JUST TALKING

Greyson Andrew Burks

2011-09-28T21:36:00.003-05:00

What a glorious event, February 8th! Mr. Greyson entered this world and created a family of three! Lauralee and Darwin Burks became proud parents, and we became proud grandparents for the second time. Never has the word love meant more to us than when we look around at the sweet and wonderful family that God has blessed us with! Here are some pics of our newest addition.

What Are We Doing?

2010-11-30T18:14:00.002-06:00

Sitting in the recliner that has become my resting place at home, I am contemplating family and what it actually means to be family. I looked it up in the dictionary and found that all the people who are descended from a common ancestor, a group of people who are closely related by birth, marriage, or adoption, or a child or set of children born to somebody are considered family. This was not the definition that I was seeking. I needed something that described the unconditional love that I thought existed between my siblings and myself.

All of my life I had thought that being part of a particular family meant caring for one another, and standing up for one another. I felt, that as a sister to my siblings, I would fight hell in order to stand by them and give them my absolute support. Loyalty to my brothers and my sisters was a prerequisite to being a part of my family! I really believed that our clan was a family unit that could not be destroyed by anything, and in a way I was right. There was nothing outside the ranks of our family circle that could have touched the closeness and love that was a constant in our home as we grew up.

However, I never realized that destruction can come from inside the close knit love of family. I was devastated the first time the innermost parts of my family begin to crumble. The damage was so severe that something precious was destroyed and today no longer exists. The bond of love and hope between children can be damaged so severely that something stops existing and can never return to its normal state.

I am sick at heart to realize that this has happened to my family. I want to cry buckets of tears, and I would if I thought it would help some of us open our eyes to the devastation and destruction that we are not only causing among ourselves but also to the chaos that will be passed to future generations. Will our actions cause division that can never be bridged for our offspring? Oh, oh, what will the end of this be!

He is Faithful

2010-02-26T22:57:00.002-06:00

God still answers prayer! I am overwhelmed, as I watch his fingers on the keyboard of life. So carefully He hits the notes and creates the sweetest melodies! He changes note after note until they fit into His song of victory. He has, this day answered prayers that I have been praying for a while! This song has the beginning sound of celebration!

I am reminded:

Jesus never fails; Jesus never fails. You might as well get the behind me satan, you cannot prevail because Jesus never fails!!

2009-12-28T06:27:00.001-06:00

Christmas! What a lovely time for Family!

Saturday Morning

2009-12-07T17:09:00.003-06:00

Saturday morning, 5^th of December, and I was making Oreo Cookie Balls for a Christmas party that night! I began to giggle as my mind traveled back in time about 46 years. This is always an interesting past time, remembering an age of innocence where kids could roam and play without worries!

In this current memory, my brothers and I were down on our knees beside Hwy 1416, encouraging our very own doodle bugs to "move it buster!" The bugs were each rolling their own little ball of 'cow paddy,' and we kids wanted our beetle to win. The cookie balls looked exactly like the doodle bug balls!

Glenn walked into the kitchen and asked, "What's so funny!"

Laughingly I told him where my mind had gone, and we begin to reminisce about those days of innocence!

Behind our home place there was a 'patch' of woods where we were allowed to play for hours. Under the cool shade of tall pines, huge oaks, and around a few squatty bushes we had created a fairy tale play ground! We had houses with wall divisions made of pine-straw, furniture created from fallen branches, and enough kids to people each house with moms, dads, and kids.

We built caves, cooked mud pies, squabbled, had prayer meetings, and played church. At any given moment we could shout, talk in tongues, and sing as good as any saint in our home church. We could do the two-step like Adeline Dougharty, Glenn's Grandmother, or we could mock to a tee, Sis. Bertie Rashall's obeisance dance (I do not know any other way to describe it!). We would kneel down and pray like Sis. Florene Brown (sort of machine-gun style), or stand to testify and break out in song like Sis. Linnie Stivender as she waved her hanky in her left hand!

This was not mockery in a hurtful sense, rather, as children we had learned to worship God from the examples set before us; sometime our play was so real that we would be crying for real. Looking back now, I realize that there were times that we felt God's presence. I can remember Delbert, my brother preaching under the anointing, and at that time we did not even know what anointing meant.

Isn't it amazing how we forget the simple things of life when we get so caught up in everyday living. I am glad for the cookie ball reminders!

Precious Memories, how they linger!

Thankful, I Am

2009-11-25T20:29:00.001-06:00

It is Thanksgiving time, and I am ready to give my God all the praise and thanks for blessings too numerous to name. However, I will tell a few of the things that I am thankful for!! First of all my God has been so good to me. He is great and greatly to be praised. Next would be my 'sweet' family…I have a wonderful Husband, and two beautiful children, a great daughter-in-law, and a (hopefully) soon to be son-in-law! This year, however, I have been blessed with my first grandchild!! Beautiful, handsome, full of personality, Carter Malcolm Isom!!! What a joy! There is nothing to compare to this precious sweet lil' man. I wonder, Recon my firstborn might have another little joy bundle to add to our family before long?? I do have room in my heart for another sweet blessing!!! God Will!!

