Today's Thoughts

If all that I've been given fades away -

The gifts and graces, some unrecognized,

The friends of yesteryear, now cherished memories

Places I have known and loved, forever gone from view.....

If all that I've been given fades away -

Familiar beauty of the rendezvous we kept

Fragrances adored as seasons came and went

The quiet moments when Our spirits met....

If all that I've been given fades away -

Then what should I do today?

The mundane calls - but help me see beyond

To the eternal fields where I will reap the harvest I have sown.

dbk

(Yes, I'm feeling melancholy today!)

Yesterday's Sunday

A couple of weeks ago I was able to do something I had wanted to do for a long time. I sat down at the church piano early Sunday morning and played hymns as they came to mind.....for a little over an hour. Hymns such as, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness", "All the Way My Saviour Leads Me", and "Sweeter Than All".

Mark recorded the hour of music and entitled the CD "Yesterday's Sunday". These hymns were not "arranged" but are simply played without interruption going from one hymn to the next in an easy listening format.

Some of my friends wanted a copy of "Yesterday's Sunday". If any of you would like a copy, just email me at folwinhim@yahoo.com and I will send it to you. (I am not making a charge for the CD, but if you wish to make a donation it would be greatly appreciated.)

(By the way, does anyone recognize the church in the photo? Looks a bit different now than it did then!)

Great Cup of Tea!

I have discovered the most delicious tea. It is called "Breathe Easy"...promotes Respiratory Health by Traditional Medicinals. I bought a box at Ingles Grocery because I've been having problems with asthma. The directions said to drink three cups a day.

I thought it might taste like medicine, especially because the directions said to steep the tea 10 - 15 minutes. I gave it 10 minutes and added a few drops of Stevia (a natural sweetener). DELICIOUS!!! And after two days I do believe I'm breathing easier!!!

If you have any breathing problems or if you just want a cup of good tea, I highly recommend it.

Our "famous" friends

Don Quales and family are now "famous" gospel singers. But years (and years) ago

he was my very first piano student!!!!

Kim and Phil Collingsworth at our house after their inspirational concert. (Their music is simply amazing!!!) When I was packing to move, I found a couple letters Kim wrote me when she was about ten years old!!!!

Our very dear friend, Mayor Cornelia Olive, at the National Day of Prayer event. Mark organized prayer times at her office with local ministers every Tuesday morning when we lived in Sanford, NC.

My friendship with Ann and Frank Baldwin goes way back......I have always loved them dearly. We met them in Indiana last year as we traveled home from a FLAME event in Frankfort, IN.

This is our friend, Alvin Conyers, who is a missionary to Siberia.

He and Mark went to High School together in Atlanta!!!!

Do you have any "famous" friends?

The Best Brothers

This is my brother, David. He is the world's best gardener!!!! He grows the most beautiful vegetables I've ever seen. When he does a job, he does it right!!!! Everyone loves David.

Dean is my youngest brother. He can fix anything and is always there to help if you need him. He is one terrific brother!!! He and his wife, Valerie, have five beautiful, smart, talented, children!!!

Charlie, Darlene's husband, is a faithful worker for the Lord. He is a pastor, father of six, grandfather of three, and has a great sense of humor. Charlie is a hard worker and gets the job done FAST!!

Bob is married to my sister Donna. He is one of the most generous people you will find anywhere. He is a very hard worker. Bob has won a lot of trophies in motorcycle racing.
Richie is one tough brother-in-law. He is married to Diane and is a great christian example. Richie makes the best grilled steak I've ever eaten!!! He is ready to help anyone, anywhere and has many opportunities to do that as he is a State Trooper!

Matt is Mark's brother. You will always laugh a lot when Matt is around because he is the life of the party. Matt is an amazing salesman, and makes the best blueberry pancakes!! (This photo was take at the 80th birthday party for Mom Klass.)

Chris is Melissa's husband (Mark's sister). He is a terrific cook and can make a great meal out of left overs. He used to play for the Minnesota Vikings so he has a lot of interesting stories to tell. (Chris is standing behind Mom Klass.)

Dad's Typewriters

When we moved I had to get rid of Dad's old typewriters. I told my sister, Darlene, it was hard to part with them because they represented hours of thought and labor as he wrote over four thousand sermons for two radio preachers, and also wrote the Sunday School lesson books for Back to the Old Paths for thirty some years. They were a part of Dad I didn't want to give up. Dar gave me wise advise. She said, "You have to get rid of things sometime. If you feel emotionally attached to the typewriters, take a picture of them."

So that's what I did!!! I will always remember the sound of Dad pecking out the many sermons and articles on these two typewriters. But Mark will never have to move them again!! (He was happy about that as the old IBM was terribly heavy!) Thanks, Dar, for helping me through this dilemma!

Life's Transitions

Transitions are usually difficult.

