Necklace/Religious from Zazzle.com

Necklace/Religious from Zazzle.com

Beautiful sterling silver necklace. Share your faith - wear for Easter and ANY time. Image of brown torn-paper cross and the words: He Lives!

Button - Easter from Zazzle.com

Button - Easter from Zazzle.com

"He is risen" buttons - give 'em to your kids, grandkids, Sunday School class, Christian school class, ANY one!!!!

Easter bumper sticker from Zazzle.com

Easter bumper sticker from Zazzle.com

A bright, sunny yellow bumper sticker to let the ones behind you see the truth of Easter. "He is risen!", with Bible verse.

Greeting card - Easter from Zazzle.com

Greeting card - Easter from Zazzle.com

Pretty Easter card showing that Jesus Christ IS the Easter story! Bunnies and yellow chicks cards are cute and fun to send ... but why not also send a card that shows the real reason we celebrate Easter?

Easter card from Zazzle.com

Easter card from Zazzle.com

Bunnies and yellow chicks are sweet Spring time decor - but the CROSS is the real symbol of the Christian holiday, Easter. Christ suffered for us, died for us, and was resurrected for us. That's the real Easter story. Why not send a card showing this? Card has a brown torn-paper cross image on outside and a Bible verse inside. (Image also available on other products.)

Baby Onesie Tshirts from Zazzle.com

Baby Onesie Tshirts from Zazzle.com

Perfect baby outfit for baby to wear on Mother's Day - "Mommy Loves Me". Design also available on other products (t-shirts, mugs, etc.)..........

Mother's Day Card from Zazzle.com

Mother's Day Card from Zazzle.com

Cute Mother's Day card ... drawing of an angel on front ... is YOUR Mom an angel? Send her this card and TELL her so! :)

Family friendly organizations stand firm against new ABC show ‘Good Christian B–ches’ » Bible Chick

Family friendly organizations stand firm against new ABC show ‘Good Christian B–ches’ » Bible Chick

The "bitch" word is insulting and vulgar for ANY women, not just Christian women. I am continually trying to tell young girls and young women that they should never stand for being called such a thing by anybody, boyfriend or enemy! What happened to womens' self-esteem and dignity? How come all the liberal womens' groups aren't protesting this T.V. program? Why aren't they giving seminars and speeches for the girls and women to help them stand up against being called this word? I cannot understand why a teen girl will allow her boyfriend to use this word "on" her, without throwing him a good slap before walking away from him - permanently. The word is demeaning and controlling.

Another thought comes to mind about this new ABC T.V. show: insulting and mocking Christians and Christianity is "okay" ... just don't let it EVER be insulting and mocking Islam! ABC and many others nowadays are VERY fortunate that Christians (in general) won't rise up in anger, killing "our own", threatening ABC and it's employees, destroying buildings and automobiles because of the insults and mocking of the Christian faith.

As the article says, "pushing the line" has gone on for quite sometime now ... pushing the line on sex, cursing, vulgarity in general, morality. They've gotten away with inserting, little by little over the years, every vulgar and immoral thing they could - and any of us, Christian and non-Christian, who may have opposed it kept silent. Now, there is little left to the imagination in T.V. programs and movies and music - including in this, our latest: "Good Christian B-ches"!

I end here, sounding like the Christian pastor's wife that I am. I quote from the book, HEAVEN, by: Randy Alcorn: "To sin is to fall short of God's holy standards. Sin is what ended Eden's Paradise. And all of us, like Adam and Eve, are sinners. You are a sinner. That's the first thing you need to know. Sin deceives us and makes us think that wrong is right and right is wrong (Proverbs 14:12). Sin has consequences, but God has provided a solution for our sin. 'The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord' (Romans 6:23).

We sin but God provided a way for us to be forgiven ... the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, on a cross - then His resurrection. A horrible and painful death that He was willing to endure because of His great love for sinful humanity.

"Sin deceives us and makes us think that wrong is right and right is wrong". Take heed ABC. Sin has consequences.

Add Your Blog Blog Topsites



Blogs Blog Tools Allie Marie

Add Your Blog Blog Topsites



Blogs Blog Tools Allie Marie

Stickers/Sheep from Zazzle.com

Stickers/Sheep from Zazzle.com

Stickers, with photo of sheep in the pasture and the Bible Verse: John 10:14. Give to yourself, your kids, grand-kids or friends. Stickers are good for your Sunday School class, too! :)

Stickers/Christian from Zazzle.com

Stickers/Christian from Zazzle.com

Christian stickers .... Bible verse and image of the cross .... Isaiah 53:5: "...was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."

Stickers are "good" for your kids, grand-kids, yourself, friends .... your Sunday School class, to put on your Easter cards, etc.

T-Shirt/Christian from Zazzle.com

T-Shirt/Christian from Zazzle.com

T-shirt ... with a cross and the Bible verse: Isaiah 53:5 - "...was pierced for our transgressions,he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."

Wear the words that tell the true Easter story.

"Summer Harvest" Magnets from Zazzle.com

"Summer Harvest" Magnets from Zazzle.com

I just sold 100 of these "tomato" magnets. Come in and take a peek; maybe YOU would like one, too. :)

Thionville, the town closest to the smaller town of Algrange, where we lived for many years, in France.

Greeting Card/Easter from Zazzle.com

Greeting Card/Easter from Zazzle.com

Easter greeting card: photo of the sheep in the pasture and, inside, the Bible verses John 10:14 & 15, and the message: "May you have a blessed Easter."

