Betty Whitaker Jackson

Sometimes I enter writing contests just for fun. I’m fascinated by where editorial staffs come up with these things. I’ve won a few, and seen others win most, but I enjoy entering them when I have the time and inclination. That’s part of the perks of retirement–the time to jump in with both feet and splash about.

The Florida Humanities Council posted one this week. It brought back memories of reading Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, of eating Patrick Smith’s old Florida…..

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The last few days have been filled with evidences of the Lord’s blessings shown to me through reading the word, meeting with other Christians, and answers to prayer.

Let me share some personal accounts of God’s significant power.

We are told in Philippians to not worry, to trust God, and God will meet all our needs according to his purposes.

Why, then, did I spend two sleepless nights concerned about two medical diagnoses examinations on Tuesday?

Of course, my head…..

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Love hearing the spring bird calls! A few weeks ago we were invaded by hundreds of robins. Today the cardinals and mockingbirds are back, and I’ve so missed their beautiful music. Hope you enjoy my picture of herons and their ballet. I call this poem Heronesque Ballet (get the French influence?) Blithe, lightly borne on beveled-winged edges       The gliding white heron heralds pristine pre-dawn,        Smoothly soaring with satiny grace, now…        Pirouetting, performing her classic Ballet.       A…..

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This has already been a day! It’s 7:42 a.m.  Our daughter’s car wouldn’t start, so I drove ours to her house, she dropped me off back home (still in pj’s, no combed hair, etc.–hope nobody but God saw me; He already knows me in and out!), and so the day begins.

Wuss that I am, I slept little last night. I had an answering machine call to get in touch with my doctor following my urinalysis yesterday. I know that…..

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From a good friend in the military:

Military cuts equal to pre WWII sizes, increases of “threats” to implement executive order, and expansion of social programs?  OIF & OEF Veterans may not be being spit upon as our Vietnam Vets were by the American population, but our governmet is sure taking the opportunity to fill that void!  Welcome home warriors!  Once again the burden of our nation lies upon our backs and we are “told” we will sacrifice even more…..

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Just finished reading Billy Graham’s book titled Nearing Home where he discussus retirement, much as I did in my Job Loss: What’s Next? A Step by Step Action Plan book. He too feels the sting of aging out of many of the activities he’d spent his life on, which gave purpose and meaning. Retirement is like that.

I’m thrilled that he took the effort, profound effort, to write yet another book filled with his wisdom. Liberally sprinkled with, or should…..

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I’ve borrowed Charles Krauthammer’s Things that Matter, his new best-selling book of his awesome articles he’s published over the years. As a wordsmith myself, or a novice one compared to him, I am astounded at his rich vocabulary, his sense of style, his syntax, and his ability to turn a phrase.

Additionally, it’s amazing he writes on so many topics so very well. Whether it’s chess, world affairs, baseball, politics, pop culture, or history, he has an unbelievable range of…..

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God’s word is for our instruction, edification, and to His Glory. This passage is special to me, because it encapsulates my life’s mission. In response to His creation, redemption, and sovereignty, my role is to proclaim its truth and develop toward sanctification so that He can best use me in this life. Be it so for you, Dear Reader.

2nd Peter 1:2-11

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His…..

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