Listening, Waiting and Praying

As I have been seeking the Lord these past few weeks I have felt a churning as never before in my spirit.

Change is on the horizon.

What kind? I'm not exactly sure.

All I know right now is be ready.

I have a quote on a sticky note that I see frequently, "Change comes only when someone moves". That someone is my Someone. My Father. He's moving and working. But in order for me to adequately hear Him, I must be still. A dear friend/sister reminded me of that today.

So from today, until the end of this year I will be still.

No activity on Facebook, nor blogville.

Time for prayer and listening for the footsteps of my heavenly Father. I intend to follow Him.

If you would like to read some "oldies", go to my archive button on the sidebar and click it and select a month. I hope you are fed when you read...and I hope you come back again and again.

I look forward to sharing with you what God is up to in my life when this is over...wait, it's not over until He calls us home!

When you pray, would you pray for me? Actually, pray for both Jeff and myself. God is working in both of our hearts. Let's see what He does! I am so excited!

Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20

Following Him wherever He leads,

© The Knightly News 2007-2009

A Christmas Blessing in Daily Living

Tonight we shared a special time at the home of our Women's Ministry Leader, Susan Baldwin. She opened her heart and home to 24 precious ladies and we enjoyed the food, fun and fellowship!

We also enjoyed God's blessings. Our sisterly love toward one another is one of God's sweetest blessings. More later on the blessings of sisters.

Take a moment and listen to this song. Give HIM what He most desires from YOU!



Psalm 37:4 gives us the instructions for our daily living. There is a job to do for each of us.

Daily. Live for Him. Not for us. No self seeking.

The time to stand for Christ and be counted is here---no holding back---it is time to do ALL you can---time for me to do ALL I CAN for Christ Jesus.

I'm seeking and looking. What about you? Are you living for Him? Doing all you know to do? Is His Word fresh on your lips? Embeded into your heart? Pouring forth like a fountain?

You know what to do....seek Him. You will find Him. You will have far more than just a Christmas blessing...it will be a daily blessing pouring through your life!

God bless you all for stopping by tonight! (Or today--whatever it may be for you!)





© The Knightly News 2007-2009

AND THE WINNER IS....

NUMBER 9! WHICH IS THE LAST COMMENT. VJMOM!Eyewitness: The Life of Christ Told in One Story
by Frank Ball (WinePress Publishing)

So! Hit me on facebook or either e-mail me at av(underscore)knight(at)hotmail(dot)com
with your name/address to send the book!!!

(I use Random Number Generator)


Have a super blessed week---a devotion is coming up!






© The Knightly News 2007-2009

A Visit With Connie!

Connie Haile is a walking talking miracle.

She has been the sweetest, most incredible blessing in my recent years. By way of pictures (when you click on the collage) you can enjoy a few minutes at her house. She will welcome you with a big bright smile, open arms, a cup of coffee and and encouraging Word from God.

I love Saturday mornings at Connie's.

Thank you Connie, for being a godly example of what a true Christ follower should act like...talk like...and pray like. I love you dearly my sweet friend!

© The Knightly News 2007-2009

"Eyewitness" -- A Book Review and GIVEAWAY!

Eyewitness: The Life of Christ Told in One Story
by Frank Ball (WinePress Publishing)

Eyewitness reaches people who seldom go to church or read their Bibles.

Of the millions of Americans who don't go to church, 56 percent consider themselves Christian. If they knew what Jesus said and did, they would know the importance of networking and reaching out to help others. While Bibles sit on coffee tables and bookshelves at home, gathering dust, people pick up Eyewitness and don't want to put it down. Not only does it use language that is easily understood, it pulls readers into the story, almost like walking with Jesus in the first century.

The Bible has sold more copies than any other book and continues to sell year after year. Continuing in its footsteps is the Eyewitness series written for the average person.

Flash back to first century AD. One man appeared who shook up the world. Four men testified to what they saw and heard. The details of Jesus life were recorded by four of his closest followers. Each account is written from a different perspective and only one of the four tells the events in chronological order. Therefore, for centuries, the accounts have been told in out-of-sequence fragments.

Eyewitness compiles the information from the Gospels and hundreds of other Bible verses into one chronological story laid out like a story without reference or verse. The result is a seamless combination of the four gospel books that will appeal to customers across the board, even those who would not normally purchase a Bible.