Poster/The Good Shepherd from Zazzle.com

Poster/The Good Shepherd from Zazzle.com

Beautiful poster, for Easter or anytime. Photo of sheep in a pasture and the Bible verse: John 10:14 ... "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-".

Would make a nice gift for anyone, a good poster to hang in a Sunday School class, on a bulletin board, a living room wall (can be framed) etc.

Stickers/Sheep from Zazzle.com

Stickers/Sheep from Zazzle.com

Stickers for Easter or ANYtime ... photo of sheep in the pasture and the Bible verse, John 10:14: "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-" (the design is also available on stickers in other shapes: hearts, ovals, etc., and on other products)

Tasse/Lapin de Zazzle.fr

Tasse/Lapin de Zazzle.fr

Pretty mug with photo of a rabbit and the words, in French and English: RABBIT LAPIN. Very cute - would make a sweet Springtime gift for a child, perhaps at Easter, filled with goodies. :)

Magnet/Lapin Aimants Pour Réfrigérateur de Zazzle.fr

Magnet/Lapin Aimants Pour Réfrigérateur de Zazzle.fr

Cute magnet ... photo of a rabbit, with words in English and French: RABBIT LAPIN

Autocollant/Lapin de Zazzle.fr

Autocollant/Lapin de Zazzle.fr

T-Shirt/Bebe de Zazzle.fr

T-Shirt/Bebe de Zazzle.fr

RedBubble

Treating and Beating Fibro Blog: Traditional Medicine Offers Little for Fibromyalgi...

Treating and Beating Fibro Blog: Traditional Medicine Offers Little for Fibromyalgi...: "With so many different symptoms, it’s no surprise that fibromyalgia and CFS patients are typically taking 6–12 different prescription dr..."

Father Can You hear me by New Life God inspired Praise Dancers

Sandra Clayton - Kansas fine art prints at Imagekind.com

Sandra Clayton - Kansas fine art prints at Imagekind.com

Come see my original photos from the beautiful Flint Hills area of Kansas. These are available in various sizes, papers, printed on canvas, framed or unframed. Great gifts for yourself and/or a friend!

Old Stone School House by Sandra Clayton in Kansas on Sandra Clayton's Art and Photography

Old Stone School House by Sandra Clayton in Kansas on Sandra Clayton's Art and Photography

Beautiful, original photograph for sale - available in various sizes, prices, framed or unframed. Come see! A beautiful gift for yourself or another.

Man's T-Shirt/Grandson and Grandpa from Zazzle.com

Man's T-Shirt/Grandson and Grandpa from Zazzle.com

Original photo of grandson and grandfather's hands on the check board .......

Poster/"Grandson and Grandpa" from Zazzle.com

Poster/"Grandson and Grandpa" from Zazzle.com

Beautiful, original photo of grandson and grandpa hands on the checker board ... available in various poster sizes and papers, framed or unframed. Photo is also available on greeting cards, stickers, postcards, t-shirts, etc. Come in and see!

French Lorraine Village Posters from Zazzle.com

French Lorraine Village Posters from Zazzle.com

Memorable Meals

In one of my pastor-husband's sermons he mentioned "memorable meals" we've shared in various countries. "Various countries" because, though we've relocated back to the states, we lived about sixteen years in France as missionaries.  During those years we were fortunate to have had contacts with people of many nationalities in France, as well as by traveling to other countries from France.  

In his sermon my husband was pointing out the closeness  between people when they sit down together at the table for a meal.  Food is shared.  More importantly, communication is shared.  People tend to relax and get to know each other around the table.

We found this to be true wherever we went.  Accepting an invitation to sit at the table and share a meal with someone, no matter how simple or how luxurious the meal, was often the key to communication between us - to understanding, to becoming friends.  Many barriers were done away with, in our travels, when we agreed to sit down at the table with strangers, as well as friends.

If we accepted their invitation, sat at their table and ate their food (or invited someone to our table), then they were more apt to believe we were truly interested in getting to know them. They believed we really did care.  And we did.

What did we eat, you might ask?  Does it really matter?  Is it not the fact that we DID eat that matters?  We happily sat at the poorest of tables, as well as at a few of the wealthier tables, sharing not only the food but, even more, their lives...their hopes, dreams, sorrows, joys.

"Yes, yes", you say impatiently, "but what did you eat?"

"So much", I will answer, "and so little".

French cooks, for the most part, live up to their reputation.  From the five-to-six-course Sunday afternoon dinners to the afternoon cups of tea and coffee and slices of "gateaux" (cakes).  Delicious. How nice it was to enjoy some of their meals.

We were fortunate, too, to have had contacts with many of the immigrants in France - and delighted to get acquainted over their different ethnic foods.

Kimchi and gingsing tea with our Korean friends ... couscous and mint tea at our Algerian, Moroccon and Tunisian friends' apartments (with slight variations from each country).  Tiny, sweetened cream cheese dumplings with Polish friends ... coffee and kougelhopf  and madeleines with French friends ... parsley, lemon and couscous salad at a Lebanese friend's.  Diversity, for sure!

During the worst drought ever in Mali, Africa (at that time, anyway), when food was so scarce people were dying by the multitudes every day, we sat on the sand floor of a small hut.  Forming balls of hot rice with our fingers, out of a large common bowl, we dipped the rice balls into the other communal bowl of hot sauce.  We didn't want to eat what little food they had.  They insisted.  We did eat.  They were sharing not only their bit of food with strangers, but their lives.  Their culture.  We made new friends.  We communicated.

