Need a break from the ‘grown-up’ life for a few minutes?  Peruse the images below and go back.   If you remember some or all of these, you have lived!

Marlin Perkins

BurmaShave Signs

Lincoln Logs

Flash Bulbs

 Reel to Reel Tape Recorders The Fuller Brush Man 5 Cent Cokes

Chatty CathyBrylcreem

Topo Gigio

Beany and Cecil Car Hops and Curb Service  Sky King

Cork Pop Guns  Jiffy Pop (Popcorn)

Green Stamps  Washtub Wringers

Gum Wrapper Chains Aluminum Christmas Trees TV Test Patterns   Old Yeller

Fire Escape Tubes  15 cent HamburgersSpeedy Alka-SeltzerTimmy and LassieStudebaker’s25 cent a Gallon gasolineBrownie Camera

 45 rpm spindles

Metal Ice cube trays  Tinkertoys

5 cent PostageDing Dong, Avon CallingChef Boy-Ar-Dee5cent Packs Baseball CardsRoller Skate Keys

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;

Count your gains instead of your losses.

Count your joys instead of your woes;

Count your friends instead of your foes.

Count your smiles instead of your tears;

Count your courage instead of your fears.

Count your full years instead of your lean;

Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.

Count your health instead of your wealth;

Count on God instead of yourself.

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:18

For some reason I have been thinking about friends lately and the different places they fill in my life.  I have many friends and each of them are different. 

A few weeks ago I found out that one of my life long friends had to have emergency surgery and since she is older, I was concerned.  Even though it wasn’t what we would call major, I was still concerned.  I can’t really explain the feelings that I had during that time.  What if something happened?  What would I do without her?  And the funny thing is, we don’t talk everyday or even every week, but I just know she’s there.  If I ever needed her for ANYTHING she would be there.  I have a few friends like this.  Lifelong friendships are awesome.  You are totally you when with these kind of friends. 

Then, just a couple of weeks ago we attended the General Convention of our organization, the United Pentecostal Church International.  This is always a highlight to me.  To gather with so many people of like precious faith and worship together is simply great.  Also at this meeting we get together for fellowship with other longtime friends and our “conference friends”.  When we get with these people we just pick up where we left off at the last convention and have great times of conversation, laughter and enjoying each others company. 

After the convention I was privileged to spend a few extra days with my sisters.  These are my blood sisters and there is no one like them in my life.  What can you say about sisters?  They just are!  I love them both dearly. 

The new friends that God is bringing into my life are so precious to me.  We are getting to know each other and you are fulfilling yet another role in my life and I hope that I am doing the same for you.  With the family of God, it is so exciting. 

We got home on Friday Night and I was already looking forward to seeing and worshipping with my church family.  What precious people of God they are.  As I was kneeling toward the end of an awesome service today and thanking God for what He is doing in our midst, it just came to me again, the different roles different people play in our lives.  As much as I love and appreciate my lifelong friends,  my longtime friends, my conference friends and even my sisters, none of them can take the place of my church family/friends.  There is a special and different bond with each of these groups of people but each one plays a very significant role in my life. 

I can’t find the words to express my deep gratitude for them all.  For the friends that have been part of my life, all of my life,  I love you more than you even realize.  My longtime friends that have stuck with me through thick and thin.  You’ve been there when those closest to me passed from this life.  We have cried together and sometimes laughed so hard we couldn’t hardly catch our breath.  Thanks for just being there.  Sometimes you didn’t know what to say, but you was there and that makes all the difference in the world.  I like the saying, “You can’t make new, old friends”. 

To my sisters:  I love you and appreciate you more with each passing day.  Even in our relationships though, we each play different roles in each others lives.  Talk about ups and downs!  We have been through it all.  We have cried ’til we didn’t have any tears left to shed.  We have shared sorrow and grief together.  Our worlds have been shattered.  However, with each of our strengths and helping each other, we have made it through, together.  Then there are the times that we laugh so hard we hurt.  I’m thankful that this happens more often than not.  You two are the best!  I love you dearly.  “I’m smiling because you’re my sister.  And laughing because you can’t do anything about it”! 

My church family:  You are incredible.  I cannot even begin to tell you what you mean to me.  After being with all my friends at conference, when I walked into the church today, I was so warmed by your love.  Church families hold a very special place for the Pastor and his family.  I love singing and worshipping with you.  I love dancing before the Lord with you!  I love it when you pray for me and I love to pray for you.  I love how you love to hear your pastor preach and teach.   I love your outpourings of love that is given in the form of a gift or just a simple, “I love and appreciate you”.  You are simply the best and no one can fill that place in my life but YOU. 

This has been my thoughts for quite sometime now.  I love my life and all the people in it.  Thank you all for being YOU!  You are precious to me. 

