TODAY THE WORDS are COLORS OF LAW. Where can I go with this topic, you may ask. In courts, we have heard over and over, the law is clear, and it is either black or white. It is defined by the letter of the law. We have used the terminology to express some event or thinking as black or white. Judges speak out after the media hyped cases they had to make their rulings, decisions, or what evidence was entered based on the way the law reads and not their personal beliefs. This is truly stating the black or white description of the law. However, when did moral “laws” become gray? In today’s world, we see a blurring of the moral codes in so many fashions. When children dress so inappropriately, pierce, or tattoo themselves to the point of embarrassment, it seems society has decided these are gray areas and use the terms, “they are just expressing themselves”. I realize, as I can imagine so many of the readers are reacting to my statements as judgmental. I would apologize but I go back to my upbringing which was a strict life, but a good life. My parents would not have allowed me or my sister to have gone out of the house with inappropriate dress or makeup. They would not have allowed language I hear children using which is not flattering to them. For the life of me, I don’t even have a clue as to what they would have thought of body piercing except for “freaky”. I understand I am stepping on toes, but here is the point, not my point, but an observation. If you expect your children to respect you as a parent, have you thought if they don’t see black and white they get confused on what is acceptable or not. Children look to their parents and yes, they are influenced by celebrities but that isn’t to be used as okay, as all of you can remember we had celebrities too. Thank goodness, most of them kept their clothes on. The gray area is where children get confused and I think parents do too. The point of grayness is controversial and it is still up to the individual parent to voice their approval or disapproval. Why are parents so hesitant about guiding their children or is it a lack of interest? Have parents become distracted from being true parents? Are they occupied with their interests and let the children loose? Have you thought they may be trying to get your attention with their actions? I may be sounding harsh, but my thoughts are some of the actions may go away with age but it is our job as parents to nourish our children and not only with food. Love will become more important if a child feels respected, loved, cherished, and honored. If they respect you; they will follow “most” of your values. Parents earn this respect and have to maintain a black and white rule of developing moral values in their children. Live life, love life, and live life to the fullest with a clear set of moral values and displayed with love.
DAILY FEATURED BIBLE VERSE:
Ephesians 6:1-4                     
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

(c) copyright 2013 Arline Lott Miller. The material here copyrighted, use only by permission.

TODAY THE WORDS are CHICKEN SOUP. With so many people coming down with the stomach bug (or technically intestinal virus) lately, I was reminded of a great friend of mine always saying when I have anything wrong with me, “Eat Chicken Soup”. Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen created the books “Chicken Soup for the Soul” for motivation and inspiration. There has to be something to this depiction and responsibility for this “cure all” so let’s think about it. How many of us remember the days of waking up or even feeling sicker as the day grew longer? How many times when regular food seems to make us feel worse and nothing settles on our stomach? I have encountered this feeling many times in my lifetime so what makes chicken soup settle on our stomachs when nothing else will do? Here is one reference to a study to see the medicinal value of chicken soup: The most widely cited of these studies, published in the medical journal Chest in 2000, is by Dr. Stephen Rennard of the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. He conducted laboratory tests to determine why chicken soup might help colds, beginning with his wife’s homemade recipe, handed down by her Lithuanian grandmother. Using blood samples from volunteers, he showed that the soup inhibited the movement of neutrophils, the most common type of white blood cell that defends against infection. Dr. Rennard theorizes that by inhibiting the migration of these infection-fighting cells in the body, chicken soup essentially helps reduce upper respiratory cold symptoms.

The Science of Chicken Soup By TARA PARKER-POPE (reference source)

Ah, so there might actually be some merit to my friend’s recommendation and I do believe there is, as it seems to start moving me into a better feeling once I eat some. Now for my deeper and warm thought……As Chicken Soup seems to make us feel better; a little self check of our attitudes could work in the same way as chicken soup does for a cold. I see people who are “angry” with the world and the smallest thing sets them off. They jump to expressing their dissatisfaction about most things and actually some things before they have all of the facts. I understand, definitely believe me when I say I understand since I used to think I had to save the world (found out that was already done by Our Savior on the cross and He paid that big price so I wouldn’t have to pay it) and once I discovered the salvation and the solution was up to Him, my life became more relaxed and nothing could be as devastating as Christ’s experience, so I could turn those things over to Him. Christ certainly proved He could handle the biggest challenge and show love at the same time. If you are having anger problems, try turning them over to the “Anger Management Master”. Live life, love life, and live life to the fullest by realization we are not alone and we do not have to “save the world”.
DAILY FEATURED BIBLE VERSE
John 3:16 King James Bible
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

(c) copyright 2013 Arline Lott Miller. The material here copyrighted, use only by permission.