Right after the Romanian revolution we sat at a poor farmer's table, humbly and gratefully swallowing the cabbage soup and cabbage rolls (which were delicious).  The family stood around the table watching silently as we ate (their custom).  We were the well-fed westerners eating at the table of the almost-starved. They were so proud to have us at their table. We could not refuse.  We ate.  And our bodies, our souls, were filled with much more than cabbage soup.

Such meals are etched in our minds forever; and the people in our hearts.

Now, back in America, we see many changes in family life and meals.  Much of American "table life", we've seen, consists of restaurants and fast-food places.  Too many of us live life at such a fast pace that we've lost the importance of  "memorable meals", of shared tables ... the importance to our children, to ourselves, to extended family, to friends and to foreign visitors.  Might this not be a factor in so many youth being lost to gangs, drugs, other crimes?  Could the loss of much of their family togetherness - sitting down together at the table and eating a real meal together, sharing their lives with each other - could this be, perhaps, a huge factor in our children heading in wrong directions?  All kids deserve good memories of some home-cooked meals and sitting around the table with their families, eating and talking - communicating with each other.  Loving each other.

 I don't need to travel far to find someone, besides my own family,  to share meals with at our table.  I just need to take the time to do so.  To reach out. To want to get to know someone more intimately...to make a new friend.

As a Christian, what better way to share the Gospel of Christ, to show His love for everyone, then by inviting someone to sit at my table and share our food?  When someone sees that I am honestly wanting to get to know him or her, to listen, to show interest - then that person is more apt to listen to me; to hear about and discuss the Gospel.

So ... there are many reasons for sharing meals.  For me to accept to eat with another.  For me to invite another to sit at our table, whether I can serve a full-course meal or simply a cup of water and a shiny apple, I store up many "memorable meal" memories.  I get to know someone else; and someone else comes to know me better.  I show the love of God by sharing.

Romans 12:13 (the Bible) tells us:

"Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."

And, in I Peter 4:9 (the Bible) we see:

  "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."

We don't need to be wealthy to do this.  As it says in Proverbs 15:17 (the Bible):

"Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fatted calf with hatred."

Want to make some memorable meals?



 

You Love Me Anyway - Sidewalk Prophets

Off the Roller-Coaster and Under His Wings

Several years ago I told myself I would never again say, "It couldn't happen to us" and, "It couldn't get worse" ... because it did happen to us and it did get worse.  We were missionaries at the time; and missionary families are not immune to sorrows.

I've come through the shock, the anger, the "what-did-we-do-to-cause-this?" questions, the forgiveness, the "where-have-you-been-God-and-why-did-You-let-this-happen?" questions.  I've come through them, though not entirely unscathed.  There is still a lingering low-lying sadness that can be controlled, that doesn't take over every day - but still there, nonetheless.  There is a loss of energy that can be, I think, attributed to sorrow and adversity (among the other usual reasons).  God can certainly bring good out of painful situations, but life is never the same afterwards.

We continue to cope with family stresses.  Sometimes I feel as if I am on that old roller coaster.  Up. Down. Around the bend. Hang on! It's getting worse.  Look out! We're going down fast! But I don't want to hang on.  I just want off.  Enough.  I want to make all unpleasantness go away.  I want to fix it.  Can't I fix it, God?  How long do I have to stay on this wild ride?  And why?  Why can't everything be like it is "supposed" to be?  Why can't we all be perfect ... and happy ...and kind ...and loving?  Why can't You just intervene, God, and make this happen?

When I read in Psalms I SO understand David.  In Psalm 142, my study notes tell me, David was in a cave praying for deliverance from his enemies.  He'd had enough.  He wanted off of HIS roller coaster.  He was tired.  He was sad.  He didn't want to hang on - he just wanted to let go of it all and have some peace, some rest.

"I pour out my complaint before him: before him I tell my trouble" - Psalm 142:2 NIV

"Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need" - Psalm 142:6 NIV

David yelled "HELP"!  He was tired of trying to avoid his enemies. That took up a lot of energy.  He was full of fear.  Maybe he, too, had learned to never again say  "it couldn't happen to me" or "it couldn't get worse".

"Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need" ... "help me, please!"

I often pray the same things when adversity strikes.  Just when I'm thinking I can let down my guard and relax, when I'm feeling as if maybe God heard my cry after all - WHAM! Something new happens.  But all I want is rest, and peace and to be free of the fears that arise with adversity and sorrow.  I don't want to learn any lessons.  I don't want to know the "whys" of it all.  I just want out of it.  Like David.

A good many years ago, when we still lived in France, I experienced one of those "it-couldn't-get-worse-but-it-did" moments.  I'd had surgery on my nose for what had been thought was a minor problem, a perforated septum. During the surgery the doctor decided it was worse than he'd thought, and ordered a biopsy done.  Later, I left my hospital room to go down to his  office for the biopsy results.  In France the doctors will rarely (at least back then) tell you that you have "cancer", if you do.  Their theory is that patients do not want to hear it, so they will beat all around the bush to explain the problem rather than use, "the" word.

My doctor was no different.  He stared at the ceiling as he told me he had the results back.  My heart pounded and fear rose quickly as I awaited the verdict.  He continued to stare at the ceiling, in silence (really!).  I feared hearing the results but desperately needed to hear them.  Finally, I grasped one of his arms and I used "the" word:  "Is it cancer?"  He nodded and said, "yes".  Wow.  Talk about sorrow, pain, adversity.  And fear.  Shock.

