The Verse that Comes Before~

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned , in whatsoever state I am , therewith to be content.
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.


Philippians 4:13 is one of my all-time favorite Bible verses.  I 've always thought it was interesting though, how most people only quote 13, and NOT verses 11 and 12.  We're all for  abounding,  not  so much  for suffering need.   If you think about all of Paul's trials,  this verse has so much more meaning because of them.  He was a man scourged, beaten, starved, imprisoned, stoned, forgotten, reviled, betrayed,  and eventually beheaded for his faith in Christ,   and yet his writings in this verse state that some how he learned to be content.   Content?  Really?  Hungry ,  cold,   and  destitute?  That's quite a feat!  But , how did  he accomplish this miraculous task?   Through Christ.   Of course Paul was not saying that being thirsty , alone,  and attacked  was fun.  But,  he is saying that if he has Christ though he be in pain, and betrayed,  he has the ultimate assurance that he has  a greater  end than just physical death here on earth.  He has the knowledge  that he will be taken to Heaven! 
  It can be really easy to quote Scripture when things are going great.  "  I can do all things, " people say when it is YOU experiencing the difficulty.  But , this is just so many words on the page if there is no compassion or empathy behind them.  We must remember that what the person is going through is their pain, and their heartache.  Yes, we can do all things through Christ.  But let us remember those words were hard -earned for Paul, and for many others.  They have been abased, hungry  and beaten down through their troubles.  Make sure we let them know that we understand the verses that come before the "overcoming"  of their tragedies. 


Here's to not just a helping word,  but a helping hand~ Ruby Jeanette

Is it Over?~

Yay. . . . . . . . They   got    married.    Can  my   news   page   please   return   to   normal   now?   ~

Finally!~  Ruby   Jeanette

Lessons Learned~

That's the reason they are called "lessons" , because they lesson from day to day. ~ Lewis Carroll



I  am  glad  I  am  somewhat  smarter  than  I  was  when  I  was  younger.  I  think  life  would  be  really difficult  if  we  didn't  learn  from  our  mistakes.   Just  think,  if   our lessons  didn't   "lesson"  from  day  to  day !   Sometimes ,    it   is   difficult    when   my   boys   are   having   a   particularly   trying   day,   to   remember   that   I    WAS   once   their   age ,   and   made   plenty  of   flub -  ups   of   my   own.  I  am  sure   I  am  a  little  bit   wiser  than  I   was  at 12.   Some  of  my  lessons  learned  are  actually  pretty  sad,   though.  I   learned  that   other  people  don't  necessarily  have  my  best  interests  at  heart,   and   that   there  really   are  evil  people  in   this   world.    I   used  to  think  that  everyone  had  some  good   in   them  and   that   they  wouldn't  hurt  another  person  on   purpose .   I   know  that  sounds  naive   but  I   really   did   think  that!   I   learned   also   that  people   can   be   really  selfish,   and   think   only   about   "What's   in   it   for   me?".     But,   all  my   lessons  haven't   been   sad.   I   also   learned   that   love   comes   in    all   shapes   and   sizes,   and   that   just   because   someone  isn't    "typically"   attractive  ( whatever   that is)   doesn't   mean   that   they  won't   be   the   best   person   in   the   world.    I    learned   that   20  years  with  your  favorite   Grandpa   is  not  enough,  but   that   I  was     strong    enough  and   brave   enough  to  let  him  go    where   he   didn't   have   to  suffer    anymore.    I 've   learned   that   money   is   not    the  key   to   happiness.   (Shocker!)   I   am   still   learning   that   a    soft   answer   turneth   away   wrath.   See,   that 's   the    thing.    Although    our   lessons   ,    they   lesson  ,    they   never   do    stop   entirely.     If    we    are   truly    wise,      we   know    that    we   won't   truly    know    anything,   until    we   reach    the   other   side.   So,   I  'm    putting  my   learning   cap   on   for   the    day ,   and   asking   for   some    more   wisdom    from   God.