I am thankful for my brothers and sisters and the heritage in God that we share! I also give thanks for my church family! They are a great bunch!

Lasting Love

2009-08-08T09:21:00.004-05:00

E-Mail, what great subjects are sometimes addressed! This is awesome! I worked as a secretary at a nursing home, and we had an elderly gentleman who did this same thing for his wife! It was a beautiful thing to watch as he expressed his love and care in so many ways, and his wife never knew.

"It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80s arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00.
I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided since I was not busy with another patient; I would evaluate his wound. On examining it I saw it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors and got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.
While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while, and that she is a victim of Alzheimer's disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.
He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised and asked him, "Why do you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?"
He smiled as he patted my hand and said, 'She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is.' I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm and thought, "My friend that is the kind of love I want in my life.""

WOW!!

Mother Memories

2009-07-28T11:26:00.003-05:00

Last night as I wrestled with a physical ailment, I picked up an Apostolic Sentinel and read several comments, from various ladies, about their mothers. The topic seemed to be about advice, given by the mothers, that had proven true and steadfast. My mind immediately flew to my mom and how she prayed! She gave advice aplenty like all moms, but the thing that has stuck in my mind with absolute clarity is the way she prayed. My mother was not a 'part-time' prayer person. Her prayer schedule included daily sessions, and most of the time she prayed two or three times a day. We lived in a small community with neighbors on every side, but across the street, at a diagonal angle, lived a little lady named Florene Brown. Aunt Rene was Mother's prayer partner. She owned a small grocery store, and she lived as simply as any person in our rural town. Her home, however, was the neighborhood prayer room, and my mother visited it as often as possible. Many a battle in the spirit world was fought and won by those two ladies on bended knees. While Mother managed to pray at least once a day at home, she always managed to pray with Aunt Rene too. As an adult I have come to realize that the prayers Mother prayed, when everything was going right, were like a huge savings account when things went wrong. There are times when, I am sure, Mother turned her face to the wall like Hezekiah, of the Old Testament, and said, "Oh God, remember my faithfulness and hear my cry." I believe that my mother's voice was so familiar to God that he never had any trouble recognizing her or coming to her rescue. This is the advice that I received from my mom, not from her spoken word but from her living example. "Pray when the sun is shining, and when the storm clouds arise, God will be your sustaining strength!"

Happy 80th Birthday Missionary Perdue

2009-07-25T09:09:00.000-05:00

July 26, 2009

Dear Bro. Perdue,
Just this afternoon I sat and began to contemplate about the years of knowing you. My earliest memories centered around the home of my parents, Elward and Eldora Jordan. I am sure it would have been a Sunday afternoon, and there would have been many others present. I can see in my mind the gathering of folks, most on their knees, seeking the face of God. However, you never stayed kneeling long. You would come to your feet and began pacing the floor, worshiping God with your whole heart, as the prayers of the saints were offered up. I am also sure that as a small tot, I was more interested in watching the proceedings than I was in praying! I can imagine my eyes, as big as saucers, as I followed your progress around the room. You never failed to notice us kids, and you would open your rather large hand wide, ruffle our hair, smile down and never miss a beat in your prayer! It was during those Sunday afternoons that I began to see you as a hero.
Later, when I was just below the age of the church youth group, you accepted the leadership of the Bon Wier, U.P.C. youth. I had older brothers and sisters whose age allowed them to participate, but as a child I could only look on in awe and wonder. I remember the hugs you so freely gave us and the words of praise and encouragement as we grew older. It seemed as though you always had time for us kids.
You truly cared about the young people, and gave so freely of you time so that they were all involved in wholesome activities. Volley Ball games that were exciting to play, youth services with scripture matches that mostly ended with George and Roger Dale tied. Powerful services that brought about consecration and dedication of youthful souls were sure to happen with you at the helm. One of the most impressive things I remember seeing was a skit about the widow whose oil and meal never ran out. Thank you for giving and giving and giving again!
Then off to foreign fields you flew to do the will of God! The many things you accomplished in South America will only be known to all when we reach the glory world! I remember getting to see you at General Conference; how excited Glenn and I, as young evangelist would be, getting to visit with you and Sis.Perdue in the display area. We always went looking, searching especially for your booth! What fun, we knew the Missionary in a personal way! It seemed so special to us.
We were delighted when you invited us to South America. We made memories, and got a first-hand view of the churches under your ministry! I cried buckets of tears over the poverty in the cities we visited, yet saw some of the most astounding works of God, both in the churches and in the beautiful scenery. We were overwhelmed by the hunger for God in the hearts of the people in South America. Their seeking and worship of God helped us to understand the deep love and burden that you carry for that beautiful country and those sweet people!
And now, you are back in the States, attending the church where we pastor. What an honor to have your knowledge and wisdom, your understanding of human nature, and someone with your 'walk with God', as a part of our church and community. What did we ever do without you here? You are truly a great example to our church and a compassionate mentor to our family! You gave me some of the best advice I ever had, when I was going through one of the roughest times of my life. Darwin looks at you as though you were his grandfather in the Lord! Your loving guidance in his life has not escaped our attention.
Thank you for your daily support in prayer. We feel the effect of those prayers all the time and need their continual out-pouring. We Love you, and we are indebted to God for placing you in our lives. While I could go on and on, I must close. I am asking God to be close to you and Sis. Perdue and to save your children and grand children!
In His service, Debbie (Jordan) Burks
Glenn too!

Old Barns

2009-07-20T22:23:00.003-05:00

I recieved this as an e-mail today. It blessed me, so I thought I would pass it on!

The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. Psalm 145:17

Old Barns, Old People and Old Friends, I love them all!!! A stranger came by the other day with an offer that set me to thinking.
He wanted to buy the old barn that sits out by the highway. I told him right off he was crazy.
He was a city type, you could tell by his clothes, his car, his hands, and the way he talked. He said he was driving by and saw that beautiful barn sitting out in the tall grass and wanted to know if it was for sale. I told him he had a funny idea of beauty. Sure, it was a handsome building in its day, but then, there's been a lot of winters pass with their snow and ice and howling wind. The summer sun's beat down on that old barn till all the paint's gone, and the wood has turned silver gray. Now the old building leans a good deal, looking kind of tired. Yet, that fellow called it beautiful. That set me to thinking. I walked out to the field and just stood there, gazing at that old barn. The stranger said he planned to use the lumber to line the walls of his den in a new country home he's building down the road. He said you couldn't get paint that beautiful. Only years of standing in the weather, bearing the storms and scorching sun, only that can produce beautiful barn wood. It came to me then. We're a lot like that, you and I. Only it's on the inside that the beauty grows with us. Sure we turn silver gray too... and lean a bit more than we did when we were young and full of sap. But the Good Lord knows what He's doing, and as the years pass He's busy using the hard weather of our lives, the dry spells and the stormy seasons to do a job of beautifying on our souls that nothing else can produce. And to think how often folks 'holler' because they want life easy! They took the old barn down today and hauled it away to beautify a rich man's house. I reckon someday you and I will be hauled off to Heaven to take on whatever chores the Good Lord has for us on the Great Sky Ranch. I suspect we'll be more beautiful then, for the seasons we've been through here, and just maybe we might even add a bit of beauty to our Father's house. I do sincerely thank God for my wonderful friends and family who care about me even though I show signs of weathering!

Duh….

2009-07-18T20:03:00.002-05:00

Wow!! I am learning more all the time about blogging. If I wish to keep a copy of my blog for personal use, I have just realized that I need to type it up in Word and post it to my blog. Now, how come it took me so long to figure that one out?????

Jesus Knocking?

2009-07-14T14:43:00.006-05:00

An e-mail I received in the mail this morning has gotten my mind on fast forward………

A nurse on the pediatric ward, before listening to the little ones chests, would plug the stethoscope into their ears and let them listen to their own hearts. Their eyes would always light up with awe, but she never got a response equal to four-year old David's comment.

Gently she tucked the stethoscope into his ears and placed the disk over his heart. "Listen," she said. Then asked, "What do you suppose that is?"

He drew his eyebrows together in a puzzled line and looked up as if he was lost in the mystery of the strange tap - tap - tapping deep in his chest. Then his face broke out in a wondrous grin as he asked, "Is that Jesus knocking?"

I wonder if we are attuned enough to hear as God knocks continually at our hearts door. Maybe, He just needs to visit, or He could he possibly wish to heal: a broken heart, a wounded soul, a maligned body, or a tortured spirit! Maybe he would like to bring peace to our hearts! Could he have a special job for us to do?

Whatever, He is knocking for I want to hear the knocking!
So God, if I need a spiritual stethoscope, my heart is open to Your knocking.

"Where He leads me I will follow.

Where He leads me I will follow.

Where He leads me I will follow.

I'll go with Him, With Him, all the way."

Lonnie

2009-07-09T22:22:00.002-05:00

Lonnie and Bertie Faye

Lonnie and Shirley

Ditto

L2R Glenn, Lonnie, Bro Perdue

Lonnie and Crawfish!

I love you my brother!!!

Campmeeting

2009-07-08T13:19:00.004-05:00

Campmeeting was wonderful for us this year. The services were so powerful, and the word of God anointed!! Of course the highlight of my week was the night that Britni and Malcolm came and brought Carter! This was Malcolm's first time to be in a Pentecostal service, and he really enjoyed it! He went to the front and prayed!! I want God to fill them both with the Holy Ghost!! I know He wants to, and I believe that their hearts are tendering towards God!

Carter is so precious, and I want him to be raised in Truth!!!

Carter

2009-06-09T09:53:00.005-05:00

Carter got to visit at our house for four days! He is eight weeks now and weighs a whole 10lbs. Aunt Sha Sha came and spent the night on Friday....From what she reports, he kept her up all night!!

He was still bright eyes the next day, so I suppose the only one who suffered from the lack of sleep was Auntie!!

Carter and Darwin had some really serious discussion from the looks of this next picture!!
Possibly Carter was hearing his first bible story!!

Awe!!!! So Sweet!

Carter loves Bath Time....even in Grami's dish pan!!

Now this is showing some attitude!!

Sunday Night....Going to church, Gonna hear Popa preach!!

Sunday Morning

This is the first stay by himself at Grami's and Papa's House!! We had so much fun loving and taking care of this sweetest bundle of joy!!

My Child Fishing

2009-06-09T09:29:00.003-05:00

What a great kid! Darwin loves to hunt and fish! He caught this 10lb. 26in. fish about 4 days ago. Eat your heart out!! "Lake Sam Rayburn"

Nancy Grandquist

2009-05-23T14:11:00.003-05:00

For various reasons, among which was a new grand baby, I did not get to attend Ladies Conference this year. While I have heard numerous reports and read some of the reviews about the services, it never takes the place of getting to sit in heavenly places with the great ladies of our district.
However, today I purposed in my heart to hear at least one of the Cd's, and Sis. Grandquist's happened to be the first one I picked up. Wow! what a blessing to my soul! I have laughed, wept, cried, and asked God for the strength to go the extra mile, or two or three.....however many miles it takes to see my daughter brought back into His kingdom!
I can hardly wait to hear the rest of the Cd's!

Crappie Fishing

2009-05-23T13:38:00.013-05:00

What a blast!! Darwin bought my husband a Guided Fishing Tour for his birthday. It included two extra guest, so Darwin and I got to tag along! We had the most wonderful day. The trip was through http://www.rogerbaconoutdoors.com/, and they came through on the promises of a great catch. We caught a total of 50 Crappie, some red eye bass, a few catfish, and two or three brim. It was wonderful!

Here are a few pics to let you know that we really had a great time, and the fish are frying up wonderfully!

Thank you Darwin, best son in the world!!

2009-04-25T17:18:00.002-05:00

Just look who came for a first vist to Grami and Popa's house!! Carter!!! My what fun!! Those big eyes have totally captured this Grami's heart!!

Carter Malcolm Isom

2009-04-17T15:03:00.007-05:00

My Popa Loves Me!!

The above photo is on Carter's birthday about 6pm

Finally, He is here! Carter was born Wednesday, April 2nd, at 3:47am. He weighed in at 5lbs. 14.9ozs. and he was 19 1/4 inches long! Never in my life have my dreams of a grandbaby even come close to the wonderful feelings this sweet bundle of joy has brougt to our lives! He is absolutely magnificent!

As Popa and Grami, our whole lives are changing, and I can only say that the changes are for the better without a doubt!

@ two weeks weight is 6lbs.7ozs, and he is 20'' long! still so tiny!

Spring Break

2009-03-13T18:09:00.008-05:00

It seems like forever since I have had time to sit down to this keyboard and express what I am thinking and feeling, and I do not have much time today.
SPRING BREAK!!! Yes!!
I am so excited to have 9 straight days away from school.

I am also tingling inside with the thought that my first grandchild could be here any day now! I can hardly wait!
In the meantime, I am going to enjoy some time with Glenn, fish, and take it easy!

Darwin and Lauralee have flown to New York for the week! I hope they have a lovely time! Me, I am going to FISH!

Let me mention, we just closed revival with Jeff and Valarie Sanders. We had two to receive the Holy Ghost, and some absolutely extraordinary church!! Our people are going the extra mile with prayer and fasting, and I am still expecting greater things from God this year!

See you all at TWC, unless we are getting a baby!

Sisters

2009-02-21T17:09:00.006-06:00

Sisters, aren't they the most wonderful people in the world? I have just finished a day with three of mine! What fun we've had! We shared hugs, talked about our mom and dad, shared stories about our children, and just generally had a wonderful day! We talked about the answered prayers that we have experienced since our last 'together day', and we mentioned new things and situations that we need to pray about. What a joy to have siblings that know and serve the same God that I serve!
My oldest sister, Loretta, has only had the Holy Ghost about a year and a half! It is such a blessing to be with her and hear the "New Born" joy resonate in her voice! Our mom and dad would be so excited if they could know that after 69 years, she is a part of this great body of Christ! This is a picture of her; doesn't she look happy! Please add her children and grandchildren to your prayer list!