****************************************************************

Frank Ball was the Pastor of Biblical Research and Writing at Anchor Church in Keller, Texas, for three years. After thirty years of research and teaching the life of Christ, he began a twelve-year project to analyze every gospel story about Christ and put the events into chronological order. Ball meticulously considered almost twenty resources, including the Greek and Hebrew texts, the opinions of other Bible writers, and different translations, to make sure his translation was correct. Using the gospel of John as the chronological backbone, he determined an appropriate time setting for every event.

Ball believes there is no greater role model than Jesus. The better we know him, the more we can be like him. “It’s impossible,” he says, “to love someone you don’t know. The Scripture arranged in this easy-to-understand order helps us to know Jesus. It allows us to be more of an ‘eyewitness’ to the events of Christ’s life, and in doing so, to be more like him.”

Ball has always been a great student, especially in math and the sciences, but hated English. He excelled in high school; however, because his family was impoverished, he was unable to attend college. After high school he took a menial job that supported his parents and siblings. In 1968 he married Kay and they had three sons. Kay passed away in 2005. Ball currently lives with his family in Fort Worth, Texas.

When personal computers became available, Ball embraced systems analysis and business administration. He devoured reading material on the high-tech industry and was a successful business executive until he made a commitment to full-time ministry in 2002.

In 1995, despite his dislike of English, Ball believed God was redirecting his life, and he devoted himself to writing—which has, ironically, become his passion. Knowing the challenges he faced without a secondary education, Ball became self-taught by voraciously reading books as if they were college texts. He studied as if he were preparing for tests.

Ball says that this project wasn’t his idea at all. He just had an unexplainable desire to do this chronology, and along the way he realized that God had a plan. Using his Eyewitness Stories version of the Gospels as a foundation, Ball assembled the gospel information, as well as more than two hundred other Bible verses from the Old and New Testaments, to create what he believes is the accurate order of events. Ball believes the combined stories resolve some of the discrepancies that some say exist in the Gospels.

To contact Frank Ball about speaking for your men's group or your church, click here.





If you read all the way down, congratulations! You qualify to enter to WIN this book!

Simply leave me a comment here! Drawing will be December 6th!


© The Knightly News 2007-2009

Tired of the Norm?? Want to GIVE something special?

In discussing with Jeff what we would give our grand-kids this year for Christmas we are like all grandparents, we love those children and want them to have a wonderful Christmas. It's not in the gifts though. It's less about receiving and more about giving. (I know we all know that...sometimes though, we need reminding.)

Many times when children have too much...they appreciate it very little.

I remember one year, when Tiffany and April were very young, we had a friend, whose dad was going to a orphanage in Mexico and was collecting gently used toys. After hearing about it, our girls decided they wanted to send some of theirs. I let them decide. I thought they would go in their room and pick out two or three things that they didn't care about.

Nope. They spent a long time getting toys together. Dolls and stuffed animals that were in very good condition. I'll be honest. There were two or three that I said, "are you sure"? Not that I didn't want them to give, I just knew my girls. They might be very on board today---and not so much tomorrow.

At the end of the day---they had a 30 gallon garbage bag full of dolls with combed hair and new bows and teddy bears. What does that tell you? Right. They had toooooooo much stuff.

Making gift purchases then was less complicated. You go to the store, you buy what they like. Provided you KNOW what that is. There were no companies supporting things that Christians do NOT believe in like there are today. These days I try and only purchase from companies (when I know) who aren't jumping on every band wagon, supporting groups and organizations who do and say things that are contrary to standards we grew up with.

Which leads me to something I have really been bothered by. " Wal-Mart".

I really try and avoid soapbox issues, but this one won't leave my brain. So it must come out.

Case in point, Nativity Scenes. You won't find them in Marianna's Wal-Mart. Nor will you find one at Chipley's Wal-Mart (according to my scout). You can find them in Auburn, Alabama I was told. And a few more Wal-Mart's but not here. What's up with that? Are there not enough Christians here that our voice would be not only heard, but felt?

My sweet daughter, April called me and said, "Momma, you can get one at the Dollar Store, and they have two or three sizes". I smiled and said, "I already had several different ones that I put out in various places in the house--and it wasn't that I NEEDED one...but if I did...why couldn't I get it there"?

