Archive | June 2016

Tuesday Tunes ~ Count Your Blessings

Jun29

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Are you a list maker? I used to be. Now I dictate my lists on my cellphone.

We make lists of many things. Groceries, What to pack for vacation, Errands to run,

Chores, Christmas gift and card list, (one of my favorites!) Bible Verses to memorize, Ideas for stories to write, Ways to introduce Bible lessons in a memorable way… the list of lists could go on forever! Have you ever listed or counted your blessings?

“I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

Psalms 34:1

Several years ago, I had major surgery and was in a lot of pain when they wheeled me back to my room. John was there with Mom and Dad. I remember Mom saying, “That’s not my Kathy, she’s not smiling; my Kathy always smiles. And then John leaned over the side rail and said, “Sing Count Your Blessings!” It wasn’t easy but I softly sang. This surgery had meant that there would never be a miracle baby for us. But I knew God had a plan and I trusted Him. Of course, John and my family were among the first blessings on my mental list, and of course, knowing that the Lord is always with me is always at the top.

Timberlake Baptist Church and our brothers and sisters in Christ were huge blessings to both of us. The following day I had some visitors. There were flowers and cards from our Fourth Grade Sunday School Class. One precious little girl drew a picture and message so sweet – it is now among my treasures. My doctor was blessed by that little treasure too. Every child I have ever taught and cared for are all on my list of blessings. Too many to count! When I count those special blessings, I pray for each one as the Lord brings them to mind.

What about you? Are you having a dark storm in your life? Go to the One who created you. The One who gave His life for you and arose that you may have eternal life. He came that you might have life more abundantly. So dear friend, as you go before the Throne of grace in prayer, remember to count your blessings. In doing so, you are acknowledging His hand in your life and it is a way to delight in Him. You may be surprised to see what the Lord has done for you!

Click on the link below and sing along with me as I sing along with George Beverly Shea.  Don’t forget to Count your Blessings!

Count Your Blessings

(Johnson Oatman, Jr.       ~      Edwin O. Excell)

“When upon lifes billows you are tempest-tossed,

when you are discouraged, thinking all is lost.

Count your many blessings – name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings- name them one by one;

Count your blessings see what God hath done;

Count your blessings – name them one by one;

Count your many blessings – see what God hath done.”

Count Your Blessings

What’s This? ~ Nostalgia Time

Jun27

In the last post, I asked you to identify this item.

Version 2

You guessed it!

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This old-fashioned doorbell is the first I have seen. Instead of pushing a button, one walked up to the door and twisted the doorbell. Notice the beautiful woodwork and of course, that beautiful stained glass window. I understand it is original to the wonderful old Victorian House in Clifton Forge, VA. locally referred to as the Hawkins House.

I have read it took Mr. Robert P. Hawkins three years to painstakingly build this beautiful home in the late 1880’s. Isn’t it lovely? Gorgeous workmanship! This was a home that was built to last.

~*~

This reminds me that through the Lord Jesus Christ, I have a home that will last forever and can have sweet fellowship with Him. And you can too!

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door,

I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me.”

Revelation 3:20

 

What’s This? ~ Nostalgia Time

Jun25

Can you solve the mystery of this antique item?  I will give you a hint. Your great-grandparents would be very familiar with this and would know just what to do.

Version 2

Please leave a comment if you know what this is. 

One more hint: It could lead to a friendly welcome.  I can’t wait to see your responses!

Kathy

A Shelter in the Time of Storm

Jun23

This has been a stormy day. As I sit and type, the rain is falling, the percussion of thunder is the accompaniment. Suddenly, I heard a tap, tap, tapping. I peeked into the office where Skippy has his very own chair. His eyes were big as saucers. The tapping turned into pelting and Skip jumped off his chair which spun and moved a few inches.

IMG_3188 (2014_02_14 17_52_40 UTC)I managed to video record a few seconds and will paste it on facebook as the video will not post on this blog.

A few minutes earlier, I was at the piano; playing through the hymnal and the thunder reminded me that not only do I have a physical shelter during a thunder-storm but more amazingly, I have a spiritual shelter in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Whatever storms of life come along, I am safe in Him.

