Author: The WheatandTares

Wisdom, Faith or just plain Stupidity?

/ The WheatandTares

Yeah, some will look at this picture and recognize at first glance this sign is stupid, that there’s no wisdom in trying to jump this chasm with no ramp or expertise. Others would come up to this sign and believe with all their being this is the sign that will bring forth their destiny; if there’s just enough faith, this will be the day of change! Still, others will see this and “throw caution to the wind” and go for it with gusto!

Often, the truth of wisdom is shown in the tenacity within the mundane, the fortitude through the process of change and the ultimate risk of doing something completely out of routine.

The proof of Faith comes when it is joined with wisdom and it brings forth power and anointing.

The reality of stupidity comes when the choices made bring about calamity, failure and destruction.

Which will you choose??

Yesterday or Today?

/ The WheatandTares

I saw this quote while at lunch the other day, and it triggered me to purpose and a challenge of heart. It made me think of so many I know who constantly live with regrets, remorse and shame. It reminded me of my own tendency to return to what could’ve been, should’ve been, and would’ve been, had it not been…

It brought me, once again, to the recognition that yesterday is what it is, today is here, and as long as there’s breath in your lungs, everyone has a shot at tomorrow.

The question is not whether today will come, rather, the question should be, what will you do with what you have received?

Use it well. Make the memories. Cherish the moments. Savor what is yet to be.

And as my husband loves to say, “When it comes to living life, ‘Drive it like you stole it!'”

Tuesday’s Treats #167

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

Dreamland BBQ

Location: Montgomery, Al

Let me begin by saying, we ate here 7 years ago, and they were in a different location. Honestly, we liked the feel of the earlier location because of it’s brick, muraled walls and less “commercialized” atmosphere, more like a locally owned bbq restaurant. This location is bigger, and it just gives more of a sports bar feel.

The food is delicious; even though, we were disappointed that they no longer serve brisket. We ordered the stadium nachos, the chicken sandwich, pork sandwich, chicken bbq Baker, and chicken fingers. The sides were absolutely amazing with made from scratch fried okra, Mac and cheese and Brunswick Stew.

One of the fun things about the Montgomery location is you are right downtown, and you can take a stroll down by the Riverwalk when you’re done; so, you don’t feel quite like a piglet for eating so much yummy food! 😂

Dreamland has a ton of locations; so, if you’re looking for some good bbq, just check out the locations on their site.

Christian or Nah?

/ The WheatandTares / 1 Comment

Spent a lot of time reading today, and one particular thought kept recurring through my head as I read this post by a “Christian” and that blog by an “nonbeliever” and a tweet by a “Christian who is a professional” and then an article by a “self proclaimed heathen” and so on…

Observation for today: If you call yourself a Christian, yet mock those who have overcome failures and defeat, focus more on race, politics and cultural agendas, and create division rather than unity by your words and/or actions,

what is setting you apart from the world??

…and if we are not set apart from the world, why would “they” want anything we have?

Queen or Slave?

/ The WheatandTares / 1 Comment

How are you feeling today?

Do you live like a queen or a slave?

A queen has rights, responsibilities and rightful ownerships.

A slave has excuses, exemptions and evictions.

A queen has power, personality and principles.

A slave has pity, problems and polysemy.

A queen makes choices, has character and a conscience.

A slave has disdain, degradation and disrespect.

A queen is never a victim, but rather a product of the chosen one she has become.

A slave is always a victim, never realizing her justification for hate and sin destroys her potential, her dreams, and her future.

Fight to win the victory.

Stand with royalty and honor.

Walk in the queenship you’ve been given.

1 Peter 2:9. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.“

Life: It’s a Process

/ The WheatandTares

I was walking down the back staircase of a hospital when I saw this mural. My husband chuckled when I stopped my descent to take a pic, but when told him it would be for a blog, he totally got it, because he’s amazing like that.

To every challenge, every improvement, every healing, every victory, there has to be a process of steps to bring you to that positive outcome. Courage, strength, endurance, recovery and accomplishing goals don’t just happen miraculously or overnight. There are always steps involved, and sometimes, those necessary steps have to be taken meticulously and can even be excruciating.

However, if you are willing to put forth the time, effort and tenacity to take them, you can reach your goal, and you can shout your victory!

Tuesday Treats #166

/ The WheatandTares / 1 Comment

Tastebuds Sweet Treats & Ice Cream

Location: Pace, Fl.

If you are in the Milton/Pace/Pensacola area, this place is tasty. (See what I did there. Lol.) I have to say, I’ve been to a place in Fairhope, Al (you can find the name), and I do like it much better. However, if Fairhope is just too far to travel, and you’re dying for a creative milkshake, this place will hit the spot.

I ordered the Pecan Lovers, and although, I wasn’t crazy about the butter pecan ice cream they mix in, I absolutely loved the pecan pie tart and pecans on top! They even warmed the pie; so, it was scrumptious!! Our party ordered the Chocolate Delight, the Unicorn (with a twist) and the ‘Nana Puddin’ shakes. Each one of them were created beautifully, and each person enjoyed them.

You do get to keep your jar, too. 😉

Here’s the website to see what they offer.

**A few disclaimers: (1) this place is locally owned and operated; so, if you’ve been to Fairhope, please, know it will be similar but on a much smaller scale; (2) if you have but allergies, they are most likely not equipped to serve your needs properly (We had 2 in our party, and although, the worker tried to convince us she could do it, without guaranteeing non-cross-contamination; however, after the discussion, those in our party knew it was better to not try it, because the risk was too high.); (3) They don’t have a sink to clean the jars that you’re taking home, but you do get a bag to put it in.

Be the Fire

/ The WheatandTares / 1 Comment

No one said this life would be fair. No one said you’d always walk along a path of daisies and roses. Sometimes, life just stinks, and you have to live through the pain and agony it presents.

Sometimes, this life is going to be set on fire, and you’ve got to decide whether you’re going to grab a bucket and put out the flames , stand your ground and walk through the blaze, or lie down and become the ashes. The choice is yours, and no one can make that choice for you.

You can be destroyed in the fire, or you can allow it to refine you, strengthen you and teach you. If you decide to lie down and allow it to consume, you must know that your life may not be the only one that is devoured. There may be children, grandchildren, friends and family who are devoured. Often, we do not realize, we stand as a shield for those coming behind.

If you choose to walk through, the road may not be easy, and it may get hotter and more strenuous before it gets better, but there is One who promises you will not be diminished from the inferno.

His name is Jesus.

And He loves you.

With God by your side, the flames may lick at your being, and the temperatures may rise beyond comfortable, but YOU WILL MAKE IT. He will walk beside you. He will guide you, and when needed, He will carry you.

Give Him a chance. He will not disappoint. He is able. He is faithful. He is true, and His promises are unbreakable… inflammable… and even in-consumable.

When you choose to walk through the flames with Him, you become resilient to the wildfires. You become a pillar of stone that cannot be singed. You become the firefighter who rescues others from the flames.

Grief: It is a Process of Pain

/ The WheatandTares

One of the best articles I’ve read lately in grief is this one. If you are grieving due to anything other than a physical loss, such as divorce, abuse, neglect or estrangement, this article may not bring much healing to you, because your circumstances yield a much different needed response. However, if you’ve lost a loved one, and you’re walking through this painful journey, you may find some comfort and encouragement as you read through this widow’s pages.

Grief: Authenticity is Healing

/ The WheatandTares

Be real while you grieve. Let the tears flow. Let the thoughts ponder. Let the grief run through your veins like a cold hard rain that just won’t stop.

Grief is never easy. It is never fun, or full of laughter or delightful. Honestly, grief sucks. Grief can make you feel like running far, far away or hiding in a corner until everyone is gone. Grief can even make you feel like crawling into that casket and being buried right alongside that person you’ve lost.

All those emotions, fears, anger, doubt and pain, it all comes with the territory of grief. It’s not a joy-ride, and it’s really not for the weak and whiny. Those who succeed best through the traumas of grief are those who allow those feelings to glow like rain. Those who live through grief and are able to help someone else through the same storm are those who allow themselves to be real and never try to live up to someone else’s expectations or demands on the grief.

Those who become stronger because of the grief are those who, while their hearts are being ripped from their very being, extend a look of compassion to someone else who is hurting, reach out with a gentle hand to wipe away a tear from someone else’s cheek whose heart is ripped out, too.

These are the heroes of grief. They are not mighty pillars of stoic strength, never shedding a tear. They are not mindless minions, never feeling, never crying, never screaming from the pain. They are simply common, ordinary people who have chosen not to cause someone else pain because of their own, but rather, they have chosen to be a wounded warrior, linking arms with the fallen and helping him to safety while their own body is ravished from the bullet wounds of agony and pain.