Turtle Tuesday: On A Limb

Meet B, the crystal turtle. She is hanging out on the family tree. Her mission is to reflect light in season and out of season. Today she shares a couple of verses the Lord has 'highlighted' for her.

"Arise, shine, for your light has come,and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples,but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.
Isa 60:1-2

B the branch you were created to b. Color His world.

B His Girl

Turtle Tuesday: B and Friends

B His Girl

Turtle Tuesday: Stuffed with Love

Meet B, the Pocket Turtle.

Her message is very simple today.

God Cares.

He cares about EVERYTHING in your life. There is nothing too big or small for Him to handle.

Tuck a prayer in your pocket today. Mark it with love. He cares for you!
B His Girl

Turtle Tuesday: Meet Him At the Table

B, the turtle table is stretched out today. Her thoughts are set on feasting at the Lord's table. His goodness is MORE than she can contain. Her cups overflows. Check out the watermark the Lord has left on B.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. PS 23:5-6

The Lord has marked our place at His table with love. Taste and see that the Lord is good.

B His Girl

PS sorry for b'ing a day late.

Turtle Tuesday: Tea for Two

Months ago I received these two cute turtles in the mail. I decided to save them until I met the bloggy friend who sent them.

Meet Tiffany, the tea light turtle. God has connected her to B in a beautiful way. We share the same light source. I was so excited to meet her in person at the Blogger's Retreat in FL a couple of weeks ago.


She is everything you might imagine if you read her blog. Creative, actually VERY creative, fun, sweet, and she glows! Tiffany, the tea light turtle and B have some thoughts about doing some things in ministry together. I believe God had that in mind when this pair of turtles were made.


Thank you God for connecting us. B His Girl

Turtle Tuesday: Out of the Box!!!!!!

Last Tuesday, the Lord gave B, the turtle girl this message.

COLOR MY WORLD.

My friend B, the artist aka Betty Shoopman also received the same message apart from me and recorded it in her journal. God has the BB's on the same page. We are supposed to color together: ) Today on Turtle Tuesday Betty shares her sketch of what God has called the BB's to do in the world.

See the before and after pictures below.

You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. 15 If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. 16 Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand — shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Matt 5:14-16

Where in the world do you need to break open the box and color?
B His Girl

Turtle Tuesday: SeeSaw Faith

Meet B, the 'see' turtle.
She is not sure what she sees right now. There are some weeds in her way. B is off to speak this morning . She thinks God is going to show her something to report on later.
Isn't B looking like she is from 'Serious/sirius' today!
I'll b back.

B His Girl

I'm back from my adventure this morning. To b perfectly honest with you, I am hesitant to report on what I saw today. It's just a little too much. I'm overwhelmed. He did show me something as I expected and He also reminded me of His incredible sense of humor. Any guesses on what I saw today?
B, the 'see' turtle... saw a turtle crossing the road on the way to her speaking engagement. To see a turtle on a Tuesday is special when you're a turtle girl. You know it was ordered in your path. This is not the first time this has happened to B. I think the Lord was poking me this morning. B was looking all serious, as she prepared to speak and the Lord wanted B to smile. The heaviness the enemy tries to throw on B every single day fell as she understood the Lord's humor.

B, the 'see' turtle knows the journey she is on is ordered, even though at times all she sees is weeds. B encouraged today even if you can't see a thing. He's there. Remember Moses and his journey reported in Hebrews 11. He persevered because he saw him who is invisible. Keep the faith. It will b rewarded.

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,And He delights in his way.
Ps 37:23

B His Girl

Turtle Tuesday: How Great Thou Art

B, the clay turtle dishes up a word for all who want to serve the Lord and not man.

Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing. 2 Tim 2:21

You are shaped for His purpose. Let the Lord use you today.