ONE LITTLE DROP AT A TIME, PHOTO COURTESY OF MONA CAWLEY

TODAY THE WORDS are ONE LITTLE DROP. It may have been the beautiful spray of water drops which caused the topic to come to my mind, but let’s see where it goes. A friend of mine who has such a talented eye for catching magical moments with her camera, Mona Cawley blessed us with this photo and it tells such a glorious story. When farmers are tending their crops and making sure they receive adequate moisture to maximize the growth potential, they are sometimes only one little drop from fulfilling the crop’s absolute best results. It can be hard to determine the exact amount needed so there has to be some estimation. When we see produce with perfect size and texture and when we taste it and it has the perfect balance of moisture, they have accomplished their goal. When an athlete is performing in sports, there is a percentage of moisture or fluids in the body which will allow them to maintain speed and technique but still stay hydrated to finish the job. Seeing an athlete slowing down or feeling a little faint may be one little drop away from finishing first. One little drop can make the difference in our lives in a lot of ways. It is a guess as to exact amounts of effort needed to perform on the job, close a deal, help a friend without losing them, budget for your family, spend the proper amounts to be financially secure, love without smothering the other person, and witness to others without preaching to them (leave that to the ministers and other people who have been called). A little drop placed into the mouth and allowed to stay there will moisten a dry mouth; a little drop of love and caring will moisture the driest heart; a little drop of tenderness will show more love to a person who has been abused; and a little expression like a smile can soften the hardest face. Yes, indeed a smile, a lending hand, a show of charity, and the gift of love however small can make an enormous difference. It is not necessary to give millions and especially if you don’t have it to give. If that is the case give with time, give with counseling, give with crafting, recycling, and especially give with kindness. A person who is already down does not need punching; they are already down! They need a hand to help them up. Live life; love life; and live life to the fullest by one little drop of love at a time!
DAILY FEATURED BIBLE VERSE:
James 5:18                     
Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

(c) copyright 2013 Arline Lott Miller. The material here copyrighted, use only by permission.

TODAY THE WORDS are LENDING YOUR HEART. There are times in our lives when we find ourselves in situations in which we are called upon to be mentors, advisors, friends, family counselors, and almost to the point of being therapists to others. What do we do when asked to lift up another individual? What do we share with others? What is the best way to encourage? If I may share a little story with you on how lending your heart and not necessarily your head can be an experience in a lifetime. A young man seemed to have an anger issue and was having difficulty at work. One minute he could be the nicest young guy you could ever be around; the next he could almost seem postal (ready to go off at anybody). His work became affected due to the sudden outbursts and it became necessary to reprimand him. His supervisor didn’t want to lose him as the employee was a vital part of the success of the business. The supervisor decided to give him a verbal reprimand and this is how it went. “I once was where you are now. I had a good heart and I shared with others. I did a good job and I was always there early and would gladly stay late. I seemed to be the best employee I could be. I only had one thing that was stalling me from accomplishing all I wanted to be; it was my temper. I got mad over anything; I slammed doors; I said words my mother would have washed my mouth out; I argued over the most useless issues; I made mountains out of molehills and I was sad because other people didn’t seem to understand me. One day I woke up and thank goodness, I heard a voice deep within my soul which said, ‘what are you trying to do, run everyone who cares about you away?’ This radiated from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet and it didn’t go away. Each time I would start to act out; this voice would come back to me and I became less angry and I found life to be easier to live.” The supervisor then stopped, took a moment and looked at the young man in the eyes and said, “I see you in me so I am lending you my heart so you may hear this voice and may it help you as I feel you are worth helping.” This young man was speechless, walked away, and the supervisor thought, “Now you will hear the voice that has been hidden but it will be loud in your heart.” The young man over a period of time learned to control his temper and found a young lady to share his life and love. We need to share our hearts and not always share our minds. The voice in your heart has such a lovely and meaningful melody and can soothe the soul and soften the words coming out of the mouth. Live life; love life; and live life to the fullest by sharing your heart and love with others.
DAILY FEATURED BIBLE VERSE:
1 Peter 3:15                     
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect

(c) copyright 2013 Arline Lott Miller. The material here copyrighted, use only by permission.

