HONOR THY BROTHERS! 6/17/12

BECAUSE today is Father’s Day I would like to pay honor to my Father. I honor him because he gave me life! I love him because he was my father! I remember him because he was my Father! I was 15 when he died and I was saddened years later, when I realized how much I didn’t know about him. He told me he was a “Breakfast Cook” but I always thought of him as a chef. He was an alcoholic and never held a job for long. I discovered that he spent time with my older siblings and even taught my older brothers how to swim. One of the things that I am most grateful for, is that all fourteen of us, came from one set of parents. BECAUSE today is Father’s Day I would like to pay honor to two of my brothers who raised me and my four younger siblings, and deserve to be honored as Fathers. Lloyd was 16 when he became disabled to the point that he no longer attended school, and so he took care of the younger kids. I was about 3! He is the one that would say to me each morning; “Morning Glory!” He fixed us lunch and I think prepared dinner. He prepared potatoes like the food network, before there was a food network. He had food sense and it showed in every dish he made. He was well read and could give you an answer to most subjects. He would learn a new word everyday and I for one, will never forget; “No thank you, I have had a sufficiency; anything more would be a superfluous delicacy!” LONNIE was a little younger than Lloyd and was able bodied. Lonnie was quieter than some of my brothers, but he was built with an inner core that said; “I am responsible for this family now that Daddy is gone!” He worked hard and gave much of his wages to support the family. The other older siblings gave also, including me when I was old enough. But it was Lonnie that was Mom’s “go to” person for all of the extras. He was firm with his instructions. I bought a car and he made me change the tire twice and then said; “Don’t call me to come and fix a flat nor to put gas in the car. Find yourself a mechanic and he will soon know your car!” Lonnie also told me to never run out the door when your boyfriends honk their horns; he must come to the door! I never had boyfriends who drove cars! Also I was never to sit in a car with a boy unless I was engaged to him! WHEN I was getting married, I wanted Lonnie to give me away! However, I knew that I had to ask Lloyd. He was older than Lonnie and he had taken care of me when I was very little. It was a hard choice but I talked with Lonnie about it and he agreed that Lloyd was to be asked. Lonnie didn’t attend weddings or most holiday functions or even most celebrations. He agreed to pick up my attendants and bring them to the church. He stayed for my wedding and then left before the reception. Both of these men were single all of their lives and we were their children. It hurt me when they passed away, when I was in my 50's and 60's. I hold them up as ones who trained me! SOME would say that a single man lives for himself. Some might say that a single man sows as many oats as he can for he lives to eat, drink and to be merry. These two men took the responsibilities that were handed to them and we were very blessed. “A stupid son is a grief to a father; and the father of a fool has no joy.” Proverbs 17:21 My father knew what Lloyd had given us kids, but if my father could have known how Lonnie stepped up to the plate, I wonder how that would have made him feel. I know how it made me feel! >“LISTEN to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom for the future.” Proverbs 19:20 We kids, learned a lot from the love of these two men. So different from each other and yet both of them were family oriented. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 I often wonder if my brothers knew just how much they have influenced us kids. I often think about the obvious ways that Lloyd showed us his love and the quietness of Lonnie who would knock on my door and tell me, every morning; “It is your turn in the bathroom!” Today I give them honor, and say “thank you!” By JA Crenshaw 6/15/12

