Abba's Girl

My husband, the Man is of the opinion the world is not ready for an decaffeinated Annette - EVER. I wake up much earlier than he does most days, dutifully drink a couple cups of coffee so that I can make a serious attempt at not hating the morning and be nice to him when he awakes. I've also been accused of not being with it the 1st hour I am awake. Yesterday the theory was proven fact when I tossed spinach, blackberries, blueberries, and cranberries into the blender but failed to put in the blade 1st. Thankfully I noticed it before I pressed pulse. If we are not careful, we can "sleep walk" through our spiritual life as well. We may not engage our brain, we may be stuck in a spiritual rut, we may be so worn down with grief, anxiety, or _______(fill in the blank)autopilot seems like the only way to proceed. I encourage you to take a spiritual inventory as we close out 2013. Are you dealing with your problems in a spiritually healthy way or are you stuffing them down? ...

The other day I came across a card Kathleen gave me when I was 12 years old. She wrote encouraging words concerning how well I danced my duet "Icy Wind" with Sally in the Wizard of Oz. She was cast as the Wicked Witch of the West. Dance wise - perfect for the part - personality wise - not so much! That was Kathleen through and through - someone who encouraged others. Her legacy in the dance world is numerous dancers who still love her dearly and still perform or teach themselves. I am thankful for the 40 years she was a part of my life, I won't lie - I would love another 40 years. I will always remember her dancing as well as her smile and laugh. She has been a light in my life through thick and thin, a shining star. I love you Kathleen and look forward to the day I join you dancing on golden streets. The next time I eat at Cafe Adobe, I will think about the time you asked me to pray and mentioned after the prayer I didn't ask the Lord to bless the food an...

Over the last month, many people have contacted me for information because they want to help a mutual friend who was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer which spread to her lungs, bones, and brain. I am amazed at the number of people who asked how long she smoked or when did she quit smoking? Hello people...she never smoked - it is breast cancer which spread. And does it matter anyway? She is our friend and is very ill and could use help and prayer. I've spent considerable time praying for forgiveness because I harbored very angry thoughts and feelings toward a few people. We reap what we sow which leads me to believe I am reaping annoying words because I have sowed many words that were less than Christ like in my life which happens when one has a big mouth and has spent decades talking when perhaps I did not need to talk and should have listened. I could even spin it - I told Susie Q what I thought in truth and love. My friend Norma Dearing (author of an excellent book Th...

Yesterday I talked to Suzanne, a woman who has been a part of my life for decades. She was my dance teacher and influenced me on many levels during my pre-teen years on into adulthood. I am so thankful we are friends. I love her so much. The Lord convicted me during our conversation about a family member of mine. I don't like her, don't dislike her, I feel absolutely nothing for her. I gave her a "special" name and cannot begin to count the tacky remarks I've made about her over the years. So as a Christian, how have I excused my behavior regarding my family member? How have I excused telling other family members I don't want an update about her life? How have I excused making people laugh until they cry with the one line remarks I make about her? How have I excused not seeing her when she is in town? I haven't excused it, I've totally ignored my ungodly attitude toward her. Apathy not love describes my feelings (or lack thereof) towards her. After...

This has been an odd year for me beginning with the loss of a grandchild whose birth we anticipated with great joy. One day I'll get to meet this precious baby. I was ill in Feb & March with walking pneumonia and totally blessed by a visit from Aunt Ginny and Cam. (Love them so much.) I was ill from the end of May almost to Labor Day with a respiratory virus and wondered a couple times if I would ever feel 100% again. I lost 3 people who were a big part of my life. I am standing in faith and prayer with 2 life long friends as they battle cancer. As mentioned in an earlier blog - I feel as though I am standing on the Texas coastline watching giant waves crash over my family and friends. Though there has been sadness there has been much joy. There have been many tears but there has also been much laughter. I look forward to the rest of the year as well as 2014 knowing there will be love, peace, joy, and hope. (I can't believe 2014 marks the 35th year since graduating fro...

