littlebrownlight

Courageous the Movie

2011-10-04T13:00:00.001-05:00

LITTLE BROWN LIGHT

COURAGEOUS

I love good, clean, family movies.

Along with my church family, I have just seen a movie that I must recommend to you. The name of the movie is "Courageous." You have never seen a movie like this one. Name the issue and it is covered in this movie. Speak of the Lord and how much He cares for people of all races and needs and life situations and you will find all of these in this movie.

Want to cry? Go see this movie. I used up all my kleenex, both of my popcorn napkins and the ones loaned to me by the person in the next seat as well as both sides of my shirt tail.

Want to laugh? Go see this movie. I laughed multiple times, scene after joyfully surprising scene, until my sides hurt.

Want to be challenged to grow in your faith? Go see this movie. I left there completely numbed by the depth of the need all around me to reach out to kids and families who need Christ.

Want to believe that there is hope for our country? Go see this movie. No matter what is happening in politics or energy or war or local or national or worldwide affairs...the FAMILY is the building block God wants to use to rebuild His kingdom. Healthy homes are foundational to healthy churches which produce hearts that are tender for reaching a lost world that needs Christ.

Want to see fathers as well as mothers step up to the plate to raise God honoring children by living God honoring lives? Go see this movie. You too can try this at home.

Be Courageous. See Courageous.

The movie.

+B+B+

Becky Brown

www.littlebrownlight.com

The Perfect Day

2010-10-12T10:03:00.000-05:00

LITTLE BROWN LIGHT

THE PERFECT DAY

By the time you read this article in the Hinds County Gazette on Thursday, you will have already missed something really special. According to some folks, this past Sunday was officially the perfect day. All day, your calendar displayed the tenth day of the tenth month of the “twenty-tenth” year of our Lord. In the morning and in the evening of that day you could have correctly replied, “Yes, dear, it really is 10:10:10 on 10/10/10!”

I’m sure that somewhere, someone one believed that it was the perfect day. Maybe their first child was born that morning. Maybe their loved one came home safely from the military sandbox that afternoon. I heard that LOTS of folks requested to be married on that day simply because they thought it might help them get started on the perfect marriage. Whatever works to preserve homes and marriages, please proceed with it! If you are wondering about me, I would answer that it was a great day because I was able to attend both worship services at my church and spend time with some really beloved friends. However, let me hasten to declare that ten ten ten was not the perfect day.

Two thousand and ten years ago (give or take a few years), Mister Perfection Himself died on a cross in Jerusalem. His name was Jesus. From that cross, He declared, “It is finished!” When Jesus bowed his Head and yielded His Spirit to His Father, the perfect salvation had been accomplished. We call that Good Friday. I think I would call it Perfect Friday if they let me name the day. After “Silent Sabbath Saturday” there was one more perfect morning. Jesus came out of that grave in perfect power and conquered death forever. The eternal purpose of God to assure salvation was now fully accomplished. But there’s another day coming…

Where were you on 09/09/09? I was in an airplane flying home from Singapore to bury my baby sister. She left this Earth a lot sooner than we expected, but we didn’t “lose” her. We know exactly where she is and are not concerned about her at all. She is sitting at the feet of the Jesus she loved and served in this life. Right beside her is a spot that I know she surely is reserving for me. One day, not too very long from now, I will rise to meet her there and we will celebrate the truly perfect day. Folks, no matter what the calendar and the clock declare while we are down here, there is no perfect day or perfect hour until we meet Jesus face to face. God invites you to set your calendars and clocks to Perfect Standard Time.

+B+B+

Becky Brown

www.littlebrownlight.com

Wera Gayle Brown Daniel Forever Forty-Nine

2010-09-07T09:25:00.002-05:00

Our last Christmas together at Snow Lake 2008. Riding to Holly Springs in her red mustang with the top down just cause. +B+B+

LABOR DAY BIRTHDAYS

2010-09-07T09:23:00.000-05:00

Today, my sister is celebrating her first birthday in Heaven with Jesus. She has been there for one full year. She left us on Labor Day 2009. Certainly, for the rest of the Labor Day holidays of my life on Earth, I will be remembering her home going, always celebrating for her and hopefully mourning less and less with those of us who miss her desperately down here.

I used to tell folks that I have two birthdays to celebrate every year: the day of my actual (thank you, mama, for my first) birth and the day of my spiritual (thank you, Jesus, for my born again) rebirth into the family of God. I’m not sure why it has just dawned on me that believers get to celebrate three birthdays! Now, answer me this: who wouldn’t want to have THREE birthdays?

