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My Election Day Theme Song

Valerie Basham

November 4, 2008

No matter what the outcome of today’s election is, I am thankful for America’s system of government. I am thankful that we have a peaceful passing of the baton in our Presidential leadership. We have not had to go to war to get a new leader…praise God!
I’d like to share the song that is on my heart and lips today. I’m singing it whenever fear of the future (which isn’t given to me by God!) creeps upon me. I am also in prayer for our nation today, that regardless of who takes the Oval office, our nation will experience revival.

The Solid Rock

My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name!

On Christ the Solid Rock, I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

Verses I’m claiming today:

Psalm 118 :5- 9
5 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
7 The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

Whatever happens, may God get the glory. My hope rests upon Him.

Fun Festivities at the Fall Fellowship

Valerie Basham

7 comments

October 29, 2008

I’m sorry I got a little carried away with alliteration in the title. Growing up under a pastor who alliterated everything, it’s a hard habit to break! Thanks for loving me anyway….you do love me, right? RIGHT?? Okay, how ’bout like? Tolerate? Surely one of those fits…whatever you feel for me, thanks for putting up with my sporadic posting habits and my spontaneous alliteration…oh boy…there it goes again. No more! I promise………………..maybe. 😉

We recently had our fall ladies fellowship at church, and I just wanted to share some of the fun. Our theme was “Falling to Pieces”. I have been dealing with an ongoing battle with depression the last few months. It has not been the serious clinical kind, but the day-to-day, regular kind. If there is a “regular” kind! Rather than consult everyone I know about my problems, and get a different opinion with each person, I decided to just bypass the middle man and go straight to my Heavenly Father. I have delved into Scripture regarding my depression, and obvious mood swings, and I have not been disappointed! The Lord has been so good to me! I haven’t been able to eliminate all my mood swings, but I have reduced them greatly. I’ve also learned how to manage those days when sadness, loneliness and grief wash over me…sometimes for no apparent reason!

With that said, I thought I would share my study on depression with our ladies this past Saturday evening. I am not a gifted speaker or a Bible scholar. I simply shared what God is doing for me. Even though we talked about “falling to pieces” and depression, I did not want it to be a depressing evening! We played a quick game and then had lots and lots of laughs and, of course, FOOD!

Here are some of the highlights:

I made these apple candles to line the table with, along with falling leaves. The ladies really loved my candles. That was very encouraging because I am not a very good decorator!

One lady brought this homemade apple pie…can you see the detail on that? We all hated to eat it…but being the martyrs that we are, we managed to do it!

We had a good number come out. Three ladies that had signed up were unable to come for different reasons. We did have one visitor though, so that was nice!

I was a nervous wreck most of the evening. I am younger than most of the ladies in our church, and I often let this intimidate me. It is then that the Lord reminds me that I am serving Him, therefore, He will help me and just why am I looking around at people anyway? He brings Peter to mind. I think about how he looked around and started sinking. He reminds me of Proverbs 29:25: The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. I then breath a sigh of relief and am comforted once my mind rests upon Him.

I am very thankful for my nervous, high-strung nature…it helps me keep calling upon Him for help in this important job of reaching souls for Him. I hope and pray that the ladies received a blessing. The point that I so poorly expressed was that whatever emotional issues we face in life, the Lord is there and ready to help us through those times. We need only to call upon him.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

I thank the Lord for his very present help!

Are You There?

Valerie Basham

4 comments

October 25, 2008

Hello…..hello? Anybody there? Yoohoo! Oh! Good! You had me worried there for a minute!
Hey, I just wanted to apologize for being away so long. I will do my best to post something today. But it might be late tonight. I have a ladies fellowship tonight, but I’m about ready for that, so perhaps I can post this afternoon. I am looking forward to the next installment of my love story. I really need to wrap this phase of my life up, people. I hope I can do it soon. I can’t live in the past forever. I mean, I do have a future to think about. It may not be an exciting future or anything, but then, I don’t need a lot of excitement in my life.
Thanks for stayin’ with me….

hello? hello…?

Update on our Revival

Valerie Basham

3 comments

October 19, 2008

Well, friends and neighbors, I am sad to inform you that the Devil was alive and well at our revival meeting this past week. I suppose we should feel honored that he felt he should show up in the first place! Perhaps we are on the verge of seeing God’s hand move in a great and mighty way.
I prayed that no one would contract a virus or ear infection during our revival, and that prayer was answered. I prayed that everyone would be able to locate their shoes, and that was answered. It’s amazing how those little things can reek havoc on a revival spirit! However, the Devil made his appearance in other ways.
On a happy note, we were blessed to see one young man get saved! He stopped by our house one evening to talk to Terry about something, and come to find out, he wasn’t in God’s family! Hearing of his accepting Christ was really encouraging! I praise the Lord for the work He’s done, and I pray we can see more done for His glory.
Bro. Green brought some tremendous messages. He is a very kind man, and we are blessed to be his friends. He gave us some very good counsel while he was here. I am so proud to have a husband with a teachable spirit! I want to be more teachable, myself.
Even though we had a break from school, I really didn’t rest! I had lots of cooking and cleaning and laundry and practice to do, therefore, blogging was at the bottom of the list that I never completed each day! Thanks for your patience!
Also, thank you for praying for our meeting. Please keep our church in your prayers, if you think of us. I will do my best to post another chapter of my love story soon. God has been so good to me, and I love telling my story for His glory.

