Hardness Outside - Beauty Inside

Good Morning Friends,

I never know from one moment to the next what message the Lord will give unto me. But, I am so blessed to listen to him.

This morning, I was on my to the back yard.... I noticed yesterday that a single rose started to bloom. I looked up at the sky and winked at God and said thanks. No matter how strong Hurricane Ike was... God was stronger and had one of his beautiful flowers bloom.

My back yard looks like a "war zone"... there is debris everywhere... The Lord led me to the beautiful rose and I looked upon it with a tear..(see photo above) No matter how bad things appear to be.. take time to find the beauty within and around you.

I had my camera and took a photo... I wanted to always have this moment in a photo.. As soon as I took the picture.. I bent down and cut the rose.. I put it to my face and it had a wonderful scent.. the leaves were as soft as velvet...

I headed back towards the front of the house and noticed an older male on a bicycle. At that moment, the Lord whispered into my ear... "Even the toughest have beauty inside".... What was the Lord trying to say to me?? I then heard him whisper.. "Give the rose to the man on the bike".... But Lord, it is the only beauty in my back yard... can't I take it in and look upon it during the day?....... The Lord said:

You have seen the beauty I wanted you to see today.. you will find more beauty after passing on the rose... O.K. I say .....

I stop the man on the bike and hand him the rose... The man is a rough looking one on a bike older than I... As I handed him the rose, I noticed I had blood running down my finger.. one of the thorns had cut my finger..

I asked the man to wait so I could get something to wrap the rose up so he would not cut himself as I. I walked around and picked up a piece of plastic.. The the Lord told me... "Hardness Outside - Beauty Inside".... Now I am lost and have no clue as to what it meant..

Back I go to the man waiting for me.. He asked me: "Why did you give me this rose?" I stated it was a gift from the Lord.. He looked at me in a strange way and said.. "I see you have alot of damage".. I told him it could have been worse... but, God was watching over us and I am blessed.. It was then the Lord opened my eyes and words began to flow.. I told the man that I sensed he had a hardness towards God before the storm.. but, he was starting to see things in a different light... Then the light bulb went off in my head.. I understood what God meant when he said "Hardness Outside - Beauty Inside".. It was nothing to do with the rose.. it was the Man. He appeared to be rough on the outside.. but, he was seeking the beauty of the Lord inside.. Wow.. I stood in awe of the Lord and watched as the man put the rose to his nose.. He looked and said: "This is the most beautiful rose I have ever smelled".. I told him it was a gift from God.....

There it was.. The outer hardness of the man was broken and the beauty of God was flowing inside him. He asked how he could learn to be more like a child of God than a hard man that so many view him to be. I told him to "Let Go and Let God"....

He smiled and said.. Bless You.. I replied.. Thank you and May the Lord open your eyes to see him more.. Take time to find a good church and make time to study the word.. He said he would...

As he rode off, I had a tear in my eye.... I thanked God for blessing me with more beauty than that of a single rose.. I was blessed to share how wonderful the Lord is..

Take time to go into the land and find the beauty in anyone who displays hardness. Inside is a beautiful part of them just waiting to get out..

God Bless All ><>

Bee
http://www.myspace.com/scripturepictures

We are of the flesh and can be torn..

Good Morning Friends,

The sounds of saws cutting wood and nails being hammered into wood made me think about the day that Christ was led to his crucification.. As I type this very moment, a nail is being driven into wood. It is the same sound that many heard several eras ago.

Earlier today, I went to the back to survey more damage Hurricane Ike decided to leave. I went to move some boards, one with several rusty nails fell upon me cutting my skin. (See pic) it was painful, but I am sure not as painful as the nails that Jesus felt. The blood was running down my leg and all I could hear was "By MY stripes, YOU are healed" There was no other sound around me.. I could see the contractors working and vehicles passing by, but there was no sounds except the words of Jesus.

The pain subsided, yet the blood continued to run. Imagine physically being with Jesus the day he died for us. Would you have been able to watch as his flesh was torn, his blood ran ..... Would you be able to hear the nails as they were driven into his wrists... (I know some will say.. the nails were in his hands... do some research.. you will find it was the wrists)

For now.. I will go and clean my wounds and look at them as a reminder of what Jesus went through to cleanse many and give eternal life.

May the Lord Bless You All..