All that said, I am coming to appreciate with great assurance that the day of my departure from this world launches (births!) me into my first day in Heaven. Now that thought is surely comfort and fuel for this journey. Truthfully, on that day, we will enter a place where time matters not at all. We will be in the very presence of the One Who exists outside of time. Clocks and calendars and days and hours and moments won’t matter at all as we drop our Timex and cross the dateline of eternity.

Meanwhile…it’s labor day. You and I have work to do. In John chapter nine, Jesus was about to heal the eyes of a man born blind. In that context, He said, “I must work the works of Him that sent me while it is day; the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Shortly after speaking those words, Jesus turned the lights on by healing the eyes of this man who had never seen a sunrise. The amazing message in that quote “…as long as I am in the world…” hits me right between the eyes of my heart. Jesus came and lived and died and was raised and is now seated at the right hand of His Father in Heaven. I think that means that you and I are presently the lights He has left for the dark world. Jesus left a light on for lost people and we are the bulbs. We are the candles. We are offering second and third birthday candles to the one birthday people. We get to share with them that they can expect TWO more birthdays to celebrate. My sister would be grinning right now. Her candles burned out down here, but they are shining brightly up there. I feel that smile. On my third-birthing-day, I will see it.
+B+B+
Becky Brown
www.littlebrownlight.com

SHADOW ON THE STONE

2010-04-03T09:35:00.001-05:00

Dear friends of the little brown light…it’s been a while since I have written to you. Judy Burton and June DePriest…I thank you both for your BARNABAS words of encouragement whenever I lag behind in this work. This weekend is very special to all of us who understand the power of the cross and the power of the resurrection. There is just something about Heaven that I can’t wait to see…actually, He’s a SomeOne named Jesus. Then there are those other SomeOnes who are already there ahead of us who also make Heaven a special place.

This is the weekend each year that we can remember all that Jesus accomplished for us on the cross and from the tomb…I hope you spent some time this past week walking through the final week of His life…the last supper, the washing of feet, the song as they left the room headed out of Jerusalem, through the Kidron Valley and up the Mt. of Olives and into the Garden of Gethsemane. Peter, James and John went into the garden a little deeper with Jesus and fell asleep. The Passover Moon was probably shining above, giving light to the dark deeds yet to be accomplished. The prayers and blood and sweat and tears of Jesus as He prayed to His Father. The betrayal, the kiss, the soldiers and religious leaders, the bonds…the all night long illegal trials…the mockings and beatings…the thorns that pierced His brow…the nails that pierced His hands and feet…the painless sword that pierced His side…the pain that pierced His heart…the center cross…the thief that said no and the thief that reached Paradise…the gamblers at the foot of the cross…when we say no to Jesus, we gamble and lose. The two friends who came and took Him down from the cross and buried Him. The silence of the Friday evening Sabbath. The silence of Saturday (SAD-OLD-DAY) and Saturday night. The sunrise on the first day of the week after Sabbath…THE SON ROSE!

I take great joy in this news. We serve a risen Savior! Here is my article for the week…I believe the reading of it will declare my hope and trust in the
Living Savior!

LITTLE BROWN LIGHT
SHADOW ON THE STONE
There are three times when you visit the cemetery that you won’t need a map or a guide to the location of the grave. The FIRST time is the day of the funeral and burial. The grave is easy to find. Just watch for the crowd of people and the little tent with the chairs underneath. Depending on how close you were to the one being mourned, you might be driven there in a black car and led to a reserved chair under the tent. The SECOND time is the day you return to read the words on the stone. The location of the grave is still freshly etched in your memory. On the first visit, you are numb from the loss. On the second visit, you are reminded of the finality of the loss.

Yesterday, Dad and Elsie and I went by Centuries Memorial in Shreveport, Louisiana, to read those words on the stone. The words were spelled correctly: Wera Gayle Daniel Loving Wife Mother and Granny. The dates were written correctly: Jan 12 1960 Sep 7, 2009. A beautiful gold cross separated the two dates instead of the usual “tombstone dash.” That gold cross gives witness that her birth and homegoing dates were bookends guarding a life lived with Jesus in the center. I remember both of those days and every day in between. She was my baby sister. Our greatest comfort was that we know WHERE she is and WHO is holding her now. Wera believed in Jesus. She is living with Him in the presence of God the Father, outside of time, alive eternally. One day, because of our faith in Wera’s Jesus, we will join her there.

