Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
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Do you ever get discouraged? Be a cheerleader for someone. Having a bad day? A cheerful attitude is contagious. Discouragement is a chief weapon of the enemy, leading to apathy, insensitivity, bitterness and resentment. I like to read about David in the Old Testament. Pursued by insurmountable odds, he persisted in his faith, taking courage in meeting life’s challenges. David’s own men wanted to kill him, “But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God” (1 Samuel 30:6). David became his own cheerleader. I’m thrilled...
I think we should have a “Hug Day.” I would be lost if I didn’t have hugs from friends and loved ones. Hugs make me happy. Hugs tell me someone likes me, and that fills me with delight. I feel it takes hugs for one’s well being. I read somewhere that husbands who hug their wives live, on average, five years longer than those who do not. Many years of teaching little people brought hugs as far as they could reach. I hugged back at least 25 times a day. Guess what? My students have grown up, and I get lots of hugs these d...
Are there any real heroes today? Yes and yes. I submit there are many Americans who are God-fearing people who strive to do right and live by The Golden Rule. I am prejudiced because I know more than I can count in Portales. These people are the ones who go to work every day, who live by godly principles and who believe in honesty, truth and honor. You will find these people helping others. You will see them at the voting polls. You will see them volunteering in community service. These “real heroes” are the ones who have mad...
Memories flood my soul as I visit the graves of loved ones who have gone on before me. As far back as I can remember, thoughts of my grandfather remind me of his love for Jesus. My grandmother’s singing as she churned butter in the big crock with a dasher echoes in my ears. I remember pickled peaches, “rainbow” cakes, quilting frames and Sunday meals she cooked for the revival preacher. Her love for my grandfather left an indelible impression upon me. I watched my dad take care of my mother for ten long, tedious years. He dr...
Remember that wonderful feeling of “senioritis” around graduation time? It seems the long-awaited day will never arrive. The next stage of life beckons quickly. Each time I look across the sea of graduates, I have hope and dreams for each one. When caps go into the air, I ask the Lord to lead them. Our future, our children’s future and our grandchildren’s future depend on them. In a way, all of us are in the “School of Life.” We have hard assignments at times. Disappointments, misunderstandings, illnesses and loss of lov... Full story
On May 6, this year’s National Day of Prayer will join those who are sincerely lifting up the needs of our nation. We must have a deep resolve. We do this with conviction, looking the enemy in the eye, telling him that he cannot have this country. Prayer is our utmost priority in these times. Let us seek the Lord for the spiritual revival in our land. May we listen to God’s call. It is a call to righteousness, to repentance and holiness. We respond by praying as a nation together. Especially on May 6, please be in pra...
Don’t you love to be in the presence of loved ones? There is such a joy in sharing and enjoying the company. When my aunts in the rest home saw my husband and me coming to visit, their faces began to blossom and shine. My husband always kissed them hello and kissed them good-bye. Although our children are grown and gone, how we relish the times we get to visit. It’s being together. It’s love. It’s family. We enjoy each other. Of all the wonderful blessings we have been given in this life, the thing I enjoy the most is the...
Life doesn’t happen to some people. Instead some people happen to life. They dare to make life the best it can be. Mediocrity is not in their vocabulary. I have a dear friend who recently had radical surgery. She was in surgery many hours. When she was at home in recovery, I called one day to check on her. “I’m getting better every day. Considering what all they did to me, I’m doing really well.” What a great attitude. Attitude makes a lot of difference. Being positive enables us to find something good in bad situation...
Today is a gift from God. How you use this day is up to you. We all have the same amount of time, and we can have a good day or a bad one. You make the choice for the kind of day you have, and you can make it happen. I want today to be like Psalm 118:24: “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Every day is another opportunity to be happy. Squeeze it and love it. Please don’t waste it. Let’s not live in the past. Living yesterday brings up past mistakes and regrets. Worry takes on the sor...
Jesus knew the suffering he would have to endure, but he chose the cross anyway. He could have called “10,000 angels” to come to his aid, but then, where would we be? Jesus took the sins of mankind once and for all so we could escape the Old Testament judgment. No longer will we have a flood covering the earth like in Noah’s time to rid the world of sin. Jesus became the sacrificial Lamb for you and me. The Resurrection is our “hope that springs eternal.” Jesus chose the path to the cross because he is love and love conq...
Another school year will soon be gone before we know it. I still miss the little people, and the memories still linger in my mental files. When I began my teaching career, the school where I taught had no kindergarten. My class of first graders experienced “new separation anxiety” in the worst way. They were so bewildered, they cried uncontrollably for hours. That school looked mighty big and foreboding in their young eyes. On that first day suddenly one student began to sing louder than the children’s wailing. My first... Full story
I have discovered two ways to live: I can let life happen to me or I can happen to life. Allowing life to happen is not very exciting to me. In fact, it could be dull. The same routines and rituals do not require much enthusiasm or energy for me. A big world is out there just waiting to be found. Life can be a wondrous trip, and happening to life is the way I want to go. Since the present economic troubles, many have found ways to economize and have fun doing it. They have discovered coupons, garage sales and bargains. Some... Full story
Why is it so hard for the world to admit that a society governed by biblical principles is a society that flourishes? The world’s answer to this dilemma is more gun control, more laws, more policemen, more government funding and more taxes! Those who live by biblical standards seem to me to have longer lives and are less likely to abuse alcohol or drugs. They are less likely to be wife or child abusers, criminals or law-breakers. They are also twice as likely to stay married, in my years of observation. The strength of a nati...
A student who recognizes and remembers me is one of the many blessings in my life. Thirty-one years of teaching little ones stay indelibly imprinted in my memory. The bond between teacher and student remains. I tried to figure out one time just how many students I had taught in 31 years. I stopped counting after several thousand. A lieutenant colonel walked up to me recently. “Aren’t you Mrs. Clayton?” He politely asked. “I had you in second grade,” this handsome young man said. “Let me look at you,” I exclaimed, ga...
My ancestors left me a legacy more precious than gold … a strong faith in God. From my great grandparents to my parents, I have come to know the purpose of life. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). I still see my grandfather with his Bible on his knees. My grandmother’s singing echoes in my ears. I well remember the day she faced serious surgery. “I give it all to you, God, and if I die, I can’t help it.” To me, her...
Valentine’s Day comes once a year, but I know someone who sends love every day. His Valentine contains comfort, confidence, counsel, protection, favor, abundance, healing, wisdom, knowledge and much more. His Valentine is filled with love for you, and that love goes beyond anything this world could ever offer. His love holds this world together. It’s the reason to get up in the morning. It’s the reason to go on living after a loss. Love gives hope to life. As long as there are people, there’s a reason to live and to love &h... Full story
Go to any bookstore and you will find dozens of “how to” books on being happy. Enticements are everywhere. TV commercials are filled with “things” guaranteed to satisfy. You only need their products to make your life perfect. For some, happiness is attained only when “this or that happens.” Yet, the bottom line says that after the possession of fortune or fame is achieved, reality comes into play and says, “Is this all there is?” The Bible contains the path to lasting happiness. Life is difficult without kindness, unsel... Full story
Jesus has provided the greatest gift in the history of the human race by laying down his life for our eternal salvation. Yet he sends beautiful gifts just waiting to be opened every day. They are wonderful little surprises that, unless we are tuned in, will go right on by and not even be noticed. That has to offend our heavenly Father, who lovingly wants to bless us. These important principles position a person to receive blessings. Otherwise, when the blessings occur, they may not be recognized and will simply pass as happen...
People Need Trees and Trees Need People... Full story
Snow makes me happy, and I guess it’s because we don’t see it often. It brings a winter wonderland for me. Gentle snowflakes softly fall and cover the boughs of my evergreen trees. The “picture perfect” postcard is filed in my photo album of many blessings. Underneath this glorious sight, I remember, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18 NIV) I feel an awesome touch of God’s greatness. Just as falling snow covers the la...
11 has come and gone with its challenges. With so many issues in government, chaos in culture, economy and all kinds of personal situations life would seem to be the pits. Not so dear reader. We are living in the “meanwhiles.” Whatever our life span covers, the real life is “losing your life to find it.” “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it” (Luke 9:24 NIV). God never abandons his child. One of my favorite Scriptures tells about his loyalty. “The Lord lives! P...
Editor’s Note: This column has been printed in the anthology “Christmas Traditions.” Reprinted with permission from Adams Media Corp....
Black was the night when Mary and Joseph arrived. Throngs of people lined the streets of Bethlehem. Who would have thought the darkness of the world would soon be penetrated with a light so bright? The “Light” would forever change the course of human events. (Luke 2:7) The Light still shines today. ”Your word is like a lamp for my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105 NCV). Silver was the star in the east. Sparkling silver streaks of “Light” led the Wise Men to the Christ Child. Radiance and reflection brought ama... Full story
Is it any wonder that Jesus came to earth as a little baby? And is it any wonder Jesus loved the little children? Their innocence, forgiveness, love and compassion fill their hearts. At Christmastime I think of the Babe of Bethlehem and the stable, the star in the east and Herod’s terrible decree. Imagine if Jesus had never been born, or if King Herod had succeeded. The thought makes me shudder. If Jesus had never been born, there would be no absolutes, no restraints and no hope. Where there is no hope, there is only d...
