Appreciate the Price of Freedom

May 30, 2016May 30, 2016 / The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

Memorial Day is the day we honor our fallen soldiers, and in paying honor to them, I thought I would reblog this post.

Those who live in this country while hating it have forgotten the price that was paid for this great nation. The ONLY reason they have the freedom to mock and shame this country is because these men and women DIED for that freedom! This nation may not be perfect, but it is the one nation who has been the greatest force of GOOD!

As we celebrate today and enjoy our BBQs and our days off of work, let us remember to appreciate those who have paid the ultimate price for this freedom.

the grizzle grist mill

Today, I would like to give my tribute to America. Yes, the land of the free and the home of the brave. I love my home, America.

There are many in this world who would scoff at those words, many who would sneer at my homeland, believing they would be better off without it. Yet, for those who long for freedom, those held under tight regimental control, where do their hearts long to go? Where do their dreams take them when they think of freedom? Yes, it is AMERICA! This land was chosen to be a place where “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”* This is the land of the free and the brave. This country was founded on freedom, on liberty…

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Between The Ditches

May 13, 2016 / The WheatandTares / 3 Comments

I wanted to do one more Daily Post tonight, and as I began thinking about the word, “Survive,” this post that I wrote last year came to mind. I hope you won’t mind me reshaping rather than trying to come up with a different “survive” post. I think this pretty well sums it up for me. 😉

OCTOBER 26, 2015 / THE WHEATANDTARES

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

We were driving behind this guy one day who seemed very preoccupied with everything except the one thing he needed to be focused on: driving. He turned around to talk to his backseat passenger. He looked down for something. He reached over into the front passenger seat for something else. The whole time, he was swerving from the yellow line to the white line, back and forth, time and time again.

It made me think of our personal lives with Christ. Sometimes, I think we can find ourselves driving the road of life simply keeping it between the ditches. We can survive this way. We can definitely make it to heaven, keeping our lives just barely beyond the boundaries of sin, and, yes, especially when we are just getting into this thing, it takes learning and growing to set those boundaries strong and true.

However, when we consistently live our lives simply with the mentality, “How much can I get away with and still make it to heaven?,” I wonder if we truly THRIVE in our Christian walk. I wonder if we can have as much impact as when we set our standards higher and start living life victoriously…

I believe God has called us to live thriving to seek more of Him and less of us. I believe He would have us thriving in this life, paving the path for those around us to find Him. I believe He would have us to live victoriously, mountaintop to mountaintop.

This doesn’t mean we never encounter temptations, we never drop down into the valleys. After all, the only way to move from one mountain top to the next is by going through the valley or across the ridge. We can’t just hop from one to another. We will face low points at some time.

However, the difference I’m talking about is just like the driver that we found ourselves behind that day. He had a choice to drive straight, to take the curves wisely and to not hinder, or even scare the life out of, the on coming traffic due to his distractions. He lacked focus of the main thing he needed to be doing: driving!

We, as Christians, are called to a higher place, to live a better way. After all, Jesus told us, “…But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…” 1Peter 2:9

*I do not own or possess this picture. Found on Google images: http://www.equipmentworld.com

Daily Prompt: SURVIVAL
Survival

If We Were Having Coffee

April 23, 2016April 23, 2016 / The WheatandTares / 9 Comments

If we were having coffee, you’d know it was hot today, and tonight it’s still a bit warm outside; however, since my husband keeps the temps at 69-70 degrees in here, and I’m the cold-natured one, I’m wearing a sweater right now. Let’s move to the back deck where we can chat and listen to the birds chirp and the neighbor mowing his grass.

Would you like coffee, tea or hot chocolate? I have a little “coffee bar” here in the house; so, you can take your pick. Today, I think I’d prefer to have a little lemon and honey with a pinch of Cheyenne pepper, as I’m trying to kick this sinus junk I’ve had this week. Can I offer you cream and sugar with your coffee or tea, or would you like a little hot chocolate with marshmallows or peppermints?

Ok, let’s kick back in these lounge chairs on the deck. Aren’t the trees just stunning out here, and the birds are singing to us while the creek is babbling over the waterfall below. Ahh…this is one of my favorite spots in the world…

Yeah, this is REALLY in my backyard!

This is my first weekend share; so, please forgive me if I kind of blunder through it. I’ve been reading them for a few weeks, enjoying finding new blogs and contemplating if I would join. Considering I love coffee, love to read, and love a good conversation, I figured, “Why not?”

Ok, so enough chitter chatter about ‘nothing,’ now onto some interesting things going on this week. My husband, boys and I are trying to decide what to do for the summer. We really want to take a trip out West, but the cost, the time and the drive is making us pause and consider the pros and cons. We thought maybe we’d just buy a camper to make the drive a little easier. We’ve been looking throughout the week. There’s some good deals out there, but do we really want to “take the plunge,” spend that kind of money and try to figure out where to store that thing. We are still contemplating; however, yesterday, after coming in from looking, my husband received an email for an incredible offer to stay at a cabin on the lake in Highlands, NC, for the summer. If you’ve never been to Highlands, it is a town at 4,000 elevation; so, the temperatures in the summer are always like a cool Spring day! We’ve always wanted to stay there for a while. OH, decisions, decisions!

This week was pretty noneventful for me, I suppose. The boys had school. I ran errands and worked a little at the church most days, as well as, helped out at the school…just kind of the “same ol’ same ol’,” I guess…

Oh! I just remembered something. Let me pull out my phone and show you some pictures from Monday, which turned out to be kind of our “Saturday,” as we had things going on this past Friday and Saturday and couldn’t really get away. We went up to Lake Winfield Scott and onto Vogel State Park. It was an absolutely beautiful day, and we had an awesome time! We ate in Dahlonega at Burbon Street Grill; they have some great fried pickles, burgers and shrimp and grits! We, then, hung out around the lakes a bit. Joey and JMan did a little fishing, ,while I sat near by and read my Kindle, and JGrizz went walking around. We did see a snake shimming across the water. Later, JGrizz and JMan played a little putt putt while Joey and I sat by the creek. We finished out the day with a stop by Betty’s Country Store in Helen. We always joke about how you can get a “cookie the size of your head” in there. They are huge! I always get the apple walnut muffin (with a dollup of icing on top) and a cup of coffee. The coffee really isn’t that good, but it cuts the sweetness of the muffin. Once the muffin is gone, you realize the coffee tastes more like tree bark than anything else! haha! Coffee and all, it was a great day.

Also, the boys had a very eventful evening yesterday. Our church is celebrating Pastor Appreciation Day next week; so, in honor of this, their respective pastors took them out yesterday and gave them “a night on the town.” JGrizz was picked up first by his youth pastor and some friends. He had no idea they were coming, and they showed up on the doorstep complete with “mustaches,” a big greeting card, balloons, cameras rolling and Lecrae blaring from the speakers in the Hummer. He was speechless, which is very unlike him! They took him to dinner, gave him a shopping spree and finished the night riding go-carts. He had a blast! To hear the “updates” of what he was saying throughout the evening and to see his smiles and enthusiastic retelling of the night just blessed my heart! He was still talking about it throughout the day today.

JMan was picked up shortly after this, and he knew a little of what was going on, because one of his little friends had let the secret out on Thursday (haha!); however, he was so excited to go shopping and to Skyzone (an indoor trampoline playground) and finish out the evening with dinner at one of his favorite Mexican restaurant. One of his little friends, who went with them, came home to spend the night with him. They were so wound up, they didn’t fall asleep until after midnight, but to see the smiles on their faces and to hear all their excitement over the night, it was all worth it!

Well, tell me all about your week now, please. I’d love to hear…

Well, it’s getting late, and I’ve got to go fix the boys something to eat; so, I guess, we’ll need to continue this coffee share next time. I hope you’ve enjoyed the coffee. I’ve enjoyed spending time with you, and I do hope you feel the same. I look forward to our get together this time next week. 🙂

Linking up with Diana at PartTimeMonster.com and #weekendcoffeeshare.

Wednesday’s Ode #8

April 6, 2016 / The WheatandTares

In honor of our birthday week and being able to celebrate together one more time, I thought I’d reblog this today. Hope you enjoy. 😊

the grizzle grist mill

Today, I’d like to give tribute to my grandmother. She and I share the same birthday this month, and since today is April first (and I’m not so crazy about April Fool’s Day), I think she is a much better subject to talk about! 😉

I absolutely love my grandmother! Many people say we’re a lot alike, and I take that as a huge compliment. She is a very loving, peaceful, pleasant, elegant, loyal, diligent, dependable, and noble woman. She is fiesty at times, yet, incredibly feminine. She is enthusiastic and always ready to have a good time; yet, she’s quiet and as easy going as the day is long.

She fiercely loved her husband of almost 59 years, and she loves him to this day; although, she had to say goodbye to him almost 13 years ago. They were best friends, confidantes, business partners and lovers. Together, they faced…

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Who is Jesus?

March 12, 2016 / The WheatandTares

This is too good not to reshare. 😊

heath:cassidy

who is christ11

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My Heart Says

January 27, 2016 / The WheatandTares

Lord, guide and guard my heart…

the grizzle grist mill

I step out on faith, and I feel the whirlwind.

The gusts attempt to break my tired feet.

My anger tempts me to turn and not to bend,

But my heart says not to give in to the defeat.

I walk on not knowing where this will go;

This storm rages all around my weary head.

My sin tempts me to rebel so You will not know,

But my heart says to remember what You have said.

I run into Your loving arms, still fearing all Your wrath;

The rains are pouring down now on top of me.

My fears tempt me to put on this shiny mask,

But my heart says to uncover and allow You to see.

I stand in the great shadow of Your grace;

These clouds are cleansing from within me now.

My heart tempts me to hide my prideful face,

But my heart says to…

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Wednesday’s Ode #48

January 6, 2016January 3, 2016 / The WheatandTares

I love new beginnings! Fresh Start…Makeover…Do over…Redo…Second Chances.

Each new year is kind of like this. We all live with regrets from days gone by when we should have done more, said less, acted quicker and influenced better. Each one of us have some things in the past that we wish we could just erase, forget about and start new.

Well, this is now 2016! THIS is a new year…a fresh start…a second chance! You can make better today what was yesterday. You can allow “by gones to be by-gones” and work toward a better tomorrow, a better future, a better life! All you have to do is try. All you have to do is choose. All you have to do is put one foot in front of the other and start walking in the right path now.

Does that mean all the past is simply washed away, never to be remembered again? Yes and No. Yes, if we’re talking about your salvation and walk with God. His mercies are new every morning. He washes your sins away and forgets they were ever there. So, yes, when referring to Christ and your walk with Him, your life of sin is washed away, never to be remembered again! No, because if we’re talking about life in the general sense, in the sense of things you’ve done, words you’ve said, wrongs you’ve committed. No, sometimes, those things can’t simply be washed away as if nothing ever happened. When people get hurt or foolish things are said and done, those healings might take time. Some words can never be taken back. Some pains leave scars that don’t easily heal.

However, darkened pasts don’t simply mean the future is lost. Darkened pasts simply mean you might need to work a little harder to be a healing agent rather than a destruction maker. Darkened pasts simply mean you might have to ask for forgiveness; you might have to lay down some pride; you might have to change some routines or habits and choose a better way.

The New Year is for making things new, for making new beginnings. You can do this. You can start anew. Your future can have a second chance at greatness. All you have to do is start now. All you have to do is make a deliberate attempt. Move with purpose. Speak with passion. Act with reason. This CAN be a better year! Just step out and make it happen! 🙂

Purpose in the Mundane

December 29, 2015 / The WheatandTares

As I set about cleaning the house this evening, I am reminded to find purpose in the mundane, to rejoice in the routine. Lord, help me to remember the purpose to which You have called me, even in the smallest of things… Now, where’s that broom and dustpan? 😉

the grizzle grist mill

The other day, I was sweeping the hardwoods…I hate to sweep, but it’s something that must be done, or crumbs and filth will build up, and then we’ll have nastiness, filth, and even bugs. I hate bugs in the house. I hate bugs in the house more than I hate sweeping! …So, I was sweeping and thinking of all the stuff I needed to do around the house. The end tables needed dusting, the carpet needed vacuuming, the blinds needed wiping, the sheets needed washing and changing, etc.

All of sudden, JMan said, “Mom, come here quick!” I walked into the office, a little begrudgingly, because I had so much to do, and he was simply calling me over to the computer. He said, “Look at the house I’ve built!” Then, he proceeded to show me the house, with all its rooms, and a “treasure chest” in one of them…

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It’s Tradition, Again

December 21, 2015 / The WheatandTares

Today begins the week of Christmas, all the joy and all the chaos. Let us not forget the fun, the wonder and the joy in sharing it with those we love…

the grizzle grist mill

The other night, my youngest and I continued a tradition that hasn’t really been an annual, very consistent, tradition; however, I’ll call it a tradition, nonetheless. We made sugar cookies together…complete with the rolling out of dough, cookie cutter figures, making our own icing (for the very first time!), and sprinkles and nonpareils. It was messy, but it was, oh, so fun!!

We had the movie, Home Alone 2, playing in the background as we floured the countertop and rolling pin, flattened the dough and prepared it for the cookie cutters. We pressed the cutters into the dough, making snowmen, Christmas holly, stars, and trains. We baked them, painted them and let them dry. We ate a few and stood back to admire our handiwork. He did an awesome job! …Mine looked more like a four year old’s creation (no offense to the four year olds out there! Haha).

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WORSHIPLESS WEDNESDAY – Dec. 9

December 10, 2015 / The WheatandTares

This is really good. Couldn’t help but reshare…

A DEVOTED LIFE

I tapped my foot to an engaging new song while commuting to work. My mind wandered aimlessly until the words, “Pastor got a look and said, “Ya’ll had better hurry“; Send her off to a little bible college in Missouri”, brought me back to what had so engaged my foot. The song continued with my full attention as I listened to the song “Getting Ready to Get Down” by John Ritter.

Objection after objection formed in my mind to nearly every stanza of this song. I turned the radio off with a mixture of anger and sadness. I was once again confronted with the familiar lie buried into the artistic fabric of our society.

I know this lie all too well. I believed these lies for long enough to know the truth of their destructive nature. The Story of JD chronicles my swallowing of the same old lie packaged anew…

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