I think it was when I was taking a photo of the words on the stone that I found my greatest moment of comfort. The bright sun was directly behind me and I fought to keep my own shadow off the stone as I snapped the picture. The words of David’s Shepherd Psalm 23 rolled into my soul: “…yea, though I walk through valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me…”. Death is just that for believers…the valley of the shadow. Death has lost its sting. The grave has lost its victory. Jesus is alive. We (YOU!) can be alive forever by placing our (YOUR!) faith in Him and His resurrection from the dead. Three weeks from now we will remember the last week in the life of Jesus…washing of feet at the Last Supper, the prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal, the arrest, the denial, the scourging, the crucifixion, the death and the burial. Praise the Lord, we can also celebrate the raising of Jesus from the dead. As He walked out of that tomb, Jesus cast HIS shadow ON death and declared LIFE!

Oh, yeah. I almost forgot that THIRD visit to the cemetery. For believers, no guide will be needed on that day, either. Believers will be the only ones not in attendance at their own funerals. The bones in the box are just the shell. Just like my sister, believers will have a reservation to attend another celebration:
Jesus invited them to live in Heaven with Him and they said yes.
They can be heard to say, “WHADAYAH MEAN LOSS?”
+B+B+
Becky Brown
www.littlebrownlight.com

Becky Brown
Founder and Keeper
Little Brown Light Ministries
POBOX 180727
Richland, Mississippi 39218
Phone 601.885.8448
email: becky@littlebrownlight.com
website: www.littlebrownlight.com
blogspot: www.littlebrownlightblog.blogspot.com

Ten BecAttitudes

2009-11-03T21:19:00.001-06:00

The Ten BecAttitudes

<>
CARE-FULL? CARE-FREE!
Blessed are those who have followed
biblical instruction by taking
their burdens to Christ
and leaving them there.
They shall be called
CARE-LESS.
First Peter 5:6-7
+B+B+
Becky Brown
www.littlebrownlight.com

<>
DESTINATION: PARADISE
Blessed are all those repentant thieves
who shall be eternally remembered
for their cross words.
They shall be called
FORGIVEN.
Luke 23
+B+B+
Becky Brown
www.littlebrownlight.com

<>
FORBIDDIN’ STINKIN’ THINKIN’
Blessed are those who strive
to think decent thoughts.
They shall always have
(and be called)
PRESENTS OF MIND.
“Finally, brethren,
(and sistren)
whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable
…if anything is excellent or praiseworthy…
think
on
these
things.”
Philippians
4:8
+B+B+
Becky Brown
www.littlebrownlight.com

<>
HUMAN RESOURCES
Blessed are those who have signed on
for a lifetime service of apprenticeship
alongside the carpenter’s Son from Nazareth.
They shall be called
CROSS TRAINING WOULD WORKERS.
Matthew 13:54-58
+B+B+
Becky Brown
www.littlebrownlight.com

<>
LOOK ALIKES
Blessed are those who seek
to make a goodness impression.
They shall be called
HIMPRINTS.
John 14:8-9
+B+B+
Becky Brown
www.littlebrownlight.com

<>
PERMANENT ALTAR-ATIONS
Blessed are those star pupils of Abraham
who make it their purpose to live
an “ALTAR-native” lifestyle.
They shall also be called
WORSHIPPERS OF GOD.
Genesis 12:7 Worship at the altar at Shechem
Genesis 12:8 Worship at the altar at Bethel
(followed by an unauthorized side trip to Egypt)
Genesis 13:4 Return and recommitment at the altar at Bethel
Genesis 13:18 Worship at the altar at Hebron
Genesis 22:2 Worship at the altar on Mt. Moriah
+B+B+
Becky Brown
www.littlebrownlight.com

<>
POWERLESS POINT
Blessed are those who
have realized that
a prayerless life
comes with
no strengths attached.
They shall be called
KNEE WALKERS.
See Nehemiah
(KNEE-HIGH MIAH)
+B+B+
Becky Brown
www.littlebrownlight.com

<>
MT. MORIAH
Blessed are those who have embraced
the joy of the laughter of Isaac and Abraham.
Unbound and reunited,
in complete abandon
they shall dance away
from the altar of sacrifice
and race down the mountain,
arm-in-arm
with their rejoicing Heavenly Father.
They shall be called
REDEEMED!
Genesis 22
+B+B+
Becky Brown
www.littlebrownlight.com

<>
THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD
Blessed are the Roman Imperial Census Takers,
the no-room-in-the-inn keepers,
the obviously oblivious Bethlehem citizens,
the heavenly angelic choir members,
the stinky old shepherds,
the wandering star gazers,
the confused barn animals,
Joseph and his line of the tribe of Judah
standing faithfully beside
Mary and her Little Lamb,
Who, with the eyes of God,
was tenderly watching over them all.
From His eternal perspective,
peeking through the swaddling clothes,
they shall forever be called…
MANGER SEEN.
Matthew One and Two
Luke One and Two
+B+B+
Becky Brown
www.littlebrownlight.com

