There Goes Connie

LEARNING FROM PASSIONATE PEOPLE – “It is not your environment, it is you.”

06/08/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

“It is not your environment, it is you — the quality of your minds, the integrity of your souls, and the determination of your wills that will decide your future and shape your lives.” Dr. Benjamin E. Mays

Until a couple of weeks ago, I had never heard of Dr. Benjamin E. Mays. But, through the direction of Barbara Ware of the Old 96 District in South Carolina and the astute knowledge of Chris Thomas, I now know and appreciate the accomplishments and motivations of this remarkable man.

Three main buildings can be toured at the Dr. Benjamin Mays Historic Preservation Site in Greenwood, S.C. One is the birth house of Dr. Mays, who lived there with his parents and his seven siblings. His parents were former slaves who became tenant farmers.

Tenant farmer home and birth place of Dr. Mays.

Another is a replica one-room schoolhouse representative of one where Dr. Mays attended school in his early years.

Exterior of the one-room schoolhouse.

Inside the one-room schoolhouse representing Dr. Mays’ early education.

The last is the actual museum housing hundreds of photographs and documents gathered throughout his life.

Statue of Dr. Benjamin E. Mays in front of the museum on site.

If you watched the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. back in 1968, you probably saw Dr. Mays since he gave the eulogy. Dr. Mays was the president of Morehouse College from 1940-1967, and that is where he met Dr. King during his days as a student. Dr. Mays became a mentor to King. In addition, he was a Baptist minister, an author, and a civil rights pioneer.

Dr. Mays was the valedictorian of his high school class in 1916. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bates College in Maine and went on to earn both master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Chicago. This man who started out in a one-room schoolhouse was eventually conferred FIFTY-SIX honorary doctoral degrees from 1945-1984.

Chris Thomas, the man who shared all of this information as well as the heart and soul behind it, is a perfect choice to be the Director of the Preservation Site. He majored in history at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo and received a Master of Arts and Theological Studies from Liberty University. He pastors a local church and is an avid student of African and African-American history. When you visit, you will be fortunate indeed to have Mr. Thomas as your guide. He continues to work tirelessly on the development of the site which was recently named a part of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail.

Mr. Chris Thomas, Director of the Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historic Preservation Site.

Suffice it to say, I was inspired by both Dr. Mays and Mr. Thomas.

Posing with Mr. Chris Thomas after his thorough and informative tour.

Here is another thought-provoking quote by Dr. Mays — “When we build fences to keep others out, erect barriers to keep others down, deny to them the freedom which we ourselves enjoy and cherish most, we keep ourselves in, hold ourselves down, and the barriers we erect against others become prison bars to our own souls.”

I believe his words have a biblical ring to them. Consider these verses:

Matthew 5:44 – (Jesus said) “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, . . . “

John 13:35 – (Jesus said) “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Galatians 3:28 – (Paul said) “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

The Biltmore House and Gardens + Chihuly = A Stunning Combination

06/04/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Between now and October 7, 2018, the Biltmore House and Gardens will be enhanced by installations of glass creations created by Dale Chihuly and his talented team of glass blowers. This exhibit has taken four years of intense planning and preparation, and the results are spectacular. The garden staff carefully chose plants that would complement the glass pieces and showcase them in the best context. As you might imagine, the spring and summer plants will be replaced by fall varieties before the show ends in October. That’s just another area where the meticulous plans have taken shape and will come to fruition.

Biltmore House in Asheville, N.C.

It took weeks for eight engineers and artists to assemble the thousands of pieces of packed glass that arrived in six 53-foot-long tractor-trailer trucks. In October, they will return and start the tedious process of deconstructing each of the creations.

Here are just a few photos from our recent visit:

Chihuly orbs in the Italian Garden.

Cattails and Copper Birch Reeds in front of the Conservatory.

In the gardens near the Conservatory.

Chihuly in the atrium.

Daytime tickets to the house and gardens include viewing the Chihuly exhibits, but to see them at night a separate ticket is required. Regular admission price for adults is $67.00. You will want to add an audio device when you are taking the 90-minute tour of the house. The charge is $10.98. The device has a neckloop and is similar to listening on a cellphone. There are no earbuds. You just press the tour number and hold it to your ear.

