Boys and Their Toys

I bought CWG a pressure washer for our anniversary back in June. Yes, that's what he wanted. You know men and their toys. But the thing has come in handy--for all those vegetable oil spots in my drive from the Frybaby. You should have seen him out there cutting through the grime on the concrete with it, and then it became a game. He began writing "I heart B.C" into the concrete. B.C. is a nickname he gave me when we were newlyweds. It stands for Babycakes. I made him shorten it to B.C. in public.

After a while, the tedium set in, and the driveway sits half done. On to the cars! He washed all three vehicles--paying special attention to the Baby's tires. Oh he was in guy heaven. Then he knocked some of the dirt off the vinyl on the side of the house for good measure. Just one side, mind you. On to the patio! "Honey, look how it makes the brick look new again!" he exclaims. "Good," I reply,"Keep going." But you guessed it...half-done.

I nearly backed over the wonderful device the other day. Yep, it was left hooked to the water hose and parked behind my car. And I find myself thinking that I have more than one little boy to pick up after. But hey, at least he enjoyed his anniversary present for once!

Not Enough Hours in the Day

This week I am working on getting the two novels read for upcoming reviews, The Begotten and The Betrayed by Lisa Bergren. I am 3/4 of the way through The Begotten, but since my reading has to be done late at night after my work and they boys are asleep, it is slow going. Still, I look forward to my time each night, even if it is only a few pages at a time.

School is back in full swing, and so my days are quiet again. I am adjusting to being back on the day shift, but still am finding too many things to distract me. Little man rides the bus home in the afternoons,so that gives me one more uninterrupted hour to get my typing in. But it seems I just can't get motivated. I want to be doing 1,001 other things...blogging, reading, writing...those things that I love doing. I have writer magazines piling up because of no time to read them. I have From Pharaoah's Hand to spit and polish. And I promised to get these reviews done as well. So I have plenty to keep me going. And evidently you all do too. Know that you are missed when you don't drop by. I promise I'll get by to see you too soon.

WW goes Duck Hunting

The story is told of five doctors that went duck shooting one day. Included in the group were a general practitioner, a pediatrician, a psychiatrist, a surgeon and a pathologist. After a time, a bird came flying overhead. The first to react was the GP who raised his shotgun, but then hesitated. "I'm not quite sure it's a duck," he said. "I think that I will have to get a second opinion." And of course by that time, the bird was long gone.

Another bird appeared in the sky thereafter. This time the pediatrician drew a bead on it. He too, however, was unsure if it was really a duck in his sights and besides, it might have babies. "I'll have to do some more investigations," he muttered, as the creature made good its escape.

Next to spy a bird flying was the sharp-eyed psychiatrist. Shotgun shouldered, he was more certain of his intended prey's identity. "Now, I know it's a duck, but does it know it's a duck?" The fortunate bird disappeared while the fellow wrestled with this dilemma.

Finally, a fourth fowl sped past and this time the surgeon's weapon pointed skywards. BOOM!! The surgeon lowered his smoking gun and turned nonchalantly to the pathologist beside him: "Go see if that was a duck, will you?"

We've all been guilty at times of shooting first and asking questions later. Sometimes we overhear a portion of a conversation and draw our own conclusion. Other times we fail in our responsibilities when we allow caution to breed procrastination. We are called to be helpers one of another. Part of that helping is holding one another accountable. When it is necessary to question, defend, correct, or instruct we must not be silent.

Just as the first 3 doctors were careful with their guns, we must keep a watch on our tongues. Even when speaking the truth, we must choose the best mode of delivery. We must evaluate the situation and weigh it with of the Word of God. Another important factor is letting the Holy Spirit guide us in the how and when . Above all, we must have pure motives and a clean heart.



James 1:19 and 26 are bracket scriptures of today's text. "Read 'em and weep" if you need to weep. Read and be thankful if you have been delivered from being religious. 19) Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 26) If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

P.S. I read, wept, and was thankful that I could still read and weep.