See you soon!

Needing a Break, and a Revival

Valerie Basham

10 comments

October 13, 2008

We are taking a week long break from school this week. Let me say, I need it! I am convinced that when all of my children are school age, my homeschooling life will be easier. Having to educate two children, and keep watch over two toddlers, is taxing, to say the least. If you add being a Pastor’s wife into the mix, then it’s nearly impossible.Motherhood and homeschooling have done something very important for me though. They have kept me on my knees before the Lord. I’m not saying I’m a super prayer warrior, I’m just saying that I need the Lord’s help to mold and train my youngters for Him. I need His help to educate them. I need His divine care and guidance to be a Pastor’s wife.
I have needed a break, and I’m glad I’m getting one. I have also needed spiritual refreshment. My husband preaches many wonderful and convicting messages from the Lord. But even Pastor’s need a re-fueling once in a while! I don’t care how much time we spend in God’s Word, we still need the spiritual renewal that only a Man of God can provide. Notice, I said “man of God”, not a preacher. Any man can preach, but few are true men of God.
I am so happy that our break coincides with our revival meeting. I scheduled the break at this time on purpose, but I had no idea how desperately I would need the preaching that we’ve had so far.
We are having Bro. Tim Green preach for us this week. He’s been a friend of my husband’s since he was 15 years old. He is a great Bible preacher, but he is also a man who walks with God.
I hope and pray I can report back to you on Thursday that we have seen souls saved. We have already seen a cleansing work of the Lord on some hearts – mine was the first one- and there have been others.
If you think of us this week, please pray for Grace Baptist Church, the city of Hope and the state of Arkansas, to experience revival. From the there, it could spread to our entire nation.

It could happen, but only God can do it.

To The World’s Best Mom ~

Valerie Basham

10 comments

October 10, 2008

Today, my Mother, Carolyn Courtney, has a birthday! I love the way her birthday is October 10. I’ve always loved that. Her birthday is 10-10. It’s so ordered and alliterated, if numbers can be alliterated. It defines who she is perfectly. She is orderly, neat and complete! Even her birthday bespeaks that about her.
I’ve written about my Mom before here and here, but I could write many more posts about her and still never tell you all of her wonderful attributes.
My Mother knows no “excuses”. I’ve seen many folks stop various ministries, or not try to serve the Lord at all, because of weaker excuses than my Mom could come up with. I’ve known people who don’t go soul winning because they are tired. My Mom has gone every Tuesday night, after teaching school or working as an Elementary principal all day long. I remember that she didn’t make homemade biscuits or prepare fresh baked apple pies, because she used her time and energy to go out and witness for Jesus. Sometimes, she would buy clothes for a needy lady in our church. Every week, she and my Dad would prepare a sack of food and a note with a little money included and leave it outside my Pastor’s office door on Sunday mornings. My Mother has continued this loving gesture for Bro. Graham even now that Dad’s in Heaven. I remember my parents both memorizing this little poem. They recited it at breakfast many days, and I learned it too! It says: “It’s not what you’d do with a million, if riches should e’er be your lot. It’s what you’re doing at present, with the dollar and quarter you’ve got.” My Mom and Dad tried to use their “dollar and quarter” for the Lord, and for others. It has reaped them many heavenly dividends.
My Mom and Dad took a two mile walk together every morning at about 6:00. My Mother still rises early each day and walks her two miles, even though she walks alone. The reason she continues serving and walking alone, is because, in fact, she is not alone. My Saviour, whom she and Dad introduced to me years ago by living just like Him, is walking with her. While Dad had to move on to Heaven first, we know we will see him again someday. In the meantime, Jesus has promised to never leave us (Hebrews 13:5). He will continue walking with Mom, and with me, until we see Him face to face.
If you don’t know for sure that you will be Heaven someday, please settle that question today. Click here for a video message that can clear up any doubts you may have about attaining salvation. This is what my Mom and my whole family live for.

Happy birthday, Mom! Thank you for walking faithfully through the trials of life. You are my inspiration when I get low. Thinking of you keeps me going when I would rather quit. I am so blessed to have been included in the Courtney family.

Happy Birthday to a Great Guy

Valerie Basham

3 comments

September 29, 2008

I want to wish my nephew, David Allen Pledger, a wonderful 11th birthday today!!! I can’t believe he is eleven years old. I was only eleven myself when I became an Aunt for the first time. For about 9 years, I was a professional Aunt. I had no younger siblings, but I had two nephews and a niece before David Allen was born. When he was only three months old, I was married. When he was two, I had my first child. I can remember how sweetly he would play on the floor. I remember not wanting to put him, or any of my nephews or niece, down! I wanted to hold them constantly! 🙂 I enjoyed being the babysitter!

