Thank Him for every answered and unanswered prayer.

1. 

During Corrie’s presentations to audiences, she would often hold the back side of a piece of embroidery (pictured), with hundreds of tangled threads hanging from it. Many wondered if she was holding up the wrong side by mistake. As she held up the messy side of the embroidery she would ask...

“Does God always grant us what we ask for in prayer? Not always. Sometimes He says, ‘No.’ That is because God knows what we do not know. God knows all. Look at this piece of embroidery. The wrong side is chaos. But look at the beautiful picture on the other side – the right side.”

Triumphantly she flipped the cloth over and revealed an elaborately embroidered crown – symbolizing our crown of eternal life. The crown was intricately stitched, and had threads of many colors, including gold, silver and pearls.

“We see now the wrong side, God sees His side all the time. One day we shall see the embroidery from His side, and thank Him for every answered and unanswered prayer.”

Cornelia "Corrie" ten Boom was a Dutch Christian who, along with her other family members, helped many Jews escape the Nazi Holocaust during World War II and was imprisoned for it.

1. Born: April 15, 1892, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2. Died: April 15, 1983, Placentia, CA

Visit the Corrie ten Boom Museum virtual tour, tenboom.com

Watch Movie: THE HIDING PLACE

Bare Necessities

WELCOME to another day's adventure with the Lisembys!

The day started early yesterday with the kids serving students from Louisiana breakfast at a place called PSALMS CAMP in Arkansas. 

(Insert Important Note: If your church family needs a Home-Mission project, Psalms Camp is a great idea! These students spend their spring break freshening up the camp - racking, painting, cleaning, repairing, building and having a lot of fun, too - to prep for incoming campers in the days ahead.) 

After serving, it was time to head to our annual trip to the dentist to just polish our smiles - just routine visit - with the exception that it was a first visit to a new-to-my-kids-dentist located in the city they were born, and the exception we don't usually make a trip to the dentist a family & friends outing... Two of the cousins asked to tag along to giggle with the kids awhile longer and I asked, "You do know we are going to the dentist, right? And we will probably be awhile?" I'm personally thinking BORING. Just sitting in a lobby trying to be quite would not be my plan for a fun trip. The response, "Yes, we want to go and besides we love to visit Dr. Durmon," they said with great enthusiasm. 

The 25 minute trip to town was filled with lots of giggles and belly laughs while from oldest to youngest they each selected one of their favorite songs from Classic Disney movies for everyone onboard to sing. Songs like "I Won't Say I'm in love," "So this is Love," "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," "Reflection," "I Can Go the Distance," "Part of Your World," "Hakuna Matata," "Let it GO!," "A Whole New World",  "Love is an Open Door", "I'm Wishing", "In the Jungle", "When Will My Life Begin", "Strong", etc, etc. - Talk about a joyful noise!

Do you remember this one?

The Bare Necessities
From "The Jungle Book"
Composed by Terry Gilkyson

Look for the bare necessities

The simple bare necessities

Forget about your worries and your strife

I mean the bare necessities

Old mother nature's recipes

That bring the bare necessities of life

Wherever I wander

Wherever I roam

I couldn't be fonder of my big home

The bees are buzzin' in the tree

To make some honey just for me

When you look under the rocks and plants

And take a glance at the fancy ants

Then maybe try a few

The bare necessities of life

Will come to you

They'll come to you!

Look for the bare necessities

The simple bare necessities

Forget about your worries and your strife

I mean the bare necessities

That's why a bear can rest at ease

With just the bare necessities of life

Now when you pick a pawpaw

Or a prickly pear

And you prick a raw paw

Next time beware

Don't pick the prickly pear by the paw

When you pick a pear

Try to use the claw

But you don't need to use the claw

When you pick a pear of the big pawpaw

Have I given you a clue

The bare necessities of life will come to you

They'll come to you! 

Just picture me driving a bunch of giggly girls singing (loud) and one silly boy who provides the sound effects and goofy inserts. It was a trip filled with lots of love and laughter that spilled over in song. Even when moments before leaving the camp they were praying hard together for momma/Aunt Joy just before she climbed into another vehicle headed to Little Rock to a world unknown to us for a full body scan and meeting with the oncologist about her recently diagnosed rare cancer. 

As I listened, I was encouraged. I had to smile. These joyful spirits were singing their hearts out despite the recent diagnosis of cancer that is very real to each of us now and really has rocked our world, but not our foundation which is built upon Jesus Christ. We know NOTHING catches Him by surprise. Living out our faith is not an easy task when we don't understand what God is up to, nor if His plan is our plan... Sure, we each have moments of tons of tears and questions. Surrendering to God's will in all things each day is a must in order to not become bitter and angry. We are not hopeless because Jesus is our hope. We are clinging to Him. And, yes, keeping the PRAISE music cranked up, too! 