IF YOU GO:

Dining options on the grounds include the Stable Cafe, The Bake Shop, The Conservatory Cafe and The Courtyard Market. I would suggest getting out of the crowd and driving over to Antler Hill Village. Steve and I enjoyed a delicious, relaxing lunch at Bistro, but other choices are Cedric’s Tavern and Village Social.

There are also several lodging options associated with the Biltmore, but I would like to highly recommend Pinecrest B & B, about 20-25 minutes away near downtown Asheville. The rooms are comfortable and beautifully decorated. The breakfast is out-of-this-world, and the hosts, Dan and Diane Rogers are delightful.

Pinecrest B & B in Asheville, N.C.

The Grace Suite, Pinecrest B & B, Asheville, N.C.

If you want “the mountain experience” and don’t mind driving a little farther, Wildberry Lodge is a large log cabin structure in a gorgeous setting. Here, too, you will find welcoming hosts and a delicious breakfast.

Large outdoor deck of Wildberry Lodge overlooking the mountains.

Porch where breakfast is served at Wildberry Lodge when the weather permits.

Stay tuned for more posts about Asheville and the surrounding area, but in the meantime, start making your plans to visit.

Billy Graham STILL Has an Impact

06/01/2018 By: CCPearson1 Comment

We almost missed it. On a recent trip to various locations in North and South Carolina, our itinerary was filled with addresses of hotels, restaurants, and attractions. My head was spinning with all we’d be seeing and doing, but Steve remembered something that I had forgotten. Billy Graham was from Charlotte, N.C., and that’s where we were spending the night. We realized that a short window of opportunity would be open the next morning before we drove to Asheville, N.C. and found that the Billy Graham Library was only about 15 minutes from our hotel. I’m so very glad we had a chance to visit.

Billy Graham Library main building.

As a born-again Christian since I was 8 years old, Billy Graham’s name, face, and ministry have filled my consciousness my whole life. I am just one of the 215 million people in 185 countries that Mr. Graham preached to in his lifetime. In the 99 years of his life, his sermons carried one central message — Jesus Christ is the only way to God because the Bible tells us so.

Billy Graham preaching to the people of the world.

Representatives of various people groups who heard Billy Graham preach.

The Billy Graham Library is located, appropriately so, right off of Billy Graham Parkway in Charlotte. The dedication was held on May 31, 2007, with three former U.S. Presidents in attendance (Bush 41, Clinton and Carter). He was, after all, referred to as “Pastor to the Presidents” and met with all of them going back to Harry Truman.

Right before he preached.

Billy Graham with John F. Kennedy.

Billy Graham with President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy.

The staff and website are quick to tell you that this is not a memorial or a museum but a ministry. And, I got to see that in action for myself. The grounds are beautifully-maintained, and the atmosphere is one of peace and tranquility with beautiful Christian music playing the moment you get out of your car. The exhibits and multimedia presentations follow a logical and well-planned order, constantly pointing people to Jesus. And, as I fully expected, there was a Gospel invitation given at the end with trained counselors on hand to answer questions and to pray with those who wanted help.

I loved the attention the Library gave to Billy’s wife Ruth. She died in 2007 after they had been married for 64 years. She was the one who stayed behind rearing the couple’s 5 children while Billy traveled all over the world preaching. Her commitment to his ministry was every bit as strong as his was. (They had 19 grandchildren, a fact that I, as a grandmother to 13, carefully noted).

Ruth Bell Graham’s engagement ring, their wedding invitation and cake topper.

The burial sites of both Billy and Ruth were very special, as were those of Cliff Barrows and his wife and George Beverly Shea. Their music was essential to the success of countless crusades. (Just as a side note, my uncle George Rose was a gifted singer who was often compared to George Beverly Shea. He admired the man so much that he named his son George Beverly Rose. We called him “Bev.”)

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Ministry Team

George Beverly Shea. One of his most requested songs was “I’d Rather Have Jesus.”

Graves of Billy and Ruth Graham.

Graves of Cliff Barrows, his wife and George Beverly Shea.

Steve and I left with uplifted hearts. This ministry is done in an excellent way. Admission is free. I recommend it highly. You will also find Billy’s boyhood home on the grounds, as well as a bookstore and a very clean and attractive cafe.

Psalm 116:15 – “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants.” Can you just imagine the thousands that were standing at the gates of heaven to welcome the man who had preached Jesus to them and helped them find salvation and eternal life?