<>
WAITY THOUGHTS
Blessed are
those who have learned the
benefits of gaining…
wait.
They shall be called
PATIENTS.
Isaiah 40:31
+B+B+
Becky Brown
www.littlebrownlight.com

BRIEF ILLNESS...ETERNAL LIFE

2009-09-21T21:15:00.001-05:00

Dear friends and prayer partners: It has been quite some time since I have written to you. Summer camp articles were sent to the newspaper but I rarely had time to get out a newsletter or even forward the articles to you. Came home from camp and began to prepare for a two week trip to Singapore to be with my friends, Rick and Lori Funderburk. Managed to get a few things done during that time but no prayer letters. Thanks to all of you who have written to say, “Where’s the little brown light?” I felt your prayers in those comments. Just didn’t know how much we would be needing them during these days.

Long story short (who in the world invented that phrase anyhow?) I left for Singapore on Sunday September 6^th at 6AM from Jackson, Mississippi. Made it to Memphis for the first layover about 7:30AM. Called Elsie at Snow Lake for her birthday. Talked to my sister Wera from there to check on her and see how she was feeling. She had been sick for a couple of weeks with fever and bronchitis. Tested for flu, but all swabs were negative for that. She also had called Elsie to wish her a happy birthday. We always sing that little silly song on our birthdays. I sang it Elvis style since I happened to be in Memphis. Elsie would tell me later that Wera said happy birthday but did not sing it. Wera told me her fever was down and that she was feeling better and probably would not even need the thermometer.

Relieved, I flew on from Memphis to Minneapolis and had a long layover there. My last phone call was to talk to my sister. She told me that her fever had come back up after lunch and that they were at a clinic near their home in Shreveport. She was going to go to the emergency room and be checked in for fluids and IV antibiotics. I told her that I was about to board the plane for the point-of-no-return leg to Japan (12 hours)and then on to Singapore(8 more hours) and that if I needed to come home, just tell me. She said, “Shut-up girl and get on that plane. I am going in for some meds and fluids and I will be home long before you land in Singapore.” So, I got on the plane.

When I landed in Singapore, my heart friends Rick and Lori met me. We shared hugs while my wobbly legs were doing their jetlag thang. It was now Tuesday morning at 1AM in Singapore. I had lost a whole day enroute. Moments later, I heard them saying that we needed to call home and that Wera had taken a “turn for the worse.” Seconds later, I was on the phone with Elsie as she and Dad were driving to Shreveport. She was saying things like Wera was not going to make it unless the Lord did a miracle. That she might not even make it until they got to the hospital. Ironically, they were in Jackson, MS, which is three hours from Shreveport. Eight hours after I talked to her in Minneapolis, Wera was fine. Her husband, John, went home to feed the cats and get some sleep. He said she was sitting up in bed sending text messages from her cell phone. About midnight they called John to come back to the hospital. Her right lung had collapsed. She was in ICU on the ventilator. She had two spells of cardiac arrest. Basically, she was almost looking at Jesus. By 3:30AM, John was calling my Dad and Elsie to tell them that she would not make it. She lingered until 4:30PM Labor Day September 7^th. The choir from her church SANG HER HOME!

The first plane reservation I could secure to return home was Wednesday 09-09-09. I had wondered what I would be doing on nine-nine-oh-nine. Flying right back to the states to celebrate my sister’s homegoing with my family and loved ones was certainly not on anyone’s itinerary…except the agenda of Wera’s Lord. Rick managed somehow to get me a first class ticket on the two long legs of the flight home. I am so glad and grateful for that blessing. I would have literally been sleeping on the floor of the plane had it not been for those good seats. God was going before all of us, preparing the way. I gained a whole day on the trip home.