TODAY THE WORDS are LITTLE PLEASURES.  With so many unpleasant things and events going on in the world, I thought I would remind some of us who are old enough to remember the little treats of life we had when we were youngsters. Hopefully, this may bring a few smiles and even some comments of special memories which I may forget to mention. I remember the small glass bottle cokes with a small bag of salted peanuts poured into the coke. If the coke was really cold, it fizzed and that combination of sweet and salty was the bomb. Of course, most of us remember the RC Crown Cola with the moon pie. For some reason that seemed to do the trick. The different flavors of the moon pie, banana and chocolate were my favorites. Banana, orange, grape and cherry popsicles were in demand and then there were the creamsicles. Do you remember them? For some reason, vanilla wafers held a special sweetness and for the life of me, they don’t seem sweet any more. They are probably the same but it seems different to me. Jell-O, hardly eaten by children now, was a treat beyond good when we were small. Treats, and I am sure there are plenty more, just like I am remembering Good and Plenty; Life Savers, and Pay Days. It didn’t seem to take very much for us to feel we had been “treated” and now, I think children and adults who have snacks and sweets available on an ongoing schedule don’t see them as little pleasures; they see these items as “staples” and for some reason I feel something has been lost in the quick availability. Do you remember the excitement attached to the trip to the store, the smell of goodies in Momma’s kitchen, or the kids gathering in the yard to shake the coke bottle for the fizz? We looked forward to “our little pleasures and it was a goal to get those special treats. That brings me to the deeper thought for today…..Life is a composite of both pleasure and pain. We are not protected in order for things not to happen during our lifetime; we are protected to make it through the tough times. It is the little pleasures of life; the special times with our family and friends, the great times and memories to pull from in bad times, and the love between our spouses, children, siblings, our parents and God which give us the same warm, sweet taste in our lives which make us smile while we enjoy life. Today and everyday, live life, love life, and live life to the fullest by taking time to enjoy little pleasures of love!
DAILY FEATURED BIBLE VERSE:
Psalm 119:103
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
(c) copyright 2013 Arline Lott Miller. The material here copyrighted, use only by permission.

TODAY THE WORDS are WHEN GOD WHISPERS. A few days ago, Greg sent me a video someone had sent to him and it was so moving, he suggested I do a blog on it. I hesitated, not because of the video and its message; I didn’t want to be looked as someone who depends on what other people have created. I prayed about this and it came to me; God is whispering to me through this video and through Greg bringing to me. If you have not seen this video, please take time to view it. The basic topic is telling the story of how a man wants God to talk to him and a butterfly lit on him. He didn’t recognize God in the form of a beautiful butterfly. He asks again, and the thunder roared and still He didn’t hear the voice of God and it continues for the sweetest and most direct message I have heard in a long time. While praying on this subject, I thought of how during my lifetime, I have heard God in my heart, in my body and in my head. He has been brought to me by others who have already heard the voice of God and are living in His Grace. He has shouted to me in my soul when I was not responding to him as quickly as I should have. With each breath, with each sigh, with each heart beat, with each pint of blood flowing through our body, we are reminded of God’s existence. With a dog’s bark, with a cat’s meow, with a cow’s bellowing, and with a bird’s chirp, we have a song being sung to us by God’s creatures. Another important part of the message is “Do we listen to God when He whispers to us?” Do we wait for a thunderous voice to speak to us and while we are waiting, do we ignore the little quiet voice tugging away at our heart? A lot of you, like me in a former life, are realizing you have heard this voice in your heart and so many times, like me, you are choosing to ignore God whispering to you. I am not preaching, I am witnessing as this is my story and when I watched this video, I answered back to God, “Thank you Lord for continuing to speak to me through great saints of yours and your caring and loving you kept giving me. Thank you Lord for allowing me to live to see Your Grace and Forgiveness. Thanks for not going silent on me.” Life has a beautiful melody when you start listening to the Song of God through his creatures, nature, and His Word.
Today if I can say anything to you is “Live Life; Love Life; and Live Life to the fullest with your ears, eyes, and heart open to hearing the best song ever written by the Master.
DAILY FEATURED BIBLE VERSE
Psalm 19:1                
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
You can see the video on youtube by clicking below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zf_0jzPQ8lo
(c) copyright 2013 Arline Lott Miller. The material here copyrighted, use only by permission.

