How Smart is Your State?

The states ranked from the smartest to the… well not so smart.
States were graded on 21 factors, including student achievement and attendance, positive outcomes, strong student-teacher relationships and school district efficiency. Other factors are the number of high school graduates, reading, writing and math proficiency, percent of school-age kids in public schools, high school drop out rates, student-teacher ratios and class size.

The water must be good in New England. They four of the top ten spots. New Jersey comes in at # four. I guess that will put a stop to some Jersey jokes. Virginia made #7.

1. Vermont
2. Connecticut
3. Massachusetts
4. New Jersey
5. Maine
6. Minnesota
7. Virginia
8. Wisconsin
9. Montana
10. New York

11. Pennsylvania
12. Nebraska
13. Kansas
14. Iowa
15. New Hampshire
16. Rhode Island
17. Wyoming
18. South Dakota
19. Maryland
20.Continue reading “How Smart is Your State?”

Happy Mother’s Day to All

How many ways can we say “Happy Mother’s Day”?

Do you have a humorous story to tell about your Mom? Maybe a life of inspiration to the community and church that you would like to share with us.

There are so many ways to say “Happy Mother’s Day” and so many differeint types of Mother’s that I thought it would be great to hear your story about your Mom.

Or, tell us how you plan to surprise your Mom? Celebrate her life!

We are looking forward to helping celebrate Mom’s all over our country. Our prayers, thoughts and blessings go out to all Mom’s everywhere. Happy Mother’s Day!Continue reading “Happy Mother’s Day to All”

My Time with Roxy

After my morning devotions, a visit to ‘The Daily Lily’, and other preparations getting myself ready for the day, I go to the bottom of the stairs and listen and I know that there is someone at the bottom of the stairs doing the same thing…listening.

Then we both stick our heads around the corner and I see two large brown Puppy eyes staring
at me. It’s Roxy, aka The Daily Lily’s pug. I suppose she sees “breakfast, outside, tummy rub and
old sock tug of war”…well maybe she sees me too.

She likes the same thigs I do, can you imagine that? Sewing,crocheting,
painting and cooking, too. She follows me foot to foot, and if not, just with
her big brown puppy eyes she follows me. She is always there with her comforting puppy self. She seems to know the heaviness of my heart especially this week as my Mom is in the hospital with kidney failure, myContinue reading “My Time with Roxy”

God Never Changes

God never changes and He will extend peace to us like a river…Issiah 66:12

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

Hebrews 1: 10-12 says “ You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth. And the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will fold them up. And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail.”

The Son of God in this scripture is called Lord. He is the eternal, unchanging Creator, not part of the ever-changing and transitory creation.

Many times we quote this and sometimes believe it and some of us may just quote without thinking.

From my earliest remembrances, I have had a fascination with words. I love words. I think of words as a beautiful garden. I see words even more beauContinue reading “God Never Changes”

Frogs II

In a continuing scene from the Musical Comedy for children, FROGS, where Princess Pale Moon, a human, encounters Sir Frogmere, his sidekicks, Lord Lizzard and Sir Ignatius Iguana (a.k.a IGGY) in the meadow as she is trying to run back to the castle to retrieve her crown which she has irresponsibly forgotten. She is quite impressed with the chivalry and courtesy of the Amphibians Three in their concern and valorous attempt to aid and assist her in her dilemma. She commends them on these virtures and Sir Frogmere and Princess Pale Moon sing this duet: WHAT’S RIGHT
SIR FROGMERE SINGS: I want to do what’s right. I try to be polite. My manners are all right, you see. I have found the joy of learning how to live. It’s the joy that comes from learning how to give. I try to do my share and show the world I care about the problems that they bear, you see. And if it takes a little Continue reading “Frogs II”

How Sweet It IS

How sweet it is to peer at beauty
It makes the windows of our souls dance in glee
It even causes us to dance inside
And sometimes twirl outwardly

When life is too hard
And we are stressed to no end
An object of beauty
Will bring an oil of gladness
To our overwhelmed life

A gift no matter how small, with beauty emanating
From it, be it porcelain, cloth, or stone
Or just simply viewed from a distance
Will rejuvenate the feminine creature from within.
The doldrums of life disappear and joy overflows
We dance within and with hope begin again

How sweet a thing beauty can be
Beauty was created by God to share with you and me
So give and share beauty
And view the wellspring of joy overflowing
In the recipients
How Sweet it is to peer at beauty

Continue reading “How Sweet It IS”

Gethsemane

Eyewitness Account
Where: Gethsemane
Who: Birds

Lately, as I have watched birds repeatedly attempt futilely to come through
the closed windows of my home, I am reminded of a story I wrote entitled
“Eyewitness Account”. As Easter is upon us I thought it would be
appropriate to share it with you. The following is a retelling of my own
story:
In Gethsemane hovered a flock of birds. They basically went unnoticed
except for their chirping and occasional droppings. At this time they had
suspended their work for someone they loved was in trouble, terrible
trouble. The Son of their creator was being roughed up. They could see
that there were angels all around, but the Son never called out for help,
not even when the crown of thorns was so cruelly shoved on His head causing
him to bleed profusely. Not so much as a plea for help was whispered as
they nailed thContinue reading “Gethsemane”

Bible Puzzle

Subject: A Bible Puzzle

Someone sent us this on an email. Not sure anyone knows the answer or if there is an answer. What do you think?

God made Adam out of dust, but thought it best to make me first. So
I was made before the man, according to God’s holy plan. My whole
body God made complete – without arms, hands, or feet. My ways
and acts did God control, but in my body, he placed no soul. A
living being I became, and Adam gave me a name. Then from His presence I withdrew and for this man, Adam I never knew. All my maker’s laws I do obey, and from these laws I never stray. Thousands of miles I go in fear but seldom on the earth appear. Later for a purpose God did see, to place a living soul in me. But that soul of mine God did claim and from me took it back again. And when this soul from me had fled, I was the same as when first made, without legs, arms, feet, or soul,Continue reading “Bible Puzzle”

Quote for the week-end

“There is a wonderful mythical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life — happiness, freedom, and peace of mind — are always attained by giving them to someone else.”
– Peyton Conway March

As we honor and celebrate Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter let us remember to give. Jesus gave His life for us. We have happiness, freedom and peace of mind because of Him. Because of His death and resurrection. So we are capable of giving these gifts to others by using the gifts He has given us to give to others.

Matthew 10:8 “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” vs. 14 “And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.”

Easter brings us such freedom!!!Continue reading “Quote for the week-end”