I was allowed to go home for the week-end, but was to check into a larger cancer hospital, in another city, on Sunday evening.  I asked myself some of the same questions then, as I have asked myself at times during the past few years because of family crises. I cried out to God, as David did.  "Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need."  I wanted to "fix" the situation - I wanted off of that roller coaster ride, as it was way too dangerous.  I wanted to forget it all and rest.  I didn't want any more sadness.  Enough already!

I had allowed the fear to so burden me down that I'd lost sight of what our then-sixteen-year-old daughter had seen, in spite of her own fears about her Mom - that the only way "out" was through prayer.  The only way out of the the fear, if not the cancer itself, was through crying out to God, through resting in Him, through trusting Him to handle it. 

Our daughter had written Psalm 34:4 on a small yellow piece of paper (it's still taped into the front of one of my Bibles) and taped it to the top of the tissue box I'd packed for the hospital.

"I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears" (NIV).

I once again saw God's response to prayer (why do I ever forget?), as I read that verse on my hospital bed at two in the morning.  I was terrified.  And alone.  And God came through, as He always does.  Instantly.  It was one of the few times in my life that I could honestly say God has instantly responded to my prayer.  He just took that fear away.  It was as if He'd literally lifted a huge boulder off of my chest.  I called my husband and told him.  Whether I had cancer, or not, I could cope - since the debilitating, suffocating fear was gone.  Just gone. (By the way, after all the tests, scans and three biopsies were done, the doctors were puzzled, finally deciding I must have been given a wrong diagnosis - with one doctor not ruling out "miracle".)

God brought me through that fearful, stressful time.  He can still do the same for me and my family now.  We can all, with God's help, learn and grow stronger from the sorrows and painful situations we may go through.  God can, and does, bring good out of some pretty bad things.


"If the murder of the perfect Son of God can be explained, how much more can we trust that God is accomplishing His purposes through the adversity we face every day?"  (Charles Stanley, "Victory Over Life's Challenges", 199, Part II, 'How to Handle Adversity', p. 207.)

I don't welcome adversity.  Let's be honest here.  I would definitely like to flee from it when it appears.  However, as we just read from Charles Stanley, I need to trust that God is still in charge, the He is accomplishing His purposes, even if I don't understand His methods.  Even if it hurts.  Even if it's
tiring.  Even if it's sad.

I need to be still, and know that God "is" (Psalm 46:10).  All my stresses, sorrows, angers need to be bundled up and handed over to Him.  That's the way I can build my energy level back up.  That's the way I can not only forgive, but continue loving and helping.  That's the way I stop worrying, stop trying to fix it all myself.

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone:  my hope comes from him" (Psalm 62:5  NIV).

Only in God will I find rest from adversity.  I can let go and trust Him to work it out, according to His plans.

Psalm 91:4(a) NIV is such a beautiful picture of finding peace and rest from the trial and adversities of our lives:  "He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge ...".

I am SO ready to snuggle under those wings and be safely covered by those soft, protective feathers.

Care to join me?

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

He Waits

"Come to Me",
my Savior said,
"and I will give you rest."

And, yet, I linger.
Tired, worn-out,
rarely at my best.

"Come to Me,"
my Jesus said,
lay down your weary head.

"But I'm too busy,"
I say to Him,
and struggle on instead.

"Come to Me,"
my Redeemer said,
"you will find release."

Then, "yes, my Lord,"
I say to Him,
and find rest, joy and peace."

                -Sandra (Mers) Clayton-



(This was first published in the Christian magazine, "To His Glory" , Spring Issue, 2005)

President Day Sale!

Everyone loves a sale ... come check this one out.  :)

President's Day Sale at my online store, zazzle.com/samecla*, 20% off of hats, posters and t-shirts

Original designs and photos used to make up many different products: t-shirts, hats, posters, shoes, skateboards, magnets, bumper stickers, stickers, aprons, binders, phone cases, etc.

When you need a gift, try me out.  Quick and easy ordering; product is mailed directly to you.  Guaranteed returns if not satisfied.

Sit back. Browse. Choose. Pay. Wait for your gift to arrive at your door.  Couldn't be easier. Try it!

T-Shirt/Bible Verse from Zazzle.com

T-Shirt/Bible Verse from Zazzle.com

T-Shirt, for men or women, with Bible verse: Mark 10:45 - "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve". On the back is space for YOUR church name and/or group (youth group, choir, womens' group, etc.)

T-Shirt is available in several styles, colors, materials and prices.

Come take a look.

Greeting Card/Thank You from Zazzle.com

Greeting Card/Thank You from Zazzle.com

Beautiful mountain scene on front, with Bible verse: Mark 10:45 ... "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve". Inside: blue background and the words: "Thank you for following His example."

Faith

In the middle
of the darkness,
in the middle
of despair,
I cling to the knowledge
that God is still there.

When the fires
fall upon me,
when the waters
race and flood,
God keeps me from burning,
He pulls me from the mud.

His strong arms,
they hold me,
and He does not
let me go.
In the middle of life's sadness,
He allows my faith to grow.

