Snow, movies, no work, etc.

If you've read my blog very long, you know I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE snow!!!!  I mean LOVE!  I get excited when the skies turn gray and it gets cold.  Actually, I get giddy.  I know I'm weird.
Well, there's something that can even top that!  Thoughts of a blizzard coming and having a day off work!  Woo-Hoo!
So if you're as crazy as I am and you're interested in a really cute movie for your children to watch, check this out.  America Family Radio sent out an ad for this movie and it intrigued me.  It's produced by a family and their 5 children are the only actors in the movie.  It's along the lines of the Little Rascals...with a spiritual message.
Ryan & Addie were here this weekend and watched it with me and I loved listening to them belly laugh over it.  We all enjoyed it.
So...enjoy the cold, the snow, the blizzard, a fire in the fireplace, no school, no work, and the entertainment of a good movie!

Bias to...

The other day, I posted something God was teaching me--going from knowledge to bias.  And the next day, I had a unique experience.  I was talking to a young person about some issues going on in their church with which they vehemently disagreed.  I was so shocked to see bias---in someone so young!  You kind of expect it in older people because they've got their minds made up about a whole lot of issues.  But it's just a little disconcerting to see it in a young adult.
And of course, God doesn't let me see it in someone else without pointing it out in my own life.  And this is what I discovered through that experience...
You can start out with bias--not just end up there.  And then you gather facts to support your position.  After your fact-gathering,  you are able to justify your bias.  From the platform of your bias, you are able to shoot down anyone opposing you because you are well-fortified with facts--and pride.  You no longer hear what anyone else has to say.  Then I'd pretty much say...no one likes you because you've become arrogant, boastful and full of the "right way" of doing things.
God loves to supply me with visual aids to teach me.  (He knows I'm a visual learner!)  And then insists on touching that place in my life that needs changing.  Ouch!!

Stressful Days

Last Friday, I was a little stressed over a grandson who'd had diarrhea for 10 days...and we were waiting that afternoon for a phone call to get the doctor's report on his blood test.  I was a little stressed over a son who has a rare parasite which will require a colonscopy to see if said parasite has done any damage to the colon.  I was a little stressed over staying at Hoffbrau long enough to see our third-born before our passenger for the day decided she'd had enough and needed to be home.  I was also a little stressed over getting  a casserole made for Saturday morning.  That was Friday.  And then Sunday came...

Sunday afternoon is when I got a phone call from Zach telling me that he, Shanna (his pregnant wife) and Lindsey (David's wife) were in a car accident.  A man had been going to get donuts for his wife and exited the ramp going about 40 mph and he bent down to pick up a coupon from the floor--and rear-ended my family who was stopped at a red light.  Zach told me Shanna & Lindsey were on their way to the hospital to get checked out.  Shanna was having contractions and Lindsey's neck was hurt.  Fortunately, Shanna's contractions stopped (after a shot), and Lindsey's x-rays were ok.  Zach said he was able to brace himself because he saw the guy coming but he didn't have enough time to warn the girls.  It was a stressful day.
But you know what?  It could have been much worse.  I have friends who've experienced much worse.   One of those friends (whose pregnant daughter was killed in a car accident the day after Christmas) told me her husband said this when he learned of our kids' wreck, "We need to go back to the horse and buggy days."  I'm game.
Amy said it best recently (and I couldn't find her exact quote), "God is good...whether our circumstances are good or bad.  He's still good."

