Blackbird Theater

It just wouldn't do to use this picture of our son-in-law, Greg, and his friend and theater buddy, Wes, without doing something artistic to it.n After all, they are Blackbird Theater.

Actually, the photo appeared this way, along with the review.  I just clipped the two together and worked on the text a bit so that it stood out enough to be read. 

To know more about Blackbird's work, read about it here on the layout. 

They are a small company in their 4th season, doing the more highbrow plays that one doesn't see everywhere.  I'll probably be chastised for using the word, 'highbrow', but ...

It is late and I'm quite tired. Got together with ORU this evening for a dinner at Maggiano's at Beachwood. I love that place. I ordered four cheese ravioli and when I'd eaten my fill and asked for a take home container, they said that meal was two for one price and I could choose another pasta dish to take home as well. I chose lasagna, so now Ron and I have our  dinner for tomorrow night.

Look at him go. I've bragged about Caleb riding a bike since last year, when at two, he learned to balance a  two wheeled bicycle. I know that is superfluous, but many people think I mean a tricycle or a bike with training wheels. It is hard to believe he could do that. Now, at three, he is riding a regular bicycle with pedals.   Since the day he learned, he has been in some bicycle races.

Not sure I can tie this in with the Bible verse sent to my email this morning that means a lot to me at this stage of my life. It never meant so much to me before, because as I grew up, it was the norm  to read and follow God's  will. However, these days there are many disparaging remarks  about Christians. It was to be expected however.  The Bible said there would come a time when what was bad would be called 'good', and what was good would be called 'bad'.
If you think about it, you would realize that time has come.  So far we are still free to worship, but the time is coming, unless we stand up and let God lead us day by day, we  will fall into the hands of those who will persecute us. But if we must suffer in this life, it is still worth allegiance to out father in heaven who will take us home to live with him forever.

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

Also in my email this morning was this piece by Max Lucado:

Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. Faith is the belief that God will do what is right. My translation of the first few verses of Matthew, Chapter 5 say, “Blessed are the dirt-poor, nothing-to-give, trapped-in-a-corner, destitute, diseased,” and Jesus said, “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

God says the more hopeless your circumstance, the more likely your salvation.  The greater your cares, the more genuine your prayers. Healing begins when we depend on Him. God’s help is near and always available, but it’s only given to those who seek it. Compared to God’s part, our part is minuscule but necessary.

Ask forgiveness. Call a counselor. Confess. Call mom. Visit a doctor. Feed a hungry person. Pray. Teach. Go. Do something that demonstrates faith. For faith with no effort is no faith at all. God will respond.  He has never rejected a genuine gesture of faith.  Never!

Max Lucado

Sleep well in our father's arms.

Sailboat

Recently I signed up for a class in blending. Now this isn't just any class, it is costly;  so I'm hoping to get a LOT out of it.  The sad thing is, I'm still working on the elementary introductory material. I've not had enough time and I'm soooo anxious to dive into it... and I don't mean the lake.

Here is a picture I took last week when I spotted a sailboat. We don't see many of them over this far.  They are generally on Turkeyfoot Lake.  Since I'm working on my beginning blending skills, I used the photo for practice. The sad thing is, I can't remember which blending mode I used in my Photoshop Elements. The second layer is a little strange, but overall I'm very happy with the look...at least pleased enough that I'm posting it here for you to see. Double click on it to enlarge it. You'll see what I mean about the artistic blend.

Back to the lake...While we have friends in Texas who are in a drought, we have been extremely blessed with rain this year. I am happy though, because earlier in the spring I was concerned about the lack of rainfall. It was very dry. We had to use our lawn sprinklers in what usually is the wettest part of the year.

I can't say that God loves us better than Texans...

Matthew 5:44-45

"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

A Mother's Day

A mother is a mother every day. Beth is an awesome mother and she deserves a special day.  It will be a long time before another Mother's Day,  but every day in a mother's life is special when they are able to be with their children. I urge any of you who have thought about arranging to stay home with your kids to do so.  There is nothing more rewarding.

Life Is Full of Surprises

I noticed that Maggy had become enamored by the roll of toilet paper in my bathroom. She studied it and tilted her head when I unrolled it. Until today, we've been lucky that she couldn't reach it. However, with her growth  she found that in Ron's bathroom, she could stand on the bathroom scale and reach the paper. Before I had any idea she was even in his bathroom, she has grabbed that  paper and strung it across the floor. Thank goodness she was happy to just lay there on the rug and chew it.  She could just as easily stretched it throughout the house. 

 Now we are on alert. We are not in the habit of closing the doors, but I'm assuming that is our best defense...for the time being. Oh the joys of puppyhood.  It was hard not to laugh.  She is soooo cute.

On My Honor

On My Honor, I have to admit that I've mixed a few fireworks pictures here. I think I have mentioned before that is was like a 30 minute grand finale.  This is the boat Chelle, Greg, Ashley, Mason and Aussie were in that bright night. 

If I believed in do-overs, I'd have to redo this layout. I'm not pleased at all, but since I'm so far behind in my scrapbooking, it will remain the same.

At  OnMyHonor.net they have announced the launch of a premier national character development organization for those wisely leaving the Boy Scouts of America. 

An executive director has been introduced and the name, logo and program outline of this new organization will be announced at the Spetember 6-7 inaugural national convention in Nashville, Tennessee.

I suggest  that any of you who have boys or grand children or friends who would benefit from this new organization,  find more information here

I don't know if they are being concord, or what, but this link won't work, even though I've checked it three times.  However if I just put www.onmyhonor.net/  in my browser, the organization comes up quickly.

Rock Star Anchored

We had a great time celebrating Independence Day, even though it managed to rain at about the same time we usually leave the house to get our favorite spot.  Since we were an hour later than usual, we were stopped by the lake troopers and not allowed to travel any further. We were a little upset, until we realized, we had about the best 'seats' on the lake.


Well as usual since we got the puppy, I am exhausted. It makes a long day of training...or, excuse me...of trying to train. It isn't going well. I think I need to read a book, or hire the Dog Whisperer.

Good night.

Please pray for our nation.