Tuesday, July 27, 2010

The Water of Life


It was one of the hottest days of the dry season. We had not seen rain in almost a month. The crops were dying. Cows had stopped giving milk. The creeks and streams were long gone back into the earth. It was a dry season that would bankrupt several farmers before it was through. Every day, my husband and his brothers would go about the arduous process of trying to get water to the fields. Lately this process had involved taking a truck to the local water rendering plant and filling it up with water. But severe rationing had cut everyone off. If we didn't see some rain soon... we would lose everything.

It was on this day that I learned the true lesson of sharing and witnessed the only miracle I have seen with my own eyes. I was in the kitchen making lunch for my husband and his brothers when I saw my six-year old son, Billy, walking toward the woods. He wasn't walking with the usual carefree abandon of a youth but with a serious purpose. I could only see his back. He was obviously walking with a great effort... trying to be as still as possible. Minutes after he disappeared into the woods, he came running out again, toward the house. I went back to making sandwiches; thinking that whatever task he had been doing was completed.

Moments later, however, he was once again walking in that slow purposeful stride toward the woods. This activity went on for over an hour: walking carefully to the woods, then running back to the house. Finally, my curiosity got the best of me. I crept out of the house and followed him on his journey (being very careful not to be seen... as he was obviously doing something important and didn't need his Mommy checking-up on him).

He was cupping both hands in front of him as he walked; being very careful not to spill the water he held in them... maybe two or three tablespoons were held in his tiny hands. I sneaked closer as he went into the woods. Branches and thorns slapped his little face but he did not try to avoid them. He had a much greater purpose. As I leaned in to spy on him, I saw the most amazing site.
Several large deer loomed in front of him. Billy walked right up to them. I almost screamed for him to get away. A huge buck with elaborate antlers was dangerously close. But the buck did not threaten him... he didn't even move as Billy knelt down. And I saw a tiny fawn laying on the ground, obviously suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion, lift its head with great effort to lap up the water cupped in my beautiful boy's hand.

When the water was gone, Billy jumped up to run back to the house and I hid behind a tree. I followed him back to the house; to a spigot that we had shut off the water to. Billy opened it all the way up and a small trickle of water began to creep out. He knelt there, letting each drip of water slowly fill up his makeshift "cup," as the sun beat down on his little back. It was just last week he was punished for playing with the garden hose, and received a stern lecture on the importance of not wasting water. So, I'm sure that is why he didn't ask me to help him.

It took almost twenty minutes for the drops to fill his hands. When he stood up and began the trek back, I was there in front of him. His little eyes just filled with tears. "I'm not wasting," was all he said. As he began his walk, I joined him... with a small pot of water from the kitchen. I let him tend to the fawn. I stayed away... it was his job.

I stood on the edge of the woods watching the most beautiful heart I have ever known working so hard to save a life. As the tears that rolled down my face began to hit the ground, they were suddenly joined by other drops... and more drops... and more. I looked up at the sky. It was as if God, Himself, was weeping with pride.

Some will probably say that this was all just a huge coincidence. That miracles don't really happen. That it was bound to rain sometime. And I can't argue with that... I'm not even going to try. All I can say is that the rain that came that day saved our farm... just like the actions of one little boy saved a life.


"This story is to honor the memory of my beautiful Billy, who was taken from me much too soon.... but not before he showed me the true face of God; in a little sunburned body."

Author Unknown

For I will pour water on him who is thirsty,
And floods on the dry ground;
I will pour My Spirit on your descendants,
And My blessing on your offspring;

Isaiah 44:3

Monday, July 26, 2010

"Why Ivy Tech" Help Nancy Meeks win a scholarship

Nancy Meeks is trying to win a scholarship for college. By viewing her video you can help her win one of 3 scholarships to Ivy Tech. She currently carries a 4.0 GPA and looks forward to continuing her education. She did not qualify for scholarships or grants for the 2009-2010 school year and could really use the help for this coming school year. Thank you for your support! Come back and view often, through August 2, 2010.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Sister Act 2 "Oh Happy Day"


~ Sunday Song of Celebration ~



If you would like to join this Sunday Song of Celebration please post your music video or audio track on your blog in order to praise, honor and worship our Lord, Jesus Christ. Be sure to grab the button in the sidebar. Then add your link in the comments below so I and others can visit and celebrate our Lord through song!

