Scripture Motto

"Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." Matthew 5:16

Monday, May 28, 2012

Honor of Serving

“…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” Matthew 20:28

(In honor of Memorial Day, I wish to share the reflections from Staff Sergeant Matthew Starkey now serving in the National Guard as he returned from a 2009 WWII veterans' Honor Flight to Washington DC.)
 
“This has been a great trip. I'm wishing I could spend another day in DC but the recruit I brought, PV2 Taylor, has his senior prom tonight and I have to get him home.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Sit down and sing

“Pride leads to destruction; a proud attitude brings ruin.” Proverbs 16:18 ncv

entertainment,girls,kids,microphones,people,singing,leisure,arts  
I stood in the front row and lifted my voice strong and loud. The last note like an explanation point to say “wasn’t that fantastic.” I beamed. The audience applauded. My fellow singers patted me on the back and showered me with accolades of praise.

My name is Merrie and I’m addicted to praise.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Blessed, Happy, Content

 
I just feel like saying, "I'm having a GREAT day!"

(That usually happens when I actually trust and obey God's way!)

"Happy are those who keep his rules, 
who try to obey him with their whole heart." 
                                                                                               Psalm 119:2 NCV


Monday, May 14, 2012

Are all things legal beneficial?


 “I’m sixteen. I’m the only one with a driver’s license and have a car.” I kicked the ground and dirt drifted onto his pant leg. My dad stood tall beside me. “You may be old enough and I trust your driving skills, but what I don’t trust is the situation.”

Monday, May 7, 2012

Surviving the A to Z Blogging Challenge

“…I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 nlt
 
“I think I’m going to sign up for this A-Z Blogging Challenge,” my friend Angela wrote in an email. 

She included the link, so I took a look. After some prayer. “I don’t have time and think I’ll pass.”

That was around mid-March. Then, a week later, something overtook my sanity and I signed up to accept the challenge. While in my “out of my mind” state, I decided to use Women of the Bible as my theme. It was a Holy Spirit decision because it was time for me to stretch my writing muscles.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Calculate the costs

                 “Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, 
                                                          doesn't first sit down and figure the cost…?” Luke 14:28 msg

As I sit in the beautiful cabin surrounded by trees, visions of the *A.T. dance in my head. The thoughts have little to do with the cabin or even the trees, but rather the assistance I gave my husband today.

The place is Ponca State Park in northeast Nebraska. The spring event was outdoor cooking. At other state park events my husband has taught Dutch oven, foil, fuel stove, and about every kind of outdoor cooking. He says, “If you can cook in the kitchen, you can cook it outdoors.” For this event, they asked him to teach trail or backpack cooking and I assisted.

He presented cooking choices—stoves, pots, and food items. Overall backpacking is all about going lightweight but can become expensive. Every ounce matters. Every penny is counted.

The class was stupendous but it took me back to the poor choices we made on our first trek and the lessons we learned. I’d always understood the difference between wants and needs, but my overloaded pack taught me the difference between needs and essentials—how less is more when you make smarter choices.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Sh.h.h.h....I'm reading

 
Much like backpacking a 25-mile section of the Appalachian Trail , I pushed myself beyond what I thought I could do—research, write, and post a month's worth of daily blogs from A-Z. 

So, I’m going to sit back, relax, and read a book. Because I do have a life beyond writing, blogging, and reading, it will take me a few days to complete. Once I am done, I will post a review.


The book I’ve selected is: “Out of Control” by Mary Connealy

I’ll drop some daily breadcrumbs leading up to the full book review. Let’s begin…