing about my cucumber babies????

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and my afternoon ice coffee

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Now let me just say that as much as I would love to make a daily trip to Starbucks, this would be massively budget prohibitive, I have been know to on occasion (all the time really) save my Starbucks cup and use it over and over again to improve my afternoon ice coffee experience. It can at least look like the real thing. Sad but true!!

Anyway, I am glad to say that life has settled back down to normal (is there really such a thing as normal life???)and I look forward to being able to return to my regular bloggy self very soon.

Thanks 2 Thinks for giving me a shout out!!! and no I have not fallen off the face of the earth, been abducted by aliens or lapsed into peri-menopausal comma.

Although being abducted by aliens might be a nice break, but they would probably want me to do laundry and cook dinner!

Blessings

Robin A.K.A Temporarily Missing in Blogland

Keep your eyes on your blog roll.

My favorite time of year is next week!!! and I simply can not wait!

More to come later…

Friday, July 10, 2009

A Cucumber Story

Once upon a time, in a small patch of dirt in a unknown southern suburb a cucumber was planted.
It was watered, tended to, visited daily and on occasionally adored from the sun room window!

Click here if you would like to see miraculous before an after pictures of the veggie patch transformation!
June 6, 2009
I planted 2 cucumber plants!
June 24, 2009 (18 days later)
The first blossoms appear.


July 3, 2009
In my morning garden inspection I am delighted, ecstatic, excited and overjoyed to find this!!!!
To give you some scale...it' about the size of my thumb, isn't is just the cutest cuc you've ever seen !!!!


As I am basking in the anticipation of future cucumber salads and plates of sliced cucumber sprinkled lightly with salt and pepper, I am glad that my yearning for a small patch of tilled soil has been satisfied. I calculate that is has been four long years since I have eaten something grown by my own hands.

Each morning as I take my short walk out to my veggie patch I am rewarded with a feeling of great anticipation.
Every day I am a bit closer to reaping the harvest of my hard work.
I have a greater appreciation for those who earn their living providing the general public with the food we eat, and I am also ever so thankful that my existence does not depend upon the bounty of my tiny patch of ground. If it did I fear we would all starve.
July 5, 2009 (2 DAYS later...OMGoodness, probably quadrupled in size!!!!!)


Thursday, July 9, 2009
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and look y’all it’s twins!
IMG_0019After 33 days these two beauties are ready to slice and enjoy.
The vines are exploding with hundreds of yellow blossoms and as I picked these two cucumbers I counted possibly several dozen baby cuc’s just days away from harvest.
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I am not sure which I prefer?
The crisp, crunchy, clean taste of a fresh from the garden cucumber….I could eat this whole plate full!IMG_0005
I munched on a few slices and then in memory of my sweet grandma set about preparing the next best way to enjoy a fresh cucumber, in my humble opinion anyway!
I may have grown them but when I add a little vinegar, a little water, a little sugar (if Grandma’s Cucumbers weren’t enough of a trip down memory lane, I always have a small small on my face every time I lift the decorative lid to my sugar bowl, a family treasure that sat upon my grandma’s breakfast table for many many years, I think of all the belongings that have been passed down to me from my grandma this simple little sugar bowl is maybe my favorite, but I digress), toss in a few sliced onions and a peppercorn or two and let them hang out in the frig for about and hour and then dive in, well those will forever be know as “Grandma’s Cucumbers.”
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There is just nothing better!
Blessings
Robin

Keep an eye on your blog roll for the equally dramatic and fanciful sequel “A Green Bean Story” coming in the very near future.


Edit: I tried to link over to Photograph Friday but the code would not copy, I kept getting an error code. so head over to http://whatworksforus.blogspot.com or http://mychaosmybliss.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

A Grandma’s Prerogative…She is solving the worlds problems…

Y’all go over to my sweet friend “My Hands…His Glory” and check out her post for today!

As a new grandma I feel it is my grandmotherly duty to show off at every opportunity.

If you need a translation, in my newly appointed grandma status I thinks she is saying:

“Y’all stop worrying about unimportant things, look how sweet I am, I love you, look how the small things delight me, look how beautiful I am, what’s that, let’s talk awhile, what’s that, look how much trust I have in you, I love you, look at me and listen, I have God's ear! He is listening to me.”

PS 8:2 From the lips of children and infants
   you have ordained praise

 

Blessings

Robin

PS: I am really enjoying Windows Live Writer

Outdoor Wednesday & Almost Wordless Wednesday

Join Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday #26 Fun!

I just love these little curly cue's, I never tire of taking pictures of them.



Just a short video of my Rose of Sharon. It took them almost three years to adapt to the new environment. I transplanted them from my old yard when we moved into this new home. This summer is the first time they has bloomed since I planted them. I am getting such a kick out of watching the bumble bees. Nearly every blossom has a bumble bee hunkered down inside covered with pollen.


More curly-ness

Can I also share that I get so excited each morning to rummage around in the foliage of my veggie patch.
Look! Look! Look!
A baby green pepper
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and a baby zucchini
IMG_0014 They just make me smile!
Blessings
Robin

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