KEEPING FIT! 6/10/12

KEEPING FIT was not in most vocabularies when I was a child because our play ground was the outdoors. The foods in the stores did not include chips and dips or even french fries. Nacho’s hadn’t been invented by a man called Nacho! We did have hamburgers and hotdogs but the weight didn’t really become a problem until I was in high school. Perhaps that was because my mother emptied the Helm’s Bakery truck every Saturday night. Our freezer was then full of all kinds of pastries and bread. LOOKING through some papers that I have saved through the years I came across a couple of tidbits that you might find interesting. “Looking to work more vegetables in to your kids’ diet?” Jen Sigmund says; “I cut up fruits and veggies and set them on the table about thirty minutes before dinner. I don’t draw attention to them, I just start fixing dinner. Nine times out of ten, when I go to set the table, they are gone!” We usually do that before we serve a big dinner, and call them veggies! HOW ABOUT this one? Roasted Pumpkin Seeds are the healthiest Halloween snack around! Scoop the seeds out of your pumpkin and rinse them well. Blot the seeds dry with a paper towel, then toss them with a tablespoon of vegetable oil for each cup of seeds, and salt to taste. Spread the seeds on a cookie sheet and bake at 375 until golden brown; about 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool before serving! JUST DON”T tell your kids that these are loaded with minerals, such as zinc, iron, and magnesium, as well as protein, fiber and heart-heathy fatty acids. Most have a reluctance to eat something that is suppose to be “healthy” for you. Most have a reluctance to eat anything that appears to be a “new” diet for them. Most do not even realize that “diet” means a daily fare of food and drink. GOD has set forth many daily dietary plans for us. These are not necessarily for our stomachs but for our health and well being. “A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken. The mind of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. All the days of the afflicted are evil, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:13-15 God says that when we belong to him and are walking in the path of His son, our lives will be full of joy! IN PHILIPPIANS 2, Paul tells us to do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than ourselves. In chapter 4, he tells us to not worry about anything, but to pray daily with supplications and thanksgiving. In Colossians 3 Paul continues with whatever you do in word or deed, to do all in the name of Jesus Christ. In Ecclesiastes 9, Solomon says; “whatever our hands find to do, do it with all your might.” 1 Corinthians 10, Paul continues with; “whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul says; “You know the old saying? First you eat to live, and then you live to eat? Well, it may be true that the body is only a temporary thing, but that’s no excuse for stuffing your body with food, or indulging it with sex. Since the Master honors you with a body, honor him with your body!” (The Message) “I CAN DO anything I want to if Christ has not said no, but some of these things aren’t good for me. Even if I am allowed to do them; I’ll refuse to, if I think they might get such a grip on me that I can’t easily stop when I want to. For instance, take the matter of eating. God has given us an appetite for food and stomachs to digest it. But that doesn’t mean we should eat more than we need. Don’t think of eating as important, because some day God will do away with both stomachs and food.” 1 Corinthians 6:12-13 (The Living Bible) Allowing things to control us, leads us away from God! I JUST LOVE the way God’s Word clarifies how we should live to have joy! “He gives food to all flesh, for His steadfast love endures for ever. O give thanks to the God of heaven, for His steadfast love endures for ever.” Psalms 136:15-26 I can’t help but say with David in Psalms 138 “I give thee thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 6/8/12

I DIDN'T KNOW THAT! 6/3/12

AS A CHILD I was filled with questions and the one I use the most was; why! My mother told me she should have given me “Why” for my middle name. Children always have questions. As we grow older we hate to ask too many questions because we don’t want to give the impression that we are not in the know. I remember watching the Dick Van Dyke show, where he was running for office. The two candidates were asked to have a question and answer time. Dick felt okay because he was encouraged to run by those in the know. They surely thought he could do the job! AS DICK’S opponent would answer the questions, Dick would get that amazed look on his face and say; I didn’t know that! By the time the question and answer period was over, Dick was convinced that he should drop out of the race and vote for the other guy. I can’t remember how it all turned out, but the point is that we should ask questions if we don’t know the truth. SEARCHING out the truth takes time but is rewarding in the end. Through the years I have discovered that many are ignorant of God’s Word because they don’t know how to read, understand or study the Bible. I know this because once I was there! When I discovered that many Sunday School materials did not teach what I believed, because they were geared to be used in all churches, it was up to me to bring the truth into my lessons. I LEARNED then to look at the scriptures in a personal way, so that I could teach it in a more personal way. I began to ask myself questions like; “what does it say?” “How does it apply to me today?” “Does it convict me in any way?” “What will I do about it?” “When will I begin?” I discovered that asking the whys and how’s; the scriptures would give me the answers. Today I have learned another question to ask; “what did this passage mean to the people who were living at that time?” This question helps immensely when studying Revelation. I REMEMBER Harry, an elderly friend who has since gone home to be with the Father. His greatest desire during the few years we knew him, he wanted to witness to others about His Savior. Just being Harry, was a witness! I think of him when I want to talk about “How to witness.” The life we live is our greatest witness to our Savior. Harry could hardly talk above a whisper but that didn’t keep him from sharing. He carried cards in his pockets when he would talk with you. He had usual questions like; “how are you?” But he also carried scriptures that he could show to others. HERE are a couple of questions that I hear often but the answers are never quite what God’s Word says. “Have you come to a place in your spiritual life where you know for certain that if you should die today you would go to heaven?” Today you say a prayer and then you can be certain. 1 John 5:12-13 says; “He who has the Son has life; he who has not the Son of God has not life. I write this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” To have the Son you must accept Him as your personal Savior and be baptized to receive the Holy Spirit. THE SECOND question is; “Suppose you were to die tonight and stand before God and He were to say to you, Why should I let you into my heaven?” Again, today you can say a prayer and then you know. John 3:16 says; “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” God has made it possible for all to enter into His heavens through His Son Jesus, but belief is not enough, because this scripture says “should not perish.” This is where my questions come into play. If I truly believe and seek His face through repentance and forgiveness, and am obedient to His Word, I can claim His promises. OH BE careful little hands what you do; little mouths what you say; little feet where you go; little eyes what you see and little ears what you hear; for the Father up above is looking down with love! BY Jane Ann Crenshaw 6/2/12