Gunrunner Boutique Hotel: Exceptional Lodging in the Shoals

05/28/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

If you’re like me and enjoy searching out the newest and the quirkiest places to spend the night, if you enjoy hearing the history of a building or the motivations and dreams of the owners, then I would suggest that you consider the Gunrunner Boutique Hotel in Florence, Alabama. Located at 310 East Tennessee Street, just a block away from Court Street, Gunrunner enjoys strategic proximity to shopping, dining and main events in Florence.

The ten suites of Gunrunner are behind and above two thriving businesses—Turbo Coffee and Greasy Hands Barbershop — and there is a large event space in the rear of the building.

Turbo Coffee on the ground floor of the Gunrunner.

Coffee shop bar area near the front access to the Gunrunner.

Greasy Hands Barbershop on the ground floor of the Gunrunner Hotel.

Event space in the back of the Gunrunner.

Billy Ray Casteel, the hotel’s owner, insisted that each suite would be decorated around a theme with a specific connection to the Shoals. Guests may choose from the Billy Reid Suite (decorated by designer Billy Reid himself), Frank Lloyd Wright Suite (the only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house in Alabama is only a few blocks away), the Glencoe Suite (named for a famous racehorse of the 1800’s owned by the Jackson family who built a mansion in Lauderdale County), the Lion Suite (a reference to the mascot of the University of North Alabama) and others. The Devil’s Backbone Suite is the only one truly handicap-accessible. It is on the ground floor and has a walk-in shower. Others are reached by a flight of stairs.

The ADA-compliant suite at the Gunrunner.

The former warehouse building has been overhauled and completely repurposed but still retains exposed brick walls, wood ceiling beams, and a former freight elevator is now where the bar is located.

Common area accessible to the guest suites.

The bar and lounge area in the common space of the Gunrunner.

Guest suites feature bedding by Peacock Alley, luxurious robes, Bluetooth speakers, flatscreen TV, Keurig coffeemaker, private bath, private parking and keyless entrance. As a matter of fact, Gunrunner strives to be as hands-off with its guests as possible. Reservations and payment are made on-line, then guests are given a code to use to access the main door and their particular suite.

Florence hosts First Friday events in downtown, the Helen Keller Festival, the W.C. Handy Festival, and, of course, dozens of special happenings at the University of North Alabama. Find a special occasion and check out the website of the Gunrunner. I assure you this will be far from a “cookie-cutter” experience.

The Endless Ripple Effects of “Passing It On”

05/25/2018 By: CCPearson2 Comments

PASS IT ON

By Kurt Kaiser

It only takes a spark to get a fire going.
And soon all those around, can warm up in its glowing.
That’s how it is with God’s love,
Once you’ve experienced it, you spread His love to everyone;
You want to pass it on.

What a wondrous time is spring, when all the trees are budding;

The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming.
That’s how it is with God’s love;
Once you’ve experienced it, you want to sing
“It’s fresh like spring”; you want to pass it on.

I wish for you my friend, this happiness that I’ve found.
You can depend on Him, it matters not where you’re bound.
I’ll shout it from the mountaintop – PRAISE GOD
I want the world to know; the Lord of love has come to me,
I want to pass it on.

When so-called contemporary Christian music began to appear on the scene in the late 1960’s/early 70’s, this song by Kurt Kaiser was one of the most popular ones. With its decidedly evangelistic message, it was a natural choice for youth
retreats and invitation times at the end of worship services. It was intended to motivate believers to boldly share
their faith.
The idea of “passing it on” is a very positive and effective one in the secular world as well. So much good can be done
for humanity if an individual who RECEIVES a blessing turns around and BECOMES a blessing to someone else. The ripple effects are endless.
During a recent visit to Oxford, Mississippi, I toured Rowan Oak, the family home of highly-acclaimed and prolific
writer, William Faulkner.

The next day I visited a popular store in the downtown square called Square Books. That
very afternoon a book-signing was being held at the children’s book branch of Square Books called Square Books Jr.
for this book and its author. I was scheduled to leave before the signing began, but I decided to buy the book anyway,
knowing that I have a host of grandchildren who love to read.

