You know how organized I am on Mondays...
Since I don't always post on Monday, I thought I'd surprise you with a devotion I gave for my Apple Orchard fun day at my church.
An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away....
Why are apples good for you?
Vitamins and minerals, Phyto-nutrients help to reduce cancer risk, aid in cholesterol reduction, and even protect from lung disease. Minute damage done to our bodies, by living and breathing in our environments, can be minimized by the nutrition of a regular apple.
Is there something we can do spiritually that can offer similar benefits?
A daily dose of conviction from God’s Word protects us from the sins that can clog our blood like cholesterol. Believing and acting on the words we read in the Bible breaks down the junk flowing through our spiritual veins and directs it to the waste areas where it belongs. Mutating thoughts, like cancer cells – good cells gone bad – and their out of control spread is zapped when we let God’s Word govern our thought lives. Breathing in His Spirit through time spent with Him refreshes our spiritual lungs.
Apples are full of fiber which keeps things moving and cleans out our bodies.
The Bible, like a hot fire refines us and removes impurities like fiber does for our physical bodies. The Word melts sins, dangerous attitudes and selfishness when we apply it to our lives.
How important is fiber?
Waste accumulation eventually poisons us, physically and Spiritually.
What is spiritual waste? Hurts, negative thoughts, bitterness, unforgiveness….
Our tastes vary, and God has created a spectrum of textures and sweetness in apples. If you prefer crisp with a hint of sour, bite into a Granny Smith, soft, sweet Golden Delicious appeal to others. Many varieties from perfect pie apples to juicy-eat-beneath-the-tree-apples are available to meet all our apple tastes.
Different translations of the Bible are available to suit different tastes. We can also find God’s Truth in different worship styles and denominations. We don’t have to love Golden Delicious to enjoy apples. Nor do we have to coat it in caramel and sprinkles and nuts for it to be perfect, but we can if we want. As long as we don’t change what God’s Word says, or refuse to apply it, His Word benefits us, however we choose to devour it.
Sometimes all the toppings and embellishments begin to take away from the refreshing deliciousness of a pure apple. So pay attention. If a gourmet apple doesn’t satisfy, or a CD or book doesn’t feed your soul, maybe you need to get back to the basics of God’s simple design.
Eat an apple a day. And while you’re at it, gobble up some of God’s Word, too.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Friday, October 06, 2006
Scribbles and Scrambles - We Have a Winner
Janet, you won the Dark Hour comment contest.
Yay.
You may wonder how I chose you from among the many thoughtful and provoking comments. It was a real struggle, but I’m pleased with the outcome, though I wish everyone could have received a copy of Dark Hour.
I pondered the idea of a "comment-off" where the semi-finalists tried to out-do each other in creativity and wordsmithing. But I didn’t want things to run amuck and crash Blogger or the entire internet.
My clever idea …I sang “Eenie-Meanie-Minie-Mo”, “Pop Goes the Weasel” and “Ring Around the Rosies” while I bounced a pen from name to name. You actually were chosen twice, Janet. Scientific, huh? Gina, you were the next runner up, the Weasel voted for you.
Janet, e-mail me your snail mail addy, and I’ll pass it along to the powers that be. I assume you will come back with a review of some sort…right? Because I’ll soon know where you live. Mwahhhahahahahahahhhha.
Have an excellent weekend everyone. I will be visiting an apple orchard with a church group tomorrow. This adventure involves riding on a large flatbed hauled by a tractor.
If I arrive alive, and with all fingers intact, I’ll see you next week. If unintelligible, code-like or foreign words appear on the blog just assume I’m in a body cast.
If I had trouble navigating a revolving door, can you imagine how dangerous I am around farm equipment?
Shudder.
Yay.
You may wonder how I chose you from among the many thoughtful and provoking comments. It was a real struggle, but I’m pleased with the outcome, though I wish everyone could have received a copy of Dark Hour.
I pondered the idea of a "comment-off" where the semi-finalists tried to out-do each other in creativity and wordsmithing. But I didn’t want things to run amuck and crash Blogger or the entire internet.
My clever idea …I sang “Eenie-Meanie-Minie-Mo”, “Pop Goes the Weasel” and “Ring Around the Rosies” while I bounced a pen from name to name. You actually were chosen twice, Janet. Scientific, huh? Gina, you were the next runner up, the Weasel voted for you.