I am reminded of the disciples in the boat panicking as winds tossed the boat and they feared for their life as Jesus slept. They awakened Him with the words, “Lord, save us; we perish. And He said unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then He arose and rebuked the winds and sea; and there was a great calm.But the men marveled saying, What manner of man is this that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” Matthew 8:24-27

(Also found in Mark 4:36-41 and Luke 8:22-25)

Did you know that He cares for you too? So much so that He gave His life for you, my friend. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17 

(Please read John 3:16-21 & Ephesians 2:8-9)

I found a youtube of A Shelter in the Time of Storm with the lyrics. Please sing along with me.  I am reminded of Psalms 61. He is our shelter, our rock in the time of storm.

A Shelter in the Time of Storm

This was listed under the youtube performance: 

Uploaded on Sep 2, 2011
This hymn is found in the Free Will Baptist Hymn Book – REJOICE, 1988. The video was created to play on screen with congregational singing. Permission is granted to download and use in your church setting. Piano performance is by Donna Bradley using a Kurzweil, Mark 10. Written by: Vernon J. Charlesworth, 1880; adapted by Ira D. Sankey, 1885

 

Honoring Grandparents -Long Family

Jun17

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.”

Proverbs 22:1

 

My goal this week was to honor our grandparents leading up to Fathers Day. After all, their parents had great influence on our parents and certainly greatly influence us. At least ours have.

I am starting with John’s grandparents from Clifton Forge. They seem to be the perfect example of what a marriage should be.  John tells me he remembers his grandfather, Clarence Long taking him into a C&O Railroad engine with the engineer. His grandfather was a machinist for the Chesapeake and Ohio. He also remembers going to Sunday School with his grandfather Long who had a “booming voice” as he led music for the class.

Enjoy a glimpse of one home in Clifton Forge, Virginia as it was in days gone by.

Please click the link below for pictures of the Long Family in their home.

Long Home on McCormick Blvd. Clifton Forge stairsL

Last year, we attended a festival for the C&O Railroad in Clifton Forge. I know John was remembering his Granddaddy Long as we walked through the train cars and enjoyed the displays!

Tuesday Tunes -God Makes No Mistakes

Jun15

“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

Ephesians 5:19

I had another song picked out for this week but when I heard Rachel Battles on Youtube singing God Makes No Mistakes, I just had to share it. We seldom hear songs of consecration today. I consecrated my life to Him in 1968 and the words of this song have been true in my life. I hope this is true for you too.

My life I give to you oh Lord use me I pray
May I glorify Your precious name in all I do and say
Let me trust You in the valley dark as well as in the light
Knowing You will always lead me
Your will is always right

I know God makes no mistakes
He leads in every path I take
Along the way that’s leading me to home
Though at times my heart would break
There’s a purpose in every change He makes
So that others would see my life and know
That God makes no mistakes

And when some day in heav’n above I see His dear face
May I then be counted faithful as a runner in this race
But now I’m trusting in the Savior to show me the way
In His righteousness He guides me as I seek to please Him day by day

I know God makes no mistakes
He leads in every path I take
Along the way that’s leading me to home
Though at times my heart would break
There’s a purpose in every change He makes
So that others would see my life and know
That God makes no mistakes
God makes no mistakes

Click below to listen to this beautiful song.

Uploaded on Nov 17, 2011
Listen to Rachel Battles sing at the Temple Baptist Church in Powell, Tennessee. The title of her song is “God Makes No Mistakes.”God Makes No Mistakes by Rachel Battles Faith for the Family 

The music is also available @ http://wilds.org/resources/music/

 

Mill Mountain Poem Written 100 years Ago.

Jun10

Just like the little girl who wrote the poem about Roanoke’s Mill Mountain which was published In The World News June 9, 1916, I always felt comfortable having mountains around me. Never comfortable in “flat lands.” I grew up on the back side of Mill Mountain so this poem is truly a treasure! Thank you, David Gardner for sharing this with The History of the City of Roanoke facebook group!

millmtnhouseview2 (2014_02_14 17_52_40 UTC)

Mill Mountain in the background

Mill Mountain

The following lines were written by Norene Hancock, little daughter of Police Officer Hancock

Wonderful mountain!
Who made you so high,
With your base in the valley,
And crown in the sky.

Who made the great river,
That washes your feet?
Who made your wild flowers,
So fragrant and sweet?
Who made those great ledges,
Without trowel or hod?
No man could have done it,
It must have been God.

Who made those great boulders?
Who made the tall trees?
Who made the green foliage,
That sways in the breeze?
Who made the bright mosses?
Who made the green sward?
No man could have done it,
It must have been God.

You stand as a sentinel,
Our city to guard,
While the good and the bad are asleep,
While the beautiful river,
Glides peacefully on,
To mingle its flow with the deep.