The message of the book is powerful. A black man named Earnest McEwen, Jr. had an insatiable desire to read and to learn and who longed to attend college. He got a job as a janitor at Ole Miss, and several professors noticed that he
arrived early and stayed late to devour any books that he could find. Those professors were acquaintances of William Faulkner’s. William Faulkner sent a message to the young man to come out to Rowan Oak for a visit. Earnest (Ernie) nervously did so.

William Faulkner told him he wanted to make his dream of a college education come true, and Ernie was able to enroll at Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi. The story is beautifully told by Ernie’s daughter, Gloria J. McEwen Burgess. Gloria and her four sisters caught their father’s desire for education. Three now have doctoral degrees. One is a social worker. Gloria herself is a therapist and a pastor. All are using their educations to benefit hundreds of others. Faulkner’s generosity has already had far-reaching effects.

Each of us has received blessings upon blessings from God. Now (I’m asking myself as well as you), how are we using
those blessings to bless others?
God said to Abram in Genesis 12:2 – “And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing.”
Proverbs 11:25 – “The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.”

Florence, Alabama Native, Natalie Chanin: Her Factory and Her Cafe

05/21/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

“A Feather’s Not a Bird” by Rosanne Cash begins with these lyrics:

I’m going down to Florence, gonna wear a pretty dress
I’ll sit atop the magic wall with the voices in my head
Then we’ll drive on through to Memphis, past the strongest shoals
Then on to Arkansas just to touch the gumbo soul

A feather’s not a bird
The rain is not the sea
A stone is not a mountain
But a river runs through me

There’s never any highway when you’re looking for the past
The land becomes a memory and it happens way too fast
The money’s all in Nashville but the light’s inside my head
So I’m going down to Florence just to learn to love the thread

A feather’s not a bird
The rain is not the sea
A stone is not a mountain
But a river runs through me

Those of us who are natives of North Alabama, know where Florence, Alabama is, and we certainly know which river she’s singing about — the Tennessee, of course! We might even be familiar with “the magic wall” Rosanne Cash mentions in the second line. That refers to the mile-long stone wall monument Tom Hendrix built in honor of his great, great grandmother’s journey back from Oklahoma after being carried from her homeland during the Trail of Tears. And, “the voices in my head” suggest the name the Yuchi tribe gave to the Tennessee River — “the river that sings.”

But, what about “wearing a pretty dress” and “learning to love the thread?”

That’s where Natalie Chanin comes into the song. Cash and Chanin spent time sightseeing and sewing together during a trip Cash made in 2013 to explore some of her daddy’s roots (Johnny Cash). While traveling the Natchez Trace, Cash was led naturally to Alabama. The trip inspired Cash to the point that she named her 2014 album “The River and the Thread” and wore a Natalie Chanin coat when she accepted three Grammy awards that year.

I believe you, too, will be inspired when you make a visit to Ms. Chanin’s factory, store and cafe in Florence. Natalie Chanin spent 20 years as a designer and stylist in New York and Europe before being drawn back to her hometown and bringing her creative talents with her. Alabama Chanin, 462 Lane Drive in Florence, is housed in a former t-shirt factory.

Entrance to Alabama Chanin in Florence, AL.

Warehouse-type store.

The Factory Store is open from 10:00 to 5:00 Monday through Friday and from 10:00 to 3:00 on Saturday. Items for sale include both handsewn and factory-made fashions, as well as home goods and accessories from local artisans. Ms. Chanin’s designs are extremely high-end, and when you look closely and see the intricacy of the work, you will better appreciate the price tags.

Alabama Chanin also opens the factory to sewing groups on the first and third Tuesdays of each month for those who want to enjoy improving their skills while socializing with others. DIY kits and stencil templates are for sale for beginners and advanced seamstresses. Ms. Chanin believes strongly in passing down sewing arts and offers a variety of classes that can be found on the website.

Tours of the Factory are hosted at 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The tours are free and last about 30 minutes. It is extremely interesting to learn about the behind-the-scenes process for creating the elaborate pieces produced by Chanin and her team.

Factory Cafe is a popular place for lunch with its wide expanse of tables, natural light, and fresh, delicious menu. Diners order at the counter, and then dishes are brought to the table. The day I visited, Natalie herself was serving guests. I SO wanted to stop her long enough for a photo but just couldn’t convince myself it was the right thing to do. She’s quite striking in her appearance and appears very humble in spite of her amazing success and worldwide recognition.