I was walking through my father’s house in Wichita Falls, TX when I heard from the kitchen, “Ronda,  Come here”.  I replied, “Daddy, I don’t have time.  We have got to get gone”.  We were trying to get on the road back to our home in Texarkana, a five hour drive.  We had stopped by Daddy’s on our way home from California where we had just left Nathaniel for college.  Daddy spoke back in a very stern voice, “Ronda, come in here NOW”.  He had not spoken to me in that tone for MANY years so I knew something was of extreme importance.  I didn’t know if this was something about Mother who had just passed away a mere month before or what was so urgent that he would use that tone with me.  I went to the kitchen where he was sitting at the kitchen table, kind of like, in shock.  He just pointed to the radio as if to say, “listen”.  That’s when my world stopped.  As I stood in shock and listened to them say that one of the World Trade Center towers in New York had just been hit by an airplane, I could not move.  However, all at once we mobilized with lightening speed. We all jumped in the car and headed to the nearest place with a Television (Daddy didn’t have one).    As we walked through the doors of Market Street (a grocery store in Wichita Falls) and looked at the big screen, that’s when we saw that the second tower was also hit .  I can’t even describe the emotions I felt that day.  I had just left my son in California, 2,000 miles away, and I was afraid for him.  Would I ever see him again? I didn’t know at that moment.  I didn’t know if this was truly the beginning of the end.  Was this the beginning of World War III?  Were these people, whoever they were, going to hit someplace else in our beautiful land?  All I knew to do at that point was to pray.  Sincerely pray.  Nathan, Danelle and I got in the car and began to make our way to Texarkana.  As we went through Dallas, we noticed that the skies were empty.  There were no airplanes flying. Of course that was really strange.  It’s funny how things like that are noticed when they are no longer there. We made it home and called a special prayer meeting as I know many people across our land did that day.  So, as I sit here this morning, eight years later, and think about 9/11/01, all those emotions come back.  I think of the families who lost loved ones that fateful day.  My heart nearly breaks for them.  Then, all of a sudden, coming ever so gently into my play of emotions is something else, thankfulness.  Thankful for how America responded on that day and the days that followed.  Thankful that we are still here, eight years later.  Thankful, that even though that day (9/11) changed America forever, we are still here and still the greatest nation on earth!  I pray for America! I will never forget where I was or what I was doing the day our world stopped. 

GOD BLESS AMERICA. LAND THAT I LOVE. 

If you were accused of being a Christian, would you be found guilty?

I was in a place of business today and mentioned a person’s name that attends our church. The owner of the business stopped and looked at me and said, “You must be a Christian if you are friends with ___________.” I said, “Well, as a matter of fact I am a Christian and my husband is the pastor of the church _________ attends”.   She looked at me and said, “I am glad to meet you”.  I walked out of that place with my head held high and proud.  I thought, what a great testimony of _________, that someone would think I was a Christian simply because I was friends with someone who is obviously a Christian.

How is your reputation around town?

As you can imagine I was proud (in the right sense of the word).  And, I am proud to say that many folks just like ______ attend The Pentecostal Church.  People recognize them as Christians.  Perfect?  Of course not!  Striving to be Christ-like?  Indeed!  If I am accused of being a Christian, I definitely want to be found guilty.

Blessings!

Today I was taken back many years ago, to when I was just a little girl as Linda, Danelle and myself sang around the piano.  Linda began to play as I was preparing  potatoes to be put in the oven to bake.  Danelle came in and she immediately migrated to the piano with Aunt Linda.  She loves the old songs.  I soon made my way in there too and we sang and sang and sang.  Songs like,  “A Crown of Thorns”, “Inside Those Pearly Gates”, “Longing for Heaven”, “When I Inherit My Mansion”,  “The Next Step”, “Meet Me in Front of the Throne”, and my favorite of the day was “Lord, When Are you Coming”.  Linda and I actually got teary eyed as we remembered Mother and Daddy singing this song. Oh!  How they would sing…”Lord, when are you coming?  Lord, I’ve waited so long.  Come and get me Jesus.  Lord, I want to go home”.  I remember crying as a girl as they sang because it made me want to go to heaven so much.  Linda and I began to talk when we finished singing, about how our parents sang so many songs about Heaven.  It really seemed to make the things of this world grow dim.  I wonder sometimes if we would sing more songs and talk more about going to Heaven, if the troubles we seem to be facing in our day and age would not also dim in comparison to the promise of Heaven.  I think it would, because it did today.  I would have been very happy had the trumpet sounded as we sang around the piano today.  There was not a care in the world at that point. Because, my mind was imagining being there, in the presence of God, reunited with my family and friends, walking on streets of gold, seeing walls of jasper and gates of pearl, wading in the river of life and standing in front of throne, meeting with so many people that I’ve promised to meet there.  Ah! “Heaven!  Happy home above.  Heaven!  Land of peace and love.  Oh!  It makes me feel like traveling on.  Heaven!  Eternal.  Heaven! Supernal….”

Come on!  Lay down your burdens for just a few minutes and think about, sing about and talk about Heaven!  It will make things here not quite so consuming.  Lay aside the worry for awhile and think with me, “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus”.  Take a moment and forget about everything else, except the most important thing, and that is making Heaven our home.  Lay it all aside for a little while and sing with me, “Come and get me Jesus!  Lord,  I want to go Home”. 

Even so, Come, Lord Jesus!

YOU SAY

GOD SAYS

You say: ‘It’s impossible’

God says: All things are possible   (Luke 18:27)

You say: ‘I’m too tired’

God says: I will give you rest   (Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: ‘Nobody really loves me’

God says: I love you      (John 3:16 & John 3:34 )

You say: ‘I can’t go on’

God says: My grace is sufficient     (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: ‘I can’t figure things out’

God says: I will direct your steps    (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: ‘I can’t do it’

God says: You can do all things   (Philippians 4:13)

You say: ‘I’m not able’

God says: I am able    (II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: ‘It’s not worth it’

God says: It will be worth it    (Roman 8:28 )

You say: ‘I can’t forgive myself’

God says: I Forgive you     (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: ‘I can’t manage’

God says: I will supply all your needs    (Philippians 4:19)

You say: ‘I’m afraid’

God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear    (II Timothy 1:7)

You say: ‘I’m always worried and frustrated’

God says: Cast all your cares on ME    (I Peter 5:7)

You say: ‘I’m not smart enough’

God says: I give you wisdom    (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: ‘I feel all alone’

God says: I will never leave you or forsake you    (Hebrews 13:5)

I think that this makes it all worth it.  Delilah gave this to my husband after the “Back to School Bash” and “Kids Crusade”.  Too precious for words.

Saturday at 11:00 am.  they began to gather at the neighborhood park.  We never really know how many will show up, but we were once again surprised as between 350-400 people gathered.  The men and ladies of The Pentecostal Church were busy at work getting folks registered, grilling hot dogs, attending the jump house and handing out tickets for the drawings and backpacks to be given away.  Everything was free!  The food, the cold cokes and water, the chips,  the games and all the prizes.  Our guests were treated like royalty!  After a time of fun and games, Bro. Josh Combs from Maryland gathered everyone in and began to have more fun with telling the Gospel Message.  I could see the children began to be touched by the Spirit of God.  I looked around and not only the children but some of the parents were being touched as well.  When Josh asked everyone to pray there was a sweet presence of the Lord that came into the park.  One lady I prayed with was so moved that she was little frightened.  I watched her as tears began to form and she put her hands down quickly.  I asked, “Are you okay”?  She looked at me and said,  “I just feel like crying.  Why”?  I explained to her that it was the sweet presence of God she was feeling and that it was okay.  She began to pray again and this time wept openly before the Lord.  She did not receive the Holy Ghost but she will be taught a Bible Study.  I know she will come to know the Lord.  She will never forget what she felt.  Another lady that brought her family to the park told one of the ladies in our church, this story….”Two years ago when you all had the Back to School Bash, my children didn’t get a backpack.  I told you about it and you took my name and address down.  I didn’t really think anything about it, but then you showed up one day that next week with backpacks for all my kids, filled with school supplies”.  Then she said with tears, “I will never forget your act of kindness”.  One of her boys received the Holy Ghost and 4 of the 15 that was baptized was from her family.  You never know what a small act of kindness will produce.  By the end of the day at our Back To School Bash, 5 were filled with the Holy Ghost and 15 baptized in the precious name of Jesus.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sunday, 2:00 PM  began our Kids Crusade!  From the moment the first praise went up to Heaven you could feel the excitement in the air.  The presence of the Lord was so strong in the Praise and Worship part of the service.  EVERYONE became kids today.  The Kids Praise sang and everyone was involved in,  “I’m Gonna Sing, sing, sing.  I’m gonna shout, shout, shout.  I’m gonna sing.  I’m gonna shout and praise the Lord.  When those gates swing open wide, I’m gonna sit down by His side.  I’m gonna sing.  I’m gonna shout and praise the Lord.  I’m gonna snap…I’m gonna clap…jump, bump…..zoom around the room…”.  You get my drift?  Ha!  It was great but it took a lot of energy.  Then they sang, “You are the one that I worship…”  and “Jesus! Everything I need is in that Name”.  How precious to see and hear these children sing praises to God.  Then Bro. Josh Combs again got us all going with songs like, “Jesus, You are my Super Hero”.  Great stuff.  Once again he told the gospel story in kids terms and did a superb job.  When he asked for us to come pray, the altars filled with children, hungry for God.  Even teenagers and adults were touched and reaching out to God for help.  To end all the festivities of the week-end there was a candy rain, with PLENTY of candy showering down to the kids. We had a great Kids Week-End.  Children are precious in the sight of God and I want to always remember that!

The Pentecostal Church put it on top shelf this week-end.  Or as they say now-a-days…”IT WAS OFF THE CHAIN”!