B His Girl

Turtle Tuesdays: MORE THAN YOU CAN SEE

You were probably expecting to see B, the turtle today. Unfortunately B's main computer is with the geek squad for the next 3 to 5 days . I had not planned to post today because I did not have any pictures on this old computer for Turtle Tuesday. But God had a plan for B. He always does. I LOVE this about the Lord. He knew my dilemma. He had a picture for me. This is the what I saw this morning as I drove Justin to school.

A rainbow and a real turtle crossing the road.

I knew in my heart the message for all of us on Turtle Tuesday.

The Lord's promises are true. He is faithful to what He says. Keep walking by faith even though you can't see where you are headed. It is about who you are following. You will make it to the other side.

May God give you strength for the journey. He loves you!

B His Girl

Turtle Tuesdays: Out of the Box!

Meet B, the messenger turtle. She is not a big part of the story today. Actually she never is: ) She is truly just a reporter, sharing the things she has seen and heard from God. B felt compelled to share this good news story with you.

Four homeless men came to our worship service at Flounders Restaurant on Pensacola Beach Sunday. The problem was they arrived a tad late. They overslept and the service had already ended. I recognized one of them immediately as he removed his sunglasses. Sean had attended our services earlier in the summer. Several people offered them water and snacks. I decided to stop what I was doing and visit with them.

While we were talking, an image of this shoe box flashed across my mind. My friend Laura had given me a brand new pair of running shoes to share with someone in need. I had passed out lots of school clothes in the Village a few weeks ago where I serve, but I held on to this box. I felt these shoes were supposed to go to someone homeless. I inquired about their shoe sizes. Sean was the 'Cinderella' in this story. The shoes would fit him!

When I returned from my car with the shoe box in hand, Sean and his friend were at a table crying. "What's wrong?" I asked. They had a story to tell B. Sean had thrown away his old worn out tennis shoes before they came to our worship service. These homeless men realized God wasted no time providing new shoes for him. I was floored hearing this and so were they. B'ing a good reporter, I realized there was MORE to this shoe story.

"Sean " I stated, "God is after you! You better let Him catch you, because you can't outrun Him!" He hugged me with tears stinging his eyes. You see, Sean did not really miss the message by b'ing late on Sunday. God spoke to him 'out of the box'. Sean knew it too. I believe the Lord was smiling the whole time. God gave Sean some running shoes in case he wants to run from His plans for his life, knowing they will never be fast enough. God has not finished His story with Sean. I pray one day B, the messenger turtle can share the rest of his story.

Sean's story reminds me of this truth. We can run but we cannot hide! He sees and knows ALL.

God, investigate my life; get all the facts
firsthand. I'm an open book to
you;even from a distance, you know what I'm
thinking. You know when I leave
and when I get back;I'm never out of your
sight. You know everything I'm
going to say before I start the first
sentence. I look behind me and you're
there,then up ahead and you're
there, too — your reassuring presence, coming
and going. This is too much,
too wonderful — I can't take it all in! Is
there anyplace I can go to
avoid your Spirit?to be out of your sight? If I
climb to the sky, you're
there!If I go underground, you're there! If I flew
on morning's wings to
the far western horizon, You'd find me in a minute —
you're already there
waiting! (from THE MESSAGE) Psalm 139 1-10

B His Girl

Turtle Tuesdays: Just One

God gave B, the checkbook turtle ONE word for today:

BALANCE........

but she keeps trying to add to it.

B His Girl

Turtle Tuesday: Are you from Sirius?

If you think B, the turtle is clowning around on Turtle Tuesday, keep reading. Things are not always as they appear. Today B shares part of a funny story God used to speak to her. Actually it wasn't funny at the time. It was serious. Very serious.

