Category Archives: Family

Bible Studies, Family, Uncategorized

Biblical Genealogy

‘The Name Game’ was a tongue-twister novelty song recorded back in 1964.   

Families might invent their own versions of the name game.

The winner would find the number of times that a name has been used in their family and with extended relatives.

I don’t have a final count but I know the name Ashley tops the most used in the Davis family. It was first common as a male’s name. Remember ‘Gone With the Wind?’

My father-in-law was named A.N. (for Ashley Norman). My husband Norm’s official name is Ashley Norman Jr. Though our son goes by the name of Lee, his legal name is Ashley Norman III.

His son?

You guessed it Ashley Norman IV but that’s not all.

There are several female Ashley’s among our relatives.

Recently, I noticed something interesting when reading Biblical genealogy.

King David had a sister named Abigail.

“and Jesse fathered Eliab his firstborn, then Abinadab, the second, Shimea, the third,  Nethanel, the fourth, Raddai, the fifth,  Ozem, the sixth, and David, the seventh. Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail (1 Chronicles 2:13-16a NASB).”

There’s more; David had a wife named Abigail!

“Then David sent a proposal to Abigail, to take her as his wife. When the servants of David came to Abigail at Carmel, they spoke to her, saying, ‘David has sent us to you to take you to him as his wife.’And she got up and bowed with her face to the ground, and said, ‘Behold, your slave is a servant to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.’Then Abigail got up quickly, and rode on a donkey, with her five female attendants who accompanied her; and she followed the messengers of David and became his wife (1 Samuel 25:39-42 NASB).”

I have always admired David’s wife Abigail.

If I had given birth to a second daughter, I would have named her Abigail Jean.

Standard
Bible Studies, Children, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Family

Cries of the Unborn

Sanctity of Life …Right to Life …Life Marches…  

Hear the cries of unborn children.

These are the words of King David; yet, they carry the message of multitudes targeted for abortion.

“O God, hasten to deliver me;
O Lord, hasten to my help!
Let those be ashamed and humiliated
Who seek my life;
Let those be turned back and dishonored
Who delight in my hurt.
Let those be turned back because of their shame
Who say, ‘Aha, aha!’

Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
And let those who love Your salvation say continually,
‘Let God be magnified.’
 But I am afflicted and needy;
Hasten to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer;
O Lord, do not delay (Psalm 70:1-5 NASB).”

 

Standard
Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Family

Free born…

Free born…

“Tell me, those of you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law?  For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and the other by a free woman.  But the one by the slave was born according to the impulse of the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. These things are illustrations, for the women represent the two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery—this is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.  But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.  For it is written:

Rejoice, childless woman,
who does not give birth.
Burst into song and shout,
you who are not in labor,
for the children of the desolate are many,
more numerous than those
of the woman who has a husband.

 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.  But just as then the child born according to the flesh persecuted the one born according to the Spirit, so also now.  But what does the Scripture say?

Drive out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will never be a coheir with the son of the free woman.

 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman (Galatians 4:21-31 HCSB).”

In Bible times names carried significant meaning.

‘Freeborn’ is a family name in my genealogy. My grandmother’s maiden name was Freeborn. In addition my father was named Franklin Freeborn Ford.  

 

Standard
Family

The Quiet Man

How will I be remembered?

How will you?

Some say, ‘He (or she) never had an unkind word to say about anyone.’ In contrast, unkind words are often spoken. ‘The world is better off without him (or her)!’

How will we be remembered?

I remember my father-in-law as a quiet man.

The fish bait man, A.N. Davis filled the role of husband and father. The quiet man and wife Cora began their workdays before daylight. Many customers were likely unaware of the tedious hours of work required to provide shiners, crickets and worms. It was not an occupation for the faint of heart.

It was one well suited to Daddy; he loved being outdoors. He thrived in fresh air and open spaces. In the few short years that I knew him, he never said a lot. He just went about his fish bait business.

I do recall one personal conversation. It revolved around his son, my husband Norm. As a boy of nine years old he had decided on a career as a D.J. in radio. In this instance, I was listening to the radio while visiting in the home of my mother and father-in-law.  He turned my attention towards the radio asking, “Do you like that as much as Norman does?”

Being an outdoor man, I think Daddy had difficulty grasping why working in radio meant so much to his son. My answer was ‘Yes.” I grew up in a home filled with the sounds of music. My family began every morning with music from the radio.

Actions do speak louder than words. Daddy was a quiet man but his actions were heard in the rural town of Oak Grove, Louisiana.

 

 

Standard
Bible Studies, Children, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Family, Women

Hannah Prayed…

{image: commons wikimedia.org}

 

                                          Hannah prayed for a son.