Change, although sometimes exciting, is never easy.

We will be moving next week and experiencing some changes.

(So I most likely will be unable to post for several days.)

God is faithful and true to His Word and He can be depended on!

Nothing can separate me from His love!

Several years ago a friend gave me a sheet of paper with the following inscribed:

Dorothy...

Trust Me.

I have everything under control.

Jesus

This has been a blessing and a help through many bumps in the road!

How thankful I am to know that it is absolutely true!!!

A Quiet Place

T

Lord, I have shut the door, speak now the word

Which in the din and throng could not be heard;

Hushed now my inner heart, whisper Thy will.

While I have come apart, while all is still.

In this blest quietness clamerings cease,

Here in Thy presence dwells infinite peace;

Yonder, the strife and cry, yonder, the sin:

Lord, I have shut the door, Thou art within!

Lord, I have shut the door, strengthen my heart;

Yonder awaits the task -- I share a part.

Only through grace bestowed may I be true

Here, while alone with Thee, my strength renew.

-Runyan

Sunday Sermon

Living Like Jesus

Jesus
"I crave no human honor"
The Carnal Christian
"I am content to receive praise from others" John 5:55

Jesus
"I look for no mortal fame" John 5:41
The Carnal Christian
"I value credit with men more than credit with God"

Jesus
"I am able to do nothing from myself"
The Carnal Christian
"I can do it by myself"

Jesus
"As the Voice comes to Me, I give a decision"
The Carnal Christian
"I make decisions based on my desires"

Jesus
"I do not seek my own will"
The Carnal Christian
"I do it my way"

Jesus
"I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself"
The Carnal Christian
"I want to do only what is pleasing to myself"
-unknown author

The Blessing of Sisters

I'm the oldest; then Darlene. She is one special lady!!!

She's extremely talented in sewing, cooking, crafts, and writing.

She is very dear to all of us.

Here she is with her oldest son, Daniel.

This is Deborah; she's the third born.

She's always working to keep everything running smoothly.

She's also talented in cooking and is just the person to call on

if you need something done in a hurry!!

Deb is always there if you need her!

This is Donna, next in line! She is a very, very dear sister who is a great baker.

She is sweet, kind, and always cheerful. (Makes the best Cranberry Salad ever.)

We could not get along without our Donna!!

This is Diane, my youngest sister. She is a nurse and quite a good one!!!

She has worked in the E.R. for years and if I ever have to go I hope she's there!!!

She has a great sense of humor and is always helping people.

In this photo, she is giving my father-in-law, Kit, a hug.

This is Valerie who is married to my brother Dean. That makes her a sis, right? She is a terrific mom and has brought much joy to our family with the gift of five beautiful children. Here she is being hugged (tortured) by her oldest son and my nephew, Brent. (Look at his eyes....you can tell.)

Melissa, Mark's sister, is loads of fun. We always have a great time shopping together. She gives me "make-overs" and makes me laugh!!! Here she's getting ready to show off her biscuit making skills!!

Linda is married to Mark's brother, Matt. That's him in the picture with her. (By the way, Matt is the one who coined the phrase, "I love my neices to pieces." He's brilliant!!) Linda is fun to be with, a great walking partner, and a good friend!

I have quite a few "adopted" sisters, also.....too many to name! Do you have any sisters? (birth or otherwise) I'd like to hear about them!

I Love My Nieces to Pieces!

Some cute stories about my nieces. (I definitely can't mention any names!)

I don't remember what she was crying about but I do remember trying to comfort her. "Honey, you know I love you and your Mommy and Daddy love you." I tried to sooth her sobs with a calm voice. "I know you love me and I know Mommy and Daddy love me," she wailed louder, "BUT I'M CRYIN'!"

=====

One niece spent the night with me. She was 5 or 6 years old. We were laying there trying to go to sleep when she asked quietly, "Aunt Dorothy will you hold my hand?" "Why sure honey." Thinking maybe she was afraid I asked, "Why do you want me to hold your hand, honey?" Her answer came through the darkness matter-of-factly. "Because it stinks!"

Remembering Tasha Tudor

Every year at Christmas I get out my "Christmas Books". One of my favorites is a book I acquired years ago (don't remember where) entitled TAKE JOY! by Tasha Tudor. I enjoyed reading about the Tudor Christmas traditions and loved the quaint, whimsical, illustrations by Tasha Tudor.

Most of all I enjoyed baking the Christmas Cookies, which she included in the recipe section of the book. (The recipe makes a gigantic number of cookies so you have to allow at least four or five hours if you are going to make them.) The dough is rolled very thin, dusted with sugar and nutmeg, and then cut into shapes. These cookies became a tradition for many years in the Bowen household.