B was working in the world when she made a stop at a stranger's house. She noticed the older man with the Einstein like gray hair sitting outside in his lawn chair immediately. At first glance, she thought he was taking a nap. The moment her foot touched his driveway, his eyes popped open . B only needed to ask him a question and she would b on her way. This man clearly had other ideas. He wanted to talk to B more. She was trying to be nice but she felt uncomfortable as he rose from his chair. He began walking toward her as he gazed into her eyes. He was invading her comfort zone big time! The man told B he had been time traveling. ( Yes, he said time traveling. )B didn't know how to respond to his comment but she was getting a clearer picture of the situation she had walked upon. With her hair sticking straight up on her neck, just like it did when she saw Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs, B wanted to hide! The man said "Can I ask you a question?" B nodded her head as she kept backing up trying to keep some distance between them. "Are you from Sirius?" he asked . B's voice shook as she answered "No". Then he began talking about B's white, snake like teeth. He knew she must be from Sirius. B freaked out. She bolted from his driveway and recovered from her 'encounter' in her locked car.

This man had some mental issues B was not prepared to handle. She was thankful it all ended well and prayed for him. His intention was not to harm B. After the initial scare, she began to see the humor in it. She does have a couple of sharp pointed teeth. (B looking for them in an upcoming video: ) To add to his case about her b'ing from Sirius... her name means 'alien'. There is also a star called Sirius B. And to take this thought further, this turtle is also called to let her light shine before men. Mayb he could see more than she realized. Hmmm. Mayb he wasn't as off the mark as she thought.

B was sharing her 'from Sirius' story with a friend. It is funny now, but a strange thing happened one day while B was pondering this story. God invaded B's space. He came close to her and whispered, "Are you from serious B?" B immediately knew what the Lord was asking her. You see, B, the turtle, is called to be 'out there' shinning her light in a dark world. The only way she can B what she is called to b is to focus. She needs to draw closer to Jesus and fix her gaze on Him. The Lord is serious about His call on her life. She can't run away and lock herself in her shell. She has prayed about what God wants her to do.

B answered, " I'm from serious Lord." B, the turtle girl, is serious.

Today, the Lord wants you to ponder this question in His call to follow Him.

Are you from serious too?

B His Girl

Turtle Tuesdays: A New Thing

Have you ever felt bored with things that once excited you? Tired of the same ole' thing...B is there NOW!

Meet B, the 'in a rut' turtle. B confessed on the B log a few weeks ago she lost her groove thing. She tried to shake it but her old groove is not working anymore. B has been pondering and praying about this for most of the summer. Now she wonders if this is part of a Master plan to move a turtle like B to a new place. A new thing. Sometimes you have to throw off some things, even good things to go to the place you have been called.

Mayb the Lord wanted to let B's groove thing start feeling like a rut.

Whatever the Lord is doing, it's working. B is shifting her position. She is throwing off some old stuff. There is 'Something New' coming. God stirred her heart Sunday in a big way! B told someone this yesterday and they got the shivers! God Bumps! In fact, B shared this today because she thinks she is not traveling alone in her rut. Mayb you have been walking in the same pattern as B. Nobody else may see your ruts, but you know inside you have settled for less when you have been called to MORE. I know I keep saying MORE. Those are the words I keep hearing. MORE, MORE, MORE!
B's prayer:
Lord, please don't let us settle in comfortable places, travel familiar roads. We have not been called to run in a 'rut race.' You are moving in an incredible way all around us. Help us not get stuck in our successes or our failures. We want to b stuck on you and you alone. Let us hear your words to us today.

Isa 43:19 Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new.It's bursting out! Don't you see it?There it is! I'm making a road through the desert,rivers in the badlands. (from THE MESSAGE)

B His Girl

Turtle Tuesdays: The Dog Days

Has Turtle Tuesdays gone to the dogs? Officially yes. We are in 'the dog days of summer' but B, the iron turtle prays it ain't so, at least on the inside: )

Did you know that 'dog days' can refer to a period that is stagnant, dull and not one of marked progress?
It may b the 'dog days' of summer outside but it doesn't have to b like that inside your shell.

So what's a turtle to do if she or he finds himself in the 'dog days' spiritually? B, the iron turtle, has some wisdom from the Proverbs to pass on to you.