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHURCH! 5/27/12

IT BEGAN ONE DAY TOWARD THE END OF SPRING IN A LAND SO DRY AND BARE. IT WAS AT THE TEMPLE, "THE TWELVE" WERE THERE AND THE PEOPLE FILLED THE SQUARE. THERE CAME A SOUND SO FIERCE LIKE A HURRICANE'S ROAR THAT THE PEOPLE STOPPED AND STARED. THERE WAS FEAR IN THAT PLACE, THERE WAS LOVE IN THAT PLACE, FOR THE SPIRIT OF GOD WAS THERE. PETER GOT UP AND BEGAN TO PREACH IN A WAY BEYOND HIS MEANS. HIS MESSAGE WAS CLEAR AND FIRM AND STRAIGHT AND HOPE BEGAN TO GLEAM. THE CROWD WAS CHANGED IN THE WATER THAT DAY, THEIR LIVES NO MORE FORLORN. IT WAS ON THAT DAY TOWARD THE END OF SPRING THAT CHRIST'S BODY, "THE CHURCH",WAS BORN. IN THE DAYS AND WEEKS AND MONTHS THAT PASSED, THE CHURCH BEGAN TO MOVE AND IT GREW AND FILLED AND STRETCHED AND CHANGED THE WORLD THAT THE PEOPLE KNEW. THEY CALLED THEMSELVES CHRISTIANS AND WERE ALL ON FIRE, AND THEY WORKED IN THE POWER OF GOD. AND SOULS WERE SAVED AND THE PEOPLE CHANGED WHEREVER THE CHURCH HAD TROD. SATAN'S PANIC BEGAN ON THAT DAY IN SPRING WHEN HIS DOOM BECAME SO CLEAR, AND AGAINST THE CHURCH HE BEGAN TO MOVE. HE ATTACKED IN FURY AND FEAR. THE WAR GOES ON TO THIS VERY DAY. THE BATTLE, IT RAGES RIGHT HERE. THE FACE OF THE ENEMY CHANGES EACH DAY AND HIS GROWL PRODUCES FEAR. HE SEEMS SO STRONG AND I SEEM SO WEAK THAT I'M TEMPTED TO RUN AND HIDE. UNTIL I LOOK UP TO THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH AND KNOW HE'S ON MY SIDE. SO LOOK UP CHURCH AT THE HEAD OF YOURSELF AND STOP AND SMILE AND GRIN AND KNOW IN YOUR HEART THERE'S NO NEED TO FEAR CAUSE GOD'S CHURCH, IN THE END, STILL WINS! THE CHURCH 6 DECEMBER 1984 By Jim Crenshaw