It's For You and Your Children Too

2009-02-16T20:15:00.007-06:00

I've got something that will turn you around.
I've got something that will never let you down.
I've got something that will keep you every day.
It's like a fire shut up in my bones.
It's sweet like honey in the comb.
It's the Holy Ghost that Jesus is giving away!

We had wonderful church this weekend. The Royer's from Georgia preached for us Sunday night. God was in our midst! We had one man about 38 years old to receive that sweet Holy Ghost! We do serve a mighty God!

It's for me. It's for you.
It's for your children and thier children too.
It does something that nothing else can do.
In Acts the second chapter you can read it for yourself.
You don't have to ask anybody else,
about the Holy Ghost that Jesus is giving away!

The vist with Bro. & Sis. Royer was great too!! It had been a long time since we'd had such a long and great visit. The tea time was fabulous!!

Family

2009-02-06T17:26:00.015-06:00

My daughter is coming home tomorrow! I can hardly wait to see her. I miss her so much. I want to sit down with her, enjoy a cup of hot tea together, visit, laugh, and catch up on the time spent apart! I am excited!Spending time with either of my children brings the greatest joy to my heart.
My sister, Shirley, and her husband, Bo, are having there 50th wedding anniversary party tomorrow. Both of my children will be here for the occasion. We are going to have a special day!
Britni is away from God, and I would give anything to see her back in the church and living for the Lord. I covet your prayers for her soul.

after Church

2009-02-02T18:29:00.008-06:00

This is a V-clip of Jaden praying after church last night!

Wow! Church

2009-02-01T20:54:00.017-06:00

We had church tonight!! From the opening song to the last amen....God was there!! Such a sweet spirit was there, an after service lingering in the Holy Ghost. Several people had already gone home, but God wasn't through. His spirit ministered to our souls!

This is Jaden, the Beasley's granddaughter, She was praying her little heart out!

This is Bro. Beasley,Retired Missionary, interceding for his children and grandchildren!

And after all was said and done, this is my husband holding our newest member, Carmen Jarrell!

My First GC

2009-01-30T22:48:00.012-06:00

Oh the wondrous works of our God! I have had the most marvelous ‘Grandmother’ experience a woman could possibly have before the birth of a grandchild! Monday morning I got up early, and with anticipation, drove to Houston, Texas. The trip was pleasant, and I arrived in plenty of time to accompany Britni, and Malcolm to the doctor’s office. The grand occasion was a 4-D Ultra Sound, the subject, my first grandchild.
The trip from their home to the Doctor’s office was filled with excited chatter! Two grandmothers, an aunt, and the parents, were all trying to express their feelings. Needless to say, we were a lively group; we were on our way to adventure.
I watched as technology brought the amazing antics of this brand new life to a video screen. There, in the most fabulous detail, I saw the handiwork of God. The sweetest little nose, arms, legs, and the fullest lips, yawning wide for our benefit, filled the screen. Those arms and legs were pumping away and looked as though they had been working-out full time. I counted fingers and toes, and I saw the tiniest hand reach out and grab the cutest little foot. There was a perfectly formed spine that arched like a bow as ‘Carter’ stretched backward. My heart was full, and my thoughts were centered on this child, my grandchild.
Viewing this wonder, fascinated by every move, tears, like waterfalls, coursed down my cheeks. My breath caught in my throat when Carter suddenly took his thumb into his mouth and began to suckle in that age-old, life sustaining trait that is inherent to all human flesh. My God, what a beautiful sight!
As if all I had seen was only a preview, suddenly Carter’s heart could be seen, steadily pumping life blood to his tiny little body. How amazing, to watch the most intricate function of the body as it worked with magnificent perfection! The magnified picture allowed a view of four tiny little chambers, a living heart, so diminutive yet so alive.
I am still reeling with awestruck wonder. I already love this child, flesh of my flesh, bone of my bone. I will stretch in my capacity as a grandmother and do all I can to see that he learns about the God I serve. I want him to know Truth, to grow up strong, to know happiness, to be intelligent, and to make wise choices for his life. I love him, and he already fills my prayers!
I am…Grandmother.

Revival 2009.....Sunday Morning

2009-01-25T08:21:00.013-06:00

It is Sunday Morning again, and I am thrilled to tell you that we have had a wonderful revival. We still have 2pm. service today, and I am anxious to see what will happen. So far, our church folks have all had a renewing in the Holy Ghost, and we have had two backsliders pray back through to victory! It is so wondeful to watch the Lord at work. He is the greatest!
This is a pic of Bro. and Sis. Story, out to eat like all Pentecostals! We have had a wonderful time making friends with these folks.