Bedroom Furniture

In my world a home theateris the big king-sized bed me and CWG share, a 27 inch color TV, and a bag of microwavable popcorn. However, there is a world where I dream. And in this beautiful world, I have a home theater complete with flat-screen, HD TV as big as a wall, and nice big comfortable recliners for all my friends and family. That's right. A home theater.

Now, no one I know has a room specifically labeled a "home theater." I ran across a site called Galleryfurniture.com. You can visit Houston Furniture here to see what I am talking about--fine leather recliners, cushy--elegant, casual, beautiful furniture. You can get one or groups of 2, 3, 4 and so on. My favorite one is the big red Cosmopolitan complete with drink holder. It looks wide enough to accommodate my fanny, and the red would go great with my curtains. But of course, if I had a room specified just for a home theater, I might redecorate entirely. Who knows? I would probably be more inclined to get this lovely one with the leg massage.

As a rule, I am a practical girl. I doubt that I would ever own a home with its own home theater. But you never know. If I did, I would love to kick back and see my family videos splashed on a huge screen. Wouldn't that be fun...to kick back with the popcorn in one of those awesome recliners. What would you watch in yours? Indiana Jones? Mel Gibson? Old black and whites? I'm partial to old John Wayne movies myself. But these days I'm sure I would be asleep before the movie ended. I always miss the good parts.

Worship Wednesday

Headed Home

I had actually started a post as we were headed home from New Mexico. We were taking a little break from the road, getting gasoline, using the facilities and such. There were some motels nearby so I 'borrowed' their high speed connection for a few minutes. Somehow I failed to finish it out and now it seems to be old news. The title is still a good one: "Headed Home".

We have been back from vacation for 5 days now, but we are still headed toward home. I'm talking about our heavenly home. No matter where our earthly travels take us, we must always focus on our final destination. Our heading can't be described with latitude or longitude degrees. It is merely that place whose Builder and Ruler is God. The City that has streets paved with gold, gates of pearl, and walls of jasper.

Heading is a term used by aviators. It is a reference point related to the direction of flight. Our spiritual journey is guided by a book of directions better known as the Bible. We have three major reference points to guide us. The first is the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The second is marked by His crucifixion and resurrection. The third is His future return to gather the saints.

Somewhere along the way we must recognize His virgin birth and sinless life. Then to solidify our direction we must intersect with the second reference point, the crucifixion. We must believe that He died for our sins. Then follow Him, each bearing our own cross. The third major reference point is still yet to be reached. It will signal our final destination.

All along the journey there will be sign posts. Some are near the path and easily read. These are the scriptures. Others may be audible instead of written. They may come directly from the throne room or be given through His servants here on Earth. Still other instructions will come as gentle tugs from within the heart of the traveller. The narrow road will not missed as long as all of the signs are obeyed.

Detours happen. Many times they are accidental. Sometimes they are intentional choices. Either way they cause delays in reaching home. Good things can come from being detoured, but they are not easily recognized. Often times they are realized after the road weary get back on the right track. It is important for us to learn from our mistakes in order to avoid duplicating them.

The new "on-star" equipped vehicles are a real asset to those who have experienced break downs or have lost their way. The commercials depict the stranded motorist making a phone call. A pleasant voice answers and says that help is on the way. Problem solved.

The same principle applies to our temporary break downs and other unpleasantries. Even when we have no idea where we are or how we got there, an humble request to the right Person will bring an immediate answer. That assistance may not come in the way we expect or desire. It may even be delayed in coming. Be patient and rest assured; He hears and He responds to the cry of the penitent.

In your time of despair, don't call 'on-star'. Call the Bright and Morning Star. He will always light your way home.