Judgment Day by Wanda L. Dyson

Judgment Day by Wanda L. Dyson is a Christian fiction book.  Suzanne Kidwell hosts a cable television show called Judgment Day where she exposes the corruption around her---except she doesn't do her homework very well and has made lots of enemies.  Of course, she's close to the truth on many of her stories, so not only are politicians and businessmen angry--but they're scared of Suzanne finding out the truth of what they're doing.
One of those people is her future father-in-law.  That is, if Suzanne will finally say yes to her boyfriend's proposal.   Suzanne is driving her car and talking to her boyfriend, Guy, when her car starts doing weird things like accelerating all by itself.  So Guy insists that she take his Porsche while he takes her car to a mechanic.  Little does he know his own father is behind that little car problem--he's afraid of their venture being uncovered and exposed by Suzanne.  While Guy is driving Suzanne's car to the mechanic and talking to his father on the phone, the car accelerates and Guy is killed in the wreck that follows.  And Suzanne discovers a file in Guy's car that uncovers even more secrets.
Suzanne finds her life to be in danger and she needs help--fast!  So reluctantly, she calls her old boyfriend (whom she jilted) and who is now an investigator.  She hires Marcus Crisp, a partner with a woman investigator, Alex Hawthorne.  Marcus and Alex enter a world of underground danger and put their own lives at risk to help Suzanne--who is slow to understand she has any responsibility for a lot of people being angry with her. 
I love a good mystery book.  Even though this book was a little slow and almost unbelievable at the beginning (who doesn't grieve the death of a boyfriend?), it picked up and I enjoyed the action the further it went.
I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to WaterBrook Press  for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Knowledge to Bias

God revealed something to me this morning...
It's so easy to move from knowledge to bias.  What is bias?  Dictionary.com says this:  "–noun  a particular tendency or inclination, especially one that prevents unprejudiced consideration of a question; prejudice."
How does it happen?  It starts out with me being teachable. And then it goes like this:

teachable>knowledge>conviction>strong conviction>bias

The end result of having bias is that we feel like we know it all.  We have reached a prejudice.  We're no longer teachable.  We have become our own god.  What's the antidote?  I think it goes like this:

teachable>knowledge>teachable>conviction>teachable

We must remain teachable.  Do you know any old people (or young people, for that matter) who are know-it-alls?  Not very pretty, is it?  Please dear God, help me to always be teachable!

*Amendment
I woke up this morning with a different formula:
teachable>knowledge of Truth>teachable>conviction>teachable
IT'S KNOWING TRUTH THAT SETS US FREE!  (John 8:32)

Ryan Elijah

Please pray for my almost-7-year-old grandson, Ryan Elijah.  Read all about what's going on here.  And...thank you!
Becky

The Borrower is Servant to the Lender

We owe money to China.  (Do you remember how you spent your stimulus check in 2008?)  China came to visit the U.S. this week---many thought to call in the loan(s) they'd made.  But as you can see here, a lot of pomp and circumstance took place with subtle jabs made.  But it seems to me, we did a lot of sucking up!  We'd better sit up and take notice.  God's Word doesn't change.  "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender."  Proverbs 22:7 
We owe China.  My cousin just posted this article--more evidence of China's rising.  I think what Glenn Beck has to say in this video is worth listening to.

*A good friend challenged me that these problems aren't due to the current president---and I totally AGREE!  (In fact, it was President Bush who borrowed for the stimulus!)  I didn't want anyone to assume I believe we're in debt to China because of a president.  I believe we are servants of China because of  our greed, gluttony, and complacency.

A Golden Glow

I happened to glance outside after washing dishes this evening and saw this golden glow in the sky.  I ran and grabbed my camera to see if I could catch it.  Earlier today, I happened to see rain falling--from a clear sky.  Both were amazing sights!

Baby Practice

It's been 3 1/2 years since we've had a new baby around here---and it's about time!  Actually, our grandson, Dax Chandler, isn't due to make his arrival until March 10.  But Shawn and Lissa Anglin had their first baby, Truett Knox, January 3rd.  Shawn was a part of our family 11 years ago when we acquired our first granddaughter, Caitlin.  I knew by his interaction with her way back then that he'd be a good daddy some day.  And he is.  Lissa's a beautiful mommy, too!  They seem so comfortable and natural as new parents.  Knox is a lucky duck!