Bro. and Sis. Davis took us all out to eat. They are retired from active pastoring and are a part of our church. Sis. Davis has great determination to come to church, and comes in a wheel chair. She has a wonderful spirit and great spunk!!

Friend

2009-01-22T19:28:00.006-06:00

What a friend we have in Jesus! There are so many times that we need a friend and none seem to be found. We do, however, have a friend that is, without fail, available.

Revival 2009....

2009-01-18T09:19:00.015-06:00

8:40am - Well, this is Sunday morning, and we have been having the most awesome Spirit of God in our services! We are excited about what God is doing in our midst! He is so worthy!

1:59pm - Sunday Morning Service - What can I say, except that God always knows exctly what we need! We have had several visitors in every service until this morning. There was only one person there today that was not a member of our church. It was the will of God without a doubt. Our evanglist preached "Life!" It is so amazing how God works. As Bro. Story began to open his life to us and draw word pictures of heartbreak and pain, it was as though he was reading from a book; a book that included more than one person's story. As he reached the part of his story where God told him to love the people involved, God's presence came down into the service and heaven kissed the earth. Bro. Story ministered, and God began a work that makes me want to peer ahead and see the finished product! What a mighty God we Serve!

Revival 2009

2009-01-14T17:46:00.017-06:00

Enter and worship with us at Bon Wier, UPC. We have been having some great church the past couple of weeks! There has been a special move of God in every service. It is my feeling that we are going to have a year of revival in 2009. Our Church is participating in the month of fasting and prayer, and it as made an impact on our services. We are having a three night revival with Bro. and Sis. David Story starting this Friday night. I am looking forward to the things that God is going to do in these services!!

Here are a few pictures of our church!
This is inside the Sanctuary (Small Wedding of older couple).

A special singing..2008

Reunion (a short story)

2009-01-11T09:08:00.046-06:00

Reunion
By: Debra Burks

This story is fiction, however it is based on real life experience.

Eldora hated the thought of being alone, but with David constantly gone she either stayed by herself or called one of the girls to come and get her. David, her youngest son, lived with her. He was thirty-five or older, she couldn’t exactly remember. Since he had found a girl friend, he stayed gone more than he stayed home.

There was only one thing she hated worse than being alone, and that was being without her car. The kids had taken her car to fix it, but it doesn’t take two years to fix a car. Why was her faithful old ride still parked at Lonnie’s house? She didn’t like having to bum a ride everywhere she went. Couldn’t her kids understand that? She even had to hitch a ride to church, and she had been driving longer than most of her children were old.

Every time she went to prayer meeting she asked the folks to pray that her car would come home, but so far God had not heard their prayers. She reckoned they were all sinning, and that was why God played deaf. She smiled to herself as she thought about some of their dastardly deeds.

Shirley had taken her checkbook, so she couldn’t write a check for anything. Why had she taken it? Eldora could not understand. She had always been the one who had taken care of her families’ finances, but the kids had decided that she couldn’t do it right anymore. Some of them said she had Alzheimer’s disease. They thought she was crazy. She knew they were whispering behind their hands about her. Just wait till she went back to Lonnie’s, She’d figure out something to do about her car. Now, wouldn’t it be funny if she just drove it off. She would love to be a fly on the wall, and hear what they would say to that.

In the bedroom she brushed her grey hair up on top of her head, twisted it into a knot, and pinned it down securely. Lord have mercy, her face looked like it needed ironing there were so many wrinkles. She’d probably look a little better if she put her teeth in. She would get them from the kitchen. Once in the kitchen, she raked her brains trying to remember what she was there for, but it was no use.

Aggravated at herself, she headed toward her favorite easy chair. She would take a nap and rest her weary bones. When the phone rang she hastily lifted the receiver. This was, it seemed, her only connection to the outside world. “Hello!” the cadence of her voice was jolly, and she was happy to talk to anyone.

“Mamma, how are you doing?”Lonnie queried in a typical manner.Then before she could answer him, he asked,“Are you ready yet? Mary and I are on our way to get you.”

“Lord, Lonnie I forgot you were coming today, but I’ll be ready when you get here.” This might be the perfect opportunity to do something about her car.

“Ok mom, we’ll be there in about an hour,” he said. “See you then.” He hung up before she could say goodbye.

She’d better buzz around,or she wouldn’t be ready when they came. She was going on a trip! Just wait until she told Shirley she was leaving, it would sure aggravate her, but Shirley asked for it. She was always meddling in her business.

She would plan carefully. Roger, one of her sons, had given her money for her birthday. It was tucked securely inside her pocket book, and she had rolled it around the spare car key so the kids wouldn’t know she had the key or the money. She would use the money to buy gas to get home. Yes mam, she would make her own miracle happen. She would drive her car home! Those old busy-bodies at church would think that God had answered their prayers, but she would know better.