Each breath of Life is a gift. Each day has a special ride of its own kinda similar to an amusement park. Some fun. Some scary. We know He is working all things out for our good and His glory. The Bible tells us so. 

So, this time my sister-in-love, Joy, is assigned the front seat but we are all buckled up and hanging on tight for this roller coaster ride called cancer. (Please add Joy and the entire family to your prayers.)

- Oh, we did make it to the dentist. Life is too short to be boring...Dr Durmon loves to hear about the Lisembys latest adventures of sharing Jesus and their life adventures so he lined up five (5!) chairs to listen while polishing up their smiles. When it was my turn to climb in the dentist chair, I felt like It was my turn at school for Show & Tell with such an audience. It was another trip the family will still be talking about in the years to come. 

Bare Necessities music video: 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9ogQ0uge06o

I love memory making moments like these.

GOOD to be Reminded!

"How many of MY words today will bring encouragement and make someone's heart glad?"

Proverbs 12:25 (NKJV)

25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,
But a good word makes it glad.

Proverbs 12:25(KJV) Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

May every word we speak be intentional. 

GOOD to be Reminded!

Jesus is my strength!

WHO is on 1st! Do not the let the urgent get in front of the important.

"WHO's on first?" 
It is vital you diligently seek to passionately love and honor Jehovah God first.

Jesus said unto him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all you mind. (Matthew 22:37)

?? Are you reading and believing the text messages God has sent you?

 -- ESCAPE to a quiet place and just listen daily, morning and night. READ your Bible. 

"Their strength is to sit still." (Isaiah 30:7)

I know, many times "escape" seems like the best idea of the day. And, I'm very aware Moms are in a constant mode of working 24/7. I remember thinking as a young momma, "If I were God, I'd squeeze in 10 - 16 more hours into each day so that I could get all the must-be-done tasks completed and still have me-be-still time to absorb."  

Reality is... God is perfect. His gift of a 24-hour day is perfect. How I manage and care for the gift He has given me is my responsibility.  I must be creative. I must plan my calendar day or someone else will.

A wise man said:
Do not the let the urgent get in front of the important.

Since I am not promised tomorrow, I must be very intentional.

-- Memorize and Apply = Learn His promises and warnings to you. 

You will gain Godly knowledge if you dig deep into His Word (Bible). Being parents of four, we are called upon to assist with homework which reminds me often that things I don't use, I loose. If I memorized facts just to pass a class, those facts stick for a brief moment but when needed I can't find them anywhere. 

Facts, wisdom, instruction I memorize and apply (for instance multiplication, character choices, good sportsmanship, even the consequences of others mistakes and poor choices), they are much easier to find when needed and very handy when needing to help someone else. 

Proverb 7:1-3 God instructs us to 

"...keep my words 

(uh, to "keep" you do have to read/study/memorize/apply), 

And treasure my commands within you, 

(Let His Words instruct and mold who you are and who you are going to be.)

Keep my commands and live, .... 

(Stand firm on His instruction and promises.)

Bind them on your fingers 

(Don't forget them); 

Write them on the tablet of your heart 

(Cling to every Word; be firmly attached).

also read: Duet 6:7

* Dig Deep: Make a plan for one-on-one personal, private Bible study with God. You must squeeze in me-time to dig deep into His Word. Adding studies with friends is also a great idea; just don't let it be in place of your 1:1.

* Proverb a Day: For the day of the month, read that Proverb to start your day. (April 11: read Proverb 11) The book of Proverbs is filled with instruction, promises and warnings.

* Cup of Praise: Throw on the Praise Music! Fill your cup at lunch. Read a song in the book of Psalms. For the day of the month, read that Psalm. (April 11: read Psalm 11) I also encourage you to fill your home, car, and heart with PRAISE music - the devil has to flee. 
What goes in does come out.

* Bathe Daily in His Presence: Use your shower time to be still in His presence. Share your heart - shed some tears or sing praise.

          My funny Granny's funny-page-wisdom, 
          "If you smell yourself, everyone else has been smelling you for days!" -just sayin'

* Fill your Home with His Promises: Write scripture promises on small cards. Tape them throughout your home (be creative), when you come across them throughout your day READ, BELIEVE, and APPLY those words to your life and home. Here are a few suggestions:

Bathroom mirror
For You formed my inward parts;You covered me in my mother’s womb. 
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-14)

You need to know the Bible instructs us to love our neighbor as ourself - James 2:8; the problem is we don't love our self unconditionally.That's a whole different chat... God doesn't make mistakes. Exchange your truth for His truth.