Friday, July 23, 2010

Warning: Americans are in Denial about Their Health


Today, our collective health is in danger. A mere twenty-five years ago less than 10% of the American population was considered obese. Now over 30% of Americans are documented as being obese with the largest growth rate being in the south. Mintel, a market research leader, found that only 25% of survey respondents said they suffer from or have been diagnosed as being obese or overweight. According to the Center for Disease Control, however, 67% of Americans fall into this category and likewise Mintel found 65% of the respondents were actually obese or overweight. It is an epidemic of mass proportions (pun intended).





Sources:

US Obesity Trends
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1JUv51GX0w

Mintel Press Release
Source: Mintel Oxygen Reports
Region: US
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sep 2009
http://www.mintel.com/press-centre/press-releases/389/new-mintel-survey-shows-americans-in-denial-about-health

Blurt: Wake Up America! Are you healthy?
http://www.wellsphere.com/healthy-living-article/blurt-wake-up-america-are-you-healthy/878193

Thursday, July 22, 2010

How Much Does A Prayer Weigh?


Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food. John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and told her to leave his store.

Visualizing the family needs, she said: "Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can."

John told her he could not give her credit, as she did not have a charge account at his store. Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer-man that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family.

The grocer-man said in a very reluctant voice, "Do you have a grocery list?" Louise replied, "Yes sir." "Okay" he said, "put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries."

Louise, hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed. The eyes of the grocer-man and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down. The grocer-man staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, "I can't believe it."

The lady smiled and the grocer-man started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more.

The grocer-man stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement. It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer which said: "Dear Lord, you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands."

The grocer-man gave her the groceries that he had gathered and placed on the scales and stood in stunned silence. Louise thanked him and left the store.

The customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to John as he said, "It was worth every penny of it." It was sometime later that John Longhouse discovered the scales were broken; therefore, only God knows how much a prayer weighs.

Author Unknown

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Prayer ~ WFW


He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry;
when He hears it, He will answer you.

Isaiah 30:19




Since it’s inception, the purpose of Word-Filled Wednesday is to share God’s word through photo, or graphic image combined with a verse from the Bible.

Word-Filled Wednesday is now being hosted at Internet Cafe Devotions. Please take the time to to visit and link to others participating in today's Word-Filled Wednesday. God bless you, may your day be filled with peace and joy.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Restoring Honor


Faith, Hope, and Charity

For the next 40 days and 40 nights, take the pledge...

...I COVENANT to practice faith, hope and charity by doing these things.

First...faith. I will pray on my knees every night for the next 40 nights...starting TONIGHT. Pray for guidance, inspiration, peace...pray for the leaders of our country. Pray for their safety, and that they will receive wisdom. I will re-establish my relationship with God.

Hope...hope comes from truth. You can't have hope based on lies. If you go to the doctor and you're in the early stages of cancer, but the doctor tells you that you just have the sniffles...that's false hope, and it won't help you, in fact, it would kill you. So, we have to have honesty, to have real hope. So, I will stop all lies for the next 40 days. That includes lying to myself. I will establish a pattern of honesty and make it become habitual. I will question with boldness...everything...even the things Glenn Beck tells you every night...I will do my own research...and then pray for my own confirmation on the things I have learned. I will find out what is true in my life.

And third...I will have charity. Charity begins at home. I will do something kind for every member of your family at least once a week. I will write it down, and then do it. Also, I pledge to take notice of how blessed I really am. I live in the greatest country the world has ever known...and even the least prosperous among us, are among the wealthiest people in the world...I will be grateful.





To take the pledge at Glenn Beck's website click here.