Janet, e-mail me your snail mail addy, and I’ll pass it along to the powers that be. I assume you will come back with a review of some sort…right? Because I’ll soon know where you live. Mwahhhahahahahahahhhha.
Have an excellent weekend everyone. I will be visiting an apple orchard with a church group tomorrow. This adventure involves riding on a large flatbed hauled by a tractor.
If I arrive alive, and with all fingers intact, I’ll see you next week. If unintelligible, code-like or foreign words appear on the blog just assume I’m in a body cast.
If I had trouble navigating a revolving door, can you imagine how dangerous I am around farm equipment?
Shudder.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Scribbles and Scrambles - Nature Nanny
I haven’t taken you on a visit to Nannyland recently.
The three little ones are nearly one, just turned two, and looking in the face of three. A handful to say the least.
Nanny turns 20. Since Nanny is my daughter, let me just mention that her growing up process has no bearing on my age. I believe she gets two birthdays to my one, starting a few years ago.
I spent a couple of days in Nannyland just last week. Medical world is vastly different, so I was in for some culture shock.
The toothless, bald tribal leader who chanted and banged on toys has matured into a, how do I say this without offending, a tree frog. He loves physical contact which makes the activities of daily living almost impossible. Apparently his little fingers are like sticky pads or Velcro, and he is able to scale a full-size adult in seconds, or at least annoy the adult to the point that they pick him up. Nanny says he jumps. One day she turned around to pay attention to one of the girls and he lunged for her and clung to her back, while still strapped into the high chair.
I must have accidentally worn baby repellent so he spent most of his time trying to scramble out of my arms and onto Nanny.
We strolled to the park. The girls obey Nanny and point out wildlife and airplanes. On a walk a few days before I visited, Two-Year-Old screamed, “Lion!” Not a far fetched thing in our metro area -- Mountain Lions have been spotted, so Nanny whirled around and readied to do battle with the….. squirrel.
The last day I visited we spent several minutes in the yard. A balmy September breeze stirred baby-fine hair. Giggles rang, and the girls frolicked and sang and slid. Two-Year-Old found a leaf and began chewing. Nanny removed the leaf. A small branch showed up in Two-Year-Old’s fist, and it headed toward the open mouth. Nanny snatched it, and mentioned something about children not eating bunny food.
Two-Year-Old curled up with the dog, leaned over and began to graze.
Nannyland, a nice place to visit.
The three little ones are nearly one, just turned two, and looking in the face of three. A handful to say the least.
Nanny turns 20. Since Nanny is my daughter, let me just mention that her growing up process has no bearing on my age. I believe she gets two birthdays to my one, starting a few years ago.
I spent a couple of days in Nannyland just last week. Medical world is vastly different, so I was in for some culture shock.
The toothless, bald tribal leader who chanted and banged on toys has matured into a, how do I say this without offending, a tree frog. He loves physical contact which makes the activities of daily living almost impossible. Apparently his little fingers are like sticky pads or Velcro, and he is able to scale a full-size adult in seconds, or at least annoy the adult to the point that they pick him up. Nanny says he jumps. One day she turned around to pay attention to one of the girls and he lunged for her and clung to her back, while still strapped into the high chair.
I must have accidentally worn baby repellent so he spent most of his time trying to scramble out of my arms and onto Nanny.
We strolled to the park. The girls obey Nanny and point out wildlife and airplanes. On a walk a few days before I visited, Two-Year-Old screamed, “Lion!” Not a far fetched thing in our metro area -- Mountain Lions have been spotted, so Nanny whirled around and readied to do battle with the….. squirrel.
The last day I visited we spent several minutes in the yard. A balmy September breeze stirred baby-fine hair. Giggles rang, and the girls frolicked and sang and slid. Two-Year-Old found a leaf and began chewing. Nanny removed the leaf. A small branch showed up in Two-Year-Old’s fist, and it headed toward the open mouth. Nanny snatched it, and mentioned something about children not eating bunny food.
Two-Year-Old curled up with the dog, leaned over and began to graze.
Nannyland, a nice place to visit.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Serials and Scenarios – New Book - Dark Hour
I don't know Ginger Garrett. Reading the premise and the reviews of Dark Hour gave me goose bumps.