Here's   to    knowing   more   every   day~   Ruby  Jeanette

He said, She said~

I am definitely glad I went to the library yesterday!  I was out of new reading material, and if this weather keeps up , I am not a nice person (lol) if I have to sit and watch tv in bad weather.  Usually, because my husband is home, and he ADD channel -changes.  Anyone else know what I mean?  And uses the DVR button to fast forward , rewind , pause, and switch back and forth between two channels. You know , that pesky previous channel button.  And he can't just watch tv.  He has to comment on everything he sees.  Sample of conversation, "Oh, that was neat!" he says.  He means, "Why are you reading that book , instead of watching tv?"   I say, " I didn't see it. I was reading."  I mean, " And I don't care that I didn't see it."  He says, " Let me back it up , so you can see it."  He means, " I like annoying you while you are busy."  I say, " It's not a big deal. Don't worry about it."  I mean, " If you bother me one more time while I am in the middle of this book, my head is going to explode."  He says, " Oh wait, I went back too far. Wait a minute I 'll get it. "  He means , "This is so much fun!  I wonder how long I can keep her distracted?"  I say, " I'm watching ."  I mean , "I'm giving this about 5 more minutes, and I'm going to come unloaded on you."  He says, " Oh, never mind , it was on the other channel and won't let me go back to it.  "  He means , " I wonder if I maybe annoyed her too much?"  I say , "I'm going to the bedroom to read."  I mean, " If you follow me in here, you are going to be seriously injured.  " 

So, he doesn't know it , but I am actually reeeeeeeaaaallllllly patient with him......insert patting of my back here, lol!


Here's to a great rainy day activity, like reading .......or tv, I guess~ Ruby Jeanette

In the Eye of the Storm~

Our state was hit very hard by tornadic weather last night.  And supposedly it is going to get even worse tonight.  Seven people were killed last night ,  and dozens more were still missing this morning at 8 a.m.  I know it seems as if Nature has its own vendetta against us, but it doesn't really.  Nature is not vengeful, or angry with us.  It's not hypocritical, and it is not partial to one group of people.  None of us are exempt from floods, tornadoes, hail, rain, blizzards, or drought. Some might even blame God.  But you can't do that either . The Bible states that God is not a respector of persons, so I don't believe he uses the weather as a tool of judgement.  I've never had someone I loved killed in a storm, but I have lost loved ones from accidents and other causes.  I know it is very difficult to cope in times of loss.  But we are none of us promised even our next breath , so we have to realize in our hearts that anything could take us at any time, even in a storm.  Well, I'm going to go make sure everything is bolted down, so we can get hunkered down later.  Everyone be safe, and remember God goes with us, wherever we are ....even in the eye of a storm. 


You are all in my prayers~ Ruby Jeanette

My Favorite Holiday~

I just discovered an amazing website! Now if you haven't read any of my blog before, then I will explain. I am a little bit strange, as anyone in my family will happily tell you.  I like odd people, unique things, and off -beat poetry and places. I also love to do art.  Painting, collage, pen and ink , colored pencils, shoot, I'll even color with crayons, I ain't picky! 
    Well, anyway the way this ties in with the website I found is that it gives you a holiday for every single day of the year, and today is ..........wait for it........National Crayola Day!  YAY!  .;*.,;*confetti.,;*
So in honor of National Crayola Day, my children have decided we will all wear our favorite color Crayola crayon behind our ears for the day.   Also , here is a picture done by the Master Crayon Artist himself,  Don Marco~ Mr. Crayola.........feel free to be amazed, astounded, etc......and yes , it really WAS all done in Crayola crayons!

Cool , huh?  So , don't wait for the regular holiday traditions to roll around, find one on the internet, or make up your own!

Here's to the wonder of crayons~ Ruby Jeanette

A Certain Sunday~

Well, they say on the radio that we are in for yet more rain!  I am reminding myself that several days ago, I expounded on the benefits of inclement weather.  Maybe I will have to re-read my post and remind myself why I said this was a good thing! 
   So, I hope everyone has been having a blessed Easter so far.  Ours has been lovely.  We're a little bit strange in the fact that we don't go to church for Easter.  Now , before I get lots of weird looks and comments from my church friends, let me explain.  ( I can hear the heads shaking and the tongues wagging, let me tell ya!) We've had a tradition for the last three years for Easter.  Mark wakes up really early and cooks us all breakfast. Bacon , biscuits, eggs, toast with homemade pear preserves.  Cold milk and orange juice.  Then we all gather around the table to hold hands and say our thanks for the Resurrection. Then we pack a picnic and drive to a favorite camping spot, and either sit on a blanket or at a table, and listen to the birds, and hear the wind blowing through the trees.  We spend the day focusing on just our family and making sure that the boys know what the real REASON for Easter is.  And yes, worship in a building is wonderful.  Time spent with fellow Christians rejoicing in Christ's victory on  the Cross, is awesome.  But , sometimes, it's just nice to be with family and read Scripture and share with one another.  So , maybe I haven't offended too many people with our tradition, and I hope everyone had great Sunday services.  We sure did !


He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me ,
along life's narrow way!
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives.......within my heart!

Ruby Jeanette