Time is flying by, and I am so thankful for every moment I’ve been able to be a part of your life, David Allen. I hate that we are separated by so many miles and mountains! I’m so thankful that we are saved, for one day, there will be no more separation!

Have a wonderful birthday today, and eat some cake for me, too!

Love,

Aunt Valerie 🙂

PS I miss you guys so much!!!!

Enjoy these photos taken this past summer in beautiful North Carolina.

This one is kinda blurry. He’s speeding by me, and I think he’s giving me the “peace” sign. Is that what it is? Or maybe he was doing a “V” for his wonderful Aunt Valerie!! Or maybe that’s how many laps he’d taken. Hmmm. Whatever it is, it’s cute!! 🙂

My Daughter, the Door Climber

Valerie Basham

10 comments

September 27, 2008

This is what my children do in their spare time. They climb the doorways. Never let it be said that homeschooled children aren’t also athletic! I enjoyed Lauren’s little feat, (no pun inteded) and I hope you do to. She came up with her own “script”! 🙂
Have a fabulous fall weekend, everyone!

We Didn’t Like Ike

Valerie Basham

5 comments

September 26, 2008

Along with posting stories from my past, devotional thoughts, and photos of the family here on my blog, I also want to keep you abreast of the latest news in our fair city. Recently, we, along with millions others, were visited by Hurricane Ike. Needless to say, we could have done without that visit! We are thankful that no one here was injured or without power for very long. The Lord was very good to us. We did have some minor damage to trees. In fact, I was surprised at how many, and how large, some of the tree limbs were that fell. I thought you might like a peek at some of the damage in our yard.
We all went out and pitched in cleaning up. The city graciously comes by and picks up and limbs, leaves, etc. and hauls them away for us at no extra charge!! I started out helping, but then I got a little carried away taking pictures of the others helping. I know this was invaluable to them. Of course they wanted photos of their own labor! And I was there to meet this need! I was there cheering them on and encouraging them to bend the knees to protect the back while lifting. Like I said, I was a great asset that day! 🙂

This limb was the largest one that fell. Only the Lord stopped it from landing on our trampoline, or worse, our children! I saw the rain and wind coming like a troop, drenching all that was in it’s path. Our kids, and some neighbor friends were out on our trampoline. I ran out on the back porch and ordered our kids inside, and to hurry!! They scampered inside, as quickly as possible. My little Leslie was the last one in, and was pretty wet. Just then, this giant branch fell to the ground where my little ones had just been. The Lord was so good to us!

A better view. Not sure where that bucket came from. I think it was on our porch. Hmmm.

While I was busy outside picking up limbs, snapping photos and being a great help to my husband, Laci sweetly stood at our front door watching…and enjoying smashing her face against the glass!!

Great job, guys! I gave them the wonderful idea of using the wagon! I told you that I was a great help!! 😉

Go, Lauren, GO!!

Wow, Mitch, you’re strong!! Keep up the good work!

Terry is under there. He’s asking me to put down the camera and help out. He didn’t realize what a great help I was already being by preserving these moments for all our posterity to enjoy.

Teamwork. It warms a Mom’s heart! 🙂 This experience is also teaching my children an excellent work ethic.

Our limb pile by the street is growing!!

Whew. I’m worn out. I think I’ll go get a glass of tea and put my feet up. Child rearing is hard work.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Valerie Basham

3 comments

September 26, 2008

I really appreciate your visits to my little spot in cyberspace. I treasure your comments. It’s so nice to check my blog and find a kind remark left by one of you dear readers. Without your visits, I wouldn’t even keep a blog! What would be the point, right? Right! And you may also be thinking, “Well, knowing we’re checking in hasn’t made you post anything lately!!” If you’re thinking that, then you are right.
Life has been real lately!! I discovered that by getting up at my usual time and not stopping to blog, read blogs, check in on one of the three forums I am a member of, etc. – basically by not doing all things computer – I am able to start school earlier, and get more done throughout the day.
It’s been a real eye-opener. I hate it too! I wish I could carve out the extra time from somewhere, but where? For instance, right now, I should be showering and heading to bed! See! I’m sacrificing sleep…for you! I wanted to do something special to show my appreciation for your clicking in on me each day! To post part of my love story takes me over an hour. (Yes, I’m a little OCD about split infinitives, run on sentences and using too many adverbs. Sue me. No, wait! Don’t sue me, just feel sorry for me, okay?)
I just wanted to check in and apologize for not checking in more often this week. Fourth grade can be too much for me at times. 🙂
I promise, when all my kiddos are preoccupied sometime during the next decade, I will post again. I’ll tell you about the rest of my vacation! I’ll tell you about my love story! I’ll tell you about the time I was five and bruised my tailbone when I fell while wearing roller skates! Okay, maybe not that last one, but you know what I mean!
Thank you sooo much for enduring my whimsical posting habits. You all should be in the blog-reader-hall-of-fame!
What?
I need to stop worrying about run-on sentences and worry about run-on posts??
Gotcha! I’m closing right now!!

See you soon….I hope!