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Prov
27:17

Are you content in your walk with the Lord or do you long for MORE? B wants MORE. If you want to b a sharp instrument in the Lord's hands your diet must include iron. Don't skip the essentials.

B His Girl

Turtle Tuesdays: B sends flowers!

Meet B, the flower turtle. She apologizes for being bloggy absent last Tuesday. B made a special Turtle Tuesday video for you. In fact, she spent hours trying to get it on her B log. B is experiencing great opposition trying to say what she has to say in all kind of ways. It is keeping her grounded though....on her knees more. That's always a good thing!

B is seeing the benefits in this opposition. Normally she retreats from it. The Lord is stretching her right now. B is trying not to shrink back from all of this faith exercising. B knows that without faith it is impossible to please God.

How is God working in your life? Have you faced opposition lately? How did you handle it? Please share if you have time. I will b away this week again. I hope to connect and share more with you soon.

B His Girl

Turtle Tuesdays: Getting Your Groove Back

Have you ever felt 'out of sorts'?

Most of us have been there at some point in our life. B'ing 'out of sorts' is the place where you are not acting like your 'normal' self. If we linger there, people close to us usually notice, asking questions like, "What's wrong? Are you okay?" We often dodge answering those questions because sometimes there is no clear cut answers. We have lost our groove and we never saw it coming. That's a picture of this turtle today.

Meet B, the bloggy quiet turtle. She's off today, definitely out of sorts in her Turtle Tuesday post. Mayb that's a good thing though. B'ing groove less has led B to seek MORE. The Lord knows what's up with B, the turtle and you. If you have lost your groove thing too consider the possibility this is an unexpected blessing.

Mayb losing our groove pushes us closer to walking in His groove for our life.

B His Girl

Turtle Tuesdays: The Padded Box

If you are a frequent visitor to my blog, you know I'm truly a turtle girl: ) All you have to do is scroll through my posts and see a sampling of Tuesdays to get the picture. I have more turtles in my collection than I can count. (Not really, but close) What you don't know though is I rarely buy turtles. Most of my turtles have been given to me and today is no exception.
Meet B, the gifted turtle.

My daughter Megan's BFF, Lauren(left) gave me this turtle Sunday. She purchased it on vacation in Greece. I was touched to tears when she gave it to me. I immediately knew this turtle contained an important message that traveled around the world to reach me. As I gazed at B, the gifted turtle, I noticed the message was sent not in a bottle but in a box!

I couldn't decide how to display B in my collection. She looked so comfy in her padded box. It even matched her shell. I also loved the outside color of her box. Red. (Everyone needs a splash of red in their life!) My dilemma: Should I leave B in the box or take her out? As I pondered the thought, the message became clear. B, the gifted turtle's container reminded me of a word I received in a sermon by John Ortberg months ago "It all goes back in the Box!" The message was about life. When the game of LIFE is over...it all goes back in the box. B's box started looking like a coffin to her. B, the gifted turtle didn't belong in the box yet. She was alive. She had no business hanging out in comfortable places. B has places to go, people to share God's love with. She was not supposed to b in a box. This message was clearly from her bff. Jesus. It was like He was saying, 'Hellooooo turtle girl...what are you doing????'

B's life is about walking by faith. She is supposed to b 'out there' in the world bringing light to dark places. You are too! We can't go forward if we live in a box. It restricts us and limits our impact on the world. Sometimes we don't even realize we are stuck because our box has padding. It may even look pretty, like something out of a magazine. It can b comfy and cozy like a cocoon, but it is also mundane and boring. It is LESS than what's planned for our life. The Lord always tells this turtle girl to ..."B MORE." Look at this photo I found on my computer screen a couple of weeks ago left by my son who plays basketball. William had no idea what this photo would mean to me. I printed it to put in my God Calling devotional. The caption said 'Barton continues to shine.' I think B'ing More is about shining my light.