I was sad to hear that Tasha Tudor passed away June 18th at age 92. She was a unique, amazing lady and you can read about her at hhtp://www.tashatudorfamily.com
dbk

Amusing Moments

Teaching piano lessons has some amusing moments. I hope these stories make you smile!

lllll

One first grader played the assigned song very well, slowing down nicely at the end of the piece. "That was beautiful!" I praised effusively. "I especially like the way you gradually slowed down at the end of the piece. That's called a Ritard." "Oh," she pressed her lips together solemnly shaking her head, "I can't say that word - it has a bad meaning!"

lllll

Another child, arriving for her piano lesson burst through the door and announced grandly in a loud voice, "Well, this is the last day I won't have any cavities!" "Why is that?" I enquired. She replied, "Because tomorrow I'm going to the dentist!"

lllll

Sometimes I get more information that I want. In response to, "How are you doing today?" one child confided, "Guess what! Last night a policeman came to our house!"

lllll

I was invited to a birthday party by one little boy. I asked him for directions to his house. He gave the following: "It's real easy. You just go down that road where the tree is and you'll see a mailbox. You turn there. And," he finished triumphantly, "we live right beside our neighbor!"

lllll

One little girl asked me what the "Heart Trophy" was. I tried to explain, "It's a trophy I give at the recital to a student who works very hard and really puts his WHOLE heart into piano lessons." "Well," she said in a disappointed tone, "I know I won't get that one because I only put half my heart in it!"

lllll

I have a quiet, genteel cat named Squeeky. One of my first graders pleadingly begged, "I've never had a nice cat like Squeeky." Then she made a request. "Mrs. Klass, when you're ninety will you please give me Squeeky?!"
(Either I look really old or Squeeky's going to live to an amazing age!)

lllll

dbk

Sunday Sermon

All I have is a few scribbled notes,

but the sermon (heard several years ago) made such an impact I still remember it.

A "Mary" Church or a "Martha" Church?

Martha was busy.

Mary was concerned only that she be in the presence of Jesus.

A "Martha" Church
A "Martha" Church is built on ABC's: Attendance, Buildings, Cash. This is a consumer based church where people are the center. The more people who come the better the church is. (This church lives in the book of numbers.) :)

Characteristics:
1. Religious activities - Holiness by fatigue
2. Jesus is the mascot
3. Information Driven (deliver me from the Kinko spirit)
4. Pastor Fetch
5. Problematic Praying
6. Shifting Sheep (allusion of church growth)
7. Control Strongholds - certain people control the church

A "Mary" Church
A "Mary" Church is a Presence based church where God is the center. "We love people but God is here."

Characteristics:
1. Continuous worship Rev. 4:5
2. Jesus is revealed
3. God's presence will draw people
4. Pastor Levite
5. God Seekers - The Pastor's goal is to bring people into His presence
6. Presence Evangelism
7. Divine Strongholds: God doesn't just visit - He inhabits.

Is your church a "Martha" church or a "Mary" church?

"Don't do the work of the Lord - make Him the Lord of the work."
-Terry Tekyl

Missing Dad

Dear Dad,
I really miss you a lot. I know you are enjoying the beauties of heaven and the joy of being with Jesus and all your friends there. It must be unspeakably wonderful. But I think about you often and what a terrific Dad you were. You were so handsome, so gentle, so kind, so loving, so humble, so faithful, so caring.

I remember those great days when I moved back with you and Mom. Every morning when I walked into the living room you would be sitting in your recliner dressed in a long sleeved white shirt and dress pants, ready for the day. Your first words were always the same. "Morning, Darth, how ARE things?"

We would usually sit together and discuss the Sunday School lesson and you'd ask my opinion on a verse or two. When you jotted down my comments I felt so important. "That's a good thought," you'd say.

It's nothing new

these thoughts I have of you.

Since time began

grief has been a common thing
As people of all races

morn the loss of one who made them sing.

But still the hurt is there
like a dull unhappy ache inside

where no one can see.

And even though I know it won't be long

until we meet again,
I think of you and wonder...
Do you think of me?

dbk

Who Listens?

For who listens to us in all the world
Whether he be friend or teacher, brother or father or
Mother, sister or neighbor, son or ruler, or
Servant? Does he listen, our advocate, or our
Husbands or wives, those who are dearest to us?
Do the stars listen, when we turn despairingly
Away from man, or the great winds, or the seas or
The mountains? To whom can any man say - Here I
Am! Behold me in my nakedness, my wounds, my
Secret grief, my despair, my betrayal, my pain,
My tongue which cannot express my sorrow, my
Terror, my abandonment.
Listen to me for a day, - an hour! A moment!
Lonely silence! O God, is there no one to listen?

Is there no one to listen? you ask. Ah, yes,
There is One who listens, Who will always listen.
Hasten to Him, my friend! He waits on the hill
For you. -unknown author

A Prayer for Today

Father,

Please help me not to allow any situation, any person, or any discouragement to eclipse my vision of You.