LET THE SUN SHINE IN! 5/20/12

WHEN I WAS a teenager, I remember cleaning the windows in the dining room. There were two small wall cupboards on each side of one of those windows that had two shelves each. These shelves were filled with double rows of books. I am sure I was not the only one that ever had that job, but I loved taking out all those books and dusting them one by one. I used Bon-ami on the windows and was always pleased how the sun would shine in when I was finished. I HAVE often wondered if people still use that for cleaning their windows. Using a clean rag dipped in water, and after rubbing this chalk like bar on it, you would wipe it all over the window. It would dry and leave a cloudy film on the glass. Taking another soft cloth you would wipe it off! Tiny flakes would fall on the window sill and the floor, kind of like dandruff. Easy clean up and the windows would shine! THIS MORNING I took all the curtains down and washed the windows on the inside. Windex and three rags later I washed all but the kitchen and the office windows. The difference between using Bon-ami and Windex is that with the bar you are cleaning the windows and with the liquid you are washing them. I never realized the difference until today! With cleaning you rub on with one rag and wipe off with another. With washing you are merely moving the dirt around leaving a large amount of residue on your rag. I AM NOT complaining because they are cleaner than they were before I started, but they just don’t shine like years ago! A lot of things we have today are just not quite the same as before. Take for instance chrome. Remember how the chrome on the cars would glisten in the sun? Today, you have to look hard to find chrome on a car. How about the glass milk bottles that had about one cup of cream on top for one price. Today, you buy milk in a plastic jug and the cream is in a different container, and you pay separately for them. WHAT GOES around comes around, is a favorite saying of those who were around in the fifties. However, I find that is basically relative to clothing, shoes, hair styles and cosmetics; but not foods, packaging and cars. I tried for years to find a product I used when my children were small. It was called “Whip N Chill”. Oh so good, and so easy! A pudding that set instantly and could be layered on it’s side with rainbow colors or a pie. Now we have instant puddings but they are just not as easy or as good! I found out a few years ago that it had been discontinued in the early 70's! So sad! I AM NOT a person who likes changes! When I liked a pair of shoes I would buy a couple of them and buy them again as they wore out. Today you can’t get the same shoe again because the stores don’t keep them very long. I bought a pair of sandals a couple of years ago and went into Penney’s last summer to buy another! You guessed it; they were discontinued! “JESUS CHRIST is the same yesterday and today and for ever!” Hebrews 13:8 Isn’t that the most comforting scripture in all the Bible! Jesus never changes! He is the same as He was in the beginning. His Word is the same as it was when it was first written. God’s promises have never been altered by Him to fit different circumstances. They meet the needs of all people in all places in all situations. PAUL warns against apostasy when he says; “Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is well that the heart be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not given proper nourishment.” Hebrews 13:9 Pay attention to what the scriptures tell you. Cling tightly and hold fast so that you will become faithful in your devotion to our heavenly Father. LET THE SON shine in by having a strong and steadfast attachment to Jesus Christ. Do not be led astray by the teaching of men. Confirm what you hear, by being in the Word! Jesus sacrificed for us, is it to much to ask for our sacrifice of praise, in acknowledging His name? By Jane Ann Crenshaw 5/17/12

JUST ANOTHER MOTHER'S DAY! 5/13/12

ONE OF MY favorite days is Mother’s Day. When I was young and into motherhood myself, we celebrated my Mother, on Mother’s Day. When my grandson’s came into play, I wanted to celebrate our daughter-in-law; Faye! I loved the period of time when it was for me, but when Faye became a mother, my children were grown and her’s were just beginning. She was the mother now, and being the grandmother, well, it is just grand! LAST THURSDAY we were on our way to Wal-Mart to do some last minute shopping to prepare for the weekend when Jim slowed the car down and said look! I looked ahead of me and thought I saw a small Peacock crossing the road. As I watched in awe, I saw her tail feathers move out of shape. It wasn’t a Peacock but Mrs. Mallard with at least thirteen little ones following behind her. My heart began to race at such a wondrous sight! The chicks were about 6 weeks old, walking as close behind their mother as possible, two by two. One fell and the others scattered, but quickly all made their way back into their marching column. WE SAT there as cars began to line up behind us. Mrs. Mallard was oblivious to the big machines waiting on both sides of the road as she strutted proudly, taking her time, so her family could keep up. We sat there with smiles on our faces, as we have so many times, when we are faced with God’s creation which brings us amusement and amazement. The mother and her babies scurried safely into the ditch and up the other side of the road. They continued on without a thought or notice of those waiting for them to cross. WE ARE ALL amazed at God’s creatures big and small. We are all amazed that He has chosen to love us! We stand with our mouths open while we gaze at the color and majesty of all that we survey and yet out of all that He made, He loves us! Do you imagine when we are within God’s will, that He pauses and looks at us in amusement and amazement? Do you think His heart begins to race as He watches us with pleasure and satisfaction because we are His? “HIS DELIGHT is not in the strength of the horse, nor His pleasure in the legs of a man; but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His steadfast love.” Psalms 147:10-11 We recently watched the Kentucky Derby, and just looking at those powerful athletes that God created, we are in awe. But God says they are nothing compared to those who love and obey Him! They are nothing compared to us! NOW THAT I no longer have my Mother, I wish she were here! Now that I can’t go to her for comfort and sound guidance, I wish I could! Today I wish I had asked for her recipes, instead I just try to remember what I heard and saw her do. But the God who gave me my Mother, knew that she would not be with me always. I am thankful that my Mother saw to it that I was in a Sunday School. I am thankful that I had a Mother who kept her word. I am thankful that my Mother was a disciplinarian who gave me boundaries. “THEN THE LORD GOD formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7 Today we remember our Mothers, who gave us life, but God gave us breath. God gave us cause to love Him and to praise Him! God so loved the world that He sent His Son to give us eternal life. Some of the world will refuse Him, but those who love Him and praise Him, stand alone in a world that is condemned. I PRAY that those who read this Morning Glory, have a mother who has given the best of what she has; Jesus the Savior. We can’t cry over spilt milk nor can we worry about how wrong things were. We have today! A Godly woman meets the call to be a Christian Mom. Our heavenly Father's love is everlasting! Give honor to your Mothers; they gave you life! Jane Ann Crenshaw 5/11/12