B remembered what the Lord said to Joshua when he became a leader. "I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses." The same ground applies to us when we walk by faith. Every place we set our feet. That means we have to b moving. There is MORE ahead if we press on. The Lord also told Joshua to 'Be strong and courageous' three times before he started walking in the Promise Land. (Sometimes we need to hear a word several times before it sinks in. Thank you Lord for repeating yourself.)

B, the gifted turtle is not to store up treasures for herself. She can't take them with her upon her exit from this world. She is supposed to open up and share. B is a gifted turtle for a reason.

My dilemma has been solved. B, the gifted turtle is now on display 'out of the box' . Her box has been put away for a day unknown to her. Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26

B believes.

B His Girl
PS. A note to the graduates: God has great things in store for your lives. He has places for you both to go. Stay 'out of the box' and walk by faith. There really is MORE ahead, more than you can ask or imagine. Love you!

Turtle Tuesdays: Closed

Sorry to post so late. Turtle Tuesday is officially closed today. B just peeked in to let you know she's on vacation and it is her B day! Really. Hope all of you are doing well. I will b back soon!

Blessings ,
B His Girl

Turtle Tuesdays

Today B, the hanging turtle feels the pull in her life to b a 'Martha'. You know the Martha B is talking about. Mary's sister. Martha is known for b'ing a busy b on an occasion when Jesus was a guest in her home. (Luke 10:38-42) Martha was worried about all the work she had to do. She even complained to Jesus about it. The King of Kings was in her house and other things, lesser things captured her attention.

Well, this B is b'ing distracted by MANY things but she is determined to chose what is better like Mary. How is today working for you?

Choose this day who you will serve.


Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4

B His Girl

Turtle Tuesdays: Read The Signs

B wasn't seeking a sign, but she found one a few weeks ago. She was walking along her path on an ordinary day, doing what she was supposed to b doing and there it was. A Sign planted with B's name all over it! DARE TO DREAM! B gave the Lord a big 'cheesy' smile just like the one she is showing you today. In fact, she couldn't wipe the smile off her face. B knew she was supposed to read the sign and share the message with others. Meet B, the dreaming turtle.

If you are a frequent visitor on the B Log, you have heard some of her lofty dreams. She calls them 'lofty' because her dreams are a gift from above. Now, that may sound like B is trying to b 'all special and everything' but hear this ....B knows her dreams are NOT ABOUT her. Dreams are always connected to God's heartbeat for His world. They are about OTHERS. If our focus is on 'us' in the dream, the Lord will give us lots of growing time in the Son so we can understand His purpose for our dream. Joseph, known as a dreamer in the Bible could testify to that.

B wonders today if you have a 'lofty' dream also. The words below are from 'The Message' and they are a message for you today. B's just delivering them as she runs her race at a turtle's pace.

This vision-message is a witness pointing to what's coming. It aches
for the coming — it can hardly wait!And it doesn't lie.If it seems slow in
coming, wait.It's on its way. It will come right on time. Hab 2:3
Dare To Dream...With God ALL things are possible!

B His Girl

Turtle Tuesdays: In the Garden Praying

B's all mushy today. The pictures tell the story.

Lord, I pray Megan's life will be a sweet fragrance unto you. I know you have great plans for her. I thank you for her special gift and love of working with children. I pray she is able to help children around the world, giving you all the glory. We love her so much Lord! Thank you. May she always walk with you in the garden. I pray she will B your girl in her generation. In your name Jesus I pray these things.

B His Girl

The Eyes ....What Do You See?

I need a little bloggy insight today. You see, a God story is unfolding before my eyes and I can't read the writing on the wall. How long have I been with Him and I still don't understand!!!!! I shutter at the enormity of those words. That statement is a whole post in itself. But today we are sticking with the facts, just the facts. Here goes....