Take Time To Thank The Lord For All...

Bee ><>

The Bible & George Washington

Wednesday - September 17th

I, as many are still in a state of shock over the disaster Hurricane Ike brought to the Texas region. Many are without water, electric, food..etc.. I am praying deeply for all affected.

It will take months for us to start seeing our communities begin to heal. Trash is everywhere. If anyone is missing part of their roof, I know where it is.

We were informed days before the storm hit to get ready.. I must applaud the Mayor of Houston, Emergency Officials and Volunteers for the world they are doing at this moment. Some of the news media is helping while another station feels the need to play a "Blame Game" as to why this and that isn't being done. There is a time and place for everything... blaming people for things at this moment is not the right time.. Be a part of the solution and not an additional problem to people..

Now what is in your disaster kit?

If you were to have a major hurricane headed your way, what you you put in it?

I would suggest STRONGLY that you put a kit together NOW.. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE.. It may be to late then...

There are several sites online that can help you with what are the major staples to have.

I saw a story on the news this morning.. It showed a woman in San Leon, Texas. Her house is destroyed.. One thing that touched my heart was an item she held up to show a reporter... It was her mother's Bible.. It was encased in a wooden box.. The Bible was not wet at all.. It was in beautiful condition. It should have been a total wash (literally) it was found among items that were soaking wet..

As I started to move forward.. I saw a magazine in my home.. It had a story about George Washington.. I usually pass upon reading magazines until later in the evening.. something made me pick it up and start to read.. I read that during the French - Indian War, George Washington (in his 20s) was shot 17 times by an Indian.. Not one shot went through George Washington.. even though his coat showed the holes from the ammunition.. Later on.. George and the Indian met. The Indian informed George Washington he had shot at him 17 times but there were "angels" deflecting the bullets.. George Washington would go on to say it was the Grace of God that saved his life at that point in history.

I know the Lord is working many miracles in the mist of this disaster.. It will take time to recover.. I pray that all will look up and"Let God" be the calm if each and every heart as we all continue in life to just Be.....

God Bless Everyone.. ><>

The Fears, Tears and Cheers from Hurricane Ike

Greetings All,

So much has happened since Friday ..... As most who have been following my blogs.. I lived thorough Hurricane Ike.

Friday:

Most (Not All!) left the Houston and Surrounding Areas.. Being a Florida Girl, I had seen many hurricanes. I had not fear.. I was going to be with hubby at the P.D... and what could be safer thank that? The only safe place to be is where the Hurricane isn't. The storm was only hours away (see detailed blog below this one) and I was happy as a clam.. I had the internet and could blog with friends.....

Saturday

Hell on Earth.............. In all my years.. I had NEVER seen a Hurricane like Ike... You think being in a 2 story BRICK building would be safe.. I found that THEY SHAKE under heavy winds.. The generator blew up... then everything was dark... As the Hurricane passed.. I went to take photos...(For some reason, blogger won't link to the pics..) you can manually type the location:

http://www.photobucket.com/hurricaneike

and see the photos

The view was what I would consider as a "War Zone" I was in disbelief that such damage could have been a result of a Hurricane.. Remember.. I have lived through several.. nothing really prepared me for this one. I turned everything over to God.

Sunday... It is terribly hot in the P.D... it is hot for all . There is not electric, no water, sewage backup... etc.. Life stopped and people were lost.. The P.D. needed help.. but no one could get to us... It was very sad... This was the day that I finally broke down.. I am very strong.. but seeing the fears and tears of others took a toll on me.

I was madder than a hornet by a certain new reporter at a local television station.. She was in the Mayor's & Judge's face.. She was rude and trying to play the "Blame Game"... All I could think of is: Who is the dummy who put her on the air and let her go after the official with such harshness... I will never watch that television station again... I understand that many are asking the "Why is it taking so long for help to get here?" "Where are the supplies".... etc.. Our City officials DID PREPARE for the disaster.. The truck were not able to get in due to the damage. If a new media station wants to play a blame game.. DO IT AFTER PEOPLE GET OUT OF SHOCK... No one has electric.. so how can they see t.v.... If a new source wants to make a difference.. HELP FIND A SOLUTION... not make even more problems.. I am truly upset that this certain station didn't care enough to go help the people and tried to beat down men I have seen go without sleep for 2 days.. IMO, M.S. Should be fired from the station..