A Writerly Post

Thanks to the marvel of modern technology, my USB flash drive, and Office Depot, I now have a spiral bound hard copy of From Pharaoh's Hand to moon over, drool over, and bleed in red ink over. I had them print it on one side of the page only, so that I would have plenty of room to make edits and notes. It's about 3 inches thick and reminds me of a Nashville phone book. And every time I look at it I smile. It may never be a bestseller; first novels rarely ever are. But it's mine. First thing Chase said was, "Mom, how come you didn't publish it right after we wrote it?" Indeed, we did write it, didn't we son. After all, who gave me the idea for the backpack floating in the river?


I had to fight the urge to do a celebratory dance right there in the Office Depot of Murray, Kentucky. Oh, I've missed my constant companions, Elizabeth and Catfish. I had forgotten how they had kept me up nights and entertained me with their misery. I read back through several chapters. One night this week, I'm going to do a complete read through start to finish to make sure it flows and that I have all the chapters in the right places. I have so many things I want to get done. And that's just with the novel.

Lisa Bergren sent me her two latest novels to review for her blog tour, The Begotten and and The Betrayed. I am about 100 pages in on the first one, but the late night vigil I'm keeping to get it and my work done is wearing me down. Somewhere around 2 this morning I marked my page and placed the tome on the nightstand--not really wanting to quit, but needing to. Torn between working, reading, writing, and sleeping. The sleep won out. But I will get back to you on those. Be looking for those reviews coming up in early September.

Perhaps when the weather turns and the days begin to shorten you will return. I have missed you dear friends. Yet I know all our lives are busy. We all have our day to day dramas to play out. And our own life's work to write. But whenever you can, slip those glasses off, lay the pen aside, grab your coffee mug and join me here. I'm always glad to see you, and we really have a lot of catching up to do. Feel free to drop by anytime. If it's 2 in the morning, we'll make pancakes and have a pajama party. You bring the 80's music, and I'll dance!

Christmastime is a comin'!

Ran across a unique idea for Christmas and birthday gifts for children. I've had the link on my sidebar, but now that it is getting closer to the holiday season, I thought you might want to check it out.

Send Down Your Rain

Today I just walked into the house after church. My son had turned on the water hose to let my shrubs have a drink. "They're dying," I lamented. And the we heard it--the sound of falling rain. Glorious rain. Thunder. Rain......so many days without it has turned my yard into a dust bowl with brown withered grass. My son went out fully dressed and danced in the rain, reveling in the cool shower--a welcome respite from the 100+ temperatures we have been having. It's clearing off now after only about 20 minutes. Not near enough, I sigh. Not near enough. Yet, who am I to question God about when it is enough?

Even as I speak it there are people in Oklahoma and Houston who are riding out flash floods and praying for relief. There are folks in the Carribean bracing against hurricanes. I could be one of them. So I will not grumble over the shower that has come or it's seemingly little effect on the drought. I will thank God for sending it. And enjoy it while it lasts. What is someone else's trial is my blessing. Lord, help me to remember that when I panic and worry about tomorrow. I am not forsaken nor alone. Those rumblings from the heavens are choreographed according to Your mighty will. You hold the world in your hands and my life is not insignificant to You.

As far as those spiritual storms go, help me to stop looking at the circumstances. Help me to see beyond today and whatever disappointment I might feel about how today is going.

I am not God. My thoughts are not His thoughts. I do not have the answers. And I am glad sometimes that I do not know all, for that burden would be so hard for someone like me to bear. If I knew exactly what trials I had left to face-- in my human frailty, I might just throw in the towel and walk away. But I must trust. I must learn to give myself over to Someone else's care.

If I am to grow I must accept the rain when it comes--I must get out there and dance in it, drink it in, and wash the dirt from my weary soul with it. Celebrate it, use it up, lap it up and count it all joy. I have so much left to learn about life God. I am so immature.

The Bible says the rain falls on the just and the unjust. We can view it as a trial. Or we can view it as a blessing. But we all know what happens when there is no rain...things begin shriveling up, withering, and dying. I don't want to die inside, God. I don't want to waste away in self-pity and bitterness. Send the rain if you must. The storms if you must. But just don't stop working on me, dealing with me, or teaching me. I need Your rain.