I was able to get to Shreveport about lunchtime on Thursday. Our time of visitation was that evening and the celebration of her life (such an awesome worship service!!!) was Friday morning, September the 11^th, 2009. Nine Eleven will always have deeper meaning for us. Her husband John is a veteran. He was able to bury her in the veteran section of the cemetery. The American flag flies right over her grave. She would be really pleased with that. The article below will tell most of the rest of the story. We still need your prayers. Our tears are still flowing at the strangest times. Her life was a shining witness to the glory of the Lord. Elsie and I got to hear Dad preach yesterday morning at First Baptist Church Holly Springs. He was led to preach on the glory of Jesus. God was all over that man. We have not missed one moment of feeling the strength and comfort and very presence of the Lord. Here is the article…
LITTLE BROWN LIGHT

BRIEF ILLNESS…ETERNAL LIFE

On Nine Eleven O Nine, we buried my sister. I am still trying to get my head around it, but my heart will not cooperate at all. She and I were planning special birthday celebrations for our folks next year…dad’s 80^th and mom’s 70^th. She surely must have suspected that I was scheming and planning a big one for her 50^th. I always introduced her as my “older” sister just so I could see her roll those eyes and say, “Yeah, right.” She was born when I was five so I can’t REALLY remember my life without her in it. She was my other half. We talked every day, either by text message, email, facebook or phone. Ten days later, I keep waiting for some gadget to beep or buzz or ring or say, “You’ve got mail.” Silence is brass. She would call when I was travelling and say, “If you get sleepy, call me and I’ll talk you home.”

On the night before her celebration service, we had a time of visitation at Grawood Baptist Church in Shreveport. We stood in our numbness and listened with comfort and joy as person after person related to us exactly how tenderly she had touched their lives. Immediate family members, childhood friends, high school buddies, college roommates and current sojourners came in droves. Fifth graders who sat in her Sunday School class looked up at me and said, “We loved Miss Wera. You look just like her.” One of those students sang “Revelation Song” at her funeral and at her bedside in ICU. Senior adults filed by and said she was their ride to church. Others said, “She sat with my loved one in the hospital so I could go to work.” One young lady told Dad, “Wera shared Jesus with me and now I am saved.” Louisiana Baptist Disaster relief team members told us how she went to Hurricane Katrina feeding sites and served many, many plates to hurting folks. She chaperoned youth trips and went on mission trips. The choir members say her chair will be WAY too empty to suit them. She would have taken a bullet for her pastor and his wife. In good times and in bad, she stayed right there

and sang and prayed and worshiped and served faithfully.

My sister loved Jesus and lived for His glory.

She leaves a husband, a son in the Air Force in the Middle East, a step-daughter and two grandsons. I have been in full time ministry since the year 2000. My Dad and Elsie have served the Lord full time for over one hundred years combined. Our sweetest blessing was to see the eternal weight and value of the life of my sister. She stayed right there at her church, in her community and served her Lord in as many ways as she could. We figure she touched more lives than anyone could count. God counted every one of them. A committed life is invaluable to God. Her Grawood choir stood in ICU and sang her right up to Heaven. She did not respond, but they said her vital signs improved in time to their music. The day before she died, I flew to Singapore. She said she would be in and out of that hospital with fluids and home before I landed. She was. For the rest of my days, I will be SinginPoor without her…

Wera Gayle Brown Daniel

January 12, 1960-September 7, 2009

I had the privilege of being HER sister.

Wera, saddle me a horse to ride and pick us out a trail into the sun…rise!

Jesus, I know it’s a big order, but try and make her behave till I get there.

+B+B+
Becky Brown

Maley Grace Brag Book Continues

2009-03-10T21:06:00.003-05:00

Maley Grace Boyanton

2009-03-04T17:36:00.003-06:00

SMILE OF GOD

2009-03-03T08:53:00.003-06:00

(A song of gratitude and blessing for the birth of Maley Grace Boyanton March 4, 2009)

TODAY THE WOMB...
TOMORROW THE WORLD!!!

We didn’t know who you were…we didn’t know how it could be…

Your daddy and mommy were praying each day and waiting very patiently.

You are safe in the Father’s arms…that is all we need to know right now.

Till the day we behold you, we can’t wait to hold you

Sweet little smile of God.

You will always belong to Him. You will never be alone.

As soon as we reach you we can’t wait to teach you

That heaven can be your home.

We will love you with all of our hearts. We will shelter you from the cold.

Till the day we behold you, we can’t wait to hold you.

Sweet little smile of God.

He knew you before He formed you. He already knew your name.

He knows the path that you will be taking and He will be with you every step of the way.

He will keep all your tears in His bottle and He will catch them when they fall.

He will be with you through all of the nights of your life

And hear you whenever you call.

Can you imagine Mary’s manger joy to touch her baby’s face?

God was touching back with His amazing baby grace!

So hold onto Jesus wherever you are…He will never let you go!

We bless the name of the One Who made the miracle of you.

Sweet little smile of God…

Beautiful little smile of God…

You are our little smile from God!

+B+B+

Copyright 2009

Words and Music by Becky Brown

www.littlebrownlight.com

(GRANBECK sez: “Think pink but wear denim blue!”)

FIRST CARVING RIGHT SIDE

2009-02-06T18:55:00.001-06:00

FIRST CARVING LEFT SIDE

2009-02-06T18:42:00.001-06:00

I BELIEVE I CAN FLY...

2009-02-06T18:37:00.000-06:00

BIRD IN THE HAND

2009-02-06T18:35:00.000-06:00

WAITING FOR EYES

2009-02-06T18:34:00.000-06:00

FINE FEATHERED FRIEND

2009-02-06T18:32:00.000-06:00

TEN TAILFEATHERS

2009-02-06T18:30:00.000-06:00

HOUSE WREN MIRROR IMAGE

2009-02-06T18:29:00.002-06:00

CAROLINA WREN

2009-02-06T18:27:00.000-06:00

SITTING PRETTY

2009-02-06T18:25:00.000-06:00

HONEYSUCKLE VINE

2009-02-06T18:22:00.000-06:00

FIRST HUMMER RED CEDAR BASE

2009-02-06T18:19:00.000-06:00

SUGAR ATTACK!

2009-02-06T18:16:00.001-06:00

PAIR OF CARDINALS on OLIVE WOOD

2009-02-06T18:13:00.001-06:00

BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE

2009-02-06T18:12:00.000-06:00

THIRD HUMMINGBIRD

2009-02-06T18:06:00.001-06:00

MYRTLE STAR ESTHER-TORIAL

2009-02-04T08:00:00.003-06:00
MYRTLE STAR
(a poetic Esther-torial)
Myrtle, Myrtle, you're the star
but how we wonder who you are?!!
The kingdom of A-has-u-er-us
had a queen who was the fairest.
The king said, "Come!"
Vashti said, "No!"
So the king said,
"Girl, you gotta go,
The world's gonna know
that you are queen no mo!"
He sought a queen to wear her crown.
Now Mordecai lived in that town.
He was raising cousin Esther
and in the palace God did place her.
She was a beauty to behold.
She was a Jew, if the truth had been told.
Mary Kay® and Este Lauder® and
Cover Girl® and Avon® powder:
with just one look, the king would crow,
"For a queen, we look no mo!"
To the palace from the harem,
she was chosen first among the women.
Banquets, feasts and merrymaking,
Myrtle Star was queen in the making.
An evil plot to kill the king
was revealed by Mordecai, it seems.
The king was spared, the plotters hanged.
Five years later, things have changed.
Deeds of Mordecai forgotten
while wicked Haman gets a big promotion:
"Bow the knee and worship me
because the king said do it, yessirree!"
Mordecai said, "I won't bow!"
The Jews are in much danger now.
Things in Susa are in confusion,
fasting, weeping, facing sure destruction.
"Myrtle Star, what will you do?
If your Jews are spared, it's up to you!
If you are silent, they will die.
Are you content to live a lie?
You were surely chosen queen,
the reason why is clearly seen.
Royalty was placed into your hand
to save the Jews, a special plan."
"But, if I go before the king,
I could be the offering!
Fast for me until day three.
I will go. We will see.
I count my Jewish nation cherished.
If I perish, then, I perish."
Esther goes before the king,
"Ask what you wish! Anything!"
"Sir, the banquet hall has been prepared.
You and Haman must be there."
Haman's pride and hatred grew,
nip and tuck, until he knew
this old Mordecai just had to die
and he'd make it happen by and by.
"Build those gallows and Mort will see
he can't refuse to worship ME!"
The king awake one sleepless night
heard a bedtime story about the plight
of Mordecai, the Jew, who dared
reveal the plot and the king was spared.
"Honor HIM, that's what we'll do
and Haman, you will praise him too!"
Haman ran right home to Mama.
She said, "Honey, these Jews are overcomers.
You better drop this deal while you still can
cause Mordecai will be the man with the plan!"
A banquet hall. A joyful fest.
A determined queen. A worried guest.
Myrtle Queen becomes the star,
"King, here's who we really are…
my Jewish people are in danger here
because of Haman, it is clear.
My life I give in this endeavor
for my people will die without your favor."
A scepter raised. A signet ring.
A letter sealed, straight from the king.
The Jews are spared, hip, hip, hooray!
They live to see another day!
On gallows built for Mordecai,
the king said, "Hang that Haman high!"
Haman learned that pride don't pay
while Mordecai became the man of the day.
Myrtle, Myrtle, you're the star.
NOW I will remember who you are!
"Hadasseh." That's your Hebrew name
and it means "myrtle" just the same.
"Esther" is your Persian name
and that means "star" and we're so glad you came.
The name of God is not written in this book,
but His perfect plan is everywhere you look.
+B+B+ Becky Brown
www.littlebrownlight.com