Closet door
Ephesians 6 - list the Armor of God you are to put on daily. 

Laundry room
Do all things without complaining and disputing.. (Phillipians 2:14)
          Lesson from my Saint-of-Saints Grandma: 
               When folding and ironing an item, pray for the one it belongs to.)

Kitchen cabinet door
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.... Though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." (I Corinthians 13:1-2)

Desk drawer
"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

! Share you creative spots to hide the Word! 

And remember, keep WHO on first - blessings will follow...

Your friend,
Pamela

Hug my kiddos and hubby as much as I do my coffee cup!

GOOD to be reminded!

- Pamela :)

Today's Special: Discouragement

Menu for today reads: "Today's Special: Discouragement"

Me: (Yuk!) "Discouragement, again! Really?!"

"One spoon full is tough enough to swallow, but breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Yesterday, today, and a heaping pile in the warmer for tomorrow?!"

* Root word of discouragement is... Courage: facing difficulty with bravery.

(Hmmm, did you notice that it does not state, "the absence of difficulty"?)

* Merriam-Webster defines dis·cour·age:  
: to make (someone) less determined, hopeful, or confident
: to make (something) less likely to happen
: to try to make people not want to do (something)

Me: "How about some fresh fruit? Uh, would you have any love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 
gentleness and self-control?"

What will you serve in your kitchen today? 
Throw out "discouragement"; Refuse to serve or eat it.
Serve a fresh plate of ENCOURAGEMENT from you kitchen today.
SPEAK LIFE! "Death and Life are in the power of the tongue..." Proverbs 18:21

..............
I am reminded of when the people of Jericho only had HEARD about Joshua and the Israelites, servants of the Most High God. Before God's people march around Jericho and the walls came tumbling down... 
Read how the words they had heard impacted them:

Joshua 2  Rahab Hides the Spies
Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, and said to the men: “I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. 

There is power in words. Speak Life.
GOOD to be reminded!

GOOD to be Reminded! I'm not grouchy by nature. It takes constant effort.

Translation: being grouchy is ... a choice.  

Good to be reminded.

"Ouch!" There is so much raw truth in Maxine’s constant irreverent quips about life which are always highlighted by her crabby character. Unfortunately, her off the cuff quirky commits are usually followed by her unleashed thoughts on inappropriate topics. I intentionally avoid Maxine. I just never know what she is going to say next. 

She obviously has never read the scripture Ephesians 4:29, "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." Or, Proverbs 10:19, "In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise." Hmmm, maybe she has read it and simply chooses to ignore it's instruction.

Guard your thoughts,

They become your words.

Guard your words,

They become your actions.

Guard your actions,

They become your habits.

Guard your habits,

They become your character. 

Guard your character

for it will become your destiny.

Maxine reminds me so much of my own Grandmother, Levella Hamilton, my Daddy's mom. No, "Mawmaw" was not a crabby lady. Just the complete opposite. She was fun. A better description would be FUNNY. And, It really did't matter if anyone else in the room thought her comment was funny or not, she was going to roll over laughing herself. You just couldn't help laughing at her laughing at her own rascally remark. You never knew what she was going to say and I can guarantee she would make me laugh out load when I knew I should not.

Do you remember that TV commercial years ago, "WHERE'S THE BEEF?!"? Take a good look at the lady below on the right. And, be sure to take note of the one in shock in the middle, too.

Well, now imagine going to church on a Sunday morning with my family. The big red LTD is loaded with Daddy, Momma, three kids, Mawmaw (and you). First stop in route Daddy brings us to our Sunday morning big breakfast treat, McD's. :) We arrive at church. Coke, popcorn, donuts, family, and friends all greet us in the fellowship hall. Then, the whole family waddles in like ducks in a row to our pews. Service begins with prelude music and announcements, the choir makes their grand entrance, the entire church is singing hymns of praise, then the totally unexpected happens. 

Mawmaw leans over and loudly whispers, "Look! "Where's the Beef" Lady is singing in our choir!!" Huh? What did you say? (Now Mawmaw is pointing through the couple in the next pew to the choir loft, right side) "Over there. There she is!" My sister Debbie and I finally make since of what Mawmaw just said, we make the mistake at looking at each other, and we both loose it. [Momma is sitting a few family members down the pew and gives all three of us the evil eye as to say without saying, "You three know better to be laughing, much less hysterically, during hymn singing. We know we were in trouble as soon as service ends, Mawmaw included...]. Debbie and I have song books hiding our own face and trying our best to not LOL. It just wasn't working too well. 

