Dear Blabby

Dear Blabby;
My daughter keeps insisting I go on a diet. She says my being 30 pounds overweight is sinfully indulgent and is embarrassing to her. My husband says he likes me better at this weight than when I was thinner. Which one should I try to please.
Emma of Des Moines

Dear Emma;
You need only please God and yourself. What is your daughter, without indulgences of her own? And hubby, does he measure his love in pounds or what? If you're happy and healthy, forget the diet and tell your family to lose the attitude. God made us all different and in many shapes, sizes, colors and temperaments. Just be proud He made you as you are. Meanwhile, take your svelte offsping to an art museum so she can see what some of the greatest artists believed was the ideal feminine figure.
Blabby

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Dear Blabby;
If Jesus turned water into wine, why is drinking a sin?
Confused in Utah

Dear Confused;
Read any good Bibles lately? Where did they say drinking was a sin? Drunkenness is a sin and strong drink is raging. These two facts are in the Book along with plenty of examples showing how hitting the sauce to heavily can mess things up for everybody. It isn't drinking that's the problem, it's excess. That's true of a lot of things. Is having a glass of wine with dinner a sin? Not in my Bible, but sucking up half a bottle of gin would sure break a few of God's rules!
Blabby

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Dear Blabby;
I've been doing some errands to help a handicapped friend from church. I enjoyed it at first, but now she calls almost daily with a list of things she expects me to do and I'm getting resentful. I even caught myself making up excuses why I couldn't do these chores. How can I gracefully tell her that she's taking time I should be spending on my family?
Denise from Colorado Springs

Dear Denise;
Gracefully? Forget being graceful; just be honest! Your friend may not realize she has become so demanding. Go to her and tell her frankly how much time you can give her and suggest the two of you review her lists so you can agree on doing the most important things. You might also hook her up with volunteer agencies, etc. but I suspect she's more in need of company than services. I'll bet she's lonely. Try to help her find new friends.
Blabby

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Dear Blabby;
I'm engaged to a wonderful Christian man. The problem is he keeps postponing the wedding date. This has gone on for five years now. Do you think he'll ever say "I do?"
Spinster in Newark

Dear Spinster;
No, but I think you'd better say "I don't!" Seems like this "wonderful" guy is quite comfy having a steady date and has no intentions changing anything but his sox. I'd give him the old heave-Ho and go on to greener pastures while you still have the energy (and the teeth) to graze.
Blabby

Our Readers Write...

Hello Iona,
I accessed your site today through thekingsdaughter. I just renewed my license, filled out a new organ donor card, and reminded my family of my wishes and encourged them to pray for others to follow their hearts. Oddly enough, I stumbled across a message you copied about organ donation. I couldn't help but cry. My daughter and I have a similar game we play whenever I knock on the door.....me....me who??

As a nurse, I cannot advise people in matters of organ donation. I can only pray they will share with others what God has shared with them, and be the blessing that God wishes them to be. I also pray that others like you will have the courage to praise the work of the Lord. Thank you so much for your web site. May God continue to bless you in ways incomprehensible to man. Please keep up the hard work. We have all been blessed with talents to share with the world and help spread God's Love. It is easy to see that web design is one of your many!
With God's love, Paula

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Re: [handmaidens] Church Shooting

Dear Iona,
More martyrs are in God's throne room. Our young people went to the pole to pray Wed am but they had serious thoughts about it. A lady here in town, whose nephew is in our youth group, had a dream or vision
on Tuesday. She saw our high school and the church across the street from it each under a dark cloud. Then she saw white caskets lined up on the church lawn. She told her nephew about the dream or vision. He and his friends called our pastor at midnight, badly frightened. He counseled with them, prayed for them, and encouraged them to be at the pole anyway. They went at 6:15 am and started praying, walking around the school, etc. All went well in Pampa. But in Fort Worth it is a different story. As I read the reports from India and the victories along with the deaths it makes me know that God looks at all of this from a better perspective than I do. I am reminded of the scripture, he that loses his life, for my sake, shall find it. May we all be counted worthy to suffer for His Name.
Mary

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Praise the Lord!

I visited your border graphics -- they are beautiful -- However, I need help in downloading them -- Can you help!

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Iona you have been a great inspirtaion and role model to me. I wanted to thank you. You've touched on many of the areas I'm interested in, I found your place last night and woke up and came back here.

It's been hard as I have been putting together a Christian Women's Group together, trying to word our statements of beliefs so others aren't offended or turned away. Anyway, I don't want to get into that, I just wanted you to know I was blessed by all the gifts the Lord has given you and how you have used them. May He keep shining ever so brightly thru you.

If you are around still, when I am putting together "featured web designers" I'd love to showcase your work, maybe by displaying some of your graphics with a lil bio and link back to your site... I'm working on alot of things right now, but I'm trying to catch up here... But if you are interested, let me know ok? I would love to be "linked" to you =)
Thanks again
Love
In Him
Dawn

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Dear Iona,
Thank you for providing this means of communication for us Christian women to communicate. I am a pastors wife and this is a great vehicle for me to "meet" other pastors wives. Also to be able to encourage and be encouraged by other women who might be facing some of the challanges and joys that I am. I have read your newsletter and enjoy your reflections and your obvious love of the Lord.
Saved to Serve,
Anita
Seeking His Kingdom Today

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I thourghly enjoyed your article concerning your move to Alabama. I am a native Floridian who goes to Brundidge, Al. twice every year to my church summer and winter campmeetings. In the summer I just can't bring myself to leave. I have to go through Dothan going and comming and Hwy 231 is very busy. But I would love to stay and make Al. my home. Enjoy your retirement.
ZionCall98

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I am very happy that I was browsing and found your page. This article is great. I was trying to find something to share with our graduates this year and this is just wonderful. I would like to know what I need to do to get these each month. It is such an inspiration to me.
CCurry

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Iona,
Excellent job on the Columbine HS web page/issue of Handmaidens. It's beautiful.
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God bless you!
~Love, Pattie~

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