PSALM ONE FORTY THREE OH ME

2009-01-06T10:00:00.001-06:00
THY faithfulness…MY faithlessness
THY righteousness…MY filth
THY sight…MY tunnel vision
THY doings…MY inactivity
THY hands reaching…MY selfishness grasping
THY face…MY masks
THY lovingkindness…MY insensitivity
THY will…MY stubbornness
THY good Spirit…MY arrogance
THY name…MY reputation

Time and time again I see
That “THY” is THEE
and “MY” is me.
I fear that it will never be
THINE and THEE
As long as it is constantly
MINE and ME.
+B+B+
Becky Brown
www.littlebrownlight.com

TWO THOUSAND AND NINERS

2009-01-02T08:53:00.002-06:00
MARRY CHRISTMAS AND HOPEY NEW YEAR
We have just enjoyed a wonderful Christmas 2008 together at Snow Lake. After two years of Christmas holidays in Memphis hospitals, we were glad to be home together. Our dad, our favorite heart patient, is doing well. Our mom is proving with the help of the Lord that you CAN be a cancer survivor…TWICE! She has put that “t” in cancer…CANTCER! We are truly blessed. My sister took me for a ride in her new convertible. In order to keep the top down all the way to the WalMart in Holly Springs, we had to turn on the heater to stay warm.

We went to the Christmas Eve candlelight service at Ashland Baptist Church. On the way home, we could see lots of red blinking lights across the lake. First we thought someone had added decorations to their house to help Santa find his way. As we got closer, we could see that it was a fire truck and that it was parked very close to the homes near our driveway. We even saw smoke. As we navigated past the traffic jam of fire equipment, the lumps in our throats began to relax. There was Santa himself in living red and white, passing out candy to the kids. Guess the smoke we saw must have been from a fireplace. How about that for tidings of comfort and joy?

Someone sent me a Christmas greeting via text message to my cell phone. It read this way: “MARRY CHRISTMAS!” I’m sure that well meaning “predictive text” accidentally served up this two-word salutation. I decided that it might be a sign from God that there is hope for me yet!

During The Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nine
When it comes to my life, I pray that you will find
One Resigned
completely from anything that would distract me from God.
One Inclined
with intentionality toward the face of God.
One Refined
daily by the Word of God.
One Aligned
specifically with the plan of God.
One Assigned
clearly to my place in the plan of God.
+B+B+
Becky Brown
www.littlebrownlight.com

PALIN TALK

2008-12-10T21:54:00.003-06:00
DEDICATION PAGE
FOURTH PRINTING
"THE LETTER BOOK"
by Becky Brown
copyright 2001

Dear Sarah:
This book contains the life and times of my great-grandmother, my grandmother, my mother and me. I am the firstborn of a firstborn of a firstborn. I am ten years older than you, but I truly believe that you could have written this same sort of book about your family. I know you were not the firstborn, but I heard your daddy say that you could stand your ground with anybody, anywhere, anytime and greet any challenge with courage and grit and kindness.

I know you are a woman of faith in my Jesus Christ and that’s what I admire the very most about you. You went hunting and fishing with your dad and so did I. You know how to dress what you kill or catch and get it ready to serve to your family in your own kitchen with leftovers in the freezer to be shared with friends. Your husband is your greatest fan. Your kids are a blessing.

You are a faithful member of a church that teaches the truths of the Bible. You served your local school as a volunteer and made it better. You worked on the city council and served as mayor of your town and made it better. The Lord made a way for you to become governor of your great state of Alaska and you are currently moving things toward the better right where you are.

I believe that God saw that you were faithful in the little things and then because of that faithful work, He chose to place you in charge of many things. He has seen your servant heart and so have I and I am not alone. Be assured that you are not alone. The brutal personal attacks that were leveled against you and your loved ones were coming from the folks who don’t care about your values. They were not attacking you at all, even though it certainly must have been a painful time. They don’t even realize how plainly they showed their true colors. They were waging war against all that you represent…goodness, love, truthfulness, morality, justice. These are the values that are no longer highly prized in our drifting and wayward culture.

You and I both know that this was a battle for the soul of our country and that our spiritual thermometer is below freezing in many, many places. When our values are shaped by Oprah and Saturday Night Live and the rest of Hollywood, what do you expect? Frankly, I believe that those politicians were running scared that if you got elected to our second highest office that you would do exactly what you said you would do…rearrange their playhouses and kick some of them out on the garbage heap where they belong.