Well, here she was, all dressed up with her suitcase beside her chair. “Wonder where I’m going?” Eldora smiled at herself. She had spoken aloud as if talking to her friend Adlilne. Still, she wished she could remember who was coming after her.

She relaxed her short, plump frame in her choicest recliner until sleep claimed her confusion. The soft snores caused her lips to puff in and out, and her callused hands rested in her lap. The dress she wore had busy flowers printed on the bodice, and the elastic at the waist gave a hint to what at one time had been a great figure. Time had not been very kind to her. Brown age spots littered her hands and arms, her skin was paper thin, and she looked every day of her seventy-eight years.

A loud knocking at the door startled her awake, and she pushed heavily out of the chair. “I’m coming!” she yelled, and she wondered who had come today. She peeped out the curtain into the smiling face of her eldest son. My, he was handsome, at least in her eyes.

“We’re here to take you home with us.” With an infectious grin, Lonnie wrapped his long arm around her and hugged her close.

“So you’re the one I’m waiting on,” Eldora rejoiced. “I knew somebody was coming ‘cause I'm all packed up and ready to go."

The two hour drive to Lonnie’s seemed to take only minutes, and before her luggage was all unloaded,
Eldora was tucked into bed and fast asleep. As dawn peeked into her window, her eyes popped open and excitement fluttered in her breast. She dressed quietly, grabbed her purse, and tiptoed out the door. Once on the porch, she dug inside her purse for the hidden key. Then she crept around the corner of the house, her eyes hungrily seeking out her car. There it was! Her heart beat a loud tattoo inside her chest, and with hands that shook she opened the door and sank into the seat. It fit around her perfectly.

A smile lit her face; she turned the key in the ignition, and the car purred to life. With neat precision, she backed carefully down the drive and pulled into the lane, but something was wrong. The motion of the car was like an old man on a cane; it must be a flat tire. Now, what was she going to do? Her thoughts tumbled around in her mind as she sought for a way to fix the tire. She could go back and get Lonnie out of bed. No, that wouldn’t work. He would take her car again. She certainly didn’t want that to happen. She could probably fix the flat herself if she knew where the, where the… “Oh shoot! What is it called?” She questioned the air with aggravation. She knew it was something used to pick up the car, but the correct name ran like a fugitive from her memory.

At the end of the lane, her way to help became clear. Across the street there was a service station. Eldora knew she could use her birthday money and have… Now, what was she gonna have done? Maybe she would remember when she got to the station.

As she started across the street, the impatient sound of blowing horns made not the slightest impact on her. Breaks squealed and cars skidded to avoid crashing into her; their drivers were angry and frightened at the thought of the damage she might have caused. Without realizing that she was the cause of a near catastrophe, Eldora, with great calm, drove her limping car into the service bay.
The attendant on duty had watched the passage with amazement. With a worried expression on his face, he leaned down to the window and asked, “Mam, are you alright?”

“Of course I’m ok,” answered Eldora. “My car is the one with the problem.” With a trace of fear in her voice because she could not recall the problem she asked, “Can you fix it?”

“Certainly mam,” he answered. “We can fix that tire for you right away.”

She sighed with relief; this man knew what was wrong with her car. After satisfactory settlement of the bill, Eldora once more eased herself into the familiar surroundings of her faithful, old car. Ah, what a lovely feeling.

She felt a need for company, so she turned on the radio and mumbled to herself, “The kids are going to be furious with me.” Liking the sound of her own voice she continued, “I wish that I could see and hear what happens when they find me gone.” Her spoken thoughts brought a chuckle from deep down inside. The way home no longer mattered, and she randomly chose her direction as she drove off into the morning.

I'm Falling Apart

2009-01-05T19:53:00.012-06:00

My laptop had been giving me some sass the last few days, and I had refused to listen. By Friday it had begun to scream at me. "I'm falling apart, I'm falling apart, please pay attention!"

So, Saturday night I contacted Dell for online help. It seems I had waited too long, and the help I needed fell under a category not covered by my four year warranty. So, I took the steps that the lady suggested and supposed that all would be well. However, before my help could make it's journey from Dell to me, this computer that is my constant companion, that holds a huge amount of memory, crashed!

I did everything possible to stop this disaster, but my attempts were in vain. I lost pictures, articles, work from school, music, papers that I had typed for my husband's on going education, and numerous other things, some valuable and some not.

I was sick for a few hours until I remembered, "I have an external hard drive!" This hard drive did not have everything that my laptop had, but it had most of my pictures, and a few other things that I considered valuable.
So sometime tomorrow, I will recover whatever I can.

This experience has left me thinking.... a rather dangerous pastime!

