Early Light Devotional - In Touch Ministries - Dr. Charles Stanley 2009

Early Light Devotional - In Touch Ministries - Dr. Charles Stanley 2009

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Happy Thanksgiving

Psalm 100 (1-5)
"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."

In memory of my dad, Ray J. Boiter Sr.

3 years ago today I sat by your side, holding your hand as you entered into the presence of our Lord and Saviour Jesus. I am so thankful that you were a Christian and because of that I know I will see you again in heaven. So many memories flood my mind as I look back over my life with you as my dad. You loved me so much, I don't think I realized how much. You were very strict and at the time I didn't appreciate all of the rules. Now I realize that raising a daughter is tough and you wanted to protect me just like I want to protect my little girl. You did a great job!!

Some of my best memories were of us fishing together and getting chocolate milkshakes. I really liked going outside and looking for night crawlers after a rain. Walking through the woods hunting deer tracks was fun and then when I got older and you taught me how to shoot a 38. You were an excellent listener and cared for all of my heart breaks. Our country rides and the stories we shared probably meant the most to me.

Tears fall as I recall happy times. I am happy knowing how much you loved Chris and Olivia. You and Chris were buddies from the beginning and Olivia's big brown eyes melted your heart. Chris is a sweet daddy just like you. He is so good to us and I am thankful that all of us are Christians. This earth is just part of our journey home. We will see you again.

Remembering you today and always ...

Ten Commandments - country style

Ten Commandments


In middle Tennessee they translated the King James into "Jackson County"
language.....no joke (posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in
Gainesboro , TN ) Someone forwarded this to me so I copied and pasted it here to share with my readers.

(1) Just one God
(2) Put nothin' before God
(3) Watch yer mouth
(4) Git yourself to Sunday meetin'
(5) Honor yer Ma & Pa
(6) No killin'
(7) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal
(8) Don't take what ain't yers
(9) No tellin' tales or gossipin'
(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff

Now that's plain an' simple. Y'all have a nice day!

Front porch memories

Looking back on my life I have many fond memories from my front porch swing. I grew up in Startex ( a small mill town with no traffic lights, one school, a post office and many churches). Our house was your typical mill house, two story white house with a porch and a swing. We didn't have air conditioning so the best breeze was found from the porch swing. Our camera had no flash so the best pictures were taken on the swing. Our dog wasn't allowed in the house so I spent time with Sandy on the swing. If I had a splinter my dad would sit with me in the swing and use his pocket knife to get it out. After a rain my mom and I would sit in the swing and enjoy the smell of the air and coolness of the breeze. My brother Steven would push me so hard in the swing that I'd hit the banister. He thought it was funny and I thought it was dangerous. At night when my brothers watched what they liked on the one TV we owned I'd take a blanket and pillow out to the swing and look at the stars and dream. During the day I'd take a hymnal out there and sing songs. Other times I'd take my bible out there and read for hours. Time in the swing was precious. When I started dating many of my dates would end with us sitting in the swing. As I got older me and my parents would have meaningful chats in the swing (there's something about being outside that opens the flood gate of conversation). As a married woman when I'd come home to visit, my dad greeted me from the swing (usually with his pocket knife in hand eating an apple). I'd stop and sit a spell with him before going inside to greet momma. When I'd leave I'd wave bye to him as he'd still be sitting in that swing.

One of our neighbors and friend, Mr. Hendrix made the swing for our family. He used wooden spindles from the mill. If you ride by my mom's house today that swing is still there. When we go visit it's still the favorite spot to sit and talk. Last time we visited I watched from the living room as my Livie sat on the swing with mom's dog Lacy. The memories flooded my mind. Those were the good ole days. I wonder what my daughter will remember as her "good ole days"? Memories are made moment by moment ... make each one count for good.

It's amazing to me how much more I could write about that one swing. I can't think of any other spot that if it could talk ... oh what that swing would have to say. Of all the things my momma owns I have to say that swing is one of the most valuable items. For that swing holds a lifetime of memories as it held so many people that I loved.

In memory of my dad ... he sure loved that swing and I sure loved him.

Feeling like you're at the bottom?

I can't put this into my own words so I'll quote it just as Dr. Charles Stanley wrote it in my In touch devotional (Saturday's). "In the ancient world, the man who held the lowest position in the household was given charge of the flocks. He had the responsibility of leading the sheep to new pastures and fresh water, defending them from predators, and finding the lost ones when they strayed. But his was a humble job because it was menial and indelicate. The shepherd lived amongst the flock and slept across the doorway of the fold to keep the sheep in and the wolves out. This was filthy, smelly, and thankless work.

Yet Christ sat among His followers in the thick of ancient culture and said, “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14). Remember you read a moment ago that tending the flock required lying across the doorway of the sheep pen? Well, Jesus did exactly that—He became the door for us. He sacrificed His life for the great flock of humanity so that anyone who chooses to believe in Him may enter God’s fold (John 3:16). And once inside, we are provided for, sought when we wander, and protected from enemies." End quote from Dr. Stanley *

I don't know your situation, but if you have days where you feel like you are in the lowest position around; just remember that our great Lord purposely put Himself in that position so He could save us. Maybe you are in a better position than you realize ... maybe the Lord is using you to "save", help, nurture or lead others. God made you. He loves you. YOU have a purpose. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

If you feel "at the bottom" today just remember there is only one direction to go and that is up ... God has a plan for you, as your good Shepherd, He will lead you and be with you every step of the way. Trust Him. Talk to Him. Read His word. I recommend the 23rd Psalm today.

Go be a blessing ...