"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

A Little Light Story

Once was a man traveling all alone
On a road he'd not traveled before,
He had no place to stay for the night
And no place to help keep him warm.

He came on a cabin deep in the woods.
He entered a room dark and black.
He took from his pocket a box of matches,
Lit a candle that was deep in his pack.

The room was brighter than had been before.
But he needed a strong candle stand,
So the wax that would run from the candle top
Would not put sore burns on his hands.

Then he found in the bottom of an old curio
A lantern with three mirrored sides.
When he put the candle inside of the door
The light almost blinded his eyes.

He set about with some sticks from outside
To build a fire in the stove used for cooking,
Soon the cabin was warm but then he saw
His candle was losing light for looking.

He hurriedly searched the cabin once more,
Found a lamp that used oil to burn.
It appeared to have a new wick and fuel
To give the light he'd need until morn.

Let us look now at this story of light,
The many light sources it had.
First the box of matches in a pocket found
Lit the candle that made the room glad.

Then came the lantern to hold the candle,
The mirrors made the room shine.
Next sticks in the stove to warm up the room
So the man wouldn't shiver and whine.

As the candle burned low to soon be no light
The oil lamp with new wick inside,
Took over the job of providing the light
Showing him everything that's inside.

This is a story of our various tasks
And tools needed to help the light shine,
So as we begin this year 2009
Please decide which tool you’ll say, "It‘s mine.".

Will you be the matches in book or in box
Or the candle that lit up the room?
Will you be the lantern or a mirror inside
Or sticks that helped warm things so soon?

Will you be a lamp with a wick and some oil
To provide light the whole night through?
Or will you just sit in the dark of the room
Thinking there's nothing for you to do?

Remember if you're just a tiny match stick
Or an oil lamp burning just fine,
You have to find your part of the light
If your light shines to lead home the blind.

God Bless,
Mimmy aka Joyce Smith
October 14, 2009

Sidetracked

This will be very short and maybe not too sweet since I'm writing off the cuff. Hope you all are having a wonderful seek so far. You will be in my prayers as we go forward in our walk.



Good Intentions

I had such good intentions
When I got on here tonight.
T'was going to do a daily post
It was going to be quite nice.

But then I got on google
Searching for a pic I need
For a Christmas present
That will be quite nice indeed.

It appears that I can only
Do one nice thing in a day,
I'm sure you know I don't mean that
Just needed something to say.

So I'm going turn turn the lights off
Tuck myself into my bed.
My plan's to write tomorrow
Of all that's in my head.

But if my good intentions
Should someway get side-tracked,
Please don't you forget me
'Cause someday I'll be right back.

God Bless,
Mimmy

First Things First

It's hard for me to admit when I'm wrong. It 's probably hard for everybody. But, there are times when we all have to so here I go.


Since I've started blogging I've spent much more time at it than I should. Although I spend most of every day in my recliner there are things that I do need to do. Right now in particular there are some things I could be doing around the house. Not many, I'll admit, but I can fold clothes and I might be able to do some picking up and some dusting so I've got to try to be more of a help to Pat.


Number one on this list has to be my Bible study. I've really neglected it and have to get back to doing more. It is hard for me to read because of the medication that I take. It's not because of being unable to focus, but my memory is affected so I have to reread several times before it sticks. What might take one person 15 minutes to grasp takes me about an hour so I get frustrated and just put it down. That has to stop. Right now I really need to spend some time in God's word to bolster my faith so that I can deal with the other things in my life that frustrate me.


Also, since our financial situation is what it is, I have to get busy making Christmas presents if we're going to have anything to give to our family and friends. I'm beginning to panic because Christmas is just around the corner.


So that I can get my priorities in order, I'm putting blogging on the back burner. I'm not going to quit. It does fill a very important void in my life but I am going to slow down. My plan is to blog once or twice a week and read and comment two or three days a week. That way I won't lost touch with so man lives that have become important to me.


Hopefully, those of you who have been such a part of my life won't stop reaching out to me either. It will still be important to me to read what you have to share.



FIRST THINGS FIRST

It’s time for a little confession.
There are things I’ve pushed to the back.
Things I don’t want to admit
But things that I really do lack.