Personally, I would have loved to have seen you be a heartbeat away from the Presidency. You certainly received my vote. The day after the election, I bandaged my conservative wounds and signed up for the Inaugural Prayer Team for our president-elect. My copy of God’s Word says that I must pray for my leaders and be the best earthly citizen I can be. I am joining lots of folks who have made a covenant to pray for the new administration daily. Diligently, I am looking for a PALIN 2012 sticker to display on my guitar case and car bumper.

I determined to dedicate this fourth printing of THE LETTER BOOK to you because I know that my grandmother would have been a great campaign manager for you. If the Lord had let her live till 2008, I imagine she would have done all that she could to put you in the White House. Her blood flows right past this high cholesterol and straight through my veins. Her faith is my faith and your faith. May God bless you as you continue to live out your faith in a hostile world.

Becky Brown December 2008.

THESSALONIANISMS

2008-12-04T12:11:00.000-06:00
Stand firm in the Lord.
Abstain from sexual immorality.
Love one another.
Lead a quiet life.
Attend to your own business.
Work with your hands.
Comfort one another.
Be alert and sober.
Encourage one another.
Build up one another.
Appreciate spiritual leaders.
Live in peace with one another.
Admonish the unruly.
Encourage the fainthearted.
Help the weak.
Be patient with all men.
Seek after that which is good.
Rejoice always.
Pray without ceasing.
Give thanks in everything.
Do not quench the Spirit.
Examine everything carefully.
Hold fast to that which is good.
Abstain from every form of evil.
Do not be deceived.
Hold to the traditions which you were taught.
Strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
Follow our example.
Do not grow weary of doing good.
Pray for us.
Greet each other with a holy kiss.
Read this letter to all your brothers.
+B+B+
BECKY BROWN
WWW.LITTLEBROWNLIGHT.COM

CAKE OF THE WEAK

2008-12-04T11:45:00.001-06:00
One cup of marching with hidden, unconfessed sin
One cup of leading without direction from the Lord
A pinch of pride
A dash of fear
Mix with defiance and prayer-less-ness
Bake until burnt
File under: Double Decker Failure Deluxe
Rave Reviews: “This cake has fallen and it can’t get up!”

WARNING:
The Great Physician has declared that consumption of this cake could be hazardous to your spiritual health. It could potentially paralyze your spiritual walk. It could contribute to cloudiness of your spiritual vision.
Partake with fear and trembling…

Suggested toppings: Confrontation and Reprimand
Recommended side dishes: Repentance and confession

Copyright 1997
From the Bible Study in the book of Joshua
“Joshua and the Stones of Remembrance”
Joshua and Achan and the Battle of Ai
Chapters Six, Seven and Eight
+B+B+
Becky Brown
www.littlebrownlight.com

Hummingbird

2008-11-14T19:30:00.004-06:00

A bird in the hand waiting for the paintbrush. Thanks to the Lord for Mr. Oren Segrest, my bird carving teacher, who allowed me to learn how to carve in his shop. +B+B+ Becky Brown www.littlebrownlight.com

ME and THEE

2008-11-14T19:17:00.002-06:00
You love. I’m cold.
I fail. You hold.
You wait. I run.
You call. I come.
We touch. I cry.
You live. I die.

I dream. You know.
You call. I go.
Your Word. My need.
I hurt. You bleed.
I sin. You forgive.
You died. I live.
+B+B+
Becky Brown
www.littlebrownlight.com

perfectrust

2008-11-11T11:58:00.006-06:00
These are the days
that you lean only on
the Lord of the call.
He is the peace of eternity
in the chaos of the temporary.
+B+B+
Becky Brown
www.littlebrownlight.com

CROSSWORDS

2008-10-24T09:09:00.003-05:00
And two robbers were crucified with Him,
one on the right and one on the left.
Matthew 27:38
And they crucified two robbers with Him,
one on His right and one on His left.
Mark 15:27
And when they came to the place called The Skull,
there they crucified Him and the criminals,
one on the right and the other on the left.
Luke 23:33
There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men,
one on either side and Jesus in between.
John 19:18
And one of the criminals who was hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds, but this Man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with ME in Paradise!”
Luke 23:39-43

Three men on three crosses.
One died for my sin, without sin.
His name is Jesus.
One died freed from sin, without condemnation.
His name was Remember Me.
One died in sin, without repentance.
His name was Could Have Been Forgiven.

CROSS WORDS…
THREE ACROSS.
ONE DOWN.
+B+B+
Becky Brown
www.littlebrownlight.com