The treasures of my life are mostly stored in my personal memory bank. Some of my earliest recollections include sitting as close to my dad as possible with brothers and sisters and sometimes cousins, listening as he told us stories that came straight from his wonderful imagination, or gathering around the breakfast table to devour my mother's huge biscuits smothered in the best gravy ever cooked and washing it all down with refreshing ice tea. Isn't childhood the most innocent and fascinating time of life.

One of the dearest memories of that era was listening to and watching my mom and dad as they taught us kids to pray. They taught by example! I can still see my dad's chin start to quiver as he began to feel the presence of God, and huge tears began to roll down his weathered cheeks. I can see the heaving of my mom's shoulders, as she would lose herself in travail, interceding with God for us kids and for the needs of life.

The most outstanding memory is of the night that I received the Holy Ghost. Paula Outlaw was praying with me, and I was only 7 years old. I remember dancing around in a circle, and as I spoke in tongues, I could hear Paula saying, "That's it Debbie! That's it!" Then there was my baptism by Bro. Outlaw in cold, cold Caney Creek. What a treasure to have in this earthen vessel!

The years of growing up with a hoard of brothers and sisters (none of which I would trade off), my marriage to Glenn, the birth of my son and my daughter, what wonderful memories! I could go on and on, for I have had a great life, and I want to think that I will never forget.

However, I do know that there are things that can rob us of every one of life's memorable events. I have seen the effects of brain cancer at work, the way that awful disease can steal away the thought process is heart rending. I have watched a victim of stroke as he lost motor skills, speech, thought patterns, and finally memory and life. These are a couple of things that can cause a 'memory crash,' but I think the worse I have ever encountered is Alzheimer's disease.

I was a major caregiver when my mother was attacked by this debilitating disease. I saw first hand, her loss of a minute ago, yesterday, last year, adulthood, and even childhood. I spent hours listening to stories that I had never heard and that she had once forgotten, things that going backward into time made her remember. At the same time, she would look me in the face and ask, "Where is Debbie?" Oh, what pain and what heartbreak!

So, as a way of preventing the loss of all the wonderful memories stored in this very fragile memory bank of mine, I am going to try and store some of them on paper. Possibly, there will come a time when I will need someone to open up the pages of my life, and read to me, as a way of reminder, about the happy and the sad times of my life! There may come a day that my children or even my grandchildren will want to understand the ins and outs of my life! I want my memories to be available should that day come, and I hope I have not waited too long, that I have heard that inner cry, " I'm falling apart, I'm falling apart, please pay attention!"

Life Lessons

2009-01-02T22:29:00.008-06:00

I received an e-mail the other day with a lesson about a carrot, an egg, and a coffee bean. In this short lesson, the problems of life were compared to boiling water, and the person experiencing them was compared to a carrot, an egg, and a coffee bean. The carrot entered the boiling water hard and unbending, and exited soft and weak. The egg when placed in the water had a thin hard shell, and
a soft fluid inside. When removed from the water the thin shell was cracked and the tender inside had become hard and rubbery. However, the coffee bean went into the water in it's natural state, and although the water boiled with extreme heat around it, the water did not change the coffee bean. Instead, the bean changed the color and the taste of the water. The question was then asked, "Which would you rather be, the carrot, the egg, or the coffee bean?"

I have contemplated on this lesson for several days, and I have come to the conclusion that most of us would rather be the coffee bean. I am thoroughly convinced, however, that always changing your circumstance is not possible. Invariably, things will happen in our lives that change us, and sometimes, this is a good thing! There are times when the hardness we build, as we experience the trials and test of life, must be softened. It is appropriate that God put us on the potters wheel, that He add water to the clay, and that He shape us according to his design. He must soften the flint like conditions of our souls and renew a tenderness of spirit within us.

Then there are periods when we can be so fluid on the inside that if our outer shell should become cracked or broken, our soft inside would pour out to be devoured by the enemy of our soul. That's hen God must turn up the heat, toughen our bonds, and solidify our walk with Him. Possibly, this is when he must thrust us into the heat of His Klein.

After God has used his loving hands to mold and shape us it is now possible for Him to trust us. Can he place us into places and situations that need change and know that we will let him work through us to bring about the needed change? Will it be possible for Him to remove the protective fences from our lives and know that we will, like Job of the Old Testament, be true to Him? Will we trust God to give
and to take away and still bless His name? I believe that like the coffee bean, there will be times when we can change our situation. It is the strength of the coffee bean that causes such wonderful change in the boiling water, and it will be the strength gained through the trials that will allow us to change the perilous waters that surround us.

It is great that we can know a God who knows when we need the hardness softened, a God who understands when we need the soft places in our lives toughened. He is preparing us to walk through fiery darts of the enemy and not be fatally injured, and He is the God who knows when we are ready to bring about changes.