“Deeply hurt, Hannah prayed to the Lord and wept with many tears.  Making a vow, she pleaded, ‘Lord of Hosts, if You will take notice of Your servant’s affliction, remember and not forget me, and give Your servant a son, I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and his hair will never be cut (1 Samuel 1:10-11 HCSB).”

The LORD God gave Hannah the desire of her heart.

“Hannah prayed:

My heart rejoices in the Lord;
my horn is lifted up by the Lord.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
because I rejoice in Your salvation.
There is no one holy like the Lord.
There is no one besides You!
And there is no rock like our God.
Do not boast so proudly,
or let arrogant words come out of your mouth,
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
and actions are weighed by Him.
The bows of the warriors are broken,
but the feeble are clothed with strength.
Those who are full hire themselves out for food,
but those who are starving hunger no more.
The woman who is childless gives birth to seven,
but the woman with many sons pines away.
The Lord brings death and gives life;
He sends some to Sheol, and He raises others up.
The Lord brings poverty and gives wealth;
He humbles and He exalts.
He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the garbage pile.
He seats them with noblemen
and gives them a throne of honor.
For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s;
He has set the world on them.
He guards the steps of His faithful ones,
but the wicked perish in darkness,
for a man does not prevail by his own strength.
Those who oppose the Lord will be shattered;
He will thunder in the heavens against them.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth.
He will give power to His king;
He will lift up the horn of His anointed (1 Samuel 2:1-10 HCSB).”

 

Standard
Family, Relationships, Short Stories

Tarnishing Dreams of Stardom

 

 

 

{My Mom_ Betty Ferris Ford/ 1940’s picture}

The following article is creative non-fiction…

 

Wish I may, wish I might… gazing at the twinkling star I closed my eyes. I wish I could go to Hollywood…

“Beth, turn out that light! Get in bed; you’ve got school tomorrow!”

“Yes, Mother,” The springs squeaked as I climbed up onto the bed, and wedged myself under heavy hand-stitched quilts.

Will winter ever end?

Gentle ticking of the wind-up clock soothed me to sleep. The following morning I slipped into my favorite frock; Deanna Durbin wore the fashion design in her last movie. I styled my wavy long hair like hers too, and relished the compliments when people said I resembled her.

My kid sister, Debby said, “Beth, get away from that mirror! Mother and Daddy are waiting at the breakfast table!”

“Just a minute! I want to put a matching bow in my hair.”

“Why bother? You’ll have to wear a kerchief in this snow storm.”

“I’ll fix it again after I get to school. There, that’s better.”

I kissed Mother and Daddy before sitting down. The aroma of Daddy’s fresh ground coffee gave me needed courage.

“There’s a school dance Friday night; all my friends will be there. Can I go?”

Daddy just continued stirring his steaming oatmeal. I hoped Mother would be agreeable.

She took a long contemplating sip of green tea, looked me straight in the eye and said, “You can go… if you promise to get up bright and early Saturday morning and do the floors. “

“I promise!”

I detested the cleaning of the varnish veneer oak floors in many rooms, but I would do anything to get out of the house!

Friday night I met my dreamboat. “Well, hello gorgeous!” Joe held me close and my heart pounded in rhythm with the jitterbug. We dated steady and planned the perfect life together. I quit school in my junior year of high school and became his wife.

The honeymoon ended and my nightmare began. How could I have been so naive? He wanted to see a pretty face when he sobered up from a binge. After a few years, I no longer could believe his promises to quit drinking. There was now a child involved.

“Divorce! Give me a divorce!”

There, I said it. I will swallow my pride and go home to Mother and Daddy.

I needed money to support my little girl, boarded the bus into the big city in search for work. It was not easy without a diploma, and I had no skills to list on applications. Help wanted ads included an opening for clerk in a prestigious photographer’s studio; I acquired the coveted position.

Moving to the city, Mother convinced me it would be best for Patty to stay with her. We both knew I could not afford childcare. Weekend visits flew by; it seemed like my pending divorce not only ended my marriage, but nearly severed my relationship with my daughter too.

The photographer noticed my interest in the business, and trained me in the art of coloring portraits with oils. He also noticed me… I posed for him on several occasions, and took great pride in his comments on how photogenic I was.

One weekend, back at home, my life took a dramatic turn. My Brother Bill’s friend, Freddy dropped by.

“Beth, glad you’re here. I’ve been thinking about you.”

I smiled. “Is that good or bad?”

Laughing, he said, “I want you to meet someone.”

“No blind dates for me!”

“This is different. You’ll like Paul.”

“What’s he like?”