It’s hard when we must face the fact
That we have some limitations,
That we can’t make all the things in our hearts
Come to actual fruition.

There are many things I want to do
As I sit here in my chair.
Blogging is just one of them
That I wish to give lots of care.

Bible study is the top of my list,
Yet it seems I’ve pushed it aside,
Not all the time, not all the way,
But enough that it hurts inside.

So I’ve come to a decision
One that I have to make.
Blogging must take a back seat
To all else that’s on my plate.

First, must come God my Father,
Setting things right with Him.
Reading from His precious word
Every day, not just on a whim.

Talking with him about my trials,
All the things that weight on my heart.
Letting him take full control of me
Not just a piece or a part.

Then there are things I can do to help
With the care of my family and home.
There are not too very many
Since round the house in my chair I roam.

My crafting must have my attention,
I must make gifts for family and friends,
For the Christmas holiday
Since very little money we’ll spend.

At the end of this list must come blogging
At least for a little while.
It’s hard for me to put aside
Since it really fits with my style.

All through my life I’ve loved people
Around me to talk and chat.
After I had to leave my work
I have really missed all of that.

So I’ll not stop it entirely,
Will post just every few days.
Reading your blogs when I have the time
Catching up with all you will say.

This is not goodbye by any stretch,
It’s just that I’ll be seeing you less,
As I have much I must handle,
Many lives that I must caress.

Please know how much you have blessed me,
That I’ll miss seeing you most every day.
It’s just that I must slow down
If I’m going to walk in God’s way.

Love to all,
Mimmy

Climbing Hills

Not surprisingly, in reading the blogs that I follow today, I found that many of those in the blogging world are facing terrible hills that they have to climb. Some of them have ready answers. Some of them have answers that must be searched for. Some of them don't have answers at all but must simply be climbed until they reach the top and can descend the other side to the peaceful and serene valley below.

While climbing these hills it would be most helpful if we had a map or if someone had been there before us and could give us directions. In West Virginia there are some hills that to me would qualify as mountains. We have driven through these hills many times and when I look from the valley up to the top I'm very thankful that someone has seen fit to lay a road that takes me up the side of the hill gradually and that I don't have to climb from the base directly to the top with no guidance. Thankfully, God has left us the directions that will get us through this life to our eternal home.

No, we can't just pick up the Bible and find answers to all of this life's problems. If my car breaks down I won't find instructions on how to fix it in God's Word, but I can find the principals that teach me I need to work to provide for my every day needs. With this principal I can either pay someone else to fix it or buy the parts to fix it myself. No, if I am ill I can't find the medical treatment I need to heal myself, but God has given us doctors who can help us and I can read of how Paul had an affliction and that he was told by God that God's grace was sufficient to help him handle it (II Corinthians 12:9). No, if someone invades my home and steals from me, I can't search God's Word and find a law enforcement agency to search, find and punish them, but I can read that God tells me to love my enemies (Matthew 5:44). No, if I lose a loved one I can't find a manual on how to handle grief, but I can read where Jesus lost a loved one and He wept. (John 11:35) Also, I can know that if my loved one was faithful to Christ that he is now resting in Heaven and, even if he was not faithful, I can know that his soul's destiny rests in God's hands, not mine.

Throughout my life I have yet to face a hill that God has not helped me to climb and that I have not been stronger when I reached the top and descended to the valley on the other side. With that knowledge, facing tomorrow and whatever hills may come my way is much easier. If we can look at the hills in life from this perspective, we will not only face them but be joyful in them (I Corinthians 7:4).

As you climb whatever hills life may put in your way, look to the road map left by God. They will be much easier to climb.

God's Road Map

Today I set out on a journey.
It seemed quite easy at first.
The road was pleasantly peaceful
With inns where I might quench my thirst.

As the day progressed in my travels
The way became much more steep.
The road was no longer level
The climb so high I did weep.

My path became full or pot holes,
And nails that flattened my tires.
The bridge was out just up ahead,
In the mud I'd surely be mired.

How would I finish this journey?
Would I ever reach my new home?
It appeared to me that I would not,
That I forever would roam.