-Sandra Clayton-

Parents And Prodigals

I am sad for you
so sad for you
you run and hide
yourself from whom?
we made you from our love
our very selves became you
and we know you more
much more than
you think we do

though you wound us
with words and care not
that we bleed
we open our arms
to you and your need

are you in sin?
are you afraid?
do you attempt to hide
yourself from you?
do you hear God?
do you know that He's there?
with His arms open wide
your burdens to share?

the tears that He sheds
mingle with ours
to form a dark river
of unending sorrows
yet He extends forever to you
a bridge of forgiveness
your life to renew

that bridge
is sturdy
and strong
and sure
the way back to Him
the way to the cure

-Sandra Clayton-

The Valentine Supper

Our Valentine Day supper table

Though Valentine's Day has come and gone, I hope everyone continues handing out the love.  I love cooking and decorating; hence, our Valentine Day supper table.  Simple, but pretty.  Hubby and grandson both seemed to appreciate the effort.  I enjoyed doing it.  Doing the simplest of things for those you love brings a warmth within your own heart.  They love it. You love it.  Another of those "win, win" situations.  :)

Though Grandson, Christian, received a "bought" gift (a Hex Bug), his Papou (my husband, John) received a baked gift.  A heart-shaped banana cake. Of course, Papou had to share it with us, too; but he didn't seem to mind. Besides the pretty rose-bud corsage my husband bought me, he also gave me a reproduction tin sign.  Okay, I know some of you may not understand  a tin sign as a Valentine's Day gift.  However, I like "rustic, old, antique, unusual".  I also like "new" mixed with "old", though I sometimes have to argue with my husband about that.  So I love the sign, which advertises "cream separators" and shows the various kinds of cows that make the cream! The only problem is where to put it - this house doesn't have much space for wall-hanging, and what there is is pretty much taken up.  I did, though, manage to hang it today - I switched it with something else, and moved the "something else" (grandson's framed pastel tennis shoe he did in art class) to a space on the living room wall.  It works. Both tin sign and pastel shoe look happy.  I am happy, too.

My tin sign Valentine gift

Grandson, Christian's, pastel tennis shoes

 

 

 

 

Now ... if you have a Valentine supper, it stands to reason that you must have some Valentine Supper food.  Since I love cooking, we had food.  :)  Our menu: green salad with homemade ranch dressing ... fish baked in a cream sauce ... a mixture of rice,cabbage,onions,dried cranberries and pecans ...homemade biscuits with homemade apple butter ... banana cake and peach herbal tea. Have to say it was good.

My spur-of-the-moment recipe

The rice and cabbage mixture was one of those spur-of-the-moment recipes. You know, look and see what you've got and put it together to see what it comes out to be.  Well, it turned out to "be" SO good.  Really.  Try it, you'll see.  It's a "save and do it again" recipe - sometimes I can't "save" a made-up recipe because I don't remember what I put in it, if I don't write it down.  This one, though, I will remember without writing down.  It's quite easy to do and to remember. I'll just tell you what I put in it ... maybe someone of you has already used the same ingredients to do the same thing!

Sandy's Spur of the Moment Rice and Cabbage ..... I used red and green cabbage, since I had a half a head of each ....I heated a little olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet, dropped in about a half an onion, chopped, used a paring knife to cut the cabbage into shreds into the skillet, added a little salt and black pepper, to taste, along with a lot more garlic powder (love it!) - stir-fried it all a few minutes, then threw in a handful or so of dried cranberries and chopped pecans.  Stir-fried another couple of minutes, then added the cooked rice (left over from another meal), maybe two cups, stirring some more to mix in the rice and let it get good and hot.  That's it.  Simple. Fairly quick. And really good.

The "Love You" gift cake

I hesitate to put up a photo of the dessert/gift banana cake.  Well ... why not!?  The cake was good; the decorative writing was not.  I'm a novice at writing on cakes, but had bought one of those frosting cans with the decorating tips on them to use; so I gave it a try.  Can't say I love the taste of that frosting either.  Ick!  But ... you can at least make out the words, right??????   Hubby loved it; that's what counts.

Until NEXT Valentine's Day ...................................................................................................................

Original Print

French Cafe by Sandra Clayton

Urban Angel | Sandra Clayton

Urban Angel | Sandra Clayton


Need a gift? Come see some of my art and photographs ... you might find something that grabs your attention. Give an ORIGINAL - something no one else has. Available framed or unframed, in various sizes and prices.

Baby Onesie/Heart from Zazzle.com

Baby Onesie/Heart from Zazzle.com

Do you know of a sweet little one who would look so cute in this? Take a peek and see it. Cute, colorful hearts design, with both French and English: "Je t'aime" and "I love it". A great gift!

Mama Michelle

Mama Michelle

Michelle Obama's meddling in my food business is causing me to fume ...

T-Shirt Femme/St. Valentin de Zazzle.fr

T-Shirt Femme/St. Valentin de Zazzle.fr

Pretty woman's t-shirt/joli t-shirt femme ... with both French and English/avec francais et anglais ... "Je t'aime" et/and "I love you". Cute designs of colorful heart and fun African-American angels/dessins d'un joli coeur et des anges africain-americains

Carte Postal/St. Valentine Cartes Postales de Zazzle.fr

Carte Postal/St. Valentine Cartes Postales de Zazzle.fr

Post card/carte postale ... St. Valentin/Valentine's Day ... with both French and English: "Je t'aime" et/and "I love you"

Une carte de St. Valentine/Valentine Card de Zazzle.fr

Une carte de St. Valentine/Valentine Card de Zazzle.fr

Valentine card, with a colorful heart on the front and on the inside: "Je t'aime. I love you."

Hwlp............

Oh, I need help on here.  I spend hours trying to figure the technological things out ... like, how to make the "Feedjit" thing smaller ... or anything smaller, for that matter!  How to shorten the "labels" column???  How to make my blog look as good as so many others that I see!  And.........how do you get people to leave a comment, anyway?????

