Monday, April 30, 2012

I saw this on my blog friend, Mari's blog, Mari's Little Corner, and had to copy it here on Penless Writer.

HOW AWESOME IS THIS?!!!!!!


Named one of the best science images by the National Geographic News, Visualizing the Bible "... brings to light the interconnected nature of one of the world's most familiar books." The bar graph that runs along the bottom represents all of the chapters in the Bible. Books alternate in color between white and light gray. The length of each bar denotes the number of verses in the chapter. Each of the 63,779 cross references found in the Bible is depicted by a single arc - the color corresponds to the distance between the two chapters, creating a rainbow-like effect.
This print is a fine art giclee. It is printed on high-quality, premium lustre photo paper.

This chart was created by Chris Harrison, a Ph.D. student in the Human-Computer Interaction Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, in collaboration with Christoph Römhild, a Lutheran Pastor. Chris won the Honorable Mention in the NSF's Science & Engineering 2008 Visualization Challenge.  

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BRANSON TRIP April 26-28, 2012

Nine of us, from our Young at Heart class, made a trip to Branson to see JOSEPH at the Sight & Sound theater.  

I did not think it was quite as good as Noah, which I had seen 2 years ago, but it definitely was worth going to see.  I sat by a couple from New York City and enjoyed visiting with them and getting their take on Branson, this venue and production.




The first night we were in Branson we went to see these performers.  All were good, especially the comedian, the man at the bottom in the red jacket.

We are very fortunate to be so close to Branson and able to go there.  It is so nice to go to a place that is FULL of good, clean, family entertainment.  May was a perfect time to go as it was not at all crowded.   

Mickey outside The Sight & Sound theater.  Just think, some day we will be partaking and witnessing the Lion laying with the Lamb!!
The huge life size Goliath in the foyer of Sight & Sound.
Is your God, like David's, Big enough for you?  Mine is!!!!
If yours isn't, please let me introduce you to MY GOD.
Nine of us made the trip, (left to right) Violet, Margie, Faye, Thelma.

Newlyweds, Betty & Don, in front of Goliath.

Robbin who organized this trip and made all the wonderful arrangement.  Betty drove us to Branson and Robbin drove us back home.  Thanks to BOTH of them, and of course God, for getting us there and back safe and sound and without incident. 

Didn't get a picture of me, but trust me I was there!!

If you can, take a trip to Branson, MO, you will have a grand time.
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Sunday, April 29, 2012

MARC building his computer

Our son, Marc, is in the process of building his own computer.  This will be the SEVENTH computer he has build from scratch.  Not only Marc, but also his brother David, who lives in California, are computer whizzes!!  David is actually a Network Engineer by profession.  They are both so proud of me for being a blogger and so active on fb with three accounts!!  They are even prouder of Mickey who has, and continues to, learn so much about the actual operation and make-up of the equipment so he can help me when I get into a jam. 

The empty boxes in his foyer from which all the parts were ordered from different companies.
This table set up in his bedroom with all the assorted parts (bells & whistles in my vernacular!) ready to be assembled together.   The PCU unit sitting below. 
New laptop with headphones hooked in.
Computer screen.
Marc showing his dad some of the details of the PCU unit which has been pulled out into the living room.
Marc still explaining even further to his dad about this new piece of equipment and all the features it has.

Can you tell we are proud of our son?  You would be, too!!!


The interior of the finished processor after he had it all assembled and working.  
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Wednesday, April 25, 2012

FATHER & SON

I saw this great photo recently on fb and saved it.  I do not know these people but this spoke such volumes to me.  I immediately sent it to our son, Marc, because this so depicts Marc's relationship with his father, Mickey.  In fact the other day when I went to Marc's office, for us to have lunch together, he said, "Look at my screen saver, Mom," as he turned his computer off.

There was this photo and those great words on BOTH of his double screen computer.

Dad, Mickey, looking intently as Son, Marc, shows him some new feature on his new computer part.  Next post will be about this computer!!!

Still another of Son, Marc, putting things together as Dad, Mickey, watches with admiration while petting the dog, Sasha's head.  

I am so grateful for these two MEN who bless my life on an ongoing basis. 