Then like an oaf I remembered
A map that I carried with me.
Opening it I soon found the way
To my home that I wanted to see.

My day was totally wasted
Since I'd failed this guidance to read,
Before I started my journey
Attempting others to lead.

Now that I've read the directions
Learning the path I should trod,
I will be home rather shortly
Walking on my very own sod.

This advice I give to travelers
Who set out on a trip through this life.
Read the map map before leaving
It will certainly save you much strife.

Wishing you a wonderfully blessed journey,
God Bless,
Mimmy aka Joyce Smith, October 5, 2009

Happy Birthday Jeni

Today is our daughter Jeni's birthday. She's going to be made enough at me when and if she sees these pictures so I don't think I'll tell you how old she is.

The one on the far left was taken about 16 or 17 years ago as was the one on the right. The one in the middle was about 10 years ago. Jeni, this is what happens when you run from the camera. We don't have any up-to-date pictures of you.

We wish you a very, very happy birthday and many many more to come and if you don't want this to happen again, get some recent pictures taken and send me some. Otherwise, you give me no choice.

We love you kiddo and look forward to seeing you soon. Maybe you'll let me get some new and improved shots of you.

God Bless,

Mama

Happy Birthday Jeni

In your lifetime, Jeni,
You’ve carried many names.
Jenifer you were born with
The others later came.

Not long after you entered
This world with all its glee
You were tagged with Jeni,
Will last ‘til eternity.

Your Grammy gave unto you
A name for just her use.
It was Jenesapoodinkle
I miss it as I’m sure do you.

When Pat came into our lives
You soon were Jedi to him.
Then came Trey and Mama
Was the name he sang like a hymn.

As Trey grew and flourished
He changed Mama to Mom.
One of these days you’ll pick one
That’s pretty close to Grandmama.

Just keep in mind with all these names
The one that is the best
Is the name of Christian,
It’s better than all the rest.

For after we have all passed
From this life into the next
It will stay forever
In the book God calls His text.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart,
Mama

Freedom

Recently, I have had several discussions with my grandson who will be 18 years old on the 27th of this month. Of course, he is absolutely thrilled. He can't wait for the freedoms that being 18 will bring him. He is under the impression that "nobody will be able to tell him what to do". Oh, how I wish I could get him to understand that all through his life there will be people telling him what to do and he will have to comply if he wants to keep a job, have a roof over his head, food to eat and clothes to wear.

As important as that piece of information is to his life, most importantly he needs to learn that in order to be truly free he must totally submit himself to his Lord and give up all of the freedoms and rights he has to Him. This concept is one that is very hard to accept for anyone but particularly for those who are young. Almost everything that surrounds our young people today encourages them to put themselves first. They are told in beer commercials to "Grab all the gusto", McDonalds says that "You deserve a break today" and even the Army tells all our young people to enlist and to "Be all you can be".

Before I get criticized for putting down self-esteem, please know that I am a great proponent of feeling good about ourselves. God tells us to love each other as we love ourselves so He must have intended for us to have a good opinion of ourselves. My concern is that our young people are being told to always put themselves above others, to not take into consideration how their actions might affect those around them and that they should strive to be number one and if they aren't, they are worthless. Instead, our kids should learn that if they want to be number one they must first put themselves last.

Remember in the tenth chapter of Mark, when James and John asked Jesus to, "Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand and one on thy left hand, in thy glory."(v.37) Jesus' response to all of His apostles was, "...but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister; And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (v. 43-45)

If Jesus, the son of God, came to this earth to serve and to die for my sins, what right have I to demand that I have my "rights" and that I be "numero uno" all the time. If for no other reason than I am humbled by this fact, I need to be a servant every day of my life.

In our world today, it is sometimes hard to be a servant. To help us in this endeavor and to assist us in finding true freedom, Kat, at Heart2Heart, has started a new blog. It is based on the principal of performing ACTS OF RANDOM KINDNESS. Her new blog is A.R.K. for God and will be well worth your time.

Have a super Lord's day and be sure to look into God's word to find out His plan for you.