I became friends with the dancer who was my classroom assistant when I was a young ballet dancer. By the time I was 12 in 1973, our dance teacher left her in charge of my jazz class while she took a 15 minute break. Kathleen was known to give us very hard combinations. Looking back on this, it may have been an attempt to quiet a chatty class of 12 year old students. I was fortunate enough to be in the advanced ballet class for a couple years while Kathleen was still at our studio. Over the years our friendship grew. I taught for her at her studio for years. We've attended numerous Bible Studies together. We've endured many hard situations together and celebrated many joyous seasons together. She was given a hard diagnosis last week concerning cancer. I told her I am there with her. My faith is not shaken, neither is hers. People sometimes ask why God does this to people. I do not believe sickness, disease, and evil come from God, they are a part of living in a fallen worl...

Ever wake up and feel like you are in a fog? I did today. My first thought was: Maybe this is a sign from God I should go back to bed. (I am not a morning person.) I threw a load of laundry into the dryer, made coffee, and went back to bed. The dog got in bed and snuggled under the covers, he seemed pleased with my decision. (He's still under the covers over an hour later.) As I sipped coffee and thought about my friends who are in need of much prayer as well as the situations in the world which also require much prayer, I decided going back to sleep was not an option. I need to remember this is a day the Lord has made and rejoice and be glad in it. I find on mornings like this it is a good idea to read uplifting passages in the Bible. One of my favorites is Matthew 5: Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of...

After my brother-in-law's funeral, we gathered in the fellowship hall of his church. Family caught up with one another. I had a short visit with someone I'd not seen in almost 10 years. It was a little awkward as we tried to converse. It seemed I was getting on her nerves and decided it was time to shut my mouth. There were several people at our table who could carry the conversation without my input. The next day I said goodbye to my dear, friend Patty. After her service, I reflected on the plans Patty & I had over the last 2 years. Many of the plans never came to pass because she was ill, but some did and I treasure the time we had together. My brother-in-law and I had a few plans that fizzled because of one thing or another. I found time 2 days in a row to attend funerals, but how often in life have I not made time for family? I want to make sure I make time to spend with family I rarely see. So it begins this December, several of us are going to meet at a restaura...

I am in one of those seasons of life in which I feel like I am standing on the Texas shoreline watching as very large waves crash over my friends and loved ones. We all have them. In the last 2 weeks one of my best friends died, my brother-in-law died, and suddenly a loved one is declining at a rapid pace due to Alzheimer's. My friend fought valiantly against cancer for 8 years, my brother-in-law fought bravely for 13 years, and my loved one has been fighting Alzheimer's for 11 years. Sometimes I think it would be nice to stuff down the fatigue, grief, and sorrow but I know it doesn't work and only festers when you bottle it up inside. The world offers a myriad of things to turn to when a person is emotional; however I am choosing to turn to my Lord and Savior and ask Him to help me in my sorrow. I encourage anyone in a difficult season to keep your eyes focused on the Lord. Stay in the Word and in prayer. Ask your friends to pray for you. I part with words of hope...

Sometimes there are friends who are such a blessing to us it we cannot imagine life without them. Patty was one such person in my life. For years we knew who each other were but our paths never crossed...until we began ministry training for a program called Community of Hope through the St. Luke's Hospital System. After being "locked" in a room each Sunday for 3 1/2 hours for 14 weeks - we got to know each other VERY well! I treasure the years she was in my life. I hope to remember her smiling face and loving words the rest of my life. We shared life's ups and downs from very serious matters to the sublime. Her mother-in-law was a very unique woman. When anyone visited her mother-in-law, we called it going to the Big House. One Christmas Eve, I gave her a beautiful cross taped to a miniature bottle of wine with a card saying to keep the wine in her purse in case of emergency at the Big House. She laughed so hard, her husband was too stunned to react since I handed...

