Amy Carmichael #BeWoW #WritersQuoteWednesday

I came across this quote and image on my Facebook feed several days ago and saved it for today.  

Image courtesy of the Banner of Truth; click rhe image for more information.

 

“Let nothing be said about anyone unless it passes through the three sieves: is it true? Kind? Necessary?”

– Amy Carmichael

It speaks volumes to me about how we ought to act but, seemingly nowadays, don’t. This is one of those rare times when I really hope my perception is off. 

This post is linked to both the BeWoW and Writers Quote Wednesday communities; make sure to check them out!

Thank You #VeteransDay Nonet

To all that have served, thank you for the sacrifices you made.

A day to honor those who have served
Given so much for so little
Who poured out their blood sweat tears
To protect our freedom
A grateful nation
And her people
As one voice
We thank
You

(Inspired by THIS POST by Jane Doughtery.)

I Won … Nothing #BeWoW

See here for what being a BeWoW blogger is all about,

Last week I noticed some odd posts on Facebook; yes, odd even for Facebook. Browsing my feed before bedtime I noticed an old friend – who was always a cut up – posted something to the effect “Out of toilet paper; goodbye socks!”  I couldn’t resist and replied “Don’t flush!”, thinking I’d garner a laugh. Little did I know the laugh was on me!

A few seconds later he messaged me: I’d fallen for a prank, one supposedly to raise awareness for breast cancer. The note said I was to choose from 8 or maybe 10 made up statuses and post one and wait for my victims. I’m a big joker at heart, always have been and always will be I reckon, so I played along. 

The least outrageous and offensive choice “I just won $900 on a scratch off ticket” seemed to be the option for me so onto my status it went. Within three minutes I had four victims! I messaged them all the note I was sent and waited … and waited. It seemed no one else wanted to play! Even my dear, sweet daughter was “out” on this game. 

I pondered on it a few minutes and deleted the post, replacing it with an explanation of what it was and no hard feelings for not being amused. I also mentioned they should remember I don’t even play the lottery so it would be awfully hard for me to win it! That’s another story for another post though …

In 1995 I lost my dear grandmother, Granny as we all (still) call her, to breast cancer. I’m all for making sure this horrid disease stays in the forefront of our minds, the whole reason I “played” to begin with. But this wasn’t really the best way to do that: posting a silly statement for the world and my (church) kids to see and possibly misinterpret. No, this blog is a much better and hopefully effective way to remind the world of the life-stealing disease. And it is much more appropriate to honor a woman who deserves to be honored in an honorable way. 

Granny and Papaw inspired, molded, shaped, and taught me; I wouldn’t be the man I am today if it weren’t for them and the role they played in my life. I thank

God daily for them and the time we had together. And I hope to honor God first and them next in who and what I am/do. 

“Papaw” Bill and “Granny” Iris Plybon, I dearly hope you know how much you’re still loved, adored, and missed. 

Haiku Challenge- Miss and Past

This afternoon I began opening my emails and was pleased to find the first haiku challenge of the week from Ronovan Writes: miss & past. To be honest, this was the second challenge in my inbox but I missed the deadline for the other one; I’m not always great with time-sensitive creative things! LOL 

Anyway, as usual, I spent a long time pondering the challenge – about 2 minutes – and then out popped the following haiku:

Some folks miss the past
Some focus on the future 
I live for today 

This haiku really fits me and my life pretty well. Yes, I make preparations for some things but overall I live for today. I know that the next moment may be my last; the Bible teaches we aren’t guaranteed another day of life. I know that I can’t change a thing by worrying about it; all I can do is move forward today in a way that is honest, honorable, and brings glory to God. 

I also feel that the memories and values we leave and impart are the most valuable things there are/we can do.  So I try to live as if this is “it”; I need to be prepared to leave this life at all times and do my best to leave behind a godly legacy to my family and friend and make sure I’ve not left anything that needs amends in my relationships.

Yes, it can be a tall order. And yes, I do fail at times, more than I’d like to admit realm. But overall I think it’s really the only way, for me at least, to live.