I need Your rain.

I Just Need Some Peace

I've been holding back from posting. Sometimes things are just too close to the surface for me to be objective. And sometimes, well many times, I wallow in self-pity to the point where even I don't want to hear what I have to say. And sometimes I don't even want to hear what God has to say. That may be shocking to you. That may shake your belief in me somewhat. I don't know. But I know we are all human. And I know we all have fears, problems, and questions. My sisters and I have always deemed it "The Family Curse." Suffering is to be expected. Trials are a given. Burdens a part of life. Maybe Sista Cala can give us some insight on generational curses. But that is beside my point...which is, well at this hour I forget.

The one thing I do know is that we are called to bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2). The law of Christ. What did He say? He said to love the Lord thy God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself. Sometimes it's not the neighbors I have trouble loving. It's the one I share my life with. And don't pretend I didn't say that. I did. Sometimes I think, why can't I rely on him to share these burdens with me? Where have we gone amiss? Is it that we do not love one another enough? Or that we are not loving God as we ought? And if we cannot "gee-haw" as they say here in the South, and we're always at cross purposes and on different roads and reading different pages of different books, then what is left?

There has been a lot of soul searching going on the past week my friends. And I cannot say that it has been good. It has been grueling. Gut wrenching. Tearing me up inside. And all I know to do is pray. And pray. And pray til the answer comes.
There is a place where I find peace. And that is where I run when things get rough.
Sometimes I cry like a baby. And other times I just rest in the shelter of His wings. I have to find that place. I cannot afford to lose out with God. He has rescued me so many times. He has been with me through all kinds of circumstances. He has never left me. I do love God with all my heart. I hope that you've been around here long enough to know at least that much.

But I need your help. I've been too proud to ask, too ashamed to admit I can't handle these things on my own. Those of you who believe in prayer, and I know there are many...say one for me and my marriage today. And that God would grant me serenity to change the things I can, accept the things I cannot, and the wisdom to know the difference. I love you all.

Worship Wednesday goes Western

"I think God must be a cowboy at heart. He made wide open spaces from the start. He made grass and trees and mountains, and a horse to be your friend, and a trail to lead ole cowboys home again.

Campfire coffee from a tin cup in my hand; sure warms your fingers when its cold. Sleeping in the moonlight with a blanket for a bed; leaves a peaceful feeling in my mind. Waking up in the morning with an eagle overhead; makes my long to fly away before my time.

Bright lights and big cities are alright for awhile; sure makes you feel good when you're there. And the country is so pretty goes on and on for miles; takes away my troubles and my cares. "

I learned this song shortly after we married and moved to Colorado. My in-laws spent the evenings singing songs; some gospel and some cowboy. This one just happened to be a little of both. I'm thankful that God left us a Bible trail to find our way to Him. Aren't you?

So what do you think, God a cowboy or not?

We have been vacationing for the past week. We have been in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. Actually, we're in Gallup, NM right now. We are sitting in a motel parking lot borrowing their internet connection.

The remote mountain resort where we stayed (aka: in-laws in Arboles, CO) had no internet services. We did have our own suite with complimentary laundry services. We dined on exotic meat cooked by a gourmet chef with 50 years of experience. We also had our own private swimming hole.

Thankful to be headed home. Pray for our continued safety. Thanks. Sista Cala and Cowboy

Through Every Storm

Click here to listen to the song that goes with this.

In Memory

I love you Mama...Nancy Mccoy Robinson 05/23/1940--08/08/2001

Still in Shock


Aching sadness with no relief
Tears of sorrow, tears of grief,
Longing to feel hands long since stilled
Wipe away tears unwelcomed and spilled.
No other shoulder could calm the storm;
No other hug was as safe and warm.
The grass has grown back, it's no longer bare--
And I still can't believe that it's my mother there.