Yesterday, I worshiped at a church I belonged to for over 25 years. It was wonderful to see so many people who comprised my church family for years, many of whom are still dear friends. As I visit churches and wait to see where the Lord plants me, I have to wonder if I will ever have the type of church family I had at Calvary Episcopal Church or if it was a once in a lifetime gift from heaven. I know if I remain on the path the Lord has ordained for me, I will land in a wonderful church. If I remain quiet, I will hear the still, small voice. I want to grow in Christ wherever I am planted. I want to heed these words: I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither c...

So I post Who Are My Neighbors and the Lord gives me opportunities to practice what I blog. Difficult people have popped out of the woodwork. I will admit I almost ignored one and decided I would not return the communication and made a list of reasons why it was OK to ignore the person. Less than 5 minutes later, I had to admit I was wrong and answered the person. That same day, I heard from 2 more difficult people and had to laugh. Part of me wanted to wave a white flag and say OK Lord! His grace is enough, His love is enough, through Him I can do all things - including treating difficult people with love.

Growing up in the Episcopal Church, I heard the following words every Sunday in a slightly different version from the Book of Common Prayer (the 1928 as well as the "new one"): Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” I knew my neighbor was everyone from the girl who sat across the aisle from me in school to the crabby, old man who lived at the end of the block. I failed at loving my neighbors frequently whether they were cousins, friends, or strangers. I dealt with whomever entered my life well or not well at all. As I matured, I noticed in some seasons of my life I was making strides loving my neighbor. Not giving myself a pat on the back here, trying to paint an honest picture of my walk with the Lord. Then low and behold, I experien...

A few days ago, we in southeast Texas experienced our 1st HOT weather of the season. It was over 100 to 107 for 3 days in a row with nary a cloud in the sky. (It still seems to me if the humidity is 90%, there should be a cloud in the sky.) I sought refuge in the great indoors with books, water, and air conditioning. I do not know how my Texas ancestors lived in Texas without air conditioning. This is the time of year I watch Snapdragons and Delphinium wilt as Verbena and Salvia flourish. I tend to shut down in the heat. I slack on exercise. I put off errands. I pretend I do not see the weeds thriving in the flower beds. When did I change from a summer person to a winter person? What happened to the girl who stayed outdoors fishing, sailing, and swimming as often as possible during the summer? I look at the ways I've changed over the years. I look at changes in my life due to family dynamics and the deaths of friends and family members. I look at changes in society. I've ...

I've been ill the last 9 days with a viral, respiratory infection which led to many hours in bed unable to read or sleep due to intense coughing fits. I've had a lot of time to think; even thinking back to the carefree summers of my youth. Memories of the scent of honeysuckle and gardenias; swim lessons at the YWCA, VBS, trips to the library, asking why I had to work arithmetic problems in the summer, (The answer could be another blog post.)and playing games of Hide n Seek and Kick the Can with my friends and cousins. Summer days included activities as well as rest; adventures to the beach and quiet time with coloring books; housework with my mother and trying to stand still on a chair as she fitted clothes she sewed for me. Whenever she called me in for dinner it was too early. I might miss finding a ladybug or doodle bug with my friends. I might miss the best game of Kick the Can ever. (I've yet to find out if I missed the best game ever.) And what if my friends jumped ...

Sometimes in the middle of reading a heart wrenching letter from a friend we find the most profound hope and peace. The message in the letter is not something I want to read or believe, but I know every word is true. Instead of being in tears over the contents of the letter I should let the author's hope and peace in the Lord wash over me. Healing will occur either here on earth or in heaven. I will continue to stand and pray for a miracle; I may grow weary but I will not give up, I am contending for the author of the letter. We've shared many sweet moments together in laughter and in tears over births, deaths, lunch, Bible studies, and ministry training classes. I look forward to more laughter with her in the months to come. My hope is in the Lord, His Word tell us: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes...