God Bless,
Mimmy


Freedom in Christ
Read: Revelation 22:17

We live in a land that is wondrously free
From tyrannical rule and control.
We call it the land of the free and the brave,
Its virtues we greatly extol.

We think of ourselves as free as the doves
To do what we will with our lives.
We choose where we live, we chose where we work,
We all choose our husbands or wives.

We choose what we watch on our color TVs,
We choose who our friends are to be.
We choose what we wear, we choose what we eat,
We choose the next movie we’ll see.

However we’re ruled by one of two kings.
Either Satan or God has command.
The choices we make as we live on this earth
Determine where we take our stand.

If we choose to serve Satan and follow his lead
We’ll be bound for all eternity,
To a place where freedom is forever gone,
Where anguish and crying we’ll see.

If we choose God and the path he has drawn
We’ll be free for all eternity.
We’ll have freedom to drink of the water of life,
Freedom to sit at Christ’s knee.

As we make all of our choices each day
Let’s make the ones that truly save.
Then someday we’ll live with our Father above
In His land of the free and the brave.

Joyce K. Smith
June, 2001

Love

This evening, as I was reading blogs, I came across one in which the young lady was discussing the casual use of the phrase "I love you". She indicated that people she hardly knew told her that they loved her and she was not comfortable in returning the phrase outside of family situations.

In our society and particularly in the English language, we use the same word to refer to everything from loving oranges, a good book or a movie to loving our children and spouse. It would be much better if English had about five different words for love. We need one word to refer to love of inanimate objects. Another to refer to loving people we don't know well or at all. One that includes those whom we consider friends. One that covers a romantic love before it matures and the one that we use for our families. Maybe "ob"love, "unknow"love, "frien"love, "heart"love and "fam"love. At this point you all probably think I've lost my marbles but it would make things a whole lot easier. Maybe not these words but something different for each emotional feeling.

God saw the wisdom in this. The languages in which He chose to have His Word written include more than one word encompassing "love". Familiarity deems that we look at Greek. "Phileo" is the love that we have for friends. "Eros" is a romantic love that includes a sexual attraction. "Agape" is the love used the most often in Bible references. It refers to that love that we choose to give. It is beyond the love that we have for acquaintances and is what we would call unconditional. There is a fourth Greek word for love "storge" that is not used in Ancient Greek works and refers to the love we may have for family members. It is my opinion that agape is a better choice for family love because there are times that we must choose to love our families. Particularly when they are not behaving in the fashion in which we think they ought.

In one way, I must agree that we do tend to throw around the word "love" much more often than we should. If I was asked to make a list of things I love, ice cream and my husband could make the same list. That doesn't seem quite fair to me. Although I "love" ice cream I "love" my husband much more and in a much deeper fashion. Maybe we should go back to the original Greek words for love and just transliterate them into the English language.

Love vs. Like

Got up this morning had bacon to eat
Boy that was good. Love it, so sweet.
Sent cards and letters to family and friends.
Signed, "I love you", when I got to the end.

Called up my hubby at work to say hi.
Told him I loved him before I said bye.
Watched an old movie on my television.
Love my new glasses with their three way vision.

Daughter called me 'bout a quarter 'til nine.
Told her, "love you". I asked, "are you fine".
Out in the yard to work in the garden.
Shouted, "Neighbor, love ya gal". "Get your car in?"

Daddy called to see when I was comin'.
Told him I loved him, said bye, went on hummin'.
Baked a cake and made the icing.
Sure love vanilla with orange spicing.

Kids in from school with work to do.
Hi Mom, "I love you". "I love you, too."
Supper to fix, laundry to fold.
Sure love this new and improved Bold.

Fall into bed, must say my prayers.
Forgive me Lord for having airs,
Thank you for all you've given to me,
Remember Lord that I do love thee.

Love is a word I do throw around,
From lips to ear, with smile, with frown.
Guess I should think before I say
Those little words along the way.

Maybe "like" is what I mean
When I speak of ice cream, tv screens,
Dresses and hairdos, books and such,
Save "I love you" for what I "love" much.

Wish we had more words to express
What we feel for what we love less,
So that we won't get so confused
When the wee word love we so often use.

God Bless,
Mimmy
October 1, 2009