Andy & I made a trip to Lubbock yesterday to take Zach out for a belated birthday dinner.  After our dessert trip, Shanna asked if we'd like to go meet Knox!  She called the Anglins to see if we could drop by and when we got there, I handed my camera to Shanna and she got these shots.  Knox is a handsome little guy.  And holding him has made me so anxious for Dax to get here!  I fully expect Knox & Dax to be best buds.  Meet Knox with us...

He never woke up while we were there--even with Mommy trying to get him to open his little eyes.

Isn't he quite the little man?

I love this face!  Every new baby makes it.

Ooooh...it just feels so right!

He can't wait either...Thanks for letting us come by, Anglins!

I foresee the new first-time grandparents, the Rustens and Anglins, making lots of trips to Lubbock!!  And Shanna has no idea what she's in for when she goes into labor with our crew around, right girls?!?!  We're ready for grandbaby #8 to make his grand appearance.  I'm laughing today as Zach is attending an all-day baby preparation class with Shanna.  I asked him not to embarrass us by passing out.

Who's Watching You?

Have you seen that app on Facebook that asks if you know who's been looking for you?  I doubt it actually works--most of those just want your information.  (Which by the way, we click on those things to give them permission to access our info and then post notices about some program who has our info on their page.  You think??)  Anyway, I digress...

There IS someone watching you...
 
I Peter 5:8 tells us to be alert---there's an enemy out there looking for someone to devour!

I Peter 3:2 says the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and His ears are attentive to our cries.

When we walk in fear, we become easy prey for the enemy.  But when we walk in faith?   We're empowered.

Things Babies Born in 2011 Will Never Know

Truett Knox Anglin born in 2011

I saw this on a friend's facebook post and found it very interesting.  It was written by Stacy Johnson in MoneyTalksNews.  See what you think!

Huffington Post recently put up a story called You're Out: 20 Things That Became Obsolete This Decade. It's a great retrospective on the technology leaps we've made since the new century began, and it got me thinking about the difference today's technology will make in the lives of tomorrow's kids.  I've used some of their ideas and added some of my own to make the list below: Do you think kids born in 2011 will recognize any of the following?

Video tape: Starting this year, the news stories we produce here at Money Talks have all been shot, edited, and distributed to TV stations without ever being on any kind of tape. Not only that, the tape-less broadcast camera we use today offers much higher quality than anything that could have been imagined 10 years ago -- and cost less than the lens on the camera we were using previously.

Travel agents: While not dead today, this profession is one of many that's been decimated by the Internet. When it's time for their honeymoon, will those born in 2011 be able to find one?

The separation of work and home: When you're carrying an email-equipped computer in your pocket, it's not just your friends who can find you -- so can your boss. For kids born this year, the wall between office and home will be blurry indeed.

Books, magazines, and newspapers: Like video tape, words written on dead trees are on their way out. Sure, there may be books -- but for those born today, stores that exist solely to sell them will be as numerous as record stores are now.

Movie rental stores: You actually got in your car and drove someplace just to rent a movie?

Watches: Maybe as quaint jewelry, but the correct time is on your smartphone, which is pretty much always in your hand.

Paper maps: At one time these were available free at every gas station. They're practically obsolete today, and the next generation will probably have to visit a museum to find one.

Wired phones: Why would you pay $35 every month to have a phone that plugs into a wall? For those born today, this will be a silly concept.

Long distance: Thanks to the Internet, the days of paying more to talk to somebody in the next city, state, or even country are limited.

Newspaper classifieds: The days are gone when you have to buy a bunch of newsprint just to see what's for sale.

Dial-up Internet: While not everyone is on broadband, it won't be long before dial-up Internet goes the way of the plug-in phone.

Encyclopedias: Imagine a time when you had to buy expensive books that were outdated before the ink was dry. This will be a nonsense term for babies born today.

Forgotten friends: Remember when an old friend would bring up someone you went to high school with, and you'd say, "Oh yeah, I forgot about them!" The next generation will automatically be in touch with everyone they've ever known even slightly via Facebook.

Forgotten anything else: Kids born this year will never know what it was like to stand in a bar and incessantly argue the unknowable. Today the world's collective knowledge is on the computer in your pocket or purse. And since you have it with you at all times, why bother remembering anything?