As details of the Moore, Oklahoma tornado's swath of destruction pour in, one detail broadened my grief in a significant way: As parents waited for news of their children, a man with a megaphone called out the surviving children's names. I can barely type the words because I am overcome by tears. The first few days after a tragedy the Body of Christ comes together in prayer for the victims. The Red Cross and the Salvation Army arrive along with the National Guard to provide much needed assistance. The Governor of Texas sent one of our most elite search and rescue teams to help with the search and rescue. (I pray it is rescue and not recovery.)People from across America will descend on Oklahoma to help our fellow Americans. After a little time passes our lives will go on as "normal". However the tornado victim's lives will be far from normal. My hope is we continue to lift them up in prayer and continue to support them for weeks and months to come. My hope is t...

My Siesta verse is John 15:6 from the ESV: If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

As I searched through old pictures earlier in the week, (desperately trying to find my 8th grade class picture to scan and post on Facebook) I saw many pictures of my great-grandmother. I don't think of her often these days, though she was a profound influence on my life. Lena Bell Hays 11/09/1898 - 12/14/1976. I spent a lot of time with her until I was 9 when she had a major stroke, she lived the next 6 years in a nursing home. She was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother. She relished being a wife and mother. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with all her heart. I saw her pour out love on family, friends, and complete strangers. Her bank account was slim, but her faith was huge. My great-grandparents sold their farm and moved to Whitney, Texas before my great-grandfather died. After he died, she sold the car and walked everywhere. (She never learned to drive.)We walked to the grocery store and post office. We stopped...

My verse is John 15:5 - I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (ESV)

I have been accused of being a Pollyanna, always being happy no matter what. I have been told I've never experienced the hard knocks of life. Let me state clearly, on the record, neither statement is true. I am not always happy; I've experienced tragedy just as you have. The USA experienced a bombing in Boston nearly 2 weeks ago, people were injured and killed, the Midwest experienced flooding, and a small town "up the road" from me in Texas experienced an explosion at a fertilizer plant. All of these incidents brought sadness and grief to my heart. I didn't put on a Pollyanna hat and play the glad game; I cried. No matter what life brings, I try to cling to the joy of the Lord because it is my strength. The Bible tells us: Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” For his anger is but for a moment,an...

Southeast Texas received what is probably the winter of 2012-2013's last blast this morning. Does it bring discontent to my heart? No! It delays our main season which is HOT for a few days. The Pansies I planted in my yard last November seem thrilled with it too. However judging from Facebook posts, I am in the minority around my little town. Many times our emotions are influenced by life's circumstances, the weather, a person driving their car slowly in the fast lane, a baby's laughter, time spent with a precious friend, a phone call, a flood, a terrorist's bomb exploding at the finish line of a marathon. Our emotions can become a roller coaster ride if we let them. One constant we can depend on is the Lord. When life is hard, we must continue to press into the Word and pray. If we are exhausted, we must ask our friends to carry us in prayer as the paralytic's friends carried him to Jesus. The night of the Boston bombing and then again the night the fertilizer ...

My Siesta verse is John 15:4 from the ESV: Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I pray I abide in the vine and bear good fruit.

A friend asked if anything was left unsaid between my father and me. I told her no and thankfully my last words to him were I love you and I will see you later. (I meant in a couple of hours after I returned to the hospital from work and his CT Scan was finished and he was in a room.) I began to think what have I left unsaid to friends and loved ones? Are they words which need to be spoken or are they judgments and opinions I should keep to myself and repent of before the Lord? As I read through the Bible in a year with a group of women; part of today's reading is the last words of David. (2 days in a row, last words are mentioned, seems to be a theme.) Below are his words from II Samuel 23: “The Spirit of the Lord speaks by me; his word is on my tongue. The God of Israel has spoken; the Rock of Israel has said to me: When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God, he dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth on a clo...

March arrived like a lion and went out somewhere between a lion and lamb. I don't recall a windier March in years. The Azalea blooms are fading, Bluebonnets abound around Texas which means our main season - HOT - is around the corner, it will settle here for months. Its friend Humidity will be its ever present company. It can make a woman wish she played the lotto, won the lotto, and bought a summer home in Colorado or Maine. It is time to prune shrubs, plant summer flowers and vegetables as well as fertilize the lawn. It is also time for another Siesta verse which will nourish my spirit. My verse is John 15:3 from the ESV: Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.

I had a little trouble Blogger earlier in the month and as a result did not post the verses I picked for March. They are John 15:1-2, ESV: I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Please leave a comment with your verses on my blog or FB page.

Yesterday out of the clear blue, a woman I've known 30 years set me off and "got my goat". It shocked me. She made a sarcastic comment to me and I almost erupted. The rest of the day I had negative thoughts about her and the way she's conducted her life the last 5 years. Can anyone say judgment??? Who am I to point out her sin? It's a big job trying to keep up with my own sin. It was as if I was flipping through a Rolodex of her sinful moments. I was not comparing myself to her, didn't feel better than her, just wanted to throw a few zingers her way. I still do not know why I reacted that way to 1 measly comment. Maybe instead of flipping through the imaginary Rolodex, I should have repented and prayed for her as well as her fractured family. (I did later in the day.) I woke up today with a better attitude toward her, but it still is not where it should be. Our Lord said: For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you...

Thursday night our dog Shorty treed two large possums. One looked down on him with great disdain, the other seemed a little frightened of him. My husband had to go outside, pick up Shorty and carry him inside because he was so fixed on the possum he tuned us out as well as everything else in the world. As soon as my husband put Shorty down on the floor in the kitchen, Shorty spun around and ran into the sun room to zip out his doggie door which much to his chagrin was closed. After my husband and I went to bed, we heard Shorty trying to open the doogie door. He finally gave up and slept on the couch most of the night. I am sure he dreamed of getting outside and finding the possums. One word aptly describes Shorty: tenacious. As Christians tenacity is a good thing, if we are seeking the Lord with all we have tuning out the distractions of the world, clinging to him and adhering to His Word. However, we must be mindful of being tenaciously legalistic,Pharisaic, and driving people awa...

So far I've memorized John 1:1-5 in the ESV: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Now I move on to John 3:17-18, I must begin with verse 16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. Please feel free to leave your verse/verses in a comment.

The last two Saturdays I've spent time shoveling a couple of yards of top soil into my flower beds. There were spots missing top soil due to wind and erosion caused by HEAVY rains and others spots with slight depressions. If the weather is clear this Saturday, I will spread the last 1/2 yard. The new top soil not only filled in void spots, it nourished the plants which were planted over the years. The blossoms and foliage brightened in a short time. The new flowers are healthy and growing. The Word of God is like top soil in our spiritual lives, it brings nourishment and fills void spots. Many times I've told myself it's OK, I didn't have time to pick up the Bible today but somehow I had time to breeze through Southern Living or goof around on FB. I have to ask myself, am I filling void spots with the Word of God or other things? It is not necessarily bad stuff, but it certainly isn't time in the Word or with prayer. I want 2013 to be the year I consistently ...

In my area we can garden year round. I've been busy working in the yard to keep ahead of a winter weed what we call Velcro Weed. It sticks to you, your gloves, and clothes. If you do not pull it in time; seeds stick to you as well as scatter through out the flower beds and grass causing more work the next winter. (I've spent time picking the sticky seeds off pants and shoelaces all the while contemplating throwing the pants and shoes in the garbage can.) Velcro Weed is an example of how something well established is hard to eradicate. If I let it remain in the garden it will stick to everything in its path, smothering some plants as it grows and then finally when I've about given up, the heat causes it to go dormant for 7 months or so. Sin is the same way. If we justify it, excuse it, refuse to acknowledge it, fail to confess or repent, it will stick to everything in its path. Sin can smother. We need to nip sin in the bud before it takes over our lives. Over the years...