I am on the worship design team for our weekly service on Pensacola Beach. I work with Jack, the pastor of the service. If you haven't noticed on my blog, I have a creative, ok 'goofy creative' way of seeing things. Jack is allowing me embellish the setting at our worship service with creative stuff. I kid him about being 'Jack...out of the box!'
(That is an example of how my 'goofy brain' constantly works .)
Yesterday the message was about 'Jesus Questions-What do you see?' The passage was from Mark 8:22-26. In this passage Jesus healed a blind man using spit and His touch. When Jesus first touched his eyes, he asked "What do you see? The formerly blind man saw men 'walking around like trees'. Jesus touch his eyes a second time and his sight was restored perfectly. He saw everything in twenty-twenty focus.

As Jack and I were talking about the upcoming service, he shared the songs the worship leader selected for the service. The song, "In the Blink of an Eye" would be the last song in the service. I was a little stunned to hear that. Earlier in the week, I had taken a picture of the words...In The Blink Of An I. They were quickened to me when I saw them on the High School yearbook. Was this a coincidence??? I thought not. I knew God was talking. On the drive home after my meeting with Jack, I saw 'googly eyes' in my mind. I knew I was supposed to do a visual for the tables using eyes...I's. I told Jack my idea. He liked it and his message would tie in 'In the blink of an I'.

Saturday, I cut out 65 I's and glued on the Googly eyes for the tables. I prayed as I cut with my scissors, "Lord, it's taking a LOT of time to do this. (groan) I believe this idea is from you. I pray you use it." After the beach service, I had to return money to the church bookstore. As I was counting the money, I saw this.
I was stunned. I could not count anymore. I knew there was more to b seen in this defaced $10. Maybe one day I will get a second touch and clearly see the message here.

I have to ask...."What do you see?"

B His Girl

Thankful Thursday: He Makes All Things New!

God has done great things and I am filled with JOY. See the NEW THING He is doing in 'The Village.'


The Lord brought light into a dark place. He did that in the beginning and He is still doing it NOW...Let there be light.

A young girl has a spot to lay her head.











B likes to post prayers and we posted one on Niguel's bulletin board. It's in the cross. I couldn't resist adding a turtle, with a message for her to B His Girl!






Color our world Lord.




















Lamps add light. A journal in the yellow basket awaits her thoughts. Inside this nightstand is a message from God glued to the wood for Niguel's life. Jer. 29:11-14

I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out — plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. "When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. "When you come looking for me, you'll find me. (THE MESSAGE)
Smiles from all the girls. Niguel, Dominique, and my girl Megan.
Thank you God for using MANY people to makeover this room. You ordered everything here. I pray this room is a reminder of your love for this family. It certainly is to me. Thank you Jesus. B His Girl

Turtle Tuesday: The Circle

Meet B, the praying turtle. Would you believe B is still thinking about spots? As you can see, she's actually covered in them today. She also has a spot in the circle for you to join her heart in prayer.

Almighty God, You and you alone are the one true God. What would we do without you? To whom would we go? Thank you God that we don't really need to 'pond'er that thought today. You are with us.

Lord, sometimes storms come up in our lives. Big Storms. Darkness seems to engulf us. If we take our eyes off the storm, we see you standing before us. Your voice beckons us to come closer. Your desire Lord is for our eyes to be open, not closed in fear. Lord we are thankful this Turtle Tuesday that you Jesus are the Light of the World. Our storms never catch you by surprise. In you, we can find refuge and shelter. You are an ever present help in times of trouble. Jesus you said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 I am reminded today Jesus You Are the one who stilled the waters. You Are the one who shed His blood to wash away our sin. You Are the one we have placed our hope and trust in. You Are the GREAT I AM. Therefore, we declare You as our heart's resting spot. Thank you Jesus for saving a place for us in the circle. We love you.

B His Girl

B's Spots!

There are some 'spots' in your house you might not want to put on the tour of homes or your blog: ) Today B takes you to hers. Her garage... where the door is almost always closed.