The evening news: The news is on 24/7. And if you're not home to watch it, that's OK -- it's on the smartphone in your pocket.

CDs: First records, then 8-track, then cassette, then CDs -- replacing your music collection used to be an expensive pastime. Now it's cheap(er) and as close as the nearest Internet connection.

Film cameras: For the purist, perhaps, but for kids born today, the word "film" will mean nothing. In fact, even digital cameras -- both video and still -- are in danger of extinction as our pocket computers take over that function too.

Yellow and White Pages: Why in the world would you need a 10-pound book just to find someone?

Catalogs: There's no need to send me a book in the mail when I can see everything you have for sale anywhere, anytime. If you want to remind me to look at it, send me an email.

Fax machines: Can you say "scan," ".pdf" and "email?"

One picture to a frame: Such a waste of wall/counter/desk space to have a separate frame around each picture. Eight gigabytes of pictures and/or video in a digital frame encompassing every person you've ever met and everything you've ever done -- now, that's efficient. Especially compared to what we used to do: put our friends and relatives together in a room and force them to watch what we called a "slide show" or "home movies."

Wires: Wires connecting phones to walls? Wires connecting computers, TVs, stereos, and other electronics to each other? Wires connecting computers to the Internet? To kids born in 2011, that will make as much sense as an electric car trailing an extension cord.

Hand-written letters: For that matter, hand-written anything. When was the last time you wrote cursive? In fact, do you even know what the word "cursive" means? Kids born in 2011 won't -- but they'll put you to shame on a tiny keyboard.

Talking to one person at a time: Remember when it was rude to be with one person while talking to another on the phone? Kids born today will just assume that you're supposed to use texting to maintain contact with five or six other people while pretending to pay attention to the person you happen to be physically next to.

Retirement plans: Yes, Johnny, there was a time when all you had to do was work at the same place for 20 years and they'd send you a check every month for as long as you lived. In fact, some companies would even pay your medical bills, too!

Mail: What's left when you take the mail you receive today, then subtract the bills you could be paying online, the checks you could be having direct-deposited, and the junk mail you could be receiving as junk email? Answer: A bloated bureaucracy that loses billions of taxpayer dollars annually.

Commercials on TV: They're terrifically expensive, easily avoided with DVRs, and inefficiently target mass audiences. Unless somebody comes up with a way to force you to watch them -- as with video on the Internet -- who's going to pay for them?

Commercial music radio: Smartphones with music-streaming programs like Pandora are a better solution that doesn't include ads screaming between every song.

Hiding: Not long ago, if you didn't answer your home phone, that was that -- nobody knew if you were alive or dead, much less where you might be. Now your phone is not only in your pocket, it can potentially tell everyone -- including advertisers -- exactly where you are.

Online Shopping

I was given a gift card to Coldwater Creek for my birthday.  I've already used some of it, but I waited until I knew they'd be having an 80% off sale after the first of the year to use the rest of it.  I've filled my shopping cart three times and can't make myself press the "Order" button.  What is wrong with me????  What do you think about this vest?  It's been in my shopping cart twice.

The New Debt-Free Secret

Yep, there's a new debt-free secret.  And I stumbled upon it quite by accident.  This week in our prayer group, God just kept zeroing in on the issue of love in our conversation and prayer time.  Jodina quoted this verse:  "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." Romans 13:8

Love.  Why is love paired with owing in this verse?  That was the question that wouldn't leave my mind!  And it wasn't until the next day that it hit me.  And God presented it to me in an algebra equation.  (Go figure!  Who knew algebra would come in handy?)
a + b = d + b x c   
Ok...I never was very good at algebra, so my equation may not actually work.  But you'll get the idea.

a = God loves
b = God gave
d = We love
b = We give
c = God gives back

When we love, we give.  And when we give, God gives back to us..."Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you."