The really great thing is I know Marc is raising his son, Aric, and this closeness will continue into that 2nd generation.  THIS makes me really happy.
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Sunday, April 22, 2012

REAL CHRISTIANITY

Back on March 1st I posted about the book The 10 Second Rule by Clara DeGraaf.  I ended that review with this comment: "Reading this book has just solidified this truth in our hearts.  In fact, there is one thing the Lord has instructed me to do, which I am stepping out and being faithful in obeying.  A little later I will tell you what that is and what the result is.".


As we were reading  this book I kept saying to Mickey, "I wish someone would teach this at our church.  I just know that if 10 to 20 people really DO what this book teaches it would revolutionize not only our church but our community."  The more I prayed about this the more Christ was saying to me:  "YOU do it!" 


So I did, and that is what I've come back to tell you and the result.  


Step 1 - I made an appointment with our Pastor Steve. Mickey and I went to talk to him and I shared about the book and that God had placed in my heart to lead a teaching on this book in a Sunday Small Group setting.  I took him my copy and asked him to read it and see if he agreed and I had his approval.  Both Pastor Steve and his wife, Michelle, read the book and wholeheartedly agreed and were excited about it.  Pastor Steve had begun this new year of 2012 preaching a series on "All In" and this will actually build on that firm foundation that he laid.  


Step 2 - I invited our dear younger friend, Kent, who helps us with The King's Kitchen, and who had given me this book in the first place to please help with the class and Kent agreed.  He is such a blessing in so many areas of ministry at Coweta Assembly.  I also wanted Kent to join me to establish that this class had no age, sex or marital status framework or limitations.


Step  3 - We all have been praying on a daily basis that God would select and place within this Small Group those He wants to be a part of  it.


Step 4 - Kent and I met with Pastor Steve on April 3rd to solidify our plans.  Pastor Steve came up with the wonderful name Real Christianity "Living out the heartbeat of Christ."  We set the starting date for the first Sunday in May, May 6th, and the church began promoting it with notices in the weekly bulletin and in the Sunday & Wednesday pre-service video presentation of upcoming events.


Step 5 - On Sunday, April 22nd, Kent and I were given 5 minutes in both the 8:30 and 10:45 services to give a brief presentation of the upcoming class.  We asked for a 13 week commitment of those attending.  The 1st week an overview of the class, purpose & book and then 12 weeks to cover the 12 chapters of the book.


Step 6 - May 6th - When it arrives I'll post as to how many showed up and how it's progressed.  Stay tuned!!!   


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Saturday, April 21, 2012

ACCIDENT - Or God's unknown reasons and purposes in our life?



This is what remains of Mickey's little '96 S-10 Chevy Pickup he bought 7 years, 6 months & 13 days ago for $2,500 !!  It had 205,515 miles on it when we found it on a used car lot on September 24, 2004.  I first spotted it and knew it was a "good one" when I saw the AARP sticker and a Christian Cross on it.  I knew it had good owners who had taken good care of it.
So, 48,159 miles later, to a total mileage of 253,674 Mickey glanced away from the road for too brief a moment.  The car 2 in front of him slowed to turn into a shopping center, on HW51, the truck in front of Mickey stopped, but Mickey didn't get his eyes back on the road quick enough and rear-ended him.


This is what Mickey's left hand looks like.  Praise God no one else was hurt, and he wouldn't have been either except the casing on the airbag scraped the top layer of skin off this hand.

I was at my Monday morning woman's Bible Study when the phone rang:  Judy answered it, hung up, turned the cd player we were listening to a teaching off, and said, "We need to quit.  Susan, you need to go home Mickey's been in an accident."  My heart sank, for a brief minute thinking it might be heart related and then she said, "Mickey's been in an auto accident and needs you to come home."

By the time I got home, the wrecker was unhooking the truck in our back yard drive-way, behind the fence gate.  I took Mickey to urgent care, for what we thought were needed stitches, but the top layer of skin was scraped off and not deep enough for stitches so they treated the womb as they would a burn.

Our good friend, Mike, who does all the automobile repair work on our vehicles, came over on Wednesday to see if the truck was worth repairing but the frame is bent so it's seen it's day.  Mickey is going to let Mike have the truck for the parts he can get off of it and use. 