At the counter of the Factory Cafe.

I strongly urge you to check out this fascinating gem in Florence, AL. It might just cause you to dust off your long-unused sewing machine.

Reconciliation: The Message and the Ministry

05/18/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

2 Corinthians 5:16-21 – “¹⁶So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.¹⁷Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ¹⁸All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. ²¹God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to teach Sunday School with the above Scripture as the focal passage. As is always the case, I learned FAR MORE than I taught, and I had lots of time to ruminate on those verses. The two highlighted phrases really jumped to the forefront in my mind as I pondered the text.

We, who are IN CHRIST, know and have received the “message of reconciliation.” In other words, we understand what Jesus did on the cross for us, so that our relationship with God could be restored — the relationship that had been broken because of our sin. Now, as “Christ’s ambassadors,” it is our job to share that message with others, thus making it our “ministry of reconciliation.”

Reconciliation, of course, involves both vertical and horizontal relationships. Us with God and us with those around us. When we accept Christ as Savior, we become “new creations.” This passage also states that “from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.” In other words, we need to see them through God’s eyes. Surely when we do that, the hate/criticism/bitterness/prejudices of the past can go away, and love/acceptance/understanding can appear instead.

Verse 21 is what Chris Tomlin used in the opening of his song “Jesus Messiah.” It’s one of my favorite praise and worship songs. Let these words be a blessing and an encouragement to you today.

He became sin, who knew no sin
That we might become his righteousness
He humbled himself and carried the cross
Love so amazing, love so amazing

Jesus Messiah, name above all names
Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners, the ransom from heaven
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all

His body the bread, his blood the wine
Broken and poured out all for love
The whole earth trembled, and the veil was torn
Love so amazing, how can it be? Your love’s so amazing, yeah

Jesus Messiah, name above all names
Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners, the ransom from heaven
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all

all I hope is in you, all I hope is in you
All the glory to you, God, the light of the world

All I hope is in you (no one else), all I hope is in you
All the glory to you, God, (you are) the light of the world

Jesus Messiah, name above all names
Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners, the ransom from heaven
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all

Jesus Messiah, Lord of all
You’re the lord of all
You’re the lord of all

3 Reasons to Book a Room at the Graduate Hotel in Oxford, Mississippi

05/14/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Are you an Old Miss alum? Do you have a child who attends school there? Does your SEC team play Ole Miss in Oxford this year? Are you merely interested in visiting a town filled with special people, attractions, history and RESTAURANTS? Consider Oxford, Mississippi, and when you do, then also consider staying at the Graduate Hotel. I absolutely loved it when I had a chance to stay there recently.

CONVENIENT TO EVERYTHING!

Graduate Hotel is a block away from the downtown square or a short walk to Mid-Town Shopping Center on North Lamar Boulevard in the opposite direction of the square. The University of Mississippi campus can also be reached on foot if the weather is nice and you’re up for a stroll. At the shopping center, you’ll find several notable restaurants, and you’ll pass some gorgeous homes along the way. Around the square, you’ll find even more great restaurants, plus enough shops to keep you busy for hours. My favorite shops were Square Books, Off Square Books, and Square Books Jr. Do you detect a theme there?

Exterior of the hotel from across the street.

Graduate Hotel is SO convenient, in fact, that students often happily set up their study areas in the lobby and take advantage of the hotel’s free wi-fi. Free snacks are even offered to students during exams each semester. The hotel management wants the lobby to be “the living room of the community.” If you’re a Baby Boomer like me, I can guarantee the presence of those students will rejuvenate you.

Ole Miss students studying in the lobby.

COMFORTABLE GUEST ROOMS AND PLENTY OF AMENITIES

Comfortable beds, great TV reception and channel selection, adjustable room temperature, that all-important high-speed internet, well-placed chairs/lamps/electric outlets, and, of course, PLENTY of hot water in the shower are all mighty important in my list of desirable hotel room traits. What about you? Graduate Hotel offers all of those plus other surprises, such as toiletries by Malin + Goetz.

Guest room.

Parking is free, there’s a coffee shop in the lobby, and a large, well-equipped fitness center is available 24/7.