You see, B has a lot of stuff at the present moment. Some people might call her stuff JUNK. Yes, JUNK! B doesn't see it that way at all. Her 'spot' is a work in progress. This stuff is going to decorate a new space. It is undergoing a transformation. B is hopeful it will play a part in changing a young girl's life.

She is priming the furniture with white to prepare it for the finished look. The soft mattress will provide rest for a girl with no place to lay her head. Lamps will bring light into a dark room. Bedding will be a covering and add color to her room.

B is excited about the makeover in progress. She will share photos next week from The Village, where this stuff will be used. You will meet Nigel, a teen, in her spot. Her room. It will no longer be empty. She will have stuff in it. Stuff painted with love, ordered by God, and designed by the BB's... Barbara and Betty. I pray God will do a mighty work there.



(still more below)









Speaking of spots. I put my first coat of black paint on the furniture last night. I must tell you B is a very messy painter. Black spots were all over my hands and clothes. I definitely had a 'Dalmatian look' going on. I thought I cleaned all the paint off . This morning my son saw this spot still on the back of my arm. I couldn't see it. (It's difficult to take a good photo of the back of your arm: ) This reminded me how Jesus washed away my spots when I looked to Him as Savior and Lord of my life. I could not make myself clean enough. Jesus brought light into my darkness. Now I can open my garage door, B His home, and make my B-log all about Him. He's making my spots into something good.

He makes EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL in its time. Eccl 3:11

B His Girl

A 'B' Story

I was sitting in the airport frantically going over my list, hoping I packed everything for our trip. If I had forgotten something, the reality was it was too late now. We would be boarding the plane for Atlanta any minute.

My thoughts shifted to my assigned seat for the flight. I would be sitting across the aisle from my children, next to a stranger. In the past, it seemed I always sat next to someone whose life was in major turmoil . The routine often went like this. They spilled their guts to my listening ears. I put on my thinkin' cap doing my best to help them in an hour or less. It was like 'Dear Abby' in the skies. However on this flight I could not rely on my old routine, where I racked my brain for some good advice. I was not flying solo on this. I knew Jesus. I could point to Him.
As I waited for the gate to open, this question popped into my head. Am I prepared to share the reason for the hope that I have? Really prepared? To be honest, I was exhausted from packing and planning. I felt weary. I wanted peace and quiet on this flight, no turbulent life story. I was willing to take one for the team if necessary, but my fuel level was almost on E.

As I walked down the aisle, I saw my assigned seat next to a businessman. Seeing his face buried in USA Today brought a sigh of relief as I plopped in the seat next to him. It appeared I was off the hook. I could finish my Bible lesson without interruption and check this off my 'to do' list : ) Ten minutes into the flight Mr. Businessman place his folded newspaper in his lap. He leaned over to check out what I was studying. He recognized the Word. I was stunned. Mr. Businessman knew Jesus! Not only did he know Jesus, he wanted to talk about Him too. My countenance immediately perked up.

For the next forty minutes Chris, formerly Mr. Businessman, and I had the most incredible conversation about the Lord. We were soaring as we testified to God's goodness in our lives. The Holy Spirit was fueling this conversation. It was incredible, truly incredible. Time seemed to fly by and soon we heard the caption announce our arrival in Atlanta. I didn't want to land. People started crowding the aisle, gathering their overhead luggage. I stood up, joining the line to exit the plane with my children. I turned to Chris expressing my gratitude for meeting him. He nodded in agreement as I said goodbye. "Wait!" he said. Chris opened his briefcase and handed me a book, The Purpose Driven Life. (This was before it was well know.) "I want you to have this Barbara." I accepted the book graciously, recognizing the significance of the moment. As I stepped off the plane, my children immediately started talking about the nice man. "Who was he?" they asked.

Chris obviously had a divine appointment to sit by me that day, to spill his thoughts about Jesus. I boarded this flight weary but I have to tell you ...Barbara walked off flying. On the concourse I stared at the book in my hands. The Purpose Driven Life. I wanted that kind of life. As I paused, the Lord spoke a word to me I will never forget. It has become a signature phrase in my life. He said, "Barbara, I don't need you to do something for me. I just need you to be. " B...just B. I ponder His words to me often.