CHGreen-@2005

Commercial Wisdom

There’s a commercial on TV that states, “There may be a better way to spend 15 minutes on line.” As they are saying those words, you see an image of a guy making all sorts of odd faces. Shopping for car insurance with their company is a better way to spend 15 minutes on line- so they say.

Blogging is a much better way to spend 15 minutes. That is if you are reading or writing a Christian blog. With bloglines, I can breeze through a million in just a few minutes. Maybe I exaggerated a bit, but I do like the layout and ease of running through a long list of blogs in a short amount of time.

Bible reading is an even better way to spend 15 minutes. Reading being the key word, not just flipping through the pages. Many times I am guilty of browsing the Bible; scouting for a soothing verse to fit my situation. While that is better than consulting “Dear Abby” it is no better remedy. Abby may take weeks to answer but a verse taken out of context is like a band-aid on a broken bone.


Actually, the Bible has been on the best sellers list longer than any other book ever written. No other book has been translated into as many languages. I know of no other book that includes history, poetry, financial advice, instructions for church and family, love stories, war epics, recollections of miracles, and apocalyptic literature all within a single cover.

"Oxi Clean tough on stains, safe on all your laundry. You will see the difference, I guarantee it."
With a boast like that, who wouldn't want to try it? The Bible; tough on sin, safe for every man. Christ will make the difference, His Word guarantees it. Try it. I'm sure you will like it.


Blogger’s block? Watch a little TV. Take some commercials and draw spiritual parallels. After all, isn’t that what Jesus did when He taught in parables? I’m sure that it won’t be considered infringement. The free advertisement will probably be appreciated. Just remember to turn off the TV and include a lot of the Bible.

Has it been a week?

If you've been looking for me, I've been gone to the mountains for a few days. I came back more tired than when I left. (Dollywood). And of course there is always the work to get done. Plus, I had an overnight guest over the weekend, Sista Cala! I haven't forgotten you all, and will be back on my regular schedule soon, now that school has started back. Praise the Lord! I trust Sista Cala will be getting me her Worship Wednesday post soon. Love you guys!

Quick Quotes

"Looking for a new life? God takes trade-ins."

"The best vitamin for a Christian is B1."
"Under same management for over 2000 years"
"Soul food served here."
"Tithe if you love Jesus! Anyone can honk!"
"You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving."
"Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church."
"We should be more concerned with the Rock Of Ages, instead of the age of rocks."
"Reputation is what people think about you. Character is what people know you are."
"Life has many choices, Eternity- only 2."
"Seven days without prayer makes one weak."
"No Jesus - no peace, Know Jesus - know peace!"
"Worry is interest paid on trouble before it is due."
"Prevent truth decay. Brush up on your Bible."
"It's hard to stumble when you're down on your knees."
"Never give the devil a ride. He will always want to drive."
"Can't sleep? Try counting your blessings."
"Forbidden fruit creates many jams."
"Satan subtracts and divides. God multiplies and multiplies."
"If you do not want to reap the fruits of sin stay out of the devil's orchard."
"Lead me not into temptation; I can find the way myself."
"God answers kneemail!"
"Aspire to inspire before you expire."
"Free trip to Heaven. Details inside."

Quick Quotes

Looking for a new life? God takes trade-ins.

• "The best vitamin for a Christian is B1"
• "Under same management for over 2000 years"
• "Soul food served here"
• "Tithe if you love Jesus! Anyone can honk!"
• "Don't give up. Moses was once a basket case"
• "Life has many choices, Eternity has two. What's yours?"
• "Worry is interest paid on trouble before it is due"
• "Wal-Mart isn't the only saving place!"
• "Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary"
• "Prevent truth decay. Brush up on your Bible"
• "It's hard to stumble when you're down on your knees!"
• "What part! of "THOU SHALT NOT" don't you understand?"