Prayer for Anxious People


Father, I pray for all those in my circle of family and friends who are carrying heavy loads including myself...

Your Word says an anxious heart weighs a person down, and this is how I think they must feel—as if they're carrying heavy loads, more than they can bear. When they feel upset and beside themselves, calm them down and comfort them with the assurance of Your love. Help them not be overwhelmed by anxious thoughts. (Proverbs 12:25a; Psalm 94:19)

Our hearts are not supposed to be troubled; but that's their struggle—help them trust You and the Lord Jesus, as I know they must. Help them understand that You are the One who makes a way when things seem impossible; nothing is too hard for You! (John 14:27; Isaiah 43:19; Jeremiah 32:17; Luke 1:37)

Help them be faithful to You and to the way You want them to live, for You guard the lives of those who are faithful; You protect them and never turn away from them. Help them know You as their fortress, as the rock in whom they take refuge, as One who is good, whose love endures forever, whose faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 97:10; Proverbs 2:8; Psalm 37:28; 94:22; 100:5)

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Teach Me To Pray


Please teach me, Lord ...
I want to know
Exactly how to pray.

I need some words
Which ones are right?
Please tell me what to say.

I've bowed my head
I have knelt down,
But ... should I be upright?

I've closed my eyes,
I've raised my hands,
Or ... should I fold them tight?

Do I stand up?
Should I sit down?
Dear Lord ... what do you like?

Are lights turned on
Or are they off?
Maybe ...
candle light?

Wear my glasses?
Take them off?
Be at my desk or table?

Should I whisper?
Speak out loud?
Must my words be graceful?

Do I quote the Bible?
What do you think about the time?
Do You prefer the dawn?

Should I pray fast,
Or keep it slow?
Better short ... or long?

I'm new at this
What are the rules?
I want to do it right.

How do I know
You'll even hear
That I am in Your sight?

And while I sat there quietly,
Waiting for some sign,
I heard a gentle voice say,
"Oh, dearest child of mine ...

Do you think I really care
About the time of day,
Or whether you are standing up,
Or kneeling when you pray?"

"I don't care about your posture,
Or about the place you choose;
Just open up your soul to me,
I have no other rules.

Tell me what is in your heart,
And tell me what you seek;
Tell me of your sorrows,
And of those things that made you weak."

"Speak to me in private
About what concerns you most;
I know about your good deeds ...
You have no need to boast.

My child, you don't need lessons,
Just talk to me each day;
Tell me anything you want, dear child,
Anyone can pray."

Author Unknown

Sunday, July 18, 2010

How He Loves ~ David Crowder Band


~ Sunday Song of Celebration ~



If you would like to join this Sunday Song of Celebration please post your music video or audio track on your blog in order to praise, honor and worship our Lord, Jesus Christ. Be sure to grab the button in the sidebar. Then add your link in the comments below so I and others can visit and celebrate our Lord through song!

Please visit Oldmanblurts YouTube.

Monday, July 12, 2010

My Light and My Salvation


1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.

3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.

4 One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.

5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.

Psalm 27:1-5

Monday, July 5, 2010

Hell is Real


Dear Family, Friends and Followers,

I post this video series because I love and care for all of you and I want you to go to Heaven to live in His love and mercy for all of eternity and escape the torment and fire of Hell. If you know Jesus Christ as your Savior please share this with your family and friends so they may know His unconditional love and salvation. God wants all of His children to be with Him in Heaven.

God Bless all of you,

Brian, the old man

Part I



Part II



Part III



Part IV



Part V



Part VI



Part VII



Devil got defeated in GA

Sunday, July 4, 2010

America, The Beautiful ~ Ray Charles


~ Sunday Song of Celebration ~



If you would like to join this Sunday Song of Celebration please post your music video or audio track on your blog in order to praise, honor and worship our Lord, Jesus Christ. Be sure to grab the button in the sidebar. Then add your link in the comments below so I and others can visit and celebrate our Lord through song!
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