The Lord doesn't 'need' me or you to 'do something' for Him. He wants to 'do something' in us AND through us . That is how the world will see Jesus, not by our own efforts. My 'purpose' is to b connected to HIM, the true vine. Without Him, I can 'do' nothing. I am called to Be. You are too.
In Shakespeare's Hamlet, he said these words,

To Be or Not to Be? That is the question.

This is not the end of my 'B' story. I will forever B His Girl!

Turtle Tuesday: Check, Check, Check

Check, Check, Check ! Those are the words B, the speaker turtle uses when she tests a microphone. That is not why she is saying them today though.

This is a location check. Last year B received an important ministry message from above. She feels the call to share it with you today. You can substitute your name for mine. "B, the spotlight is ALWAYS supposed to b on me." B, the speaker turtle's eyes grew big when she heard those words. They caught her totally off guard. B was to stand beside the One in the spotlight and speak from His shadow. He made her position very clear.(Thank you Lord.) B, the speaker turtle didn't want to b looking like a 'deer in headlights'. That's a look when you are 'found' somewhere you are not supposed to b.

Check, Check, Check! If you are in the spotlight, you may experience a major bump in the road.

B His Girl
(Double Check if you are sure this message is not for you. That's what B just heard.)
Lord help us make this really all about you. Thank you for your mercy. We want to serve you and not ourselves.
I am closing comments today so we can say a prayer instead :) May God's smile be seen in your life today. love ya, b

Trees...Thoughts from a branch

It begins with these words," I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree." This is the first line in the poem Trees, by Joyce Kilmer. I recited this poem from memory in front of my 5th grade class. I must have done okay because much of this poem remains in my memory today. The funny thing about this poem is how God has used it in my life over the years. I notice trees.

This tree, a live oak, is growing in Perdido Key, FL. It saved a man's life during Hurricane Ivan. As the raging flood waters swept through his house, they carried him out as well. He clung to this tree during a Category 3, almost Cat. 4 storm for hours. I imagine this tree is lovely to him.

This dead tree is located in the same neighborhood. I almost missed the beauty it holds. As I walked by this tree, a large winged bird caught my eye as she landed in its branches. Check out who calls this tree home.
A blue heron and her fluffy baby heron nest here.The owner of this property shared how incredible it is to watch flying lessons from his porch. His words made me think about the Lord watching us from His porch. Heaven. Talk about location, location, location....He has it. He has lots available if you are interested in living there ; )

The baby heron, barely visible in the photo ,will one day fly. She will be led to a great body of water just beyond this tree and learn how to catch fish. As I am writing this post, the Lord brought this verse to my mind. "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19
This is my handwriting and markings as a child in my first Bible, a palm size New Testament. I ran across it recently. Matthew 4:19 is the only verse marked in the whole book. I believe this is the first verse I memorized as a child, even before John 3:16. An 'out of the blue' thought just crossed my mind. I don't think this is from me. Tuesday morning the Lord changed my Turtle post at the last minute to include a boat. It really threw me off schedule. I did not understand why He wanted me to do that, but I obeyed. Read this verse again. "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men."

Could that b what's going to rock B's boat? Catching a boatload of fish, so many fish the boat starts rocking, with the possibility of sinking. Jesus showed the disciples who followed Him a picture of that in the natural. WOW! This verse actually has my name on it. This moment was planned years ago. WOW God! (If I ever got 'goosebumps', it would b now.) The Lord wants to take US fishing... in a great body called the world.

The last line in Trees, "Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree." Thank you Jesus for using one of your trees to reconcile the world to yourself.

B His Girl

Here is the cover of my first Bible. My little black book. I wish I had called Home with these numbers sooner in my life. They never changed. The Lord was waiting on my call. Thank you Jesus. I love you. b