Morris and his wife Esther went to the state fair every year, and every year Morris would say, ‘Esther, I’d like to ride in that helicopter. ‘Esther always replied, ‘I know Morris, but that helicopter ride is 50 dollars and 50 dollars is 50 dollars.’

One year Esther and Morris went to the fair, and Morris said, ‘Esther I’m 85 years old. If I don’t ride that helicopter, I might never get another chance.’ Esther replied, ‘Morris that helicopter is 50 dollars and 50 dollars is 50 dollars.’ The pilot over heard the couple and said, ‘folks I’ll make you a deal. I’ll take the both of you for a ride; if you can stay quiet for the entire ride and not say a word I won’t charge you, but if you say one word, it’s 50 dollars.’

Morris and Esther agreed and up they went. The pilot did all kinds of fancy maneuvers, but not a word was heard. He did his dare devil tricks over and over again, but still not a word. When they landed, the pilot turned to Morris and said, ‘by golly, I did everything I could to get you to yell out, but you didn’t. I’m impressed!’

Morris replied, ‘well I almost said something when Esther fell out, but, you know, 50 dollars is 50 dollars!’

I hope this made you laugh out loud like it did me. Hope you all have a great weekend!

I am using the following bit of humor (sent to me by a friend) to say a few words about relationships.

The Difference Between COMPLETE & FINISH
People say there is no difference between COMPLETE & FINISH But there is!
When you marry the right one, you are COMPLETE and when you marry the wrong one, you are FINISHED
And when the “right one” catches you with the “wrong one”, you are COMPLETELY FINISHED

And that is your English lesson for the day.

 Of course that refers to a relationship between married couples. What about relationships with Christian family?

We have a wonderful example of believers in the early church: Acts 2:42-47

• Devoted to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship
• Devoted to the breaking of bread and prayer
• Devoted to one another
• Had everything in common
• Sold their possessions to fulfill another’s needs
• Met together daily, ate together daily
• Had glad and sincere hearts
• Praised God and enjoyed each other

This to me is a good example of completeness in fellowship.

We all fall into our on earthly traps. We look for earthly things to bring us pleasure. “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work”. John 4:34

I long to say that with complete conviction of heart and as I strive to discipline myself daily in spiritual matters I will become closer to fulfilling his work.

I will finish this post with these verses: Phil 3:12-14 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Re-read the entire chapter of Philippians 3. It is beautiful!

Thought I should drop in and let my loyal readers know I’m alive and kicking. I feel a bit bewildered that we are in 2011 and I wonder what I did in 2010 and how it so mysteriously slipped away and is now history, and now a part of my past.

Speaking of my past, Russell (our minister) has been saying how we all need to share our stories to encourage one another and how doing so creates more unity and a stronger community. I agree with him although I know for some to do so in a public manner would make them very uncomfortable. Perhaps not everyone can share their stories and perhaps some don’t think they even have a story, yet we can share what we believe by the way we live our everyday lives.

I still marvel at times when I look back at my own past, (much of which I have shared here on previous posts) and then look at where God has put me now. I was a young bride and mother at the tender age of 15 and had three children by the age of 23. I was involved in drugs and alcohol for many years and divorced after sixteen years of marriage. The old saying “you name it and I’ve probably done it” describes parts of my life. And be sure, there is no pride in that statement, there is shame and regret, yet today I am a stronger and much wiser person.

One of my favorite scriptures comes to mind as I fast forward some thirty plus years —- For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. Jer 29:11-14 Oh how much I love these verses and how much they ring true in my life.  

Once I decided I no longer wanted to continue on the path I had chosen I did indeed seek God. He didn’t disappoint me then and he never disappoints me now. He healed my wounds and he certainly brought me back from captivity. He blessed me with a wonderful Christian man and we have four loving daughters, nine grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. I have been transformed by the renewing of my mind, changed from the inside out, lifted by his amazing love, grace and mercy. My deepest love and gratitude is to my Savior!

Yes, oh yes!! My life has changed and my story is still being written and it becomes more and more meaningful as I am in my golden years. Sometimes I get too cozy in my life and too busy and I start to feel something is missing and I realize I have let unimportant things take up too much of my time and I turn again to communicate with my God, to read of his wondrous love and ways, and the void is always filled and I am eager to share with others who are struggling and looking for a better life. A life that can only be found in Jesus Christ.

I have always wanted my blog to be a part of that sharing and it is a wonderful way to “send” the gospel, the good news. As I began another year of my life I hope to be here more often, sharing my life and God’s truth with you. May we walk and grow together, walking to victory, one step at a time.

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:1-4

*The name of the plant in the picture is Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow