Annie Over!

When we were younger kids, we lived in a great neighborhood in Jackson, MS.  We always had plenty of friends to play with.  But it wasn’t like that when we came to visit Dad’s parents in northeast Mississippi. 

They lived on a farm out in the country and there were no other kids around.  We had to find other ways to entertain ourselves.  That was OK though, because we had good imaginations and just liked to play outside anyway. 

Besides that, Grandma taught us a couple of games that were fun to play.  One of them was Annie Over.  Have you ever heard of it?  I always thought it was something Grandma just made up, but I checked it out on the internet and according to some sources, this game dates all the way back to the mid 1800’s. 

It was an easy game, but it kept Todd and I busy for a little while.  Grandpa and Grandma had a well house that brought water from the ground and up to a faucet outside.  They didn’t have running water in the house.  Anyway, the wellhouse was small enough that we could throw a ball over it to the other side. 

In the game, the one who had the ball would yell out “Annie Over” and throw the ball over the house.  The person on the other side would catch the ball and run around the house to try to catch the one who threw it.  Oh wow!  I don’t remember all the rules exactly.  I just remember throwing the ball and running around chasing each other. 

The laughter too.  I remember the laughter.  We laughed chasing each other, but my Grandmother always laughed when we played.  Oh how she loved to see us have a good time!  It always made me feel good to see her laugh. 

I think God likes to see his children have a good time too, don’t you?  Our life is so full of work and taking care of our families and paying bills and.. and .. and.  The list goes on, but the point is made.  Sometimes we forget to relax and enjoy ourselves. 

When I think about this topic, I often think of what Christ said in John 10:10.  “ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” 

I absolutely love that passage!  It shows us God does want us to have a full, rich life here on earth.  An abundant life means taking pleasure in all the things God gives us to enjoy.   

He created the family unit, when he created Adam and Eve.  A husband and wife are to love and cherish one another.  The children God gives are truly a gift!  Our little ones giggle at the simplest of pleasures.  There is no greater joy for a mother than to hear her child laugh. 

Knowing all this, how could we ever think God doesn’t want us to have fun from time to time?

Proverbs 17:22 – “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”  Please don’t let anyone steal your joy. 

I love you, but God loves you more!

Christ above all things - Robin

Use Your Signal Light

Aaron has never been very talkative in the mornings and this morning was no different.   I was taking him to school, like I did every morning during his high school years.  I wanted to chit chat.  He didn’t. 

I asked him all kinds of questions and tried to think of something I could say to get a response from him.  I finally had an idea I thought might work. 

The monthly ladies devotional was coming up soon.  I was supposed to have the devotional, so I asked Aaron what he thought it should be about.

We were at a  four way stop and I was about to turn right.  He looked over at me and said, “You didn’t use your signal light.” 

He was right.  I had forgotten.  Trying to joke with him I said, “You think I should do my devotional on using directionals?”

Aaron gave me a frustrated look and said, “Mom, I’m serious.  You should really use them.  You need to let the other drivers know which way you are going.”

I told him he was absolutely right and said I would be more diligent in the future.  Then I smiled again and set “But I may still use your idea for a devotional.” 

I don’t think Aaron knew what to think about that.

We use signals in our lives every day and I’m not talking about driving now.  The type of language we use, our facial expressions, our body language and even the tone of our voice all send signals to those around us.  They can tell what kind of mood we are in. 

The way we relate to people in our everyday lives will show others the type of person we are.  We may not want to believe it, but what we say and do reveals a lot about us.  Think about it. 

I was shopping with Mom a while back and we saw a woman put her items into her car and take her cart back to the cart corral before she went back to her car to leave. 

Mom and I talked about that.  Many people do the right thing and put their shopping cart up; but there also many people who do not. 

This is true of many small acts of courtesy like holding a door open for someone or helping a person pick up something they dropped.  All these little things add up!  We shine our lights and set a good example for others to follow.  In doing so we glorify our Father in heaven!

It’s like Aaron said, we need to let other people know which way we are going.  

As we strive toward heaven, let us tell others about Christ.  They may end up going our way.  Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

“for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”  Ephesians 5:8

Christ above all things - Robin 

 

 

 

Her First 'Grown Up' Board Game

Greta was so excited her parents allowed her to bring the game she got for Christmas.  She couldn’t wait to play with it with her family.   It was a great game!  It wasn’t a little kids game.  This was a game she knew everyone would like to play.  But first she had to endure the five hour road trip.    

When they finally got to her grandparents’ home they greeted the family and relaxed from the long trip.  She wanted to get her game out, but Mom said, “Greta, you will have to wait honey.  Everyone just got here.” 

Greta was ten and waiting was not her strong suit.  She wasn’t even hungry, but everyone else was ready to eat.  As soon as they were done, Greta asked again if they could play her game.  This time it was Dad who said, “Let’s wait a little while longer, honey.”   Aunt Rita noticed the disappointment on Greta’s face. 

A few minutes later there was a lull in the conversation.  Aunt Rita looked at Greta and said, “I hear you got a great new game for Christmas.  Did you bring it with you?”

Greta’s mom said, “Rita we don’t have to –“ but Rita cut her off in mid-sentence.  “Greta go get your game.  Let’s play.” 

Two of the older cousins spoke up, “What game? How many can play at one time?”  Greta practically screamed.  “The name of the game is Clue.  Up to six can play, but we can do it with four.”  And she ran to get it.  By the time she got back, her Uncle Terry wanted to play too. 

Greta knew she probably wouldn’t win because she didn’t have much practice, but she wondered who would.  As it turned out, Aunt Rita was the winner.  Greta got her mom’s attention and told her who won.  

Her mother laughed and said, “I told you she was smart.”   Greta was not disappointed in her loss.  She loved playing with the grownups and she learned a lot just by playing that one game. 

---------

It is interesting to note Greta’s enthusiasm about playing even though she knew she might not win.  She maintained her cheerful outlook and saw the whole thing as a learning experience. 

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Christians were like that?  Remember how excited we were when we first became Christians?  Our sins were forgiven and we had so much joy in our salvation! 

All we could think of was serving the Lord.  We wanted to take Jesus with us everywhere we went, just like Greta brought her game with her.  She was proud of it and wanted to spend time sharing it with her family. 

Christians should always be excited about sharing the Bible with our friends and neighbors.  We should be proud of our Savior and talk about Him to other people.  It is important to always have the desire to continually learn and grow.  We don’t begin our Christian lives knowing everything there is to know. 

We can’t be an “Aunt Rita” right away; but we can spend time with those more seasoned Christians and gain wisdom from them.  

God loves us.  Jesus died for us.  The Holy Spirit intercedes for us.  

Please never allow your zeal for the Lord to grow cold. 

Christ above all things - Robin

"Who Shall Separate us From the Love of God"

  We have all seen our share of bad news lately.  It seems living in this old world gets tougher every day - because the world grows farther and farther away from God every day.  As a result we see devastating tragedies all around us.  

       Somehow, in the midst of all the mayhem and madness we still see good in people.   Everyday folks reach out to help their fellowman and in that moment -- that one moment of choosing to do the right thing -- they become heroes.  
     
       In tough times like these, it is good to find encouragement through the scriptures.  When we see the good in people it helps us remember the goodness and the love of God.  

       The Bible - the true and living word of God- gives us comfort and hope.  One such chapter that offers us hope and reminds of God's goodness is Romans chapter 8.  Many of us are familiar with parts of this chapter and in particular vs. 28 -- "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." 
      

      That verse is truly comforting.  It is easy to see why we all turn to it for encouragement.  However, there are other verses in this chapter that give us the reassurance we seek from time to time.  Because you see, as one my friends said once -"This old world just beats you up sometimes." 

       One of the verses I love in this chapter is verse 18 - "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."  We suffer in the world, but God has promised us glory ... if we are faithful.  

     Consider verses 13 and 14 - "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."  

   

     If we put to death our worldly way of life - then we are called the sons (and daughters) of God.  Now how awesome is that!!!  Verse 16 says - "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." 

      Paul talks about earthly suffering in this chapter.  He tells us we have  assurance that God is on our side; and no one can stand against us. (v. 31)  He also tells us the Spirit helps us.  He (the Spirit) intercedes for us when we don't know what to pray for.  

     

       Many times I have become so overwhelmed with sorrow and grief I could not put my prayer into words. How wonderful it is to know the Spirit intercedes for us -- and takes what is in our hearts -- what we can't express ourselves -- and gives that to God in a way that God can understand it (verses 26 & 27).  

      Really folks, this whole chapter is rich and full of treasure.  Read it whenever you are having a tough time.  I don't think anyone can read this chapter without feeling blessed and encouraged.  

      Verses 35-39 sums it up -- "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword?  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord."
    
    Hang in there -- even when the world gets really ugly and we feel like we have gone as far as we can go  - we have the Spirit interceding for us, (vs. 26-27) the love of Christ, (vs. 35) and the love of God on our side! (vs. 39) 

     And if God be for us -- then really -- who can be against us?

Christ above all things,
Robin


   

Body Slam Dunk

He was a stray that hung around at the grocery store where my brother worked.  As time went by, it became obvious to the employees that he had no home to go to – no one was going to come and claim him. 

My brother finally brought the stray home. I think the dog was very grateful.  He must have been because he was gentle and easygoing from the very beginning.  John named him Body Slam Dunk. 

I thought it was a strange name for a dog.  But my youngest brother was a great fan of sports.  I am pretty sure ‘body slam dunk’ is a basketball term.  I know what a dunk is – but I’m not sure about the body slam part. 

At any rate he was a good dog.  He and John were great friends. At some point, his name changed to Kemosabe – or Kemo for short.  Eventually John went to college.  Kemosabe became my parents’ dog then.  They loved him too.  He was a part of the family.

When my two oldest boys were big enough to play outside, Kemo followed them everywhere they went.  He had someone to play with again.  Not to mention he was a great guard dog. 

Once when John came home for a weekend, he set up a tent and camped outside with Adam and Alex.  Naturally, this was a special treat for them.  I remember Kemo slept right outside the tent “door” the entire night. 

Maybe he wanted to be as close as possible to them.  I’m sure he had missed John.  Maybe he was watching over them.  With him there, it was sure nothing else was coming across that tent threshold! 

Shouldn’t we feel toward God the way Body Slam Dunk (a.k.a. Kemosabe) felt about John? Shouldn’t we be thankful He had compassion on us when we were strays lost in sin?  God wants to take us home to heaven.  He sent His Son to die, so we would have the hope of living eternally with Him.

We should want to be as close to God as Kemo wanted to be to John.  We should take Him with us wherever we go.  God longs for closeness with us.  He wants us to be part of His family just like Kemo was part of ours. 

Guess what else?  Kemo wanted to protect Adam, Alex and John while they were asleep in that tent.  Christ wants to protect us from the snares of the devil and the cares of this world.  That is why He died for us and built the church. 

A relationship with a pet and his owner is pure.  Unconditional love is involved.  Loyalty and commitment are involved too and obedience.  Before John could take this stray home with him, the dog had to do something.  He had to listen to John’s voice and obey him.

Body Slam Dunk couldn’t go home with John until he got in the car. That really makes me stop and think!  Will we get in God’s car?  It is entirely up to us. 

 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.  John 10:27

Christ above all things - Robin

Halloween on Paden Street

 

I grew up in safer, simpler times.  At least it seemed like that to me.  We lived in a residential neighborhood and lots of other kids lived there too. There was always someone to play with. During the summer we played with each other up and down the street.  

