[Billie]

Good evening (*almost* morning on East Coast) - am posting Tuesday's thread a little early. Will be away most of the day tomorrow, but will check in when I can. Hope you enjoy these gorgeous ice creations!

[luvie]

Wow! If that first one is any clue to the others, they are going to be very fun to look at. How gorgeous. I can't imagine that much ice. Thanks Billie!

[.30Carbine]

Awesome! Thanks so much for the ping!

[Feiny]

My dad sent me an email a few days ago with the pictures from the Lake Placid Ice Festival. Beautiful.

[Kate of Spice Island]

Awwww....

It looks like a Cinderella coach if the fairy godmother had only thought to make it glass.

I guess it is appropriate enough since I am telling all of my FRiends here that I am getting married.

Hugs,

Kate

[MEG33]

Thank you Billie Blue.... Beautiful!

[The Mayor]

February 28, 2006

Equal Access

Read:
Psalm 145:14-21

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. —Hebrews 4:16

Bible In One Year: Numbers 20-22; Mark 7:1-13

Pastor Stuart Silvester told me of a conversation he had with an acquaintance who frequently flew his small private plane in and out of Toronto International Airport. He asked the pilot if he ever encountered problems taking off and landing a small craft at an airport that was dominated by so many large jets. His friend responded, "My plane may be small, but I have the same rights, the same privileges, and the same access to that airport as anyone else—even the jumbo jets!"

Pastor Silvester then made this spiritual application: "It's the same with prayer, with the believer's approach to the throne of grace. No matter who we are or how small we are in comparison with others or how low our station in life, we take a back seat to no one. No one is given priority treatment."

In a world that offers preferential treatment to the wealthy, the famous, and the influential, it's encouraging to know that every child of God has equal access to the Father in heaven. The psalmist said, "The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth" (Psalm 145:18).

With that assurance, we can "come boldly to the throne of grace" in prayer, knowing that our loving God will never turn us away. —Richard De Haan

There never is a night or day
When God can't hear us as we pray;
There is no time, there is no place
That we're beyond His love and grace. —D. De Haan

Prayer is an open line to heaven.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
Praying With Confidence

[MEG33]

Nature's Ice Sculpture on Lake Michigan
Good Morning to the Finest

[dixie sass]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

no way, how is that possible? It is beautiful though...

[meandog]

A drunk man in an Oldsmobile
They said had run the light
That caused the six-car pileup
On 109 that night.

When broken bodies lay about
"And blood was everywhere,"
"The sirens screamed out eulogies,"
For death was in the air.

"A mother, trapped inside her car,"
Was heard above the noise;
Her plaintive plea near split the air:
"Oh, God, please spare my boys!"

She fought to loose her pinned hands;
"She struggled to get free,"
But mangled metal held her fast
In grim captivity.

Her frightened eyes then focused
"On where the back seat once had been,"
But all she saw was broken glass and
Two children's seats crushed in.

Her twins were nowhere to be seen;
"She did not hear them cry,"
"And then she prayed they'd been thrown free,"
"Oh, God, don't let them die!"

Then firemen came and cut her loose,"
"But when they searched the back,"
"They found therein no little boys,"
But the seat belts were intact.

They thought the woman had gone mad
"And was traveling alone,"
"But when they turned to question her,"
They discovered she was gone.

Policemen saw her running wild
And screaming above the noise
"In beseeching supplication,"
Please help me find my boys!

They're four years old and wear blue shirts;
"Their jeans are blue to match.
" "One cop spoke up, ""They're in my car,"
And they don't have a scratch.

They said their daddy put them there
"And gave them each a cone,"
Then told them both to wait for Mom
To come and take them home.

"I've searched the area high and low,"
But I can't find their dad.
"He must have fled the scene,"
"I guess, and that is very bad."

"The mother hugged the twins and said,"
"While wiping at a tear,"
"He could not flee the scene, you see,"
"For he's been dead a year."

"The cop just looked confused and asked,"
"Now, how can that be true?"
"The boys said, ""Mommy, Daddy came"
"And left a kiss for you."

He told us not to worry
"And that you would be all right,"
And then he put us in this car with
"The pretty, flashing light."

"We wanted him to stay with us,"
"Because we miss him so,"
"But Mommy, he just hugged us tight"
And said he had to go.

"He said someday we'd understand,"
"And told us not to fuss,"
"And he said to tell you, Mommy,"
"He's watching over us."

The mother knew without a doubt
"That what they spoke was true,"
"For she recalled their dad's last words,"
"I will watch over you."

The firemen's notes could not explain
"The twisted, mangled car,"
And how the three of them escaped
Without a single scar.

"But on the cop's report was scribed,"
"In print so very fine,"
An angel walked the beat
tonight on Highway

[dutchess]

Absolutely beautiful sistah! Love how its snowing all over the table!!! (((billie)))

[Texagirl4W]

Simply beautiful, Billie. It's 78 degrees outside now and the ice looks good in the pictures. Glad it's not on the streets here.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Wow, what amazing sculptures. Thanks Billie.

I haven't forgotten this one: