We attended the Natalie Grant concert this evening at the Granada Theater. I am not a photographer, especially of people. I am blessed to see what God wants me to see though. This picture was the one he wanted me to capture. It was the last one I took and I knew when I saw it that it was the one. Oh, it isn't a great picture by human standards, but it is filled with power. Love it and that I got to capture it. Blessed. His Great Name!

Fresh Find: What a fun kite...sailing!

Okay, you know I don't typically address anything theological, but God is leading me to say something regarding a recent video that is going viral on Facebook.

First off I want to say that a person by the name of B. Harris is the person who posted the video on YouTube, not Bill Cosby.

I don't know Mr. Harris, Mrs. Olsten, or Mr. Cosby. Who I do know is Jesus Christ. He carries me.

When I first viewed this video I was disappointed in the words that were and are being shared with thousands of people. I knew the moment I viewed it that I had to look deeper into what God wanted me to know. 

The words are "I just want to encourage every one of us to realize when we obey, we aren't doing it for God. I mean that's one way to look at it. We're doing it for ourselves. Because God takes pleasure when we are happy. That's the thing that gives Him the greatest joy this morning. So, I want you to know this morning, just do good for your own self. Do good cause God wants you to be happy. When you come to church, when you worship him, you are not doing it for God really, you are doing it for yourself because that's what makes God happy. Amen"

As a Believer, I am led to turn away from those who do not provide scripture with every deliverance of God's message. 1 John 4:1 says, Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

As I took each segment of the quote and broke it down, visited scripture, and looked at it as a whole, I discovered that Mrs. Olsteens words for the most part are true.

Yes -- God wants us to be happy (Ecclesiastes 2:24; 3:12-13,22; 5:18-19; 9:9; 1 Peter 3:10; 3 John 2). There is no debate about this - God wants us to enjoy life here on earth, and be happy. He wants us to live joyfully, to see good days, and enjoy the rewards of our labor.

BUT -- if we really want to pay attention to what God wants, let's observe this -- Not only does God want me to be happy, He also wants me to be HOLY!! (2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 1:3-4; Hebrews 12:10; 1 Peter 1:15,16; 1 Peter 2:5,9; 2 Peter 3:11). 

I cannot say whether a scripture reference was provided to the people in attendance, but I can say there is none on this excerpt. Bill Cosby's, "the dumbest thing" ending may be seen as truth by many, but the Jesus I know is would not say that to this. Did Mr. Cosby give permission to use these words, taken out of context? Probably not. 

I do not agree with the Olsteen's ministry style. That is my personal choice. On the other hand, maybe God wanted us to search our hearts and his Word to discover what is true. He certainly is going to take it and use it for His glory, I know that. He did it for me today. God wants me to be happy. He wants me to be holy. 

God tells us throughout scripture to do for others (Matthew 7:12), turn your cheek (Matthew 5:39), etc. In Matthew 25:40, "The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

What we must remember is that this happiness he wants us to have is found in humbling ourselves into glorifying His Kingdom. Our focus turns from self to serving.

This brings obedient pleasure to God. Then we are blessed with peace that passes all understanding.

Fresh Find: What a fun stag head necklace. Ready for fall time!

This is Marie and Judy. I was 2 months old. I was their baby doll. I'm who I am because of them. LOL

Fresh Find: I think this lamp is spot on!

This is one of my favorite Broadway Street photos; found in a Plainview High School annual.

What a day. What a week. Seriously, I am overwhelmed when I have too many volunteer opportunities/options in one day. LOL

I did have lunch with a precious friend that I have known for years and years. God has certainly blessed my life through her. Our lunchtime was a sweet time. I needed that time.

Today, I read in Jesus Calling these words...

"The world is so complex and overstimulating that you can easily lose your sense of direction. Doing countless unnecessary activities will dissipate your energy. When you spend time with Me, I restore your sense of direction. As you look to Me for guidance, I enable you to do less but accomplish more."

This is so very true and I really needed to read this. God is so very good!!! 

Have a wonderful holiday weekend. I'll be at the Granada Theater some. Hope to see you there.

I sure am missing these girls...

Fresh Find: This sounds so good! I'm ready for Fall!!!

When you love it enough to read it anywhere. Yes, I stopped and looked at the newspaper.

Fresh Find: Track your wallet...pretty sweet!

I don't know; I just don't know. I must come up with something to write about because the blog warlord is holding a guilty gun at my keyboard and yelling, "WRITE! WRITE!"

Yes sir, yes sir. I, I am trying, but I can't think of anything to write ABOUT.

"I SAID WRITE!"

Looooonggg pause...

I need a picture. I can always post a picture.

"WRITE!" 

I need to clean out my closet. I need to get rid of things that I can't wear or won't wear.

"Not that. Who cares about what you need to do."

I need to clean house, too.

The guilty gun draws closer to the keyboard and presses down on my hand. I feel it in my brain; the feeling of sadness at the loss of brain function on the writing topic chip.

"Click, your dead. Just teasing this time. NOW WRITE!"

Okay, okay!

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. There, I did it. I wrote you something. I wrote you a pangram. Are you happy?

"Sort of."

The five boxing wizards jump quickly. Look out! Did you see that?

"Yes, what are you doing?"

Writing. You said write, right?

Heavy boxes perform quick waltzes and jigs like Six big devils from Japan quickly forget how to waltz.

"Are you crazy?"

No, I'm a writer.

About that time, A very big box sailed up then whizzed quickly from Japan.

"Okay, enough, enough writing. Just post a picture, alright?"

Sure, but ... B, C, F, G, H, I, J, K, M, O, P, Q, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z are letters.

The word pangram comes from the Greek for all letters (pan = ALL + grámma = LETTER). A pangram is a series of words which contains all the letters of the alphabet.

Speaking of gramma...makes me think of being an Ushka.

I know...pretty random writing, but very pretty girls! LOL

Fresh Find: What a fun letter idea.: What a fun alphabet letter idea.

Butterflies are so flighty! They are hard to photograph. Today when I went outside to sprinkle the flowers, there were 5 beautiful butterflies resting on the flowers.

Butterflies always remind me of our beautiful spiritual transformation once we ask Jesus into our lives.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"   2 Corinthians 5:17

Fresh Find: What fun enamelware!

I am my grandfather. I see him in me more than anyone else. I particularly think about our similarities on my Sunday drives. He did Sunday Drives. He also enjoyed taking pictures. I'm glad he did because I have sure enjoyed them through the years. He liked to film movies and record the happenings of the day on cassette tapes, too. What special keepsakes!

Here 'Bo' is getting ready to use their rotary phone that sat in the phone cubby.

The dresser on the right is our Miss A's bedroom. It is signed by our 'Bo' and is a very special piece because of it.

I am my grandfather, and I'm proud to say this!

Fresh Find: Oh, what a precious 'Blush' trunk. Wouldn't this make a special carrier for special letters, wedding keepsakes, 'Bo' keepsakes, or a beach weekend? Love it!!!

This is a picture of (L to R) Zoe Hopkins, Carrie Bonner, Aunt Hattie, and my Grandfather, Hugh Etter; taken at Thanksgiving, 1951.

Zoe Price Hopkins was my Grandmother's mother. I remember going to her house in Amarillo and mostly she was in her room in bed. I never really new her. I do remember her not liking loud children. I know now that she was older and not in good health or at least this is what I have created in my mind.

Carrie Bonner, I think I met once. I remember her dying and me being at her beautiful house on Columbia Street helping my Mother, Grandmother, and Grandfather go through her things. Mrs. Bonner gave my Grandmother the American Fostoria glassware that my Grandmother gave me on my 16th birthday.

I did not know Aunt Hattie. I am only aware of a Hattie "Gussie" Burkhalter and she is from my dad's side. I don't think she would be eating with this side of the family, but you never know.

This picture was taken 4 years before I was born. Just thinking...I would like to sit with this group now.

Fresh Find: What a fun "Men's Only" tent. : What a fun "Men's Only" tent. Or, what about a little light reading???