BLOOD PRESSURE RISING! 5/6/12

A LITTLE OVER a month ago I began keeping a blood pressure log. I would check my blood pressure one hour after I take my medicine, which is twice a day. I know some of you out there, are familiar with this procedure. I was once told that if I would plant my feet flat upon the floor and take several deep breaths before I took my blood pressure, I would have a better reading than if I just took it. It works! However, the Doctor says, that your blood pressure should read good no matter what you are doing or feeling. Now, I suppose that depends upon how many pills you are taking that would keep you from the reading of cause and effect. CAUSE AND EFFECT is my usual. I have to sit down for at least 5 minutes with my feet planted on the floor and taking the deep breaths so I would have a good reading. Otherwise they say “your reading is elevated, we need to find out why it is so erratic.” Perhaps it is because I am so erratic! This morning my #1 grandson, Adam is experiencing a throat condition which he often has. Strep; sore; and now an abscessed tonsil. Also this morning I discovered I had doubled booked myself for Saturday. I could feel my blood pressure rising, and this morning, I was to go in and have my B/P checked! REMEMBER years ago, when you felt angry, you were to stop, take a deep breath and count to ten. I have heard that works; it helps to dispel some of the anger. Well if that works well for your well being, why can’t doing the same for your blood pressure be good? Oh, I know that your physiology is comprised of many different pressures and that is why we take medicines. But it seems to me if you can stop, sit still, while deep breathing, and it helps; it should be to your benefit. “COME UNTO ME, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29 Did I mention that when I am about to take my B/P I also pray to become calm. Jesus promises that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. It doesn’t add to ours; it gives us relief, from ours. Anxiety plays a big part when my blood pressure is rising. I can feel it creep up my neck! A CHEERFUL heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22 Did you know that I can have a cheery heart and high blood pressure at the same time? However, medicines can cause me to have a downcast spirit, which also makes my blood pressure rise. Trying to find out why my readings are so erratic is a puzzle. I guess to just stop everything and live in a closet would be the answer. But wouldn’t I want to decorate the closet? There goes the B/P rising! I AM NOT as concerned about this problem as much as the Doctors are. I use to be! But where did it get me? A stroke; two heart attacks; and a bad stomach. Well the stroke was minor; the two heart attacks resulted in two stints and the stomach is still up for testing. I am most verbal with my aches and pains. Jim receives the brunt of it all! I give him the blow by blows and He is patient. God says in Matthew 6:31 “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, what shall we eat? Or what shall we drink? Or What shall we wear?” We all do that don’t we? We look in our wallet’s and worry! “BUT SEEK first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” Matthew 6:33 We do seek His kingdom and His righteousness and still worry about all things. We still cause our B/P to rise because we cannot let it go. We cannot wait! The now syndrom keeps drumming in our heads; what are we going to do; what are we going to do; what are we going to do? “THEREFORE, do not be anxious about tomorrow; for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day!” Matthew 6:34 Adam had his tonsil lanced and is feeling much better. My B/P was not bad enough to warrant a change in medicines. I get to have an endoscopy for my stomach and a carotid ultra sound next week. Nothing more to worry about today! All is well when you seek first His kingdom. Just writing this blog has cleared the blues away and my cheerful heart is once again the best medicine of all. Praise God! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 5/3/12