[Good-bye], dear old mountain,
May your strength ever stand,
To guard all the good,
And the bad of our land.

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[The World News, Volume 27, Number 139, June 8, 1916]

 

When this poem was written, one had to hike or ride “the incline” to get to the top.

roanokeincline5 (2014_02_14 17_52_40 UTC)

If you have read my novel, The Vision of a Mother’s Heart, Isabel (my grandmother who grew up in the Roanoke area would have been 4-years-old.

OLD NEWS – June 8, 1916 | Southeast Roanoke

In the 1940’s a neon Star was added to Mill Mountain. The nickname changed from Magic City (because it practally sprang up with the coming of the Norfolk & Western Railway) to The Star City.

Mill Mountain Star in 1949

Today, people come to Mill Mountain to see the star, the lovely view and to enjoy the Mill Mountain Zoo.

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For more information about Mill Mountain and the star, click on the link below.

http://www.visitroanokeva.com/things-to-do/attractions/roanoke-star/

What Song is This?

Jun7

Do you ever have lyrics of songs stick in your head but can’t remember which song?

(I know, growing older does that to us sometimes.)

At home, when I play the piano and sing, it is as unto the Lord. I ask Him to help my inadequacies and that it may be a blessing to anyone who hears – not my playing; for I merely play by ear but that they will recognize the song and sing along if only in their hearts.

As I was playing a few minutes ago, I saw a verse in a song we often sang in Church at Colonial Baptist Church in Blue Ridge, Virginia when I was a teenager. In fact, on Sunday nights when our song leader, Haynes Spickard asked for favorites, we all knew that Mr. Drain would raise his hand and request this song. It is taken from Psalm 23.

Do you know what hymn this verse is from? I will give you a hint. It was written by John W. Peterson and Alfred B. Smith.  If you recognize the song, please comment below. 

“He restoreth my soul when I’m weary, He giveth me strength day by day; He leads me beside the still waters, He guards me each step of the way.”

Don’t peek at the link yet!

Are you singing along?

Record Player

 

 

This link might help.

 

What was your favorite song request?

(I will share my favorite next Tuesday for What Song is This Day.)

 

The Vinton School

Jun5
Vinton School (William Byrd first High School) (2014_02_18 18_15_37 UTC)

Photo provided by Angie Bell Chewning

In the story I posted for Memorial Day, “Isabel” (my grandmother) attended The Vinton School while living with relatives. She loved that school and since she spoke of it so often when I was a child, I couldn’t wait until I was old enough to attend the same school. By then, the 4 classroom building sat at the bottom of the hill where the High School, William Byrd stood. Of course, it was just the little building when Granny was a student. I understand there was a common room in the middle of the building which was used as an auditorium, gym and cafeteria. The four classrooms opened into the larger, common room.

My grandparents lived close enough William Byrd that we could hear band practice. It was great! My cousin, Debbie taught me a couple of cheers and we would hop around to the beat of the drums.

My stepfather’s younger sister was a student at “the high school” and I loved looking at her yearbooks; dreaming of the day I would also be a “Terrier.” That day finally came the fall of 1970. Since the building on the hill was built in the early 1930’s, the steps were worn with age. Framed pictures of graduating classes lined the halls. (I was late for class once because I was looking for a familiar face on the wall.)

New William Byrd High School on the hill

Photo provided by Angie Bell Chewning

I was delighted to discover that my math class and I think an art class were located in the school my Grandmother had attended. The little building at the bottom of the hill which was once known as, “The Vinton School.” That “hill” was very steep. Not only did we get a lot of exercise getting to Math class but once or twice when it was snowing, I discovered sliding, rolling or tumbling down that hill was not fun. And now, that is part of my history too. My favorite teacher at William Byrd Intermediate (Middle School) was Tina Cook. She was a believer who wanted to serve the Lord too. She was an organist at her church and to my delight, a counselor at the same Bible Camp my friends from Church and I attended.

My class was in this location for one year only. There were so many sixth-graders moving up to William Byrd Intermediate (on the hill) there wasn’t enough room for us. So we got to go to the new, modern Wm. Byrd High School in the eighth grade. It was exciting, but I missed the history in the old building.

Imagine all of the stories within the walls of these old buildings! My grandmother was there only a short time but I’m so glad she told me about it! Just remember, when you tell your children and grandchildren stories about the “good old days” they are probably listening even when you think they aren’t.

Blessings,

Kathy