So, to the worlds view of looking at things Mickey was in a rear-end accident, but we, as God's children, know that there is no such thing as accidents but only God's will for our lives for reasons that only He knows and understands.  We are grateful the truck he hit has only minor damage, and the young man he hit was not hurt, and was not even upset.  We may never know the "why" but we know that God holds us in the palm of His hand always....even in rear-end accidents. 
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Friday, April 20, 2012

The Christian Atheist - Book #6




ANOTHER great book.  Do you ever just sit down and reflect at God's working in our lives: one building block upon another, day after day, month after month, & year after year?  To say that I am amazed at the powerful books The Lord has been bringing into my life and using, along with daily reading THE HOLY BIBLE (which after all is THE BOOK!), would be an understatement.  

Here is yet another fantastic book to jolt and shake you even further out of any slumber about the seriousness of our walk with Christ that you might still have.  

Sharing one quote from this book: "While it is true that God wants to bless you and has great plans for you, we venture into extremely dangerous territory when we start to believe that God's ultimate plan for us is our happiness."

So, that's all I'm going to say about it, except I highly recommend it if you want God to keep working in a powerful way in your life. 

Wonder what book He will lead me to next? 

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Thursday, April 19, 2012

My Newest Favorite Old Thing

Now that is a strange name for a post isn't it????!!!!!!

So let me explain a little bit.  I do not have a dishwasher.  Well, I have a built-in dishwasher but it does not work and I truthfully use one so seldom, usually only when we would have a large family dinner, I haven't wanted to bother to repair it, or spend the money for a new one. 

I have never, even since childhood when I dried dishes each evening for my mother, mined drying dishes with a dish towel.  Even when I am a guest at someone else's home I am the first to either start washing the dishes or grabbing a dishtowel to dry them.  

BUT, in recent years I had gotten where I was disgusted with the current dish towel that always had polyester, or some other synthetic fabric in them so they did not absorb the water.  I had mentioned to Mickey recently that I wished I had some of the OLD TIME dishtowels of pure cotton like they use to make, and also like I used to embroidery on.  He said, well let's look and see if we can find some.   

Glory be!!!!  -- look what I found at good old Wally World - pure, white cotton dish towels.  As if this wasn't already delighting my heart turns out they were only 2 for $1.98.  Unheard of!!!!  I bought 2 packages, or 4, and upon using them the very first time was so delighted I went back and bought 3 more packages and put the 6 back for later, just in case they are not available when I'd need them.

Truly, sometimes the OLD FASHIONED things are better of best. 
In this case, they are for me.

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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Wednesday Hodge-Podge #6

Think I'll take part in hodgepodge this week.  Go here to see other links.







1. Spring is in the air (at least in my neck of the woods) and the birds are singing...what's your favorite bird?  Definitely the Blue Bird.

2. Speaking of birds...do you tweet? If so tell us your screen name and we'll come flocking to your Twitter site. Even if you don't let's all pretend here that we do-in 140 characters or less, sum up your week so far.
I do not tweet.  Sunday-wonderful worship & preaching.  Monday-not-my husband wrecked his pickup.  Tuesday-blessed-delivered meals to shut-ins & lead Bible Study in my home. PM.

3. Its been reported recently that employers are not only viewing the facebook pages of potential hires but they're also requesting your facebook password to have a look at what you've kept from public view. What say you?  I do not think they should have access to what you have chosen for private viewing only.

4. It's April and you know what that means-Major League Baseball is back in action. What's your favorite baseball movie? If that's too hard, what's your favorite sports themed movie?  I am not a movie watcher or sports fan so I'll pass on this one. 

5. Something else this season brings-asparagus. Yes please or no thanks? If it's yes please what's your favorite way to have it prepared?  I like long spears steamed.

6. What drives you? (Don't you love how I sandwiched that one in between asparagus and jugglers???)  My love and devotion to my Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

7. April 18th is International Jugglers Day...can you juggle? No, nor do I have any desire to do so!

8. Insert your own random thought here. How do you deal with negative people?


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Monday, April 16, 2012

NEGATIVE

Once again, my blog friend Brenda, with her one word post this morning of NEGATIVE  has inspired me to write on the subject.