Monday

Finally we were able to leave to go home and see the damage to our house... Neighbor has a tree through the center of their house and we also have damage. I was worried during the storm about my cat that I had to leave home, the kids were in unknown areas and we couldn't get to them. I finally found our cat.. She is not a happy kitty.. She is growling, bit me and hissing.. She is so scared. I now she will be o.k.

I am so tired at this point that I take a shower and fall into bed.. As I lay there.. my cat jumps up and lays on my chest and starts purring.. She lays her head down next to the cross and ... well.. we both crash! Hubby goes back to the station.. this man hasn't slept hardly at all..

Tuesday

I awake early.. darn alarm and hubby is home.. After arriving home at 10:30 p.m., hubby decided he wanted to be a help to me. As I slept (as he should have been doing) he stayed up and did all the laundry.. up at 6, he is back out the door to work at the station.

I saw many fears, tears and cheers during Hurricane Ike. After I rest a bit more.. I will write about the many miracles that happened in the storm.

I will post some scripture Pictures soon.. I will not be blogging about my Christian Insight from God. I still have it.. but, the Lord has turned my path in a different direction to use. I will only do Christian Insight for those who are MySpace friends

I finally found my cat... Picture located at myspace:

http://www.myspace.com/scripturepictures

God Bless All...

Bee

Hurricane Ike - During The Stom

Today: 1:00 Sunday - September 14th.. Never take for granted what you have around you. When I posted my last picture to photobucket http://www.photobucket.com/hurricaneike - I never thought "the unexpected" would happen.. The moment I clicked and uploaded the photo.. there was a large "explosion" around.. everything stopped.. I mean everything.. even me breathing for a moment... Note: Never think things will go according to plan.. always have a backup plan..! The P.D. did have a backup plan.. as I blogged about the hurricane.. we were running on a backup generator. A huge one!! So here I sat in the dark and breathless... I didn't want to run down and ask what was going on for being at a P.D. you just expect things to be handled.. So without thinking (another thing I should do : ) I decided to take a shower.. I am very thankful to be able to have water.. I am taking my shower (I won't go into details ) I hear another large boom and the building shakes.. Ya know.. this is not the last place I want to be, nor the first place to be found.. Before the boom, I was thankful to Online Sweepstakes. Why? All the freebies that are listed I have kept in an emergency box... Thanks everyone!!! In the dark, I reached out for a towel.. (REMEMBER TO BRING A TOWEL NEXT TIME!!!!) I reach out and hope that I do not feel the outside air.. I have no clue if there is a floor 2 foot in front of me.. I pray .. God at least if I go.. let me have some clothes on.. His reply: You are wearing what I brought you in the world with" .... I reply: Uh God.. not really.. I have more skin and pounds.. What are ya going to do but laugh and hope for the next moment.. I am finally able to find the clothing I had on.. put them on.. (I do not care at this point that the shirt is on inside out and backwards!!!! I just want to get out.. I am on the 2nd floor... Finally I crawl.. literally in hopes of finding a door.. ah.. found one.. Where does it go.. I have no clue... Don't think hubby is not looking for me.. the officers have an emergency going on and are doing their best.. I open the door and crawl a few inches and then nothing.. no floor! Now what do I do.. I reach up and by the power of God I feel a railing.. I am in the stairway.. Inch by inch.. I make it downstairs.. I am a soaking mess. but alive.. I see a flurry of activity around me and the last thing I need to do is say.. "What happened?" ... I have ears and if I listen close enough.. I can put two and two together.. The backup system blew up... No phone, no electric.. no nothinig.. the world has come to a complete stop... yet, people are rushing to restore order as much as possible.. For those who think that a Police Department is safe from a hurricane.. it's not.. Ike does not care about the welcome sign on a door. which I did not welcome him!! A hurricane has hit.. the backup system is out at an emergency hub.. what are you going to do?? Call the Governor?? Well.... Guess what.. If you have breath, a floor under you and water.. You are at the "bottom of the totem pole" and will have to wait for you turn.. People are floating around in Galveston and each moment is literally their life.. they come first.. Ellinton field has a fighter jet for emergencies.. uh, Hurricane Ike flipped it and it is not of use... O.K.... What do I do... I get on the cot (Gosh it is hot in the building) and decide to get a little shut eye.. I can do nothing to help.. and would only be in the way.... The next thing I remember is a smell in the room.. and a voice.."Honey, can I get you anything?" My reply.. "Are you my husband?" *lol* He says the operations have been forwarded to the a Police Station nearby and he was going to the Fire Department to get updates... He asks.. "Do you want to go?" ... My reply.. No thanks, last time there was a hurricane I ended up sleeping in the firemens locker room.. sorry... not bashing the firemen... but, I prefer the smell of hot air than that of dirty socks.. I fall asleep and I am exhausted.. I open my eye and look up.. It is a little sunshine peeking though. Wow.. I never noticed that hubby's.. window has a frame that appears to be a cross (I will post a pic soon) .l thank God for allowing me to be awake... a little battered.. but alive.. Even though I can see the light.. it is pouring like cats and dogs.. (oh, I miss my kitty... our home has damage.. but we can't go home now.. other's need us) I look out and the roads are flooded... great.. now we can't get out, no electric, nada.. nothing.. just a building after the storm.. I am a little hungry and open hubby's "suitcase of rations" It is actually a bag of food he was to take on a hunting trip... (not happening this year) .. Thankfully the light and a shakable flashlight (Remember to take everywhere you go from now on!) lets me look into his rations.. hhuumm.... Oreo's, Little Debbie Snack Cakes, Chocolate cake, Spaghetti (no can opener), Chunky Sausage Soup.. No way!, peanut butter bars.. allergic to nuts.. Oh nuts.. Man, is this what he takes hunting I think to myself? I am a diabetic.. I can't eat hardly any of this "junk"! Oh well, I will get some water.. Dang.. The water is outside under the sallyport where the officers are working as a team to get the generator working.. Suddenly hubby comes in and says.. You have to move.. Huh? Where am I gonna go? To the city hall.. o.k.. I grab my bags and have no clue to which city hall I am going to.. We arrive.. we set up a sleeping bag.. oh.. one room has electric.. *yeah!!