UNIQUE CONNECTIONS TO OLE MISS AND TO OXFORD

Graduate Hotels are uniquely suited to the major college campuses in the towns/cities where they are located. In other words, this is not a chain in any of the normal senses of the word. Every Graduate Hotel suits its particular place.

Two of the first fun touches I noticed were the framed silhouettes for Archie Manning and his wife Olivia on the walls of my room with the endearing nicknames of “King” and “Queen.” If Oxford has a royal couple, then those two are IT! The coffee shop/sidewalk cafe off the lobby is named “Cabin 82.” You guessed it. That’s the number for the Manning’s cabin on a nearby lake. The decor is suggestive of the Neshoba County Fair. “The Coop” on the top floor is a restaurant bar with a chicken theme, but its name comes from Manning son Cooper, who is also an investor in the hotel.

“The Coop” – rooftop cafe and bar.

Cabin 82 Coffee Shop

References to William Faulkner also appear in the halls and in the guest rooms — his drawings, some of his quotes, etc. etc. And the reception desk is reminiscent of a library with book-filled shelves hinting at Oxford’s literary history.

Reception desk.

Some of the furniture pieces resemble trunks and locker rooms from dorm rooms of old, and there are touches of red and blue EVERYWHERE. Actually, though, there’s a surprising amount of PINK. When I inquired, I learned that the designers of the Oxford Graduate went to The Grove and carefully observed all the tailgate happenings during a home football game. They noticed that the male students were dressed in very dapper, bold prints featuring pink, and many wore bowties. They translated that into carpet designs and even stained the hardwood floors in the lobby a light pink!! It works beautifully and gives the whole place a vibe that matches a large college in the South. Oh, and just one more subtle touch. The floor tiles at the entrance door are cleverly arranged in HT-HT-HT patterns. Ha! “Hotty Toddy!”

Painted bowties on display in the lobby.

Pink floors in the lobby

H-T Tiles — “Hotty Toddy”

There’s a rumor floating around that Auburn will have a Graduate Hotel in the future. I can’t wait to see how those developers and investors will set the scene in the Loveliest Village on the Plains. These are fun places. Look for one when you visit Ann Arbor, MI, Athens, GA, Charlottesville, VA, Madison, WI, Tempe, AZ, Berkeley, CA, Lincoln, NE, or Richmond, VA. I guarantee you’ll want one near your own alma mater.

Filling the House with Scripture

05/11/2018 By: CCPearson3 Comments

As the floors, then the roof, then the interior walls have taken shape in our new house, I have started prayerwalking the rooms and halls. I imagine and then pray for the people who will come through the front door, the people who will sit in our living room or family room or those who we’ll share meals with around the kitchen table, in the dining room or around the bar in the kitchen. I can already see the faces, hear the laughter, feel the hugs and smell the food cooking on the stove.

As I’ve selected paint colors, light fixtures, cabinet styles and the million or so other decisions that go into putting a house together, various Scripture verses and passages have come to mind. Our plan is to have grandchildren inscribe their own favorite verses into the subflooring — a symbolic way to infuse the house and its foundation with the Word. As that happens in the coming weeks, I’ll add photos to this post. But, for now, here are some verses that various rooms bring to mind:

ENTRANCE –

Hebrews 13:2 – “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

Luke 10:38 – “Now as they were traveling along, He (Jesus) entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.”

1 Peter 4:9 – “Be hospitable to one another without complaint.”

Romans 13:10 – “Love does no wrong to a neighbor, therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

Romans 12:13 – “Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.”

Matthew 25:35 – “I (Jesus) was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”

LIVING ROOM, FAMILY ROOM, BACK PORCH –

Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”

Colossians 4:6 – “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”

Proverbs 17:27 – “He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.”

Proverbs 17:22 – “A cheerful heart is good medicine”

Proverbs 15:13 – “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face”

Proverbs 15:15 – “for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.”

Proverbs 16:24 – “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

KITCHEN, DINING ROOM, PICNIC TABLE –

John 6:35 – “Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Proverbs 11:25 – “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 – “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Acts 2:46-47 – “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Nehemiah 8:10 – “Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

MASTER BEDROOM –

Ephesians 4:2-3 – “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

Ephesians 3:22 – “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.”

Ephesians 3:25-28 – “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.”

Colossians 3:18-19 – “Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.”

LAUNDRY ROOM (would also work with showers and bathtubs) –

Psalm 51:10 – “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Psalm 51:2 – “Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin.”