Help?  :)

Still In Love

Still In Love

Greeting Card/Valentine from Zazzle.com

Greeting Card/Valentine from Zazzle.com

A sweet Valentine.....on front: original photo of a "praying" praying mantis, sitting on a pink zinnia ... inside the words: "You are the answer to my prayers. I love you."

Get one for YOUR special one!

Card/Valentine from Zazzle.com

Card/Valentine from Zazzle.com

A pretty Valentine for your Valentine!

Tasse de voyage/Coeur de Zazzle.fr

Tasse de voyage/Coeur de Zazzle.fr

Travel Mug with original heart design and the Scripture verse: Proverbs 23:12 - "Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge."

Mug/Heart from Zazzle.com

Mug/Heart from Zazzle.com

Pretty ceramic mug with colorful heart design and the Scripture verse: Proverbs 23:12: "Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge."

A pretty gift for a friend, child, grandchild - or yourself!

Button/Heart from Zazzle.com

Button/Heart from Zazzle.com

Pretty digital-design heart with Proverbs 23:12: "Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge."

Need a little gift for Valentine's Day....for your Sunday School class , child, grandchild, a friend?

California high school forbids Christian pavers - Bible messages prohibited

"Brains and Hearts"

The "Wichita Eagle" newspaper has a "call-in" section on the op-ed page.  This one, on Tuesday, January 18th, prompted me to write.

The call:

"Can you imagine any previous Republican president with the knowledge, sympathy and intelligence to deliver a message like President Obama gave in Tucson?"

My response is:

Yes.  I can imagine ANY previous Republican President OR Democratic President with the knowledge, intelligence and, yes, the sympathy to deliver a message "like" President Obama gave in Tucson ... perhaps an even better message.

Contrary to what some people seem to think, President Obama does not "have the edge" on any other President when it comes to knowledge, sympathy and intelligence. He is not the only President we've ever had with a brain and a heart.

What a ridiculous statement.  Purely my opinion, of course.  That's not to say that all of our Presidents have not been unique - they each have had their own ways of using their knowledge, intelligence ... their sympathies.  Yet, I am always rather appalled at such statements as this caller made.

I mean, think about it.  No one becomes President without something in their brains.  They've had to have had SOME intelligence to get to the place they were in.  Sympathy, too.  With few exceptions, if any, past Presidents have shown great love and sympathy in the midst of crisis...whether out of honest emotion or for political gain.  Probably a little of both in most cases.

We may disagree with each other's politics - but surely we know that you don't become the President without that brain and heart.

Even a Republican.

Greeting Card/Valentine from Zazzle.com

Greeting Card/Valentine from Zazzle.com

Valentine, Christian: Proverbs 17:22(a) "A merry heart does good ..."

Child's Organic T-Shirt from Zazzle.com

Child's Organic T-Shirt from Zazzle.com

Cute kids' organic cotton t-shirt ... "Friends" ... original drawings and bright colors!

Button/Valentine from Zazzle.com

Button/Valentine from Zazzle.com

Valentine -tree photo on pin-on button, with words: JESUS LOVES ME AND YOU ... great for a friend, your kids, you, Sunday School kids, church members, etc.

Girls' T-Shirt from Zazzle.com

Girls' T-Shirt from Zazzle.com

Cute girl's t-shirt for Valentine's Day - Valentine "tree", with the words: JESUS LOVES ME.

Necklace from Zazzle.com

Necklace from Zazzle.com

A sweet Valentine gift: sterling silver necklace pendant with sterling silver chain (available in round or square pendant) ... photo-design of valentines on a table with flowers in a vace, and the words: "I am loved."

IPhone 4 case from Zazzle.com

IPhone 4 case from Zazzle.com

IPhone 4 case - original design - photo of windmill in rural field

IPhone 4 Case | Zazzle.co.uk

IPhone 4 Case | Zazzle.co.uk

Unique IPhone 4 case ... original photo of rural Kansas, USA - windmill in a field, and the words: KANSAS - USA

IPhone Case | Zazzle.co.uk

IPhone Case | Zazzle.co.uk

Original photo design: ends of stacked-up firewood

overblog

           
           
           
               
           
           

Special gifts for special people! Come see ...

Shopping....................

a

Lady's T-Shirt/Valentine from Zazzle.com

Lady's T-Shirt/Valentine from Zazzle.com

Come see the Valentine t-shirt for women ... "Hugs and kisses..." . Original. Unique. One-of-a-kind design. Special. Pretty.

Valentine Card from Zazzle.com

Valentine Card from Zazzle.com

Valentine's Day is approaching ... send out this unique Valentine Tree card - a one-of-a-kind!

Valentine card from Zazzle.com

Valentine card from Zazzle.com

A pretty Valentine for your Valentine! Pinks and reds, florals, on front with the word: You..., and on inside, pink with the words: "are my Valentine." Come check it out - you'll need a Valentine SOON. :)

Apron. from Zazzle.com

Apron. from Zazzle.com

Valentine apron - "Cooking up some love" - get one and cook up some love for YOUR Valentine!

Baby onesie shirts from Zazzle.com

Baby onesie shirts from Zazzle.com

....with Valentine designs - check them out - cute!

Valentine Card / Love Bugs from Zazzle.com

Valentine Card / Love Bugs from Zazzle.com

Almost time for Valentine cards - here's a cute one. Come check it out..............

"Don't Mention It - Do Mention It"

Sandra Carol Mers Clayton

Comments  on the speeches today at the Tucson Memorial for the shooting victims.