As a teenager I made a decision that I would CHOOSE, you know we do have a choice, not to spend time, or too much effort, on or with NEGATIVE people.  You know the type all to well.....the sun may be shining and beautiful  today, but they are worried, complaining and anticipating the rain, snow, wind, or excessive heat, tomorrow.  Or, this meal really tastes good, BUT I'll probably pay for it later, because...........(fill in the blanks there can be a 100 reasons) that it will make them sick, or fat, or SOMETHING.

Now, don't get me wrong, as a Christian I am nice and polite and certainly not unkind....BUT I choose to surround myself and my life with POSITIVE people who always see the glass 1/2 full and not 1/2 empty.  Those wonderful -
"IRON SHARPENETH IRON; SO A MAN SHARPENETH THE COUNTENANCE OF HIS FRIEND." Proverbs 27:17
kind of people.  I praise God, because those are the type people I look for and seek out, HE has literally surrounded me with IRON, especially in my Spiritual walk and Christian journey of growth and study.


Yes, there is great power in words, and I realize that even my words here, as I type them, can have great power and impact on those who happen by and choose to read them.  I pray that the power of these words I have chosen to place here will have 3 effects:  (1) If you are one of those very negative people who always see the glass 1/2 empty, begin TODAY to change.  You know, it is never to late and we can all make changes if we really want and desire to do so;  (2) Truly watch who you choose to have as friends and surround yourself with positive, encouraging, challenging and strengthening people; and (3) Determine today, right now this minute, to be begin to have a positive, optimistic, encouraging, hopeful view of your day, your circumstances, your life.  

God has given ALL of us so much and we have so much to be THANKFUL and OPTIMISTIC about so let's bring glory and honor to HIM in all that we not only say, but even our thoughts. 
AND
Let's be a positive piece of IRON that sharpens all who we are blessed to encounter today.   

Friday, April 13, 2012

The Weapons of our Warfare.....

The longer I walk with the Lord the more amazed I am!!! 

We know:  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but migthy through God to the pulling down of strong holds. II Corinthians 10:4 but this was brought home to me yet again this week!!!


Here is the story:  I, through God's help and walking with Him for so many years, been able to build up a fairly good arsenal of these wonderful, not carnal, weapons.  Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.  Psalm 119:11 - This is the foundation, and the only foundation, for this wonderful arsenal He builds up in us.  But I'm sure you've noticed that God ALWAYS, if we have "eyes to see, and ears to hear", will use various ways of reinforcing just what we are going to need before a situation even comes up. Why should we be surprised!  He knows what is coming and He prepares us.  He loves us so!!!!


My WOW Woman Bible Study group started a new book that was recommended by one of the members.  It is Kerry Kirkwood,  The Power of Blessing.  We had only finished 2 chapters of this book that is teaching no matter what happens we are to speak blessings upon the circumstance and all the people concerned.  Kerry Kirkwood doesn't say this but I also thought about the Beatitudes which teach that we "turn the other cheek" and also it reinforced a strong foundation in my life that I don't have to "defend" myself because The Lord is my defender.


So, on Tuesday afternoon, just about 2 hours before WOW is to gather I got hit by a situation.  I instantly KNEW that it was nothing but an attack of my enemy, satan, and I just stood on The Word, pulled out my "not carnel" weapons and told satan I was on to him and he had met his foe in this Child of the King.  Then I spoke blessings over every piece of it.  By the time we had finished Chapter III, and the last WOW woman left this entire attack had been put to rest - BY GOD!!! 


HE is so faithful.  I love HIM so.
I would love to hear of some of your "learning" experiences of The Goodness of our GOD.

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Thursday, April 12, 2012


This article ran in our local Coweta American newspaper yesterday.  I wanted to share it here with my readers who know we do this ministry to give you a complete view of the operation.  What an honor to be able to be Christs hands, feet, & heart in a very small way. Pictured in the back row, to the far right, is our wonderful Pastor Steve Lee.  The two young girls in the front, without King's Kitchen t-shirts, are 2 grandchildren of one of our volunteer couples who came to help this day, one for Community Service credit and the other because she is such a blessing.  