Last night we learned our friends' son died due to a work related accident. Their son leaves behind a wife with a baby on the way as well as another child. He was to be his brother's best man a week from today. I do not think there are any words to aptly describe how the family feels today. Devastated may come close. Last night the question why came up in conversation. Why God, why? When in reality the questioner was thinking God, why did You allow this to happen? He didn't phrase it this way because he didn't want to accuse God. No matter how we word it, God knows what we mean. I cannot answer the question as to why this young man died; but I can with complete faith state God is pouring out His comfort and sustaining love on those who grieve. He gives us assurance in the face of what seems to be a hopeless situation. He calls those who mourn to Himself. He brings peace to a situation in which you think there will never be peace. He binds up broken hearts. He will n...

I continue with John 1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (ESV) Please feel free to leave your verse/verses in a comment. With Christ and each other's love and support we can do this thing!

The last week our weather has been sunny and unseasonably mild even for southeast Texas. Highs in the 70's, lows in the 60's. The birds seem to be enjoying it, people are outside working in their yards, the numbers of walkers and joggers has increased in our neighborhood over the last week. Later this week when our version of winter returns, I think many people will be disappointed. Winter is not over; though I love winter, I must admit the glimpse of spring buoyed my spirit and increased my joy. The same thing happens when we put our trust in someone or something other than the Lord which is called idolatry; though we don't hear much about such a thing in many churches today. When we first trust in the idol, all seems well, then before we know it life is not good. In fact by the time we realize the someone or something was a false god, we are heading downhill at a high rate of speed about to crash into the bottom of a pit. Climbing out of the pit is usually a long pr...

A woman who made a big difference in my spiritual life died suddenly yesterday. Though she was older than my parents, in the back of my mind it is as if I thought she would be here for a few more decades. Edith met my father at Christ Church Cathedral when he became a member. She met mom after my parents were married there and mom joined the church. Edith also took care of me in the nursery for 3 years at Christ Church. I used to joke she was 12 at the time. In the 1970's we moved to Sugar Land and landed next door to her best friend. It was great catching up with her. In the early 1990's Edith became a member of my prayer team at church. She (along with April) was my prayer partner for years and years. She worked tirelessly behind the scenes at Calvary Episcopal Church for years. I learned much about serving the Lord from Edith. She always had an encouraging word and a smile. Our joke was she would attend my annual New Year's coffee with bells on; she usually wore a...

I am not a morning person. It does not matter if I sleep 2 hours or 8 hours, I am a zombie when I wake up each day. The first thing I do is head for the coffee pot and hope I do not sin before I walk into the kitchen. However, there is one thing I like about the morning. The quiet time in the Word and prayer before the man is awake and before our dog is awake and turbo charged for the day. (I am so thankful the dog sleeps late.) As I wind up my quiet time, the Cardinals are beginning to sing, I hear Black Belly Tree Ducks as they fly over our house. Streaks of sunshine are beginning to make themselves seen in the morning sky, the moon is fading. I am always so aware of God in these small bits of nature. I am thankful for this day. I hope I sense the presence of God through out the day and I am a good witness to Him and extend His love to all those whose paths I cross today. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock a...

I cannot believe tomorrow is January 15 and it is time for another Siesta Scripture Memory Team verse! I continue on in John chapter 1, verse 4: In him was life, and the life was the light of men. (ESV) I've fallen in the love with the ESV and decided to use it for memory work because I am not as familiar with it as I am some of the other translations. I use it to hand write books of the Bible as well. (There are are too many I's in this post.) As American Christians we are able to freely buy Bibles and worship. Many of our brothers and sisters in Christ do not have the same luxury; many are in danger from radical members of other religions and or radical governments who oppose all religions. As I memorize Scripture this year; I hope I remember them. Again, feel free to leave your verse/verses in a comment.

It was exciting to view the Lproof.org blog and see the number of women committed to memorizing Scripture this year. I am memorizing the 1st few verses of John 1 in the ESV this month. Hopefully by the end of the year; I will know the verses in the ESV and not combine the ESV, NIV, and KJV. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Feel free to leave your memory verses in a comment.