I'm familiar with the Biblical women she fictionalizes. Athaliah and Jezebel have fascinated me in a car crash kind of way -- my head swivels and looks even though my eyes can't bear to witness the grief or the horror they may encounter.
How could a mother do what Athaliah did? A question that my mind has pondered when encountering current headlines, too. As you as intrigued as I am? Read on, and click away.
Several copies of Dark Hour have been made available to blog commenters. If you comment, you'll be tossed into a drawing. Make sure I can get a hold of you to get your snail-mail, so no anonymous unless I have a way to track you down. My drawing will be Friday, the 6th at noon.
The book - Dark Hour
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1576838692/
The author - Ginger Garrett's website:
http://www.gingergarrett.com/
I'm familiar with the Biblical women she fictionalizes. Athaliah and Jezebel have fascinated me in a car crash kind of way -- my head swivels and looks even though my eyes can't bear to witness the grief or the horror they may encounter.
How could a mother do what Athaliah did? A question that my mind has pondered when encountering current headlines, too. As you as intrigued as I am? Read on, and click away.
Several copies of Dark Hour have been made available to blog commenters. If you comment, you'll be tossed into a drawing. Make sure I can get a hold of you to get your snail-mail, so no anonymous unless I have a way to track you down. My drawing will be Friday, the 6th at noon.
The book - Dark Hour
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1576838692/
The author - Ginger Garrett's website:
http://www.gingergarrett.com/
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Scribbles and Scrambles - October Dreams and Clean Wishes
I can’t believe its October, partially because it’s supposed to be a scorcher -- 91 -- today.
Iowa trees are layering on burnt orange, vivid yellow and scarlet. Absolute eye candy -- a scarlet tree framed against a Microsoft-Word-blue sky. (Suppose that will ever be an official color in a crayon box?)
Autumn is my favorite time of year. Something about the way the air smells (most places anyway) energizes me. I know some don’t care for the whole entering-into-death aspect of fall, but I don’t consider winter death, just a really long, cold nap. Maybe that’s why I like the changing season, my sleep deprived mind keeps thinking about dozing.
Life is crazy busy right now. Do you ever just long for a few hours alone in a clean house? Sometimes I’m tempted to drive through new neighborhoods and look for a house that’s finished but not sold yet, so I can sneak in and enjoy luxurious solitude.
Sigh. I suppose I could clean my own house, but they just don’t stay clean.
I have no idea what the rest of the week holds for those of you who visit. I’ll be posting info about a book that’s new to me.
I’ll see if October can inspire some really good poetry, too. I did see a cricket this morning. Oh yeah, I already covered crickets.
Iowa trees are layering on burnt orange, vivid yellow and scarlet. Absolute eye candy -- a scarlet tree framed against a Microsoft-Word-blue sky. (Suppose that will ever be an official color in a crayon box?)
Autumn is my favorite time of year. Something about the way the air smells (most places anyway) energizes me. I know some don’t care for the whole entering-into-death aspect of fall, but I don’t consider winter death, just a really long, cold nap. Maybe that’s why I like the changing season, my sleep deprived mind keeps thinking about dozing.
Life is crazy busy right now. Do you ever just long for a few hours alone in a clean house? Sometimes I’m tempted to drive through new neighborhoods and look for a house that’s finished but not sold yet, so I can sneak in and enjoy luxurious solitude.
Sigh. I suppose I could clean my own house, but they just don’t stay clean.
I have no idea what the rest of the week holds for those of you who visit. I’ll be posting info about a book that’s new to me.
I’ll see if October can inspire some really good poetry, too. I did see a cricket this morning. Oh yeah, I already covered crickets.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Scribbles and Scrambles - Traffic Poem and Life Tip
Thank you, anonymous, for the lovely poem on Wednesday. Feel free, all you other anonymousi, to leave a thought, poem, or life tip.
Have a great weekend - and drive carefully. : )
Ode to Bad Drivers Everywhere.
Nice wave!
Put your finger down.
I was right and you were wrong.
Read the signs or look around
Or can’t you see past your mascara wand?
Hurtling highways breeds discontent
And mating season seems imminent
At least with you glued to my tail
If I wasn’t so patient, I might yell
Okay, I do, but you can’t tell
Since your attention’s focused
ON YOUR CELL
Hey, ET, let’s not phone home
At least while dancing, weaving, speeding
On my road.