* it's a kitchen... oh wow.. I see a phone cord... I can get online and blog... NOT!! Did you know that an analog phone line will not work for a dial up connection.. But, I was smart (so I though) .. I brought my DSL box.. no problem.. I hook it up and NOTHING!! huh.. Oh I need to get to the outside world to let them know what is going on.. Hubby walks in and laughs.. Honey he says.. You have to be at some to use the DSL box for it connects via phone number.. Why didn't he tell me that when I left home.... He leaves and here I am.. in a room... I get everything settled and decide to see what is happening in the world... I have a little t.v.... to watch... (Until Feb... That is another issue I am not happy with.... I do not think they should make people go buy a box to watch t.v. because they want to update the world!)..... I turn on the T.V. and it is a mess.. for the first time.. I break down in tears.. I look out the window and see the officers in the rain trying to do 20 things.. they do not have thier family with them, no way to get through... people on t.v. are crying out for water... literally.. I am seeing life through the eyes of many... I just sit and stare... I wish I could explain the feeling I have right now.. it is numbness... A person can only see so much trauma... eventually it can break you down to tears.. no matter how strong you think you are.. I have seen it in the eyes of the officers and residents.... Suddenly the door opens.. A man walks in.. I have not a clue to who he is.. i wave hi... (He is on the phone and I can tell it is official.. so in respect.. I open the door and walk into another room.. Hum, what is this.. IT IS A COURTROOM! I see the gavel on the desk.. and the chairs in front.. I sit in the Judge's chair. and look upon the empty chairs.. I imagine how in one day.. life can go from one of timely movement to a sudden stop... I am to find the man is one of 3 mayors for where hubby works... Again, even though he is a Mayor.. he is so down to earth in his casual khaki shorts and button up shirt.. He is not a Mayor!! (Yes, by title) He is a man on a phone calling various places asking for help (not for him.. but for the community he represents) I wish I could film all this, but you must remember I am in a place with strict rules and in respect and under authority of utmost privacy) I do not so so. I will never place myself, my family or friends in that position.. I know people want to know.. but there is some things must keep confidential.. I hear a door open and it is the Mayor leaving.. I see through a window Hubby, the Mayor and the officers standing in the rain "getting things together" ... Finally the rains slow down and the officer look into the huge generator... They find the problem is a broken belt... Anyone know of a good electrician?? Oh yes, they are in more important places.. The officers work as a team and after 12+ hours.. They get it to work.. I jumped up.. grabbed a camera and took a pic (coming soon) I was so excited... TEAMWORK!!! God truly worked a miracle (no, this is not the miracle I mentioned yesterday.... I will post than when given the o.k.) I grab my 4 bags.. run to the door and then SNAP!!!! not the door.. My wrist... Typing has been hard due to me having extreme carpel tunnel in both hands.. and the broken shoulder is not feeling too well.. But the snap has literally taken my breath away... Broken.. possibly.. painful... You can't even imagine the pain!, can't get to the local hospital because it is shut down.. Their generator exploded also!) ... I grabbed a hanky. I see a bone popping up and it hurts!! Thank goodness.. the door opens and it is Hubby (to my rescue!), I am in tears and tell him what is going on.. He says.. The generator is fixed... (for the moment) ..we need to move you back to the PD... O.K., you would think I would be glad to go back home.. What is my first thought?...I ask.. Is the internet up? *lol*... He says they are working on it.. O.K... I will take a shower then see if I can get online.. Yes,, I took the flashlight and a towel this time ! After my shower.. I get dressed.. (I just grabbed some clothes..) I put them on and head towards the mirror.. I grab the brush and after 3 strokes.. it breaks.. Having hair to your hips is not always a fun thing.. I break down in tears again due to the pain in my wrist.. then it happen.. I look in the mirror and hadn't really noticed what I had chosen to wear.. I am in gray sweat pants and a gray shirt.. the shirt Has test on the front .. I think it says Ebay... I look again.. (AS GOD AS MY WITNESS I DO NOT KNOW WHERE THE SHIRT I AM WEARNG CAME FROM) It is gray and on the front is text (colors like ebay logo) ipray - Do you pray? ...... That's what is on my shirt.. I know it is God telling me things are going to be o.k..... even though we have not heard from our children.. the phone lines are horrible here.. Houston is a mess.. but the Mayor and others are going as fast as they can.. Rome wasn't built in a day and nor will Houston be done in the same fashion.... So here I sit.. hubby just came in and said I needed to eat.. I just turned and said if I lose all this stuff I just typed to my friends.. I will not be a happy camper *lol* He got the message and said they are looking for a brace for my wrist.. The fire dept has more important thing to do then look at my wrist.. I have not proof read what I wrote above to fix spelling or other errors.. this is my rough draft.. I am going to go downstairs and see what is going on.. I can hear a fait sound of laughter.. things will be fine.. Thank You Jesus for my family and friends.. I pray for all and ask everyone to do the same..