“He’s got a head on his shoulders, Army man, close to 35, and never been married. My sister’s had her eye on him, but he’s not interested….kind of’ tall, dark hair. You’ll make the perfect couple, both look like movie stars!”

Movie stars… Has he been reading my diary? Maybe I should meet this guy….

He introduced us and we were inseparable; we pledged our love in a church ceremony immediately after my divorce became final. He adopted Patty and our family grew with one, two, three other daughters. We were developing our own chorus line! Paul finally got his boy; I needed to see it to believe it!

Tarnishing dreams of stardom hid dormant. Time passed, and I experienced the thrill of seeing Hollywood when visiting our son in California. Inwardly, I perceive I am young and beautiful, dressed in silks, luxurious furs, and attending movie premieres. I take a final glance at Paul before turning off the light. He is still my leading man.

Standard
Christian Growth, Devotionals, Family

Going Cold Turkey?

turkey-23435_640

Going cold turkey?

Even before making New Year’s resolutions, many resolve to quit smoking, drinking of alcoholic beverages or other addictive behaviors. Declining outside assistance of support systems or medications, they think positive thoughts.

Oops! Wrong cold turkey.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Traditional family Thanksgiving dinners feature the fowl, stuffing and all the trimmings. The aroma of butter basted birds’ beckons from kitchens. Family and friends eagerly anticipate yearly gatherings around the dining room table.

Who gets to carve the turkey? 

Drama continues after carving and feasting. What do we do with leftovers? Is that cold turkey desired or dreaded?

Visualize the remains of that scrumptious Thanksgiving turkey; once plump, it is now a skeleton on a spacious platter. Does cold turkey foreshadow feelings of sadness? The realization that another family gathering has passed may send a cold chill…

I want to keep the fires of Thanksgiving aglow.

The resurrected Lord sustains me; Christ Jesus dishes out the trimmings of abundant life. Knowing that He desires to fill me with His Holy Spirit, I come to Him with a hearty appetite. Thanks-giving is not a tip on a plate; it is praise on my lips.

My heart overflows…

“Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him,  rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:6-7 HCSB).”

 

 

Standard
Devotionals, Family

admin-ajax.php   {Norm Davis at 98.9 KOGQ-lp/Oak Grove, LA}

 

I’m busy doin’ the 3 R’s.

No, not Readin, Ritin and Rithmatic. I do Readin Ritin and Radio!

For most of our adult lives, my husband Norm and I worked together in careers of radio and TV. After selling a Florida community Low Power Television station, we thought we had finished broadcasting. One never knows what the future holds.

After retirement, we returned to his hometown of Oak Grove, Louisiana. We began working as on air volunteers for the local Cable TV access channel. A few years later, we found ourselves working as volunteers with area non-profit community Low Power FM stations.

Today, the 3 R’s are a regular part of my daily routine.

I read the scriptures and write daily devotions. I read community announcements and weather reports on the radio. Our friends at church affectionately refer to me as the ‘weather lady!’

“Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said to them, ‘When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times (Matthew 16:1-3 NKJV).”

Standard
Children, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Family, Uncategorized

Family Business

cotton-570920_640

Family businesses were once the backbone of America.   

Whether family farms or Main Street Mom & Pop’s, the businesses were owned and operated by members of close-knit families. Often, children played a major role by lending a helping hand before and after school. My husband was raised in the Deep South and speaks of earlier years when schools closed during harvest season. Children were needed to assist in gathering cotton crops.

Jesus carried out His Father’s kingdom business. He had a strong family support system.

“While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, ‘Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.’ But He answered and said to the one who told Him, ‘Who is My mother and who are My brothers?’ And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, ‘Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother (Matthew 12:46-50 NKJ).”  

   12471528_10204979913689110_9211174592249462285_o

Standard
Christian Growth, Devotionals, Family, Marriage

FORD JALOPY

My husband Norm and I have owned many a jalopy [junker] and used them for both local jaunts and long distance trips. I am a Ford by birth; though crank oil does not run through my veins, I have an affinity with Ford Motor Company by name only. Yet, I hadn’t the foggiest idea that I would one day consider myself a jalopy.

Last night before turning in, I was sitting on the edge of the bed. My husband was sitting up and leaning against his pillow at the headboard. Our conversation went something like this…SEPTEMBER 2014 002

He said, “Grandchildren would ask, ‘Were you young once?”

With a thoughtful expression, he continued.

“You were young once.”

Agreeing I replied, “Yes, I was young once. Now I’m old.”

He was too eager to agree. “Yes, now you’re old.”

Of course, I could say the same thing of him. I don’t think either of us are contemplating a trade of our jalopies for newer models.

I am getting older; I hope I will leave behind a legacy of love and faithfulness.

“Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them (Revelation 14:13b NKJ).”

Standard