Necklace/Friends from Zazzle.com

Necklace/Friends from Zazzle.com

Great gift for dear friends: sterling silver necklace ... original art - two Haitian women - and the words: "friends" printed around the image several times

Greeting Card/New Year 2011 from Zazzle.com

Greeting Card/New Year 2011 from Zazzle.com

A charming original angel drawing, on yellow background, and the words: "Have a heavenly New Year 2011"

Women's Long Sleeved T-Shirt/New Year 2011 from Zazzle.com

Women's Long Sleeved T-Shirt/New Year 2011 from Zazzle.com

Celebrate the New Year with a pretty pink t-shirt (available in other colors and styles) ... a charming original angel drawing on the front and the words: "Have a heavenly New Year 2011".

Afternoon With A Granddaughter

Middle of the afternoon ... sitting in the local Braum's on a rainy day in Kansas, writing. With nine-year-old granddaughter, Juliette.  She is coloring a sheet of various angels I have drawn and made copies of. 

We came for lunch; girls' day out.  Used my Braum's gift-card Christmas gift for the first time.  Juliette's two brothers went back to Kansas City for the week with their Mom.  We'll meet halfway in a couple of days to return Juliette.  I'll miss her.  She's my little co-artist.  We've been "doing art" since she's been here.  And staying up late, in front of the t.v. and the wood-burning stove (while "doing" the art).

Grandpa leaves it to us.  He's not a stay-up-late-in-front-of-the-t.v.-and-stove person.  He's more the get-up-early-and-let-us-sleep-late kind of person.  And doesn't complain about it. Granddaughter and wife are grateful.

Juliette lives in Kansas City, Missouri - about three and a half hours from us, so we don't get together all that often.  My husband is a pastor and must be here on week-ends; but week-ends are when she and her family are free.  However, she and her brothers are the grandkids (we have eight of them) we see most often.  The others are spread around:  one granddaughter lives in California, two granddaughters and two grandsons (all siblings) are near Chicago.  Bummer!  Our four children are in California, Colorado, Missouri and Illinois.  How great would it be to live close to your kids and grandkids?!  Guess it depends on whether you like 'em or not (we like ours)! ha

Getting noisy in here.  When we first came in there were only two others, but now it's a little after four and more and more are drifting in.  A couple of tables are filled with afternoon "coffee-and-conversation" people.

Probably should be leaving.  Need to get to the grocery store.  We are in desperate need of some GREEN "stuff" ... lettuce, greens, green beans, etc.  Too many Christmas goodies and not enough of the "green stuff".  After the grocery store we'll swing by the library.  Juliette wanted to make sure she still has a "working" library card here in Nonny and Papou's little town  (she does).

Then, home.

It's been a pleasant little afternoon with Juliette. Wish we could do it more often.  Well, SOMEtimes is better than NO times.  Right?

Barbed Wire Beauty

Barbed Wire Beauty

Come in and visit my online photo/art store ....... original photography and art, available as prints, cards, t-shirts, etc.

Beautiful music ................

Sandra Carol Mers Clayton likes

Lynda Randle Official Page

Create your Like Badge

Online French Boutique - sandrakansas

His Name Is Jesus Christmas products Postcard from Zazzle.com

His Name Is Jesus Christmas products Postcard from Zazzle.com

Mug/Stein - Winter from Zazzle.com

Mug/Stein - Winter from Zazzle.com

His Name Is Jesus Christmas products Cards from Zazzle.com

His Name Is Jesus Christmas products Cards from Zazzle.com

His Name Is Jesus Christmas products Round Stickers from Zazzle.com

His Name Is Jesus Christmas products Round Stickers from Zazzle.com

Christmas Card/JESUS from Zazzle.com

Christmas Card/JESUS from Zazzle.com

Beautiful, original art Christmas card

http://rlv.zcache.com/christmas_card_joy_angels-p1http://rlv.zcache.com/christmas_card_joy_angels-p1http:

Our Veterans.........

Our Veterans.........

Freedom Isn't Free - Veterans Day 2010

Rainbows Over Suffering

Oh, goodness!  I'm thinking of rainbows right now.  Lord, give me a rainbow!  Lord, give my friends rainbows, in the midst of their storms!  Oh, God, show them - show us all - a symbol of Your presence here in the middle of all the sadness so many are facing.  Right now. This very moment. Cover their sufferings with the encouragement of a rainbow - the promise from You that their lives will get better, whether you remove the suffering or not.

"By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion."  (the Bible / Psalm 137:1 / NIV)

David, of the Psalms, wrote this ... though for a different reason, I, too, am "sitting by the rivers of Babylon, weeping and remembering".  Weeping for friends who are sad, frightened and suffering at the moment: cancer, death,  waiting a diagnosis, etc.  Praying that God will heal, will comfort.  Praying that He will, indeed, stretch that rainbow over each of their lives, as well as over the lives of their friends and families who are right there for them. I sit by the waters of Babylon and wish there was no suffering. For them.  For me.

I've been reading a book by Philip Yancey,Prayer, Does It Make Any Difference?, reading today from chapter 15, "The Sound Of Silence".