And Halloween?  Oh, trick or treating was so much fun. Todd and I walked from house to house with our friends to “trick or treat”.  Our neighbors were quite generous.  We always collected plenty of candy!

Another thing I loved was the decorations.  Some folks loved to decorate their houses with all sorts of things.  I remember one house in particular.  It was a few houses down the hill from us.  The yard and his front porch were decorated with all sorts of Halloween stuff.  When children walked up to the door and knocked, his wife would answer and give out candy. 

 As we got to their driveway, I saw him standing at a window. His arms were moving quickly.  It looked like he was pulling on a rope.  I just happened to notice movement in a big tree right beside their driveway.  I followed the movement and realization dawned on me. 

 The man had a “ghost” rigged up in that tree.  He had just finished pulling it into place ready for the next group of kids.  That just happened to be us.  None of my other friends had noticed.  “Oh this ought to be good!” I said to myself.

Todd was a few feet ahead of me, but I didn’t call him back.  I knew he would probably get scared, but I thought it would be funny.  Looking back on it now I feel guilty.  The Bible tells us we reap what we sow.  Maybe that’s why I am so easily startled now.  Who knows? 

This memory made me think about how we are supposed to look out for our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We should stop them before they run full head on into something that will endanger their souls. 

Scripture says in Philippians 2:4-5 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interest of others.”

Hear is another beautiful passage. “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save a soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”  James 5:19-20

Ladies we can’t be like I was that night so long ago.  We cannot just sit back and watch our fellow Christians go off toward the path of sin without even caring.  God wants us to try to help them – to support them in their struggles and to call them back to the Lord. 

This is what loving one another is all about.  Let’s watch out for another. 

Christ above all things – Robin

His First Bowling Game

We were in Myrtle Beach, SC visiting some of my mother’s relatives.  On this trip we met folks we’d never met before.  Mom’s Aunt Ruby, her husband Ralph, Uncle Arthur, and several of Mom’s cousins.  It was a great visit for us. 

Myrtle Beach has always been a beautiful place.  Mom spent her early childhood years there. She remembers when the city was not nearly so crowded – high rise hotels did not line the shore for miles like they do now. 

Mom’s cousin Doris offered to take the three of us bowling.  We had never been before, so we were all excited about it.  Not many people were at the bowling alley that day and it didn’t take us long to get started. 

I think John was about eight years old at the time.  That would mean Todd was twelve and I was fourteen.  I can’t even remember if Todd went first or if I did.  Nor do I remember how either of us did, but I can assure you it wasn’t great.  LOL.

Then it was John’s turn.  We both stood back and watched our little brother.  That bowling ball went slowly down the lane.  John was small so there wasn’t much force behind his throw and I thought it would take forever to reach the pins. 

The ball never swerved.  It rolled as straight as an arrow.  I remember Todd and I looking at each other and one of us said, “Watch him get a strike on his first try ever.”  And he did!!  Neither of us were a bit surprised. 

John was thrilled.  I guess some would say it was beginner’s luck.  It didn’t matter to us what it was, he was so excited!  We were thrilled for him.  Why wouldn’t we be?  He was our little brother. 

That is the way our family has always been.  We always rooted and cheered for each other.  Mom and Dad taught us that. It is just the way we always were and still are now. 

The family of God is supposed to be that way too.  We are always supposed to be happy for one another when we do well.  It is part of loving each other as Christ commanded in John 13:35. 

Members of the church are supposed to celebrate with one another.  Being part of the body of Christ means we are part of each other (Romans 12:5). 

There should be no jealousy in our church family.  We can’t think of ourselves as more than we are.  In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul wrote, “love does not envy or boast, is not arrogant or rude” (verse 4).

We need our church families to encourage us and be happy for us.  We need to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15 

This is not just some kind of feel good statement we do with just a few of our close friends.  This is a commandment for all Christians. 

So the next time someone in our church family rolls a strike, get excited and celebrate with them!  God will bless you for it!

Christ above all things – Robin