[Billie]

Do you remember this? :) From March Madness ~ 03-02-04

[Molly Pitcher]

Good morning Billie, everyone!

Godey's Ladies Book! LOL! I grew up with those prints in my bedroom....

A Wonderful Wed. to all...

[Aquamarine]

These were all such good Posts, so beautifully done. Thanks for the memories.

That hostess picture of me reminds me why I don't wear bangs, my face is too small. lol

[FreeTheHostages]

[The Mayor]

January 12, 2005

Choose To Feel

Read: Hosea 11

My heart churns within Me; My sympathy is stirred. —Hosea 11:8

Bible In One Year: Genesis 37-39

---

The bumper sticker on the blue van caught my attention:
CHOOSE TO FEEL

As I considered those words, I noticed the billboards I was passing. They urged me to choose things that would keep me from feeling—alcohol to deaden emotional pain; fat-laden food to alleviate feelings of emptiness; luxury cars and other expensive items to lessen feelings of worthlessness.

Many of the temptations that lure us away from God do so by promising to relieve the emotional hurt we all feel because of the consequences of sin—our own sin or someone else's.

God set a different example. Instead of becoming numb to the pain our sin causes, He chose to suffer the results of it. Through the prophet Hosea, God expressed the heart-wrenching pain of losing a wayward child. "I stooped and fed them," He said tenderly. "I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love" (11:3-4). Still they rejected their heavenly Father. Reluctantly, He let them face the consequences.

When we choose to feel the full range of our emotions, we come to a fuller understanding of the God who created us in His image—the image of One who feels.

It's okay to feel that all is not right in the world. God feels that way too! —Julie Link

God knows each winding way I take,
And every sorrow, pain, and ache;
His children He will not forsake—
He knows and loves His own. —Bosch

Choosing to deaden bad feelings eventually deadens our ability to feel good.

[Kitty Mittens]

Thank you for this Thread, Billie! I'm coming back tonight to Read some of the Links, especially 'Texas, My Texas!'

I Love that Picture you Included with your Ping, dear Billie! It's cute! : )

[deadhead]

Howdy, Billie

I remember all of these wonderful threads. Thanks for the memories...lol, think that line is from a Bob Hope song

[dansangel]

I'm so sorry I'm late - whatta week.....

(((((Billie)))))))! I cracked up when I saw the "Southern Belles" - you really outdid yourself with that. But, I could say that about *all* of the graphics that you have made.

My most favorite, of course, is on my home page (and my wall at home):

The wedding picture we never had until *you* created it. I am eternally grateful.

Love and ((((((((HUGS))))))

[GailA]

Good afternoon..I'm finally movitated to check in....brain still running in disfunction mode.

[Mama_Bear]

Good afternoon/evening all. Thanks for the links to some great Finest threads, Billie.

Free, it is wonderful to see you here! I so hope that you can make it to the Ball or that we can at least meet up with you somewhere while we are in DC. I am getting very anxious to leave. Will we have good weather? I sure hope so. I've gotten soft from living in CA. I don't take the cold well at all.

Have a great day, y'all.....what's left of it. :-)

[Temple Owl]

Lookin good Billie. All you ladies sure are purty.