TODAY THE WORDS are EYE WITNESS. In a world of crime, news media on every corner and in every nook and cranny, Big Brother surveillance cameras, personal home security cameras, and satellites in the sky, we may have moved into an era of non-necessity of eye witnesses. With that statement being sort of ironic because now when you see an event on the news, it seems as if a cell phone or Ipad has caught the “event” and is ready to share with the world. At first, I thought this a good thing which, as we know usually eye witnesses aren’t that credible and especially if any time span has elapsed between the first recount and then by court time. What I am really referring to as “eye witnesses” is our new found celebrity seeking people who most of the time did not actually see the happening; but are dying to get in front of a camera. Have we developed a way for publicity seeking people to find their way into all of our homes? We seem to be drawn into their lives by their interviews on camera and we talk about them and some appear on this show and that show and we re-visit their statements over and over. My thought to you this morning is this healthy? Is it healthy for them and for us? Let’s take a little journey in the mind and remember the gossip line or Chinese Whispers game. One person at the end of the line starts the game by whispering a secret into the ear of the next in line and it goes on until the last person has heard the secret. Are you not amazed at how the story has changed by the time it gets to the end of the line? I think we, as a society, are entering into the “Chinese Whispers” game with what is happening in this world. Are we listening to what we hear as if an accurate “eye witness” testimony depended on how well we listen; how well we watch something on the news; and how well we interpret what we hear as literal and not improvise with our own beliefs and philosophies. Life is not an easy road and the ability to listen as well as see an event without prejudice is a great gift. Now for a quick deeper thought…..See with your eyes; listen with your ears; smell with your nose; and feel with your hands; but love with your heart. God has given us the ability to be the best “I (eye) witness” for him if we will not be distracted by the noise in the streets.
Live life, love life and live life to the fullest by being true to yourself and most importantly, true to God.
DAILY FEATURED BIBLE VERSE:
Colossians 4:2                     
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

(c) copyright 2013 Arline Lott Miller. The material here copyrighted, use only by permission.

TODAY THE WORD is OUT OF THIS WORLD.  In a seemingly crazy world we live in today, we are trying to exist with an ever-changing, topsy turvy world. We wake up in the morning and we wonder what we are going to see today, hear today, and have to adjust our normal lives to encompass the new changes. With this atmosphere, we are not using the term “out of this world” as much as we used to say. When I was young, and any of us would see some new invention, new fashion, or new vehicle, we described it as “out of this world”. When food was indescribably delicious, it was categorized as “out of this world” which meant it was better than anything we had ever tasted. When I tasted my first Dairy Queen ice cream cone which was the first soft serve ice cream I had eaten, I made the remark that is was out of this world. With this thought in mind, have you heard this phrase used lately? The reason I question is with all of the new technology, we have more reasons to say, this is “out of this world” but we don’t describe it in those terms. I realized after giving this some thought as we have conditioned ourselves to expect the “out of this world” inventions, technology, and with all of the fast foods, quick meals, and microwave foods, we have lost our sensitivity to be so excited about the newness of an object or food; this phrase has become extinct or at least archived. What I would love to see is the world take a minute, slow down, and have a moment of enjoyment where the only phrase to describe this experience would be: It was out of this world. Life has become a hectic, stressful, and emotional roller coaster ride and we need the peace, the quiet times, the meditation sessions, the family night (or day); we need the home improvement projects; the holiday decorating events; and most of all, we need to sit down and laugh together. If we take this time; when it comes the times when we have to cry together, we can recall those “out of this world” moments and it eases the pain for us. Try an “out of this world” recipe, craft, picnic, outing, hiking, biking to a great scenic place or chill out together as a family. Live life; love life; and live life to the fullest with someone or something “out of this world”.
DAILY FEATURED BIBLE VERSE:
1 Corinthians 13:7                
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things

(c) copyright 2013 Arline Lott Miller. The material here copyrighted, use only by permission.

DAILY FEATURED BIBLE VERSE:          

1 Corinthians 13:4-7                

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

(c) copyright 2013 Arline Lott Miller. The material here copyrighted, use only by permission.