Hurricane Ike - Pre-Storm

Friday, September 12, 2008

Hurricane Ike Hi Dear Friends, As you know, I am in the middle of waiting for Ike to visit.. How rude of him to pop in without being asked! I would like you to know that the officials in Houston, Galveston's and all the surrounding areas are doing an amazing job... Their new media is covering as much as they possibly can.. they are truly getting "media overload.", I am proud of each and everyone who is making a POSITIVE difference here... Just a few hours to go and "windows may will be blown out, We even were told our home will more than likely be gone.. That's life.. we are born.. we live and learn.. we move on.. The newscaster just made a statement that bothered me a bit.. I had never heard it before: "Parents - Sit down with your children and explain to them that they will hear loud noises and screams............... prepare them for this.. " How do you tell a 4 year old child that in the darkest of night.. 100 mile an hour winds will come and you will hear sounds of "screams' blowing around you.......... My first and only thought: Ask & join in prayer with others........... Dear Friends, I ask you on bended knees to please pray with me for all involved in tthis terrible storm. But, not only pray.. pass on the part mentioned on the news regarding the children hearing screams.. Dear Lord, As I am blessed to be a child of yours and in a safe place.. I ask you with all the love and belief in you.. please remove the evil sounds the children may hear and place instead the beautiful music of your angels upon them.. Help those who feel at a loss and help carry them to safety... Show the world in the coming days about the absolute "miracles" that no one believe could happen.. It is through your love that I ask in your name to have it happen.. Lord, this world is not about me.. it is about you.. Let Thine Will Be Done.. I love you Lord.... If in the next few hours I come across a needy person you say.. "Give up your life in my name to save them" I shall follow your will and not be fear.. God Bless All ><> +