Because they are answering to a higher authority who is trying to take Christ out of Christmas by removing the small replica of the manger where He was born. THANKFULLY, they still allow the Salvation Army bell ringers to stand at the door and receive donations. (As aggravating as the tinkling bell is to my hormonal ears at times. It's for a good cause.)

Remove the reminders they may be able to do, but the facts remain. Jesus Christ WAS born. (Luke 2:7) Jesus CHRIST DID LIVE. (Luke 2:52) And die (Luke 23:46)---and HE ROSE FROM THE GRAVE ON THE THIRD DAY (Luke 24:2-9 and Luke 24:46). Those are the facts. He lives today. In my life and hopefully yours too! By the way, He's coming again. Just so you know, in case you are reading this and you aren't a believer. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

So while out shopping in the stores or online, search for Christ. Wherever you find Him--that would be a good place to spend your money.

We are going simple this year. An outfit, a book, a puzzle or game for the grand-kids and something useful and needed for the parents of the kids....

If you like to shop online...I found a few neat places:

Try these on for size. I found these and there are so many more out there!

Salt of the Earth! Fashion grounded in faith!

Wear it! Live it! Share it! Cool website that offers a ton of things!

Life is Good! Helping kids overcome pain and sorrow with joy. *The Life is good Kids Foundation supports extraordinary charities that create a lasting positive impact on children facing unfair challenges, including the trauma of violence, poverty, and loss. (*Taken from the webpage, Life is Good.)

TOMS shoes! One for one. Buy a pair...they give a pair. *TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about. (*Taken from the webpage TOMS shoes) Go here to see the video.

Whatever you do this Christmas Season, wherever you go, look for Christ. Give Christ. Share His Love and Life with others. The best gift to give your loved ones is your time. Undivided, wholeheartedly to them alone.





© The Knightly News 2007-2009

Pictured Nativity Scene can be found at Pottery Barn.

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

From our family (grandkids and Scooter) to yours,

Have a blessed and safe
Thanksgiving holiday!

Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever...(verse 3)

Psalm 136:1-26 (Read the rest for yourself! It is a great way to begin Thanksgiving Day!)

© The Knightly News 2007-2009

Carmel's Christmas Tea 2009

Thank you Jennifer Hodge Vickery for being the sweetest hostess! The night was memorable!

As we ate a delicious meal provided by the ladies of Carmel Assembly of God Church, we were served by our darling hostesses, Jennifer Hodge and Sandy Harris. The entertainment was incredible--singers, singers, and singers! AND the children's department gave us the sweetest little hand-bell song!

Kim Moore ministered her heart and since I know her personally, it was doubly enjoyable! Great job Kim!

AND I won a door prize! A purple candle and glass shade! HOW SWEET IS THAT!

THEN, Susan of Count it all Joy followed me home to my mother's house and we spent the rest of the evening --until well after midnight---talking over ideas for ---guess what! Next year's retreat!

Y'all--it was fun! It was encouraging and uplifting to this tired heart! God is so good! I can't hardly stand it! There will be more stuff to come! MORE MORE MORE!






© The Knightly News 2007-2009

We did it!

Changes are coming! Even more than the weather!

The first one is already complete!

We have gone from "good-knights-news (dot) blogspot (dot) com ---which is taxing for this brain to remember even AFTER more than 2 years of blogging!

Anyway, back to the sentence at hand, we've gone from that long drawn out address to the more simple--hopefully--easy to remember short version of what we are.

theknightlynews.net

How about that?

Okay, there are so many more exciting things happening! I hope that if I fail to write it down, the LORD will bring it back to my mind so that I can share it with you!

There are so many people that we each encounter every day that just need to know Jesus cares. That He's there! That He's HERE! A shoulder to lean on---an encouraging word---a verse of Life!

I am determined with all that I am, to be all that He desires me to be, as we look forward with GREAT anticipation in the coming days and the all-most-upon-us year---to be all out for HIM. As never before!

So---be watching, listening and waiting for His voice to whisper in your heart of a job to do! You may be surprised at what He says!


"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, [and] rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19 KJV

Be listening....



and



© The Knightly News 2007-2009

What's On Your Altar?

The altar....where I long to be.

Visit me at Laced with Grace today and tell me....what's on your altar?

© The Knightly News 2007-2009