Let no influence hinder my enthusiastic pursuit of Your daily word to me.

Help my human tendencies to be so wrapped with Your Spirit that the distractions of life have no power to color my emotions.

Keep me, Father, close, carrying me as a little lamb near to your heart.

May I feel the comfort of Your arms around me, the blessing of Your tender embrace, the unmistakable sense of the intertwining of our spirits.

May I hear the whisper of Your voice above the din, the certain knowledge that You ARE directing my paths, that Your will is being done in me today. I ask this in Jesus name, Amen

-dbk

Why Don't I Listen to My Husband?

Why am I such a slow learner?

I was supposed to take a finger food to church for a birthday celebration at 6 p.m. Sunday night. I was tired -- it was about 4 p.m. and I still didn't have anything ready. Mark said, "Just get some chips and dip and be done with it."

Instead of saying, "Honey, what a great idea!" I obstinately responded with, "No, I'll make that Salmon Dip we like. It's so good and I have all the stuff to make it so I won't have to go to the store." I made it pretty quickly but realized I didn't have any crackers so Mark had to go to the store anyway to get crackers. He wasn't real happy about that.

I took the Salmon Dip to the birthday/fellowship and NOT ONE BITE GOT EATEN!!! There was so much food........I brought it home feeling sorry that I would have to throw it away. I stuck it in the frig and forgot about it.

Mark and I left the next morning and were gone for several days. We returned home Thursday afternoon. We were tired and I don't remember what Mark ate for supper but I got out the Salmon Dip. Mark cautioned me not to eat it. "That's probably bad. You made it Sunday - this is Thursday and Salmon doesn't keep long." Again, instead of saying, "You are so right, dear" I argued, "No, it looks good and smells good so I think it's OK." I hated to throw it away and I didn't want to listen to Mark.

So I ate about half of it on crackers and that was my supper. I felt fine when I went to bed but about midnight I woke up sick as a dog. The nausea, intense stomach pain, and vomiting were horrible. I was sick all night long, throwing up every couple of hours. Mark was nice enough to get up and help me without saying, "I told you so."

What a miserable night! I hope I've learned my lesson! I had two opportunities to avoid suffering but totally did what I wanted instead of listening to my husband!

Lord, how patient You are to teach me......over and over again. Help me to remember this lesson and next time to LISTEN TO MY HUBBY!!! -dbk

Cheerful Insecurity

"I have been feeling very much lately that cheerful insecurity is what our Lord asks of us."

-C. S. Lewis

God, You are so incredible! You are so amazing! Why do I ever doubt Your awesome power, Your infinite wisdom and your amazing knowledge of every detail in the entire universe and so, of course, every detail of my life.

To think that I am Your dearly loved child staggers me, gives me the sense of a long ago fairy-tale story-book fantasy come true. The childhood dreams of perfect beauty, gracefulness, the handsome prince, and the "happy ever after" have all come true for me.

Father, help me never to doubt You again. Help me never to underestimate Your ability to care for me. Help me never to allow myself the misguided notion that it's all up to me. What a foolish, small faithed, devil inspired, nonsensical perception! You HAVE helped us, You ARE helping us, and You WILL help us.

The far reaches of space with stars, planets, and galaxies are known to You. Each of the six billion people in the world are known to You. Every jungle, desert, tribe, nation, and dynasty is known to You. Every mystery unsolved by man, every secret well hidden, every silent thought in every mind is known to You. And I am known to You. You are My Father! You love me dearly! You have supplied my every need my entire life!!!

You have answered countless prayers for healing, money, a husband, a house, guidance, grace in trials, hope in adversity --- God, my heart, my mind and my soul lift in praise!

One day I will give ceaseless praise to the Lamb Who sits on the throne forever and ever, through the eternity of eternities, in endless adoration and delight. Let all that is within me BLESS HIS HOLY NAME!!

I thank You for lifting my burden. I thank You for lifting my cares. I thank You for strengthening my faith. GOD YOU ARE HERE!

Of course You're going to help us through our present difficulties. Of course You're going to meet our needs. Of course You're going to open the eyes of those walking in darkness. Of course You're going to going to work all things together for our good! You aren't dead, You aren't silent, You aren't paralyzed, You aren't hard of hearing, blind or infirm.

Than why have I been acting like You are? Why have I been allowing myself to listen to and believe a lie?

I thank You for this overwhelming fresh revelation of Who You are.

If a man called Abraham could believe You, if a child named David could take on a giant in Your name, if poor uneducated fishermen could follow You believing Your words, then I too can join the procession!! I, too, can exchange my cringing, faltering, wobbly faith for a slab of granite! Here I come, Lord, a little behind the rest, but I'm running! Count me in!! I believe You. -dbk