My Aunt Lajuan is one pew behind curiously trying to figure out what is soooo funny. Mawmaw is all too anxious to share the news, Ignoring our attempts to hush her. Aunt Lajuan's reply, the same as ours, 

Lajuan: (puzzled) Huh? What'd you say? 

Mawmaw: (Still tickled trying to speak) "Look! "Where's the Beef" Lady is singing in our choir!!"

Lajuan: (not believing what she just heard) Where?

Mawmaw: (pointing): "In the choir!"

Lajuan: "Oh, My! It does look like her!"

Debbie, me, and Momma: (Struggling NOT to look at Mawmaw gawking nor look to the right side of the choir loft, just about choke to death trying to swallow our giggles!)

Bro. Randall did make it to the end of his sermon without calling us all down from the pulpit. I don't actually recall, but I am sure Mawmaw told him about the celebrity in the choir loft. I can hear him respectfully reply, "Hmm. Really? Interesting." No, I don't recall the message that day. But, I will laugh just as hard as if it just happened yesterday. Mawmaw could not wait for the Sundays that followed to see  "Where's the Beef" Lady singing in our choir!!"

Note: Look at the picture, again. Growing up I thought the "Where's the Beef" Lady (on the phone) favored my own FUNNY Mawmaw Hamilton (Daddy's mom) always bringing laughter into our home. Mawmaw could have played her role just as well. The lady (holding her mouth in shock) reminds me so much of "Saint of saints" Granny Faye Landry (Momma's mom). 

SUCH GRAND MEMORIES. I am abundantly blessed to have both characters so involved in my life. 

Which character do you think is most like you? 

[] Funny "Where's the Beef" Lady

[] "Saint of saints" 

[] Clueless

[] Crabby Maxine

Would others agree? 

"I'm not grouchy by nature. It takes constant effort." Being grouchy is ... a choice. Choose your words and character carefully.  

GOOD to be Reminded!

Pamela

p.s. Do you have people that bring laughter into your own life? Do you Know a saint that is a prayer warrior that intentionally encourages you? Are you remembering a particular funny or awkward story? Share it with us! And, be sure to share it with your family. 

True or False? It takes 18 tons of pressure on a piano's strings for it to be tuned.

 TRUE! 

1. That the average medium size piano has about 230 strings, 
2. each string having about 165 pounds of tension,
   with the combined pull of all strings equaling approximately eighteen tons!                                        *Uh, that's 37,950 pounds of tension!
3. The total string tension in a concert grand is close to Thirty Tons!                                                *60,000 pounds of tension!        (source: www.pianoworld.com/facts) my note written in red italics

So, actually ... it depends on the piano. It is TONS of pressure no matter what size of piano you are. Eighteen tons of pressure is applied on a "average medium size" piano.   

"God will tune you to perfect harmony with heaven's theme if you will withstand the strain." "May we fear attempting to remove ourselves from the hands of His loving discipline due to our discouragement and doubt."  ~ L.B. Cowman, Streams in the Desert, daily devotional 

Reflecting back, I have described my own life struggles to cause TONS of pressure and tension. However, when I think about all that pressure applied to very thin strings which is endured by a piano to enable the musician to orchestrate a symphony of songs and realizing an elephant weighs about two-tons, my pressures just got lighter. In my personal stretch of faith, I am still learning to surrender to the pressure of being tuned by God.

Yesterday, March 3rd, a precious friend celebrated another birthday in heaven.  
Lettie Burd Cowman (March 3, 1870 – April 17, 1960) I treasure the letters she penned and left behind. 365 to be exact. Each exposing notes of wisdom and tidbits from various sermons, readings, writings, and poetry she had collected over the years along with personal struggles and triumphs that equipped her to press on. Oh, what encouragement each letter is to me! Lettie B. Cowman was the wife of Rev. Charles Cowman, founder of the Oriental Missionary Society. This organization was founded by Rev. Cowman for the purpose of evangelizing and setting up native ministries in Japan, Korea, China, and Formosa. They served as missionaries for 20 years. 

For almost 26 years now, each morning my husband Darry and I pull out a letter from Lettie written for today. Each letter is always so perfectly fitting for our moment. I am amazed that someone I have not yet met face to face cared enough to leave letters to strengthen my personal daily walk and remind me of Jesus' unconditional love.

Real life gives us so many reasons for giving up. I am writing this note to encourage you, when the pressure seems more than you can stand - throw on the praise music and just stand. 

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

GOOD to be reminded! 

God's best,
Pamela