"At that moment I needed prayer as much as I needed air
      to draw my breath or oxygen to fill my blood ....
A void was behind me.  And in front a wall, a wall of darkness."
                                                              -Georges Bernanos-

That's about how I feel right now; my friends, who are in the midst of their suffering, even more so.  Prayers have been going up, right and left, from so many, from so many countries .. yet, we see that some of those prayers will not be answered as we wished them to be. One friend's breast cancer will STAY breast cancer. Why, God?  A young couple's child may, right at this moment, be dying.  Is THAT an answer to ALL THOSE PRAYERS, God?????  The parents are feeling strongly that "void" behind them - and that "wall of darkness" in front of them.  They SO need to see that rainbow.  Oh, God, please paint it over their heads right now at this very moment. Pierce that wall of darkness with the peaceful beauty of the rainbow.  Let them feel Your presence with them, even as their hearts are breaking - REALLY feel Your presence!

"God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therfore we will not fear,
though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into
the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake
with their surging."   (the Bible / Psalm 46:1-3 /NIV)

We DO, of course, fear; we DO experience the pain and sadness of suffering.  You DO understand that, God.  After all, You created us - with our human feelings and emotions.  David felt those same fears, pains, sufferings. Yet, he also knew You were there - even when he was feeling the doubts; beneath it all he KNEW You were there for him.  I'm praying right now that, even if I am angry, sad, not understanding about the WHY of the things happening to my friends that I, too, as well as my suffering friends, will also remember, as did David, that You ARE there for us.  You DO understand.  You stand ready with Your arms wide open to receive us, to comfort us as we struggle through the "roaring and foaming"  waters; as we dodge those cracks in the earth and the falling mountains.  Show them the rainbow, God!  Let them see again the promise that You are with them, that You do understand their pain and heartache.

In his book, Philip Yancey speaks of how we often want those "happy endings".  Oh, do we ever!  A grief pastor of a church in Colorado is quoted:  "Evangelicals tend to want to get to the happy ending.  Sometimes there is no happy ending, and we're simply suspended in grief.  When I'm with suffering people, I feel like a deep-sea diver accompanying them into the depths.  Come up too fast, and you'll dangerously decompress.  We need to stay with the grief for a while, feel it, let it out.  Maybe we can see things through tears that we can't see dry-eyed."

Yancey adds:  "Not only does God tolerate complaint in our prayers, the Scriptures fill in the words for us.  Eugene Peterson calculates that two-thirds of the psalms qualify as laments.  The Bible does not rush to a happy ending."

There are happy endings.  And there are not.  I am praying for the happy endings.  I will not completely understand  WHY, if there are not happy endings.  When I am too sad or angry or whatever to continue praying for the happy endings, I will rely on the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit, to "fill in the words for me".  I will make the clear decision to "stay" with God; to turn, once again, into His waiting arms for comfort.  To put the burden of not understanding/agreeing with how God chooses to handle my prayers into His hands.

God, show me the rainbow over all the suffering.  Most importantly of all, Lord, make that rainbow bright and shiny and beautiful over the hearts of my friends who are in the midst of the suffering.  Let them see it as the promise that You ARE with them; You ARE with their loved ones; You DO understand and feel their suffering - the promise that You will never leave them alone in their storms.

Stickers / "Angel Joy" from Zazzle.com

Stickers / "Angel Joy" from Zazzle.com

Original digital drawing of African-American angels on round stickes. Get some!

Look for a personalized gift at Zazzle.

Look for a personalized gift at Zazzle.

Mug / Happy Pumpkin from Zazzle.com

Mug / Happy Pumpkin from Zazzle.com

Need a cute gift? Come see the "Happy Pumpkin" mug - white ceramic, trimmed in yellow, with a fun original digital drawing of a happy pumpkin! Very colorful. Great for autumn, Halloween, Thanksgiving ...............ships the next day after your order; money-back guarantee.

Happy Pumpkin Postcard from Zazzle.com

Happy Pumpkin Postcard from Zazzle.com

Bag/Pumpkin from Zazzle.com

Bag/Pumpkin from Zazzle.com

Come see the "Happy Pumpkin" tote bag - cotton canvas ... great for shopping, trick-or-treating, or carrying just about anything that fits in it. :) Fun for Autumn, Halloween, Thanksgiving. Ships right away - money-back guarantee. For yourself, your kids, a friend .............?????????

Happy Pumpkin Stickers from Zazzle.com

Happy Pumpkin Stickers from Zazzle.com

Really cute, original happy pumpkin stickers! Twenty to a sheet ... fun for Halloween, Autumn, Thanksgiving...ships the day after you order.

http://muzy.com/profile/ArtsyGrandma

http://muzy.com/profile/ArtsyGrandma

Have you seen "Muzy" on Facebook?  It's  fun site for artists and photos ... come see what I've posted so far!  :)

Teenagers and Pregnancy

Teenagers and Pregnancy

Chuck Colson says parents and sex-educators are afraid to say the truth: that sex outside of marriage is WRONG. Period. God says so. He says its wrong for any number of reasons; but NOT because He wants to deprive us or our kids of fun and pleasure. On the contrary, He wants all of us to know the peaceful-no-guilt-feelings of love and pleasure that comes with enjoying sex in the right way: inside of marriage, between a husband and wife. The years of throwing out God's laws on sexual behavior have not resulted in less teen pregnancies, or less sexually transmitted diseases, or less abortions. It DOES seem to have resulted in girls/women once again, too often, being regarded as purely sexual satisfaction for the boys/men. Where are the feminists yelling against this???? God's moral laws don't seem so bad, after all, huh?

Facebook | ACT! for America

Facebook | ACT! for America

Check this site out if you'd like to keep up on the radical Islamic actions ... and we'd better be keeping up with it, or we are going to be doing a lot of regretting!