Is it as hard for you as it is for me to love some people?  This verse has put that into perspective for me, too.  I owe them love.  It's not an option...it's a requirement.  They are entitled to it---it's their right.  Ever since God showed me this, I've had to practice giving what I owe to others--love.  It's a sacrificial thing. 

I think it's a two-sided coin.  It will keep me out of debt financially.  But it will keep me in constant debt as I pay them the love to which they're entitled.

Prophecy for 2011

I went to Trinity Fellowship in Amarillo last night to hear Chuck Pierce--a modern-day prophet.  I know some of you won't agree that there are prophets today who foresee the future.  I've had those discussions.  But since I do, I wanted to post some notes I took from the message which might encourage some.  It was pretty exciting!  In fact, Daystar televised the event internationally and has been playing it again.  You might be able to catch it here in the live streaming.

Chuck Pierce said 2011 is the year when heaven and earth will align like never before.  The number 10 (from 2010) represents 10 years of testing which has produced testimonies.  But now we'll see a major shift take place in finances, health and relationships.  Prodigals will come home, people who have left the church will return, marriages will be restored--it will be a year of triumph!  2011 (the year of 1) is a year of anointing and a breaking of bondages. People will be set free from bondages that have long held them. There will be an anointing which will break yokes.  People will be supernaturally healed.

The question to ask ourselves is if we're walking in faith in our situations.  These next 10 years will be years of "seeing" like we've never seen before.  But as we walk in faith, we won't just see, but perceive as well.  There will be an explosion of faith in God's people.  There will be a shift in our vision  which will produce clarity in our situations.  There will be a shift in our prayer lives.

This is a season of missions.  There will be a great ingathering and harvest.  It's a crucial year to move forward.

The things God put in your heart years ago will begin to be fulfilled this year.  We're to step into the best that God has for us.  We'll have a greater end than our beginning. 

In May of 2011, there will be great rearrangement and realignment in our nation.  Other nations like Egypt, Korea, the coast of Africa will experience realignment as well.  The darkness in Louisiana will be lifted.

There will be a new supply for us in a new way.  God's going to multiply!  By faith you're going to explode!  The water will flow.  God's military will be filled with faith to go--and return by faith.

Begin to pay attention to your dreams.  God will be speaking to His people through them.  His Spirit is being poured out.  Heaven and earth are connecting in a new way.

ARKANSAS

For Christmas, Andy & I took his mom, Liz, to Mineral Springs, Arkansas--where her sister, Beverly, lives.

This is Mineral Springs.  We've always called it "Mayberry."

Mineral Springs is full of Bells--Clyde's family name.

Andy's uncle, Clyde Bell.  

Clyde, Andy & Phil and Clyde's grandson, Mac, share the same birthday!

September 8--in case you want to send gifts.  Clyde's middle name is Anderson.  Andy was named after him--but Andrew.  We named our first son, Matthew Anderson.  Mac is Mac Anderson.  Whew!

Andy's Aunt Beverly with her granddaughter, Braven.

Liz with her namesake, Lizann--Andy's cousin.

An old building in Mineral Springs I found interesting.

Andy's cousin, Rick, is married to Mandy.  She's so much fun to be around!  We missed seeing their daughter, Becky, by just a couple of hours.

Rick & Andy.  Rick is an optometrist.

Clyde took me around on the mule (vehicle, not animal) to see their land.  Of course--I had to take my camera!

Andy enjoying his family.

Mac's son had a tooth just hanging--but wouldn't let anyone touch it!

The newest Bell--Brady, Mac's son.

A really beautiful fence on Bell land.

Clyde & Beverly with Brady.

Mac with his daughter.

Mandy, Mac, Brady, Amy (Mac's wife) and Liz.

More of "Mayberry."  Isn't it cool?

Andy's cousin, Bron, with his wife, Nicole.

They own Bell's Gym.

Clyde & Beverly's backyard was full of cardinals!

Braven & her mom, Nicole.

The path leading to Clyde & Beverly's.

And the whole reason for the trip...Sisters.

Beverly & Liz.