Nice helmet.
Melons break on impact though.
Superhero dreams.
Ignorance’s bliss.
Sign up for a reality class.
Aggression pumps
Like poisoned swill
Insanity eeks like sighs
From lips clenched tight
Sometimes the only
Restraint I show
Is because my bumper
Sports a Christian fish.
Life tip for the day:
When speaking on the cell phone, upon entering a public restroom -- don’t.
When nature calls, say, “hold on a minute”, and click over.
In plain English…it’s just gross to talk on the phone while toilets flush in the background.
Have a great weekend - and drive carefully. : )
Ode to Bad Drivers Everywhere.
Nice wave!
Put your finger down.
I was right and you were wrong.
Read the signs or look around
Or can’t you see past your mascara wand?
Hurtling highways breeds discontent
And mating season seems imminent
At least with you glued to my tail
If I wasn’t so patient, I might yell
Okay, I do, but you can’t tell
Since your attention’s focused
ON YOUR CELL
Hey, ET, let’s not phone home
At least while dancing, weaving, speeding
On my road.
Nice helmet.
Melons break on impact though.
Superhero dreams.
Ignorance’s bliss.
Sign up for a reality class.
Aggression pumps
Like poisoned swill
Insanity eeks like sighs
From lips clenched tight
Sometimes the only
Restraint I show
Is because my bumper
Sports a Christian fish.
Life tip for the day:
When speaking on the cell phone, upon entering a public restroom -- don’t.
When nature calls, say, “hold on a minute”, and click over.
In plain English…it’s just gross to talk on the phone while toilets flush in the background.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Serials and Scenarios - Violet Dawn
Violet Dawn….just when you thought it was safe to go….oops…wrong tag line, but it might work...
The Amazon link for the book Violet Dawn: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0310252237
I just posted a review which may not appear until tomorrow, so you just might have to go back : ).
Here’s my CBD (Christian Book Distributors) review….
Kelly Klepfer from Council Bluffs, Iowa ( Reviewed on May 17, 2006 )
Product Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Comments: "Brandilyn Collins has done it again. This time she has managed to blend the richness of character driven fiction with clench your teeth suspense. Violet Dawn, though creepy in several spots, is less black and white graphic than her Hidden Faces series. Brandilyn has woven a town that I’d like to visit someday. It’s a shame that there’s a rotten murderer skulking around on the main strip.
The fast pace, most of the events take place within a twenty-four hour period, of the novel makes it a quick and compelling read. I only set it down when my tired eyes refused to focus. I’m looking forward to book two in the series. "
There are more at…..
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=252237&show_all_cr=1
If you think the story is appealing thus far, head on over to the virtual blog for the fictional Kanner Lake characters musings; http://www.kannerlake.blogspot.com where hilarious, amusing, and even touching slices of life in the fictional town are captured by several talented writers.
Brandilyn is an excellent teacher and has much great stuff on her blog. She’s also funny…a definite plus in my book. Brandilyn's blogsite: http://forensicsandfaith.blogspot.com/
The Amazon link for the book Violet Dawn: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0310252237
I just posted a review which may not appear until tomorrow, so you just might have to go back : ).
Here’s my CBD (Christian Book Distributors) review….
Kelly Klepfer from Council Bluffs, Iowa ( Reviewed on May 17, 2006 )
Product Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Comments: "Brandilyn Collins has done it again. This time she has managed to blend the richness of character driven fiction with clench your teeth suspense. Violet Dawn, though creepy in several spots, is less black and white graphic than her Hidden Faces series. Brandilyn has woven a town that I’d like to visit someday. It’s a shame that there’s a rotten murderer skulking around on the main strip.
The fast pace, most of the events take place within a twenty-four hour period, of the novel makes it a quick and compelling read. I only set it down when my tired eyes refused to focus. I’m looking forward to book two in the series. "
There are more at…..
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=252237&show_all_cr=1
If you think the story is appealing thus far, head on over to the virtual blog for the fictional Kanner Lake characters musings; http://www.kannerlake.blogspot.com where hilarious, amusing, and even touching slices of life in the fictional town are captured by several talented writers.
Brandilyn is an excellent teacher and has much great stuff on her blog. She’s also funny…a definite plus in my book. Brandilyn's blogsite: http://forensicsandfaith.blogspot.com/
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