1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Hebrews 10:22 – “let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

I’d love to have your help. Share some more verses with me. I know there must be dozens for each category.

I would also recommend that you prayerwalk the rooms of your own home — new, not-so-new, rented, shared, a cabin, a condo, an apartment, a mobile home, a motorhome, a bungalow or a mansion. Those of us who are in Christ desire to be surrounded in the Truth, and wherever we “dwell,” He is with us.

As it turned out, daughter Laura and her two came to visit for a few days. Not surprisingly, they each had their own ideas for verses to contribute to the floor.

Megan wanted to add the fruit of the Spirit to the kitchen — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control – Galatians 5:22-23

Nathan added Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

All three are hard at work in the Family Room.

Nathan added Psalm 1:1 to the boys room — “Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly.”

Laura adds Psalm 34:8 to the dining room — “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

Megan adds Proverbs 31:30 to the floor of the girls’ room. “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

Wow! It is such a blessing for the Word to be a deep part of their lives. What better Mother’s Day present could there be??

Two New Eateries in The Shoals

05/07/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Florence, Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia and Sheffield — the quartet of towns referred to as “The Shoals” — give us all kinds of reasons to visit for a day or a weekend. Tours of recording studios are must-dos because of all the remarkable music that has been created in those places. Lots of neat stores for shopping lure us and our credit cards. Followers of athletic and other endeavors at the University of North Alabama don their purple and gold and hope for a glimpse of Leo III and Una in their world-class lion habitat on campus. And Florence also hosts First Fridays every month from March to December with family-friendly art, music, shopping and entertainment with free admission.

It’s a given that you will want to plan good places to eat when you visit The Shoals, and two new ones really caught my attention recently. I highly recommend both of them to you.

BIG BAD BREAKFAST

Perhaps you’ve heard of John Currence, James Beard Award recipient of Best Chef: South in 2009? He has put Oxford, Mississippi on the map as a foodie destination with his FOUR restaurants in the town. Now he’s in the process of expanding the locations of one of them — Big Bad Breakfast — and a Florence location opened just a few weeks ago. At 315 North Court Street, this BBB is on the ground floor of the Stricklin Building which will soon house the Stricklin Boutique Hotel and the Boiler Room. It is open 7 days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Imagine a breakfast featuring a signature blend of coffee from Royal Cup, bacon or sausage from a farm in Eva and a side order of grits grown in Wilsonville, AL. Yes, there’s more — so much more.

Big Bad Breakfast in Florence, AL, bottom floor of The Stricklin Hotel.

Cathead biscuits are legendary as well as the variety of skillets. BBB serves up an array of omelets, pancakes, waffles and even health-conscious options. I chose chicken and waffles when I visited. The chicken was SO tender, and the waffle was light and fluffy. Perfection! Oh, and all the jams are housemade. No Smuckers allowed.

If you’re not a “morning person,” a full lunch menu is also available with burgers, sandwiches, salads, quesadillas and even shrimp and grits.

I really admired the furniture made from an Amish community in Summertown, Tennessee. Go and check it out.

Interior of Big Bad Breakfast in Florence with Amish furniture.

RAY’S AT THE BANK

Ray’s at the Bank, 1411 Huntsville Road in Florence, is, as the name implies, housed in a former bank building. The inside is very “vintage” with exposed brick walls, but the atmosphere is elegant. Well, actually it’s fairly casual at lunch but turns more upscale for dinner. My sources tell me that in the evenings they serve a “filet you can cut with a spoon” and that the prime rib is fabulous. I always like restaurants with white tablecloths.

Ray’s at the Bank exterior

Ray’s at the Bank interior with exposed bricks and white tablecloths

Ray’s is only about two years old. The owners formerly operated Dish in downtown Florence but chose to close Dish and open in this location.

During a recent lunch, I chose the chicken salad and fruit plate while my friend had the day’s soup special — chili. We could have ordered burgers, sandwiches, other salads or even barbecue cooked on their hand-crafted smoker. Everything was delicious, and I hope to return soon for a dinner date.

Chicken Salad and Fruit Plate at Ray’s.

Tasty chili and grilled cheese at Ray’s.

Take note that the dinner menu changes nightly, but it can be found on the Ray’s Facebook page.

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