King’s Kitchen at Coweta Assembly serves food, offers friendship

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Posted: Monday, April 9, 2012 6:27 pm
 KitIn February of 2010, volunteers at the Coweta Assembly of God Church began ministering to the shut in and elderly at their church by delivering meals to them once a week.
Now, more than two years later, the ministry has blossomed into the King’s Kitchen and serves dozens in the community with hot meals each Tuesday.
The King’s Kitchen is coordinated by Mickey and Susan Joyce and operated by a dedicated team of volunteers who shop for, prepare and deliver meals to nearly five dozen local residents.
But the Joyces know there are many more out there in Coweta who could benefit from the service.
“Our purpose is to serve widows, widowers and the elderly who could use someone to check on them at least once a week,” Mickey Joyce explained. “We know there are people out there who need help that we do not know about. That’s who we want to reach.”
“We were up to 55 people at one point and we’re down to around 44 now. Many people have passed away, gone into a nursing home or moved somewhere else to live with family,” he added.
Susan said when volunteers deliver meals, they simply stick their head in the door, ask if the individual needs anything and offers to pray for them.
“A lot of people feel like it’s charity, but we don’t want them to feel that way it all. Charity is not the point,” she noted. “It’s just that we care and want to check in on them and know they are okay. We put no pressure on them to go to church.”
Since the first meal was served, the King’s Kitchen has never missed a Tuesday with exception of snow days when school was closed down in 2011.
“What started with 15 of our own church members spread over into Carriage Crossing, then we picked up some meals at Coweta Manor,” Susan noted. “Even though they get meals there, we still serve them because they are related to someone in our church. It lets them know someone cares for them.”
While the church board earmarked $1,000 for the program in the beginning to see how it took off, that money has yet to be used.
“We have never spent one cent of that $1,000. We have had total support from the church membership on this with extra donations,” Mickey noted. “ Everyone knows it’s a need that pulls at their heart and they want to help. We are very proud of that.”
Sherry Kelley is the King’s Kitchen’s primary cook and develops the menu with help from Susan.
“We would be lost without Sherry,” Susan said. “She has been so supportive for us. She does the shopping, buys the food and keeps us under budget.”
On Monday evenings, a cooking crew comprised of Kelli Hutchins, Frankie Horne, Athena Olden, Tammy Stiles, Bill and Valerie Scott and Jane Rogers help prepare the main course for Tuesday’s meal when needed.
Members of the Young at Heart Senior Adult Ministry prepare desserts each week on a rotating basis.
Meal deliveries are made by five teams of two people who help fill and seal trays, load delivered chests and run routes. They voluntarily furnish their own transportation and fuel.
Delivery teams include Tim and Jeanne Oswald, Betty Coyner,  Jimmie and Nellie Arnold, John and Phyllis Rathbone, Kathy Robinson, Eunice Jordan, Ronnie Young, Joi Kilgore, Wantha Deaton and Donna Weins.
Kent Rife is called the King’s Kitchen’s right hand man. The Joyces say he organizes supplies, helps with cooking and boxing desserts and fills in whenever needed to deliver.
Local school teacher Arlene Lamberson volunteers with the program each summer in whatever capacity she is needed.
The Joyces say while meals delivered by the King’s Kitchen help meet the nutritional needs of recipients, the visits by volunteers often meet an emotional need as well.
“If you are elderly and don’t get out and you’re at home all week long, just knowing someone is coming over every Tuesday around noon, you know they appreciate it,” the Joyces noted.
As an added gesture of friendship, the kitchen group sends a birthday card and ice cream on the Tuesday closest to each meal recipient’s birthday. They also deliver carnations to all of the women the week before Mother’s Day.
All meals are on the road by 11 a.m. for delivery by 12 Noon. Approximately one-fourth of the 44 meals delivered in mid-March were to couples – the rest go to individuals.
The meal service area is 71st Street to the north, Oneta Road to the West, the Arkansas River to the south and the Muskogee Turnpike to the east.
If anyone knows of someone who would benefit from receiving meals each Tuesday from the King’s Kitchen, contact the Coweta Assembly of God office at 918-486-3110.


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